Meet the author: D. Apodaca

D. Apodaca (now known as E.M. Jade) is the author of Captivated, An Affliction Novel. It's a story of love, secrets, and vampires. I'm not talking about the innocent vampires next door that are so popular these days either. After reading 'Captivated', I was eager to learn more about what this new, talented author had in store for us, and she kindly agreed to an interview.

How long have you been writing?
Three LONG years! Well, it took me two years to write 'Captivated' and another year of revisions.

What inspired you to write your first book?
I read a series and thought the ending was crap, so I decided to write my own story that I would be happy with. Plus, I don't like the vampires that are out there today...I want them to burn in the sun like the good ol' days.

When you first started writing Captivated, did you plan for it to be a series?
Yes, I had a scene pop in my mind (the ending) and from that, I knew there had to be more.

What can you tell us about the sequel?
It's going to be fun! And emotional. Poor Dean has his struggles and he has his friends to help him through it. (I'm trying not to give too much away...lol)

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Well, I relate most to a new character that comes in the second book. She says everything I want to say out loud. Like when someone is standing so close to you in line that you can feel them breathing on your neck...this character says what we all want to say out loud, but never do. She's fun and daring. I'd give you her name, but nothing I've come up with seems to suit her right now.

What is a secret about Dean that nobody else knows?
He's actually a fun guy....when he's happy. He can joke around, smile, and can be a softy sometimes.

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
That's a tough one. Ummm... I don't know, I think I would still be me. Sarcastic, talkative, scared to go near drugs. I would have gone out more, that's for sure. The only time I went out was to go to my friend’s house to work out. My answer isn't all that great, but it's all I could come up with. Sorry!

What book have you read too many times to count?
None, I have so many books on my 'to be read' pile. With kids, a husband, crafts, and writing...I don't even have time to read as much as I'd like. But if I could, I would read Hush Hush or The Nighthuntress Novels by Jeanine Frost.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
To believe that your characters are real and they will become real to everyone else. They're so real to me, that I see them playing out the story in my head. I just can't type fast enough! I thought there would only be three books, but they won't let the story end. Now I have five playing in my mind. I can't wait!

I can't wait either! Thank you for taking time out of your crazy schedule to answer some questions.


If you haven't read her amazing book yet, check out my review of Captivated, An Affliction Novel.
You can learn more about D. Apodaca (now known as E.M. Jade) and where to purchase her books from her website.

Book Review: Passion by Lauren Kate

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Passion is the third book in the Fallen series by New York Times Bestselling Author, Lauren Kate. Luce uses announcers to travel through time in search of a way to break the curse and learn the depth of her love with Daniel. Though he always manages to be a step behind, Daniel chases after her, afraid she might change the past. One wrong move could destroy them both.

I started reading Passion with the impression it would be a prequel to Fallen and maybe show us how Luce and Daniel fell in love from the very beginning. In one sense, it was a prequel in that we get to watch Luce and Daniel fall in love in many different time periods through history. At the same time, it wasn't your typical prequel either, because present day Luce and Daniel were still the main characters. I enjoyed traveling through time and meeting the different versions of Luce and Daniel though. Some versions of the Luce of the past were very different from the Luce we have all grown to love in the first two books in the series. The book also offers a tiny taste of Cam's history as well. You will be able to understand why he is the way he is just a little bit better.

Ultimately, I had many expectations and questions already in my head before starting this book. Upon finishing it, I don't feel like many expectations were met and my questions certainly weren't answered. There are many things that don't add up or simply don't make sense to the story. However, there is a fourth book on the way. I enjoyed the previous two books in the Fallen series, Fallen and Torment. I hope with the release of Rapture in 2012, all lose ends will be brought together nicely.

To read more about this series and the author, visit the Lauren Kate Website.

Check out my reviews of other books in this series & by this author!

Meet the author: Daniele Lanzarotta

Daniele Lanzarotta is the author of the Young Adult series, Imprinted Souls. She also wrote the newly released, Wide Awake: Academy of the Fallen. She was kind enough to take some time away from working on Blood Bound, the fourth novel in the Imprinted Souls series, to answer a few questions.

How long have you been writing?
I really started taking writing seriously in 2008 when I wrote Imprinted Souls, but if you count short stories written just for myself… I would say for as long as I can remember!

What inspired you to write your first book?
Other YA novels were definitely an inspiration. I got lured into the paranormal world and once I started working on Imprinted Souls I could not stop. Not long after that, my own characters became a major part of my inspiration. I’m way too attached to my fictional people. *laughs *

When you wrote Imprinted Souls, did you plan for it to be a series?
Not when I first had the idea, but from the moment I started writing it, yes. I got attached to the characters right away, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to let them go anytime soon. I guess I will just always be a ‘serial writer’, but I truly believe that character development is crucial to any story. Being attached to the characters just makes the writing so much more fun!

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
*Laughs * I always get the feeling that this answer will make me sound bad, but… it is Nicholas. Yeah, I know… he has a bad reputation, so let me explain... I have Nicholas’ sense of humor and sarcasm. I also have this thing with speaking whatever is on my mind.

What is a secret about Nicholas that nobody else knows?
Let’s see… one secret about Nicholas… He just has so many! *Laughs * Clearly he is hiding a lot, and there is a lot more to him than it seems, but I promise you will get the answer to this question in Blood Bound, the fourth book in the Imprinted Souls Series.

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Wow. I definitely have never been asked this question before. I think I would be a mix of many main characters that are out there at the moment. Let’s see… I would be the girl who gets along with everyone… plays sports even though she hates it *laughs *, is a member of school clubs, has crush on the bad boy, dates best friend for like a week, but then goes back to being friends… you know… the usual stuff.

What book have you read too many times to count?
Well… If you see my TBR list you will understand why I only read books once. *laughs* Usually I have a pretty good memory too. I guess you could say that the books that I have read too many times to count are my own, but that is what happens when revisions start.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
To not worry about writing the chapters in order. I know a lot of authors follow an outline and write chapter by chapter, but truth is, there are days when you are in the mood to work with certain characters. I also tend to write the final chapters and then go back to the beginning. Just write what you feel like writing at the moment, and then it is just a matter of putting the pieces together.
You can learn more about Daniele Lanzarotta and where to purchase her books at her website and blog.

Also, you can follow her on Twitter as well as like her fan pages, Imprinted Souls Series and Academy of the Fallen on Facebook.

Book Review: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

 Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

I Am Number Four revolves around Number Four, who we know as John Smith, and Henri, his guardian called a Cepan, who are from the planet Lorien. Lorien was taken over by another alien race called, Mogadorians, that used up all of their own planet’s resources. John is Number Four out of nine who escaped their planet with their Cepans. John and Henri have moved from place to place hiding from the Mogadorians who knew of their escape. In the town of Paradise, Ohio, John finds love, friendship, and doesn’t want to leave, but will his legacies (special powers) develop in time to help him fight against the Mogadorians?

The story was entertaining even though highly predictable. I would like to have seen more development of the characters through the story. I found myself adding personality to them as I read. There was enough action to keep you turning the pages, and will probably look great as a movie which I plan on seeing very soon.
The story doesn’t just stop with the book itself. I Am Number Four is written under the name Pittacus Lore. “Pittacus Lore” is an Elder from Lorien who has stayed hidden on Earth while preparing for war.
I Am Number Four is book one in what is expected to be a series of six books. Book two is called the Power of Six and from the book summary it appears to be told from the point of view of Number Seven, who we have not yet met in book one. Fans will be excited to know they can learn about what Number Six has been doing and where she has been before she meets John in stores later this month with the release of I Am Number Four: The Lost Files: Six’s Legacy.

To read more about this series and the author, visit the Pittacus Lore website.