Wednesday, February 29, 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Feather Stone - THE GUARDIAN'S WILDCHILD


Everyone, please welcome Feather Stone, author of The Guardian's Wildchild, to the blog today.

Welcome Feather! I’m so happy to have you on the blog today.

To start off, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

In my paramedic career I experienced the dark and dangerous aspects of humanity – attending to murder victims and drug dealers.  On the other hand, I also was privileged to be involved with some amazing people, including the men and women with whom I worked in the ambulance, fire and police services.  In 2002 I was honored to receive an Exemplary Service Medal from Lieutenant Governor General, Lois Hole (representative of HRH Queen Elizabeth II), for my work in the ambulance service.

I’m passionate about the welfare of animals and have been involved in the rescue of horses, dogs and cats.  A few years ago I worked with Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador and helped build eight homes.  My work in conventional medicine expanded to include Reiki, universal life force energy therapy.  Recently, I have begun my study of Shamanism.

I consider myself a bit of an odd duckling.  Since childhood I’ve experienced the paranormal.  No, not vampires or evil witches.  While walking home from school when I was about seven, I met my spirit guide.  Now that’s a long story but I’ll spare you the details.  Years later, I was drowning in a lake and was losing consciousness lying on the sandy bottom.  My guide said, “If you stand, you can breathe.” He was right.  My guides have continued to surprise me.


On writing and reading…

What are your favorite kinds of scenes to write (humorous, action-packed, romantic, etc) and why?

Action scenes are fun.  But once the scene has past, there’s no lingering spirit.  However, scenes which involve tension between the central characters are my favorite.  I can see their interaction and hear their dialogue so clearly.  I love to delve into their motives and emotions of the moment at the deepest level.  Watch them grow or crumble.  I like to spice the interaction with a bit of humor or romantic teasing.  Make the characters come alive on the page.  That’s my greatest thrill.

What part of writing do you find most difficult?

Right now my most difficult part is finding time to write.  My second book is constantly tugging at me to finish it.  But I’m still so involved with marketing The Guardian’s Wildchild that I don’t have the focus to delve deeply into the characters of “Cursed Angel.”

In writing The Guardian’s Wildchild I had to whittle down a thousand pages into five hundred.  I had to grow as a writer in deleting beautiful scenes which didn’t add to the story, or reduce a paragraph into one sentence.  The next most difficult was describing intense emotions from a male perspective.

Where and in what type of setting do you like to write?

Anywhere.  I’m constantly writing, though not always at the keyboard.  I write pages of dialogue in my mind while cooking dinner.  Digging in my flower beds, walking my Sheltie, Jasper, or knitting – it makes no difference.  I’m a slave to my stories.  Recently, I purchased a laptop so I could work at my writing anywhere in my home.  Yes, I’m a few years behind the times.  Did I mention I’m Canadian?

What writer, book or series has been a big inspiration to you and your writing?

I’m more inclined to read non-fiction, except for easy romance novels to relax.  Same with TV programs – I generally don’t waste my time with fluff.  Life’s too short.  My objective is to be mentally stimulated, to learn and grow spiritually, expand my understanding of life and higher dimensions.

I can’t say that any one author has inspired me to write.  The stories I write don’t appear on the book store shelves.  I’ve written a few times for people and they told me how much they liked my style of writing. 

What was the last book you read that you really fell in love with or that blew your mind?

Diana Gabaldon’s books are terrific.  Books documenting survival like “Endurance” by Sir Ernest Shackelton, Dr. Beck Weathers (Into Thin Air); Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors; are inspirational.

What are you reading right now and what book(s) have you go your eye on lately but haven’t got to read yet?

Right now I’m reading the Quran.  This is part of my research for my next book.  I don’t have the luxury at the moment to read for pleasure.

Any advice for beginner writers out there?

Write what you’re passionate about, not necessarily what seems to be popular. Know your characters to the depths of their soul – even details that don’t appear in the story. Hire a very good editor and listen to his/her advice. Don’t give up with the first, or subsequent rejections of your manuscript.


On THE GUARDIAN’S WILDCHILD…

The Guardian’s Wildchild sounds so interesting and original. I have to say, I’ve never read a book set on a naval ship. Can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from The Guardian’s Wildchild?

One reviewer told me that The Guardian’s Wildchild took her to a place she’s never been before.  The story may challenge your beliefs.  The story may cause the reader wonder about the possibility of secret communities of powerful spiritual beings.  You might even wonder if we have powers that have remained dormant for eons.  The Guardian’s Wildchild is a story of a free spirited woman’s struggle to survive while having to give up what she values most.

What was the inspiration behind The Guardian’s Wildchild and the characters?

The inspiration arose from one of my paranormal experiences. The event was so powerful I decided to sit down and write about it.  Images of remarkable people and their challenges inspired me to continue writing and the story began to take shape.  I continued on writing for five years.
If you could meet one of your characters in person, which one would it be?

That’s a tough one.  I loved them all, even the evil ones in a sort of motherly way.  Sidney’s brother, Danik Davenport, will always have a special place in my heart.  He’s just plain lovable, funny, and intensely loyal to his Guardian people.  His down to earth sense of humor gave some relief to the intense dark personalities of the evil characters, and helped create a sense of human-ness of his fellow Guardians.

Which character was the most challenging to write?


Sidney was the greatest challenge.  She had a complex personality being free spirited and yet devoted to her Guardian people’s high standards of conduct.  She went through growth, maturing throughout the story – rather quickly as the storyline was less than two weeks.  She was conflicted in much of the scenes fighting to maintain her “life without rules” philosophy, and yet cope with the need to be protected by the captain’s rulebook – and yet frustrated with his attachment to rules.  In each scene I had to adapt her character slightly, moving forward to becoming less ‘wild’.


I love the cover! Did you have any say it at all? Are you happy with it?


This cover is beautiful.  The talented Omnific Publishing staff worked wonders, giving the female subject on the cover an air of mystical qualities.  And, the male on the back is lined up perfectly so that when the two are looking at each other, well – you get a feeling of their connection.

What can we expect from you writing-wise in the future?

Great things are in store.  I’m very excited about my current writing project, tentatively called “Cursed Angel.”  It is another complex story that is requiring a lot of research.  The setting is Persia which is why I’m reading the Quran.  I’m learning a lot about the Islamic culture and finding it’s quite different from the media hype.  I’ve met a few Muslims during the course of my research.  They are very fun loving and peaceful people.

The basic plot of the story involves a woman who while travelling in Persia discovers something she was not supposed to and requires the protection of the captain in the local police service.  Of course, there are challenges due to the differences in their faith and their lives become entangled in dark forces.  And, as with my first book, the paranormal complicates their lives.

If you could be asked any question, what would that be? What would your answer be?

This has been a tough question.  The only question I can think of is, “What is it like to be an author?”  My answer is that it’s the hardest job I’ve ever taken on.  Even working as a paramedic wasn’t as difficult.  We always worked in pairs or groups.  Working as an author, I find that I’m isolated a lot of the time.  I’ve spent the better part of the day staring at the computer monitor, reading, editing, deleting, searching for just the right word or phrase.  If I was paid for the hours of research and typing, no one could afford to buy the book.

Since The Guardian’s Wildchild was published by Omnific Publishing I was welcomed by a large group of other Omnific authors.  I’ve enjoyed their camaraderie and guidance into the world of online book marketing.  It was quite unexpected.  I’m very grateful to Omnific Publishing’s staff and authors.  Through these wonderful people I’m able to connect with readers for whom I wrote The Guardian’s Wildchild.

That was some great information Feather! Thanks so much for stopping by!


I hope you all enjoyed my little chat with Feather. Please join us on March 5th for a Kick-off party for The Guardian Wildchild. I'm really excited to read this one, because it sounds so interesting. So stay tuned for a forthcoming review. You can click HERE for more details about the kick-off party, including all the awesome prizes up for grabs.

Buy The Guardian's Wildchild

**Add The Guardian's Wildchild on Goodreads

**Follow Feather on Twitter

**Follow Feather on Facebook

Cover Reveal + ARC Giveaway: BLACK CITY by Elizabeth Richards

Oh my dear, dear Lovelies, I have such a fabulous surprise for you! Today, we are revealing the cover for the much anticipated, oh yes... so, so, so anticipated, Black City by Elizabeth Richards. If you haven't heard of it yet, here's a little more information.

A dark and tender postapocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Doesn't that sound fabulous! I truly cannot wait to read it! But I know, enough with the tell, get on with the show. So, here you go! The FANTASTIC cover for BLACK CITY:



Isn't it beautiful! I love the way it looks like the flower is shattering, and I think the colors are perfect. This is definitely a cover I would frame. Yes, we all know I'm one of those people. Here's a little background about this fabulous author, and check out my interview with Elizabeth HERE.

Elizabeth Richards lives in Buckinghamshire, England and can be found online at http://www.theredpenofdoom.wordpress.com/

Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist and debut author, who spent her early career writing for videogame publications such as CUBE, P2 and GamesTM,and now works as a website editor. Previously, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls. She won the Jane Hayward Young Journalist of the Year award for her feature on girls in the games industry, and was named 'Editor's Choice' in the industry trade magazine, MCV.

Now, if that wasn't enough excitement, I have another little surprise... THE FIRST CHAPTER! I couldn't resist putting it in red. There's my dramatic side for you. Anyway, here's the lovely little, or not so little, gift.

1.
ASH
An air raid siren wails in the distance, alerting Black City citizens to lock their doors and turn out the lights. They don’t want to be out in the dark alone. They might meet something dangerous. Something like me.

I head under the canal bridge and wait for the girl, taking a packet of Sentry-regulation smokes from my back pocket and sparking up. The nicotine courses through my veins, making them throb with adrenaline; the sensation is almost like a pulse . . . almost.
Footsteps approach the bridge, and a short girl with straggly black hair appears from the shadows, dressed in men’s work boots, tight black trousers and a tailcoat made from a patchwork of clashing fabrics. Her hazel eyes gaze up into mine. She’s brave. Not many cherry-poppers have the courage to look me in the eyes. She hands me an old playing card with two hearts on it, one red, one black. It’s my calling card. It seemed an appropriate choice; that’s what I’m selling her after all, an illusion of love. I slip it into the pocket of my dark green military jacket.
“You’re late,” I say. “Last thing I need is to be caught out here after curfew by a Tracker. They’re just begging for a reason to throw me in jail.”
“Sorry, they’ve put up extra checkpoints, stopping everyone. There’s tanks everywhere!” she babbles. “I guess they can’t be too careful with the Sentry Emissary back in the city, what with the boundary negotiations with the Legion and—”
“You paid Beetle?” I interrupt.
The girl nods.
“Terms and conditions,” I say. “No refunds. You don’t enjoy it, you puke, you freak—not my problem, okay?”
She nods again.
“You pregnant?” She blushes furiously. “I’ll take that as a no. It may cause drowsiness, so don’t drive or operate any heavy machinery.” She smiles at this, and I grin. They always like that. “And no repeats for at least two weeks, all right? I mean it.”
“That all?”
“No kissing. Strictly business, okay?”
She seems a little disappointed by this, but I don’t like to mix business with pleasure. She shyly unbuttons the collar of her coat, revealing her slim, pale neck. Hunger grips my stomach at the sight.
“What do I do?” she asks.
“Lean back,” I say.
She obeys like a good girl. I place a hand against the wall and slip my other hand between her thighs, gently easing her legs apart. Touching her doesn’t turn me on, but I groan like it does, knowing she’ll enjoy that. They all do, even the guys—it’s why they come to me instead of the Haze dens. I slide my body between her thighs so we’re face-to-face. Her shallow breaths are warm against my cool skin.
“Relax, okay? It’s more enjoyable if you relax.”
“My heart’s pounding a mile a minute.” She gives a nervous laugh.
“Can’t say I know how that feels,” I admit.
She tentatively presses a hand against my chest, and her eyes widen. “So it’s true, then? You don’t have a heart?”
“I have a heart,” I growl, shoving her hard against the wall. It just doesn’t beat.
A small tear snakes down her cheek, her thin lips trembling.
“Sshhh, it’s okay, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” I gently wipe her tear away. “Forgive me?”
She nods, then tilts her head to one side, exposing the smooth whiteness of her neck. The poison sacs behind my fangs swell with venom.
Focus, Ash. Don’t blow your load.
I lean toward her, pressing my lips against the soft flesh on her neck, just below her ear. Her pulse flutters under my lips, and I nearly lose it. I begin to nibble on the flesh, tickling the tiny hairs on her neck with my tongue, making them wet with my saliva.
“Do it,” she whispers.
So much for foreplay. I sink my fangs into her jugular. Hot blood spills over my tongue, making my taste buds burst with its sticky sweetness. Man, I love the newbies; they always taste the best. She sighs as my venom enters her bloodstream. I wait for the Haze to take effect before I start to drink from her. That’s the bonus of Haze; my clients get high from me, and I get high from them by drinking their drugged blood. It’s win-win.
A sour, bitter flavor suddenly floods my mouth, and I gag, leaping back.
“What the—” I spit up blood.
The girl stares at me with glazed eyes, blood trickling down the two puncture wounds in her neck.
“Everything’s sparkling,” she says dreamily.
“Didn’t Beetle tell you I don’t take clients on meds?”
She lurches toward me, and I grab her before she falls into the water.
“I love you,” she slurs, trying to kiss me.
I shove her, hard. She falls back against the wall and slides to the floor. Her eyes roll back into her head, and she begins to spasm, white foam bubbling out the corners of her mouth.
“No, no, no! Wake up.” I kneel down and shake her, panic rushing through me.
The girl jerks, her boots leaving black scuff marks on the cobblestones. Fragg! This is why I don’t take clients on meds. You can never tell how they’re going to react to the Haze. I shrug off my jacket and place it under her head.
A Sentry tank rolls over the bridge, and I shut my eyes and wait for it to pass. Even though the war is officially over, I still get chills at that sound. Wherever they went, Death followed. I had a few close scrapes during the war. During those days, the fact that I was a legal citizen and half human didn’t mean much to them. If you weren’t 100 percent human, you were the enemy. Every day was a fight for survival. Not much has improved since then; I’m still the enemy in most people’s eyes. All they can see is the Darkling in me. The tank turns down

Bleak Street
toward the Sentry Emissary’s headquarters.
The girl groans. It’s too dangerous here; I have to go. I could just leave her . . . No, that’s not an option, but I can’t take her to the hospital. I’d get in so much trouble.
Beetle!
I peer down the canal. A yellow barge is moored about one hundred feet away. The lights are off. Where is he? He’s meant to be my wingman; that’s why I came to the bridge in the first place. Can this get any wor—
An explosion of pain bursts inside my chest, and I clutch a hand over my lifeless heart. I sense someone behind me and turn.
A girl stands by the entranceway, lit by the headlamps of a passing truck. In the fleeting light, I catch a glimpse of cornflower-blue eyes flicking between me and the Hazer writhing on the ground.
Her gaze finally fixes on me.
I fall back, struck down, as the pain in my chest blooms again.
Shivers run through my body, rushing toward a single point in my chest. There’s a spark of electricity and then:
A flutter.

Now that you've read the synopsis, seen the magnificent cover for BLACK CITY, met the author, and read the first chapter, it's time for the really great part. A GIVEAWAY! Yes, Penguin Books for Young Readers has been generous enough to provide an ARC of BLACK CITY for one of our lucky followers. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment on this post answering this question: What do you think about the cover for BLACK CITY? You can earn extra entries, just see the form for details. The giveaway will run for one (1) week, and it IS international! PLEASE FOLLOW ALL CONTEST DIRECTIONS.

But there's more! Our winner will also get a chance to win one of 5 exclusive and personalized drawings of the main characters—Ash and Natalie—drawn and autographed by the author. (NOTE: Winning the galley DOES NOT guarantee winning a drawing.) Here is an example of the drawing up for grabs.


(Sorry it's sideways guys, I'm not sure why, but my computer skills are failing me at the moment.) But isn't it pretty! How cool would it be to have one of these?! I wish I could win it! But I'm very happy to offer the opportunity up to you guys. The finished drawing will be more polished, and the winner will receive an original and unique image signed by Elizabeth. **Winners of the drawings for the sketches will be chosen blindly and randomly by the author.


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Interview: Elizabeth Richards, Author of BLACK CITY


Hello Lovlies! Today, we have a special guest: Elizabeth Richards, author of Black City: Book 1 of The Black City Chronicles (Putnam, November 2012). I'm really excited about this series, and Elizabeth was nice enough to answer a few questions for us. Ok, so maybe it's more than a few, but like I said, I'm really excited about the book and she is super nice. So, check it out.
Picture taken from Elizabeth's Website: The Red Pen of Doom
*****
To start off, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a debut author, whose first novel BLACK CITY, is out this November with Putnam. It’s a dystopian fantasy set in the fictional nation of the United Sentry States, where humans and Darklings are recovering from the aftermath of a brutal and bloody war. BLACK CITY is dark and political, but with a tender love story at its heart. I really love blending genres and BLACK CITY does that, mixing dystopian fantasy with a dollop of paranormal romance and a sprinkling of steampunk.

Prior to getting my book deal, I was a videogames reviewer, writing for UK magazines such as P2 and CUBE, and I also sailed the Seven Seas as a travel editor (despite the fact I suffer from severe travel sickness and suck at geography. Not the best career move…).

There’s nothing I love more than curling up with a good book and a hot chocolate. I enjoy fantasy and adventure novels the most, and am obsessed with all things Harry Potter! My all time favorite authors are JK Rowling (obviously), Anthony Horowitz, Suzanne Collins, Maggie Stiefvater, and Stephenie Meyer.

What are your favorite kinds of scenes to write (humorous, action-packed, romantic, etc) and why?

Action-packed scenes, definitely.  I love fast-paced adventure novels, and these are the scenes that really engage me as a writer and get my pulse racing. But I do enjoy kissing scenes too, because I’m always completely in love with my male leads. It’s fun living vicariously through my female protagonists! 

What part of writing do you find most difficult?

I get distracted easily, so that’s the hardest challenge I face each day. I have to force myself to go to the local library to help get me out of the house and away from the internet and bad day-time TV! I’m least productive when I’m at home with all the distractions around me.

Where and in what type of setting do you like to write?

It depends on how lazy I’m feeling. I try my best to go to my local library, which is a shrine to the 1980s, with these amazing murals painted by artists Boyd and Evans. If I’m not there, I’m at home, trying really hard not to watch TV. But given the choice, I’d be writing at my family’s holiday home in  County Sligo, Ireland, which is the most inspirational and peaceful place in the world.

What writer, book or series has been a big inspiration to you and your writing?

JK Rowling has been a real inspiration to me. Ever since my teens, I fantasized about being an author, but like a lot of people I thought it was just a pipedream and I needed to focus on getting a ‘proper’ career, so I put it to one side. But it was always whispering to me in the back of my mind. Then I started reading the Harry Potter series, and everything changed. I became obsessed with the novels, and from there I started reading more MG and YA fiction, and fell totally head-over-heels in love with them. I knew then this is what I had to do with my life. And the rest, as they say, is history.

What was the last book you read that you really fell in love with or that blew your mind?

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. It’s this amazing tale told from the points of view of three women, set during the American civil rights movement. It’s so beautifully written, the characters are brilliant (I have a real soft-spot for Celia), and it really makes you think about how life was during the 1960s for black women, without ever being ‘preachy’. If you haven’t read it, I strongly recommend that you do, as your life will be all the richer for it.

What are you reading right now and what book(s) have you go your eye on lately but haven’t got to read yet?

I’m currently reading Harbinger, by Sara Wilson Etienne. I’m only a few chapters in, and already I’m hooked.

Regarding other books, oh heavens, I have a whole bookshelf of novels I’m desperate to work my way through! I’ve just been so busy with revisions and working on book #2, that I haven’t had time to do much reading. But next on my list is Blood Red Road, by Moira Young.

Any advice for beginner writers out there?

Find time to write! Yes, I know it sounds so obvious, but you’d be amazed by the amount of people I meet who say they want to be authors, and when I ask them about the projects they’re working on, they say things like ‘Oh, I don’t actually have the time to write.’ Rubbish! If you want to be an author, then you find the time to write.

Experience is also important. So if you’re serious about being an author, start applying for staff writing positions on magazines or newspapers (or if you’re younger, get involved with your school/university newspaper, and if they don’t have one, start one up!), do a journalism degree, write a blog, enter competitions etc. Basically do anything to prove to agents you’re dedicated to writing and that you’re able to work to deadlines. It really will help your query stand out from the crowd.

Also, learn about the industry. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to know about the market. So if you want to write YA then make sure you know who all the movers and shakers are in the YA world, and work out where you fit in. Show a real passion for it. Follow agent and editor blogs, join forums such as absolutewrite.com/forum or querytracker.com, become a member of respected writing bodies like SCBWI, and get involved. The more you network, the more opportunities will come your way.

Be stubborn, have faith in yourself, learn, take criticism with grace, and develop a thick skin.

And finally, write from the heart. Write what you love, don’t try to follow fads and trends, and don’t be put off when people say ‘such and such was SO last year’.  Just be true to yourself and your voice. Good writing always wins out in the end.

Now, a little Red Pen of Doom told me you’ve got a book coming out in November!

I’m so excited about the release of Black City. I haven’t been given an exact date yet, but hopefully I’ll find out soon. I wish I had a time machine so I could fast-forward a few months and just see my book on the shelves!

Can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from Black City when it’s released?

Deep in the heartland of the United Sentry States are the burning ruins of the Black City, a melting pot simmering with hostility as humans and Darklings struggle to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of a brutal and bloody war. A wall now divides the city separating the two races. Trapped on the wrong side of the wall is sixteen-year-old hustler Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling who’ll do whatever it takes to survive, including selling his addictive venom ‘Haze’ to help support his dying mother.

Then there’s Natalie Buchanan, the daughter of the Sentry Emissary, who feels imprisoned by her life of privilege and fame. When their paths cross, they instantly detest each other but Ash is shocked when his once still heart starts to beat. Bonded by a mysterious connection, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed. Then Haze users start dying all over the city and Ash discovers the terrible truth behind his and Natalie’s mystical connection. Suddenly, city walls and the threat of execution become the least of their problems.

What was the inspiration behind Black City and the characters?

Bizarrely, the inspiration behind the character of Ash was a movie called Charlie Bartlett. As I was watching that movie, Ash just formed in my mind. I knew I wanted him to be a drug-dealer, messed-up, a little snarky, totally gorgeous and a reluctant hero. The movie, of course, is nothing like my book, so it’s a bit strange that it was the spark that started everything, but I guess you never know when inspiration will strike!

The themes, plot and settings of Black City evolved over two years of constant redrafting. It started life as a paranormal romance based in modern day Britain, and somehow evolved into a dark dystopian fantasy, set in the fictional nation of the United Sentry States. Sometimes your characters just lead you down a different path and you have to follow it. I’m so glad I did.

The big question Kim and I always have to know…is there a cute/dangerous/mysterious boy?

Ha ha! Yes, there’s a very cute, dangerous and mysterious boy in Black City called Ash Fisher. He’s one of the two main protagonists of the book (it’s a dual-narrative). He’s a twin-blood Darkling who sells his addictive venom Haze to support his dying mother.  He’s incredibly damaged, oh-so-beautiful and quite the bad boy.  

There’s also another super sexy, mysterious boy called Elijah who is introduced in the first book. He plays a key role in the sequel, but you’ll have to find out more about him later…
Oh goody, goody, goody! I think I love Ash already! We love our fictitional boys here!

Just for fun….

Can you give us 4 random facts about yourself?
I love volcanoes (not in a sexy-time way, but I do find them fascinating).
I have an unhealthy obsession with Daniel Radcliffe (in a sexy-time way).

I’m an identical twin!
I have a heart-shaped birthmark on my left foot.

Dogs or cats?
Dogs. They’re amazing, and I’m still trying to convince (my severely allergic) husband that a pet dog is a fab idea. Although I’ve warmed up to cats since my sister got one. They’re quite endearing.

Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate! Om noms.

Sugar or salt?
Sugar! I’m a complete chocoholic. It’s my ultimate vice.
Coffee or tea?
Neither, bleurgh. I’m actually a hot chocolate drinker, which at my age (31, eeeps!) is quite embarrassing. But I’ve never developed a taste for either beverage. It’s just icky brown water to me. At a push, I’d have a Mocha with loads of sugar.

Pink or blue?
Pink! Yes, it’s such a cliché but I love, love, love pink!

If you could be asked any question, what would that be? What would your answer be?
Do you have a super awesome official website?
It’s currently in development, and I’m hoping to launch it in April 2012. In the meantime, you can get all the latest Black City gossip at www.facebook.com/OfficialElizabethRichards  or you can visit my blog at http://theredpenofdoom.wordpress.com 
Thanks!

Thanks so much for joining us Elizabeth!

And tomorrow we are going to have a little, ok, a HUGE surprise for you guys! So check back tomorrow for some FANTASTIC bonuses.

Find Elizabeth On
Twitter



EARLY REVIEW: STARTERS by Lissa Price


Title: Starters
Author: Lissa Price
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Imprint: Delacorte BFYR
Publication Date: March 13th, 2012
Hardcover: 352 Pages
Format: E-Galley
Source: Netgalley for review




A major book for spring 2012—Starters is the first in a high-concept, two-book, futuristic thriller teen project by newcomer Lissa Price—a tremendous bestselling author in the making. Every major publisher wanted this book on their list.
Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson.
It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .


Book trailer







Review:

Wow! I’m so impressed with this one! There are so many dystopian/futuristic novels out there right now, and Starters definitely made an impression. The story was well thought out, creative, and so original in this market inundated with copycat outlines and underdeveloped plots. I was hooked from the very beginning and was astounded by each event.
But most impressive of all was that it was believable. In a world where life expectancy has reached well into the triple digits and “spore” warfare has decimated the population and killed everyone between the ages of 18-60, I never once felt, “Oh, yeah right. That could never happen.”  The story world is so well defined, and I can easily see how our future could become this world. The war, the politics, the division between the rich and the poor, the young and the old; it was so intriguing and captivating to see today’s problems magnified in a future world.
I would highly recommend this book to those of you who enjoy futuristic, dystopian novels, but if you don’t think this sounds like your kind of read, I strongly urge you to give Starters a chance. Its originality, strong characters, and fantastic storyline won’t let you down. I will definitely be purchasing a copy, and I’m already anxiously awaiting the second novel!






Pre-order the book

In Stores This Spring
PORTRAIT OF A STARTER
an e-original short story
Feb 14, 2012


Starters website
Find Lissa online:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
The Apocalypsies
The League of Extraordinary Writers

Monday, February 27, 2012

EARLY REVIEW: GODDESS INTERRUPTED (The Goddess Test book 2) by Aimee Carter


Goddess Interrupted (The Goddess Test Series: Book II)
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HarlequinTEEN
Publication Date: March 27th, 2012




WHAT IF IMMORTALITY ISN’T FOREVER?

KATE WINTERS HAS WON IMMORTALITY.

BUT IF SHE WANTS A LIFE WITH HENRY IN THE UNDERWORLD, SHE’LL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one
person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

Review: WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM BOOK 1 (The Goddess Test review, click here)

Heartbreaking and thrilling, Goddess Interrupted is definitely the must-read sequel of the year! You won’t want to miss it! The story is spectacular and the mythology is recognizable yet completely original. I couldn’t bring myself to put it down.

Calliope has returned to attack the entire council and this time she’s getting back up. Carter has upped the suspense by introducing the only being able to kill the gods… A Titan! Now, the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been, and Kate may lose her new family and maybe herself.  But her attempts to help the people she loves have consequences and when Persephone’s return may destroy the life Kate is fighting so hard to protect.

I completely empathized with Kate and at times just wanted to break down and cry with her. The pain and heartache she goes through in this follow-up is intense and her distress surpasses everything she went through in Book 1.  But while Kate is falling apart inside, her selfless determination to save those around her is inspiring. And when she appears to have given up, she comes back fighting harder than ever. Facing heartbreak, death, and a betrayal she could never have imagined can’t stop this fantastically written heroine from superseding every expectation set in The Goddess Test.

Buy the books:
On sale now

The Goddess Hunt : A Goddess Test Novella
Kindle Ebook
On sale March 1, 2012

Goddess Interrupted  (Book 2)
On sale March 27, 2012

Find the author:
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Friday, February 24, 2012

REVIEW- The Iron Quill by Shelena Shorts


You can view the synopsis for The Iron Quill (3rd book in The Pace Series) by Shelena Shorts by clicking the title (via Goodreads).
 I read the first two books in The Pace Series, The Pace and The Broken Lake, back in December 2010. After reading them, they had me awaiting book three, The Iron Quill. All three books were an interestingly unique, fast-paced read. Now, I look forward to reading the fourth and final book, The Hour of Dreams. What a beautiful title!

The Iron Quill, along with The Pace and The Broken Lake was a great love story, without a love triangle. The main characters, Amelia, I meant Lenny- I meant, Sophie (geez!) and Weston share an eternity of love. Their fate was to be together and fulfill a purpose, but in Sophie’s previous lives, their fate ended when she turned 19. Would you die over and over to save the one you were destined for? Her immortal beloved, handsome as all get out, Weston waited for her to be reincarnated. Oh Wes, you make me want to buy some green eye contacts and back up into a Maserati! Now that Sophie is in her third life, can they live up to their destiny? Will Sophie save the one she loves, again or is it his turn to save her? This Pace Series is about tragic pasts, a destructive present, and a future of hope.

Sophie was a courageous character and wasn’t going to lose her soul mate again without putting up a fight. Poor Sophie. All she wanted was to be with her soul mate. She wanted to be a survivor and not have to continue fretting over death. She lived for today. Not tomorrow. Wes was super hot, selfless, soothing, kind, and sincere. He loved his girl and put forth so much compassion towards her. I loved the way he held on to his memories about the girl he loves.

This story was filled with love, determination, angst, memories, an innovative cure, and risks.

I give The Iron Quill by Shelena Shorts 3.5 stars.
 Kimberly