Interview with YA author Michelle Flick

Please welcome the kind Michelle Flick to the blog today. I’m thrilled to do this interview with Michelle after reading her recent release, Walker. Hi Michelle! Thank you for stopping by for the interview.

Do take a moment when you are done to check out my Review of Walker. There is a great giveaway there as well!

M:  Would you tell us briefly about your recent release, Walker, we are celebrating here today?

MF:  Walker is a paranormal read about a girl named Kate, who discovers she can walk through people’s dreams. It’s a bit scary for her at first but she meets the boy of her dreams (literally), oh and a serial killer.

M:  Is there going to be more books with Kate, Elisa, Colton, and Nick? I really enjoyed reading them and would like to see more.

MF:  Maybe? Elise was a big hit with people. I was thinking of doing something with her. She was a lot of fun to write.

M:  Oh, Elise was a hoot to read.

M:  What new troubles or adventures could we expect from our friends next?

MF:  I think it would focus on Elise or maybe Colton. I would bring up Nick and Kate, but I feel the other two have a story to tell.

M:  Kate visits the dreams of others. Did you research dream meanings or use a dream book to help create these dreams Kate visits?

MF:  Nope – I just thought of freaky things or wacky things. It was fun because there were no restraints and things didn’t always have to make sense – kind of an Alice in Wonderland thing.

M:  Did it feel strange setting part of the book in a dream world while writing?

MF:  Freeing! Like I said – no restraints! I just had to make sure I kept the two worlds separate.

M:  I’m curious, was there a piece of the story came to you first? A scene, a character, a dream in the story, anything that you built on to create this lovely book.

MF:  It was actually the story about the sisters and the dog. The collie in the story actually exists. And the dialogue about Jesse and her secret came to me. Dream walking came next when someone referenced Freddy Krueger to me (scariest villain ever!)

M:  Do you have a character you enjoyed writing the most? Or did they all balance out for you, as I find it hard to say who is my favorite character.

MF:  I love Jesse and Elise. I could say whatever I wanted with them and it fit their characters. They are bold and outgoing, and unafraid.

M:  You are a teacher. Does teaching help with writing Young Adult books? Seeing the teens interact and react with each other seems as it could have a big impact.

MF:  My students appear in my books all the time, sometimes distorted, but sometimes word for word. They give me a lot of inspiration. Teens are hilarious.

I also think it helps me stay relevant to what is actually going on in the YA world, trends, language, things like that.

M:  Now time for fun questions… I ask these of all my first time visitors. (so, next time you stop by, more tough questions! LOL)

M:  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

MF:  Greece

M:  Tea or Coffee? 

MF:  COFFEE

M:  Favorite Color? 

MF:  Red

M:  Favorite Childhood Fictional Creature? 

MF:  Vampire

M:  Now, as an adult, what’s your Favorite Fictional Creature? (can be the same as when a child) 

MF:  VAMPIRE

M:  Favorite Word? (any word at all) 

MF:  Rutabaga

M:  Thank you kindly, Michelle, for stopping by for the interview. I wish you all the best with Walker and all your books.

Here’s wishing you all the best in words and pages!


Find Michelle Flick:
Blog: Michelle Flick
Facebook: Michelle Flick - Author
Twitter:  @MFlick729


Walker
Description:
Kate isn’t thrilled to be moving to the middle of nowhere. She's already lost her parents, now she's leaving the only place she's ever known as home. She’s not there long when she realizes her dreams aren’t her own and that she has the ability to walk through other people's dreams. Not only that, but she might have found her dream guy--literally. He's in her dreams.

Just when she starts to get the hang of dream walking, strange murders in her new town start to occur. Girls are being killed as they sleep with no evidence, no suspects and no clear motive behind the deaths. It doesn’t take Kate very long to realize that the girls aren’t just being killed as they sleep—they’re being killed in their sleep.

Kate must figure out how to find the killer in the real world and keep the ones she loves safe while they sleep.

Book Review & Giveaway: Walker

Walker

By:  Michelle Flick

Publish Date:  December 11, 2013

Format:  eARC

Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal

Series:  Stand-alone

Recommendation:  Oh yes. I would highly recommend to young girls, and adults who enjoy dream walkers.

Synopsis:
Kate isn’t thrilled to be moving to the middle of nowhere. She's already lost her parents, now she's leaving the only place she's ever known as home. She’s not there long when she realizes her dreams aren’t her own and that she has the ability to walk through other people's dreams. Not only that, but she might have found her dream guy--literally. He's in her dreams.

Just when she starts to get the hang of dream walking, strange murders in her new town start to occur. Girls are being killed as they sleep with no evidence, no suspects and no clear motive behind the deaths. It doesn’t take Kate very long to realize that the girls aren’t just being killed as they sleep—they’re being killed in their sleep.

Kate must figure out how to find the killer in the real world and keep the ones she loves safe while they sleep.

First Sentence:
I stared out into the great, big backyard my sister now owned.

Purchase At:
Amazon

My Thoughts and Summary:
Kate doesn't learn until after she and her sister move to the new town how different they are. They are Dream Walkers. New school, new home, and parents gone. Kate is miserable. Trying to adjust to the loss of her parents and being in a new place in the middle of nowhere is hard. She finds she enjoys sleep as she's blank and doesn't remember her pain for her lost parents. Learning her sisters circumstances, she offers to try this place and finds a few great friends. Along with making enemies. Colton has taken a liking to Kate but his girlfriend is the mean girl at high school. She's known for ruining lives. But Kate finds solstice in her dreams. What scared her at first becomes her escape each day - other peoples dreams. Then the murders start. Girls are dying while they sleep. Kate can't interact with people in their dreams, but she comes across two guys and one isn't the dream man the other is, and yet the dream guy is in a coma...

I enjoyed the fun friendship with Kate's new friends. Elisa is her closest friend, and a hoot. Elisa pops off the page at us. And Nick and Colton are adorable catches!

Kate's strongeness, in the beginning, with the not-nice girl and her boyfriend that seems to like Kate was great. Mature yet still a kid in high school. She's learning to deal with a lot and makes mistakes too. But, she admits her mistakes, this is good. Kids need to learn they are going to make mistakes and try better the next time around. Kate is a rule model for this. She learns when it comes to relationships.

Kate does visit other peoples dreams. Some are rather strange, but hey, we all have those out there dreams. I like that there was a blend of dreams, as people have. There were strange dreams, happy dreams, and even scary struggling dreams.

I really enjoyed the growth of the story as the book went on. The pacing worked nicely to introduce us to the characters at the right moments. And to add in the murder mystery with us getting more and more involved.

This was a quick read for me. I kept going, flipping pages for several reasons. I wanted to learn more of the dreams that Kate visited. The secrets and mysteries of everyone's that was shown through the dreams. Then what was going on with the deaths, they seemed to be related to sleeping. Then there were the boys in Kate's life. lol. Oh, the choices of a teen.

There is a murder mystery here. People dying in what looks like their sleep, but maybe not. And there are mysteriously two others that seem to see her in the dream world where the dreamers can not see her.

Nice combination in a clean book for the YA crowd. I enjoyed the freshness of the story.



About The Author:
Michelle Flick lives in Western New York with her family. She teaches 8th grade ELA and is a lover of coffee, dogs, and music. You can find Michelle on Facebook, twitter and on her blog: www.flickspicks1.blogspot.com

About the dog:
Fergie is real! She is a 5-year-old collie. She hates tiled floors, loves the outside, and is never far from her family members. She is as loving and loyal as the Fergie in the novel!


GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Michelle is graciously offering a giveaway!

Rafflecopter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Walker

I have a new cover reveal for you all. :) I know. I said I wouldn't be posting, but when I hear this author had a reveal, I had to do it.

It's Paranormal for Young Adult and sounds so good. So, here's the new cover...

Walker

By:  Michelle Flick

Due Out:  December 11, 2013

Book Description:
Kate isn’t thrilled to be moving to the middle of nowhere. She's already lost her parents, now she's leaving the only place she's ever known as home. She’s not there long when she realizes her dreams aren’t her own and that she has the ability to walk through other people's dreams. Not only that, but she might have found her dream guy--literally. He's in her dreams.

Just when she starts to get the hang of dream walking, strange murders in her new town start to occur. Girls are being killed as they sleep with no evidence, no suspects and no clear motive behind the deaths. It doesn’t take Kate very long to realize that the girls aren’t just being killed as they sleep—they’re being killed in their sleep.

Kate must figure out how to find the killer in the real world and keep the ones she loves safe while they sleep.



Sounds neat. Want to see the full cover wrap? Okay, I'll share it...

I think it looks neat. She's upside down. Cool. :D

If you are curious Michelle has shared a few teasers on her blog this week. The latest teaser made me curious about this girl and the story.

You can find these at Michelle's Blog:
   Teaser #1
   Teaser #2
   Teaser #3

Throwback Thursday (84)

I found this picture of Trinity College Library, and thought it would work for this meme with a little play with lighting and adding the words.

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Unk

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

Aaahh, this one is a graphic novel.  (hope I didn't lose you at that.)  I purchased it...three years ago now (? I think) at New York Comic Con.  It is published through Random House, and my son wanted it in the worst way.  So you can't possibly leave a con empty handed (even though I wasn't, he couldn't either) so I told him I'd get him one book.  This was it.

Now fast forward three years.  I read Battle of Blood and Ink, another graphic novel, and enjoyed the story and images.  I remembered the artists name from somewhere, and did what we all do...searched it.  I found Steve Walker is also the artist for this graphic novel.  I was determined to go purchase it (forgetting I got it and kid has kept it hidden in his room), the kid stopped me and said he had it.  Low and behold!  The kid comes walking out of his room with it!  Dang!  So, needless to say, I look forward to reading this one.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Forget everything you thought you knew about America's early days-history packs a punch in this full-color, two-fisted, edge-of-your-seat adventure!

Graphic novels are a revolution in literature, and The Sons of Liberty is a graphic novel like no other. Visual and visceral, fusing historical fiction and superhero action, this is a tale with broad appeal-for younger readers who enjoy an exciting war story, for teenagers asking hard questions about American history, for adult fans of comic books, for anyone seeking stories of African American interest, and for reluctant readers young and old.

In Colonial America, Graham and Brody are slaves on the run-until they gain extraordinary powers. At first they keep a low profile. But their mentor has another idea-one that involves the African martial art dambe . . . and masks.

With its vile villains, electrifying action, and riveting suspense, The Sons of Liberty casts new light on the faces and events of pre-Revolution America, including Ben Franklin and the French and Indian War. American history has rarely been this compelling-and it's never looked this good.

For more information and exclusive content, visitwww.thesonsoflibertybook.com

I've heard back from a few bloggers that they would like to join in this meme post, so I'm adding a Linky for you to join in.  Grab the picture above, and join in.  All I ask, is if you can acknowledge my blog in the post so others know where to come back to and join as well.  Thank you.

Mini Comics!

You all know I've been loving the steampunk Podcast Fables of the Flying City by Jared Axelrod.  And that I have the full graphic novel, Blood and Ink, he and Steve Walker have published through Tor sitting here to enjoy...which I plan to as soon as I'm done with the 10 or so podcasts I have left.  (build up for the story to come.)

But back on track, Jared Axelrod and Steve Walker have mini comics of this world and characters to share with you.  And they are free!  Yes.  They are available on Fables of the Flying City site.

The first one has been up for a while, and with Ashe.

The second is new and with the Hanner Gatling.  A character I have grown to enjoy in the podcasts as she has strong descriptions, ones I'd never think of but very visual.  Gatling is a pipe smoking, press running, strong woman always looking for the big scoop on the next big story.  And brilliant at it.

I do hope you take a moment to check these out.  They are well drawn and great little clips of the characters and world...and story of.

http://www.fablesoftheflyingcity.com/mini-comics/

Book Review: From a Far Land

From a Far Land
Jaben's Rift, book 1

By:  G. David Walker

Publisher:  Self Published By Author

Publish Date:  July 2010

Genre:  Fantasy

Format:  Paperback, 311 pages

Series:  Book 1 in Jaben's Rift series

Recommendation:  Yeah, this would be a great fantasy start for young adults and a nice visit for adults if you enjoy conspiracies with god like beings.

Book Synopsis:
From a far land, Jaben shall come...

One impulsive step plus one ancient prophecy equals one messed up summer vacation.  Jason Bennett never intended to change the world, his own or anyone else's.  Then a family vacation becomes a journey to Teleria, a place where magic works and humans aren't the only intelligent race.

Thought to be Jaben, a powerful figure foretold to hold the fate of Teleria in his hands, Jason gets caught in a dangerous tug of war between Teleria's ruling Circle of Nine and one of his own ancestors who opposes the Circle.  Adding to his dilemma, he finds himself at the center of a conflict between two of the Altered, a small group of godlike beings, one of whom is aiding Jason's ancestor against the Circle.

Unable to return home, Jason must learn to use power he isn't convinced he has, keep from triggering an all out war between the Altered that could devastate Teleria, and survive the plans of some in the Circle who believe his death is the only thing that will save Teleria.  Before he can do anything, he must decide who's telling him the truth, and who only wants to use him.

Not exactly the vacation he had planned.

First Sentence:
The ancient structure crouched in the middle of the Scottish woods.  For centuries, it had waited...

My Review and Summary:
A quick beginning while Jason Bennett is exploring a stone dilapidated building in the Scottish woods steps unknowingly through a rift portal.  But, someone had been waiting for him to find his way.  After seeing a kaleidoscope of colors and visuals crystallize, he is greeted by Reyga Falerian, a Loremaster, to the world of Teleria.  Jason finds it hard to believe he is no longer in Scotland, or even on his world.  Reyga has to restrain Jason and in doing so realizes there is something different in Jason.  Is it good or bad?  Reyga isn't sure.  After speaking to the High One of the Circle, Reyga agrees to bring Jason to the city where the High One and the rest of the Loremasters are to meet him and verify for themselves.  As the High One fears Jason might be the one the prophecy speaks of, which could end good or bad.  In the process Jason meets many interesting characters and gets mixed up in a ploy to overthrow the Circle.

I enjoyed this read.  I was worried after starting the book that this would be another basic story of a young one unknowingly finds and goes through a portal to a fantasy world, thinks they are dreaming, then finds there way home.  As a portion of this is true, not all of it is.  After I started getting into this fantasy world and learning more of it, I found I really enjoyed it.  The history of the world is detailed out for you, with pieces left open, but great areas to grow with in the future books.  Enough is given to understand the world and to build on as the book and future books go.  I found I liked the premises of the way the world came to be how it is now, and it was easy for me to follow and understand.

The books started with a Prologue where there was something in the descriptive words I liked.  The flow is nice and smooth here and the brief exchange caught my eye and made me curious.  There are short sections through most of the book in which you know someone is watching or waiting, but you don't know exactly who.  I wanted to get to see this character.  And I did in the end.

The characters here in this story are unique.  We have a variety and mix of races here along with dimsai, or magical, ability.  And how all these races got to this world.  It is all explained here.  I did have a little bit of a hard time with the main character Jason at times though, but I can explain why he is the way he is too.  He is an eighteen year old young man.  He does have his moments where he rages, but it was the calm moments with complete understanding and trust that caught me off guard.  I thought Jason was to understanding at the times that where big moments with heavy information.  But this is also what makes him likable to the other characters, as he doesn't act as they would have thought he would.  I really found I enjoyed the character Lenai and Crin.  But the ones I liked the set up for and made me curious about are the Altered, the godlike beings.

A great mix of godlike beings, fantasy creatures, fantasy world, and magic.  I would like to read book two to see where Jason and a few other characters go.


If you would like to visit G. David Walker's site to check more out on the book, CLICK HERE.



I received this book from the author for review.

This book qualifies for the Speculative Fiction Challenge hosted by Book Chick City, and the Young Adult Challenge hosted by Home Girl.

Teaser Tuesday (42)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.

This Week:

(this is a teaser for me as well, I am getting ready to start into this book.)

 

"You blind yourself, Reyga," Chon returned, rising to his feet.  "One of our Circle Guard is attacked, one of ou most promising students dies as a result of that attack, and four of our villages are destroyed along with everyone who lived in them.  All apparently since the mysterious disappearance of this Far Planer.  I suppose you would have us believe this is nothing but coincidence."

 

From a Far Land

Jaben's Rift, Book 1

By G. David Walker

pg 139

Teaser Tuesday (41)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.

This Week:

(this is a teaser for me as well, I am getting ready to start into this book.)

Suddenly, as if a cloud concealing her from view had dispersed, the girl appeared.  She stood almost as tall as Jason, and had a lithe, athletic build.  She wore a sleeveless tunic and breeches that cam down to the top of her bare feet, and had charcoal hair that dropped just past her shoulders.  Jason gaped at her, astonished.  He'd been looking at the exact spot where she had been, and he hadn't been able to detect her at all.  Suddenly he wasn't sure what to do.

From a Far Land

Jaben's Rift, Book 1

By G. David Walker

page 57