Kristi Helvig's Blog, page 6

My first ARC of BURN OUT is up for grabs

I’m beyond thrilled that my first ARC is out there for someone to win! The fabulous Lisa Yu from Badass Bookies has chosen me as a 2014 Debutante, along with 11 other wonderful debut authors. Head over to her blog for a chance to win it. While you’re there, check out the dress I chose for my debutante debut, read my insider scoop on BURN OUT, and learn completely random facts about me (e.g. my first career aspiration that had NOTHING to do with writing). I’m hard at work on the sequel now, so I’ll post more things about the book world as soon as I finish. In the meantime, go win this:

Interview and Book Giveaway with CLAN sci-fi author Realm Lovejoy

I’m so excited to have my fellow agent-sister Realm Lovejoy on the blog today to discuss her new sci-fi book, CLAN. Realm was kind enough to answer some questions about her book and is giving away copies of CLAN to some lucky readers, so make sure to enter the contest below.

About CLAN:






Clans are Unity.





No variation. No deviation.





On Clades, to be a Clan is to be an exact copy. 

A perfect society cloning themselves to survive, 

even as the zombielike Frags threaten to overrun them 

on an unforgiving planet. 





Clan 1672 (privately known as Twain) 

was never supposed to survive the Incubation Tank. 

But he did. Illegally. 

He is different from the other Clans.





A secret that could destroy him. 

CLAN ebook and paperback can be purchased on Amazon. Until 12/26, the ebook (not illustrated) is 99 cents and the paperback (illustrated) is under $8.99. Also, don’t miss the giveaway at the end! 




Realm: “Today I am revealing another illustration of one of the Fives Values of Clan: Organization. The Clans are organized by their numbers (in order of “birth”) and are on a strict schedule to do everything at the same time: eat, sleep, shower, learn, etc. The antagonist Brisbane is particularly strict about having everything organized–he cannot allow the idea of someone breaking the rules.” 

The premise for CLAN is very intriguing. Where did you get the inspiration for the story?




Back when I first started working in the video game industry, I was also interested in making a low budget CG film. I brainstormed that it’d be pretty low budget if I just used one character and duplicated him over and over–like clones. I started thinking about how life would be like if my world was only filled with copies of myself. Would I get along with my clones? Would I hate them? Like them? Would there still be war? Would there be upper and lower class? Discrimination? One thought lead to another and pretty soon, I started writing a book to figure it all out. 











The book takes place on Clades, a different planet. How did you go about creating an entirely different world than the one we know here on Earth?



One of the reasons why I chose to create a new planet was because I wanted the clones to be isolated from Earth so that they can have their own unique world. My main goal was to have a setting where the leader can create a society where he can raise his own clones to believe they are not individuals, but mere copies that shouldn’t have personalities, dreams, or desires. The leader is from Earth, however, so there are traces of Earth culture that are hidden that keeps the world grounded for the readers.





The book involves everyone being an exact copy, except for one clone known as Twain. Was characterization more of a challenge since everyone was supposed to be similar?



I developed the characters the way I normally would by fleshing out their experiences and personalities.  Visually though, it was a bit of a challenge. The important characters have to look a little different from one another. For example, we see a lot of cartoons with characters that look the same except they wear different colors and everyone still has their favorite character because the personality is different. The clones in Clan can’t wear different colors except for the leader because of their cultural rules. I made Twain have different eyes and hair so that the audience can immediately pick him out of the crowd. The other two main characters, Buster and Chad, wear their facial expression a distinct way–Buster is always smirking or smiling and always looks lively and open, while Chad is always frowning or very serious and closed. 





What type of research is involved in a sci-fi book like this one?




I researched a lot about cloning which was very fascinating. I didn’t get to use a lot of the scientific details in the book because it slows down the pacing. I also learned a lot about the misconceptions people have about cloning. I didn’t know that so many people believe that clones are exact duplicates–but exact duplicates are scientifically impossible. CLAN isn’t about sameness, but about difference. 







Is there a follow-up to this book? (Or what are you working on next if that doesn’t apply)




CLAN is a standalone novel. My next book is a part of a series and I will be announcing it very soon. Hint: it’s a YA urban fantasy!









Thank you so much for having me on your Tumblr today, Kristi! I’m excited for your book BURN OUT!



Next up on the Clan Intro Tour–Gretchen McNeil on 12/03!

—








About the Author:

Realm Lovejoy is an American writer and an artist. She grew up in both Washington State and the Japanese Alps of Nagano, Japan. Currently, she lives in Seattle and works as an artist in the video game industry. CLAN is her first book. 





You can find out more about her and her book at www.realmlovejoy.com

Enter the giveaway! (Shipping is for US only.)



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–Realm Lovejoy

Debut Novel: CLAN — Available Now!

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STAINED Book Tour and Interview with Cheryl Rainfield

 

 

Hi all–I’m so excited to help spread the news about Cheryl Rainfield’s new book, STAINED! Cheryl is an amazing person and the fantastic author of SCARS and HUNTED. (I wish SCARS had been published back when I worked with teen girls because many of them engaged in self-harming behavior and would have benefited greatly from her book). In celebration of STAINED’s release, Cheryl is giving away a GRAND PRIZE of an eBook Reader as well as other goodies (details below). Here is the chilling cover for STAINED:

 

Description from Goodreads: An intensely powerful account of a teen, bullied for her port-wine stain, who must summon her personal strength to survive abduction and horrific abuse at the hands of a deranged killer.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Meadows longs for “normal.” Born with a port wine stain covering half her face, all her life she’s been plagued by stares, giggles, bullying, and disgust. But when she’s abducted on the way home from school, Sarah is forced to uncover the courage she never knew she had, become a hero rather than a victim, and learn to look beyond her face to find the beauty and strength she has inside. It’s that-or succumb to a killer.

Cheryl was kind enough to answer some questions of mine for her readers.

1) Where did you get the idea for STAINED?

From my own life. I drew on my trauma experience–and the healing–to write STAINED. Because I’m a ritual abuse survivor–my parents were part of cults–and I went through such extreme abuse and torture, I have so much that affected me, so much I need to talk about. I choose a few experiences for each book so that I don’t overwhelm readers.

For STAINED, I focused especially on being held captive, the effects of trauma and rape, and body image. Like Sarah in STAINED, I know what it’s like to be held captive, to be withheld food and water, to be repeatedly raped, and to have my life be threatened. Like Sarah, I was bullied, found it easier to protect others than myself, loved comics and writing, and struggled with body image and self esteem. And like Sarah, I had to save myself–over and over again–until I got safe.

I also put a lot of my emotional strength into Sarah–my dogged perseverance to survive, my ability to keep my soul intact even when my abusers tried to twist and destroy it, my fighting back psychologically, especially, and sometimes physically, and finding creative ways to cope and survive. It’s so important to me to write strong-girl characters–there’s so much sexism in our society–and it’s also important to me to write LGBT characters into each story, even if they’re not the main character. I also always try to show some healing in my characters. I think healing, and facing painful issues, helps make our world a kinder place.

2) I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through. You’re an incredibly strong person to endure such trauma and then use that experience to help others. What’s the most rewarding part for you about sharing your story with readers?

It’s incredibly rewarding and healing to receive letters from readers telling me that because of my books they felt less alone, got help, felt understood, or kept from killing themselves. I get reader letters every week, and even though I can’t always respond to them all I treasure them. I care so much about making a positive, healing difference in the world–especially with my experience and perspective from abuse and trauma–so it’s a huge, wonderful thing for me.

Another really rewarding thing is that by having my books published and having people respond so positively, having so many people read my books, I feel heard. I actually have a voice now! My abusers used to tell me that they would kill me if I talked–and I saw them murder and knew they could do it, so I used to be too afraid to even talk. I’d talk too fast or so quietly that people couldn’t hear me, and I wouldn’t say much. Writing (and art) was my safe way to speak–but that didn’t always mean being heard. I have a voice now through my books where I can help others, and it’s such a healing and wonderful thing.

3) You are so inspiring and it must be amazing to get letters from the many people you’ve helped. (NOTE: Check out Cheryl’s blog for links and resources about a variety of issues pertaining to young women.) To switch gears from readers to writers,  what advice do you have for aspiring writers out there?

Write what you need to write. Write what you care about deeply; I think that makes a more powerful book. Study writing technique and editing through books, conferences, classes, articles, etc., and join a good critique group (online or in person). Your writing will get so much better, faster, if you do. You can see some of the books on writing technique that I recommend here: http://astore.amazon.com/rainfield-writing-books-20 I’ve read hundreds of books on writing technique and it’s helped my writing a lot–and I always try to learn more. It helps to learn technique and read advice, but make sure you stick to what makes sense for you; not everything will be right for you. Read a LOT. That will also help you write better. Get feedback on your work and polish it before you send it out; try to make sure it’s the best you can make it. Make sure you research publishers and agents before you submit to them, so that you know they publish your kind of work before you send it out–you’ll get less rejections that way. And if you really want to be published, don’t give up. Keep sending your work out. It took me more than ten years and hundreds of rejections to get Scars published, but I finally did. You can’t get published if you don’t keep sending it out.

4) Great tips! I love the “read a lot” advice, and think that reading is just as important as writing. Speaking of writing, what are you working on next?

I’m working on two different realistic YA suspense novels (again drawing on my trauma experience), and I also have the sequel to Hunted sitting there for me to finish up, and another YA paranormal.

5) What’s something fun about you that most people don’t know (it doesn’t have to be book related)?

I love superhero stuff-I have a LOT of Wonder Woman and Superman stuff in my place; I even have a Wonder Woman outfit for my little dog Petal (grinning). That’s where the superhero thread came from in STAINED. And I (ahem) also love Super Grover from Sesame Street. I always loved Grover’s kindness and gentleness and his insecurity, and his desire to help others (even if he didn’t always get it right); I related to all of that. I also love fairies and dragons, unicorns and pegasuses. Fantastic creatures like that gave me hope and helped me dream as a kid.

Thanks so much for the interview, Cheryl! Don’t forget to enter HERE by Oct. 31st for a chance to win an eBook Reader as well as other goodies!!! Leave a comment below for a chance to win an eBook of SCARS!

Or you can buy here: Buy this book: Amazon | B&N

About the author:

I love to read. Books nurture me, helped me survive the abuse I endured as a child and teen. I also love to write. I write fantasy books and edgy, realistic fiction for teens.

My fantasy books often hold hope that I need, and feel others might need, too, while my realistic fiction is gritty, intense, and emotional. All of my books have fragments of the abuse I experienced. I write about some of the harsh things teens go through…things that I think shouldn’t be hidden. But I also write about healing, hope, and love, and finding courage and strength. [Source: Author's website]

Social Media: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

 

 

Next up in the STAINED book tour:

Be sure to check out YA Bliss tomorrow, Oct. 15th, for a $15 gift card giveaway and review of STAINED.

Then, on Oct. 16th, Shooting Stars Magazine is giving away an eBook.

 

 

ARCHETYPE Blog Tour

Hi all–I’m so excited to be part of the blog tour for M.D. Water’s ARCHETYPE, organized by Charissa Weaks. I read the ARC a few weeks ago and was blown away by the book! It’s one of those books that you can’t put down until you know how it ends. Misty is also a super cool person so you should follow her on Twitter (link below). Here’s the cover and summary:

 

Emma wakes in a hospital, with no memory of what came before. Her husband, Declan, a powerful, seductive man, provides her with new memories, but her dreams contradict his stories showing her a past life she can’t believe possible: memories of war, of a camp where girls are trained to be wives, of love for another man. Something inside her tells her not to speak of this but she does not know why. She only knows she is at war with herself.

Suppressing those dreams during her daylight hours, Emma lets Declan mold her into a happily married woman, and begins to fall in love with him. But the day Noah stands before her, the line between her reality and dreams shatters.

In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which…

The summary is awesome, but I promise the book is even better! The release date is Feb. 6, 2014 but you can pre-order at any of the following places:

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Archetype-M-D-Waters/dp/0525954236/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378466067&sr=8-1&keywords=archetype+waters
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/archetype-m-d-waters/1115700018?ean=9780525954231
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/archetype/id663455801?mt=11

iBook: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/archetype/id663455801?mt=11
Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780525954231

 

About the Author:

M.D. Waters lives in Maryland with her husband and two boys. She is a closet Housewives watcher, a wannabe goth-surfer with a side of nunchuck skills, and writes in her pj’s. Oh, and she tweets too much.

Find out more about Misty at her links below:
Blog: http://www.mistydwaters.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MistyDWatersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_MDWaters
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7135842.M_D_Waters?from_search=true

 

Author Ash Krafton will continue the ARCHETYPE tour next week so check it out!

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference 2013

Whew! I just finished a whirlwind three days at the RMFC Conference. It was fun, inspiring, and exhausting. This was my first time attending the conference but I’m already planning to go back next year. Workshops were geared from the beginning writer all the way to the multi-published author. They ranged from topics such as novel structure and plotting, to making your own book trailer. Denver uber-agent Kristin Nelson gave an interesting presentation on the hybrid author (those who combine traditional and self-publishing) using her client Hugh Howey of WOOL fame as an example.

I met so many interesting people and had a blast. I have to say that it was nice to kick back and enjoy the conference without worrying about having to pitch agents or editors, but my friends had good experiences with their pitches.

Here is a picture of our group at the Saturday Night Banquet (NOTE: We’re not this blurry in real life):

If you’re looking for a solid conference to attend, I highly recommend this one. I also recommend not staying up past midnight if you want to get up for an 8am session but that’s another post (I blame my roommate). Any other conferences out there that people love?

 

Ode to my Writing Companion

If you saw my Facebook post, you know we’ve had a really hard week in our household. One of our two canine “children” died, leaving the human children, the other dog, my hubby, and myself devastated. This is Gennie:

 

 

When we rescued her through Colorado Beagle Rescue, she was 2-years-old, emaciated and timid. We nursed her back to health and had 11 more amazing years with her. Out of our dogs, Gennie was my “velcro” dog. She followed me upstairs if I went to get laundry, downstairs if I went to get a glass of water, and everywhere else in between. She also loved to nap with me on the rare days I got a few minutes to rest in the afternoon. Her favorite spot though, was next to me on the couch while I wrote. Whether during the day while the kids were in school, or at night after they went to bed, this is where you’d find Gennie:

I joked once in an interview that though I dreamed of writing in a fancy home office/library, I’d probably still just sit on my couch with my pups. I wrote several novels with Gennie by my side, and the loss of her stings as I write this post with only empty space next to me. This was my first loss of a dog, and it’s been beyond heartbreaking. I’ve so appreciated all the supportive hugs (both virtual and real), emails, cards, texts, and gifts. The stories that people have shared with me about their own losses have helped my own healing process, and my heart goes out to those who have lost a beloved animal member of their family. As a very wise friend told me, the sadness won’t ever go away but the pain will lessen with time. She thinks the time will even come when I’ll want to open my heart to another dog in need. Right now, I’m focusing on loving up our other pup who is missing her “sister,” as well as answering tons of questions about death by my kiddos. I’ll get back to posting writing-related things next week when some of the sadness has dissipated. Thanks for understanding.

 

Friday Fun

Happy Friday!

I have a few fun things to share today. My fellow YA Valentines and I have shared our most embarrassing 1st day of school stories over on our Valentine blog. Hint: Mine involves Sun-In. One brave Valentine even shared photo evidence.

Also, the awesome writer and book blogger, Kelsey Ketch, featured me in an interview on her blog today. Check it out to see my deep thoughts and life philosophies. Just kidding. You can check out whether I prefer ice cream or dessert though. Have a great weekend!

 

 

Cover Reveal for DAUGHTER OF ISIS by Kelsey Ketch

I’m excited to help YA BOUND reveal the cover for DAUGHTER OF ISIS by Kelsey Ketch! Check out the cover and book summary below, and then keep reading for an excerpt from the book. Also, you still have six days left to enter last week’s giveaway, so don’t miss your chance to win a Kindle copy of THE DEFIANCE by A.G. Henley. And now, I give you the cover for DAUGHTER OF ISIS:

 

 

Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis, #1)

by Kelsey Ketch

Release Date: 10/26/13

Cover Designed by: Steven Novak

Summary from Goodreads:

“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”

Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.

The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.

Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.

*Note: Content for Upper YA*

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

***Excerpt***

There was a crash and a loud gasping moan. She turned to the door next to her and stepped into the room. Her eyes widened as two entangled bodies jumped in the dark; the light shining from the hall streamed over the couple. She recognized the tall, copper haired upperclassman from the parking lot; the boy who had sent her the enchanting smile. Now he was completely shirtless, his fly clearly unzipped, and a brunette held tight in his arms. The girl glared at Natti. She struggled a little against the boy’s grasp, trying to cover herself with her bra.

Natti blinked in complete shock. “Okay.” She finally glanced at the empty room. “This is obviously not American Literature.”

“No duh!” the brunette snapped.

The young man smiled and turned to the girl in his arms. The brunette’s cold demeanor melted away once her eyes met his. He stroked her cheek, sending visible shivers through her body. Natti rolled her eyes, ready to gag.

“Now, now, Charlotte.” The honey-sweet voice made Natti freeze when she was just turning to leave. It gave her a dizzy feeling; a fog creeping at the back of her mind. “We shouldn’t be rude to our guest.” The boy’s eyes traveled Natti’s curves again. His grin widened. “Perhaps she’d like to join us. Maybe we can all get to know each other a little better.”

He motioned Natti to come inside. She unconsciously took a step forward; a strange force compelled her to join them. Her hands were reaching to pull her shirt off. It was as if she was no longer in control.

What the hell . . . ? Natti shook her head, finding the strength to resist through a familiar heavy sensation that rested against her chest. It was one she often got when someone lied to her. She was born with it. A gift, her grandmother called it, which could tell her when something wasn’t right. And as much as her body suddenly wanted to be next to the boy, feeling the skin of his lean, muscular chest, her gift was telling her something was off. His intentions were not pure.

She lowered her hands to her side, taking a step back into the hall. “Sorry.” She shook her head. “I don’t do threesomes.”

About the Author

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate. Daughter of Isis is her debut novel.
For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

***Author Links***

http://kelseyketch.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7104482.Kelsey_Ketch

https://twitter.com/kelseyketch

https://www.facebook.com/KelseyKetch#

Cover Reveal Organized by:

http://www.yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/

Interview with A.G. Henley of The Brilliant Darkness series

Hi everyone–I’m excited to host my friend A.G. Henley on the blog today to help her celebrate the release of The Defiance! Following the interview and book description, A.G. is giving away a Kindle copy of The Defiance to one lucky blog reader. Enter via Rafflecopter below. NOTE: If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend you start with The Scourge before devouring The Defiance.1) What is The Scourge about? Did you have any interesting moments while researching the book?In The Scourge, Sightless Fennel must face terrifying, flesh-eating creatures called the Scourge, in order to gather water for her people, the Groundlings, as they hide from the creatures in caves near their forest homes. Fenn’s Sightlessness is supposed to mysteriously protect her, but she hasn’t been tested. Until now.I did learn some interesting things while researching The Scourge. I can’t tell you the most interesting thing I learned, because it is a big spoiler. It had to do with how the Scourge became the way they are . . . But, I recently had the opportunity to do some hands-on research into archery (Peree, Fenn’s Lofty Keeper and the male protagonist of the series, is an archer.) My fingers are still red and a little sore from releasing the arrows!

2) As I read The Scourge, I thought it was refreshing for Fennel, the heroine, to have a physical disability. Where did the idea to make her Sightless come from?

I can’t remember exactly when the idea came to me, although it was before I started writing the manuscript. I thought it would be cool to feature a protagonist with a disability. I’d read widely in the YA genre and couldn’t think of many books that had a disabled main character. As for making her blind, I was influenced by Ivy in the film The Village. I love the way Ivy and her family and friends seem to accept her blindness as just a part of who she is. It is a challenge to be sure, but it doesn’t define her. The film often gets a bad rap, in my opinion. I loved it—especially the setting and atmosphere.

3) I know this may be a tough one, but which character is your favorite?

Oh, that’s not too hard. I love Fennel. She’s who I wish I could be: strong, brave, intelligent, responsible, concerned about others, family and community oriented, non-judgmental. And yet still fully human, I think, with as many insecurities and small concerns as any seventeen-year-old.

I also had a blast developing Moray’s character in The Defiance. He’s an antihero—deliciously self-centered and arrogant—while still adhering to his own code of ethics and values. They just aren’t the values most other people share (thankfully.)

4) The character names are unique and refreshing, how did you come up with them?

I wanted the character names to reflect something about the groups they came from. In my series, there are two main groups of people—the Groundlings, who live on the ground, and the Lofties, who live in the tops of the trees. They are locked in an uneasy, sometimes violent, symbiotic relationship. The male Groundlings have animal names (Bear, Eland), the female Groundlings have plant names (Aloe, Rose), the male Lofties have bird names (Peregrine, Petrel) . . . and then I ran out of steam for naming the female Lofties. I eventually decided they would be named for something in their environment (Moonbeam, Dusk). The Groundlings make fun of the female Lofty names, which was really me making fun of myself for not being able to think of anything better!

It occurred to me much later that by giving the characters these types of names, I also gave readers a sense of what the characters either look or act like. It’s a little heavy handed, but I think it’s also helpful when you write in first-person from the perspective of a blind main character who can’t describe the way other characters look.

5) If you were a character in the series, would you choose to live on the ground or high up in the trees?

I think I’d choose to live in the trees, where I could have a view and catch the breezes. But mostly I would want to have the choice, unlike the characters in my books.

6) The Defiance—the second installment in the Brilliant Darkness series—released on July 29th. Did you plan the novel before writing The Scourge, or did you wait to see how the first installment faired?

I published The Scourge last year without being at all sure I would write another book of any kind. It took me months to decide to write a sequel. I am a pantser (meaning I don’t outline or plot books before I write them) so I had only a vague idea of where I would take the plot of a sequel. I actually had a much better idea about what a third book would include. But usually when I let my mind wander the ideas start to flow, and that’s what happened with The Defiance.

7) Speaking of The Defiance, what can fans of The Scourge expect in this second installment?

Fennel and Peree are determined to be together in the protected village of Koolkuna, and Fenn feels strongly that it’s their responsibility to bring their people, the Groundlings and Lofties, back with them. When she receives a frightening message—a pair of dead, bloody animals gutted and nailed to the wall above her bed—she realizes that not everybody is willing to go along with her plan.

8) Tell me three things that you loved about writing The Scourge and The Defiance.

Allowing my imagination to run wild

Spending time with my book children, especially Fennel and Peree

Learning about the craft of writing fiction and the business of publishing

9) Post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction are popular sub-genres in the literature world right now. Why do you think people enjoy them so much?

I think it’s intriguing to read about and imagine how you would react if you were put in these kinds of dire situations. Would I make the same decisions the heroine does? Would I feel the same way she does? Or would I decide to do something wildly different? Reading gives us a safe (and fun) way to explore those decisions.

10) Finally, what’s on your summer reading list?

Ooh, good question. I agree with the scores of other people who have said writers should spend almost as much time reading as they do writing. I love reading, so it’s been a treat to turn a hobby into something I have to do for “work” ; )

I recently devoured the first two books and the novella in Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series. SO good. I also read and loved Mary Robinette Kowal’s Glamourist Histories series. I have an affinity for historical fiction already, but write in the style of Jane Austen and throw in some magic, and I’m utterly hooked. Now I’m starting on indie author Chelsea Fine’s The Archers of Avalon series. Her books won a bunch of awards at the utopYA convention where I was a panelist in June. I try to read a mix of both traditionally published and indie-published authors. I also mix in a few classics. I re-read Oliver Twist and The Great Gatsby in the last few months.

BOOK 2
The Defiance by A.G. Henley

(Brilliant Darkness #2)

Publication date: July 29th 2013

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Read The Defiance (Brilliant Darkness, #2), the highly anticipated sequel to The Scourge (Brilliant Darkness, #1), a 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist!

Suspicion  Trust. Fear Compassion. Hate Love.

It hasn’t been long since Fennel, a Sightless Groundling, and Peree, her Lofty Keeper, fell in love and learned the truth: the Scourge, and their world, are not what they seem.

Fenn and Peree are determined to guide their people to the protected village of Koolkuna, but first they must convince them that everything they believe is a lie. An impossible task, especially when someone seems hell-bent on trying anything—even animal sacrifice and arson—to destroy the couple’s new bond and crush the frail truce between the Groundlings and the Lofties. Not everyone wants to uproot their lives in the forest, and those who stay behind will be left terribly vulnerable.

Fenn and Peree’s resolve to be together, and the constant threat of the Scourge’s return, push both groups to the breaking point. Unable to tell friend from foe, Fenn must again decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to ensure the future of the people of the forest.

Only this time, the price of peace may be too high to bear.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18132908-the-defiance?ac=1

Purchase:
-Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Defiance-Brilliant-Darkness-ebook/dp/B00E3DQ572/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375320378&sr=1-2

Praise for The Defiance:

“Fans of The Scourge, you will not be disappointed with this sequel. The Defiance was thrilling, romantic, and full of surprises. Loved this book!”

– Imagine a World, blog review”I had very high hopes for this follow-up novel, and Henley DEFINITELY delivers in her sophomore release!”

– Booking It With Hayley G, blog review”I absolutely LOVED The Defiance! No, I

more than loved it! It was breathtaking, intense, romantic,

suspenseful . . . the list could go on and on!”

– ARC review
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AUTHOR BIO:
A.G. Henley is the author of the BRILLIANT DARKNESS series. The first novel in the series, THE SCOURGE, was a finalist for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Award.A.G. is also a clinical psychologist, which means people either tell her their life stories on airplanes, or avoid her at parties when they’ve had too much to drink. Neither of which she minds. When she’s not writing fiction or shrinking heads, she can be found herding her children and their scruffy dog, Guapo, to various activities while trying to remember whatever she’s inevitably forgotten to tell her husband. She lives in Denver, Colorado.

Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter



Enter below for a chance to win a Kindle copy of THE DEFIANCE–good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered my cover reveal book giveaway! Rafflecopter selected the winner last night, and the winner of the YA Book of Choice and DEFY THE DARK is…….(pretend that’s a drum roll): Alyssa Susanna Sooklal. Congrats, Alyssa! I’ll email you to find out your book pick. If you didn’t win, I’m going to do a huge, mega contest very, very soon, so check back for the deets.