Book Of The Week "The Eyes of The Sun"

Book of the Week! 

New Orleans certainly has no shortage of vampire legends and after a few months in the French Quarter, Lucy Soriano was sure she had heard them all. But when a date with a handsome stranger takes a deadly turn, she quickly discovers that the truth is more terrifying than fiction. The real monsters are the creations of evolutionary advantage, not vivid imaginations. 

But vampires aren't the only ones with evolution on their side. An anomaly in her blood is found to be fatal to vampires and Lucy is swiftly recruited into shadow organization hell bent on eliminating the vampire problem once and for all. Vampirehunting does not come naturally and Lucy's dangerous improvisations are quickly called out by Andre Garnier, a hunter who makes no secret of the fact that he opposes Lucy's recruitment. 

Soon it is discovered that The Eyes of The Sun, the oldest and most dangerous collective of vampires, are once again gaining ground and have infiltrated the very organization that is trying to stop them. The hunters have become the hunted and no one is to be trusted. Lucy and Andre are forced to set aside their differences for the sake of survival, but The Eyes of The Sun have an agenda that no one expected.

Make sure you show the Author Some Love! 

Author's Corner with Peter Difatta

Welcome Back to Author's Corner 

Today I have the pleasure of Interviewing Peter Difatta 

Peter is the Author of Finding Pluck. While it was in the manuscript form, Finding Pluck won the William Faulkner Literary Award in 2014.

It has recently been reviewed and recommended by The American Library Association. See the review here.

Now on to the Interview!

Why do you write Peter?
I write mainly because I enjoy it, and I think I have something creative and interesting to say. Plus, writing is a powerful force in changing the way people think, and I think I can offer up some important insights that perhaps not everyone has.

When did you decide to become a writer?
I've always appreciated the art of storytelling even when I was in grammar school. While I was in my first year of Literature class in college, I was recognized as having some skill with writing and was put in a special creative writing class. At the end of the semester, a novella I had written as an assignment was highlighted and read in its entirety to a large gathering of professors and students. While this was happening, I was extremely nervous about this and fortunately was sitting in the back of the room. However, it was well received, and from then on, I wanted to do more writing.

What genre are your books?
The latest book Finding Pluck, is difficult to place. In one regard, it is a coming of age novel. However, it does have a paranormal twist, it includes some romance, it has some mystery, and it is set in two historical time periods outside of the present. So, it could fall in any of these categories. However, if there was a genre category called “social agenda” genre, I would put it in there. It is because the novel addresses the culture of prejudice in our society—how prejudice is formed and how it is reinforced in our religions, culture and our laws. My previous novel was a paranormal (supernatural) thriller. The novel I’m working on now is set in the future so it will be in the Sci-Fi category.
What draws you to this genre?
Above everything else, I consider myself an entertainer. I may have a message to get out, but unless I get an audience to read my book, I’ve accomplished little. So, my goal is to entertain while at the same time delivering my message. I think a lot of people are drawn to the paranormal, as I am, so I use that genre to convey my message.

What have you written?
My first novel was a supernatural thriller entitled Utility. Finding Pluck is out now. Presently, I’m working on a anthology of my short stories, mostly paranormal and also working on my first attempt at sci-fi.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he do that is so special?
Um! Taylor is really not so special as a person. I tried to make him into an ordinary high school senior (when the book starts) who has a loving home environment, yet one facing numerous setbacks. Taylor desperately wants to go to college and is accepted, but financially his father can’t afford to send him. Taylor lies, saying he is gay, in order to receive a fully paid scholarship. What he does that is special is that he learns from this experience of being exposed to prejudice by walking in other people’s shoes, and he becomes a better person.

Where do your ideas come from?
I’m sure I’m influenced by everyday happenings one encounters in the news. I find myself clipping interesting newspaper stories. Real life is often stranger than fiction. And everyday actions with people are a source of inspiration. But after I have decided on the premise of my book, my most creative thoughts come when I’m swimming laps. It is a wonderful way to block out the rest of the world. All you hear are the bubbles from your breathing and the rhythmic sound of your strokes. This is a time when my mind can work best. It is a time when I can solve narrative problems.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just seeing where an idea takes you?
I outline using a database. Each chapter is one record. Each record shows a synopsis of the chapter, a time frame, people in the chapter, which draft (1, 2, 3, final), a rating of the quality of the chapter, notes on problems, and notes on things to add. New chapters can easily be added when needed. There are probably commercial writing programs to do this, but I just created my own database. It is extremely useful for examining your narrative arc, making sure time frames are plausible, and makes it easy to experiment with re-arranging chapters. When I am actually writing the chapters, they often go in a different direction than I originally intended. This may or may not result in revising the outline. Also, the outline is not fixed and definitely changes as the novel progresses.

How do you think you've evolved creatively?
I think I am much more demanding of myself. The narrative becomes more complex, and the characters become more developed, all hopefully making a more interesting read.

How do you market your books?
Marketing is a never ending challenge. First I seek out as many reviews as possible. I do this by contacting bloggers, and giving away my book on various sites in exchange for reviews. I've done press releases, opened a Facebook page, a Twitter account, a Pinterest page, advertised on Facebook and Google Words (neither worked) and had price reduction promotions. And, I enter contests. I am very selective about which ones, choosing only not for profit contests.
Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
The price reduction with promotions by far worked the best. The paid sites are the most effective, but you have to weigh the cost to benefit results. I've spent money on sites only to receive half that amount in royalties. Others are free and were quite beneficial.

Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?
Google Adwords, Goodreads ads, and advertising on Facebook did not work for me, and I felt was a waste of money. Possibly other genres might work, but I have my doubts. I've heard the same comments from other authors who are a lot more successful than me.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Be very devoted to your craft. Write as much and as often as you can. And truly believe in yourself and what you want to say.

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Yes. Marketing is a never ending process that builds on itself. As an example, when I first published Finding Pluck, I contacted local media stations seeking air time to talk about my book. The only one that responded was a NPR (National Public Radio) affiliate. I posted an edited version of that interview on my website. Through Goodreads, I requested an honest review and a blogger, who saw the request investigated my book, and after hearing the NPR interview was convinced she wanted to review it. When she did, she loved it and has heavily promoted it through her blog, twitter and Facebook. See her entire review here.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T8LYQZW
Website: FindingPluck.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25033769-finding-pluck


Thank You for Stopping By! 

Make Sure you Check out his Work! 

Book Of The Week "FOEHAMMER"

Book of the Week 

Twenty years from now a virus breaks out in a couple of Arctic naval bases, and then, even more strangely, inside the White House. The guards become animated corpses, and rescue teams are rendered helpless by a mysterious trance effect. Underpaid academic Dr. Weaver has documents that refer to something similar happening in the time of Christ, and a group of billionaires seek him out and immediately set him to work. With the help of a super-hacker, he manages to track down a veteran who’s not susceptible to mind control. But this Sean “Jester” Solberg character is a wild card—an aggressive loner who lives with the immigrants outside the cities. The next recruit is even more unusual. Curtis Ferguson is the son of a couple of anthropologists and reportedly the world’s most powerful witch doctor. Into this bizarre, dysfunctional group is thrust Jodie Goodwin, a down-to-earth Texan girl with exceptional shooting skills. The newly formed team creep into the bunkers deep under the capital and encounter mankind’s ancient enemies. They end up fighting for survival and soon discover that their lives depend on the powers of the young, but untested, shaman.

Make sure you Check Out His Work! 

Author's Corner With LJ Higgins

Welcome Back to Authors Corner! 

Today I have the pleasure of speaking to LJ Higgins. She is the Author of Dawn of the Dreamer and In Their Shoes.    

Now On to the Interview! 

Why do you write L.J.? 
I just love it. I’ve always had a crazy imagination and I like to be able to put it to good use. Writing just makes me happy.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something? I had created a blog to start writing again, and a friend noticed how much I enjoyed it and gave me a notebook as a gift. Inside she left me a note urging me to continue writing, and that she couldn’t wait to read my future novel. That night I had a dream that inspired my first novel, Dawn of the Dreamer.

What have you written?
I have published the first book of the Dreamer Trilogy, Dawn of the Dreamer. I am currently working on Fall of the Dreamer (Dreamer Trilogy, Book Two) and it is due for release in early 2016, I have recently turned my blog series, In Their Shoes, into its own book on Amazon. 

Where can we buy or see them?
You can find Dawn of the Dreamer through my website (www.ljhiggins.com), on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookworld and other online bookstores. You can find In Their Shoes, on Amazon as well.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does she do that is so special?
Amelia is a twenty three year old who has spent her life taking the backseat. Being a Dreamer has meant she has had to keep parts of herself a secret so as not to be ridiculed, that is until she meets someone who tells her the truth about what it really means to be a Dreamer. She then needs to decide if she will take the easy option, as she always has, and stay in her sheltered life, being told there is something wrong with her. Or take the difficult route and stand up and fight for her right to Dream.

What are you working on at the minute?
At the moment I am going through my first edit of Book Two of the Dreamer Trilogy. And I am also posting my blog series, In Their Shoes, once a fortnight.

What’s it about? 
Book Two, is set in the year after the events of Dawn of the Dreamer, and Amelia and her friends have started settling into their new lives. That is until a new threat surfaces along with new questions about what Dreamers are really capable of.
In Their Shoes is a series of short stories giving you the chance to walk in other peoples shoes, and realize that not everyone are as they appear.

What genre are your books?
Young Adult with a touch of Science Fiction.

What draws you to this genre?
It covers the stage in your life where you decide who you want to be, and what you want to do with your life. I think no matter what the plot is, I can generally relate to what the character is going through emotionally.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
Dawn of the Dreamer has taught me so much about my writing style, and how to weave a story. For Book Two I am a lot more structured in my work, and have done much more planning. I know that I will continue to evolve with each story I write.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
The writing was the easy part. I found it easy to sit down and get it all on the page. The editing and publishing was the biggest learning curve for me, but even though I felt like pulling my hair out at times, I enjoyed it too.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series?
If you have a story that’s too big to tell in one book, or that can hold the reader’s attention over a number of books, why not write a series? Your writing will only get better as you grow to know and understand your characters.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I do both. Editing my own work taught me so much about my own writing. But a professional taught me more about the technical side of writing. A professional ensures your book is polished and ready to be published.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Having only self-published I can’t say much about traditional publishing. I will say that I didn’t decide to self-publish lightly, but felt it suited what I wanted to get out of publishing better. And also suited my lifestyle as a stay at home mum and wife. If I were to be approached by a traditional publisher that doesn’t mean I would say no, but it would have to be the right contract for me and my family.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write! So many people want to write a book, but don’t actually start writing. So my advice would be to write, let others read it to give you honest feedback, take what they say as constructive criticism, and write again.


How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: www.ljhiggins.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ljhigginsbooks
Twitter: @lj_higgins
Instagram: @lj_higgins
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/L.-J.-Higgins/e/B0120ARKFA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13804669.L_J_Higgins

Thank you LJ for stopping by! Make sure you check out her work!

Book of the Week Sol of the Coliseum

Book of the Week Sol of the Coliseum by Adam Gaylord 

Deep in the bowels of the Coliseum of the mighty Astrolian Empire, the orphan, Sol, is raised by a makeshift family of guards and fellow slaves to become the most famed Gladiator in all the land. Alongside K'nal, his giant Frorian fighting partner, Sol must battle cunning warriors and fantastic beasts to delight the crowd and stay alive. But when an oppressed populace transforms Sol into a revolutionary folk hero, the Empire sends its most ruthless assassin to put an end to the uprising. Sol’s only chance is to do what no slave has ever done: escape from the coliseum and the only home he’s ever known.

Here is the link to buy the book on Amazon. 

Showing Traits! "Curious"

Curious

Definition: Marked by the desire to investigate and learn. 

Similar Attributes: Inquisitive

Possible Causes : 
Having a naturally inquisitive outlook.
Growing up in an environment where exploration and asking questions was encouraged
Having a thirst for knowledge.
Possessing an adventurous spirit

Associated Behaviors: 
Asking questions
Having strong observation skills
seeking out people with similar interests. Listening in on the conversations of others
Collecting things
Showing disdain for rules, boundaries, and limits.
Not becoming bored easily
Losing track of time
Joining groups or clubs
Breaking rules in order to follow an idea or interest
Thinking about the What if?
Obsessive tendencies

Associated Thoughts: 
Look at the two of them whispering. I'll corner Ella later and find out what's going on.
Interesting, how different animal species huddle together in specific environment.
Before Harold cast his fishing line, he rolls his wrist. I need to ask him why he does that.

Associated Emotions: 
Confidence
Curiosity
Eagerness

Positive Aspects: 
Curious characters are drawn to problems or inconveniences that other people would choose to avoid.
Characters who are curious easily stumble upon mysteries or involve themselves in dangerous matters . they can conveniently introduce conflict into a story line.

Negative Aspects: 
Curious characters are often impulsive, acting with out thinking. They can be single-minded to a fault.
Those who are curious are frequently more interested in their current topic of exploration than their relationship and may not understand or appreciate those  without a similar level of curiosity.

For More Help in figuring out Traits for your Characters make sure you check out The Positive Trait  by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

Author's Corner With Jeff Russell

Welcome Back to Author's Corner! 

This week we are talking to Jeff Russell who is the author of The Dream Shelf! 

Why do you write Jeff?
Writing allows me to create. Characters, plot, dilemmas, solutions, conflicts, dialog – I love every facet of the process. Even if I think that no one else will read the finished story I tweak each word, sentence and paragraph until completely satisfied with the results. Writing dares me to improve, to test myself and I cannot resist the challenge.

When did you decide to take the plung and become a writer?
I go for many solitary, long distance runs and during those quiet times stories swirl in my head. One of them became so intricate that I had to write it down to keep track of the details. The more it evolved the more I became attached to the characters and their plight. 80,000 words later I had a novel that I shared with a local book club and they inspired me to share it with others. That’s when I discovered that some readers enjoy my work as much as I do.

What genre are your books?
Literary/Contemporary Fiction comes closest. I write about people like you and me – characters with limited physical, financial and emotional resources who get caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

What draws you to this genre?
As I say in my by-line … life makes for a great adventure. The real history in The Dream Shelf and the real science in Cab’s Lantern are fascinating … we just have to read and appreciate. I tap into episodes from our American past and weave them into stories with characters that readers can relate to without having to suspend their belief.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I’m keeping it real for now. My books have sold well but not enough to let me quit my day job. I write, and share that writing, for the love of it; not for the prospects of financial gain.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do?
Write for the love of writing, aiming to please yourself first. Then share your work freely in exchange for honest, constructive criticism. Everyone needs it and everyone benefits from it. Don’t write for the money; that only leads to frustration.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
The research, though that is also the most rewarding thing. When I reference an event that took place in the past but has some impact on the current-day story I want to ensure that every fact I state is verifiable. Accurate imagery is also important. I want readers to say ‘Hey, I stood on that bridge’ or ‘I’ve seen that sign’ or ‘I’ve been there – I know exactly where that took place.’ This is key to drawing readers into the story.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I’m definitely a plot person, though my storylines typically begin in the middle with some defining discovery or revelation. I plot from there to the ending and then backwards to define how it all began.

Do you ever get writer’s Block?
I always know what I want to say but not how I want to say it. The art of writing involves taking an emotion the author feels and converting it into words that will trigger the same emotion in the reader. That is no simple task. I will spend hours searching for the right combination of words to achieve that goal – that’s my version of writer’s block.

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
I go for a walk and talk to my characters, explaining what I’m trying to do and listening to their input. Like actors advising the director, they tell me how a scene should play out and how the dialog should sound.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
Local book clubs have been a great asset for me, acting as beta-readers and giving me constructive feedback. That process has taught me to look at my scenes from the perspective of an educated, frank, well-read audience. I still love to create but now I’m creating for them as well as for myself.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Be honest with yourself. Are you writing for fame and fortune, or are you writing because it’s the spark that keeps your heart beating. If you’re writing for wealth then spend your money on lottery tickets instead – you stand a better chance there. And if you’re writing for yourself then do so at every opportunity.

Where do you see publishing going in the future?
I see readers (educated readers, at least) spending less time and money on over-hyped hardcopies churned out by the Big-5 houses and more on emerging self-published authors. Reviews are an integral part of this process, and as more reviewers step up to share their opinions more savvy readers discover this whole new world of low-cost literary recreation.

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
I always make ebook copies of my stories available for free to anyone willing to post a review. Interested readers can contact me at CabsLantern@gmail.com for details.

As an aside, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity. Like reviews and guest blogs, interviews are critical stepping stones for self-published authors. Your stone brings me one step closer to a wider audience. Cheers!

How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: www.CabsLantern.com
Blog: www.CabsLantern.com
Facebook: Jeff Russell
Twitter: @CabsLantern
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00RG94MIE
Smashwords: Jeff Russell (CabsLantern)

Book of the Week "Wilder"

Book of the Week Wilder by G.K. DeROSA

Wilder is written by G.K. DeROSA!

All that Celeste Wilder ever wanted was to find someone who would sweep her off her feet like she had seen in countless romantic movies. When she meets the gorgeous and mysterious Constantin brothers her senior year of high school, she gets much more than what she had bargained for. As they introduce her to an exciting supernatural world that she never imagined existed, she makes a startling discovery about her own family legacy and is forced to make a decision that will change her life forever.

Here is the link to buy the book on Amazon: http://amztk.com/wilder

Authors Corner With Clarissa Cartharn

Welcome back to Authors Corner With Clarissa Cartharn

Clarissa, why do you write?
I write because I love it. I itch to get my thoughts and words on paper. I’m always writing either my books, in my blog or on some forum. There is no other reason but my love for writing.

When did you decide to become a writer?
I remember when I was about seven or eight years old I told my mother that I wanted to become a writer. She thought I was being too fantastical and that I should focus on something more practical and viable. So I gave up on the idea and thus began my years of drifting and sole-searching. When circumstances led me to leave work to look after my children, I decided to dabble with the idea of being a writer again. (grins) I don’t dabble anymore. I am a writer.

What genre are your books?
They are romances with sub-genres of thrillers, adventure and contemporary

What draws you to this genre?
I love romances. Watching a story of two people unfolding and falling in love is beautiful.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate, or longhand?
On a computer. But I’ve always had a fascination for writing on a typewriter, my hair and clothes all unkempt, a cigarette in an ashtray and a cup of coffee steaming by my manuscript pile. However, I am a non-smoker and my obsessiveness over cleaning prevents me from realizing this fantasy.

Where do your ideas come from?
They come from everywhere. It could be something I may have read or seen on T.V. or even when someone is relating a story to me I could go ‘hmmm… that sounds like a potential story.’

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
My last book was based on a woman who was captured and forced to marry her captor. I had to do a lot of research on how women felt under such circumstances and all those stories were not romantic at all. These were real stories of abuse and human degradation and to read about the sufferings of these women wasn’t easy.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
The cover plays a very important part of the buying process. It is a reflection of the mood, the atmosphere and the story itself. It is one of those factors that buyers use as an aid to judge whether a certain book is for them.

Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
The one strategy that has worked for me is to write the next book. There is no better way of marketing your book than your work itself. Spend more time on the quality of the work you produce and let your work speak for itself.

How can my readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: http://clarissacartharn.wix.com/clarissacartharn
Blog: http://doodlenook.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarissaCartharn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccartharn
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Clarissa-Cartharn/e/B009X0P0EO
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6575851.Clarissa_Cartharn


Make sure you show her some Love and Check Out Her Work!