Dale Ibitz's Blog, page 15
August 31, 2012
Book Review: On the Edge, by Ilona Andres
On the Edge
Ilona Andres
My rating: 4 stars
There is a world that is between, between two dimensions of the world, called the Edge. The edge is the border between the world with magic and the the world without. Rose lives in between the two worlds, able to go into either.The non-magical world doesn't know the people in the Edge exist; the magical world views them as lower class citizens. While people in the Edge have magic of varying degrees, no one's is strong like Rose's, and that makes her a target.
The author has created a very visual world. It's interesting with very specific parameters that the author doesn't stray from. Easy to enter, easy to understand, and, from my perspective, unique.
Rose is a great character. She's strong, willful, and very business-like...yet caring about her family and her community.
Declan is a wonderful opposite to Rose. Mysterious, dark, handsome, arrogant, bossy...and yet...you have to like him.
Love, love the little brothers. So devilishly mischievous, as magical little boys should be. And granny? No fault there either.
The plot is good, though a little predictable at times. The ending itself is as predictable as romances are, which is to be expected if you're reading romance.
Overall, definitely recommend this one.
Ilona Andres
My rating: 4 stars
There is a world that is between, between two dimensions of the world, called the Edge. The edge is the border between the world with magic and the the world without. Rose lives in between the two worlds, able to go into either.The non-magical world doesn't know the people in the Edge exist; the magical world views them as lower class citizens. While people in the Edge have magic of varying degrees, no one's is strong like Rose's, and that makes her a target.
The author has created a very visual world. It's interesting with very specific parameters that the author doesn't stray from. Easy to enter, easy to understand, and, from my perspective, unique.
Rose is a great character. She's strong, willful, and very business-like...yet caring about her family and her community.
Declan is a wonderful opposite to Rose. Mysterious, dark, handsome, arrogant, bossy...and yet...you have to like him.
Love, love the little brothers. So devilishly mischievous, as magical little boys should be. And granny? No fault there either.
The plot is good, though a little predictable at times. The ending itself is as predictable as romances are, which is to be expected if you're reading romance.
Overall, definitely recommend this one.
August 29, 2012
In the Hot Seat! Author David Estes
Today I'm dragging the charming David Estes into the hot seat. Let's take a look at him, shall we?
Not only does David look like a guy who likes to have fun, he's the young adult author of 2 series, the Evolution Trilogy and The Dwellers Saga. David's recent work, The Moon Dwellers, is the first book in The Dwellers Saga.
In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms.
After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.
Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.
At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.
When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.
In their world, someone must die.
Sounds exciting, dontcha think?
So, let's get David in the hot seat and watch him sizzle.
Dale: Tell us a little about Adele and Tristan.
David: In my new YA dystopian novel, The Moon Dwellers, Adele and Tristan are the female and male protagonists, respectively. In The Moon Dwellers, humans have been forced to live underground, as the earth’s surface is uninhabitable. Due to the President’s shameless pursuit of power, a class system has arisen, in which the rich get richer and the poor and overtaxed get poorer. Seventeen-year-old Adele is a member of the middle class moon dwellers, and has been sentenced to life in prison due to her parents’ crimes of treason. Trained from her childhood by her father, Adele is armed with two very capable fists and a wicked roundhouse kick, which she’ll need when she attempts to escape from prison to find and reunite her shattered family. Tristan is the son of the President and a sun dweller, and is forced to carry out the whims of his father without question. When his mother disappears, Tristan seeks to leave the Sun Realm forever, in pursuit of his destiny. Will fate bring them together or will the dark and grim world they live in push them farther and farther apart? One thing is certain: In their world, someone must die.
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Adele and Tristan that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book.
David: I love it! Well, Adele is actually named after my wife, Adele, who is also a strong woman with good instincts and an amazing sense of right and wrong. Although the Adele in the book—who is black-haired and pale (from living underground)—looks nothing like my wife—who is blond and tan (from our life at the beach), they are alike in spirit.
With Tristan I wanted to create a character who renews peoples’ faith in government leaders. So many people, myself included at times, have become disenchanted with politicians, who seem to be bred for their roles, rather than earning them. Tristan breaks the mold by thinking for himself and always striving to do the right thing.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write?
David: In the back of my mind, I always had this crazy notion that someday I would write books for a living, but I always found some excuse not to write. I moved to Sydney two and a half years ago for work and met my wife, who helped convince me to start writing in late 2010. Now she can’t get me to stop! So I’m pretty much obsessed with writing now and recently began doing it full time. I published my first three books in October 2011 as a trilogy (The Evolution Trilogy: Angel Evolution, Demon Evolution, and Archangel Evolution). I have loads of other projects at the moment too.
Once I started writing, I think I knew pretty much right away that it was what I wanted to do with my life. It’s just who I am! When I’m in the throes of a writing session (I mean like living, breathing, feeling the characters, the plot, the drama), it’s the most amazing feeling in the world for me.
My inspiration comes from all different places. From the authors I look up to like Suzanne Collins, JK Rowling, and Veronica Roth, to music, to the little things you see in life as you’re walking down the street: inspiration is abundant in this world, so you always have to be ready to grab it and embrace it.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath? David: The Lord of the Rings. Poignant, breathtaking, epic: Tolkien’s Middle Earth is everything I want my own books to be.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be?
David: I already have one, it’s called OCD haha! I recently did a guest post at The Reading Angel where I explained why my OCD is my superpower. But if I could have another superpower, it would be to be able to fly. It’s always been a dream of mine and I love the feeling of flying through the air. I’ve been able to get a temporary fix by riding rollercoasters and jumping out of planes, but oh how incredible it would be to really fly!
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why?
David: A dog. What a life, I mean really! Chasing sticks, pouncing, laying around, getting your head rubbed daily: what more is there?(Dale: Not to mention that someone always cleans up your poop.)
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?
David: When I was still working full time I listened to music as I wrote on the ferry to and from work. I’d listen to anything from country (Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts) to alternative rock (Chili Peppers and Weezer) to Coldplay, Metallica and Matchbox Twenty.
However, now that I’m a full time author, I usually find a nice quiet place where my imagination can run wild, and I don’t usually listen to music.(Dale: Some good tunes in that list!)
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who?
David: All of them I think. Any emotions I imbue in my characters comes from within myself, so if they are really angry or really sad or really happy, I try to think of a time when I was that way and write the emotions that way. In terms of character traits, I think I’m similar to Tristan in terms of his desire to do what’s fair and equal. My father taught me the importance of equality in everything that you do. I’m also a bit like Adele, in that I’m very sarcastic and think crazy thoughts a lot.
Dale: What process do you use to create your worlds?
David: Great question, but for me it’s a funny one, because I don’t really have much of a process! I’m a bit of a run and gun author, wherein I get a very basic idea in my head of a plot for a book and then just sit down and start writing. Once I get the creative juices flowing, heaps of ideas come to me and I just start jotting them down and piecing them together. I’ve tried outlining without much success, so I’ll just stick to the plug and play technique!
Dale: What inspired The Dwellers series?
David: Another awesome question! When I fell in love with dystopian novels a year or so ago, I started thinking about writing one. I thought about all the great dystopian novels I had read and came up with a list of what elements they had in them, and what had already been done in terms of setting and political climate. I wanted mine to be different and unique, but still fit nicely within the genre. I realized that most dystopians take place on earth and everything has been changed. So I thought it would be cool to have everything take place underground, which would make my novel quite different and give me plenty of challenges in creating a world where people have never even seen the sun or the moon or the stars. A world without rain or wind or flowers or trees. Once I had the idea, I just started building my world from the bottom up. What forced humans underground? What changes would occur once they moved underground? How would politics change? I LOVED the process of creating this world from scratch developing a backstory to it all, and creating characters within all the turmoil. I almost feel selfish, like I got to have all the fun creating and my readers only get to read the finished product!
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains? Both! Hawaii is the ultimate in both worlds, but if I have to choose just one I’d go with beach every time.(Dale: (a) Did you just cheat on that answer? Haha, just kidding. (b) Totally jealous that you’re in Hawaii.)
b. Summer or winter? Summer! My wife, Adele, and I are travelling around the world for the next two years, chasing the sun.
c. White or dark chocolate? Dark for sure! The more bitter the better for me.(Dale: I was with you until you said ‘bitter’.)
d. Coffee or tea? Prefer coffee but I drink both from time to time, although I’m not someone that requires either on a daily basis.
e. Favorite TV show? Grey’s Anatomy
f. Favorite color? Gray
g. Favorite food? Hmm, so many choices. Mmmm *daydreaming about lasagna and pizza and ahi tuna steaks* Probably a good ahi tuna steak seared rare. Yum!
h. Cats or dogs? Dogs, I’m highly allergic to cats.
i. What was the last thing you ate? Just finished a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios
j. Morning person or night owl? Morning person. Used to be a night owl in my college days but now I’m early to bed and early to rise.
k. Boxers or briefs? Boxers for sure, and you’ll never catch me in a Speedo!
David: A special thanks to Dale for giving me (and my wackiness) the chance to come on her blog for this interview. I hope you all get the chance to read The Moon Dwellers, which is now available everywhere ebooks are sold or in print via Amazon.com (links below). Also, I pledged when I started writing to always respond to my readers, and I love getting comments and questions, so please contact me using one of my favorite social networking sites below. As always, happy reading!!Where you can find me hanging out:My blog/website: http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.comMy Facebook page/s:http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Estes/130852990343920My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/davidestesbooksTwitter: https://twitter.com/#!/davidestesbooks David EstesAuthor of The Evolution Trilogy and The Dwellers Saga
It’s Dale again. Thanks David for sitting in the hot seat this week! I enjoyed learning more about your inner weirdness. If you want to check out The Moon Dwellers, here are the deets.
Kindle Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FJV8SQ/ref=r_soa_w_dAmazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Dwellers-Saga/dp/1478150742/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342076706&sr=1-8&keywords=the moon dwellersB&N Ebook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-moon-dwellers-david-estes/1111871065?ean=2940014644938Smashwords Ebook: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/172596
Not only does David look like a guy who likes to have fun, he's the young adult author of 2 series, the Evolution Trilogy and The Dwellers Saga. David's recent work, The Moon Dwellers, is the first book in The Dwellers Saga.
In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.
Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.
At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.
When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.
In their world, someone must die.
Sounds exciting, dontcha think?
So, let's get David in the hot seat and watch him sizzle.
Dale: Tell us a little about Adele and Tristan.
David: In my new YA dystopian novel, The Moon Dwellers, Adele and Tristan are the female and male protagonists, respectively. In The Moon Dwellers, humans have been forced to live underground, as the earth’s surface is uninhabitable. Due to the President’s shameless pursuit of power, a class system has arisen, in which the rich get richer and the poor and overtaxed get poorer. Seventeen-year-old Adele is a member of the middle class moon dwellers, and has been sentenced to life in prison due to her parents’ crimes of treason. Trained from her childhood by her father, Adele is armed with two very capable fists and a wicked roundhouse kick, which she’ll need when she attempts to escape from prison to find and reunite her shattered family. Tristan is the son of the President and a sun dweller, and is forced to carry out the whims of his father without question. When his mother disappears, Tristan seeks to leave the Sun Realm forever, in pursuit of his destiny. Will fate bring them together or will the dark and grim world they live in push them farther and farther apart? One thing is certain: In their world, someone must die.
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Adele and Tristan that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book.
David: I love it! Well, Adele is actually named after my wife, Adele, who is also a strong woman with good instincts and an amazing sense of right and wrong. Although the Adele in the book—who is black-haired and pale (from living underground)—looks nothing like my wife—who is blond and tan (from our life at the beach), they are alike in spirit.
With Tristan I wanted to create a character who renews peoples’ faith in government leaders. So many people, myself included at times, have become disenchanted with politicians, who seem to be bred for their roles, rather than earning them. Tristan breaks the mold by thinking for himself and always striving to do the right thing.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write?
David: In the back of my mind, I always had this crazy notion that someday I would write books for a living, but I always found some excuse not to write. I moved to Sydney two and a half years ago for work and met my wife, who helped convince me to start writing in late 2010. Now she can’t get me to stop! So I’m pretty much obsessed with writing now and recently began doing it full time. I published my first three books in October 2011 as a trilogy (The Evolution Trilogy: Angel Evolution, Demon Evolution, and Archangel Evolution). I have loads of other projects at the moment too.
Once I started writing, I think I knew pretty much right away that it was what I wanted to do with my life. It’s just who I am! When I’m in the throes of a writing session (I mean like living, breathing, feeling the characters, the plot, the drama), it’s the most amazing feeling in the world for me.
My inspiration comes from all different places. From the authors I look up to like Suzanne Collins, JK Rowling, and Veronica Roth, to music, to the little things you see in life as you’re walking down the street: inspiration is abundant in this world, so you always have to be ready to grab it and embrace it.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath? David: The Lord of the Rings. Poignant, breathtaking, epic: Tolkien’s Middle Earth is everything I want my own books to be.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be?
David: I already have one, it’s called OCD haha! I recently did a guest post at The Reading Angel where I explained why my OCD is my superpower. But if I could have another superpower, it would be to be able to fly. It’s always been a dream of mine and I love the feeling of flying through the air. I’ve been able to get a temporary fix by riding rollercoasters and jumping out of planes, but oh how incredible it would be to really fly!
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why?
David: A dog. What a life, I mean really! Chasing sticks, pouncing, laying around, getting your head rubbed daily: what more is there?(Dale: Not to mention that someone always cleans up your poop.)
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?
David: When I was still working full time I listened to music as I wrote on the ferry to and from work. I’d listen to anything from country (Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts) to alternative rock (Chili Peppers and Weezer) to Coldplay, Metallica and Matchbox Twenty.
However, now that I’m a full time author, I usually find a nice quiet place where my imagination can run wild, and I don’t usually listen to music.(Dale: Some good tunes in that list!)
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who?
David: All of them I think. Any emotions I imbue in my characters comes from within myself, so if they are really angry or really sad or really happy, I try to think of a time when I was that way and write the emotions that way. In terms of character traits, I think I’m similar to Tristan in terms of his desire to do what’s fair and equal. My father taught me the importance of equality in everything that you do. I’m also a bit like Adele, in that I’m very sarcastic and think crazy thoughts a lot.
Dale: What process do you use to create your worlds?
David: Great question, but for me it’s a funny one, because I don’t really have much of a process! I’m a bit of a run and gun author, wherein I get a very basic idea in my head of a plot for a book and then just sit down and start writing. Once I get the creative juices flowing, heaps of ideas come to me and I just start jotting them down and piecing them together. I’ve tried outlining without much success, so I’ll just stick to the plug and play technique!
Dale: What inspired The Dwellers series?
David: Another awesome question! When I fell in love with dystopian novels a year or so ago, I started thinking about writing one. I thought about all the great dystopian novels I had read and came up with a list of what elements they had in them, and what had already been done in terms of setting and political climate. I wanted mine to be different and unique, but still fit nicely within the genre. I realized that most dystopians take place on earth and everything has been changed. So I thought it would be cool to have everything take place underground, which would make my novel quite different and give me plenty of challenges in creating a world where people have never even seen the sun or the moon or the stars. A world without rain or wind or flowers or trees. Once I had the idea, I just started building my world from the bottom up. What forced humans underground? What changes would occur once they moved underground? How would politics change? I LOVED the process of creating this world from scratch developing a backstory to it all, and creating characters within all the turmoil. I almost feel selfish, like I got to have all the fun creating and my readers only get to read the finished product!
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains? Both! Hawaii is the ultimate in both worlds, but if I have to choose just one I’d go with beach every time.(Dale: (a) Did you just cheat on that answer? Haha, just kidding. (b) Totally jealous that you’re in Hawaii.)
b. Summer or winter? Summer! My wife, Adele, and I are travelling around the world for the next two years, chasing the sun.
c. White or dark chocolate? Dark for sure! The more bitter the better for me.(Dale: I was with you until you said ‘bitter’.)
d. Coffee or tea? Prefer coffee but I drink both from time to time, although I’m not someone that requires either on a daily basis.
e. Favorite TV show? Grey’s Anatomy
f. Favorite color? Gray
g. Favorite food? Hmm, so many choices. Mmmm *daydreaming about lasagna and pizza and ahi tuna steaks* Probably a good ahi tuna steak seared rare. Yum!
h. Cats or dogs? Dogs, I’m highly allergic to cats.
i. What was the last thing you ate? Just finished a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios
j. Morning person or night owl? Morning person. Used to be a night owl in my college days but now I’m early to bed and early to rise.
k. Boxers or briefs? Boxers for sure, and you’ll never catch me in a Speedo!
David: A special thanks to Dale for giving me (and my wackiness) the chance to come on her blog for this interview. I hope you all get the chance to read The Moon Dwellers, which is now available everywhere ebooks are sold or in print via Amazon.com (links below). Also, I pledged when I started writing to always respond to my readers, and I love getting comments and questions, so please contact me using one of my favorite social networking sites below. As always, happy reading!!Where you can find me hanging out:My blog/website: http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.comMy Facebook page/s:http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Estes/130852990343920My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/davidestesbooksTwitter: https://twitter.com/#!/davidestesbooks David EstesAuthor of The Evolution Trilogy and The Dwellers Saga
It’s Dale again. Thanks David for sitting in the hot seat this week! I enjoyed learning more about your inner weirdness. If you want to check out The Moon Dwellers, here are the deets.
Kindle Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FJV8SQ/ref=r_soa_w_dAmazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Dwellers-Saga/dp/1478150742/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342076706&sr=1-8&keywords=the moon dwellersB&N Ebook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-moon-dwellers-david-estes/1111871065?ean=2940014644938Smashwords Ebook: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/172596
August 24, 2012
Friday Funnies!
It's Friday! Let's laugh!
August 22, 2012
In the Hot Seat! Author Pura Preis
I have author Pura Preis in the hot seat today! Pura is the author of the very cool YA Wanted Nightmare series: Battle for Love; Blood of the Immortal Vampire; and A Fragmented Immortal Soul.
About Wanted Nightmares: Battle for Love:
Amaya once believed her life was perfect. She had everything she ever wanted; a secure home, a loving, yet overprotective family, and her beloved Thomas. Soon the ideal life shatters when her father, Vincent, takes away the only person who ever truly mattered in her life. Her father’s actions create a crushing force of emotional and mental turmoil for Amaya, as she suddenly finds herself staring at a future without the man she loves.
In her pain, Amaya flees the confines of her life to another land with only one possible solution in her mind. But as death falls upon her, fate steps in for a purpose, and sets off a series of events that send Amaya’s life careening on a new, dangerous course. Gone are the carefree days, as she soon learns that her life is on the line from the people she once held dearest to her heart.
Thomas needs Amaya as much as she needs him. Driven by his desire he turned to Amaya’s father for help, knowing that by doing so it would change the course of his existence and, most of all, crush the bond of ‘forever’ that he wanted desperately with the girl he loved. What Thomas doesn’t know is how much his strength is needed in order to protect Amaya from the pure evil that lurks around every corner just waiting to destroy her.
As unexplained events begin to unfold, questions arise that scare Amaya to her very core. Was the love of her family keeping her safe, or was there a truly sinister reason for her survival all this time? Battle for Love, the first in a thrilling series, is a story of love, devotion and how, in the depths of despair, one can find the truth if they’re willing to pay the ultimate price.
Followers of YA fiction, such as: Twilight, House of Night, and Vampire Academy will become engrossed in this story about love, life and the fight to see ‘forever’ survive. Shocked at an ending that leaves everyone stunned, Battle for Love is an amazing tale of life, death and the true pain and desire that a soulmate brings.
Are you interested yet? I am! So let's move on to the hot seat for more scoop on Pura.
Dale: Tell us a little about Amaya.
Pura: Amaya is a reflection of my daughter, who has isolated herself from the world. Amaya is a girl that has been isolated for reason. She wants to experience life, much like my own daughter. Amaya is held back by her father, as the same as my daughter. Amaya fights for freedom from her life, again as my daughter from a rule that should never be. Amaya is a spirited girl that has had enough of the rule and fights back, her drama is intense but it is the only way that she knows how to show her feelings. As she fights for her life she learns of the lies and secrets and has to learn to get what you want you have to fight for it.
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Amaya that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book. Pura: She is less fiction than what people know.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write? Pura: My children are a major source, but it could be an action, a word, or thought. Many nights I wake up with a scene and have to write it so I don't forget it. Wantedstarted with a thought.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath? Pura: Rapture Rainbow, a historical romance. I still have the book.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be? Pura: To skip typing and have a machine that could catch my thoughts and emotions.
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why? Pura: I have always loved the big cats. I love to pounce on thoughts so why not prey.
Dale: If your book was to become a movie... Pura: It would be on my top best moment in my life. I have it planned on who I would take to my premiere. I would take my daughter around the world so she could see the world and experience it.
What would the theme song be? Pura: Sweet Dreams by Beyonce, but I would find a way to have Def Leppard in there.
(Dale: Love the 80's metal!)
Who would play Amaya? Pura: Ashley Benson
Who would play Thomas? Pura: Paul Wesley
(Dale: stellar...)
Who would play Amaya's father? Pura: Josh Duhamel
(Dale: Can you say yumm-mee?)
Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser? Pura: 95% pantser, until I edit, than I have to think about the plot
Dale: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer? Pura: A very long age. My mother moved so much I decided there was no use in making friends so I created mine I could take with me.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to? Pura: Not always, but when I do, it's all about Def Leppard. But I love listening to rock music, 80's rock, got to love the hair bands. If it has a good beat, I love it.
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who? Pura: I try to not put myself in them the books, but I can't help putting things in each character.
Dale: How did you come up with the idea of the Wanted Nightmares series? Pura: My family is totally oxymoron. Everything has a twist. My daughter is dramatic but she wants the full teenager life, one day I told her you want this nightmare, the title was born.
Dale: What process do you use to create your worlds? Pura: I like to lay in bed and visual, or sit somewhere alone.
Dale: Do you have a book-boyfriend? Who is it? Pura: No, I don't have a book-boyfriend though a few have caught my attention.
Dale: Hot seat questions:
Beach or mountains? Pura: Mountains
Summer or winter? Pura: Winter
White or dark chocolate? Pura: Milk chocolate
Coffee or tea? Pura: Tea
Favorite TV show? Pura: Ghost Hunters
Favorite color? Pura: Purple
Favorite food? Pura: Pizza
Cats or dogs? Pura: Dog, but I have two cats, mama and babies
(Dale: That answer cracks me up.)
What was the last thing you ate? Pura: Ham and swiss hot sandwich
Morning person or night owl? Pura: Night owl
Thank you Pura for your visit in the hot seat. If you want more information on Wanted Nightmares: Battle for Love, all the deets are right here.http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Nightmares-Battle-Love-ebook/dp/B008AQ5EMU/
https://bookstore.booktango.com/Products/SKU-000586342/Wanted-Nightmares-Battle-for-Love.aspx
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wanted-nightmares-pura-preis/1100385478
About Wanted Nightmares: Battle for Love:Amaya once believed her life was perfect. She had everything she ever wanted; a secure home, a loving, yet overprotective family, and her beloved Thomas. Soon the ideal life shatters when her father, Vincent, takes away the only person who ever truly mattered in her life. Her father’s actions create a crushing force of emotional and mental turmoil for Amaya, as she suddenly finds herself staring at a future without the man she loves.
In her pain, Amaya flees the confines of her life to another land with only one possible solution in her mind. But as death falls upon her, fate steps in for a purpose, and sets off a series of events that send Amaya’s life careening on a new, dangerous course. Gone are the carefree days, as she soon learns that her life is on the line from the people she once held dearest to her heart.
Thomas needs Amaya as much as she needs him. Driven by his desire he turned to Amaya’s father for help, knowing that by doing so it would change the course of his existence and, most of all, crush the bond of ‘forever’ that he wanted desperately with the girl he loved. What Thomas doesn’t know is how much his strength is needed in order to protect Amaya from the pure evil that lurks around every corner just waiting to destroy her.
As unexplained events begin to unfold, questions arise that scare Amaya to her very core. Was the love of her family keeping her safe, or was there a truly sinister reason for her survival all this time? Battle for Love, the first in a thrilling series, is a story of love, devotion and how, in the depths of despair, one can find the truth if they’re willing to pay the ultimate price.
Followers of YA fiction, such as: Twilight, House of Night, and Vampire Academy will become engrossed in this story about love, life and the fight to see ‘forever’ survive. Shocked at an ending that leaves everyone stunned, Battle for Love is an amazing tale of life, death and the true pain and desire that a soulmate brings.
Are you interested yet? I am! So let's move on to the hot seat for more scoop on Pura.
Dale: Tell us a little about Amaya.
Pura: Amaya is a reflection of my daughter, who has isolated herself from the world. Amaya is a girl that has been isolated for reason. She wants to experience life, much like my own daughter. Amaya is held back by her father, as the same as my daughter. Amaya fights for freedom from her life, again as my daughter from a rule that should never be. Amaya is a spirited girl that has had enough of the rule and fights back, her drama is intense but it is the only way that she knows how to show her feelings. As she fights for her life she learns of the lies and secrets and has to learn to get what you want you have to fight for it.
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Amaya that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book. Pura: She is less fiction than what people know.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write? Pura: My children are a major source, but it could be an action, a word, or thought. Many nights I wake up with a scene and have to write it so I don't forget it. Wantedstarted with a thought.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath? Pura: Rapture Rainbow, a historical romance. I still have the book.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be? Pura: To skip typing and have a machine that could catch my thoughts and emotions.
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why? Pura: I have always loved the big cats. I love to pounce on thoughts so why not prey.
Dale: If your book was to become a movie... Pura: It would be on my top best moment in my life. I have it planned on who I would take to my premiere. I would take my daughter around the world so she could see the world and experience it.
What would the theme song be? Pura: Sweet Dreams by Beyonce, but I would find a way to have Def Leppard in there.
(Dale: Love the 80's metal!)
Who would play Amaya? Pura: Ashley Benson
Who would play Thomas? Pura: Paul Wesley
(Dale: stellar...)Who would play Amaya's father? Pura: Josh Duhamel
(Dale: Can you say yumm-mee?)Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser? Pura: 95% pantser, until I edit, than I have to think about the plot
Dale: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer? Pura: A very long age. My mother moved so much I decided there was no use in making friends so I created mine I could take with me.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to? Pura: Not always, but when I do, it's all about Def Leppard. But I love listening to rock music, 80's rock, got to love the hair bands. If it has a good beat, I love it.
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who? Pura: I try to not put myself in them the books, but I can't help putting things in each character.
Dale: How did you come up with the idea of the Wanted Nightmares series? Pura: My family is totally oxymoron. Everything has a twist. My daughter is dramatic but she wants the full teenager life, one day I told her you want this nightmare, the title was born.
Dale: What process do you use to create your worlds? Pura: I like to lay in bed and visual, or sit somewhere alone.
Dale: Do you have a book-boyfriend? Who is it? Pura: No, I don't have a book-boyfriend though a few have caught my attention.
Dale: Hot seat questions:
Beach or mountains? Pura: Mountains
Summer or winter? Pura: Winter
White or dark chocolate? Pura: Milk chocolate
Coffee or tea? Pura: Tea
Favorite TV show? Pura: Ghost Hunters
Favorite color? Pura: Purple
Favorite food? Pura: Pizza
Cats or dogs? Pura: Dog, but I have two cats, mama and babies
(Dale: That answer cracks me up.)
What was the last thing you ate? Pura: Ham and swiss hot sandwich
Morning person or night owl? Pura: Night owl
Thank you Pura for your visit in the hot seat. If you want more information on Wanted Nightmares: Battle for Love, all the deets are right here.http://www.amazon.com/Wanted-Nightmares-Battle-Love-ebook/dp/B008AQ5EMU/
https://bookstore.booktango.com/Products/SKU-000586342/Wanted-Nightmares-Battle-for-Love.aspx
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wanted-nightmares-pura-preis/1100385478
August 20, 2012
Book Review: Stained, by Ella James
Stained
Ella James
Rating: 3.5 Stars (very close to 4)
17 year-old Julia is devastated when an explosion takes the lives of her adoptive parents. Closing in on the age of 18, she doesn't want to go back to foster care. That thought, coupled with the fact that she sees the angel of death hovering over her burning house, she runs. It;s a good thing, too, because this bad-ass demon wants to kill her. And she runs into a dark and mysterious stranger that questions her about her birthmark (stain).
This is an action-packed, paranormal romance that has great characters, *terrific* prose, and a suspenseful plot that hasn't quite unfolded its wings in this story.
Julia is likeable enough; she seems typical in a teenager fashion, despite the slightly off-kilter life of a foster kid. Cayne is dark, handsome and mysterious. He's extremely tight-lipped, partially because he doesn't trust Julia, and partially because he's lost his memory. Seeing Cayne struggle to come to terms with himself and his past will make even the most detached reader empathetic.
Ella James has a gift for prose. In fact, I'd say her prose is one of the best I've seen in a long time.
The plot is fluid and changing as the couple barrel across the country looking for clues and answers about why demons want to kill Julia.
What didn't totally cut it for me? The dialogue isn't nearly as stellar as the prose. There were many mundane conversations that took place that didn't have a point. This, personally, bothers me. Also, about three quarters of the way through, the story completely stalled. I think there was almost 2 chapters devoted to a vision that, in the end, served no purpose that I could tell. And then a little too much time taken for the couple to 're-unite' after a falling out. Lastly, we were never told what the stain means...and I think this something we should have learned in the first book, since it is called Stained, after all.
Will I keep reading to find out what happens next? Absolutely. This was a very good read in the YA paranormal genre.
Ella James
Rating: 3.5 Stars (very close to 4)17 year-old Julia is devastated when an explosion takes the lives of her adoptive parents. Closing in on the age of 18, she doesn't want to go back to foster care. That thought, coupled with the fact that she sees the angel of death hovering over her burning house, she runs. It;s a good thing, too, because this bad-ass demon wants to kill her. And she runs into a dark and mysterious stranger that questions her about her birthmark (stain).
This is an action-packed, paranormal romance that has great characters, *terrific* prose, and a suspenseful plot that hasn't quite unfolded its wings in this story.
Julia is likeable enough; she seems typical in a teenager fashion, despite the slightly off-kilter life of a foster kid. Cayne is dark, handsome and mysterious. He's extremely tight-lipped, partially because he doesn't trust Julia, and partially because he's lost his memory. Seeing Cayne struggle to come to terms with himself and his past will make even the most detached reader empathetic.
Ella James has a gift for prose. In fact, I'd say her prose is one of the best I've seen in a long time.
The plot is fluid and changing as the couple barrel across the country looking for clues and answers about why demons want to kill Julia.
What didn't totally cut it for me? The dialogue isn't nearly as stellar as the prose. There were many mundane conversations that took place that didn't have a point. This, personally, bothers me. Also, about three quarters of the way through, the story completely stalled. I think there was almost 2 chapters devoted to a vision that, in the end, served no purpose that I could tell. And then a little too much time taken for the couple to 're-unite' after a falling out. Lastly, we were never told what the stain means...and I think this something we should have learned in the first book, since it is called Stained, after all.
Will I keep reading to find out what happens next? Absolutely. This was a very good read in the YA paranormal genre.
August 15, 2012
In the Hot Seat! Brandi Salazar
Taking a turn in the hot seat today is author Brandi Salazar. Brandi has a boat load of books under her belt, but her nextest and greatest, Spring Cleaning, is coming out on August 25th. So mark the calendars and get ready to get your copy!
Here's a bit about Spring Cleaning:
Sometimes, relationships can be deadly.
Terri thought she was marrying a strong, loving man, only to find that beneath that handsome face lies something cold, brutal, and dangerous. After years of abuse, Randy takes things a little too far, and Terri finally summons the courage to take matters into her own hands and make her escape. But freedom comes at a price.
Forging a new life, Terri tries to forget her past, but she can't help looking over her shoulder at every turn. When prison bars can no longer hold Randy, and her past comes knocking, Terri finds that the strength to trust again may be her only salvation.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14920365-spring-cleaning
Sounds wickedly great, right? Right.
So, on to the hot seat!
Dale: Tell us a little about Terri.
Brandi: Terri is the type of person who is strong inwardly, but doesn’t realize it. She has been suppressed and beaten down since childhood, she doesn’t value herself nearly enough, and can often be blind to peoples’ true nature.
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Terri that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book.
Brandi: Despite the conditions Terri has found herself in, she is in love with two men, though I’m not sure either of them is right for her. A small detail that reader’s might get lost on surrounding what I said previously—and without giving too much away—is that Terri doesn’t make the best judgements, and, like real people, it’s a cycle that is tough to break.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write?
Brandi: Inspiration comes from everywhere. I like to learn new things, so some of what I draw from is history shows, like Ancient Aliens and The Fall of Rome, that type of stuff. Mainly, though, I dream up this craziness, and if I jump out of bed fast enough, I usually can make something of it.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath?
Brandi: There are a handful of those, but the one that really stands out and has earned a spot on my list of favorites would be Acheron, but Sherrilyn Kenyon. It was one of those books about abuse and redemption that ultimately brought me to tears. It was gut-wrenching, to say the least.
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why?
Brandi: I guess I would be a hermit crab. Glamorous, I know, but I am quiet, shy, and generally like to keep to myself, so it suits.
Dale: If your book was to become a movie...
Brandi: I am so terrible at these things.
a. What would the theme song be?
Brandi: Well, I am a bit of a metal head, so consider yourself warned. While I find most music to suit the mood of a particular scene, I would have to say that I am torn between Black Veil Brides’ God Bless You and Avenged Sevenfold’s Buried Alive as an overall theme for the book.
(Dale's doing the rockin' head bob in agreement)
b. Who would play Terri?
Brandi: Rachel Weisz
c. Who would play Randy?
Brandi: Chris Hemsworth
d. Who would play Luke?
David Boreanaz
(Dale: I *love* this guy!)
Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser?
Brandi: I have always been a bit of a pantser, but I am trying to become a plotter. I find it keeps away the dreaded writer’s block. I just don’t do well working within a framework. I like to break the rules a little, so it proves difficult a lot of the time.
Dale: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?
Brandi: I don’t have any times or dates that I can point to, I just know that I have always played with it. Since I was a child, I crafted little stories. By the time I was in junior high, I was having fun with it, creating little poems and shorts to pass the morning hours and get through boring lectures that I would share with my friends for a good laugh. Only in the last couple of years have I taken a serious look at writing. I still keep it as fun as possible, and I don’t try too hard to hold myself to it in a serious this-is-what-I-am-going-to-be-doing-for-the-rest-of-my-life kind of way. I am just taking it day by day, and if there is a voice in my head that wants to be heard, I try to breathe life into it.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?Brandi: Oh, yes. I have several playlists jam packed with the stuff, and I write by it always because I find that it helps influence my moods and I am better able to bring that across in my stories. I listen to just about everything, but I lean more toward heavy metal than anything. Some say its angry music, but I find it soothing and uplifting in a weird way. My personal favorite right now, if you don’t mind me sharing, is Porcelain Black. Now there’s music designed to empower and entertain.
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who?
Brandi: Yes. I think, no matter how hard I try to separate myself from the characters, every one of them shares something of me. Whether it is sensitivity, shyness, awkwardness, wit, crassness, or just something that I would want to see in another person, they come from me, and so I don’t think it is possible to completely separate them from myself. An example would be Randy. He represents the darker side of things, which I am totally into. I won’t say that I am crazy, as he so obviously is, but warped may be a better word!
Dale: If you could be any character, from any book, who would it be? Why?
Brandi: That’s a tough one. I’m going to go with Dr. Jane Whitcomb in J.R. Ward’s Lover Unbound. Mainly, it’s because Jane is tough as nails, intelligent, hardworking, and loyal, but also because she catches the attention of a beastly womanizer with a hellacious past and is able to not just patch him up, but heal his wounds.
Dale: What do you do to relax?
I hop into a comfy piece of furniture and crack open a (hopefully) good book or I watch an episode or two of Married With Children with my husband.
Dale: Do you have a book-boyfriend? Who is it?
Brandi: Goodness. Trying to get me in trouble with the hubby, I see. Yes, I have many. The numbers are now triple digits, which probably make me a bit of a hussy, but I make no apologies. My top ranking “boyfriend” is currently Wraith from Passion Unleashed.
(Dale: Sorry, hubby!)
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains? Beach
b. Summer or winter? Winter
c. White or dark chocolate? Dark chocolate
d. Coffee or tea? Tea
e. Favorite TV show? Archer
f. Favorite color? Black
g. Favorite food? Chinese
h. Cats or dogs? Both? Cats
i. What was the last thing you ate? Chicken fried rice
j. Morning person or night owl? Definitely a morning person
Thank you Brandi for jumping in the hot seat today! I've enjoyed getting to know more about you and your new book, Spring Cleaning.
If you want to stalk Brandi, please do!
http://twistingyourmindonewordatatime.blogspot.com/http://brandisalazar.weebly.com/
Here's a bit about Spring Cleaning:
Sometimes, relationships can be deadly.
Terri thought she was marrying a strong, loving man, only to find that beneath that handsome face lies something cold, brutal, and dangerous. After years of abuse, Randy takes things a little too far, and Terri finally summons the courage to take matters into her own hands and make her escape. But freedom comes at a price.
Forging a new life, Terri tries to forget her past, but she can't help looking over her shoulder at every turn. When prison bars can no longer hold Randy, and her past comes knocking, Terri finds that the strength to trust again may be her only salvation.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14920365-spring-cleaning
Sounds wickedly great, right? Right.
So, on to the hot seat!
Dale: Tell us a little about Terri.
Brandi: Terri is the type of person who is strong inwardly, but doesn’t realize it. She has been suppressed and beaten down since childhood, she doesn’t value herself nearly enough, and can often be blind to peoples’ true nature.
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Terri that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book.
Brandi: Despite the conditions Terri has found herself in, she is in love with two men, though I’m not sure either of them is right for her. A small detail that reader’s might get lost on surrounding what I said previously—and without giving too much away—is that Terri doesn’t make the best judgements, and, like real people, it’s a cycle that is tough to break.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write?
Brandi: Inspiration comes from everywhere. I like to learn new things, so some of what I draw from is history shows, like Ancient Aliens and The Fall of Rome, that type of stuff. Mainly, though, I dream up this craziness, and if I jump out of bed fast enough, I usually can make something of it.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath?
Brandi: There are a handful of those, but the one that really stands out and has earned a spot on my list of favorites would be Acheron, but Sherrilyn Kenyon. It was one of those books about abuse and redemption that ultimately brought me to tears. It was gut-wrenching, to say the least.
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why?
Brandi: I guess I would be a hermit crab. Glamorous, I know, but I am quiet, shy, and generally like to keep to myself, so it suits.
Dale: If your book was to become a movie...
Brandi: I am so terrible at these things.
a. What would the theme song be?
Brandi: Well, I am a bit of a metal head, so consider yourself warned. While I find most music to suit the mood of a particular scene, I would have to say that I am torn between Black Veil Brides’ God Bless You and Avenged Sevenfold’s Buried Alive as an overall theme for the book.
(Dale's doing the rockin' head bob in agreement)
b. Who would play Terri?
Brandi: Rachel Weisz
c. Who would play Randy?
Brandi: Chris Hemsworth
d. Who would play Luke?
David Boreanaz
(Dale: I *love* this guy!)
Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser?
Brandi: I have always been a bit of a pantser, but I am trying to become a plotter. I find it keeps away the dreaded writer’s block. I just don’t do well working within a framework. I like to break the rules a little, so it proves difficult a lot of the time.
Dale: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?
Brandi: I don’t have any times or dates that I can point to, I just know that I have always played with it. Since I was a child, I crafted little stories. By the time I was in junior high, I was having fun with it, creating little poems and shorts to pass the morning hours and get through boring lectures that I would share with my friends for a good laugh. Only in the last couple of years have I taken a serious look at writing. I still keep it as fun as possible, and I don’t try too hard to hold myself to it in a serious this-is-what-I-am-going-to-be-doing-for-the-rest-of-my-life kind of way. I am just taking it day by day, and if there is a voice in my head that wants to be heard, I try to breathe life into it.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?Brandi: Oh, yes. I have several playlists jam packed with the stuff, and I write by it always because I find that it helps influence my moods and I am better able to bring that across in my stories. I listen to just about everything, but I lean more toward heavy metal than anything. Some say its angry music, but I find it soothing and uplifting in a weird way. My personal favorite right now, if you don’t mind me sharing, is Porcelain Black. Now there’s music designed to empower and entertain.
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who?
Brandi: Yes. I think, no matter how hard I try to separate myself from the characters, every one of them shares something of me. Whether it is sensitivity, shyness, awkwardness, wit, crassness, or just something that I would want to see in another person, they come from me, and so I don’t think it is possible to completely separate them from myself. An example would be Randy. He represents the darker side of things, which I am totally into. I won’t say that I am crazy, as he so obviously is, but warped may be a better word!
Dale: If you could be any character, from any book, who would it be? Why?
Brandi: That’s a tough one. I’m going to go with Dr. Jane Whitcomb in J.R. Ward’s Lover Unbound. Mainly, it’s because Jane is tough as nails, intelligent, hardworking, and loyal, but also because she catches the attention of a beastly womanizer with a hellacious past and is able to not just patch him up, but heal his wounds.
Dale: What do you do to relax?
I hop into a comfy piece of furniture and crack open a (hopefully) good book or I watch an episode or two of Married With Children with my husband.
Dale: Do you have a book-boyfriend? Who is it?
Brandi: Goodness. Trying to get me in trouble with the hubby, I see. Yes, I have many. The numbers are now triple digits, which probably make me a bit of a hussy, but I make no apologies. My top ranking “boyfriend” is currently Wraith from Passion Unleashed.
(Dale: Sorry, hubby!)
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains? Beach
b. Summer or winter? Winter
c. White or dark chocolate? Dark chocolate
d. Coffee or tea? Tea
e. Favorite TV show? Archer
f. Favorite color? Black
g. Favorite food? Chinese
h. Cats or dogs? Both? Cats
i. What was the last thing you ate? Chicken fried rice
j. Morning person or night owl? Definitely a morning person
Thank you Brandi for jumping in the hot seat today! I've enjoyed getting to know more about you and your new book, Spring Cleaning.
If you want to stalk Brandi, please do!
http://twistingyourmindonewordatatime.blogspot.com/http://brandisalazar.weebly.com/
August 10, 2012
Book Review: Angel Evolution, by David Estes
Angel Evolution
David Estes
Rating: 3 Stars
18 year-old Taylor is starting college, and she's excited to begin her life of independence and freedom. Her best friend, Samantha, is attending as well, and the 2 girls soon find themselves involved with a couple of pretty hot dudes who reflect both the good and bad sides of angels and demons.
Don't you dig the cover?
If you are looking for a unique twist to angels and demons, this is your stop. The author twists the view of what's good and what's bad, stretching the hard-and-true to a what-if scenario. If you are looking for a traditional take on the celestial beings, you're going to be disappointed, and this book probably isn't for you.
For me? I have to admit I had to warm up to the approach. But then I reached that moment where I wiggled down in a comfy position to accept how the world was being presented, and I did. I reminded myself that this is *fantasy*. Hello! The fact that the author has turned what we traditionally think of (spiritually) on its head is actually refreshing.
The author was really hitting his stride in the story in the 2nd half and, to my utter dismay, ended it at a really good part. Intentional, I'm sure, to entice the reader to pick up the next book.
If you follow my reviews, you know I'm a stickler when it comes to dialogue. I like tight, snappy dialogue that serves a purpose, sounds natural, and, above all else, is not mundane. The dialogue here could use some tightening and re-work to make it more natural-sounding. There also were as occasional random bits of information that didn't quite work into the flow of the story, but these are easily over-looked.
Overall, a nice read. Angel Evolution is the first book in a series, and I do plan on reading more.
David Estes
Rating: 3 Stars
18 year-old Taylor is starting college, and she's excited to begin her life of independence and freedom. Her best friend, Samantha, is attending as well, and the 2 girls soon find themselves involved with a couple of pretty hot dudes who reflect both the good and bad sides of angels and demons.
Don't you dig the cover?
If you are looking for a unique twist to angels and demons, this is your stop. The author twists the view of what's good and what's bad, stretching the hard-and-true to a what-if scenario. If you are looking for a traditional take on the celestial beings, you're going to be disappointed, and this book probably isn't for you.
For me? I have to admit I had to warm up to the approach. But then I reached that moment where I wiggled down in a comfy position to accept how the world was being presented, and I did. I reminded myself that this is *fantasy*. Hello! The fact that the author has turned what we traditionally think of (spiritually) on its head is actually refreshing.
The author was really hitting his stride in the story in the 2nd half and, to my utter dismay, ended it at a really good part. Intentional, I'm sure, to entice the reader to pick up the next book.
If you follow my reviews, you know I'm a stickler when it comes to dialogue. I like tight, snappy dialogue that serves a purpose, sounds natural, and, above all else, is not mundane. The dialogue here could use some tightening and re-work to make it more natural-sounding. There also were as occasional random bits of information that didn't quite work into the flow of the story, but these are easily over-looked.
Overall, a nice read. Angel Evolution is the first book in a series, and I do plan on reading more.
August 8, 2012
In the Hot Seat! Eric Edstrom
Hey Pretties! I have author Eric Edstrom in the hot seat this week! Eric is the author of the awesome Undermountain Saga series, Undermountain and Afterlife.
Take a look....
From Goodreads:
Two teens from from different worlds . . .
Danny Michaelson, sixteen, just wants is a little time away from his troubled home in Nashville. So when he joins a group of teens in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a ten day hiking excursion, he's primed for adventure.
Breyona Lewis, sixteen, is a beautiful rich girl from Chicago. Outwardly cheerful, she conceals a dark secret. One she tries to deny even to herself.
Have the encounter of a lifetime . . .
Six days into the hike, Danny and Breyona encounter a creature of legend--an eight foot tall beast they tag as "bigfoot." But it's not a missing link, not a mere animal. And it does not want humans knowing its secrets.
Because there are thousands of them here on Earth living in a hidden city deep beneath the mountains. Waiting for the day humans are "ready."
And learn the limits of friendship, love, and loyalty . . .
Separated from each other and told they may never return home, Danny, Breyona, and the others race to escape. To survive.
In a struggle to survive amidst a galactic war.
One is made more than human, one is made less.
One must fight, one must surrender.
Both must face the truth of who they are.
Sounds pretty good, right? So on to the hot seat!
Dale: Tell us a little about Danny and Breyona and their adventures.
Eric: Danny is from Nashville, TN. He’s almost 16 when the story starts. He loves sports, video games, girls, music. But what he doesn’t like is his mother’s boyfriend, Vincent. So, on the summer vacation after Danny’s freshman year, he enrolled in a hiking expedition in the Canadian Rockies. That’s where Undermountain picks up. But two things irritate him about the trip. For one, Vincent paid for the whole thing, and two, Danny’s older sister, Em, went with him.
Breyona comes from an affluent family in Chicago. She’s cheerful, beautiful, and caring. But something very dark happened to her at her school, something she’s trying to put behind her and forget all about. She decides to go on the expedition in Canada to get some distance between her and her past. She has no idea how bad things are going to get!
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Danny and Breyona that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book.
Eric: Danny is extremely intelligent, but he isn’t a particularly good student. He doesn’t see the point of most of his classes.
Breyona owns a horse and is an accomplished dressage rider.
Dale: Where did you get your inspiration for the The Undermountain Saga?
Eric: It started as a small idea. A really silly idea. For no particular reason, I started thinking about the legend of Bigfoot. This was before the current “Finding Bigfoot” TV show. Anyway, I decided that if bigfeet exist did, they’re probably more technologically advanced than humans. That explains why they’re so hard to find. That lead to my conceiving of the high-tech bigfoot city of Undermountain hidden deep under the mountains. The story developed out of that.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath?
Eric: An obscure kids book from the 1941 called The White Panther, by Theodore Waldeck. It was written from the POV of a panther, and it followed his adventures as he grew from an orphaned cub to a full grown jungle cat. It was funny and exciting (for a ten-year old). It’s what got me into reading. It took me weeks to finish a hundred page book, but I did it. I’ve been an avid reader ever since. More recently, I was moved to tears by A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be?
Eric: Instant Teleportation. I’d go everywhere. Heck, with that power, I could live in other people’s vacation homes and they’d never know!
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why?
Eric: A little baby fox. Because everyone who saw me would say, “Awwwwwuhh!”
Dale: If your book was to become a movie...a. What would the theme song be?“Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson
b. Who would play Danny? How about Brett Davern. He plays Jake on Awkward.
c. Who would play Breyona?Someone on goodreads suggested Keke Palmer. I think she’d be great.
Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser?
Eric: I am a plotter, plotter, plotter. I would never finish anything if I didn’t have an outline. I wouldn’t even want to write if I didn’t know where I was headed. I like to get a first draft done quickly so I have something to work with. The real fun happens during the second draft.
Dale: Where is your favorite place to write?
Eric: I can write anywhere, but I prefer my studio, which is quiet and has all my guitars in there to distract me. I also like to work in noisy public places, like airplanes and coffee shops. I don’t know why.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?
Eric: I listen to instrumental stuff while writing. Mostly soundtracks. My favorite is “The Last Samurai.” Hans Zimmer knows how to score a film! When I’m revising, I allow singing in my music. I have a Spotify playlist called “Epic Metal.” It has bands like Within Temptation and We Are The Fallen. Girl singers with big, loud guitars.
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who?
Eric: There is a little of me in all of them. My humor is in Wa, my cheerfulness is in Breyona, my intellectual curiosity is in Shiv, my crotchety side comes out in Harvin, my risk aversion is in Em, my feeling of being in over my head is in Danny. Bronson is my selfishness.
Dale: If you could be any character, from any book, who would it be? Why?
Eric: Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. And I’d go swimming in the pond every day.
(Dale: Uh, yeah...best pond in the world!)
Dale: What do you do to relax?
Eric: I like to watch Mad Men or something on Netflix with my wife.
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains?
Eric: That’s a hard one . . . I don’t actually like being on a beach that much, but I like being in places where a beach is nearby. I’m going to go with mountains, but only in the summer.
b. Summer or winter?
Eric: Summer is the only correct answer. I live in Wisconsin, so if I never saw snow again, I wouldn’t miss it.
c. White or dark chocolate?
Eric: Dark
d. Coffee or tea?
Eric: Coffee (delicious Kona, infused with the magical vitality of Hawaii)
e. Favorite TV show?
Eric: The Dick Van Dyke Show
f. Favorite color?
Eric: Black
g. Favorite food?
Eric: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with ice cold milk
h. Cats or dogs?
Eric: Dogs. I’m too narcissistic to abide cats, although my wife has one living in our house.
i. What was the last thing you ate?
Eric: A dish of mixed nuts and chocolate chips.
(Dale: Yummy!)
j. Morning person or night owl?
Eric: Morning! Asleep by 10:30 pm.
Thanks so much Eric for jumping into the hot seat today! I enjoyed learning more about your books and yourself.
Take a look....
From Goodreads:
Two teens from from different worlds . . .
Danny Michaelson, sixteen, just wants is a little time away from his troubled home in Nashville. So when he joins a group of teens in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a ten day hiking excursion, he's primed for adventure.
Breyona Lewis, sixteen, is a beautiful rich girl from Chicago. Outwardly cheerful, she conceals a dark secret. One she tries to deny even to herself.
Have the encounter of a lifetime . . .
Six days into the hike, Danny and Breyona encounter a creature of legend--an eight foot tall beast they tag as "bigfoot." But it's not a missing link, not a mere animal. And it does not want humans knowing its secrets.
Because there are thousands of them here on Earth living in a hidden city deep beneath the mountains. Waiting for the day humans are "ready."
And learn the limits of friendship, love, and loyalty . . .
Separated from each other and told they may never return home, Danny, Breyona, and the others race to escape. To survive.
In a struggle to survive amidst a galactic war.
One is made more than human, one is made less.
One must fight, one must surrender.
Both must face the truth of who they are.
Sounds pretty good, right? So on to the hot seat!
Dale: Tell us a little about Danny and Breyona and their adventures.
Eric: Danny is from Nashville, TN. He’s almost 16 when the story starts. He loves sports, video games, girls, music. But what he doesn’t like is his mother’s boyfriend, Vincent. So, on the summer vacation after Danny’s freshman year, he enrolled in a hiking expedition in the Canadian Rockies. That’s where Undermountain picks up. But two things irritate him about the trip. For one, Vincent paid for the whole thing, and two, Danny’s older sister, Em, went with him.
Breyona comes from an affluent family in Chicago. She’s cheerful, beautiful, and caring. But something very dark happened to her at her school, something she’s trying to put behind her and forget all about. She decides to go on the expedition in Canada to get some distance between her and her past. She has no idea how bad things are going to get!
Dale: OK, now tell us something about Danny and Breyona that we *don't* know...something that's not in the book.
Eric: Danny is extremely intelligent, but he isn’t a particularly good student. He doesn’t see the point of most of his classes.
Breyona owns a horse and is an accomplished dressage rider.
Dale: Where did you get your inspiration for the The Undermountain Saga?
Eric: It started as a small idea. A really silly idea. For no particular reason, I started thinking about the legend of Bigfoot. This was before the current “Finding Bigfoot” TV show. Anyway, I decided that if bigfeet exist did, they’re probably more technologically advanced than humans. That explains why they’re so hard to find. That lead to my conceiving of the high-tech bigfoot city of Undermountain hidden deep under the mountains. The story developed out of that.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath?
Eric: An obscure kids book from the 1941 called The White Panther, by Theodore Waldeck. It was written from the POV of a panther, and it followed his adventures as he grew from an orphaned cub to a full grown jungle cat. It was funny and exciting (for a ten-year old). It’s what got me into reading. It took me weeks to finish a hundred page book, but I did it. I’ve been an avid reader ever since. More recently, I was moved to tears by A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be?
Eric: Instant Teleportation. I’d go everywhere. Heck, with that power, I could live in other people’s vacation homes and they’d never know!
Dale: If you were an animal, what would it be...and why?
Eric: A little baby fox. Because everyone who saw me would say, “Awwwwwuhh!”
Dale: If your book was to become a movie...a. What would the theme song be?“Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson
b. Who would play Danny? How about Brett Davern. He plays Jake on Awkward.
c. Who would play Breyona?Someone on goodreads suggested Keke Palmer. I think she’d be great.
Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser?
Eric: I am a plotter, plotter, plotter. I would never finish anything if I didn’t have an outline. I wouldn’t even want to write if I didn’t know where I was headed. I like to get a first draft done quickly so I have something to work with. The real fun happens during the second draft.
Dale: Where is your favorite place to write?
Eric: I can write anywhere, but I prefer my studio, which is quiet and has all my guitars in there to distract me. I also like to work in noisy public places, like airplanes and coffee shops. I don’t know why.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?
Eric: I listen to instrumental stuff while writing. Mostly soundtracks. My favorite is “The Last Samurai.” Hans Zimmer knows how to score a film! When I’m revising, I allow singing in my music. I have a Spotify playlist called “Epic Metal.” It has bands like Within Temptation and We Are The Fallen. Girl singers with big, loud guitars.
Dale: Is there a little of yourself in any of your characters? If so, who?
Eric: There is a little of me in all of them. My humor is in Wa, my cheerfulness is in Breyona, my intellectual curiosity is in Shiv, my crotchety side comes out in Harvin, my risk aversion is in Em, my feeling of being in over my head is in Danny. Bronson is my selfishness.
Dale: If you could be any character, from any book, who would it be? Why?
Eric: Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. And I’d go swimming in the pond every day.
(Dale: Uh, yeah...best pond in the world!)
Dale: What do you do to relax?
Eric: I like to watch Mad Men or something on Netflix with my wife.
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains?
Eric: That’s a hard one . . . I don’t actually like being on a beach that much, but I like being in places where a beach is nearby. I’m going to go with mountains, but only in the summer.
b. Summer or winter?
Eric: Summer is the only correct answer. I live in Wisconsin, so if I never saw snow again, I wouldn’t miss it.
c. White or dark chocolate?
Eric: Dark
d. Coffee or tea?
Eric: Coffee (delicious Kona, infused with the magical vitality of Hawaii)
e. Favorite TV show?
Eric: The Dick Van Dyke Show
f. Favorite color?
Eric: Black
g. Favorite food?
Eric: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with ice cold milk
h. Cats or dogs?
Eric: Dogs. I’m too narcissistic to abide cats, although my wife has one living in our house.
i. What was the last thing you ate?
Eric: A dish of mixed nuts and chocolate chips.
(Dale: Yummy!)
j. Morning person or night owl?
Eric: Morning! Asleep by 10:30 pm.
Thanks so much Eric for jumping into the hot seat today! I enjoyed learning more about your books and yourself.
August 5, 2012
Blog Award
I was nominated for the Versatile Blog Award!
Isn't that cool? I was nominated by Josheka Chauhan over at http://reading24x7.blogspot.in/. Thank you Josheka!
Rules:
Thank the blogger who nominated you: ✓Add the Versatile Blogger award picture to your post: ✓Share seven random facts about yourself: ✓ Nominate 15 fellow bloggers: ✓ Let the nominees know that they’ve been nominated: ✓ Seven random facts about me
>We have a dog, cat, 8 ducks, and 11 chickens.
>I love pizza and M&Ms for breakfast.
>I hate the heat.
>I'm addicted to T.V.
>I love the beach, but am afraid of the water.
>I watch cartoons with my kids...and enjoy them.
>I wish I was as flexible as a cat.
15 Blogs I Nominated
http://tc-bookedup.blogspot.com/http://book-spark.blogspot.com/http://www.curiositykilledthebookworm.net/http://daydreamingintext.blogspot.com/http://kasi-kcblake.blogspot.com/http://nightlyreading.wordpress.com/http://katysozaeva.blogspot.com/http://paranormalwastelands.blogspot.com/http://parlezmoiblog.blogspot.com/http://paradox-theangelsarehere.blogspot.com/http://rantsandravingsofasaneperson.blogspot.com/http://www.nerdalien.com/http://lenahillbrand.blogspot.com/http://traceymoraitthescribbler.blogspot.com/http://www.thefairytalenerd.com/
Isn't that cool? I was nominated by Josheka Chauhan over at http://reading24x7.blogspot.in/. Thank you Josheka!
Rules:
Thank the blogger who nominated you: ✓Add the Versatile Blogger award picture to your post: ✓Share seven random facts about yourself: ✓ Nominate 15 fellow bloggers: ✓ Let the nominees know that they’ve been nominated: ✓ Seven random facts about me
>We have a dog, cat, 8 ducks, and 11 chickens.
>I love pizza and M&Ms for breakfast.
>I hate the heat.
>I'm addicted to T.V.
>I love the beach, but am afraid of the water.
>I watch cartoons with my kids...and enjoy them.
>I wish I was as flexible as a cat.
15 Blogs I Nominated
http://tc-bookedup.blogspot.com/http://book-spark.blogspot.com/http://www.curiositykilledthebookworm.net/http://daydreamingintext.blogspot.com/http://kasi-kcblake.blogspot.com/http://nightlyreading.wordpress.com/http://katysozaeva.blogspot.com/http://paranormalwastelands.blogspot.com/http://parlezmoiblog.blogspot.com/http://paradox-theangelsarehere.blogspot.com/http://rantsandravingsofasaneperson.blogspot.com/http://www.nerdalien.com/http://lenahillbrand.blogspot.com/http://traceymoraitthescribbler.blogspot.com/http://www.thefairytalenerd.com/
August 3, 2012
Friday Funnies!
OK, I couldn't resist. Interesting places to eat, to say the least!
