The Recalcitrant Project by Lauren Lynne sets the bar high when it comes to technological horror in young adult fiction. Elise Andrek is a brilliant student programmer living in a dystopian 2034. After the Third World War, a universal way of living was established that took away civil liberties. The citizenry is convulsing with civil unrest, and those who do not conform to the established system undergo reconditioning and a system of eradication for uncooperative citizens. This is how Elise gets involved in the Recalcitrant Project, where she designs a game that the government uses to kill 3,787 students. She joins a resistance group, the Recalcitrants to shut the game down permanently and to put everything behind her. As a fugitive from an oppressive government, her goal to stop the game will put her and the people she cares about in harm’s way.
Lauren Lynne is a keen observer of the dynamics of what makes a good thriller. A heavy burden is placed upon Elise, who is too young and innocent to be placed in a difficult situation when all she wants is to live a peaceful life. The Recalcitrant Project immediately triggers your expectations of a gripping dark thriller, as it establishes a clear setting and background story from the first chapter. What makes this tech thriller even more spine-tingling is the feasibility of its premise. In a world that is beginning to embrace virtual reality in gaming, how can we dismiss the idea that such technology will not be used by future technocrats as a weapon of mass destruction? This is not your average YA dystopian theme. It is a bold prediction of what the future might become. If Hollywood is into adapting YA books for the big screen, this one should be on the top of their list.
The Little Minces, Lauren Lynne’s first children’s book, available September 26th. Preorder your copy today!
It is a time of kings and wizards. It is a time of pie… mincemeat pie, that is. This is the story of Scamper, the mince, and his adventures in a magical kingdom. It is a tale of fleeing and hiding and of solving your problems in a way that helps everyone. It is about making friends in places you don’t expect and sharing your ideas to make your corner of the world a better place.
CM – I don’t usually eat bad foods.
But, if I’m going to cheat once a week, I will indulge in a hamburger and
French fries, pizza or ice cream.
Do you have a
favorite book or film?
CM – Red Dawn and First Blood are
among my favourite films of all time.
Any movies that you really want to
see?
CM – I’m looking forward to seeing
Rambo: Last Blood when it comes to theatres in September.
What’s on your reading list right
now?
CM – Right now, I am reading We Own Tonight by Corinne Michaels.
Besides writing and reading, what is
your most favorite
thing to do?
CM – I really enjoy swimming and
lifting weights as well as photography and travelling.
What do you look for in a book when
you sit down to read for fun?
CM – The main things I look for in a
book before sitting down to read it is a good, well-structured story, lots of
action and excitement.
Who are your favorite authors?
CM – My favourite authors are James
Wesley Rawles, Matthew Bracken and James Patterson.
What 5 words would you use to
describe yourself?
CM – Hardworking, energetic,
adventurous, kind, and assertive.
When you walk
into a bookstore, where do you head to first?
CM – I usually
head to the travel or fiction section of the book store.
Do you have a
job other than being an author? If so,
what is it?
CM – I have a
couple of jobs. I do labor work as well as freelance writing and work once a
month as an invigilator for a college in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
What has been
the strangest thing that a reader has asked you?
CM – In all
honestly, my mind draws a blank when I think about that one.
What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?
CM – My two favourite genres to
write in are crime fiction and dystopian, post-apocalyptic military thrillers.
I am also looking to expand into nonfiction in the near future.
What do you do
when you are not writing?
CM – When I am
not writing, I am usually working at my other jobs or doing odd jobs around the
acreage I live on.
Please tell me
about your novel.
CM – The most
recent novel I have written is called Innocent Rage. In this story, Don, an
easygoing architect from New Orleans, is falsely accused of murdering his wife.
After he’s sent to prison, he devises an elaborate escape plan to break out and
track down those responsible for framing him.
What do you
listen to when you write?
CM – I need
complete quiet when I’m writing. Therefore, I don’t listen to anybody.
Which is your favorite character in your book and why?
CM – I would have to say the main
character, Don Gregory. I believe he has a great personality and refuses to be
a pushover.
Dream big…
Your book has been purchased to be turned into a movie script and you have been
asked to list the people you would most like to play each role. Who do you choose?
CM – That’s a
tough question. As far as modern actors go, Ryan Reynolds might be a good fit
to play Don. Perhaps Jennifer Lawrence or Brie Larson could play his wife,
Helena.
What else do
you have in the pipeline?
CM – At present,
I am writing the first book in a duology about a future United States torn
apart by civil war.
What genre do
you consider your book(s)?
CM – Innocent
Rage is crime fiction.
How did you
come up with the title?
CM – The name
just popped in my head one day out of the blue.
How long did
it take you to write this book?
CM – It took
me about four months to write Innocent Rage.
If you had to
do it all over again, would you change anything in your first book?
CM – My first
book, Unforeseen Fury, was written in 2011. I would definitely change many
things about the story, simply because I was a newbie at the time and didn’t
write as well back then as I do now.
What was one
of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book(s)?
CM – I have
learned that the entire writing process entails more than simply writing a
book. There is editing involved, as well as research and finding a good cover
artist. Then there’s the marketing and promotion side, which is another matter
entirely.
Did you have
any teachers in school that encouraged you to write? What was their advice?
CM – A teacher
I had in Grade 6, Mrs. Linda McGuire, inspired me to write. To this day, she is
the best English teacher I’ve ever had.
2) Any movie that you really want to see? Bumblebee
3) Please tell me about your novel. “The Hourglass” is about a character by the name of Jake Trust. In college, he was the captain of the basketball team and very popular. However, as soon as he graduated he has a regular office job like everybody else. Out of frustration he reaches out to his best friend Josh and asked him to gamble with him. If they WIN they can save their money and figure out what else they can do with their lives. If they lose at least they gave it a shot. Jake had no idea that Josh used to have a gambling problem.
4) Which is your favorite character in your book and why? Jake Trust is my favorite character in my book because he has a big heart and all these great ideas but he also feels stuck at a job that doesn’t appreciate him. He takes a lot of risks and it can hurt or help a lot of people depending on what happens from his choices. To carry that burden and take those chances for the better good of him and his friends makes him my favorite character.
5) How did you come up with the Title? This is a quote of mine in the book that answers why I came up with the Title The Hourglass. “Hey, mom the hour’s over, look at the hourglass!” She smiled. “Very smart son, and remember you’ll never get that hour back. Don’t waste your time being angry at the little things. Don’t wait to enjoy your life. Do it now. Pretend there’s an Hourglass. That way you’ll have no regrets.”
6) How long did it take you to write this book? About a year and a half.
7) What is your favorite motivational phrase? “The Journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step!” -Lao Tzu
What’s New? I’ll tell you! It has been very busy here behind the scenes, where an illustrator is working on my first children’s book, I have finished a new book in the Secret Watchers universe and it is going through the first round of editing. In addition, the amazing team at Wyvern’s Peak is interested in the Secret Watchers series. My heart is full and I am busy, busy, busy to bring you more fun,adventure, and awesome stuff to read.
As always big hugs to my crew, my family, my friends, the team at Wyvern’s Peak, and my fans! Y’all rock!!!
Remember that you are special. Remember that you are amazing. Congratulations on the completion of your wonderful magazines. Thank you so muh for letting me visit, and for sharing your writing with me! I’ll talk with you about reading and writing any time. Until we meet again… go be wonderful!
Make It Count by Tamar Sloan (young adult, paranormal, romance, friendship, family)
5* Wow. This is a book I had started months ago and set aside after the first few pages. I’m really glad a picked it back up. Casey’s gift/curse or as she and her friend, Em, call it the “gurft” is just that. Casey struggles to find a way to cope with the gurft when she meets the boy of her dreams. The problem is that his number is twenty-one. Can she change it? Should she? As she gets closer to him she does everything she can to save him and shares her wisdom, insights, and lessons she learns along the way through her Blog (which is a really creative way to share what is going on in her head). I really loved how the author included a brief four year fast forward to how Casey is doing in the near future. If you like this book, I would also suggest “When” by Victoria Laurie. You can also find my review at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2180693935
It’s my favorite time of the holiday season! We celebrate Christmas at my house but nothing gets the mulled cider flowing like a trip to Canby Oregon’s Red Mitten Christmas Bazaar! The twinkly lights and baking goodies make me happy the moment I walk in the door! Meet local authors and find wonderful handmade holiday gifts created by local artisans!
For those purchasing one of my books this holiday season, you will receive a link to obtain a free eBook from my new publisher Wyvern’s Peak! What’s better at Christmas than a gift, right? Cookies and cheer come to mind too… did I mention that cookies are baked on-site? Oh! and lunch is served daily too!
Preview night is Wednesday, November 29th from 5 pm to 8 pm.
The Red Mitten Bazaar run from Thursday, November 30th to Sunday, December 10th.
Thursday and Friday’s hours are from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday hours are 9 am to 7 pm, and Sunday hours are from noon until 5 pm. SEE YOU THERE!
Get your home ready for the cooler weather coming soon. School is back in session, Halloween is just around the corner.
Shop for unique, high-quality, handmade gifts. Children’s items, vintage wares, amazing fused glass creations, jewelry, yummy soaps and lotions, home décor and more. Local authors will be available for book-signings throughout show. Support your local authors, crafters and businesses while getting a jump-start on your holiday shopping!
Lunch and goodies available daily.
Open TWO Weekends–Sept 28th thru Oct 1st and Oct 5th thru 8th
Thurs-Fri 10 AM – 6 PM, Sat 9 AM – 7 PM Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM
Welcome to my interview with, Bailey Ordiway, author of American Holdovers, Blackout, and Entertainment 100.
Hello, Bailey!
I’m glad you’re here! First some fun trivia.
Do you have a favorite book or film?
My all time favorite book is Looking For Alaska by John Green. My favorite film is Silver Linings Playbook, though it is a good book as well!
When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head to first?
First I look to see if I’m in the store at all. If I am, I sign a couple copies. Then, I go to the young adult section because I will always have a soft spot for that genre.
Do you have a job other than being an author? If so, what is it?
Yes! I actually own a small vape shop. I do most of my writing on the couch there while waiting for customers.
What do you listen to when you write?
I usually listen to a mix of classical and electronic. No words and relaxing in different ways.
What genre do you consider your book(s)?
I actually try to expand out into multiple genres so I don’t get stuck in a niche, but they all kind of remain around Young Adult.
What advice do you have for authors looking to find and connect with a wider base of fans?
Start a blog! I have my entertainment blog that has become just as important to me as my books. On top of that, it keeps you busy when you have writer’s block.
What has been your favorite part of being an author?
Probably getting to tell people I’m an author! It never gets old, really.
Are you a plotter, a planner, or do you prefer to dive right in?
I am a plotter for sure. I have a problem focusing and if I don’t write out a very thorough outline then I will ramble and get sidetracked.
