Giveaway, Interview, and Tour: Fire Baptized

Today I have Kenya Wright, author of Fire Baptized visiting The Life and Lies!

 

Fire Baptized

Since the 1970’s humans have forced supernaturals to live in caged cities. Silver brands embedded in their foreheads identify them by species: a full moon for Vampires, a crescent moon for Shifters, a pair of wings for Fairies, and the list goes on, for each supernatural species has been tagged and categorized by humans.

Lanore Vesta is marked with a silver X, the brand of Mixbreeds, second-class citizens shunned by society. She stays to herself, revealing her ability to create fire only during emergencies. All she wants to do is graduate college and stop having to steal to survive. But when she stumbles upon a murder in progress, she catches the attention of a supernatural killer. Now all she wants is to stop finding dead bodies in her apartment.

Enlisting help from her Were-cheetah ex-boyfriend Meshach and a new mysterious friend named Zulu, she is steered through the habitat’s raunchy nightlife. But their presence sometimes proves to be more burden than help, as they fight for her attention.

While the corpses pile up, and the scent of blood fills the air, Lanore is left wondering: will she find the psycho or die trying?

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1) Why and when did you begin writing?

I have always enjoyed writing. When I was a kid I would write poems. Later as a teenager, I considered myself a poet and rapper. I named myself Queen Kobra. I wrote several rap songs that discussed The Movement. Till this day, I have no idea what movement I was talking about.

Additionally, writing has always been an outlet for me. Anytime I became depressed or fell in love, I wrote a song or poem about the experience. I have hundreds of my old journals or notebooks that I browse once in a while, and laugh at.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

My ten year old step-son inspired me. One day we were walking around Barnes and Noble. I was telling him that I wished there were more urban fantasy novels with different ethnicities. He looked up at me and said, “You should write one. You’re smart.” I laughed and told him, thanks. However, that idea remained in my mind the rest of the week. By the next week, I’d bought several books on writing a novel.

3) How did you come up with the title?

I wanted a title that incorporated my main character’s fire power, but also played on the religious theme that you see throughout the book. I loved the term Fire Baptized because it refers to a soldier’s first experience in battle. I definitely believe my character experienced her first battle in this book.

4) What books or people influenced your writing? Was it positive influence, or negative?

My favourite authors are Laini Taylor, Ilona Andrews, and Kim Harrison. They were positive influences on how I should present my world.

5) How do you go about researching for your books?

The creation process of world building can be exhaustive and exciting. I did a lot of research on world building and real societies. I studied how actual countries worked. Things like import/export systems, government, and the things that are necessary to help the place function. Once I gathered all of that data, I imagined how these functions would be different if supernaturals existed. For example, supernatural blood products are a major export in my world.

6) Did you base any of your characters on real people?

No. All of my characters are crazy supernaturals that dance around in my head.

7) What’s the most exciting part about being a published author? What is the hardest part?

The moment I see my book cover up and even the first couple of reviews that trickle in, I float on this natural high! It’s such a rewarding experience to know that a project that you’ve spent months working on is entertaining to others.

8) Do you have any other books planned in the future?

I just published an erotic paranormal romance called Incubus Hunter. In March, I am publishing a book of short story collections from Fire Baptized’s world called Habitat .5. I am currently revising a one called Chameleon which is a YA paranormal romance from Fire Baptized’s world, and has completely different characters. Additionally, the sequel to Fire Baptized which is The Burning Bush will be published in May 2012.

9) Which of your characters is your favorite? Do you dislike any of them?

My favorite character by far is MeShack. He’s a tall, muscular Were-cheetah that purrs when he enjoys something. He’s half Black and Iranian, the leader singer of the supernatural band Mahogany Groove, and a big softy.

10) What advice can you give to young writers who want to publish their books?

I have two things to say to aspiring authors. First, critique groups are your friends. Join a website like www.critiquecircle.com to have your first drafts reviewed for content and grammar. I received a lot of valuable assistance. Second, read a lot of different genres. My favourite genres are fantasy and romance, but I always read other genres at least twice of month. It will definitely improve your writing.

Just for fun:

1) What are your ten most favorite things?

Husband, three kids, Harry Potter, Vampire Diaries, Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones, chocolate covered cheesecake, Pinot Noir, For Gras, alternative music, and foot massages.

2) What do you do when you’re not writing?

Watch movies with my husband.

3) Do you have any pets?

I have three cats that run around my house, causing chaos.

4) What are your favorite (and least favorite) foods?

Favorite- foie gras

Least favorite- asparagus

5) Is there a specific place in the house (or out of the house) that you like to write?

I have a desk that I spray painted as a piano! I love it! Granted, it’s next to a litter box, but I still love my little office… until a cat goes to the bathroom of course.

6) Do you have a specific snack that you have with you when you write?

Coffee!!! (yummm…)

7) If you could go anywhere in the whole world, either for a vacation or to live there, where would you go?

Hands down, Paris, France. I would love to sample cheeses, foie gras, and wine; and then bike around the countryside.

8) What was your favorite and least favorite subject in school?

Favorite- Chorus

Least-Math

9) What book are you reading right now?

I am reading A Perfect Blood by my idol Kim Harrison.

10) Tell us a random fact about you that we never would have guessed.

I online stalk Jason Momoa in my spare time. (Boy, he’s sizzling HOT!)

Thanks Kenya!

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About Kenya:

Kenya Wright always knew she would be famous since the ripe old age of six when she sung the Michael Jackson thriller song in her bathroom mirror. She has tried her hand at many things from enlisting in the Navy for six years as a Persian-Farsi linguist to being a nude model at an art university.

However, writing has been the only constant love in her life.

Now Kenya is publishing her first book, Fire Baptized, the urban fantasy novel she always wanted to read. This novel is the first book in a series.

Will she succeed? Of course.

For she has been coined The Urban Fantasy Queen, the Super Iconic Writer of this Age, The Lyrical Genius of Our Generation. Granted, these are all terms coined by her, within the private walls of her bathroom as she still sings the Michael Jackson thriller song.

Kenya Wright currently resides in Miami with her three amazing, overactive children, a supportive, gorgeous husband, and three cool black cats that refuse to stop sleeping on Kenya’s head at night.

Website: http://www.kenyawright.com

Book Video: http://youtu.be/a28T5HzpGJ4

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Giveaway!

Kenya will be giving away a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well as to the host whose post receives the most comments. Remember, the more comments you leave here and on the other tour stops, the higher your chance of winning!

Write-ups

What is the difference between a write-up and a review?

A review is an in-depth critique at a book's plot, characters, writing, and pacing, and my reactions to it.

A write-up is me telling you about the book, what it's like, and why you should read it, even though I didn't.

These books I didn't finish. It wasn't because they were bad, it was just because they

a) weren't for me
b) I didn't have time (for instance, if it just showed up, and I didn't request it, I'm not going to put it above the ones I did commit to reading)
c) I took a break for some reason, tried to read the rest, and had forgotten what had happened in the first half.

Without further adieu, my 3 Write-ups of the day.

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The Watch that Ends The Night: Voices from the Titanic
by Allan Wolf

This novel was a collection of poems all written by Wolf. The "Voices" are all the characters in the novel. The poetry is beautiful, artistic, and varying. Each character has their own style of poetry: some write rhymes, some write free-verse, some just dialogue. There is some Morse code thrown in there too!

(I read a bit of it, but this book just showed up in my mailbox one day, and I don't even know who sent it to me.)

9780763637033 October 11th 2011 by Candlewick Press

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The Whisperer
Donato Carrisi

I read a good portion of this book when I picked it up for the first time, and it was extremely intriguing. I liked the protagonist a lot, and I wanted to know more about her and her abilities and her story. But I had to set it down for school, and I wasn't able to get back into it after I stopped for a few weeks.

9780316194723 Published January 5th 2012 by Mulholland Books

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The Rook
Daniel O'Malley

This book is so my kind of book. I'm writing about it now, but I'm going to finish it later. In fact I may just start over at the beginning after school is over, and re-read it. It starts off by throwing you into a situation that makes perfect sense, but is still un-understandable. There are clues hidden in the first page that are brought up later, and mysteries, and confusion, and stress, and adventure… I really wanted to be this character.

9780316098793  Published January 11th 2012 by Little Brown & Co

Nerdfighters rejoice!

First thing I see when I log into Audible is THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. It is on the front page of their Teens section.

This brought me great joy.

DFTBA.

totally random inanimate flying objects today

First: Emma Woodhouse is a wretched creature, barely redeemable by the end of the novel, and I respect Mr. Knightly for his patience with her, but pity that he will be stuck with her for the rest of his literary existence and hope that for his sake she becomes a more redeemable character. He is, however, so totally on my list of literary crushes.

Second, here's a funny article by Cracked about 8 unexpected downsides to e-books.

Third: take a bag of chocolate chips and melt it into a container of cream cheese frosting, pour it into a pan, stick it in the freezer for an hour, and you have yourself the easiest most amazing fudge you'll ever taste. call it college-student freezer-fudge. I used paper bowls to freeze it. I got weird round-shaped fudge, but it tastes great.

Fourth: Something I've noticed about to-do lists: making them is great, but if you loose them, they're worthless.

Fifth: Etsy shop: mittens, Pokémon, hats, etc. Check it out! (see the sidebar for a widget)

Sixth: Brainstorming a new header. I want something that isn't so dark… but it should still be fun and "life and lies of an inanimate flying object"-ish.

Seventh: writing a new novel about a teen prostitute. Need to do research without becoming a prostitute. Ideas? Other novel recommendations? Documentaries?

Eight: Charles Dickens was amazing, and Bleak House is amazing. It's really hard to read when you're dyslexic, though.

Ninth: Now I'm just coming up with stuff so that the last thing on my list is an even number.

Tenth (and finally), I'm posting some reviews this weekend, I promise. I'm shooting for Every Other Day, The Rook, and another one whose title I can't remember. Yeah, it's one of those days.

Thanks guys.

Review: Acrylic Fusion

Acrylic Fusion by Dan Tranberg
Genre: Art
ISBN: 9781592537525
Published: January 1st 2012 by Quarry Books
Rating: 5

Summary (from Goodreads)
This unique reference book is designed to excite and motivate you to push beyond traditional techniques and to explore new approaches to painting. Acrylic Fusion frees you from traditional approaches to painting by exposing you to a diverse range of alternative techniques, unconventional processes, and the integration of unique materials that stimulate creativity and encourage experimentation. It's a must-have resource aimed at artists who make paintings, but it is also a great reference for any crafters, makers, and DIYers who use paint in their work, whether they make art journals, design greeting cards, or refinish furniture because the techniques can easily be adapted for many different kinds of projects and applications.

This book is so wild. It's full of simple exciting techniques with step-by-step instructions and photos. The techniques are interesting and inspiring, and hold a lot of potential for those with a slightly more trained eye in acrylic painting.

The techniques are things like adding an acrylic material to the paint so it holds a texture; using masking tape to make sharp edges; putting rubbing alcohol on solid paint; and other things to get unique looks. Think abstract, or contemporary.

They're not hard techniques. But a lot of them, you'll need the specific materials, and they aren't things you can grab a Walmart. You'll either have to have a local art store around, or order the supplies online. I won't say this book is for experienced artists, but it's certainly not for beginners, unless you've got an opportunity to get the materials (and buying all that can be pricey).

This is an excellent book for art teachers, school teachers, and acrylic painters who want to find something new and different in their work.

Review: Art Lab for Kids

Art Lab for Kids by Susan Schwake
Genre: Art
ISBN: 9781592537655
Published: February 1st 2012 by Quarry Books
Rating: 3

I have mixed feelings about this book. I can't say it's bad, because I've taught 95% of the projects before. they're great projects! But as an artist and art instructor, I've seen kids do more than what is in this book (for some of the projects). Some of the projects are very simple things you could find over the internet. Some are things you do in elementary school. It's got a broad mix of really cool projects with a lot of potential, and really dull projects that I know kids don't really respond to very well.

However, I did find three or four projects that are pretty cool, that I'm definitely implementing aspects of in my extended camp this summer!

That being said, this book is great for students who want to do art but don't have any kind of local art class institution, teachers who are looking for a good collection to fit a wide age range, and maybe homeschool parents who want their kids to have art but don't know where to start.

Kids art class teacher? not so much. You probably already know them.

Review: Knitting with the Color Guys

Knitting with the Color Guys: Inspiration, Ideas, and Projects from the Kaffe Fassett Studio
by Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably
Genre: Knitting
ISBN: 9781936096374
Published: February 7th 2012 by Sixth&Spring
Rating: 4

This book made me really happy! I've never found a blanket pattern that I liked so much that I just had to knit it. I've found a few in here. (although I'll have to wait until I finish all my knit Pokemon.)

The book is organized by color sets: soft colors, brights, moody and earthy, bright and vibrant, etc. The patterns themselves are simple and straightforward, and the graphs are very good. My only complaint is that some of the patterns are duplicated, but they call it something else because the color set is different. Also, they have a Zig Zag throw, and a Zig Zag cushion. A shadow-box throw, and a shadow-box cushion. I feel like they could have just put them together, but instead they re-printed the graph on each pattern. they're little things, but they distracted me from the overall picture. I was like "hey, that scarf is in there twice, but two different colors. Why not just call one a "color variation" or something?"

The patterns were mostly pillows and throws. There was a shawl or two, some scarves, leg warmers, a hat, fingerless gloves etc. But mostly it was larger things. I feel like this book could be a great inspiration to people who like to knit and design accessories and sweaters, but if you're looking for those kinds of patterns, you won't find them.

All in all, I love the yarn they used, the color sets, the patterns themselves, and the photographs (which were fantastic).

The blessings and curses of being an English major.

I'm a professional writing major. Professional Writing is WCU's version of a combo English major that consists of literature, technical and workplace writing, and creative writing.

This semester, I am taking 2 literature courses: African Literature, and 19th Century British Literature. In these two classes, we have already read several novels, including Emma, Heart of Darkness, Things Fall Apart, and a lot of Wordsworth and Coleridge poetry.

Point is, I don't have a whole lot of time left for reading stuff I really want to read, like Under the Never Sky, or Possession, or Every Other Day, and especially The Fault in Our Stars. I have like 15 review books I'm behind on, and more coming in! gah!

On top of it all… I have started the second draft of Accidental Girlfriend. I'm moving forward. I really want to publish this novel!

And today I found out that I have a weird eye condition where I can't really see much of anything, so I need bifocals. So yeah. That doesn't make reading any easier.

So what I'm trying to say is, I'm still alive, I promise, I'm just struggling to balance my time between reading Bleak House (next week's book!), teaching pre-pointe ballet, keeping my cardio levels reasonable, studying my French homework, knitting pokemon (which has become my main source of income) and getting enough sleep.

The Yarn Cat

My shop is up and running! Soon I'll be adding some Pokémon and some monsters.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/theyarncat

Critters, Creatures, and Characters

I'm starting an Etsy store.

Eventually.

Thus far, here are some thing-a-majigs I'm working on or have made.

Each critter is made of soft durable worsted wool. I can knit you almost anything: Pokemon, Animals, Jedi knights, etc.
Email me with a picture and I will let you know if I can make it.
(I can knit almost anything… even a brain.)

Blue Ringed Octopus

 

Over-the-bed (not under the bed) Monster

 

Spheal

Ideas?