tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84520689130693726112024-03-07T06:15:39.346-08:00Tales of a Transient DrifterTransient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.comBlogger496125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-42085586237584490852019-06-04T17:36:00.000-07:002019-06-04T17:36:26.913-07:00Outrush Blog TourToday I get to share an interview from Errin Stevens in regards to book three in her Siren series. I've really enjoyed working with Errin over the past several years, and was excited to get the next installment. I apologize for things being a bit rushed. The new motherhood thing has totally taken over my life, but please be sure to read through to the interview from Errin at the bottom of the post.<br />
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<br />
The Mer Chronicles. Book 3: Outrush <br />
<br />
Author: Errin Stevens <br />
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Summary from Amazon.com<br />
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"Falling, falling... Maya was airborne again, suspended between a landless platform above and an inscrutable expanse of water below. Maya's headlong rush into marriage isn't working out... and it isn't the only collision course she's on these days. Her saltwater distractions aside, her father-in-law wants her gunned down for reasons unknown, and her pesky bodyguard - when he's around - seems intent on drowning her in want and regret. Maya is desperate to hold onto any small part of herself she understands. When escape becomes her only option, she finds herself in a race against a past - and a man - she can't outrun. <br />
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Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Outrush-Mer-Chronicles-Book-3- ebook/dp/B07MK3YKXR Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43599011-outrush <br />
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Errin Stevens writes paranormal romance from her home in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and son. When not wrestling with unruly narrative – or reading everything from mythology to contemporary romance to New Adult suspense – you’ll find her swooning over seed catalogs (winter), or digging in the garden (the other three days of the year). Visit the blog for release updates and random essays on writing and mothering. <br />
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AUTHOR LINKS: <br />
Website: http://errinstevens.com <br />
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.errin.stevens <br />
Twitter: https://twitter.com/errinstevens Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/errinstevens <br />
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GIVEAWAY http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b21/? <br />
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TOUR SCHEDULE: <br />
June 3rd: Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)<br />
June 4: Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) & Interview <br />
June 6: Destiny (https://afountainofbooks.blogspot.com/) <br />
June 8: Charlotte S. (http://www.instagram.com/bookishnomad) <br />
June 9: Marianna (https://mariannareads.wordpress.com) <br />
June 10: Yahaira (http://www.instagram.com/thejubilantreader) <br />
June 12: Aisha (https://aishaereads.tumblr.com) <br />
June 13: Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com) <br />
June 14: Stephanie (http://www.instagram.com/shutupnread) <br />
June 15: Jackie (http://dauntlessbooksandpenguins.wordpress.com) <br />
June 16: Leanetta ( http://www.instagram.com/leanettascott08 ) <br />
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Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours *Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.<br />
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Interview questions:<br />
<br />
1.) How does it feel to have your third book baby out in the world?<br />
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I feel better than I ever have after letting this one leave the nest, and I'm not sure why? I had such a case of the baby blues with the first two! Perhaps because I feel like, with Outrush in the mix, there's at last an aggregate, or maybe several places for your imagination to go. I hope people will find the added breadth satisfying. And I'm ever so pleased to have told Maya's story, which I wanted to do in book two... but Simon and Sylvia staged a coup in my brain.<br />
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2.) Do you feel like things have changed in your writing process over the course of the series? Has it gotten easier or more difficult to carry on your story lines?<br />
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Writing is hard for me, and while I'm quicker to recognize soft spots in my thinking than I used to be, I still have to mull and refine and rework a ton to feel satisfied with what I develop. But the world-building is set; I have characters I can do more with/develop a story line for if I choose; and I really feel like I've been able to play as I've wanted within my chosen genre. I.e., Updrift was more character-driven, Breakwater more plot-driven, and Outrush is a balance although slightly more focused on character. <br />
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3.) Can you give us some behind the scenes insights about your characters in Outrush?<br />
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I like to think all of my characters flirt (or worse) with deviance but act in a way that doesn't harm my readers... and by that I mean devastate or sadden. I pushed these boundaries more in Outrush, giving one of my characters a serious addiction and leading another to actively plan my heroine's murder but still kept to my hurt-less values, which I think makes the ending more satisfying. The love story in this one is richer to me, too, because by now, I've watched Maya grow up; and we get to see Aiden become everything a romantic hero should be.<br />
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4.) How many more books can we expect in the series?<br />
<br />
One for sure - I'm in the EARLY stages of drafting Crosstide - and I might like to mine some of the story lines I started in Breakwater. I'm thinking a little about a west coast series... and I promise that you'll know more when I do!Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-51785357159761559272019-02-11T11:54:00.000-08:002019-02-11T11:57:29.554-08:00Girl, Keep Fighting Blog TourWow, it's been pretty much forever since I've been on here...Lots of life changes and all that good stuff, but I won't go into all the details right now. Just wanted to share a little tour info for you all. I'll put my personal review down at the end.<br />
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<br />
Title: Girl, Keep Fighting<br />
<br />
Author: Channon Bailey<br />
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Synopsis From Amazon.com:<br />
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This is for the girl who’s ever been told no. This is for the girl who still holds a dream in her heart. This is for the girl who has to do what she has to do. This is for the girl who won’t give up. This is for the girl who still believes in fairy tales. This is for the girl who knows she is worth more. This is for the girl who wants a life to call her own. This is for you. Girl, keep fighting.<br />
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43686285-girl-keep-fighting?from_search=true<br />
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Keep-Fighting-Break-Dreams/dp/1793498881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548268230&sr=8-1&keywords=channon+bailey<br />
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Want a free digital copy of "Girl, Keep Fighting?" Head over to http://www.channonbailey.com and subscribe for your free copy of this amazing book. What are you waiting for?<br />
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<br />
About the Author:<br />
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I love to tell people that I'm an Outlander & GLOW fanboy (cause I freakin' LOVE those shows!) who built a career coaching men and then threw in the towel... "exchanged" is a much better word... to fight for women.<br />
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I love that I almost closed the door on my businesses too many times to count, and now I am living my dream by doing what the heck I want.<br />
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I love that so many people (including every family member and friend) told me no, and I am living proof that you gotta do what you gotta do.<br />
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I love that I learned there's a difference between sex and love-making, and I have a "Wonder Woman" of a wife and three awesome + one on the way kids to prove it.<br />
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I love that I quit the 9-5 so I can work from 7 in the morning to noon or 10 at night through midnight cause my brain seems to work better at those times.<br />
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I love the day I got my rock star confidence back and knew the world was a much better place living my life and not someone else's.<br />
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I love Mexican food and sushi. Yum! (Yes, it's that important to include here!) Coffee too!<br />
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I love that my biggest fear isn't failure, being worried about what someone thinks, taking risks, or not winning. My BIGGEST fear is not doing what I know I'm supposed to.<br />
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And, finally? I love that I can show you the same.<br />
<br />
:SOCIAL MEDIA:<br />
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealchannonbailey/<br />
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FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealChannonBailey/<br />
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website: https://www.channonbailey.com<br />
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TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
<br />
Feb 11th: Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)<br />
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Feb 12th:Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.wordpress.com)<br />
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Feb 13th:Jessica (http://www.crossroadreviews.com)<br />
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Feb 14th: Rubina (http://readdayandnight.blogspot.com)<br />
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Feb 15th:Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)<br />
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Feb 16th: Yahaira (http://www.instagram.com/thejubilantreader)<br />
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Feb 17th: Leanetta (http://www.instagram.com/leanettascott08)<br />
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Feb 19th: Emily (https://goandgetemblog.wordpress.com)<br />
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Feb 20th:Misty (http://www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com)<br />
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Feb 22nd:Kayla (http://www.sundaymorningcoffee.net)<br />
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Feb. 23rd:Allison (http://www.mynovelife.com)<br />
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Feb 24th:Jackie (http://dauntlessbooksandpenguins.wordpress.com)<br />
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*Hosts are provided a copy of the book for free in exchange for their honest review.<br />
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Personal thoughts:<br />
<br />
I thought this book was a good idea, but not really quite right for me personally. There were some editing errors, and I felt like a lot of it was so focused on the personal experiences of the author, which are nothing like my own, that it was sometimes hard to totally get the point. I'm not a man from a dysfunctional family, so it was a little hard to connect...<br />
Anyhow, I can see where it would be very helpful to people who are a bit younger and still trying to figure out where they're going in life. I have a couple of copies that I'll be offering up in a giveaway on my instagram account soon if anyone is interested.Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-23449259456292378032017-12-19T12:26:00.002-08:002017-12-19T12:26:34.029-08:00Monsters of Selkirk book 2 Blog TourIt's the crazy season. Let there be no denial. So I definitely have not had a chance to finish reading this book, but I am in the midst, and I'm curious to see where Tallis and her little crew are going to wind up next. I read book one earlier this year, and, if you read down through the fun author interview you'll learn that there is still quite a ways to go to find out the ultimate conclusion of Tallis and her monsters...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6XCsKHQHShU8A2HPQKmonA9QYr42vA2UV9B-rsTnb1g1XnGNMewl5fGxGp5051JZ4P5kMJhQwFLgINHPZ0_JiVa8CgnQopMvlvQRi5dvkb0vK4Rq-w0CeAh0VVH-eVmFm0CjGMew_NA/s1600/selkirk+tour+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6XCsKHQHShU8A2HPQKmonA9QYr42vA2UV9B-rsTnb1g1XnGNMewl5fGxGp5051JZ4P5kMJhQwFLgINHPZ0_JiVa8CgnQopMvlvQRi5dvkb0vK4Rq-w0CeAh0VVH-eVmFm0CjGMew_NA/s320/selkirk+tour+2.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="178" data-original-height="178" /></a></div><br />
TOUR SCHEDULE: <br />
Dec. 18th: <br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
Dec. 19th: <br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
Dec. 20th: <br />
Paige G.<br />
(http://www.popthebutterfly.wordpress.com) <br />
Dec. 21st: <br />
Jess (https://xlittlebookwormx.wordpress.com) <br />
Dec. 22nd: <br />
Kat (http://www.instagram.com/katsbookstagram) <br />
Dec. 23rd: <br />
Kira (http://thelonelybookclub.blogspot.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours <br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.* <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZ0o0YRjCwZLraVxgMw64j9KusJgRRg30-Omjy7oBRWKt2CKg5snz35-Is9emhVVP2ytcc8_YS-8TD6ewkLAXLnzJEbHrR8smAbZbH0DdTn7g24KXoAsDJKr8ZqMeh4EDLHuVYYshcw/s1600/selkirk+cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZ0o0YRjCwZLraVxgMw64j9KusJgRRg30-Omjy7oBRWKt2CKg5snz35-Is9emhVVP2ytcc8_YS-8TD6ewkLAXLnzJEbHrR8smAbZbH0DdTn7g24KXoAsDJKr8ZqMeh4EDLHuVYYshcw/s320/selkirk+cover+2.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="178" data-original-height="178" /></a></div><br />
Title:<br />
The Monster of Selkirk Book 2: The Heart of the Forest <br />
By: C.E. Clayton <br />
Synopsis from Amazon.com: Tallis is learning how to deal with loss and violence as she and her friends traverse the forests of Selkirk trying to find the reason behind the elven uprising. Not to mention why they keep hissing her name. But the further into the forests they go, Tallis is finding that the elves' depravity can still surprise her and thoroughly test the bonds of friendship, family, and love. Tallis's journey eventually leads to answers they're not prepared for. Now Tallis begins to wonder just who she really is, and if she's the evil that will end up destroying Selkirk. But she cannot stop processing these revelations, as an unforeseen betrayal lands those she loves at the feet of the very monster responsible for all the hurt and heartbreak. <br />
Coming face to face with her foe, Tallis discovers all too late she has no idea how to deal with this level of pain and death. One way or another, the monster's path ends here, and all Tallis can hope to do is bring those she loves safely out of the heart of the forest. <br />
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Amazon Link: <br />
https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Selkirk-Book-Heart-Forest-<br />
ebook/dp/B075J7J42D/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513581703&sr=8-<br />
2&keywords=the+monster+of+selkirk<br />
Goodreads Link:<br />
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36221912-the-monster-of-selkirk-book-<br />
ii<br />
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SPOTIFY PLAYLIST CODE: <br />
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src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Auser%3A121402516%3Aplay
list%3A5y7UnUZS
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ency=
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true"></iframe> <br />
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST LINK:<br />
https://open.spotify.com/user/121402516/playlist/5y7UnUZSUR9rGR2uqHMpRp <br />
_____________________________________________________________________________ <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQzti5-5AoymzGb5yz0sllztWSFF4p_yiqB-FyEbT6QI2C5d6ORPn-x4iOIRH3oOBGlmVSaTCv9jDTPUxOO0mEYzT1htudkbxnFyEb3P3wvhqcR-CsMCqn0fs3_-j8ncqdDD1MKzNvdA/s1600/ceclayton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQzti5-5AoymzGb5yz0sllztWSFF4p_yiqB-FyEbT6QI2C5d6ORPn-x4iOIRH3oOBGlmVSaTCv9jDTPUxOO0mEYzT1htudkbxnFyEb3P3wvhqcR-CsMCqn0fs3_-j8ncqdDD1MKzNvdA/s320/ceclayton.png" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="264" data-original-height="264" /></a></div><br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: <br />
C.E. Clayton was born and raised in Southern California where she worked in the advertising industry for several years on accounts that ranged from fast food, to cars, and video games (her personal favorite). This was before she packed up her life, husband, two displeased cats, and one very confused dog and moved to New Orleans. Now, she is a full-time writer (mainly in the fantasy genre), her cats are no longer as displeased, and her dog no longer confused. More about C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, and poetry, can be found on her website: http://www.ceclayton.com <br />
<br />
<br />
MEET AUTHOR C.E. CLAYTON DEC 23, 2017 @ Pasadena, <br />
CA<br />
...<br />
Click here for more details: <br />
https://www.facebook.com/events/136617837043098/ <br />
AUTHOR LINKS: <br />
Website:<br />
http://www.ceclayton.com/ <br />
Instagram:<br />
http://www.instagram.com/chelscey <br />
_____________________________________________________________________________ <br />
GIVEAWAY: <br />
<a id="rcwidget_rusytwa3" class="rcptr"href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b20/" rel="n
ofollow" data-raflid="050c6a3b20" data-theme="classic" data-template="">a <br />
Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src=“
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
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></script> <br />
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<br />
Now for the fun author interview :)<br />
<br />
1.) When you started writing The Monsters of Selkirk did you expect it to be a series?<br />
I did! I just didn't know how long of a series it would be. I knew what the ultimate ending would need to be, and the final conflict. I just was not sure how many books it'd take me to get there (the answer is 6)<br />
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2.) In what ways did your writing strategies change with writing this sequel?<br />
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I hate writing recap chapters, probably because I hate reading them (and watching them). But, I can't control when someone will read my books so I had to find ways to remind readers of what happened in the previous book without writing something I wasn't a fan of, or something as cliche as "Previously, in the Monster of Selkirk..." which meant that I had to determine which details were the most important from the previous book to bring forward into the sequels. Then, I had to do that for book 3, and 4 and so on, so it becomes a ladder of which points in each book are vital to tease in the subsequent books. Which means I make good old fashioned lists and bullet points so I can better keep track of those parts moving forward. I know a lot of people like those recap chapters, but I hope that my world and characters are distinct enough to where, once you dive back in, it feels like you never left and everything comes back to the reader without having to actually go back to previous books.<br />
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3.) Did you find writing book two to be more or less difficult than book one?<br />
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In terms of flow, it was easier to write. The backstory was in place and now all the craziness could begin, and writing those parts was a lot of fun and tended to just flow right out of me. But there are more difficult situations in the second book, things that are emotionally more difficult to write and convey in the right ways. So it was easier in that I got into a great rhythm while writing, but difficult at times because of WHAT I was writing.<br />
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4.) Which of your characters do you find to be the most likely to do something unpredictable when you’re writing?<br />
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Rosslyn, hands down. She's such a free spirit and I love it, but she tends to ruin my little outlines when I'm writing her as the character will steer me in directions I hadn't considered, but love once it gets going. Sometimes Tallis is that way too, but not as much as Rosslyn.<br />
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5.) If you could spend the day with one of your characters who would you choose and what would you do?<br />
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For as fun as Rosslyn is, I'd want to hang out with Tallis so she could teach me how to fight the way she does. I wrote her to be awesome, and she is, arguably more-so than I am, with her incredible skill with her trident shaped daggers. I'd love to be able to defend myself like that, and make it look like a dance all at the same time. <br />
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6.) Do you have plans for another sequel?<br />
<br />
Yup! Book 3 is with the editor now and I have already written books 4-6, though those are all still in the revision / beta reading process. So, basically, the entire series has been written, but now the hard part of editing and revisions have begun!<br />
<br />
If there is anything else you would like to share please feel free<br />
<br />
I tend to write my books in chunks. Book 1 and 2 are best read together, book 3 will be good all on it's own, book 4 and 5 follow the same path as books 1 and 2 and the last book, well it's the end so everything gets settled there. it may sound confusing, but a lot of that is based on the places Tallis ends up, and how much time she spends there. So there's a little hint about the places Tallis and her friends end up, and how long they stay there!<br />
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Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-29528681687808360952017-11-14T17:00:00.000-08:002017-12-19T13:45:14.008-08:00Loud Music Blog TourWow, it's been a while since I posted here. Sorry for the long absence. Honestly, I'm thinking of starting a new blog that is more dedicated to my writing. I will probably keep doing some of these author interviews and book reviews, but I think it is time to have something more professional, rather than my personal blog in order to share with a broader audience. I don't want to totally give this blog up, since it has been a part of me for so long now, but it seems to have mostly run its course, so the new year will most likely see me starting up with a fresh blog.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmqfhFYtn3rCCXEvJaq9E48JFRHSvCOyKx98yPvt3o5rdO4tK5WCKcQo48zKf5SA8EsGzdUqFERIa6hT8JGBE1ZJvCB_XUuEyLdDVmGFcbxM2LY2_cjy6ajZBZqz6WMv0SC8vW0gYJhk/s1600/loudmusicheader_preview.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmqfhFYtn3rCCXEvJaq9E48JFRHSvCOyKx98yPvt3o5rdO4tK5WCKcQo48zKf5SA8EsGzdUqFERIa6hT8JGBE1ZJvCB_XUuEyLdDVmGFcbxM2LY2_cjy6ajZBZqz6WMv0SC8vW0gYJhk/s320/loudmusicheader_preview.jpeg" width="320" height="175" data-original-width="693" data-original-height="378" /></a></div><br />
This blog tour sort of got put off for a while, so I actually read this book a couple of months ago. It was a pretty quick read, that started off a little on the PG13-R rated side, but then settled down into a Hallmark sort of style tale of self discovery and redemption. There were a few elements that surprised me along the way, especially in regards to romance, but I don't want to spoil it. Suffice it to say, there were some surprises along the way.<br />
<br />
Be sure to read through to the end for my interview with Gloria :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxDgDYDsIdJvscLS0b5qiZX7rZ-8NNYhRC3wJ6WdzjHL087dOpfUV8WnkeR66RhT2F15Tx57NhYmBDfHgHJip2HH9hDrKKaYs3C7rvSzgmv4p_THXr7HiDtvpN-8460wHra-gnY_PTCc/s1600/loudmusiccover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxDgDYDsIdJvscLS0b5qiZX7rZ-8NNYhRC3wJ6WdzjHL087dOpfUV8WnkeR66RhT2F15Tx57NhYmBDfHgHJip2HH9hDrKKaYs3C7rvSzgmv4p_THXr7HiDtvpN-8460wHra-gnY_PTCc/s320/loudmusiccover.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="178" data-original-height="178" /></a></div><br />
Title:<br />
Loud Music: If It Ain't Turned Up... It Ain't Loud Music! <br />
By: Gloria L. Geiger <br />
Synopsis from Amazon.com: <br />
Ryan Davies is the lead singer of America's most popular rock group Loud Music. His face is on just about every magazine cover, website, and news program in the country and around the world. With T.V. endorsements and film offers, Ryan is set to become one of the most famous superstars of all time. That's only on the surface, under it all, there are problems, drugs, alcohol, sex, run-ins with law enforcement and his adorable face on the nightly news reporting yet another embarrassing moment in his life. To top that off, his controlling and money hungry mother still wants control of all things Ryan Davies, including money! His band mates hate him and he has been arrested so many times the jail might as well have a revolving door just for him. All that glitters isn't gold in his life,that is until a court judge decides to make him the example by sending Ryan to work on his estranged father's Kentucky horse ranch. <br />
At first, Ryan thinks this might be the death of him until he meets the family he never knew and starts to form bonds with each of them including a special needs cousin who will teach Ryan that there is more to life than being rich and famous. <br />
Amazon Link:<br />
https://www.amazon.com/Loud-Music-aint-turned-music-<br />
ebook/dp/B074QM5756/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=151037687<br />
9&sr=8-1-<br />
fkmr0&keywords=loud+music+by+gloria+l+geiger <br />
Goodreads Link: <br />
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36037798-loud-<br />
music?from_search=true <br />
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EXCERPT: CHAPTER 1 <br />
The music is thunderous roaring in my chest and vibrating down to my feet. My body buzzing, itching to move with the beat as the backup dancers come out on stage. Blue, purple and white stage lights along with smoke from the smog machine fill the air as the audience starts screaming and chanting along with Bobby, who raps, "Rock that body, rock it good shake what yo' momma gave ya, promise not to break ya..." <br />
The distinct sweet smell of cannabis wafts towards me on the stage making me want to light up just once before this segment of the show. I follow behind lead choreographer, Benny Henderson, one of my friends on this tour, he’s tatted all over his chest and arms and has large black gauges in his ears, and a buzz-cut so close to his scalp the stage lights gleam off his head. The dancers line up diagonally and wait for me to make my move, and then right on beat, I jump out in front of the dancers as planned to start my choreographed dance. Swaying and stomping to the music with the dancers. A female dancer saunters in front of me, wearing a flesh-colored dress covered in clear sequins and fringe, swaying her hips. She gives me a flirtatious smirk as she runs her finger across my chest. I give her a look that conveys my lustful interest then grab her wrist and spin her into my arms. We begin an insanely fast-paced cha-cha dance as the other dancers follow in suit. The crowd goes nuclear feeding my performers soul. I wink at my dance partner, Chalice, Cherise, Patrice. Whatever, then dip her backwards and kiss her cheek. It’s all part of the show; still, I can feel her melt in my arms. <br />
"Not yet, sweetheart!" I say in her ear then pull herup straight and continue dancing while Bobby’s rapping into his mic. She sways her hips, twisting and turning in step with me. <br />
"Gimme, gimme, give me what I want!" Bobby shouts into his mic as I spin her from my arms and perform a Fred Astaire move with another beautiful redheaded dancer twirling her about like a little shiny spinning top, the fringe of her nude colored dress splaying out from her body catching the stage lights like a human crystal. The music suddenly stops as we stand with our heads down waiting for our cue. <br />
"ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!" Bobby shouts and on cue the male back up dancers, dressed in only black leather pants, and I rush toward the audience of screaming teenage girls drop to our knees and skid to a stop, turning sideways, leaning back slightly, and start thrusting our hips as if we are sexing thin air. Then we drop forward into the most inappropriate version of push-ups known to humanity and simulate what we'd do to our girl if she were under us. <br />
On the eight count, we flip over, land in a crab position, and thrust our pelvis skyward giving the girls up front the "do me baby" face. Quickly popping up on my feet I race back toward my mic as Bobby shouts in my ear, "Gonna get someone spontaneously pregnant doing that!" I look at my friend and laugh, seeing the surging and frenzied crowd, gives me feeling of completeness, of being whole. <br />
Performing is like flying. Up here, I am untouchable, I get high off the music, the crowds cheers and screaming, lights and sounds! This is where I am free to be the real Ryan Davies. No one to treat me like a kid without say in his future, only the music, the fans, and my voice...up here, I am king. I am alive and up here I matter, not because of what I can do for someone or what my name will get them. <br />
It's because my fans see me! They know I do this for them and them alone! Up here I feel... loved, something sorely lacking for the past twenty-one years of my life. <br />
Shawn steps forward with his guitar and does some crazy Chuck Berry dance moves then spins and walks back to his place next to Trevor they trade looks then continue bopping their heads to the music. The two of them are crazy talented songwriters. <br />
"Gimme your life, gimme your soul, come on baby I'll eat you whole..." I sing into the mic taking over on vocals again. Funny thing about performing it makes me feel as if I took the happiest of happy pills getting the ultimate high! The bad thing about getting high though is eventually you have to come back down again and the crash is always painful. That will be later...after the show, when it'll be Ryan versus... them, me against my entire world. I wish it were different. I wish it could be as it was when I first joined Loud Music. But we can’t go back in time, can we? <br />
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<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: <br />
Gloria L. Geiger is a lover of the written word, mostly YA novels. Her love of reading started in elementary school when the librarian introduced her to Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. From that point forward she has been an avid bookworm. Reading books whenever and wherever she could. Asan author, she hopes to inspire others. Always be the sunshine and not the black cloud in someone's day. <br />
Twitter:<br />
https://twitter.com/watswritewithme <br />
Instagram:<br />
http://www.instagram.com/gloria_l_geiger_ <br />
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<br />
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<br />
Author Interview<br />
<br />
1.) Do you consider your self more of a plotter or a pantser (letting the story just carry you along)?<br />
A little of both.<br />
<br />
2.) when you create your characters do you use strict character sketches, or do you find that your characters evolve on their own as you write?<br />
<br />
My characters seem to have a mind of their own. Each one wants something and if they don't get it. They whisper in my mind all night long until I give in. They also grow and evolve as the story takes it little twists and turns. I love seeing them even mature a little too.<br />
<br />
3.). Can you give us some behind the scenes information about your characters? For instance favorite color, food, celebrity crush, any little bit of information you think might give readers a better understanding of who they are?<br />
FAVORITE FOOD: Ryan Davies actually loves cheese burgers, I mention that in the story when he's at Joeys waiting to order his greasy hangover food.<br />
FAVORITE COLOR: Would probably be purple. Royal purple that is.<br />
CELEBRITY CRUSH: Probably Salina Gomez. Cuz she’s so darn cute.<br />
He's also a deep thinker, has a big heart and is a people pleaser to his own detriment I think.<br />
<br />
4.) In Loud Music you have an important character with special needs. What lead you to create this character? Do you have any personal experience with people with special needs that you would like to share?<br />
Actually I do have background with both an autistic cousin and then I was a special needs aid in an elementary school. But Billy just spoke in my head one night and that was how he came to be.<br />
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5.) if you could choose one of your characters to spend the day with who would you choose and what would you do together?<br />
<br />
Ryan, we just go to the movies, he'd have to wear a disguise since he's famous. He likes all things Marvel and DC so probably something like that. He's a huge Thor fan.<br />
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6.). If there is anything else you would like to share with my readers feel free to do so.<br />
They can join my face book page, it's new and still growing.<br />
<br />
I also have 2 other books out right now. FAMOUS about a stalked celebrity, which was inspired by real events we've seen in the present and past. And TOO YOUNG about a teen age father who steps up to not only be there but raise his baby himself. In this story the girl dumps both him and their baby. People say he's too young to know how to take care of a baby properly. But he knows something they don't. He's got this!<br />
Just follow the links below. Happy reading!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
TOUR SCHEDULE: <br />
Nov. 11th: <br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
Nov. 12th: <br />
Sarah P.<br />
(http://www.sarahinzombieland.wordpress.com) <br />
Nov. 14th: <br />
Sarah E.<br />
(http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
Nov. 15th: <br />
Pagie G.<br />
(http://www.popthebutterfly.wordpress.com) <br />
Nov. 16th: <br />
Kira (http://thelonelybookclub.blogspot.com) <br />
Nov. 17th: <br />
Misty (http://www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours <br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.* <br />
<br />
<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-60799333270298526602017-07-08T13:14:00.001-07:002017-07-08T13:14:17.816-07:00The Monsters of Selkirk Blog TourSummer, it means lots of extra time for relaxation, reading, and catching up on all those things that hibernate over the winter, right? Or it means taking on all sorts of new extra projects, and therefore, having almost zero time for those extra little pleasures. Yeah. So, I have not started reading The Monster's of Selkirk yet, but it looks really good, and we all know that judging books by their covers is a fully acceptable practice. For now, I've got some background for you, a giveaway, and a super fun non spoiler interview with Author CE Clayton. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwHmNYfoQJNEAJlDYBU4Pjuvep8QraY7e17qJAUaTu_UC7V1DkR8g358r00OBLct5WfKX5NdBpzYwegLf_aa0WLmucN-N55PZ9Rg9mnpsLPyLv72a6y9te8gwe4RRsEslnTP4a8nFDiY/s1600/selkirk+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwHmNYfoQJNEAJlDYBU4Pjuvep8QraY7e17qJAUaTu_UC7V1DkR8g358r00OBLct5WfKX5NdBpzYwegLf_aa0WLmucN-N55PZ9Rg9mnpsLPyLv72a6y9te8gwe4RRsEslnTP4a8nFDiY/s320/selkirk+cover.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="640" /></a></div><br />
Title:<br />
The Monster of Selkirk - Book 1 "The Duality of Nature" <br />
Author: C.E. Clayton <br />
Synopsis from Amazon.com: <br />
Monsters come in many forms, and not everyone knows a monster when they see one. Afterthree hundred years of monstrous, feral elves plaguing the island nation of Selkirk, everyone believes they know what a monster is. Humans have learned to live with their savage neighbors, enactinga Clearing every four years to push the elves back from their borders. The system has worked for centuries, until after one such purge, a babe was found in the forest. As Tallis grows, she discovers she isn't like everyone else. There is something a little different that makes people leery in her presence, and she only ever makes a handful of friends. But when the elves gather their forces and emerge from the forests literally hissing Tallis's name like a battle mantra, making friends is the least of her troubles. Tallis and her companions find themselves onan unwilling journey to not only clear her name, but to stop the elves from ravaging her homeland. <br />
Amazon Link: <br />
https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Selkirk-Book-Duality-Nature/dp/1546469680/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499321994&sr=8-<br />
1&keywords=the+monster+of+selkirk<br />
Goodreads Link:<br />
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34736540-the-monster-of-selkirk <br />
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Spotify Playlist: https://play.spotify.com/user/121402516/playlist/5y7UnUZ<br />
SUR9rGR2uqHMpRp <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRAaFsQDPHa_0ob-4vtIyhqYWu9oY6dyz_hDc1v-uTIvSBMPMwllTZI-gNK2DiE8i_bt2xOd7u3tGiyn2E3yBEjIKrcZPXT7dCN_OccpCtb4I-mvIew47Gwu_mVPx9nm9a94a6M1snXY/s1600/ceclayton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRAaFsQDPHa_0ob-4vtIyhqYWu9oY6dyz_hDc1v-uTIvSBMPMwllTZI-gNK2DiE8i_bt2xOd7u3tGiyn2E3yBEjIKrcZPXT7dCN_OccpCtb4I-mvIew47Gwu_mVPx9nm9a94a6M1snXY/s320/ceclayton.png" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="264" data-original-height="264" /></a></div><br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: <br />
C.E. Clayton was born and raised in Southern California where she worked in the advertising industry for several years on accounts that ranged from fast food, to cars, and video games (her personal favorite). This was before she packed up her life, husband, two displeased cats, and one very confused dog and moved to New Orleans. Now, she is a full time writer (mainly in the fantasy genre), her cats are no longer as displeased, and her dog no longer confused. Moreabout C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, and poetry, canbe found on her website: <br />
http://www.ceclayton.com <br />
AUTHOR LINKS: <br />
Website: http://www.ceclayton.com<br />
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/chelscey <br />
<br />
1.) Would you consider yourself a plotter, a pantser, or something in between?<br />
<br />
I'm mostly a pantser though I do tend to be in between a bit. I've found that when I over plot, I get bored of my story and therefore, stop writing. Generally, I know what the conflict is and how the whole thing will end. From there, I let the characters shape themselves a bit as I go along. At most, I plot out a few chapters ahead as I get to them so I never lose the thread of what should be happening and what needs to happen in order to get to the conclusion. For me, I've found this approach really helps with the pacing so things don't drift into tangents and the action is lost, but it keeps me engaged and excited to see what my characters do next. I know that sounds like some abstract, frilly artsy thing, but it really isn't, I promise! :) <br />
<br />
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<br />
2.) Do you feel like you have control over your characters, following strict outlines, or do they tend to evolve over time?<br />
<br />
They mostly evolve over time. I always know where they start, their background, the things they are afraid of or struggle to overcome, then I get the pleasure of watching them grow and change based on all the drama and characters I throw their way. I don't have kids, so I imagine this is a teeny tiny bit what parents must feel like when they are watching their children grow, and I love it!<br />
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3.) Can you give us some behind the scenes info about any of your characters that isn't mentioned in the story? For example: favorite music, color, food, celebrity crush, etc?<br />
<br />
Tallis, the main character, hates the ocean! She can swim, but she gets extremely uncomfortable without solid land beneath her feet. It's a mild phobia of hers that she never manages to reconcile. Also, even though Selkirk is based off a medieval version of Scotland, if Tallis were to have a favorite band today, it would be Bastille though her favorite music would be more folk/americana.<br />
<br />
Rosslyn's favorite color is bright pink but she never wears it, she feels like it makes her look too "girly", or innocent , rather, so even though she loves it, she won't own anything pink.<br />
<br />
Tomas doesn't drink because he's afraid of losing control, especially around Tallis ;) He's not against drinking, so he may drink one day, but for now, he's afraid of what it'll do to him.<br />
<br />
Donovan loooovveeesss Rosslyn and her families cooking, especially her lamb stew, but he can't tell her. He disapproves of Rosslyn's influence on Tallis too much to pay her that kind of compliment.<br />
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<br />
4.) Speaking of celebrities, who would you cast for your major characters in a film version of your story?<br />
<br />
I'd cast Amanda Seyfried as Tallis, they look similar in my mind and she has the range to be both a bit insecure of herself but a total strong, badass woman at the same time.<br />
<br />
Jared Padalecki would be Tomas, they have similar builds even though Tomas has blonde hair. Really, it's his Sam Winchester character that reminds me of Tomas most. An intellectual, wants to use violence as a last resort, wants to figure things out, is brilliant, but also extremely attractive ;)<br />
<br />
Zoe Kravitz always reminded me a bit of Rosslyn, they are both strong, sassy, and fiercely independent women. She's just missing Rosslyn's signature freckles and honey brown eyes. If nothing else, I'd like to imagine the two would be friends!<br />
<br />
Chris Evans would be Donovan, hands down, even though they have different eye color. They have a similar look but also, Chris Evans does a fantastic job as Captain America and a lot of those same characteristics are present in Donovan, they are honorable, loyal, and will do what's right at any cost.<br />
<br />
All of these actors are a bit older now, and the look isn't 100% right on, so they may not be best suited for my characters who are between 19-25 for the most part, but they all fit well in my head!<br />
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5.) If you were stranded on a deserted island, which of your characters would you like to have by your side and why?<br />
<br />
Oh that's so tough! It depends on the deserted island to be honest. If it were a tropical paradise, I'd have Rosslyn with me hands down. She's hilarious and exactly the kind of girl you'd want by your side for a good time. But if the island was dangerous, I'd want Tallis! She's still fun, but also pretty deadly so I'd trust her to protect us and help figure out how to get to safety. <br />
<br />
This is also why Rosslyn and Tallis make such good friends, they compliment each other really well.<br />
<br />
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<br />
6.) Is there anything else you would like to share?<br />
<br />
I love giving my characters complicated backstories and mild mental health issues they have to deal with. Tomas has social anxiety, Tallis deals with panic attacks, Rosslyn has a little brother with special needs, Donovan's mother died when he was very young... all of them are either flawed, or fiercely love someone with mental instabilities. To me, even though this is pure fantasy, it makes my characters relatable because they deal with very real things that so many others deal with on a daily basis. I believe that fantasy is not purely an escape from reality, but that it helps us deal with reality. I hope that when others read about Tallis and her friends, they feel that as well.<br />
<br />
Giveaway <a id="rcwidget_dsmh3two" class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b17/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="050c6a3b17" data-theme="classic" data-template="">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyYPp1AjtjGpEt2ECnO_3fqO_i6_lYp3pYRvs-ti5GclEi5OfJOmKWjgFRKPgSyxA8IoOYeKx5fZmwH_LceGHmSgU_Z0PjgMHpSatRQ_4OFMCFmcpW8CPewTzZ5W1kGBpZ_KtD7AF_aw/s1600/monsterofselkirkheader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyYPp1AjtjGpEt2ECnO_3fqO_i6_lYp3pYRvs-ti5GclEi5OfJOmKWjgFRKPgSyxA8IoOYeKx5fZmwH_LceGHmSgU_Z0PjgMHpSatRQ_4OFMCFmcpW8CPewTzZ5W1kGBpZ_KtD7AF_aw/s320/monsterofselkirkheader.jpg" width="320" height="175" data-original-width="693" data-original-height="378" /></a></div><br />
Tour Schedule: <br />
July 8th:Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
July 9th:Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
July 10th:Paige S. (http://justonemorepaige.wordpress.com) <br />
July 11th:Kira (http://thelonelybookclub.blogspot.com) <br />
July 12th:Paige G. (http://www.popthebutterfly.wordpress.com) <br />
July 13th: Priyanka (http://abooklionshideaway.blogspot.in/) <br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com) <br />
July 14th: Jess (https://xlittlebookwormx.wordpress.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by: <br />
Happy Lil Book Tours *Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BUmelCpH712ZGFMB5PcK8QP89rRbfR9BCGCh3wJr2Eu1ovcqg9KqQSvU4atzEPB-2Qw5djtO3iw4P_qg42X-U9DPXGjiEiOQ_ohg_ScseaHa3GhEvWMlajxJebb2nxuvHbE9KnwwDiE/s1600/selkirk+script.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BUmelCpH712ZGFMB5PcK8QP89rRbfR9BCGCh3wJr2Eu1ovcqg9KqQSvU4atzEPB-2Qw5djtO3iw4P_qg42X-U9DPXGjiEiOQ_ohg_ScseaHa3GhEvWMlajxJebb2nxuvHbE9KnwwDiE/s320/selkirk+script.jpg" width="320" height="168" data-original-width="1024" data-original-height="536" /></a></div><br />
As soon as I finish reading I'll be sure to post my thoughts on my Goodreads account and on Amazon. Hope to see you all again soon. :)<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-29163265983991756192017-06-25T11:29:00.000-07:002017-06-25T11:29:13.795-07:00Immer Author InterviewSo I quickly posted all the information about this book and the blog tour yesterday, but I didn't have the interview with the author yet. I really enjoyed her answers to my questions, and I think you all will, too :)<br />
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<br />
1.) Would you consider yourself a plotter, a pantser, or something in between?<br />
<br />
My stories come to me almost like videos and conversations in my mind that won’t leave me alone until I put them on paper. So, when I sit down to type, I usually have a basic concept, often a very loose basic concept, of where I’m starting and where I’ll land in the end. But, I typically have no idea the path that I’ll take to get there, or what might pop up along the journey. It’s this wonderful and beautiful, and sometimes shocking, thing. It’s like I’m riding the story and it can completely surprise me!<br />
<br />
2.) Do you feel like you have control over your characters, following strict outlines, or do they tend to evolve over time?<br />
<br />
I don’t feel like I have a tight rein on my characters. They definitely have minds of their own and I watch them grow and change, sometimes just as the reader will. I let them flow, as I do the story. Who they are at the core doesn’t usually alter drastically, but it’s incredible for me to watch their development.<br />
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3.) Can you give us some behind the scenes info about any of your characters that isn't mentioned in the story? For example: favorite music, color, food, celebrity crush, etc?<br />
<br />
This question made me smile. <br />
Will is hard core rock and roll, all the way. He loves black, as is apparent by his wardrobe, and he prefers comfort food from home. He couldn’t name a celebrity, let alone have a crush on one.<br />
Rayne loves the color grey, because it makes her think of Will’s eyes. She loves anything Will cooks for her, and, like me, she adores indie pop. She loves Mark Wahlberg, because he’s tough and sexy, but a super sweet guy to his wife and kids.<br />
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4.) Speaking of celebrities, who would you cast for your major characters in a film version of your story?<br />
I’ve never thought about this and am struggling to answer. I find it hard to picture my characters any other way than the way I created them. Maybe Lucy Hale could play Rayne and Zac Efron could be Will. <br />
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5.) If you were stranded on a deserted island, which of your characters would you like to have by your side and why?<br />
Will, all day long. Yes, Will. Could it be Will??? I must admit, I truly adore him as a character. He developed in my mind before any of the other characters and even with his flaws, he’s pure perfection to me. <br />
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6.) Is there anything else you would like to share?<br />
I love being a writer. Becoming a self-published author has been like this fantasy ride that I don’t want to ever end. I am truly grateful for anyone and everyone who has taken the time to read my work. I still get all giggly, like a 5-year-old, when someone mentions that she’s reading my book. So, for everyone out there who is giving me any of your time, I’d like to say thank you, truly, thank you.<br />
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Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-83500334728676613092017-06-24T12:04:00.001-07:002017-06-24T12:04:14.731-07:00Immer Blog TourWow, seems like ages since I've done one of these blog tours. I'm hoping to have an interview to add as well, but thought I would at least get the basics up now. I still haven't had a chance to read the story, but it is up next on my list. Looks like quite an interesting one :)<br />
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<br />
Title:<br />
Immer <br />
By: Denise McFarland <br />
Synopsis from Amazon.com: <br />
The world has evolved. Fairies exist and have the power to heal. Vampires are real and aren’t to be trusted. Wolves have revealed their ability to shift into human form. Will Jaxon is both man and wolf. <br />
He is the Alpha of his community’s Wolf Force, the agency that provides security and protection for all mankind. <br />
In addition to his role as the head of his pack, Will has been working undercover to infiltrate an illegal drug organization that is trafficking women. When Will is coerced to take the lead in an abduction, he agrees in order <br />
to preserve his cover. But one look into the terrified, green eyes of the woman he attacks leaves him powerless <br />
to continue. <br />
As Rayne Daniels stares into the face of the man restraining her, she sees a shift, for a fraction of a second he changes and his true form is revealed. She realizes he is a wolf, a protector, and almost before she knows what <br />
is happening, he releases her. Rayne escapes physically, but emotionally she continues to be haunted, held prisoner by the trauma of that night. When Will discovers that members of the organization are still looking for Rayne, his entire world is altered. Now, Will spends his days undercover and every other free moment keeping Rayne safe, because her survival has become critical to him in a way that he cannot explain. <br />
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Goodreads Link:<br />
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33950142-immer <br />
Amazon Link:<br />
https://www.amazon.com/Immer-Denise-<br />
McFarland/dp/1542326079/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498283638&sr=8-2&keywords=immer <br />
<br />
Chapter 1 Excerpt: <br />
Rayne Daniels was tired. It felt like a long week and it was only Wednesday. But she'd promised herself she'd exercise three times a week and she hadn't cheated at all for the last four weeks, so she wasn't going to start now. After locking her ground floor apartment, she jogged down the first part of the path, around the corner and three blocks over, heading for the park in her neighborhood. She slowed as she crossed the street and made her way around the corner, with the park in view. The sun was just starting to think about setting, telling her she'd have to do more jogging than walking to speed up her trip around the park and be back home before dark. <br />
Exercise was her attempt to get a little healthier. Following her 25th birthday Rayne had noticed her curves were getting a little softer and she'd heard about women's bodies betraying then after 30. <br />
She'd decided she should get a head start on beating back the clock. She was in the process of congratulating herself for heading out into the cool dusk, despite her exhaustion and the later start, as she rounded the higher bushes on the edge of the park. She'd trained herself to speed up the jogging to a run in this area because as a single girl who ran alone, it wasn't wise to linger near large shrubbery that blocked you from view. Automatically running faster, she continued to think about this new phase of her life. <br />
She was in a new city, with a new business, and now she had a new exercise routine. She was like an entirely new woman. Rayne was so caught up in her thoughts that she failed to notice the bent branches and scattering of leaves around the bushes. <br />
If she'd been paying attention, this would have warned her that something was wrong. As it was, she never slowed, never even suspected danger, until she was caught in the grip of it. <br />
Rayne stopped short as she felt firm hands reach out and pull her off the path. She lost her breath as it was jerked from within her and was so shocked that the attack was really happening that she forgot to struggle for the first 3 heartbeats. But then reality set in and she pulled back, opening her mouth wide to scream. <br />
At the same moment anticipating her reaction, her attacker clamped both of her wrists in one vice grip, and he used the other hand to cover her mouth as he pulled her deeper into the shrubs. <br />
Rayne knew no one was coming for her. The path had been empty as she'd entered the park and with every passing moment the darkness was settling around her. People didn't come to the park after the sun set. She was completely on her own. She silently prayed, please God, please no, please help me. <br />
They were totally surrounded by the high growing bushes and as she continued to struggle, she began to feel helplessly like she was about to live every nightmare she'd ever had. <br />
It was becoming harder to breathe through her panic and she tried to turn her head to find some form of escape. That was when she saw the ground behind her attacker. There was a whole cluster of men watching her world end. She couldn't make out features, but they were standing there, witnessing her terror like it was some new sporting event. She couldn't help the whimper that made its way up from her throat, as she finally looked up into the face of her assailant. She pleaded with her eyes, because her voice was still trapped behind his hand, begging him silently to let her go. Watching his eyes she saw a slight change, so quickly she thought she must have imagined it. He leaned in toward her and almost growled, "Stop. Quit fighting me." He lowered his voice further and tears burned into her eyes as he roughly whispered, "Use your knee and push me away. Do you understand? Make it look convincing. Look at me. Do you understand?" <br />
The words were starting to penetrate her terror. Was he telling her he was going to let her go? She barely tilted her head forward, watching his eyes, momentarily paralyzed by her hope. She watched him match her movement, and saw the spilt second difference in his eyes again as he tilted his head forward, acknowledging that she'd truly heard him correctly. <br />
Louder again he said, "Stop struggling." The words were barely out of his mouth when she reared her head back and slammed it into his face. Feigning that he was caught off guard, his head snapped back on impact and he released her hands. Rayne used that moment to thrust her knee upward and then shove him off balance. The second her hands left his shoulders she turned and ran. She ran with everything she had, her panic and adrenaline pushing her forward faster than she'd ever run. And she was screaming as loudly as she could. <br />
No words would form, she just screamed and ran for her apartment. Nearing her door, she briefly wondered if she was leading the monster right to her home, but a quick glance behind her showed no one was following. <br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov04yR54EAjDTYLKaoV7NdKRbhm0SsZNt9Ed7rSXFOb9Qa8ZsK63lv8JHVl2yvyG3mtmJe8eKTurFfiPobROLNl1meilhosHFRloTm0QfJC-oLEcSdwUIMwIQd9AeJkrVdx1tsQJt_lE/s1600/immer+author.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov04yR54EAjDTYLKaoV7NdKRbhm0SsZNt9Ed7rSXFOb9Qa8ZsK63lv8JHVl2yvyG3mtmJe8eKTurFfiPobROLNl1meilhosHFRloTm0QfJC-oLEcSdwUIMwIQd9AeJkrVdx1tsQJt_lE/s320/immer+author.png" width="320" height="269" data-original-width="426" data-original-height="358" /></a></div>ABOUT THE AUTHOR: <br />
<br />
Denise McFarland is thrilled to introduce her very first publication, Immer. As a voracious reader from childhood, she found herself frequently being drawn into paranormal fantasy novels, falling in love with the interesting quirks and powers that made the characters "para" and the stories fantasy. It's not surprising that when she finally jumped into the author pool, she dove toward her favorite genre. She has dreamed for years of being a novelist. So, when she developed a story that she couldn't get out of her head, she knew she had to start typing. Denise is a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Florida. She spends her summers soaking up the Florida sunshine and the rest of each year teaching 4th grade. <br />
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AUTHOR LINKS:<br />
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33950142-immer<br />
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/author.denise_mcfarland<br />
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GIVEAWAY:<br />
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class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xjk5yO5QWnNzT06eR-bn6m9rvNMAOlOIgs9wmolwkdAk7WLIGQ1BLmt1XRM__Ez06oQVeLAAxkBuJwge6Hc0hEbjFVQX4qKMIA7wVaXkCaEDWCV8kqNH_0TEVdomp65ARyZwqvAEeMY/s1600/immer+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xjk5yO5QWnNzT06eR-bn6m9rvNMAOlOIgs9wmolwkdAk7WLIGQ1BLmt1XRM__Ez06oQVeLAAxkBuJwge6Hc0hEbjFVQX4qKMIA7wVaXkCaEDWCV8kqNH_0TEVdomp65ARyZwqvAEeMY/s320/immer+tour.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="600" /></a></div>_______________________________________________________________________________<br />
TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
June 24th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
June 25th:<br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
June 26th:<br />
Paige (http://justonemorepage.wordpress.com) <br />
June 27th:<br />
Nikki (http://www.instagram.com/asreadbyginger) <br />
June 28th:<br />
Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks) <br />
June 29th:<br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com) <br />
June 30th:<br />
Jess (https://xlittlebookwormx.wordpress.com) <br />
Melissa (https://melimimi.blogspot.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by: <br />
Happy Lil Book Tours *Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.*<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-41423316433340497052017-03-11T12:30:00.003-08:002017-03-11T12:30:59.743-08:00Thoughts on Book ReviewsAs a writer, book reviews are critical. I have taken it upon myself over the past 6 to 8 months, to become a reviewer. I want to help my fellow writers draw attention to their work. I also hope that others will do the same for me.<br />
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It is said that there is no such thing as a bad review. Every review adds to the author's visibility, and since each reader is different, each review will likely focus on a different aspect of what the writer has to offer. There is definitely truth to this. The more numbers you have, the higher you go up the list. Simple math, and all of that. (Remember, I'm a writer, not a mathematician, but I still get the basics ;)<br />
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There is nothing like the feeling of getting a five star review. Even if the person knows you, and is biased because they gave birth to you, or have been sharing their deepest secrets with you since your tweens, these reviews are amazing. Then there are those ones you get from people you've never met, and you think, "wow, I've actually managed to touch someone. This is going somewhere."<br />
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On the other hand, there are also one star reviews. Imagine getting kicked in the stomach, then having an elephant sit on your chest. That's sort of what a one star review feels like. It's bad enough to know that someone really didn't enjoy what you were trying to say, but it doesn't end there. I'll never forget reading a blog post by mega selling indie author, Amanda Hawking. She has finally released the final book in her "My Blood Approves," series, but doing so took her years because of negative reviews. People who reviewed her book, rather than simply saying how they felt about the stories or the characters, turned to talking about what a horrible person she must be for even writing such trash. In turn, that made her feel like these books that she enjoyed sharing with the world somehow made her less of a person.<br />
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Not everyone will like every book. You can't make everyone happy. It's not possible, even if you write a book that is a best seller, or that wins awards left and right. Even if your book is published in more languages than you knew existed, and has millions of five star reviews, there will be someone who reads it and says, "meh." And it is totally okay for people not to like a book, or to think it is poorly written, or to be unable to identify with the characters, but why do they have to make it personal? Why do they feel the need to belittle the author, just because they didn't like what that person wrote? <br />
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I have some theories about nasty one star reviewers, but they aren't overly positive. Personally, I think they're probably compensating for something, and rather than dealing with their own issues, they're using their powers of good for evil. Okay, you can write a scathing review, but maybe you shouldn't pat yourself on the back for the fact that you took someone's dream and crushed it in the cruelest way imaginable.<br />
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I could go on and on about this topic, but I'd rather switch to something more positive and save the rest for another time. I'm going to do a talk about my book next week. I have no idea if anyone will show up, but it's the first time I've done anything like this, which means I'm filled with that weird mix of excited nervousness that won't settle until I'm driving home at the end of the evening. I've done plenty of public speaking as a teacher, but it's different when you have to go up and be vulnerable about a topic that is dear to your heart: your precious book baby. So here's to hoping I have an audience, and that they're open to hearing about what led me to write One Week In November.<br />
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I'm also hoping to have fresh publication news really soon as I re-release The Darkening Dragons. I'm definitely squirrely with excitement about that, so stay tuned :)<br />
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Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-77931067817245284652017-02-01T11:28:00.001-08:002017-02-01T11:28:20.163-08:00New Cover Reveal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9xUK_8klgDXkfSZSN2PMQY8y8s2Gc2Y6C3Q4nCxa89EDKhG08d0YKBLsu2BRLVSKKb_EfklpnbcEbsmSBgjcEC07lYhO2ZAH8N7RouzMlbG1hGblfZeI5NeugncmFDFw733LKD55OTY/s1600/cediamondbooks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9xUK_8klgDXkfSZSN2PMQY8y8s2Gc2Y6C3Q4nCxa89EDKhG08d0YKBLsu2BRLVSKKb_EfklpnbcEbsmSBgjcEC07lYhO2ZAH8N7RouzMlbG1hGblfZeI5NeugncmFDFw733LKD55OTY/s320/cediamondbooks.png" width="320" height="160" /></a></div><br />
I am so excited to be able to help C.E. Dimond share the new covers for her books <i>Awakening</i> and <i>Wandering</i> in her Lost Legacy series. I was privileged to receive free copies of both of these books for review, and really enjoyed them. I also appreciated the author's willingness to listen to feedback, and how hard she worked to improve her writing. The new covers look absolutely fabulous, and I wish her great success as she works on the sequel. If you're interested in reading more about her books, as well as a fun interview, please check out my blog post from September 29, 2016.<br />
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There is also giving away copies of <i>Awakening</i>, so please follow the link :)<br />
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https://instafreebie.com/free/p7Z4ITransient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-38735764848550975602017-01-28T11:30:00.000-08:002017-01-28T11:30:02.147-08:00Surrender Blog TourWow, two posts in a week. I'm really going wild or something ;) Today I get to share a little with you about the book Surrender, by GR Thomas. I actually haven't started reading it yet, because I'm still in the middle of book one, Awaken, which I am enjoying thus far. The stories are an interesting take on Angels, with bits of fantasy woven in for good measure. Once I have a chance to finish both the books I'll be putting up my reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, but for now, I'll let the author introduce things to you herself :) Be sure to read all the way to the end for insights directly from the author.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8kjOuPSiaakrXlBzkKmXRKI4IMpn850tI6mUa8PK4xStQg7toSxgsgpV-0QHqaOxgHUU9WZt3xmtdg9kzk5Y1dEPUb3tx_TAW15znvGWl4LezDt3_Nq850prPpf12wduWwpa5EDr4Ho/s1600/surrendercover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8kjOuPSiaakrXlBzkKmXRKI4IMpn850tI6mUa8PK4xStQg7toSxgsgpV-0QHqaOxgHUU9WZt3xmtdg9kzk5Y1dEPUb3tx_TAW15znvGWl4LezDt3_Nq850prPpf12wduWwpa5EDr4Ho/s320/surrendercover.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Title: Surrender (The A'vean Chronicles : Volume 2)<br />
Author: G.R. Thomas<br />
Summary from Amazon.com:<br />
Sophia Woodville's life is anything but ordinary. You can't be ordinary when you've discovered<br />
you're an Earth-born Angel. Alone and suddenly powerless in the stinking heat of the Daimon<br />
realm, Sophia has been betrayed by the one person she trusted most. She must find a way to escape and continue her quest to unravel the clues left for her eyes only, fighting the Zombie-like Rogues to preserve the prophecies of Enoch. Only then can the Fallen Angels return to their homeland and humanity be released from the grip of Yeqon and his evil horde.<br />
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Avean-Chronicles-2-<br />
Thomas/dp/0994506910/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1484549250&sr=8-1<br />
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33146650-surrender<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2aPbKhb5XcENai7Fs8NmTB2ODuDDJb_wyROcHANXgZuDEpNlxDpfsSIXm7XiE0VkT4lUj1f9T_ODaKycrTbfdlv8hzZLiw97qkEvYHjudilVABueOkhYomor8iDHt4QtvpHc8TSppzo/s1600/surrenderexcerpt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2aPbKhb5XcENai7Fs8NmTB2ODuDDJb_wyROcHANXgZuDEpNlxDpfsSIXm7XiE0VkT4lUj1f9T_ODaKycrTbfdlv8hzZLiw97qkEvYHjudilVABueOkhYomor8iDHt4QtvpHc8TSppzo/s320/surrenderexcerpt.jpg" width="320" height="188" /></a></div>Prologue<br />
Syracuse 212 BC<br />
The stench of the narrow, dusty streets made Lucius wish for the battlefields more than ever. The smell of human waste rolled his stomach until the acid of bile lapped at the back of his throat. It mercilessly gnawed at him more than seeing the entrails of a dead soldier. His protracted reposting under General Marcellus was nothing short of mind-numbing. Running meaningless errands for that tyrant not only left his body lacking its former battle strength, but had driven him to the evils of too much wine and women for the lack of adventure. He grimaced with disgust at himself as he wiped strands of amber hair and sweat a third time from his brow with the back of his battle-scarred hand.<br />
He smoothed down his well-kept tunic after a wind gust and re-adjusted his beloved sword across his waist. A gift for bravery, his thumb rolled across the top of the hilt as he made the last turn into the small cobbled street, barely two soldiers wide. The effort of dragging up his right leg with any semblance of dignity slowed him down considerably. The damn injury that saw his last battle a career-ending one. He resented this lameness and ground his teeth in an almost permanent scowl.<br />
Barely twenty-five with a young family back on the outskirts of Rome, who were barely sustained on his paltry wage, the pressure to provide well for them was immense. He could envisage the look of shame in his late father's face when he stared into a looking glass during his morning ablutions.<br />
This extra job though, bringing in the old rogue, Archimedes, would see an extra one hundred<br />
Denari in his eager hands. Yet to lay eyes upon his two-year-old daughter, the monetary reward was all that pushed him to accept such menial tasks so far beneath a centurion of his standing. He growled to himself, but pushed on towards his destination. Lucius found the ramshackle frontage, stopping to rub his temples before he announced himself. Frustrated, he kicked out a stray dog, sniffing for a scrap of food. Headaches had plagued him of late. None of the poultices had worked, not even an entire night's worth of drinking could calm it.<br />
He'd resorted to Vitriola recently, using far too much of his precious wage to acquire the addictive painkiller. It did work somewhat, but left him with nightmares of hellish proportions. Be sure and also pick up a copy of "Awaken," the first book in this incredible series.<br />
SOME PEOPLE AREN'T DESTINED TO BE ORDINARY.<br />
With a special gift held close to her heart, it was always going to be hard for Sophia Woodville tolive an ordinary life. As a 20 year old nursing grad, she thought she had her future all sorted.<br />
However, destiny was about to intervene. Her secret was not so secret. The gift she possessed was just a hint of something far beyond her wildest imagination.<br />
Sophia will be pulled, kicking and screaming, into an unseen, ancient world that challenges all that she thought to be true of herself, her family and the origins of humanity.<br />
Original sin, forbidden love and her life in constant danger.<br />
Will Sophia survive this dark twist of fate?<br />
Will the devil be her saviour?<br />
Will an Angel be her downfall?<br />
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
Growing up in the burbs of Melbourne, Australia, in the 1970's, I had little in the way of technology to entertain me. I loved horses and books. When not riding my pinto pony I devoured fantasy books. I loved Enid Blyton with all the fairies and make believe. Over time, those fairies became darker as I delved into richer, more adult and scary fantasy and paranormal literature. These books mirrored a vivid dreamscape that comes almost nightly to me. Stories swirl about whilst I sleep, both delighting and frightening me. After a wonderful career as an I.C.U nurse and having an amazing family, I finally put pen to paper and began pulling out some of these stories. History and fantasy are what I love to read now, and especially when intertwined together. Anything that takes my mind away from the daily grind is fair game. I am a great fan of diverse and immensely talented authors, some of these being, Ken Follett, Phillipa Gregory, Tolkien, Julie Kagawa, Cassandra Clare, Amy Plum, Rochelle Maya Callen and the very talented Aussie author Matthew Riley. The list could really just go on forever.<br />
Awaken is my debut novel, the first in a three book series.<br />
Follow me on Instagram at grthomas2014 for regular updates on my current writing<br />
AUTHOR LINKS:<br />
Website: www.grthomasbooks.com<br />
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/grthomas2014<br />
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GIVEAWAY:<br />
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b15/<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBcDMrHYBMUZaeFnftFMIXyG-L7-s5aU33EAl2Z1S8pOVSFXuAuQf3i1J4mP9OqL0Kar3kDyOtux5Tdo6mPI8cHy6gKNyjb1L59Uodd107BVXIxlnuTczVkS6B1FkudrFKCUSth0fnUY/s1600/surrendertour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBcDMrHYBMUZaeFnftFMIXyG-L7-s5aU33EAl2Z1S8pOVSFXuAuQf3i1J4mP9OqL0Kar3kDyOtux5Tdo6mPI8cHy6gKNyjb1L59Uodd107BVXIxlnuTczVkS6B1FkudrFKCUSth0fnUY/s320/surrendertour.jpg" width="320" height="175" /></a></div>TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
January 16th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)<br />
January 17th:<br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com)<br />
January 18th:<br />
Misty (http://www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com)<br />
January 19th:<br />
Wilmarilys & Melisa (https://bookalmighty.wordpress.com/)<br />
January 20th:<br />
Camille (http://www.instagram.com/cami_simply_reads)<br />
January 21st:<br />
Julieanne (http://ephemeralwriting.wordpress.com)<br />
January 28th:<br />
Tracy (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com)<br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)<br />
January 29th:<br />
Sarah (http://www.sarahinzombieland.wordpress.com)<br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
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<br />
1.) When it comes to writing do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser (someone who just writes by the seat of their pants)? <br />
I am a bit of both. I always plot out important milestones of the story but do a substantial amount of flying by the seat of my pants over a latte at my favourite cafe. I find a skeletal framework with a whole lot of room to move in between allows my mind to wander far. I have had some quite substantial changes occur by letting the story and characters take charge.<br />
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2.) When you started writing Awaken, were you already anticipating writing a sequel? If not, at which point did you decide you would need to write more than one book, and do you have plans for more in the series as well?<br />
I always knew this would be a trilogy, with a very clear destination. I’ve had the ending written for a long time so I know exactly where I’m headed. I just have to fill in all the bits in between. This can sometimes make it tricky because I have so much swirling through my mind at once. I have to keep a clear focus on not trying to put too much in too soon. Balancing out the reveal of the story is key.<br />
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3.) My readers always love a chance to go behind the scenes with the characters. Can you share any background info that doesn't appear in the story? For example favorite color, style of music, celebrity crush, favorite food, etc. about any of your characters.<br />
Background of a character, this is interesting. I had to have a good think on this. I’ll go with Ben because he’s is fairly under-represented in Awaken.<br />
Ben was always a loner until Jaz came into his life. His words are few and to the point. He is keen on keeping his hands and mind busy with the least amount of intrusion by others. He loves to fix things. He picks up what is broken, works out how to fix it and then brings it back to life. He particularly likes motorbikes but also loves the complexity of repairing computers. Ben eats blandly. Food does not interest him. He is at home with an open can of beans and a piece of dry toast any day. Food to him is a means to an end, not a pleasure. Likewise, he is disinterested in fashion but plain and black suit him just fine. Jeans, a t-shirt and a jacket are all he needs. He is often found wandering the local forests, secretly he likes taking Sophia’s dog, Shadow for walks when she is at work. He doesn’t advertise the fact that he has a soft spot for animals. He works out....a lot. At least twice a day he lifts weights giving him an impressive appearance.<br />
He does however like music, hard rock and heavy metal played loud to drone out his worries is not uncommonly heard through an open window at his home. Ben continues to prefer to keep to himself other than his friendship with Sophia and sister, Jaz. He socializes with them, does what they want to do, adapting himself to please them regardless of whether he’s interested in the activity or not. He has always been fiercely protective of them both and has been known to enthusiastically pick a fight to defend them, even for something as simple as a glance in their direction. His fuse is shorter than his calm demeanour infers.<br />
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4.) Which of your characters would you most love to spend a day with and what would you do on that day? I would love to spend a day with Brennan. He’s my favourite character. I adore his wit, his light hearted nature, he is the best friend that we always want. Brennan is an irrepressible gossip and people person so I think a night out around the town, taking in the nightlife would be hilarious with him. He’s a decent and respectful guy who would keep you feeling safe whilst blowing your mind with his total lack of modesty and perpetual clowning around.<br />
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5.) Was there anything that surprised you, or came out differently than you anticipated when you were writing Surrender?<br />
Surprises did evolve whilst writing Surrender. The biggest was wrestling with a character that really wanted to write their own dialogue. It was quite a shock. Here I was thinking I was in charge, but every time I tried to write this character a certain way it was like they were screaming up at me from the computer screen to let them be themselves. Suffice to say, the character won. <br />
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6.) Do you have any writing rituals, favorite places/foods/music to accompany your writing?I have developed a ritual of writing daily at my local coffee shop. I love the white noise of the cafe sounds, I don’t mind all the coffee too. I find it hard to write at home because I see all the housework I’m supposed to be doing Ha Ha! I use post it notes too, a lot of them.<br />
<br />
I’ll share a little of my writing inspiration. Awaken evolved from a dream I had many years ago where I was drowning in a flood and I was saved by an Angel. From there, the places I’ve visited both around the world and in my own back yard have been rich with characters and locations that appear vividly in both my books. In particular, I adore the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne and feature them in Awaken. I really wanted to highlight the beauty of this magical place that is only a short distance from where I live. Since I began writing, everyone and everything is potential writing fodder.<br />
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*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest<br />
reviews and opinions.*Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-38343114716823444292017-01-26T11:02:00.001-08:002017-01-26T11:02:40.114-08:00Kindness MattersIt's a simple thought, really. Through every age, every era, every part of the world, if we take a closer look at people, not politics, we can see the truth shining up at us. We are not a world made of politics, scored by border lines, races, and religions. We are a world full of people. People who live their lives every day, through good times and bad, war and peace, prosperity and poverty, sorrow and joy. While history may chose to focus on the battles and rebellions that shaped our modern governments and divisions, it is our humanity that continues to draw us together.<br />
<br />
I started out 2017 full of inexplicable hope. The number 17 is one of my favorite numbers, you see, and so I wanted to truly believe that this would be a year that would be somehow more amazing. But thus far, well, let's just say, not so much amazing. From frozen weather that shut down the city where my business is, to protests that have continued to divide, to the continued daily struggle of figuring out all the "what next" decisions we are facing, it has honestly been hard.<br />
<br />
I was encouraged through a challenge on Bookstagram (the obsessive lovers of books portion of Instagram) to choose a word for this year, and in my desire for positivity, I picked the word "Believe." I've put aside my naivety, but I refuse to completely give up on the dream that despite the challenges we all face, I will believe that things can be better. I will believe that I can push myself forward every day to be more of the person I want to be. I will believe that despite the things that appear to divide, we are all people, and we all matter. Kindness matters.<br />
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That is really the core of the book I published back in October. It is so easy to see what we want to see in others and in ourselves, but is that really fair? Are we really allowing people to be who they genuinely are? And if they exhibit their true selves, are we willing to accept and love them, even if we don't agree with them or the decisions they make? Does kindness really matter?<br />
<br />
Well, this morning, I experienced kindness in a simple but compelling way. I was out of coffee creamer, and so I decided to pick up a Dutch Bros coffee on the way into work. (Yeah, I like my coffee to taste like candy.) After waiting patiently in line, my punch card and money ready to go, I was greeted by a smiling girl handing me my coffee and explaining that the gentleman in front of me had paid for my drink. And here's the thing, this is not the first time this has happened to me. Even as I was sitting in line I had been remembering the kind soul who had done that very thing for me a couple of months ago when I was on my way to a book signing event. It touched me then, and it touched me again today. I will never see either of those people and know who they are, but their kindness mattered to me, more than they will probably ever even realize.<br />
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So wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, whatever your abilities, just remember that even the smallest acts of kindness really do matter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNF9Sx3V7K3oM3KU_InwBQFJhDGka7xW7v-PZv_bkKLiJQ9Kls0Z5wlwSEIOMjDQe5DWmD2_DkAVjbNPQfgIbifyO7pL8rtDt1j57PsLSudIBwMLbpHMvHqfaCgfqp-Z8G9RnjtSlNWg/s1600/kindnessmatters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNF9Sx3V7K3oM3KU_InwBQFJhDGka7xW7v-PZv_bkKLiJQ9Kls0Z5wlwSEIOMjDQe5DWmD2_DkAVjbNPQfgIbifyO7pL8rtDt1j57PsLSudIBwMLbpHMvHqfaCgfqp-Z8G9RnjtSlNWg/s320/kindnessmatters.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div>Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-25868087780637170942016-12-13T11:38:00.002-08:002016-12-13T11:41:14.943-08:00Betraying Xaverique Blog TourOn time this time! Wahoo! I'm trying to cram this in before things get busy here at work. I'm about 80% through with this book, and so wish I could just sit and read, but tisn't the season for free time :P At least I managed to get this put together, so hopefully I can copy and paste it all before we get busy again. Loving this story, by the way. I really liked the first one, and book two does not disappoint!<br />
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Title: Betraying Xaverique <br />
Author: Karyn Sepulveda <br />
Summary from Amazon.com: Gabby Valis is a Xaverique. Sois the boy she loves, Noah; he’s also her enemy. Gabby and her family are once again thrown into battle with Zlanythe and his crew after they seek revenge by killing one of their own. To defeat evil though, one must first understand it and delving into Zlanythe’s past initiates the ultimate fight between good and evil. ‘Before this week ends, I will lose three people I love. Two will die and one will succumb to the darkness that has been assailing them for so long. If I went back in time, I’m not sure there’s a thing I could have done to stop any of it.’<br />
Amazon Link:<br />
https://www.amazon.com/Betraying-Xaverique-Karyn-Sepulveda-<br />
ebook/dp/B01N2KAFQ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481518725&sr=8-<br />
1&keywords=betraying+xaverique<br />
Goodreads Link:<br />
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33153601-betraying-xaverique<br />
<br />
<br />
EXCERPT: <br />
This excerpt is taken from www.karynsepulveda.com<br />
Prologue March 1961, Sydney <br />
Sophia gripped the metal handrail, watching the veins in her thin hands pulsate rhythmically. Soon, the flow of blood would stop, she thought. She would never have to worry about the fighting, the screaming, the hatred, ever again. Sophia closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. It smelled oftrees, of rain and of peace. She wasn’t scared now; the pain would soon be gone. She would soon be gone. Sophia opened her eyes, gazing at the thick bush that filled the deep valley beneath her. She quickly glanced behind her, to make sure no-one was around. She didn’t want to traumatise anyone by dying in front of them. But the bridge was deserted. Sophia looked straight up into the drizzly grey sky and then she simply stepped off. As she fell, Sophia didn’t think of anything. Her life didn’t flash before her eyes; she didn’t feel regret or fear. She just fell; completely aware of the wind rushing through her, the tiny droplets of rain splattering her face, the weightlessness of her empty stomach and then... Nothing. It was over. ‘Hold still. Don’t try to move. Not yet.’ A deep voice filled the darkness. Sophia was thrashing <br />
about, lying amidst broken branches and thick wet grass. Her arms and legs seemed to be moving by themselves. Her back arched, creating a nauseating crunch. She opened her eyes, but everything was blurry. She managed to focus on her hand, staring at the blue veins that had not changed. She was still alive. How? ‘OK, now, let’s take it slowly. Can you try to sit up?’<br />
That voice again.<br />
Sophia squinted. Someone was hunched over, cradling her in his slender arms. The stranger brushed the hair from her eyes and helped ease her to a sitting position. Their faces were close now and hewas wiping something wet from her cheeks. He was an angel, she realised. He had to be. All the crap she’d gone through in her life had been worth it. She was in heaven and this was an angel greeting her. ‘Well, you must beOKif you’re smiling. I’m Nathan; it’s nice to meet you, Sophia.’ The angel put his arm around Sophia and guided her to her feet. Sophia looked down at her body. She was soaked, muddy, and her clothes ripped to shreds. But there was not a scratch on her. She’d felt crushing pain for a moment, she remembered, before she’d blacked out. But now, here in heaven, everything was OK. Sophia, for the first time in many years, felt OK. She must have been smiling again because the angel was smiling too. ‘Sophia, do you feel OK? ’he asked. <br />
She nodded her head. ‘Are we going to stay here?’ She asked, wondering where the fluffy white clouds she’d heard about in primary school were. ‘No, I’m going to take you back to my place. Is that OK?’<br />
‘Is it a cloud?’ Sophia asked as Nathan took her hand in his and began walking up the steep, bushy wall of the valley. <br />
Nathan chuckled. ‘No, just a regular flat I’m afraid. Are you sure you’re OK? How much do you know about transitioning? Physically, you regenerated perfectly. But it must be a lot to absorb.’Transitioning, regenerating – what funny ways to describe death, Sophia thought. ‘I’m OK. I wanted this. I didn’t want to live anymore, so I guess that’s why I regenerated ortransitioned or whatever so well. I’m happy tobe dead. I didn’t think it would feel so, real.’<br />
Nathan stopped walking and turned to face her. He was higher up and toweredover Sophia, but there was not a single intimidating feature in this man. Everything about him was gentle and calm. His soft brown hair fell easily around his delicate face. And blue eyes that Sophia imagined herself swimming in radiated kindness. Sophia felt an odd sensation around him; trust. ‘<br />
Sophia, you’re not dead. You’re sixteen today, you’ve transitioned.’<br />
‘I jumped from a bridge. I’m dead,’ Sophia said. Of course she had tobe dead. But as Nathan shook his head, she couldn’t explain why she knew that she wasn’t. That something else had happened. <br />
‘You’re not dead,’ Nathan repeated. ‘Actually, your real life has just begun. You’re a Xaverique, Sophia.’<br />
<br />
March 1963, Sydney <br />
<br />
Sophia held Nathan tightly. ‘Why do you have to go?’ <br />
Nathan wrapped his arms around Sophia. ‘I’m going to the shops, we need groceries.’<br />
‘We can survive without food, we’re strong enough,’ Sophia said and kissed Nathan firmly on the lips. He returned her kiss, but pulled away when she started running her fingers through his hair. <br />
‘Soph, I’m hungry. I’ll be back in an hour OK?’<br />
Sophia sighed loudly and threw herself onto the huge bed. She laid her head on the soft pillow. ‘Fine, but get me some chocolate.’<br />
Nathan laughed and kissed her on the forehead. ‘I forget how young you are sometimes. Chocolate it is.’<br />
Sophia sat up and threw one of the pillows at him. ‘Eighteen is not that young!’<br />
‘Of course it isn’t.’ Nathan threw the pillow back and Sophia ducked. ‘I’ll see you soon,’ Nathan said and whistled ashe closed the door to their apartment behind him. <br />
Sophia smiled and lay back down on the comfortable bed. She still wasn’t used to feeling so happy. She and Nathan had been living together for over two years, ever since the day he found her broken, under the bridge. She could barely remember the desperate misery she had felt during the days before she decided to jump. The life she’d had before Nathan was now just a blur. She continued to smile as she ran a hot bath and began undressing. As she slipped her dress off and stepped into the steaming water, she thought about Nathan’s eyes. They were blue, but not just any blue; they were the dark blue of the ocean. Every time she looked into them she felt she would always be happy. Sophia bunched up a dry hand towel and placed it under her head to act as a pillow as she lay in the lavender-scented bath. She breathed in deeply and felt happiness reach every part of her body. Yes, she was undoubtedly the luckiest Xaverique that ever existed. <br />
Sophia woke with a start. The water was cold and the bathroom had darkened. She was shivering and reached for a towel. She wrapped it around her body and rubbed at her arms, trying to warm up. She heard the front door close. ‘Nathan?’<br />
Sophia called out and opened the bathroom door. Nathan was standing in the entrance. He was looking around the apartment. ‘Sophia, ah, hello,’he said in his deep voice. He had no shopping bags with him. ‘Where’s the groceries?’<br />
‘Oh,’ Nathan glanced at his empty hands. He looked up again and this time he smiled. ‘I must have forgotten them.’<br />
‘But you were so hungry. Did you eat out? Where have you been?’<br />
‘I had something to attend to.’ Nathan walked slowly towards Sophia and she got the goose bumps. She wasn’t sure ifit was because she was still cold from the bath or if it was a warning. Something about Nathan was different. He stood in front of her and looked her up and down. She pulled the towel tighter and shivered. ‘So what did you do?’ she asked again. <br />
Nathan glared at her. ‘None of your business.’<br />
Sophia took a step back. Something was very wrong. Nathan had never spoken to her like that before. His voice was different too; it was coarse and cold. He threw his head back and laughed. ‘Take a joke will you? Actually, I think I will go back out and eat. See you.’<br />
He looked into her eyes for a moment, then turned and stormed out. Sophia’s body froze, as she realised his eyes were no longer blue; they were black. <br />
Before this week ends, I will lose three people I love. Two will die and one will succumb to the darkness that has been assailing them for so long. If I went back in time, I’m not sure there’s a thing I could have done to stop any of it. The guilt lies with one person; Sophia. And I will never forgive her.<br />
Click HERE to read Chapters 1 & 2 <br />
About the Author<br />
Karyn comes from a background in teaching and theatre. Teaching drama, and writing and directing Theatre in Education productions. She’s always loved creating stories and characters, so completed a Masters in Creative Writing at Macquarie University. It was here that her journey of writing Choosing Xaverique began. Now, six years later, she is just a little bit thrilled it has finally been published! Karyn is currently working on the sequel to Choosing <br />
Xaverique, slated for production later this year. <br />
AUTHOR LINKS: <br />
Website:<br />
http://www.karynsepulveda.com<br />
Facebook:<br />
https://www.facebook.com/karynmsepulveda/<br />
Instagram:<br />
https://www.instagram.com/karyn_sep/<br />
________________________________<br />
GIVEAWAY:<br />
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TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
December 12th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
December 13th: <br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
December 14th:<br />
Priyanka (http://abooklionshideaway.blogspot.in) <br />
December 15th:<br />
Maia (http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weebly.com/) <br />
December 16th:<br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com) <br />
December 17th:<br />
Suhani (https://nicheofabooknerd.wordpress.com) <br />
December 18th:<br />
Misty (http://www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by:<br />
Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.*<br />
<br />
Now for my favorite part, the Author Interview :)<br />
<br />
1. How long did you take off before writing book 2? Was it hard to get back into the characters of did it feel like coming back to hang out with friends?<br />
<br />
I wrote the bones of book 2 (about 25,000 words) just months after completing my final draft of Choosing Xaverique - so about five years ago now. I didn't read it again until after Choosing Xaverique had been published (early 2016) and it honestly felt like reading someone else's book, I didn't remember writing most of it. So that made editing a lot of fun, as it was all fresh and new. I absolutely loved returning to my characters and creating more of their story. They certainly felt like old friends.<br />
<br />
2. I noticed on Instagram that you think you're done with this series after book two. Is there any possibility that you might leave things open enough that you could come back and revisit the series in the future, or at least tell more about other Xaveriques?<br />
<br />
I was originally planning to write a third book in the series and did write some rough plans for one. But not long ago I had a very strong feeling that I should end the story with book two. I had the idea for the epilogue and wrote it in one sitting. I'm so content with how my story ends, so, while I'll miss my Xaverique characters, it's time to leave them alone :)<br />
<br />
3. I am really enjoying learning more about the history of the Xaveriques. What inspired you to create this unusual group of super humans?<br />
<br />
I don't know! I just had that initial idea of a young girl finding out she had powers once she dies and comes back to life and the species has evolved from there. Writing the history pieces was so enjoyable - but I wrote them all separately, so fitting them into the novel in a sequence that made sense felt like attempting an impossible puzzle. I still can't believe I managed it!<br />
<br />
4. What most appeals to you about the idea of being a Xaverique?<br />
<br />
Gabby's ability to heal is the most appealing element of being a Xaverique to me - wouldn't that be an incredible power to have.<br />
<br />
5. Are you working on any other story projects?<br />
<br />
I am just about to start my newest project - it will be a novel in a completely different style. It's all just ideas swirling around in my mind at the moment and a whole lot of notes in my book. <br />
<br />
<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-45122115351521947432016-12-11T13:56:00.002-08:002016-12-11T13:56:35.017-08:00Breakwater Blog TourSo I am totally living in busy Christmas mode, and somehow missed the date I was supposed to post for this blog tour. Tis the season for a messy life, or so it would seem. I haven't had a chance to finish reading Breakwater by Errin Stevens yet, but I am enjoying it so far, and hope that once the holiday craziness is over I'll have a chance to finish reading. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjnBrdfROql8iQaCjjFTN_5ZQ-B3e8-X3JI4Zjhbt7Vul0XKqB7GKZ7imhC3z-aP5b1-wu5mXMddIk1Lqw4NepprlVg2T9uVO6MMD93_TeblJomFN_YOw4J_3zgYIln8CX5e9IMvdXXQ/s1600/breakwater+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjnBrdfROql8iQaCjjFTN_5ZQ-B3e8-X3JI4Zjhbt7Vul0XKqB7GKZ7imhC3z-aP5b1-wu5mXMddIk1Lqw4NepprlVg2T9uVO6MMD93_TeblJomFN_YOw4J_3zgYIln8CX5e9IMvdXXQ/s320/breakwater+photo.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Title:<br />
Breakwater (The Mer Chronicles: Book 2) <br />
Author:<br />
Errin Stevens <br />
Summary from Amazon.com:<br />
The sirens of Griffins Bay are in trouble, and the recent slew of royal suicides looks to be the least of their worries. For one, unless a blood relative of the queen shows up, no one's around to staff the monarchy. Well, except for a whack-job bureaucrat and he seriously won't do. Worse is the community unrest threatening siren society, a problem caused by too many humans in the pool, which means Simon and his off-limit girlfriend will have to run and hide if they want to make more of their flirtation... The solution doesn't inspire confidence at first, but the Blakes have everything at hand to set their world to rights - namely, a hidden queen, a dead prince, and a facility for human manipulation. <br />
Once they find their sea legs, they'll restore order, distribute smart phones, and drive that conniving bureaucrat to a grisly, satisfying end. <br />
Amazon Link:<br />
https://www.amazon.com/Breakwater-Mer-Chronicles-Errin-<br />
Stevens/dp/0998296104/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8<br />
Goodreads Link:<br />
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32948640-breakwater<br />
<br />
Excerpt:<br />
<br />
Prologue<br />
(from Amazon.com) <br />
She sensed his death and then ignored the possibility for several days. She couldn't <br />
be sure, couldn't know after all this time, could she? More than forty years had passed since she'd last seen him, and they hadn't been bonded, not truly...how could she know? But she couldn't stop herself from thinking about it; she <br />
felt the dissolution and it was not a feeling one could confuse. But...Peter? Why? <br />
She experienced no real grief - she'd grieved over him, over their emotional catastrophe of a marriage, when she was still with him. But there was a distinct emptiness in her now, and a sadness that one of her kind was gone, someone she'd known as well as she knew anyone. Still, she felt unsure. When she could no longer tolerate her unease, she dove into the lake and transformed, a delicious <br />
freedom she craved especially when troubled. Lake Superior had taken some getting used to - she was less buoyant here than in the salt water back home - but her feelings were clearer when she swam. She came here when she needed to think. <br />
What did she perceive? She sifted through her thoughts and sensations, examining each carefully. No, she was not mistaken: Peter Loughlin was dead. And her, <br />
far under the water where hardly any light penetrated, she suffered for her clarity, felt her remorse more keenly. She cried both for him and for herself. <br />
The decision she had always put off would never be made now, the one to tell him or at least get him word he had a daughter. Now he would never know he'd been a father, would never hear her apologize for leaving without telling him she was pregnant.<br />
She liked to believe he would have forgiven her for fleeing as she had, for protecting their baby from the environment that had crippled them both. Peter's inner distress, so like her own, would have schooled him she hoped; would have helped him accept she would have stayed if she could have. <br />
Her uncertainty dispatched, Seneca meandered toward the surface while watching the play of light on the waves rippling overhead. She slowed as she rose, unwilling to approach the world above yet, when this exit from her lake might well be her last. Twenty feet down, she paused to contemplate the most thrilling, heartbreaking endeavor she'd undertaken since running away four decades earlier. <br />
She could no longer apologize to her dead husband, but she could find their daughter, explain to her who she was, where she came from. Knowing she would do this, Seneca wept with relief at the prospect; how many hours over how many years had she yearned for her child? The orphanage and nuns who ran it were long gone - Seneca knew because she'd checked - but her little girl had stayed there through high school. And surely by now she was aware of what she was, although Seneca was confident the sisters had followed her directive, had kept her daughter from the ocean when she was small. She'd used all of her inconsiderable influence to ensure they would. Seneca surged through the last twenty feet of water, took a breath, and re-entered the lake. She flipped and then propelled herself face-up, just below the surface this time so she could watch the clouds. She felt like she was flying whenever she did this. She felt centered. Her understanding sharpened...and the decision to go became solid and right. She headed for shore thinking about all this place had been to her and what it would mean to her to leave it. She would try to leave her fosterling, Parker, behind, although she truly didn't know if she could. And yet the more she contemplated a return to North Carolina, the more eager she was to get on with it and go. If she had to bring Parker, when then she would. But she would at last, go to her beautiful baby, her girl. Carmen. She would find her and explain everything. <br />
<br />
Playlist:<br />
Listen to the songs that have inspired Breakwater... <br />
"The Last Broadcast" by The Doves <br />
"In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" by The Allman Brothers <br />
"Our Deal" by Best Coast <br />
"Shangri-la" by M. Ward <br />
"Umbrella Beach" by Owl City<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NvoTKVtG1VFkTLbZ7EfleFRUbeSLELbmBSkCgAxnVK1VNVppMBmZ1gkj5l1JUSzau2D4zDQbl0FS5oh5dI6LOMW_ZTcK-QfcCvaDnaSM4xTz9LFhRNCV529aak6ijHxA2HnL5YzUUGY/s1600/errin+stevens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NvoTKVtG1VFkTLbZ7EfleFRUbeSLELbmBSkCgAxnVK1VNVppMBmZ1gkj5l1JUSzau2D4zDQbl0FS5oh5dI6LOMW_ZTcK-QfcCvaDnaSM4xTz9LFhRNCV529aak6ijHxA2HnL5YzUUGY/s320/errin+stevens.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Errin Stevens writes paranormal suspense/romance from her home in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and son. When not wrestling with unruly narrative –or reading everything from mythology to contemporary romance to literary novels – you’ll find her swooning over seed catalogs (winter), or digging in the garden (the other three days of the year). Visit her blog site at http://www.errinstevens.com for release updates and random essays on writing and mothering.<br />
<br />
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TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
December 5th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
December 6th:<br />
Misty (http://www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com) <br />
December 7th:<br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com) <br />
December 8th: oops 11th :)<br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
December 9th:<br />
Kathy (http://www.instagram.com/bookfoxes) <br />
December 10th:<br />
Katie (http://www.facebook.com/katiesbookblog) <br />
December 11th:<br />
Paige (http://www.electivelypaige.com) <br />
December 12th:<br />
Tracy (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com) <br />
December 13th:<br />
Wilmarilys (https://bookalmighty.wordpress.com) <br />
December 14th:<br />
Priyanka (http://abooklionshideaway.blogspot.in) <br />
December 15th:<br />
Helen (https://bibliophileinwonderland.wordpress.com) <br />
December 16th:<br />
Shoshi (http://shoshireads.weebly.com) <br />
December 17th:<br />
Madeena (http://www.bewitchingladym.tumblr.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by:<br />
Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest <br />
reviews and opinions.*<br />
<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-55548566025282545692016-10-29T11:12:00.001-07:002016-10-29T11:12:53.287-07:00Pria Chronicles Blog TourI did get a chance to read this one, and quite enjoyed the story. It is told from three different perspectives, and each one is retelling the events that have brought them together. As with a lot of self published books, these could use some editing, but I really enjoyed the story for itself. The author has created a highly imaginative otherworldly connection between the characters, and I am definitely curious to see where the rest of the series is heading. It was one of those books where I found myself really wanting to know what would happen next, and I was somewhat frustrated to have it end right as things were starting to get exciting. Read on for information from the author, a giveaway code, and be sure to stick around for the author interview at the end :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4qV8QAB12ncRaM7Lrtmv5axyQUFcLSPDgBgqzv71bpVN57wWHjVnVmEFa-OKGQeX6D5guI1LVTK-ySI30cFefmtY95TEZVRbYRasupzx54InYRqUnrWt21yaN5lmszPvJqGv2tqX-mY/s1600/pria+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4qV8QAB12ncRaM7Lrtmv5axyQUFcLSPDgBgqzv71bpVN57wWHjVnVmEFa-OKGQeX6D5guI1LVTK-ySI30cFefmtY95TEZVRbYRasupzx54InYRqUnrWt21yaN5lmszPvJqGv2tqX-mY/s320/pria+cover.jpg" width="244" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Title: Echoes (The Pria Chronicles Book One)<br />
Author: Shannon Rieger<br />
Summary from Amazon.com:<br />
Michael Hilton was six years old when he fell into an unexplained coma. His mysterious powers emerged when he inexplicably awoke, forever changed. Unearthly creatures that once were hidden from view were no longer invisible to him. Like the creatures living incognito amongst the human race, so will Michael attempt to conceal from others his strange powers and abilities. But his ability to see creatures prowling in his world is just the tip of the iceberg.<br />
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Pria-Chronicles-Shannon-<br />
Rieger/dp/1522779221/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477269099&sr=8-<br />
1&keywords=shannon+rieger<br />
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26881612-echoes<br />
________________________________________________________________________________<br />
Chapter One<br />
Michael Hilton on the topic of His Flair<br />
Like the creatures living incognito amongst the human race, so will I remain anonymous as I write my experiences. I stopped drawing the monsters I see in my notebooks; it was freaking out my teachers and my parents. They seemed to forget them pretty quickly once I stopped, but it didn’t mean that the monsters were gone. I have to get this burden off my chest since seeing creatures is just the tip of the iceberg.<br />
Some people can climb mountains using only their knowledge of the area, spiked, steel-toed, hiking boots and mere nylon ropes to keep them tethered to the rock. Yeah, those nylon ropes are said to be strong, difficult to cut on sharp rocks, but you wouldn’t catch me up there trusting my whole life to them. Others can diagnose the most disgusting ailments without throwing up. I just google some of the ailments and my stomach churns... Imagine touching and prodding and poking around... I’d throw up for sure.<br />
I have heard of people in Niagara Falls walking on tightropes or going over The Falls in a barrel. Crazy? Yeah. But they have courage that far surpasses mine any day. I am envious of those who can act on stage, memorizing all the lines, enveloping the role as if it were second nature. Man, I see spots when I have to present something in front of my classmates. I just don’t have that sort of stage fearlessness.<br />
Have you heard of those who can count the number of matchsticks simply by glancing at a pile of them scattered on the floor? Truly remarkable, yes. But what in the world would that power serve?<br />
I have some abilities that are, in my opinion, way cooler, maybe even unparalleled. I, unfortunately, can’t flaunt them to impress girls; in fact, only a few…er…beings in my world even know I have them. One of those is a cat. Go figure. And believe me... Henry isn’t impressed.<br />
<br />
*To keep reading be sure and pick up a copy of "Echoes." You won't want to miss what<br />
happens next.*<br />
___________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgh42iru0ktvW07hV2hKrS300JmB67F3WoOXEDqv0VcEQ9JYryVifpcgRDfCNE4I6D_sSFLiUAGx6rQOzOTMiv2kS325aTFEkRj9iVi91bZVRiSAWnCt12W5Gdt6LJ-S3Gp80VuD-MW4/s1600/shannon+R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgh42iru0ktvW07hV2hKrS300JmB67F3WoOXEDqv0VcEQ9JYryVifpcgRDfCNE4I6D_sSFLiUAGx6rQOzOTMiv2kS325aTFEkRj9iVi91bZVRiSAWnCt12W5Gdt6LJ-S3Gp80VuD-MW4/s320/shannon+R.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div><br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<br />
Shannon Rieger is a fiction writer for the Young Adult genre and has completed a series of novels called The Pria Chronicles. She has a significant background in teaching at the secondary school level and uses these experiences to present a seamless, genuine world of conflict for teenagers as a backdrop to the story, while adding the infiltration of creatures from another dimension. Teaching at this level has given her the unique opportunity to create believable characters who think and<br />
respond to conflicts like a teen, as well as, an opportunity to include what appeals to them: powers, magic and a hint of dark conflict.<br />
Shannon was born and raised in a small town in Ontario, Canada. Her parents ran programs for at-risk teenagers, and often had a few living in their home over periods of time. She learned patience and empathy, while finding a way to escape the madness by writing fiction, even at a young age. She has written all her life, creating worlds and creatures, placing them carefully into stories using her active imagination as the key to survival. Shannon’s dream is to share her series of novels with the world. What a fun place that would be!<br />
AUTHOR LINKS:<br />
Website: http://www.shannonrieger.com/<br />
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RiegerShannon<br />
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thepriachronicles<br />
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riegershannon_author/<br />
________________________________________________________________________________<br />
GIVEAWAY CODE:<br />
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href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b12/" rel="nofollow" data-
raflid="050c6a3b12" data-theme="classic" data-template="">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
October 24th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) October 25th:<br />
Brooke: (http://www.brookebibliophile.wordpress.com)<br />
October 26th:<br />
Priyanka: (http://abooklionshideaway.blogspot.in/)<br />
October 28th:<br />
Hannah: (http://www.instagram.com/toallthebooks1)<br />
October 29th:<br />
Jordan: (http://www.readbyroe.com)<br />
October 30th:<br />
Sarah: (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)<br />
Suhani: (https://nicheofabooknerd.wordpress.com)<br />
October 31st:<br />
Wilmarys: (https://bookalmighty.wordpress.com/)<br />
November 1st:<br />
Coal: (https://www.instagram.com/falling4books/)<br />
November 2nd:<br />
Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks)<br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest<br />
reviews and opinions.*<br />
<br />
And now for my favorite part of these blog tours, some inside information from the author:<br />
<br />
1. I'm always curious about how writers set about to write their stories. Would you consider yourself a planner or a pantser (literally flying by the seat of your pants)?<br />
<br />
I am definitely a planner. I plan in journals for months before I start, and I always know what the two climaxes, my twists, the ending, and the cliffhangers between chapters are before I begin writing. I work very hard on character development and growth during this time, as well. I don’t write linearly. I usually write the middle of my novel, followed by the ending before I even attempt the beginning of the novel. Chapter One is always done last. If I wrote pantser-style, I couldn’t write this way which works best for me.<br />
<br />
2. When you started writing Echoes, did you already have a series planned, or did you decide that along the way?<br />
<br />
I began Echoes over a decade ago and put it away for quite a few years. When I learned that I needed lung surgery, I had a lot of time off to heal. I picked up the book and began writing it again. I changed the storyline into what became Echoes and I had no idea that I was going to write two books, let alone seven. It just kept growing based on the dreams that I was having. When I wrote the end of book five, I woke crying and thought, “I’d better put that as my ending and begin book six!”<br />
<br />
What's ironic is that the original idea I had for Echoes over a decade ago is now the novel I am currently writing called Paranormal Painless. When readers read this book, they will find it quite interesting to learn that Echoes was supposed to be about a serial killer and an ominous cat that had a connection to the supernatural. Boy, how did it change! <br />
<br />
I never planned on writing a series. I always get to the end, and realize that there is a unique idea that can lead to another.<br />
<br />
3. I think everyone loves having insider information about the characters they meet in fictional worlds. Can you tell us any little tidbits that don't appear in your story about your characters? For instance would Michael prefer having a dog rather than a cat? Does he have a favorite food or preferred style of music? You mention him reading, but what book is he enjoying the most? Any little details about him or other characters would be amazing.<br />
<br />
What lies between the lines? Michael would never own a dog. Henry wouldn’t allow it. Michael enjoys reading but only as an escape from his reality. He is interested in novels like The Lord of the Rings but finds little time due to Henry’s pestering. <br />
<br />
Avery is a rescuer and cannot stand seeing an animal suffer. She loves working with children. She is an only child which has made her quite selfish, but not intentionally. She loves to read, but enjoys writing poetry more. She has a very strong bond to her Grandmother, stronger than she even knows.<br />
<br />
Greyson is the most charming and lovely person, but he has secrets living deep within him that will cause some turmoil later to come. He will destroy those around him at no fault of his own. He feels helpless and hopeless when he hurts those around him, and he wants desperately to live a normal life. He is a genius. Barely needs to study. He has a photographic memory and can remember everything he reads.<br />
<br />
4.) If you could spend a day with any of your characters who would you chose and what would you do?<br />
<br />
<br />
I’d spend the day with Henry and Michael. I’d want to take the opportunity to meet Kritch and the Girl with the Rainbow Coloured Hair. I’d want to travel with Michael and have him tell me every Echo he sees, and describe every creature he meets. I’d want to help him cope and feel normal even for a little while. I’d want to sit Avery, Greyson and Michael down and explain early on what the connect they have is in order to give them the opportunity to figure out the secrets before book three. I would also love to spend time in the Girl with the Rainbow Coloured Hair’s world. It is beautiful. (book five)<br />
<br />
5.) What made you decide to have a boy as your main character? Did you find it difficult to connect with him as a female writer?<br />
<br />
<br />
I teach special needs students and within that level, there are more boys than girls. I feel like I understand teenage boys better than girls, and I didn’t want the drama that would come along. I wanted Michael and Greyson to eventually become brothers, and I feel after the events that take place in the first three books, girls couldn’t overlook their differences to be friends. I connected with Michael immediately but not Avery. Avery took me a lot longer to create. I feel I grew as a writer and when I wrote book five, the girl with the rainbow coloured hair was a better written female protagonist. I have learned a lot about how to write girls/woman. Avery was difficult because I didn’t want the reader to like her. I wanted her to be true to the teenaged female, but I found people didn’t like her. I had to change her many times, and smooth her personality out. Female teens are dramatic, selfish, boy crazy. I teach them every day. That’s who they are. They grow. Learn. I wanted that for Avery. By book seven she is a strong and wonderful person. But she needed to have the time to grow. I feel I have done what I intended to do.<br />
<br />
<br />
6) What else would I want to tell the reader?<br />
<br />
One thing readers have said after completing the series is that it isn’t just about teenagers and high school. The world opens up, creatures infiltrate Michael’s world so terribly that by the time book six is written, they are captured in a dark world called Necrotic Rot. They are fighting off creatures that are trying to kill them just to get to Avery because of the secrets she holds. Everything is at stake. He must fight to keep what is his, even his own daughter. The powers he possesses are weak and will not help him succeed. The friends/creatures he meets along his journey will be the ones to protect him. I created over twenty species of creatures and every creature that you meet in the first three books will have an essential part to play in the series. Every single one. The world opens up...the reader just has to be patient enough to find it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-78958289491312482412016-10-29T11:07:00.000-07:002016-10-29T11:07:03.359-07:00Whispers of the Fallen Blog TourToday I'm actually posting about two different books. The first one I will be highlighting is <i>Whispers of the Fallen</i> by JD Netto. I just started reading this one last night, so I don't have a whole lot of extra commentary to add. I'll let you know what I think once I get a chance to read it, but for now I'll share the details I have received from the author:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2bIRqoDV_FP-Ywy44T4jb3YWxda5LvpFzowESOx7TKYufoYrJ7vIqQNWQdqTuEZ1opT3JnwKYHrpZVe8BoFtv0DobUjXdn9RE0f2AXQ8noc7CumxK_6u0SRTdj37qxB-fCazvo0DDQY/s1600/whispers+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2bIRqoDV_FP-Ywy44T4jb3YWxda5LvpFzowESOx7TKYufoYrJ7vIqQNWQdqTuEZ1opT3JnwKYHrpZVe8BoFtv0DobUjXdn9RE0f2AXQ8noc7CumxK_6u0SRTdj37qxB-fCazvo0DDQY/s320/whispers+cover.jpg" width="198" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Title: The Whispers of the Fallen<br />
Author: J.D. Netto<br />
Summary from www.jdnetto.com:<br />
Ever since the dawn of days, rumors about the Diary of Lucifer echoed throughout Elysium. Hidden from all human knowledge, the Diary was kept a secret, locked away in the small village of Agalmath.<br />
Isaac and Demetre find themselves in a dangerous journey as they uncover the truth about the Diary and those who guarded it for all these years. However, for Isaac and Demetre, danger lies at every step, hidden in the most unexpected places.<br />
Hunted by the Nephilims and the Fallen Stars, they must find others who will join them in the battle against the coming darkness.<br />
Get your copy October 31, 2016 when they are re-released through Oftomes Publishing.<br />
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Fallen-J-D-Netto-<br />
ebook/dp/B01JMX5I5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477284047&sr=8-1&keywords=jd+netto<br />
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16049275-the-whispers-of-the-<br />
fallen?from_search=true<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJQqTyNqbAUsaDnEifskRSEjkJfkooQopJk2s2zI7JdWHkMcbYhfujiysn_ZilZsN3Doe-9ShFuk6HmDBZud0BIsEadtA7LF0ta3UfQYzVxOBjY0JQZpm89EE_ivonu9FCUGQkXEVV_A/s1600/netto.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJQqTyNqbAUsaDnEifskRSEjkJfkooQopJk2s2zI7JdWHkMcbYhfujiysn_ZilZsN3Doe-9ShFuk6HmDBZud0BIsEadtA7LF0ta3UfQYzVxOBjY0JQZpm89EE_ivonu9FCUGQkXEVV_A/s320/netto.png" width="320" height="185" /></a></div><br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<br />
Born in a small town in Brazil, J.D. relocated to the United States during the late years of his childhood. At an early age, J.D. discovered his passion for fantasy stories and alternate universes.<br />
Immersed in worlds created by Tolkien, Michael Crichton, C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling, J.D. found his own writing voice when he had the idea for his first book series. 'What if Lucifer had a Diary?<br />
What if the Diary was a secret? What if the secret was a reality?'<br />
These simple questions were the initial spark of inspiration for J.D.'s first literary work. After six years, he self-published his first novel, The Whispers of the Fallen, on November 30th, 2012, which was then picked up by Untreed Reads and re-released in August 2013. The Whispers of the Fallen series has become a prominent presence in YA literature, captivating thousands of readers worldwide. The sequel, Rebellion, was released at BookCon 2014 in New York City. The third book in the series, The Gathering of Shadows, was released on Halloween 2015.<br />
Today, J.D. Netto joined the OfTomes family, a micro-publishing house founded by internet sensation, Benjamin of Tomes. The new editions of The Whispers of the Fallen books will be hitting shelves on Halloween 2016.<br />
AUTHOR LINKS:<br />
Website: http://www.jdnetto.com<br />
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jd_netto<br />
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JDNettoOfficial<br />
Instagram: https://instagram.com/jdnetto<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LvdkI3RPvhC0wdsaeba4xx0hVgmRsYL4mi70e-IlaJGE2tFglPtJOzG-SznNDYhyJH-xQNc40tSXL_EFsnB_Y7qhNvoHZbpMSBvw4Oo8bx0civ4TQxXrPEaJL_6Q-TJLWbVTjlUJncM/s1600/series+covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LvdkI3RPvhC0wdsaeba4xx0hVgmRsYL4mi70e-IlaJGE2tFglPtJOzG-SznNDYhyJH-xQNc40tSXL_EFsnB_Y7qhNvoHZbpMSBvw4Oo8bx0civ4TQxXrPEaJL_6Q-TJLWbVTjlUJncM/s320/series+covers.jpg" width="320" height="268" /></a></div><br />
TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
October 24th:<br />
Jen: (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)<br />
October 25th:<br />
Elizabeth: (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks)<br />
October 26th:<br />
Wilmarilys: (https://bookalmighty.wordpress.com/)<br />
October 27th:<br />
Brooke: (http://www.brookebibliophile.wordpress.com)<br />
October 28th:<br />
Misty: (http://www.mistysbookspace.wordpress.com)<br />
October 29th:<br />
Jordan: (http://www.readbyroe.com)<br />
October 30th:<br />
Sarah: (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)<br />
October 31st:<br />
Michelle: (http://www.bookaholicbanter.com)<br />
Charlotte: (http://www.instagram.com/bookishnomad)<br />
Tracy: (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com)<br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest<br />
reviews and opinions.*<br />
<br />
Remember, the books are being released on Halloween, so now is a great time to discover them :)Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-23075875135702361092016-10-14T16:45:00.002-07:002016-10-14T16:45:55.348-07:00The Bad Seed Blog TourJust in time for October and all things spooky, I read this dark fantasy story <i>The Bad Seed</i> by Michael Lackey. This book hearkens back to the epic tales of Tolkien and other such writers were the characters must go on a quest to rescue the kingdom from darkness. As a fun added twist, several of the characters were sent to Earth for protection. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of their interactions with the people of Earth, as it could have added a little comic flair, but the story did deal with some of the issues involved with hiding a magical past. Here is a bit more about the book.<br />
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Title: The Bad Seed (Battle for the Heavens Book 1)<br />
By: Michael Lackey<br />
Summary from Amazon.com:<br />
On the day Zachery Morely's mother asks him to fetch herbs from the garden, he never expected to find himself face to face with a demon. A demon who has planted the seed of a sinister tree that feeds off the living. Zachery and his father George request the help of the King to figure out what this tree means. Only when the tree consumes its first human being and takes it true, human like form, and hear its warnings do they realize their world is in serious danger. Zachery sets off on an epic journey with the King and the kings guard through lands of men, dwarves, and elves. He confronts elven wizards and dragons, and acknowledges he is more powerful than he thinks, in order to help protect the champion of light and save his world from evil. The Light shines brightest, when the world is at its darkest.- Michael Lackey<br />
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Seed-Battle-<br />
Heavens/dp/1518697801/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476067512&sr=8-<br />
1&keywords=the+bad+seed+michael+lackey<br />
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28110405-the-bad-seed<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6MMZMYQ3DJdqlFiHczh8EyHwkIXaHfDNiTXvaP1gGNR6IZGBo0yizXeFCjz2qAdjhEY-T78sfUCb4i14qF7WiEAElkrjpgmLmBFXqDetNK37ukiu9LjWxyvYtGmJVfcAjUxAjfgaH7E/s1600/bad+seed+map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6MMZMYQ3DJdqlFiHczh8EyHwkIXaHfDNiTXvaP1gGNR6IZGBo0yizXeFCjz2qAdjhEY-T78sfUCb4i14qF7WiEAElkrjpgmLmBFXqDetNK37ukiu9LjWxyvYtGmJVfcAjUxAjfgaH7E/s320/bad+seed+map.JPG" width="320" height="261" /></a></div>This is a hand drawn map that you'll find in the first few pages of "The Bad Seed." The map details the world that author Michael Lackey has built and that displays his true commitment and<br />
dedication to this world he has created.<br />
Below is a short excerpt from the book that will definitely get you hooked:<br />
Whitehold was the center of the commonwealth in the realm of Cyreus. Ruled by King Gabriel, filled with lush farm lands surrounding a large castle that housed a city within itself. As the morning dew burned off the leaves and birds sang the arrival of a new day, we find a house in the corner of a little farm, just outside the city of Whitehold. A quiet farm brimming with crops, and livestock to bedelivered to the people. This particular farm is home to the Morely family.<br />
As the warm sun peaked over the treetops, the Morely family started their morning routine.<br />
”Zachery. Will you place gather me some of the herbs from the garden? Your father is bringing me the eggs?" Elizabeth asked.<br />
Zachery, was the eldest child to George and Elizabeth Morely. He walked from the house, bag in hand, to do as his mother asked. A young man on the brink of adulthood. Broad shoulders carried a head full of dark hair that shimmered in the morning light. Eyes full of wonder and expectation of a life he longed to live. He had recently celebrated his fifteenth season day, and stood nearly as tall ashis father. As he made his way to the garden, he grabbed his wooden sword and wrapped his dirt stained cloak his mother had made him around his neck.<br />
"I understand, sire. A mission to the garden sounds like you need a King's Guard!" He pretended he was a member of the King's Guard, protecting the King and going on adventures. Zachery could always be found carrying that wooden sword, and his makeshift cloak with the King's colors on it. Zachery always knew he was not destined to be a poor farmer. He longed for the time he could leave his humdrum days behind. This was no usual day for his as it turned out. As he rounded the hedges to the open garden plot, there in the back he saw a dark figure. Zachery ducked behind the hedges, hoping not to be seen. He watched the gloomy silhouette fade in and out of the shadows.<br />
"Was father expecting someone? That doesn't look like anyone I know," Zachery said softly to himself.<br />
He held his breath, listening to the pounding beat of his heart as if it tried to escape his chest. With every second it grew louder until Zachery thought for sure the dark one would hear him. The skies darkened. The wind picked up and start to swirl around the shadowy individual.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9zewMTNX3yw4uELm2J7nCPAoKQ2BI501i1QX4Y4R_6t6DYdaeZEehYyiDvFyDKgcUmIXCwtUr7ILFLR83BruzyxTiqv4-SJHjogbpccPMRUfMQcryTQmbS2YeU8MRdvlRFkqriaWlr8/s1600/bad+seed+author.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9zewMTNX3yw4uELm2J7nCPAoKQ2BI501i1QX4Y4R_6t6DYdaeZEehYyiDvFyDKgcUmIXCwtUr7ILFLR83BruzyxTiqv4-SJHjogbpccPMRUfMQcryTQmbS2YeU8MRdvlRFkqriaWlr8/s320/bad+seed+author.JPG" width="239" height="320" /></a></div><br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<br />
Michael Lackey (1973-) was born and raised in the heart of Dixie, Alabama. Always a dreamer and believer in things that most found silly, Michael loved to pretend as a child. He imagined himself in a land of monsters, where he was the only one who could save the world from utter destruction. He mapped out stunt courses for Hollywood. Raised his sword high and proclaimed himself the champion and slayer of the mystical beasts that plagued his land.<br />
Like most over imaginative children, life set in for Michael. Work. Adulthood. Family. He never really grew out of his imagination. Now in his forties, his stories and love for fantasy spring forth onto pages.<br />
AUTHOR LINKS:<br />
Website: http://michael-lackey.weebly.com<br />
Twitter: http://twitter.com/supes23<br />
Instagram: http://instagram.com/mikelackey23<br />
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GIVEAWAY:<br />
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b11/" rel="nofollow" data-
raflid="050c6a3b11" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_yadjp2q4">a<br />
Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wJz8GsjgPrew3rSQuC6qGJZ7d3Z_OTNBLMFGR3cTc61y5U_255EmR5d4RXS2_iKXDB3AieFNiICtK_uH8u2Ar30ztcz9raaMU2CjAMjVxHhHKwOT9CuO0IpDOodMpeBKJLDtdy9G3tc/s1600/bad+seed+tour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wJz8GsjgPrew3rSQuC6qGJZ7d3Z_OTNBLMFGR3cTc61y5U_255EmR5d4RXS2_iKXDB3AieFNiICtK_uH8u2Ar30ztcz9raaMU2CjAMjVxHhHKwOT9CuO0IpDOodMpeBKJLDtdy9G3tc/s320/bad+seed+tour.JPG" width="320" height="175" /></a></div>TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
October 10th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)<br />
October 12th:<br />
Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks)<br />
October 14th: Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)<br />
October 15th:<br />
Suhani (https://nicheofabooknerd.wordpress.com)<br />
Meredith (http://www.meredithreads.wordpress.com)<br />
October 16th:<br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com)<br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest<br />
reviews and opinions.*<br />
<br />
<br />
Author Interview:<br />
<br />
1. <i>Would you consider yourself more of planner or a pantser (taking it as it comes) when you write a novel?</i> I don't plan a lot in my writing. I kind of fly by the story. I get the primary idea for the story and write it down. That might be a title, a main character, an antagonist or plot line. Then I let my imagination do the work. I always ask what would happen if...<br />
<br />
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2. Y<i>ou use a variety of different languages in your story, did you model them off actual languages or off those created by writers like Tolkien in the past?</i> The languages are my own creation modeled after those created by the likes of Tolkien. <br />
<br />
3. <i>Can you give us any behind the scenes information about your characters that isn't revealed in the book?</i> For instance, did the Earth exiles develop a fondness for anything not available in Amundiss? ) a behind the scenes look. Well, we will use the example you asked about. Natallia and Zachery didn't take much from their time on Earth. They were more homesick for Amundiss. Tradan on the other hand was born on Earth, he is really an Earthling by birth. He grew up with Earth as his home and I actually play on that in book two. <br />
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4. <i>If you could spend a day with one of your characters who would you choose and what would you do together? </i>Benzoete, the wizard, because of the stories he would have. I would ask him if he could teach me a little magic and read over the Book of the Ancients. <br />
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5. <i>Your book title includes the note that this is book one, have you planned out more books in the series?</i> If so, when do you plan to release them? ) I am planning to do a trilogy. Book 2 is started, but I am currently finishing a steampunk inspired novel. It is the first of a completely new series. I hope to have book 2 of the Battle of the Heavens series finished by the end of 2017. The title is Shadow Gate. <br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-88897801006343503702016-10-04T15:43:00.002-07:002016-10-04T15:43:23.869-07:00Updrift Blog Tour Part 2I am so happy to have the chance to share Errin's answers to my interview questions. Enjoy :)<br />
<br />
Updrift Interview Questions<br />
<br />
1. Here it is, the question I ask everyone, when it comes to planning out your book do you consider yourself a plotter, or a pantser (just letting your ideas come as they come)?<br />
<br />
I’m a pantser first and a plotter second, and I have the most excellent rationalization for my approach! Here ‘tis:<br />
<br />
In the ongoing argument over plot vs. character, character takes heavy precedence in my opinion. Characters lead us to care what will happen, they make us question which direction a plot might take based on their motivations and reactions… which means they give plot the bulk of its dynamic. Consequently, when I have a story in mind, I start by writing character scenes without any idea on how/if they’ll knit up. Because I need to know who my acting agent is, what he or she wants and fears and feels must be done.<br />
<br />
From that point I kind of free-style a narrative until I feel I can’t any longer – usually around 30K words – and then I write a story map, which is a chapter-by-chapter grid containing the most lifeless notes possible about what’s occurred and what should happen as the story progresses.<br />
<br />
<br />
2. Have your characters ever changed in ways that were unexpected?<br />
<br />
Oh yes lots, but I’ll pick on my main character in Updrift to answer this one. When I first wrote Kate, she looked exclusively at examples outside herself to puzzle out all her reactions, i.e., she watched her mother and aunt and friends and their influencers to decide on the course her own life should take. She did this because she was introverted and a little socially insecure… and I think I made her too tentative. Anyway, as I was trying to sell the story to publishers, my sense was that the prevailing editorial preference out there was for a certain kind of heroine – one I find a little tiresome and overdone to be honest. But. I consequently went back to make Kate more assertive – without turning her into a man-bashing combat queen – and I think this was a good change.<br />
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3. Can you tell us something about your characters that you don't share in the book, for instance favorite music, hidden talent, celebrity crush, favorite color, etc.?<br />
<br />
As much as I adore Kate and Gabe, I confess I had the most fun writing my villain in Updrift, Peter Loughlin. He was just so deliciously complicated and broken and beautiful. Had I met him in my late teens/early twenties, I would have tried to save him! Well, it turns out Peter loves to dance to electro-soul, and who knew? On the rare occasion he would escape his ruling responsibilities to venture inland, he would seek out a GRiZ concert and lose his mind to the music and movement and the crowd. Yep.<br />
<br />
<br />
4. If you could chose to spend the day with one of your characters who would you chose and what would you do?<br />
<br />
If Peter were behaving himself, I would find a swim through a shipwreck or tour of a reef with him terribly exciting; or I’d take his arm for a walk through the palace while he told me about every little thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
5. How many books in this series have you completed/ what stage are they in at this time?<br />
<br />
Breakwater, the sequel to Updrift, comes out in November; and Outrush is written-ish, the front end more than the back end, but I’m very much hoping to have it ready late next year (2017). And I have vague, very much un-written concepts for a couple more in this series – a love story for Parker, and maybe another one for Peter? We’ll see.<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Have you always loved mermaids/sirens? If they existed would you want to be one?<br />
<br />
Always. My dad had an anthology of original fairy tales I read rabidly as a child. If you’ve seen these stories then you know how powerful (and horrifying) they are. But Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” really captured me, heartbreaking as it is.<br />
<br />
However, as much as my sirens dazzle, I wouldn’t be one. Don’t throw up, but I’m too in love with my husband and little boy to be anywhere but where I am. A swim with a mermaid/siren would be dreamy and ever so fun, though; and I wouldn’t mind an extended stay on Shaddox in that Blake cabin overlooking the sea…Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-15270434465301858332016-10-01T11:07:00.000-07:002016-10-01T11:07:32.876-07:00Updrift Blog TourThis weeks blog tour is going to come in two installments because I was a slacker and I didn't get my interview questions to the author on time. I was extra excited to be on this blog tour, because we actually got hard copies of the book. As handy as digital copies are, nothing replaces a real book. I'm more a soft back fan, than a hard backer myself. True, the hard back copies photograph better, but they just don't feel as good in the hand. And there is nothing better than a well worn book, full of notes and underlining for this old school English Major :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1_3juqdA46lh32lpyuMUHN54xwxatyN5MMmeBX_lFXOP6_zUddboKrMCvlwkMQkae21VMCNh5jlqsmelXnsc5b4CViin9-SMYekDjQV2-iGB8Mta85I2bp30RYlT_P6t8fDarVkFkmI/s1600/updrift+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1_3juqdA46lh32lpyuMUHN54xwxatyN5MMmeBX_lFXOP6_zUddboKrMCvlwkMQkae21VMCNh5jlqsmelXnsc5b4CViin9-SMYekDjQV2-iGB8Mta85I2bp30RYlT_P6t8fDarVkFkmI/s320/updrift+photo.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div><br />
I actually read this book over a month ago, and I really enjoyed it. I'll admit, it drug a bit at the beginning, because there was so much back story, but once it was well written, and once it got into the real story, things really got exciting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl9sMOTJkNItg8Th5I4kopsOqonSgUQ7ZjD1R80SGQNDP6MXYcvURQtSnt2wtsdoNDiuTjBGBIgH8xGlj7CPNUZlA8uInmiH-t-EFBX9X3Cnj1rmtw59jJFD1CXX_ZbU3h781qaV7Wc0/s1600/updrift+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl9sMOTJkNItg8Th5I4kopsOqonSgUQ7ZjD1R80SGQNDP6MXYcvURQtSnt2wtsdoNDiuTjBGBIgH8xGlj7CPNUZlA8uInmiH-t-EFBX9X3Cnj1rmtw59jJFD1CXX_ZbU3h781qaV7Wc0/s320/updrift+book+cover.jpg" width="214" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Title: The Mer Chronicles. Book 1: Updrift<br />
Author: Errin Stevens<br />
Summary from Amazon.com:<br />
Since her father died, Kate Sweeting’s home life has been in the pits, her well-being on life support.<br />
Her future looks desolate until she and her mother, Cara, make another plan: abandon their<br />
shriveled existence for more promising prospects on the coast, where Cara can play small-town<br />
librarian-bachelorette and Kate can figure out what’s up with that secretive Blake family from the<br />
beach.<br />
Everyone is eerily captivated with Kate and her mother, and Cara is the first to figure out why when<br />
the man of her dreams arrives all dripping and devoted and closed-mouthed about what he intends.<br />
Kate is willing to go along with their subterfuge for a while, but eventually makes a charge for the<br />
water to learn what her mother is hiding. Gabe Blake is there waiting for her…and so is someone<br />
considerably less friendly. By the time Kate navigates her way home, everything will have changed<br />
for her—what she feels, what she wants, and what she’ll risk to be with the man she loves.<br />
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Updrift-Mer-Chronicles-Errin-<br />
Stevens/dp/0692544089/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1474090083&sr=1-<br />
1&keywords=Updrift<br />
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25114259-updrift<br />
_______________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfCtjlnBPwFFweEEHddXemwvYVfdNTfFxhYuBhdqsrrz0z4IqwAZB-uswBtueHy-m06d51muYpdWC_W5gXqzQA_5BH7YWWMRWy2Mkur21nDSNeDmHYRqbor1lB60TiQpNtI2PvjHe1U/s1600/updrift+playlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfCtjlnBPwFFweEEHddXemwvYVfdNTfFxhYuBhdqsrrz0z4IqwAZB-uswBtueHy-m06d51muYpdWC_W5gXqzQA_5BH7YWWMRWy2Mkur21nDSNeDmHYRqbor1lB60TiQpNtI2PvjHe1U/s320/updrift+playlist.jpg" width="320" height="89" /></a></div>PLAYLIST:<br />
1 Echo & The Bunnymen "Lips like Sugar"<br />
2 The Stone Roses "I wanna Be Adored (Remastered)<br />
3 FAIRCHILD "Arcadia"<br />
4 Snow Patrol "Shut Your Eyes"<br />
5 Paul McLinden "Whether the Weather"<br />
6 Santana "Aqua Marine"<br />
7 The Hot Dark "Blossom"<br />
8 Rocket City Riot "Into the Night"<br />
9 Avinale “Azure"<br />
_______________________________________________________________________________<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<br />
Errin Stevens writes paranormal romance from her home in Minnesota, where she lives with her<br />
husband and son. When not wrestling with unruly narrative – or reading everything from mythology<br />
to contemporary romance to New Adult suspense – you’ll find her swooning over seed catalogs<br />
(winter), or digging in the garden (the other three days of the year). Visit the blog for release<br />
updates and random essays on writing and mothering.<br />
<br />
AUTHOR LINKS:<br />
Website: http://errinstevens.com<br />
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.errin.stevens<br />
Twitter: https://twitter.com/errinstevens<br />
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/errinstevens<br />
_______________________________________________________________________________<br />
GIVEAWAY<br />
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b10/<br />
_______________________________________________________________________________<br />
TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
September 19th:<br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com)<br />
September 20th:<br />
Kathy (https://www.instagram.com/bookfoxes/)<br />
September 21st:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)<br />
September 22nd:<br />
Rachel (http://rachiereads.wordpress.com)<br />
September 23rd:<br />
Yahaira (https://www.instagram.com/thejubilantreader)<br />
September 24th:<br />
Gabriela (http://www.instagram.com/writingpromptsandotherstuff)<br />
September 25th:<br />
Tangled N' Books (http://tanglednbooks.blogspot.com/)<br />
Jackie (http://dauntlessbooksandpenguins.wordpress.com)<br />
September 26th:<br />
Charlotte (http://taleasoldastime31.wordpress.com/)<br />
Tracy (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com)<br />
September 27th:<br />
Hannah (https://www.instagram.com/toallthebooks1)<br />
September 28th:<br />
Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks)<br />
September 29th:<br />
Madeena (http://www.instagram.com/mylittlebookobsession)<br />
September 30th:<br />
Jen E. (http://paperandpageblog.wordpress.com)<br />
October 1st:<br />
Gaby (https://www.instagram.com/gabbook_art_and_company/)<br />
October 2nd:<br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)<br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest<br />
reviews and opinions.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for the author interview in a few days :)Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-52366343565561815902016-09-29T10:58:00.001-07:002016-09-29T11:00:57.501-07:00A Lost Legacy:Awakening and Wandering ReviewI have been spending a lot of time over the past few months immersing myself in the world of Instagram/Bookstagram. I have met so many interesting readers and writers, and learned so much more about what modern day readers are consuming. It is fascinating to see all the ways in which the world of publishing has changed, and how social media can effect the popularity of a book. The old adage of not judging a book by it's cover is in serious danger as beautiful pictures boost marketability. As a writer, I'm soaking all of this information in, and hoping that it will help me to produce better books that will reach a wider audience. <br />
<br />
Today I am bringing you information about an author that I met through her Bookstagram account. I was lucky enough to receive her books for free in return for my honest reviews and feedback. C.E. Dimond is in the midst of writing the <i>Lost Legacy Series</i>. These stories follow the life of Finn as she learns that her suburban upbringing is just a cover. The truth is, she is part of a long line of witches, and she must learn about her past in order to protect the future. <br />
<br />
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<i>Wandering</i>, is actually a prequel, which talks about the past of Eamon, the young warlock who protects Finn, and brings her to their clan. I really enjoyed both of these stories. They are quick reads, and have a good balance of action, intrigue, humor, and a touch of romance. They make a great addition to the world of paranormal romance, and I am looking forward to seeing where the next book leads.<br />
<br />
I also had a chance to ask the author some questions. Here are her great answers:<br />
<br />
1. <i>One of the questions I love to ask fellow authors revolves around organizational skills. Would you call yourself a planner, or more of a pantser (flying by the seat of your pants throughout the process)?<br />
</i><br />
I am definitely a pantser. I sit and write what comes to me and I never organize or plan until after I have the bulk of the story written, especially when it’s a new idea. Generally, I start at the beginning, and then I write the ending. Finally, once I have a beginning and an end, I go back and fill in the rest of the story.<br />
<br />
2. <i>When did you decide to go back and write a prequel in your series? Was there anything in particular that prompted you to make this decision?</i><br />
<br />
I decided to write the prequel in February of this year! A lot of readers were asking for more information on Eamon and the other boys in the Coven. I figured what better way to give that information than through another story. The idea planted itself in my mind and by the end of the week, I’d already written half of the story. I knew that the sequel was going to be another year or so to complete so I wanted to give my readers something to give more insight into the Lost Legacies world.<br />
<br />
3. <i>Similarly to question one, do you follow perfectly planned character sketches from the beginning, or do you let your characters surprise you as you go?<br />
</i><br />
My characters have minds of their own. Honestly, I can plan out their entire personality and suddenly something happens in my writing that shocks even me. I find it best to let the characters tell me what’s going to happen, instead of the other way around.<br />
<br />
<i>4. Are there any behind the scenes things about your characters that you can share? For instance favorite food, movie, dance style, celebrity crush, etc. that isn't mentioned in the books?<br />
</i><br />
Finn loves anything that isn’t cooked by her mother, but she definitely has a preference for curries and spicy food. Her favourite movie is The Wizard of Oz, she always dreamt of being swept away on an adventure. If Finn had a celebrity crush right now, it would definitely be Shawn Mendes.<br />
<br />
Eamon is a big reader and his favourite collection of stories is Dubliners by James Joyce. He enjoys the insight into the lives of the country his family was forced to leave behind. He feels it keeps him a little more grounded than your average heir apparent may be.<br />
<br />
<i>5. If you could meet one of your characters in real life, who would you chose and how would you spend the day together?<br />
</i><br />
I think if I could meet any of the characters in real life it would be Declan. He is genuinely kind and I feel like we would get along really well. If I had to force him to spend the day with me, I think we’d probably wind up at the park hunting Pokemon and exchanging stories. I’d love to know about all the faeries he’s seen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>6. And now, probably the next important question of them all, when can we expect the next instalment of Finn and Eamon's story?</i><br />
<br />
DESCENDING, the next instalment in The Lost Legacies series is expected for release July 2017!! <br />
<br />
I’m still in the process of completing the story and polishing all the new characters that are coming into play!<br />
<br />
If anyone wants to stay on top of the release news I suggest signing up for the reading group newsletter for updates, trailers and giveaways at www.cedimond.com<br />
<br />
CODE: <center><a href=’http://www.yafangirlreviews.com/’><img src=’ http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img923/8935/wURyFj.jpg’/></a></center>Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-49841484559338659232016-09-25T21:34:00.001-07:002016-09-25T21:34:31.324-07:00Raven Trilogy Blog TourI'm getting at writing this rather late, but here at least this time I'm doing it on a computer so I should be able to get the pictures in this time. This week I had the chance to read <i>The Raven Trilogy: The First Journey</i> by Melka Stansah. This was a fun story with a fairytale sort of feeling to it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU1o02xeMgOwJdQwETk8E3RHbdoFQjmp6A6aZ-lrRz5foEsF5JT7N3AiO-StWxnQorzJr6KFB3RHdhGOS3oJNHb6YAIsvQxqWfzvWns8Do0rlaJVPtZiVaP7PgqrLj6ynY26FpyLJIdI/s1600/Raven+book+cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU1o02xeMgOwJdQwETk8E3RHbdoFQjmp6A6aZ-lrRz5foEsF5JT7N3AiO-StWxnQorzJr6KFB3RHdhGOS3oJNHb6YAIsvQxqWfzvWns8Do0rlaJVPtZiVaP7PgqrLj6ynY26FpyLJIdI/s320/Raven+book+cover.jpeg" width="229" height="320" /></a></div>Title: The Raven Trilogy: The First Journey <br />
Author: Melka Stansah <br />
Summary from Amazon.com: <br />
Raven is an outcast in a dystopian medieval world at war. <br />
When Raven embarks on a journey to avenge his father's death, he meets someone that turns his life <br />
upside down and discovers the truth of his origins. <br />
Will Raven find the answers he is looking for? <br />
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Trilogy-First-Journey-<br />
ebook/dp/B01ID8J7RM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474088133&sr=8-<br />
1&keywords=melka+stansah#nav-subnav<br />
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28490385-the-raven-trilogy <br />
_________________________________________________________________________ <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIHzLnNq6BQ7g91LIVouSDjqsER7OZ7bJ2OOQGQ33T7-NQu_FlVpDzsG9phC_60H6TOWrEn4umogH5heARJ-yDcCvH2hgd8zQoY6yHC66eTlPBMNbbh1krrmdZWXdtFegYqrHGKVsIOg/s1600/raven+excerpt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIHzLnNq6BQ7g91LIVouSDjqsER7OZ7bJ2OOQGQ33T7-NQu_FlVpDzsG9phC_60H6TOWrEn4umogH5heARJ-yDcCvH2hgd8zQoY6yHC66eTlPBMNbbh1krrmdZWXdtFegYqrHGKVsIOg/s320/raven+excerpt.JPG" width="320" height="70" /></a></div>Chapter 1:<br />
It was a cold winter night. Snow had fallen, covering the stone roads and rooftops of a quiet village, <br />
Kiolz. Each family stayed in their houses and sought the warmth of their fire places. It was an <br />
unsettled night for a man who was riding his horse in the cold, seeking shelter from the cruel winter <br />
weather. The night was getting dark and the wind started to change its demeanor into a horrible <br />
winter storm.<br />
“It’s not looking good,” said the man to his horse, his only companion. “We have to find shelter for <br />
tonight.”<br />
He focused his eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of a light from a house. At this hour most of the <br />
villagers would be sleeping, but he had hopes that one or two would still be awake. He was grateful <br />
when he eventually saw a blurry light in the distance, in a window of a small house. <br />
The man got off his horse and willed himself to knock on the wooden door. He did not have to wait <br />
long as the door was opened quickly by a blind man. <br />
“I am sorry to be so impolite,” he said to the house owner. “A horrible storm is coming and I have <br />
nowhere to stay. Would you be kind enough to let me stay the night?”<br />
“I am quite surprised to have someone knocking on my door on a terrible night like this; everyone <br />
should be staying in their homes where there is shelter. You must be coming from quite a far place.” <br />
The house owner said. “Bring your horse to the barn and come in afterwards.”<br />
The horse rider thanked him and did as he was told. <br />
The house was warm and comfortable; the man could tell it belonged to a small happy family. The <br />
house owner invited him to a small round dining table where he was waiting with a lady. He then <br />
poured some rokha, a kind of fragrant wine, and served it to his guest. Let’s have a sip of this good rokha. This is a helpful friend on a winter night like this.” He then <br />
poured some for himself. “My name is Radeth and this is my wife, Vea.”<br />
Vea was carrying a little baby who was sleeping soundly in his mother’s arms. “This is our son, he<br />
was born just five days ago and we are still deciding the best name for him.”<br />
“Ah,” the man looked at Radeth’s son and smiled. “He is adorable.”<br />
“He is a strong boy.” Radeth said with pride. “And like his father, he will be a great warrior.”<br />
“I’m sure he will.” The man said. “My name is Nicholas and I am very grateful for the shelter <br />
tonight.”<br />
Vea soon took her baby back to her room while Nicholas and Radeth stayed for a few more sips of<br />
rokha. <br />
“So where are you heading, warrior?” Radeth poured more rokha into his cup. <br />
“Oh, how do you know I am a warrior?” Nicholas said ina shocked tone before he realised his <br />
question might offend Radeth due to his blindness. “Ah, I’m so sorry. I have no intention to offend <br />
you.”<br />
Radeth smiled. “No, don’t be. I understand. How could a blind man tell who someone is whilst he<br />
can’t even see them? I know as I can sense the big sabre you are carrying. It’s not just an ordinary <br />
sabre; it is made of two layers of steel which have been forged together, this process makes it twice <br />
as strong. No man but a warrior is capable of carrying such a heavy, extraordinary weapon on a <br />
long journey through wild storms.”<br />
“You are right to say it’s not an ordinary sabre and it’s very heavy.” Nicholas said, amazed. “But to<br />
be more precise, it was not only double layered but also forged three times.”<br />
“You are the blacksmith?”<br />
“Yes,” Nicholas said proudly. “One of my skills I am proud of.”<br />
“Could I hold it for a second?”<br />
Radeth held the sabre and felt the blade surface with his fingers then returned the sabre to Nicholas. <br />
“It is a great weapon,” Radeth said. “But it’s too inconvenient for a battle.”<br />
“It was never meant to be used in a battle,” Nicholas said, receiving back his sabre. “It is very <br />
precious.”<br />
Nicholas silently observed his new acquaintances. He was delighted to meet Radeth as they shared <br />
something in common. Even though Radeth was blind he did not seem to have any difficulty doing <br />
things. He had brilliant senses; dark black hair and strong confident posture, there was no doubt he<br />
was born a fighter. <br />
“So, where are you heading?” Radeth repeated his unanswered question. <br />
“North.” Nicholas said. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupeun05qXrzLPlJGU400mMziKtckjNsoEqPYNMbg5y_9QJAKdD6K04GRK0ZVCGB3at5Csttw33LWG0FTN_HRZv8FRVVNoFYTh95sYY_7nLpog3BSTleaKVO2h2ljfKGmG0AjntL4qMfM/s1600/raven+author.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupeun05qXrzLPlJGU400mMziKtckjNsoEqPYNMbg5y_9QJAKdD6K04GRK0ZVCGB3at5Csttw33LWG0FTN_HRZv8FRVVNoFYTh95sYY_7nLpog3BSTleaKVO2h2ljfKGmG0AjntL4qMfM/s320/raven+author.JPG" width="231" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Here are the answers to my interview questions with the author:<br />
<br />
1)<i>When you start to write a book do you like to outline things first (like a planner) or just let the ideas carry you on (like a pantser)?</i> I usually start with a brainstorming process (a planner). Once I have an idea in my mind, the first thing I do is conceptualizing the characters, the main events and plot as well as the message I want to convey to the readers. Once I’m happy with these parts, I then divide the plot into chapters. At this stage, I change into ‘a Pantzer’. I would try to stick into the original plot but whenever I feel there is a ‘miss’, something doesn’t feel right or I don’t feel comfortable with the character’s reaction, I would not hesitate to change the plot or review back the chapters. There were occasions I had to rewrite couple of chapters completely. However I would always try my best to keep the characters, the main events and the message even though the flow of the story might change.<br />
<br />
2) <i>I see that our plan is to write a trilogy, do you already know the next stage, and have an idea when it might be completed?</i> The next stage is the sequel of Raven which is in the writing process right now. There will be the third book for sure and a prequel. I’m targeting the sequel to be out sometimes next year, most probably in the middle of 2017 (June or July). The second book will have a different vibe or feel compared to the first one. It will still be Raven in his element but I can see it as a quite different adventure. Getting excited!<br />
<br />
3) <i>If you could spend the day with one of your characters, who would you chose and what would you do?</i><br />
This is my favorite question! I would choose Chavet to spend a day with :) As a writer, I am an anti Super-Hero and anti Super-Villain. I always believe no-one is a perfect; everyone has a flaw, good and dark side. So if a character is so wicked and evil, then it would be interesting to know why he or she becomes such a character. Yes, in ‘The First Journey’ Chavet was a savage who knew only to kill and destroy but I do feel the character has so much in depth to explore. That’s why if I get a chance to spend a day with him, I would bring him out for a cup of hot chocolate and ask him about his past, why he wanted to become an Emissary and if he had ever fallen in love – maybe try to seduce him a bit :P An idea has even come to my mind to write about his character alone but haven’t got much materials to write on at this stage.<br />
<br />
4) <i>Which of your characters would you least like to be on a deserted island with, and why? </i> I love all of my characters so it's hard to pick one I least like. Nevertheless to answer your question, the character is not in the first book, she will be in the second book. She is a very significant character and represents a significant element in the story. I pick her not because I least like her, but because as a character, I don’t have any resemblance to her in any way. I just feel like I would never be like her or want to be in her position. <br />
<br />
5) <i>What do you think writing this book has taught you about yourself?</i> Writing this book has taught me a lot about myself. It was a book written with the message of not being afraid to become who you are even though your identity sometimes betrays you and makes you an outcast. I do feel like Raven sometimes. I am a writer with English as a second language and I grew up in the environment where reading and writing is not a common habit. And I often feel like an outsider when everybody else around me talks about something else I cannot relate to. There were times I wished I were someone else living in a totally different world. But then I won't be who I am today! Writing this book has given me strength to rise up to the challenge of discovering myself as a person and a writer, the determination to just give the best I can and have fun!<br />
<br />
For more information, please check out the other stops on this blog tour :)Brooke (http://www.brookebibliophile.wordpress.com) <br />
September 25th:<br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
September 26th:<br />
Lisa (http://www.instagram.com/_the.bibliophile) <br />
September 27th:<br />
Katie (http://www.facebook.com/katiesbookblog) <br />
September 28th: <br />
Charlotte (http://writingsofa21yearold.wordpress.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest <br />
reviews and opinions.*Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-22039855816620870452016-08-28T10:19:00.001-07:002016-08-28T10:19:13.849-07:00Fair To Hope Blog TourWow, I have been having an even more hideous time than usual getting this silly blog to run right. I have been posting here for over 9 years now, and really don't want to lose my blog, but it is exhausting trying to get it to run on my iPad, and my computer is out of the question. I really don't like posting without photos, too much text means most people don't feel like taking the time to commit, but unfortunately it seems to be the way I have to proceed for now.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the book Fair to Hope, by Sam Reed. I appreciated the fact that it is a stand alone. I understand the appeal of writing a series - obviously since I am in the process of doing that myself - but there is something really great about picking up a book and knowing it's all inside. Sure, there may be things you're left wondering, room for potential expansion, futures that you might want to discover, but the story itself will take you from point A to point B and be nicely tied up in the end. It's just so satisfying. <br />
<br />
In the course of this book, Sam created an underlying layer to our world that was full of detail, character, and an overwhelming spirit. It was a fast and compelling read that brought out thoughts of what motivates people to chose to do good and evil, and who defines what those two terms really mean. Definitely thought provoking and character developing as well. To make matters even better, I had the privilege of sending her some interview questions, and I just loved her answers. I'm sure you'll enjoy them as Well<br />
<br />
1. In Faith to Hope you have developed a very detailed secret society. Can you share where you got your inspiration for the Taram and Eiram groups?<br />
<br />
I think for me the Taram and the Eirum evolved from my fascination with the way all people are interconnected. I am an introvert by nature; it can take me a while to warm up to new people and new situations, so as a result, I find myself sitting and observing - a lot. You can pick up on tons that way, even in a group of strangers you can start to intuit who knows who and in what way, who is the leader, who's the confidant...even how strangers react to each other, who's kind, who's oblivious, who's trying to inch their way over to that other person because they find them attractive. I think the people watching evolved into me trying to categorize all of these interactions, what if they meant something more than I could see? What if there was purpose in the way we chose to connect with each other - even more than that, what if someone was controlling it? What if there was a master plan, and if there was, what would that look like? What would it all be for? I think sometimes it's easy to forget the 'power of the other'...that we need other people, even when we don't think we do, and so I think wanting to explore that, in a way that made that need - and the resulting interactions - truly powerful, drove the development of the secret societies. <br />
<br />
2. Were there any surprising challenges you faced when trying to mix this society in with the modern world?<br />
<br />
Yeah, I think there were definitely some challenges...although not so much in mixing the society into the modern world, but more so in how much of the fantastical was necessary for you to understand what drove the characters to do what they did in the 'real world.' I hope that makes sense...I knew that I was introducing a lot of new fantastical elements, but I still wanted the story to be more character driven - for you to be able to follow these folks making decisions for their lives, (for better or for worse), yes, driven by the society they are a part of and this extra knowledge that they have, but more as a reflection of who they are based on how they react to things within that framework. I was hoping to put out enough urban fantasy so that certain things were inevitable...certain things had to be faced and dealt with...but not so much that it stopped you from being able to relate to the characters as just trying their best to navigate their own stuff to the best of their ability, and to come to terms with things that could be true even without the fantastical elements...though those parts did definitely help to up the ante, plus they're fun to write. <br />
<br />
3. Your characters' lives are pretty clearly on display, but are there any extra details about them that are not revealed in the story that you would like to share? (Secret hobby, celebrity crush, favorite band, color or food, etc.)<br />
<br />
Oh man, I love this question! I think Velma, my main girl's celebrity crush would be Mike Colter, he's the guy who plays Luke Cage in the Jessica Jones Netflix series, and soon in the Luke Cage spin-off. She would relate to him, they've both lost people, he's also not quite normal but most folks would never know that. He is also incredibly lovely to look at, which is always a good trait for a celebrity crush :-), I think Enoch, (who was probably my favorite character to write) has a thing for old school R&B music, like his favorite radio station would be whichever one is playing the slow jams, I think for him his life has been so crazy that that music helps him to sort of take a breather and imagine that he could have been an old school crooner living a normal life. Sue secretly loves to cook, but only does it for herself, and sometimes for her fiancé, but not for anybody else. She's afraid if folks know she's good at it, they'll ask her to do it all the time, so she keeps it a secret hobby - it's why she's always stealing food from the diner, that way folks will assume she can't cook and she'll never have to address it. I think in her spare time Nita takes hip hop dance classes, she loves it, because it's such a completely different release from the endorphins she gets from fighting and fight training. She also happens to be horrible at it, she is very clearly not a dancer, but she doesn't care because she does it for herself and she adores it. <br />
<br />
4. If you were stranded on a deserted island, which of your characters would you like to have with you, and why?<br />
<br />
I would definitely want Enoch with me, he'd be funny - would definitely make light of the situation so it wouldn't feel like 'oh great, we're stranded and we're gonna die.' Plus I feel like we would hang out on the island, go swimming, catch some fish, have a picnic and then he would find a way for us to be rescued. Have no idea how, but that Enoch's got a fair amount of tricks up his sleeve. <br />
<br />
5. Do you have any plans for a sequel in the near future?<br />
<br />
I don't have any plans for a sequel. I'd always imagined Fair to Hope to be a stand alone. Probably because I have a soft spot for stand alone books, for getting that one particular slice of a story and nothing else. For me, that can almost feel sort of secretive, at least in the books I love that do stand alone novels well, you feel like you've been given entrance into the most important part, maybe not everything that came before, and certainly not everything that will come after - but this meaty middle that can leave you satisfied, and a little wanting; not in a disappointed way, but in that, "I'll think of those characters often' way. Though I think it probably takes a lifetime (at least for me) to get that effect of a stand alone completely right. So short answer, after my long winded one, no plans for a sequel...but then again never say never right? If inspiration strikes, maybe a sequel or prequel, but for now, no plans in the works. <br />
<br />
<br />
Title: Fair To Hope <br />
Author: Sam Reed<br />
Summary from Amazon.com: <br />
Velma had lived two lives: her first as a former foster kid, and her second as an unlikely recruit into <br />
a secret order that satisfied her need for retribution. Her fifteen-year-old self had given up on hope, <br />
but after three years with the Taram, she'd found her life's purpose. <br />
That is, until she is surprisingly named Kachina, the fabled chosen empowered to fight the last <br />
battle for the fate of the world. Having to kill someone she loves was never part of the bargain, even <br />
if it means saving everyone else from damnation. <br />
Building a normal life free from the pull of the Taram--seems like the only answer to her prayers. <br />
Except her best friend, the other Kachina, is coming. The legend is clear that one of them must die. <br />
Velma will have to weigh the cost of her life against a world that's constantly betrayed her and quite <br />
literally decide if she'll be damned in dying, taking the whole world with her.<br />
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fair-Hope-Sam-<br />
Reed/dp/1635051940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471747138&sr=8-1&keywords=fair+to+hope <br />
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30655576-fair-to-hope<br />
________________________________________________________________________________ <br />
EXCERPT: <br />
We sat in silence. The blushing waitress cleared our plates while searching Enoch’s face for flirty <br />
glances, but his navy blue eyes focused steadily on me. I waited until she walked away before <br />
breaking the silence, surprised at the steadiness of my voice. “You know that I’m the Kachina. You <br />
know that I’ll ask to be cleansed.”<br />
He nodded. “I do.”<br />
“I don’t know a lot about Cleaners; in fact, as time goes on, I realize I don’t know a lot about <br />
anything, but I do know that in choosing to help me, because of who I am, who I’m supposed to be, <br />
things could be bad. For you.”<br />
He laughed. “No, pretty one, things will be bad for you. You’re the one running from your destiny. <br />
I suspect without warning it will come back and smack you upside your head.”<br />
He was the second man to call me pretty, and I could think of no more profound hint of<br />
premonition. The first man to call me beautiful had left me with pieces to mend. It seemed this <br />
might end in much the same way. I also knew, regardless of any rational arguments to be made on<br />
either of our parts, we were already resigned to our fate. <br />
BOOK RELEASE: AUGUST 30, 2016<br />
About the Author: <br />
Sam Reed is a born and bred southern girl who grew up reading Toni Morrison, Archie Comics, <br />
Christopher Pike, Octavia Butler, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. When she’s not thinking of what <br />
to write she is napping or eating, going to church, wishing she could sing, dreaming of owning a <br />
tiny house, watching A Different World reruns, trying to perfect her grandma’s biscuit recipe, or <br />
reading a book. <br />
AUTHOR LINKS: <br />
http://www.booksbysamreed.com <br />
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30655576-fair-to-hope <br />
http://www.instagram.com/better.on.paper <br />
GIVEAWAY CODE: <br />
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TOUR SCHEDULE: <br />
August 22nd:<br />
Tangled ’N’ Books (http://tanglednbooks.blogspot.com/) <br />
<br />
August 23rd:<br />
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com) <br />
Katie (Facebook.com/bookbloggerkatie) <br />
<br />
August 24th:<br />
Tiffany (http://www.instagram.com/biblionatic) <br />
<br />
August 25th:<br />
Lisa (http://www.instagram.com/_the.bibliophile) <br />
<br />
August 26th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
<br />
August 27th:<br />
Carolyn (http://equeenrant.blogspot.com/?m=1) <br />
<br />
August 28th:<br />
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
<br />
September 5th:<br />
Tracy (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com) <br />
<br />
September 8th:<br />
Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks) <br />
<br />
Blog Tour Organized by:<br />
Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest <br />
reviews and opinions.<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-73002108561722044722016-08-21T10:33:00.001-07:002016-08-21T10:33:57.956-07:00Flicker Blog TourBefore I get started on this post, I just want to say that if there is anyone out there who can help me figure out how to get my mobile devices to allow me to upload photos to blogger I would hugely appreciate it. This post will probably end up without pictures because after half an hour, it became painfully clear that my ten year old computer just was not going to allow me to write this post. Therefore, I'm back here where, try as I might, every time I try to add a photo I get an error message. <br />
<br />
All that being said, the book I get to highlight this week was <i>Flicker</i> by Melanie Hooyenga. The fact that this story is about a girl who takes amazing photos makes it even more frustrating that I will not be able to add pictures, but so be it. I really enjoyed this story a lot, and gave it a 4/5 in both my Goodreads and Amazon reviews. I thought the story had a lot of really unique elements, like how the main character can go back in time, but only a set number of hours in the past, and not without consequences. It kept the tension real, and allowed for more character development than if it were merely a magic trick. Here is some more information about the story.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Title: Flicker (The Flicker Effect Book 1)<br />
Author: Melanie Hooyenga <br />
Summary from Amazon.com: <br />
Biz is a perfectly normal teenager except for one minor detail: she uses sunlight to jump back to<br />
yesterday. She takes advantage of flickering by retaking Trig tests, fixing fights with her boyfriend (or reliving the making up), and repeating pretty much anything that could be done better. Trouble is, flickering makes her head explode from the inside. Or feel like it anyway. <br />
No one knows about her freakish ability and she’s content to keep it that way. Guys don't stick <br />
around because she refuses to let them in, but all that changes when Cameron, her best friend, starts looking oh-so-yummy. Suddenly she's noticing his biceps, his smile, and the cute way his eyes crinkle when he—gah! This is her friend! <br />
But the butterflies come to a screeching halt when little girls start disappearing, then take a nosedive when the police link the kidnappings to Cameron's sister, who vanished years earlier. As the police grasp for clues, Biz photographs a strange man lurking in the shadows and realizes that her flickering can help more than just herself. <br />
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Melanie-Hooyenga/e/B00AHNSQCO/<br />
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/melanie-hooyenga<br />
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-<br />
us/search?query=Melanie%20Hooyenga&fcsearchfield=Author<br />
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MelanieHooyenga<br />
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16130787-flicker <br />
_______________________________________________________________________________<br />
EXCERPT: <br />
(excerpt from http://www.melaniehoo.com) <br />
Prologue<br />
Sunlight pulses across the dashboard—light, dark, light, dark—and catches the dust dancing on the imitation leather. <br />
My eyes stutter, but I blink it away. My heart jumps around in my chest. I stroke the grainy piece of cement stuck between my back teeth with my tongue. <br />
The orthodontist swore he got it all, but that was as true as his promise that it wouldn’t be uncomfortable. Uncomfortable. Right. <br />
A tingling sensation pricks the tips of my fingers. I press them together, watching the blood shift <br />
beneath my skin. The tingling turns to those sharp needles that remind me of anything but sleep. <br />
I press harder and my toes start tingling too. What the hell? <br />
The dancing on the dashboard gets faster. The trees here are taller, straighter, and the sunlight <br />
strobes through the branches. My breath catches and a sudden heaviness pushes me deep into the seat.<br />
<br />
I glance at Mom but she’s concentrating on the road, humming along with golden oldies or whatever the hell it is she listens to, oblivious to the fact that something very weird is happening to her daughter. To me. I close my eyes. The heaviness lifts. Too much. Now I’m floating and—<br />
“But Mom, I’m fine.”<br />
Mom crosses the kitchen and leans against the counter. “Biz, you’re going. The dentist said your <br />
face will change if you don’t get braces. Your entire face could look different…”<br />
A sense of déjà vu slams me over the head. I’ve had this argument. Next Mom is gonna grab the <br />
stack of mail that Dad left on the counter and toss it in the basket. She does. <br />
“Biz?”<br />
The words tumble out of me. “Mom…” The déjà vu doesn’t lift. This isn’t a memory. I’m not in the <br />
car anymore. <br />
I’ve gone back to yesterday. <br />
_____________________________________________________________________________<br />
About the Author: <br />
Melanie Hooyenga is the author of the YA trilogy, the Flicker Effect, about a teen who uses sun-<br />
light to travel back to yesterday. The first book, FLICKER, won first place for Middle <br />
Grade/Young Adult in the Writer’s Digest 2015 Self-Published eBook awards. When not at her day <br />
job as Communications Director at a local nonprofit, you can find her wrangling her 7-year old <br />
Miniature Schnauzer Owen and playing every sport imaginable with her husband Jeremy. <br />
melaniehooyenga@gmail.com<br />
http://www.melaniehoo.com<br />
https://www.facebook.com/MelanieHooyenga<br />
https://twitter.com/MelanieHoo<br />
https://instagram.com/melaniehoo/<br />
https://instagram.com/biztakesphotos <br />
____________________________________________________________________________ <br />
GIVEAWAY <br />
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TOUR SCHEDULE <br />
August 15th<br />
Katie: (http://www.instagram.com/bookbloggerkatie) <br />
(http://www.facebook.com/katiesbookblog) <br />
August 16th <br />
Kathy: (http://www.instagram.com/bookfoxes) <br />
<br />
August 17th<br />
Justine: (http://millsylovesbooks.blogspot.com) <br />
<br />
August 18th<br />
Tangled N' Books: (https://www.goodreads.com/tanglednbooks) <br />
<br />
Suhani: (http://nicheofabooknerd.wordpress.com) <br />
<br />
August 19th<br />
Jen: (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
August 20th<br />
Maia:(http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weebly.com) <br />
Jordan: (http://www.readbyroe.com) <br />
Coal: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkjKXrG5DWEzLXQ1ZE4jVXQ) <br />
August 21st<br />
Tracy: (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com) <br />
Sarah: (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
<br />
Blog Tour Organized by:<br />
Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.<br />
<br />
<br />
Of course, besides reading the story, my favorite part of these tours is being able to interview the authors. I hope you enjoy these insights into the story and characters that I got from Melanie:<br />
<br />
1. There is a lot of debate in the writing world about the best way to formulate a novel. Would you consider yourself more a planner or a pantser (someone who writes as it comes to them)?<br />
<br />
I’m an outliner all the way. One of my closest friends can sit down and pound out a novel with nothing to go on but the spark of an idea, but I can’t even start if I don’t know how the story ends. That’s not to say I have all the details worked out, but I like to know the key plot points.<br />
<br />
That said, I prefer to call my outline a “guide”. I write a couple sentences describing what happens in each chapter—Biz is at dance, lights bother her, Robbie weirds her out—and use that to keep me on track, but that doesn’t mean things can’t change. Characters are known for doing the unexpected so I simply update my outline to reflect the new direction. I usually have both Word files open while I’m writing and regularly consult the outline to make sure I’m always writing toward the ending.<br />
<br />
<br />
2. I can't deny, I was very curious about the name Biz. How did you chose this unique name for your main character?<br />
<br />
When I first came up with the idea I wanted to name her Luz, which is Spanish for light, but I was concerned that people would pronounce it with a short U instead of the long U (like loose). By then I had it in my head that she should have a name with a Z in it, and my niece just happened to be friends with a girl named Elizabeth, who goes by Biz.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3. On the topic of Biz, she is an avid photographer and photography is critical to the story, so are you also a photographer, or did you have to research photography when developing her character?<br />
<br />
I wouldn’t call myself a photographer, but I’ve always been interested in photography and I’ve been a graphic designer for over 20 years, so a lot of the details about composition and lighting are second nature for me. My mother is an amateur photographer, as was her father, so it’s something I’ve always been around. I took one photojournalism class in college (a lot of Turner’s class was based on that) and that’s where I learned the basics. I did research terminology to make sure I didn’t get anything wrong, but most of what’s in the book is from my own experience.<br />
<br />
A funny story on that note, last spring my husband and I were hiking in a park not far from our house and I was saying how happy I was that Instagram updated their settings so you could be logged into multiple accounts at a time (I manage one for work, in addition to my personal accounts). He rather casually asked why I didn’t have an account for Biz and I nearly fell over at his genius. I don’t post there as ofter as my other accounts, but you can see through her lens at @BizTakesPhotos. It’s been a fun way to continue her story even though the novels are completed.<br />
<br />
<br />
4. Can you share with us some details about your characters that don't come up in the books? (For example: favorite food, band, vacation spot, etc.)<br />
<br />
I feel like my characters are open books (pun intended) and there isn’t a lot about them that isn’t included. Biz gets her love of orange soda from me (although I rarely drink soda) and her disinterest in sports was a way to challenge myself as a writer because I LOVE sports. She would far rather hang out with friends and just relax.<br />
<br />
<br />
5. If you could meet one of your characters for a day, who would you chose and what would you do together?<br />
<br />
I think Cameron, because he’s so dreamy. Ha, I’m kidding. Sort of. I think Amelia would be a lot of fun to hang out with. She’s hilarious, loyal, and knows exactly what to say to pick you up when you’re having a bad day. As for what we’d do, I’m very much the opposite of Biz in that I love sports and doing things outside, so maybe go for a hike and just talk?<br />
<br />
But visiting the zoo with Cameron wouldn’t be all bad….<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Clearly you have other books lined up in this series, are they already well underway in progress, and when can we expect to read more?<br />
<br />
I’m glad you asked! I’ve actually finished the trilogy and both books are available online. Fracture picks up a month after Flicker ends and Biz finds herself the target of bullies, questioning her relationship with Cameron, and worrying about her father (plus lots of other super dramatic things I can’t describe without giving anything away). The third book, Faded, starts a couple months after Fracture, and things are really falling apart for Biz. It starts with her accidentally flickering after she’s been drinking and ends up driving drunk, and she has to face what happened without being able to tell the truth. Again, I don’t want to say too much but loose ends from all three books are tied up into what I’ve been told is a satisfying conclusion.<br />
<br />
After this series, I wrote a YA sports romantic comedy called The Slope Rules. I describe it as Grease meets Mean Girls with downhill skiing, and I’m currently seeking representation for that book. At the moment I’m starting rewrites of a novel I wrote seven years ago—another YA—and I have plans for another one after that. Needless to say, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-22136717371545492292016-08-06T17:43:00.001-07:002016-08-06T17:43:32.370-07:00The Perfect Tear Blog TourThis week I'm bring another blog tour to you all. I had the opportunity to read <i>The Perfect Tear,</i> by Connie Lansberg. Her book is currently in the process of being made into a movie slated to be released sometime in 2017, so it was very exciting to get to read this story first, and also to have a chance to talk to the author herself. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aiSzUTV1aXwMr-8frJuvBmyTHjd_XMj1LcI91e2mqvM9j9fqLLxQbysRvSKuSWEOWOYrDFdkY4rDtZYCh53WQLbS2pNGL_ysVwvYgBTjTUjobWQA8surB8ljlUWO6GZOwzg2B_MJE2E/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aiSzUTV1aXwMr-8frJuvBmyTHjd_XMj1LcI91e2mqvM9j9fqLLxQbysRvSKuSWEOWOYrDFdkY4rDtZYCh53WQLbS2pNGL_ysVwvYgBTjTUjobWQA8surB8ljlUWO6GZOwzg2B_MJE2E/s320/IMG_1053.JPG" width="320" height="320" /></a></div><br />
1.) When you started writing The Perfect Tear, did you have a clear idea of the story you wanted to tell, or did it change throughout the process?<br />
<br />
I started with a screenplay, and because I wan’t sure of what I was doing to begin with, the story morphed and changed dramatically. There are only four characters left from the original idea. From movie to book, the story expanded which was a lot of fun. I hadn’t expected to write a book and so I was very pleased that I enjoyed the whole process so much.<br />
<br />
2.) Do you like to fill out detailed character outlines before you start, or do you get to know your characters as you go?<br />
I found something that asked 50 questions about your characters and that turned out to be very helpful. Movies are visual. So any physical representation of a character trait is useful. In the book of course, we can get inside their heads so full characterisation is a little easier.<br />
<br />
3.) Can you share with us some details about your characters that you don't reveal in the stories? (For example favorite color, favorite food, what sort of music they might listen to if they lived in our present day world, etc.)<br />
<br />
My story is set in a past time, probably England, so there are none of the distractions of modern day life. I think their life style is pretty simple. And in this story, they have to survive the slow destruction of the world around them. You’ll find out in the next story that Rosamar is a brilliant seamstress, taught by her grandmother. And maybe, that Audrey hates having red hair!<br />
<br />
4.) If you could chose to spend the day with one of your characters which one would it be and where would you go?<br />
<br />
Tsera, of course. I would love to see her world and fly in an orb. We’ll meet Tsera in her world in the next book.<br />
<br />
5.) With plans for a movie underway, how involved are you in the different aspects of the film? (Screenplay, selection of actors, etc.)<br />
<br />
It’s my job to write the screenplay. Unless I can wrangle a producer credit, I doubt I have any say in anything at all. That’s the way it goes with movies. Maybe you could help. I think Harry Styles should play Prince Edward! Let’s spread the word. I would also love Elle Fanning to play Eleanor. Eleanor will need a great actress to play her to be able to bring out all the subtleties of that character.<br />
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<br />
Title: The Perfect Tear<br />
By: Connie Lansberg <br />
Reached Amazon’s Top 15 “Hot New Releases” beating out Divergent & Insurgent<br />
<br />
Summary from Amazon.com: <br />
Eleanor is a singer. Her songs keep nature in balance, but when they are stolen from her, a grey mist descends and her world fails to thrive. This timid orphan is thrust into a course of action she never asked for, nor envisioned. Set against a backdrop of abandonment, loss and betrayal, she must find her way through strange and dangerous landscapes in her desperate search for the Perfect Tear, a dark crystal which holds the future of her world. But, Eleanor is no savior. She is a simple girl with strong instincts and she must learn to trust them. Just like the notes of song must connect to create a melody, Eleanor must discover the connections needed to create the harmony required to truly save her world.<br />
<br />
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26571461-the-perfect-tear<br />
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Tear-Connie-Lansberg-ebook/dp/B018L5N78C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469425361&sr=8-1&keywords=connie+lansberg<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1ASCPcpO3ct7OjRTpYUVxNEP0NHpk7eZxZ3msTew4eDuTPy3mSc3ORHM2gSbFWossk1yqn8HDf4nZtVJY3m1vo-6f5XZ4nxUDzoWKqSKMMcePYLHnhcApNILkWW3HdqQRKg553DPzYo/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1ASCPcpO3ct7OjRTpYUVxNEP0NHpk7eZxZ3msTew4eDuTPy3mSc3ORHM2gSbFWossk1yqn8HDf4nZtVJY3m1vo-6f5XZ4nxUDzoWKqSKMMcePYLHnhcApNILkWW3HdqQRKg553DPzYo/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" width="217" height="320" /></a></div>EXCERPT: <br />
<br />
Lerion forced his lips into a smile and nodded politely in an effort to feign interest in the creations of his fellow novices. Their excited chatter and heightened energy pulsed the length of the room. They seemed foolish to him, but he managed to conceal his disdain. Social transparency in his society was the norm, but hiding his feelings from the collective was something he excelled at. It was his secret talent. Today however, he struggled to maintain a pleasant countenance.<br />
<br />
The novices were allowed to see their competition for only a few moments and Lerion extended his glance the length of the narrow corridor again. He had to be certain he would win. Only the best young designers were invited to enter the Creation Contest, and then, only once. Lerion knew this was his only chance to achieve his dream, and he forced himself to scan the room once more. He was searching for any design that might pose a threat, but after another quick reconnaissance, nothing he saw gave him cause for concern. He took a quick, shuddering breath and lifted his chin. Why had he been so nervous?<br />
He felt his energy uncoil and his step became light. He'd worked for this opportunity almost from the day his two co-creators sung him into being - he deserved to win.<br />
<br />
Lerion clenched his jaw. The arrogance of his desire was not lost on him. The Creation Contest was much more than a matter of whose design was the most innovative or which novice showed the most initiative. The winning design had to uphold and even surpass the standards of creation set by the Ancient Ones. It had to enhance the evolution of their society as a whole. Had he achieved that?<br />
<br />
He stopped in front of a nine-dimensional hologram and pretended to be intrigued with the design, while he slyly studied its creator, a feminine-biased novice named Lalycri. The energy emanating from her shimmered against his outer layer and he involuntarily vibrated in response. Her eyes lit up and he swallowed hard. Her animated smile caused her nose to crinkle and her energy swelled in gentle waves. It undulated softly through him. He felt himself surrender to the pleasure of it and immediately blocked its flow. He would not allow himself to respond. This was not the time to reveal his attraction to her, and he nodded curtly. He had to admit, he found Lalycri appealing and she peaked his curiosity. On any other day, he might have encouraged her, but this kind of personal chemistry often led to a desire to co-create and he was not about to break the rules. Not today, anyway.<br />
<br />
Novices were forbidden to form creative partnerships of any kind. Only those having twelve activated strands of DNA were allowed the privilege of co-creation. Lerion sighed. He had activated only seven strands of the twelve that lay within each of his cells. More than all the other novices, but still, not enough.<br />
<br />
Determined to ignore her vibrant energy, Lerion gave Lalycri a small nod. He leaned in and studied the extremely unusual construct while she beamed at him. He couldn’t work out what its purpose must be, and he stiffened. It had never occurred to him Lalcyri might be competition. How had she managed such a complicated design?<br />
He made sure to keep his voice polite rather than accusatory. "I had no idea you'd been selected."<br />
<br />
Lalycri tilted her head and her smiled faltered. "Well, I was."<br />
Her tone had a sharp edge and he realized he had insulted her. "Certainly. I'm not surprised."<br />
<br />
"You sound surprised." Lalycri's voice was stern but the twinkle returned to her eyes. "I'm grateful for the honor. It's definitely the most daring design I've produced so far." She lowered her lashes an her mouth grew firm. "I would give anything to win. I long to pit myself against Tsera."<br />
<br />
Her words came fast and her voice had a ferocious quality that startled him. Lerion blinked and looked sharply at her. They all wanted the honor of winning. However, it had not occurred to him there might be others who desired to win as much as he did. Nobody could want this as much as he did. His every cell informed him being Main Creator was his destiny, and the idea she could snatch it from him was ludicrous.<br />
<br />
He felt his vibration quicker, but Lalycri did not seem to notice the change in his demeanor. She smiled brightly, as if she had not just made a startling admission, and began to prattle without taking a breath.<br />
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<br />
<br />
Connie Lansberg is a singer/songwriter and now author based in Melbourne Australia. She’s had her original songs placed in some of Australia’s best loved TV shows that play around the world and The Connie Lansberg Quartet is a fixture in the Melbourne jazz scene. Her most recent original musical project, Alone with Bees, performs her songs written especially for The Perfect Tear. This is Connie’s first novel and the movie is coming.<br />
She also received several grants from the Victoria Council of the Arts for the development of mobile phone games that she created.<br />
Connie joined the Melbourne Writers Group in 2010 to work on ideas and scripts and during this time the idea for The Perfect Tear began to develop and take shape. She continued her education by taking scriptwriting classes at the Australian Film and Television School in Melbourne and later, worked extensively with Marcy Kennedy on the book. She has two more stories to complete The Perfect Tear Trilogy and is hoping to have the second book finished by 2016.<br />
“The first thing anybody tells you about this business is to say what makes you unique and different, but I couldn’t and the very idea of it never sat well with me and after much deliberation, I finally realized why.<br />
Because, I’m not unique or different–I’m exactly like you and I love that.<br />
We each have a unique filter through which we interpret the world, and with this filter in place, I write stories and songs and you might find them surprising or intriguing or confronting, you may relate or you may not. They may make you laugh and sometimes, even cry.<br />
You may or may not understand what I’m trying to say and you may not understand me, however, rest assured, once we get past the filters, at our core, we are wonderfully and beautifully, exactly the same.” AUTHOR LINKS:<br />
<br />
Website: http://www.connielansberg.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connielansbergbooks<br />
<br />
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theperfecttear<br />
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<br />
In 2017, Little Studio Films, is planning to release "The Perfect Tear" as a feature length film. Be on the look out for this incredible story to hit the big screens! For more information check out:<br />
<br />
Little Studio Films: http://littlestudiofilms.com/perfect-tear/<br />
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GIVEAWAY CODE: <br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b5/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="050c6a3b5" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_edymk4rf">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src=“https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
<br />
<br />
TOUR SCHEDULE: <br />
July 25th:<br />
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)<br />
<br />
July 26th:<br />
Rachel: (http://rachiereads.wordpress.com)<br />
<br />
July 27th:<br />
Rae: (http://covertocoverreviews.blogspot.com)<br />
<br />
July 28th:<br />
CG: (https://www.instagram.com/vibrantreads)<br />
<br />
July 29th:<br />
Jen E: (http://papgerandpageblog.wordpress.com)<br />
<br />
July 30th:<br />
Jordan: (https://www.readbyroe.com)<br />
<br />
July 31st: <br />
Maia: (http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weebly.com/)<br />
Charlotte: (http://taleasoldastime31.wordpress.com/)<br />
<br />
August 1st: <br />
Laura: (http://www.lifeisabookblog.com)<br />
<br />
August 2nd: <br />
Hannah: (http://www.instagram.com/toallthebooks1)<br />
<br />
August 3rd:<br />
Kathy: (https://www.instagram.com/bookfoxes/)<br />
<br />
August 4th:<br />
Lisa: (http://www.instagram.com/_the.bibliophile)<br />
<br />
August 6th: <br />
Sarah: (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)<br />
<br />
Blog Tour Organized by:<br />
Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.*Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-28631544373560814642016-07-21T22:52:00.001-07:002016-07-21T22:52:05.312-07:00Blue City Blog Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lweeY4VvfgSN6OsTIJN3JzYFg5bYqE5OkmFFTG_u5DpBPOGsgt7ZrAHj5XYcNpnbp7fuKZY7WSHO6OTF-zrjBkRQmAbznVJFjAG1-S3ANsb_E67ZcnPlFmF359ov8Uj6dUSweSi4hZg/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lweeY4VvfgSN6OsTIJN3JzYFg5bYqE5OkmFFTG_u5DpBPOGsgt7ZrAHj5XYcNpnbp7fuKZY7WSHO6OTF-zrjBkRQmAbznVJFjAG1-S3ANsb_E67ZcnPlFmF359ov8Uj6dUSweSi4hZg/s320/IMG_0838.JPG" width="320" height="320" /></a></div>It's time again for another Blog Tour. I have really been enjoying doing these, and while I haven't gotten any comments on them...I do hope that people are enjoying them. If nothing else, they are helping me become a part of the writing/reading community, and getting me back into blogging. Speaking of which, I plan to be doing a post about my own book here in the very near future. I am still waiting for it to go live on Amazon and iBooks, but it should be happening very soon (insert sinister, I mean excited hand rubbing here. Or perhaps tented fingers and a well said, "Excellent.") <br />
<br />
But enough about me, let's get into the fun part of this post. This past week I had the privilege of reading the book, <i>Blue City<br />
</i> by Charlay Marie, prior to it being released. There's always something special about getting information in advance, so it was fun to know that I was part of the pre-show for this book. Due to it's infancy, I have yet to post any reviews, but I'm hoping to be able to do so shortly. <br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the story, and can see a lot of directions that the author can take with it as she continues on with her series. I also had the chance to tap into the mind of this author and here are her answers to the questions I sent to her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWIsDapC-N-QxYAitSx0ngRBIvY27LA1SVA8ZM1iShyphenhyphenuiWHVwc313x86EUD2iZ8L75j2OqqLeWgE3MARQQD9qpj6vI2eKilDxbVXQ9ms7OVw6hGy3wMmBCUE94cOY1AttRumodqM0WKs/s1600/IMG_0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWIsDapC-N-QxYAitSx0ngRBIvY27LA1SVA8ZM1iShyphenhyphenuiWHVwc313x86EUD2iZ8L75j2OqqLeWgE3MARQQD9qpj6vI2eKilDxbVXQ9ms7OVw6hGy3wMmBCUE94cOY1AttRumodqM0WKs/s320/IMG_0852.JPG" width="215" height="320" /></a></div><br />
1) <i>My current favorite topic in the writing world right now is the discussion between "plotters" and "pantsers," (writers who just go for it and fly by the seat of their pants.). Which of these camps would you say represents the way you tackle a writing project?<br />
</i><br />
I'm a HUGE pantser! In fact, plotting for me is really pointless, as my story always takes on a mind of its own and goes left field! I just finished a new Wattpad story called White Fire with over 100k views in less than a month, and when I started it, I completely winged it! It's amazing how the story writes itself allowing you to enjoy it as much as the reader.<br />
<br />
2) <i>Do you typically create detailed character sketches, or wait to see how they will evolve along with your story?<br />
</i><br />
No, not really. I start with the title and character names. I picture how they look in my head and that's about it. I give each character one strong personality trait and as the story unfolds, I make them react based on their personality. at that point, they begin to evolve on their own.<br />
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3) <i>Can you give us any details about your characters that you don't reveal in the book? ( for instance favorite color, biggest phobia, book or musical preference, etc.)<br />
</i><br />
Asher - the protagonists love interest - has a favorite color ... and it's midnight blue! I chose it because it's also my boyfriend's favorite color! Easy to remember! He also prefers futuristic metal.<br />
<br />
Jen - the protagonist - is a lover of pop music, but also enjoys Greek music (her father is Greek). Her favorite color is pastel pink. <br />
<br />
4) <i>You mentioned in your acknowledgements at the beginning of the book that your faith in God is very important, does this theme also come up in the story in some way?<br />
</i><br />
I definitely tried to incorporate God into my story. My main character, Jen is definitely a believer in God and often reaches for the cross around her neck when faced with hardships. It's my way of saying that one should always rely on God's strength during our storms.<br />
<br />
5) <i>If you were stranded on a desert island, which one of your characters would you want to have rescue you and why?<br />
</i><br />
I would want Lark to rescue me. Lark is a 14-year-old boy genius who has lived his entire life surviving the cold streets of Blue City. He could build a boat with bamboo sticks and get us off the island in no time!<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdgH7zoxzfnNN_3tKJoim0ZVlDCXLgs2QJWW8oys87OxFgFWZeUeA0-W2wI8pKHgzS1jqUjBWQB84aQNLVf_qVm-K4pzzXZK27rw9Gp79sDi41nJ_SgrDOiE8pAu2JgqMy3p6Mp-SYUw/s1600/IMG_0853.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdgH7zoxzfnNN_3tKJoim0ZVlDCXLgs2QJWW8oys87OxFgFWZeUeA0-W2wI8pKHgzS1jqUjBWQB84aQNLVf_qVm-K4pzzXZK27rw9Gp79sDi41nJ_SgrDOiE8pAu2JgqMy3p6Mp-SYUw/s320/IMG_0853.JPEG" width="219" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Title: The Portal Series : Blue City<br />
<br />
Release Date: July 20, 2016<br />
<br />
Author: Charlay Marie<br />
<br />
Synopsis from Author's Website:<br />
<br />
Jen Kallis never forgot the night her father vanished into a strange, white light from inside her closet. Even though no one believed her, Jen knew what she’d seen and refused to accept that her dad had abandoned her and mom. Ten years later, Jen, now 17, remains haunted by his disappear-ance when, without warning, her closet door bursts open and reveals a bright white light.<br />
<br />
Stepping through the light, she time travels to the year 2222 to a world far different from her own. Everything in Blue City is strange, with buildings that soar too high in the sky, hover cars that zoom on transparent blue streets, and robots that look just like humans.<br />
<br />
When Jen is confronted by Asher, an attractive commander with a bad attitude who warns that her life is in danger, she convinces him to help her escape and find her father. Together they embark on a wild journey where she has to battle Asher’s fierce ex-girlfriend, Rogue, for his love, and Jen dis-covers that there’s something far bigger than her quest to find her father: the fate of the world—past, present, and future—is in her hands.<br />
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Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31136983-the-portal-series<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbqx-yo3NClU8sYlatIQ_nf5o70qz5MNxHj03iH1_PpNyENGvs6zqbL6GiM4J89HQukWhMGjXMyXY9GMyoGKKXOZDh7b0ON6ZSk-YPM9kL-Ey2OJOhlhGgkq9eT3g0xrZ1r5n3nDkKCg/s1600/IMG_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbqx-yo3NClU8sYlatIQ_nf5o70qz5MNxHj03iH1_PpNyENGvs6zqbL6GiM4J89HQukWhMGjXMyXY9GMyoGKKXOZDh7b0ON6ZSk-YPM9kL-Ey2OJOhlhGgkq9eT3g0xrZ1r5n3nDkKCg/s320/IMG_0854.JPG" width="320" height="83" /></a></div>EXCERPT: *taken from Instagram @bluecitynovel* "Nope," Asher responded nonchalantly, not even bothering to meet her eyes. "I don't have a portal, and as I've already stated, the portals are off limits."<br />
<br />
"Then let me go! Tell your people that the criminal escaped before you got here!"<br />
<br />
Asher outright laughed and then quickly sobered.<br />
<br />
"You're serious, aren't you?"<br />
<br />
"Please help me. You know I'm not a criminal. I'll find my own way out of this place if I need to."<br />
<br />
Asher sighed, looking up at the sky. The officials would be there any minute. Even if he let her go, she wouldn't be able to escape on her own, knowing nothing about Blue City. Her strange clothes would also be a giveaway, preventing her from blending in. Any officer or solider could stop her for questioning along the way, and he knew she wouldn't have the kind of answers needed to get past them.<br />
<br />
Asher entertained the idea of helping her. He had an uncontrollable pull toward a thrill, and this little adventure would definitely satisfy that desire. If anyone could get out of the situation they were currently facing, it would be him. Asher was almost as high as authority went and having a father directly associated with the president would help him get out of this ordeal if they were caught. Asher groaned deeply, having made a decision.<br />
<br />
Without a word, he pulled Jen by the arm and ran to a door on the side of the building. He opened it, surprised it hadn't been locked, and pulled her inside. They found themselves at the base of a stairwell that ventured to the top of the skyscraper.<br />
<br />
"Come on," he said, pulling her up the stairs.”Quickly."<br />
<br />
——————————————————————————————————————-<br />
<br />
About the Author:<br />
<br />
Charlay Marie always knew she wanted to be an author, having gained internet rave over her fan-fiction stories as a teenager. Seeing how well she could move her readers, she continued writing and published her first poem at the age of fifteen. In 2012, she began writing her debut Christian fiction<br />
<br />
novel, Under the Peach Tree, after developing a close personal relationship with her Lord and Sav-ior. She also writes young adult fiction, with Blue City soon to be released. Charlay has hopes to publish at least one book per year and has plans of starting her own independent film company. Her biggest inspirations is none other than God Himself, and she knows that without Him none of this would have been possible. To Him she gives all the Blessings and Glory. Charlay Marie currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.<br />
<br />
*Over 50K reads on Wattpad & her newest story "White Fire" has ranked #1 in Fantasy!*<br />
<br />
AUTHOR LINKS: Website: http://charlaymariebooks.wix.com/charlay<br />
<br />
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/724396601046137 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bluecitynovel<br />
<br />
Giveaway Code: <a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b4/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="050c6a3b4" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_palaqh3z">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck_SRoEY4yk1TLb_c-_8hYwFanxjiGvz426fxdLUzWN0yqFnivkxk_Z7EWQijM7YxHXMb60rgLm9LOAP_ZkENIaUvl7vLmtnhfNgWxTTLQsmuUSgPUbBSAF3XOQzZXooqXdsC1MpIrtk/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjck_SRoEY4yk1TLb_c-_8hYwFanxjiGvz426fxdLUzWN0yqFnivkxk_Z7EWQijM7YxHXMb60rgLm9LOAP_ZkENIaUvl7vLmtnhfNgWxTTLQsmuUSgPUbBSAF3XOQzZXooqXdsC1MpIrtk/s320/IMG_0855.JPG" width="320" height="175" /></a></div>TOUR SCHEDULE:<br />
<br />
July 18th: Jen D. (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
July 19th: Jordan (https://readbyroe.wordpress.com) Suhani: (http://nicheofabooknerd.wordpress.com) <br />
July 20th: Tegan (http://twrshelton.wix.com/bookdragondreaming) <br />
July 21st: Charlotte: (http://taleasoldastime31.wordpress.com/) <br />
July 22nd: Sarah (http://transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
July 23rd: Megan (http://www.thestoriedshelf.blogspot.com) <br />
July 24th: Jen E. (http://paperandpageblog.wordpress.com)<br />
<br />
Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
<br />
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.*<br />
Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8452068913069372611.post-10875576235160943882016-07-10T10:45:00.000-07:002016-07-10T10:45:56.685-07:00Choosing Xaverique Blog Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nDhsBRl1TFyk7MmbqPERlQy256q5DXWn_suGJ18PQXOvKM9a85eQvco6yBlN6hbh80R-ZOhyphenhyphenx5CnjcJgADZ2H11MeD2Aa_II9Cy3M_RqF16V0woUdJUp1UyiZ3cllk_lIwAT0g96eno/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nDhsBRl1TFyk7MmbqPERlQy256q5DXWn_suGJ18PQXOvKM9a85eQvco6yBlN6hbh80R-ZOhyphenhyphenx5CnjcJgADZ2H11MeD2Aa_II9Cy3M_RqF16V0woUdJUp1UyiZ3cllk_lIwAT0g96eno/s320/IMG_0714.JPG" width="320" height="175" /></a></div><br />
I've really been enjoying having the opportunity to discover new stories and meet new authors through Happy Lil' Book Tours. I honestly believe that one of the most important things I can do as an author is to build relationships between both the writing and reading communities. <br />
<br />
I have always enjoyed hearing about those powerhouse writing groups of the past that spurred one another on in their pursuits. My favorite of these groups has always been C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, and G.K. Chesterton. How seriously awe inspiring would it have been to sit and just listen to these master story tellers talk about their philosophies, imaginative worlds, and dreams of the future. Iron sharpens iron, and building these connections that can help all of us to encourage one another and push us forward is invaluable. <br />
<br />
This week I had the great pleasure of getting to know Karyn Sepulveda, the author of <i>Choosing Xaverique</i> (pronounced Zaver-reek). I enjoyed learning more about her characters, as well as her writing process. I also got her to give me some pronunciation details, because I always want to know how the author intended things to be said. Here are her answers to my interview quesstions:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9vpkr2RKolYe6J-NUc-qK0NVlzW4O_U84FSY7b0Nqunriqk6V6tm-eSmVKupWpqQtfcycf2TMMOSOJQv53f6cji5Vf5fmt3UKZpTuE-i7d9enk1OEqr3iBqq8ZsRyIb7Mi2JxmMWUIM/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9vpkr2RKolYe6J-NUc-qK0NVlzW4O_U84FSY7b0Nqunriqk6V6tm-eSmVKupWpqQtfcycf2TMMOSOJQv53f6cji5Vf5fmt3UKZpTuE-i7d9enk1OEqr3iBqq8ZsRyIb7Mi2JxmMWUIM/s320/IMG_0711.JPG" width="313" height="320" /></a></div><br />
1.) <i>There is a lot of debate in the writing community over whether to be a planner or a pantser (literally flying by the seat of your pants when writing.). Which camp would you say you typically choose? When it comes to your characters, are you rigid in their development, or do you give them room to evolve on their own throughout the book?</i><br />
I am definitely a happy medium between the two. I always start a story as a pantser and just see what comes out - but I usually get stuck, so I then go back and plan and plot my storyline and the story evolves from there. I let my characters develop freely throughout my writing - I don't create character profiles for them or anything that planned out. But I do spend a lot of time during my editing process, scrutinising my characters and ensuring that what I have written is true to each character's personality.<br />
<br />
2.) <i>If you could meet one of your characters in real life, which one would it be, and what would you do with that character?</i><br />
I love this question! I would meet Noah. I have no idea how, but I would try to make him realise that he is good at heart, that he deserves and is worthy of Gabby's love. <br />
<br />
3.). <i>What is something you can tell us about your characters that is not revealed in the book? (For example favorite food, music style, secret talent, etc?)</i> <br />
Gabby is a very creative person. She loves music and sees the beauty in random things, such as buildings, bridges, trees... Noah loves reading or did as a child but hasn't allowed himself to read for a long time... Mia loves desserts, anything sweet she loves and can be won over with... Zac is an artist, he sketches, usually complicated scenes from video games...<br />
<br />
4.) <i>If your main characters were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would they take with them?</i><br />
Tricky question! Gabby would take her iPod/phone for music, photos of her family and water. Noah would take a book, his wallet (which is the only present he remembers receiving from his mum) and matches.<br />
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5.) <i>Do you have plans for a sequel in the future?</i> <br />
Yes! I'm in the final editing stages of the sequel.<br />
<br />
Here is more information about the book:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6EAWDWnpJGauCE-0cdCUi3cKcOTgben4WsVgsmppC5D0soxgDW_J6EjOdHCAwUw7mRrhiMnsVOALHbmeGUvnDPBu02KLKCQvuh7RbFoLx3gq-67C8jKAcHGASnoerVFt48_J_f0EGQY/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6EAWDWnpJGauCE-0cdCUi3cKcOTgben4WsVgsmppC5D0soxgDW_J6EjOdHCAwUw7mRrhiMnsVOALHbmeGUvnDPBu02KLKCQvuh7RbFoLx3gq-67C8jKAcHGASnoerVFt48_J_f0EGQY/s320/IMG_0713.JPG" width="217" height="320" /></a></div><br />
Choosing Xaverique<br />
By: Karyn Sepulveda <br />
Summary from Goodreads:<br />
Reality and fantasy collide when Noah and Gabby meet. Both have secrets: they are not human, <br />
cannot be killed and are falling in love with each other. <br />
Gabby Valis is a regular fifteen year old; her biggest worries in life are friends, boys and her <br />
annoying brother Zac. But her life is shattered the day she finds out she is not human. She had no<br />
idea she belonged to a secret species which has evolved from humans; ‘Xaveriques’. After being hit <br />
by a car, her body is forced to heal itself, and Gabby’s powers are unleashed…<br />
‘I died this morning. At exactly 8.17 am my heart stopped beating and I lay cold and still in the <br />
street. At 8.24 am my heart resumed beating, I jumped up from the dusty pavement and ran home. <br />
Confused? Well, that makes two of us.’<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQje3sDmg4WsJHVbpG9TfZxOaCj4XaFSaILd4Lv2wNDdWxjDCqBA9hRZN_vRyo_GjuKzHx__Vnz6o8b18o7LQl7h2Iwe1FVV5tr0LkirRetD2rmpzL7RloSE-BY1TLCnH813fHsCjcFfc/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQje3sDmg4WsJHVbpG9TfZxOaCj4XaFSaILd4Lv2wNDdWxjDCqBA9hRZN_vRyo_GjuKzHx__Vnz6o8b18o7LQl7h2Iwe1FVV5tr0LkirRetD2rmpzL7RloSE-BY1TLCnH813fHsCjcFfc/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" width="320" height="89" /></a></div><br />
Click the graphic above or the link below to read the first 2 chapters of Choosing Xaverique. You <br />
will be hooked! <br />
www.karynsepulveda.com/#!chapter1/z6jys <br />
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Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29444742-choosing-xaverique <br />
amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Xaverique-Karyn-Sepulveda-<br />
ebook/dp/B01C3CKMWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467610273&sr=8-<br />
1&keywords=Choosing+Xaverique <br />
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<br />
Karyn comes from a background in teaching and theatre. Teaching drama, and writing and directing <br />
Theatre in Education productions. She’s always loved creating stories and characters, so completed <br />
a Masters in Creative Writing at Macquarie University. <br />
It was here that her journey of writing Choosing Xaverique began. Now, six years later, she is just a <br />
little bit thrilled it has finally been published! Karyn is currently working on the sequel to Choosing <br />
Xaverique, slated for production later this year. <br />
AUTHOR LINKS: <br />
Website: http://www.karynsepulveda.com <br />
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29444742-choosing-xaverique <br />
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karynmsepulveda/<br />
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karyn_sep/ <br />
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Blog tour Schedule: <br />
<br />
Monday July 4th: Tegan (twrshelton.wix.com/bookdragondreaming) <br />
Tuesday July 5th: Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com) <br />
Wednesday July 6th: Abby (http://www.instagram.com/snowydayreviews) <br />
Thursday July 7th: Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks) <br />
Friday July 8th: Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.wordpress.com) <br />
Saturday July 9th: Shivani (http://www.doodlingoverpages.wordpress.com) <br />
Shuani (http://www.nicheofabooknerd.wordpress.com) <br />
Sunday July 10th: Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com) <br />
Blog Tour Organized by:<br />
Happy Lil Book Tours<br />
Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest <br />
reviews and opinions.<br />
<br />
Please be sure to check out the other accounts participating in the tour as well :)<br />
<br />
My personal review is up on Goodreads. I gave the book 4 stars. It was a really fun and interesting story. I particularly liked the way she dealt with young teenage love. I have read other reviews that criticized how quickly the romance got started, but my response to them is, clearly you have never been a young teen girl. I thought Karyn very accurately described exactly how silly and ridiculous every little detail can be, from over analyzing every brush of skin on skin, to daydreaming endlessly and obsessing about when the next moment of contact will take place. I'm super curious to see where her story will head in the next installment.Transient Drifterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534611319021412573noreply@blogger.com0