Writer Wednesday – Wendy S. Russo & January Black

Writer Wednesday – Wendy S. Russo & January Black

Today I’m featuring Wendy S. Russo, and her new YA novel January Black, which I also had the pleasure of reviewing. Oh – and somewhere in this post, there’s a super secret hidden link to a super secret second blurb for the novel…look carefully! When you find it, the password is “matty”. All you have to do is click on the link, put in the password, read the excerpt, and then leave a comment and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a copy of JANUARY BLACK! Woot!

Let’s take a look at the cover:

Isn’t that cover stunning?

January Black Blurb
Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He’s been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost…or call the king’s bluff.

My Review:
I lost a few hours as I read this book. It’s a Young Adult novel that is refreshingly and astonishingly intelligent, and the love story is perfectly played out.

Set in a world that is similar to our own but far removed, with a King who leads the people and set mostly in the royal city of Aventine, Matty is given a problem to solve. What was January Black? It takes him two years to solve this question; in that time, we as readers get to know this fascinating world, and delve along with Matty into astronomy, computer coding, chess, a rogue section of the city and even the words of Shakespeare. But as Matty draws closer to an answer, it is the politics of the question that will turn his world upside down.

From Matty’s lightheadedness when he walks into the King’s immense library of real books (ah! The scent of old books!) to the stargazing, to the cryptic messages passed between people who are known only by their number, to the sweet, tentative steps of first and lasting love between Matty and Iris, this is a book to be savored, read, and then read again.

Do you want an excerpt? Click RIGHT HERE for Excerpt Number One. Remember to look for the hidden link to Excerpt Number Two! Password is “matty”.

And of course, here’s a BUY LINK.

You can stalk find Wendy at these fine places:

Blog: http://wendysrusso.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-S-Russo/134565346603922
G+: https://plus.google.com/112814882028410401663
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/wendysrusso
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/wendysrusso

~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~

Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?

 

Writer Wednesday – Interview with Patricia C. Lee

Writer Wednesday – Interview with Patricia C. Lee

Today kicks off my Writer Wednesday feature. I’ll be showcasing writers with interviews, guest blog posts, blurbs of their latest books, and so forth. For my inaugural guest, please welcome author Patricia C. Lee!

Patricia, let’s get down to the interview. (Rubs hands.) No, don’t squirm. This won’t hurt!

CA: What do you write?

PCL: I write fantasy/romance now, but have written literary short stories as well as one-act and full length plays (one of which was staged at a theatre regional festival in 2006).

CA: Other than writing, what is your favorite creative endeavor?

PCL: Hmmm, well I love to bake (is that classified as creative??) In my house it’s almost a necessity (my hubby is a HUGE cookie monster LOL!). I used to do a lot of cross stitch but that’s put to the wayside for a while because once I start a project I keep at it. This then takes away from my writing. OH! And I’ve only just recently got into making book trailers and I find that I LOVE it!! In fact I like it as much as the actual writing. If I could make money at it, I’d do it for a living!

CA: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

PCL: As corny as this sounds I love living in Canada, and if I could afford it, I’d live in Parksville, British Columbia in an instant.

CA: Name three joys in your life.

PCL: Without sounding too esoteric, my health is number one. I know too many friends and family members that have major health issues and I am so thankful I don’t. Other than that, I’d have to say reading (duh, of course), my hubby and my cats. Ohhh, and can I add wine to that too!!

CA: If you could share a meal with any author or any literary character, who would you choose, and what would you serve?

PCL: Literary character is a stumper because there isn’t one that stands out over the other. As for author, Sidney Sheldon, my all-time favorite. Since he’s passed away, well what would you serve a ghost!! But seriously, if he was alive, umm, I make an awesome Beef Sirloin tips in mushroom sauce that my husband says could be on a restaurant menu. That served over butter noodles, accompanied with baby spinach salad, and to finish off the meal my show-stopper – Black Forest Cake (spoken about in hushed and reverend tones LOL!!)

CA: WOW – that sounds totally yummy!

CA: Is there anything else you want people to know about you?

PCL: Well, as you can see I have a somewhat warped sense of humor. But I do take my writing very seriously because I believe if people are going to spend their hard-earned money on my books, then I had better make sure it’s the best it could possibly be.

Thanks for answering. See, that didn’t hurt, lol! Now, let’s get to the book, shall we?

Here’s the Cover:

Cover for Patricia C. Lee's Destiny's Present

Here’s the Blurb:
Destiny’s Present (Book 2 Daughters of the Crescent Moon):

The sorceress Narena has done many things for Leisos – advised the king, helped heal a young girl and sent a prince forward in time to save his life. Now, to protect her people, she may have to sacrifice herself, her lover, her child. Maybe even all three.

She hunts for the one who threatens the royal family and the throne of Leisos. And also seeks the daughter taken from her at birth. There’s only one problem. They might be one and the same. What she finds on her quest is love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, and a revelation that will change her life forever.

Ardis is a warrior and former captain of the king’s army. His allegiance to the throne lives in his blood – as does the secret he carries. He will protect both at all costs. Even if it means killing Narena – or someone she loves.

Here’s where you can find Patricia! Go stalk her, if you don’t mind (because I know she won’t mind, lol!)

Website – http://www.patriciaclee.com/
Blog: http://authorpatriciaclee.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/authorpatriciaclee    
email: authorpatriciaclee@yahoo.com

BUY LINK: Destiny’s Present

Thanks for dropping by, Patricia – the book looks totally awesome! I’m loading it up on my Kindle as we speak.

oOo

Are you interested in being on Writer Wednesday? Drop me an email and let’s talk!

oOo

~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~

Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?