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Monday, February 22, 2010

YA Author Spotlight Presents...

Rachel Vincent
Rachel Vincent!!!

My Soul to LoseI am pleased to bring you Rachel Vincent, author of the Soul Screamers (for YA readers) and Shifters (for adults) series. I had heard her name mentioned in other circles and became curious about her. Then, I discovered that I could get her eBook novella, My Soul to Lose, for free from the Sony Digital Editions library, so I signed up to get the free software, just so I could get something of hers to read. I read enough of this story to know that I liked the writing style and that I wanted to read more of her work and I knew that our readers would love her stories (as many of us do love the paranormal here), so I decided to shine our spotlight on Rachel this week.

Kaylee Cavanaugh is a normal girl with normal wants and needs. And like many of the other young female heroines (Zoe Tempest of Vampire Island, Janie Hannagan of the Dream Catcher series, Ever of the Immortals series, Cass McKenna of Give Up the Ghost) mentioned here is this room, she's completely normal except for one thing. In Kaylee's case, that one thing is knowing when someone's about to die.

Yeah, sure, it might seem like it would be good to be able to know when someone's about to die, but it's hard to do something about it when you're screaming bloody murder. That's what happens when Kaylee is near someone who is just about to die, she screams and she doesn't always know who it will be if there are too many people about her. She's so embarassed about her condition, that at the beginning of My Soul to Lose, she hadn't told her best friend Emma yet. Emma seems to think they're just panick attacks. If you've read Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe, you can understand why Kaylee would be more than just a tad hesitant to tell her friend what's going on. Cass' best friend freaked and practically turned the entire school against her.

How would Emma react if she found out the truth about Kaylee's panick attacks? Does she find out or is Kaylee sly enough to continue hiding the truth? You'll have to read My Soul to Lose if you want to find out the answers! What would be the fun in me telling you before you've had a chance to read the book?

Now, on to what you've all be waiting for, my interview with Rachel Vincent! Be sure to stay tuned because after the interview, we have an excerpt of My Soul to Save!

My Soul to TakeME: Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions like watching a Lifetime Channel movie marathon, spending the day with your significant other, writing, etc.? Do you have a favorite movie that you love to watch or a book you like to read on Valentine’s Day? Is there any movie or book that you’ve saved for this time of year? If so, what’s the title?

RACHEL: No, we don’t have any specific traditions for Valentines Day. This year, my husband and I went to our favorite pizza place (they have these awesome weird pizzas, like chicken and pine nuts, and Mediterranean with lamb, feta, and olives, and stuff like that). It was really cold, so we were the only ones in the outside seating, with a heater under a big tent, and it was just generally awesome! Then we came home and watched Zombieland on BluRay. It was a great night. My favorite Valentine’s Day ever, which is saying something, considering that we’ve been together for 13 years!

ME: Many of us feel that Valentine’s Day is just one more day that has been overly commercialized and isn’t something that should only be celebrated once a year, but at least once a day. What was the most romantic gift you’ve ever received, when did you receive it and who was it from?

RACHEL: Um… I’m not an overtly romantic gift giver or receiver. I don’t wear jewelry, other than my wedding ring, and I’d much rather have plants I can put in the ground than cut flowers. But my husband is a very thoughtful man. He often comes home with things I’ve mentioned liking or wanting, but would never have thought to actually buy for myself, because they don’t seem practical. Like, a couple of years ago, I saw these tiny clear glass mugs with short wine glass stems. They were intended for hot chocolate, and I love hot chocolate. I just stopped and looked at them at the store. He must have noticed, because he came home with them a couple of days later, when I was having a bad day. So we had hot chocolate in these tiny glass mugs. Stuff like that, that he does just to make me smile. I think those are the most romantic, heart-felt things ever. [Awww! Rachel's got herself a keeper, that's for sure!]

ME: Since this is the time of year when many people (teens included) feel the need to find a significant other, what suggestion(s) do you have for our readers as to what trait(s) should be added to their list?

RACHEL: You know, rather than looking for specific traits, I’d probably make a list of traits to avoid. You’re never going to find the “perfect” guy or girl, and you can drive yourself (and everyone else) nuts trying. So make a list of traits you don’t want. Like cruelty, aggression, derision, etc… That way you leave yourself open to liking people you might never have considered, if you automatically discount everyone who doesn’t open doors (or whatever is on your list).

ME: There are many relationship superstitions out there such as, “rain on your wedding day is bad luck,” are you superstitious when it comes to love or relationships? Why or why not? If so, what superstitions do you believe have merit?

RACHEL: No, I’m not superstitious at all, actually. It did rain on my wedding day, and I did see my husband before the service. And we’ve been married for almost thirteen years now. And no, I don’t think our thirteenth year will be bad luck. ;-)

ME: Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe in the power of love? If so, do you think that love can exist beyond this life and carry over into the next or has the power to keep a soul attached to the mortal coil never to cross over? Do you believe that ghosts have the ability to effect humans in a sexual manner?

RACHEL: I don’t believe in ghosts. I do believe in love, but I don’t believe in “meant to be” or “love at first sight.” Love is hard work. It’s never perfect, because people are never perfect. But for the sake of fiction and movies, I love ghost stories and stories about love so powerful it can affect the afterlife. I love writing (and reading) about things that should be impossible (or nearly impossible) in the real world. That’s the whole point of fantasy and romance, right? ;-)

ME: Please tell us, if you have any, 3 funny, strange or silly things that happened to you, or someone you know, on past Valentine’s Days. Any rendezvous fiascos that you now find humorous to tell? Have they ever been inspiration for some hi-jinks in your stories? Which ones? (Sharing may help others not feel so bad if it happened to them, as the saying goes, “misery loves company”)

RACHEL: Um… I only have one. When I was a young, intemperate, impulsive high school senior, Valentine’s Day happened to fall on national safe sex day (not sure if that’s always the case or not). So my best friend and I hatched a plan. She went to a public clinic and got a bunch of condoms, and we glued them to pink hearts, and glued the hearts to safety pins. Then handed them out at school.

Needless to say, we were told, in no uncertain terms, to cease and desist. ;-)
[Lol! I love this story! Such great hi-jinks!]

ME: Now, let’s switch gears and focus on your writing: What genre is your work considered to be (besides YA Fiction)? Why this genre? What was the draw for you?

StrayRACHEL: I write urban fantasy, for both adults and young adults. I love urban fantasy because it combines a real-world setting with elements of the fantastic. Monsters, mythology, folklore, etc… Writing fantasy lets me explore real-world issues dressed up as fantasy. So I can write about sexism and discrimination as it applies to stray and Pride-born werecats (in my adult Shifters series), without sounding preachy or being labeled an “issues” book. And I can write about mental illness, addiction, and “selling out” in terms of bean sidhes, grim reapers, and hellions, in my Soul Screamers series. That way, if you’re interested in social satire and “statements,” you can find them. And if you’re not, you can read just for adventure and entertainment, which is the whole point of a good book anyway.

ME: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please be creative and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

RACHEL: Fantasy, action, and romance, centering around strong female protagonists. I like to put my characters in situations that provide no easy way out, no good choices. That’s the true test of character. What does a truly good person do, when all of the options will hurt someone else?

ME: Do you prefer romantic gifts (flowers, chocolate, jewelry, etc.) or romantic acts (massages, dinners, fun night out, etc.)? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

RACHEL: While I do love chocolate, I typically buy it for myself, and I don’t wear jewelry. So I’d say I’m more of a dinner out, movie in (or out) kind of girl. I want people I love to spend time with me, not money on me. And yeah, I think that comes through in my writing. My protagonists (Faythe, from the adult Shifters series, and Kaylee from the Soul Screamers books) both have strong feminine sides, but they would never be described as “girlie.”

ME: What school of thought are you when it comes to romance, love at first sight or that love takes time? Does this show through in your writing? If so, how?

RACHEL: Love takes time. The initial attraction is almost always physical, but things are never perfect after that. Love is hard work, and that’s definitely reflected in my writing. Though Kaylee and Nash do have a decent “honeymoon” period in the first couple of Soul Screamers novels.

ME: When reading stories, many of us find secondary characters to be as interesting as or more interesting than the main characters. Are there any secondary characters that you plan on giving their own story? Or any that readers have requested have their own story? Are any of them your favorites? Why?

RACHEL: Yeah, everyone wants to see more of Tod and Emma. Possibly together. We’ll have to see about that. I’d love to write a story about Tod. Probably not a novel, though, because the thing about secondary characters is that they’re fun because we see what they do and hear what they say, but we’re not inside their heads. That funny magic would be very hard to sustain if we actually felt Tod’s trauma.

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the most romantic and why?

RACHEL: Um… In the Soul Screamers series, I’d say it’s Tod. But in an offbeat kind of way. What he’s willing to do for love in My Soul To Save (Book 2 of the series) and My Soul To Keep (Book 3) is…well, staggering, in my own opinion. Even if it causes serious fallout.

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the least romantic and why?

RACHEL: I don’t think I have any unromantic heroes, but if you’re judging them based on outward appearances, I’d have to say Marc. He doesn’t do roses and candy (Not that she’s ever asked for them), and he’s very possessive and temperamental. But he loves Faythe with every single cell in his body, and he’d do anything for her. Which is probably why he’s a big reader-favorite from my books. ;-)


EXCERPT My Soul to Save, now available everywhere.


My Soul to SaveWhen the door closed behind us, I concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other on the slick, marbled floor. Step-ow! Step-ow! Over and over again, breathing through the pain and doggedly avoiding eye contact with any of the creatures in the room. At least, any of them who actually had eyes.

Regan’s breathing sped up until she was practically panting, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her hand shaking. I wrapped my hand around hers and squeezed to tell her she was fine. Everything was okay. Then I made myself look up, though not at anything in particular, when I realized that walking with my eyes down practically advertized my status as prey.

And I would not be prey.

Near the fountain in the center of the room, two headless human-ish forms stood with their backs to us. One was male and one female, and she was bent to let her hand dangle in the flow of water that looked thick and smelled foul. When and if they turned, we’d find their facial features imbedded in their chests, as if they’d swallowed their own heads, and the lost parts were trying to break free from the inside. I knew that because I’d glimpsed this species briefly the day Emma died.

But what I hadn’t known—since peeking renders everything in shades of gray—was that their skin tone would be a smooth, delicate pink, as if they’d never lost the soft flush of the birthing process. If creatures like that were even birthed in the first place.

“Just keep walking,” Nash whispered, and I glanced quickly at his profile to find his jaw tense, his hands in his pockets. “Tod’s waiting for us by the elevators. We’re almost there.”

I followed his line of sight. Tod was indeed waiting for us by a bank of very normal-looking elevators, his arms crossed over his chest. His expression was strong, closed-off, and arrogant, as if to say he might not belong there, but neither was he afraid.

But we were not almost there. We’d gone less than a quarter of the way—just far enough to attract attention.

As we crossed the room, oddly lilted, strangely pitched snippets of conversation began to fade into silence as one creature after another noticed our presence. Then, as we passed an arrangement of formal, burgundy-colored couches, that conversation started back up, as if I’d just yawned to pop my ears and could suddenly hear again. This time I caught actual words here and there.

“Overworlders…”

“…taste their fear…”

“…used-up husks…”

“…plump, soft flesh…”

“…beacons of energy…”

“…swimming in pain…”

“…strong, young hearts…”

Chills traveled up my arms and down my spine. I became aware of a steady movement toward us, as the creatures slowly converged, slinking, slithering, lurching, and gliding in our direction from every corner of the room. I caught glimpses of extra arms, coiling tails, and flashing eyes in all manner of wrong colors. Whispered hisses followed us. Outstretched appendages welcomed us.

Something brushed a strand of hair from my shoulder, then trailed lightly down my back. I swallowed a shudder of revulsion and forced myself to face forward. To keep walking.

“This one smells like warm rot….” a female voice whispered into my ear, though as near as I could tell, the speaker was all the way across the lobby, beside the reception desk. Skeletal hands peeked from beneath long, wide sleeves, but she stood on nothing that I could see. No feet. No paws. No flippers. She simply hung on the air, sunken eyes glowing a dark, eerie blue.

As we moved forward, the crowd parted reluctantly, some beings moving so slowly we had to wait for them to vacate our path. Oddly textured hems brushed my jeans. Scalding fingers tugged on mine. And something cold and airy, like a breeze somehow made solid, wound around my ankles, forming an almost physical resistance to my forward motion and introducing a new, prickly cold pain to the agony still throbbing in my leg.

When we finally reached Tod and the bank of elevators—I’d come to view them as salvation itself—my sigh of relief was audible. Without a word, he pressed a button on the wall, and a set of doors slid open. We stepped inside, and Addy jabbed the “close door” button repeatedly with one trembling finger.

When the door closed, she turned on us, tears welling in her oddly blank eyes. “What the hell was that?”

“Hell’s about right,” I mumbled, and she whirled on me, fierce anger overwhelming her fear for the first time.

I was glad to see it. Leaking fear in the Netherworld was like leaking blood in a shark tank.

“You could have warned us!”

“What did you think you were getting into when you sold your soul?” Nash demanded, and I glanced at him in surprise. Contempt shone in his eyes. “These creatures live off the human life-force that bleeds through from our world to theirs. Some of them eat souls. Some of them eat flesh. Some of them just like new toys. Either way, walking through that lobby was like dangling a bloody stake in front of a tiger, and Kaylee and I did that for you two, even though she’s in horrible pain and huge trouble with her father. And neither of us have a thing to gain from this. So if you have any further complaints, you can lodge them right up your own ass, pop star, because nobody here gives a damn who you are or how much you’re worth. Without us, you’re meat, pure and simple. Got it?”

Addison blinked her big, empty eyes. Then she nodded, still trembling, and I couldn’t resist a smile.


***


Are you interested in the Soul Screamers but want to start from the beginning? You can still get My Soul to Lose for free from Rachel's website. Click here to get your own free copy of My Soul to Lose. Just click on the book. It's the one with the green cover.

Monday, February 15, 2010

YA Author Spotlight Presents...

Sandra - Framed
Sandra Cox!!!

We're bringing Sandra back into the moonlight this week as she debuts her newest release, Vampire Island! This is the first book in her Hunters series.

What's this book about?

So glad that you asked! Let's start with the trailer, it's got some cool spooky music in it and gives you a little bit of info and I'll fill in some info after you're done watching it:




Okay, now that you've seen the trailer, you know that Zoe's parents are murdered, causing her whole life to change, and not necessarily for the better. She ends up being uprooted to live with her estranged Uncle Julian on an island off the coast of Nassau in the Bahamas.

Whoa! Nassau! In the Bahamas! I know what you're thinking, sounds pretty good, right? Yeah, but would you want to live on Vampire Island?

Yep, that's it's name alright. No one, but Uncle Julian as far as Zoe can tell, lives there and all the shop keepers and workers go home before dark.

Why is that you might ask?

Well...the bats aren't your normal everyday bats. Sure, they're of the vampire species, only these tend to turn into nasty, fanged humans if not surrounded by garlic!

If you think you're having trouble believing it, you're not alone! Zoe doesn't believe it either and does her best to remain in denial. That is until she sees something so horrific she can no longer deny the truth of what's going on around her. Once she begins to accept things, her uncle reveals the truth about her, that there's something very special about her.

I won't go into any details, because that would ruin the fun of reading the book now wouldn't it? I've had a chance to read the book this weekend and here's what I found within its pages:
1. complex characters and plot
2. very believable character dynamics, interactions and reactions
3. reminder of what it's like to be a teenager (even though it was brief)
4. a few hotties (Uncle Julian being the best in my opinion)
5. the protections and companionship of an Ocelot named Oz (he has really cool silver claws!)
6. a too short vacation in a warm exotic place
7. lots of fun and mayhem! 

Want to experience it for yourself? Stick around because after the interview, there's an excerpt to Vampire Island! Now, let's get to the good stuff!

ME: Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions like watching a Lifetime Channel movie marathon, spending the day with your significant other, writing, etc.? Do you have a favorite movie that you love to watch or a book you like to read on Valentine’s Day? Is there any movie or book that you’ve saved for this time of year? If so, what’s the title?

SANDRA: You mean besides eating lots and lots of chocolate? (G)
I like to dig out the old seasonal Regencies. I think Marian Devon was the queen of the Regency genre. Her writing embodied Regency: funny, innocent and romantic. On Valentine’s I like to read, ‘A Heart on His Sleeve.’

ME: Many of us feel that Valentine’s Day is just one more day that has been overly commercialized and isn’t something that should only be celebrated once a year, but at least once a day. What was the most romantic gift you’ve ever received, when did you receive it and who was it from?

SANDRA: My most romantic gift, hmm…..
My husband surprised me with an anniversary ring when we went on a cruise to celebrate our anniversary.

I really like the idea of making every day, Valentine’s Day. Now that’s romantic.

ME: Since this is the time of year when many people (teens included) feel the need to find a significant other, what suggestion(s) do you have for our readers as to what trait(s) should be added to their list?

SANDRA: Look for someone who’s sincerely interested in you as a person. Who listens to you and really hears what you have to say. And of course return the favor, listen to them. With some people, ‘it’s all about me’. That doesn’t really make for a satisfying relationship. Find someone who makes you feel like the most special person in the world.

ME: There are many relationship superstitions out there such as, “rain on your wedding day is bad luck,” are you superstitious when it comes to love or relationships? Why or why not? If so, what superstitions do you believe have merit?

SANDRA: I’m not really superstitious, maybe a bit of a fatalist. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.

ME: Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe in the power of love? If so, do you think that love can exist beyond this life and carry over into the next or has the power to keep a soul attached to the mortal coil never to cross over? Do you believe that ghosts have the ability to effect humans in a sexual manner?

SANDRA: Yes I believe in…
Ghosts
Most definitely the power of love and that love can carry over and has the power to keep a soul attached to earth.
As far as the sexual effect, let me just say, I’ve never had any such experiences, but it sounds intriguing!

ME: Please tell us, if you have any, 3 funny, strange or silly things that happened to you, or someone you know, on past Valentine’s Days. Any rendezvous fiascos that you now find humorous to tell? Have they ever been inspiration for some hi-jinks in your stories? Which ones? (Sharing may help others not feel so bad if it happened to them, as the saying goes, “misery loves company”)

SANDRA: Wore jeans on a first date to what I thought was a casual concert. Everyone else had dressed up. Mortifying.

My date and I were to hook up with another couple to see a movie. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize two different theatres were showing the same movie. They went to one theatre and we went to another.

One year, my husband and I--with no prior knowledge—got each other the same valentine card. My kids thought it was a hoot.

ME: Now, let’s get to your writing:

ME: What genre is your work considered to be (besides YA Fiction)? Why this genre? What was the draw for you?

SANDRA: Paranormal and fantasy.
I love fantasy. The idea that fairytales can come true, that anything we believe is possible is a wonderful high, even the darker side of fantasy, like vampires. Because if vampires are real, then we have real heroes and heroines to fight them, people that are larger than life, with courage to stand up and do the right thing regardless of the odds.

ME: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please be creative and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

SANDRA: That the improbable is possible.

ME: Do you prefer romantic gifts (flowers, chocolate, jewelry, etc.) or romantic acts (massages, dinners, fun night out, etc.)? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

SANDRA: I want it all. (G) Both work just fine for me.

Yes, I think it does. I like my heroes to be strong, manly men, with a deep romantic streak. No sacrifice is too great for the women they love. (G)

ME: What school of thought are you when it comes to romance, love at first sight or that love takes time? Does this show through in your writing? If so, how?

SANDRA: I’m definitely a believer in love at first sight. But my characters are never allowed to acknowledge those feelings, or even realize them, at the beginning of the book. The most they can admit to is an intense attraction.

ME: When reading stories, many of us find secondary characters to be as interesting as or more interesting than the main characters. Are there any secondary characters that you plan on giving their own story? Or any that readers have requested have their own story? Are any of them your favorites? Why?

SANDRA: Bella Tremaine and Hank McHenry were secondary characters in Boji Stones and became the central figures in Rose Quartz. They are two of my all time favorites. Bella is just such a girlie girl and Hank is the strong silent type.

And for those who are reading Vampire Island, look for another appearance of Braden Knight in the Hunter Series.

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the most romantic and why?

SANDRA: Hank got Bella a pink diamond engagement ring, because it reminded him of her. It was an unexpected gesture from a strong, silent, cowboy type.

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the least romantic and why?

SANDRA: I can’t really dis any of my heroes. In their own way, they’re all romantics. Some of them just hide it better than others.

Vampire IslandBLURB:

My name is Zoe Tempest. Just let me say, I had no intention of becoming a vampire hunter. My world revolved around the trendiest clothes, the boy of the week, shopping, and texting.

My life was as close to perfect as a seventeen year old’s can get. I had everything. Then my parents were murdered and my world came crashing down. After their funeral, I went to live with my uncle Julian Kilmer. That is when everything changed. In a manner more terrifying than anything I could have imagined.

EXCERPT:
“Don’t go out after dark.”

“You’re joking right?” I said the first thing that came into my head then heaved a sigh from deep in my flat, toned belly. In the short twenty-some odd hours I’d known him, the dark brooding man standing in front of me had never cracked a smile let alone joked. Too bad, for an older man—he’s thirty-seven if he’s a day—Uncle Julian is a bit of a hottie…in an intense sort of way. His olive-colored skin stretches tight across high cheekbones. His thin nose reminds me of a predatory hawk.

I really couldn’t say a thing about his eyes. I’d never seen them. He invariably wore dark glasses.

“I never joke.”

There’s a news flash.

We stood in the dark gloomy hall of his mansion. As thunder boomed, the lights flickered. Moments later a streak of white lightning, visible through the long narrow window, hit nearby. The floor shook. Outside something screamed in the night. Though the room felt hot and stuffy, goose bumps roughened my skin. I rubbed my arms.

He leaned toward me. His shadow loomed menacingly across the floor engulfing me in black.

Before I could stop myself, I took a hasty step back and bumped against the door. The cool knob pressed into my back. He might be my uncle, but he was a stranger and a scary one at that.

With his index finger, he pulled down the sunglasses and looked over them. I gasped. His eyes were the same distinctive cobalt as my own. But where my eyes only added to my Barbie doll appearance, his sucked you in like a vortex. As if he could suction every thought right out of your head just by looking at you.

Get a grip, Zoe.

A trace of unease flickered across his face. “You aren’t sick are you?”

“No. What makes you think that?”

“You’re white as a sheet. Goose bumps are standing up on your arms like a plucked turkey.”

Being a vegetarian, the mental image wasn’t exactly a pleasant one. I gathered my courage and asked “Why can’t I go out?”

“Because I said so.”

I barely refrained from rolling my eyes.

He shifted his weight, his expression impatient.

The silence stretched between us.

Cold clammy beads of sweat trickled between my shoulder blades. I twitched my shoulders.

“Well?” I demanded fisting my hands on my hips.

“Because it’s dangerous,” he said curtly.

“What do you mean?”

He raised a black slashed eyebrow. “What about dangerous don’t you understand?”

I watched his gaze travel over my hot pink top and short white skirt. When his glance came to rest on my manicured toenails visible in my pink polka dot sandals with rhinestone bows, he shook his head his expression dismissive.

I shouldn’t have let it bother me. I was used to being looked at like an empty-headed blonde who’s only thought was her wardrobe. I even encouraged it. But it hurt coming from family. If he’d been around while I was growing up, he’d know better.

“This is the Bahamas. How dangerous can it be?” I challenged, straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin. Why should I care what this man thinks of me?

“This is a remote, unknown island in the Bahamas.” He flicked an imaginary piece of lint off his black silk shirt.

“Does this remote island have a name?”

His cobalt gaze locked with mine. The deep black flecks in them flickered like crashing tidal waves. “Vampire Island.”

Vampire Island goes on sale February 15th!

For more information check out:
Sandra's website: www.sandracox.com
Sandra's blog: downtownya.blogspot.com

Please check out my review of Vampire Island that goes live February 20th on our main blog!

Monday, February 8, 2010

YA Author Spotlight Presents...

Christina Kilbourne
Christina Kilbourne!!!

Christina Kilbourne is the author of TWEEN and YA Fiction. Her YA Fiction can also be enjoyed by adults. I've asked her here today because I stumbled upon her by accident. In other words, I didn't know she existed, so I wasn't sure if you did either. Her books seemed interesting and intriguing, so I thought that I would shine our spotlight on her this week! Her books include, Where Lives Take Root (revised version of Day of the Dog-tooth Violets), The Roads of Go Home Lake, Dear Jo and They Called Me Red.

I hope you enjoy the interview and excerpt to follow:

ME: Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions like watching a Lifetime Channel movie marathon, spending the day with your significant other, writing, etc.? Do you have a favorite movie that you love to watch or a book you like to read on Valentine’s Day? Is there any movie or book that you’ve saved for this time of year? If so, what’s the title?

TINA: This may be a bit of a disappointment but I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day. It’s not that I am not romantically inclined, but I am under the influence of my husband who is anti forced-material-commercial-celebrations. So beyond helping my kids with cards and treats for their classmates, I don’t really observe Valentines.

ME: Many of us feel that Valentine’s Day is just one more day that has been overly commercialized and isn’t something that should only be celebrated once a year, but at least once a day. What was the most romantic gift you’ve ever received, when did you receive it and who was it from?

TINA: The year I turned 26 I met my husband on a five-month overland experience of Africa. On my 26th birthday we were scheduled to trek into the Virunga National Park in Uganda to spend the afternoon with a family of lowland mountain gorillas. I was almost out of money and wasn’t able to go, so my husband, who wasn’t my husband at the time, bought me the experience and it has remained my favourite birthday ever.

ME: Since this is the time of year when many people (teens included) feel the need to find a significant other, what suggestion(s) do you have for our readers as to what trait(s) should be added to their list?

TINA: I think the best life partners have a sense of humour, are empathetic, considerate, flexible, honest and enduring.

ME: There are many relationship superstitions out there such as, “rain on your wedding day is bad luck,” are you superstitious when it comes to love or relationships? Why or why not? If so, what superstitions do you believe have merit?

TINA: I am not superstitious about anything. But I do believe that you need to love yourself before you will be able to love someone else in a mature relationship.

ME: Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe in the power of love? If so, do you think that love can exist beyond this life and carry over into the next or has the power to keep a soul attached to the mortal coil never to cross over? Do you believe that ghosts have the ability to effect humans in a sexual manner?

TINA: I do believe in spirit, that spirit exists beyond the body and is not limited by our earthly bodies so does survive after our bodies die. I also believe love is part of spirit so, yes, I believe it exists beyond our deaths. And yes, I believe spirit can effect humans in many ways, including in sexual ways.

ME: Please tell us, if you have any, 3 funny, strange or silly things that happened to you, or someone you know, on past Valentine’s Days. Any rendezvous fiascos that you now find humorous to tell? Have they ever been inspiration for some hi-jinks in your stories? Which ones? (Sharing may help others not feel so bad if it happened to them, as the saying goes, “misery loves company”)

TINA: Heck, I can’t particularly remember any Valentine’s days. Hopefully someone finds that admission helpful.

Now, let’s get to your writing:

Dear JoME: What genre is your work considered to be (besides YA Fiction)? Why this genre? What was the draw for you?

TINA: I don’t know what others consider my writing genre to be but I certainly consider it to be realistic fiction. I suppose the draw for me to write realistic fiction is to help people live for awhile in another set of shoes, even though they are fictional shoes. I think through fictional experiences we are able to better understand, empathize with and shed our judgements when we have truly understood a fellow human being.

ME: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please be creative and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

TINA: Experiential and expanded awareness. When someone reads one of my books, I want them to experience something they wouldn’t normally in their lives so that their judgements about a type of person or an experience drop away, making room for new awareness.

ME: Do you prefer romantic gifts (flowers, chocolate, jewelry, etc.) or romantic acts (massages, dinners, fun night out, etc.)? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

TINA: I am not picky, I just like to be spoiled now and then – either with gifts or gestures. I do love chocolate. I think romantic gestures come through in my writing as selflessness, though oddly this happens most often between my fictional siblings.

ME: What school of thought are you when it comes to romance, love at first sight or that love takes time? Does this show through in your writing? If so, how?

TINA: I think love can come in many forms. For me it was love at first sight, even before first sight, but I don’t discount that love can grow over time between two people. I haven’t really delved into ‘romantic love’ in my writing but I think that most readers would agree that I demonstrate a strong love towards my characters. In fact, because I get so attached to the characters in my books, I find it heart-wrenching to have to write scenes where they get hurt in anyway.

ME: When reading stories, many of us find secondary characters to be as interesting as or more interesting than the main characters. Are there any secondary characters that you plan on giving their own story? Or any that readers have requested have their own story? Are any of them your favorites? Why?

TINA: When my first novel came out (Day of the Dog-tooth Violets) a reviewer in Quill & Quire commented that one of my secondary characters was the most interesting character in the entire novel so I ended up writing a sequel based on that character (The Roads of Go Home Lake). Sometimes I find a secondary character takes on a life of their own and demands a bigger role in the story. I like it when that happens. That’s the fun part of writing – there are always surprises.

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the most romantic and why?

TINA: Do you mean the heroes in my books or anywhere in the world? I am going to choose to answer the later and pick President Obama. I love the way he looks at the First Lady. It’s such a refreshing change to see a person in power who is still real and in love, and not with himself/herself.

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the least romantic and why?

TINA: Most other politicians who are in it for their own recognition and not the good of the people they are meant to be serving. They can never truly be romantic, can they?

Let's get to some of the writing:
They Called Me RedBLURB: THEY CALL ME RED
They didn't have the perfect life, but it was their life: Devon's and his dad's. Then Lily came along, enchanting his father with her shy glances, spicy cooking, and exotic teas. Devon has a bad feeling about this new woman who seems endearing one minute, ice cold the next. It isn't until Devon finds himself in an unfamiliar room in an unfamiliar country that he starts to realize just what type of person Lily is and what she is capable of. Clinging to thoughts of his father and of home, he fights to find hope while living a nightmare.

EXCERPT:
Life was pretty good until Lily came along. We didn’t have much spending money, I had to do a lot of stuff around the apartment because Dad worked so much, but we were basically happy. Lily ruined that. She took over a little at a time until nothing could be the same ever again.

I grew up with just my dad. It had always been him and me since I could remember. My mom ran off when I was still in diapers. Dad said she was a drug addict – the worst kind who traded anything for a hit – so it was best she’d left. That’s what he told me when I asked about her at least. He said he had worried about me when he was at work during the days, worried she would trade me for a bag of crack. So when he came home one day and found me crying in my crib in an empty apartment, he picked me up and promised me a better life. He left a note and left the scene. I guess technically we ran away, but he said even when he tried to track her down in the following months, it was as if she had melted into a puddle on the street, and he figured she was dead.

Dad worked at a slaughter house on the edge of the city. It was his height and bulk that got him the job quartering the carcasses after they had been skinned. It wasn’t glamorous, but, like he said, it “paid the rent, put food on the table and clothes on our backs.” It even bought me a new skateboard once. People might think that a man his size who inhaled death all day would be mean and rough, but he wasn’t. I don’t remember him yelling at me once when I was little, not even when I had one of my temper tantrums. Instead, whenever he was upset, he paused, took a deep breath, then lowered his voice so I had to stop crying or screaming, or doing whatever it was that was causing the problem.

All of my friends loved him, and when I got a little older he was happy when they came over to hang out at our place. He was the kind of guy who put food out for stray dogs and let the neighbour’s cat come into our apartment, even though it had nicks in it’s ears from fighting and half it’s tail was missing. Once, when I was eight, I had to make a paper maché fish for a school project. I had chosen a porcupine fish and was having trouble keeping the toothpicks in place while I laid the first strips of wet newspaper over the balloon. I’d started to cry and was ready to give up when Dad came to help. It took us two hours and by then the entire kitchen was covered in flour paste. But we finished and the teacher was so impressed, she displayed my creation in the trophy case by the principal’s office. I was so proud I stopped to look at it every day on my way home. Making that fish should have been an impossible feat for fingers as thick and damaged as Dad’s, but his kind heart made it possible.

It was that same kind heart that allowed Lily to put a spell on him and destroy our lives.



********
For more information about Christina or her books, check out her website: www.christinakilbourne.com

Monday, February 1, 2010

YA Author Spotlight Presents...

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Jo Ramsey!!!

Jo is here to promote Connection, the first book in her Reality Shift series. Since she is as new to me as she is to you, let's get right to the questions, but stay tuned because an excerpt follows the interview!

ME: Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions like watching a Lifetime Channel movie marathon, spending the day with your significant other, writing, etc.? Do you have a favorite movie that you love to watch or a book you like to read on Valentine’s Day? Is there any movie or book that you’ve saved for this time of year? If so, what’s the title?

JO: I don’t have any Valentine’s Day traditions, but I’m hoping to start a new one this year. It’ll be the second Valentine’s Day since my fiance and I met, but last year he and I lived two hours apart and he wasn’t able to see me on Valentine’s Day. This year, we’re living together, and my daughters are with their father that weekend.

ME: Many of us feel that Valentine’s Day is just one more day that has been overly commercialized and isn’t something that should only be celebrated once a year, but at least once a day. What was the most romantic gift you’ve ever received, when did you receive it and who was it from?

JO: The most romantic gift I ever received isn’t something I can hold in my hand. Last summer, I became ill, and ended up needing surgery. Through the whole thing, my fiancé stuck by me, helped out with my children when I was too sick or tired to take care of them and while I was recovering from the surgery, and supported all of us financially. I went back to work too soon, and after about a month realized I wouldn’t be able to continue working, so my fiancé told me to take the rest of the winter off and focus on my writing. His help and support has been a huge gift.

ME: Since this is the time of year when many people (teens included) feel the need to find a significant other, what suggestion(s) do you have for our readers as to what trait(s) should be added to their list?

JO: Someone who treats you well. No matter what you might think of yourself, you deserve to be treated like the most wonderful person in the Universe, because you are.

ME: There are many relationship superstitions out there such as, “rain on your wedding day is bad luck,” are you superstitious when it comes to love or relationships? Why or why not? If so, what superstitions do you believe have merit?

JO: I’m not superstitious, though I do believe you receive what you think you will. So I try to always think positively.

ME: Do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe in the power of love? If so, do you think that love can exist beyond this life and carry over into the next or has the power to keep a soul attached to the mortal coil never to cross over? Do you believe that ghosts have the ability to effect humans in a sexual manner?

JO: Yes, yes, yes, and no.

ME: Please tell us, if you have any, 3 funny, strange or silly things that happened to you, or someone you know, on past Valentine’s Days. Any rendezvous fiascos that you now find humorous to tell? Have they ever been inspiration for some hi-jinks in your stories? Which ones? (Sharing may help others not feel so bad if it happened to them, as the saying goes, “misery loves company”)

JO: I’m afraid I’ve pretty much ignored Valentine’s Day most of my life, so I don’t have any stories to relate.

Now, let’s get to your writing:

ME: What genre is your work considered to be (besides YA Fiction)? Why this genre? What was the draw for you?

JO: Not sure whether to call it paranormal or urban fantasy. I guess I’ll go with paranormal. When I was a teen, I always wanted to have psychic abilities and be able to battle evil and that sort of thing, so that’s what my YA stories usually are about.

ME: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please be creative and delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

JO: Multi-faceted

ME: Do you prefer romantic gifts (flowers, chocolate, jewelry, etc.) or romantic acts (massages, dinners, fun night out, etc.)? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

JO: I’d say romantic acts, and I think it does show through in the way my characters, whether friends or in a relationship, treat each other and do nice things for each other.

ME: What school of thought are you when it comes to romance, love at first sight or that love takes time? Does this show through in your writing? If so, how?

JO: I believe in both, because I think it depends on the situation and the people. I’ve written stories that show it developing each way.

ME: When reading stories, many of us find secondary characters to be as interesting as or more interesting than the main characters. Are there any secondary characters that you plan on giving their own story? Or any that readers have requested have their own story? Are any of them your favorites? Why?

JO: I don’t know that she’ll ever have her own story, but I have to say I love Kaylie Sturbridge in Connection. Or maybe I should say I love to hate her…

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the most romantic and why?

JO: Since Connection is my first YA novel, I don’t really have an answer to that. There isn’t any romance in it.

ME: Of all of your heroes, who would you say is the least romantic and why?

JO: Same answer as above.

ConnectionBLURB: CONECTION
At the start of high school, Shanna Bailey doesn’t imagine her life will change. She’s always been the one everyone else puts down, even her own mother. Shanna is positive high school will be no better. But when she meets Jonah Leighton, everything changes. Though most other kids make fun of and even fear Jonah, Shanna finds him to be kind and thoughtful, and he amazes her with the things he knows. Even more amazing, he wants to teach her what he’s learned, and he wants to be her friend.

When Kaylie Sturbridge, one of the popular crowd, starts acting strangely, flipping out in school and shouting about a dark thing following her, her friends shun her. Only Jonah seems to know what’s going on, and he persuades Shanna to work with him to help Kaylie. But can the two of them rid Kaylie of the entity that wants to take over? And can Shanna trust herself enough to do what Jonah needs her to?

EXCERPT:
In front of Kaylie’s house, we stopped. The place was huge, even bigger than Jonah’s. As far as I knew, only Kaylie and her parents lived there. My chest tightened and my lungs begged for more oxygen. “Kind of scary,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“The size of the place or the fact that it’s Kaylie’s?” Jonah lightly touched my arm. “We’ll be fine. Come on.”

We went to the front door. After Jonah rang the bell, it took a couple minutes for Kaylie to answer. Her eyes were bloodshot and rimmed with black. They widened in surprise. “You showed up.”

“Yeah.” Jonah scrutinized her. “Looks like you didn’t sleep well. You didn’t do any of that vibrational stuff I told you about yesterday morning, did you?”

“No,” Kaylie admitted. “I thought it sounded like a crock. If I’d done it, it would have helped me sleep, though, wouldn’t it?”

“Definitely. Are you going to let us in?”

Kaylie stepped back and Jonah and I went inside. The house looked like no one lived there. No magazines on any tables, no shoes by the door, nothing. “My parents aren’t here,” Kaylie said, as though we didn’t already know.

“You told us they wouldn’t be.” Jonah peeked around a doorway. “Nice living room. We can work in there.”

“No one goes in there,” Kaylie snapped.

“Then why do you have it?” I wanted to know.

Kaylie gave me a look that would have been withering a week earlier. Now it just annoyed me. “It’s a parlor. Parlors are for special occasions.”

“And you have your parties where?” Jonah asked, looking around.

She stared at him. “How do you know about those?”

He laughed. “Kaylie, everyone knows about those. My eight-year-old neighbor has heard about your parties. Where do you have them?”

“We have a finished basement. We could work down there.” From the way she hesitated, she knew that was a bad idea.

“Not a chance.” Jonah went into the parlor. “With everything I’ve heard goes on at your parties, the vibration of that room would be so low we wouldn’t be able to do anything. This room has a good vibration.”

I thought Kaylie might argue, but after a second she just shrugged and went into the room. I followed her. “Just don’t touch anything,” she ordered.

“Other than the chairs, you mean?” Jonah sat down and scanned the room. “This is a really cool room.”

A fireplace had been built into the wall opposite the doorway. I went closer to see what they had on the mantle. Mostly I saw only ceramic figures, but in the center sat a black bowl that held an oval brown and tan stone about ten inches long. I felt a strange tingling when I looked at it. “What’s this?”

Jonah came over and looked at it. “A Shiva lingam.” He turned to Kaylie. “How come you have this?”

“I don’t know,” she said scornfully. “It belonged to my grandfather. Or great-grandfather, or something. One of my ancestors. It’s like an heirloom.”

“Kind of an unusual heirloom,” Jonah commented. He reached for it.

“I said don’t touch anything!” Kaylie snapped.

“True, you did.” He went back to his seat. I looked at the rock for a couple seconds longer, then reluctantly left it and sat in the chair beside Jonah’s. “So the first thing we need to do is make sure your vibration is too high for the demon to make it through,” Jonah explained. “It would have been tremendously helpful if you’d actually listened to me yesterday, but since you didn’t, we’ll have to do what we can. Do you still have the piece of quartz I gave you, at least?”

Kaylie nodded and took it out of her pocket. “I feel better having it with me, for some reason.”

“Because it’s protecting you from the demon,” Jonah said. “Sit down.”

Kaylie glared at him for a moment then did as he said. “What do I do?”

“Start with the affirmation I told you yesterday,” he instructed. “I intend to raise my vibration to higher and higher levels. Shanna, it wouldn’t hurt for you to say it too.”

“I intend to raise my vibration to higher and higher levels,” Kaylie and I repeated in perfect unison.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flicker of black. Without knowing where the information came from, I knew I couldn’t let Kaylie become aware of it. But Jonah needed to know. I nudged him and tilted my head toward where I’d seen it. Jonah glanced over and nodded. “Say it again,” he told us.

“I intend to raise my vibration to higher and higher levels.” Again Kaylie and I spoke in chorus. This time, I felt a pulling sensation in my stomach, below my rib cage. After a second I remembered that as the location of the third energy center, according to Jonah, though that didn’t mean much to me.

The flicker showed itself again. This time, Kaylie spotted it. “There it is!” She covered her eyes. “Make it go away!”

“Kaylie.” Jonah’s voice was low and quiet, like when he’d done the visualization with her at school. “Don’t be afraid. If you fear it, you give it power over you. And you lower your vibration.”

“You try having a demon following you and see how unafraid you are!” she shrilled.