Monday, April 20, 2015

Book Blast & Giveaway: The Talented by Desy Smith

The Talented Banner 851 x 315

 

bookblast

 

 

clip_image002The Talented

Desy Smith

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance Fiction

Publisher: Floebe Publishing

Date of Publication: January 30, 2015

ISBN: 9781507799291

ASIN: B00SXOLV80

Number of pages: 197

Word Count: 46,170

Book Description:

At age 17, Carmel founds herself in a mental institution thanks to an ice dagger, and a woman who apparently isn't human. After being rescued and arriving at the H.o.T, House of Talents. A house where no one is entirely human. She learns that she's Talented and has the ability to control Water and Ice.

At the H.o.T, Carmel learns to control her Talent, makes new friends, a few enemies, and begins to fall head over heels for a handsome guy. Who has a few secrets of his own. Carmel begins to realize that many people want her dead because of who she is. However she has no idea why. Can she figure it out or will she die. Look inside to find out.

Available at Amazon and BN

excerpt

 

She led me to the other side of the cafeteria where a wall separated us from everyone else. We made our way towards two separate tables. Ricky was sitting at a table by himself, and there were four other people sitting at the other table. I was getting ready to walk in when Flora stopped me.

“You see them four at that table.” She pointed to all of them.

“Yes.”

“That’s Montigo.” She pointed to a guy with skin the color of melted chocolate, and brown eyes. He was tall like Ricky and had black dreads in his hair. “His girlfriend is Tess.” She pointed to a white chick that had red hair, green eyes and freckled skin. “She’s a hot head. That’s Lanisha over there.” She rolled her eyes at her. She pointed to this light skin black chick with crazy brownish green eyes and brown hair. “Last but not least, there’s Simon, who is the nicest of the group, if you ask me.” She pointed to this white guy. He had pretty blue eyes and blond hair.

“What are their talents?” She was about to walk in, but I stopped her.

“Montigo is water, Tess is fire, Lanisha is air, and Simon is earth.” We walked in the room, and Flora greeted everyone at the table before we sat down.

“Why are you guys pointing at people?”

“I was filling her in on whose who.”

“Oh.” Ricky eyed my plate.

“Are you going to eat all that?” Ricky asked me.

“No, if you want something, you can have it.” His hand went directly to the chocolate chip cookies. I stopped him. “Yeah, anything, but those.” Then his hand went for the peach pie. I had to stop him once again. Flora started laughing.

“Let me clarify. You can have anything but the sweets.”

“Looks like someone has a sweet tooth,” Flora said.

“So where’s Devon at?” Flora asked Ricky.

“I don’t know. What do I look like his keeper?”

“Don’t start, I just asked a simple question, that’s it.” They got into an argument. I ate my nachos and realized something was missing. Where was my hot sauce? I looked around and saw it was sitting on the farthest table against the wall with the rest of the condiments.

As I grabbed the bottle, I heard someone whistling. I ignored it until I realized they were whistling at me and not that, ‘Oh you’re fine whistle’, it was that come here, whistle. I turned and saw who it was, Montigo. I rolled my eyes. If he wanted to talk to me, he would have to use his words. All of a sudden, I felt something wet hit me on my but almost like a belt. I jumped and dropped the hot sauce on the floor. I turned around to touch my pants to make sure I didn’t feel anything, and sure enough there was a wet spot there. I looked at Montigo, as he sung a water lasso around his head.

“Keep your hands and other objects to yourself.”

“This is what happens when you ignore me hon, so tell me what are you going to do about it.” I remained quiet. “Nothing, just like I thought.” He threw the water lasso at my arm, and it left a wet whelp there.

“I already told you to stop,” I said.

“Or what?” I noticed Flora and Ricky looking at us now.

“Montigo stop, it’s not funny,” Flora said.

“Mind your business Flora.” She gave him the finger. Montigo looked at me again and once again threw the water lasso. This time I caught it and slowed down my breathing, and it froze. When I let go of it, icicles formed going everywhere in the cafeteria. One almost hit him in his face, but his girlfriend Tess, held up her hand just in time. She created a fire wall melting the ice dagger.

Tess rose up, but Montigo raised his hand, and she sat back down. Instead, he got up.

“Finally your group is complete.” He said eyeing me up and down. “So you think you’re big and bad, just because you can make a few icicles?” He laughed not waiting for me to answer. “I think you need to be taught a lesson.” I noticed everyone’s cups beginning to shake. He raised both of his hands, now had two water lassos. He threw one at me, and I mentally prepared myself to grab it, but at the last second, someone stepped in front of me. I realized it was Devon. The water was melting off his body.

“Still picking on people smaller than you?” Devon said.

“Yeah and you’re still poking your nose in other people’s business.”

“If you stop starting shit, then I wouldn’t have too.”

“What makes you think I started it?”

“Who else would it be?” Montigo stepped closer to Devon.

“Again what does this have to do with you?”

Suddenly a line of fire appeared separating Montigo from Devon. Tess slowly, but gracefully got up.

“That’s enough for tonight boys.” Her voice sounded like she was older than what she appeared to be. “Wouldn’t want Devon killing you over his little equal.”

She looked at me. “Word of advice, next time he speaks to you, just answer him.” I smiled at her.

“The last time I checked, he isn’t anyone of importance, and I’ll speak when I want to. Not a moment sooner than that.” Then I mimicked her. “Word of advice, whistling at someone isn’t the right way to get their attention. I’m not a dog.” She looked at me and twirled her hair around her finger. I bent down to wipe the hot sauce I spilled. I felt something hot on my back, and I turned around to see the fireball coming at me. I rose my hand, slowed my breathing, and it froze, it was now a big ball of ice. It fell on the floor not shattering. I looked at Tess, who was now smirking at me. I noticed Devon looking at us, probably wondering if he needed to intervene. He didn’t, I could handle it on my own.

“I don’t know what’s more pathetic, you trying to attack me when my back is turned or you attacking me and me defending myself, when I just find out today that I had a talent.”

authorinterview

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

No! My dream was to be a fashion designer or America’s next Top Model

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

After writing my first book title Hello My Name is Floebe in Middle School.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

Forever, I wrote the book in high school my freshman year 2009, and it was published January 30th 2015. So six very long years.  It took me 6 years to publish my book. My advice don’t give up on your dreams.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

Yes at my college, I am a Resident Advisor. A Resident Advisor overseer’s a dorm. My job is to make sure the residents who live in the dorm are getting along with one another, and following all the rules. I also help build a community for the residents, where they feel safe and are able to make lifelong friends by programs the Resident Advisor plans.  I am currently a junior in College and I am a Resident Advisors who supervise the dorm. My job requires me to implement policies and guidelines that have been established by the university from team work with roommates, banding disagreement with roommates, making sure they are safe, welcoming all residence with open arms to discuss any obstacles from pressure in school, grades, and making sure they are in a safe environment and following all rules for their protection.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

The name of my latest book is The Talented. A young lady in her late teens discovers she has a talent which consists of Water an Ice and she faces many obstacles to find her purpose and who she really is.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I self-publish under my publishing company title Floebe Publishing

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

It takes me between 6 months to a year to write a book, based on my college courses, job, and extracurricular activities.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

Expect a sequel to the Talented and various books within the same genre of fantasy.

What genre would you place your books into?

Young Adult and New Adult Fantasy Romance

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

My mother played a huge factor in the types of books I am currently writing. I viewed various shows from vampires, werewolves, angles, elves, and etc., which sparked by interest in writing my own book.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

If I must be honest, all my characters are my favorite because they are my unique design and they each plays a vital role that brings just the right amount of flavor, action, humor, and romance.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?

I started writing when I was 12 and I’m now 21, so ten years. My mom inspired me to write. As a child I was always in trouble for one reason or another. So when my mom grounded me, she made me read books. Eventually I read every book in the house and my mom refused to buy me more. So I asked her if I could write my own book. Her answer was “Sure why not.” So that is exactly what I did.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

 Why yes! I love to write during the night between 10 p.m. and 3. am., that’s when my inspiration is at its best, and I turn the TV on listen to my daily sitcoms.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

I most definitely review all post from the good to the bad. It challenges me to be a better writer and to incorporate various details for my next book.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I write the book first and choose the Title when it’s close to being finished.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

This is a tough question. Some of the names I use are everyday names of people. For example maybe I heard a name while walking to class, I liked it, so I decided to put it in my book. Whereas the names of places are names I made up on the top of my head.

Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?

My character names are already thought of before I begin writing the story. However, place names takes a little bit more time to think of. I usually include the name of the place later on, after thinking about it..

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

I decide on the character’s trait before I write the book. The content of the book may change numerous times, but it doesn’t affect my character traits

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

My overall goal is to bring individuals closer to God.  I want to inspire them to open their bibles and discover who God truly is and that he Loves us through our flaws, mistakes, or whatever you consider not worthy of God’s Love and despite how many times we fall or fail, he will never give up on us because he LOVES us because we are his CREATION.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

Ebook, because I always have my phone with me

What is your favorite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?

Currently my favorite book is King Hall by Scarlett Dawn.  The characters in her books are hilarious and entertaining especially Ezra.  I can reread her books over and over again and never lose interest.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

The juror is still deciding that verdict. It depends on the author a producers are looking for at that time and ear.  My favorite book was the The Twilight Saga. I felt it didn’t get it just dessert with producing because it left so many vital information from the book.  But on the other hand, I believe Harry Potter receive the best producing because it left you with wanting more.

Your favorite food is?

Lasagna, I love Lasagna.

Your favorite singer/group is?

I am a huge Beyoncé fan.

Your favorite color is?

Pink and Light Blue

Your favorite Author is?

As of right now it’s Scarlett Dawn.

 

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  abouttheauthor

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Desy Smith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She wrote her first book when she was thirteen years old, because she ran out of books to read inside her home. She loves reading books as much as she loves writing her own. Desiree also loves food and sweets, if she’s not reading, she’s probably eating a cupcake or two.

She published her first book The Talented under a publishing company she started Floebe Publishing. Desy writes to provide an escape for anyone who wants to live in a fantasy world, and not worry about the trouble of everyday life. She also writes to inspire. This is Desy’s first novel, and she plans to release the second part of The Talented series during late summer.

The Talented will be a five part series. Currently she is working on another story, which she hopes to release in the fall.

Website: http://desysmith.wix.com/desysmith

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25130702-the-talented

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordesysmith

Instagram: Author_Desydiva23

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