California Time
Ravenwild by Peter J. Plasse
What did you get this week?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
In My Mailbox (42)
In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren! I got 1 book this week!
For Review:
Ravenwild by Peter J. Plasse
Ravenwild by Peter J. Plasse
When I'm Not Writing: Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban (Two Moon Princess) + Giveaway!
Today we have the author of Two Moon Princess, Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban!
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Unlike Bones and Castle, the two writers that give name to their respective TV shows (Bones (Fox) and Castle (ABC) whose books are inspired by their exciting life experiences, my life is quite boring.
I have a Ph.D. in Biology and I'm from Spain, so for a living I do translations, mainly for Pharmaceutical companies. The rest of the time, I write.
Of course, I do other things, unavoidable things like shopping, cooking, eating, exercising (you get the picture) or more exciting ones, like driving my daughter to and from school and activities, going out with friends, or going to the movies. But even when I am doing all these things--sleeping included--I write.
For me, the writing of a novel does not start in front of a blank screen, or a blank piece of paper in an old typewriter, as it does in the movies. It does not start with the typing of the title of the book and the byline, 'by so and so'. The writing starts in my mind.
Once I have an idea for a story, I create my characters and bring them with me everywhere. I put them in different scenarios and let them interact with each other as they follow the different plots I make up.
After a while the characters become eerily real for me. They develop their unique voice and mannerisms, their own personality. They are people, apart from me, and their responses to the story situations is, often, quite different from what mine would be.
Only when the story has been playing in my mind for a while and the characters have worked a particular scene from every possible angle (like actors do for real on stage) I sit down in front of my computer and write that scene.
That is why I said before that when I'm not working, I am writing: because when I'm in the middle of writing a novel, I think about my story all the time.
But even when I'm in between projects, because I just finished a novel, or a part of a novel, I also write no matter what else I'm doing. I write in the sense that anything I do, or see, or hear is a possible source of inspiration.
As Picasso said: "That inspiration comes, does not depend on me. The only thing I can do is make sure it catches me working."
And if inspiration doesn't come, I tease it out of hiding by reading topics that interest me. It was while reading about Medieval Spain that both the sequel to Two Moon Princess and my newest novel Requiem for a King originated.
But it was while watching Buffy, the Vampire Slayer that I got the idea for my work in progress Becquer.
As for Two Moon Princess, it came out of my past.
So, I guess, my life and my writing have become one.
And I like it that way.
Find Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban:
Website
Blog
Unlike Bones and Castle, the two writers that give name to their respective TV shows (Bones (Fox) and Castle (ABC) whose books are inspired by their exciting life experiences, my life is quite boring.
I have a Ph.D. in Biology and I'm from Spain, so for a living I do translations, mainly for Pharmaceutical companies. The rest of the time, I write.
Of course, I do other things, unavoidable things like shopping, cooking, eating, exercising (you get the picture) or more exciting ones, like driving my daughter to and from school and activities, going out with friends, or going to the movies. But even when I am doing all these things--sleeping included--I write.
For me, the writing of a novel does not start in front of a blank screen, or a blank piece of paper in an old typewriter, as it does in the movies. It does not start with the typing of the title of the book and the byline, 'by so and so'. The writing starts in my mind.
Once I have an idea for a story, I create my characters and bring them with me everywhere. I put them in different scenarios and let them interact with each other as they follow the different plots I make up.
After a while the characters become eerily real for me. They develop their unique voice and mannerisms, their own personality. They are people, apart from me, and their responses to the story situations is, often, quite different from what mine would be.
Only when the story has been playing in my mind for a while and the characters have worked a particular scene from every possible angle (like actors do for real on stage) I sit down in front of my computer and write that scene.
That is why I said before that when I'm not working, I am writing: because when I'm in the middle of writing a novel, I think about my story all the time.
But even when I'm in between projects, because I just finished a novel, or a part of a novel, I also write no matter what else I'm doing. I write in the sense that anything I do, or see, or hear is a possible source of inspiration.
As Picasso said: "That inspiration comes, does not depend on me. The only thing I can do is make sure it catches me working."
And if inspiration doesn't come, I tease it out of hiding by reading topics that interest me. It was while reading about Medieval Spain that both the sequel to Two Moon Princess and my newest novel Requiem for a King originated.
But it was while watching Buffy, the Vampire Slayer that I got the idea for my work in progress Becquer.
As for Two Moon Princess, it came out of my past.
So, I guess, my life and my writing have become one.
And I like it that way.
Find Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban:
Website
Blog
Giveaway!
-US only! Sorry international followers!
-Ends Sunday April 17 at 11pm
-You don't have to be a follower but you can if you want to! =)
-Just leave a comment with your email or a way to contact you!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Mini Character Interview: This or That (Overprotected)
Today we have Colin from Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens! If you haven't read my review of it yet you can read it here!
Do you prefer vanilla or chocolate?
Hands down - chocolate.
What do you like more black or white?
both. she's into drama. she'd wear the color whole.
Do you prefer crayons or color pencils?
Fiona uses Elipses pens, at 150.00 each. Nothing else is allowed in the the townhouse.
Do like the summer or the winter?
She hates to sweat, so I'm going to say winter.
Do you prefer the day or the night?
Night = parties
Do you prefer sweet or sour?
definitely sour.
Find Jennifer Laurens:
Website
Blog
Do you prefer vanilla or chocolate?
Hands down - chocolate.
What do you like more black or white?
both. she's into drama. she'd wear the color whole.
Do you prefer crayons or color pencils?
Fiona uses Elipses pens, at 150.00 each. Nothing else is allowed in the the townhouse.
Do like the summer or the winter?
She hates to sweat, so I'm going to say winter.
Do you prefer the day or the night?
Night = parties
Do you prefer sweet or sour?
definitely sour.
Find Jennifer Laurens:
Website
Blog
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens
Title: OverprotectedAuthor: Jennifer Laurens
Release: April 2011
Pages: 243
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Ashlyn: A lonely society princess living in New York City.
Daddy hired you to be my bodyguard.
Colin: Childhood enemy, now her protector.
Daddy thought I’d be safe. He thought I’d never fall in love. He thought he could keep me forever.
Charles: obsessed with keeping her safe, keeping her his, he hires the one person he knows she could never fall in love with: Colin.
Daddy was wrong.
Review: It had been a long time that I had been wanting to read a book by Jennifer Laurens so I was really excited when I got the chance to read this one!
Synopsis: Ashlyn: A lonely society princess living in New York City.
Daddy hired you to be my bodyguard.
Colin: Childhood enemy, now her protector.
Daddy thought I’d be safe. He thought I’d never fall in love. He thought he could keep me forever.
Charles: obsessed with keeping her safe, keeping her his, he hires the one person he knows she could never fall in love with: Colin.
Daddy was wrong.
Review: It had been a long time that I had been wanting to read a book by Jennifer Laurens so I was really excited when I got the chance to read this one!
Ashlyn only wants to be normal, like any other girls her age. Unfortunately, her dad isn't letting her. He's obsessed with keeping her save and hires Ashlyn's childhood enemy after her old bodyguard is fired. As the story progresses we see how her family is changes and how this affects her.
I enjoyed reading from Ashlyn's point of view. She knew that she wasn't as experienced in many things as most girls her age were. She accepted this and because of this she wanted to get out and see more of the world. She did some risky things but I think it was all part of her desire to live her life how she wanted to and not by how her dad said she could.
From the beginning I liked Colin. He seemed nice to her and was often there when Ashlyn needed him. He knew that the things that her dad was doing the her weren't right and at times he tried to talk to her dad. When Ashlyn did some crazy thing to try to escape the life she had he would always be there to protect her if she needed it.
I was really surprised by the way Ashlyn's dad treated her. He seemed to really love her but at the same time he wouldn't give any choice in what she could do. At first her mom seemed to only care about appearances. She wasn't the one that Ashlyn would talk to and many times the things she would do or say would annoy me.
I was glad at how everything ended. Ashlyn's dad got what he deserved after being so mean to Ashlyn by controlling her life. If you're wondering about reading this book, just read it! I couldn't stop reading it after I started it because it was so good! Definitely a good book!
I received this book through a blog tour.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
In My Mailbox (41)
In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren! I have to say this week was pretty awesome! =)
Bought:
Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Torment by Lauren Kate
I can now read a book by Sarah Dessen! I had 1 book by her but I still wanted to get these. I'm glad I can read Torment before Passion comes out. =)
For Review:
Bloodspell by Amalie Howard
I really like the cover! And it sounds really good!
Other:
I forgot to include these in last week's IMM so I included them in this one.
Thanks to: The Teen Book Scene and Jennifer Laurens!
Author Interview: Jennifer Archer (Through Her Eyes)
Today we have Jennifer Archer. She's the author of several books and her most recent book, Through Her Eyes, which comes out on April 5th! Jennifer is also hosting a huge giveaway for pre-ordering her book between March 1, 2011 and April 4, 2011! For more information just click here!
Having lived in different places, did you ever have a favorite place were you stayed? Why?
The majority of my moving occurred between the time I was one year of age until I was eleven. I did move once more the summer after my sophomore year of high school. I liked different places my family and I lived for different reasons, but Emporia, Kansas is the town that holds my best memories. The school I attended, Maynard Elementary, was mostly responsible for that. The teachers and the curriculum were wonderful, with lots of fun and interesting field trips, extracurricular school events, and programs. I grew more self-conscious as I became older, but back then, I loved being on stage in front of a microphone. I tried out for all the programs offered, and as a result of that, I was in a few plays and even sang a couple of solos. Believe me, no program director would choose me to sing a solo now! I lost my decent singing voice when I grew up, along with my love of performing!
How do you think your writing has changed from when you first started to how you write now?
I hope it’s gotten better! I do know that it’s become a bit darker in tone. Most of my earlier published works were more lighthearted and humorous than what I’m currently writing. Those books all had somewhat emotional undertones, or dealt with underlying serious issues in a lighthearted way. THROUGH HER EYES and my second YA novel, THE SHADOW GIRL, that will be released next winter, take the opposite approach. These stories are primarily darker or more serious, with moments of humor.
What made you decide to write a book for teens after writing books for adults?
I’ve always enjoyed reading teen fiction, but stopped reading as much of it during the early years of my career, when I was mainly focused on adult fiction because I was writing it. I was substitute teaching one day during this time, and the teacher had a copy of the classic novel A WRINKLE IN TIME on her desk. I recalled reading it and enjoying it when I was in school, and I picked it up and started reading it while the students were working on a paper. I was instantly drawn in – and blown away – by the story, the characters, and the writing. A few days later, I was talking to my agent and mentioned it, as well as my interest in trying to write a novel for young people. She encouraged me, and the next morning, I literally woke up with Tansy’s character and the bare bones of the plotline for what would become THROUGH HER EYES in my mind.
Do you think that if you hadn't lived in all those places you would still have had the idea of becoming a writer?
That’s hard to say. I have noticed that there seem to be a lot of writers who grew up moving a lot. That makes me wonder if constantly being transplanted to places where you don’t know many people, or anyone at all, during the formative years, encourages a child to turn to books for companionship and comfort, thereby developing an unusually healthy imagination and active fantasy life. Books certainly became my cherished friends and a great escape during lonely times. Whatever the case, even though moving so much was difficult in many ways, I don’t regret my upbringing. I was exposed to many different types of landscapes and weather conditions, cultures, customs and mindsets because of my family’s migratory lifestyle, and that certainly hasn’t hurt my writing, because I can draw from those many different experiences.
What kind of research did you have to do to write Through Her Eyes?
My personal photography experience equates to ‘point and snap.’ I don’t have a fancy camera with a lot of different lenses, and I’ve never developed photographs in a darkroom. So I read up quite a bit on photography, and also turned to my sister-in-law, who is a wonderful photographer, to clarify a few things for me. It’s also been quite awhile since I was a high school student, so I spent a day sitting in on classes in a high school located in a small Texas town similar to Cedar Canyon, the fictional town in THROUGH HER EYES. I spent time browsing the businesses and neighborhoods in that town and another small Texas town nearby where I live. A seventeen year old girl I was mentoring through a program at her school was also a great help to me with current teen language and trends. I remember one fun and funny afternoon when Summer explained the difference between nerds and geeks, and Emos and Goths! It was a very educational meeting!
Thanks for having me on your wonderful blog, Diana! I would love to hear from readers on Facebook, Twitter, my blog, and/or my website. Links to all of the above are on my site: http://www.jenniferarcher.net/
The book trailer:
Through Her Eyes - Book Trailer from Emily Greaser on Vimeo.
Having lived in different places, did you ever have a favorite place were you stayed? Why?
The majority of my moving occurred between the time I was one year of age until I was eleven. I did move once more the summer after my sophomore year of high school. I liked different places my family and I lived for different reasons, but Emporia, Kansas is the town that holds my best memories. The school I attended, Maynard Elementary, was mostly responsible for that. The teachers and the curriculum were wonderful, with lots of fun and interesting field trips, extracurricular school events, and programs. I grew more self-conscious as I became older, but back then, I loved being on stage in front of a microphone. I tried out for all the programs offered, and as a result of that, I was in a few plays and even sang a couple of solos. Believe me, no program director would choose me to sing a solo now! I lost my decent singing voice when I grew up, along with my love of performing!
How do you think your writing has changed from when you first started to how you write now?
I hope it’s gotten better! I do know that it’s become a bit darker in tone. Most of my earlier published works were more lighthearted and humorous than what I’m currently writing. Those books all had somewhat emotional undertones, or dealt with underlying serious issues in a lighthearted way. THROUGH HER EYES and my second YA novel, THE SHADOW GIRL, that will be released next winter, take the opposite approach. These stories are primarily darker or more serious, with moments of humor.
What made you decide to write a book for teens after writing books for adults?
I’ve always enjoyed reading teen fiction, but stopped reading as much of it during the early years of my career, when I was mainly focused on adult fiction because I was writing it. I was substitute teaching one day during this time, and the teacher had a copy of the classic novel A WRINKLE IN TIME on her desk. I recalled reading it and enjoying it when I was in school, and I picked it up and started reading it while the students were working on a paper. I was instantly drawn in – and blown away – by the story, the characters, and the writing. A few days later, I was talking to my agent and mentioned it, as well as my interest in trying to write a novel for young people. She encouraged me, and the next morning, I literally woke up with Tansy’s character and the bare bones of the plotline for what would become THROUGH HER EYES in my mind.
Do you think that if you hadn't lived in all those places you would still have had the idea of becoming a writer?
That’s hard to say. I have noticed that there seem to be a lot of writers who grew up moving a lot. That makes me wonder if constantly being transplanted to places where you don’t know many people, or anyone at all, during the formative years, encourages a child to turn to books for companionship and comfort, thereby developing an unusually healthy imagination and active fantasy life. Books certainly became my cherished friends and a great escape during lonely times. Whatever the case, even though moving so much was difficult in many ways, I don’t regret my upbringing. I was exposed to many different types of landscapes and weather conditions, cultures, customs and mindsets because of my family’s migratory lifestyle, and that certainly hasn’t hurt my writing, because I can draw from those many different experiences.
What kind of research did you have to do to write Through Her Eyes?
My personal photography experience equates to ‘point and snap.’ I don’t have a fancy camera with a lot of different lenses, and I’ve never developed photographs in a darkroom. So I read up quite a bit on photography, and also turned to my sister-in-law, who is a wonderful photographer, to clarify a few things for me. It’s also been quite awhile since I was a high school student, so I spent a day sitting in on classes in a high school located in a small Texas town similar to Cedar Canyon, the fictional town in THROUGH HER EYES. I spent time browsing the businesses and neighborhoods in that town and another small Texas town nearby where I live. A seventeen year old girl I was mentoring through a program at her school was also a great help to me with current teen language and trends. I remember one fun and funny afternoon when Summer explained the difference between nerds and geeks, and Emos and Goths! It was a very educational meeting!
Thanks for having me on your wonderful blog, Diana! I would love to hear from readers on Facebook, Twitter, my blog, and/or my website. Links to all of the above are on my site: http://www.jenniferarcher.net/
The book trailer:
Through Her Eyes - Book Trailer from Emily Greaser on Vimeo.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler
Title: Kissed by an AngelAuthor: Elizabeth Chandler
Published: 1995
Pages: 230
Rating: 3/5Synopsis: Falling in love with Tristan, Ivy believes that she has met the boy of her dreams, until he tragically dies, destroying her belief in angels and preventing him from helping her as her new celestial guardian.
Review: I actually have the one that has all 3 books but I decided to review each book by itself.
It starts off with Ivy moving to another school because of her mother. She has 2 friends that encourage her to do some things, one of them being Tristan. Ivy refuses to pay attention to Tristan but as he grabs her attention she realizes that he's different from what she thought. It's just basically their story and about what happens after.
One thing I liked about Ivy was that she wasn't that interested in Tristan at the beginning. Even though her friends tried to convince her to get close to him she refused to do it. After a while she actually took her time to get to know him. What I didn't like was how she reacted after Tristan died.
Tristan wasn't like most typical guys were they don't have to do anything to win the girl over. He actually did things to try to make Ivy notice him. The fact that he was the popular guy at the school and Ivy still didn't pay attention to him made more interesting. I liked the scenes where we got to see him with Ivy's little brother.
At the beginning it was a bit confusing but as the story progressed it became more clear. The book changed perspectives, which was something that I enjoyed since we got to both Ivy's Tristan's minds. It's not bad or great but I think others would enjoy reading.
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