BOOK REVIEW: THE DEVIL'S INTERN by Donna Hosie

I've been friends with Donna Hosie for a long time. First, through our obsession love of all things Harry Potter. We were part of the staff and hung out on a HP fansite discussing, analyzing, obsessing, and speculating what would happen to our favorite characters while waiting for each Harry Potter book. Later, we both began writing our own novels and now Donna's a published author. I'm so proud of her and happy for her success. Her first novel with Holiday House Publishing is the first in a trilogy called THE DEVIL'S INTERN.

Book Summary:

"How did you die?"

It's the most popular question in Hell, and Mitchell Johnson has been answering it ever since he was hit by a bus at age seventeen and inexplicably ended up in the Underworld. Now Mitchell is The Devil's Intern in Hell's accounting office. Lately, he's noticed a disturbing trend: the volume of new arrivals is straining Hell's limited resources. Then Mitchell overhears his boss discussing plans to limit newcomers with a legendary time travel mechanism. With a device like that, Mitchell realizes, he could change history and prevent his own death.

But Mitchell's plot goes awry when his three closest friends--Alfarin, the Viking prince; Elinor, from 17th-century London; and Melissa, from 1960s San Francisco--insert themselves into his plans. It soon becomes clear that the fates of all four are entwined in dangerous and unpredictable ways.

With unforgettable characters and a thrilling premise, this original novel is by turns funny, poignant, and thought-provoking.

I'm going to be honest. I was a little hesitant at first to read Donna's book  because I wasn't quite sure where she was going to go with this story. I had no doubt the writing would be good, having read her YA series, THE RETURN TO CAMELOT, but a question lingered in the back of my mind. Would the focus be on Hell and the Devil? Hmm, not really my cup of tea or the kind of novel that I'd normally choose to read. When Donna landed an amazing agent and eventually a book deal with this novel, I knew that I would read TDI, regardless, and give her my honest opinion because we're friends. However, if it was an unfavorable opinion, I would tell her in a private email rather than review it online.

Well, I'm reviewing it here because I can honestly say that not only did I like it, it is a damn good story. Donna's novel is fun, fast-paced, and suspenseful at times and I fell in love with her characters (more on them below).

The beginning chapters in Hell were a bit slow for me. I wondered why Hell and Up There (the devils' term for Heaven) would argue about souls overcrowding their "places" but decided to suspend belief and just go with the flow hoping my questions would be answered. One of the first characters we meet is Septimus, the Devil's accountant, and he's great. Love how he handles the Devil and his relationship with his intern Mitchell. Without spoiling the story, I really came to like him even more later in the novel. And he has a great sense of style! Once Mitchell and his friends began their time travel adventure, I was hooked.

I'm a character girl which means that for me, characterization is often first and plot a close second. I loved the MC, Mitchell, and his three close friends - all well developed and very different from each other. I liked how they were from different time periods and cultures, but their personalities blended together in a believable and fun way. I'm drawn to novels with strong friendships and this one is a fine example of friends who support and love each other, and who literally go from Hell and back for each other. I loved Hosie's use of a time travel device and was creeped out by the Skin Walkers. I hated when I had to stop reading to go to work, pick up kids, etc. and couldn't wait to get back. That doesn't often happen for me with books, but when it does it's magic and it's instantly added to my mental list of "books to recommend." Can't wait for the second installment of this wonderful trilogy.

THE DEVIL'S INTERN has earned a Kirkus star review and a School Library Journal star review. For more information please visit Donna's blog: Musings of a Penniless Writer.

It's Here!!

Woo Hoo!!

My copy of Donna Hosie's The Devil's Intern came in the mail today!

Just try and tear it out of my hands!

Quest of the Artisan: Cover Reveal

Hybrid author and friend, Donna Hosie, is the author of the successful THE RETURN TO CAMELOT young adult series. Earlier this year she released Book One in her spin off series, THE CHILDREN OF CAMELOT called THE RING OF MORGANA. Coming soon in 2015 she will self publish Book Two in this series called QUEST OF THE ARTISAN. Here's the gorgeous cover and what it's about.


THE CHILDREN OF CAMELOT series continues in QUEST OF THE ARTISAN.

Six months ago, seventeen-year-old Rustin Hall thought he knew what he wanted. Then he travelled back in time with his best friend, Mila, to the world of Camelot, knights and magic, and everything changed.

Now Rustin is the artisan, and he knows his future because it's written in the past.

But Rustin's plan to build the first temple for the Gorian druids is cut down like the trees he talks to when the Round Table reveals the name of the newest knight of Camelot: a name that carves fear and unrest into the other knights. With Mila now in danger, Rustin, along with his friends, James and Jalaya, goes on a quest to find her before a new malevolent evil gets there first. A necromancer is building an army of the dead, and they are coming for Arthur's daughter.

Rustin will join forces with a young would-be knight called Galahad, as his quest takes him into the very heart of the Arthurian legends he grew up reading. A quest that could be the end of the artisan's life, not just in Logres, but for good.


Due for release in 2015. I can't wait!!

For more information on Donna's fabulous books: 

Amazon

Donna Hosie's blog

Cover Reveal for THE RING OF MORGANA

She's done it again!
Author and friend, Donna Hosie has been busy, busy, busy. After completing her successful self-published Return to Camelot trilogy in 2013, and later this year releasing Book 1, THE DEVIL'S INTERN, in her next series to be published by Holiday House, in Donna's *cough* spare time *cough* she's working on another series. So without further ado, the cover reveal for Book 1 in her Children of Camelot series, THE RING OF MORGANA.

In a brand new series, Donna Hosie revisits Logres with THE CHILDREN OF CAMELOT. 


Sixteen-year-old Mila Roth wants to be normal. It’s a phrase that has been drilled into her by her mother since she was born.

But Mila Roth is anything but normal. For sixteen years her parents have hidden a secret from her. For Mila was born one thousand years ago in the land of Logres, and far from being a math teacher and a housewife, Mila’s parents are the awakened King Arthur and Gorian druid queen, Morgana.

Two worlds, one thousand years apart. And those worlds are about to collide.

The spirit of the malevolent Lady of the Lake has been contained for sixteen years in the fabled Ring of Morgana. When the ring curses Mila’s younger sister, Lilly, the Roth family has no choice but to return Mila to the land of her birth as they face a battle against time itself.

Accompanied by her best friend, Rustin, Mila will have to decide whether to defy those she loves in order to save her sister. Should she trust the Gorian druids and the mysterious Melehan? What is the true cost to Mila’s heart as she strives to master the purple flame? And why have her mother and father denied the truth of her origins for so long?

For she alone has the combined power of royalty and druid magic within her.

And now only Mila can save Lilly and Logres.

THE RING OF MORGANA will be released in ebook and paperback on the 15th June 2014.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Isn't it gorgeous? For more information about Donna Hosie and her books, please visit her at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonnaHosie

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6153661.Donna_Hosie?utm_medium=api&utm_source=author_widget

Blog: http://musingsofapennilesswriter.blogspot.com.au/

Favorite 2013 Reads

My Goodreads reading goal for 2013 was to read 26 books. To my delight, I surpassed this goal in the fall and reset it for 32. As of December 31, 2013 I finished reading 39 novels! It was a great year for YA fiction and it's going to be hard to narrow down my favorites, but I suspect that some of mine are on your favorites list as well. In no particular order:

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - I love a book with a gut-wrenching twist.

Just One Day/Just One Year - Gayle Forman is back! Just sayin'.

Fangirl - I categorize this as NA. Another great book by Rainbow Rowell.

Shine - Lauren Myracle - How did I neglect reading this for so long? Wonderful!

Prodigy - Marie Lu - The Legend series; Most trilogies I've read or started reading have a weak book. Not this one. Champion will be my first read in 2014.

Days of Blood and Starlight - Laini Taylor, enough said.

Wintergirls (reread) - Laurie Halse Anderson - Perfect.

The Fifth Wave - Rick Yancey, I love your writing.

Chaos Walking series - Patrick Ness, I love yours, too.

The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith - Jo, you sneaky devil! Refreshing. Renewed my love for mystery/detective books with great characterization.

And because Neil Gaiman's brilliant, even when he's writing a blog post, The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Good creepy stuff!

I'll keep my 2013 list visible on the right of this homepage for a few more days in case you're looking for recommendations for your 2014 TBR list. After that I'll post the list under my Books Read tab where you will find my 2012 and 2013 list. If your're interested I will be adding my 2014 reads to the right sidebar on this page as well as what I'm currently reading.

Also, a special shout out to my two friends who were published this year. Donna K. Weaver and Donna Hosie.
I'm so proud of these women and happy to count them as friends. I wish them continued success and can't wait to see how they'll use their talents this year.

What were your favorite reads of 2013? Were any of mine on your list? What must read book should I add to my 2014 TBR list?

Interview With Donna Hosie

I'm delighted to welcome back my friend, author Donna Hosie, who will be releasing her self-published novel, The Spirit of Nimue, the final installment of her Return to Camelot trilogy, on May 31st.

1. What an amazing accomplishment: writing, revising, and self-publishing your young adult urban fantasy. Congratulations! What has been the best part of your writing journey so far?
The best part was receiving those first reviews. I knew/hoped this trilogy was good enough, and so to start getting four and five star reviews from people I didn't know was just thrilling.

2. What has been the hardest part of that same journey?
The release of book two. I literally vomited with nerves! Everyone hears about second book syndrome and I was terrified that people wouldn't like THE FIRE OF MERLIN as much as SEARCHING FOR ARTHUR. As it turned out, people loved it even more!

3. Who has been your biggest supporter?
I can't single one person out, but I have an army of friends who get behind me in every way imaginable when it comes to promotion time. The thank you list on THE SPIRIT OF NIMUE is huge! My husband has never once complained about the time I spend in the study, pounding away on the keyboard, and so I should mention him too!

4. You recently finished the A to Z Blogging Challenge with a Harry Potter theme. (Total LOVE, btw. I enjoyed every post!) Rowling was the subject for your letter R post. Besides J.K. Rowling, what other author(s) inspires you?
Difficult question. I would say Philip Pullman for not compromising; Kate Morton for her use of language; and Carlos Ruiz Zafon for simply being awesome.

5. What book are you reading right now and what are you looking forward to reading this year?
I am currently rereading the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. I've read a number of very disappointing YA novels recently and I needed to go back to a well-loved classic. I'm really looking forward to the new Dan Brown novel, as well as And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini...and Isla and the Happily Ever After.

Now for the more serious questions. (ahem)

6. What is your favorite word? Least favorite?
Favourite word is "Bob" as spoken by Rowan Atkinson! Least favourite word is "Work" especially when I have to do it!

7. What would be your preferred mode of transportation? Apparition? flying Ford Anglia? riding a horse bareback in skinny jeans? Other?
LMAO at the reference to skinny jeans and bareback riding - possibly everyone's favourite scene in SEARCHING FOR ARTHUR! I would love to be able to apparate at will. That said, I like to listen to music on the commute because I get a lot of inspiration from movie soundtracks.

8. Are any of your characters based on yourself or on real people? Of course, I'm implying that you're real, too, even though we've never actually met in person. Um, you are real, right? (of course that would explain her superhuman ability to juggle self-publishing one series, submitting the first book in her new series with her agent, writing another, working full-time...hmm)
*pinches self* Ouch, yes, I'm real! Not a single character of mine is based on a living person. I have a dark and dangerous imagination and can create voices and faces at will!

9. Describe your favorite pair of shoes.
My favourite pair right now are a pair of two-tone, four inch stilettos. They are white, with a black toe and thick black ankle strap. They are instruments of torture, but I get more compliments when I wear those than I do when I wear my Jimmy Choos. Absolutely worth the pain and blood - and yes, there is blood!

10. Is it harder to...
      a. Write and self-publish a book.
      b. Raise kids.
      c. Raise a puppy.
      d. Sleep for more than 5 hours.

Easey peasey - I can't sleep more than five hours. It probably isn't healthy, but I am up at 4am every day, with the exception of Sunday which is my lie-in day, but even then I have the iPad out and I am on social media or answering emails! I have a restless intellect and can't sit still.

Thanks for stopping by, Donna. I can't wait for Book 3!
The Spirit of Nimue will be available on May 31st is available now at Amazon. For info on Donna and her YA novels, visit her at:
Musings of a Penniless Writer
Goodreads
Facebook

The Fire of Merlin and Hot Knights Giveaway!

Hot knights in a giveaway? Sign me up! Oh, well, that's not exactly what my writing buddy, the fabulous Donna Hosie, had in mind for her giveaway. Instead, it's the next best thing. But I'll get to that at the bottom of this post.

As you may remember, I helped Donna promote her debut self-published YA novel, Searching for Arthur, the first installment of her ebook trilogy, The Return to Camelot series. If you haven't read it and would like more info, please click here and then come back.

On November 30, 2012, the second ebook in her series, The Fire of Merlin, will be released through Amazon. And how awesome is that cover? I want her hair. Just sayin'. *ahem* Here is the blurb:

The Return to Camelot series continues in The Fire of Merlin.

Seventeen-year-old Natasha Roth, and her brother, Arthur, are reunited once more with the Knights of the Round Table. Unfortunately their joy is not shared by Arthur's girlfriend, "Slurpy" Samantha, whose hatred of Natasha has not been lessened by time or distance since the Roth family relocated to London.

But Natasha's happiness is short-lived.

The knights come with ill news from Logres: a magical darkness has fallen over the land. The Lady of the Lake, Nimue, is battling against her former lover, Merlin, whom she imprisoned before the enchanted sleep. He has been freed and Natasha soon discovers that her own actions the previous year unlocked more than just a gateway between the past and the present. When "Slurpy" disappears, a frantic Arthur decides they must leave the 21st century once more and return to Camelot.

With her beloved Sir Bedivere by her side, Natasha follows the sound of the bells and leads Arthur and the knights back into Logres. But there are more than bells ringing in her head. Natasha starts to suffer from terrifying visions in which she sees the destruction of Logres.

As the darkness continues to infect the living, the people start turning on one another, accusing outsiders of witchcraft. Terrified that Natasha will be hurt, Sir Bedivere takes her, the dwarf Byron and Byron's sister, Guinevere, into the safety of his father's castle. Yet nowhere in Logres is free from fear and suspicion, and Sir Bedivere unwittingly leads Natasha into a terrifying chain of events in which time itself is manipulated.

Natasha must uncover the truth about the danger to Logres and those she loves. Who is the real threat to Arthur? Can myth and legend become fact? What is the secret that "Slurpy" is now hiding? 

And for the love of all things holy, when will Logres invent saddles?

Now about that giveaway. Searching for Arthur, the first ebook in Donna's series, will be available as a free download from Amazon from November 1st to November 4th. Seriously! It's free!  So if you love a contemporary Arthurian tale with a strong female lead character, a nasty nemesis, time travel, and hot knights, why not give it a read?  

To read the first installment of The Return to Camelot series, click here to download from Amazon. If you don't have a Kindle, like me, no problem. I was able to download a free Kindle app for my computer so that I could read Donna's novels. Easy as pie. 

Searching for Arthur

I'm thrilled to feature Searching For Arthur, the debut young adult urban fantasy novel, self published by my dear friend, Donna Hosie. First, about the book and then an interview with Donna below:



Legend tells of King Arthur, mortally wounded at the hand of the traitorous Mordred in the final battle of Camlann. Before he was taken to the magical Vale of Avalon, Arthur declared that one day he would return, when the kingdom of Logres was once more in need of his leadership.


That day has now come. 


It is hard to make friends when you’re constantly on the move. Seventeen-year-old Natasha Roth’s father is a diplomat, and so her mother – who is paranoid about terrorists – has moved Natasha and her brother, Arthur, to their eighteenth house in seventeen years: Avalon Cottage, deep in the heart of a Welsh forest.

Yet the terrorists are closer than they realize.

While out running, Natasha falls into a hidden tomb and awakens the legendary knights of Camelot: young warriors who have been in an enchanted sleep for a thousand years. All have been waiting patiently for the return of Arthur from the mysterious land of Avalon.

And now the knights are awake, they intend to reclaim their king.

When Arthur goes missing, Natasha joins forces with his girlfriend, “Slurpy” Samantha, in order to look for him. Natasha believes Samantha has fewer brain cells than an amoeba; Samantha believes Natasha is a freak. Retracing Natasha’s original steps to the hidden tomb, they bicker their way into a Welsh mountain and beyond, to the realm of Logres where the Knights of the Round Table are rallying once more.

Natasha falls in love with Sir Bedivere, the most loyal of knights to Arthur. He may be in dire need of a 21st Century razor, but he still possesses a set of lime-green eyes that can melt the soul. Yet just as Natasha starts to find confidence in this mystical land, Samantha deserts her. People who play by the rules are of no use to “Slurpy”. Samantha will take her own path to Arthur, aided and abetted by the dark arts which she willingly absorbs from a hot young stranger called Mordred.

A race across magical yet deadly lands is on. Natasha battles dwarf-riders, dragons, and eventually “Slurpy” to reach Camelot, where Arthur is held captive by the barbarian Saxon, Balvidore.

Natasha’s woes become numerous. What will happen to her and Arthur when the knights realise the eighteen-year-old boy they thought was their king, is in fact a math student with appalling taste in girls? Can two people with a one thousand year age gap really have a relationship? And for the love of all things holy, how is a girl supposed to ride bareback in a pair of skinny jeans?


First things first, Donna. I'm so freaking proud of you, girl! Okay, now on to the questions.

1. You're a married mom with three children and a puppy, plus you work full time...how do you juggle writing with the responsibilities of a very busy everyday life? I am über organised. I have to be. My family comes first, but I am lucky that my children are all of an age where they are pretty self-sufficient. I really enjoy my job, (I am the Executive Assistant to a Government Director-General), and I work long hours. So my writing takes place in the early morning, and I am talking 5am, and I try to grab an hour in the evening as well. My husband doesn't even realise 5am exists! It can be done and I am very driven so I make it work. However I don't beat myself up if circumstances mean I have to miss a day of writing. It fits around me, not the other way around.

2. While writing Searching for Arthur, what part of the writing process did you find the most difficult? Oh other writers are going to hate me for this, but I don't find the writing process difficult. I've never had writer's block; I've never hit a mid-novel slump. I rarely write more than two pages a day, so I think about a particular scene, write it, and then save and close. I don't think about writing then until the next day when I am fresh. I enjoy editing because my view is you are always making the ms better. If there was one stressful aspect in the creative process of Searching for Arthur, I would say it was turning down representation. I really battled with everything you learn about "making it", but once the decision was made, it was a weight off my shoulders.

3. What makes you keep writing on the days that you feel like giving up? I never feel like giving up. I love it too much. And I have always had this self-belief that I could do this. There are a million things I can't do - I can't cook, I am hopeless at sport - but I can think of a good story and put in down on a page.

4. How long did you consider self publishing before you took the plunge? It was in the back of my mind for about 6 months. Then I spent a month seriously considering it and learning about the process before deciding to withdraw from the agency model. I published Searching for Arthur 5 months after that, so I certainly didn't rush into it. It isn't right for everyone, but I decided it was right for this series.

5. What advice would you give to those who are considering self publishing? Become informed and take your time. I see too many writers finish a book on the Monday and upload it by the Friday. This is your career so you cannot cut corners. I formatted no more than a chapter a day because I wanted it to be perfect. I would also recommend a professional cover designer. I have had so many wonderful comments about the cover of Searching for Arthur. It was done by Design for Writers and it was a truly collaborative experience. It is perfect. Taking control over every aspect of my release has been very empowering but I am all too aware of the responsibility. DO NOT RUSH INTO IT!

6. What authors have inspired you? J.K. Rowling has been a huge influence and I get pissed off when I see industry professionals say you should never mention her. Why the hell not?! She created a world that was fantastical and yet believable and, as a writer of urban fantasy, this is exactly what I want to emulate. I love Stephanie Perkins, Philip Pullman, Victoria Hislop, and Carlos Ruiz Zafon is my God! Too many to mention. Oh, and Tolkien, and Kate Morton, and...

7. Snack of choice?  Chocolate. Or cheese. I love cheese. My heaven is going to be made of cheese. Then I will eat it all and end up fat in Hell! Which will probably be made of asparagus which I hate!

8. What are you working on now? Now Searching for Arthur is published I am working on getting the sequel ready for release by the end of the year. I've spent over a year on it already and it is in the final editing stages. It will be called The Fire of Merlin and I really love it - (the character of Slurpy Sammy has a really fun/evil story arc in this one.) I also have an entirely different series ready to roll; the first book is called The Devil's Intern. It is about four time-travelling devils and that is currently going through the revise and resubmit process with five literary agents. I haven't decided 100% what I am going to do with that one in terms of publishing. Wait and see I guess!

And now for the part where I blush and get all squirmy and embarrassed. But because she's my friend and it's her moment to shine, I'll give her free reign to share some additional comments. 

I would just like to be indulgent for a second and grab this moment to thank Suzie again - she is also in the credits of Searching for Arthur but sometimes things need to be repeated! Suzie has been my dear friend for a number of years now and every writer needs a Suzie! She has supported me through tough times and championed me through great times. She gave me her time, which often proves to be the most generous gift of all.

Thank you so much, Donna. It goes both ways, my friend. I wish you much success!

You can visit Donna Hosie at her blog, Musings of A Penniless Writer and purchase her e-book, Searching for Arthur through Amazon.