Rachel Carrington's Blog, page 48

Meet the Author—Kim Cano

Today, I welcome Kim Cano, author of a wonderful trio of short stories now available in one book, For Animal Lovers. What’s great about this book is that 10% of the proceeds go to the ASPCA.

Welcome, Kim. According to your website, you’re working on your first novel. It sounds like a wonderful story. Could you give us a status update on when A Widow Redefined will be available?

I would like to have it out by the end of the year. That’s my goal. I’m almost done with the second, typed draft. Then in August I’m sending it to a developmental editor for critique. Once I get his notes back, I’m going to re-write it to make it better. Then it’s off to my grammar lady for double-checking and to the programmers who make the Kindle formatting look nice. I’ve already got the book cover done, which I’m really happy with. I used the same artist from For Animal Lovers.

What made you decide to go the indie publishing route with For Animal Lovers and for your upcoming novel?

I had read so many articles about authors I loved being rejected zillions of times. How it took years to get an agent. Then I read about Darcie Chan and JA Konrath. I began reading his blog and discovered he lives a few suburbs away from me. I figured if he did it, maybe I could too. My husband is a computer guy, and he convinced me to just go for it.

Do you think you’ll stay with indie publishing, or do you see yourself pursuing a traditional publishing contract? Why or why not?

I see myself staying with indie publishing since I’m a type A control freak. I love the opportunity to be in charge of everything. Yeah I have to work harder, but somehow it feels more my own. If I do well, it was me. If I fail, it was me. And I can experiment with whatever I want.

What has been your biggest challenge writing your novel? What do you think the biggest challenge is for newly published authors?

The biggest challenge for me in writing my novel was self-confidence. I put off writing it for years. I kept reading “how to write” books, hoping I would know everything before I began. Once I hit 40 and lost my day job, I realized half my life was over and I hadn’t even started. It was a wake- up call.

I think for other newly published authors it may be finding the time needed to market their books after they’ve gotten them out.

You define your first novel as a contemporary women’s fiction. Do you see yourself staying with that genre for novels, or do you think you’ll branch out?

I think I accidentally branched out with my short story collection. I wrote it for me with the idea I’d market it to adults. I don’t have children, and when my friends started telling me they were reading the stories to their kids and they loved them, I was dumbfounded. I hadn’t even considered that. So I have it listed on Amazon for children’s short stories and in the regular short story category. Oddly enough, it’s a best seller right now in short stories for children. I feel kinda cool.

It’s obvious you have a heart for animals. Any plans to give your cat some company in the future?

We’d like to, but my husband is allergic. He suffers out of love for the little guy. Right now my cat, Blackjack, is the one and only king of this household. He’s beyond spoiled.

Do you already have a second novel in mind, or are you concentrating on getting the first one completed?

I’m concentrating on getting the first novel completed, but I’ve had a second novel in mind for over a year now. I’ve also had some more short story ideas pop into my head too. I jot notes down and set them aside for later. I wish I could write faster. That would be helpful.

What is the one thing you wish you could do with your writing, i.e. bring awareness to hurting animals, change the world, etc.?

I wish I could make enough money with my writing to make a huge difference in the lives of homeless pets. And, if I’m allowed to dream really big, without limits, I’d like to see all animals be able to live out their lives without being euthanized, whether they get adopted or not.

And now for some fun questions…

What’s one piece of technology you could live without?

The dishwasher. If I have to rinse first, I might as well finish the job.

What’s one piece of clothing you could not live without?

Yoga pants. They’re so versatile. It would help if I used them for their intended purpose a little more often. I used to be that woman everyone hated, that could chow down on tons of food and still be a size four. Now that I’m older, the party’s over.

Do you have a “don’t miss” television show? If so, what is it?

You’re gonna laugh, but I don’t own a television. I watch Netflix on my laptop computer. I usually only watch movies, but my cousin recommended a show called Drop Dead Diva. I got so hooked I watched all the episodes in a row.

Can you live without chocolate? If so, what’s the one decadent sweet you can’t live without?

The answer is hell no. I cannot live without chocolate. If it’s not around, I get violent.

Thank you for joining me here today, Kim. I really enjoying having you here and wish you much success!

P.S. I have something special in store for three lucky participants today!

Review: Beautiful Demons by Sarra Cannon

Beautiful Demons by Sarra Cannon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For me, a five star read has to really hold my attention from beginning to end, and that is exactly what Beautiful Demons did. Author Sarra Cannon created a magical world and made it believable. With each step that Harper took, every new thing she saw, I was right there with her, and I could see the story unfolding through her eyes.

And it’s very rare for me to be surprised by an ending or a villain, but I was completely floored when the villain of this story was revealed. It came out of nowhere, but the author made it understandable.

If I could rate this book higher, I would. And I’ve already bought and am reading Book Two. It’s just that good.

View all my reviews

Vampire Forgotten is now available!

Vampires Destined Series

Three vampires. Separate destinies. All desiring a woman to love them for who they are not what they are.

ALL TITLES ARE STANDALONE AND DO NOT NEED TO BE READ IN ANY ORDER.

Vampire Forgotten

Book II

Available now from Amazon for only $1.49

Forgotten in the mountains of Romania. Forced to live a life he didn’t choose. Suffering the daily pain of loneliness. Spending an eternity without the touch of a woman’s hand.

Though damned as a vampire, Rhad Valentine has been given what some might call the gift of psychic sight. He sees it as a constant reminder of real life going on without him—a life he cannot live.

Mischa Bonovich is on a desperate mission to find her missing sister, Rianna. Led to the mountains of her homeland by the faint call of Rianna’s voice, Mischa needs Rhad’s gift and his strength.

Wild hunger, both foreign and welcome, drives Rhad to his knees. He’d never held a woman so soft. Kissed one so responsive. And in spite of his inner protests, he’ll do anything to help her. Anything to feel just one more touch of her hand.

In the dark forests of Romania, Rhad’s desire won’t be quenched until he tastes what only Mischa can offer, but first, he must save her from a man who has nothing to lose. A man who holds a deadly secret that could tear Mischa from Rhad’s arms before love can happen.

Free for three days 5/31-6/2—Vampire Cursed

Get Your Free Copy!

To celebrate the release of Vampire Forgotten, the second book in the Vampires Destined series, for three days only beginning May 31st and ending June 2nd, you can download a free copy of Vampire Cursed at Amazon.

Meet the Author Series: Cyndia Rios-Myers

Today, I welcome Cyndia Rios-Myers, author of The Wolves series, and two lucky commenters will each win a copy of the first book in the series, Rescued by the Wolf. And I’ll draw another winner out of all the commenters for another surprise!

First up, share a little bit about your latest book release, Cyndia.

Thanks again for having me, Rachel! I’ll be happy to talk about Condemned by the Wolf, which is book four of my series of novellas titled “The Wolves,” which was just released this month! It picks up right after the last scene of Mated by the Wolf (which is book three), where Lana Bauer, the protagonist, accidentally shifts to her half wolf self right in front of a human guest at her home. Condemned by the Wolf covers the cause of her shifting to half wolf, which was a traumatizing event back in America that she sensed all the way at her new home in Germany. Also, it covers the ramifications of shifting in front of a human, because in my little world, humans do not know that werewolves are very real.

What fuels your love of the wolves you write about?

I love reading werewolf books! I love watching werewolf movies! My favorites are: An American Werewolf in London, Dog Soldiers, The Howling, and Silver Bullet. Even though they are fictional constructs (I think) werewolves always come off as being the most reluctant and suffering of all other paranormal creatures. I empathize for their human sides which must suffer through being taken over by creatures who are takers of lives without regret.

I think that the suffering felt by their human sides resonates with me because I think that there is duality to human nature too; sometimes there are situations that we face where we have to be a hardened version of ourselves when we really want to be our softer side. I saw that (and experienced that) a lot during my time in the military and even growing up. But I think that everyone faces that in their lifetime. I think that werewolves serve as a good metaphor for situations in life where we have to be tough.

What other books do you have in progress?

Along with being a writer of paranormal books, I write women’s fiction books as well. I have two completed women’s fiction books that I am not sure that I will publish or not. Not that they aren’t good because they are; sometimes I simply write because I have a story in me that I want to commit to paper.

But as far as books that will be published, I have already written Defended by the Wolf, which is book five of my wolves’ series of books. It picks up right where book four leaves off and will be published in August of this year.

What made you decide to indie publish your books? Do you regret the decision?

Rejection, of course! My first book, The Song of the Sleeping Grass was one that I submitted so many query letters for. Mostly, I was rejected. But I did receive a couple of “maybe” letters if I reduced the content by fifty percent which I did not want to do. I wrote Joppa Park after that, which was another women’s fiction title. I got rejected for that too. After that, I wrote Rescued by the Wolf, Book One of the Wolves which actually garnered me one MS request letter by an agent and subsequently an acceptance letter. However, she was a “for profit” agent. Everything that I have learned says that going in that direction is not in the best interests of the writer, so I gave her a pass.

After that, and after seeing how many…less than good books were making it to the top ten lists, I decided to keep doing things on my own – especially after I heard how little traditionally published authors make on their first books. So I did. I self published with PubIt! by Barnes and Noble and through Amazon as well.

Do you think you’ll stay with indie publishing, or do you see yourself pursuing a traditional publishing contract? Why or why not?

Yes. I want to be a top ten writer, but I think I am going to do that on my own. I would love to add traditionally printed books to my library and be able to offer them at an affordable price, as well. I think that if I garner the great sales that will bring with them more money than I am making now, I would hire a publicist. In a nutshell, I think I would create the same benefits for myself that a publishing house contracted writer would have access to.

Being a military family and being in the military yourself, you’ve traveled a lot. Can you tell us some of the places you’ve been that will really stay with you?

I traveled A LOT in my six years in the Navy. I’ve even traveled a lot as a Navy wife which is certainly more enjoyable! I think that I’ve had a lot of culture shock moments in traveling to foreign locales, which is quite humbling and grounding. In moments like that when you are so uncertain about everything that is around you, you really start to listen to your inner voice.

I loved Australia and the people there. Hong Kong is great fun too. Singapore is beautiful. I loved my time at Phuket, Thailand. Sure, there were lots of…seedier aspects to that port of call, but every single person I met was kind and had a smile for everyone. Plus, it was just beautiful.

Simply being moored to a pier in a country of the Persian Gulf is an interesting experience. Everything is just so different over there. The creatures you see in the water, the smells, the people, the weather… Whenever I was in the Persian Gulf were the times that I felt furthest from home in America.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?

The courage to put themselves out there. Also, learning how to process negative feedback.

Who is your favorite author and why?

If I had to chose just one, it would have to be Diana Gabaldon. Her Outlander series of books is transporting. She delivers. Also, Clare Beauchamp-Fraser is a wonderful heroine.

What is the best book adaptation you’ve seen at the movies?

Jane Austen’s books, of course! Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility makes me swoon.

What is one thing you think you should have done differently before publishing your first novel? If nothing, what do you think is the best thing you have done since publishing your first novel?

I would have forgone the high cost of getting The Song of the Sleeping Grass professionally edited and would have enlisted some great beta readers instead. Don’t get me wrong – I love the work that my editor did for my book, but there are simply too many other books to compete with. I would have used those funds for hiring a publicist (which I almost did).

The best thing I have done since writing my first novel was write more – and better. The best way to improve your writing is to continue to do so. Also, it is in learning how to accept and implement constructive feedback and also to seek out the opportunities that will improve your craft.

And now for some fun questions…

What food could you absolutely not live without?

Chocolate.

What’s one piece of technology you couldn’t live without?

Wifi on my laptop.

Where is your dream destination to live?

The waterfront of Annapolis, Maryland. If not there, anywhere near the water in New England.

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?

I don’t think that it is supposed to be that way, where we can magically wave a wand to get rid of our hardships. But if it were something trivial, I guess that I would find a way to stop my avocados from ripening all at the same time (I’m an avid cook too). It doesn’t matter how different their shades of green are or how far apart I keep them in my kitchen; they always ripen at the same darned time.

What are your favorites genres of books to read and why?

The genres I write! I love reading sci-fi/fantasy and paranormal because they are so transporting! I love women’s fiction too as I love the secrets that women keep and the what if’s that come when a woman takes one path but wonders if she would have taken the other.

Thanks for this wonderful, rousing interview, Rachel! It has been great fun.

Thank you for joining me here today, Cyndia. Look for more information Cyndia and her books by visiting her website at http://www.cyndiariosmyers.com, and be sure to check out all her books at both Amazon.com and Nook.com.

YA Book Review: The Messenger’s Handbook by Pamela DuMond

The Messenger’s Handbook by Pamela DuMond


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had both likes and dislikes in this book. And even some loves. Let me start out by saying the author is a really strong writer. She knows how to keep a reader’s attention, and the characters were beyond excellent. I loved the creepiness of Malachi. This is a promising start to the series.

SPOILER ALERT

However, I didn’t think there was enough information on the Messengers, and I had so many questions as I read. Who were they supposed to give messages to? Who chose who they were supposed to give messages to? Who created this group of time-traveling people?

Next, why did the Hunters want to eradicate the Messengers? Had the Messengers done something to them? That wasn’t fully explained.

At the end of the book, I was glad Samuel reappeared, but it was never mentioned in the book that he could time travel too without drinking the poison (unless I missed it).

Overall, I’m giving this book 4 stars because not answering the questions may have been intentional. I’m just not a reader who happens to like having some open-ended questions. Still, the lack of information didn’t detract from the excellent writing skills the author possesses and the effective way she has of maintaining a reader’s attention. The author’s love for this genre is evident in the writing, and I’ll definitely read another book by Pamela DuMond.





View all my reviews

Meet the Author Series with Giveaways

Starting May 28th, I’ll be hosting a series of authors. Some will be familiar; others will be new, but it will be a chance for you to get to know all of them. All the interviews come with giveaways aplenty. And the more you comment, the more you have a chance to win. So come join in and let the authors know you support them, enjoy their work, or you’re looking to read a book by a new author! See you then!

Review: Bloody Little Secrets by Karly Kirkpatrick

Bloody Little Secrets by Karly Kirkpatrick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying I enjoyed this book even though I had issues with it. I loved the snarkiness of the heroine, the way she interacted with others, and how she handled being a vampire. I also loved the hero in this story. From the moment he was introduced, I felt the connection between him and Vicky.

The opening of the story really starts off strong, and I was really giving my Kindle a workout by flipping the pages. I wanted to know what happened next, and I loved following Vicky’s story. That said, as I mentioned, I did have some issues.

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT

While I loved the additional characters Vicky found when she moved to the new town for the sake of her family, I did have an issue with the way Drake so willingly accepted that Vicky was a vampire. When the others responded in pretty much the same way, it made me think everyone had been watching Buffy, the Vampire Slayer too much. It almost seemed as though vampires were commonplace.

I also had issues with the plot as some things just didn’t make sense to me.

I didn’t really understand how Steve made Vicky such a different type of vampire, and it wasn’t explained. How did he create a vampire that could withstand the sun? And why do it on Vicky instead of one of the other vampires in his clan?

Also, why wouldn’t Steve risk one of his other vampires to test Vicky’s blood instead of his own? The story gave the impression that Steve was the lead vampire. So I wondered why he wouldn’t demand one of his followers (so to speak) to be the test subject.

I did have a lot of issues with the climatic scene with Steve as it was actually kind of anti-climatic. He was smart enough to create this super vamp but not smart enough to realize she could take them all out? Shouldn’t he have figured that out when all his minions kept getting offed by Vicky throughout the book? It just looks like he could have done some better planning.

The ending scene really bothered me in that I was expecting more shock and horror from Vicky’s parents. They saw her in the coffin, no doubt, so to see her standing in the same room with them just days later should have caused some type of hysteria or fear. My first thought would have been zombies. Instead, Vicky’s father hugs her, and the story ends abruptly.

Overall, I would give this book 3 and 3/4 stars because Karly Kirkpatrick is a strong writer. She has a way with characterization and dialogue that really connected with me. I’ll definitely read more from her because the questions I had didn’t detract from the evidence of a good story-teller.

View all my reviews

Wraith by Angel Lawson—A Must Read for all YA fans!

Wraith by Angel Lawson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t think I’ve ever loved a young adult novel like I loved this one. Angel Lawson created characters that really stood out on the page. She made them memorable, and that’s not always easy to do. And all of them had a purpose. There were no extraneous characters added for filler.

Every scene segued into the next, and I read this book every spare moment I had. It was just that good.

The romance wasn’t too sappy and fit with the tone of the novel. I loved how the author uniquely connected the hero and heroine.

I can only hope for s sequel, but, if not, a second book just as good as this one. And this is definitely the type of story that belongs on the big screen. Bravo, Angel Lawson!

View all my reviews

Three Great Reviews Keep Me Smiling!

Great reviews for Vampire Cursed coming from readers!

One Amazon reader said “[this books] just gave me a sip of an amazing beginning to a series”.

Another said “a quick read but packed full”.

And still another said [the characters] chemistry makes for a fun read”.

Who doesn’t love great reviews! Thanks so much to my readers who took the time to read my book, Vampire Cursed, and to post a review as well.