Jason Letts's Blog, page 3

Release of Powerless: The Submersion!

We're going to need a bigger boat. Ok, without further ado, I'm unveiling the fourth book in the Powerless series, The Submersion, which is now available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com!

In the penultimate book of the series, Mira and her surviving friends are separated into work camps and forced to toil against their will for the very one they fought against. There are a lot of huge revelations that tie together important, if hidden, elements in the first three books, The Synthesis, The Shadowing, and The Stasis, while setting the stage for the series's ultimate conclusion.

I have to say that this might be my favorite book in the series, or at least it was the easiest for me to write. Their was never any guesswork; I always knew what I was going to write, and I couldn't be more excited to see how readers react to it. There are new characters, new hazards, and completely new environments in which everyone has a very specific role that contributes to the functioning of the camps.

I could go on and on about it, but I think I'm best off just presenting it to you to read for yourself. I hope you enjoy it! –Jason

Book Release: Inevitable!

At long last, I'm finally ready to announce the release of the first book in a new paranormal romance trilogy, Inevitable! The book is already available on Amazon and BN.com, and I'm very excited to see how this new genre suits me.

But, of course, I'm not taking any chances, and so I've had to call in some big guns to make sure this book is the best it can possibly be. I received invaluable guidance, feedback, and ideas from none other than the wonderful and prolific Ms. Amanda Hocking, and I have to say she's helped me be that much more confident about the success of this story.

So what's it about, anyway?

Inevitable is about a magical spirit who controls fate from outside of time. Really, all we humans control are our decisions, and after that it's all in her hands. For all these different choices and different outcomes, each one has a universe of its own, and it's her job to keep them all straightened out.

She pays close attention though, and there's one boy in particular who does something so incredibly extraordinary that it calls out to her. A young man named Nathan Wheeler, who has to drop out of college when his mother dies to take care of his little sister and elderly grandmother, sacrifices himself to provide for them. More than just seeing that his wishes are granted, this spirit goes back to when his life began its downward spiral to make things better before he inevitably chooses to give up his life for them.

But for all she knows about the future, assuming human form is not as easy as she thought it would be, and getting close to Nathan comes with consequences she could never expect.

I hope you enjoy it!

Book Blogger Interview: Lisa from "A Life Bound by Books"

[image error]If you read my last post about awesome people I met in 2010, you'll see that Lisa from "A Life Bound by Books" made it high on the list. She's got a hugely successful blog, lives in balmy California, and has a serious passion for books. I was delighted to get to ask her a few questions and find out more about what her experience has been like!

What does being a book blogger mean to you?

To me, it's all about finding and sharing a good book. Without many of my fellow bloggers out there I, myself wouldn't have heard of so many amazing books and even more amazing authors. I wouldn't have the collection of books that I do… and I wouldn't have found such a great group of people – both bloggers and authors alike. So, for me, being a book blogger means giving back, paying it forward.

How does blogging fit in with the other parts of your life?

Slowly, blogging has become a large part of who I am. Some weeks I spend more time blogging then I do others, but when I know I have plans or will be busy… or when it's around the Holidays, I try to set things up ahead of time so I can take a step back, relax and enjoy. As for reading that's a HUGE part of who I am, so naturally blogging was bound to happen. I'm glad that it did because I've met many amazing people along the way and I can't wait to see who I meet next.

What gets you most excited about a book?

This is a good question and there are a few key things that get me excited about a book. Firstly, if I've read something by the author before and loved it, then I know I'll be all over anything that is by said author. Also, covers. Ohhhh, a good cover always draws me in. And then word of mouth. For me, it's easy to get excited about a book – because I'm always looking for something new and interesting.

What's the one thing you wish authors understood?

That most readers are somewhat or can be somewhat impatient when it comes to waiting for their next book. I think most understand this as it's out of their control when a book is actually set to publish. As for anything else that I wish author's understood… I can't think of anything really.

Are there any experiences in your life that have significantly informed your reading tastes?

I would say when my aunt, back about, 11 years ago now told me about Harry Potter. I went right out and purchased the first I think there were only 2-3 books out at the time, but I went right out and picked them up. I wasn't reading like I am now… but I needed to get back to it and when I did I realized it was something that was missing from who I am. So, I started back to reading with Harry Potter. It was within those books that I found my love for YA. I think that this event… in making me realize that I was missing out on so much by not reading. And what a way to come back to things with Harry Potter! Through Harry Potter I've found whole new worlds and people within YA and Adult books that I never would have found, or no, I think I would have it just would have taken me much longer then that one conversation with my aunt.

What story of yours do you most like to tell friends and acquaintances?

I think that would be of my trips to the UK. I have so many great memories from each time I've been lucky enough to go over there and of when I had a chance to live there as well. I love Liverpool, the people and the city. And then the smaller day or overnight trips we've done while visiting are always great. From London and my favorite place there – Trafalgar Square – to Stonehenge, which if you ever get a chance to see both places you really need to! To Conwy Castle in Wales… to the Art Installation in Crosby Beach called 'Another Place'… the UK is more than amazing on so many levels.

Do you have any special plans or events coming up in 2011 on "A Life Bound by Books" that we can look forward to?

Well, I hope to continue to better the content on my blog this year. I hope to add more information and host many more authors and even fellow bloggers than I did in 2010. I hope to also take part in various other events with both as well. Then of coarse I'm looking forward to Haunted Halloween 2011 with my co-host and BFF – Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic. Last year it was a HUGE success and we can't wait to see what this year's event will be like. All in all, I hope that 2011 brings some great new friends, time with old friends, some amazing new books and lots of adventures to everyone.

To find out more about Lisa, you can visit her blog: http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com , find her on twitter: @BoundByBooks , and catch her on goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/foreverin_abook

Awesome People of 2010

This year is winding down, and that always gives me cause to take a moment of reflection. It's certainly been an interesting year in which a lot happened. I did some traveling. I started publishing books. I came home from Japan. I've tried to get readjusted to America. 2010 is one I can't say I'll particularly miss, but if there's one thing going for it, I met a lot of awesome (online) people. So let's bring the year to a close with a short list, and at the end there'll be "of the year" favorites. Sound good? Ok!

The Kindleboards Crew

My year has been dominated from beginning to end with the writing, publishing, and selling of my books. It's a lonely business, or at least it would've been if not for all of the incredible authors and readers I've gotten to know at Kindleboards.com. I've learned so much, had a great time, and hopefully contributed a little something too. It would be impossible to make a list of everyone who I've enjoyed getting to know because it would be an endless list and still I would never get to everyone. It has been impressive to see so many people just take off into the stratosphere, just limitless potential. With any luck, I'll be joining you in 2011. It's Inevitable.

Hiroshima-O-Rama

It's been a long time since I met everyone who came crashing into Hiroshima on that one fateful day, but I certainly haven't forgotten about it. I've enjoyed keeping up with everyone on Facebook, but I still don't hear from many of you nearly as often as I'd like. Matt, Jeff, Brody, Denise, Allee, Laura, Starbucks Girl. We had a great time from beginning to end, picking up Denise from the train station when she was still hungover, dumping her stuff in a locker, heading out to Miyajima for a while, coming back for dinner, sparks flying between Matt and Starbucks Girl in one of the most epic romances of all time, then we had a great time at Karaoke, finally crashing back at Matt and Jeff's for the night. A great memory for sure.

The Young Adult Fiction for Adults Group on Goodreads

Since a lot of my book stuff has been online, and since most of the people who are likely to read this have been online, I'll stick to online people, and the regulars who compose this group on goodreads have been just amazing supporters that I'm so happy to have met. It's easy to just reel off the names: Peep, Brittany, Heidi, Kourtni, Becca, Wendy, Shannon, and everyone else. Whether talking about Harry Potter or The Hunger Games or any other books, it's just always been great to be part of a warm, welcoming community. Thanks for everything, and I hope we have more time to talk in 2011!

Jessica and Lisa: Badass Book Bloggers of the Year

Part of being an indie author is reaching out and contacting lots of random people in the hopes that they'll check out your writing. Sometimes you get a review out of it and sometimes you don't, but until recently I don't think I could say you'd be likely to get a friend out of it, let alone two. Somehow recently I've gotten into the habit of talking to these two fabulous ladies, and let me tell you it's a hard habit to break. We've gotten to toss around a lot of content for each other's blogs, they've been hugely helpful for me with my series, and we're developing some fun plans for Inevitable, which I hope will be right up their alley. Earlier in the year some of the KB authors and I were having a blogger appreciation day, and I randomly came up with this parody of those Bud Light Commercials. It couldn't be more fitting to post it here:

Bud Light Presents: Real (Wo)men of Genius (Reaaaaal (Wo)men of Geniusssss)

Today we salute you, Badass Book Blogger. (Bad-ass Book Blooogger)

86% of the country is literate enough to read a book, but only 1% has the cojones to spout off about it on the Internet. (Typing 40 words per minute!) Neglecting your job, your family, and your social life, you tirelessly type away at your computer about the joys of Paranormal Romance and the virtues of Young Adult. (Did someone say Harry Potter?)

Literature degree? You don't need no stinking literature degree. Your words come straight from the heart, and a caffeine-induced buzz. (No spillin' java on my Kindle!)

So crack open an ice-cold Bud Light, Badass Book Blogger, because when it comes to your blog, you're the real hero. (Bad-ass Book Bloooggerrr)

(Anheuser Busch, St Louis Missouri)

Special credit for the back-up vocals on that go to my man John Fitch V. Best of luck to both of you in the new year!

Ok, so from here on out, let's close out the year with a list of favorites.

Best Song: Bonfire by Third Eye Blind. How did I ever live without this in my life? Thanks Grace!

Best Movie: Incep—CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS!!!!!!!! My love for this movie will never fade. Take that Leo!

Best Day: The day I spent on Zamami-jima down in Okinawa. It was absolute heaven. I promise I'll go back one day.

Best Book: The Hunger Games!   …   Most Disappointing Book: Mockingjay!   Either way, thanks to Suzanne Collins for giving me both my favorite book to rave about and rage against.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2011!!!

–Jason

Blogger Interview: Jessica from "Confessions of a Bookaholic"

[image error]Over the course of recent guest posts, hugely successful giveaways, and interviews with Jessica on her blog, "Confessions of a Bookaholic," I was once again reminded how book bloggers really do not get the recognition they deserve. Not only they, we never really get to know all that much about them! For example, I'm still not sure if Jessica really has pink hair or not. It makes me wonder, but I did find out the answers to a few other questions.

So please join me in welcoming Jessica to the stage!

Jason: Here's my first question. What do you try to accomplish with your blog?

Jessica: My blog started as simply a way for me to discuss the books I loved but it ended up as much more than that. I never expected to make the connections with authors and readers that I have made. Now, I hope that my blog is a place people enjoy visiting to get new book ideas and learn more about the fabulous authors who write them. If the readers enjoy the information, and the authors feel it helps them get the word out about their books, I've accomplished everything I set out to do.

Jason: I think we can all agree that it manages to accomplish a lot. So how does blogging fit in with the other parts of your life?

Jessica: I'll admit that blogging is not easy to fit into my life right now. I have a 3-year-old daughter, I'm a full-time graduate student, and I'm an intern for a Literary Agent. Sometimes I struggle to find a time where I can sit down and review books or even read, but without blogging I think I'd feel a little empty inside. It's such a joy for me and I'd hate to not be in the amazing community of bloggers. I guess that's why sometimes I'm up at 3am writing reviews or setting up interviews. Blogging is so important to me now and something I plan to keep doing for a while. Even if things get difficult or a little slower on my blog, it's my only true hobby and I couldn't think of a better one to have.

Jason: What makes a book memorable to you?

Jessica: There's no better feeling than having a book that stays in your mind long after you read it. I've re-read a few books immediately after finishing them and they remain as my favorites. A great book to me is one that elicits several strong emotions. I'll go from being scared for the characters to laughing out loud at the humorous moments. No matter what the book is about, it must keep me at the edge of my seat with action, unique plots and fascinating characters that you can't help but love. I'll also admit I'm a hopeless romantic so if a book can bring a strong, sweet romance between characters I'm hooked. Very few books can capture each element perfectly but I've read quite a few that remain memorable to me.

Jason: If you could have one wish come true, what would it be (book related or not)?

Jessica: Hmm, okay. Book related I've been pretty happy with the variety of books that have came out recently so my wish would be that I had more time to read them! I see so many books on my to-be-read shelf and it kills me to let them sit there. I'm hoping to catch up on a lot of reading over the holidays and while I have a break from school. Non-book related (and giggly-school-girl related) I'd die to meet Ian Somerhalder! I'm a huge Vampire Diaries fan and Team Damon all the way. I'd probably pass out if I ever did have the chance to see his beautiful eyes in person, however, I'd be willing to take that chance, ha!

Jason: I can definitely understand that. I think I became Alison Brie's slave after just one episode of Community. Moving on…How does being a graduate student of psychology affect your reading tastes or interests?

Jessica: Great question because oddly enough, it really does affect how I read a book. I find myself psychoanalyzing the characters and trying to find out why they act or feel the way they do. I even annoy myself with this because it means I can't get completely into a story. I'm constantly trying to discover what the "secret" could be if a character is hiding something. It drives me nuts! But on that same note, reading has changed my feelings towards psychology as well. I've been interested in this field since 10th grade (10 years ago! Yikes!) but now I find my interests shifting. I'm much more interested with book promotion and publishing. That's why I was thrilled to have the opportunity to intern for an agent. I hope this gives me a glimpse into this career field because I'm 99% sure it would be my dream job. I've always known the importance of following a passion, it just took me a while to find my own.

Jason: I think if your blogging is any indicator, you'd make an amazing agent. What story of yours do you most like to tell friends and acquaintances?

Jessica: I share a lot of my favorite books with my friends. If I enjoy a story it's guaranteed that I'll do everything I can to let people know. Especially if something is self-published because I know how hard it can be for authors to spread the word about those books alone. Some of my favorite books are Promise by Kristie Cook and The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos. They are fabulous authors!

Overall, I keep my blog pretty private with it comes to family and real-life friends. They know of my blog but have never seen it. One thing I have told everyone is that I was blurbed in Purpose, the Promise sequel and when I saw it I freaked out! I love showing the book to everyone.

Jason: That's awesome! Do you have any special plans or events coming up in 2011 on "Confessions of a Bookaholic" that we can look forward to?

Jessica: I do. I want to start a few new features next year. It's a trial-and-error thing in blogging but I'd love to begin an "Ask Confessions" type of feature to address the blog questions I get often from newbies, and an "Upcoming Books" feature where I help promote upcoming books from existing or debut authors. I'd like to start this year off by getting everything a little more organized and planning some new events. We do plan on doing the Haunted Halloween event again next October and I have a blogoversary coming up in early May (which also happens to be around my birthday) so I hope to have a huge event during that time. Exciting stuff I hope!

Jason: That's a great idea. I know there are tons of bloggers out there who would benefit from knowing more about your experience. Thank you so much for answering my questions! I hope you and "Confessions" have a wonderful 2011!

Jessica: Thanks so much Jason for having me on your site! Happy Holidays and happy 2011!

Release of Powerless: The Stasis!

It's with great pleasure that I present the third book in the Powerless series, The Stasis! This book, following our heroes as they get involved with the long-standing war, is action packed. But instead of describing big armies and lots of head-clobbering, I tried to keep a tight focus on the characters and make sure every bit of action deepens our understanding of them. This book also sees the romantic end of the story come into full force. Hopefully fans of the first books will find even more to enjoy in book 3!

Featuring an epigraph from Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried that I got special permission to use (how cool is that!), I think there are strong parallels between the two works concerning the tolls of sending teens off to fight before they're emotionally ready to handle it. All they have are each other, and so they bare the brunt of each other's psychological frustrations in addition to the dangers surrounding them. I hope it says something about their friendships and their personalities as well, how they deal with everything. That's what's really important.

The description: In book three of the Powerless series, The Stasis, Mira and her friends are assimilated into their nation's military. As they endeavor to defend their homeland from a ruthless tyrant and his ravenous followers, Mira hopes to find what she has sacrificed so much to reclaim. Their mission becomes that much more difficult when they encounter their military leader, a man obsessed with the power of his position who proves just as life-threatening as their enemies to Mira and her friends.

Danger surrounding them on all sides, this small group of teens is forced to depend upon each other for survival. They've known each other their entire lives, but under these harsh and desperate circumstances their bonds will be tested as never before. Whether struggling to cope with trauma or turning affections into fledgling romances, they will all learn something different about living in the world when every breath could be their last.

Powerless: The Stasis is available on Amazon.com, BN.com, and will soon be available on Smashwords. You can find it on Goodreads here.  I hope you enjoy it!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

The Harry Potter films have had a much rougher time than the Harry Potter books. While the books kept getting better and better for me, the movies have been spotty and often cringe-worthy. The first two were merely watch-able, good but marked by absurd attempts to make early hints at Ron and Hermoine. (Remember that hug in #1?) Prisoner of Azkaban gave us hope that the rest of the movies would be sterling, only for Goblet of Fire to seem more cut up than a string of paper snowflakes. Though #4 was an obvious low point, I enjoyed Order of the Pheonix, and Half-Blood prince was generally speaking a high-quality movie. But what about Deathly Hallows?

As much as I applaud the idea of filming virtually everything that appears in the book, I was more than a little afraid that this feature would translate into slow, plodding scenes that should've been over much more quickly. I'm glad to say that this wasn't the case at all, or at least not more so than any other movie. I did write in my notebook that the scene of the minister of magic visiting our three heroes at the Weasley house dragged, but I really can't say any fault left a lasting impression. The pacing of the film was swift, even if it became too swift at a crucial point, which I'll get to soon.

Because it's so true to the book, the film's weak point is the same as the book's. The story is almost entirely about Harry, Ron, and Hermoine's groping about for clues concerning the horcruxes, and so it does have an aimless feel that often irks me. I like movies to have strong directions. I want them to know what they're doing and be making progress, and an absence of that conjures a voice in my head that says: "Get on with it!" Scenes like Harry and Hermoine dancing and Ron's destruction of the locket kept me interested though. The acting job of all involved should be commended.

But cutting the book in half did leave a scar on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1), and that came at the climax in Malfoy Manor. While a normal film would've done so much to dramatize a crucial threat to Harry's mission, this film treated their capture as just another turn in the plot. We never even actually learn they've been taken to Malfoy Manor. We're just shown a picture of a big house. Inside, we only see the hall and a small section of the basement. No time was taken to amplify the significance or the feeling of danger whatsoever, and that is something I feel is worthy of being called a fault.

Of all the details in the book, I can't understand why they chose to leave out the one explaining why Dobby was able to get into the Dungeon. In the book, he is able to apparate because the Malfoys foolishly abstained from creating enchantments against elves, their snobbery causing their downfall. It was a brilliant move on Rowling's part, but in the movie, Dobby just appears and does his thing without anyone questioning it. Do I have this right? Someone please tell me I missed something about this. If someone hadn't read the book, they would just think Dobby was way more awesome than everyone else. There's no luck or irony about it, and it looks like the others in the dungeon could've escaped at any time. That part disappointed me.

The movie, overall, was a great experience, and I can't wait until the summer to watch the exciting ending! What did you think?

Book Blogger Hop (6)

"Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!"

It's actually been a couple of years since I've had a Thanksgiving because I was living in Japan. I'm excited to get to some turkey and pie, probably some movies too. I'm very thankful for all of my readers, my friends, and the people out there who support independent authors. I'm thankful for my family and the authors of all of the great books I read. I'm thinking about doing an end of year post on "my favorite people of the year," so maybe I'll get into more specifics later. Thanks to you for stopping by my blog!

Review: Milrose Munce and the Den of Professional Help

I have mixed feelings about this book, which is about a boy who can see ghosts and is put in a special classroom where he is subjected to an inept counselor for a prolonged period of time. It was wildly clever, entertaining, and thoughtful at its best and deserves to be commended for its use of language and storytelling. My favorite was the horse named "Sociopath." These are rare feats these days, to be sure.

The actual story gave me much more trouble though. As much as it was meant to be silly and inventive, surely something more ominous could've been invented rather than the vague threat of being "cured." Milrose and Arabella must undergo countless pointless exercises, some of which struggled to keep my attention. I found myself wanting to go more into the details of their growing affections for each other. Their interactions were surprisingly congenial. What does it mean that they always said "you are kind" to each other? Instead, getting stuck between the walls seemed an unsatisfactory way of having them leave their den without having them escape. I wasn't too moved by the ultimate climax either, feeling more sorry for their counselor, Massimo Natica, than anything else.

Despite all this, I would still recommend the story to readers of the young-adult genre. See if the playfulness of the language works for you. The mix of antiquated and modern language was unique. Reading "dude" and "chick" seemed weird, but I appreciated the birthmark, ghost chemistry, and naming tropes. If Mr. Cooper is still out there writing, the one thing I would urge him to do is add a bit more complexity to his story. Thanks for a quality read!

Book Blogger Hop (5)

This week's question was about having to always start with the first book if it's in a series. I've never heard of anyone who started with Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows and worked backward. I am actually doing that right now with the TV show Community only because the episodes really don't have much to do with each other. For books though, I can't see anybody doing that.