Author Interview: Anne Tibbets

I have been lucky enough to interview Anne Tibbets author of The Beast Call! Here is my review of the book!

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On to the interview! 
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Q:Where did you get the idea for your book?

     

 A:There was a time when I was playing World of Warcraft quite a bit.  I haven't played for a little over a year now, time doesn't allow anymore, but when I was playing I absolutely loved the Druid class.  Druids in WoW can transform into other animals, and then use special capabilities specific to each animal (ie. Bear form for strength, cat form for stealth).  Though I wanted to pay tribute to the World of Warcraft druid, I didn't want to copy it exactly and I didn't want to have the heroine turning into animals, it reminded me too much of the Animagi in the Harry Potter series. So, instead, I took the idea of communicating with the animals telephathically and worked off of that.  The powers came to me first, then I created Dray to possess those powers, and then the world of Madis was born.

Q:Did you incorporate personal experiences into the book?

 A: Not this book.  This one is pure fiction.  It can be quite liberating to start completely from scratch.

Q:What's the best thing about being an author?

A:The best part of being an author, for me, is the moment when you go back and read something you've written, be it written only the day before, or a year ago, and it touches me in an emotional way.  Either I get excited or sad, whatever, but if the words move me, I feel that makes the hard parts of writing, the rewriting, the editing, etc., worth while.  My great hope, is of course, that when someone else reads what I've written, they have a similar reaction to mine.

Q:Who is your favorite author(s)?

A:This one is tough.  I have a great many favorite books, but there's only one author I've read (so far) where every book she has written has been awesome (to me), and that's Jane Austen.  I've read "Pride and Prejudice" about a half dozen times, and "Persuasion" at least three times, plus all her other titles at least once.  She can tell a story like none other, and she understood the social limitations of women in that era, and was able to dramatize them superbly.  Whenever I'm feeling writer's block, I read Jane Austen.  Works every time.

Q:What projects are you currently working on? Do you have any others you want to do in the future?

A: I am currently writing a dystopian entitled, "The Line."  There is some question as to whether it will be a young adult book because the heroine is a former s*x slave, and the content can get a bit disturbing.  I'm in the process of re-writing part of it now.  As for the future, I plan on e-publishing the sequel to "The Beast Call," entitled "The Beast Reign."  I'm half way through writing the first draft.  I hope to have that out by Christmas, 2011.  Fingers crossed!

 

 Thank you Anne! I hope you have enjoyed the post!

 

Review: The Beast Call

The Beast Call by Anne Tibbets

Published:Premier Digital Publishing LLC

Released:May 4th,2011

Pages:72 e-book version

Buy here


Seventeen year old Dray is no ordinary human. But possessing a magical capability to talk to animals in a land where magic is feared, is dangerous. When Dray's adventure hungry brother leaves the family farm to join a rebel militia, Dray follows him, but as Dray discovers her natural warrior capabilities, and word of her magical talents are discovered by the rebel General, Dray becomes an intricate part of the revolution, and the evil King Nuro would like nothing more than to see her destroyed. 


*I was contacted by the author to review but the review is all my own opinion.* 

My Thoughts- 

My pre-judgment about this book was wrong! I was expecting a book mainly focusing on this "warrior women." But man was I wrong!

Dray was probably one of the best heroine that I have ever read. She wasn't cocky and didn't tell everyone how good she is at fighting, instead she was quite humble. I know she was humble so she wouldn't hurt her brother(Lurin) feelings, and I thought that was a great trait of Dray.

Madis,the world Dray lives in is different from what I thought it would be. The book starts out with Dray on her parents farm, and wow her parents are crazy! But along with this rural countryside there's other "cities" as I liked to think of them. Then there's the enchanted forest filled with many different creatures......


Ms.Tibbets does a wonderful job creating very visual scenes with her in depth descriptions. I also want to mention that this book was very short, but many characters were described so well. I can't wait to see what's in store for Dray and her new friends! I rate this book 5 stars check it out!

Waiting on Wednesday #5!

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine ,that spotlights an upcoming release that I am eagerly awaiting. This week is Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon.

A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?

A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRís calls to her body and soul.

She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in.

I first heard about this book on Harmony's blog!This really captured my attention because she moves to Ireland!I would love to visit Ireland soooo much! Releases October 4th this year!

Ashlinn <3

Review: A Creature Most Foul First 100 Pages

Nikolas&Company: A Creature Most Foul(First Look) by Kevin McGill

Published:Aero Studios

Released:June 30th,2011

Pages:137 PDF

Order here

"The Rones lie about their true intent. They enter the city of Huron at the peril of us all."

Every steward has a city and every steward hears the voice of the city. Fourteen-year-old Nikolas Lyons has heard the voice of Huron and she will change his life forever. Nikolas and company are transported to a time when Earth is tethered to the fantastic world of Mon – or as we have come to call her, the Moon. He learns that Mon is filled with fire-breathing winged lions and volcano born nymphs and magic so thick you can breathe it. But not all things are grand and beautiful. While aboard the Mottled Craw and in route to Huron, Xanthus is poisoned by a mysterious creature. It is not long after Nikolas understands that his friend's poisioning and the evil brought on by the Rones are one and the same. Never one for responsibility, Nikolas finds himself tasked with finding a cure for a dying Xanthus, while protecting the city of Huron from the mysterious creature most foul. 

*I was contacted by the author to review but the review is all my own opinion.*
 My Thoughts-
First I just wanted to say that this was not the entire book it was just the first 100 pages.

The book is very light and easygoing. The characters are enjoyable and they make a great team!My fav character is Caroline, she seems like she would be a genuine person and how awesome would that be to have a friend who could cook you anything you wanted?My only problem would be the beginning, it was somewhat confusing and I felt a little random? But from what I have read of the book, it's really great! Can't wait to read the rest! So what did I give the preview? 4 stars!The book will be released September 15,2011 and you can go to the official website or the link I provided at the top of this post to order the 100 pages for FREE! If you do order it, it will be released to you on June 30th!

P.S. Here is the official website 

and here is the trailer for the book!Check it out!

And Happy Reading!!!:)

 

Weekly Update 6/19-6/23 2011

This week was actually really great!Here are some titles that I have gotten this week:


For Review:
The Beast Call by Anne Tibbets(Finished and a review will be up sometime next week)
Quest of the Demon  by M.L. Sawyer
Nikolas and Company-First Look  by Kevin McGill

Library-
XVI by Julia Karr
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Posts-
Reborn Review
Waiting on Wednesday #4

Waiting on Wednesday! #4

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted at BreakingThe Spine, that spotlight's an upcoming release that I am eagerly awaiting. This week is Twisted by Sara Shepard

From goodreads (not sure if it's the official summary though?)-

"It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The Pretty Little Liars have more secrets than ever - twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship.

Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore … eventually." 


I love love love the Pretty Little Liars books #1-8 which I have now finished!So of course I'm going to read the 9th installment. I agree with a ton of people on goodreads, the books ended so why is she making more?Well who knows but I will definitely get this!!It comes out July 5th this year! Plus here is my post on Pretty Little Liars

Review: Reborn

Reborn by Ley Mesina

Published: Ley Mesina

Released: May 26th, 2011

Pages: 85 pages e-book

Buy here
(Also on Barnes&Noble,and smashwords.com)

Lily Westbrook knows she is anything but ordinary. When her powers fully mature on her eighteenth birthday, she realizes that being half witch and half vampire is more of a challenge then she was let on to believe.

After being accepted to Kensington University in Cedar Creek, Massachusetts, she sets out on a journey that pulls her deeper into the world of witches and vampires, uncovering the truth about her past and discovering who she is meant to be.

*I was contacted by the author to review but the review is all my own opinion.*

Reborn is an awesome first novella! Reborn follows Lily, a half witch half vampire(how awesome!), trying to find her parents that are supposedly dead while learning how to control her powers.The first couple of chapters were confusing character wise. We were introduced to many different characters in a short amount of time and at times I had to stop and think who this character was related to. Lily was great but I wish I would have gotten to know her feelings better but I think as the series progresses she will as well. I loved Aunt Trudy, she was the type of motherly person everyone wants in their life! I'm also excited to see how the romance between Roxy and Drew, and Xander and Lily progress!I wish that the book would have been longer, but it's a novella so it's supposed to be short! It's perfect for the vampire/wizard lover!My overall rating is 4 stars!

P.s. Ms.Mesina has said that the second book should be out at the end of the summer!

Weekly Update 6/12-6/18 2011

This week not much was accomplished! I started camp which is basically longer than a school day(but it's nothing like school!), so I only get to read at night! Anyways I got some books!

Bought:
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (#1 Kane Chronicles) Of course I had to finally get this while I wait for The Son of Neptune!
Mockingjay  by Suzanne Collins(#3 Hunger Games) So excited I just have to finish Catching Fire!

For Review:
Reborn by Ley Mesina(#1 in A Goddess of Night Novella)

Posts-
Sorry
Waiting on Wednesday #3(Even though it was posted on Thursday ;))
Pretty Little Liars Series Review

Happy Reading!
What did you get this week?

<3 Ashlinn

Pretty Little Liars Series Review!!

Pretty Little Liars Series by Sara Shepard

 Published by: Harper Teen
Released: First book- October 3,2006 Last book-June 8,2010




After almost a year I have finally finished the first eight books in the Pretty Little Liars series! When the trailer for the show started showing, I think a lot of people started to read the books, myself included!

     The basic storyline is: There are four girls; Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily. There use to be five but their leader Allison DiLaurentis was murdered. The four girls are being harassed by someone named "A" who happens to know all of their deepest and darkest secrets that they only shared with Ali.....but wait isn't Ali dead?

The show vs. The books-
  You know how most books are 100x better than the movie or show well... in my opinion the show is just as good! The actors are amazing!!!! The writers of the show did take a different turn from the books. It is said that "A" in the show is different from "A" in the books. Plus the book has so many more characters that will either be in or out in the show.

 So what did you think.....?-
    Overall grade of the series A or a 4.7 out of 5 stars! Overall I think my favorite character would be Spencer. In books 1-4 Emily and Spencer annoyed me the most but I really came to like Spencer!I had my moments with Emily where I would be yelling at her while I'm reading especially in the last book.....I liked Hanna as well as Aria they were both so interesting and I felt so bad for both of them at times. To this day I still despise Hanna's dad!

     When I first started reading the first two books there was so much unknown to me so I did the unthinkable! I looked up the summary of every book on wikipedia! So by the third or maybe fourth book I knew what happened. I took breaks in between books so I somewhat forgot what happened but believe me I was still shocked at the end!

What about the other books?
  Sara Shepard has announced that four more books will be added to the series starting with Twisted which will be released July 5th! Then I read that the next book will be Ruthless which will be released December 6th this year! I don't want to give to much away about what happens in the end but what else can she write about in the new books??  Regardless I'm obsessed with the series and will continue to read them!

I wanted to do this whole overview because I didn't want to give away any spoilers. I hoped you enjoy this post and try to check out the books!

Happy Reading!
p.s. I took the picture above!<3

<3 Ashlinn!

Waiting On Wednesday! #3

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted at BreakingThe Spine, that spotlight's an upcoming release that I am eagerly awaiting. This week is The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself. Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.
The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

This book just sounds awesome!I really really want to read this!It is released June 28th this year.

Sorry!

 I'm sorry to all of my followers for the lack of posts! I do have some posts coming up for you though! I finally finished the first eight books in Pretty Little Liars Series, I am going to be doing a post about my thoughts! I am also currently reading Catching Fire(#2 Hunger Games Series), and The Tower of Parlen Min by Matt Xell(A self published author!) I will be doing reviews on those as well as special posts regarding The Tower of Parlen Min!

Happy Reading!

Ashlinn!<3:)

Waiting on Wednesday! #2

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlight an upcoming release that I am eagerly awaiting. This week is Forgotten by Cat Patrick.

From goodreads:

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.

Doesn't that just sound awesome! I love a mystery and love story combined!Forgotten is expected to be released June 7th!Can't wait!