Author Interview: Laura Kreitzer on FORSAKEN HARBOR

Here I have Laura Kreitzerauthor of PHANTOM UNIVERSE! Here are some questions that I asked about her new novel FORSAKEN HARBOR!

1. Why did you decide to make the prologue in Julian's point of view?

Julian ended [i] Phantom Universe [/i], so I felt it was necessary for him to start Forsaken Harbor. Also, his story will unfold in this second book, and you’ll see many chapters in his point of view. He becomes a new person in Summer’s life, and her reactions to his introduction show her growth from the silent girl on the Cosmos to who she is now.

2. If you could describe Gage in one word what would it be? Summer? Why?

Gage: integrity, because he is honest and has valor when it comes to Summer and those he cares for. He tries to do what’s right even when others criticize him for it.

Summer: courageous, because in the face of all that she’s been through, she’s come out stronger and overcome many of the issues she’s faced with her PTSD.

3. Why did you choose to add the "Recording"? Is this super important to the book that your readers should keep it in the back of their mind while they're reading?

I added the recordings because they are vital and important to the novel. Readers will find out their meaning and significance at the end. They’ll have to read to find out.

4. Who would you say is the organization, the Society? A group of evil scientists trying to take over, or something more?

The Secret Clock Society is a group of scientists who have been creating and experimenting on projects for years, all in the hopes of one day traveling time and creating their own world sans government influence and interference. The Society doesn’t want to take over, exactly, they want Summer to travel forward in time to steal technology of the future, then send them back in the past to start their own civilization with their other creations. Would I call them mad scientists? Yes.

5. What made you decide to set a book in this futuristic world?

To be honest, I wanted a time traveler (Summer), but I didn’t want to do the research into historical aspects of earlier time periods. Actually, I enjoy creating my own worlds like the one with the Canadian Federation, including the technology of the future.

Thanks for having me on your blog!

Laura Kreitzer
http://laurakreitzer.com
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This book was so amazing. I can't wait to read more by Laura Kreitzer! I'm glad I was included in this tour! :D
~M.A.Chase♥

Halloween and NaNoWriMo

Hey everyone! How are you all doing? We have some awesome stuff coming up next week and I'm super excited!

First, Halloween!

Who is ready for that? I plan on writing a Halloween short story for all of you so I can post it up so look forward for that! Also, on Halloween I'm going trick-or-treating. I know, I know. I'm a teenager and I'm still dressing up and going trick-or-treating, but it's going to be so much fun. I mean, who doesn't love getting free candy from strangers while dressing up as something that you like? I mean, I'm dressing up as a hippie which is completely me cause I think I'm a total hippie/tree hugger. Haha. What are you all dressing up as? I definitely want to know!

Second, NaNoWriMo!

This is my third year entering NaNoWriMo and I'm ubber excited! I mean, who doesn't love trying to write 50,000 words in only 30 days? I admit, this year I might not be putting maximum effort into trying to write so many words because of my AP Language and Composition class at school, but I will try my hardest to try to keep myself on par with the daily word counts we're supposed to have. *shrug*

I'm also very excited to announce that I got friends to join as newbies this year! Right now they're still panicking about not having a plot, and I'm telling them to roughly think a beginning and and end, write it down, and just ride on the seat of your pants; at least, for NaNoWriMo. I mean, after in editing or rewriting you can go back and actually plot and outline your story, because now you'll know where you want to go, what you want to write, what you wanna say. Still, I'm enjoying seeing them and trying to help them as best as I can, because I was a newbie once (two years ago *cough*) and it's kind of lame to have to figure out everything about NaNoWriMo on your own. I'm happy to help.

Another thing, I'll have weekly wordcount updates for how many words I have, and how many words your supposed to have for that week and so on and so forth. I'll also have a few encouraging sentences for you to read and keep you motivated so look out for that! :D

See you all soon!

~M.A.Chase♥

Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty by Neil Hanson

Title: Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty
Author: Neil Hanson
Release date: n/a
Rating: 4/5
Publisher: High Prairie Press
Book Summary:
In a poetically elegant and highly accessible story, Neil Hanson provides a moving account of a man who journeys to the edge of death with his father, discovering a mystical surprise there. Explore the strength of "uncertainty" as a gift through which the magic of Wisdom and Truth might enter our life.
Those blessed with any doubt regarding the spiritual dimensions of life will be richly rewarded with a story that will nurture the search for Truth that is often hidden behind the veil of certainty. Those who have not yet pushed aside that veil may find in this story a window through which to grasp the blessing of uncertainty

Review:
Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty was a worthwhile and inspiring book. It was beautifully written as a letter to a father who had just passed away. From Neil Hanson's point of view, this story has his thoughts on the event as well as his thoughts during the actual writing of the book. In my opinion,it helps the reader feel more in touch and in tune to the author as well as the memories and the story being told.

It has a beautifully strong message as well on how as a young man he found "G-d" and how he found how these spiritual powers are just given to you, but they must be found.

I give it a four because I would have probably liked to have read a few memories of his father that Hanson finds prominent and weaves easily with the story. Over all it was a well written story and I would definitely recommend it!

Guess what everyone! Neil Hanson would want to give a copy of Peace at the Edge of Uncertainty to you! Just comment below with your name and email address and I'll let you know if you win!
~M.A.Chase♥

Elemental Reality by Cesya Cuono

Title: Elemental Reality
Author: Cesya Cuono
Release date: August 21st 2011
Rating: 5/5 (AMAZINGG)
Publisher: Revolution Publishing
Book Summary:


NEW! Author Biography: Cesya MaRae Cuono hails from a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Alvernia University where she majored in Business          Administration and also received her certificate of Multi-Media & Production makeup from Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry. You can find any updates from Cesya on her website at http://www.cesyacuonobooks.blogspot.com/.

Review:

So I haven't read many magic books in a very long time. Most of the books I've read have included werewolves and vampires (no, not The Twilight Saga. Haha.), or some other type of wierd magic power.

This book has really stood out.

It was diffierent from the rest of the books I've read and MAN was it interesting. I found myself saying "Okay, one more Chapter then go back to my summer reading book" about four chapters later I was saying that same thing.

I couldn't get enough of what Callie, and her sister Lola were going to do next.

Cuono's writing style was absolutely phenomenal as well! I could really fit in with what Callie was thinking and was doing which is always a big plus for me because when I can get into the character I'm all for the book! :D

There is also a lot of character development in this book which I also like to see. The character changing and learning as time goes on. It was absolutely perfect! I am defintiely looking forward to BATTLE SCARS which is set to release sometime during 2012.

I will definitely recommend this book to all who are reading this. Go on. If you're still reading then you're not going to go read it. Seriously. Go. Haha.

Thanks to Jennifer Baker at Revolution Publishing for allowing me to join the tour!

~M.A.Chase♥

When Callie Pierce was 10 her mother disappeared without a trace. 12 years later on the eve of her disappearance things become weird, supernatural even. Everything she was taught and learned over the    past 22 years was a lie to protect her. The truth is she's powerful and now she, along with her sister Lola, has to use that power to save her mother and family from the evil hands of fate that threaten to tear them apart.

Guest Post: Kathleen Gerard Author of IN TRANSIT

Today we have Katleen Gerard as our guest for today talking about why setting is important! Author of  IN TRANSIT


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Kathleen Gerard




The Importance of Setting in Fiction



 In fiction writing, a sense of place can anchor a story. But setting is also a tool for exploring character. Often a character's reaction and response to a place can reveal a lot about him or her. I couldn't set my novel, IN TRANSIT, anywhere but in New York City, as the NYPD Transit Division and the New York City Subway System are central to the plot. Also, the idea of the subway system--a dark, underground labyrinth--serves as a metaphor to reveal the secret lives and hidden motivations of many of the characters in the story. Rita Del Vecchio is the heroine of IN TRANSIT. At the start of the novel, she is a naive 22 year-old and NYC takes on different meanings to her at different points in the story. In the first part of the novel, Rita longs for Manhattan as though it were a "promised land" - a place of opportunity. As the story unfolds, the reader learns that Rita spent the first 12 years of her life growing up in the Bronx, a borough of NYC.

IN TRANSIT Cover Art

When her parents moved the family to a New Jersey suburb, ten year-old Rita sentimentalized her days spent in the Bronx and longed to return. Thus, when a psychic at a shopping mall reads Rita's Tarot cards years later and proclaims, "You're destined for greatness" and "You will marry a man in uniform," it's the push Rita needs to find a way to move back to the city she loves and has missed. By the time Rita graduates from the police academy and starts working for the NYPD, Manhattan becomes larger than life. This young woman and rookie cop, who thinks she is so tough and street smart, actually feels overwhelmed when embroiled amid the fabric of New York City. Patrolling the subways for the first time as a full-fledged officer during rush hour, she experiences a sort of culture shock.  As the story progresses, Rita gradually acclimates herself to NYC.  But the place she once deemed as a "promised land" now transforms into a place of danger.

People and places aren't always whom or what they appear to be. Rita is ultimately forced to confront the choices she has made -- the life she has created for herself in NYC -- and she is forced to rise up against the mighty city and the powers therein, refusing to be dominated by forces larger than herself. In Rita's case, it is only by making this journey to NYC, and facing each challenge, that she changes and grows. What about you in your own life . . . Have you always lived in the same place or have you moved around a lot? What does where you live say about you? Is there some promised land (a place of opportunity) you are longing for? Where is that place and what would you hope for in migrating there? Please share your stories with us...


To learn more about Kathleen Gerard and the story-behind-the-story of IN TRANSIT please visit http://intransit-thenovel.blogspot.comcopyright/ 2011 by Kathleen Gerard. All Rights Reserved.

~M.A.Chase♥

FANFARE by Renee Ahdieh

Title: FANFARE (Picture of the cover won't post)
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Release date: May 13th, 2011
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Revolution Publishing
Book Summary:  


Review:


"It's anti-capitalistic to love someone" -Cris Pereira

When life gives you lemons, you make orange juice. Life was well and wonderful for Cris, but the the reality fell harder than ever. When her fiancée breaks of their engagement Cris is hurt beyond repair. . . Then she meets Tom. Can he change it all or is she going to end up locking herself in? It's not the average love story. ;D

I was so happy to find out that the MC was a Latina. THANK YOU. I haven't read a book yet that's had the MC as a Latina and let me tell you, I'm loving it. I'm a Latina myself and I just immediately fell in love with Cris. She's snappy, she's crazy, she's strong and determined. She's a great Female MC.

Renne Ahdieh's writing style is extremely SUPERB. I loved it very much. Just they way the words flowed and the way it just grasped your attention the minute you read it just was amazing. It's been a while since I've read a good contemporary fiction novel that has no vampires, no raising of the dead, no secret powers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I was glad that at time I was laughing outloud to some of Cris' thoughts. They seemed so normal it was jut really funny.

I can say I really enjoyed this book from cover to cover.

~M.A.Chase♥

Posted June 20th, 2011

Cris Pereira hates starring in a cautionary tale. Alas, her recent heartbreak relegates her to this unbecoming fate. The only good thing about being dumped a foot from the altar is the newest layer to her punchy sarcasm. All she wants is a do-over, but this is not your average fairy tale, and wishes don't come true in the real world.

One Sunday afternoon, she meets a movie star. Tom Abramson is intelligent, charming, and impetuous. In other words, he plays the role a bit too well. She isn’t falling for it. She knows better. All British men are not descendants of Fitzwilliam Darcy, and movie stars are genetic mutations gone awry: X-Men with statistical disadvantages and emotional handicaps. Keep your knight in shining armor. A modern girl can rescue herself, thank you very much. After all, dreams are for the foolhardy, nightmares are just a part of life, and . . . this is not your average fairy tale.

Manga!

Haha, so I'm currently reading a manga called Dengeki Daisy.

I absolutely love it!

Well for people who don't know what I'm talking about manga is comic in Japanese. It's read from right to left.

Manga is basically a book so I will be talking about it thank you very much.

Dengeki Daisy is basically about this girl named Kurebayashi Teru. Her brother passed away when she was younger, but before he passed away he left her with a phone that can help her contact a guy named "Daisy." "Daisy" is supposed to replace him and help her brother after he passes away to take care of Teru.

Since that day she has been mailing "Daisy" about little things here and there at school.

She's never met "Daisy" in her life, though she trusts him dearly because, well, her brother trusts him.

She does meet him, though she doesn't know it's him. At least not at first.

I don't want to tell you TOO much information about it so if you're curious check it out. :P

I will say one thing: my favorite catch phrase from Kurebayashi Teru is; "Go bald, Kurosaki!"

Lmao.

I will disappear now!

Ja-ne!

~M.A.Chase♥