That first kiss!

How far into the book do you prefer the inevitable first kiss to be? The book I'm reading right now, has the kiss on the first page. The girls' FIRST kiss and it's on the first page. No build up, no getting to know the character, no story. To be honest, it was too soon for me. Yet I don't like the kiss to be left until the last page either.

As a teen, I couldn't WAIT to be kissed. It was what I dreamed about, what I read about... I can remember vividly my first kiss with my husband (back in high school a few months after we started going out) it was on his trampoline one sunny afternoon. It was perfect and very much anticipated.

Writers: do you carefully plan that first kiss in your books?
Readers: what are your favourite first kisses in books?

What Are You Reading Right Now?

I was hoping to do a book review today, but things keep getting in the way of me finishing my book. I am not great at reading multiple books at a time and when my proof copy of Pure Blood arrived, I had to set aside 13 on Halloween so I could do a final read through and get the last book of my trilogy ready for paperback release on May 1st.

Are you the type of person that can read more than one book?

What type of books attract you the most?

I get bored with just one genre, so I like to jump around. I am reading a ton of YA at the moment, which I love the most, but every now and then I like to pull out an adult book.

I really do like a wide range - everything from chick lit to action/thriller, my only criteria is a little romance.

How about you? What's your criteria?

Whatever you're reading at the moment, I hope it's a great book and you're managing to get lost in a world of drama, humour, magic, mystery, romance or all of the above :)

Friday Favourites - Setting

I have finally found the time to start working on Betwixt. It's taken a while, but I'm ready to get into it now. So over the last couple of days, I've been working on my research. As I was scrolling through information and pictures of the setting (Big Bear Lake, CA - GORGEOUS!!!), I started thinking about my favourite settings for books.

I am a total mountain, chick. I don't know what it is, but I LOVE the mountains. When I think through my database of stories, quite a few of them are set in the mountains or at least an area with lots of trees. Forbidden Territory is an example of this.

I think trees and forest create such an awesome setting, because they bring with it an element of danger and surprise. So many more things can go wrong when nature is added into the mix.

My next favourite setting is small town. I love small town. You can have so much fun adding in quirky characters and bringing the reader into an environment where they can get to know the place as well as the MC does.

So, how about you? Where do you like stories to be set? Do you have a favourite book that you're read, or written, where the setting brought the story to life?

Have You Ever Fallen For A Character?

I am in the throes of planning my next book, Betwixt, at the moment. I had a scene dancing in my head yesterday and I was thinking about the MC's reaction, which then got me thinking about the kind of character she was falling for, which then got me thinking about the kinds of characters I fall for in books.

It is so tempting for me to write a similar love interest. There are certain things I look for in a guy and I can't help pulling it into my writing. I have to fight the urge to write the same personality type each time.

If you're a writer, do you fall into that trap?

I guess I like to fall in love, just like my MC's do. I like to get emotionally drawn into a story.

It's the same when I read a book. I LOVE reading books where I fall in love. So what kind of love do I look for in a book? I love it when the guy is a strong commanding character. He might come across as grumpy, but this does not frighten the female. She is feisty and can counter whatever he has to throw at her. He quietly loves this and finds it very attractive, which makes him care deeply for her. He is the kind of guy that wouldn't hesitate to risk life and limb to protect his love. He also displays moments of tenderness, which make you realize that in spite of his tough veneer he would be lost without her.

There are SO many examples of this type of love that I can think of, but I'll just go with the two that are dancing in my head right now...

First is Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (I know it's not YA, but how can I not mention Jamie and Claire!!!)

And the second is Alex Fuentes and Brittany Ellis from Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.

Ooo! And I just thought of another one - again not technically YA, but I read this book as a teenager and LOVED it. Atretes and Rizpah from As Sure As the Dawn by Francine Rivers.

Now - ironically - Harrison (male lead from Time Spirit Trilogy) is not actually like the male lead I just described. He is a sweetheart and has no problem bearing his soul. He is still commanding though and doesn't mind taking charge. I really like that about him. He also cares for Gemma more than anyone else and would do anything to protect her. I LOVE that about him :) They are a strong couple who fight the toughest odds to be together.

So - what do you look for in a romance?

Which characters have you fallen in love with over your reading years?

Do you think it's important to fall in love when you're reading?

Friday Favourites ~ shoes, boots, heels

The only thing I'm looking forward to about winter is being about to wear my absolutely favourite boots in the whole world!!! I've even considered getting a second pair 'just in case' these ones wear out soon. And scarily I've just seen a new colour released this year... eeeekk!

I was reading a facebook post recently about how many shoes girls have. This particular friend of mine has 20 pairs (!!!) of those those she wears 13 pairs regularly. WOW. We have just had summer in New Zealand and I have worn a total of 1 pair! I literally LIVED in my jandals (sometimes called thongs or flip flops). In winter I'll live in my ugg boots and doc boots as above.

I'd love to be one of those people that get to wear sexy heels and other funky shoes, but being a mum of young kids means I don't get out much... but one day...

My favourite shoes as a kid were a type of barter bullet. Kinda like a converse shoe. They were white and had reflective colourful stripes on the sides. They were so cool and I loved them!!

Anyway of all the books I've read recently I've hardly read any mention of shoes. Are shoes important in literature? Do shoes define a character? Would a goth wear heeled pink shoes or a nerd wear clunky black docs? I think shoes are very important, we use them to define ourselves, they are also very useful to make shorter people (me) taller :-)

What are your favourite type of shoes? and What do you want your shoes to say about you?

Book Review ~ Pure Blood by Melissa Pearl

It is only a matter of time before Gemma's parents find out she traveled through time to bring Harrison back into existence. The fear of being found out is a heavy weight on her shoulders, but she refuses to give up on everything she's fought for. Harrison is worth the risk.

The couple draws closer together as they battle opposing forces from all sides. They stay strong until Gemma's parents welcome an exchange student into their home. Simeon, a gorgeous Californian, is as smooth as coffee and, supposedly, a fellow time spirit. Gemma's parents expect her to take him everywhere and, of course, fall in love with him. After all, he is the boy they have chosen for her.

No longer able to sneak off alone, Gemma must watch every step as she waits for the inevitable nightmare to catch up to her. Her parents ultimate goal is to get that last necklace and open the box hidden in their safe. If they do, Gemma knows her entire world will unravel.

As the danger mounts, Gemma must decide if she has the courage to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the ones she loves and stop to her parents' destructive plans.


The third and final instalment of the Time Spirit Trilogy, and Pearl doesn't disappoint. Again I read it almost in one sitting and was left thinking about it for days. Always the sign of a good book!! Another gorgeous cover that attracted me immediately.

PURE BLOOD answers the questions you are left with after BLACK BLOOD and then some. More action, more romance and the ultimate sacrifice.

Now that Harrison is back in her life, Gemma has to hide that knowledge from her parents at the same time as trying to find out what they are really up to and why they need Gemma to travel. The arrival of Simeon is another complication in her plan. With Gabe's help, Gemma learns more about her abilities and about who she really is. After snooping about her house she discovers what her parents are really up to and it only leaves one option for Gemma.

I loved Gemma's growth in this book and her ultimate decision. She is selfless and puts others before herself. Pearl once again turns out an amazing book filled with beautiful turns of phrase and easy to read writing.

I would recommend this series to young teens right through to adults.

Check it out on Smashwords or Amazon (but read the first and second books of the trilogy first: GOLDEN BLOOD and BLACK BLOOD)

Find Melissa Pearl on Goodreads and Facebook

Blog Tour Time!!

It's finally here. The Golden Blood Blog Tour has finally arrived. Whoppee!!!

I'm very excited because so many fantastic blogs are in this tour and I feel very privileged to be featured on their sites.

The first five are already up. If you'd like a chance to read some deleted scenes from Golden Blood, a guest post or two and some reviews, please take the time to visit.

Here is the tour schedule:
http://atomrbookblogtours.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/golden-blood-blog-tour/

Please help spread the word far and wide. There are chances to win free copies of Golden Blood plus a grand prize at the end of the tour.

Thanks so much for everyone's help... and thank you so much to Julie for organizing this. You are such a legend. All your time and energy has been so appreciated :)