Spotlight Saturday: Micheline D (Lunar Rainbows)

 

 

   
Micheline of Lunar Rainbows is not just a blogger, she’s a book enthusiast. She has always loved reading but her love of books led her on a new route–that of an aspiring writer. While writing her story, she continued to dive into her book piles, and decided that reviewing what she read was another great way to express herself. Not only is Micheline an aspiring write, book addict, and blogger, she’s also a self-professed geek and Anglophile (Do you see why I heart this chick!?), with a soft spot for those of the feline persuasion. Micheline is just an all around awesome chick and I’m really honored that she joins us today to answer my questions!



What is your favorite genre to read? Hmm... I would have to say any book with fantasy elements are my favorite to read, starting with high-fantasy, historical fantasy, fairy-tales, urban-fantasy. I read adult, young-adult & children stories in fairly equal measure.


What is your biggest pet peeve about writers/books? As an aspiring writer, my pet peeve about writing is how the best ideas always strike in the middle of the night o_O As a reader, I have a hard time with the overuse of 'love-triangles'
as a plot device; unless there is a good reason...and even then, it's always so painful to read - someone always loses and it's too sad dammit! Oh and un-original books that are too heavily based on classics also really annoy me.

What about a book just hooks you in? Wow, good question! I'd have to say it's a combination of things. Having a Main Character I can really relate to and feel for is a big one for me. World-building that's effective and engrossing is another important aspect for me considering how much fantasy I read. There's nothing like experiencing a brilliantly detailed and poetic description of other-worldly settings ♥

Do you have a favorite book boyfriend/girlfriend? I have many honestly but no one has ever overshadowed my first one though: Edward Cullen of the Twilight Saga. That character alone is the single most perfect combination of everything I love starting with the fact that he was born in the early 1900's, he's a tortured soul, he plays piano, he's a vampire, he's got killer hair...and he has metallic eyes (I have this weird thing where if a book boy has metallic eyes, I fall in love.) Oh and to top it off he's played by this beyond dreamy BRITISH guy!! *drool*

Honorable Mentions: Akiva (Daughter of Smoke & Bone Series), Jericho Barrons (Fever Series), Aragorn & Legolas (Lord of the Rings) , Aiden St-Delphi (Covenant Series) - like I could ever stop at just one >.<

What made you decide to start blogging about books? Well, I was (and still am) an avid Goodreads user 5 years prior to and I was reviewing all the books I read during that time. I just LOVE chatting about books and discovering new books by reading other reviews! Not many of my friends are as book-crazy as I am so online was always an ideal place to share thoughts for me. Then my cousin (who has a blog) suggested I should start a book review blog too...and the rest is history!

How many books on average do you read a week? Ugh, recently? I've been in a bit of a reading-rut and I've only been reading a book a week! Gross. Usually, I read around 2-3 books/week so I hope to get back on track soon!

Are you an emotional reader, i.e. do you cry, get angry, laugh out loud, etc? I am an emotional everything LOL so yes I am a complete wreck when I get fully invested in a story. I cry, I freak out when it gets intense, I rant at frustrating characters AND I regularly burst out laughing when I get surprised by a random funny bit :D

Can you remember the first time you read a book on your own? If so which book was it? My earlier memory of reading were Archie Comics haha but as far as a book it was the Anne of Green Gables Series. Whenever I re-read them it takes me back to my childhood - such a classic and endearing story!

Who is your favorite hero/heroine? The hero and namesake of my favorite books of all time - Harry Potter. Honestly, I've never felt more for a character...or connected more with their thoughts and feelings.... *breathes* ...I'll stop gushing now cause I think I could write a book and not cover it. Plus I'm already gushing about the guy often enough on the blog, you'd think the books just came out!

More recently though, my favorite newer heroines would be Vin of the Mistborn series because of her character transformation & courage -AND- Karou of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series because she is brilliant, complex, fierce & so full of Hope.

What villain do you love to hate? Ahhh, this is always a tough question for me to answer because I don't often feel like I 'love' to hate a villain. Like I don't love to hate Voldemort or Sauron. They freak me out and I want them gone, quick! Eeep! I do enjoy hating Jadis, the White Queen of Narnia. She's scarier in the books but still brilliant in the films and she's pretty badass all around!

If you want to check out some of Micheline’s features (Please read her Doctor Who one, it is awesome!!) head on over to Lunar Rainbows and give her a like on Facebook. You can also find her on Twitter and Goodreads! Thanks again to Micheline for joining us for Spotlight Saturday! xoxo

Spotlight Saturday: Brittni Guillen (Britt Reads Indie)

Today's Spotlight Saturday blogger is Britt of Britt Reads Indie. It's really awesome when bloggers give us indie writers a chance by reading our stuff and Britt's efforts to get our books out there means a lot! Britt is an admitted book addict and a really cool chick! She totally deserves some shoutouts! Here are her two cents about some of her favorite characters, genres, and much more!

 

What is your favorite genre to read?

B: I really love reading paranormal romance, but I’m open to almost anything, lol.

What is your biggest pet peeve about writers/books?

B: I’d have to say my biggest pet peeve is repetitiveness, sometimes I’ll see the same sentence over and over but just reworded differently, can’t stand it.

What about a book just hooks you in?

B: The flow of the writing, when it all just comes together so smoothly you don’t realize you're at the end until your ereader won’t go any further, lol.

Do you have a favorite book boyfriend/girlfriend?

B: Oh my!! lol I have too many to name without one of them getting jealous ;)

What made you decide to start blogging about books?

B: lol actually one of my friends strongly suggested i started a blog when I wouldn’t quit whining about her knowing all these authors

How many books on average do you read a week?

B: Lately I have been slacking but I can usually get 2 in comfortably

Are you an emotional reader, i.e. do you cry, get angry, laugh out loud, etc?

B: Is there any other way to read?? I say if a book can suck me in to where I am actually talking to the character in it; it's a success, lol.

Can you remember the first time you read a book on your own? If so which book was it?

B: The one book that always sticks in my head from when I was a kid is Dr. Seuss's Are You My Mother.

Who is your favorite hero/heroine?

B: Aaahhh so hard to choose lol Jackson from M. Leighton’s Madly series, Chael from Chael's Luck by Mireille Chester, Nerita from Burning in Water by Arielle Caldwell, Leito from Baptism of Fire by Stephanie Constante lol ...I can go on all day, lol.

What villain do you love to hate?

B: The one that sticks out for me is Brennus from the Premonition Series by Amy Bartol (I think it’s the accent lol)

 

Thanks to Britt for coming by and sharing her thoughts! To check out more about this stellar blogger, stop by Britt Reads Indie and like her on Facebook.

Reveal Thursday: Pygmalia Characters

Before I ever get started on a book, I like to find actors and actresses that look like the characters I'm envisioning in my head. I guess it's just a weird habit of mine, but I know other authors do it as well. This week’s reveal is of who I picture in my mind as I write Pygmalia. These aren't all the characters, but just the ones we see most of in the first book. Let me know what you think! xo

Lily Collins as Lily Fairfax (I didn't realize I gave her the same name until after I picked her out, lol!)

  Adam (Prototype 78) played by Alex Pettyfer

Colin Firth as Dr. Edmund Fairfax (Lily’s father)

 
 Helen Miren as Celeste Fairfax (Lily's grandmother)

 

 Jonathan Firth as Frederick Fairfax (Edmund's brother and Lily's uncle)

Virgil Gulliver (family driver)

Karen (Lily's Mother)

Below is the Fairfax home in England. I imagined the gardens less lush and well-kept but the house looks about right. This is Cragside, a county home in Northumberland. I based a lot of the Lily's family history on William George Armstrong, the owner. He was a British industrialist and engineer, as well as an inventor, much like Lily's father. He also had a great influence on gun production and design and was considered a very successful arms manufacture. I wanted the house to be creepy and dark and I think this fits the bill.

Spotlight Saturday: Becca and Andrea (The Violet Hour)

 

 

Becca and Andrea are two wicked chicks who happen to run a pretty stellar blog, the Violet Hour. If you haven’t been by, then you need to check it out, stat! Both are English majors but are a bit opposite when it comes to their taste in books. Becca has a penchant for the paranormal and sci-fi genres, while Andrea is a fan of contemporary fiction and romances. The two have joined forces to bring to the masses their super detailed and sometimes even laugh out loud hilarious reviews.  

These ladies did me a solid by answering some questions, so without further ado, I give you Becca and Andrea!

 

 

1.       What is your favorite genre to read?

 

Becca’s Response: Favorite genre easy peasy lemon squeezey! Supernatural which I am there including: paranormal, Sci-Fi, and fantasy. I love a little romance with a whole lot of action! Or you know a little action with a whole lot of romance.

 

Andrea’s Response: Definitely Contemporary Fiction and Romance. On the flip-side of Becca’s initial response, I love a little action with a whole lot of romance! (That’s what makes our blog awesome: diversity.)

 

2.       What is your biggest pet peeve about writers/books?

Becca’s Response: Oh my biggest? Jeez… I guess my biggest if I had to pick one, well no it would be between, shifts in POVs and telling vs showing. So I should probably explain the shifts in POVs, I don’t mind it if authors do it at the beginning but don’t start it in the middle/near end of the book, or in some cases in the next book in the series. Well okay I lied about that a little too, sometimes I don’t care if that author does it in the next book but it all depends. And the telling vs showing? Well I want to experience things with the main characters not be told.

Andrea’s Response: I agree with Becca on the shifts in POV. I understand in some situations it makes sense, but when there is a POV change in the middle of a book, it sucks ass and I automatically stop reading whatever it is. It drives me absolutely nuts! Also books that obviously have not had an editor look it over and have grammatical mistakes throughout. It might just be me being a grammar snob, but even when I see when a spelling error or comma misuse in a novel, I start having eye twitches that overcome every other feeling I’d been having about the book.

3.       What about a book just hooks you in?

Becca’s Response: What about a book hooks me in? Jumping right into the action is one thing that I will drool over like no other. Of course good summaries help. But honestly jumping right into the heat of things I just love it. Also a good strong voice of the main character – if its first person – works wonders for me. If I get a dry narrator there is a good chance I will get bored.

Andrea’s Response: Books that don’t drag at the beginning and have thorough character developments. It’s not like I want every single detail about a character, but I’d like enough of a developed connection with a character to get me hooked into a plotline.

4.       Do you have a favorite book boyfriend/girlfriend?

 

Becca’s Response: Um too many to count? Can I tell you more or less what gets me to have a book boyfriend? Okay well I am so there. Anyways my truest love is a guy who treats a girl like she is an equal but something to be treasured at the same time. A guy who will be willing to mess around and joke but also possessive and loving. But if I had a pick a man or two, or three, or um I will stop. Oh um…. Damian from Lindsey J. Parsons’ “Vortex”. Damien from Jennifer Armentrout’s “Lux Series”, and if I had to pick just one more oh I just can’t….Any of the men from Quinn Loftis’ “Prince of Wolves” Series (Costin is my favorite). Also I had a major thing with Aiden from Stephanie Constante’s “Baptism of Fire”.

 

Andrea’s Response: Pretty sure this might be one of these worst questions ever… not that it is a bad question, just that it seems impossible to answer. If I absolutely have to cut it down, I would have to choose Braden from On Dublin Street, Gideon from the Crossfire series, Rush from Fallen Too Far, Shane from The Morganville Vampire series, and Beck from The Demon Trapper’s Daughter series.

 

5.       What made you decide to start blogging about books?

 

Becca’s Response: Well I started reading all these books and I had no one to tell them all about because the people around me don’t read all that much besides Andrea, and I mean other friends of mine read but not really the same stuff – and this goes a little for Andrea too, she likes real life stuff…icky….anyways. I wanted to give my opinion because I wanted to get people interested in books that I thought needed to be promoted. I love this little indie kick I have been on. I only hope that I can get one other person to see this amazing story an author who also has a passion for telling stories gets noticed. I don’t think there is anything greater than being able to share a great story to another person.

 

Andrea’s Response: Well, I’ve run quite a few websites over the years and Becca and I always talked about and recommended books to each other, so we thought, what the hell, let’s make a review blog!

 

6.       How many books on average do you read a week?

Becca’s Response: On average? At least two, maybe three. Really it depends on the week, and that number will probably sky-rocket once summer comes around.

Andrea’s Response: Umm… probably like four. On the days I’m not at school all day or working, I’m reading.

7.       Are you an emotional reader, i.e. do you cry, get angry, laugh out loud, etc?

 

Becca’s Response: Oh I get angry alright. And I laugh out loud that is for sure. To cry? Well I am just too much of man to cry ;). (Andrea will tell you otherwise best not believe her though.)  But in all seriousness yes I am an emotional reader. If a book makes me feel all those things then in my opinion it would deserve four stars right off the bat. A great book is a book that can make you feel the emotions of the main character.

 

Andrea’s Response: Of course. And Becca is a liar. I know for a fact that she cried when she read Last Breath by Rachel Caine because when I told her I bawled my eyes out during that book, she admitted that she did too. If the book is written well enough and is meant to be emotional, then yes, I get emotional.

 

8.       Can you remember the first time you read a book on your own? If so which book was it?

Becca’s Response: Um the first chapter book I ever read by myself was in 6^th grade I think, maybe 7^th. I had reading disabilities and my mother told me not to long ago that I would use to ask why I couldn’t read books like my twin. Oh don’t feel bad! I am making up for lost time now. And reading has become a huge passion, well obsession of mine. The book I remember because it will always hold a special place in my heart: “The Thief Lord” by Cornelia Funke.

Andrea’s Response: Although I know that there are other books that I read on my own before this point, the first one that I remember was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the third grade. My best friend at the time had read it; she let me borrow her copy, and things just escalated from there.

9.       Who is your favorite hero/heroine?

Becca’s Response: Who is my favorite hero/heroine? Again with these questions that can’t possibly have just one answer! Well I guess I will do the same with what I did with the boyfriend question. What I look for in my favorite hero/heroine is a sense of humanity. I want to be able to feel like I can connect with them I don’t want them to be this imagine of a perfect being. I think a lot people look for those kickass, badass, just “add something before” ass, and that’s who they love. For me? I look for the girl/guy that has been beaten down still scarred but continues on because it is what is right. So if I had to pick one hero and one heroine? I would pick for my heroine: Celia Wird from Cecy Robson’s “Sealed With A Curse”. And hero: I have to say three guys I just can’t pick one out of them: Beck from “Demon Trapper’s Daughter” Series by Jana Oliver, and these two dudes are from the same book: Reed and Russell from Amy A. Bartol’s “The Premonition Series”.

Andrea’s Response: My most favorite heroine is Claire from The Morganville Vampire series. She’s a very strong character and she is probably the one character that I agree with every single decision that she has made throughout the entire series.

10.   What villain do you love to hate?

 

Becca’s Response: EASY! Warner from Tahereh Mafi’s “Shatter Me”. For some unknown reason I would marry that man. I would do it. Seriously.  Villain’s for the genre I read tend to be organizations or lots and lots of people so I will say that a good villain is a villain who isn’t willing to hold back. Which means the author themselves’ aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. But yes I have to say Warner is my favorite.

 

Andrea’s Response: The villain that I love to hate is Caleb from Captive in the Dark. Although he isn’t the most obvious villain, he did some horrific things, but I loved him regardless.

Thanks again to Becca and Andrea for giving us an inside look into the minds of a book bloggers! You guys rock! For more info on these two and to check out their reviews, head on over to the The Violet Hour!

 

 

 

 

Fandom Friday: Disney

 

Today I’m going to talk about something that I’ve probably had an obsession with since I was a child, then again, what kid doesn’t love Disney! I don’t think I ever grew out of the whole thing. I still get excited to meet characters in the parks, I still go to see the movies in theaters when they come out, I love everything about Disney.  Anybody that knows me well knows I’m a sucker for anything Disney related. Luckily I live in Florida and have easy access to it because every six months I need a Disney fix.

My favorite time to go is October/November, mostly because of Disney’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, which has to be one of the most amazing things offered at the parks. Children can dress up all year and gallivant around Magic Kingdom in their favorite costume, but the adults get the short end of the stick here. However, right around Halloween, Disney lets adults dress up too and it is one hell of a party. For starters they have characters that rarely or never come out during the year (Seven Dwarfs) and also famous Disney villains like Maleficent.  They have loads of candy, special fireworks and parades and décor specific for the holiday. There’s nothing like it!

As for Disney Princesses, well Belle and Merida have to be at the top of my list, though I have a soft spot for all of them. Belle was a bookworm like me, and I love that she ends up falling in love gradually with her Beast instead of that Insta-love that seems to be a trend with princesses (Baptism of Fire was influenced a bit by their story). Merida is just a badass and I love her rebellious nature.

My favorite Disney movies have to be Lady and the Tramp, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. I love all the Disney movies and own most of them but these just always held a special place in my heart.

As for the rides, I LOVE the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom, Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, Maelstrom at Epcot, and Star Tours at Hollywood Studios. Anything that is dark and not too much like a rollercoaster works for me since I’m a total chicken and even get scared on the kiddie coasters, lol!

This weekend I’ll be staying in Port Orleans Riverside, which is my first time staying at a Disney Resort. They’re usually really expensive. I’ve decided to treat myself for my birthday this year! :o) Anyone else a big fan of Disney? Let me know in the comments below!

Reveal Thursday: Pygmalia Excerpt

This is an unedited excerpt from my upcoming book Pygmalia. In this scene, Adam is sent to go find Lily by her father, Dr. Fairfax, his creator: 

“Are you certain she was here? How did she get inside?” Doctor Fairfax asks himself as he paces back and forth across the room. I pick up the photo she dropped when I woke up, and place it on the table. I watch the doctor, waiting to be given some kind of direction. It’s different than before. I feel a need to serve him, to do as he wishes. I can tell it’s not what I want; it’s something he must have programmed.

                “Where did she go?” He asks me. My mind reaches out into the building, trying to sense where she is. I’ve learned that I can sense the heartbeats of everyone in this house, each one different from the next and hers is nowhere near the property.

                “My readings tell me she is not in the house.”

                “Alright, this is what we are going to do. You’re going to track her and bring her back. You are not allowed to tell her anything about who you are or what we are doing here. Your only job is to find her and bring her back to me, you understand? I cannot risk her going to the authorities.” He pauses for a moment and looks down at the photo on the table, picking it up. His vitals tell me he is agitated but even without my extra sensory perception I can physically tell he’s shaking. “She hates me, you know. . .” It’s as if he wants to say something else but stops himself. He bites the inside of his cheek and hands me the photo. “Go and find her. Do not harm her, even if she fights back, and do not let anyone see you.” He hands me a simple black shirt so I look less conspicuous. I nod and run up the stairs, noticing heels on the floor. They must belong to her. I grab them and head down the hallway. A steady, young heartbeat is heading in my direction and I hide behind one of the curtains. I can tell he senses something is off, this man with the grey eyes and perfect pulse. He looks directly at the curtain, squints his eyes and then continues out of the hall. When I make it outside, I can tell where the gravel and grass were disturbed by the light and fast footsteps. I follow them out into the woods surrounding the property.

                It’s dark out and my night vision kicks in. I can sense her heartbeat a bit better the further out I get but the other creatures in the vicinity are causing my sensors to work overtime. I switch to infrared, making it easier to see her in the darkness once I reach where she is. I can tell she is not actively moving since her pulse is at seventy-eight at the moment. As I keep an even footing over fallen trees and rocks, I can hear her crying before I even see her. A multicolored figure rests against a large rowan tree. I maneuver through the greenery, and shift my sight to night vision again. She looks out into the darkness, her eyes wide, and her body trembling. I can see her form readying itself to run again. Her muscles are no longer relaxed; her bare feet steady themselves on the forest floor as she lifts herself from the ground. I grab her hand before she can escape.

                “Let go of me, let go! Help!” She screams; fighting to get out of my grip. I can’t let her go, I wish I wasn’t so freighting to her. The part of me that cares for her tells me I should do as she asks; that it should break my heart to manhandle her like this, but I can’t. I have to follow the doctor’s instructions and bring her back. He is the only person I can obey.

What do you guys think? :o)

 

Soundtrack Soundtrack: Hello My Old Heart

 

Hello My Old Heart by The Oh Hello's

 

hello, my old heart
how have you been?
are you still there inside my chest?
I've been so worried
you've been so still
barely beating at all

oh, don't leave me here alone
don't tell me that we've grown for having loved a little while
oh, I don't want to be alone
I want to find a home and I want to share it with you

hello, my old heart
it's been so long
since I've given you away
and every day I add another stone
to the walls I built around you
to keep you safe

hello, my old heart
how have you been?
how is it, being locked away?
don't you worry
in there, you're safe
and it's true you'll never beat, but you'll never break

because nothing lasts forever
some things aren't meant to be
but you'll never find the answers
until you set your old heart free

 

So this is one of the songs I’ve been playing a lot while writing Pygmalia. I really love it because it just describes the loneliness my two main characters feel.  The lyrics are beautiful and the music is just so soulful, especially towards the end.

I feel this song about protecting one’s heart and about dealing with the pain of loneliness but not giving up hope on finding love. Lily feels very isolated when she first meets Adam and she’s completely closed herself off to others because of her history. Even though she cares about her mother, brother, and step-father, she sees herself as an island until Adam comes into her life. Because of what happens to Adam in Pygmalia, he loses his ability to feel, but something about Lily awakens that side of him again. His heart, which was locked away before, is released by her.

Spotlight Saturday: Sabrina Ford (Sabrina's Paranormal Palace)

This Spotlight Saturday we have the lovely and awesome Sabrina Ford of Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace! Sabrina writes book reviews for her personal blog and she also contributes to Paranormal Reads. She LOVES books, especially the ones about creatures that “go bump in the night.” Sabrina is also an avid Halloween enthusiast (check out her wicked pictures of her lawn on FB) and has even met the sultry and sassy Elvira (jealous!).

Sabrina has been sweet enough to grant me an interview and here is what she had to say:

What is your favorite genre to read?
I love to read Paranormal Romance.

What is your biggest pet peeve about writers/books?
My biggest pet peeve is when an author leaves their book with a huge cliff hanger and I have to wait a year or longer for the next book. I have a huge love/hate relationship with cliff hangers. Lol!!

What about a book just hooks you in?
As bad as this is I am a cover junkie. I look at the cover first then I flip the book over and read the back to see if it’s sounds like a book I would read.

Do you have a favorite book boyfriend/girlfriend?
Oh this is so hard cause I have so many book boyfriends. Can I cheat and say who some of my favorite ones are? Lol! I would have to say Bones from Night Huntress, Eric from Sookie Stackhouse, Micah from Road to Hell series, Ethan from Chicagoland Vampires, Adam from Mercy Thompson, Oliver from Brookehaven Vampires, David from Creatura, Hunter from Academy of the Fallen, and Aiden from Baptism of Fire just to name a few but seriously I could keep going on.

What made you decide to start blogging about books?
I became an admin on a book page and started reviewing books and from there I became a blogger and I love it. Even when blogger is not cooperating with me.

How many books on average do you read a week?
I can read anywhere from 3 to 7 books a week.

Are you an emotional reader, i.e. do you cry, get angry, laugh out loud, etc?
Yes I am. I have found myself laughing out loud and people look at me like I have lost my mind, I have even thrown a book or two when a character I love has been killed or a character is being a jerk, but recently there have been some books that have brought me to tears and that is a new emotion from me when I read books. But I get so wrapped up in the world and the characters that I feel like I know them.

Can you remember the first time you read a book on your own? If so which book was it?
Yes I can I was 4 and it was a Dr. Seuss book

Who is your favorite hero/heroine?
I have quite a few that I love but one that stands out for me is Z from Black Dagger Brotherhood. For a heroine again I have so many but I love Cat from Night Huntress.

What villain do you love to hate?

I wouldn’t call him a villain but a lot of others do and his name is Elias from Road to Hell series. I just love him and his evil ways.

I can’t thank Sabrina enough for setting aside time from reading and blogging to answer these questions!

If you want to check out some of Sabrina’s awesome reviews, blog tours, and giveaways head on over to Sabrina's Paranormal Reads and like her on Facebook!

Reveal Thursday: Pygmalia Synopsis

 

So as promised, here is the synopsis for Pygmalia!

 

Lily is the heir to her father’s family fortune, except she wants no part in it. Especially if it means having to spend months away from her loving mother, being ignored by her genius, yet reclusive father, and tormented by her domineering grandmother.

Since her parent’s divorce, Lily has been forced to spend every summer, bored to death, at her father’s dilapidated estate in England. The one consolation is that this is the last summer she will have to visit before her eighteenth birthday frees her of this obligation. What Lily didn’t expect to find was someone who is just as lonely and out of place as she is. Someone that could make her actually want to stay at the rundown mansion.

Deep in the basement of her father’s home, she finds Adam, who is half human, half machine. He is her father’s latest prototype: a creation built for war, but able to do so much more than just basic fighting tactics and artillery protocol. Lily cannot help but be drawn to her father’s experiment, though she’s certain nothing can come of it. When she realizes that Adam will eventually be taken from her and potentially destroyed, she must decide whether putting her family in jeopardy is worth the risk of helping him escape.

Spotlight Saturday: Marie De La Rosa

 

I was thinking about all the great people that I've met in the writing world: from talented authors, to amazing bloggers, and creative graphic designers. I thought this would be an awesome way to get to know everyone on a more personal level and I thought each week I can feature one awesome individual on my blog!

My first featured Author is Marie De La Rosa!


Here's just a little about Marie to get us started:

Marie De La Rosa holds a degree in Graphic Design and has returned to college in hopes of obtaining a degree in Criminal Justice. With a passion for reading and writing, she excelled in Advanced Placement classes during high school but always considered writing a hobby up until now. Marie is perhaps more well known for her reviews on the Paranormal Reads and Lunar Haven Reviews & Designs book blogs.

Marie is currently working on her debut YA Paranormal novel Resisting Fate, book one in The Right of Blood Series. The series is set to be released in 2013.

When not reviewing or working on Graphic Design projects, Marie can be found at her day job, out and about with a camera in her hand, or working to finish her book. Look for more information to come in the future.

Now to get down to the nitty gritty!

1. Do you like to plan out what you’re writing or do you go with the flow?
I like to outline stuff first but at the same time go with the flow since new ideas come to me as I continue to write.

2. Who is by far your favorite character in all of your books? Why is this character your favorite?
This is going to be my debut book, so far it is between Neoma and Huntir, though I love my main character the personalities of Huntir and Neoma are actually characteristics from people closest to me in my life. Araina however will always be also in the top three as we will see her grow in the series.

3. Where do you write and what is your routine while writing?
In a place I won't get distracted too easily but I love to write while listening to music, as if I'm making a soundtrack to the book as it is being written.

4. How are you able to balance your writing and other aspects of your life?
 Time management, a skill that was taught to me while in school and is still coming in handy as a writer.

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
My dreams in this case, the idea just sorta showed itself to me. And once I had the idea I had to go with it, I couldn't leave it there with no outlet.

6. Which author do you admire the most and why?
I can't really choose one, there are so many talented authors out there and each has their own technique or trait that stands out to make them their own, they are each inspiring in their own way.

7. What do you do when a story doesn’t seem to pan out?
Go back to the drawing board and try again. Try until you succeed.

8. What are you currently working on now?
My debut novel - Resisting Fate and it is book one in The Right of Blood series.

9. Who would you say is your biggest fan?
As of right now perhaps my editor since she is the one who has gotten to read most of what I have.

10. What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
Having the freedom to be creative and create these stories where people can find themselves getting lost in alongside the characters.


I'd like to thank Marie so much for taking the time out to answer my questions! I seriously can't wait for Resisting Fate to come out!
For more information on Marie De La Rosa and all her upcoming work, check out the sites below, you'll be glad you did! :o)

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Fandom Friday: The Walking Dead

 

 

 

This is Fandom Friday where I discuss different fandoms I love. Today it’s *drumroll* THE WALKING DEAD!

 

The Walking Dead has to be one of my favorite things ever; I just love everything about the show from the psychological breakdowns, to the gnarly zombies, and the badass characters that turn me into a cheerleader every Sunday. Watching this show sometimes puts me in such a state of panic that I have to learn to control my anxiety but that’s what I love about it. It’s rare that a TV show/comic can evoke such an emotional reaction.

My favorite characters have to be Daryl and Michonne. Why? Well, how can you not like them? They kick more ass than a Chuck Norris joke. What I love is how they are not only tough but they are good natured as well. In a world like that, someone with their skills and bravado could take down the weaker but they choose to care for them instead. They are dependable too (something you need in a zombie apocalypse) and they’re survivors. I like characters that have many layers to them and these two are just so complex. I have to say that I’m also partial to Hershel who is just  so kind and wise, he makes you wish he were your grandpa.

One of my favorite episodes has to be the first season’s “Vatos,” just because we find out that not everyone or everything is as it seems. On a rescue mission to find a missing member of the group (who many wouldn’t mind if he stayed missing) they have a run in with some shady individuals. These “Vatos” take one of their party hostage in exchange for weapons that Rick brought with him from the police station. The end is just epically insane.  The third season has had some real gems as well, and has become my favorite season thus far. I was watching episodes from the first season and love how different the characters, settings, and dynamics have changed. It’s almost like watching a different show each season.  

The only thing about the series and the comics that is not so great is that no one is safe. No matter how likeable a character is, they still can die, which really tears at your heart strings when they do get killed. It’s hard being invested in characters who are living in a zombie apocalypse.

Are any of you out there fans of the show? Any predictions about this season? I have a feeling they might not kill off all those characters at the end of the season like they did in the comics. At least I’m hoping they won’t or I’ll be crying for weeks depending on who dies. I hope I haven’t spoiled anything for those of you that might want to start watching after reading this. I tried to keep the spoilers to a minimum! :oP