Rookie Wednesday: Kelly Creagh, author of Nevermore

Rookie Wednesdays are where I interview authors, of any genre and/or reading level, with recent or upcoming debut novels. If you're an author with a recent/upcoming debut and would like to be interviewed, hit me up at jax @ eclecticbooklover . com

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Today's debut author is Kelly Creagh whose YA novel, Nevermore, was just released in the US yesterday.

Great to have you here at The Eclectic Book Lover, Kelly! Let's start off with one random tidbit about yourself.

Thanks for having me! Something that I love for people to know about me is that I am a professional bellydancer and instructor. I especially enjoy performing to live Greek, Arabic or Egyptian music.

What's the best book that you've read over the past six months?

I really enjoyed The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafron. Actually, I listened to the audio of this and the musical accompaniment was so deliciously creepy. This was a wonderful spooky read.

What were you doing the moment you found out that Nevermore?

I was at work when I got “the call.” Looking back, I can’t really understand why I was so subdued. I think part of me thought that it wasn’t quite official yet. Even though I wasn’t really in a place where I could
shout, push myself around in my wheely chair and kick my legs, I really should have.

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Interview & Giveaway: Larissa Ione, author of Sin Undone

Today I'm glad to be hosting Larissa Ione, who's Demonica paranormal romance series is a favorite of mine (LOVE Wraith!). Her latest installment, Sin Undone, was recently released and she's here to tell us a bit of what to expect.

Great to have you here at The Eclectic Book Lover, Larissa! Could you tell new readers a bit about your Demonica series?

First of all, thank you for this opportunity! It's nice to be here with you and your readers! Okay, so about the Demonica series...the easiest way to describe it is "Buffy The Vampire Slayer meets E.R." It's a series set in and around an underworld hospital run by vampires, werewolves, and demons. It's very dark, gritty, and sexy, but there are a few light moments in each book, mainly because I'm a little twisted like that...

Sin Undone features the first female Seminus demon in your books. Is she an anomaly or will there be more?

She's definitely unique, and she'll stay that way. She was created in sort of a "perfect storm" of events, and I just don't see that being recreated. But...because she's unique, it's always possible that she, unlike her brothers, may have female children. Hmm...the possibilities... *g*

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Pint Sized 'Pinions: Contemporary Romance Edition

Pint-Sized 'Pinions are mini-reviews that I post often (usually weekly). The books reviewed have either been reviewed a lot or I don't have much to say for them, whether negative or positive, to justify an extended review.

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Well, the first one's not technically a contemporary romance, but fans of the genre may like it...

Family Affair by Caprice Crane
Women's Fiction/Chick Lit
Bantam (September 29, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0553386233
368 pages

When Layla Brennan married her high school sweetheart, Brett Foster, she finally got the big, loving family she’d always wanted: his. Now she’s closer to Brett’s parents than he is, partners with his sister in a successful pet-photography business, and confidant to his younger brother. She couldn’t be more of a Foster if she’d been born one. There’s just one problem: Brett wants a divorce. Stunned and heartbroken, Layla turns to the Fosters for comfort, only to realize that losing Brett means losing them as well. What else can she do but sue him for the most valuable thing he’s got–namely, his family. Breaking up may be hard to do, but for Layla and Brett it’s even harder to undo.

Fresh, funny, poignant, and brimming with insight into what makes modern families tick–and what can blow them apart–Family Affair proves that in love and war, everything’s relative.

Told in alternating POVs, Caprice Crane tackles an interesting subject in a humorous way. Unfortunately, all the humor in the world can't make up for Brett's selfishness. He's initially unwilling to work on their (relatively minor) issues and instead decides to dump his wife. After that, he goes on to be pretty hateful towards her when what she really deserves is some compassion and sympathy. While he goes on to make it up to Layla, I can't say that he was totally redeemed in my estimation. Still, Crane's trademark humor managed to rescue this novel for me somewhat. However, if you're looking for more likable characters, try her novels Stupid and Contagious and Forget About It.

Grade: C+

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Rookie Wednesday & Giveaway: Kathy Charles, author of John Belushi Is Dead

So, I'm reinstating a former feature of mine today. Rookie Wednesdays are where I interview authors, of any genre and/or reading level, with recent or upcoming debut novels. If you're an author with a recent/upcoming debut and would like to be interviewed, hit me up at jax @ eclecticbooklover . com

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Today's debut author is Kathy Charles whose YA novel, John Belushi Is Dead, was just released yesterday in North America and was initially published in Australia and New Zealand as Hollywood Ending.

Great to have you here at The Eclectic Book Lover, Kathy! Let's start off with one random tidbit about yourself.

I own a pug dog named Tubs, but really it is him who owns me.

What were you doing the moment you found out that John Belushi Is Dead had sold?

Uh, is it uncool to say I was sitting at my laptop frantically clicking the refresh button until I saw an email from my agent? Because if it is, I totally won't say that.

What's the best book that you've read over the past six months?

Imperial Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis.

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