Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Giveaway & Blog Tour: Guardian by Jack Campbell


Publication date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Ace

Admiral Geary’s First Fleet of the Alliance has survived the journey deep into unexplored interstellar space, a voyage that led to the discovery of new alien species, including a new enemy and a possible ally. Now Geary’s mission is to ensure the safety of the Midway Star System, which has revolted against the Syndicate Worlds empire—an empire that is on the brink of collapse. To complicate matters further, Geary also needs to return safely to Alliance space not only with representatives of the Dancers, an alien species, but also withInvincible, a captured warship that could possibly be the most valuable object in human history. Despite the peace treaty that Geary must adhere to at all costs, the Syndicate Worlds regime threatens to make the fleet’s journey back grueling and perilous. And even if Geary escortsInvincibleand the Dancers’ representatives safely unharmed, the Syndics’ attempts to spread dissent and political unrest may have already sown the seeds of the Alliance’s destruction...

Listen up, aspiring writers!  

Jack Campbell, the author of the incredible Lost Fleet series, has graciously provided insight on researching. His thoughts are invaluable to anyone who is currently writing or in the process of researching for a new story. If you have not read any of his books, I highly suggest that you do so immediately! He is a wonderful storyteller, and his books are saturated with incredible details. Check out his thoughts below!

I discovered how difficult researching SF or Fantasy could be when I wrote a time travel story in which the character has a conversation with Shakespeare.  Stan Schmidt (the editor of Analog Magazine at the time) liked the story, but he insisted that I ensure the Elizabethan grammar used by Shakespeare was historically accurate.  That's when I learned that it can be surprisingly difficult to get Elizabethan scholars to help out in grammar-checking a time travel story.  But I also learned that by asking around enough I could find someone like Kage Baker, an extremely good writer of SF and Fantasy who was also an expert on Elizabethan grammar.  Kage saved that story (Crow's Feat) for me, and taught me just how important professional contacts could be.  It never hurts to help out fellow writers and to get to know them.  The things they know can be downright amazing as well as occasionally helpful.  (Sadly, Kage Baker died in 2010, but her excellent books are still available.)
            Aside from asking your fellow writers for help, there is also the internet.  The problem there is the immense amount of information (some accurate, some not so much) and the need to ensure that you phrase your search right.  I rarely settle for the first reference I check online.  Usually I use that as a means to narrow my search, or rephrase it.  The detail you can find online is immensely important for framing a story.  Another time travel story of mine (These Are the Times) was set in Boston in 1775.  Finding a map of Boston dating from that period on the site of the Library of Congress gave me roads, towns, villages, and lots of other information I used to help firmly set the story in its time and place.  (Admit it, you probably don't know exactly why the "one if by land, two if by sea" thing was important.  I didn't.  It was because at the time Boston was almost an island, with one narrow neck of land connecting it to the mainland.)   Thanks to details that came from that map, I had Boston natives asking me if I was also from there.
            In terms of a pure reference work, I find my copy of The Synonym Finder by Rodale to be very useful.  If you're looking for just the right word it works a lot better than the usual Thesaurus for me.
            One of the most important things I do is to just read and watch and look at lots of things.  Not because I'm searching for some particular piece of information I need for a current project, but because everything I absorb that way becomes fodder for the creative subconscious (or muse, as my own daemon prefers to be called).  The more you expose yourself to, the greater the chance that something will trigger an idea or provide an example you can work from for events in your own work.  History is particularly valuable this way, I think, especially first-person history (memoirs, auto-biographies and such) because in addition to offering endless events and personalities to draw on for inspiration, they also give you a sense of how people talked and felt during that period.  The only thing you have to watch out for is that real events only have to actually taken place.  Fiction, on the other hand, has to be believable.  Some real events don't work well in fiction because it's so difficult to make anyone believe they would actually happen (even though they did happen).
            I think it's a good idea to have multiple projects going at once, so you can give your muse time to think about things.  It may take a while for a good idea to work itself out.  My Lost Fleet series (of which Guardian is the latest) was built on two different concepts that I had been thinking about for a long time (one being the common legend of the sleeping hero from the past who will awaken when needed, and the other whether a long retreat in space could be done realistically and with a powerful enough tension).  When I finally realized that those two ideas could come together into one story, supporting and expanding on each other, I had the Lost Fleet's main story arc.
            The biggest tip?  Listen to your muse (or daemon or subconscious or whatever).  If the muse wants something in a story, put it in even if you don't know why it's there.  Odds are that eventually you'll reach a point where you say "Oh!  That's why that's in there!" and it may turn out to be a critical plot element.  The muse usually knows what it's doing.  Now, if we could only get it to show up on a reliable basis...

I never thought about working on several projects at once. I refrained from such an endeavor for fear that the process would become muddled, but in Jack’s case, he was able to connect two ideas to create a fascinating story. My fear of working on multiple projects is no longer as strong, and I can’t wait to get started! Do you work on multiple projects at once?

Giveaway!
 
Penguin is kindly offering 5 US readers a copy of Jack’s newest book, GUARDIAN! Penguin is the best! Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. Good luck! I really hope you win!

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz


The Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz
Publication Date: March 5th
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: Publisher – thank you!
Rating: I liked it
Eleanor “Elle” Chance, that is—a high-flying dirigible pilot with a taste for adventure and the heroine of this edgy new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy, steampunk, and paranormal romance into pure storytelling gold. It is 1903, and the world is divided between light and shadow. On the side of light is a wondrous science that has transformed everyday life by harnessing magical energies to ingenious new technologies. But each advance of science has come at the expense of shadow—the traditional realm of the supernatural. Now two ancient powers are preparing to strike back. Blood-sucking immortal Nightwalkers and their spellcasting Alchemist allies have a plan to cover the whole world in shadow. All they require is the sacrifice of a certain young woman whose past conceals a dangerous secret. But when they come after Elle, they get more than they bargained for. This enterprising young woman, the daughter of a scientific genius, has reserves of bravery and determination that even she scarcely suspects. Now she is about to meet her match in more ways than one: a handsome yet infuriating Warlock named Hugh Marsh, whose agenda is as suspect as his charms are annoyingly irresistible.

The Skinny: A quick, easy read

In the Conspiracy of Alchemists, readers are introduced to a rich world filled with all of the goodies that make urban fantasy exciting. This steampunk novel will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction and paranormal elements. I am a fan of historical fiction and paranormal tales, so this combination is a first for me.

Elle is a pilot who meets the dashing Marsh and together they embark on a little adventure. Marsh is a fascinating character, and I really enjoyed reading how his character developed throughout the story. He is complex and his motivations are revealed slowly and thoughtfully. The relationship between these two characters is interesting, because it evolves over time. It is not the quick instalove that is so prevalent in today’s books. While I admired many aspects of Elle’s character, such as her bravery, intelligence, and loyalty, there were times when I wanted to crawl into the book and talk some sense into her. I will say that my frustrations with her character did not ruin the story for me.

The Conspiracy of Alchemists is an interesting story with some pretty good world-building. It is a premise that I have not seen before, so I appreciate the creativity and uniqueness. While I liked The Conspiracy of Alchemists, there were a couple of aspects that stunted my enjoyment. The dialogue was a bit off, and I found many comments to be unrealistic and strange. The pacing was a little slow at times, and I often flipped pages until the story picked up again. In the next book, I am really hoping for a faster pace and more believable dialogue. I would also like to see how the story develops, because the world is so interesting.

If you enjoy steampunk, you should definitely check out The Conspiracy of Alchemists. There are a few low points but enough interesting bits to make this worth your time.


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Written in Red by Anne Bishop


Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Publisher: Roc
Publication date: March 5th
Source: Publisher – Thank you!
Rating: I loved it
As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others. Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

The Skinny: I am in love with this book

I received Written in Red a couple of months ago, and I have already read it twice. I am unable to get this story out of my head! I find myself picking up the book and flipping to my favorite parts just to relive the story. Written in Red is the best book that I have read all year. I love it.

Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels trilogy was recommended to me a few years ago, but I never got around to reading it. When I received Written in Red, I recognized the author and was excited about the new series. This book is incredible. The story is so unique that I am still trying to absorb it. The idea of a colony of shape-shifters is not the most original concept, but Anne takes a generic premise and elevates it to a level that is creative, imaginative, and addictive.

I have been searching for a heroine like Meg for years. She is courageous, loyal, and intelligent. Her thoughts and behavior inspire sympathy and admiration, and I really wish that she were real so that we could be best friends. Simon is the leader of the shape-shifter district, and his ferociousness is well-balanced with his love for his nephew Sam. If one character stole the entire story, it is Sam. That little wolf puppy is super cute, and I hope that we get to see more of him in the next book.

While romance is not the highlight of Written in Red, it is slowly simmering, and I am looking forward to reading how Simon and Meg develop their feelings for each other. The subtle eroticism of the story is alluring, and I swear, Anne Bishop has created literary cocaine – I WANT MORE.

The writing is terrific. Descriptions are vivid and suck readers into the pages. The bloody violence is coupled with sweet moments, and I was left with an enthralling story that makes me beg for more. I recently read that the second book will be published next year and my excitement cannot be contained. I want this story to continue forever.

If you are interested in urban fantasy, you must read Written in Red. 


Monday, April 1, 2013

Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear


Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear
Publisher: Harper
Publication date: March 26th
Source: Publisher – thank you!
Rating: I really liked it!
In Leaving Everything Most Loved by New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Winspear, Maisie Dobbs investigates the murder of Indian immigrants in London. The year is 1933. Maisie Dobbs is contacted by an Indian gentleman who has come to England in the hopes of finding out who killed his sister two months ago. Scotland Yard failed to make any arrest in the case, and there is reason to believe they failed to conduct a thorough investigation. The case becomes even more challenging when another Indian woman is murdered just hours before a scheduled interview. Meanwhile, unfinished business from a previous case becomes a distraction, as does a new development in Maisie’s personal life. Bringing a crucial chapter in the life and times of Maisie Dobbs to a close, Leaving Everything Most Loved marks a pivotal moment in this outstanding mystery series.

The Skinny: A turning point in a great mystery series

I was introduced to Maisie Dobbs by TLC Book Tours last year when I was on the blog tour for Elegy for Eddie, and I am so happy that I met Maisie. I love this series and I love the characters! In the last book, Maisie encountered several situations that changed her professional and private lives. In Leaving Everything Most Loved, she must finally make a decision about the direction of her life. Should she continue her practice? What about her relationship with James? Maisie’s life spins rapidly around her until she thrusts out her hands and points in a direction.

When an Indian woman is murdered, Maisie investigates the circumstances of her death and learns more about a culture that entices not only her but also her late mentor. During Maisie’s investigation, she is nudged gently to make choices about her future. Her beau, father, Sandra, Pris, and Billy all make appearances and help her on her quest to solve the Indian woman’s death and the complexity of her life.

The characters in Leaving Everything Most Loved are just as wonderful as they were in past books. Maisie is strong and modern, but I love her vulnerability with James the most. They are quite the pair, and I really enjoyed reading how their relationship develops. They are mature and can see that they love each other but need to allow the other to live a life that does not include the other person. It is an incredibly romantic and loving action that both Maisie and James are willing to undertake.

Leaving Everything Most Loved is a fork in the road for the series, and I am excited to see what adventures Maisie will experience in the next book. I want more Priscilla and her witty remarks. I want more James. And I want more of Maisie being the strong and courageous heroine.

I highly recommend that you read this book. It is a fun series with great writing. Jacqueline Winspear is a fantastic storyteller. She nails the twists and turns and the emotional lows and highs. Ah! I just want the next book so badly. 

Have you read any of the Maisie books? Are you a fan of mysteries?