Harley's Hall of Bookish Fame #4


Maren Dille

Thanks for stopping by today!

If your book was being made into a movie, who would you cast?
For The Faith and Fate of David GhentDean Geyer for David, Maggie Grace for Layla,Patrick Wilson for Nathaniel, Eric Bana for Karael, Paul Bettany for Puriel, Carrie Ann Moss for Ramiala,

You had me at Dean Geyer.  He's the guy that plays Rachel's new love interest on Glee right!?!

How often do you write?
I try to squeeze time in every day. Sometimes that time is very productive and I write whole chapters at a time, other days all I end up doing is deleting a bunch of paragraphs and words. Both things are necessary in the creation of a good novel.

What is the best part about being an author?
I’m always searching for the next book or television show that will have all the aspects I like. Character development, authenticity, strong chemistry, compelling scenes . . . as a writer, I can control all that and live in my own story. The art of creation is challenging, but also extremely rewarding.

I agree.  I'v recently started writing and love being in control of the story, but it isn't easy at the same time.

Did you make playlists for any of your books?
I tend to choose one song and use that for inspiration for the entire novel—much like a trailer for a movie. For The Faith and Fate of David Ghent, I listened to Breaking Benjamin’s “Give Me a Sign,” the acoustic version.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
Think about what I could/should be writing. Seriously, the stories are always at the back of my mind. I’m also a wife and mother, daughter and sister, and friend. I spend a lot of time with my family and friends.
What is your favorite book to movie adaptation?
I loved The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Everything was exactly how I thought it should be, the acting was top-notch, and the emotion and message of the book came across so well in the movie.

Harley's Hall of Bookish Fame #2: Leigh Talbert Moore


Leigh Talbert Moore
Everyone, I'd like to introduce an author that I've worked with a few times and absolutely adore!

Hi Leigh! Thanks for stopping by today.  I love when authors share playlists for books they wrote...did you make one for any of your books?
Yes! I actually made one for Rouge, one for The Truth About Letting Go, and one for a science fiction book I wrote called 21 Days. They help me keep my scenes straight--I kind of imagine them as music videos.

That's awesome!  What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten?
Just keep swimming. It's actually my advice to me and other writers. This is a tough business, you'll get bad reviews, you'll have writer's block, you'll have setbacks of all kinds... But you have to just keep swimming! :o)

I love the Nemo reference!  Do you have any advice for dealing with rejection from agents?
Keep in mind it's just one person's opinion on what they can sell. For agents, it's about being able to make a deal with the editors they work with, and the agent knows what those editors want. So don't take it personally! And by all means, if you get constructive feedback, use it! I mean, unless it feels wrong... 

Personal note: The Truth About Faking was requested and rejected by 20+ agents. Then when I landed an agent for Rouge, she shopped TTAF to 12 editors, and they all passed. It has currently sold 25,000 copies.

My Point = those guys aren't always right! If you believe in your book and are willing to work hard to polish it and get it shiny, self-publishing is always an option.

Great advice!  Some authors have blogs in addition to a website.  Do you have one?
Yes! It's leightmoore.blogspot.com. Please visit and consider following! 

And finally, What's the best part about being an author?
The absolute best part is when a reader leaves a review for one of my books and it shows he or she really got the point or the message of my story. LOVE when that happens.

{Review}{Interview}{Excerpt} I Am Me by: Ram Sundaram



Title: I Am Me

Author: Ram Sundaram
Publisher: iUniverse
Publication date: December 22, 2011 
# Of Pages: 276 Paperback 
How I got the copy: From author in exchange for an honest review

From Goodreads.com

Everyone in this world faces choices every day. In ten pairs of short stories, Ram Sundaram depicts each tale in two distinct ways, offering readers a duo of choices-to reside exclusively in a realistic world or to indulge in the realms of fantasy. As Sundaram examines different stages of life-from birth to death and beyond-through the lenses of fact and fiction, he incorporates romance, humor, horror, and fantasy in an effort to portray the duality of existence.
Sundaram introduces an eclectic group of characters. In Ishvar's world, faith and hope are best friends, but when that world suddenly shatters, Ishvar begins running from his memories. A lonely boy who stammers and believes his older brother would never hurt him finally discovers the true meaning of friendship in a girl named Emma. Two birds named Max and Macs are born in the same apple tree. As the birds battle over what each thinks is his territory on a branch, they soon discover that their differences are what will bring them together.
"I Am Me" is an inspiring collection of short stories that encourages others to dream, imagine, and ponder their own worlds through two lenses.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

My Review:

Author Interview: Jessica Therrien


Jessica Therrien I had the pleasure of interviewing debut author, Jessica Therrien, this week.  Her novel that just hit shelves last month is called Oppression and is the first in her series Children of the Gods.  To read more about Jessica visit her blog!  Or to read my 5 star review of her book click here.

I want to thank Jessica for taking the time to do this interview.  She has been busy with her blog tour for Oppression and events like WonderCon and still found the time to visit my blog!  Let's get started.


Do you have a favorite part or quote from your book Oppression?

For some reason, this is always the passage that stands out for me. I think it’s because I was actually in a car accident like this one…
It was two o’clock in the afternoon, but the day was dim. The sun had been swallowed up by the all-consuming white. I was gazing out the back window as it happened, trying to judge the visibility through the whiteout. I couldn’t see far, just beyond the edge of the fence that ran alongside the road.
“Richard, slow down!” my mother shouted. The words triggered the incident like she had seen it coming. The car drifted into the next lane, and I felt the loss of control as the paved road became slick ice. My body stiffened in response to the awkward gliding sensation, and I braced myself for the impact. Every second of the slow motion tumble seemed an eternity as I prepared for the last moments of life. I clung to those seconds, taking in the final images that my eyes would see, and listening for the closing lines that would mark the end.
“Ellie!”
My mother’s panicked voice rang out in the hollow silence of the cab with a sort of knowing uncertainty just before we hit.
***
It had been thirty-nine years since the accident, and still these photos stirred up the last memory I had of them. I stared down at the faded pictures, the delicate paper worn on the edges. I would never forget. The last words of my parents, the flickering image of a deep red that stained the snow like an open wound on the skin of the earth, and the crumpled Cadillac flipped over in the bank.

Some of your characters have special abilities.  For example, one character has healing powers.   If you had a special ability what would it be?

I would love the ability to fly...how cool would that be?!

In your book William asks, “If you could sum up your whole life into a single flavor, what would it be?  What do you think your life would taste like?”  What would your answer be if he asked you?

My answer is going to sound weird unless you know me. I LOVE lemons with salt…so much that it’s actually a problem. I need to stop eating them! Oddly enough it fits perfectly. A little sour, but with enough salt (love), it’s the best thing ever.

What book(s) have most influenced your life?

Harry Potter was very influential. I used to think I hated reading. I’d pick up my mom’s books and wonder why I couldn’t get through them. Turns out she loves to read depressing books…
When I read Harry Potter, I realized I actually LOVED to read, I just hadn’t found my genre. It opened up a whole new world to me. I love anything paranormal or fantasy related.
My most recent favorites are Blood Red Road and Divergent J They really inspire me.

Author Interview: Sara Daniell


Do you like romance, magic, humor, and a hot prince with a sexy smile?  Yes please!  If you also answered yes then this is a book you won't want to miss!


Meet Sara, author of Visions (Holly Nather Trilogy #1).   We met on bookblogs.ning.com and  I was instantly curious about her debut book that she self published.  After reading Visions in only two days, I am excited to recommend her book to you!  Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Sara so you could get to know a little more about the author behind this exciting new trilogy.


Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

You’re blog is awesome and your reviews are great. Thank YOU for taking the time to read the first book to my Trilogy.  It means the world to me. Anyway, I am a 26 year old mother of 2 girls, spoiled wife for almost 9 years, self-published author, teacher, currently in college, saved by grace, sarcastic (extremely), I love to laugh, and I hate fighting unless it is for something I believe in. Writing is my passion even if people hate what I right.


What book has influenced your life the most? 
I would not be where I am today if I had not read the truths in the Bible.  I call it my handbook for life. 



What book are you reading now?
I am currently reading Existence by Abbi Glines.  So far it’s great. I saw this book on your blog and it caught my attention. I’m a sucker for good vampire books. 


I can't wait to read that one too.  As a self-published author, do you have any advice for aspiring authors?  What was the hardest part of self publishing?
Advice for aspiring authors…..oh there is so much! Be proud of your work, even if others hate it.  Don’t get upset when people don’t like your work.  It hurts and sucks, but remember that there will be people out there who do enjoy it. Take all critisim, good and bad, to help you grow as a writer. 

The hardest part of self publishing for me was to actually publish my work.  I wasn’t confident in myself.  I was confident in my work, but not in me.  I didn’t think I could take the criticism.  But then, one day, I decided to go for it.  Good or bad, it didn’t matter.  Bottom line, I love to write and want to share it with anyone and everyone who will take the time to read it.

What was your inspiration behind the character Luke, the magical prince?
Mysterious guys rock.  Luke is mysterious and has many secrets that you will find out about later.  I wanted Luke to be unpredictable but a little predictable at the same time.  I wanted to create a character that would hold the readers attention and draw them in.  It was important to me that the reader had no problem seeing why Holly fell for him.  


Feel free to leave questions or comments for Sara and I'm sure she'd be glad to answer them.

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