REVIEW & GUEST POST: Sprite by Leigh Michael

Title: Sprite
Author:  Leigh Michael
Series:  Annabelle's Story (Part One)
Pages:  161
 

Series summary:

Annabelle Walsh thought she had it all. She was the star of her swim team, had a loving family, a great boyfriend, and to top it off, she’d be starting at UCLA in the fall. One day, she’d be referred to as Dr. Annabelle Walsh.

She was living every girl’s dream – until her life was turned upside down. All starting with finding out that she's not just a human, but also a water spirit. Half-human, half-sprite to be exact. Although not just any sprite, Annabelle is prophesied to be the only one who can save both the sprites and mankind.

With a mix of current events, anecdotes from Greek mythology, tidbits of folklore, and Leigh’s own imagination, we join Annabelle in her journey to restore order beneath the sea. Each step of the way her mind, body, and soul are pushed to the limit begging the question, how much can one half-human, half-sprite take?

Sprite was such a unique story!  As a mythology lover I really enjoyed Leigh Michael's take on Hades, Zeus and Poseidon.  When Annabelle is kidnapped by a strange man and dragged into the sea she has no idea that she's about to be introduced to a whole new world.  Not only does she realize she can breathe under water, but she's also a descendant of Triton.  How cool is that?!  I really liked Annabelle's character.  While she was a bit irritating in the beginning, when she realizes she has a job to do she puts on her big girl panties and gets to work.  I also like the twists and turns of the story.  No one really is as they seem.  While at times a bit predictable, the action and adventure kept the pages turning.  Sprite was an enjoyable read, and I hope Kin (Part Two) keeps me just as intrigued. 

Sprite (Annabelle’s Story Part One) can be purchased at:

Amazon
Barnes& Noble

Smashwords

Kin (Annabelle’s Story Part Two)can be purchased at:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

 

Leigh’s Indie ABCs

(Part one of a guest post by Leigh Michael)

When I released Sprite (Annabelle’s Story Part One) in April, I knew very little about the writing industry. Over the past 6 months, I’ve acted as a sponge for information. It’s been an amazing, gut-checking, rewarding, and humbling experience. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few tricks of the trade that I’d love to share with you all. Below is part one in what I’ve learned thus far in self-publishing my first series, Annabelle’s Story. Part two will be posted on Little Library Muse on October 17. Part three will be posted on Girls on YA Books on October 26.

Author website — Having one of these is important. It allows readers an easy way to learn about an author, their books, and where to buy ‘em. Check out my site at www.LeighMichaelBooks.com.

Beta readers — When I released the first part of Annabelle’s Story, I was too afraid to let others read my work. I just wanted to bite the bullet and publish. Not the best idea. Since then I’ve come to rely on beta readers to help me polish my work.

Carissa Katz — This young lady is an amazing designer. Actually, I already knew that. I just wanted to emphasize it. Carissa put together my covers for Annabelle’s Story and I couldn’t be happier. Check out her other work here.

Digital, not print — In “Self-publishing a book: 25 things you need to know” it says that print should be a secondary focus to ebooks. I’d have to agree. My digital versions sell a lot more than print editions. Still, I think having a paperback version for giveaways is important.

Editing — I’d like to go on the record to say that it’s so frustrating and difficult to remove every single typo/error from a manuscript. For both Sprite & Kin, I hired a professional proofreader to complete two rounds of reviews. Afterwards, I found additional errors. However, I think it’s crucial to take this step and hire another set of eyes.

Facebook fan pages — Seems like a no-brainer to create an author page on Facebook. In my initial research on how to market myself, this was one of the first things I’ve learned. Alas, I’ve created Facebook.com/LeighMichaelBooks. Like me!

Goodreads — I must admit that I’d never heard of Goodreads before writing Annabelle’s Story but it’s great. It’s where I find my next book to read. Check out my page on Goodreads to see what I’ve been reading.

Hashtags — There are so many of these on Twitter (and more are introduced every day). To start, I found 44 essential twitter hashtags that every author should know. I also love reading Sara Megibow’s #10queriesIn10tweets every Thursday.

Thank you for reading part one of my A through Z of industry learnings. Be sure to check out part two on Little Library Muse on October 17 and part three on Girls on YA Books on October 26.

So what’s next for me? I’ve thrown myself into a new series. This one is a historical fiction that I’m pretty thrilled about. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll pursue the traditional route or follow the same indie path. Who knows, there could be a “Leigh’s Bestseller ABCs” post one day. One can only hope!

Also, don’t forget to stop by Leigh Michael Books on October 31^st for a special Trick or Treat surprise!

 

 

Author Bio:
Leigh Michael is an author of YA fiction. She's worked within the advertising world for nearly a decade before writing her debut series, Annabelle's Story. Leigh lives in Washington, DC with her husband and goldendoodle. Please learn more about Leigh and her works atwww.LeighMichaelBooks.com.

Contact info:

 

Website

Twitter
Facebook
Email
Amazon
Smashwords
Goodreads

 

 

ARC REVIEW & AUTHOR Q&A: Wake by Amanda Hocking

Title: Wake
Author:  Amanda Hocking
Series:  Watersong (#1)
Pages:  320
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Date Published:  August 7, 2012
Format:  Paperback ARC
Source:  Received from author for review
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

_____________________________________

"Lexi put her arm around her, and something about the touch made the hair on the back of Gemma's neck stand up.  Instinctively Gemma pulled away from her, but then Lexi began singing again, and Gemma melted in her arm."
_____________________________________

This is the first siren story I've read, and I enjoyed it so much!  It has a good dose of romance, family drama, and it's super spooky.  Wake follows Gemma and Harper, two sisters with very different personalities.  Gemma, the younger of the two, is a free spirit.  She loves swimming, especially at night, and she tends to be bit self absorbed.  Harper, on the other hand, is extremely level-headed and responsible.  She tends to be more of a parental figure than a sister.  One night Gemma is out swimming when she runs into Penn, Lexi and Thea, three girls that are new in town.  They are beautiful, captivating and strangely scary.  She can't put her finger on it, but Gemma knows they can't be trusted. After her late night meeting with them everything starts to change.

I've been a fan of Amanda's since she self-published her first series, My Blood Approves.  She has a very unique writing style that seems to draw you into the story.  I was so excited to read Wake because I knew that a story about sirens, something so magical, was exactly the kind of thing Amanda could put her own spin on and make it wonderful.  Wake is an extremely compelling story.  It grabbed me from the very first page.  Gemma and Harper have a somewhat strained relationship, but it's obvious that they love each other.  They have a great dad that manages to be there for them even though he's basically a single father.  Their mother was injured in a car wreck, and she lives in an assisted living home.  Although she's got a lot of mental issues she still comes across as a caring and loving mother.  I have a feeling that there may be more to her that we haven't seen yet.  Gemma's love interest, Alex, happens to be the boy next door.  He's always just been a friend, but things have started to change between them.  I didn't really connect with Alex very well, and I would have liked to have seen more of him.  I think his real personality will come out in the next book because he now as an important job to do.  Harper's love interest, Daniel, is definitely my favorite character.  He lives on his boat in the harbor and leads a pretty quite life.  At first Harper doesn't like him, and she's really rude to him.  I love how he takes it all in stride and never lets it get to him.  He's constantly throwing out witty comments, which I love.  And then we have Penn, Lexi and Thea.  Oh my goodness are these girls creepy!  Every time they speak the people around them hang on every word.  But Gemma and Harper seem to sense that they are evil.  When they came to town there were four of them.  Now there are only three and they want Gemma to join them.  How creepy is that!?  My only complaint with them is that I never really got a grasp on who was who.  They didn't seem to have very unique personalities.  I suppose this could be part of the mythology of the sirens always functioning as a group.  They don't really have unique personalities.

I really enjoyed Wake, and I love that I'm now addicted to a new series that is so different and magical.  I'm excited to see where The Watersong Series takes us.  I'm sure it will be an adventure!

4 Stars * * * *
   

_____________________________________

Q & A with Amanda Hocking

Thank you so much to the readers that participated in our Q&A!  We got some really great questions.  A big Congratulations to Amy @ Read to My Heart's Content!!  She is the winner of the ARC copy of Wake.


Out of all the characters you have wrote so far, who was the hardest to write and who was easier? Did you have a favorite?  ~Amy @ Read to My Heart's Content
Lazlo was the hardest to write, because he was a soft male lead. He was more of a damsel in distress than Remy, so it was a little hard to make sure he didn't come across as weak or un-sexy.

You're book is about mermaids/sirens. What made you write about them? Did you have a fascination with them when you were younger? Or was it just a dream?  ~TayteH
I was really into mythology growing up, so I think that played a part in it. I think Eric helped plant the seeds for the idea, because he really loves mermaids, and lady villains.

When did you realize that you wanted to write? How did you get the idea for this book?  ~Maria Stanica
I always knew that I wanted to write, since I was a kid. Even when I had other interests, I still wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be a paleontologist/writer, and a lawyer/writer.

When you were younger (teenager or kid), did you want to become a writer? Like when teachers asked you what you wanted to be, did you say "An author."? ~Cierra P
Yes. I always wanted to be an author. When I was a kid, I would sometimes say other things, like a farmer, (or a paleontologist or a lawyer), but I would always say I wanted to be an author.

If stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you NEED to survive? food and water don't count :) ~madnzanymomma
My cell phone, a Gilligans Island-style cell phone charger, and a jet ski.

How did you come up with ideas for your books? Is there any mainstream authors that you pulled inspiration from and made you want to be a writer? Did you put any thoughts or feelings or anything from your life growing up into your characters? ~Jolene and Family
My ideas come from everywhere, I literally take some inspiration from everything. I think the authors that most inspired and influenced my writing would be Judy Blume and Stephen King, but when I'm writing I'm not thinking "Well, how would Judy Blume say this?" I think that there's definitely some inspiration from my own life, but no direct situations, characters, or feelings are based on me or anyone in my life.

Which book so far has been your favorite to write and why? Thanks! ~Danielle B
So far, my favorite book to write has been Lullaby, which is the third book in the Watersong series. And before that, it was Torn from the Trylle Trilogy.

If you could take a week vacation with any of your book characters, who would you chose and why? :D ~Karen
Probably Bobby from My Blood Approves and Marcy from Watersong. That would be the best vacation ever.

Where does the inspiration for you stories come from? When you get an idea do you do an outline or do you just write? Out of all the dreamy boys you have invented who do you think is the most swoon worthy? ~Bridget Howard
I do always outline before I write a book, I take notes, character outlines, chapter outlines, just so I know where everything will be before I start writing. I think the most swoon-worthy guy I've written, for me at least, would be Loki from the Trylle books or Daniel from Watersong.

If you could hop into the life of any book character for a day, who would if be and why? Thank you for the giveaway! ~Gabby
Batman. Because he's Batman.

Who is your favorite muppet? ~Claudia Carozza
Beaker or Gonzo

What's your favorite book that you've read this year? ~ryllina
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

What was the first novel you completed and was it published? ~Kirsti
The first novel I completed was called "Dreams I Can't Remember," and no it was not published, because it is terrible.

Are any of your characters based on your real life friends/family members? ~jayandmelb
No. I think some characters might take some inspiration from different people, but none of them are solely based on anyone.

Did you always want to be an author? When did you first know? ~Erika
As soon as I learned what an author was, that's what I wanted to be.

Amanda, You're achieved so much success already. Are there any major milestones you're still looking forward to with your writing career that you're aiming for? ~Heather
The biggest thing I look forward to in my career, is to hopefully keep writing and entertaining readers...that's not really a milestone, but it's my favorite part.

ARC REVIEW: The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Legacy
Author:  Aimee Carter
Series:  Goddess Test (#2.5)
Pages:  304
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Date Published:  July 31, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Received From Publisher for Honest Review

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimee Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness....

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal....

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another....

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before....

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope.

____________________

The Goddess Queen
This story begins just after the war with the Titans.  Every story about Greek Mythology that I've ever read has lead you to believe that Zeus is the ultimate player.  He's drunk on power, self-centered, arrogant and unfaithful.  In The Goddess Test things are skewed quite a bit and it's easy to blame Hera (Calliope) for all of the problems, but The Goddess Queen shows us why she is so angry.  Hera was just as drunk on power and arrogant as Zeus was, but as a woman she was placed under Zeus' power.  This makes her bitter and hateful, and Zeus plays on that weakness.  After everything Zeus has done to her it's no wonder she finally snapped.  I really enjoyed this story and getting to see into Hera's personality a little more.  4 Stars * * * *

"Because you had the misfortune of being made in our mother's image, and our mother chose to defer to our father.  Because that is the example the Titans set for not only us, but for the world, and we must maintain some order.  You will be a queen if you wish Hera, but only second to one of us."

____________________

The Lovestruck Goddess
The story of Aphrodite (Ava) was pretty much what I expected.  She's the Goddess of Love, and not only is that a blessing, it's also a curse.  Anyone that loves her she can't help but return the love.  That makes fidelity a little tough for her.  She has two brothers, Ares and Hephaestus, that are both in love with her.  Ares is all fire and passion, Hephaestus is a solid foundation.  Aphrodite has to decide who will be her husband.  The story was good, but I think I'm stuck on the fidelity issue. 3 Stars * * *

"Your love - it's the kind of love that feeds and grows, the kind that's steady no matter what.  It's warm, it's inviting, it's accepting, and that's the love I want.  That's the love I need."

___________________

Goddess of the Underworld
The Goddess Test series takes everything you've learned about Hades and Persephone and spins it out of control.  Instead of Persephone being the kidnapped by Hades and dragged to the Underworld to be his bride for all eternity where she pines for her dear mother you find out that Hades actually does love Persephone and their marriage is actually arranged by her mother.  But none of those changes to the story change the fact that Persephone is in a situation not of her own choosing, and she hates the life she was forced into.  Goddess of the Underworld is Persephone's story of why she made the decisions she did.  I found this story to be a bit boring, but I did enjoy hearing Persephone's side of the story.  She's not as heartless and cruel as she seems to be in Goddess Test and Goddess Interrupted, but she still comes off as a spoiled brat that cares only about herself.    3 Stars * * *

"This was my life from here on out -- a slave not only to a husband that I didn't love, but to a realm I hated with every breath in my body.  Everyone would have a happy ending except me."

___________________

God of Thieves
James (Hermes) is one of my favorite characters in the Goddess Test series so I expected to really like his story.  It starts out pretty slow and I was worried, but it eventually picks up the pace and becomes an enjoyable story.  Hermes is an outcast in his family, and in an effort to gain their approval he sets out to discover why gods and goddesses are fading.  Along the way he meets a group of children that are bandits, thieving just to stay alive.  He believes that Tuck, the leader of this group, holds the answers he's looking for, but first he has to gain her trust.  When he reveals himself to her as the god, Hermes, she has no idea who he is.  God of Thieves is a good story and helps explain how Hermes becomes James.  4 Stars * * * *

"I'm a god," I said.  No need to dance around it.  "One of the twelve Olympians.  Well, er, fifteen now.  Bit of a long story."  [...] "I don't understand," she whispered.  "There's only one god."

___________________

God of Darkness
This was my whole reason for wanting to read this book, and God of Darkness didn't disappoint.  This is Henry's story of trying to find a new queen.  He initially tells the council that he wants to fade, but they beg him to give them 100 years to try to find an acceptable girl to be his new queen.  He's not happy with the plan, but he agrees.  We get to see him care for and lose girl after girl as they prepare for the tests.  When Diana has a baby to be his new queen he refuses to meet the child.  He can't grow to care for someone he never meets.  When James convinces him to at least visit the surface to see Kate he realizes that maybe he does have a future after all.  5 Stars * * * * *

"She may have been seven, but there was something eternal about her gaze.  As if she could see all his thoughts, his hopes, his fears, his pain in one look.  As if she understood every moment he'd existed. [...] In her, he saw possibility.  In her, he saw his future.  And when she was ready for it, he would be, too."

REVIEW: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Title: Goddess Interrupted
Author:  Aimee Carter
Series:  Goddess Test (#2)
Pages:  296
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Date Published:  March 27, 2012
Format:  Paperback
Source:  Borrowed
Buy It:  Amazon & B&N

KATE WINTERS HAS WON IMMORTALITY.

BUT IF SHE WANTS A LIFE WITH HENRY IN THE UNDERWORLD, SHE'LL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.  Henry's first wife, Persephone.

________________________

Fave Quote:

"Am I doing the right thing, then?" I said. "Fighting for you." He circled his arms around my waist, and he was so close I could feel his breath against my cheek. "No," he said, and the word made my stomach contract. But before I could panic, he continued, his voice smooth and meant only for me. "You never had to fight for me to begin with. I am yours and have been from the moment I saw you."

________________________

Goddess Interrupted begins with Kate and James returning from her six months of off time, which they spent in Greece.  Kate is looking forward to returning to Henry, but when she gets home things aren't exactly how she'd hoped.  Not only are they under attack from the King of the Titans, but Henry is distant and subdued.  When Henry and the other six original siblings are abducted Kate is determined to save them, or die trying.  Unfortunately there is only one person who knows how to get to them...Persephone.  The thought of meeting the Goddess that still holds Henry's heart is scarier to Kate than the thought of facing a Titan.    

I enjoyed Goddess Interrupted so much more than Goddess Test.  Kate has grown so much.  She knows what she wants and she's not afraid to do what it takes to get it.  Even when she begins to doubt herself she never waivers.  I love how steadfast she has become, and I love the way she puts the gods and goddesses in their place.  She's beginning to see them for who they really are, and she doesn't mind calling them out on their faults.  Henry has a lot of soul searching to do.  It's time for him to come to terms with his past and figure out what he wants for his future.  He has never been one of those sweep-you-off-your-feet characters, but he's definitely working on it.  I enjoyed watching him squirm in Goddess Interrupted.  We get lots of character growth, we get insight into the past, and we get more love and betrayal.  We also get a cliff hanger that will have you begging for the next book!  For a series that started out just OK for me it has grown considerably with Goddess Interrupted, and I cannot wait for the next in this great series.

4 Stars * * * *

REVIEW: The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Hunt Novella
Author: Aimee Carter
Series: Goddess Test (#1.5)
Pages:  92
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format:  eBook
Source:  Kindle

A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades' wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn.

_________________________

Favorite Quote:

"You can either be an asset to the council, or you can be a hindrance.  It is up to you to decide which", said Walter.  "If being an asset means swallowing whatever bullshit you're feeding me without thinking for myself, I'd rather be a hindrance, thank you," she said, and Henry had to press his lips together to keep himself from chuckling."

_________________________

I enjoyed The Goddess Hunt even more than The Goddess Test!  It takes place as soon as Kate leaves the Underworld for her six months of off time.  She goes to Greece with her friend, James, and meets Castor and Pollux who just happen to be on the run from Hades.  While Kate and James are trying to help them Zeus (Walter) and Henry are trying to capture them.  Henry is put to the test in this book, and I love how he handles himself.  Kate seems much stronger and self assured in this novella, and I hope to see more of her spunk in the next novel.  My only complaint is that it's too short!

4 Stars * * * *

REVIEW: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter
Series:  Goddess Test (#1)
Pages:  293
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Format:  Paperback
Source:  Borrowed

EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.

NOW IT'S KATE'S TURN.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she suceeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

IF SHE FAILS...

_______________________________________

Favorite Quote:

“Maybe you'll win when hell freezes over."

He raised an eyebrow.

"That could be easily arranged.”

______________________________________

I've always enjoyed Greek Mythology so when I read the blurb for this series I was intrigued.  Kate is a mortal, her mother is dying of cancer, she's moved to a new town and she starts a new school.  When she meets Henry and he claims to be Hades she thinks he's obviously nuts.  But when a friend dies and Henry bring her back to life she realizes he may be telling the truth.  He tells her that he wants her to take a test and if she passes she'll become a goddess and his wife.  In exchange he agrees to keep her mother alive long enough for Kate tell her good-bye properly.

Kate is a character that is a little hard to get a good grasp on.  She seems like such a strong person, but then suddenly she's crying her eyes out.  I never quite connected with her the way I wanted to.  She's been through a lot watching her mother battle cancer, and she's extremely lonely.  She's put her entire life on hold, even quiting school her senior year to take care of her mother, and she's unsure what she'll do with her life when her mother's gone.  When Henry gives her a chance at a life and a home, she can't help but be drawn to it, and to him.  Henry is a tragic soul and that makes him a complicated character.  He's lived thousands of years alone since his first wife, Persephone, left him for a mortal man.  He's still in love with her and it has nearly driven him mad.  He needs a new wife to help him rule the Underworld, but he doesn't believe he will ever love another woman and he's perfectly happy to hand over his realm to someone else so he can fade away.  Even though a part of me wanted to scream at him to "Get over it, already!", I also can't help but sympathize with him.  Watching Kate try to tear down his defenses should be a sweet and loving process, but instead I get a "tough love" feeling that didn't quite fit.  While I enjoyed the modern take on Greek Mythology, Henry manages to completely destroy my picture of the evil and terrifying Hades, and he replaces him with someone sincere and romantic.  I'm not sure yet whether I like that or not.  I really wanted to love this book, and while it wasn't amazing, it was good enough that I immediately began the next in the series.

3 * * *