When: Thursday 8th December
Where: Subiaco Library, 237 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
Cost: FREE
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Sunday, 20 November 2011
INTERVIEW: Rebecca Lim
For those who haven't heard, what is your novel about?
My latest book for young adults –Mercy – brings together some of the genre-mashing I enjoy as a reader. It’s a YA mystery/crime novel – but with angels and Latin, choral music, school bullies and a whisper of romance thrown in. Its heroine is an exiled archangel who constantly finds herself shifted into an unbroken chain of human lives – she keeps “waking” to find herself inhabiting the body of a stranger and is forced continually to think on the fly, seek to find meaning, and adapt, just to survive. Despite possessing shattered memories of who or what she once was, she always remains true to her essential nature, regardless of what’s thrown at her. I tried to imagine what it would be like for someone with extraordinary powers to be suffering from a bizarre kind of amnesia where she only has prismatic flashes of memory and insight. The inklings of more than one past life, and of what she’s truly capable of, would (hopefully) make things interesting and keep the reader guessing, because the character would always be a little off balance. She'd be experiencing pretty much what the reader would be doing - trying to join the dots so that things make sense.
Can you tell us a little about your lead characters?
With Mercy herself, I consciously set out to create a female heroine who can, literally, do anything if she puts her mind to it. I wanted to show that it's okay to be a smart-mouthed, think-on-your- feet, strong and abrasive, yet empathetic character, who also happens to be female. It's not something that should just be the province of male hero-types. Ryan is the mortal boy who stumbles across the fact that Mercy exists, even though the face and body she’s “wearing” and the life she’s “living” belong to someone else altogether. To say he’s intrigued by her, is an understatement. Luc is Mercy’s flame from way back that she’s being kept away from for reasons that aren’t yet clear to her (or the reader). Despite Mercy’s exile, Luc is somehow still able to contact Mercy in her dreams, while she’s asleep, though physically, he’s never been able to track her down. When he gets too close, she gets shifted again into another life.
Is there one place you'd love to go but have never been before?
Marrakech. It just sounds so otherworldly and beautiful.
Can you give us a little information about the types of books you write?
I’ve written books for boys and girls aged 9 –12, toddlers (2 - 4), and teen (13+) and pre-teen (9 – 13) female readers. Every book has been a blast to write but I have to adjust the language (I’m often reminded “no swearing!”) and conceptual layering. I probably feel most comfortable writing for the YA age group because they’re open minded and willing to embrace anything the author dishes out, provided it’s a good read and they’re hooked into the story.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was around 6 or 7, but reality kind of intruded and I got sidetracked into a “respectable” day job for a while.
Was there any research you had to do for your book?
I’m a lapsed Presbyterian choir nerd, so for the choral scenes basically had the Mahler Symphony No. 8 score open next to me while I wrote them. But I have to stress that “Mercy” is not pushing any religious wheelbarrow whatsoever. Angels appear across many faiths and cultures and I’m writing non-denominational angels here.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
A bit mad. I have 3 kids who insist on popping up like gophers in the middle of the night (when I do most of my work). The words are either flowing, or I’m on another planet altogether.
Do you think you have an interesting writing quirk?
Does brie count as a quirk?
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Everywhere. The news is pretty staggering; old poems; trashy magazines; the web; stuff I overhear in the street from eavesdropping on people.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That YA readers are the most voracious and interested, switched on and questioning readers out there. It’s an entire universe I don’t think I was fully aware of, and I’m really privileged to be a part of it.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I haven’t fully committed to the idea of creating a website or blogging about what I’m up to, because I’m not sure if any one would be interested, frankly. But I do catch up on some of my reviews for “Mercy” online. And some of them have been really lovely, but others have been a little surprising. I’m just happy when I find out that a reader “gets” what I’m trying to do. You create this stuff in a vacuum and hope that people will like what you’re doing and where you’re headed.
What do you think makes a good story?
Strong, authentic, believable characters. Plus, a pacy storyline that doesn't contain too many red herrings or cul-de-sacs. I personally can’t keep reading if the main female character acts brainless or has no backbone. That just gets my goat, sorry.
REVIEW: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
Title: Crescendo
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Published: 19 October 2010
Rating: 5/5 "Holy Toledo give me book three NOW!" Stars!!!
Series: Hush Hush #2
Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar.
Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with
finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came
home.
The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to
question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems
to be in danger more than the average girl.
Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own.
Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again
and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can
even imagine?
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Becca, Becca, Becca!! I LOVED IT!..........and now I'm left hanging for another year (sob, sob!).
OK, so it didn't have the same smexi level of Patch that we all devoured in Hush, Hush.....but what it did
have was angst, new characters, old characters and a wicked POW! though I have to admit I did had an
idea of who and what the Pow was going to be midway through the book!
Don't worry people....Patch hasn't gone anywhere. He's still there - he just has a little bit of competition
and plays a different role in Crescendo!
I love the way Becca has written Patch in Crescendo. It's not all about the love and lust between Patch
and Nora - though their love and lust issues are certainly in full swing. We know from Hush, Hush that
Patch is the all-time smexiest male lead and he can certainly be my personal guardian angel anytime!
In Crescendo though, he takes a back seat - but he's always there keeping an eye out for Nora. The pool
hall scene in Hush, Hush is one of my favourites and I definitely missed the "Patchasm" I felt from
reading the first book!
Nora needed a bloody good slap a couple of times, though I did find her interaction with other
characters enjoyable. It just wasn't all about Patch this time! She certainly came into her own in
Crescendo, even if at times it was ON her own. She has spunk and is definitely not a "needy girly girl"
character. She can hold her own!
Vee plays a continual and more prominent part in this book. She is funny, witty and just a tad
sarcastic... and did I mention obsessed with food?!!! It was rather hilarious to read, in times of
suspense and chaos, Vee thought stopping for a bite to eat was important!! LOL!! Oh and what Nora
and Vee put that poor Neon through - I'm surprised it still runs!!
Patch's best mate Rixon also pops up as a more lead character this time. Good guy, bad guy, down right
evil guy......he keeps you questioning all the way through.
I loved Crescendo. I still totally love Hush, Hush but for different reasons of course. I so want to say in
more detail as to why I enjoyed the book - but I don't do spoilers in my reviews - and it's killing me in
this instance!!!
As my dear twinny blogger Michelle outlined in her review of Crescendo, it falls under the "New Moon
Syndrome". Read her review if you havent - she explains it well. I completely get why Becca has written
Crescendo (and Patch) they way she has.
Thanks Becca! I now wait ever so impatiently for Tempest :) Keep up the awesome work of creating
wickedly wonderful reads.
REVIEW: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 13, 2009
My Rating: 4/5
REVIEW BY REBECCA OF READING WISHES
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
As soon as I opened Hush, Hush I was intrigued. Becca Fizpatrick’s writing grabbed me from the start and was delightful to read.
The characters interested me from the get go and I liked them instantly. Tall, dark, mysterious, Patch – what a swoon and Nora, well you can’t help but like her! I also loved Vee – she’s wacky, fun, a bit crazy and also a great friend.
This book kept me on my toes and I didn’t know what to expect next! It was full of surprises and had me guessing at what was around the corner!
Hush, Hush, reminded me quite a bit of, Hex: A Witch and Angel Tale, except with this book I didn’t gradually love it – I loved it right from the start. :)
I was absolutely glued to this book and finished it in less than a day! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next instalment!
A fantastic debut! I can see why everyone loves this series!
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
NEW EVENT - SARAH ALDERSON
author of Hunting Lila & Fated
Would you like to meet Sarah and help celebrate the success of Hunting Lila and the upcoming release of Fated?
The Books:
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