Interview with Author, C J Skuse | Blog Tour

Hi guys,

So I know I've been MIA for a while but today I'm bringing you something so exciting, something I'm super happy I got to take part in. As part of the 'Monster' Blog Tour being run by Mira Ink and MaximumPop Books I got to interview the author of Monster, C J Skuse. I got introduced to C J when we both followed each other on Twitter and had a few conversations with each other through tweets.

So without further ado, lets get into the interview.



Question 1. What is Monster about?

Ostensibly, it's about six girls who become trapped at their remote boarding school during one snowy Christmas holiday and an horrific murderous beast is outside trying to get in and rip them all to pieces. It's also about a girl who needs to dig deep to find out how strong she truly is - and only facing off with such a monster can bring that out.


Question 2. What inspired you to write Monster?

A few things really - seeing a news article about the Beast of Bodmin Moor. A big desire to write a story set in a boarding school. I also really wanted to write something with an all female group at its helm, like Amazon women, fighting now only to remain civil to one another but also to survive against all the odds.


Question 3. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Always keep your phone on you, don't fear the mad girl and find out where the key to the javelin cupboard is kept.


Question 4. Did you read as a child, if so who did you most look up to?

As a child I loved Roald Dahl, Beatrix Potter and Enid Blyton. I really looked up to Beatrix Potter because she did all her own illustrations too. I couldn't draw at all. I still draw the way I did when I was eight, with people having arms at right angles and the sky being a strip of blue half way up the page.


Question 5. What are some of your favourite current reads?

You can't go wrong with a bit of UKYA/UKMG. Anything by Keris Stainton, Cat Clarke, CJ Daughtry, Kevin Brooks, Keren David, Holly Bourne, Jo Nadin, Emma Haughton, Hilary Freeman, Anthony McGowan, Fiona Dunbar, Louise O'Neill, Melvin Burgess, Helen Grant, Non Pratt, Zoe Marriott or Lee Weatherly gets my vote.


Question 6. We know that Monster was recently released but are you working on anything new?

I've just completed 'The Deviants', that's the next one out this time next year. It's been described as The Famous Five meets We Were Liars and it's probably the most important book I've done so far. I'm plotting Book 6 now. That one is, well, interesting. Doesn't look like it's going to be YA this time either so I'm a bit scared and probably a lot out of my depth.


Question 7. Did you learn anything from writing your books, and what was it?

I have always written for one reason - to write the monsters out of my head. It's a catharsis for me and sometimes I need it like medicine. I wrote my first book to work out how I felt about losing someone. I wrote Rockoholic to compartmentalise my obsession with an unattainable life. I wrote Dead Romantic to give Death the middle finger and to work out what I wanted from love. I've learned something new with every book I have written. With Monster, I've learned to focus my anger on an objective, rather than just lashing out all the time.


Question 8. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Choose a story to tell which you are passionate about because sometimes it's only your own passion for it that keeps you going. Start as you mean to go on. Don't write for the market because the market will leave you behind. Ignore the haters but embrace the criticism. Find a decent literary agent who loves your work as much as you do at the earliest opportunity. Don't let life get in the way - JK Rowling is right when she says you need to be ruthless about protecting your writing time. And be prepared for a long wait. Nothing happens quickly in publishing unless you're very lucky and hit a trend (accidentally) at the right time.


Question 9.  What's your favourite thing about Halloween?

When it's over.


Question 10. Would you like to say anything to your readers?

Thank you for being insane enough to take a chance on my books and sane enough to enjoy them. I'm always trying to be better for you. And stop breaking my spines. I hate that. *inserts smiley face*




ABOUT THE STORY

At sixteen Nash thought that the fight to become Head Girl of the prestigious boarding school, Bathory would be the biggest battle she'd face. Until her brother's disappearance leads to Nash being trapped at the school over Christmas with Bathory's assorted Misfits. As a blizzard rages outside, strange things are afoot in the school's hallways, and legends of the mysterious Beast of Bathory - a big cat rumoured to room the moors outside the school - run wild. Yet when the girls' Matron goes missing it's clear that something altogether darker is to blame - and that they'll have to stick it out together if they hope to survive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.J. SKUSE is the author of the Young Adult novels PRETTY BAD THINGS, ROCKOHOLIC and DEAD ROMANTIC (Chicken House) and MONSTER (Mira Ink). She was born in 1980 in Weston-super-Mare, England. She has First Class degrees in Creative Writing and Writing for Children and, aside from writing novels, works as a freelance children's fiction consultant and lectures in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University. C.J. is currently working on her second novel THE DEVIANTS for Mira Ink.
Follow her on Twitter @CeejaytheAuthor




MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT http://realitysabore.blogspot.co.uk/ TOMORROW FOR THE LAST DAY OF THE 'MONSTER' BLOG TOUR!

ARC Review: Monster by C J Skuse

Title: Monster
Author: C J Skuse
Genre: YA Horror
Publisher: Mira Ink
Published: September 24th 2015
Page Number: 384
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:
At sixteen Nash thought that the fight to become Head Girl of prestigious boarding school Bathory would be the biggest battle she’d face. Until her brother’s disappearance leads to Nash being trapped at the school over Christmas with Bathory’s assorted misfits. As a blizzard rages outside, strange things are afoot in the school’s hallways, and legends of the mysterious Beast of Bathory – a big cat rumoured to room the moors outside the school – run wild. Yet when the girls’ Matron goes missing it’s clear that something altogether darker is to blame – and that they’ll have to stick together if they hope to survive.

REVIEW

 

I requested this book from the publishers simply because of 2 things. Firstly the cover is just gorgeous, dark, creepy. Secondly I have spoken to CJ Skuse on Twitter a few times now and she's incredibly lovely.

 

I really loved a lot about this book. The characters were incredibly relatable, realistic. They are the type of characters you know in real life, whether you love or hate them. Nash, the Head Girl was one of my favourites because she reminded me of the Bitches I grew up with. She was snarky, smart. She's intimidating. Another one of my favourite character was Maggie. CJ used hilarious one liners for her and they made me laugh so much.

 

'Wake up and smell the erection."

How does anyone react to that?

The ties and loyalties made in this novel was such a refreshing thing to see in YA. Normal friendships are a must, but these characters really had to connect to find out who they could trust among them. I've always wondered what real boarding schools were like and I think CJ really tapped into that and with such precision as well. It was raw, honest but so creepy.

 

However. Despite really enjoying the writing and characters, I honestly blame myself for reading it at the wrong time. I wish I had kept it until mid/late October to really feel the eerie-ness to it. It would have added to the feelings of Halloween. But I completely, hands on heart, recommend this book. You'll love it, especially if you love anything to do with Mystery and Boarding Schools. This is a must for your craving.

 

 

 

 

Pre-order the book (Waterstones) | Pre-order the book (Book Depository)

Book Blitz: Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry

Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5)

by Katie McGarry 

Release Date: 12/08/14

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so... different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who’s never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything — except the one thing Echo’s just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo’s constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants — even as foster kid Noah’s search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn... seriously epic.

Available for Pre-Order:
    
 

Books in the series:
(covers linked to Goodreads)
    

Excerpt From Noah’s Point of View

“Me and you,” I whisper, hoping my words will sink into her subconscious, beyond where she overthinks. “It’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Echo’s hand glides over mine, and she links our fingers together. “You like disturbing my sleep, don’t you?”

I kiss her shoulder, permitting my lips to linger on her soft skin. Guess I did wake her. “Just keeping things straight between us.”

“In my sleep?” Damn, I love that groggy voice.

“You argue less that way.”

About the Author

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Author Links:
   

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

"Each and every word flies off the page and into your heart, because that is what a Katie McGarry book will do to you, it'll make you fall in love."

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Mira Ink
Published: July 31st 2012
Page Number: 392

Summary:

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Review:

It's a shock that I've never reviewed a Katie McGarry book on my blog because she is one of my favourite authors. Pushing the Limit is a story that I can relate to on a personal level and I've read it twice already since reading it a near year ago.

In Pushing the Limits, Katie McGarry weaves the tale of two broken souls who find that home is where your heart is despite the obvious differences. Each and every word flies off the page and into your heart, because that is what a Katie McGarry book will do to you, it'll make you fall in love.

Katie McGarry has a way with words and what I love most is that Katie McGarry writes a male character as an actual guy. Noah doesn't say that Echo is cute and has sparkling eyes, instead he does what a normal sixteen/seventeen year old would do. He talks about how big her boobs are. I've never been one to really connect with a straight male character, but with Noah I did. I understood every single thing he did because he did it all for love. He loved his brothers enough to try and get them back. He loved Echo enough to try and win her back and stand my her side. He loved his friends enough that he'd always stay by their side, no matter what they went through. He's a bad boy with a good heart.

Echo is a whole different subject. I didn't just understand her, I lived through her. Everything that Echo felt since that accident I have felt. Worthless, useless, stupid. Echo is none of that. She just needed Noah to make her realise what she has in life. Noah became to part of her heart that healed her. He became her pain relief. Her addiction. They shared a love like no other and if you read any review of a Katie McGarry book you'll always read: How does Katie McGarry write such beautiful, yet truthful stories? I cannot answer that, only Katie can, but once you find out it wouldn't surprise you at all. 

I just cannot say enough about both Pushing the Limits and Katie McGarry. She is one of the nicest authors ever. I've tweeted her a lot about her series and every tweet made, she has replied too. She's grateful to all her readers and it's nice to see an author who's vocal about it.

I love this book so much and it's no shock that I gave it a full five stars. In fact, I'd give it a million heart breaking stars.

This series is sadly ending on December 8th when Echo and Noah's story is continued on in Breaking the Rules. The rest of the companion series are out as well: Dare You To, Crash into You and Take Me On.

 

Buy the book here:

 

Amazon | Book Depository

Book Review: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

   Book Name: Through the Zombie Glass
   Author: Gena Showalter
   UK Release Date: Published in 2013
   UK Publishers: Mira Ink (Harlequin)
   Summary:

 

Alice Bell has lost so much.

Family. Friends. A home.

She thought she had nothing else to give.

 

She was wrong.

 

After a new zombie attack, her world gets even stranger. Mirrors come to life and she can hear the whispers of the dead.

 

But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do dangerously wicked deeds that are impossible to come back from....

 

Praise for Gena Showalter:

 

'Readers will love the brave girl trying to reclaim her life...' RT Book Reviews

 

'Showalter has created a promising playground for future story instalments.' Kirkus Reviews

 

'...A zippy story with crossover appeal that highlights the power of guilt, faith and self-confidence.' Publishers Weekly

 

Review:

 

I must admit that after reading Alice in Zombieland I felt empty. I missed the characters that I grew to love, and I also, kind of missed the Zombies that I just wanted to destroy myself. But when I found out that the Sequel was out I jumped up with joy and ordered it straight away.

 

The book starts off with a dream, which I loved because over the time since Alices' parents had died, she'd grown up and become more mature, and just going back to see old Alice was great because we got to see the difference between them.

 

What I loved about this book was that I loved it even more than 'Alice in Zombieland.' It had a lot more action in it, in fact on page 72 there is an amazing battle scene. Zombies are killed and people are hurt, and that's what I loved about it. More gore. Blood. It had me wanting more! More! Also there was a scene that I couldn't help but laugh at (It was Midnight, I was tired.) Alice had texted her Nana about her grade and she replied back with 'WTF, An A?' it turned out that her Nana thought 'WTF' meant 'Well that's fantastic' of course we know better. But just having that realistic element in it really made it better for me. My mom thought 'LOL' meant 'Lots of Love' and that was up until four months ago....

 

Also in this book we are brought on a journey. A journey of destruction. People break up. People are kidnapped. There's a spy. Oh, yeah. There's also two new characters on the good side. Although I hated 'Ronny' she brought that extra jealousy.

 

Overall, this book was fast paced, action packed, full of sexual frustration and just absolutely amazing! That's why I gave it 5/5 Stars.

Can the third book be even better?

 

Talking about the third book - Queen of Zombie Hearts, here's the cover!

 



 

 

Isn't it beautiful? She looks like a bitch, but who cares, there's pink on the cover! pink!

 

My Quote:

 

'An amazing read for both adults and teenagers who just live for the f**king thrill' Bookbitchreviews.blogspot.co.uk