Blog Tour: An Interview with Stacey Rourke

I was so happy that I was able to interview Stacey.  Or, as I like to call it, "The Rourke Files". 

For those of you who have not started the series but would like to, The Conduit is currently free on Amazon.  Go get it!  I'll wait for you, so go grab it and then come back!

If you read my blog ever, at all, you know my love for this fine lady.  When I saw that she had a tour coming up, I was pumped.  But I have already reviewed the books, so I was hoping to still be able to help out.  Lucky for me, I got the best thing ever - asking Stacey all kinds of crap (I mean well thought out questions that will touch the soul) and she answered!  Here it is, ya'll!

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

Writing has been a part of who I am since elementary school. But it wasn’t until completing my first manuscript that I realized it was a career I wanted to pursue and not just a passion I wanted to keep for myself.

Where did the inspiration for The Gryphon Series first come from?

As the mom of two young girls I wanted to create a female lead that all girls could relate to, one that would show them that a hero lies in each and every one of them. That they all can be the hero of their own story if, in those dire moments, they dig deep and refuse to give up.

Did you know when you were writing The Conduit that the story was going to end up spanning across so many books?

Since book one I’ve had a pretty good idea of the entire story arc, so yes.

Which character do you most identify with in The Gryphon Series?

Probably Rowan, we share a mutual love of rum and sandy beaches.

Any chances that we will see Gram get involved in a love interest in the upcoming novel?

In the novella I’m working on now, different characters from the series take center stage. So, it may be a while until Gram’s can find herself a new hottie. Don’t tell her that though, she’ll be cranky.

Team Caleb or Team Rowan?

I have the right to remain silent—cough, Rowan, cough—I’m sorry what was I saying?

Will the next book in the series be the last?

The next Gryphon Series novella will actually spin us right into a new series, but we can rest assured that Gryphon Series characters may make cameos and for now they’ll be in a good place.

If you had to describe the story arc in one twitter update, limited to 140 characters, what would it be?

A teen girl must find the hero within her—and become the savior mankind needs. (Wow, deep, huh?)

Give an example of a typical day in the life of a writing mom of two.

Drag kids from bed.

Beg children to eat breakfast.

Rush to get them dressed and off to school.

Come home to handle marketing and the less fun business aspects of my job.

If I’m lucky get a workout in.

Get children from school.

Homework time and then dinner.

Pack lunches, clean children, let them chill in front of a movie until bed.

Write and edit until I can’t keep my eyes open.

Did you have any favorite books as a child/adolescent growing up?

Anything and everything written by Christopher Pike!

What made you chose to write in the genre of young adult literature?

The story pretty much demanded that, but I won’t limit myself to that genre. I will go where the stories take me.

What are three of your current favorite authors?

They change all the time! The most recent authors whose books I will completely lost myself in were by Suzanne Collins, Issac Morion, and Veronica Roth.

Do you have a go-to beverage of choice when you are writing?

When it’s warm out, sweet tea. Chilly weather I warm myself with a Chai Latte.

What can you tell us about your new work in progress?

The characters in it are a bit older, more the New Adult age classification. The fantasy elements will still be there, and the humor. In it readers will find recognizable characters portrayed in a whole new light! I’m super excited about it!

If you could be any character on How I Met Your Mother, who would it be and why?

That’s a hard one! I don’t know I’d most like to be, but I do know who I’m most like—Ted. Just like him I occasionally slip into delusions that I’m kind of cool. Then I have a huge dufus moment that reveals the truth.

An online quiz recently said that you were most like Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  Is she your favorite Disney princess, or do you love another?

I agree with the quiz that I’m the most like Belle. But Rapunzel is my favorite princess. I mean, did you see her tower?! I would LOVE to live there! Disney should build one and rent it out for weekends. Just sayin’.

Favorite movie in the Star Wars saga:

Revenge of the Sith

Most craved food:

Chinese

All-time favorite mommy drink (adult beverage):

Rum, or a pink punk fusion from TGIFridays. They put cotton candy right in it! That’s brilliant!

Favorite children’s story to read to your girls:

Anything that engages them. I love to change it up.


And that's it!  I could have played 100 questions with her, but as you read, this lady has got other stuff to do!  Thank you, Stacey, for answering my questions and indulging a fan a in squee-worthy, fan-girl moment.  I cannot wait to get my hands on the novella, as well as the new book.  Like, I would seriously work out if that meant I would get them faster!  (And momma has a rough time with trying to get in shape.)


Find Stacey's books on:
Amazon.

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

Blog Tour: Playing Hooky

Synopsis:

Valentine’s Day.

And my 21st birthday.

Whoop-de-doo.

Just another college day full of classes and more homework than is humanly possible.

…until Jason, my best-friend-since-kindergarten, shows up to take me out for the day.

Like old times: the two of us on a wacky adventure, playing hooky from real life. With his lopsided grin and tickets to a circus full of misfits and monsters, he introduces me to a whole new world—one full of magic and mystery—and turns my reality upside down.

Except nothing goes as planned, and we end up running through the city to find a missing siren before someone brews a love potion with her blood.

Sirens and love potions, witches and elves, and Valentine kisses. Nothing will be the same for me again.

My Two Cents:

The first thing that I need to say about this book is that it's too short!  There, I just had to get that out of my system.  This is a fun novella that needs more.  I need a sequel to this story, in the form of a full-length novel.  The ending was not concrete enough for me, so surely there will be more, right?  I had some unanswered questions at the end.

This story is about a boy and a girl, who have been friends forever, but never delved into a romantic relationship.  And he has a secret.   Then there's a twist.  And along the way, some unicorns show up.  You know, the usual college scene.

If you try reading the book with logic on your mind, Playing Hooky might frustrate you.  The reader needs to just dive right in with an open mind, ready to accept whatever happens in the story.  Are unicorns real?  Probably not.  (If they do exist, I really hope that they poop rainbows)  But for the sake of this short read, let yourself believe.  I mean, elves probably aren't real, but all the people still love Lord of the Rings.  And Hogwarts?  Well, that still exists, and it's quite a happy place.  I haven't been there, but I've heard.

Snag a copy of this novella and let me know what you think.  I read it in one sitting, so it's not going to be much of a time commitment.  And who knows - you might find out that you like a new author!

About the Author:

Leaving the house to go to school, I had schoolbooks spilling out of one hand, the other holding my place in a Nancy Drew novel, and bunny slippers still on my feet. My mom was a wee bit upset.

I haven't changed much. Still always have a book (or two) in my hand or creating stories in my head, and although I don't have any bunny slippers, I love writing in my jammies and snuggly slipper socks.

When I grow up (maybe a hundred years from now), I'd like to be a superhero, but for now, saving the day, one page at a time, suits me just fine.

With my husband TJ (my own cuddly werewolf), I home-school our three girls, who keep us busy with art, science projects, books to read, dance classes, and walks about the park. 

LINKS TO FIND THE BOOK:

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

LINKS TO FIND RITA WEBB ONLINE:

Blog  

Goodreads 

Twitter

Facebook

Giveaways:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Blog Tour: Devoted

Summary:

Devoted

Book II in The Watcher’s Trilogy

Can love conqueror all?

Michelle has managed to survive high school against all odds, but now she finds herself floating adrift in “the real world”. With two horsemen defeated, there are still two unaccounted for, and surely they are plotting her immediate demise. Michelle leaves her small New Jersey town behind to venture off west. Barely able to comprehend her role as humanity’s savior she now has to grapple with some new roles and identities. With her Watcher, Gabriel, by her side she must again face the evils of Hell and attempt to keep her family safe. Will love conquer all or will till death do us part come too soon?

My Review:

First off - does anyone else think that the book cover looks like a cover from one of those erotic romance novels that have been so popular lately?  That, paired with the simple title, and I could come up with a few ideas about what this book could be about.

If you agree with this, don't judge a book by it's cover!  I'll admit it.  I've read the 50 shades trilogy, as well as the first two books of the Crossfire saga.  There is a place for those kinds of books, and it's ok if you like to read them.  But Devoted is not that type of book!

While I liked book one, Destine, I loved book two.  For me, that's not all that uncommon when I read a series.  The first book gets you familiar with the characters and sets up the overall struggle that will occur throughout the series.  But book two gives you so much more.  As the reader, you already know the characters and what's happening.  There's not as much initial explaining going on.  Yes, we know that Michelle is The Defender, now what happens because of this?

I knew going into this book that it would be continuing the Buffy-esque, stop-the-end-of-the-world-from-coming deal, but a lot of what ended up happening in this book was a complete surprise to me.  I read it in less than two days.  And the last 100 pages - you couldn't really talk to me.  My son was asleep and my husband was watching wrestling while I was glued to this book, tuning out everything else.  I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  I felt anxious for Michelle and Gabriel, and for her friend, Cami and her mom.  Some books just completely suck you in, and Devoted was definitely one of those books for me.

Stop what you are doing and read The Watcher's Trilogy!


 Author Bio:

Katherine Polillo originally planned to grow-up and become an archeologist. Unfortunately the desert air dried out her skin, the dirt was impossible to get from under her fingernails, and she just couldn’t pull off a fedora like Harrison Ford. So instead she pursued a career in education. She currently teaches high school history and special education, while fabricating fictional stories in her free time. She never really outgrew her imaginary friends stage, and instead has created lives and stories for the creations of her imagination to live in. When she is present in reality and not off on an adventure with her imaginary friends, she lives in a small, New Jersey town with her husband, the man to which all fictional leading men are compared, and their two spoiled rotten, ungrateful cats.

Buy Links:  Amazon      B&N       Smashwords  

Social Media links: Goodreads    Facebook     Twitter 
 

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Prize pack (1): key chain, postcard, 2 travel mugs, signed paperback (international)

Runner up prize (2): 2 e-copies of Devoted