Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 214

Interview with Lydia Kang, Author of The November Girl

I'm excited to author Lydia Kang on the blog today. She was gracious enough during her busy book release schedule to answer some questions for me. Lets get to know Ms. Kang and her books. Read on!

So, what have you written?
THE NOVEMBER GIRL is my recent YA novel, which is literary fantasy. I’ve also written YA sci-fi (CONTROL and CATALYST), and an adult historical mystery, A BEAUTIFUL POISON.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Anda is half human, half lake. Which means that she’s battling two forces within herself, and they are directly at odds with each other. Part of her needs love and humanity, and part of her wants to destroy humanity.
What are you working on at the moment?
TOXIC! It’s my next YA novel, a space novel about a girl trapped on a dying ship, and the boy who’s trapped there too for his last mission.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
I think Elle Fanning might have done a great job!
When did you decide to become a writer?
About nine years ago.
Do you read much and  if so, who are your favorite authors?
I love Jennifer Donnelly, and Maurene Goo, Mindy McGinnis, Sarah Fine, Elle Cosimano, among many others. I have a lot of favorites!
What book/s are you reading at present?
Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s about creativity.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re okay. You’re beautiful, and you’re smarter than you think.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
The Hunger Games. I loved that series!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Keep writing, and remember to find the joy in your work.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: http://lydiakang.comBlog: http://lydiakang.blogspot.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Lydia-Kang-364820866902622/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaYKangPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lydiaykang/Amazon Author Page: https://smile.amazon.com/Lydia-Kang/e/B007QQG2XU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1509658551&sr=8-1Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5436815.Lydia_Kang
 
 

I am Anda, and the lake is my mother. I am the November storms that terrify sailors and sink ships. With their deaths, I keep my little island on Lake Superior alive.Hector has come here to hide from his family until he turns eighteen. Isle Royale is shut down for the winter, and there's no one here but me. And now him. Hector is running from the violence in his life, but violence runs through my veins. I should send him away, to keep him safe. But I'm half human, too, and Hector makes me want to listen to my foolish, half-human heart. And if I do, I can't protect him from the storms coming for us.

The November Girl by Lydia Kang Publication Date: November 7, 2017 Publisher: Entangled TeenAmazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo 
 

Lydia Kang is an author of young adult fiction, poetry, and narrative non-fiction. She graduated from Columbia University and New York University School of Medicine, completing her residency and chief residency at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She is a practicing physician who has gained a reputation for helping fellow writers achieve medical accuracy in fiction. Her poetry and non-fiction have been published in JAMA, The Annals of Internal Medicine, Canadian Medical Association Journal, Journal of General Internal Medicine, and Great Weather for Media. She believes in science and knocking on wood, and currently lives in Omaha with her husband and three children.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads 
 

The Right Side of the Salt Line | The Salt Line by Holly Goddard Jones

Title: The Salt LineBy: Holly Goddard JonesGenre: DystopianPages: 385Release Date: September 5th, 2017Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Summary from Goodreads: In the spirit of Station Eleven and California, award-winning novelist Holly Goddard Jones offers a literary spin on the dystopian genre with this gripping story of survival and humanity about a group of adrenaline junkies who jump -the Salt Line.-

How far will they go for their freedom--once they decide what freedom really means? 


In an unspecified future, the United States' borders have receded behind a salt line--a ring of scorched earth that protects its citizens from deadly disease-carrying ticks. Those within the zone live safe, if limited, lives in a society controlled by a common fear. Few have any reason to venture out of zone, except for the adrenaline junkies who pay a fortune to tour what's left of nature. Those among the latest expedition include a popstar and his girlfriend, Edie; the tech giant Wes; and Marta; a seemingly simple housewife. 


Once out of zone, the group find themselves at the mercy of deadly ticks--and at the center of a murderous plot. They become captives in Ruby City, a community made up of outer-zone survivors determined to protect their hardscrabble existence. As alliances and friendships shift amongst the hostages, Edie, Wes, and Marta must decide how far they are willing to go to get to the right side of the salt line.

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Review: A group of thrill seekers go beyond the salt line that keeps them safe from creepy ticks that can kill in a matter of seconds. Sound dangerous. I was really sucked into science behind the ticks and the way they played out in the story, but all that cool stuff kind of got pushed to the background with the introduction of politics. Even with that being said. I read this book in two days and enjoyed it throughout. A Good read. 
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Avocado, Pepper and Cornish Hens | #WeeklyMenu Week #223

As I was working on scheduling my posts for this week, I realized that I didn't finish my menu and post it. It's a little late, but here it is. We've been trying to go a little less carby (if that's even a word) lately because all the holidays are coming up and there is no stopping the food that will be around us. I figure, make steps to eat well now, and if we fall off the rocker once or twice, then so be it. Not that we eat terribly anyway. My husband isn't a big pasta fan, and I'm not much for the veggies. I try to keep it a nice balance, with pasta maybe once a week on a night that my husband won't be home until late, and veggies with every meal so my husband won't complain. 
My writing has come along nicely this week. I have a clear path to the end of my book. It's just a matter of getting there now. Once that is done, its on to revisions, but I'm not ready to think that far ahead. Focus on the first draft. Focus! This is going to be so awesome.
I hope you enjoy this weeks menu...
Monday- Chicken Avocado Salad 
Tuesday- Grilled Cornish Hens
Wednesday- Pepper Steak
Thursday- Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Friday- Ravioli 
Saturday- Chicken nuggets and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday
- Tuna Sandwiches

Outwit the Vicious | The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine

 
Title: The Traitor PrinceBy: C.J. RedwineGenre: FantasyPages: 416Release Date: February 13th, 2018Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Summary from Goodreads: Javan Najafai, crown prince of Akram, has spent the last ten years at an elite boarding school, far away from his kingdom. But his eagerly awaited return home is cut short when a mysterious imposter takes his place—and no one believes Javan is the true prince.
After barely escaping the imposter’s assassins, Javan is thrown into Maqbara, the kingdom’s most dangerous prison. The only way to gain an audience with the king — and reveal Javan’s identity — is to fight in Maqbara’s yearly tournament. But winning is much harder than acing competitions at school, and soon Javan finds himself beset not just by the terrifying creatures in the arena, but also a band of prisoners allied against him, and even the warden herself.

The only person who can help him is Sajda, who has been enslaved by Maqbara’s warden since she was a child, and whose guarded demeanor and powerful right hook keep the prisoners in check. Working with Sajda might be the only way Javan can escape alive — but she has dangerous secrets.

Together, Javan and Sajda have to outwit the vicious warden, outfight the deadly creatures, and outlast the murderous prisoners intent on killing Javan. If they fail, they’ll be trapped in Maqbara for good—and the secret Sajda’s been hiding will bury them both.
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Review: I'm always leery about picking up a book in the middle of a series that I haven't read yet. It usually lands me in trouble, since I don't know the characters or any of the back story, but this book sounded so amazing, I had to give it a chance.
I loved that it read like a stand alone. It felt like I was reading a brand new story and all the characters were new and exciting. Whatever is in the previous books, I couldn't tell you, but this book was amazing.
Javan is kidnapped in a plot to take over the crown. He's thrown in to a death fighting ring to get rid of him, but no one expected him to win. The fight scenes are exciting and the character development is right on key. Loved how there is mention of Dark Elves and Fay. I'm hoping these things have a bigger roll to play in later books.

Loved, loved, loved. You should definitely read this book. 
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Thunder, Love and Lies | A Diabolic Playlist

Its time for a playlist and I know you've been waiting for this for a long time. I know I have. I picked the Diabolic for this list because I have read it recently and really enjoyed it. So without further delay, here is my Diabolic playlist.
Confident by Demi Lovato
In Distress by A$ap Rocky
Love is Pain by Fergie
Don't Make Me Chose by Nick Jonas
I Won't Let You Go by Snow Patrol
Lies in the Dark by Tove Lo
Thunder by Imagine Dragons
  

I'm Addicted... | Confessions

I know it's heard to believe, but I do have an addiction. Yes, it's true. I'm addicted to Snapple Peach! 
I drink it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I drink it at work and when I'm writing. Its a great snack drink. A great TV watching drink. Really, its an all around drink.

The taste is smooth and enjoyable. It has that little bit of caffeine that I crave, but without all the sugar of a soda. It has tea aspects in it, but it doesn't taste like a tea, which I like. How can you not like Peach Snapple? 



The only down side that I can see with this product is that the bottle doesn't fit into any cup holders. I would be totally up to having a taller plastic bottle that would fit into my cup holders so I can take a drink in my car while I'm driving. 
You might want to know that I'm drinking a Snapple right now, that is why I have written this post. I will now take my tasty beverage and cuddle up with a good book. 
What are you addicted to? Do you have a favorite reading drink? Leave me you addictions below in the comments. 

Problematic Faves | Top 5 Wednesday

There are always those characters that you aren't meant to love, but you do. The villein that makes you smirk, the love triangle that you know is going to go the other way, but you are still rooting for the third man. There are lots of these characters that we keep hidden inside the pages, although we want to let them free. These are my top five problematic favorites for this Wednesday.
5. At number five on my list is Jacob from Twilight. He's the third wheel, the alternate boyfriend. How can you not fall in love with Jacob when he picks up the pieces of Bella's broken heart. Stay with Jacob, Bella. Stay. Edward is no good for you! 4. This book is from my all time favorite author, Garth Nix. Sabriel happens to be bugged at every turn by Mogget the Cat. He is a free magic being locked up in the bod of a cat. Very dangerous and mischievous. Always trying to get Sabriel to let him out of his bonds and at one point he does. I happen to love Mogget, even though he is an ass most the time.

3. Throne of Glass has been a new adventure for me. I didn't enjoy it as much as The Court of Thorns and Roses series, but it was still a great read. There is one Character that has simply been problematic throughout the whole series. Someone who follows the main character all over the place like a lost puppy, but how can we not love Sam. Even if he tries to kill Celaena every chance he gets. 2. We are getting close to number one, but before we do. Here is number two. I just read this book last month and fell in love with it. It has to be one of my favorite books this year. The Diabolic has so many awesome characters, but I think that the other Diabolics are the key to the whole story. They are cunning and devious. I loved them. 1. My number one pick for problematic favorites is A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I know Tamlin is a jerk who tried to lock Fayre up and keep her from being a person, but I still love him. In the beginning, he was only doing what he thought best to break the spell and set his people free and I believe he truly loved Fayre. He just had separation issues he couldn't get past. Even though Tamlin turns into such a tool in the later books, he still has a special place in my heart. Thanks for stopping by my top 5 Wednesday. I'd love to hear about your favorite problematic characters in the comments below.

Movie Review | Thor Ragnarok

It's not often that I am able to get out of the house and see a movie. My children are not good movie goers and finding a baby sitter for my little monsters is not always easy. Since yesterday was my Birthday though, my husband took me to see Thor Ragnarok.

As you all should know by now, I am a huge fan of Marvel and all things that go along with it. Thor is one of my favorite movie lines to follow.

I had heard lots of great things about this movie and it didn't disappoint. The action was fantastic as all Thor movies are. Just enough to keep you hooked. The comedy was fantastic. It was placed in the right places to make you laugh, but not become awkward. The characters were great. Loki was in true form, betraying all those around him, but he has it coming to him. We get a taste of the every awaited Valkyries and their awesomeness and learn of some hidden family secrets.

Great movie. I would see it again in a heartbeat.

Peace isn't what they seek | To Guard Against the Dark by Julie E. Czerneda

Title: To Guard Against the Dark By: Julie E. CzernedaGenre: Sci-FiPages: 443Release Date: October 10th, 2017Publisher: DAW
Summary from Goodreads: The final book in the hard science fiction Reunification trilogy, the thrilling conclusion to the award-winning Clan Chronicles
Jason Morgan is a troubling mystery to friends and enemies alike: once a starship captain and trader, then Joined to the most powerful member of the Clan, Sira di Sarc, following her and her kind out of known space.

Only to return, alone and silent. 

But he's returned to a Trade Pact under seige and desperate. The Assemblers continue to be a threat. Other species have sensed opportunity and threaten what stability remains, including those who dwell in the M'hir. What Morgan knows could save them all, or doom them. 

For not all of the Clan followed Sira. And peace isn't what they seek.
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Review: A roller-coaster of emotion and action. I can't believe this is the end of this epic sci-fi saga. I really wished I liked the story more. I felt really bogged down with the story. It was a little slow for me, but overall, a great read. I'm not really a big sci-fi fan, but I picked this one up because it sounded interesting. I'm glad I read it. 

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Toads, Butter and Lemon | #WeeklyMenu Week #222

Welcome back to another Monday! The weather has changed drastically around here. A cold 34 degrees this morning. I can feel the snow in the air. In fact, some of the area have already seen a dusting this week. I can't wait to see if it will drop down into the valley, but then again, we had a heavy snow last year and it doesn't usually hit us two years in a row.
My writing has been put on the back burner with a lot of doctors appointments for the kids and I. There are so many ideas for my book rolling around in my head, but no time to write them down. It's so frustrating. I wish I could come up with a mind writing machine that jots down all the thoughts in my head in a way that sounded amazing. Maybe this week I'll get back on track.
Enjoy this weeks menu!
Monday- Toad in a Hole 
Tuesday- Mongolian Beef
Wednesday- Buttery Garlic Herb Chicken
Thursday- Ravioli 
Friday- Lemon Parmesan Chicken
Saturday- Tuna Sandwiches
Sunday- Dinner with Family