Review: Seraphina

When two species unite, there is always someone willing to cause a stir. 

Dragons and humans have lived together for several years. The curiosity strung once dragons realized how artistic we are. In order to maintain the peace, dragons are forbidden to eat meat -- best way to avoid nibbling on villagers -- and humans are forbidden to kill dragons while they are in their human form. But when one dragon dies, the truce might go along with him. 

Rachel Hartman chose a brave and intrepid girl named Seraphina, to lead the story. Not only is she a talented musician, but her connection with dragons placed her right in the middle of the fiasco. Joining this mysterious crime investigation is Prince Lucian Kiggs, whom Seraphina can't help but fall in love with. Unfortunately for her, he is engaged. 

Although the story maintains a stable slow paced action, where lots of towns were name dropped for no particular reason, Hartman manages nonetheless to provide an interesting take on dragons. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Encore

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish


TOP BEST SEQUELS EVER

Lola and the Boy Next Door: Romantic & snuggle worthy

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Well-written

 The Calling: Captivating & satisfying

Catching Fire: Crazy cliffhanger  

Until I die: Great turn of events  

 Frostbite: What an ending

The Golden Lily:  Humorous with enough action to make you turn the pages. 

Pandemonium: Better than the finale

Review: Illegal

"A promise is just a lie you don't want to keep."

Nora is distraught when her papa migrates from their small town in Mexico to Texas. He works hard, sending monthly income until the checks abruptly stop. Did he forget about them? Will he break her promise and never return?

In Illegal, Bettina Restrepo wrote a heart-shattering and realistic example about the American Dream. Nora could never had imagined what her father went through when he left his country, until she experienced it herself. Not speaking English, meant she had to work at a pool stand selling snacks while other kids her age went to school. It meant adapting, learning how the US works, and mostly taking chances. Restrepo also brushed the topic of gang initiation, racism, and losing faith in God, while maintaining the mystery around Nora's father's disappearance. 

Enough teary-eyed moments to make you forget that there is no romance involved. 

Feature and Follow Friday: Kinder Reads

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: If you have kids, what are your favorites to read to them?

I loooove to do voices. The funny part is that the children imitate the voices as well when they read (or attempt to read) the story to me.

Angela N. Blount opens up about her new book

I'm pleased to be receiving author Angela N. Blount today to promote her YA novel, Once Upon a Road Trip.

Eighteen-year-old Angeli doesn’t "fit in." She’s never been on a single date, and she lives vicariously through an online world of storytelling. With the pressures of choosing a practical future path bearing down, she needs a drastic change. Too old to run away from home, she opts instead to embark on a solo 2-month road trip. But her freedom is tempered by loneliness — and anxiety tests her resolve as she comes face-to-face with her quirky internet friends. 

Aside from contracting mono and repeatedly getting herself lost, Angeli's adventure is mired by more unforeseen glitches — like being detained by Canadian authorities, and a near-death experience at the hands of an overzealous amateur wrestler. Her odyssey is complicated further when she unwittingly earns the affections of two young men. One a privileged martial artist; the other a talented techie with a colorful past.

Bewildered by the emotions they stir, Angeli spurns the idea of a doomed long-distance relationship. But she is unprepared for the determination of her hopeful suitors. 

A true story with an unapologetically honest outlook on life, love, faith, and adventure -- Once Upon A Road Trip is a coming-of-age memoir.

                   Find it on Amazon                                               Find it on Goodreads 

Hi Angela, thank you for being with us. Please do tell, what inspired you to write this book?

I think a lot of people toy with the idea of running away from home when they're young. I just waited until I was of legal age, and decided to expand my horizons by going on a cross-country road trip. At the time, I had no idea how life-altering that decision would become. (Think Eat, Pray, Love ... but the geeky teenaged version, and on a tight budget.)

What song best describes your work?

Either It's My Life by Bon Jovi, or Cross The Line by Superchick. They both fit perfectly at different points.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Lots! When I first got serious about writing, I didn't fathom how much I didn't know about it -- and about the publishing industry. Which is probably for the best as I might have been too intimidated if I'd realized what I was getting myself into. But in trying to spare others of what I wish I'd figured out early on, I'll hit a few highlights....

1. Don't write in a vacuum. Carefully seek out critiquing partners and beta readers who can offer constructive criticism and  knowledgeable feedback. It may hurt at first, but it will challenge and grow you like nothing else.

2. If at all possible, join a writer's guild or similar organization that will offer you community support and craft honing opportunities such as workshops, conferences, contests, etc. I've personally found invaluable aid and opportunities as a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America), though I almost didn't join because I didn't think I was focused enough on romance. As it turns out, nearly everything they offer is applicable across all genres.

3. Carve out daily writing time for yourself, and defend it like professional work -- even if you don't yet feel like a professional.

4. In the words of Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never give up." You are the most qualified person in the world to tell your stories they way they need to be told. 

What are you working on now -- or would you rather surprise us?

I've just finished a Contemporary YA romance, and I'm now hard at work on the first in a YA sci-fi series. How exciting! I don't generally recommend genre-hopping, but my brain can't seem to help it.

You can find Angela N. Blount on:

Website

Facebook

Twitter



Thank you for being with us Angela, and good luck on all your future projects.