The Dazzling Darkness @PaulaCappa1 Q&A TODAY!

GOTHIC READERS BOOK CLUB CHOICE AWARD WINNER
★★★★★ Outstanding Fiction “Dazzling sums up Paula Cappa’s paranormal/supernatural novel … an elegance and grace that seduces you.”

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER, Readers’ Favorite Book Award for Supernatural Fiction, 2014 “Beautiful and high standard writing style from start to finish … a superb and classy supernatural novel.” Readers’ Favorite Reviews

“Paula Cappa is a master of the metaphysical mystery genre…an extraordinary and original storyteller of the first rank. Very highly recommended.” Midwest Book Review.

I sometimes find an Author that jumps out at me, no, not in a scary way like from around the corner. Instead they jump out at me with words. They capture the imagination, the senses and give that subtle sense of not quite fear but that classic something. Yes, for a writer I am having a difficult time capturing exactly what I mean here. So instead of continuing to describe an Author that captures a classic style in a modern manner, let me introduce you to . . .

Author

Paula Cappa

@paulacappa1

RW: Where are you from?
PAULA: Grew up in Connecticut but now live in New York State.

RW: I know you like to discover new authors, but I think one way to give our readers a feel for who you are in style of writing is to let them know who you admire.
PAULA: Writers that I admire greatly are Susan Hill, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Tolstoy, Lovecraft, MR James, Poe, Chekhov, Gertrude Atherton, Ann Rice, Daphne du Marier.

RW: With those classic influences of admiration, what in turn brings you to writing, writing fiction, a novel, do what you do?
PAULA: I began writing fiction in college. Then dabbled in it in my adults years, but it wasn’t until I began writing feature articles for community newspapers in New York and Connecticut that I really dove in. I took a summer writing course at Yale and that motivated me to commit and I went back to fiction. I’ve been writing short stories and novels and will continue to stay in fiction.

RW: I think if would be very unlikely anyone would be surprised that The Dazzling Darkness falls into the supernatural mystery/quiet horror/dark fiction genres. Tell us about your novel.
PAULA: The Dazzling Darkness is about a family. Their son goes missing and there’s evidence that he was inside a locked cemetery near his house. Supernatural powers prevail as the police and the family struggled to locate the child.

The main character is Antonia Brooke, a mom who owns a local bookshop in Concord MA. This is a story about a lost child and so many moms and dads have that fear. And it’s fear that propels the story. Fear of never finding Henry again and that some supernatural power will be stronger than our earthly powers.

Henry Vaughan (1600s) made the term dazzling darkness famous in his poem, The Night, which I quote at the opening of the novel …His line reads, “A deep but dazzling darkness.” Actually, it was originally coined by Dionysius (500 AD). Dionysius says, “Truth lies hidden in the dazzling darkness.” I found this symbolism for what Henry discovers to be a good representation. The poem emphasizes light can only be seen from the darkness. Essentially Vaughan is telling us that we can see more than just surface reality.

The novel actually developed from a line in one of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays in his address called Nature. He wrote … “Even the corpse has its own beauty.” Shocking statement, right? The more I read about Emerson’s personal experiences with death, the more the story began to take shape. Emerson lost his young wife Ellen only a short time after they were married. He buried her in the family vault and a year later, still driven by intense grief, he opened her coffin. What a heart-breaking experience! And then twenty-five years later, after his young son Waldo dies at five-years-old, Emerson opened his coffin as well. These images all connected for me: images of a cemetery, images of a boy named Henry suddenly appeared, coffins opening. The story just unraveled in a very exciting way and Emerson was that foundation.

RW: What message do you think your book delivers to the reader?
PAULA: That we don’t know everything about this world or what may be on the other side of death.

RW: What did you learn about yourself from writing this book?
PAULA: Not to close off possibilities to answers.

RW: Describe your book in one word.
PAULA: Mystical.

Paula Cappa is currently is published by Crispin Books in Milwaukee, WI. With:
“Night Sea Journey, A Tale of the Supernatural” is about angels and demons. An artist named Kip Livingston paints her dreams. In one of her dreams is a firehawk. What is a firehawk? Probably not what you think. The thing about the firehawk is that it’s not just in her dreams. The entity breaks through into her waking life. And the firehawk has something shocking to reveal to Kip”.

She also has a short story, “Beyond Castle Frankenstein” about Mary Shelly seeking the ghost of her husband out in Journals of Horror: Found Fiction, an anthology of shorts.

You can get her books at: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble. Smashwords.com. Kobo.com and some local bookstores in Westchester County NY.

What’s out next from Paula?

“A novel about the supernatural powers in music. And some short stories (Just got my short story “Magic of the Loons,” published in Dark Gothic Resurrected Ezine on Amazon.)”

Now for my off the topic questions to delve into your inner being.

RW: What is your favorite beverage to drink, any kind?
PAULA: I’m a tea drinker (love teapots!)

RW: What is your escape from writing when you are at that about to explode point?
PAULA: Take a nature walk, listen to music or watch reruns of Downton Abbey.

RW: What book are you reading at this time?
PAULA: Pierced Heart by Lynn Shepherd.

RW: What is your biggest tip for someone to getting published?
PAULA: Keep studying and practicing the craft. The goal is to be a professional writer, not just get published.

RW: If you could have written any book that exists, other than your own, what would it be and why?
PAULA: I wish I wrote Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black. The best ghost story! Hill is a master at writing atmospheric prose and she can plot very tightly.

RW: What is your favorite word?
PAULA: Please.

Connect with Paula Cappa:
Blog: paulacappa.wordpress.com
Offers a free classic short story every week, my own published short stories, book reviews, and a contact me page.
Facebook: Paula Cappa
Twitter: @paulacappa1
Google+: Paula Cappa

I think everyone can see how Paula might be able to make you jump just with her words. I want to thank Paula Cappa for this interview. I found her influences interesting in being the classics, those many of us grew up with. Who among us did not read Poe and Hawthorne in Lit class in High School? Anne Rice is a classic of the modern era in her imagery. With those authors firing the synapses in Paula’s brain you just know you are in for an interesting and perhaps sleepless read.

Get her books, follower her everywhere and as always . . .

Read a Book, Write a Review.

Much Respect

Ronovan

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“It doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong.” The Convenience of Lies @K_A_Castillo Q&A!

I’ve known K.A. Castillo for a little while now. I received her book, and I gave my honest review of it. In fact her’s was one of my very first reviews eve. K.A. Castillo brings realism without caving to the tricks some authors use and gimmick plots. The voice of her main character is real and carries through the book. For those not accustomed to authentic writing, her book would be an interesting read. For those who like the common, everyday gimmicks, get ready to be challenged. Now it’s time to . . .

Book Description

“It doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong. All that matters is if you can. If you can do something, what difference does it make?”

Based on a true story, The Convenience of Lies is a novel that keeps readers up past midnight with its story of friendship, mystery, crime, sex, and betrayal. Set in a suburban town, this story is told through the eyes of a high school junior, Mackenzie, who describes her crush on a “bad boy,” Ramon and her relationship with her best friend, Kira. During the course of the story, Mackenzie does her best to attract the affections of Ramon while her friendship with Kira evolves. Eventually, the different characters’ property starts getting vandalized and a mystery develops as Mackenzie and Kira try to get to the bottom of who is behind the vandalism.

RW: When did you interest in writing begin?

K.A. CASTILLO: I was raised by an English teacher, and so my writing skills have been coached and nourished for as long as I can remember. I have loved writing ever since I learned how to string sentences together, and I’ve kept a diary since kindergarten.

RW: Is The Convenience of Lies your first published piece?

K.A. CASTILLO: The first time my name was published was a letter to the editor for Smithsonian’s October 2011 edition of Muse Magazine. My letter inspired the editors to create a “special edition” Muse Mail page focusing on letters from older readers. In 2006 I was awarded three scholarships valued at over $25,000. For each of these scholarships, the personal statement I wrote was an integral part of my application. Throughout college I studied the process of storytelling, and in 2008 I graduated with honors from California State University Northridge.

RW: Okay, I am very jealous about the Smithsonian thing. That is so amazing. Now, what inspired the story of The Convenience of Lies?

K.A. CASTILLO: The first novel I ever read was Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and it inspired me to someday write a book based on my own life. And so, I started keeping a diary with the hopes that someday I would stumble upon a story worth telling. Then, one summer while I was in high school I experienced a lot of drama which I thought could make a good story.

Mackenzie is the main character in this story, and I think that teenagers relate to her because I wrote the first version of The Convenience of Lies ten years ago when I was a teenager. Therefore, I’ve managed to preserve the mannerisms and voice of teenagers in The Convenience of Lies, much like what S.E. Hinton managed to achieve with The Outsiders.

RW: What message do you think your book delivers to the reader?

K.A. CASTILLO: Anyone can fall into an abusive relationship. It is easy to fall prey to what social psychology calls “blaming the victim” and thinking it will never happen to you. However, remember that love is blind, and look out for yourself first.

RW: Describe The Convenience of Lies in one word.
K.A. CASTILLO: Innocence.

RW: I read some exciting news on your author blog recently about your book and its future, would you share a bit of that with our readers?

K.A. CASTILLO: I started out as a self-published author but was recently approached by Creativia and have now signed a publishing contract with them. You can read all the details on my author site here.

And do go and read it. You can feel the excitement in the story. I am still geeking a little over it.-RW

5 out of 5 Stars-This book was hard to put down and full of useful validating information. As an MFT I have suggested this book to many teenagers and young adults whom have struggled with similar issues, opening up the door for change. The writer gave a sincere portrayal of her struggles , such a difficult feat…..well done to Ms. Castillo I truly appreciate the risk you took in sharing your story.-Brenda Hopley, Amazon Review

People can currently get The Convenience of Lies at Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats. And of course you must follow Kimberly everywhere, just as I do at:

Facebook: K.A. Castillo-Author Twitter: @K_A_Castillo Author Blog: K.A. Castillo

And now for some quirky questions.

RW: What is your favorite thing to drink?

K.A. CASTILLO: It’s hard to pick just one! But I love strawberry limeade.

RW: Strawberry anything is amazing. Through our talks before I know you are in graduate school, but I have to ask, what’s in your stack of books to read right now?

K.A. CASTILLO: I have plenty of textbooks to get through.

RW: Who is your favorite author?

K.A. CASTILLO: J.K. Rowling is my favorite author.

RW: This is a silly question considering who your favorite author is, but I have been surprised before, if you could have written any book that exists, other than your own who’s would it be and why?

K.A. CASTILLO: Harry Potter of course! I’d love to live in J.K. Rowling’s shoes.

RW: In the tradition of Inside the Actors Studio, What is your favorite word and why?

K.A. CASTILLO: Strength. I love what it portrays, and it’s important to always remember to stay strong. At the same time, from a lingual standpoint “strength” is an interesting word because it’s the longest one-syllable word in the English language.

First of all, I want to thank K.A. Castillo for the interview. Some day I might ask her which Harry Potter book is her favorite, but I decided not to put her on the spot this time. Just as I wouldn’t ask someone which is their favorite child or year of Mustang. K.A. Castillo’s book The Convenience of Lies may be in the category of Young Adult book but it is for readers older as well. For some it will help them recognize what may be happening in their lives, for others it might even show them what they are doing to others. K.A. Castillo’s book is a classic example of how a book can mean different things to different ages. Just as various ages read Harry Potter and get something from it, so too can people read The Convenience of Lies and take away a new understanding. Read my LWI review of her book here. Now go buy her book in paperback or for Kindle.

Much Respect

Ronovan

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Just Add Water a Hetta Coffey Mystery Q&A @jinxschwartz

Just Add Water (A Hetta Coffey Mystery) Eppie Award

Jinx Schwartz

Just Add Water won an Eppie Award in the Mystery category, and has over 350 4 and 5 star reviews on Amazon. Here is what some people wrote:

“I’m a lot older than the Hetta Coffey, and I don’t have a lot in common with her, but I couldn’t put this book down. Jinx Schwartz is a master of character development. You actually feel like you know the people in the book.“

“This is one of the brightest well-written most entertaining series I have come across in sometime. Can’t wait for more.”

“Finally…great dialogue! Smart, sassy and thoroughly entertaining. Hetta is an original and the supporting cast are just as much fun. Going to get the next book now!”

Eppie Award winner. One of the Top Sellers on Amazon. The one word description for her book today I believe is more a description of herself than the book. Economy destroyer, and scourge of the seas. Meet . . .

Author

Jinx Schwartz

@jinxschwartz

RW: I see this as a dangerous question to ask considering your residence but I’ll put it this way, where were you from before you found your current calling of a home?

JINX: I’m a country girl; the problem is, which country?

I’m a ninth generation Texan who was raised all over the place, including Haiti and Thailand, then traveled the world for study and work.

RW: Who are your favorite authors?

JINX: Larry McMurtry, Nelson DeMille, Lee Child.

RW: What is your favorite beverage to drink, any kind?

JINX: Wine, I guess, although I drink a lot of coffee and ice tea.

RW: What is your escape from writing when you are at that about to explode point?

JINX: I head for a nice long walk.

RW: What is your favorite word?

JINX: Rats.

RW: What is your background in writing, what makes you a writer?

JINX: I have been writing novels for 20 years, with nine published. I guess I just like to entertain people.

RW: What is the title of the book you’re sharing with us today and why did you choose that name?

JINX: The first in my Hetta Coffey series of six is Just Add Water. She’s looking for a lifestyle change, and living on a boat sounds good.

Hetta Coffey is a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she’s not afraid to use it.

So am I!

RW: What genre does Hetta and her stories fall into?

JINX: Humorous Mystery and Sea Adventures

RW: Why do you write in the genre that you do?

JINX: They say to write what you know, and I have lived on boats for almost thirty years, mostly in Mexico. So that is what I write about.

RW: Tell us a little about Just Add Water.

JINX: Just Add Water, Book 1, introduces the reader to Hetta Coffey. She’s single, pushing forty and looking for something different. So, she buys a yacht and moves aboard, even though she’s never even owned a row boat. But Hetta is not averse to challenge; she’s an engineer who has traveled the world in search of work and men. She’s much more successful with work.

RW: What inspired the creation of Hetta and her first adventure ?

JINX: I was single, my dog died, and I wanted a change. So I bought a yacht. The humorous part of owning a boat with no experience inspired me to share the experience, woven into a greatly embellished tale.

RW: Hetta has been good to you so far. What do you think makes readers connect to Hetta?

JINX: Hetta is liked by both men and women, despite some character traits and bad habits that should not make her anyone’s new best friend. She is independent, adventurous, totally un-PC, but loyal to her friends, and dangerous to her enemies.

RW: What actress do you see as being Hetta?

JINX: A young Bette Midler.

RW: Is there a message intended with Just Add Water?

JINX: My books are meant as pure escapist entertainment, but because of them I have met people in Mexico who tell me the series inspired them to buy a boat and head south. On the other hand, one person accused me of single-handedly ruining the Mexican tourist trade.

RW: Other than the ability to destroy an economy, what did you learn about yourself from writing the first Hetta adventure?

JINX: Writing is very cathartic, and gives a writer a chance to make good on past mistakes. Oh, get even with those who mess with her by writing them into a slow and painful death. Just kidding. Really.

RW: Sum up your book in one word.

JINX: Sassy.

RW: Where do we get your Hetta Coffey Mysteries?

JINX: All of my books are available on Amazon.com.

RW: You have several books, and not just your Hetta Coffey series. Which of the others would you say is your favorite?

JINX: One of my favorite books is Land of Mountains, my Middle Grade/YA novel set in Haiti in the 1950’s. Ten-year-old Texan, Lizbuthann, finds her new country fascinating, even though she’s being stalked by a pesky zombie.

RW: How do people connect with you through all forms of social media?

JINX: I have many new friends on Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Groups, you name it. Social media is also my main marketing tool other than Book Bub, and it is such a great way to meet new people from all over the world. I feel I know so many of them that when they aren’t on Facebook for awhile I get worried.

Jinx’s Blog: Jinx Schwartz’s Water Writes

Website: JinxSchwartz.com

Amazon: Author Page

Twitter: @jinxschwartz

And people can find me on facebook as well.

RW: Do you currently have agent representation or are you a lone sea wolf?

JINX: I tried the agent route, but it didn’t work out for me. Agents are great if you can get one, but getting one is hard enough, and then it takes way too much time to get a book sold, and even then you are at the mercy of publishers. I am much as an Indie now.

RW: What are you working on right now?

JINX: Book seven in the Hetta Coffey series. No title as yet.

RW: What is your biggest tip for someone to getting published?

I would hope that a new writer has the luck to find a publisher (as I did) since as going on your own from the get-go is fraught with danger. It is too easy to publish a faulty book now, and I had the good fortune to be published by someone who knew the industry. I learned a great deal, even though the publishing company didn’t make it.

If a new writer wants to go Indie, I highly suggest a critique group, and an editor. Learning the basics is so important. Proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure are key to a well-written book. I cannot believe how many books I’ve seen out there that are not even punctuated properly. This is the kiss of death to becoming successful in this competitive business.

RW: What book are you reading at this time?

JINX: One of Paul Levin’s, Riptide. I should have added him to my favorite author list.

RW: If you could have written any book that exists, other than your own, what would it be and why?

JINX: Gone With the Wind. No, wait, Roots. No, wait, Lonesome Dove. No, wait…is this a trick question?

Now you see why my introduction was so short. I wanted to get to the sassy lady herself and let you see that personality in action. One reason for these interviews and the questions is so you can get to know the personality behind the writing. I think sassy describes a lot more than the Just Add Water. You need to join the thousands of others buying her books. Those great reviews can’t be wrong. Get them today. Get caught up on all of Hetta Coffey’s Mysteries before that 7th is finished.

And as always . . .

Read a Book, Write a Review.

Much Respect

Ronovan

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Book Review by @ColleenChesebro of “The Scent of Lilacs” @AnnHGabhart

(Image credit: Amazon)

www.annhgabhart.com

Title: The Scent of Lilacs (The Heart of Hollyhill #1)
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
ISBN: 978-0800730802
ASIN: B007TV0OMM
Published: May 1st 2005 by Revell (first published January 1st 2005)
Pages: 352
Genre: Christian/Historical Fiction, Women’s fiction

What the book is about: At 13 years old, Jocie Brooke learns the true meaning of faith and the love of family when her sister Tabitha, suddenly returns after fleeing their home in Hollyhill, Kentucky with their mother many years ago. It is 1964, and Jocie’s divorced father, preacher David Brooke, and his Great Aunt Love, strive to care for Jocie with kindness and affection. Aunt Love struggles to keep her senility in check, as the family struggles with a past that threatens to engulf them. All is not what it seems in this quiet small town, as deep secrets surface to lead the family on a quest that leads them to many unforeseen truths.

Book Highlights: As the secrets of the past come to light, it was a joy for me to watch the inner workings of a faith based family deal with the realities of their past choices, good and bad. All the characters were realistic and believable in the way they dealt with their emotions while their lives unraveled around them. It was easy to empathize with the trials the family endured through the years. I found myself drawn to the characters and the story. I did not want the book to end. I was ecstatic to learn that this book is part of a series by Ann Gabhart.

Challenges of the book: I had no challenges with the characters within the story. The Christian elements in the book were tasteful and authentic. Ann Gabhart channels her own knowledge of small town life centered on a strong Christian church element making the characters realistic and credible. These characters could be your neighbors.

What do you get from it: Love, family, and faith combined can conquer the troubles of the world.

What I would change if anything: Ann Gabhart is a true story teller. Her work stands alone and needs no changes.

Who would I recommend this book to? I would recommend this book to all women, young and old. There is knowledge about life, love, and forgiveness which should be passed on to all generations so that others gain an insight on how to deal with the tribulations that life sometimes holds for all of us.

Ratings:
Realistic Characterization: 5/5
Made Me Think: 4/5
Overall enjoyment: 5/5
Readability: 5/5
Recommended: 5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5

Buy it at: Amazon
Format & Pricing:
Paperback: $12.98 New
Kindle: Free

Review By:
Colleen Cheseboro
@ColleenChesebro
silverthreading.com

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Jasper Penzey International Boy Detective The Ruby Brooch of Atlantis @MLaSarre Now on #Kindle

LWI Author Monica LaSarre’s

Jasper Penzey

International Boy Detective

The Ruby Brooch of Atlantis

Now Available for Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!

@MLaSarre

Read the interview here.

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Q&A Orlando Sanchez The Spiritual Warriors @SenseiOrlando

5 Stars for Blur-Sanchez displays a powerful knowledge of Martial Arts as well as the inner workings of secret government spy organizations including the current event topic of unchecked government surveillance. There’s really something in Blur for everyone with a myriad of characters in which to latch on.-Kerry Kappell

5 Stars for The Spiritual Warriors-This book is certainly a book for all tastes.I found myself perusing the story, amazed at how each of the characters’ lives is strangely entwined with the others, and how they evolve and blend into the flow of the main plot.The Spiritual Warriors really grabbed me and I read until it was finished, couldn’t put it down. I loved it.-Isabel Acevedo

5 Stars for Sepia Blue-This book thrives on tension and conflict. Set against a bloody background of the futuristic world of New York’s central park also known as the prison. Where kill or be killed is the dish of the day. The novel’s sense of urgency and intimacy will draw you in and propel you through a whirl wind tunnel of emotions. The pages fly, quickly from my right hand to left, a world opening and closing in front of me. I was swept away with the main character Sepia Blue, who is a new hunter, battles for her life, and the survival of the city. Loved this book-Holly Wood

Today’s guest Author has chosen novels to write for a most appropriate reason. I’ve had several guests but I have to admit none that I would really be afraid to meet in a dark alley, lit alley, bowling alley . . . I think you get my meaning. We all write from some place we know but today this writer really knows the subject well. Meet . . .

Orlando Sanchez

@SenseiOrlando

RW: Where are you from?

OS: I was born in New York City, specifically the Bronx.

RW: Who are your favorite authors?

OS: I have a quite a few. I grew up on Tolkien, Silverberg, Bradbury, Heinlein and King. Now I enjoy Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Kat Richardson, Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Mike Carey, and Kim Harrison. I’m currently reading Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Trilogy.

RW: What is your favorite beverage to drink, any kind?

OS: For hot beverage chamomile tea or when writing under deadline Pu her tea. Cold beverage: Orange juice or Passion Iced tea lemonade from Starbucks.

RW: This is a standard question I ask. I dare say that it may not apply to you but what is your escape from writing when you are at that about to explode point?

OS: I have been a practicing martial artist for 28 years. I don’t have an “explode point” lol. I do sit in meditation every day, and when the writing gets too intense and my brain needs a break I will jump on the PS4 with my son and play some Destiny or The Secret World on my PC.

RW: What is your favorite word?

OS: Coruscate. That is an awesome word.

(I admit, I had to look it up and it dazzled me senseless.)

RW: What is your background in writing, what makes you a writer?

OS: I have always read and written. I used to write dungeons for my friends when I was younger and I have been journaling since my teens. What makes me a writer? I write. Story ideas bombard me consistently and I turn them into books.

RW: What is the title of latest work and why did you choose that name?

OS: I’m currently working on the third book in my Warriors of the Way series. The book is called The Fallen Warrior. It’s titled that way because at this point in the story the protagonist, Dante has lost his abilities to access his power, classifying him as “fallen”.

RW: What genre does your book fall into?

OS: From what I understand my genre is called urban paranormal. It’s also a martial arts thriller/suspense.

RW: I imagine the reason is obvious but why do you write in the genre that you do?

OS: I enjoy writing the books I would like to read. It also relates to the world I know, martial arts, fighting and weapons. I have tried other genre; this is the one that challenges me the most.

RW: Tell us a little about your books.

OS: Dante is a martial artist that is thrust into the hidden world of warriors and guardians that protect this plane of existence. He discovers that he has the ability to channel his chi and finds himself caught in a web of intrigue and war. The Warriors of the Way are being threatened by an enemy powerful enough to destroy them all and he must face this enemy.

RW: What inspired the series?

OS: I wondered one day what if the martial arts schools in NYC were really academies for a secret society tasked with keeping us safe. Why else would all these people be training? In a way they are when you think of it. I took it a little further and the story was born.

RW: Tell us about your main character(s) and what you think will them connect to readers.

OS: Dante the lead is a bit clueless in the first book. He matures as the story progresses. He is the classic guy in over his head which we can all relate to. He finds that he can access his chi and create a powerful weapon; it turns out to be a massively evil sentient weapon that tries to get him killed.

Meja: the female lead is an accomplished fighter and all around badass. She is pivotal in getting Dante to the point where he isn’t a threat to himself and others. She also has major vendetta against Sylk.

Sylk: Is what I call my catalyst. He isn’t the villain but he does things that propel the others (and the story) forward. He is what I like to call my Gandalf character- his motives are his own and you are never really sure what he is up to.

RW: Who would play your main character(s) in a movie?

OS: Dante would be played ideally by Sebastian Stan who played the winter soldier in the last Captain America movie. Meja would be portrayed by Aishwarya Rai. Sylk could be portrayed by Patrick Stewart.

RW: What message do you think your book delivers to the reader?

OS: Despite the odds stacked against you, you can overcome if you persevere and have great people by your side.

RW: What did you learn about yourself from writing this book?

OS: Writing is hard. Writing is also incredibly fun. I learned that I can do it and that I’m a lot tougher than I thought I was.

RW: Describe your book in one word.

OS: Compelling

RW: Where can we get your book now?

OS: The first book of the series-The Spiritual Warriors is being rereleased on Amazon in a month along with book two The Ascendants. I’m currently working on book three The Fallen Warriors (out early 2015). All of the books will be available online at Amazon.com and Smashwords.

RW: What other books do you have to share with us and can you tell us a little about them?

OS: I have also written a book called Blur-A John Kane Novel. It’s a darker story about a retired asset that is called back into the world he left. He possesses a special ability-the ability to blur faster than the eye can see. He soon learns that it may not be enough to deal with the enemies he has to face.

I also have started another series. The first book of that is called Sepia Blue-Rise of the Night. Imagine Central Park was a maximum security prison built to contain creatures called nightmares. Except now they are getting out and only a group of fighters called Hunters can contain them.

RW: How do people connect with you through all forms of social media?

OS: I’m on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OSanchezAuthor you can also find me on

twitter at @SenseiOrlando

My blog is at www.nascentnovels.com

RW: Do you currently have representation?

OS: Currently I don’t have representation. I don’t know if I will pursue having an agent in the near or far future. If I do need one I will ask many of my writer colleagues to suggest one.

RW: What are you working on right now?

OS: Book 3 and Book 4 of the Warrior of the Way series.

RW: What book are you reading at this time?

OS: I am currently reading Mockingbird by Chuck Wendig.

RW: What is your biggest tip for someone to getting published?

OS: Don’t give up. If you are writing you have to be in this for the long haul not a short sprint. Persevere and write as much as you can.

RW: If you could have written any book that exists, other than your own, what would it be and why?

OS: The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho because it has impacted so many lives and has a profound message.

I want to thank Orlando for agreeing to the interview and being our guest. I have to say I felt at peace while doing this interview. I don’t know if he was sending out some of those meditative vibes or not but I felt they came through in his answers. I could tell quote all his great reviews from Amazon, but just go check them out. I was surprised at the number of verified purchaser reviews. He’s the real thing guys. So buy his books now. And as always . . .

Read a Book, Write a Review.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Much Respect

Ronovan

Covert World-Red Storm Q&A with @ThomasATate

Covert World: Red Storm

Thom Tate

“Great pace, great characters, great plot – a great story.
If you like a good dose of James Bond, Jason Bourne or Will Robie – then you’ll love this new Blake Mackay story. You’ll be engaging with the characters, the antagonist ‘Petrovich’ being a personal favourite, while the thought out plot pulls you along without problems to the very end.”-Amazon Review of Red Storm

“A great read !. Blake is Hero in every aspect of the word with a fantastic taste in high-tech toys, too!”-Amazon Review

Fast paced action and thrills. I’m talking about the books of my guest today, not necessarily the interview, but hopefully you’ll find that entertaining as well. 5 novellas, one lead character. Seriously, what more could you ask for? Let’s get this things started and have me be quiet. Meet . . .

Thom Tate

@ThomasATate

RW: Where are you from?

THOM: Cumming, GA (Originally, SW Indiana)

RW: Who are your favorite authors?

THOM: Vince Flynn, Brad Thor and Robert Ludlum

RW: What is your escape from writing when you are at that about to explode point?

THOM: Family, playing lacrosse, watching TV. Really anything that is an escape.

RW: What is your background in writing, what makes you a writer?

THOM: I started writing 3 years ago. Previous to that, I had no experience. I have a pretty vivid imagination and wanted to share my stories with others.

RW: Why did you choose Red Storm for your latest novella?

THOM: It has to do with a Russian Billionaire that built his own weather controlling array, similar to HAARP in Alaska. Since he creates storms and he’s Russian, the name just made sense.

RW: What genre does your book fall into and what makes you a writer for this genre?

THOM: Spy Thriller. I’ve always loved spy thrillers; movies and books. I’m fascinated at all the clandestine missions, the action, deception, etc…

RW: Why do you write in the spy thriller genre?

THOM: It’s what I’m interested in and it is the type of story my twisted mind comes up with.

RW: Tell us a little about the story your twisted mind came up with this time.

THOM: This is the fifth mission for my Black Ops agent, Blake MacKay. Of course there is a beautiful woman that he teams up with. Her name is Sofia Kuzma. She goes to work for a man named Nikoli Petrovich. He has built the worlds largest weather controlling array in the middle of Siberia. She thought that he was building it to bring rain to drought stricken areas of the world and help them to grow food, but while digging through their electronic file system, she discovers a much more sinister reason. She basically steals the data as proof and sends it to an old friend in Moscow for safe keeping, however, when she goes to meet him… let’s just say bad things start happening and she runs to the U.S. Embassy for some help.

Blake is sent to Moscow to get the data from this woman and to look for a missing agent who holds the key to taking out the array and stopping it from doing more damage. This is never easy and all Hell breaks loose. Blake and Sofia eventually team up and devise a plan that will eliminate the threat Petrovich and his weather array pose. Of course there all kinds of obstacles in the way; bad guys on their tail, a ticking clock that needs to be beat, etc… I tried to throw in a little romance with a lot of action, barriers, violence, etc… I think people will like it.

RW: What inspired the book?

THOM: It just came to me while I was finishing writing the forth book in the series. I took some notes and when I finished “Intercept” I started writing “Red Storm”.

RW: Tell us about Blake MacKay and what you think will make readers connect to him.

THOM: Blake is of Scottish and Native American decent. He is in his thirties. Old enough to have experience and young enough where age doesn’t slow him down. He grew up in the mountains of Colorado and is very athletic. He is a true patriot but is also a realist. He understands there are bad people in the world and he has to do bad things in order to protect this country.

RW: Who would play Blake in a movie?

THOM: Taylor Lautner. He’s only 24 now and would have to age a little bit, but who knows, maybe by the time my books become popular he’d be old enough to play him. He has the look and has played in an action movie “Abduction”, so I think he’d do really well.

RW: Agent MacKay is a Black Ops agent who gets into some things normal people don’t, what do you see or hope people will take away from reading Red Storm?

THOM: There are constantly threats against our country and there are people that stay in the shadows and risk their lives for our safety. They deserve our eternal gratitude and respect.

RW: What did you learn about yourself from writing this book?

THOM: That I can do this and I really enjoy it.

RW: Describe your book in one word.

THOM: Thrilling

RW: Where can we get Red Storm right now and what are the plans for its future?

THOM: Amazon.com exclusively through Jan 20th 2015. After that, it will be available on iTunes, Google, Kobo, Smashwords, etc…

RW: Tell us about the other books Agent MacKay has appeared in.

THOM: I have four other books in the Covert World series; Czechmate, Meltdown, The 4th Strike and Intercept.

Czechmate Pulled into the dark world of raves, sex and drugs by the euphoric state the Ecstasy provided her, Tracy Clark, the all of 19 daughter of U.S. Ambassador James Clark, was a willing player in Sergey Dubrovskiy’s rise to glory among the drug dealers and the club scene in Prague.

Her beauty and charm helped lure in new customers for Sergey, but her diplomatic immunity is what really piqued his interest. However, when Sergey pushed too hard, the Ambassador found himself in a situation that needed to be dealt with quickly and harshly. Deciding to use his friendship and influence with the President, he called in a favor and and asked for the ultimate action.

Agent Blake MacKay has been ordered, as a personal favor by the President, to deviate from his normal clandestine mission types and take on the role of assassin. Blake flies to Prague to hunt down his target and complete his objective. His actions unleash a calamity that will be spoken about for years.

Meltdown A relaxing holiday with his family on the beaches of Bali was just what Dimitri Evanko was looking forward to. Being thrown into the terroristic world of the Jemaah Islamiyah was the furthest from his mind.

After awakening from a drug induced torpidity, Dimitri, nuclear physicist from Ukraine, finds himself face-to-face with Indra Gunardi, the man in charge of the infamous Islamic terrorist group in Southeast Asia. With his family held captive and the threat of death to them, Dimitri saw no way out but to cooperate and build the dirty bombs they demanded.

Nearly three months after Dimitri’s reported disappearance, special agent Blake MacKay has been called in to investigate after the lost physicist turned up in Jakarta. With the help of Detachment 88, the Indonesian counter-terrorism group, Blake discovers the conation of Gunardi and his vile organization.

When a plan to rescue Evanko’s family backfires, Gunardi fast forwards his destructive plan of terror. In the shadows of an impending disaster, Blake finds himself and Dimitri in a race against time with the lives of thousands on the line.

The 4th Strike A team of North Korean Special Forces has attacked the LORAN station on Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands and stolen a nuclear warhead that wasn’t supposed to exist. Special Agent Blake MacKay and SEAL Team 5 have been tasked with searching the North Pacific to track them down and recover the warhead.

After a disastrous rendezvous with a trawler that they thought contained the warhead, Blake and his team of SEALs discovered that the search was about to get much harder.

The nuke had been loaded onto an old Whiskey Class Soviet Submarine. Their biggest challenge: force the North Korean sub to the surface so Blake and his team can recover the nuke. If they sink the sub, the nuke will be impossible to recover.

With the help of the North Pacific fleet, Blake and his team of SEALs engage in an underwater game of cat and mouse as they tread through the icy waters, hundreds of feet below the surface in search of their prey.

Intercept Being in the sights of a former ally was the last thing Black Ops Agent, Blake MacKay expected, but that’s just where he landed.

An intercepted call discloses that the former Iranian nuclear guru, Mohsen Fallali, has come back on the grid to head-up Iran’s new nuclear weapons program. Mossad has to act fast and sends Solomon Zinn, an elite sniper, to take him out. However, the Ansar al-Sharia militant group wants Fallahi for their own purposes and will stop at nothing to get him.

Aware of the two groups after Fallahi, Blake is sent to Vienna to capture him before Mossad or Ansar al-Sharia can carry out their plans. When Blake discovers that his Mossad adversary is a former lover, he must devise the ultimate deception to complete his mission.

When the three competing forces descend on Vienna, all hell breaks out in this thrilling spy novella.

RW: How do people connect with you through all forms of social media?

THOM:

Twitter: @ThomasATate

Facebook: Covert World Series

RW: Do you currently have agent representation?

THOM: I do not have representation, but would welcome all inquiries. I would like an agent that helps with the marketing and promotion of the book and me as an author.

RW: What are you working on right now?

THOM: My first full length novel, “Spear Garden”. I wrote it three years ago and am doing a complete rewrite. I hope to have it finished and published sometime in 2015.

RW: What book are you reading at this time?

THOM: Free Fall, by Kyle Mills

RW: What is your biggest tip for someone to getting published?

THOM: You will hear a thousand no’s. Don’t worry. Just self-publish. The biggest and most important thing is to get your story out there.

RW: If you could have written any book that exists, other than your own, what would it be and why?

THOM: Casino Royale. Need I say? It’s the book that started it all with James Bond.

I want to thank Thom for interviewing today. It was nice to talk with an Author with some regional commonality. I have to admit something here, well it’s not a true admitting if you’ve ever visited my personal blog and read my bio. John Gardner is one of my favorite authors. Why is that a big deal here? Bond, James Bond. I was very interested when Thom showed up. Imagine Bond excitement in novella form. Imagine sitting down and maybe even reading a thriller in a day, okay maybe two. A whole series, a world created and we can jump in so easily. Get the books. Read the books. And as always . . .

Read a Book, Write a Review.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Much Respect

Ronovan

Reviews of other Blake MacKay adventures.

Czechmate:
A great read !. Blake is Hero in every aspect of the word with a fantastic taste in high-tech toys, too!

Meltdown:
Wow! This series gets better with each installment. Fast-paced action at every turn. Thom Tate has met the needs of readers who want spy thrillers. I know he is working on a full-length novel and if it’s anything like his first two releases (mini-reads) I can’t wait.

The 4th Strike:
This is a short novella about North Korea attacking on US soil. North Korea tried to get their hands on an old inactive bomb, but little did they know that The Navy Seals would steal it back. I liked this novella. It was action packed from the minute I started reading it. It was very detailed with the description of the subs, the weapons used. The military jargon was great and I understood it. Being an ARMY veteran myself I appreciated how the author took his time to research for this novella. If you like military reads and action, suspense reads as well, this novella is for you.

Intercept:
WOW! I normally don’t read military thrillers but I’m glad I started with this one, it was amazing! The fast paced edge of my seat action kept me hooked until the very end. I’m making a note to keep my eyes peeled for future works from Thom Tate. The first thing I did after reading was go directly to Amazon to see what other works he has published. I will definitely be adding this to my list of recommended reads.

Get Book Sales with your Book Description.

There are foods out there that I love, but they look awful. I can cook some of the best tasting things you will ever eat, but they may just not look that great.

“What’s is this?” My son asked.

“Diced chicken, rice, condensed cream of mushroom soup, broccoli, garlic powder, salt, pepper…”

“Daddy, can I have a sandwich?”

I was describing a delicious casserole dish that is seriously amazing, but I lost my audience. I was giving him not what he wanted, I was giving him the chef’s description of the dish. He didn’t ask for the recipe, he wanted to know what it was and what it tasted like.

As Authors we need to keep this in mind when we come up with our “Book Descriptions”.

Did anyone else shudder or get a bad taste in their mouth when I said those last two words? They are almost as bad as the words “synopsis” or “hook” or . . . NOOOOO “pitch” or Sally Fields forbid-“query letter“.

I look through Amazon a lot as I look for Author Interviews.

Straight Talk Time from Ronovan

There are some seriously B.A.D. Book Descriptions. What’s B.A.D.? Oh, that means Badly Authored Descriptions. These Book Descriptions have been by Authors. When I read them it makes me wonder one of two things;

Did the Author use up all their talent in the book writing or
Does the Author just not know how to write

Sorry, I know, that was bad, but you have to admit when you are looking at a book description and you see two or three lines or you see a recipe of the book you wonder the same things. And this is Straight Talk, not Sweet Talk.

You have to stand out from the crowd. If you ever look at ‘Amazon Best Sellers Rank’ and then look at the Book Descriptions, most often there is a correlation.

How to Write a Book Description

Establish Who You Are

Who the heck are you? Why should I trust you to write this book and believe I am getting quality?

I have several Author friends who are award winning. Mention it right off the bat. Show the reader you are legit.

The LWI: Book Description is from Award Winning author Ronovan Writes.

You don’t have Awards?

The LWI: Book Description is Ronovan Writes third novel.

Ronovan Writes brings us the first in his NEW series “The LWI: Book Descriptors”.

Author Historian Ronovan Writes delivers his newest jump into adventure with “The LWI: Book Descriptors”

Okay, so they might not be the best but I think you see what I mean. You need to give them a piece of you. Connect somehow. Pretend you are reading and think what would catch your eye. Read those Amazon Best Seller Book Descriptions.

Review Blurbs

I had a comment in a recent article asking if regular people read the long reviews on Amazon. If they get that far they just might. How do you let the potential purchaser of your book know people like it?

Okay, so there is the star review they can see but you want them to see the words.

Take review quotes and put them in your Book Description. Not a lot of them. Pick those which keep the energy going in your “pitch”. Always remember your Book Description is a sales pitch.

“Ronovan Writes nails the book to the wall with non-stop action and keeps you guessing every step of the way. I started reading it and could not put it down until I was finished. Who needs sleep?”

“The LWI: Book Descriptors had me pacing the floor wondering what would happen next. I loved and hated the author at the same time as he pulled me through every emotion and made me question what I believed.”

“I started reading this as a night time read and the next thing I know I am wide awake. My wife hit me to turn out the light. Ronovan Writes “The LWI: Book Descriptors” is worth a night on the couch, or two.”

Keep the quotes short and not many. You only have a little time of the modern day person’s short attention span.

The Story

Now tell about your book. Give the nutshell version. The commercial, the “hook”. You threw out the line with Who You Are, you baited them with the Review Blurbs, now hook them with your pitch of the book. The real description of the story. Forget the little parts, the recipe. Tell them what you have for them.

“The LWI: Book Descriptors” races you through the dark places that we thought we knew to be true, but in reality were all a devastating plan from on high. If you can handle surprise, revelations and being kept on the edge of your seat in the world of political espionage, you’re in the right place.

How to Conclude

There are various methods. The comparison, just like you do with a literary agent or publisher where you mention how your book is similar to some other super star author’s.

Close with your best review quote blurb or blurbs.

“Not since The DaVinci Code have I read such a reality shaking story. Ronovan Writes delivers a gripping tale of intrigue and desperation. I can’t wait for his next book.”

Length of Book Description

Get the job done. After this point do all the quotes you want, or whatever else, but get the job done quickly and if you want more quotes or then add comparisons, go ahead and do it.

Formatting the Description

Wake people up. Bold, symbols like asterisks. Do something to wake the reader up from looking through dozens of descriptions already.

Let’s see what it might look like:

Author Historian Ronovan Writes delivers his newest jump into adventure with “The LWI: Book Descriptors”

5 out of 5 Star Reviews

*****“Ronovan Writes nails the book to the wall with non-stop action and keeps you guessing every step of the way. I started reading it and could not put it down until I was finished. Who needs sleep?”– Joe Contrare-Amazon Review

More Reader Praise:

“Not since The DaVinci Code have I read such a reality shaking story. Ronovan Writes delivers a gripping tale of intrigue and desperation. I can’t wait for his next book.”-Daniel Constano-Amazon Reviewer

These are suggestions. The idea to take away from this is to put some effort into the Book Description or your months of writing a book will not get read by many. All that time and effort and you waste it away with soup can ingredients.

Make your Book Description as good as if not BETTER than your Book!

Much Respect

Ronovan

Subscribe to Blog via Email

And as always . . .

Read a Book, Write a Review.

How to Write a Book Review.

How to Write a Book Review

One of my Mottos here at Lit World Interviews is ‘Read a Book, Write a Review’. Nice idea, huh? How do you write a review? Scary thought, isn’t it?

Trust me, it wasn’t easy my first time, and not my best. I was afraid I would say something wrong and perhaps dissuade someone from buying a book.

You’ve heard people talk about the KISS method of things. Keep it Simple Sweetie. For me I at times like to say Keep it Short Stupid, but stupid is like a profanity word around here and it really isn’t a nice word, but I was using it for myself. My having just explained all of that shows you WHY I use that definition at times, right?

Let’s give Keep it Simple Sweetie a shot.

But first;

Why Should You Write a Review?

The more reviews a book gets the better it is seen or listed on sites like Amazon. Even if you buy a book at local store, go to a site and write a review. It only takes a few minutes. Some Authors give away books and it would be kind of nice to simply write a review to help out. Free book, why not a review, right?

Okay, back to the Review Writing.

One thing above all–Be Honest. This does not mean that if you hated the book that you go in and write a rant. It means you go in and give a few reasons why you didn’t like the book. Preferably intelligent reasons, or at least expressed in an intelligent manner. You don’t have to be vicious. In truth, many people will disregard your review if you are just completely one way or the other in your writing. If you are totally raving over the book, then people might look and think that you are a friend of the author or you are just too nice. If you are totally negative, people will just think you have issues. You need to give reasons.

Yes, I write reviews for friends if I have the book, but I make sure I am honest when I write them. I don’t always give the highest rating.

Even when giving 5 out of 5 stars I say why, and even give areas I would improve upon. I’ve never come across the perfect novel. Why? Because we all have our own opinions. But you don’t have to have read a perfect book to give a 5 out of 5 stars rating. If you enjoyed the book that much, then you enjoyed the book that much. That’s the real purpose of a book.

How do I write my reviews?

I like to use the sandwich method. I like to start off positive, the could have been better parts or what I would have liked parts in the middle, and then end it with something tasty as well.

Recently I did a review of a book where I started off by explaining that even though I didn’t think the book would be my kind of read, I gave it a chance and liked it. That I had let my stereotype thoughts of what a Romance of its kind was supposed to be like. I admitted I was wrong.

I gave details, that were not revealing of the full story itself in as far as giving away too much, to show I had read the book, and then gave reasons I enjoyed the writing style of the book.

Then I went into some things I would have liked to have seen such as the use of certain characters more, or the length of scenes. For this particular book there was very little to complain about. And in all honesty considering it was not my ‘kind’ of book, I was surprised. The writing was that good. I’ve spoken to the Author since reading the novel and she said, thank you but you have to remember, that is like the fifth revision you are reading, it didn’t start out that good. Encouragement for this future best selling Author, I must say. (Meaning me.)

Finally I ended with why I liked the book overall and whether or not it would make me want to read more either by the author or hope for another book in a series of the same characters.

I also gave a reason for my star rating.

A review can be as long or short as you want it to be. But it should be helpful.

The Parts of the Review

Show you actually read the book and why you liked or did not like the writing style
Were there things you would have liked to have seen differently, more of, less of
What did you like about the book as far as content of the story, any connections to characters, message of the book, would you read more by the author
Explain the reason for the rating (Optional)

Yes, if you just completely disliked the book, you might not be able to use the sandwich method, but remember to stay professional and use the review to help not only other possible readers but to also give feedback to the authors. They do read them and they want to know how to improve. They KNOW they are not perfect.

One last thing is to lable/title your review in the given field. Something that reflects your feel for the book and why you liked it.

You can read my Amazon Review here.

And as always, remember . . .

Read a Book, Write a Review.

Much Respect

Ronovan

My BIG Box of BIG Beautiful Books Came This Evening! @PSBartlett

Our very own PS Bartlett shows us what all our dreams look like!

Author P.S. Bartlett

This is when it really hits me.

My first box of books for my book signing next month, arrived tonight.

I want to just sit here and read it but I can’t tonight. I will tomorrow though!

There’s just something about holding your very own book in your hands that never gets old no matter how many times you do it.

You better break out your reading goggles kids…here is the last page number.

Now…go get yours!

Here’s a little funny for you…

Thank you!

View original post

9 Sites to promote for free your book and boost your sales From @bestbookstoread

Best Books to Read has a great post you should all read.

We all need every bit of exposure we can get. Even signing with an agent and having a big publisher doesn’t guarantee everything. You have to watch out for yourself as well. Best Books to Read has put the sites together for us.

9 Sites to promote for free your book and boost your sales

One of our Team, at least one, is checking out the sites and we hope to give you an opinion on them.

Ronovan

Q&A with Alysha Kaye Author of The Waiting Room @alyshakaye7

Book Description

“Jude and Nina are the epitome of that whole raw, unflinching love thing that most people are jealous of. That is, until Jude dies and wakes up in The Waiting Room, surrounded by other souls who are all waiting to pass over into their next life. But unlike those souls, Jude’s name is never called by the mysterious “receptionist”. He waits, watching Nina out of giant windows. He’s waiting for her. What is this place? How long will he wait? And what will happen when and if Nina does join him? The Waiting Room is a story of not just love, but of faith, predestination, and philosophy, friendship and self-actualization, of waiting.”

Alysha Kaye Author of The Waiting Room Interview

Today I’m spotlighting newly published author Alysha Kaye. Her debut novel The Waiting Room was just released at the end of June and we are fortunate to be a part of her tour.

I immediately wanted to be involved with this tour when I saw not only the premise of Alysha’s novel but also the fact that she’s a teacher. This old man holds a fondness for the noble profession.

Alysha received her BA in Creative Writing from Texas State University and was accepted into Teach America ending up in of all places, Oahu, HI. I am still recovering from that piece of information.

But even Hawaii, where she received her Masters in Education from the University of Hawaii couldn’t keep her from the her home state where she now teaches 7th Grade in Austin.

Now for the interview!

Having read the summary of The Waiting Room, I just had to start off by asking;

RW: Where did the idea for the book come from? Was it some event or what that sparked the idea?

ALYSHA: I had a dream about waiting for my boyfriend after death. I was in a strange room that looked a lot like an airport terminal. I wound up writing him a (very cheesy) poem about it and somehow, that became an entire novel! I just couldn’t get it out of my head.

RW: Alysha, I know from having been in the classroom that free time is rare, even at home. Many people don’t realize the time you have to put into teaching, unless you have a very good system in place. How do you balance teaching and writing, managing the other aspects of your life?

ALYSHA: It’s extremely hard! Teaching is exhausting, especially my lovely middle schoolers haha but I adore them. I try to get all of my lesson planning and grading done at school so that when I come home, my night is free for writing/blogging, and everything else in between.

RW: I know from reading what I’ve written things surprise me in what I learn. What did you learn about yourself while writing this book?

ALYSHA: I definitely learned that I am much more of a philosopher than I ever realized! THE WAITING ROOM asks questions that we’ve all wondered–What happens after we die? Do our souls still exist in some way? Can we find our loved ones again? The novel is a romance, but it’s also so much more. It offers various perspectives on the afterlife and welcomes new discussion.

RW: I know I always seem to connect with one particular character the most when I write a novel. What character do you most identify with in your book and why?

ALYSHA: This is hard. I think a lot of myself went into Nina, who is also an English teacher. But Jude, her husband, is extremely sarcastic, which is what I live for!

RW: That makes a lot of sense. You’re the writer, the creator so you do often times end up channeling parts of yourself into the characters. Now for something I know my Friends want to learn. How did you go about being published?

ALYSHA: I decided to self-publish and the experience has been amazing (although difficult). I wanted to get it out as soon as possible since it had already been collecting dust on my laptop for 3 years. I also wanted creative control- which large publishing companies don’t really offer. I used Expert Subjects for editing, cover design, and website design. Then the novel is published through CreateSpace and Amazon.

RW: Alysha, you said the novel collected dust for 3 years. How long did it take you from idea to now for the project?

ALYSHA: I began writing THE WAITING ROOM while interning at Simon & Schuster Publishing in New York. I was so inspired, but also so young! I didn’t finish it until I was out of college, about three years ago. Ever since then, it’s just been sitting patiently in my laptop.

RW: Then it wasn’t an overnight thing. Being that you are an English teacher I just have to ask, are you an outliner or a seat of the pants kind of writer?

ALYSHA: Definitely seat of the pants (although I stress to my students the importance of outlining so shhh!). I loathe editing.

RW: I take gift certificates to all Mexican restaurants for staying quiet. Now I know writing and throwing yourself into a book can take a lot of your time, and the subject matter must have taken some emotional energy as well. How has your family and friends been as far as support during this time? How did they handle your devotion to the project and did they see any changes in you as far as the way you thought about subjects you discuss in the book?

ALYSHA: My family has always thought that I’m a little crazy, I think haha I’m a bit of a black sheep. When I decided to major in Creative Writing they reacted as most families do: “But…what…are you going to DO?” Now that I’ve published, my parents are realizing how serious I am about writing. I understand though–it’s hard to take someone else’s passions and hobbies seriously until they prove that they’re MORE than simply “passions and hobbies”.

RW: What project are you working on now or do you even have the time?

ALYSHA: My energy has been completely devoted to marketing this novel, now that it’s released. However, I hope to start the next one very soon!

RW: Finally, what were/are your go to munchy food and beverage while writing?

ALYSHA: One word and one word only: caffeine. No music, no food, no people…just caffeine of some delicious sort!

It was a great honor to be part of Alysha’s Book Tour. Much appreciation goes out to her for agreeing to let us be involved and answering questions I am sure she’s been asked a million times before. Make sure to watch the Book Trailer for The Waiting Room below.

Get The Waiting Room by Alysha Kaye in print or for Kindle here at Amazon.

Be certain to Follow Alysha Kaye everywhere:

REVIEWS OF THE WAITING ROOM

A list of reviews of The Waiting Room can be found here. But I included two for you that I thought would really make you want to read Alysha Kaye’s novel.

“I love the whole afterlife concept that Alysha Kaye created, because it looks so ‘normal’ and so ‘human’. The Waiting Room is a light, fun reading that comes with great message behind it. I read it like one day. It totally answered my question about true love.”

Virna Aryanita-Indonesia

“I think my final comment is that The Waiting Room built characters that I cared about. I cared about not only Jude and Nina but supporting characters as well. I even cared about the Waiting Room itself and was glad to see how it changed and grew throughout the book. Fantasy lovers, romance lovers, lovers of a thoughtful story – all of these readers will enjoy The Waiting Room. I wish the book success and I hope to read more by Alysha Kaye in the future.”

Tara Olivero-Indiana

One decision can be a life changer: Book Review of The Convenience of Lies by @KCastilloBooks

Title: The Convenience of Lies
Author: Kimberly Castillo
ISBN-13: 978-9527114476
ISBN-10: 9527114470
Website: http://www.kacastillo.blogspot.com/
Pages: 242
Genre: Young Adult (YA) Romance/Suspense/Drama

It’s 2013 and Mackenzie begins a letter to her old friend Kira. It’s 10 years after the events that changed their lives. The book then begins with new girl in town, Mackenzie and local girl, Kira as best friends forever, and then there is Ramon, a crush and ex-boyfriend in a small California town. The three send us on a trip of real teen life and feelings mixed with some unexpected surprises along the way with a group of vandals and thieves thrown in who make their attacks personal. Who has it in for these three friends? This story is told in an authentic teenage voice as Mackenzie Fairbanks recalls that particular summer before her senior year in high school.

The book flows well taking the reader from one chapter to the next. It is an absorbing read, well written not only in story but in structure and grammar as well. The author conveys vivid emotions and dialogue throughout the book, with captivating prose for example, scenes describing a character’s intoxication and the resulting actions that are spot on. I like the fact you don’t notice the writing. You are in the story and there are no odd moments where you wonder what is that word doing there.

The emotional content within the book is realistic and appropriate as scenes transition well. The emotional jolt near the end is handled exactly right, as one would expect such a situation to be in real life. The emotional moments throughout the book are presented in an amazingly genuine teen/coming of age point of view.

The story keeps ones attention and you want to see what happens and to whom.

Was I surprised by events in the book? Not entirely as the author provided sufficient clues for the discerning reader to figure things out.

Just to let those who might purchase this as a gift without reading it first, there is some profanity used, but we are talking about teens. Some teens of certain environments grow up using certain language while others do it to be cool. I believe the author handled this well as she doesn’t have every character do it, an excellent job in my opinion. And to be honest, if there hadn’t been any profanity it would not have been an authentic book.

You are inside the main characters head a lot, but that’s to be expected in the type of story being told. This is a diary type of story. The only time I really had any problems with it was in the very beginning where things were being set up for us to know what is going on. Once past that first chapter or two of setting things up, the story takes off and you are ready to go.

Reading The Convenience of Lies shows you what is possible inside the life of teens. And I do mean what is truly possible. Having been a teacher and youth pastor I know what can happen. The reader will identify or recognize the struggles teenagers encounter in their world, how they perceive themselves, and that lessons have to be learned in their own time no matter how painful they may be or who they may hurt. Do you lose a best friend, a crush, a dream?

Read The Convenience of Lies by Kimberly Castillo and experience a slice of teenagers’ world through what happens to Mackenzie and her friends.

The elements about where McKenzie is as an adult and how she got to that point are things you need to think about as you read the book. The Convenience of Lies is more than you think if you know what to look for going in.

If I were to categorize the book it would be difficult to say. Young Adult? Yes. Marital Issues? Yes. Although not a category. Domestic Abuse? Yes. That can be defined in many different ways so don’t jump to a conclusion there.

Ratings:

Realistic Characterization: 5/5

Made Me Think: 3.5/5

Overall enjoyment: 3.5/5

Readability: 4/5

Recommended: 4/5

Ovearall Rating: 4

Buy it at: Amazon

Format & Pricing:

Paperback: 10.46 USD

Kindle: 2.99 USD

Author Kimberly Castillo

Follow on Twitter @K_A_Castillo

Q&A with Vashti Quiroz-Vega Author of The Basement @VashtiQV

THE BASEMENT

by Vashti Quiroz-Vega

Book Description

Robbie is a meek boy in New York City who struggles with the desire to prove himself to his friends, his enemies, and himself. Robbie’s father is a stubborn man determined to teach his son through tough love. When he witnesses Robbie being bullied, he forces his son to face his fears. Robbie is sentenced to a frightening challenge––staying in the basement alone for a night. But what lies in the dark recesses of the basement? Will Robbie make it out alive and well? Will the urban legend about the terrifying creatures that hide in the dark basement prove to be true? And most importantly, will Robbie prove to his friends and his father that he is brave enough to take on the challenge? The Basement is a tale of angst, teamwork and solutions, treasure hunts and adventure, and facing fears. It focuses on the small world of one group of preteens and the very real and wondrous challenges they face.

I never expected a book like this from a lady like this. When I first approached Vashti, who I met through her blog, about an interview I wanted to learn more about the author behind The Basement. I still want to learn more but in truth, I want to know about this book and how it came to be and what else this author has planned for us. I’m going to get out of the way of this interview, simply ask the questions and let you meet . . .

VASHTI QUIROZ-VEGA

@VashtiQV

RW: Vashti Quiroz-Vega. Love the name. Tell us a little about your ancestry. I am very into history. And your name spins all sorts of imagery through the echoes of my mind. And is there a meaning behind your name?

VASHTI: My first name, Vashti, is Persian in origin and has very little to do with my ancestry, I’m afraid. Vashti is the name of a queen in the old testament of the bible in the book of Esther.

RW: Your book, The Basement available on Amazon,where did the idea come from?

VASHTI: The Basement began as a short story I wrote in high school. I won an award for it and put it away in a box, along with a bunch of other stories. Years later, I came across it. After reading it again and with the encouragement of others, I decided to expand the short story into a novel.

RW: The book is about an 11-year-old boy and his troubles, how did you connect with the character?

VASHTI: I have a brother and two sisters. I’m close to all my siblings, but I grew up especially close to my brother (maybe determined by the fact that I was a tomboy). The Basement is loosely based on memories I have from childhood. The main character, Robbie, was inspired by my brother and my nephew, Joshua.

RW: And the abuse parts?

VASHTI: There has been no abuse in my household, but I did know a child growing up who was verbally and physically abused by a parent. The parent did not try to hide this from anyone. I saw and heard this child being abused on many occasions. This experience and the memory of this child have stayed with me till this day, which is why I tolerate no kind of bullying or abuse of any kind.

An ex-boyfriend once told me that I was a perfect mix of femininity and masculinity because I am feminine and very much a woman, but I am also assertive, straightforward and I love basketball, action movies, UFC and camping.

RW: What did it feel like writing the character of Robbie, the 11 year old boy in the book, as you had to basically become him for periods of time?

VASHTI: When I wrote The Basement, I essentially became an 11-year-old boy. I felt vulnerable––like my life was not in my control. I guess I felt like a child in a scary world.

RW: For those reading who may not be familiar with you can you give an example of an author and perhaps a book that would give them an idea of what this book is like as far as feel and style?

VASHTI: That’s a tough one. Some people have compared my storytelling to that of several other writers, including Stephen King and Anne Rice, who are two of my favorite writers and whose books I have been reading for years. So I don’t doubt that there is some of their influence in my writing, but I believe that I’m developing my own style. Not that I wouldn’t love to write as well as Stephen King and Anne Rice, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet.

RW: Are you a character in The Basement?

VASHTI: Let’s just say that several of the characters in The Basement have some of my personality traits.

RW: Tell us about your writing process. You took a short story and turned it into a full-length novel. How did you go about that?

VASHTI: As I re-read the story, I added, changed and rearranged sentences, and I replaced and deleted words. I had read so many books and learned so much since writing that story in high school that expanding it was not that difficult. Even now, I feel that I have learned so much since publishing The Basement. I guess that’s how it is with writers. We are constantly reading, learning and improving. I feel that my second book, Lilith, will be much better written than my first, and my third book, Dracul, will probably be better written than my second, and so on. That doesn’t mean any of my books are badly written. It just means that as I learn and gain experience, my work will reflect that. I have noticed this when I compare Stephen King’s earlier books with the books he’s written in the last couple of years. But I have always enjoyed all of his books.

RW: Can you walk us through how you went from complete and satisfied manuscript to now available for purchase? Many will be reading this who haven’t gone through it yet, and since you have on a number of occasions, I know I would personally like to hear it from a pro like you.

VASTHI: Wow! You flatter me, Ron. 😉 I’ve actually gone through the entire process only once with my book The Basement. The best advice I can offer anyone who has finished writing a story is to give the finished manuscript to several trusted people and ask for their honest opinions. Then after revisions (if any), hire a professional editor.

RW: Ah, I get the impression you have published several because of how professional everything seems. What other works do you have available and what are you working on presently?

VASHTI: I have written a variety of short stories, from horror and dark fantasy to sci-fi and romance. You can check them out on my blog.

I’m in the final stages of editing my book Lilith. This is a dark fantasy about angels aimed at a young adult/ adult audience. I’m hoping to have it available in early 2015.

RW: Is there a lot of romance in your work or sensuality?

VASHTI: There’s always a little romance because I believe that’s part of life and reality. There’s also some sensuality in my work-in-progress because that’s part of who I am, and that part of my personality comes through in the story.

RW: How understanding are your friends and family when the writing mania takes hold of you?

VASHTI: Some are very understanding, especially other writers because they’ve been there. Others––not so much.

RW: What would be your ideal agent be like to sign with?

VASHTI: I would love an agent who truly enjoys my story. The editor that’s working with me on my second book ‘Lilith’ truly loves the book. It is obvious by her enthusiasm, the comments she’s made and the questions that she’s asked me. It makes a difference when the agent loves the genre and story. Also, an agent that is hardworking and self motivated is great. One that will stop at nothing to get you the best deal possible for your book. I would love to get into one of the big publishing houses.

RW: Now for a few fun and trivial questions. What’s your go to beverage while writing?

VASHTI: Water. I know you’re thinking, “boring,” but I prefer to be sharp and focused when I write. Being well-hydrated does that for me. I don’t drink much coffee, beer makes me bloat like a blowfish, wine puts me to sleep, margaritas and rum are fun, but put me in the wrong frame of mind, and I get distracted easily. So while I’m writing, it’s water for me.

RW: What is your escape from writing when you need that break before burnout happens?

VASHTI: Reading, cooking, baking, hiking, kayaking, getting together with family and friends, watching one of my favorite shows on TV (Criminal Minds, Law and Order, Castle, Modern Family . . .) or going to the cinema, playing with my dog, and other things I shouldn’t mention––not necessarily in that order.

RW: And finally, as a writer, what is your favorite word and why?

VASHTI: Wow! There are several words I love, but the first word that comes to mind is “Dulcet.” Why? Because it’s a beautiful word, I enjoy pronouncing it and writing it down. Meaning: 1: sweet to the taste 2: pleasing to the ear 3: generally pleasing or agreeable.

Thank you, Ronovan, for inviting me as a guest author to your awesome blog. I appreciate you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want to thank Vashti for taking the time to answer a few questions for us. And I hope she comes back when her next book is due out.

Her various contact information appeared in some links throughout the interview but I am putting them all here together so you can follow her everywhere. Also here are some some fan art of her and one of her characters from The Basement, Natasha. Don’t worry, she won’t mind, I already do and if she will let me follower her she’ll let you too. And we are all about supporting each other here, right?

ScaredGirlFinal FanArt — Fan Art of ‘Natasha’ from The Basement.

Website

Author Site

The Basement Fan Site

Goodreads

Twitter

Amazon

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LWI Author Monica LaSarre’s

Jasper Penzey

International Boy Detective

The Ruby Brooch of Atlantis

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Covert World: Red Storm

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Reviews of other Blake MacKay adventures.

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How to Write a Book Description

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This is when it really hits me.

My first box of books for my book signing next month, arrived tonight.

I want to just sit here and read it but I can’t tonight. I will tomorrow though!

There’s just something about holding your very own book in your hands that never gets old no matter how many times you do it.

You better break out your reading goggles kids…here is the last page number.

Here’s a little funny for you…

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We all need every bit of exposure we can get. Even signing with an agent and having a big publisher doesn’t guarantee everything. You have to watch out for yourself as well. Best Books to Read has put the sites together for us.

One of our Team, at least one, is checking out the sites and we hope to give you an opinion on them.

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Alysha Kaye Author of The Waiting Room Interview

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Ratings:

Buy it at: Amazon

Format & Pricing:

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THE BASEMENT

by Vashti Quiroz-Vega

Book Description

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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