Guest Author Jack Croxall

Today our guest is Jack Croxall, author of yesterday’s book “X”. If you missed the review here is a link. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-50O

Let’s find out more about Jack.

Where is your home town?

It’s a tiny little village in Nottinghamshire, England (Winkburn) – it’s so beautiful, I love it!

How long have you been writing?

Since I could hold a pen! I used to make little booklets and magazines when I was a kid (mostly stories about dinosaurs and sharks) but I started ‘seriously writing’ when I was at university. I started writing bits and bobs for student publications, and then began writing fiction. I published my first novel at the beginning of last year.

Where did the idea for “X” come from?

Even though it only came out towards the end of last year, I’d actually been mulling X over in my mind for a very long time – I can’t remember the first bit of work I did on it! The reason I suddenly veered forwards with the story was because I finally worked out the theme, and, with it, X’s real plight. Before that all I really had was a setting and a character; nothing to tie them together in any meaningful way.

What are the “Uglies”?

They’re meant to be the undead, but the undead as I specifically imagine them. I’m writing a full novel set in the same world and I go into far more detail about them in that. In X I guess they’re kind of whatever the reader wants them to be.

Have you considered making the short story longer?

Not really, I think the nature of X’s predicament means the story just can’t be very long. The upcoming novel revolves around four different characters and a different storyline, there will be a few Easter eggs for anyone who’s read X though.

The world of books is so huge that I’ve not come across your work before, what genre or genres to you write in?

I write in the YA genre at the moment, but I always like to try and include elements of other genres too; mystery, horror, historical and thriller are my favourites.

Can you tell us about your “Tethers Trilogy”?

Of course! Tethers is a Victorian fantasy, steampunk-y, YA-y and adventure-y series set in rural England. It follows two teenagers, Karl and Esther, across three books as they become embroiled in a kind of conspiracy involving various otherworldly artefacts and a whole host of sinister characters. The first two books (Tethers and Unwoven) deal with themes of fate, grief and obsession.

What are you working on at the moment?

The final Tethers book and my zombie novel simultaneously – both are coming on well!

Do you have an expected publication date for fans?

Well each Tethers book has come out in February, so I’m aiming for the third to come out in Feb 2015 to follow the trend. As for the zombie novel, I really have no idea!

Where can fans find out more about you and your work?

The best place is my website: www.jackcroxall.co.uk everyone is always welcome!!

Find a copy of X here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Thank you Jack, I look forward to reading more of your work.

Guest Author L. T. Vargus

Today I’d like to welcome author L.T. Vargus to the blog, yesterday I reviewed her book “Casting Shadows Everywhere” you can read the review here http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4nq

1) Where is your home town?

I’ve lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for about 12 years. Actually, I’m about to go shovel a foot of snow off the of the driveway so I can go to the grocery store before it snows more tonight. It’s like I always tell people: Michigan is a great place to live if you like a lot of snow and murder.

2) How long have you been writing?

I’ve been serious about writing for about 4 years. I was interested in writing and stories from a pretty young age, though.

3) How do you see the title of your book “Casting Shadows Everywhere” fitting with the storyline?

I think of the “shadows” in the title in terms of the archetype – so more like the dark side of humanity instead of literal shadows. Nick casts his shadow on Jake in the story, and as he does so he basically reveals that all of his ideas are based on the underlying messages all around us in advertisements and wars and slaughterhouses and the way people treat each other and other beings in general. The idea that morality isn’t really real is sort of all around us these days, and Nick is following that premise to its logical conclusion. That’s the shadow that’s being cast everywhere, to me. It’s open for interpretation, though. I mean, they’re creeping into dark places, so I think there’s a literal connection as well.

4) You’ve written the book from the point of view of a 15 year old boy, how much of a challenge was that as you are female?

Jake is based on a mixture of some people I knew in high school. I knew them pretty well, so it wasn’t that hard to write from that point of view. I guess the idea of writing from the perspective of a different gender might be a little overrated in terms of difficulty. If you want to sound like the average 15 year old boy, just mention boobs a few times and you’re well on the way to authenticity in my experience.

5) The storyline took quite a sinister turn for Jake, what made Jake turn away from the road of no return?

I think Jake’s self-awareness catches up at the end. I liked the idea of a seemingly self aware character that slowly starts deluding himself over the course of the story and becomes a less and less reliable narrator. I don’t know if I executed that as well as I’d hoped. Anyway, grasping the logical conclusion of Nick’s teachings snaps Jake out of it at the last minute.

6) Do you think much of the storyline reflects issues that teenagers in America face today?

On a literal level, I actually think the book is tame in some ways and over the top in others. Loads of kids are drinking, smoking weed and having sex on a regular basis by Jake’s age. He’s really shy, so he’s barely dabbled in those. On the other hand, the majority of teenagers definitely aren’t burgling all that much. Morally and philosophically, though, I think the issues are relevant.

7) Would you agree that learning to live your life and finding a reason to get out of bed each morning is worth more than winning the lottery?

 There are many examples of lottery winners’ lives falling apart shortly after they get the money, and studies have suggested that earning anything above $75,000 a year doesn’t actually make anyone happier. So yeah, I think finding things to be passionate about and people to connect with both mean a lot more than money.

8) Are you working on your next book? Can you tell us about it?

 I actually have a few different works in progress, and I don’t know which will be finished next. If I had to guess, I’d say that the next to be released will be a comedy about a slacker girl in her late 20’s that seeks revenge by trying to ruin the wedding of a girl that tormented her in high school. It’s a lot lighter than Casting Shadows Everywhere.

9) Do you have an expected publication date for fans?

I’m hopeful that it will be out in the summer or fall of 2014.

Thanks again for the awesome review and featuring me on your blog. I really appreciate it.

Casting Shadows Everywhere – Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com

Thank you L.T for being our guest today and good luck with the next book.

The Witch’s Storm by Neel Kay

The Witch’s Storm by Neel Kay

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is the second in the series and I haven’t read the first one. I took a chance on it, I should have read the first book in the series. Then I would have understood the storyline and connected with the characters earlier than I did. Freya must stop the witch Parmona in a final battle. Destinies have been written and many will die. There is a race to save a child Princess whom Freya has hidden away, but she has forgotten where and she has lost her magic. The book contains strong language which I felt wasn’t necessary in a piece of fantasy writing, I would have enjoyed more depth to the scenes that writing in the fantasy genre offers. The ending when the characters find themselves on a new timeline was very well written.

Find this book on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Saving Jackie K by L.D.C. Fitzgerald

Saving Jackie K by L.D.C. Fitzgerald I recently hosted a book boost for this book during my AtoZ Challenge, so when I saw it as a free download on kindle I jumped at the chance to read a genre which challenges me.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a difficult read for me because my English history education didn’t cover any of the Kennedy era of America. I recognised some of the names of the main players, but knew little about them. I got a bit bogged down with the science too, but once I’d got my head around the fact that the story involved true facts and characters with the fiction I let it flow over me and focused on the well written story line. There is lots of action as scientists travel back 50 years to change to past and thus the future. Sci-fi and fast paced action packed fans will probably love this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Jackie-K-ebook/dp/B005EA4UXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368646882&sr=8-1&keywords=saving+jackie+k

View all my reviews