Freedom Giveaway Hop

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3 copies of Still Life With Brass Pole by  Craig Machen

1  copy of Citizen Out by Marie Crist

1 copy of Justifiable:Oregon by  Pamela Wright 

5 copy of The Choice by Lorhainne Eckhart

10 copies of Gray by Rachel Karns (review)

1 copy of The 19 Dragons by S.M. Reine (Review will be up on July 1)

1 copy of Heart on a Chain by Cindy Bennett 

3 copies of SOLSTICE by PJ Hoover (Reading now!)

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Interview with Abby Wood

To win the book Follow the blog and comment with your email and your favorite Season
Welcome to Jagged Edge!

Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?

Hi! Thank you so much for having me here today. I’m Abby Wood, and besides being a writer, I’m a wife, mom, and typical country gal. I love animals, playing tennis, fishing, riding motorcycles, and camping. I’m excited for summer, because I live in Oregon where it tends to rain most days. That gets a little old, so I’m anxiously awaiting some sunshine.

What inspired you to write?

My husband. I’ve always been a writer, even when I was very young. When my kids were little, my husband kept urging me to do something about all these books I was writing for fun. It wasn’t until my kids hit their teen years, I took the jump and submitted my first manuscript.

What authors influenced you as a writer?

So many, I wouldn’t know where to start. I will say that the authors I’ve become friends with have helped me the most the last few years. Writing is a tough job, and the stress level is higher than most people know. It’s nice to email/call my author friends and talk through the highs and lows. I wouldn’t know what to do without them.

Your favorite character?

Ah…that’d have to be Master Dick in To Play or Obey? He’s perfect in every way. Wait! It could also be Mick in Twice Her Age. I have this thing for older men. (yes, my hubs is older than me- lol)

What is your favorite Quote?

“I went to the woods to live deliberately.” I don’t know who said it, but it fits my personal life. I love living away from society in our own little piece of heaven.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

It would be the world in Tagging Her Lynx. It’s a contemporary, set in Alaska. I grew up there, and would love to go back.

What is the one thing that every writer needs to have or do?

Boots! Okay, maybe that’s the excuse I use to buy more boots. I would say every writer needs patience. I’m still working on that one, but if I had it completely, it would sure make life easier. I do a lot of waiting in the publishing world. lol

Are your books different to your personal favorite books by other authors?

A little bit. I prefer to read Mainstream Contemporaries. Hand me a Harlequin cowboy/millionaire/prince themed book, and I’ll disappear for a couple hours to read. I do read erotic books, but the love story has to pull me in.

What lead you to writing in this genre?

Someone asked me if I could write erotic. I thought about it, tried it, submitted it, and realized that there are readers out there who buy erotic books. As a writer, I discovered that I could delve deeper into my characters if I shared every aspect of their personality…including the sex. Gotta love those dominant men and how they think. ;-)

What inspires you the most when you write?

Hoping I’ll touch on a factor or personality that no one has dared to write about before keeps me inspired. Creating this “person” who isn’t real, and watching him/her become real is the most exciting part of writing to me.

How long does it normally take you to write a book and go through the whole process?

This all depends on the book. I’ve had some that have kept me up writing at night, and invade most of my day, until I finish a book in two weeks. Others, it can take me up to six months to write.

What are you most excited about this year?

I’m working on a book right now with a Lakota, Native American, hero who has grabbed my heart. I hope to submit it soon, so cross your fingers!

What book do you wish to see come out as a movie? (of course all authors want to see their movie on the big screen but what other book would you like to see?)

Oh wow, hm…one of Lorelei James’ books definitely.

Funniest question you have ever been asked?

Someone asked me what the oldest thing in my refrigerator was once. I can’t remember what it was, but even I was grossed out. Since then, I’ve tried to keep on top of cleaning out the fridge periodically.

What happened while writing one of your books that you did not expect?

I never expect to hate the characters, but there have been a couple times when the idea was good, but once I started writing, I just could not like the heroine and ended up tossing the book.

Do you read the review when they are good and/or bad?

I do. Of course, bad reviews sting...but not everyone is going to like my books. I don’t like every book I read, even if it is a popular best seller. I’m thankful for all reviews, because that’s one way I learn how to be a better writer.

What's next in life for you?

Once I get my current project submitted, I’ve been playing around with the idea of a series based around 5 men who grew up together and are now very successful and dominating men. I’m excited!

LAST QUESTION:

Was their a question you wish I would have asked but didn't?

I think you covered everything. I can give you the links where readers can find me, and I always welcome emails.

Website: www.authorabbywood.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AbbyWood_Author

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AbbyWoodFanPage

Email: abbywood@authorabbywood.com

Thank you so much for the interview!

Across the Galexy

Author: Heather Hildenbrand
Series: ---
Publisher: Smashwords
Publication Date: 2011
How Received: For Review
Rate: 5


Summary:
Orphaned as a young girl, Alina Leone has spent the last few years in dusty Arizona, being raised by her guardian, Peter, and wishing for a friendship that isn’t filled with lies and deception about exactly what she really is. 


Review: Across the Galaxy is like no other book I have read. It will lock you in and you cant stop till you done. The book brings you to another planet literally. The characters, the love, the storyline all left me breathless. Must read. You will not regreat it. 5

Interview with Cyn Balog

Welcome to Jagged Edge!

would you like to tell us a little about yourself?

I'm Cyn. I write paranormal romances for young adults. I live in Pennsylvania. I like ice cream.

What inspired you to write?

I started writing when I was 5, even before I understood that writing was a profession. I figured that reading and writing books were just something everyone did. It came pretty naturally to me.

What authors influenced you as a writer?

Judy Blume and Stephen King. I kind of love teen angst. And gore.

Your favorite character?

Fancy Nancy. She has such style AND she uses big words. That is awesome.

What is your favorite Quote?

Depends on what's going on in my life. But today, it is this: "Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you’re really quite lucky!
Some people are much more…
oh, ever so much more…
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky than you!" That's by Dr. Seuss.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

The Lord of the Rings? I kind of want to be an elf and live in Rivendell.

What is the one thing that every writer needs to have or do?

A shell like a turtle.

Are your books different to your personal favorite books by other authors?

Yes, I love romantic comedies and yet somehow I am writing paranormal books. I can't read too much paranormal. I get sick of it after awhile.

What lead you to writing in this genre?

I wanted to write a book about how your first love might not always be your forever love. But I also had this idea of a guy who found out he was a fairy. I'd never written paranormal before but the idea of a guy telling the other guys around the locker room that he was a fairy really struck me. And the two ideas kind of ended up combining.

Where readers can find you?

I'm at www.cynbalog.com or you can find me on twitter at cynbalog or facebook. Or send me an email at cyn at cynbalog dot com. I love getting emails from readers and try to answer them all.

LAST QUESTION:

Was their a question you wish I would have asked but didn't?

Yes. Why are you the coolest author on the planet? And the answer is, because I just am. Okay, actually, no. You did a lovely job.

A Warrior's Witch

Author: Stacey Kennedy
Series: ---
Publisher: Create Space
Publication Date: June 10, 2011
How Received: For Review
Rate: 5
 
Summary: Murder has brought Talon, Master of Guardians, as well as Zia, his witch and Master of Witches, to Chicago. The manner of death appears to be a suicide, but Talon is far from ready to close the case. To avenge the Guardian linked to his past, he agrees to take on the assignment, and find her killer. As they dive deeper into the investigation, they find themselves entering a world where BDSM is the norm. A lifestyle that Zia is uncomfortable with and, rattled by this new development, she is more than ready to return to the Otherworld. But their investigation quickly takes an unexpected twist when they discover that they’re not only hunting a killer but also someone who is controlling supernaturals in Chicago. Their mission not only brings danger, but also forces Talon to deal with decades old guilt that corrodes his soul. Every event that unfolds only deepens his fight and pushes him to face an ultimate choice—what is more important—his duty to the Otherworld or the witch he holds closest to his heart? 
 
My thoughts:
This is the first novel I've read by Stacey Kennedy, and it certainly won't be the last. Protagonists Talon (Master of Guardians) and Zia (Master of Witches) were really awesome. Their chemistry jumped off the pages, and I couldn't put the book down. As Talon and Zia search for answers to a mysterious death- in this case, someone who was directly involved with Talon- their bond deepens, secrets are revealed, and they have to deal with a lot of supernatural creatures- mostly vampires, werewolves, and witches . With an impeccable plot, steamy romantic scenes, and amazing characters, A Warrior's Witch is a fun, action packed read, and I definitely recommend picking it up today.
5/5
~Moujnir

Teaser Tuesday

I'm gonna tell you right no I have no idea how to do this so if I do it wrong.... Just yell at me ahah.

The Last Archangel by Michael Young
Publishing date: July 14, 2011
Teaser: "Xandir raised a single eyebrow. "That's it? What do you take me for I already knew that." 
"You are stalling," asserted the High Seraph."


Summary: 
Xandir has been exiled to earth until the end of time. But when his cherub trainee disappears, Xandir makes a deal with rogue angels and giants that could restore life to the mortal woman he loves and end his assignment as a destroying angel in exchange for helping them bring about the end of the world and all of mankind.

A Warrior's Witch Tour

June 29 – Romancing The Darkside http://romancingthedarkside.blogspot.com/


To enter giveaway comment on post leave your e-mail and your favorite color. Yes it is a silly request but that way I know you entered! 


To buy go to:
Amazon
B&N

WOOT! Thanks go out to Jagged Edge for being part of the blog tour for A Warrior’s Witch. Along the way, we’ve chatted about the romance in the story, and about my favorite chapter in A Warrior’s Witch. Now, let’s talk about the danger—the kick ass elements that make our heart race.

I don’t know about you…but I love me some good action. These scenes are just a blast to write, and I usually fly through them, because once a fist gets thrown I can’t stop writing until the scene is over…or the bad guy gets killed. Add in a total Alpha hero, that is sexy at the same time and I’m a goner!

Wanna know what I’m talking about? Here is my favorite fight scene from A Warrior’s Witch.

Talon turned around not caring the move left him undefended with his back now to the danger. His only thought was of Zia. To his horror, he found Zia on her back with a vampire between her thighs. One, the vampire attempted to hurt her. Two, he lay in a place only meant for Talon. The vampire would regret the move he just made and Talon declared he’d suffer.

He stepped closer toward them and whistled. The vampire turned his head slightly and Talon knocked him a good one to the jaw which sent the vampire soaring off Zia to hit the wall with a crash. Talon leaned down, latched onto Zia’s arm, pulling her up. She gave him a wink and released a loud deep relieved breath. Talon turned back to the vampire who made his death sentence more painful than Talon initially would have given him.

Unleashing himself, Talon beat the vampire with hard punches all over his body. Never stopping. Never letting up. Not giving the vamp the chance to move. He hit, kicked and pummeled until the vampire’s bones broke and blood gushed from his body. He could’ve killed this vampire without using his sword, and oh, how that would appease him.

But when a soft hand on his shoulder broke through his crazed state, he tore his eyes from the beaten vamp to find Zia smiling. “I’d say he isn’t going anywhere.”

To celebrate this release I’m giving away reader’s choice from my backlist. Leave a comment with your email address to be entered, and don’t forget to stop by my website (http://www.staceykennedy.com) to choose which book you’d like if you won. Good luck!

*cover art*

Decades old guilt collide with a murder, igniting a battle in a warrior’s soul to choose between love and duty…

Murder has brought Talon, Master of Guardians, as well as Zia, his witch and Master of Witches, to Chicago. The manner of death appears to be a suicide, but Talon is far from ready to close the case. To avenge the Guardian linked to his past, he agrees to take on the assignment, and find her killer.

As they dive deeper into the investigation, they find themselves entering a world where BDSM is the norm. A lifestyle that Zia is uncomfortable with and, rattled by this new development, she is more than ready to return to the Otherworld. But their investigation quickly takes an unexpected twist when they discover that they’re not only hunting a killer but also someone who is controlling supernaturals in Chicago.

Their mission not only brings danger, but also forces Talon to deal with decades old guilt that corrodes his soul. Every event that unfolds only deepens his fight and pushes him to face an ultimate choice—what is more important—his duty to the Otherworld or the witch he holds closest to his heart?

BUY LINK - http://www.staceykennedy.com/a-warriors-witch/

EXCERPT - http://www.staceykennedy.com/a-warriors-witch-excerpt/

****

Stacey Kennedy is an avid lover of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and erotic romance genres. If she isn’t plugging away at her next novel, tending to her two little ones, she’s got her nose deep in a good book. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband. Be sure to drop her a line at www.staceykennedy.com, she loves to hear from her readers.

Interview with Lacey

Welcome to Jagged Edge!

Your favorite character?

One of my favorite characters is “Ghost” from Poppy Z. Brite’s unconventional vampire novel, “Lost Souls.” Ghost is a very powerful psychic and empath.  I loved getting into his head, knowing that he knows things that other people don’t know he knows.  It is interesting how he has learned to stifle this gift so as not to make people uncomfortable.  He was the first psychic character I ever read about and he paved the way for many more in that genre.  He will always be my first and my most beloved dark psychic.  He seemed to live through his feelings like a walking piece of poetry, the part of poetry that you can’t really describe with words.

What is your favorite Quote?

“Truth above all, even if it upsets and overwhelms us” -- Frederick Amiel

What is the one thing that every writer needs to have or do?

The one thing a writer needs to do is write. To me, once you have written something, anything, you are a writer.  You’ll need something to write with.  It could be a pen, pencil, a piece of paper, a piece of chalk, some charcoal, a rock.  It doesn’t matter.  Just write and express yourself.

Are your books different to your personal favorite books by other authors?

Yes.  At my age, I have really opened up my scope.  When I was younger I read mostly horror and paranormal books.  Now I love the classics.  I love comedies and dramas, children’s books and memoirs.  I read graphic novels and non-fiction.  I read spiritual texts and smut. I can’t imagine just sticking to one thing.  I look for books that are well written, with a plot and characters that pull me in.  If a book, pulls me in, I’ll keep reading.  If it doesn’t, I put it down and move on. 

So people act surprised when they learn I have written an erotic story about bisexual sex vampires and that I love to read William Faulkner or Orsen Scott Card or even Anthony Robbins or Ghandi.

What lead you to writing in this genre?

I was once reading a blog someone wrote about female arousal.  The author wondered what it was like for a man. She said if her “buttons were pressed right.” It could be mind-blowing. Several men commented and admitted that their orgasms were pretty short and over with. From this, I had the idea of writing about sex vampires who are lesbians by choice due to the fact that they could suck out more sexual orgasms from women than from men.

A much esteemed colleague, college professor and published author told me to write what I know. I was working on a very heavy piece, one that has caused me years of pain, anguish and research to write and that really got into some very deep and controversial subjects. I guess I needed a break from that book and I decided to start writing other stories just for fun, just to keep my style fresh. My friend suggested that since I’m fitness professional, I must know a lot about the human body so I started to write a short story that really described the human body in detail. Needless to say, it ended up becoming an erotic work. I liked the idea of a woman whose body changes from normal to superhuman. I’ve experienced this myself as a personal trainer and I’ve helped people make this transition. I used this knowledge to describe the athletic bodies of the nymphomites.

“Fireflies” is written in present tense because I started the story, not knowing where it would end up as a writing exercise. I just let my imagination run wild.  Also, when I used to study martial arts, I did some research into sexual energy work and this story has a lot to do with what I learned about sexual energy.

What inspires you the most when you write?

I write for many different reasons and I have learned that I am inspired by many things. 

Sometimes I am inspired by revenge.  Someone says something or does something to me that I do not like and I never had the nerve to tell them what I really thought.  Often, I take that energy and put it into my writings, allowing my characters to say or do all of the things I never could

Sometimes I am inspired by love and I use my personal relationships to weave meaning into my stories.

Sometimes I am inspired by social unrest and I write to help me clarify and understand complicated and disturbing aspects of society such as prejudice and violence.

Sometimes I am inspired by fun and entertainment and I just want to write something that is fresh, different and exciting.

Sometimes I am inspired by my own passionate emotions and I write as a way to harness or soften my passions without causing any trouble or drama in my everyday life.

How long does it normally take you to write a book and go through the whole process?

Anywhere from a year to fifteen years depending on the brevity of the work and what I am going through at that period in time.

What book do you wish to see come out as a movie? (of course all authors want to see their movie on the big screen but what other book would you like to see?)

I always wanted to see Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game” out on the big screen. I heard rumors that it was going to happen but I heard that the project was canceled due to technical difficulties.  I understand.  If a movie were to be made, I would want it to be a good movie that stays true to the novel and I hope that Card continues to look for someone who will get the job done well.

Do you ever run out of ideas for new books?

I have so many ideas; I can’t even keep track of them.  All my friends will tell you that I’m an idea person.  I wish I could just make a living having ideas and feeding them to people.  Some people have gained some small successes following through on my ideas.  It’s not always about the ideas though.  You have to follow through on them.  I have a ton of unfinished works and a catalog of ideas in my mind and on paper somewhere.

What's next in life for you?

I have written a novel about the intimate lives of people who joined a dangerous cult. It follows the story of how they got trapped into the cult and how they escaped when they realized that their leader was turning them into prisoners.

I spent twelve years researching cult tragedies and the science of brainwashing in the making of this book. The story is fictional but it takes universal components from many people I have studied who were pulled into this situation including those who survived cult suicides and slave cults. Though the story is fictional, I felt a horrible pull towards writing this novel once I started, as if the characters I created were ghosts who demanded I tell their story. Though these characters were made up, I was shocked to see how similar they were to people who really existed while doing my research.

The novel explains many questions and disturbing aspects of religion such as idolatry and extremism. It also shows how very strong and interesting people can be brain washed when caught at the right time and place in their lives. Still, it is a spiritual journey and underlying all the conspiracy theories and struggles, there is a lesson about looking within ourselves in our search for truth.

A Monster Calls

Author: Patrick Ness
Series: ---
Publisher:Smashwords
Publication Date: Apr. 05, 2011 
Rate: 5+


Summary: At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting— he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd— whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself— Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.


Review:
This is an absolutley beautifully crafted book. The images, the story. Its entirly breath taking! I wish I had more to say about this book. Its an amazing middle grade. Everyone should read it. It also has a beautiful story. Also quick read. I wish I could share the images with you because they unbelievably amazing! 5

Monday Madness

So for a while i've been trying to figure out what I wanted to do now that I am an "adult". (Yes i'm using that word loosely) At first I was like "well I like to edit images and videos" And I toke a swing at that I have 17 credits for that under my belt. But at the same time i'm like "hmm if that don't work out I have to have a back up so.... Administrative Assistant!" Yeah I toke two classes, Then dropped one and finished the other on the first day with an A. That's right I tested out. I hated those classes not interesting at all! Which means the job would suck too! Right? Anyways, then i'm like" hmm well I want to do something I love. I started this blog and I figured it out librarian. So I am going to start with a certificate in Librarian Assistant. But you know I keep hearing all these things about librarians getting laid off so just in case I thought of another thing. Again I got to thinking "hmmm well my love of books is bigger then my love of Mountain Dew" (Trust me that is HUGE) and so I thought of becoming an editor of books. Yes, my grammar is not the best but I can spot both grammar mistakes and spelling mistakes.... When i'm not the one who made them. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get started. Are there certain degrees I need? I can I just start out by helping indie authors? So on and so forth. If you have any ideas on how to help me please let me know! I may just love you forever! (OK it depends on what you tell me and who you are! =] Hope you guys have an amazing day!

The Survivors

Author: Amanda Havard
Series:
Publisher: Chafie Press
Publication Date: March 29, 2011
How Received: For Review
Rate: 5+


Summary: In 1692, when witch trials gripped the community of Salem, Massachusetts, twenty-six children were accused as witches, exiled, and left for dead. Fourteen of them survived. The Survivors is the first installment of the tantalizing tales of the fourteen ill-fated Survivors and their descendants, who have been content in hiding for over three centuries. Isolated on a Montana mountainside, only Sadie, the rogue daughter, dares to abandon the family’s sacred hiding place. But no matter how far Sadie runs, something always pulls her back. On a muggy summer night in Tennessee, she witnesses a shocking scene that will change her life forever. It is the first in a sequence of events that will drag her from the human world she’s sought to belong to for over a century and send her back to her Puritanical family and into an uncertain future filled with cunning witches, mysterious nosferatu shape-shifters, dangerous eretica and vieczy vampires, millennia-old mythology, and the search for her own mortality. After all… HOW DO YOU KILL A SURVIVOR? The Survivors will steal your heart and invade your mind. Fall into the pages of Sadie’s life, a world so frighteningly similar to your own, you’ll find yourself wanting to go to the Montana mountains to find the Survivors for yourself. And it is only the beginning.


Review: This book is ten times better then what I thought it would be. It was for lack of better words and unable to keep it pg. It was a damn good book. Im kind of hoping for another book. Maybe a series. When I learned what it was about I was like eeew not more shap shifter, vampires and, witches book. This book brings a higher possibility of truth to it and less fiction. Ive conncted with many of the characters. And this is another book I would love to read over and over again. My only complaint is the cover do not get hard cover the jacket always slips off it is beyond annoying. This book is a must read go check it out!


Excerpt:
 I sighed. My car sped angrily across the smoldering Mississippi pavement as I watched the temperature display on the dashboard click over from 98º to 99º. It was unseasonably warm, even for June. The road in front of me disappeared quickly under my tires. I was charging toward the hazy lines that sizzled off the pavement, making it look like there was a reflective pool off in the distance that I could never catch, like I was chasing a mirage.

That felt right, of course. Most of my life felt like chasing a mirage. I was always sure I was near to catching something, something I needed desperately—an answer, a person, a break—but I always ended up scrambling toward a deceptive vision with all my energy, only to be met with more disappointment, more isolation, or more rejection. More of the same.

As I crossed the city limits of Tupelo, the thermometer clicked to 100º and I could barely breathe. The heat radiated through the windows in my car; even the blasting air-conditioning no match for the sun’s penetrating rays. What was I doing here? On this road, in this car, on this journey? I was going to Corrina’s wedding, of that much I was sure. But as I drove farther and farther, I’d catch myself reaching my hand across the center console into the passenger seat as if I expected it to land on someone’s leg. Of course, some stupid part of my mind thought he was still sitting there next to me. He wasn’t. Invariably, my hand dropped onto the smooth, hot leather of the empty seat, and I’d be startled yet again. I recoiled my hand I every time this happened, angry that I had again let myself forget that I was going it alone.

That’s when I’d wonder what I was doing going to Mississippi to be a bridesmaid. This event was only going to remind me of what I would never have. It was so stupid of me, trying to have a life like this, trying to be so human.

He had left me, of course. It had been an unseasonably hot day then, too, and I wore shorts and flip-flops as we walked into a pizza joint in downtown Nashville. I hadn’t seen it coming. I was embarrassed; I would have dressed better had I known. If I were going to go down, I would have liked to go down in style. But I was not perceptive enough to sense such things in advance. The trouble was, I had spent the first 141 years of my existence living in ridiculous isolation, in a culture that did its best to keep the intricacies of relationships between mortals outside our protected walls. As the youth, we were not to be distracted from our work, our life, our dedication to God and family. This really meant, of course, that they didn’t want us to know what was out there, what life could be like. They preferred us only to know what it was like for us. If we learned what went with humanity—the passion and the torment, the freedom and the oppression—then at least some of us might be lured away from the family and our carefully crafted world. Conversely, it might scare some of the lesser ones into staying there forever, paralyzed in fear by the uncertainties that lay outside our walls. Most of us, though—those like me—were intrigued every time we had even half a glimpse into some bit of human life. The elders saw that, too, so they did their best to isolate us. This was effective for the most part. I was, after all, the only one who had ever left.

It made the adjustment to human life difficult for me when the time came, having experienced so little of it (if even I had read much about it) before I left. I had stopped visibly aging sometime between my nineteenth and twenty-first birthdays, so when I obtained an identity in the human world—birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, Social Security number—I had said I was born in 1990. So now, I was more or less twenty-one years old by mortal standards. The problem was that people expected twenty-one-year-olds to know things about themselves and about the world that I could not possibly have known, despite my best efforts to prepare. It had been a rough transition.

Even so, I didn’t want to go back. I was tired of being repressed. I had lived for nearly two lifetimes before I walked away from the city walls nearly empty-handed. I never looked back. I had decided that I would take no more direction from them, that I would no longer relinquish my control of my life to anyone. So far, I hadn’t.

I’d gone south immediately, believing they would send no one into uncharted territory to look for me. I’d been passing as a human for three years. Unlike some of my kind, I had the control of my inhuman faculties to do so. I had practiced it for years before I ran away. I even had a much wider knowledge of the outside world than my peers—I read every book I ever got my hands on, researched humans in any way I could—but that still didn’t make the transition easy. I was entirely unprepared for the experience. People, it turned out, were not known for their thoughtful or good-natured intentions. Consequently, I had been hurt in so many strange ways I never expected that I could barely stand most of the people I met. I had not realized, either, that so much of human life was filled with monotony and duty, with the same moronic rituals I’d been trying to avoid by leaving my family.

Particularly, I had not understood that in this world, you could give yourself to someone completely, but they might never return the favor. I learned this with Todd, my ex-boyfriend, the hard way. We had spent seventy-nine days together, and then he was gone. As I came to learn, seventy-nine days was not any kind of major commitment—even to mortals whose life spans were so short, each day making up a greater percentage of their lives than mine—but he had said a lot of things in that time that made it seem like this was headed toward forever. And I believed him. Consequently, I was heartbroken, though he seemed unscathed. It floored me. I added to my growing list of human tendencies a simple line: They do not feel loyalty. Not the way we do.

I had yet to meet a human loyal to anything other than himself or herself. In Todd’s case, he was loyal to his own impatience, his human drive to run.

I bit my lower lip absently at this thought. I understood the urge to run. That urge was what had landed me here, in this car, on this road, alone in the world, passing as something I was not.

Interview with SM Reine

Welcome to Jagged Edge!

Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Sara Reine, and I write dark fantasy. My current book, Six Moon Summer, is about a young woman who gets bitten by a werewolf and has to face the challenges that brings.

What inspired you to write?

My mom’s a writer, so some of my earliest memories involve watching Animaniacs while she chatted with editors in New York on the phone. I was immersed in her writing experiences. I think it would have been strange if I’d turned out any other way!

What authors influenced you as a writer?

Joss Whedon is probably the most notable influence (even though he’s not an author). Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe have had a pretty big hand in it, too.

Your favorite character?

The Mr. Darling/Captain Hook character. If you’ve ever seen the stage production, you would know that they usually cast the same actor to play both! If you read Peter Pan with that in mind, it makes the story much more interesting.

What is your favorite Quote?

“Man is least himself when in his own person. Give him a mask and he’ll tell you the truth.” –Oscar Wilde

Doesn’t that summarize everything writers do perfectly?

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

Ooh. I want to live in Tortall, which is the universe from Tamora Pierce’s books. I’d become a lady knight and talk to the animals!

What is the one thing that every writer needs to have or do?

Persistence. You can’t give up. It takes persistence to finish a first draft, to edit that first draft, and then to get it through the gauntlet of publishing.

Are your books different to your personal favorite books by other authors?

I think so. I’ve never read anything like Six Moon Summer before.

What lead you to writing in this genre?

I’ve always been a thoroughly flighty person. I daydream constantly. My mind naturally drifts to themes of dark fantasy, which is so much more interesting than thinking about traffic lights, the power bill, and my mortgage.

What inspires you the most when you write?

Good music. Specifically, emotionally evocative music. My spouse teases me for listening to “emo” music, but he’s a punk and he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

How long does it normally take you to write a book and go through the whole process?

A rough draft never takes more than 1-2 months to write, if you only count the days I actually work on it. The editing process usually takes at least as long as the first draft, although usually longer. Layout and design is a couple weeks, and promotion is a long haul of months and months. Books are definitely a full-time job.

What are you most excited about this year?

My upcoming releases! I have a steampunk novella, The 19 Dragons, coming out in about a month here. The sequel to Six Moon Summer, All Hallows Moon, will also be making an appearance this fall.

What book do you wish to see come out as a movie? (of course all authors want to see their movie on the big screen but what other book would you like to see?)

I want to see a good adaptation of Ender’s Game. I wish they had gotten to it fifteen years ago so Haley Joel Osment could have played Ender. They’ll have a tough time casting a child actor good enough now, I think.

Funniest question you have ever been asked?

“Will you marry me?” Ha! Just kidding.

What happened while writing one of your books that you did not expect?

When I was writing Six Moon Summer, I found I could finish any project to which I set my mind, even if I wasn’t hugely inspired. My son was two weeks old when I started writing it, so I was only inspired to sleep at the time. Getting work done was tough. But I got it done, and in a timely fashion! That surprised the heck out of me.

Do you read the review when they are good and/or bad?

I read all my reviews. Fortunately, I haven’t gotten any “bad” reviews yet, but I’ve gotten a few that are lukewarm. It’s all subjective. Some people love Six Moon Summer, and, inevitably, other people don’t. A lukewarm review might be a sign I was targeting the wrong market, though, so it’s important to analyze it and adjust my strategy.

What's next in life for you?

As I mentioned above, I have The 19 Dragons coming out July 8^th and All Hallows Moon in Fall 2011. I should conclude Rylie’s series in 2012, and I have another special project coming up that I think everyone will really enjoy!

LAST QUESTION:

Was there a question you wish I would have asked but didn't?

Nope! Great interview. Thanks for having me!


Don't forget to come back on the 25 for the big giveaway here's a sneak peek of all the books in the giveaway! http://klearsreviews.blogspot.com/p/armchair-bea-giveaway-list.html