Author Interview with Lisa Becker + Giveaway!

Hi, Lisa! Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview with me. Could you tell us a little about your debut novel, Click: An Online Love Story?

Click: An Online Love Story follows the dating (mis) adventures of Renee Greene, who is fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, without even a prospect or a house full of cats. She reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal retentive Mark, the overly-judgemental Ashley and the overly-sexed Shelley), as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical "B-list" celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD'S and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.

I loved Click: An Online Love Story. I could't stop reading it! Where did you get the idea for Click: An Online Love Story?

Thank you! That is so nice to hear. My husband and I met online on a popular dating website. After we married, I was recalling some of the hilarious experenices that I had with both traditional and online dating. I decided to capture some of them in writing and from there, a novel emerged.

I loved that all the characters were so different from each other. Shelly is such a funny character and so fun. I loved the way she give all her "conquests" nicknames and there was many of them. Are these characters of pure imaganation or have you been inspired by any real life people to inspire your characters personalities?

While all the character's are fictional, some of their qualities and characteristics are inspired by real people I know. I think I most identify with Renee, but my favourite character is Shelley too. She's confident, brash, outrageous and wholly unapologetic for her choices. She was so fun to write. Her hilarious habit of giving nicknames to her "man du jour" was inspired by a childhood friend of mine who had a nickname for a guy in college that she admired from across the dorm cafeteria. She called him Maverick because he looked like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Much like Shelley, she is a self confident, gorgeous, lovely gal and it wasn't long before they met and dated for a spell.

The book is set out in email's between all the of the characters which I love. I find it easier to read for some reason and with todays society we do communicate alot though email. Would you think of writing any more of your novels in this format?

Based on the reader and reviewer response so far to Click, I have started jotting down notes for sequel and have a working title, Double Click. I would love to incorporate reader feedback. So if someone has an idea of what they would like to see happen next to Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and "the cuddler," please stop by the Facebook Fan Site and post suggestions.

Are you currently working on any more projects at the moment?

Aside for Double Click, I'm a full time mom and wife to the best family ever; part time public relations professional for an International PR firm; part time professor of public relations courses at a state university in California; and I'm bringing to market a children's education product that I've invented. Needless to say, there's never a dull moment around here.

Would you like to try any other genres, i.e. fantasy, sci-fi, even YA?

I would consider writing a book in another genre if I had a story that I felt needed to be told. So far, I haven't been inspired in any of those areas.

Do you like reading yourself/what sort of genres do you like reading?

I love to read. Always have. Always will. My favouite genre is chick lit, which is probably why I felt compelled to write a novel the way I did. Sadly, I've been so busy writing my book, I haven't had much time to read lately. But, I've got a vacation planned his summer and top of my list of The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I'm hoping to finish it before seeing the movie.

Do you have any advise for aspiring authors?

Don't write off self-publishing. I explored the traditional publishing route and got feedback from multiple literary agents. One in particualar explained the current economic state of the publishing industry to me. Due to large investment to edit, produce, distibute and market a work by an unknown author, many large publishers won't take the risk. Self-publishing is a way to get your work out there.

I'm also reminded of some advice I was given once. I had interviewed Charles Rosen, one of the producers of the oringal Beverly Hills 90210, for an alumni magazine article while I was in graduate school. And I will never forget what he told me "Don't fall in love with your words, because somebody above will probably change them." One of the great benefits of self publishing is that you can really take control of the process.

Click: An Online Love Story is avaiable now:

PRINT VERSION LINK

https://www.createspace.com/3565336

KINDLE LINK

http://www.amazon.com/Click-Online-Love-Story-ebook/dp/B004UI6IJ0/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1302391148&sr=8-4

You can also check the Click: An Online love story Facebook page !

                                                         Giveaway Closed!

Enter to win an Ebook (Kindle OR Nook) of Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker

*This books contains some references to Sex but is a great read, if you don't mind some sex references enter away!

*To Enter, you must be a GFC Follower

*Answer this questions: Click: An Online Love Story is a perfect summer read. What book is a perfect summer read for you?

*Leave your email address so I can contact you if you win

Extra Entry:

*Comment on my review of Click: An online love story: My Review! +2 (Tell me you commented to gain the extra 2 entries!

-Giveaway ends 12th July 2011

-Giveaway is sponsered by Lisa Becker

Four Hundred Days Social Network Contest

The goal behind this contest is to spread the word about Four Hundred Days as far as possible to as many people as possible. Four Hundred Days is the second book in the Lor Mandela series by L.Carroll. It's a captivating trilogy that will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages, and asking for more.

Win Expiation by Greg Messel's

To Enter:

• Tweet "Join us on the 400 Hour @FourHundredDays blog tour http://t.co/VYPmPKv
• Leave a comment with the links!
• Leave email addy

Extra Entries:

• Facebook about the contest +1
• Change your facebook image to the 400 Hours to Four Hundred Day's blog tour button for the duration of thsis tour +3
• Change you twitter avatar to the 400 Hours to Four Hundred Days blog tour button for the duration of the tour +3
• Blog about this tour +5
• Grab the 400 Hours to Four Hundred Days Blog Tour Button and place it on your blogs sidebar
• Youtube about the 400 Hours to Four Hundred Days blog tour

Contest Ends 11.59 July 15th 2011

*Check out my interview with L.Carroll as part of the blog tour and you can get the chance to win a signed copy of Four Hundred Days!*

*Also check out the cover reveal of Four Hundred Days- it's beautiful! Click Here! *

The Knight Trilogy Jewellery Range: Guest Post & Giveaway

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

Guest post by Katie John

 

The Knight Trilogy Jewellery range.

 

My very talented friend, Pippa came to see me a few weekends ago, bringing with her a little bag of surprise goodies. Pippa makes gorgeous handmade jewellery, often out of vintage and recycled items she finds at treasure markets. (Going to carboot sales is a complete addiction for us both.)

 

She had read The Forest of Adventures and thought that the magical fairytale elements were perfect for interpreting into a range of jewellery and bookmarks.

As a result, she spent some time working on a few designs that she thought I could use as giveaway promotions and to sell to fans on the website.

 

The bookmarks are absolutely gorgeous, (in fact all of it is gorgeous) but I think the bookmarks are particularly special. She has designed a range of three.

 

1.) A shield and butterfly used to represent Blake’s status as a Knight of The Realm and the change that comes about with his meeting of Mina.

 

 

2.) A Tree and flower to represent the beauty of the forest and the enchantment it holds

 

 

 

3.) A  Flower and bead combination which evokes the cover-art of the book 

 

 

Some people have asked why I have launched this range but I suppose it comes from my own experiences. It’s no secret that I am a huge Twilight fan and the book has a very special place in my heart. I own several bits of merchandise; one of which was a beautiful silver charm bracelet. It allowed me to take the book with me, hold the story visibly with me so that when I was sitting in ‘highly interesting’ strategy and planning meetings etc. I could take the magic with me. I liked the fact it asserted this part of me, a deep connection with a story which I loved.

 

I’ve had some beautiful fan mail lately about just this; the power of the story and how it allows for escape. It was nice to be able to send some gifts which connect with the story.

To see the whole range you can visit http://www.theknighttrilogy.com/jewellery-shop.html

 

I will be giving away one of these beautiful bookmarks to one of Megan’s blog followers. All you have to do is give a shoutout for Megan’s blog on twitter or facebook and make sure you subscribe to her amazingly informative and interesting blog.

 

You can choose which one you would like.

Thanks to Katie for this wonderful guest post. Her jewellery range is beautiful. So you heard Katie:

*Be a follower of my blog
*Give my blog a shoutout on either twitter or facebook (Leave link)
*Comment below with which bookmark you want either 1, 2, or 3
*Leave a email so I can contact you if you win

-Giveaway sponsered by Katie John
-Giveaway ends 3rd July

Megan :)

In My Mailbox (#8)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren were everyone puts up the books they have bought, received or got from the library!

 

So this week I didn't receive any books in the mail, and I didn't get any from the library, however I did buy one book!

I bought:

*A hardback copy of Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast (Book 7 in the House of Night Series)

I was so happy with this buy! I have read the first six in the House of Night Series and enjoyed them. I saw the 7th book and just had to have, not because I really want to read it BUT it was a bargain! I got it for £1! I was shocked at the price, it is brand new as well and in hardback :) Hopefully I will get round to reading this in the fall as I have loads to read over the summer!

So I wanted to use this post to tell you guys a few things!

*I start a new job on Monday *woop woop* so blog post's are not going be put up till prob after 7PM UK time now! I have loads of great posts for July, with lots of author interviews, giveaways and my first blog tour!*

*Can you guys in the comments below tell me some YA books you recommend I should buy! I haven't really bought any new releases in a while, so I want your guys advise on some new releases I should buy!


Megan :)

 

Midsummer Eve Hop Winners & My first blog award!

Hey Everyone!

The Midsummer's Eve hop ended yesterday so now it's time to annouce the winners! Yes, you read right WINNERS! I said I would add a second winner if I gained 50 more followers during the hop, I didn't manage it but I was only a few off the target so I thought you guys have been awesome, why not add a second winner! So the winners are:

*Stacy who choose The Secret Circle Book one -The initiation and The Captive part one

*Thao Huynh who choose Nightworld: Book One: Secret Vampire

Winners will be contacted soon and will have 48hrs to get back to me with their mailing addess. Congrats!

On to even more exciting news! I recieved my first BLOGGER AWARD! The awesome Tamara Mousner awarded me the Stylish Blogger Award! I heart Tamara! She is such an awesome woman, person and author. I just want to say a BIG thank you to her for thinking of me! You Rock!

Here are the Stylish Blogger Rules:

1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Pass the award on to 5 new found blogging buddies, and
4. Contact the winners to congratulate them.

So here is 7 random facts about me!

1) I am obsessed with TV! Glee, True Blood, Doctor Who to name a few of my TV obsessions.
2) I heart Taylor Lautner!
3) I have a soft spot for fiction books set during the World Wars such as Annie Groves.
4) I love Tinie Temph! Listen to his album all the time
5) I would love to visit and maybe live in the U.S one day
6) I love Pepsi!
7) I say stupid things all the time without thinking!

So now I have to pass the Stylish Blogger Award onto 5 more awesome bloggers! I love so many bloggers out there that it's going be hard to narrow it down to just 5. But here goes:

1) The first awesome blog I would like to pass the award onto is the guys at Reading Teen Net ! I heart all these guys! This was one of the first blogs I discovered when I started blogging a few months ago. There blog is awesome and I hope one day to have a blog as great as there's. Love to Amy &Andye!

2) I want to offer the next to the wonderful I am a reader not a writer I love this blog! It offers great reviews, giveaways and hosts wonderful blog hops!!

3) Kerry-Ann at Reading A little bit of everything! is an awesome blogger! And as her blog name states she reads a little bit of everything!

4) I love this next blog!! Book Chick City is awesome blog!! Its just such a cool blog! And I love that it's a UK blog. Go UK blogs! he he

5) And finally! The last award goes to Book Passion For life! Donna and Jessica are just two awesome woman and run a great blog! You must check them out.

Megan

Introducing: YA author Cidney Swanson interview & giveaway (YA Feature #6)

Hey Everyone! This week's YA author is Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler, the first book in the Ripple Series. Please everyone welcome Cidney, by showing some comment love and checking out her YA novel Rippler.

A short description of Rippler (1st book in the Ripple series):

Samantha Ruiz has a freak gene that turns her invisible. She can’t control it, and it’s getting worse. Afraid of becoming a lab-rat, Sam keeps her ability secret, until fellow runner Will Baker sees her vanish into thin air. Will promises secrecy and help, and Sam begins to fall in love.

Together, the two discover there are worse things than being a scientific curiosity. Someone’s been killing people who possess Sam's gene. A mysterious man from France sends letters that offer hope for safety, but also reveal a sinister connection with Nazi experiments.

The more time Sam spends with Will, the less she can imagine life without him. When Sam uncovers secrets from her past, she must choose between keeping Will in her life or keeping Will safe.

Cidney's inspirations on her journey to be a writer:

I have wanted to be a writer since I could first hold a pencil and spell words out with it. I was think I was about seven at that point. My dad taught literature and my mom made sure we always had library books available, so they definitely influenced me. Louisa May Alcott inspired me when I was very young; I loved reading about her character "Jo March" who wanted to be a writer so desperately. I identified with Jo pretty intensely! Later influences include, Tolkien, Jane Austen, George Eliot, Frank Herbert, oh, I don't know who all...there are so many wonderful books out there, you know? Recently authors who are also moms (mum's right? like Rowling and Meyer) made me realize I had no excuse to wait til my kids were grown. My son has also been a big inspiration, and I dedicated my first book to him.

*The Rippler is the first book in the Ripple series. Where did you get the idea for this series?

I had an image in my mind of a girl, standing by the Merced River, which is this stunning snow-melt river in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Anyway, I saw her looking at the water and feeling so peaceful and suddenly she disappeared from view (although she didn't know she was invisible.) So then I had two questions I needed to find answers for: (1) why does she turn invisible (2) why doesn't she notice, she has turned invisible. The story grow from there.

*I love the cover of Rippler, it's beautiful. Who designed the cover/ how much say did you have in the cover art?

Oooohhhh!! Isn't my cover gorgeous? That is the work of Claudia Bertoli -McKinney or phatpuppydesign. I looked though her extensive stock and found an image of a girl that was just perfect. I told Claudia I needed the girl to be looking at the water, and with lots of back- and- forth, Claudia created this dazzling image for me.

*Samantha your main character has a freak gene that makes her turn invisible. Would you like to turn invisible for the day/ Who would you spy on he he?

Oh, I'd love to "ripple" or turn invisible if I could do it like Sam does. I'd spend more time walking through things than spying, though, I think! (In my story, walking through walls and other things is very, very cool.)  I always think about poor Lucy in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, who gets an unpleasant earful when she spies.

*The Rippler is an Urban Fantasy Romance Novel. Is there any other genre you would love to tackle?

I'm working on a YA novel that is sci-fi, a genre I have always loved. I was part of the Star Wars/Star Trek generation, so zipping around in space has always appealed to my imagination!

*How is work coming on the next book in the Ripple series/how many books will be in the series?
Well, I'm avoiding book two at the moment, aren't I? *winks* I am done with the first draft and into my rounds of editing and revising. Which is actually my favourite part! The series will have three titles, but I do have alot of "additional material" that didn't make the final cut, so perhaps that will show up in short stories or something if people are interested.

*Do you have any advise for aspiring authors?

Yes. READ. And then read some more. Read the classics for syntax and grammer so that you develop good habits and clarity in your writing. Read heavily in your genre. That is, if you want to write paranormal thrillers, read a hundred a year in that category.

My second bit of advise is, "Butt in Chair." That is, you can't write by daydreaming about it. You really have to sit down and just write. Even when it feels you don't have anything there. Interview your characters if you feel stuck. You'll be surprised by what they have to say for themselves!

*Why should we read your book, The Rippler?

Honestly, I hope people will  read it to find out what happens to the girl on the cover. She has such an intriguing journey from loneliness and being uncertain about her own strength to finding how tough she really is. And of course, learning to love and protect someone is a huge part of her journey. I really admire her strength!

Finally some quickfire questions:

*Summer or winter? Summer, summer, summer! I get happy just repeating the word!

*Night or day? Can I say dusk? (Or Sham-sundar, as one of my character's would say!)
*Music or movies? Movies. With great soundtracks.

*Fiction or non-fiction? That would be fiction!

*Favourite colour? Blue.

*Favourite holiday destination? Orlando, Florida or Cornwall, UK.

*Favourite place to write? At my cosy little desk in the cornor.

*Favourite book? Seriously? How can this possibly be a quick question. Out of the silent planet or Persuasion would make the list today.

*If you could bring three items with you to a desert island, what would they be?

My lover, my library and my list of coconut recipes!

Rippler is now available to buy! You can buy your copy here:

Rippler Ebook (Kindle)
Rippler Ebook (Nook)

Follow Cidney on:

Facebook
Twitter
Blog

Giveaway closed!

Cidney has kindly offered an Ebook of Rippler (Book one in the Ripple series)

Please read the rules carefully!

To Enter:

*Must be a GFC Follower (Leave follower name)
*ANSWER THE QUESTIONS: Would you like to Ripple or turn invisible? What would you do when you where invisible?
*MUST STATE COUNTRY YOUR FROM
*LEAVE EMAIL ADDRESS SO I  CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

Extra Entries:

*Follow author Cidney on Twitter (Leave twitter name) +2
*Comment on any of my review's or author interviews (Leave interview or review you commented on ) +3
COMMENT ON REVIEW OR AUTHOR INTERVIEW MUST BE AFTER THIS GIVEAWAY WAS POSTED TO RECIEVE THE THREE EXTRA ENTRIES!

-Giveaway is sponsered by Cidney Swanson
-Winners contact info will be passed on to Cidney
-Giveaway Ends: 7th July

*Check out more of my current giveaways by clicking the current giveaway tab along the top of the blog*



Midsummer Eve Giveaway Hop!

*Giveaway closed*

Welcome to the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway hop hosted by I am a reader not a writer

Hey! I'm so excited to be hosting my second giveaway hop! This giveaway will be INTERNATIONAL! So, onto the giveaway prize!

There will be ONE winner and they will have the choice of choosing ONE book out of these THREE awesome books:

*The Secret Circle: The Intitiation and The Captive Part one by L.J. Smith

*Nightworld: Book One: Secret Vampire by L.J. Smith

*Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith

*Note: If I manage to get 50 new followers during the hop, which will take my followers to 437 followers I will add a second winner who will get their choice of the two left over books!*

To Enter

*You must be a GFC follower to enter - Leave GFC Follower name!

*Comment below with which book you would like to win!

Extra Entries:

*Tweet about the giveaway: @Teamwolf1988 (Leave link) +1

*Comment on any of my reviews or author interviews (Leave which you commented on) +2

*Enter my C.A.Kunz giveaway: (Leave name you entered with) +2 CAKunz Giveaway

*Giveaway ends: June 24th

*Winner will be announced on June 25th

*Giveaway is sponsered by me and hosted by I am a reader not a writer

*You can check out my current giveaways, by clicking on the current giveaway tab along the top of the blog*

Check out the other bloggers particpating in the hop:

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/midwinters-eve-giveaway-hop.html

Giveaway: Signed copy of The Childe by CA Kunz plus swag (THREE WINNERS)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Hey! Today on Reading Away The Days I have the pleasure of having mother and son writing duo Carol and Adam Kunz (CA Kunz) on my blog. They have kindly offered a signed copy of their debut novel, The Childe plus some awesome swag. There will be 3 WINNERS and yes it's INTERNATIONAL! Check out the awesome prizes:

*1ST PRIZE
                                                       

*A signed copy of The Childe

*A The Childe bookmark

*A The Childe badge

*A bracelet with a happy penny face

2ND PRIZE

*A The Childe bookmark

*A The Childe badge

*A bracelet with moonstones meant to represent the main character in The Childe, Cat Colvin and a happy face penny!

3RD PRIZE

*A The Childe badge

*A The Childe bookmark 

                           

TO ENTER:

*You must be a GFC Follower

*You must leave a comment on the interview with Carol & Adam: CA Kunz interview

*Come back here and leave the name you commented with on the interview PLUS your email address so I can contact you if you win!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

*Follow me on twitter @Teamwolf1988 (Leave Twitter name below) +1

*Follow @AuthorCAKunz on twitter (Leave Twitter name below) +2

*Tweet about the giveaway @teamwolf1988 (Leave link) +2

*Comment on any of my reviews or author interviews  (Leave name of review or author interview you commented on below) +3

*Giveaway Ends 11th July

*Winner will be announced soon after

*Prizes where provided by CA Kunz

*I will post out the winner's prizes

*I have the right to withdraw the giveaway at any time*

*Check out more of my current giveaways by clicking the current giveaway tab along the top of the blog*





Author Interview: Carol and Adam Kunz (CA Kunz)

Hey Carol & Adam! Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview. So you are a mother and son writing duo, which is awesome! You just recently published your first YA fantasy novel, The Childe. Could you us a little about it?

Carol & Adam: The Childe is a coming of age story with a supernatural twist, involving our main character Cat Colvin. At the onset of the story, Cat is finally allowed by her parents to join her childhood friends at Astoria High School for their freshman year, instead of having to attend snobsville Madison Prep. Almost immediately she's thrust into conflict stemming from an extremely viscous and caustic teacher, a strange group of preppy Goths who take an instant dislike to her, and a popular trio called the Trifecta, who for some reason wants her to be their new BFF. All of this is further complicated by the fact, unbeknownst to her, that she's metamorphosing into the Childe.

Where did the idea for The Childe come from?

Adam: Back in my senior year of High School (almost 8 years ago), my AP English teacher, Mrs. Powers, had us brainstorm a list of ideas for future writing projects as a creative writing exercise. Two years ago, I was digging through a box labelled "OLD SCHOOL STUFF" that my mom had collected over the years. Inside I found the notebook containing those ideas from class. One of them really struck me as I perused the pages, and that idea eventually became the plot line for our series, The Childe. Since the idea was right up our alley in terms of favourite genre (to read/write), my mom was sold on it immediately. Obviously it has been fleshed out considerably, and has changed quite a bit from it's original version, but it was a great place to start from though.

The cover for The Childe is very eye catching. How much say did both you have in the designing of the cover? Who designed it?

Carol & Adam: Adam actually sketched out our idea of what we wanted the entire cover to look like. Going into it, we really wanted to showcase Cat's fiery red hair, and make it, and the moon the focal point of  the cover. A wonderful graphic designer, Lisa Surphlis, took that sketch and transformed the concept into the finished product you see today. We were ecstatic when we saw the final design, because it was exactly how both of us envisioned it.

How does it feel to have your book out there for the public to read and maybe critique?

Carol: Excited and a little nervous. Excited, because I want people to read an enjoy the world we have created in our novel. Nervous, because The Childe is our baby, and as a parent I have a hard time with people making critiques about my children. All in all though, the experience so far has been very positive, if not exhilarating at times. I realize that our novel is not everyones cup of tea, but I can only hope those who read it will at least have a good time doing so.

Adam: I would echo my mom's sentiments and also say that it's kind of like a roller coaster ride too at times. There are the highs and the lows, the sudden dips and corkscrews, the screams of joy and screams of fear... all of that. I might be weird, but I actually love book critiques (maybe more than I should.) No matter if they are "positive" or "negative," they all help us grow as authors. What one person likes about a novel, another person might dislike about it, and vice versa. I'm just grateful that I was able to fulfill a dream with my mom, and create a story that we both have a blast writing together!

Is there any other projects you are both working on at the minute?

Carol & Adam: We are currently wrapping up the 2nd book. We have a little tweaking to do, and then it's off to the first of three editors, who all review, edit and yes do the dreaded critiquing of the manuscript, before we send if off to be printed! We are also working on a side project with the wonderfully talented musician, Lee Wilson. He is helping us put together a companion soundtrack for our series. Volume one of the soundtrack spans the first two books in The Childe series, and will contain 11 full length songs. The songs have full lyrics and were inspired by the words of the novels. They span several genres from pop, rock, R&B, punk, classical and country. The Childe companion soundtrack will be available soon.

How does it feel to go on this whole journey together (writing, publishing and promoting your novel)?

Carol: Frankly, it was overwhelming for me. I did not realize the amount of work and time that was needed to produce our final product, and then the work to get it out to the masses. Luckily, I am blessed with a son who took the reins, and with the help of his good friend made the book into what it is today. If it had been left up to me, it would still be sitting in a loose leaf notebook with me frantically searching the Internet highway looking for help. The journey with my son has been extremely enjoyable, and a trip that I wouldn't hesitate to undertake again. It was hard at first to find a balance between his writing style and mine and blend it into our novel. We find it now far easier to bounce ideas off one another and understand each others nuances, to enable us to better write like one voice.

Adam: Again, I would like to echo my mom's sentiments, and add that this truly has been one of the best experiences of my life! I wouldn't have changed a thing about it! I know I am very lucky to have a mother like mine. She is a very positive person, and truly kept me motivated when times got rocky. There have been some truly rough patches, but we pressed on and have learned so much by doing so (and we're still learning). Every part of the process has been a lot of fun, from the actual writing, to the publishing , and especially the promotion. My mom and I love to talk and meet new people and that is just what this whole experience allows us to do.

You both like to read fantasy, supernatural books. What are some of your favourite fantasy books?

Carol: The very first fantasy book I remember reading was The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. As a young girl, my English grandfather would take me to W.H. Smith's, a bookstore in Birkenhead, England and buy me wonderful and exciting books. He was actually the one who bought me my first set of the Chronicles of Narnia, which I still have today, worn and torn from countless hours of re-reading. Growing up, I found myself haunting libraries, reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and of course Bram Stoker's Dracula just to name a few. Nowadays, you will find me reading authors like Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kerrlalyn Sparks and Lindsay Sands.

Adam: When I was younger, I loved almost any book about things that go bump in the night. I was addicted to the Goosebumps series and the Fear Street series by R.L.Stein. I also really enjoyed lighter reads like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Now that I am a tad older, I tend to read more YA paranormal/fantasies. One of my all-time favourite reads though has to be Harry Potter (stereotypical... I know). My most recent favourite authors are Tamora Pierce, Cassandra Claire, Holly Black, Rachel Hawkins, and Suzanne Collins.

This question is for Carol. I am a believer in ghosts as I myself swear I have saw one. Some people may say it was my imagination, some say maybe I'm a little crazy he he, if I believe I saw a ghost BUT you also saw a ghost when you were 8 years old and this sparked your interest in supernatural. Do you believe in all things supernatural?

I believe you Megan. I too, had people who said it was my imagination and didn't believe me, but I know it happened. I have always been intrigued by the supernatural and things that can't be explained. Actually, there is a small town near where I live called Cassadaga, where you can find a gathering of psychics, mediums, spiritualists and healers. Years ago when we first moved to Florida, Cassadaga, was never really that crowded, even on the weekends. Now, it's almost always bustling with activity and it seems more people are becoming open to the idea of the paranormal and are visiting, seeking answers and comfort. Several residents have said the veil between our world and the next is thinning, and that more people will see and hear things that they have never experienced before. I believe this.

Adam, you work in a certain theme park in Orlando, Florida as a decor consultant. Has your job ever helped toward you getting some great story ideas?

All the time! I am constantly surrounded by creativity and it truly does help me write better. There will be days when I am dressing the haunted houses for the parks Halloween event, and I can't wait to get home and write because I have so many ideas that were sparked by just being in the space. Clearly, the haunted houses are much more gruesome and violent than what my mom and I write about, but that doesn't mean being surrounded by it doesn't help me (I mean we do write about the paranormal). It's pretty much like an author reading books in their genre, and then stumbling upon a great idea because of something they read inspired them.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Carol & Adam: If you have a story to tell, believe in it, and write it down. There will always be people who are critical of your work, listen, if it makes sense, learn from them. If you are rejected, do not become disheartened! It only takes one person to accept your work. Remember, there are people who have been rejected numerous times, but persevered, and are now read worldwide. Live your dream! Believe in your story and in yourself, you can make it happen!

Thanks to Adam and Carol for the awesome interview. Carol & Adam kindly send me a signed copy of The Childe to review, which I will be reviewing next month!

You can find Adam and Carol under their author name, CA Kunz, at the following places:

Find them on Goodreads @ http://bit.ly/majh5D

Find them on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/thechilde (book page) and www.facebook.com/cakunz11 (author page)

Find them on twitter @AuthorCAKunz

There blog/website is currently under construction at the moment but when it's up and running again you can find it here http://www.thechilde.com/

The Childe (Book One in The Childe Series) is available now at these locations:

Paperback Edition: Amazon.com The Childe
Paperback Edition: Amazon.co.uk The Childe
Kindle Edition (US): The Childe
Kindle Edition (UK): The Childe
Nook Edition: Barnes & Noble.com: The Childe
Paperback Edition: Barnes & Noble.com: The Childe

In My Mailbox (#7)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren were everyone puts up the books they have bought, received or got from the library!



This week was again a quiet week for me. I recieved one Ebook, one book in the mail and bought one book.

*Children Of the Lost Moon by Gabrielle Blue (Ebook)

"17-year old Savannah Henderson has but one dream - to hold the Olympic gold in saber fencing. A new fencing coach promises to make her Olympic dream a reality. However, he is not what he seems and she finds her life taking a bizarre, dangerous turn as she is thrust headlong into a war between two impossible, mythical species, one bent on destroying the human race, the other determined to protect it."

This was kindly sent to me as a gift. I will have an interview with the sisters who wrote Children of the Lost Moon in July! I aim to review this sometime during the summer!

*The Childe by CA  Kunz

"Cat Colvin is pretty much your typical run-of-the-mill teenager growing up in the small port town of Astoria. Sure, she is taller than average, has a mane of fiery red hair that is impossible to tame, is left handed, and has one eye that is sky blue and one that is amber, but that is where the differences end . . . unless you include the minor detail of her slow metamorphosis into the Childe.

We all know how difficult high school can be, and for Cat Colvin it is no different. Except for the fact she has the daunting task of trying to hide her budding Childe traits as they begin to reveal themselves at the most inopportune times.

This first book in this coming of age fantasy series follows Cat's life through the twists and turns toward finding out what and who she really is. Come and take the plunge with Cat into a world filled with biting humor, darkness, and yes, a few life lessons as well"

I recieved my signed copy of The Childe to review this week. A few weeks back I recived a signed copy plus swag to giveaway. Come back tomorrow for the giveaway! There will be three winners!! I plan to review The Childe in July.

*The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum

"When successful twenty-nine-year-old Manhattan attorney Emily Haxby ends her happy relationship just as her boyfriend is on the verge of proposing, she can’t explain to even her closest friends why she did it. Somewhere beneath her sense of fun, her bravado, and her independent exterior, Emily knows that her breakup with Andrew has less to do with him and more to do with...her. “You’re your own worst enemy,” her best friend Jess tells her. “It’s like you get pleasure out of breaking your own heart.”
 
As the holiday season looms and Emily contemplates whether she made a huge mistake, the rest of her world begins to unravel: she is assigned to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit where she must defend the very values she detests by a boss who can’t keep his hands to himself; her Grandpa Jack, a charming, feisty octogenarian and the person she cares most about in the world, is losing it, while her emotionally distant father has left her to cope with this alone; and underneath it all, fading memories of her deceased mother continue to remind her that love doesn’t last forever.
 
How this brave, original young heroine finally decides to take control of her life and face the fears that have long haunted her is the great achievement of Julie Buxbaum’s marvelous first novel. Written with the authority, grace, and wisdom of an author far beyond her years, The Opposite of Love heralds the debut of a remarkable talent in contemporary fiction."

I bought this during the week for a bargin of £1. The oppostie of Love was published in 2008 and was Julie's first novel. It's a adult book. I thought I would buy it as it was a bargin and the story sounds interesting.

What did you get in your mailbox?

 

A Game Of Tag!

I was tagged by the awesome Amy Lunderman a fellow blogger and YA author. I had Amy on my blog a while back, check out her interview. To continue the game I get to answer some questions and tag more awesome peeps!! Lets go!!

QUESTION #1 - Do you think you're hot?

Emmmm..... really, that's the question. OK then, of course i'm hot! JK

QUESTION #2 - Upload a pic or wallpaper you're using at the moment.

I HEART Glee!!! My fave character is Blaine played by the awesome and HOTTT, Darren Criss. I love his voice, his character and he is down right cute. I'm using this as my backround on my laptop!

QUESTION #3 - When was the last time you ate chicken?

Emmm... I can't think right now but it has to have been in the last week or so as it's my favourite meat!

QUESTION #4 -The song(s) you listened to recently.

I heart me some Katy Perry!! I love he songs! Her new vid is just awesome, Hanson and Darren Criss what more could you want!

QUESTION #5 - What were you thinking about as you were doing this?

I was thinking about Darren Criss he he. Got distracted by the photo!

QUESTION #6 - Do you have any NickNames?

Yes!!! My name is Megan so I get Megs some time from my mum and sis. Another nickname my sister calls me is meggy-moo whoch annoys me LOL.

QUESTION #7 - Tag 8 Blogger Friends.

Reading A Little Bit of Everything                               

 Book Chick City

Book Passion For Life                                                 

Reading Teen

Simply Stacie

Fiktshun Blog 

Total Bookaholic

Candaces Book Blog 

TAG AWAY!!!

Introducing: YA author Fisher Amelie (YA Feature #5)

Hey everyone! Lets welcome this week's new YA author Fisher Amelie to Reading Away The Days! *claps* Fisher is the author of a new YA supernatural romance series, The Leaving Series. The first novel in the series, The Understorey, was released just a few days ago!

Without further ado, lets welcome author Fisher Amelie and show her some commenting love and check out her debut novel, The Understorey!

*Title of Book: The Understorey, Book One of The Leaving Series

*Genre: Supernatural Romance

*Release Date: June 15th, 2011

*A short description of The Understorey (Book one of The Leaving Series)

Elliott Gray is incomplete, scrambling through the dark on his hands and knees, blindly feeling for the switch it would take to bring the peace he's forever been searching for.

Julia Jacobs is unhappy, missing a noticeable piece of her soul, a naked canvas with vivid paints at her disposal but no brush to assemble the vision.

At a young age, courtesy of an unknowing Elliott Gray, Julia tastes the burn of heartache and since then, has silently vowed to her heart that it would never be susceptible to such pain again but when Julia and Elliott discover they share a supernatural connection that's never been revealed before, Elliott makes it his life's goal to convince her they are fated. He knows, if she only gave him but one chance to prove himself, she wouldn't be afraid. But just when things seem to be moving his way, Elliott's best friend Jesse Thomas turns out to be much more than meets the eye and it's all Elliott can do to hold on to his new love, while attempting to survive an enormous threat on their future.

Fisher's writing journey so far:

I'm a part-time online marketing copywriter of the most awfully boring dribble on the internet and I'm not kidding. I can't tell you how often I've fallen asleep at my desk writing about advanced dentistry or some other equally boring subject but most importantly, I'm a full-time mama to absolutely the most adorable little boy ever born, and, brace yourself because this is utterly awesome, a full-time writer of young adult novels. 

I've always written, for literally as long as I can remember, I've always written. I used to scribble little stories as a kid in notebooks and stuff them in my closet and eventually in high school, penned several shorts after becoming obsessed with George Orwell. If you've read my book, you could have probably already guessed as much but it wasn't until recently did I decide to fashion my ideas in novel form.With each major life event, birthday, anniversary, or national holiday, I would write poems to my friends and family as gifts and for years, my lovely, and I'm not being sarcastic here, mother-in-law, would encourage me to write. It was because of her that I took the plunge and I'm not even sure she knows that. Hmm, maybe I should mention that juicy tidbit? Earn some brownie points. She makes the most brilliant brownies

Writing novels, to me, has got to be the best job ever invented by God. I mean, honestly, it is a constant bombardment of overwhelming and extraordinary emotions and, ask anyone I know, you can utterly define me by the emotions I feel. I get butterflies and supremely giddy when one of my characters kisses another for the first time, I cry when my characters cry, I laugh when they laugh and I thrive on it. I'm a sponge for emotions. They allow me to soar and dip to new and exciting highs and lows. They are my drug of choice and, oh baby, what a wonderful high.

*Where did you get the inspiration for The Understorey?

I was reading a lot of paranormal romances at the time and they were all written from the female's perspective, which is fantastic and it helps me relate well but I really wanted something different. I wanted to read a story from the perspective of the male, wanted to feel what the male felt, hear him describe what the girl meant to him and, oh Lord, did I love what my main character Elliott ended up feeling for Julia. He made me swoon for him. It was unexpected and I'm so glad I did it.

*I love the cover of The Understorey. Who designed it, did you have much input into the way the cover art was designed?

goroobix.com designed my cover for me. They asked me what the story was about, then asked what my expectations were. My only demand was to 'make it pop!' and they did just that. When they showed it to me I gasped. Gasped! It represents Julia's and Elliott's gift so well and they just did a fantastic job with it. Incidentally, they also practically did my entire book trailer for me. They encompassed the undertone of the book so well in the cover and the trailer. They're just so incredibly talented.

*The Understorey is part of The Leaving series. How is work coming along with the next book in the series? 

The second book of the series won't be completed for a little while. I'm currently working on another book whose main male character is also oh-so-yummy and as soon as it's completed I plan on continuing The Leaving Series with its second book, The Canopy. 

*How many books will be in the series? 

The Leaving Series is a total of four books but the third and fourth books will be released together as one. They are The Understorey, The Canopy, and The Undergrowth and The Emergent. 

*What is the hardest thing about being an author? 

Time! There's never enough time! I've found myself infatuated with Hermione Granger's Time Turner necklace. Oh! What I wouldn't give!

* Why do you write YA? 

Why wouldn't I!? They have the best readers and the best story lines. So much fun

* Why should we read your book, The Understorey?

Because it's awesome. Only kidding, or am I?

Finally some quickfire questions:

*Summer or Winter? Winter. It smells like love to me. Plus, you're forced to get close, always a plus.

*Night or Day? Night, for the same reasons I choose winter.

*Movies or Music? Music, baby. Music. Nothing can sway the heart like a little music.Wait, is the film starring Bill Murray?

*Fiction or Non-Fiction? Has anyone ever answered non-fiction? If they did, they're lying, probably trying to appear cultured or intelligent. So, non-fiction.

*Favourite colour? Olive Green. Is that weird? Nevermind, I don't care. I love that color.

*Favourite destination?Nosara, Costa Rica. The waves! The wonderful waves!

*Favourite writing place?A dark corner.

*Favourite book? This is the equivalent of asking what your favorite food is. Depends on the ol' mood but if I had to choose on penalty of death, I'd choose...Charles Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby. Tragedy to happiness. It leaves me content.

Finally three things you would take with you if you were stranded on a desert island?

A satellite phone, a martini and my Kindle. See you in a few, Coast Guard. Bring some music. We'll party it up.

Thanks to Fisher for the wonderful interview!

The Understorey is avaiable now though Amazon , Smashwords or Lulu

Where Fisher hangs:

www.fisheramelie.com

Twitter: @fisheramelie

Facebook.com: www.facebook.com/fisheramelie

*Fisher is hosting a "Fisher Amelie Loot Bag Contest"! When you like her facebook fan page or follow Fisher on twitter you are automatically entered in the contest. The Loot consists of all sorts of goodies, including a signed copy of The Understorey! So get following NOW!!