New Release Tuesday

Happy Book Birthday to fellow KindleScout author 

Monte Dutton

His novel Crazy of Natural Causes releases today!

Get your copy

Please welcome Joshua Jacobs author of The Withering

I caught up with Joshua after he got back from vacation. I was insanely jealous because... he went on vacation.

Let's see what Joshua had to say about zombies, reading, and writing. 

1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Joshua says: Stephen King, Neal Shusterman, and George R.R. Martin. I would pick the first two because of the extensive list of diverse books they’ve penned. Their imagination is boundless, and their creativity is sure to help us get out of bad situations. I would pick George R.R. Martin simply because he’s a man who clearly knows how to do the dirty work, which in a zombie apocalypse is going to be essential. Stephen, Neal, and I would have to be wary, though, or George might kill us off when we least expect it…
Meredith says: I feel like George knows how to make people die when you least expect it. That could come in handy.
Joshua says: Or come back to bite me in the ass!
Meredith says: Literally. Like, by a zombie...


2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.
Joshua says: Stephen King. And this is no hate toward J.K. Rowling. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, but I still read and enjoy the books Stephen King continues to write. I wish I could say the same about J.K. Rowling’s work. Now if she wanted to write a prequel to the series…
Meredith says: I haven't read any of her other stuff. But a prequel would be kinda cool. I was a Stephen King fan before I was a Rowling fan. The first book I bought for myself was 'Bag of Bones' and it continues to be one of my favorite books. I think I've read it about 20 times.
Joshua says: I’ll have to read ‘Bag of Bones.’ I’ve seen the movie, and as everyone knows, Stephen King movies leave a lot to be desired.
Meredith says: You're supposed to read the book first, Joshua. Always read the book first. (I'm joking! I've watched the movie first on more than a few good reads) I feel like the ‘Bag of Bones’ movie barely hinted at the great parts of the book, as usual.

3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Joshua says: I’m currently reading The Martian by Andy Weir. If anyone else has read this, I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
Meredith says: see below


4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Joshua says: Night by Eli Wiesel. If you’ve read it, you know why.
Meredith says: Gosh, I haven't read that since high school. Makes me want to read it again.
Joshua says: Everyone should read it at least twice.

5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Joshua says: Well look at that! We MUST have a discussion about this book. My favorite book from last year was probably Looking for Alaska by John Green. Green’s writing is so simple yet incredibly powerful, and his ability to write unique, consistent characters is a skill I wish I had.
Meredith says: Ooooh! I've been waiting to read Looking for Alaska.

Okay, on to The Martian! How far into the book are you? I found that during the first quarter of the book I got real tired of potato calories being counted, the only thing that kept me going was Mark Watney's sense of humor and phenomenal use of swear words.
Joshua says: Yes! Thank you! I’m about 100 pages in. I was reading it while on vacation, and I felt like I needed to take a vacation just from that book. I felt like I was reading a science report from high school all over again. Please tell me it’s worth it.
Meredith says: It's worth it! So so worth it. The science report stuff will be over soon. At least with the potatoes. I think he goes into some electronics and physics but it doesn't drag as bad as the potato part.

6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Joshua says: This year’s leader is the YA novel, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I breezed through it so quickly, I forgot it was almost 500 pages.
Meredith says: Nice. Adding it to my TBR list.


7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
Joshua says: I want to fly!! Which is a little ironic since I’m mildly afraid of heights…
Meredith says: That is kinda funny. But if you can fly you can't fall!
Joshua says: True, but super heroes always seem to have their weaknesses come back to hurt them in the end.

8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Joshua says: I used to write everything at the desk in my loft, but I recently moved and no longer have that writing space. As of yet, I haven’t found a new favorite writing spot. Wish me luck!
Meredith says: Good luck!! I got rid of my dining room table and replaced it with a desk, if you're looking for suggestions...
Joshua says: Ha! Who needs a dining room table these days anyway, right?
Meredith says: I don't even miss it.

9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book The Withering.
Joshua says: My favorite scene comes relatively early in the book as Alice returns to the city in which she grew up. She’s waylaid by two men looking to rape her. For me this scene is pivotal because it shows two things 1) just how dark a place the world has become and 2) just how brave Alice really is despite her weaknesses.
Meredith says: There is so much emotion in scenes with violence or near-violence, and I feel like if you can portray the emotions effectively, it makes for a powerful scene that no one forgets. Kudos, I can't wait to read it.
Joshua says: I look forward to what you have to say!
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Joshua says: This may come as a surprise because he’s naïve and even downright ignorant at times, but there are pieces of me in Ethan’s character. Though our circumstances are wildly different, his character growth throughout the novel in many ways resembles my own growth throughout my mid-twenties.
Meredith says: I always come across this quote on writing that says "write what you know." I feel like sometimes we have no choice but to put ourselves in our books, it makes the characters authentic and real.


11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Joshua says: I’m so jealous! I wish I could listen to music and write at the same time, but I am too easily distracted. However, my top five songs would be, in no particular order, I’m Ready by Jack’s Mannequin, Santeria by Sublime, Cecilia and the Satellite by Andrew McMahon, Trap Queen by Fetty Wap, and Shotgun Rider by Tim McGraw. Yes, eclectic, I know.
Meredith says: Okay, that is one of the most eclectic playlists I've come across. I mean, Tim McGraw and Fetty Wap...
Joshua says: I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a little something for any situation.

12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Joshua says: Practice your skill! Read other authors and analyze what they’re doing that works, write often, take writing classes, read books on writing. I’ve met too many writers over the past ten years who simply stop growing at an early point because they believe their work is ready to be published. I’ve never met a writer who can objectively look back at the first book they wrote and praise it. Most are like the first book I wrote back when I was twenty: total crap!
Meredith says: So important! I remember looking back at my first book and thinking it was crap. And then I rewrote it all. So important to read read read and analyze. I feel like there are a lot of new authors who don't do this and it's a detriment to their work.
Joshua says: That’s impressive that you went back and rewrote it. These days I’m afraid to even open the document that contains my first novel.
Meredith says: Open that sucker up and roll in the gloriousness of your improvements.

Get your copy of TheWithering

Connect with Joshua Jacobs:

Twitter

Website

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page 

(Meet Joshua. I want to call him Josh)

Please welcome Olivia Vetrano author of Neverland

When Olivia finally got a break from her final exams, she let me pester her with questions. Let's see what she has to say about zombies, reading, and writing.

1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Olivia says: I don't know if it's because I'm particularly pessimistic, but I would not for a second assume I'd have any chance of surviving any kind of apocalypse. So instead of assembling a fighting team of authors, I'd pick the ones I'd like to spend my final moments with. Morbid, sure, but if I was about to die, being surrounded by my favorite authors might soften the blow. Only being able to choose three is tough, but I'd narrow it down to J.K. Rowling, Laurie Halse Anderson and John Green (can you tell I'm into YA fiction?)
Meredith says: Great picks to die with, lol. I love YA fiction too! Also, LHA lives near me. She frequents our local indie bookstore but I haven't worked up the courage to make an appearance.


2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.
Olivia says: J.K. Rowling. I wouldn't even think twice. Even putting aside the legendary Harry Potter series, I would unquestioningly save her over King. Rowling's life story is so inspiring. I remember watching a documentary on her when I was 14 and thinking "woah, if she can overcome what she did and go on to make literary history, what's stopping me?"
Meredith says: When I get down, I pull up articles on JKR's ascension to literary awesomeness. It makes me feel better, strangely enough.


3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Olivia says: I have an awful attention span. So I tend to read two books at a time, a chapter of one book, a chapter of the other, repeat. Right now I'm reading a dual biography on Reagan and Kennedy by Scott Farris (because I'm an American Studies/History major/ giant nerd). I'm also flipping through a collection of Walt Whitman poems. I love Walt Whitman for many reasons, but especially because he's a perfect combination of history and poetic genius.
Meredith says: I read tend to read 2-3 books at a time. Glad I'm not the only one :)


4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Olivia says: Catcher in the Rye. Hands down. I feel such a personal connection to that book. The first time I read it, it was for school, so naturally I had to hate it. But the following year I had the inexplicable need to go back and reread it. And it changed my life.
Meredith says: Yay! Another rereader!


5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Olivia says: I read All Quiet on the Western Front for the first time last year. I don't even know how to explain what that book did for me. I judge books on their ability to make me feel, and All Quiet on the Western Front went above and beyond in that department. I actually have a word document on my computer with dozens of quotes from it and they all give me chills.


6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Olivia says: I had a really tough spring semester, so I've been slacking when it comes to reading. I plan to change that over the summer though.
Meredith says: Let's go girl! We're nearing the 7th month of the year. But seriously, when I was in college I rarely had the time to read for pleasure.


7. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Olivia says: I do the majority of my writing in bed. But admittedly that's more laziness than genuine preference.
Meredith says: I love writing in bed. No judgement here.


8. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book NEVERLAND.
Olivia says: Oddly enough, there's not one chapter that sticks out to me... but I do like the dream chapter towards the end because I'm able to tie in my favorite Walt Whitman poem, "O Captain! my Captain!" It's kind of cool because I used an excerpt of the same poem earlier, so it comes full circle. It's almost as if the two excerpts serve as book-ends, enclosing around a bunch of unanswered questions. And to be completely honest I didn't necessarily plan it work out like that, so when I realized how it came together I was thrilled.
Meredith says: Cool!


9. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Olivia says: My main character, Hayley, is a big fan of dry sarcasm, which I am most definitely guilty of using.

10. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Olivia says: My mind runs wild when I listen to music, almost as if I'm writing separate stories to fit particular songs. For that reason, I have to write in silence. Lame, I know, but it's my only chance of being remotely productive. That way, I'm more inclined to fill the empty spaces with my own ideas.

Meredith says: Not lame. I know plenty of other authors who have to write in complete silence.

11. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Olivia says: Don't let time make you feel small. The pressure to write at a certain speed will only mess with your head. Recently I met a bunch of authors who told me their average novel takes them a month. Neverland took me two years. And as impatient as I am, I know that if I were to try to rush the story, it would hurt the overall book. No deadline is worth losing your voice. 

Meredith says: Wow, a month. The fastest I ever wrote a book was in 2 weeks but that was just a rough draft. I like King's suggestion that a book should take a season to write. But I tend to follow my own deadlines.

Get your copy of Neverland

Connect with Olivia!

Twitter @oliviavetrano

Instagram @oliviarosevetrano

Amazon Author Page

(This is Olivia)

Review Captain and Countess by Alice Gaines

I don't read a ton of Regency romances, but I'm glad I picked this one up. Swoonworthy and perfectly-paced, I couldn't put Captain and Countess down.




Blurb:
In this sensuous Regency romance, Jason, Lily, and Bess become engaged to the wrong people.

Captain Jason Northcross desperately desires his sister, Lily, to marry into noble society. To achieve a duchy for his sister, he needs a proper marriage for himself. His status guarantees an easily achieved betrothal, and he should have no trouble selecting one of the eligible young ladies during his party in the countryside. However, distracted from his goal, he has a hard time keeping his hands off his neighbor, Lady Rushford.

The late Earl of Rushford's widow, Bess Webster, believes romance has passed her by. So why can’t she keep Captain Northcross out of her dreams? And how does he inflame passions she didn’t know she had? While she should be focused on penning novels and finding husbands for her friends, her thoughts center on broad shoulders and laughing green eyes.

Will these misaligned engagements be set straight before the final vows have been spoken?

New Release Tuesday

Typecast

Killing Katie

The Dark Man

A Scrying Shame

Please welcome Craig A. Hart author of BECOMING MOON

I sat down with Craig over a bottle of scotch at 10am one morning. From my understanding, it's okay to drink scotch at that hour... or at least Craig said it was. Lets hear what he had to say about zombies, reading, and writing.

1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.

Craig says: I assume these have to be living authors…otherwise they’re probably with the zombies. So I’m going with Garrison Keillor, because he makes me laugh and I would probably need some humor during those situations. I would choose George R. R. Martin, because I’m pretty sure I could outrun him. And, finally, I would choose John Grisham, because if this whole zombie thing turned out to be a hoax and I’d actually killed real folks, I would need someone to defend me in court.

Meredith says: They can be dead. We're all about making things up here, we're authors after all. But, dude, I'm judging you on the fact that you chose someone as bait! Hahaha. I guess I never thought of the zombie apocalypse being a hoax. So what happens to the sickos who actually ate people's faces? Hmmm.....

Craig says: Baiting is frowned upon? Who knew! I guess I need John Grisham more than ever. As do the sickos who actually ate faces. He's going to have to retire from writing in order to handle all these legal cases.
Meredith says: I mean, you're just the only one who has admitted to it. Which I think is hilarious! I'm not below baiting. Survival of the fittest or fastest!

2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why ;)

Craig says: I would probably save Rowling first, so the news media wouldn’t brand me as unchivalrous. But when no one was looking I would throw her back and save King because I think he’s a bad ass.

Meredith says: King is total badass. Linda Sands and I decided his ghost would make him worth saving.

Craig says: He's a rockstar. What if he blurbed one of our books? *teenage girl voice* Wouldn't you just diiiiee?!

Meredith says: Sweet Lord, I just envisioned it.

3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?

Craig says: I have three books going right now: Water for Elephants (Gruen), Ulysses (Joyce), and The Catcher in the Rye (Salinger).

Meredith says: I read Water for Elephants a few years ago. There's just something about that book, makes me want to go back and read it again now that you mentioned it. Quite the genre span of current reads.

Craig says: I'm reading Elephants for a book club. I'm blown away by the descriptions. I am often turned off by tons of detail. I typically prefer writers who can paint a picture with spare, well-chosen details rather than a bunch of descriptive wordage. But Gruen does a good job of splashing the word canvas with lots of colors without making it tedious.

4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?

Craig says: The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway. Every time I read it, I find more subtleties there.

Meredith says: Nice! That's my favorite part of re-reading, finding all the little bits you missed the first time. 

5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?

Craig says: That’s tough, but I think my favorite of 2014 was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. It was one of those stories that really sucked me in; I love it when that happens.

Meredith says: Adding it to my TBR

6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?

Craig says: So far I think it would be Capote by Gerald Clarke. It was a really well done biography that often read more like a novel.

Meredith says: Oh hey, I've heard good things about that book!
Craig says: I loved it. It was part of my Ooh Look, Capote! phase that is actually still happening. I have this thing where I become infatuated with an author and scarf down everything I can about them, both their work and works written about them. I have a problem.

7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?

Craig says: I’d like to be able to read babies’ minds. It would make taking care of my twin boys much, much easier.

Meredith says: As a NICU nurse who has cared for babies for many years, they are thinking: food, play, sleep. I'm joking. But seriously, I feel that way at work sometimes. There's nothing I want more than to quickly soothe a room full of 12 babies who are all screaming at 3am.

8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?

Craig says: I love going out to write. My two favorite places are: a study room at the library and the back room of the local cigar shop.

Meredith says: We used to frequent this cigar shop in Ocean City, MD where we vacationed every year Señor Cigars, it was interesting. And then in Syracuse there was this cigar bar named Awful Al's years ago, it was pretty cool until my friend go roofied... Cigar shops definitely have a vibe. 

Craig says: Yeah...being roofied would definitely impact the coolness factor in a negative way.

Meredith says: clarification: I did not mean the roofies impacted the vibe. Cigar shops have their own cool vibe sans roofies.

9.  We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book Becoming Moon.

Craig says: The one that comes to mind is when the main character is being forced to convert to his family’s religion. Literally dragged to the place of conversion. I don’t know if I can say it is my “favorite” scene, but it is one of the most memorable for me.

Meredith says: Wow. I mean, I feel like I just had some flashbacks. I was raised strict Roman Catholic, there was plenty of dragging me each Sunday. It sounds like a scene I need to read. 

Craig says: Really? Interesting. Becoming Moon definitely has some strong autobiographical elements, especially the section in which that scene appears, so I feel your pain.

10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?

Craig says: At the risk of sounding narcissistic, it would have to be the main character. One the flip side, he has plenty of unpleasant characteristics, so maybe it all evens out.

Meredith says: I feel like my main characters all have a bit of me, and their problems are my greatest fears or my most unpleasant characteristics. So you're not alone. I think that's why writing is so therapeutic for many of us. We get to work it out with a fictional character's life.

Craig says: It may also be why non-artistic types sometimes consider writers so self-indulgent. Well, so be it.

11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.

Craig says: If I Can Dream by Elvis, Have You Ever Seen the Rain by CCR, Con Te Partirò by Andrea Bocelli, Night and Day by Sinatra, and the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

Meredith says:  Creedence Clearwater Revival!!! My playlist has: Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son, I Heard It Through the Grapevine. I love them!

12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?

Craig says: The writing life is difficult, so write for yourself, not others.

Meredith says: This is so important.

Craig says: I'm embarrassed how long it took for me to accept this. I was so worried about what others would think of the stuff that really wanted to be written that I tried writing what I thought would be more acceptable. As a result, my writing became quite stagnant for a time. There is such a sense of freedom when a writer can say, "The heck with it. I'm writing what I need to write whether people like it or not." And often that freedom and true-ness comes through.
Meredith Says: I think Elsa from FROZEN sang it best: "Let it go, let it go, be one with your words and soul...." or something like that.

Get your copy of Becoming Moon 

(PS I read his book over the weekend. It was really really good!)

Connect with Craig A. Hart

Facebook

Twitter

Website

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

(Craig listens to CCR and drinks scotch at 10am, he's cool in my book)

Review of The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride by Lisa Weaver

Not your typical Billionaire romance.
A fast-paced romantic suspense.
The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride is a quick and easy read filled with intrigue and sweet romance.
Rafe and Lauren are reunited with a business deal but neither of them can deny their attractions to each other. Watching this couple reconcile in the midst of a catty ex, a determined business rival, and secrets and threats, is a refreshing spin on the stereotypical billionaire romance scene. 

A great summer read!

The Blurb:
Bodyguard Lauren Reynolds grew up lying to survive, while billionaire Rafe Dimitriou was raised to uphold a strict code of honor. The sexy billionaire's most formidable competitor, Milton Payne, isn’t as scrupulous.

Both Rafe and Milton are vying to gain control of Gracious Living. In order to make an offer, the company requires the buyer to be married.

Knowing Lauren will do anything to protect her brother, Rafe threatens to destroy her only sibling’s career if she doesn’t agree to play the role of his wife. Lauren accepts his proposal, but her motivation is far more compelling than family loyalty. She’s been assigned to covertly protect Rafe in the wake of threats made against the Dimitriou family. As his wife, Lauren knows she’ll have the perfect opportunity to watch over him without arousing his suspicion.

She’ll guard him with her life, but who will protect her heart?

Review of Becoming Moon by Craig A. Hart

Becoming Moon is a gem of literary magic that explores the psyche of a troubled writer.

Nigel Moon doesn't trust happy artists - looks like he just found the perfect writer to ghost-write for him.

Everyone has got skeletons in the closet and Hart's main character is no exception. Stripped-down and bare-boned, Becoming Moon explores the ramifications of growing up with oppressively religious parents, living with the guilt of dishonesty, and witnessing wicked acts. Hart's MC seems to embrace the expression "faking it until he makes it," sedating his troubled conscience with booze, a little weed, women, and recollections of the Holy Ghost while he struggles with his capabilities as a writer.

A great read that had me drooling on my Kindle in the wee hours of the morning.

Review of Getting Lei'd by Ann Omasta

**2015 Kindle Scout Winner!** Being jilted almost at the altar is not how Roxy thought her wedding would go. Getting dragged on her Hawaiian honeymoon by her excessively self-centered sister and outlandishly irreverent grandma is the icing on the horrible wedding day cake.

Can Kai, the resort’s hunky chauffeur/bartender/flamethrower, turn this disaster of a trip into a romantic adventure to last a lifetime? Escape with Roxy into the enchanting Hawaiian Islands as she discovers the joy of hanging loose and “Getting Lei’d."


Review:

A bride dumped, a spirited grandmother, and loads of fun in the Hawaiian sun. Who wouldn't want to recover from being jilted at the altar in paradise? After some redirecting by her free-spirited grandmother and sister - who is a bit on the selfish side - Roxie gets a second chance at love. Filled with spunk and sweet romantic scenes, "Getting Lei'd" is a great summer read!

New Release Tuesday!

Becoming Moon by Craig A. Hart

33 Degrees by Vincent Robert Annunziato

The Fantastic Fable of Peter Able by Natalie Grigson

Please welcome VINCENT ROBERT ANNUNZIATO author of 33 Degrees

I sat down with Vincent on the Long Island Railroad and chatted about how he attended Hofstra U but I couldn't because my acceptance letter never came with a scholarship. Needless to say there was plenty of heavy drinking on my part and a few tears. Anywho, why dwell on the past? Let's see what Vincent has to say about zombies, reading, and writing!

1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Vincent says:

a. Suzanne Collins – because her worlds have creative ways of killing things. I think I would like to turn the Cracker Jackers on the Zombies and see what happens
b. JRR Tolkien – to guide us over the expanses of land so that we could find a safe place to live. Preferably with the elves.
c. Brahm Stoker – more for some comic relief. “You think what you wrote was scary, Brahm?”
Meredith says: I like the way you think. I could definitely hunker down in a hobbit hole, I mean, they're amazingly detailed and filled with wines, cheese, bread, and meat. I'm in.
Vincent says: I could spend a lot of time in a Hobbit hole and the Shire for sure!

2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why ;)
Vincent says:  Sorry, Mr. King. Has to be Rowling. I couldn’t put her books down and felt like I was a kid again.
Meredith says: Sometimes, you just have to pick your favorite :)


3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Vincent says: I’m reading an independent novel called, “Tin Can Shrapnel.” It’s not my usual read, since I try to stay on top of what is popular in YA fiction. It’s a story that actually took place in Africa from the memoirs of Jennifer Skutelsky. It’s about Xenophobia and it is a very heavy, but very well written book. I could see this as a documentary.
Meredith says: We have some truly talented KindleScout winners among us. I'm working my way through their books. I love how the publisher has included such varying genres.


4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Vincent says: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Meredith says: Thank sweet baby Jesus!! Another re-reader!!


5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Vincent says: a. Book Thief by Zusak Markus. I could not believe the quality of the writing. The man is brilliant.
Meredith says: This is on my TBR list. I've heard great things.
Vincent says: Please read before watching the movie. The movie does the book no justice!

Meredith says: always read first, people! or this happens ---------->


6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Vincent says: HASH by April M. Reign. Another independent. This is a sci fi. I loved the whole concept of the book and the way she handled alien life form.
Meredith says: Ooooh, another one to add to my TBR list!


7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
Vincent says: I have always been a big Hulk fan. So definitely, I have a passion for strength. Readers may be interested to know that I am training for my first power-lifting competition in October. My father at the age of 69 is already nationally ranked. I’ll see what happens.
Meredith says: I mean, that's kind of amazing!! If you're ever in upstate NY swing by, I have heavy things I need lifted: boxes, groceries, cases of beer, jugs of rum, etc, etc... ;)
Vincent says: I’d rather lift WEIGHTS Meredith. My wife has cornered the market on everything else. :)

8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Vincent says: I write anywhere without discrimination. My first book was mainly written on a commuter train. If I had it my way, I would love to do a cross country trip and write on while rolling across the US on a nice smooth train ride.
Meredith says: I used to travel to Stony Brook via train back in the day. There's just something about it. A cross country trip sounds awesome.
Vincent says: Oh yeah and add some wine and a nice dinner. I think I am already there!
Meredith says: Have you watched Snowpiercer yet? Dinner on a train will never be the same...

9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book '33 Degrees'.
Vincent says: a. I have two. Sorry. The first one is a scene in which I introduce a very mystical character to the main character. It is surreal, but believable. All I can say is that it involves rats.
b. The second, is a scene that is very romantic. I believe the ladies will like this. Kids in 33 Degrees are often orphaned in the Underground. They are called Feral. There is a scene where two characters are becoming romantically interested in each other. The male has very little idea as to how babies are made. Even though this story is told in the first person when the young lady has to tell him what actually happens she whispers when it gets intense or she is embarrassed. His responses of shock don’t help either. Ironically, the reader doesn’t hear what she says, but only see how the young man responds. I thought it was a very clever way to handle first person and really let the reader’s imagination kick in.
Meredith says: I love mystical characters and romantic hilarity! Have I mentioned I can't wait to read this book?
Vincent says: You have. Admittedly, I don’t get tired of hearing it. :)

10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Vincent says: Tough question. My characters have very unique voices and I work hard to develop them. I would have to corner my lead male character as most closely associated to me.
Meredith says: Will there be any power-lifting then? (Joking, joking)
Vincent says: Meredith! You set me up!

Meredith says: ooops!
 
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Vincent says: a. Depends on my mood. Sometimes if I just want something soft I play Enya.
b. Otherwise you might hear in no particular order
i. Imagine Dragons – It’s Time
ii. Hall of Fame – The Script
iii. The Reason – Hoobastank
iv. Pompeii – Bastille
v. A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
Meredith says: I mean, it's like the playlist Gods parted two souls and I got half and you got half. Have you listened to the acoustic version of Bastille? I'm in love with it, absolute love, but my heart is broken because I can't get the track on iTunes (insert super sad face)
Vincent says: Are you kidding me? Acoustic version. Getting it now!
Meredith says: You'll never be the same after you hear it.

12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Vincent says: Make it interesting

Meredith says: Truly, there is nothing worse than an uninteresting book.

Vincent says: I say this because many new writers tend to focus on prose without tension. You have to find the conflict of the scene. It’s not enough to just go out there and write pretty prose.
Meredith says: Some more words of wisdom, people, conflict runs the show.

Vincent also let me interrupt Stacey Cochran's interview to pepper him with annoying questions related to his novel 33 Degrees

Find the author interview here on Stacey Cochran's Facebook page

Pre-order your copy of 33 DEGREES

*Release date June 30th*

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(Vincent's a cool guy, he even forgave me for insulting his homeland of long island a few weeks ago. when I pretty much said a lot of LIRR riders were jerks.)