Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts

Monday, May 12, 2014

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH author Patricia Puddle – Ominous Series



Where were you born and where do you call home?
I was born in Scunthorpe in England and came to Australia just before my thirteenth birthday. I now live on the Mid North Coast of NSW in a quaint little village where I write.

Tell us about something that has just happened or is about to happen in your life that you would like to share.
After writing and illustrating children's books, I decided to try Fantasy Romance. I loved writing romance so much that I am also writing two more series. Plus I have Comedy/Horror story half written too. I also have  two children’s books that need editing before publishing. It’s just finding the time.

What inspired you to start writing, and when?
As a young child, I missed a lot of schooling due to childhood illnesses and operations. Unfortunately, I had an extremely mean teacher for the next few years, who never helped me to catch up to the other students. Instead, she used to send me home with another girl that got behind with her lessons. Of course we never went home or told our parents. We used to go to the park or climb up the mountains of rubble from a demolished building we called  The Brick Field. We even rummaged through garbage bins and collected used bubblegum from the pavement to make a giant ball. One day we spied through the kitchen window of a little boy we liked at school. Of course we got caught and busted for that. My parents ended up banning me from playing with my best friend so when I was older  and finally learned how to write better, I turned my childhood memoirs into fictitious children’s books, which became my Rascals Series.

How many books have you written?  If more than one, are any a series…or trilogy?
I have Written and published seven books and have another ten that I’m writing at the moment. I have written and published two in my Ominous Series and I’m presently writing the third. There will be more in that series, then I’ll be starting my Innocent Love Series and My Delusional Series. My Children’s series are, The Rascals, Velvet Ball & The Broken Fairy, and Molly Gumnut.

What is the name of your most recent book and please sum it up in 50 words or less.
Fallen Angel is a prequel to Ominous Love. It’s a fantasy romance where two guardian angels fall in love with the same girl and fight for her heart. I wrote Ominous Love first, but fans requested more history on why the angels both wanted the same girl.

If you gave one of your characters in any of your books  an opportunity to speak for themselves outside the realm of the story, what would they say?
Nathaniel would say: “I never chose to fall for a human, it just happened. Whether I’m banished to Earth or have my wings, I will do my utmost to save Eloise from Evil and protect her from danger. She is my only reason for being.

Do you have plans for a new book?
I have so many new books started and even some book covers all ready.
  
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
eBook. I love reading in the dark on my iPad and know it will turn off if I fall asleep. Plus you don’t have to hold them.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?
Amazon, Smashwords, iTunes.

Are you a self- published (Indie) Author?
 Yes, and proud of it, since I taught myself to write, publish, and market my books.

Who designed the cover of your book?

Do you find yourself intrigued by the cover of a book enough to buy it? 
Definitely.

What Music inspires your writing?
Nathaniel Willemse, Birdy, Bruno Mars, One Direction, and Robin Thick. Oh, and Taylor Henderson.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Never give another author a bad review. If you really don’t like a book, don’t review it.

Did you have a favorite toy as a child?
Yes, a doll that my father bought me. I loved that doll, but had to leave it in the hospital a year later as the nurses said it had germs. I was terribly upset, and even though my dad bought me another doll, it wasn’t the same. I believed my dolls were real and could feel pain.

An early childhood memory 
When I was six, I accidently wet my pants because the teacher wouldn’t let me go to the bathroom during class. At playtime, I sneaked to the back of the classroom and stuffed them down the back of the radiator to dry.  Trouble was they stunk out the classroom and the teacher checked everyone to see who was wet. She didn’t suspect me cause my pants were warm and dry.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Oh, yes. I love writing in my pajamas. Especially when I’m near the end of a book and keep going day and night.

What are your pet peeves?
Power cuts when there are storm, especially when you’re uploading a new book to publish.

Any pets that you would like to tell us about, share a pic?
image038We had three adorable guinea pigs we rescues from being sold for snake food.  It was sad when they eventually died. They were so adorable. Also I cared for an injured baby bandicoot that was injured by a cat. After he recovered, I let him go back to the wild, then I wrote a fictitious children’s book about him. Called Molly Gumnut Rescues a Bandicoot. We also have kangaroos and wallabies right outside our window.


What are your favorite food and beverage?
Stir fried veggies, curries. Veggie Juice, Yogurt smoothies, Herb teas.

What hobbies do you have not relating to writing?
I love power walking on the highway because there are no bumps to trip over like in my surrounding streets. We live on a country dirt road.
I also love doing a doing weights. I build rock walls when I have stones to work with. I uses to sew and make rag dolls and their clothes before I started writing, then I would photograph them in the woods. Here is a link to see them: http://trish-mollygumnut.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/my-raggedy-tots.html

Do you write outside of your favorite genre?  Why?
Yes, if a story pops into my head. I’ve written: Children’s Books, Fantasy Romance, kids songs, and I’m writing Comedy/Horror, plus a Cookery Book. I plan other genres as well.

In your case, how many hours do you devote to research and writing per day?
I average sixteen hours per day.

What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
iPAd, iPhone. Note book & pen, makeup.

Sleep in or get up early?
Both, depending. I write and sleep when I’m falling asleep at the computer.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop.

Your favorite gadget -
IPad. 

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
 In my home office anytime.

Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday?
America.

List 3 of your favorite movies?
Man of Steel, Gone With The Wind,  Ghost.

An actor, author or a book character you admire.
Angeline Jolie

What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed?
Man of Steel with Henry Cavil. Loved it!

If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?  Feel free to add pics.
Henry Cavill for Nathaniel. Birdie or Selina Gomez  for Eloise. Johnny Ruffo for the cheeky Tom. But for Devlin, well that’s a hard one. Here is my Pinterest board of who I would like to play my characters;
Where can your readers stalk you?
My Children’s book Blog: http://trish-mollygumnut.blogspot.com.au/
Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
My books are in both.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview, it has been fun, and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word.  I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. 

 Patti Roberts.
Author/Book cover designer & format 
WEB - HERE
Facebook - HERE

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Paradox Series - Before history was written… before humanity drew its first breath… the war had already begun.




The Paradox Series

Before history was written… before humanity drew its first breath… the war had already begun.

In the Time Before Time, angelic races ruled creation—beings of blinding light and unspeakable darkness. When the first angels fell, they did not fade into oblivion. They rose again as something far more terrifying.

The original vampires.

Immortal. Ruthless. Predatory.

They claimed a newborn world called Earth as their hunting ground.

Humanity never saw them coming.

As vampire dominion spreads across continents, cities crumble beneath hidden terror and blood-soaked ambition. The hunters become the hunted. Entire bloodlines vanish. The balance of creation fractures.

But Heaven does not remain silent.

A race of guardian angels descends—not only to defend their own, but to preserve the fragile existence of humankind. Ancient kingdoms ignite. Supernatural alliances splinter. Gods awaken. Magic returns.

And at the center of this escalating war stands one unsuspecting girl.

Grace Connors carries a power older than the stars—a living key to both salvation and annihilation. She holds the past and the future in her hands, though she does not yet understand the cost of what she is.

Because in a universe where angels fall and monsters wear beautiful faces, destiny is never gentle.

Sweeping across galaxies, centuries, and realms, The Paradox Series is an epic saga of celestial warfare, fallen immortals, forbidden love, and brutal choices—where heaven and hell are not distant realms, but forces battling within the human soul.

And when the final line is drawn…

Who will survive?

What Readers Are Saying

• Immersive world-building – Readers say the world of angels, fallen angels, vampires, and the supernatural is rich, detailed, and captivating, making it feel like you’re inside the story rather than just reading it.
• Strong emotional pull – Several reviewers mention being emotionally invested in the characters, especially the protagonist (Grace), with some saying the book moved them deeply and tugged at their heartstrings.
• Well-developed characters – The cast is described as believable and engaging, with readers appreciating the depth and nuances of their personalities.
• Fast-paced, gripping storytelling – Many reviews highlight that the series is engaging and “hard to put down,” with twists and evolving plotlines that keep readers hooked.
• Detailed prose and visual storytelling – Some readers praise Patti Roberts’ descriptive writing, saying it evokes vivid scenes and pulls them into the setting.

📌 What Some Fans Specifically Like

✔️ The blend of fantasy, mythology, and romance woven into the angelic lore.
✔️ The emotional depth and relationships between characters.
✔️ The sense of mystery and ongoing world evolution across the series.

📘 Overall Impression:

Fans of Paradox tend to describe it as a compelling paranormal fantasy that delivers big imaginative ideas, well-drawn characters, and an addictive mix of mythology, action, and emotion — ideal for readers who love rich world-building and character-driven fantasy.

The Mystical World of Altair awaits....

Book 1 book trailer




US - ebook from Amazon
UK - ebook from Amazon
Paradox Blog
Twitter
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Paradox - The Angels Are Here (Book 1 in the Paradox Series)

I love Patti’s style of writing, it is a book you have to read slowly and carefully, but only so that you don’t miss anything, Patti does such a phenomenal job at describing every detail. I have to thank Patti for allowing me to read her novella and I would recommend this book to all. It is a superb book and I think you will all enjoy it as much as I did.  Patti, yes I loved the book, can I ask one question, can I pleaseeeeeee review book 2 for you - it really was the most amazing book I have read in a long time, and that cliffhanger at the end *panting for more* !!  Natalie Hillier

Review by: Suzy Turner on July 28, 2011 : star star star star star
This is so totally different from anything I’ve read recently and I have to say… WOW. Patti Roberts is a truly remarkable writer. The way she weaves her tales among the story is extraordinary. I can honestly say I was in awe of the way she managed to do it. I’d love to have that talent.


Jayde Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars 
There's no doubt Patti Roberts is someone who knows how to build strong characters and a vivid setting. I liked the darker side of some of the angels. It was a unique and convincing way to view spirituality and the angels' role within humanity. I also liked how they were connected to Grace and Grace's role within the larger picture. I do agree with others who said some questions were left unanswered, but I feel that was necessary in order to be able to explore those in detail in books to follow.

I wasn't supposed to read this book until I finished two others I had in front of it. After a peak inside I was sucked in and finished the book in one evening. I rarely give five stars, but the fact that I couldn't sleep until I finished it deserves it. Julia Crane

Patti Roberts writes clearly and evokes an emotional reaction as well as deep thought in her readers, clearly an amazing writer. The reader will look forward to the sequel of this novel. – Krystal

I honestly couldn’t stop reading and finished the book in less than 3 hours because I wanted to know what was going to happen next – Alaiel Kreuz

For myself it gave me my first taste of the world of Angels through Patti Roberts eyes and I was not disappointed. – Darkiss Reads


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Interview With Author Nathaniel Wyckoff - Yaakov the Pirate Hunter

Where do you call home?
Los Angeles, California.

Do you have plans for a new book?
Yes, but I haven’t started writing it yet. I plan to make it more fantasy than science fiction, against a historical fiction backdrop. It will also be a middle-grade novel, possibly with more of an appeal to girls than Yaakov the Pirate Hunter had.

What inspired you to write your first book?
My children and I used to have a long drive to school every morning. We tried to make those trips interesting by telling stories. Each child got a turn to pick a story idea, and I would invent and tell a story about that idea, on the spot. One morning, the second oldest of our boys wanted a story about ten very tall robots. I made up an adventure story about a bunch of robots and their owner, and actually told it over two morning trips to school. The story basically involved characters, but I thought it would be more enjoyable for kids if the story centered on children. Since children usually don’t own big, expensive machines like robots, I made it a family adventure in which the parents own a bunch of robots and the children sometimes mess around with them. I wrote a short story for a course on writing for children, and my instructor suggested that the ending leave some room for continuing the story. Later, I decided to expand the story into a full-length novel.

What book are you reading now?
Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne. I’m reading it to one of my sons. We’re enjoying it immensely. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s science fiction in the classical sense: the use of fiction as a vehicle to teach science. Verne’s primary goal in writing science fiction was science education. That goal gets lost sometimes in some of the sci-fi material that gets written these days, but it’s a good one to keep in mind. Education was the defining characteristic of the science fiction genre.

Are there any authors who have grasped your interest lately and why?
Laura Ruby and Tony DiTerLizzi are two recent finds. Their children’s works are very engaging. We discovered Ruby’s The Wall and the Wing last summer. Our two eldest children called it their favorite novel of all time, and my wife and I were very impressed by it. Ruby combined a very clever and complex plot with intriguing storytelling and remarkably funny humor. Parts of it had me laughing out loud. Its sequel, The Chaos King, had a similar effect on me. DiTerLizzi’s latest novel, The Search for WondLa, is a brilliant piece of work. The storytelling is gripping, and the book is very hard to put down once you’ve picked it up. It’s a tale that keeps the reader guessing until the very end, and then leaves the reader begging for more. The book jacket says that it’s only the first of a trilogy, and I’m looking forward to the sequels.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to your writing?
The biggest challenge is always getting started. Once I’ve overcome that initial hurdle, and actually sat down to write, a story will often start flowing and almost write itself.


Do you have any advice for other writers?
Throw all negativity and nay-saying out of your life and just do it. Don’t listen to any of the cynics, and forget about your own worries. If writing is a passion and something that you really want to do, don’t let anything stand in your way.


Where can your readers follow you?
Follow me at my blog: http://wyckoffwonders.blogspot.com. It’s still quite new, but I hope to start posting to it more often.
You can also follow me or contact me on Goodreads.
Look for me at New Book Journal, too: newbookjournal.com/bbpress.

Supporting New Authors - Leave a comment and say Hi.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Up Close And Personal with Farida Mestek Author of A Secret Arrangement


Where do you call home?

Odessa, Ukraine. This is where I was born, grew up and live. I can't really imagine myself anywhere else. I'd love to travel, but I know that I won't like to stay in any other place indefinitely – I'll always be drawn back home.

Do you have plans for a new book?

I have so many of them! I have a long list of book and screenplay ideas that I want to work on. I want to continue my Regency line, both traditional and m/m; I want to write a prequel to my fantasy novella “Almendra: A Fairy-Tale”; I want to try writing screenplays for movies and TV shows... lots and lots of plans there :))

What inspired you to write your first book?

I always knew that writing was a part of me and when my mind became haunted by a presence of a young woman with fair skin and long, black hair, I knew that I had to write her story.

How did you come up with the title and cover design?

Because “Almendra: A Fairy-Tale” was so long in the making, it had quite a few titles along the way. I started writing it about ten years ago, finishing it about five years later. It seems like a hell of a time to spend on writing a book that is so short, but, while I've been writing pretty much all my life, at the time the idea for “Almendra” came to me, I was mainly writing poems, songs and essays. So I had to work on my writing and then I spent a lot of time making a very detailed outline of the story. I can't tell you how many times I revised “Almendra” before putting it away for another five years. Last year in a fit of nostalgia – Almendra was such a big part of my life that she became a member of the family – I reread it and decided to publish it. And as I was reading it again, I realized that it was a fairy-tale with a twist. Thus it became “Almendra: A Fairy-Tale”.

As for the cover design, I wanted it to be something bright and fairy-tale-like. So I made a collage with Almendra and her friend Joannah and their goals and my publisher supplied me with a picture of a wolf (another main character of the story) and mashed it all together. In fact, I made a great number of covers: I drew and painted them and even made one from beads! It was my favourite cover, but we couldn't make it work...

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

Well, when it comes to “Almendra”, I have to say that about 80 per cent of it is based on my life, my fears, my experiences. I think I can say that I based Almendra on myself but I made her more beautiful :)) And I definitely had my mother in mind when I described her mother. In fact, The Upper Kingdom situation is very similar to that of my own family. It consists of women only and they are all very strong, in their own way, and I wanted my heroines to be just like that and I also wanted to have one place ruled only by women.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why?

I would say Anne of Green Gables series and Jane Austen books. I do tend to imitate them after reading them. They have very different styles but I love them and I try to mix them together in my own way.

What book are you reading now?

I've started reading Fanny Burney's Journal and Letters recently and I'm going to take part in “Evelina” group read, which I'm very excited about. But I have so little time for reading now that I still haven't finished Sherlock Holmes Complete Stories! I'm also listening to Harry Potter and the Order of th Phoenix audio-book.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest and why?

The other day I interviewed Patricia Puddle and her stories made a great impression on me. She writes for children, but I don't think it matters much if a book grabs your attention. She has a story about a bandicoot and a girl who rescues him and I just love animals and I found bandicoots really cute. Another story is about a girl who suffers from alopecia, which is something I can relate to after undergoing chemo treatment.

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?

Oh yes! I always want to change something. In fact, once the book is published, I'm in a state of constant fear that I've made hundreds of typos and mistakes and I want to reread it but I can't really face it. I'm a perfectionist at heart but I also know that a book can't be perfect and no matter how many times I revise it and go back to it, there will always be a part of me that will remain dissatisfied.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to your writing?

I love writing like nothing else in the world, but I'm also very dependent on my muse. Unfortunately, she keeps coming and going at odd times and the biggest challenge for me is to keep writing when she's gone. I have loads of ideas that I want to turn into books, but I need time and inspiration.

Who designed the covers?

Like I mentioned before, I supplied some ideas for “Almendra” cover. However, all my other covers were supplied by my publishers.
Do you have a book trailer?

Not yet. I'm thinking about making one at some point, but I'm not very good with technology so I'll probably need someone else's help.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Keep writing and believing in your stories and characters. It can be tough at times to face bad reviews or low sales or to have no feedback at all, but the most important thing is not to lose perspective and keep going.

Where can your readers follow you?

I have several blogs:

The Upper Kingdom blog (http://the-upper-kingdom.blogspot.com/) is dedicated to “Almendra: A Fairy-Tale”.
Regency Sketches blog (http://faridamestek.blogspot.com/) is dedicated to my Regency-set stories.
Farida's Blog (http://faridamestek.librifiles.com/) is dedicated to my Girlebooks publications.
A Public Journal of a Regency Gentlewoman blog (http://regencyjournal.blogspot.com/) is an experimental journal where I try to write about the events of my daily life from the point of view of a 19th century gentlewoman.

Supporting New Authors:

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Ten Good Reasons to Lie About Your Age by Stephanie Zia

A romantic comedy about a 50 yr old woman back on the dating scene.

Sally Lightfoot is a backing singer and mum who's seen the raunchier side life. After the sudden death of her music producer husband, her life running their recording studio in the leafy outer-suburbs of London implodes.

Her skills at harmonising threaten to become her undoing. Tempted to age gracefully with added chocolate, Sally dismisses her feisty rock chick friend Ramone's advice to get herself out there again and lose her 'wididity' her born-again virginity, before it's too late. The thought of dating again is gross.

Why would she want all that fuss, bother and trauma that her daughter Ami was going through? With added flabby bits?

Egged on by Ramone's wididity challenge and insistence that if she wants something she has to go for it, Sally finally plucks up courage to leave her isolated comfort zone to face the possibility of humiliation and rejection square on.

Readers comment:

"I devoured this book. Last night I finished it before my cats got fed." US Amazon ***** LIZZYTISH

"A beautiful life interrupted then healed by the songs of Leonard Cohen." BLOGCRITICS

"One minute this book has the reader laughing out loud, the next we are sobbing. Romantic, hilarious, engaging and highly perceptive, this is a finely written novel that deserves to be a bestseller." JACQUI LOFTHOUSE, The Writing Coach

"I would recommend this book for reading and book clubs. It is insightful and delightful, full of thoughtful dialogue and exceptional clarity. Sally feels real, like a neighbor or a friend and that makes the story take on a presence of its own."
LESLIE WRIGHT, The Huffington Post, Blogcritics, Seattlepi, Tic Toc.

About the Author:

Biography

I am a novelist and journalist. For the past 6 years I have written regularly for The Guardian as their Weekend Magazine Cleaning Guru, answering readers' impossible cleaning and stains problems.

I've published 3 Novels: Baby on Board (Piatkus 2003), Keeping Mum (Piatkus 2004) and, my most recent, Ten Good Reasons To Lie About Your Age (blackbirdebooks) about a widow back on the dating scene challenged to lose her 'wididity', her born-again virginity. I've also published several stain removal guides, the latest being a comprehensive collection of my columns, full of eco-living top tips that… Read more

Supporting New Authors:
Paradox - the Angels Are Here

Thank you dropping by, please leave a comment. Patti
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