Release Day Blitz: HYBRID (The Domino Project #2) by K.T. Hanna

HYBRID (The Domino Project #2) goes out into the world today.

We're celebrating with an excerpt reading, and a giveaway!

If you haven't read CHAMELEON - it's on sale until the end of 11/12/15 for $0.99

K.T. Hanna reads an excerpt

https://youtu.be/0iLxBQxALEI

Blurb

As Sai recovers from her life-threatening injuries, she struggles to piece together her damaged relationship with Dom. He fights the parasite within, suddenly freed from the interference of the other Dominos in his head.

Inside Central, Bastian’s Shine dosing has become a dangerous dance. Enhanced security protocols and endless meetings have him on a tightrope, with little room to move without revealing himself.

When the GNW release the Damascus to begin their systemic hunt of the Exiled, the noose closes around the rebels and their allies. If they can’t disable the threat, the Exiled won’t be the Damascus’ only agenda.

~

Praise for Chameleon - The Domino Project #1

“Wow! A fast-paced, science fiction delight with fabulous action, a seamless world, and the most unique characters I’ve read in a long time.”
Elana Johnson, Author of the Possession Series.

“Nikita-like post-apocolyptic novel with a heroine that would give Katniss a run for her money.”
Alina @ Unfazeable.com

Psionics is wicked cool and I wish a meteor would give me some super-secret powers. The logistics of the abilities are many, and normally would have been a nightmare to follow. Hanna handles it with enough subtle description laced through the opening chapters that you’re able to grasp their powers naturally.
Heather @ Aussie Owned and Read

A seriously great sci-fi. Dark, edgy and complex. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a gripping read because of the author’s tense voice; the characters are well defined, believable and likeable, despite all of their flaws; the story flows well; and the ending leaves you on edge to read more. If you like sci-fi, you will love this book.
Kate Foster – Author of Winell Road

HYBRID is available at the following retailers

AMAZON | INDIEBOUND

Watermark Books - Signed Copies!

Celebrate HYBRID's release with us!

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GUEST POST: Jessica Therrien

Hey there! I've known Jessica for a while now and when she asked if I would help promote the re-release of her CHILDREN OF THE GODS series, I couldn't say no.

So, here in her own words, is Jessica talking about her series. Enjoy!!

---

Hi! I’m Jessica Therrien, author of the YA paranormal romance series, CHILDREN OF THE GODS. Thanks for hosting me on your blog today, Andrew! This one is for all the writers out there…

I love writing. That’s why I’m a writer. Not because I’m hoping to make a bazillion dollars on the next 50 Shades of Grey (which I’ve intentionally not read, for snobby writer reasons). But what I’ve experienced in writing and publishing three novels is that you will lose the joy in writing when it becomes work.

I really had no concept of this when I first started out. It was like being a candy addict and getting really excited to work at your favorite candy store because you will be able to eat all the candy you want, only to find out that too much candy makes you sick.

Writing book one was an amazing feeling. I felt so inspired. I could write 10-20 pages in one sitting. I had a million ideas, an outline, a character map. It was FUN.

Then book two rolled around and I was in deep with a publisher. Every writer’s dream, right? A best-selling novel and a publishing contract for the next book before it had even been written.

I’m here to tell you that writing under pressure with a deadline hanging over your head is not fun. Granted, it pushes you. It forces you to get your butt in that desk chair and churn out some pages, but one thing it won’t do is inspire you.

With book one I spent so much time obsessing over getting it published that I didn’t stop and appreciate the freedom I had to enjoy the process. I had it SO good. I had inspiration and all the time in the world to play with my imagination.

I promised book three would be different, and it was. I didn’t sign a contract for book three. Instead I asked for my rights back. Something I NEVER thought I would do. I’m so glad I did, though. It took me around two years to write this last book, but in those two years I’ve been a better mother, a better wife, and a better writer. I’ve found the joy in writing again. I hope you can learn from my experience and enjoy the uninhibited process of writing on your own timeline.

Remember, we write because we love it. HAVE FUN.



Lead Council member, Christoph, is dead by Elyse’s hand, and Descendants have begun to emerge, exposing their secret to the world. Some see this as the prophecy come to fruition, but the prophecy caries a heavy consequence. It was never meant to be as peaceful as most had hoped.

Humans and Descendants struggle to live together in a world that isn’t ready for such a change. America is divided. Those who glorify the supernatural race believe Descendants truly are the gods they claim relation to. Others see them as a threat.

When Elyse gives birth to the next generation oracle, she sees one final vision—war. The destruction of the country’s major cities, and the end of America as we know it.

After her daughter is born, Elyse finds herself without the ability she needs to predict the future. Desperate to save the world from such conflict, she puts her faith in the hope that Descendants are the key to survival. After all, they have the power to supply a broken society with the means to survive.

Only from the ashes can a new world be born.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE (Links available soon)

Elyse’s Story…

OPPRESSION (Book #1)

UPRISING (Book #2)

REDEMPTION (Book #3)

The Children of the Gods Series

The Descendants have waited long enough for freedom…




About The Author

JESSICA THERRIEN spent most of her life in the small town of Chilcoot, California, high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In this town of nearly 100 residents, with no streetlights or grocery stores, there was little to do but find ways to be creative. Her mother, the local English teacher, inspired her to do all things artistic, and ultimately instilled in her a love for language. Jessica currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their two children.

You can visit her online at


www.jessicatherrien.com

Release Day: Redemption (Children of the Gods #3) by Jessica Therrien

Redemption (Children of the Gods #3)

Nobody promised freedom would be peaceful… 

AVAILABLE TODAY! 

Lead Council member, Christoph, is dead by Elyse’s hand, and Descendants have begun to emerge, exposing their secret to the world. Some see this as the prophecy come to fruition, but the prophecy caries a heavy consequence. It was never meant to be as peaceful as most had hoped.

Humans and Descendants struggle to live together in a world that isn’t ready for such a change. America is divided. Those who glorify the supernatural race believe Descendants truly are the gods they claim relation to. Others see them as a threat.

When Elyse gives birth to the next generation oracle, she sees one final vision—war. The destruction of the country’s major cities, and the end of America as we know it.

After her daughter is born, Elyse finds herself without the ability she needs to predict the future. Desperate to save the world from such conflict, she puts her faith in the hope that Descendants are the key to survival. After all, they have the power to supply a broken society with the means to survive.

Only from the ashes can a new world be born. 

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Elyse’s Story…

OPPRESSION (Book #1) – ON SALE $0.99

UPRISING (Book #2) – ON SALE $0.99

REDEMPTION (Book #3) – AVAILABLE NOW $2.99 

The Children of the Gods Series

The Descendants have waited long enough for freedom…

About The Author
 

JESSICA THERRIEN spent most of her life in the small town of Chilcoot, California, high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In this town of nearly 100 residents, with no streetlights or grocery stores, there was little to do but find ways to be creative. Her mother, the local English teacher, inspired her to do all things artistic, and ultimately instilled in her a love for language. Jessica currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their two children.

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Cover Reveal: HYBRID (The Domino Project #2) by K.T. Hanna

Hybrid is finally almost ready for release. S.P. McConnell worked magic again here.

Hybrid (The Domino Project #2) is the sequel to Chameleon. It's set in the wasteland of earth after a meteor shower causes ecological disaster, damages the atmosphere, and gives the gift of an alien parasite to the world. Book two furthers Sai, Bastian, and Dom's journey in their fight to live free from GNW imposed rules.

The goodreads blurb is as follows:

As Sai recovers from her life-threatening injuries, she struggles to piece together her damaged relationship with Dom. He fights the parasite within, suddenly freed from the interference of the other Dominos in his head.

Inside Central, Bastian’s Shine dosing has become a dangerous dance. Enhanced security protocols and endless meetings have him on a tightrope, with little room to move without revealing himself.

When the GNW release the Damascus to begin their systemic hunt of the Exiled, the noose closes around the rebels and their allies. If they can’t disable the threat, the Exiled won’t be the Damascus’ only agenda

Without further ado - here's a teaser of the cover by the amazingly talented S.P. McConnell.

INSERT IMAGE HERE

Go see the full cover at YA Interrobang!

Isn't it GORGEOUS!?!?!

Sit back and bask in this for a moment.

It's available for pre-order for $3.99 and will be available on November 10th, 2015!

It will also be available in print via CreateSpace, Amazon, but best of all, the local indie store is being really supportive and already has it available for pre-order in print there!

Watermark Books

Haven't read Chameleon? There's still time to catch up!

Get it HERE!

About the Author

KT Hanna has a love for words so extreme, a single word can spark entire worlds.

Born in Australia, she met her husband in a computer game, moved to the U.S.A. and went into culture shock. Bonus? Not as many creatures specifically out to kill you.

When she's not writing, she freelance edits for Chimera Editing, interns for a NYC Agency, and chases her daughter, husband, corgi, and cat. No, she doesn't sleep. She is entirely powered by the number 2, caffeine, and beef jerky.

Note: Still searching for her Tardis

Celebration!

To celebrate, we're giving away a copy of books 1 & 2! With an Amazon e-card, and a SWAG pack!

Winners will be announced on Monday October 19th!

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UPRISING (Children of the Gods #2) by Jessica Therrien Release Day

UPRISING (Children of the Gods #2) is AVAILABLE NOW!

Jessica Therrien follows up her best-selling novel OPPRESSION with UPRISING, the second book in the Children of the Gods series. OPPRESSION, translated and sold around the world, was one of the best-selling novels of 2012.

UPRISING continues the story of Elyse, William, and the Descendants. Elyse has been in hiding for most of her life. Only now she’s hiding with William, and she knows who she’s hiding from. The Council wants a child Elyse and William have yet to conceive, a child who will be the next oracle, and who will provide the final piece to a plan Christoph has been organizing for years.

Charged with leading the rebellion against Christoph and his Council, Elyse feels well out of her depth. But she has good friends and strong allies who are willing to fight with her to the end, regardless of how far they have to go, and how many lives will be lost in the process.

They have one goal: to live freely and openly with the rest of humanity, out from under the Council’s oppressive rule. The stakes could not be higher for Elyse and the Descendants longing for freedom. They’ll have to learn to fight if they want to stand up against the Council, and to find allies in a world ruled by their enemies. The hardest part of waging a war is knowing who to trust. Elyse knows their uprising will change the world. She doesn’t realize it will change her, too.

BUY LINKS

E-book $2.99 Paperback $12.99

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ibooks | Kobo | Goodreads

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than average people, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's well over eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal.

For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability.

Or so she thinks.

Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Some are waiting for her to put an end to centuries of traditions that have oppressed their people under the guise of safeguarding them. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning-and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

BUY LINKS

E-book $2.99 Paperback $12.99

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ibooks | Kobo | Goodreads

OPPRESSION (Children of the Gods #1) - AVAILABLE NOW!

UPRISING (Children of the Gods #2) - AVAILABLE NOW!

REDEMPTION (Children of the Gods #3) - November 2, 2015

COVER REVEAL: Harrowed by Brian LeTendre and Jolene Haley

So, it's been awhile since I've done a post. But today I get to show off an awesome cover by a wonderful person. The book is titled HARROWED and is part 1 of the Woodsview Murders written by Jolene Haley and Brian LeTendre. The gorgeous cover was done by Hang Le from By Hang Le.

So a bit about the book.

Journalism Rule #1: Always report the story. Never become the story.

Avery Blair has accepted the fact that nothing exciting ever happens in her small town of Woodsview, Massachusetts. As the editor of the high school blog, she prays for something—anything—to come along that would make for a great headline.

When Beatrice Thompson’s body is found in the girls’ bathroom, Avery has her biggest story ever. The rumors circulating the school say that Beatrice took her own life, but Avery doesn't believe it for a second. Her instincts prove true when the next day brings another body bag.
The tiny community of Woodsview has become the hunting ground for a killer known as the Harvester. The killer targets Avery and her classmates, stalking their every move and terrorizing them with morbid messages.

With the help of her boyfriend Jason, her best friend Quinn, and an aging detective who can't keep her off the case, Avery dives head-first into her own investigation. She discovers that the secret of the Woodsview Harvester is buried in the town's history and its annual Harvest Festival celebration. With every clue she uncovers, Avery grows closer to unmasking the killer—and becoming the next victim.

Avery Blair has finally found a story to die for...if she can stay alive long enough to write it.

About the Authors

Brian LeTendre is the writer of the Parted Veil horror series, which includes Courting the King in Yellow, Lovecraft's Curse, and Lovecraft's Pupil. 

A gaming, comics and horror lover, Brian has co-hosted and produced a podcast about geek culture called Secret Identity since 2006, producing well over 1000 hours of programming. He also hosts and produces three other podcasts about writing (See Brian Write), design and small business (Kitbash Radio) and gaming (Co-Op Critics).

In addition to podcasting, Brian has worked as a freelance games journalist, and currently writes a webcomic called Mo Stache, which can be read for free online and will be collected in print in 2016. 

Brian lives and works in Massachusetts.

Brian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeeBrianWrite

Brian’s Blog: http://www.seebrianwrite.com/

Brian on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFA/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Brian’s Podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/seebrianwrite

Jolene Haley is the author of the Woodsview Murders series, Harrowed (out 9/22/15) and Haunted, coming fall 2016. She’s also the curator of the best-selling horror anthology The Dark Carnival through Pen & Muse Press. 

She runs a YA horror blog The Midnight Society, the author resource site Pen & Muse, and Hocus Pocus & Co., a small horror press. She writes every genre under the sun, but prefers horror. 

When she’s not writing she can be found cuddling her two dogs and enjoying the beach, where she lives. 

Jolene on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoleneHaley

Jolene’s Blog: http://jolenehaley.com/

Jolene on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7753660.Jolene_Haley

Jolene on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jolenelouisehaley

And now for the big reveal!!!

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Join the book buzz using hashtag #WoodsviewMurders

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Blog Hop: Chameleon by K.T. Hanna

Chameleon Releases Today!

"Wow! A fast-paced, science fiction delight with fabulous action, a seamless world, and the most unique characters I've read in a long time." Elana Johnson, Author of the Possession Series.

What I learned writing Chameleon:

How not to headhop

Actually – I didn’t learn this while writing Chameleon, I was simply far more aware of it during the whole process.

Yes, this was my other horrible weakness. You don’t want to see the 113k monstrosity (that I still secretly love and one day vow to resurrect in – coherent prose), with approximately seventeen (17 – yes, you read that right) different points of view that all blended together. Headhopped like a troop of kangaroos.

Once my dear CP pointed out that she wouldn’t read it past chapter three because the headhopping gave her headaches… I examined it – cringed – and went over it again. So when it came time to draft Chameleon, I was hyper aware of headhopping.

Not only do I (mostly) manage to avoid headhopping now, I can spot it at 50 paces. It’s become one of my pet peeves. Basically – being aware of the trainwreck of my previous manuscript made it easier to correct headhopping in Chameleon.

At least I’m pretty sure I got it all…

The Blurb:

When Sai's newly awoken psionic powers accidentally destroy her apartment complex, she’s thrown into an intensive training program. Her only options are pass or die.

Surviving means proving her continued existence isn't a mistake--a task her new mentor, Bastian, takes personally. Her abilities place her in the GNW Enforcer division, and partners her with Domino 12, who is eerily human for an alien-parasite psionic hybrid.

After eliminating an Exiled scientist, she discovers nothing is what it seems. With each mission more perilous, Sai must figure out who to trust before her next assignment becomes her last.

Available at:

Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | IndieBound

If you'd like a signed physical copy, Watermark Books has them in stock.

CELEBRATION!

We're having a blog hop, and an e-card & mega swag Rafflecopter giveaway!

The blog hop stops are noted below. Each day has a different theme and you can find out about the process, the idea, and the evolution of Chameleon, and even a bit about K.T. by visiting each blog, when their posts go live.

4-Aug	5-Aug	6-Aug	7-Aug	10-Aug
Fun facts about the book	What I learned writing Chameleon	Author Interviews	The world of Chameleon	The Evolution of Chameleon
Manuel Soto	Marlo Berliner	Leatrice McKinney	Rebecca Enzor	Patricia Lynn
J Elizabeth Hill	Stacey Trombley	Dawn Allen	Sharon Johnston	Bex Montgomery
E.L. Wicker	JC Davis	Suzanne van Rooyen	Mandy Baxter	Madelyn Dyer
Jessie Mullins	Andrew Patterson	Heather Rebel	Jessica Therrien	Carissa Taylor
Emma Adams	Lady Jai	Elayna Noreme	Kendra Young

I’m giving away e-cards of your choice from B&N, iTunes, & Amazon – one to the value of $25, and three to the value of $10! Each prize includes a swag pack of a magnet, sticker, bookmark, postcard, and mousepad!

Just follow the options listed on the giveaway and you'll be entered!

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About the Author

KT Hanna has a love for words so extreme, a single word can spark entire worlds.

Born in Australia, she met her husband in a computer game, moved to the U.S.A. and went into culture shock. Bonus? Not as many creatures specifically out to kill you.

When she's not writing, she freelance edits for Chimera Editing, interns for a NYC Agency, and chases her daughter, husband, corgis, and cat. No, she doesn't sleep. She is entirely powered by the number 2, caffeine, and beef jerky.

Note: Still searching for her Tardis

LI832 -- Reflection Journal Week 10

So I'm stepping out of the format of the previous nine weeks. It's the end of the semester and I have read around 23+ books this summer. I wasn't able to keep up and this week's topic was non-fiction. I only read one of the books, Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White by Lila Quintero Weaver. The other book I started, but then had to put down. It was The Freedom Summer Murders by Don Mitchell. Both books were amazingly written, but I think I hit the metaphorical wall. In addition both dealt with horrors closer to home than the Holocaust. I'm talking about the Civil Rights Movement.

An interesting article appeared recently. The study suggested that more Americans have been killed by White Supremacists than by Muslim Extremists since 9/11. Going back to the Civil Rights Movement makes the number of people killed a truly staggering number. In some ways that may be why I just couldn't finish the Freedom Summer Murders. It was the casual discussion of the murders by the people involved. There was no remorse.

It sickened me.

I couldn't read it anymore.

I had to stop.

Moving forward

This semester was brutal, to say the least. I have never struggled this hard in a class. I learned a lot and I have a list of books and movies I want to read and watch but I am glad this semester is over. I need a break.

That's all for now. I have other homework that needs my attention.

LI832 - Reflection Journal Week 9

Textbook

Cart, Chapter 12
Fink, Chapter 7

Books

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso

Film

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Textbook

I...um...er... *hides*

Books

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Tan could have written this book with text explaining the awe and fear of an immigrant arriving in a new world. Use language would have worked, but Tan decided to immerse the reader even more into the mind of the protagonist by using only pictures. This left all the dialog up to the reader.

We are as confused as the immigrant in this new world as he is. Language, words, customs, food, society. Everything is surreal and magical and sometimes overwhelming. Several times, he gives the reader the big picture with the protagonist barely larger than a dot on the page.

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

This story is about Spiegelman's family and their struggles surviving Nazi Germany and the concentration camps. It is a hard story to read. Spiegelman uses animals instead of people. Mice represent the Jewish while Cats represent Germans.

The story is biographical and also autobiographical as Spiegelman wrestles with presenting the horrors of the Holocaust that does the memory of those who died justice as well as accurately representing how people act when their survival is the foremost on their mind.

Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso

I love the Anime that is based on this series. It's funny and at the same time dark. I've always resisted reading manga. Not because I don't like the subject, but it is difficult to adjust to the structure. Manga are translated from the original Japanese, and as a result, are read right to left, instead of the Western left to right. It took some time to adjust, but I did enjoy it. The other reason I haven't read them is that the are completely in black and white. However, that did not detract from the story at all.

Sebastian is one simply one hell of a Butler.

Film

Howl's Moving Castle (2015)

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best animators ever. His stories are always unique, magical, and beautiful. Howl's Moving Castle is one of those stories. I have watched a lot of his movies and have enjoyed every single one of them.

This story is about a young girl who is cursed by an evil witch to be an old woman after it is discovered that the young girl has met Howl (an enigmatic wizard of considerable power). She flees to Howl's castle where she meets a fire demon who powers the castle as well as Howl himself (who struggles to maintain his sanity and his humanity).

A beautiful, visually stunning movie with great voice acting.

LI832 - Reflection Journal Week 8

Textbook

• Cart, Chapters 10-11

Books

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
• Beyond Magenta : Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
• Ash by Melinda Lo

Film

• The Fault in Our Stars (2015)

Textbook

These aren't the chapters you're looking for. Move along...

Books

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

I loved this story. I loved that these two people started as friends, struggled to maintain that friendship when Dante moved away, and then reinvent that friendship when he returned. It's a story about growing up and finding yourself and learning how love actually works.

I loved that the characters were diverse. Both Dante and Aristotle are Hispanic and SPOILER they are both gay. However, neither of these things are so overt that they interfere with the story which is about friends and discovering one's identity.

It's a good book and one that I have repeatedly recommended to people.

Beyond Magenta : Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

I'm not usually one to read Non-fiction books, but this one was a subject I wanted to learn more about. Not only as a writer, but also because I have friends who fall outside of the binary gender spectrum and I wanted to understand them better.

One of the things I've learned is Gender does not equal Sex nor does either of those determine Sexual Orientation. Also, people who fall outside the typical binary concept are not broken or wrong. They are people just like you or me.

This book gave a very personal perspective of people who are outside that binary. Reading about their struggles in understanding themselves really opened my eyes. I would definitely encourage people to read this.

Ash by Melinda Lo

At it's core, this is a retelling of Cinderella. Except that the fairy godmother is a Fae prince who has fallen in love with a young witch, Ash. Oh, and Prince Charming doesn't get the girl. That isn't to say that this story doesn't have a Happily Ever After. It does. But the story has a lot of depth and sometimes the boy doesn't get the girl. The girl gets the girl.

Also, be careful when making deals with seductive Fae princes. They have their own agenda and only their interests in mind.

I loved this story. The evil stepmother and step sisters were not nice people, which is to be expected. So it's a fairy tale with a big twist...or two.

Film

The Fault in Our Stars (2015)

This is supposedly an amazing film. Unfortunately, I haven't watched it yet. Mostly, I was too busy reading. You'd think it would be easier to watch a movie than read, but not for me it seems.

LI832 - Reflection Journal Week 7

Textbook

• Cart, Chapter 9
• Fink, Chapter 6

Books

• Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson

Film

• Juno (2007)

Textbook

Sigh. All the failure.

Moving on.

Books

Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

MORE SPOILERS!!

Charm and Strange is charming and very strange. Ok, maybe not so charming. It's actually very dark and sinister. Andrew Winters is plagued by his past and by the monster that lurks deep within him.

He's a werewolf...

Or is he?

I always enjoy an unreliable narrator. And Andrew's view of the world is off kilter at best. He's lost, alone, and carrying a dark secret within him. He thinks he's a werewolf and projects that over how he interacts with people and the world. According to him, his entire family are werewolves.

Except in this case, his wolf is hiding something horrible.

I can only describe the twist in this story as a "gut punch." When I figured it out (prior to the reveal) it turned my stomach. A wolf doesn't have to walk on four legs. Sometimes it walks on two and preys on the young.

Ultimately, this story is about surviving trauma and moving forward. It's a good read, but will leave you feeling uncomfortable.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Despite its lighthearted title, this story packs a punch. It delves deep into the issues of what Native Americans have struggled with for a long time. The loss of culture, their home, and their spirituality. This story was so authentic sounding, I honestly thought it was autobiographical.

Arnold Spirit is an outcast in some ways from his own tribe. He's different. He has hydrocephalus, is small for his age, stutters, and wants to go to a school off the reservation. He wants more. He wants a better life.

Unfortunately, that means being ostracized by his tribe and his best friend because he wants to attend a predominantly white school. Arnold struggles with his own identity as he works to integrate into a different culture, while at the same time, maintaining his connection to his people.

The story is often self-depreciating, but in a way that I've seen in the Native American culture. But through it all, there is a sense of optimism. And in the end, he somehow manages to become his own person and yet not lose his connection to family and friends. 

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson

I've been told that Woodson is a "controversial" author. I generally don't pay attention to such things unless the controversy involves, racism or sexism.

Beneath a Meth Moon is a story of addiction. Told from the perspective of Laurel, a girl who had every thing and ended up an addict. It's a harsh tale of the desperate struggle to survive when all you want is "the moon."

Once again we have an unreliable narrator and the structure of the story bounces around as it drags you deeper into the addiction. Time losing meaning. I described it to someone as feeling like I was on meth (not that I know what that's like), but the jarring back and forth and wandering reality/fantasy just grabbed onto me.

I probably would never have read this book if it hadn't been for this class. I seriously loved it. It isn't an easy read. But I think it was a very accurate portrayal of the descent into addiction and the struggle to climb out.

Film

Juno (2007)

"It all started with that chair."

This movie was zany, sarcastic, and full of heart. Juno decides to lose her virginity and ends up pregnant. The father? Her social awkward friend.

Despite it's goofy dialog there is a very strong message here. Juno decides against an abortion when a classmate declares that after so many weeks, the fetus has "fingernails." Instead, Juno decides to give up the baby to a family that can't have children.

It isn't cut and dried. She struggles with the stigma of teenage pregnancy and the consequences of it all. In addition, the adoptive family has it's own issues that threaten the adoption.

In the end, Juno makes a heartbreakingly difficult decision, but one that was in the best interests of her child. So, in a way, it's about empowerment and making the right, and non-selfish, decisions. Ultimately, she made the decision on her own, but her family, and the child's father, supported her in a way that I think a lot of people should, but don't always.

LI832 - Reflection Journal Week 6

Textbook

• Cart, Chapter 8
• Fink, Chapter 5

Books

• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
• The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Film

• None

Textbook

At this point, I have essentially given up on even attempting to read the textbook. Although I only had two books to read this week, I was already behind in reading the books from the previous weeks. It is a pity because the Cart textbook was interesting. For those following along, I have read only the first three chapters.

Books

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

BEWARE SPOILERS!!!

And a heavy dose of existential disappointment...

I wanted to like this book. I really want to like this book. Not only did it reference 80s pop culture (which I grew up with) but it also tied into my love for video gaming and immersive MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games for those who don't know what I'm talking about or have been living under a rock). Unfortunately, in attempt to build off of that nostalgia, Cline ruined a good concept.

Yes, I said ruined.

The first thing we find out, is that our intrepid hero goes from zero to hero. He mentions it in the first chapter. Then the author spends the next several chapters info dumping. I was reading it on my kindle and I was 30% or more into the novel before the actual story started. I wish I was kidding. In addition to this blob of writing muck, none of it was really that important to the story. Yes, I'm serious. Cline spends 1/3 of his book tell us all about the inventor of this huge virtual reality world and how he was this awesome person, etc.

AND NONE OF IT REALLY MATTERED!!!

This is a consistent problem in scifi it seems. In an effort to introduce the reader to the world, the writer ends up spending too much time describing everything. Yes, the world Cline created was awesome. Yes, the story was interesting (if you skipped all the info dump), but ultimately, I was bored. What's worse? After all that build up? The ending was meh. The final fight had no sense of urgency. Wade and his fellow heroes end up with these uber OP (over powered for the non-MMO crowd) weapons/ships that totally kick ass without any real danger (despite the bad guys supposedly having super powerful constructs of their own). So big fight isn't that big. Yes, every player in the virtual universe shows up, but well, the fight is pretty quick. Not to mention a heavy dose of Deus Ex Machina to make sure the good guys win.

And of course, the good guy has to face off Mano e Mano with the bad guy...

Or does he?

Not really. Good guy, with the help of his friends and his unlimited knowledge of 80s pop culture and mad retro arcade skills, ends up doing all the "challenging" puzzles with ease. Then he wins and gets the omnipotent uber avatar. Which is ok, but eh. Oh that's right, he isn't the only one with it. The game's co-creator also has on uber omnipotent avatar...but he doesn't help out even though the bad guys could potentially win and get TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VIRTUAL WORLD...but you know, he doesn't want to interfere with how his friend "wanted the game to work."

In all, Ready Player One was a major disappointment. Great world building, decent characters, and the story is pretty good when you aren't getting info overload. It could have been amazing, except it wasn't. I would suggest reading City of Golden Shadow by Tad Williams instead.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

I have wanted to read this book since it came out. Having read it, I am glad I finally got a chance. Neil Gaiman is a superb story teller. This story is so amazing and heartbreakingly beautiful. As I writer, I hope to achieve this level of ability.

I probably won't.

Gaiman wanted to prove that you could write a complete story in 50K words.

He did.

So, yes, I'm gushing. I'm a fan of his writing and him as a person. I'm biased. But it's easy to be biased about his writing.

Gaiman does a wonderful job of weaving the fantastical into reality in such away that all disbelief is suspended. You believe that there is an Ocean that looks like a pond. You believe that there is an evil force that wants to destroy everything...except it isn't evil so much as lost...but that's a bit spoilery. ;-)

No punches are pulled though. This story can be pretty intense, but all the while shown through the eyes of a 9 year old boy. Which is pretty impressive. It's hard for an author to convince a reader that we are in a young child, but he pulls it off very well.

And the end. Oh the end...one word? PERFECTION.

I only read books once (usually) because I remember them too much. I will need to buy a copy for my shelves. It's that amazing.

Film

None

LI832 -- Reflection Journal Week 5

Textbook

• Fink, Chapters 3-4

Books

• Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King
• Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
• The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano

Film

• City of Ember (2008)

Textbook

Oh the failure. Abject failure. I may have caught up on my reflection journal, but I am so far behind in my textbook reading. I haven't ever read this many books in such a short span of time. It's actually exhausting. But I digress. I am so far behind on this it isn't even funny.

Books

Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King

I...didn't get this book at all. I love a good unreliable narrator, but I had a hard time "believing" the story, if that makes sense. Not only that, but I really didn't feel emotionally invested in this person's story. If this wasn't required reading, I wouldn't have read it. What started out with a bang, kind of fizzled as it went on. Yes, the main character does grow as the novel progresses, but I had a hard time connecting with her because she was not a nice person and I didn't really have a reason to like her. I don't have to like the character to enjoy the story, but I have to feel some emotional connection or there really isn't a point. I felt the entire plot was "and then...and then...and then...and then." I know a lot of people like King, my coworkers were shocked that I didn't like this story, but I no matter how hard I tried, I felt like I wasted my time.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

I've been told by several people that I need to read this book. I will, I just haven't yet.

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano

This book was ok. I liked the description of life in the ghetto, but I felt like it was a little light on substance. I can enjoy a story that doesn't have a lot of depth, but I really need to feel a connection. I didn't here. Maybe it was my mindset that week (it was not the best week for me personally) but like King's book, I didn't get it. I did enjoy it a more than King, but I still felt it lacked something that would make it really good. Does that make me a story snob? I don't think so. I read a lot of different genres, but a story has to have a unique twist to it and it really didn't.

Film

City of Ember

Haven't watched this yet, but I expect I'll enjoy it. I know the book was very popular even if the movie didn't hit it off as much as was expected.

LI832 -- Reflection Journal Week 4

Textbook

• Cart, Chapter  7
• Fin, Chapter 2

Books

• Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories
• Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Film

• The Hunger Games (2012)

Textbook

I should just throw myself onto the mercy of the court on this one. Once again, I failed to get my textbook reading done. I will have to find my bloody scourge in my bloody scourge closet and correct my behavior.

Books

Steampunk! An Antholoyg of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories

I haven't read many anthologies lately. I remember reading a few when I was a kid, and of course, they were SciFi. It's hard to talk about anthologies in such a short format because there are so many different stories. Yes, they have a central theme, in this case Steampunk, but that's where the similarity ends. One the stories that did stand out for me was Steam Girl. It was different because it wasn't actually steampunk. It was the real world and the main characters were normal kids who loved the concept of steampunk and wrote stories about it as a way to escape their situations. I would have thoroughly enjoyed this as a teen and I definitely enjoyed it as an adult.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer

This book reminded me, in some ways, of the Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher. Mostly in that the humor was often dry and sarcastic, but also because the main character wasn't necessarily a tough guy, but still able to step up to the plate when people he cares about are threatened. Just like Dresden, he doesn't do it alone. He has friends and allies who support him. I also loved that it had a Monty Python reference in it. Not many of those around. Definitely a book I would have enjoyed when I was younger. I actually want to read the rest of the series.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

I've had this book on my shelf for a while and just never got around to reading it. It's a dark story that touches on a lot of deep topics including domestic abuse. The characters, though archetypical, are the product of their lives and they don't exist in a vacuum. I've read other Stiefvater books, but this is probably one of her best. I definitely would have enjoyed this a teen and I really enjoyed reading it.

Film

The Hunger Games

I've been kind of apathetic towards the Hunger Games. I don't know exactly why. I know it is a ground breaking series and the movies have excellent acting. I sometimes don't get involved in series that have too much hype surrounding them. That being said, I loved this movie and the second one. I can see why every girl wants to be Katniss. She's strong, dependable, but also human. She's terrified, but still gets the courage to keep fighting. But she's not impervious to her situation either. It affects her deeply and though she "wins" she is also damaged by what has happened to her and what she has been forced to do.

LI832 -- Reflection Journal Week 3

Textbooks

• Cart, Chapter 6
• Fink, Chapter 1

Books

• I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
• House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
• Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

Film

• Mean Girls (2004)

Textbooks

Once again, I'm behind! It took forever to get a copy of the Fink book. Ended up ordering it through Google in digital format. Unfortunately, since I don't have a physical copy, I often forget it exists. And of course, I'm missing out on the information in Cart.

Books

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

This book was required reading and I LOVED it. It was beautifully written and did a great job of drawing* me in. The narrative is unlike anything I have ever read before. We see Noah's side when he and his twin are 13 and then we have Jude's story when they are 16. I really can't express how this book affected me. I wish I could open up people's brains and impart the understanding directly. Both characters are artists and how they perceive the world is through art. At times fantastical at other times full of pain. The end fits the story. It may not be "realistic" but honestly, I don't care. It fit the book. It fit the story. I would have definitely enjoyed this as a teen. It was just weird enough, for a lack of a better word.

*not an intentional pun, but a pun nonetheless.

House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

This was a fascinating book. I liked that the main character was hispanic instead of the overly common white teen. This is a scifi book and is almost post-apocalyptic/dystopian in nature. It's not overt, but it does crop up in how people perceive the world. The story is about a young boy who must overcome the fact that he is the clone of one of the most notorious drug lords in the world. It raises a lot of questions about nature versus nurture and the lengths someone will go to live forever. I enjoyed this book a lot and expect I may have as a teen. I was big into SciFi back then.

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

I still need to read this book, but it popped up when I was finding comparable stories to I'll Give You the Sun. I look forward to reading it. Based on the blurb, I don't know if I would have enjoyed this as a teen. My tastes were more restricted back then. We'll see.

Film

Mean Girls

Once again, I didn't get a movie watched. I had planned on Napolean Dynamite because everyone says I should see it. I guess it's one of those movies, but I wouldn't know.

Mean Girls is an awesome movie. It's a lighter version of Heathers (which if you haven't seen, you should). It's a story about fitting in and learning what is really important. The kind of story every teen should see. Everyone wants to fit in somewhere, but the costs aren't always the best thing.

Having watched this several times, I know I probably would have enjoyed it as a teen as it has the right amount of physical humor and general craziness that just appeals to me on a certain level.

LI832 -- Reflection Journal Week 2

Textbook

• Cart, Chapters 4-5

Books

• Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klaus
• Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Film

• Pump Up the Volume (1990)

Textbook

I could lie and say I read these. I'm not entirely sure what happened this week, but I didn't get as much done as I should have. As such I don't have much to talk about on this point. I need to do some serious catching up at some point. This class is pretty intense reading-wise and I've already fallen behind in this regard which is unfortunate as the textbook is really enjoyable.

Books

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klaus

I loved this book. I would have loved it as a teenager too. Paranormal/Urban Fantasy novels really didn't take off until I was an adult. When I was younger, the only stories like this were  by Piers Anthony.

What separates Blood and Chocolate from a lot of urban fantasy stories is the main character, Vivian. Vivian is a werewolf, but unlike a lot of stories, she doesn't hate what she is. She embraces her differences. She's beautiful and she doesn't need some guy to make her feel that way.

This isn't to say that she doesn't have her moments of insecurity, because she does, but rather that she has no problem stalking her prey (so to speak). She falls in love with a human boy, but unlike most stories, he rejects her and even attempts to "save her." Except she doesn't want to be saved. She embraces her life and who she is.

I think a lot of young girls would benefit from reading this.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

I literally read this book in two hours. The story is compelling and highlights the rampant racism inherent in our judicial system. Very appropriate given what has been going on in the country lately. In this book, Steve Harmon gets put on trial for murder. In reality, his only crime is being black and knowing the people involved.

I've read only one other story that was written in the fashion of a screenplay. I enjoyed both of them. I think I would have enjoyed this as a teen. I know I did as an adult. It's an important novel to read. It says a lot with very little.

Film

Pump Up the Volume

You would think the movies would be the easiest things for me to do, but the reality is, I usually put them off because I prefer reading more. So instead of talking about Mallrats, I'll be discussing my feelings on Pump Up the Volume.

I've seent his movie several times and the first time I watched it I was a teenager. It was dark, funny, but it exposed the ugly behind the facade of American education system. Like Chocolate War, we are presented with a school that has more invested in its image than its students. However, in this case, students are not beaten or abused, but anyone who is considered "undesirable" is expelled. Mark is a complex character that most teens would enjoy (I know I did). Quite and shy student during the day, shock jock of a pirate radio station by night.

LI832 -- Reflection Journal Week 1

Textbook

• Cart, Chapters 1-3

Books

• Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
• The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
• Forever by Judy Blume

Film

• Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
• Pretty in Pink (1986)

Textbook

The first thing I noticed about this textbook was its voice. I've had the dubious pleasure of having to read library science textbooks and most of them are dryer than the Sahara desert. This dusty tombs are written without expression and lack any semblance of life.

That is not the case with Young Adult Literature : From Romance to Realism by Michael Cart. It is engaging, smart, and uses an almost unhealthy number of exclamation points. The first three chapters take us from 60s through the 80s and talks about the major stories of that time. It was interesting to see what these stories meant to the people of that time.

Books

Outsiders by S. E Hinton

This is one of those books that defined an era. Until this class, I had never read it. It paints a dark picture of life in the slums of New York. The story was compelling. What I didn't know until later was that S.E. Hinton wrote it when she was a teenager. This is not a light book. I was struck by the stark reality of the character's lives. Despite its grim look, it had its moments of levity as Pony Boy struggled to survive an often violent world.

I don't know if I would have liked this as a teen or not. As an adult, and writer, I see things significantly differently than when I was younger. I think I would have had a hard time with how the Socs (the "c" is pronounced "sh") treated the Greasers. It's a story of haves and have nots and despite the tragedy of their lives, Pony Boy still manages to dream of a better life.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

I know that I was supposed to read a book I hadn't read before, I still decided to revisit a book I considered to be one of my hated for most of my life. Despite my hatred, this book changed me. The phrase "Dare I Disturb the Universe?" was one that has stuck with me for years.

The first time I read this, I was a teenager. My life was broken. I was broken. I immediately associated with Jerry and the pain of his existence and his struggle to fight the oppression of the various bullies in his life. I'll be honest, when I was younger, I couldn't handle it. I didn't understand what Cormier was doing and I hated the book. It reminded me too much of my own feelings of hopelessness.

So it was with some trepidation that I picked up this book. It is amazing what a change it was. It was like I was reading it for the first time, but without the mental baggage of my own experiences clouding it. I loved this book. I didn't see Jerry as the helpless victim. He was heroic and stood up for what he believed. The ending, though still gut-churning, didn't affect me the same way it did when I was a child.

Forever by Judy Blume

I don't think I've ever read Judy Blume before today. I remember seeing Super Fudge when I was a kid, but don't remember actually reading it. I didn't really enjoy this book. I had a hard time becoming emotionally involved in this character's life. I don't think I would have enjoyed this story as a child. I know I didn't get it as an adult. The entire time I was reading this, I thought of all the ways I would have written it to make it better. I didn't believe the relationship and to be honest, I felt the whole thing was shallow. As a writer, I was frustrated by the plot and all the "telling" that muddled what could have been a really impactful story.

Maybe I just expect more from a story these days. It has nothing to do with the genre. I don't judge genre. I would rather read Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein.

Film

Rebel Without a Cause

I've always wanted to watch this movie. This is one of the movies that, like the Outsiders, defined a time. It was interesting to watch this and compare it to the Outsides. Whereas the Outsiders focused entirely on the Greasers, Rebel Without a Cause focused on the other side, the Socs.

There were a lot of common themes between both of them. Despite the socio-economic differences, both Pony Boy and Jim Stark struggled with the often violent world around them. Both stories show the tragedy of life as an American teen in the 1950s. I would have enjoyed this movie as a teen and I certainly enjoyed it as an adult.

Pretty in Pink

I was going to watch Rumble Fish (which I've never seen), but never got around to it, so I'll talk about Pretty in Pink (which I've watched several times) a bit. Pretty in Pink continues the theme of Haves and Have Nots and struggling with growing up as an American teen. Like Forever, it focuses on first love rather than struggling to survive in a violent world.

Pretty in Pink is a lighthearted, funny story. I have watched it several times growing up and I enjoy it every time. Even though the styles and technology are very dated, it is one of those movies that survives. It touches on serious topics, but the story is focused on a young girl falling in love for the first time. It's about breaking out of social boundaries to be with the one you love.

YA Class Introduction

© Jorge Royan http://www.royan.com.ar/ CC-BY-SA-3.0

It's been a while since I've blogged on here except for the occasional blog tour or cover reveal. Well, that's all about to change. This summer I've signed up for a YA lit class. However, as it is grad school, I can't just read a bunch of books and call it good. I have to write about it too.

So, look for more posts from me. Each post will talk about what I did read (and if I didn't get all the reading done). My professor has asked that we read books that we haven't already read and watch movies that we haven't already watched and then write a little bit about each thing. I can't summarize, but rather, I need to talk about my responses now and how I would have responded as a teen.

I had planned on doing one a week for the summer, but I got behind with everything so they'll be a lot posted today. I hope to get back onto a regular blog schedule starting with next weeks readings.

I hope you enjoy this little series and maybe you'll find a new book you like.

'Till next time.

COVER REVEAL: REDEMPTION by Jessical Therrien

I am so honored to be able to be a part of this cover reveal. Jessica is a lovely and talented person. I LOVE the new covers developed by Carrie Butler (who is also lovely and super talented). In addition to her newest book, REDEMPTION, Jessica is releasing the first two (also with awesome new covers).

Check it out!

OPPRESSION

(Children of the Gods #1)

September 2, 2015

There are others like her. Many of them. And they have been waiting for her for a long time.

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than average people, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's well over eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal.


For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability.


Or so she thinks. 


Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Some are waiting for her to put an end to centuries of traditions that have oppressed their people under the guise of safeguarding them. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning-and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

UPRISING

(Children of the Gods #2)

October 2, 2015

The Descendants have waited long enough for freedom.

Elyse has done everything she can to protect her friends from The Council's reach. As long as they believe she's dead, she has time to rest and train for war. And war is inevitable. 



When Kara arrives with the news that Anna and Chloe have been captured, Elyse is faced with the realization that no one is safe until The Council is stopped and Christoph is destroyed. She doesn't need a prophecy to tell her to lead an army. Christoph has done the one thing that ensures she'll fight to the death. He's threatened the people she loves. 



It will take more than the words of an oracle to help them fight against the most powerful Descendant alive. To break The Council's oppression and rise up against a plot so many years in the making, Elyse will need to get dangerously close to her enemy. So close, in fact, she may not survive.

REDEMPTION

(Children of the Gods #3)

November 2, 2015

Nobody promised freedom would be peaceful.

Lead Council member, Christoph, is dead by Elyse’s hand, and Descendants have begun to emerge, exposing their secret to the world. Some see this as the prophecy come to fruition, but the prophecy caries a heavy consequence. It was never meant to be as peaceful as most had hoped.



Humans and Descendants struggle to live together in a world that isn’t ready for such a change. America is divided. Those who glorify the supernatural race believe Descendants truly are the gods they claim relation to. Others see them as a threat.



When Elyse gives birth to the next generation oracle, she sees one final vision—war. The destruction of the country’s major cities, and the end of America as we know it.



After her daughter is born, Elyse finds herself without the ability she needs to predict the future. Desperate to save the world from such conflict, she puts her faith in the hope that Descendants are the key to survival. After all, they have the power to supply a broken society with the means to survive.



Only from the ashes can a new world be born.

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