Review of One Final Vinyl by Savy Leiser

ONE TEENAGE GIRL. ONE 90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN. ONE FINAL ROAD TRIP BEFORE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THEIR LIVES.

At 18 years old, Emma Pelican is pretty sure she's already experiencing a midlife crisis. She's spent the summer after her senior year listening to her depressing vinyl record collection and isolating herself from her friends, so it's not much of a surprise when no one shows up to the graduation party Emma throws the night before leaving for college; no one but Daisy Lycroft, a ninety-year-old stranger with mild Alzheimer's who escaped from her retirement home in the middle of the night.

When Emma leaves to drive Daisy home, the two end up on an unexpected all-night road trip, complete with Canadian whiskey, Billy Joel mixtapes, romantic interludes, near-death experiences, and lots of impromptu dancing, causing them to find some much-needed companionship in each other, and revealing that they have a closer connection than they ever could have expected.

Amazon

My review: 5 STARS

I picked this up because I adore Savy’s writing and couldn’t wait to dig into the story. Emma is an amazing character and one I loved from the first line of the book. I was pulled into the story, along with Daisy and couldn’t put it down, I just wanted to read and read, and find out how this road trip ended. It was a delightful read, and tugged at the heartstrings, I loved the glimpses back into Emma’s life, getting to see how she came to the point she’s at now. Overall, an amazing book from this author, who is one to watch! Highly recommended!

You can follow Savy on Twitter, Instagram and Youtube!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Promoting Other Authors - The Creative Process

PROMOTING OTHER AUTHORS

If you've been following me for a while, you'll be aware that I highlight an author on a Friday. Whether I have them for an interview, or a review of their book, or even a guest blog, it's something I've been doing for a good couple of years now. If you're interested in being one of those authors, the form is here.

But today I wanted to touch on something that I don't feel like enough people realise and that is: promoting other authors helps promote you as well. It's not all give and it's not all take. I've been involved with The Book Robin Hoods since it's creation. I know a lot of people through that site that have helped me find beta, my CP, and bloggers who will help with cover reveals and ARCs all year round. It's a valuable resource, and it's something I really do think you should check out. If you're a reader the form is here. Authors, the form is here.

But back to what I was saying, how does promoting other authors help to promote yourself? It's simple really. If you're the one shouting about this or that book, posting about it on your social media, writing a review and highlighting it, then you're getting a new audience who might look at your work and think they should check it out. This helps everyone from the small bitty indie to the huge traditionally published and it's something that so many people miss out on. They think that the only way to promote is by talking about their work and pushing that to the front of the auidence. And I'm not going to say I didn't make the same mistake because I did, but I've learned from it and hope that by telling you all this, you won't make that mistake.

Being a part of the writing community, whether that's purely online or in person or a mix of the two, is an amazing thing. I did a tag video about the writing community a few weeks ago on my Authortube channel (video here) and I have to say it's brought so many different people into my life. I always found the act of writing books to be pretty isolating, and it was really only when I startd to get serious about promoting myself and taking my work as a career that I realised that there are people out there who will help you. Sure there's those who will hinder, but let's not dwell on them today.

So how can you go about promoting other authors? If you're a blogger, you can have a certain day a week when you showcase other authors. I have a list of fourteen questions and ask that each author answer at least seven of them. I change them yearly and beyond that I've had some amazing people come through my pages and have found some amazing books. I've also have made so many different friends, all of whom are happy to help return the favour when it comes to my own promotion.

If you're on instagram, you can post pictures of books and do reviews that way. Again it could be that you set one day a week when you'll showcase another author's work. You can do the same on Youtube, where maybe once a month you do a round up of what you've read and talk about each author. Facebook can lead to things like group takeovers or sharing graphics, and twitter has a whole writing community tag that allows you to meet new people and choose what to share and when. There's just so many different ways to go about it and the people you meet are usually pretty damn amazing.

When you're out there as an author, hearing other people talking about your work is something that not much else can top. Recently I was told that I inspired two writer friends of mine as one of their top four female authors. Knowing that I make that kind of impact matters to me, and knowing that I can help promote other authors through my own audience matters too. There may be times when I feel like it's a lot like shouting into the void, but a lot of the time the void shouts back.

It's not just about getting to geek out about books I love, but about making connections, forging relationships and being a part of the writing community as a whole. Being an active part rather than someone who just sits, writes, publishes and watches from the sidelines. I don't talk about the side of me that's very introverted and anxious a lot, but when I first started doing the Friday posts, it was something that I battled with. I didn't want to say no to anyone, and nor did I want to give a bad review. Not just because it's not something I usually do - very few books disappoint me and I know I'm lucky in that regard - but also because I knew it would have a negative effect on my blog and what I was trying to do.

However, since then, I've learned to be more picky about who I showcase and what I read. I want to read all the books, but I get that not all of them are ones that will meet my very loose five star rating. And that's okay. Not every book is written for me. I am not every audience and liking something is more than a little subjective. So my one cautionary note to anyone worried about fallout should they do the wrong thing. You can meet the bad people, but the writing community is huge and mostly welcoming, stepping outside your comfort zone is hard, but it can be a big payoff. Take it easy, take your time, and know that you are not alone.

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books

Review of Aftermath by Trish Beninato

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Jewel is the only one who can stop Zeus from taking over humanity. Now everyone must pick a side- humanity or immortality. But what will happen once they do?

After discovering her past, Jewel must battle with connecting her two selves and defeat Zeus. And to make matters worse, she now knows of the betrayal of the one person she thought would always be fighting at her side, Anubis

With the final battle looming Jewel can't risk anything getting in her way. Not even love, and definitely not the darkness hiding inside her. And the power growing within her will change her forever.

Can she become the leader they all need her to be, or will the world she loves become enslaved one again?

Amazon

My review: 4.5 stars
I adored this series and wanted to grab the final book in the series to read. It started amazingly well, the story picking up almost where it left off, with Jewel aware of her two lives but unsure of how to match the two together. I loved the world-building, the history and mythology that came with it. It was an amazing end to a great series and I very much enjoyed coming along for the ride. If you love fantasy with a contemporary twist, then you need to check this series out! Another great one by Beninato, she is an author to watch!

You can follow Trish on Facebook or Twitter.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Interview with Trish Beninato

I am delighted to welcome back Trish Beninato to the blog for a second interview. Here's a little bit about her:

Trish Beninato is a young adult fantasy/scifi indie author, who has an unhealthy love for Marvel comics and Star Wars. She is desperately trying to make thirty the new twenty and lives in Colorado with her husband, three children and her adorable rescue pup. She was born in Indiana and raised around the world, spending most of her youth in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She has a love for traveling and moving to new places thanks to being a child of the military and now spouse to a military soldier. In her spare time she works with young children, paints and hikes around the Rocky Mountains.

And onto the interview!

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
I have several genres I like to read but yes I do write in one of them! J

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
There are so many! I love Victoria Aveyard, Marissa Meyer, Bella Forest, Laura Sebastian, Charlene Hariss, Lauren Kate, Karen Marie Moning and Christopher Pike. Just to name a few!

Are you an organised writer or not?
I try to be, but mostly I’m flying by the seat of my pants- literally!

What's your idea of a perfect writing day?
Complete freedom to lock myself away and smack into the keys! Alas, it almost never happens.

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
Without a doubt, loathe.

What's your favourite social media? And why?
Facebook because I’m old and am apparently very bad at the rest!

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
Yes, it helps me stay grounded in the various characters.

How would you describe your writing process?
I write a very limited outline and then work some magic on the rest. Enough to make Harry Potter proud.

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
I love the convenience of ebooks, but the smell of paperbacks will always hold my heart. However, I must say I’ve been obsessed with audio books lately just because of my busy schedule.

How do you plan a book launch?
With a ton o help! No, really though there is a ton of work that leads up to big grand finale. Including newsletter swaps, giveaway, trying to drum up hype, have my friends share the book on multiple platforms, run a sale and even sometimes, depending on budget, I’ll hire a marketing company and or personal assistant.

Do you have a favourite writing food? Drink?
Junk food and hot tea/coffee….. it’s so bad but sooooo good!

What's your favourite idea of a cozy afternoon?
A book, a soft blanket, and a warm fireplace.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I try to write every day even if it’s just a few words. But if I write too much, like nano, I usual will take a few days break.

You can follow Trish on Facebook or Twitter.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Interview with Shauna Black

I am delighted to be welcoming Shauna Black to the blog for an interview. Here's a little bit about Shauna!

Shauna E. Black delights in beguiling readers until they lose all touch with reality and find themselves waiting under lampposts for fauns and talking beavers to appear.

And onto the interview!

 How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I was a little kid. I'm a pack-rat, so I even have some of my first "manuscripts" up in the attic. When I was around 10, I had a goal to read all of the Nancy Drew books, so many of my first stories were imitations of Nancy Drew. I had my own Jr. Detective that I named Julie Jones, and her sidekicks were twins Tina and Tami. I even drew the pictures to go with the story. Good times.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?

I have a wide variety of interest when it comes to reading. I think that's important, for a writer. You can glean a lot of valuable insight from reading the best books in many genres, even nonfiction. My first writing group also had a variety of writers from different genres in it. I learned a lot of craft from a woman who wrote amazing poetry, even though poetry isn't my thing. That said, my first and best love is fantasy. I blame Lloyd Alexander and his Prydain Chronicles for that one. Since I discovered his books as a kid, I've been fascinated with magic. Most of my writing so far has been in that genre, but I've recently taken a turn into science fiction with a dystopian YA. My dad is a big sci fi fan. We used to watch sci fi movies like Planet of the Apes and Star Trek together on Saturdays. It was his way to relax after a hard work week, I suppose. My dystopian is dedicated to him for those fond memories.

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?

I don't mind editing. For me, that's the easy part. I just have to start reading the story, my internal editor kicks into high gear, and I fix things as I go along, almost automatically. I worked as a professional editor for a little while until I decided I didn't like editing for other people so much. But I have the hardest time with rough drafts - getting the story out in the first place. That's probably because that internal editor gets bossy, and I have to keep cracking the whip to keep it at bay. I've been trying to learn to use Dragon Speaking Naturally for getting out the first draft, and it has helped, though the learning curve of speaking instead of typing has been tough to get over.

What's your favourite social media? And why?

First of all, I have to say I'm not great at social media in general. I'm a typical writer introvert who's always been painfully shy, and social media just exacerbates the problem. That said, I do enjoy FaceBook, for the most part, though I tend to be a lurker and seldom comment. Every once in awhile, I'll get this weird brave spurt and start commenting on all these posts and putting up my own stuff, but then after a couple of days I slip back into "just scrolling" mode. I'm hoping to get better at FaceBook in the near future, when I get a chance to go through some training I purchased. I'd also like to learn Instagram if I ever find the time. I'm a visual person, so I enjoy beautiful pictures. I think I'd really like Instagram if my old brain could figure it out. Speaking of pictures, I use Pinterest too, though not really for socializing. I have private boards where I collect pictures that inspire me for my characters, setting, and props. It helps me describe them better in my writing. Sometimes, I'll select some of those photos to share on a public board. I also collect good cover designs. At one time, I was a graphic artist for website design, so I enjoy trying to create my own covers, though I have a lot yet to learn about what makes a good book cover tick.

How would you describe your writing process?

I've perfected my process over the years, though I'm constantly tweaking and adjusting it because I'm always trying to improve my skills. I used to be a "pantser" - just writing off the cuff with no outline. I'd often write myself into a corner and then spend hours trying to figure out how to contort the plot to make everything work out right. Then I learned how to outline. I'm naturally a very organized person, so I took to it like a fish to water. Plus, I discovered that my muse really needs some hand-holding to nail down details about the characters, plot, setting, and props. Otherwise, my writing is too vague. So, I outline thoroughly for about a month. Then I do the first draft (lately, using dictation software). That takes me a couple of weeks. Then I go through and write the second draft, shaping the story and the characters better. That takes at least a month. It's the longest part of my process. Once I get that cleaned up, I'm ready to show it to my first readers. They give me feedback on plot problems, questions they have, spots that are confusing, etc. I rewrite according to their feedback and clean it up before sending it to my editor. A couple of drafts later, the book is ready to publish. I've done the whole process in about 3 months, but I really have to push myself to go that fast.

Do you have a favourite writing food? Drink?

I try not to munch too much while I'm writing because I'm trying to lose weight. (Aren't we all?) Plus, it's hard to type with just one hand. Ha ha! I do keep a big insulated cup of ice water handy that I sip from frequently. (I'm such the healthy writer.) But this question reminded me of a habit I developed when I read books as a kid. I used to sneak dried macaroni from the cupboard and crunch on it while I was reading. To this day, Nancy Drew books make me crave macaroni. I must have had really strong teeth! I don't think I could handle it nowadays, and my dentist would give me a stern lecture, if not a full-out flogging. :D

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?

I'm multi-task challenged. I find it difficult to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. So when my family is around, watching a distracting TV show or requiring my attention (What, kid? You want dinner?), it's really tough, if not impossible, for me to write. That's a pretty restricting challenge, especially since I have a busy family with four kids. Many writers in my situation will write late at night, but I can't do that either because I've found if I don't get a lot of sleep I develop health issues. So, my best time to write is during the day while the kids are at school and my husband is at work. I can get in about 5-6 hours a day for 4 or 5 days. Summer is rough with the kids underfoot all the time, but I can usually manage a couple of hours a day when we're not off vacationing or reunioning. My other challenge is that I work for my CPA husband during the U.S. tax season, the first 4 months of the year, and I've never been able to do any writing during that time at all. So my window of opportunity to get writing done over the length of a year is pretty narrow. I'm still trying to figure that one out so I can produce books in a more timely manner.

You can follow Shauna on her website and Facebook.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Interview with Jamie Summer & Review of Dalysian Hope

I'm delighted to have Jamie Summer on the blog today for an interview and my review of her book - Dalysian Hope. Here's a little about Jamie.

Jamie Summer is a native of Germany, where she lives with her husband and son. "Dalysian Hope" is her debut novel and the first book in a YA fantasy trilogy. It’s a story that came to her in a very vivid and unforgettable dream. She's currently working on her next book and wishes there were 48 hours to the day so she could do everything she sets her sights on. Besides writing Jamie enjoys watching her son grow up, reading and watching way too many TV shows.

And onto the interview!

How long have you been writing?
I've been writing ever since high school. My best friend Sam Destiny was the one who got me started and eventually pushed me to do more and actually publish something I'd written.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
Yes, absolutely. Which is probably also the reason why I don't only write one genre but a few. YA fantasy is among my favs, though, so it'll always have a special place in my heart.

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
Any Sam Destiny books are always on top of my reading list. Another one would be Colleen Hoover and Jennifer L. Armentrout. Truth be told, though, I haven't had much time to read lately as I focused on writing, but I hope to get back to it eventually.

Are you an organised writer or not?
Definitely not. I start writing with the most basic idea and then go from there. I'm a pantser all the way.

What's your idea of a perfect writing day?
Getting up, making coffee and just sitting down to write. Turn some music on, and I'm happy. I do my best work in the morning (most efficient, too).

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
I actually like it. I like being able to see--already within those few weeks of writing the book and leaving it on the table for a bit--how much I can already change and hopefully make better.

What's your favourite social media? And why?
Facebook. It's just the best place to communicate, have fun and meet people. I love Instagram as well for the mere aspect of all the pretty pictures.

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
No, I don't. Never really thought about it (pantser shines through here) but maybe it'll be something I'll do eventually.

How would you describe your writing process?
Fast and all over the place. Like I mentioned, I usually write with a basic idea and let the characters tell me what to do. It works out in most cases. ;)

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
Both. I'm a fast reader so for a two week vacation I need an ereader. Plus, a paperback can get heavy depending on the size. But I also love the feel of an actual book in my hand and still get my favs in paperback. The majority of my books are ebooks, however.

How do you plan a book launch?
I try to get as much interaction on the book before it releases and just hope it goes well. That's about all the plan I usually have. Definitely something I need to get better at, but I found a few very helpful groups where I'm getting lots of advice.

Do you have a favourite writing food? Drink?
Coffee. Coffee all the way.

What's your favourite idea of a cozy afternoon?
Sitting in my bed with a good book and coffee at hand. Alternatively I'd watch TV.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I usually use my commute time for writing, so almost daily I get some words down. I need to find some kind of routine and my best friend has been helping me actually getting there. Haven't managed completely, but small process is still process in my mind.

One night can change everything.

For seventeen-year-old Sophie Evans life is completely average. And she likes it that way.

Until one night, her apartment is attacked. Out of nowhere, creatures climb through her windows with only one goal in mind: to kill her. Only with the help of two handsome strangers and her next-door-neighbor does she make it out alive.

While the immediate danger is gone, Sophie finds herself thrown into a world she didn’t even knew existed — dealing with powers she knows nothing about and a race counting on her to save them.

How can she be the only hope of a race she never even knew existed? When pressure threatens to suffocate her, can Sophie fight the odds stacked against her, or will she lose herself in the process?

Amazon

My review: 5 stars
I picked up this book because the cover is amazing. I read the blurb and decided that it would be a good read, and I wasn't disappointed. Summer tells a story that unfolds before your eyes, keeping you on the edge of your seat and wishing there were more. Sophie almost dies, and then suddenly she's thrown into a world where everything she knows about herself, about the world around her proves to be wrong. She's got loads of questions, but no one seems to want to answer her. I loved the story and the writing, it was beautifully written! Highly recommended and I plan to pick up book two asap!

You can follow Jamie on Facebook. 

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Interview with L. P. Masters & Review of Love Is Death

I'm delighted to be joined on the blog today by L. P. Masters for both an interview and my review of her book - Love Is Death. Here's a little about her:

Born and raised in the rainy streets of the Seattle Area, L.P. Masters spent her fair share of time staring out rain-streaked windows and writing books. Masters has always had extremely vivid dreams, which often spark inspiration for her novels. She has participated in National Novel Writer's Month every November since 2010. Writing isn't the only thing she can do with a pen in her hand, she also enjoys sketching and drawing—with varying degrees of success. Masters now lives in the slightly-less-dreary city of Spokane Washington with her husband and two wonderful daughters. 

And onto the interview!

 What made you want to be a writer?
I have always had extremely vivid dreams. I used to wake up and spend at least half an hour telling anyone who listened all about what happened and what it looked like and who did what, etc. It was the combination of a dream and my mom's influence that got me started writing when I was twelve. I told her about a dream and how compelling it was and she said, "So why not go write a book about it?" and the rest is history.

What kind of books do you read for pleasure?
Lots. When I was younger I really stayed in the classic scifi writers, like Robert Heinlein or Andre Norton. Lately I've been branching out and I love it. Romance, Young Adult, Thrillers. Anything that looks interesting, I'll pick up.

What kind of writer are you: plan or not?
Ugh. This is a big fight for me right now. My whole life I have been a pantser, (No planning at all.) Over the years I've taken a lot of creative writing classes and everyone talks about plotting. I see the advantages of it, and my brain says, "That would be great. Let's try that!" and then I try it and the whole thing falls apart. I can have a beautifully written plot... and then I cannot for the life of me write the story. So I've gone for a middle ground. I plot things out a little bit, looking at really big picture ideas, and then I let myself come up with it as I go, pausing every once in a while along the way to revise or add things to the overall plan I had before.

What book/character of yours is your favourite?
A lot of my favorite characters haven't been published yet. I only have one novel out so far, but there are many more already written, I just need to get them ready to go. As far as published characters, I would have to say that, truth be told, I love Skoogie from Love is Death. He doesn't show up until the end of the book, but he's just this awesome Southern guy. Even though he works for the bad guys, he's great. If I get to look at not (yet) published books, I would say Jackson from Chained Universe, which is the next trilogy that I'll be publishing. He's smart, funny, handsome, and extremely complex thanks to his backstory.

Do you prefer to type or hand write?
For the most part I write on my laptop. I love using Scrivener for most of my projects. It just makes my life so much easier. Every once in a while, though, I love hand writing. It's been kind of a "thing" for me lately to hand write all my short stories. It just puts me in a new environment and stimulates a different part of my mind. Sometimes when I'm stuck on a book, I'll sit down and start a scene on paper. It's very helpful.

What's your favourite kind of scene to write?
Tearjerkers! Oh man. If I can pull those heart strings, if I can pull my own hair out while I'm writing it, if I can scream at my characters and ask myself how I can be so mean! Those are the scenes I live for! There have been times where I've been writing a scene and my husband has asked if I'm okay, because i might be right on the verge of tears, or making a face like I'm about to kill someone. (Oh wait. I am.)

Would you ever like to branch out to a different genre?
I have. I love different genres. I mentioned earlier that I was really into classic scifi when I was a kid, but in college my teacher forced me, (yes, she forced me) to write contemporary stories, no genres like scifi or fantasy. My very last story I submitted for that class she allowed me, (Oh gracious teacher) to write a scifi short story, and I realized how much better it was than what I'd been doing before. Ever since then I've been much more open to different genres, which is awesome, because I feel comfortable telling the story however the story should be told. I don't have to try to shove something into a scifi box when it really would work better in a paranormal world. That being said, even though I try all sorts of stories, I find myself gravitating more towards good old science fiction, paranormal, and romance genres.

What does your writing space look like?
My whole house. I write on the couch, I write in bed, I write on the deck... sometimes I write on the floor with the lights all off. I don't know how I lived when I had to write on a desktop. My memory of desktop writing includes me being a contortionist in the computer chair, constantly moving around and sitting in all sorts of weird positions. It's really awful for ergonomics, I'm sure, but it's how I like to do it.

Gina’s plan for her afterlife is simple: survive as long as possible. The afterlife is a ghost-kill-ghost kind of place. When she meets newly-dead Alec, she can’t help her desire to protect him. Before she knows it, she finds herself falling for him, despite the little voice in her head telling her it’s a bad idea. Alec’s goals don’t mesh well with Gina’s plans. Determined to save his living sister from a murderer, he’s willing to disobey the laws of a well-established cult in the afterlife. If the cult finds out, they’ll kill him. Again. He’s hesitant to accept Gina’s help and threaten her afterlife, but he’s guaranteed to fail without her. Together they embark on a perilous mission, but the most dangerous aspect of all is the threat of falling in love. Because in the afterlife... love is death.

Amazon

My review: 5 stars

I loved the synopsis of this book and was happy to dig into it. I was floored with how bloody amazing it was! From the first page, I was hooked and more than happy to sit down and read it completely in two sittings. The story is engaging and enthralling. The set up of there being both an afterlife AND an afterdeath was amazing. The world building with tiny and delicate pieces made the book even more delightful to read. I loved it! Watching Gina and Alec connect, but also all the other characters as well. They were all so well developed and I am still astounded by just how good this book is! HIGHLY recommended!

You can follow L. P. Masters here on Facebook and Twitter.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

Interview with Hemmie Martin

I'm am joined today by the ever lovely, Hemmie Martin. A fellow indie author and crime writer, who's also going to be one of the attending authors at #TheDarkerSideOfFiction2017. Here's a bio about Hemmie.

Hemmie Martin spent most of her professional life as a Community Nurse for people with learning disabilities, a Family Planning Nurse, and a Forensic Mental Health Nurse working with young offenders. She spent six years living in the south of France. She now writes full time. Hemmie created the DI Wednesday series, featuring DI Eva Wednesday and DS Jacob Lennox, set in and around Cambridge, with fictional villages. There are four books in the series so far. 
Hemmie has also written a psychological thriller, Attic of the Mind, and two contemporary women's fiction, The Divine Pumpkin and Garlic & Gauloises. Mental health often features in her novels due to her background of forensic mental health nursing. Hemmie is a member of The Crime Writer's Association.

And onto the interview!

1) What kind of books do you read for pleasure?
I looked around at the book cases and shelves dotted around the house and decided that I needed to condense my choices, otherwise the entire interview would be taken up by this one question! The three books on top of my enormous tbr pile sitting next to my chair are The Day That Never Comes by Caimh McDonnell, The Museum of You by Carys Bray, and A Suitable Lie by Michael J Malone. Authors I have already and continue to enjoy are Anita Brookner, Elly Griffiths, Ann Tyler, Maggie O’Farrell, and Amanda Jennings. Staples have always been Agatha Christie, Ian Rankin, and PD James. I love contemporary women’s fiction and crime novels.

2) Do you have a playlist when you write, or do you prefer silence?
Silence is always wonderful especially when plotting a novel, and writing mind maps spanning the character’s traits and interactions. However, as silence can be a rare commodity in this house, I like to listen to music without lyrics, as I find them distracting. My laptop is loaded with Chopin’s piano concertos, Irish folk music, and Sounds of the Sea. All of these add a soothing backdrop to creativity. When I’m editing I listen to a range of artists, including, Hozier, Green Day, Adele, The Black Keys, and Alice Cooper. My mood and what I’m writing dictate what I’m going to listen to, unless I’m lucky enough to have an empty house!

3) Do you have any hobbies?
I attend weekly yoga classes, and go to the gym and swimming twice a week. As much of my time is spent sitting at home, I want to exercise my body which in turn stimulates my creativity, especially yoga as it calms my mind so I can push through whatever difficulty has cropped up in the writing arena.

4) What is your favourite scene to write?
When I’m writing crime, I love writing aggressive scenes, whether it be a fight or a verbal outburst. I am not a physically aggressive person in real life, so I love experiencing it through writing. When I’m writing a contemporary novel, I love writing scenes where a character has an emotional melt-down, where negative feelings gnaw at their soul. Angst and despair are a joy to write, for me.

5) Why did you chose the genres you write?
My background is in learning disabilities and forensic mental health nursing, so I have a deep interest in these topics. All of my novels, even the crime ones, feature mental health issues in some form or another, and I’ve just finished another novel featuring a boy with Down’s syndrome. I also enjoy researching mental health issues, as things are always changing in this arena, and I don’t know everything about it, so the research is fascinating, but sometimes distracting too!

6) Do you prefer to type or hand write?
I have tried both ways, but currently I’m preferring to hand write first, so I can sit by a lake with my hubs as he fishes, and then when I type it up it’s like doing a first round of editing at the same time.

7) Would you ever branch out into other genres?
I once said that I would never write crime or write a series, but then DI Eva Wednesday came along, and I ended up writing four books with her, so far. Having said this, I have quite a dark mind so I don’t think I could write a straight romance novel, but never say never!

You can follow Hemmie on Facebook, Amazon, or Twitter.

Check out the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest blog posts from other authors. If you're interested in being interviewed, having a review done or writing a guest post, contact Joey here.

Interview & Review with Jennifer Loiske

Today I am very pleased to welcome Jennifer Loiske to my blog for an interview and a review of her book - Club Number Five. Here's a little bio about Jennifer:

Jennifer Loiske lives in Finland in Naantali, which is a small sunny town on the southwest coast. She is a Teen/YA paranormal fiction author, with four exciting series available worldwide. The McLean Twins series for teen readers, the Immortal Blood series for mature young adult readers, the Blood Hunters series, also for mature young adults, which is a follow-up for the Immortal Blood series and is created by the readers’ requests, and the Shape Shifter series for anyone age 16 and up.
Jennifer’s stories are full of creatures of the night. Vampires, demons, witches, shape shifters… but even if they are mostly fiction you can find a hint of truth in every story. Jennifer loves to research, so every time she gets an idea or a new story she has a crazy Google session, looking for places, old myths, names, folklore, magical items… anything that could spice up her story and make it more real for the readers. Jennifer is also part of Authors For Charity, an international author alliance, and a team member of Epilepsy FI magazine. She is a pre-school teacher by profession.

And now onto the interview!

1. What kind of books do you read for pleasure?
Mostly I just look at my book pile longingly, but when I have time to read, I read paranormal romance books for YA or NA readers, dystopian novels or teen novels. Fantasy… books with vampires, werewolves, shadowhunters, demons or angels…when I find a good author I usually read her/his entire production.

2. What kind of writer are you: plan or not?
Both. Sometimes I plan the plot quite detailed and sometimes I just let go and write whatever comes to mind, even the bad stuff. I never edit the first draft as I write. There’s plenty of time for that with the second, third or even the tenth draft. Yep, I re-write a lot!

3. How does your average writing time go?
Normally I wake up around 8 a.m. and start to write almost immediately. I take a long pause around noon, take my dogs out, have lunch and if it’s sunny, do some plotting whilst sunbathing. Then it’s back to work around 3 p.m. and writing until 6 p.m. then dogs, dinner and see some friends. I don’t sleep a lot so if I feel like it, I may even write some more late in the evening or even in the middle of the night. When I say ”writing” it doesn’t automatically mean writing a story. I may as well be blogging, doing interviews, reviews, articles, translating etc. I try to balance my day so that I get at least two-three different kind of writing done.

4. If you had the chance to write anywhere, where would you choose?
My dream job would be a travel blogger. In that way I’d get to write about travelling and write all around the world. I don’t get inspired by one place but many, depending on my mood and the story I’m currently writing.

5. What attracted you to your chosen genre?
I’ve always loved all things supernatural. I think I have a love-hate relationship with the creatures of the night. Some scares the crap out of me and some I’m intrigued to know more and more about. I believe there’s so much more than meets the eye. You just have to look a little bit closer.

6. Do you prefer to type or hand write?
Definitely type! My handwriting is super messy (ask anyone!) and even I don’t always know what I’ve written on the paper.

7. Would you ever like to branch out to a different genre?
Yes, but I’m not sure if I dare. I have very loyal readers and I’d like to keep them. Most of them are teens or young adults so trying my luck in an adult genre might scare them off.

Part One of Immortal Blood Series.

Samantha Green wanted nothing but to be normal, have a shallow life with smoking hot Jonathan Blake and an unforgettable senior year at Regents East High. But one morning she wakes up as a vampire. She has no idea who bit her or why. All she knows is she didn’t want it. Now her new life is full of secrets, deceit and fear, not to mention raw meatballs and red nectar that is definitely something else besides strawberry juice. Samantha tries to act normal. She pretends to like her mom’s chicken salad, goes to school and learns how to survive on her own, but what can she do when she finds herself inside of a devious conspiracy, strikingly fast hunters, secret clubs and mouthwateringly gorgeous boys and the only food she can catch is her best friend, Kate Walker’s, wrist?

Amazon

My Review: 5 stars

I have never been a fan of vampire books, yet the blurb for this book intrigued me and so decided to give it a read. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was drawn into the story. Having read other books from this author, I knew that she would write a good book. From the first page I was hooked on what was going on with Samantha and whether or not we would find out the mystery behind the doors of the club. I found myself lost in the pages and itching to know what would happen next and the end left me desperate for more. This is an excellent book and anyone who loves the paranormal, vampires or not, will love reading this book! Highly recommended!

You can find Jennifer here on Facebook, Twitter, her website and Goodreads.

Check out the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest blog posts from other authors. If you're interested in being interviewed, having a review done or writing a guest post, contact Joey here.