Book Review: Katana by: Cole Gibsen

Title: Katana
Author: Cole Gibsen
ISBN: 0738730408
Reading Level: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Theme: Martial Arts, Romance, Reincarnation
Binding: (NetGalley ebook ARC)
Length: 384
Published: Flux; 8 March 2012
Buy: Amazon.com
My Rating:


Synopsis: Rileigh Martin would love to believe that adrenaline had given her the uncanny courage and strength to fend off three muggers. But it doesn't explain her dreams of 15th-century Japan, the incredible fighting skills she suddenly possesses, or the strange voice giving her battle tips and danger warnings.

While worrying that she's going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she's harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior.

Relentlessly attacked by ninjas, Rileigh has no choice but to master the katana--a deadly Japanese sword that's also the key to her past. As the spirit grows stronger and her feelings for Kim intensify, Rileigh is torn between continuing as the girl she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her.

My Review: Katana was an absolute pleasure to read. It was one of those books that didn't require a lot of hard thinking, yet has all the elements of a great YA novel. That is NOT an insult. Let me explain. Before Katana, I had read 2 books back to back that were quite demanding. Both had stories centered around new mythology and world building. While I absolutely love books that are unique and don't fit a particular mold, those qualities do not neccessarily define what makes a good novel. Katana was a refreshing read, filled with action, romance, history, and perfectly placed comic relief.

The story opens with Rileigh and her out and proud best friend Quentin leaving the mall after buying a gift for a wedding. A thug tries robbing an old couple in the parking lot and without her even realizing it, Rileigh comes to their rescue. When the thug comes back for a second round, this time to teach her a lesson, Rileigh thinks she is going crazy when she hears a voice in her head and her body busts out martial arts moves that are completely foriegn to her. Thus starts Rileigh's "Awakening", where pieces of her past life starts to collide with her present. Talk about a great way to start a story! I absolutely love a book that grabs you from the very first couple of pages!

As Rileigh tries to figure out if she is losing her mind or not, the mysterious, sexy martial arts instructor Kim enters her life, which only confuses her more since he seems to know more about what's going on inside her mind and body them she cares to admit. She tries to convince herself that Whitley is the boy of her dreams, but has a hard time denying the instant attraction and pull she feels when around Kim. Sounds like one of those annoying love triangles that many YA writers can't seem to do without, right? Well, I think what makes Katana different is that Whitley is really no competition when he is up against the kind of love that lasts for centuries, literally!

While the setting is in present day America, Cole Gibsen does a great job bringing us back to 13th century Japan every few chapters so that we can see how Rileigh and Kim's previous lives intertwine with their lives now. I don't want to get into too much detail here for fear of leaking too many spoilers, but let's just say Cole knows how to pull on the heartstrings and once you read the book, you will understand what I mean about the kind of love that stands the test of time.

I like the fact that this is also sort of an interracial romance. I know that may sound weird, but I am bi-racial-- half Italian, half African American and I have noticed that there are not many young adult books out there where the heroine is white and the hero is of Asian descent. I know that's not what this book's agenda is about (or is it? love doesn't know color, gender and happens when you least expect it) but I like that angle of the book.

Cole Gibsen not only writes a great story but creates interesting characters. I enjoyed learning about Drew, Michelle, and Braden who were also samurai warriors in their previous lives. And in case you are wondering how it can be possible that the spirits of these young people were able to find each other in this life when they could have been anywhere in the world--apparently, the stronger the connection in their previous life, the easier it is for their spirits to find each other in this one.

If I had one thing to complain about-- and this is me just being straight up picky-- it's the whole Sumi situation. Sumi is Kim's receptionist/assistant at the dojo who fathoms herself in love with him. Throughout the novel Sumi makes it abundantly clear that Kim is hers and that they are "meant" to be together. There are quite a few scenes where her jealousy shines through, one in particular towards the end where she sort of threatens Rileigh. Then suddenly Sumi is never mentioned again. I'm not sure if Katana is the first in a planned series-- if so, then maybe we will see her in the next book. It's not that big of a deal, but the last scene with Sumi and Rileigh felt....unfinished.

But that minor complaint doesn't change my 5 star rating :). There is really nothing else negative I can say about Katana. It's a solid YA novel packed with action, laugh-out-loud moments, and a romance worth dying for! If you don't believe me, then let me end this review with a scene that shows how much Kim loves Rileigh.

"Kim? Why are you afraid to touch me?" I asked.

He rotated back...for a moment I thought he would leave without answering my question. Instead, he pushed his shoulders back and reeled around to face me, closing the distance between us in two strides, leaving only enough room to breathe.

"I'm afraid," he whispered.

"Of what?" I whispered back. I was afraid myself, but I couldn't think of why I should be.

"I'm afraid that if I touch you, even for a moment, I might not be able to let go."

Before I could react, he turned and strode out of the room.

Romantic, right? Well then what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy of Katana today! Kill Bill meets Buffy? How about, Kill Bill meets Buffy who meets Samurai Girl? lol

My Picks of the Week! (March 20th)

Good Morning!

So...yeah, if you haven't guessed already, I took another mini-hiatus last week. I apologize for only posting once-- I have been incredibly tired and I noticed that my other hobby (collecting/finding rare, out-of-print movies and tv series for people) was suffering from me focusing all of my attention on this blog! So I took some time to catch up on emails and customers, although my tv series website is in need of major updating. I promise in the near future I will dedicate a post on my crazy movie/tv series collection!

Although I haven't posted anything since early last week, I have been busy reading and writing reviews. Wednesday I will be posting my review for Cole Gibsen's Katana and Saturday there will be a very special movie review that you don't want to miss!

There is not much going on this week with new releases. There are no adult books worth mentioning, with only a few Young Adult novels to pique your interest. The same goes with the film category. But no worries! Sit this one out and save your money because it looks like March 27th is a HUGE day for book releases!

Enjoy!



P.S. The GIVEAWAY for JC Andrijeski's book ROOK: Allie's War #1 is still going! Enter to win an ebook copy HERE! The Giveaway ends 3/23.

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BOOKS (March 20th)

YOUNG ADULT

Croak
by: Gina Damico

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

Ichiro
by: Ryan Inzana

Ichiro lives in New York City with his Japanese mother. His father, an American soldier, was killed in Iraq. Now, Ichi’s mom has decided they should move back to Japan to live with Ichi’s grandfather.

Grandfather becomes Ichi’s tour guide, taking him to temples as well as the Hiroshima Peace Park, where Ichi starts to question the nature of war. After a supernatural encounter with the gods and creatures of Japanese mythology, Ichi must face his fears if he is to get back home. In doing so, he learns about the nature of man, of gods, and of war. He also learns there are no easy answers—for gods or men.

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

Those That Wake
by: Jesse Karp

New York City’s spirit has been crushed. People walk the streets with their heads down, withdrawing from one another and into the cold comfort of technology. Teenagers Mal and Laura have grown up in this reality. They’ve never met. Seemingly, they never will.

But on the same day Mal learns his brother has disappeared, Laura discovers her parents have forgotten her. Both begin a search for their families that leads them to the same truth: someone or something has wiped the teens from the memories of every person they have ever known. Thrown together, Mal and Laura must find common ground as they attempt to reclaim their pasts.

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

Wonder Show
by: Hannah Barnaby

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and neighbors, allow me to change your lives! Step inside Mosco’s Traveling Wonder Show! You’ve read about them in magazines, these so-called human curiosities, this tribe of misfits—now come and see for yourselves. We’ve got a gent as tall as a tree, a lady with a beard, and don’t miss your chance to see the Wild Albinos of Bora Bora! Ask Madame Doula to peer into your future (only two dollars more if you want to know how you’re going to die).

And between these covers behold the greatest act of our display—Portia Remini, the strangest of the menagerie because she’s a ‘normal’ among the freaks, searching for a new beginning on the bally, far away from McGreavey’s Home for Wayward Girls, where Mister watches and waits. He said he would always find Portia, said she could never leave . . .

Oh, it’s not for the faint of heart folks. If you’re prone to nightmares or you’ve got a weak ticker, you’d best move on. Within these pages lies a tale of abandonment, loss, misfortune for the rich and glory for the poor (and a little murder doesn’t hurt). It’s a story for the ages, but be warned: once you enter the Wonder Show you will never be the same.

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

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MOVIES & TV SERIES (March 20th)

MOVIES


Carnage
Directed by: Roman Polanski

Starring: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet

Carnage is a razor sharp, biting comedy centered on parental differences. After two boys duke it out on a playground, the parents of the "victim" invite the parents of the "bully" over to work out their issues. A polite discussion of childrearing soon escalates into verbal warfare, with all four parents revealing their true colors. None of them will escape the carnage.

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Directed by: David Fincher

Starring: Rooni Mara, Daniel Craig

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first film in Columbia Pictures' three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson's literary blockbuster The Millennium Trilogy. Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in the trilogy, which altogether have sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide phenomenon.

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

Hop
Directed by: Tim Hill

Starring: Russell Brand

For the past 4,000 years, the Easter Bunny has brought joy and candy to kids all across the globe; however, the time has come for a new Easter Bunny to take over the tradition. But while EB (Russell Brand) is the next in line to receive the official title, he couldn't care less about becoming the official bearer of chocolate eggs and jellybeans. Escaping to Hollywood in a bid to find fame and fortune, EB hops in front of an oncoming car driven by Fred (James Marsden), who agrees to give him a place to recover until he's healthy enough to hop along home. Now, the harder Fred struggles to stop his furry new companion from sending his life into a tailspin, the more satisfaction he begins to get out of his newfound responsibility. With a little luck and a whole lot of patience, Fred just might become the man who saved Easter for everyone.

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

The Muppets
Directed by: James Bobin

Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson

Starring: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy

Based on the classic novel of the same name, the international thriller is set at the height of the Cold War years of the mid-20th Century. George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a disgraced British spy, is rehired in secret by his government - which fears that the British Secret Intelligence Service, a.k.a. MI-6, has been compromised by a double agent working for the Soviets

Release Date: 20 March 2012
Website | Buy

Sunshine Award, Tagged, & My Picks of the Week

SUNSHINE AWARD

Good Morning, Muses!

So guess what The Muses Circle snagged? That's right, the Sunshine Award! I must thank Cat for nominating my blog for this award!

Rules For This Award Are:

a. Thank the person who nominated you

b. Write a blog post about it with the answers to the questions

c. Nominate 10 other bloggers and let them know

Questions:

1. Favorite Color: Purple

2. Favorite Animal: Hippos! (but I really do love all animals)

3. Favorite Number: 27

4. Favorite Non-alcoholic Drink: Grape Snapple

5. Facebook or Twitter: both!

6. My Passion(s): Reading, Writing, Collecting/Watching Movies & TV Series, Helping students find a love for reading

7. Getting or Giving Presents: both!

8. Favorite Pattern: n/a

9. Favorite Flower: White Lilies and Lily of the Valley

Nominate 10 other Bloggers:

1. Flora Bateman "From the Bootheel Cotton Patch"

2. Deva "The Urban Paranormal Book Blog"

3. Kristin Feliz "GrowingUp YA"

4. Jessica, Kole, Chris, Brittany "Book Sake"

5. Kindlemom "My Guilty Obsession"

6. Intricate Knot "My Blog & Role Fantasy"

7. Kayla "Kayla's Book Reviews"

8. Alisha "My Need to Read"

9. Soumi "Pages From My Thoughts"

10. Mad book Worm "Books With Marshmellows"

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TAGGED

The Muses Circle has also been TAGGED Twice! I apologize for just getting around to this tag. Since the last person(s) to tag me was Cel and Ela over at YA Anonymous, I will be answering their questions.

What Is a Blog Tag?

A blog tag is basically where a blogger comes up with a set of questions, the blogger tags other bloggers by sending the questions to them, and they must answer the questions, make their own set, and send them to other bloggers--so on and so forth.

Tag Rules:

a. Post the rules

b. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, then create a set of new questions to ask the people you have tagged.

c. Tag people and link them in your post

d. Let them know they have been tagged!

My Answers to Cel and Ela's Questions:

1. Where in the world do you want to travel?

Australia & New Zealand

2. What would you rather read/own: ebook or hardcopy?

While ebooks are cool, I will always prefer hardcopies of books!

3. What book are you most excited to be turned into a movie?

There are 3 book into movie adaptations I am looking forward to: 1) World War Z, 2) Robopocalypse, 3) Daughter of Smoke and Bone

4. Is there a book that you could recommend to us?

There are soooo many, but definitely Robopocalypse, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, The Child Thief

5. If you could get an author to add another book to a series, what series would it be?

I desperately want J.R. Ward, author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, to write Qhuinn and Blay's book!

6. Who is your book character crush and why?

Akiva from Daughter of Smoke & Bone :)

My Questions:

1. What is the earliest book you remember reading?

2. What is your character hero type (characteristics you like/look for in your hero)?

3. What book/series would you like to see as a movie or tv series?

4. Do you tend to like shorter novels (like 250 pages or less) or longer novels (300 pages, more the better!)?

5. Do you think hardback novels are over priced?

6. Does it bother you when a series starts in paperback and then later novels in the series are printed in hardback? (in another words, does your collection all have to be in hardback or paperback or are you cool to mix it up?)


My Fellow Bloggers I Have Tagged:

1. Flora Bateman "From the Bootheel Cotton Patch"

2. Deva "The Urban Paranormal Book Blog"

3. Kristin Feliz "GrowingUp YA"
4. Jessica, Kole, Chris, Brittany "Book Sake"

5. Kindlemom "My Guilty Obsession"

6. Intricate Knot "My Blog & Role Fantasy"

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My Picks of the Week!

I know this has been a super long post, so I am keeping my rambling short. Enjoy these picks of the week!

Books (March 13-15th)

Young Adult

Dark Eyes
by: William Richter

Wally was adopted from a Russian orphanage as a child and grew up in a wealthy New York City family. At 15, her obsessive need to rebel led her to life on the streets. Now the 16-year-old is beautiful and hardened, and she's just stumbled across the possibility of discovering who she really is. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" for teens, this debut thriller introduces a new heroine.

Release Date: 15 March 2012

Website | Buy

Difference Between You and Me
by: Madeleine George

Jesse cuts her own hair with a Swiss Army knife. She wears big green fisherman's boots. She's the founding (and only) member of NOLAW, the National Organization to Liberate All Weirdos. Emily wears sweaters with faux pearl buttons. She's vice president of the student council. She has a boyfriend.

These two girls have nothing in common, except the passionate "private time" they share every Tuesday afternoon. Jesse wishes their relationship could be out in the open, but Emily feels she has too much to lose. When they find themselves on opposite sides of a heated school conflict, they each have to decide what's more important: what you believe in, or the one you love?

Release Date: 15 March 2012

Website | Buy

Girl Stolen
by: April Henry

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price?

Release Date: 13 March 2012

Website | Buy

Starters

by: Lissa Price

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined.

Release Date: 13 March 2012
Website | Buy

MOVIES & TV SERIES (March 13th)

MOVIES

Descendents, The

Directed by: Alexander Payne

Starring: Goerge Clooney

From Alexander Payne, the creator of the Oscar-winning Sideways, set in Hawaii, The Descendants is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney) an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family's land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.

Release Date: 13 March 2012

Website | Buy

Melancholia

Directed by: Lars Von Trier

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgard

Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and brother-in-law (Kiefer Sutherland). Meanwhile, the planet, Melancholia, is heading towards Earth... Melancholia is a psychological disaster movie from director Lars von Trier.

Release Date: 13 March 2012
Website | Buy

My Week With Marilyn

Directed by: Simon Curtis

Starring: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh

In the early summer of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), just down from Oxford and determined to make his way in the film business, worked as a lowly assistant on the set of 'The Prince and the Showgirl'. The film that famously united Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), who was also on honeymoon with her new husband, the playwright Aurthur Miller (Dougray Scott). Nearly 40 years on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was published, but one week was missing and this was published some years later as My Week with Marilyn - this is the story of that week. When Arthur Miller leaves England, the coast is clear for Colin to introduce Marilyn to some of the pleasures of British life; an idyllic week in which he escorted a Monroe desperate to get away from her retinue of Hollywood hangers-on and the pressures of work.

Release Date: 13 March 2012
Website | Buy

Three Musketeers

Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring: Luke Evans, Milla Jovovich, Mads Mikkelsen

The hot-headed young D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman) joins forces with three rogue Musketeers (Matthew MacFadyen, Luke Evans and Ray Stevenson) in this reboot of Alexandre Dumas' story. They must stop the evil Richlieu (Christoph Waltz) and face off with Buckingham (Orlando Bloom) and the treacherous Milady (Milla Jovovich).

Release Date: 13 March 2012

Website | Buy

TV SERIES

The Killing: Season 1

Starring: Mireille Enos, Joel Kinnaman

Follows the police investigation of the murder of a young girl, tying together three interlocking stories as investigators chase a variety of leads.

Release Date: 13 March 2012

Website | Buy

The Tribe: Season 1, Part 1

Starring: Caleb Ross, Meryl Cassie, Beth Allen

Where the virus came from, no-one knew... from deepest space, bacterial warfare or some nation's scientific experiments gone horrifically wrong? All the Adults are gone... All the teachers are gone... All peace and regular meals are gone... Just tribal instincts and war paint survive. If survival depends on not getting caught by the evil Locusts or rival cyber gang Demon Dogs or just finding your next meal... then the only option is to start your own Tribe.

Release Date: 13 March 2012

Website | Buy

Author Q & A with JC Andrijeski & a Giveaway!

Happy Friday my Muses!

Boy do I have a treat for everyone! This post will not only include my first Author Q & A with author JC Andrijeski, who's book Rook: Allie's War #1 I reviewed a couple of weeks ago (you can check out my review for Rook HERE), but also my first Giveaway! Thanks to JC, you will have the chance to win Rook: Allie's War, the first book in her highly talked about, genre bending The Bridge series. I will be posting the rules to the Giveaway at the end of this Q & A.

Before moving on to the good stuff, here is a little background info on JC and her book, Rook: Allie's War #1.

ABOUT JC ANDRIJESKI

JC Andrijeski is a bestselling author who has published novels, novellas, serials, graphic novels and short stories, as well as nonfiction essays and articles. Her short fiction runs from humorous to apocalyptic, and her nonfiction articles cover subjects from graffiti art, meditation, psychology, journalism, politics and history. Her short works have been published in numerous anthologies, online literary, art and fiction magazines as well as print venues such as NY Press newspaper and holistic health magazines. JC currently lives and writes full time in India, at the foot of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, a location she drew on a fair bit in writing the Allie's War books. Please visit JC Andrijeski's website at: jcandrijeski.com or her blog at jcandrijeski.blogspot.com.



Rook: Allie's War, Book 1

Synopsis: “You are the Bridge…”

Twenty-eight-year-old San Francisco native, Allie Taylor, knew she had issues…but she at least thought she was human. In her version of modern day Earth, a second race of human-like beings called seers were discovered in Asia in the early 1900s. Since then, they have fought in two world wars and live alongside humans as second-class citizens. So when Allie meets her first, real, flesh-and-blood seer, she's not exactly thrilled when he tells her that she's a seer like him. Not only that, but according to him, all the other seers believe she's going to end the world.

Worse, no matter what she does, everything that happens after that only seems to prove him right.

Author Q & A With JC Adrijeski

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I was one of those weirdos that was pretty much born this way, I’m afraid. I was pretty much telling stories to whoever would listen from day one, and once I figured out how to write them down, I was doing that. I used to have these really old cassette tapes of stories I would record when I figured out how to use my parents’ tape recorder. Some of them were pretty bizarre, and surprisingly involved, considering how young I was.

2. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Well, I’m a morning writer. When I had a day job, that meant getting up a few hours before work, and writing until it was time to leave the house. I also write at night…where I tend to not write as much is those 2pm – 7pm hours for some reason. Now that I’m working full time as a writer, my normal schedule is to get up, write, then go shopping or meet friends in the afternoon (or sometimes go work on more “publishing” type things), then come home, eat dinner, and then usually write for a few more hours before bed, along with all the internet stuff and blogging and so forth.


3. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know if this is true of all writers, but I liken writing to meditation in a way. I go into a real “no-brain” space when I’m writing, especially a first draft. I’ve done a lot of meditation and that’s the closest space I can compare it to. If I get jerked out of that, by an error or a phone call or a knock on my door or whatever, it’s almost jarring. So if I get stuck on writing, I’m more likely to go meditate for a bit or go for a walk than I am to, say, do something mental like writing exercises, etc. I actually find most writing exercises pretty boring, unless I can somehow tie them directly to a story or characters I care about.

4. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Kind of what I said above…I honestly have no idea most of the time…a lot of it comes to me sort of subconsciously. In terms of inspirations of various kinds, or starting points, I’ve gotten a fair bit off reading nonfiction actually, and even some from dreams. The Allie’s War series actually started with a character I started playing around with in my head (what eventually became Revik), and the thought that I’d like to try writing a romance. But usually I start with one or two elements and then just start writing…the result at times surprises me. That being said, for novels, I usually have a pretty clear image or concept of the ending before I start. I find it a lot easier to write a novel if I know where I’m going…but again, most of that comes to me sort of in the form of images and whatnot, it’s not exactly the same as a conscious “mental” space. It’s closer to daydreaming.


5. Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Ha, funny you should ask, given where I’m living now! But moving to India was only partly about research, a lot of it was just for a personal adventure of sorts. I’ve done some traveling to check out locations though, definitely, like I said above. I scoped out Stanley Park in Vancouver for example, to find Allie and Revik a good hiding place in Rook. I also took my first cruise ever from Vancouver to Alaska on that same trip, partly just to go, but partly because I wanted to place them on a ship and I figured I’d better experience one for myself. I still haven’t made it to China, which I’d like to do for this series too. I’ve also written about places I know, like San Francisco and New York, which are both places I’ve lived, etc. I love that part of writing though, it’s a lot of fun.

6. What does your family think of your writing and name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?

You know, it’s funny, I was really reluctant to give them any of my books at first, especially the Allie’s War books, since there’s a fair bit of sex in them (especially after book 1). My sister surprised the heck out of me, first of all by reading them, and second of all by really liking them. I just had no idea that anyone in my family would respond that way. And my sister is one of those people who’s incapable of pretending to like something she doesn’t like (which is actually something I love about her, but can be aggravating, lol). I mean, she would be polite and all, but I would know immediately if she hated it…she just has no poker face whatsoever. Now my mom’s read a lot of my stuff too, and she seems to really like it as well. I thought maybe she was humoring me at first, but she’s said a number of things in the past six months or so that made me think she was being sincere. I mean, I’m close to my family, but I guess I always figured that was a part of me they didn’t really “get,” so that really surprised the heck out of me.

My writing friends, definitely. I think it’s critical for writers to surround themselves with like-minded souls, as we’re an odd breed, writers. But I am also incredibly lucky to have a fantastic network of non-writing friends as well.


7. How did you come up with the title?

With Rook? It’s funny, I had it in my head to do one-word titles for these books. It was pretty clear it would be a series from the get-go, as the arc in my head was long and complicated, pretty much from the get-go, lol. The Allie’s War part of it I actually worked out with an editor I was pitching the series to. He wanted her name in the series title somewhere, thinking it would pull people more into the character and the story, so we threw ideas around and came up with that one. The house ended up passing on it for a number of reasons (difficult genre fit being the main one, as far as I can tell), but I ended up keeping that idea for the title.

8. Who designed the cover art?

Actually I did, which is always a little embarrassing to admit. That’s kind of a long story, too. I actually hired someone initially, an artist friend of mine, and she did a fantastic job on the artwork, really beautiful stuff. But unfortunately, it was simply too abstract in terms of marketing these books. No one could tell what the books were about, so it definitely impacted sales. After testing those for about 4-5 months, I decided to try my hand at it, incorporating more people in the covers and branding it more specifically as urban fantasy/ paranormal romance. So far, those covers seem to be doing okay with readers…at least as far as I’ve been told.

9. What was the hardest part of writing Rook: Allie’s War?

Well, the first book was a real bear. I didn’t have a lot of experience writing novels back then, so I ended up writing four or five different versions all the way to the end. The characters evolved over that time, and the world did too (it was originally more of a portal fantasy, where Allie fell into this other world filled with both seers and humans). When I set things on Earth and made it an alternate history, a LOT of things suddenly clicked. It made sense from that point that Revik’s war experience would be the world wars of earth, and that the caste system set up would have more of an Earth-like slant. The books after that first book were a cakewalk compared to that one, lol…but each has had its own challenges, of course. I think those first three or four novels that most writers write aren't ever really meant to be publicly consumed. I just happened to do those with the same characters and story.


10. Did you learn anything from writing Rook: Allie’s War and what was it?

I learned a ton, actually…how to write a novel, for one, or how it works for me, anyway. I also learned I really enjoy martial arts, as a part of researching Revik’s character. I learned a fair bit about World War I and II that I hadn’t known prior to that, too…and a lot about guns, lol. I’ve done a lot of research on more obscure topics too, such as the layout of electrical substations, the house of the Vice President, different areas in London, etc.


11. What is/are your current project(s) and can you share a little of your current work with us?

Allie’s War, Book Five is my current project (tentatively titled Knight). I’m about 2/3rds of the way through the rough draft, give or take.

I’ll try my best without spoilers…Allie and Revik are in New York, and the story starts with them robbing a bank. I won’t say why, but it was fun to write. They’re also dealing with biological weapons, more strange revelations about characters and the Chinese seers after them along with the mysterious Shadow character introduced in Book Four. It’s been tough to write because a lot of threads from previous books are really coming together.


12. What books have most influenced your life?

That’s always a tough one for me, frankly…I’ve read a ton of books I’ve loved and liked and that I’ve found inspiring in various ways. It’s really hard to say which have influenced me more than others. I loved Watership Down as a kid…it was definitely a novel that influenced me a lot in my formative years as a writer. The complex world building still blows my mind, and the archetypal nature of the story makes it really timeless. I was also influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien, and even Rosemary Rogers to a degree, which are still some of the very few romance novels I’ve ever read. I love Cormac McCarthy, Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Joan Vinge and the Bronte sisters. I’m kind of all over the map in my reading tastes, honestly.

13. Are you reading any books now? If so, which one(s)?

I have to say, it’s getting harder and harder to find reading time, lol, but I’m pretty much always working on something. I recently finished The Apocalypse Gene by Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark, which is post-apocalyptic YA science fiction. Before that, I read Gamers by Thomas Carpenter, which is also YA science fiction. I’m about to start Two Graves by D.A. Graystone.

14. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Thomas Carpenter, whose book I mentioned above, is really good. I also like Zoe Saadia’s historical fiction. Michael Angel is also a really talented writer and so is Pavarti K. Tyler. SM Johnson is also fantastic. I also like Brenda Wallace, Coral Russell and Jonathan Gould.

15. Do you have any advice for other writers?

It’s cliché, but just write. Write enough that you learn to trust your voice. Also, write for yourself as much as humanly possible…don’t listen to those critical voices in your head, they will never make you a better writer. The only other thing I’d say right now, given all the hype around indies, is to always put your writing before marketing, no matter what anyone tells you. Without good craft, you have no career. Without product, you have no career. You can only play the Amazon lists game for so long if your craft and product aren’t there.

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GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY

Okay, my Muses! It's Giveaway time! The lucky winner(s) will receive Rook: Allie's War, Book 1 in ebook format! (available formats are: PDF, mobi kindle, epub).

The Giveaway is open worldwide!

Please read the following rules/instructions carefully. All responses must be left in MY comment section of this post. So even though I may be sending you over to JC's blog or Facebook page, I still need you to leave the following information in the comment section of this post. Before checking out the rules, here is some links you may need:

JC Andrijeski's Blog
JC Andrijeski's Twitter
JC Andrijeski's Facebook

My Blog (Duh! :)
My Twitter
My Facebook

RULES/INSTRUCTIONS

1.. Must be a follower of BOTH my blog and JC Andrijeski's blog by joining through GFC (must leave GFC name/username in the comment section of this post so I can check you joined)

2. Must join/add/follow JC Andrijeski on her Facebook Page (bonus if you follow me as well but not necessary, and you must leave your Facebook name and/or link to your Facebook in the comment section of this post as well)

3. Must follow BOTH JC and me on Twitter (bonus points if you tweet about this giveaway. Leave your twitter handle/username in the comment section of this post.)

4. Must answer this question: What part of the Author Q & A did you find interesting?

5. Lastly, leave your name, email address, and what format you prefer the ebook in the comment section of this post.



Giveaway ends Friday, March 23 and the winner(s) will be chosen and contacted by Saturday, March 24th.

For any comments, questions, or concerns about this giveaway or Author Q & A, feel free to email me: famulan23@gmail.com


Good Luck!

Prayers For Bobby: A Book/Movie Analysis by Guest Blogger Brian Warriner

Title: Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms With the Suicide of Her Gay Son
Author: Leroy Aarons
ISBN: 0062511238
Genre: True Story
Theme: Gay Bashing, Suicide, Homophobia, Religion vs. Homosexuality
Length: 288
Binding: paperback
Published: 9 August 1996
Buy: Amazon.com
Brian's Rating:


Synopsis: Bobby Griffith, at the age of 15, realized that he was gay and in conflict with his religious upbringing. Through Bobby's journal entries and his mother's reminiscences we learn of the emotional torment that led Bobby to take his own life. Prayers for Bobby takes readers through his mother's anguish and disbelief to her transformation from biblical literalist to enlightened parent.




Title: Prayers for Bobby
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Actor(s): Sigourney Weaver, Ryan Kelley
Rated: N/A
Genre: True Story
Theme: Homophobia, Gay Bashing, Teen Suicide, Religion vs. Homosexuality
Runtime: 91 mins
DVD Release Date: 14 December 2010
Buy: Amazon.com
Brian's Rating:


Synopsis: Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver stars in this emotional true story about a deeply religious suburban housewife and mother who struggles to accept her son’s homosexuality. Mary Griffith (Weaver) is a devout Christian who has raised her children with a conservative religious perspective. When her son, Bobby (Ryan Kelley), reveals that he is gay to his older brother, the entire family dynamic is forever shifted. While Bobby’s father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary turns to her steadfast beliefs in an attempt to “cure” her son. Alienated and quickly becoming more detached from the safety of his close-knit family, Bobby’s depression drives him to take drastic – and tragic – actions. PRAYERS FOR BOBBY is the multiple Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominated true story of a mother torn between her loyalties, challenged by her faith, and moved by a tragedy that would change her life, and the lives of others, forever. Based on the book Prayers for Bobby by Leroy Aarons.

Brian's Comparison & Analysis: Prayers for Bobby is based on a true story. The lives of mother and son cross. After finding out that her teenage son Bobby is gay, his mother, Mary Griffith, sets out on a course to “cure” her son of his homosexuality. Her faith and religious upbringing has taught her that being gay is an abomination. Adding to her worry is the constant fear of her family not being together in the afterlife. She not only posted index cards all around the house with Bible saying on them but also made Bobby go to therapy to get "fixed". Bobby, being raised in such a God-fearing environment, was also afraid of being sent to hell for being gay. He didn’t want to be gay for fear of God’s wrath for “choosing” to live this lifestyle. In truth, Bobby couldn’t come to terms with who he was.

This story is set in the late 1970’s early 1980’s where the AIDS Epidemic started. Also, you had Harvey Milk being elected to the Board of Supervisors and the Stonewall Riots. Being gay was slowly making its way into the media. Most of the attention was on the negative side, painting gays as sex crazed perverts who are a danger to our children. This is what Bobby heard and saw, so he most likely personalized it. After all, he was a young gay man, trying to find himself in the world he lived in.

In the book by Leroy Aarons, Bobby seemed to slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, but his small progress would be cut short after hearing his mother's voice say, “You are going to burn in Hell if you don’t change.” His struggle would start all over again. What is not covered in the movie, is Bobby starting to embrace his homosexuality. But from the excerpts from his journals, Bobby Griffith was full of self-hatred. Now when I read Prayers for Bobby, I often asked myself, How is it possible that one person could fight against and have so much self-hatred for who they are?

As you read the excerpts from his journals, you soon realize that Bobby couldn’t accept himself because it brought him away from his family and what he believed in. He strongly believed that no one loved him, not even his family. It was the fighting, the struggling, the trying to “cure himself” and the feeling of being unloved that brought Bobby to the end of his life. Bobby completed suicide by jumping off a freeway overpass directly into the path of an 18 wheel truck which killed him instantly. He suffered severe internal injuries, that couldn’t have been repaired. Bobby was finally free from his hell.

Now for his mother Mary, whose journey begins after her son Bobby’s ends so tragically. She constantly questioned whether Bobby made it to heaven or ended up in hell. Both the movie and the book make it clear on how his death rocked Mary. Not only did she question where Bobby's soul ended up, but after meeting Rev. Larry Whitsell of the Metropolitan Community Church, she started to question everything she believed in and was taught throughout her life.

Prayers for Bobby, the movie, was directed by Russell Mulcany and starred Sigourney Weaver as Mary Griffith. In the film, Rev. Whitsell introduced Mary to PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians And Gays). As Mary listened to the other parents discussing when they knew their child was different, it started to cause the wheels in her head to turn. It finally came to her when she realized that Bobby was different. “My son was always different, his difference began at conception, I knew it I felt it...I now know why God didn’t heal Bobby, because there was nothing wrong with him.” From there, Mary became enlightened to the fact that her son is in heaven and that there was nothing wrong with Bobby.

From then on Mary started speaking and soon she became a fighting force for LGBT Youth through California and the country. In 1996, she spoke in front of the U.S Congress. The truth is, you can’t mention Human Rights without mentioning Mary Griffith, who has made it her life’s purpose to help Gay and Lesbian youth. So in conclusion, I want to dedicate this article to Mary Griffith for her work in bringing change. And also to the memory of Bobby Griffith and Leroy Aarons, may you both rest in peace. Much love to you both.

Comparison and Analysis Written By:

Do you like Brian Warriner's comparison/analysis of Prayers for Bobby and want to know more about him? Check out his Guest Blogger Introduction HERE. Also, Brian can be contacted at otherside_connections@yahoo.com .