Some of you might have noticed the lack of updates on Book Equals lately. Unfortunately, after reflecting on it for a while, we have decided to put Book Equals on hiatus indefinitely.

This was a hard decision for us, however we feel that at this point we cannot devote enough time and resources to make Book Equals what it should be.

We really appreciate your support during all our years of running and hope you had as much fun reading as we had writing.

Finally, you can always find Americ and I as well as few of our other writers on our other sister sites: TV Equals, Film Equals and Web Series Channel.

Oh and we’re on Twitter as well, @itsameric and @sosandrine.

As for other book resources online, here are a few of our favorite websites for you to check out:

Galleycat – A great resource for book news and reviews.

Amy Reads – Amy always finds really interesting books to review and make you aware of and is just a fun person to follow for book addicts.

The Story Siren – For all you young adult fans.

Thanks for a fun ride!

Toady I wanted to spotlight a book that will be released on June 5th. It is Alien on a Rampage by Clete Barrett Smith, which is the sequel to Aliens on Vacation a book that I really enjoyed, as you could probably tell if you read my review. In the second book David returns to visit his grandmother during the summer and her Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast, and if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll love this second chapter of the story. You can find the full synopsis below.

David is looking forward to spending another adventure-filled summer at his grandmother’s Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast–a vacation hotspot for aliens. But as soon as he meets Grandma’s new repairman, an alien named Scratchull, he becoms suspicious. The only problem is that it is difficult to be sneaky when you have a ravenous alien pet attached to you. Even though no one else–including Grandma–thinks that Scratchull is an underhanded handyman, David decides to spy on him. But no one believes David when he discovers that Scratchull really is an evil mastermind with a plot to destroy the planet. Without the help of Grandma and his friends, will David be able to save Earth before it’s too late?

How often do we look at someone else and assume from their clothes, their job or their spouse that they must have it all? And how often do we wish that we could trade places with them, to live in their shoes for just one day? In Liza Palmer’s new book, More Like Her, the illusion of one such woman is shattered in the most horrific way possible, leaving nothing behind but the naked truth that there is no such thing as perfection.

Our guide through the story is Frances, a thirty-something speech teacher with a history of relationships that are anything but perfect. Helped (and sometimes inadvertently hindered) by her friends Jill and Lisa, Frances just wants to find a nice guy with good taste in music. She believes she might have found that in Sam, a hot Southern boy who quickly makes her forget all about her loser ex. But just like everyone in her circle of friends, Frances finds her whole world up-ended in the wake of a tragedy that strikes far too close to home.

Although there is a prologue that looms over the first half of the book, that tragedy leaps out of nowhere and attacks the reader, just like a similar circumstance would in real life. Without giving away too much detail, it’s gripping, gut-wrenching moment so powerful that the rest of the book is fueled by the emotions it invokes. It’s impossible not to feel for these characters as one can’t help but wonder how they would react if they were in the same situation.

Don’t be fooled by the pretty shoes on the cover, More Like Her delves into some dark territory, but it never loses its wonderfully comedic voice. With the possible exception of Sam (who I wouldn’t mind knowing in real life), these are the kind of characters you can imagine finding in a private school in Pasadena. Palmer brings them to life with her inexhaustible wit, yet gives each of them an individual personality, even the ones who are taken away too soon.

This is a story about friends, lovers and family. It’s a story about telling the truth, and being unashamed and unafraid to be yourself, for better or for worse.

Author: Kristen Elizabeth was born and raised in Florida, but currently living in Los Angeles, Kristen is an aspiring television writer who is willing to give any TV show a chance, unless it involves real wives. When she’s not flipping channels, she can be found either reading a good, old-fashioned bodice ripper, discussing the failures of George Lucas with her friends over cherry pie at Mel’s Diner or trying to round up one or more of her Star Trek RPG players. She’s a proud member of the Romance Writers of America and hopes to finish one of her novels someday.

Turetsky recently took some time to answer a few questions from Book Equals about her book, including her inspiration, some of the challenges she faced, her writing process and more.

What inspired you to write “The Time-Traveling Fashionista on Board The Titanic”?

Bianca Turetsky: The idea came to me a few years ago after visiting this amazing vintage shop in New Haven CT, called Fashionista Vintage and Variety. It’s owned by these two fabulous women, Todd and Nancy, who know everything and anything about vintage clothing. I tried on this pink party dress that belonged to a Mrs. Baxter from Newport Rhode Island, and I couldn’t help but wonder what her life was like, what the last gala or fancy event was that she wore this to. Was she in love? Was she happy? And how in a way, her memory was being preserved through this garment.

What was the most challenging part of writing “The Time-Traveling Fashionista on Board The Titanic”?

Bianca Turetsky: The research. Even though it’s fiction, I really wanted to make the book as historically accurate as possible and there is a glut of information about the Titanic. (And for someone who is easily distracted this is both a good and a bad thing!) Almost everyone who Louise meets on the ship was actually there, and I tried to stay as true to their characters as I could. It’s a big responsibility putting words in people’s mouths!

What was the most fun part of writing “The Time-Traveling Fashionista on Board The Titanic”?

Bianca Turetsky: The most fun part was getting to see the gorgeous illustrations Sandra Suy created from my text. It’s funny, I’ve never met her in person (she lives in Barcelona, Spain) but after seeing her whimsical drawings and the way she interpreted my text I felt like she knew me so well, because they were just like I imagined and hoped they would be.

What is your writing process like?

Bianca Turetsky: I write in the mornings at home. I like the mornings because my mind is clear and I’m still half in a dream world, which is particularly helpful when writing a fantasy novel. I’ve tried so many times to be one of those writers who works in a coffee shop, (it seems so much more writerly and romantic!), but I’m too nosy. I end up eavesdropping on other people’s conversations and drinking too many lattes instead of writing my book. I also make sure to write every day, even on the weekends. It’s a good habit to get into, and now it feels strange if I miss a day.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you are currently working on?

Bianca Turetsky: I am currently working on the 3rd book in the Time-Traveling Fashionista series. I’m just in the beginning stages but it’s been a lot of fun already. I’ve gotten to meet with an archaeologist for this one!

What book have you read recently you would recommend people read?

Bianca Turetsky: “You Are What You Wear” by Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner was a really great read. I’m a bit of an armchair psychologist myself, and I of course am obsessed with fashion, so this is an interesting fusion of both. It’s amazing how much you can learn about someone by going through their closet!

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Muffy Morrigan, whom you may know from her wonderful reviews here at Book Equals, has released a brand new fantasy book called The Sail Weaver set in a futuristic world of space exploration, rediscovered magic and a new age of tall ships.

Here is the official synopsis:

Tristan is the most talented Weaver the Guild has produced. Since he was a child and started his training to become a Weaver of the great sails of the Navy’s galactic ships, he’s had no idea what fate had planned for him. Then came the Winged Victory, the largest ship ever built, and he is given the task of Weaving her magical sails.

With a unique bond and friendship with the Dragon Fenfyr and in the face of hostile politics, prejudice and the threat of invasion by a horrifying enemy known as the Vermin, Tristan sets out on an unexpected adventure and discovers all is not as it seems. There are forces who want to win against the Vermin no matter what the cost. Struggling against enemies from within and without, Tristan and his companions fight to save the Winged Victory and the last hope of survival for humanity.

Muffy recently took some time to answer a few questions about The Sail Weaver, which has gotten us really excited about it. She talks about her inspiration, her writing process, her future books and more. Enjoy the interview and don’t forget that you can get your very own copy of The Sail Weaver on Amazon.

How would you describe the book to somebody who doesn’t know anything about it?

Muffy Morrigan: A friend described it as Star Wars mixed with Harry Potter and Master and Commander. That’s not a bad description in a lot of ways, it is a blend of classic science fiction and fantasy with dragons and Tall Ships.

What inspired you to write The Sail Weaver?

Muffy Morrigan: It’s the book I have been wanting to write forever I think. I’ve dabbled in science fiction for most of my life–I finished my first full length science fiction novel when I was fifteen, and I always loved the idea of blending in magic in a future of high tech. A few years ago, I spotted a contest that required the blending of classic sci-fi and fantasy and The Sail Weaver was born. I wrote the prologue, then set it aside, but it wouldn’t let me go. I loved the idea of it so much I had to write it.

What was the most challenging part of writing “The Sail Weaver”?

Muffy Morrigan: The most challenging part was keeping the world I’d created feeling solid. I want the reader to feel like they are there and they know these people and places. It had to feel real and solid as our day to day world.

What was the most fun part of writing “The Sail Weaver”?

Muffy Morrigan: Playing in the world of 18th/ early 19th Century Tall Ships with dragons and magic–all the while keeping it true to a world of the future.

What is it about fantasy that appeals to you?

Muffy Morrigan: I love the idea that there are worlds that we can’t see, that are there, just waiting for us to discover. For so long, fantasy has been trapped in an almost medieval setting and I love that the worlds of Urban fantasy and other are pulling the ideas of epic fantasy into the present–and future. I think it’s creating something that’s new, and writing it in such a way that it becomes reality for the reader–at least while they are reading the book

What is your writing process like?

Muffy Morrigan: I tend to sketch out the basics of a story in my head. Where it begins, where it ends, then start fleshing it out. I tend to write wherever the story goes. What I mean is, sometimes a character will go in an entirely different route than I originally intended but when I look back over the story it’s obvious it should have been that way all along. I do set goals for myself—generally a certain number of words a day or a chapter, or even a combination of both. I try and write every day. If I am working on a novel and it just won’t go anywhere—and that happens—I will write something else. I see it like a musical instrument that I have to practice every day.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you are currently working on?

Muffy Morrigan: I do! I am diving into the world of the Custodes Noctis again with book four, The Berserkers. I’m really excited about this one! It really delves into some interesting mythology about the berserker legends and some interesting archaeological finds. I know that sounds a little dry, but it’s not, this adventure will push the Emrys Brothers and their friends to the breaking point.

What book have you read recently you would recommend people read?

Muffy Morrigan: While working on The Sail Weaver, I reread the entire Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian. They are such marvelous books, everyone should read them. I also read The Well of Stars by Michael Tresca, and Echoes of Avalon by Adam Copeland. I am working my way through a pile of books that I’ve put aside while I was writing. Reading fiction while writing is sometimes difficult, so I stick to research. Although, I am reading the Sagas of the Icelanders (for the Berserkers) and they are wonderful.

Author Alex Adams’ first novel White Horse is definitely not what you would expect for its title. There is no white horse in it, instead we find our protagonist, thirty-year-old Zoe, living in a world where the most of the population has been wiped by a plague called “White Horse.”

Now that I have your attention, let me continue by saying that the book is also a love story as Zoe is on a quest to reunite with her lover, Nick, who has fled to Greece. Adams alternates chapters between Zoe’s life pre and post-apocalypse as we slowly start to understand what happened. And this is only the beginning. White Horse is the first book in a trilogy.

Author Alex Adams recently took some time to answer a few questions about White Horse, including the inspiration behind it and a small tease as to what we can expect from book two, Red Horse. You can purchase your own copy of White Horse on Amazon.

What inspired you to write “White Horse”?

Alex Adams: It’s more of a “who,” actually. Two years ago I was busy writing funny stories that were going nowhere fast. I needed a shake up, something to push me in a new direction. My boyfriend and I both enjoy mythology, tales of heroes and their struggles and triumphs, so I decided to whip up a short story to entertain him, loosely based on the story of Pandora’s box–something darker and as far from funny as it gets. A scene or two in, the story quickly evolved and it became clear this short story was supposed to be a novel. So I went with it.

What was the most challenging part of writing “White Horse”?

Alex Adams: Probably working out the logistics. Zoe covers a massive amount of distance during the duration of her story, so I spent a lot of time at Google Maps, figuring out her path, feasible walking times, and geographical landmarks. Sometimes the landscape wouldn’t do what I wanted, so it was easier for the story to change, rather than fudge it.

What was the most fun part of writing “White Horse”?

Alex Adams: Every part of the puzzle had its charm, but I loved the work that began when that first draft was nailed down. Digging in and tinkering with sentences until they’re pitch perfect (at least to me) is enjoyable. Yes, the actual writing was fun, but I really love the polishing. It’s satisfying.

Can you tease what we can expect in Book 2 of “White Horse”?

Alex Adams: Let me say up front that Red Horse isn’t a Zoe and Nick book, though readers will definitely be meeting them again in books two and three. Red Horse belongs to Emma, a radio talk-show host in City One, a dystopian society, crudely built on Cuba’s bones. Medical research is king. Asking questions carries a death sentence. Emma has lost her husband, child, and brother to City One’s primary law. But this new society is slowly dissolving into an (un) civil war.

What is your writing process like?

Alex Adams: I’m not much of a planner. I start with a first line, a character in a particular situation, and then everything flows from there. Usually I’ll have an end point in mind (White Horse‘s ending, for example, is almost exactly as I envisioned) and work toward that, but I remain flexible and let the story go whichever way feels right. If I get stuck it’s because I’ve pushed something the wrong way.
I do try to nail my prose in the first draft where possible. Throwing everything at the page in the first draft doesn’t really work for me. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m lazy or fussy. But by the time I get to The End there never needs to be a complete overhaul. It’s just fiddling.

What book have you read recently you would recommend people read?

Alex Adams: This is a tough call because I’ve been reading lots of good, satisfying books lately, across several genres. But I’m going with Daniel O’Malley’s The Rook. It was just…fun. It’s an interesting book: there’s no romance, not even a glimpse of it, which tends to be rare in Urban Fantasy. But there’s so much going on that lovers of love stories won’t miss it.
Also, I just started Karen Thompson Walker’s The Age of Miracles and I can already tell this is something special. I can’t wait to see where this one is going; I think it’s going to be huge this summer.

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Author Jennifer Adams and illustrator Alison Oliver have come up with whole new way for you to share your favorite classic novels with your babies, it’s called BabyLit.

What BabyLit does is take classic novels such as Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland and transform them into board books. The novels are of course stripped down to the bare minimum using one or two words on each page and illustrations reflect the tone of the book. However, these are fun new books to share with your little ones and/or add to your library as a different version of your favorite classic novels. And did I mention how I love that each book’s author is either a “Little Master” or a “Little Miss.” For instance Alice in Wonderland would be Little Master Carroll and Jane Eyre would be Little Miss Bronte.

I got a chance to take a look at both Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre, and I personally really love the Alice in Wonderland BabyLit. Maybe it’s because I already have a soft spot for the story, but I just loved the illustrations. Almost every page features one of the crazy characters of the story and it’s very colorful.

There are also other titles in the series including Little Master Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and Little Miss Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, which use the classic works to teach counting.

BabyLit Author Jennifer Adams recently took some time to answer a few questions from Book Equals about this new endeavor and what’s coming next in the BabyLit series.

How would you explain your series of books to someone who doesn’t know anything about it?

Jennifer Adams & Alison Oliver: BabyLit takes favorite classic novels and retells them as board books for children.

What inspired you to transform classic novels into BabyLit?

Jennifer Adams: The idea for BabyLit was our editor’s. I recently published “Remarkably Jane: Notable Quotations on Jane Austen,” which is a look at what other great writers had to say about Jane Austen, and “Y is for Yorick: A Slightly Irreverent ABC Book for Grown-Ups” which is a playful look at Shakespeare with some dark humor. I think these two books, also published by Gibbs Smith Publisher, were percolating with my editor, Suzanne Taylor, and we started thinking “What else can we do with some of these favorite classics to modernize them?” and she came up with the brilliant idea of the classics for babies!

What was the most challenging part of writing transforming the novels?

Jennifer Adams: Taking complex and vibrant novels and condensing them down to a few words is almost impossible! I had to figure out a way to retell the stories, while preserving the tone of each book and respecting its narrative. Each one retells itself in a way that works best for it. And Alison’s great illustrations help preserve the feeling of each novel. For example, Alice in Wonderland is told in bright almost psychadelic colors that go with the whimsical otherworldly story in that book, while the color palette of Jane Eyre is somber and very befitting the tone of that book.

What was the most fun part of the process?

Jennifer Adams: I have absolutely loved rereading each of these books, but I think the most fun I’ve had is collaborating with a great editor and a great illustrator to create something we are all so proud of. And now collaborating with Eric Smith on social media has been so fun to reach out to all these great bloggers and people who are excited about the books.

Can you talk about how parents should approach the books and share them with their kids?

Jennifer Adams: The books are for fun! One of the main ideas behind BabyLit is just to make these novels familiar and fun and approachable, so not only will kids enjoy the art and the board books now, hopefully some day they will remember those books as a positive experience and maybe be more easily drawn to the originals. So I say let your kids play with them. If they want to learn colors or counting from them, great! If they want more of the original story, tell them more. If they want to use them as chew toys, no problem! The books can be enjoyed on many different levels.

What other novels are you planning on transforming?

Jennifer Adams: We have some very exciting books in the works that I can’t talk about just yet, but I can say you can look forward to these two awesome titles in the series this fall: “Little Master Stoker: Dracula” and “Little Master Dickens: A Christmas Carol.” We are also going to be launching some plush dolls, tote bags, and buttons with Alison’s fabulous art this summer, so stay tuned!

Congratulations to: Angela W., Mike G., Danielle J.
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This Saturday, April 14th marks the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and in commemoration, Book Equals was provided with 3 copies of The Time-Traveling Fashionista On Board the Titanic by Bianca Turetsky to give away to three lucky winners.

Louise Lambert has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the mail, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

Suddenly onboard a luxurious cruise ship a hundred years ago, Louise relishes the glamorous life of this opulent era and slips into a life of secrets, drama, and decadence…

Thirty full-color fashion illustrations are featured throughout the book, showcasing beautiful dresses and fashion designs throughout history.

If you would like a chance to win, it’s easy, just fill out and submit the form below.

Note: You now have opportunities to gain additional entries into the giveaway by doing one or all of the following:

1) Subscribing to our daily email newsletter. (Click here to subscribe). [+1 entry]

2) Following us on Twitter (@bookequals) [+1 entry]

3) Tweet about the giveaway. [+1 entry] (Note: to find the link to the tweet, click on the time the tweet was posted)

Please also note:

The address provided will be used to mail the prize should you win.

If you do subscribe to our newsletter and/or Twitter and/or write about the giveaway, please make sure you fill out the appropriate information in the form in order for us to verify the subscription and posts. If we are unable to verify you are in fact subscribed, following us on Twitter, and/or wrote about the giveaway your extra entry will be voided.

The giveaway is open until April 20th 2012. Good Luck!

More Rules:

As part of the blog tour, Book Equals is bringing you an excerpt from chapter 1 of the book and a Q&A with the author himself. Make sure you visit BookTrib for links to all previous and future excerpts in the scavenger hunt which will help you gather the entire first chapter of THEMINEFIELDS by its end on April 30th.

So without further ado, you can find our excerpt and Q&A below. Enjoy!

Excerpt:

Then, he drew in his fingers, turned his wrist, and gave me a quick thumbs-down, as if to say, “My dear son, it’s over.” That day he looked at me with such tenderness. That day I was not the brute, as he once called me. I seemed only to be his beloved Sam.

Q&A with Author Steven C. Eisner:

What inspired you to write THEMINEFIELDS?

Steven C. Eisner: It’s loosely based on my life. And when I realized, and who would have ‘thunk’ that my life could have possibly taken a turn to be considered , tragically Shakespearean, I knew I had something here and I went to work.

What was the most fun part of writing the book?

Steven C. Eisner: I got great pleasure reliving my most formative years in the business at Doyle Dane Bernbach when that agency was riding the tiger in with such self-assurance and fortitude and not falling off. To save their life. Just turning one astonishingly good work and turning head at every turn! There will never be another agency quite like it.

What was the most challenging part of writing the book?

Steven C. Eisner: When all hell broke loose in my protagonist’s life at times it felt like I was writing about a wicked car crash that evolved in excruciatingly slow motion until I figured out I could splash some needed humor into all the darkness which I did. That’s when writing through this period grew brighter. Humor is a wonderful tonic.

Do you have plans to write another book?

Steven C. Eisner: The sequel is coming together and the thoughts are delicious.

What is your writing process like?

Steven C. Eisner: Up early. Start writing by six. Write hard for five hours. Fresh stuff. Take a three mile walk. Edit in the afternoon. That’s my pattern when I’m really at it. And then of course there is the Russian Standard or Dewar’s & soda when I’m in need of further inspiration.

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I was given the chance to review the fourth and final novel of Lori Foster’s “Men Who Walk The Edge of Honor” series earlier this month, and was pretty surprised by how much I enjoyed A Perfect Storm.

Following right where the third book left off, A Perfect Storm continues into the world of human trafficking and how our main characters, Spencer and Arizona, attempt to bring down a seedy ring.

Arizona was rescued by one of the “Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor” heroes, and with his help, has overcome the horrors of the life she used to live when she was enslaved. I know it sounds sort of hokey and a bit contrived, but honestly, while reading A Perfect Storm, the story line makes sense with Arizona’s character traits.

She’s strong willed, protects herself, and never has a “oh woe is me” moment that I can remember. She’s a strong woman that overcomes a horrible time in her life; my only complaint is that she’s portrayed as needing a man to help her through it. Out of all heroines that I’ve read, Arizona is the type that could very easily have pulled herself out of her situation alone – and personally, I think that would’ve made the story of her and Spencer all the more interesting.

Spencer is the hero of this story; an alpha male damaged by the loss of his wife, who takes to Arizona even though he’s 11 years her elder. He’s protective of the girl, let’s Arizona have her rants, and even (at times) throws her sass right back at her. It was extremely interesting to see these two personalities play off of each other the way that Foster wrote them.

Like all stories, Arizona manages to fight her demons (although I had an issue with how she went about it; scarred for life victims usually don’t go out looking for more trouble) and things are tied up in one pretty little bow.

As a final wrap up to a four part series, A Perfect Storm is a great summer read and will leave fans of Lori Foster satisfied and waiting for her next story!

You can purchase ‘A Perfect Storm’ on Amazon.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars | Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition | Pages: 448 | Source: Publisher

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