Chat with me Thursday (7): Author interview with Isabella Modra #2

       And Isabella is back with me for another interview! Check out the first one,  focusing on her first book here

1. Was writing E&I easier or more difficult than writing Rouge? It easy and difficult in different ways, to be honest. Harder, because I was in Canada and didn't have all the resources I needed at my fingertips, and also because I had to keep checking Rouge to make sure I was following the story whilst also setting things up for book 3. It was easy though because I had a good idea of where I wanted the story to go before I started writing it, so I didn't quite feel so lost. There were a few major changes I made at the last minute, and the cover was certainly harder to create, but I really enjoyed writing E&I. I loved how Hunter transformed through her suffering and learnt to live on her own without Joshua. 2. Are any of the characters you write inspired by people in your life? Um... when I was in Canada, I met a ton of different young people who didn't necessarily 'inspire' the characters, but gave me traits to draw from. Some of the names in E&I are also directly from people that I met :) 3. Is Josh still your favorite charter to write? Joshua-UA :) (haha. Oops!) I actually really enjoy writing about Zac. His comedy in E&I is a relief for the darkness and torture and, to be honest, I could write an entire book in his perspective and have a great time doing it. Joshua, however, is my favorite character to write about alongside Hunter. After doing joint POV in E&I, I was able to explore both characters more than Rouge. And I'm in love with their relationship in book 3, which I'm writing adamantly right now. 5. Many different personalities were introduced in this book, was it difficult to include all these new characters? The difficult part was remembering all the characters amidst the action, because I want to focus on Hunter and her emotions as she watches the events take place, but I have to remember the other characters and what they're thinking and planning and especially their powers and capabilities - they're not on mute while Hunter is in the spotlight. It's hard to give them challenges when some, like Fearne or Ryo, have the most powerful abilities in the ability lottery. I have to cater for them too ;) 6. Overall, how are you enjoying the experience of being an author? I could not imagine doing anything else with my life. I'm at a point now where I'm trying to plan the next few years of my life, but literally all I can see is myself in an apartment in London or Edinburgh or New York writing all day long (which is what I do now, basically). I have big dreams. 7. (now for a fun question) You play guitar right? What was the first song you learned to play? Taylor Swift's 'Fearless'. I was fourteen, and I heard a live acoustic version of the song (this was before she started becoming famous). I thought to myself 'I have to learn that song'. I picked up my dad's really expensive Maton 6-string and taught myself. I sounded like an orangutan playing guitar backwards when I first started, but I kept playing until finally I knew how to strum and sing at the same time :) The girls I taught guitar to last year laugh at how many Taylor Swift songs I know how to play. 8. You also travel a lot. Any favorite places? It's hard to answer that, because some of my favorite places are only my favorite because of the memories I have there. In terms of actual locations, I loved Edinburgh because of its connection to J.K Rowling and how at home I felt there, as with London and New York. I loved Hopfgarten in Austria because of the beautiful hills and the culture. I loved living in Canada and working at the ski resort because I feel like I left a part of myself there and if I went back, it wouldn't feel like travelling, it would feel like home. But if someone were to ask me if I've been to a certain place, and I have, I would say I loved it anyway. Being somewhere else is magical and exciting and I'm addicted to it.        It was a pleasure to have you back here, Isabella!

Cathy's Book

Introduction

Cathy’s life has never been fantastic, her dad is dead, the relationship she has with her mom isn't the best either, but when she goes to tell off her ex, Victor, for breaking up with her without reason, she raises a whole lot of questions. Such as, what does Victor’s dead co-worker, a needle-like mark on her arm, and many Chinese elders have to do with the fact that Victor left? What could Victor be up to?

Cover

                I really like the cover for this book, this book is written in a diary-style, so I found the simple cover fitting.

Cathy

                Cathy is all too curious, just as her friend Emma says. She gets herself into risky situations to find out what is going on with Victor, which in some cases I find unrealistic, for example, when she made her way into Victor’s office. Yeah. Sure.

Victor

                Victor the mysterious ex-boyfriend. He isn't physically in a lot of scenes, but every situation that Cathy gets stuck in has something to do with him.

Timeline

                If you have ever read a book written in this style, it is common to find a date, maybe a time of day, because that would probably be included in a real diary,  but something unique about this particular book is that it doesn't really include a traditional time. Instead when starting a new entry it’ll say something like,

Feb. 5, Afternoon

(Hour of June at the Reception Desk

Or

Feb. 4, Early Morning

(Hour of the Angry E-mails)

             I don’t know why I liked the fact that they made the date like this. I just do.

Extra Material

                Inside the front cover, extra material is included in a pouch, and it’s so cool. Including, a napkin, a picture mentioned in the book, certificates business cards (with numbers you can actually call) and a whole bunch of other awesome stuff, I loved that they included these things. It sets it apart from other diary-style written books.

Conclusion

This book was an easy read for me. I really enjoyed it. It is however the first book in a trilogy, if I hadn't been told that the book wasn't a standalone, I probably wouldn't have known. It ends with a peacefulness that I find entirely fitting.

Bad News...

       So, my laptop broke. It's old, it's okay. May my laptop rest in peace. Anyway now I need to use an old computer that I have to share. Anyway, for now, my post are going to be next to none. Which means, for the authors that are awaiting reviews, I am probably not going to be able to complete them for a while. Nothing loads correctly on this computer. My deepest apologies. This also means that I am not accepting any reviews for a long time, just in case anybody was waiting with baited breath, just hoping that I am going to review their book, I am now unable to. Again, it deeply saddens me, and I am sorry.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Author: John Green
Author Website
Author Twitter
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 313
Publication Date: January 12 2013
Publisher: Dutton Books

Introduction
       Hazel Grace has never been anything but terminal. Living with Thyroid cancer, and lungs that "suck at being lungs," everything has just been about extending her time here on earth, not about curing her. When her mother decided that she was depressed, she insisted that Hazel attend a Cancer Support group, each equally as boring and sad as the next. Until one day in walks Augustus Waters. A charming, attractive, Osteosarcoma/amputee survivor, who takes an interest in Hazel immediately. Watch as two far from normal teenagers fall into a beautifully sad kind of love.

Hazel
       I liked Hazel's character, I found her very realistic. She has to be connected to oxygen almost constantly thanks to her illness, but I liked how she knew that her illness does not define her, and for she had some pretty humorous moments through out the book.

Augustus
       Oh, sweet, charming, Augustus. How I have watched girls on the internet fangirl over you. Augustus somehow manages to be perfect--even with his old illness, and a prosthetic leg--without being snobby. I really don't have much to say about him other than the fact that now I understand why people fangirl over him.

Isaac
       Isaac was a great addition to the story, and I honestly don't think I would like the book as much without him. He makes the book more then just a sad love story.


Hazel's Parents
       I thought Hazels parents were really nice, and adorably sweet most of the time, the only exception being when Hazel needed to go see Gus, and her parents were upset about her leaving all the time. I mean, I understand that they want to see Hazel too, but Gus has literally days to live. And as she pointed out, when Gus goes, she will be home every night.

Conclusion (I ranted a little, here.)
       I waited so long to read this book mostly because it's freaking expensive, but when I got it as a gift, I was overjoyed. The characters are amazing, and very realistic and this book is great. I love it. I already knew how the book ended, before I read the book, and I told myself not to get attached to the characters but I did. I did. I did. Despite the fact that I already knew how it would end, and I loved every minute of being attached to these wonderful characters. And for a final note. Before somebody says something like "You only read the book because a movie is in theaters now." I had been wanting to read it since I heard about it, I just didn't have the book at my disposal. Before all the people go around saying things like "To all the real fans of TFIOS. The people that read the book before it was a movie" Or... "You are only a real fan if you read it before it was cool." Anybody can be a fan of anything they want. Watch I'll determine a fan.

Have you read the book and or watched the movie?

If you answered yes, proceed to the next question

Did you like it?

If you answered yes, boom. I consider you a fan.

Liebster Blog Award!

       I have been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award again! Let me first begin with this speech.
       "I would like to thank my mother, my father, and my wonderful siblings for showing me my love for reading, making sure it blossomed like the most beautiful rose after a shimmering rain."

       No. Let me start again, I'm a tad nervous, I'm not good in front of 52 followers.

        "I would like to thank the academy..."  *Winning smile.*
       Okay, I'll be serious now. I would like to thank Natasha from Natasha's Little World for nominating me. Anyway, onto the 10 questions I must answer to accept this award.

1. What is your favorite part of blogging?
       I don't even know what my favorite part of blogging is. I enjoy writing reviews. So, yeah. I guess writing reviews.

2. Who is your idol
       I don't even have an idol. I don't think I have ever idolized anybody, but I guess if I had to choose somebody that I really like it would probably be Jennifer Lawrence. Aside from the fact that she is an amazing actress, she sets a really good example for girls, showing them that they can be beautiful even though that they aren't considered "skinny." I also admit I watch her interviews Youtube, because she always says something funny.

3. Who is your favorite book character?
       This question is very hard. I mean, sure I have characters that I love, but I always choose a character from a book that I have recently read, because they are fresh in my mind. So, the character might not be my my favorite ever, but it is at least my favorite in the newest bunch of books that I have read. So without further ado, I choose Isaac from TFIOS
4. favorite song/artist.
       Ummmmm...I guess Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day. I can't believe that, that song was released 10 years ago...anyway, I also like almost anything by 3oh!3, Mayday Parade, or All Time Low. I think my favorite song by 3oh!3 is probably I'm not the One. My favorite song by Mayday Parade is probably Stay, and my favorite song by All Time Low is either Me Without You or Reckless and The Brave. WAIT WAIT. I also really like The Party Song by Forever the Sickest Kids. OR Your Gonna go far Kid by The Offspring. OR Teenagers by My Chemical Romance. OR A March Into Water by Pierce the Veil.

       Alright, obviously I can't choose a favorite. But it's safe to say that I don't like any country...or One Direction...or Justin Bieber...or Miley Cyrus

5. Best friends name?
       HAHHAHAHAHAHA...I don't have friends. I mean, I have like 3...I don't really want to name them, but I don't think you really care who my best friends are anyway.

6. Favorite series?
       I don't really know what series is my favorite. I like a lot. I can't even. I suck at answering these questions. Darn.

7. Best quality?
       Physical quality? or like, personality-wise? I'll answer both then. Physically, everybody always tells me that I have nice eyes. They're blue You jelly? Don't be, it's not that big of a deal. Personality wise, sometimes I'm funny.

8. Favorite genre?
        My favorite genre is defiantly dystopia. No questions asked.

9.  Perfect world?
        I have no idea what this question means, but I think in the perfect world. I would be a bestselling author, and I would have a tame fox as my loyal companion. (Although a hedgehog would hurt either.)

10. Books most recommended?
        The books  that I recommend to people depend on who I am talking to and what they are interested in. I find myself usually recommending, Divergent by Veronica Roth. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (Though it's not for everybody) or Legend by Marie Lu

       Okay, so I know I'm supposed to nominate 10 people, but I can't. So I am nominating one person, so everybody give a warm congratulations to...Lauren, aka Pink Avenger over at Pink Avenger Prime. I love her blog!

My questions for you are:

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
2. Did you do the design for your blog? (It's beautiful!)
3. Why did you stat blogging?
4. Do you have a book that you regret reading?
5. If you could hang out with one protagonist would it be and why?
6. Who is your OTP?
7. Do you have any book character relationship that you strongly dislike?
8. If you could change one book ending, what book ending would you change, and what about it?
9. If you could interview one author-living or dead-who would it be, what would you ask said person.
10. Any stand-alone novel you wish would have a sequel?

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Author: C.C Hunter
Format: Paperback
Pages: 398
Author Website
Date Published: March 29 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin


Introduction
         Everything in Kylie's life is falling apart. Her parents are getting a divorce, she feels that her dad doesn't love her like he used to, she's still grieving over her dead Nana, and to make matters even worse, she has a stalker that only she can see. Her shrink, Ms. Day, convinces her mom to send Kylie to Shadow Falls, a summer camp for juvenile teens after she gets stuck at the wrong party. Kylie wants nothing to do with the juvenile kids at the camp, and right when she gets on the bus, she can tell that something is off about these kids. Kylie is at the camp all of five minutes when she is informed that everybody at the camp is supernatural. Vampire's, witches, fae, werewolves, and even a few necromancers are present at the camp. Kylie doesn't think she belongs at Shadow Falls, but every argues that she does. She is different. She's even different from everybody else at the camp. Nobody can figure out what she is, so that makes her interesting. Even though Kylie is sure that she doesn't belong at Shadow Falls, she's stuck at the camp for the summer so she might as well make the most of it.

Cover
       I like the cover, with the creepy looking tree and the shiny purple background, what I don't like is the girl standing in the middle of the tree. I think the cover would look much better if she wasn't there.

Love interests.
       Enter the love triangle square. Yeah, that's right Kylie kind-of sort-of has feelings for three guys. First we have Trey. A mortal, and he happens to be Kylie's ex-boyfriend that broke up with her after almost a year because he wouldn't go all the way with him. Kylie is not fully over him, and it doesn't help when he says that he wants her back. Personally, I think Trey is a huge waste of time. If he is going to be such a jerk, then she needs to move one, and not consider going back to him.
       Next we have Lucas. A werewolf boy with whom she shares a secret past. (Or so it says in the synopsis on the back of the book.) Now you should think if they put it like that, it should be really interesting. It's not. It's not as interesting as the synopsis makes it sound. But besides that, I liked Lucas. He was pretty cool.
       And last, is Derek. A half-fae. He seems the most determined to be her boyfriend out of the three. I liked him also. He had some pretty cool gifts, like how he can partially communicate with animals, and how he can manipulate feelings. Of course the fact that he can manipulate feelings has Kylie on the edge. She needs to know that her feelings for him are pure. Another thing that has Kylie on edge is the fact that Derek just so happens to look like Trey.
       The one thing that bothers me, is at some point she makes out with all three of the guys. It's true, she picks one guy in the end, but something happens near the end of the book that makes the other two guys unable to be with her, so basically she ran out of choices. I am happy with who she ended up with, but I do suspect that the other two guys that  she didn't choose to be with are going to be back in the second installment.

Della
       Della is one of Kylie's roommates. (The cooler one if you as me.) She's a newly-turned vampire. She has to put up with Kylie telling her how blood is gross, and I admire he for keeping her cool so well, with Kylie being so insensitive about what Vampires need to do to survive.

Grammar
       I did catch a few grammar mistakes. Simple rules that should be second nature, like when something that already ends in an s is plural you don't add the extra s afterwards.

Conclusion
       It seems that I have a soft spot for books that involve supernatural camps and schools, and this one did not disappoint. It didn't focus on Kylie being super-natural all the time, had chapters focusing on what Kylie's life is going to be like when she goes home. Now that her parents are divorced and I liked that. It added a realistic element to the story. I liked the ending of Born at Midnight, and I am intrigued to see what will happen in Awake at Dawn.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Author: Michelle Hodkin
Author Website
Author Twitter
Publication Date: September 27 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers


Introduction
       Mara Dyer wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the last few days. She is informed that her friends died when a building collapsed. She was with them, but she somehow managed to escape the same fate. She shouldn't be alive, she should be dead, along with everybody else. She isn't dead, but she isn't what she used to be. Mara starts hallucinating. beginning to doubt whats real, Mara downplays everything that is going on so that her family doesn't worry, but most importantly, doesn't have her committed. Mara's whole family moves to Florida in hopes to have a new beginning, but the hallucinations still follow her. She doesn't know how long she can hold herself together, but she also knows that she can't fall apart.

Cover
       I really like the cover of this book. I mean, really like it. I don't really know why, but it probably has something to do with the fact that I have never seen one much like it

Noah
     I liked Noah. His easy banter with Mara was hilarious. Even though he has a lot of money, I never really thought he was spoiled or bratty, like many authors make higher-class people out to be.

Jamie
       Jamie was probably my favorite character. Because he is one of Mara's only friends, he is in a lot of the book. You are probably not going to believe me, but even before it was mentioned in the book, he reminded me of Yoda.

Hallucinations
       Mara's hallucinations are consistent throughout the book. I enjoyed how while Mara was having a hallucination, there was no giveaway that she was having one. It wasn't written differently, it didn't go into another chapter. It was all written the same way. I liked that, because this way, it's a little bit of a guessing game at some points, just like it would be for Mara.

Plot Twist
       I have to say, I did not see this plot twist coming, and that actually makes me really happy. A lot of times, I predict the plot twists, and it kind of takes away most of what you should be feeling at the plot twist point. This book did manage to put a nice plot twist. It's not a earth shattering twist, but I liked it, nonetheless.

Conclusion
       I am extremely happy with The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. It has pretty much a little bit of everything. it had some paranormal aspects, it had Mara just trying to live a normal life, the romance between Mara and Noah was great. It was in most of the book, but it wasn't overwhelming. I will defiantly be recommending this to my friends. I believe that both genders would enjoy this book, and I can't wait to read the second installment in the trilogy.