Category Archives: interview
BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW: Carry Your Heart by Audrey Bell
Carry Your Heart
by Audrey Bell
New Adult Contemporary
Book Description
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m 24, I live in New York, and I’m afraid of the subway. Basically, I’m the worst New Yorker you’ve ever heard of.
2. What made you want to become a writer?
There are so many books and writers that have really changed the way I feel or think, or just taken me out of my boring life and into this exciting other world. Those other worlds are why I write. They’re not real, but they are so much more fun! I’ve always felt like I’ve lived more of my life in books and in writing than in the real world.
3. Who or what gives you inspiration?
If I really can’t think of where I should go with a story, I’ll just walk around my block until I find someone who looks interesting. And then I’ll make up a whole fake back story for them. And then I’ll usually stick ‘em in my book.
4. Tell us about CARRY YOUR HEART.
CARRY YOUR HEART is about a competitive skier, Pippa, whose heart was shattered, and a hot professional snowboarder, Hunter, who makes her realize that she can put the pieces together again. And there’s drama in between.
5. What’s the hardest part of being a writer?
Believing in your story. It’s easy to imagine a great scene, or a great concept. Sitting down and laying it out is tough. And trusting that it’s worth writing is even tougher.
6. What do you need around you to write (special drink, lucky items, etc)?
Just my computer and an unhealthy amount of caffeine.
7. What are some of your favorite books?
I just read THE AGE OF MIRACLES, which absolutely killed me. But I love Abbi Glines and Colleen Hoover, and I’m a huge Harry Potter freak.
8. Are your characters based on anyone you know?
There’s a little bit of a lot of different people in them.
9. What, if anything, are you working on right now?
I’m working on a book called LOVE SHOW, which is about Hadley, a college newspaper editor whose too busy for a real relationship, and her no-strings-attached fling with Jack Diamond, a frat bro. When they start feeling something more, they both wonder about the implication of falling in love…especially with the unlikely person that they think they’re falling in love with.
10. Why do you love writing?
It’s exciting! I love creating my own world and my own characters and seeing what happens with them. I put a lot of myself into my writing, and I always end up learning something about myself too.
About the Author
BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Darkness of Light by Stacey Marie Brown
Darkness of Light
by Stacey Marie Brown
New Adult Paranormal
Book Description
Freak. Witch. Crazy. Schizo.
Ember Brycin has been called them all. She’s always known she’s different. No one has ever called her normal, even under the best circumstances. Bizarre and inexplicable things continually happen to her, and having two different colored eyes, strange hair, and an unusual tattoo only contributes to the gossip about her.
When the latest school explosion lands her in a facility for trouble teens, she meets Eli Dragen, who’s hot as hell and darkly mysterious. Their connection is full of passion, danger, and secrets. Secrets that will not only change her life, but what and who she is—leading her down a path she never imagined possible.
Between Light and Dark, Ember finds a world where truth and knowledge are power and no one can be trusted. But her survival depends on finding out the truth about herself. In her pursuit, she is forced between love and destiny and good and evil, even when the differences between them aren’t always clear. At worst, she will incite a war that could destroy both worlds. At best, she will not only lose her heart but her life and everyone she loves. Once the truth is out, however, there will be no going back. And she’ll definitely wish she could.
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
Currently I am living in San Francisco, Ca. But I’ve also lived in Los Angeles, Boston, London, Caribbean, Australia, and New Zealand. I loved living abroad, but deep down I guess I am a Northern California girl at heart. I did some acting, set/interior design, and now split my time between staging homes and being an author. Writing and traveling are my two biggest passions. Other than that I am preparing to be that freaky cat lady down the street. Just need the cats.
2. Who or what gives you inspiration?
I’ve said this over and over, but it still is the truth. Reading does! Reading helps me so much in not only inspiring me with qualities I want in my stories, but also things I don’t want in my stories. I look at things while reading differently now. If a scene or character really captures me I ask why. If a book/scene/or character really makes me feel “ehhh, who cares?” I also ask why.
3. What’s the hardest part of being a writer?
Making an actual living off of it! Also sometimes reading reviews when the reader says something mean or clearly didn’t understand what you were trying to say or took it wrong. You automatically want to defend yourself and the characters decisions, but you have to take a moment, breathe, and understand that not everyone is going to like it. Those readers who really do get it, connect with it, and love it make you forget all the bad anyway. My readers make it all worth it . . . tenfold.
4. What do you need around you to write (special drink, lucky items, etc)?
Besides an IV of caffeine hooked up to my vein? I don’t have any particular item I eat or drink. The only thing, if I need to be serious about writing, is I need to leave the house and go to a café. As much as I love staying in my flannel pj bottoms, there are too many distractions at home. I tend to find “sparkly” things everywhere but in what I should be concentrating on.
5. What are some of your favorite books?
I am so terrible at these kind of questions only because I am really bad a narrowing things down. I love so many books for so many different reasons, and it could simply be based on my mood at that time. I really enjoy Richelle Mead, Kelley Armstrong, Ilona Andrews, Windy Higgins, S.M. Boyce, and the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. Seriously I could go on . . . and on . . . and on . . .
6. Are your characters based on anyone you know?
I think there is a little of a lot of people I know in them. Some are by name and some by personality. I can’t imagine a writer not writing at least a little off of what they know. I can honestly say there isn’t one of my characters that is fully someone I know. But that could always change. Friends and enemies of writers should always be aware!
7. What, if anything, are you working on right now?
I just finished Book Two of the Darkness Series, Fire in the Darkness. It is being edited right now. Until it comes back to me for changes, I have started working on Book Three. There will be four in the series as of right now. If people really respond to them and want more. Who knows?
8. Why do you love writing?
Writing is just a part of me. I can’t explain that one thing that makes me love it. I guess I love making worlds and escaping into them. Would a therapist have a field day with me on why that is? Well, that goes without saying. But, in everything I’ve done, acting, designing, writing . . . it has always been about creating worlds and living in them for a time. To me it is magic!
About the Author
Stacey Marie Brown works by day as an Interior/Set Designer and by night a writer of paranormal fantasy, adventure, and literary fiction. When she’s not writing, she’s out hiking, spending time with friends, traveling, listening to music, or designing.
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BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Born in Flames by Candace Knoebel
Born in Flames
by Candace Knoebel
Born in Flames Trilogy, Book One
Book Description
“Red mirrored scales race up my arms as the haze of pain blurs my vision. My bones crack, breaking to realign. I scream. It is then that the realization of my unavoidable fate sinks in; I am of a dying race. I am dragon. “
Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast. Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster mother’s doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldn’t explain. Something wanted out.
In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything she’s ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, she’s running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?
Candace Knoebel had dreamed of being a dancer ever since she could remember. With a love of all things art, she saw herself moving to New York and pursuing her passion as an artist. But all that changed on October 10th, 2002 when she met the love of her life. Her dreams diverged and after marrying her high school sweetheart and having two beautiful children, she realized she missed her creative side.
Growing up alongside the Harry Potter series, Candace found herself missing the epicosity of a story that pulls you in and won’t let you go. In 2009, she began dreaming up characters that would mold her first novel. Through lunch breaks and late nights, after putting her kids to bed, she built a world where she could escape the ever-pressing days of an eight to five Purgatory. She found her calling in life and knew this was more than dancing could’ve ever meant to her.
Once complete in 2010, she began the grueling process of finding a publisher. With relentless determination, she was finally able to realize her dream in December of 2011 when 48fourteen offered her a publishing contract. With a HUGE yes and a happy dance, she now continues her Trilogy.
BOOK TOUR REVIEW, INTERVIEW, & GIVEAWAY: One Shot Away by T. Glen Coughlin
One Shot Away
by T. Glen Coughlin
YA Contemporary/Sports Fiction
Book Description
It’s senior year and the last season for Diggy, Jimmy, and Trevor on the Molly Pitcher High School varsity wrestling team. And they all want the same thing: to win.
But Diggy’s got to compete with his older brother’s legacy, and now he’s in danger of losing his spot to newcomer Trevor. Jimmy’s got the cops after him, and a girlfriend who looks down on him. Then Diggy does the unthinkable—he betrays a teammate. Can the team forgive him? And can he forgive himself?
Experience the pressure with Diggy, Jimmy, and Trevor as the stakes rise and loyalties splinter. They’ve got just one shot to make weight and get onto the mat. But pinning your opponent is about more than just winning.
MY THOUGHTS: 3.5 OUT OF 5 FLEURS DE LIS
One Shot Away by T. Glen Coughlin
This was a wrestling book that didn’t actually contain much wrestling. For that, I am kind of glad, because for someone like me who doesn’t know a thing about the sport, the book was still easy to follow.
The novel is told in alternating chapters of three senior wrestlers: Diggy, Trevor, and Jimmy. Diggy’s dad never lets up and never believes he will live up to the legacy of his brother. Trevor’s dad has recently passed away, and Trevor has found a new drive to be a wrestler. Jimmy is undefeated, but his senior season may be on the line if he gets implicated in his dad’s crimes.
Every boy has his own drama, but they often cross on the mat. I can’t say too much without giving away main plot points, but some bad decisions are made, people go too far, and there are far reaching implcations that change the characters’ lives.
It’s not that this was a bad or boring book, it just never really had an “OMG this is an amazing story” moment for me. The writing was nice, but I just had trouble connecting with the characters. Maybe it’s because of the alternating chapters, or the third person POV.
I think this is a novel that lots of high school boys would be into, and that’s always a good thing.
An Interview with Trevor Crow, of One Shot Away
Hey Trevor, congrats on such a great wrestling season!
Thanks, winning Most Improved Wrestler meant a lot to me.
What was going through your mind during the wrestle-off with Diggy?
I was sweating. I could hardly breathe. I looked at him and all I saw was his dark eyes, ready to put me on my back. I heard his father psyching him up. Guys told me the stories about Diggy getting locked in his basement, forcing him to cut weight. I’ll admit, I was beyond nervous, but I wouldn’t say scared. I had to go into a quiet place in my mind, because I knew that I had earned this match. As soon as we locked up, everything changed. I took control. My strength surged and all the bad luck and circumstances I was facing seemed turn me into a warrior.
You seemed to fall in love with Whizzer pretty quickly, even though he was a bribe. What did getting this puppy mean to you?
You’re right, Whizzer was a bribe, and at first, maybe for an hour, I resented him. I was feeling pretty alone at the time. I had an enormous empty ache in my stomach every time I thought of my father. I never thought, not in a million years, that I’d be living in a decrepit motel on the side of a highway. I think my mother was in shock too. She was going along with plans and changes that I never thought she’d agree to. And then, the puppy was put in my arms and he was licking my face. He was a bundle of innocent happiness. None of it was his fault, so I accepted him. It felt so good to focus my love on a creature that accepted me with no terms.
How are things between you, your mom, and Harry London?
I love my mom. She’s more like her old self than she was after my father’s accident. My father’s death was so sudden. I know my mom didn’t have a plan, didn’t know what to do next. I don’t particularly like everything about Harry London. He’s that piece of furniture with a hard corner that always catches your hip as you pass. My mom and Harry are looking for a house. They invited me to come with them, but I just got used to living at the motel! I’d say things with my mom are getting better. We’re talking more, occasionally taking a walk together. I’ll tell you, if you want to get to know your mom, dad, sister or brother ask them to take a walk with you. We talk almost the entire time. She’s planning a wedding with Harry. He asked me to be the best man. I accepted and knew I was blushing five shades of red. So, things are pretty good.
Do you feel your near death experience changed your life?
I think the experience changed the way I look at life. I realize that life is precious. I realize that each of us has only one life and our choices can make all the difference. I also know, no matter how many of us there are on this planet, life is precarious (last count there was 6,973,738,433). Sometimes I wonder if I hadn’t been pulled from the pool, if I had drowned, would my life have made much of a difference. So, I try a bit harder now to be a good productive person. Maybe just in small ways that no one will notice, except me. I don’t text or talk on my cell phone while driving. I treat people at the motel like I’d like them to treat me. I met a girl at the mall and took her to the movies. I’m not rushing things. It’s a good feeling.
What does the future hold for Trevor Crow?
I enter college in September. I’m majoring in wildlife conservation at the University of Maine. I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’m already reading about ecosystems and conservation. I’m going to miss my mother and Whizzer and Harry (in that order, LOL). But, I believe going away to college is the right thing for me. I’m looking forward to a fresh start. My roommate has already emailed me and he seems like a cool guy. I’m going to try to “walk-on” to the university’s wrestling team. All that means is, I don’t have a scholarship and I have to try out. I setup an outdoor strong-man gym in the open lot behind the motel. Jimmy O’Shea comes over and we workout together: flipping truck tires, lifting buckets of sand, doing pull-ups and push-ups. I already weigh 176. I feel good.
About the Author
Coughlin’s first novel, The Hero of New York, was finished when he was 23 years old and explored the dark side of the middle class suburban dream. New York Times reviewer, Dennis Smith (1986) wrote, “The Hero of New York is solid tough-guy entertainment, and Mr. Coughlin’s descriptions can be hilarious.”
Coughlin’s second novel, Steady Eddie, is a coming-of-age story set in Long Island, New York in 1977. George Needham wrote “Coughlin neatly captures a person’s essence in the simplest gesture, but each character is drawn with sympathy and wit, even when the characters themselves lack these attributes. A fine novel.”
Coughlin has published short stories in Doubletake Magazine, the South Dakota Review[3] and DUCTS, an on-line magazine. His story, “The Grief Committee” was analyzed in The Politics of Mourning: Grief Management in a Cross-Cultural Fiction.[5] Coughlin”s poetry has appeared in The Dead Mule – School of Southern Literature and Hanging Moss Journal.
In 2012, Coughlin published his first YA novel, One Shot Away, A Wrestling Story, Harpercollins. The novel is the story of three high school wrestlers trying to balance their personal lives, family conflicts and maintain their weight class on the Varsity Squad.
T. Glen Coughlin’s Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
One Shot Away: A Wrestling Story on Goodreads
Get a copy: Amazon | B&N | Indiebound
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BOOK TOUR REVIEW, INTERVIEW, & GIVEAWAY: Mira’s Diary: Home Sweet Rome by Marissa Moss
Home Sweet Rome
by Marissa Moss
Mira’s Diary, Book Two
PRESENTED BY SOURCEBOOKS
Book Description
As if traveling to a new country in search of her missing mother weren’t difficult enough, Mira has to do it dressed as a boy. In a different century.
A new postcard from her time-traveling mother points Mira to the 16th century Rome. But before she can rescue her mom, she must follow the clues left around the city to find Giordano Bruno, a famous thinker and mathematician, who discovered something so shocking that important Italian officials don’t want it revealed. All the while avoiding the Watchers–time-traveling police who want Mira back in her own time.
It’s another whirlwind adventure for Mira, and this time she is determined to bring her mother out of the past.
MY THOUGHTS: 4 OUT OF 5 FLEURS DE LIS
Mira’s Diary: Home Sweet Rome by Marissa Moss
I really liked this novel a lot more than the first one in the series. Mira is getting into her time travel ability now, and this time she’s off to renaissance era Rome. While there, she meets the famous painter Caravaggio, and learns the reason she has been sent back to this time–the works of a man named Bruno are in danger since he has been named a heretic and condemned to death for infuriating the church. With hints from her mother and clues she pieces together with her own clever mind, is it possible Mira will make it in time to save what needs to be saved?
I felt like Mira grew up a bit in this installment. She’s no longer shocked as she (understandably) was by her time travel in the first book, and she wastes no time with silly romantic notions as she did before. She goes in and immediately sets about finding out what needs to be done.
I still have my issues with the believability of events in the book…the people she meets along the way must be quite gullible to swallow some of the tall tales she feeds to them. Also, I have trouble understanding just how much time she is spending in the past when she goes back. This is important to me because it almost seems as if she meets people once and then 20 years later they still remember her. It bothers me a bit.
Overall, I enjoyed Mira’s journey this time and I found myself learning a lot. The research put into writing these books shows through, and gives you a history lesson while you read a good story.
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve always wanted to make books and I sent my first picture book to publishers when I was nine. Naturally, it was terrible and they didn’t publish it. I didn’t try submitting anything again until I was a grown-up, but I kept on telling myself stories and drawing pictures to go with them.
2. Who or what gives you inspiration?
If by inspiration, you mean the urge to write, I get ideas from all kinds of things –something I read in the newspaper, an overheard conversation, a childhood memory, something that’s going on in my life right now. It’s not hard to get ideas — it’s remembering them that’s a challenge, so I keep a notebook with me wherever I go.
3. What’s the hardest part of being a writer?
It’s always hard to balance complicated information with strong plots that will draw in readers. When you’re dealing with another century, it’s harder still. I wanted Rome, both in the present and in the past, to be vivid, to come alive for the reader. The city felt to me like another character and I hope I brought her to life!
4. What do you need around you to write (special drink, lucky items, etc)?
I’m a disciplined writer and I’ve had to write while watching my kids in the park or in doctor’s waiting rooms, so having the luxury of a room of my own now is all I need.
5. What are some of your favorite books?
Top of the list from my childhood, Roald Dahl with James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Then E. B. White with Charlotte’s Web. If only I could write like them!
For writers now, I’m a big fan of Gennifer Choldenko, J.K. Rowling, Louis Sachar, Karen Cushman, Sharon Creech, Christopher Paul Curtis, too many to list!
6. Are your characters based on anyone you know?
Amelia, from the Amelia’s Notebooks, is basically me when I was a kid (and Cleo is based on my real older sister — no wonder she hates the books).
Mira is more of who I wish I was like — brave, adventurous, quick-witted. The other characters in the book are based either on people who historically existed at that time or are loosely (very loosely) based on people I know.
7. What, if anything, are you working on right now?
Mira goes to London next, during WWI and gets involved in women’s suffrage, among other things. It’s another juicy historical period that’s a lot of fun to explore.
8. Why do you love writing?
I think writing is magical. Nowhere else but on a page can you make things happen exactly as you want them to. I love the richness of language, the vividness of the pictures words can create. Plus it’s hard, challenging work, so you’re always being stretched, growing with each book. As a friend of mine put it, it’s a glorious struggle. What other work is both glorious and a struggle?
About the Author
I was born in Pennsylvania, but my family moved to California when I was two, and I’ve been here ever since. I grew up in the southern part of the state and now live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I studied art at San Jose State but fought too much with my art teachers (I was very opinionated – I wanted to do my kind of art; they wanted me to do theirs). So I transferred to the University of California at Berkeley where I didn’t take a single English or Art class. Mostly I took history where I learned how to do research, tools that have helped me in making the historical journals and working on my Young Adult novel. Then I took classes at the California College of Arts and Crafts for a year since I didn’t want another degree and a year’s tuition was all I could afford. I just wanted some guidance on how to break into childrens books.
I waited tables while I sent out stories, waiting for some editor to fall in love with my work. There was no fall-back plan, no alternative career. I’d still be waiting tables if I weren’t lucky enough to have gotten that first book. And after that, the second one, and then the third and the fourth and the fifth. . . .
Each new book is still a challenge. It’s hard work and I love every minute of it.
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
One commenter on this post will win a copy of the first book in the series, Mira’s Diary: Lost in Paris.
Book Description
Mira is shocked when she receives a postcard from her missing mother from Paris. Her father decides it’s time for a trip to France to search for her. While visiting Notre Dame, Mira touches a gargoyle and is whirled into the past. There she meets the famous painter Degas and catches a brief, shocking glimpse of her mother. Mira begins to suspect that her mom didn’t run out on them but is a prisoner of the past. Can one family on an incredible worldwide adventure stop a plot in time?
TO ENTER, COMMENT ON THIS POST AND TELL ME WHICH TIME PERIOD YOU’D LIKE TO TRAVEL BACK TO.
BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Magic Circle by Jenny Davidson
The Magic Circle
by Jenny Davidson
Literary Fiction/Thriller
Book Description
In the genre-bending literary thriller THE MAGIC CIRCLE, by Columbia University professor Jenny Davidson (Amazon Publishing/New Harvest, on sale March 26, 2013), three young women invent a live-action role-playing game that goes terribly awry. Lucy, Ruth, and Anna are academics who study the culture of gaming. With New York City as their playground, they design games based on the secret history of the neighborhood around Columbia University. From Grant’s Tomb to the insane asylum that once stood where the campus is now, the chilling past makes Morningside Heights the perfect setting for their daring games.
Roommates Ruth and Lucy join forces with their mysterious Swedish neighbor Anna to develop an immersive game based on The Bacchae. In Euripides’ classic play, a young man, Pentheus, denies the divinity of the god Dionysus and pays a high price for asserting the values of reason over passion. When Anna’s seductive brother Anders gets involved and introduces “LARP”ing (live-action role-playing), their ideas become reality and the game goes from thrilling to terrifying.
Davidson’s state-of-the-art narrative structure includes blog posts, text messages, and Gchats—mixing contemporary culture with the enduring drama of The Bacchae. THE MAGIC CIRCLE delves into the sociology of live-action role-playing and highlights the fine line between gaming and real life.
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Morning Star by Tania Penn
The Morning Star
by Tania Penn
The Morning Star Series, Book One
Book Description
Being the daughter of Lucifer keeps seventeen year old Dawn Belial busy. For almost her entire lifetime, she has been trying to think of a way to free her Archangel mother, Michaela, whom her father has held captive for centuries. She’s also attending high school – balancing trigonometry, history, and recruiting souls for her father along with her wicked half-sister, Venus.
There has been no time for love until she meets mysterious Gabriel, a British exchange student. As they fall in love against their will, she discovers a startling secret about him, and a shocking connection to her mother that changes everything.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a wife and mom to a deliciously adorable six year old spazmatic son. I live in the Pacific Northwest and am addicted to kayaking, snowboarding, hiking, travelling, watching The Walking Dead, fine wines and all-around merriment! I occasional, when hiking in the Olympics, search for Bigfoot, and still have yet to see that other elusive Washington creature known as the “Orca.” In my previous life I was a police and fire dispatcher, fitness trainer, singer/songwriter/musician and small business owner. I’m a Jackie of all trades, master of none! I’m also quite the shameless one and have no problem making a complete ass out of myself!
2. What made you become a writer?
I think I came out of the womb with a pen and pencil, because since I can remember, I have always created stories. It started out as picture books and cartoons, then by the time I was in eighth grade, I started writing novellas. That graduated to one full on Judy Blume-esque novel that is collecting dust somewhere safe and will never, ever, like ever, see the light of day. Like, ever. There’s a greater chance of finding Jimmy Hoffa’s body then ever seeing that novel! (Did I just date myself there a bit with the Jimmy Hoffa bit?) In college, I also wrote a couple of screenplays for a screenwriting class. And in my previous musician life, while fronting my band, I was the songwriter as well, something I still love to create and do in my spare (when I can find it!) time.
3. Who or what gives you inspiration?
It can be the most random, unrelated thing! I can be watching TV, or listening to the radio, and from just one word, one word, an entire novel idea will come to me! The other half come from my martini induced dreams. Those are usually the sci-fi and thriller ideas!
4. Tell us about The Morning Star.
It was a project that had been brewing in my mind since 2005. I wanted to write a story about Lucifer as a father, and someone who was misunderstood. Since he was created out of love, was the beautiful angel, I reckoned that there still had to be goodness inside of him still, and didn’t want to depict him as this wicked, evil, red and scaly horned demonic entity. I wanted to make it a little lighthearted, so I sat on it for a while. What was his motivation? Why is he so bitter and sad? My original concept was just about Lucifer and it being a love story with Michaela. Then I dwelled on it some more, and thought it to be more appropriate for it to be a love story involving one of his daughters.
I thought about the daughters, and originally the were named Venus and Serena — Venus being Dawn now, and Serena was Venus. Then it hit me, hmmm, wait that won’t work, those are the tennis playing sisters! It was originally a love story between Dawn and Ramiel the archangel, but I wanted to add some more depth with Ramiel being Michaela’s true love, hence the reason for Lucifer’s feelings of betrayal, compounding that with Dawn being in love with Ramiel’s son. Also, with Dawn being portrayed as a teenage girl, Ramiel just seemed a bit….older for her.
5. What is the hardest part of being a writer?
Even though I’m not ADD, I have ADD tendenc……squirrel! Oh, sorry, as I was saying, I sometimes have a hard time focusing on what is in front of me. I’ll really, truly want to write but just get distracted sometimes by irrelevant things!
6. What do you need around you to write (special drink, lucky items, etc.?)
Absolute and complete silence, with the exception of my “soundtrack”! Luckily we live in the woods, so I get plenty of that, with the occasional exception of yapping coyotes, the sound of a chainsaw (as I am currently listening to at this moment) and flying monkeys. (kidding.) A good
glass of wine never hurts!
7. What are some of your favorite books?
I am addicted to anything James Patterson, I love him! I also love all the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse books, but I am a True Blood addict as well. (Team Alcide!)
8. Are your characters based on anyone you know?
Oh yes. Definitely yes. I won’t divulge who or which character(s) , but I’ve said before – revenge from the pen is mightier then the sword, don’t mock me or tick me off, you will end up in my novel! Quite therapeutic, I may add. Immature? Possible, but nonetheless therapeutic.
9. What, if anything, are you working on right now?
The sequel for The Morning Star, titled “Equinox”. I’m also writing and shooting for an end of April deadline, chick-lit/rom-com/mildly sleazy with a twist book called “Catching Frogs.” I’m having a lot of fun with that one and can’t wait for people to read it! Also, I have on the back burner that keeps getting pushed back but is almost complete, a sci-fi aquatic thriller called, “The Thallasic Incident”. I have twelve other ideas with at least one chapter written as well, including a horror story, another young adult, a thriller and a dystopian political thriller.
10. Why do you love writing?
I just love make believe and creating, and it’s amazing the things our mind can come up with! It’s so rewarding to see it come to fruition, it’s like giving birth! (Not as painful and weight inducing though!)
About the Author
BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Eustice by Alex Gulczynski
Eustice
by Alex Gulczynski
The Reaper Corps, Book One
Book Description
Eustice P. Jennings awakens alone and confused on an ugly piece of office furniture in Purgatory. Being dead is the least of her problems as she is quickly drafted into the dangerous Reaper Corps and plunged headfirst into the endless conflict between Heaven and Hell. Friends and allies are few and far as Eustice struggles to find her place in a surreal world she never imagined could exist.
BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Wanted by Annika James
Wanted
by Annika James
Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Book Description
1. If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?
A Giant Panda. 
I love them! Cute and cuddly, rare, and it’s okay if they’re a little chubby.
2. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Lots of condiments – most importantly mayonnaise, butter, cheese, deli meat, milk, Brita pitcher, eggs, and beer.
3. You were just given a yacht. What would you name it?
Silver Moondancer.
4. What was the last movie you went to see?
We don’t get to the theater often, I really had to think about this one. Honestly, I’m pretty sure it was Breaking Dawn Part 2. We watch a lot of DVDs, though.
5. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Telekinesis – I’m lazy, haha!! Moving things with my mind would be awesome! Think how easy it would be to clean the house!
6. Describe yourself in three sentences.
I am a self-proclaimed dork, but I rock my dorkiness! I am fun loving, hard working, determined, and oftentimes weird. My passions include reading, writing, baseball, traveling, music, and movies.
7. If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
Ooh, tough one! I’d love to see how they lived in Elizabethan times, but personal hygiene was not up to the high standards of today, so maybe go to the future and see what cool new things we come up with.
8. If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?
I would have to pay off all our debt. Buy a new house, maybe a vacation home somewhere. Then I’d go shopping! Clothes, shoes, books, music, electronics. Then, we’d travel. And set some aside for the kids’ college as well as future vacations.
9. What was the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Haggis on Robert Burns night. A traditional Scottish dish of sheep’s organs mixed together with spices and served in the sheep’s stomach. I didn’t really like it.
10. If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?
I would love to try trapeze. Or the rope spinning – where the women hold onto a rope high up, spin and contort their bodies. Not sure what that’s called.
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BOOK TOUR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Exhale by Jennifer Snyder
Exhale
by Jennifer Snyder
New Adult Contemporary
Book Description
Inhaling in life is easy. It’s the exhaling—the letting go— that’s the hard part.
Katie Elliot has always known the Conner twins. For years she secretly pined after one, while playfully averting the advances of the other. Once upon a time, she was fine with that. Then came the moment when her twin of preference kissed her and changed everything.
As if realizing love can be complex—even when it’s reciprocated—isn’t hard enough, tragedy strikes, tearing Katie and the boy she’s always desired apart. Finding herself torn between love and guilt, Katie must learn when it’s acceptable to let go—when it’s finally okay to exhale.
5. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
6. Describe yourself in three sentences.
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About the Author
Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina where she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is an instant coffee lover with an obsession for spiral bound notebooks and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.
Jennifer Snyder | Twitter | Goodreads
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