FIRST BITTEN (THE ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES) BY SAMANTHA TOWLE

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A love story with bite …... 

Walking home after a night out drowning her sorrows with her best friend, Carrie, Alexandra Jones stupidly takes a phone call from her cheating ex-boyfriend, Eddie, and in her anger hurls her phone into the forest before her. 

But when Alex goes to retrieve her phone from the undergrowth, she and Carrie come face-to-face with a monster they never even knew existed, a Vârcolac (a nightmarish vampire-werewolf hybrid) and he's in search of fresh blood. The next thing Alex knows, she is staring at the impossibly handsome but mysterious Nathan who has helped bring her back to life, but not to the life she left. 

To her horror, she discovers she has now become a blood-drinking Vârcolac herself and she is the only female of her kind, with the potential for breeding a whole new army of Vârcolacs if they can only track her down and press her into service. 

And while Alex gets to know Nathan and his shape-shifting family as they offer her the protection she so desperately needs, unbeknown to all of them, the Vârcolacs are getting closer …


MY REVIEW

I liked the cover and initially thought oh its going to be a vampire novel,  Oh Wow! I knew it would be good as I read Samantha's other book The Bringer and I loved that one. This book was much much more than a vampire story. Alex is bitten by a Várcolac, which is a vampire-werewolf hybrid.....the thing is women don't usually survive.....well....Alex does! Which means that she is very valuable to the Varcolac who obviously wish to reproduce! Alex was "Lucky" to be rescued by the gorgeous *swoon* Nathan. Nathan, his father Jack and younger brother Sol *swoons more for Sol* nurse her back to health and offer her protection.

Alex has lots of things to over come such as the fact her best friend/more like a sister Carrie was killed by the Várcolac , Alex also has to come to terms with the fact she can never return to her family or friends again, as she would put them in danger with the Várcolacs. alex also has to learn to accept certain traits and "talents" she now has such as she has to drink blood......sure its animal blood that the gorgeous Nathan brings her regularly but its still blood! Alex also has improved hearing, sight and strength too. Alex also finds her self attracted to Nathan, even though he seems to resent her presence and at times hate her too, even though he is the one that saved her.  Alex also knows that there is something different about Jack, Nathan, and Sol, it turns out that they are shifters.

I really don't want to go into the plot and spoil the book for anyone but I will say that Alex ends up being sold out to the enemy which causes another great loss of life to happen just when she is beginning to believe that she can cope and live with what life has thrown at her.

I picked my kindle up with this book on and put it down for 10 minutes to eat tea, then went to bed later still reading it, I truthfully did not, could not put it down. This book made me gasp in shock, sit on the end of my seat with suspense, tears well up and my heart ache for certain characters and what happens to them. The book is wonderfully written you can imagine the scenery as well as the gorgeous shape-shifter family too *phwoar*

I felt these books were easily, easily on a par if not better than the Women of The Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong, The Shifter Series by Rachel Vincent, and The Resurrection Series by Dee Tenorio too. 

So did I enjoy it? Yes Would I read more in the series? Oh Yes! can't wait!! Would I recommend them? Definitely. Must, Must read!


Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £0.77 a must have bargain!!

CALL THE MIDWIFE BY JENNIFER WORTH

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Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the 1950s. The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings, but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humour. She also earned the confidences of some whose lives were truly stranger, more poignant and more terrifying than could ever be recounted in fiction. Attached to an order of nuns who had been working in the slums since the 1870s, Jennifer tells the story not only of the women she treated, but also of the community of nuns (including one who was accused of stealing jewels from Hatton Garden) and the camaraderie of the midwives with whom she trained. Funny, disturbing and incredibly moving, Jennifer's stories bring to life the colourful world of the East End in the 1950s.


MY REVIEW

Firstly I want to point out that I did read this book some time ago but after seeing it being made into a TV series, I felt I had to put a review on my blog to tell you all how fantastic the book is. Sure I agree that the TV sh0w is good, really good but please, please read the book too! 

The book is based on what Jennifer Worth went through and encountered in her job as a midwife. I think TV has tamed it down slightly, the book describes things in a humorous, at times tongue in cheek way.

Sure as you read it you think Oh never! people never live like that etc but upon speaking to my mum after she read the book too she can remember families like those in the book from when she was a youngster!

So I would say watch the TV show the young lady who plays Jennifer has her down to the letter as she is described in the book. BUT I have to say there is nothing like reading the book yourself you will have tears of sorrow, tears of joy and tears of laughter when reading this book!

A MUST, MUST read! Also read the rest of the trilogy too, you won't regret it.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £3.86 in Paperback and £4.99 on Kindle (this is the cover that ties in with the TV show.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - E. J. DABEL

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

             My name is Ernst J. Dabel and I was born in Montreal, Canada.  I live in Georgia.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

             Ever since I finished reading The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillion

             when I was twelve years old, I wanted to be a writer.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?

            Back in 2006 when I finished writing ALBINO.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?

             My first book ALBINO will be released in March 2012.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?

             Yes, I’m the co-owner of Dabel Brothers Productions LLC.  I’ve published authors

             such as  Dean Koontz, Laurell K. Hamilton, Orson Scott Card, Jim Butcher, George

             R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan and many others.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?

             My latest book is called PANTHEONS.   In less than 20 words: “Isaiah, the son of Zeus discovers that all the gods of the ancient world are real and teenagers!”

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?

             I self-publish but am distributed by my brother’s company Sea Lion Books.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

            The fastest I would say three weeks.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?

             PANTHEONS was the hardest, because I was dealing with so many gods and goddesses, it just boggled the mind.  ALBINO was the easiest to write. 

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

             You can expect PANTHEONS (YA Mythology) to be a rather lengthy series.  ALBINO, my other series, an epic fantasy on woodland creatures will also be a lengthy series.  I have a third series, but I’m not ready to talk about it yet.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

             PANTHEONS Book #1 will be released this month.  ALBINO Book #1, will be released in March, and PANTHEONS book #2 will be out after ALBINO.

What genre would you place your books into?

                         YA Mythology for PANTHEONS, and epic fantasy for ALBINO.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

             My brother Les asked me wouldn’t it be cool if I wrote a story where the gods of all the Pantheons went to the same school.  He also mentioned, how cool would it be if Zeus fought Odin? The idea made perfect sense to me and so I jumped on it right away.

Les also gave me the idea for ALBINO.  He mentioned taking woodland creatures and writing a deep, epic story about them that both young and old would enjoy very much.  I liked that idea very much, because before J.R.R. Tolkien came along and inspired adults to read books about elves, wizards, and dwarves (making such magical creatures respectable and worth the notice of adults), such things were considered fit only for little children.  My greatest wish is not only for kids to enjoy Albino but for adults to fall in love with it as well.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?

           I love both for different reasons, but ALBINO was my first and so it holds a special place in my heart.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?

            In PANTHEONS, I really like Isaiah, especially in his relationship with his friends Jeremy, Monty, and Pipsqueak. 

            In ALBINO, I really like the mother of the raccoon Lutador.  I like the way she speaks with Lutador.  The whole conversation between mother and son is just lots of fun to read.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?

             In PANTHEONS, Oliver Touu, because some of the things he says about his own body really cracks me up!

             In ALBINO, I would be Albino, because of the way he was able to figure out the truth about Old Corvus. 

           

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

           I’ve been writing ever since I finished reading the Silmarillion back when I was twelve.  J.R.R. Tolkien’s books inspired me to write.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?

            So far, both PANTHEONS and ALBINO were ideas mentioned to me by my agent, Les. 

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

            I don’t have a certain routine for writing at all.

 

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

              I read my books to my wife, Aba.  My father, Ernst Sr. reads my books, and so does

             my sister Myrna whenever she finds the time.

           

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

                         I do read all the reviews of my books. 

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?

            The toughest/best review I ever had was from Katy Sozaeva, because she was the first blogger to review Pantheons.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?

            No, I would not. 

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

             I write the book first and choose the title last.

How do you market/promote your books?

             Gladys Atwell, my publicist is the person who is in charge of marketing/promoting my books.

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?

             The fans do. 

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?

            Yes, I have, and nothing gets rid of writer’s block more than research. 

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?

            To unwind, I change my son Nathan’s diapers.  I give him the bottle, play with him, but most importantly, I tell him stories.

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?

            No, I don’t.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

            Yes, one moral is “teenagers be careful how harshly you judge your flawed parents, because in the future you will become a flawed parent yourself and you just might learn what it feels like to be weighed on the scales of judgment from your own children.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?

            Many authors influenced me in one way or the other, but J.R.R. Tolkien influenced me the most, because I read his books first!

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?

            I like them all, as long as I get to read.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?

            The Hobbit, because it was my first.  No, I only read it once.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?

             I think they do.  My favorite book to movie transfer is Pride and Prejudice, the A&E version was by far the best. 

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)

             I’m currently reading Ravenshade by C.S. Marks.  It is paperback, and I’m enjoying it very much.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?

            Only the future can tell

Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?

            I read a lot at school and also wrote lots of stories

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it be?

                       There’s nothing in my books that I would change.

What do you think about book trailers?

            I think book trailers are really cool and very effective.  My company, in the past, did one trailer for our graphic adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight, and also one for Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time: New Spring.  You can check out the one for New Spring http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S6c23m1RBg

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

             Never give up on your dream of becoming a writer :)

Where can readers follow you?

Your blog details? http://ernstjdabel.blogspot.com/
Your Goodreads author page? http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5388944.E_J_Dabel
Your Twitter details? http://twitter.com/Sealionbooks

PANTHEONS BY E. J. DABEL

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On the streets, they call fifteen year old orphan Isaiah Marshall the “Indestructible Diamond”. Isaiah is the leader of the “Redrovers”, a group of teenage misfits consisting of his friends Jeremy, Monty, and Pipsqueak, but when they trespass into “Kaliber Academy” to get even with the arrogant Jason Ollopa, they are in way over their heads. Principal Webb enrolls them into the High School and Isaiah soon learns about the existence of the gods of the Ancient World. Because the gods have refused to fight the last War for fear of the Mysterious Dark, the Powers-that-Be have stripped them of their spiritual bodies and given them mortal, teenage forms. 
Isaiah discovers he's not only a god, but that he's the child of the Greek goddess Metis, the son destined to overthrow his cruel and sadistic father Zeus, the Darkener of the Sky, and become the greatest god in all the Pantheons. Isaiah is thrown into a world where the democratic Olympians, war-mongering Norse, Gothic Celts, firstborn Egyptians, the enlightened Hindu, the animal-like Aztecs, the martial artist Asians, the intelligent Babylonians, the great spirits of the Native American Indians, and the fierce Finnish will war against one another for the greatest of all prizes: the Dominion.

I always say I am totally honest in my reviews, so, I have to begin my saying that initially I didn't think that this was "my type" of book. Then I began reading it and thought "oh no its going to be all complicated about gods, and who is on whose side etc etc" but it was not overly complicated and as you came across each God you didn't really need prior knowledge as it was explained and put across which Gods and ~goddesses had which strengths and weaknesses. 

The book is well written and once it hooks you, you are there with it to the end! The end has a twist I certainly didn't see coming and things are left well open with plenty of unanswered questions for a BK 2. and yes Bk 2will be on my wishlist to read!!

I loved the characters of Isaiah and his gang, the fact his was not some perfect guy. Isaiah has a speech impediment throughout the book, though at times he does overcome it, so his character is really believable. separately the members of Isaiah's gang would seem like a rag-taggle bunch of misfits who are weak and would be easily crushed by enemies too. However when Jeremy, Monty - the one always eyeing up the ladies and Pipsqueak - the walking dictionary  are together with Isaiah, they are a strong formidable group. Isaiah begins the book just thinking himself an oddball really and not even speaking to his friends, who think he is a mute! He develops and finds out he is the son of Zeus, he finds out who killed his mother and immediately swear vengeance. Isaiah begins to have confidence and speaks. he has always fought for survival living on the streets, but when he starts attending the Kaliber Academy he has to fight for acceptance to the Godlings group and then fight for his life in a tournament organised on a magical island. I loved the character of Isaiah, he may live on the streets and have to regularly fight for survival but he has principles, he prides himself on fighting fairly....and one of his rules is he doesn't hit girls! Even when he is provoked he doesn't hit girls!

The book is quite thought provoking and you find yourself referring back to earlier instances and references in the book that suddenly make sense, and are relevant. You feel Isaiah's deep love and affection for his mother, and his hate and need for revenge against his father. Isaiah doesn't trust easily you have to earn his trust, just as he expects to earn yours. he doesn't take for granted or exploit his new status when it is revealed to him. he values each and every one of his friends, and when told they will be in danger goes as far as distancing himself from them even though it hurts him deeply to do so.

I finished this book in three sittings, and really enjoyed it and, yes, would recommend it too! Am putting Bk 2 on my wishlist now!!

I also love the simplicity of the cover, is the guy on it Zeus? Isaiah? or someone else? you need to read the book to decide for yourselves. As always I have tried to give no more "spoiler" or plot away than is already mentioned in the blurb, as I hate someone telling me all about the book, I like to find out about the majority of the book/plot myself when reading it. (Hope you agree).

Available from Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Pantheons-ebook/dp... £no price listed yet!

                        Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pantheons-ebook/dp/B006V7NPJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326134571&sr=8-1   £1.33 on Kindle

SPOTLIGHT - THIS IS NOT FORGIVENESS BY CELIA REES

You can now read an extract of This is Not Forgiveness by Celia Rees at www.bloomsbury.com/TINF-extract and there is also a brilliant trailer

Find out more about Celia at

www.celiarees.com

www.facebook.com/theofficialceliareesfanpage

This is Not Forgiveness, published 2^nd February 2012

‘Sleek, dark and dangerous.  Celia Rees has ventured into new territory and returned with explosives’ Patrick Ness

‘In a remarkable book that manages to be both lyrical and gritty in the same breath, Celia Rees takes us into an apparently ordinary world where love, betrayal, faith and violence appear hand in hand on virtually every page.  I love it for its deceptively gentle prose, its totally believable characters and its vortex of a plot’ Melvin Burgess

This is not historical fiction. This is not a safe read. This is not Celia Rees as you’ve ever seen her before.

Bestselling Celia Rees is known for writing tales of high adventure set in the past. This exciting departure is a psychological drama that sees her tackling subjects of political terrorism, extremism and the effects of post traumatic stress disorder on soldiers.

Everyone says that Caro is bad news, but Jamie can’t help himself. He thinks of her night and day and can’t believe that she wants to be his girlfriend. Gorgeous, impulsive and unconventional, she is totally different to all the other girls he knows. His sister, Martha, hates her. Jamie doesn’t know why, but there’s no way he’s going to take any notice of her warnings to stay away from Caro.

As Jamie falls deeper and deeper under her spell, he realises there is much more to Caro than he first thought. She disappears for days on end, she has small scars on her wrists, she talks about revolutions and taking action, and then there are the rumours he hears about the other men in her life.

Always in the background is Rob, Jamie’s older brother, back from Afghanistan and traumatised after having his leg smashed to bits there. Jamie wants to help him, but Rob seems to be living in a world of his own and is increasingly difficult to reach. With Caro, the summer should have been perfect . . . but that isn’t how things work out in real life and Jamie is going to find out the hard way.

WEBSITE: www.celiarees.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/theofficialceliareesfanpage

EXTRACT: http://www.bloomsbury.com/Celia-Rees/authors/709/article/9730

TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTD1w7nKYD0

GHOST OF ROSEWOOD ASYLUM BY STEPHEN PROSAPIO

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Zach Kalusky, host of Sci-D TV's Xavier Paranormal Investigators, is ecstatic when he's given the opportunity to explore the most haunted site in Chicago for a Halloween Special: Rosewood Asylum, a place long made off-limits by the local government, plagued by decades of mysterious fires and unexplained events. It's Zach's dream investigation- but there's a catch: the network forces Xavier Paranormal Investigators to partner with the more dramatic-but less ethical-Demon Hunters. Now, Zach must fight for both his show's integrity and his team's loyalty while trying to protect his own secret: that he, himself, is possessed.
What a great start to what may be a brilliant series of books. I loved the descriptions of the scenery and the Rosewood Asylum building. I liked we got to know about the background of the Asylum too before all the ghosts were introduced into the book. I also enjoyed all the character descriptions of the people and the ghosts too. I don' t wish to give away spoilers but will say there are a few twists and turns in the plot that keep you guessing. There are a mixture of talents within the groups of Xavier Investigators and the Demon Hunters. Xavier's staff are more "honest" in their approach to their program, whereas Demon Hunters seem to be all about sensationalism. This book has a bit of everything, there's mystery, lost love, betrayal, possession, suspense,spookiness, a bit scary, danger from those that are the living and the ghosts too. I think there's a little bit of something for everyone within the book. 
The whole concept of Rosewood Asylum is really believable as is the scenario of it being investigated by Paranormal Experts for a TV show. Zach and his fellow investigators are tricked into working with the less credible Demon Hunters. They have to solve the mystery and help the ghosts pass over and be at peace.  There are certainly quite a few ghosts to be helped in this tale. Some "good guy" ghosts trying to protect the building of Rosewood Asylum and also the public from the more rogue element led ghosts that exist in the Asylum. Will they help everyone who needs their help? Will everyone be safe? Who or will anyone get hurt in the process?
There is one particular character where I had queried who she really was and when you found out more about her,  it was a good twist though I had suspected it for a while.
Zach is a great character who has his own personal issues along with the Paranormal issues he investigates too.
I don't usually read "ghost" type books or mystery orientated ones but I have to say I did enjoy this one. Would I read a book 2? Yes I would! 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - STEPHEN PROSAPIO

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

 Stephen Prosapio. I was born in Louisville Kentucky, USA, but grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. I currently live in Oceanside, California north of San Diego.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

I always enjoyed writing. At various times I wanted to be a priest, a baseball player, an attorney (fortunately that passed!), and a photocopy store owner.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?

“Only” ten years. Ha! Of course it took forever to complete my first book. Once done, I entered it into an online contest and out of 2,700 entries won a top 5 award. That garnered the attention of a major literary agency and the rest is history…or so I thought. I worked on the novel another year with the help of the agency, we submitted it to publishers and got no takers. That novel went into the drawer until summer of 2010 when I heard about the movie Inception being released. My novel, DREAM WAR, used very similar concepts and I wasn’t about to let my work go to waste. Or worse, publish it years from now and have people claim I “stole the idea” from Christopher Nolan. I Indie Published (I like that term better than “self-publish”) DREAM WAR and finally my first book saw the market. It’s sold in the thousands of copies and has maintained a 4.6 star rating on Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

 Holy cow! Twenty words? That’s harsh! The latest novel is GHOSTS OF ROSEWOOD ASYLUM:  A paranormal researcher—who is himself possessed—investigates a 19th century asylum and uncovers as many dangerous secrets as he does spirits. – That’s 22 words but it’s absolutely as small as I could get it.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?

 GoRA (as I call it) is published by Otherworld Publications.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?

GoRA was the easiest thus far. I got the idea, outlined it and wrote the first draft all within 3 months. Of course there were multiple rounds of rewrites and edits, but it was “easy as pie” as we say here. This latest book, the one I’m following up to GoRA took nearly two years to write. It’s been a trying and difficult journey to completion. That’s not to say that one book is better than the other, it’s just different. I assume the same could be said about the birthing process for babies…not that I’d know first hand on that!

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

Hopefully more of the same genre. Now that I’ve connected to people interested in the paranormal, my fans want books with ghosts. I think there are a lot of people who like ghost stories but who aren’t necessarily looking for “horror” novels. That’s where I see myself in the marketplace.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?

 I look at characters a lot like children. You can’t really have a favorurite…and even if I did, I couldn’t admit it, right? 

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?

Ray “the Railroad” Ross. Chicks dig him.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

In some way, shape or form I’ve been writing since I was 7 years old. Telling stories through words. I don’t know that someone needs inspiration to write. I believe writing pours out of someone or it doesn’t. You can’t be inspired, you can only be uninspired.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?

EVERYWHERE. One thing that does make me laugh is when non-writers think that their “idea” is worth something. I could give a full story idea to your entire blog and if we all wrote novels about it, we’d have as many different novels as we have people. It’s not the inspiration. It’s the perspiration.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

I read. I set a timer for usually 23 or 34 minutes (lucky numbers of mine) and do NOTHING but write until the timer goes off. Sometimes it’s hell—pure drudgery—other times the timer goes off and I write for another hour. Regardless, when I honor those timed units, sooner or later I get into a good zone.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them? ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

I have a close circle of what I call “beta readers” who’ve proven to give me direct and honest feedback. I don’t need to hear compliments from them. I need to know what doesn’t work, what needs improvement. If they do their jobs correctly, I’ll be able to rewrite and edit it so that the final work is ready for people to pay money for it.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Absolutely. Even negative ones can (not always but can) give good pointers as to areas to improve.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?

Nah. I think by that point their mind would be made up. I offered to give someone their money back once and they were actually quite polite and refused. It was a negative review that actually made some very valid points. One review I had on Amazon annoyed the heck out of me because it was flat out horse%#*&. It claimed I’d “stolen” the idea for my novel from Inception. I commented and showed proof that my novel had been fully written years before that movie began filming.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books? Who designed the Cover of your books?

I leave that up to people much more creative than myself! My good friend Irina Ivanova designed my covers. She did an amazing job, I think.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

Interesting question. I come up with the idea and typically the outline first, and then I come up with the title. I’m usually pretty good picking catchy titles.

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?

I don’t believe in “writer’s block”. I do, however, believe in “being lazy”. I can be as lazy as the next person. Part of the problem is just not writing enough. Not focusing when I’m writing etc. We had an expression when I was a Boy Scout. We said that the hardest part about earning a merit badge was opening up the book i.e. getting started.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

Typically I like to have lessons and character growth. I like to show how characters make either correct or incorrect choices. Sometimes the difference between good and evil is simply taking the right or wrong action. I’ll let the readers take what morals they want from the story.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?

Stephen King.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?

A Christmas Carol. It’s brilliant in its simplicity and message. That work changed the way that Christmas was celebrated, and has inspired countless movie variations. I’ve read it nearly a dozen times.  

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?

Honestly, no. I think short stories and novellas transfer to movies much better. Look at Stephen King’s work:  Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me, the Green Mile all were shorter-than-novel length.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)

 I’m currently reading a nonfiction softcover book about Abraham Lincoln.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?

Not completely replace. I believe 90% or more will be eBook formats in 10-20 years. I think there may be a resurgence of leather-bound books for things people want to keep.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?

I found the word “was” used 13 times on the first page of Twilight a deal killer.

What do you think about book trailers?

I think they’re fun, but I don’t think new authors should worry about them unless they’ve got an “in” or can do them themselves…and make them look professional quality.

 You can see my book trailer on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgJVhX3puY

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

Keep writing! Stay abreast of the tidal wave of changes happening in the publishing industry. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.

Where can readers follow you?

Your blog details?  http://no-bull-steve.livejournal.com/
Your web site ? www.prosapio.com
Your facebook page?  http://www.facebook.com/stephenprosapio
Your Goodreads author page? http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4348183.Stephen_Prosapio
Your Twitter details?  http://twitter.com/#!/stephenprosapio

And any other information you wish to supply?

Just that I’m incredibly grateful for you having me here. I promise if your readers give my work a chance, I’ll do everything possible to entertain them!

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - GHOSTS OF ROSEWOOD ASYLUM BY STEPHEN PROSAPIO

Zach Kalusky, host of Sci-D TV's Xavier Paranormal Investigators, is ecstatic when he's given the opportunity to explore the most haunted site in Chicago for a Halloween Special: Rosewood Asylum, a place long made off-limits by the local government, plagued by decades of mysterious fires and unexplained events. It's Zach's dream investigation- but there's a catch: the network forces Xavier Paranormal Investigators to partner with the more dramatic-but less ethical-Demon Hunters. Now, Zach must fight for both his show's integrity and his team's loyalty while trying to protect his own secret: that he, himself, is possessed.

Available Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £17.95 Hardcover, £10.95 Paperback and £2.12 Kindle

BETWEEN BY MARY TING

BLURB from Goodreads
As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God’s first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia’s soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside–a place between Heaven and Earth–he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power. As more secrets are revealed Claudia learns about the venators—nephilim, demon hunters. Now two opposing forces must work together in order to save Claudia and humanity from the most dangerous angel ever created. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all?
MY REVIEW
WOW I did not expect to say this but this second book of the series is even better than the first!
It is so well written! The relationships with Claudia and the Alkins are becoming even closer, the love between her and Michael is plain to see and beautifully depicted throughout the novel. Claudia is also feeling a strange confused sort of attraction to Austin. I love the Alkins trying to learn the "human" speech and dress sense etc. Davin is as humorous as ever and Caleb is coming to the fore and speaking more within this book than he did in bk1.
This book has humour, suspense, fights,death, joy, sadness, sacrifice and heartbreak
In this book Claudia has to learn to let go of her grief over the death of Gamma and learn to use her "secret" power. Claudia hates the way that other Claudia Emerson's are being killed as they are being mistaken for her. Claudia also realises she will probably end up facing this demon called Aliah before the fight is over. Though as ever she feels safe that she has the Alkins to protect her.
Davin and Michael try do "normal-human" things in this second book more too, like the Valentines School Dance with Claudia and her friend.
Michael also faces a heartbreakingly no win situation, an extremely difficult thing he is ordered to do as part of his duty concerning Claudia. We find out there is a spy within the angels.......not necessarily  the one you will immediately jump to the conclusion of it being either.....
I didn't want this book to end... I loved it and was reading it through blurred vision at the part when Michael has to make his heartbreaking choice, that really he doesn't have an actual choice as he is ordered to do it.  The book ended by setting the scene, for the next book. Michael has a new mission, as does Davin, and Claudia is also on the brink of starting a new different sector of her life too.
I love all the characters in this series of books, how they interact with each other and all love Claudia in their own ways. All the characters have their own little quirks and personalities and of course their own destinies too.

I have to add that I think the cover goes brilliantly with the book, depicting Claudia and Michael and their deepening relationship on it.

So did I enjoy it?  Loved It! Would I recommend it? YES! 
Can't wait for Book three in this series! 


Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £10.99 Paperback or £4.00 on Kindle.


Also see my review of Bk 1 Crossroads by Mary Ting  and my previous Interview with Mary too.