Giveaway/Review/Interview - Protector by Vanna Smythe

Hello all!

This post is kinda long, but still awesome!

There is a GIVEAWAY for 

2 copies of Protector.

There is information about the book plus my review.

There is also an Interview with Vanna Smythe,

author of Protector!

Title: Protector
Series: Anniversary of the Veil #1
Author: Vanna Smythe
Format: E-book
Published: March 10, 2012
Publisher: Vanna Smythe
ISBN: 1477408398
(ISBN13 9781477408391)

ASIN: B007J6DN2A

Purchase:
Amazon
Smashwords

Synopsis:
Kiyarran just wanted to become a Protector of the Realm, a member of an elite order of fighters. Strange and powerful magical abilities awaken inside him once his wish comes true. The Priesthood that secretly controls the realm see his skill as a threat, and Kiyarran begins to learn that little about life as a Protector is what he thought it would be. To top it off, Kiyarran is falling in love with Princess Issiyanna, his friend of many years.

Issiyanna faces and arranged marriage, but she has been dreaming of another man, her one true love. Now her long gone mother is calling to her, promising she will return and take Issiyanna to meet the man from her dreams.

The world is split in half by a barrier called the Veil. A terrible sacrifice was made to put it in place and now, as the 1000th Anniversary of the Veil draws near, a second sacrifice is called for to keep it in place.

Both Kiyarran and Issiyanna are needed for the Anniversary. Even though they only just learned of the Veil and neither know the role they must play …

REVIEW:

I met Vanna Smythe on this magical internet thingy. She was asking if anyone wanted to review her book for a book tour. It was called Protector and had a kick-ass cover, so I contacted Vanna. She was kind enough to provide me with a review copy in return for an honest review. I love it when that happens!

I must admit, while reading the Prologue, I was thinking I was totally lost. There is tons of information and characters thrown at the reader. I just kept going though because the writing was excellent. I am so glad that I did!

The author, Vanna Smythe, has a wonderful way of weaving her words into a story. The imagery and world building were stellar. The characters were believable and I could relate to their emotions. Kae is such an amazing character. I really felt empathy for him as he went through his struggles. And Issa was such a contrast of vulnerability and strength.

Protector is a book that actually requires some skills to keep up with all of the characters. At times, it seems confusing, but just go with it because as miniscule as a character may seem, they will serve a purpose. I love it when that happens!

In my opinion, Vanna Smythe has proven she is an excellent writer. Protector is the proof of that. Now I just can't wait to read the 2nd in the series, Decision Maker!

4 stars to Protector.

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR

VANNA SMYTHE

1. Tell us why you chose to write fantasy fiction?

I've always been a huge fan of fantasy fiction, so when I decided to try my hand at writing a book it was a natural choice for me.

2. They say write what you know, which to authors, may be to read in the genre they write. Do you read fantasy? What other genres do you like to read?

I read a lot of fantasy, but I also like the classics, as well as modern mainstream fiction. I'm also very partial to spy thrillers.

3. How did you know you should become an author?

Since I can remember, I just knew that I was a good writer and that one day I would write a book. Eventually I did ;)

4. Apart from fantasy, are there any other elements in Protector?

Protector has a huge romantic element in it. The whole story basically revolves around Issa's (the main heroine) desire to be with the man she loves. This man is, however, not Kae (the main hero) who feels a deep and unrequited love for Issa.  Also, in the world of Protector the energy that is released when two people who are basically soul mates come together is used towards some practical end (righting a wrong, controlling the weather, …). So love is at the heart of the story, though not in the strict romance novel sort of way.

5. Who is your favorite character and why?

Kae is my favorite by far. In the first draft, he was supposed to be one of the side characters, but he just came to life as I wrote the book and finally became the main character. He's the one that grows the most as the story progresses, and he'll always be the first "real" character I created.

6. Who is your least favorite or hardest character to bring to life on the pages of Protector?

Oddly enough, I had the most problems with Issa. And she was supposed to be the main heroine ;) Though I think in book 2, I've finally managed to get her down on the page as she's supposed to be.

7. Do any of the characters in your book reflect your characteristics?

Yes, pretty much all of them to some degree. I don’t base my characters on any particular person, but rather mix and match characteristics to create whole new people.

8. What is the hardest lesson you’ve since being published?

That constant promotion is key. It is not enough to write a great book, you must also make sure people hear about it.

9. Do you have any upcoming appearances or contests you’d like readers to know about?

I will be releasing the second book in my series by the end of 2012. So the December/January period will be full of great giveaways. Please visit my blog for the contest info.

10. Where can readers find your books?

Protector (Anniversary of the Veil, Book 1) is available now form Amazon and Smashwords.

Decision Maker (Anniversary of the Veil, Book 2) is coming soon!

More about Vanna Smythe:

Website and blog: http://www.vannasmythe.com

Twitter: @Vanna_Smythe

Facebook: www.facebook.com/VannaSmytheAuthor

And now, the GIVEAWAY!

We are giving away 2 copies of

Protector!

Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview: Author Rick T. Hodges

Hello all.
Welcome to my Interview with Rick T. Hodges, author of The Omega Option: Rise of Draconis.
Also, there is only ONE DAY left on the Giveaway to get a copy of The Omega Option, click HERE to enter!

When a soulless, inhuman force descends upon Professor Li Jun Wong’s Antarctic expedition, search and rescue operations discover only his mutilated crew and a cryptic journal left behind. Confronted with the malevolent force, a covert government agency discovers a sub-oceanic base long abandoned by aquatic aliens in the northwest Pacific. Someone, or something...is reactivating the alien base, threatening to collapse the earth’s magnetic field, exposing the planet to catastrophic solar effects.

Ex-Special Forces Commander, Joe Dalton, leads the interdiction force...unaware it will exhume old secrets long since buried with Professor Wong’s ill-fated expedition. Amidst the emerging threat, Dalton reassembles his former Special Operations team; finding each man imperiled among the most remote deathtraps on earth.

Joe then reunites with his former love interest, Sunjida Wong, heiress to her missing father’s International Institute of Oceanography. Aided by her scientific genius - and the secrets of an ancient alien sarcophagus in her possession - The Omega Team launches into desperate battle against parahuman forces...in a bold quest to save the human race from impending cosmic destruction.

Sounds interesting right? Here is a little about the author.

Rick T. Hodges is a former Special Forces Medical Sergeant with a Bachelor of Science degree. After retiring from the U.S. Army in September of 2003, he continued to perform on various Department of Defense & corporate contracts in Southwest Asia until January 2012. Having spent his life in austere locations amidst hostile environments, Hodges’ writing style reflects his worldwide, cross-cultural, and Special Operations combat experience. Currently, he resides in Oklahoma where he continues to write “The Omega Option” series.



What inspired you to begin writing?

I’d already spent nearly a half dozen years in Iraq, performing on various Special Operations contracts.   One of my supervisors honestly told me he thought I was a “genius” ...his description, not mine.  The nature of these jobs required an extensive amount of report writing and email traffic and such, and I think that’s where he assessed my talent for writing.  He kept telling me I should write a book.  I asked him, “what about?”  He said, “write about anything.  Write about life.”  I have to admit, that planted a seed of interest in me, but it was still almost a year later before I started.  By that time, I was so fed up with living that kind of life, and was so desperate to leave that environment, that I did sit down to write a work of fiction.

What person has been the most influential towards your writing?

That would have to be Kenneth Robeson, who wrote the Doc Savage novels.  I loved the earlier, more wild tales of Doc Savage.  I also read Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, Ian Fleming, and of course...Stephen King.

What is your writing process like?

Sometimes I’m not really sure how it comes to me.  I may get glimpses of ideas, but they never fully develop until their ready.  It’s like the story builds up in my subconscious until it’s mostly “in there” somewhere, and then I get the task of organizing it onto the word document.  Kind of like giving birth to a mental concept.  I’m learning that I usually get two concepts flowing through per chapter, and it comes out one chapter at a time.  By two concepts, I mean that one chapter may involve two locations, or two evolving parts of the whole story.  And sometimes, I start a chapter expecting to go in one direction, but end up expanding into a whole new one.  I still arrive at the intended end result, just with a lot more happening than I expected.  Once I complete a chapter, either I’ll already have the idea of where to go from there...or I’ll draw a blank, and have to wait for the next inspiration before moving forward.

Some of my work just pours out of me when I am really enthused and decide to sit down and slam some hard booze.  Then I can just rat-tat-tat on that key board like machine gun fire.  Later, I continually reread and reword things until I believe it’s about as good as it’s going to get.

Which one of the characters you have created is your favorite? Why?

Tough call, but it would have to be Rick Savage.  I can relate to Joe Dalton, the Team Leader, having more in common with him in some ways.  But Savage is just my personal favorite.  He’s a really tough guy who struggles like so many of us when it comes to the finer social skills.  He’s also more of a land adventurer, which I feel most comfortable with.  So I can really dig in deep whenever I involve him in some chaotic situation.  I don’t see myself in any of these characters.  They’re a lot tougher and more noble than I am, but I do tend to spread certain attributes or physical characteristics of mine throughout the team.  For example, Rick has tattoos very similar to mine.   Jason Riley has my intense temperament...and so on.

What do you think makes a 5 star book?
Whenever the reader really enjoys it.  In the end, that’s who we should be writing our books for:  our readers.  

How much time went into research for this novel? What all did you research?

Wow.  In a way I guess you could say a lifetime went into the making of this first book.  My military background adds authenticity to the team’s Special Operations approach to things.  But as I stated, I’m more of a land based adventurer, so I had to research the submarine and scuba based portions.  I wanted to be specific on existing military aircraft, and communications systems, so...I did put some effort into looking up current specifics. 

This novel contains a lot of weird science.  So I dug into plasma physics, nanotechnology, ions, electro-biogenesis, sonoluminescence, electron microscopes, oceanography, and paranormal investigative equipment.

I did considerable research on various locations, such as Alaska, New Zealand, Algeria, Antarctica, etc...but I did take some artistic liberty with some of it.  The way I describe the Brooks Mountain Range of Alaska might be a bit more like northwestern Canada, but I made a solid effort to be accurate overall.

What kind of research did you most enjoy?

The paranormal.  Ever since I was a kid, such things fascinated me.  The Sasquatch, UFOs, alien abduction, and even supernatural events.  I weave these things into the story in a way that it bends reality, while fictionalizing some events that actually have been reported and documented.

How would you like to impact people with your writing?

Well for one thing, I want to inspire them.  I want that young man to close the cover, and say “I want to be like that!”  I want him to jump up and go take Karate lessons, or scuba diving.  Join the Army or become a paramedic or something.  I know that sounds a bit silly, but that’s what happened to me as a kid.  I was exposed to the heroic ideal of what it meant to be a Green Beret, and so I became one. 

The same goes for a girl reader, but in a different light.  Enough of the super bitch concept already.  Let a girl be inspired to become a world class scientist like my co-main female character, Sunjida Wong.

And of course, I want to entertain the readers so much that they follow the series.  I want them to be profoundly impressed so that they recommend the books to everyone they know.  There are many people out there who are hungry for descriptive reading with a little more substance to it.

What feelings/thoughts are you hoping to invoke in the reader?

I want them to realize the world is not like people think.  I truly believe the evidence indicates there are powerful, terrifying things in our skies and hidden in ocean depths mankind has yet to explore.  And probably by the time we do, they will move on to somewhere else.  I spent enough time in Special Forces to know that governments are not honest with their citizens.  Not in the least.  And out there among our own citizenry, there are people who do experience truly horrendous things.  Things that terrify and alter their entire lives.  And they can’t turn to anyone for help, because of the current policy of ridicule.  Some even go insane or commit suicide.  It’s truly sad.

People ask me, “You really believe in this stuff?!”  My reply is that for me, belief is not an option.  I have experienced certain things that I know were not my imagination.  I will probably include some of those events (in fictionalized form) in my third book of the series.

Describe your novel in 3 words.

NOT YOUNG ADULT.

It’s a cross genre of paramilitary adventure and science fiction set in the present day, with one hell of a dose of high strangeness throughout.

Is there a message you are trying to convey through your writing?

Maybe a couple.  As stated, the first message would be, “The world is not like you think, and that should scare the hell out of you.  Open your eyes and your mind.  Ignoring it does not guarantee it won’t reach out and destroy your happy little state of ignorant bliss.”

The second message is:  “You know, there is still this thing on the earth.  There aren’t very many of them left, but if you look real hard, you can still find a few.  They’re called men.  And no, we’re not so weak and stupid that we need some wise and powerful woman to come along and wipe our mouths and change our diapers, and kick the bad guy’s ass for us.  Women certainly have great value, and can accomplish great and wonderful things.  Women contribute in a powerful way in my novels.  But I’m quite thoroughly fed up with all the man bashing in our current culture.

How much did your military background in Special Forces assist you in writing this book?

Immensely.  Considering my team is comprised of various SPEC OPS types, I know the tactics, the terminology, the slang, the military culture, and so on.  I know the way soldiers talk, the way they think, what goes through their mind...and I know the weapon systems.  I received extensive medical training, so that helps too.  It just gives the novel and the team a very authentic feel. 

I’m just going to ask. Some of the supernatural stuff in your book seems so realistic. Is it? Or would you have to kill me if you told me?

Heh.  No, I wouldn’t have to kill anyone I told, but believe me, some researchers have died for getting too close to the truth.  That’s not some silly conspiracy theory, but most people in general just can’t handle the truth of that.  So they cope with it through ridiculing those who suffer with experiencing these things.  I have seriously studied (and experienced) paranormal / supernatural events.  The difference is, the supernatural involves the spirit world. What we consider paranormal is more of a “solid” thing such as aliens, or animal cryptids.   And with some phenomena, the one crosses over into the other, such as psychics or skinwalkers of American Indian lore. 

What was more difficult to write: Action or dialogue?

Definitely action.  You have to keep action flowing.  It can be tough balancing the action without being too descriptive, yet keep the reader aware of what exactly is happening.  Action has to be dynamic and powerful.  But being too vague, or too descriptive can detract from the flow.  Have to find just the right mix.  That was far more difficult for me in book one, which is why I’ve continued to refine and polish it for about three years now.  My test readers keep telling me book two is even better.

What is the most rewarding thing about completing a novel? 

Realizing that I actually can do this.  Like, “Wow.  I actually wrote a book.  And it’s a good, solid piece of work, and people like it.” 

In the not so distant future, the most rewarding thing will be having a fan base, and an income enhancement.  I intend to stick around at this until it IS my new career.

What is your next project?

I’m already writing The Omega Option II:  Return of the Naga.  It completes the first adventure, but takes the team to Vietnam, and into subterranean caverns inhabited by the reptilian race known as the Naga.  These creatures are a part of Cambodian lore, and they believe the Naga still exist somewhere beneath the ocean.  This book has a much deeper horror to it. 

My third book will take the Omega Team to the middle east.  I love changing up the locations and cultures, while giving the reader the feel of being there with them, as a world traveler.

If you would like to contact Rick T. Hodges, here is his information:

Email: rick.hodges.writes@gmail.com

Blog: http://rickhodges.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6505831.Rick_T_Hodges

And you can purchase The Omega Option: Rise of Draconis for Kindle at Amazon, HERE!

Interview: Abby Slovin - Letters In Cardboard Boxes

Hello all.

Welcome to my very first Author Interview!

And I am so happy to announce the wonderful

Abby Slovin as my first experiment.

Oops, I meant participant. J

In this interview we chat about

Slovin’s debut novel, 

Letters In Cardboard Boxes.

We also discuss writers block

and Abby’s NEW PROJECTS!

Enter Giveaway HERE!!

Letters In Cardboard Boxes by Abby Slovin

Winner of the First Horizon Award for superior work by a debut writer, Letters In Cardboard Boxes tells the story of an eccentric grandmother and her granddaughter alongside a series of fantastical letters they once exchanged. Their letters once traversed the East River to help Parker escape the loneliness of a childhood without her globe-trekking parents and communicate during her turbulent teenage years. Now, nearly a decade later, Parker begins to rediscover the evidence of this letter writing tradition, as well as the family’s untold stories and, unexpectedly, letters from her grandmother’s own youth that paint a very different portrait of the woman who raised her.

Letters carries us through the universally-shared experience of loss and the process of coping with life’s unexpected twists and turns. Through unusual and bold characters, the story moves through some of its heavier themes with honesty and humor.

Abby Slovin was born in the summer of 1983 and lived in the same house on Long Island until attending the University of Michigan. She has a deep love for New York City, Brooklyn especially, where much of her family has its roots. She loves to spend time outdoors, travel, research family genealogy, and relax at home in Jersey City with her husband, Dominick and dog, Grumpy.

Ok, I am going to give this first question a shot. If you have been asked this before or just want to pass to next question, just let me know. Thanks so much again!

INTERVIEW

Q: Is "Letters in Cardboard Boxes" inspired by any of your own life experiences? If so, please explain.

          

A:  Letters In Cardboard Boxes is a completely fictional story, but was partially inspired by a personal moment in my own life. While I was cleaning out some of my grandmother’s possessions after she had passed away, I found letters she had exchanged with my grandfather during their courtship and was hit with a lot of emotion. In particular, guilt at not having known this part of her life, sadness for not being able to talk to her about it, but also a lot of happiness that these letters breathed life into someone I loved who was no longer around, and happiness that she had such joy in her life. I started imagining a story with this idea at its center — of finding remnants of a person’s life after they’ve passed — and organized a fictional story around it. I named the main characters after my grandparents simply because it felt good to hear their names spoken out loud again.

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        Q: I'd like to know more about Tanya. She turned into such a support system for Parker and she is just a teenager. Did you know when you put her into the book that she would be so essential to Parker, or did the relationship grow as the writing progressed for you?

         A: I'm pleased to hear that Tanya resonated with you. She's one of my favorite characters in the story, and definitely one of the most fun to write. As the basic structure for the story was developing, I knew I wanted Tanya to have an essential role in Parker's coping process, but as my writing progressed, this relationship also grew beyond what I had anticipated. I wanted to have Tanya portrayed as a person with solid character, a rock almost, like Dotty. And I wanted her to appear as an old soul despite her age (and I wanted that juxtaposition of her age versus her maturity to be clear). But, characters also have a way of taking on a life of their own as you write them. And I think the substance of Tanya, the real depth of her character and her importance to Parker, was something that I did not fully anticipate until the novel had wrapped up and I reread what I had written. Sometimes you can't anticipate what your characters will teach you until you read them in action with the story fully intact.

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Q: I know this is a common question, but do you ever get "writer's block"? If so, how do you overcome?

A: Of course. Writers block has always been a part of my process. The truth is, there are times when I just can't write. The inspiration just isn't there and everything I try to write sounds forced or overdone. When this happens, I step away. Give myself a little break from whatever pressures I'm feeling at the moment. I usually find that when I give myself some space, the block comes and goes. Sometimes it takes a few weeks or sometimes only a few hours, but I've found its important to let writers block take its course and try not to force the writing process. During that time, I like to listen to music or read a little more because typically the presence of either of these things will inspire me back into writing. No matter what, I think the most important thing is to not force the writing when writers block hits. Let it be, and have a little patience and the inspiration will come back.

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Q: What are you working on now or have planned for the future?

A. Right now, I'm moving forward with two new projects. The first, being released monthly on the Dunce Academy blog, is a humorous story about a recent college graduate searching for work (http://www.abbyslovin.com/jack-and-the-brick-wall/about-jack/ ). The other will be my next novel, called 10:15 on a Tuesday, tells the story of an unlikely friendship that develops between an upper-middle class widower and a psychic (http://www.abbyslovin.com/other-work/what-should-i-write-next/1015-on-a-tuesday/ ).

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            Q: What was the last book you read and how would you review/rate it?

A: The last book I read was The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I thought it was well-paced and interesting. Very plot-driven, in a good way. I love a good thriller every now and then. Something that keeps me turning the page. Overall, I thought it was a very good book.

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Thanks so much Abby for allowing me to interview you. You made my first interview fairly painless. :)