As authors we always give interviews on our latest books, or talk about what’s going on in our minds. But do you ever wonder how the readers think? Ever wonder what they like or don’t like? I’ve decided each month to put a spotlight on a actual reader, who is not an author or a blogger. They read because they love it. My first interview is with 22 year old Franchesca. You want proof she loves to read? Here is her library.
1. What kind of books do you like to read?
– I like to read all sorts of books. I read non-fiction, fiction, historical fiction, biographies, memoirs, fantasy, YA, and children’s books. I read anything that interests me. I’ve even read books about volcanoes and Sing Sing Prison. I pretty much have random interests!
2. Why do you like to read?
– I like to read because even though I am reading on my bed, I end up going to other places. I think this is why I truly enjoy books for young readers. My imagination stretches beyond the words on the pages. I feel as if I became a new character in the book. Sometimes I get too involved and shout at the book as if the characters are really going to hear me. Reading is a great way to learn about new things, which is probably why I am so talkative when it comes to people reading books. I swear sometimes I think I have an antenna in my ears that only pick up “book talk”. My grandmother use to say that every single book we read has a lesson. This is what I live by when I am reading my books.
3. What part of a book do you like best?
– My favorite part of the book would have to be epilogues. A lot of times I get so involved in the stories that I want to know what happens next. I hate when the endings leave you hanging. I love when the author chooses to have an epilogue that takes place years later. My favorite Epilogue was the one in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling.
4. What trait in a character can you not stand?
– My least favorite trait in a character is almost always found in YA or children’s books. I can’t stand the bullies. I hate the characters that pick on other’s for being different or “just because they can”.
5. Do you prefer long chapters or short chapters?
-I don’t really have a preference when it comes to the length of the chapters. It doesn’t matter to me just as long as the book is good =)
6. How much description do you like in a book?
– I don’t like a lot of description but it has to be enough for me to want to pick of the book and read it. I usually get interested in a book with only a few words in the description.
7. What turns you off from a book?
– My answer for the next question pretty much sums it up.
8. How important are the covers to you?
– Since I am an art major I am a sucker for a good book cover. When I purchase a book or take one from the library, I have to have an original cover or an illustrated cover. I am not a fan of movie cover’s unless the designer gets extremely creative with people’s faces. Oh and I pretty much despise those little red blobs on the cover that say, “Soon to be a motion picture”. I most likely know that the book will be turned into a movie so I don’t need to be reminded!
9. What kind of book do you wish someone would write?
-This is a really hard question. All I can think of is last year when I was in my Earth Science class and I was learning about volcanoes. I thought it would be really cool to turn a supervolcano eruption into an apocalyptic story. I came across Mike Mullin’s series which amazed me because I didn’t think anyone else would be interested in this besides me. Most people like the whole zombie apocalypse thing, but I wanted to read something different.
10. Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks?
-I definitely prefer paperbacks. I am a huge page sniffer and I like to feel the pages on my hand and I also like to see the length of the book. I especially love when the pages turn yellow=D I totally get the reason behind ebooks I have a Nook so I can’t really hate them. I am particular about what books I get on my nook. If it’s just some random book I come across or a book part of series and it’s extremely cheap then I will get it on my Nook.
11. What are you sick of reading about?
– I can’t really say which books I am sick of reading. If I don’t like it I just won’t read it! I am sick of seeing books like “Fifty Shades of Grey” floating around. I admit I tried the book out and that is the only book I threw across the room and demanded my money back. I never finished it and I just hate it. So I am sick of seeing these Erotica books on the bestseller shelves of Barnes & Noble.
I would like to thank Franchesca for taking her time out for this interview.
If you are interested in being part of Insight Into a Reader’s Mind email me @ MMonteiro1020@gmail.com or send me a tweet @ twitter.com/MMonteiro33
My favorite part of the Actor’s Studio is when he asks them the list of Proust Questionnaire, it’s actually the only part I like. It’s a great way to see who these actors really are without them promoting their latest movie or project. So I thought what better way for readers to get to know an author better too. Every two weeks I will introduce you to an author and together we will probe into their minds. This week I’m excited to talk to Jen Naumann
HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT JEN:
Growing up in the 80ies, Jen became a huge sci-fi nerd and developed an obsession with movies–E.T., Star Wars, Ghostbusters and Goonies being among a few of her favorites. She is a book, movie and music junkie with a love for anything paranormal and unusual. She is married to a farmer in southern Minnesota and tries to follow the madness of her four active children.
Now it’s time for the:
1. What is your favorite word?
Ornery. My father-in-law used to say it all the time and I would tease him relentlessly.
2. What is your least favorite word?
Theatre. I can never spell it correctly.
3. What turns you on?
Singers that can play guitars. Tattoos are nice, too.
4. What turns you off?
Negative people. Life is too short for that.
5. What sound do you love?
Jack Johnson’s voice. It makes everything better!
6. What sound do you hate?
Country music. Like nails on chalkboards.
7. What is your favorite curse word?
Jackhole. Not sure if it’s really a word or if I invented it. It started as a way for me to not swear so badly in front of my children, but now that they’re getting older I find myself letting everything fly (oops).
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
A film composer! They get to be behind the scenes on all the movies, and I feel like the music they choose can really make or break it. I’m obsessed with musical scores and love picking out the right music for my book trailers. Music is my biggest passion after writing.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
Farm. Technically I do it sometimes as I’m a farm wife, but those guys work DAMN hard and put in some seriously long hours. I don’t think many people realize just how much physical labor they do! I wouldn’t be able to do it full-time.
10. Tell us something no one knows about you?
I can’t think of anything no one knows, but very few people know that when I was a teenager I used to write a type of “fan fiction” in which I put myself into stories involving the brat pack from the 80s. I was obsessed with Molly Ringwald and Demi Moore. I think I still have some of those books around somewhere…
I am so excited! Because of You has officially been released, which means it’s time to party. Make sure to enter to win either a $50 or $25 Amazon Gift Card at the bottom of the page.
Six years ago Austin broke Jade’s heart. On that day he went from being her best friend to the person she hates the most.
Now six years later Jade’s life has been turned upside down, the family she once knew no longer exists. Her father’s infidelity has made it hard for her to trust anyone.
That is until she reconnects with the one person she’s despised the most.
Will Austin be able to break through Jade’s wall of anger to get her to trust him? Or will he break her heart again?
Together they will experience the ecstasies and agonies of being in love.
Ever since I’ve read Heartbeat I have been a fan of Faith Sullivan. Her writing gets your heart racing and you can’t help but fall in love with her characters. Yes, I do love Adam. I am so excited today to show all of you her new cover for the third bookin this amazing Heartbeat series. I know you’ll love it as much as I do. Make sure to enter Faith Sullivan’s giveaway for a $5 Amazon Gift Card at the end.
Release Date: October 8, 2013Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Summary from Goodreads:
Adam is at a crossroads.
He has Katie on his mind and Jada in his bed.
Now with the ultimate choice before him, he must decide between fantasy and reality.
Katie’s his dream girl, but Jada’s his best friend, his partner. As a paramedic, he’s supposed to save lives, not wreck them. Yet his failure to commit leaves a trail of heartache in his wake.
Things come to a head at his brother’s wedding when a surprise announcement leaves Adam scrambling to pick up the pieces. Sure, women find his shaggy blond hair and aquamarine eyes irresistible. But to him, sex is nothing but a means of escape … until it turns into a psychological trap.
His mind is telling him one thing, while his heart is beating another. He’s not sure what he wants when it comes to a serious relationship. Sorting out his feelings, he finally comes to a startling realization. He is capable of love. But what if it’s too late?
Books in this trilogy:
(linked to Goodreads)
About the Author:
Faith Sullivan is an author of New Adult contemporary romances including the HEARTBEAT trilogy, the TAKE ME NOW series and the 9/11 novel, UNEXPECTED.
I’m excited to report that Because of You is now out in Amazon.com BarnesandNoble.comKobo, and iBooks. Here is the first chapter. Enjoy 🙂
Synopsis:
Six years ago Austin broke Jade’s heart. On that day he went from being her best friend to the person she hates the most.
Now six years later Jade’s life has been turned upside down, the family she once knew no longer exists. Her father’s infidelity has made it hard for her to trust anyone.
That is until she reconnects with the one person she’s despised the most.
Will Austin be able to break through Jade’s wall of anger to get her to trust him? Or will he break her heart again?
Together they will experience the ecstasies and agonies of being in love.
1
Life is Full of Traitors
My father sits across from me biting his lower lip intensely looking at the menu. I can’t believe he’s covered all his grey hair with a dark brown color. He looks so weird. Like he’s trying too hard to look young. Next thing I know he’ll be getting a piercing or a tattoo. I really hope not. He’s too old for that.
My sister Carrie taps her fingers loudly on her iPhone. It’s beginning to get on my nerves. Why does she have to text her fiancé so much? I don’t understand what they can be talking about that’s so important it can’t wait until later. Ohmigod! I’m beginning to sound like my mother.
Carrie’s heading back to New York City in forty-eight hours and I can’t wait. She’s been driving me crazy all week long. She thinks the world revolves around her and we are all here to serve her. Maybe that’s why she’s so into her fiancé Jeff, his world begins and ends with her.
I glance back at my dad wondering why he chose the same restaurant we used to come to as a family to share his latest news. The last time we were here was the night before he told us he was leaving my mother for that stupid skank. Hopefully this time we’re here so he can tell us he’s finally come to his senses and he has dumped her.
“Do you know what you’re going to have?” he asks, shooting his bright green eyes up to finally make some kind of eye contact with me.
I shake my head no. The smell of grilled steak has been dancing around my nose since we entered the restaurant. I look at my menu and try to decide between steak or a double cheddar bacon burger. They both sound so good. My stomach growls just thinking of taking a bite of either one.
“How about you Carrie?” My father asks her.
“Water and a salad with no dressing,” she coldly answers, without looking up from her phone.
“Don’t you want some real food?”
She shoots her hazel eyes up in horror and states, “Daddy, you know I’m getting married in a year. Do you want me to walk down the aisle looking like a cow?”
“Of course not,” my father says, raising his eyebrows up and down while giving me one of his silly grins.
There’s the father I remember. Once upon a time, he and I were inseparable, always doing things together and having our own private jokes. Carrie and my mother were always jealous of the relationship we shared. But then again they have their own special relationship.
My father was my whole world and couldn’t do anything wrong, that is until he began to see Trisha and destroyed our family. He didn’t only break my mother’s heart he also broke mine. Things really haven’t been the same since then.
The way he’s looking at me right now makes me think we could get that relationship back on track, especially if we’re here for him to tell us he’s done with his midlife crisis.
That’s it, I’m going to order the burger and maybe he’ll have the same. The way we used to.
“Sorry I’m late!” I hear a high pitch sound say shattering my eardrums. My heart bounces off my chest when I see Trisha running towards us in a red dress so short and tight I don’t think it would even fit my old Barbie dolls. Her perfectly styled black hair doesn’t move an inch as she bounces toward us with way too much make-up on her face.
I shut my eyes tightly and imagine her tripping on her five-inch heels, flying across the restaurant, and landing flat on her face. She stands up in horror when she notices her breast implants have popped. Trisha is rushed to the hospital where she’s pronounced dead from silicon poisoning. A wide smile comes across my face at the thought of being at her funeral. What can I say; I hate the bitch.
I open my eyes again and see her standing in front of us with a big idiot smile, showing off her new white teeth. I’m sure another gift from my father. I can’t stand how fake she is. I hope by the time I’m twenty-seven I won’t need as much work as she does to look good.
Trisha knew exactly what she was doing when she dug her acrylic claws into my father, a very successful oral surgeon. She gets anything his money will buy her.
“So, did you tell them yet?” Trisha asks, sliding into the booth right next to my father.
“No. I was waiting for you.” He leans in and gives her a kiss on the lips. Yuck! I think I’ve just lost my appetite.
“Can I take your order?” The waitress asks interrupting their moment of grossness.
“We need another…”
“Yeah, I’ll have the New York strip and lobster, and can I also have an order of the twin lobster tails,” I say, cutting off my father. If he wants me to have dinner with that home wrecker I’m going to make him pay.
“That sounds good. I’ll have the same, but also add a salad with no dressing,” Carrie adds. Sometimes I really love my sister.
“Wow, you guys must be starving,” Trisha observes, “Well, I’ll take a grilled chicken salad with the dressing on the side.”
“The full size or half?” The waitress asks.
“The half size…actually, bring me the full size, since I’m now eating for two,” Trisha announces, now looking at both my sister and I with a huge surprise I just fucked up your life smile.
The waitress quickly congratulates her, while Carrie and I begin to take slow, deep breaths. Did she really just say she’s having a baby? Who’s the father? Please don’t let it be my dad’s. Who am I kidding? Of course it’s his.
My stomach begins to twist in horrible burning knots. I can’t believe she’s having a stupid baby. Does she not know my father is forty-nine? He’s too old to have another child. I bet she’s just trying to trap him into staying with her.
That bitch!
“Are you serious?” Carrie hollers.
“Yes. I’m due at the end of May. Are you guys excited? You’re going to be older sisters,” Trisha cheers as if this is all good news.
“I’m already an older sister. Dad, how could you? Does Mom know?” Carrie’s body trembles with fury. While I feel myself shrinking as tremors of terror spiral through me.
“Yes. I told her last night.” No wonder she looked so unhappy today, my poor mother. “She agreed I could be the one to tell you girls. Carrie, Trisha and me are in love. We want to have a family together.”
Each word coming out of his mouth pierces my body with pure venom draining every drop of life out of me. “Excuse me,” I mumble, trying to get out of the booth. Carrie stands up and allows my escape.
I look at my father and want to yell at him, “You already have a family! You just fucked it up by leaving us for her! I hope you and your new child will be very happy together!” But I don’t say anything. Instead I begin to walk towards the door. I need to get out of here.
“Jade! Where are you going? Come back here right now!” My father orders, making everyone in the restaurant turn and stare at me. I take a deep breath and take off running before anyone can see me cry like a bawling baby.
I run out the door into the hot sticky August night air just as my tears begin to stream down my face. How can my father do this to us? Aren’t Carrie and me enough for him? How could he think this was something to celebrate? I will never forgive him for this.
I continue running, trying to breath in the thick air. I run down the parking lot until SMACK! My body bounces right off someone’s hard chest and fall backwards onto the inflexible wet ground.
“Whoa! Are you okay?” I hear a deep voice ask. He gives me his warm hand and helps me up.
“Yeah,” I answer, as the pain throbbing in my chest now travels down my body.
“Are you sure?” I look up at him and roll my eyes in revulsion. Why out of everyone in the world, do I have to bump into Austin Evans? He makes me sick.
His dark eyes narrow with concern and I remember I have tears in my eyes. He must think he’s the one who hurt me.
I yank my arm out of his grip. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Look, if you’re hurt…”
“I said I’m fine.” I continue to walk down the parking lot. I have no idea where I’m going. My dad drove so it’s not like I have a ride. Damn it!
“Hey,” Austin calls out running behind me.
“What?” I don’t stop walking.
“You don’t look like you’re okay. Do you need me to call someone for you? Or…”
“No. Just leave me alone,” I spit out, without looking back. I don’t need this right now. All I want to do is crawl under my covers and cry my eyes out.
“Where’re you going?”
I don’t say a word.
“Do you…”
“Austin!” A girl calls out. This time we both stop walking and look back at Leah Turner with her lips twisted up into a phony smile. Of course it’s her! Where ever Austin is Leah is sure to follow. “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere. I was just making sure that umm…” He looks at me once again acting like he doesn’t know my name. He’s so full of shit. I can’t stand him.
“Jade,” I remind him.
His look of concern disappears as the corners of his mouth point up producing an annoying smile. “I know who you are, Jade Miller.”
Does he want an award or something for remembering my whole name?
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“She looks fine,” Leah calls out trying her best to sound sweet.
Leah and me do not have a good relationship. She blames me for our cheerleading team losing at finals last year. It’s not my fault I walked out half way through the routine. My dad had just sat down with Trisha, and instead of watching his daughter cheer he was too busy shoving his old tongue into her disgusting mouth. Just another thing my father is responsible for ruining.
“Look, she’s right. I’m fine,” I reassure him, wanting to get away from him and this moment.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
“Home.” I turn around and continue to walk away from him.
He follows right behind me again. “Do you need a ride?”
“Aren’t you on a date or something?”
“What? No. I’m meeting a couple of friends, but it’s okay. I can take you home.” I spin back around to see him smile again making his dimples appear. I hate those damn things. They drive all the girls at school wild, but they have the opposite affect on me.
A long time ago Austin was my best friend. He was the person who I shared all my secrets with. He was the person who knew I broke my sister’s iPod. He was the person who held me when my grandma died. He knew everything about me as I knew everything about him. But that was six years ago. Now all I know about him is his growing list of hook ups, while all he knows about me is my name.
“Jade!” I turn my head and see my sister marching out of the restaurant with the same tears I had in my eyes. “This is all bullshit. Come on, Mom is on her way. I told her we’d meet her across the street.”
Austin’s face falls. “I guess you don’t need that ride.”
“No. I don’t.”
I begin to walk towards my sister. “Hey Jade?”
I whirl back around to face him. “Yeah?” What the hell does he want now?
“There’s a party on the beach tomorrow night. Are you going?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“I just thought it might help cheer you up. You can never be sad at a party.” He smiles his big goofy smile again. “Maybe we can hang out.”
Did he really just say that? “I don’t think so.”
“Why? Is it cause your boyfriend will get mad?”
“No. It’s because I can’t stand you!” I turn back around and stomp away. I’m not in the mood to inform him Garret and I broke up two weeks ago.
Maria E. Monteiro: Having too Much Fun 