Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 117
March 7, 2012
Operative by Kate Kaynak
Synopsis:
Maddie and the rest of the team must catch the person selling classified information to terrorists--before they become the targets.
Since the synopsis is short, let me say that this is the fifth book in the Ganzfield series. If you haven't check out these books yet, you need to go get them now. Maddie and her team have special abilities and they are freakin awesome!
Opening line:
Trevor's gone.
Kate's favorite line:
"If we're not back by tomorrow, feed the cat and send in the Marines."
If you could be any character in the book, who would you be?I think I kind of *am* Maddie, since she really does channel my snarky inner monologue. Jim Henson may've had Kermit the Frog for an alter-ego, but I have a killer telepath from 'Jersey.
Where can readers find you on the web?
Website
Blog
Ganzfield Site
And check out the other books in the Ganzfield series:
Just for fun: If you could have a special ability (reading minds, setting things on fire, mind control, etc) which one would you want?
Pre-order OPERATIVE here! (Releases March 15, 2012)
March 5, 2012
Monday Mishmash 3/5/12
Happy Monday! As usual, my mind is a mishmash of thoughts.
Finishing the Touch of Death trilogy I finished the third and final book in the Touch of Death trilogy. I had to go back and reference a lot from the first two books, but it was worth it in the end. I'm happy with how it turned out.Santa Bunny Yes, I know this is my MG/YA blog, but I recently released another picture book, Santa Bunny. It's an Easter/Christmas crossover story. Learn more about it here.Promotional items I'm brainstorming promotional items for Touch of Death. Yes, a little early. ;) They are awesome though! Can't wait to do a giveaway.My dad's birthday My dad's birthday is this weekend. Looking forward to celebrating.Contemporary romance At the beginning of the year I promised myself I'd write a contemporary YA. I'm planning it now!That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
*My free monthly newsletter goes out this evening. If you aren't signed up but would like to receive it, click here.[image error]
Finishing the Touch of Death trilogy I finished the third and final book in the Touch of Death trilogy. I had to go back and reference a lot from the first two books, but it was worth it in the end. I'm happy with how it turned out.Santa Bunny Yes, I know this is my MG/YA blog, but I recently released another picture book, Santa Bunny. It's an Easter/Christmas crossover story. Learn more about it here.Promotional items I'm brainstorming promotional items for Touch of Death. Yes, a little early. ;) They are awesome though! Can't wait to do a giveaway.My dad's birthday My dad's birthday is this weekend. Looking forward to celebrating.Contemporary romance At the beginning of the year I promised myself I'd write a contemporary YA. I'm planning it now!That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
*My free monthly newsletter goes out this evening. If you aren't signed up but would like to receive it, click here.[image error]
March 2, 2012
Kreativ Blogger Award
I was given the Kreativ Blogger Award by The Muse over at The Writer Shade of Pale. Thanks so much!
Now I get to share 10 things about myself and pass this award on to 6 other deserving blogs. So, here we go!
I'm afraid of snakes, but I purposely seek them out because I need to know where they are (so I can be somewhere else!).The day after I got married, I went to work and told my students, "By the way you call me Mrs. Hashway now." They were a little surprised. ;)The first short story I ever sold made me a whopping $2 and I'm proud of it. :)I wrote my last manuscript in 12 days and my agent told me I nailed it. I can't write slowly or it comes out terribly!In high school, I dated the quarterback of the football team. No I was not a cheerleader. I played tennis.I jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet and almost choked to death on my helmet strap. (I'd skydive again though!)My favorite number is 8 because it's the same upside-down. (It's also the day I was born.)I cry when I watch movies adapted from books because my dream is to one day have one of my books made into a movie.I used to be able to run a 5K race in 18 minutes.My nails grow ridiculously fast. People usually assume they're fake.Okay, now for the 6 blogs I'm passing the award on to:Medeia SharifBibliophilic BlatherRick StarkeyMichelle Dennis Evans
Dorm Room DreamerThe Writer's Republic
Be sure to check out these great blogs, and as always, share a blog you love so we can all follow.
Now I get to share 10 things about myself and pass this award on to 6 other deserving blogs. So, here we go!
I'm afraid of snakes, but I purposely seek them out because I need to know where they are (so I can be somewhere else!).The day after I got married, I went to work and told my students, "By the way you call me Mrs. Hashway now." They were a little surprised. ;)The first short story I ever sold made me a whopping $2 and I'm proud of it. :)I wrote my last manuscript in 12 days and my agent told me I nailed it. I can't write slowly or it comes out terribly!In high school, I dated the quarterback of the football team. No I was not a cheerleader. I played tennis.I jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet and almost choked to death on my helmet strap. (I'd skydive again though!)My favorite number is 8 because it's the same upside-down. (It's also the day I was born.)I cry when I watch movies adapted from books because my dream is to one day have one of my books made into a movie.I used to be able to run a 5K race in 18 minutes.My nails grow ridiculously fast. People usually assume they're fake.Okay, now for the 6 blogs I'm passing the award on to:Medeia SharifBibliophilic BlatherRick StarkeyMichelle Dennis Evans
Dorm Room DreamerThe Writer's Republic
Be sure to check out these great blogs, and as always, share a blog you love so we can all follow.
February 29, 2012
Masters of the Veil by Daniel Cohen
Synopsis:
Life can't get much better for Sam Lock. Popular, good-looking, and with a future as a professional football player… every guy at Stanton High School wishes he were Sam. That is, until his championship football game, when Sam accidentally links with an ancient source of energy known as the Veil and reveals his potential to become a powerful sorcerer.
Sam's dreams are crushed as he is whisked off to Atlas Crown, a community of sorcerers who utilize the Veil as a part of everyday life. Once there, he trains beside a mute boy who speaks through music, an eternal sage who is the eyes and ears of the Veil, and a beautiful girl who's pretty sure Sam's an idiot.
As it becomes clear that Sam is meant for power magic—the most feared and misunderstood form of sorcery—people beyond Atlas Crown learn of his dangerous potential. An exiled group of power sorcerers are eager to recruit Sam, believing that he is destined to help them achieve their long-held goal. If they succeed, they could bring about the downfall of not only Atlas Crown… but all of humankind.
Opening Line:"Samuel Lock's fingertips pierced the soft turf up to his first knuckle."
Favorite Line:"Because everything changes, even death." (Totally awesome, Dan!)
I can't tell you the context--or anything about the line--because it would be a huge spoiler, but those words have an incredible amount of meaning to me.
If you could be any character from the story, who would you be and why?There's a sorcerer in the book named Rona Rono. He teaches the best students in Atlas Crown and he's really tough. I've always wanted to be really tough :)
Where can we purchase MOTV? (Releases March 1, 2012)AmazonBarnes and Noble Book Depository (Free international shipping)
Where can readers find me on the web?FACEBOOK
BLOG
Just for fun: All this talk of sorcery is making me think of magical powers I wish I had. So, if you could have a magical power, what would it be?
February 27, 2012
Monday Mishmash 2/27/12
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Birthday parties My daughter had her 5th birthday party yesterday. It was fun but exhausting.Author events Last week was crazy busy with three author events, but I had a blast at all of them. Signings and school visits are such a great time.Drafting again Now that my busy week is over I intend to finish my WIP this week. As much fun as last week was, I'm happy to get back to writing, writing, writing! Leap Day I love Leap Day. That's one extra day to write! Reading I haven't had as much time to read lately, and it's making me a little sad. I have to squeeze more time in my day.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Birthday parties My daughter had her 5th birthday party yesterday. It was fun but exhausting.Author events Last week was crazy busy with three author events, but I had a blast at all of them. Signings and school visits are such a great time.Drafting again Now that my busy week is over I intend to finish my WIP this week. As much fun as last week was, I'm happy to get back to writing, writing, writing! Leap Day I love Leap Day. That's one extra day to write! Reading I haven't had as much time to read lately, and it's making me a little sad. I have to squeeze more time in my day.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
February 24, 2012
Writing Short Fantasy With James Hutchings
Today, James Hutchings, author of The New Death and Others is guest posting about writing short fantasy, so without further ado, here's James:
I think that when you say 'fantasy', most people get a specific picture; huge books, probably a series of huge books, set in an imaginary, medieval-like world (maps of which are at the front), in which a humble hero gets caught up in a battle for the fate of that world...all very much based on the template set down by Lord of the Rings, perhaps as interpreted by games like Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft. I like Tolkien, but I think he's overshadowed a lot of other styles of fantasy which I think are just as interesting.
I mostly write short stories. Often they're very short; three hundred words or less. I'm very influenced by Lord Dunsany. He's not very well-known now, but at one time he was one of the 'greats' of what we now call fantasy fiction. Although he wrote longer works, he did a series of very short stories which often had allegorical characters such as Death and Fame. One of his most famous books is 'Fifty-One Tales', which is now in the public domain so you can find it for free online.
I've included a story that I wrote which is written in a Dunsany-like style. It's probably not going to make anyone throw away their Game of Thrones collection, but at least I hope to show people that there are other ways to go about it.
THE GOD OF THE POOR
In the beginning of the world the gods considered all those things which did not have their own gods, to decide who would have responsibility and rulership.
"I will rule all flowers that are sky-blue in colour," said the Sky-Father.
"I will listen to the prayers of migratory birds, and you all other birds," the goddess Travel said to him. And so it went.
At last all had been divided, save for one thing.
"Who," asked the Sky-Father, "shall have dominion over the poor?"
There was an awkward silence, until the Sky-Father said,
"Come - someone must. Those with no gods will grow restless and cunning, and in time will cast us down, and we shall be gods no more."
"Not I," said blind Justice, and her stony face flashed a momentary smirk at the thought. "Why not Fame or Fortune?"
"Darling I don't think so," said the sister goddesses together.
There was a long pause. The gods shuffled their feet and avoided one another's gaze. At last a voice broke the silence.
"I will," said Death.
Thanks, James! You can check out James's book here.
Your turn. Do you write short stories? Could you write a 300-word fantasy?
I think that when you say 'fantasy', most people get a specific picture; huge books, probably a series of huge books, set in an imaginary, medieval-like world (maps of which are at the front), in which a humble hero gets caught up in a battle for the fate of that world...all very much based on the template set down by Lord of the Rings, perhaps as interpreted by games like Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft. I like Tolkien, but I think he's overshadowed a lot of other styles of fantasy which I think are just as interesting.
I mostly write short stories. Often they're very short; three hundred words or less. I'm very influenced by Lord Dunsany. He's not very well-known now, but at one time he was one of the 'greats' of what we now call fantasy fiction. Although he wrote longer works, he did a series of very short stories which often had allegorical characters such as Death and Fame. One of his most famous books is 'Fifty-One Tales', which is now in the public domain so you can find it for free online.
I've included a story that I wrote which is written in a Dunsany-like style. It's probably not going to make anyone throw away their Game of Thrones collection, but at least I hope to show people that there are other ways to go about it.
THE GOD OF THE POOR
In the beginning of the world the gods considered all those things which did not have their own gods, to decide who would have responsibility and rulership.
"I will rule all flowers that are sky-blue in colour," said the Sky-Father.
"I will listen to the prayers of migratory birds, and you all other birds," the goddess Travel said to him. And so it went.
At last all had been divided, save for one thing.
"Who," asked the Sky-Father, "shall have dominion over the poor?"
There was an awkward silence, until the Sky-Father said,
"Come - someone must. Those with no gods will grow restless and cunning, and in time will cast us down, and we shall be gods no more."
"Not I," said blind Justice, and her stony face flashed a momentary smirk at the thought. "Why not Fame or Fortune?"
"Darling I don't think so," said the sister goddesses together.
There was a long pause. The gods shuffled their feet and avoided one another's gaze. At last a voice broke the silence.
"I will," said Death.
Thanks, James! You can check out James's book here.
Your turn. Do you write short stories? Could you write a 300-word fantasy?
February 22, 2012
Cover Reveal: Inbetween by Tara Fuller
Tara Fuller, a writer friend and fellow blogger over at YA Bound recently revealed her cover for INBETWEEN, which releases August 2012 through Entangled. Here it is!
Since the car crash that took her father's life three years ago, Emma's life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving "accidents" has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.
It's not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn's fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn't let her die before, and he's not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left...his soul.
You can add it to your Goodreads shelf here.
Can't wait until August? Check out Tara's debut YA, PERIGEE MOON, available now from Crescent Moon Press.
So, what do you think of the cover and the blurb?
Since the car crash that took her father's life three years ago, Emma's life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving "accidents" has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.
It's not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn's fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn't let her die before, and he's not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left...his soul.
You can add it to your Goodreads shelf here.
Can't wait until August? Check out Tara's debut YA, PERIGEE MOON, available now from Crescent Moon Press.
So, what do you think of the cover and the blurb?
February 20, 2012
Monday Mishmash 2/20/12
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Crazy week My crazy, busy week has begun. I had a book signing yesterday, and I have another tomorrow. Then it's a school visit on Thursday. Lots of fun!NetGalley I got my first book from NetGalley this past weekend. Yay, fun! Looking forward to reviewing it on YA Bound.Time Still trying to find out how to get more time in my days. My lack of sleep caught up to me by Friday of last week. I'm staying up late most nights though.Daughter's 5th birthday My little one turns five on Sunday. Where is the time going?Taxes My taxes are done. Yay! I really hate sitting there watching someone do my taxes. Numbers tend to bore me.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Crazy week My crazy, busy week has begun. I had a book signing yesterday, and I have another tomorrow. Then it's a school visit on Thursday. Lots of fun!NetGalley I got my first book from NetGalley this past weekend. Yay, fun! Looking forward to reviewing it on YA Bound.Time Still trying to find out how to get more time in my days. My lack of sleep caught up to me by Friday of last week. I'm staying up late most nights though.Daughter's 5th birthday My little one turns five on Sunday. Where is the time going?Taxes My taxes are done. Yay! I really hate sitting there watching someone do my taxes. Numbers tend to bore me.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
February 17, 2012
Tag, I'm it!
I've been tagged, and this one is really fun.
The Tag rules:1. You must post the rules!
2. Answer the questions and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.3. Tag eleven people and link to them.4. Let them know you've tagged them.
Questions to answer:
If you could live in a fictional world, where would that be?
Percy Jackson's world. Yes, it's our world, but with mythological creatures everywhere!
Do you read in noisy or quiet places?
Either. I can turn out the world for a good book. :)
What was the first book you ever read?
On my own? Green Eggs and Ham
If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
Favourite author?
Rick Riordan
Do reviews influence your choice of reads?
Not really. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and tastes vary.
Fiction or Non fiction?
Fiction
Have you ever met your favourite author?
No. Rick Riordan, I want to meet you! (Wow, this is turning into a Riordan love fest!)
Audio books or Paperbacks?
Paperback
Classic or Modern Novels?
Modern
Book Groups or Solitary Reading?Solitary
11 people to tag? Ah!Katrina DeLalloKatie ClarkSheri Larsen Stacy GreenBrenda MoguezCourtney ReneMirka BreenDonna YatesCatherine StineEllen WrinC. Lee McKenzie
I'm cheating here, but same questions, ladies!
The Tag rules:1. You must post the rules!
2. Answer the questions and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.3. Tag eleven people and link to them.4. Let them know you've tagged them.
Questions to answer:
If you could live in a fictional world, where would that be?
Percy Jackson's world. Yes, it's our world, but with mythological creatures everywhere!
Do you read in noisy or quiet places?
Either. I can turn out the world for a good book. :)
What was the first book you ever read?
On my own? Green Eggs and Ham
If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
Favourite author?
Rick Riordan
Do reviews influence your choice of reads?
Not really. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and tastes vary.
Fiction or Non fiction?
Fiction
Have you ever met your favourite author?
No. Rick Riordan, I want to meet you! (Wow, this is turning into a Riordan love fest!)
Audio books or Paperbacks?
Paperback
Classic or Modern Novels?
Modern
Book Groups or Solitary Reading?Solitary
11 people to tag? Ah!Katrina DeLalloKatie ClarkSheri Larsen Stacy GreenBrenda MoguezCourtney ReneMirka BreenDonna YatesCatherine StineEllen WrinC. Lee McKenzie
I'm cheating here, but same questions, ladies!
February 15, 2012
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Synopsis:
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.
My thoughts:
It's no secret I love mythology (Touch of Death is based on a lesser known myth.), so I've had my eye on this book for a while. Kate is surrounded by death. First her mother is dying of cancer and then Ava, an enemy turned friend, drowns. Kate is willing to do anything to keep the people she cares about alive--even make a deal with the Hades, or as he's calling himself, Henry. When Kate goes to Eden Manor to to see if she can take Persephone's place as Henry's queen, she discovers she's being tested all the time. And if she fails, it will mean Henry's death. What she doesn't expect is to fall for him.
I think Carter does a great job weaving the tests throughout the story, but this was one of those times when the prologue kind of ruined the story for me. I figured out the ending ahead of time. I was loving the story up until I had everything figured out. Then it lost a little magic for me. Overall, this was a great read though, and I'll definitely read the next book.
Just for fun: Would you promise to marry Hades and spend six months a year for all eternity with him to save someone you love?
