Favorite Interview Q&A + Signed Raven Boys Giveaway
Happy Blogiversary!
So, I have to be completely honest. When I first decided to start blogging, I didn’t have any direction or goal. Now, I try to focus on books that test the boundaries. I love the grit of dark fiction and the imagination of fantasy. I like the moral dilemmas of dystopians and the unspeakable acts in horror.
My first reviews came as a result of winning Goodreads giveaways. Its been nearly 6 months since I last won one, but I had pretty good luck in those early days. Sometimes, I’d win 2 or 3 in a night. I can’t remember why I started posted reviews on a blog, but once I started I couldn’t stop. And once I was posting regularly, I decided that I had to include more than reviews. I joined up with blog tours, memes, and giveaway hops.
I really never imagined that I’d make it to a year, particularly in those early days. Even now, it’s sometimes hard to log in to Wordpress and type out a post. But then, I read an amazing book and I can’t wait to tell everyone I know how awesome it is. I keep this blog open because I do love books. I think that good authors should get exposure and bad authors should be exposed.
I had a lot of different ideas for what to do with my blogiversary, but in the end, I decided to keep it simple. I had the pleasure of meeting Maggie Steifvater at a signing a couple weeks ago and picked up a copy of her latest book for you guys. To thank you for checking out this post and others, I have a signed copy of the Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (with an amazing personalized doodle). Check out the bottom of this post for more information about this giveaway.
Because I wanted to highlight the ‘extras’ of Lizzy’s Dark Fiction, this giveaway/post spotlights memes. I really liked the idea of memes, but I’m not much for following the crowd with some of the more popular memes. I did do a couple Sunday Showcases and Feature & Follows, but otherwise I stuck with my own memes:
Short Story Saturday – highlights short stories and novellas that I’ve enjoyed
5 Star Reviews – discussion posts that compares what 5 star books exceed at to what 1 star books fail with
This is Your Song – book playlists
Mental Coloration – brief meme that involved me using crayons
My Favorite Meme
But my absolute favorite meme that I’ve created is 10 Things You’re Too Scared To Ask, which is my version of author interviews.
To highlight all the great interviews that I’ve had over the last couple months, I’ve picked my favorite answer from each interview. Also, I went through all the comments and picked the question that my followers loved the best too. Click on the author’s name to read the full interview.
1) If you could revive one person in history and make them your zombie slave, who would it be? - Micheal Cargill
Julius Caesar. The French military is getting a bit bossy in Africa these days and if anyone knows how to put the Gauls back in their box, it’s him. If it turns out that his military genius doesn’t survive the zombie resurrection process, I’ll just pop a centurion helmet on his head and pretend he’s a punk rocker.
2) What is the hardest scene you have ever written. – Derrolyn Anderson
Sex scenes are tough. I don’t write erotica (not yet, at any rate) and I’m all about the “fade to black” sex scene. Not because I don’t imagine my characters getting down to it, but because the language and imagery often used is so loaded. The ick factor can get really high, and one person’s sexy might make another person throw up in their mouth a little bit. For example, I cringe to read about anything moist, glistening, swollen, throbbing or spurting. Sounds like an infection. Her “nub”, his “manhood”, all that mewling, laving, spurting, seed spilling, thrusting and pumping… It’s tricky, because the more clinical terms are almost always way too sterile. Hats off to anyone who can write sexy sex without making me laugh out loud.
3) You have to fight zombies. What is in your arsenal? – Dave Ferraro
My legs. They will carry me far, far away. Actually, I think that a fireplace poker would be a good weapon. It’s pretty long, so you can get a jab in from far enough away that you don’t have to worry about a bite, and it can deliver a good blow to the head to make them stay down. Unless we’re talking fast-moving zombies, because then I’m screwed unless they’re frightened off by the sound of screaming.
4) One of your favorite authors agrees to go on a date. Who is it and how do you woe him/her? - Coral Russell
I want to go out with Emma Holly only I’m not a lesbian and neither is she but she writes really really steamy romance for all genders and was the first author blog that I’ve came across that posted helpful links and resources for aspiring writers. So I would woe her by hiring people to act out a scene from one of her books. It would be optional if she wanted to participate or just watch.
5) Write the most ‘rediculous’ death scene possible. - Benjamin Epstein
It was late one night. I was working on the sequel to my book. It is a hard task. I am not having a lot of success. I am banging my head against the wall, hoping that there was a way to get my ideas sparked.
And then I had a vision. A terrible phantasm manifested of my old High School English teacher, Mr. Bindner.
“What kind of weak writing do you contaminate the written page with?” he roared through the mists of memory. “I told you many times before not to use passive verbs!”
“Passive verbs?” I whimper. ”What on earth is a passive verb?”
“Is is!” he snarled. ”All the roots of the phrase ‘to be!’ Is, Was, Am, Are, Be, all of those passive verbs are unacceptable…. will not be accepted… you cannot use them! They suck away all life and vitality from your work, and you shall not pass my class if you continue to employ them!”
“Well, forget it buddy!” I yelled back at the emanation. ”I am a published author now! My book is sold for real money on Amazon! I was in your class, but I can no longer be bullied by you! And now you have no power over me. Ha! Let’s change that: You are powerless!”
Laughing maniacally, I resumed my work, shouting each forbidden word in defiance of the wraith of dynamic writing. “It WAS late one night! I AM banging my head against the wall!”
But little did I know the folly of mocking the wizards of lively writing and proper grammer. I should have known when this very question misspelled the word “ridiculous.” The ghost of old Bindner reached through the thin veil separating the physical world from the realm of spirits. My heart froze to ice, and I expired before I could strike the next keystroke. Alas, poor me. I knew me well.
Reader’s Choice:
(This is a question so loved that I can’t help but use it over and over again!)
Name one culturally “taboo” thing you wish would be accepted.
I’m just as brainwashed as the next person, but wouldn’t it be great if female body hair was considered attractive? No more plucking, waxing and shaving! Imagine the poolside liberation
.
Wearing women’s underwear. The ladies have bras that cater to each part of their body that hangs down, so why can’t the men? We’re lumbered with all-encompassing boxer short things where everything just gets thrown together in one untidy heap. It’s why our dingly-danglies always look like they need to be ironed.
I think that people should be allowed to die if they’re in pain and there’s no hope for them. We euthanize animals, but not humans who are in intolerable amounts of pain? It seems strange to me that this isn’t allowed.
In the US we have ‘personal space’ issues and I would like to see the taboo loosened. It should be perfectly fine to aim a flying hug at a perfect stranger anytime you want.
Not watching television. You know how many times someone describes in intimate detail their favorite scene from “Seinfeld” or some modestly famous competitor from American Idol? And when I say I don’t watch TV, they look at me like I’m an alien from another planet?
And the same goes for sports! Why should I be made to feel like an ignoramus if I don’t know who’s playing in the Superbowl, or I wonder when the New York Giants moved away from San Francisco?
Not to mention popular movies! Do I have to feel small if I was the last person to see the Blair Witch Project, or Titanic, or Kill Bill? I had things to do that weekend!
Or music! So what if I just got around to listening to 99 red balloons last week?
Sometimes it feels like the only people who don’t make fun of my cultural ignorance is the Amish. Until they told me that my horse and buggy was just so last century.
Giveaway
There is only one entry to this giveaway. Comment with your answer to the question. Be creative. My favorite answer will win a signed copy of the Raven Boys (US only).
Another person, this one randomly selected, will win a $10 Amazon.com giftcard (INT). Please put in your comment if you’re US/Canada or INT. Also, please include some way for me to contact you. Giveaway ends 5/12/13.
1) Answer the question: Name one culturally “taboo” thing you wish would be accepted.
2) Put your nationality (US or INT)
3) Some way to contact. Email preferred.
(I’m not responsible for items lost in the mail. Winners will have 72 hours to respond. Winner of the signed copy of Raven Boys must have a US shipping address or another person will be selected.)
Read MoreShort Story Saturday #17 The Haunted Halls
Short Story Saturday #17
Welcome to Short Story Saturday, where I find books 100 pages or less on Amazon that are both self-published/small press published and worth reading, which means you’ll only see mini-reviews of 3 stars and up on this feature! If you know of an awesome short story (can be your own), send me an email. If I like it, then I’ll post it on Short Story Saturday.
The Haunted Halls: Volume 1 by Glenn Rolfe
Genre: Horror
Publisher: Allen Agenda Publishing
Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Jukepop Serials
Released January 27, 2013
Description:
What lies in wait at the Bruton Inn? Where did it come from? What does it want? People are checking in, but the little voices, the nightmares,the deep cold sinking into their marrow is changing them. What haunts these halls will alter those within its confines. Something big is unfolding, something dark- something evil. The haunted halls of the Bruton Inn welcome you. Checking in?
My thoughts: I am completely shocked by this first installment by Glenn Rolfe. This story captivated and chilled me from the first page. I’m shocked as to how well the author drew me into each character’s story, made me care about each character, set up a pretty creepy scene, and then forced me to the next character. There were so many characters and yet each one had an individual personality and story. To successfully develop that many characters in such a limited word-space and still not ever info dump is an incredible display of writing talent.
I did think that the flashbacks were weaker than the present day story. Considering how brief these flashbacks, I don’t think their faults can merit a deduction in the rating. The horror did waver slightly by the end. Horror is a hard sell, but I think that Glenn Rolfe has created the beginning of a fantastic serial series with this first short story. At only 43 pages, it accomplishes more than I thought a short story could. The ending isn’t exactly a cliffhanger, but it does make you want to start the next segment. (A)
The hand caressed his chin; fear commandeered his thoughts. He began whimpering a preemptive cry, as he felt the hand begin pulling away from his face, the flesh of his stubble covered jawline ripping up and away with its cold dead touch.
The Haunted Halls: Volume I is currently only 99 cents on Amazon, but you can read the FULL story for free on Jukepop Serials.
Read MoreSeries Overview: The Flesh Cartel by Rachel Haimowitz
I’m doing this review a little differently, since I was given review copies of both the first and second installment. Each one is less than a hundred pages but no less compelling to read than a full length novel. If you’re able to handle the content, then this is a great short length series to read. I would put up a warning label, but there’s too many warnings to list. If you get offended by anything, chances are you will probably get offended by something in this series.
I received copies of both from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The Flesh Cartel Series by Rachel Haimowitz
Genre: Erotic horror
Publisher: Riptide
The Flesh Cartel #1: Capture
Links: Goodreads | Riptide Publishing | Amazon
Released October 1st, 2012
In this first installment of the exciting new psychosexual thriller, The Flesh Cartel, orphaned brothers Mat and Dougie Carmichael are stolen in the night from their own home. Taken to a horrifying processing facility, they are assessed, microchipped, and subjected to unspeakable brutality—all in preparation for sale to the highest bidder.
In a world where every person has a price, the beautiful and subduable PhD student Dougie is highly prized. His brother, a rough-edged MMA fighter, is less desirable—and potentially too dangerous—but he still has his own appeal.
Abused and locked up under round the clock surveillance, with no idea where they are or even why they’ve been taken, escape seems impossible, which leaves staying together their only hope. And after being separated once by the foster system, they’ll do anything to keep it from happening again. Anything at all.
(Publisher’s note: This title contains material some may find objectionable or trigger-inducing, including explicit violence, non-consent, and forced incest.)
Please note that Amazon has removed this title from their site for “content violation.” It is still available at a number of other retailers and the publisher’s website.
available on Amazon as of 2/25/13
There have been very few books that are too hardcore for me to read. The Flesh Cartel is right on that border. There were sections of this book that I seriously considered to putting the book down because of how far it pushed my comfort zone. This isn’t your typical BSDM novel of master and servant. This is a story about two brothers abducted and forced into sexual slavery. There are no limits to how gritty this novel gets. The torture scenes are more degrading than my imagination thought possible. If graphic scenes bother you, don’t read. If m/m bothers you, don’t read. If rape scenes bother you, don’t read. If you can’t stomach incest, don’t read. If none of that stuff bothers you, then prepare for a mental roller coaster as you read this book. It’s the novel equivalent of the movie Cannibal Holocaust. Apparently, Amazon removed it from their site for a while because of content issues and I can completely understand why.
This is part of a series and one I will most definitely be continuing. A+
The Flesh Cartel #2: Auction
Links: Goodreads | Riptide Publishing | Amazon
Released November 5, 2012
In episode two of The Flesh Cartel, the dark purpose behind Mat and Dougie Carmichael’s abduction is revealed. Though Dougie is protected from the worst of the guards’ brutality, he’s disgusted to find himself halfway to broken—despairing of escape and terrified of pain. Mat holds onto hope despite repeated rapes and beatings, but threats toward his brother teach him well to lay aside his pride and pick his battles carefully.
Worn down by days of unrelenting fear and abuse, Mat and Dougie are packaged and marketed with the same ruthless efficiency as any consumer product: Dougie the prettyboy twink, Mat the rabid pit bull. They are led to the auction block as the showpiece of the house’s collection.
Mat would rather be beaten to death than play the role of obedient slave for sale, but Dougie, desperate not to be separated from his brother, strikes a deal with the pitiless Madame who runs the auction house and controls both their fates. It might just be enough to keep them together—slaves, but together—assuming Mat even wants to be after Dougie fulfills his end of his deal with the devil.
(Publisher’s note: This title contains material some may find objectionable or trigger-inducing, including explicit violence, non-consent, and forced incest.)
The second part of the series is basically about how far will you go to save the life of someone you love. For Dougie and Mat, that limit is probably further than most of us. I can’t imagine ever suffering through this with one of my siblings. I think if my life ever got to this point, death might be a better option. But, not these two.
The scenes are so vivid and heart-wrenching that it feels like I’m reading someone’s memoir and not a work of fiction. (A)
(Information borrowed from Goodreads. No picture available.)
M/M erotic romance author, freelance writer and editor, sadist with a pesky conscience, shamelessly silly, proudly pervish. I’m a twitter addict (@rachelhaimowitz), and I blog every M/W/F at Fantasy Unbound. To learn all about my current and upcoming projects, please stop by my website. I love to hear from folks, so feel free to drop me a line anytime at metarachel (at) gmail (dot) com.
Read MoreShort Story Saturday #15
Welcome to Short Story Saturday, where I find books 100 pages or less on Amazon that are self-published/small press published and worth reading, which means you’ll only see mini-reviews of 3 stars and up on this feature!
If you know of an awesome short story (can be your own), send me an email. If I like it, then I’ll post it on Short Story Saturday.
Ice Gods Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Self-published
This novella is currently only $.99 on Amazon. More reviews available on Goodreads.
A trip to Iceland to find her father turns into a nightmare when she is transported to the icy palace of Valhalla and lands in the middle of the Ice Gods family feud. Odin’s son has loved and protected her from afar. Now she is in his world, he can finally make her his.
It’s been a while since I read a novella/short story that managed to not only create a complete beginning - middle – end (most are cliffhangers) but also spent time crafting the world and characters. There’s a little bit of paranormal, dose of mythical being, and a slice of sexy-time. The ending is as predictable as the one for Titanic, but unless you are a hater of the genre, I can’t see how you wouldn’t enjoy Ice Gods Christmas.
Read MoreShort Saturday #14
Welcome to Short Story Saturday, where I find books 100 pages or less on Amazon that are self-published/small press published and worth reading, which means you’ll only see mini-reviews of 3 stars and up on this feature!
If you know of an awesome short story (can be your own), send me an email. If I like it, then I’ll post it on Short Story Saturday.
This week, I decided to check out the first part of a series I’ve heard quite a bit about. Only the first part is FREE. If you want all six parts you can buy it HERE.
The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter Part 1 by Jennifer Malone Wright
Genre: MG Paranormal
Publisher: Self published
This 19 page short story is currently FREE on Amazon. More reviews are available on Goodreads.
The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter is the first in a serialized novel by Jennifer Malone Wright.
Fourteen-year-old Chloe witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of a vampire. Before the vampire can kidnap her, there is an unexpected rescue by a group of vampire hunters. Overwhelmed by the feeling of safety, Chloe passes out and they whisk her away to their small community.
When Chloe wakes, she comes face to face with the only other living relative, besides her mother, whom she has ever met: her grandfather. Chloe’s mother kept her hidden from the family; now, Chloe tries to unveil the family secrets.
Through her grandfather, she learns her mother was a vampire hunter. In fact, her entire family is descended from the powerful bloodlines of vampire hunters. Chloe agrees to join the family she has never known for one reason only: Chloe vows to kill the vampire responsible for her mother’s murder.
With vengeance in her soul, Chloe is even more determined to follow through on her vow when she discovers the true identity of her enemy and how he is connected to her
The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter is the first in a serialized novel by Jennifer Malone Wright.
The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter is the first of a series of short stories about a girl named Chloe. I think that this short story would appeal more to fans of MG than of YA, as the violence and language is very censored. The censorship causes the book to lose some of its authenticity as far as dialogue is concerned, but the storyline is still pretty interesting. I wish that there was a background scene that portrayed Chloe and her mother’s relationship and normal behavior so that I could compare it to what happened when she’s kidnapped. But, I haven’t yet read the rest of the series so the author might give more background on the pre-kidnapping Chloe in the next part.
Read MoreStalk me…
Tattoo Your Love for Me
Follow Another Way
What’s on my mind
Rating System
Hauntingly Beautiful
Near Perfection
Couch Companion
Red Pen Alert
Better Left Buried