Blood Debt Author Interview, Review

I am so pleased to welcome author 

Nancy Straight to my blog today!

Nancy was born in Sioux City Iowa, left the cold of the Midwest in 1991 and only returns to see family in the summer time. She spent ten years traveling the world as a US Marine and settled in rural SC with her husband and two children.

She enjoys reading all types of Paranormal and Young Adult literature.

Q: Tell us something unusual about you. 

A: Hmmm, unusual?  I LOVE Starbucks’ White Mocha Latte and Mountain Dew, (but not together). I have a lead foot so I set cruise control when I drive, even in 25 MPH zones. I almost never win when I play Angry Birds, but have my 7 year old close, so he can clear the hard levels for me. I grew up on a farm and am opposed to eating fresh chicken (not opposed to meat - just opposed to any meat that was alive a few hours before lunch). I am a huge fan of the show, Big Bang Theory, on CBS. I have a stray cat that I feed every night and morning but she’s never let me get closer than within 3 feet of her – I keep thinking eventually I’ll wear her down and she’ll let me pet her. I share my life with two fantastic sons, three rotten dogs and a husband that I adore.

Q: What gave you your start as a writer?

A: A lawyer that I used to work with read something work related and told me I was one of the most compelling writers he’d ever met.  It’s funny how a single sentence of praise completely changed my life.

Q: Is there one of your books you feel the most passionate about? 

A: I think there are scenes in each one that have a real passionate punch for me.  Meeting Destiny – the ending, Destiny’s Revenge – the reunion, Destiny’s Wrath – the cabin.  But from a whole book perspective, Blood Debt is by far the book that I feel most passionate about.  (I think I have a crush on Drake and maybe even a girl-crush on Camille.)

Q: What has been your biggest inspiration behind Blood Debt? 

A: I’ve always thought Centaurs were cool, but there is almost nothing written about them, at least no books devoted to a Centaur theme.  Although I LOVE to read about Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, Angels and pretty much any paranormal creature – I really wanted to create a series that was unlike any other.  This was the inspiration behind the Touched Series.

Q: Is Camille’s character based off of anyone in particular? 

A: Camille’s based off of who we all want to be.  She’s strong, level-headed, self-sacrificing and witty.  Most of my friends are very strong, confident women and I think there’s a little bit of every woman that I admire in her.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment in your writing career? 

A: When I first joined goodreads, I think I had sold maybe twenty-five books.  I was still very new to the site, a friend request came in from Charles Young, followed by a message saying he had read Meeting Destiny and loved it.  Charles was my very first fan and I still message him regularly.  If any of you have ever sent a message like the one I received from Charles to a “Rookie” author, I can guarantee you will never comprehend the lifelong impact your simple act of kindness has made (or will make) in that author’s life!

Q: What has been your greatest challenge while writing?

A: MARKETING!!  My goodness I could write about clipping toenails if I had to.  But marketing my books is a challenge.  I have finally gotten over my fear of twitter and I’m getting better at Facebook.  Luckily, I have met some amazing people along the way (like you Jill!), who have gone out of their way to help me find readers.

Q: Where is your favorite place to write; what do you snack on?

A: I have a chair in my living room that I believe is the most comfy place on the planet.  In fact, as soon as my rear hits the chair, that’s the cue for Flash, my Jack Russell Terrier, to hop up and curl up next to me.  We both like Doritos and Ice Cream and find it inspires us!

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring YA authors? 

A: Geeze, there is so much I would tell an aspiring YA author, I think that would be a whole interview in itself.  Don’t let anyone discourage you.  Write every day.  Find other YA authors whose books give you big black circles under your eyes – get to know them and ask for advice.  I have only met one YA author in three years that wasn’t over-the-top friendly.  When you find great book bloggers – show them the love!!!  Many put in several hours per day, promoting unknown authors and books, without pay, and they do it for the love of reading.  I would give each of these bloggers a set of angel wings if I could!      

 Q: If you had to pick one author or book that has been the most influential to you who/what would it be?

A: Just one?  C’mon!  That’s totally not a fair question!!  How about if I only pick five?

Anyone that knows me at all knows that I idolize Shelly Crane.  We published our books within a few months of each other.  I noticed people that bought my books had also purchased hers.  So I purchased Shelly’s Significance, I was totally hooked.  I love the story, the characters, the pace – the book was an instant favorite.  I’d never heard of Shelly so I googled her.  I found her website, her facebook page, and several blogs where she had done guest posts.  I reached out to asking for advice.  I was hoping for (not expecting) maybe a sentence or two on how to promote my books, and what was working for her.  Shelly wrote me a short novel’s worth of advice.  I was so blown away I cannot tell you how many times I read her note.  The months that followed, I continued to ask for her opinion and each time she responded and was a real gem.  She is a World-Class, Genuinely-Sweet, Independent Author.  I hope every one of you that reads this buys all of her books and falls in love with them the way I have.

Rachel Higginson series was recommended to me by one of my friends on Goodreads.  OMG I read her series every spare second I had: in my car waiting for my son’s school bus to pick him up, in the kitchen while I was waiting for the oven to preheat, riding in the car on the way to the movie theater with my husband, at night, hours after I should have gone to bed.

Charlotte Abel is an Independent Author that first reached out to me about cross-promotion.  Before I agreed, I read her book Enchantment – again, I fell in love!  I’d never heard of cross-promoting before but was eager to do anything I could to work with such a talented author.

Shannon Dermott is cool.  She’s a mom, a writer, she has a job and she’s a college student.  Where she finds five minutes in her busy life to write, I don’t know.  Her books, Beg for Mercy  and Waiting for Mercy were so awesome that I read them twice!

Amy Bartol is one of the most gifted writers I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.  Her Premonition Series kept me reading until 4am.  If books were drugs, hers would be crack!

Q: What can you tell us about your works in progress? 

A: Blood Ties, Book 2 of the Touched Series, first draft was complete before I pushed “publish” on Blood Debt.  It is on its third round of edits right now and should be routing to my Beta readers in September.  Blood Bound, Book 3 of the Touched Series, is still in its infancy.  I like to have the next book written before I hit publish on the book before it.  That way if I need to insert any details into the earlier book I can.  Blood Ties is scheduled to release in December.

Thanks so much for letting me stop by for a chat today!  I’d love to hear from anyone that would like to connect with me.  You can find me:

Facebook / Blog / Goodreads / Twitter 

Her whole life, it had just been the two of them. Before her mother’s last breath, she gave Camille the information she had craved her entire life: the identity of her father. Daring to contact him, Camille was welcomed by an entire family she never knew existed. But nothing comes without a price, as she discovers when her family claims a legendary heritage tracing back to a centaur touched by Zeus.

As she learns the secrets of her Centaur bloodline, she is drawn into a forbidden love with Drake. Her life may be the blood debt required to pay for her mother’s transgressions. The same person who once held her mother captive, and forced her into decades of hiding, now controls Camille. Her only chance is to seek a piece of her mother’s past that will win her freedom and the life she desperately wants.

~ MY REVIEW ~

Blood Debt is an amazingly original book! I really enjoyed reading it! Nancy Straight has out done herself again! This is a great first book for her new series; Touched. 

I think I have found my new favorite paranormal subject! I have never read any book that revolves around Centaurs or even deals with their myths. Nancy stepped into uncharted territory with this book and built a fascinating and compelling world. This book is a refreshing change from all of the vampires and werewolves that are running amok in the literary world.  Blood Debt will easily find a place among favorites in the paranormal romance and fantasy genres.

Nancy did a wonderful job creating a believable and mythologically accurate history of the centaurian  race. Not to mention intriguing--these blood lines are full of secrets. I enjoyed the chivalrous manner of all the men and the fact that the female centaurs are actually the most revered. 

I was hooked by Camille's story and instantly drawn to her character. I liked her more and more as the story progressed. All though, at times I was frustrated with her for not trying as hard as she could have. She seems to give up too soon--like when trying to learn how to contact her mother. However, she is a strong character and acclimates quickly to her new life. And OH! the romance! So sweet and perfect. Instead of a cliche love triangle, the love in this book is more like a square. I am a huge fan of Drake. I am always a sucker for 'destined love' and Nancy does such an amazing job at writing the romance between her characters.

Blood Debt also holds an air of mystery about it and readers are in store for some shocking events. I was on the edge of seat towards the end of this book. I can not wait for the sequel!

I HIGHLY recommend reading this book to any paranormal romance fans, teen or adult. 

Nancy Straight is an AMAZING author and you do not want to miss out on Blood Debt!

Amateur Angel Blog Tour Stop!

~ All About the Author ~

"As a first-time author, I cannot express- not even in words- how excited I am about the release of my debut novel, Amateur Angel.  It took a lot of hard work and sleepless nights.  There were many disappointments and rejections along the way, but in the end, my persistence and determination eventually paid off.  In many ways, I think writing a novel is easier than finding an agent to represent it and then a publisher to buy it.  Two years ago, I almost gave up on my dream to become an author, but then my son, Kyle, wrote a special poem for me, and it inspired me to write a new book and try again.  The new book was Amateur Angel."

I grew up in San Diego County and attended San Diego State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in education, and my teaching credential. I am a high-school English teacher in the East County of San Diego where I also live with my husband, our son, and two dogs.

Being a lover of Victorian literature, my favorite author is Charles Dickens although I haven’t quite finished reading all of his books. Someday I’ll finally finish David Copperfield- I promise. If you are one of my students, you are either laughing or shaking your head at this. 

I lead a very busy life, but when I’m not teaching, grading papers, or attending my son’s soccer games, I find time to write novels, my greatest passion.

Be sure to visit the author on:

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Only 18-years-old, Ashley is no ordinary teenager. Not only is she dead, but upon her death, she mistakenly enters the wrong line in the afterlife, a line meant for trained, guardian angels. With a pair of wings on her back, Ashley is sent to Los Angeles to replace another angel whose "assignment" was none-other-than Cannon Michaels, a current member of the band Sendher, the sexiest man alive, and Ashley's celebrity crush in life.

While exposed to Cannon's selfish, judgmental behavior and his reckless, rock-and-roll lifestyle, Ashley is far from meeting the requirements of a true guardian angel. She misses her family and friends. Will she ever be able to accept her own death? What will she do when she jeopardizes her position as an angel and Cannon's physical safety by falling in love with him? 

~ MY REVIEW ~

This book made me smile, laugh and even tear up a bit. What a great debut novel for Karri! I really enjoyed reading this book and loved it's lighthearted tone. It was fun and witty, while also dealing with acceptance and the importance of not wasting a moment.

Amateur Angel has an original plot, one that I thought was really interesting. I always like to see what an author's take on angels is going to be and Karri's was really great!

The main character of this story, Ashley, was a bit frustrating for me, all though not in a bad way. I wanted her to magically excel at being a guardian angel--admittedly my expectations were a bit high--but then there wouldn't be much of a story would there? I appreciated that Ashley does grow as a character and begins to accept not only her separation from her mortal life but also her new role as a guardian angel. I ended up liking her character more and more as I was able to relate to her and understand the frustration of her situation. Actually, I think Ashley handled becoming an angel rather well for someone so young. 

Her first assignment, Cannon, is also her rock star crush which begins to make things a bit complicated. She forms a short of dependency on Cannon, to help her cope.

Cannon's character has many different sides to him which made him both likable and irritating. I got tears in my eyes when he visits the special needs children. You can tell, that despite his apparent short comings, he is a wonderful person with a big heart. You also get to experience Cannon's growth into a grounded individual as the story progresses. 

Ultimately, Ashley and Cannon fall in love. But, as his guardian angel, Ashley can not be with him the way she would like. I was, and still am, hoping that they will find a way to be together! 

Amateur Angel has a great ending that leaves the reader wanting more!

Karri has created some great characters that I look forward to following on their next journey. This book was a quick and entertaining read for young adults. I would gladly recommend it! 

Amateur Angel is available for purchase on:

Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

Dragon Within Review and Author Interview

I am pleased to welcome author Cindy Lyle 

to my blog today! 

"A stay at home mom by day and an avid reader by night doesn’t leave me a lot of time to write but I manage. I love spending time with family and friends when I can and I love to cook. I also have been known to dance a little too! Dragons are my fantasy passion but here in the real world I settle with my horses!"

Q: Tell us a little about you.

A: Well let’s see, I’m 35 years old and I have been a stay at home mom for the past eight years. I have a beautiful 8-year-old daughter named Hannah and an 18-year-old step son named Josh. Together with my husband Joe, we live in Ajax, Ontario, Canada, which is not far from Toronto. I am a certified book hoarder and I try to read whenever I get free time, but during the summer, time is hard to come by. My days this time of year are spent with my horses and trying to keep my daughter entertained!

Q:  What was the "ah ha!" moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?

A: I guess the moment I knew I wanted to be writer was when I told my husband about the dream I had. I sat down the following morning and just started to write. He listened to what I had written and said that I should try making it into a story. All through school, I was always told that I had a gift with words so I guess it just came naturally.

Q: Have you always had a love of fantasy and more specifically dragons?

A: Most definitely, you should see my collection! I have a huge cabinet filled with different dragon figures and some of my walls sport some wicked looking swords and daggers! Dragons to me are beautiful and dangerous much like a good heroine should be! I have been reading fantasy for most of my life too. I started with dragonlance novels and my love for magic and dragons grew from there.

Q:  Who is your target audience and why?

A: I always grew up thinking that my obsession with fantasy was a “guy thing”. The books I read were full of battles, blood, and death, which is not very appealing to most girls. But that’s not all fantasy is about. Underneath all the fighting, magic, and strange creatures, there is a story that anyone can relate to. No matter where a fantasy story takes place or what strange creatures inhabit that world there is always  “human” conflicts and emotions that truly make the story. I want my audience especially young girls to know that even in fantasy you can read about love, getting the bad guy, and being a bad ass heroine!

Q: What inspired the story behind The Dragon Within?

A: I had a dream! I read and watch a lot of strange things so I have a pretty over active imagination! My husband thinks I’m a little crazy! Anyway, I woke up and thought that the ideas floating around in my head would make a cool story so I wrote them down and the story grew from there!

Q: Your main character, Karah, is she based off of anyone in particular?

A: Honestly I’m not sure. Certain things remind me of my self and others. I think she is based on a few people that are important to me but mostly I wanted her to be her own person.

Q: In your opinion what are Karah's best/worst traits?

A: Karahs best traits would be her loyalty and her passion. She never strays from the people she loves and it is her love for Elric that makes her stronger. I think her worst traits would be her stubbornness and the fact that she didn’t believe in herself. Her self-doubt causes a lot of pain and almost costs her everything.

Q: If you were suddenly thrown into a fantasy world what role would you play?

A: So here is where Karah is a little like me. I definitely would not want to be the hero, I hate the spotlight, but I would still want to help. I think I would make a pretty good sidekick like Deneoes! I can still kick some butt, but the heavy life changing decisions, I would prefer someone else took care of that! Oh and being a dragon is always an excellent option too!!

Q: If you could pick a favorite character (book, movie, TV) that has influenced your love of fantasy who/what would it be?

A: One of the first fantasy characters I fell in love with was Drizzt Do’Urden. He is a drow (dark elf) created by R.A Salvatore. I love this character because he fought to escape the stigma of his people and became the total opposite. He is loyal, caring, and damn awesome with a pair of scimitars.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge while writing?

A: One of my biggest challenges was my brain working faster than my hands! Sometimes while I was writing, the ideas would form so fast in my head that I had a hard time remembering everything I wanted to write. I wished on more than one occasion that I could just hook my brain up to a computer and download everything! Wouldn’t that be cool?

Q: Where is your favorite place to write and what do you snack on?

I do all my writing at my computer desk. I usually write during the day while Hannah is at school so it is quiet. I don’t really snack on anything but I always have a cup of tea going!

Q: Currently, what is your favorite book/author?

A: I have read way too many books to pick a favorite but my favorite author is Terry Brooks. I love his stories and no matter what type of day I have had, I can sit down and read his novels and be taken away to a another world and not worry about anything but what is happening in my head as I read his words. He is a very talented man and I hope he writes for many years to come.

Q: Do you have any books in the works?

A: I plan to write the sequel to The Dragon Within starting in the fall. I already have the story in my head and I can’t wait to continue Karahs story!

Please Visit the Author

Wordpress / Goodreads / Twitter 

Deep within the mortal world of Eiddoril, war rages and the blood of innocents flows freely. Once ruled by the four elements—Earth, Fire, Water and Air—Eiddoril was a peaceful, beautiful land. Now, after three hundred years of being ravaged by an evil lord and abandoned by their true gods, the people and land of Eiddoril are dying.
In the kingdom of Gareth, an orphan girl is raised as one of the royal family. But when she begins to have vivid nightmares of a past that is not hers, she cannot help but wonder if she is somehow a part of that past. But how? Her questions lead her to Fitch, an old magic user, who helps her discover a shocking truth. Karah is not human, but instead part of a long-forgotten race charged with the responsibility of saving her realm. Armed with a desire to seek the truth, Karah sets out on a dangerous quest to defeat a deadly enemy.
Karah must somehow find the strength to fulfill a destiny that has the potential to forever silence the dragon within. 

She cannot fail. 

The future of the world depends on her.

~ MY REVIEW ~

This is quite a debut fantasy novel for independent author, Cindy Lyle! I absolutely loved it! It is beautifully crafted and bursting with imagination. This author knows how to write and she has created a captivating fantasy for readers of any age. Her writing style is fluid and fast paced. The story begins right away and the reader is transported into Karah's journey. I love a good fantasy read, and Dragon Within really has it all. It is full of action, magic and of course an exciting quest. This book contains that magical element so many readers are searching for--the ability to take you on an incredible journey that you will be lost in.

The authors characters are relatable, charming and courageous. Karah made a great main character. She is strong, determined and FEMALE! It is nice to have girl who can face off against a kingdom of darkness and kick some serious butt! Karah's character isn't without her faults and I liked that about her too. This aspect made her real and relatable, despite her true identity and immortal soul. She can be stubborn and her selfishness almost costs her everything. But in the end her character grows and finds the strength she has always had. She is able to acknowledge her selfishness and face her fear. The world literally rests on her shoulders and that can be quite a burden to bear. 

I enjoy the 'destined' love between Karah and Elric. They make a great team and offer each other the support and hope they need to keep going. It's hard for me not to sneak in some spoilers at this point, so I am going to stop talking about them. 

I loved getting to learn the history of Eiddoril and the three hundred year old war against evil that plagues the land. It is detailed and complex--an exciting basis for the plot of this book. And did I mention... there are dragons?! 

The Dragon Within is a superb epic fantasy and I highly recommend getting your own copy! This book could in a sense stand on it's own but I am so glad the author left it open for another grand adventure. I can't wait to read the sequel! Cindy Lyle is definitely an author worth reading! 

The Dragon Within is available in Paperback and e-book format @

Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

Shadow Eyes Review

Iris Kohl lives in a world populated by murky shadows that surround, harass, and entice unsuspecting individuals toward evil. But she is the only one who can see them. She’s had this ability to see the shadows, as well as brilliantly glowing light figures, ever since an obscure, tragic incident on her fourteenth birthday three years earlier.

Although she’s learned to cope, the view of her world begins to shift upon the arrival of three mysterious characters. First, a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows; second, a new friend with an awe-inspiring aura; and third, a mysterious and alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend.

As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, she must ultimately revisit the most horrific event of her life in order to learn her true identity.

Will Iris become the hero she was meant to be?

~ MY REVIEW~

What a fabulous debut novel for Dusty! She is a promising up and coming author and her writing flows wonderfully. Shadow Eyes is a captivating and exciting story fit for any reader.

This book kept me up! The plot and characters were so compelling, I just had to find out what was going to happen. You know a book is well written and all around great if you can't stop reading until you reach the end.

Shadow Eyes is full of mystery and constant guessing. I had a million and one questions buzzing through my head while I was reading, which made it quite enjoyable. 

This book depicts the evil that is at work every day in a unique and thought provoking way. It raises the question; why do people do the things they do?

Iris is a strong and well developed main character, even though she is often plagued with guilt and anxiety about a past she doesn't want to face. I enjoyed watching Iris grow as a person and eventually gain a new perspective on life, both mentally and spiritually. 

Many of the situations she faces are ones teens face everyday. Showing how devastating things like peer pressure can be makes this book easily relatable for young adults.

The messages in this book are important ones and I like reading a book with a strong positive message. I hope other readers will be somewhat enlightened by Dusty's perspectives as well. 

It was good to know that the light is always there for those who choose it.

I loved Kyra's character and Patrick's too. I was really rooting for Peter to not be the bad guy. He was so charming and I felt Iris needed someone to care for her. 

I am definitely looking forward to finding out how Iris handles her growing gift and what the shadows are planning next. I am hoping the sequel isn't too far off! 

I will be recommending Shadow Eyes to anyone looking for a unique and somewhat supernatural book. 

For an exclusive guest post with the author

Click Here! 

To purchase your own copy

MP / Amazon / B&N 

Shadow Eyes is part of the Musa Publishing family!

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Twilight Saint Blog Tour Stop!

~ About the Author: Jessica Penot ~

I am a therapist and writer who lives in Alabama with my three corgis, children, husband, and other strange creatures. My short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies including CSM, Summer Gothic, Bound By Blood, and Outer Darkness. I have ghost story columns in the Valley Planet and White Cat Magazine where I share my love for ghost stories that send shivers down your spine and keep you up at night. I also share my passion for all things ghostly and haunted at my blog, ghost stories and haunted places.
I am currently working on my next Haunted America Book for History Press, Haunted South Alabama. I'm also working on the next book in my Circe series. The demon is awake and waiting for my new heroine in the swamps of Southern Alabama.

If you wish to learn more about the author and her work

Please visit or contact her via:

Jessica's Blog! / Email / Goodreads

It has been thousands of years since the fall of the great nations and the tribes that remain in the ashes of the fallen must fight to survive in the shadows.  In this desperate landscape, Ailive has spent her entire life fighting for the honor of her tribe and she has grown weary of war. When Ailive sees a chance to escape her fate, she flees into a chaotic landscape where death and darkness lurk behind every friendly face until she finds refuge in the peaceful city at the center of her world.  In this city, Ailive finds everything she’s ever dreamt of, but news of a strange prophet from the South brings whispers of war to Ailive’s peaceful home.  Now Ailive alone can stop the genocide of an entire tribe of people.  Ailive alone holds the key to bringing peace to the world and destroying the monstrous man whom she once loved, if she can only gain the courage to pick up her sword again and make herself fulfill the destiny she’s fought her entire life.

~ MY REVIEW ~

Twilight Saint is a breath taking story. I really enjoyed every page and couldn't put it down. Jessica Penot has created a world that is so alive and complete in it's complexity. It is like her world has always existed. This book is so dynamic and the reader is drawn into it's pages, waiting patiently to learn it's secrets. The author has blended the old and new together is such an original way. Technology meshes with the way of the sword, in a land that is in the midst of war. 

Ailive is an intense, wonderfully broken main character. I was able to connect with her and feel her struggle through out the story. She faces such brutality and sadness, yet pushes forward on her journey to find peace. She is a strong and well developed character as are the people she meets along the way. 

I really liked the idea behind Ailive and what drives her. She learns so much about herself through out this book, but one thing remains the same--Ailive walks the way of the storm. No matter how many roles she is forced to fill, she remains at heart the same. All though, I would like to think that at the end, she has found what peace she can with the world.

There is romance in this story, but it is not your typical type of love. The men in Ailive's life show how complex and treacherous love can be. This book makes you think.  

I loved the constructs of the many societies portrayed in Twilight Saint. Each one the reader experiences teaches you something new and gives you a multitude of emotions. 

This story is wonderful to say the least. It is truly captivating and one I would recommend for all mature readers. Twilight Saint is definitely not for those weak of stomach, and for most young adults the messages contained in this story would be lost to them. Personally, I loved this book. I definitely think this book and the author will be very well received in the literary world. Jessica is an amazing writer, one I will definitely be looking out for in the future.

Twilight Saint is part of the Musa Publishing family.

Fireball Rebellion Review and Interview

I am pleased to welcome author Eric Priuska to my blog today! 

He is here to talk about his YA novel,

The Fireball Rebellion

A mysterious fireball lifts twelve-year-old Frankie Lenten out of her miserable life by giving her superspeed and an invitation to a hidden city for people with all sorts of wondrous powers. Her new life brings a group of crazy friends and wild competitions to test the limits of her strength, skill, and smarts. But the fun ends all too soon when she finds herself trapped between an angry rebellion growing among her new classmates and an oppressive council of leaders that forbids her to take any action. Never one to do as she’s told, Frankie investigates the rebellion and lands herself in a fight with an unstoppable psychopath, marking her an enemy of the rebels forever. With the rebellion about to ignite, she will have no choice but to rely on her quick thinking, speedy feet, and fast friends to survive...

The most dangerous run of her life.

~ All About the Author ~

Frankie and I have a lot in common. I may not be a superpowered girl, but I do kick some (figurative) butt from time to time. We were also both born and raised in a small town in the U.P. (the northernmost peninsula of Michigan). My town was really nice, though. We also both moved on to Ann Arbor, Michigan where we’re learning a lot about who we really are. She’s learning how to be a hero, and I’m learning how to be myself. It’s a tough challenge for both of us, but I’m optimistic.

As for my work history, after years of research and teaching in biochemistry, I now work as a data manager. I think my science background gave me the toolbox for creating new worlds in science fiction and my teaching background gave me the language to communicate to an audience. My current job allows me to eat and stay dry.

Q: Tell us something unusual about you.

A: My life is incredibly full with my job, my family, and my writing, but apparently that’s still not enough for me because I have one more passion: ballet. It started several years ago after I got my black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate-do. I felt I had gone as far as I wanted to in martial arts, but I was looking for something similar that would challenge my brain as well as my body. Dance seemed like it might be a good fit. I spent a couple of years learning jazz, and I liked it a lot, but the defining moment for me came when I was visiting New York City.

At the time, my opinion of ballet was similar to my opinion of golf, opera, and wine: it just seemed kind of weird and really boring. In New York, though, I had the chance to dance in class with some truly phenomenal ballet dancers, and I discovered how incredible it can be when it’s done really well. It was like suddenly falling for someone you thought you knew for years. Now, I remember what I used to think of ballet, and I still have the same opinion about golf, opera, and wine, so I don’t expect very many people to get why I love it so much. I don’t even really understand why I love it so much myself, but since when has anyone understood why they fall in love?  I know I love it, and that is enough.

Q: What gave you your start as a writer?

A: As a kid, I spent a lot of time by myself, playing out stories in my room. I liked the excitement of setting up problems and then solving them. As I got older, those stories started getting written down, and I finished my first novel during my senior year in high school. It was really terrible, but I kept at it.  I also read a ton and poured over dozens of writing books. I’m still working hard, and trying to get better every day, but it’s been really exciting see my first novel come out. I can hardly wait for the next book to be ready.

Q: Why have you chosen to write a YA novel?

A: One of the mistakes I made as an early writer was writing what I thought I was supposed to, instead of what I wanted to. I wrote “literary” fiction, and I wasn’t good enough to do it well, so it was just boring.

That all changed when my partner convinced me to try the first Harry Potter book. By the time I’d finished it, I was hooked, and I tore through the next two books as quickly as I could. What I discovered  when reading them was a trove of forgotten memories of exciting stories I’d read just like that as a kid. I loved “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and most of all “The Lord of the Rings.”  And I thought to myself, why am I trying to write a book that I wouldn’t really want to read?   I should write something that I would LOVE!  And that’s when I came up with The Fireball Rebellion.  It all came together so fast, I knew I was finally on the right track.

Q: What has been your biggest inspiration behind the story of Fireball Rebellion?

A: I am somewhat introverted, as I think is the case for many writers and readers, and I spent a great deal of time out in the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where I grew up. It’s a beautiful place, and it’s perfect for long peaceful walks. But it was lonely too. I wanted to write about someone who was stuck, like I was, alone and isolated, but who had more luck and frankly more strength than I had and got a chance to start over. Some readers fault writers who tell stories that are too much about themselves, but I think all the stories we tell are about ourselves. They’re our loves, and our losses, and our dreams, and our disappointments, and more than anything, they are a chance to put ourselves into strange situations to test out what we’re really made of. Frankie is not me, and I am not Frankie, but she carries a piece of me wherever she goes, and as if she were one of my children, she goes out into the world of The Fireball Rebellion and finds her own way. And I love watching her do it.

Q: Are your main characters based off of anyone one in particular?

A: They are all bits of me and bits of the many people I’ve known in my life. I think it’s important in a story, especially if you want to make it lively, to have a variety of personalities interacting, and I tried to do that with The Fireball Rebellion. For the main three characters, I took core elements of my personality, my sense of responsibility for Frankie, my philosophical side for Shaun, and my snarky attitude for Eliza, and I broke them out into what I hope will seem like full blooded living people. To do that, I had to make them not like myself as well. Frankie is way more brave, especially for her age, than I ever was. And Shaun is much more thoughtful and forthcoming. And as for Eliza, I could never get away with the stuff she says.

For the other characters, I took memories from my own time in school and mixed them in with people I know today. If you look around, it’s not hard to find a wide variety of people, and it’s a lot of fun to mix and match their personalities to make up new people as if from whole cloth.

Q: What has been your most memorable moment in your writing career?

A: I remember when I got my first review from a reader I didn’t know. It was so exciting that it took quite a while to sink in. I had had people I knew read it before, and it was always a thrill when they seemed to like it, but the first time I saw, in print, proof that someone in the great Out There had read it and had liked it even, I could hardly believe it. I must have read the review ten times before I really did.

Q: What has been your greatest challenge while writing?

A: Time. Time, time, time. I could say I don’t have enough of it, or I could say I have too many things that I love, but either way I can spend every waking moment doing something I have to do or desperately want to do, and still go to bed with much left undone.

A lot of writing books advise that writers need a schedule. We should always write at the same time, for the same amount of time or the same number of words, every day. I agree that’s a great idea, but I have never gotten it to work. I have a full time job, a twelve-year old son, a nine-month old son, a partner, my ballet classes, and the four to five hours of sleep I manage a night. There just is no room for a perfect schedule. My writing fills the cracks in my day like water fills up a glass of pebbles. I can’t control where it’s going to go, and I never know how much I can squeeze in, but as the weeks go by, I get it done. Not as quickly as I (or my readers) would like, but it’s all I’ve got right now, and it will have to do.

Q: Where is your favorite place to write; what do you snack on?

A: I used to always write in coffee shops, just like a cliché, but I recently discovered a great building in town at the university where I used to go.  It has a large foyer with a huge skylight and potted trees all around. Whatever the season or weather, I can sit for free on a park bench under the sky and still be warm and dry and write as long as I want. It’s wonderful.

As for snacking, I am a hard core unitasker, so when I write, that is all I do. When I am snacking, then I am snacking!  And my favorites are oreos, ice cream, and a million different types of candy bars, but if I want to be able to get off the ground in ballet, I need to keep those things to a minimum. I manage to go most days without indulging, but I’ve never been good at denying myself anything for too long, so I let myself have breaks in my healthy eating now and again, just so I don’t go crazy.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring YA authors?

A: Writing is important, and so is reading, but all writers give that advice. I would add something else to those things: study. Study the craft of writing, in books like “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” or “Writing the Breakout Novel.” Study the guidance of other writers like Anne Lamott or Stephen King in their great books on writing. Study stories that work for you, and figure out what you like. Study stories that don’t work, and figure out why they don’t. And most of all study your own writing. You must have high expectations for your writing, and you must be comfortable with failing to meet those expectations most of the time. It is the dissatisfaction with your writing that will inspire you to keep learning, keep listening, and keep growing. Ira Glass has a great quote that to do great work a creative person must have great taste. It is the great taste that keeps us working past the mediocre drafts and into something that may be really special. I don’t know if I’m there yet, but I know I am still working hard, and someday I might get there. If you keep working, you can get there too.

Q: If you had to pick one author or book that has been the most influential to you who/what would it be?

A: As far as storytelling goes, it is hands down Masashi Kishimoto, the author of the manga series Naruto. I’ve read (and watched) a ton of exciting stories filled with great characters, but Naruto has a special mix of action, humor, and emotion that is very hard to reproduce. I’ve tried to find a similar balance in The Fireball Rebellion, and I’m going to keep working at it. I’m also going to keep loving Naruto and measuring my own work against it.

Q: What can you tell us about your works in progress?

A: The name of the next book in The Fireball Rebellion series is Hurricane Frankie. I just hit 50,000 words on my first draft yesterday, so I’m really excited about the progress I’ve made, but if you read my previous comments about not having enough time and holding myself to high standards, you could probably guess that I’m still a long way from having the book ready to come out. I’d like to say that it will happen in 2013, but at this point, I don’t want to make any promises that I may not be able to keep.

What is really exciting to me is what I’m doing with Hurricane Frankie. I have a lot of big plans for Frankie and her friends, and The Fireball Rebellion was really just a taste of what’s coming. I think the story is still relatively straightforward at that point. Hurricane Frankie moves the story in a different direction, and I think it will give readers a better sense of what’s to come.  I can’t wait for my first reader!

If you would like to know more about the author :

Twitter / Blog / Goodreads 

The Fireball Rebellion can be purchased:

Amazon / B&N 

~ MY REVIEW ~

The Fireball Rebellion is a charming story for both mid-grade and young adults. The author has created a captivating sci-fi world with plenty of action, adventure and mystery all in one. This was a really fun and easy read that I think any reader would enjoy. It reminds me of reading a really good manga (Japanese comic). I could easily see this story being illustrated and made into a graphic novel as well. 

The heroine of the story, Frankie, really takes the role of a female lead to a new level. She is not your typical young girl. She has spunk and determination even when faced with the strangest situations. Frankie is not one to give up and her character helps strengthen those around her. She is the type of hero that I would want my little girl looking up to. 

I loved the plot line of this book. Eric did a wonderful job of creating a story that is both original and exciting. His unique writing style keeps this story moving at a fast pace, and there is never a dull moment. Things move quickly for Frankie and her friends which keeps the reader hooked into the story. There are plenty of surprises in store as well and the slight twist in the plot was awesome! This book kept me guessing, which is something I really liked about it. Not many books can do that. The 'coming of age' aspect of this book was quite enjoyable as well, all though it is not your typical coming of age story. I think Frankie's background and the hardships she had to face, help make this story easily relatable for readers. If anyone was deserving of superpowers, it was most definitely Frankie.  

I highly recommend The Fireball Rebellion to parents who are in search of a clean, wholesome read for their kids. This book is sure to keep them interested! I also recommend this book to any YA lovers out there. You will love Frankie and the story she has to tell. 

I can not wait to read the second book and find out where Eric takes these wonderful characters!