Review: Fairy, Texas by Margo Bond Collins

I'm entirely confused about the cover,
having read the book and all,
but it looks nifty.

If every I've come to you with mixed feelings, it's today. Well, and that time I reviewed the book about the modern retelling of the Phantom of the Opera in a dance school environment. Incidentally, Im torn for some of the same reasons.

To start with, here's a quick run down on what Fairy, TX is about.
Laney Harris thinks there might be monsters in Fairy, Texas.

She's right.

When her mother remarried and moved them to a town where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured that "boring" would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad enough. But when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath), she grew suspicious. Especially since he had wings that only she could see. And then there were Josh and Mason, two gorgeous glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her might not be for the reasons she hoped. Not to mention that dead guy she nearly tripped over in gym class.

Boring takes on an entirely new dimension in Fairy, Texas.

If she's going to survive in this small town, she'll have to learn to wing it.

Got it? What could possibly simultaneously give me pause and endear this title?

Well, let's start with endear. Many moons ago, I relocated from a relatively urban setting to a minuscule town in Texas, and it might as well have been Fairy. It was tiny. Rumours bloomed out of the bluebonnets and were carried along on the wind. You only had to walk into a new business and suddenly everyone would tell you who you were, where you came from, and whose house you'd moved into. Note, as a transplant, it was never going to be your house. It would forever be "Lola Jenkins' house." After all, it's not like transplants thrived there.

So when I first delved into Fairy, Texas, I was immediately taken by how well Margo Bond Collins captures the experience of an urban girl moving to the middle of Nowhere, just twenty miles out of Never Gonna Be Nowhere. It was familiar and difficult, and not overplayed.

The main character, Laney, manages to have enough snark that she seems like her own person, but just enough blandness that it's easy to identify with her. That said, she does fall back on some of my least favorite women in literature flaws- she follows the lead of the men guiding her, even when she's bucking their authority on the surface and questioning the rationality of their suggestions, there she is, doing as they asked and letting the plot happen to her. I admit, I like a girl who saves herself earlier than later.

Laney has a strong voice through the story, which is written from a perspective I haven't run into much lately. She tells her tale in the first person conversational past. Basically, it's like sitting down with a good friend you desperately need to catch up with and listening to her narrate what happened not so long ago, only with hindsight commentary thrown in for effect. If nothing else, even at the most tense of moments, it reminds you "hey, she has to live to be talking to me right now," and "at least she never lost her sense of humor." It's not a perspective I read often, and certainly more accessible than the times when I have run into it (see: House of Leaves), and that's rather refreshing.

Now, the down points. The stereotypical tropeyness is strong, so if that bothers you, be advised. But most importantly, do not read this for book club unless you're prepared for book club to turn into a full on discussion about rape culture, women's bodies as commodities, slut shaming, religious and cultural gender based subjugation, patriarchy, expendability, and whether or not using near rape as a means of building trust is skeevy.

So yeah, it's paranormal and interesting, and I read it in one sitting. It is a page turner, but at times I felt guilty for reading about the abuses suffered by the various characters, for my entertainment. Of course, I was entertained (maybe guilty pleasure level entertained?) so at least they didn't suffer for nothing, right?

Victim Souls Tour: Interview with Andrew Terech

Today we're joining the Victim Souls blog tour by chatting with author Andrew Terech. Grab a cuppa and sit back while we get to know Andrew and his book.

Andrew’s a horror fiction writer who is also a massive fan of the genre. He’s been writing short stories and working on his novel for over 5 years. He has several short stories published, as well as some editing credits. He moderates a writing workshop in Phoenix, AZ where he’s been exposed to many different forms of fiction, which have broadened his influences. He aims to write stories that creep out his readers, while offering well-developed, rich characters they can sink their teeth into. He’s also a fan of experimenting with form and structure to create something uniquely my own.

Andrew grew up on Long Island in New York, and has lived in Arizona for the past 7 years. His professional background is in psychology where he’s carved out a nice career for himself. However, writing has always been his passion.

Currently, he’s hard at work, developing additional content to publish. He hopes to find an audience that loves the genre, and is up for a good scare.

Hi, Andrew, and welcome to We Do Write. Tell our readers a bit about VICTIM SOULS.

VICTIM SOULS is a novel I wrote based on a concept. I wanted to write something that pitted the “bad guys” against evil. Additionally, the intent was for the style to impose an unrelenting tension and discomfort on the reader. From there, I drafted up distinct characters, threw them into a dynamic environment and let the story tell itself. As a whole, VICTIM SOULS is a wild ride of action and horror that is intended to leave the readers on the edges of their seats.

Cool! How did the idea of the story come to you?

The idea developed organically. I did a lot of research on Aleister Crowley and Demonology to help set up the framework and rules of the supernatural world I created. Most of the plot was planned out as I wrote. The focus of the writing process was more on the concept than the plot. That being said, the plot came together smoothly despite the lack of planning.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Definitely a panster. Most of my writing comes from a conceptual model with well thought-out characters. I like to create an environment, mood and tone then stick the characters in the scene and let the writing decide what’s going to happen. There are times where future plot points come to me as I’m writing, so I’ll jot them down for future reference. I probably use about a third of those ideas and scrap rest. I’ve tried to outline thing, and my writing came off as stilted and forced. I’m just not that kind of writer.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Getting the pictures in my brain on the page. Describing scenery and setting in a satisfying way often drives me nuts. I pine over choosing the perfect words. I struggle with efficiency. I don’t want to bore the reader with a 300-word description of a room, but I also don’t want to cheat them out of an effectively written atmosphere. I much prefer writing dialogue and action.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Depends on the time of day. Morning and early afternoon: a cup of coffee. Evening and night: a beer. I also like to keep a few writing resources at my side such as research material or my Thinker’s Thesaurus.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I’m going to cheat on this one a little. I’d choose immortality, but with a three rules that foil the whole monkey’s paw, be careful what you wish for traps. Rule 1: I’m still human. Rule 2: No aging past 30. Rule 3: I can choose to end my own life at any point. Not like I’ve put a lot of thought into this before or anything.

Hehehe, very clever. What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

I was listening to a podcast and the were talking about something called a “blue waffle”. That’s about all I need to say about that. I would suggest that if you’re reading this, don’t fall into the same curiosity trap that I did.

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

Working my ass off!

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

First, I’ll thank my lovely wife, Laura. Without your encouragement and support my writing career would still be just a dream. I’d like to thank the Central Phoenix Writing Workshop for helping me grow as writer. Specifically, David Nicol, Chris Wilke and Cam Milkins. Thank you to Brianna Strawn for the amazing cover. Thank you to Sean Ellis for your guidance and advice as I set forth on this journey. Lastly, thank you to We Do Write for this interview and for the great promotion.

You're very welcome. Thanks for stopping by the blog!


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Book Blitz: Hideous by Devon McCormack

Today we're blitzing Hideous by Devon McCormack. Check out this creepy-sounding young adult paranormal.

Hideous by Devon McCormack
Publication date: June 19th 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Eight years ago, Luke Retter witnessed the brutal murder of his mother and sister at the hands of his demon-possessed father. He survived but lost a hand and an eye. The demon also burned its emblem into his skin, marking him as a cursed. Those who bear this mark are at risk of becoming possessed themselves, so they are monitored and enslaved by the state-run UCIS. Working as a slave is hard, but Luke prefers it to the possibility of being controlled by a demon.

One night, Luke wakes to find his worst nightmare coming true. His father’s demon has returned. In a panic, he runs to the only person who might be able to help: Zack, a cursed who ran away from the state and created an underground community to protect other fugitive curseds. Zack helps him suppress the demon. But the city’s become a time bomb, and Luke’s demon itches to escape.

With the UCIS closing in on Zack’s underground operation and Luke’s demon crafting its own, nefarious plot, Luke realizes that he must take a stand.

AUTHOR BIO

Devon McCormack spends most of his time hiding in his lair, adventuring in paranormal worlds with his island of misfit characters. A good ole Southern boy, McCormack grew up in the Georgian suburbs with his two younger brothers and an older sister. At a very young age, he spun tales the old fashioned way, lying to anyone and everyone he encountered. He claimed he was an orphan. He claimed to be a king from another planet. He claimed to have supernatural powers. He has since harnessed this penchant for tall tales by crafting whole worlds where he can live out whatever fantasy he chooses.

A gay man himself, McCormack focuses on gay male characters, adding to the immense body of literature that chooses to represent and advocate gay men's presence in media. His body of work ranges from erotica to young adult, so readers should check the synopses of his books before purchasing so that they know what they're getting into.

Review: Fractured by Majanka Verstraete

Everyone has their thing- that thing they know better than to read about- that thing that climbs into the back of their mind and puts down roots nestled between the unshakable ear worms and the irrational fears. That thing that not only causes one to shudder in broad daylight, but that inescapably keeps popping up in he most casual of circumstances. For some people it's a thinly veiled fear of heights that rears its unwelcome head on escalators or when looking out an office window, for me, it's mirrors.
As a result, Majanka Verstrate's debut novel about Piper, a young girl who finds a special mirror in the attic of her mother's latest restoration project, has stuck with me long after finishing.

A modern YA ghost story reminiscent of Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry, Fractured, the first book in the Mirrorland series explores friendship, responsibility, loss, and guilt as Piper finds herself haunted not only by her new found mirror, but also the past she's repressed. Built around a tight cast of characters and with attention to the real-life complications with which Verstraete's audience will connect, Fractured is a quick paced read, despite it's atmospheric nature. Even though it gave me the heebie-jeebies,or maybe because it gave me the heebie-jeebies, I enjoyed it.

Interview with Heather L Reid

We're very pleased about having the next author on the blog. Heather L Reid is the author of PRETTY DARK NOTHING, which released April 23rd by Month9Books and is already receiving great reviews. Let's get to know Heather.

Hi, Heather! Welcome to We Do Write. Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing ever since I can remember. At the age of four I started dictating stories to my mother who would illustrate them for me. By the age of nine, I was writing plays for friends and binding my own picture books with cardboard and string. At eleven I tried my hand at a first novel. (No, you can’t read it. It’s buried in a deep dark hole somewhere in the Tasmanian Outback and guarded by a three-headed dingo.) It was then I told my parents I wanted to be published by the age of sixteen. I also told them I wanted to be Wonder Woman, a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, a Broadway star, and an archaeologist. Those dreams faded. I never did get that invisible jet, and I would be a lot older than sixteen before I got a publishing deal, but the dream of being a writer stayed with me. After college I decided to stop dreaming and start getting serious. I joined the Society of Children’s book Writers and Illustrators, joined a writer’s group, read books on writing, went to conferences, workshops, and most importantly, I started writing every day. Some of it was crap. Ok, at first, a lot of it was crap, but writing takes work. After over twelve years of studying and writing, my first young adult novel, Pretty Dark Nothing, sold in a two book deal to Month9Books. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m still learning. I write because I have to. It’s a part of what makes me, me.

The cover of PRETTY DARK NOTHING is spectacular! What’s the story about?

Thank you. I LOVE the cover. My publisher and the designer, Mette Breth Klausen, did an amazing job. It’s even better than I pictured it in my head.

Pretty Dark Nothing is full of demons, and I don’t mean the hot fallen angel, bad boy types. These demons are the evil, hairy, sulphurous kind, bent on manipulating and destroying Quinn’s life. Throw in some romantic sparks with a psychic amnesic, an ex-boyfriend she can’t quite get over, and suspension from the cheerleading squad for failing grades, all while the demons are pushing her to the brink of madness, and I hope it’s a recipe for something darkly paranormal and not quite typical.

I can't tell you how much I need to get my hands on this book. How did the idea of the story come to you?

I think the spark of inspiration for Pretty Dark Nothing has been brewing my whole life. As a child, I suffered from night terrors and sleep walking. Although I eventually grew out of the sleep walking, the nightmares never went away. I would dream of faceless entities and demons on a reoccurring basis. I spent my pre-teen years trying to rationalize my fear while I spent my nights huddled under my covers with a book and a flash light afraid to fall asleep for fear of what would greet me in my dreams. I kept this a secret from my friends and afraid of what they would think. The dark torture of my imagination lasted through three years of middle school and finally faded. I still don’t think my mother knows how terrified I was of falling asleep and I have no idea why the nightmares stopped, maybe they were my way of coping with the stress of adolescence. I don’t know. When I reached college, I went through a particularly bad time in my life, suffered from depression, illness and the nightmares returned. I wasn’t frightened like I was when I was young; I recognized them for what they were. We all have inner demons we battle, those voices that tell us we’re not good enough, taunt us, paralyze us with fear. That’s when the idea for a novel started to form. I asked myself what would happen if those negative voices, inner demons weren’t imagined. What would happen if they were real and they started to manifest outside the dream world? What if they influenced things around us and what if you were the only one that could see them? That’s when Quinn and the idea for Pretty Dark Nothing was born. I didn’t start writing Pretty Dark Noting right away. I did some character sketches and jotted down some notes while I spent the next several years writing short stories and articles. But Quinn’s story wouldn’t let me go. When I finally decided to give my full attention to her, she blew me away. Quinn and I battled the demons that tortured her together and in the process, she taught me how to battle my own.

It's so awesome that you were able to turn a difficult situation into something creative. Besides your editor, do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I mostly self-edit, but I also have two critique partners that I trust and a few beta readers that I let read once I’ve gotten the manuscript to a point where I feel I can’t go any further without feedback.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Panster all the way! I wish I was better at plotting, but it’s not my process. I do know where the book is going, but for me, it’s about letting the story grow organically and listening to my characters as they go on their journey. Knowing every detail takes the fun out of writing for me.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The first draft is the hardest. Because I’m a panster, drafting is slow and sometimes frustrating. I love revising.

I'm a plotter, but I love revising too. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

My ipod and a cup of green tea.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I would love to be a shifter, to be able to fly or swim or run with the wolves as I wished. The ability to experience life from so many different perspectives would truly be awesome. Imagine the freedom of it. I could still live a somewhat normal life if I wished, neither ruled by the moon like a werewolf or blood lust like a vampire.

Good choice! What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

The weirdest thing? How to kill an angel.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: darkness, suspicious, and gorilla.

A gorilla peered from the darkness of the cave, a suspicious look in her glowing amber eyes as I plucked the last banana from the tree.

Hehehe, dangerous! Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

Playing the xbox.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

I have been truly blessed by the people in my life. There have been so many people who supported me while I chased my dream. First and foremost are my parents. They always encouraged me to work hard and go after what I wanted in life. My sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephew have all cheered me on every step of the way. I owe a lot to all my friends, both writer’s and non-writers, who have offered an ear to listen to my struggles and celebrate my victories. My Scottish family, who took me in as one of their own and never once called me crazy, at least not to my face, for spending countless hours in my imaginary world. And to my husband David who believed in me, bought me chocolate, and took care of the house while I worked to deadlines. I also need to thank Month9Books, Georgia McBride, my editor, Courtney Koschel, and the whole team who worked on Pretty Dark Nothing for helping my vision find an audience and for making the publishing experience the best of my life so far.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Dark-Nothing-Heather-Reid/dp/0985327812/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365447923&sr=8-1&keywords=pretty+dark+nothing
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-dark-nothing-heather-reid/1109686541?ean=9780985327811
www.heatherlreid.com
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15768498-pretty-dark-nothing

Heather, thanks so much for being on the blog. We wish you all the best for your books!

Interview with Tina Pollick

Hey, guys. Glad to see you here. Today we're chatting with author Tina Pollick. When Tina isn’t writing paranormal romance about Heavenly hunks, and smart, sassy women, this RN enjoys a quiet home life with her husband, children, two horses, two dogs, cat, chickens, guineas ... well sort of quiet. Tina's here to talk about her novel, GABRIEL.

Welcome to We Do Write, Tina. How long have you been writing? 

Since this past summer.

Tell us about GABRIEL. What’s the story about?

When demons break ancient bonds, a love-match between a valiant archangel and a selfless nurse bring humanity's last hope—but contagion from the demons threaten their newly developed bond.

Kematians escape the guard of the watchful archangels and flee into the world to feed on humanity. With powerful regeneration abilities, the demons turn the tide against the valiant archangels, taking a toll on their numbers. Will Calla Stevens, a nurse with miraculous healing abilities, be able to save Gabriel when he's on the cusp of death?

How did the idea of the story come to you?

I think it was a series of ‘what if’ questions. I didn’t have a dream about it or anything cool like that. It really was a labor of love.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I belong to a critique group. And I have to say having someone who’s also a writer really helps in many ways.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I’m a halfster. I do a real rough outline. Okay it’s not really an outline. I draw squares on a paper and write a few things in each one. I like the freedom of being able to follow my characters when they take me to unexpected places, but I also want to know where the end destination is and an idea of how they’re going to get there.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Staying on task. Working from home is challenging anyway, but when I write it’s really difficult to just sit down and write. I’m thinking about laundry, writing bids or invoices for my husbands business, what am I going to make for dinner. I’m really a better evening writer, but evenings are family time so I write during the day.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

You’re going to laugh, but I like these little candies called ‘baby feet’. They’re colorful candies that are used as favors for baby showers. My cousin had a baby shower this fall and they became a favorite. You know those candy necklaces? Well they taste just like that. Mmmmm.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I would fly. I have terrible night vision, even with my glasses. If I have to go to the store and get something in the evening, I really hate it. If I could fly, then I could zip over to Walmart or Krogers anytime I needed to. That would be so cool. Are you handing out super powers? If so then this is the BEST interview ever!

Now that would be cool, wouldn't it? What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

Hmmm, this is a good question. I wish I had something really weird to tell you, but I’m afraid I’m a boring google searcher. I have had to reword things because what I was looking for is not what came up.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: extraordinary, eggs, and euphoria.

The blue and grey speckled eggs are extraordinary, filling me with a sense of euphoria.

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

  taking out the trash.

LOL, okay, that's a unique answer. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

My family is really my rock. I couldn’t write without the support and patience of my husband and kids. The words would never leave my computer without the encouragement from my girlfriends on Scrib. I have awesome beta readers who let me know what’s working and what needs to change. Overall I considered myself to be extremely blessed by all the wonderful people I’m surrounded by.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

Twitter and Facebook.

GABRIEL can be found at Evernight, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstrand, All Romance e-Books, Sony, Apple, Chapters-Indigo/KOBO, Coffee Time Romance and Rainbow Ebooks.

Interview with Blue Remy

Today we welcome author Blue Remy to chat about her book FROM HEL, WITH LOVE, published by Sapphire Star Publishing.

Hello, Blue! Tell us a bit about yourself. 

I don't like talking about myself at all. I'm not even sure where to start really. I'm Aquarius, I am the GM of a movie theatre, married for seven years. I happen to be a total WonderWoman geek and comic book nerd. I'm addicted to coffee and cupcakes.

Coffee and Cupcakes, I'm with you there! How long have you been writing?

Since I can remember. I really started focusing on my writing in high school, then I found AOL and Rhy'Din. I started writing there and have been hooked since.

Tell us about FROM HEL, WITH LOVE. What's the story about?

From Hel is really a stepping stone to The XIII Hour series. It is about a character named Raven Aquilus, who is a fallen Valkyrie, or a High Daemon, who runs the Nine Gates of Hell. The guardians that watch the Gates are being killed and she must figure out why. It introduces a plethora of characters and preternatural beings that other books in the series will focus on, though the series still revolves around Raven and her crew. Most of the books are based on faery tales, from the "evil" characters point of view. There is Queen Grimmhilde from Snow White, the big bad wolf from Red Riding Hood, Sheriff of Nottingham and Little John, even Guinevere. Here is the synopsis of From Hel, With Love:

Hel hath no fury like her Raven scorned…

All hell is breaking loose. High Daemon, Raven Aquilus, and her motley crew find out that the guardians of the Nine Gates of Hell are being murdered one by one, landing them in the middle of an ancient war between the Daemons and the Fae.

FBI Paranormal Agent Duncan O’Brien is brought in to investigate the brutal murders, but he is completely blind to the fact that he has landed in a High Daemon’s domain. Time is running out and Raven must enlist Duncan and his team to help discover the killer before she loses another one of her precious Guardians.

Duncan is the epitome of control, but even he is not immune to Raven’s beauty and magnetism. Raven is an enigma wrapped up in the body of lust, and attracted to a human. Both must fight their emotions to work together.

Raven faces losing everything from her life to a new found love in order to save the Underworld from being ruled by a jealous half breed.

Welcome the XIII Hour series. Betrayal, Lust, Love, Murder, Jealousy and Revenge. The faery-tales that your mother never told you about just came true.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

I have been interested in theology since I was in High School, especially myths and legends. My grandmother introduced me to The Brothers Grimm and their faery tales, and I was hooked. My twisted brain came up with the idea of mixing it all and coming up with Raven, then with her back ground, adding history and other goodies... BAM! The XIII Hour was born.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

Yikes, both? Raven is hard to plan. I pen out everything first, then I start transposing it to the computer. Raven is so bipolar and psychotic, it never turns out how I had it planned.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you? 

Honestly? -laughs- Sex scenes. I don't do sexy. I'm a total TomBoy. You should have seen me freaking out when I wrote the scene in From Hell. I sent it to a good friend of mine who writes erotica and when she told me I made her tingle, I know my jaw dropped to the floor. It's the hardest thing ever for me to write.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Coffee.

*craves coffee* *and cupcakes* If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Oh wow, there's totally too many to even contemplate having... Comic book geek, remember?

What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

Uhm, uhh ... You got me there. Everything I google seems normal to me. I google WonderWoman stuff, Living Dead Dolls, I googled tiara's before, since I wanted one. Which I own now, since I'm Sapphire Star's Dark Princess ;-)

Awesome! Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: exhausted, flippant, and flip chart.

Raven is always flippant when she gets exhausted, to the point of taking a flip chart to prop her up on the bar.

LOL! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Sapphire Star, of course. With out them, I wouldn't be here. They saw something in Raven (I think they're scared of her lol) and Amy & Katie for putting up with my kazillion phone calls, Amy Gregory - Because she has put up with so much of my venting with the book, and the fact she actually critiqued some of it and she doesn't read my genre. Charity Parkerson - if it wasn't for her pushing me to get From Hel out there, I never would have approached SSP, she is a huge reason why I'm even exposed. My hubby - He pushes me when I need it, he listens to my ideas and lets me know if they suck or to roll with it, and he tells me all the law enforcement info that I need to cover characters and things I need to research.

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

sblueremy.com
facebook.com/theblueremy
facebook.com/blues13thhour
facebook.com/quothetheraven
twitter: @blue_remy
blue-remy.blogspot.com
http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/fromhelwithlove

Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Blue. Your book sounds amazing, I can't wait to read it!