Book Review: Firefight in Darkness by Katie Jennings

Blurb: Book two of the Dryad Quartet.

Her name was Blythe, and she was Fire.

She fought for what she believed in, and wouldn’t hesitate to unleash the fire in her blood on anyone who threatened those she loved.

But when an alarming truth is revealed regarding the one man she’s both hated and longed for her entire life, she finds herself in an awkward position of both acceptance and denial. But whichever way she looked at it, she was reminded that there was an evil out there gunning for her and her family, and she would stop at nothing to destroy him, even if it meant sacrificing everything she had and everything she was.

Fortunately for her, she had help. But even with the companionship of a skilled and lethal bounty hunter, Blythe couldn’t escape more of the truth, no matter how hard it was to swallow.

Because the evil she’s fighting has a story to tell, and she’d be a damn fool not to listen.

*WARNING: May contain spoilers*

At first I was a little thrown by the fact that this book focuses on Blythe instead of Capri, but then I got into it and I enjoyed as much as the first book in the series. Blythe is fierce and feisty.  And her romance with Jax is full of barely restrained passion. They fit so well together.

This book is full of action, romance, danger, and demons. It was a fun ride and I especially liked the big fight toward the end. There is a lot of cursing in it, however, so if you find that offensive you might want to pass this one by.

Book Review: Breath of Air by Katie Jennings

Blurb: Her name was Capri, and she was Air.

She was born with a gift she didn't understand. A gift so strange, so remarkable that she had kept it secret for as long as she could remember, despising that it made her different when all she wanted was to be normal, to belong. As an orphan, belonging to someone, anyone, would have been an incredible blessing, one she would have given up all that she had just to get a taste of.

But the truth was that she didn't belong in the orphanage in Virginia, or even in the United States. In fact, she didn't belong with human beings at all. Because she wasn't one of them, not really. She was something much more extraordinary.

She could shift the direction of the wind, create billowing clouds out of nothing, and charm birds into dancing on her open palm. She belonged to an elite group of beings, responsible for preserving the balance of nature and the safety of Earth from an underworld that deserved to be feared, and needed to be controlled. And after years of being lost, she had at last been found, and now the truth of how she had ended up so far from home was becoming horribly clear to her.

But there's someone who doesn't want her to return; someone who knows Capri was the only witness to an act of heinous treason and violent murder. And when she begins to search her memories for details of the night she was taken from her home, details that will implicate a killer, she finds herself the unwary target of an otherworldly dark force intent on silencing her by any means possible.

*WARNING: May contain spoilers*

At first, there were so many characters introduced into the story so quickly that I became confused, even though the author did a fine job of making them different both in physical characteristics and manner. Eventually, I got them all sorted out. Another thing that kind of annoyed me was that Capri was always 'noticing' things.
I really enjoyed this book. I like the characters and the story was interesting and engaging. The romance between Capri and Rian was very sweet. And I loved the way the dryads can manipulate the various elements. So cool. I liked this one well enough that I went ahead and bought the other four books in the series.

Book Review: Everflame by Dylan Lee Peters

Blurb: Long ago, when the earth was young. . . Four ancient beings created man to be the bastion of the earth and its creatures. But when The Great Tyrant came and chased The Ancients away, the world was transformed into a place of fear and isolation. Over time humans lost the connection they had with a world they had been created to protect. Now, deep in the forests that surround Gray Mountain, two bears find a small child that is abandoned and left for dead. They name him Evercloud, and raise him as a member of their kingdom. Teaching him the secrets of the elders, they tell him of the ancient beings that created man and the rumors of their return. Evercloud must now go on a quest to return The Ancients to power. However, in another corner of the land, a man known only as The Messenger travels the land under a white hood, on a mission to prevent the return of The Ancients. We follow the paths each of these men take until their stories collide in an epic battle of good versus evil.

*WARNING: May Contain Spoilers*


This book was okay. It had a moderately interesting storyline, but somehow the characters fell a little flat. Except The Messenger, who was kind of cool. I wish he would have been more mysterious though. I think the author should have kept his origins a mystery at least until further on in the series. There was a nice little twist at the end of the book that I didn't see coming. Be warned, there are talking animals in this book, which doesn't bother me but might annoy some people.

Favorite scene: The Messenger pulls a guy's heart out of his chest with his bare hands, looks at it, and says, "Hmm, I thought it would be black." Then drops it on the floor. (I might be a little morbid but I can't help it I thought this was cool. Yes, The Messenger is a bad guy but he was still my favorite character.)

My Books On Goodreads

Flight of Dragons    http://www.goodreads.com/list/book/13108486

#3 Dragon Lover's Books
#8 Unknown Yet Amazing
#9 Fantasytastic

Shadow of the Dragon     http://www.goodreads.com/list/book/16396752

#2 Dragon Reads
#2 Best Heroine
#4 Stand Alone Dragon Books
#2 Unknown Yet Amazing
#8 Best Stand Alone Fantasy
#3 Fantasytastic
#3 The Best Young Adult Books
#8 Dragon Lover's Books

Shadow Born (Time of Shadows #1)    http://www.goodreads.com/list/book/13612757

#6 Unknown Yet Amazing
#8 Best Fantasy Series
#7 Fantasytastic

Elfblood (Elfblood #1)   http://www.goodreads.com/list/book/15796812

#1 Best Cover With Male Lead
#4 Unknown Yet Amazing
#5 Fantasytastic
#5 The Best Young Adult Books
#7 Books That Could Rule YA

Update: My Novels

Flight of Dragons     Fantasy/Adventure http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Of-Dragons-ebook/dp/B005TLF0T6/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1  
video trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTnBddNxrHI
Goodreads Rated 4.5
Blurb: Fourteen years after fleeing his homeland, Charles Sydon lives under an assumed name, comfortable if not happy with his life as a bookkeeper. Until one night his past comes looking for him in the form of a ruthless dragon hunter. Now, Charles must return to the Ice Ring on a deadly quest for a wild dragon, a quest that will pull him back into the world he left behind. But he’ll soon find there’s more at stake as the past and the present collide. It will be up to Charles to save his people from their past mistakes, providing he can live through facing his own.

Time Of Shadows #1: Shadow Born          High Fantasy http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Born-ebook/dp/B007VT613S/ref=la_B00A5WOHGQ_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356970987&sr=1-1
video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkYYMxBQbFs
Goodreads Rated 5
Blurb: Daemon uth Friesard is the unwilling king of Phalindros. Because both his older brothers have died, he finds himself in a role he doesn’t want and isn’t suited for. With a domineering mother, an ice cold wife, a tempting minstrel, and a failing friendship, it’s all he can do to keep from falling into the same kind of darkness that took his father.

Clayden Kiel is the youngest High Priest in the history of Phalindros. He is also a Chosen of the gods, gifted with direct communion to the god of light, Basale. A war is coming, a war that he would like to avoid. But the gods are of little help, seeking only to influence so far as to not affect free will, and there are secrets to be kept. Secrets belonging not only to himself and his time, but going all the way back to the founding of the kingdom. As Clayden struggles with his own inner demons as well as those of his long time friend, the king, he must find a way to put aside his humanity in order to better serve the gods and to save the kingdom from a devastating war. Easier said than done.

Elfblood #1: Elfblood                           YA Urban Fantasy http://www.amazon.com/Elfblood-ebook/dp/B008GHMQVU/ref=la_B00A5WOHGQ_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1356971418&sr=1-3
video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFm6_ZVTxjk
Goodreads Rated 4.3
Blurb: Charlie is an elfblood, descended of a conquered people brought to the brink of extinction in the aftermath of a long war. Being able to pass for human gives Charlie an advantage over most of his kind. Only those who look at his record or those he chooses to tell, need ever know his secret. Growing up in an orphanage is hard enough without having to live with that stigma.

When soldiers come and haul the kids off to a prison work camp, Charlie finds himself no longer able to hide the truth of what he is. If that isn’t bad enough, the magic buried inside him is growing stronger and more out of control. As Charlie struggles with his own problems, and with the dangers of the work camp, he finds himself swept up in a much larger struggle, one whose outcome could decide the future of the world.

Elfblood #2: The Silver Catacombs        YA Urban Fantasy  http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Catacombs-ebook/dp/B00BAH3V5I/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_4   
video trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZdvBEeamls
Goodreads Rated 5
Blurb: Charlie has made his way to Kiloreen, ancestral home of the elves, in his quest to find the Silver Catacombs and the lost magic that lies hidden within. Instead, he finds a branch of the Elven Resistance Movement, a secret underground organization of elves bent on retaking Kiloreen and freeing their people.

If they are willing to stand alongside humans, the elves will be a great help in the struggle against King Richard, but there is still the matter of the lost magic. For if Charlie cannot find it, the war may be lost before ever it has begun.       (1st Place WINNER ASMSG Author Contest) http://asmsgbooks.wordpress.com/

Shadow Of The Dragon                            YA Epic Fantasy http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-of-the-Dragon-ebook/dp/B00AMVNTI2/ref=la_B00A5WOHGQ_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1356971418&sr=1-4
video trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvnYkfZl0Ro
Goodreads rated 5
Blurb: Micayta's world has long been gripped in the thrall of an endless winter that has grown worse with the passing of time. Life is a constant struggle. Then catastrophe strikes the small town in which she lives, thrusting Micayta and her brother Pytaki alone into the snow laden countryside. To keep herself and her brother alive will take all the strength that she has.

Then a mysterious stranger appears to complicate matters. Tech has an amazing story to tell, but is any of it true? Old wounds and betrayals make Micayta slow to trust, but without Tech she and her brother will never make it across the countryside alive. Through bandits, wolves, and snowstorms, the three struggle their way to the city of Phadra. But the real danger lies within the city walls, where Micayta becomes a player in a deadly game with a dark-eyed mage.

Nothing is what it seems.

As the truth unravels, Micayta finds herself drawn into a struggle much bigger than she ever dreamed. Choices must be made and sides taken. But the question of who to trust is one not easily answered. Micayta will have to open her heart and find a way to let someone else in, or the flames that destroyed her home will consume the world.

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Elfblood #3: City Of Magic        Ya Urban Fantasy     Coming August 2013
Time Of Shadows #2: Shadow Prince      High Fantasy      Coming 2013
Firebrand #1: Firebrand        YA Sword & Sorcery      Coming 2013
Time Of Shadows #3: Shadow King       High Fantasy     Coming 2014
Firebrand #2: Ten Kingdoms      YA Sword & Sorcery      Coming 2014
Dragonstar Duology #1: Dragonstar       YA Epic Fantasy      Coming 2014

Firebrand #3: Dragons Of War         YA Sword & Sorcery     Coming 2015

Dragonstar Duology #2 : The Black Mountain           YA Epic Fantasy   Coming 2015

Web of Light Duology #1: Web Of Light              YA Epic Fantasy   Submitted

 

WORKS IN PROGRESS
Time Of Shadows #4: Rise Of The Watchtower           High Fantasy
(Currently Untitled)                                                       Urban Fantasy

Web of Light Duology #2: (Currently Untitled)            YA Epic Fantasy

(Currently Untitled)                                                        High Fantasy

The Dragon Within                                                         YA Urban Fantasy

Book Review: Eona by Alison Goodman

Back Cover Blurb: Once she was Eon, a girl disguised as a boy, risking her life for the chance to become a Dragoneye apprentice. Now she is Eona, the Mirror Dragoneye, her country's savior - but she has an even more dangerous secret. She cannot control her power. Each time she tries, it twists into a killing force. And more destruction is on her trail - High Lord Sethon's army. She and her companions must find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power if he is to wrest back his throne. But to help him, she must drive a dark bargain with an old enemy, which could obliterate them all.


*WARNING: May contain spoilers*

This was amazing. I absolutely loved it. The characters are so wonderfully flawed, so real. In this sequel to Eon, Eona finds herself struggling against the corruption of power and a dark desire for a dangerous man. At first, Eona's attraction to Lord Ido really bothered me. I mean the guy tried to rape her and steal her dragon in the last book. But as I began to realize that it wasn't the man that was drawing her but the power they shared it didn't bother me as much. Plus, I like love triangles when they're done well and I thought this one was. Did Ido ever really care about Eona, or did he only want her power? I'm still not sure. I think maybe he loved her in his own twisted kind of way, but I could be wrong. Anyway, this is one of the best books I've ever read. I liked it so much that I didn't want to finish reading it because I didn't want it to end. I can't remember the last time I felt that way about a book.

Exciting News

I won the ASMSG author's contest. I'll be featured on their homepage and I'll appear in the New Yorker Times. The ASMSG feature is currently live at http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Catacombs-ebook/dp/B00BAH3V5I/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360589687&sr=1-6&keywords=kyra+dune

Interview With Allison Blanchard, author of "Forget Me Not"

“Cole Dyami is a mysterious boy with a dangerous secret. Adeline Jasely is a typical teenage girl. Living in the seemingly normal small town of Great Falls Montana, Adeline is confronted with everyday teenage problems by a not so normal beautiful boy. As Adeline and Cole’s worlds collide, the line between illusion and reality is blurred. According to a tribal legend, Adeline and Cole are no longer two friends, but two pieces in a complicated mystery. Suddenly, Adeline finds herself in a world she never knew existed. Alongside Cole, she attempts to unravel the mysteries of the small Chippewa tribe in order to not only find out who Cole Dyami truly is, but who she is as well. As Cole and Adeline begin to uncover the secrets behind the legends of the Chippewa tribe, illusion slowly unravels into reality and friendship gradually melts into a mutual need of survival.”

What inspired you to write this book?

I started writing "Forget Me Not" four months after my father passed away. It was a way for me to deal with the grief and it gave me a new sense of purpose and hope. My characters literally helped me through a tough time during my life.

Can you give us an interesting fact about your book that isn't in the blurb?

 

“Forget Me Not” is a unique love story that digs at the deeper questions of life & death, illusion & reality with an interwoven thread of Native American culture and legends.

 

What do you consider the most important part of a good story?

Character development. The plot can be crazy amazing, but if I can't connect with a character or at least understand them, then I lose interest very quickly. A good story needs true to life characters.

What is you writing process?

 

My process is pretty laid back. I usually play some music to help me get in the right mindset, drink some coffee, and sit down at my computer and let it all out.

 

How long have you been writing?

 

I have been writing since I was eleven, but only became serious about writing for publication when I was about fifteen.

 

How did you get started writing?

I’m not really sure what got me started with writing, but I’m pretty sure it was after reading my favorite author, Marianne Curley. She truly inspired me to write.

Have you had anything else published?

No, "Forget Me Not" is my debut novel. But I am working on the sequel, "Morning Glory" which will hopefully be out this year!

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

A little bit of both, however I am less structured and tend to let a scene flow the way it wants or let the characters do whatever comes naturally. I may have a brief outline, but I sometimes don't always follow it.

What kind of music do you like to listen to while you write?

Indie rock, alternative rock - My favorite bands are Paramore and The Civil Wars.

Who is your favorite author?

Marianne Curley

Who is your favorite character from a book?

Probably Isabel Becket from Marianne Curley's "Guardian of Times Trilogy." She is one tough chick and I loved the way Curley portrayed her.

What is your favorite book?

"The Great Gatsby" by Fitzgerald. He's a boss.

Read anything good lately?

Currently, I'm reading "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris. It's compilation of creative non-fiction and I'm really enjoying it!

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Spending time with Jesus (I'm a self-proclaimed Jesus Freak and proud of it) reading, watching movies, listening to music, and hanging out with my roommates!

What advice would you give an author just starting out?

Don’t give up on your writing or your characters. It’s hard, but so worth it. Write everyday and continue to improve your craft. And read. Read anything and everything. Reading helps you appreciate other authors’ style and also helps you better determine your own voice.

What's your next project?

 

The project I am working on now is the second book in the Forget Me Not Trilogy, “Morning Glory.” It picks up where “Forget Me Not” left off. There are new characters, new twists and turns, but it is definitely a little darker than the first. SPOILER ALERT: There are some character deaths. It’s a pretty intense read.

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Blanchard is currently a student at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia where she is pursuing her bachelor degrees in English Creative Writing and French. She is an active sister in Sigma Alpha Omega where she continues to grow as a woman in Christ. She writes every day, drinks too much coffee, and is looking forward to the next adventure her characters will take her.

 

Links:

My website:  www.allisonblanchard.com

My blog: http://allisonblanchardbooks.blogspot.com/

My Twitter: https://twitter.com/apblanchard

My Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/allisonblanchardbooks

My Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6559877.Allison_Blanchard

 

Today, I'm pleased to host a guest post by author D.H. Aire

First, thank you, Kyra, for the opportunity to appear on your blog. I’m D.H. Aire, the author of Highmage’s Plight, the first book in a sci fi/fantasy series that was serialized in the ezine Separate Worlds in 2011 and published in novel form by Malachite Quills Publishing’s Chimera Tales imprint last year. Highmage’s Plight’s sequel Human Mage has also be serialized in Separate Worlds and I’m hoping to see it released as an ebook this spring.

In the future Professor George Bradley, computer staff in hand, “envisions” an archaeological site, which could turn history on its head, where he falls through a ripple in reality. He enters a world where: trolls think they are human; elves believe humans can’t do magic since they don’t have souls; a child of prophecy is dying of a curse; a seeress keeps too many secrets; and an ogre and a boy struggle to defend a keep against the evil ruling it. Welcome to a world where a starship crash landed, bringing about a war, which led to the laws of magic defeating those of science. But at a terrible cost, here a demon rages, intent on destroying all life. Its minions are intent on killing the human mage from another world. If that wasn’t bad enough, George’s computer is now rather sarcastic.

For those interested in a chance to win a free autographed copy and opportunity to get an advance read of the sequels, visit my website at www.dhr2believe.net for details during the Bloggers Book Fair, February 7 – 10, 2013. I’ll also be featuring a guest blog post from Kyra, so you’ve another great reason to visit.

Dare to Believe,

D.H. Aire

Author of Highmage’s Plight

Paperback Kindle Nook

Flights of Fantasy, Vol. 1, featuring the short stories of D.H. Aire and Barry Nove, ed. Colin Neilson (Spectacular Publishing)

Paperback epub formats

Look for my short story Crossroads of Sin in the anthology RealLies (The Zharmae Publishing Press, February 2013) Available for pre-order right now on Amazon and at https://www.facebook.com/tzppbooks/app_138996027389 (special promotional price).

 

 

Blogger Book Fair: Day Four

Hi and welcome to the final day of the Blogger Book Fair. I'm Kyra Dune, an author of fantasy novels for both adults and YA. Today, I'll be giving away a pdf version of my YA Fantasy novel, Shadow of the Dragon. The first person to make a comment on this post wins. At 10 AM Central Time, I'll be hosting a guest post by author D.H. Aire and at 3 PM Central Time I'll be posting an author interview with Allison Blanchard.

Micayta’s world has long been gripped in the thrall of an endless winter that grows worse with the passing of time. Life is a constant struggle. Then catastrophe strikes the small town in which she lives, thrusting Micayta and her brother Pytaki alone into the snow laden countryside. To keep herself and her brother alive will take all the strength that she has.

Then a mysterious stranger appears to complicate matters. Tech has an amazing story to tell, but is any of it true? Old wounds and betrayals make Micayta slow to trust, but without Tech she and her brother will never make it across the countryside alive. Through bandits, wolves, and snowstorms, the three struggle their way to the city of Phadra. But the real danger lies within the city walls, where Micayta becomes a player in a deadly game with a dark-eyed mage.

Nothing is what it seems.

As the truth unravels, Micayta finds herself drawn into a struggle much bigger than she ever dreamed. Choices must be made and sides taken. But the question of who to trust is one not easily answered. Micayta will have to open her heart and find a way to let someone else in, or the flames that destroyed her home will consume the world.

 

Link to Book Fair Homepage http://bloggerbookfair.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_17.html

Today, I'm pleased to host a guest post by author Rebecca Hamilton

Rebecca Hamilton on Genre Writing

What makes a writer choose the genre they do? For me, it was all about writing what I loved. The stories I'd like to read, but didn't exist yet. Since I was young, I loved creepy stories, paranormal happenings, and fantasy. I've also always enjoyed a dash of romance. So then, is it any wonder most of my stories are paranormal fantasies with both creepy and romantic elements (hopefully not too often at the same time...)?

We're often asked, as writers, which authors or books have inspired us. I think inspiration comes in many forms. I doubt many writers read a book or see a movie and think, "I want to write almost the exact same thing!" but often, we might see a small flash of idea and a whole world of possibilities that book or movie never touched on. We might ask ourselves how things could have gone in another direction. In fact, there may be books or movies that we didn't like at all, yet which still inspired us. My biggest inspiration in terms of technique is Nancy Pickard. I also admire, a great deal, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Another inspiration of mine is Marisa de los Santos. None of these authors write in the fantasy genre, yet they've all inspired my writing.

Story-wise, I've always wanted to write stories like Anne Rice. I know I follow a long long of authors who can't (in my eyes) fill her shoes, too: Stephenie Meyer, Charlaine Harris, Karen Marie Moning and more--each with an awe-inspiring fan base of their own. Write about the paranormal, and you're bound to have your stories compared to any one of these iconic authors. But that's what genre writing is. You're taking ideas that have been done before and doing them in new ways, taking them in new directions . . . making them, well, new again. That is where an author will find success as a genre writer, and where readers will find new passion for a genre they've always loved.

 

 

 

Her Sweetest Downfall

Her Sweetest Downfall is a short story/novella of 30,000 words. This is not a novel/full-length read, but works as a companion novel to THE FOREVER GIRL, Rebecca Hamilton's bestselling paranormal fantasy debut.

Ophelia's been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.

When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her worries. She’s destined to don a new mask—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.

What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man she loves.

Set in an alternate Regency England, "Her Sweetest Downfall" is a standalone novella in the "Forever Girl" series, written as a gift to fans of the Forever Girl series.

HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, fantasy, and vampire fiction.

Click for Purchase Options! $0.99 for eBook and $5.95 for Print!

The Forever Girl

The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton

"Whatever you do, fight."

Sophia's family has skeletons, but they aren't in their graves. At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, a pariah after a string of unsolved murders with only one thing in common: her. Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous. One of them is a man named Charles, who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that might help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him. Survival in his world, she learns, means not asking questions and staying out of the immortal council's way. It's a line she crossed long ago. If Sophia wants to survive the council and save the people she loves, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.

The Forever Girl is a full-length Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, vampire fiction, ghost stories, paranormal mystery, and paranormal horror.

Click for Purchase Options! $2.99 for eBook and $10.95 for Print!

Or Read Part One FREE!

Interview with Rachel McCLellan, author of Fractured Light and Fractured Soul

How did you choose your title?

The original title for Fractured Light (before I knew it was going to be a series) was called BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON. Harlequin sounding isn’t it? I completely picture a bare-chested man riding bareback on a horse….maybe that’s why I liked it at first.

Anywho, the first thing my publisher did was change it. They suggested Shades of Light. Um, maybe. I thought “Shades” sounded to soft for my novel, so that’s when I came back and suggested Fractured Light. It was well received and made the titles for the next books in the series very easy: FRACTURED SOUL and FRACTURED TRUTH.

Tell us about the cover and how it came to be.

Other than giving my okay, I didn’t help with the cover at all. My publisher contracted the work out with a reputable illustrator. What’s interesting about my cover, though, is I’ve had many people ask if it is me on the cover. Nope. The illustrator and I have never met.

Did you self publish or publish traditionally and why?

I published traditionally through Cedar Fort Publishing. They publish roughly 120 books a year. The reason I chose this is I already run a home based business in something unrelated to writing so I didn’t want to dedicate the time required to make my writing into more of a business venture. Although I probably still market just as much as if I had self published. J

What part of the writing process is the hardest for you?

Editing, but not the process itself. They way I edit is I have to print my entire manuscript then I go through it with a pen. What I hate is entering all those stupid changes back into the computer. It seems to take forever!

What tips can you give on how to get through writers block?

You have to get out of your “writing environment”. Go for a walk or a drive. Listen to a new kind of music specific to the scene you want to write. For example, if you know you need a fight scene, but you’re not sure what direction to go, find some good ace-kicking music and listen to it while picturing your characters. This has always worked for me.

 

Find Rachel

Facebook  |   Blog   |   Website   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads  |  Book Trailer

Buy Fractured Light

Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble

Buy Fractured Soul

Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble 

 

Blogger Book Fair: Day Three

Hi and welcome to the third day of the Blogger Book Fair. I'm Kyra Dune, an author of fantasy novels for both adults and YA. Today, I'll be giving away a pdf version of the first book in my YA Urban Fantasy Trilogy, Elfblood. The first person to make a comment on this post wins. Later I'll be posting an interview with author Rachel McCLellan and hosting a guest post by Rebecca Hamilton.

 

 

 

Charlie is an elfblood, descended of a conquered people brought to the brink of extinction in the aftermath of a long war. Being able to pass for human gives Charlie an advantage over most of his kind. Only those who look at his record or those he chooses to tell, need ever know his secret. Growing up in an orphanage is hard enough without having to live with that stigma.

When soldiers come and haul the kids off to a prison work camp, Charlie finds himself no longer able to hide the truth of what he is. If that isn’t bad enough, the magic buried inside him is growing stronger and more out of control.  As Charlie struggles with his own problems, and with the dangers of the work camp, he finds himself swept up in a much larger struggle, one whose outcome could decide the future of the world.

 

Link to Book Fair Homepage http://bloggerbookfair.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_17.html

 

Interview with Shannon McRoberts, author of The Daughter of Ares Chronicles: The Complete Trilogy

Follow Athine on her journey to her destiny.  Find out where vampires, immortal born, and dragons come from.  Take everything you know about mythology and throw it out the window. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I just had an idea one day for the first in this series.  I never intended it for it to branch out into several novellas, but it did.  I love fantasy and strong female leads; so, it is no wonder that this is exactly what the book has in it! 

Can you give us an interesting fact about your book that isn't in the blurb?

I can’t give too many facts away.  I guess I could expand on the fact that you may recognize some of the characters in the book and some of the stories, but they are completely redone to fit the universe I created for Athine….who is my character and not “Athena” as some have though.  It’s Ath-in-ay if anyone is wondering! 

What do you consider the most important part of a good story?

It has to have closure of some kind.  I hate books that just stop.  It needs to be enough closure that you can be done, but also open enough that maybe…just maybe there will be another one. 

What is you writing process?

Haphazard.  I write where I can and when I can around taking care of my family and working full time. 

How long have you been writing?

Since I could hold a pencil. 

How did you get started writing?

I started writing poetry when I was younger and it wasn’t until later on that I wrote The Secret of Genetic Corp X.  People liked it so I kept writing.  Not it’s a monster on its own demanding attention and my fingers LOL! 

Have you had anything else published?

I have a total of six ebooks available.  I have a ton of art books available.  I am working on another book right now.  I also have free short stories out there on smashwords and daughterofares.com

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Half and half.  I think of one thing and then sit down and something else even better appears!

What kind of music do you like to listen to while you write?

Disturbed, Evanescence, Seether, etc etc.

 Who is your favorite author?

Anne Rice

Who is your favorite character from a book?

Claudia was my first….so I guess it will always be her!

What is your favorite book?

Interview with a Vampire

Read anything good lately?

I read a lot.  Go to my blog at obsidianpoet.blogspot.com and check  out the great books I’ve read. 

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Uhm sleep?  I don’t get to write a whole lot these days with work and all!

What advice would you give an author just starting out?

Go with your gut.  Advise is nice, but it’s your book and your work.  Take criticism with a grain of salt…some people will hate you just because they are mean.  Treasure the truly thoughtful criticisms, even if they are not glowing.  Move on.  You wrote something not to get rich…but to share.  And get an editor!

What's your next project?

Cursed Bloods and I am hoping to have it done by 2014….but I always have too many irons in the fire!

 

Links: http://www.amazon.com/The-Daughter-Ares-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B008HJO5X4

Interview with Noree Cosper, author of A Prescription for Delirium: Book 1 of the Van Helsing Organization

Ninety years ago, Gabriella di Luca promised to protect the family of her dying lover. She failed to keep that promise.  She was too far away to stop the devil that murdered the eldest Van Helsing son. Years later, Gabby learns the devil has resurfaced. She arrives in Hampton, TX, determined to stop the devil before it can lay a bloody hand on the remaining three brothers.

However, madness is spreading through Hampton. She suspects the devil is using this madness to test a drug which has a side effect of demonic possession.  Gabby rushes to end the source of the madness only to fall victim to it. For a woman cursed with eternal life, dying is no threat. However, Gabby must stop the devil's plot or risk losing her most precious possession: her mind.

What inspired you to write this book? 

The idea actually started out with a roleplaying game. I played Gabby. When the game ended I found I wanted to continue to play in her world. So, I started writing the books. 

What do you consider the most important part of a good story?

I would consider the most important part of the story to be the characters. The plot cannot be well played if you don’t feel anything for the characters.

How long have you been writing?

I played around with small stories since middle school. They mostly went unfinished. I seriously started writing about five years ago.

How did you get started writing?

I have always loved books and there were always stories in my head. There came a time when I needed to put them on paper.

Have you had anything else published?

I have two short stories. “Flower of Hell” published in the Paramourtal anthology and “Love and Honor” published in the Nocturnal Embers anthology.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I am a plotter definitely. I tried pantsing, but it ended up spiraling out of my control. Plot lines dropped while new ones started halfway through the book. Now it’s better for me to have an outline of where I want the story to go. Actually, my characters play a major role in this. I listen to how they would react and follow the natural progression.

What kind of music do you like to listen to while you write?

Rock mostly, but there are other elements that get added in. It depends on the story. Most have their own sound track. For Van Helsing Organization series in usually consists of Poets of the Fall, Lacuna Coil, Sixx A.M., Emilie Autumn, and Florance and the Machine with a few random songs mixed in.

Who is your favorite author?

Neil Gaiman would probably best fit that. Though it changes depending on the mood I’m in.

Read anything good lately?

Lots of things. Jim Buthcher’s “Cold Days” (If you haven’t read his Harry Dresden series I definitely recommend it.) Ilona Andrew Kate Daniels series is also really good. I’m currently reading Tim Powers “The Stress of Her regard” which is a spooky gothic fantasy.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Games. Video games, roleplay games also I love reading.

What advice would you give an author just starting out?

Keep writing. Even if that first book doesn’t work out. Write the next one. You get better with practice. Also, look for why the “rules” are there instead of blindly following them or disregarding them offhand.

What's your next project?

I’m currently working on the second in the Van Helsing Organization series, titled Omega Effect. One hint: angels.

 

Noree Cosper loves writing about magic in the modern world. While growing up in Texas she constantly searched for mystical elements in the mundane. She buried her nose in both fiction and books about Wicca, Religion, and Mythology. Every day became an adventure as she joined a group of role-players, acting out her fantasies of vampires, demons, and monsters living in the world.

She embraced her nerdom wholeheartedly.

Noree grew, but never left her love for fantasy and horror. Her dreams pushed her and her hand itched to write the visions she saw. So, with her fingers on the keys, she did what her heart had been telling her to do since childhood. She wrote.

Noree can be found stalking people on Twitter and Facebook.

Be sure to check out her website for news on her works and tidbits of information

She also likes to ramble about things magical and supernatural on her blog Trip the Eclipse.

Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords