Author Interview – Elle Strauss

Recently I became acquainted with Indie author, Elle Strauss by following her blog via a blog hop.  I didn’t realize she was an author until awhile later reading her posts and realized she had a book that was soon to be released.  So Elle was nice enough to participate in our Indie week and answer a few interview questions for us. My review will go up this week.

Clockwise is available as both e-book and paperback. Buy it Here

What made you want to be a writer? Too much spare time? a desire to poke out ones eyeballs?

I'm actually a late bloomer when it comes to writing. I was one of those people who read picture books to my children and thought, "Hey, I could do that."  And I could, it just took a really long time to get any good :)

Did you try to go the conventional publishing route - beating your head against one publishing house after another? - or did you immediately decide to indie publish?

Indie wasn't really a viable option when I first tried getting published. I did manage to get an agent and go out on submission to editors but never made a sale. By the end of the process, indie publishing was suddenly a doable option.

You have your own blog - how well has the book blogging community treated you? Eaten you whole?

The blogging community is amazing. I've made great friends who have offered a lot of support along what can be quite an emotional ride. 

Are there any specific reasons you chose to write in the YA genre rather than adult? Reliving childhood fantasies? Living vicariously or wait - is there some secret you want to share - oh yes I do love a good secret! *see Pabkins’ weekly obsession with reading www.postsecret.com *

I was in the middle of writing a historical drama about a boy who grew up during Hitler Youth in 2005, when a writer friend told me it sounded like YA. I hadn't really heard of the term young adult before then, as this was pre-Twilight, and young adult wasn't yet considered "hot." I had written an earlier book with a teen protagonist, I'm not sure why I gravitated in that direction and when I realized I was already writing in a genre, I just went for it.

What made you decide on a historical / time travel type of storyline?  Honestly, I haven't read many of them myself...

I don't really know the answer to that. I find it fascinating what some people have had to live through and I enjoy turning those events onto fictional characters.

Where did you come up with your cover art? *I'm sure you'll note I have my opinions on this from my review*

I actually created a Vlog to show the process, but the long and short of it is, my daughter came up with the concept and sketch and I took that to a guy who's skilled at Adobe Illustrator.

What is your current WIP (Work in Progress) if you have one? Do spill the beans won't you?

I'm working on a sequel to Clockwise and all I can reveal is that I'm having to do a lot more research on the American civil war. And that Casey's brother is a trouble maker. :)

Do you prefer e-books over physical books? *Be warned .... your answer might cause me to go into hysterics.

I like both kinds of books. How's that for a safe answer? :)

And the most IMPORTANT question you will ever answer *drumroll please* - What are your thoughts and feelings on the Amazingly Delicious - Canned Not quite Meat - SPAM?

Well, I haven't had spam in a really long time, but if my childhood memories are anything to go by, it's not that bad fried.

Thanks for having me!

Pabkins

Countess of Crazy, Insane babbler, Giver of the Evil Eye, Walking Hazard Zone, Maker of Monsters, but above all Lover of Zombies and those things that are creepy crawly.  Step in to my library my pretties…

Read More

Whirl by Emma Raveling

September 15th 2011, Mandorla Publishing
E-book
First in Ondine Quartet series
Young Adult Fiction

Seventeen-year-old Kendra Irisavie is an ondine, a water elemental caught in the middle of an ancient war with the Aquidae, immortal dark demons who will stop at nothing to destroy the fragile balance of the Elemental world.
Fierce and independent, Kendra has always played by her own rules. Gifted with the powerful magic of Virtue and trained to be a deadly fighter, she has spent her life breaking hearts and getting into trouble.


When her life explodes one violent night in a northern California city, a dark stranger appears, promising answers to her mysterious past. Alone and with no one to trust, she must now navigate through a dangerous new world, face the temptations of a forbidden romance, and remain true to her duty and destiny.
All while the Aquidae continue to hunt her down, in the hopes of eliminating her forever…


An edgy YA urban fantasy/paranormal romance, Whirl is recommended for older teens and mature readers due to strong language and mild sexual situations.

Opinion:

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started reading Whirl. My friend recommended this book to me because she loved it so much. After quickly digging into the book, I was fully captivated by the first few sentences and by the next few pages, I was completely enthralled by this stunning debut. She was right!


After the death of her mother, Kendra is taken to Haverleau, an Ondine community where she is taught how to control her water abilities. She learns that she must free her race, the water elementals, from the Aquidae, the fire elementals. She is a warrior. And she fights against the demons.


The characters were intense but still realistic, something I can’t say for every young adult read. Kendra is tough and full of spirit. I could get glimpses of her teenage self and her sense of humor, especially with her grandmother tagging along the way. Her new elemental friends are also entertaining and funny, along with being some pretty awesome sidekicks. Julian and Tristan, the two boy interests, are both swoon-worthy. One with a definite attraction to the main character and the other a forbidden lover.


I loved the overall plot and was surprised to learn that the book was over before I even knew it. Emma has definitely built up a wondrous world in Haverleau with so much potential in fantasy aspects, which she manages to surpass. I am eagerly waiting for the next book in this addicting series and would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy or paranormal themes.

Rating:

 

The elusive Linda-saurus:

Mover and shaker by day, book-ninja by night. Only native to Florida. Afraid of small children but has an affinity to the elderly. Beware of her sarcastic humor.

Read More

Indie Week

This week we will be having author interviews, reviews and giveaways of indie books.

Rie

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

Read More