Manga Maniac Cafe

Interview with Merrie Haskell, Author of Handbook for Dragon Slayers

Julie — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Merrie Haskell dropped by the virtual offices this morning to chat up her latest MG release Handbook for Dragon Slayers. Check out what she has to say about it.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

@merriehaskell: author, library paraprofessional; obsessed with herbs, blacksmithing, office supplies, alternate universes, anthropology

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Handbook for Dragon Slayers?

[Merrie Haskell] It’s a 12th century adventure story that takes place along the Rhine, in which a runaway princess with a clubfoot who joins forces with two dragon slayers-in-training; she runs into the Wild Hunt, an evil knight, and several dragons along the way.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Merrie Haskell] The broadest part of the concept, a girl who writes a handbook for dragon slayers, actually came to me in drips and drabs over the years. In college, for a history class, I had to read a wonderful book called A Handbook for William, which was a 9th century German woman’s advice for living at court for her son. The concept of medieval handbooks actually became a bit of an obsession for me at that point. How on earth do you make something like that exciting in a fiction book, though? Many years later, I ran across the concept of book curses–notices put at the beginning of books that promised dire consequences for book thieves (explored in an interesting book called Anathema: Medieval scribes and the history of book curses). I’m not entirely sure when dragons wormed their way in there, other than dragons are so much fun. When I learned Old English in college, the Anglo-Saxons were sort of obsessed with dragons–it was a big insult to call someone a dragon, because you were a hoarder of gold and treasure, the opposite of what a noble and valiant Anglo-Saxon should be. Being a giver was important–a ring giver, a bread giver. It’s so the opposite of how we look at dragons now. So, these three concepts sort of came together, and I found myself scratching out a book curse:

Whosoever steals this book

shall burn in the

fiery conflagration of a DRAGON’S BREATH

and will ALSO LOSE THEIR NOSE

TO PUTREFACTION.

It is advised, therefore,

that you take your nose home intact,

and leave this handbook

for the study of proper DRAGON SLAYERS

It suddenly seemed very clear to me, that a handbook could be very interesting if it were for dragon slayers.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Tilda?

[Merrie Haskell] This is actually something I do while I write: have the main characters and their key character traits written on post-its along my monitor. Tilda’s said: RESILIENT.

I would also add either "Dutiful/Rebellious" — this is her main conflict in the book, as she is duty-driven but rebelling against that.

And finally–"Intelligent."

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Parz had a theme song, what would it be?

[Merrie Haskell] Great question! I would say it’s probably "Good Life" by OneRepublic. That song just reeks of Parz–a sort of easy happiness and optimism, combined with the joy of adventure and travel.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Judith is never without.

[Merrie Haskell] A personal knife to use for eating. You always had to bring your own knife to dinner in the Middle Ages.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Tilda’s pockets?

[Merrie Haskell] Well, since she lived in an era in which pockets didn’t exist, this list is sort of endless! But she has a few pouches and purses and things like that, so I’ll say she’d never carry embroidery needles, thread, or any sort of thimble.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Judith’s greatest regret?

[Merrie Haskell] Judith loves animals, especially baby animals; she comes to regret being a dragon slayer pretty quickly when she realizes that baby dragons are affected! Otherwise, though, she is not a girl who holds herself back except when prudence demands, so she doesn’t have too terribly many regrets.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Merrie Haskell] I would say learning has the biggest influence on my creativity. When I’m learning new things, I almost can’t stop the flow of story and character ideas–it just rains down. The most perfect example of this was recently when I started to learn blacksmithing–knowing that I wanted to write about a blacksmith, of course. I started seeing the world in the colors of heated metal. I would drive over bridges and think about the wealth of rebar embedded in the concrete beneath me. I was on a long plane flight with a copy of The Art of Blacksmithing and started to read–in 30 seconds, I had a notebook open next to me as I scribbled scene idea after scene idea, just from reading about the details of the things I had learned in a more hands-on setting. I think that’s my most perfect learning experience, doing followed up by theory. I am similarly stimulated when I travel or learn languages. I love going to a place and then reading about it in detail. It feels backward–wouldn’t it be better to learn before you go somewhere?–but I think that gives me preconceptions that aren’t helpful for the stimulation of creativity.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Merrie Haskell] A reasonable night of sleep behind me, a writing tool (pen & paper or computer), and ideally, a notebook or a stack of notecards so I can document the things I don’t want to include in the manuscript. I have been a creature of ritual and habit from time to time, but so often these things get in my way. Deadlines which are attached to money have a way of clearing a lot of mental fluff from your process, I’ve found. I occasionally worry that my process is still too dependent on peripheries (really, a computer AND a notebook?), but whenever I forget the notebook, the process suffers, so I think I really do need it. Jotting notes to myself on the computer helps me very little; the notes just get lost in the shuffle. Having that other thing to look at on the desk beside me while my book is still up on the screen is great. And if I need the physical act of writing with a pen to get me out of my typing-mode brain, it’s right there.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Merrie Haskell] I couldn’t put down WHEN WE WAKE by Karen Healey, which is about a girl that wakes up from a cryogenic sleep a hundred years after she died and has to deal with all the grief and loss of her old world. I read most of it during my time on the elliptical trainer at the gym, and it’s incredibly awkward to be brought to tears on an elliptical machine. Other people tend to think you’re having an asthma attack or… who knows. "Sorry, I’m just reading a very affecting book, go back to your treadmill!"

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Merrie Haskell] Without a question, it was Little House on the Prairie. I was starting to read a lot already, but when I got that for Christmas in first grade, and it seemed like such a *large* and important book and then I read it all, all by myself, I not only realized how much I enjoyed reading, but I felt smart and capable (no one else was reading books that big in my first grade class). The escape of reading and the increase to my self-worth? A combination impossible to escape.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Merrie Haskell] I like to read, of course. I was a huge YA reader when I was a young adult, and never stopped reading YA along the way. I like TV–my Tumblr is pretty much reblogged gif sets from sitcoms and Avatar: The Last Airbender, and not much else. Oh, and Revenge. I dabble in a variety of hobbies, like the aforementioned blacksmithing, gardening, calligraphy, drawing…

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Merrie Haskell] I have a Facebook page, but most of the action is on Twitter (@merriehaskell) and my blog (blog.merriehaskell.com).

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

You can purchase Handbook for Dragon Slayers and The Princess Curse from your favorite bookseller or buy clicking the links below:

About the book:

When a runaway princess throws her lot in with a couple of would-be dragon slayers, before long she is facing down the Wild Hunt, befriending enchanted horses, battling fire-breathing dragons, and learning more about herself than she ever expected…

About the author

Merrie Haskell grew up half in North Carolina, half in Michigan. She wrote her first story at age seven, and she walked dogs after school to save for her first typewriter. She attended the University of Michigan, where she graduated from the Residential College with a degree in biological anthropology. She works in a library with over 7.5 million volumes.

Her first book, the Middle Grade historical fantasy The Princess Curse, was a Junior Library Guild selection. Her second book is Handbook for Dragon Slayers. Her short fiction appears in Nature, Asimov’s, and various anthologies. Merrie lives in Saline, Michigan.

Book Blast! Overexposed by Adrianne James

Julie — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:37:00 +0000

Overexposed by Adrianne James

Young Adult

May 24th 2013 by Star Bound Books

In the tiny town of Willowspring, just about nothing ever happens except for layoffs, hockey games, and your average melodramatic teenage angst.

But that was before.

Vi, Ashley, and Macy are just trying to make it through the school year without one more humiliation when they team up for a simple photography assignment: create a story through a series of photographs. Can’t be too much trouble, right?

Wrong.

The shutterbugs happen upon Willowspring High School’s darkest secret. When everything around them starts to crumble after trying to do the right thing, their only hope is to stick together.

When the door opened to the alley behind the rink, I realized two things. One, it was freaking colder outside than it was in the bleachers by the ice, and two, Brianna Jones (A.K.A Bra stuffer) was already out there.

The three of us walked out as if it was perfectly normal to be there but Brianna didn’t even notice us. We walked to the opposite side of the alley and huddled together. We hoped it would look like we were keeping warm, but we were trying to hide both the cameras.

Watching Brianna was rather dull. She was just standing there, talking on her cell phone and it wasn’t even anything remotely interesting. We took pictures anyway, because like Mr. Bennett said, you need the before, during, and after to tell a story with photographs.

“Look! She is checking that car’s doors! That isn’t her car, is it?” The quiet clicking of the shutters on our cameras was almost deafening to me. I swore each click was louder and louder as we watched Brianna try to break into a car.

Finally, the last door she tried, the back passenger side, was open. She slipped in and a second later, the dark car had a red glow inside. She climbed back out, shut the door, and walked over to the wall, smoking a stolen cigarette.

“She just broke into someone’s car for a cigarette? Seriously?” Ashley was just as flabbergasted as the rest of us. Why would anyone risk committing a crime for a smoke? “Oh! She is moving again!”

Click, click, click. I took more and more pictures. I hated that they were all from the same angle, but spys have to do what they have to do to keep from being caught, all the while still getting the images.

Brianna walked back to the car and put the cigarette out on the hood. Lucky for whoever owned it there was a layer of snow to put it out before it could burn the paint. Then she leaned over and used the mirror. She pursed her lips, showed her teeth to check those, then she lifted her head slightly.

“What is she doing?” I whispered.

“I’m not sure.” Macy said breaking away from the group. “I am going over there, different angle.” Before I could stop her, she had gone back across the alley to the other side. She was braver than I was. Ashley watched her closely before turning back to me.

“Let me take some. I promise I won’t hurt Jilly.” I knew I had to hand it over. I promised her she could use it. Even knowing that, it didn’t make it any easier.

“Okay. Here.” I took the strap from around my neck and quickly placed it around hers. The minute the fabric was firmly against her skin, she took off, too. “Ash, what are you doing?” I whisper yelled to her.

She just put a finger over her mouth to shush me and she got even closer to the car than Macy had. I figured that made me look out so I opened my eyes and ears and tried to make sure my best friends didn’t get caught.

I looked over my shoulder to check the door to make sure we were still alone when all of a sudden I heard a scream.

“YOU LITTLE BITCH! GIVE ME THAT CAMERA NOW!” When I turned back to see what was going on (although I was pretty sure that either Macy or Ashley had been caught by Brianna) I saw my girls running towards me, with Brianna not far behind.

“Run!” Ash and Macy yelled through giggles. I turned and headed to the door and held it open for them. As soon as they passed through I closed it and the three of us went straight out the front door and to Macy’s truck.

“What on earth just happened?” I asked when I caught my breath. Ashley handed Jilly back to me and I flipped it on. The minute I pressed the play images button I began to laugh. The first one was of Brianna screaming at the camera. I pressed the next button and then it was a picture of her finger in her mouth. The next one was a picture of her finger in her nose.

I died laughing. Brianna Jones was a booger eater. I bet her boyfriend would love to know that.

“Oh, Ashley, you are amazing!” Then the truck erupted in laughter and because Macy’s dad had given her a twenty to get food at the overly expensive rink, we headed to the diner for some hot cocoa and French fries for half the cost. Who said teenagers were irresponsible with money?

Growing up, Adrianne couldn’t get her hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished a novel and didn’t have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with the world.

During the day, Adrianne uses her camera to capture life’s stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written word and a loving family.

As a young adult and new adult author, Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers to enjoy.

Website † Facebook † Twitter † GoodReads

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Graphic Novel Review: Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong by Faith Erin Hicks and Prudence Shen

Julie — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong

Author: Faith Erin Hicks and Prudence Shen

May Contain Spoilers

From Amazon:

You wouldn’t expect Nate and Charlie to be friends. Charlie’s the laid-back captain of the basketball team, and Nate is the neurotic, scheming president of the robotics club. But they are friends, however unlikely—until Nate declares war on the cheerleaders. At stake is funding that will either cover a robotics competition or new cheerleading uniforms—but not both.

It’s only going to get worse: after both parties are stripped of their funding on grounds of abominable misbehavior, Nate enrolls the club’s robot in a battlebot competition in a desperate bid for prize money. Bad sportsmanship? Sure. Chainsaws? Why not. Running away from home on Thanksgiving to illicitly enter a televised robot death match? Of course!

In Faith Erin Hicks’ and Prudence Shen’s world of high school class warfare and robot death matches, Nothing can possibly go wrong

Review:

I have to admit that I wasn’t too eager to dive into Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong, and I don’t know why. I think that the synopsis just didn’t grab my imagination. A surprise day off due to power issues at work prompted me to pick this up, and I’m glad I did. This is such a fun read, with plenty of humor to keep the conflict between Charlie and Nate from getting too intense.

At the beginning of the book, when the cheerleaders were forcing Charlie to run for Student Body President, I just wanted him to tell them to go jump off a cliff. He gets caught up in an election campaign that he wants nothing to do with, and it is destroying his friendship with Nate. Nate only wants to win because he’s discovered that the Student Body gets to decide whether funding will be available for the cheerleaders’ new uniforms or his beloved robotics club. Charlie doesn’t care one way or the other, except that the cheerleaders freak him out. They are like ninja cheerleaders – they are scary and they get what they want, and what they want are those new uniforms! As Nate’s war on the cheerleaders, and Charlie, by association, heats up, Nate doesn’t hesitate to pull out all of the stops, and many of the stops are embarrassing to Charlie. The pony incident when he was little certainly didn’t need to be plastered all over the high school walls for everyone to see! I enjoyed Nate and Charlie’s friendship, and how they interacted with each other. Even when they were so pissed that they were driven to pummel each other, it was evident that they didn’t really want to ruin their friendship. They are so different that they complimented each other, and I thought they made a great team.

When it’s apparent that the election isn’t going to have the desired results, Nate figures out another way for both sides to get what they want. It requires working together, and the cheerleaders need mucho convincing. Through all of the negotiations, it’s obvious that Charlie has a lot more on his mind than robots or uniforms. He’s been having a hard time forgiving his mom for leaving him and his dad and moving to California. He’s resentful of his dad, too, for never being home. Charlie has a lot going on, and his way of dealing with his problems is to ignore them. He is passive aggressive to both parents, and even though he wants to give them a piece of his mind and make them understand where he’s coming from, he just can’t find the words. Instead, he hangs up on his mom a lot, and then avoids her calls. I found him a very likable and sympathetic character, and kept hoping he would find the strength and courage to let both of his parents know how badly they had let him down.

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong is a fun, humorous read about robots, scary cheerleads, and all of the important relationships in the lives of two unconventional friends. Friendship is work, especially when you don’t always have the same goals, and this book captured the ins and outs of working through adversity through the magic of spot on prose and expressive illustrations. Highly recommended.

Grade: B+ / A-

Review copy provided by publisher

Interview with Jessica Day George, Author of Wednesdays in the Tower and Giveaway!

Julie — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Please welcome Jessica Day George to the virtual offices this morning! Jessica is here to chat about her latest release, Wednesdays in the Tower, and after the interview, she has a copy for one of you to win!

[Manga Maniac Café] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Jessica Day George] Redheaded chocoholic bookworm.

[Manga Maniac Café] What three words best describe Rolf?

[Jessica Day George] Devil-may-care, loyal, tough. (Hyphens make that one word, right?)

[Manga Maniac Café] Name one thing Celie is never without.

[Jessica Day George] Sketching pencils.

[Manga Maniac Café] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Jessica Day George] River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay. I’ve been a huge fan for many years. He just keeps getting better!

[Manga Maniac Café] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Jessica Day George] It was definitely The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley. I’d never read anything like it, and I swore I would be an author too, when I read it.

[Manga Maniac Café] Thank you!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Ready for your chance to win a copy of Wednesdays in the Tower? Just fill out the widget below to enter! US addresses only, please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Didn’t win? Click the links below to purchase Wednesdays in the Tower:

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wednesdays-in-the-tower-jessica-day-george/1112951651?ean=9781599906454

About the book:

A castle that is constantly rearranging itself, and a young royal family sworn to protect it… Celie, Rolf, and their beloved Castle Glower are back in this exciting sequel.

Strange things are afoot in Castle Glower: new rooms, corridors, and even stables keep arriving, even when they aren’t needed. Celie’s brother Bran, the new Royal Wizard, has his hands full cataloguing an entire storeroom full of exotic and highly dangerous weapons, while Celie has her hands full . . . raising the creature that hatches from a giant egg she finds! Will they be able to find out what’s making the Castle behave this way in time?

Interview with Amanda Forester, Author of A Wedding in Springtime and Giveaway!

Julie — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Please give a warm welcome to Amanda Forester! She’s visiting the virtual offices to talk about her newest release, A Wedding in Springtime, which is taking the internet by storm! After the interview, enter for a chance to win a copy of A Wedding in Springtime.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Amanda Forester] I am a writer of my two favorite heroes: rugged medieval Highlanders and witty Regency gentlemen. A Wedding in Springtime is my new release!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about A Wedding in Springtime?

[Amanda Forester] Five minutes into Miss Eugenia Talbot’s presentation at court, notorious rogue Mr. William Grant makes her laugh before the queen, ruining her debut. To hush up the scandal, Genie needs to make a brilliant marriage, and fast. Genie’s aunt hires a matchmaker to find a suitor—anyone except the infamous William Grant—but amiable Genie shows a disturbing tendency to follow her heart. When a traitor creeps closer, threatening to ruin more than just her reputation, Genie and Grant are drawn into a dangerous world of deceit and intrigue, where losing their hearts could mean their ultimate undoing.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Amanda Forester] This series is a little different because I first came up with the secondary characters and then the main heroes came into focus. We meet strong secondary characters through the first two books in the series, who finally have their own story in the third book in the Marriage Mart trilogy. Each book is stand alone though, and Wedding in Springtime has my absolute favorite hero – I adore Grant. He was so much fun to write and would whisper things in my ear that had me laughing out loud!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Eugenia?

[Amanda Forester] Humorous, Clever, Compassionate

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If William had a theme song, what would it be?

[Amanda Forester] Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding – at least until he met Eugenia Talbot, then it was I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Eugenia is never without.

[Amanda Forester] Her good humor, and a guidebook of London

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in William’s bedroom?

[Amanda Forester] Flowers, Books, Anything resembling a hard day’s work

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Eugenia’s greatest regret?

[Amanda Forester] Eugenia is content to live in the present moment without a lot of regrets. However, she does regret laughing before the queen at her presentation.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Amanda Forester] My two greatest influences for writing Regencies are the two greats, Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. Their captivating plots and insightful wit have kept me entertained and inspired me to write something of the genre myself, only with Napoleonic spies. Not sure where the spies came from…

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Amanda Forester] Time, quiet, ability to stay awake at the keyboard

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Amanda Forester] The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete. I’m in the process of trying to domesticate a crazy puppy.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Amanda Forester] I’m not sure exactly which book, but I’m sure it was written by Dr. Seuss. I think it may have been the classic, HOP ON POP, or possibly my favorite GREEN EGGS AND HAM.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Amanda Forester] Sleep. No, really, sleeping sounds heavenly right now. When I’m not grabbing a nap I enjoy doing family activities, walking (running after my puppy while hollering her name) the dog, hiking, camping, scrapbooking, and working in the garden. Mostly if I have a free moment I write!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Amanda Forester] I love to hear from readers so come visit me at my website, facebook, or twitter.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Ready for your chance to win a copy of A Wedding in Springtime? Just fill out the widget below. US addresses only please

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase links:

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wedding-in-springtime-amanda-forester/1112815200?ean=9781402271786

About the book:

Her Timing Couldn’t Be Worse…

Miss Eugenia Talbot’s presentation to the queen is spoiled by a serious faux pas—the despicable William Grant made her laugh, right in front of Her Majesty. Now Eugenia is ruined and had better marry—someone, anyone—at once…

And His Couldn’t Be Better…

Roguish William Grant has never taken anything seriously in his life. Until he meets Eugenia Talbot, who makes him feel and do thing he never thought he would.

Now Eugenia’s great sense of humor and kindheartedness may be her undoing, unless William can help her find a husband. To his surprise, that’s the last thing he wants to do…

Cover Reveal: The Rising King (Keepers of Life, #3) by Shea Berkley

Julie — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:01:00 +0000

I have a cover reveal from Entangled Publishing this morning! This is for The Rising King (Keepers of Life, #3) by Shea Berkley. Check out the excerpt, and if you enjoy it, use the links to preorder a copy today!

About the book:

The summer before Dylan Kennedy’s senior year in high school is turning out to be anything but boring. Ridiculously hot girlfriend? Check. Killing evil Dark Souls who suddenly have aspirations of taking over the magical realm of Teag because its protective spell is gone? Check.

Not even Teag’s King, Dylan’s father, Baun, can stop them. People are dying, and a dark magic that his girlfriend, Kera, received from Baun is growing stronger. Dylan wants to believe Kera is suppressing the darkness that’s in her, but every day he sees that control slip just a little more.

Baun sends Dylan to find a powerful magic that stop the Dark Souls, a magic so strong that Baun hid it so no one else could use it. When Dylan doesn’t expect to find along with it, are consequences that could end the lives of those closest to him.

Excerpt

I ease my hand into Kera’s and lace our fingers together, bringing her deep violet eyes onto me. They sweep over my face, and the edges of her full lips curve upward as if she’s fighting a smile. She sets aside the book and leans close bringing the scent of summer with her. “You scared me to death.”

I love it when she worries about me. When it comes to my life, someone caring enough to worry is sort of a new thing. “You do that all the time to me.” I tug her hand and bring her closer so I can snag a quick kiss.

Kera pushes away, but I don’t let go. The look she throws me is serious. “I’m not kidding, Dylan. You have to be more wary, especially when it comes to creatures like the millispits.”

“I didn’t die.” It’s a reminder that’s kind of obvious.

“Because I saved you.”

“What’s that make? Two for me and one for you?”

She leans back, testing the limits of our reach. “Are you keeping score?”

“No…” I hate getting caught like that, and slowly pull her back toward me, “…it just sounds like I am, but I’m not.”

I pull her right off her chair and onto the bed and on top of me. I bury my face in her hair and breathe deeply. No one smells as good as Kera. “Was anyone else hurt?” I ask even as I place little kisses along her jaw.

She stretches her neck back for me. “Leo received a splinter.”

“Ummm,” I say, enjoying the feel of her skin against my lips. “Will he live?”

“To see Lucinda hover over him after we got back, you would not think so. She very clearly said we were not allowed to take him anywhere without her.”

I twist and flip her onto her back until I’m hovering over her. As seriously as I can, I say, “Lucinda’s crazy. You know that, right?”

“I am aware of a few odd peculiarities that make up her personality.” She brushes my hair back and twirls a piece over my ear. “With that said, she does seem to honestly care for Leo.”

“Like an owner does a pet. But for how long?” I ask, more to myself than to her.

“As long as it pleases her to do so, I imagine.”

I’m not in the mood to dwell on Lucinda and what her agenda might be. All I want is to hold Kera. I nibble just below her ear and she giggles. I love the sound of her laughter. I stop and place my forehead to hers. “And how long will you care for me?”

“My heart would be crushed if I were to never see you again. I would die a thousand deaths every day.”

Are those actual tears in her eyes? “My heart is crushed every time I see you and I can’t kiss you.” I’ve never said a sappier statement, or a truer one.

She places a sweet kiss on my lips. “That rarely happens.”

I kiss her back, and say against her lips, “Because you crave my kisses.”

She laughs and pushes free. Rolling to her feet, she says with a smile, “Because I like to kiss.”

“Me,” I say, popping up on my elbows. “You like to kiss me.”

Her smile widens.

I snatch her hand. She’s adopted wearing a wide, tight leather bracelet on her right wrist. It’s etched and embossed with a swirling pattern that is so Kera, I can’t remember when she didn’t wear it. We do a quick, playful game of tug of war before I yank her back. “Tell me you love me.”

She winds her arms around my neck and smothers my face with tiny kisses. “I love you madly.”

Find Shea Berkley

Website: http://www.sheaberkley.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009433.Shea_Berkley

The Marked Son (Keepers of Life #1)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11984884-the-marked-son

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1937044017/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marked-son-shea-berkley/1104174158

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Marked-Son-Shea-Berkley/9781620612293

The Fallen Prince (Keepers of Life #2)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12726078-the-fallen-prince

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Fallen-Prince-Keepers-Life/dp/1620612267/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fallen-prince-shea-berkley/1112131026

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Fallen-Prince-Shea-Berkley/9781620612262

Interview with Shoma Narayana, Author of Secrets & Saris

Julie — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:01:54 +0000

Please welcome Shoma Narayanan to the virtual offices today! Shoma is here to chat about her latest Harlequin release, Secrets & Saris, which is part of the KISS lineup.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Shoman Narayanan] Love writing, hate deadlines.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Secrets & Saris?

[Shoman Narayanan] "Secrets and Saris" is about a rather unlikely couple – Shefali, who’s beautiful, charming, and has been recently jilted; and Neil, who’s a young, gorgeous, single father. Shefali moves to a small town to escape the gossip after her fiancé doesn’t turn up for their wedding. Neil runs an award-winning TV show, and chooses the same town to shoot one of the episodes for the show. Sparks fly when they meet each other, and in spite of her vow to steer clear of men, Shefali finds herself more and more drawn to Neil….

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Shoman Narayanan] The idea for the story came up during a visit to Jabalpur, the town where most of the story is set. I thought it would be interesting to explore the reactions of a rather conventionally brought-up, slightly spoilt big-city girl when she’s forced to adapt to small town life. And what happens when she meets a man who seems to have adapted perfectly to his surroundings, but is actually carrying a huge amount of baggage.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Shefali?

[Shoman Narayanan] Beautiful, determined, and just a little spoilt

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Neil had a theme song, what would it be?

[Shoman Narayanan] Difficult to say

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Shefali is never without.

[Shoman Narayanan] Her handbag – she carries half her life around in it

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Neil’s bedroom?

[Shoman Narayanan] Cigarettes; a clock; flowers

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Shefali’s greatest regret?

[Shoman Narayanan] Having blindly followed the plan her parents had chalked out for her without trying to figure out what she wanted for herself

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Shoman Narayanan] The books I’ve read over the last 30+ years, right from the classics to detective fiction, to romance and chick-lit. Even non-fiction is an influence in a way.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Shoman Narayanan] My laptop, my bean bag, and a good night’s sleep. Silence would be good as well, but with two kids I’ve forgotten what its like to have a quiet house.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Shoman Narayanan] Romance: "The One That Got Away", by Kelly Hunter

Non-romance: "The Rational Optimist"

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Shoman Narayanan] The first book I ever read – it was called "The Enormous Turnip", and I read it over and over and over again! And "To Kill a Mockingbird", which I read when I was considerably older.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Shoman Narayanan] Reading; various vaguely ‘artistic’ hobbies like painting cartoon character murals on my kids’ walls; sewing, knitting and crochet (the most fun part is bullying the kids into wearing what I’ve made). I work full-time in a bank in addition to writing, so I don’t really get all that much free time

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Shoman Narayanan] Through Goodreads, or through my Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shoma-Narayanan

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

Purchase links:

Print version available now, eBook releases June 1

About the book:

A secret that could cause scandal!Jilted at the altar, Shefali Khanna should be humiliated. Instead she takes the opportunity to start again. Top of the priority list: do not tumble headfirst into another relationship!

But even moving from the city to the country can’t keep Shefali out of trouble—especially when she catches the eye of local celeb Neil Mitra! There is no way she can risk a scandal already! He might be gorgeous, but he’s totally off-limits…right?

Extra bonus: included is The Wedding Dress Diaries by Aimee Carson, the prequel to our fab new quartet!

Read an excerpt here

Interview with Roby Grady, Author of The Goddess and Giveaway!

Julie — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Please welcome Robyn Grady to the virtual offices this morning! Robyn is here to chat about The Goddess, and after, she has a digital copy of her new book up for grabs!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Robyn Grady] A little obsessive. Lover of great stories that make me laugh or truly think or cry. Gerard Butler fan. Writer, wife, mother. Going to Greek Isles one day. Please God, soon!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about The Goddess?

[Robyn Grady] The Goddess is true fantasy mixed with “this could happen to you.” Helene is a woman who delayed getting her college degree and is now enjoying a few months free from family expectations to explore the world and find herself. The Aegean twin islands of Teirenias are Helen’s ultimate destination—so much history and incomparable beauty. She feels strangely at home there, perhaps because an ancestor came from around those parts.

When she meets the prince (she almost drops a bucket of paint on his head), tradition is set aside in favor of curiosity, sexual attraction and, ultimately, fate.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Robyn Grady] I’m drawn to a touch of the magical—the unexplained. I also wanted to write a slightly bigger story than my Harlequin reads allow. So I worked on the idea to create a series that focused on couples who should never, ever fall in love, but who are drawn together and then won over by a wider web that incorporates another time and, sometimes, place.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Helene?

[Robyn Grady] Adventurous! Every-day. Committed.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Darius had a theme song, what would it be?

[Robyn Grady] Private Emotion by Ricky Martin. If you haven’t heard it (or seen the clip), do yourself a favor ? http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xi6ax_ricky-martin-private-emotion_music#.UZP4JdB-9Ms

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Helene is never without.

[Robyn Grady] Curiosity. If she were an animal, she’d be a tabby cat.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Darius’ bedroom?

[Robyn Grady] A TV remote control.

Bubblegum.

An alarm clock that sounds like a gnarly rooster clearing its lungs.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Helene’s greatest regret?

[Robyn Grady] That her father passed away so early in her life. He was the person who inspired her adventurous spirit!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Robyn Grady] Authors I love! They make it feel so easy to create vivid images and deep emotions and connections. I read a great book and feel jazzed about diving back into my own WIP.

I also get a heap out of workshops conducted by experts like Michael Hauge, Donald Maass and the Television Writer’s Studio. In February I attended a TWS three day workshop in Melbourne with a friend. Best part was working in a group to create an episode of a smash TV series. Later, some episodes were performed by a group of talented actors. Coming home, I was so charged to write!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Robyn Grady] Well, my trusty laptop. To write lots and fast, I need quiet. (I know some writers need music, but then I just want to sing along.) Most importantly, to write I need characters who are coming to life as I tap away on the keyboard! It’s great when they begin to write their own story.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Robyn Grady] The other night I downloaded a romance by Claire Baxter – More Than Just One Night. It’s a romance with a younger hero and I enjoyed every single word!

Here’s the link http://www.amazon.com/Night-Selwood-Sisters-Novellas-ebook/dp/B00BKQRDL2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368521601&sr=1-1&keywords=claire+baxter

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Robyn Grady]Well, we’d have to go waaaaay back to when I was around eight years old. I can’t remember the story but I remember the title and how I was drawn in, perhaps because of my own position within the sibling dynamic. The Middle Moppet. It opened up a whole other world for me and I ran toward it, arms open wide! I had older sisters so I was reading books like The Exorcist and Carrie (Stephen King) when I was probably too young. But those kinds of books nurtured a fascination for the spooky that I still enjoy. Romance came later ?

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Robyn Grady] We live near the beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast (Australia) so I like to walk by the water, lunch at some fabulous cafes on the beach (here’s a great one if you’re ever down this way (http://www.saltwateratkings.com/Home.html), and I bob around in the surf when the water’s warm enough. We also have three daughters ranging from 23 to 11, so a lot of my spare time is taken up with fielding college assignment questions or sixth grade math (not that I can always answer them!) and enjoying family.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Robyn Grady] I have a website www.robyngrady.com Twitter @robyngrady and Facebook @AuthorRobynGrady.

I also show up on the Entangled authors The Naked Hero blog around the 10th of every month. http://thenakedhero.com/

Thanks so much for the great questions, Julie!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Ready for a chance to win a copy of The Goddess? Just fill out the widget below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LINKS

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-goddess-robyn-grady/1115161570

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-goddess/id639380810?mt=11&uo=4

First Chapter Excerpt: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-goddess/

ABOUT THE GODDESS

After college graduation, Helene Masters is excited to land a job in a picturesque Aegean kingdom. Tasked with sprucing up the Prince’s villa, she inadvertently finds herself trapped on the island with the sexiest man alive. Of course she has to fall for a man who is destined to only marry royalty.

Darius Vasily, Prince of Teirenias, can’t figure out what pretty, but accident-prone, Helene is doing at his private estate. After dousing him in paint, she disappears inside the secret cave holding the royal family treasure–a fertility statue, but a cave-in traps them both. Now Darius has to figure out how to save them before he kills her for getting them into this mess in the first place–or gives into their amazing chemistry.

ABOUT ROBYN GRADY

Robyn Grady was first published with Harlequin (Silhouette, New York in 2007 and Mills and Boon, London in 2008). Her books feature regularly on bestsellers lists and at award ceremonies, including The National Readers Choice, The Booksellers Best, Cataromance Reviewers Choice and Australia’s prestigious Romantic Book of the Year.

Recently, she signed a three book deal with Entangled Publishing for her IDOL contemporary romance series.

Robyn lives on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast with her real life hero husband and three daughters. When she can be dragged away from tapping out her next story, Robyn visits the beach or the theatre. These days she’d rather keep fit reliving her youth and shaking it to Just Dance than pretending to jog

Robyn believes writing romance is the best job on the planet and she loves to hear from her readers.

Find her on Twitter (https://twitter.com/robyngrady), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobynGrady), or on her website (http://robyngrady.com/).

Interview with Jeannie Moon, Author of The Temporary Wife

Julie — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome debut author Jeannie Moon to the virtual offices today! She is celebrating the release of The Temporary Wife, an InterMix title that is in stores now.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Jeannie Moon] Mom, wife, romance author and librarian. I married my high school sweetie and I love hockey, baseball and sappy movies.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about The Temporary Wife?

[Jeannie Moon] The Temporary Wife is a story about Meg, a kindergarten teacher who becomes guardian to her best friend’s child. The child’s grandparents mount a custody battle and Meg’s former high school boyfriend, and the Campbell’s estranged son, offers her a temporary marriage to help keep the grandparents in check. But you know, nothing in these things every goes as planned…

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Jeannie Moon] Funny story. My agent was approached by an editor at NAL, who had read my work and asked if I wanted to take a crack at an idea they’d been bouncing around for InterMix (their digital first line) for a contemporary romance. I wasn’t so sure about it, until I started playing with ideas. Once the ideas started to hatch and I developed Jason and Meg, my hero and heroine, I couldn’t wait to get to their story.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Megan?

[Jeannie Moon] Smart, passionate, fun.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Jason had a theme song, what would it be?

[Jeannie Moon] This was tough, but the song "Ever the Same," by Rob Thomas describes the journey he’s been on with Meg. It’s on the playlist I put together for the book. Love it.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Megan is never without.

[Jeannie Moon] A hair tie. She has long, curly, sometimes unruly hair. The hair tie is a necessity.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Jason’s bathroom?

[Jeannie Moon] Ha!!! Love this! Any waxing products, any hair product other than shampoo and no special skin care products.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Megan’s greatest regret?

[Jeannie Moon] That she didn’t stand up for herself when she and Jason dated in high school. He treated her like an afterthought and she allowed him to.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Jeannie Moon] I love stories. My love of stories is rooted so deep I don’t know a time when I didn’t want to write. The other thing that influences me is my home. My books are set on Long Island and in New York City because I love where I live, with beaches being at the top of the list. And I’m not talking The Hamptons…I love the North Shore.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Jeannie Moon] Coffee, music of my choice and no interruptions.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Jeannie Moon] Kristan Higgins, THE BEST MAN. It’s her best book; a deeply emotional story that will make you laugh, cry and root for the characters beginning to end.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Jeannie Moon] I had a beautifully illustrated copy of CINDERELLA when I was a child that I asked my parents to read to me all the time. I carried it with me. I would say that book made me love romance. The first book I stayed up all night to finish was CHARLOTTE’S WEB, by E.B. White. I was eight and I cried my eyes out.
I was hooked.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

[Jeannie Moon] I love the beach and I love to read. So for me, summer is the best because I can read at the beach! My husband and I are both sports nuts so we do like to go to baseball or hockey games, depending on the season. It’s always good time.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How can readers connect with you?

[Jeannie Moon] If you head to my website www.jeanniemoon.com, there are links to all my social media connections. I’d love to hear from people!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Thank you!

You can purchase The Temporary Wife from your favorite bookseller or by clicking the link below:

About the book

It was an offer she couldn’t refuse…from a man she couldn’t resist.

Kindergarten teacher Megan Rossi is devoted to being a mother to her best friend’s five-year-old daughter, Molly. When the child was orphaned, Meg became the little girl’s legally named guardian—over the objections of Molly’s wealthy grandparents, the Campbells. Now the Campbells are petitioning for custody, and Meg is faced with a long and expensive legal battle. The last thing she expects is for her former high school boyfriend—and the Campbells’ estranged son—to offer a solution: marriage.

Billionaire software developer Jason Campbell knows his parents don’t have Molly’s best interests at heart—it’s all about control for them. There is one way he can ensure that his sister’s last wishes are honored. He will offer Meg the protection of his name and lawyers until the custody arrangement has been finalized , then he’ll secure his niece’s future with a very generous divorce settlement. Jason’s considered all the scenarios, except one—that the sparks that once flew between he and Meg might reignite a burning passion. And that his confirmed bachelor heart might just melt away from the heat…

Spotlight: Heating Up Hawaii by Carmen Falcone

Julie — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I have a special treat for you! Carmen Falcone has a smokin’ new romance hitting store shelves, and she wanted to share an excerpt with you! If you enjoy this taste of Heating Up Hawaii, please use the purchase link below to grab a copy!

Heating Up Hawaii by Carmen Falcone

After a long separation, will Penny and Luc’s sizzling attraction be enough to surpass their startling secrets?

There is just one person standing between Penny Ashbrook’s dream of opening her own PR business or being stuck at her job: the formidable Luc Leoni – her first lover, and the man who lets nothing and no-one get in his way. Seeing him after so long brings all the hidden emotions after a life altering break-up to surface. Pain, denial…and lust.

Luc has made many sacrifices for his career, including Penny Ashbrook, the woman who set his aspirations back a year. But now she has returned and is more alluring than ever. After all these years, he thought a self-made billionaire like himself could master everything, but to resist the strong pull toward the one woman he can’t have is an impossible task.

When this unlikely pair is reunited they will have to face the many challenges set in their way, especially an attraction that has only heightened with time and a deadline quickly approaching. Can their new bond surpass old—and new—fears?

Publisher: Breathless Press

ISBN: 978-1-77101-962-0

By Carmen Falcone

Heat Rating: 3

Word Count: 38240

Release Date: May 3, 2013

Bio:

Carmen Falcone learned at an early age that fantasizing about fictional characters and places beat doing Math homework any day. She traveled the world, achieved a B.A. in Tourism in her hometown in Brazil and was soon invited to work in the USA, where she met her Swiss husband. She’d always dreamed of becoming a published writer, and after her daughter was born, she revisited that dream of writing – this time, unwilling to give it up. She lives in Austin and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family and three high energy pugs.

Author Website ? Goodreads ? Twitter ? Facebook Blog

Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

Only a few more months. Penny Ashbrook pressed her folded arms on the metal rail of the rooftop bar. She looked at the pallet of orange, yellow, and pink colors dipping into the background as the sun set behind the Dallas skyline. A few more months, and she’d be debt free–and not just monetarily.

Although each day would stretch into the length of a decade, she knew she could handle it. Hell, hadn’t she done just that for the past six months? She’d kept her head high and chin up even though her boss’s passive aggressiveness often drove her crazy. She’d pretended not to listen when small-minded coworkers whispered behind her back. At thirty, wasn’t she too old to be the talk of the office?

With a sigh, she stood straight and squared her shoulders. The much-awaited networking happy hour was not the place for a therapy session. She glanced around her. A sea of people occupied the large outdoor area. Elegantly attired men and women sought new contacts and hot leads while munching on caviar hors d’oeuvres and overpriced liquor.

She decided to stare at the blinding sun one more time, in hopes of extracting enough energy to walk around and get moving. After all, her client list wouldn’t just materialize in front of her, would it? She’d had to fight hard and strong to get where she wanted to be.

"Penny, I’ve just run into an old friend of yours," her boss, Charles Dawn, told her while his fingers lightly touched her elbow. He prompted her to turn toward him and the tall, broad-shouldered man standing next to him.

Penny flashed her signature smile and squinted to get a sharper view of the man in front of her. An oversized palm tree shadowed him.

She guessed he was at least six feet two, which put her at a disadvantage at only five feet six. His dark gray designer suit looked tailor-made to fit the planes of his large chest, and good God, legs that went on and on.

Old friend? She couldn’t remember having friends that looked this intimidating—old, or current. If she was honest with herself, the few friends she had, all vanished like dust after she’d called off her wedding.

But this man… He took a step in her direction, the setting sun illuminating his face as he moved out of the shade. She glanced at him like her eyes were old-fashioned camera lenses, capturing his features in slow motion and adjusting to his figure. His lips, sensual and rich like his clothes, twitched. As soon as her gaze collided with his, her heart skipped a beat for a few seconds only to resume and pound its way out of her beige linen dress.

Luc Leoni.

It couldn’t be, could it? To see him again after all these years.

Oh, but it was…

Penny stared into his two-colored eyes—one lighter than a clear blue sky, and the other reminiscent of murky seas. Yes, even they were ambiguous.

"Luc." She cleared her throat, and noticed a couple of fine lines around his mismatched pair.

"Penelope." Luc’s velvety voice was like a warm caress. His French accent alone lured women to drop their underwear by his bedside. His deep pronunciation of her name hadn’t changed… Pen-ay-looh-paay.

Penny stiffened her back, offered him a professional handshake under Charles Dawn’s ambitious grin. Although she wished she could kick Luc Leoni where he deserved, she had to swallow her resentment and go along with it.

Luc took her hand in his larger one, and heat coiled low in her stomach. But instead of a professional handshake, he pulled her closer with a swift movement and leaned down. He kissed her on one cheek, his warm lips brushing gently on her skin. The whisper of a touch between his stubbled chin and her other cheek belted a wire of electricity into her system.

Penny smelled his earthy masculine cologne, where rich woodsy notes blended with a light citrus. Luc Leoni was a fantastic gift wrapping for an unworthy product.

He stepped back.

This can’t be my imagination… The hot breeze ruffled a few lustrous black strands of his hair, warning her that it was all too real.

"What a small world," Charles said. "I did fail to ask where you two know each other from."

Purchase Links