Saturday, January 7, 2012

Author Interview with SB Sebrick



Decoy (Assassin's Rising)
Decoy by SB Sebrick
The last few grueling years of training have served Kaltor well. He’s learned to harness the magic within his body, overcome a stronger opponent, avoid capture, and everything else an assassin-in-training needs to survive.
Or so he thought.
But when those they protect at an excavation site release a demon from the Abyss itself, Kaltor realizes just how poorly prepared they all are for what’s coming. Within a single night, their mining camp of one thousand people plummets to a couple hundred terrified survivors, the majority turned against each other by the demon’s potent abilities. Then she turns towards Shaylis, the largest city in the region, for the next stage of her plan.
In a constant battle of both steel and strategy Kaltor and his friends struggle to delay, deceive and defeat their opponent, who’s spent the last thousand years planning out every detail of her assault to perfection. As the number of casualties mounts and her final plan comes to light, Kaltor is left with only one option. He must draw on the secret power within himself, knowing if his true identity is discovered, his life and the fate of the world, will be changed forever.
Interview:


--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.

Kaltor Stratagar and his allies battle against a Demon from the Abyss itself for the future of Shaylis.


--How did you get the idea for the story?

I’ve been wanting to write an assassin-in-training novel for a while now, and pitting him against a Demon turned out to work perfectly with what I wanted for the rest of the series.

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?

I'd love to sit down with Kaltor and hear some of his stories from training. Granted he'd eat me out of house and home but the extra intel would be well worth it. His dad Gereth wouldn't be as much fun though, he sometimes comes across as a know-it-all type.


--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

Lately I've been trying to read as well as write, to keep the creative juices flowing. I finished Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy a few months ago and now I'm working on the Wheel of Time Series he's wrapping up. Towers of Midnight's so good I've been having a hard time getting a full night's sleep!

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
Later this month I'm planning to publish the second book in Kaltor's story, Deluge. Stay tuned for it!


--If a fairy godmother told you your life could be like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

Harry Potter. I'm sure there's a spell somewhere for photographic memory. Straight A's at college here I come!

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your

playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?

I have a MUCH easier time writing when I have some music in the back ground. My tastes vary ALOTdepending on my mood. But some groups I listen to often are Unsun, E Nomine, Linkin Park, Celtic Rock etc. Lose Yourself by Eminem is one song that kind of inspires me to push harder, along with the Halo 3 Theme Song for reasons I don't totally understand.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Wolverine, definitely. No aging, insta-heals and adamantium claws? You'd save ALOT of money on home security systems :)

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
My family is big on card games each weekend. My cousins and I sometimes play laser tag, paintball or video games for guys' night out. Some online games help me keep track of my friends on the other side of the country. Don't forget swing and latin dancing, those are fun.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

You guys rock :)

Lightning round: this or that? Some of these longer responses might be funny, but if not just go with the one word answers.

Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate, european please. Belguim's been holding out on us!

Edward or Jacob? Jacob, according to my sisters. Warm and buff vs skinny and cold, not even a contest they say.

Hockey or soccer? Soccer, two years living in Argentina. Gotta stick by my latin friends!

Ebook or paper? Paper if I REALLY like the book.

Salty or sweet? Salty. Mmmm.

Beach or mountains? Well, up here in the Pacific Northwest the beach is COOOOLD, so definatelymountains.

Phone call or email? Email.

Early bird or night owl? Aspiring early bird, perpetual night owl.

Dog or cat? Dog, but he stays outside.

Messy or neat? Messy (to my undying shame...)
Ninjas or pirates? Ninjas. You'll understand once you've read Decoy ;)
Check out the author site here for writing samples: http://sbsebrick.wordpress.com/category/about-me/


Author Interview With CD Echterling

Torqed book cover link
Torqed by CD Echterling


On his fifteenth birthday, Torq Vandermellonhearst, the orphan son of a human father and alien mother, a boy with an intelligent worm living in his brain, learns that it was his parents final wish that he return to Earth, a place he believes is populated with dragons and princesses and hideous monsters like the fairy tales his father told him as a child. The Quest for Earth is a young adult/adult science fiction, dark fantasy, comedy of manners, fairy tale mash up narrated by an  intelligent worm living in the young hero's brain.

How can Torq get to Earth?  The G'Tari people have no right to travel because of the worms, called agzneh, living in their heads.. He has to be smuggled of the planet. Torq's “retired” pirate uncles, Dag and Walt, assisted by the former temple priest Nole au Zhou, the brain-enhanced lizard Rafin and android Lonnie use their talent for swindling to help Torq get to Earth. But what did Torq's parents plan for him to do once he got there and can he fulfill his own dreams of fighting dragon and trolls, rescuing a princess and finding true love?

Thank you Cynthia!

--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.
Torq the orphan son of a human and alien, must go to Earth to fulfill their final wish. He believes Earth is like his father's fairy tales.

How did you get the idea for the story?
I have some pretty strange dreams and the characters keep me awake at night talking.

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
People in this book have dinner quite often (and eat the leftovers for breakfast) Nole au Zhou, a eunuch and former temple priest, turned pirate trader, is a real foodie. Deprived as a child in the temple, he tries to make up for it with his gourmet tastes, excellent manners and stimulating conversation. And he always leaves pie for the server.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I've been trying to finish Making Money for months now. My favorite authors are Terry Pratchett, Mark Twain, Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut.

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
Now that I've finished Torqed, I'll be working on another humorous science fiction novel I'm calling Courting Corporal Coogan. It's a twisted romance involving Neanderthals, Mesolithic Europeans, Native Americans, a Civil War doctor, pirates, a WWII bomber crew, and a platoon of 21st century peacekeeper on their way to Mars all stranded on the same planet.

--
If a fairy godmother told you your life could be like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
I'd like to visit Discworld, but I don't think I'd want to live there.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
I'm a tea drinker. I can't listen to music with lyrics while I'm writing. Too distracting. But some of my works have had "theme songs" that I listen to to get into character.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Sometimes, I think I'd like to know the future, but then again, maybe not.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
I also illustrate my own books and do animation, voiceover and sound effects. but when I'm not sitting in front of the computer , I like to garden.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
You can learn about all my books and how to get them at my website. I also have profiles of some of my crazy characters, sample illustrations and some videos I've made .http://www.welikehumans.com.

I am also sponsoring Torq's Trivia Contests where you can win free copies of the e-book. I plan to run them monthly. http://welikehumans.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/

Lightning round: this or that? This or that what?
Vanilla or chocolate? Butter Pecan
Edward or Jacob? I don't know who they are.
Hockey or soccer? Canine agility.
Ebook or paper? E-book
Salty or sweet? Both with sour in there too
Beach or mountains? Forest with no mountains. I don't like heights
Phone call or email? Email
Early bird or night owl? Either one, but not both at the same time.
Dog or cat? Both, and birds and rats and spiders and horses and ...
Messy or neat? More on the messy side
Ninjas or pirates? Hey, in Torqed there are ninjas and pirates fighting together against cowboy robots and cooks.

Thanks for a most interesting interview. I need tea now.

Check out her site here:


Thursday, January 5, 2012

Book Giveaway and Author Interview: Growing up Wired by David Wallace Fleming

Growing up Wired - Amazon US
Growing up Wired by David Wallace Fleming
How will romantic relationships withstand technology's offer of instant gratification?While on his computer, Victor Hastings admires the provocative pictures of the girl he's dating.Meanwhile, she's posting more and more on Facebook and all the social sites.Now everyone in his cramped fraternity is competing for her.What kind of love is this?The wired kind. 
About David: 
David Wallace Fleming studied mechanical engineering at Iowa State University. He's worked in aerospace research and development in Indiana and Virginia. He enjoys running, karaoke and sand volleyball. His short stories have appeared in Out of the Gutter's Hard Times Issue and Escape Velocity's anthology.
Here's a link to his site which features short stories and other writing samples:
http://www.davidwallacefleming.com


--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.
In a world of instant gratification, can traditional relationships survive.

--How did you get the idea for the story?
A girl I went on a date with made a comment that she might start her own “website” to help pay the bills. The next week another girl I was talking to on Match.com sent me an email for her own “website.” This was several years ago and it made an impression on me.
--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
The second female lead, Erin. She’s been a little corrupted with her wealth and beauty, but she’s strong and honest about it.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I’ve found enjoyment in many of the classics. Some favorites include: Lolita, Les Misarables, On The Road and John Barley-corn. I still find time to read and am currently reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma. 
--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
I’m continually adding new short stories to my blog, http:www.davidwallacefleming.com. I’ve begun work on a second novel involving the internet again, however, this time from a postmodern, humorous vantage point (similar to Kurt Vonnegut).

--If a fairy godmother told you your life could be like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

Okay, I’m going to cheat and pick a short story. I want to live inside of “Guy De Maupassant” by Isaac Babel. Those six pages are really magical and they conjure up a world better than many full length novels.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
I like to listen to Mozart when I revise. A good deal of this novel was written under the influence of Coca-Cola Classic. I don’t really need anything specific to write and this is mostly because I spread my strategy out over various tricks:  scratch paper (for trying out phrases, sentences and bizarre doodling), a Word Menu with tabs, lots of pacing in circles and something to throw up in the air and catch.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I’ve always wanted to have “The Force” like Luke Skywalker.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
I like jogging, sand volleyball and singing karaoke.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
That covers it.

Lightning round: this or that?
Vanilla or chocolate? Vanilla
Edward or Jacob? Neither, sorry. I tried.
Hockey or soccer? Soccer
Ebook or paper? Ebook
Salty or sweet? Sweet
Beach or mountains? Beach
Phone call or email? Phone call
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl
Dog or cat? Dog
Messy or neat? Messy
Ninjas or pirates? Ninjas


And now for the giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Review: Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Destiny's Fire
Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe
It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.
As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.
Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.
Publishes in US: Jan 10 2012
Source: author
My Review:


Wow. That is the one word I'm left with!

 Trish is a friend of mine, and I feel so lucky that I got to be a part of reading this story before it was published! I knew that Trish was talented, and she had amazing stories to share, and I'm so proud of her that she's on the shelves and more people get to read her awesomeness.

Destiny's fire was amazing. I love Dez's character. She has spunk and she's strong, all those traits that I admire and wish I had more of. She is relatable, and she has a great voice.

Destiny's Fire has so much action, and everything flows together so wonderfully. There are some truly hot scenes, and the plot is paced perfectly.

I like the secondary characters too- Lana is a great friend with her own personality. I also like Mr. Liam--I love that they have an ally with him, and that he helped out so much.

Book boys slight spoiler: Both of the guys are awesome, and I lean towards Jace for myself, but I do think that Dez is perfect with Reese. 




I had my baby!

Jillian Elizabeth was born 12/12 at 2:38pm weighing 7lb 12oz, and 19 inches long. She is a joy-getting the hang of eating and sleeping. I had contractions all Sunday night and went to Dr. Brannon's for my appt. I was 4 cm dilated and he sent me on over to the hospital. I got there at around 11, water was broken by 12, epidural about 1  and then when Dr B got there, four pushes later, Jillian was here! I got to hold her right away, even before weighing and cleaning.


 first time meeting her big sister
she looks just like her big sister
Jillian's first bath

Katie's first bath:


back to Jilly:
 2.5 weeks old
 sisters on christmas morning