Guest Blog: On Location Research and the Blood Coven Series by Mari Mancusi

Please join me in welcoming Mari Mancusi today, who is here to talk about visiting one of the foreign settings of her Blood Coven settings, with really cool photos as well!  The newest installment of the Blood Coven series, Blood Ties, comes out next week so I know all you Blood Coven are anxiously awaiting that release.  To tide you over, enjoy this guest blog today.

One of the things I love about writing the Blood Coven series is picking the settings for the
books. I try to place each book in a very scenic, very different place. For example, the twins start
their adventures in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, then go to England, Vegas, the Swiss
Alps, Ireland, Fairyland, and, in Blood Ties, Tokyo, Japan.

I, myself, got the opportunity to travel to Japan a few years ago with a friend. At the time, I
had no idea I'd be using the country as a setting for a future book. But the experience was so
amazing--and the country so different than anything I had ever seen, by the time I left, I knew I
had to put it all in a book someday.

Many of the places you will read about in Blood Ties are places that my friend and I journeyed to while at Japan. For example, like Sunny and Jayden, we stayed at a Ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese Bed and Breakfast, right out of the Edo period. There are no beds--you sleep on futon mats on the floor. There are no chairs either--only pillows around a small table with tea service. (My Westernized back was so not happy about this!) Of course, while the furnishings
were decidedly traditional, the toilet was from the 22nd century--with crazy buttons and heated seat. The Ryokan also featured communal baths--which freaked me out a little, I must admit. Luckily our room also had a shower...

In Blood Ties, Rayne, Sunny and Jayden try to find blood at a Vampire Cafe. My friend and I ate at this cafe, which is located in the Ginza neighborhood in Tokyo. The place is Goth dream come true, decked out with red and black decor, candles, roses, and a huge coffin in the center of the restaurant. When you arrive, you're escorted by a French maid or butler to a small, private booth, closed off by a red curtain, and served a price fixed meal in which every food is shaped to look like something vampire related. It was perhaps one of the coolest restaurants I've ever eaten at and I highly suggest it to any vampire fan who finds him or herself in Tokyo.

 

We also visited a Cat Cafe, like Rayne and Jareth and Magnus do in Blood Ties. Evidently Japanese work long hours and have small apartments--so there is often no room or time for a pet.  So these cafes allow you to go and spend time in a room full of cats--to get your pet fix anytime you need one. While the cats were adorable and very friendly, I felt a little weird sitting on the floor, drinking coffee. (Which you were required to order as part of the price.) Also, the litter boxes could have been cleaned a little more often.

Another stop? Harajuku station, where Sunny, Rayne, and Jayden go meet up with the cosplay coven. That was definitely a highlight of my trip. Outside the subway station were dozens of teens, dressed in the most amazing costumes ever. Some were based on popular manga or
videogame characters--others were totally made up. The teens just hung around, looking bored, as tourists snapped picture after picture. I noticed that many of them carried rollaway suitcases with them. Perhaps they changed out of their cosplay gear before heading home to mom and dad!
Harajuku also featured an amazing outdoor mall, filled with really cool teenage clothing shops.

Sadly, being American, I barely fit into any of the clothes--but they were so cute! I did manage
to purchase an really cool Gothic Lolita dress that I still wear to fantasy conventions to this day.

In all, I had an amazing experience in Japan and it was so much fun to look through all my
pictures and videos when starting to write Blood Ties. I hope the book inspires people to
consider a trip to Japan. It's a fascinating country--and so different than our own--I think
everyone should experience it at least once!

Book Review: Chasing Amanda by Melissa Foster

Chasing Amanda by Melissa Foster

Publisher: Solstice Publishing

Publish Date: April 12, 2011

Paperback, 377 pages 
Fiction, Suspense, Paranormal
 ISBN: 9780615477527

My Review:
If you enjoy suspense, then Chasing Amanda is the book for you.  Weaving in and out of different perspectives from different characters the suspense builds and builds before finally coming to the climax that you never saw coming.  I loved Chasing Amanda and feel like Melissa Foster has a true way with words and storytelling.  Everytime I picked the book up and started reading I was right back in Boyds which really was a whole different world to me and into Molly life as she tries to find the missing girl Tracey as she sees snippets in her mind.  I felt her fear as she had to choose between trying to save this girl and saving her marriage as the tension mounted in her home as well as in the community.

The story is woven beautifully and artfully.  I love how it is told from different perspectives and you are never really sure who the "bad guy" is until Melissa finally gives that part to you.  I loved watching Molly unravel the town secrets.  I like small town books like this because small towns are always full of secrets.  Sometimes this type of book can be handled not-so-well and other times just wonderfully, like in Chasing Amanda.  I just can't say enough about this book.  The characters were interesting, I cared about them and they engaged me.  The plot sucked me in and didn't let me go and the writing is wonderful.  What more can you ask for in a book?

I highly recommend you check this book out if you enjoy suspense, and even if you don't you might want to give it a try anyway.

My Rating: 5/0/5.0


About the Book:
Nine years ago, Molly Tanner witnessed a young girl’s abduction in the busy city of Philadelphia, shifting her occasional clairvoyance into overdrive. Two days later, the girl’s body was found, and Molly’s life fell apart. Consumed by guilt for not acting upon her visions, and on the brink of losing her family, Molly escaped the torturous reminders in the city, fleeing to the safety of the close-knit rural community of Boyds, Maryland.

Molly’s life is back on track, her son has begun college, and she and her husband have finally rekindled their relationship. Their fresh start is shattered when a seven-year-old girl disappears from a local park near Molly’s home. Unable to turn her back on another child and troubled by memories of the past, Molly sets out to find her, jeopardizing the marriage she’d fought so hard to hold together. While unearthing clues and struggling to decipher her visions, Molly discovers another side of Boyds, where the residents--and the land itself--hold potentially lethal secrets, and exposes another side of her husband, one that threatens to tear them apart

About the Author (from her website): 
Melissa Foster is the award winning author of two novels, Megan’s Way and Chasing Amanda. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, and is currently collaborating in the film production of Megan’s Way. Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children, she's written a column featured in Women Business Owners Magazine, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa is currently working on her next novel, and lives in Maryland with her family. Melissa's interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping women see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

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FTC Information: I received this book from WoW - Women on Writing for an honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Author Interview: Melissa Foster (Chasing Amada)

Today I welcome Melissa Foster author of Chasing Amanda which I will be reviewing later today.  Also feel free to ask your own questions of Melissa, she'll be visiting through the day and is glad to answer questions.

1.Where do your book ideas come from? How do you choose from your list of ideas which book to write next?

My book ideas come from many different places. MEGAN'S WAY was born from an event with my mother, while CHASING AMANDA was born from my deepest fear. My next book, COME BACK TO ME, came to me while I was preparing for my husband to leave for a tour in Iraq. My next novel, SHADES OF GRAY, was developed from an image of an elderly character that visited me one day. The way I view the world--everything from my environment to the people I meet and the clothes I see in stores--all are followed by the silent questions, "Where can this go?"

I have a backlog of about four books that I have already begun, and new ideas come to me very often. I choose what to write next by how I feel about the story. If I think I'll start one story, and I begin, but it just isn't flowing, then I move on to one that is. When the time is right for a story to be written, it lets me know.

2. Which of the characters in Chasing Amanda is most like you and why.

I'm most like Molly. I'm terribly stubborn about believing in the untangible and I believe intuition is highly under-valued by many. I'm also a runner, and I think if I were in Molly's position, I would have chosen to look for Tracey over my spouse, too. A spouse is an adult, and can typically take care of themselves, while a child has only the adults that care enough to value their life, lead them in the right direction, and in Tracey's case, try to save them.

3. Both Chasing Amanda and Megan's Way have key younger characters, although the story is told from an adult's POV. Have you ever considered writing a book through a younger characters eyes...perhaps a Young Adult or Middle Reader Book?

My fourth book, SHADES OF GRAY, is written from the perspective of a sixteen year old girl (so far). After MEGAN'S WAY, so many people wrote to me raving about Olivia and her character, that my editor (who had been asking me to write a YA novel for months) finally pulled me aside and said, basically, that I had to do it, lol. I'm glad I did. I never expected it to be so fun or so easy to climb into the head of a teenager again, but I'm right there and loving every second of it.

4.Is it difficult to be writing one book while doing the book tour for another--switching from creative mode to publicity mode?

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It's not so much difficult as it is all-consuming. Many authors don't love the marketing aspect of writing, but I crave it. Meeting and chatting with readers is one of the best part of being an author (for me). I wish I had two days for every one. I want to connect with so many people, and there's so little time.

I am happy that some readers find their way to The Women's Nest, the social and support site that I founded, and I'm able to chat with them there, which is terrific. In September I'll be launching the Women's Literary Cafe, an extension of The Women's Nest--a site that will unite readers, authors, bloggers, and reviewers, and I'm hoping it will make the process a tad easier for those that have difficulty navigating the marketing end of writing.

5.Have you ever battled with writer's block and if so, how do you get through it?

I have been very lucky. Writer's block hasn't touched me for more than a few minutes at a time. Now that I say that, I probably won't be able to write for six months, lol. I work through it by talking aloud. I run through where the story can go next, or I skip the scene that's giving me trouble and move to a different chapter, returning once the ideas flow again. I also talk out my blocks with my kids, my editor, and my husband. They help to brainstorm and pull me through those difficult moments. It's surprising how different the ideas males come up are from a females' ideas.

6. We're all happily delving into our Summer Reading lists--and looking to add books like Chasing Amanda to our lists. What books are on your list? What books/authors are you reading or do you hope to read this summer?

I have so many that I keep staring at them and apologizing. Here are a few that are next to my bed at the moment:

Hambledown Dream, by Dean Mayes

Left Neglected, by Lisa Genova

The Murderers Daughter, by Randy Suesan Meyers

Deceptions, by Rebecca Fayn

Loverboy, by Victoria Redel

Crystal, thank you for taking the time to interview me today. I enjoyed answering your questions and look forward to answering questions from your readers.

This or That with Author Margie Gelbwasser (Inconvenient)

Today I welcome Margie Gelbwasser and her characters from Inconvenient to My Reading Room. They are here today to answer my This or That questions.  Be sure to check out Inconvenient, it's a wonderful thought-provoking and entertaining read. My review is here.

Pop Tart or Cereal?

Alyssa: Pop Tart? What's that? Unless it's a form of a Russian pancake, my parents don't have it.

Sports Car or Sedan?

Ryan: The honies like the sports car, yo!

Boyfriend or Best friend?

Lana: Best friend, duh. Unless my boyfriend wants to hang out RIGHT NOW. Then, my bff would understand, right? 

Texting or Facebook?

Trish: Facebook was so yesterday.

Math or English?

Alyssa: Numbers, of course!

School or Cross Country?

Alyssa: Cross country, but don't tell my dad.

Dogs or Cats?

Trish: Whatever—as long as it doesn't shed on my Juicy sweats.

Hot popular guy, or hunky shy, slightly geeky guy?

Lana: Who'd want a geeky guy? No offense.

College or year off?

Keith: How about college abroad? I can get out of this place and Alyssa can visit.

Nickelback or Daughtry?

Keith: Is there a difference? I'm going with The Cure.

(Crystal:  Okay it's official - I like Keith even more for picking an older band!)

Lying when needed or complete honesty?

Jake: What's honesty?

Ryan: Lying. Holla!

Trish: Ryan, you're a tool. But, yeah, no one needs to know everything.

Alyssa: Some things shouldn't be talked about in front of everyone.

Keith: I'm with Al.

Lana: Oh please. Who tells the whole truth?

Short hair or Long hair?

Alyssa: Short. Less hassle for running.

Thank you Alyssa, Lana, Trish, Keith, Jake and Ryan for joining us today (and Margie).  I found this post a lot of fun!
 

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  I do not receive money for my amazon links since I live in NC (something about some law), so they are up purely for my readers to have a place to check out the book.***

Book Review: Inconvenient by Margie Gelbwessar

Inconvenient by Margie Gelbwessar
 Publisher: Flux

Publish Date: November 1, 2010

Paperback, 360 pages 
Fiction, Young Adult
 ISBN: 978-0738721484

My Review:
Inconvenient was a different book, but a very realistic book.  It involves a teenage girl undergoing several problems at one time.  First she's a Russian immigrant and she has some difficulty with teasing and fitting in due to her heritage.  Then there is some tension at home and her mother seems to drink too much at times, while her dad seems to withdraw.  On top of that she gets her first boyfriend who confuses her all the time and her best friend is trying to fit in and be popular and seems to be leaving Alyssa behind.  I honestly felt for Alyssa through this book, yet it didn't feel unrealistic.  Any one of these problems would be hard enough to go through, but all of them together make it really difficult for Alyssa.  And while at times she feels like giving in, I really love her strength.

In Alyssa, Ms. Gelbwessar, has made an amazing character for all girls to aspire to, she's not perfect, and she's struggling to find herself, but she doesn't give up even when things are at a point most people would.  I also love the side characters, especially Keith, who at times frustrates me, but then he seems like a good guy.  I didn't really like Lana, but I understood her.  What girl who is in high school or has been to high school hasn't aspired to be liked by the popular kids and to fit in with them.  Lana will do what it takes to fit in even if it means leaving Alyssa and her heritage behind.

There is a message in the book and I don't want to give too much away, but it's a great message to take away.  I enjoyed the book, it had great learning experiences, romance, and a high entertainment factor for me.  I wanted to know how Alyssa would react next and what life would throw at her.  Ms. Gelwessar crafts a great young adult novel in Inconvenient and I will be searching out more of her work in the near future.


My Rating: 4.0/5.0


About the Book:
Alyssa Bondar’s world is falling apart. She has just entered her sophomore year at Glenfair High, the only place to hang out is behind the CVS, Keith her cross-country crush keeps sending her mixed signals, and her best friend Lana has started the school year with large breasts and a sexy attitude–-attracting the attention of the most popular kids in the school, a group Alyssa clearly doesn’t fit into.

Alyssa’s Jewish, like most of Glenfair, but since she’s also Russian, Alyssa feels even more separated from other teens. How many other Jewish families have a New Year’s tree with ornaments? On top of all this, Alyssa’s once stable home environment has become chaotic.

Alyssa is used to alcohol accompanying every meal and event in the Russian culture. But when Alyssa’s mother loses her job, the usual drink or two changes into a full-time happy hour. While Alyssa’s father uses news reports of war unrest in the Middle East as his escape from reality, Alyssa is left to pick up the pieces of her shattered family alone. As her mother’s alcoholism gets worse, Alyssa must decide how much she can and should handle before she crumbles as well.

About the Author: 
Margie Gelbwasser is the author of INCONVENIENT, published by Flux in November 2010. INCONVENIENT, named a 2011 Notable Book for Teens by the Sydney Taylor Awards Committee, tells the story of Alyssa Bondar. Alyssa must cope with an alcoholic mother, tuned-out dad, first boyfriend, and end of a long friendship. Margie's next novel, PIECES OF US, is told in 4 POV (one of them second) and deals with cyber-bullying, abuse, and how one teens actions affect the other 3. It will be published by Flux March 8, 2012. 

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FTC Information: I purchased this book for the Teen Book Scene Tour for an honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.