Pet Peeves of the Publishing Industry

- Guest Post by James Robinson Jr. 

I see the publishing industry broken up into two sections: 1. Traditional Publishing and 2. Digital or online publishing. I’ve tried both and I do have pet peeves with each one. In terms of traditional publishing, I always hated the fact that the author has to write polished query letters and generally jump through hoops to secure an agent just to get to the publisher who, in most cases, eventually turns down the author. Traditional publishers now offer very small advances—if any at all—and maybe 5% royalties.

But when it comes to online publishing, the author has total control over his/her work. They have control over all of their writing, editing, artwork, marketing, and sales. The problem is, most of us are laymen. We don’t know what the heck we’re doing—it’s learn as you go. And, if you sell online, you’ll never see your book sitting on that table with the other bestsellers when you walk into the book store. But, not to worry, soon there won’t be any bookstores.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – NonFiction Memoir

Rating – PG

More details about the author & the book

Connect with James Robinson Jr. on Facebook & Twitter

ARC Review & $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway: Lords of Prophecy (The Prophecies #3)

Original Title: Lords of Prophecy
Series: The Prophecies #3
Author: Michael A. Rothman
Publisher: M & S Publishing, LLC
Release Date: March 1st 2013
Source: From the author
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade

The Riverton brothers have completed their training, and despite their own personal skills, they worry about the forces arrayed against them. Knowing the barrier that's kept the people of Trimoria safe for over five centuries is weakening, the brothers ready their ragtag army of humans, dwarves, and elves for battle.

In the meantime, on the other side of the ancient barrier, a growing army of demons have readied themselves for the final battle against the people of Trimoria.

As the barrier weakens, Ryan is struck by bouts of debilitating madness. As the barrier crumbles, so does the hope of Trimoria's citizens.

Interview with Mick Bose

Tell us a bit about your family. I grew up with one brother, two hardworking parents and no pets. That might sound like a lonely childhood, but in fact it was quite the opposite. My cousins lived close by and I had a lot of company. Besides, my Dad loved writing, so he spent a lot of time at home! I grew to love books from a young age and read absolutely everything and anything I could get my hands on. Often I read the same books over and over again!

What is your favourite quality about yourself? Whoever said an unexamined life was not worth living got it dead right. I like searching, and I like finding.  It`s one of the reasons I like working in an ER environment. I changed countries three times, dropped out of a university degree to study another – Medicine. After graduating I worked in Russia and Israel, picking up the Russian language while I had a chance.  Life is one long adventure, and you better live it while you have the chance. This chance is all you got. This attitude is my favourite quality about myself.

What is your least favourite quality about yourself? Do I have to have one? Sigh….all right then! I guess my least favourite quality about myself would be that I put too much on my plate. I wrote my first unpublished book while at college and doing an evening job and sleeping 3 hours at night. Not good. My grades suffered. But you know who else worked a day job and then stayed up all night to write his first two books? Robin Cook.

What is your favourite quote, by whom, and why? Seen on the wall of an Army soldier`s room, bound for Afghanistan: “If you are not living life on the edge, then you are taking up too much room.” Quite self-explanatory, really.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? That is a difficult one. If I had to point to any one, it would be having the children. I have two little girls, and as I grew up in a household where my mother was the only woman, I cherish the company of my children. Which is one of the reasons I only write at night, while they sleep.

How has your upbringing influenced your writing? Again, an interesting question. I guess any writer`s life will influence his writing. As a youngster, reading allowed me to escape. I have travelled quite a bit, which gives me a flair for the adventurous life. Hence I love reading about adventures, thrillers and mysteries. As my father wrote literary fiction, I got into that in a big way too. I began writing poetry in my late teens and carried on in my twenties. But I never forgot the Alistair Maclean and Robert Ludlum`s that I read breathlessly as a teenager.

There was an urgency about being in danger, about fighting to break free from it, that I totally got. That was just me, and the literary fiction I read gave the whole thing more colour and reality. For example, I absolutely loved Jack Kerouac`s writing. He used the English language in a swashbuckling, completely novel way. No pun intended there. The entire Beat Generation movement, in my opinion, changed the way we perceive a lot of western literature. True, the beatniks became a cliché and the hippies who followed got faddish, quickly. But the love of experimentation that Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs had was dynamic and exciting. I recognised an adventurous spirit in them that I identified with.

When and why did you begin writing? There was always that family thing. If you grow up watching your Dad write, and you love reading books, you can guess what might happen next. But the truth is, I wrote a lot to begin with without having any idea what I wanted to write about. I would write short stories about breaking up, loss and sorrow. Looking back now, I was just hungry to get words on paper. But soon, not having a plot and storyline began to weigh on me. If you don’t know where you are going, how will you complete your journey? I got frustrated trying to write literary fiction after a while. Don’t get me wrong, I still read poetry and writers like Jonathan Franzen and love it. But I like a page turner with a tight plot much more. Guess I always have.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel? When it comes to writing a novel its best to have a system I think. Broadly speaking, there are two divisions in writing a novel.

a)      The writing itself

b)      Coming up with the plot, character, storyline, chapter outline.

For me, B) is harder than A). A is harder work – physically and mentally. But B is purely intellectual and it needs time, space and isolation in order to perfect. One will influence the other. But having a chapter outline is absolutely crucial, in my view, even if it changes later on. There are specific issues about characterisations and plotting that need more elaboration. In short, the main characters must have enough at stake to make their story emotionally resonate with the reader. Then they have to go through a process of change to resolve the central conflict in the story. Conflict again, is what makes the story more interesting. This is all part of B), but its amazing how much actually changes while writing the damn thing! For me personally. B) is more important than A), as quiet reflection on whether I have written a good story is where I used to mess up before.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Medical Thriller 

Rating – PG

More details about the book

Connect with Mick Bose on Twitter

Plotting & a Large Load of Laundry

- Guest Post by Susan Russo Anderson

For me, plotting is like hanging up a large load of laundry.

Picture it, a beautiful Monday in June. The air is fresh, the breeze is flappy, and you’re doing three loads of wash. Don’t you dare use that drier. Get a rope and two poles.

• Tie one end of the rope to the house.
• Tie the other end to that big old maple at the end of the yard.
• Prop up the rope—the storyline—with two poles. Best to prop it at about the two-thirds point on the rope—roughly, the golden mean.
• Place the second pole somewhere after the three-quarter mark, Part Three of the story, the beginning of the climax leading to the end.
• That way you can hang all the light laundry on the long length of rope, scenes which develop core conflict and character and move the story. Clamp the heavier stuff to the smaller lengths toward the end of the rope.
• When I start to plot, I know the beginning and the end and the two plot pivots, all subject to change of course. I jot in the bones of these five scenes intermingled with some character sketches, perhaps the arcs of the most important players, and pretty soon, the story is writing itself.

When I read fiction, whether it’s a short story or novella or novel, I look for those two pivotal plot points. Name them, re-read them, because it’s around these two points that meaning clings to the story like barnacles to a ship.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Historical Mystery

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Susan Russo Anderson on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://susanrussoanderson.com/

Interview with Author Michael Meyer

Tell us a bit about your family. I come from a long line of teachers, so books have always been a very important part of my life. Both my parents were teachers, my three sisters are all teachers, and most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are teachers. I am a retired English professor.

What is your favorite quality about yourself? I am a very loving person. I love being in love. My wife tells me that all the time, and it is very true.

What is your least favorite quality about yourself? I sometimes become impatient by the slow actions of others, but I realize this about myself, and that is a good start to correcting this quality. I’m working on overcoming it.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? My wife told me that one of the first things that made her fall in love with me was the quote on a plaque I have: “Sing as if nobody else is listening.” I love the philosophy behind this quote. It exemplifies the way I feel about myself. I must add that I also really like “Live and let live.” I believe wholeheartedly in this. Not all people share my values or lifestyle, and they have the human right to live the way they see best. It is their life, not mine. I will live mine the way I see best.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? I am most proud of having fallen madly in love once again after the tragic death of my first wife. I am proud of the fact that I love two women, although one of them is no longer alive. For several years after her death, I doubted such a thing was possible.

What is your favorite color? I am very partial to green, but I have no idea why. Possibly it is because my mother’s maiden name was Harrington, and the Irish is coming out in me.

What is your favorite food? I love beans of all kinds, the spicier the better. I could probably survive just on beans. It is wonderful to know that my favorite food is such a healthy one too.

What’s your favorite place in the entire world? I love Europe. I try to go there at least once a year. I love the historic old towns, the rivers surrounded by castles, the snow-peaked Alps. I love the old buildings, and the cobble-stone streets, and I simply adore the great food, wine, and beer found in the Old World.

What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing? I am a published author, and thousands of my eBooks and paperbacks have been purchased by readers around the world. It is amazing when I see that one of my books has just been purchased from someone in the UK or Germany or Singapore. What a thrill it gives me to think of someone I will never meet, someone in a far-off land, reading something that I have created. It is a real high!

If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be? Enjoy life, for it is short. I know this is a cliché, but it is also the truth. If you find yourself stressed or depressed, curl up with a good book. A good read can help improve any state of mind.

Is there anything else you would like to tell your readers about yourself? I was a college professor for over forty years. I taught literally throughout the world, at universities in Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and the Caribbean. I retired just over a year ago from a twenty-four year stint as an English professor at a California community college. I do miss my students, but, I must admit, I love the free time I now have to devote to three of my favorite things: reading, writing, and traveling. 

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Suspense / Thriller 

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Michael Meyer on Facebook & GoodReads

How to Write a Great Jacket Flap

- Guest Post by Lee Strauss

Many writers will tell you that they find it hard to condense the idea of their novel into a two or three paragraph pitch/blurb than it is to knock out 60 – 80k.

I came up with this formula to try to make it a little easier.

Tell us who the story is about.
 Add the circumstance,
the conflict
and the twist.
Let’s look at the jacket flaps of a couple popular books.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White 

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager Who it’s about despite the fact that she works for the International paranormal Containment Agency, her ex boy friend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape shifter and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’glamours.The circumstance.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. The conflict.

So much for normal. The hook.

Matched by Ally Condie 

(This one doesn’t follow the four point plan and I don’t think it’s as strong as it could be. What do you think?)

In the Society, Official decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Here the circumstance is given before we find out who the story is about.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. Who it’s about, but not a lot of info. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one…until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The conflict Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow–between perfection and passion. More on the conflict but not a real hook.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Seventeen year old Jena Fox has just awaken from a year-long coma Who it’s about–so she’s been told–and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. The circumstance. But what happened before that? She’s been given home movies chronicling her entire life, which spark memories to surface. But are the memories really hers? And why won’t anyone in her family talk about the accident? The conflict. Jenna is becoming more curious. But she is also afraid of what she might find out if she ever gets up the courage to ask her questions.

What happened to Jenna Fox? And who is she, really? The hook.

(I think this is the strongest one of the bunch. What do you think?)

Here is the jacket flap for PERCEPTION

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. Who it’s about. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans. Her circumstance

Her brother Liam is missing. The conflict

Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. Second who it’s about since Perception has two POVs. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically. His circumstance

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her. The hook—the GAP and the Gap Protester working together

Eternal Life is To Die For

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – YA SciFi / Romance 

Rating – PG13

What doesn’t kill you…

Coming in April 2013

Genre – YA SciFi / Romance 

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

$25 Amazon gift card Giveaway: Through the Lens Blog Tour

Mika Walters is a normal woman working in the not so normal world of New York Fashion. As long time assistant to uber sexy photographer Alejandro Vargas she’s tired of being the girl in the background. Just once she wants Alejandro to look at her with the same smoldering look he gives to his willowy models and now she has her chance.

Stranded.

After a travel mishap where the rest of the crew and the models can’t make the remote location shoot for another three days Mika is taking her moment to catch Alejandro’s eye and put herself in front of Alejandro’s camera and if all goes to plan, his bed… at least until the real world catches up with them.

Alejandro doesn’t know what’s gotten into Mika maybe it’s the sand, maybe it’s the sun, but he doesn’t really care. All he knows is that he’s finally opened his eyes and is seeing her clearly for the first time as the smart, gorgeous and incredibly irresistible woman she is.

But why can’t she realize that what he’s feeling for her is not one of his usual one, well, three night stands? This is real. Real love, real passion. What’s it going to take for him to prove to Mika that she’s the woman he wants? Now and forever.

EXCERPT

It was then that small but capable and firm hands grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him up to the surface.

“The equipment bag! You let me go over, and you save the freaking equipment bag?”

Alejandro suddenly was face to face with a wet and snarling Mika. He blinked as her words came at him like blows from a prize fighter. What did he do to deserve this? “Don’t you see I was trying to save you now? Of all the ungrateful—” Alejandro snarled back.

“Now? Now is a little too late, if you hadn’t noticed. Any longer down there, and it would be you who needed mouth to mouth,” Mika railed cutting him off.

It was too much. She had a lot nerve to be talking to him about mouth to mouth. All she’d done lately was taunt him with that luscious mouth and her lashing tongue of hers.

He watched as Mika took in a deep breath, about to give it to him good once again when Alejandro suddenly decided it was his turn to do giving.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

K.M. Jackson is a writer of women’s fiction, and a former fashion designer. She lives in the suburbs of New York with her husband, boy/ girl twins and her precocious terrier named Jack who keeps her on her toes.

LINKS:

• Website : http://kwana.com/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KmJacksonAuthor
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kwanawrites
• Book buy links: Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bdextn9
• Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/a7xwyna
• iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/ay9szqn
• Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/a6yw5gd

GIVEAWAY

K.M. will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to one tour commenter and a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn host.

Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY!

My Kindle Keyboard is not working.. :-( My very first e-reader....

Yesterday, suddenly my Kindle Keyboard's display was not working..I get only thin lines instead of words and screensavers.   You know for the past 24 hours, I have been so upset.  Actually, 'upset' doesn't even cover it.  I was always thinking that somehow this is my fault and I should have taken more care.  Not true (because I care for my Kindle like no one else..I won't even place it in the floor..I know this is too much..)!  But I felt like that.  This is my first e-reader and I was somehow so attached to my Kindle.  You should have seen me, when I received my first Kindle from Amazon.  I was so happy - like 'head over heels' happy.  I always have my Kindle wherever I go, even if I know I can't read in that event/place.

I know it looks bad to get attached to an e-reader so much, but that's how I am.  When I cried to told my husband that my Kindle display is not working, he said "Next time you buy, get two, so that you can always have one, even if the other stops working".  (Sweet, I know..but still..my first Kindle is no more. :-( )

Anyway, coming back to reality, I am going to get a new Kindle now - Kindle Paperwhite.  I think I am going to love this. :-)  I will update you guyz, as soon as I am delivered this cutie.  I have most of my e-books on Kindle cloud, so getting back my purchased and review copies should be no trouble (well, at least, I am hoping so).

I apologize to all the authors, publishers and other blog tour hosting companies, because I can't review any e-books for another couple of weeks.  But, those who sent hard-copies, thank you!  Because I am going to try to finish off those books during this time.

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway: Aura by Rebecca Lynn Talley

Tour Schedule

Aura

"I half-turned to her and shrugged, still processing what I'd seen, or at least what I thought I'd seen, in Ms. Neal's eyes—like they weren't hers. Obviously, they were her eyes, but it looked like she'd plucked them from someone else's head. A dead someone else's head."

In the fight between good and evil, Light is your only weapon.

Crystal Scott finally feels like a normal teenager. She has a lead in the high school play, a best friend, and a gorgeous boyfriend. With prom only a few days away, Crystal’s ordinary life seems perfect.

Endowed with great Light because of her virtuous choices and her inherent gifts, Crystal’s aura has become visible to those with the ability to see auras. Unfortunately, her power has also attracted the attention of demons intent on destroying all Light.

When Vincent Crandall, the human host for a powerful demon, discovers that Crystal’s Light is strong enough to disrupt the connection between demons and their hosts, he realizes she may be able to sever the connection altogether. Determined to stop her from interfering with his plans to rule the world, he sends operatives to neutralize her Light.

After the operatives fail to disable Crystal, Vincent decides he must harness her power for himself. He kidnaps her parents, and Crystal is thrust into battle against a demon army she didn’t even know existed. With the help of a mysterious young man and his mother, Crystal must learn to use the power within her before Vincent kills her parents and exploits her Light.

Goodreads * Amazon

ABOUT Author Rebecca Lynn Talley

Rebecca Lynn Talley grew up in the gorgeous seaside city of Santa Barbara, CA. She met, and married, her husband, Del, while attending Brigham Young University. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Communications. She currently lives in rural Colorado on a small ranch with a dog, too many cats to count, and a herd of goats. She and Del are the proud parents of ten wildly-creative, multi-talented children.

Rebecca is the author of a children's picture book, Grasshopper Pie (WindRiver 2003), a children's chapter book, Gabby's Secret (DuBon Publishing 2011), four novels, Heaven Scent (CFI 2008), Altared Plans (CFI 2009), The Upside of Down (CFI 2011), and Aura (DuBon Publishing 2012). She has also authored numerous children's stories and articles for both print and online magazines.

When she isn’t writing, Rebecca loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house. She has folded at least one million loads of laundry, baked hundreds of batches of chocolate chip cookies, and eaten 5,478 gallons of ice cream.

Twitter * Facebook * Website * Blog * Aura Blog

Reviews

This YA urban fantasy is fantastic! The story grabbed me from the start and kept me enthralled until the end! I love books that keep me thinking about the characters and events and possibilities even after putting them down...Aura is one of those books! Rebecca Lynn Talley has created characters you care about in a world begging for the special gifts they possess. I love the premise of Aura and imagine I'll be enjoying many more Light vs. Demon novels in the future....at least I hope there are more to come!
~KindleQueen

I loved the clasic good VS evil in Aura. I loved that Crystal made the conscious choice to be good inspite of feelings and doubts. I also loved the idea of demons posessing somone who had made dark choices, or greedy bargains. The book is clean and well handled inspite of the serious subject matter.Well done.
~C. Michelle Jefferies

This is one of those books that you hope will become widespread enough to make a positive impact in this world. Personally, I think this is a book every teenager should read and I will definitely be passing it along to my own kids. Thank you, Rebecca, for writing a beautiful story with a wonderful message! I hope you keep at it because now I want a sequel!
~Rachael Anderson

Aura sucked me in from the first page. The book is intense and well-written. I loved that Crystal is innocent and makes a conscious choice to stay that way in the face of intense pressure. I would recommend Aura to young adults on up.
~Cami Checketts

Wonderful, wonderful message. Probably the most solid moral message I’ve ever read in contemporary literature, but without being too heavy or feeling like a lecture. You could almost look at it like an allegory, I think, representing real life with fictional symbols. I’m trying to explain without giving anything away, and I think I’m doing a bad job. Anyway, I have four boys, but if I had a girl, I would definitely have her read it. The story is imaginative and creative, Crystal is a strong but believable heroine, caught up in high school cares and not realizing her own potential or the battle that is waged around and for her. I thought at times it was a bit predictable, and that the first half of the book drug a little. It probably could have been told quicker or perhaps made a little more interesting. But all in all, I enjoyed it. The story kept me going and the characters were sweet and compelling.
~May Abbey

Wow! I got this book for free and LOVED it! I can't wait to read any follow up books! (There WILL be follow up books, right?) In this story Crystal is full of light, thanks to making good choices, and she has to figure out how to keep the light in the midst of high school where temptation runs rampant and where she just wants to be an average girl! I like that things never went too far, and I felt like it was very well-written, with rounded out characters!
~Tamera Westhoff

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 3.21.13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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How to Make Your Character Believable

- Guest Post by Alex A. Akira 

Even if you have a character firmly in your mind’s eye, it is good to flesh them out to help make them more viable, especially if they are a lead in your story. Not all of the information you discover about your character will go into your story, in fact I’d say at least one-third of what you come up with will barely be touched upon. But it is helpful to know as much about your characters as possible. This enables you to keep them in character and helps you  write about them in a manner that is believable.

Besides the physical appearance of the character, I believe it essential to know the following:

Emotional make up: What drives them? What makes them angry? What makes them sad? How do they feel about their siblings, parents , etc., and why? Do they have any unusual fears? When are they apathetic? How is their libido and what turns them on ?

Mentally: How do they think; are they a reactor ora responder? Do they analyze before  approaching a problem or do they jump right in? Are they mentality stable or are they paranoid about certain subjects? Does their job affect their mentality? Do they have a different mindset when they are in a relationship?

Spiritual or Consciousness: What do they believe in? What part of their lineage or ancestry do they identify with? What part of themselves do they love? Hate? What are their hopes and dreams? Who do they aspire to be?

Some other questions that help make your character believable are:

Where do they work? Live? Play? Are they into sports or theatre? If so, watching or performing? Do they like or keep animals/pets? Do they like children? What speech patterns do they have? Are they into music either a listener or a player? Do they drive? If so which vehicle do they prefer? Do they ride,  if so what? A horse? Camel? Can they swim? Would they know what to do if someone started to choke in front of them? I’m sure you get the idea of how these, and other pertinent questions can help you build a believable character.

After figuring out what traits you want your character to have, research those you know little or nothing about, the same goes for the environments you will place that person in.  If your character is going to be a mountain climber, on the off chance that an actual  mountain climber reads your book, you want them to feel relatively good about what you have written. Taking time out to research the unfamiliar can help make every aspect of  your story believable.

After you run out of character trait inspiration from your circle of friends and acquaintances, study strangers that arrest your attention. They have tells that upon study will reveal interesting traits. Imagining the life of a total stranger can be a fun exercise.

What does the man in the suit hold in that odd shaped briefcase? Why did that girl comb her hair like that?  How  and why did she grow her fingernails that long? What is the reason that man wore that fur collared overcoat on this warm day? Why is that boy looking at that girl who obviously doesn’t know him?

The world is a strange place, many of us have unbelievable traits, but by keeping your character in character and supplying the reasoning behind the characteristic, you can make the most unbelievable character, believable.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – M/M Romance

Rating – R

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Alex Akira on Facebook & Twitter & GoodReads

In My Mailbox

"In my mailbox" is a meme hosted by The Story Siren.  This week, I got some pretty books.

REVIEW COPIES

Thanks to Author Sebastian Cole, Grand Central Publishing and Booktrope for the review copies.

So, what is your book haul this week?

Interview with Kara Stefanowich: Read some interesting information about Kara

Tell us a bit about your family. I grew up a foster child, so as far as family goes, I have only my son.

What is your favorite quality about yourself? My favorite quality about myself would be my ability to persevere.

What is your least favorite quality about yourself? My least favorite quality about myself would probably be my inability to be spontaneous. Unfortunately, I tend to keep a schedule and stick to it no matter what. Anything out of the ordinary must be well planned.

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? I tend to quote Judge Judy rather often. I find her to be very wise and I love how she says everything most people want to say but typically won’t. My favorite one would be, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Speak once and listen twice.”

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? I think the most worthy accomplishment in my life thus far is getting my first book published. I have many more so this was the big door I had to get my little foot into.

What is your favorite color? My favorite color is red. I am also quite fond of many shades of green.

What is your favorite food? My favorite foods are typically anything you can find in the garden mixed with chicken or pasta.

What’s your favorite place in the entire world? I can only answer that question after being to every land in the world, but I have yet to travel the 4 corners of the world. So in the meantime, I would have to say Orlando, Florida. It’s absolutely beautiful there, not to mention clean and organized. I love the way the neighborhoods are organized. It makes it much easier to find things. I also love the cleanliness of the city. There’s hardly any pollution and the streets are so flat and straight. I also love that there are fruits and flowers growing everywhere. It’s heavenly.

How has your upbringing influenced your writing? My upbringing has fueled my fire, so to speak. I’ve been given many experiences and adventures and thanks to all of that, I have many stories. Might I add, having as colorful a life as I have, I’ve experienced every shade of color in the emotional rainbow of life. This gift is one that requires a return gift (or a release). Most people would turn to negativity as those seem to be the strongest of emotions. I choose to write. That is my release, or gift back to the world.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? I’ve always had a vivid imagination. As a child I didn’t speak much. I was mostly told to be quiet, so I did. When I was ‘hushed’ my mind wandered. It’s amazing what you can learn when you listen and observe more than you speak. So I began to write, since I couldn’t speak. And the stories flowed. I was given a challenge in 6’th grade to write a story. It was the best thing the teacher could have asked of me. As a result, I won the Young Author’s Award for my district. From there, I simply never stopped.

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Genre – Suspense / Thriller

Rating – R

More details about the author & the book

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