Saturday, August 13, 2011

Brooke Moss Q&A [& Giveaway]

Brooke Moss
· Website
· Blog
· Facebook
· Twitter

Books
· The "What If" Guy [Buy]



When did you decide that you wanted to become an author?

Thanks for having me here today, I’m excited to be a part of a blog I am such a fan of!

I knew I wanted to be an author when I was as young as eight or nine years old. But it wasn’t until about five years ago (when I turned 30) that I decided I was going to actively pursue publication. I always thought it was out of reach, but when I decided it wasn’t, and that I had as good a chance as anyone, I bit into it, and held on like a bulldog. I wasn’t letting go until I made it!


Where do your story ideas come from?
Everyday life. I love seeing a typical, everyday couple—a couple you wouldn’t normally look at, and see a romantic backstory—and finding out their love story. I think I make people uncomfortable sometimes, because I ask the strangest questions. Questions you don’t usually hear when you’re not at a slumber party. How did you meet? What was your best kiss? Things like that. But this is how I pull story ideas from real life.


How has your writing experience changed since joining forces with Entangled Publishing?
Well, for starters, the editing process will put hair on your chest, for sure! I had to learn how to develop a thick skin and how to let go of certain details that I was attached to, for the sake of putting out an excellent story. The women of Entangled have taught me plenty of things, but first and foremost, they’ve taught me that the “hard” part of being an author is certainly not writing the book. The stuff that comes after you’ve stopped writing (the editing again and again and again, the publicizing your book, etc.) that is the hard part. Actually sitting down and writing the book is a walk in the park. These women work hard, and they expect their writers to do the same. But it is all for a grand purpose: putting out an excellent book.


What do you like to do in your free time?
What’s “free time”? Ha! No, actually, I like to spend time with my husband and four kids. We are going to the ocean this summer, and I am thrilled to actually have some time to run around and be silly with them. Other than that, I enjoy watching shows like Top Chef and reading a good book. And there is nothing better than movie night with my girlfriends. Love it.


Could you tell us what a "what if" guy is to you? Have you ever had a "what if" guy in your life?
A “what if” guy is any man that you look back on, and wonder what life would be like had you picked him. Every woman has a “whew!” guy, the guy you look back on and think, thank God I didn’t wind up with HIM. But very few women are willing to admit that they have a “what if” guy, too. Not someone that you would leave your current spouse for, by any means, but someone that you look back on with fondness and love. Because your time with him was good. And yes, I have a “what if” guy, or two. Obviously it wasn’t meant to be, as I am now married to the nerd of my dreams, and wouldn’t trade him for the world. But…there are a few men out there that I look back on with a smile on my face.


How does The "What If" Guy stand apart from other romance novels?
This book really bridges the gap between women’s fiction and contemporary romance. It has some sexiness, as well as some laughs, but it also has some strong emotional content that you often see in women’s fiction. But, because this is how I prefer my books to be, I wrap it all up with an H.E.A. (happily ever after) in the end. Who says that women’s fiction doesn’t necessarily have to end with an H.E.A.? I say it does!

I am so thrilled to be sharing my debut novel with the world! The What If Guy is available at Amazon, B&N, Books On Board, and at your local bookseller. A special thanks goes to Entangled Publishing for their amazing prizes and giveaways. Thanks guys!



Win a [paperback] copy of The What If Guy. Be sure to be a follower of this blog, then comment with your name and e-mail I can contact you at. This is a 24-hour contest! Be sure to enter by Sunday, August 14th at midnight EST!!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Ordained, by Devon Ashley

Ordained (The Immortal Archives #1)
Devon Ashley

Publisher: N/A
Release Date:
April 15, 2011
Genre:
YA, Paranormal
Pages:
Paperback, 332 pages
Source:
Author
Rating:
5/5 (Avg 4/5)
Normally, the school creates the hunters - not the monsters.

Abby Sorrensten likes to play rough. Ripping the horns off the foreheads of demons, manipulating lightning and setting things on fire with the flick of your wrist can give you a serious rush. So she probably wasn’t the best choice for the Order’s experimental training program. Thirteen years of isolation, lack of affection and a bruised and broken body from horrendous training sessions creates more than just an exceptional fighter. It creates an evil within - an evil responsible for several deaths the night she left.

Two hundred years later Abby resurfaces as the very thing the Order trained her to kill: a vampire. A mythical demon has set his sights on the school and only the ordained hunter has the powers to face it. Unbeknownst to the Order, Abby’s their precious ordained one and their only chance for survival. As much as she would love to leave them hanging, she’s not willing to risk the life of Emily, a fellow friend and hunter also fed up with the organization.

But for Abby, locking herself away in a fortress with angry descendents of those she killed causes suspicions and tensions to run high. Abby must learn the demon’s weaknesses for battle before the Order learns hers.

I'll have to admit, this book pretty much has everything that I love about paranormal books. Lots of paranormals, some kick-ass action and intense emotional scenes are jam-packed in this book, snagging you from the beginning and not releasing you until the very end.

The characterization in this book is not only amazing, but something that I haven't seen in a while. Abby is the main character and we see a lot of her, watching her grow over the course of the novel. But there are also several other characters that get their own time in the spotlight to shine, telling us their story as we go. One of these characters is Emily, who I also enjoyed very much - she might possibly be my favorite character of the entire book.

There are plenty of vampires, witches and demons in this book to satiate any paranormal lover's thirst, along with the hunters - who are just as interesting to observe in this book as the supernaturals. The story itself is a little familiar in certain ways, but very unique in so many other ways. It flowed well, never dulling for a moment, chock full of unexpected twist and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. This is an incredible beginning to a very promising series and I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in the series, Metamorphosis.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Blog Tour Character Interview: Emily from Ordained




It is my pleasure to welcome Emily, one of my favorite characters from Ordained, to the blog. She's here to give us a little insight into her world and some of the characters that she encounters.



Welcome, Emily. Tell us, what are your thoughts on the Order's training program?
They have a training program? I could’ve sworn it was just a bunch of stuffy old men grouped together in a creepy manor in the middle of nowhere, playing God, pretending to have all knowledge this world has to offer in the ways of weaponry and hunting just so they can feel superior in the eyes of children with abandonment issues. Did I mention that 95% of vampire hunters die against demons and not vampires? Yeah, that’s right – demons! Yet the Order refuses to acknowledge demons in our so-called training program and train us how to kill the different kinds. Arrrrrghhhh!!!! Sometimes I just wanna take this stake and shove it up their @$e$!!!!!

What was your initial reaction the first time you met Abby?
Well, I was sorta dead. I only met her because she healed my body (after I was attacked by a freakin’ demon! That’s right – demon!!!) and performed a reincarnation spell that returned my soul to my body. So, honestly, I was so freaked out about that, that I wasn’t even focused on Abby at the time. But, I guess if a gal *cough-vampire* brings you back to life, you should probably just stick with being thankful, right? Yeah, I know – vampire saves vampire hunter – it’s a messed up world I live in.

How have your feelings for Abby changed since the first time you met her?
Well, I’ve been training under her for two years now (something worthy of being called a training program) and learning about demons, so my opinion of her shot well above my opinion of the Order (hard not to though). I don’t know, she’s sorta like a big sister to me now. You know, the kind that takes you under her wing, protects you, teaches you, but will totally kick your @$ if you step even one foot out of line….that kind of sister.

Do you do anything outside of being a hunter?
Yep. His name is Tommy. Oh, wait. You probably weren’t looking for that, huh? Uh…hobbies, hobbies... I should have one of those, shouldn’t I? Maybe I’ll take up knitting. That way, if I get a surprise attack, I’ll have a nifty pair of metal needles to use as a weapon.

Is there any one single moment in your life that you would change?

Not dying would be pretty high on the list.



Thanks to Missy for letting Emily rant…she needed to do something to relieve the stress. Don’t forget to stop by my Crazy Dream Blog for a chance to win a copy of Ordained signed with a personalized doodle-graph. Giveaway ends August 20th.


- Devon
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