Monday Suggestions 1/06

This is me about this week's Monday Suggestions!

Confession: I read a lot and I'm kind of a snob about it.

But, man, I just love books. I used to throw down with two books a week but lately I've been writing so I've reduced that to finishing one book a week. (I'm actually working on a post about how to find your future favorite books!)

Why am I telling you this?

Because only my favorites make the Monday Suggestion posts! I pick books that (in my opinon) are baller and that stand a good chance of you thinking so too!

So, without anymore babbling, here's this week's Monday Suggestions!

 

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (who just happen to be an awesome writing duo/married couple) has me all pumped! After falling through Amazon trying to find the next book to hook me, I saw Clean Sweep and said "meh." I'm not the biggest fan of book covers with women obviously being supernatural in some way on them. I don't know why. However, I try to embrace the old adage of not judging a book by its cover so I read the sample.
Bought.
Hooked.
Loved.

Now, what makes Clean Sweep so darn amazing? Let me briefly break it down for you.

1. The world, the supernatural "rules," the explanation of things in this book are so different from anything I've ever read (a HUGE feat, I'll tell you) and it's all in a good way. I will NOT ruin anything for you, but just take it from me that this will take your vision of modern day werewolves, vampires, and OTHER THINGS to a whole different, wonderful direction.

2. Dina. This book is first person so you get to listen to her thoughts and they are just entertaining. She's also strong but, really, what does that mean? It means she's not a damsel in distress. Sure, she ends up teaming up with a few other people, but she's by no means weak. What I paralytically love is that, unlike a lot of books I read, Dina knows it too.

3. The book is written beautifully. The plot, the meat (what I mentioned in #1), and everything in between is explained in such a fantastic way that I didn't for once reject any of it. The pacing of explanations just work.

4. THE IMAGERY IS AMAZING! There are two scenes in particular that were painted so damn brilliantly that I felt like I was watching a movie! My goodness, I can't even.

There are actually a few more reasons that I love Clean Sweep and you should too, but then I'd border on spoilers so I'll save it for a book review post! Just trust me and get this book!

Synopsis from Amazon:

On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything. 

Links you need to check out: Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Goodreads // Ilona Andrews website

 

Occasionally, I like to browse Charlaine Harris' website. Why? Well because I'm a huge Harris fan, and not just a True Blood groupie. I'm talking every book she's written groupie. After watching season one of True Blood, I read the first book and realized it was so different and SO MUCH BETTER than the show (book snob, remember?). Then, within the span of 11 days I read the 11 Sookie Stackhouse books that were out. I loved them (and her writing style) so much that I went to the bookstore and bought Shakespeare's Landlord, A Lily Bard book. Loved it. Read the entire series. THEN I picked up Real Murders and, well, you get the picture. That book and its series became an all time favorite and Aurora Teagarden (the main character) even made my Top 5 favorite protagonists' list! I also picked up the Harper Connelly books because, man, I was on a roll!

SO, when I saw that Ms. Harris was coming out with a NEW SERIES, I about died in excitement. 

Midnight Crossroad (A Novel of Midnight, Texas) will be released on May 6, 2014 and it set to be the first in a trilogy. I mean, I can't even control myself with this one! Just the synopsis has me beyond pumped! YOU BET I PRE-ORDERED IT!

Here it is: 

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Links you should check out: Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Goodreads // Charlaine Harris Website

What are YOU reading?

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)
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Book Review: KING CAVE by Scarlett Dawn

It's the weekend! So that means YOU NEED TO WEEKEND READ! My last Monday Suggestion was all about the book KING HALL by Scarlett Dawn and how you needed to buy it immediately. Today, I will be trying to entice you to pre-order/buy KING CAVE, Book 2 in the Forever Evermore series!

First, let me do a little recap of my thoughts on KING HALL: 

King Hall was filled with endearing characters and infused with a wonderfully exciting story line. It also contained a world so magical and intricate that I couldn't wait to get to the next page. Scarlett Dawn teleported me from my room and right into a story that had me laughing, crying, and everything in between while sitting on the edge of my seat. I fell in love with all of the characters and will gladly follow them to King Cave!

Now, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT KING CAVE!

Summed up in an honest first reaction: Holy crapsticks. 

King Hall was an exciting romp through a fun, creative world of paranormals but King Cave was an insanely thrilling roller coaster ride that had me on the edge of my seat with my heart was in my throat! 

What I think I love most about King Cave is how many layers it has. There was the emotional side that rocked me at times. (One scene around the first half--you people who read it know what I mean--had me grabbing for the tissues for real!) There was the action level that had me moving around while I was reading, readying myself with Lily and riding along for the excitement! And then there was the sexual level.

Let me just say, if you like Fifty Shades of Grey then you'll LOVE King Cave.

If you DON'T love Fifty Shades of Grey, then don't worry--King Cave is WAY better!

The sex scenes were fantastic if I do say so myself--wonderfully detailed and with a paranormal twist that made my intrigue level go through the roof. Whereas the sexual tension in King Hall was so thick you could cut it with a knife, King Cave not only cut it with a knife but served it on a golden platter of electrified scenes that will make you tingle in all the right ways.

Overall, King Cave in no way disappointed me. In fact, it exceeded my expectations! The exciting world that Dawn created continued to keep my interest high and my love for the characters only grew, especially with the fun addition of many new characters. The story itself was great and the ending...well, I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW, KTHANKS! If you enjoy a book that you can't stop reading, I highly suggest KING CAVE!

Pre-order now!

Release date set for January 1! That's one hell of a great way to start the New Year!

KING CAVE
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/184OsTg
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/InQ0Mt
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/IVgzIH
Amazon DE: http://amzn.to/1dzgft0
Amazon FR: http://amzn.to/1fsUFs7
iBookstore: http://bit.ly/1c2ymup
Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/18AlKoc
Kobo: http://bit.ly/18HWfRO

KING HALL
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1gjf7vH
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1gvvntA
Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/1cUqCH8
Kobo: http://bit.ly/JinsEj
iBookstore: http://bit.ly/19IXBfw

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

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Scarlett Dawn is drawn to all things quirky and off-beat. She believes there are no boundaries for an imaginative soul. Her love of the written word started from at an early age, when her grandmother would take her to bookstores every weekend. Dreams came alive within the books she found there, and now, she is thrilled to share her stories with others who have fallen under the spell of taking fantastical journeys. Scarlett resides in the Midwest with her husband, three children, and two dogs.      Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter

Monday Suggestions 11/18

Oh, HEY! I'm back with a post about books you should read (AND I WANT YOU TO READ)!

I was SUPPOSED to back off from reading until I finished editing my manuscript but I mean, man, that was hard. I found a link to King Hall by Scarlett Dawn on Amazon and read the sample...then bought the book. So, let me try to convince you to do the same.

Book Blurb from King Hall's Goodreads' page:

King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies.

Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Rulers: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life.

Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the Revolution.

My quick little review that will hopefully sway you to purchase this (now on sale) book: King Hall not only was filled with endearing characters and infused with a wonderfully exciting story line, but it also contained a world so magical and intricate that I couldn't wait to get to the next page. Scarlett Dawn teleported me from my room and right into a story that had me laughing, crying, and everything in between while sitting on the edge of my seat. I fell in love with all of the characters and will gladly follow them to King Cave!

Links you need to check out: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Website, Twitter

This book has humor, steam, excitement, and ALL THE FEELS! Read it and let me know what you think!

Well, since I did a spotlight for King Hall, I feel like I should tell you about King Cave (Book 2) that's coming out on Jan. 1! (For the cover reveal post go here.) With how King Hall ended, I just can't wait for the sequel! 

Here's the book blurb right from its Goodreads' page but I suggest you read Book 1 before diving into it so no spoilers happen!

The safe, comfortable world of Lily Ruckler and her fellow Mystical Kings and Queens is rocked to the core by the attacks at King Hall. Not only does Lily have to kill the Commoners attacking her people, she also has to assume the mantle of leadership, and bring the surviving Mysticals to King Cave. 

It should have been too much, but she is not alone. Ezra becomes her rock, her best friend, the one person who understands. As Pearl and Jack struggle with inconsolable loss, Ezra and Lily work to keep the Mys community safe in their new home, and plan a deadly retaliation. 

Their friendship saves them both...but it also draws attention. Whispers. Judgment. It's not normal for Shifters and Vampires to be friends, and when a horrifying truth is revealed, their relationship morphs from unusual to unspeakable. Lily is good at keeping secrets that could get her killed. Is she willing to risk Ezra's life as well?

You can pre-order King Cave starting Dec. 1! GET EXCITED! GET ON MY LEVEL!

--Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler) - Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Cover Reveal: King Cave by Scarlett Dawn

Holli and I have been busy. With book writing, baby forming, and day jobs galore we've kind of dropped off for a while. Well, NOT ANYMORE! I want to kick back my blogging habit with a cover reveal that just makes me giddy!

First, let me briefly tell you about a book I purchased recently and read within two days. It's called "King Hall" and it's by the talented Scarlett Dawn. (Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Website, Twitter) I'm definitely putting it in my next Monday Suggestions post with more info. but here's a blurb from Book 1 in the Forever Evermore series:

King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies. 

Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing:  survival.  Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings.  Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Prodigies: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life. 

Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the revolution.

I picked King Hall out on a whim and couldn't put it down. Scarlett Dawn makes a fascinating world with endearing characters that had me following along with vigor! HOWEVER, more on KH next week. Now let's treat those who are excited for "King Cave" and its cover reveal!

King Cave will be available to pre-order on December 1st, and available for purchase on January 1st!

Keep up with info. and add this to your TBR shelf on Goodreads!

Blurb:

The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling, award-winning King Hall: the revolution is here, but the most dangerous attack may come from within...

The safe, comfortable world of Lily Ruckler and her fellow Mystical Kings and Queens is rocked to the core by the attacks at King Hall. Not only does Lily have to kill the Commoners attacking her people, she also has to assume the mantle of leadership, and bring the surviving Mysticals to King Cave. 

It should have been too much, but she is not alone. Ezra becomes her rock, her best friend, the one person who understands. As Pearl and Jack struggle with inconsolable loss, Ezra and Lily work to keep the Mys community safe in their new home, and plan a deadly retaliation. 

Their friendship saves them both...but it also draws attention. Whispers. Judgment. It's not normal for Shifters and Vampires to be friends, and when a horrifying truth is revealed, their relationship morphs from unusual to unspeakable. Lily is good at keeping secrets that could get her killed. Is she willing to risk Ezra's life as well?

Goosebumps! I have them! I can't wait to read Book 2! If you want to get on my level of excitement make sure to get your copy of King Hall and then King Cave!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

Cover reveal: ASPEN by Rebekah Crane

 

You better believe we're pumped for the release of Rebekah Crane's new YA contemporary novel, ASPEN!

Now, let's look at that beauty!

About the book:

One quiet night in Boulder, Colorado, Aspen Yellow-Sunrise Taylor made a mistake.

In the next instant, her life changed forever.

Aspen doesn't want to remember when Katelyn Ryan, a sleek-haired popular soccer player, crossed the yellow line in her car and smashed into Aspen's. But forgetting is pretty hard- because Katelyn may have died - but she didn't leave. Her ghost is following Aspen around, and heading into senior year, it's kind of a problem. Especially when Katelyn's gorgeous former boyfriend Ben appears to be the only person at school with a clue as to how Aspen feels.

Popularity, college, Homecoming Court, hot guys - none of these things ever mattered to Aspen. She's been busy trying to rein in her giant mass of blonde curls, keep her stoner mother Ninny away from Toaster, her mom's awful bongo drumming boyfriend, and prevent her best friends Kim and Cass from killing - or kissing - one another. But with Ben sitting next to her in Physics looking all too gorgeous, Katelyn's spirit dogging her steps, and her obsessive snow-globe collecting therapist begging her to remember all the things she wants to forget, Aspen is thrust into a vivid, challenging world she can't control … and doesn't want to.

A darkly funny, emotionally gripping story of opening up, letting go, and moving on, ASPEN is about the best-worst accident of your life ... and what comes next. 

Release Date: January 2014

Category: YA contemporary

Publisher: In This Together Media

And an awesome cover reveal isn’t complete without an equally AWESOME giveaway, so let’s tell them what they can win... *dramatic pause*

• 10 eARCs of ASPEN!
• 1 tie-dye shirt from Moe’s Broadway Bagels in Boulder, CO (an actual restaurant in the story!) 
• 2 Grateful Dead bumper stickers! Groovy!
• 5 Friendship bracelets because WHY NOT?!
• 1 hacky sack! Rad!
• 3 flower stickers you can stick to your laptop or desk or wherever! Peace, man!

Just enter the Rafflecopter below and you’re on your way to getting some awesome swag! The giveaway closes a week from today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Rebekah Crane: 

Rebekah Crane fell in love with YA literature while studying Secondary English Education at Ohio University, but it wasn't until ten years and two daughters later that she started to write it. Inspired by her past students, growing up in Cleveland with its fabulous musical theater community, and music of all kinds (particularly the Avett Brothers), she created PLAYING NICE. It is her first published novel, but having an unbridled imagination, it's not the only fantasy world she's lived in (just ask her husband). ASPEN, her second YA creation, is set to release in January 2014. She now lives in Colorado, where the altitude only enhances the experience.

Twitter: @RebekahCrane

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playingnicebook 

Tumblr: http://rebekahcrane.tumblr.com/

The back of our books

So, what are these books we've been talking so much about? If they had covers and all, this is what you might find on the back of the books! Both of our titles are very much in progress, but we'd love some feedback on our summaries!

Conner Moon, the son of a Senator and a rising star in the Mobile District Attorney's office, has lived a pretty comfortable life in south Alabama with one exception: the death of his sister.

When an disheveled woman shows up at his front door 13 years later looking for help, Conner discovers his sister, Danni, might not be as dead as he thought.

As Conner seeks out his long-lost sister, he finds himself tangled in a web of lies about his past and comes face to face with a truth he isn't sure he can handle: his greatest enemy is a lot closer than he ever imagined.

With the help of his wife and his best friend, Conner must tackle dangerous territory and countless dead ends to save the one person that will keep his world together before its too late. 

--Holli Anne



Goodwyn knows one thing for certain: telling the truth can be deadly. After a hormone-driven fight leads to her mother’s suicide, she vows to never let her web of lies get tangled again.

Fast-forward eight years later, she's consumed her life in lies and the real Goodwyn has fallen between the cracks. That is, until she meets a man who offers her a job at an interactive PR company—a position that would utilize her lying strengths while paying her the big bucks for it. She would be a part of a team of fellow liars—each with a secret past that may put her own horror to rest.

Before she can officially accept, she is thrown into a job that puts her deep into the throngs of rich socialites, sexist old men, and straight into a world that she has to pretend she’s always belonged to, all in order to uncover the plans of a handsome billionaire…or to be there when the bottom falls out afterward. What was supposed to be a fact-finding job turns into a painful, terrifying, and eye-opening experience that leaves Goodwyn questioning everything.

Now Goodwyn is caught in an underground war between two powerful groups, the desire to finally tell the truth, and the promise she made to herself long ago to uphold her new life of lies at all costs. A struggle made harder by the new reality that the people the company are interested in are a little more extraordinary than she thought.

--Tyler Anne

We're Back!

Ahhhh!! We did it and we're back!

For those of you who didn't know, we (the Annes) took a month-long break from blog posting (so sad!) to finish our respective novels! Using Camp NanoWriMo, we spent everyday of July writing towards our goal word counts. I'm not going to lie, it was difficult at some points. For both of us July was one HECK of a busy month!

At the end of it all, though, we met our goals. We finished our first drafts. We conquered writer's block and ignored procrastination.

What does that mean for us now? Well, we're working through our second drafts and the joys of editing (insert a touch of sarcasm here)! However, this post is the first in our return to blogging!

What you can expect next week from us:

• Tyler Anne's Camp NanoWriMo experience
• Holli Anne's Camp NanoWriMo experience
• A post that will contain the synopsis of both Anne books!!!

So, welcome back bloggy friends! We hope your month of July was wonderful!

-The Annes

Above picture can be found and linked back to original owner here.

Currently Digging: Ruche Picks

 

Something about a season change makes us really want to shop. That, plus Ruche's Win Clothes for a Year contest (yes, really!) brought us to their site this evening. The idea of free clothes for a year is something to truly dig, are we right?! Plus, all their stuff is amazing all the time. Clothes and these books are on our summer wishlists for sure!

Holli Anne's Picks

I'll keep this short and simple. I adore this dress. I've been wanting some new shorts that aren't for running, and I'm super picky about shorts, so these are adorable and perfect. And this shirt I obviously need to wear with my new shorts! Ah, pick me to win, Ruche!

Tyler Anne's Picks

I pretty much just am head over heels for books in general. Add Ruche to the mix and I come away with the three books above that I'm goo goo over. The 5 Book is all about where you will be in five years. It is a guide of sorts to help you live your life to the fullest with inspiration, questions, and examples of well-lived lives. Creative Walls smiles at the designer in me as an interior decor book with stunning pictures and unique and inspiring ideas for decorating your walls. The last book I found on Ruche is called Missed Connections and, honestly, I want it the most. It's all about love and what ifs with wonderful artwork to adore throughout. I highly suggest you check out its page here. It has an example page that says, "Throat Tattoo on the L Train. Hey, guy that got on at 1st Ave dressed in black with the throat tattoo. Thanx for existing." It reminds me of Post Secret, without all of the depressing stuff. 

I want all three of these books with a fiery passion! Thank you Ruche for existing.

Reader Talk: The Thief by Aine Crabtree

A few months ago I (Tyler Anne) had the pleasure of meeting a young woman named Aine Crabtree. She was in the edits stage of her debut novel called The Thief.

I have been lucky enough to be able to read the book and fall in love with its story and characters. This post is a spotlight on the upcoming book and its wonderful author!

The Thief will be available as an e-book for Kindle, Nook, and other platforms on June 30, 2013.

Genre 

YA urban fantasy

Approx. page length 
400 

Blurb 
Once upon a time, two girls from opposite corners of the globe collide in a deceptively sleepy town in the deep south. Their unlikely friendship becomes the catalyst that unravels Havenwood's most closely guarded secrets, and will change their lives forever.

Jul Graham doesn't know what to expect when she's sent to live with her grandmother after her father's abrupt disappearance, but it certainly isn't a private school full of foreign students and a magic mirror in her backyard. Her new best friend is a blonde girl who speaks Japanese, and all of the adults - including her grandmother - treat Jul like she's some sort of time bomb. On top of that, she's a subject of interest to her new classmates, who don't seem entirely normal themselves. What is Havenwood hiding?

Reviews
In Aine Crabtree's "The Thief", three students from three different worlds come together in an elaborate private school in the rural Southern United States. Jul is a beautiful, timid girl from New York, Camille is a mysterious orphan from Tokyo, raised by an even more mysterious guardian, and Mac is a mischievously outgoing but charmingly naive boy living in the town he grew up in.
 When mysterious circumstances begin occurring, these students' worlds begin to collide. What begins as an attempt to solve the disappearances of some trivial items soon leads to the teens' unraveling of secrets within the school, and its history that connect them to each other and to centuries-old conflicts spanning across the world - and perhaps even beyond. 
Crabtree's multiple-narrator perspective allows the reader to sympathize with all of her characters, and the exciting nature will keep you turning the pages voraciously.
--Sam Neely

The debut novel in Aine Crabtree’s Archetype series is an exciting beginning to what will surely be an epic adventure! The more you read, the more intrigued you will become, and you will thoroughly enjoy this story as it unfolds layers of legend that continue to cause stirrings in the modern world. Despite some of their more supernatural tendencies, these characters feel real and you will cheer for them, laugh with them, and cry for them as the world they thought they knew begins to reveal itself and they are pushed ever closer to the truth.
--Meg Lawson

My Review
Throughout the past ten years or so I have read countless YA series. Ones that follow only one main character to series like Crabtree’s that follow multiple. I have to say, normally I shy away from more than one narrator in a story but “The Thief” threw me for a loop. Each of her characters had a special something that hooked me. I was intrigued from the get-go by Jul’s quiet nature, Camille’s rebellious tendencies, and, of course, Mac’s good heart and humor. Not to mention my crush over Rhys and sweet love for quiet Destin kept me happily reading. The story could have been worthless and I’d still read it—I’d follow Crabtree’s characters anywhere. They are just that relatable and likeable. Luckily, however, the story was a grand adventure that I had a blast reading. I can’t wait until the second book in the series comes out! And the third, and the fourth, and so on!

A Mini Interview with Aine Crabtree
What was the biggest inspiration for writing The Thief? 

This didn’t consciously hit me for a long time, but the more I put the series together the more I realize the X-Men have been a major source of inspiration. I was a huge fan of the cartoon that ran in the 90s, and I’ve noticed a lot of similar themes cropping up. It was probably the first thing I came in contact with as a kid that embedded the idea of ensemble casts in my head. Bleach, The Venture Brothers, A Song of Ice and Fire, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Last Airbender (the animated series) are also high up on the list of things that have lent me their strength. I could go on ad nauseum, probably.

What was your favorite part of The Thief?
Probably the scene in the cafeteria where Jul is trying to avoid Rhys and inadvertently assembles all three narrators at one lunch table. There’s just so much going on in that one little section. All three of them have completely different things going on, and as the reader you’re aware of what Jul and Mac are probably thinking even though the scene is from Camille’s perspective. I’m just very pleased with the way that particular bit turned out.

Who is your favorite character and why?
I’m a little split here. Mac is made of magic writer fuel. Many times when I’ve been stuck, I’ve been able to switch to a Mac chapter and still forge forward. No matter how dire things get, Mac is always there to put things in perspective and make me laugh. If writers were witches, Mac would be my familiar.

Now if we’re talking about who I’d love the most if I were reading this series…that would have to be Kei. I really love Kei. He has this wonderful capacity for pissing off every other character in some way or other.

In three words describe your book.
Mirrored, woven, broken.

Links
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Blog - Twitter - Book Site

Aine Crabtree is the creator / earth mother goddess of an alternate universe, where the good are sacrificed upon the Altar of Cliffhangers and the wicked flourish to prolong the dramatic tension. She lives in Huntsville, AL with Spike, the world’s cutest kitten, plotting her escape to somewhere less humid. She is still waiting to be recruited by the X-Men. 

The Thief is her first novel. 

Writer Talk: Two Great Writing Resources

This Writer Talk post is all about some awesome posts I found that helped me plan out my work in progress. I'm sure there are tons of blogs and sites out there for writers that are fantastic but this post is all about Janice Hardy's blog. Why? Because I'm a little obsessed with it! 

I'm a creature of habit, especially when I write. When I get an idea for a story 9 times out of 10 I will write the first scene out then jump to the middle or end of the story and start writing there. 

Why? Well, I hate the first part of stories. Sure, I have it mapped out in my head. I know who the bad guy is, I know what conflicts will arise and how to deal with them, and I even know what the last scene of the book will entail. There's just something about writing the very first part that throws me. This has been my Achilles heal. You can't finish a book if you don't have a beginning.

My current work in progress deserves better than that, though. It deserves a first half so, I've been slowly conquering my habit of running ahead and never looking back while I write.

I can proudly say that I'm almost done with the first half of my book!

There are two resources that have helped me with this that I think can help a lot more people too. Writers, check them out!

1. The Other Side of the Story with Janice Hardy

This blog is so well written and insightful that, not only did I find a great post about plotting with layers, I found so many more posts that helped me along.

Writing the first part of your book is made so much easier when you have everything with the plot all straightened out in your head. I thought I did until I read If You Build it, They Will Read: Plotting With Layers. It not only made me hone in on my main conflicts but it also helped me tackle my subplots. The post talks about the four layers of plotting and how to put them together. 

Getting all of those layers straight made it easier to see what I needed to have in the first part of the book to help further the main plots as well as subplots.

Another post I really enjoyed was Send up the (Red) Flag: Telling Words That Often Send Trouble. In college we went over this issue but it was nice to see a condensed version of the lesson. It reminded me not to get lazy with my words!

Currently, I'm stuck on the post Does Your Novel Have Too Many Characters? It has a fun exercise about mapping out all of your important characters, starting with your protagonist and antagonist. I got out the sticky notes (because I LOVE STICKY NOTES) and did my own little map of characters. It forced me to create everyone, get their stories straight as well as what purpose they serve in the story. I highly suggest doing the same exercise.

There are more posts from Hardy's site that are great. She tackles topics from coming up with book ideas to publishing. You should definitely go check out her site.

2. Character Q&As

I'm not going to go into detail about how AWESOME character Q&As are because Holli has one up her sleeve for a later date. However, I will say that doing the Q&A she sent me helped me SO much in character development, backstory, AND plot. Check it out!

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

Currently Reading: Brightest Kind of Darkness

One of my monthly resolutions is to read all the unread books currently on my Nook. That's eight books.

And that's okay.

I love talking about the books I read with others, I've decided to give a sneak peek of one of the books I'm currently reading. I'm hoping that it will make you want to read it too!

Brightest Kind of Darkness
by P.T. Michelle

Genre

Dark Paranormal YA

Synopsis
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.

Currently On
Page 340

The Characters
Oh, sweet goodness, I'm crushing on Ethan Harris. Wait, who?

He's the quiet guy that makes our main girl, Nara, feel all types of emotions. Don't worry though, Nara isn't a Bella Swan and has no foundation without him. She's a strong main character with a relatable personality and a fun paranormal twist. Her feelings for Ethan are sensible and yet unexplainable. She isn't defined by him. He's more of a very fun and sexy addition. Not to mention, I just like the guy. He's quiet, clever, and hey, he loves dogs.

The First Sentence

"For me, being surprised was like wearing my best friend's favorite shirt; cherished for its borrowed uniqueness." 

I'm a stickler for first sentences. I harp about them in The Dark Side of Writing. If they tank I'll still read on but give me an interesting first sentence and I'll read on with new vigor. I'm happy to say that this first sentence piqued my interest. 

It makes me want to know what the surprise is, especially considering that she sees the entire next day before it happens. How did she get surprised? What could do that?

The First Chapter
So, finding interest in the first sentence, I read through the first chapter. I wasn't disappointed.

The First 100 Pages
I'm going to be all sorts of honest here, I was afraid that I was walking into another Bella Swan/Edward Cullen deal. Although I am one of the few who confess to liking Twilight (the books, NOT the movies), I didn't want to read another story about a girl clearly obsessed with a "bad boy" who is all quiet and hot.

Thankfully, the first 100 pages of Brightest Kind of Darkness showed me that its story and characters were much different from sparkly vampires and clingy girls.

During the first 100 pages you get to really understand Nara and respect her as a person. Sure, she's only 16 but her experiences make her more mature and therefore, a lot more interesting to read. Ethan, although appearing to have some Edward Cullen tendencies at the very beginning, quickly becomes a solid character with issues you, as the reader, want to solve.

The plot picks up, along with suspense, and the ever-present questions regarding Nara's "predicament" and what that means, not only to her, but to all of her loved ones.

I read from the second chapter to page 340 in one sitting...and I really meant to stop at chapter three.

The Rest
Once done reading, I will put up the entire review and link here!

The Links

Website - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Smashwords - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

Tv Inspiration + Lost: Multiple POVs

TV Inspiration is a Summer blogging series that the Annes came up with to help spread inspiring content based on two popular TV series. Holli Anne's series is Parks and Recreation. Her Intro post can be found here. Tyler Anne's series is Lost. Her Intro post can be found here. 
This post is Tyler Anne's Tv Inspiration. 

When I think of multiple POVs in writing or reading, I think of Lost and its use of a very large ensemble cast. Sure, Jack is arguably the main main character but you also bounce around to more than a handful of other characters. This was a big reason why I was hooked by the first few of episodes.

You have a plane crash and multiple survivors. The hope of rescue is pretty slim to none. Then during the pilot you start to meet these random individuals aside from Jack. I have to admit the first two episodes (technically the Pilot) I started stereotyping everyone.

Kate was just another pretty face.
Sawyer was just another dumb redneck.
Charlie was a just another musician with a drug problem.
Jin was just another overbearing jackass of a husband.
Sun was just another passive and abused wife.
Shannon was just another stuck up rich girl.
Michael was just another struggling dad trying to connect with his son.
Locke was just another creepy old man with a lot of knives.
Jack was just another hero.

These are some of the characters you follow throughout the show--whether following them around the Island or watching some of their flashbacks. The stereotypes you put the characters in start crumbling as you progress through each one of their stories. Some fall away quickly, others take time to undo. For example, by episode two you get to see some of Kate's backstory and realize that she's not your average Jane. However, you definitely don't have her pegged down completely either.

What is the point I'm trying to make?
One of the wonderful reasons I love Lost is because I get to experience it through multiple POVs. By following these different narrators I'm able to appreciate their development and the story more.

Now, let's talk about...

Multiple Points of View in Writing & Books
I have to admit that up until a few years ago I was a one-character type of girl. Whether it was first person or third, I was content with only following one person around the story. Sure, I had read a few books that had more than one person that told the story but the authors had lost my interest with some very common multiple POV snafus. Now, I'm more open to the tactic and even have become fond of certain books because of it.

Common Multiple POV Mistakes
One book I read a while back was written in two parts--one was from the POV of a boy, the other from a girl. The author chose to have two POVs because the characters were on the opposing sides of a political and religious battle. Having two different perspectives throughout the book was a smart choice because it helped enrich the overall story. However, when the narrators were in the same scene the author showed us each perspective every single time. I understand that this technique can work to further the character's development but sometimes readers don't necessarily have to be in the same room twice to understand what happened and what was seen and felt.

Another reason I have disliked the multiple POV style is lousy transitions from one person to the next. I've read books that break POV shifts into different chapters or marked off sections and I've read books that simply pick up during the next paragraph. This is the easiest way to lose me as a reader. You've chosen to have multiple narrators and that's fine but please make sure your transitions are clear and keep the readers from mass confusion. If we are reading Becky's thoughts about Jeff in one paragraph and then suddenly we're in Michael's head thinking about how he wishes he could still play football, chances are we will get annoyed as readers.

The last multiple POV ick that I've come across is switching to a narrator for no reason at all. Sure, I'm a fan of Becky but don't take me out of Michael's intense fight aftermath to only plop me down into her life while she does her mundane routines. Make sure you put me there for a reason and not just because you wanted some filler. I didn't buy your book for filler. I bought it for a good story. If you aren't furthering the character or overall plot, then don't make me read about Becky brushing her teeth.

I've recently found a writing blog that's extremely helpful and well-written. It's called The Other Side of the Story and it's by Janice Hardy. If you're an established author, an aspiring writer, or somewhere in between I suggest you check it out. She has many posts about POVs that can be found here.

Thoughts on Multiple POVs
I decided to ask the members of our Writer Talk group on Facebook (if you want to join go here) about their thoughts on one narrator per story versus multiple narrators. Here's some good points they made on the subject.

Aine Crabtree, a soon-to-be published author of The Thief, praised multiple POVs.

"As someone whose book is from multiple POVs...very much prefer it that way. I tend to get tired of one voice over a long enough time, and I get curious about what's going on in the heads of other characters. Inevitably I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of levels of the story if I'm restricted to one character's head."

Eli Carnley, another writer from the group, agreed.

"I'm starting to prefer or at least enjoy stories with multiple perspectives. My current project is first person from one character's perspective and I'm finding the constraints to be more than I'd originally bargained for."

My personal thoughts on the matter have started to change recently. I love following the one person through a journey and, just like real life, never knowing everything that goes on with the other characters and some parts of the story. However, reading stories like The Thief (you'll be able to read it soon too!) has made me reevaluate my earlier nose-wrinkling at them. I guess, to me, it all boils down to the quality of the characters you have. If they are good then I won't mind being passed around between them.

Pros & Cons
I feel like I'm almost bashing the idea of having multiple narrators in this post but I really am not. This is, as a writer, one of the first things you have to figure out before starting to write your book. Will you have just one POV or multiple? I've wrestled with the idea many times and created the following pros and con list to help.

Pro

• You can add more interest, story, and character development by having more than one narrator.
• You avoid being monotonous if you aren't stuck with the same person for the duration of the story.
• You can explore and control larger settings and situations.
• When the story starts to lag, switching to another narrator can keep the readers entertained.

Con

• You can lose reader interest if you have too many narrators with weak transitions.
• You have to make sure each character is solid so the reader will follow them.
• You may lose a more involved intimacy with your characters that you might have if there was only one. Typically, readers invest a lot in one character. With multiple POVs this could be harder for them.
• You can lose the tension you've spent building up by switching to another narrator. 

Now, there are more of both, but for brevity's sake (because this is already a pretty big post!) I only listed the pros and cons that stick out in my mind. I guess, for me, it all just depends on the story and what I want to accomplish with it on whether or not I break out multiple POVs.

Which do you prefer?

-Tyler Anne (aka Chick Tyler)

Interview: Author C. Elizabeth Vescio talks Elegantly Wasted

Over here at Almost There we are huge fans of C. Elizabeth Vescio and Elegantly Wasted. If you want to see how much Tyler liked it you can read her review here. If you don't know what EW is, then go read it (see the links at the bottom of the post)! 

The book is incredibly fun and dangerous and alcohol-infused. We were lucky enough to get an interview with C. Elizabeth Vescio and couldn't be happier with it!

Hope you enjoy!

How did you come up with the title “Elegantly Wasted”?

I’m an 80s kid... one of my favorite bands is INXS and their tenth album goes by the same title. It was the final album recorded by Michael Hutchence before his death. People often forget about the song and the album because it was kind of buried underneath all that scandal. The story progressed as this girl who kills people and is also a teacher at an etiquette school... it fit. Very contradictory terms lol

What made you decide to write about the world of contract killers?

Up until 2009 I had been writing this big science fiction book that never went anywhere. I was frustrated with it and I needed something completely different. I thought maybe I could do a family drama. I have some pretty colorful family members who don’t mind having some of their stories exploited... I started jotting down some ideas and then one day I just remember randomly thinking ‘you know what would make these stories better? A gun.’

Rumor has it that the family in EW is based on your own. True or false?

Ha. True- kind of. It’s very embellished. Like I said, when I needed that change of pace it was totally aimed at a family type story... and my family’s structure is pretty amazing. I’m a bastard child, the different side of my family don’t like each other, my mom and her sisters would go years without talking to over minor issues... my grandmother wasn’t a very nice person... the list goes on.

I thought if I could just write a coming of age story about a black sheep in a chaotic family- that was my angle. I know a lot about that stuff.

If true, how do THEY feel about it?

My family has been overwhelmingly supportive- the members who speak to me anyway.

Kat and Addi are hugely inspired by my cousins, Amanda and Amie. They love it. In the very beginning stages, Amanda was there giving me ideas while she drank wine on her back porch. My mother and her two sisters love it. They aren’t huge characters but they add so much to the story. I’m relieved they love them. I’m relieved they can just stand back and laugh at themselves, imagining this big contract killing ring in the background.

Don’t worry... 75% of the book is just my imagination.

Why do you think readers love Frankie so much?

I have no fucking clue, but I can’t describe how awesome it is.... or I’m terrified, I’m not sure which. I wanted this main character who was flawed... heavily flawed with a major mental imbalance. Killing people isn’t a good thing. Who is this Judah guy and why does he insist she’s a killer? So I gave her this sarcastic outlook on everything. Don’t get me wrong, people who don’t enjoy cynicism absolutely hate Frankie and I’m perfectly okay with that. I think there should be a portion of the population who just wants her to die. However, I’ll be hanging out with her fan club because I fit in much better with those people.

Was there a particular subject you researched the most in writing EW?

Mental illness, drug cartels and guns... a nice broad research group. Needless to say if the government has my Google history, I’m probably on a no-fly list. I grew up around psychologists. Both my aunt Norma and cousin Amie are in the mental health field so I always have them to reference. Amie helps me with types of meds to prescribe my fictional characters too- which is fun.

The entire book is narrated by Frankie (which we LOVE). Was it hard to write the book in her language/tone?

Not at all! She’s a pretty big manifestation of myself. Although, as cynical as I am, she started to wear me out. She’s way intense, and I would imagine she’d be the kind of girl I could only take in small doses. I look at my sister, Dannielle- who is around Frankie’s age- and see what kind of issues she’s dealing with and try to figure out how Frankie would handle the situations. My sister tends to have a short fuse but she’s hysterical- she’s the perfect person to look at and be like- ‘yeah, that’s something Frankie would do.’

We have to ask, on a scale of Kat to Addi, how “into” fashion are you?

Haha... um, probably Addi. Katharine is the one who keeps both Addi and Frankie in the fashion world. Everyone in the Fairholm family was kind of bred to have this elaborate taste in material possessions but Katharine took it and ran with it. She’s the socialite. Addi’s priorities aren’t in how she looks. I honestly don’t think she’d care if Katharine wasn’t shopping with her. So, I’d have to say I’m more of a fashion spectator. I like it... I like brand names- that’s my mother’s influence. However, I like saving money too.

What was the hardest part about writing EW?
Creating an underworld. I don’t want it to be so cliche but at this point in time it’s hard not to to... so I have to make it relatable on the same page. Add a little humor to the dark and you have something that might have been done before, but at least it’s amusing.

What was the easiest?

Creating Frankie. I worked her out in one day, started to write her style of thought and the rest was downhill. Frankie built Elegantly Wasted. Love her or hate her, she’s the reason you’re reading this.

Give us three words that you would use to describe Elegantly Wasted?
classy, gritty, mayhem

What are you working on now?

Book 2 in the series! It’s called Uncontrollably Wasted and it’s due to be released in late August of 2013. I’m excited to actually have a series because now Frankie has a solid foundation and her adventures can be endless... but they won’t be. She’s in the wrong profession to live forever.

Jack of all trades and stereotypical black sheep, C. Elizabeth has been writing somewhat dark and morbid since that teen angst hit in the early 90's- probably because her dad was a mortician. After pursuing a degree in English, she changed gears to photography and design in 2006... although she kept penning stories for fun while reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe, Oscar Wilde and Hemingway (whom she adores even though he was a huge douche canoe). In 2009, her life shifted considerably and she found herself writing Elegantly Wasted- helping her sort out a bunch of stupid feelings and other lame stuff. 

Want more of Cara and Elegantly Wasted?

Website - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - GoodReads