Constance Burris's Blog, page 9

I'm A Pessimist.... Octavia Butler

Octavia Butler is my favorite Sci-Fi writer and this is one my favorite quotes because it describes me to the T. 

Author Interview: Jayde Brooks

Immediately, after reading Daughter of Gods and Shadows by Jayde Brooks, I was like where is the second book and then I was like filled with questions and I wanted more. So inspired by the Post "Reader Meet Author" and Madhuri I contacted Jayde through Facebook and asked her if I could interview her, and she said YES! ::Squee::
First, I loved the first book! Please tell me the second book is coming soon.
Jayde: I’m so glad that you enjoyed it.  Daughter of Gods and Shadows was a tough book to write and can be tough to follow, but it’s a really good and unique story and I loved writing it.  There are three books slated for this series.  The second book, City of Dark Creatures, is scheduled for release November 17, 2015.
What characters will be returning?
Jayde: Pretty much all of them, with a few new editions.  The next book is much more streamlined, unlike Daughters of Gods and Shadows which includes a lot of the back story.  Two years have passed between the first book and the second one, though, and it was interesting to see the changes that have taken place, especially with Eden.
There were so many awesome and original characters in your book, but if I was forced to choose I'd have to say Andromeda and Kifo the Djinn were my favorites. What inspired you to create them? 
Jayde: All of these characters evolved over so long a period of time that I honestly can’t remember what inspired them.  But these are two of my favorite characters as well.  I tried to make all of the characters multidimensional and complex. Kifo and Andromeda were two of the most fun to write because I’ve never read any other characters like them before. 
What books and authors influenced Daughter of Gods and Shadows? How did you research the novel?
 Actually Daughter of Gods and Shadows wasn’t influenced by any book that I had ever read before.  All I knew when I started writing it was that I wanted to write and read a story about a black girl who had to save the world.  Four years and six rewrites later, I received the green light from my editor that I was out of time and that we were going to go ahead and release the book.
In doing research, I was watching a documentary one night on how the Earth and its moon were formed (theorized by scientists) and in the documentary, they spoke of a planet called “Theia” that fell out of orbit, scraped against the Earth and knocked loose the debris that flew out into space and created our moon.  I loved that and used the premise for my book.  Most of the other things in the book were mostly made up, but I did research some things like Eden’s Kpinga weapon, and Prophet’s house in Vermont, which I found on a real estate site online.
Have you written any other books? I’ve just started working on the third and final installment of the DGS series.  And after that, I’ll be starting a brand new series that still doesn’t have a title yet. 
I’ve also been writing mainstream fiction for more than a decade under a different name.  Currently, I have 12 novels under my belt and several short stories/novella contributions as well.  Daughters of Gods and Shadows is my first attempt at writing fantasy.  I was surprised by how challenging and difficult world building actually ended up being.  Writing fantasy is so very different from writing fact-based fiction and it challenged me in ways I hadn’t expected, but in a good way.
Where can we find you on the internet?Twitter - jayde_brooks Blog - http://daughterofgodsandshadows.blogspot.com
Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daughter-of-Gods-and-Shadows
As I mentioned, I loved this book so much that I wanted to share the love. So if you haven't signed up for the Daughter of Gods and Shadows giveaway, now is the time! 



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Saturday Scenes: Coal Chapter One, Scene 5

Table of Contents
Chapter One, Scene 1,Chapter One, Scene 2Chapter One, Scene 3Chapter One, Scene 4
Update: I've finally hit the button and Coal is now available on Amazon for pre-order. Get it now for the early bird price of $1.99 before the price increases.
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Are you really going to let them go to the human realm alone?” Ambassador Eli asked Madoc once Chalcedony and Coal had left.“She may only be sixteen, but she’s smart and one of the strongest in her line. I doubt anyone can hurt her except for a queen.”“Are you sure you’re not overestimating her?” Ambassador Eli asked.“I may be, but there is only so much I can do.” Madoc faced the dwarf. Many dwarven ambassadors had passed through Legacy, and every one had hated the bureaucratic process except for Ambassador Eli. To Madoc’s surprise, the dwarf seemed just as concerned for Everleaf as he was for protecting his people’s fortunes and trade routes.Ambassador Eli stroked his chin with a short hairy finger. The dwarf had never worked in the mines so he was slim instead of bulky and muscular. “I’ve been hesitant to bring this up, but you should know that most fey in Everleaf have begun to talk about the queenling and her human boy. There are rumors he is destined to become her lover and rule beside her.”“I am well aware of the rumors, but that will never happen.”“Then what are your plans for him? I expected you to have gotten rid of him long before now.”“Chalcedony is supposed to leave the boy in the human realm while they’re there.”Ambassador Eli exhaled. “That’s a relief.”Madoc turned back towards the window. Chalcedony and the boy were on horseback, leaving through the gates. “But she lied to me. She is not going to leave him there. She is still too attached to him.”“Then you need to get rid of him,” Ambassador Eli said, his voice lifting.Madoc watched them until they disappeared from sight. “I can’t. The boy will play a significant role in Princess Chalcedony becoming a formidable queen.”“How can you be so sure?” Ambassador Eli asked, his tone full of doubt.“I had a few truthsayers look into it. They all said the same thing. He’s meant to stay until he decides to leave on his own.”The dwarf scowled. “Isn’t it your job to make her a great queen?”“Like I said, I can only do so much. I’ve shown her the best and the worst duties of being a queen, yet she remains a child. Her mother and grandmother …” Madoc hesitated, searching for the correct phrase, “had lost their innocence by her age. She is too happy, and it’s all tied to the boy. Once he’s gone, she’ll lose her innocence. Besides, I can’t kill him without her suspecting. She is young but intuitive. Out of resentment, she may hurt Everleaf. But if the thing she loves leaves on its own, then that is a different game altogether.”“The boy obviously worships her. He’ll never leave without coercion.”“Ambassador Eli, I’ve been doing this for centuries. You have my word. The prophets have reassured me that he won’t be around much longer.”

Book Review: DIVERSITY IS COMING edited by Nicolas Wilson

Amazon Blurb:The days of unified culture and singular Great Kingdoms are over. In their place, bold new visions are redefining the world of fantasy. Eight authors tackle stories with a focus on diversity, finding heroism outside the familiar boundaries of farmhands and prince's castles.Including original fiction from Nicolas Wilson, Carole McDonnell, Michelle Browne, Mags Carr, William Lenoire, Rachel Savage, Kirstin Pullioff, and Gail Villanueva, this collection goes where GRR Martin and Terry Brooks couldn't.
I'm not a big fan of anthologies. They are usually uneven. I'll enjoy a few stories, but then the rest will leave me flat.  Diversity is coming had a few stories I didn't enjoy, but I'm still happy I purchased the book.
Do I recommend it: YesDiversity: 5Characters: 3 out of Five. Out of the eight stories, 3 were memorable and well written.Story: 4
Here is a quick breakdown of the three I enjoyed:

"Ayana" by Nicolas Wilson-- a lovely old school story. Written like a fable or fairy tale. It touched on homosexuality and female equality. There was a line towards the end that I absolutely loved spoken by the main character's father who is a playwright: Heroes never die, they simply run out of ink.
"The Girl in the Dem" by Carole McDonnell- Also written like a fable or fairy tale. It tells the story of a young man falling in love with a mermaid. The story was beautiful and melodramatic while still being readable and relatable. My son would like this story because the bad guy won at the end.

"Children of Scale" by Rachel Savage- This one featured a kick-ass heroine on a mission with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. I wish this had been a novel.  I actually googled the author hoping to find a longer version, but I there wasn't.

Are you intrigued? If so, it's currently free on Amazon here. 

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

This was a poem I discovered as a college student.  There was so much drama and turmoil, but this poem has always made me feel so confident and beautiful. 

Fabled Blog Tour: Ten Fabled Facts

Ten Fabled Facts:
1.) Trapped in a world of dark magic, Rowena must learn how to become her own
hero. Easier said than done.
2.) In Mezzanine, neither time nor death exist.
3.) Many storybook characters appear, but they’re not as friendly as we remember.
4.) Kidnapping and slavery doesn’t sound like a fairy tale, or does it?
5.) Adelaide Kane would be my pick to play Rowena in a movie.
6.) The Brothers Grimm make an appearance.
7.) Someone becomes possessed, and someone gets married.
8.) Sometimes aligning with your enemies is the only solution.
9.) Betrayal of a sister is the worst of all wounds.

10.) Home isn’t how she left it.

Book Links are below:Links: Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads
(See author's website for all available outlets.)

Meet the Author: Vanessa K. Eccles graduated Troy University with a degree in English. She currently serves as executive editor of Belle Rêve Literary Journal and is founder of the book blog YA-NASisterhood. When she’s not writing or devouring books, she enjoys the lake life with her Prince Charming and their four dogs.

Read this Book: Panther in the Hive by Olivia A. Cole

I recently joined The Blerd Book Club on Goodreads and the book we chose for May is Panther in the Hive by Olivia A. Cole.  Do yourself a favor. If you're interested in minimalism, healthcare reform, the modern day civil rights movement, and a weird mix between zombies, werewolves and old school/new school science fiction, read this book and then join the Blerd Book Club interview with the author on Sunday, June  2;  or just chat with me  +Constance Burris. The Panther in the Hive was all kinds of awesome and I need some to talk to about it. 

Blog Tour: FABLED by Vanessa K. Eccles

I met Vanessa in reality a few weeks ago.  She is awesome. I also got a ARC of Fabled.  I'm 1/3 of the way through.  If you like fairytale retellings, you will love Fabled. Tomorrow I'll be posting "Ten Fabled Facts"

Ever dreamed of a life that reads more like a book? Rowena did until she stumbled into a fairy tale that wasn't so friendly.

Fabled by Vanessa K. EcclesPublisher: Bound and Brewed Young adult fantasy/fairy tale


Rowena thinks the Grimm’s infamous podcasts are simply another teen fad until she finds herself trapped in a land of nightmarish storybook characters. She tries desperately to flee Mezzanine and return home, but Dresdem, Mezzanine’s wicked monarch, plans to use Rowena’s access to her world to bring dark magic and absolute rule into Georgia and beyond.
But when Rowena’s dear friend Madeline falls into Dresdem’s grasp, her battle with him becomes war, and all hopes of home are temporarily thwarted. With the help of an invisible hero, a beast, and an owl, she sets out to free Madeline from a deadening sleep. But Rowena must become her own hero when she finds herself bound by the kingdom’s darkest family. She must make the ultimate choice – align herself with her enemies or live on the run forever. 
Excerpt:
“Heads or tails?” Lil asked as she opened the door and stood in front of me.“Tales.”“When are you going to learn that heads always wins?” She snickered and rolled her eyes in amazement of my apparent naivety.“Not always. Besides, tales are more interesting.”Not understanding my word play, she shrugged and searched her pockets for a coin.I leaned into the porch swing, coffee and book in hand, and watched as autumn's first leaves sunsetted the deadening grass. I rested the mug on my knee and let the cool breeze sway me back and forth while I waited. Trying to ignore my little sister's attempts to aggravate me, I looked down at the fantastical book in my hands and realized how beloved, yet unrealistic it seemed. Most of us lead relatively dull lives and are content but never satisfied. The “happily ever afters” they crammed in our minds as children were merely lies, but I couldn’t help but dream of an adventure like the one I was holding. I wanted my life to be epic. Who was I kidding? Only characters in our favorite stories experienced magical lives. Mine had already been planned out for me − go to college, land a mediocre job, get married, and have 1.8 perfectly groomed, smiling children. That was it. The end.
Links: Amazon | Smashwords | Goodreads
(See author's website for all available outlets.)

Meet the Author: Vanessa K. Eccles graduated Troy University with a degree in English. She currently serves as executive editor of Belle Rêve Literary Journal and is founder of the book blog YA-NASisterhood. When she’s not writing or devouring books, she enjoys the lake life with her Prince Charming and their four dogs.
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Saturday Scenes: COAL Chapter One, Scene 4

Table of Contents:

Chapter One, Scene 1Chapter One, Scene 2
Chapter One, Scene 3--------
Coal stood at Chalcedony’s bedroom door a few minutes later, holding a ragged shirt and a pair of pants.The door was open but the room was empty, until Chalcedony stepped from behind her dressing screen. He almost dropped his bundle when he saw her wearing a pair of blue pants and a yellow shirt. Human clothes.“What are you wearing? How did you get those?” he asked.“Jeans and a T-shirt, the items you have in your hands, are very common clothes in the human realm.”“But why are you wearing them?” he asked.“It’s a surprise. Give me yours and I’ll fix them for you.” She took his clothes, placed them on her bed and whispered over them. As she spoke, the holes in the shirt became smaller until they disappeared. The material stretched, becoming longer and wider. She worked the same magic with his pants.“Wow, you could be a tailor. That’ll come in handy if the giants do decide to attack the dwarves.”“Ha ha.” Chalcedony smiled in triumph. “Tetrick taught me this two days ago. I’m discovering more abilities the closer I get to my coronation.”He’d always been jealous of Chalcedony’s ability to yield magic. Over the years, he’d gotten much better at hiding his envy, but still, every time he saw Tetrick and Chalcedony together, the jealousy and longing returned. Tetrick was strong, powerful, and able to phase in and out of most places anytime he wanted. He was everything Coal wasn’t.“Fine, you can lengthen clothes, but why do we need to wear them?” Coal asked.“Stop asking questions and relax. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”She waved her hand and an invisible force pushed him backward. She’d learned to move things years ago, but it wasn’t until recently that she’d moved anything heavier than a sheet of paper. “Okay, okay. I won’t ask any more questions. I can walk the rest of the way myself.”“Thank you.” She lowered her hand and the force disappeared from his chest. “Be careful back there. I don’t want you ending up somewhere you shouldn’t.”Reluctantly, but of his own free will, he walked behind the screen with his clothes. A wave of nostalgia washed over Coal as he remembered the last time he’d ducked behind the screen. It served as Chalcedony’s secret portal and her escape route if Legacy was ever invaded, which hadn’t happened in over one hundred years. It was one of the best kept secrets in Everleaf. As children, they would travel through the screen pretending to hunt for treasure in the forest while everyone slept.“So, what do you think?” Coal walked out from behind the screen. He didn’t like the feel of the stiff fabric against his skin, but the clothes fitted him.She stared, eyes narrowed.“Did I put them on right?” he asked, feeling self-conscious under her intense gaze.“You look fine.” She smiled. “You look really good, actually.”“Um, thanks.” If she liked them, he decided, they couldn’t be all bad. “So are you going to tell me why we’re dressed like this?”“Nope.” She wrapped a black cloak around her lean shoulders and then handed him an extra one lying on her bed. “Wrap up. I don’t want anyone asking too many questions.” Coal followed her out of the room while he tried to hide his excitement and curiosity. His joy disappeared when he saw Madoc at the bottom of the stairs talking to Ambassador Eli. He turned when he saw Chalcedony and Coal.“You’re not taking your shadows?” Madoc asked, cocking his bushy black and gray eyebrow.“I know how to protect myself.”“Your pride will get you killed. Take your shadows. I’m sure they would appreciate the exercise.” She rolled her eyes. “No. You have to start trusting me.”“Traipsing through the human realm without your shadows is not something a queen would do.”“We’re going to the human realm?” Coal blurted.“Damn it, Madoc!” Chalcedony exclaimed. “I told you it was a surprise.”Madoc shrugged. “Take your shadows.”Chalcedony answered with a sneer before she stormed out of Legacy. *** Coal followed behind Chalcedony while his mind raced. She chattered away, but he couldn’t focus. Several moments passed before he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me we were going to the human realm?”“It was a surprise. Surprise!” Chalcedony wore a mischievous grin that made her red eyes sparkle.In any other situation, Chalcedony’s good mood would have been contagious, but he’d been in the fey realm since he was seven and he’d never left Everleaf. He didn’t know whether to be scared or excited.“Why are we going? I’ve never asked to go there.” The fact that Madoc had not argued about Chalcedony taking him worried him. If he knew anything about the elf, it was that he hated Coal. Most especially, Madoc hated Chalcedony to be seen with Coal outside of Legacy. His disapproval had grown more venomous over the past year. “Are you going to leave me there?” he asked, recalling what the sentries had said.Chalcedony stopped and faced Coal. “Why would you think that?”“You didn’t answer my question.” His heart raced while he waited for a response.“More and more of my work is there. It’s so different. Human tech can be destructive, but it’s amazing. Every time I go there I think of you and I wish you could see it. That’s why we’re going.”“What about Madoc?”“Don’t worry about him. Do you really think I’d just leave you in the human realm without telling you?”“No, I don’t. It’s just—”“Coal, I’ve been tracking rogue fey in the human realm and dealing with serious for three weeks,” she said with desperation in her voice. “I want to have fun. I swear that is the only reason we’re going. I swear on my mother’s sword.” She held his gaze.“How are we going to the human realm without Tetrick? Don’t you need him to phase us there?”Chalcedony shrugged and continued walking. “No, we don’t need Tetrick.”“Are we taking the dragons?” Coal asked, his curiosity piquing. “No, we’re not flying. We’re taking the horses most of the way.”“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” Coal asked as they entered the stable. “Nope.”He smirked. “I didn’t think so.”“Just relax,” Chalcedony said. “You’ll have fun. I promise.”

Book Review: NONE OF THE ABOVE by I.W. Gregorio

Amazon Excerpt:

A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she's intersex . . . and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Incredibly compelling and sensitively told, None of the Above is a thought-provoking novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between. 

What if everything you knew about yourself changed in an instant? When Kristin Lattimer is voted homecoming queen, it seems like another piece of her ideal life has fallen into place. She's a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she's madly in love with her boyfriend. In fact, she's decided that she's ready to take things to the next level with him. 

But Kristin's first time isn't the perfect moment she's planned—something is very wrong. A visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex, which means that though she outwardly looks like a girl, she has male chromosomes, not to mention boy "parts."

Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin's entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self?

Diversity: 5Story: 3Characterization: 2Do I Recommend: Yes, because sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

I randomly purchased None of the Abovewhen I was cruising Tumblr. Intersex individuals used to be labeled hermaphrodites.  The later term is considered offensive and no longer used. I didn't know that until I bought the book and again, its one reason why we need diverse books because it opened my mind about what it may be like to be intersex. I felt kinda bad about reading this soley because it was about intersex. But then I shook the guilt off.  There is nothing wrong with admitting I wanted to read this book because it featured an intersex character any more than it's wrong to admit I wanted to read The Crossover because it featured black characters.  I want all the book and all the characters.  Because if I ever meet an intersex individual I won't look and gape or ask questions.  I'll have a clue.  I may not have a complete picture.  But I'll have a clue.

Gender intrigues me.  For the longest time I was ashamed of being a girl.  Boys picked on girls, mothers treat expect more from girl.  They have harder chores. And then there are periods, and bras, child birth.  Ugh. 
Anyway, back to the book. The beginning starts out very racy, with a young girl getting it on for the first but unfortunately things don't go the way it should…. And it builds from there. The most interesting bits happen at the beginning and towards the middle and so the end dragged a bit as it ventured into typical teenage angst territory.  
Do I recommend it? YES. I feel it’s a great addition opportunity to expand your reading. But if you've read similar books, I'd pass. The characters were not very intriguing, and although it was well written it wasn't great writing.