Interview with Felicity Heaton

I’m delighted to welcome Felicity Heaton here today to tell us more about her recent release, Heart of Darkness.

Book Synopsis:

Heart of Darkness

A vampire prince on a four hundred year old mission to avenge his murdered sister...

Aleksandr Nemov won’t stop until the last of the vampire hunter’s progeny is wiped from the Earth. Each kill has stolen a piece of his humanity, pushing him towards the black abyss all vampires hold within their hearts. Now he is teetering on the edge, close to devolving into a beast, and time is running out as he tracks the last hunter to Prague. There he finds a beautiful woman who could be his one chance for salvation, but is it already too late for him?

A vampire guard who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves...

Elise is dedicated to her duty. It’s the only thing she has left. All that changes when she meets Aleksandr in Prague and her master grants him permission to stay at her bloodline’s mansion. She knows all about Aleksandr but none of it prepares her for how she feels when the legendary prince’s hunt becomes one for her heart. Elise battles him with all of her strength but can she stop herself from falling for the handsome hunter? When he reveals the depth of the corruption in his soul, will she have the strength to face the pain in her past and do whatever it takes to save him?

Aleksandr sounds like an unforgiving vampire with no room for love.  Can you give an insight into why he has been hell bent on the revenge of his sister for four hundred years?  

Aleksandr may sound unforgiving and I suppose in a way he is, but it’s his love for his sister that caused his deep desire to avenge her by killing not only her murderer but that vampire hunter’s entire family line. Aleksandr is the eldest son of the Nemov bloodline, who are the rulers of the vampire nation in Europe. He was the heir prince until he renounced that title and broke ties with his family in order to protect them from being stained by the blood he was determined to spill. The Nemov bloodline lead vampires towards humanity by preaching pacifism and teaching their people to limit their kills. What Aleksandr intended to do went against that ideal completely.

Because his family teach pacifism, his younger sister had never learned to fight because there was no need for her to know such things, much like most of us don’t have a need to know how to kill or defend ourselves. Aleksandr tried to save her from the vampire hunter when the palace came under attack but failed, and he feels responsible for her death and for giving her peace by eradicating the hunter and his bloodline. It’s taken him four centuries to hunt them all and now he’s down to the final hunter, but time is quickly running out for him.

What was it about the murder which caused such a reaction?

Aleksandr has a deep love for his sister and his brother, and was raised to be a protector of his people, a true prince. Seeing his sister’s guards all murdered and holding his sister as she died, unable to revive her and bring her back from death, had a great impact on him. It broke whatever restraint he had and he vowed vengeance on the hunter, not just to avenge his sister, but to protect his people from such a dangerous man.

Does Aleksandr acknowledge just how much of a beast he has become and does he forgive himself?

Yes, Aleksandr is aware from the start of the story that he’s losing himself to the darkness. It isn’t a case of forgiving himself. He’s not repentant about what he’s done and he knew the price he would pay when he set out on his mission. I don’t think he would do anything differently if offered the chance to do it all over again. He would still choose to avenge his sister and protect his vampire people. I don’t think he’s aware just how bad the corruption is until further into the story though and that’s when he discovers that his only hope for salvation is Elise.

Elise has nothing but her duty left - can you shed any light on her past which has led to where she is when the story starts?

Elise is a very loyal guard. She was raised by her parents and her father taught her everything that she knows. He was the former commander of the guard in her bloodline, the Cerny, in Prague. She followed in his footsteps and entered the guard at a very young age for a vampire and has spent the past two centuries serving her bloodline. She lost her father almost a decade ago and with her mother living away from the mansion, all she has to keep her going is her duty. She has a few friends within the guard, especially her captain, Andrej, but isn’t in a relationship with any of them. Since the loss of her father, she’s been even more committed to her duty, wanting to achieve the rank of commander as so many expect of her. It’s a lot to live up to.

Does Elise's master have anything to do with Aleksandr's quest?

Elise’s master, Ladislav, is quite intent on using Aleksandr’s presence in his mansion as an excuse to throw endless balls and shun his duties. He would do anything for Aleksandr, and Aleksandr uses that, gaining private quarters in the mansion and even Elise as one of his personal guards!

Where did you get your inspiration from for the setting of Heart of Darkness?

I’ve been to Prague in the past and it’s a place that has such a wonderful air about it. The architecture is steeped in history and the city feels old and perfect for vampires to me. I have several stories that are set in Prague. Two of the bloodlines in my Vampires Realm series that I write as F E Heaton live there. It’s a place I keep coming back to because it really does suit vampires in my mind. It’s an amazing city, very beautiful, old and charming, and it has really stayed with me.

How did you come to write paranormal romance?

I’ve always loved the paranormal genre since I was very young. I used to read books with vampires, werewolves, witches and Frankenstein’s monster in them when I was little in school or at home, and they were always my favourite. As I grew up, I progressed into reading the books they were all based on, like Dracula and Frankenstein, and lots of stories by H P Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe. I really liked gothic horror. I also loved fantasy novels, and classic romances by the likes of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and Elizabeth Gaskell. I hadn’t read a paranormal romance before I first wrote one, and I hadn’t read any vampire romances before I started writing my Vampires Realm series. I think that’s why my series is so different to other ones and why it’s much darker than most. It’s more gothic and dark. The same goes for Heart of Darkness. I do write them blacker than midnight, full of emotion, and with plenty of passion.

Is it compulsory when you're writing to have a desk fan on....I know from reading your books that things can get verrrry steamy!!

I do actually have a USB mini fan on top of my computer tower! Things can get very hot in my books but more often than not it’s the depth of emotions and feelings I write into the books and their love scenes that makes them very hot indeed. I think a good love scene needs plenty of emotional spark and connection between the two characters. It has to be about more than a physical thing.

How many more books do you have planned ahead (or this/next year?) to look forward to?

Well, I’m trying to release less next year but I know that isn’t going to happen. I have Masquerade, the tenth book in my Vampires Realm series, coming out in January. In March I’ll start releasing my Vampire Erotic Theatre series, which comprises of four novellas. I’ll be releasing around one a month. Then I’m also planning to release Her Demonic Angel, the fifth book in my best selling Her Angel series, in summer. I have around another three novels I’ll be releasing next year too. I think I’m actually releasing more stories next year than I did this year! 2013 looks to be just as busy too. I think I’ll be releasing at least five novels a year for the foreseeable future.

If you had to choose would it be chocolate, crisps, or fruit?

Chocolate. I should say fruit, right? I can’t lie. I do love fruit, especially mango and kiwi and pineapple, but given the choice it has to be chocolate.

Heart of Darkness is currently available in e-book from my website, Amazon Kindle Stores, All Romance eBooks, and Smashwords. It will soon be available from Barnes & Noble, Apple iBookstore, Kobo Books and Sony. It will also soon be available in paperback from Amazon websites, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.

Read an excerpt for Heart if Darkness at my website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Heart%20of%20Darkness

Available in e-book from:
Author's website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/ebooks.php?title=Heart%20of%20Darkness
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005WK6E58/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WK6E58/
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heartofdarkness-620972-139.html
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/97624
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B005WK6E58/
Amazon Kindle France: http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B005WK6E58/

Biography:

Felicity Heaton is a romance author writing as both Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. She is passionate about penning paranormal tales full of vampires, witches, werewolves, angels and shape-shifters, and has been interested in all things preternatural and fantastical since she was just a child. Her other passion is science-fiction and she likes nothing more than to immerse herself in a whole new universe and the amazing species therein. She used to while away days at school and college dreaming of vampires, werewolves and witches, or being lost in space, and used to while away evenings watching movies about them or reading gothic horror stories, science-fiction and romances.

Having tried her hand at various romance genres, it was only natural for her to turn her focus back to the paranormal, fantasy and science-fiction worlds she enjoys so much. She loves to write seductive, sexy and strong vampires, werewolves, witches, angels and alien species. The worlds she often dreams up for them are vicious, dark and dangerous, reflecting aspects of the heroines and heroes, but her characters also love deeply, laugh, cry and feel every emotion as keenly as anyone does. She makes no excuses for the darkness surrounding them, especially the paranormal creatures, and says that this is their world. She’s just honoured to write down their adventures.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

My website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk

My blog: http://www.indieparanormalromancebooks.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/feheaton

Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton

Interview with Alex Smith, Author of Calling for Angels

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Calling for Angels, which was written by Alex when she was 14 and was Red Telephone's 2009 novel competition winner.  Please join me in welcoming Alex here for an interview, welcome Alex!


Alex could you tell readers more about yourself please?
I'm a pretty average seventeen year old girl who's in sixth form, studying for her A levels. I think I want to go to uni and study something like history maybe. I like reading, drawing, going out with my friends, daydreaming and writing of course :)

What inspired you to write when you were 14?
Well I've always been writing since... I could write! So this was just part of it.


What was your experience of The Red Telephone's 2009 Competition?
Weird, but in a good way. I remember sending my story off, completely forgetting about it and thinking "I'm going to be up against loads of really good adults, whose writing will be mature..." So I was quite shocked to find out I had won!


Where did inspiration come from for the main characters, Gemma, Kai, Zak and Caitlin?

I'm not really sure, my characters just seem to develop on their own. To be honest, it feels like I don't have much control over them.

I love the idea of the small wooden statues, where did that idea stem from?
Good question...I have no idea. My whole thought process is seriously disorganised...

Have you got any plans for future books?
Well I'm always writing, so maybe. (NB - At Red Telephone, we are very keen for Alex to keep writing and tell her so all the time! - Ollie @redtelephoneuk

Interview with R. T. Kaelin, author of Progeny

I've just reviewed Progeny by R. T. Kaelin, and am pleased to welcome him here for an interview in which he's been kind enough to answer a few questions for me about his debut book Progeny.  Welcome!

Could you tell readers more about yourself?

I am just a person in my early thirties (with a birthday later this week) who decided to take a crack at writing a novel. I had read a few bad books, said to myself “I could do better than that,” and decided to try. I am married to an awesome wife and have two small children (who are the namesakes and inspiration behind the two main characters in the book). I live in Ohio but would love to be able to move to someplace warm. Phoenix would be nice. Or I could deal with Italy. I’d suffer the cold there if I could live in the Tuscan countryside.

How long did Progeny take to write?

From the moment I decided I was serious about writing the book, about a year in total. First, I spent a few months building the world with its countries, cultures, people, geography, history, etc. That was followed by seven months of writing and editing on my own and a two-month period of working with my copyeditor.

What was the basis of your inspiration for Progeny?

As a sort of an extension of my first answer: good stories and bad books. I love a good story. Love it. I love reading books and finding little nuggets that the author dropped in, hints of what’s to come without giving away the plot. I adore books where I find new things each time through that makes me realize there is a grand scheme behind everything. After reading three books in a row that were nothing like that – predictable from beginning to end and devoid of intricacy – I wanted to come up with my own sweeping tale. Now, the inspiration behind the characters – most started out based on a person in my life. Some evolved away to be their own character, some did not.

Do you have a favorite character - if so, who and why? (I'd find this one hard!)

You are right. This is a tough question. I like them all for different reasons, even the antagonist. How about I change the question to: Who was your favorite character to write? That one’s easy: Nundle Babblebrook, Master Merchant of Deepwell. Hands down. Writing him is so easy and fun – it’s like writing stream-of-consciousness style. He says what he thinks, when he thinks it – I just type the words.

What made you use water strands in Yellow Mud to achieve the outcome for the village?

Like most events in my writing, it was based on the situation. I had built the world, knew the history of the area and mores of the people. I knew the framework of the story (although that changed some as I wrote) and I knew I wanted the saga to open up with a ‘bang.’ I looked at it from the point of view of the antagonist, thought about what he’d do, and it was just a logical approach. Most of my writing is like that – I don’t force the characters to do things – they react to the situation as they should. It gets me (and them) into trouble sometimes, but the story feels more believable that way.

Where did you get your inspiration from for Nundle, and what's the story behind his creation?

Nundle is 100% pure accident and one of two characters in the book that were not intended to have large roles. As each chapter is from the point of view of a different character, I reached a point where I needed to revisit the ‘bad guy’ but I wanted to do it from the point of view of someone other than him. Nundle (not his original name, by the way) was sketched out with the intention I would use him for one chapter. Halfway through, I loved writing him so much, I stopped and rethought the entire plot and incorporated him to be a very important part of the story. He somewhat just wrote himself into the story. A lot of the book happened that way.

I notice there's a theme of 9 which resurfaces a lot in Progeny.  Any particular reason why it's 9?

You are not the first to notice that. Yes, there is a specific reason. We will get a glimpse at what that is in the second in the series.

You've got some truly evil characters in Progeny, as well as fantastic heroes and heroines.  Where did the inspiration come from for the Orcs and their unusual eating habits <shudder>?

Many details about cultures came about as I wrote. The one you are referring to was just such one. I wanted to paint a picture of the location and that detail just came out.

As an author how did you accomplish seamlessly tying so many stories into one?  How did you keep track of them all whilst writing?

How did I keep things so seamless? A lot of planning followed by a lot of editing when the story took on a life of its own. I kept a three or four chapter outline ahead of where I was at all times, so I knew for what I was aiming. Sometimes I had to adjust, but the method worked well most of the time. Once or twice, I wrote parts of future chapters before it was ‘their turn’ just so I knew what to expect. You think trying to keep all the details and storylines woven together was hard for Progeny? Try doing it across books.

What are you future plans as an author - how many books will there be in this series?...When is the next one due out?

My plans are to keep promoting Progeny. It is a self-published novel (literary agents were scared away by its length for a debut author) via my own small press. The goal is to get picked up by a large publishing house and get some national exposure for the book. My writing has received comparisons to Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, Scott Lynch, and David Eddings which is immensely humbling, but evidence that I am not completely fooling myself into thinking I can do this (I’m only mildly delusional). The Children of the White Lions series was meant to be four books when I sketched out the overarching story. However, I am thinking it will be more like five. I am in the midst of writing number two, and four novels will not contain the story. As for when the second comes out…it all depends on what happens with Progeny.

Are Eliza and Aryn's stories complete - it's hinted at that they may be dead but not confirmed?

The safest way I can answer that question: No comment at this time.

Will there be a definite winner of Sabine's affection in the next book...or do I sense a bit of sibling rivalry to come?!

I am literally smiling as I write this answer. As I said, I am in the midst of writing the second in the series, so I have a very clear idea of what happens with Sabine and the others (intentionally vague). Some things become clearer, then foggier, then a bit clearer, before getting foggier again. Then everyone’s world turns upside down.

Thanks for coming over for an interview, I hope Progeny is read by many more people - I'm looking forward to reading what others think about it, whilst I wait patiently for the next book :)

 

Interview with Jenna Burtenshaw, author of Wintercraft

I'm really pleased to welcome Jenna Burtenshaw here, it's an understatement to say Jenna's UK debut of Wintercraft in 2010 put her on my permanent top author list, so I was over the moon when Jenna agreed to be interviewed.  Welcome Jenna :-)

Hello, Michelle.  Thank you for inviting me to your blog!

Could you tell us more about yourself?

I live in the North East of England and I have been a bookworm for as long as I could read.  I’m at my happiest sitting with my nose in a book, and I can lose myself for hours in a bookshop.  I’ve always loved things that are a bit gothic or mysterious, and when I’m not writing you’ll find me wandering around my local graveyard, playing the flute or being bossed around by my three dogs.

When you're not writing, what genre and authors do you like reading?

My bookshelves are a bit of a mixed bag.  At the moment I’m reading lots of mysteries and crime novels, but normally I enjoy fantasy adventure stories, classic novels, and anything that takes my fancy really.  My favourite authors change quite often.  I always enjoy books by Jonathan Stroud, Frances Hardinge and Marcus Sedgwick and I am a big fan of the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage.  I also have a stack of non-fiction books that I’m reading as research for a new story that I’m going to start working on very soon, so I have plenty to keep me going.    

How long did Wintercraft take to write?

It took around two years from having the first idea to having a finished story ready to send away to agents.  The characters, setting and main storyline went through many changes during that time, but that was part of the fun.  Writing Wintercraft was like discovering a new world, rather than creating one.  I really enjoyed exploring Fume and the rest of Albion, uncovering new aspects of it and seeing how they impact Kate and Silas’s lives.  

The characters are so vivid, where did you get your inspiration from for the main characters?

The very first image I had of the story was a girl standing in the middle of a burning bookshop holding an old book.  Kate Winters developed directly from that image.  I knew she had lived a very protected life and she was about to be thrown into a completely alien situation, but as terrible as her life had to become, I felt she had an inner strength within her, waiting to come out. 

Silas Dane is very different.  He is a tortured man with a complicated history and I wanted him to really straddle the line between the traditional ideas of ‘good’ and ‘evil’.  He is a very interesting character to write because he is unpredictable.  He walked into the story fully formed and really took charge. 

The councilwoman, Da’ru Marr, is based on what I thought would happen if a member of the Skilled managed to gain power.  Would she use it to help the people who shared her ability, or would she turn against them?  I see her as a very lonely and controlling person who reacts to events in her life out of fear, rather than true evil or malice.  She is desperate to maintain control and that is what makes her dangerous.               

Which character(s) is your favourite and why?

That is a very difficult question.  I like all of the characters for very different reasons.  If I had to choose just one, it would be Silas Dane.  I know a lot more about him, his history and his motivations than I included in Wintercraft, so I’m excited to see where his path takes him in the future, though I think he would be a very intimidating and terrifying man to meet face-to-face.

If Wintercraft was made into a movie, who would you like to see cast in the roles of Kate, Silas, Artemis, and Kalen?

Kate is a hard one to call, because I don’t know many actresses who are around her age.  Sarah Bolger from the Spiderwick Chronicles movie is quite close to how I saw Kate in the very beginning.  The others are much easier.  When I picture Silas I always see Michael Fassbender.  I think he would make a perfect Silas.  At a book signing just before Christmas, a reader told me that he pictured him as Silas too, which was quite spooky.  I would also love to see Jason Isaacs portray Artemis, and as for Kalen... anyone who wasn’t afraid to act vile and terrifying at the same time!  

How did you research for this book?  (I felt undertones of the Holocaust/WW evacuee trains when the Night Train was waiting, (with the level of terror/horror and myth around the Train -I'm wondering if it was just me?! Or if that's the time frame you used as a reference?) 

Those similarities were not a conscious decision, but you’re not the first to pick up on them.  I did read a lot about war when I was younger and the idea that those in power could abuse their people and cause so much suffering really stuck with me.  There was no specific time period I used as a reference point.  I wanted Albion to have its own timeline, where a society had been given the chance to go down a technological route and then abandoned it before technology really got started, which is why the Night Train, for example, is so old and has never been replaced.

Most of my major research for the story centred on the nature of death and the soul.  I read a lot about out-of-body experiences, death, and forms of divination, then added my own elements to develop the history of the Skilled and the world in which they exist.

Is this the end of the story for Silas...or do we get to see him in Wintercraft: Blackwatch also?

Silas will be back.  He plays a major role in Blackwatch.  His story is certainly not over yet.

Are you able to share an overview for Wintercraft: Blackwatch - and when will the book trailer be available to view?

Here is the book’s official synopsis from the publisher’s website.

Kate has escaped the clutches of the High Council and Silas has left Albion for the continent. But their lives are forever linked and as the veil weakens, causing Albion's Skilled to fear for everyone's safety, Silas and Kate find themselves drawn together by the mysterious and corrupt Dalliah Grey.

I really enjoyed writing the second book and I hope readers like it too.  Dalliah Grey is definitely a force for Silas and Kate to reckon with. 

I’m not sure if there is going be a book trailer for Blackwatch, but the trailer for Wintercraft would be a hard act to follow.  I loved every second of it.  If there is a new trailer it should be available a month or two before the publication day.  If I hear anything more, I will certainly let you and your readers know. 

Do you have any other plans for future books in the series, or any other books in the works?

The second book will be published in the UK in April this year and there is at least one more book to come after that, with the possibility of taking the series further if readers want to see more of Kate’s world.  I have started plans for what could be books four and five in the series, and I am working on another story set in a completely different world, which I am very excited about.  If all goes well, 2011 is going to be a very interesting year. 

Note from Michelle - Wintercraft: Blackwatch is due out April 2011, Wintercraft is titled Shadowcry (The Secrets of Wintercraft) in the US, and debuts June 2011 (as showning on Amazon).

 

Young Reviewers interview Alison Hart +giveaway

Shaun has just finished reading Anna's Blizzard by Alison Hart.  A dual review of it can be seen here.  This is a dual interview, Shaun has questions about Anna's Blizzard, and I'm just plain nosy ;p

Alison is also giving away a copy of her newest book, Emma's River, which you can enter after the interview.  Thank you, Alison, for agreeing to come over for a chat.  Shaun's got some questions for Alison about Anna's Blizzard....

Shaun -how long did Anna's Blizzard take to write?
Alison - Research takes the longest especially when writing historical fiction. It took me almost a year to research--I read lots of books, of course, but I also visited Nebraska and saw a real sod house. The actual writing part took several months. 


Shaun -my favorite bit is when John Jacob was found safe what's your favorite bit?
Alison - I love the part when Anna is ready to give up and then hears her Papa. 


Shaun -Top is my favorite character who is yours? 
Alison - I am a horse lover, so Top is my favorite, too!

Shaun -do you have rattlesnakes where you live?

No rattlesnakes, thank goodness. I read many old journal about life on the prairie and all mentioned how many snakes there were!  

Michelle -When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?  

I wrote and illustrated my first 'book' at seven and never stopped. I especially loved to write during Latin class in seventh grade, much to the dismay of my teacher.

What was the first book you wrote?  

The first book I published was in 1988 in the Linda Craig series called The Silver Stallion. Wow, that was decades ago, making me, um, old.

Where do you get your inspiration from for your characters and story?   

Research is key for me, especially if I am writing historical fiction. In Emma's River a tour and trip on the steamboat Louisville Belle helped cement my story. In my Racing to Freedom trilogy (Gabriel's Horses, Gabriel's Triumph, Gabriel's Journey) I researched for over two years. As I read and visited places, the characters and story developed in my mind first.

Of the books you've written, which one is your favorite? 

Each one I write has to be my favorite at the time. I loved writing Emma's River because the story was not just about privileged Emma who traveled on the plush cabin deck, but also about the immigrant Patrick who lived below with the livestock on the main deck.

Which character from your books is your favorite?  

I love all my characters, but Gabriel's story, because it spanned three books and because it involved slavery and war, was the toughest to write.

When you're not writing, which books do you read, and do you have any favorite authors?  

I read a wide variety of genres from YA to adult. When I am researching, I read a lot of nonfiction. Right now, I am reading about criminal investigation.

Chocolate or books?  

They go hand in hand!

What plans have you got for future books? 

I have a YA thriller with my agent, who is shopping it around. In 2011, Risky Chance, book seven in the Horse Diary series (Random House) and Dive Right In, from the InnerStar U series (American Girls) will be published. 

Alison Hart is the author of over twenty children’s books. Her newest titles are Emma’s River, historical suspense (Peachtree Publishers), Whirlwind, the sequel to Edgar-nominated Shadow Horse, (Random House) and Taking the Reins (American Girls). Gabriel’s Horses, Gabriel’s Triumph and Gabriel’s Journey (Peachtree) were chosen as Junior Library Guild Premiere Selections. Gabriel’s Horses has been nominated for over twelve state readers awards including the 2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet, Keystone State (Pennsylvania), Horned Toad Tales (Texas), West Virginia and Flicker Tales (North Dakota) awards, and the 2009-2010 Lamplighter and Young Hoosier (Indiana) awards. 

In addition, she has written over forty books as well as educational materials under her own name, Alice Leonhardt. Titles include the easy-to-reads The Mystery of the Missing Leopard and One Special Dog (Steck-Vaughn), and novels in the popular series Nancy Drew Mysteries, Thoroughbred, and New Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley. Summer 2007, she worked for the Monticello/Thomas Jefferson Foundation on the Monticello Digital Classroom project.

****This giveaway has now closed, the winner was Zoe, post #5***

Emma's River will be sent out promptly on January 4th 2011 to avoid getting caught in the Christmas post.

Emma's River Synopsis:

"Horse-crazy girls and Titanic fans will love this action-packed adventure story set on a steamboat on the Missouri River in the nineteenth century.
The year is 1852. Ten-year-old Emma Wright and her mama have boarded the Sally May for a steamboat journey that will take them up the Mississippi River to the Missouri River and finally to St. Joseph where Papa will be waiting. The pair is being escorted by Dr. Burton, who is tending to Mama’s fragile health.
But Emma doesn’t like that Dr. Burton treats her like a bothersome child and bosses her around. And she is used to getting her own way. When concern over her beloved pony, Licorice Twist, lures her below to the main deck—a place that she has been forbidden to go—Emma is shocked by what she encounters. Here is a world completely different than the pampered one above with its comfortable stateroom and fine food. Here livestock and poor immigrants huddle together—underfed, unclean, and exhausted.
Soon Emma is making regular trips below, ferrying food to Patrick, an eleven-year-old stowaway who recently emigrated from Ireland. Slowly, Emma and Patrick develop a friendship that spans classes and ship levels. When the boiler explodes and the steamboat starts sinking, Emma fights her way through the black smoke to find her friends and family. But is it too late?"

 

 

  

Interview with Jessica Chambers, author of Voices on the Waves & giveaway

I've not long finished reading Voices on the Waves, and couldn't resist inviting the author, Jessica Chambers over to have a chat :)

Jessica, please could you tell readers about yourself......

First, Michelle, let me say a huge thank you for inviting me on your blog today to talk about my debut release, and to all of you for stopping by. I’m especially excited because I’m giving away a free ebook copy of Voices on the Waves. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is leave me a comment, so good luck!

I’m a UK born author currently living with my family and crazy Staffordshire bull terrier in the English town of Windsor, most famous for its castle and nearby Eton College. At the age of five, I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pitmentosa, a degenerative eye condition that has left me almost totally blind.

Clichéd as it sounds, I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. As a shy person, I love being able to escape into another world, and the sense of power that comes with controlling everything that goes on in that world. I especially love writing women’s fiction centred around memorable characters that leap off the page, something I hope I’ve achieved in Voices on the Waves.

My husband says you've got taste supporting Liverpool FC (I don't do football - he's the Liverpool fanatic!) how long have you supported them (that's him asking over my shoulder!)

Um, actually, this is rather an embarrassing story. When I was quite young, around eleven or twelve it must have been, I had this major crush on my brother’s best mate’s older brother. My brother has always been a staunch Arsenal supporter, but both Olli and Joe were fans of Liverpool. Well, I kind of got it into my head, as you do at that age, that if I also became a Liverpool supporter, this would really impress Joe and he’d fall madly in love with me. Needless to say, this isn’t how things turned out. Still, despite my dubious beginnings as a Liverpool fan, I’ve remained faithful to them ever since, even in their current disastrous run of form!

When did you first start writing?

I’ve invented stories for as long as I can remember, but I wrote my first novel, all thirty pages of it, when I was seven. Based on the Enid Blyton adventures I devoured at the time, it bore the highly original title “The Mystery of the Strange Telephone Calls”. As any lovers of The Famous Five can probably guess, my characters were plunged into all sorts of excitement, from robbery to kidnap. I even recorded it on cassette, which is now safely hidden away from prying ears!

How long did it take you to write Voices on the Waves?  The characters and their stories are so intricate and well thought out.

That’s a good question. In it’s original form, written several years ago, I‘d say it took about a year to complete. Since then, though, it’s been through so many changes and rewrites that it’s barely recognizable from my first draft and I’ve lost count of the hours, not to mention the blood and tears, that have gone into it.  

Where did you get inspiration from for each character?  Are they based on real people?

I never base my characters on anyone I know. For me, one of the best things about writing is creating complex characters that readers can relate to, even if they might not necessarily always like them. I had particular fun inventing my cast for Voices on the Waves. Because this novel is all about characters, I felt it was vital that they should really come alive for the reader and that there should be as much tension and conflict between them as possible. Once I’d decided this, I sat down and solely from my imagination came up with ten individuals from all walks of life, each with their own flaws and quirks. That done, all I had to do was let the words flow and the sparks fly!

Do you have any plans for future books?

I’m currently working on a novel, which will be written as part of a series with a group of my fellow authors at Red Rose. The idea is that we each write a book based on a reality TV show, and I’m taking the inspiration for mine from talent shows such as American Idol and The X Factor. Tentatively titled “Chasing Dreams”, it follows three brothers as they’re introduced to the fickle and often unforgiving world of fame, and is shaping up to be really great fun! With any luck, it will be released some time next year.

When you're not writing, what books do you read, and do you have a favorite author or genre?

Oh, I’m a total book junky and will read pretty much anything — women’s fiction, thrillers, historicals, fantasy, young adult… Just so long as it involves vivid, memorable characters who I genuinely care about, I’m there. There are also so many authors I love, but my particular favourites are J. K. Rowling, Jilly Cooper, Philippa Gregory, Cassandra Clare, James Patterson and Penny Vincenzi.

If you had to choose between writing or reading, which would it be?

Wow, this has to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever been asked. Both reading and writing play such an important part in my life, and I can’t imagine existing without either of them. I suppose it would be fair to say writing is the activity that gives me the most satisfaction, but I can’t think of many things that give me more pleasure than losing myself in a good book.

The Voices on the Waves giveaway has now ended, pending a winner.

Interview with Katie M. John, YA author, and giveaway.

Having just finished reading The Forest of Adventures which is a YA Arthurian novel, by a UK author, I'm pleased to say Katie M. John agreed to be interviewed.

My review of The Forest of Adventures can be seen HERE.

Katie is offering 6 lucky readers the chance to win a copy of The Forest of Adventures...1st prize is a copy of the book (currently being printed, so it'll be hot off the press!) the other 5 lucky readers will receive The Forest of Adventures as an ebook.

Katie, welcome to Clover Hill Books Reviews, it's lovely to have you here!

How long have you been writing?
Growing up I was always more into writing poetry than stories. There was something about the way that poetry condenses ideas and crystallizes complex emotions into imagery that fascinated me. I  think this was a good discipline for my more recent venture into novel writing and I think that the poet is still very evident in the novelist.

How long did it take you to self publish?
I set about self publishing six months ago when I discovered, (the hard way) that the more traditional publishing route is an incredibly locked world unless you have contacts.

Is this your debut novel?
This is my debut novel. It was a pledge to myself to have written and completed a novel by the end of my thirtieth year.  - For those of you taking part in Kristi's 2010 Debut Author Challenge, I've checked with Kristi, and The Forest of Adventures can be included in the 2010 challenge!

Where did you draw the inspiration for your characters?
My obsession with pre-Raphaelite art and Tennyson’s poetry as well as the other Romantic poets. Most importantly the work Morte De Arthur by Mallory has been a major influence and throughout the novel there are direct passages that act as a homage to Mallory; especially the combat scenes. I found it fascinating how Mallory could convey such energy in his descriptions of battle. More recently Stephanie Myer’s Twilight has been a great influence on my work.

Who is your favourite character from the book?
You don’t know her yet as I know her, and you might not possibly do so until the end of Book Two, but the character I have most affection for and would class as my favourite character is Delta. I love her attitude and complexity. Of course Morgan is awesome in that she gets to be all the evil I could never be but sometimes fantasize about.

If the book was made into a film, who would play the key character?
Blake would have to be someone like the very handsome Adam Brody and Emma Watson would make an excellent. Mina. Kiera Knightly could make a brilliant Morgan Le Fay in a slightly left field kind of way.

When not writing what are you reading?
I love the modern flux of Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy, Fitzpatrick, Kate and Meyer etc. I also love Dystopia and political science fiction; I grew up on the works of Orwell, Huxley, Golding, Margaret Atwood and that kind of stuff. I’ve always been a bit of a Goth at heart and have great fondness for the original Gothic literature movement.

What are you reading at the moment?
Crescendo book 2 in the series of fellow Goodreads author, Becca Fitzpatrick. Just read Shiver, Linger, Hush Hush, Fallen, Wings, Forest of Hands and Teeth and Ash in the last month, all of which were really good..

Chocolate or books?
Books – no contest. If you’d said books or good rare steak, that might have been a different matter.

Any tips for budding writers?
Firstly, writing is primarily about discipline and having the understanding that writer’s have a responsibility to their readers to write the best that they can.( I know both those words don’t kind of work with the whole Romantic notion of authorship) It takes me on average 2 ½ years from draft to final edit (3years if you include research time.) It’s about crafting and refinement – that’s the poet in me I suppose – don’t splurge outpourings and then offer them up. The splurging is just the first part.
Secondly – Be aware of the dreaded purple prose – a trap for most new writers. Don’t use ten words when three well executed ones are better. I always set my challenge to trim my word-count rather than expand it. True beauty is found within simplicity.
Thirdly - read from a broad range of genres and times – learn from the best. .

When is the next in the trilogy released?
It’s written as is the third. It now has to go through the rigor of editing – knowing me this could take a while. I am hoping to have it ready by Autumn 2011.

Any plans for future books?
The complete trilogy is drafted and so I have just started to think about what might come after. I have the seedling of two ideas but we’ll have to see when the time comes.

To enter to win one of six copies of The Forest of Adventures, please leave a comment and

Fill in this Form   Entries close on 6th December.  Entries now closed, thank you!

Interview with Amanda Hocking & Switched giveaway

Please join me in welcoming Amanda Hocking here, author of My Blood Approves vampire series and the new Trylle trilogy.

Amanda's here to tell us more about the second book in her Trylle Trilogy, Torn, following my review of Switched which I rate a 4.5/5  - and Amanda's giving away 2 ebooks of Switched, which you can enter after the interview.

Amanda, could you tell us more about yourself?
I'm a lifelong Minnesotan obsessed with John Hughes and Jim Henson. In between making collages and drinking too much Red Bull, I write young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance. The first two book in the new paranormal romance the Trylle Trilogy - Switched  and Torn - are out now, and the third book - Ascend - will be out Fall 2010. The first four books in her series - My Blood Approves, Fate, Flutter, and Wisdom - are available now.

When did you start writing?

As soon as I could write. When I was little, I used to fill up notebooks with story. I was always writing.

How long did it take you to write Switched and Torn?

It took roughly 2 weeks to write Switched, and 3 weeks to write Torn.

Where did you get the inspiration from for characters? -and how did you come up with the titles?

It depends. But I specifically wrote the character of Oren in Torn based on Michael Wincott, on the off chance the series get turned into a movie so Michael Wincott can play him. He’s the ultimate villain.

What is your favorite book you've written, and who's your favorite character?

I don’t know if he’s my all time favorite, but I really like Loki in Torn. I usually like the bad guys, and I’m plugging Oren hardcore from Torn. 

What's your favorite food?

Japanese food and sushi. I love seafood. And Sweet Tarts and Red Bull if they count as food.

Would you choose chocolate or books?

Books, but I’m not big into chocolate, so it was a no brainer, ha.

When you're not writing, who are your favorite authors and genre?

Lately, I’ve been on a re-reading craze. So I’ve been re-reading Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, Bret Easton Ellis, J. D. Salinger, and Douglas Adams. I also read a lot of graphic novels (I’m crazy about Batman, but I love anything Alan Moore or Jeph Loeb do). In the paranormal romance, I love Rachelle Mead and Claudia Gray. I’m not big into fairies, but I did like Wonderous Strange. Oh, and I really love Shakespeare. It’s cliché, but true.

Any future plans for books?

Millions. Too many to list. I have a YA series about witches starting next month with Honalee.

Could you also tell us more about Torn?

Torn is the dark middle child of the Trylle trilogy. It’s a lot of growing pains as Wendy matures and takes more control of her life. Her romantic life gets more complicated. Some questions get answered, and some new ones get asked. 

To be in with a chance of winning one of 2 ebooks of Switched, the first in the Trylle series, 
Please leave a meaningful comment and then......

 Enter here! Giveaway has now ended and is pending communication from Amanda, sorry for the delay folks.

Amanda's blog is here 

Author Interview & Mega Giveaway - John Brinling

I'm pleased to announce two premiers for us - an author interview, and an international ebook giveaway...in fact John's been very generous and is giving away 10 copies of both The Ghost of a Flea and The Watcher to reviewing followers. Now closed.

Please welcome John Brinling, author of four mixed genre Indie published books and screenplays. 

John, how long have you been writing for?

I have been writing all of my life. I wrote my first novel when I was sixteen.  “Black Dawn.”  It dealt with segregation and the KKK. Whatever happened to it I don't know.

What have you been doing since Black Dawn?

Since then, earning a living has preempted long periods of my life when I wrote very little.  My wife and I are both in data processing (IT nowadays) and we usually work long hours when we are on a contract, which meant I spent little time writing fiction when gainfully employed.  The birth of my daughter offered me another excuse for not writing, but that's what it was: an excuse.  Writing is hard.   But it's in my DNA and I keep returning to it, despite some part of me that prefers the lazy life.  However, not writing is unthinkable, and I am constantly exploring ideas even when I'm not committing them to paper.

I lived and worked in Europe for seven years.  I met my wife In Italy where we both worked for the same company, and were married in 1975.  The contract we were working on ended that year and we took two years off to live in England, in a 300 year old farmhouse in Wiltshire.  It was in that farmhouse that I wrote “The Ghost Of  A Flea,” as well as another book titled “Quarantine,” which is a science fiction thriller.

When you're not writing, what do you like to read?

I like fast moving stories.  Action/adventure/mystery.  My favorite authors are Ian Fleming, Alistair MacLean, John Grisham, Dean Koontz, Robert Parker, JK Rowling, Robert Ludman, etc.

What are your favorite characters?

My favorite character is Atticus Finch, though James Bond and Harry Potter are close seconds

Could you tell us more about your inspiration for Ghost of the Flea?

The Ghost of the Flea has a strong autobiographical component.  I was a programmer/analyst.  The office ambience in the novel is similar to life in my New York office, although the intrigues were of an entirely different nature.  I had a good friend who lived in Sparta. I lived for a time near the George Washington Bridge.  The building manager was an Irishman, who became a good friend, and an integral character in the book.

How did you come to self-publish?

I had an agent back then who marketed both this and "Quarantine" , and came very close to selling them to both Doubleday and St. Martins.  Unfortunately he died before completing the sale and I put the books on a shelf and forgot about them for 35 years.  Only this year did I resurrect them and publish them on Amazon's Kindle and Smashwords.

Have you got any other books planned?

I have several other books in the works. One titled "Alone," which I thought I had lost but just rediscovered in hard copy, so I have to read it into digital for updating and editing. I also need to change the title since it has now been used by a best selling author. The book deals with a man who suffers a head injury and is slowly slipping into a vegetative state.  The effect of his suffering is reflected in the actions of his family and friends and how he  tries to affect what is happening to them, as he comes to grips with the growing realization that he will never get well. 

 

I have a mystery series also in the works called "The Valley Mysteries," which may end being my tour de force because of its sheer length.

I also have a bunch of screenplays that I'm trying to market.  I put one of them out on Amazon to see how it would be received.  Its titled: "Chromosome 47."

Who are your favorite characters from Ghost of Flea?

Roger, who becomes a man during the course of the book, and his paramour Peggy.  I also like the villain, who will go unnamed. 

Giveaway has now ended,

To Enter The Ghost of a Flea Giveaway:

Any Follower can enter - this is international.

By entering the Giveaway you are ageeing to review the ebook (blog/goodreads etc).

Twitter - @cloverhillrevie

GFC

Networked blogs 

Enter The Watcher Giveaway further down!! 

Who is your favorite character from The Watcher? 

Janet, the heroine who is confined to a wheelchair, and her detective friend who falls in love with her.

Book Excerpt for The Watch:

The horror was starting again....

Just like last Tuesday and the Tuesday before that.
An unnatural quiet outside the hundred year old Connecticut
farmhouse. A sullen, all too familiar, resonance of previous
encounters.
Janet Stapleton gripped the arms of her wheelchair tightly,
her belly detecting its coming before her other senses, a low-grade fear more akin to disquiet than outright terror.
A shimmer of tears came to her bright hazel-blue eyes.

She arrived without warning and hovered over the death scene like some avenging angel, yet never ventured in close enough for him to see her clearly, get a feel for who she was or what she was doing there.
She posed a serious threat and had to be disposed of. His work needed to be done in secret and no meddling voyeur could be allowed to interfere.
But how could he find her?
She only appeared when he killed. Only arrived during the last few seconds of the sacrificial act.
For a moment tonight she'd actually thought to follow him home. Then, abruptly, pulled back, afraid, knowing he was on to her and she would die.
He grinned. It was only a matter of time until he identified her, until she felt the cold steel of his switchblade, and joined the others in hell!
Of that he was sure.
There was no way he could fail.
Not with his father's guidance.

 

To Enter The Watcher Giveaway:

Any Follower can enter - this is international.

By entering the Giveaway you are ageeing to review the ebook (blog/goodreads etc).

Twitter - @cloverhillrevie

GFC

Networked blogs

Giveaway has now ended.

Kind thanks to John Brinling for taking part in the interview and giveaway :)  The Giveaways close on 30th November.

More on the Ghost of Flea....

The Ghost of a Flea is a mystery/suspense/action/ thriller that tests the endurance and love of a man and a woman, and threatens the security of a great city. It is a tale of greed, passion and death centered on a painting of haunting beauty and mystifying significance.  “The Ghost Of A Flea,” painted by William Blake 200 years ago.

 

Book Synopsis:

Time: 1975.

Location:  New York City.

The murder of Roger’s musician friend, Gideon Whiting, turns Roger’s world up-side-down.  His wife, Natalie, lies to him.  His best friend, Ted, lies to him.  His boss and U.S. Senate candidate, Charlie Holt, lies to him. And Lieutenant Tarrington, a homicide detective, is convinced Roger killed Gideon—but is Tarrington who he claims to be, or is he lying, too?

Peggy Curtis, the blond bombshell who dropped into Roger’s life one snowy night after he left Gideon’s apartment, might be the only person who can unravel the Gordian knot facing Roger, yet she has serious credibility problems, and is the last person he would want to rely on with his life and freedom on the line.

The drug cartel masterminding much of the chaos seeks an address book it thinks Roger took from Gideon.  As their ruthless pursuit intensifies, the police learn of the book and join the chase.  The problem is, Roger doesn’t have what they want and he must get it before they decide he is expendable.

In a climax not unlike the best of today’s action thrillers—Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, others—Roger and Peggy face-off against the surprise mastermind of the drug cartel in a fight to the death!