[Review] Marked In Flesh by Anne Bishop

~ Marked In Flesh by Anne Bishop ~

(The Others #4)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Date of Publication: March 8th 2016 by Penguin/Roc
Source: NetGalley

                          

 

Synopsis:

For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community…

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

[Cover Reveal] Hunter by Blaire Drake

 

Born into blood, I was a mafia princess. Raised in hiding, I was a Californian sweetheart.

The day my father sold my thirteen year old body to pay off a five year old debt was the day my mother stole me in the dead of night. She protected me as she was supposed to.

My father may have been the king, but my mother was the queen.

The mafia blood was hers.

That was ten years ago. Now… the devil was on the loose.

Carlo ‘Hunter’ Rosso was my father’s right hand man and the boy I’d loved since I could tie my own shoelaces. He was always the most ruthless and the most deadly of all the children.

He’d thought I was dead until the day his assignment was given: Kill Adriana and Alexandria Romano. Kill the princess, and definitely kill the queen.

What he didn’t know was that the queen was dead, and the princess had taken her throne.

Blood didn’t lie. It smeared, distorted, stained. But it didn’t lie.

My father was going to learn the hard way that the empire he’d stolen belonged to me.

And so did Carlo ‘Hunter’ Rosso.

 

PREORDER NOW

AMAZON US    |  AMAZON UK  

 

“Staying, are you? Figure it’s easier to kill me in my sleep?”

Once again, he rubbed his hand across his face. He said nothing.

“Trying to work out whose life is worth more, right? Mine is probably worth a lifetime of comfort for you. Kill me and everyone’s happy, right? My pathetic excuse for a father gets to keep his empire and you’re taken care of for life.”

He looked at me, and his expression was a little tortured. I was being harsh. I knew that. But I needed to be. It was easier to provoke him and be angry with him than give in to the horrible ache that had settled in my heart.

“Adriana…” Weak. The word was weak.

I wanted to ignore the indecision on his face, but I couldn’t.

He was considering it.

He really was.

I scoffed quietly at him and grabbed the gun from the coffee table. His mask and gloves fell to the floor, but he made no move to pick them up. The safety was on the gun, and I held it out to him. “Here. Take it. I don’t care, Hunter. I don’t have much of a life here in hiding anyway.”

He didn’t even look at the gun. His silvery gaze never left mine. I wished he would look away, because in that gaze, I saw the Hunter I knew. The boy who once ripped his favorite shirt to stem the bleeding when I fell and cut my leg, then proceeded to carry me home. The boy who offered to pee on my foot when I got stung by a jellyfish in Mexico on vacation when I was seven.

The boy I loved before I knew what love even was.

“You’re weak, Hunter,” I whispered. Slowly, I turned the gun back to me and touched the barrel to my temple the way he did earlier. His jaw clenched when my thumb edged toward the safety, and when my finger moved to hook around the trigger, he moved.

He was like a lightning bolt. He came at me like a flash, snatched the gun from my hand, and dropped it on the sofa. It bounced but stayed on the seat, and then he turned on me with blazing eyes. “Don’t,” he ground out, his arms tensing and looking even bigger. “Don’t ever fucking put that to your head again.”

“Why? I was saving you the job.”

The words had barely left my lips when he pounced on me. It was deadly, the way his hands clasped my face and his mouth descended on mine. I staggered back into the wall, gasping at the ferocity of his movement. Shock paralyzed me as he kissed me harshly. His tongue ran along the seam of my mouth, and as I fisted the sides of his shirt, I bit his lower lip.

A low growl left his throat, but he didn’t relent. He just kissed me harder. He kissed me until I was fucking spinning and could barely string two thoughts together. Until my whole body was alight with his touch and responding to his every movement.

He tasted like whiskey. The strong, rich taste that lingered on his lips was heady and only added to the intoxicating way he touched me.

And then… It hit me. He was touching me. Kissing me.

Twenty minutes ago, he could have killed me.

 

 

 

 

 

Blaire Drake is a pseudonym for a New York Times bestselling author who wanted to think outside her box and write the kind of things that would shock even them. She loves taboo romance and pushing boundaries in her work. She also enjoys long walks on the beach at sunset, as long as it’ll be followed by a good, old-fashioned spanking right after.

DEAR PROFESSOR is her debut standalone novel, and her next book, HUNTER, is also a standalone novel that promises to be equally as taboo and sexy.

You can connect with Blaire online at:

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

You’re also invited to join her reader group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1660452467533550/

Interview with Miriam Wakerly, author of Secrets in Appley Green

1. Tell us something about your latest book. Is it your debut? What genre does it belong to?

My latest novel is something a bit different, well all my books are perhaps a little unusual, I hope in a good way. The fourth one, Secrets in Appley Green, is set in the Sixties and, although essentially a love story with a twist and classed as Romance, it is also full of what you might call ‘social realism’. Hard to slot it firmly into a genre. It is village novel, and it has a lot to do with ‘coming of age’ in a bygone era – an era that I can remember!

2. Is your book part of a series or can it be read as a stand-alone?

It can stand-alone, but all four novels are interconnected. There is a big question mark hovering over the end of Shades of Appley Green, my third book, set in around 2012 when it was published, and Secrets in Appley Green very thoroughly answers that question. I hope I have got you intrigued! They are all set the same English village and although you could read them in any order, you will see the characters at different times in their lives as a few of them appear in all four books. So I guess they are a series but you can take them in any order depending on what your particular interest is. I recommend you look at the descriptions and reviews on Amazon.uk to help you choose. Gypsies Stop tHere and No Gypsies Served clearly have a particular theme and belong together.

3. Which character of your book was the hardest to write?

I suppose the key male character, Walter, was the least straightforward. Though charming and eligible, he is not an entirely perfect hero and yet I wanted readers to see things from his point of view so that they would empathise with predicaments he faces. I think he is likeable enough for the reader to care what happens to him, although ultimately you may wonder if he can possibly be forgiven. To say more would be a spoiler.

4. If you’re not writing, what do you love to do?

Various festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe which I have done four times now and will be going again this year with husband and friends. Great fun. I am retired so have time to take a few holidays a year which, by definition, must be enjoyable! On the domestic front I like trying new ideas to cook healthy, tasty meals and knitting rather bizarre garments for my grand-daughters – bright colours, striped, fur-lined etc that I am told are a hit in the nursery playground! Then the usual things, music, theatre, films, TV, being with friends and family, always reading books, country walks with our English Setter. Life is good!

5. Did anyone inspire you to start writing or did you always knew you just had to write?

Always wanted to write. Most jobs I had involved writing one way or another – PR, marketing, teaching and freelance articles. The first time I saw myself in print was aged 13 in the school magazine. It was the first issue and I was the youngest contributor!

6. Any advice/tips for newbies?

Decide what you want out of writing. Is it for pleasure and to write what you feel passionate about, or is it to be commercial? If you can combine the two then hats off to you! Also, before submitting or publishing, make sure several people read your work and give you feedback, which will give you pause for thought but you ultimately decide whether to make changes.

7. Are you already writing a new book? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

I am not writing a new novel at the moment. I am waiting for inspiration to strike but meanwhile have set myself the task of compiling 24 stories I had published in magazines in the Eighties and putting them into two Kindle volumes. Handy reading for on the train, perhaps! I do have a regular monthly column in a glossy magazine, Surrey Life, about people who put life into village life, so I am writing something fresh, but not fiction, each month. Lovely tootling around Surrey finding unsung heroes and heroines! Am also a long-standing contributor to the online LoveaHappyEnding Lifestyle magazine.

8. Last but not least: What’s your favourite type of candy, if you don’t mind me asking?

Dark chocolate coated crystallised ginger. Oooh, yes please!

 

Author Bio:

Miriam Wakerly has a BA Degree in English, French, Sociology and Politics. Whilst bringing up three children, she combined other work with writing short stories and articles; many were published in magazines. She lives in Surrey with her husband, and Appley Green is in many ways typical of this area.

Her writing activities also include twelve years in public relations and marketing, as employee and as a consultant, writing for company and product brochures, press releases, web sites and substantial feature articles on a huge variety of topics – from fibre-optic cabling and logistics software to puppy training pads and bees!!

She made a decision to change direction to work with people and became a part-time Community Support Worker, a role that put her in close touch with many present-day social issues. She worked first with teenage single mothers and then with people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born and brought up in a small town in Gloucestershire and those years also influenced her creation of the village of Appley Green.

 

Four Ice-Hockey Romance series you have to try.

I love ice-hockey, so when I discovered that there are indeed books about ice hockey players and they are romances, I was like: I NEEEEEEEEEEDDDDD.

So today I decided to share the love for my top 4 series.

All four series can be read as stand-alones, but for the whole experience I suggest  reading them in the right order – not that I follow my own advice 😉

~ Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy ~

Goodsreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/144827-off-campus

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis of The Deal (Book #1):

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

…and it’s going to be oh so good.

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

Series order:

#1 – The Deal

#2 – The Mistake

#3 – The Score

Next release:

#4 – The Goal (September 2016)

~ Cold Fury Hockey by Sawyer Bennett ~

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/125350-cold-fury-hockey

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis of Alex (book #1):

Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the rink. Pushed into the sport by an alcoholic father, Alex isn’t afraid to give fans the proverbial middle finger, relishing his role as the MVP they love to hate. Management, however, isn’t so amused. Now Alex has a choice: fix his public image through community service or ride the bench. But Alex refuses to be molded into the Carolina Cold Fury poster boy . . . not even by a tempting redhead with killer curves.

As a social worker, Sutton Price is accustomed to difficult people–like Alex, who’s been assigned to help her create a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth as part of the team’s effort to clean up his image. What she doesn’t expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips to stir her most heated fantasies. But Sutton isn’t one to cross professional boundaries–and besides, Alex doesn’t do relationships . . . or does he? The more she sees behind Alex’s bad-boy facade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers.

Series order:

#1 – Alex

#2 – Garrett

#3 – Zack

#4 – Ryker (ON SALE! on amazon)

Next release:

#5 – Hawke (March 15, 2016)

~ Pucked by Helena Hunting ~

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/155737-pucked

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Humor

Synopsis of Pucked (Book #1):

With a famous NHL player for a step-brother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation many hockey stars come with. She’s smart enough to steer clear of those hot, well-built boys with unparalleled stamina. That is until she meets the legendary team captain—Alex Waters.

Violet isn’t interested in his pretty, beat-up face, or his rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s previous misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes more than just a hot body with a face to match.

In what can only be considered a complete lapse in judgment, Violet finds out just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. But what starts out as a one-night stand, quickly turns into something more. Post-night of orgasmic magic, Alex starts to call, and text, and e-mail and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts, making him difficult to ignore, and even more difficult not to like.

The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

Series order:

#1 – Pucked

#2 – Pucked Up

#3 – Pucked Over

Next release:

TBA

~ Bomb Squad by Melissa Cutler ~

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/118543-bomb-squad

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis of Risky Business (Book #1):

Welcome to Destiny Falls, New York, home of the Bomb Squad—an ice hockey team full of rugged military heroes. But the season’s biggest match-up isn’t on the ice as one of their own prepares to go head to head with his new boss…

Allison Whitely’s ex left her with a mountain of debt and Cloud Nine, a struggling boat rental business. With zero job skills, her only hope of getting back in the black lies in a brooding ex-soldier who has her seeing red…

Theo Lacroix’s teammates are counting on their star player to help them win an upcoming high profile hockey game. But when a sexy tornado of a woman sweeps into town and expects him to help her with Cloud Nine, Theo is tempted to skate away from it all.

Theo vowed to never again be someone’s knight in shining armor, but his feelings—and desire—for Allison are becoming harder to ignore. He longs to save her, but to win Allison’s love, he’ll have to throw out his old playbook and take the ultimate risk…playing from the heart.

Series order:

#1 – Risky Business

#2 – Undefeated

#3 – Game Changer

Next release:

TBA?

Don’t forget: All these books can be read as stand-alones. At least in my opinion. And they are totally worth it 😀

[Review] Pull by Anne Riley

~ Pull by Anne Riley ~

(Stand-Alone)
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Date of Publication: February 2nd 2016 by Spencer Hill Press
Source: NetGalley

               

 

Synopsis:

Rosie Clayton witnesses a mugging on her first night in London—and then the scene rewinds itself.

She finds herself standing in the same place again, with the mugging happening just like before, except this time a stranger steps in and stops it. There’s no way the same incident can have two outcomes. Rosie thinks she’s losing her mind, until just a few days later, the stranger saves her.

The stranger, Albert, and his band of misfit crime-fighters, have the special ability to Pull, which allows them to rewind just enough time to undo a recent event. Someone is hunting Albert and his crew– and now that Rosie’s been seen with them, she’s a target too. Rosie is left with no choice but to trust Albert to keep her safe.

As Rosie learns more about this unbelievable ability and the people – if you can call them that – who want them dead, she discovers that the group’s desire for her blood might be more than mere coincidence. Each step into this magical side of London introduces Rosie to a family history that she never knew existed, and dangerous forces that could unravel her world in an instant.

Her family may be the reason they’re all being hunted—and she may be the only one who can figure out how to save them. Sure, between the lot of them, they have a few shots to get it right. The thing about Pulling, though, is you have to be alive to do it.

[Cover Reveal] Beneath These Lies by Meghan March

I am very excited to bring to you the next cover in the Beneath Series from Meghan March. BENEATH THESE LIES will release on March 15. This book will keep the twists and turns going until the very last page.

 

 

 

 

Look, but don’t touch…she might as well wear a neon sign that says it. It just makes me want her more.

She might be above me in every way, but I still want her under me.

I’ve got no business touching her rich-girl skin, but that won’t stop me from stealing a taste. Because rules were meant to be broken—especially when the prize is so fine.

In a world where nothing is at it seems, what’s buried beneath these lies?

                                                        

 

Pre-Order Now on iBooks 

SIGN-UP HERE TO BE NOTIFIED FOR AMAZON PRE-ORDER 

 

Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.

FACEBOOK  | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM  | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | TWITTER | PINTEREST 

Nalini Singh Swag GIVEAWAY!

I got some swag by Nalini Singh – love, love, love her books! – and wanted to share the love with you.

So here is a little swag giveaway.

Just follow the rafflecopter. -> Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Giveaway will stay open till March 13, 12am CET. Open international.

Here is what you get should you win. Aren’t those little buttons cute?

Interview with Rachel Dunning, author of Debt + Spotlight

1. Tell us something about your latest book. Is it your debut? What genre does it belong to?

This is my seventeenth or twentieth novel in three years. I lost count. It’s a New Adult / Sports romance with an incredible love story inside it.

2. Is your book part of a series or can it be read as a stand-alone?

This is a standalone. 526 pages. Nothing left open at the end.

3. When does your book release?

March 30, 2016.

4. Which character of your book was the hardest to write?

Kyla was difficult. I always have difficulty with the lead female. I don’t know why. Guys are easy to write. Girls, well… And people have so many different tastes that there will always be someone who doesn’t like something about your characters. Anyway, I did my best to make both the lead characters well rounded. From the reviews, it looks like I did a moderately good job. 😉

5. If you’re not writing, what do you love to do?

I love anything to do with stories. Movies, books, audiobooks. So long as there’s a story in it, I enjoy it. Even music tells a story.

6. Did anyone inspire you to start writing or did you always knew you just had to write?

I started writing pretty late in life. I can never place “inspiration” in anyone. It just sort of happened.

7. Any advice/tips for newbies?

Write write write write. And when you’re done, write some more. And never give up. Never.

8. Are you already writing a new book? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Actually, no. This is the first time I’ve waited so long between books. It’s also the longest I’ve had a book on pre-order for. Usually I just pump out words and publish. But I wanted to wait a little this time round. So I’ve been pretty overwhelmed with the tour for the book at the moment. I haven’t even had a chance to think of the next story.

9. A word that you use way too often? (Mine are “quite” and “probably”)

It’s a word I shouldn’t use here. 😉

10. Last but not least: What’s your favourite type of candy, if you don’t mind me asking?

You really wanna know? I don’t eat much candy! Hardly ever, actually. But if I do go for something sweet, I’ll have a decadent slice of creamy cake.

Spotlight: Debt by Rachel Dunning

Synopsis:

The Debt Collector

I pay my debts, and I expect others to.

I was raised in the slums of London, I knew nothing of privilege. My father was murdered when I was seventeen. Morty figured my father’s passing meant I would automatically take on dad’s debts. I refused.

And I paid for that refusal.

So did my sister.

So now I fight. All I know how to do is fight. The best cash is in the states, so that’s where I am now. A big fish called Vito came along offering me a “favor” when I arrived.

Another debt.

I paid for that one too.

I knew Kyla Hensley would be trouble when I met her. But I wanted her. I could see through the falsehood of her wannabe-slutty clothes and her sexy legs. So I chased her.

Besides, trouble is my middle name.

Kyla Hensley

I was brought up in privilege, but I lacked everything else. My father is a business tycoon who buys and sells and doesn’t care who gets rolled over in the process.

I never knew my mother, and all I have of her is a photo with a note scrawled on the back in French saying “I’m sorry.” The only Female Figure I had growing up is my dad’s wife who is a bleach blond with seven boob jobs. We never bonded.

I drink. I party. I meet guys.

But I wasn’t always like that.

I’ve had a string of lovers in the last few years, the worst and most recent of which was Vince Somerset. My best friend Vera was dating a guy called Rory Cansoom who is the opposite of Vince in so many ways, and yet so the same.

She and I hit the road for the summer, getting away from the two college psychos and just trying to have some fun.

But there’s a funny thing about trouble, the more you run from it, the more it finds you.

Which is when I met the Debt Collector.

It was only supposed to be sex. He made that clear. I made that clear.

That’s all it was supposed to be.

I never expected to fall in love. I never expected to fall so deeply, madly, uncomfortably in love with a man who is wrong, so wrong for me.

And yet…so unbelievably right.

Standalone Novel.
No Cliffhanger.

[Review] Dark Alpha’s Embrace by Donna Grant

~ Dark Alpha’s Embrace by Donna Grant ~

(Reaper #2)
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Date of Publication: February 16th 2016 by Swerve
Source: NetGalley

 

Synopsis:

An exclusive new series from New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant!

There’s no escaping a Reaper. I’m an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…

I’m a warrior. My unbreakable determination, my backbone of steel define me. As a Reaper who does Death’s bidding, weakness is a word I don’t understand. Until a stunning librarian stirs emotions deep within me I’ve never felt before. Her soft curves blunt the sharp edges of my soul, crushing my defenses – yet make me stronger. But underneath those wide eyes and fierce femininity, she has a weapon, one she won’t hesitate to use. And when the Dark begin their deadly descent, we’ll need each other’s love and protection…or risk fracturing apart.

Interview with Claudie Arseneault, author of Viral Airwaves

1. Tell us something about your latest book. Is it your debut? What genre does it belong to?

My latest novel was indeed my debut. Viral Airwaves sits halfway between dystopia and solarpunk (green, hopeful, community centered futures). It follows Henry Schmitt, a lover of noodles and willful denial. One day a bunch of rebels make irruption in his life and he discovers proof the government has intentionally created the Plague that killed thousands. All they have to spread the word, however, is a hot air balloon.

Technically, I also edited and published an anthology of solarpunk dragon short stories, called Wings of Renewal. Amazing sci-fi/fantasy stories with a lot of diversity. And our cover is plain gorgeous. So yeah, I’m really proud of that, too.

2. Is your book part of a series or can it be read as a stand-alone?

Viral Airwaves was created as a standalone novel. You can start with it and be just fine. It’s a complete story in and of itself. It does, however, have a prequel novella! That one is called The White Renegade and is available for free. It follows Seraphin, the rebel leader in Viral Airwaves, and tells an important part of his backstory.

3. When does your book release?

Mystery, haha! More seriously, though … Viral Airwaves and The White Renegade are already out. I don’t know when the next one will come out. I’m aiming for early Fall 2016, but we’ll see how that goes.

4. Which character of your book was the hardest to write?

In Viral Airwaves, definitely Henry. The thing with Henry is … he’s convinced he can’t really amount to anything. In his mind he is not a hero, and he should absolutely not get involved in illegal activities. It took me several drafts to get a good feel of him and make him into an interesting character, and a couple more to really smoothen out the first third of a novel and get him acting.

5. If you’re not writing, what do you love to do?

Gosh I spend so much time writing these days I’m not even sure what to answer. I game a lot to relax. Any kind of games, but RPGs and strategy games are a personal favourite. Oh and board games! I adore board games and we’re always playing one. Anything from quick and simple games (Love Letter, Carcassonne, etc.) to more complex and long boardgames (Agricola, Battlestar Galactica, 7 Wonders). We love them all.

6. Did anyone inspire you to start writing or did you always knew you just had to write?

Someone pushed me. My second boyfriend, a british who also aspired to write and with whom I did a lot of roleplay. He kept telling me my ideas were fantastic, and that I should write a novel out of them (I am!). It got me started, and soon enough I couldn’t stop and knew I HAD to do this.

7. Any advice/tips for newbies?

Don’t be afraid to rewrite. Don’t rush into it at the slightest new idea either, but never discard rewrites. If you have this new idea which would make the story tighter, more intense, and better in so many ways? Except it’d demand that you rewrite it so much of it, you might as well start a new draft from scratch? Consider it. Consider it hard. Chances are, it’ll be worth every minute of your time. Writers never stop learning. Between themes and structure and characters and pacing and prose … there’s just too much to know! Rewrites hammer in your craft while you make your story better. Plus, most of them aren’t a sign you got the story wrong the first time. They’re proof you, as a writer, have evolved and gotten better at large-scale considerations. So put your skills to good use and rewrite that novel!

Also, get a small group of writers on a similar level than you and exchange critiques. You’ll learn a TON from this, too.

8. Are you already writing a new book? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

My next book is the first of a trilogy. It’s a political fantasy rife with LGBTQIAP characters, happening entirely in a single city, Isandor. Although it has a large cast, it centers primarily on three of them: Lord Dathirii, an idealist elven noble who provokes the enclave of wizards from an evil Empire into a dangerous trade war; Hasryan, an assassin who gets accused of the one murder he didn’t commit and is set up as a scapegoat for a decade-long feud; Arathiel, who returns from 140 years out of Isandor, his senses drained by a magical trap and his family and friends dead. All of them (and others) need to confront what home means to them, and how much they’re willing to sacrifice for it.

Also I’m writing an interactive fan fiction of Fire Emblem, a turn-base strategy game I love. Readers will get to vote on some events and character interactions as the story unfolds, and I have cool character art. I just started, so you can check it out at bladeofbegnion.com . 🙂

9. A word that you use way too often? (Mine are “quite” and “probably”)

“Just”. I use it all over my first drafts. I just (hehehe) can’t help myself. It’s okay, though. I know I need to look out for it when I clean up. Otherwise, I think I have more problems with words I can never remember how to spell, despite using them several times over the last years.

10. Last but not least: What’s your favourite type of candy, if you don’t mind me asking?

Oh no I have to choose? That’s cruel. I would say tie between Reese and Coffee Crisps? Especially the bite-sized ones! I always end up eating the entire bag! On the other hand, there’s not a lot that can be the kind of candy mom prepares when Christmas rolls around, but that might be the novelty.

Author Bio:

I’m a young French Canadian writer, living in Quebec City — which, yes, means French is my first language. I started writing back in 2007, and promptly became quite addicted to it. I am strangely fond of squids and hot air balloons, in addition to being a big gamer (both board games and video games). Almost anything geeky or science-related will be right up my alley. Especially virus/bacteria! Invisible killers forever!

Website | Twitter | Goodreads