Interview - Sarah Beth Durst the autor of "Vessel"

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. How it started your passion for books, for written?

I have always wanted to be a writer. I think books are magic -- they have the power to transport you into other worlds, other lives, and other adventures -- and I have always wanted to be a part of that magic.

2. What inspired you to write this book?

I had a dream about a girl dancing barefoot on the sand. She was dancing joyfully, yet she knew at the end of the dance that she would die. This girl became Liyana, the protagonist of VESSEL, who is destined to sacrifice herself to save her family.

3. Music is part of your inspiration?

I often listen to music while I write. For VESSEL, I listened to a lot of instrumental music, mainly with drums and flute. For DRINK, SLAY, LOVE (my vampire and were-unicorn novel), I listened to more rock.

4. Do you have any ritual that you do each time before you begin to write?

Not really. I think rituals can easily become an excuse to avoid writing, so I try hard not to use them. Sometimes, though, it can help to listen to music that reminds you of your story. Or to write out thoughts before you begin. Or even to give yourself a little pep talk.

5. See the world through new eyes since you become a writer?

I think I've always seen the world as a writer. I've always told myself stories and always transformed the events of the day into a story in my mind. Stories are so much a part of who I am that I can't imagine seeing the world any other way.

6. What was the think of the first person who read your book?

My husband. He's always the first person who reads my books.

7. If in real life you could choose to be one of the fantasy characters, what would it be? Why?

I think I'd want to be a fairy godmother from fairy tales. She has incredible magic and nothing bad ever happens to her!

8. Got any other passion besides writing?

My family.

Also, chocolate!

9. What advice would you give writers who are starting out?

Don't give up! Try to write every day, even if it's only for five minutes. The best way to become a writer is to write as much as you can, as often as you can.

10. A message to readers from Romania:

Thank you so much for reading!

Summary

In a desert world of sandstorms and sand-wolves, a teen girl must defy the gods to save her tribe in this mystical, atmospheric tale from the author of Drink, Slay, Love.Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana’s body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana’s goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her.

     Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale.

     The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate—or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.

About the Author

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of young adult novels Vessel, Drink, Slay, Love, Enchanted Ivy, and Icefrom Simon & Schuster, as well as middle grade novels Into the Wild andOut of the Wild from Penguin Young Readers. She has twice been a finalist for SFWA's Andre Norton Award, for both Ice and Into the Wild.

Sarah was born in Massachusetts as Sarah Angelini and grew up in Northboro, a small town in central Mass that later became the setting for her debut novel.

At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer. (Before that, she wanted to be Wonder Woman, except with real flying ability instead of an invisible jet. She also would have accepted a career as a unicorn princess.) And she began writing fantasy stories.

She attended Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk.

Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her two children, and her ill-mannered cat.

Source about the author: Sarah Beth Durst's Site

Interview - Janet Lee Carey the author of "Dragonswood"

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. How it started your passion for books and writing? 

I’ve loved books since I was a child. I used to read up in the branches of a tree. Loving stories meant reading them and later, writing them. Every new book is an adventure I take along with my characters. Read more about my books and my writing life here (http://janetleecarey.com )

2. What inspired you to write this book?

The idea for Dragonswood came when I read about the witch trials in medieval Europe. Women accused of witchcraft were not only tortured and made to confess, they were often forced to give up names of other women they knew. The idea appalled me and I knew there was a story in it – a tale of friendship and betrayal that put a girl’s loyalty to the test. The novel tests Tess’s loyalty to her friends, her family, to her first love, and ultimately to herself.  

3. Music is part of your inspiration?

Sometimes I hear a song and feel like the nugget of a whole novel is hiding there. Music definitely inspires me. I’m also inspired by sounds of birds and animals. There are wild wolf packs in Dragonswood. I listened to recordings of howling wolves a few times while writing the novel, to get into the mood.

4. See the world through new eyes since you became a writer?

What a great question! I do think writers, and artists, see the world a little differently. We are paying attention to things around us so we can describe them in our books. Writers are also always on the lookout for story ideas.

5. What was think of the first person who read your book?

Members of my critique group read the book first. They loved it and they also gave me good advice about scenes I might want to change. After that, my editor at Dial Books saw the book and we worked on revisions together. I don’t know what the reader who bought the first copy thought. I was pleased to get two starred reviews! There are a lot of reviews posted on Goodreads, on blogs, and on Amazon where readers share their thoughts about the book. 

6. If in real life you could choose to be one of the fantasy characters, what would it be? Why? 

I would be Arwen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arwen ) in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, because she is elven and because she weds Aragorn in the end.

7. Got any other passion besides writing?

I love nature. I enjoy hiking, and climbing trees. I also love swimming in the sea when I’m in Hawaii.

8. What advice would you give writers who are starting out? 

It takes a lifetime to learn how to write a good novel, but we all start at the same place – a blank page. Begin where you are and start writing a little bit every day. Finally every writer gets rejections. Believe in yourself and keep writing.

9. A message to readers from Romania:

Thank you for the interview here on I Eat The Books! I agree with your blog. Books are Delicious. I love having readers in Romania. Novels like Dragonswood that have romance, adventure, and a strong female hero, can be enjoyed by readers around the world.

Summary (from the book jacket)

I see visions in the fire sometimes, images of the past or what is yet to come. The fire-sight does not lie. But I did not see the witch hunter who would ride in to scour our town of sin, so I did not know to run.

Wilde Island is in an uproar over the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying and the royal witch hunter begins a vengeful quest to hunt down girls with fire in their hearts and sparks in their soul.

        Strong-willed Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, wants more for herself than a husband and a house to keep. But in times like these wanting more can be dangerous.

        Accused of witchery, Tess and her two friends are forced to flee the violent witch hunter. The journey is bleaker than they ever imagined and they have no choice but to accept when an enigmatic huntsman offers them shelter in the dangerous Dragonswood. Staying with him poses risks of its own: Tess has no idea how to handle the attraction she feels for him—or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

“Painful, cathartic and cautiously hopeful; a fairy tale for those who have given up on believing in them, but still yearn for happily ever after.” --Kirkus starred review

Book Trailer

About the Author

Photo by Heidi Pettit

Janet Lee Carey was raised in the redwood forests of California. In the whispering forest she dreamed of becoming a writer. She is the award-winning author of eight Young Adult novels including Dragonswood, (Kirkus and School Library Journal starred reviews). School Library Journal calls her work, "fantasy at its best-original, beautiful, amazing, and deeply moving." Carey links each new book with a charitable organization empowering readers to reach out and make a difference. She tours the U.S. and abroad presenting at schools, book festivals and conferences for writers, teachers, and librarians. http://www.janetleecarey.com

Blogs http://dreamwalks.blogspot.com  AND http://LibraryLionsRoar.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/janetleecarey/

Interview - Jessica Therrien the author of "Oppression"

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. How did your passion for books and writing start?

Well, my mom is an English teacher, so I've always loved the written word. I didn't discover my love for reading until Harry Potter. After that I was hooked to the fantasy genre. I started writing books after the YA genre exploded, and I haven't stopped since.

2. What inspired you to write this book?

I was looking for the next big YA hit after Twilight and The Hunger Games. I wasn't finding anything that interested me, so I decided I would write it.

3. Is music a part of your inspiration?

Absolutely. I love to write to music. I listen to all kinds.

4. Do you have any ritual that you do each time before you begin to write?

Not really. I like to write when I feel inspired. You never know when something will come to you. I'll write anywhere and any time.

5. Do you see the world through new eyes since you've become a writer?

Yes. When I wrote Oppression I was able to take my time and enjoy the writing process. Now that I have to work with deadlines, I miss the freedom to write when I want. I hate having to rush.

6. What was the opinion of the first person who read your book?

The first person to read my book was my mother. Of course she thought it was amazing (all mothers would think that of their kids). In truth it needed a lot of work. I almost completely re-wrote the entire thing. The first draft is nothing like the published version.

7. If in real life, if you could choose to be one of the fantasy characters, who would it be? Why?

In my own book, I'd choose to be Rachel because she can fly :)

8. Do you have any other passion besides writing?

I do. I love to scrapbook, sew, make jewelry, play guitar...and I'm a bit of a TV addict.

9. What advice would you give writers who are starting out?

My advice is always to go to a writers conference. You'll meet great people. Get amazing advice, and who knows, you may even meet your agent or publisher there. I did.

10. A message to readers from Romania: 

THANK YOU!! Romanian readers have been so unbelievably sweet to me :) You guys are awesome!

Summary

Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.

About the Author

Hi! I’m the author of OPPRESSION & UPRISING, books 1 & 2 in my YA paranormal series, CHILDREN OF THE GODS (ZOVA Books). I am represented by literary agent/rockstar, Marisa A. Corvisiero, of the Corvisiero Literary Agency. Usually I’m not pregnant, but right now I am. So be prepared for some baby blogging in between the writing updates. While I wait patiently for my baby factory to finish building my mini-me I’m working on book 3 in my series, most likely in my pajamas.

Source about the author: Jessica Therrien's Blog

Interview - Emi Gayle the author of "After Dark"

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. How it started your passion for books, for written?

Well ... my name is Emi and I write Young Adult novels. My passion for writing began in 2009 when I started writing romance novels for adults, but the idea to write one for teens came a couple years later and tada! After Dark came of that! 

2. What inspired you to write this book?

One day I was thinking about how my life and career has changed over time, but what if I could never change my career and worse, had to decide what I'd be for the rest of my life when I turned 19 -- 1 year after i'd become an adult (officially). 

3. Music is part of your inspiration?

Would you believe I don't listen to music when I write? Crazy, huh? 

4. See the world through new eyes since you become a writer?

Absolutely! Actually, now that I write, everything I experience is a potential source of detail for a scene, a character ... everything! 

5. What was the think of the first person who read your book? 

 She loved it! 

6. If in real life you could choose to be one of the fantasy characters, what would it be? Why? 

Shapeshifter. I'm a little obsessed with shapeshifters actually. :) 

7. Got any other passion besides writing?

I wish! If I had another hobby, MAYBE I could stop thinking about writing a little. But it doesn't happen. 

8. What advice would you give writers who are starting out? 

Write, write and write more and while writing, get a group to critique you - not just any group - but a group that understands writing, storytelling and logic. 

9. A message to readers from Romania: 

Thank you SO much for being excited about After Dark! 

Summary

What eighteen year old Mac Thorne doesn’t know will probably kill her.

In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what she’ll be for the rest of her life.

She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, it’s her birthright. To Mac, it’s a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours.

Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists—which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class figures out there’s more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge.

In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.

About the Author

Emi Gayle just wants to be young again. She lives vicariously through her youthful characters, while simultaneously acting as chief-Mom to her teenaged son and searching for a way to keep her two daughters from ever reaching the dreaded teen years. 

Ironically, those years were some of Emi's favorite times. She met the man of her dreams at 14, was engaged to him at 19, married him at 20 and she's still in love with him to this day. She'll never forget what it was like to fall in love at such a young age — emotions she wants everyone to feel.

Source about the author: Goodreads - Emi Gayle

Interview - Sabrina Benulis the author of "Archon"

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. How it started your passion for books, for writing?

My passion for books began when I was very young, probably since the age I could actually read. As a kid, I could often be found on my own in a little corner, nose buried in some kind of storybook. As I got older, my passion for writing my own stories started gradually as I write fanfiction for some of my favorite television shows. It wasn't until I entered college that I realized it might be a real talent!

2. What inspired you to write this book?

ARCHON was inspired mostly by a desire to write a story about angels that was as unique as possible. Something that harkened back to a view commonly held during biblical times--that angels were powerful, alien creatures that could be both beautiful and terrifying. I wanted a story with the kind of supernatural mystique that stuck with you and really made the reader feel like they were encountering something otherworldly.

3. Music is part of your inspiration?

 I am usually inspired by modern pop songs, but I have a lot of love for movie soundtracks too, because they help me imagine scenes cinematically--and more dramatically--in my head. ARCHON is a gothic story with a lot of action, so I listened to a lot of soundtracks that have an action-oriented, but haunting kind of sound.

4. See the world through new eyes since you become a writer?

I guess more truthfully, I see other books with different eyes now. Its hard not to approach other people's writing with a technical mindset when you constantly have to take that approach with your own work! But I am a very detail oriented writer, and very descriptive, so I guess I do take a lot of notice to the world around me.

5. What was the think of the first person who read your book?

The first people to read my book were my parents, and of course they loved it. But, hey, they're biased, right? Besides them, it was the people in the writing program I belonged to, and while the novel has changed a lot since then, they commented on what I had at the time as imaginative and very different.

6. If in real life you could choose to be one of the fantasy characters , what would it be? Why?

I am guessing you mean a fantasy character in ARCHON? If you're talking about ARCHON, I would love to be Troy--minus her predatory nature--only because she's so darn cool. If you're talking about fantasy creatures in general, I guess I'd like to be a fairy. lol

7. Got any other passion besides writing? 

I am a closet anime fan. Right now, my favorite is Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Incredible series.

8. What advice would you give writers who are starting out? 

People knock you down a lot in the world of writing, but you always have to get back up. If you are meant to be an author, nothing and no one will stop you from achieving your ultimate goal--so never give up! :-)

9. A message to readers from Romania:

I am so honored to have readers and fans overseas! It's an amazing

feeling! Anyone who has read ARCHON is more than welcome to contact me with their thoughts or questions. I love hearing from readers!

Summary

There are some things worse than death . . .

For years, Angela Mathers has been plagued by visions of a supernatural being--an angel with beguiling eyes and magnificent wings who haunts her thoughts and seduces her dreams. Newly freed from a mental institution where she had been locked away for two years, Angela hopes that attending Westwood Academy, the Vatican's exclusive university, will bring her peace and a semblance of normality.

But Angela isn't normal. With her stain of dark red hair and alabaster skin, she is a blood head--a freak, a monster, and the possible fulfillment of a terrifying prophecy. Blessed with strange, mystical powers, blood heads hold a special place in the Academy. Among them, one special blood head is more powerful than them all: the Archon, the human reincarnation of the dead angel Raziel. And when the Archon arises as foretold, it will rule the supernatural universe.

Barely in control of her own life, Angela has no ambition to conquer an entire universe, not when she's suddenly contending with a dangerous enemy who is determined to destroy her and a magnetic novitiate who wants to save her. But the choice might not be her own . . .

Torn between mortal love and angelic obsession, the young blood head must soon face the truth about herself and her world. It is she who holds the key to Heaven and Hell--and both will stop at nothing to possess her.

In "Archon," Sabrina Benulis has created a dazzlingly imaginative tale set in a lush, vivid supernatural world filled with gargoyles and candlelight, magic and murder, in which humans, angels, demons, and those in between battle for supremacy--and survival.

About the Author

My novel Archon, the first installment in The Books of Raziel series, is the beginning of a gothic paranormal fantasy with an edgy bite. If you are looking for something daring and different in every way, I'm your girl. If not, don't say I didn't warn you. ;-) You will probably really like Archon if you like darker fantasy, horror, and paranormal thrillers. 

Currently, I live in Northeastern PA with my husband and a spoiled cockatiel. When I'm not writing, I'm usually watching my latest anime obsession or playing an old school video game. As you can imagine, those times are now rare . . .

Book 2 is in the works as we speak, with the tentative title of Covenant.

I am always eager to hear from readers, so if you'd like to talk to me one-on-one, feel free to drop me a message any time!

Source about the author: Goodreads - Sabrina Benulis

Interview - Aimee Agresti the author of "Illuminate"

Thanky Aimee for this great interview. And, by the way, I was impressed to hear that you have Romanian roots!

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. How it started your passion for books, for written?

I'm the daughter of a librarian so I grew up reading everything in sight! I always knew I wanted to be a writer and I spent years writing for entertainment magazines before making the leap to fiction.

2. What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to write the kind of book I would've loved when I was a teen: something with mystery, romance, a sense of adventure and, most importantly, a strong heroine. 

3. Music is part of your inspiration?

Definitely! I love listening to music while I write! I listened to a lot of Coldplay and 30 Seconds to Mars while working on ILLUMINATE. 

4. See the world through new eyes since you become a writer?

What a great question! When I'm in the middle of writing something, I see the world from an arm's length away, like I'm just outside of the action, and I like to think that that fresh perspective filters into my work and makes it more alive.

5. What was the think of the first person who read your book? 

My first reader was my sister. She's a perfect reader because she enjoys the same kinds of stories I do, she has a sharp editing eye and she's not afraid to be honest with me. Luckily, she liked ILLUMINATE, and my heroine Haven,  from the start!

6. If in real life you could choose to be one of the fantasy characters, what would it be? Why? 

If I could be any fantasy character, I'd love to be Alice in Wonderland. That's one of my favorite books and it would be such fun to slip down the rabbit hole into that whimsical world.

7. Got any other passion besides writing?

When I'm not writing, I'm reading! And I also love museum-hopping: I live in Washington, DC, surrounded by all the Smithsonian museums, it's fantastic!

8. What advice would you give writers who are starting out? 

Write, write, write! The more you write the better you'll get at it. I like to think I get stronger every time I sit down at my laptop. And also: read, read, read!

9. A message to readers from Romania: 

Thank you so much for your interest in ILLUMINATE, I hope you enjoy it! I'm a big fan of Romania: my grandmother was from there!

Summary

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew.

About the Author

Aimee Agresti is an entertainment journalist with ten years of experience writing, editing, and chatting up celebrities. A former staff writer for Us Weekly magazine, she has interviewed everyone from Angelina Jolie and George Clooney to the stars of The Hills, and even penned the magazine’s coffee table book Inside Hollywood. 

In addition to Us, her work has appeared in People, Premiere, DC Magazine, The Washington Post, Boston magazine, Women’s Health, Mademoiselle, and the New York Observer. She lives in Washington, DC.

Source about the author: Goodreads - Aimee Agresti

Interview - Amy Lignor the author of "Until Next Time"

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. When did your passion for writing begin?

I had to go on the worst family vacation when I was eight years old. We stayed at a home where the cat was in charge and everybody had to be in bed by 8:00 pm so the cat wasn’t disturbed. (LOL. Not kidding) That’s when I wrote, “My Life: A Comedy & A Tragedy” as a joke. For some reason, I could never stop writing after that. My mother is a career librarian so books were the ‘in’ thing in our house. No TV, movies or computers…so I had a passion for books and authors right from the very start! 

2. What inspired you to write this book?

When I was 13, I lost my grandfather who was my absolute best friend. Matthew - the warrior from Until Next Time - actually became what you would call an imaginary friend at that time. We spoke a lot about what he wanted to see down here, and helped me understand the grief and anger I was feeling abut losing a person who I truly loved. That’s when the angel/warrior team came to mind.

3. Is music part of your inspiration?

I LOVE music. I’m actually one of those odd people who can honestly say they like everything. From Broadway hits like “Phantom of the Opera,” to a  few country artists, to pop bands, rock-and-roll, and even Heavy Metal from the 1980’s - everything is an inspiration to me!

4. Do you see the world through new eyes since you became a writer?

I always, actually, saw the world with clear, unbiased eyes. I loved traveling. I wanted to see everything I possibly could and meet everyone I possibly could. I truly love the people I’ve come across in my lifetime and they each have their own emotions and stories to tell. I look at the world as an observer. I truly love witnessing everything it has to offer and it inspires me to write more.

5. What were the thoughts of the first person who read your book?

I actually gave it to a friend who was brutally honest. I never wanted people to just tell me, “Oh, that’s good,” and pat me on the back, because I really wanted to learn. I love learning new things from talented writers, so I need those suggestions and opinions to make the next tale even better. She actually loved the book, although thought I should cut down the beginning - which did happen before it was published. She was so supportive and inspiring, however, about how much she loved the tale, that it made me want to do a whole lot more with Emily and Matthew.

6. If in real life you could choose to be a fantasy character, what would it be? Why? 

I am a Harry Potter fan and I would LOVE to be Hermione. That girl was seriously intelligent. I also love that Cloak of Invisibility and the wands that protect and keep you safe - everything that Hogwarts had to offer, I  would absolutely love to have!

7. Got any other passion besides writing?

I love reading. I know that sounds boring, right? Reading and writing? But I love hearing and telling stories that entertain. I also love driving cross-country. As I said, I love seeing new things and meeting new people so that is a true passion for me. I hope one day to get across the ocean.

8. What advice would you give writers who are starting out? 

Do not…Do NOT give up! This is a seriously difficult industry and you receive a great deal of form responses from publishers and agents, etc. But if you have the story in you heart; if you believe in the story and truly love what you do - then writing is the career for you! And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Just keep going!

9. A message to readers from Romania?

I am so honored that you’re reading Until Next Time and meeting Matthew and Emily. I want them to speak to every person in every country and offer them a tale that will not only inspire and offer faith when things get hard - but also offer the entertainment and romance of two souls who are unforgettable. So, thank you for being members of Team Matt, Team Jason or Team Emily. And, remember, Matthew gets his big spotlight on November 1st with Gilded Wings!

Summary

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache. 

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.

About the Author

I began to write at a young age when I truly believed that my sister was an evil queen and I was the slayer who would save the realm.:) Now that we are grown...I suppose she's okay,and I have moved on to adventure fiction which I absolutely love. 

Being the daughter of a Research Librarian, books and reading were always a 'gift,' and there is nothing I like more. In fact, if the NYPL would let me live in their basement, that's where I would be. I am very proud of 13, being able to 'link' historical locales together in a puzzle that bestselling authors have called, "The DaVinci Code With Heart." The Tallent & Lowery series is the ultimate adventure and I truly hope you all enjoy the ride! I review for many; I am the Owner of The Write Companion; and Editor-in-Chief of Precious Gems Pubishing, which was opened for debut novelists who were being overlooked. :)

Source about the author: Goodreads - Amy Lignor

Interview - Jeanne Ryan the author of "Nerve"

The interview

1. Tell us something about yourself. How it started your passion for books, for writing?

I love to read, and am a big fan of young adult books. Although I wanted to write for a long time, I did a lot of other things first, and started writing seriously eight years ago when I quit my job to raise a family.

2. What inspired you to write this book?

Watching my niece on her phone. So much of her life with her friends is conducted via texts. I wanted to show that somehow in a story. 

3. Music is part of your inspiration?

I love music, but don’t usually listen to it much while I’m writing, because I get so distracted. However, it’s great to listen to music when I get stuck in a story and need to figure something out. I’ll take a walk with my mp3 player and let my imagination go wild.

4. See the world through new eyes since you become a writer?

I’m probably more observant now. When I read the news, I’m often thinking about how it could be used in a book. And I love it when I overhear a conversation that inspires the perfect bit of dialog. 

5. What was the think of the first person who read your book? 

The first people to read part of my book were my critique partners who read the early chapters. One of those critique partners was the first to read the complete manuscript, and then I let my niece read it.

6. If in real life you could choose to be one of the fantasy characters, what would it be? Why? 

I’d be Hermione from Harry Potter, because I’d love to be able to do magic.

7. Got any other passion besides writing?

I like to hoopdance, which is basically hula-hooping for adults. Very fun and relaxing. Now, that’s something best done to music!

8. What advice would you give writers who are starting out? 

Keep working on your craft. When I see other writers who get an agent or book deal, it’s the ones who kept writing manuscript after manuscript, getting critiques, taking classes, and reading books on craft, who had the greatest success.

9. A message to readers from Romania:

I’ve been thrilled to hear from several Romanian bloggers so far, and surprised that anyone so far away has already heard of my book. So far, there are plans to translate it into French, German, Dutch, Chinese, Russian and Turkish. I really hope to add Romanian to the list.

Summary

A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly

When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it's exhilarating--Vee and Ian's fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn when they're directed to a secret location with five other players for the Grand Prize round. Suddenly they're playing all or nothing, with their lives on the line. Just how far will Vee go before she loses NERVE?

Debut author Jeanne Ryan delivers an un-putdownable suspense thriller.

About the Author

I’m a writer, wife, mom, hooper, bubbleshake connoisseur (my fave: taro with extra tapioca), reader, explorer, sister, daughter, admirer of shipping-cranes, and a whole bunch of other things.

Before writing young adult fiction, I worked in a variety of settings, including wargame simulation and delinquency research. But nothing is as fun as making stuff up and inviting others to join in your new world.

Note, I post news on Twitter @Jeanne_Ryan and on my FB page:www.facebook.com/JeanneRyanAuthor

***

I’ve lived all over the world, raised in a family with eleven brothers and sisters. I spent my early childhood in Hawaii and the rest of my growing-up years trying to figure out a way to get back there, with stops in South Korea, Michigan and Germany along the way. Before writing fiction, I tried my hand at many things, including war game simulation and youth development research. But I decided it was much more fun to work on stories than statistics.

These days, I still love Hawaii, but have found my home under the moody skies of the Pacific Northwest.

Source about the author: Goodreads - Jeanne Ryan & JeanneRyan.com