Blogger On Blogger Interview: Abria Mattina @ Shall Write

I interview a lot of authors, we all do.  And it is really a lot of fun.  But who is it behind those interviews?  You!!!  So now I want to interview you!  I plan on running this post every Thursday.  There are some occasions I will post a day early or late, if I already have too many posts on a given date, or a holiday.  And I will add the links up in a tab in my menu bar.  Please tell your friends!

This Thursday I had a brain malfunction, which is why I am posting now, on Friday!  And today I have Abria Mattina from Shall Write with me.  So without further ado, here is her interview!

*******

Hi Abria!  I’m very excited to have you here today, thank you for joining me! 

Now, the facts first.  You run a blog, Shall Write.  Please tell the readers a little bit about your website.

I review mostly adult and new adult fiction, with a smattering of YA and non-fiction thrown in if a particular book catches my eye. I try to be serious with reviews, but memes and features (Weekly Search especially) tend to be a bit more tongue-in-cheek.

Click to see book on Goodreads

You are also a published author, along with a blogger.  In fact, your book Wake (which just toured in September for its anniversary), is one of my favorites from this year.  How do you balance your book blogging life with your author life, along with your life out in the real world?  

It’s a precarious balance. I work full time and do my writing, reading, and blogging in the evenings, so there are days when one of the three has to be sacrificed for the other two. I don’t let it stress me out, though. Eventually, it’ll all get done.

Funny thing is, I’m better at promoting others’ work through my blog than I am at promoting my own. Even from my safe spot behind a screen, it’s hard to stand up and proclaim that Wake exists.

I know some authors who stay away from reviewing others’ work because they’re afraid of being accused of throwing stones from within a glass house. I can see where they’re coming from. And I pick my stones carefully.

  

I’ve been looking through Shall Write and it is a beautiful website with some great organization (something I love in a website!).  Do/Did you design it yourself, and if not, how much input have you had?

 I tried out a few Wordpress themes before settling on a premium theme from ElegantThemes.com. It’s a little finicky, but I like its options and its clean design. So far I haven’t done too much to customize it, because I believe book blogs should be about featuring books, not about featuring the blogger’s life/personality/agenda. I prefer to be the woman behind the curtain.

Are you the only person who blogs at Shall Write? 

I’ve had occasional guest reviewers in the past, but for the most part it’s just me. For now that’s how I like it. The idea of trying to wrangle other people into fulfilling their commitments doesn’t appeal to me.

Abria, you also participate in several memes and other feature posts.  Do you have a favorite among them?

I like Top Ten Tuesday, though it’s been a while since I had the time to participate. It’s one of those features that I’d get a lot of good recommendations from. Lately I’ve been cutting back on memes in favor of reviews and author spotlights because I want to refocus the blog.

When it comes to blogging are you the type that schedules posts ahead of time, or are you more last minute (like myself!)?

I typically schedule posts ahead of time. Unless I’m down to the wire with a tour book, I’m usually at least 24 hours ahead of the game.

What is your favorite aspect to book blogging?

It looks amazing on a resume. If you blog regularly, post intelligent content, and show professionalism, it’s a hobby that reflects well on your capabilities as a person, especially if you’re trying to find work in publishing or creative industries.

It’s also been very helpful to me as an author. Rather than stabbing in the dark when I reach out to bloggers for reviews, I now know what good, bad, annoying, and batshit crazy queries look like. I know what a blogger’s time is worth, what to expect, and what questions to ask. It’s nice to have an inside perspective.

Do you have a book that you’ve read this year that you would consider a “must read” (and why)?

I could be all wishy-washy and say, “You mean I only get to pick one?” but I prefer firm answers – you must read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, if only to have your mind blown by the sheer awesomeness of Death as a narrator.

If you could merge two different books/series into one, which would they be?

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin and The Lies of Locke Lamora (series) by Scott Lynch. If you’re a fan of Oceans Eleven and/or fantasy, you must read Lynch’s books. The man writes pure wit and genius.

DNF’s (Did Not Finish) are a tough reality to book bloggers to deal with.  How do you deal with them?

If I read a decent chunk of the book and have an objective reason why I didn’t finish, I’ll still review the book as a DNF. I won’t publish that review on sites where the book is sold, but it’ll appear on my blog. When it comes to books that I give up on after only one chapter, I usually don’t review at all.

Abria, if you could only read one more genre for the next ten years, which one would you pick?

I’d stick with historical fiction. Contemporary can be maudlin, sci-fi and fantasy are hard for me to get into, and romances can easily become stale. Historical fiction seems safe – nothing is weirder or more interesting than human reality.

Books and Fiction don’t exist, so no reading, blogging, or writing (eek!!).  What other career would you like to pursue?

Right now I work in graphic design for a marketing company, so I’d pursue that even if there were no books.

And on a bit of a fan note, do you have any more plans to write another book? 

 I do. Right now I’ve got one in “resting phase” and another is almost halfway through the drafting process. It’s my tentative goal (read: over-ambitious pipe dream) to publish another book early next year. I’ll have to scout an Irish beta reader this fall.

Social media is all around us now. It’s on our computers, our phones, and our televisions.  How do you feel about it, and do you have a favorite?

 I’m sort of native to Twitter, though I don’t tweet a lot. Pinterest is my addiction. I lurk Facebook, but don’t post often. My Formspring account gets occasional use. Tumblr annoys me. So far I’ve managed to avoid Reddit, Stumbleupon, Digg, Instagram, etc.

And lastly, what can we expect from Shall Write in the upcoming year?

 I’m shifting my focus back to reviews and limiting my participation in memes. Last spring I sort of got hung up on following the crowd, being part of the blogging community, and it took time and attention away from the books I was trying to feature. I’m taking steps to correct that, even if it means I’ll be posting less often.

Thank you again, for joining me today!  It’s been a pleasure getting to know you more!

And if you want to follow Abria online, here are her links!

 www.abriamattina.com 
 www.shallwrite.com

Twitter

Facebook

Blogger On Blogger Interview: Abria Mattina @ Shall Write

I interview a lot of authors, we all do.  And it is really a lot of fun.  But who is it behind those interviews?  You!!!  So now I want to interview you!  I plan on running this post every Thursday.  There are some occasions I will post a day early or late, if I already have too many posts on a given date, or a holiday.  And I will add the links up in a tab in my menu bar.  Please tell your friends!

This Thursday I had a brain malfunction, which is why I am posting now, on Friday!  And today I have Abria Mattina from Shall Write with me.  So without further ado, here is her interview!

*******

Hi Abria!  I’m very excited to have you here today, thank you for joining me! 

Now, the facts first.  You run a blog, Shall Write.  Please tell the readers a little bit about your website.

I review mostly adult and new adult fiction, with a smattering of YA and non-fiction thrown in if a particular book catches my eye. I try to be serious with reviews, but memes and features (Weekly Search especially) tend to be a bit more tongue-in-cheek.

Click to see book on Goodreads

You are also a published author, along with a blogger.  In fact, your book Wake (which just toured in September for its anniversary), is one of my favorites from this year.  How do you balance your book blogging life with your author life, along with your life out in the real world?  

It’s a precarious balance. I work full time and do my writing, reading, and blogging in the evenings, so there are days when one of the three has to be sacrificed for the other two. I don’t let it stress me out, though. Eventually, it’ll all get done.

Funny thing is, I’m better at promoting others’ work through my blog than I am at promoting my own. Even from my safe spot behind a screen, it’s hard to stand up and proclaim that Wake exists.

I know some authors who stay away from reviewing others’ work because they’re afraid of being accused of throwing stones from within a glass house. I can see where they’re coming from. And I pick my stones carefully.

  

I’ve been looking through Shall Write and it is a beautiful website with some great organization (something I love in a website!).  Do/Did you design it yourself, and if not, how much input have you had?

 I tried out a few Wordpress themes before settling on a premium theme from ElegantThemes.com. It’s a little finicky, but I like its options and its clean design. So far I haven’t done too much to customize it, because I believe book blogs should be about featuring books, not about featuring the blogger’s life/personality/agenda. I prefer to be the woman behind the curtain.

Are you the only person who blogs at Shall Write? 

I’ve had occasional guest reviewers in the past, but for the most part it’s just me. For now that’s how I like it. The idea of trying to wrangle other people into fulfilling their commitments doesn’t appeal to me.

Abria, you also participate in several memes and other feature posts.  Do you have a favorite among them?

I like Top Ten Tuesday, though it’s been a while since I had the time to participate. It’s one of those features that I’d get a lot of good recommendations from. Lately I’ve been cutting back on memes in favor of reviews and author spotlights because I want to refocus the blog.

When it comes to blogging are you the type that schedules posts ahead of time, or are you more last minute (like myself!)?

I typically schedule posts ahead of time. Unless I’m down to the wire with a tour book, I’m usually at least 24 hours ahead of the game.

What is your favorite aspect to book blogging?

It looks amazing on a resume. If you blog regularly, post intelligent content, and show professionalism, it’s a hobby that reflects well on your capabilities as a person, especially if you’re trying to find work in publishing or creative industries.

It’s also been very helpful to me as an author. Rather than stabbing in the dark when I reach out to bloggers for reviews, I now know what good, bad, annoying, and batshit crazy queries look like. I know what a blogger’s time is worth, what to expect, and what questions to ask. It’s nice to have an inside perspective.

Do you have a book that you’ve read this year that you would consider a “must read” (and why)?

I could be all wishy-washy and say, “You mean I only get to pick one?” but I prefer firm answers – you must read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, if only to have your mind blown by the sheer awesomeness of Death as a narrator.

If you could merge two different books/series into one, which would they be?

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin and The Lies of Locke Lamora (series) by Scott Lynch. If you’re a fan of Oceans Eleven and/or fantasy, you must read Lynch’s books. The man writes pure wit and genius.

DNF’s (Did Not Finish) are a tough reality to book bloggers to deal with.  How do you deal with them?

If I read a decent chunk of the book and have an objective reason why I didn’t finish, I’ll still review the book as a DNF. I won’t publish that review on sites where the book is sold, but it’ll appear on my blog. When it comes to books that I give up on after only one chapter, I usually don’t review at all.

Abria, if you could only read one more genre for the next ten years, which one would you pick?

I’d stick with historical fiction. Contemporary can be maudlin, sci-fi and fantasy are hard for me to get into, and romances can easily become stale. Historical fiction seems safe – nothing is weirder or more interesting than human reality.

Books and Fiction don’t exist, so no reading, blogging, or writing (eek!!).  What other career would you like to pursue?

Right now I work in graphic design for a marketing company, so I’d pursue that even if there were no books.

And on a bit of a fan note, do you have any more plans to write another book? 

 I do. Right now I’ve got one in “resting phase” and another is almost halfway through the drafting process. It’s my tentative goal (read: over-ambitious pipe dream) to publish another book early next year. I’ll have to scout an Irish beta reader this fall.

Social media is all around us now. It’s on our computers, our phones, and our televisions.  How do you feel about it, and do you have a favorite?

 I’m sort of native to Twitter, though I don’t tweet a lot. Pinterest is my addiction. I lurk Facebook, but don’t post often. My Formspring account gets occasional use. Tumblr annoys me. So far I’ve managed to avoid Reddit, Stumbleupon, Digg, Instagram, etc.

And lastly, what can we expect from Shall Write in the upcoming year?

 I’m shifting my focus back to reviews and limiting my participation in memes. Last spring I sort of got hung up on following the crowd, being part of the blogging community, and it took time and attention away from the books I was trying to feature. I’m taking steps to correct that, even if it means I’ll be posting less often.

Thank you again, for joining me today!  It’s been a pleasure getting to know you more!

And if you want to follow Abria online, here are her links!

 www.abriamattina.com 
 www.shallwrite.com

Twitter

Facebook

Fictional Candy's Blogoversary Party!

Hey Everyone!!!!

Well, it has been a year since I've started Fictional Candy.  And what a crazy year it has been!!  I've been able to meet so many new people and do so many things - I never really expected the success I've had. I co hosted a blog hop with I Smell Sheep, and  I have started a couple feature posts - some of which took off and are successful, some that weren't! LOL.  I also have started a couple Facebook Groups, which I feel are successful.  I've  been quoted on a book cover (Thanks LK Rigel!) and  I joined Twitter and Google +,  and began a Facebook Fan Page - all in the name of Fictional Candy! I've had swag created and have forced it upon my readers!  There have been so many awesome moments for me this past year, I can't even begin to recount them all!

 I want to take a moment and thank everyone who has been awesome in one way or another.  I'm not going to be so foolish as to try to name every person, because in my old age I will probably forget to name someone and then hurt their feelings.  But if I know you, I want to say THANK YOU!!!  To my readers and followers, you guys are the most awesome on the planet and I hope you stick with me through this upcoming year to see what else is coming up!  To the authors and bloggers I've gotten the pleasure to work with in one way or another through this past year - it has been a pleasure and an honor! Thank you for all of your time and hard work!  Now on to the giveaways!!

First, I have TWO swag packs that include a book by Olivia Hardin, Witch Way Bends.  These swag packs also include swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Second, I have ONE swag pack with a canvas tote bag from WJ May, who wrote Rae of Hope.  There are also signed items in here from Kallysten, Gabrielle Bisset, Tina Folsom, and swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Now here are all of the links to check out the awesome authors and websites in the swagpacks!

WJ May

Olivia Hardin

Gabrielle Bisset

Felicity Heaton

Karyn Gerrard

Kallysten

Tina Folsom

Carrie Ann Ryan

Ashlyn Chase

Shayla Black

Riverina Romantics

I Smell Sheep

In addition to the swag packs, I also have books to give away!

First, the fabulous Natasha Salnikova has given me a copy of Rotten Apple to give to one lucky winner!

Alexander Tallman enjoys life to the fullest. He has his own advertising company, a few girlfriends and a perfect wife, who is so naïve she doesn’t even notice her husband’s multiple affairs. But, one day, Alexander meets Karen. The woman is five years older than he and she wants to marry Alexander instead of letting him go, as others did. She doesn't want to give up; she wants Alexander to belong to her and only her. Alexander finds a reason for leaving that he thinks is good enough for Karen – his wife is pregnant. He obviously can’t leave her now (except she’s not). He hopes it will bring them to the finale of the relationship. He just doesn’t know how far a woman in love can go, a woman who was betrayed. When Karen finds out that Alexander wants to break off their relationship she doesn’t step back, but takes the reins of fate into her own hands. She decides to fight for her love no matter what the consequences. But everything turns out differently than she had expected and she becomes a marionette in somebody else’s game.The book was originally published in Russian in 2011, becoming an instant hit. This is translated and adapted version for English speaking readers.

Next - and I owe a TON to this author, ASHLEY WILLIS!  Ashley was my first author requested review, and her book was beyond awesome.  Now, of course, when I wrote her review I nearly had no clue on how to write a review - but I tried.  Here is that review, if you want to check it out The Calling - Ashley Lynn Willis .  I am also going to give away a copy of The Calling in ebook format.  This can be from Amazon, B&N or Smashwords!

Mandy Hardy lost more than a breast to cancer; she lost her fiancé when he dumped her a week before her mastectomy. Her ego bruised and her self-esteem battered, Mandy’s sure she’ll never fall in love again. 

Justin Seward is a headstrong Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer with a heart of gold and the supernatural ability to command the seas. He had to hide his feelings while Mandy was engaged to his best friend. Now that she’s free, he’s vowed to make her his.

Together, they may hold the key to each other’s salvation. But when Justin’s past catches up with him, and Mandy’s ex-fiancé wants vengeance, they realize they might not live long enough for happily ever after. The Calling is a contemporary romance with a paranormal twist.

Next I have a book that I just absolutely loved.  I'm a little bit more than positive that the author, Tessa Armytage, should do more promo - because this is a story not to be missed!  I'll be giving away a copy of Bess, Nicholas, & a Dog Called Bones in ebook format from either Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords!  Here is my REVIEW

Bess Saint Clair is about to lose everything and the only man who can save her is Nicholas Blake. It's just a pity she can't stand him.

Nicholas is a record industry hotshot with a reputation for being a Big, Bad Wolf. That’s okay by publicist Bess – she’s the sort of Little Red Riding Hood who eats wolves for breakfast. From the moment Nicholas and Bess clap eyes on each other they share a common bond: they want to tear each other’s throats out.

When Nicholas discovers that the man he has hired for the job is a woman, he’d like nothing better than to boot her out of his office. When Bess discovers he is one of those creatures of prehistoric legend – a male chauvinist – she’d like nothing better than to flip him the bird and turn on her heel. 

But he needs her talent and she needs his money. 

Each is hell bent on teaching the other a lesson. Both are about to learn a lesson they’ll never forget. The battle over who will wear the pants will be fiercest when neither is wearing any.

Funny, tender and deeply sensual, Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones is set in a picturesque valley vineyard and features a heroic, shameless sausage extortionist of a dog who is almost as human, and every bit as unforgettable, as Nicholas and Bess.

Last, but not least, I have one of my favorite books from this year - Wake, by Abria Mattina.  I absolutely adored this book, and I hope you will too!  I'm giving away a copy from Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords! And here is my REVIEW

Eighteen isn’t too young to run your life into the ground, but it’s not too old to fix it, either. The desire for change drives Willa Kirk from St. John’s, Newfoundland back to hometown of Smiths Falls, Ontario, away from her mistakes and the place where her sister died. She’s looking for a place to settle and rebuild, but Jem Harper just wants to get out of town, back to the life he knew before cancer. By letting the tragedies in their lives define them, they are both dying a little more every day. 

Welcome to the wake.

Lastly, I will give away a $8 gift card to the online book retailer of your choice.  Amazon?  Barnes & Noble?  AllRomance?  A book from The Book Depository?  Who will it be??

Again, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who I've spoken to and worked with over the past year!  You have all made this such a wonderful experience for me!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fictional Candy's Blogoversary Party!

Hey Everyone!!!!

Well, it has been a year since I've started Fictional Candy.  And what a crazy year it has been!!  I've been able to meet so many new people and do so many things - I never really expected the success I've had. I co hosted a blog hop with I Smell Sheep, and  I have started a couple feature posts - some of which took off and are successful, some that weren't! LOL.  I also have started a couple Facebook Groups, which I feel are successful.  I've  been quoted on a book cover (Thanks LK Rigel!) and  I joined Twitter and Google +,  and began a Facebook Fan Page - all in the name of Fictional Candy! I've had swag created and have forced it upon my readers!  There have been so many awesome moments for me this past year, I can't even begin to recount them all!

 I want to take a moment and thank everyone who has been awesome in one way or another.  I'm not going to be so foolish as to try to name every person, because in my old age I will probably forget to name someone and then hurt their feelings.  But if I know you, I want to say THANK YOU!!!  To my readers and followers, you guys are the most awesome on the planet and I hope you stick with me through this upcoming year to see what else is coming up!  To the authors and bloggers I've gotten the pleasure to work with in one way or another through this past year - it has been a pleasure and an honor! Thank you for all of your time and hard work!  Now on to the giveaways!!

First, I have TWO swag packs that include a book by Olivia Hardin, Witch Way Bends.  These swag packs also include swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Second, I have ONE swag pack with a canvas tote bag from WJ May, who wrote Rae of Hope.  There are also signed items in here from Kallysten, Gabrielle Bisset, Tina Folsom, and swag from Karyn Gerrard, Felicity Heaton, Gabrielle Bisset, Ashlyn Chase, Kallysten, Carrie Ann Ryan, WJ May, and more!  There are ink pens, magnets, a wristband (awesome, I wear mine nearly every day!) from Felicity Heaton, bookmarks, tattoos, a vampire emergency bite kit (from Ashlyn Chase, very cool!), and trading cards!

Now here are all of the links to check out the awesome authors and websites in the swagpacks!

WJ May

Olivia Hardin

Gabrielle Bisset

Felicity Heaton

Karyn Gerrard

Kallysten

Tina Folsom

Carrie Ann Ryan

Ashlyn Chase

Shayla Black

Riverina Romantics

I Smell Sheep

In addition to the swag packs, I also have books to give away!

First, the fabulous Natasha Salnikova has given me a copy of Rotten Apple to give to one lucky winner!

Alexander Tallman enjoys life to the fullest. He has his own advertising company, a few girlfriends and a perfect wife, who is so naïve she doesn’t even notice her husband’s multiple affairs. But, one day, Alexander meets Karen. The woman is five years older than he and she wants to marry Alexander instead of letting him go, as others did. She doesn't want to give up; she wants Alexander to belong to her and only her. Alexander finds a reason for leaving that he thinks is good enough for Karen – his wife is pregnant. He obviously can’t leave her now (except she’s not). He hopes it will bring them to the finale of the relationship. He just doesn’t know how far a woman in love can go, a woman who was betrayed. When Karen finds out that Alexander wants to break off their relationship she doesn’t step back, but takes the reins of fate into her own hands. She decides to fight for her love no matter what the consequences. But everything turns out differently than she had expected and she becomes a marionette in somebody else’s game.The book was originally published in Russian in 2011, becoming an instant hit. This is translated and adapted version for English speaking readers.

Next - and I owe a TON to this author, ASHLEY WILLIS!  Ashley was my first author requested review, and her book was beyond awesome.  Now, of course, when I wrote her review I nearly had no clue on how to write a review - but I tried.  Here is that review, if you want to check it out The Calling - Ashley Lynn Willis .  I am also going to give away a copy of The Calling in ebook format.  This can be from Amazon, B&N or Smashwords!

Mandy Hardy lost more than a breast to cancer; she lost her fiancé when he dumped her a week before her mastectomy. Her ego bruised and her self-esteem battered, Mandy’s sure she’ll never fall in love again. 

Justin Seward is a headstrong Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer with a heart of gold and the supernatural ability to command the seas. He had to hide his feelings while Mandy was engaged to his best friend. Now that she’s free, he’s vowed to make her his.

Together, they may hold the key to each other’s salvation. But when Justin’s past catches up with him, and Mandy’s ex-fiancé wants vengeance, they realize they might not live long enough for happily ever after. The Calling is a contemporary romance with a paranormal twist.

Next I have a book that I just absolutely loved.  I'm a little bit more than positive that the author, Tessa Armytage, should do more promo - because this is a story not to be missed!  I'll be giving away a copy of Bess, Nicholas, & a Dog Called Bones in ebook format from either Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords!  Here is my REVIEW

Bess Saint Clair is about to lose everything and the only man who can save her is Nicholas Blake. It's just a pity she can't stand him.

Nicholas is a record industry hotshot with a reputation for being a Big, Bad Wolf. That’s okay by publicist Bess – she’s the sort of Little Red Riding Hood who eats wolves for breakfast. From the moment Nicholas and Bess clap eyes on each other they share a common bond: they want to tear each other’s throats out.

When Nicholas discovers that the man he has hired for the job is a woman, he’d like nothing better than to boot her out of his office. When Bess discovers he is one of those creatures of prehistoric legend – a male chauvinist – she’d like nothing better than to flip him the bird and turn on her heel. 

But he needs her talent and she needs his money. 

Each is hell bent on teaching the other a lesson. Both are about to learn a lesson they’ll never forget. The battle over who will wear the pants will be fiercest when neither is wearing any.

Funny, tender and deeply sensual, Bess, Nicholas & A Dog Called Bones is set in a picturesque valley vineyard and features a heroic, shameless sausage extortionist of a dog who is almost as human, and every bit as unforgettable, as Nicholas and Bess.

Last, but not least, I have one of my favorite books from this year - Wake, by Abria Mattina.  I absolutely adored this book, and I hope you will too!  I'm giving away a copy from Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords! And here is my REVIEW

Eighteen isn’t too young to run your life into the ground, but it’s not too old to fix it, either. The desire for change drives Willa Kirk from St. John’s, Newfoundland back to hometown of Smiths Falls, Ontario, away from her mistakes and the place where her sister died. She’s looking for a place to settle and rebuild, but Jem Harper just wants to get out of town, back to the life he knew before cancer. By letting the tragedies in their lives define them, they are both dying a little more every day. 

Welcome to the wake.

Lastly, I will give away a $8 gift card to the online book retailer of your choice.  Amazon?  Barnes & Noble?  AllRomance?  A book from The Book Depository?  Who will it be??

Again, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who I've spoken to and worked with over the past year!  You have all made this such a wonderful experience for me!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review, Wake by Abria Mattina

Title: Wake
Author: Abria Mattina
Published:  September 22nd 2011 by Primrose Publications
Format: Ebook provided by author for review

Eighteen isn’t too young to run your life into the ground, but it’s not too old to fix it, either. The desire for change drives Willa Kirk from St. John’s, Newfoundland back to hometown of Smiths Falls, Ontario, away from her mistakes and the place where her sister died. She’s looking for a place to settle and rebuild, but Jem Harper just wants to get out of town, back to the life he knew before cancer. By letting the tragedies in their lives define them, they are both dying a little more every day. Welcome to the wake.

This book was fantastic!!!!  Seriously, it was so good, if I could give it more than 5 stars, I definitely would.  In fact, I’ve already gotten one friend to purchase a copy for himself, and I am anxiously waiting to hear his thoughts on it.  Don’t let the high page count scare you off!  It almost scared me off, I’ll admit it.  I kept delaying reading this book.  Funny how something like that can scare you.  BUT I made a huge mistake in waiting.  Honestly, I don’t think the cover or the blurb do the contents of this story justice.  No, I have no clue how I would change either one lol.  I should also note that I powered through this book in one weekend – I couldn’t help it, it was that good.  I literally had double vision from eye strain while grocery shopping! And it was totally worth it!

Let’s start with the facts about this story.  It is about Jem (short for Jeremiah) and Willa, two high school students with more pain in their history than any person should have to deal with.  The story alternates between both of their point of views, sometimes both going over the same scene from their own point of view.  This worked SO well for this story.  It kept it fresh and moving. Right from the beginning of this story I was captured by the whole tone and easy flow.

First we have Jem.  Jem is in remission from cancer.  He is relatively new at his high school, so he doesn’t really have any strong relationships with people there.  He does, however, have incredibly strong and powerful relationships with the people within his family.  I loved them all, and I couldn’t wait until I could come over to their house and integrate myself into the Harper family.  I firmly believe without their love and support Jem would not have survived the diseased that ravaged his young body.  Aside from that, Jem is a bit of a snarky pessimist – a new thing for him.  But he has just survived something so painful and it has stolen so much from him, you can’t blame him.  But even further, he is a deep and caring person.  He has a wicked sense of humor and I would totally want to be his friend.  

“… And before you try any other small talk: yes, I really did move here from Newfoundland; no, you may not borrow my car, homework, or money; black is my favorite color and the Stones feed it to the Beetles.  Okay?” -Willa

Next, and certainly not least, Willa.  Willa has just moved back to Smiths Falls.  She is a bit quirky, and cancer has also touched her family.  She is no stranger to the pain and fear that the disease brings to not only the patient, but everyone around them.  But she has this wonderfully warm and caring side that she just really doesn’t give herself credit for.  So many times I just wanted her to see what a terrific person she is, but when you have secrets like hers it can be hard to see what is right in front of you. 

Willa and Jem become lab partners in Social Studies.  It begins as a horrible and annoying friendship of circumstance.  Both are annoyed by the other, but you can tell there is something else there just swimming beneath the surface.  And then a friendship begins; a complex, beautiful, enchanting, scary and frightening friendship.  I really believe that Willa was a huge part in Jem’s recovery, and her sincerity and sensitivity were integral to him becoming him again.  Their road is not easy by any stretch of the imagination.  But through the entire book I was constantly pulling for them.  I wanted them to work through his attitude, her ability to shut down, all of the mountains before them.  I fell in love with these characters.  I didn’t do the math, but you get a nearly daily account of their days for several months.  It really gives you a chance to get to know them.  I mean, you get to know these characters on such a basic level you feel like you’ve known them forever.  When they hurt, so do you.  And when they smile it puts you over the moon. This book was definitely magical and touching, and I was sad when it was over.  But I WILL read it again.  I have a feeling this is a book where you learn something new every time you read it.  I wish it was in print, but I don’t believe it is. (EDIT: Yes, it is in print - you can find it HERE) Another thing, if you are a foodie, make sure to check out Abria’s website while you read the book.  Food plays a huge part in this story, and she is awesome enough to have the recipes on her site!

I really believe this book is a hit, and you will too.  So I hope you give it a chance.  Don’t let the long length scare you off, it goes fast.  In fact, I’m thinking sometime in the near future I will be including this book in a giveaway because when I find something I love, I have to share it with everyone! If you have already read it – please come talk to me!!  I really need someone I can gush  with!

Want more Abria?  

See her at the Canadian small press book fair in Ottawa on June 30th 

She will also be at the launch of Ottawa Arts Review 6.2, which will happen in August (date TBD)

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