S.M. Boyce's Blog: My Journal, page 45
March 27, 2012
Movie Review: The Hunger Games
5 Stars
There has been quite a bit of buzz around both the Hunger Games Trilogy and the new movie that just came out. I wasn't getting into any of it because my basic research made me think, "oh, this is just a Battle Royale rip off." And it kind of is.
Here's the summary (from Rotten Tomatoes):
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. — (C) Lionsgate
The hubby and I were actually going to go see John Carter, but waited way to late to buy the tickets and lucked into a later showing of Hunger Games. Got to say I'm happy we saw it.
Even though I hadn't read the books, I wasn't lost — and that's the way a movie adaptation should be. The narration was smooth, and while we spent virtually the entire movie following Katniss, we still discovered by other means what she wouldn't have been discussing in a particular moment. For example, we learned the rules of the games and other details of what was going on from the commentators. And we also got an insight into the game master and president's conversations with each other to learn even more about the political situation. It was a really nice balance.
What's nice about Hunger Games versus Battle Royale is that you get more insight into the development of the Games, as well as more of the political implications of the games. There is a stark class difference between the heavily-policed districts and the capital, which further adds to the realism.
Plus, their fashions are freaking insane:
…and the one on the left is the normalish one compared to other city dwellers.
The characters were raw and real, and there were plenty of moments with me biting my nails, jumping at sudden action, or trying not to cry. It's a great movie, and is just amazing as Katniss. Plus, it was great to see (Peeta Mellark). I kind of expected him to be awkward, but he did a great job.
I definitely think you should go see this movie. Oh, and if you want to read a good review from someone who read the books first, you can head to Curiosity Killed the Bookworm.
The Official Grimoire Online Bonus Site is Live!!
Hello, homies!
I've been working for months to build the Grimoire Online, which is an entire website dedicated to bonus material for the Grimoire Trilogy. You can explore the series, read excerpts from the books, take a quiz to see which Ourean race you are (we'll have jerseys, soon, I swear it), and — my favorite part — an online encyclopedia of the world.
Just look at that screenshot! GAH! So sexy.
With this super-awesome encyclopedia, you can either search for or browse the characters, artifacts, creatures and places of the Grimoire Trilogy. Want to learn more about Flick? Or Kara? How about Braeden? Awesome. They're all there. It's a second world just waiting to be explored.
And of course I'm not done yet. The Grimoire Online will be an ever-expanding site. I'll constantly add more articles, excerpts, and even short stories and deleted chapters from the series.
Want to be the first to find out about these developments? Subscribers to the Grimoire Newsletter (sent once or twice a month, tops) get insider access to all things Grimoire. You'll be the first to know of new releases and any sales, promotions, or discounts!
Sound good? Sign up for the Grimoire Newsletter by entering your information below.
Sign up for the Grimoire Newsletter
Name
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…or, follow the blog for all the same info by signing up for the RSS feed located on the main site.
You all know I love feedback and suggestions, so what do you think? Anything you want to see? How about the short stories — anyone you want to know more about? I'm already planning to write novellas on the First Vagabond and Twin, so if there's a character who you absolutely have to know more about, be sure to let me know in the comments.
As usual, you all rock. Have fun exploring!
March 24, 2012
Wait, what's a "Munny"?
Hey gang!
Sorry I've been absent for the last week. I got a wicked bad cold and only started really feeling better today. I know you've all missed me terribly. Tears and tissues and all that.
The hubby and I had a date tonight (d'aw, I know) and we passed Marbles, which is a "brain store" filled with tons of thought-provoking games and things. I saw this and had a #WANT moment:
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It's a Munny.
A Munny is a blank figurine that you can color in however which way you like. At first, you might think that's stupid. BUT, you haven't seen all the awesome ways people have drawn their Munnies:
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It's crazy how into it people get, right? I was inspired. I want to do a Grimoire one, but I can't decide on who. I'm thinking Kara, first, and then on to Braeden and then the Vagabond.
I'd love for some tips from those of you who are artistic and adept with these sorts of things. So, any hints? I want to make a Grimoire army. Mwuahahahahaha*cough* Okay, guess I'm not 100% yet. I'll do the maniacal laughter some other time.
March 16, 2012
The Lucky 7 Tag
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The splendiferous Noree Cosper has tagged me to take part in the Lucky 7 Meme.
If you're unfamiliar with the meme, the rules are:
Go to page 77 of your current MS
Go to line 7
Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they're written. No cheating.
Tag 7 authors
Let them know
So here are my lines, drawn from my debut novel Lichgates (its sequel, Treason, isn't in a good enough shape to use it for this). They actually capture the tension of the entire chapter perfectly, so that was pretty kick ass.
"Even if you did wait, Vagabond, he could never join you in the other kingdoms and would be forced to wait while you went on. You are alone in this. Braeden, retire to your guest. All but Richard and the Vagabond must also leave."
The dismissed council members stood. Braeden nodded to the Queen and left, frustrated, but the hair on his neck stood on end when he passed through the door. He turned in time to see Kara watch him leave, her eyebrows pinched with concern as the door slowly shut in his face.
And my 7 victims:
Robert Zimmermann
Kayleigh Grian
Jess Fortunato
Brandon Luffman
J. Scott Sharp
C. J. Listro
and the lovely Rebecca Hamilton
March 14, 2012
Book Review: The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunato
4.5 Stars
The Short Version
The Sin Collector is a refreshing contemporary fantasy read that brings to life a new take on old myths. The elements of mystery and betrayal leave readers constantly second-guessing the other characters in the novel, and while the main character is lively and funny, she's still a strong-willed heroine that most readers will root for. There are some editing issues to consider and a few very minor loose ends, but none of that would stop me from recommending this book. I tore through it and loved every minute.
The Details
So I started this new habit where I don't get to read unless I'm on an elliptical. Boy, does it work! My ass is in the gym every day, now, and I had the pleasure of reading The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunato. I tore through the book despite how swamped I am, and it was just a fun read.
Here's the blurb:
The Sin Collector follows the life of Liliana, a born Sin Collector. She has spent over 100 years absorbing people's sins so they may rest in peace come death. However, when she meets another Collector, one who insists everything she has been taught is a lie, Liliana must make her way from sunny L.A. all the way to the streets of Madrid. Searching for answers to a question we all share: why are we here? The friends and enemies she makes along the way only seem to blur the line between right and wrong. Can Liliana fight the Castus, an organization whose sole mission is to kill every Collector? Should she trust her head or her heart when the two most important men in her life are fighting alongside her?
Then there is the worst question of all: who will be left when the dust settles?
I wanted in as soon as I read that blurb. Immortal Sin Collectors that have seen it all and are facing a deadly group that believes they're evil? Hells yes! It just sounds so damn good! And boy, I wasn't disappointed. Let's grab some coffees and chat about it.
Story – 5 Stars
This is unlike anything I have ever read. I don't pretend to have read everything in the world, or anything, but I think you'll agree that this is a fresh take on old myths. I love that!
The Sin Collector takes readers into the lives of magical beings that walk among us and, what's more, envy our mortality. It's a wonderful theme in unto itself, but of course it doesn't stop there. You walk into a world of wealth and suspicion, magic and rituals, and gods and demons.
What's even better is that this is a trilogy, so we get to read more! I'm chomping at the bit for book 2. Is it 2013 yet?
Style/Voice – 4 ½ Stars
I love it when a book makes me laugh out loud, and Sin Collector did. Not just once, either, but several times! So of course, I look like a fool stifling my snorting giggles while walk-jogging on an elliptical, but it was worth it. There were beautifully set up moments like when Lily and crew are discussing a rescue that might get them killed, to which she thinks:
Truth was, I didn't really want to die today. I was in the middle of a really good book.
There's another moment when another character whips out a box of weapons so that Lily can arm herself before going into the fray, to which she replies:
"Where did this box come from? Militia 'R' Us?"
I was laughing throughout the book because Fortunato's novel is riddled with chucklers like these. A good deal of them require context, so I'll refrain from telling you so that I don't spoil anything.
Now, there were a few moments in the narrative that were passed over when extra details would have made the moment stronger. There's a certain scene, for instance, where Lily and another character are making a bunch of noise (I'm sorry, I'm trying to be cryptic so that I don't ruin any fun bits for you). But that's all we get, a line or two about how they're making enough noise to wake the dead. I'd rather see them trip over a bucket and have it clang down the stairs, its tinny echo running back up the hall and making their ears ring. The later details are longer, sure, but we get more of an in-the-moment image. That's just my opinion, though, and my personal style. I want to be as open-minded as possible, and frankly, most readers don't care about the whole show vs. tell argument. That's why I only bumped a half-star off, because most people won't even acknowledge details like that. Overall, you're going to love this voice.
The novel is written in first person past, so it's easy to slip into the narration. There are always limitations to the first person narration, but here, it works; it's a mystery, with several who-done-it moments, and I believe that would be spoiled if we had any other view of what was going on. So gents, you'll have to dive into a woman's mind for a bit, but I think you'll find the narration witty and charming enough to content you.
Characters & Motivation – 4 ½ Stars
Main character: Remember that this is a first person narrative, so there is only one main character: Lily.
At times, Lily was too immature for her age. She would be rash or pouty, but would then redeem herself within just a few pages by showing how wise she could really be. The juxtaposition of wise and childish threw me at first, but over the course of the novel, I grew to appreciate her character for it. She grew, too, in the course of the novel, and became an even stronger force to be reckoned with. It was wonderful to see. Lily herself gets 5 Stars, hands down.
Secondary characters: There are a host of secondary characters, all of whom are independent. It's nice to have individual characters that act independently of each other, without duplicating each other's actions, dialogue, or mannerisms. Each character in The Sin Collector is his or her own person.
Most of the time, all of their actions made sense. I rarely had to reread for motivation, and each character was believable to me. In the climax, though, when the betrayer is revealed, I was confused. The traitor's personality did a bit of a 180, and the person tried to hurt someone they'd only ever tried to protect before. It might have been that the moment was too rushed to follow the full extent of the traitor's finally revealing their true self, but it caught me off-guard. Though I wasn't the biggest fan of this person's motivation in particular, I felt that the rest of the novel developed well. There were a few other moments where motivation was slightly askew or emotions developed too quickly, but again, nothing major.
Pacing – 4 ½ Stars
There is a lot of action packed into this book, which comes in at only about 44,000 words. That's short for a novel, and yet you see an intense amount of character development, action, and rich themes to carry with you afterwards. I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn't reading, and wondering what was going to happen next. It just hooks you, and I think part of that is Fortunato's delivery.
Now, I still think she could have slowed down a bit here and there to give us a better understanding of what's happening. There were a few moments I had to reread, just because it referenced an item I either didn't see before or had forgotten entirely. If those moments were slowed down by just a fraction, I think it would have been smoother. Thus, the half-star knocked off. However, it's just half a star. I still loved the book.
Themes – 5 Stars
Where do I start? There's the classic good versus evil, so nothing too much new there. But The Sin Collector goes a step further and evaluates whether or not one's inherent purpose can be considered good or evil. I mean, the Collectors take sins from evil doers to let them rest peacefully in the next life. They let monsters into heaven. Are they, then, inherently evil?
There are at least a half dozen more themes like this. This novel addresses issues of self-doubt, trusting in others, what it means to have a home, and what family really is. The underlying themes are really beautiful, and those who know me know that I love theme-hunting. Theme-hunters will be happy with Sin Collector.
Logic – 4 ½ Stars
I didn't notice any logic holes, and while this isn't an overly complex story, it is a mystery/thriller to find out who is betraying whom. There were some loose ends that weren't completely flushed out, but that could just be me not piecing them together on my own.
These are spoilers, so beware ye who open this toggle bar!
Lily's boss is murdered in the first few chapters of the book, and that's never really wrapped up. We assume it's boy toy #1 (I'm not going to spoil who that is), but it's never confirmed or denied. Then there's the matter of the piece of paper on the floor of the car, and even though the name crops back up later, I'm still not sure what it entirely means. Aside from those two loose ends, though, I don't have any qualms with the logic. Overall, the mystery/betrayal component was an amazing and lovely touch to the narrative.
Editing – 4 Stars
Editing mistakes are to be expected in any novel, whether it's traditionally or self-published. The expected rate for mistakes like wrong words or misspelled words is about one a chapter, and hopefully no more.
What amazed me with The Sin Collector, then, is that I didn't make note of any typos. That's noteworthy. What struck me with Fortunato's novel, though, was an overuse of comma splices. Now, I'm an obsessive editor. I tend to edit ever book I read, just out of habit, and I tend to cringe when I see repeated mistakes. But – and this is an important *but* – it didn't stop my enjoyment of this novel at all. I didn't want to stop reading for a second. I'm really impressed by the lack of typos, and the comma splices were what knocked the star off here. I was waffling between 3 ½ and 4 stars, but ultimately went with 4 because I doubt that most readers will even notice the errors.
The Ending – 5 Stars
Fortunato wrapped up the first book with enough resolution to keep most readers happy while still prepping for book 2 with the unresolved, underlying tension from book 1. It was well done. Since it's a mystery and there's lots of Lily not trusting people, I can't really go into any more detail than that.
Extras
I just love it when authors do more outside the book! Fortunato has a character quiz hosted on her website where you can see what character from the novel you are. I'm Lily, FYI. Fellow Lilys, unite in the comments!
Overall, The Sin Collector is a great book. Fortunato is a sweet person and just lovely to talk to, so make sure you connect with her below. I would highly recommend you buy this book, so go forth, my darlings! I can guarantee you that I will be reading every book published in this series. I'm hooked.
Snag Your Copy of The Sin Collector:
It's only $2.99!
Connect with Jessica Fortunato:
She's a cool chick. Say hi!
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads (Author) | Goodreads (Book)
The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunato
The Short Version
The Sin Collector is a refreshing contemporary fantasy read that brings to life a new take on old myths. The elements of mystery and betrayal leave readers constantly second-guessing the other characters in the novel, and while the main character is lively and funny, she's still a strong-willed heroine that most readers will root for. There are some editing issues to consider and a few very minor loose ends, but none of that would stop me from recommending this book. I tore through it and loved every minute.
The Details
So I started this new habit where I don't get to read unless I'm on an elliptical. Boy, does it work! My ass is in the gym every day, now, and I had the pleasure of reading The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunato. I tore through the book despite how swamped I am, and it was just a fun read.
Here's the blurb:
The Sin Collector follows the life of Liliana, a born Sin Collector. She has spent over 100 years absorbing people's sins so they may rest in peace come death. However, when she meets another Collector, one who insists everything she has been taught is a lie, Liliana must make her way from sunny L.A. all the way to the streets of Madrid. Searching for answers to a question we all share: why are we here? The friends and enemies she makes along the way only seem to blur the line between right and wrong. Can Liliana fight the Castus, an organization whose sole mission is to kill every Collector? Should she trust her head or her heart when the two most important men in her life are fighting alongside her?
Then there is the worst question of all: who will be left when the dust settles?
I wanted in as soon as I read that blurb. Immortal Sin Collectors that have seen it all and are facing a deadly group that believes they're evil? Hells yes! It just sounds so damn good! And boy, I wasn't disappointed. Let's grab some coffees and chat about it.
Story – 5 Stars
This is unlike anything I have ever read. I don't pretend to have read everything in the world, or anything, but I think you'll agree that this is a fresh take on old myths. I love that!
The Sin Collector takes readers into the lives of magical beings that walk among us and, what's more, envy our mortality. It's a wonderful theme in unto itself, but of course it doesn't stop there. You walk into a world of wealth and suspicion, magic and rituals, and gods and demons.
What's even better is that this is a trilogy, so we get to read more! I'm chomping at the bit for book 2. Is it 2013 yet?
Style/Voice – 4 ½ Stars
I love it when a book makes me laugh out loud, and Sin Collector did. Not just once, either, but several times! So of course, I look like a fool stifling my snorting giggles while walk-jogging on an elliptical, but it was worth it. There were beautifully set up moments like when Lily and crew are discussing a rescue that might get them killed, to which she thinks:
Truth was, I didn't really want to die today. I was in the middle of a really good book.
There's another moment when another character whips out a box of weapons so that Lily can arm herself before going into the fray, to which she replies:
"Where did this box come from? Militia 'R' Us?"
I was laughing throughout the book because Fortunato's novel is riddled with chucklers like these. A good deal of them require context, so I'll refrain from telling you so that I don't spoil anything.
Now, there were a few moments in the narrative that were passed over when extra details would have made the moment stronger. There's a certain scene, for instance, where Lily and another character are making a bunch of noise (I'm sorry, I'm trying to be cryptic so that I don't ruin any fun bits for you). But that's all we get, a line or two about how they're making enough noise to wake the dead. I'd rather see them trip over a bucket and have it clang down the stairs, its tinny echo running back up the hall and making their ears ring. The later details are longer, sure, but we get more of an in-the-moment image. That's just my opinion, though, and my personal style. I want to be as open-minded as possible, and frankly, most readers don't care about the whole show vs. tell argument. That's why I only bumped a half-star off, because most people won't even acknowledge details like that. Overall, you're going to love this voice.
The novel is written in first person past, so it's easy to slip into the narration. There are always limitations to the first person narration, but here, it works; it's a mystery, with several who-done-it moments, and I believe that would be spoiled if we had any other view of what was going on. So gents, you'll have to dive into a woman's mind for a bit, but I think you'll find the narration witty and charming enough to content you.
Characters & Motivation – 4 ½ Stars
Main character: Remember that this is a first person narrative, so there is only one main character: Lily.
At times, Lily was too immature for her age. She would be rash or pouty, but would then redeem herself within just a few pages by showing how wise she could really be. The juxtaposition of wise and childish threw me at first, but over the course of the novel, I grew to appreciate her character for it. She grew, too, in the course of the novel, and became an even stronger force to be reckoned with. It was wonderful to see. Lily herself gets 5 Stars, hands down.
Secondary characters: There are a host of secondary characters, all of whom are independent. It's nice to have individual characters that act independently of each other, without duplicating each other's actions, dialogue, or mannerisms. Each character in The Sin Collector is his or her own person.
Most of the time, all of their actions made sense. I rarely had to reread for motivation, and each character was believable to me. In the climax, though, when the betrayer is revealed, I was confused. The traitor's personality did a bit of a 180, and the person tried to hurt someone they'd only ever tried to protect before. It might have been that the moment was too rushed to follow the full extent of the traitor's finally revealing their true self, but it caught me off-guard. Though I wasn't the biggest fan of this person's motivation in particular, I felt that the rest of the novel developed well. There were a few other moments where motivation was slightly askew or emotions developed too quickly, but again, nothing major.
Pacing – 4 ½ Stars
There is a lot of action packed into this book, which comes in at only about 44,000 words. That's short for a novel, and yet you see an intense amount of character development, action, and rich themes to carry with you afterwards. I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn't reading, and wondering what was going to happen next. It just hooks you, and I think part of that is Fortunato's delivery.
Now, I still think she could have slowed down a bit here and there to give us a better understanding of what's happening. There were a few moments I had to reread, just because it referenced an item I either didn't see before or had forgotten entirely. If those moments were slowed down by just a fraction, I think it would have been smoother. Thus, the half-star knocked off. However, it's just half a star. I still loved the book.
Themes – 5 Stars
Where do I start? There's the classic good versus evil, so nothing too much new there. But The Sin Collector goes a step further and evaluates whether or not one's inherent purpose can be considered good or evil. I mean, the Collectors take sins from evil doers to let them rest peacefully in the next life. They let monsters into heaven. Are they, then, inherently evil?
There are at least a half dozen more themes like this. This novel addresses issues of self-doubt, trusting in others, what it means to have a home, and what family really is. The underlying themes are really beautiful, and those who know me know that I love theme-hunting. Theme-hunters will be happy with Sin Collector.
Logic – 4 ½ Stars
I didn't notice any logic holes, and while this isn't an overly complex story, it is a mystery/thriller to find out who is betraying whom. There were some loose ends that weren't completely flushed out, but that could just be me not piecing them together on my own.
These are spoilers, so beware ye who open this toggle bar!
Lily's boss is murdered in the first few chapters of the book, and that's never really wrapped up. We assume it's boy toy #1 (I'm not going to spoil who that is), but it's never confirmed or denied. Then there's the matter of the piece of paper on the floor of the car, and even though the name crops back up later, I'm still not sure what it entirely means. Aside from those two loose ends, though, I don't have any qualms with the logic. Overall, the mystery/betrayal component was an amazing and lovely touch to the narrative.
Editing – 4 Stars
Editing mistakes are to be expected in any novel, whether it's traditionally or self-published. The expected rate for mistakes like wrong words or misspelled words is about one a chapter, and hopefully no more.
What amazed me with The Sin Collector, then, is that I didn't make note of any typos. That's noteworthy. What struck me with Fortunato's novel, though, was an overuse of comma splices. Now, I'm an obsessive editor. I tend to edit ever book I read, just out of habit, and I tend to cringe when I see repeated mistakes. But – and this is an important *but* – it didn't stop my enjoyment of this novel at all. I didn't want to stop reading for a second. I'm really impressed by the lack of typos, and the comma splices were what knocked the star off here. I was waffling between 3 ½ and 4 stars, but ultimately went with 4 because I doubt that most readers will even notice the errors.
The Ending – 5 Stars
Fortunato wrapped up the first book with enough resolution to keep most readers happy while still prepping for book 2 with the unresolved, underlying tension from book 1. It was well done. Since it's a mystery and there's lots of Lily not trusting people, I can't really go into any more detail than that.
Extras
I just love it when authors do more outside the book! Fortunato has a character quiz hosted on her website where you can see what character from the novel you are. I'm Lily, FYI. Fellow Lilys, unite in the comments!
Overall, The Sin Collector is a great book. Fortunato is a sweet person and just lovely to talk to, so make sure you connect with her below. I would highly recommend you buy this book, so go forth, my darlings! I can guarantee you that I will be reading every book published in this series. I'm hooked.
Snag Your Copy of The Sin Collector:
It's only $2.99!
Connect with Jessica Fortunato:
She's a cool chick. Say hi!
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads (Author) | Goodreads (Book)
March 8, 2012
I won a Liebster Award!
I would like to say a special thank you to the lovely Stephanie , who has awarded me the Liebster Blog award. This, from what Google tells me, is a fun way to show some love to the blogs you like best. So thanks, Stephanie! You rock.
The Liebster Award is for "the best kept secret" blogs with less then 200 followers. It's a great way to find new blogs and help others get discovered. So thank you again, Stephanie, for choosing me. And for all you reading, I have a few "best kept secret" blogs to share!
To accept the award you must do a few things:
Thank the person that nominated you on your blog and link back to them.
Nominate up to 5 other blogs for the award.
Let them know via comment on their blog
Post the award on your blog
The Winners:
So here are my 5 "Hidden Secrets." May they be as awesome to you as they have been to me!
Rebbeca Hamilton's Blog – she's a fantastic author and editor.
J. Scott Sharp – he's an awesome and incredibly supportive author.
C. J. Listro - wonderful person and always entertaining to read!
Novel d'Tales – a hub of amazing bookish activity from a kindle guru!
A Life Among the Pages – great review site from an awesome and incredibly supportive guy named Robert!
March 6, 2012
Interview with the splendiferous Rebecca Hamilton
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Happy Wednesday!
Today, I'm hosting Rebecca Hamilton on her Forever Girl Blog Tour. She's promoting her latest novel, which I reviewed last month and is now one of my new favorites. If you like paranormal fantasy and the odd adult situation, you should check out this book.
Rebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. She enjoys dancing with her kids to television show theme songs and would love the beach if it weren't for the sand. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently.
Let's put Rebecca in the hot seat and find out a bit more about her.
——————————-
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For those who don't already know how awesome your latest novel is, please give us a short blurb of The Forever Girl.
Solving the mystery of an ancestor's hanging might silence the clashing whispers in
Sophia's mind, but the cult in her town and the supernaturals who secretly reside
there are determined to silence her first.
Now, you said that this is part of a series. What's the plan, and will they all be from Sophia's perspective?
The Forever Girl Series is mostly Sophia's story, but there's some other really fun, exciting stories from other characters that need to be told as well. Some of these are suited as bonus material (novellas) but others I felt belonged more directly as part of the series. So in between Sophia's novels (of which there are three) there will be full length novels from the POV of different characters. Books 2, 3, 5, and 6 will be those books, each of those featuring a different character. Sophia's books will be books 1, 4, and 7, with book 7 being where everything comes together. In some ways, Sophia's story is a bit like a trilogy within the series. So if someone just wanted to read the trilogy, I think that would be okay, but I think it would be more enjoyable to read these books in order (even if they do work as "stand alone" novels). Sophia's journey is also the only journey within the series that features a Wiccan character as the lead, and her books will show a triple goddess progression (from Maiden, to Mother, to Crone).
Awesome! I heard through the grapevine that right now, you're also working on a novella that's outside of the full series. What's that about, and what inspired you to add it to the series line?
Her Sweetest Downfall comes out in June/July of 2012, if all goes according to plan. The story shows Ophelia's story and how she came to join the Council. In some ways, it's a prequel to The Forever Girl and it's a quick way to get introduced to the world (though The Forever Girl does this well enough, I believe, that the prequel isn't necessary.) The novella really relates to the story without exactly being a part of the series.
I decided to do this because I really enjoy showing what goes on in the minds of the secondary characters and what their journeys are like. In the future, I may even do one that shows the story of one of the protagonists/villains. Either way, I expect more of this type of bonus material each year, if I can swing it!
That was an unfair double-question, I know, but you answered it well.
I try [image error]
You do a tremendous amount of marketing, which is really impressive. What part of the marketing is the most fun?
Talking with my readers! I don't know if that counts … I guess that's more of a result to the marketing. But it's really the only thing marketing-related that I enjoy.
What one person alive today would make you geek out if they emailed you to tell you that they absolutely loved your book?
Nancy Pickard. HEHE. I know she bought a copy, but I don't know if she'll get to read it or if she'll be comfortable telling me her thoughts. Really though, even if she hated it, I'd just be over the moon that she read it and would take very seriously any constructive criticism she'd be willing to grace me with.
Okay, so everyone has had a chance to see your awesomeness. Where can they go to snag their own copy of your novel?
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Print Edition
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Create Space
Talk to us about what you're giving away today, and how people can enter!
Call it the one in three giveaway … For every 3 people to participate in this giveaway, I will give away 1 e-copy of The Forever Girl. So if there's 30 entrants, there will be 10 copies given away. If there's 3 entrants, 1 copy will be given away. You get the picture [image error]
You can enter in 3 easy steps!
1) Follow my lovely blog host, SM Boyce, on Twitter @thesmboyce
2) Follow this blog using Networked Blogs or Linky Followers
3) Reply to this post with your twitter handle AND tell me what caught your interest about The Forever Girl OR what you would like to see more in the Paranormal Fantasy genre.
And for those who have already read the book, you know I gottah show you some love, too, especially for supporting me through the tour! So for you, I have your choice of either a Forever Girl scented soy candle OR a signed print copy of the book. Only 1 prize available on this one (cuz I is a broke artist and shipping is thorn in my side!).
Enter in 3 easy steps!
1) Follow my lovely blog host, SM Boyce, on Twitter @thesmboyce
2) Follow this blog using Networked Blogs or Linky Followers
3) Reply to this post with your twitter handle AND tell me what you think was most "special"
about The Forever Girl (without spoilers, please!) OR what you would like to see more of
from me in the future.
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Thanks for tuning in, and thanks to Rebecca Hamilton for stopping by! Good luck in the giveaways, everyone!
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