It’s different and awesome, told from a Boys POV- Dylan
which I find always refreshing after there are so many Girl POV.
And please stay tuned, I can offer you a giveaway! woot!
The Marked Son
by Shea Berkley
(website, facebook)
Book I in the Keepers of Life series
Release Date: August 2nd by Entangled Publishing
Buy at: amazon (Kindle, Paperback)
synopsis from goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Dylan Kennedy always knew something was different about him, but until his mother abandoned him in the middle of Oregon with grandparents he’s never met, he had no idea what.When Dylan sees a girl in white in the woods behind his grandparents’ farm, he knows he’s seen her before…in his dreams. He’s felt her fear. Heard her insistence that only he can save her world from an evil lord who uses magic and fear to feed his greed for power.Unable to shake the unearthly pull to Kera, Dylan takes her hand. Either he’s completely insane or he’s about to have the adventure of his life, because where they’re going is full of creatures he’s only read about in horror stories. Worse, the human blood in his veins has Dylan marked for death…
A day in the life of YA Author Shea Berkley
Hey, everyone. I want to thank the lovely Bookworms for inviting me to share my super exciting typical writing day. I hope you’re ready, cause your life won’t be the same after reading this.
SunriseFirst thought: Oh my gosh! Close the curtains! The blare! The blare!
The sun comes up way too early for me. Seriously, I love to sleep. It’s like my favorite activity besides eating, but laziness does not a bestselling author make, so I drag myself out of bed at 6:30 every morning, sludge down the stairs—this may seem like a weird verb, but it’s not, not if you know me… to sludge is to move in a manner that implies you are trudging through a mass oozy muck—and pop the tab on a regular (diet is from the devil) Coca Cola. Yes, every morning I imbibe in that insidiously unhealthy carbonated, caramelized alternative to water, and gulp it down. The whole 12 oz. can. If I’m feeling especially weak-eyed, I’ll pop another tab and down the sweet stuff until the professed “happy” mood infuses my body. At that point, I will gleefully skip over to the cabinet by the back door and pull out either a ho-ho, ding-dong or some other sugar laden food.
Bad author. Bad. (hangs head)
I am an adult who still eats inappropriately. It is a curse, and not to be emulated. Pity me if you must, but believe me, it is not a lifestyle to aspire towards. I’m a heart attack waiting to happen. End of PSA.
After my gluttonous dive into sugar, I may shower, I may not. Depends. Sometimes I work out in the morning. If this is one of those mornings, I jump into my workout duds and head to my kickboxing gym. I may eat like an idiot, but I don’t want to look like I eat like one. Over an hour later, I drag myself back into my house (a sugar high gives a nasty crash), shower and then strap myself to the chair in front of my computer.
Time to get to work
Think: Umm, what was I supposed to do today? Dang it, I need a secretary.
Writing for me is play time. I wouldn’t do it if it were too much of a burden. That isn’t to say it’s easy. Writing well is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Any monkey can put words to paper. I’m determined not to be a poop-slinging monkey. I’ll bleed all over my keyboard to make my stories entertaining. Others, who are smarter and more capable, can dole out wisdom and morality lessons. I know my place in the scheme of things. I’m an entertainer.Mid-morning
Think: I’m soo wasted. I need another cola.
I grab another cola and a handful of peanut M&Ms. I’ll then tap out a few emails, visit a few websites and blogs, call or text a friend or two for any number of reasons… sometimes research, sometimes to talk about writing, like figuring out a writing problem, or gasp… just to have human contact. Writing is a lonely business. My watercooler time is more fluid (tee-hee) than most peoples, but it is necessary.Lunchtime
Think: Do people really need more than peanut M&M’s to survive?
I imagine the horrified look on my mother’s face when I reach for the industrial sized peanut M&M bag and feel twenty layers of guilt. I back away and make a sandwich, but I still slurp down another cola. I’m a rebel, not an addict. (Seriously, I can quit any time. Really.) Then I head back to my computer.
I like adventure. I like a good fight. I love creatures that are scary. I like to write about heroes who face insurmountable odds. Sometimes they win, sometimes they don’t, but they’re always better people for having gone through the fire. I like feisty heroines who can give as good as they get and don’t need rescuing, but they’re happy to have a guy by their side, kicking up trouble and dishing out justice.Evening
Think: I’m delusional. Everything I write sucks monkey poop. (hit head repeatedly on keyboard) What is my fixation with monkey poop lately?
To prevent permanent brain damage (though by this point in my life, it’s probably too late), I unbuckle myself from my chair and back away from the computer. It’s about now my fallen angels get home and demand sustenance. I slam back another cola and invent something edible out of random ingredients I fish out of the fridge. Fed, their halos shine a bit brighter, and we settle down to watch whatever movie or TV show we’ve played rock, paper, scissors to watch. I rarely win. Later, when most people are still watching TV I’m in bed. Like I said, I like to sleep. I’m fussy without a good 8 to 12.
Thus ends a typical day in the life of YA writer Shea Berkley. An atypical day would be me opening the door and finding Gerald Butler dressed in his Spartan uniform asking me if his cape makes his butt look too big. I’d tell him yes and make him take it off. Grinning like a fool, I’d then jack his cape, helmet and sword, put them on and run around screaming, “Sparta! Sparta!”
Hey, it could happen.
we can draw one lucky
- Leave a comment – easy peasy..
- and answer my question: What makes you want to read a book? (For me, sometimes it’s simply the cover, sometimes when I read a fabulous guest post like this.)
- and… why not check Shea on her website and facebook and say Hi? And.. I even give you an extra entry 🙂
You really should check it out my friends!
and Happy Weekend!
Latest posts by Danny (see all)
- INTENSITY by Sherrilyn Kenyon – Excerpt & Giveaway - September 8, 2017
- Locked in Temptation – Q&A withBrenda Jackson & Giveaway - August 4, 2017
- Locked in Temptation by Brenda Jackson – Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway - July 26, 2017
For me, too it can be as simple as looking at a cover and thinking "gotta have this book". Other times I'm in the mood for a specific genre and go on the hunt on Goodreads.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Greeting from Germany,
sk_86(at)gmx(dot)de
My recent post Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush #1
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For me, sometimes like you said it's the cover, other times if I've heard people talking about or reviewing a book with a good opinion, then that makes me want to read it. Or it can be the first page of the book, when the cover or blurb aren't as intriguing.
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I usually choose a book after reading a review or it being recommended by a friend. Sometimes I am drawn to an authors website after an interview like this to find out more about what they write. Fun interview.
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It varies for me. Sometimes it is the cover and what the story is about. Sometimes I hear about it and hear good reviews on it. Sometimes I do look for a particular genere. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
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Hmmm…what makes me pick up a book? Defininetly a blog post like this! Also, the back blurb and the author. Recommendations are key as well.
Loved the post, Shea! And loved the book. You're so right, Danny, Marked Son is different. The writing is amazing, the creativity and surprises abound with every section. I just LOVED Dylan and Kera!!
My recent post Robin Perini
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Full disclosure time. I know Shea, and she's travelling today, so if I can tell you any secrets, I'd be happy to reveal all. Though she did give away the good stuff. Her coca cola and chocolate addiction…umm…desire to eat like a twelve-year-old are only a few secrets. I won't mention her strange desire to make up creatures and animals that don't exist and put them in her books and make them do weird, wonderful and horrible things…
Seriously, she's probably the most gifted writer I know, and as she just told you she comes by it the old fashioned way…hard work and blood, sweat, and tears over the keyboard.
I'm honored to know her.
My recent post Robin Perini
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I was thoroughly amused by this post! Way to go, Shea! 🙂
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Great post, Shea – but you look way too thin for someone who drinks all that sweet stuff – is there no justice in the world???
I think the blurb is what I look at most when I buy a book.
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First of all, the cover is gorgeous. Second, Shea won me over with her peanut M & Ms and the discussion of monkey poop and Coke. To answer your question, however, sometimes the cover plays a part in my desire to read a book. However, the premise and characters are the selling points for me.
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Usually I just look at the cover and think "Ooh.. This looks good, I wonder what it's about.." After that I read the summary and if it sounds interesting, I'll read it. If not, all well. That's how it works for me. And this book has definitely interested me.
ruby95660[at]yahoo[dot]com
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Yep, but I have to tell you, Shea is a work-out queen. When she says she kickboxes occasionally…it's pretty much every day. She could kick most of us all the way to next week LOL. I love giving away her secrets :-).
My recent post Robin Perini
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That's Shea, all right. Her post her like her book, unexpected and amazing, and her voice always shines through. I agree about the premise and characters. It's totally the back blurb for me, too.
My recent post Robin Perini
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It's an amazing story. Dylan is a hero you'll absolutely love. He's one of those characters that just grabs you the first page and doesn't let you go. Kera is his match in every way and Teag, the other realm, is unique and wonderful. Shea created an amazing mythology with these books. Just love it!
My recent post Robin Perini
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What a fun post, Shea. I'm looking forward to reading the Marked Son.
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I had chocolate for breakfast this morning, Shea!
I recently had cola in a glass for the first time ever. I think there is a huge taste difference. What do you think?
Looking forward to your book!
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Thanks for the giveaway!!
I pick up a book if it interests me or sounds interesting and intriguing.
Ivy
ivykiddo[AT]gmail[DOT]com
My recent post Guest Post: Character Book Picks with Ellie from Eternity
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Not entering because I no longer have a working ereader, but I had to comment on the awesome post! It was tons of fun and it gave me a tummy ache because UGH! All that Cola and sugar! I don't know how she does it. I can't even drink a can of soda without feeling like I'm going to barf. Guess I'm glad I don't have that habit!
My recent post Saturday Situation- Link your reviews and giveaways! 8/6
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I definitely will say that a cover usually lure's me in. However, I will check out reviews if I'm purchasing online.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
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Not entering b/c it's an e-book (seriously, I'm considering that MAC and iPad but that's a hefty investment) but what a great guest post! Monkey poop aside! Love it! I'll definitely check it out in book form!
Heather
My recent post Meeting Authors Michelle Hodkin, Myra McEntire, Beth Revis and Victoria Schwab or MY DAY ROCKED! HOW WAS YOURS?
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First off, the cover has a big part in making me want to read a book, and the cover of The Marked Son is awesome! As soon as I saw it, I KNEW I had to read this book! Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy:)
jwitt33 at live dot com
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The cover is amazing. I loved it the second I saw it. And the book is just as good. For some great reviews of SHea's book, check out Goodreads. She has a 4.31 average and a lot of reviews!
My recent post Robin Perini
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Good gracious, Shea! I got sugar overload just reading your hilarious post. Such is the life of a writer…rarely normal!
I'm attracted to a book by its back cover copy, sometimes the cover (but then the story has to captivate, too). No bait and switch, please!
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I have been following this book for a while and it is definitely on my wishlist. I will admit that sometimes a cover will grab me and more often the title. I want to read a book that will give me a place to go in my imagination and I want to find characters that I like and would like to have as friends. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway opportunity, I would love a copy of this this book. I left a comment on Shea's FB to share the joy!
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
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oh I hope I'm not too late for the giveaway.
The cover draws me to the book,but its usually the blurb on the back or word of mouth that interests me in a book.
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