Back to the Books Giveaway Hop ( September 1st-7th)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED- WINNER TO BE ANNOUCED SOON

Welcome to Back to the Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer & Buried in Books!

For this hop I am giving a paperback copy of Vampires Diaries - The Awakening (Book one in the Vampire Diaries series) & some swag! (A few bookmarks)

*The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL

*It will be open from September 1st- September 7th

To Enter:

*You must follow me via GFC! (Please make sure you follow publicy, I do check!)

*If you want 2 extra entries please subscribe to my blog via email. It doesn't take long! Just enter your email at the top right hand box and follow the instructions. PLEASE make sure you verify the account!

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

Good Luck!

Hop on to the other blogs hosting giveaways! There all loads of awesome blogs particapting! Just click the link!

<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=98103" type="text/javascript" ></script>

Random Act of Kindness (RAK) August Round up!

R.A.K. is hosted by Book Soul Mates !

This was my second time particapting and I was so happy to recieve two books this month:

I recived this month:

Beastly by Alex Flinn from Emma at Belle Books

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting from Rachel @ The Rest Is Still Unwritten

I sent:

Meant to be by Tiffany King to Emma @Belle Books

Thanks to Rachel and Emma for sending me awesome books! If you want to sign up for September RAK head to Book Soul Mates for more info!

Happy Reading!

Winner of a signed copy of Founder

Hey everyone! I am here to announce the winner of a signed copy of Founder by L.M. Long!

To enter the winner had to answer this questions: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I got loads of great responses naming some awesome places people would want to go if they could go anywhere in the world! Here is the list of awesome places people would go: Greece, Rome, Bahamas, Scotland, Almeria, Caribbean Islands, Spain, Germany, England, Norway, Peru, New Zealand, Zanzibar, New York & The Northern Lights!

So the winner is:

#31 Aleksandra

Congrats Aleksandra you have won a signed copy of Founder by L.M.Long!

I will contact the winner via their email and they will have 48hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen!

*Check out my other giveaways by clicking the current giveaway tab at the top*

IMM #15

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!

 

 

 

I really wanted to do another video IMM like I did last week, however I have no camera this week! Hopefully next week I can do a video IMM!

 

So this week I didn't really receive many books in the mail, apart from one which I was excited to receive. However I did receive a few Ebooks this week for review which I want to talk to you guys about. So here they are:

 

A taster of Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly

 

 

Goodreads

 

I won a taster of Angel Fire from the author L.A.Weatherly on twitter. I got to receive the prologue to Angel Fire and I have to admit even those first 20 or so pages where awesome. I am so excited to read it in full when it is released on October 1st! For all you guys that don't know Angel Fire is the second book in the Angel Trilogy. I read the first book Angel/or Angel Burn if you are in the U.S.at the end of last year and loved it. You can check out my review of Angel here: Angel Review (This is actually the first book I reviewed on my blog)

 

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

 

 

Goodreads

 

I had to buy this book! It is the sequel to I am number 4 by Pittacus Lore which I read at the beginning of this year and loved. I also loved the movie as well. I am really looking forward to starting this book. I think it may be my next read!

 

So down to the Ebooks I received this week:

I received Reporter from Marridon A Novella by Michelle Franklin. I am taking part in the Commander & the Den Asaan & Tales of Frewyn blog tour in September and I received the novella as a gift from the author for taking part. I also received the other two books that are touring in September a few months back which I still haven't read but I hopefully will get to them soon. For more info on this series check this link: Michelle Franklin

 

Hurricane by Jenna Lynne Duncan

 

 

Goodreads

 

I received this direct from the publishing company http://divertirpublishing.com/ on behalf of the author. Hurricane was released this month and is Jenna Lynee's debut novel. I recently had an interview with Jenna that you can check out here. I am really looking forward to reading Hurricane!

 

All That Matters by Youseph Tanha

 

 

Goodreads

 

I was asked by the author whether I would be interested in reviewing his book and of course I said yes. It sounds like a good read and I will hopefully get around to reading it in September!

 

An E Arc of Legend of Witchtrot Road (Spirit Guide #3) by E. J Stevens

 

 

Goodreads

 

I received this via the author. This is the third book in the Spirit Guide series.  A  while back I received the first and second book in the series, She Smells the dead and Spirit Storm, however I still haven't read them. The third book is out in October so I plan to read all three in October. I will also have an interview with the author at the beginning of September along will a swag giveaway so look out for that!

 

What you get in your mailbox?

 

GIVEAWAY ALERT:

 

If you have time could you please check out my sister's massive birthday giveaway! One lucky winner will receive loads of swag, signed books & Ebooks! Click the link to enter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What am loving? Movies, Music & TV!

Hey!

So I wanted to start this new feature! I don't know how often am going to do it or even if I will do it again. I just want to see what you guys think of it. You all know I love reading, it's kind of a silly question, you guys come here for my book reviews and author interviews etc but I also love Movies, Music & TV and I wanted to do this new post to tell you guys what movies am looking forward to, music I am loving and television programmes I think are amazing! So after all this blabbing here is my first post on what am loving! Tell me what you guys think of this new feature. Enjoy!

Movies

I love movies! I can watch any movies (apart from horror) and most of the time I love them. Some of my fave types of movies is Sci-Fi basically anything by Steven Spielberg, fantasy based movies, some Zombie movies, even though I don't like horror I can deal with Zombies! But some of my all time favourites are disaster end of the world type movies and action films. I love the Bourne series! One of my favourite movies I am looking forward to seeing in September is an action movie starring one of my favourite actors, Taylor Lautner. That movie is Abduction!

Taylor Lautner stars as a young man who unwittingly stumbles upon an image of himself as a young boy on a missing persons website. Suddenly the feeling that he was living someone elses life comes true and he finds himself on the run from trained killers out to get him along with his neighbour and friend Karen played by Lily Collins. Abduction is full of fights, amazing stunts and is a must see movie for all action-thriller lovers! To me Taylor Lautner is the new Bourne!

Music!

I love music! I love all sorts of music from R n B to pop to dance music to classical. I can listen to any type of music as long as I like the song, I don't have to like all the artists work to like one of their songs. I am in love with a few songs at the minute that all have different sounds! Here is my top 4 songs I am loving:

4. Dappy- No Regrets

I really like this song! I first heard it a few weeks ago when my sister showed it to me. This is Dappy's first solo single away from his band Ndubz! It is such a good song! I think it is going be a big hit! It's out September 19th!

3. Maroon 5-Moves Like Jagger

This song is so good! Every time I listen to it I want to get up and dance. I really like Adam's voice and Christina Aguelia also features in the song! Move like Jagger is out September 5th!


2. Bruno Mars- Marry Me

I know this song isn't new but I love it! I first heard Glee's version and loved it and only recently realised Bruno Mars sung it. You can also check out the Glee version below! The Glee cast sang it for Kurt's dad's wedding!

1. Jackson Harris - Go Crazy!

Jackson is one of my new favourite people. I discovered him about a month ago when he was filming this music video with one of my favourite you tubers the Shaytards! Now I love his music! Go Crazy is such a great song and I can't help singing along! And it helps that Jackson is cute as well! Go Crazy is available now at itunes: http://bit.ly/nqKzzu

Television

I am a TV addict! I love all sorts of programmes from drama to comedy to quiz shows to cooking shows to reality TV! But one of my favourite TV programmes is DOCTOR WHO! I am a big Doctor who fan as well as a massive Torchwood fan the spin off TV show to Doctor who. I am so excited for the return of Doctor who tonight as the last episode left us on a big cliff hanger/shock! Here is the trailer for the rest of Season 6 part 2 of Doctor who!

So what did you think of this new feature? Did you like it? What movies are you looking forward to? What music and TV our you loving? Comment below!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of theses videos above! All opinions are my own!

Interview with Claudia from Phatpuppy Art- A Digital artist specializing in book cover art!

A little about Claudia and her work:

I'm a 45 year old wife and homeschooling mom to 4 great children. 

After the birth of my 4th child at 37.. even though busy with being a wife and mom.... I wanted to do something to fulfill something inside of me personally -- and I literally fell into it, when having to help my daughter with something on one of her photographs used for her singing career. lol

For me my art is like keeping a journal - each art piece represents a time in my life, whether good or bad, and it's clearly reflected, for me anyways, in my work. :)

One of my favourite works is "Blind to Beauty".  Because it represents a time in my life where I did feel hopeless..... and the miracle that came from it.... To sum it up - I had been suddenly struck blind - told I would not live by doctors, scheduled for a surgery to try to abate the progress of the disease -- and less than 8 hours before surgery had a bonafide miracle..... (that's the condensed version)

An important message to convey in my work --   Always hope -- I am a very strong faith - and even though I may at times do darker images - I always try to put the element of light to leave a glimmer of hope....for me, especially in today's times, this is sorely lacking. I find that so many young people seem to gravitate towards the dark, seemingly gloomy and hopeless images... although they may be emotional pieces I see out there - they still lack hope.  :(

Fantasy art is just another type - and I usually, with the help of Danny Elfman music, I can get transported there mentally rather easily. lol   It's different for me in that it's colder....... not necessarily what I prefer to do... but often what authors want when commissioning me for covers -- yet I still LOVE making them.

Most challenging is how to introduce new styles of art to my watcher base -- people have a harder time accepting a new style if they really like you for one type... But to be honest, the dark Gothic stuff is wildly popular, but also in my opinion, totally overdone.

The equipment I use --  I stay fairly up to date - but don't go too crazy.  I have a mind blowing computer with 16 gigs of Ram and a monitor that is 22 inches that I actually paint directly on.... so my monitor is my canvas.  I have an electric desk that goes up and down so I sit or stand while working.... 

I have been blessed in that I do work in film now -- doing storyboarding for films in production.  I love the creative process.  My daughter is now in film and television makeup so it's fun to work with her on projects.

:)

Also to other aspiring artists -   I have never promoted or marketed ever for my cover arts ... other than art sites where my work appears. People will find you. :)

Now you are a digital artist. Could you explain a little about what it is and what you do?

 I am a mixed media artist  and I hope to just continue what I'm doing  -- hopefully it's uplifting to people. This means I use digital paint and photographs together to create a unique art piece

Your work is amazing! I love all your cover arts! The work for Slumber and Ripple to name a few I love! How do you go about creating the visual art of the covers, I know the author can just buy one of your pieces to commission for a cover. But where do you get the ideas for the pieces to begin with?

Thank you so much for the kind words about my work.... my ideas come from everywhere - anywhere - sometimes in the obvious places, i.e., music, books, movies... but sometimes they come from quiet stillness... and just letting my mind rest. :)

I know it might be hard to choose but which has been one of your favourite covers to do?

My favourite covers - hmmmm... I might have to say "Honalee" for Amanda Hocking.  Amanda is a joy to work with - and she saw something special in that piece.. I was really honored.

Honalee Cover Art

I was just looking at your before and after work and I love how it shows how much work and detail you put into them. You are so talented! This is one of my particular faves!

Before/After Blue 

How long does it take you to do it from before to after?

Depends- some if i have a clear idea of what I'm going for - it can be fairly quick - other times, even though I may think I know - it ends up falling short - I get frustrated and I have to work on it an extra long time... like 8 or more hours. lol

Your Haiku Images images are stunning as

Frost Duchess

This piece is just mind blowingly beautiful! It looks like so much hard work has went into it and it must have taken you such a long time

This is my one of my most favourite art pieces - and I pray someone will want this one for a cover art.  I was upset because I couldn't go to meet Tim Burton in person at some big event here in Los Angeles - my daughter, Catie, went instead - she got to meet him and talk with him.... this cover art was dedicated to him. :)

Thanks to Claudia for this awesome interview, you can check out her amazing art at http://phatpppyart.com and check out her facebook fanpage http://facebook.com/phatpuppyartist

The Guardians of Souls Blog Tour: Guest Post from author Amy Jones

What is a book trailer and why should authors have one?

What is a book trailer?

The book trailer serves the same purpose as a movie trailer. Movie trailers are intended to lure the potential movie go-er into the movie theater by providing visual blurbs from the film. This will give the viewer a taste of the work with out giving away the whole story and hopefully will entice him or her to desire to see more. Book trailers work the same way. The main difference being that movie trailers show actual footage of the film being released in the theaters. Book trailers use visual images, music and written words to capture the attention of potential readers.

Why should an author create a book trailer for his or her novel?

Today we live in the Age of the Internet. Millions log on to their online accounts every day to check email, post their status on facebook, tweet, blog....We have become a very technologically driven society. If authors are to compete in this market we must take advantage of every resource of marketing available to us. If you make a book trailer you can upload it to Youtube and link to websites, blogs, Goodreads and Amazon Author pages. If it's done well people will plaster it all over the Internet. This, my friends, if free advertising.

Just think about how remarkable this concept is. You're taking a product that relies solely on the visual imagination of the reader and you sell this product by flashing musically choreographed visual imagery across a screen. I know, I know.... when I first learned about book trailers I was skeptical too. I thought to myself, isn't this a tad bit contradictory? Book lovers enjoy getting lost in their own imagination. It doesn't make sense.. but it works. Book trailers have become very popular. In fact, when I find myself shopping for a new read I discover the book is accompanied by a book trailer nearly fifty percent of the time ( this is not actual statistical data, just my personal experience). This may be because I purchase and read alot of Indie books and Indie Writers are the most successful as a result of social networking. None the less, book trailers are virtually trail blazing a path in today's publishing industry.

I am believer in the book trailer and so I find it most appropriate to share my latest creation with you now. I hope that you will be intrigued and enjoy this book trailer I created for The Guardians of Souls, Book Two in the Soul Quest Trilogy.

~Amy Jones

http://amyjonesyaff.blogspot.com/
http://www.soulquesttrilogy.com/

You will be able to download a free Ecopy of The Guardians of Souls on Smashwords on the 31st of August, the last day of the blog tour.  Book Ahoy! will be hosting the last day of the Blog tour and will have all the info you need of your free Ecopy on the 31st of August!



Immortal Beloved Blog Tour: The last post & Giveaway

Hey,

So today, well seeing as it is after 12.00AM, yesterday, The Immortal Beloved Blog tour finished! I really enjoyed being part of the blog tour and also organising it. It was the first time I had organised a blog tour and it was a little scary at first but in the end I think it turned out OK with a few mishaps along the way!

Today I was supposed to put my review of Immortal Beloved up, however as per usual these days for me I keep deleting things and not saving them. The first thing you are taught to do in I.C.T lessons! So as its late I am half asleep and don't want to do a poor job of re-writing my review so I will post the review this weekend!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

So for all you Knight Trilogy Fans, I include myself in this! I have an awesome giveaway for you in replacement of my review, a giveaway of:

*A Knight Trilogy Bracelet
*A Knight Trilogy Book Thong
*A Knight Trilogy Tote

All you have to do to enter is be a GFC follower and leave a comment below with your email address. Giveaway closes August 30th!

You can check out my other Knight Trilogy Giveaway in the current giveaway tab above!

Immortal Beloved Blog Tour: Character Interview & Giveaway

Welcome to my leg of the Immortal Beloved Tour! This blog tour is to help promote Katie M John's book, Immortal Beloved the second in the Knight Trilogy books, released August 25th. You can check out my review of the first book in the Knight Trilogy, A Forest of Adventures here.

I am very excited to have a character interview with two of the main characters in the trilogy, Mina and Blake. Check out my interview with Mina and Blake as I quiz them on their favourite books, books that have inspired them etc. Enjoy!

Hey Mina! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for me. I am doing an article for the school newspaper and just want to get your thoughts on some of your favourite books etc for or new book feature.

What was your favourite book as a child and why?

I've always loved reading, ever since being really tiny. When I was very small my favourite book was a book of fairytales that my grandmother gave me. I loved being scared stupid by all the fairytale baddies and liked to dress up and play princesses. As I got older my favourite book was Lewis Carol's 'Alice in Wonderland'. It's deliciously weird and kooki. I read it every christmas holidays and have used the images and ideas in a lot of my A-level Art coursework.

When I was younger I liked to read books about heroic knights, evil witch's and beautiful mermaids and imagine that they were real. Which fictional fairytale character do you wish was real and why?

That is such a difficult question because there are so many. I love the idea of being a fae - preferably a dryiad (A woodland fairy) although being a mermaid would also be pretty awesome.

What book could you read over and over again and why?

Well, I've already said Alice in Wonderland but I also love Wuthering Heights by Bronte and could re-read it over and over. That and Stoker's Dracula; that's an awesome book too.

Is there a particular book that you have read that has taught you a lesson and why?

Lord of the Flies which we read for our GCSEs. It taught me that the world is a complex place and that humans are a very mixed up kind of animal. I think that Golding is a genius and I love the way he uses the boys as a metaphor for mankind. It was a bleak lesson but somehow gave me more understanding of the world. 

Finally if you had the chance to one day write a book about your life, what would the title be?

Gosh, what a hard question. It would have to be something like, 'Sweetness and Shade'


 

Hey Blake! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for me. I am doing an article for the school newspaper and just want to get your thoughts on some of your favourite books etc for or new book feature.

What was your favourite book as a child and why?

George and the Dragon. I loved the illustrations which full of gold and brightly coloured. I'm not sure that the dragon was meant to be the hero but I felt terribly sad that he came to such a violent end. I spent quite a few years owning an imaginary dragon which drove my mother crazy. I'd even set him a seat at the table and made him his own den. She put her foot down when I kept taking the family heirlooms from the house to stash them in his den as a treasure pile. She said if I loved him, I'd let him fly. LOL

I loved reading books of about a dashing princes and heroic knights when I was younger. If you could be either which would you be and why?

*Chuckles* A Knight definitely. Princes are such...! They just sort of swan about, too pathetic to pick up their own fork. Can't fight for toffee. Knights  are stronger, quicker, smarter and generally - just better!

What book could you read over and over again and why?

Mallory's Morte de Arthur. I love the legends of King Arthur, they're so full of heroes and Romance. (I'm man enough to admit that I love a good romance!)

Is there a particular book that you have read that has taught you a lesson and why?

Every book I have ever read has taught me something of value. My family is quite religious and so in it's truest sense the Bible and the parables have taught me some important lessons in life. 

Finally if you had the chance to one day write a book about your life, what would the title be?

'A Good and Happy Life'

I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I did! I heart Blake even more! Check out author Katie's website here. You can also purchase the first book in the Knight Trilogy, A Forest of Adventures on Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk 

Immortal Beloved (Knight trilogy Book 2) by Katie M. John is available on August 25th!

You can check out the next stop on the tour over at Secret Lives of Fiction Lovers for a review of Immortal Beloved!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

One Lucky follower will win : A signed general release of Forest of Adventures
                                                An ebook of immortal Beloved
                                                A knight trilogy book thong

To Enter all you have to do is follow my blog via GFC and spread the word about the Immortal Beloved being released on August 25th. You can do this via twitter, facebook, blog, youtube any way you want but I must be able to see it so make sure your twitter etc isn't locked! You can spread it by all your means!

+1 Spread by twitter

+1 Spread by Facebook

+4 Spread by blogging

+6 Spread by making a youtube vid!

Once you have done that come back here with your links to where you spread the word and leave an email address so I can contact you if you win!

-Giveaway Ends 30th August

-Giveaway sponsored by author Katie John

To check out all the other participants on the tour and to win more awesome prizes, check out this link!

Also come back on August 25th where I will have a review of Immortal Beloved plus another giveaway!

IMM #14 - My first Video IMM!

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!

 

Hey! This is my first video IMM! I was a little nervous about doing it but I hope it's ok! I got some amazing books this week, 10 books yesterday!! Watch to video to find out why!

Thanks to Hachette Children's Books

A Good Clean Edge by Vincent Caldey Goodreads

Ultraviolet by R.J.Anderson Goodreads

Momentum by Saci Lloyd Goodreads

Jessie NYC by Keris Stainton Goodreads

Fire World (The Last Dragon Chronicles #6) by Chris D'Lacey Goodreads

Far Rockaway by Charlie Fletcher Goodreads (Release date: September 1st)

The Teenage Years: Dark Lord by Jamie Thomson Amazon (Release date: October 6th)

A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton Goodreads (Release date: Jan 2012)

It Had to be you by Marilyn Kaye Amazon (Release date: Feb 2012)

The Duff by Kody Keplinger Goodreads

Thanks to Rachel at http://rachybee-the-rest-is-still-unwritten.blogspot.com/
for The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting!

Thanks to author Tiffany King for the swag http://authortiffany.wordpress.com/

Author Interview: Paige Harbison

Hey Paige! Could you tell us a little about yourself and you writing career so far?

Not much to tell yet! My mother is a very successful author (Beth Harbison of Shoe Addicts Anonymous), so I’ve always been around writing. But it never occurred to me to follow in her footsteps until Bridget stomped her feet into my brain.

Could you tell us a little about your debut novel, Here Lies Bridget.

Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don't worship as attentively, teachers don't fall for her wide-eyed "who me?" look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she's always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she's wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she's inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.
 
And Bridget's about to learn that, sometimes, saying you're sorry just isn't enough….

Where did you get the idea for Here Lies Bridget?

I originally considered writing a series based off of the seven deadly sins. It quickly evolved into just writing about a dreadful girl who suffered from several.

I love the cover of Here Lies Bridget! Who designed it and did you have much say in the process?

The amazing artwork team at Harlequin. I told them I didn’t want faces (I always enjoy making up my own image of characters I read about), and I wanted the same kind of sensibility as the posters for Six Feet Under, True Blood, and Dexter. Darkly, gruesomely funny. 

Why should we read Here Lies Bridget?

        
Because it’s a book that stars the antagonist, and that’s unique. Also because I’m broke and need money to fund my chips&queso addiction.

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

        
Yes, my second book comes out end of January. It’s called New Girl, and it’s a readaptation of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. Kind of a modern whodunit in a boarding school.

Paige's Book History

Favourite book as a child?

Harry Potter because, come on. They’re the best books of all time.

Favourite book as a teenager?

 Still HP…but also lots of time travel romance! A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux is awesome.

Favourite book you have read this year and why?

The Goddess Test by my fellow Harlequin Teen author Aimee Carter was super good. It was a nice read that kept me guessing. Ditto for The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove.

A book that has taught you a lesson and why?

Harry Potter taught me, as a writer, to go wild and not feel restricted by what I know or what others do.

A book you would recommend to my followers to read and why?

The Goddess Test and The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, because I’m in the mood for them still. The latter is about a bitchy girl, and has a similar writing style to me! =)

Here Lies Bridget is available to buy now!

http://www.facebook.com/authorpaigeharbison

www.twitter.com/paigeharbison

Guest Post: Author Patti Larsen

About the Author: Patti Larsen is a middle grade, young adult and adult author with a passion for the paranormal and writes a great deal of horror for someone who is afraid of the dark. She lives on the East Coast of Canada with her very patient husband Scott and four enormous cats.

Writing in the Dark

 

I never intended to go down the dark path. I started out as a fantasy and sci-fi writer. To this day, I can’t even watch horror movie commercials let alone the movies themselves.

So where then did this bent for writing about the paranormal and things that go bump in the night come from? I wish I could tell you. If I figured that out maybe I could sleep better at night.

Yes, I’m afraid of the dark. I’m a grown woman and I have to have a night-light in the hall outside my bedroom. My closet doors have to be closed. And just forget about how often I wake up at 2:30 or 3AM.

And yet, I love what I write. Whether I’m tormenting a teen girl with the deaths of her best friends who come back to haunt her or driving my main character to run for his life through a black forest from the creatures trying to kill him, each and every one of my books satisfies a need in me I can’t explain.

Am I inherently dark to begin with? I don’t think so. I’m basically a happy person with a well balanced life. Am I influenced by the TV shows I watch, the books I read? Most definitely, but I can hardly blame Hollywood. Is writing this kind of book serving the greater good? I have no idea. But I don’t believe my personal artistic expression should be dictated by censors or those who fear such material.

And my fans seem to love it. Really, that’s all that matters.

This penchant for telling the stories of death and blood and horror comes straight out of left field. I’m shocked but gratified. And I know that eventually this too shall pass. It’s a phase, a mere moment of angst-driven expression. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Maybe I should be horrified. But I’ll leave that up to you.

Her new novel Run is available at www.smashwords.com and Amazon.com

You can find her at http://www.pattilarsenbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.pattilarsen.com/

http://www.pattilarsen.blogspot.com/

and her other work on Amazon.com.

IMM #13

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!

 

I got some great books that I am so happy with this week! Here they are:



Goodreads

My sister recived this book from Macmillan and I grabbed it straight away! I love the sound of it and have started it already and am really liking it. Expected publishing date in the UK is September 2nd!

Goodreads

I recieved this book from the author for review. I really like the sound of this book and will be reading it very soon. I also had an interview with the author Heather that you can check out here!

Goodreads

I won this book over at http://oh-my-books.blogspot.com/ Thank you Gaby!

Goodreads

I recived this via R.A.K from http://bellebooksx.blogspot.com/ Thank you so much Emma really looking forward to reading this

Goodreads

http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.com/ kindly sent me her copy of Dead Beautiful to read as she has finished and reviewed it. I can't wait to start it!

What did you get in your mailbox?

*I currently have some awesome giveaways happening, check out the current giveaway tab above*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YA Feature: Introducing YA author Gina Blaxill

This week on Reading Away The Days YA feature is author of Pretty Twisted, Gina Blaxill. Please show Gina some love by commenting on this interview and checking out her book, Pretty Twisted!

A little about Gina:

I always wanted to write! I read so many books when I was younger that there was nothing left for me to read in the library so I decided to make my own stories up. These were about all kinds of things – schoolgirls, families, a lot of fantasy. I wasn’t so great at building fantasy worlds though I loved making characters, so I decided writing something set in the here and now would be a good idea, and Pretty Twisted was born.

I was definitely inspired by Agatha Christie (who wrote loads of fantastic crime novels which you may have seen on TV) and also Tamora Pierce (she was the writer I wanted to “be” growing up).

About Pretty Twisted:

Pretty Twisted is a crime thriller for teens told from two points of view. Londoner Ros is 14 and feeling like she’s losing her best friend, who has started hanging out with a bad crowd. Jonathan is 16, lives in the country and is worried about starting sixth form college, especially as his pretty girlfriend Freya has just moved to London. Before they meet randomly online Ros and Jono are living completely serpeate lives, but through the course of the book things end up getting awfully tangled up – and events take a sinister turn when Freya disappears, seemingly without a trace...

Where did you get the idea for Pretty Twisted?

After reading a lot of teen fiction I noticed that the Internet never seemed to play a big part in any plots, which struck me as strange considering it’s such a big thing for anyone growing up now. So I thought about how I could use the Internet in a book and had the idea of telling a story about two people who only knew each other online and how their lives could end up colliding.

I like the cover of Pretty Twisted it is eye catching, however a little creepy with the girl peeking from behind the wall LOL. Who designed it and how much say did you have in the process?

The lovely people at Macmillan (my publishers) took care of the design work. I had no idea the cover had actually been finished until it popped up in my inbox (which nearly gave me a heart attack as you can imagine!). So I didn’t have too much say in it, but I’m not complaining because I love what they came up with – especially the colours. Actually a few friends thought the girl on the front was me!

Why should we read Pretty Twisted?

It’s different to a lot of the books you’ll find right now. Lots of those are fantastical, or thrillers that wouldn’t happen in the real world, but Pretty Twisted is a really real book. It’s set in the here and now, the characters are ordinary teenagers, and the things that happen in the book could happen to anyone... which in my opinion makes things much scarier and real! It also has a bit of everything – friendship, romance, thrills, mysteries and the everyday things we all have to deal with.

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

Yes! I’ve just finished a first draft for my second novel which is also a crime-thriller for teenagers. Can't give you too many details right now but like with Pretty Twisted it's told from the perspective of a girl, Sophie, and a guy, Reece, who are friends with a slightly complicated relationship. I'm very excited about it!

Quickfire questions:

Summer or Winter? Winter – though I may just be saying that because it’s been too hot for me recently!

Night or day? Day

Movies or Music? Music

Fiction or Non- Fiction? Fiction

Favourite colour? Green (with purple a close second)

Favourite destination? Home!

Favourite book? I’ve several favourite books but if I slightly bend the question and say a series, it would be Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness quartet.

Favourite place to write? My local Caffe Nero

If you where stranded on a desert island what three things would you miss?

Definitely my family, the Internet and nice food.

Thank you to Gina for the interview!

You can find Gina via Twitter (@GinaBlaxill) and visit the Pretty Twisted page at MyKindaBook http://www.mykindabook.com/Books/Pretty-Twisted where you can see behind the scenes videos and some of the Pretty Twisted artwork!

Giveaway: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Last month I got you guys to vote on which book I should give away this month and Hereafter by Tara Hudson won! So here is the giveaway rules:

To Enter: *GIVEAWAY IS INTERNATIONAL* :)

*You must be a GFC Follower!

*You have to comment on one of  my blog interviews or reviews in the last month! The comment must be from today's date 13th August onwards, no comments before the date will be counted! Here is a list of blog post's you can comment on from the last month and there may be even some great posts you may have missed (commenting on current giveaways does not count as an entry)

Heather Cashman Author Interview

Overprotected Blog Tour: Character Interview

Trish Mauldin Author Interview                      

Guest Post: Michelle Leighton

Review of The Childe by C.A.Kunz              

Leah Lozano Author Interview

K.A.Tucker Author Interview                       

Mark O Bannon Author Interview

G.P. Ching Author Interview                         

Megg Jensen Author Interview

Kristina Caden Author Interview                   

Galstanberry Blog Tour: Author Interview

Jenna-Lynne Author Interview                      

Author Interview with Angel Haze & Slade Sewell

Elizabeth Marcellin Author Interview            

Author Interview with Gabrielle Blue

DON'T FORGET TO COME BACK TO THIS POST AND COMMENT WHICH POST YOU COMMENTED ON! LEAVE YOUR EMAIL FOR A WAY TO CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

-Giveaway closes 31st August!

-Giveaway sponsored by me!

*Don't forget to check out the current giveaway tab above for more awesome giveaways currently running on the blog*



Author Interview: Heather Cashman

A little about Heather and her writing career so far:

I had to laugh a bit when I heard the word career. Writing has been a part of me for many years now, but I have only recently published-making this a career of sorts. I'm just having fun. I wrote four novels before I went I went back and began revising Perception. My critique group says you can't call yourself a writer until you've written a million words. For me, the first million words were only the beginning of the learning process. I've come a long way, but I'm still learning about the writing craft.

Could you tell me a little about your novel, PERCEPTION, the first book in The Tiger's Eye Trilogy?

Perception begins more than five hundred years after a deep-space meteor hits Mars, breaking off shards of the planet into out orbit and causing world-wide devastation. An off-grid and underground military installation was experimenting at the time on genetic mutation, mixing the DNA of humans and animals in an attempt to create super-soldiers. Their enhanced abilities gave them the means to survive, and over time, they develop into the nation of Calem where The Tiger's Eye Trilogy takes place.

Where did you get the idea for The Tiger's Eye Trilogy?

I wish I could tell you. I believe it comes from several parts of my background, but mostly plays in my head like a movie. I studied genetic mutation in college, have been fascinated with large animals from the time I first saw them at the zoo, and like to daydream alot. Daydreaming is "work" for the career of writing, right? So I like to work alot.

I like the cover of Perception. I like the way it is black and white and the colour is only in the tiger's eyes! Who designed the cover and how much say did you have in the process?

My daughter and I actually designed the cover. She's excellent with graphic design, and it was so well liked, we kept it.

In my opinion and correct me if am wrong. The Tiger's Eye Trilogy is a dystopian novel! Dystopian novels are very popular at the moment. Why did you decide to write a dystopian novel novel? And is it purely a dystopian of does other genres come into it i.e. romance, fantasy

It has been categorized as Dystopian Future, but it has also been called Speculative Fiction, SciFi/Fantasy, and it would be wrong to say that it has no romance, though that isn't what drives the story. While this may be popular now, its conception happened ten or twelve years ago. I never really planned on publishing and wrote it for my own enjoyment. I am loving all the dystopian novels out recently, though.

Why should we read Perception (The Tiger's Eye Trilogy #1)?

Perception introduces the idea that your reality is not every one's reality. It brings your own reasoning into question. You meet character's unlike any other. You see through a tiger's eyes, feel a connection with them, and learn about loyalty, family, and sacrifice. Besides that, its a fun, entertaining read.

Are you working on any project's at the moment?

I am polishing the second novel for it's release in December. I am also working on an Urban Fantasy Series.

Heather's Book History:

Favourite book as a child?

Dragondrums (the whole trilogy) by Anne Caffrey because Menolly was my hero and she could speak with dragons.

Favourite book as a teenager?

Everything by Anne McCaffrey

Favourite book you have read this year and why?

Warrior Heir series by Cinda Williams Chima because we write so much the same that when I am reading her books, I feel like I'm cozy, at home in them.

A book that has taught you a lesson and why?

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. When my dog died as a child, it taught me that life goes on. And while it may be a different life, it can still be a happy one.

A book you would recommend my blog followers to read and why?

Dracula by Braham Stoker-everyone needs to know the truth about vampires.

Thanks to Heather for the interview! You can find Heather at various web locations:

Heather's Website:

http://www.heathercashman.com/

Heather's blog, where she love's to hear everyone's comments.
http://heathercashman.com/better_off_read/

Heather's twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/HeatherCashman

Heather's Facebook fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Perception-The-Tigers-Eye-Trilogy/173231856069175?sk=wall

 

Buy Heather's Book at

http://www.heathercashman.com/perception/perception.html