Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Book Review: No Peace With The Dawn by E.B. Wheeler and Jeffery Bateman




No Peace With The Dawn

by

E.B. Wheeler

and 

Jeffery Bateman

 

 Synopis


In 1917, the Great War seems far from Logan, Utah. But soon it will change the lives of suffragette and mechanic Clara, Swiss-German immigrant and LDS convert Trudi, Marine Corps volunteer Reed, and Shoshone seeking U.S. citizenship Joseph. This novel weaves real events with compelling fictional characters into a sweeping tale of war, romance, self-discovery, and sacrifice.


Review:

 

I was pleased to receive an ARC of No Peace With The Dawn from Cedar Fort in exchange for an honest review.

The plot of this war romance quickly turns from lighthearted fun to a lot of deep emotional drama as each of the characters endures their own personal tragities and whitnesses the horrors of war. Each individual was interesting and easy to want to follow: Reed, a college student falls for Clara, a firey young woman that is quick to sacrifice for what she knows is right. Joseph is a Native American during a time when his people are not respected as citizens. He's desperate to prove his worth to his country. There is also Trudi, a Swedish girl who mirror's Joseph's plight.

One of the things that impressed me most, was that even though this book was written by two different authors, the voice and flow are completely streamlined and impossible to distinguish between two different writing styles. As this was my first time reading either of the authors, I completely forgot that the book was co-written.

No Peace With The Dawn was insightful, inspiring, and everything a historical fiction reader looks for. The romantic endeavors are pleasing but not the center of the meaty plot. Your emotions will be tied right along with each character and you will almost feel as though the experiences of war were your own. The ending felt like an exhale of a deep breath, since all of that tragedy does bring good things in the end.


5 stars
  *****  




 

 

 

 





Monday, October 24, 2016

Book Review: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin




A Game of Thrones

(A Song Of Ice And Fire #1)

by 

George R. R. Martin

Synopsis:

Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.

The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne.



Review:

 

So I finally broke down and started the free trial of Audible, and now I'm like six months into the subscription. A Game of Thrones is the first book I downloaded because I've been curious about the book version of my favorite show for years now. I won't get too deep into this review, since so many people have read this book or at least watched this show. Instead I'll compare the first book to the first season of the show.

What was fun for me was watching the corresponding episode after I finished the equivalent of that episode in the book. After doing that, I realized the first season of the show pretty much follows the book. Besides a lot more insight into the character's thoughts and motives, there really weren't many changes or surprises that the show hadn't prepared me for.  The book is long, and also a bit slow, and honestly I'm not sure if I could have tolerated that if I wasn't already in love with these characters from the start. By the end of the book though, I'm positive I would have been hooked even if I hadn't already watched the show.

Throughout this experience, I've really come to appreciate Martin's voice. He writes splendidly in both male and female, young and old characters. He has that gift of revealing information as if you are there experiencing it yourself. And not to mention the world building and plot line. But if you watch the show, you know that already!

If you're already a show fan and looking for a casual book to listen to while you're driving or cleaning the kitchen, you should definitely give it a try. I appreciated that I could be a little distracted by my kid but totally understand what they were talking about once I got back to it. The side by side experience of watching the show and reading the books is incredible, not to mention revisiting your favorite characters that were sent to the chopping block. I'm definitely going to listen to book 2 after the new year. 


5 stars

* * * * * 





Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Series Review: The Rhodi Saga by Megan Linski




THE RHODI SAGA

                                               

by 

Megan Linski

Today Connie's Bookmark is a stop on the official Rhodi's Saga blog tour. This groundbreaking new series was just released at the beginning of September. They are all now available to purchase in both print and ebook. I've already had the pleasure of reading them in advance. Here are my thoughts on each book.

 

 

BOOK ONE

Synopsis:

Flight. Hyperspeed. Clairvoyance.

These are some of the powers gifted to the Rhodi, an ancient sect of assassins who defend Crescentia, a dystopian world with a dying hope.

Dyliana Fairsson is one of them. After losing her parents to a suspicious accident, she and her twin brother, Devin, join the Rhodi to avoid starvation. Under the direction of her master, Dylan struggles to learn the strength of her magic …as well as hide the growing scars on her wrists. Can Dylan become the warrior, the hero, she’s destined to be? Or is she fated to fall from the light into the darkness?

The first installment in the epic fantasy series by bestselling author Megan Linski, Rhodi’s Light is an action-packed thrill ride that will leave readers begging for more.


Review:

 

I was really anticipating this series because Megan Linski has earned herself a spot on my favorite authors list ever since her Arabian fantasy "Kingdom From Ashes". This new series doesn't seem to be much like that at all in terms of tone, setting, and era. The overall "feel" of the setting and characters, with their dormant magic and dark pasts, reminds me of a modern Final Fantasy universe. (think FF13-2 or 3) I definitely felt nostalgic all throughout reading it and I'm DYING to play FF now!

But anyway, the first installment in the Rhodi's Saga has good qualities, as well as a few things I hope improve with the next book. For example, Linski puts us in a very unique, yet somehow familiar world, with out the reader getting to explore much of it. And I don't mean like they didn't go anywhere. It's just that I would have liked to have known more about culture a little about the people in the background, not just the handful of characters we get to interact with. The Rhodi are another thing. Their history is very intriguing, but they're so secretive, no one knows who they are. So I didn't really understand why they mattered to the Hunter's Guild so much. Or why they continued even after their numbers nearly died out.

But speaking of characters, Linski doesn't fail to make great ones. The main characters, Dylan and Devin, who are twins, felt very realistic since they were close, but not presented as carbon copies of each others mind, body, and spirit, like so much of media would have us believe. The two definitely had different personalities and that was very refreshing. Dylan has a darkness in her. One she's trying to overcome. I think that's something we all can appreciate. But don't worry, there's no shortage of comic relief with the teens and their quirky friends. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Taladin's soft heart and the other characters all got my attention, too. The villains didn't really get fleshed out until the end and even though they were the main problem, I felt their influence was lacking throughout the story. But at the end of book one, it's clear what the villain's motives are.

Overall this book just felt like the introduction to something bigger. There are still questions to be answered. Still places that need to be filled in on my mental map. There are definitely still things the Rhodi need to do and I'm tagging along for the ride.

4 Stars
* * * * 




BOOK TWO

 


 


 Synopsis:

 

 Forced into hiding.
Desperate to find their masters.

In the past few months since the attack on their home, twin assassins Dylan and Devin have grown restless. With the Rhodi facing extinction, they search for their masters Talidin and Tavana, only to discover they’ve gone missing. With nowhere to turn, the twins seek help from a pair of mysterious spies, only to find the trail gone cold, marked by hints of torture and destruction.

Dylan and Devin piece together the events that led to the disappearance of their fellow Rhodi. As their enemies close in for the kill, Dylan discovers that some things are impossible for a Rhodi…but not for a tigress.

The stakes and romance are heightened in this epic dystopian sequel to Rhodi’s Light. Bestselling author Megan Linski brings readers a young adult fantasy with magic, mystery, and an epic adventure that races quickly to a breathless conclusion.


Review:

 

I was much more enchanted with "Rhodi Rising" than I was the first book. The story was set at a much quicker pace and the action came out of nowhere! One minute, they would be just hanging out, doing what teenagers do, and the next something would attack and there would be Crafts and shapeshifting all over the place!

We get to explore a new country, as well as learn more about the original one. I especially enjoyed the Celtic theme of Dunedinne and the characters that were introduced there. They were a fresh, comic relief, as well as devices of strong character development for our girl Dylan. A bit of romance is what "Rhodi's Light" lacked and "Rising" makes up for it.

The ending came with a twist I wasn't expecting, which is always much appreciated. The book sets everything up for the (what I hear is) epic conclusion, but stands on it's own with page turning plot and lots of action and adventure.
 
 

5 Stars
* * * *


BOOK THREE

 




Synopsis

Cities burn.
Governments fall.
Lives are lost in a desperate war...one the Rhodi are losing.

The world has been devastated by the tyranny of the Red Huntress. To save Crescentia, Dylan and Devin attempt to decipher the mystery of the ancient letter their ancestors left behind, the only hope of salvation for their kind. Dylan continues to fight foes both on the battlefield and within her own mind, all while wrestling with the confused feelings she has for Enfys, the alluring spy who has become devoted to her cause.

In the epic conclusion to the thrilling Rhodi Saga, one brave warrior will stand in the way of corruption, to take place before her destiny…or her death.

Rhodi’s Lullaby is the third installment in the suspenseful young adult dystopian series fans and critics are calling an original masterpiece in the epic fantasy genre.


Review:

 

It's really hard for me to write a review on the third book in the series since it's almost impossible for me to not hand out spoilers, so in case you haven't read this book yet, I would skip this review.

When I'd started this series I had originally said that it reminded me of a modern final fantasy game. Not so much any more, since the setting is more fleshed out in the third book and we have a better sense of the of the environment. That said, the world is holding onto it's own now and feels much more original.

The third installment in the story opens with the cast preparing for a wedding, which is nice, since the story has been a bit dark so far. But it's clear with the impending war and tensions in the crowded house rising that things are about to get a bit chaotic. Especially when an antagonist quickly decides to change sides. Not everyone is agreeable to the change.

My favorite part about this book was actually more of a side story. Devin and Nellie's tragic love story carried me through the pages and was more emotional for me than anything in this book chuck full of feels. I appreciated how almost every single character went through their own struggles and journey, (probably why the darn thing was so long) but I happened to enjoy Devin and Nellie's the most.

The ending was satisfying, giving the readers a very unexpected twist and fulfilling conclusion. I felt like it wrapped up the other two books nicely. 

All of that said, it did take me quite a long time to get through this one. Granted, like 90% of the planet's population, I'm super busy and have little time for books. But when I really gravitate towards a story, there's no stopping me on finishing it. I've had that happen with several other of Megan Linksi's books. Just not this series so much. It was a bit slow, and I just didn't connect with many of the characters like in her previous books. By the third book, I figured out that it was the voice, which is so important to me. Her voice doesn't flow in third person the way it does in first person or passive.

None of that is enough for me to give up on one of my favorite authors though. She has a vampire/werewolf series coming out next year, which normally isn't my thing, but there is an added element of an Anastasia retelling which I just can't resist. I hear it's first person too, so my hopes are high. 


4 stars
* * * *

 


Saturday, September 24, 2016

Book Review: The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury






The Sin Eater's Daughter

by 

Melinda Salisbury


Synopsis


A startling, seductive, deliciously dark debut that will shatter your definition of YA fantasy. Sixteen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she's engaged to the prince, no one speaks to her. No one even looks at her. Because Twylla isn't a member of the court. She's the executioner.As the goddess-embodied, Twylla kills with a single touch. So each week, she's taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love her. Who could care for a girl with murder in her veins? Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to her touch, avoids her.But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose playful smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he's able to look past Twylla's executioner robes and see the girl, not the goddess. Yet a treasonous romance is the least of Twylla's problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies-a plan that requires an unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?






Review


This book has been on my TBR ever since I saw the cover and read the blurb. Unfortunately I read a not so great review from one of my favorite reviewers, so that discouraged me a bit. I still had it on my Goodreads list, so I got an email when a giveaway was happening. I won! I received an autographed hardcover copy in the mail and I'm SOOO happy that I had the opportunity to read it.

Although this story takes place in a faraway kingdom long ago, (my favorite setting) it took awhile to get going. There was just enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages, however a good chunk of the book was gone before it felt like the story was getting somewhere. And I can't quite put my finger on it, but the beginning also seemed a little dark for me and kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. Not because of the story or the writing. Both were fantastic. I just kind of felt gloomy after I'd close the book. Also, just a side note, it also felt like the story couldn't decide if it wanted to have a supernatural element or not. One minute, gods and magic exist, the next they don't, wait yes they do...maybe? Oh, but this other magic is definitely legit. I was confused, but maybe that was okay because so was the main character.

I almost quit. But I could tell something was brewing and I wanted to be a part of it. Once the story got going and I got used to the world, it didn't feel weird anymore. I loved the intricate plot and how all those little things that didn't seem to mean anything all came back in the end. After the rocky beginning, I was surprised by how much I thought about the book during the day and couldn't wait to get home to read it.

The Sin Eater's Daughter is full of shock and is the perfect hopeless romance. I finished the book last night and immediately added The Sleeping Prince to my TBR and Christmas list. If you love unique magic, castle drama, and don't mind a slow start, definitely give this a try.


 4 Stars

* * * * 



Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Book Review: The Witch's Curse, by Megan Linski







The Witch's Curse

by 

Megan Linski 

 

 

Synopsis:


"The scream of a dying girl was the singular sound that changed my life, forever."

When Briar enters the Eldermere Woods alone, she never could've imagined the danger that awaited her there. As a young witch, she's sought by hunters who desire her blood, a group of radicals who wish to eliminate all magical creatures. When Briar discovers a fellow witch slaughtered in the forest, her boring afternoon is changed into a fight for her life.

With the help of her dragon shifter love, Thomas, Briar must find a way to stop the witch hunters from destroying her town of Thorny Brook. But is her magic strong enough to defeat her most dangerous enemies? Full of danger, fantasy, and fun, THE WITCH'S CURSE is another thrilling installment by bestselling author Megan Linski.



Review:

 

 
You may have noticed that I read a ton of Megan Linski. Well that's true.
1. Because she's amazing.
2. She writes like 12 books a year.
3. She usually lets me read her stuff for free in advance for only the promise that I will review it. 

But everyone can get this little novella for FREE by signing up for Megan's VIP list! Trust me, it's worth it. ;)

This was a fantastic little read (only about an hour long) that just left me wanting more. I really hope Linski decides to make this a series of novellas.

The world building is excellent, especially since it is crafted in such a short amount of words. From the cover, I thought it was set in modern times, but it's clear as you read on that this takes place in a medieval village of sorts. The small town is made up of witches, shape shifting dragons, normal villagers, and those who oppose magic all together. Briar, a young witch, has to hunt down her peer's murderer in order to keep her peaceful town safe. Great stuff. I really hope I get to read more.


Again, the only way to read this mini novella by signing up for Megan Linski's VIP list at her website www.meganlinski.com
 






5 Stars

* * * * * 

 

 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas




A Court of Thorns and Roses

by 

Sarah J. Maas



Synopsis

 

She stole a life. Now she must pay with her heart.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.



Review

 

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairytales to be retold, so this book has been on my TBR for a while. When a reviewer said that fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses would like my book, it moved to the top of my list. Just for the record, if you like ACOTAR, you might like my book, but strictly speaking, ACOTAR is better. :)

This book had me from the first page and I couldn't put it down. It was the perfect setting for me, an old mystical world with magical secrets and lots of cottages and castles. The writing and narrative were top notch, revealing just enough information at just the right time.

The world building was fantastic. Right away you could tell that the more beautiful things were, the more dangerous they were. I absolutely love Maas's interpretation of Beauty and the Beast. She was able to provide the nostalgia of the classic fairytale, with a darkness appropriate for the adults fans have grown into. And she managed to do it while removing most of the Stockholm Syndrome vibe. To warn more conservative and sensitive readers, the book is steamy at times and I feel not appropriate for younger teens.

But can we talk about Feyre for a second? I went back and forth on her, not ever really deciding if I liked her or not. It was as if the author took Katniss out of the Hunger Games, gave her a bit more of an attitude, and dropped her in a fairytale. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a strong, independent female protagonist, but she just seemed really negative about a lot of stuff. One thing I didn't like about the plot is that she would make dumb decisions, or deliberately do what the other characters told her not to do, just so terrible things would happen that moved the story along. Despite the fact that I liked the story and the twists, that tactic felt cheap.

The other characters were very well rounded out. At times I didn't know who to love, and who to be afraid of. Especially Lucien. I heart Lucien. Stay away. He is mine.

I simply must read the next book. Trouble is, since I read this one in paperback, my mighty principles tell me I must wait until A Court of Mist and Fury is out in paperback next spring. This is truly a dilemma. 



4.5 stars

****'

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Author Spotlight: Ryan Troske





Ryan Troske



Ryan Troske a biologist who spends time out on the Bering Sea working with all sorts of fascinating creatures.  Seriously.  He collects, maintains, and distributes data for scientific, management, and regulation compliance purposes in the Gulf of Alaska and the Eastern Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands.  When he’s not tangling with squid and wrestling with sharks, he enjoys watching and playing sports of all kinds, playing guitar, and of course, writing, which he hopes to make more than a hobby instead of "that thing he tried one time."



Ryan Troske just published his first novel in a new modern fantasy series, Supernaturals: The Rising. Here he talks about going behind the scenes of his new book as well as his what's coming in the future.








You already have an exciting career in marine biology. How do you balance that with your writing career?


My position with Saltwater Inc. is actually a contract position.  When I do a contract is essentially up to me.  My boss is pretty awesome like that.   That being said, I typically have lots of time off between contracts.  Especially since my wife wants me to find a new job, you know, one that doesn’t involve me traveling to the Bering Sea for months at a time.  Plus there’s the whole danger aspect of it as well.  Needless to say, balancing work with writing isn’t too difficult.  It’s the balancing the rest of life when I’m back home with writing that isn’t always so easy.  It isn’t very difficult for me to distract myself, unfortunately.  In fact, some of my most productive writing has come when I’m actually out on a contract.  I’m on a boat, away from the typical hustle and bustle of daily life, with minimal contact to the rest of the world, and really there isn’t a whole lot to do when living out on the Bering Sea.  Who knew, right?  On one of my contracts, which was only about a month long, I was able to get well over a hundred pages written and finish up the first draft of The Rising.  Plus the loads of biology stuff.  Pretty productive I’d say.  Hmmm, maybe I should go back to Alaska again after all.



Did you always want to be a writer? When did you finally decided, "okay, I'm going to sit down and write a book?"

Actually, no.  I know a lot of authors say they knew they wanted to be a writer since they were five years old or something.  Me?  Not even close.  Up until a few years ago I hadn’t even entertained the thought.  I’ve always been the creative type, whether that be through drawing or music, but writing typically wasn’t a part of that.  At least not a part I actively sought out.  I did well in school when it came to writing papers, research projects, other assignments, and even the occasional creative writing piece sporadically spaced throughout my academic years, but again, I never flirted with the idea of pursuing writing in any form or fashion.  Over the years I’ve had a few different blogs recounting my life in some manner, or like my last one which was basically a work blog to keep people updated on my adventures in Alaska.  With the latter, I wrote about all sorts of different things: work, all the fascinating creatures I was encountering, dangerous situations I found myself in, reflections on daily life, my walk with God and learnings from quiet times, and other random things.  It was through this blog that I would constantly hear “you’re such a great writer,” or “you have such a way with words,” and other similar praises.  One such comment suggested I should write a book about all of my crazy Alaskan and Bering Sea adventures.  At first I kind of laughed it off.  I mean, write a book?  Me?  Crazy talk.  Especially a non-fiction book.  But it did make me think.  Fast forward a bit—the thought of giving writing a shot in some fashion circulating my brain every now and again—I was reading through a series and kept thinking to myself how simple the author made it look.  That’s not to say the writing wasn’t good or anything, but it was done in such a way that made me feel like maybe I could do it.  Let me explain it another way.  If you don’t know who Bob Ross was, he was an incredible painter known for his show The Joy of Painting.  I’ve spent a lot of time watching reruns with my dad over the years, and it’s just incredible to see the paintings Bob creates in only half an hour.  He makes it look so incredibly easy.  It’s not.  I bought one of his painting sets and tried myself.  Turned out okay, but nothing like Bob’s.  That’s how I felt when reading through this book series, that maybe I could do this.  I flirted with the idea for a couple of days and then decided to give it a shot.   I’m glad I went for it.  It’s been an incredible experience.




Was it difficult to come up with so many characters, each with a unique ability?

I wouldn’t say it was difficult per se.  The idea of super powers has always been something that has interested me, whether that be through literature, TV, or movies, so once I came up with the basic plotline for my book, I already had an idea of what kind of powers I wanted to incorporate.  Most are nothing you’ve never seen before (almost everything imaginable has already been done it seems), but I tried to show them in a new light, or put my own twist on things, presenting them in ways I hadn’t necessarily seen before, giving them their own identity so to speak.  My goal was to bring these characters and powers to life in new ways, ones I would have loved to see on the big screen somewhere, even if their specific abilities were nothing new.  If that all makes sense.  One of the more difficult parts, I believe, was coming up names for all of the characters.  It wasn’t as simple as picking out something that sounded good.  I wanted there to be meaning behind them.  Quite a bit of research went into naming all of the different Supernatural characters.  Basically, their name has something to do with their powers.  For instance, Kenny, whose name means “born of fire,” has the ability of pyrokinesis, a.k.a. fire creation and manipulation; and Murphy, whose name means “sea warrior,” possesses powers of liquification along with water generation and manipulation.  As for the main character Ethan, whose name means strong and optimistic, solid and enduring, his name more so describes his character and the power of his abilities rather than the abilities themselves, which are telepathy and telekinesis.  So if you’re introduced to a new character and have yet to learn of their powers, look to their name.  If it doesn’t relate to an ability directly, it’ll at least give you a character trait they possess.



Have you ever written about people that have influenced your life?


Not in a book format.  Going back to my blogs, I have written some posts about individuals who have greatly affected my life, and traits of those I know or have known have no doubt found their way into characters in my novels, and there are definitely pieces of scenes taken from life experiences of mine and my friends, but no one character has been specifically modeled after someone from my life.  Not yet anyway.



How long did it take you to write the first Supernaturals book?


From deciding to write a book, to coming up with a storyline and the completion of the first draft, was about a year.  It took around another two years before it was published, as I was doing lots of edits and rewrites, contacting agents, trying to figure out how the whole publishing process worked, as well as continuing to work on other books in the making.  When it comes to anything I make or create, whether that’s a book, a drawing, or some other arts and crafts kind of project, I’m very much a perfectionist, and have a difficult time being completely satisfied with how something turns out. Having to continually go back and “fix” areas I’m not entirely happy about, even if there was nothing really wrong with them in the first place.  I’m extremely hard on myself that way.  Probably way too hard.  Which is why it took several years to get from conception to published on The Rising.  A long process which I hope to considerably cut down on from this point out now that I’m familiar with how things work.


In the ever changing publishing industry, how did you decide to take the route of self-publishing?


It boiled down to the ease of the process.  Sure, it would have been nice to publish traditionally, but I just wasn’t having any luck landing an agent.  I’d never written a book before, so query letters were a completely new and strange thing to me.  I believe what I eventually came up with was okay, but by no means perfect.  I had no past credentials or education to prove I could be, or was, a writer.  All I had to rely on was my manuscript, and to try and sum up a 130,000 word novel into a few paragraphs while enticing a complete stranger into not only wanting to read it, but represent it in trying to get it out into the world, was extremely difficult and nerve-wracking.  I probably contacted around fifty different agents.  Only one of which requested to see my full manuscript.  Getting rejected that many times is enough to make anyone second guess their writing abilities.  But I’d done enough research to know that rejections are going to happen.  A lot.  Especially if you’re a brand new author.  Even J. K. Rowling was rejected a number of times before landing a representative for Harry Potter.  Agents are flooded with so many submissions these days I don’t believe they give each the time they deserve.  Not because they are callous or anything, but simply because they do not have that kind of time.  You could wait six months or more before even hearing anything in regards to a submission. Or longer.  Even then, sometimes it’s a completely generic response.  That’s a lot of time to sit their wondering.  Self-publishing allows you to bypass all the waiting and get your book out there in a matter of days once you’re ready.  I realize the quality of some self-published books sometimes leaves much to be desired, but there have been countless gems as well, that without self-publishing, their books may never have seen the light of day and been introduced to the world.  Ultimately, I think most authors would like to land a traditional publisher.  Cuts out a lot of work marketing and advertising, and you’ll easily reach more people.  But it’s not always feasible.  Especially for new, unknown authors.  I haven’t yet decided which avenue I will seek when I’m ready to publish my next book.  It will depend on how things go with my first book out on the market and how I feel about book two.  We’ll see what happens I guess.



Who is your all-time favorite super hero?


Oh goodness.  Tough question.  I know a lot of people would go with Superman.  Not me.  I’ve never been much of a fan.  To me, he’s too good.  He’s basically unstoppable, unless you happen to find some kryptonite lying around.  Which comes from another world, mind you.  No, Superman isn’t for me.  I’m much more a fan of Batman.  For one, he doesn’t really have any powers.  I guess that makes him more of a hero rather an actual super hero, but his story is way more entertaining to me.  I think he is much more relatable than most superheroes.  I absolutely loved the latest Batman trilogy—Christian Bale’s obnoxious grunt-speak aside.  I’m also a big fan of X-men—movies, comics, the old cartoon when I was growing up—if you couldn’t already tell that by my book, but I don’t know if they really qualify as super heroes.  I guess they are.  I just don’t recall really ever hearing them labeled that way.  I have no idea who my favorite would be, though.  I always kind of lump them together.  In regards to the movies, I’d probably have to go with Wolverine.  Such a fun and interesting character, and Hugh Jackman does such a great job bringing him to life.



Do you have any advice for aspiring new authors?



Read, read, read.  Write, write, write.  The old idiom rings true: practice makes perfect.  When it comes to publishing, if you go the traditional route, prepare to receive rejections.  I don’t care how amazing your book is, it’s going to happen.  Everyone has their own tastes and what they’re looking for, including agents and publishers.  Don’t get discouraged.  Keep at it.  Do your research.  Know who to contact.  If you still can’t get your foot in the door, self-publishing is always there.  It may be just what you need to make a name for yourself.  Then later on, who knows, you could land a publisher for your next book, or one could even pick up your original at some point.  The main thing is, don’t give up and don’t lose hope.  Keep on keeping on.




What can we look forward to from you in the future?


I am currently working to finish up The Recruit (Supernaturals Book 2), as well as the first books in a couple other series I hope to complete: The Outbreak (Survival Book 1), a dystopian/post-apocalyptic journey/thriller; and The Lost Book of Behlkrumór (The Telkuhryn Chronicles book 1), an epic fantasy adventure that will appeal to lovers of The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and other similar works.



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