Monday, October 12, 2015

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Quanta by Lola Dodge @Lola_Dodge @sparklebooktour

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Title: Quanta
Series: The Shadow Ravens
Vol or Book #: 2
Author: Lola Dodge
Audience: YA
Genre: Sci-Fi
Format: E-book and Paperback
Publisher:Ink Monster, LLC
Cover by: Art by Ana Cruz, Graphics by Paddy Donnelly
Editor: Ink Monster, LLC
Pages: 250
ISBN: 9780996086479
ASIN: B00NQAD0TE
Date Published:10-13-15






blurb (1)
 
Just because Quanta can see the future doesn’t mean she can change it. She’s spent most of her life imprisoned, feeding her captors information to keep herself alive, but she’s finally reached the endgame and her death creeps closer by the moment.
The son of two senators, Altair Orpheus leads a life of privilege that provides the perfect cover for his side job: working with the rebel Shadow Ravens to undermine the ruling Seligo government. Everything is running like clockwork until he crosses paths with Quanta. As he watches her deftly maneuver through life in a perverse prison, his plastic heart melts. A jailbreak would be suicide, but Tair is willing to sacrifice everything to give her a chance at happiness.
Now Quanta senses a terrifying new future brewing. She and Tair are bound together, but every image of them kissing, snuggling, and acting knee-weakeningly happy is balanced by a much darker possibility. They’ll be picture perfect together, but only until time rips them apart. How can she follow her heart when she’s seen how their love plays out?
 
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excerpt (1)
 
Altair’s POV


Mother smiled like a cat, full of ambition and smugness. “Someone wants to meet you.”
Someone? Suddenly, I knew where this was going. “Mother—”
“There are the Astors.” Mother gave a demure wave and started gliding toward a trio standing near an ice sculpture. Her fingers clamped my arm, dragging me along. Father walked on my other side, sandwiching me in place.
No way to run without making a scene. Senator Astor and her husband stood waiting with their daughter.
A set-up.
My free hand bunched into a fist, but I tucked it into my pocket. I couldn’t make a mistake in front of this audience.
Mother exchanged greetings, then made a sweeping gesture. “This is my son, Altair. Altair, this is Layla Astor.”
Layla’s blonde hair tumbled in artful curls and braids. She wore tasteful neutral makeup that emphasized her full lips and emerald green eyes, but a hint of darker eyeliner smudged like a leftover from some previous night’s debauchery; that was half of what I needed to know to escape the conversation.
And I would escape. I had no interest in these shallow romances meant to gain my family position.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Altair. I knew your sister at academy.” And that was why Cass had been invited. Some common bond to me to a potential future mate.
Good thing Cass had stayed home. She’d hate the situation as much as I did.
The girl extended her arm, flashing her Green Helix and I couldn’t avoid the handshake. “Likewise.” Layla’s rough fingertips gave me the last clue I needed. Calluses from playing an instrument. Between that and the eyeliner, I had an excellent guess at how to get rid of her. Rather than sell her out in front of her parents, I offered her an arm. “I was just about to admire the ice sculptures. Would you care to join me?”
“I’d love to.” She smiled and placed delicate fingertips on my arm.
Our parents grinned conspiratorial smiles as we strolled away. No doubt they’d already picked a wedding date. I waited until we were out of modified earshot to speak. “How upset would your family be if I mentioned that you play in a band?”
“Very.” Layla tensed, and her expression and tone shifted from vapid politeness to shrewd consideration. “Not that you should know.”
I shrugged. “I won’t say a thing as long as you don’t press an engagement.”
“Thank God.” Layla shuddered. “Our mothers schemed this one. I thought you were in on it.”
I grinned. I didn’t often stumble onto others faking their way through Helix life, but every so often an ally dropped in my lap. “Should we small talk for a few minutes and then pretend to offend each other?”
Layla pressed her lips together, eying me up and down. “If you’re up to it, I have a better suggestion.”
“Oh?” I handed her a drink taken from a passing tray. Our parents still watched from across the room.
“Let’s meet for coffee. We could draw this out for months.”
“A faux courtship?” It had promise, although there were certainly risks.
“You’re the first guy they’ve set me up with who’s not a self-centered ass.” Layla’s mischievous smile made her eyes sparkle. “My girlfriend would love you.”
Her voice was clear of subterfuge and I found myself smiling back. “Next week? I’m sure our parents already exchanged our contact information.” And faking a relationship would save me getting blindsided at every event.
“Call me.” She finger-waved and then headed for a crowd of friends, who proceeded to glance my way, slipping a few quickly smothered cackles. I nodded before heading off to work the crowd.
Despite my parents’ efforts, the night was going better than expected.

about the author (1)
 
::author photos:LOLA DODGE.jpg
Lola is a compulsive traveler, baker, and procrastinator. She earned her BA in English from Stonehill College and MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University—and hasn’t stopped moving since. When she’s not on the road, Lola spends her time indoors where the sunlight can’t melt her, writing or bingeing on anime and cherry soda. She can be summoned in a ritual involving curry, Hello Kitty idols, and a solid chocolate pentagram.
 
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Author Interview

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

All those old career things from elementary school say either chef or FBI agent. I also almost went to pastry school instead of writing school!

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

Not until I got my MFA and had my first sale. Now I’m writing full-time so I feel more comfortable calling myself that.

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

I had my first sale right after grad school and published a series of superhero romance novellas with Samhain Publishing. My first full-length book is a whole different story. Years and years and years!

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

Just editing. Other than that, I’m writing full time. I live in Thailand, so the cost of living is WAY cheaper than living in America (especially where I’m from in New York!). I spend most of my time working out of cafes in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

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

Quanta is the title and the name of the main character. She’s captive in a lab/prison and can see her death on the way until Altair Orpheus arrives and changes everything.

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

Right now I have books at Inkmonster.

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

It really depends on the book. I’d like to take a year or two for every project, but it’s hard to do that and stay competitive. You really have to be publishing two books a year (if not more) these days.

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

I’ll keep writing fantasy/romancey things. I’m dabbling with a contemporary romance right now, too.

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

I started it seriously in 2009. Before that, I was working as an editorial assistant and my favorite part of the job was interacting with the authors. I realized I was working on the wrong side of the desk, so I went back to school and got my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction.

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

I move around way too much to have a system like that. All I really need is my laptop. I write at cafes, airports, and occasionally shrines (although I definitely got yelled at for that last one). There are things I like to have—like a good table and chair, and quiet—but if I had to have them every time I wanted to write, I’d never get anything done.

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

Sometimes. It’s hard to avoid them, and sometimes I’ll get @ mentioned on a bad one and click before I know what’s happening. Although, I have so much self-loathing about my work, I like to think I hate it more than anyone else ever could (Isn’t that a happy thought?!). I save fan notes and 5-star reviews to get me through when I’m struggling. Not everyone is going to like my books and that’s totally fine! I actually think it looks suspicious when you read reviews for a book and they’re all five stars. Everyone has different tastes and unless you’re paying reviewers, that should show in the rating.

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

Title definitely comes last. I don’t really know what a book is about until I’ve written it. Although lately, I just name them after the heroines…

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

I do character sheets for all the main characters before I start writing, so I have reference photos and a good idea of their background and personality. That usually evolves as the story goes on, but I think it’s important to know that stuff before, otherwise too much time gets wasted figuring it out and rewriting.

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

I like paperbacks, but they’re not practical for my lifestyle. I recently got a Kindle and I like that a lot more than hauling books around in my suitcase.

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

The Giver by Lois Lowry is my favorite book of all time. It’s one of those timeless stories that makes you think something different every time you read it.

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

Ha! I was just going to say I can’t bear to watch the movie for The Giver. My soul cried out when I saw that trailer. I think they can be done well (Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice stand out to me). I just hate this new two-part movie trend. I refuse to see Mockingjay Part 2 or any other movie that gets split in half so the studio can make more money at the cost of the story. They will not be getting my box office dollars for that nonsense.

Your favorite food is?

I’m a spice fiend. I eat a ton of Thai food (because that’s the logical thing to do when you live in Thailand) and khao soi is my favorite local dish. It’s basically noodles in curry broth with more fried noodles on top. Carb heaven! My favorite roadside place serves it swimming in chili oil.

Your favorite singer/group is?

I’m obsessed with Krizz Kaliko right now. Also listening to a lot of Pentatonix and Red Velvet.

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