BLOG TOUR #9 - INTERVIEW WITH KELLEY YORK AUTHOR OF HUSHED

I would like to welcome KELLEY YORK author of 'HUSHED' , to Novels On The Run and thank her for taking the time to answer some questions and for writing such a brilliant YA genre, thriller. I’ve also popped in a couple questions for Archer and Evan.

Michelle:  I love to put song vid clips on my interviews that matches the character or characters relationship. It’s, a great way of also hearing new songs and the songs connection to the character. Kelley, what song would you use to describe, Evan and Archer's relationship, Archer and Vivian's relationship and Vivian?

EVAN AND ARCHER'S RELATIONSHIP

SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW by KEANE

 “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane : - Official vid .

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oextk-If8HQ&feature=colike

Kelley: Kind of lost and sad, but hopeful at the same time. Such a pretty song.

ARCHER AND VIVIAN'S RELATIONSHIP

SPIN by SPLENDER

Kelley:   A good song for them about halfway through the book. (Also one of my favourite songs ever!)

VIVIAN

STAY by SHAKESPEARE'S SISTER

 “Stay” by Shakespeare’s Sister: - Official Vid
http://youtu.be/_eXw47qb4U0

Kelley:  Two polar opposite personalities of a girl singing to the same guy, moving from sweet and loving to vindictive and cruel.


Wow this is very Vivian, this song!!

Michelle:  This question is for Evan and Archer.


Evan, could you please describe Archer in 5 words or less and also Vivian in 5 words or less?


Evan:  For Archer: (1) Confused (2) Lonely (3) Hopeful (4) Lost (5) Pretty!

For Vivian: (1) We (2) don't (3) talk (4) about (5) her.

Michelle:  Archer could you please describe Evan in 5 words or less?

Archer:  For Evan? (1) Charming (2) Safe (3) Geeky (4) Warm (5) Whale (...What? He eats like one.)

Michelle:  Are you more comfortable writing a dark story that is intense and emotional opposed to what I call a ‘combo’ story, where you get to laugh, cry, be on this mad rollercoaster of action and suspense with the characters? What I mean is ‘Hushed’ is not a book where you can laugh with the characters. You more want to cry at their pain or could you write a book that makes you laugh as well. You write dark emotional very well.

Kelley:  Thank you! Out of everything I've written, HUSHED is definitely the darkest. My other books, including my WIPs, have at least a little more brightness in them to counterbalance the dark. My narrator/MC in my third book goes through a lot of hell and is put in some pretty crummy situations, but her response to it is to shove it to the back of her mind and make jokes about it. Uhh, I don't know if that answers the question properly. ;) I think it just depends on my characters if it comes out as a 'combo' book versus purely dark and emotional. If HUSHED has been told from Evan's POV, it would have been brighter and more amusing.

Michelle:   Evan, what would be the perfect date night for you?

Evan:  The one with Archer, obviously. Maybe dinner and a walk down the beach. Oh, hey, maybe someday we'll be one of those super-famous power couples that are famous for doing absolutely nothing and we can get into any restaurant we want without reservations. Do you think our fans and the media would blend our names together, like Branjelina? We'd be...Avan. Or Echer. No, those suck. What about Ever? ... What was the question again?


Michelle:  Kelley, I read that you like writing male POV. Will you ever write a female/female thriller or are you happy writing male/male?

Kelley:  Oh, I'm good with whatever, really. Any character idea that catches my interest makes me happy. I like writing from a male POV for some reason, but I do have an idea for a dark ghost story with a female/female pairing.

Big Thank You to Kelley, Archer and Evan.

Michelle

'Kelley York delivers in this impressive debut. I was at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next! Bottom line, this was unputdownable!!!' --- YA Fantasy Guide ---




'How exciting that we live in a time when gay teen protagonists can be just as screwed up as straight ones -- and their stories just as creepy!'--- Brent Hartinger, award-winning author of Geography Club and Shadow
Walkers ---


Author Bio:


Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she still resides with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets. (Although she does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.) She has a fascination with bells, adores all things furry - be them squeaky, barky or meow-y - is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to pretend she's a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real
unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid.


Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers, paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. She loves stories where character development takes center stage.

Kelley's Website

Hushed - Synopsis:

He's saved her. He's loved her. He's killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn't protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he's never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn't matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another - Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.


Then along comes Evan, the only person who's ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.


But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer's committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn't get what she wants...And what she wants is Evan's death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

BLOG TOUR # 9 - BOOK REVIEW - HUSHED by KELLEY YORK

By: Kelley York
Published By : Entangled Publishing
Released : Available Now
Details: Ebook, 224 Pages

RATING: 5 ARCHER & EVAN STARS!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.  


Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.


Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.


But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.
 
 

BOOK REVIEW:



Every now and then a story comes along that I am so glad I read even though it was very dark, it left you holding your breath in places as you know the character is doing something unlawful and murderous but you can’t stop reading because you want to know, why? You also know that in their minds eye they think they are doing the right thing. Ridding the world of a useless human being who has hurt somebody you love, even though you are breaking the law. You have become possibly worse than their original behaviour.


This book is addictive on many levels. There are a lot of things going on in this book that make it a real page turner. It is not a paranormal, urban fantasy or vampire book. This is a story about a couple characters that have no special powers. They are broken in their own ways and one character who is the saviour that we all need in a friend when we have been the worse we can be in life but they are there to not judge but to hold our hand, be our confident, even if we should be locked away.


Archer has reasons for doing what he is doing, in his mind. He has justified his list of people he has to eliminate, because of a love for his best friend who had her innocence taken away.


Dexter, the T.V. show is an example of a guy that has another side to him and he is fixing what he truly believes needs fixing/eliminating. Archer has a Dexter type personality, although not as gruesome, but he does what he needs to do. Archer believes in what he is doing until his conscience catches up on him. He no longer wants to be a monster.


Enter Evan who I absolutely adore. He has this presence, this shyness, yet this goodness that balances out Archer’s dark side, what Archer needs, whether he knows it yet or not.


This book is a beautiful love story as much as it is a dark story. York really weaves everything together very powerfully. This is not your boy, girl love story. I cannot fault this book. York has written the love story between Archer and Evan so beautifully and in parts you want the relationship to move quicker than it is. Evan has such a good soul. He handles Archer carefully and lovingly. Lets Archer decide for himself where his loyalty lies.


I could have cried at how broken Archer became. Vivian is a piece of work but at the same time she is broken and her jealous, manipulative ways, Archer didn’t deserve. What Archer did, he did for Vivian.


I have to put this down as one of the best non Paranormal reads I have read this year. This book has a lot of raw emotion, as the reader you can’t help feeling and wanting everything to turn out for Archer no matter how wrong he has been, no matter who he has murdered, no matter how many lives he has affected. You want him to have a shot at true happiness with Evan.


Evan is just a Saint. He has such a loyalty to Archer, he knows what Archer has done. He has enormous patience for Vivian and how she interrupts Archer’s life constantly. Evan is such a calm presence in Archer’s life. He shows him so much that he was missing.


I highly recommend this read.

Michelle

BLOG TOUR # 7 - BECCA FITZPATRICK - AUSTRALIAN SILENCE BOOK TOUR - AUSSIE FLAVOURED INTERVIEW

I would like to welcome Becca Fitzpatrick author of Hush Hush, Crescendo and Silence, to Australian book blog, Novels On The Run and thank her for taking the time to answer some questions for my interview.

Congratulations on the success of your Hush Hush series. I am a rather excitable Patch fan. I have a bit of a joke with a friend that we slap on our ‘Patch’, patches to give us a fix until we get to read another book.

I have been doing some research into other interviews you have done and have learnt quite a bit about you as an author.

I know that you listen to your IPod whilst running and plot to music, but you don’t listen to music while writing. Hush Hush took you 5 years to write. Hush Hush is now a graphic novel and there will be 3 graphic novels. 


I would like to share a couple of inspiring quotes from a couple of your previous interviews that I think should be framed on every budding writer’s wall.


“Uncertainty is the most difficult part. Take a deep breath, focus on the journey - the writing - more than the outcome....... If all that it amounts to is a labour of love, a story for my eyes alone, so be it!”


“I’ve got one shot at this life, and I should fill it with things I love.”


I really like the way you look at your writing process and life.

Interview Time!

MICHELLE:  This will be your first trip to Australia. Is there anything anybody has told you, you MUST eat, drink, visit or hold? ( I am thinking Koala here, people!)

BECCA:  I have heard I should absolutely NOT eat Vegemite, no matter how much I am pressured, ha! Of course, being the curious sucker that I am, I probably will. I also really want to see kangaroos in the wild. But I'm thinking that's unlikely, since I'll be spending so much time in the city...?

 (I funnily enough found a recipe for Vegemite Beef Tacos I felt inspired from Hush Hush and the Taco making that went on there)

MICHELLE: Becca, you will be getting the East Coast flavor of Australia with your visit, Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland, (my particular neck of the woods, although I have lived in all 3 states.)Will you be visiting any other parts of Australia for relaxation purposes, or is it all work and not a lot of play?

BECCA: This time around, it's definitely a work trip. As soon as the tour ends, I'll be heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a family ski trip. It will also be a bit of a research trip, too, since I'm planning to set my next book there. (The book won't be part of the HUSH, HUSH saga.)

MICHELLE:  Is there anything you can divulge about book 4, maybe a non spoiler quote between Patch and Nora, or anything really, a morsel is all I am asking. ( Like I wasn’t going to ask THAT question...hee..hee.)

BECCA: Quote.

  I pulled my blankets up to my chin, felt the soft, blissful tug of a dream beckoning me closer, let it drag me under— And then the mattress sunk with the weight of another body. “Not sure why you're so enamored with this bed,” Patch said. “It's twelve inches too short, four feet too narrow, and the purple sheets aren't doing it for me. My bed, on the other hand...” I opened one eye and found him stretched out beside me, hands clasped loosely behind his neck. His dark eyes watched mine, and he smelled clean and sexy. Most of all, he felt warm pressed up against me. Despite my best intentions, the close proximity was making it increasingly difficult to concentrate on sleep. “Ha,” I said. “I know you don't care how comfortable my bed is. You'd sleep just fine on a pallet of bricks.”

MICHELLE:  What songs would you use to describe, Patch and Nora's relationship, Vee, Nora & Scott's friendship, Patch and Nora?

I love to put the song vid clip onto my interview that matches the character as you have written 3 books, I thought it would be nice to hear these character’s or their relationships songs. It’s a great way of also hearing new songs and the songs connection to the character.

BECCA: 

PATCH & NORA’S RELATIONSHIP

“Just Like Heaven” by The Cure

VEE

“Lovefool” by The Cardigans

( Ha!..Perfect!)

NORA & SCOTT’S FRIENDSHIP

“Mad World” by Tears for Fears

 

PATCH

“Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones

or

 “Back in Black” by ACDC

( Woo hoot! )

OR

NORA

“Gravity” by Sara Bareilles

( I don't mind admitting this one had me reaching for the Kleenex, I was fogging up my reading glasses, nice pick Becca! I've not heard of this song before, Beautiful!!)

MICHELLE:  Could you give me 5 words that describe the fourth book in Hush Hush series?

BECCA:  Revelatory, sinister, explosive, twisty, seductive.

MICHELLE:  Is there any new characters that you are bringing to the fourth book? If so, can you describe one of these characters only, in 5 words or less, we don’t need a name.

BECCA:  Readers will get to meet an archangel, and I'd describe him as suspicious, cagey, and possibly up to no good.

MICHELLE:  Can you tell us the top 5 things you must have in your writing space?

BECCA:  A glass of water, red pens, a space heater (it's winter here!), index cards, and a cork board.

MICHELLE:  I know you are an ice cream lover, ( my snooping interview special powers). I am a Rum & Raisin ice cream girl, only flavour I touch..... I know, the world of ice cream is bigger than just the one flavour. This is a fun question. What flavour ice cream would you give these characters, as in what suits their personality?

Patch, Nora, Vee, Hank, Marcie, Scott, Nora’s Mum.

BECCA:

Patch: Rocky Road

Nora: Pistachio

Vee: Vanilla (that way she can top it with anything she wants)

Hank: Raisin

Marcie: Something fat free

Scott: Cherry Garcia

Blythe: Mint Chocolate Chip

MICHELLE:  I have a couple questions for Patch if he is available? I know from a previous interview you have done that you are afraid of albino bunnies..ha! I have an albino guinea pig, and yes the red eyes are freaky, I call her Rosey and she is my little vampire piggie.

Would it be accurate to say that another fear you have is not getting what you want most, a human body? What would be the first and foremost thing you would want to do if the Angel hierarchy was smiling down on you and gave you the gift of being human?

PATCH:  Take a guess.

Oh, ha! I think that might have been a daft question * rolls eyes*.

MICHELLE: What 5 words ( If you need that many) would you use to describe Scott?

PATCH: Scott isn't me. That says it all.

Lamington

MICHELLE:  Becca, when you are in Australia, you will have to try a Lamington, some Pav ( Pavlova) , Caramello Koalas ( no we don’t eat real Koalas dipped in caramel and dribbled with chocolate) , Tim Tams - HEAVEN!! (Often also dipped in coffee, I personally don’t do coffee but I hear it’s a goer).

Pavlova

We have gotten rather enterprising and have lots of Tim Tam flaves now, but Original flavour ,just a tad melted, is delish.....oh and a pie floater....and we all know a good Vegemite sanga ( sandwich) , not too heavy on the vege or else...

Caramello Koala

I personally like a nice baguette, vegemite, no butter, bacon and lettuce ( ha! .... don’t knock it until you have tried it) and I am a happy camper......also.... Slip, Slop, Slap! While you are here, yes, it’s our motto for putting on sunscreen and enjoy your time Down Under .

I am looking forward to saying howdy to you at The State Library Black Hand Ball in Brisvegas ( Brisbane) , 10th December, I’ll have my own Patch with me, my hubby.

Thankyou to Becca and Patch for answering my Q's.

See you there!

Michelle

Hi Michelle! Thanks so much for the great interview! I will see you in Brisbane (where it should be toasty hot, right?) Thanks again for everything! -Becca

Becca Fitzpatrick

New York Times bestselling author of HUSH, HUSH and CRESCENDO

SILENCE Released October 2011

http://www.beccafitzpatrick.com/

AUSSIE BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Pop over and check out all the great postings!

5th December:  Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me Special chapter Patch’s POV

6th December: Eleusinian Mysteries with a 'my favourite things' Q&A

7th December: Novels on the Run with an Aussie themed interview

8th December: The Rest is Still Unwritten with a Sydney Black Hand Ball review

8th December: Tales of Inner Book Fanatic with Becca’s top 10 books

9th December: Shirley's Books with a full signed series giveaway

10th December: Book Probe with a Melbourne Black Hand Ball review

10th December: Paperback Heart with a Hush Hush movie cast by Becca and Darcy

11th December: Nice Girls Read Books with a Melbourne Black Hand Ball review


Michelle


Big Thankyou to Caroline Payne from  Simon & Schuster Australia for organising this Blog Tour and to Becca Fitzpatrick for taking part in it.

BLOG TOUR # 6 - BOOK REVIEW - TOUCH by JUS ACCARDO - DENAZEN #1

By: Jus Accardo
Published By: Entangled Publishing
Released : Available Now
Details: Digital Book , 264 Pages
Source: Entangled Publishing ebook in exchange for an honest review.

RATING : 4 KALE & SHELTIE STARS!!

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.


Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.


A secret Kale will kill to protect.


BOOK REVIEW:



I really enjoyed Touch and am looking forward to Toxic, book 2 and Kale’s Novella.


I enjoyed Deznee’s character, I like her name. It was a different name to see in the YA Genre.


Dez is a bit of a wild child, she is rough around the edges, it appears at first , but then you begin to see more of her and what makes her tick. She is a smart cookie and no matter who is playing her, she does wisen up even though she has to pull a Nancy Drew and try to work out what her father’s real day job is.


Dad, oh he is a piece of work. I think as a parent I have trouble trying to believe that he can issue the orders that he does on children. I do like how Jus has written him, as the reader you really do loathe the man. You keep hoping he is misunderstood, that he isn’t doing what he is at Denazen...but I’m afraid he is.


Brandt, Dez’s cousin and bff, early in the book we get a bit of him, enough to understand that he will do pretty much anything Dez asks of him. They have a close friendship and Dez accepts all of Brandt’s flaws. I really like Brandt.


Alex Mojourn, at first I thought of him as a bit of a creep, but then...well ....I really began to understand him, not agree with him, he hasn't had the best life himself, but you become old enough to know right from wrong...... I can’t say anymore.


Kale, isn’t he a most gorgeous character. I love his naivety of the little things that we all take for granted. When you have been locked away , used, mentally abused, made to do things your whole life.......it’s the little things that are such a joy to him.


I felt sad that he had to learn to trust. He had Sueshanna inside Denazen, but outside, who do you trust when you are running for your life and ‘Big Brother’= Denazen = Dez’s Dad is watching you? He can find you. He seems to have eyes = spies floating about.


This book has betrayal, lust, love, heartache, some nice twists, people flipping sides, and a bunch of Sixes that want to bring Denazen down......


I thought the story really got pumping in the second half and all sorts of skeletons came out of the closet. I think the title of book two , Toxic, could be quite apt.

I'm really looking forward to seeing where Jus takes us with this series.

Michelle

BLOG TOUR # 6 - INTERVIEW WITH JUS ACCARDO AUTHOR OF TOUCH

I would like to welcome JUS ACCARDO author of TOUCH , to Novels On The Run and thank her for taking the time to answer some questions for my interview.

Jus: Thanks so much for inviting me.


Michelle:  What song would you use to describe Kale and Dez’s relationship?


Jus: Buckcherry - Bliss

Michelle:  It was fun seeing a short description of your book in another author’s book I just recently read. Are you able to give me a non spoiler quote from Toxic, book 2 in this series?

Jus: If you mean a blurb, then I don’t have one to share just yet, but I can toss out a quote from the book.


Dez to Alex : I’d smack you stupid but someone obviously beat me to it…

Michelle: Are you bringing any new characters to Toxic? If so , are you able to describe one of these characters only in 5 words or less, we don’t need a name, necessarily. It could be fun for the readers to try to work this character out.


Jus: There are several new characters. One of the main ones…hmmm… Smart, mischievous, sneaky, mysterious, and gifted.

Michelle:  Casting! I have read that you liked Ben Barnes for Kale but were most happy with the guy on the front cover, who currently is nameless. Did you find out his name? Could you please give us any casting thoughts you had for the following characters:


Jus: I wish I knew who he was. Wherever he is though, he’s got a lot of fans now!

Kale – Ben Barnes (or of course, hot nameless cover dude ;) )

Deznee – Avril Lavigne

Brandt – Steven R McQueen (blond and grunged, of course!)

Misha Vaugn – Natalie Portman


Alex Mojourn – I really don’t know about this one. Anyone have any suggestions?

Sueshanna - Charlize Theron

Dez’s dad – Daniel Craig


Michelle:  Kale’s novella. Can you tell us when that may be available. I am rather keen to read his POV.


Jus: I believe it’s out in February


Michelle: Dez is an adrenaline junkie, what is one thing you would love to do but are too frightened to do it?


Jus: I would seriously love to sky dive, but I’m terrified to fly.



Michelle: Thankyou for taking the time to answer these questions we wish you all the best with Touch and look forward to Toxic.


Jus: Thank you! This was fun:D



Author Bio:

Jus Accardo is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. Her first book, Touch, is due out in November 2011 from Entangled Publishing. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Touch Blurb:

"When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.
 Except there's something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she'll turn to dust if he touches her. It's not until Dez's father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there's more to this boy - and her father's "law firm" - than she realized.


Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation - an organization devoted to collecting "special" kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons - his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. Dez and Kale team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they're caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect."

Title: Touch by Jus Accardo

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-2

Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-45-9

Release Date: November 1, 2011




Jus Accardo

Blog: http://www.jusaccardo.com/category/blog/
 
 
 

Michelle

BLOG TOUR # 5 - BOOK REVIEW - THE SECRET OF THE KEEPERS by ELIZABETH ISAACS - KAILMEYRA # 2

By: Elizabeth Isaacs

Published By: EFIsaacs

Released ; Available Now

Details : Ebook , 219 Pages

RATING : 4.25 RUNE STARS!!!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

The Kailmeyra Chronicles: Book Two--


Life for Nora couldn't be better; she has married the man of her dreams and loves living in the pristine land of Kailmeyra.


That is, until the darkness threatens her perfect world.


Now war is upon the land. She and Gavin must strengthen their clan and prepare to fight. But the enemy has an ally—one that not only wields power, but holds knowledge of the ancients' secrets. Secrets that could destroy creation itself.


As the darkness grows, doubt seeps in ... protectiveness hinders progress ... and the unthinkable comes to pass.


Bewildered and alone, Nora shoulders the responsibility of leading an entire race to war. As she struggles with decisions that seem impossible to make, she is haunted by one choice.


"No one has ever doubted that you would die for those you love. The question then becomes ... would you live?"



BOOK REVIEW:



Another gorgeously written tale by Elizabeth Isaacs, for those of you who haven’t read anything by Elizabeth you are in for a beautifully written journey. ‘The Light of Asteria’, book # 1 was a rather mind blowing read for me. Elizabeth has this very unique writing style that you will not come across very often. There is a lot of passion in her words, but also a gentleness.


‘The Secret of the Keepers’ starts off where The Light of Asteria finished. Gavin and Nora are off on their road trip , so to speak, for their honeymoon destination, to the white cottage and the Spider’s Respite.


Ester stops them along the way and gives Nora a box inlaid with precious stones. Poor Ester gets herself into all sorts of strife in this book.


Gavin and Nora have this most inspiring love for each other. They are so connected and love just oozes off the pages. Elizabeth writes their love so beautifully. Gavin and Nora are just so in tune with each other.

There is a funny scene where Nora drinks some tea and gets a bit tiddly and Gavin, he goes off. He is very protective.


Nora does become more stubborn in this book and won’t allow herself to be coddled. She knows what she needs to do and she won’t stay pampered and protected if it means her friends will be in trouble. I felt Nora’s character grew in this book.


Nora has 6 levels of conscious thought:


1st thought - Captain keeps them in order


2nd thought - In charge of energy


3rd thought - Memories


4th thought - Sights


5th - Smells


6th - Wild Child = warrior= defense


I did like the wild child as Nora can be very beautifully flowing as a character and the wild child pops out and you get more from her character.


Malachi is still Nora’s wise mentor who will only let Nora know so much. She has to work a lot out for herself. Nora is the last of her kind she needs to strengthen and understand.


Rune is a wonderful new character. I love this tartan wearing ,flute playing, outspoken protector. He is so loyal and does not muck around. He knows what he has to do and does it. I hope he finds his Molly.


Weylin , well hello to you. I am looking forward to reading more about Gavin’s friend.


I do love the way Elizabeth puts the art into her storyline with the intent that the creator of the art has put into the piece, very different and original.


This is a story with passion, betrayal, friendship, new beginnings, loyalty, little Simian’s ( gorgeous I want one), the Dokkalfar ( baddies), war, understanding and a love that will not let anything stand in its way.


I did find the first half of the book, slower paced but the second half made up for it. Elizabeth has a very imaginative mind which is quite special to read. I am looking forward to book 3.

Michelle

INTERVIEW - ELIZABETH ISAACS AUTHOR OF THE SECRET OF THE KEEPERS - KAILMEYRA # 2 - BLOG TOUR

I would like to welcome author ELIZABETH ISAACS, to Novels On The Run and thank her for taking the time to answer some questions for my interview.

This is part of , 'THE SECRET OF THE KEEPERS', Blog Tour I will have the book review up shortly.

Michelle: What was the last book you read that really blew your mind?


Elizabeth: I love to read, but mind blowing books for me are few and far between. The last true book that was so creative that I marvelled at the imaginative mastery was probably the fourth book in the Harry Potter series.

Michelle:  You are such a creative person with your writing style. I was just wondering do you have a special place where you go to write as four walls in an office seems at odds with your writing style.

Elizabeth: I have an old kitchen table set in the laptop, printer, paper for notes and scripting something out. It’s a simple set up, but what I love about it is that it’s quiet. I find that I cannot write with music blaring, and if I try to take the laptop outdoors or to a coffee shop I’m too distracted with the sights and sounds around me. I have to have complete quiet when I write, and I often write in the dark. It helps me focus.

Michelle:  What 5 or 6 words would you as the author use to describe the following: The Light of Asteria, The Secret of The Keepers, Gavin, Nora, Rune.


Elizabeth :

The Light of Asteria-- A story of love and forgiveness.


The Secret of the Keepers-- A story of dedication and devotion.


Gavin-- Warrior, protector, one who understands love.


Nora-- Pure, devoted, one who understands intent.


Rune-- Fierce fighter, guardian, original, loyal

Michelle:  I sometimes ask this question , what song would you use to describe Nora and Gavin’s relationship.

Elizabeth: This one’s a toughy. There’s not a popular song that I can think of ... what reminds me of Nora and Gavin is this old Celtic tune that has a sweet, haunting melody on the sopranino (like a baby recorder of sorts). It haunts me in my dreams. The music on the trailers is close, but it isn’t the same melody. I’ve looked for three years for the music. I know I’ve heard it somewhere but have no idea where or when. I just know it’s their song.


Michelle:  I personally have tried to think of actors and actresses that would fill the shoes of Gavin and Nora and Rena and Tark. Who would you choose to cast as these characters?

I once wrote an interview about the fact that Rena’s character originate from my best friend in college. The real Rena was a dancer and a fighter. She hailed from Chicago and had seen more in her short 17 years of life than I believe I have today. Her small stature and fierce determination always struck me as the most original combination. The real Rena asked a long time ago that I refrain from pulling out the old college photos and posting them for the world to see. And so, if I had to choose and actress, Rena would be cast as Rachel Lee Cook. Her smile lights up her face, and she looks great in a tan in darker hair.

Nora is an extremely difficult character to cast because she has to have this innocent , pure quality , and yet not come off as a cream puff. There is a strip of steel running through her that would humble superman. The audience would have to "feel" that coming from her, and so I knew we'd need an accomplished actress. One who would portray Nora in an authentic way, and Amanda Seyfried fits the bill nicely.

Gavin is in a category all his own to me. I see him clearly in my mind's eye . He has to be a door full of man. He has to have a gentle quality tempered with steel. He has to have the sensitivity of a poet, the heart of a warrior, the brains of a scholar , and be able to lead an entire nation. I know, Gavin is larger than life. I've never found an actor that compares . But if I had to come up with someone Tatum Channing comes awfully close.

Tark would be Hayden Christensen. I love that he has this quality about him that seems laid back, yet there is something simmering under the surface. He smiles like a man whose seen more than his young years should know, and he seems like he could turn on a dime and be ruthless. After Elias, Tark's character was the easiest to pick. If anyone in the film industry is reading , I'd personally love to see ole Hayden in some main leads that would explore this side of his personality . I'm just sayin!

Michelle:  Rune is a wonderful new character you have brought to The Secret of the Keepers. How did you come to develop him as he is a great supporting character who I think readers will call one of their favourites.


Elizabeth: Rune originally started as a shy, childlike creature that Nora happens upon in the caves. I quickly discovered that his voicing was off and my mind’s eye didn’t have a clear picture of him. So I went back to the drawing board and came at it from a different angle. I threw out the character sketch I had of him and allowed him to become an unknown. It wasn’t until the second revision that his character blazed to life in my mind. I couldn’t be happier with how he turned out.


Thank you for stopping by Novels On The Run and we wish you all the best with your book.


Pop over to Elizabeth's web page and you can read some great quotes from other bloggers, errr....including myself for The Light of Asteria plus other great stuff HERE

Next blog on Blog Tour Book Crazy

Michelle

BLOG TOUR #4 BOOK REVIEW - FLAME OF SURRENDER by RHIANNON PAILLE

By: Rhiannon Paille
Published By : Coscom Entertainment
Released: 1st November 2011
Details : Ebook, 394 Pages

RATING: 3.5 STARCROSSED LOVE STARS!!

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

The boy who follows death meets the girl who could cause the apocalypse.  

Krishani thinks he’s doomed until he meets Kaliel, the one girl on the island of Avristar who isn’t afraid of him. She’s unlike the other girls, she swims with merfolk, talks to trees and blooms flowers with her touch. What he doesn’t know is that she’s a flame, one of nine individually hand crafted weapons, hidden in the body of a seemingly harmless girl.


Nobody has fallen in love with a flame until now. She becomes Krishani’s refuge from the dreams of death and the weather abilities he can’t control. Striking down thousand year old trees with lightning isn’t something he tries to do, it just happens. When the Ferryman dies, Krishani knows that he’s the next and that a lifetime of following death is his destiny.


And Kaliel can’t come with him. The Valtanyana are hunting the flames, the safest place for her is Avristar. Krishani can’t bear to leave her, and one innocent mistake grants the Valtanyana access to their mystical island. They’re coming for Kaliel, and they won’t stop until every last living creature on Avristar is dead. She has to choose, hide, face them, or awaken the flame and potentially destroy herself.

BOOK REVIEW:

Flame of Surrender is a very original tale of a boy named Krishani who dreams of death. He follows the Ferryman in his dreams.

Kaliel is Elven, she is also one of 9 Flames, she is the Amethyst Flame. Kaliel and Krishani have a very deep love for each other but are starcrossed lovers. Flames don't as a rule fall in love, well they never do. They marry the land . She can talk to trees and they talk back. Kaliel shouldn't swim with the merfolk, but she can't stop herself. They mean her no harm, yet everybody tells her not to. The book cover is perfect for this story. You have the Great Oak tree and Kaliel is half under water. The two things she really liked doing.

I really like Kaliel's friend Pux,  a Feorn. I would have liked more of him in the story.

This story has merfolk, love, war, discovery , witches, foe, parables a Great Oak tree, a horse she can talk to and a decision she must make, which I thought was very well written.

I did enjoy this story but I found it quite slow paced and the length of the book maybe could have been shortened to bring the pace up a bit.

This is an incredibly original story and Rhiannon's writing is lovely . It may just be me, but sometimes I found it hard to stay interested. I thought Rhiannon really had the pace right in the last 80 pages. I didn't see it coming what she did, it was very good and very well visually written. I won't spoil, but it had what I look for in a book.

I wish Rhiannon all the best with her book.

Michelle

November 1st - JoAnne @ The Fairytale Nerd

2nd- Michelle @ Novels on the Run

3rd - Cherry @ Cherry Mischievous

3rd - Katie @ Curse of the Bibliophile

4th - Valerie @ Stuck In Books

5th - Kristin @ Kristin Can Read

6th - Cassandra @ Book and Movie Dimension

7th - Rozhin @ Zone Out Mode

8th - Erika @ One A Day YA

9th - Vanessa @ Boekie's Book Reviewer

10th - Gabbi @ The Book Breather

11th - Sally @ Bibrary Book Lust

11th - Aine @ House Millar Series

11th - Rebecca @ Everything To Do With Books

12th - Kellie @ ReaWrite

13th - Bonnie @ Hands and Home

14th - Bree @ The Magic Attic

14th - Gina @ Behind a Million and One Pages