Interview with Beth Ann Masarik

Hey Peeps!!
It's finally Friday!! Are as thrilled as I am that its the weekend? It felt like a marathon to get to the end of the week but we did it! Today I have something fun for you guys... an interview with a fellow Otherworld Publications author. (FYI Otherworlds Logo is over there on the right-- you can click it to visit their website).

Beth Ann Masarik is here today. Beth Ann's debut novel The World Among Us was published recently and she also has a short story published titled Murderous Regrets (don't we all have some of those? Oh, we don't? Forget I said that....). But that isn't all Beth is doing, nope. She's got numerous writing projects in the works and she also founded the earth friendly E-magazine called Literary Lunes, check it out, its chocked full of literary lunacy. (I'm going to be writing reviews for the mag and also have an upcoming interview.... yes, that means that I am a lunatic.... like you didn't know that already). You should sign up! It's free and we all LOVE free stuff.

Anywhoo, let's get on with the interview.... and after that I will post my review of The World Among Us, for your reading pleasure, of course. :)

What’s the best thing about being a writer? 

The best thing about being a writer I would have to say is being able to create your own world for people to visit.  Even if it’s only through imagination.  I don’t know about you, but I would take being in a fantasy world over the real world any day!

 If someone gave you a million dollars what’s the first thing you would buy? 

  

I would open up a camp for kids with learning disabilities.

What do you find more inspiring writing books or reading them?  

While they are both inspiring, I would have to say writing books is more inspiring.  Anyone can pick up a book and read it, but it takes a special kind of person to be able to sit down and actually write the book.

The World Among Us is your debut novel, you also have a short story (Murderous Regrets) out by Otherworld Publications. You have said the short story was inspired by the novel, can you tell us how and why?  

Murderous Regrets goes deep into the mind of Leon Greene, one of the villains in the novel itself.  Leon, though a small character, was one that I felt needed to have his own voice.  He was one of those characters that needed to be heard.  So, I came up with Murderous Regrets, which shows the how and why he does what he does.

Who is your favorite character in your novel and why?

Ooh I have so many, but I would have to say that I really enjoyed writing about Damien’s character. Emily also comes in as a close second.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?  

Happily married with two kittens, possibly a mother, and a very successful author & business woman. I’d like to have 3-5 books published by then as well.

Would you rather go through a hurricane or a snow storm?

Considering I’ve been through both, neither.  BUT a hurricane isn’t quite as bad as a snowstorm in my personal opinion. 

Who is the first person you told when you got a publishing contract?  

My best friend, Robin Sussman.  She was in the room with me when I got the contract.

What is your personal best marketing tip you can share?

Network…network…and network.  It’s all about who you know and making connections with the right people in this business.  Make sure you are hooked up on facebook and twitter. You will soon find that those are your best marketing tools.  Also, if you don’t have a blog already, get one and use it.

You run an online magazine called Literary Lunes. Tell us about that and where to find it.  

Literary Lunes is a magazine for writers.  We offer literary advice for beginner writers as well as seasoned writers.  We feature book reviews, poetry, short stories, and author interviews, etc. It is a totally free magazine for anyone to read.  We just ask that you please spread the word. Recently, I started publishing free issues of the magazine on smashwords.com, so it is now available in all eformats.  You can find out more information on the magazine by going to www.literarylunes.com

What is your favorite movie?

Oh that’s a tough one.  I’d have to say The Lion King

What is the greatest challenge about being a writer? 

There are several challenges that I face being a writer. The biggest one, however, is actually finding the time to sit down and write. I have so many commitments, that sometimes it’s almost impossible to write anything.

Did you go to college to become a writer or something else? 

I actually went to college to become a secretary.  Go figure! LOL. I do plan to go back to become a journalist or an English major eventually however.

You traveled abroad in September. What are the places you most wanted to see? Is this your first trip out of the United States? 

Yes, this is my first trip out of the U.S.  My aunt and I went to Prague, and saw pretty much everything.  I got to see where my great, great uncle, Tomas Masaryk (it was changed to Masarik when he immigrated to America) lived.  He was the first president of the Czech Republic (pretty awesome huh?).  So the whole trip was awesome.

What gave you the idea to add illustrations in your print copies of the book? Was it fun to

work with an illustrator? 

It was very fun to work with an illustrator because she is my best friend.  Robin was the one who actually suggested I put them in, and offered to draw them herself J

Please share the links to buy your book here:

http://www.amazon.com/World-Among-Us-Darkness-ebook/dp/B005HMO7PA/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Among-Us-Prince-Darkness/dp/1936593165/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1318305296&sr=8-6

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-world-among-us-beth-ann-masarik/1104513185?ean=9781936593156&itm=2&usri=the%2bworld%2bamong%2bus

http://www.amazon.com/Murderous-Regrets-World-Among-ebook/dp/B004PLNNHC/ref=pd_sim_kinc1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murderous-regrets-beth-ann-masarik/1030176050?ean=2940012289728&itm=1&usri=murderous%2bregrets

I want to thank Beth Ann for being here today!!! Here is her book and short story:

Nice covers, huh? :)

Here is my review for The World Among Us

Title: The World Among Us (Prince of Darkness #1)

Author: Beth Ann Masarik

Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Otherworld Publications, August 2011 www.otherworldpublications.com

Format: Hardback, Paperback, Ebook

ISBN:  1936593165 Hardback

       BN-ID 2940013112650

      

Hades is one bad dude. (Well he most certainly isn’t the tooth fairy!) So what does a bad dude do when at his most vile? Try and take over the world of course. (You didn’t think I was going to say bake cookies, did you?)

Unfortunately for Hades, his son (and only heir) Damien is not too cool with Big Daddy’s plan. But when you are the son of Hades nothing but the most evil will do, so Damien finds himself being manipulated to kill the only woman he has ever loved, Selene.

Selene isn’t just a girl, though. She’s a goddess. The goddess of the moon to be exact. Damien cannot live with the fact that he has destroyed the light of his life and he leaves the underworld, vowing to never return. But where can the son of evil go, where does he fit in? With the Gods? With the creatures of the night? Will anyone trust him?

Meanwhile, Hades is doing everything in his power to set in motion his plan of world domination. Having Selene killed was just the beginning, a stepping stone to bigger kills. You see, Selene was the favorite granddaughter of Gaia, head deity. Because of her power and strength, Gaia is the natural enemy of Hades and this is just one way that he can weaken her on his quest for power.

Next on Hades hit list is another close ally of Gaia’s, Jason Aysel, the leader of Creatures of the Night. And who better to kill Jason but his own best friend, Leon.

Tsk, tsk, tsk, Hades. 

When all of these plans are set into motion a violent war is sure to take place on Earth between the creatures of the night and the gods. When better to take over the world? Muh ha ha ha ha ha

But Hades is in for a few surprises because Damien has been busy…busy working for the other side. He’s been protecting a secret weapon that is sure to help tip the scales in favor of the gods. Only one question remains. Can the gods and the Titans put aside all their differences and work together to stop Hades and his villainous plans? Or will dark shadows fall over the world as we know it?

The World Among Us is a debut novel from an author (Beth Ann) that I am sure we will all be seeing more of. Her novel is a great smash-up of all the great creatures and characters in every paranormal book we have come to love. There is something for everyone in this book. Like mythology and Gods and Goddesses? Check. Like vampires, good and evil? Check. Like wizards? Check. How about my personal favorite: werewolves. Yup, there’s some of them too. They all co-exist in this book separately, yet together. It’s great!

The Gods and Goddesses are really done well in this book because even though they are really, really old they are current. They talk in current lingo and they behave in current fashion. And something else that made me smile (and maybe this is just me) but they all have like abazillion kids (yes, that is a number) but they act like they only have two. Lol. Can you imagine how big your dinner table would need to be to seat fifty kids? Wow.

I like the love story between Damien and Selene as well. It is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet because they are from complete different families yet they are pulled together in spite of their differences. I really didn’t expect Damien to kill Selene, I thought he would make a stand and they might run away together (cut to a beautiful beach scene where they run hand in hand in the glittering sun….oh wait. Vamps can’t go out in the sun.) But that isn’t what happened. What happened was original and cool. It brought a new love element to the story. Can love survive even death? Can it survive the ultimate betrayal?

You want to know, don’t you. Buy the book. Read it. You won’t be sorry.

Beth Ann Masarik has a great writing style that is easy to read and follow. Getting lost in her imaginary world is easy and before you know it you will be closing the book and wondering when Prince of Darkness #2 will be released.

You will never be bored while reading because something is always happening. The story moves right along with a series of events and there is never a lag in the plot. The setting is fabulous as well. The reader gets to experience the underworld, earth and the world of the gods all in one tale. We even get a little trip to the moon. J

I recommend this book to any fantasy, paranormal lover that wants to go on a ride. I would suggest grabbing a copy and settling in with your favorite snack and beverage and then jetting off into a world like never before.

So there you have it. My opinion.

Have  a great Friday!!!!

Author Interview with a Fairy Tale - I mean Ottilie!!

Hey Peeps!!!

In addition to my new look here at The Unlocked Diary I have something else that is fabulous! An Interview with Ottilie Weber! Ottilie is the author of a sweet, easy read titled Family Ties and she is also a college student. But she isn't majoring in writing... nope. Uh- Uh. What is she majoring in? Read the interview. You won't be sorry!

So let's get on with the interview! And directly after I will be posting my review of her fab book! So check it out!

Here she is:

I know, I know. She is just gorgeous and my new blog now pales in comparison. And you know what? She is just as pretty on the inside.

Now let's find out more about her: 

1. Family Ties is a really great fantasy/fairy tale. What inspired you write this book?

Aw thank you!  I wrote Family Ties when I was 16 years old.  I have an overactive imagination especially when I am home alone.  I was home from school with an empty house and I jumping about on the stairs and I thought about someone being locked up.  Between that and my unknown side of my Dad’s side of the family the story started to form.  My dad’s side of the family is from Germany and I really don’t know much about that side of the family other then the fact that my Great Great Grandfather was a baron himself.  So I sat in front of the family desktop at the time and let the characters unfold the tale.

2. What is your favorite fairytale of all time?

Now you are talking to a girl who still goes to theaters to watch Disney movies in addition to bought the complete works of Brother Grim, and Hans Christian.  Some of my favorite over the years have been the Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Frog Prince, Beauty and the Beast (one of my top Disney movies ever!), Cinderella, Thumbelina, and the The Tin Solider, to just name a few…but possibly my all time favorite fairy tale ever written has to be Rapunzel.  You can’t imagine how excited I was for the movie Tangled when it came out.  I don’t know why the tale is my favorite, it is pretty twisted if you think about a child reading it, but at the end after being locked up, than banished into the desert separated from her love who was blinded by a thorn bush.  Yet the two end up finding each other despite the odds.  The idea that love can find a way no matter what the problems are is pretty amazing no matter how bad things get.  I guess it’s where the root of all my stories come from.

3. Do you think that you are like your main character Abby?

I would say Abby and I are both fiery and sarcastic.  However Abby is more verbal about it then I am.  I’m pretty sarcastic, but she is more outspoken, says what I would only think, I could really use her backbone at times though.

4. Would you rather date a vampire or a werewolf??

I should have known werewolves would pop up!  I would have to say even though I have a thing against furry men, werewolves.  I have this thing where I have bad circulation and werewolves sound warmer then a living dead boyfriend vampire.  Plus I don’t have to worry really to fall asleep and waking up to being another species with a werewolf.  Their biting history seems less of an issue.  Vampires I could have to change my sleeping pattern to see him, that’s not fun!  With a werewolf I could hang out during the day and take a nice stroll at night to sing to the moon.

5. You currently attend college. What is your major?

Prepare to laugh because people seemed shocked when they are told that I write and have this major.  I am a History Secondary Education major.  People’s eyes always widen, surprised that I’m not an English major.  My dad is a history junkie and it rubbed off on me a little after all the years of hearing the History Channel in the background.

6. What’s the best thing about writing?

Oh I could babble about this forever.  I’ll try to limit this so that the readers don’t have to suffer.  I really enjoy thinking of these weird plots that end up being tales that someone potently might read one day.  Seeing the development of a story really makes me feel accomplished.  However my favorite thing about writing, and I say this countless occasions, I love the characters that come alive through my words then I do with the actual plots.  My friend Taylor jokes that I talk about my characters as if they are real.  One of the few jobs that lets you be creative and be okay to have the extra voices in your head!  It is fun to get into the characters’ minds.

7. How long did it take you to find a publisher for your book?

Now this is actually a funny story!  At the time I was sending countless (60+) query letters to agents for my book End of the Line because I didn’t like the company that the book was with.  I was pretty upset with an unprofessional rejection letter I had received and I had just finished revisions on Family Ties.  I was talking on a thread on Goodreads, I wish I could remember which one.  I posted about End of the line some time not too much later I had gotten an email from Bruce who runs Bucks County Publishing.  He had read through my sample of End of the Line that I have posted on Goodreads and my blog, and if I was interested in his publishing company to send him a query letter with a sample of Family Ties to him.  I have that email printed out and saved next to the congratulations of Family Ties being picked!

8. Would you rather stay up late and get up early or go to bed early and get up late?

See here is the thing, I love sleep, however my body on the other hand likes going through cycles where I can’t.  My body and I never see eye to eye.  To top it off my whole life I’ve been prone to getting nightmares.  The more sleep the better if you ask me, so I’d say go to bed early-ish (I already do…) then get up late.  I like getting into pjs then being a bum before bed so that I can relax then in the morning lying in bed all comfortable prolonging the busyness that I make out of life.

9. Where is your favorite place to hang out?

Hands down, no question about it, my favorite place ever would be the beach.  I go whether it is daytime or night time.  If I can I hope to stay near the beach the rest of my life.  I’ve been going to the beach since I was six months old.  I love the sand between my toes, the salt air seems to just open up my lungs, to be able to look up to a fully starred night.  The beach is fun to go with friends during the day, hoping in the waves, laying on the sand soaking up the sun, the blond strands appreciate that.  To be able to go at go at night skipping around in the sand, sitting in the sand to talk beneath the starry night or even walk around on the jetties.

10. Are you going to dress up for Halloween? If not, when is the last time you dressed up and what were you?

The last few years dressing up for Halloween if I did so has been a close to last minute thing.  I don’t know what I’m going to do for Halloween this year I have a couple of costumes I could wear.  Last year I wore a ball gown, because I was going to a ball, I know I’m not helping the Cinderella references from forming or some other jokes from that.  That in itself is a long story.  However two years ago I was Alice from Alice in Wonderland, people think I look like her, and have a big curiosity side.

11. You are dyslexic. Does that make it more difficult to write?

Um, sometimes with the spelling I do.  There will be times where I spell a word so wrong spell check gets mad at me and gives zero suggestions!  That is when I get real resourceful to find spelling like Google, start typing and hope something pop out underneath or my favorite!  I will through Facebook, AIM, or text message one of my friends going ‘I will send you a sentence and you can guess the right spelling!’  There are times, more then I wish, that I will change the word I want to use because I get so frustrated and just can’t find the spelling no matter how much I out loud sound out a word.  I really try to push through that disability, always have.  I was in the resource rooms for English from second grade till sixth and in those years I had some pretty awesome teachers that really pushed through the work.  That I shouldn’t let something like dyslexia hold me back.

12. Heels or sneakers?

Heels are pretty to look at, and can be fun to wear depending on where I’m going.  All throughout middle school and high school I wore the same white Keds sneakers everyday.  Now these days though I’m a flats and sandals kind of girl, but overall a barefoot person, if I can get away with it.  Not sure if that really answered your question…

13. How long did it take you to write Family Ties?

Um I’m trying to remember, but I’m sure it was a few months.  I use to be able to come home from high school, do a little homework and write every night.  I periodically went through Family Ties and edited it, back than I wasn’t really settled on a title, I mostly called the story ‘Abby’ then briefly ‘Because of’, but last summer I did a major comb through, fix things up, added a character with a character twist I had fun.

14. What is your best marketing tip that you use to sell your books?

I really wish I had a better answer for this then what I’m about to say!  I’m figuring this part as I go along.  I’ve done a giveaway on Goodreads which helped those numbers going from 6 people to over 200 adding my book to their to-read list.  I’ve done a couple of interviews on blogs, whether the interview was with me or with Abby in addition to asking for a couple of blogs to do reviews.  Over the summer I created a Book Trailer for Family Ties which was interesting to figure out since I am not the most tech savvy person.  I’ve done a book signing and hope to do more when school lets out again.  I’ve donated a copy of Family Ties to my county library and tried to do the same to my high school, but never heard back from them so I’m going to try again during the next couple of months.  Overall I stay personable and take any advice I can.  I’m on Facebook, Twitter, and a few other sites in addition to my blog, I try to be accessible for readers!

15. Who was the hardest character to write in your book?

For me I wanted Abby and Emma to be similar, but I was also trying to make them not so similar that they were the same character.  Abby was a lot of fun to write, like I mentioned before she is more out spoken than I am so I had an easy time putting myself into that, that and I have hit some people with my shoes before…

16. Tell us where to get your book here:

You can find Family Ties at:

Bucks County Publishing:

http://www.buckscountypublishing.com/portal/BookStore/FamilyTies.aspx

Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Ties-ebook/dp/B004TTXSZM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1301493441&sr=8-2

Nook:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Family-Ties/Ottilie-Weber/e/2940012315441/?itm=2&USRI=family+ties+weber

Paperback Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Ties-Ottilie-Weber/dp/0982981694/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1301860948&sr=8-3

17. Do you have any last minute words of advice for our readers today?

Surely!  I’ll try not to babble too much here also.  Do a little research about different companies, agents, traditional publishing verses Indie publishing just so you know what is out there before you jump into the publishing world for anyone to take a chance to take advantage of you.  As bad as my curiosity is patience is a helpful tool because you are working with yourself, and whoever may come your way with whatever route you pick, and the amount of query letters you might send out.  Keep an open mind; you’ll either meet some pretty awful people or some pretty amazing ones with your reading or writing journey.  I’ve been given several chances to meet some of the nicest men and women on this writing path all of which we share our ideas and advices with each other.  Love what you are doing this is your life, live it, if you don't love writing, the idea of revising, and creating, it shouldn't all be just a career, but something you truly deep down love otherwise the words will fall flat.  If writing is what you do, don't let anyone, or any disabilities hold you back, follow your dreams.  Lastly never stop asking questions part of life is growing and curiosity just expands life in addition to makes things interesting!

Isn't she great?? :) You can also hear a more in depth interview with Ottilie this Tuesday night at 9 pm Eastern time on JournalJabber a blog talk radio show (that I happen to co-host).
here's the link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/journaljabber
It is going to be tons of fun so join us!

Also be sure and check out Ottilie's awesome blog! You can even watch the trailer for Family Ties, which is really great! Here's the link: http://www.ottilieweber.blogspot.com/


Now here's her book:

Title: Family Ties

Author: Ottilie Weber

Publisher: Bucks County Publishing, 2011

Genre: Young adult/Fantasy

Format: Paperback, Ebook

ISBN: 0982981694

Once upon a time Abby’s great-grandmother was a handful. She lived in Germany and her family was rich. It wasn’t as great as people might think though because Emma was sold off into a marriage that she didn’t want. Rather than stay and live a life sure to be torture, she runs away to America where she can be the master of her own destiny.

Fast forward many years later to Abby. She had heard the tales of her great granny since she was a small child, and she thought she knew everything there was about Emma until her boring, ordinary summer was interrupted.

By her being kidnapped.

Turns out the least of her problems were that her BFF Cory was checking out the other hottie waitresses where they both waited tables.

She is forced into a car and then onto a private plane where her life is hi-jacked by some dude in Germany who thinks she needs to own up to ol’ great granny Emma’s mistakes.

And how exactly will she repay Emma’s debt?

By marrying the descendant of the man Emma was supposed to marry.

She is taken to a beautiful castle in Germany and given gorgeous dresses to wear. Correction: she wants jeans but is ordered to wear the gowns. Ugh. And to top it off when she steps out of line or even appears to be thinking for herself she is punished.

Meanwhile, back home, Cory is eaten up with guilt over his lost friend and her parents are wondering what happened to their little girl.

Family Ties is a light, fun read. It’s a new twist on a classic tale for anyone who enjoys a fairy tale.  I really enjoyed the POV shifts between Abby, Emma and Cory. I think that writing the story in that way made it possible to really get to know the three main characters very well in the story. I also enjoyed the parallel between Abby and Emma. How very much alike these two women were. Sometimes genetics just don’t lie. They were both strong characters that had the guts to stand up for what they believed in and not shrivel every time a guy did something they didn’t like.

To that I say, You go girl! (Or girl’s in this case)

Cory was your typical teenage guy trying to figure out girls and himself. I liked how he seemed to learn about his feelings gradually (or come into them) about Abby. And even though he was just a kid, he still went after Abby to get her out of that castle.

Way to man up, Cory!

There was some repetitiveness to the writing that sometimes threw me off but the enjoyment of the story was not lost. I would say that it is a good summer read. A happy ending amongst bad stuff and two really kick ass girls.

Grab the book and take a break from life, isn’t that what fairy tales are made for?

So there you have it. My opinion.

Bloodletter: Author Interview, Review and Giveaway!

Good Friday everyone! I hope you all had an awesome week, but if not then I am here to make it better! I have got an author interview in store today with Angel Haze author of the thriller Bloodletter!
And for your reading pleasure I also have my review of the book. But if that isn't enough to keep you around (Gheesh! You all are hard to please!) how about a free book? No? Okay, fine. Two free books!!

Angel has generously given me not one but two copies of her book, Bloodletter, to giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment with your name and email. The contest will run through the 29th and I will announce the winners on Saturday the 30th.

Angel has been participating in a month long blog tour and is involved in a HUGE giveaway that you all can enter as well. There are over 50 books up for grabs so hop on over and sign up!
Here's the link:

To enter, visit: http://www.angelhaze.com/2011/07/01/blog-hop/

For the blog tour schedule, visit: http://www.angelhaze.com/2011/07/06/blog-tour-dates/
Now you know how to get free stuff, how about you hang out and read the interview? Here is Angel:

Your book Bloodletter is about a serial killer in a small town and the criminalists’ that are working the case. The book really pulled me in from the beginning and while I was horrified by the things that the killer was doing I was also oddly fascinated. It was one of those things that you knew you should look away from but couldn’t. I am very intrigued as to what it must be like to live in your mind….

…..so a few questions if you wouldn’t mind?

The killer in this book is heinous…where did you come up with the ideas for the things that the killer does?

You've never met my ex-husband. LOL. Just kidding. This is the product of a seriously twisted mind. I've been researching serial killers since high school, reading everything I can about them. A weird fascination, maybe, but it gets the blood pumping.

How much research into the criminal mind did you have to do? And also how much research on the way police handle the scene of a crime did you do?

I love reading books on serial killers, how they think and what makes them tick. It wasn't necessarily "research" for my book. That's just something to feed a twisted mind. I actually went to college for policing and have a certificate in criminalistics. I finished the program, but policing wasn't for me. I'm much happier when the only criminals I know are the ones that live in my books. Don't get me wrong, I loved the courses and learning how to kick butt!

I am a writer and while writing I often dream about my characters and my book. Did you ever dream about this book while you were writing? Did the dreams terrify you?

I can't say that I have. At least, I don't remember any. I have very few nightmares, either because I'm too optimistic or my brain has been exposed to too many books and movies I'm just used to it by now.

You have a new book out that is a called Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch, and is a Young Adult Fantasy novel. Bloodletter is more of a thriller/mystery. These genres are very different. Was the way you went about writing them different as well? And also, which genre did you find easiest to write?

I write my fantasies with my husband. He provides the basic outline and then I add in my own ideas and put everything to paper. A few weeks ago, I would have said my thrillers were easier to write because my passions for forensics and the criminal mind come alive in that genre. However, the more my husband and I work on the prequels and sequels to Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch, the more I fall in love with YA fantasy. It's so amazingly different than thrillers and I love being able to switch back and forth between the two genres. My husband's ideas are brilliant (and I do mean brilliant!!) and I love breathing life into them.

Do you have a usual time of day that you like to write and do you use a laptop or a desktop computer?

I write better in the evenings. Or, at the very least, after noon when I'm awake enough to concentrate. I usually write at my desktop computer, but sometimes I switch to my laptop to be in front of the fan or to have an excuse to be on the couch. :)

And now for the meat and bones….the question on everyone’s mind…Do you write in pajamas or jeans?

LOL. I don't know how to answer that. Let's just say I don't wear pajamas. Right now, my office is so hot, I threw off the jeans and I'm down to my skivvies. :)

Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you about your writing. Is there anything else that you would like to share with the readers out there…any parting words of wisdom?

 “When the stepping stones to your dreams are jagged rocks, you can either move quickly and efficiently or let them puncture you and slow you down.” Angel Haze

Follow your dreams, even if they seem juvenile. You don't want to wake up twenty years from now with regrets and wondering what could have been. Time spent doing the things you love is never wasted.

Give credit where credit is due. I love my readers and I love hearing from you!

Cambria, thanks for the review and the chance to share some insight of my twisted mind. You wanted to know what it's like to live in my mind...hehe...we haven't even begun to touch the surface. My pseudonym reads angel because I've been telling people that since public school. The funny thing is, they believed me. Or at least they did at the beginning.

Oh I am an angel, but with black wings ;)

About the Author:

I'm a Canadian author who is an avid reader of fantasy, thriller, and mystery novels. I write both fantasy and thriller novels. My free time is spent dancing, fitness training with P90x, watching movies and Game of Thrones. Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch is co-authored by my husband, Slade Sewell. Slade grew up as an only child, and, therefore, developed an active imagination. His free time is devoted to the three things he loves most: hockey, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and RPG games.

Bloodletter:

Thou shalt not kill.

A contradictory message written in blood at the scene of a young woman’s murder. Within days, another body surfaces with a similar calling card and, to Detective Ramon Faust and Criminalist Kelly Garret, it’s clear a deadly game is underfoot.

As the rash of horrific crimes continue, a phone call unearths a shocking revelation: Nakeita isn’t the first city the elusive killer has left his mark. The Bloodletter, as dubbed by the media, has played his deadly game before.

Delving deep into the most terrifying case of Kelly’s career, threatening phone calls and flashbacks of a forgotten near-death experience challenge her sanity and the lives of everyone she loves.

Bloodletter is available on Amazon and Smashwords for $0.99.

US Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00563FA88

UK Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00563FA88

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66683

Angel has a new book out check it out:

Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch:

Debonair, a witch from the Unspoken Lands, has meddled in the forbidden practice of magic and created an army of nightmarish proportions. When sixteen-year-old Astanyx and his two best friends return from a hunting trip to find their small town of Polca reduced to smoke and ash, they find themselves thrust into a battle for which they haven’t been trained.

With the help of his comrades, including an esteemed warrior, one of the last great wizards and a princess they’ve sworn to protect, Astanyx must fight to unite the kingdoms of the humans, dwarves and elves. He must ask forbidden questions that no one wants to answer, questions about Talimura’s dark history. As Debonair’s brutal warriors lay siege to the kingdoms, Astanyx is driven to pursue a fateful quest for a blade powerful enough to defeat the malevolent witch before she destroys the three kingdoms and unleashes an unspeakable ancient evil.

Legacies of Talimura is available on Amazon and Smashwords for $0.99.

US Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005965A64

UK Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005965A64

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/70412

Connect with us on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AngelHaze7

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Haze/112457508837831

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4949334.Angel_Haze

Website: http://www.angelhaze.com

And now my review:

Title: Bloodletter

Author: Angel Haze

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Formatt: Ebook

Publisher: Angel Haze 2011

AISN: B0055U8GWY

Are you brushed up on the Ten Commandments? No? After this book you will be, and you might be finding yourself trying to obey them a little more than before…

Kelly Garret is a criminalist. She spends her days delving into the minds of the cities most wanted. But then, she meets the mind that is more horrific than anything she has ever seen. A rash of brutal and bloody murders rock the city leaving Kelly and her team to try and decipher the clues the killer has left behind.

As the body count begins to mount, a series of chilling phone calls and the sudden occurrence of buried memories leaves Kelly wondering if perhaps, this time, delving into the mind of the vile might be her undoing.

Check the locks on your windows and your doors…if you are out alone at night, definitely look over your shoulder because you never know who is stalking the shadows…crouching…waiting…

They deliver death. Your death.

Are you afraid of the Grim Reaper? You should be.

I know I am…someone hold me…I’m scared.

Bloodletter is a chilling story that sucks the reader right into a town being rocked with a serial killer. The cast of characters leave you wondering just who you can trust…and who you can’t. As I was reading I looked for the hidden message behind everyone’s words and actions.

This book is creepy with a capital ‘C’. The deeds that the sicko in this book commit are heinous, and I found myself marveling at what could possibly twist someone into such a monster. The descriptions in this book of the crime scenes and the autopsies were clear and painted a picture of the horror the victim must have endured before death. It was a complex story woven with a cast of characters that all seemed to have something about them that made you wonder if they were the killer.

Kelly is the main protagonist and a criminalist, the daughter of a retired Chief of Police. She’s good at her job and in my opinion must have a stomach made of steel. She has it all: good looks, a great job, great friends, and a newly, sparkly diamond ring on her finger gifted by her hot fiancé. She was a good character – one that seemed to remain innocent despite the job she held. She didn’t seem jaded or hardened in the least by the things that she experienced on a daily basis.

Ryan, the resident creep-o was an interesting read. The way he thought was intriguing, and I liked reading from a perspective that I myself never experienced. He was clearly jaded and had his own issues…I often wondered about his childhood. The way he seemed to blend into the crowd and was carefully controlled about his actions almost made me wonder how many people are like this out in the world and how close they could be without a person even realizing it.

Bloodletter has a lot of fabulous points. It draws the reader right in and it hits the ground running, holding the reader’s attention well into the book. The story line was clearly well thought out and original. It held just the right amount of thriller and mystery and left out just enough so that you could never figure out ‘who dun it’.

 The book is written in third person and sometimes I felt that it switched to too many characters, and I wished it would have stayed more with Kelly. I think that perhaps the characterization of the characters could have been developed a bit more in some places. I would have liked to get to know Chad better, and maybe see the relationship between him and Kelly develop earlier on in the book. Also, at times, Kelly seemed a little to naïve to me; I wondered why she didn’t see more than she did. Ryan was  also a character I would’ve loved to more about at the end of the book…what happens with him?

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I haven’t read a thriller/murder mystery that got me so involved in quite a while. I couldn’t wait to figure out who did it! If you like creepy books or reading into the mind of a killer than this book is for you! Angel Haze is a talented writer that puts a story together quite well, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

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And a HUGE thanks to Angel for taking her time to have fun here at The Unlocked Diary!!