Twelve Books for Christmas: Book Five (INT)

Please welcome Marta Szemik, author of Two Halves.

Here is where you can find her: 

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Blog

Here is where you can find the book:

Goodreads

Amazon

Book Blurb: 

Sarah killed her human mother shortly after she was born to quench her thirst. She hates her vampire father who she never met and blames him for her mother's death.
Now twenty-one, Sarah suppresses her dark side with serums. When a nightmare stirs her superhuman traits, underworld creatures hunt for the half-breed vampire. On the run, Sarah learns what’s been hidden from her, for a good reason. Had she known her destiny, she may have continued with the serums that kept her safe in the human world.

Author Interview: 

Konstanz: Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

Marta: I'm the author of a paranormal series Two Halves. Most of my day is spent writing and organizing everything that goes along with being a self-published author. I have two wonderful kids who keep me busy and love coffee. 

Konstanz:  Favorite Hot Chocolate flavor?

Marta: That's easy: Chocolate:) I like anything chocolate and hot chocolate, especially one with tiny marshmallows floating on the foamy surface, is the best.

Konstanz: Favorite Weather?

Marta: Any weather with no rain. So long as the sun's out, I'm game. I love winter for skiing and summer for its heat and days I spend on the beach with the family.

Konstanz:  How long have you been writing?

Marta: I began in 2009. It hit me one evening and once I started I couldn't stop. From the first word, I knew I would finish writing my first novel.

Konstanz:  If you could be anyone for a day, who would you want to be?

Marta: I'd like to be in the shoes of any actor on the set of a movie like "Lord of the Rings." I love high fantasy movies.

Konstanz:  Best advice ever given to you?

Marta: "Even this shall pass" - I don't remember who gave me this advice, meaning when you're at your lowest, know that this time of doom will pass.
Also, "don't stop writing".  I'm glad I listened.

And now. . the giveaway: 

Marta is giving away 5 e-copies of Two Halves!!!! (INT)

How to win: 

So. . .you know those links at the beginning of the post?  Well here is where those come in handy.  

To enter, go click on at least one of those links.   "Like" her Author page on Facebeook, Add her books to your Goodreads "TBR" list, "Like" her book on Amazon.  It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do one of those things.  

Then simply fill out the form below and you're entered! 

**Bonus points**

Tell your friends about this awesome giveaway! 

 Tweet about it (Tag me, @KonstanzS). 2pts

Share on Facebook. 2pts

Share on Google+. 2pts

Blog about it. 10pts

And now, HOP along to the other participating blogs! 

(Twelve authors on every blog so make sure to check out each blog each day!) 

Writeaway

Into 'da Fiyah

Twelve Books for Christmas: Book Two (US & Int)

Please welcome Helen Boswell! Author of Mythology.  (To read my review of Mythology, CLICK HERE).  

Here is where you can find Helen & Mythology: 

Facebook

Goodreads (Helen)

Goodreads (Mythology)

Amazon

Blog

Book Blurb:

Hope Gentry doesn’t believe in Fate. Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those around her, Hope just wants to be a normal teenager. But on the first day of her senior year of high school, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a transfer student named Micah Condie. At first glance, Micah seems like a boy that most girls would dream about. But when Hope's powers allow her to discover Micah's darkest secret, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of mythical entities she never dreamed existed. Was this her destiny all along? And will her powers help her survive the evil of the Demon Impiorum? 

Mythology isn’t just for English class anymore.

Author Interview:

Konstanz:  Please introduce yourself! 

             Helen:  Hi, I'm Helen Boswell, debut author of YA urban fantasy MYTHOLOGY and associate professor of biology for my day-job. I'm a fan of crazy hair colors and my life is ruled by the two sweetest little boys on the planet. 

Konstanz:  If you ruled the world, what is the first thing you would do? 

            Helen: Institute a mandatory one-hour naptime in the middle of the day. Call it "reflection time," "decompression time" or whatever you wish, but we all need to remember to take time for ourselves during the day. And though I rarely get naps in these days, I find that I'm always more productive after I "get" to have one. And a lot more peaceful --> world peace! 

Konstanz: What is your favorite "writing" snack food?

            Helen: Vanilla ice cream with chocolate magic shell. 

Konstanz: Do you name your characters for people you know?

            Helen: I've named a few characters for people I know. Robin and Dawn are two characters in MYTHOLOGY and were two of my friends from college that I've always had fond memories of. Their characters are completely different from the people, but I did borrow their names (and I told them this also). Dr. Halverson was named as a joke because when we hired the guy who's office is now next to mine, he called me "Dr. Halverson" during part of the interview. We hired him anyway. 

Konstanz:  If you had to write a book about yourself, what would it be titled? 

            Helen:Hummingbird. I'm told that I flap my wings a lot. Hence why I need more naptimes.

Konstanz: How would your 5th or 6th grade teacher have described your writing at the time?

            Helen: Wow. Would I be dating myself to say that I don't remember what my writing was like at the time? But I do remember my 6th grade teacher, and her name was Ms. Bave. And NOW it's coming back to me. She told me to be more descriptive in my writing, especially when describing people and their actions. I think that when we're young, we all tend to use words like "nice" or "friendly" when we describe people. And now that I'm an author, we have to learn a whole new set of rules like "show don't tell." I love it though -- the writing process has really helped me to grow as a person. So thank you, Ms. Bave.

Helen is pretty much just awesome! Clearly, I didn't need to say it for you go figure that out.  

So, wanna know something else that makes Helen just awesome?  She is giving away ONE paperback copy of Mythology and ONE *e-book.

(Paperback is US only.  E-book is open international)

How to win: 

So if you were here yesterday, you know the rules.  If not, no worries because I will explain.  

Those links up at the top of the post?  Yeah those are important.  

Follow Helen and/or her book, Mythology on one of all of those sites.

Then simply fill out the form below and you're entered! 

**Bonus points**

Tell your friends about this awesome giveaway! 

 Tweet about it (Tag me, @KonstanzS). 2pts

Share on Facebook. 2pts

Share on Google+. 2pts

Blog about it. 10pts

And now, HOP along to the other participating blogs! 

(Twelve authors on every blog so make sure to check out each blog each day!) 

Writeaway

Into 'da Fiyah

Twelve Books for Christmas: Book One (US only)

Please welcome Angie Lofthouse! Author of Defenders of the Covenant.  (To read my review of Defenders of the Covenant, CLICK HERE) 

Here is where you can find Angie:  

Website

Blog

Facebook

Here is where you can find her book: 

Facebook

Goodreads

Amazon

Book Blurb: 

Can Earth be Saved?

Hannah and her friends have been warned about the danger lurking outside of their secret refuge from the alien invaders who devastated Earth years before. The teenagers’ leaders
have raised them in the Latter-day Saint faith, teaching them to trust God, but when McKenzie and her rebellious boyfriend Jeremy decide to run away, Hannah and Derek follow, determined to bring their friends home.

Once outside, the four teens soon realize they cannot return to the refuge without endangering everyone there. Captured, enslaved, and separated, Hannah, Derek, and McKenzie
each learn the unique role they must play in liberating the earth. The friends must battle with android soldiers and attack vessels, and face their own inner struggles to overcome the invaders. After all, not even an alien invasion can stop the work of God.

Author Interview: 

Konstanz:  Please introduce yourself! 

              Angie:   I'm Angie Lofthouse. I live in a little town in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with my husband and six kids, several cats, a few fish and a flock of chickens. I write sci-fi and fantasy adventures.

Konstanz: Where do you get your  inspiration for your stories?

              Angie:   Here, there and everywhere. I get inspiration from dreams, from music, from nature, from my family, from the scriptures and wherever else I can. I just have to pay attention to what's going on around me.

Konstanz: Where's the most unusual place you wrote down an idea because you didn't have paper when
                  inspiration hit? 

             Angie: Well, if I didn't have paper, I probably didn't have a pen either. I can't think of anywhere unusual that I've written down an idea, but I have been known to repeat it to myself over and over until I could get somewhere to write it down

Konstanz: What was your favorite story growing up?

             Angie: Gosh, I don't know if I could pick one. I was heavily influenced by the Narnia books as well as Madeline L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time and the sequels. I loved Lois Lowry's Anastasia Krupnik books too, and read them over and over

Konstanz: How do you balance writing and life?

             Angie: Very carefully. I have to reassess priorities every day. I try to keep writing up at the top, but of course family comes very first. Some things always get a low priority like TV watching and house cleaning (yeah).

Konstanz: Do you listen to music while your write or do you prefer quiet?

            Angie: I usually like to have music on. I don't get quiet even if I want it and I love to listen to music. Some authors listen to specific music related to the project they are working on, but I usually just turn on the shuffle and let it go. I like a wide variety of music, so I never know what I'll be in the mood for.

The Giveaway: 

No doubt about it, Angie is a pretty awesome person and her book is incredible!  

And to add to her awesomeness, she is giving away ONE Paperback copy!

How to win: 

So. . .you know those links at the beginning of the post?  Well here is where those come in handy.  

To enter, go click on at least one of those links.   "Like" her Author page on Facebeook, Add her books to your Goodreads "TBR" list, "Like" her book on Amazon.  It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do one of those things.  

Then simply fill out the form below and you're entered! 

**Bonus points**

Tell your friends about this awesome giveaway! 

 Tweet about it (Tag me, @KonstanzS). 2pts

Share on Facebook. 2pts

Share on Google+. 2pts

Blog about it. 10pts

And now, HOP along to the other participating blogs! 

(Twelve authors on every blog so make sure to check out each blog each day!) 

Writeaway

Into 'da Fiyah

Witch Born Release day! + Interview with Amber Argyle!

Witch Song (book one) :

The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons-but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.

*Drum roll please*

I love the cover to Witch Song but I LOVE this cover even more! 

Witch Born (Book two): 

Brusenna thought it was finished. 

She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong. 
She was wrong. 
Haven is not the sanctuary it appears to be. Even love is in danger of slipping away like water through cupped hands. 
Some things can't be saved. 
A new threat merges with the old as the Witches’ dark history begins to catch up with them. Only Brusenna knows the extent of the danger and how to stop it, though doing so might cost her everything.
Including her life. 
Will Brusenna be required to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Okay, does this series just sound amazing or what?  I LOVE IT! 

And to show it I have interviewed the wonderful (and quite hilarious) author.  

Amber is one of the funniest and most talented people I know.  

Konstanz:  Funniest thing that has happened to you at a book event? (Signing, Conference. . .etc)

Amber: Jessica Day George, Julie Peterson Wright, and I were hanging out at the end of a conference. They actually walked me to my car to make sure I arrived safely. It was my very first conference, and I'd had a foot in my mouth moment. Anyway, we spent about 3 hours in the parking garage laughing our heads off and inhaling exhaust fumes. They made me laugh about it instead of feel bad. *fist pump* Impotent trolls!!! (inside joke, sorry)

Konstanz: You are one of the funniest people I have ever met, does it just come naturally? 

Amber: Kinda. I'm a silly person, and the more nervous;/hyper I am, the sillier I become. It's not always a good thing. Sometimes the filter from my brain to my mouth is a little to porous. 

Konstanz:   If you could be any of the Disney Princesses for a day, which one would you be? (And why?) 

Amber: Love that question! It would have to be between Belle and the Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid lives in the sea! How cool is that? And she can sing (unlike myself Really, the singing in Witch Song is a longing rather than a reflection of myself). But then, she isn't a mermaid at the end. Which I think sucks. Sure she has a castle, but she had one before. Not much of a step up IMO. 

Also, have you seen Belle's library?!? I'd marry a guy for that alone (sorry, hubby, but you know it's true). Plus, she gets a house full of servants. I want a house full of servants. And she can sing. And I like roses.

Belle it is. 

Konstanz:  If you had to invent a super power, what would it be? 

Amber: The ability to make other people happy. 

And this last questions goes to Witch Song: 

Konstanz:  I read an interview you did on another blog and was just taken away by one of the questions and your answer.  The question is: If your book was about to made into a movie, what would the tagline for the poster be?

And your answer was:  As the seasons crumble, the last Witch must fight to save a world that hates her.    (I am totally in love with this!) 

Why didn't you use that for the tagline on the book? 

Amber: I have no idea. Maybe we should have. 

See?  Didn't I say she was hilarious?  And seriously,  isn't that tag line just amazing?  Really, it should have been used for the book.  

Thank you for stopping by, Amber! 

Why does the Reader interview the Author?

So an author e-mailed me about reading their book and possibly doing a review and possibly a giveaway and maybe even a review on my blog after reading the book for them.

And it hit me!  

Why do Readers interview Authors?  

I mean, really why do we?  Well there are a few answers but the biggest one that comes to mind is:  

We want to know more about the person who writers our favorite books.  

But after honestly thinking about it. . . shouldn't it be the other way around?  Shouldn't the author want to interview the reader?  Get the readers opinion?  I want to know what my readers want when it comes to my books.   Dislikes, likes, how they would do it different.  I mean, seriously what better way to get rid of Writers Character Block?  

I mean, of course readers want to know more about their favorite authors and I have seen some really cool interviews.  And yes, reviews are written by readers so the whole world knows what they think of that book BUT how often do Authors stay away from reviews?  

And honestly, how much information does a book review REALLY give us?  

I think Authors should start interview the readers.  If the reader has read the book written by the interview author, GREAT! Ask questions about how they feel about certain things in the book.  

If they haven't. . . . even GREATER!  Ask them what they think the book is about just by looking at the cover and reading the title.  Ask them what they THINK is going to happen.  

Besides, this is no more crazy than Authors interview the characters from the book. . . is it? 

So seriously,  this isn't just some crazy idea I will later on forget about.  If you're an author, wanting to get more exposure, send me an e-mail with your interview questions, whether I have read your book or not.  I will post the interview on my blog, you can post the interview on your blog.  We can post the links all over Facebook and Twitter and Goodreads and Google+ and any other social networking sites you can think of! 

nothought2small(at)gmail(dot)com

We can discuss what I like about your book or whether I honestly believe I would bring myself to read the book if I just happened across it.  You ask me, and I'll answer! 

PLEASE tell me what you think in the comments or on the form below! 

The Breakaway Giveaway and Interview with the author!

Say Hello to Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of The Breakaway, Monarch and coming out later this year is Bonded.   I have read The Breakaway and it is intense, action packed, kinda scary, and one of my favorite reads this year.  


Read our little interview and then find out how you can win a copy of The Breakaway. 

The Interview:

Konstanz:  Aside from writing, what is your favorite thing to do?

 Michelle: Hanging out with my family and making food! We really like to cook and eat. :)

K: What inspires you to write?

M: I think I like to discover things about myself when I write. I like to create, most of all. The feelings I get when I finish a book are unmatched by anything - creating something so personal and involved. 

 

K: Do you listen to Music while you write? 

M: Sometimes. I have a soundtrack I've compiled of the most random music ever - folk, rap, heavy metal, but the reason I can listen to it while I write is because it's all my favorite stuff and I know it so well that I can tune it out, but my brain is still affected chemically by the upbeat tunes. They make me happy!

 

K: Out of all the stories you have written, which one is your favorite?  Why?

M: I don't know if I can choose a favorite! I'd have to say Scales, which is a novella in my Bonded collection coming out this November, is the closest book to me. It really affected me in a lot of ways. The Breakaway is also very close to me because it has been in my life for over 17 years. It's very special to me.

 

K: Favorite Food?

M: Sushi! Or Indian. Or Thai. Hahaha. I really love ethnic foods. But I think if I had to choose a general food, it would be cheese. 

 

K: Dream vacation? 

M: Italy with my husband, in a villa, for three months.

 

K:  If you could have any super power, which would it be? Why?  What would you do with it? 

M: I think it would be to turn invisible because sometimes I just want to be invisible and melt away whenever I need a true break. That sounds so depressing! Hahaha. 

 

K:  What advice can you give to aspiring authors?

M: Read a lot and write a lot and always stay with what you love. Dead writing happens when you try to please other people. 

And now. . . 

The Giveaway: 

I am giving away one paper back copy of The Breakaway. 

Wanna enter to win? Answer this question: 

What would you do if you were kidnapped?  

(Let me know in the comments.  

Don't forget to also leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you are the winner) 

This contest ends on 6-10-12 and the winner will be announced on 6-11-12.