Interview with Author Khristina Chess

I would like to welcome Author Khristina Chess to reading For Fun.

1. If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future? Could you share where and why you chose this.

An interesting question because when I consider each possibility, I find myself thinking more about the cons of each scenario. Going into the past too far means losing modern conveniences like electricity, indoor plumbing, and running water, which I would rather not live without. But going into the future means uncertainty. What if it turns out to be a terrible dystopian future instead of something exciting and filled with coolness? Given the risk assessment, I would choose the minor inconveniences and choose the roaring twenties, which looks like a lot of fun in the show "Boardwalk Empire."

RFF: I think i would have to agree with you, plus the dresses were amazing. *girlie moment

2. If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose and why?

Do they have to be living? I will assume not and choose Jesus, John, Peter, Jesus' mother Mary, and Paul. I have a lot of questions. They have a lot of stories to tell. I would order both an appetizer and dessert.

RFF: That would be an interesting dinner and the questions they could answer.  I think I would want to be invited! 

3. If you were a superhero what would your name be?

Hypergirl. I tend to walk fast, type fast, talk fast... It's the caffeine.

RFF: Haha I need some of your energy. 

4. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

Bug spray, sunscreen, and a short-wave radio so I could call somebody to come pick me up.

RFF: That is a smart answer.  I was thinking my favorite book, water and now I realize my answers would leave me standed.  LOL 

5.Night owl, or early bird?

Definitely an early bird.

6.One food you would never eat?

I loathe peas.

On a more personal note
1. What is your favorite book quote and why?

I think this is a poem, not a bookmark. "Dilemma: I want to be famous so I can be humble about being famous. What good is my humility when I am stuck in this obscurity?" David Budbill

2. Who is your favorite author?

Steven King

3. What inspired you to become an author?

I started writing stories in elementary school, and they were horror stories like "The Demon of Deborah Devinski" and "The Doll" (which was evil. I'm pretty sure I wanted to be an author like Steven King, but at some point, I realized I was not a horror writer after all.

4. Do you have any advice for someone considering writing their first book?

Stop thinking and start writing. Write every day. You might surprise yourself.

5. What is one thing about yourself that you think would surprise us to know?

I decided to learn how to play piano as an adult, and I took 7 years of lessons. I don't play much anymore, but I did play every morning before work.

RFF: That sounds like it would be difficult to learn.   

6. Do you have any pets, if so how many and what are they?

A Maine Coon cat named Minnie. An Akita named Terra. Two Great Pyrenees named Charlie Brown and Katie. And seven anonymous goats.

RFF: Oh wow seven goats.  I like that, anonymous.  LOL 

7. Name one funny trait you have, that you would like others to know.

I can't stand to watch television series out of order. I have to start at the beginning and go through them in order through Netflix.

About your work
1. How many books have you written so far? What are their titles?

I have published 3 books. They are "Straight A's," "Hollow Beauty," and "Drive to June." I have written many other books that are bad and unpublishable. I had to learn somehow.

2. What genre do you write?

Young Adult Fiction, literary

3. Which of your books is your favorite and why?

"Straight A's." I wrote that book a lot of different ways before the final version that I published, so I spent a lot of time with the story and characters. It was my first to publish, too. That made it special for me.

4. What are you working on now?

It's another Young Adult novel. The titles change, so I won't give that, but it is about teen pregnancy. All of my books are about some issue, with a love story thrown in.

5. Do you get your inspiration for your books from real life or are they completely made up?

A mixture of both. When "real life," they might have been situations that a teen I know went through, rather than me. If I had all the problems that I've written about and plan to write about, I would need to be hospitalized.

6. Do you have a favorite character that you have written, if so what is it about that character that makes him/her your favorite?

Ian in "Drive to June." I like his dialog and cowboy boots.

I would like to thank Khristina for sharing her work and giving us a glimpse into her world. 

Link to Khristina's Books:

Amazon

Witch Hunter Olivia by T.A. Kunz

Witch Hunter Olivia by T.A. Kunz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started this book and could not put it down until I finished it. I absolutely loved the story and the characters were amazing, especilly a certain super sexy half warlock.

Olivia,an ex-witch hunter,leaves her old life and The Guild behind to start fresh with her best friend Tara. Easy, right? When Tara decides she wants to join a college sorority, Olivia finds herself caught in the middle of a sinister plot that leaves her no choice but to open up the doors she fought to close on her old life.

Olivia also has to rely on a half warlock for help, and not just any warlock. Heath, the one guy that makes her knees weak and that she shared a mind melting kiss with. The ignitable chemistry between Heath and Olivia made for an exciting read. When an author can make the sexual tension between characters steam up my kindle, I am like putty in their hands. One quote from Heath that sticks in my mind: "Well, first of all, making out with a girl is, to most guys, like talking for hours to get to know her better. The way a girl kisses you tells a lot about her. And your kiss, Liv, intrigues me."

The hillarious banter also found throughout the book had me in a fit of giggles on numerous occasions. I especially picture one scene in particular when Heath, Olivia and Tara find themselves in a sticky situation. Tara is mocking them while waving a vile she holds in her hand. Heath has an axe, Olivia has a crossbow and obviously Tara has a small glass vile. I still crack up when I read it. It may not have the same affect if you haven't read it (so read it,LOL), but here goes. "Don't worry, guys. We're safe because I still have my holy water." Anyways, I found it hillarious.

I will be continuing this series for sure. I think that T.A. Kunz has written a clever, witty and truly enjoyable story that will leave you begging for more.

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Girl Incredible by Patti Larsen

Girl Incredible by Patti Larsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kitten MacLean is such an endearing character. Her corky behavior and eccentric clothing make her a target for snickers and ridicule but Kit doesn't let it get her down. She smiles and sees only the good in people even when most people would shy away and hide. She has such a wonderful imagination and has created an alter ego that allows her to keep her sunny disposition while being one tough cookie. I love that about her.

Her inner strength and kindness just touched my heart. I even cried when she had to face some very challenging situations and a bully that made me want to scream. I think what made her such a lovable character is that she was relatable. I know most people, myself included, have had to face some sort of bullying and it allows you to empathize with her and cheer her on as she faces the sometimes cruel world around her.

A great young adult story, very well written and definitely one that should be shared.



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Casted by Sonya Loveday

Casted by Sonya Loveday
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have wanted to read this book since the first moment I set my eyes on the beautiful cover. Well let me tell you this book was amazing! I was hooked from the very first page and the story kept getting better and better. I love it when a story pulls you into the pages and becomes a part of you. I always feel so emotional when the characters go through something traumatic, almost like I am expreriencing it with them. That to me is a sign of a great book and Casted fits that description perfectly!

Jade is our leading lady who has been on the run ever since she can remember. Lucky for her she met Jessa and Rainy, two of the funniest friends that help keep her safe and give her a sense of belonging and family. Things get crazy when the leader of the Triads find Jade's location, sending the girls on the run. The group helping to protect Jade gets larger and a lot more yummy when Dagger and Edge join the group. The danger factor escaltes when Jade absorbs the spells from an ancient book and a woman trapped inside the book fights to be freed. There is so much more, but I honestly don't want to spoil the fun you will have uncovering each new piece to this astonishing story.

Casted is so well written and has a fresh and unique twist on witches and covens. I loved every second I spent reading this book, but when the end came I let a few choice words slip from my lips. The ending leaves you dying for more. Thank goodness I have Spelled, book 2 in the series. I have to know what happens next.

I highly recommend this book. Sonya Loveday rocks this book!

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My Serenity Release

First love never forgotten, My Serenity embraces your heart with dramatic emotions while leaving you satisfied with an amazing book hangover! Michele—Insane About Books

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When tragedy strikes, Seth Stewart is forced to return home after the death of his beloved father. The unexpected detour forces him to oversee the family’s auto shop and restaurant business, and Seth must kiss the prestigious internship goodbye after his first year at Berkeley Business School. When he collides with his first crush after his arrival, Seth wonders what possibly could have happened to Josefina Anders. 

Josefina has hidden many secrets she is too ashamed to share with anyone, especially Seth. When they cross paths again, the urge to relive their past lingers in her mind even though she knows he couldn’t accept her sketchy past. Things get even more complicated when her mother returns, as well as her overly possessive ex, who decides to crash into her fragile existence all over again. 

Will Seth’s connection for Josefina be strong enough to see past her secrets, or will he realize he can’t rekindle an old flame?

    “Are you nervous, Mr. Stewart?” She smirked. Her eyes were beaming playfully.

     “No, not at all.” My pitch came off higher than I had expected, and I was upset with myself. I had to fix that. “I mean—” I cleared my throat. Two can play at this game, I thought. I squared my shoulders and sat up tall. “So, Josefina Anders, let me ask you some questions before I decide if I want to hire you.”

     Her brows lifted, most likely wondering if I was being serious or joking. Dropping her crossed leg, she pulled the chair closer to the table. Josie pulled a piece of paper out of an envelope that I hadn’t seen a second ago, tucked away behind her back. She placed a resume on my desk. “Ask away.”

     “How long have you been a waitress?”

     “As long as I can remember. I got hired right after high school.” She pointed to her resume. “You can see that I’ve only worked at a few places, but I’m loyal and a good employee.”

     “You’ve been a waitress for a long time, Ms. Anders. Do you think you’ll ever get sick of it?”

     “Not if it means I get to see Mr. Stewart.” Her lips curled wickedly.

     “Do you wear thongs or granny panties?”

     Josie’s lips puckered, stopping herself from busting up. “Mostly thongs, but I’m not wearing anything under my skirt at the moment.”

     Holy shit! I was trying to make her blush, but this was backfiring. Ignoring her last words, though it was extremely difficult to do, since all I could do was envision her with her skirt off, I continued, “Do you like to be on top or bottom?”

     “I will be in whatever position pleases Mr. Stewart. I’m very flexible.”

This captivating story will forever leave its mark on your soul and your heart. A truly beautiful story that I cannot wait for everyone to read. This love story shows every princess needs a hero. And every hero needs a princess. It showed the good, the bad, and the ugly. And in the end love prevailed. Sammie--Sammie's Book Club, for book lovers

I need you to get the following supplies before even opening this read. Tissues (you're going to need them), favorite ice-cream, the DO NOT DISTURB SIGN FOR THE DOOR, your favorite blanket and comfy chair, leave a message on your cell phone saying "I am being entranced in a special moment at this time and cannot take your call" and last but not least your charger for your reading device (you so will not want to put this read down) DawnMarie--The Book Enthusiast

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly be even more amazed by the beautifully mesmerizing talent that is M. Clarke, she pulls the very breath from my lungs with a story that will twist the very core of your being while showing you what a real person and a true friend looks like. Amber--The Wonderings of One Person

My Serenity is by far the most emotional book by M. Clarke. It will leave a permanent mark on your heart. Diana--Books Beyond Fifty Shades

My Serenity is a story of love, passion, family, and friends. It will have you laughing, crying, and happy at the same time. It was so sweet! Another amazing story from M. Clarke. Brittany--Spare Time Book

First love never forgotten, My Serenity embraces your heart with dramatic emotions while leaving you satisfied with an amazing book hangover! Michele--Insane About Books

 International Bestselling Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed. 

  

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My Clarity is still $.99

Link to soundtrack:  http://amzn.to/1FLJ3vD

My Clarity

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Giveaway
http://bit.ly/1IU4q37 

How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes Book Blitz

How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes

(Falling in Deep Collection, #10)

Publication date: July 7th 2015

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

All Tara ever wanted was to be a mermaid.

So she takes a year off between high school and college to don a fake tail and tour aquariums across the country in a professional mermaid troupe.

Everything’s great until she meets a gorgeous real-life merman named Finn. Suddenly, what she thought was a dream turns out to be a nightmare — she’s turning into a mermaid herself. For real.

Yet when she returns to the sea to seek out Finn and reverse her transformation, she finds herself in the middle of an impending war between the land and sea. Tara may have always wanted to be a mermaid, but now it’s sink or swim. In order to survive, she has to learn how to be one, too.

***

Summer 2015, award-winning, and best-selling authors will bring you romantic tales of mermaids, sirens, sprites, and other creatures of the deep! Keep in touch as we reveal each title in our collection!

Links:

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Purchase Links:

 Amazon

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AUTHOR BIO:

Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books, like the fantasy mystery novel Death is but a Dream, the sci-fi middle grade book Jacob Smith is Incredibly Average, and the Her Wolf paranormal series.

She works as an advertising copywriter during the day, and she moonlights as an author. She has lived in New Zealand, Texas, and now in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.

You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she'll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.

Author links:

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 Excerpt 

“What is this?” a rough, intense voice demanded.
I swam out of unconsciousness, an uncomfortable experience that revealed my entire body aching, my head most of all. It was so dark, and a strange feeling had overtaken my body. Like I was floating. I tried touching a hand to my head, only to find that I couldn't.
What the-?
My hands were tied behind my back with what felt like...kelp?
The realization hit me and I thrashed about trying to free myself, and I finally opened my eyes.
I paused for a moment, unable to grasp exactly where I was.
I was...underwater?
Air bubbles popped out of my mouth in a flurry when a scream escaped my throat. A thousand thoughts filled my head, none of them making sense except for the overwhelming dread that I was somehow underwater with my hands tied behind my back. From what I could tell, there was no way I could get air to breathe. I'd lost a lot of air when I screamed.
Oh my god, I was going to drown.
My mermaid necklace was thrust in front of my vision, momentarily disorienting me.
“What is this? I demand you to tell me now!”
“What?” I asked out loud. A sharp pain zigzagged across my head from where I'd hit it on the rock. I was trapped underwater and this man wanted to know...what exactly? What my necklace was?
The necklace came even closer to my face, so much that I'd have to go cross-eyed in order to focus on it.
“Where did you get this? What is it?” the man demanded.
“It's my...” I was unsure and still terrified of my situation. “It's my necklace.”

Blitz Wide Giveaway (open INTL)

A mermaid care package to help you be the best mermaid:

A signed copy of How to be a Mermaid

Tara's necklace

Two Mermaid Mix soaks

A mermaid mirror compact

Six starfish hairpins

A mermaid wallet

Mermaid perfume

Mermaid Tail Nail Polish

A mermaid makeup bag

Four Little Mermaid Buttons

And one mermaid handbag to carry all your dinglehoppers

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Cover reveal: Defects by @RealSarahNoffke

Defects - The Reverian Series (Book One):

In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities.

Em is a Defect—one of the unfortunate Dream Travelers not gifted with a psychic power. Desperate to do whatever it takes to earn her gift, she endures painful daily injections along with commands from her overbearing, loveless father. One of the few bright spots in her life is the return of a friend she had thought dead—but with his return comes the knowledge of a shocking, unforgivable truth. The society Em thought was protecting her has actually been betraying her, but she has no idea how to break away from its authority without hurting everyone she loves.

Links:

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Smash Mouth's Release Blitz

I could not be more excited to feature this new release! Who hasn't rocked out to the music of Smash Mouth?! Now you can go behind the music with a band that carried the spirit of a generation in Walkin' on the Sun; The Official Smash Mouth Biography. 

Blurb: 

Hello. My name is Paul DeLisle. I’m the guy who wrote this book. You've probably never heard of me. That's okay. Most people wouldn't know me from Adam. But, unless you've been living in a cloistered monastery for the last fifteen years, you have heard of my band.

So begins the memoir of the creation, rise, and current state of the multi-platinum recording artist Smash Mouth as told by bassist Paul DeLisle. Well known for their hits “All Star,” “Walking on the Sun,” “Then the Morning Comes,” “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” and “I’m a Believer,” the band carried the spirit of a generation, but didn't stop there. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look from Paul’s unique, there from the start, insider’s view.

Excerpt:

There's an episode of Cheers where washed-up ball player Sam Malone, frustrated with either Diane or Rebecca, proclaims, "Y'know, most people don't know this ... but I’m famous!"

I love that line. I can totally relate. You see, I am a founding and continued member of the band Smash Mouth. Yet I am, proudly and alas, the bass player. I’m not famous. My band is.

From the beginning, Smash Mouth was set up as a democracy between four musicians and a manager, each player having an equal voice on band matters. Yet we were all fully aware and accepting of the fact that, as lead singer/frontman, Steve Harwell would be getting a disproportionate amount of attention. Seeing as he is the face and mouthpiece of Smash Mouth, you may be a little disappointed he didn't write this book.

But stay with me here. Because as you'll see, I have a unique vantage point: as one of only four original constituents, I’ve been involved in every aspect of the band since day one. Only Steve and I have trod every step of this Smash Mouth journey. Also, while traditionally under-recognized, the bass player himself sees everything. Plus I went to college. Who better to write a book about Smash Mouth?

That said, keep in mind this book is solely from my point of view. Steve, Greg, Kevin, and Robert would obviously have different takes on certain events. However, this book is simply intended as a comprehensive account of our rise to fame and continued success.

So without further ado ... here’s what happened:

EEP!!! How awesome is that! Pick up your copy of Walkin' on the Sun today and get your own "backstage pass" to the world of Smash Mouth! 

Buy Links: 

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