interview

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The Cimaruta by Lady Ellen

Persephane Pendrake Chronicles – Book One: The Cimaruta

After an incident at school incenses her to the point of allowing one of her little ‘abilities’ to slip out and be observed, Persephane’s life becomes a cascade of weird events. A fairy pleads for her help and a large bear tells her that her destiny is about to start unfolding, beginning with her first experience with the Time-Linx!

It’s after this that she and her familiar Benson (a VERY cheeky dragonfly) meet Thaddeus, a wizard and his sidekick P-C (a ‘not so brave’ dragon). These four get the shock of their lives, when it’s revealed that their actual destiny together includes a dark, dangerous and on the surface – nearly impossible task.

They must stop the cold and evil Melanthios from collecting nine magical objects and becoming the “All Powerful One” which would allow her and her demonic minions to rule our planet in darkness and Black Magic.

Remember…you could win a copy of The Cimaruta in the event giveaway, so make sure you’ve entered to win! Follow us on Facebook / Twitter and get vocal on the Indie Author Event comments to earn yourself additional entry points 🙂 

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 Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview

Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration? Reading myths and legends give me ‘seeds’ to work with.

What is your favourite aspect of The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles? They are limitless, occurring in a host of magical realms.

Who is your favourite character from The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles and why? Benson, definitely. He’s irreverent and reflects my personality the most.

What are you working on now? Book Two – The Cauldron of Ceridwen

What do you love about most about writing? The world is mine to develop and evolve – it flows…

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About the Author

It says on the back of the first book of The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles: “About Lady Ellen – Weaving and scribing of the eight remaining tomes continues in Lady Ellen’s remote witch’s hut…on her tiny piece of Ontario’s Cambrian Shield” …and indeed that’s where the series began. After more than three decades as an alternative health care practitioner, I finally managed to start devoting some serious time to my secret love–fantasy fiction. I’ve always loved fantasy, magic and mythical kingdoms.  We home-schooled our kids and lived on a 100 acre farm..which had about twenty-five acres in forest. We’d make up stories and adventures..lots of fairies, witches, wizards, etc. Now, all these years later, I’ve started on my nine-book, three trilogy magical series…The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles and have just re-published the first book “The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles-One-The Cimaruta.

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

Website: http://www.lady-ellen.com

Blog: http://ladyellen9.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/PersephanePendrake/8956033698

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/LadyEllen

Ordering: http://www.lady-ellen.com/order.html

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Hope’s Daughter by Mel Cusick-Jones

Life should be simple for Cassie.

For the small population of Earth survivors who live on the Space Station Hope everything they do is planned and scheduled, down to the cyclical food menus, their roles in the station, even how many children they have.

Despite rigid controls directing her life, Cassie feels more out of synch than ever and worries she won’t find a place for herself within the station community. Perhaps that’s because she’s hearing things inside her head that can’t possibly be real. Or maybe it’s the regular elopements of her peers, heading off to a romantic future in the Married Quarter of the space station, whilst she’s never even been attracted to a boy – no matter how hard her best friend Ami pushes them at her. Then there are the odd questions her work placement partner Balik keeps raising. His questions are just as troubling for her as his distracting smiles and eyes that seem to see inside her.

As Cassie draws closer to Balik she finds that everything else in her life begins to shift. He tells her things that call into question the system they live within. She can’t believe he is right, but at the same time she finds it hard to deny the sincerity of his ideas. Could there be a connection between Cassie’s problems and Balik’s questions? The truth will drag them both to a terrifying and deadly conclusion beyond anything they could have imagined.

Remember…you could win a copy of Hope’s Daughter in the main event giveaway, so make sure you’ve entered to win! Follow us on Facebook / Twitter and get vocal on the Indie Author Event comments to earn yourself additional entry points 🙂 

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***EXTRA GIVEAWAY – Visit the Giveaway Site to Win Hope’s Daughter – EXTRA GIVEAWAY***5  copies to be won***EXTRA GIVEAWAY***

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 Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview

Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration? All types of people, books, life, films, family and love.

What is your favourite aspect of Hope’s Daughter? The complimentary relationship between Cassie and Balik – love conquers all…

Who is your favourite character from Hope’s Daughter and why? Cassie, because it is her story, her world, her life.

What are you working on now? Rainbow Maker’s Tale, which is Balik’s story and Outlanders.

What do you love about most about writing? Solving character’s problems – the freedom to go wherever you want

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About the Author

After graduating from The University of Sheffield with an English Literature Masters in 2003, Melanie has been writing fiction – time permitting – ever since.

The Ambrosia Sequence (started in 2008) and The Elementals (begun in 2004) are both ongoing, extended projects each containing several novels, aimed primarily at young adults and hover somewhere in the middle of sci-fi, futuristic and fantasy genres. Hope’s Daughter, released in December 2011, is her debut novel and the first of The Ambrosia Sequence, with the sequel – Outlanders – due in 2012.

When she’s not writing Melanie enjoys the wet weather of the north of England with her dogs or disappearing into a book for a few hours (no surprise there then). Unfortunately, all too often the ‘day job’ gets in the way of the nicer things in life!

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

Find the author:

Website – http://cusick-jones.com

Blog – http://melcj.wordpress.com and Aside from Writing!

Facebook – Hope’s Daughter and Mel Cusick-Jones

Twitter @melabupa

 

Buy the book:

You Tube Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/kLuf6DKg8I8

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Apple iBooks   Barnes and Noble

Also available at: Kobo, Sony Reader, Copia, Ebook Pie, Baker & Taylor

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Shades of Grey by Michael Cargill

John is not a very nice man. He works for the government. So who has tied him to a chair and what do they want? James is a British soldier during WWII. Tom is a young boy with a terrible secret. Three stories. Three very different people. All of them battling to survive.

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 Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview

Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration? Imagine eating spaghetti with a knife.  Everything just falls out.

What is your favourite aspect of Shades of Grey? Hearing people say they enjoy it.

Who is your favourite character from Shades of Grey and why? John the Baptist.  He is the action-man’s Don Draper.

What are you working on now? A mixture of sleep, brain storming and exercise.

What do you love about most about writing? Turning ideas into words is the world’s greatest magic trick.

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About the Author: Living in England, Surrey and about to break the 33-years old barrier.  I can honestly say that coming to terms with getting older is worse than puberty.  At 14 every extra hair was greeted with rapturous applause and a desire to show it off at school.  Every time a small breeze blew I would worry that it was going to blow away.

These days whenever I spot a new nasal hair I can hear it laughing at me.  I even have to make use of electronic devices to prune it back.

A profile picture? I am too shy.  I might pluck up the courage later though.

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

http://michaelcargill.wordpress.com/

Twitter – @MichaelCargill1

 

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/134401

US Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Shades-of-Grey-ebook/dp/B007BFJ45E/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329831640&sr=1-3

UK Amazon – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shades-of-Grey-ebook/dp/B007BFJ45E/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329831691&sr=1-5

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Pretty Killers: Diamonds by Jordan McKinney

Book One: Diamonds – Life had not been too kind to little Tomika Drake. Other than growing up in one of the most ill-reputed cities in the state, at age 13, she lost her beloved mother and soon after, her father was incarcerated. For the next three years, she lived her life stuck in a suburban hell with her narcissistic half-sister and her equally evil mother, but on her 16th birthday, her life changed when she was forced to unwrap the powerful superhuman gift that was bestowed upon her at birth. Pretty Killers examines millennial American pop culture, politics, and society through a whirlwind week starting when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with a famed fashion mogul brings the feuding family to the sparkling metropolis of Queen City. But the shine quickly fades when they learn that the neighbouring burg has been tackling an issue with humongous mutants and other terrors, including a gang that Tomika’s half-sister gets caught up in. When the fate of the city ends up on Tomika’s shoulders, will she find it in her heart to save her half-sister, or take the chance to finally do away with the scourge while saving the city from her gang’s tirades?

Remember…you could win a copy of Diamonds in the event giveaway, so make sure you’ve entered to win! Follow us on Facebook / Twitter and get vocal on the Indie Author Event comments to earn yourself additional entry points 🙂 

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 Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview

Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration? Strangely, I find my inspiration mostly in  music.

What is your favourite aspect of Pretty Killers:Diamonds? I like the double meaning. How pretentious of me, right?

Who is your favourite character from Pretty Killers:Diamonds and why? Tomika. because she’s overtly sardonic, but still sensitive inside.

What are you working on now? Currently, working on the follow-up to Diamonds.

What do you love about most about writing? I love how you can stretch the limits of reality.

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About the Author

Jordan McKinney is that quintessential ’90s kid. You know, the kind of person who repeats ad nauseum how cartoons and the economy and just everything was better up until the year 2000. But with growing up in a small city just outside of Detroit, Michigan, there isn’t much to do but observe, and analyse. Maybe that’s why he grew up to study Sociology in college and then, in turn, used that knowledge to scrutinize subjects in popular culture against sociological and psychological concepts in his writing. Maybe he likes to eat burgers and uses writing to pay for his habit. Who knows anything, but the fact that  he’s a writer who tries too hard to be funny. But, no, seriously, Jordan McKinney became a writer because books are such an important–or used to be an important–part of life. They pass on information, and create worlds that you thought could not exist. And to speak on life from a young Black kid’s perspective is Jordan’s goal.

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/PancakeMcKennz

Amazon: http://amzn.com/1463734018

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/119698

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/pretty-killers/id496761737?mt=11

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/948069.Jordan_McKinney

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The Weeping Empress by Sadie Forsythe


Chiyo Alglaeca was happy in her life. That is, until it was all taken away. Forced into notoriety, stalked by a mysterious cult, hunted by the emperor, and facing betrayal at every turn she clings to the only safety she can find: two enigmatic men and the sharp bringer of death, Salvation.

The Weeping Empress explores the devastating effects of loss, the hunt for redemption, and the price of destiny. It questions the true meaning of evil and asks what monster is not also an innocent?

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 Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview

Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration? Everywhere and nowhere, even I don’t always know.

What is your favourite aspect of The Weeping Empress? I adore the cover. I find it beautiful & symbolic.

Who is your favourite character from The Weeping Empress and why? Senka, I like his unassuming strength.

What are you working on now? The sequel– it addresses why Chiyo and how it happened.

What do you love about most about writing? Getting the story out of my head.

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About the Author

Sadie Forsythe hails from the Southeastern United States, lives in Northwestern England, and is a fan of all things Japanese. She holds degrees in Anthropology/Comparative Religion, International Criminology, and Social Change. She loves local coffee shops, geek culture, everything bookish, and tea (steaming with milk and sweet iced). She is married with two daughters and an imaginary dog.

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

Website: http://sadieforsythe.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SadieSForsythe

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SadieForsythe

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Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry

A year after graduating from high school, nineteen-year-old Emma Ward feels lost. She has spent most of her life trying to please her frigid, miserable mother – studying hard, getting good grades, avoiding the whole teenage rebellion thing – and now she feels she has no identity beyond that. Because she spent so many years working hard and planning every moment of her life, she doesn’t have any friends, has never had a boyfriend, and basically doesn’t know who she is or what she really wants from life. Working two part-time jobs to save money for college hasn’t helped her make decisions about her future, so she decides it’s time for a change. She leaves home to live with her free-spirited, slightly eccentric Aunt Daisy in a small town that makes Emma feel like she’s stepped back in time.

When Emma meets Nicholas Shaw, everything changes – he’s unlike anyone she’s ever met before, the kind of man she didn’t even know existed in the 21st century. Carefree and spirited like Daisy, Nicholas teaches Emma to appreciate life, the beauty around her, and to just let go and live. Between Daisy and Nicholas, Emma feels like she belongs somewhere for the first time in her life, and realizes that you don’t always need a plan – sometimes life steers you where you’re meant to be.

Life is wonderful, an endless string of blue sky days, until Nicholas is diagnosed with cancer, and life changes once again for Emma in ways she never thought possible. Now it’s time for her to help Nicholas the way he’s helped her. Emma will have to use her new-found strength, and discover along the way if love really is enough to get you through.

(Read the Aside from Writing review of Blue Sky Days)

Remember…you could win a copy of Blue Sky Days in the event giveaway, so make sure you’ve entered to win! Follow us on Facebook / Twitter and get vocal on the Indie Author Event comments to earn yourself additional entry points 🙂 

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 Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview

Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration? Life, love, art, family, music, travel, books.

What is your favourite aspect of Blue Sky Days? The love story. Emma and Nicholas make my heart happy.

Who is your favourite character from Blue Sky Days and why? Emma. She learns and grows and changes so much.

What are you working on now? Chick-lit about lifelong best friends…and a hot guy! 😉

What do you love about most about writing? The creative outlet, freedom, and simply the act of writing.

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About the Author

Marie Landry has always been a daydreamer. She has created imaginary worlds for as long as she can remember, so it only seemed natural that she would become a writer. With a passion for words that started in early childhood, Marie has written a varied range of works, and has been freelance writing since 2009. She resides in Ontario, Canada, and most days you can find her writing, reading, blogging about writing and reading, listening to U2, or having grand adventures with her two precious nephews.

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

Facebook – Author Page

Facebook – Blue Sky Days – Book Page 

Twitter – http://twitter.com/SweetMarie83

Book blog – http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.com

Author blog – http://marielandry.blogspot.com

Buy Blue Sky Days…

Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sky-Days-ebook/dp/B006U97B20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325915568&sr=8-1

Amazon.uk – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Sky-Days-ebook/dp/B006U97B20/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1

Smashwords – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120238

Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blue-sky-days-marie-landry/1108336817

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Interview…with Amber from Just Another Book Nerd

Our guest today is Amber from Just Another Book Nerd blog. We met Amber through Goodreads and as she’s very active as a blogger, commenter and now mod of one of the YA groups, we ‘speak’ to her a lot. So let’s find out a little more about her 🙂

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Hi Amber, welcome to Aside from Writing, can you tell us a little about yourself and Just Another Book Nerd?

Hi! Thank you 🙂 My name is Amber, and I’m 23. I am a major bookaholic. You will probably find me with a book in my hands at any given time. When I’m not reading, I’m either working with GIMP (my other hobby) or hanging out with the little ones, I’m the oldest of 6 🙂 Just Another Book Nerd is my first attempt at blogging, and I love it. I’ve actually started reading more frequently because of it.

 

What prompted you to start writing it and was there anything particular you wanted the blog to achieve?

I started looking at the blogs other members of Goodreads shared, and I thought I’d give it a try. I wanted to share my thoughts on books I’ve read. Was there anything particular? I think I just wanted others to know what I thought of a book. And maybe they’d come across books they would like to read.

What’s been the best part of running the blog? Any particular highlights for your first few months?

I think the best part of running the blog would have to be meeting other bloggers, and authors. It’s nice belonging to a little community. I don’t have a local book club, so blogging is the next best thing for me. And I’ve met some really cool people.  One highlight for the blog is winning an award, which was awesome.

 

And the hardest parts?

Sometimes I’ll get a brainfreeze trying to figure out what to write. I don’t want to give away too much, or any spoilers. Or, writing negative things about a book. Luckily, a lot of books I read are really good, so I don’t have that problem too much.

You’re really active on Goodreads – we’ve seen your comments on lots of groups and subjects, even before you became a mod – what do you like best about the site and getting involved?

I think finding Goodreads has to be the best thing I’ve done. I like that I can have all my books in one place. I can look for more books to read. And there are so many different groups on there. There is always somebody to connect with. And you get to share and get ideas from other group members, which is nice.

And how’re you finding the role as moderator?

I’m liking it. Everybody gets along, so that’s great. I think this has to be one of the easiest groups to moderate.

What genres/authors do you love to read? 

I like reading paranormal and chick-lit. I’ll read dystopia from time to time. I’ll mostly read YA, but I’ll occasionally read a non YA. The authors I like reading most are PC and Kristen Cast and  Meg Cabot. I’ve recently started reading Anne Rice.

 

Any ‘must have’ books that you want to get hold of in 2012?

The next House of Night book. I have to wait til October for it, so I’m going crazy. And the next Sookie Stackhouse novel.

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The Random Questions

 

If you could be a character from any book – who would it be and why?

Mia Thermopolis from The Princess Diaries. She’s kind of an anti-princess. She’s more of an everyday, down to earth person. She has her problems just like everyone else. And I have to admit, I’m a bit jealous of her. She has the perfect boyfriend.

 

Favourite fictional world – where would you live?

Wonderland

 

Best super-evil baddie?

Neferet from House of Night. I don’t think I’ve dis-liked anybody so much! She is truly evil.


Thank-you for taking time to talk to us today!

Thank you for having me!

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Want to know more? Check out the links! 

http://myyathoughts.blogspot.com/

 Twitter  @justabooknerd

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Guest Post…Where do you get your ideas?

Author Tony Talbot joins us today with a guest post on where writing ideas come from…

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It’s a common enough question, and one I think every writer probably has a half-different answer to. Some of them say from their own life experiences, some of them say from dreams or something they’ve seen or heard that sticks.

For me, it’s anything and everything I see, and most of the stuff that I dream. There’s a school of thought that says everything a writer sees never leaves their heads, but sits in there, waiting to bounce off something else. I like to think of it as my own solar system, the important stuff close to the star…and out beyond where the heat and the life is…ahh, that’s the good stuff.

There are comets out there, innocuous balls of ice and rock, dark against infinity. But give them a nudge, and they hurtle towards the planets, sometimes leaving a trail across the sky of my imagination. Sometimes they hit things. Wipe out whole continents, reshape whole planets and civilisations. Sometimes you think they’re going to smash into a planet only burn up in the atmosphere.

Here’s an example of one of those comets, one that left a bright streak but didn’t do much damage:

A month or two ago, I was eating in McDonalds with my wife on a Friday night, and sitting at the other end of this very noisy and busy restaurant was a woman at a table for two. Nothing very odd or spectacular about that, you would think, but she was wearing a wedding ring, and she was alone on a Friday night eating in a cheap restaurant.

Instantly, the questions about her started in my head: Who was she? Where were her husband and family (if she had one)? Why was she alone on a Friday night?

By the time I got home, the woman had stuck, and I managed to get a decent story out of her. Not bad for someone I never spoke to. And one of the pleasures of writing is this: Give this little snapshot to a dozen writers and they’ll come up with a different answer. That woman gave my little writing group a surprise party mistaken for an affair, a ghost story and a secret daughter. Just from a woman sitting alone at a table in McDonalds.

So next time you’re out walking somewhere, when you glance at something, glance again. You’ll never know when an image will stick and what you’ll do with it. Take that image and nudge some comets. Maybe blow out some continents.

You know, just for fun.

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About the Author: Tony Talbot was born in the 1970s and started writing in 2008 after a dream he had and couldn’t shake. American Girl was his third book, and he’s currently editing his next book and planning the book after, tentatively called, ‘Dome’.

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

Website: http://www.tony-talbot.co.uk

Twitter: @authortony

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonytalbotwriter

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/tony-talbot

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Interview…with Sharon from Obsession with Books

For today’s blogger interview we’re welcoming Sharon from Obsession with Books. 

Hi and thank-you so much for having me!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and the blog you write? 

I am a full-time mum to 2 beautiful children and live in Sydney, Australia. I started my blog Obsession with Books in March 2011 and mainly focus on book reviews, author spotlights, weekly memes and giveaways.

What prompted you to start writing it and was there anything particular you wanted the blog to achieve? 

I originally started Obsession with Books as a way to collect my thoughts on books and series that I love to read, I was updating Goodreads constantly but never reviewing so once my children both started school it was an outlet for me to keep track of what I read and loved (or disliked). It also gave me an opportunity to interact with other bloggers with the same interests.

What’s been the best part of running the blog? Any particular highlights for you?

No-one I know in real life has the love of reading that I do so it has been absolutely wonderful to interact with fellow bloggers, publishers and authors alike who share my passion. The biggest highlight for me would be knowing people are stopping by and reading my thoughts on the books I have read.

And the hardest parts?

Writing objective and informative reviews without them each sounding the same, also writing reviews on books I didn’t particularly love – I find that tough and admit at times to avoiding it.

What’s an ideal day for you – and how do you fit the blog into that?

My day revolves around my family and school commitments, being a mum to two young children can be quite full-on so I work my day around them. Fitting in a review or two or working on my blog is generally done when I get a spare 2 minutes.

You must meet a lot of authors – what do you like best about the engagement you get with them writing the blog?

I have had contact with a number of wonderful authors who have written some amazing books and I try to help promote their book/s in any way I possibly can on my blog whether it be by doing an interview, guest post or review either directly through the author or as part of a tour. I thoroughly enjoy the interaction and introduction to books I wouldn’t have normally looked into.

And what’s the best bit about connecting with fellow readers?

Learning about new releases. Same dislikes and likes and receiving feedback on what I am doing.

What genres/authors do you love to read? 

I enjoy a variety of genres, I am going through a YA phase at the moment but I also enjoy Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Dystopian, Contemporary Romance and Sci-Fi. My all time favorite author is Karen Marie Moning, I became obsessed with her Fever series.

Any ‘must have’ books that you want to get hold of in 2012?

The first book which popped to mind is Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout, I read the first book in the series, Half-Blood last year and absolutely loved it. Karen Marie Moning is also releasing another book from the Fever world this year titled Iced which I am also pretty eager to get hold of.


Random Questions:

If you could be a character from any book – who would it be and why?

Anna Oliphant from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – perfect location, perfect boyfriend.

Favourite fictional world – where would you live?

Again, it would be Anna and the French Kiss – France would be pretty perfect for me. Otherwise Hogwarts would be truly magical and wonderful!

Best super-evil baddie?

Ooh, Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series I think tops my list.

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Thank-you for taking time to talk to us today!

Thank-you kindly for having me!!

Want to know more about Obsession with Books? Check out the links!

 Blog – www.obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com

Twitter – @SharonBooks

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Interview…with Jayden from Amethyst Eyes

Welcome, Jayden, and thank you for taking time to talk with us today. We’ve been meeting some really interesting…people…recently in these interviews and you’re no exception – being an alien and all. So, to introduce you to our readers can you tell us a little about yourself and where you come from?

My name is Jayden, just Jayden, and I just turned fifteen. I am from the planet Sirius, orbiting a star of the same name. We look just like you because we come from the same original seed. Our planet was colonized way before yours and we were tasked (by the Forefathers) to oversee the survival of all sister colonies, like you here on Earth.

I live with my father on the Crisis Intervention Ship, (which comes to the aid of colonies in dire situations) along with 210 other people. I go to school and follow required training as I would if I lived planet side.

How did you come to be Tommy’s mentor? What do you think of him?

Now that’s a sore subject. I was told to not only watch over him, but to help him fit in. I don’t know if you realize how hard that was, because he didn’t know anything about us, about our technology, our ways…nothing! He’s from Earth, by the way and he didn’t even know how to use a digipad or take a shower here. You see, the Commander, Tommy’s father, is my father’s friend, and somehow the two of them thought that this would be a good idea. Anyway, nothing seemed to work out and I kept making mistakes, one that almost killed him too, but Father dealt with that.

What do I think of him, you ask? Now I think he’s OK, and we have found that we have a few things in common. He’s not a bad guy and he never stopped being nice to me, no matter how mean I was. So I guess he’s all right.

What made you change your mind about helping him fit in?

I didn’t really have the option to not help him, though I did try to get out of it at first, but what really did it for me was when we went to his planet, Earth, and I saw how he lived. He’s from the Rocky Mountains. Gods, you should have seen it! That’s when I realized how different our worlds were, how difficult adapting must have been for him.  Not to mention having to leave his whole life behind…

So you did actually visit Earth with Tommy; tell us a little about your experience.

Neither Tommy nor I knew that we were going there. It was because of a dangerous situation that I can’t really talk about, but yes, I did visit Earth.

It was quite an experience. He had me collecting eggs from chickens, can you imagine? I rode a horse which was fun, and I got to play out in the snow. He showed me one of his notebooks. At least I think that’s what he called it, with his biology notes inside. Let me tell you, our digipads are so much better. I will admit that I fell in love with his mother’s library and I read a lot while everyone else slept.

Once, we had to drive home from town in one of their personal transportation devices, a mini-van. I couldn’t take it, it was horrible. My legs went numb and I felt sick. I don’t know how they do that every day.

We’ve got some random questions for you now about books – hopefully you’ll have read enough human stuff during your time with Tommy to be able to answer them.

If you could be any character from any book – who would you be and why?

Omni. I guess you probably don’t know who that is, but he’s from two books, the Price of the Phoenix, and the Fate of the Phoenix. He comes across as a bad guy because of what happened in the past, but he does care deep down inside. If I was him, I could only hope I’d get over it and help people, you know, because he’s that powerful.

Why? I think it’s because when I first met Tommy I was very angry at having lost my mother, and especially angry with my father for not having saved her. He is a doctor after all. I was in a very dark place but because of Tommy I started to change, grow. Omni is also in a dark place and I kind of relate to that.

Favourite fictional world – where would you love to live?

That’s easy, Hogwarts and the world of Harry Potter. I only read a few of the books, but it really is a magical world. Tommy let me bring them back with us so I could finish them.

Best super-evil book baddie?

Hmm, since I’m new to your literature, I would have to decide between Queen Jadis of Narnia, or Lord Voldemort. They both…how did Tommy put it, creeped me out?

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Thank-you for taking time to talk to us today!

If you’d like to know more about Jayden and the adventures she’s shared with Tommy, you can check out their facebook page. She also stars alongside Tommy in Debbie Brown’s book Amethyst Eyes, available now in over 100 online bookstores.

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