 REVIEWER: Candi Sary GENRE: Southern Fiction / Literary Fiction AUDIENCE: Adult /Young Adult PAGES: 364 EDITOR: Diana J. EwingPUBLISHER: Self-published through BookBaby and CreateSpaceTHE RUNDOWN Jason Lee Rainey lives in Hadlee, Mississippi in the 70s and 80s. He knows nothing about his deceased father until his first day of school when his mother tells the boy that his father was a hero. As the novel progresses, the story of his hero father slowly unfolds and coincides with Jason Lee’s coming-of-age struggles to grow into a worthy son. Jason Lee’s father was an activist in the Civil Rights Movement and Jason Lee himself comes to understand the ugly truths of racism through his friendship with a black boy named Samson Johnson. He’s told at school that the interracial friendship isn’t right, but his mother, Cassie, assures him, “It’s a tough thing to do in these parts, but you be friends with anyone you want, Jason Lee. Don’t let nobody tell you different, you hear?” The tragedy of losing his father in the Vietnam War is not only a great burden on the boy, but also on Cassie. Despite her strength in raising Jason Lee on her own, she never completely mourns the loss.The two are reminded of the war daily as Cassie’s twin brother, Mooks, a traumatized Vietnam vet, lives with them. When Cassie finally breaks down, Jason Lee is faced with yet another hardship. And it certainly is not his last. Challenges continue to come at him in the small, racist town, while Jason Lee struggles to respond in ways that would make his father proud. The Clock of Life by Nancy Klann-Moren is one of those books where everything about it feels right. The novel unfolds with the ease of good old-fashioned storytelling. It’s a pleasure spending time with Southern talkin’ Jason Lee. Opening the book is like sitting down on the front porch with this hopeful kid from a less than hopeful town, and listening to him try to make sense of life. His musings are raw and his interactions with other characters are refreshingly honest. Nothing feels forced—even the setting comes to life organically through the boy’s casual observations. While its genuine language and tone make it an enjoyable read, it’s the story’s depth that makes the novel so memorable. Nancy Klann-Moren takes an intimate look at the impact the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War had on one small family. She shows how these two chapters in our history deeply changed individuals. After reading his father’s journal, Jason Lee says, “And the whole idea of doing right for others, just because it’s right, consumed me.” This revelation, in the mind of one young Southern boy, gives an up-close look at how momentous change in a country takes place one person at a time. Reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird, The Clock of Life is a thoughtfully told, powerful story. THE LINKS Buy it on AmazonBarnes & Nobel NookBarnes & Nobel PrintTHE REVIEWER Candi Sary, author of Black Crow White Lie, has made the finals in several writing competitions, including the William Faulkner William Wisdom Writing Competition and the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. She lives in coastal Southern California with her husband (while her 2 kids are off at college), and can often be found surfing the waters of Newport Beach. You can find her at www.candisary.com.
 Title: FireSeed One Author: Catherine Stine Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction Publisher: Konjur Road Press Length: 298 pages Reviewer: Katie French THE RUNDOWN In prime post-apocalyptic fashion, Catherine Stine’s FireSeed One takes readers on an adventure through a world devastated by global warming. The world as we know it has fallen to ruin. Spiking temperatures have caused much of the United States and other nations near the equator to become uninhabitable. Humans have taken up living in the polar regions on boats or man-made islands. In such a harsh world, our protagonist, eighteen-year-old Varik, has had it relatively easy. His father is one of the agar farmers, cultivating sea life for the Earth's dwindling food supply. But then, Varik’s father dies unexpectedly, leaving Varik in charge. To top off his plight, a thief tries to make away with his father’s precious stock of plant seeds, seeds that Varik needs to keep the agar farm growing. When Varik confronts the thief and stop her, he learns the burglar is Marissa, a rich, powerful young lady who has fallen in with a group of terrorists. Together Varik and Marissa, with help from his lovable sidekick best friend, set off to help those suffering in the Hotzone regions. They must find the elusive Fireseed plant, the possible salvation of those starving in the hottest parts of the world. The first thing I noticed about FireSeed One was the amount of time and thought Stine put into the creation of Varik’s world. Stine did not miss a beat, including those small, but ever so important, details about life on an agar farm. Extensive research must have gone into building such an elaborate world. It is this detail that separates the so-so stories from the epic feats of world building wonder. I was impressed with how Stine seemed to know the ins and outs of her planet. It really added depth to a fast-paced, interesting story. The characters were likable, with the exception of Marissa who, I suspect, was meant to be menacing. The plot was well-paced. There were times, however, when I felt as though I was not properly “seeing” Stine’s world. Descriptive detail is a must when presenting a world so different from our own and I felt there were times when it was lacking. I also felt as though the story could use a well-formed antagonist to keep our heart pumping through those middle chapters. THE RECOMMENDATION Speculative fiction lovers will enjoy Stine’s take on how our society will evolve. Minor problems aside, the price point is right at $2.99 and the nine illustrations add to the value of a well-done book. LINKS FireSeed One on AmazonCatherine Stine's website
 Seventeen-year-old Greta Rose Evans, a surfer girl from California, publishes her debut novel, The Infinite Summer. The young author joins us today to tell us about her writing and publishing experience.Please welcome Greta to the Underground. CS - What inspired you to write and publish a novel at seventeen?Greta - When I was fifteen years old I spent my whole summer at a beach town in Southern California. Being from Northern California, it felt like a whole other world. It was such an amazing summer that, when it ended and I came home, I couldn't stop thinking about it. That's when I started writing The Infinite Summer. I had no intentions of publishing it when I first started. I've always loved to capture things. It's one of the main reasons I love writing. As I was starting to wrap up the story, I suddenly felt like there was something really special and raw about writing and publishing a book as a teenager. I wanted to capture what its like to be young. CS - You did an excellent job describing the Southern Californian surf culture. Tell us about your personal experience with surfing.Greta - I met my surf coach one summer a few years ago; ever since then I've been hooked on surfing. I always say surfing was my first love. It's such an addicting feeling to be out in the water. It was very important to me that I described it honestly. It's such a big part of my life. CS - I love your opening about what "home" means to Evie. Is the ocean your own definition of home as well?Greta - Definitely. I'm living part time in Northern California and part time in Southern California right now. Going back and forth can be difficult sometimes. The ocean is my constant. Every time I paddle out it feels like home. CS - Since Evie is your age, I couldn't help but wonder how much you drew from your own life. Is Evie like you? And do her friends reflect your own friends?Greta - Of course I drew from my own life. The most important thing to me is that my writing is authentic. I always want it to be relatable. I think some writers portray their characters as these perfect people. I want my characters to be a little messy and imperfect, I think you can only design characters like this by drawing from real people. I don't think Evie is like me, but if I were to meet her I think we'd get along. Her friends reflect my friends in some ways. I believe they reflect strangers more though. I always take little bits and pieces from people I've met along the way. CS - What has been your favorite reaction to your book so far?Greta - I can't pick one! I've been really enjoying hearing from people all over the world. It's slightly surreal to know people have read my book in Sweden, Brazil, and other cool places. CS - How are you marketing your book?Greta - Social media has been my best friend. From the moment I decided to publish my book, I've done my best to update people along the way. I posted photos from the photoshoot we did for the cover, and little sneak peaks of it leading up to the release. I also teach surf lessons, so I meet a lot of people through that, and I always tell my students about The Infinite Summer. Thanks, Greta. You can find her on Facebook and her book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
 Genre: Young Adult Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Editor: Faith Williams Length: 194 pages THE BREAKDOWN Evie is a sixteen-year-old stuck in the small town of Mokelumne Hill with a population of 619. She dreams of getting away, but there are few opportunities for her to travel. Home life is somber as she and her parents continue to mourn the death of her older brother, Clyde. When he was alive, Clyde had promised Evie he would get her out of their small town and take her to a special beach town he'd discovered. When an unexpected friend of Clyde's shows up at the local cafe, Evie learns that even after death, her brother intended to follow through on his promise. Evie and her two best friends, Charlotte and Kia, hop in a turquoise VW bus and take a six-hour drive to the completely different world of Waverly Beach. Crowds of people in bikinis and trunks hang out on the beach as well as the surf shops, restaurants and stores just across from the pier. The beachy vibe is laid-back yet exciting. In this dream vacation, the girls get an authentic taste of the Southern Californian surf culture as they meet the locals and even learn to surf. Complete with a summer romance, Evie has a teenage girl's fantasy vacation until the fantasy takes in a dose of reality. When it's time to leave, Evie takes one last paddle out in the water for more than just closure to the end of her summer. Greta Rose Evans, the author of The Infinite Summer, is seventeen years old. It's hard not to keep that in mind when reviewing this book. To write, edit and then publish a novel at that age is impressive. Her age is apparent in that the story is not as refined or complex as novels written by more experienced writers, but this is an admirable first step toward her writing career. Though the novel stays quite simple, Evans does offer glimmers of her young wisdom throughout. She keeps her story flowing smoothly and this quick read is enjoyable. While there are technical shortcomings from her age, the essence of the novel does in fact benefit from it. Reading a YA novel actually written by a young adult is refreshing and authentic. The open spirit, the excitement over new experiences and new ideas, and the grand hopes and dreams that still feel possible at that age are all apparent in Evans' writing. The adult author trying to conjure a YA voice might not capture all the subtleties that Evans naturally brings out in her work. The experience feels honest as a reader taking in the view from Evans’ current perspective. It is also a pleasure to read an optimistic YA novel that celebrates the excitement of being a teenager. The difficulties are certainly addressed, but the joyfulness shines through. THE RECOMMENDATION The Infinite Summer is a perfect beach read, and if you don't have a beach nearby, Evans' writing will certainly make you feel like you're there. THE LINKS You can find Greta Rose Evans on GoodReads, and her book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. THE REVIEWER Candi Sary, author of Black Crow White Lie, has made the finals in several writing competitions, including the William Faulkner William Wisdom Writing Competition and the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. She lives in coastal Southern California with her husband (while her 2 kids are off at college), and can often be found surfing the waters of Newport Beach. You can find her at www.candisary.com.
 Bostonian author, husband and suburban farmer, Scott Cramer joins us today to talk about his book, writing and his life. Please welcome, Scott Cramer to the Underground!Katie: What gave you the idea for Night of the Purple Moon? Scott: I wanted to write something that was high concept, something I could describe in a few sentences and people would know what the book was about. I also wanted to put my protagonist in a dangerous situation where the stakes were high. At the same time, I wanted to place my characters in a setting I could describe in some detail (a small island off Maine). Those were some of the things on my mind when I was plotting Night of the Purple Moon. Finally, I had read a number of very good books where kids set out on their own after the death of their parents. I thought it would raise the stakes significantly if virtually every older teen and adult were to die. Katie: What research went into the premise for the purple moon and the space dust that decimated the adults in your story? Scott: I was looking for something that adults had but kids did not. That’s when I discovered the hormones, testosterone and estrogen. The levels of those hormones increase at puberty. The levels decrease in old age. It then became a matter of having a bacteria attack those hormones. The comet’s tail became the way to spread the bacteria everywhere quickly. (Several people wrote to me recently about the close encounter Earth had with an asteroid and the meteorite that crashed in Siberia.) In one scene, an elderly neighbor, Mr. Couture, does not die right away. In a sense, that was plausible because he had lower levels of the hormones. Katie: When you create your characters, how do you write authentic children? Scott: I guess I see all characters the same, no matter their age. Everyone has fears and dreams and desires. Everyone has strengths and faults. If you can weave all those elements together, you should have the foundation of a strong character. Then it’s a matter of having them change and grow over time as the result of their struggles. Katie: What are you currently working on? Scott: Colony East, Book #2 in The Toucan Trilogy. I have a pretty good handle on it, and I hope to publish it during the summer of 2013. But I also don’t want to rush it. Katie: What is the best piece of writing advice you've received? Scott: Write every day. Writing, at least to me, is 1 part joy, 1 part inspiration, and 8 parts hard work, like breaking rocks into pebbles and then turning the pebbles to dust. But if you keep chipping away, through thick and thin, you will eventually create a story. Katie: How much marketing are you doing? What's your best kept marketing secret? Scott: Obscurity is the enemy for all authors, and especially indie authors. My favorite part of marketing is when I connect with readers. The 8 parts of drudgery (mentioned above) is all worth it when I get feedback from readers who really liked the book. On a side note, I’d say that most of the readers of Night of the Purple Moon are over the age of 20. But I got a note from a sixth grader recently. She featured me in her school’s author fair. It doesn’t get much better than that. Katie: Why the Young Adult genre? Have you considered writing in other genres? Scott: In the same way I don’t distinguish between the ages of characters, I almost feel the same way about genres. It’s mostly about the story. The characters may be 12 or 15 years old, but it still boils down to story. Katie: Thank you, Scott. You can find Scott on Facebook or Twitter. You can find Night of the Purple Moon here.
 Title: Night of the Purple MoonAuthor: Scott Cramer Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult Science Fiction Length: 188 pages Reviewer: Katie French THE RUNDOWN Just like everyone on her small island town, seventh grader Abby Leigh is looking forward to the purple moon, an event caused by the earth being swallowed by a comet's tale. They watch the purple hues filter into the night sky, yawn and go to bed. It is when she awakens that she realizes what has become of the world as she knew it. Pounding on her door wakens Abby. It's her friend Kevin who announces his parents are dead. Desperate to find the truth, she and her siblings try to find her father. Sadly, he too is dead. Slowly they begin to realize that anyone who has matured to puberty succumbed to the toxic space dust. The adults are gone. Now their only hope of survival is to stick together and build a new life all their own. They build a life, one rather civil, organized and tidy, but there is a renagade tribe of boys that threaten their upotia. Soon, they learn the CDC is conducting trials to create an antiboitic that can save them from falling to the same fate as their parents once they reach puberty. Abby and her crew must leave their little world behind and find a cure before it is too late. THE RECOMMENDATION Night of the Purple Moon has all the elements of a successful book. The pace is fast and enthralling, the characters are likable, hard-working and kind and the premise is killer. What child hasn't fantasied about a world with no parents? I found myself wondering what would happen to my own children if suddenly this sort of thing were to occur. How would children survive without the adults that shepherd them? Cramer sets up his much tamer Lord of the Flies well, guiding us through each step of their new found independence so we can picture Abby's world and wonder what might become of our own should a tragedy of this magnitude befall us. My qualms are few and minor compared to the above. The children acted very mature for their age. Almost instantaneously they formed a democratic society with scheduled chores, meetings and duties. I know my own children only need about five minutes alone before they are close to braining each other over a cup of applesauce. I had to suspend some disbelief that these children are the most kind, thoughtful, selfless children on the planet. Perhaps they are. Perhaps island air makes them saints. Another qualm was the middle dragged a bit. The conflict present was in the form of three boys who stole eggs and said the s-word. I admit I am a fan of dark literature, so when the boys laughed off stealing eggs and everyone went on their merry way I craved more. The last issue is the one that I think may be what's keeping Cramer's story down. I am not sure what audience he is writing to. The protagonists are mainly in middle school, though most middle schoolers might find the themes of mass death and body removal too dark for their developing minds. Teens are unlikely to pick up a book about children younger than them, and adults often read YA, but not generally MG. Unfortunately, that may keep audiences from picking up this title and missing out on an interesting story. Overall, it is a quality book worth 4 out of 5 stars. You can find the book here and Scott Cramer here.If you enjoyed this review you can follow Underground Book Reviews on Facebook or Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow Katie French on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.
 Talented British author Emma Mills has done it again. This paranormal romance author has release book three in her WitchBlood series. Audiences everywhere rejoice. To give our readers a taste of her main character, Jess, she's provided a character interview. Enjoy. Interviewer: Hi Jess, so we last chatted with you a year ago when you had just been turned into a vampire. How are you now, I notice your eyes have changed color? Jess: Ha! Yeah that was a bit of a shock for the clan. (She laughs and twirls a strand of hair around her finger). What a year I’ve had, huh? Well, I guess I get the best of both worlds now.
Interviewer: Last time we spoke you basically admitted that you were a hopeless vampire. Is that still the case? Jess: Nah… I don’t know. I guess I’ve come to terms with my new diet. I certainly don’t ever find myself craving human food anymore that’s for sure. I think Eva would agree that I’ve found my fangs! Interviewer: So if you have come to terms with being a vampire how do you feel about the part of you that is half witch? Jess: Now I can control my power and have my license it’s pretty awesome, but when I was just stressing out and blowing all the electricals it was a pain in the rear. I guess when you’re half and half you run the risk of not quite being accepted into either group, but in my case I have to be wary of the wrong types welcoming me, for the wrong reasons. Interviewer: Are you talking about Brittany’s grandmother now or the Coven of the Blood Moon? Jess: Hmm, I suppose both. The drama with Brit’s grandmother was difficult because she’s family, but the coven has supposedly been disbanded… though I’m not sure how true that is. Interviewer: So, at the moment you are staying with your Aunt in Massachusetts. Do you have any plans to go back to the UK? Jess: (Jess smiles shyly and resumes the hair twirling.) Yeah, I think so. At the moment Brittany is studying for her license and I think my Aunt is enjoying having us around but I miss Manchester and… Interviewer: And there are rumours that a certain someone is back in your life? Jess: …Maybe… there are actually several reasons for me to come back to the UK. Luke is currently up in York fighting this weird human insurgency who hates supernaturals. I want to check in on him and the Council have yet to find Mary… the vampire who killed my friend. Interviewer: So you’re not going to answer my question about Daniel then? Jess: Ha! Maybe… and maybe not! It’s personal. It’s hard talking about things that mean so much to me. It still feels very raw.
 Emma: Thanks so much for hosting me on Underground Books. Here is the information on my new book WitchLove, which is book 3 in the Witchblood series.
With the reappearance of a lost love, Jess flees to the only people who can help her control her increasing powers and gain independence – her family’s coven. But with a bruised heart can Jess learn to forgive or will she find new love in the United States? Witchlove, the third installment of the Witchblood series, is a new adventure that takes Jess from New England to Voodoo country in the South.THE GIVEAWAY Thanks to Emma's generosity, we are giving away 5 Kindle copies of Witchblood (the first book in the Witchblood series) to our Weekly Newsletter subscribers! If you don't have a subscription already, subscribe by Friday, February 22 and you will receive instructions under "Book Giveaways" at the bottom of your Weekly Newsletter email.
 TITLE: Black Crow, White LieAUTHOR: Candi Sary GENRE: coming-of-age PUBLISHER: Casperian Books LENGTH: 159 pages THE RUNDOWN Underneath the glamour of Hollywood is a collection of battered people with broken dreams. In Black Crow, White Lie, twelve-year-old Carson’s mother is one of those desperate souls. A psychic by day and an alcoholic by night, Carson’s mother plants ideas of grandeur in his head. Carson grows up hopping from motel to motel, all the while believing that he is destined to become a great healer, that his mother can tell the future, and that his father was a war hero. As he treads the delicate line between boyhood and manhood, Carson must grow up to face the truths both around him and inside of himself. Mystical and inspiring, Carson’s coming-of-age story kept me turning pages well into the night. Black Crow, White Lie is simple and almost plainly written. However, I must give the author credit: the plain writing suited the age of the protagonist. I feel that Candi Sary sold herself short on her first novel by boxing herself within the mind of a pre-teen, but that did not keep me from choosing the book as a Top Pick. Candi’s style is memoir-esque and the beauty within the pages comes not from flowering prose but from heartfelt character development. The story is so gritty and real that even when Carson began to use his healing powers, I did not feel as though I had to suspend my disbelief. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the overall message is worthwhile and the final pages are perfectly satisfying. THE RECOMMENDATION Black Crow, White Lie is a touching coming-of-age story about family bonds, love, and being true to yourself. It is a quick read, and appropriate for adults and young adults alike. I highly suggest putting this book on the top of your reading list. THE RATING I’d give this crow nine out of ten feathers: just enough to fly to a Top Pick. THE LINKS Buy it on AmazonVisit Candi's website THE GIVEAWAY Candi is giving away 5 signed copies of Black Crow White Lie to our Weekly Newsletter subscribers! If you don't have a subscription already, subscribe by Friday, February 22 and you will receive instructions under "Book Giveaways" at the bottom of your Weekly Newsletter email.
 I'm very excited to announce that Nessa: A Breeders Story will release today, Tuesday, February 5th. The genesis of this story began when I polled readers in December and asked which character they'd like to get to know better. Surprisingly, many fans said Nessa Vandewater, Clay's mother. From there, Nessa's story grew and I am pleased with how it turned out. I hope you'll like it too. The novelette is priced at 99 cents, so it will be affordable to die hard fans and new readers alike. To celebrate, I'm also hosting a giveaway of an Amazon gift card to one lucky winner. Enter here. Here's the pitch to wet your whistle. Eighteen-year-old Nessa knows what it’s like to be an endangered species. Growing up in a dying world where nine out of ten babies are born male, she survives by trusting no one. When Marlin, the nineteen-year-old gunslinger with the sky-blue eyes, kills the man who has been keeping her enslaved, Nessa decides this handsome stranger might be her meal ticket. What she doesn’t realize is love is still possible, even in their decimated world. When Nessa discovers she’s pregnant with Marlin’s child, her difficult life now teeters on a knife’s edge. Can she bear to bring a child into their shattered world? Better yet, can Marlin keep them safe from those that hunt Nessa? A companion story to The Breeders, this prequel novelette (34 pages or 10,000 words) explores the origins of two important characters and gives a deeper look into their background. It contains minor spoilers to the novel and is intended for mature teens and adults. You can follow Katie French on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.
 Title: WitchbloodAuthor: Emma Mills Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance Length: 330 pages THE RUNDOWN Though there seems to be a glut of paranormal romance novels flooding the virtual shelves these days, Witchblood, by Emma Mills, has struck a chord with readers as an adept blend of something borrowed and something new. Although not a totally original premise, this novel about super hot vampires walking among humans adds interesting twists to the standard, making Witchblood a hot commodity with current audiences. This book (the first in the successful paranormal romance series aptly titled Witchblood) opens with a prologue that absolutely works. Jess, our main character, has been changed into a supernatural being and stands watching her human boyfriend mourn her loss. The raw emotion is palpable. We sympathize with her plight. Mills moves quickly from there to a London bar scene where Jess and her best friends are doing their best to enjoy the nightlife. Jess meets the handsome and mysterious Daniel who offers to buy her a drink. Though Daniel is a ten, she refuses, staying faithful to her boyfriend, another likable trait that draws us further in. The plot thickens when Jess leaves the club and a group of malicious teenagers attack her and fatally stab her. Before she breathes her last, Daniel swoops to the rescue. Here’s the catch: she must drink his blood to live, but his blood will change her. Thus begins her new life. She’s now a vampire, but soon realizes she’s not your run of the mill vampire. Witchblood surges in her veins. Only now she must learn to control her powers, deal with her new brethren, and reconcile her past. Many claim paranormal romance is dead. As a reader of many paranormal romance stories, sometimes I feel authors are beating a dead Twilight horse with their many variations of this template. This book did not have enough new ideas in it for me to make it a Top Pick. The hot, brooding vampire love is tired. The twist regarding Jess’s witch ancestry is unique, but I don’t think Mills did enough to separate herself from the pack. However, the book is selling very well on Amazon, as is the sequel, so who am I to argue with success? Audiences are reading and liking this book. That definitely counts for something. Mills has done a great job with the cover, the blurb and the marketing as well, which likely helps garner such a wide audience. THE RECOMMENDATION Paranormal Romance fans, buy the book. Thought it may be a tad derivative, it is definitely worth 99 cents of entertainment. 4 out of 5 stars. You can find Emma Mills here. You can find Witchblood here. If you enjoyed this review you can follow Underground Book Reviews on Facebook or Twitter and subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow Katie French on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.
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