Featured Author & Giveaway: Sara Alva

Sara Alva is a former small-town girl currently living in big-city LA with a husband, two cats, and an avocado tree. She recently discovered—after a year in her house—that she also has a fig tree in her backyard, which might mean she needs to get out more. But sometimes the stories waiting to be told demand more attention, and when she puts fingers to keyboard, it’s usually to write about journeys of self-discovery, heartache, personal growth, friendship and love. When she isn’t writing, she’s teaching or dancing. For more information, free short stories and news on upcoming releases, visit Sara’s website at http://saraalva.com.

Connect with Sara Alva on Twitter @SaraAlvaStories or visit her website: http://saraalva.com.

Q&A with Author Sara Alva:

1. Where is the book Silent set? Is it a place you’re familiar with in real life or is it imagined?
   
   Silent is set in Los Angeles, California, where I currently live. So far in my writing career, I’ve taken on settings I know well. I like throwing in those little details that allow people who’ve “been there” to catch the local references. And for those who haven’t been, if they ever do visit, maybe they’ll spot some things they’ve read about!
   
   I have an upcoming guest post on Madison Parker’s blog with some more insight into the specific locations of Los Angeles. It’s such a huge, diverse area that it really allowed me take Alex on a significant journey without leaving the city, and the changing setting plays a significant role in the story.


2. One of your writing strengths is creating authentic dialogue. The characters really come alive through their speech. Ironically, one of the characters doesn’t speak at all (hence the title, Silent). What challenges did you face in developing a non-speaking character?
   
   The concept of Seb as a character had been floating around in my head since my high school days (wow, so long ago!) but bringing him to life on the page was a different story (oops, I punned). In my head I could see the facial expressions he would make, the very subtle gestures he could use, but I had to work carefully to represent those in text without getting repetitive or too heavy-handed. Then again, I couldn’t be too light, either, or his presence would barely be felt. My betas were a great resource and helped me fine-tune those parts of the novel until I was satisfied with the end result.


3. I have no personal experience with the foster care system, but reading Silent made me feel like I was right there, experiencing the emotional upheaval along with the main character as he’s placed in a group home. It’s interesting that adults tend to view foster care as a positive thing, whereas the children placed in foster care often don’t. If given the choice, sadly, many would choose to return to their abusive environments. What type of research did you do to help portray the foster care experience so realistically?
   
   I had betas with some insight into foster care, which was a great help. Along with that, my other profession has brought me into contact with many children like Alex, and I already had a sense of how they felt about their homes, and how they felt about leaving them. They don’t usually stand on the outside of their lives and see the “bigger picture” of how leaving a troubled environment could be for the best. They’re living in their own shoes; they see their personal worlds, they see the way the people around them live and that’s often the way they expect to live as well.
   
   I wanted to be as realistic as possible with Alex, and having him eager to leave behind all he knows for a totally different life just wouldn’t have felt plausible.


4. The main character has a strong sense of loyalty. I’d even go so far as to describe him as a caregiver. Where does that come from, or why is it so important to him?
   
   Alex grew up without very much parental guidance. Because of that, he and his sister found they could often only count on each other. As the older sibling, she was his main support system. He tried to be the same sort of support for her, but when he wasn’t able to, it left a void in his life, waiting to be filled. Through the course of the novel he finds a new place to put his loyalty and affection.


5. What would you most like people to take away from the story?
   
   Books are often a means by which people become aware of different circumstances. I never set out to write with a “message,” but I do like to present less-seen worlds, whether they be inside a character’s mind, or in a literal setting. Silent presents a way of life that not everyone gets to see on a daily basis, and all I’d really like is for readers to get a chance to experience it through Alex’s eyes.

Now Available from Sara Alva:

Silent Alex’s life as a teenager in South Central L.A. is far from perfect, but it’s his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He’s got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home.

Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a “special” mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets—those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers—even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried.

It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love.

Social Skills Music is the only form of communication Connor Owens controls. No matter how badly he wishes to fit in, friendly banter and casual conversations have never been his thing. College is yet another social universe he has no clue how to navigate—until he meets Jared, a football player with chestnut eyes and a cocky grin that holds the power to shatter his self-imposed prison.

Jared's attention opens Connor up to a new realm of emotional and physical intimacy. But as Connor's self-confidence grows, so does his fear that everything will fall apart. Because in this socially stratified world, how long can a relationship between an introverted violinist and a closeted football player really last?

Pura Vida Simon has found himself in an open relationship for the summer—though not by choice. Instead of wallowing, he’s decided to make the most of a family vacation to Costa Rica by hooking up with the first hot guy available. Trouble is, he has no clue how to go about doing that.

Luckily, he runs into someone with a little more experience. But when the moments of lust turn into something more, Simon isn’t so sure he’ll be able to return to his old relationship. And there’s no way to hold onto this new one, either, as thousands of miles will separate them in only a few short weeks. Either way, he’ll have to learn to let go.

---

Silent Giveaway!

Sara Alva has generously donated a free e-copy of Silent for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen November 3, 2013.

New Releases for November 2013

Featured New Releases:

Blood Moon by MJ O'Shea

Published by Harmony Ink

Zack met his best friend, Noah, at Harper Lake when they were five years old. Summer after summer, his feelings grew, but he assumed Noah didn’t feel the same. But one night when they were seventeen, Zack kissed Noah… and Noah kissed him back. Zack was sure he did. But the next morning, Noah put an end to their friendship and walked away, leaving Zack with a broken heart. A year has passed, and Zack goes back to the lake—where every leaf, rock, and turn in the road remind him of the biggest mistake he ever made. He hates thinking about what he lost, and more than anything he wants his best friend back. He figures it’ll be the longest summer ever. But then Noah shows up out of the blue, apologetic and more gorgeous than ever. Noah is sweet and attentive, and Zack can almost believe nothing had ever gone wrong. But there’s something different about his old friend, something not quite right. Zack doesn’t want to ruin the fragile new bond between them, but he has to know… What secret is Noah hiding?.

Gods (Dreams of Fire and Gods, Book Three) by James Erich

Published by Harmony Ink

Long ago, two factions of gods, the Stronni and the Taaweh, nearly destroyed the Kingdom of Dasak in a great war. The Taaweh vanished when their queen was imprisoned, and the Stronni declared victory. A thousand years later, a young nobleman named Sael and his lover Koreh have rescued the Taaweh queen. In the process Koreh was killed, and now an injured Sael struggles to heal from both injuries and grief. Unknown to him, Koreh embarks on a journey across the land of the dead, trying to make his way back to Sael—and to life. But time moves differently in the underworld, and decades pass while Koreh travels. In the living world, tensions between the emperor and Sael’s father, Vek Worlen, who is regent of the eastern kingdom, have soured beyond repair. Worlen conspires with the assassin Donegh to break into the imperial palace and challenge the emperor to a duel to the death. But the goddess Imen has chosen a young priest named Gonim as her champion. Through him she discovers the Taaweh have returned, and her enraged king threatens to destroy Dasak and all its human inhabitants. Sael must save his world, must confront the gods and persuade them not to destroy humankind. But it seems hopeless. If only Koreh were at his side… Young Adult Age Range: 14 to 18 years old.

The Missing Juliet by Sam Cameron

Published by Bold Strokes Books

Summer’s sizzling in the Florida Keys and Robin McGee should be planning for college. Instead, she’s passionately in love with beautiful movie starlet Juliet Francine. Too bad it’s a one-way crush shared by millions of others. Robin’s better off sticking to her summer job and fighting for the equal treatment of GLTBQ teens everywhere. But when Juliet is kidnapped from a film set in Key West, Robin turns amateur sleuth and recruits her friends to help in the search. Soon the FBI, police, and paparazzi are hot on the case as well. As time ticks down and the ransom notes grow dire, Robin will get just one chance to pull off a Hollywood happy ending—and maybe a shot at true love after all..

The Seventh Pleiade by Andrew J. Peters

Published by Bold Strokes Books

Atlantis is besieged by violent storms, tremors, and a barbarian army. For sixteen-year-old Aerander, it’s a calamitous backdrop to his Panegyris, where boys are feted for their passage to manhood. Amid a secret web of romances among the celebrants, Aerander's cousin Dam goes missing with two boys. With the kingdom in crisis, no one suspects the High Priest Zazamoukh, though Aerander uncovers a conspiracy to barter boys for dark spiritual power. Aerander's proof— an underground vault that disappears in the morning—brings shame on his family and charges of lunacy. The only way for Aerander to regain his honor is to prove what really happened to the missing boys. Tracking Dam leads Aerander on a terrifying and fantastical journey. He spots a star that hasn’t been seen for centuries. He uncovers a legend about an ancient race of men who hid below the earth. And traveling to an underground world, he learns about matters even more urgent than the missing boys. The world aboveground is changing, and he will have to clear a path for the kingdom’s survival. Author: Andrew J. Peters.

Zirkua Fantastic by Voss Foster

Published by Prizm Books

Zirkua Fantastic has been running steadily since 1753, amazing its patrons with acts of otherworldly skill and prowess. But that talent comes at a steep price: each artist must give a year of his or her life to the circus. None of them know why, only that the circus' owners will go to whatever lengths are necessary to ensure it. Toby, the hoop dancer at Zirkua Fantastic and son of one of the owners, is content with his life: he enjoys performing and Zirkua's wandering life, and even has a boyfriend among the circus' hawkers. But when a new artist arrives, bringing with him a strange flask and a number of odd occurrences, Toby falls face-first into the truth behind the circus: Its contracts bind King Jester, the immortal embodiment of chaos. Zirkua's performances and contracts have held King Jester prisoner for centuries, but now something's amiss. King Jester's sister, Dragon, has escaped her own bonds and is working to free her brother, and his power is growing. If he is loosed on the world, it will mean the worst war in human history and the end of civilization... unless Zirkua Fantastic can find a way to stop him..

Camp Spartacus by Laura Hughes

Published by Prizm Books

Cadet Lieutenant Mike Ruggiero loves Future Servicemembers of America summer camp: fresh air, exercise, tactical training, wilderness survival… and cute guys. But he’s trying not to think about that. Here, he’s just a normal soldier. But when a rumor gets out that someone in Ruggiero's squad is gay, it looks like all the coming out drama from back home is about to come crashing back..

Where No One Knows by Jo Ramsey

Published by Musa Publishing

After almost setting an attacker on fire, Kellan McKee is thrown out of his home and travels across the country to find safety with a group of young psychics. Kellan McKee has been forced to leave his home and is traveling to find a place to belong. Sixteen years old and transgender, Kellan has felt out of place in his family since his mother married Gene. Now Kellan must keep Gene and his friends from tracking him down to get “justice” for the man Kellan accidentally set on fire. Kellan has psychic powers, including pyrokinesis, and when he’s threatened he loses control.On the run, Kellan meets Shad, a young man who also has psychic powers, who steers Kellan to Boston where a group that protects psychic teens is ready to take him in. But will Kellan find a safe haven, or will he bring danger to his new friends? - See more at: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24&products_id=670#sthash.9Zgts1FS.dpuf.

What We've Been Waiting For by Louis Stevens

Published by Queerteen Press

From the age of three, Tim Baily wanted to marry Tom Watkins. Many changes occurred during their formative years, but Tim’s love for Tom remained rock solid. Even when Tom temporarily broke up with him to date girls, Tim never stopped loving Tom. Because his father walking out on his family, Tim doesn’t trust easily. His friend Tom’s bisexuality makes him uneasy. Tom is a popular high school football player who can have anyone he wants, boy or girl. So why would he choose nerdy Tim? The fact Tom won’t come out at school further feeds Tim’s insecurities and suspicions. Tom has always felt the pressure from his dad and his friends to be the typical jock. This means hiding the gay side of his bisexuality and only acknowledging Tim in private. Tom has promised once they’re at college in New York, he and Tim will be able to live openly as a loving gay couple. Tim just needs to be patient. Things come to a dramatic head at an event everyone has been waiting for, their end of year graduation party. Many truths are revealed, old scores are settled, and everyone’s lives are changed. Can Tom keep his promise to always love and protect Tim, or will previous lies and secrets kill off what has been growing between the boys for fifteen years?.

The Weeping Willow by Hayden Thorne

Published by Queerteen Press

A woodland shadow and a mortal fall in love, and a tragic cycle begins, haunting the steps of their daughter, Aeldra. At a young age, Aeldra finds herself pregnant, abandoned, and standing at a precipice, her child’s future hanging on a balance. Already physically weakened for having shadow and mortal blood in her veins, she remains defiant when her shadow kin demand her child’s life. She presses her faithful servant, Halfrith, to stand by the boy and make sure he remains unnamed, as it’s through his name that the shadow world will find the means by which they can claim him. Hope comes in the shape of Helena Butcher, a seventeen-year-old seamstress who brings shame to her family by getting pregnant out of wedlock. From beyond the grave, Aeldra looks to Helena and her unborn child to save her own son, who’s now cursed to remain caught between two worlds after a woodland shadow’s attempt at taking the boy away is thwarted by Halfrith. Though tragedy marks the births of Crispian Butcher and Aeldra’s son, who’s been turned into a weeping willow by the woodland shadows, something much deeper and more enduring will shape the curious friendship between a ragged boy and a mournful tree. And something stronger and more resistant to hate and prejudice will ultimately break a curse, end a dark cycle, and bring two lonely boys together..

Silentby Sara Alva

Published by Amazon Digital Services

Alex’s life as a teenager in South Central L.A. is far from perfect, but it’s his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He’s got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home. Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a “special” mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets—those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers—even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried. It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love.

Meeting Chance by Jennifer Lavoie

Meeting Chance by Jennifer Lavoie

Published by Bold Strokes Books
264 Pages

Blurb: Scarred physically and emotionally from a dog attack at age nine, Aaron Cassidy has spent the last seven years breaking out in a cold sweat at the mere sound of a bark in the distance. Days after he receives his driver’s license, he decides to challenge his bone-deep fear once and for all.

Volunteering at the Happy Endings Animal Foundation gives Aaron a new sense of purpose. Here he’ll face his fears and learn to love man’s best friend. When an abused pit bull with scars mirroring his own arrives at the shelter, Aaron cannot even be in the same room without lapsing into his familiar, paralyzing terror. But as he gets to know the wounded animal, and the two learn to trust again, Aaron finds that sometimes all you need is a little...Chance.

Review: Meeting Chance is a feel good story about a boy named Aaron who is determined to overcome his debilitating fear of dogs by volunteering at a local animal shelter. During his time there, he meets a dog recovering from severe abuse, and the two form a bond.

Aaron is a likable young man with a refreshingly positive outlook, despite the adversity life has thrown his way: he has a noticeable scar across his face from a childhood dog attack, his two best friends distanced themselves from him after he came out as gay, and his parents are divorced. While any one of these problems could have been played up as a source of extreme anxiety for Aaron, none of them were overdone. Yes, Aaron got upset and had his share of worries, like any typical teen would, but the anxiety felt realistic without being overly angsty. He seemed to take most things in stride and recover quickly.

I'll be honest. I love angsty reads. I kept waiting for something really bad to happen, especially towards the end of the book. My mind was reeling with possibilities. Would Aaron be attacked by another dog? Would he be beaten up by his homophobic ex-friend? Would there be an ugly confrontation between his parents when one of them started dating? Would Chance get into another dog fight? Would his new friend Finn turn out to be gay? Would an unfit family end up adopting Chance? etc., etc. But ultimately, I was okay with the low level of drama. In fact, I enjoyed seeing all the "little things" that Aaron had to deal with on a daily basis, like if/when/how to tell new people he meets that he's gay, and if/when/how to ask if they are too; or how to react to children (who have no filter and don't understand that they're being impolite) when they stare at or make comments about his disfigured face. There was some homophobia, but again, it wasn't extreme. It was hurtful, for sure, but was also addressed in a calm and reasonable way.

I loved how much Aaron and the dog Chance had in common. They'd both been attacked by other dogs and both had scars on their faces to show for it. They both had to deal with people making assumptions about them or rejecting them based on their appearance. They were both on a journey of healing and were able to comfort each other along the way. I would have liked more detail about their time together. Initially, the relationship between Aaron and Chance seemed to be the focus of the story, but eventually, it broadened into a story about Aaron and all the various relationships in his life. Chance wasn't as front and center as I had hoped he would be. Also, I felt Aaron got over his fear of dogs a little too quickly. I know the story spanned several months, but the lack of detail made it feel like it happened too easily.

I also loved the friendship that developed between Aaron and another teen he meets at the shelter. For once, the gay guy makes a friend who turns out to be just that: a friend. Some readers might be disappointed that this doesn't blossom into a romance, but I really liked their relationship the way it was. The fact that Aaron was gay did impact some of his relationships (due to homophobia), but overall the message was clear: Aaron was simply Aaron, whether people knew he was gay or not. The friends who could see this, remained in his life, and those who didn't, didn't.

"What the hell did Caleb want? He'd just be a pain in the ass and cause trouble, which made Aaron want to skip dinner altogether. Friendship triangles could be tricky. Throw in the fact that one triangle point was queer, and they ratcheted up to flat-out treacherous. Was it even worth it?"

Finally, I loved the positive manner in which the school's GSA was portrayed. Aaron was an active member of the GSA and was friendly with all the other members, even though none of them were his best friends. Many people have this notion that all gays will "click" and become instant friends. Yes, they supported one another, stood up for each other, and interacted in a friendly manner, but that doesn't necessarily translate into being close friends outside of school or wanting to date one another. I think the same can be said for many other types of clubs, too. The GSA was portrayed as though it were a perfectly natural part of the school's ecosystem, as it should be!

I hope Meeting Chance helps to bring awareness to the issues of animal abuse and abandonment. The devastatingly high number of animals who are put down every day is horrifying. According the U.S. Humane Society, 2.7 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year (about one every 11 seconds). Animal shelters like the one described in this book do amazing work and truly need all the support they can get. Until reading this book, I hadn't stopped to think that something as simple as donating old towels could help.

I would recommend this book for young adult readers, especially those in middle or early high school grades, or those who prefer a low level of angst.

Review by Madison

Featured Author: Michael Griffo

Michael Griffo is the author of six novels, an essay, and ten plays. His debut novel, UNNATURAL, the first book in the acclaimed Archangel Academy series, was published in 2010 by Kensington Books. The next books in the series - UNWELCOME and UNAFRAID followed. Next, Griffo wrote The Darkborn Legacy with MOONGLOW being published in March 2013 and SUNBLIND in September. The final book of the trilogy, STARFALL, will be published in March 2014. In between, he wrote an essay in the anthology, DEAR TEEN ME, published by Zest Books.

His first play, NO MORE SUNDAYS, won the New Jersey Perry award for Best Original Play. His other plays include PEN PALS, 9TH STREET WATER, TWO, and PIECES, all of which have been produced across the country and in London. His short plays, CLOUDY and 5G/10B are published in Smith & Kraus' The Best Ten-Minute Plays, 2 Actors: 2005, and CLOUDY is licensed by Playscripts.com.

For more information, check out the author's newly-revamped website at http://MichaelGriffo.com or connect with him on Twitter @Michael2264.

Q&A with Author Michael Griffo:

1. Which of your characters is most like you?
   
   Most all of my characters are a little bit like me, I've sprinkled a few Michael-isms into many of them. However, I think the one who is most like me would be Dominy Robineau, the protagonist of The Darkborn Legacy.
   
   Both she and I have a great sense of humor and rely on laughter to help us get through the most trying of times. We also have a love of words, both constantly creating new words for our own personal dictionary. Most important, we never give up. Adversity and obstacles may come our way, they may paralyze us momentarily, but, ultimately, they don't destroy us, they only make us stronger.


2. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   
   
   The Archangel Academy series - UNNATURAL, UNWELCOME, and UNAFRAID - are rare in that the protagonist is a 16-year-old guy who is also gay. Not only that, but he falls in love with Ronan and they have a beautiful, long-lasting relationship. I deliberately chose not to create a love triangle or have outside forces destroy their bond because I thought it was very important to show young readers - gay and straight - that such a love can endure. As a young reader, I was never exposed to that type of relationship, in fact, the closest I got was reading A SEPARATE PEACE, which is one of my favorite novels. I have no idea if John Knowles meant for Gene and Phineas to be gay, but that's how I read them. I wrote the Archangel Academy series, in part, as a way to give young readers, but especially those in the LGBTQ community, the chance to identify with strong, loving characters, who just happened to be gay.
   
   I also think The Darkborn Legacy - MOONGLOW, SUNBLIND, and STARFALL - are unique in that even though the plot involves supernatural shenanigans and fantasy elements, at its core it is a story about friendship. Dominy's friends are her lifeline and her friendship with Jess is so enduring it continues even beyond death.


3. What did you like to read when you were a teenager?
   
   This question is so interesting because sometimes as an adult you forget the things that inspired you as a teenager.
   
   
   
   As I mentioned, I loved A SEPARATE PEACE, in fact, every couple of years I reread it and I'm still amazed at how much I love the writing and the story. I spent a lot of time reading gothic novels like JANE EYRE, another all-time favorite that I reread often, and all of Shirley Jackson's novels and short stories, Edgar Allen Poe, Agatha Christie, and Henry Slesar, who was actually the headwriter of one of my favorite soap operas of all time - The Edge of Night!
   
   The common denominator of all these books is that although they were mysterious, sensational, supernatural, with lots of unexpected plot twists, character was vitally important. These authors knew that it didn't matter how great the story was, if the reader couldn't connect with the characters because they felt they weren't real or engaging the reader would toss the book away half-way through - and without curious and excited readers, books are really just stacks of paper.
   
   I also have a great love of science fiction and read - and watched on TV and in the movies - as much of it as I could find. rLogan's Run, Planet of the Apes, 1984, Brave New World, The Man From Atlantis, Star Wars, Space: 1999, Land of the Giants were all favorites of mine. And again, while these books and TV shows were otherworldly in scope and atmosphere, the characters are stories were grounded in reality. Yes, I found the out-of-this-world plots and scenarios fascinating and inspiring, I loved these stories because the characters were grounded. I never felt that they were contrived or only existed to further the plot - it was the other way around, the plot continued to progress to even more fantastical lengths because of how the characters handled each situation. I really have tried to keep these lessons in mind as an author - as long as you stay true to your character and keep him or her real and honest, the most outlandish plot you can ever come up with will be accepted by your reader.


4. What are your writing goals for the next five years?
   
   As much as I love writing three-book series, it is quite a challenge and sometimes, at the outset, can feel daunting. I would like to write a stand-alone YA novel or even a collection of short stories. I have so many ideas percolating in my head - and not all of them are as grand or far-reaching as the first two series I've written - that I would relish the opportunity to explore those ideas within a smaller framework.
   
   Specifically, I want to delve into more science fiction for the reasons I've already mentioned - growing up sci fi was incredibly inspiring to me and unlocked my imagination in a way that traditional literature did not. It would be a welcome challenge to try and write something in that genre.
   
   Whatever I write, however, I want to test my limits as a writer. I want to become better, vary my style, explore new ways of telling a story, all things that will ultimately excite both me and my readers. I've already laid solid groundwork and now it's time to grow. So the next five years - regardless of what I write - will definitely be an exciting time.


5. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   
   
   Again, this is one of those questions you don't really think about until asked. And I was asked this question and wrote an essay about it in an anthology - DEAR TEEN ME. Basically, I would tell my teen self to have more confidence in yourself and understand that perfection is not an attainable goal, we all must fail at times, how many times is unimportant, what's important is that we keep trying.
   
   I would also tell my young writer self to have more discipline. As a teenager I had some talent, but I was more concerned with having a good time and didn't focus on my writing until I was much older. The discipline I have now, quite frankly, is amazing, especially when I look back and see just how much time I wasted. Now I do believe that everyone has their own personal journey, so perhaps I would not have become the writer I am today if I had found success earlier, but I do wonder. I am, however, extremely grateful - to myself and others who forced me to take my talent and the craft of writing seriously - because the joys I've known as a writer are incomparable.


6. What other interests do you have outside of writing?
   
   Since writing is a sedentary and isolating practice, I find it necessary to do things to counteract that experience. Mainly, i try to stay as active as possible - it not only helps the body, but the mind as well. I practice yoga, I ski, skate, play tennis - not all at once, but as often as I can! I also love to travel, whether it be long trips overseas or short car rides to the country as long as there's a change of scenery and a new experience.
   
   I also love the theatre and, in fact, direct plays and workshops with a community theatre group in my hometown. I love working with people who are interested in exploring their creative side. It's such a thrill to work with someone who is reticent or unsure about themselves and watch them grow more confident and poised. The exercise is very much like writing, but instead of shaping and helping a person achieve their potential on paper, I get to do it in person.


7. How do you research for your books?
   
   Interestingly, I don't do an incredible amount of research before writing a book and that's mainly because, as I've said, I focus on character first. I may have a kernel of a plot, but it doesn't get fleshed out and fully realized until I know who my characters are and what makes them unique as individuals.
   
   I create a character checklist for each character, asking obvious questions such as how old are they, how much do they weigh, what color is their hair to more introspective questions like what is their favorite food, what is their political persuasion, and what are their dreams and life goals. Once I have all this information, I can begin to create nuanced characters that mimic real people and aren't just caricatures or cardboard imitations. To me, it is the only way to create the foundation of a good story.
   
   There are moments, however, when you need to research a particular idea or plot point. I don't want to jinx myself, but I've always found those moments to be godsends. For example, I wanted Ronan to come from the northernmost point of Ireland, I have no idea why, but that's what I wanted. I did some online research and found that place to be Inishtrahull Island. Intrigued, I did a bit more online research and found that the name also meant Island of the Bloody Beach. Since Ronan was a vampire from a vampire family, the name was perfect.
   
   In The Darkborn Legacy, Dominy is a werewolf so, of course she is a slave to the moon. Well, for some reason I included Orion's constellation as part of a major plot device and wouldn't you know that during my research on the moon I found out that Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, killed Orion. I guess the moral of this story is that when you do your research don't be rigid, let the research bring you to the answers you need. Most often, while researching a story, you'll turn an unexpected corner and find out something you never knew. And even more exciting than that, you'll uncover something you never thought you'd need to know.


8. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   It would be an incredible compliment if young readers, who finished reading my novels, were left with the thought that yes, those characters do exist. Now, that might seem odd because my characters are vampires, witches, werewolves, efemeras, and all other kinds of supernatural creatures, but I'm hoping that readers can look beyond the physical characteristics of my characters and into their emotional make-up to find that they are really just normal teenagers.
   
   My hope is that they can relate to Michael, Ronan, Dominy, Jess, and all the other teenage characters and personally identify with their struggles. Of course readers will never have to deal with the ramifications of becoming a vampire or a werewolf, but maybe they can learn how to overcome personal struggles -- peer pressure, loss of a parent, isolation -- and understand the importance of self-worth and friendship. I believe I have created characters who are strong - emotionally as well as physically - who learn to rely on their own inner-strength during difficult times, but who also come to understand that it's just as important to reach out to others and surround themselves with equally strong and supportive family members and friends. Some young adults have a tendency to drift toward isolation so maybe, in some small way, the characters in my novels might teach them that there is another, more fulfilling, road to take.
   
   Beyond that, I just hope young readers enjoy the wild journeys each of my characters takes and that they want to come back to read more and more!

Now Available from Michael Griffo:

Unnatural (Archangel Academy, Book One) Michael Howard and Ronan Glynn-Rowley meet at Archangel Academy, an all-boys school in Eden, a rural town in north western England. Both are outcasts and decried as unnatural, Michael because he's gay, and Ronan because he's a hybrid vampire.

Unwelcome (Archangel Academy, Book One) Griffo establishes a fresh spin for young adult vampire novels in the second installment of his Archangel Academy series, set in a mysterious English boarding school filled with secrets.

Unafraid (Archangel Academy, Book Three) The boarding school known as Archangel Academy possesses a legacy of secrets known only to a privileged few. For in this peaceful, charming part of England lives a population of vampires at war with one another--and Michael Howard is caught in the middle of it all. . .When Michael left his small Nebraska hometown to enroll at Archangel Academy, he couldn't have imagined how much the experience would change him. Once mortal, Michael is now a vampire with a destiny that was foretold long ago, and a group of friends with their own mysterious abilities.

But there are enemies too, some of them hiding in plain sight. Being strong enough to defend himself isn't enough. Michael must find a way to protect his entire race of vampires. Dark forces within the school will drive everyone to take sides in the escalating violence. And for all his new powers, Michael will discover that love, jealousy, and vengeance have a danger all their own. . .

Also Available from Michael Griffo:

Moonglow (The Darkborn Legacy, Book One) From the author of the acclaimed Archangel Academy vampire trilogy comes a stunning new series about a girl determined to defy her fate—and reclaim her future…

Something strange is going on with Dominy Robineau. All her friends in Weeping Water, Nebraska, have noticed—and it’s way beyond teenage blues. As weeks pass, Dom grows consumed by anger, aggression, and violence, and she seems powerless to stop it. Then she turns sixteen, and things get really dangerous.

When her best friend is murdered, Dominy’s father is compelled to reveal the truth behind the darkness that threatens to both overtake and empower her. Her boyfriend, Caleb, swears they’ll find a way to change her destiny. But others are hiding secrets too, and gifts that are far more terrifying than hers. And even as she struggles to control her new abilities, Dom must contend with an enemy who wants her to use the beast within to destroy all those she loves, before she destroys herself…

Sunblind (The Darkborn Legacy, Book Two) In the latest book in Michael Griffo’s spellbinding Darkborn Legacy series, Dominy Robineau must choose whether to fight the werewolf inside—or the darkness all around…

Dominy had no choice in becoming a werewolf. The day she turned sixteen, a witch’s curse erased every trace of normal from her life and ignited a wild hunger that’s already cost Dominy her best friend. And though she’s still got her boyfriend, Caleb, and other allies who promise to help her find a cure, Dom feels completely alone. Yet she isn’t alone…

Throughout her hometown of Weeping Water, Nebraska, a legacy of evil is slowly coming to light, pitting friend against friend in an unfolding battle. Dom was sure her only hope was to fight what she’s become. But with an enemy threatening her family, she’ll have to harness the power she fears and gather all the strength she’s got…

Featured Author: Sophie Bonaste

Sophie Bonaste Sophie Bonaste is a novelist who never set out to be a novelist. As a child, she wanted to a Broadway actress and spent her childhood in numerous productions. But when adulthood set in and reality took over, Sophie chose to give up the theatre for a steady paycheck and instead turned to writing as a creative outlet. She stumbled into the M/M genre through fanfiction and never looked back. Sophie is quite happy with her change in artistic expression and doesn’t plan to stop writing for a long time.

A self-proclaimed nerd, Sophie is an avid fan of all things Star Wars and Harry Potter. (Sophie is a member of the Slytherin house, for those who were wondering.) Sophie also spends many hours watching and re-watching nerdy television shows. When she is not obsessing over the latest and greatest in nerdy entertainment, Sophie can be found screaming at her television during American football games. (Go Pack Go!) Sophie currently lives in Pennsylvania, about twenty minutes from her childhood town of The Middle of Nowhere.

Connect with Sophie Bonaste on Twitter @SophieBonaste or visit her website: http://sophiebonaste.blogspot.com.

Q&A with Author Sophie Bonaste:

1. What did you like to read when you were a teenager?
   
   Strangely enough, absolutely nothing. I hated to read. I didn’t start reading for fun until I was out of college. But that didn’t mean I didn’t read a lot. I was homeschooled and my Mom made me read 25 books every school year. She let me choose 12 of them, so I found a lot of Star Wars and other YA Science Fiction books. I found that much more tolerable than William Faulkner, but I never really enjoyed it. It just felt like a chore to me. Enjoyment came later. Something to keep in mind: sometimes your interests change as you get older.


2. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   That one day I would have really great friends. I never really connected with anyone when I was a teenager and it was hard for me. I didn’t even know why. I’m straight, white, have no handicaps of any kind. All of the typical stereotypes that prevent teenagers from making friends never applied to me. It didn’t matter. I still didn’t have friends. But when I got to college I met some people that I will be friends with for the rest of my life. And it has made all the difference in the world.


3. How do you do research for your books?
   
   Google. Google is the best research tool ever. (Although, I don’t recommend it for research papers. Just saying.) I think the best thing about Google is that you can find a lot of personal stories. With this novel, I really wanted to find stories about homeless people. I didn’t just want to read a bunch of statistics. Google helped me find a lot of news articles that were really helpful. Plus, I love Google Maps. Since I’ve never been to Alabama, Google helped me figure out some of the geography in this novel, as well as in the second novel I wrote.


4. What are your writing goals for the next five years?
   
   Really, I want to keep writing. I would love to write about four novels a year, with some smaller projects on the side. I realize that this might be a tall order, but I really love what I’m doing. I’m also hoping that in about two to three years, I will be able to quit my day job and make writing my full-time gig. Let’s just hope my ideas last that long.


5. Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you.
   
   I did amateur puppeteer work throughout most of my teenage years.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   I would like young readers to understand that being a teenager is really hard. You have to face a lot of obstacles and sometimes there aren’t a lot of resources to help you. But there are a lot of people out there who are more than willing to help and support you. They might not always be the people you expect, but they are there. You just have to look for them.

Now Available from Sophie Bonaste:

The Sacrifices We Make Adam Jameson has always felt like an outsider in his own home, where his parents’ constant efforts to instill religious fervor have instead filled him with fear. Most of the time, he just wants to stay out of everybody’s way. But when Adam is forced to volunteer at a homeless shelter his senior year in high school, everything changes. He’s introduced to people who care about more than religion and, as a result, he starts to come out of his shell. For the first time in his life, Adam finds people that he wants to be around.

Mickey Stafford lives on the streets, a teen kicked out by his parents for being gay. He comes to the shelter for food and medical care, and after they literally run into each other, the two boys strike up a friendship. As Mickey introduces his new friend to the world he lives in, Adam starts to question everything: his parents, their religion, even his own beliefs . Once Mickey kisses him, Adam starts soul-searching and finds his heart, which is full of love for Mickey. But these two young men will have their love put to the test, as they face a future of uncertainty and fear.

New Releases for October 2013

Featured New Releases:

Intervention by Mia Kerick

Published by Harmony Ink

As a musician at the popular college café Coed Joe’s, high school senior Kai Manter is never lacking for male attention. Out, proud, free-spirited, and sexually aware, Kai sets his sights on his darkly Gothic and undeniably bad-tempered coworker, Jamie Arlotta, a freshman at the local arts university. Sporting long hair and alluring hippie style, Kai expects his interest will be reciprocated, with satisfying sex as the end goal. That’s what usually happens. But Jamie’s lessons in life have been harsher. Having been sexually abused by his older stepbrother for several years, Jamie has grown an impenetrable outer shell meant to keep the world at a safe distance.

Kai is angry at first when he takes the brunt of Jamie’s bad temper, but after Kai accidentally discovers the abuse Jamie has suffered, he wants to fix things. Kai’s plan is based on what he knows best—music—and he stages a “musical intervention” to let Jamie know he’s not alone and things can get better. When Jamie’s perspective changes and he emerges from his shell, Kai changes, too, gaining a whole new understanding of what sex can be when love is there too.

The Sacrifices We Make by Sophie Bonaste

Published by Harmony Ink

Adam Jameson has always felt like an outsider in his own home, where his parents’ constant efforts to instill religious fervor have instead filled him with fear. Most of the time, he just wants to stay out of everybody’s way. But when Adam is forced to volunteer at a homeless shelter his senior year in high school, everything changes. He’s introduced to people who care about more than religion and, as a result, he starts to come out of his shell. For the first time in his life, Adam finds people who he wants to be around.

Mickey Stafford lives on the streets, a teen kicked out by his parents for being gay. He comes to the shelter for food and medical care, and after they literally run into each other, the two boys strike up a friendship. As Mickey introduces his new friend to the world he lives in, Adam starts to question everything: his parents, their religion, even his own beliefs. Once Mickey kisses him, Adam starts soul-searching and finds his heart, which is full of love for Mickey. But these two young men will have their love put to the test as they face a future of uncertainty and fear.

Clearclay Park by Elliot Arthur Cross

Published by Queerteen Press

Cody Langdon's been through a lot. He kissed a boy in the locker room and got brutally harassed for months. Unable to cope, he tried to take his own life. His parents decided a change in scenery would help, so they moved the family to Florida in the middle of the summer. The abrupt move left Cody lonely, bored, and beyond depressed. Stuck in a new state, Cody learned that a demon named Tanglewood had killed his neighbors and was taunting Cody. To save his family, Cody burned his house down.

Cody was lauded as a local hero and inducted into a support group for people who had survived encounters with dangerous demons. The support group introduced Cody to a new world of the supernatural and shared their own horrific experiences with incubi, curses, and ghosts.

Adam Monroe was a teenager just like Cody, until the demon Tanglewood killed his neighbors and his parents. Blamed for the multiple deaths and thought insane, Adam was locked away in a mental facility until Cody stumbled across evidence that cleared his name. The two bonded immediately over their shared trauma and mutual attraction.

After all of his hardships, Cody is in for the strangest task yet -- starting over at a new high school where he knows no one, doesn't like organized sports, and thinks he's above the petty social games.

Just as he begins to relax in his new environment, Cody's parents find a new house to live in. Upon touring one of the identical homes in the Clearclay Park community, Cody discovers that behind the perfect hedges, trimmed lawns, and pristine appearance, a sinister force may lurk. Fo

rced to juggle his time between school, his parents, and Adam, Cody is confronted with the realization that not all problems are supernatural, and not all solutions are final.

The Colony Book 2: Revolution by J. Tomas

Published by Queerteen Press

The blurb for this book is not yet available.

Meeting Chance by Jennifer Lavoie

Published by Bold Stroke Publishing

Scarred physically and emotionally from a dog attack at age nine, Aaron Cassidy has spent the last seven years breaking out in a cold sweat at the mere sound of a bark in the distance. Days after he receives his driver’s license, he decides to challenge his bone-deep fear once and for all.

Volunteering at the Happy Endings Animal Foundation gives Aaron a new sense of purpose. Here he’ll face his fears and learn to love man’s best friend. When an abused pit bull with scars mirroring his own arrives at the shelter, Aaron cannot even be in the same room without lapsing into his familiar, paralyzing terror. But as he gets to know the wounded animal, and the two learn to trust again, Aaron finds that sometimes all you need is a little...Chance.