Recommend June Fest Summary

First, thank you all who helped make this month of recommending books so fun!! There were several authors and bloggers involved and it made for a great month. Thank you!!! =D

Sooooo, I'm going to link back to all the post for anyone who missed anything, hopefully making it easier for you.


If you missed the starting post that described the Fest you can read it here.

Books I recommended:

The Sherwood Ring

Annabeth's War

The Makilien Trilogy

Lucy Winchester

The End of the Beginning

Right-Hand Man

The Bronze Bow

The Destiny Trilogy

Midnight Rider

Interrupted: A Life Beyond Words

The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt

Calico Captive

Brooklyn Rose

The Inheritance

Becoming Nikki


Author Interviews:

Jesseca Wheaton

Ivy Rose

Rebekah A Morris

Nicole Sager

Shantelle Mary Hannu

Jennae Noelle

C. B. Cook


Fun Posts:

Surrender Release!! ~ This is not related to the RJF, but it's still a fun post. ;)

The Ultimate Book Post


Guys, that's a grand total of 24 posts!!! This will make my 25th post of the month. Wow!! That's just a lot and I had no idea I would post this much at the beginning of the month.

A big thank you to these bloggers who posted for the Fest on their blogs. I only know of these three bloggers who joined in on the Fest, but if I'm missing anyone, please comment below.

Jesseca @ Whimsical Writings

Faith @ Stories by Firefly!

Blessing Counter @ Counting Your Blessings One by One

Go look at their blogs and follow them. They recommended some pretty awesome books! :)


So, what did you think of the Recommend June Fest? Should I do it again next year? Did you think of anything I needed to add or something you disliked? Please comment!

RJF ~ Author Interview ~ C. B. Cook

This is the last author interview for the month. *sad sigh* I'm thrilled though that C. B. Cook would agree to join us as she is in the busy progress of publishing her next book, Twinepathy, here in the next couple weeks.

So please, join me in welcoming C. B. Cook.

~

For starters, how long have you been writing?

I've been writing for quite a while now, probably about three or four years working on specific projects. I wrote for a long time before I started my first real story, but before that it was mostly short stories--which I now have a huge collection of. And just in March, I finished my first full-length novel!

Is there a certain book of yours--published or not yet out for the public--that holds a special place in your heart?

Twinepathy is special, for sure, because it was something that I really wanted to write. It's the first full-length novel I've ever written, and it's about superheroes, something that I really like. I've really connected with the characters, who have been soooo much fun to write. I'm so glad I'm writing a sequel with them now.

Are there any authors that when you read their books it makes you want to write like them?

The first one that comes to mind is Ally Carter. Her Heist Society
books are impossible to put down, even on a reread! They're so much fun to read, and everyone in them is so epic. She's definitely an author who has influenced my writing a lot since I read her books.

Where do you write and what does it look like?

I write pretty much anywhere. If I'm writing a story on my computer, I write it solely at my desk, which looks like... well, a mess. :) But I bring notebooks with me everywhere and end up writing everywhere, too.

Where is the place where you get your biggest inspiration for writing? In a field, bedroom, Pinterest, etc.?

For most of my writing, it's my imagination. Most of my plots and plot twists come from making up stories in my head, and I usually end up imagining "What if this happened instead?" Then I make up the stories and, if they turn out good, I write them down.

Tell us a little bit about how you write. No words added all week, then suddenly you add several thousand, constantly writing and can’t stop, etc. How is it for you?

For me, it varies. I usually add a little at a time, although I've become fond of word wars as a way to boost my word count. On my current project, I've been working on adding at least 100 words a day--which isn't much, but it adds up.

Bonus Question: You are about to publish your second book, what is the excitement level at your house?

Heh, it's funny you'd ask. There are so many other summer things going on that it feels mostly normal. I don't think it'll sink in until the book's actually published.

~

Thank you so much, C. B.! You can follow her blog and buy Paralyzed Dreams on Amazon. Also, keep an eye out for Twinepathy!

RJF ~ Becoming Nikki

The last book that I'm recommending is a great story about brother/sister relationships.

Lord willing, tomorrow I'll have up one last interview and then on Thursday I'll post a summary of the month.

Becoming Nikki

About the book:

What would you do if you were given the opportunity to rebuild a broken relationship?

Alec and Nikki Scott are the perfect ice dancing duo, executing flawless technique and brilliant performance abilities each time they compete. No one doubts their camaraderie, not even their closest friends.

But looks can be deceiving. Off the ice, their relationship is in shambles. Ice dancing is the only thing they have in common anymore... and Alec wants to quit.

Just as Nikki feels like their relationship can't get any worse, an unexpected tragedy crashes into her life. She's left struggling with a difficult choice as her opinion of her brother slowly starts to change.

Whatever she decides, she knows her life will never be the same.

Add to Goodreads and buy here!

RJF ~ Author Interview ~ Jennae Noelle

Since this is the last week of June, that means we are down to the last posts of the Recommend June Fest. To end the month, however, I will be hopefully posting two author interviews this week! And to start with I'm really excited to have Jennae Noelle on the blog today!! =D

~

For starters, how long have you been writing and when did you published your first book?

I started writing for my own pleasure in middle school, so about 10 years ago. I had a lot of stories bouncing around in my head and at last they found a way out. They weren't very good, but everyone starts somewhere, and I am thankful for the people who saw enough good in them to ask for more. I self-published my first book In the spring of 2013. It's a picture book titled Happy Birthday, Pink Dog.

Are there any authors that when you read their books it makes you want to write like them?

I grew up reading the Elsie Dinsmore books and loved them. I know not everyone is a fan of them, but there is a simplicity to their storytelling and a complexity in the family relationships that I like.

Simplicity is definitely something I strive for, but I have a tendency toward wordiness that gets in the way.

I like the way books were written a hundred years ago. There seems to have been more thought put into the things they said. Of course, that seems to be true of all old things. People used to like quality. Or maybe it's just that the things that were good-quality have survived the test of time. Still, sometimes I wonder what our current society has that will stand the test of time.

Where do you write and what does it look like?

I write many different places: sometimes at my desk, often just in a comfy chair, or on the couch, or even on the floor. It may be in my bedroom, in my living room, at the park, or on an airplane. I find that airplanes are great places to write.

I started out writing in notebooks and still enjoying writing with pen and paper. I wrote Happy Birthday, Pink Dog on a piece of lined paper. And my novel, Becoming Heather, started out in a composition notebook. I do more on the computer than I used to though.

I take my time when I am writing. I don't rush at an idea, but I let it come together in its own time.

Where is the place where you get your biggest inspiration for writing? In a field, bedroom, Pinterest, etc.?

Inspiration is a funny thing. It pops up when I least expect it. Sometimes it's during a conversation with a friend. Sometimes it's late at night when I can't sleep. Sometimes it's while I'm at work doing something mindless. I feel that the stories I write are both an expression and an investigation of the things I am learning in my life. I have all sorts of ideas of things I want to write, but those that teach me about myself and the world around me and the heart of God are the ones I pursue.

Are you a morning person or a night owl? And does that affect what time of day you write?

I am a morning person. I do prefer to write early in the day, but I will use any time when I have energy.

And the question I’m sure a lot of people are wondering, do you have a goal for the date of your next book release?

My goal is to publish my book Shellter on August 25th. Shellter is a children's picture book about a turtle who is looking for shelter from a storm. The revising process has been longer than I had hoped but I am persevering and hoping for an August 25th release. I know that a lot of people are wanting more adult fiction from me, but I cannot give a definite timeline for that. I can only thank my readers for their support and their patience.

~

Thank you so much Jennae!

You can find Jennae's two books on Amazon and visit her on Facebook and her website.

RJF ~ The Inheritance

Today I'm bringing an old classic to the floor. ;)

The Inheritance

About the Book:

Influenced by the melodrama of the contemporary theater and the popular gothic novels of the time, Louisa May Alcott weaves a tale far removed from the reality of her everyday life in Boston. With a charm reminiscent of Jane Austen's novels, "The Inheritance" sets love and courtesy against depravity and dishonor--and with the help of a secret inheritance, allows virtue to prevail. 

Add to Goodreads and buy here!

RJF ~ Author Interview ~ Shantelle Mary Hannu

Today we have a great interview with Shantelle Mary Hannu, author of A Dream Not Imagined.

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For starters, how long have you been writing and when did you published your first book?

I've been writing since about age 8 (so around ten/eleven years), and published my first book, a novella called A Dream Not Imagined, May 2015.

Is there a certain book of yours--published or not yet out for the public--that holds a special place in your heart?

A fantasy/Christian allegory tale of mine, Silver Rose, is pretty special to me. In some ways, it tells bits and pieces of my life story. And it's the first full-length novel I've finished and edited! ...Well, there is more editing to be done yet. I'm revising/editing some more before I hope to get Silver Rose into the publication process!

Are there any authors that when you read their books it makes you want to write like them?

For sure! Jill Williamson, because her stories are so epic, and her characters so real! Laura Frantz, because her writing style is so lyrical and beautiful! Heather Dixon (thinking of Entwined), because she blends just the right amount of humor, romance, fairytale-ishness, and relationship dynamics to make her story utterly enchanting and heartfelt. Robin Jones Gunn, because her stories feel like real-life stories that I can l learn, laugh at, and grow from. There are so many other authors that impacted my writing, but I'll stop now. :D

Where is the place where you get your biggest inspiration for writing? In a field, bedroom, Pinterest, etc.?

Hmm ... my inspiration really comes randomly. Sometimes after watching an emotional, epic movie. Sometimes while sitting in a college class on natural disasters. Sometimes after experiencing a new situation. I usually write in my room, sitting on my bed typing away on my laptop. :)

Where do you write and what does it look like?

Yep, usually in my room. I actually recently moved and haven't written yet in my new room. But I have a nice desk that my laptop sits on, right next to my bed. I can glance over at my little white bookshelf filled with my precious, beautiful books, haha. And right above that is a window where the sun shines through and lovely pink roses are blooming. Very pleasant! ^_^

And the question I’m sure a lot of people are wondering, do you have a goal for the date of your next book release?

Um ... *hides sheepishly* I have no idea when I'll be publishing my next book. As I mentioned above, I'm planning on publishing Silver Rose next. But there's been a lot going on in my life lately, and so I've been taking a break from writing/editing. I think I'm ready to start writing again, but not so sure about editing. XD So no, I don't have a publication date. But, Lord willing, I'll get working on revising/editing again soon and have my fantasy story polished up for the public in the near future!

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Deborah!

~

Thank you for joining us, Shantelle! You can buy her book here and add to Goodreads too!! Also, keep up with Shantelle's updates on her blog and Facebook.