Blog Tour: Interview with Cassandra Rose Clarke, Author of THE WIZARD'S PROMISE

Today is extremely exciting for me because I have the honor of hosting one of my favorite authors, Cassandra Rose Clarke for an interview and reviewing her upcoming novel, THE WIZARD'S PROMISE!

THE WIZARD'S PROMISE (The Hanna Duology #1)

by Cassandra Rose Clarke

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
336 Pages

All Hanna Euli wants is to become a proper witch – but unfortunately, she’s stuck as an apprentice to a grumpy fisherman. When their boat gets caught up in a mysterious storm and blown wildly off course, Hanna finds herself further away from home than she’s ever been before.

As she tries to get back, she learns there may be more to her apprentice master than she realized, especially when a mysterious, beautiful, and very non-human boy begins following her through the ocean, claiming that he needs Hanna’s help.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

1) You have another duology written in the same world in which The Wizard's Promise takes place. What made you decide to write another series surrounding that world?

I was blown away by the reception that the first duology received, and by the time the second book was published, I realized I didn’t want to leave that world behind entirely. The story of Naji and Ananna was largely finished, and even though the two of them are certainly off having plenty of adventures (mostly together!), I wanted a chance to look at some of the other parts of the world and some of the other cultures that I had hinted at. 

2) How did you come up with the idea for this story?

I knew I wanted to write something that took place after the first duology, and I knew I wanted the setting to be up in the northern part of the world, since there are a lot of references to the ice-islands throughout the first duology, although we never really get to see them. I also liked the idea of writing a story where the weather is cold, since so much of The Assassin’s Curse takes place where it’s hot (I know it sounds weird, but I’m really into weather and climate). The plot and characters pretty much grew out of those criteria. It was almost like writing fanfiction in a way, because I had the world, and here was a chance to fill in the gaps.

3) Can you share your favorite scene, or line from the book?

Some of my favorite scenes are the ones where Hanna first meets Isolfr, the boy in the water. Here’s a little snippet of one of those encounters:

“You never told me your name,” he said. 
I hesitated. I got no sense of danger from him, it was true. He waited for me to answer, moving with the rhythm of the waves. In a way, he reminded me of the illuminated ice Frida had shown me that afternoon. He was that lovely, that unearthly.
“Hanna,” I finally said.
Nothing happened except that Isolfr smiled again.

4) Who is your favorite character from The Wizard's Promise? If you don't have a favorite character, who do relate to the most?

I actually really relate to Hanna, the main character. I based a lot of her experiences on my own experience growing up in a small town. However, I think my favorite character is probably Asbera. She gets introduced in the second half of the book, so I don’t want to say too much about her, but she’s another fisherwoman (one who’s happy to work as a fisherwoman!) and she befriends Hanna when Hanna needs it most.

5) How has your writing changed since the release of your first novel?

I’ve become a lot more wiling to branch out and try new things. Before I was published, I tended to stick to the type of writing I was most comfortable with--character-focused literary fiction. Now I find I enjoy moving beyond my comfort zone and bringing in elements that I would have found too difficult to include before. I’m not sure why getting published led to more risk-taking: maybe it’s a boost in confidence thing?

6) What do you find to be the most difficult part of writing a book?

External plotting. My favorite thing about writing is developing the characters and crafting beautiful sentences and passages (you can tell I come from a literary fiction background!). But you can’t just ignore external plot in a story--stuff has got to happen. The first duology was actually one of my big experiments in writing a plotty book, but I’m still learning how to really put plot threads together in a satisfying way.

7) What was your initial reaction to finding out you going to be published?

I actually found out I was going to be published when I was at work. I’m a college instructor, and I had a quick, ten-minute break between my classes. I was waiting in line to use the restroom when I checked the email on my phone and saw that Angry Robot had accepted my two manuscripts. So I was completely ecstatic, but I had to keep it to myself, since I didn’t want to start jumping around and shouting in joy in front of a bunch of students.

8) What kind of books do you read in your free time?

All kinds! I tend to jump around between genres. I get in moods where I’ll want to read a bunch of space opera, and then I’ll feel like reading mysteries, and then I’ll want to read literary fiction. Right now I’m reading an historical literary fiction novel called Evidence of Things Unseen, which is a love story set around the time that the first atomic bomb was developed. Up next I think I’m going to read Alif the Unseen, by G. Willow Wilson, which is a kind of literary fantasy novel. I’m definitely in a literary fiction phase right now.

9) What is in store for you next?

The sequel to The Wizard’s Promise, the Nobleman’s Revenge, will be out sometime next year. I’m also working on a couple of new projects--both YA and adult--but I don’t want to say too much about them yet!

10) Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I’ve talked about this before, but I really do think it’s the best piece of advice I’ve ever received: learn to tell the difference between dreams and goals. A goal is something that is completely and one hundred percent under your control, whereas a dream is something that depends on other people to happen--it’s the difference between writing 1000 words a day (goal) and publishing a book (dream). Writing can be an incredibly frustrating career because so much of your success is dependent on other people, and focusing on those things that you can control--goals that will help you reach your dreams--can really alleviate some of that frustration.

Thank you to Cassandra for allowing me to participate in this tour, and for the wonderful interview. I will be posting my review this weekend, so look out for that!  If you haven't already, please check out Cassandra's wonderful works and pick up a copy of The Wizard's Promise when it releases next month!

Blog Tour: Giveaway & Interview: SOMETHING REAL by Heather Demetrios

The lovely Heather Demetrios is joining us on the blog today with a great interview, and a giveaway of her debut novel, SOMETHING REAL. I am so happy to have her with us today, and I hope you love her interview answers as much as I do! You can find the other tour stops listed here.

SOMETHING REAL by Heather Demetrios

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt
403 Pages

Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show's cancellation, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it's about to fall apart . . . because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™'s mom and the show's producers won't let her quit and soon the life that she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before.

Heather Demetrios' Something Real is the winner of the Susan P. Bloom PEN New England Discovery Award.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

Thanks to the lovely people at Macmillan, I have one copy of SOMETHING REAL to offer a reader. The only catch is that you have to have a US/CA address. (Sorry international folks!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What is your favorite part of SOMETHING REAL?

I love this question! I don’t think anyone has asked me this yet. My favorite part involves a red T-shirt. I can’t say more without spoiling anything, but it was a really important moment for me because it deals with something I care a lot about. And it makes me cry, which is so weird because I wrote it, which makes me sound like I think I’m an awesome writer but that is not what I’m saying. I just love Benny so much. Anyway, when you read it, you’ll know what I mean. 

Are you working on any projects currently?

Yes, quite a few! I’m really excited about my book from HarperCollins that comes out this October. It’s called EXQUISITE CAPTIVE and is the first in a YA fantasy trilogy about jinn. It’s been so much fun to write and there aren’t really many books about jinn, so I’m excited for it to be out there. It’s about so many things, too: trafficking, revolution, race, class, power, love…and it’s got fast cars, too. 

I also just finished revisions for my second book Macmillan novel, called I’LL MEET YOU THERE. It comes out next winter and is about a young Marine who comes home after losing a leg in Afghanistan and a girl who’s struggling to leave her going-nowhere life. It’s a romance, but it’s gritty and deals with some pretty tough stuff. It’s very, very close to my heart. 

And, of course, I have a few super secret works-in-progress that I’ll tell people about once that don’t look like amorphous blobs of ink.  

Is there a certain idea or emotion that you want to project to your readers? If so, what is it?

You know, when I was talking to my web designer, he wanted me to find something—a throughline or emotion or idea—that is the same in all my books so that he could create a site that tells that story a bit. It took me a minute, because my books are all so different, even different genres. I realized, though, that they’re all about a character who is constrained in some way, stuck in a situation that she or he needs to get out of. It’s about trying to be free. I guess I want my readers to see that whether you’re a girl stuck on a reality TV show or a jinni in a bottle, you own yourself and you have to fight like hell for what you want and who you are. Kick ass and take names. 

What do you find most enjoyable about writing?

I love revising. Some people might think that’s kind of weird, but I love whittling a story, making it better and better and better. But, in general, it’s so great just to be able to tell stories for a living, to live in my imagination 24-7. I’m so grateful to be able to do that. Creating new worlds, new characters, getting into the nitty gritty of what it means to be human—it rocks. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Write, write, write. Every day. Every. Single. Day. Don’t get discouraged—your first drafts will suck and you’ll have lots of rejection…but it’s okay because it’ll get better. You have to love to write to write and love to read, too. You should be reading A TON. And write something original, something you’re passionate about. Trends will get you nowhere. Also, read Bird by Bird. It will kinda change your life as a writer. 

What, for you, is the most memorable line SOMETHING REAL? What does that line mean to you, or why is it that that line stands out to you?

I feel like each time I look at it, something new will pop for me, depending on how I’m feeling. I guess this one sums up the book for me, though: “I’m not Bonnie™ or Chloe. I’m the essence of her, the nontrademarked person the camera can never capture and my parents have no right to sign over. There is a sovereign nation encased in this skin that MetaReel can never trademark.” This is Bonnie™, my protagonist, thinking about her identity and what’s been taken from her—and what can never be taken from her. She’s up against so much: her parents, this huge TV corporation, the media in general…In the book, she quotes Walt Whitman and, to me, this is what life is all about. He once said, “Dismiss whatever insults your own soul.” I love that because that’s pretty much why I wrote the book. There are things about reality TV that insult me on a soul level and I had to write about it. 

Do you ever struggle with writer's block, and if you do, how do you shake yourself out of it?

I don’t like to use that term because I think it can be really crippling. Sometimes I just feel stuck or like I’ve got nothin’ in me. That usually means I’m overdoing it, like I haven’t taken some time to rest and refill the creative well. That’s when I know I need to get outside, go to a museum, see a play or something. Music really helps, too, and collaging a character’s emotions or doing something else that’s visual. I love the book Art and Fear: it deals with this issue really well. 

What kind of novels do you enjoy reading?

YA, of course. That’s my favorite. Really good contemporary, like e. Lockhart or lush fantasy, like Laini Taylor. I also love really epic books when I read adult lit, books that draw you into a world and let you stay a while (YA is so quick!). I adored The Night Circus, The Shadow of the Wind, and The Invisible Bridge. These are some of my recent favorites. I’m a huge sucker for Russian lit. If you haven’t read The Master and Margarita, get yourself to a bookstore, comrade! Pick up War and Peace while you’re at it. No, really. It’s awesome. 

Are there any elements in your story to which you relate personally? Did you add any of yourself, or life experiences into the story?

There are always parts of yourself that are in a book, I think, no matter how well you’ve disguised yourself. Bonnie™’s desire to travel is a huge part of who I am, but I also think that someone in her position would really yearn for adventure and distant lands. The book is set in the part of California where I went to high school, so people from that area will certainly recognize little things, like the fact that there really is only one acceptable place to get a Pepsi Freeze. And Schwartz is loosely based on my favorite teacher, David Menendian. He was one of my English teachers and I dedicated the book to him. 

What surprised you most when publishing SOMETHING REAL?

That so many guys have liked it! I thought that if the cover didn’t put them off, then the female proto would, but I keep hearing from guys that they are digging it. I love that! My next Holt book is pretty dude friendly, so I’m curious to see what they think of it. I actually had a former Marine read it and he was feeling it, so that gives me hope. 

Big thanks to Heather for inviting us to join the tour, and for answering my questions wonderfully. Also--thanks to Ksenia, and the other great people at Macmillan for sponsoring the tour and our giveaway!

Blog Tour: Giveaway & Interview: Unforgotten (Unremembered #2) by Jessica Brody

I am so happy today to welcome Jessica Brody to Book Jems for an interview, and give away her upcoming novel, UNFORGOTTEN, and its prequel UNREMEMBERED. Find more information on this blog tour, and the other blogs participating here!

Unforgotten (Unremembered #2) 

by Jessica Brody

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
416 Pages

Some memories are better left forgotten... 

After a daring escape from the scientists at Diotech who created her, Seraphina believes she is finally safe from the horrors of her past. But new threats await Sera and her boyfriend, Zen, at every turn as Zen falls prey to a mysterious illness and Sera’s extraordinary abilities make it more and more difficult to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Diotech has developed a dangerous new weapon designed to apprehend her. A weapon that even Sera will be powerless to stop. Her only hope of saving Zen’s life and defeating the company that made her is a secret buried deep within her mind. A secret that Diotech will kill to protect. And it won’t stay forgotten for long.

Packed with mystery, suspense, and romance, this riveting second installment of Jessica Brody’s Unremembered trilogy delivers more heart-pounding action as loyalties are tested, love becomes a weapon, and no one’s memories are safe.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

The kind people at Macmillan are offering one (1) paperback of UNREMEMBERED, and one (1) hardcover of UNFORGOTTEN to one lucky winner. This giveaway is US/Canada only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1. Describe UNFORGOTTEN in ten words or less.

More action, more memory manipulation, more sci-fi stuff, more kissing.

:)

2. What kind of books do you read in your free time? Do you have any recent favorites?

I read mostly YA. I love young adult. The plotting is usually faster and the voice is usually really relatable. Plus I have so many author friends who write YA so I try to keep up on all their awesome releases! 

Recently, I loved WINGER by Andrew Smith, PRODIGY by Marie Lu, and FRACTURE by Megan Miranda. 

3. What are you currently working on?

Ooh! I’m so excited about all the things coming up. Some I can talk about, some I can’t. 

I can say that I just finished writing book 3 in the UNREMEMBERED trilogy. It’s still currently UNtitled, but I think we’re getting closer to a title! (At least my editor can’t call it UNFINISHED anymore! She thought that was really funny when the book was 2 months late!) 

I am contracted to write another contemporary standalone for Macmillan, my publisher, so I’ll be starting that really soon. I do already have an idea that my editor and I both love so I’m excited to get back to my contemporary roots and write something that doesn’t include scientifically-altered heroines and romps through time and space. 

4. How do you write a novel; are you a plotter, or a by-the-pants writer?

I was recently on a panel with Neal Schusterman and he had the best answer to this question. He said, “I never start writing a novel, until I’ve tricked myself into thinking I know exactly what’s going to happen.”

The key word here is trick. Because all authors know that even if we plot our hearts out, there are always unexpected plot points hiding around the bend ready to jump out and surprise us. And the longer you work on a character, the more she starts to think for herself and make decisions for herself and want to have a say in the way the story unfolds. Those pesky characters!

And similarly, I never start writing a novel until I’ve tricked myself into thinking it’s going to be the easiest book I’ve ever written. It never is.

So as much as I am actually a plotter (I use a screenplay plotting method called SAVE THE CAT, based on the book by Blake Snyder), I have to be a panster too. I’ve learned that one of the best qualities of a writer is flexibility. You have to learn to let go of what you think is going to happen (or what you’ve tricked yourself into thinking is going to happen) and embrace what the book will become on its own. 

5. Did you always know how the series would play out, or did it change as you wrote? How do you work through changes?

When I first sold the trilogy, I had a long synopsis for book 1 (about 7 pages) and two short synopses for books 2 and 3 (about a page each.) Although many things changed within those synopses, there were two constants that never changed: The beginning of each book and the end of each book. 

I always knew book 1 would end the way it did, I always knew book 2 would end the way it did, and book 3...well, I actually never included the ending in the synopsis. But in my head, I always knew it had to end one way and no other way. 

So yes, for those who have read book 2, UNFORGOTTEN, I did have that shocking ending planned from the very beginning. Sorry!

Like I said before, changes are inevitable when you’re writing a manuscript. And yet still, every time, I go through a stage of struggle, where I fight to keep the book exactly how I’d planned it to be. But those scenes never turn out well—they always feel forced and clumsy—and I usually end up cutting them and succumbing to the pull of change in the end. 

6. Have you incorporated any of your own life experiences into UNFORGOTTEN, or the other novels in the UNREMEMBERED series? 

You mean apart from my ability to run faster than a car, speak every language on earth, and travel through time? No, not much. 

Haha. Just kidding. 

I think it’s unavoidable that a piece of me will end up in every single book, but there was actually a very specific scene that I stole from my own life experience in book 2, UNFORGOTTEN. 

When you’re reading the book, you’ll come to a kind of creepy, unnerving scene in a New York City subway station. That exact thing happened to me in real life. It was pretty scary. Of course, I didn’t have superhuman abilities to resolve the situation like what happens in the book. But I definitely wished I did!

That’s what’s kind of cool and cathartic about being a writer. You get to take your own bad experiences, add a little sci-fi fairy dust, and transform them into exactly what you want.

7. Which character do you think you are most like, or which character would you most like to be?

I definitely have Cody’s sarcasm and sense of humor and Seraphina’s overly analytical brain. But I wish I had Sera’s looks! I would LOVE to have purple eyes!

But in truth, I’m not sure I’d want to have any of my character’s lives. I put them through a lot of crap. I don’t need that! Writing about it is hard enough!

8. What challenges did you face while writing this story?

HAHAHAHAHA! 

I laugh because the answer is “all of them.” All the challenges. If there was a challenge to be had, I faced it.

This book was SO difficult to write. I cried so many dang times, it’s embarrassing. I thought it was the most difficult of the series. And then I wrote book 3...

When you take memory manipulation, throw in some time travel, and futuristic technology, what you get is...challenge.

But honestly, I think the toughest part of writing this book is the fact that it was book 2 of a trilogy. The middle of any book is the toughest part for me. And this entire book was one big middle!

9. Did you have to do any research for this novel?

I’ll be honest. I’m not a huge fan of research. I’d rather just make stuff up. But because a big chunk of this novel takes place in the 17th century, I had to get over my disdain for research and actually do some. I wanted to make sure that all of the scenes that take place in that time period felt authentic.

I actually took an entire online course about Early Modern England, so I could familiarize myself with the cultural and societal elements of that time. And I spoke on the phone with a renowned professor of Early Modern England who helped me sort out some of the more specific details that are included in the book. 

And okay, I’ll admit it, it was kinda fun. Maybe I should research more often.  

10. What are some tips you have for those looking to publish their stories?

Practice makes perfect. It’s not just a cliché, it’s the truth. 

Write. Every. Day. Hone your craft. You can’t just pick up a cello and expect to play a Beethoven sonata, you have to practice. Writing is the same. It takes time and work and lots of practice and mistakes. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Don’t judge yourself too critically. Just keep at it. 

I have tons of other tips about writing and getting published on my website: http://www.jessicabrody.com/for-writers/advice/ 

*Want Unremembered Series Goodies? Participate in Jessica Brody’s Unforgettable Fan Challenge! Plus an Unforgotten Preorder Offer!

*Read Undiscovered, an Unremembered series e-short for only $1.99, and it’s from Zen’s point of view!

My UNFORGOTTEN Secret:

I am so thankful for Jessica for letting me pick her brain, and to Ksenia and the wonderful people at Macmillan for allowing me to participate in this blog tour! Look for my review of UNFORGOTTEN in the upcoming week!

Blog Tour: Giveaway, Interview & Review: All In with the Duke (Gambling on Love #1) by Ava March

Today, we are happy to host Ava March for an interview and review her latest historical M/M romance novel as part of the All In with the Duke Blog Tour! You can find the other stops on the tour listed here!

All In with the Duke (Gambling on Love #1)

by Ava March

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: November 11, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
210 Pages

London, 1822

Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, vows to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man's true intentions. But ten months of celibacy and lonely nights drive him to a decadent brothel, where a beautiful young man arouses his illicit passions as never before.

Tristan Walsh has grown tired of being used for men's pleasure. But his latest client is different: commanding yet generous, Max makes him feel cared for as well as wanted. Yet Tristan knows he'll never have the choice to leave the brothel and submit only to Max.

So when Max invites him to be his guest at his country estate, Tristan eagerly agrees to his terms—days to do as he pleases while Max tends to the dukedom, and nights spent together in wicked play. But when the "business arrangement" begins to deepen into something more, Tristan must face the fact that he has no true place in Max's life—or in Max's guarded heart…

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Barnes & Noble.Amazon

Tristan pulled his gaze from Max, to the shelves upon shelves lining the walls. “You certainly have a lot of books. Have you read many of them?”

With a light clink of crystal against silver, the maid set a tray with the brandy on the side table. A short curtsy, and she left the room. 

“Yes, years ago. My tutor used the library as a source for teaching materials.” He used to dread when the man would walk into the schoolroom, arms full of new finds from this room’s shelves. Max reached for the decanter, poured two glasses of brandy. 

Tristan took the proffered glass with a murmured, “Thanks.” The candlelight picked up the pale blond strands in his ginger hair. Max flexed his free hand, the memory of those silken strands still fresh on his skin. 

“But not recently?” Tristan asked.

“No.”

“Too busy in your study?”

Max tipped his head and took a long swallow of brandy. 

“Do you spend every day behind your desk?”

“With the exception of this afternoon, yes. Unless I’m in London to attend Parliament or to deal with business matters there.”

“Don’t you enjoy hunting or shooting or some other pastime? You have a stable full of prime horseflesh. Do you ever take one out just to go for a ride, enjoy a sunny summer’s day?”

“A dukedom does not manage itself,” Max said, repeating the phrase he’d heard too many times to count. 

What would his father think if he knew Max had turned his back on the dukedom in favor of an early afternoon orgasm?

His choice of a bed partner would most assuredly raise an eyebrow. Though his father wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest to learn Max had neglected his responsibilities. Was continuing to neglect them at that very moment. 

Yet tonight… Tonight he wasn’t of a mind to dwell on it or let guilt weigh him down. The way Tristan had dropped so eagerly to his knees in that narrow, dark corridor had turned his attention to the locked trunk beside his writing desk. The one he had yet to open since arriving at Arrington Park. 

He took another long swallow of brandy. “Shortly before we left London, and after I’d played footman for you, I stopped at a shop off Bond Street.”

“What sort of shop?”

“One for discriminating gentlemen.” 

Tristan’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t familiar with that particular shop, hadn’t a clue as to the variety of merchandise sold there. Yet the way Tristan held his gaze indicated he suspected there was a meaning to Max’s words that he didn’t quite catch. 

He’d become familiar with a few of the shop’s goods soon enough. 

Max set his glass on the side table and stood. “I believe I shall retire a bit early tonight.”

Excerpt from ALL IN WITH THE DUKE ©2013 by Ava March. All rights reserved.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I want to start by thanking Emily and Jenn for having me today. It’s great to be at Book Jems.  

• What drew you to write M/M fiction?

I’ve always preferred reading and writing from the hero’s point of view, and in a M/M romance, there are two heroes. Plus, in a Regency M/M romance, I have more freedom, in a way. I don’t have to worry about the social constraints placed on females. I can have my heroes go wherever they want, hang out together, spend the night at each other’s houses, travel together, etc. As long as they appear as friends to Society, all is well. And that’s the big constraint I place myself under with a M/M Regency—such relationships were illegal. But if a relationship could thrive in the Regency, then it was a love meant to last. And that really appeals to my romantic heart. 

• What is your favorite part of writing?

My favorite part of writing is the initial idea stage. When the story is shiny-new and I’m figuring out for the first time how the characters will go about getting to their happily-ever-after. I love mulling over ideas, trying out plot points, and fitting all the puzzle pieces together. 

• What do you want readers to be left feeling after they finish one of your novels?

My goal is for readers to be left happy and satisfied and secure in the couple’s future, and if I can wring a *happy sigh* out of them when they reach the end, then that’s the ultimate. 

• Where do you find your inspiration?

I find my inspiration everywhere. I love exploring the dynamics of relationships and what it takes to get a couple to their happily-ever-after. Sometimes it’s a song or a movie scene that gets the muse spinning on a new character. Sometimes inspiration seems to come from nowhere—the start of the story will just pop into my head. 

• What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on Sharp Love, the second book in the Gambling on Love series. It features Jack Morgan (Max, from All In with the Duke’s ever-useful carriage driver) and his old childhood friend, William Drake, who happens to be a card sharp. Jack is principled kind of guy who takes his job very seriously, and Will…let’s just say he’s not so principled. Their book has been quite fun to write.

So this was my first M/M read and I feel like it was a good one to start off with. Not to mention very steamy. All In with the Duke is the story of Max Arrington, the Duke of Pellham, who, having been burned in the past by someone he loved, believes that love isn’t for him. On top of this, his preference in sexual partners is something that he needs to hide considering his Dukedom. 

Lonely and wanting some comfort, Max takes the advice of a friend and finds himself in a brothel of sorts while visiting London. It is here Max meets Tristan, an employee of the brothel. And there’s just something about him that brings Max back the next day. 

I was a little nervous going into this, not going to lie. But March created such vivid characters that I my nerves were instantly forgotten and instead I was instantly submerged into their lives. Max is so broken, with his hurtful past and his public face, you want to help him pull through and see that it’s okay to open up again. But he’s so goddamn stubborn that any reasoning with him is immediately shut down. Then there’s Tristan, who despite his young age, is very wise and an old soul. He’s innocent but not naïve and wears his heart on his sleeve – even if Max is too blind to see it. I like that Tristan wanted to be his own man – not just a kept man. His struggle to find where he fits in and where he excels was a nice balance to Max’s plight. 

Set against historical London (my favorite place in the world), I literally felt like I was walking the streets or strolling through the gardens with these characters. Add the background in with the steamy love scenes and this book works its magic. And when I say steamy, I mean hot. London, sexy guys in waistcoats, and strong backstories – I will definitely be keeping my eye on this series.

Unlike my dear friend, Jenn, who states in her review of All In with the Duke that she had never read M/M romance before, I am an avid fan. During the last couple years, I have become surprisingly attached to the genre, and have found several authors who I know write great, believable romances. Ava March is one of them. Since I read her Brook Street series last year, I have put my faith (and money) in her storytelling ability. Not once have I been dissatisfied by March's work.

All In with the Duke is the story of Max and Tristan. Two men from very different backgrounds, living in nineteenth century England, who fall in love despite their circumstances. Max is the great Duke of Pelham, who runs himself ragged with the duties of his Dukedom and does not trust anyone since he was spurned by a past lover. Tristan works at a brothel, giving himself for the pleasure of men to cover a debt. What stems from a passionate night together leads them to a love that neither saw coming.

This story is not extremely long, and it reads very quickly, which I appreciated. It doesn't add unnecessary complexities to overtake the book. This is simply the story of two men who find love with one another and have to work to keep their relationship afloat. It's a sweet (albeit sometimes frustrating), very sexy read that really entertained me and left me with a smile on my face.

These characters are wonderful. Yes, both annoyed me at one point or another, but I think that's realistic. No person is perfect, and not everyone will agree with the decisions of others. Max and Tristan didn't go out of their way to be obnoxious, but their insecurities caused complications that made me want to shake them and tell them what the other was actually thinking so they could finally be happy. These two were a good fit for each other, and I'm very satisfied with the direction that March took with the story. It was nice to see two self-relent characters, who were able to find not only happiness with each other, but happiness with themselves. 

I am so excited for the next book in this series as Jack Morgan's character is so very intriguing. Though he didn't have the largest role in this story, what we did see of him truly piqued my curiosity. March is sure to provide her readers with another fantastic tale, much like she did here with All In with the Duke.

Here's my warning to you: Don't read this in public unless you have the best poker face in the world. I tried reading some of this while waiting for a book signing, and barely made it in before blushing, stuttering and quickly hiding my kindle from the public eye. Needless to say, the sex scenes are quite steamy and the book progresses quickly, and I'm awkward enough in person as it is.

We received e-copies of this novel from the publisher for our honest opinions and reviews via Netgalley.

Thank you to Ava for joining us today, and to Kati for asking us to participate in the tour!

Blog Tour: Interview + Book Review: Shudder (Stitch Trilogy #2) by Samantha Durante

Today, we are honored to have Samantha Durante and her sophomore novel joining us for an interview and review! You can find the other blog tour stops here.

Shudder (Stitch Trilogy #2) by Samantha Durante

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: June 15, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published

It's only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante's shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

1) Describe yourself in fifteen words or less.

Indie author, soon-to-be new mom, animal lover, former engineer, and sci-fi/fantasy fan extraordinaire!

2) What is the hardest part about being an author?

The hardest part is becoming an author to begin with.  As any aspiring author will tell you, getting up the nerve to sit down and actually write a book is daunting.  You open yourself up to so much potential criticism, and it takes a lot of work to get your name out there.  And beyond that, it’s just such a HUGE undertaking.  Even having done it a couple times, I still always get a little overwhelmed by the idea of writing an ENTIRE BOOK before I start my next one.  To get through that, I just try to break it down into manageable chunks by coming up with a very detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, and then I tackle one chapter at a time.  Before I know it, I have another book!

3) If you could go back in time, before you started writing, and give yourself advice, would you? If so, what would you say?

Don’t wait so damn long, butthead!  People always say to think about what you loved to do as a kid, and for me that was always writing.  But for some reason it took me 25 years to realize that and figure out a way to write professionally.  Even though I had some great professional experiences outside of the writing field, I wish I hadn’t been so blind to my own passions before that – I wasted a lot of time when I could have been honing my craft.  Oh well, better late than never, right?  :-)

4) What kind of books do you like to read?

I love to read almost any fiction, but I’m definitely partial to science fiction and fantasy, especially if it has a little romance.  I love any book that can take you to another world, and if it’s a multi-book series that I can lose myself in for days or weeks at a time, so much the better!

5) What does your writing space look like?

Hmm, well, I’ve found that I don’t have any one “space” – I write wherever I’m feeling it at the moment.  Could be in bed, could be at my little desk in my office overlooking a big lawn where sometimes deer like to frolic (so cute!), could be on the chaise in my sunroom, might even just be at the kitchen island or on my living room couch.  I made sure to buy a lightweight laptop so I can bring it with me wherever I happen to be!  I mainly just need quiet.  Music playing or people talking throw me off since I can’t hear the words in my head.  So I find I tend to get more done in the morning while my husband is still asleep…  I guess this will be harder to do once my baby arrives!

6) Which of your characters would you say you connect with the most?

Definitely Alessa, since she’s a lot like me.  I just try to put myself in her shoes and think about how I’d feel in her situation.  In fact, sometimes I find that I connect a little *too* well with her – my beta readers (who are all close family/friends) will be like, “Why is Alessa acting so ridiculous?” and I’m all like, “She’s not being ridiculous at all, this reaction makes perfect sense!”  It makes me wonder what they think of me sometimes!  Lol.

7) What's the hardest part about writing a book, and why is that difficult for you? (i.e. coming up with names, a story timeline, fleshing out characters)

I think the hardest part is just coming up with an original storyline.  Especially having read so much and watched so many shows/movies, I find it really difficult to not (even accidentally) rehash the same old tropes and plot lines.  I REALLY appreciate it when a storyline catches me off guard, so I like to try to give that to my readers.  But it’s very difficult to come up with something that’s totally different.  To get around this, I usually try to think about how I can combine things to make something new, like putting paranormal elements into a sci-fi story, since up to this point at least, I haven’t seen much blending of genres in any really popular series.

8) What's in store for you next?

Well the very next big thing for me is coming up in just a few short weeks – my first baby is due in October!  So that should be an adventure.  And after that, I’m planning to write the final book in the Stitch Trilogy, Stuck, due out sometime in 2014.  Beyond that, I’m just not sure!  I have some ideas for some standalone YA/New Adult sci-fi novels, so I’ll probably tackle one of those next.  But first I need to finish off this trilogy, as I’ve promised fans they won’t have to wait *too* long for the conclusion!  :-)

Shudder is the second book in Samantha Durante's thrilling dystopian trilogy. Lemme tell you, this book packs a punch. Durante immediate grabs the attention of the reader and doesn't give a moment's rest as she settles into the continuation of Stitch. This book was able to pull me out of my reading funk, and entertain me while I suffered from strep throat (which is the absolute worst; I want to cry just thinking about it). Shudder has everything needed to make a great novel: action, thrills, science and romance that'll make you swoon and sigh.

Alessa and Isaac may have escaped the Paragon, but they are about to be introduced to threats that may be even bigger. Set just after Stitch, Shudder follows the characters we came to know in book one as they face all sorts of obstacles, setbacks and dangers in hopes of finding a place to be happy, safe and free. This fast-paced novel will leave its audience on the edge of their seats, just waiting to know what's going to happen next!

This was really not what I was expecting before I picked up book one in this series, Stitch. Even though I really enjoyed Stitch, Shudder blew me out of the water. The book took a turn for crazy, and dragged me willingly along. It's fascinating watching everything unfold, and getting the background of this society. Seeing it from multiple perspectives only benefit the novel. Usually, it's difficult to keep up with characters in a third person point-of-view story (for me at least), but Shudder did not have the issue in the least. Durante is a fantastic storyteller. She created likable characters, introduced them in a way that made sense and put them into a truly engaging plot that will leave its readers breathless.

These characters have really grown on me, especially our main characters, Alessa and Isaac. Their insecurities are realistic and relatable, which is surprising considering the different eras from which we come. I loved that. Durante makes sure that though this is a futuristic story, it can tie back to the world we, the readers, know. I would say we see growth in all of the characters during Shudder. For some, this is a good thing. For others, not so much. It was interesting to watch each character mold to their experiences during this book. Watching these developments will really help the audience form a bond to them and make it easy for them to love the story. Though I didn't agree with all of their thoughts and actions, none of them seemed out of character or random. They are all very stable and lovable characters.

This author does an excellent job with dialogue and monologue, but the world-building still was a bit lacking. I immensely enjoyed the story, even though I wasn't always able to picture the setting. That's the only "flaw" this story had for me. Everything about this book was entertaining, and even though the end of the book left me utterly frustrated, I cannot wait to get my hands on the third and final novel, Stuck--too bad it won't be out until sometime in 2014. (I AM JUST DYING TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. WHY DID IT END THERE? WHY?!)

It had been awhile since I read Stitch, but I hadn't had the time to pick it up again before reading the sequel for this tour. Luckily, Durante recaps her debut extremely well. There is some "info-dumping," but rather than annoy, it fits in with the story very well. The author uses dialogue to remind the reader of what happened in the prequel, and like I previously stated, she is wonderful with dialogue. The interactions between characters never felt forced, strained, or awkward. The novel flows very well, thanks to Durante's skill. This series should attract all kinds of readers, and I'd definitely recommend it. 

I received a copy of this novel from the author for my honest opinion and review.

And big thanks to Samantha for joining us today, and for allowing us to be a part of her tour!

Interested in my review of Stitch? Check it out here.

And for a limited time, get your own copy of Stitch for $0.99 on Amazon.

Authors Are Rockstars: Hannah Moskowitz Interview & Giveaway

Today, we are happy to join Fiktshun, Two Chicks on Books and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads in the 2nd Annual Authors Are Rockstars Tour! You can find all of the details and blogs participating HERE.

Why is Hannah a rockstar?

Hannah is one-of-a-kind in her storytelling. She writes amazing novels that broach subjects that aren't often written into young adult fiction, and she does so with grace and originality. Her books are engaging, with characters that you can't help but love--even with how messed up they are (and if you've read her work, you know exactly what I'm talking about). She's an insta-buy author for me (Emily), and she should be for you as well! Her books are beautiful, both inside and out. Hannah is undeniably a rockstar!

When did you know that you would be a writer?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer or a singer. Then I heard some people who could actually sing and welllll there you go.

How long did it take for you to first get published?

I started writing seriously when I was 14. I sold my first novel (which was actually the seventh I ever wrote) BREAK when I was 17. It came out in 2009, when I was 18.

Are you working on any new projects?

Yes! I have a lot of great things in the works. The one I'm most excited about is a cowriting project I just finished the first draft of. My cowriter is incredibly talented and it's a story that's very personal to both of us and was very rewarding to write.

You’ve written a mix of different genres, which genre is easier for you to write and why?

I always say my spirit animal is a fifteen-year-old emo boy, so any books that have one or two of them are the easiest.

Do you relate personally to any of your stories?

To some extent to all of them, but none as much as I do GONE, GONE, GONE, which is about the D.C. metro sniper shootings in 2002., I was living in the area at the time and I've never been able to get them out of my head.

What authors inspires you?

Jaclyn Moriarty, Melina Marchetta, E. Lockhart, E. E. Cummings, J. M. Barrie, Chris Lynch, Steve Breznoff, Francesca Lia Block, a bajillion others.

If you weren’t a writer, what would be your ideal job?

I want to American's Next Top Model.

What’s your favorite food?

Yes.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Supernatural, obviously.

What is your ideal past time?

Eating cereal.

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

Giveaway Details:
- Two (2) winners will receive the (released) Hannah Moskowitz book of their choice 
- Open Internationally (as long as The Book Depository ships to you)
- One entrant per household
- Cheating results in immediate disqualification (We will check!)
- Winners have 48 hours to respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen (That means check your spam folder!)
- We are not responsible for lost/damaged packages
- Ends 08/20/2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Hannah for joining us today, and to the love ladies in charge of this tour, for allowing us to partake!

Interested in Emily's thoughts on Hannah's books:

My Review of Teeth

My Review of Marco Impossible