Hey guys, I must be doing something half-way okay because here is a third author interview. And I am very excited about it! I hope that you will be too! This goes along with the review I posted on June 7th, Loving Marcus. Please read, enjoy and go out and buy her book!
1) What inspires you to write?
I began writing when I was a young teenager. It was my way of expressing my feelings and the things I saw happening around me. Over the years, it became a comfortable habit and after taking several creative writing classes in college, I was told by my professors that I had a gift for storytelling, especially when it came to my journals!
2) You mentioned that this was a personal story for you, what is it that is personal for you?
Unfortunately, many people who have been close to my heart, have suffered with and succumbed to cancer. I believe this was my way of working through what they went through and to show how difficult it is to make choices when their life is at stake, knowing how it will affect the people who love them.
3) This is a very emotional story, so full of sadness, what made you want to write about such an intense topic?
It wasn't really that I wanted to, or chose to. The topic picked me. I have stories in my head all the time and the characters come to life on the pages of their own free will. I know this sounds strange, but when I sit down to write, the story unravels without any forethought.
4) Do you have any authors that really move you?
The authors who have moved me the most are Harper Lee, "To Kill a Mockingbird", any works of C.S. Lewis, William Golding, "Lord of the Flies" and of course more recently, Nicholas Sparks and Danielle Steel are excellent story tellers.
5) You once told me you were a storyteller, have you always been one or is this something new that has developed?
I've always enjoyed storytelling. When I was younger, I would entertain my two little sisters (yes, sometimes it was strictly meant to scare them to death!) and I raised my children telling them stories at bedtime.
6) Can we expect to see more from you soon? I know I'm looking forward to seeing what is next, so I hope it's soon!
I'm working on a modern novel about a young American Indian woman who has moved away from her family and is struggling to create a life for herself. It's very different from my first novel! I'm hopeful that it will be ready by the end of the summer.
And there it is folks, another interview for your viewing pleasure. Remember I'm still getting the hang of actually being able to interview authors so forgive me if this is a little short or not quite as back and forth as most interviews. I'm trying and also it's still an interview with an awesome author so be grateful for that! I know I am, and with that a very special thank you to Ms. Victoria Kante for her time and the wonderful novel she wrote. I can't wait for her next book! Watch for a review here!
Book Title: Loving Marcus
Author: Victoria Kante
Version: Paperback
ISBN: 9781484063019
Published: May 3rd, 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Genre: Fiction
SYNOPSIS: From the back of the book: Brelynn's life seems to be going in the right direction. She has a caring, loving man in her life, an over-protective sister who raised her and a job in New York City that she loves. When a diagnosis of Leukemia falls into her lap, her world begins to crumble and the people around her alternately support and desert her. She must find the strength within herself to make difficult decisions and search in new places for the help she needs. A love story that captures the beauty of life from an unexpected birth and death; it finds the characters caught in situations that force them to reach deep inside to find their true selves. In the middle of her fight to live, Brelynn must make a difficult choice, to her life or to give life. This story follows her journey as she struggles with her own conscience and with the demands of her family and friends who believe they are putting her interests first. When her lover walks away, she turns to the God she never knew, and finds that even with the guidance of a friendly priest, the ultimate decision is hers.
REVIEW: I heard about this through someone that I work with because Ms. Victoria Kante works with us. I bought it and read it in support of a writer I know. But as soon as I started reading it I found myself sucked into the story and not wanting to put the book down. It is a first novel, and self edited and published and you can tell but there is something about it that makes it impossible not to like.
The story is a tragic one, and that's obvious from the very beginning. But it's also obvious that it's a meaningful one, a personal one to the author. This personal touch makes the story richer and deeper which is important in a tale such as this. And the thing is the story is so intense that I couldn't not fall into it. I truly appreciate a really good story even if the writing isn't perfect and this was a really good story.
The writing was good, it's obvious that Ms. Kante is a talent in the making. She has a good style and feel for the way a story should unfold and I can't wait to see where she goes from here. I think though that this really would have benefited from some editing. There were moments that were a little scattered and a few parts that didn't really feel well put together or realistic. The dialogue was mostly unbelievable in the sense that most people don't actually speak the way her characters spoke. All in all I think that having a few more pairs of eyes read the manuscript before it was published would have turned this good book into a great one.
The characters were good, for the most part well fleshed out. I found myself liking Brelynn and appreciating her will to make it through her struggles. I liked Brelynn's friend Peter and I found myself liking the priest that shows up most of the way through. Again these were characters that were good but I know that Ms. Kante has more in her. I am really very excited to see what comes next from her because there really is a great storyteller there and I think that she can become a truly great writer.
I think all in all this is a good first novel and you should give it a chance. It's been self published so it's going to be a little hard to come by. It is available as an ebook so if you have a reader of any kind go ahead a buy yourself a copy. The physical book will be available at Barnes & Noble 5th Ave. so if you are in the New York area stop on by and purchase your very own copy. I promise, story-wise it is well worth it!
Book Title: The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Version: Library ebook
ISBN: 9781423131892
Published: May 5th, 2009
First Published: June 1st, 2005
Genre: Young Readers Fantasy/Adventure
SYNOPSIS: Percy Jackson has grown up having a lot of problems. First off he isn't really sure who or where his dad is, his mom has to work in a candy shop just to support them when all she ever wanted was to go to college and become a novelist. He has been diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD and been kicked out of six schools in six years. It's pretty safe to say that his life has been a little on the difficult side.
Percy's sixth grade year at Yancy Academy started off the same as almost everywhere else. But for his mom's sake Percy wants to try and make this school work. He has a new friend named Grover who has a disability that makes him limp and he gets picked on a lot so Percy looks out for him. And he has a teacher that seems to be on his side for once, his Latin teacher Mr. Brunner. However towards the end of the term things begin to go a little wonky. On what should be a routine field trip to The Met Percy ends up alone with his math teacher Mrs. Dodds who turns into a crazy scary monster and attacks him. Thanks to a little help from Mr. Brunner and a magic pen Percy disintegrates Mrs. Dodds and gets away.
When Percy confronts Mr. Brunner and Grover about what had happened they both act as if they have no idea who Mrs. Dodds is and what really throws him off is that all the other students seem to be on the same train. Percy tries to put the whole incident behind him and get through the rest of the school year. When he is told that he will not be allowed to come back to the school for the next year Percy kind of gives up. But because Mr. Brunner has always been on his side Percy decides he'll make some effort to pass his Latin final. On his way to ask for some last minute guidance from Mr. Brunner he hears something that stops him in his tracks. Mr. Brunner and Grover talking about him, Percy, Mrs. Dodds and the terrible danger that Percy is in. Feeling confused and a little scared Percy heads back to his dorm room and attempts to fall asleep.
When he gets back home on the first day of summer he has great plans to spend the summer with his mom and finding a new school. Everything seems to be going in a good direction when his mom and him head out to Montauk for a stay at the beach. But then things start going wrong that night when Grover shows up and tells them it's time to leave. And so begins an adventure that Percy soon realizes isn't one he signed up for. While on the run he finds out that not only is all the Greek mythology that he has been studying actually real and still valid, seeing as the gods are all alive and well, but that he is in fact the son of one of them. He is a demigod, a half-blood and he is in terrible danger out in the mortal world. As the three of them head toward camp half-blood they are chased by a Minotaur who grabs Percy's mom who then disappears in a shower of gold. Percy defeats the Minotaur and promptly passes out.
He awakens in a room in Camp Half-Blood feeling weak and out of sorts. When he is strong enough to move into the general population he is put into the Hermes cabin where kids who are unclaimed go to live. There he meets Luke, son of Hermes, who kind of takes him under his wing and they quickly become friends. After a few days during a game of capture the flag Percy finally finds out who his father is. His father is Poseidan god of the sea and one of the big three, the three brother gods, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidan who had sworn an oath never to sire half mortal children again. He moves into the Poseidan cabin all alone and feels more confused and lonely than before. If all that wasn't enough Percy finds out that Zeus is threatening war against Poseidan because Zeus believes that Percy has stolen his master lightning bolt. Offended and angry and hoping to clear his name and prevent a war Percy, his new friend Annabeth, daughter of Athena, and Grover set off on a quest to find the lightning bolt, return int to Olympus and find the real lightning thief before war breaks out.
REVIEW: Ok I'm going to be 100% honest, I saw the movie first and I really loved it. And it is only now, years later, that I have finally read the book. There cat's out of the bag and we can all move on. The movie was good, the book was amazing! I love Greek mythology I always have and that was what originally drew me to the movie. After moving to New York and meeting my good friend Sidney McEntyre and after hearing her talk about how good the book series was I added it to my giant list of 'to read' books. After being here over a year I finally got a library card and with my new lending abilities I decided to borrow the ebook version of "The Lightning Thief" and I am so glad that I did.
This was such a great book! I had been in a little bit of a reading rut lately, reading a lot of simply ok books or books that I wasn't that excited about. This book though turned everything around. I was reading it and I got excited about reading all over again. The writing is great for a young reader's book. Simple but full of things that would make kids want to learn more. And I found that the way that the Greek mythology was part of it was a stroke of genius on Mr. Riordan's part. I thought that he did an incredible job making it accessible and yet keeping it so that kids will want to learn more. It's pretty cool.
The story is amazing! Pure and simple, I mean what kid wouldn't love an adventure story about kids that have extra powers because they are the children of Greek gods? The story is just so very cool and full of awesomeness. It was a fun read from start to finish, I didn't want to put it down ever. That is a great adventure story, one that makes you want to read all the time and never put it down. I'm really glad that this is a series because I didn't want the story to end. This way I get a lot more of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
The characters were so much fun! These kids were cool, like really cool! Sure they greatly burdened with the fact that they are half god and are kept in constant danger by the monsters that seem to always find them but they are still really cool. They have these powers that comes from their god/goddess parents and they know how to use them to a extent. Although they are young and just starting out they can take care of themselves and they know how to navigate themselves in the world of myth and legend which is very real to them. I just loved the characters in this book and I went ahead and read the second one and I simply can't get enough of Percy and Annabeth and all their merry friends!
I highly recommend this series to all readers who are interested in Greek mythology. This is a great read for every age and a great way to start the love of reading for young kids just starting out. It's a fantastic book and I'm thinking that the rest of the series is just as great. I say go forth and find a copy, buy it, borrow it, however it is done take a chance and read "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan because it's a truly great read and I know that it made me love reading all over again!
Book Title: Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir)
Author: Jenny Lawson
Version: Hardback
ISBN: 9780399159015
Published: April 17th, 2012
Number of Pages: 318
Genre: Humorous Memoir
REVIEW: Let's get real here people, this. Book. Is. AWESOME! That's right, I said it, this book is awesome. I'm not really sure what else to say about it. So this is it. My whole review. See ya all later....
Ok just kidding that's not really it, I just thought that I would do a little bit of what Jenny Lawson does so who you can get a taste of how fun it is to read it. This book is non-stop hilarious and it's written oh so well. Ms. Lawson has such a fun and crazy voice that you kind of fall in love with her from the very first page. And here I want to put in a warning, you will laugh out loud while reading this book. I mean like a lot, almost the whole time you are reading this book, you will be laughing out loud so be prepared for weird looks and worried glances. Believe me though it will be worth it.
The book starts with Ms. Lawson's very strange childhood where dead animals and throwing bobcats is just your average Saturday. Growing up in such an environment one can hardly blame her for becoming a blogger worried about the zombie apocalypse and whether or not she put the right soap in the dishwasher. Even though Ms. Lawson's childhood was so strange it made me grimace at times I laughed so much and so hard that I also found myself wishing I had, had a childhood like that. I mean sure I grew up with a quartet of goats names after the Beatles and learned to hypnotize chickens before I was in middle school and had the terrifying experience of being gobbled at by a mama Turkey when I was three but that is nothing compared to a talking squirrel.
I know that there is no way I can do this books justice here so I just want to say go out and get yourself a copy because this book really is awesome. There is so much humor and life in the book that you want to read it all the time and at the same time you want to savor it and make it last. I laughed so hard through most of the book that after awhile I stopped worrying if people were watching me laugh at Jenny's chapter titled "Thanks for the Zombies, Jesus." I loved this book and that is pretty much all there is to it. I thought that this book was hilarious and I think that you should go out and discover that for yourself. This is worth it and let me tell you if laughter is the best medicine your prescription is about to be filled. "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson has officially made my must read list!
Book Title: Confederates Don't Wear Couture
Author: Stephanie Kate Strohm
Version: Paperback ARC
ISBN: 9780547972589
Publication Date: June 2013
Number of Pages: 208
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
SYNOPSIS: Libby Kelting is back and this time she is going to war. Well a Civil War reenactment starting in Alabama anyway. When Libby's best friend Dev first comes to her with the idea Libby is hesitant because she has the chance to spend the summer in Boston with Garrett. And how can she pass that up? Even if it means not getting to live in the 1860's and wear gorgeous hoop skirts and relive epic battles from the Civil War. But the more Dev talks about his brilliant money making scheme "Confederate Couture" bringing the best fashion of the 1860's to the ladies of the south, and what it's going to be like to travel around wearing Dev's best Libby finds herself unable to resist.
Traveling to Alabama with Dev and their mountains of luggage Libby finds herself getting more and more excited about the summer ahead. Landing in Alabama they are hit by the immense summer heat, which prompts Libby to ask 'why Alabama?' Dev responds "...Because no other southern state boasts their very own Reese Witherspoon rom-com. Obvi." (Pg. 26) Ah yes the all important rom-com logic. Their liaison Tammy Anderson picks them up from the airport and takes them to her B&B to change and freshen up before driving them to meet her handsome, southern-manners-having son Beau. Dressed in her first Couture best Libby meets Beau and there is an instant spark, but it's just because he's friendly and likes history right?
The day of the first battle Dev's idea seems to have been nothing short of genius, minus the fact that he is severely caffeine deprived. His designs start selling like hotcakes and with the amount of money Dev makes in that first day he believes that his dreams of starting college with a full brand name wardrobe is possible. While fighting through the boredom of a battle, learning to 'breathe' in a corset and dealing with an inappropriately attached 13-year-old boy scout Libby finds that this summer may be more than just a good old trip down history lane. Not to mention she has to deal with Beau crushing on her, and maybe she's crushing on him a little too, a ghost that has the camp scared silly, a real estate developer trying to buy up Civil War battlegrounds and Garrett showing up unexpectedly.
What's a young lady to do when the summer of her dreams suddenly turns into a waking nightmare? Now Libby has to concentrate on solving the mystery of the ghost, find a way to stop Dixie Acres from taking away important historical land, keeping Garrett and Beau away from each other and making sure she is always dressed in the finest Confederate Couture. Whew, and here Libby thought Summer was going to be a breeze.
REVIEW: When I first read 'Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink' I automatically fell in love with Libby Kelting, Garrett, and Dev. Going into this second book I was so excited to see what Ms. Strohm had in store for them this time. As soon as I started the very first page I knew this adventure was going to be even better than the last. I mean this puts Libby and Dev in the Civil War and everything Dev knows about the Civil War comes from "Gone With the Wind" and he and Lobby together are definitely Scarlett O'Hara. Also "Gone with the Wind" happens to be one of my all time favorite book/movie. So what's not to love?
I knew right away that Stephanie Kate Strohm had a unique and talented voice. In her second novel her skill as a writer has become more defined and obvious. I found myself totally sucked into the lives and dramas of her richly sketched out characters. Although this is still a young adult novel there is a maturity to it that will make it accessible to an older crowd, and I think that this is a testament to Ms. Strohm's growth as an author. Well done Ms. Strohm, I can't wait to see where your writing goes next.
The characters are just as wonderful this time around. Libby is a more defined and solid character here which is so wonderful because how can you not love Libby? And seeing her grow like this is really awesome. Garrett is just as rumpled and nerdy as ever and how can you not like an adorable nerd? And then we have Dev, who is much more prominent in this book, who I have fallen in love with. He is the gay best friend of my dreams and I want to thank Stephanie Kate Strohm for bringing him into my life. He is everything a girl could ask for in a gay best friend. He has the most exquisite taste in clothes, a heart of gold and enough sass to set a Kardashian on edge. Dev is maybe my favorite character now, I mean I love, love, love Libby but I have always wanted a friend like Dev and there he was in black and white. He is just so fantastic that it's hard not to love him.
The story is so much fun! You learn about history in a fun interesting way, get creeped out by a ghost, meet attractive southern gentlemen and hear Dev quote Scarlett O'Hara and search for the Tarleton twins. What could be better than that? Well throw in a love triangle, couture clothing and the fight to save historic landmarks and you have a cocktail of awesome.
All in all this is a fantastic book inside and out. Stephanie Kate Strohm has done it again with her second Libby book and I can't wait for everyone to read it. Every Broadway star has to be a triple threat, they have to sing, dance and know how to act. Well a truly great book can be seen as a triple threat as well, good writing, characters you love and a story to die for. Stephanie Kate Strohm has delivered a second triple threat book to the world. And I can't wait to see what she brings us next!
"Confederates Don't Wear Couture" by Stephanie Kate Strohm comes out in June and I highly suggest that all of you loyal readers go out and pre-order yourself a copy. This second Libby book is so worth the wait and the money and I have a feeling that the next will be even better. I am really looking forward to seeing this book fly off the shelves. I will be able to recommend this book as well as "Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink" with nothing but sincerity and praise. Go forth my dear readers and dive into a world that might be lost but never forgotten, Libby and Stephanie Kate Strohm make this world come back to life!
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Book Title: The Shadow of the Wind (Cemetery of Forgotten Books #1)
Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Version: Paperback
ISBN: 9780753821206
Published: 2005
First Published: 2001
Number of Pages: 512
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
REVIEW: This is a book about the love of books and so even before I read it I knew that I would love it. I had been told repeatedly that I should read this book and because my list of books to read was so long I kept putting it off. And then someone kind of forced it on me and I am so very glad that he did. This book literally blew me away, it was a truly magical journey that I quickly fell in love with.
The writing soared off the pages in leaps and bounds. It flowed and had beauty to it, every word, every phrase chosen perfectly to make this a truly magical story. Although it was translated from the original Spanish text the power and love behind the words of Mr. Zafron came through loud and clear. His writing is something that is rather unusual in this day and age where it's all about quantity (how many books you can sell) over quality (how well the book is written) Mr. Zafron has it all. His writing is an inspiration and that is a beautiful thing to find. I felt as if I melted into his writing; it was an incredible thing because it was less like I was reading a book and more like I was experiencing it.
His characters are rich with life, especially his young protagonist Daniel Sempere, and yet they are flawed. I loved this about Mr. Zafron's characters. They were so well put together that they seemed as if they could be real people. Not all characters are like this I have found. Sure they are likable, some even lovable, but not all are this real. I really enjoyed the fact that not only were all of these characters in love with books (all characters that feel this love are ok by me) but they each had their very human flaws and I truly loved that. It helped that the characters were flawed. This was a kind of down in the dirt type of mystery and it needed the down in the dirt types to help solve it.
The story is amazing! A young boy that loves books becomes obsessed with one and decides he has to have the rest of the author's work. However this quest seems impossible when he discovers that someone has been traveling the world looking for those books and burning them. And so Daniel embarks on a journey that takes him into the deepest secrets that Barcelona holds. Into brothels and churches, running from the law and begging help from a beggar. Every twist, every new thing that is revealed makes the book totally amazing all over again. Stack them all up and you get one of the best books that I have ever read.
I really loved this book and I highly, highly recommend "The Shadow of the Wind" to everyone! It's that good of a book. I think that it has a little bit of everything in it. So naturally it appeals to everyone. This is just an all around great read and I hope that you go out as soon as possible and find yourself a copy. This is a journey that is worth diving into.
Book Title: Darkness Take My Hand (Kenzie & Genaro #2)
Author: Dennis Lehane
Version: Nook book
ISBN: 9780061807992
Published: October 13th, 2009
First Published: 1996
Number of Nook Book Pages: 239
Genre: Mystery
SYNOPSIS: It starts at the end, Patrick is scarred and Angie is away. Patrick is visited by friends and they discuss everything except what had happened. But it's all Patrick can think about and night after night he gets sucked into the memories.
At first Patrick and Angie's newest case seems like a simple case of stalking. They take on the case of a prominent psychiatrist who feels that she is being threatened by the Irish mob. She received a picture of her son in the mail with no note, no address and no indication of what it could mean. Patrick and Angie decide that they will take on the case, they make a rather gutsy trip into the Irish mob and basically tell them to back off. After many assurances that they have nothing to do with it and with a few threats thrown in, the mob sends Patrick and Angie on their way.
Playing it safe Patrick and Angie start following the son around, taking turns watching him in his daily life. When he's not watching with Angie, Patrick spends time with his new girlfriend and her daughter. Patrick is hit hard and finds himself falling madly in love. After weeks of nothing everyone decides that it is a waste of time and money and Patrick and Angie decide to drop the case. Little do they know that this might just be one of the worst decisions of their career.
Shortly after their decision the young man ends up dead. A death that is similar not only to a recent murder but murders that date back years in the past. And these aren't just any murders but murders of the most grisly and disturbing nature. When Patrick and Angie take on the case and end up in the sights of the killer their lives become one big cat and mouse game.
REVIEW: Although I really enjoyed this book I didn't like it quite as much as the first. I felt that the mystery aspect was a little lacking. It was still a really good story with characters I have already fallen in love with and the same great writing.
The story was good but I felt that it lacked that same edge of your seat feeling as the first one had. I still wanted to know who done it and all that but for me there was something off about the whole thing. Maybe it was because Patrick and Angie were targets right off the bat and so much of the book was them in hiding. I don't know what it is but I know that it was a little off for me.
The writing was just as great as before. At times humorous and always well put together Mr. Lehane's writing is some of the best that I have come across. He has such a way with words, he knows how to phrase things and he always knows when to add in some much needed humor. I always look forward to reading what he has to say even if I find the story a little lacking.
This was an all around really good read. I loved diving once more into the world of Patrick and Angie and I can't wait to get back to their world once more. I suggest this series for anyone who wants a really good mystery series that has a little bit of humor and a lot of really great characters. Dennis Lehane knows how to write and I promise that this is a series that proves that again and again.
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