Top 3's: fun moments in publishing my 1st book (Katie)

Top 3's: fun moments in publishing (Katie)

This month marks the 5 year anniversary of my first published series, The Enslaved Series (which includes Vanquished, Deliverance, and Redeemer). Today I'm sharing about the fun moments this "first" in publishing brought with it--via vlog! 

Publishing is hard, but it can be so rewarding, which I definitely learned with this series. (The picture below has Vanquished on the left, but mostly I'm showing off my super cute mug someone gifted me!)

You can learn more about this dystopian trilogy here on Goodreads or here on Amazon.

What We're Reading: The Button Girl (Lauricia)

Blame it on The Hunger Games. Or Fahrenheit 451. Or maybe it’s because I’m a product of my culture. Whatever the case, I truly enjoy dystopian fiction. Although dystopian literature is technically considered a sub-genre of science-fiction, if a dystopian story contains magic or other fantasy elements, it counts as part of the genre. This is the case with The Button Girl, written by Sally Apokedak.

Repentance Atwater, the story's protagonist, is sixteen-years-old. In her community, that means one thing: the Buttoning Ceremony, where she will either find the man she is going to marry, or she will be sold as a slave to the overlord who rules the kingdom. Repentance doesn’t want to marry, but she doesn’t want to bring shame—or worse—to her family. She truly desires to do what’s right, but memories of her past haunt her future, and every decision she makes seems to be the wrong one as the consequences of each choice compound on the others.

Repentance is a headstrong girl with a resolute spirit and a plan... and she will enact that plan no matter who she hurts. Because of this, I had a hard time with this story at the beginning. I understood Repentance's reasoning for her goal, and I certainly related with her stubborn determination, but I was angered by the way she refused to see beyond her nose. However, her growth through that selfishness, learning how actions have consequences that ripple out beyond just ourselves, is one of the main themes of the story. It is what makes The Button Girl an excellent fantasy dystopian novel.

As with the character of Sara in Jim Henson's movie Labyrinth, I was frustrated with Repentance through the first part of the novel. However, I don't like to stop reading a book unless I've finished it, so I kept reading. I am very glad that I did because, again as with Sara in Labyrinth, The Button Girl shows how Repentance grows from a short-sighted girl to a compassionate and generous young woman. By the half-way mark I was totally emotionally invested, and by the end I was an emotional wreck (in the best way possible 😉).

The story of The Button Girl is a refreshing novel. There are no easy answers for Repentance, and things don’t always work out just because she did the right thing. It’s a dystopian novel told in a unique setting and in a fresh way, without any of the overused genre elements. The story contains twists that are unpredictable yet believable, and the ending is plausible and satisfying. This book definitely belongs on your book shelves.

Interview with Sara Baysinger

We are so excited to welcome Sara Baysinger back to Lands Uncharted today! Sara is the author of the Black Tiger series, and we're part of a blog tour celebrating the release of the third and final installment, White Dawn! (You may remember that title from my recent post on my Top 3 Most Anticipated Books of the Second Half of 2017.) Back in April, Sara shared a guest Top 3s post on her favorite dystopian novels, which you can find here. Today she took the time to answer some questions for us about herself and her books! You can find out more about White Dawn below, but first...here's Sara!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live on a 5-acre field with my husband and two children (and 3 dogs, 3 cats, & 8 chickens…) But I was born and raised as a missionary kid in Ecuador until I was sixteen.


Wow, that's a lot of animals! What prompted you to start writing? Are you one of those authors who knew you were meant to write since childhood, or did it come as a discovery later in life?

No to the second question! I actually hated reading until middle school (when I finally discovered Harry Potter and Goosebumps). It wasn’t until half-way through high school that my love for books was so strong that I wanted to share my own stories with the world. I wanted to create an escape for other teens—stories that would help ease the rough years of high school, like what the books I read did for me.


Your stories absolutely provide an escape, even for adults like me :) Which fictional character (book or movie) do you most relate to, and why?

Probably Hadassah from A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. I read that book over and over in high school. Like Hadassah in the earlier part of the book, I was too afraid to speak up. Too shy to be who I truly was. I admired her character arc and how her courage grew over the years to the point she was changing lives. I always hoped that for myself.


I love that, and I've heard such great things about that book! We’re all about exploring new worlds here at Lands Uncharted—if you could choose one place to visit, real or fictional, where would you go?

Love this question! I just finished reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy by Sarah J. Maas. I would love, LOVE to visit Velaris and engorge myself on their delicious food!


Yay for delicious food! Speaking of which, do you have any go-to foods or beverages while writing?

Absolutely! In the morning—coffee. In the evenings (when I usually do my writing) I drink Caramel Apple Dream tea. (Which is what I’m currently drinking! :) )


Mmm, that tea sounds amazing! What is one of your favorite writing tips?

Just one? ;) Write what you love, and don’t chase the market. (I know that’s technically two, but they kind of go hand-in-hand). The market is fleeting, but if you write what you love, your heart will be in it and those are the best stories.


I wholeheartedly agree! Now, let’s talk about your latest release, White Dawn! What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I hope they come away with an open mind and the satisfying feeling of coming home from an epic adventure.


Sounds perfect for a series finale :) What inspired you to write the Black Tiger trilogy?

I’ve always loved the dystopian genre. Divergent by Veronica Roth inspired me to write in a mega-city setting, while Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi inspired the lyrical writing style (although she does a much better job.) The first nugget that got this series rolling, though, was the mega cavern below Louisville. I went on a tour and saw the simulation camp in the cavern that they would have used during the Cold War, and boom. I had a story.


That mega cavern does sound epic. You have had such a cool set of covers for this series, and you designed them yourself! What did that process look like?

Aw, thank you! Designing your own book covers is hard work! I didn’t realize how much math went into sizing a print book. It was technical and probably my least favorite part of indie publishing, but I did love having full control over every detail on the cover.


You did a beautiful job! Please share a favorite line or passage from White Dawn with us.

Hope looks like this.

Like green, green, green sprouting up in the midst of black, black, black. Like a newborn leaf unfolding from a charred branch. Like life fighting its way back into the world, despite the death that tried so hard to take it down. Like this isn’t the end of the world, but the beginning.

Hope.


Ooh, I marked that quote as one of my favorites while I was reading! You know what they say about great minds... :) Here's a little more about Sara:

Sara was born in the heart of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador where she spent her early life exploring uncharted lands and raising chickens. She now makes her home among the endless cornfields of Indiana with her husband and two children…and she still raises chickens. Her dystopian novel BLACK TIGER was self-published in 2016. When not getting lost in a book, Sara can be found gardening, devouring chocolate, and running off the sugar-high from said chocolate.  

You can connect with Sara on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads.


And here's the back-cover blurb for White Dawn:

This is the beginning of a new era.

The slate is clean.

A white dawning has emerged and I'm ready to face the day.

AURORA WHITCOMB has taken the place as Chief of Ky, but the ghosts of her past continue to haunt her future.

RAIN TURNER has lost the embers that kept his hope burning, and all he’s left with is a raging desire to avenge the love of his life.

With an insatiable hatred toward each other, Aurora and Rain must learn to work together to bring the country back to its feet. In order to do so, they must be invincible. But being invincible isn’t only about conquering the battles in the physical world. When their journey to rescue Ky takes a violent turn for the worst, Aurora and Rain must learn the true meaning of forgiveness, not only for each other, but for those who haunt their pasts.


I just finished this book a few days ago, so I can say with certainty that yes, it's every bit as epic as it sounds! But make sure to go back and read the first two books in the series first if you haven't already! You can purchase White Dawn here.

AND...Sara has a giveaway going to celebrate her new release! Enter below for a chance to win a signed paperback of White Dawn! Haven’t had a chance to begin this thrilling series or want to get one of the other books in paperback? No worries! Two winners will receive a signed paperback of their choice from any book in the series! (US only. E-copies available INT.)

Thank you so much for joining us today, Sara!! Congratulations on your new release! 

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What We're Reading: Day Moon by Brett Armstrong (Erin)

I recently spent the entire afternoon sitting on my couch and reading the bulk of the first book in Brett Armstrong's Tomorrow's Edge series, instead of doing laundry and packing.

Book One, Day Moon, tells the story of Elliot, whose grandfather wills him an original print edition of Shakespeare's work. Set in a future world where all print books are quickly becoming digitized and destroyed, owning a copy of anything in print is unusual. However, even more unusual is the fact that the print copy doesn't match the digital content. In addition to small changes in the text, there is an extra sonnet titled "Day Moon," which appears and disappears at random times. How much did Elliot's grandfather intend for him to understand, and how much is coincidence?

Day Moon explores the fascinating concept of digital versus print media, and highlights pros, such as using technology to spread the Gospel, versus cons, where a relatively small segment of the population controls information.

Armstrong's expertise as a computer programming analyst provides a unique backdrop to his masterful storytelling and MA in Creative Writing. Elliot and Lara are likeable, realistic protagonists, and supporting characters are complex enough to keep you guessing for most of the book. Of course, I also loved the Shakespeare, Milton (Paradise Lost), and biblical quotes at the beginning of the chapters. Clues and plot twists made the book even more compelling.

I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of cliffhanger endings, but I am happy to know Armstrong is working on the second book. Patience is a virtue I can cultivate, right?

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. 

Top 3 Most Anticipated Books of 2017 (Jill)

Summer is upon us. My kids are in their last few days of school, and dreams of a relaxing summer vacation are almost a reality.  In an effort to get some serious writing time in June (and hopefully finish a first draft), I'll be establishing a designated reading time for the kiddos. Once I type "The End," I'll join them with a book from my To Be Read pile. While there are quite a few books on my To Be Read list, every month more are added. So I wanted to share my Top 3 Most Anticipated Books for 2017.

3. Ending Fear by Deanna Fugett

I'm not sure what it is about dystopian novels. Maybe it's the fact I can't write them, but I always enjoy reading them. This one deals with the fear that can become an intrinsic part of our personality.
Fear, the heroine, has faced a lot in her young life. But after finding a new, loving family, she's forced to act when her young sister Happy is kidnapped. Throw in floating cities, hoverpods, and a ranch for throwaway children, this book begs to be read as summer winds down. This YA dystopian debut novel is scheduled for a mid-July release.

 2. The  Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber
While Mary Weber's Storm Siren Trilogy was pure fantasy, this book is more science fiction based. Amazon's blurb makes me think of The Hunger Games meets The Lunar Chronicles.
 Sofi's brother Shilo is forced to compete in Earth's Fantasy Fighting arena. When a bomb goes off at the arena, Sofi is the only one who believes he's still alive and was taken to the ice-planet. The bomb has also affected Miguel, Earth's Ambassador to the ice-planet. He's now being blackmailed. Either he helps the blackmailers or loses everything.  This book will be released on June 6.

 1. Renegades by Marissa Meyer
I loved Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles. I've become a big devotee of this author. Her newest story, Renegades, is about superheroes, humans with extraordinary abilities, who saved their society by establishing peace and order. The only people who aren't happy about that? The villains they ousted. So when a girl who wants vengeance meets a boy who wants justice, loyalties clash.
Since The Incredibles is one of my favorite movies, I'm looking forward to reading this story. It is a stand-alone (you can read about it here) and will be released November 7, 2017.



 What about you? What is on your reading list for the summer? What books are you eagerly waiting for this year? Share with us in the comments below -- and happy reading!

The Healer's Rune by Lauricia Matuska (Laurie)

We did an interview with Lauricia Matuska back when The Healer's Rune first released in early 2016. Then I had a chance to meet her at Realm Makers last summer, which was an absolute pleasure - she is generous, sweet, and a lot of fun. And this winter, I finally read my *autographed* copy of her book, and all I can say is, what took me so long?!

The Healer's Rune drew me in from the very first chapter with its beautiful language, intriguing world-building, and smart, compassionate protagonist. Sabine, a young healer, has long questioned the methods of the Ruddan, a race of elves who rule over humans with an iron fist. But when her friend is put to death and begs Sabine to seek the truth moments before her execution, the knowledge Sabine uncovers calls into question everything she's been taught about her country's history and the supposed extinction of other races. Under increasing scrutiny from the Ruddan, fearful neighbors, and even her sister, Sabine must decide who she wants to side with and how much she's willing to risk if she's going to take a stand against humanity's oppressors.

One of the things I loved most about The Healer's Rune was that it took the high tension and stakes of a dystopian and put them in a setting filled with cool fantasy world-building, which made the story unique and unpredictable. Sabine's role as a healer under the tyranny of the Ruddan forced her to make a number of nearly impossible decisions - What if you could save someone you've been instructed to let die, but it puts their entire family at risk? Do you have a responsibility to help someone who has been nothing but cruel to you? Would you snatch at your only chance for freedom if it may result in someone else's death? - which I thought were handled really well. And I appreciated that despite her dark, threatening surroundings, Sabine not only maintained her values and ideals, but also her sense of humor. The Healer's Rune is the first in a series, and I can't wait to keep reading as future books come out to find out more about the different races and the role of magic in Matuska's fantasy world.


Have you read The Healer's Rune? Can you think of other books that have a dystopian feel in a fantasy setting? What books have you read lately that featured great world-building?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top 3 Favorite Dystopian Novels (by special guest Sara Baysinger!)

We're on a roll with blog tours! We hope you're enjoying these guest Top 3 posts as much as we are! If you missed the past few weeks, you can find Sarah Delena White's Top 3 Faeries to Meet in Halayda here and Julie Hall's Top 3 Places to Travel here.

Today, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sara Baysinger to Lands Uncharted as part of the blog tour for her new release, Ashen City, the second book in her Black Tiger trilogy! You can learn more about Sara and her books below, but first, here are Sara's Top 3 Dystopian Novels!


Hello and thank you so much for hosting me today! When I was asked to post my top three favorite dystopian novels I squealed with excitement. The dystopian genre is my absolute favorite. I was writing in this genre before I even knew what it was or that there were other similar books out there.

For those who don’t know—dystopian is the opposite of utopian. While utopian means a perfect world with a well-functioning government, dystopian is defined as a place where everything is “unpleasant or bad.” Think The Hunger Games, Divergent, or the classic The Giver. I’ll post my top three favorites below and let you know why I love them so much (without giving anything away.)


3. Divergent by Veronica Roth

 I’m sure many of you have heard of Divergent, seeing as they made movies out of the trilogy. (Which were really well done!) The heroine, Tris, is a character with whom I identify most out of all the characters I’ve ever read. Because of the culture she grew up in, she’s timid, but once she steps out of her comfort zone, she discovers more about herself and becomes fearless and strong. I love the progression of her character arc. I love her compassion and her courage to fight for what she believes in. The writing is fast paced, the details vivid, the story unforgettable.


2. The Selection by Kiera Cass

Oh my gosh, how I LOVED this whole series! I’m not really into princesses, so it was one that took me years to pick up, but when I did, man, I could not put it down. I just love the royalty scene taking place in a dystopian world. I loved the way Cass approached politics in the story, and how she made the heroine, America, so compassionate and bold at the same time. The romance wasn’t bad either. ;) This is a nice clean read with a heart-swooning romance.


1. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me is actually the third book in the Shatter Me series. This is one of those series that starts out “okay” and slowly progresses to being one of your favorite series as you read through all three books. (At least that’s how it happened for me.) I read the first book, Shatter Me, and though I enjoyed it, I wasn’t compelled to pick up the second book. When I did finally pick it up, I got about 50 pages in and then sat it down for nearly a year. (A year, guys!) Then I stumbled across a bookstagram (that’s a bookish account on Instagram) where someone revealed a huge twist in the series. I knew I had to finish it, and boy am I glad I did! The romance is steamy, and the character arc in (I won’t say who) is so incredibly moving. Ignite Me is one of those books that I dog-ear pages to read over and over again. Another reason I really enjoyed this series was the lyrical writing style (which I might have attempted in my own books, The Black Tiger Series.) Mafi’s writing is beautiful and moving, and I highly recommend this series. However, if cussing and steamy make-out scenes bother you, I don’t advise you read it.


I could go on listing all my other favorite dystopians (Legend by Marie Lu, A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins) but I’ll spare you my rambling. ;)


What are your favorite dystopian reads?


Thank you so much for sharing these, Sara! Top dystopian picks from a dystopian writer have to be good recommendations :) 


And speaking of great dystopian reads, here's the back-cover blurb for Ashen City:

Make your choice, Ember Carter. And make it count.

Ember Carter has escaped the flames of death. But will she ever be free from Chief Titus? When the orchard goes up in smoke and her family turns up missing, Ember returns to Frankfort hoping to find her brother and father, and to get Titus to drop the death wish he has against her.

But Titus is always one step ahead. When Ember faces him head-on, she’s captured, only to receive another death sentence. But on her way to her execution, plans go a little askew, and Ember finds herself traveling to the one place no one dares travel: Louisville. If the outskirts of Ky were a ghost town, the ashen city is the borderline of hell itself, but it’s the one place Ember can find refuge from the people who want her dead.

In the ashen city, Ember must learn that being a hero is more than doing what is right because she can, but doing it for the good of the people. And when plans take a turn for the worst, she must decide if it’s worth risking her life to save her country.


As you can tell, this series is intense! Constant action, lots of plot twists, and fabulous world-building, character growth, and romance. I'm very much looking forward to the final installment!! You can purchase Ashen City here.


And here's a little more about the author:

Sara Baysinger grew up in the heart of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador where she spent her childhood exploring uncharted lands and reading all things magical. She now lives among the endless cornfields of Indiana with her husband and two young children. Sara enjoys writing and reading anything out of the ordinary, and has a bad habit of zoning out at the most inopportune moments. She is currently considering seeking medical attention for her potentially life-threatening coffee addiction.

Connect with Sara on her website, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.



 


Thank you so much for joining us today, Sara!!


Sara has some giveaways going in honor of her new release, enter below! (Open to U.S. residents only.)

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Top 3 Books I Read in 2016 (Laurie)

I initially drafted this post in early January, preparing to help fill in for a fellow blogger. But it wasn't needed, so I scheduled it for my next turn in Top 3s a few weeks later. We ended up having the amazing Amy Brock McNew stop by for a guest post instead as part of her blog tour celebrating the release of Reconciliation. So even though the end of February might be a little late to reflect back on 2016, please indulge me just this once :)

I used to be a voracious reader, sometimes unable to find enough books I was interested in to keep up with how fast I was reading. Now writing books of my own has cut significantly into my reading time (and now that I know lots of authors, my TBR pile is miles high!), but I still had the opportunity to read many amazing books this past year.

It was hard to choose my favorites, but at least as of the moment of writing this post, here are my top 3 books I read in 2016:

3. Sentinel by Jamie Foley

This book was fast-paced with fabulous characters, just the right amount of humor, and fascinating world-building. I love books like this where I get to learn about a fantasy world right along with the main character, which makes me feel like I'm entering the world and becoming a part of it, too, instead of just being dropped head-first into a confusing foreign land. Check out my full review of this book, along with its prequel, Viper, here, and our interview with Jamie Foley here. I can't wait to see where Foley takes this series in the next book!





2. The Enslaved series by Katie Clark

I know it's kind of cheating to pick a whole series, but in a true series where the action continues from one book to the next I feel like it's really hard to separate out the books from each other. So it counts, right? :) This series drew me in so completely I read all three books in a matter of days. Hana is the type of main character I love - someone who I can relate to but also admire. The love triangle was extremely well-done, and although the world contained many typical dystopian elements, it was also full of surprises. You can read my full review of this series here. I have recommended these books to so many people, and I'm certain they'll stay with me long beyond 2016.



1. The Beast's Enchantress by Elizabeth Jane Kitchens

I'm not sure how to describe it, except to say that this was SO my kind of book! A setting that feels historical but includes light fantasy elements and fairy tale references, a likeable character who learns and grows from her experiences, and one of the sweetest romances I've ever read. All written in rich language that flowed naturally and created beautiful visuals. If anything I write can put a smile on someone's face that's half as big as my grin at the end of this book, I would be perfectly satisfied :) My full review of this book can be found here, and our interview with Elizabeth Jane Kitchens is here. I can't wait to re-read this book when I get a chance someday!




Honorable mentions go to Rebirth by Amy Brock McNew, for its intensity and fierce romantic tension, and Black Tiger by Sara Baysinger, for another amazing love triangle and cool dystopian world-building.


Have you read any of these books? What were your favorite reads of 2016?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie


P.S. Sorry for the little self-plug here, but I'm launching my author newsletter and have a few giveaways going through the end of the month. Check out the graphic or my website for more details!

A Time to Rise (Out of Time Book 3) by Nadine Brandes (Elizabeth)

If you remember, I posted a review on the first two Out of Time books in the series, and in October, the last book has finally come out!

If you haven't started this series, I'd recommend checking out the book review I linked above, so the summary below won't reveal any spoilers ;)

From Amazon
What more can you sacrifice than your life?

Parvin Blackwater is dead.

At least that's what the Council and the world thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless.

Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?


All the books in the series have covered an inspiring part of Parvin's faith journey, and this book was no exception. Her spiritual journey was both inspiring and relatable. The characters were multi-dimensional, inspiring me with their examples, yet still very much human and flawed. And, of course, I adored Solomon and Parvin's relationship. Parvin had to learn what it means to step back and let Solomon take charge. I suspect that this won't came naturally for me either... I seriously loved Solomon. He was always a leader, yet he was also completely behind whatever Parvin tried to do. He was kind, compassionate, and his faith and reliability helped anchor Parvin. After what they'd been through previously, Solomon would have done almost anything to make sure they're not separated again. The plot, as always, was interesting and kept me on my toes. I was never quite sure what to expect next. Being the last of the series, the book concluded beautifully, and its ending resonated with shalom.

Endings can be hard. What factors do you think determine a satisfactory ending? Have you ever struggled with your role in a relationship, like Parvin?

Thanks for reading!
-Elizabeth Newsom