Thursday 31 January 2013

THE PROCEDURE BY MARGARET BELLE

ISBN/ASIN: B008QGJ1K0
Publisher: Self Indie
Pages: 225
Formats Available: Kindle edition

BLURB from Goodreads
Unmarried and unwilling to wait for Mr. Perfect, Melanie Allen decides it’s time to have a child and enters the infertility program at the Upstate Family Clinic in Syracuse, New York; a decision that will cost her dearly.

Melanie’s horrifying journey starts, as do all roads to Hell, with good intentions. In this case, it’s an act of kindness, as she offers to lend a much needed hand at the clinic, which is owned and run by the famous infertility specialist, Dr. Reed Neumann.

Almost immediately, Melanie senses that the clinic has dark secrets, and before long is unearthing evidence of Neumann’s terrifying research and medical procedures. Before she is through, Melanie discovers the worst secret of all – that Neumann’s evil deeds reach all the way back to her own home and her own family.

Follow this 28-year-old single mother as she attempts to wrestle herself from the clutches of the doctor she once idolized and save herself and her family from the terrifying future he had planned for them. Be there as Melanie shockingly comes into contact with long-dead victims of the doctor and learn how they are able to reach across the divide between spiritual and physical worlds to help, as Melanie faces evil in its truest form.


MY REVIEW
I bought this book from Amazon.co.uk, the cover and blurb attracted me. Looking at the cover I obviously thought the book was about someone who was pregnant and I wanted to know what the "procedure" was. 
Wow the "procedure" was sinister, strange, futuristic....words cannot describe!
I need to be careful as I really don't want to give any spoilers or even clues away. I want you to read the book and be shocked, surprised and on the edge of your seat in the way I was when reading this brilliant book. Margaret Belle writes this book so well, as things are revealed you think back to prior chapters and realise there were little clues pointing you in the right direction all the time. You make the mysterious and sinister discoveries along with the main character Melanie.
Melanie innocently offers to help out at a fertility treatment clinic when the Doctor there tells her they are short staffed. Due to the treatment at the clinic she has her wonderful son Eric, so she feels it only right that she volunteers to cover for the receptionist that will be away. Naturally Melanie is curious about such a renowned clinic. Melanie also feels a little uneasy about her last appointment, so she does exactly what the majority of us would do given the opportunity, she searches for her file to check it out for herself. When she can't find her file, she looks for her twin sister Maddy's file, which also seems to be missing. Melanie then searches for Eric's file, which is also missing.....with her interest piqued Melanie's search takes her deeper and deeper into files and computer data bases. Melanie finds her access is restricted, so she has to find ways around the system....and can hardly believe what she actually finds..... Then she has to decide who can truly be trusted with what she has found. Melanie realises her discovery has put her little family in serious danger. They have to go into hiding, but where and who can really help?
I really loved this book. For some reason I had it confused with another title and thought this book was a novella....nope it was a full length nail biting book full of suspense! You seriously don't want to put the book down, it is truly addictive!
So did I enjoy the book? I think you can gather from my review that I loved this book, totally engrossing. Would I recommend this book? Yes, and have already to my mum and my daughter so I think this book would appeal to a wide selection of people. I would say the book doesn't just slot into one genre. Would I read a Bk#2? Definitely, I hope that there is a Bk#2, there is plenty of potential for one. Would I read more by Margaret Belle? Yes I would certainly keep an eye out for more titles by Margaret.

Available from Amazon.co.uk

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MARGARET BELLE


What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Margaret Belle.  I was born in Syracuse, NY.  Although I have lived in a number of places, I currently live in a suburb of Syracuse.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I do! I own a small advertising agency.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
In the past I published non-fiction through a professional press.  THE PROCEDURE, however, is my first piece of fiction – a self-published eBook for Kindle.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
My second book is also one of suspense, so maybe that’s what I will always write. I have 3 or 4 more books in mind that all seem to be in that genre. 

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
After I finish the one I’m working on now, I plan to write a sequel to THE PROCEDURE.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I’d have to choose Dr. Neumann because he is a villain with no redeeming characteristics whatsoever and Melanie because she has so many. Both were so much fun to write.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?
From my horribly overactive imagination. But also from current and past events.  Many things in THE PROCEDURE are actual events that captured my attention and I spun the story around them.

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 routine, but (and this is going to sound really odd) I find a picture that looks like the one I have in my mind of my main character.  For my female protagonists, I look through wig websites.  When I find the perfect one, I print it out and keep it taped where I can see it. I knew Melanie was going to be a redhead, so I looked through the photos of models wearing red wigs and I knew her as soon as I saw her. 

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
I have been and I’m happy that the average floats between 3.9 and 4 stars on Amazon.com. But those few 1 or 2 stars – ouch – it’s like someone telling you that your baby is ugly.  However I realize that no one book is everyone’s cup of tea.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books? My son John put it together with me.  I really love the cover of THE PROCEDURE I think a great cover stops readers long enough to consider buying the book.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
I chose THE PROCEDURE about half way through.  The book I’m working on now is untitled at the moment.

Do you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I have a general idea but not an entire plot to get me from beginning to the end. I’m usually surprised at what happens – the characters seem to do what they want.  Once in a while I get stuck and I stop writing and let things go for a while – days or weeks.  Then for no reason at all, the right idea comes to me and I know where the story is going. It’s the best feeling!

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..") Not morals, but points I want to make.  In THE PROCEDURE the points are: 1) You can never really know the people around you, not even the ones closest to you.  2) Science is scary and always on the move.  You can’t stop a scientist with no ethics.  3) None of us choose the circumstances of our birth – not one person on this planet got to decide.  So make the best of things and don’t mope over what you don’t have.  Be glad you’re here at all.

Where can readers follow you?
I don’t blog, tweet, toot, or whistle.  My book's website is www.margaretbellebooks.com  People can listen to an audio segment by Melanie and can send me emails from there.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE PROCEDURE BY MARGARET BELLE

BLURB from Goodreads
Unmarried and unwilling to wait for Mr. Perfect, Melanie Allen decides it’s time to have a child and enters the infertility program at the Upstate Family Clinic in Syracuse, New York; a decision that will cost her dearly.

Melanie’s horrifying journey starts, as do all roads to Hell, with good intentions. In this case, it’s an act of kindness, as she offers to lend a much needed hand at the clinic, which is owned and run by the famous infertility specialist, Dr. Reed Neumann.

Almost immediately, Melanie senses that the clinic has dark secrets, and before long is unearthing evidence of Neumann’s terrifying research and medical procedures. Before she is through, Melanie discovers the worst secret of all – that Neumann’s evil deeds reach all the way back to her own home and her own family.

Follow this 28-year-old single mother as she attempts to wrestle herself from the clutches of the doctor she once idolized and save herself and her family from the terrifying future he had planned for them. Be there as Melanie shockingly comes into contact with long-dead victims of the doctor and learn how they are able to reach across the divide between spiritual and physical worlds to help, as Melanie faces evil in its truest form.


Available from Amazon.co.uk

Wednesday 30 January 2013

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - LIESEL K. HILL


What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Liesel Hill. I was born in Orem, Utah and, though I’ve changed towns quite a bit, I’ve lived in Utah my entire life. Currently I’m in Ogden which is in the northern part of the state.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
Yes. The very first book I wrote is a historical fiction set in Russia in the Middle Ages. It’s set to come out later this year. (In other words, the first book I wrote is not the first to be published.) I started writing that sometime in ’08, I believe. I finished it in ’09, and it’s not coming out until late 2013.

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 current release is called Persistence of Vision, Book 1 of Interchron. My summary would be: In a world where individuals are hunted, Maggie must preserve the freedom of humankind, but without the aid of memories.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
POV is being published by Tate Publishing, a small Christian press based out of Mustang, Oklahoma. The historical fiction I mentioned earlier (entitled Citadels of Fire) is being put out by Jolly Fish Press, who are based out of Provo, Utah.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
I have more writing time now than I used to, but if varies greatly for me, just depending on how long each day I can devote to writing. I’d say between six months and a year. I include in that not only the actual writing, but the formation of the idea, the editing, etc. Sometimes, even with a detailed outline, things change. Things need to percolate. It takes time.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?
Citadels of Fire was definitely the most difficult. That was the first full-length novel I wrote. It’s about getting used to the writing process. It’s about making yourself do something you aren’t completely comfortable with yet. Once you’ve got one book under your belt, the act of writing comes a lot more easily.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
As I said, I’ve got a historical fiction coming out in September. I’m nearly finished with Book 2 of Interchron but I don’t have an estimated release date on that one yet. I’m also have a crime thriller coming out from Jolly Fish Press in 2014 entitled The Botanist. And I’m just starting to plan a high fantasy series that involves dragons. So, as you can see, I tend to work on a lot of projects at once.

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 wonderful critique group. We reach each other’s stuff chapter by chapter and give each other all kinds of advice—from line edits to characterization, story continuity and plot tips. I would not be the writer I am today without my group. I also have an uber-supportive family. I’m not married but my father and brothers especially are always eager to read my next thing and call dibs on who gets it first.

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
Yup. Most definitely.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
So far, yes. That’s mainly because this is my debut novel and most of the reviews I’ve gotten so far have been from family members or from people I’ve asked to do reviews for my blog tour. It would be kind of silly for me not to read them. I’m not someone who’s neurotic, though, and will read every review that gets posted on Amazon or Goodreads.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
Absolutely not. Writing is subjective. In fact, I’ve been told it lends credence to your book to have a few reviews that are, if not bad, at least not glowing. If you have twenties five-star reviews and half the reviewers share your last name, well, let’s just say readers know that trick and will steer clear.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
For the main characters, I definitely decide before. I figure out personalities, ticks, quirks, physical reactions to show emotion, etc. I don’t feel like I can bring out the character as I write them if I don’t know those things.

Do you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I’m more of a plotter than a pantser. If I think of a new direction to take something while I’m writing, I’m very open to that, but I have to have some idea where I’m going with the plot or else I’ll stare at my computer screen for hours. Incidentally, that’s the fastest way to get my finger and toenails painted. :D

How do you market/promote your books?
Mostly online. I have my blog, I’m doing a major blog tour, I’m active on Twitter and Facebook, I go to vendor fairs to sell them, and try to get signings with local retailers.

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
I don’t think there’s any one secret. The writing has to be stellar. There has to be something in it that appeals to people’s passion in some way, whether it’s passionate love, the passion to survive, to succeed, to solve a mystery. People like to have something to obsess over. It gets their adrenaline pumping. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess why one books succeeds where others fail. I will say that marketing and positivity go a long way.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
Sometimes. As technology evolves, Hollywood is getting better at movie/tv adaptations. Of course the Harry Potter movies were splendidly done, and I think HBO is doing an amazing job with George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice series. But for every success there’s two or three terrible ones like Eragon or various ‘90s versions of the classics that actually did a disservice to the film by being made.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
I’ll never pick up Fifty Shades of Gray. It’s not something I’m interested in reading. I’ve actually read excerpts and, based on what I read there, I don’t now nor ever will I want to read more. I’m not into erotica anyway, but specifically with this book, I just don’t understand the appeal.

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?
Ooh that’s hard! Only three? I think I’d go with Robert Jordan, Joseph Conrad…and Ralph Waldo Emerson. I wouldn’t eat a thing!

Where can readers follow you?

Your blog details? 

Your Web site? 
interchron.tateauthor.com

Your Facebook page? 
Facebook.com/interchronseries and facebook.com/lieselkhill

Your Goodreads Author page? 
Goodreads.com/lieselkhill

Your Twitter details? 
Twitter.com/lkhillbooks

And any other information you wish to supply?

Also pinterest: pinterest.com/lkhillbooks

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - PERSISTENCE OF VISION BY LIESEL K. HILL

BLURB from Goodreads
In a world where collective hives are enslaving the population and individuals have been hunted to the verge of extinction, Maggie Harper, and independent 21st Century woman, must find the strength to preserve the freedom of the future, but without the aid of her memories.

After experiencing a traumatic time loss, Maggie is plagued by a barrage of images she can't explain. When she's attacked by a creep with a spider's web tattoo, she is saved by Marcus, a man she's never met, but somehow remembers. He tells her that both he and her creepy attacker are from a future in which individuals are being murdered by collectives, and Marcus is part of the rebellion. The collectives have acquired time travel and they plan to enslave the human race throughout all of history. The flashes Maggie has been seeing are echoes of lost memories, and the information buried deep within them is instrumental in defeating the collective hives.

In order to preserve the individuality of mankind, Maggie must try to re-discover stolen memories, re-kindle friendships she has no recollection of, and wade through her feelings for the mysterious Marcus, all while dodging the tattooed assassins the collectives keep sending her way.

If Maggie can't fill the holes in her memory and find the answers to stop the collectives, the world both in her time and in all ages past and future will be doomed to enslavement in the grey, mediocre collectives. As the danger swirls around her and the collectives close in, Maggie realizes she must make a choice: stand out or fade away...


Tuesday 29 January 2013

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - DAN ANDREWS


What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Dan Andrews, I was born in the western suburbs of Chicago and I now live in Dekalb, IL since I am also a full time student attending Northern Illinois University.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be? 
Growing up I never intended to be a writer. At first when I was very young I wanted to be a police officer, but as I got older I really fell in love with coaching people and exercise science, so I began wanting to open up my own gym, which still might happen, but presently I am 100% focused on becoming a successful author.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
 I personally don't consider myself a writer. For me, there is a distinct difference between a writer and an author. In my opinion, anyone who consistently writers anything they consider valuable is a writer, even though no one may read them except the person who wrote them. An author, on the other hand, writes things and has taken the steps to publish them for the entire world to see. To me they are two very different levels of commitment.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I am also a full time student, though; I should probably get a part-time job soon as well, haha.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
The name of my latest book is Sons of Suicide. I would describe it in less than twenty words as: It is the story of a young man triumphing over the suicide of his mother.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish? 
I decided to self publish after starting my own publishing company. I spoke to a great deal of other authors when trying to figure out which route to take, and for me self-publishing made the most sense.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it? 
My first book took roughly six months to write. And then five months to edit. My upcoming book, Yeseterday’s Scars, was written over the course of years.
Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others? Yesterday’s Scars has been a very gradual writing process, it happened naturally over time. Sons of Suicide on the other hand took a great deal of concerted effort and I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it out on time and to the quality that I require.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
My next book is a wild one, I am having trouble classy-ing it, it could be called poetry, philosophy, or fiction. I would say over the long term I have a few more non-fiction books in me, and eventually I will take the plunge into fictional stories.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I have been writing seriously for the past five years or so, my favorite class that I took in high school titled American Studies is really what piqued my interest in great writers and pieces of literature, and from there I took the plunge.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
For Sons of Suicide I let my best friends and roommate read it before anyone else. I did this to get some really honesty feedback and to make sure they approved. I figured if my best friends did not like it, than no one else would (since they should be biased.)

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
I do, I ran a promotion on Facebook for that exact thing!

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Absolutely. I seriously consider meaningful criticism.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
I have been a bit spoiled; I have yet to hear a truly negative review of Sons of Suicide. There are some parts of it that people disagree with, but on the whole everyone I have talked to has enjoyed it.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
No, I think that would be disrespectful to the reviewer. As long as they do not have some freakish vendetta against the author they should be free to say whatever they like.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
One of my best friends and his brother, Alex Laniosz (the graphic designer for the book), came up with the idea for the cover. They are amazing with super artsy visual things; I am just good with words.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
I usually begin writing and eventually the title will slap me in the face.
How do you market/promote your books? Contacting reviewers, radio interviews, Facebook ads… Really it all comes down to word of mouth and getting the book into people’s hands so you can let your book speak for itself.

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
Promotion and marketability, how many copies you sell has very little to do with how good the book is.

What do you do to unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?
I love video games, I play them far too much. Gaming is my go-to activity for relaxing.

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..")
 I would say there is a great deal of moral lessons laced throughout my books, they tend to be more implicit than explicit though.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?
Ernest Hemingway. Hands down the greatest writer of all time, in my opinion of course. I am on my way to reading everything that he has written.

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
 I really do love them all. I love e-books because of how portable they are, but occasionally I get sick of looking at a screen and then hard copies are nice as well.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback) 
The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway, it is an ebook. I am blown away by the quality of his short stories compared to his novels.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
 I think they will come close. Print books will always exist in my opinion, but I think E-books will dominate the landscape soon enough.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
Game of Thrones, I cannot stand George R.R. Martin’s writing style. I know a lot of people love him, and he is good at what he does. But I disapprove of his style.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Start making thoughtful actions and mistakes now. No one ever wrote a successful book without publishing one.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
I would consider it; it is a funny thing to think about.

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?
Ernest Hemingway, Napoleon Hill, and Les Brown.

Where can readers follow you?

Your Web site ? 

Your Facebook page? 

Your Twitter details?
@thedanimal1991

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - SONS OF SUICIDE

BLURB from Goodreads
An insightful, viscerally emotional memoir, Sons of Suicide relates the story of a young man's life after losing his Mother to suicide—and succeeding, in spite of experiencing one of the most devastating tragedies known to man.

At eleven, Dan Andrews was abandoned by his Mother. Fatefully, she made the timeless drive down Lake Shore Drive in downtown Chicago, parked her car alongside Buckingham Fountain, and, after sitting and smoking a few last cigarettes, drowned herself in Lake Michigan.

His Mother's grave decision has given Andrews the ability to perceive and contemplate loss in a way not written about in recent history. Shared with brutal vulnerability and skill, sprinkled with humor and sexuality, Sons of Suicide masterfully entertains and enlightens the reader— serving as a catharsis to the feeling of loss, a feeling to which all humans relate.

The author, Dan Andrews, has also pledged for every copy of Sons of Suicide that is sold, one dollar out of his personal royalty will be donated to the Will To Live Foundation, visit their website for more information about this wonderful organization that is spreading awareness and helping with the teen suicide epidemic. Purchase today to help put an end to suicide.


COVER REVEAL - CRIMSON FLAMES BY ASHLEY ROBERTS

BLURB from Goodreads
Half-vampire Abby Tate is determined to learn more about the sorceress powers that were awakened inside her when she was turned into a vampire—making her a whole new hybrid species. There’s a group of rogue vamps banding together and forming a Resistance against the vampire governing body, The Head Council, and Abby’s newly discovered powers are the key to the Council’s victory. Now the Resistance will do anything possible to remove the hybrid threat, and with no other options, Abby is forced to rely on the aid of the Council, yet can she trust the very vampires that hunt for her human lover? And even worse, can she fight the unwelcome attraction that’s growing between her and one of those ancient vampire rulers?

COVER COMMENTS
I was asked to do this cover reveal by Lady Ambers Tours, although I know it was the big reveal a few days ago I still decided to share as you may not have seen it yet. I know I hadn't!
So what do I think to the cover? Well the covers certainly suggest flames with the tones of oranges and fiery reds. I like the strong female image, she is wielding her sword which appears to be literally smoking!
I think the colour of the font of the title, and authors name are in a good choice of colour to remain in the theme of fire. Would the cover make me pick the book up? Possibly to look at for my daughter, I don't tend to go for the whole sword fighting type of genre, having said that the cover would make me take a look.


Monday 28 January 2013

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY - THE FALLEN STARS - A STAR CHILD NOVEL BY STEPHANIE KEYES


BLURB from Inkspell Publishing


When all is lost, he will have to make the ultimate decision.

Kellen St. James was just your average seventeen-year-old prodigy, until he eighty-sixed the Lord of Faerie and proposed to a Celtic goddess. Now everything in Kellen’s life gets turned upside-down when Calienta, Kellen, and friend, Gabriel Stewart, find themselves on the run from a seriously irritated group of faeries. The worst part? They have zero idea why.

Suddenly, Kellen finds himself stuck in the middle of another prophecy that questions everything about him including where his loyalties lie. Plus, Calienta’s more than a bit different; she’s making choices that he doesn’t understand. And Gabe, his best friend? He’s started doing all sorts of freaky things that make Kellen question who he really is.
Kellen and Calienta will fight to stay together and keep the hidden part of the prophecy from becoming reality.

When the ultimate power is within reach, which side will he choose?

Release Date: 12-April-2013, Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

COVER COMMENTS
I love the colours on the cover as well as the font that the title, authors name etc are in. It gives the book a romantic feel, which as it is a YA romance is great. The Title, Series Title and Author Name looks a little cramped at the bottom. I don't like quotes from people who have read the book on the front cover, it's just a personal "pet hate" of mine. I mean I would have put the book title in the place where the book review quote is, to make more space at the bottom for the Series name and Author name. 
Would the cover make me want to pick the book up from a shelf and learn more about it? Yes I would notice this cover on the shelf and yes I would pick it up to investigate further.
So onto the Blurb, what do I think to that? I am a little confused as what Kellen being eighty-sixed means... so am curious as to what that means. I aren't totally "into" the Fae genre, I have a kind of love/hate thing with this genre. 
So would the blurb make me want to buy the book? To be honest here, it's the cover that attracts me to the book more than the blurb. Would I buy the book? possibly.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

"Imaginative and fast-paced. Couldn't put it down!" - E.G. Foley, New York Times Bestselling author of The Gryphon Chronicles

"This well-written and intriguing fantasy was a delight to read. I can't wait to read the second novel in this series!" - Linn B. Halton, author Never Alone on The Star Child by Stephanie Keyes.


A LITTLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she’s still doing the same thing, except now she puts those ideas down on paper.

When she’s not writing Stephanie is also a graphic designer, presenter, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she’s best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.
Keyes is the author of The Star Child YA Fantasy series, which currently includes The Star Child and The Fallen Stars. She is currently hard at work on the third book in the trilogy.

GIVEAWAY!
The Giveaway (Open to US, UK and Canada)
1 wired star bookmark, 
3 Star Child (Book 1) ebooks and 
5 The Fallen Stars eBooks
Please enter using the Rafflecopter Form Below



Sunday 27 January 2013

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE CHILDREN OF THE WHITE LIONS

BLURB from Goodreads
Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud... until the blistering hot day when they go to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reach the lake, they spy an unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watch in horror as the water creature plunges toward their home, apparently drowning all in its path, including their parents and older brother, Jak.

As the only survivors, brother and sister strike out on their own, hoping to discover the reason their home and family was destroyed. They must make their way through a countryside where magic is outlawed, punishable by imprisonment or even death while struggling with the revelation that Kenders has magical abilities herself.

Although Kenders can feel and touch the many-colored "strands" of magic she has no idea how to use them until she and Nikalys are attacked by a pack of wolves and Kenders instinctively summons a bolt of lightning, immediately collapsing when the effort drains her of all her energy. From nowhere a giant lynx appears and saves the pair from certain death and then miraculously morphs into his natural self, a seven-foot-tall man. The shape changer's name is Broedi and when the time is right, he reveals to the siblings that he is one of the original White Lions and he recites to them an ancient prophecy that tells of the coming of a new and even more terrible war than the one centuries ago. The evil Gods of Chaos, Strife, and Sorrow and Pain would combine efforts to unite the orcs, gnolls and razorfiends --- normally sworn enemies. The forces of good would be led by two children of other White Lions; those children are Nikalys and Kenders, the Progeny.

As brother and sister struggle with the revelation that the only parents they could remember were not their birth parents, some of the Gods and Goddesses were busy setting other events in motion. Others people - strangers at first - would gather and become allies of the Progeny. Together, they were about to be caught up in the greatest conflict the world had ever seen.

Ancient, powerful forces still seek the Progeny on their travels, some intent to eliminate the threat they pose, some hoping to help them fulfill a destiny of which they are unaware. Myths and legends come to life, whisking the pair along a journey they never could have imagined possible.

 
Available from Amazon.co.uk


BLURB from Goodreads
The God of Chaos is marching. The Borderlands is nearly overrun, shredded by his army. In a dusty village, ninety-four residents led by two soldiers make a last stand. During the assault, one of the enemy isolates Rhohn Lurus, a Dust Man. Yet rather than kill him, the monster gives him a cryptic message and begs he carry it east, claiming it could halt the war.

At Storm Island, Nikalys, Kenders, and Jak are adjusting to their new lives as leader, mage, and soldier. In the nation’s capital, nobles spar, some conspiring with the enemy while others ally together to halt Chaos’ advance. New friends will be made, old rivals rediscovered, and secrets revealed. 

The stage is set. War is here. And the Progeny must stop it.


Available from Amazon.co.uk

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - R. T. KAELIN


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

Actually, no. Three years ago, if you had told me that I would have written 650,000 words of published material (two big, epic books and lots of short stories), I would have called you crazy. I started writing short stories as a side project for a local gaming group and received very positive feedback. After a while, a few folks said, “you should try something longer,” I decided to give it a shot. Hence, Progeny.
As to what I wanted to be before that: I can honestly say I did not have much of a dream. I do now, though.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
Depends on what you mean by published.
Progeny and Prophecy are both self-published titles. When I had finished Progeny, I had a massive book that, admittedly, needed work. When I did not draw interest from agents, I leapt into self-publishing. Looking back, I’d say it was both a good and bad thing I did that. Good in the sense that many people really liked the story, bad in the sense that my writing chops were soooooooo not up to par.
While I managed to have success with that edition, I went back to look at it after I had written a few hundred thousand more words (in short stories and book two). Wow. It needed work. A lot. Turns out, the more you do something, the better you get at it. Amazing how that works, huh?
So, I edited Progeny and resubmitted to agents, able to point out that it was one of the top rated fantasy novels at Amazon (despite its shortcomings). I now am mulling over a couple of offers of representation while waiting for a few other agents to get back to me who have the full manuscript. It is not a quick-moving process.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
Prophecy, Volume II in The Children of the White Lions series. Twenty words, huh? I’ll try…
The God of Chaos is marching. War is here. And the Progeny—leader, mage, and soldier—must stop it.
Boom! 19 words!
(that’s harder than it looks)

Do you have a "lucky charm" or "lucky routine" you follow when waiting for your book to be accepted by a publisher?
Sort of. Although, in my case, it’s waiting for agents to offer representation.
Anytime I see the clock at 11:11 or 4:44, I visualize my books on the NYT Bestsellers List. Ambitious? Yes. But 4 is my lucky number and comes through more often than not.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
It depends. I write epic fantasy, so they take a while. As I have a ‘real’ job during the day, I write in the evening, after the kids are in bed. If I’m going good, I can get about 1000/hour during the rough draft phase. If you figure Progeny and Prophecy are both about 260k words long, that’s 260 hours just for the first draft. Then comes revisions. Lots and lots of revisions. Overall, if I had to guess, I’d say it takes me a little less than a year from beginning to end. If I could write full time, I’d guess about 6-7 months.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
The Children of the White Lions series is a planned five book series. I’m about 1/3 of the way into the first draft of book three. Presently, I have no plans beyond completing the series.

What genre would you place your books into? What made you decide to write that genre of book?
The first is a hard question to answer. Fantasy, for sure. But it’s a cross between epic and young adult. The story is epic in its scope, but because the main characters are brothers and sisters between the ages of 15-19, it is also considered YA. I have received email from an 11-year-old read and loved Progeny (kudos to her) as well as an email from a 69-year-old woman who called it the best fantasy she’s read since Tolkien. I blushed.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I have a few favorites, each for a different reason.
Jak, brother to Nikalys and Kenders, more or less has my personality. So the quips and jokes he makes in the book are a way for me to slip my own voice into the story.
Nundle Babblebrook is a lot of fun to write. He’s an underdog with a big, brave heart for whom everyone loves to root.
A character in Prophecy (whom I will not name as I do not want to ruin the story for anyone who starts with Progeny) is my current favorite to write. He is so different from the rest of the characters—direct, a bit selfish, very impressed with himself—that it’s simply fun to write from that perspective.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
I have no idea. I’ve always had an active imagination, so…it just comes. The overall plot of the series I had written down before I started. Before each book, I do a rough outline of what needs to happen (beginning, middle, end) and then I write. That is when the ‘good stuff’ happens. I put my characters into difficult situations and they tell me how they get out of them. The story feels real this way, complete and believable.

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 couple groups of people who do this for me.
I have a group of three who are my ‘alpha-readers.’ They get a very early draft of things, often while I’m still writing the book. If things don’t work, if established characters act odd, if new characters aren’t ringing true, I want to know immediately. In Prophecy, I was well into my fourth or fifth revision when I realized one of the new characters needed a major personality overhaul. I made it, but it was hard to do. I wish to avoid that again.
Then I have ‘beta-readers.’ These are people who get my ‘final’ version who help proof things for me (I have a tendency to drop words, forgetting an ‘it’ or ‘here’ or ‘is’ in sentences). After I get a few people through the whole thing, I’m done.

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
Not to just any reader, no. I do give gift copies to people who have book review sites. It’s standard practice.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
I should say no, but the answer is I do. The good ones feel great, the bad ones not so much. The good news is there are a lot more good than bad. Of the combined 85 reviews on my works at Amazon, 67 are five stars, 13 are four stars.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
The one that hurt the most is a two-star that said Progeny was not written well. Turns out, they were 100% right as that review was on the first version of the book It was NOT written well. Nevertheless, at the time, it was no fun to read.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
Heck, no. That’s unprofessional.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
For Progeny, I wanted something stark, different from most fantasy books. So, I went with three colors: white, black, and crimson. The white lion design on the front is of my own creation. For Prophecy, I went with something a bit more complicated as a reflection that the story within is a bit more complicated.  

Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
This depends. I named the two main characters, Nikalys and Kenders, after my children: Nikalys and Kennedy. Everyone else, the names are chosen based on their point of origin in the world. A few times, I’ve done a wholesale name change once a draft is done, but that is not a frequent occurrence.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
A little bit of both. I start with an idea or template, but as the story goes along, the characters take on a life of their own.

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I have a confession. I have yet to suffer from writer’s block. 

Now, in order for me to make that statement without my nose growing, I need to place some qualifiers around the claim.

I have never reached a point where I simply cannot write. Sure, there are plenty of times I’ll stare at that cursed cursor on the screen, blinking, blinking, blinking. At times, I can hear it taunting me. Every so often in said situation, this frustration-laced response might—just might—have appeared on in my manuscript.

fsdahjksdfkhjfesadhjkfasdkhjfasdjkl;asdf

Once that happens, I delete the offending gibberish, add a capitalized “HERE HERE” to the manuscript and move on. I might go to another as yet unwritten chapter. I might go flesh out upcoming chapter outlines. Or I go edit early chapters. If I choose the latter course of action, I often go back to the LAST scene with the same group of characters and do an editing pass through it. That helps get me back in the moment and in their heads, allowing me to return to my “HERE HERE” and resume my effort.

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..")
Yup. There are a few in each book. And the overall series will have one, too.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
Depends on the book. And what the screenwriter does to the author’s story. My favorite movie adaption is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sure, some liberty was taken with the story (where’s Tom Bombadil?), but for the most part, the three movies were great. As for an awful adaption: Eragon. I really enjoyed the book, but the movie…ugh. They changed so much of the story that it ruined it all.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
No, I do not. I’m thinking we’ll hit about a 60-40 e-book/print book mark and then level out. But, hey, that’s my opinion.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Write. Write. Write. Write. Write.
The only way to get better is with more practice.

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?
J.R.R. Tolkien, Mark Twain, and J.K. Rowling. Tolkien to thank him for what he has done for the genre, Twain because his wit would be much appreciated, and Rowling for a spot of encouragement. She labored for seven years with publishers saying no to Harry Potter repeatedly. Yet she pressed on because she “believed in the story.” That’s a phrase I utter at least a few times a week..
Where can readers follow you?

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Your Twitter details?
@AuthorRTKaelin