Author Interview + Giveaway: The Cinderella Theorem

Today I bring you and interview with Kristee Ravan author of The Cinderella Theorem. Enjoy and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end!

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 How did you get into writing?        

One of my grandmothers was an English teacher and after my fifth birthday, she made a book with me about my party.  I told her what to write, she scribed it, and I “illustrated” it with my crayons.  It was pretty awesome to my five-year-old self.  After that, I wrote all the time.  I had notebooks, I played out stories in my dollhouse, and in high school, I started a novel that is pretty bad until you get to the parts of it that I finished in college. Also, I read a lot as a kid.  I think reading leads to writing a lot of the time.

What other jobs have you had as you made your way to becoming a writer?

I also really liked school and I enjoyed playing school, so I got a teaching degree in college.  In my mind, I was a writer, so I didn’t bother to pursue an English major or take creative writing classes.  I just assumed I would write in my spare time like I’d always done.  After college, I spent two years teaching overseas (1 year in the jungle) in Bolivia.  When I came home, I had already started The Cinderella Theorem and was ready to be more proactive with writing.  I took part-time work such as substitute teaching, giving piano lessons, and being a part-time social worker, so that I would have time to write.  Currently, I homeschool my nine-year-old daughter, run our home, and write, write, write.

Where did the idea to combine math and magic come from?

On my recommendation, my sister stayed up all night reading Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.  (I recommended that she read it, not that she stay up all night.)  The next morning, at breakfast she said, “You should write a book like that.  Something with Cinderella.”  My sister loves Cinderella. So the idea of a Cinderella book was turning around in my head. A few weeks after that, my college roommate confused two really well known fairy tales in a casual conversation.  My roommate also happened to be a math major. Then the story stared clicking. What if someone who was clueless about fairy tales and loved order and logic found herself the future ruler of a magical (illogical) fairy tale kingdom?

Who or what inspired Lily's character?

That college roommate was a big influence on Lily’s character.  In fact, when Lily tells her guidance counselor in the first chapter that she wants “to do pure mathematics research at a major university or be a code-breaker for the National Security Agency,” that is exactly what my roommate would say she wanted to do with her math degree. 

What are some of your own favorite books/writers?

I like a lot of books, but I love all of the Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery.  Every time I read an Anne book, I feel sad that Anne is fictional and I can never be her friend in real life. I also love Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody books.  I laugh out loud every time and almost never correctly guess who the villain is.  Also anything by Carolyn Meyer is a big hit with me.  I usually clear an entire day in my calendar for one of her books, so I can read it all up at once.  (If I don’t clear the day, I still read it all at once and then I’m just behind on everything.) Patience, Princess Catherine is my favorite.  Other favorites are the Harry Potter books, the Artemis Fowl books, Dead End in Norvelt, The Hobbit, and Watersmeet.

Something readers should particularly know about your novel?

There are footnotes in it.  The story stands alone without the footnotes.  They just add extra color, information or explanations to the story.  Sort of like pop-ups on a music video.

Also, you do not have to be good at math to enjoy the book.  Anything that isn’t commonly known, Lily explains in the footnotes.  Nor do you have to know a lot about fairy tales.  Lily knows practically nothing about them and chances are, you know more than her.

What are you working on now?

The sequel to The Cinderella Theorem, called Calculating Christmas.  Lily and company have another adventure and must save Christmas.  Also there is origami, a Halloween dance, and of course, math and fairy tales.

Favorite math course?

Interestingly, while I do like math, I don’t LOVE it as much as Lily does.  I research  a lot while writing her math bits.  I remember feeling lost in Algebra 1 and Geometry.  My Algebra 2 teacher helped me to understand things better (Thanks, Mr. Herring!), and the next year I loved Pre-Calculus and almost took Calculus for fun in college (okay, that does sound a little bit like Lily), but I couldn’t justify the VERY expensive textbook for an elective course.

Thank you Ms. Hernandez, for your time and interest!

Thank you very much for such a lovely interview! Ella Enchanted is still one of my most reread favorite books ever! Calculus was kind of fun though I wouldn't have taken it if not required for my major, but Statistics is where it's at!

**The Kindle version of The Cinderella Theorem will be available for FREE on Amazon.com May 1st-3rd.  Check it out for yourself!

Check out The Cinderella Theorem on Goodreads. 

Facebook Page Here

GIVEAWAY TIME: One lucky reader will get their own copy  Enter the deets in the form below and I will announce the winner on the 24th of May. US and Canada!

Good luck and Happy Reading!

Author Interview + Giveaway: Q&A with Maria Andreu

Hello blogosphere! Today on the blog is author Maria Andreu answering a few of my questions. Her novel The Secret Side of Empty is close to its release day and deals with a very relevant subject. Check it out on goodreads here.
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ABOUT The Secret Side of Empty

It's the story of a teen girl that is American in every way except for in one very important way: on paper. She was brought to the U.S. as a baby without proper documentation, so she's "illegal." As the end of the safe haven of her high school days draw near, she faces an uncertain future. Full of humor and frustration and love, The Secret Side of Empty speaks to the part in all of us that has felt excluded or has had a secret too scary to share. What M.T., the main character, finally discovers is the strength of the human spirit and the power that's unleashed when you finally live the truth.
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Q&A with Author Maria Andreu

1.      What made you interested in the subject?

My novel’s main character, M.T., is an undocumented teenager.  She was brought over as a baby by her parents and has none of the usual papers that make grown-up life possible:  no social security number means no job, no college, no driver’s license.  I was interested in looking at how a character would deal with the regular pressure of growing up plus those circumstances.

2.      What sort of insights do you think you are providing through The Secret Side of Empty? What makes your novel unique?

What I hope that readers will take away from the book is that we have many more things in common than we do differences.  I think we all hear a lot about “illegal” immigrants but most of us don’t know a lot about their lives.  What’s it like to feel American but to be told you don’t believe in the only country you’ve ever called home?  I hope The Secret Side of Empty will make people ask themselves that question in a new and unique way.

3.      Did you draw from your own personal experiences? Did you conduct other research?

I did draw on my own experiences.  I was an undocumented teen and was put on a path to citizenship through an amnesty right after I graduated high school.  I vividly remember the feeling of hopelessness when I looked to the future and saw no options.  But, of course, I also learned that there is always hope.  I tried to express that through the novel.

4.      Is there something you most love about your novel? A particular character? A particular setting?

M.T. has a boyfriend that I think is dreamy.  I just love the scene in which they meet.  And pretty much every scene they’re both in.

5.      Which character was the toughest to flesh out and why?

I had a pretty strong sense of each of the characters so I didn’t find one particularly tough.

6.      Your bio mentions that your cats are named after fictional characters with one being named Katniss. Can you share with us the names of any of your other cats? Or names for future feline friends?

My other cat is named Hermione, from Harry Potter.  I have a dog named Scarlett, after Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.  I didn’t set out to name my pets after literary characters but when you’re a bookworm I guess it just works out that way.  I had a dog named Merlin (which was funny because he was the scruffiest little mini schnauzer ever).  The one exception to this rule is my gorgeous dog, Sky.  She’s a miniature Australian Shepherd and one of the smartest creatures I know.  Her name comes from her sky-blue eyes.

7.      Can you share with us a little bit on your works currently in progress?

I am working on a second YA novel and a memoir.  The YA novel is about a romantic relationship gone wrong and how that plays out in the digital age.  The memoir is about, well, you know.

8.       Through your novel, is there a sentence or two that can summarize what you want readers to take away from the experience?

I have a quote in there from the Reverend Martin Luther King that says, “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”  The Secret Side of Empty is not an “issue” book at all but I hope that readers will walk away feeling like M.T. is in an unfair situation.  That said, I hope they remember that the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.  Injustices always get corrected, even if it takes a long time.

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Giveaway Info

Maria is giving away two separate prizes on her tour, a $250 Amazon Gift Card AND a Kindle Fire.

   For a chance to win the $250 Amazon gift card, OR the Kindle Fire leave a comment on her blog post for that day. Winners will be randomly selected on September 30th.

Maria Andreu’s Bio:

Maria’s writing has appeared in Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Star Ledger.  Her debut novel, The Secret Side of Empty, is the story of an “illegal” high school senior.  It was inspired by Maria’s own experiences as an undocumented teen.  Since becoming a citizen, Maria has run her own business and has become a soccer mom. She lives with her 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son in northern New Jersey.

Links

Maria Andreu’s website- http://mariaeandreu.com/

Maria Andreu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WritersideofM

Maria Andreu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.andreu.books

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Thank you very much for answering my questions! I wish you the very best with your book launch and look forward to reading it! Happy reading and until next time! :)

Blog Tour: In The Storm

Hello! Today's blog tour post is for an e-book published by Vagabondage Press! We shall start with an interview with In The Storm's author, Karen Metcalf:

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1. How long did it take you to write "In The Storm"?

I wrote the first half over a period of a few days. I thought I was crazy to think I could suddenly write a book, so I freaked out and stopped. My family convinced me to finish it a few weeks later.

2. Do you listen to music or watch TV when you write? Or do you need complete silence?

I think writing is similar to reading. There are days when nothing bothers me, and I completely lost in a book. Other days, I need silence to focus. With my writing, I find that it takes a quiet environment to get started, but once I’m in, the house could fall down and I would never notice. I do like to have music playing to help me focus, as well as setting the tone. I find The Nine Inch Nails very inspirational.

3. Do you sit and write for long periods of time and have a set schedule or do you take lots of breaks?

I work best when I have several hours to myself, so I don’t feel pressured. I usually break only for coffee. I also do a lot of my thinking in the car, so I rush to the computer to get it all down as soon as I get home. I’m a big note taker.

4. What was the latest book you read? What about a recent favorite book?

The last book I read was a digital short, Outspoken, by James Vachowski, which was great. The last favorite I re-read was The Long Walk, by Stephen King. It is very reminiscent of YA, though dark, and is one of my top three by far.

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Now for a bit about the book!

Summary: (publisher) Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer and gives in to a thunderous rage, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

No one escapes fate without sacrifice, but is the price more than Carly is willing to pay?

Karen has offered up this e-book for giveaway today! Thanks, Karen! To enter fill out the form below. Contest ends April 8th.

If you win, I'll send you an e-mail with a code that allows you to download the book off the publisher's site free. :)

Author Interview: H. A. Goodman

Hi everyone! H. A. Goodman is joining us today for an interview and I'd also like to ask you readers to look for my upcoming review of this author's book titled Logic of Demons.

1. How much time did it take you to research demons (if you did any research)?

When writing Logic of Demons, I wanted to give readers the opportunity to think about broad themes pertaining to good, evil, and how actions speak louder than words. Time travel always intrigued me, so I decided to have Devin, Natalia, Nadine, and other characters in my novel learn valuable lessons from historical events first hand.

In Logic of Demons, characters travel through time and space and are transported into the Rwandan Genocide, the Iran-Iraq War, and other dark chapters of human history. In addition, issues like human trafficking and even teen bullying are also talked about. Overall, I spent many months researching these issues. Much of the novel is also based on my prior knowledge of these events from my studies at USC, personal experience (being bullied by older kids when I was young, for example) and just reading magazines like the Economist, Time, and Foreign Policy.

2. What gave you the idea to write about demons?

I used to know people who actually believed that demons and angels fly around us, and that these mystical creatures actually have the ability to affect our decisions. When I observed how some of these brainwashed people behaved, I realized very quickly that “demons” and “angels” are sometimes just excuses for human beings to act a certain way. To some people, a “demon” will be the cause of negative behavior like violence, gossip, or hurting someone you love. But, in reality, it’s the person you see when looking into a mirror who decides what actions you take. Every human being has the capacity to do tremendous good and help others, or untold evil. It’s difficult sometimes, but the choice is always our own, not some made up “ghost,” “goblin,” or “demon.”

I wanted to write a novel that gives people the ability to see the consequences of their actions on a global scale, which is why Logic of Demons references several historical events.

3. Team Unicorn? Or Team Zombie? (I myself am rooting for unicorns)

This is an interesting and thought provoking debate. Unicorns are undoubtedly beautiful, ethereal, and storied creatures. But, I never understood what kind of powers they possess, aside from being the embodiment of goodness. What do they do that’s cool? I’m must admit, I’m ignorant as to the magical abilities of unicorns.

This is why I’d have to say Team Zombie. I’m not entirely into Zombies, but I would probably root more for them than unicorns. Although I would rather be standing closer to a unicorn than a zombie, for some reason I must lean towards Team Zombie. Maybe it’s the 80’s horror movies I grew up.

4. What is your favorite fruit (or veggie if you don't like fruit)?

Pomegranates.

5. What do you wish you'd get asked more often in an interview?

Well, this is technically my third interview. So, first off, I’m honored that you’d ask me anything at all. I guess I don’t have a question in mind, I’m just happy that readers seem to like Logic of Demons and I have the privilege to speak about the novel.

~Thanks for sharing and all of you have a wonderful day~

Author Interview: Christine E. Schulze

Hello readers! I'm very happy to bring you an interview today with author Christine E. Schulze who has written many middle grade and YA books. We have a lot to talk about so lets get to it! :)

Mixturesbooks: How many books have you written?

Christine: Oh, goodness; I stopped counting past thirty, to be honest! Used to have an exact number, but I’ll have to recount sometime. Originally, I meant to twenty-seven books comprise The Amielian Legacy, which is basically a collection of series and individual books which all connect in some way or other, though all definitely do not have to be read to understand them. If you decide to read them all, there are rewards, sort of like finding “Easter Eggs” in video games, but again, this isn’t necessary. It would be quite a compliment for someone to read all my works, but some are quite different than others and might not be enjoyed by all. But, yes, going back to the question, I think I’m at around thirty-three, still counting, and still writing!

MB: Out of those ones, which one would you say has been your favorite to write or read?

Christine: This is a TERRIBLE question. Lol, only because, as you see, I have so many. The Gailean Quartet is certainly a favorite series of mine. Comprising four books, it combines music, magic, and epic adventures to create a unique fantasy world. It was inspired by a favorite teacher of mine, Dr. Gail H. Fleming, who teaches at Southwestern Illinois College. I’ve taken Music Appreciation, World Music, and Choir with her; all classes were fascinating and you learn loads. Of course, I love classical music, but she makes the classes enjoyable for everyone, even those who don’t like classical music so much. Being in her classes really helped me out when I was going through some hard times at home, and the choir especially provided much inspiration.

MB: What are you currently reading (if you are reading)?

Christine: Ugh, so, I know I am supposed to be reading something as a writer; but I really write too much to read that much anymore, because I am so inspired! However, one of the last books I read was Quest for Celestia. As a Christian, I love Christian fantasy like The Chronicles of Narnia. Celestia was also Christian fantasy, a retelling of The Pilgrim’s Progress, to be exact. It was beautiful, especially at the end. Its message was that truth is the greatest thing, because you can love or put faith in the wrong things. But if you know the truth, the rest will follow. Of course, the book said it much more beautifully, but you’ll just have to read for yourself! Lots of great fantasy elements, adventure, and two great main characters as well.

MB: What is your favorite YA book or series to date? (I'm currently in love with Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices Series)

Christine: Again, I don’t read nearly as much as I should! So I am going to be a little cliché and name series like Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and Twilight. Okay, so maybe the first two at least are more classic than cliche. I also love books by Diana Wynne Jones, particularly Howl’s Moving Castle and its companion, Castle in the Air. Jones’ writing is so fresh, with such quirky worlds and characters, and you’re never quite sure where the story will go. I have read some manga that Aaron, a friend of mine—who appears in an uncanny number of my books as various characters—let me borrow. I really am enjoying Bizenghast; it has a dark fantasy feel like Nightmare Before Christmas or Pan’s Labyrinth, the latter of which is one of my favorite movies, if I may (though I also did have a crush on Jack from Nightmare as a kid and still think he sings exceptionally well for a skeleton). Chobits was another series I adored. For anyone looking for a bittersweet, gripping romance tale with such a pure, innocent girl and a crazy but good-hearted guy, Chobits is your pick.

MB: Can you write anywhere or is there a particular spot that seems to be more inspiring than others?

Christine: Well, to answer the first question, I can’t really “write” anymore like I did as a kid. Now that I’m prolific at using the computer, I must type since my ideas come so fast; I simply can’t stand to hand-write them anymore, save to jot down ideas to type into scenes later on.

My inspirations, however, can come from anywhere, from art to nature to other books to video games, to people—that last one is my biggest. Here’s some examples of some of my books and where I drew my inspiration for them from:

The Legends of Surprisers series was actually inspired from a series I wrote as a kid, Jonny to the Rescue. I came up with Surprisers when I was actually about five years old. I had these toys called “Surprise, Surprise, Puppy Surprise!”, little dogs and cats that came with a surprise outfit. I thought if they could wear clothes, they could do everything like people. Thus, my first definition of Surprisers was “dogs and cats that do everything like people”. Being older now, I took the concept, expanded it, made it a little more deep and complex, and now I have a brand new Christian fantasy series for middle grade readers.

Bloodmaiden and Black Lace are actually two of my books inspired by photography. I admit I have a small streak of vanity, and every now and then, I’ll come up with a cool idea for a photo shoot. Sometimes, the pictures turn out so awesomely that I must conjure an accompanying book! Bloodmaiden, my most recently published novel with Old Line Publishing, is such a book. I also have a series of anthologies. The first is Bloodmaiden: a fantasy anthology, published by Victory Tales Press. The second is Broken: A Horrifically Romantic Anthology, which I also hope to publish with them. The third will be Black Lace: A Darkly Epic Anthology. I haven’t even done the photo-shoot yet, but I can envision me and lots of black lace and maybe a piano—and I know it will inspire many an interesting tale!

The Last Star is a book I have not yet published because I’ve decided on it being the book I submit to agents, to try and get into a big publishing house. Its a middle-grade fantasy adventure, and it was inspired by many things. First off, Diana Wynne Jones’ Dogsbody. Now, I love Jones’ work for its rich, unique worlds and quirky but lovable characters. I haven’t gotten to read Dogsbody though I still desperately want to get my hands on a copy. But after reading only the blurb and first couple of paragraphs in a bookstore, I was hooked and knew I had to write a book with stars. Also inspired by Paper Mario, as well as my earth science class—we were learning about astronomy at the time—I incorporated many scientific terms like “blue stars”, “falling stars”, “white dwarfs”, and “supernovas”, while adding magical meanings and twists to these terms. It is quite the fun and unique read with a whimsical story and characters, as well as some educational value, though hidden beneath the magic.

Silent Hero is my first fan-based work, inspired by Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda. The Zelda games have actually inspired many of my books. When I created the world of Loz, for example, which appears in many of my books, I named the world thus as a tribute to Legend of Zelda; Loz is an acronym. I got this idea from Swiss Family Robinson and Robinson Crusoe, one being named similarly to the other because of one author drawing inspiration from another. Silent Hero, on the other hand, is a fan fiction, but I of course tried to write it as professionally as anything else I write. The only difference is, of course, it is not edited; however, it is available for free download on Smashwords, and quite a few of my readers have expressed enjoying the story and quality of writing. For this I’m quite grateful; especially when you get into a fan-based work, it can be easier to offend readers than please them.

MB: On average, how long does it take you to write a novel? Do you write frantically as ideas come to you or do you tend to map out your stories more?

Christine: To answer the first question, it’s hard to say, though I tend to write pretty fast when inspired. The Gailean Quartet contains four books, three of which are over four hundred pages each, and that took only about a year and a half to write. I just pumped out over fifty thousand words for Silent Hero in a matter of weeks.

The answer to the second question is: kind of both. Usually, I don’t sit down and try to make myself write in a structured manner. If inspiration strikes, I’ll start writing. That means I don’t write in order; if I’m inspired to write Chapter 3 and Chapter 1 isn’t even started yet, I’ll do it. However, before I really sit down to write a new book, I usually have to have the main plot planned out in my head or have a sense of where the book is going—unless I just think of a really awesome, random scene and then decide to write a book around it later. As a Christian, I believe my inspiration and gift of writing come from God, so when God gives me good ideas, I just go with it and usually end up with a great story pretty fast. I’m pretty good at thinking of interesting twists, ways to connect different books, intricate plots, and deep characters to add in once I have a main sense of where the book is headed.

MB: Are you currently working on another book? If it's a secret then can you tell us a bit about the last book you released?

Christine: Well, I actually have a finished book that I’m editing, one I’ve chosen as the book I will start sending out to agents when ready. It’s a middle grade fantasy called The Last Star. I was inspired to write this book by playing Paper Mario, reading the blurb and first few paragraphs of Diana Wynne Jones’ Dogsbody (still need to get my hands on that book), and by my love of astronomy; we were learning all about stars in Earth Science at the time. Here’s a blurb for the book:

There were no Stars that fateful night; they had all been extinguished, all save one:

the work of the Shadows had begun.

Thankfully, that work goes unfinished, for if all the Stars should ever go out in Novalight, that world and all within would come to an end. Hope remains solely in Olette, the last Star. As a Backwards Star, her Starfire, or life source, cannot be snuffed in like all the other Starfires. Can she, being the smallest and youngest of the Stars, take up the position of Blue Star and unravel the mysteries of Star Appointment? Can she help her new friends discover the truth behind their parents’ disappearances? Together, can they overthrow the Shadows before it is too late?

Combining astronomy with magic to create a unique mythology, The Last Star is also a tale of friendship and forgiveness, a classic story of light against darkness, and one which shows that even the smallest person can make the greatest impact.

Also, here’s a blurb for Bloodmaiden, my most recent publication with Old Line Publishing:

Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties...

They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for.

For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan.

These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel.

Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan...

If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crisilin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.

MB: Is there anything else that you would like to add, Christine?

Christine: Yes; please consider reading some of my work, and if you like what you see, spread the news! Also, please stop by Goodreads to visit me sometime! Most of my works are available as both paperback and ebooks, though some aren’t. Still, for most, ebooks are a cheaper way of finding out if you like my writing. Just remember some of my works are for middle grade, others for young adult, and while one book might float your boat, another won’t, as I’ve experienced already from reviewers.

At any rate, you can find me at this link:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8265396-bloodmaiden

On Goodreads, you can read about each of my books, including reader reviews. You can also keep on the look-out for new releases and book give-aways.

That said, thanks very much to Isa for having me. To her and all her readers, God bless, happy reading, and thanks so much for reading!

Thank you for being here with us Christine! I'm really considering reading Chobits now since you found it nice. I haven't read stories like that in a while. I must say that BLOODMAIDEN has a pretty cool sounding storyline. Have a wonderful day and good luck with The Last Star, Christine! It was a pleasure :)