Drummer Girl Blog Tour : Q&A and Giveaway

As part of the blog tour for her novel Drummer Girl, Bridget Tyler has stopped by to answer a few question...

Where did you get the idea for Drummer Girl? 

Most of my other work has been in fantasy or science fiction worlds – with Drummer Girl I really wanted to tell the story of a real girl in the real world. I love music and I have years of experience in the entertainment business so it was a natural place for me to look for a challenging, dramatic plot to pit my heroine, Lucy, against. What I discovered was that learning that you have what it takes to be a rock star isn’t all that different than learning you have what it takes to be a fairy princess or a vampire hunter. It’s all about recognizing your special talents and having the courage to use them. Really, that’s the same challenge that faces all of us as we grow up. Do you have the guts to be the very best you? It’s not easy, whether the very best you is a doctor or a teacher or a rock star or a super hero.

I really loved Lucy, Iza, Toni, Robyn and Harper and I enjoyed getting the story from all points of view. Did you have a favourite to write for?

It surprised me, but my favourite POV to write was actually Iza. She’s a lot like I was when I was a teen – too shy for her own good. It was a bit of wish fulfilment for me to give her a crew of awesome (if sometime irresponsible) friends to pull her out of her shell. She also has a really romantic subplot and I’m a sucker for that stuff!

I would so love to read more about these characters! Any chance there will be a sequel?

I’d love to write one! I really fell in love with the Crush girls, so I’d be thrilled to get the chance to tell the rest of their story. Thankfully I think Templar feel the same way, so if the book does well a sequel is very possible.

I loved the setting and music obviously plays a large part in this story. Is music something that is important to you?

Yes! My mother is a piano teacher and an English teacher, so I was surrounded by music and books growing up. For me the two go hand in hand – I can’t write without music.

Did you have a playlist for the book?

Of course! It’s a mishmash of movie soundtracks, 90’s pop and current stuff that’s upbeat and energetic like Kate Nash, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Miike Snow… the list goes on and on!

I can totally see Drummer Girl as a film or TV series! Who would be your ideal cast?

Well Nicholas Hoult for Trent, no question. He’s exactly the sort of sweet but totally rock and roll type that could play the roll well. Plus he’s super funny. And Nina Dobrev from Vampire Diaries would make a great Harper, though obviously she’d have to go blonde! Vanessa Manaro from Switched at Birth and the Gilmore Girls has always been who I pictured for Lucy (assuming she can do the proper accent, of course)… other than that I’d have to see who fit best with the roles. I really like casting unknown actors, actually. It gives new talent a chance and lets you find the person who best fits the role as written.

What was the publication process like for you?

It’s been both lovely and terrifying – I was very lucky to find a publisher that was super enthusiastic about the book and really understood what it was. Templar have been amazing in guiding me through the process as a first time author. It’s still rather hair-raising (in the best sort of way) to think that words I put together, sitting at home on my laptop, will be in bookstores!

What is your favourite aspect of being a writer? And the most challenging?

I really love the moment when a character comes to life. There’s a very particular point in the process for me when things are suddenly more than the sum of their parts and it feels like my characters are real people with thoughts and feelings of their own that become the story – from then on it’s almost like getting to know new friends, rather than constructing imaginary people, and that’s a pretty amazing feeling. The most challenging aspect is the final stages of a project when you have to go over the text over and over and over again and makes sure all the loose ends are tied up (and all the typos are caught). It can be overwhelming, but seeing the final product is totally worth it!

What’s next for you? Are you working on something at the moment?

I’m finishing up my run as a writer on the 7th season of Burn Notice at the moment, and next up after that is my own pilot, Horizon, which I’ll be producing for USA Networks with Gale Anne Hurd (producer of The Walking Dead and Terminator among many other things) this summer. The show is set during WWII – it’s the story of a young secretary working for the FBI who discovers that her husband’s death in the Pacific Theatre of WWII might have actually been due to aliens, not enemy guns.
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Thanks Bridget!  And OMG! I love Burn Notice!!!  Plus Horizon sounds fab!

I also have a giveaway!

It is open to UK entrants and you can win a copy of the brilliant Drummer Girl and a make up set (a few items from the picture above!) Just fill in the form - Good luck:)

This giveaway is now closed.

Author Interview: Will Hill (World Book Day Virtual Tour)

From Goodreads

As part of this years World Book Day virtual tour, Will Hill kindly agreed to answer a few questions...
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Can you tell us about your Department 19 series?

It’s a series about a secret branch of the government who police the supernatural, and try to keep the public safe. A teenage boy called Jamie Carpenter is thrown into their world when his father is killed and his mother is kidnapped, and finds himself in the middle of a conflict that has been gathering for centuries, aided and abetted by a wide array of characters, both good and bad. And in some cases, really, REALLY bad.

The series is inspired by Dracula and Frankenstein, and features some of their characters in new ways, along with a number of real people who populated the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It’s a tribute to the classic gothic horrors – several chapters are set in the past – while being full of modern weapons and equipment, and spanning the globe. It’s action and adventure and horror, and it features vampires who definitely do not sparkle…

You have contributed to this years WBD App. Can you tell us more about that?

It was a great opportunity to be involved in World Book Day, and to write a Department 19 short story. I’ve always liked writing shorter fiction, and I had been keeping intentionally vague the backstory of Larissa, the vampire teenage girl who is one of the most popular characters in the series, so it seemed like the perfect time to shed a little bit of light on it. It’s what hopefully seems at first like a simple story, of Larissa talking to a teenage girl who has been through a terrible ordeal, that changes into something that is hopefully quite unexpected…

What is a typical writing day like for you? Do you have any ‘must-haves’ before you can sit down and write?

I usually write in the British Library, which is not too far from where I live in London – you can’t take food or drink, or even pens, in there, so any must-haves would have to be left outside!

So – a typical day will see me getting up when my girlfriend (who has a proper job!) leaves for work, and heading into the Library for not long after it opens. I’ll grab a seat in the Rare Books & Music room (I’m very much a creature of habit) and answer some emails, catch up on anything I need to do, then make notes and plan until lunchtime. After lunch I normally start writing, and work until about seven. I try not to work when I get home, but that doesn’t always happen, especially if I’m getting towards the end of a book.

What is your favourite aspect of being a writer? And the most challenging?

My favourite part is luckily what I get to spend most of my time doing – making things up and writing them down, to quote Neil Gaiman. It’s genuinely exciting when a new idea presents itself and I realise it might be a good one, or when I write a scene and read it through and realise it has done what I wanted it to do. The most challenging is when I get towards the end of a book and realise that if it doesn’t all fit together, if it doesn’t work, that I’m going to have a pretty big problem on my hands.

Do you have any other projects in the pipeline?

I do, but nothing that will see the light of day until the Department 19 series is finished – there are two more books to come, so my first non-D19 book probably won’t be out until 2016. What it will be, I’m not exactly sure just yet – I’ve got an SF horror that I’m really excited about and have started doing some of the planning for, as well as a story about a religious cult that keeps coming back to me time and again…
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Thanks Will!

You can check out Will's Blog here.  And the Department 19 series has it's own website here.

For more information about World Book Day and the YA App check out the official website here

Author Interview: Megan Shepherd

Kristi Hedberg Photography

Megan Shepherd is the author of The Madman's Daughter. [You can read my review here] She has kindly stopped by to answer a few questions...
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The Madman’s Daughter is a retelling /re-imagining of HG Wells Island of Dr Moreau. What inspired you to write it?

When I was a teenager, I loved the classics, especially Gothic ones. They’re so full of adventure and romance and mystery. I’ve also always been intrigued by mysterious islands and loved the TV show LOST. My interest in both of those things combined to remind me of The Island of Dr Moreau, and I re-read it for pleasure. As I was reading I was impressed with how relevant the science still was today, and I realized there are no major female characters, so I decided it might be interesting to retell it from a new character’s perspective.

Did you need to do a lot of research?

Unfortunately I’m not well read in history or science, the two topics that required the most research. I had several doctor friends read the manuscript to make sure the medical science sounded accurate (naturally it’s science fiction, so it’s not actual science!). The historical research was fascinating: how corsets worked, the professions available to young single women, sailing schedules, popular piano music at the time. I certainly know a lot more about Victorians and their quirks now!

It’s safe to say the story is rather dark in places! Did you manage to creep yourself out when writing it?

Oh, yes. Absolutely. Most acquaintances know me as a rather optimistic, sweet person. I think they were shocked to read my book! I’m a true animal lover, and I have two cats I adore, so the animal surgery scenes were an enormous emotional challenge. Writing those scenes meant prodding at my greatest fears, but I believe that in order to scare my readers, I have to scare myself, too.

As it is the first book in a planned trilogy can you give us any hints for what to expect in the following books?

The second and third books continue Juliet Moreau’s tale (and some other characters might just return as well…) in London and in Scotland, respectively. The second book is inspired by the science and themes in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and the third book is inspired by the legacy of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I only started writing about five years ago. Growing up, my family owned a bookstore, so I’ve always been surrounded by books. Looking back, it seems quite natural that I’d go into writing. But for the longest time I wanted to work overseas with the foreign service. I still love traveling and languages and cultures, but writing is exactly the right job for me.

What has the publication process been like for you?

I wrote three full manuscripts before The Madman’s Daughter, and started another dozen or so. I didn’t query them widely because I knew they weren’t good enough. It wasn’t until I wrote The Madman’s Daughter that I felt confident enough to seek literary representation. Luckily, I got an offer from my agent two days after I queried him! The book sold in the US a few weeks later, and then started selling overseas, and then was optioned for film. It’s been wonderful working with my editor to bring the book into print.

Do you have a typical writing day? Any ‘must haves’ before you can sit down to write?

I like to ease into the writing day. I usually go to the gym in the morning, then have a cup of tea and check email/twitter/social media for a half hour or so, and then dig into writing. I’ll write until six or seven in the evening. Sometimes after that I’ll do some of the business and marketing of the job. The only thing I must have is tea—lots of it!

What is your favourite aspect of being a writer? And the most challenging?

They are one in the same, I think. I love most the ability to spend my time creating something. My job gives me the freedom to think deeply and dream big, but at the same time, it’s terrifying to stare at an empty page with all my hopes and expectations resting on my shoulders. It’s incredibly challenging to translate the ideas in my head into words on a page.
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Thanks Megan!

You can check out Megan's website here.

Author Interview: Maggie Stiefvater

(Photo Credit: Robert Severi)

You have been hugely successful as a writer. Has your success been a surprised to you?

Well, a surprise would indicate that I had expectations! I think expectations are always a dangerous sort of thing to have in a creative career, because so much of it is out of your control. After all, it's hard to predict if your creations will resonate in an audience's mind like you hope. And hard to predict economy shifts and industry shifts and a thousand other things that affect a book's success.

But I will admit that I'd always hoped to be a successful commercial author. Even when I was a tiny little black-hearted child, that was what I hoped. So I feel very fortunate.

Was writing always something you imagined yourself doing?

I really don't remember a time when I wasn't writing, although I clearly remember a time when my writing was absolutely dreadful. I wrote this senseless fantasy full of unicorns when I was 10 or so, and I rewrote it 11 times. I don't know why it just didn't occur to me that it was entirely dreadful beyond repair.

Was it a conscious decision for you to write YA?

Somewhere along the way, I got the advice to write the books I love to read, and YA was what I was loving. It's only now that I've written quite a bit for YA that it has occurred to me that I could maybe write for younger or older audiences.

What is your favourite aspect of being a writer? And the most challenging?

My favorite part is when I get to the part of the manuscript where it all clicks. It's very rare as a writer that you get to have the same experience a reader has, but there's a part in every novel where all of the character development comes together and as I write the scenes, it feels as if I'm reading them as a reader as well. The most challenging part . . . is getting to that place where it clicks. Especially when I'm on a tight deadline or when I'm tired or traveling. Or all three.

What is a typical writing day like for you? Do you have any ‘must-haves’ before you can sit down and write?

Really, the only thing typical about a writing day for me is that I must have my headphones on or my speakers blaring, playing the music I've chosen for each book. I can write happily in any environment (people can often find me tucked away in the corner of a conference or hotel, typing away) so long as I have music.

You create the most wonderful trailers for each of your books! Have music and art always been important to you?

Ah, thanks! Yes. As a teen, I used to have weekly crises as I imagined having to choose between my art, writing, and music. Which should I pursue? I thought I had to abandon two in order to be successful at any of them. My teen self would be delighted by how I get to do all of them now.

Do you have playlists for each of your books?

I do. They're on the website: www.maggiestiefvater.com, on each book's page.

Are there any YA books you can recommend? Maybe something you read recently that just blew you away?

Code Name Verity was my favorite YA of last year. All of my recent favorites can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1246837

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I think part of being Maggie is that I am strange enough that no one is surprised by anything I say. I don't think my editor was remotely shocked by the news that I was racing cars this year.

And finally, what’s next for you?

I'm working on the rest of the Raven Cycle (it's four books), and I'm working on a collaborative middle grade project with Scholastic, and I'm working on editing the third faerie book. Also I have a secret project that I'm kicking around to see if it kicks back. Oh, and I've just begun to work on the trailer for The Dream Thieves. I'm itching to get back into the studio again.
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Thanks Maggie!

You can find out more about Maggie and her books at her website www.maggiestiefvater.com or by visiting the Scholastic Website.

Interview: C J Redwine (Defiance Blog Tour)

As part of the blog tour for the release of her wonderful debut Defiance, C J Redwine has kindly stopped by to answer a few questions...

What inspired the idea for Defiance?

For years, I’d had the idea of a Leviathon-like creature living underground with the capability to destroy our world if anyone accidentally released him. Then one day I saw a picture of a fortress and it reminded me of a city-state. I said “What if we lived in city-states again? Why would we do that?” One idea collided with another, and Defiance was born.

I loved getting the story from both Rachel and Logan’s POV! What made you decide to write the story this way? And was one character easier to write for than the other?

I’d written half of the story from Rachel’s POV when I realized that Logan’s stake in the story was equal to hers. Plus, he does some REALLY cool things while apart from her, and I wanted the reader to see that. Rachel’s POV was easier to write because Logan is so logical and scientific, and I am so … not.

Do you have a favourite scene in the story you can share?

I don’t know if I have one favourite, but I do love the scene when they finally get their first kiss. They earned that! (Also, first kiss awkwardness for the win!)

Defiance is the first book in a trilogy. Can you give us any hints for what’s next in store for the characters?

Hmm … *looks to see if publisher is watching* I can tell you that things are going to get worse before they get better, there are multiple enemies hunting them now, and that readers will get to know the secondary characters much more in book 2.:)

What was the publication process like for you?

The process itself has been wonderful. I really connect with my editor and with her help, I turned Defiance into the story I always meant to write in the first place. The process leading up to getting published was a long, bumpy road full of rejections (as it is for many!), and I’m grateful for it because it taught me not to take a single part of my career for granted. I’ve been blessed.

Are there any authors who have been a strong influence on you?

Yes! Probably too many to name, but I’ll choose a few of the biggest influencers. C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia was the first fantasy series I read. I was in the second grade, and it just opened my world up. It was like someone shone this huge spotlight on all these possibilities, and I dove headfirst into fantasy and storytelling, and I’ve never looked back. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is like studying a master’s class in plotting, world building, and character development. Plus, who doesn’t want to believe in magic? Reading her books (again and again and again) taught me that the only limits to a writer’s imagination are the ones we place on ourselves. And finally, my friend Myra McEntire who writes a fabulous time-travel series (Hourglass, Timepiece) really knows how to capture the awkward loveliness of first love and first kisses. I was struggling to hit the right notes in Defiance and just started asking myself “What would Myra do?” and suddenly all the romantic scenes just worked.

What is a typical writing day like for you? Do you have any ‘must-haves’ before you can sit down and write?

The only must-have I need for writing is my playlist. I build one specific to each story, and as soon as those particular songs start playing in that particular order, I’m immediately immersed in the story. I have a toddler home with me, so my writing day is wedged in during her nap and then after she and my school-age boys go to bed at night.

What is your favourite aspect of being a writer? And the most challenging?

My favourite aspect is the joy of discovering a new story. I love the adventure of not knowing what will happen next until it comes out onto the page! The most challenging for me is writing the beginnings. I invariably end up revising 5 or 6 times before I nail it.:)
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Thanks C J!  I can't wait to find out what is next in store for Logan and Rachel!!!

The next stop on the blog tour is over at  Totally Bookalicious tomorrow.

You can find C J at her blog and on twitter.

Geekhood Blog Tour: Q&A with Andy Robb

As part of the blog tour for the release of his debut novel Geekhood, Andy Robb stopped by to answer a few of my questions...
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How did you come up with the idea for Geekhood?

The idea for Geekhood started as something very different! I was fiddling around with an idea that I had for a medieval romance in which a young Witch-hunter falls in love with a girl accused of witchcraft. My agent, Jenny, didn’t think there was much appeal for Young Adults, what with the medieval background, so suggested I try and think of something a bit more contemporary. But, being a Geek, I didn’t want to let go of the fantasy-style aspect and it got me thinking about me when I was that age. And revisiting my teens gave me an interesting perspective on the RPGs I used to play; for me, they were more than just a bit of fun – they were a way of leaving all the Bad Stuff behind: my parents’ divorce, my repeated failure to get a girlfriend and practically everything else that makes being a young adult such hard work. Suddenly, I wanted it to be about the magic we can all create to step out of the real world and not about magic in the traditional YA sense,

I loved Archie’s IM and EM (and his PS!!) How did this come about?

The IM and EM came about from telling a friend about my first ham-fisted attempts to tell a girl I ‘liked’ her. Basically, there was this girl and I was besotted with her, to the point where my voice and body refused to behave normally – I’d suddenly find myself going all squeaky or gabbling like a madman and being unable to stand still or relax in her company. That was where I got the idea for the EM from. What happened with this girl was that, one day, I was given the opportunity on a plate to tell her how I felt. Once again, my body and voice decided to betray me and all through this ordeal, I was aware of this little narrator in my head, my IM, telling me that I was going to mess it up and say the wrong thing and generally make a goof of myself. Which I did. And the pressure got so much that I fainted. Not a good move... But, as I started writing the book, it also made me realise that my IM has been part of me all through my life – but has been most vocal in times of stress – particularly when my parents were splitting up. When my folks were separating, divorce was a big taboo; you didn’t talk about it. As a result, I would talk to myself about it – which isn’t a good idea, no matter how funny it might be. I hope Archie shows that the better idea is to talk to people you trust about your problems – it’s a pressure-release that can really help in the long-term.

I really liked the storyline involving Archie and his parents. It was really interesting seeing their divorce from his perspective. Was this an important aspect of the story for you?

The divorce was an important part of the story for me. I deliberately set the story after the divorce was official, because people tend to assume that once the dotted line is signed, then it’s all done with. Anyone who’s been through divorce as an adult, child or teenager knows that’s not what happens; the fall-out can last for weeks, months or years – it doesn’t just stop when everybody’s living in separate houses. I also wanted to highlight that, amongst all the hormonal carnage that comes with being a teenager, we are all capable of having some quite profound and even wise thoughts at that age. It’s almost as though, when your parents start behaving like they’re in the playground, you make a mental decision to try and see through all the fighting, sniping and insults. Even if it’s managed brilliantly, divorce is not just about the adults in the equation; divorce is an equal-opportunities trauma and it affects everyone, even if they’re keeping quiet about it.

Will Archie have any more Geekhood adventures?

Archie has another Geekhood adventure coming out in 2013 and, dare I say it, we’re exploring even Geekier pursuits than miniature-painting and RPGs...

What was the publication process like for you?

The publication process has been a real eye-opener and I’ve come to realise that there’s far more to writing a book than just writing a book. What, in my opinion, is most important is that you have utter trust in your publishers. I’ve been very lucky with Stripes as they have, to a man, had a great handle on what I think the book’s about. However, as the writer, you’ve also got to get your head around the idea that other people are going to have their thoughts about what the book’s about. That’s the point where you’ve got to stand back a bit and let the grown-ups do their job; that’s where the trust comes in.

What is your favourite aspect of writing? And the most challenging?

My favourite aspect of writing is also the most challenging: it’s sitting down, on your own and creating something from nothing. There’s a bit in the book where Matt, one of the Geeks, talks about Role-Play Gamers as being like alchemists – they create stories and fantasies from thin air. I think that’s true of any creative process, but it’s quite daunting to do.

Have there been any authors who have been a strong influence on you?

I don’t know if there have been any authors who have directly influenced my work, but a very well-known author once told me that “every writer is a thief”; without knowing it I’ll have sucked up aspects of other people’s work and turned them into something else. I know who I’d like to write like – it’d be Tolkien. The way he weaved such a rich tapestry to create a world full of history and an immediate present still astounds me. I think my influences probably come from people I admire in popular culture: Russell Brand, Bill Hicks and older comics like Tommy Cooper and Frankie Howerd. They knew how to use words to their best effect and I can quote from most of their routines without having to think too hard.

Are there any YA books you can recommend? Perhaps something you read recently that just blew you away?

My favourite, recent YA books have been Sarwat Chadda’s Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress , because he’s been able to create such a big, bold and beautiful world and stick a 21st Century kid in it and the Bartimaeus books by Jonathan Stroud. The Bartimaeus books pack the right amount of action, intrigue and dry wit alongside a character with whom you can really engage.

Finally, I’d just like to say thank you for having me on your blog and all the lovely things you’ve said about Geekhood.
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Thanks Andy!  I'm very pleased to hear Archie will be having another geekhood adventure!

You can read my review of Geekhood here

The next stop on the blog tour is tomorrow over at Sister Spooky

And you can find Andy at his website and on twitter.

New Girl by Paige Harbison (Review and Interview: Blog Tour)

For Review: Mira Ink
Published: 4 May 2012

From Goodreads:  A contemporary young-adult retelling inspired by the classic 1938 romantic suspense bestseller Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

Having never read Rebecca I am probably not going to be the best judge on how well this works as a retelling, but what I can tell you is that I really enjoyed reading it.

I loved Harbison's debut, Here Lie's Bridget, when I read it last year and New Girl has all the same elements I enjoyed in it's predecessor.  She  really knows how to get into the heads of her characters, and while I may not always find all of them likeable, they are complex enough that I can't help but want to know more about them.

It took me almost until I was half-way through the novel to realise I did not know the name of New Girl.  In fact, it is not until the very end that we actually learn that particular detail.  But I did really like her and I felt really sorry for her too.  I think even the strongest of people would have found that situation hard to deal with.  But I really liked the fact she learns to stand up for herself.

I really liked Max too.  He seemed sweet and there was just something about him. And I liked the scenes between him and New Girl.  I'm not sure I would have paired him and Becca together though.

Becca was the second narrator of the story (with her parts being told in third person).  She is the character that I found myself disliking but also feeling for.  I love the way the author manages to walk that line between having a character I dislike but one I'm interested in reading about too.  It's as if I couldn't stop myself from reading more about her - even when I had the feeling nothing good was going to happen.

I really liked the ending too.  I wasn't surprised by it necessarily - some things were easy to work out and predict -  but I liked the way it ended for New Girl.

I'm looking forward to whatever Paige Harbison writes next - I'm sure it will be a winner.

As part of the UK blog tour Paige kindly stopped by to answer a few of my questions...

What made you decide to write a modern retelling of Rebecca?

Watching Hitchcock movies, remembering about Rebecca, and thinking: a girl is jealous of a girl and it’s fuelled by her interest in a guy? High school! I also wanted to delve into the obsessive compulsion teenagers have when it comes to tragedies involving their peers. If someone goes missing, dies, gets pregnant or anything at all, they obsess.

I loved the dual narration and felt it gave me the opportunity to get to know both characters. Was one easier to write than the other?

I write mean girls like it is my job. And…I guess it is, hah! It’s an odd gift of mine to be able to look into the mind of the irredeemable and understand it. Or maybe I’m just an awful person and all of my books are slightly biographical. =)

Both New Girl and Here Lies Bridget (although I loved Bridget in the end) have some unlikeable, but complex main characters. Do you know what it is that draws you into writing them?

I think everyone has a little B in them. Becca, Bridget, Bitch. They are both messed up people who mess up other people because they can’t figure themselves out. I like writing about them because I think they’re more real than the Good characters. If I don’t even consider myself to be someone who could translate to 100% likeable on paper, how am I supposed to write realistically and try and act like some imaginary character is? Other people can write about the wholly good, noble people. I’ll write about the ones who need to figure it out.

Is there a scene in the book that really stands out for you?

I like the scene after the Halloween ball when new girl falls asleep. She doesn’t know if it’s real or not, and really, neither do I.

What’s next for you? Are you currently working on something at the moment?

I am working on my next book now. I can’t say too much, but that it delves into the friendship between two girls that become driven apart by their own personal fears made worse by a boy and a discovery in a creepy shop.
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Thanks Paige!  I look forward to reading your next book :D

Q&A: Julie Kagawa

As part of the blog tour for the release her new novel, The Immortal Rules, Julie kindly answered a few questions...
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What made you decide to write a post-apocalyptic vampire series?

I had been toying with writing a post-apocalyptic YA story after The Iron Fey, when my agent suggested I might want to try vampires. Although not terribly intrigued with the idea at first, I then had the thought of combining the two, and from there everything sort of fell into place.

Allison Sekemoto, like Meghan Chase, is a very strong character.    Is this something that is important to you? How much of yourself did you put into her character?

I am far more similar to Allison then I am to Meghan Chase. We're short (as in, not tall), we like reading, we're not afraid to fight, and we have somewhat of a short temper (or I did, back when I was a teenager, lol). Out of all my characters, Allie is probably my favourite female because of her snark and her katana.

If The Immoral Rules became a movie or TV series what would be your ideal cast?

I'm soooooooo bad at this, lol. Maybe Jamie Chung or Devon Aoki for Allie, Zac Effron for Zeke and Ian Somerhalder for Kanin? I'm probably missing something obvious, but like I said, I'm bad at this.

What is your favourite and most challenging aspect of being a published author?

My favorite aspects of being a published author is being able to do something I love every single day and to share that work with fans. It sounds trite, but I really would be writing whether or not it was my job. The fact that those stories are being read and (I hope) enjoyed by people all over the world is just… well, it’s incredible. There are days when I still don’t believe it.

There are lots of challenging aspects to being a published author. The biggest challenge for me is probably trying to juggle everything – writing (and meeting deadlines), interviews, signings, blog tours, etc… It’s funny, because I enjoy doing all of those things, but sometimes trying to do them all at once can get a bit overwhelming.

Are there any authors who have been a strong influence on you?

A lot of my influence and inspiration comes from Japanese manga and from video games. I’d say the author that’s influenced me most though is Neil Gaiman, though. I’d love to be able to write like him.
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Thanks Julie

You can read my review of The Immortal Rules here (it is awesome!)

The series has its own website here

And you can find Julie on her Website, Blog, Twitter and Facebook.

Arcadia Awakens Blog Tour (Interview and Giveaway)

As part of the blog tour for the release of his novel Arcadia Awakens, Kai Meyer kindly took the time to answer some questions....

What inspired the idea for Arcadia Awakens?

My love for Italy and – maybe even more – for Italian movies from the Sixties and Seventies. Thy don´t make them like they used to, but I always thought they had a very peculiar atmosphere, resulting from the combination of Italian characters, the ancient landscape and, of course, the Mediterranean Sea. I set out to combine all of this with monsters ...

I found Rosa to be a compelling character - a wonderful combination of strength and vulnerability. How did you set about creating her character and did she evolve as the novel progressed?

Thank you! She evolves a lot all through the three novels. Rosa will be a very different character at the end of ARCADIA FALLS, which is the final book (coming out in Britain in 2013, I guess). There is a certain responsibility that comes with being capo – which she hates - and her love story with Alessandro will be on another level. She will discover some truly dark things about herself and how all of that is rooted in her family´s history.
Regarding how I created her – Rosa arrived on page one as a fully formed character, which has never happened to me before. Usually it´s a lot of work and I have to get to know them at least for the first few chapters. But Rosa came just out of nowhere. It sounds like one of those writer clichés, but that´s the way it happened.

And I loved Alessandro! Was he an easy character to write?

He was in the first book. But he becomes darker and more complicated especially in the third novel, ARCADIA FALLS, which was a lot of fun to write. Rosa hates all the Mafia stuff she has to get used to, but Alessandro actually embraces a lot of that. They are both criminals, I guess, but he is much worse than Rosa in certain regards.

Did you need to do a lot of research for the novel - both in terms of Sicily and its history but also in terms of the story's roots in ancient mythology?

The mythology part came to me quite easy, because I have always worked a lot with myths and legends. But I had to read a lot of literature about the Mafia and it´s history – all non-fiction. I still haven´t read "The Godfather“ ... And, of course, I went to Sicily and travelled all over the island. Palazzo Alcantara is located at the very spot where I was staying in a nice agricultural hotel and had some lovely dinners ...

I understand Arcadia Awakens is the first in a planned trilogy. Can you give us any hints for what's next in store?

Rosa goes to New York for a few chapters at the beginning of ARCADIA BURNS, but afterwards the rest of the book two and three is more or less set in Sicily with a few short journeys to Sintra, Portugal. The second book is about Rosa´s and Alessandro´s rise to power in the Cosa Nostra hierarchy, while the third one ... well, it´s called ARCADIA FALLS, which is not to subtle a hint, I guess.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A storyteller. With fifteen I wanted to become a comic book artist, with nineteen a film director or screenwriter. Later on I wrote a few movies for German television, but that was when I was already established as a novelist. And when I look at our local movie industry right now I couldn´t be happier that I never got too involved with it.

What is you favourite aspect of writing? And the most challenging?

There are two kinds of writers: those who love to write and those who love to have written. I´m eighty percent part of the latter group. Even after fifty published books I still get excited about having finished another one and receiving the first copy. While I write I curse a lot and pity myself – but obviously I couldn´t do it if it wouldn´t be the only thing I really want to do with my life.

Do you have a typical writing day? And are there any 'must haves' you need before you can sit down to write?

Lots of coffee. A walk with the dog. Both quite early in the morning – I get up at 5:45 am. Usually at eight or eight thirty I´m with my laptop somewhere in the house – could be in my study, the library, the dining room or the garden – and revise the pages I wrote the day before. That can take one or two hours. Afterwards I try to write ten manuscript pages (probably around eight pages in the printed book). I work Monday to Friday only, more or less disciplined. Never on weekends - that´s when I do interviews like this one.
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Thanks Kai!

You can check out Kai Meyer's website here.

The next stop on the tour is at Blogger Heart Books tomorrow.

Thanks to the lovely team at Templar I have one copy of Arcadia Awakens to giveaway.  The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and the closing date is 26 March 2012.  Just fill in the form below - good luck:)

This giveaway is now closed.

If I Die by Rachel Vincent. (Blog Tour: Review and Q&A)

For Review: Mira Ink
Published: 3 February 2012

From Goodreads: No one wants to be this teacher's pet…

The entire school’s talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr Beck. That is, everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee’s no ordinary high-school junior. She’s a banshee — she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah — it’s a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee’s going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine — her boyfriend’s needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr Beck…before he discovers they aren’t quite human, either.

But Kaylee’s borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life. Anything.

As everyone has probably worked out I am a massive fan of this series. I'd heard that this one was a series changer and now I know why! But it's in a really, really good way!

The story picks up where we left off at the end of My Soul to Steal. Kaylee and Nash are trying to work out their troubles, a possible Incubus is feeding off high school students and Kaylee is informed she only has a few days to live...

This is most definitely my favourite of the series so far. It takes elements that have been set in place in previous books and kind of fits them all together. I had no idea how Rachel Vincent was going to tie the storyline up - what would happen at the end of the book - but I had absolute faith that I would love it. And love it I did!

Kaylee really grows in this instalment. Because of the news she receives about her impending death this is kind of inevitable - she has to face those tough decisions she's tried to ignore in the past. And I love that she focuses on fighting the Incubus and helping people even with everything she is feeling and going through.

I have to say I felt really sorry for Nash in this. Despite my reservations for him and Kaylee as a couple I love his character - he has some issues he really needs to face and I love that Vincent hasn't given him the easy way out. She also throws additional stuff at him in this so I'm looking forward to seeing how he reacts when we catch up with them all in Before I Wake. 

As for Tod - I think I love him even more! I am so pleased he shared the story of how he died with Kaylee - I have been looking forward to that since reading Reaper. And Sabine is on fine form too! Honestly I adore her and am so glad she is now a permanent part of the gang.

As for the ending - HOLY BLINKING NORA and YAY! Let's just say I got my wish and the ending to this really sets up the next book as a must read!

Awesome with a side of awesome!

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As part of the blog tour for the release of If I Die, Rachel Vincent also took the time to answer a few of my questions...

I'd heard If I Die described as a series changer and now I understand why! Was it always your intention to take the story in this direction?

No. Honestly, while I don’t deny that If I Die is a game changer in more than one way, the path to most of those changes actually began way back in My Soul To Keep (book 3). Maybe even earlier, though I didn’t see it coming at first. What happened to Nash in My Soul To Save and the decisions he made in MSTKeep changed him. They changed him for the better, as a character, in my opinion. No one calls him a cookie-cutter YA boyfriend anymore. He has real strengths and weaknesses, and he deals the best he can. But in a group as tight-knit as Kaylee’s circle of friends and relatives, no one character can go through a change that big without affecting all of the others. Nash changed. His relationship with Kaylee changed. Her understanding of what she wants (for him, for them as a couple, and for herself) evolved and changed.

The reason for that is simple: the things that Nash is going through can’t be fixed in a day. Or in a week. Or in a month. Or, most likely in a year or more. He’s not going to recover overnight, like a television sitcom character, and if I’d tried to make him bounce back that fast, I would have been lying to him, to myself, and to the readers. Consequences are real in the Soul Screamers world, just like in our world (though the breadth is certainly wider there than in our world). Nash’s relationships have been tested. They’ll continue to be tested. But he’s fortunate enough to have a great support system, whether he sees that right now or not. ;)

I love the world you've created with this series. How much work goes into planning and mapping it all out? And how do you keep track of it all...?

Um…a lot, though I don’t really know how to quantify it. At the beginning, I kept track with an Excel chart, but I got really bad about that after a few books. Now, I mostly search the previous manuscripts for any bits I’ve forgotten. That works, except in the cases when things were changed at the page proof level and are slightly different from the printed version.

And, sometimes I ask my readers on line if they remember a certain bit of information, which I then verify. My readers are awesome, and they don’t seem to mind helping me remember how old Kaylee’s dad is or what color Harmony’s eyes are. ;)

Another thing I love about your stories is the way the characters stay true to themselves. They may evolve and grow but they don't change in order to service the plot. Is something that is important to you as an author?

SO very important. Characters should grow. Without growth, the stories will stagnate. But grown shouldn’t be confused with a sudden, miraculous shift in outlook or action. Unless something really big happens to a character. As in the end of If I Die. ;)

I've been looking forward to it since reading Reaper so I'm really pleased Tod shares his story with Kaylee. Will Nash ever learn the truth?

About how Tod died? I suspect he’ll learn in the final book. It doesn’t seem fair to keep it from him much longer.

Do you have any plans for another YA series?

Plans? Yes. Contracts? Not so far. I won’t have time to finish a new proposal until after I’ve turned in the last book.
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Thanks Rachel!

You can find Rachel Vincent at her Website, on Facebook and Twitter.

Q&A with Katie Dale

Katie Dale is the author of Someone Else's Life, which was published by Simon & Schuster on 2 February 2012.  Katie kindly took the time to answer a few of my questions...
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How did you come up with the idea for Someone Else’s Life?

I love stories about family secrets and moral dilemmas, then one day an item about two babies that had been swapped at birth came up on the news and it just stuck in my head. What would you do if you found out you were swapped at birth? How would you cope with that? What would you do with the information, knowing that your whole life had been a lie…?

Then I heard about Huntington’s disease, and as I learned more about the illness and how it affects entire families and all your life choices it became a much bigger part of the story. What would you do if you were at risk for a devastating genetic illness – would you take a test and find out for sure what your future holds? Or would you rather not know? What if you took a test and discovered your mother wasn’t your mother…?
From that moment the two issues combined and that was the story I just had to write.

Did you need to do a lot of research for the novel?

I wanted to do a lot of research because I wanted to make sure I got all my facts right. I had never heard of Huntington’s disease before I started writing Someone Else’s Life, so I consulted midwives, social workers, professors and geneticists and most importantly met and contacted a lot of people with and affected by Huntington’s disease, who were kind enough to share their experiences with me, and even read the book before it went to print to make sure everything I described was accurate and authentic.

I loved the dual narrative in the novel. What made you decide to write it this way?

At first I wrote Someone Else’s Life as a single narrative, but as it progressed it became clear that there was another voice that demanded to be heard! Consequently I went back and added in a second narrative and that’s when the story really came to life. I think there are two sides (at least!) to every tale and I found it fascinating to explore both viewpoints – especially when they argued! I think it’s a really good way to explore an issue as it hopefully splits your sympathies as a reader and demonstrates that things are rarely as black-and-white as one person may think.

The book really made me consider the importance of being biologically related – what it means to know who we are and where we came from – and the true meaning of family. Are these themes you wanted to explore?

Definitely. I’m very interested in the concept of identity – what makes us who we are? Is it genetic? Or how we’re brought up? Or a combination of the two? Or do we ourselves decide through our own choices and actions? Likewise, the idea of family is an interesting one. Just because you’re related to someone should you automatically love them? What if you found out someone you love isn’t related to you after all – does that change the way you feel about them? What does “family” really mean?

Did you always want to be a writer?

No! When I was a little girl I really wanted to grow up to be a farmer’s wife! (Read more at http://katiedaleuk.blogspot.com/p/story-so-fara-series-of-fortunate.html) Then the acting bug kicked in and I pursued that right into drama school and beyond, but I’ve always loved writing too. My mum, Elizabeth Dale, is a children’s author, so it’s always been in the background, and I did lots of writing courses at university, but it wasn’t until I entered the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices competition that I seriously pursued it as a career. That gave me the confidence to work hard and finish my first novel – and now it’s such a thrill to see it published!

What is a typical writing day like for you? Are they any ‘must-haves’ you need before you can sit down to write?

Not really! I stagger out of bed, flop onto the sofa and pick up my laptop and then hours can pass before I realize I’ve missed breakfast and I’m still in my PJs! If I get stuck, then I do need props – coffee, sweets, things to nibble while I think and mull things over – and I usually time my lunch-break so I can watch Neighbours  I need my Australian soap fix!

What’s your favourite aspect of writing? And the most challenging?

My favourite aspect of writing is that I can work on my sofa in my PJs! And that if I’m really tired I don’t HAVE to get up early to get to a day job (my other half is REALLY jealous about that!). The most challenging aspect is that unlike lots of jobs, I have to produce my work from inside my head – there’s no formula or routine that can get me through – if I get stuck or the words just aren’t coming it can be really frustrating!

What’s next for you? Are you working on something at the moment?
Yes, I’m currently in the middle of writing an as-yet untitled YA thriller! Here’s the blurb:

Tall, dark, and handsome, the first time Sasha meets mysterious Christian she knows he is The One. But Christian is hiding a terrible secret. Why does he clam up every time Sasha asks about his past? Why does he have the initials L.N. engraved on his watch? Why doesn’t he have any family – and why does he dye his blond hair black?

Then one day Christian’s house goes up in flames, his tyres are slashed, he flees for his life, and Sasha insists on going with him.

But as Christian’s secret is unveiled in front of the whole world, it seems everything he’s ever told Sasha is a lie. Even his name. Her loyalties torn, her emotions in tatters, Sasha must decide whether to stand by the man she loves, or turn him over to his pursuers. Can what they’re saying about him really be true? Should she trust him? Or is she in terrible danger…?

But Christian isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

For what if their accidental meeting was no accident at all…
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Thanks Katie!

You can find Katie on her website and Twitter.

You can read my review for Someone Else's Life here 

My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent (Blog Tour: Review and Q&A)

For Review: Mira Ink
Published: 21 October 2011

From Goodreads: Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

This series really does get better and better with each book! This one is concentrated a bit more on Kaylee and the fallout from My Soul to Keep and the arrival of a new character,  but there is still plenty of action and I loved the introduction of that certain new character!

Yes, yes I mean Sabine. While I may not have always liked her I absolutely loved her character. I loved how honest she is. We may not always like what she has to say but she is very blunt about the truth, and I really enjoyed the way she complicates things with Nash. I also really like the addiction of Alec, who we met in My Soul to Keep. I really do hope he sticks around because he definitely has the potential to be interesting.

Of course the story is not just about the arrival of Sabine. Strange things are again afoot at their High school - teachers are dying in their sleep and the students all seem to be suffering from violent jealousy. Could Sabine be behind these occurrences or is something more sinister at work?

Tod managed to make me like him even more - I think the scene between him and Kaylee where he tells her what he really thinks about Sabine and Nash is going to be one of my favourite scenes for a long time. He doesn't sugarcoat the truth and I find that very refreshing.

In terms of Kaylee and Nash I surprisingly found myself feeling really sorry for Nash this time. I understand why Kaylee is confused about whether the two of them can be together (and the arrival of Sabine doesn't really help) but I was a bit disappointed that Kaylee is not being there for Nash when he really needs someone. But at the same time I do stick to what I said before - I'm not sure the two of them will get past this - Kaylee seems to need for this to have not happened - to have things the way there were before - rather than trying to build something new. Just my opinion of course - and I have every faith in Rachel Vincent as an author that she could change my mind! And perhaps my love for a certain reaper is clouding my judgement...

So yes,  I love this series to death and can't wait to get my hands on If I Die. I've heard it's a series changer so I am desperate to find out what that means!

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As part of a blog tour for the release of My Soul To Steal Rachel kindly took the time to do a Q& A:

I love how Kaylee gets stronger with each book. Is it important for you to have a strong female lead?

Yes. That’s the only thing that’s remained the same in every book I’ve written. My leading women make mistakes, but they’re all incredibly strong, in one way or another.

Each new book makes me love Tod more and more. Did you always intend for him to play such a large part in the series or did he surprise you?

Tod was a bit of a surprise. I like him. I think I’ll keep him around. ;)

I loved the addition of Sabine to the series! Is she fun to write and will she continue to play a big role?

Thanks! She’s actually my favourite character to write. And yes, she’s a permanent member of the cast now.

Nash really has had some tough times recently. Do you think he will ever truly forgive himself for what he did?

I think that’s gonna be hard. He’s a good guy, and he feels horrible about everything that’s happened. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t like writing him.

Can you give us any hints for what is next in store for Kaylee, Nash and Tod?

Death. Kissing. Drama. You know, all the good stuff. ;)

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Thanks Rachel! I'm please to hear Sabine is now a permanent cast member! And more kissing? Please say it's with Tod...

You can find Rachel Vincent at her Website, on Facebook and Twitter.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (Review & Interview)

For Review:  Mira-Ink
Published: 16 September 2011

From Goodreads: It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

I really enjoyed this one. I found myself completely swept along with the story and I loved the characters. Especially Henry!

When we first meet Kate she is driving her terminally ill mother back to her hometown. Kate is determined to make the time her mother has left as comfortable as possible. But when she witnesses a man bring a girl back to life with her own eyes he offers her a deal. It turns out he is actually Hades, God of the Underground and he offers to keep her mother alive while she passes seven tests. And if she succeeds she will rule the underground with him as a goddess. And as his wife...

To say I loved Henry is just a little bit of an understatement. Man,  I loved him! And I also loved the way the relationship between him and Kate evolves into something really good. Kate is such a great character too. I liked how she thought of others and how strong she was even if she didn't realise it.

You find out pretty early on that Kate is not the first person to try to pass the seven tests. It would seem that someone wants anyone who tries dead. I have to say I really enjoyed this aspect of the story. I had absolutely no idea who was behind it all and I loved how it was all resolved.  There were a few other revelations too - some of which I had predicted - but also a couple that completely took me by surprise.

The seven test were really cleverly incorporated into the story too. Kate had no idea when she was facing a test and neither do we. So we have no idea until the end whether she has succeeded or not! I was desperate to find out! 

I can't wait for the next book in the series - I am so looking forward to spending more time with these characters.

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Aimee Carter also took the time to answer a few of my questions...

The Goddess Test is based around the Greek Myth of Hades and Persephone . Are you a big fan of Greek Mythology?
Yes! I adore Greek mythology. I’ve been devouring various versions of myths since I first learned how to read. I’m by no means an expert, but they never fail to be entertaining.

How many books do you have planned for the series? And can you give us any hints for what's next in store for Kate?
Right now there are three written, and it could either end there or go on, depending on how it all works out. I can’t give too much away, but I will say that Kate finds out exactly what it means to become a god in the next book, and it isn’t what she expects.

What is your favourite aspect of writing? And the most challenging
The storytelling aspect of it is by far my favourite. Outlining a story is a little like figuring out a puzzle to me, and I absolutely love it when I’m in the middle of writing and something new jumps out. The most challenging would probably be the last stages of editing – copyediting, proofreading, that sort. Mostly because I’m a perfectionist, and while some people zoom through their drafts, I read every last word to myself, sometimes over and over again to make sure it all makes sense. It’s extremely tedious and time-consuming.

What is a typical writing day like for you? Are there any 'must-haves' you need before you can sit down to write?
Writing days vary widely on how close the deadline is. I tend to write for a few hours after lunch every day, but on heavy writing days, I will write shortly after getting up, as well as long into the night. All I need is silence or, barring that – I tend to write in public places like bookstores and cafes – an iPod to drown out the conversation around me.

What's next for you? Are you working on a different series as well?
Up next are edits for the third Goddess Test book, which I’m very excited about. And as it happens, I do have a new YA series coming out in the US, the first book of which is called MASKED. The release date for it has been fluid lately, but it looks like right now it’ll be coming out after the third Goddess Test book. I’m always working on something new though, and if you want to keep up to date on what I’m doing, you can always find my page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter (@aimee_carter).
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Thanks Aimee! I can't wait for more Henry...

You can find Aimee at her Website, on Facebook and on Twitter.

* Photo taken from author's Website

Author Interview: Jane Cuff

Jane Cuff is the author of W.S: From 'rear-ender' to 'slender' Brenda and It's For Your Own Good. She kindly agreed to answer a few of my questions...
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You have written 2 novels - W.S: From 'rear-ender' to 'slender' Brenda and It's For Your Own Good. Can you tell us a bit about them?
W.S is a fictional comedy where the bully becomes the bullied. It's aimed at 9yrs plus, but has a growing teenage and adult following.

Katie is slim, attractive and popular, whilst Brenda the new fat girl is anything but. Brenda instantly becomes the target of Katie's vicious bullying.

Early on in the book, the tables get turned with Katie gaining weight and losing friends, whilst Brenda loses weight and suddenly becomes popular and liked!

In the book I'm able to be ruthlessly funny against the new fat, unpopular Katie as the reader often feels that she's just getting what she dished out, what she deserves!

W.S takes the reader on a journey of laughter and self examination. As we all know deep down, something is only funny when you're not on the receiving end of it.

During the book you meet Katie's mum and dad, which gives you an insight into why she may have behaved the way she did... before the change.

From the feedback I've received so far, it appears that W.S has managed to strike the balance of being a pacey and humorous easy read, that also subtly challenges the reader to think before they speak/act.

It's For Your Own Good (IFYOG) is a comedy thriller exploiting the power and control Health & Safety now seems to have in our every day lives.

It seems now-a-days that most things are being banned due to Health & Safety; for whatever reason.

When I wrote IFYOG I wanted readers, both young and old, to have a good laugh at the everyday effect that Health & Safety can have in our lives, whilst also questioning; 'How far is this all going to go?'
I don't know about you, but I often catch myself thinking through every possible scenario or consequence before I partake in what used to be regarded as everyday risks!

Again, the feedback I've received so far has been better than I could ever have hoped for with children, teachers and parents welcoming a book that is totally different and topically funny.

How did you come up with the ideas for your books?
W.S came about when one of our son's was bullied. It was a very hard time for all of us. One day when leaving one of the many meetings we had with the head teacher, I turned to my husband and said, "Do you think the bully would do it, if he knew how it felt?" From that one question came the concept for W.S. I've used humour to deliver a very hard hitting message, as I believe laughter can more often than not, help people to swallow the truth.

IFYOG was inspired by the increasing 'Big brother' atmosphere that seems to be enveloping our country. I believe we are becoming a nation of frightened and controlled people who are too afraid to... even discouraged to take risks and make informed choices. I wanted to write an action packed book that children would enjoy, but might also say; 'do I want to inherit this way of living.'

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Is writing a full-time job?
I am married to Nathan, who is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to me and I'm also the proud mother of two fun filled, lovely boys.

I wish writing was a full time job!! I work two days a week for an aromatherapy firm, whilst the other days I juggle home life and writing.

Did you always want to be a writer?I've always had a vivid imagination and loved telling stories. I started writing a book years ago, but never finished it! Three years ago I listened to a lady called Liz Jackson, who runs her own, very successful business. Liz is blind and won't let anyone tell her what she can or can't achieve. During her speech she asked if anyone of us knew any 'Nearly people'. She said, they go on and on about what they've nearly done!! I sat there and thought, I don't just know nearly people, I am one.' That night I went home and started my first novel, Bloodmix.


What's your favourite aspect of being an author?
Being able to transfer what's going on in my head onto paper, for others to read.

And the most challenging?
Finding the time - balancing everything.

What's a typical writing day like for you? Are they any 'must-haves' before you can sit down to write?
I can easily do a 6hr writing day when the children are at school. I close my front curtains so no one can look through the window and disturb me. I only answer the phone to family (thank goodness for caller I.D).
I must have: A time line of events, notes, my laptop and copious amounts of mint tea!

Which author's did you read during your childhood? Any books that are still a favourite now?
C.S Lewis
EB White
George Orwell
Enid Blyton

I have always and will always love Charlotte's Webb.

What's next for you? Are you working on something at the moment?
Yes, I'm in the middle of my next book which at the moment is going to be called, 'I know how you feel.' However I'm always open to the title changing as the book develops.
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Thanks Jane! 

You can purchase Jane's books through Waterstone's and Amazon.

You can find Jane on her Blog , on Twitter and on Facebook