A WORLD APART {INTERVIEW}

Title: A World Apart

Author: Camelia Miron Skiba

Publisher: Create Space

Source: Author

Available: Now

Pages: 370

I have previously featured this book on my blog and was pleased to have Camelia come back and answer some questions about the book.  I hope you all learn a little more about the book and the author!  Click Good Family Reads to read my review and a snippet from the book!

1. Tell us something about A World Apart that didn't make the cut.

The first draft contained the beginning and the end, with nothing in between. Robert, a secondary character was set to die and he was okay with this at first. Then the fighting began. He just wanted to live, go figure. Leave alone the fact that I had to redo about ten chapters—he just didn’t care. To make things even worse, Cassandra and David teamed up with him and they went AWOL—until I changed my mind. For Pete’s sake, I rescued David from an ambush in Iraq, and that was the reward? Silence? I remember sweating bullets to continue the story. I tried to negotiate their return for about a month (ice cream, cookies, wine, you name it) but to no avail. In the end, I agreed to make the changes and magically they returned. I wrote 5 chapters in one week (and had probably a few hours of sleep, but so worth it).

I love hearing about the process so many writers go through to hear the characters!  I'm glad things worked out they way they did though!

2. Where do you usually do your writing:

Complete silence in the guest room: lavender and cream walls, desk set in a corner, a large Queen palm knocking on my window...

mmm...guest room?  I'm game!

3. Sweet or Salty snacks?

Fruits.

4. What is your favorite childhood books?

Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. Winnetou and Old Shatterland by Karl May.

Never read Old Shatterland...maybe I should check it out!

5. What is the most surprising thing you found out during your writing/publishing journey?

That self-publishing is not as hard as some may think.

I think that seems to be the wave of now!!

6. Do you have anything in the works that you can share?

I’m working now on a novel I plan to release in December. It’s Chiara’s story, Tessa’s sister from my debut novel Hidden Heart. She's actually dark and distrustful, unlike any other characters I’ve dealt before with. She’s quiet, sitting in an obscure corner, knees pulled to her chest and NOT saying a dang word. Not going anywhere, not letting anyone coming closer. Such a troubled heroine scares me since I thought I could handle whoever comes into my head (unless they are zombies, then I’d be screwed). Can't lure her with cookies or ice cream, can't make her talk, but she claims full residency in my brain.

Ooh...well good luck...she sounds like she maybe trouble but totally worth it!

7. Anything about A World Apart you would like to share?

My son picked the name "Checkpoint" after I shared the story with him. I liked it and went with it until one night, returning from a Yanni concert and overdosed in all the good feelings and emotions his music awoke in me, the words hit me so hard, I gasped for air, screaming, "I found it! A World Apart. This is the title!" 

How cool!  I'm like that title too!

Thank you so much for visiting us today!  Good luck with this book and all that is yet to come!!

EMERALD CITY

Title: Emerald City

Author: Alicia K. Leppert

Publisher:  SweetWater Books

Available:n April 10, 2012

Source:  Cedar Fort

Pages: 320

About the Book:
Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down.


My Take:
Wow...another great debut novel.  It's a great love story that dives into some really deep subjects along the way.  While I can't tell you certain things about the book because I think you should really read this to get the full effect of the story...I will say that that this may be one of the best 2012 debuts I've read this year so far!  Written so the pages keep flying and you can't put it down.  Now...before you say...romance isn't for me...this is so much more than a romance...there is a little mystery...umm...sorry...can't say much more...  that most readers will find very intriguing!  I highly suggest you pick this up....  well...4/10/12!
But don't take my word for it...here's the link to other stops along the way!  Cedar Fort

About the Author:

A WOMAN'S POWER

Title:  A Woman's Power

Author:  Fay A. Klinger

Publisher:  Cedar Fort

Available:  now

Source:  Publisher

Pages:  144

Genre:  Non-fiction/:LDS/religion

About the Book:

For any woman who’s ever felt like she’s hanging on by a single thread, this inspiring book reveals the truth: you’re surrounded by threads of strength and power that can bring you safety, peace, and lasting happiness. All you have to do is grab hold of them. Uplifting and empowering, this book offers women everywhere a message of hope. 

My Take:

It's a well written book that takes us to the heart of the truth.  It has plenty of stories from the author and her family that will show you how to help yourself and others.  This book would be well suited to take slowly as a daily devotional.  Ms. Klinger is an LDS author, but woman of any faith will be sure to find something that will meet their needs in the pages of this book.  It will be a definite addition to my bookshelf, and if you are in the market for peace, you would be well advised to pick this up to add to your library as well!  

BONES (GODDESS FISH TOUR, GUEST POST, REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY)

Title:  Bones

Author:  K.J. Dahlen

Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press

Available:  now

Source:  Author via Goddess Fish Tours 

Pages:  181

Genre:  Mystery

THE GUEST POST

   A BIG THANK YOU TO K.J. FOR JOINING ME HERE TODAY TO TELL US HOW SHE GETS  HER INSPIRATION FOR HER BOOKS!   I HOPE THIS HELPS ALL THOSE AUTHORS WHO ARE BUSY WRITING THEIR DEBUT BOOKS NOW!

I love to take a thought or phrase and turn it into a book. One of my books, The Prophet, was written from a phrase, “Has he asked you to convert yet?”
I make up my characters from the people that I know. I take certain traits or looks and give them to the heroes and heroines in my books. I also try and put a little bit of myself in my books. We are all different for a reason and I like that.
Bones is a search in a small town for a serial killer. Someone had been murdering women yet no one has noticed him for years. Then two young boys stumble upon his dumping grounds and notify the police. Max Reardon has to find out who the women were and why they were killed.
I used a small town setting because I live in a small town and the hillside where the cave is found could be hidden on the bluffs where I live. Max is a man who has seen the best and the worst in people and he chooses to deal with the best, although now he has to deal with the worst.
I’ve used what I’ve read in books and seen on tv and just plain common sense to research this book and all my books. I like to watch people and what they talk about or react to tells me how they think and how they will act in certain situations. I use the bits and pieces I’ve collected in my books and add twists and turns to make the story more interesting. They call it fiction for a reason. Most of my books are pure imagination.
Sometimes I think I know where the story will go but just when I think that it takes off in a whole other direction.  I once saw an old man sitting alone in a bar sipping on a beer. He was the perfect looking bad guy I had ever seen. In my mind he became a serial killer for a book I built around his appearance. I know the guy was probably the most gentle man I could know but in my mind he was a killer in a book yet to be written. He became my River Man.
I’ve been asked many ,many times how I come up with a plot to yet another story but there is no one answer to that question.  It can be a phrase, or seeing someone I think would be a good character in a book,  or a dream I had. It can be just about anything  that pops into my head then suddenly a get an idea for a book.  When I get an idea I have to sit down and write out an outline. The outline is just an outline, sometimes I stay with it and sometimes I don’t. The book usually plays out in my head like a movie, but that is what  works for me.

About the Book:
When human bones are discovered in a cave just outside of town, it’s up to Sheriff Max Reardon to find out who the bones belonged to. But someone in town doesn’t want the bones identified and they go to great lengths to try and stop Max’s investigation.

They break into Max’s house and try and destroy the evidence and when that doesn’t work they frame Max for murder. Can Max clear his name and bring the murderer or murderers to justice?

My Take:
What a great quick read for mystery fans of all!  It's quick to take off and keeps the suspense going from there on.  It was simply written and while it didn't take a lot of thought to follow the story, the puzzle was fun to try and solve before the end!  Highly recommend and I'm off to read more from this author!  

About the Author:
Kim lives in a small town (population495) in Wisconsin. From her deck she can see the Mississippi River on one side and the bluffs, where eagles live and nest on the other side. She lives with her husband Dave and dog Sammy. Her two children are grown and two grandchildren and for that fact she feels blessed. She loves to watch people and that has helped her with her writing. She loves to create characters and put them in a troubling situation and just sit back and let them do all the work. They surprise even her at times. They take on a life of their own and the twists and turns become a story. She found she liked mystery/thrillers the best. She likes to keep her readers guessing until the very end of the book.


Email: kjdahlen1@yahoo.com
Web site: www.kjdahlen.com

The Giveaway

K.J. will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift certificate, plus the chance to help her with her new book--the winner will get to write a short blurb and K.J. will write the book based on it, so click the banner and follow the stops for your chance to win!  The more you comment the better your chance of winning!

Apology

I want to apologize to all authors and tour hosts for missing tours this week.  My mom decided to have a stroke on Sunday and I have been with her and let the reviews go!  I will get everything up as soon as possible.

SHADOW WARRIOR GUEST POST BY COURTNEY RENE

Here's a guest post from author Courtney Rene.... Author of Shadow Warrior... It's all about coming up with the story and how she does it. I was so impressed with all she wrote that I'm giving her this post and I'll post another post with book details and my take!

Thank you Courtney for coming!!

OUTLINES AND FAR OFF PLACES

By Courtney Rene

First and foremost, I am not an outline person.  Never have been and most likely never will be.  For me, part of the fun of being a writer is seeing where the story will go.  If I sit down and plan it all out, piece-by-piece and event-by-event, it takes all the mystery out of it.  Why write the story if I already know how it’s going to end?

When I came up with the idea for Shadow Dancer, I had no idea when I started that I would have to come up with a whole new world.  Although Shadow Dancer didn’t really need the thought out landscape and details of Acadia, the next book Shadow Warrior did.  You can’t go to another world if you haven’t created it yet.  I was at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed. So I did what any writer would do…I went to google.  I did research on fantasy worlds and I did research on the elements (since I had created four semi-elemental realms this was a must).  I also went to the library and did more research.  I printed out photos and descriptions and made notes and photocopies and when I was done, I had so much crap that I didn’t know what to do with it all.  Frankly, in trying to get an idea for my fantasy realm, Acadia, I had quite overwhelmed myself.  That pile sat and sat and haunted me for about a month.  I didn’t touch it or look at it or even move it.  

Then one day I was laying out in the sunshine thinking and watching a hoard of butterflies eat the peaches off my trees (I didn’t know they did that) when I suddenly realized I was making Acadia way to hard.  I closed my eyes and let my mind simply create the landscape of Acadia.  What did I know about Acadia?  For one, it was hot there and it never rained. From there, Acadia slowly but surely began to form.  But how was I to keep it all straight and clear in my head while writing the book?

First thing I did was chuck all the prior research I had done, all of it, except for the elemental stuff.  The next thing I did was purchase a  “project” board.  It’s like poster board only about ¼ inch thick.  Then I started making notes on note cards and notebook paper about the world I was creating.  I drew by hand a rough outline of Acadia (it was a sad little drawing).  I made notes of the new people and their powers and their personalities.  Then I tacked and tapes and stapled them all up on my board.  




When that was done, I sat down and started to write Shadow Warrior.  Anytime I was confused about something, all I had to do was flip through the pages on my board.  Anytime a new person or new element of the story presented, I added it to the board.  By the time I was finished writing the book, I had two full boards going.

Creating and keeping track of a new fantasy world was a lot harder than I ever thought it would be.  But the boards?  They worked for me.  Someone told me once that those boards are actually my way of outlining.  Ummm, no way!  As I said, I am not an outliner.  

Quickly, before I head out, I wanted to say thank you to Goodfamilyreads for having me over at their blog today.  Have a great one everyone!

ctny

SHADOW WARRIOR (REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY)

Title: Shadow Warrior

Author:  Courtney Rene
Publisher:  Rogue Phoenix Press
Source:  Author
Available:  now
Series:  Shadow Dancer (BK 2)




About the Book:

Sunny finally makes her first jump over to the Kingdom of Acadia that is on the other side of the shadows, for what she hopes is a vacation.  Only her vacation turns into quite an unwanted adventure.  Aside from new and unexpected issues regarding her relationship with Leif, Sunny meets the rebel group, makes new friends, fights with controlling her powers, and finds herself neck deep within a county that is torn apart by two sides, each fighting for power.  Acadia is not quite what she imagined.  How is she, one young girl, suppose to unite the Kingdom as well as unseat a King to take her place as ruler of Acadia.  

My Take:

I love fun fantasy....this is a great continuation of the first story and lets the reader believe in the unknown. It is a fun and pretty quick read...perfect for winding down a hectic overloaded day by escaping into another world. I love how Courtney was able to leave us filling satisfied...yet still wanting more! I also really appreciated the view she painted of Acadia...it made the book more enjoyable to know where I was. Can't wait for book 3!

About the Author:

Courtney Rene lives in Ohio with her husband and two children.  She is a graduate and member of the Institute of Children’s Literature.  Her writings include magazine articles, short fiction stories, several anthologies, and her Shadow Dancer series, published through Rogue Phoenix Press.  For a complete listing, visit www.ctnyrene.blogspot com.  Please feel free to contact her at ctnyrene@aol.com.  

For more ways to keep in touch.... http://www.facebook.com/#!/Ctnyrene
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shadow-Dancer/164433473646449
http://twitter.com/#!/ctnyrene

And now the Giveaway!

Courtney will be giving away $10 Amazon.com gift certificates to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour. So comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the LINK, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a GC!

WANT MORE?

HERE'S AN EXCERPT!

Again, I felt more energy slip inside me as I tried desperately to hold on and stay up on Poppy. I lost my battle for balance and flailed myself right off of the horse.

As I fell to the ground, someone grabbed my arm and tried to jerk me onto their lap. A burst of energy lashed out of me and directly into him. I didn't know who he was. Was he from my group or the other?

Our screams, both of shear pain, echoed around us. As he let go of my arm, the energy got the better of me and took control. In a show of bright white light, it pulsed out of me. It encircled me and took everything in its path down. Horses and men alike were thrown into the air, where they hung for but a moment before they crashed back down to the ground.

I dropped down to my knees and began to cry. The battle hadn't lasted very long. Not with me in it anyway. I had taken out everyone.

Gabriel was the first to rouse. He sat up and shook his head before he got to his feet. I jumped to my feet and ran over to him. I just about tossed myself on the poor guy. "I'm so sorry, Gabriel. I didn't mean to."

He gave me a quick once over and then pointed at my face and said, "You're bleeding."

I lifted my hand to my face and sure enough, my nose was bleeding. "It's fine," I said with a quick shake of my head. "Are you all right?"