Interview with Untold Press

NRR: I would like to start off and thank you Jen and Sean for taking the time to join us! Can you tell us a little bit about Untold Press?

Jen & Sean: Thanks so much for having us today!

We are small independent publisher based out of Florida. We’re the new kids on the block, only starting up a year ago. To date we have published 10 titles in fantasy/ paranormal genres.

Untold Press takes care of all editing, proofreading, covers, formatting, publishing  and helps with reviews and marketing. We do not charge our authors anything, and all receive royalties for their work. We pride ourselves on being available, supportive and helpful to our authors, answering any questions, and guiding them in what happens after the story is written.

NRR: What made you two decide a career path in publishing?

Jen & Sean: Both of us are authors and over time decided we wanted to have the freedom of publishing our own books. Since we found we work exceptionally well together, we decided to form Untold Press.

NRR: Currently self-published authors are a huge success with readers. How do you feel the publishing world can better their careers?

Jen & Sean: Self published authors are changing the face of the publishing industry itself. It is a constantly growing and evolving change as well. Even over the past year, the stigma of being self published has virtually disappeared. The problem is not everyone is capable of publishing their own book. From start to finish it is a long process of editing, cover art, formatting, uploading, and marketing. Not everyone can do every aspect of it, or have the resources to hire these tasks in. This is where the small publisher comes into play.

NRR: What advice can you give to writers looking to break into the publishing world?

Sean:  I've been asked this questions more times than I can count. My answer has never changed. It's simple. NEVER give up. The publishing industry is right up there with the music industry in terms of talent versus achieving your goals. You will be turned down, ignored, and rejected on a daily basis. Don't take it personally, it's just the nature of the business. But I can promise you this, once you do hold your book in your hand for the first time, you'd go back and do it all over again. It's worth it.

Jen: I agree with Sean’s ‘Don’t give up’ and add ‘Do your Research’. Writing the story is only the first part. Once you finish that (and please do, before you look for a publisher), you need to learn how to edit and revise. Beta readers can help, and there are also thousands of websites and articles on how to make your story better. Make friends with authors and other aspiring authors, build your platform (facebook, twitter etc) and learn. It’s good to start from the beginning, because you won’t ever stop.

NRR: Okay, can you share with us what a day in the life of a publisher is like?

Sean: Step one, coffee. That comes even before the wake up part. Must be caffeinated to properly start the day. Then it's wake up, get kids to school, do day job, come home, work on the ten million things waiting for you to get them done. Blogs, social networking, pumping the books. Then it's either cover art, editing, or writing. It's a never ending, coffee-fueled roller coaster ride of words that I wouldn't give up for anything.

Jen: Coffee. Get kids to school. Coffee. Go through all the various email accounts and sort and answer them. Make to do lists Coffee. Update websites, blogs. Facebook and twitter about books.  Coffee. Browse web for anything new in writing, editing, publishing, marketing. Watch for new reviewers or sites to promote books. Make lists. Coffee. Continue answering emails and messages. Depending on project: write, edit, proofread, or read submissions. Make more lists. Do stuff on lists. Plan tours, giveaways, contests or other promotion/marketing. Get kids, do homework, dinner and cuddles and put to bed. Continue promoting, editing, writing, marketing. Coke. Work until eyeballs melt. Make more lists. Rinse and repeat.

NRR: Do you remember the first book you read that knocked your socks off?

Sean: Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Riders of Pern. I don't even remember how or where I received it. From the first page I was hooked and fell in love with reading. That was the book that made me want to be an author. That was the book that made me want to be a publisher. It started it all for me.

Jen: I started reading a really early age, and honestly can’t remember the exact book. When I was quite young, Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series had me seriously hooked. I have still have them all. Coincidently, my first fantasy books were also Pern novels, as well as Mercedes Lackey’s The Last Herald Mage. I thank my mother every day for introducing me to fantasy. Those stories blew my mind and fantasy continues to be my favorite genre to read.

NRR: What would you say is the best part of your job?

Sean:  Working with my partner.

The second best part of my job is the reaction from our authors, whether it be when they get their contract, see their eBook on amazon for the first time, or the sound of their squeees when they get their shipment of books.

Jen: Of course working with Sean all day and night J Being in Canada, and him in Florida, we make wonderful use of gmail chat, fb messages, emails and texting. I think we talk more than most couples. I can’t put into words the joy of having a partner who is my best friend and has the same goals and love of reading and writing.

Second is the same answer, seeing the joy, the squees and bounces and happy dances of authors getting their first offer of a contract. There’s nothing quite like it.

NRR: What do you see in the future for Untold Press?

World Domination.

Or at least most of North America and parts of Europe.

Eventually we'd like to own a LARGE, independently owned bookstore. That sells coffee. Good coffee. In the center of this store will be an open office. In this office you will find Jen and I, writing our books, publishing books, editing books, and we will be happy as we command our hordes of minions from this office-in-a-bookstore as we conquer the remaining, less civilized, portions of the world.

Until that dream comes true, we will be growing slowly, putting out the best of the world’s untold stories.

 

Website: http://untoldpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Untold-Press/332870626753973

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UntoldPress   @untoldpress

Own the Wind Tour! Review and Interview with Tack and Shy!

Tabitha Allen has a not-so-secret crush on Parker "Shy" Cage. Shy thinks he knows the path Tabby's on and it isn't a good one. So he decides to teach her a lesson to lead her to the right path.

Unfortunately, he was wrong and his actions wound Tabby, breaking her heart. It's Tabby who then teaches Shy a lesson about casting judgment and Shy Cage learns what it feels like to be invisible. But when tragedy strikes and Tabby's heart is broken again, Shy does what he can in the background to help. Trying to forget her heartbreak, Tabby finds herself in danger. To keep it secret from her biker family, the Chaos Motorcycle Club, she calls Shy to rescue her. But when she lets him back in, she gets much more than she bargained for.

Review by Karia
5 HUGE HOOTS!!

Tethered

Alone

Brothers

Inside

Taken

Home

Accompanied

Seasoned

Honor

Yang

All of these words describe Tabitha and Shy…but also this book. Tethered came to mind over and over again. Linked in a way that was physical, emotional, spiritual. They were tethered to family. They were tethered to the life. And inexplicably, they were tethered to each other. Just like that ball at the end of the rope, the game between Tabby and Shy had its highs and its lows. Sometimes the tether was stretched to it max and other times one would take up the slack and ease the way for the other. I loved their friendship, I adored their care of each other and I ached with a longing for them to find peace.

While I am giving no spoilers, I must comment that after reading the working chapters long before I received the book, I kept humming a song that I associated with Shy. “Don’t you worry, don’t you worry child…see heaven has a plan for you.” The plan for Shy was to become a brother, a Chaos brother. His journey on his path was hard, but with the brothers at his back, I knew even in Motorcycle Man (MM) that he was going to make it.

The tether that holds Tabby and Shy was family. Both Tabby and Shy had family, but from MM we know that Tab’s family was not nuclear. We learn throughout the book, Shy too has family and that his definition encompasses Tab. From the working chapters, “He wasn't her family. But she was his.” My heart literally shattered! Shy was a man who put aside his needs and focused on his family….Family described as his brothers, his friends, his lovers. He is not made of stone, but of flesh and blood. And that blood flows for his family.

As the tether ball slowed and wound its way around the pole, the story too had a flow that moved me, made me smile and yet had me excited for when the ball was going to get thrown again. Tethered tight, sore it did! The anchor of any good story are the characters and Ms Ashley writes some of the best! I loved Elvira in this story and some of the Chaos guys gave me secret smiles of the books to come. And Hop and Lanie up next makes me VERY HAPPY! You will not be disappointed by this new series!

And, a shout out for Kristen Ashley and Grand Central Publishing! Kristen has so many amazing stories already written (many reviewed here) and now with the distribution of GCP even more readers will have the opportunity to take a ride on the KAddict road. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Interview with Tack and Shy!!

 

NRR: First I would like to thank you guys for taking time for this interview! Our viewers love you guys and we are excited to have this opportunity.

 

Tack: Nice to be asked, darlin’.

[Shy just smiles and lifts chin]

 

So, to get started (because I am trying not to ramble because Good God these guys are HOTT) how did you guys get your nick names? Because to be honest you don't look like a plain ole Tack or a simple Shy...( oh boy, I did not just say THAT!)

 

Shy: Boys in Chaos gave me mine ‘cause I wasn’t exactly shy when it came the fairer sex.

 

Tack [shaking head and looking at Shy, grinning, then to Lenore and Brandi]: Got mine as a kid. Came from my folks sayin’ I was sharp as a tack.

 

 

NRR: So, your bud Kristen decided to write about you guys finding your HEA's. How has it impacted your lives and did you read them?

 

Tack: Don’t spend a lot of time readin’, babe. But Tyra read it. Heard her cacklin’ through it. Said it was a lot funnier reading it than living it. Can’t say it’s really impacted our lives, seein’ as we’re of a kind that just keeps on keepin’ on no matter what. But just sayin’, me and Red, we’re real happy that Kit had a hit with our story. She works hard. But I figure it ended pretty good so might as well share the wealth.

 

Shy: Like Tack, haven’t read it, but Tab’s read me parts. Particular parts. She doesn’t usually get through ‘em though before I interrupt her. We’re just hopin’ people like it as much as Tack and Cherry’s story.

 

 

NRR: Shy, can you share with us what went thru your mind when you came to realize your feelings for Tabby? Being she is the princess of the Chaos MC I am sure you had many concerns to having a relationship with her. ( Oh my...he has the greenest eyes I have ever seen!)

 

Shy: Think I was more worried about where her head was at, seein’ as she wasn’t real good with expressin’ that and we had some serious shit to get through. But, I reckon, I always knew there was a lot to get for whatever guy got Tab. And I knew I’d be lucky if she gave that to me. So it would be worth goin’ through whatever shit I had to go through to get it. I’d take her any way she came. [grins] Just glad I got all of her.

 

NRR: Tack, everyone knows you have done right by the club since you have become president. How long do you plan to keep the reigns?

 

Tack: Shit gets stagnant, a leader doesn’t change. You gotta have fresh blood, fresh ideas. You can ask for input but that don’t mean the leader isn’t gonna make the same kinds of decisions. But, sayin’ all that, we got a situation right now and we need experience with a mind to history at the helm to guide us through. Once that happens, though, I’ll be wantin’ my time and attention to shift to my woman and my boys. The boys’re gettin’ older. They need their Dad. Tab and Rush, they had a Dad with a mission and a Mom who was a bitch. I gave them the best I had to give. But, if I can, I wanna learn from that and give Ride and Cut more of me, if I got the chance.

 

NRR: Since you guys are so busy with the shop and the MC, when you get free time what do you like to spend it doing? (A blush has just flooded my face because if they answer this the way I think they will I am going to fall off this chair from a heat stroke!)

 

Tack: I think the answer is best left to your imagination, darlin’. Just sayin’, [smiles] whatever you dream up, it’ll be better in reality.

 

Shy [smiling big]: And, babe, I’m thinkin’ maybe I shouldn’t answer that in front of my woman’s Dad.

 

 

NRR: Shy, what is one thing you would like to warn readers about before reading Own the Wind?

 

Shy: Don’t do what I did: misjudge Tab by what happened to her years ago. Heard word a lot of readers thought she’d be wild, uncontrolled and get into trouble. That’s not my girl. My girl’s the first of those in a good way, but she’s got a lot more to her. A helluva lot more.

 

 

NRR: I heard next up we get Hop's story! How are Hop and the rest of the brothers?

 

Tack [slowly smiling]: Hop’s doin’ real good. Lanie’s doin’ real, real good. The brothers are holdin’ on, livin’, raisin’ hell… [his smile dies] but preparin’ for what’s to come.

 

NRR: Well, that's all guys! Thanks again for sitting down with me for this interview and one more thing...I have never been on a motorcycle, but I am feeling a little brave right now. You think someone around here will give me a lift?

 

Shy: You pick…

 

Tack [to Shy]: Or… better… we’ll take turns.

 

Shy [to Brandi]: Right then, babe. Hop on.

 

Interview with Joanne Wadsworth

NRR: Hi Joanne! Thank you for taking the time to join us! Could you share with us what inspired you to write Protector?

 Hi, thank you so much for this opportunity. I’m thrilled to be here. With Protector I was focused on writing a young adult novel that I hadn’t yet seen on the market. I began writing full-time in 2009 and Protector was the first book I completed. Over the next two years I worked hard at my learning my craft, and in 2011 with my skills on the rise, I decided it was time to return to the characters who’d stolen my heart from the very beginning. My only problem was it needed a complete rewrite. So, I set to work, and after five months was grinning proudly with my completed novel in my hands. I’m so excited for Protector’s release. As my debut, it feels like I’ve waited forever to share it.





NRR: What are your top three reasons for writing in the fantasy genre?

 1) Fantasy is incredibly refreshing to write. Then adding in the young adult genre allows me to take readers into that time where there is first-love and self-discovery.

2) I love world-building as well. There is nothing quite like weaving a story where imagination and magic soar.

3) The characters are definitely more cunning. The fantasy realm allows their personalities to shine in inspiring ways.



NRR: What would you say is the most challenging part of the writing process?

 The rewrites—there were so many of them. I didn’t realize how long it would take me to perfect every single sentence. But the end result is amazing. That’s when you sit back and sigh with delight.



NRR: Do you ever take real qualities of people close to you to craft your characters?

 Yes. In Protector, my heroine’s best friend looks like my younger sister. I just love her red-gold spiral curls and lively temperament. My sister’s read the book, and she’s laid claim to the best friend’s likeness being to her.



NRR: What is your guilty pleasure?

 Oh yeah, three things immediately popped into my head with that question. I’d say opening up a new bar of creamy chocolate, while relaxing in a bath, with Nalini Singh’s newest paranormal romance.

NRR: What specific element do you think pushes Protector over the edge?

 My heroine is a young Earth woman who discovers not all goes to plan when being soul-bound to a prince from another world. There is fast-paced intrigue which will keep young adult romance readers turning the pages.



NRR: What is one thing you want to caution readers before reading Protector?

 Be prepared for a feisty heroine with cheeky one-liners. Although, there’s nothing truly to caution. This book is suitable for all teens and adults alike.



NRR: What is next in the works for you?

 There is a lot more to come with Protector being the first book in the Magio-Earth series. “Warrior” is book two and is the adventure of Silas and Hope, one which I’m working hard to get to readers now.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I thoroughly enjoyed being here.

Interview with Nerine Dorman

NRR: Hi Nerine! Thank you for taking the time to stop by for an interview!! Can you share with us how you were inspired to write Inkarna?

As with most of my stories, Inkarna came into being when the borders between the waking and dream worlds blurred and weakened. The novel itself grew out of the death of two men. One was a stranger, but his music inspired me. The other was a dear friend and mentor. About a week before I flew up to Joburg for my friend's funeral, I'd started nurturing a spark of an idea for a story which, in turn, had grown from a dream I'd had round about the time the musician had died in April of that year. As I stood there on the banks of a Crocodile River beneath the weeping willows, I watched a priest officiate the Egyptian rites of my friend's funeral, and the little cogs in my mind started whirring like mad. By the time my plane landed in Cape Town the following day, I'd plotted out the entire novel.


NRR: What was the most challenging aspect to writing this book?

As always, the most challenging part of writing a novel is finding the time. My life is very busy, chaotic even--what with my demanding day job as a newspaper sub-editor and writer, and my part-time work as fiction editor. Oh, let's also not forget about helping my husband, who is an indie filmmaker and photographer. Let's just say things in the Dorman household are never dull, and leave it at that! (I make a terrible housewife, okay?)

NRR: Can you describe the most important part of your writing process?

Outlining. Seriously. I'd be lost without my outline. Because so much time often elapses between my moment of inspiration and actually sitting down to write the story, I need to make exhaustive outlines that capture as much of the initial idea as possible, so that there's something to work on. Of course these outlines aren't the be-all and end-all of the process--I allow myself creative leeway to make changes should the story demand it--but they're important to provide a skeleton for the writing process. While it's important that I'm creative in my writing, I do believe that the hallmarks of a successful story are those that succeed in satisfying some of readers' expectations. Ask yourself why George Lucas's Star Wars works so well. I'm a firm believer in the Hero's Journey that underpins effective storytelling.

NRR: If you could only use on quote to sum up Elizabeth's character what would it be?

"What the hell?" [followed by a puzzled expression] Seriously, Lizzie has absolutely no idea what's going on at first, which is half the fun of the unfolding misadventure.

NRR: This one is for fun...What is your guilty pleasure?

Listening to Type O Negative's October Rust album. Seriously, one of the most underrated metal albums ever. It's been my "go to" comfort music since I first saved up the bucks to buy that CD (which I still own). The late Peter Steele had a voice that just does *something* to me. Dark, brooding, velvet midnight. That's all I can say. I think my husband is a little jealous. [smiles]

 

 

NRR: What is one thing you would caution readers before reading Inkarna?

You're going to get a crash-course in the ancient Egyptian conception of the soul. So, you'll get to seek words like Ka, Ba, Kha and Akh thrown at you. It might seem a bit strange at first, but you'll get to figure out the differences soon enough. (I solemnly promise to provide a glossary in book two.) The ancient Egyptians believed that the soul was made up of a whole bunch of different parts. If you have a love of ancient Egypt, you'll be indulged, that much is for sure. The novel is kinda Indiana Jones meets Supernatural, with a deeply flawed hero.

 

 

NRR: What is next in the works for you?

I'm in the midst of edits for my first YA urban fantasy novel, Camdeboo Nights, which is due for release some time next year. It's set in South Africa, and features a rag-tag pack of teens, a vampire and a '47 Hudson Commodore that may or may not be sentient. Also, I'm working on the reboot of my debut novel, Khepera Rising, which I've streamlined and commissioned new cover art. And sometime I need to finish writing the follow-up to Inkarna, which is entitled Thanatos, and has our hero go to hell and beyond (figuratively, of course).

 

 

 

Interview with Erin Jade Lange

NRR: Hi Erin! Thank you for taking the time to join us and congrats on your new release BUTTER! Are there any aspects to writing Young Adult that you find challenging?

 

ERIN: Hi, thanks for having me! I would say the biggest challenge to writing for young adults is maintaining authenticity in voice and teenage experience. Teens have great B.S. detectors, and will call out anything phony or forced. That’s why I like them so much!

 

NRR: How difficult was it for you to write this story since it centers around such tough subjects as obesity and bullying?

 

ERIN: I definitely had to do my research about the health issues and physical traits of obesity, but I hope readers can substitute “too fat” with “too thin” or “too short” or anything else and see that, emotionally, the story is universal. As for the bullying, I had to work very hard to make sure the characters who might be perceived as “bad guys” were not one-dimensional. Having been bullied myself as a kid, it was very tempting to make those characters all-evil-all-the-time. But bullies are as complicated as anyone else. Everyone’s got a story.

 

NRR: What do you think is the most important thing Butter learns thru this story?

 

ERIN: I suppose that’s up to the reader, but for me, I think the biggest lesson he learns is about personal responsibility. You can blame other people for your problems, and you might even be right. But when it comes to fixing those problems, you have to count on yourself.

 

NRR: What are your top 3 reasons for writing BUTTER?

 

ERIN: #1 To get the story out of my head! It was one of those books that was just bursting to get on the page, and it needled my brain all the time. #2 To take a character who might be stereotyped or cast in a supporting role and show that he was complex and interesting enough to take the lead. #3 To entertain. Always. I think fiction should be entertaining.

 

NRR: What is one thing you want to caution readers to keep in mind before reading BUTTER?

ERIN: Many readers have commented on the lessons or messages in BUTTER, and if a reader walks away with that, wonderful. But I would caution readers – my only goal was to tell a good story.

Publishing Week: Interview with Erin Galloway!

NRR: Thank you for taking the time to join us! Can you share with us how you got started?

I started out as a communications major in college and I went on to get my master’s degree in publishing.  An internship in the publishing industry proved that this was definitely the career for me.  It’s an industry full of people who are incredibly passionate about books and I love being a part of it.

 

NRR: What is your favorite/ hardest part of the job?

One of my favorite parts of my job is seeing readers and reviewers get excited about the books I’m working on.  Like everyone else in publishing, I’m just an enthusiastic reader at heart, so sharing that excitement with readers, reviewers and bloggers is wonderful.  

 

NRR: Can you share with us what a day as a publicist is like?

The great thing about publicity is that no two days are alike.  Of course, there are a number of things I do on a regular basis, including review mailings, booking author events, writing press releases and pitching media contacts. 

 

NRR: What are some of the perks to your job?

One big perk of my job probably comes as no surprise – I have a never ending supply of amazing books to read!

 

The other major perk is being able to work with the authors I love.

 

NRR: What are your thoughts on e-books vs. prints?

I love both formats and regularly read both.  It’s all a matter of personal preference so I’m glad both formats are available for readers.

 

NRR: Have you had the chance to work with any of your favorite authors?

Yes!  One of the best parts of my job is meeting and working with authors whose books I read long before I began working in publishing.  And of course it’s also excited to work with debut authors because I’m “getting the scoop” on great new talent.

 

NRR: What advice do you have for aspiring author’s who are looking to get published?

An editor I used to work with always tells authors to write the book of their heart and I think that is excellent advice.  Writing what you’re passionate about shows in the writing and if you work hard enough and persevere long enough, eventually you’ll find the right home for your book.

 

Thanks so much for having me as a guest!

Interview: Kelly Creagh

NRR: Nevermore was a huge success with readers! Did you feel pressure
in writing the follow up Enshadowed?

I did feel pressure, yes. At the time Nevermore was released,
I was working a lot and trying to balance all the aspects of my life,
including this new and exciting role of being an author! I received a
lot of great feedback on Nevermore and, when I began to write
Enshadowed, I set out with all the hopes and fears that go with wanting
to meet expectations but also do something different. So Enshadowed was
a tough book for me! It’s the second book in a planned trilogy and I had
also never written a sequel. Though there were many things that I knew
needed to happen to further the story, I also wanted to take time to
address some of the loose ends left at the end of Nevermore. The initial
draft of Enshadowed got a pretty substantial rewrite but there are some
very big moments. Though I have always known the ending of this novel,
there was one part of the book toward the end that took me by total
surprise. It might be my favorite moment.

NRR: Are there any aspects to writing in the Young Adult genre that you
find challenging?

Oh yes. Parents. Isobel’s parents are such a large part of her life in
book one, I found it challenging in Enshadowed to keep up that
foundation of a strong relationship and still get Isobel where she
needed to be. I could not discount Isobel’s parents or set them aside in
a convenient way. If for no other reason than that they wouldn’t let me.
This is particularly true for Isobel’s father. But the choices I made in
regards to Isobel’s parents in Enshadowed are helping to make things in
book three quite interesting.

NRR: What do you think the most important thing Isobel has learned
throughout the series so far?

That appearances are misleading, and that there are two sides to
everything. There’s a big theme of duality in Enshadowed. Literal
mirrors and figurative mirrors play a very interesting role.

NRR: What is your guilty pleasure?

Paranormal reality shows. I love them SOOOO. MUCH. My favorites are A
Haunting, Paranormal State, Paranormal Witness, Haunted Collector and
Ghost Hunters. I am so hooked. And I always freak myself out watching
them. Every time.

NRR: What type of atmosphere do you find yourself doing your best
writing in(quiet or background music,morning or night,office or wherever
a laptop can go)?

It might sound weird, but I write best when there are people around me.
So I’m very on the go with my work. Right now I’m sitting in one of my
favorite coffee shops with my noise cancelation headphones on, listening
to moody music. It’s gotten to where they know me well enough here to
predict my drink order. This morning, I even asked my favorite barista a
research question pertaining to book three. On Monday’s, I meet with a
group of area writers and we all chase word count together. So even
though I’m zoned and writing, I like to be in the vicinity of quiet
company. The only time I really lock myself away is during copyedits
which, for me, take an immense amount of time and concentration.

NRR: What are your top three reasons for writing the Nevermore series?

I didn’t set out to write with any specific reason except to tell a
good story. Along the way, though, I think my hope for the Nevermore
trilogy came to include portraying a romance that transcends
stereotyping. Also, sharing what I have learned about the life, work and
legacy of Edgar Allan Poe as well as exploring some darker physiological
elements that are prevalent in Poe’s works and which teens deal with
today, like mortality and the internal conflict of wrong vs. right.

NRR: For those who have not had the chance to read Nevermore series,
can you share the storyline?

Nevermore is the story of a cheerleader who is paired up in her English
class with a goth boy. Together, they must research and prepare a
presentation on a famous literary figure. Varen, the goth boy, insists
on Edgar Allan Poe. Isobel is less enchanted with the decision and,
although she is apprehensive of Varen, she goes along with his plan
because she needs to keep her grades up to stay in cheerleading.
As Varen and Isobel research together, Isobel soon discovers that Poe
died under very mysterious circumstances, disappearing for five days
before being found in a Baltimore gutter, delirious and unable to say
what happened to him. Isobel learns that Poe perished shortly after
being found and that he called out repeatedly for someone no one knew
before passing away.

It soon becomes clear that dark forces were at work in Poe’s demise
and that now, those same dark forces are luring Varen into an alternate
world made of dreams and nightmares, a place where his strange drawings
and stories come to life.

Isobel, who has gradually started to fall for the mysterious and aloof
black-haired, green-eyed goth boy, begins to realize that it is up to
her to save him.

Enshadowed picks up shortly after the end of Nevermore. Isobel has
learned about the Poe Toaster and is now devising a plan to travel to
Baltimore and confront him in the cemetery where Poe is buried.


NRR: What is one thing you would caution readers to reading Enshadowed?

Though re-reading Nevermore might be a good idea, I don’t feel it’s
absolutely necessary. I did my best to recap and add in reminders and
cues from what happened in Nevermore. However, if you want a deeper look
into the literary aspects of Enshadowed, I would highly suggest reading
Poe’s short story The Fall of the House of Usher. Also, if you do go
back and reread Nevermore, keep a close eye on Reynolds whenever he’s on
the page. Events pertaining to his character become very important in
Enshadowed. If you read closely, there are quite a few clues in
Nevermore regarding Mr. Reynolds…

If you haven’t read Nevermore, I would definitely read book one before
venturing into Enshadowed. Enshadowed is a bridge book and was not
written to stand on its own. So, if you haven’t already, be sure to
check out Nevermore first!


NRR: What is next in the works for you?
Currently, I’m hard at work on the third book of the Nevermore trilogy
and having a blast. Everything is coming together and I even think I
know how it ends. After Nevermore, I have a novel I wrote in 2007 that I
want to get back to. It’s very different from Nevermore and, as of yet,
I haven’t seen anything on the shelves similar in concept. So, for right
now, I’m going to be very secretive about that one!

Interview with Keri Arthur

NRR: Hi Keri! Than you so much for taking the time to join us! Are there
any aspects to writing the Dark Angels series that you find challenging?

I think the most challenging aspect of the Dark Angels series is trying
to remember all the different story threads I
have going, and weaving them through each of the books. Making sure each

character gets some page time has also become something as a challenge,
too.



NRR: What are your top 3 reasons for writing Risa's character?

The top reason for writing her would be because she wouldn't leave me
alone! She invaded Riley's series (honestly, she was just supposed to be
in Tempting Evil, nothing else), and she invaded my dreams with
different storylines. I was left with no choice but to write her. lol.
Second reason would be because I love the Riley Jenson world and wanted
to write more stories in it (and give readers an update on how Riley and
the gang are going in the process) and third, I just love the
interactions between Risa and Azriel. They're fun characters to write



NRR:What do you think the most important thing Risa has learned
throughout the series or will learn?

That sometimes, no matter you do, you can't save the ones you love.




NRR: This one is for fun... What is your guilty pleasure?
Sitting down with a big bag of chips and watching either action movie or
a good romantic comedy. Or even a bad one. lol



NRR: Out of all your characters who would you say you have bonded with
the most?

I'm usually bonded with whatever character I'm writing at the time.
Riley and Risa have been the most fun to write though




NRR: How do you celebrate a release day?

Usually by offering my blog, Facebook and Twitter followers a chance to
win a signed book :)


NRR: What is one thing you want to caution readers to keep in mind while
reading Darkness Devours?

Don't get frustrated with one particular thing Risa keeps doing. There
is a reason :) Oh, and remember there's more going on in these books
than just the keys. That just happens to be the most vital. If it was
just the search for the keys, then the story would be over in three
books, and that would be no fun (for me, as the writer, anyway!)

NRR: What can we expect to see from you next?

Next up, I have the paperback re-release of Beneath a Darkening Moon in
October, then in November Darkness Hunts, the 4th Dark Angels book, will
be released.

Interview: Jennifer Knight

NRR: What are three reasons made you decide to become a writer?

 I  never knew I wanted to write until college. Basically, I couldn’t figure out what else I wanted to do with my life, and writing was the only thing that interested me. Once I started creating stories and characters, I couldn’t stop. It became my little obsession. So I guess the three reasons are indecisiveness, freedom to be creative, and passion.

NRR: Can you describe the most important part of your writing process?

 By far it’s got to be the editing portion. I used to think that good writers never edited. The words just flowed out of them flawlessly without their needing to work at it. SO WRONG. After reading other authors’ blogs and talking to them about the writing process, I’ve come to realize that editing is everything. You can have a great idea, but if you don’t shape it into a great story (by editing your butt off), it’s just a bunch of cool concepts. Editing is essential. I go through at least eight to ten drafts before a story is “finished.”

NRR: Blood Crave is the second book in your Blood of the Moon series. Can you share the premise of this series for readers who have not had a chance to read it yet?

The Blood on the Moon series is all about Faith, a human girl in college who meets a werewolf, Lucas. They fall into turbulent love and have to band together to fight against the vampires in both century-old wars and new ones. In the second book, Faith’s best friend, Derek, has been infected by both a vampire and a werewolf, which causes all kinds of interesting problems.

NRR: What is your guilty pleasure?

 Oh, such an evil question! I have many. My guiltiest pleasures have got to be chocolate (lots and lots of chocolate!), video games with my husband, and watching Keeping up with the Kardashians. I’m sorry. It’s so horrible. But I’m obsessed with that show and I can’t help it.

NRR: How were you inspired to write Faith's character?

 Faith is a lot like me, so she was really very easy to write. At first. Once I started having to edit her, I got into trouble. Because I understood her so deeply, it was difficult to change her for the sake of the story.

NRR: What other careers have you had besides being an author?

Professionally? None. I got into writing when I was twenty. I had just had my first child and was floundering through college without direction, so I didn’t really get to the whole career part of life. Unprofessionally, the only other “job” I’ve had is motherhood. I have two beautiful children who both inspire me and keep me from writing!

NRR: If Faith were to post a tweet, what would it say?

Lucas just told me where werewolf tails go when they shift. Wish I hadn’t asked. #werewolvesarenasty #seriously

NRR: What is next in the works for you?

 I’m hoping to sell the last book of the Blood on the Moon series, as well as another project I’m working on that has everything to do with demons and not enough to do with chocolate.

Interview with Jennifer L. Armentrout

NRR: Hi Jennifer! Thank you for taking the time to join us! Onyx is the highly anticipated second installment in the Lux series. What are 3 things readers need to remember before reading this book?

1. That Daemon does need to earn Katy's affections. Hotness aside, Daemon needs a real attitude adjustment and some of the things he did Obsidian isn't easily forgivable.
2. I suggest reading Shadows. Just sayin'
3. Trust no one.


NRR: What do you think the most important thing Katy has learned throughout this series?

I think she learns that strength isn't necessarily a physical thing.



NRR: What would you say has to change for Katy and Daemon to finally be together?

I think you'll see in Onyx what it takes and if they really can be together. =)



NRR:What do you think is the most unique personality trait of Daemon's?

He is rather selfless. Doesn't seem that way with all his arrogance, but deep down, he'd do anything for anyone, even if it meant sacrificing himself or something he loved.

NRR:What is one thing you would caution readers before reading this book?

Hmmm... I don't think I'd caution anyone about anything, other than a lot was laid out in Shadows for Onyx. Many, many hints were dropped there.