Giveaway and Author Interview: Hailey Edwards

I'm excited to have Hailey Edwards here today! Her newest novel A Hint of Frost just released yesterday (You can see my review HERE). Hailey has been kind enough to do a lovely interview and a giveaway! Yay!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Tower of Books: After reading A Hint of Frost it is very apparent to me that you 'get' how to write Romance. What do you think makes a Romance novel hard to put down?

Hailey Edwards: Sexual tension! I love tight, complicated plots, but I can find those in other genres. What sets romance apart (for me) are the novels with intricate plots and the will they/won’t they tug of war as the hero and heroine find their way to each other.

My Tower of Books: How do you keep the physical and emotional tension going throughout the story?

Hailey: It’s difficult to balance plot/action and romance. I like throw my hero and heroine into situations where they have to rely on one another, which leads to touching and trusting and a heightened sense of anticipation for what might happen once the danger has passed.

MToB: What is your favorite male type of character to write? Sensitive? Alpha? Do tell :)

Hailey: I love reluctant heroes. Grumpy, gruff and sporting an alpha streak? Sign me up, please!

MToB: I loved the world-building you did in A Hint of Frost. How did that idea get started and how long had this story been bouncing around in your head?


Hailey: Thank you! Frost got started when I was kicking around ideas for a different kind of predator. I love vampires, but I wanted something more unique. I was looking for a hero with fangs, and I found one in Rhys. Each Araneae clan is based on a real spider family, so their traits are true to that family. It makes for interesting variety, and it also made for weeks of research before I began writing. I had the idea for Frost in mind for about six months before I had the time in my schedule to write it. I’m so glad I made that time. I really love that world and hope to spend a lot of time there in the future.

MToB: I'm assuming that you enjoy reading Romance novels. What are some of your favorites?

Hailey: I love romance novels. I primarily read fantasy and paranormal romance. I love urban fantasy with romantic elements too. Some of my favorite series are Robin D. Owens’s HeartMate series, Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld, Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark (which is my favorite series running now), and I just started reading Dying Bites by DD Barant.

MToB: I always find it fascinating to see how different authors get their writing done. Where is the most common place you can be found writing? Recliner? Desk? Crouched over your laptop on the subway? Outdoors?

Hailey: My husband calls me a cave dweller, because I call my office my writer’s cave. I’m a stay at home mom, so my whole writing life is in my office. I can’t seem to write outside of it. While I’ll jot down notes or bits of dialogue when I’m on the road or outside, I only write at my desk.

MToB: If you could be any type of paranormal being (Vampire, Dragon, Werewolf, Ghost, Etc) which, if any, would you choose?

Hailey: I would be a dragon in a heartbeat. I would have purple scales, silver claws, turquoise wings…

MToB: Let me change up that last question a little bit :) Which paranormal being would you choose as your mate?


Hailey: Hmm. That one’s tougher. I think I’d have to go with a werewolf. I’m all about the fated mates.

MToB: These next few questions have nothing to do with the written word :)

What's your:

Favorite item of clothing? I love my ratty gray knit jacket.

Favorite food? Pulled Pork. BBQ is an addiction.

Coffee or Tea? Coffee.

Beach or mountains? Beach.

Favorite way to travel? By train or car, I like to watch the miles go by.

Celebrity crush? Johnny Depp.

Favorite movie? Any version of Pride and Prejudice will do, but I love the Colin Firth version best.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To connect with Hailey check out her Website, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

To find out more about her new novel, A Hint of Frost, check out Amazon, B&N or Goodreads.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now time for the GIVEAWAY!

 April 18-24


To enter: All you have to do is leave a comment :) Just be sure to put your name and e-mail so we can contact you.

The prize: The winner will have their choice of one of the following books in any digital format. (Click the image to read more about the title.) The winner will be chosen using Random.org. 

Everlong (Daughters of Askara #1)

Evermine (Daughters of Askara #2)

eARC of Eversworn (Daughters of Askara #3)

Good luck, everyone!

Author Interview: James Fryar (Patrick Patterson and the World of Others)

I'm so glad to have the Author of Patrick Patterson and the World of Others on my blog today! James Fryar has created an imaginative world within his book that captures your attention. You can see my review here. I was excited to hear the answers to a few questions that had formed in my head while reading. Thanks for humoring me, James!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Tower of Books: First of all, I loved your book. I know this is kind of standard as far as questions go, but how did the idea for Patrick Patterson and the World of Others pop into your head?

James: First, let me say that I'm very happy that you enjoyed it!

It's hard to say how the idea initially popped into my head; I don't know that I can remember a specific time or place that I first thought of it. All I know is that for as long as I can remember, I've had a particular scene in my head. I won't reveal anything, but it's the scene where Patrick is attacked at school. I was just intrigued by the implications of what it could mean. Something that simple--Patrick Patterson is attacked by a mysterious person--becomes a host of interesting questions. Why is Patrick being attacked? Who is the mysterious attacker? Where are they all from? And it goes on and on. From there, I built out in either direction and very soon, I realized that I had more than one book.

My Tower of Books: What inspired the science fiction aspects of book?

James:Well, I've always been intrigued by space. I'm no science expert, but I've always had very deep feelings of awe when reading about the breadth of space. There's a sense of something mythical when you just sit and stare at the night sky. It's literally breathtaking. You suddenly feel very small. I wanted to communicate that feeling in my book.

MToB: Some of the characters in this book seem to me that they could possibly be based off of personalities that you have encountered in real life. Am I right? and is it fun to translate them from life to the pages of your book?

James: Truth be told, there were only two characters (I won't say which two) that were based on specific, real people. That was fun to do. All the other characters
were, I'm sure, shades of real people I've encountered. It's impossible for my
subconscious to not filter through my writing.

MToB: I'm fully expecting many more books in this series and more adventures for Patrick. How is the next book coming along

James: It's coming along very well, Thank You! This story will be a trilogy. Perhaps there will be room for other adventures in the future, but this particular story arc is planned for three books. As I previously said, I quickly realized that I was really writing more than one book. This is so true. Before I'd even finished The World of Others, I was already working on the second and third book. It's very gratifying to have a perfectly clear picture of where you're going and I'm excited to have others eventually read it!

MToB: I ask a lot of people this next question out of curiousity. Do you have a favorite place to write or do you just fit it in whenever you can?

James: Typically, I enjoy writing in coffee shops or bookstores, but I can really work just about anywhere if I have the right music in my ears. It's really the music that affects me more than the location. 9 times out of 10 I'll be listening to a band called Sigur Ros while I write. They're an incredible band from Iceland, unlike anything else I've ever heard. Very ethereal music; it just takes you to another world. Check 'em out if you haven't heard of them!

MToB: When you aren't writing what are some things you enjoy spending your time on?

James: It sounds cliche, being a writer, but I love to read. Anything that intrigues me--nonfiction, thrillers, YA, grand fantasy--I'll check out. As long as it's well-written, I'll read it. I'm a big cinephile, too. I love movies. My film tastes are very eclectic, just like my book choices: Gone With The Wind, The Godfather, Avatar. As long as it's a well-told story, I'm on board. I'm a big foodie as well and love to try new and unusual foods and restaurants. And my wife and I travel as much as we can. My goal is to see the entire world before I die. There's a big world out there and I aim to see it all.

It's all about stories with me, whether you tell it through books, film, food, or youcreate your own with the life you lead. Saint Augustine said something like, "The world is like a book and those that don't travel, read only one page."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To connect with James check him out on Twitter.

You can find out more about Patrick Patterson and the World of Others on Amazon or B&N.

Giveaway and Interview: James A. West, author of The God King

About the Author:
When James was thirteen years old he read The Talisman, by Stephen King, and a seed of an idea was planted that someday he, too, wanted to create different worlds and realities. After a stint in the US Army, a year as a long-haul truck driver, and a couple as a log home builder, he enrolled at the University of Montana. There, he majored in Psychology and, by chance, took a creative writing course that allowed him to revisit that idea of writing. Words started to flow, and worlds were born. After college, he started a small woodworking business with the express purpose of using it to fund his writing journey. James lives in Montana with his wife and his bodyguard, a Mini-Schnauzer named Jonesy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Tower of Books: I am excited to have the author of The God King, James West here on my blog today! I'm only about halfway through his book right now (review to come, of course), but I can already tell you it's amazing. He is a great writer, and I will be looking for more of his books in the future.

Moving on :-) James has been so kind as to answer a few questions. So, here we go!

First off, how many story ideas do you have bouncing around in your head right now?

James West: Let me start by saying that I am extremely grateful to you for setting up this interview, and that your questions are awesome!

Now, as for number of story ideas in my head, the short answer is too many. For as long as I can remember, “what if” ideas just pop into my head without any conscious effort. When I begin a new project, I have to force myself to disregard most ideas, which keeps my writing from jumping
all over the place. When a given project is done, I let the ideas flow again. Luckily, they always do. I guess you could say I listen to the voices inside my head!

My Tower of Books: What sort of things inspire you? Music, nature, reading, life in general?

James West: Life, historical or present, is my go-to motivation. One thing I have learned through studying history and observing present life is that humanity, given enough time, always seems to come back around to the same kind of actions. The technology might change, but our motivations really don’t seem to. Music is an interesting choice, as well, because I use it as both a tool and inspiration. It allows me to capture a given mood, which I then transfer to my writing.

MToB: Is Fantasy the genre you read most often? What are you reading right now?

James: While I predominately write fantasy, I rarely read it. When I first started writing in earnest—and I suppose it probably holds true even now—one bit of advice was to read the genre in which you wrote. In following that, I felt that my creativity was stifled, and I inevitably ended up with a variation on a theme.

As to what I am reading now, suffice it to say with the advent of the eReader, I have started reading genres I never would have considered before. While I still enjoy a lot of my favorite bestsellers, I really like indie authors, because in them I feel that the reader has a better chance of being exposed to unique perspectives.

MToB: When did you realize that writing was not just something you wanted to do, but something you were good at?

James: That is a tough one. The short answer is when I took a creative writing class in college. To me I was just a face in the crowd, but then my wife, who specializes in a completely different field, told me about a work-study student in her lab who literally freaked out when he found out she was married to me. Apparently he was extremely excited by just about everything I wrote. Now, having said that, I have never considered myself a good writer, only adequate. That is as high as I will ever consider myself, because after I finish a story, I still see all the warts and blemishes, and I know where I failed to put into words what I saw in my head and felt in my heart. Besides that, if I doubt my skill, then it forces me to strive to do better the next time. If I ever get to where I think I am a great writer, I am pretty sure that will be when my writing goes downhill.

MToB: Are you an outlining kind of author? Or do you just go with the flow?

James: I would say it is a mixed bag. I usually do a rough outline, with the bullet points serving as guideposts. This may sound clichéd, but for me the story always ends up taking over. Past experience has taught me to keep a light but steady hand on the reins. If I give the story its head, it will gallop off, and those separate bullet points have the potential of becoming stories all by themselves. If I am too firm, my writing loses vitality, color, becomes formulaic.

MToB: What can somebody expect when they read your book, The God King?

James: When I started this project, I was looking into the dark ages which, I discovered, tends to be dark in the sense that there is little known about them. Simply put, when a dark age falls, survival becomes key, trumping all else—when you need food and shelter, there is little time or effort spent chronicling day to day experiences.

In The God King, the end of the world starts unfolding from the outset, when a power never meant for mortal hands is unleashed upon the world of men. In this, you could actually consider The God King a prequel. My intention is to let the effects of this power, coupled with human motivations and the need to survive another day, flavor everything else that I write in this world.

With all that said, I don’t know about expectations, but I definitely hope readers discover a new, gripping, and fast-paced fantasy realm. Naturally there are fantasy elements in The God King, but I purposefully veered away from elves, dwarves, wizards, and unlikely/reluctant heroes that save the day at the last possible moment. Neither is my novel set in mediaeval Europe, but rather moves between vast swamps and expansive deserts, all of which are being torn apart by celestial and terrestrial forces. Without question, The God King sets up a world falling into darkness, but in that gloom there is and always will be points of light and hope.

MToB: Do you have fun writing the villains in your stories?

James: I try not to, but I really do.

MToB: What are your hobbies, besides writing?

James: I like studying history, because it gives me an idea where we are going. I know it has been said before, but there is nothing new under the sun, and history really does repeat itself. Depending on where a given society is at the moment, and of course your personal outlook, that can be scary or exciting. As for traditional hobbies, I have lived the majority of my life in a rural setting, so I enjoy all the usual outdoorsy stuff. My wife and I like to fly-fish together, and we like to take Jonesy, our Mini-Schnauzer, with us. He is so funny. He likes to dig up the spiders that hide under the rocks on the river bank. I also have a woodshop, from which I used to make my
living. I have since decided that it serves me better as a hobby, rather than a business. My wife likes it because she gets a houseful of furniture for free!

MToB: James, thanks again for taking the time to answer these questions!

To connect with James A. West check him out on his

Webpage (http://jamesawest.blogspot.com) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/jwestbooks).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for the Giveaway!

James West has been so gracious and has given me ten (TEN) eBook copies of The God King to give away to my wonderful readers! I can vouch that this is a great find and will make a lovely addition to your digital library.

The Rules:

This is an easy one! The first 10 people to comment on this post will receive a copy of The God King in the eBook format of their choice. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address in your comment. See, very simple :-)

Alright, comment away, everyone!

Blogger Interview With . . . Me :-)

I'm a featured blogger over at Heidi Ruby Miller's blog today! She is the author of Ambasadora (see my Review) and an all around nice person. Head over to her blog, Just a Girl to see my (first) interview! :-)

Inane Interview with Chrystalla Thoma

About the Author:
Greek Cypriot with a penchant for dark myths and good food. She has proven her tendency to settle down anywhere but at home by having lived and studied in France, England, Germany and Costa Rica, before returning to Cyprus two years ago.

She likes to write about fantastical creatures, crazy adventures, and family bonds. She lives in Cyprus with her husband and her vast herds of books.

Rex Rising, the first book in her YA science fiction series, Elei's Chronicles, is already available. She is currently working on the next installment. (My review of Rex Rising can be found HERE)

My Tower of Books: What would I find in your refrigerator right now? (Please do not look in mine)

Chrystalla: *cautiously opens fridge, knife in hand* I have black olives from Kalamata, Greece, (the best olives in the world!), dark bread, white wine, lots of greens for salad and goat cheese. I also see a pen I must have dropped while rummaging inside while simultaneously taking notes about a story, and Saruman weaving evil spells. No, really! (remind me to stop taking those pills...)

MToB: Let's say you're on vacation. Where are you and what does your ideal day there look like?

Chrystalla: Okay, let me close my eyes and visualize this... I am definitely by the sea, which I adore, on a Greek island, with all those white houses and terraces stretching over the blue (not going to the edge, though, because I’m afraid of heights, so sue me). I am sitting at a table sipping my coffee and jotting notes in my notebook about a story. That also gives me a perfectly good excuse to stare at any hunk passing by, for “research purposes”. Yeah. :)

MToB: What is your favorite item of clothing? You know . . . the one that you wear the second it's clean.

Chrystalla: I have a black blouse with tassels on the hem and a logo in gray that says “Always on the Road”. I just love it.

MToB: If there was a movie about your life, who would you choose to play you?

Chrystalla: Eva Green. I mean, I look nothing like her, she’s gorgeous! But she is so mysterious, she looks like she stepped out of a fairytale. I loved her in Kingdom of Heaven and the Golden Compass. Definitely her.


MToB: Let's talk shoes. Flats or heels?

Chrystalla: Flat, definitely. Converse All Star are my favorite ones. I’m a sportive kinda gal.

MToB: It's obvious that your book, Rex Rising, is the product of a creative mind. Do you have any other creative outlets besides writing?

Chrystalla: Cooking! I love creating my own recipes and experimenting on my long-suffering, wonderful husband and hapless guests. When I find the time, I love to draw and paint and do pottery.

Thanks so much to Chrystalla for being such a good sport with all this! It was great working with you :-)

You can connect with Chrystalla via her Blog or Twitter.