January 2012 ~ Jean BookNerd

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Alex James Kylar Interview

3:20 PM Alex James Kylar L.A. Weatherly Angel Burn Angel Fire 25 comments

Book Nerd Interview

Hello Alex, Thank you for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you describe yourself in 3 words?

What? [Half-laughs in disbelief] OK, this isn't what I expected. Uh ... eighteen, male, AK.

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?

Basically, I'm an AK. That stands for 'Angel Killer'; it means I'm someone who kills angels. Most people don't know that angels have invaded our world, and are feeding off humanity. I mean, literally feeding. And when they do, they cause something known as 'angel burn' - the human perceives the angel as being beautiful and kind, even as they're being harmed by it. So the other AKs and I are trying to stop them, any way we can. If we don't, humanity's not going to survive this.

How was it like growing up in camp?

It was great. I think some people have this idea that I had a deprived childhood or something - I totally didn't. I loved being part of a team and having a real purpose; I loved learning how to fight angels like my dad. Plus, it was like the ultimate childhood: hanging out in the desert and learning how to shoot, drive, go camping...it was great.

How would you describe your feelings for Willow?

[Long pause; finally Alex shakes his head] I can't describe my feelings for her. She's just...everything.

What was the first thing that popped into your head when you first saw Willow?

I had gone to her house to scope her out, because I'd been told that she was an angel and had to be destroyed. Then I sensed there was something strange about her energy - it wasn't pure angel; I'd never felt anything like it before. So, you know, I should have been totally in work-mode; I had no idea what I was going to be facing. But when I first saw her lying there asleep on the sofa, I just thought ... 'Holy Christ, she's beautiful.' [Laughs] Then I shoved it away and got really professional again.

What were you thinking during your drive down to New Mexico?

Which part of it? It was a long drive. [shrugs] I don't know. I was thinking about the drive, about keeping us both safe. And trying not to be too distracted by Willow, I guess. [grins suddenly] She's pretty distracting.

How shocked were you to learn Cully's betrayal?

It wasn't a betrayal. Cully would never have betrayed us. He had angel burn; there's a big difference. Anyway - no, I wasn't shocked; I've seen it happen before. Way too many times.

How cute was Willow's purple skirt! What are your thoughts?

Anything she wears looks great on her. But yeah, she looked really cute in that.

I thought it was really great to see you bond with Willow playing quarters. What were you thinking that very moment? And to think she almost beat you.

Total beginner's luck. As for what I was thinking - probably something like, "Pay attention, you jerk, or you'll lose the game." I was trying not to notice how gorgeous she was. Or admit that I was falling for her.

I know this might be hard to answer, how much do you miss Jake?

[terse] A lot.

Other than coffee, what's the one thing you can't live without?

Willow.

Wait, how much coffee do you drink a day?

[smiles] OK, now you're sounding like Willow; she's always teasing me about that. I don't keep count, OK? Enough to keep me going.

Thank you for coming by to answer a few questions. Is there anything you want to tell us about the upcoming adventure in Angel Fire?

[looks like he can't decide whether to be amused or irritated] 'Adventure,' right - you make it sound like we're hunting for buried treasure or something. [shrugs] Willow and I go to Mexico City and meet up with some other AKs. We're still fighting the angels; our plan is to do away with the Seraphic Council. And ... a lot of stuff happens that we didn't expect.

[Author's note: Ha! No, I didn't think he'd mention Seb in answer to that - and sure enough, he didn't. ;) Thanks Jean, great interview!]

(Jean - Ha! I figured!!!)

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In the wake of the Second Wave, the angel menace has exploded, and Alex and Willow are on the lam. Willow's prophetic dream points them to Mexico City, where they connect with a fledgling group of angel killers led by the exotically beautiful Kara, an Angel Killer from Alex's past. But the team remains suspicious of Willow, even after the more-experienced Alex takes over as leader, training them hard for a rush attack on the Seraphic Council, or "The Twelve." This elite group of all-powerful angels is also under the scrutiny of Willow's angel-father, Raziel, who has his own sinister plan to defeat them.

What Willow hasn't told Alex is that there was also a mysterious boy in her dream, one she felt overpoweringly attracted to. When brooding, gorgeous Seb shows up in the flesh, he turns out to be another - possibly the world's only other - half angel. He's been searching for Willow all his life, and when Alex enlists this rival to help keep Willow safe, he can't predict what chemistry will pass between them . . . or how far Willow might go to keep Alex safe. Will their love endure or spell doomsday for the human race?

>>>>Click Below<<<<

You can purchase Angel Fire at these following retailers.

Click LINKS below:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Book Depository

And now, The Giveaways.

1 Winner will receive a copy of Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly.

7 Winners will receive one Signed Art Bookmark of Alex James Kylar

by James Vallesteros.

(This will be the only giveaway for the Alex Bookmark).

Winners:

Linda m

1 Winner will receive a copy of Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly.

FairyWhispers, Jeanne, Veray Carter, Maritza Robinson,

Janhvi, Linda Wilder Irick, Katrina Whittaker & one surprise winner Britney Wyatt

7 Winners will receive one Signed Art Bookmark of Alex James Kylar

by James Vallesteros.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Milda Harris Author Interview

11:18 AM Adventures in Funeral Crashing, Milda Harris Author Interview 7 comments

Book Nerd Interview

Milda Harris is a Chicago girl who is living the dream in Hollywood. She loves watching movies and playing random sports like dodgeball and kickball. Between working in production on television shows like Austin & Ally, Hannah Montana, and That's So Raven and playing with her super cute dog Licorice, she writes young adult mystery, paranormal, and chick lit novels.

Social Media

Website

Blog

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Thoughtful. Adventurous. Bookworm.

What inspired you to pen your first novel?

I was in grade school and I had a dream, so I wrote it down! It eventually turned into my first novel. I'd love to rewrite that novel someday, actually...

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

All the books I've read because my love of reading and stories is really what got me interested in writing in the first place. I wanted to tell my own stories. Funny enough, the first novel I remember reading was Nancy Drew and The Hidden Staircase. I loved it! And, the first books I've published are female sleuth mysteries. Coincidence?

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Adventures In Funeral Crashing?

How much fun I could have with what sounds like a really depressing topic.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I have many plans for new books! And, Adventures in Funeral Crashing is part of a series. Originally, I hadn't thought of it that way, but I liked the character of Kait so much that I wanted to explore her more! Book two should be out in February or March 2012. I'm also half way through a young adult sci-fi romance called The Doppelgangers.

What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?

There was one that said reading Adventures in Funeral Crashing was like watching Degrassi. It made me laugh. I'll take that as a compliment.

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Kait (from Adventures in Funeral Crashing) would probably talk a lot about Ethan Ripley, the guy she has a crush on. And, I mean, a lot - she is a sixteen year old girl, after all.

What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?

I actually have no idea. There isn't anything that I've been itching to answer...that I don't slip into the interview in some devious way. My dog Licorice is super cute, by the way, if you wanted to know. See?

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less
words, what would you say?

My most recent book is Connected (A Paranormal Romance): The only thing Drew remembers about his life is his death. Still reeling from that Drew finds himself witnessing the birth of a baby girl, Aurora, and knows they're connected.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?

All of my books start out as one simple interesting idea and I start exploring from there. Like, in Adventures in Funeral Crashing, I thought what if there was a girl who was just a normal high school girl, except she was a professional mourner? That turned into funeral crashing and the whole tone became much more silly, but a lot of that was because it was written as a three day novel. I really enjoy writing challenges like that - they force you to get it done in a set time. NaNoWriMo is great too.

Favorite places to travel?

I love riding down Pacific Coast Highway in California and one of my favorite places is Carmel, CA. It's just...beautiful. If I had my druthers, though, I've been dying to go to Paris. So, future me, says Paris, France.

Which author would you love to co-author a book with?

Meg Cabot or Sophie Kinsella. They're so much fun to read and I'd bet they'd be a blast to write with. Stephen King would be pretty amazing too...just because he is the master of horror.

What book are you reading now?

I'm about to start reading "The Future of Us" by Jay Asher and Carolyn Macker. I think. There are a bunch of books on my shelf just screaming at me to read them. I'm just finishing up "Pretties" by Scott Westerfeld.

What do you normally eat for breakfast?

I love sauteed strawberry crepes, but I guess I don't normally eat them. I just wish I did.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

My cell phone, my keys, something to read, and coffee. I love coffee.

List 3 of your all time favorite books?

Top three, that's tough, and it changes depending on the moment I'm asked: "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "The Shining" by Stephen King, and The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

Fringe. I love Fringe. It's like The X-Files, but different. I didn't watch the first season until later, but now I love it! Oh and The Vampire Diaries - a friend sucked me into that one. Seriously, though, who doesn't love hot vampires fighting over a girl? Besides, I had already read a bunch of the LJ Smith novels, so it's not like it really took that much to push me over the edge and into watching it. Overall, though, I actually love TV so I could just keep going and going and going on and on about this question.

Where can readers stalk you?

www.mildaharris.com, Twitter @mildaharris, Facebook, Goodreads. Actually, pretty much just google my name and you're guaranteed to find me! I'm easy to stalk. There's not too many Milda's out there. Although, fun fact, "milda" is a name brand in Europe somewhere. I think it's funny. Someone out there is using "milda" butter. Weird.

Sixteen year old Kait Lenox has a reputation as the weird girl in her high school, mostly because of her ex-best friend turned mean popular girl, Ariel, but maybe it has a little to do with the fact that Kait has a hobby crashing funerals. At one of these, Kait is outted by the most popular guy in school, Ethan Ripley. Yet, instead of humiliating her for all the world to see, he asks for her help, and Kait finds herself entangled in a murder mystery. Not only is the thrill of the mystery exciting, but more importantly Ethan knows her name! A little sleuthing is well worth that!

Adventures in Funeral Crashing is one of those fast reads that you wish it wasn’t. Although it’s targeted towards YA, the maturity of the characters was more aiming at pre-teens. Regardless, I still enjoyed this thriller as it was the right mix of romance, humor, and suspense.

Author Milda Harris’ prose was youthful, fun, and appropriate for its targeted audience. While the plot was fast-paced, it moved well with the story. The mystery bestowed upon readers will have them on the edge of their seat waiting to know what happens next.

Harris’ character development was very detailed and it gave credibility to their validity. They were all full of personalities, like the quirky main character Katy.

There are some great twists within with a climax that was oozing with originality. Katy’s investigation to a murder was very interesting because she had no prior knowledge. Reading about all the trouble she goes through with investigation was fun and exciting. All I can say about this book is that it was very FUN! Fun characters, fun story, and fun adventures. It was up-to-date in terms of referring to pop-culture.. i am sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

You can purchase Adventures in Funeral Crashing at these following retailers:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you Milda for making this giveaway possible.

3 Winners will receive one e-book of Adventures in Funeral Crashing by Milda Harris.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February 2012 BNC - Dragon Wings by D.C. Grace

10:06 AM D.C. Grace Dragon Wings The Amethyst Dragon Series No comments

Welcome to the world of Dade Blue-Therror, the Amethyst Dragon. For Dade, chivalry is not dead, and Avalon still exists on a plane that holds fast to simple truths. Fairy magic is real, Morgan le Fay is real, and with Dade’s help, Camelot could rise again. That is, as long as Shelby Mercy doesn’t distract Dade from his duties.

We are happy to annouce for the month of February 2012 we have teamed up with Paranormal Book Club with the reading of Dragon Wings by D.C. Grace. Every month Alice Priday & I will be choosing a book-of-the-month, cleverly titled BOOK NERD CHOICE (BNC). Anyone can participate. We will have a month to read and discuss it. At the end of the month, we will have a poll in which character from the book that artist James Vallesteros will draw. The drawing will be transformed into bookmarks and all actively participants will receive one.

Please stop over to The Amethyst Dragon Series >>>>HERE<<<<

***If you have already read Dragon Wings, you are welcome to JOIN our discussion. This will be only time you will receive a Bookmark***

>>>>VOTE NOW<<<<

BNM - Book Nerd Mail #5

8:29 PM BNM - Book Nerd Mail #5 3 comments

Best Selling Laurie Faria Stolarz Author Interview & Young Adult Hop

10:51 AM Laurie Faria Stolarz Author Interview Touch Series Giveaway 21 comments

Booknerd Interview

Dreaming of Books Hop

Hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer

Co-Hosted by Down the Rabbit Hole

Book Nerd Interview

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series. Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attended Merrimack College and received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston. For more information, please visit her Web site at www.lauriestolarz.com.

Laurie’s Guilty Pleasures

Favorite snack: Popcorn with soy butter and lemon/pepper seasoning.
Touristy Trip: Paris.
Fashion addiction (at the moment): artfully torn jeans, tall boots, pretty scarves, and Michael Stars tees.

Dessert: Dark chocolate in almost any form - the darker the better.
Fast food: French fries at least once every few months (with lots of ketchup).
Beauty Binge: Aveda haircare products, which includes indulging in high-and/or-low-lights every eight weeks. Also, Caudalie skincare, Ineke perfume (Field Notes from Paris), Revitalash mascara, and Buxom Lips from Bare Escentuals.
Late-Night TV: Real Housewives of (wherever), Mad Fashion, Fashion Hunters.
Chick Flick: Never Been Kissed, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Juno, Green Card, Once, The Devil Wears Prada, Bridget Jones Diary, Thelma & Louise, Mean Girls, Moonstruck, Clueless, Under the Tuscan Sun, and anything with John Cusack.
Nightlife: Pilates in front of the TV (a regular occurrence), answering e-mail (also regular), and dinner and/or a movie out with friends (happens far too rarely).
Cheap Thrill: Window-shopping, tabloid magazines, buying a new lip gloss, a tall cup of coffee from Peet's or Starbucks.
Ultimate Splurge: G2O Day Spa for a massage.

Other Random Info

Favorite Quote: Perseverance is key.
Favorite cuisine: Indian food – onion chutney, curried vegetables, and kashmir bread. I also love cheeseless pizza from Bertucci's.
Interests: Vegetarian cooking, holistic nutrition, aromatherapy.
Favorite Music: Adele, Fergie, James Blunt, Gavin Rossdale, Tori Amos, Sting, Sarah MacLachlin, Gwen Stefani, Black-eyed Peas.
Hobbies: Walking, napping, cooking, shopping, interior decorating.

Social Media

Website

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Perceptive, observant, thoughtful.

Tell us your latest news.

Deadly Little Voices, the fourth book in the Touch series, was recently released this past December. In keeping with Touch series tradition, in celebration of the release, I’m launching my annual “winner-gets-to-have-a-minor-character-named-after-him/her” contest! The grand prize winner will get to have a minor character in DEADLY LITTLE LESSONS, the fifth and final book in the TOUCH series named after him or her. Other prizes include autographed book copies and the opportunity to have original work appear on my web site, Facebook, and Twitter pages. OFFICIAL RULES and GUIDELINES for this contest are on my website, under NEWS. ALL ENTRANTS MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM, DOWNLOADABLE FROM WWW.LAURIESTOLARZ.COM/NEWS.html.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since forever. As a child, before I could even put pen to paper, I was making up stories and telling them to whomever would listen. Then, when I finally could write, I’d draft scripts and have my dolls recite the lines and act out the performances.

How many books have you written?

I currently have twelve books out and another coming out next fall (DEADLY LITTLE LESSONS).

What was your inspiration for the Touch Series?

I wanted to write a story where the main character has to struggle with the idea of falling in love with someone who could potentially be dangerous. I tinkered with this concept in the first three books of my Blue is for Nightmares Series [(Blue is for Nightmares (Llewellyn 2003), White is for Magic (Llewellyn 2004), and Silver is for Secrets (Llewellyn 2005), as well as in Bleed (Hyperion 2006)]. In Bleed, in particular, there’s a young male character who was convicted for the murder of his girlfriend. His next relationship consists of pen pal letters he exchanges with a young girl while he’s in prison. Without giving too much away, the relationship is briefly pursued once he is released, but I wanted to bring this concept to another level. Additionally, I wanted to continue experimenting with the supernatural (which I also use in my Blue is for Nightmares Series as well as in Project 17), showing how we all have our own inner senses and intuition, and how with work we can tap into those senses and make them stronger. I started researching different types of supernatural powers and discovered the power of psychometry (the ability to sense things through touch). The concept fascinated me, and so I wanted to bring it out in a character, showing how sometimes even the most extraordinary powers can also be a curse. Lastly, I wanted to apply these concepts to be part of a series. I love the idea of growing main character over the course of several books.

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about Camelia?

She actually enjoys some of her mom’s gluten-free, sugar-free, raw vegan cuisine.

What chapter was the most memorable to write and why?

There were several chapters where I had to show Camelia on the brink of insanity, teetering at the edge, not sure which way she was going to land. It was challenging to try to get inside her head and convey those emotions – that fear, confusion, and loss of control – in a believable way.

What is the single worst distraction that kept you from writing this book?

E-mail.

What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?

Do you have any youtube videos of your books? Why yes, I do. Check them out here:

DEADLY LITTLE SECRET:

DEADLY LITTLE LIES:

DEADLY LITTLE GAMES:

Which author would you love to co-author a book with?

I think it would be fun to write a cookbook with vegan chef Tal Ronnen. He could do the cooking and I could do the eating.

What is your favorite Quote?

Perseverance is key.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

Tissues, lip gloss, cell phone, wallet.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I just saw Paris After Midnight and loved it. I also just read Undiscovered Gyrl by Allison Burnett – a great book.

Where can your readers stalk you?

www.lauriestolarz.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=597050025
https://twitter.com/#!/lauriestolarz

High school junior Camelia thought her powers of psychometry only gave her the ability to sense the future through touch. But now she’s started to hear voices. Mean voices. Berating her, telling her how ugly she is, and that she’d be better off dead. It’s a troubling development that has Camelia terrified for her mental stability, especially since her deranged aunt with a suicidal history has just moved into the family house. More torturing, ex-boyfriend Ben, who has similar psychometric abilities, has been spending more time with their classmate Alejandra.

With the line between right and wrong fraying, Camelia turns to pottery to get a grasp on her emotions. She begins sculpting a beautiful figure skater, only to receive frightening premonitions that someone’s in danger. But who is the victim? And how can Camelia help them when she is on the brink of losing her own sanity?

Deadly Little Voices is the fourth book in The Touch Series by Laurie Stollarz and for the fourth time, I was pleasingly delighted. Just like its three counterparts, it has everything that a paranormal book offers: mystery, creepiness, and basically everything that is not in accordance with scientific laws. This was the kind of book I could really enjoy and before even finishing it; I knew that it would be a pleasurable read.

Camelia has grown up more, in the sense of getting more in tune with her gifted powers. The choices she makes in Deadly Little Voices were sound decisions as opposed to the ones she made previously. Camelia’s visions of torment are very vivid, thanks to Stollarz’s amazing depictions that it was very frightening to read. The answer(s) to her visions are so mysterious that it will have the readers thinking one thing and in the next chapter, it’ll end up being something completely different. That was one of the aspects I love about the book.

Deadly Little Voices introduces more mystery and new characters. We get more details about Camelia’s powers and Stollarz has turned up the creepiness notch higher in this one. I always enjoy a read full of creepy situations and paranormal visions that at times feels so real (shudders).

You can purchase Deadly Little Voices at these retailers:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Book Depository

You can purchase The Touch Series >>>HERE<<<

How to bring your psychometric senses to fruition

By Camelia Hammond, main character, TOUCH series by Laurie Faria Stolarz

1. Make yourself comfortable in a place that feels “sacred” to you. For some it’s outside, surrounded by nature; for others it’s a favorite chair or surrounded by candles; for me, it’s wherever I’m doing pottery.
2. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breath, letting go of any stray or nervous thoughts.
3. Now, take an object in your hand. A good idea is to have someone give you something they’ve owned for a long time, i.e. a favorite bracelet or a set of keys.
4. Close your eyes again and concentrate on this object. Be aware of any thoughts or feelings that come about as a result of holding this object. Talk those ideas through, even if they seem silly or insignificant, but never make information up.

Remember, this takes practice and a bit of experimenting. The goal is to begin tuning in to your own inner awareness and your ability of perception. What often works for me is asking a question aloud, and then sculpting out the answer, using my power of touch in a creative and organic way.

Praise for the TOUCH series:

Texas Tayshas List, 2010 (DLS)
Children’s Book Council’s 2010 & 2011 Teen Choice Book of the Year Nominee
Reluctant Reader Quick Pick Nominees, 2010 & 2011, American Library Association
Teens@Random, Favorite Book of 2009 (DLS)
Gold Star Award, TeensReadToo.com, 2009 (DLL)

"...lively first-person narrative.... CW-worthy dialogue, quirky secondary characters, romance and suspense: a winning combination" - Kirkus Reviews

"An engaging, eerie tale about the darker side of relationships - when it becomes a matter of life and death to know who your friends are." - KLIATT

“The book was full of shocking surprises and revelations, earning the book five stars. This is a must-read for fans of romance, suspense, and mystery because it won't disappoint.” – Teens Read Too (DLL)

"Laurie Faria Stolarz is a master creator of suspense and romance. Her words cause the heart to pound, the palms to sweat, the spine to shiver, and the stomach to flutter. The trepidation born from the anonymous threats will make the pages fly, and the palpable tension between Camelia and Ben as they attempt to ignore their hearts causes the fire to burn hotter." - TeenReads.com

And now, The Giveaway.

Thank you Laurie for making this giveaway possible.