Looking for some new biography and memoir books for your library? There are so many new releases this week that you’re bound to find a new favorite. You can pick up new books from Jeff Burlingame, Lucinda Williams, Madison Beer, and many more. Enjoy your new biography and memoir books. Happy reading!
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6 Young Adult Books for Fans of Samantha Shannon
6 Young Adult Books for Fans of Samantha Shannon
If you love the fast-paced, beautiful prose of Samantha Shannon, you'll love these new Young Adult releases! Check out the latest works from authors Dennis Batchelder, Eileen Schnabel, Actus, Meagan Church, F.T. Lukens, and Margarita Engle. Enjoy!
Oversight
by Dennis Batchelder
Release Date: March 2, 2023
Seventeen-year-old Zelly is a self-proclaimed computer geek growing up in present-day Seattle. She's also one of the last three reincarnated leaders of Soul Identity, an ancient organization that promises to pass people's fortunes and memories to their future selves. Along with her two closest friends, she'll ascend to power when she turns nineteen...if she lives that long.
Kep Westguard: Rebel Spy
by Eileen Schnabel
Release Date: April 18, 2023
Kep arrives in 1777 just days before the crucial Battle of Saratoga, a stunning American victory that turned the war in their favor. He infiltrates the British camp as a rebel spy and discovers his grandfather and British General Burgoyne have cooked up a secret plot to tip the balance in the Brit’s favor. To unlock the mystery, Kep needs to steal a letter from Burgoyne’s courier and deliver it to the American camp. If he's caught as a spy, the punishment is hanging. How much will one teenager risk to ensure American Democracy succeeds?
Advent of Eternity
by Actus
Release Date: April 11, 2023
The Gods can be tricked. They can be defeated. They can die. To most, seeking the head of a goddess would be the actions of a madman. To Knell, it is an inevitability. Together with his loyal crew, he will use his deadly cunning and grow strong enough to claim his revenge – no matter the cost.
The Last Carolina Girl
by Meagan Church
Release Date: March 28, 2023
For fourteen-year-old Leah Payne, life in her beloved coastal Carolina town is as simple as it is free. Devoted to her lumberjack father and running through the wilds where the forest meets the shore, Leah's country life is as natural as the Loblolly pines that rise to greet the Southern sky. When an accident takes her father's life, Leah is wrenched from her small community and cast into a family of strangers with a terrible secret.
Spell Bound
by F.T. Lukens
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Edison Rooker isn’t sure what to expect when he enters the office of Antonia Hex, the powerful sorceress who runs a call center for magical emergencies. He doesn’t have much experience with hexes or curses. Heck, he doesn’t even have magic. But he does have a plan—to regain access to the magical world he lost when his grandmother passed. "With mystery, magic, and mega-cute rivals-to-lovers vibes, Spell Bound cast a spell that had me flipping through the pages at lightning speed! -- Jason June, New York Times
Wings in the Wild
by Margarita Engle
Release Date: April 18, 2023
Winged beings are meant to be free. And so are artists, but the Cuban government has criminalized any art that doesn’t meet their approval. Soleida and her parents protest this injustice with their secret sculpture garden of chained birds. Then a hurricane exposes the illegal art, and her parents are arrested. Soleida escapes to Central America alone, joining the thousands of Cuban refugees stranded in Costa Rica while seeking asylum elsewhere. There she meets Dariel, a Cuban American boy whose enigmatic music enchants birds and animals—and Soleida.
6 New Biographies and Memoirs to Inspire and Educate
6 New Biographies and Memoirs to Inspire and Educate
Reading about other people's lives, whether through a thorough biography or captivating memoir, can be inspiring, relatable, beautiful, and educational. If you're looking for more books like this, check out these new releases from authors Stephen Todd, Anthony Chin-Quee, Brianna Craft, Sandeep Jauhar, Jeff Benedict, Frank Dimatteo, and Michael Benson. Happy reading!
Goin' back to Californ-I-A
by Stephen Todd
Release Date: March 25, 2023
In 1988, Stephen Todd served a successful church mission to San Bernardino, California, where he found his true calling — a love for people and sales. In his latest work, Steve shows how trusting in God helped him grow in faith, and ultimately led him to achieve his dreams. Now a successful producer and songwriter, Steve can attest that, with a simple testimony of Jesus Christ, and unwavering faith in God, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
I Can't Save You
by Anthony Chin-Quee
Release Date: April 4, 2023
As a self-described “not white, mostly Black, and questionably Asian man,” Chin-Quee knows that he doesn’t fit easily into any category. Growing up in a family with a background of depression, he struggled with relationships, feelings of inadequacy, and a fear of failure that made it difficult for him to forge lasting bonds with others. To repair that, he began his own unflinching examination of what it means to be both a physician and a Black man today. What saved him and his sanity was not medicine but storytelling: by sharing stories from his life and career, Chin-Quee learned how powerful the truth can be in helping to forgive yourself and others as you chart a new way forward.
Everything That Rises
by Brianna Craft
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Nineteen-year-old Brianna Craft is having a panic attack. A professor's matter-of-fact explanation of the phenomenon known as "climate change" has her white-knuckling the table in her first environmental studies lecture. Out of her father's house, she was supposed to be safe. This moment changed everything for Brianna. In this memoir that blends the political with the personal, Brianna dives into what it means to advocate for the future, and for the people and places you love, all while ensuring your own voice doesn't get lost in the process.
My Father's Brain: Life in the Shadow of Alzheimer's
by Sandeep Jauhar
Release Date: April 11, 2023
"Blending the humor, compassion, and absorbing family drama of first-rate memoir with expert science writing, [Sandeep Jauhar] has composed a can’t-miss introduction to what has been called The Age of Alzheimer’s." —Sanjay Gupta, author of Keep Sharp and World War C. A deeply affecting memoir of a father's descent into dementia, and a revelatory inquiry into why the human brain degenerates with age and what we can do about it.
LeBron
by Jeff Benedict
Release Date: April 11, 2023
LeBron tells the full, riveting saga of how a child adrift found the will to become a titan. Jeff Benedict, the most celebrated sports biographer of our time, paints a vivid picture of LeBron’s epic origin story, showing the gradual rise of a star who, surrounded by a tight-knit group of teenage friends and adult mentors, accelerated into a speeding comet during high school.
The Cigar: Carmine Galante, Mafia Terror
by Frank Dimatteo & Michael Benson
Release Date: March 28, 2023
The brutal and blood-stained true story of one of the most feared bosses in American Mafia history, who rose from tenement street thug to notorious hit man to a prime mover behind the legendary French Connection. And the bodies piled up. “At times, this book is unsettling. Other times, it's humorous. No matter what part you're reading, it'll remain a tour-de-force.” —Criminal Element on The President Street Boys
6 Books to Read While You Wait for The Mandalorian Season 4
6 Books to Read While You Wait for The Mandalorian Season 4
With season three of The Mandalorian coming to a close this week, you need something to fill the void while you wait for season four! These new fantasy and science fiction releases will do just that. Check out these books from authors S.M. Warlow, Theophilus Monroe, Michael Anderle, J.D. Oliva, Peter Diggins, M. C. Bodel, and Nick Crow.
Invidious (Tales of the Phoenix Titan Book 2)
by S.M. Warlow
Release Date: April 4, 2023
A separatist revolution brewing for decades has finally begun, but the people pulling the strings have far more insidious plans ahead. In the vast wilderness of space, Nathan Carter and the crew of the Phoenix Titan explore remnant temples left behind by the Enkaye Dynasty. Life is pretty good, but that quickly changes when an old acquaintance makes contact.
Vampire Morning (Daywalker Chronicles Book 1)
by Theophilus Monroe & Michael Anderle
Release Date: March 28, 2023
What do you call a vampire by day, a human by night? Confused? That makes two of us! Sunlight is a little problematic for me. Will I be able to handle it? By night I am a normal girl. I like computers, ice cream, and guys. When the sun rises, I’m stronger. I also get an insatiable craving for you-know-what. The weird sisters stole Dracula’s power. As masters of the Scholomance, they are recruiting new vampires. A recipe for disaster? Whatever they are planning, it can’t be good. There’s only one way to deal with vampires, especially those meddling in the dark arts. Can I bring them to light before they unleash their nightmare on the world? We shall see.
Immortal (The Wolf Stone Saga Book 1)
by J.D. Oliva
Release Date: March 1, 2023
Nineteen-year-old Jennifer Greywolf is still grieving her mother’s death when she inherits her dad’s mysterious talisman. And when she learns the strange heirloom has mystical powers, she starts searching for clues to the secret life of the man she never knew. But when she accidentally triggers the return of a forgotten hero, her father’s legacy puts her in the sights of a superpowered killer.
A Miscast Spell (The Syrane Chronicles Book 1)
by Peter Diggins
Release Date: March 30, 2023
Coach Duncan Hawkwind is transported to another world by a corrupted spell. Equal parts confused and terrified, he finds himself in a dungeon with three menacing strangers, one very confused mage and a still-warm corpse as screaming creatures scratch at the door, intent on devouring everyone in the room. Still reeling and full of questions, Duncan is convinced to help the strangers (and himself) out of their dire predicament.
2090 A New Earth
by M. C. Bodel
Release Date: April 4, 2023
When an infectious viral plague threatened to end all civilization, humanity had a plan. With a virus that left no survivors once infected, their only hope was for the uninfected to wait it out inside cryogenic sleep cases spread throughout the earth, set to awaken post-apocalypse. When Grandpa woke and stepped out of his cryo case, hope bloomed in his chest. What Grandpa didn’t know then was that he and his family would have to make many life-or-death decisions in the coming days if they were to survive.
The Lazarus Factor
by Nick Crow
Release Date: April 5, 2023
Hunted by a ruthless assassin, Sara finds herself partnered with reporter Marcus Byron. Together they race across Europe, through Cathar castles, Aegean islands, and beyond. On the run, Sara must decipher a mysterious set of genome sequences. As they begin to uncover answers, powerful forces turn their sights on Sara. If she can’t decode the sequences in time, she’ll end up dead—and the world will never know the shocking truth about the people who rule it.
6 New Romance Reads for Your Spring TBR List
6 New Romance Reads for Your Spring TBR List
It's that time again - flowers are blooming and the weather is warming up. It's time to spring into your TBR list and let love bloom. 🌸 Check out these new romance releases from authors Maan Gabriel, L.P. Dover, Kathia, Rachael Bloome, Bel Blackwood, and Bianca D'Arc.
Twelve Hours in Manhattan
by Maan Gabriel
Release Date: April 18, 2023
Bianca Maria Curtis is at the brink of losing it all when she meets Eric at a bar in Manhattan. Eric, as it turns out, is the famous Korean drama celebrity Park Hyun Min, and he’s in town for one night to escape the pressures of fame. From walking along Fifth Avenue to eating ice cream at Serendipity to sharing tender moments on top of the Empire State building, sparks fly as Bianca and Eric spend twelve magical hours far away from their respective lives.
Spring of the Cursed Fae (Land of the Fae Book 2)
by L.P. Dover
Release Date: April 18, 2023
Fae from across the land have come to the enchanting Spring Court in hopes of winning Lia’s affection. But the future queen is not easily swayed. Trained to be a warrior, the needs of her people outweigh her own desires. Were she to give in to temptation, it would be with the two forbidden men who stole her heart long ago…
Game On (Winners Inc. Book 3)
by Kathia
Release Date: March 27, 2023
She didn't have a ride to her own wedding. She took it as a sign... Kathia's latest rom com is as wacky as it is heartfelt. "It's as good as puppies. GAME ON has all the feels." (International Bestseller Ava Miles)
New York, New Year, New You
by Rachael Bloome
Release Date: January 31, 2023
Everything was perfect. But much like the 3rd act of any great romantic comedy, perfect was where it all fell apart. Because now, the career I’ve worked so hard for is pulling me in the opposite direction of the found family I love. No matter what I choose, someone will end up broken-hearted. Anyone willing to bet that someone will be me?
Small Town Sparks: The Complete Collection
by Bel Blackwood
Release Date: February 26, 2023
Immerse yourself in cozy small-town joy with these three romance novels, collected together for the first time. Over a thousand five-star reviews from readers! "Really enjoyed reading this collection!" -Reviewer
Wildwood in Winter
by Bianca D'Arc
Release Date: March 21, 2023
Arlo was just going up to Idaho for a quick visit to a possible new member of his extended Pack - a part-dryad who might be related to the Pack’s Alpha female. What he finds is a woman who stirs his senses and challenges his perceptions on every level. He likes her. A lot. Maybe too much. What he doesn’t like is the mage who comes calling, out for her blood.
Interview with Kathia, Author of Game On
What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Game On?
Have you ever wished you could get a moment back? Picture this: It’s Saturday evening on New Year’s Eve weekend. I’m standing in the middle of a busy San Francisco street in my wedding dress, trying to flag a cab. Only it’s New Year’s—there are no cabs, or Ubers, or anything. And somehow no one thought to make sure I had a ride to the ceremony. A sign? YEP. The two and a half year marriage ended with a seven year divorce. So I asked myself what if I’d heeded that sign? And Emily, the heroine of GAME ON, was born.
Emily is perfect for Didier, who I fell in love with the moment I heard his voice in my head after I moved to France a year ago. She’s a little cynical, a lot honest, and has a deep desire to believe in love despite her past.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Game On, what would they be?
Actually, I create a playlist for every book. The top three songs: "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion, "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters, and "Quelqu'un M'a Dit" by Carla Bruni.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love to read EVERYTHING. Literally, EVERYTHING—even the back of wine bottles and fruit cartons.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
THE COLOR OF MAGIC by Terry Prachett; TOMORROW, TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin (THE STORIED LIFE OF AJ FRICKY was awesome); and THE ROGUE TO RUIN by Vivienne Lorret (because who doesn't love rogues?).
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The sex scenes. Duh. Is this a trick question?
Though truthfully, I loved writing all the scenes with Emily and her sister—with one in particular. You’ll know when you read it. Wink.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I like to write while in downward dog. With a straw to sip my whiskey, and Weird Al's "Word Crimes" playing in the background.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Despite everything, I believe in love. And sex. And unicorns. Also, champagne is liquid joy and should be enjoyed often.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Love always wins.
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Interview with Stephen M Todd, Author of Goin' back to Californ-I-A
What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write "Goin' back to Californ-I-A"?
Writing a memoir about my church mission has always been a dream for me since I was in the third grade. In 1988, I finally had an opportunity to serve a full-time, two-year mission to San Bernardino, California. I returned home in the early 90’s and since then I have stared at the three mission journals that collect dust on my bookshelf in the home office. Currently, I have two teenagers in the house and its difficult teaching them about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ sometimes because of the age gap. They look at me as if I’m a dinosaur that grew up in the stone age. I struggle as a father to try and bridge the gap.
About two-years ago, I decided to write my memoir for the sole purpose to share with my children that when I was their age (19-years old) I had a testimony of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is part of my living legacy to share with my family that I have a strong and enduring personal witness that Jesus lives, and he loves each one of us. The reason why this is important is because life gets hard sometimes and it’s important to put into perspective that we all are children of our Heavenly Father. He loves us and will protect us through the good times and the bad.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of "Goin' back to Californ-I-A", what would they be?
A great theme song for Elder Mark Hancey, one of my mission companions while serving in Fontana, CA is “Bad Company,” performed by Bad Company.
A second theme song for Elder Mark Kellar, one of my mission companions while serving in Palmdale, CA is “Sweet Dreams (Are made of this),” by Eurythmics. The reason why I choose this theme song is because of an incident that happened between Elder Kellar and I when I punched a hole in our apartment door after an argument.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love reading about singer songwriter type memoirs. My hobbies are music and songwriting, so I’m always intrigued by what makes other artists tick. What’s the story behind the music.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
(1.) Don’t Stop Believin’ by Jonathan Cain
(2.) Fortunate Son by John Fogerty (3.)
I Am Brian Wilson by Brian Wilson
(4.) Thunder in the Mountains by Daniel J. Sharfstein
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
I enjoyed writing about getting attacked by the killer Collie in Fontana, CA and the spiritual experience about Jesus Christ’s crucifixion in Temecula, CA.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
My quirky writing habit is to get organized. My home office was such a disaster with makeshift plastic bookshelves and wooden bookcases that didn’t match. I couldn’t concentrate long enough to write my memoir because of all the clutter. So, six months later I custom designed my very own bookshelf that fits my writing and creative needs perfectly. Organization is key for me. It enables me to better communicate my thoughts more effectively.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
I like the old Nike motto, “Just Do It.” I’m a doer and I like to get things done. It’s no different when writing a book…just sit down and do it!
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I would like my readers to remember the courage it takes to serve a full-time, two-year church mission with a lot of trials. I may not experience the type of persecution that occurred on my mission again, but I will always remember the joy of serving other people through small acts of kindness. This is what I want readers to remember the most—showing courage and kindness to our fellow man.
Stephen M Todd is the author of the new book "Goin' back to Californ-I-A"
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Interview with Maan Gabriel, Author of Twelve Hours in Manhattan
What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Twelve Hours in Manhattan?
Twelve Hours in Manhattan is an amalgamation of different influences. I wrote this at the beginning of the pandemic when the world was in shock, hurting, and in sheer panic. I always write to escape – but at the same time, I also write to express some of the emotions embedded within me. So, yes, this is not a light read, far from it, and the themes are somewhat dark and heavy. It is a reflection of the fear the pandemic brought me, the people I love, and the world.
I also discovered during the pandemic that I love the storytelling approach of Korean dramas as a genre. It captured me and fired up my creative imagination. Because of this, I tried to encapsulate the beauty and the dizzying roller coaster of emotions in Kdramas in Twelve Hours in Manhattan. The male lead was also inspired by a famous South Korean actor.
Twelve Hours in Manhattan is a ride that is both messy and beautiful – centering on hope that leads to a path of a grand happy ending.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Twelve Hours in Manhattan, what would they be?
Playlist: • Universe by Cold Play • Unstoppable by Sia • Turbulence by Pink • Shine Ya Light by Rita Ora • Happiest Girl by Black Pink • Happiness by Taylor Swift • Maroon by Taylor Swift • Crash Landing on You Theme by Joe Jenkins • Here I am Again by Yerin Baek
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I’m a mood reader, so apart from gory horror, I read them all. But when I’m at the bookstore, the first place I go to is literary fiction with a focus on women stories, and then of course, romance.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
• It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover • Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid • Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin • All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir • A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas • The Brilliance of Stars by J’nell Ciesielski • Tanked by Mia Hopkins • The Boy with a Bookstore by Sarah Smith
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
There was a scene where Bianca, my MC, finally sold her home to newlyweds and the goal was to show the contrast between what Bianca and the new couple were feeling. It was so hard to write it, but I enjoyed the challenge of showing happiness and sadness at the exact same moment.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Depending on my mood, I actually play with text fonts at the beginning of writing. Weird, right?
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Believe. Love. Inspire.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Hope, and the significance of loving once self to be truly free.
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Interview with L.P. Dover, Author of Spring of the Cursed Fae
What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Spring of the Cursed Fae?
About ten years ago, I wrote my Forever Fae series. The characters in Spring of the Cursed Fae are the grown children of the main characters in that series. It was definitely interesting revisiting them all since I hadn’t written about them in so long. Back then, readers had been begging me to write a book about Bayleon and Bastian. I was so excited to finally go into more detail about who they are and their background.
Bayleon and Bastian are twins, cursed with the powers of seduction. They have never experienced true love in all their centuries of existence. At least, until Lia comes along. It was a little strange writing a book about one woman and the two men she falls in love with, but I couldn’t see it ending any other way.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genre to read is fantasy/paranormal romance, both adult and YA. It IS also my favorite genre to write because I can make up my own rules and world build. But what’s funny is that even though it’s my favorite to write, I’ve published more contemporary/romantic suspense novels. Sometimes all the world building can be tiring, especially with having to remember every little detail. That’s why I have a gazillion notebooks lying around with all my notes… hehehe.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Cruel Prince by Holly Black.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
I would have to say it was when Lia finally confessed to Bayleon and Bastian that she was in love with them both. However, in the book, she tells Bastian first while Bayleon is in the shadows, listening. She doesn’t know he’s there; all he heard was that she was in love with his brother. When Bayleon shows himself, there’s so much tension because he thinks she chose Bastian over him. This was a very angsty and an uh-oh moment in the book. I loved all the tension buildup because for a brief moment, you don’t know what’s going to happen when Bayleon finally faces Lia.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I don’t have many quirks but there are two that come to mind. The first is silence. I can’t write when there’s a million things going on around me or if someone’s talking. I applaud those who can write in coffee shops. I would be too busy people watching and getting absolutely nothing done. Plus, most coffee shops have delectable-looking pastries and I KNOW that would distract me… lol.
And for my second quirk, I love to have the shades open in my office when I write. There are times I’ll just stop writing and stare out the windows to gather my thoughts. If it’s raining, that’s even better. I get more writing done when the sky is gray, and I can hear the rain on the rooftop. I know I said I like silence, but there’s something about the pitter patter of rain that gets my imagination flowing.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt. There are days when it’s hard to follow that quote, but I try my best.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I know this is going to sound bad since my book involves being in love with two people, but I would highly recommend sticking to just one mate. After writing about Lia’s time with Bayleon and Bastian, it totally exhausted my mind. I don’t see how she did it… lol. I can barely keep up with just my one husband. 🙂
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Interview with S.M. Warlow, Author of Invidious
What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Invidious (Tales of the Phoenix Titan Volume 2)?
So, those who read the first entry into this series (Heritage) will know that my writing contains political undertones. Naturally, I try not to insert my own politics into my work, as I feel this frequently happens in much of today's media. Instead, I try to present both sides of the coin in a way that (I hope) makes the reader think and question the characters' motives.
Where Heritage introduced this idea of a very divided galaxy, Invidious seeks to build upon that. First off, I wanted to continue the story of Nathan Carter and his crew, but at the same time, I tried to shift gears. I didn't want to tell the same story twice, and as it stands today, I've got plans for many more books in this universe. Where Heritage leaned into the sci-fi adventure style, I wanted Invidious to feel more contained with some thriller elements thrown into the mix. There are themes of conspiracy and political scheming running throughout, but the idea of media being used as a weapon was a big driver creatively. In essence, it's all about unearthing hidden forces influencing events from afar but reframed in a sci-fi setting.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Invidious (Tales of the Phoenix Titan Volume 2), what would they be?
I don't know if there is a song for a particular character, but for the series as a whole, there is a track called 'Boldly into the Unknown' by Epic Score. Something about it evokes a feeling of grand-scale space battles and action, all while sounding a little bit sinister.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I'm typically drawn to Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thrillers. Regardless of genre, I love an imaginative concept, world or lore that keeps me engaged. Character arcs are also really important to me. I love a strong character who learns, evolves and changes as the story progresses.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Currently, I'm reading Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay by William Gibson and Pat Cadigan. It's an insightful look into a movie that could've been that ultimately didn't see the light of day.
As for my TBR, Descendent Machine by Gareth L Powell is up next. As far as I know, it's a sequel to his previous novel, Stars and Bones. Then there is Chasing Shadows by a fellow self-published author from my local area, Steven Smith. I've also got Liu Cixin's, The Dark Forest which I've been putting off way too long. Then finally, I've earmarked a date in July for the release of Neal Asher's new one, War Bodies, which is his next entry into the Polity Universe.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Any of the Alastair Roth POV scenes were quite enjoyable. I've always found writing the villain's chapters/scenes is always a different experience from the heroes. You almost have to tap into something different creatively. When writing Roth, every word seemed to freeflow. Don't get me wrong; he's an evil bad guy with deep flaws and a bit of a god-complex, but there's something so electrifying about writing a smart and ruthless character like that.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Coffee helps, but saying that, I don't do the tortured writer in a Starbucks thing very often. I prefer to write in the evenings with noise-cancelling headphones, playing something that captures the ambience of the scene I'm working on. During the summer months, writing outside is quite helpful.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
1. Feedback is a gift. It's the breakfast of champions.
2. The only thing worse than a bad movie/book/song is a bad movie/book/song with delusions of grandeur. Stay humble. Stay grounded, and keep learning.
3. Measure once. Cut Twice.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
When it comes to Invidious, I'd hope people remember the edge of your seat feeling as things progress.
S.M. Warlow is the author of the new book Invidious (Tales of the Phoenix Titan Volume 2)
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