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She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.
– Annie Dillard |
Publisher: Palmetto Publishing Group Publication Date: October 3, 2017 Pages: 280 Add to GoodReads About the Book
Alone. Abandoned. Threatened. Natalie has lost all hope for a better future. Everything she’s known and everyone she’s ever loved is gone, and it’s up to her to get her old life back. In Michael Evans’s first novel, Control Freakz, Natalie’s journey toward a better life begins.
When Protocol 00 is enacted, Natalie’s family is taken by the government, along with the families of her two best friends, Ethan and Hunter. With nothing to lose, and the threat of government hitmen kidnapping them at any moment, the three must battle to survive in a horrid, post-apocalyptic world run by President Ash and his invasive government. They want answers. And they’re willing to jeopardize everything in desperate pursuit. Risking ruthless leaders, attempted mind control, and her very existence on the planet, Natalie, along with Hunter and Ethan, will stop at nothing in their quest to regain everything they’ve ever known. Her spirits crushed and her will to live destroyed, Natalie knows everything is dead and gone, and soon she will be, too. Memories connect us to the past, and can often cause us to long for a better future, but they can drive our minds into a state of hell if a better future is unattainable. Nevertheless, Natalie’s hope for a better a future remains. Where to BuyInterview
L: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
ME: Well my name is Michael Evans, and I’m currently a sophomore in high school! I am extremely passionate about the future and have always loved to read! I’m also an author of Young Adult novels! My published novels include Control Freakz, and the forthcoming novel entitled Delusional, which is the second novel in the Control Freakz Trilogy. Whenever I’m not writing I may be found at the beach or trying to walk Skye, my crazy golden doodle. I’m also originally from Long Island, New York, but have since moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Some of my hobbies include running, hiking, camping, watching sunsets, exploring abandoned buildings, and playing basketball, and I have always dreamed of living on a private island. I’m also fascinated with neuroscience, nanotechnology, and of course this beautiful earth that we all live on (maybe one day humans will live on another planet and then destroy that too… but not yet). L: Who or what inspired you to be an author? ME: Writing is something that comes instinctively to me, but it is driven by my passion to impact the world positively. I'm an author simply because I love to express myself and feel there is no better way to impact people then through the beauty of the written word. My inspiration behind my desire to impact society positively stems from my fascination with the future, and my dream to make it the best it can be for everyone! L: Who or what inspired your novel? ME: My novel deals with the negative aspects that the progression of neural engineering may have on our society. Nanotechnology, specifically its impacts on mental health, is what inspired the underlying dystopian themes of my novel. However, my true purpose for writing the novel was to shed light on mental health issues that plague all of us (if you have a perfect mind you are lying to yourself), and to give people hope that they can overcome their obstacles. I also wanted to spark conversations about how technology may be able to actually help cure mental health disorders such as addiction. But that same technology will also have disastrous effects on society... you will have to read my novel to see exactly how I envision a dystopian society is possible due to the progression of neural engineering technology. L: What would you say is the genre of your novel? ME: It's a Young Adult Post Apocalyptic Thriller, with a Psychological Thriller narrative and moderate Sci-fi elements. L:Why did you pick this/these genre(s)? ME: I love the future as stated before. So including Sci-fi elements in my writing is just natural for me. I choose to portray a dystopic society in my novel because I believe it is more effective to show the negative aspects of the future, in order to compel people not to have that future happen! I also had to include a psychological thriller narrative because I have always loved psychological thrillers, and it was a way for met highlight the mental flaws in the main character. L: How did you develop your plot and characters? ME: The characters came to me before the plot did so developing the plot was actually quite easy. L: Who or what inspired your protagonist? ME: Due to mental health being a big theme in my novel, people close to me in my life who struggle with mental health issues inspired Natalie Parker, the main character. She is the heroine of the novel, but I hesitate to even call her that. She is extremely flawed... like I feel bad for her, she has to deal with so much, and she doesn't handle it the best, but I feel like she reflects how must people would handle life in her situation. Unlike other YA novels where the heroine is borderline superhuman, in Control Freakz the protagonist is utterly flawed and beautifully human. L: Who or what inspired your antagonist? ME: I'd rather not say, that's something that becomes evident as you read the book. All I will say that the main character is an allegory. L: What was the most difficult part to write in the book? ME: That's tough for me to say. Writing the book itself was a whirlwind. It's quite a large novel at 107,000 words, however, I wrote it 9 weeks, so to say those nine weeks were a whirlwind is an understatement. There was no section of the novel that was particularly difficult; the hardest part was really adhere to a strict schedule to write for a couple hours every day, no matter what. L: What was your favourite part of your book to write? ME: Oh definitely the part involving the President's psychopathic ex-wife. That was just great to write; I found myself laughing at my own jokes at times!
L: Are you a full time or a part time writer? If part time, what do you do besides write?
ME: I'm a part time writer! Maybe one day I will be a full time writer, but for right now I'm still working on pursing my high school diploma. I'm currently a sophomore in high school, so I have plenty of years of schooling left, but I hope that I can pursue writing full time after I graduate from college. L:What are you currently reading? ME: On Writing by Stephen King. That guy is great. L: What are some of your favourite books or authors? ME: Veronica Roth, Alexandra Bracken, Stephen King, Nicola Yoon, John Green, Scott Westerfeld, Lauren Oliver, Suzanne Collins... I can keep going for days! L: What are your future projects, if any? ME: Well, Control Freakz is actually the first novel in a trilogy! I have already finished the second novel Delusional, and it will be released in the fall of 2018 (date TBD, however if you follow me on social media you will be the first to know). I'm currently writing the third novel in the trilogy entitled Triggered, which will be released in the first half of 2019. I'm also getting ready to start writing my fourth novel this summer, which will be a YA Environmental Dystopian Thriller! That probably won't be released until the beginning of 2020!! L: What is your preferred method for readers to get in touch with you and your books? ME: I love connecting with readers on social media! Below are all my links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mevansinked/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEvansInked/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MEvansInked Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17306697.Michael_Evans If interested in reading more about my book or me you can go to my website! If you subscribe to my newsletter you will also get the first four chapters of Control Freakz for free! http://mevansinked.com/ And one last thing! If you are interested in purchasing Control Freakz (it is for free on Kindle Unlimited) you can here: https://www.amazon.com/Control-Freakz-Michael-Evans-ebook/dp/B076523XG8/ L: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? ME: Yes! First of all, don't just dream DO! And I have my three pro tips that I try to always remember myself when writing: 1. Write about something your passionate about! If you don't absolutely love your story then no one else will! 2. Write the first words that come to your mind! This may seem counterproductive but the bad stuff can always be cut out in editing. However, the first thoughts that come to your mind are always the most authentic and emotionally vivid. 3. Write everyday! I know it's tough, but finding time to even right for 15 minutes will help you develop the flow and tone of your story in much more depth!
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Come enjoy the wonderful world of words with me! Today's word is:
Acersecomic: ~ A person whose hair has never been cut. Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC Publication Date: July 2, 2016 Pages: 278 Format: Mobi Add to Goodreads About the Book
Libby Carter is pretty sure she didn’t kill her husband…
When Libby wakes up to find her husband Ryan murdered in bed next to her with no memory of how it happened, she can only assume the worst. Daughter of the infamous I-75 Strangler, Libby is afraid that becoming a serial killer is in her DNA. Is she truly capable of killing the man she loves? The evidence against her keeps stacking up, and it’s enough for an arrest… It’s no secret that Libby is the number one suspect, and when she makes bail, she knows she has no choice but to turn to the only man who can help clear her name. Her father. After visiting him in prison, she decides to take the investigation into her own hands. Libby finds an unsettling lead on Ryan’s murderer and learns her husband might not have been as innocent as she thought. But every clue she uncovers leads to another dead end… Libby must risk her life to discover the truth about her husband and his murder, but things become even more dangerous when she realizes someone is watching her every move. My Rating
4.85 Stars
My Review
I received this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those books that is tough to put down and walk away from. It lingers, if you do manage to put it down, and it stalks your waking (sometimes sleeping) moments. It makes you wonder what is next!
Can you imagine, though, waking up beside your partner in a pool of your partner's blood with a blinding headache and you're not even sure how any of this happened. Did they kill themselves? Did you do it? Did someone else? You can't even remember the gun shot either. Then add in the fact that your father is the infamous I-75 Strangler. I'd be freaking right out. You know, I have always wondered what happens to the family of a serial killer. Especially the children. How are they affected and how do they handle the truth about their parental figures? This gave me a little look into how one might handle it. One thing that amazed me, though, is how quick the police were to pin this on Libby without doing any kind of work. And the fact that Libby had to take it into her own hands to do the work. I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good domestic suspense novel that keeps you utterly guessing if it was Libby or if it was someone else who killed the husband!
Suspense Finalist for the 2017 Indie Excellence Awards!
Where to BuyAbout the Author
Christina is the author of the award-winning suspense novel, LIKE FATHER LIKE DAUGHTER, as well as many other suspense titles. She lives in Kentucky with her two daughters.
Connect with Christina
Publisher: Brysen Mann Publication Date: December 6, 2017 Pages: 252 Add to Goodreads About the Book
Deputy Frank Smirnov wants a peaceful life but fate has chosen a different path. He could never have imagined a course that not only gives him insight to his past but to the true origins of the human race. NSA Agent Zachariah Allmass' job is to eliminate those who know too much, and those "Beings" with powers untold that have elected to remain hidden for all these millenniums, now possess evidence he needs for his true employer, the Committee. But Allmass has an agenda of his own.
Meanwhile, Roman Petrov is a violent man who puts his retirement on temporary hiatus after being left with collateral damage that leaves him no choice but to eliminate the "thorn in his side". When these men's worlds collide, secrets that were never meant to be exposed will shake the very foundation of mankind's existence. Where to Buy
Interview
L: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
BM: I'm just a guy with a story to tell. L: Who or what inspired you to be an author? BM: I don't believe there was any inspiration. It came time to tell my tale and hopefully the reader will be intrigued enough in it to want more as my narrative does not end with this first book. L: Who or what inspired your novel? BM: I want the people to hopefully read my story and give them reason to look at the world, where we are, where we are going as a civilization. To give them the opportunity to pause, reflect and discuss. To question whether this tale of fiction can be based in reality. L: What would you say is the genre of your novel? BM: I would classify this as a psychological thriller/mystery/sci-fi L: Why did you pick this/these genre(s)? BM: There was no picking or choosing. This tale is what it is. L: How did you develop your plot and characters? BM: You could almost say they were already in my head...like a memory. L: Who or what inspired your protagonist? BM: I believe there is a part of me in this character. L: Who or what inspired your antagonist? BM: The same would apply here...part of me. L: What was the most difficult part to write in the book? BM: This story has a lot of twists and turns so the most difficult part was making sure all or most of the questions were answered. That everything tied in. L: What was your favourite part of your book to write? BM: The dialogue. L: Are you a full time or a part time writer? If part time, what do you do besides write? * BM: I am hoping that the writing will be full time. The second book is already in my head and it is time to put it on paper. L: What are you currently reading? BM: I haven't read anything in a long time. I don't want anything to influence my writing. It has to be my story told my way. L: What are some of your favourite books or authors? BM: Some of my favorite books are those I read while I was quite young, Les Miserables, Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Rikki Tikki Tavi. L: What are your future projects, if any? BM: To continue with my planned trilogy of The Xeno Manifesto. L: What is your preferred method for readers to get in touch with you and your books? Please provide links. BM: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brysenmann/ Twitter: @brysen_mann L: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? BM: Believe in what you are writing and market the heck out of it. About the Author
At what point, in a person’s life, do you say enough is enough? For me, that time has come.
I am at a juncture in my life where I can’t keep it locked inside anymore. I mean when will it end? What price will have to be paid? There is too much at stake. I, for one, have to speak out but will anyone listen? Things are not what they appear. The veil that hides these secrets has to be lifted and let those that wish, read what is written and then give consideration to the plausibility of this saga. This is all I can offer and hope for. The rest is up to you. It is time for you, the reader, to be judge and jury. But you must know, my tale does not end here…there is more to be revealed. Website: www.brysenmann.com/ Publisher: Chewed Pencil Press Publication Date: April 26, 2016 Pages: 268 Format: ePub Add to GoodReads About the Book
Synthia (Syn) Wade is a teenage girl who struggles with cystic fibrosis, an incurable life-threatening disease. One day she is pushed into a pond by an unseen figure and wakes up in a new world – a mysterious garden where illness and death don’t exist.
Welcomed by the garden’s residents and now free of her symptoms, Syn decides to stay. But, before long, she realizes that this apparent utopia holds many dangers and dark secrets. Surrounding the garden is a fog that Syn is warned never to enter. She encounters bizarre creatures that defy reason. And always lurking in the shadows is a masked woman - a woman who may have a connection to the disappearance of Syn’s parents many years ago. A woman whom no one will speak of, but whom everyone fears. While No One Dies in the Garden of Syn, Syn will soon discover that some fates are worse than death. My Rating
My Review
I received this eBook from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
From the premise of this novel, I was looking forward to reading this. It seemed really quite interesting, a parallel world where people could exist without pain or sickness. I am sure there are terminally ill and permanently ill people out there who have dreamed of worlds like this.
However, I did have an issue with the pace of the story. It tended to drag in many places which slowed the story down to a snail pace. Although Synthia's curiosity was quite refreshing and she didn't just agree to ways of those in the garden. Yet, at the same time, there was nothing remarkable about her either. This is a debut novel, so there is plenty of time to expand on Syn's personality and give her a little more depth as well. If you enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Alice in Wonderland, this is similar to those stories. Don't let it's similarities fool you, either. It does hold it's own and has it's own creativity. Where to Buy
About the Author
MICHAEL SEIDELMAN is an unapologetic bookworm and movie buff with a background in Online Marketing. No One Dies in the Garden of Syn is Michael’s first YA novel, with many more to come. He is currently hard at work on the second book in The Garden of Syn Trilogy and resides in Vancouver, BC.
Come enjoy the wonderful world of words with me!
The reason I've shared this is I've debated the usage of this word with a friend a couple of times. He is a word nerd as well, however I am glad to see that I'm not wrong in using the word and now I have a comeback for him instead of just relenting and agreeing to disagree. Muahahaha!
Welcome readers to 2018. With this new year, I've decided on some changes. I've been courting depression on and off all through 2017 and recently it has been back on. While I continued to read, I stopped writing my reviews and lost all interest in it. I also am facing some stuff with my income so I have been mighty worried about that and thus sinking into more depression. It's been a tough end of the year and now a tough beginning. It definitely made Christmas significantly more difficult. So with all of that, one of the major changes is that I will no longer be participating in Blog Tours/Book Tours. I know that I changed sites so that blog tours didn't get me deleted but I'm sticking with Weebly. I had my introduction to blogging on Wordpress and I'm infinitely grateful for that and for the community that Wordpress has. However, I made the choice to move away and I'm sticking with it. The main reason why I am moving away from doing the tours is that they are very, very, very time consuming. Even on Wordpress they were time consuming but on Weebly? It's a lot more work. By the end of it, I wanted nothing to do with my blog. Which began hurting what I originally started the blog for. I have decided to step away from the blog/book tours. I enjoyed helping and have read many awesome books because of it but I need to find my love for reading and writing again. Other than that, I'm going to refocus on what this blog is really about and I'm going to add some more of myself to the blog too. Do posts like this and share stuff I enjoy, like my video games and music. I think blogs need lots of personality otherwise they're just word vomit. Haha. With that, I would like to share that I did manage to read 64 (I haven't added the other books as read so it's 60 according to GoodReads) books in 2017. Wow, that felt weird writing that. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it because Christmas and life kind of snuck up on me and smacked me in the face. But I made it! Here's proof. This year, I plan to try to read 65 or more. Hopefully. Don't hold me to that. Haha.
I will be posting a best and worst books I read in 2017. I actually didn't read a lot of books that I didn't like but to be a book blogger is to give constructive criticism. Also, because I stopped reviewing, a few books fell behind. Some books I hadn't planned to review but need a little something to be said about. So, in the coming days I will be posting that. |
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"The cosmos is within us. We are all made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself." - Carl Sagan Archives
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