Interview with P.T. Michelle, My Review

~BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS~

BY AUTHOR P.T. MICHELLE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

P.T. Michelle is the young adult pseudonym of Patrice Michelle, author of fifteen romance novels and novellas. 

When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT P.T. MICHELLE 

AND KEEP UP TO DATE WITH HER LATEST WORKS, 

PLEASE VISIT HER ON : 

LINKS:

 Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

BOOK ONE: BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore. 

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate. 

\Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

CAN YOU RUN FROM FATE?

MY REVIEW

I really loved this book! I knew I was going to as soon as I read the synopsis! The beautiful cover didn't hurt either. This book is so unique and so well written it was hard not to fall in love with it! I started reading and was hooked right away, finished it in one sitting. 

The premise for this book is like a breathe of fresh air. It deals with Fate in such an original way and it brings forth two amazingly crafted characters. There are plenty of young adult paranormal romances out there, but this one is a definite must read. 

Nara's gift of dreaming the upcoming day before it happens reminded me of this show I used to watch. Early Edition. The main character receives tomorrows paper the day before and tries to prevent disasters. I loved the idea behind that show, but I think I love how P.T. Michelle implemented the theme in this novel even better. She does a splendid job of capturing the essence of her characters. They are so real and I was immediately drawn to both Nara and Ethan.

They're romance was so passionate and endearing. They go far beyond young infatuation and love. I enjoyed the fact that their relationship wasn't typical and that it progressed at the right pace throughout the story. They are connected in a much different and deeper way than your average couple. 

This book is full of mystery and questions keep popping up through every turn. I love how much this book keeps you guessing. It has a certain amount of darkness to it, maybe even a slightly sinister feel at times. 

I would of course recommend this book to any young adult lover of the paranormal, romance and suspense!

P.T. Michelle's Brightest Kind of Darkness is beautifully written and I enjoyed every page. I can not wait to see where she takes Nara and Ethan in the next book! Bring on Lucid! 

IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET YOUR OWN COPY OF BKoD:

IN PAPERBACK and EBOOK FORMAT FROM AMAZON & Barnes&Noble

IN MULTIPLE FORMATS FROM Smashwords

~INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR~

"I want to thank P.T. Michelle for taking the time to do this interview with me! I am so excited to get the chance to have her on my blog! BKoD is such an amazing book. I knew I was going to fall in love with this story just by the synopsis and cover alone. Thank you, thank you!"

Q: What gave you your start as a writer?
A: I sold my first book to a small press publisher. After publishing several more books, I later sold a trilogy to a NY publisher. All of these books were adult romances, but then I later started reading more and more YA and discovered how much I LOVED this genre. That's when I started writing YA stories.

Q: You were a big reader growing up, if you could name one book that made an impact or influenced you the most what would it be?
A: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I loved the epic feel of the stories. As a reader, I appreciated how the author could create such a big world that would ultimately be saved by YA characters.

Q: Do you have a favorite character from books growing up?
A: Pippi Longstocking. Heh. Obviously I discovered the author's books LONG after they were written, but I loved Pippi's quirky character.

Q: Why did you decide to branch off to write YA?
A: I beta read a YA story for an author friend and was so blown away by the fantastic storyline and her amazing writing, all I could think while reading was,Where were YA books like this when I was fourteen?!?!  After that, I started reading as many YA books as I could get my hands on.

Q: Why did you decide to adopt a pen name?
A: Since my romances have mature content, I felt it was best to create a separation between my romances and my YA books. I write my romances under Patrice Michelle and my YAs under P.T. Michelle.

Q: Is there one book you have written that you are partial to?
A: I've loved writing all of my books, each one is unique in its own way, but when I wrote Ethan and Nara's story in BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS, I knew in my heart...their story was special.

Q: Have you always had a fondness for romance and the paranormal?
A: YES! Romances are the books that turned me into a voracious reader when I was a teen! Later I branched out to read other types of books, but I've always had a fondness for the idea of a happy ending. :) As for the paranormal, I do love writing it! I think it's the idea of creating a unusual world and characters with powers that feels so real, you can't help but fall into it. Will I write a contemporary YA? I'll never say never...though I have a feeling magical realism would show up in it, even if it was very slight. LOL! :)

Q: Where did the concept behind BKOD come from?
A: Most of my book ideas have started out with me asking a question. BKoD was no exception. I asked myself...what if I dreamed my entire next day? Then other questions came flooding in like: How would I live my life? Would I get involved? Would there be reasons why I wouldn't? And what if I suddenly lost my ability?  Once I had the idea behind the book, it would only work if I could create the right kind of characters for it, and that's how Nara and Ethan were born. Though, both of them have surprised me in many ways while I finished up book one and then began to work on book two. 

Q: What is your most inspirational place to write?
A: It's not so much the place as the environment around me. First, I need a block of writing time (at least 3 hours) and second, I need quiet. And if I can't have quiet, then I'll take buzzing conversation in the background, like the kind I get at a coffee shop. It's not the same as having family around, because I can tune strangers out. I can't tune my family out. :)

Q: Do you ever face writer's block?
A: I've not had to deal with writer's block that kept me from writing for months at a time. Instead, every once in a while I might get blocked on a scene that's bothering me. Since I'm a linear writer (I write from beginning to end), I can't skip ahead, so in cases like that, I usually go watch a movie, read a book or listen to music. Often when I'm doing something else, that's when the answer how to "unblock" my story comes to me.

Q: What advice can you give to an aspiring writer?
A: Read. Read a lot and in many genres. I'm still a big reader. I wish I had time to read more. You learn so much by reading other authors' work. And write. Every day. Even if it's just a couple of pages. I think of the writing brain as a muscle like any other in your body. If you don't exercise it often, it gets lazy, and it'll be harder for you to be creative.

Q: Is there any news on upcoming titles by you?
A: LUCID, book 2 in the BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS series will be releasing on July 9th. I'm so excited! :)

"Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Jill!"

Look for P.T. Michelle's upcoming release of Lucid! 

The highly anticipated second book in the Brightest Kind of Darkness series!

JULY 9th 2012

Throwback Thursday

THROWBACK THURSDAY is a weekly meme hosted by 

The Housework Can Wait & Never Too Fond of Books

"It’s the nature of book blogging to focus mainly on new releases, but there are thousands of great books out there that haven’t seen the “New Releases” shelf in years. We hope to be able to bring attention to some older titles that may not be at the top of the current bestseller list, but still deserve a spot in your To-Be-Read pile."

THE TIME TRAVELERS SERIES

BY CAROLINE B. COONEY

Published between 1995-1998

Imagine changing centuries--and making things worse, not better, 

on both sides of time.

Imagine being involved in two love triangles in two different centuries. 

What if, no matter which direction you travel in time, 

you must abandon someone you love?

Both Sides of Time: Book One in The Time Travelers Series

Meet 15-year-old Annie Lockwood, a romantic living in the wrong century. When she travels back a hundred years and lands in 1895--a time when privileged young ladies wear magnificent gowns, attend elegant parties, and are courted by handsome gentlemen--Annie at last finds romance. But she is a trespasser in time. Will she choose to stay in the past? Will she be allowed to?

Out of Time: Book Two in The Time Travelers Series

Annie Lockwood exists; everyone admits it. Everyone has seen her. But only Strat insists that Miss Lockwood traveled one hundred years back in time to be with them in 1895. Now Strat is paying an enormous price: His father has declared him insane and had him locked away in an asylum. When Time calls Annie back to save Strat, she does not hesitate, even though her family is falling apart and desperately needs her. Can Annie save the boy she loves, or will her choice keep her a trespasser out of time...

Prisoner of Time: Book Three in The Time Travelers Series

Tod Lockwood has never wanted to be anyone's knight in shining armor.  In fact, he wants to avoid having anything to do with girls, at least for the present.  But that's before Devonny Stratton steps into his life out of the nineteenth century.
As for sixteen-year-old Devonny, she has no plans for marriage until her father arranges to wed to the contemptuous but well-connected Lord Winden.  Devonny has only one hope. Someone must rescue her. Can Tod Lockwood be Time's answer to her prayers? Life never seems simple to Devonny, but do the solutions to her problems await her in the future?  Or will she only become a prisoner of a different time?

This series was one of my favorites from when I was younger! In fact I loved all of Caroline B. Cooney's books. There are so many young adult books about time travel now a days, but there is something so magical and special about this series. It has everything I love about YA novels; romance, adventure, fantasy and an intricate plot line.

Ah! I just can't help but smile when I remember how excited I was to read these books.

Oh nostalgia ^^

If you are a YA fan of time travel and a great love story, I suggest picking up this series.

In fact, I think it is about time for me to reread them as well. 

Visit Caroline B. Cooney on GOODREADS!

Interview with Author Pura Preis

I am pleased to welcome author Pura Preis to my blog!

Pura Preis has been professionally writing since 2009. Born and mostly raised in California, she has grown up in a single parent home and is currently living in the Central Valley. Pura has lived a hard life and learned some hard lessons. She chooses to focus on the positive things life brings and finds much of that in her three teenage children and husband. Writing most of her life for fun, she was finally was able to enter college in 2007. She received her B.A. in English Literature. She transferred to Grand Canyon University in 2009 where she has been able to focus completely on working towards her degree.  In 2010, Pura self- published the first book in a YA paranormal series titled, Wanted Nightmares: Battle for Love. She now hopes to publish the entire series and obtain a Masters degree in English Lit.

~THE WANTED NIGHTMARES SERIES~

BOOK ONE

Living among vampires all her life, the life that she remembers, Amaya is shocked that her boyfriend has decided to make the change to a full-fledged vampire. Her father agrees with Thomas’ decision and he refuses to help Amaya in her plight to change Thomas' mind. Amaya does not want to face the pain and bloodlust that goes along with Thomas' change. But, most of all, the ending on their relationship. 

As Amaya runs from her home, all she can think of is being with the man she loves and why her father is betraying his only daughter. Soon she realizes that everything she knows is a lie. She is much more than just a girl. Amaya now believes,

SHE HAS CREATED VAMPIRES... 

BOOK TWO

Amaya has no choice but to do as she is told, 

KILL THEM ALL.

Amaya is Autumn Rose reincarnated, someone she is not certain she wants to be. Autumn is a powerful Immortal that has created the vampire race. Vincent is after her blood, Autumn is after her life, Matt is after her heart, and she can’t stop anyone. What can she do but take on Autumn’s identity.

Thomas is on a hunt for the real Autumn. He wants her dead. He can't let Amaya pay for what Autumn has done. Can he find a balance between his love for Amaya and his hate for Autumn? Can he handle the truth?  Most importantly, 

CAN THOMAS SAVE AMAYA?

~INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR~

Q. What gave you your start as a writer?
A. I have always loved writing, when I was young I loved to listen to rock music, 80's rock. I would write songs and then it turned into poems, short, stories and now novels.

Q. Were you a reader growing up? If so, what was your favorite character?
A. I love to read. As social as I was, if I found a book I wanted to read, I could not be found until the book was done. I started reading romance novels when I was nine. My auntie always read them so when she visited she brought them to me. I still have my first romance novel today, Raptures Rainbow by Toni Gardner. I loved both lead characters but both of them have always affected me. Travis, a too sexy to be a captain, was bold, forward and perfect, and then there is Jenny, totally innocent until the right time.

Q. Do your life experiences influence your writing style?
A. Very much so, I do believe that any writer should say yes to this question. Wanted Nightmares is based on my daughter, who is anti social and scared of life, but allows to be lead. Wanted is based on her struggles to break free from her insecurities and become the awesome person I know she can be. My next up and coming novel is called Heartache of Friendship, which is based on my other daughter's bout with bullying.

Q. Why have you chosen to write YA?
A. I feel it chose me. I was never into YA when I was a young. When I started writing I had heard a out a new book, Twilight and that it was about vampires. I was already writing Wanted then. When I finally did go see the movie I had to delete almost all my book because it was too close to Meyers. My husband said it was creepy that two people could write the same thing and never talked about it. Mostly it was my kids that turned me into a YA fan.

Q. Do you feel partial to any of the novels you have or are writing?
A. Wanted is my baby. My daughter is a part of my world and I need her to know that every teen goes through this cycle. heartache is dear to me because bullying is just not right. My other two books Last Breath is dealing with family who is just not up to law status. Chosen is a deep dark book that deals with right and wrong, heaven and hell. I don't write about anything that does not have special meaning, I don't know if it would come across the same way.

Q. What was your greatest inspiration behind the Wanted Nightmares series?
A. My daughter was my inspiration behind Wanted. Even the title fits her. Her life is totally a oxymoron. With her father and I divorced, I remarried so she has two worlds to live in. Wanted is what she really wants, peace, love, happiness but the nightmare is how she is getting what she wants. She makes it works, somehow.

Q. Where do your characters come from? Are they based off people you know?
A. Amaya is based off my daughter. No one likes her. I wanted her to be disliked because that is the way my daughter sees everyone else. She tells me, thanks for making strangers hate me too, but I laugh and tell her, when I wrote that, that was where you were in life. Thomas is based off the lead character in Raptures Rainbow, Travis. I never do mind the hunky strong but loving lead. The main characters, Vincent, Matt, Zack, Hallie, Pattie, Lilith, Amanda have qualities of people I know. Lilith, actually is a mythical character. She is supposed to be Adams first wife who turned into a demon.

Q. What message are you sending to your readers?
A. I want YA or any reader to know that life can be hard but once you have overcome your mountains then it does get easier so when the next one comes they are prepared for it. The Bible says if you have faith as tiny as a muster seed you can move mountains. Wanted is not meant to be a general vampire book, the vampires are meant to be problems for Amaya.

Q. What had been your biggest challenge as a writer?
A. Hmm, there is a list. My challenge has been in every step of writing. Deciding to write about my daughter personal life and exposing her to the world was not easy to say yes too. Her and I talked about it and when she was as comfortable as she could be with it, I went forward. I have kept her involved in the writing. I don't use any specific situations in her life. I feel that is going too far.

Q. As an author, what is the best advice can you give to an aspiring writer?
A. Don't do it, is my first response, but I know where i was a few months ago. Though I do still consider myself as an aspiring writer I'm not so new. I have had my laughs, tears. To anyone that wants to write, think big, write well and do the steps are my thoughts to new writers. I have an 8 year old that published his book six months ago. It's a cute picture book that he drew himself and he wanted it published so his mom did it for him.

Q. Where is your favorite place to write?
A. Anywhere it is quite. I keep telling my self that one day I will have have an office where I can shut my door to have the peace I need, but knowing my kids, they will find reasons to be in the room with me. Right now i write in my living room. After six books completed they only hover here and there. My sons always asking if I'm writing an erotic or zombie book. That's what his friends are into.

Q. What can you tell us about your upcoming novels?
A. I still have two, maybe three books left with the Wanted series, if my friend has her way I'll never be done writing about Thomas. Heartache of Friendship will be out soon. The book is about bullying with a shocking twist. The book was too short for me,100 pages so I'm adding to the storyline. Chosen, is a deep book and one day it will be out. This book is based on right and wrong. Stephan is a demon that has one last chance at finding true love. He found the girl that could love with so he can be returned to earth as a human, but she, Chelsea comes from a strict family who has been watched over by the angel Gabriel. Now love is not the issue, true love never is, but the trials you have to go though to have it is. Last Breath is a vampire based book that deals with the Russian mafia. Coleania, the daughter is thrown into a world she didn't want. Luke wants Coleania and if he has to force her hand he will. I have a few more idea that I'm working on right now. I enjoy a romance that could happen, and even a horror one.

If you would like to know more about the author

Please visit her on:

GOODREADS

HER WEBSITE

Her website also has links to her other networking sites!

If you wish to purchase your own copy of Wanted Nightmares Battle for Love

It is available in Kindle format from AMAZON

And also in multiple formats from SMASHWORDS

The Watcher Cover Reveal

I am pleased to present the cover for Lisa Voisin's 

~The Watcher~

Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her. 

Can he face her without falling again?

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings—soft and silent like snow—and somebody trying to steal them. When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—

but not from any textbook. In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, 

jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. 

Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? 

Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both? 

Ancient history is only the beginning.

~A Bit About the Author~

After studying English literature at the University of Toronto and creative writing at Simon Fraser University, Lisa Voisin had the great fortune of being mentored by Nancy Richler and A.M. Dellamonica through Betsy Warland's Vancouver Manuscript Intensive solo program.

A member of the SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), she can usually be found writing at a local cafe in her home town of Vancouver, B.C.

A self-proclaimed coffee addict, when Lisa's not writing, you'll find her meditating in the mountains to counteract the side effects of drinking too much caffeine!

If you wish to know more about the author and her book

Please visit the author's site @ Lisa Voisin

She can also be found on Facebook and Twitter

Her publisher can be found @ Ink Spell Publishing

Look for The Watcher March 4th 2013

My Review of Florence and an Interview with the Author

Today is the release of a fantastic new Young Adult novel!

Florence by Ciye Cho

Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.
Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs,

Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul.

I want to thank Ciye Cho for taking the time to be on my blog today and for doing this interview with me! It has been such a pleasure getting to read his book! 

Ciye Cho lives in Australia and works as a graphic designer. He writes YA novels in his free time--

His head is often lost in the clouds or some place far from reality...

If you would like to know more about the author and his debut novel

Please visit Ciye Cho's website @ Florence Books

He is also a Goodreads author and his page can be found ~HERE~

Also, make sure you follow him on Twitter! @CiyeCho

If you wish to purchase your own copy of Florence:

For the paperback or Kindle version go to AMAZON.com

It is also available from Amazepop and Smashwords

~INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR~

Q: What gave you your start as a writer?
A: I've always loved daydreaming, so that's how it started.

Q: Have you always pictured yourself writing YA?
A: I don't know if I ever pictured myself writing YA, but YA fantasy is a genre that people turn to when they need an escape... so that's probably why I love it so much.


Q: If you had to pick one character from your childhood that influenced your love for fantasy who/what would it be?
A: Maybe Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.


Q: Do you have a favorite author or book?
A: "The Little Prince" is my favorite book. My current favorite author is Ricardo Pinto.

Q: What is your biggest inspiration for your stories?
A: Nature is a big one. I love nature docos--and find it staggering how much goes on below the waves. There's so much beauty in the ocean, and (in many cases) nature itself is far stranger than any story I've ever read.


Q: What has been your greatest writing challenge?
A: Trying to create realistic characters.


Q: Where did your concept of merpeople come from?
A: I've always wanted to write a mer book. Something colorful, vivid, and otherworldly. Something different.


Q: Is the Meridian language based off any other language?
A: It's incredibly similar to English, but the mer words were meant to be melodic and somewhat organic. I was also inspired by scientific names (for example, the Latin ones that sound both foreign and familiar).


Q: Is Florence's character based of anyone in particular?
A: Yes and no. No, in that she's not modeled off anyone, but yes in the sense that I think everyone (myself included) knows what it's like to struggle to fit in. Everyone goes through life trying to find their place... and Florence is certainly based on that feeling.


Q: Where is your favorite place to write and what do you snack on?
A: My favorite place to write would be my bedroom. As for snacks, I love peanut butter sandwiches.
 
Q: Do you have any novels in the works?
A: I'm planning on writing a sequel to "Florence."

~MY REVIEW OF FLORENCE~

Florence has received four shining stars from me!

Ciye Cho is a promising new young adult author and I am so pleased I have gotten the chance to review his debut novel. 

I never thought I would like a plot line involving mermaids. I suppose it seemed slightly childish. But, Florence is in no way childish! It is a wonderfully written story full of enchantment and adventure as well as a little danger and romance.
Ciye has crafted a mesmerizing underwater world, from the people and their society to the animals that share it. Niemela's structure is detailed and well thought out. It is such a stunning place and Ciye has quite a way with imagery. He didn't miss a thing with Florence! I was pulled into the waves of this story from the very beginning. 

You really get to know the characters through out the story and I was impressed with Florence's character. I really enjoyed her as a main character. At first she is presented as shy, someone more in the background. You quickly learn that she is also brave, smart and able to keep her head straight even under circumstances. She just wants to belong somewhere, be wanted and accepted.

The romance aspect of Florence is quite enjoyable as well, even though it is not the main focus of the story.

The brothers are intense and I enjoyed both of their characters as love interests and heroes to their world.

Kiren and Rolan are almost complete opposites but they both share a passion for their world and the protection of it.

The plot is full of twists and turns, just when you think you have Niemela figured out, something new is exposed.

I love the concept of the Darkness and it's prominent presence in Niemela. It makes for a captivating and sinister antagonist to this story.

There are plenty of unanswered questions at the end of this book, leaving it perfectly open for the sequel. You are left wanting more of this fascinating new world and the characters in it.

I would gladly recommend this book to anyone, young or old, that loves fantastical worlds full of mystery and adventure.