Paints a Beautiful Picture ~ #Spotlight on Author Monterey Sirak

Onward in my goal of introducing you to all my great critique partners at www.critiquecircle.com This week, I want to talk about my good friend, Monterey Sirak.  Monterey and I met shortly after I started on critique circle a year ago. Her writing is so beautiful, so wonderful, I knew I had to get to know more about this person and learn from her.

Monterey is as beautiful a person on the inside as her wonderful writing suggests. She has become a true friend to me, and I am so grateful to know her. She writes poetry, and if ever a picture was painted with words, Monterey knows how to do this. Mostly, I've been reading her short stories, and she recently had one, Past Treasures, published in an on-line magazine.  You will be amazed at her skill.  Here's the link http://www.epiphmag.com/EpiphanyMagazineissue15Fiction.html#msi

Monterey is currently working on her memoir, which I have had the privilege of reading. I won't say her life has all been sunshine and bunnies, but she has an incredible strength that comes through in her writing, making it all the more wonderful to read.

Monterey has also had three books of poetry published, available through Amazon. Check out the covers and links to each Amazon page below. If you love poetry, you definitely don't want to miss out on her work.

The River of Liquid Dreams on Amazon
Her last name was different on this one, but it's still Monterey

In the Presence of Shadows Amazon link

Faith Like a Dandelion Amazon link

Happy reading and writing, everyone! Have a terrific weekend!

eeeChantelfff

#Spotlight on Author Stefanie J. Pristavu

Rachel and Daniel broke every rule in the Hunter book.

Don’t turn humans into Hunters. Daniel did that when he saved Rachel from becoming a vampire bride.

Don’t travel beyond your assigned area. Assigned area? They’ve traveled half-way around the world in search for Vlad, the vampire boss.

Report all hunting activity to the Hunters’ High Council. There’s a Hunters’ High Council?

Don’t tell humans about the existence of paranormal beings. Ooopsy, they kinda let that one slip.

Don’t resist arrest and escape from your death sentence. Well, about that… If they’re to go down, they’re taking Vlad with them, especially since he screwed up both their lives.

The Council has a valid reason to want their heads, but Rachel and Daniel have more pressing matters to worry about. Like the screechy voices inside Rachel’s head which sing of death and destruction and the creepy Banshee who predicts the coming of a Hunter – vampire war. A war which Daniel and Rachel must trigger to save their race from extinction.

And Rachel seriously doubts that a head-on battle between the vampires and the Hunters will be their ticket out of the death sentence.

Where to buy:

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RTTOQ2

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunters-ebook/dp/B008RTTOQ2

Publisher’s website, where you can find PDF, html and print: http://www.fireandiceya.com/authors/stefaniejpristavu/hunters.html

Thanks for visiting us today, Stefanie!

Lovely to be here, Chantel! Nice place you’ve got J

Haha - thanks, I cleaned up for you and everything!

First off, tell us a little about your book, Hunters. I’ve caught the vampire craze along with the rest of the world. However, I’m gathering the hunters aren’t quite human, but also aren’t vampires?

I wrote Hunters to be a fun, fast read. Before starting it, I worked on an YA series I’m still struggling with, so I poured all the nonsense I had in me inside this baby. There is silliness all throughout, but the plot itself is pretty serious stuff. Well, most of the time.

What I wanted was a book in which vampires would go back to being the bad guys. When’s the last time you’ve read and of that? So I’ve made up Hunters. They’re mostly still human – with the pumping blood, ability to reproduce and the fact that they die if you shoot them in the head… or any other deadly place. Fortunately, vampires don’t use modern weapons – but have some vampire venom in there as well (from mucked up vampire transformation) and it’s this venom that makes them strong and fast like the vampires, give them some other super powers vampires don’t have (like a psychic link). Unfortunately, it also gives them a sensitivity to sunlight and a thirst for blood once a month.

I am totally in love with the whole vampire romance type stuff going around (think True Blood with sexy Eric Northman, not Twilight).  I understand your characters are a bit different. Have you ever been in love with or had the hots for one of your characters? Who and why?

In my world, vampires don’t love – so there’s no vampire romance. There is however hunter romance. Even if they have no trouble having relationships with humans, Hunters are weary of it. That could be because they’re potentially immortal. Who would want to see a loved one die?

My characters are a mess! Well, at least they were in the first draft. Ms. Whiny Pants and Mr. Aloof Jerk. Now, they’re a bit better (at least I hope so). What I did try was to make them equal. Rachel (the heroine) is kick-ass on her own. Daniel (the hero) is more kick-ass than her (stronger too), but he doesn’t do the whole overprotective thing with her. Probably because he knows she’d scream her lungs out at him. So they’re partners in the true sense of the word. And I love that about them.

Hmm… I can’t say I’ve ever had the hots for one of my characters, and that’s because, with my paranormal leads, I kinda know they’re not real. In my YA series, though there are hotties there (and 5 of them), I always kinda feel they’re out of my league, lol. Yeah, sad I know.

Do I get moments when I swoon over the word document? Well, yes, because they have moments of utter brilliance. I did kinda get a small crush on the hero of my latest project, and UF. He’s so self-sacrificing and fair, it just broke my heart. He was so much fun to write.

Ms. Whiny Pants and Mr. Aloof Jerk, huh? Well, that’s what the revision floor is for.  They do sound interesting though! And, yeah, moments of writing brilliance get us all going. I have a feeling humor is a very important aspect of what you do. Your blog posts crack me up and even your book blurb made me laugh. Is this something you work hard at or are you one of those lucky people who are naturally funny?

Wow, that’s a huge compliment. Thanks. I love to make people laugh! Yes, humor is very important to me, because I can’t stand things that take themselves too seriously.

I’m a pretty cynical person and love sarcasm. It sorta comes with the territory, since you can’t really survive in my country without a sense of humor. You’d go nuts. So I’ve perfected the art of poking fun at everything, including myself. Well, especially myself.

I won’t lie, I do work at it (there can be a very thin line between funny and offensive – and I’m one of the awful people who finds racism and discrimination funny – because I don’t take it seriously. I think it’s silly that people don’t realize that everyone’s the same), but most of it is me J

I understand what you mean about everyone being the same so racism and discrimination shouldn’t happen. Unfortunately, some people don’t see the world that way. I’ve seen a lot of hatred first hand, and some people take that kind of thing too far. At heart, I'm a softy - I wish for world peace! And I'm probably a little too serious J

Ah, world peace. Who wouldn’t want that? I guess it would be easier if people took themselves a little less seriously. ;)

Well, and humor is so subjective. I’m always surprised when I try to write something funny and a critique partner tells me it actually is - :D I’m not so great at the whole humor bit.

Everyone’s sense of humor is different. So I always think you’ll find people there who believe that what you write is funny. Just like I’m sure there are tons of people out there my humor is lost on. But that’s life for you.

When did you start writing?

When I was nine or ten. Which is pretty funny. English is not my first language, so you can only imagine what my spelling was like. It was so much fun. I had these little notebooks, and I drew pictures to go along with the story. Of course, I couldn’t draw to save my life. Still can’t. Wish I could, though.

That’s when I started writing the YA series I’m still working on.

I think  you do better with your English skills than many American’s I talk to J myself included. I’m always amazed by people who speak more than one language. I took French for two years… I can count to ten, but that’s about it.

I took French for seven years - not sure I could count to ten, but I can say, I’m hungry, I need the bathroom and ask where stuff is J Fortunately, I actually understand the language if spoken to. Even if I can’t say almost anything back. I speak Spanish and German waaaay better ;)

Wow! Talk about multi-talented. Three fluent languages? Plus, being able to say "I need the bathroom" is probably a lot more useful than counting - LOL. You're amazing. 

So, tell us where the inspiration for your books comes from.

I have no idea. It can be a book, a dream or a song. I usually imagine a certain situation and wonder if it would be worth to turn it into a novel. If the answer is yes, and the idea sticks with me, I go for it. If not, I try to insert it into something I’m already writing. Sometimes a simple conversation with unaware people could give me an awesome idea.

What do you love about writing? What do you hate?

I love writing – the characters especially. I’m not very big on setting and description, but I love plot resolution, character evolution and dialogue.

I can’t say I really hate something, but I’m not very fond of editing and querying. Though the editing is imperative since it actually transforms your story, I wish someone else could do the querying for me so I could just write.

Ah - Revision Hell! LOL That’s my least favorite part too. I skipped the querying, going self-pub, but I can imagine what a headache that process must be.  

What’s next for you? More books in the works?

I’m currently working on editing a huge 100k word Urban Fantasy, and get it ready to query in a month or so (I hope). It’s called Saving Grace and it has Angels and Demons is it. But, as usual, not what you’d expect – no human main characters in there. I like my MCs equal ;) This is my main focus now.

I’m also brainstorming about another series involving a Dream realm with many creatures in it.

More about my Projects here: http://stephacrosstheborder.blogspot.ro/p/other-writing-projects.html

Anything else you’d like to talk about?

If you get me started, I won’t shut up J

LOL - then I’ll just ask another question. Can you give us your favorite one-liner from Hunters?

Well, that depends. I haven’t read the thing in a while (I’ve proofed it so many times, I couldn’t stand reading it again for a long, long time). There might be some better lines in there, but I’ve always enjoyed this piece of brilliance.

I told you this one’s not right in the head. I just show her my killer weapons and all she wants to do is jump my bones. (Daniel on his fiancée)

J Yep, that one’s great! Thanks so much for visiting with us, Stefanie. I wish you great success in your writing. And I’m really looking forward to reading Hunters.

Thanks for having me. And I’m very looking forward to you reading Hunters as well. Okay, I’ll shut up now. :p

Stefanie J. Pristavu

To get in touch with Stefanie, find out what she is doing, or read her hilarious blog, follow her at:

Website/blog: http://stephacrosstheborder.blogspot.ro/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6437413.Stefanie_J_Pristavu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StefanieJPristavu

Publisher’s page: http://www.fireandiceya.com/authors/stefaniejpristavu/index.html 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and visited with Stefanie and I today. Have a great week! 

eeeChantelfff

#BookReview ~ Life on the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux

Jennifer Comeaux's Life on the Edge: 5/5 stars

I loved this book. Honestly, I mostly read romantic suspense, horror and fantasy (crazy combination, I know), so hadn't really read any contemporary romance books in a very long time. This book drew me in and I read it in just two nights. I didn't want to put it down! Here are the details:


Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream-to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history.

Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily's dreams of gold.


Product page on Amazon

***

I'll admit I wondered about the MC only being nineteen and whether or not I'd relate to her. However, the premise intrigued me, so I bought the book. I shouldn't have worried. Emily's story draws you in and it doesn't matter that she is younger.

While the main plot of the story is Emily and her pairs skating partner, Chris, fighting their way to the 2002 Olympics, the love story is a perfect blend of fiery chemistry, tender love, and incredible heartbreak. Emily and Sergei (Emily and Chris's skating coach) struggle against the attraction between them, knowing their relationship is forbidden and could ruin everything they've worked for.

This is a sweet romance that draw's the reader into Emily's world. I also really enjoyed the ice skating routines and performances, even though I don't know much about the sport. It was exciting to live the dream through Emily's eyes.

This one is headed to my re-read pile. I know I will enjoy it again in the future. This debut novel from this author gets top marks from me. I'll be on the lookout for more books from Jennifer Comeaux.

Happy reading, everyone! I hope you have a terrific week!

~ Chantel

Women's Lit/Real Issues - #Spotlight on Michele Shriver

This week I want to introduce you to another one of my critique partners from www.critiquecircle.com. Michele Shriver and I met a few months ago, and I have been absolutely in awe of her writing abilities. She really tackles hard issues: Gay rights, addiction, adoption, and many more.

I have been privileged enough to read Michele's second book as she wrote it (which she is now getting ready for publication--I can't wait!) and I'm also reading her current work in progress. The format Michele follows for her books is to have four different women who are point of view characters.  She delves deep into each character's life and problems. They all have their own issues, flaws, and things to overcome. At the same time, there is a lot of joy in Michele's writing and humor. She has a beautiful style, and I really feel like I know each of her characters, like they are friends.

I'm just getting ready to start reading Michele's first book, After Ten.  Here's the blurb on that:

Four women, once best friends, have not spoken to each other in ten years. A drunken, decade old promise and a class reunion will bring them together again.

For Jordan, her lofty dreams now a distant memory and her life at a crossroads, a reunion with her one-time friends offers a chance to make amends and start anew, but only if she can avoid falling back into self-destructive habits.

After years of struggling with her identity, Sarah has found personal and professional contentment. Will she finally have the courage to reveal the secret she hid from her friends?

Beth thought she was on the verge of having at all, but after a personal crisis now risks losing it all. In order to face her future, she must first find a way to face the past.

Tracey is still searching for happiness and approval. Will she find what she is looking for at the reunion, or leave stronger because she doesn't?

A story of forgiveness, acceptance, the bonds of friendship and the age old question of whether you can go home again.

***

This book is endorsed by Grub Street Reads, and if it is anything like the work of her's I've read, I know I am going to love it.  I will post a review once I am finished and let you all know what I think.

You can buy After Ten on Amazon or Barnes & Noble and read it for yourself, too. If you want to find out what Michele is up to these days and learn more about her, you can visit her blog http://micheleshriver.com/ She is a very talented author, and I'm always excited to read something by her! Highly recommended!

Have a great weekend!

~ Chantel

I Might Be Crazy... Time Will Tell

Well, I've finally reached that moment I've been waiting for. Always & Forever's publication plan is on track and things will start on September 14, 2012. I'm really excited to send Zach and Lilly out into the world and see what people think. I've loved creating them, living in their world, going through their struggles with them. I hope other people enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

There is so much associated with publishing a book. I'm so busy getting everything ready that my head is spinning. It goes much further than writing the book and being done with it. You have to get the cover art, hire an editor, write the blurb, come up with an author bio. Not to mention read the book a ton of times trying to catch any errors you and your editor might have both missed (already found some of these and I have advanced readers on the lookout for anything else). On top of that, there now comes marketing. How do I get the word out about my book and let people know when it goes on sale?

I already joined the wonderful world of Twitter, I'm on Triberr, and I have some followers for this blog. I figure I'm a step up in the world as far as beginning marketing. However, for a new release it is important to spread word to the masses. Most of the people who know about me are authors, and while I greatly appreciate their support and the friendships I've made along the way, what I really need to reach are readers.  I already have a small base of reading fans through friends and family who are advanced readers, and I know they will be out there selling my book for me. But I need a bigger reach.

Entire blog touring. I knew about this in theory, but I wasn't sure how to implement it in practice. Well, all I really had to do was ask. I'm so amazed by all the generous folks who have agreed to interview me, do book spotlights, and just be a part of helping me spread the word for my book release. You all should check out their blogs in the meantime, but I'll remind everyone either through here or on Twitter when the blog tour starts. So many people reached out to help me, that now I'm worried about getting everything completed in time. Even though it's added a layer of stress, I am so thankful and grateful to all these wonderful people for their kind help.

You can get links to the other blogs and see my schedule by clicking on the tab above that says Always & Forever Blog Tour.  You can also read my finalized blurb and the first two chapters of my book by clicking on the tab that says Always & Forever.

Have a great rest of your week, everyone! On Friday I will have another author spotlight highlighting the work of my good friend and critique buddy, Michele Shriver.  Visit her blog at http://micheleshriver.com/ in the meantime.

~ Chantel 

#BookReview Books I Love ~ Deadlocked

Okay folks, so sorry it has been a long time since I posted a book I loved. With my rheumatoid arthritis problems, I literally could not hold my books. Deadlocked I bought in hardback format when it first came out, and quickly found I couldn't read it. My family did buy me a Kindle for my birthday last month, which has solved my problem nicely. I'm able to prop it up next to me if holding it becomes too difficult. So, I've been reading once again, and so happy to be doing so!

Charlaine Harris - Deadlocked:  4 stars

Honestly, I almost didn't buy Deadlocked for the Kindle. The price was a little steep for an ebook I already paid for in hardback, and the 1-star reviews this book generated didn't encourage me in paying the price a second time. However, the Sookie Stackhouse books have been some of my most favorite ever, so I went ahead and got it, hoping for the best. I'm glad I did. While I would only give this book 4 stars, I definitely don't think it deserved the 1-star reviews, and I'm looking forward to the last book in the series scheduled to come out next year.

Sookie and Eric have a lot of problems in this book and Sookie is trying to decide what direction she wants her life to go. While I would agree with the reviews complaining that Eric doesn't receive enough page time, Vampire Bill made a lot of appearances, and it was nice to have him in the spotlight again.

The faries are restless and Sookie is caught in the middle of both farie and vampire issues, trying to keep herself out of trouble and stay alive - as usual. It is a nice, quick read that I finished in a few days. A lot of questions posed in the series are answered, but there is still plenty of mystery left as far as what will happen in the 13th and final book. I would still count this series among one of my favorites and I recommend this book.

Happy reading everyone! Have a terrific week!

~ Chantel

Hilariously Funny ~ #Spotlight on Travis Casey

I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about the importance of receiving critiques and how important my critique partners are to me from www.critiquecircle.com (cannot recommend this site enough). I thought it would be fun to introduce them to you all over the next several weeks and let you get a little sample of writing from these talented people.

Travis Casey

Today, I would like to introduce you to Travis Casey. Funny is not the word to describe this man! He has two books written in a trilogy he is working on (of which I was lucky enough to read them both as he wrote them!) and is working toward publication. One way or another, I know he is going to get published. Part of me hopes he goes self-pub so I can get the book faster! Seriously, I would sit and read the chapters in his book and laugh so hard my kids would always ask me what the heck I was doing. Sometimes, I'd have to wipe laugh tears away before I could answer. Good stuff here. Hopefully I can entice Travis to do an author interview when his first book comes out.

While we're waiting for the book, Travis has some articles published at Helium.com. In the humor section, out of 30 articles, his is rated #1 (not that I'm terribly surprised by that).  For a good laugh, check it out at www.helium.com/items/1837261-travel-airplanes-flying-stewardess You can also check out his author bio and the other articles he has published there by clicking on Travis' name at the end of the article.

Also, Travis has some great stuff on his blog (which he hasn't written anything new on in a while, but maybe he will soon *crosses fingers* though, in fairness I would rather urge him to write more books for me to read).  You can see more of his sense of humor and what you'll be getting yourself into when you read his books. One story is my absolute favorite on his blog at www.traviscasey.net. If you read nothing else, this is the one - Haircut? But I don't speak Chinese.

Trust me, you'll laugh! As soon as Travis' book is published, I'll be letting you all know. Laughter is the best medicine, and Travis delivers a lot of it!

Have a great week! Thanks for reading!

~ Chantel