[Blog Hop] Celebrating ABERRATION by Lisa Regan

You guys know Lisa Regan, right? Not only is she my friend, critique partner, and pub sister... she's also an amazing author. Seriously. Did you read her first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher? Whew!

Anyway, in celebration of the release of her second novel, Aberration, Lisa is hosting The Aberration Blog Hop: Finding the Most Aberrant Characters. The Hop runs June 6^th and 7^th--it’s not too late to sign up--and all participants will be entered to win one of the following:

• Amazon Gift Card $25.00
• Amazon Gift Card $15.00
• Amazon Gift Card $10.00
• Signed copy of the paperback, Aberration (3 copies for giveaway)
• Aberration the ebook (5 copies for giveaway)

Winners will be chosen at random and announced on June 10, 2013!

The Aberration Blog Hop

In Aberration, FBI profiler, Kassidy Bishop is on the hunt for serial killer who is an aberration—a freak—even among serial killers.  For this blog hop, all you have to do is list your top 5 choices for the most aberrant (freakish or abnormal) characters in fiction, TV and movies!

Before we get started, let’s take a look at the definition of aberration: 

ab·er·ra·tion

1 : the fact or an instance of deviating or being aberrant especially from a moral standard or normal state

2 : unsoundness or disorder of the mind

3 : an aberrant individual

— ab·er·ra·tion·al  adjective

From the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary

My Picks

1. Griffith from Berserk (manga, TV, and movie). I didn’t even have to think about it. This character is disturbed on every level, and it’s a very dark read--probably the most twisted thing I've ever encountered. Fun fact: After 20 years, the story is still going...
   
   
2. Of course, we have Dr. Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs (book, movie, and TV). This one doesn't even warrant an explanation.
   
   
3. The Joker from Batman (comic, movies, TV, and games), fan-favorite that he is, exhibits some pretty aberrant behavior.
   
   
4. How about a recent example? General Monroe from Revolution (TV). Sure, I only started watching the show because Billy Burke is a sexy, rugged beast, but the other characters have grown on me--abnormal as they may be.
   
   
5. Let’s end on a more lighthearted note. What about Mother Gothel from Disney’s Tangled (movie)?

Congratulations, Lisa! ♥

[Guest Post] Jessica Therrien on Series

Today, Jessica Therrien is here to talk to us a little bit about series. How awesome is that? As someone who is currently mid-series, I plan on taking notes... ;)

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YAY! I’m so excited to be on your blog today, Carrie. If you’re reading this, you obviously know how awesomely hilarious and cool Carrie is. I feel like a fangirl…squeeee. The author of STRENGTH is having me on her blog! (PS – if you haven’t read STRENGTH, you NEED to).

Today, I’m here as part of my blog tour for my second book, UPRISING (Children of the Gods #2). Carrie has asked me to post some tips on writing a series.

Embarrassing confession? I had no idea how my series would end when I started. I didn’t even know it would be a series!

When I started writing the first book, Oppression (Children of the Gods #1), I was writing for myself. I never intended it to be published, let alone turn into a series. Once I decided to pursue publishing, I realized there was more to my story.

 What I’ve learned since then?

1. Each book gets progressively harder. Keep your facts straight by re-reading the prior books before you write the next book.

2. Make sure your characters grow with each book. There has to be a reason the story continues. It can’t just be because more stuff happens. It has to be because there is more for your characters to learn.

3.  (This one may not be for everyone). Don’t plan it out down to the chapter. Sometimes your story wants to go in a different direction than you’ve planned. Let it. Have a general idea of how things should end, but let your imagination find its own way there.

What I would do differently?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve had to face while writing a series is promoting a book while writing the next. Not only is it hard, but much of the time I’m spread too thin. I’d like to be able to devote all of my attention to either writing or marketing/promoting the release. Next time I write a series, I’ll write ALL of the books before ever releasing the first. That way, I’ll have no deadlines pressuring me, no promotions taking away from my writing time, and I’ll be able to fully devote all of my attention to each book release.

Thanks for having me on your blog, Carrie!! It’s been fun :) Thanks blog readers and all my blog tour supporters! You rock! 

Thank you, Jessica! :) And congratulations!

 

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Jessica Therrien is the author of the young adult paranormal fiction series Children of the Gods. Book one in the series, Oppression, was published by ZOVA Books in February of 2012 and became a Barnes & Noble best-seller shortly after its release. The second book in the series, Uprising, will be available in May of 2013.

Aside from her Children of the Gods series, Jessica’s work can also be found in a published collection of flash fiction stories called Campaigner Challenges 2011. Out of over 350 submissions her story, The Soulless, won first place for people’s choice and fourth place in the judging round of Rachael Harrie’s Writing Campaign Challenge. Her story, Saved, is also available as part of the anthology.

Jessica currently lives in Chula Vista with her husband and is working on book three in her Children of the Gods series.

 Author Links: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads 

Links to Oppression (Children of the Gods #1): 

Amazon | B&N | GoodReads | Facebook

Links to Uprising (Children of the Gods #2): 

Amazon | B&N | GoodReads | Facebook

[Interview] Donna K. Weaver

13 Questions with Donna K. Weaver

J  u  n  e     0  3,     2  0  1  3

1. Welcome, Donna! To bring everyone up to speed, why don't you tell us a little about A Change of Plans?

 
It’s the story about Lyn, a 25-year-old high school teacher, who goes on a cruise as a distraction to forget a bad experience. Of course, she meets an intriguing guy—it is a romance, after all. But Braedon’s not quite the distraction she had in mind. During a ship snorkeling excursion, both Lyn and Braedon are among the passengers taken hostage. Things get really interesting then.

Title: A Change of Plans

Author: Donna K. Weaver

Release Date: June 1, 2013

Pages: 327

Find it: Amazon | B&N | Goodreads | Rhemalda Store

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

 

2. What inspired you to write this story?

Since I’d only been able to write short stories when I was younger, I wanted to see if I could write a full-length novel. I did my own NaNo (since I was too late to participate in the official one), and managed to complete the 80,000-word story in 30 days. Then I went to conferences and joined a critique group and edited it a bazillion times. It was inspired by a dream I had about a guy and a gal who were shipwrecked on an island.

3. I heard there are pirates involved. Can we expect some action scenes?

There is some action, though it’s not very long. The pirates are more a catalyst for other things.

4. I know you love cruises. What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened on one of your trips?

When I was 13, we were returning to the U.S. after living for two years in the Philippines. I took my sister on deck with me to see Bird Island, about a day outside of Hawaii—it’s this rock that just sits out on the water and is covered with birds.

My little sister (6 at the time) had long hair that got tangled in my glasses. When she leaned forward over the rail to see better (I was holding her), her hair pulled my glasses right off … and overboard.

I know what you were thinking above when I mentioned her leaning over the rail. That’s exactly what my parents imagined when I went running to find them and gasped, “I … dropped … (unintelligible) … overboard.” About the time they leapt to their feet, my little sister (who couldn’t run as fast) came dashing around the corner into their view.

Yeah. Suddenly my glasses weren’t that big a deal.

5. Look around you. Which three things would you want, if you found yourself stranded on an island?

I think the same things Lyn did: toilet paper, sanitary supplies, and soap.

Quick Questions

6. What’s your favorite season?

Fall

7. Growing up, what was your favorite toy?

A giant stuffed skunk I named Pepe le Pew.

8. What's your go-to snack on a bad day?

Chocolate

9. Stretch your right arm to the side. What's the first thing you touch?

Bookcase

10. If you could have dinner with any author—alive or dead—who would it be, and what would you have?

Jo Rowling. Butter Beer

11. What's one book you've read more than once?

If I love a book, I always read them more than once. One that always lifts me up is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

12. Favorite author whose name rhymes with Kerry Putler? ;)

Clever girl! Of course it’s that fabulous Carrie Butler who wrote Strength. *fans self* One word: Wallace

13. What an unexpected surprise! Thank you. ♥ Lastly, where can people find more info about you and your books online?

Website   |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  

Congratulations, Donna!

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Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. A Navy brat and U.S. Army veteran, she’s lived in many U.S. states as well as South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific four times. When she retired from Shorei Kempo Karate with a black belt, she decided it was time to put her imaginary friends and places on paper. She lives in Utah with her husband. They have six children and eight grandchildren.

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A Change of Plans Blog Tour Schedule