How often do books actually predict the future? More often that you'd think!
Can you think of any other examples not included in this infographic? Please, share them in the comments.
#RRSciFiMonth Author Interview: Rysa Walker
Q: First sci-fi novel you remember reading as a child?
A: It was actually a book of short stories that hooked me on sci-fi. I rarely got my hands on science fiction books as a kid. My primary "book pusher" (one of my grandmothers) had a preference for westerns & historical romance, and the local library was a bit lacking in the sci-fi realm as well.
Then my uncle, who is seven years older that I am and who was not exactly a stellar student, offered me five dollars to write a book report for him when I was nine or ten. (Yes, it was cheating. But what nine year old wouldn't be flattered and curious as to whether she could write something that would get past an 11th grade English teacher? I've always loved a good challenge...)
He'd been assigned science fiction as his genre, and he handed me a big, fat book of short stories. I was supposed to pick one, read it, and write a two-page report for his class. I got the book on Sunday morning, and I'll admit that the two-page report was probably not my best work, because I rushed it. The problem was that I read all of the stories and had a tough time deciding which one to write about. For the first time, I read Heinlein, Clarke, Bradbury, Asimov and many others. I finally picked "Flowers for Algernon," which is still one of my favorites.
The paper got a C+, which disappointed me at the time, but in retrospect, the teacher was probably very generous. My uncle was just delighted that he passed the class.
Q: Describe your perfect writing environment.
A: Around 11pm. Water bottle nearby. Social media off, desk so cluttered that I have to clear things away to see my monitors. No interruptions until I'm too sleepy to keep writing.
I rarely get any of those aside from the cluttered desk and water, since I have to get up at 6am to get kids off to school and there are almost always early soccer games on the weekends. So while I'm in fantasy land, I'll add two more: A cup of Double Bergamot Earl Grey that magically stays the right temperature and refills as needed and really dark chocolate (preferably Green & Black's 85%) from which all calories have been removed.
Q: Favorite sci-fi TV show (past or present)?
A: You do know this is kind of like asking a mom to pick her favorite child, right?
If forced to choose just one favorite, I'd go with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Lost might have bumped it out of that front-runner spot, if not for the fact that the writers botched the landing--the last few episodes were real clunkers.
Q: Tell us more about your outreach for student writers.
A: I'm currently part of a contest called The Sky's the Limit, along with fellow Skyscape authors Lori Lee, Christina Farley, Meredith McCardle, Chuck Wendig, and Jessie Humphries. The goal is to encourage creative writing in middle and high schools, and we've all been visiting our local schools to encourage young writers. All too often these days, the focus is on the required end-of-year tests. Creative writing gets very little attention in the classroom. It's not the teachers' fault--they'd love to have more time for it--but there just aren't enough hours in the day. We're hoping this will fill in the gap a bit.
The contest just ended on November 1st, but hopefully we'll be able to make this a yearly contest, depending on everyone's schedule. We'll be announcing the winners in January. Students only had to write the first 250 words of the story -- the goal was to get them thinking creatively and see who could come up with the best "hook" to make us want to read more. The grand prize winner will have the chance to complete the short story, and we'll assist the student in publishing it. There were lots of other great prizes as well, at each grade level (6-12), and a package of 30 Kindle Paperwhite readers for the school with most entries.
Q: If Twitter existed in the late 1800s, who would you follow?
A: Mark Twain. Susan B. Anthony. Lucy Stone, a suffragist who gets way too little attention. Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Edward Bellamy. A journalist named Miriam Cole, whose articles in various newspapers were so modern in tone that I could almost believe she had a CHRONOS key of her own. Frederick Douglass. I'd be retweeting Ida B. Wells's campaign to stop lynching. Victoria Woodhull. ...
I could go on for quite awhile. I suspect I'd be following at least as many people as I am today. :)
Q: Share your best time travel writing tips.
A: Keep it simple. Really wish I could go back in time and give myself this tip, because sorting out all of the timelines in Book 3 is making me a bit crazy.
Q: Favorite sci-fi movie?
A: If you'd simply asked favorite movie, it's a no-brainer. "The Princess Bride" wins hands down. As for sci-fi films, my favorite always tends to be the *last* really good movie that I see, possible because I have so many other favorites that I simply can't choose except for that one that is still really vivid in my mind. So I'm going to have to go with "Edge of Tomorrow" (aka "Live, Die, Repeat"), which we watched this past weekend. I resisted seeing it at the theaters despite recommendations of friends, because I really don't like Tom Cruise. But he was excellent in this, as was Emily Blunt. It reminded me a lot of another favorite film, "Groundhog Day," which isn't really sci-fi, but still hits many of the same themes.
Q: Recommend a recent read.
A: Rebel Wing by Tracy Banghart. Excellent YA sci-fi with a strong heroine. Banghart tackles stereotypes and still manages to tell an excellent story. And there's a book I'd really, really like to be able to recommend. I loved the writing and the characters in Jackaby by William Ritter. It was, as the early reviews promised, a mix of Sherlock and Doctor Who, two of my favorites. But I figured out who-dun-it way too soon for it to work for me as a mystery...and so did the teen reader in my house. Others seem, to have missed it, however, so if that kind of thing won't make you totally crazy, it's beautifully written and very whimsical. I'll read the next in the series, but I'm hoping he doesn't drop as many hints next time!
Q: If you had a CHRONOS key, where would you go and why?
A: I already did--virtually at least! Kate's jump to the 1893 World's Fair would be my dream trip. I would hang out for the full run of the Expo and stalk most of the historical figures mentioned above from the 1893 version of Twitter, along with a lot of other names that only a total Progressive era history geek would recognize. I would, however, steer clear of H.H. Holmes's World's Fair hotel and stay at the Palmer House.
Q: We would love a few hints about The CHRONOS Files, #3!
A: The Houdini story that began in the Time's Echo novella and drifted over into the second book will be resolved, and Kate will begin working with a new set of allies hinted at in the final pages of Time's Edge. In addition to Houdini and his wife Bess, Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin have cameo roles in Book 3. Kate will also be taking her first jump into the distant future. I'm starting on that section of the book now, as I barrel toward the end of the first draft. It's kind of a bittersweet thought, since book three will be the last full-length book in the series. It's slated for publication next September, if all goes according to schedule, but there will be another novella, Time's Mirror (from Prudence's perspective) coming out in late spring or early summer.
A: It was actually a book of short stories that hooked me on sci-fi. I rarely got my hands on science fiction books as a kid. My primary "book pusher" (one of my grandmothers) had a preference for westerns & historical romance, and the local library was a bit lacking in the sci-fi realm as well.
Then my uncle, who is seven years older that I am and who was not exactly a stellar student, offered me five dollars to write a book report for him when I was nine or ten. (Yes, it was cheating. But what nine year old wouldn't be flattered and curious as to whether she could write something that would get past an 11th grade English teacher? I've always loved a good challenge...)
He'd been assigned science fiction as his genre, and he handed me a big, fat book of short stories. I was supposed to pick one, read it, and write a two-page report for his class. I got the book on Sunday morning, and I'll admit that the two-page report was probably not my best work, because I rushed it. The problem was that I read all of the stories and had a tough time deciding which one to write about. For the first time, I read Heinlein, Clarke, Bradbury, Asimov and many others. I finally picked "Flowers for Algernon," which is still one of my favorites.
The paper got a C+, which disappointed me at the time, but in retrospect, the teacher was probably very generous. My uncle was just delighted that he passed the class.
Q: Describe your perfect writing environment.
A: Around 11pm. Water bottle nearby. Social media off, desk so cluttered that I have to clear things away to see my monitors. No interruptions until I'm too sleepy to keep writing.
I rarely get any of those aside from the cluttered desk and water, since I have to get up at 6am to get kids off to school and there are almost always early soccer games on the weekends. So while I'm in fantasy land, I'll add two more: A cup of Double Bergamot Earl Grey that magically stays the right temperature and refills as needed and really dark chocolate (preferably Green & Black's 85%) from which all calories have been removed.
Q: Favorite sci-fi TV show (past or present)?
A: You do know this is kind of like asking a mom to pick her favorite child, right?
If forced to choose just one favorite, I'd go with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Lost might have bumped it out of that front-runner spot, if not for the fact that the writers botched the landing--the last few episodes were real clunkers.
Q: Tell us more about your outreach for student writers.
A: I'm currently part of a contest called The Sky's the Limit, along with fellow Skyscape authors Lori Lee, Christina Farley, Meredith McCardle, Chuck Wendig, and Jessie Humphries. The goal is to encourage creative writing in middle and high schools, and we've all been visiting our local schools to encourage young writers. All too often these days, the focus is on the required end-of-year tests. Creative writing gets very little attention in the classroom. It's not the teachers' fault--they'd love to have more time for it--but there just aren't enough hours in the day. We're hoping this will fill in the gap a bit.
The contest just ended on November 1st, but hopefully we'll be able to make this a yearly contest, depending on everyone's schedule. We'll be announcing the winners in January. Students only had to write the first 250 words of the story -- the goal was to get them thinking creatively and see who could come up with the best "hook" to make us want to read more. The grand prize winner will have the chance to complete the short story, and we'll assist the student in publishing it. There were lots of other great prizes as well, at each grade level (6-12), and a package of 30 Kindle Paperwhite readers for the school with most entries.
Q: If Twitter existed in the late 1800s, who would you follow?
A: Mark Twain. Susan B. Anthony. Lucy Stone, a suffragist who gets way too little attention. Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Edward Bellamy. A journalist named Miriam Cole, whose articles in various newspapers were so modern in tone that I could almost believe she had a CHRONOS key of her own. Frederick Douglass. I'd be retweeting Ida B. Wells's campaign to stop lynching. Victoria Woodhull. ...
I could go on for quite awhile. I suspect I'd be following at least as many people as I am today. :)
Q: Share your best time travel writing tips.
A: Keep it simple. Really wish I could go back in time and give myself this tip, because sorting out all of the timelines in Book 3 is making me a bit crazy.
Q: Favorite sci-fi movie?
A: If you'd simply asked favorite movie, it's a no-brainer. "The Princess Bride" wins hands down. As for sci-fi films, my favorite always tends to be the *last* really good movie that I see, possible because I have so many other favorites that I simply can't choose except for that one that is still really vivid in my mind. So I'm going to have to go with "Edge of Tomorrow" (aka "Live, Die, Repeat"), which we watched this past weekend. I resisted seeing it at the theaters despite recommendations of friends, because I really don't like Tom Cruise. But he was excellent in this, as was Emily Blunt. It reminded me a lot of another favorite film, "Groundhog Day," which isn't really sci-fi, but still hits many of the same themes.
Q: Recommend a recent read.
A: Rebel Wing by Tracy Banghart. Excellent YA sci-fi with a strong heroine. Banghart tackles stereotypes and still manages to tell an excellent story. And there's a book I'd really, really like to be able to recommend. I loved the writing and the characters in Jackaby by William Ritter. It was, as the early reviews promised, a mix of Sherlock and Doctor Who, two of my favorites. But I figured out who-dun-it way too soon for it to work for me as a mystery...and so did the teen reader in my house. Others seem, to have missed it, however, so if that kind of thing won't make you totally crazy, it's beautifully written and very whimsical. I'll read the next in the series, but I'm hoping he doesn't drop as many hints next time!
Q: If you had a CHRONOS key, where would you go and why?
A: I already did--virtually at least! Kate's jump to the 1893 World's Fair would be my dream trip. I would hang out for the full run of the Expo and stalk most of the historical figures mentioned above from the 1893 version of Twitter, along with a lot of other names that only a total Progressive era history geek would recognize. I would, however, steer clear of H.H. Holmes's World's Fair hotel and stay at the Palmer House.
Q: We would love a few hints about The CHRONOS Files, #3!
A: The Houdini story that began in the Time's Echo novella and drifted over into the second book will be resolved, and Kate will begin working with a new set of allies hinted at in the final pages of Time's Edge. In addition to Houdini and his wife Bess, Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin have cameo roles in Book 3. Kate will also be taking her first jump into the distant future. I'm starting on that section of the book now, as I barrel toward the end of the first draft. It's kind of a bittersweet thought, since book three will be the last full-length book in the series. It's slated for publication next September, if all goes according to schedule, but there will be another novella, Time's Mirror (from Prudence's perspective) coming out in late spring or early summer.
Please, visit Rysa's website for extended content including BONUS CHAPTERS.
GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: The CHRONOS Files #RRSciFiMonth
When Kate Pierce-Keller’s grandmother gives her a strange blue medallion and speaks of time travel, sixteen-year-old Kate assumes the old woman is delusional. But it all becomes horrifyingly real when a murder in the past destroys the foundation of Kate’s present-day life. Suddenly, that medallion is the only thing protecting Kate from blinking out of existence.
Kate learns that the 1893 killing is part of something much more sinister, and Kate’s genetic ability to time-travel makes her the only one who can stop him. Risking everything, she travels to the Chicago World’s Fair to try to prevent the killing and the chain of events that follows.
Changing the timeline comes with a personal cost, however—if Kate succeeds, the boy she loves will have no memory of her existence. And regardless of her motives, does she have the right to manipulate the fate of the entire world?
REVIEW
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Time-travel details can sometimes be dizzyingly difficult to follow, but Walker piles it on with ease. From religious cults to serial killers, this book has it all and is executed magnificently. This is an action-packed read that will have you begging for more!
The CHRONOS Files series also includes TIME'S ECHO and TIME'S EDGE (both currently available) as well as book three, releasing next year.
AUTHOR
I grew up on a cattle ranch in the panhandle of Florida, thirty miles from the nearest bookstore, and ten miles from a library that was sorely underfunded. The librarian’s sole duties seemed to be telling me the book I wanted wasn’t in and shooing me back into the kid’s section. There were plenty of times that I would have sold my soul to get my hands on a new book, so there’s a slight possibility that the Kindle might be the result of a deal between my teenaged self and the devil. One grandmother tried to keep me supplied with books, although they were more likely to be the Louis L’Amour westerns and Barbara Cartland romances she finished reading than the science fiction and fantasy books I loved most. My other grandmother told me stories that awakened my interest in history and stirred my imagination.
I’ve held many different jobs with varying degrees of competence, including lifeguard at a waterslide (no one drowned), waitress (only a few broken dishes), actress in a melodrama theater (good reviews, except for my two left feet), web & multimedia development (I still dabble in that a bit) and, eventually, professor of history and government. If you can find a common denominator between all of those jobs, please let me know. I started writing before the waterslide gig, but only recently has it begun to pay the bills.
You’ll often (too often) find me on Facebook and Twitter. If you do, gently remind me that I really should be writing.
GIVEAWAY
- One (1) signed copy of TIMEBOUND
- One (1) signed copy of TIME'S EDGE
- Two (2) audio files of TIME'S ECHO
- Three (3) e-book copies of TIME'S ECHO
A Rafflecopter Giveaway
Stay tuned for a special #RRSciFiMonth author interview!
#RRSciFiMonth Intro & Giveaway
There are tons of fun things happening.
What are you looking forward to the most?
Check out the schedule and list of participants for more science fiction-y goodness.
We have a very special giveaway from Out of Print Clothing!
Make sure to check out their awesome Science Fiction Collection.
Facebook • Twitter • Tumblr • Pinterest • Blog • G+ • Instagram
Two (2) $40 gift cards are up for grabs, and the giveaway is International!
Two (2) $40 gift cards are up for grabs, and the giveaway is International!
If you are one of the lucky few to win, which item(s) will you choose?
Prepare for more #RRSciFiMonth goodies right here every Monday through the month of November.
GIVEAWAY & RECIPE: Overnight of the Living Dead French Toast #ZPocEating
The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse: A Cookbook and Culinary Survival Guide by Lauren Wilson
Just because the undead’s taste buds are atrophying doesn’t mean yours have to!
You duck into the safest-looking abandoned house you can find and hold your breath as you listen for the approaching zombie horde you’ve been running from all day. You hear a gurgling sound. Is it the undead? No—it’s your stomach.
When the zombie apocalypse tears down life and society as we know it, it will mean no more take out, no more brightly lit, immaculately organized aisles of food just waiting to be plucked effortlessly off the shelves. No more trips down to the local farmers’ market. No more microwaved meals in front of the TV or intimate dinner parties. No, when the undead rise, eating will be hard, and doing it successfully will become an art.
The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse is a cookbook and culinary field guide for the busy zpoc survivor. With more than 80 recipes (from Overnight of the Living Dead French Toast and It’s Not Easy Growing Greens Salad to Down & Out Sauerkraut, Honey & Blackberry Mead, and Twinkie Trifle), scads of gastronomic survival tips, and dozens of diagrams and illustrations that help you scavenge, forage, and improvise your way to an artful post-apocalypse meal. The Art of Eating is the ideal handbook for efficient food sourcing and inventive meal preparation in the event of an undead uprising.
Whether you decide to hole up in your own home or bug out into the wilderness, whether you prefer to scavenge the dregs of society or try your hand at apocalyptic agriculture, and regardless of your level of skill or preparation, The Art of Eating will help you navigate the wasteland and make the most of what you eat.
EXCERPT
You duck into the safest-looking abandoned house you can find and hold your breath as you listen for the approaching zombie horde you’ve been running from all day. You hear a gurgling sound. Is it the undead? No—it’s your stomach.
When the zombie apocalypse tears down life and society as we know it, it will mean no more take out, no more brightly lit, immaculately organized aisles of food just waiting to be plucked effortlessly off the shelves. No more trips down to the local farmers’ market. No more microwaved meals in front of the TV or intimate dinner parties. No, when the undead rise, eating will be hard, and doing it successfully will become an art.
The Art of Eating through the Zombie Apocalypse is a cookbook and culinary field guide for the busy zpoc survivor. With more than 80 recipes (from Overnight of the Living Dead French Toast and It’s Not Easy Growing Greens Salad to Down & Out Sauerkraut, Honey & Blackberry Mead, and Twinkie Trifle), scads of gastronomic survival tips, and dozens of diagrams and illustrations that help you scavenge, forage, and improvise your way to an artful post-apocalypse meal. The Art of Eating is the ideal handbook for efficient food sourcing and inventive meal preparation in the event of an undead uprising.
Whether you decide to hole up in your own home or bug out into the wilderness, whether you prefer to scavenge the dregs of society or try your hand at apocalyptic agriculture, and regardless of your level of skill or preparation, The Art of Eating will help you navigate the wasteland and make the most of what you eat.
EXCERPT
Bugging In or Nouveau Home Cuisine
The recipes here are quick, simple, calorie rich, and, perhaps most importantly, comforting. Yes, that’s right, they’re the zpoc equivalent of the post-financial-crisis comfort food trend. So get ready for warm, indulgent, and satisfying meals that can be fixed in a jiffy and/or need minimal attendance. These recipes are geared to the first days of the outbreak—when the power is either still running or has just gone out—and so, will focus on perishable ingredients that most people would have on hand in their refrigerators and freezers.
The recipes here are quick, simple, calorie rich, and, perhaps most importantly, comforting. Yes, that’s right, they’re the zpoc equivalent of the post-financial-crisis comfort food trend. So get ready for warm, indulgent, and satisfying meals that can be fixed in a jiffy and/or need minimal attendance. These recipes are geared to the first days of the outbreak—when the power is either still running or has just gone out—and so, will focus on perishable ingredients that most people would have on hand in their refrigerators and freezers.
Overnight of the Living Dead French Toast
Yields: 4 Hungry Survivor servings, 6 Regular Joe servings
Welcome to the zombie apocalypse! Tomorrow is a big day: you will be losing your head (hopefully not literally) trying to fend off the newly infected. On top of that, those pesky little weak spots in your fortress will surely present themselves, leaving you overwhelmed with survival and physical defense–focused activities. Before you go to sleep tonight (if it even seems safe to do so), why not plan ahead for breakfast? Not only will it help use up some of your perishables (milk, eggs, butter, bread), it will also give you a calorie-rich jump-start to your undead-filled day. If the power has already gone out, reduce the amount of time you soak the bread to a couple of hours and use an Oven Hack (page 6) to cook this bad boy.
Requires:
Chef’s or survival knife and cutting board
1 bread knife
1 small mixing bowl
1 mixing spoon
1 fireproof baking dish (preferably 7" x 11")
1 large bowl
1 whisk (or fork)
Piece of foil, to cover baking dish
Heat Source:
Indirect, conventional oven or other Oven Hack (page 6)
Time:
10 minutes prep
4-8 hours inactive soaking time
35 minutes unattended cooking time
Ingredients:
¼ c. (4 tbsp.) butter, melted
½ c. brown sugar
12 oz. bread (challah, raisin, French baguette, Wonder—whatever you got, preferably a mix of several different kinds), sliced into strips 2–3 fingers wide
½ c. dried cranberries or raisins
6 eggs
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 ½ c. milk, cream, or combination
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground ginger
Pinch of salt
3 tbsp. rum, orange liqueur, or brandy (optional)
1 c. nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds), roughly chopped and preferably toasted
Maple syrup, to taste
Method:
1. Mix together the melted butter and brown sugar in a small mixing bowl. Spread the mixture along
the bottom of the baking dish.
2. Put down a layer of bread fingers, overlapping and filling gaps where needed. Sprinkle with dried
fruit. Repeat with remaining bread and fruit.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs and granulated sugar together until the sugar has dissolved,
about 1 minute. Add the milk/cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pinch of salt, and
liquor/liqueur (if using). Whisk until incorporated.
4. Pour the custard over the bread and dried fruit, sweeping back and forth to moisten the whole top
layer, filling any nooks and crannies. Cover with foil and let sit for 2 hours (no refrigeration) or at
least 4 hours to overnight (in the fridge).
5. Preheat oven (for perhaps the last time!) to 375°F or set up an Oven Hack (see Judging
Temperature, page 7).
6. Remove foil from the baking dish and sprinkle with the toasted nuts (if using). Drizzle lightly
with maple syrup.
7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then cover and bake for another 15 minutes to avoid
over-browning. Check after 20 minutes or so—cooking time will vary widely depending on your
setup.
8. The French toast is ready when the custard at the center feels set (i.e., not jiggly, squishy, or raw).
Let stand for 5–10 minutes, then drizzle liberally with more maple syrup before tucking in.
AUTHOR
REVIEW: Magic Bites
Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn't want it any other way…
This special edition includes in-depth information about the world of Kate Daniels, with descriptions of its characters and factions. Explore Kate’s Atlanta like never before with answers to FAQ and a quiz to find your place there. And don’t miss the prequel story “A Questionable Client,” as well as scenes of events in Magic Bites from Curran’s point of view.
This was one of those first-in-series that had been recommended to me countless times. I had high hopes, but it fell flat. The rhythm of the story flickered like a fey lantern. Sometimes, I was completely enthralled. Other times, I was bored out of my mind. Reading the special edition was helpful as there are a ton of extra features at the end (including a prequel novella). I read A Questionable Client after finishing book one, but it didn't help very much in filling in the holes. I loved the magic versus tech concept and the fact that vampires are actually monsters instead of just another glammed up love interest. I'm still a bit confused about the role of each faction but looking forward to book two, nonetheless. Kate was likable enough though I certainly don't feel invested in any of the other characters at this point. Hopefully, the next in series will captivate me. Otherwise, I won't be continuing with Kate Daniels.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Violet Storm
Violet Storm: Modi #1 by Anna Soliveres
Several hundred years into the future, The Cleansing, known to some as the End of Days, forced the government to create Arks to shelter its people. When Earth became habitable again, new territories rose up from the ashes: Agria, the City of Light, and the Outer Boundaries. For a while, they lived in peace.
A brilliant surgeon known for his invention of Modi’s—the only cure for the deadly disease, vaincre—has gone rogue with his experiments, and the Monarchy is desperate to shut him down. That's where Aeva Storm comes in, a champion athlete with an ego to match. Aeva is the surgeon's secret weapon against the Monarchy. And they'll never know what hit them. After reconstructing her body to become a Modi unlike any he's ever created, Aeva is forced into a fight against all odds. She'll have to break loyalties, hurt family, and turn her back on newly awakened love. Thousands of lives hang in the balance in a battle that will set forth a new era.
Join Aeva on her quest to see whether she's got what it takes to go up against the most powerful humans ever created.
Amazon • B&N
INTERVIEW
Q: As a self-proclaimed avid reader, what is the last book that you read and immensely enjoyed?
A: I just got started on the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and I must say, it’s good, real good!
Q: List three (3) movies that have inspired you as a writer.
A: Here are the three movies that inspired the world of Violet Storm: iRobot, The Road, and The Book of Eli. I drew quite a bit from these movies to create the VS world!
Q: Who is your favorite super hero?
A: I grew up loving X-Men, Smallville, and a slew of anime. I’d have to say Rogue is probably one of my favorite super heroes. She’s got this great ability to absorb others powers and their memories. Which is great if you’re battling other mutants. But it comes at such a personal cost: not being able to touch people without harming them. Unlike Superman and many other super heroes, her ability doesn’t give her much choice in pushing away people. She’s forced to in order to keep them safe from her. That’s the kind of character you can do so much with!
Q: Photography seems to be one of your passions. Share three (3) of your recent photos with us.
A: I’ve been obsessed with my kitten lately. He’s getting so big so fast! I’ve been trying to capture him in many stages. Here are some of my favorite photos.
Q: Through all of your traveling adventures, where is your favorite place to visit and why?
A: This is a tough one! Internationally, I’d say that my favorite place was Zurich. I spent quite a bit of time there and it was an amazing experience. Domestic, I’d have to say Chicago was a ton of fun!
Q: Describe the environment that best stimulates your personal creativity.
A: I’ve learned that being at home is where I am most able to tune out the world and focus solely on writing. When I’m out at cafe’s, even out on my balcony, I am overstimulated and can’t quite focus as well on my work.
Q: Exactly, how fast can you run? Yes, I’m calling you out on the cop story!
A: Haha! I used to be able to run 1 mile in under 7 minutes. My sprints (quarter miles) were even faster--I was always the fastest girl in the group. I wanted to be a cop back when I was in high school after having been a Police Cadet for almost two years. During boot camp, my Drill Sergeant said that I ran like a deer.
Q: Tell us about a few of your guilty pleasures.
A: I love getting massages. I get these bad knots on my neck and shoulders that only a deep tissue massage can work out. I like going to the gym at least three times a week to work off the stress built up by my full-time job. I like cider over beer, and will have wine with a meal. I love ice cream, but don’t have too terrible of a sweet tooth!
Q: Violet Storm is book one of the Modi series. Can you tell us anything about Modi #2?
A: If there’s anything I can say; it’s that there’s going to be a lot more world building. I want to take my imagination and the readers imagination to a whole new level. Clearly Modification is proving itself to be somewhat limitless. There are a lot of unanswered questions from book one, more secrets to discover, and a world still left to save. And let’s not forget what might happen between Karth, Ruven, and Aeva!
Q: If you could live in a world of dolls, what would it be like?
A: Great question. You’ll just have to read it in Snow Dolls! I’ve written this world out to be just the way I would imagine if dolls were fact and not fiction. The challenge so far is building a believable world in which we can fathom that such a practice (of Purification) exists!
AUTHOR
Anna Soliveres has always been a storyteller but it wasn’t until her early twenties when she began writing novel length works. The result was an enthusiasm to get better at the craft until her work could be shared with the world. Releasing in March 2014, VIOLET STORM is her debut novel. Anna is currently working on another young adult sci-fi series, titled SNOW DOLLS, set to release in late 2014.
Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads
GIVEAWAY
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Several hundred years into the future, The Cleansing, known to some as the End of Days, forced the government to create Arks to shelter its people. When Earth became habitable again, new territories rose up from the ashes: Agria, the City of Light, and the Outer Boundaries. For a while, they lived in peace.
A brilliant surgeon known for his invention of Modi’s—the only cure for the deadly disease, vaincre—has gone rogue with his experiments, and the Monarchy is desperate to shut him down. That's where Aeva Storm comes in, a champion athlete with an ego to match. Aeva is the surgeon's secret weapon against the Monarchy. And they'll never know what hit them. After reconstructing her body to become a Modi unlike any he's ever created, Aeva is forced into a fight against all odds. She'll have to break loyalties, hurt family, and turn her back on newly awakened love. Thousands of lives hang in the balance in a battle that will set forth a new era.
Join Aeva on her quest to see whether she's got what it takes to go up against the most powerful humans ever created.
INTERVIEW
Q: As a self-proclaimed avid reader, what is the last book that you read and immensely enjoyed?
A: I just got started on the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and I must say, it’s good, real good!
Q: List three (3) movies that have inspired you as a writer.
A: Here are the three movies that inspired the world of Violet Storm: iRobot, The Road, and The Book of Eli. I drew quite a bit from these movies to create the VS world!
Q: Who is your favorite super hero?
A: I grew up loving X-Men, Smallville, and a slew of anime. I’d have to say Rogue is probably one of my favorite super heroes. She’s got this great ability to absorb others powers and their memories. Which is great if you’re battling other mutants. But it comes at such a personal cost: not being able to touch people without harming them. Unlike Superman and many other super heroes, her ability doesn’t give her much choice in pushing away people. She’s forced to in order to keep them safe from her. That’s the kind of character you can do so much with!
Q: Photography seems to be one of your passions. Share three (3) of your recent photos with us.
A: I’ve been obsessed with my kitten lately. He’s getting so big so fast! I’ve been trying to capture him in many stages. Here are some of my favorite photos.
Q: Through all of your traveling adventures, where is your favorite place to visit and why?
A: This is a tough one! Internationally, I’d say that my favorite place was Zurich. I spent quite a bit of time there and it was an amazing experience. Domestic, I’d have to say Chicago was a ton of fun!
Q: Describe the environment that best stimulates your personal creativity.
A: I’ve learned that being at home is where I am most able to tune out the world and focus solely on writing. When I’m out at cafe’s, even out on my balcony, I am overstimulated and can’t quite focus as well on my work.
Q: Exactly, how fast can you run? Yes, I’m calling you out on the cop story!
A: Haha! I used to be able to run 1 mile in under 7 minutes. My sprints (quarter miles) were even faster--I was always the fastest girl in the group. I wanted to be a cop back when I was in high school after having been a Police Cadet for almost two years. During boot camp, my Drill Sergeant said that I ran like a deer.
Q: Tell us about a few of your guilty pleasures.
A: I love getting massages. I get these bad knots on my neck and shoulders that only a deep tissue massage can work out. I like going to the gym at least three times a week to work off the stress built up by my full-time job. I like cider over beer, and will have wine with a meal. I love ice cream, but don’t have too terrible of a sweet tooth!
Q: Violet Storm is book one of the Modi series. Can you tell us anything about Modi #2?
A: If there’s anything I can say; it’s that there’s going to be a lot more world building. I want to take my imagination and the readers imagination to a whole new level. Clearly Modification is proving itself to be somewhat limitless. There are a lot of unanswered questions from book one, more secrets to discover, and a world still left to save. And let’s not forget what might happen between Karth, Ruven, and Aeva!
Q: If you could live in a world of dolls, what would it be like?
A: Great question. You’ll just have to read it in Snow Dolls! I’ve written this world out to be just the way I would imagine if dolls were fact and not fiction. The challenge so far is building a believable world in which we can fathom that such a practice (of Purification) exists!
AUTHOR
Anna Soliveres has always been a storyteller but it wasn’t until her early twenties when she began writing novel length works. The result was an enthusiasm to get better at the craft until her work could be shared with the world. Releasing in March 2014, VIOLET STORM is her debut novel. Anna is currently working on another young adult sci-fi series, titled SNOW DOLLS, set to release in late 2014.
Website • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads
GIVEAWAY
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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Neurotica
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If you find yourself talking to Jayne Dandy, keep the conversation on Star Wars and rubber ducks—best not to mention men, dating, or S-E-X. Because Jayne is fine with the way things are: writer of obituaries and garage sale ads by day, secret scribe of adventures in distant galaxies by night. But her crippling fear of intimacy has made her the butt of jokes since forever, and hiding behind her laptop isn’t going to get her lightsaber lit.
After her therapist recommends that she write erotica as a form of exposure therapy, Jayne joins forces with pen and paper to combat the demons that won’t let her kiss and tell. Unexpectedly downsized at work, she adopts a pseudonym and secretly self-publishes one of her naughty books to make ends meet. When her adorable, long-time friend Luke, co-owner of the popular Portland food truck Luke Piewalker’s, hears she’s been demoted, he insists on hiring her to sling éclairs and turnovers at his side. Her secret must be kept, but sparks ignite between them, sending Jayne and her X-Wing into a tailspin that will either make her face down her neuroses or trigger a meltdown of Death Star proportions.
After her therapist recommends that she write erotica as a form of exposure therapy, Jayne joins forces with pen and paper to combat the demons that won’t let her kiss and tell. Unexpectedly downsized at work, she adopts a pseudonym and secretly self-publishes one of her naughty books to make ends meet. When her adorable, long-time friend Luke, co-owner of the popular Portland food truck Luke Piewalker’s, hears she’s been demoted, he insists on hiring her to sling éclairs and turnovers at his side. Her secret must be kept, but sparks ignite between them, sending Jayne and her X-Wing into a tailspin that will either make her face down her neuroses or trigger a meltdown of Death Star proportions.
REVIEW
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fave Quotes:
The latest journal, containing the unfinished sequel to the first novel, I carry with me everywhere. In case someone breaks into my apartment to smother himself in my underwear and steal my Star Wars collectibles.
I can't walk home alone or I'll get mugged by bagpipe-playing hipsters on unicycles.
He knows that Senator Palpatine is Darth Sidious, and that General Grievous hates being called a droid. Or if we're Star Wars-weary, we can talk about Middle Earth or the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros or Craigh na Dun as if they were real places, places we could find if we were to get lost while wandering the forests and fields skirting Mt. Hood.
It always feels like the Eye of Sauron searching for the One Ring under my elven cloak.
"Sorry about that. My mother is eagerly awaiting new Padawans to add to her Rebel army."
And in a brief but powerful moment, I feel the bite of tears in the back of my throat—these are my people. We are all crazy and fun and silly together. I've never felt more un-alone in my entire life.
AUTHOR
A purveyor of fictions, Eliza Gordon has excellent taste in books, shoes, movies, and friends, and questionable sanity in the realm of love. Best leave that one alone.
GIVEAWAY
A Rafflecopter Giveaway
*I received this free copy in return for an honest review, and opinions are mine alone.
EXCERPT & SPOTLIGHT: Goddess Born
Pennsylvania, 1730
Selah Kilbrid keeps a dangerous secret: she has the power to heal.
A direct descendent of the Celtic goddess Brigid, it's Selah's sacred duty to help those in need. But as the last of the Goddess Born living in the New World, she learned from an early age to keep her supernatural abilities hidden. The Quaker community of Hopewell has always been welcoming, but there's no doubt they would see her hanged if her gift was revealed.
When a prominent minister threatens to try her with witchcraft unless she becomes his wife, Selah has only one hope--that her betrothed, a distant cousin from Ireland, arrives as planned. Marrying Samuel would keep her secret safe, preserve her sacred bloodline, and protect her from being charged as a witch.
But when news of Samuel's death reaches the Colonies, Selah is truly on her own. Terrified, she faces an impossible choice--forfeit her powers and marry the loathsome Nathan? Or find an imposter to pose as her husband and preserve her birthright?
Selah Kilbrid keeps a dangerous secret: she has the power to heal.
A direct descendent of the Celtic goddess Brigid, it's Selah's sacred duty to help those in need. But as the last of the Goddess Born living in the New World, she learned from an early age to keep her supernatural abilities hidden. The Quaker community of Hopewell has always been welcoming, but there's no doubt they would see her hanged if her gift was revealed.
When a prominent minister threatens to try her with witchcraft unless she becomes his wife, Selah has only one hope--that her betrothed, a distant cousin from Ireland, arrives as planned. Marrying Samuel would keep her secret safe, preserve her sacred bloodline, and protect her from being charged as a witch.
But when news of Samuel's death reaches the Colonies, Selah is truly on her own. Terrified, she faces an impossible choice--forfeit her powers and marry the loathsome Nathan? Or find an imposter to pose as her husband and preserve her birthright?
EXCERPT
I didn’t stop running until Brighmor was well out of view. With my heart pounding, I ducked out of sight behind a large oak tree to wait. A good ten minutes passed before my heart finally slowed, and I felt confident that Henry hadn’t followed me. Returning to the narrow pathway, I walked at a more leisurely pace, throwing the occasional furtive look over my shoulder as I went deeper and deeper into the woods to the manmade alcove that had been built right into the sidhe, or small earthen mound.
Years ago my grandparents had carved away enough dirt to stack large rocks three feet high, forming a wall in the shape of a half-moon. It measured about twelve feet from end to end with an arc deep enough to accommodate my full height if I were inclined to lie down. In the middle of the arc stood an altar, hewn from a piece of gray granite that had been sealed to the earth by my grandmother’s blood mixed with a handful of sacred dirt brought over from the Old World. Green and brown lichen grew on the stones, and dense foliage pushed up along the perimeter, ready to spill over into the clearing.
With the rock wall behind me, I knelt down at the altar and set the dried herbs on the smooth stone surface, charred black from countless fires. Finding the flint, I struck it repeatedly to release a shower of white sparks over the bundle. As it started to smolder, fragrances of cowslip, angelica, and goat’s rue rose up. With a long, deep breath, I pulled the smoke inside, letting it inundate my senses. Then I began to recite the ancient words in preparation to cross over.
Brigid Buadach, Buaid na fine, Siur Rig nime, Nar in duine,
Eslind luige, Lethan breo. Riar na n-oiged, Oibel ecnai,
Ingen Dubthaig, Duine uallach, Brigid buadach, Brigid
buadach.
The physical world began to waver. Keeping my voice to a low monotone, I repeated the Gaelic words. At the end of the third repetition, the trees and stones, the smoldering bundle, all flickered in and out of view, then disappeared altogether as my soul passed into to the Otherworld.
For a moment, there was nothing more than thick gray mist and the memory of burning herbs. I stepped out of the mist into the warm sunlight at the edge of Brigid’s garden, free of the night and my body that remained kneeling at the altar.
AUTHOR
Kari Edgren did not dream of becoming a writer. Instead, she dreamed of everything else and was often made to stay inside during kindergarten recess to practice her letters. Despite doting parents and a decent school system, Ms. Edgren managed to make it through elementary school having completed only one book cover to cover – The Box Car Children, which she read approximately forty-seven times. Things improved during high school, but not until she read Gabrielle Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude in college, did she truly understand the power of a book.
Ms. Edgren aspires to be a Vulcan, a world-acclaimed opera singer, and two inches taller. She resides in the Pacific NW where she spends a great deal of time torturing her husband and children with strange food and random historical facts. Ms. Edgren hasn’t stopped dreaming, but has finally mastered her letters enough to put the stories on paper.
For more information please visit Kari Edgren’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
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AVERY: The Chronicles of Kaya
The people of Kaya die in pairs. When one lover dies, the other does too. So it has been for thousands of years – until Ava.
For although her bondmate, Avery, has been murdered and Ava’s soul has been torn in two, she is the only one who has ever been strong enough to cling to life. Vowing revenge upon the barbarian queen of Pirenti, Ava's plan is interrupted when she is instead captured by the deadly prince of her enemies.
Prince Ambrose has been brought up to kill and hate. But when he takes charge of a strangely captivating Kayan prisoner and is forced to survive with her on a dangerous island, he must reconsider all he holds true . . .
In a violent country like Pirenti, where emotion is scorned as a weakness, can he find the strength to fight for the person he loves . . . even when she’s his vengeful enemy?
Avery is a sweeping, romantic fantasy novel about loss and identity, and finding the courage to love against all odds.
For although her bondmate, Avery, has been murdered and Ava’s soul has been torn in two, she is the only one who has ever been strong enough to cling to life. Vowing revenge upon the barbarian queen of Pirenti, Ava's plan is interrupted when she is instead captured by the deadly prince of her enemies.
Prince Ambrose has been brought up to kill and hate. But when he takes charge of a strangely captivating Kayan prisoner and is forced to survive with her on a dangerous island, he must reconsider all he holds true . . .
In a violent country like Pirenti, where emotion is scorned as a weakness, can he find the strength to fight for the person he loves . . . even when she’s his vengeful enemy?
Avery is a sweeping, romantic fantasy novel about loss and identity, and finding the courage to love against all odds.
NOW AVAILABLE
Thorne: The Chronicles of Kaya #2
Amazon • Goodreads
AUTHOR
Charlotte started writing her children’s fantasy series The Strangers of Paragor as a teenager and has since gone on to publish five novels. After a Masters degree in Screenwriting she wrote AVERY, the first in her adult fantasy series The Chronicles of Kaya, published by Random House. She now lives in Sydney, Australia, and has just released a new dystopian sci-fi novel called FURY – Book One of The Cure, published by Momentum.
SILVERN: Book Blast Giveaway
Jae Hwa Lee has destroyed Haemosu, the dangerous demi-god that held her ancestors captive, and now she’s ready to forget about immortals and move on with her life. Then the god of darkness, Kud, sends an assassin to kill her. Jae escapes with the knowledge that Kud is seeking the lost White Tiger Orb, and joins the Guardians of Shinshi to seek out the orb before Kud can find it.
But Kud is stronger and more devious than Haemosu ever was. Jae is soon painfully reminded that by making an enemy of Kud, she has placed her closest friends in danger, and must decide how much she can bear to sacrifice to defeat one of the most powerful immortals in all of Korea.
But Kud is stronger and more devious than Haemosu ever was. Jae is soon painfully reminded that by making an enemy of Kud, she has placed her closest friends in danger, and must decide how much she can bear to sacrifice to defeat one of the most powerful immortals in all of Korea.
AUTHOR
After teaching and traveling internationally for ten years, Christina started writing about her adventures, tossing in a little fiction for fun. This inspired her to write the GILDED series, a YA series based on Korean mythology about a Korean-American girl who takes her destiny into her own hands.
Besides writing, Christina loves traveling, running, driving too fast, and eating dark chocolate.
Christina writes fantasy for teens. She is represented by Jeff Ourvan of the Jennifer Lyons Literary, LLC.
GIVEAWAY SPOTLIGHT: Salt & Storm
Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper
A sweeping historical romance about a witch who foresees her own murder--and the one boy who can help change her future.
Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island's whalers safe at sea, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and respectability. When Avery dreams she's to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself.
Avery finds an unexpected ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane--a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Becoming a witch might stop her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers her magic requires a sacrifice she never prepared for.
Goodreads • Amazon • Barnes & Noble
AUTHOR
Kendall Kulper writes historical fiction with a fantasy twist for teen readers and knows more about nineteenth century whaling than she ever imagined. Her debut YA novel, SALT & STORM will be published by Little, Brown and Company on September 23, 2014. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in history and literature in 2008 and spent several years as a journalist before deciding to write full-time. She grew up in the wilds of New Jersey and now lives in Boston with her husband and chronically-anxious Australian Shepherd mix, Abby.
A sweeping historical romance about a witch who foresees her own murder--and the one boy who can help change her future.
Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island's whalers safe at sea, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and respectability. When Avery dreams she's to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself.
Avery finds an unexpected ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane--a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Becoming a witch might stop her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers her magic requires a sacrifice she never prepared for.
Goodreads • Amazon • Barnes & Noble
AUTHOR
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