Character Interview and Review: The Mind's Eye (KC Finn)

I'm so excited to welcome KC Finn back to the blog! Her new YA historical novel, "The Mind's Eye" is already out on B&N, and will be releasing on Kindle/Amazon tomorrow!

What is "The Mind's Eye" all about? 

A girl with a telepathic gift finds a boy clinging to his last hope during the war-torn climate of Europe, 1940.

At fifteen, Kit Cavendish is one the oldest evacuees to escape London at the start of the Second World War due to a long term illness that sees her stuck in a wheelchair most of the time. But Kit has an extraordinary psychic power: she can put herself into the minds of others, see through their eyes, feel their emotions, even talk to them – though she dares not speak out for fear of her secret ability being exposed.

As Kit settles into her new life in the North Wales village of Bryn Eira Bach, solitude and curiosity encourage her to gain better control of her gift. Until one day her search for information on the developing war leads her to the mind of Henri, a seventeen-year-old Norwegian boy witnessing the German occupation of his beloved city, Oslo. As Henri discovers more about the English girl occupying his mind, the psychic and emotional bonds between them strengthen and Kit guides him through an oppressive and dangerous time. 

There are secrets to be uncovered, both at home and abroad, and it’s up to Kit and Henri to come together and fight their own battles in the depths of the world’s greatest war.

Interview with Kit Cavendish

1. Your gift isn't something you typically tell people about. Can you explain how it works to my readers?

I suppose it’s something like a psychic takeover, although I don’t have any powers to control the minds of the people I can travel to. I just close my eyes, concentrate on my target and then (hopefully) take up residence inside their mind, where I can see and sense through their eyes and ears and also feel the surges of emotional energy that their body’s going through. Sometimes I can also speak into their minds, but that terrifies a lot of people so I don’t tend to do it too often!

2. When did you first discover your gift?

I think I was somewhere around nine years old when the power first manifested, but at the time I was visiting other people’s minds subconsciously whilst I was asleep, so I didn’t really know what I was doing. I just thought I was having strange dreams! I must have been around twelve when I came to conclusion that I could use this gift in my waking hours and start to hone it to do my bidding.

3. Can you tell us about how you and Henri became friends?

I’m not that good at targeting the right mind when I make a psychic journey, so Henri and I actually met by accident when I was trying to gain some information on the Nazi progress during the war. The Nazi soldier I had tried to find was situated in Oslo, which is Henri’s hometown, so when I was looking for a mind to settle in, I found his. He was remarkably unfazed by my presence in his mind, so I decided I would visit him more than once, the rest is history!

4. How did developing your gift compare to the exercises you are asked to do to strengthen your body and combat your physical ailments?

I suppose the mental training and the physical training were both as hard as each other, but I found the physical stuff more demanding because I didn’t really want to do it. I had the belief that I was weak and that physical strength was something too impossible to achieve, but my mental prowess showed instant results with a little work, so I was more inclined to spend time working on that than on my bodily health. Having a doctor with the sense of humour of a hot poker doesn’t help in these situations either.

5. Because of your physical difficulties, you were restricted to remaining indoors for a long time. Your gift gave you some freedom, but what really pushed you to suffer through regaining the ability to walk?

Growing up indoors and ‘cared for’ all the time, I didn’t see the need to be independent because my mother had built a very comfortable life around me. The war changed all of that totally, it threw me out of my comfort zone and forced me into a new world where people suddenly had all these expectations of me. I think it was a combination of loving encouragement from people like Mam and Henri as well as the tough love that Blod and Doctor Bickerstaff laid on that pushed me to want to succeed at being mobile again.

6. Can you describe how meeting Henri changed the way you used your gift?

Prior to the war I was a very purposeless young girl. I didn’t see that I could be any use to anyone in a career and I didn’t feel that any man would ever want to marry me because of my disability, so I didn’t really know where my future was going. Meeting Henri showed me the dangers of war and the dependency that people in wartime have on intelligence and surveillance. My gift really lent itself to those two things, so with Henri’s help and knowledge I was able to find purpose again and make a genuine contribution to the war effort.

7. What do you hope readers take away from your story?

That it doesn’t matter who you or where you come from, because anyone can find their hidden strengths and play their part to help the world be a better place. We all deserve love and a family despite our mistakes and the things that make us a little abnormal too.

8. What is in store for you and Henri next?

I’ll be following in my parents’ footsteps and it looks as though Henri will be doing the same until the war is over. To tell you the truth, it’s my little brother Leighton I’m worried about. He’s so young that we can’t really involve him in much of our new life together; I worry that he’s going to be a troubled teenager himself one day…

My Review

When Kit and her brother are sent out of London during the war to stay with a foster family, she has no idea how much it will change her life. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, she is pushed to her limits in the Welsh countryside. Her psychic gift, which she has kept carefully hidden all her life suddenly becomes her only source of freedom, and the only chance she has to help one of the people she loves most. 

I am certainly no expert on history, but it was obvious that Finn put a great deal of time into the research behind this book. Everything from rationing, cloth shortages, and the types of medical treatment available during that time was very well done. Finn did a great job of setting the scene and making sure readers felt like they were a part of war time Europe. The treatments Kit had to endure were so interesting to read about. At times it broke my heart to watch her suffer through her illness, but at the same time I felt so happy for Kit every time she met a milestone and persevered through a difficult situation. She was a great example of strength, and I hope readers learn from her. 

Kit's psychic abilities play a huge role in the overall story. One thing that really bugs me when books incorporate abilities like this is when there's no consistency or it doesn't make sense. That wasn't a problem here. Kit has limitations, and those frequently affect what she can do in the story. The rules and structure of the psychic ability were well crafted and added so much to the story. I hate to give spoilers, but at one point these limitations were almost unbearable. I was so frustrated with what was happening right along with Kit!

The characters almost always make or break a book for me. Having read some of Finn's work previously, I didn't expect that to be a problem, and I was right. I connected with Kit right off the bat. She was so realistic and had a great deal of depth to her character. At times it was difficult to watch her struggle, but that made her triumphs all the sweeter. Henri, well, I just plain adored him. His character was absolutely delightful and I was pulling for him all the way through. It wasn't just the main characters that will catch readers attention. Ever single side character was layered and complex and I got pulled into their stories easily. This is a beautifully rich cast of characters. 

The overall story was beautiful. Everyone is put into such a difficult situation. They have plenty of reasons to just give up, but they don't. They suffer through everything they are faced with, no matter how hard. The inspire each other and bear the weight of the other's burdens. This is one of those books that you will walk away from and keep thinking about it for days. 

Get your copy of "The Mind's Eye"

Nook

Kindle

Available soon on your favorite ebook store

Meet the Author

Born in South Wales to Raymond and Jennifer Finn, Kimberley Charlotte Elisabeth Finn (known to readers as K.C., otherwise it'd be too much of a mouthful) was one of those corny little kids who always wanted to be a writer. She was also incredibly stubborn, and so has finally achieved that dream in 2013 with the release of her first three novellas in the four-part Caecilius Rex saga, the time travel adventure The Secret Star and her new urban fantasy epic The Book Of Shade.

K.C. Finn has also recently been welcomed into the fold at Clean Teen Publishing as a debut Young Adult author for 2014 - look out for her epic Paranormal/Historical Adventure The Mind's Eye, coming early 2014!

As a sufferer with the medical condition M.E./C.F.S., Kim works part time as a private tutor and a teacher of creative writing, devoting the remainder of her time to writing novels and studying for an MA in Education and Linguistics.

Connect with KC Online

Website : Facebook : Goodreads

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Never Forgotten (Kelly A Risser)

OFFICIAL COVER REVEAL AND GIVEAWAY

NEVER FORGOTTEN by Kelly Risser

We are pleased to release the official cover reveal for NEVER FORGOTTEN by Kelly Risser. NEVER FORGOTTEN is an upcoming New Adult Paranormal Romance published by Clean Teen Publishing. This paranormal love story is scheduled to release in June 2014! 

How can one day go so very wrong? One minute Meara Quinn is making plans for how she will spend the Summer before her senior year and the next she's finding out that her mother's cancer has returned and they are moving away from the only home she's ever known.

Now every day is a struggle as Meara is trying to cope with her mother's illness, being forced to move to another country to live with grandparents—whom she thought disowned her mother—and having weird visions of a father who was absent her entire life. Top it all off with one whopping secret that everyone seems bent on keeping from her, and Meara has the perfect ingredients for a major melt down. 

The only things keeping her from coming unglued are some new friends and Evan—the son of her mother's childhood friend—who seems to know Meara almost better than she knows herself. 

Together with Evan and her friends, Meara embarks on a new journey to unlock the secrets that will not only tell Meara who she is, but whatshe is.

WIN A DIGITAL ARC COPY OF NEVER FORGOTTEN AND A CLEAN TEEN PUBLISHING- AUTHORS ARE MY ROCKSTARS BRACELET! 

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ABOUT KELLY RISSER:

Kelly Risser knew at a young age what she wanted to be when she grew up. Unfortunately, Fairytale Princess was not a lucrative career. Leaving the castle and wand behind, she entered the world of creative business writing where she worked in advertising, marketing, and training at various companies.

She's often found lamenting, "It's hard to write when there's so many good books to read!" So, when she's not immersed in the middle of someone else's fantasy world, she's busy creating one of her own. This world is introduced in her first novel, Never Forgotten. Never Forgotten, a YA/NA Fantasy, will be released by Clean Teen Publishing in the Summer of 2014.

Kelly lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children. They share their home with Clyde the Whoodle and a school of fish.

 

Review: The Atomic Circus (KC Finn)

Caecilius Rex is used to seeing dead bodies in his work as a detective, but stumbling upon an incinerated body that has been dropped from an unknown height is a bit unusual. Cae is good with the strange and difficult to explain, though, and he is more than ready to take lead on this bewildering case. It's a decision that proves more dangerous than he could have imagined.

I loved the seamless combination of genres in this book. There are clear elements of noir mystery from the first page. The night opening with clandestine Cae finding the body is very reminiscent of Bogart and Sam Spade. Added to the noir elements is a modern twist of the story being set in post-apocalyptic Europe. This gives the story a sci-fi edge that allows more creative methods of not only detective work, but murder as well. The mix of genres will draw in a wide variety of readers.

The overall story was very well conceived. Readers will get to see both the procedural side of the investigation and the more fantastical aspects of the murder itself and the methods involved. I liked the fact that while the investigation was methodical, it wasn't overly technical and didn't bog the reader down with too many details. I very much enjoyed the sci-fi side of the story that dealt with strange chemical drugs and places like the Atomic Circus. It really added an exciting edge to the mystery because the possibilities expand so much and leave the reader guessing. Speaking to mystery of the incinerated body, the pacing varied between moderate moments of investigation and faster, more dangerous scenarios. The pacing pulls readers along easily, making them eager for answers and excited to keep reading.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I loved the characters. Caecilius Rex is will catch readers attention from the first page. His cool attitude at finding the charred body makes it immediately clear that Cae is familiar with tragedy and is personally scarred by what he has experienced. The gloves only add to his mystery, and I won't give anything away there, but learning about Cae's past is certainly a huge draw. I will definitely be continuing the series to find out more about Cae.

Get your copy of The Atomic Circus and KC's other books today.

Amazon US : Amazon UK : Smashwords : Goodreads

Meet the Author

Born in South Wales to Raymond and Jennifer Finn, Kimberley Charlotte Elisabeth Finn (known to readers as K.C., otherwise it'd be too much of a mouthful) was one of those corny little kids who always wanted to be a writer. She was also incredibly stubborn, and so has finally achieved that dream in 2013 with the release of her first three novellas in the four-part Caecilius Rex saga, the time travel adventure The Secret Star and her new urban fantasy epic The Book Of Shade.

K.C. Finn has also recently been welcomed into the fold at Clean Teen Publishing as a debut Young Adult author for 2014 - look out for her epic Paranormal/Historical Adventure The Mind's Eye, coming early 2014!

As a sufferer with the medical condition M.E./C.F.S., Kim works part time as a private tutor and a teacher of creative writing, devoting the remainder of her time to writing novels and studying for an MA in Education and Linguistics.

Connect with KC Online

Website : Facebook : Goodreads

Character Interview: Caecilius Rex (The Atomic Circus by KC Finn)

Let's meet Caecilius Rex, main character of KC Finn's "The Atomic Circus

First, a little about The Atomic Circus

A story is never a good story unless it starts with a murder. The more unusual the murder, the better the story, generally speaking. Meet Caecilius (KAI-KILL-EE-USS) Rex, a young detective in the not-too-distant future, a smog-filled post apocalyptic world riddled with crime and conspiracy. When a new case quite literally falls at Rex's feet, he teams up with his neighbour and associate Kendra Nai, an ex-army sergeant recently dismissed, to investigate. Little do they know that the events of The Atomic Circus will be the first step to solving the case of a lifetime.

***

1. Can you tell my readers who you are? Do you have a nick name you’d prefer I call you? 
My name is Caecilius Rex. Most people call me Cae since four syllable names seem to pose a certain difficulty for them, but if you’re interested in attempting the proper pronounciation it’s: KAI-KILL-EE-USS. Before you ask, it’s Roman. And before you criticize, I didn’t choose it. Blame my father.

2. For those readers who are meeting you for the first time, what do you look like? 
I suppose if you saw me walking down the street you’d think my attire was a little off. I wear a lot of black. It’s an occupational hazard of visiting crime scenes too regularly: blood hides better in black if it won’t launder out. I go through less clothes that way. I wear high collars and black gloves, and that’s always the same, day in, day out. Other than that I’m not especially striking: black hair, blue eyes, pale face, a lot of worry lines. You’re still thinking about the gloves, aren’t you? Let it go, trust me.

3. Can you tell us a little about your family?
A little, certainly. My mother died when I was nineteen, my father vanished four years prior to that. He’s also presumed dead. Before that they were scientists, a career I never much fancied joining in with, the chemical smell isn’t something I favour. I was never introduced to any extended family beyond them, so I assume that I don’t have any, and I’ve no siblings either, so that just leaves me nowadays.

4. Who are you closest to, and who do you wish you were closer to?
I don’t wish to be closer to anyone. The kind of past I have and the man it’s made of me, I don’t think it would be fair to inflict myself upon another human being in some utopic vision of closeness. That’s why I appreciate Kendra Nai, my neighbour and associate. She appreciates the need to keep a minimum safe distance from one another, she’s efficient and not bogged down with illusions like beauty and love. She gets on with things, like me, so I suppose that makes me closer to her than anyone else, at least in terms of respect and trust.

5. Where do you call home, and has that always been the same place?
Right now I live in Buchanan Street just outside of Dartley town centre, a town in one of the many metropolitan zones of Europa. I lived in a larger place out of town with my parents before disaster struck, but since then the district has provided housing for me when I officially joined the police force. It’s a small, practical house, fit for purpose and comfortable after a long day, which most of my days appear to be now. I’m almost certain that my parents lived somewhere else up until I was born, but I couldn’t tell you where.

6. What is your biggest fear? Is there anyone you trust enough to tell? 
I’m not keen on leaving things unfinished. I’d like to hope that I don’t go to my grave one day with things left undiscovered that would have brought me peace. I don’t think I need to confess that to anyone: one look at the way I do my work should tell you I’m that kind of man.

7. It seems like everyone has a secret. Do you?
Certainly. Several in fact. But if you think I’m going to tell you them, you’ve got another thing coming my friend.

Get youe copy of The Atomic Circus and KC's other books today.

Amazon US : Amazon UK : Smashwords : Goodreads

Meet the Author

Born in South Wales to Raymond and Jennifer Finn, Kimberley Charlotte Elisabeth Finn (known to readers as K.C., otherwise it'd be too much of a mouthful) was one of those corny little kids who always wanted to be a writer. She was also incredibly stubborn, and so has finally achieved that dream in 2013 with the release of her first three novellas in the four-part Caecilius Rex saga, the time travel adventure The Secret Star and her new urban fantasy epic The Book Of Shade.

K.C. Finn has also recently been welcomed into the fold at Clean Teen Publishing as a debut Young Adult author for 2014 - look out for her epic Paranormal/Historical Adventure The Mind's Eye, coming early 2014!

As a sufferer with the medical condition M.E./C.F.S., Kim works part time as a private tutor and a teacher of creative writing, devoting the remainder of her time to writing novels and studying for an MA in Education and Linguistics.

Connect with KC Online

Website : Facebook : Goodreads

Interview: KC Finn (author of The Atomic Circus)

Today I'm excited to welcome author KC Finn to the blog to talk about the first book in her Caecilius Rex series, "The Atomic Circus." 

First, a little about The Atomic Circus

A story is never a good story unless it starts with a murder. The more unusual the murder, the better the story, generally speaking. Meet Caecilius (KAI-KILL-EE-USS) Rex, a young detective in the not-too-distant future, a smog-filled post apocalyptic world riddled with crime and conspiracy. When a new case quite literally falls at Rex's feet, he teams up with his neighbour and associate Kendra Nai, an ex-army sergeant recently dismissed, to investigate. Little do they know that the events of The Atomic Circus will be the first step to solving the case of a lifetime.

***

1. What inspired you to write about post-apocalyptic Europe where your characters are running around in gasmasks to protect themselves from the poisonous air? 

Being a British writer, I love to showcase Europe as my setting in all my books. Because the United States has such a wealth of successful science fiction writers, a lot of stories set on Earth are often set in an American context. I think giving the tale a European flavor centres it in something real even though the world I’ve created is very different from the one we know right now. It doesn’t mean I don’t have plans for the other continents of this world though ;)

The decision for the post-nuclear world inhabited by poisonous smog comes from my love of classic noir detective tales. The world today is so pollution conscious that the smoke-filled streets with mysterious sleuths in long black coats have become a thing of the past, so a contemporary setting for Cae’s adventures couldn’t have had the right atmosphere. I had to create a concept that would bring the smoke and shadows back to Earth and give the criminals somewhere to hide: enter post-apocalyptic! 

2. The Atomic Circus has both a great plot and fascinating characters, but would you classify your writing more as plot driven or character driven? 

Thank you for that, I’m very glad you thought so! I have a very specific process when it comes to writing any of my books, whatever the genre. The characters come to me first; they sometimes spend several months (occasionally years) living in my head before they make it onto the page. Kendra actually came from a totally different story that I started when I was a teenager. Cae and Damian were a few drafts of a chapter some two or three years ago (Damian was about 20 years younger in that original draft). So I knew these characters very well and what I needed was an appropriate setting to put them in, then the plot became evident once they were assembled there. I know what makes them tick and the kind of challenges that need to be set before them for them to really show off who they are. So it’s character first, plot second, but I have a long time sussing out both before I would really say I become confident enough in a story to call it a book.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main character, Caecilius (KAI-KILL-EE-USS) Rex, and how his past has shaped him?

I’ll see what I can tell you without spoiling it, because Cae’s discoveries throughout the four parts of the series are the main arc that continues from book to book. Suffice to say the man is both physically and mentally damaged by a huge traumatic event in his past. He is only 25 when the story begins but his experiences have made him seem old beyond his years. There’s a darkness to Cae and a bitterness when you first meet him, but he’s also extremely determined, intelligent and thorough in his work. Despite the unfair and frankly horrific things that he’s been through, he still believes in justice being done and I think that’s at his core no matter what other emotional transformations he goes through. Most of the fun in inventing his character was in creating his flaws and connecting them to past events to give a really clear picture of how he becomes who he is, obviously you need all 4 parts of the tale to see the full journey, but I think it’s a very satisfying one by the time you get there!

4. Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict Cae faces in this book. 

When we meet Cae in this book he has recently befriended his new neighbour, a 28 year old army sergeant by the name of Kendra Nai. She has recently been discharged from her military post and relocated to Cae’s hometown of Dartley, but she’s had a lot of trouble filling the void that now exists after ten years of regimented military life. So when an incinerated body falls from an incredible height with traces of a mysterious drug, Kendra jumps at the chance to join Cae in his quest to find out exactly how the body came to be and who’s responsible for this bizarre murder. From there, readers will be led to The Atomic Circus itself, a truly criminal place that only offers trouble for inquiring minds! There’s plenty of death and drugs, but nothing is sensationalized or too unpleasant. I like to think that everyone can enjoy this kind of mystery without having to feel sick to the stomach from a whole lot of gore!

5. What do you hope readers take away from The Atomic Circus? 

Hopefully a strong introduction to Cae and Kendra and who they are as young people struggling to live in this toxic world around them. I’d like people to acknowledge that The Atomic Circus is the beginning of a much bigger story that expands in the following 3 novellas, a story which I hope sets the stage for bigger and better things to follow it. I will give you this little gem too, just between you, me and the internet: the big bad villain of the whole series has already made an appearance in The Atomic Circus. The savvy  among you may already have your suspicions!

6. Now for a few fun questions! What song best describes your writing style?

Music plays a big part in my writing and I find each different series that I do takes on a different collection of music! I never have just one playlist for getting into the writing mood! For Caecilius Rex it’s always been nineties and noughties alternative rock, bands like Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco provide my writing mood for Cae and Kendra’s adventures!

7. Night Owl or Early Bird?

When I wrote The Atomic Circus and its first sequel Counterclockwise, I was very much a night owl, but my writing style has totally changed in the space of a year! I am definitely an early bird now; I like to get a good 2 hours of writing in first thing before the rest of the household wakes up!

8. Skittles or M&Ms?

Can I be bad and say neither? I’m not really a sweets kind of person, I much prefer savory snacks! Monster Munch all the way!

9. Who are your favorite authors?

As ever, I will bow down here to the brilliance of the true master of storytelling: Vladimir Nabokov. If I can even be a tenth as compelling as him by the end of my writing career I will have done my job well! More recently I’ve been enjoying the works of great independent authors such as Michael G. Williams and Amy Freeman, whilst also discovering the genius of my fellow writers at Clean Teen! You guys are telling some pretty amazing stories and I’m enjoying discovering them one by one this winter!

10. Can you tell us about your future projects, including The Mind’s Eye? 

Whoa! This is a big area as 2014’s going to be a huge year for me! First off in connection with Caecilius Rex, the fourth and final part of Cae’s story, entitled ‘Lachrymosa’ will be released the first week in March, shortly followed by a re-release of all 4 novellas in one handy anthology volume on March 9th: the complete story is released on this date to commemorate The Atomic Circus’s original release and my debut as a writer.

I am also delighted to be following this up with my first release from my new publishers Clean Teen Publishing: a paranormal/historical adventure called ‘The Mind’s Eye’. This is a very British tale about a young disabled girl evacuated during the Second World War who hones and experiments with her psychic powers to get a better look at the war around her. This is the first book in the Synsk series, all the books feature teen characters with the same kinds of psychic powers but they are set at different times in British history. The second installment ‘Leighton’s Summer’, set in 1945, will be released shortly after ‘The Mind’s Eye’, followed by a third volume set in 1961 in the early autumn/fall. 

In the world of my other independent books, fans can expect two novellas (June) and a full length novel sequel (October) to my best-selling urban fantasy tale ‘The Book Of Shade’. The much anticipated follow on to the time-travel adventure ‘The Secret Star’ is also on its way to you this August, entitled ‘A Stitch In Time’.

Get your copy of The Atomic Circus and KC's other books today.

Amazon US : Amazon UK : Smashwords : Goodreads

Check out the book trailer for KC's upcoming novel, The Mind's Eye

Meet the Author

Born in South Wales to Raymond and Jennifer Finn, Kimberley Charlotte Elisabeth Finn (known to readers as K.C., otherwise it'd be too much of a mouthful) was one of those corny little kids who always wanted to be a writer. She was also incredibly stubborn, and so has finally achieved that dream in 2013 with the release of her first three novellas in the four-part Caecilius Rex saga, the time travel adventure The Secret Star and her new urban fantasy epic The Book Of Shade.

K.C. Finn has also recently been welcomed into the fold at Clean Teen Publishing as a debut Young Adult author for 2014 - look out for her epic Paranormal/Historical Adventure The Mind's Eye, coming early 2014!

As a sufferer with the medical condition M.E./C.F.S., Kim works part time as a private tutor and a teacher of creative writing, devoting the remainder of her time to writing novels and studying for an MA in Education and Linguistics.

Connect with KC Online

Website : Facebook : Goodreads

Review: The Woodlands (Lauren Nicolle Taylor)

Life inside the rings has never been pleasant for Rosa. The rigid rules don't sit well with her adventurous and strong-willed spirit, and she often finds herself in trouble because of this. Lately, however, getting into trouble is her only defense against her hateful stepfather. She half expects her attitude will be what costs her everything in the end, but that would have been more bearable than the truth.

Set in post-apocalyptic Russia, The Woodlands society is harsh and rigid. The focus on "All Kind" over individuality is a common theme in dystopian style novels, but there is an element of uniqueness to this world that draws readers in immediately. The Superiors rule the Woodlands by keeping the different groups of survivors isolated from each other to the point of absolute dependency. Even Rosa's strong personality has trouble seeing past the inevitability of falling in line with the Superiors. Even so, Taylor still manages to keep an underlying sense of hope throughout the terrible trials Rosa faces to keep the readers from despairing too much.

Something I always look for in a novel is a strong cast of characters. Rosa is a character most readers will easily relate to right off the bat, but it is the varied supporting cast that truly gives this novel the sense of reality it needs to capture readers' attention. I very much enjoyed the complexity of each supporting character and the depth of not only their emotions, but their motivation and perspectives on their lives. Joseph is a beautifully deep character who's initial cheerful personality might make readers not take him seriously, but his depth of conviction and troubled soul will make him unforgettable.

It isn't just the supporting characters that readers will have a hard time pulling away from. While this isn't Rosa's story alone, she is definitely the main focus. Rosa isn't immediately the most "likable" character in the sense of her being the kind of girl who easily wins people over. At times I would find myself wishing she could be just a little different, a little less antagonistic or more able to open up to those who love her, but if she were any different she wouldn't be nearly as captivating. It is Rosa's imperfections that make her so real, so unique. It will pull at readers' heartstrings as they suffer along with her through incredible trials.

Rosa's story is not always a happy one, yet her strength and fierce love for her friends never lets the reader lose hope in her. This is the first book in The Woodlands Series, and I can promise that readers will be eager for book two as soon as they finish this one.

Get your copy of The Woodlands now from: 

FREE on Amazon Kindle and available in paperback

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Connect with Lauren online at: 

Website : Goodreads : Facebook : Amazon : Blog : Twitter

Interview: Lauren Nicolle Taylor (author of The Woodlands)

Today I'm welcoming Lauren Nicolle Taylor to the blog to tell us a little more about herself and her YA post-apocalptic novel, "The Woodlands." 

1. What was your inspiration for The Woodlands? Can you tell us about how your own experiences influenced this story? 

My inspiration for The Woodlands started with race. It then bloomed into the concept of All Kind, the contradiction that to eradicate racism you must blend all the races and make everyone look the same. I am of mixed race background and it was interesting to me to twist that and see where it led me. I also drew on other personal experiences to do with being a young mother, a teenager in love and my obstetrics background to write The Woodlands. 

2. Would you classify this series as plot driven or character driven? 

Definitely character driven!

3. Can you tell us a little about Rosa and how her home life has shaped the way she interacts with others?

Rosa is a solitary character, not by choice but because her inability to control her behaviour makes her an outcast in the tightly controlled Woodland society. She has a complicated relationship with her mother who appears not to care and sides with Paulo, Rosa’s verbally abusive and controlling stepfather. Rosa’s reaction to this situation is to antagonize Paulo and do anything she can to get into trouble. This is not because she’s trying to get attention but rather because she doesn’t care enough about her own wellbeing to stop herself. She doesn’t think she matters. Her mother reinforces this every time she turns a blind eye to Paulo’s abuse.

4. Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the trials Rosa faces. 

Rosa starts out a very closed off, angry child. As the book progresses she is faced with challenges that force her to open up, to love and trust people. This is a hard fought battle and often she clambers halfway up the hill only to slide back down again.

5. What do you hope readers take away from this book after meeting Rosa and Joseph? 

You’re always so much stronger than you think you are.

And it’s not always instant, it’s not always romantic but a love based on mutual respect and acceptance is worth the wolves, the helicopters and everything in between. 

6. What song best describes your writing style?

Anything Can Happen Finn Brothers

7. Night Owl or Early Bird?

Neither. According to my husband there is only a magic seven-minute window in every day where I’m pleasant to be around ;)

8. Skittle or M&Ms?

M&Ms preferably peanut butter M&Ms.

9. Who are your favorite authors?

I love Veronica Rossi, Colleen Hoover, Maggie Stiefvater, Julianna Baggot…

10. Can you tell us about your upcoming book, “The Wounded,” any other future projects? 

The Wounded picks up where The Wall left off. Firstly, Rosa must deal with her father suddenly entering her life after a long absence. The challenges she faces in this book will either break her and Joseph apart or bring them closer together. The secrets they uncover will completely change their world and everyone else’s.

In terms of future projects, I have to write the fourth and final book of The Woodlands series. I have also written a New Adult novel. The blurb/synopsis is below.

Langley is eighteen years old. She's spent most of her childhood in and out of foster care until she gives up lying and admits to the fact that she sees her dead sister. Now she spends all of her time in a psychiatric facility. The problem for Langley is she doesn't want to be treated. She wants to keep her delusion, it's the only family she has. 

Tupper is an orphan as well. But lucky for him he was adopted by a loving family. He had a great childhood, but he always felt like something was missing. So on his eighteenth birthday he takes the car his biological mother abandoned him in and follows the map they found in the glove box detailing a trip through the middle of America to Canada.

Tupper and Langley meet when she escapes the mental institution and he's on his way to the Grand Canyon, the first stop on his mother's map. Together they hash out the past, enjoy the silence of each other and realise some things can be fixed but other's you just have to live with.

Connect with Lauren online at: 

Website : Goodreads : Facebook : Amazon : Blog : Twitter

Soul Stone Cover Reveal and Blog Tour Signups Now Open!

Guess what's coming up? 

Early 2014 is going to be an exciting time for me, and for my readers! Between now and April, I'll be releasing 4 new books!

First up on the list in the second book in the Escaping Fate Series. 

Soul Stone will be releasing Feb 26th. 2014. 

If you'd like to participate in the Cover Reveal on Feb 19th, or the Blog Tour starting Feb 26th, head over to Signup Genius and sign up now! Bloggers, reviewers, and readers are welcome to participate!

Next up is "Intangible" the next book in The Aerling Series!

If you've been patiently waiting to find out if Mason and Olivia will find their way back together after being separated in order to save Mason's life, mark your calendars! 

Intangible will be released March 12, 2014

Cover Reveal and Blog Tour signups will be coming soon!

You won't want to miss the cover reveal. Invisible and Intangible will be getting brand new covers in the cover reveal, featuring Mason and Olivia!

Last, but not least, is Wicked Hunger and Wicked Power, the first two books in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series!

Wicked Hunger will be released by Clean Teen Publishing April 1, 2014. Wicked Power doesn't have a set release date yet, but we're hoping to release it either the same day, or shortly after, so check back for updates often! 

Clean Teen Publishing will be hosting a Facebook Release Party on April 1st for Wicked Hunger and KC Finn's new ya novel "Mind's Eye. I'll post the link and invite as we get closer to the release date. 

Freebie Alert! The Key by Jennifer Anne Davis

In anticipation of book 2 in Jennifer Anne Davis' True Reign Series, book 1, "The Key" is FREE for a limited time!!

Get your copy today at your favorite ebook store

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon Canada

Amazon Australia

B&N

Kobo

Love is in the Air Giveaway!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR AT CLEAN TEEN PUBLISHING…

It's the month of love and Clean Teen Publishing wants to celebrate this month with a LOVELY GIVEAWAY where you can win your choice of a Cheryl's Cookie and Pretzel gift or a $25 Amazon Gift Card! This month we will be celebrating the epic love stories from our Clean Teen Publishing and Crimson Tree Publishing books, our book boyfriends and girlfriends—including an upcoming exclusive CTP book boyfriend quiz—and other romantic posts from our authors and maybe even a post or two from our very own Mr. Squirrel. 

Huh? I'm not sure what you mean Mr. Squirrel. Oh wait… You want a book girlfriends quiz? 

Well yeah, I mean obviously squirrels can have girlfriends… Well, at least it would make sense and all. We didn't leave the book girlfriend quiz out of this because we didn't think squirrels could have girlfriends. We didn't create a book girlfriend quiz because we just didn't think that guys would really want to fill out a questionnaire about their fictional book girlfriends. Are we wrong? Does the average guy… or squirrel… enjoy taking quizzes? 

Okay then! So now that we are clear that Clean Teen Publishing does not discriminate against squirrels, nor do we believe that squirrels can't have girlfriends, let's get to the good stuff! 

ENTER TO WIN THE CLEAN TEEN PUBLISHING LOVELY GIVEAWAY! 

Enter to win one of the following prize packs:

 or 

1st Place: Winner's choice of either a 10pc. classic cookie and pretzel gift from Cheryl's or a $25 Amazon gift card (for those of you on a diet, allergic to chocolate or out of the country) and your choice of any Clean Teen or Crimson Tree Publishing digital book! 

2nd Place: Winner's choice of any CTP digital book and a complimentary bookmark. 

3rd Place: Winner's choice of any CTP digital book. 

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The Key Blog Tour: Review and Guest Post (Jennifer Anner Davis)

A Post About Writing

I was asked if I had any advice to give fellow writers. As I started to think about it, the best thing for any writer to do is read. A LOT!! Read everything you can get your hands on in the genre you are writing. Reading will teach you structure, pacing, dialogue, as well as familiarize yourself with what’s out there. You need to know what works, what sells, and what doesn’t.  When I read a book that I fall in love with, I reread it several times. It’s amazing what you can learn about the writing process from reading the same book multiple times.

Another thing that helped me was finding a group of fellow writers that write in my genre. We critique each other’s work and push one another to be better writers. People sometimes think that writing is lonely, and something done in solitude. That’s not the case. You have to have other people read and critique your work in order to get better. And not your friends. You have to have other people who know the craft. Since I write YA, I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). This organization is how I met my fellow critique partners. It also helped to attend the monthly meetings and learn what’s going on in the publishing world.

I also recommend that you write every single day. The first thing you write most likely won’t be the first thing you publish. The first book you write is simply you figuring out your voice, style, and what the heck you’re doing!! Each book will get stronger.

Sometimes it’s so easy to give up. But keep writing, reading, and get involved with other writers. Your perseverance will eventually pay off!! And I believe that writing a story that touches someone’s life is one of the most rewarding experiences.

Review of "The Key" by Jennifer Anne Davis

Rema has always had questions...about why her aunt and uncle keep her so secluded...about what the rest of the world holds...about her parents. She has always longed for freedom as well, but answers and freedom alike seem so impossible at times. Rema's chance meeting with Darmik, Prince Darmik to be completely accurate, at first seems like nothing more than something to inspire daydreams, but Rema soon realizes that this chance meeting will drastically change her life. The danger she finds herself in threatens to break not only her, but the hope of an entire nation.

I love fantasy, but I am always hesitant to pick up a new fantasy writer. When you become used to a certain world, it's characters, and a writer's style, it's hard to switch and become invested in a new fantasy world. For other readers like me, have no fears of taking a chance on Davis's "The Key."

The world David creates for her True Reign series is rich and has a depth that will draw readers into the world. The history of the kingdom is positively compelling, built on blood, betrayal, and only the smallest hope that everything can be set right. I loved learning about how this society worked, the class system of tattoos, and the boundaries that keep everyone locked into a small area for their entire life. Description is always important in fantasy, and Davis painted a beautiful picture of this brittle kingdom on the brink of exploding into chaos.

The characters in The Key were well developed and hard to pull away from. Rema is someone readers will connect with from the first page. She's so full life, so eager to have a bigger life and make her mark on the world. Watching her face trials, danger, and heartbreak isn't easy. I came to truly care about Rema and I wanted very much to see her succeed and escape. The emotional journey readers will accompany her on will keep them turning page after page.

Prince Darmik is another excellent character. He is extremely complicated and carries not only the heavy weight of his father's constant disapproval, but the burden of trying to uncover a truth which may show him more than he is ready to see. Darmik struggles throughout the book to live up to his father's wishes while still being true to himself. He wants to know the truth, but he's afraid of what finding it will mean. On top of all that, the woman he loves, Rema, has been placed just out of reach and getting her back could cost him everything.

The romance between Darmik and Rema was beautifully crafted. This is not your typical fairytale prince falling for the girl of his dreams. Their relationship is dangerous, in more ways than one. It's hard to explain too much without giving away spoilers, but readers will be hungrily turning pages right up to the end. And when they get to the end, they'll be eager for the next book in the series. I'm already itching to get my hands on it!

ADD TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR TODAY!

BUY THE BOOK

AMAZON US  |  AMAZON CA  |  AMAZON UK

B&N

SMASHWORDS

~ BOOK TRAILER ~ 

MEET JENNIFER ANNE DAVIS

The Official Version:
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she finally married her best friend and high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.

The Long Version:
I graduated with Department Honors from the University of San Diego with a degree in English. While working to earn my teaching credential, I was a legal assistant for an attorney.That’s about the time I finally married my high school sweetheart. Once I received my credential from USD, I taught high school English until I had my first child.

Currently I am a stay-at-home mom. I have three kids, one large dog, a gecko, and a frog.

A couple of years ago, I entered a writing contest about motherhood and won. My essay “Caution: Warning Lable Not Included!” was published in the anthology Manual for Motherhood, reaching number one in the Parenting section of Amazon! This sparked my need to write on a daily basis, and I have been writing ever since!

My debut young adult novel The Voice was published by Lands Atlantic in January 2013. The Voice is nominated for three Novel Grounds Literary Awards: Best Indie, Favorite Five Star, and Best Book Boyfriend!

My second book,The Power to See, is a new adult novel and was released in October 2013.
My third book,The Key, is a young adult light fantasy novel, was released in November 2013.
I’ve always had a passion for reading and writing. Being transported into another world and experiencing things beyond my imagination – what could be better? Besides being an outlet and a love, I hope to write books that encourage all to read.

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR

Website  |   Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest |  Tumblr

~GIVEAWAY~

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The Something Giveaway from CTP

HAPPY NEW YEAR from Clean Teen Publishing

Wow, 2013 was an amazing year for Clean Teen Publishing. We published our first book in May of 2013. In the eight months after launching our company we signed 17 Amazing Authors, launched a successful Anthology, published 31 books with another 5 scheduled for release in early 2014 and hit the best seller lists more than 20 times! We gave away Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, free books, bookmarks, CTP bracelets, swagalicious items and A YEAR OF FREE BOOKS to our amazing fans. We truly had an amazing launch and we couldn't have done it without you! 

That's why we decided to start 2014 off with a GIVEAWAY!

What if we told you that you could win SOMETHING? 

YES! You could win SOMETHING from The Something Store!

We just came across a website that we had never heard of before. Have you heard of The Something Store? Yeah, we hadn't either. So basically it's a store that will ship you Something! It's a surprise and you will never know what it is until you open it. Here's more details on The Something Store:

Your Something May Be Anything...

It may be something you need, something you want or something you desire. Your something may be a cool shiny gadget, rare book, party game, handmade necklace, reverse clock, box of gourmet chocolates, popular video game, portable table tennis set, pashmina scarf, set of kitchen knives, pair of handmade earrings, garden tool, kitchen appliance, unique home decor item, electronic equipment, fine crafting tool or an office supply item... Your something will be a brand new item; not used or refurbished.

This contest is open Internationally! The Something Store ships to most places around the globe. If you win and you are from a country that they do not ship to, we will provide a $10 Amazon Gift Card in lieu of the Something prize. Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win one of 2 Somethings! 

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More from Clean Teen Publishing:

New Book: Rumors (A Lingering Echoes Novella by Erica Kiefer)

NEW RELEASE ALERT! FREE NOVELLA!

We are thrilled to announce the early release of Rumors, A Lingering Echoes Novella by Erica Kiefer. To make this event special, Rumors is currently available for FREE through Smashwords. We are working on reducing the price from $.99 to FREE on Amazon as well. Go get your FREE copy today! Rumors is a prequel to Lingering Echoes. 

New Adult Contemporary Romance

(Also Young Adult Appropriate.)

Allie Collins wants nothing more than to forget the past and move beyond the recent death of her beloved cousin. If only it were that simple.

Upon returning for her senior year of high school, rumors quickly spread about the tragic summer accident that left the school’s star athlete grieving in the shadows. Now, the last thing Allie wants is the limelight. But the relentless pressure for normalcy from her friends and family leaves her with no choice but to surrender. Rejoining her basketball team and spending time with popular boys might seem like the perfect senior year, yet Allie struggles to embrace this identity that once came so naturally.

With the help of a special teacher, she learns that some things cut so deep, the scar lasts forever. Sometimes you can't go back to the way things were, but must find the way to become who you are meant to be.

Still, tragedy is no stranger to Allie. As the gossip swirls, influencing Allie’s every decision, the events that unfold will draw readers into a well of emotion in Rumor’s, a Lingering Echoes Novella.

Rumor's is a prequel Novella to the best selling book: Lingering Echoes by Erica Kiefer.

After you've read Rumors, check out Lingering Echoes!

She's broken with guilt.

He harbors a chilling past.

It's safer if they keep their distance...

But, the echoes that linger connect them. 

Returning to Hidden Pines is the last thing Allie Collins wants to do during her final summer before college. For her, the family cabin she spent her youthful summers in, now holds a dark memory that has haunted her every day for the last year. 

While struggling to forget her past, Allie runs into Damien, a local rebel with secrets of his own. He's dark, dangerous and he keeps showing up when Allie least expects him to. She has every reason not to trust him. So why does she find herself opening up to him in a way she hasn't been able to with anyone?  

As pieces of Damien’s identity emerge, answers to a rumored mystery begin to unfold. By the time Allie unearths the secrets of Damien’s past, she realizes just how intricately they are connected. Now she is caught in a dangerous battle that threatens her life and those she loves.

About the Author: 

Erica Kiefer was born on Christmas Eve in Southern California to an American father whose ancestors arrived from Europe during colonial times and a Thai mother who moved to the US during high school. Adding to her rich and varied heritage, Erica grew up living abroad in Asia, including Taiwan, Fiji, Thailand and Indonesia. She gained a great respect for the beautiful mosaic of cultures found in various parts of the world. After graduating from International School Bangkok, she attended Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a degree in Recreation Therapy. Her career as a Recreation Therapist has allowed her to work with at-risk youth since 2007. 

Erica made the best decision of her life by marrying her husband in 2005 and is currently a mother of three, one of whom awaits her in heaven. Erica also loves singing, reading, writing and satisfying her sweet-tooth with chocolate-chip cookies. Playing collegiate rugby was one of the most memorable experiences of her life, thus far. 

Erica's first book, Lingering Echoes, was signed by Clean Teen Publishing and is scheduled to release in early November 2013. 

Want to READ MORE from Clean Teen Publishing? 

Check out our huge selection of amazing reads! There's sure to be something for every reader!