E.G. Stone's Blog, page 13

Author Interview: Kimberly Wilkerson

1. We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

Honestly, I have several children’s books that I have placed on hold (including the continuation of my first published book) while I focus on obtaining my BA, continue to get speaking engagements, and work two part time jobs.

2. In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

“Kingdom of Grace”: as a classically inspired fairy tale that leaves the reader wondering what comes next comes a poignant illustrated tale introducing two queens, one lonely king, and a battle for the spiritual health of a kingdom.

3. As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

Having to spend so much time working outside of writing to keep money in the bank.

4. Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

The beautiful moments which are stress free, you can allow your mind to wander, and give your imagination a chance to be written down.

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

Amy Sherman-Palladino because she is so awesome! She has an incredible way of jamming so many genres, social class innuendos, and pop culture references into such a short area of her witty writing.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

As painful as the process is to give it to God and continue moving forward, it will all be worth it. Nothing worth having comes easy.

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

I want to say: Me and my main character because neither of us is giving up and have God on our side. However, I don’t gamble so it is possible God would let that one go to the evil side. LOL

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

Giving up your writing time to pursue things that do not bring you the same happiness at the cost you are getting in return unless an emergency.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

My blog: https://mylegacyforchristopher.com

Book Review: You’re Not Alone by Kelly Blanchard

Book 8 of the Chronicles of Lorrek!

1. Thoughts on the plot

I have to admit, it took me a while to get into the plot of this book. There are a lot of threads that need tying from previous books, but this book almost kept adding new threads for the characters to follow. It turns out, a lot of these new threads are just explanations for previous events; you learn this about halfway through the book. Up until that point, though, this feels very much like an entirely new adventure with the same characters. Good, but not quite what I had imagined for the 8th book in a series. Still, once everything started coming together I liked it quite a lot.

2. Thoughts on the characters

There’s a lot of soul-seeking from the main characters in this book. Some of it was done well, especially on the part of Lorrek and the people who are *finally* seeing him for what he is. I liked that quite a lot. I do think the twist at the end, involving him and his bloodline was a little…abrupt, but I wouldn’t go quite as far as to say it was contrived. 

Vixen, on the other hand, bothered me. Throughout the series, she has been one of my favourite characters. In this book, though, she seemed to just be a really negative, almost toxic person in how she treats everyone around her. I get that it comes from certain traumas, and that she’s working through some things, but she really doesn’t treat people very well, even when they’re nice to her.

3. Favourite part

About the halfway point, things started to come together, bringing a whole pile of events from the first part of the series into this part of the series. I liked it quite a lot.

4. Critique

Most of my critique were just the plot seeming almost unrelated to the rest of the books, but that was resolved at about the halfway point. The rest of my critique is that Vixen’s character development went a bit…sideways, I think.

Overall, I would say that You’re Not Alone is a good penultimate book in the Chronicles of Lorrek, and that book 9 promises to be very dramatic indeed.

Author Interview: Zach Adams

Zacharias Bartholomew Adams, but please just call me Zach.

1. We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

When not plotting my inevitable rise to power as a supervillain, I’m working on recording an original soundtrack for Dead Man Walking with my creative accomplice, Jon Valentine.

2. In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

Dead Man Walking is a contemporary fantasy/horror story about Isaac Falcone, a wannabe writer and library assistant. When the universe around him gets bent in all the wrong directions, strange monsters appear and immediately add him to their menu. He must panic his way through all the craziness and hope that he can walk away alive.

3. As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!).

This is tough, as there are so many moments during any project where I question all of my life choices leading up to that point. The worst is probably when I get multiple pages done in a short time only to run face-first into a metaphorical brick wall as I try to make one character walk across the room.

4. Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

When the character I mentioned above runs into the brick wall instead of me.

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

I would absorb them all like Kirby and evolve into my final form as the ultimate frankenauthor.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

“Unfortunately, for this sort of story to be entertaining, characters have to suffer. Now get back behind the fourth wall and do your job.”

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

I don’t actually know how to play poker, so I assume that Isaac doesn’t either. The last book I read was The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and I suspect Arthur Dent would win by default. If he didn’t know how to play before, he could easily have learned some cosmic variant while hitchhiking across the galaxy.

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

My worst habit is self-editing so harshly that nothing makes it to the page. It can be difficult to ignore that critical voice and let the first attempt for anything be as terrible as it has to be, so that there’s something to polish up later.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

If I gave away details about my plots to take over the world, then someone would be able to stop me. To stay updated for when those plans are finally ready to announce, Jon and I have a free emailing list at www.adamsvalentine.com, and a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VadamsAlentine.

Book Review: Unexpected Magic by Laura Drake

Sometimes, you just need a good book with magic and adventure and characters you like. Unexpected Magic by Laura Drake was just that sort of book.

1. Thoughts on the plot

This book is a magic academy book mixed with a bit of mystery. It follows Emmie, a girl who supposedly has no magic and yet attends one of the most prestigious magical academies in the country. She is there with several friends, and she hopes that one day her own magic will manifest. In the meantime, though, there are girls disappearing, dangerous magic is on the rise and her own academy may be at risk.

As far as plots go, this one was just the right mix of familiar and unpredictable, with a story that I could really get into without having to read a passage several times to figure out what was going on. The twists were interesting, the adventure just the right mix of exciting and trepidatious, and the ending dramatic.

2. Thoughts on the characters

A lot of the time, magical academy books (and a fair number of YA fantasy books in general) have the main character possessed of some sort of special power or ability that marks them by the others in the story. In this case, the fact taht Emmie didn’t have magic was the thing that marked her, and i found that to be a fascinating take on teh traditional story. I enjoyed it a fair bit, learning about her struggles with her identity and ability. The other characters were fun, also, having far more depth than I usually see in stories of this type. 

3. Favourite part

The duelling club. I appreciate that scene a lot.

4. Critique

I don’t really have a whole lot of critique for this book. The plot is a bit predictable, given how closely it follows the standard for the genre, but that didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story at all.

Overall, I would say that Unexpected Magic was a fun read with an adventure I enjoyed, characters I rooted for, and an ending that makes me want to read more. A very good book.

Author Interview: Julie Duxbury

Julie Duxbury

1. We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

A. Currently working on my first Fantasy novel and the fourth in the Consequences series.

2. In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

A. Dark Dimensions has been out since April 2021 and is about a clan of vampires and humans who are lost in dimensions after a scientific mishap. More of a science fiction/military book than fantasy or horror. Its sequel, Dark Reign, is currently in editing.

Heart of Deception has been out since August 2021 and is more of a mystery book about a thief who ends up working for a royal family and helps foil a plot to overthrow the royals. The sequel to this, Legacy of Risks, is being released on 22 February 2022 and the third book, Dangerous Heart, has just been submitted to the publisher. As I said earlier, the fourth book is underway at the moment.

3. As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

A. Editing. I’d much rather be creating new works than polishing, although it can be interesting to see the writing being polished. Still dislike it, though.

4. Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

A. Brand new writing – whether it’s in the current work or a new piece. Dialogue and action are my favourite parts in the writing of each book.

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

A. Any writer who can write humour. I can write small pockets, as in the snips that happen every day but to actually write a funny novel? That I can’t do.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

A. Funny you should say that. My editor keeps telling me off for hurting my characters – or downright killing them off. My answer to them would be that I do it so that they will grow into the best versions of themselves.

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

A. Hmm, that’s a tough one. The stakes would be survival. I would like to think my main character would win – whether it’s my thief or my vampire – because of their quick thinking and talking. They’d bluff their way through a game of poker.

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

A. Following the “best 10 rules”. A lot of articles come out that say “if you follow these rules, you’ll sell books”. I think that’s a trap to create cookie-cutter books.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

A. As I said, Legacy of Risks, Consequences Book 2 is being released on 22 February 2022. I asked to delay it for a week to coincide with my brother’s birthday. Chocolate cake? Gotta be a mud cake!

Book Review: Find Me If You Can by Kelly Blanchard

The closer we get to the conclusion of the nine book Chronicles of Lorrek series, the more ties and dramatic scenarios appear. Find Me If You Can, book seven, by Kelly Blanchard is no exception.

1. Thoughts on the plot

Back from their excursions of viewing the past, Lorrek and Radella are finally on their mission to find other World Orbs and avoid the Thymord Order. But to do that, they must not be seen by the massive AI that the Order has, which means finding its creator. Only, they’re not the only ones looking.

The plot from this book felt a little like a combination of Star Trek, Jules Verne and that movie where there’s the one day you can do whatever you want with no consequences (I don’t remember the name and am too lazy to Google it). Only, there’s magic. And mayhem. It was definitely dramatic and brought together a lot of different threads, but it also added some new dimensions. An interested plot.

2. Thoughts on the characters

It was nice to see the familiar characters back from the past, as well as some I recognise from the Hand of Sorrow series (coughcough) who proved to be quite as dramatic as I expected. I like all the interactions with these characters and think that the new ones added a nice freshness on the story. 

I will say that some of Vixen’s developments in this book felt a little sudden, despite being built upon this whole series, but that could just be that it’s been a while since I’ve seen her.

3. Favourite part

I have a fondness for hyper intelligent AIs

4. Critique

I like the new dimensions that each book adds to the series, but I will say that after a while, it does become a little difficult to hold each of the threads together. I have grown a little accustomed to tossing the single-story threads away after each book, but there are many elements I am not sure about with this particular story.

Overall, I would say that book seven is definitely building towards more drama and excitement, and it was a great adventure.

Book Review: Wire Wings by Wren Handman

With the rapid pace of technological advancement, you’d think I would be tired of reading AI stories. The answer I will give is, “Never!” So I was quite glad to pick up Wren Handman’s Wire Wings.

1. Thoughts on the plot

This book follows Gracie, a sixteen year old daughter of the inventor of the Waves, who spends more time Diving than she does socialising or exploring her own world. Diving is like VR, but more immersive, and there are games and places in the Waves that help Gracie feel and be anything other than what she is: sad. So when she forms an attachment to the mysterious AI that the world has been trying to find, it is something of a dream come true. But there’s more to this than meets the eye, and the secret may shatter her world—digital and otherwise—forever.

The plot of this book was spectacular. I loved the different depictions of the games and the world around Gracie. I loved her interactions with her family and the seemingly little things that led Gracie to the AI and to the decisions that ultimately change everything. Even the ending, which under different circumstances would feel sudden, was pulled off so well it nearly took my breath away.

2. Thoughts on the characters

Gracie is a fantastic character to read, probably because she manages to convey so many traits that a lot of people her age experience. She has a slightly strained relationship with her family, but wants to be good. She has friends, but still feels disconnected. She has experienced tragedy and isn’t quite ready to face the reality of that yet. It is an amalgamation of things that I think a great many people can relate to, and I really enjoyed that. 

The AI, too, was fascinating to read, and that is partly because he was so mysterious and intense, in an entirely tantalising way.

3. Favourite part

The epilogue. It just took all the pertinent elements of the story and tied them up into an allegory that was just…stunning. Truly stunning.

4. Critique

I don’t really have a critique for this book. I will say it took me a minute to get used to the tense shifts, but that adds to a bit of coherence with the story and is not a downside at all.

Overall, I would say that Wire Wings is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone with a love of technology, or just the human condition.

Author Interview: David Green

David Green

1. We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

I’m working on a few things! I have some ghostwriting projects that I’m enjoying; they’re related to genres I’d usually write but a little different so I’m having fun with them. On top of that I have a few short-story anthology pieces I’m almost finished with, and on top of *that* I’m working on In Solitude’s Shadow sequel, and book two of the Empire of War series, Path of War.

2. In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

So I have two books in two different series at the moment – the Empire of Ruin series with the first book of the trilogy being In Solitude’s Shadow. It’s a character driven, epic dark fantasy which has received strong reviews so far, and I’m excited for the rest of the series. It’s influenced by my love of the Wheel of Time, the Dragon Age video game series, the Roman Empire, the Mediterranean, and parenthood, and has drawn favourable comparisons to Brandon Sanderson’s work, which is always nice.

My other series is the Hell in Haven series; an urban fantasy noir. There are two books – Dead Man Walking, and its sequel The Devil Walks In Blood – but we recently released a special edition of the sequel with a new cover, and it includes both books! The main character is Nick Holleran, a private eye who has a bad day. He’s murdered and realises Heaven is real. Just before he reaches the pearly gates, he’s resuscitated and discovers something else… Hell is real, and we’re all living in it alongside ghosts, demons, beasts, Nephilim, and anything your imagination (and mine) can come up with. It’s Hellrazer meets Dresden Files with a bit of John Wick thrown in.

3. As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

Least favourite bit is promotion! Or perhaps waiting for reviews… that’s a tough one! I’ll go with promotion, it’s hard. There’s so many authors trying to do it, and there’s so many ways to do it right, and to do it wrong. And then you need luck! But… it’s still quite fun. I love being an author and everything that comes with it, and realise I’m quite fortunate to be doing this.

4. Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

Talking with my beta readers and editor after the first draft’s done. There’s a story and a book there, and though there’s work to be done, you can discover what works, what doesn’t, and what has potential for more.

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

Joe Abercrombie’s use of snappy, witty, informative short sentences. I love a short sentence, often if that sentence is just a word, so that would be it.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

Hmmm… that’s assuming what I have planned for them is for the best! In both series! You’ve put me in a very tricky position, here. I’ll just tell them ‘ I have a plan ’ and hope they think I mean it in a benign way.

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

The stakes would probably be for most of the other characters to clear off and escape Haltveldt (the continent where Empire of Ruin takes place) as quickly as possible for some, and to stay and fight for others. Calene would have no poker face, and neither would Tilo. Arlo’s too young. Vettigan and Kade would hold their own, but I wouldn’t bet against Brina. She’d win. Plus, I’d write it, and I’d make it so!

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

I think worldbuilding is essential in fantasy, but if you’re like me and love it but also have severe OCD, you can spend so much time creating a world without sitting down to write a story. You could worldbuild for years . The story has to come first; and the worldbuilding needs to serve that story and those characters first and foremost. Once you have a draft, you can begin building out, and once you have a first book or series, you can plan other tales in that living, breathing world you’ve created. But do get writing!

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

Get a free short-story collection, Tales of Fire and Shadow , for signing up to my newsletter at www.davidgreenwriter.com , and if you do check out In Solitude’s Shadow or The Devil Walks In Blood, I hope you enjoy and let me know! The sequels to both will be available in 2022.

Book Review: They Must Be Stopped by Kelly Blanchard

Book six in the Chronicles of Lorrek continues with adventures into the past, and I must say, the DRAMA is intense!

1. Thoughts on the plot

This book takes place about 500 years after book five and before the “present time” in books 1, 2, and 3. It follows the Thymord Order as they try to save the galaxy’s dying worlds. Specifically, it follows Rilolean, a former member of the Order, as he not only tries to uncover the answer to a failed mission, but also save his own world. There is intrigue, mystery, technology, magic, and a great deal of people trying to make everything work in their favour.

This plot is a little more straightforward than book 5, I think, even with the events taking place on multiple worlds. Possibly because there were fewer characters to keep track of, but also because the overarching politics were more concentrated. Frankly, the plot was very entertaining and had a lot of cool twists and turns. 

2. Thoughts on the characters

The characters in this book were mostly the members of Rilolean’s “team” of disgruntled Thymord agents and a few outside assistants as they tried to solve the central mystery in the book. I really enjoyed getting to know the central core of characters and found them highly entertaining. I think Rilolean was definitely a great main character to follow and the others—specifically Miradan and ELF—were probably my favourites.

3. Favourite part

I think, honestly, that the mystery at the centre of this book was probably my favourite bit. I really enjoy mysteries, especially when combined with fantasy and adventure.

4. Critique

I don’t really have a critique for this book, because it was a super fun read! I do want to know what happened to ELF…

Overall, They Must Be Stopped is a great continuation to the Chronicles of Lorrek series and I am super excited for the next book.

Book Review: Disrupting Destiny by Jan Foster

It’s been a while since I’ve read an historical fantasy, let alone one with romantic elements. I’m not talking about a fantasy that takes place in a medieval-style world, but one that takes place in our world, only…earlier. In the case of Disrupting Destiny by Jan Foster, I got to read exactly that, and it was quite the adventure.

1. Thoughts on the plot

This book follows Annabella and Joshua, Fae who are hiding out amongst humans in the world of Tudor England. They have to be careful not to feed their need for Lifeforce too often, and to hide their magical selves from the wary humans. But when someone learns of their secret, Annabella is kidnapped and Joshua starts out on a journey to find her again. 

I was not expecting a plot this rich from this book. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I expected a quick, romantic adventure. Yes, there was romance, yes there was adventure, but there were so many fantastic twists and turns and unexpected delights that I got sucked in quite thoroughly. I really enjoyed the historical element and the different things that Annabella and Joshua had to go through to reunite with one another. 

2. Thoughts on the characters

The characters, I think, were some of the best part of this book. They were so varied in their personalities and each struggled with their own demons. It was fascinating to see how they worked together (or not) to reach their goals. Very well crafted.

3. Favourite part

The characters were definitely my favourite. I think Joshua takes the cake on best overall, but Annabella has spunk, which I love.

4. Critique

My only real critique for this book has very little to do with the book itself and more to do with my own memory. I couldn’t quite recall, as the story went on, if the wings were described as avian or insectoid, and for some reason I kept tripping over that detail as I tried to picture the story. A tiny, tiny detail, and all to do with my own memory. 

Overall, I would say that Disrupting Destiny was an excellent book, with rich history, well crafted characters and a plot that sucks you in.