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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays #8, May 31st

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read 
  • Open to a random page 
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Today's teaser is from So Close the Hand of Death by J. T. Ellison, the 6th in the series, and on page 212.

"She was older woman with a frazzled gray bun and a white terry housecoat covered in small brown cartoon puppies. True to her word, she carried a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, which she had pointed at them."

Well, that sounds interesting!

and from my own book,  Betrayal I Felt, pg 23
"“What will you do without me?” I joked. In his eyes, I could just see his response, ‘what will we do with you?’"

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

In My Mailbox #2, May 29th-May

Since I totally do not like pictures (or videos), I'm just going to do links to the books that I got for the month of May. Which were a lot this month, being my birthday month (so asking to got BEA for my 18th!!!) And I still haven't used the birthday money! But I have a 3 page list of books to get, so no worries! So I got books from 4 sources this month, the Library, which is surprizingly short, NY, my grannie, and a giveaway hop!.

From the Library:
Secrets and Shadows
The Witch's Daughter
The Daughter of Siena
Demonglass
Darkfire Kiss

NY!!!:
Game of Thrones
Room
The Book Thief
Across the Universe
Divergent
Abandon
Vanished Books 3 and 4
Brisingr
The Goddess Test
Falling Under
Graceling
Fire
Knight of Darkness
Broken
Chasing the Night
Dreams of a Dark Warrior

From Grannie:
I Will Aways Love You
Shameless
Lord Tophet
Almost Forever
I Love Him, He Likes Her
Wicked Becomes You
Haunt Me Still
Texas Trouble
Black Hills
The Alchemist's Cat
Always a Scoundrel
Wild Sweet Wilderness
Seduced by a Stranger
The 13th Hour
The Twice Born
Killer Weekend
Beverly Hills Dead
Seduced by a Rogue

From Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop:
From  Once Upon a Twilight!, Thank you!!!!: 12-21-12

And that's what I got in the mailbox this month! What'd you get?

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Week 21 Review: Silent Army

From Goodreads:
The pulse-pounding sequel to State of Decay

Federal agent Nico Wachalowski must stop Samuel Fawkes from awakening his own private army of zombies even if it means killing the woman he loves-now resurrected as a "Revivor"-permanently.

My Review:
I received this book from Goodreads-and I'm glad I did! It was quite good, and it introduced me to a new author, one I'm going to look for. It was engaging, suspenseful, and full of characters and choices that I really liked. It brought depth to the plot,. and the complexity, that everything had to come together, I rather enjoyed it, it was quite a great book!

I loved seeing Nico and the others again, they were great characters whom I loved reading about, they brought the story to life, they were the story, their actions where the primary action in the plot. It was good to see, and I had a good time reading about it.

I loved how the plot from the first one was carried into this one, and was expanded, and the tension was upped, too.

If I received any book from Goodreads, I would choose this one again and again (though I might pick the first one, then this one, so I could have both...) Silent Army was an excellent one, one that I hope you guys try out!

Author: James Knapp
Series: Revivor #2
Read: May 28th, 2011
Source: Received a copy from Goodreads
Reason Why: Sounded really great!
Publisher: Roc
Published: October 5th 2010
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 21 Review: Elixir

From Goodreads:
Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea's father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea's photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.

When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father's disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.


My Review:
I enjoyed this book-it's by one of my favourite singers, and now she's done something in both of the fields I love-books and music. So I'm happy. It's just a bonus that this book is just really great! I enjoyed it a lot!

I liked Clea, but I didn't like Sage as much, he didn't seem all that nice, especially near the end, he's kinda callous, but you would expect that it you read the end, he has a good reason for it. But still, he wasn't very nice for most of this book!

I enjoyed the plot, and the characters, and the history, it was detailed and rich, and quite a pleasant read of about 3 hours. I loved the way that Clea approached her photography, it was a lifestyle to her, one that she felt passionately about.

I loved that they travelled around the world, that they got to see sights that I've never heard of, but sound awesome. If I could, I'd visit them, they sounded great. Alas, but that I'm probably never going to except in books like these!

I only wish that her friend didn't do something that made the ending the kind of ending where you need-it-now-what's-going-to-happen-to-the-characters-in-the-next-book? Well, his actions that made the ending that way. But that means that I can't wait for the sequel, Devoted, which comes out in October of this year, so be sure that I'm going to get it!

Hope you guys check this book out!

Author: Hilary Duff
Series: Elixir #1
Read: May 28th, 2011
Source: Bought
Reason Why: I love Hilary Duff's music, and so I had to check it out!
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: October 12th 2010
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 21 Review: Darkfire Kiss

From Goodreads:
Rafferty Powell has resolved to destroy his hated arch-nemesis, Magnus Montmorency. The pair have exchanged challenge coins, and their next battle will be their last. But Rafferty never expected to meet a woman whose desire for Magnus's end matches his own-and whose soul sparks the firestorm within him...

My Review:
Yeah! The latest book in the series! I quiet enjoyed this book-it was finally time for Rafferty's firestorm, and my, what a firestorm! It wasn't just a firestorm, it was a darkfire storm! That made it quite the firestorm, and this was a great relationship, I enjoyed Rafferty and Melissa's passion, and how they changed, and grew, as a couple, and I felt really bad for Melissa, she'd  been through so much, and yet, she still survived, and I loved that about her! Their relationship was the one that changed the Pyr world, and this book added quite a bit, things that I hope I see in later books in the series (not the series about the kids in this one)

It also was good to see some characters again, it was really something that we needed.
So all in all, it was a great book, one I thoroughly enjoyed, and I hope you guys enjoy it too!

Author: Deborah Cooke
Series: Dragonfire #6
Read: May 25st, 2011
Source: Library
Reason Why: Really enjoying the series!
Publisher: Signet
Published: May 3rd 2011
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 18/21 Review: Timeless

From Goodreads:
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor's world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she's never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century's worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance.

Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.


My Review:
I enjoyed Timeless-I read it twice. I loved the characters, and their struggles, and the lesson that Michele learns. The only thing I didn't like was that the language, it was a bit stiff, formal, something that I wouldn't expect from a girl her age-my age. I don't think like that, I don't know what most of these things mean, and I don't understand buildings. But that might just because I'm not into that sort of thing.

I really enjoyed the characters, they were fun, and I loved all the time travelling. And her getting to know her relatives, and build with her grandparents, it was nice to see that unfold.

I especially liked the ending, since it was really happy and what the characters needed.

All in all, a good story, one that I'd recommend, nice and pretty easy, and quick.

Author: Alexandra Monir
Series: Timeless #1
Read: May 21st, 2011
Source: Library
Reason Why: Sound good, of course!
Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Published: January 11th 2011
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Birthday :)

I mentioned in a post that May 24th was important to me. Guess why?

It was my seventeenth birthday. Very busy, too, this year-I had concert band, and then 2 concerts (one during school, one after) Nice present from my band teacher (heavy on the sarcasm)
And when I got home, I got a big basket of things-things for when I move out, like towels for bath and kitchen, cutlery, glasses, dishes, things like that. I can't wait to move out, but I have no idea where I'm going to go, so it's a bit scary.

And then I'm going to have my grandparents over tomorrow, I think, and I'm going to the others on Saturday, but before work. Yep. So that's why May 24th is important to me. I love it how my birthday is technically a birthday, but they have it on the 3rd Monday of the month, Queen Victoria was born on the 3rd Monday of May on the 24th, which is why it's a technically than actually :) Yep :)

Will The Time Come #1, May 26th

The Time Will Come - 
Every Thursday l am going to list a book which l really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it!  Thanks to Books for Company for this meme!

Want to join in?
- Pick a book you have been meaning to read
- Do a post telling us about the book 
- Link the post up in the linky
- Visit the other blogs

Elixir by Hilary Duff
From Goodreads:
Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.

When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father's disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.

Why the Time Hasn't Come Yet...
I've been reading library books, to get them finished, so I could read books that I owned, like this one. I really want to read this one (I've read the first few pages already) and if you'll look at my page of what I'm reading, you'll notice that I've planned to read this book tomorrow (Friday, May 27) so thankfully, it's not going to be on the list for very much longer!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wither and Fever Giveaway!!!!!

Lauren DeStefano, author of Wither, one of the best 2011 books I've read this year, is doing a 3000 twitter follower giveaway of an ARC of Wither, and and ARC of Fever!! WHOO! And since she started this on May 24th (post about this later) I would really like to win!!!

WWW Wednesday #7, May 25th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?
Thanks to Should Be Writing  for starting this!

I am currently rereading Timeless, because I read it really quickly last time, and I wanted to get those details that I might've skipped over last time, plus I really enjoyed it!
I just finished reading Darkfire Kiss, today, in fact. Loved it, and loved where it left off for the next book (either in the spin off series, or this one!)
I received this book for review, so now I'm going to read it next. Yep.

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays # 7, May 24th!!!!!!!!!

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read 
  • Open to a random page 
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Today's teaser comes from Darkfire Kiss by Deborah Cooke.
It's going to be 3 sentences, but not all together, but all on page 134.
"My friend just sent me the link to this YouTube video. Isn't this Rox's friend T?" and "He changes into a dragon, right on camera."

Yeah, that sounds pretty interesting!

And from my own book, Hidden Hearts, pg. 3.
"Again I felt the gaze on me, but this time I knew where it was coming from. And I stared right back."

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Week 20 Review: Master of None

ONE UNLUCKY THIEF. ONE UNLIKELY GENIE. ONE VERY ODD COUPLE.

Gavyn Donatti is the world's unluckiest thief. Just ask all the partners he's lost over the years. And when he misplaces an irreplaceable item he was hired to steal for his ruthless employer, Trevor—well, his latest bungle just might be his last. But then his luck finally turns: right when Trevor's thugs have him cornered, a djinn, otherwise known as a genie, appears to save him.Unfortunately, this genie—who goes by the very non-magical name of "Ian"—is more Hellboy than dream girl. 

An overgrown and extremely surly man who seems to hate Donatti on the spot, he may call Donatti master, but he isn't interested in granting three wishes. He informs Donatti that he is bound to help the thief fulfill his life's purpose, and then he will be free. The problem is that neither Donatti nor Ian has any idea what exactly that purpose is.

At first Donatti's too concerned with his own survival to look a gift genie in the mouth, but when his ex-girlfriend Jazz and her young son get drawn into the crossfire, the stakes skyrocket. And when Ian reveals that he has an agenda of his own—with both Donatti and the murderous Trevor at the center of it—Donatti will have to become the man he never knew he could be, or the entire world could pay the price. . . .

My Review:
I read the first chapter of this online, linked there from a blog I visiting on on of the giveaway hops. It was awesome (though I thought that the MC was a girl at the beginning, and only in reading the summary did I think otherwise) and I enjoyed it, enough that I took it out from the library.

This book was awesome. I loved the character's sarcasm, it was great, and it endeared him to me. He was fun, and I loved all the things that the got himself into, and I just learned that there's a sequel that came out just around the time I started blogging, which is weird, but something that means only 1 thing-I'm going to read this book!

The setting was great, and I loved how the characters did some things that were really funny, and then there were sad parts, with death. But there was hope, too, a child, and I loved the romance that Donatti had, and then has again. It left off at a great place, so I can't wait for the sequel!

Go check it out! Now!!

Author: Sonya Bateman
Series: Gavyn Donatti #1
Read: May 20th, 2011
Source: Library
Reason Why: Sounded really fantastic, and really enjoyed the online excerpt!
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: March 30th 2010
5/5 Hearts
4/5 Books
4/5 Stars

Week 20 Review: The Witch's Daughter

From Goodreads:
In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same fate: the Warlock Gideon Masters. Secluded at his cottage in the woods, Gideon instructs Bess in the Craft, awakening formidable powers and making her immortal. She couldn’t have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he will be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for saving her life.

In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life. Her solitude abruptly ends when a teenage girl named Tegan starts hanging around. Against her instincts, Elizabeth teaches Tegan the ways of the Hedge Witch, in the process awakening memories—and demons—long thought forgotten.


Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch’s Daughter is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous world of witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak of immortality to stay true to herself, and protect the protégé she comes to love.

My Review:
I enjoyed this book. There was back and forth, both historical, and paranormal. I liked the history, and the magic and just the story of it all.

I loved how the characters evolved, from being a girl, to a witch, to a woman. Bess was a great as a kid, and I enjoyed reading about her, and I felt deeply about the unfairness of her situation. It was truly unfair, and I wished that she could fight back, but she was just a child, and unable to really do anything.

I enjoyed her lives, and how after each one, would be the present. I enjoyed the back and forth, and I rather enjoyed the ending, it was hopeful, that she had won, but wasn't there-but that she'd be back, and then all would be well.

The historic details were wonderful, and I liked how where it started, it ended, and that the world wasn't so different as it might appear to be.

The characters had spunk, and originality, and lives were linked to one another, and the travels were wonderful, and fun to read. I truly enjoyed this book, and I hope you do too.

Author: Paula Brackston
Read: May 19th, 2011
Source: Library
Reason Why: Sounded really great!
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Published: January 18th 2011
4/5 Hearts
4/5 Books
4/5 Stars

Week 20 Review: The Daughter of Siena

Amid the intrigue and danger of 18th-century Italy, a young woman becomes embroiled in romance and treachery with a rider in the Palio, the breathtaking horse race set in Siena....

It's 1729, and the Palio, a white-knuckle horse race, is soon to be held in the heart of the peerless Tuscan city of Siena. But the beauty and pageantry masks the deadly rivalry that exists among the city's districts. Each ward, represented by an animal symbol, puts forth a rider to claim the winner's banner, but the contest turns citizens into tribes and men into beasts—and beautiful, headstrong, young Pia Tolomei is in love with a rider of an opposing ward, an outsider who threatens the shaky balance of intrigue and influence that rules the land.

My Review:
I liked this book. It as a historic one, and I liked how everything went in a circle, from the beginning, to the end, and how it ended nicely, with everyone with a home, and all the characters got what they wanted, not exactly what they thought they wanted, but what they truly needed in the end.

Well, at least the ones that mattered-the ones that didn't, died, which I thought was a rather good ending.

The characters were great, and Pia, I loved her strength, she endured much, betrayals, hurts, and even threats of death. And so did her soon to be mother-in-law. But I don't want to give away too much, so I leave that at that.

The plot was excellent, the setting of Siena was the sort of thing that brought the story to life, because in the plot, Siena was a vital piece, it all came together in a moving and lyrical novel.

I'd recommend this novel to anyone who likes historical romances, or any horse lovers out there, horse racing was vital, as much part of the plot as was Siena, indeed, the 2 where joined.

Author: Marina Fiorato
Read: May 18th, 2011
Source: Library
Reason Why: It sounded really great!
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: May 10th 2011
4/5 Hearts
4/5 Books
4/5 Stars

Week 20 Review: Nevermore

From Goodreads:
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he'd rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can't help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. 


His life depends on it.

My Review:
I enjoyed this book, I liked how it started off with a cheerleader-jock boyfriend-girlfriend, to a atypical crush/love. It was great to read that, and just to go through the adventure.

I kinda read this book a little too quickly, so I missed some details, but I got the gist of the story, and I really enjoyed Isobel and Varen, and I loved how the boyfriend was brought back into the story as a character who did more then just disrupt the MC's relationship, and did more then just that, but did something for the story later, just before the climax.

I liked the characters, and the plot, and I can't wait for the sequel, which is coming out very soon! Can't wait for it!

So you guys better go check it out, it was great!

Author: Kelly Creagh
Series: Nevermore #1
Read: May 18th, 2011
Source: Library
Reason Why: Sounded good!
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: August 31st 2010
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 20 Review: Demonglass

From Goodreads:
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?


My Review:
Loved this book! It was a great second book in a series, and I loved how it continued it. We got to see more of her father, and there was a lot of them interacting, and it was really good!

I liked how everything added together, all the little things, and how the characters that I liked, totally surprised both me, and Sophie, because things are not as they seem, and Sophie figures that out.
I enjoyed the bitersweet irony-how the reason why that she wanted to come there in the first place, is the one thing she doesn't want to happen in the end.

Sophie was a little different from when she was in Hex Hall, she was a bit more mature, because of the events in Hex Hall, but she still had her wit, and I quite enjoyed that.

I also liked seeing how the creatures in the books where like when they weren't put in a school for becoming rather public. It was nice to see them a bit more loose, and different, and how they were like, naturally.

It was a good book, with good characters, and an excellent plot that kept me reading!
So go out, and buy this! I will be as soon as I can!

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall #2
Read: May 15th, 2011
Source: Library
Read: Enjoyed the first book, and needed to read more!
Publisher: Disney
Published: March 22nd 2011
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday #4, May 18th


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Sping, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Expected Publication Date: August 23rd 2011
BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding.

To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

WWW Wednesday #6, May 18th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?
Thanks to Should Be Writing  for starting this!

I am currently reading Nevermore, and I'm really enjoying it! Hope you guys check this book out if you haven't already! You really feel for the characters, and I have some very strong emotions for both the good guys, and the bad guys!















I just read The Scent of Jasmine, which was the 4th book in the series, and it was excellent! Can't wait till the next book comes out! Don't know when it'll be, but it'll happen, yeah!
















I'm going to be reading Master of None next, I think-I'm running out of library books that I haven't read yet! Whoo! This is nice, so that I can read other books, like the ones that I own!

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays, #6, May 17th

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read 
  • Open to a random page 
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Today's teaser comes from Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, pages 215:
"I'm sorry that I shoved you, I'm sorry that you fell! I'm sorry that I nearly Kicked your little tail!"

And from my own book, By the Sword:

The gods didn't catch until my great-great-great-great-great-well, a lot of greats, grandmother was born. Yeah, they are kinda slow on the uptake. pg 2.

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Author Interview-Poplar and Mint by Kay

I'd like to welcome Kay over for an author interview.
Poplar and Mint
The bodies of two pretty young women are found dead and buried in a nursery. An investigation reveals ties to the city's underworld and stories with strangely similar connections to Greek mythology.

Miguel Maserati is a middle-aged Homicide detective struggling to cope with the fresh loss of his last partner of over a year, as well as trying to preserve what is left of her good name after her actions before her death. To make matters worse, he and his newest partner, Spencer Snow, have gotten off to a very rocky start. Both of them will need to swallow their pride and put their differences behind them in order to solve this thorny case.

Why/how did you start writing?
            I don’t remember any one moment that sparked my interest in writing.  There were times when I was little, cutting up and stapling all of the blank paper in my grandmother’s house to make my own books.  Back then, it was just for fun.  It wasn’t until high school that I started entertaining the idea of seriously writing books.  I started roleplaying with a friend of mine to help with character development, hoping that would get me started, and it did
What’s the most common mistake do you think that beginning authors make?
            The biggest thing I’ve noticed, and mistake I’ve made before,  is a severe lack of character development.  It’s easy to forget that your character, in the universe that you’ve established, is a person, and that comes with a lot of complexity and history.  A name and general description just doesn’t work for your protagonist.  It might work for that one person who walks across the room without a word on page 37, but how will you know how important that person can be if you don’t know anything else about him?
What worries would you tell your past self to get over in the beginning?
            I would tell her/me to stop worrying if something will be good until it’s done.  Tackle the writing process like anything else, one step at a time.  There’s no way to edit something if it isn’t on the page in the first place.
What would you tell your past self to worry about?
            Considering my first characters turned out to be very similar to each other, I would tell her to watch out for that.  Put more effort into their histories, motives, and emotional states.
Are you a plotter, or a pantser-do you do outlines, or do you write what comes to mind?
            I’m definitely a planner.  For my first NaNo attempt I tried pantsing, and it didn’t work out as well.  I had my characters and a beginning and tried to go from there.  One week later, I was left with two chapters and no idea how to keep going.  Next year, I wrote up a nice outline and managed get all the way to the end. 
If you’re a plotter, what tricks do you use to plot out your novel?
            The first thing I do is get all of my ideas down on the paper or screen.  Usually I use Freemind or some other software for this step.  I’ll get my characters named and some major details about them, then move on to the setting and sequence of events.  After that, I go into Word and type out a rough outline.
What inspired your first book?
            Poplar and Mint was inspired by Greek myth and set in modern times.  I read about Persephone and focused more on her actions after being married.  Specifically, getting back at two nymphs who slept with Hades and turning them into mint and a Poplar tree.  The crime drama aspect of this book was inspired by a number of cop shows and books, notably The Black Dahlia and Law & Order.
Do you listen to music while writing?
            Sometimes yes, but usually I turn on the TV for background noise.  Usually it’s a rerun, otherwise I’ll have a hard time paying attention to what I’m writing.  Though lately I’ve been playing around with making playlists for each story I’m working on.
What’s your writing space like?
            I tend to alternate between my desk and my bed.  The desk wakes me up and helps me focus, while the bed keeps me comfy.  I also hate sitting still and working on one thing for long enough, so the moving around helps.
Do you have any quirks when it comes to writing?
            Other than the constantly shifting workspace mentioned before, I can’t think of any.
How did you come up with (main character’s name) and who they are (description, maybe an introduction from the character)?
            For Miguel, I wanted to create a character who was of Italian descent and had an alliterative name.  I threw names together until I found one I liked, and Mr. Maserati had a name. Much of his personality comes from working a few decades in law enforcement draws upon a number of characters from Law & Order, though he isn’t the type to want to bend the laws for anyone.  He’s growing old and tired, or so he believes, and is on his way out of the business.
What are you currently working on?
            Right now I’m fixing up Poplar, trying to clean and polish it for publication, and then I’ll be moving on to finish some short stories.
What wrimo sites are you on?
            I can be found on the National Novel Writing Month and Script Frenzy websites.
What future plans do you have for your book?
            Poplar and Mint is going to be part of a series in which these two detectives investigate crimes based on stories in various mythologies.  Because Poplar is first, I want to put extra effort into making it a solid base for the characters and setting.
If you could write any book that you’ve ever read, what would it be? Why?
            Isaac Asimov’s robot detective novels are probably at the top of my list, being a combination of my two favorite genres (scifi and detective stories).
What authors may you have learned from, from sites and reading their books?
            My learning experiences from reading are more inspiration than anything else, and right now I get the most inspiration from reading stories by Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. 
Which of your characters do you relate to the most?
            Possibly Vanessa, who plays a small part in this book.  She’s young, slowly come out of her shell, has odd taste in almost everything (her unusual fashion sense is mentioned), and has very bitter feelings toward alcoholism.  She probably shouldn’t have dated a recovering alcoholic if she didn’t want the stress, but she’s only human.
Do you prefer books to movies in the film adaptation from books?
            I always tend to favor the books.  I try to look at movie adaptations as separate works with their own limitations, but still feel that even the best ones are secondary to the literary originals.  At their worst I wonder whether they can still be called adaptations.  (I’m looking at you, Fahrenheit 451.)
Do you get writer’s block? If so, what do you do to pass the time, or get rid of it?
            There’s not a writer out there who doesn’t get writer’s block at some point.  Usually I like to go take a walk and clear my head.  I live a mile away from the beach so it’s nice to go down there and people watch for a while.
One book you wish you hadn’t written, if any?
            There is the beginning of a novel that I wrote a few years back about an orphaned brother and sister who get involved in a Philadelphia street gang.  I knew very little about gangs or Philadelphia (I still don’t), and comments from critiquers compared some parts to a Lifetime movie.  Ouch.  It’s definitely due for a rewriting.
Authors you look forward to new books from the most?
            I usually don’t follow any one author unless I’m reading a series, but at the moment I’m reading through a couple of graphic novels:  Preacher and Y:  the Last Man.
Do you have a writing schedule?
            I have no schedule set in stone, but I do try to put in a little bit of writing and reading every day..
On the top of your head, how many plots and characters do you think you have or have created?
            I want to say about fifteen plots and about five times as many characters, but that may be a .  There’s no telling right now how many will make it to paper.
A short line from your book that you love?
The opening line has grown on me since I wrote it: 

Hollywood got credit from Miguel Maserati for one thing: they had the right idea for what funeral weather was supposed to be.”

The funeral mentioned is for Maserati’s former partner, so naturally he’s not the most cheerful person around.
Your favourite quote?
            In general?  It’s not exactly writing-related, but here goes.  “Everything will be okay in the end.  If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”  It’s helped me out when I was feeling down more than once.

Kay can be reached by email or by blog, Kay Proctor

I'm a young pastry chef to be in Fort Lauderdale, FL with an enthusiasm for writing. Right now I'm working on moving up, either in the fiction world or the bakery business, while learning the rules of the real world.