Synopsis from Goodreads

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

The Cover: Can I marry this cover? Seriously.

The First Line (from the Prologue): “The fog was thick, muffling sight and sound.” You get a sense of place and a bit of an ominous feeling from this line. Having said that, the prologue seems unnecessary, especially since it was online for a bit. But, I’m not a fan of prologues in general.

The First Line (from Chapter 1 “The Council Chamber”): “‘Oh, yes. It really does look just as I imagined,’ Tessa said, and turned to smile at the boy who stood beside her.”  As this is the second book of the trilogy, the readers would already be familiar with the characters and their interactions. It takes no time to realize that the boy beside Tessa is Jem, but the first line leaves a hint of doubt that she may be with Will.

The Good: I loved this book. Will, Jem, and Tessa are great characters. As a reader, my heart aches for each of them as they face their challenges. That’s one of the things that Clare does brilliantly: she makes you care for all the characters, even Gabriel Lightwood. One of the other things that I love is the sense of place. I feel like I’ve been transported to Victorian England and I never want to leave. Of course, she knows how to write some great sexual tension too.

The Bad: I had the same problem with this book a I did with Clockwork Angel. Will’s eyes are blue. Yes, we know. Jem’s eyes are silver. Yes, we know.

Recommendation: If you haven’t read Clockwork Angel, do and then run to pick up Clockwork Prince. It’s totally worth hiding from you family for a day to read it straight through. When you’ve finished them, tell me if you are Team Jem or Team Will.

She lives with her family in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1.      Where did the spark of inspiration come from for Embrace?

You know, I’m really not sure what it was that sparked Embrace. I just started to see this girl running down the halls at school trying to hide something in her locker before anyone saw her. I started to ask myself who is this girl and what’s she hiding. As I learned the answers to these questions, I asked more until Madison was born. Funny part of that story is the scene with Madison running down the hall never made it into the book.

2.      What authors have influenced you the most?

Barbara Parks (I love her witty humor), James Patterson (his adult series), and J.K. Rowling (the world she created was amazing).

3.      What is your solution to writer’s block?

I do something different: work in the garden (when it’s nice out), go shopping, get out with friends, watch an episode of my favorite TV show. Anything to get my mind off my writing. If inspiration still hasn’t struck, I sit down with a pen and paper and ask myself a lot of what if’s and why’s. This almost always gets my creative juices going.

4.      What are you reading right now?

I’m almost done with Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles is next.

5.      Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Rolling Stones.

Visit her site: http://www.abbiglines.com/

And now on the the FIVE QUESTIONS

1.      As a member of Team Marcus, I’m glad to see that he’s finding love in Because of Low. Did you originally intend on writing Marcus’ story or was this the result of all the Team Marcus readers?

Because of Low was definitely a result of Team Marcus readers. I’d never intended to give him a story when I released Breathe. The Existence Trilogy had been my next big idea.

2.      What authors have influenced you the most?

Hmmm…. I’d have to say Jamie McGuire, Ann Brashares and Jennifer Echols

3.      What is your solution to writer’s block?

I don’t believe in it. Writer’s block is something writers give a name to when they feel like they don’t have a magic idea or plot. I write daily. EVEN when it stinks, I write it anyway. I can always throw it out tomorrow. Days when I am less creative are just days I have to push myself harder. Giving it a name gives me an excuse to do nothing. Writing is a muscle and must be used daily.

4.      What are you reading right now?

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

5.      Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Rolling Stones.

Cole’s debut novel, Katana, will be available March 8th, 2012 from Flux. Her second novel, Breathless, will be released on March 27th, 2012 from Crescent Moon Press. Check out her website: www.colegibsen.com

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1. What is your biggest time drain?

Etsy. Oh my gosh how I rue the day Etsy was created. I can surf for hours looking up anything from cocktail dresses to felt dragons.

2. What has been the most surprising thing that you’ve learned about publishing?

That the publishing contract doesn’t equal instant happiness. In fact, after you sign on the line, that’s when the real stress begins.

3. What do you do when/if you’re suffering from writer’s block?

I love my Write or Die desktop edition. Nothing can make you plow through writer’s block like the fear of having your entire manuscript deleted. Oh, yes. I use kamikaze mode because I’m hardcore like that. Now where are my bunny slippers…

4.  Where did the spark of inspiration come from for Katana?

I was sparring in my tae kwon do class—getting my ass handed to me as usual—when I glanced at the poster of Bruce Lee on the wall and uttered a little prayer that his spirit would come and help me. It didn’t. An hour later, after icing my new black eye, I pondered under what circumstance a samurai spirit might manifest itself. It was that moment that the idea for KATANA was born.

5. Finally, Beatles of Rolling Stones?

Led Zeppelin all the way.

Tagged: Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Writers, Writing, YA books, Young Adult Books ]]> http://lsmurphy.com/2012/02/14/5-questions-with-cole-gibsen/feed/ 3 lsmurphy Cole Gibsen http://lsmurphy.com/2012/02/07/book-review-bloodbreeders-living-in-darkness-by-robin-renee-ray/ http://lsmurphy.com/2012/02/07/book-review-bloodbreeders-living-in-darkness-by-robin-renee-ray/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:15 +0000 LS Murphy http://lsmurphy.com/?p=1138 ]]> Synopsis from Goodreads: Not once in her life did farm girl Renee Crocker, imagine she would encounter a world found only in the minds of myth-seeking men. Although the things they sought were not always unheard of in the 1930’s in other parts of the world, life was just too harsh in the small Texas community, to pay mind to anything other than raising a healthy crop to ensure the survival of one’s family. But late one evening during supper, a stranger comes knocking on the door of the Crocker family farm house and is invited inside.

It doesn’t take long for Renee to discover a great number of things that people in her neck of the woods couldn’t even contemplate. The dark of night takes on a whole new meaning, and the once vulnerable young country woman finds herself struggling to survive in a world that demands she live forever in darkness.

The Cover: The red and black gives off a vibe of the eerie, which is totally suitable for this novel.

The First Line (from the prologue): “I lie in the cold silent darkness with no way of knowing how much time has passed, for what seemed like an eternity.” Definitely a good way to suck a reader in. I dove in head first wondering why this was happening & feeling empathy for the narrator.

The First Line (from Chapter 1): “I will never forget the night that he arrived at the farm.” This is also a great way to suck a reader into the story. You immediately know that the MC is a woman and “he” made a lasting impact on the first night. You also know that this woman is a farm girl and that the setting is not modern-day.

The Good: The main character is well-crafted. I love her growth from a 26-year-old naive spinster to a tough as nails vampire and how you go through that journey along with her. Renee is stronger than you realize at first and that keeps you reading. I also love the way the author doesn’t shy away from the harsh truth that Renee must face.

The Bad: Not a fan of the prologue. It didn’t seem necessary and was a little long which is why I listed both first lines. The way Chapter 1 opens is well crafted. (As a general rule, I’m not a huge fan of prologues to begin with.)

Recommendation: If you can stomach the horrors that Renee faces in her “new life” as well as the things that she does, then this is totally worth it. This is not a novel for the faint of heart. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.

But first, this COVER will BLOW YOUR MIND!

Coming March 27th, 2012 from Crescent Moon Press

Obituary-reading emo girl Edith Small is broken – the end result of forcing herself inside a mold that doesn’t fit. All she wants is to conform to her strict sergeant stepfather’s rules long enough to make it to graduation day.

But a boat accident threatens to unravel the life Edith has worked so hard to keep. After waking up in a hospital with a lacerated shoulder, Edith fakes amnesia. Because admitting she received her injuries from a blue-haired girl who breathes underwater is all the reason Sir needs to send Edith on the first bus to military school.

Safe at home, Edith struggles to put the nightmare behind her. But the mysterious creatures that live in the ocean aren’t about to let her forget.

After meeting Bastin – a strange boy with silver hair and black eyes – on a secluded dock, Edith learns about the war raging undersea to end human existence. A war that Edith, unwittingly, has become the key to winning.

In a world where death is an ever-present shadow and motives are as dark as the bottom of the ocean, Edith must decide if her life is worth risking for a love that can’t survive past the shore.

Release Date: March 27^th, 2012

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Executive Editor, Dawn Binkley

Dawn Binkley, a writer since her late teens is driven by the written word. She believes, without writers the world as we know it would cease to exist. Books, scripts, advertisements, history, the daily news reports, none of it would be possible without smart, articulate people to write it.

Mrs. Binkley is also a writer and is better known under her pen name Keira Kroft.

Dawn, co-owner of Hellfire Publishing and Hellfire Comics, also carries a vet assistance degree. Her love for animals is as great as her love of people. She gives a percentage of her personal book sale profits to the animal welfare league.

She was born and raised in Chicago and now resides in a quiet suburbs in the outskirts of the city with her husband and her daughter. Dawn spends her spare time working with her cats Scamper and Sawyer, to achieve total world domination, one shared Twinkie at a time. Her passions include reading, writing, football and shopping.

Dawn will read anything you put in front of her. Whether she will like it, is another story. Her preferences are vampires. If an author were to submit something with what she calls “real” vampires, she will rip the hair out the head of any one that will try to take it from her. Also amongst her preferences are ghost stories, werewolves and other paranormal beings. She looks for creativity and wild imagination.

Direct quote from Dawn “without great imagination, writing would simply be nothing more than meaningless paper.”

She strives to bring the best fiction possible to the plate and has carefully staffed HP with like-minded, smart, driven people in the editor positions. The entire foundation of Hellfire Publishing is built upon community, love and trust.

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS:

1. What is something you are seeing too much or too little of in your slush pile?

Dawn: Too much of writers not following simple submission instructions, (raises eyebrow) and too little Romance.

2. What are the most common mistakes writers make when submitting to you?

Dawn: I am so glad you asked, Rudeness, which we do not tolerate and multiple submissions. The later might be our fault; we need to be clearer in stating that we don’t take multiple submissions. It’s stated in our FAQ’s section. I am sure not everyone reads them unless they’re looking for something particular, although I suggest that they should.

3. What is your solution to writer’s block?

Dawn: Keep writing. Seriously, start something else. I have many novels and stories started. That is good thing, I can follow my muse wherever it leads and eventually it will lead to over fifty finished pieces of work.

4. What are you reading right now?

Dawn: Bloodbreeders 2: The Revenge by the awesome Robin Renee Ray.

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Dawn: That is so funny, I ask a daily question on my Facebook and that ‘WAS’ going to be one of this week’s questions, lol. I think it’s thee question. Stones, baby! Although I am a huge Beatles fan.

 Synopsis from Goodreads

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

The Cover: What I really like about this cover is that you know the story is science fiction by the way the title is shown. And you know it’s Young Adult by the models. I love the use of green and black as well. Very striking.

The First Line: “I stared at the pile of boxes in my new bedroom, wishing the Internet had been hooked up.” Immediately, I knew a lot about the character and I liked her. Naturally, I wanted to know more.

The Good: Do I really have to narrow it down? There isn’t enough room here… The plot is smooth. The characters are believable and likable. The setting is well planned. So, pretty much the entire book is good. I couldn’t put it down.

Katy is well-rounded. Readers will have no problem relating to her personality or to how her life is changing. Daemon is… arrogant, awesome, and will have readers falling in love with him. Dee is adorable. Who doesn’t want a friend like Dee?

The sci-fi plays more like paranormal romances that are so hot right now. It adds a new twist to the genre that has seen its share of hot vampires and cuddly werewolves.

The Bad: Um…nothing. There were a couple of typos in the Kindle version, but that’s about it.

Recommendation: Read it. Now. And reread it tomorrow, because you won’t want to put it down.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

The severed arms of five girls who vanished in broad daylight are discovered buried in a clearing in the woods. Alive or dead, the remainder of the girls’ bodies are nowhere to be found. Worse still, there is a sixth, yet to be identified.

At first, the case seems simple. A series of clues leads investigators Mila Vasquez, a celebrated profiler with an attitude problem who is an expert in crimes relating to children, and Goran Gavila, the eerily prescient criminologist who sees deeper into Mila’s dark past than any man has before, to a twisted killer. But when they begin to follow the leads for the second missing child, it points in a vastly different direction.

Vasquez and Gavila begin to wonder if they’ve been brought in to take the fall in a near-hopeless case. Is it all coincidence? Copycats? Or, is there a mastermind of evil behind the killings? And if so, from where is he conducting his symphony of murder?

Obsessed with a case that becomes more tangled and intense as they unravel the layers of evil, Gavila and Vasquez find that their lives are increasingly in each other’s hands….

The Cover: I love the cover of this book. The color is striking and the butterfly is a clue.

The First Line: “I wish to inform you about the strange case of one of our inmates.” This is the first line of the letter that serves as a prologue. I really like this. I’m intrigued enough to keep reading.

The Good: This starts out as a great mystery. Since the setting is in Italy, it was fascinating to read about the legal practices and police procedures in another country. The central story arc is finding the killer of five young girls and the identity of a sixth. Mila Vasquez is brought in to identify and find the sixth victim. She joins an established team of investigators headed by Dr. Goran Gavila, an esteemed criminologist.

Mila is an interesting character who comes across as caring, yet cold, and you want to know why she is the way she is. Goran is highly intelligent with deep dark secrets of his own. The characters are well rounded if a bit on the cold side, but they were difficult to care about for me. The plot of the story really carried me forward more than the characters.

The Bad: All great thrillers have unexpected twists. The key is to make those twists plausible. Up until the appearance of the character Nicla, the novel was fast-paced and hard to put down. Nicla has a special ability and the possibility of such things should have been introduced early on. It felt like an easy out to use a character such as Nicla instead of having Mila and Goran discover things through their investigation techniques. After that, the some of twists and turns became less believable and caused me to lose interest.

Recommendation: If you like literary thrillers, go for it. If you’re a causal reader of this genre, I’d recommend skipping it or getting it from the library.

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS!

1. What is your favorite monster?

I am an amateur monster historian. If your readers would like to find out more about some of the more obscure monsters, they can visit my blog at http://katejonez.com/blog/  If I have to pick a favorite it would be a monster of the human variety. The Baron Roman Feodoravich von Ungern Sternberg defected from the Red army during the Russian revolution/civil war. He, with an odd band of misfits and psychopaths, took off for Mongolia where he declared himself king. Of his many twisted and horrifying policies, his treatment of thieves was perhaps the most strange. By decree of the king, thieves were treated to turpentine enemas after which mice were sewn into their livers. The cure often led to the death of the patient. In this kingdom, death didn’t disqualify a person from holding government office. Several rotting corpses held high level positions during Sternberg’s rein. My second favorite would be the Liderc. He’s a gold hunting chicken who shape-shifts into a sexy man and drains women of their energy.

2. As an editor, what is something you are seeing too much or too little of in your slush pile?

Popular writing advice recommends getting the words on the page as quickly as possible. When I do this as a writer, the first idea that pops into my head usually belongs to someone else. Those first ideas, for me, come from something I’ve read or seen on T.V.  If I had to guess, I think some of the the overly familiar characters, plots, and dialog  I’ve seen come from writers rushing to get words on the page. I prefer to see stories where writers have taken time to think and plan and get to know their story.

3. As a writer, do you struggle with your editing side or are you able to set that aside?

Editing has definitely helped me become a better writer. As and editor, I’m always asking questions like: what would make this scene more memorable? Why is this part boring me? What’s so special in this section that I’m walking around thinking about it all day? When I began to turn a critical eye on my own work and asked the questions that an editor would, my writing noticeably improved. I wouldn’t even think of writing a scene just to get characters from one place to another because the story needs it (have been guilty of this). Every word has to count. The whole story needs to be interesting in one way or another.

I still find copy editing and proofreading my own stuff to be nearly impossible. I wish someone would come up with a solution for that.

4. What is your solution to writer’s block?

When I come down with a case of writer’s block, it’s usually because I have a structural, pacing, or organizational problem. The cure, for me is to revisit the outline and tinker until things fit together in a more satisfying way. If that doesn’t work I add to my spreadsheet list of all the monsters in the world.

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Wow, this is really the hardest question ever. Rolling Stones. I love the songs from the disco years, especially.

Don’t forget to check out the books over at Omnium Gatherum. They’ve got some great titles.