Second Anniversary Celebration: Susan K.Quinn giveaway package

Second Anniversary Celebration:  Susan K. Quinn Giveaway Package

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Today’s SECOND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION second prize package is graciously donated by the fantastic Susan K. Quinn. Susan is offering 2 ecopies of her new Steampunk release- THIRD DAUGHTER (Dharian Affairs #1).

There will be two (2) winners. Each winner will receive an ecopy of THIRD DAUGHTER.

Click HERE for Susan K. Quinn’s website.

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Susan K Quinn Giveaway

REMINDER: ALL giveaways require a comment to be eligible for the prize.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

6. Giveaway runs from February 1 to February 14, 2014

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Debt Collector Series 1-3 by Susan Kaye Quinn-Guest Post and Kindle Giveaway

Debt Collector Series 1-3 by Susan Kaye Quinn-Guest Post and Kindle Giveaway

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Guest Post by Susan Kaye Quinn


Guest post-Black and White

What’s a Serial and Why Would I Read One?
by Susan Kaye Quinn, author of a new future-noir serial called The Debt Collector

Debt Collector 1-3

A serial is a series of episodes – or short stories – that are connected to tell a larger story.

Must Read TV

Serials are actually a lot like a TV series, which themselves vary a lot in type. Series like Law&Order and House are more self-contained, with only a few character storylines carrying over from episode to episode. Series like Lost or Heroes would be difficult to watch out of order because the storylines carry more strongly, sometimes with cliffhangers, sometimes not.

Some readers like the week-by-week suspense of Must Watch TV; others would rather wait until the season is done and get it from netflix so they can watch it back-to-back. Likewise, some readers enjoy the suspense of reading a serial episode-by-episode as they’re released. Others would rather wait until the entire serial is complete and read it all at once. Either is fine!

Is a Serial a New Idea?

Ebook serials are a new thing, because ebooks are a new thing – but serials have been around since Charles Dickens wrote and released Great Expectations (self-published through his own literary magazine!) in 6,000 word “installments” every week for nine months. Readers today aren’t accustomed to reading in serial format because publishing serials was restricted to magazines, which didn’t have wide circulation. Now with ebooks, the cost of transmission is low and the distribution is wide. Ebooks have revived the short story form! But for readers raised on novels, who crave longer works and more in-depth stories, serials are the next natural step.

Is a Serial a Novel Cut Into Pieces?

No. A serial is not a chopped up novel, just like a TV episode is not a chopped up movie. It’s a different way of telling stories. In a way, it’s more demanding to write than novels – you need to immediately draw the reader in, you have to reach some kind of reader-satisfaction-level by the end of the episode (even if you have a cliff-hanger), and you have to maintain that pace and storytelling arc over multiple episodes. But all that hard work on the part of the author makes it (potentially) more enjoyable for the reader.

Can You Name Some Successful Serials?

Yes!

Hugh Howey’s Wool
RaShelle Workman’sBlood and Snow
Platt &Wright’sYesterday’s Gone

These are all recent bestselling serials that drew audiences in and helped revitalize the serial form.

Why Would I Read a Serial?

Readers tell me that they’re enjoying the short episodes – they can read them quickly over lunch or in an evening and get a full “story” worth of entertainment. The fast pacing means there’s a lot of story packed into a short number of words. Readers also say they enjoy the anticipation of finding out “what will happen next” much like a TV series where you get invested in the characters. Think about how a favorite TV series will sometimes focus one episode on one character or another, diving into their backstory. As a writer, I like that I can go in-depth a little more in each “episode” than I could in a novel, giving a richness to the story and characters that might be more difficult to do in a novel format.

All serials eventually come to an end, just like a “season” of your favorite TV series. Whether you enjoy reading serials as they release, or want to wait until the complete season is out so you can read the episodes back-to-back, serials are a fast-paced, exciting way to enjoy a story.

As a writer, I find serials are the hardest writing I’ve ever loved.


About The Author Black and White

Susan Kaye Quinn

Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling YA SF Mindjack series. Her new Debt Collector serial is her more grown-up SF. Her steampunk fantasy romance is temporarily on hold while she madly writes episodes to keep Lirium (the titular Debt Collector) happy.

Plus she needs to leave time to play on Facebook. Susan has a lot of degrees in engineering, which come in handy when dreaming up dangerous mind powers, future dystopias, and slightly plausible steampunk inventions. Mostly she sits around in her pajamas in awe that she gets make stuff up full-time. You can find her at www.susankayequinn.com

Author Links:

 

Series Spotlight Black and White
The Debt Collector Book 1-3 by Susan Kaye Quinn
Delirium (Debt Collector #1)
by Susan K. Quinn
Release Date:  March 20, 2013

Order Now: .99cents or less  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble/ KOBO

Delirium
What’s your life worth on the open market? 
A debt collector can tell you precisely.Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He’s just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja’s sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane… until he collects again. But when his recovery ritual is disrupted by a sex worker who isn’t what she seems, he has to choose between doing an illegal hit for a girl whose story has more holes than his soul or facing the bottle alone—a dark pit he’s not sure he’ll be able to climb out of again.Contains mature content and themes.

 

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Agony (Debt Collector #2)
by Susan Kaye Quinn
Release Date:  March 25, 2013

Order Now .99cents of less:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

AgonyWhat’s your life worth on the open market?
A debt collector can tell you precisely.Lirium tries to forget Apple Girl, but a rough collection finds him spiraling deeper into the abyss. He faces a one-way ticket to The Retirement Home for debt collectors, until his psych officer offers a way out.Agony is approximately 11,000 words or 44 pages, and is the second of nine episodes in the first season of The Debt Collector serial. This dark and gritty future-noir is about a world where your life-worth is tabulated on the open market and going into debt risks a lot more than your credit rating. For more about the Debt Collector serial, see DebtCollectorSeries.com

 

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Ecstasy (Debt Collector #3)
By Susan Kaye Quinn
Release Date:  April 1, 2013

Order Now .99cents of less: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

Ecstasy

 

Lirium’s attempts to find Ophelia take him to the last place he wants to be.

Ecstasy is approximately 15,000 words or 60 pages, and is the third of nine episodes in the first season of The Debt Collector serial. This dark and gritty future-noir is about a world where your life-worth is tabulated on the open market and going into debt risks a lot more than your credit rating. For more about the Debt Collector serial, see DebtCollectorSeries.com

 

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The Debt Collector Box Set

By Susan Kaye Quinn

Debt Collector Box set

Order today: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

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Broken (Debt Collector #4)
by Susan Kaye Quinn
Release Date: April 17, 2013

Broken

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

What’s your life worth on the open market?
A debt collector can tell you precisely.

Lirium tries to free himself and Ophelia from the Kolek mob, but Valac has other plans for him.

Broken is approximately 15,000 words or 60 pages, and is the fourth of nine episodes in the first season of The Debt Collector serial. This dark and gritty future-noir is about a world where your life-worth is tabulated on the open market and going into debt risks a lot more than your credit rating. Episode 5, Driven, releases 5/1/13

 

 

Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

Susan is offering an ecopy of the first book in the Debt Collector series-DELIRIUM to one lucky reader at each of the tour stops including The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. To obtain a BONUS entry, sign up for Susan’s newsletter HERE and let us know in the comment section

3. Giveaway is OPEN internationally

4. Giveaway runs from May 1 to May 13, 2013.

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GRAND PRIZE Giveaway: Susan is offering a KINDLE and the Debt Collector 1-3 ebook set to ONE lucky reader. Open to US residents only.

NOTE:  The Rafflecopter Giveaway is NOT the responsibility of The Reading Cafe.  If you have any questions, please contact the author or the tour promoter.

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Susan K Quinn-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Susan K Quinn-Interview with the Author

The Reading Cafe has had the privilege to review the novels and interview many of the authors from the INDELIBLES. The INDELIBLES are a group of independent publishing YA authors who get together for support and promotion. Today we would like to introduce the author of the MINDJACK TRILOGY-Susan K Quinn

INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN K QUINN

TRC: Hi Susan and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Susan: I take my tea straight (no cream, no sugar), I have a love of all things booky or geeky (or both FTW!), and I recently have become obsessed with
Avatar: The Legend of Korra. Oh, and I write books for teens and kids.

TRC: Your bio information is impressive. You have several engineering degrees including Aerospace and Mechanical as well as a Ph.D in Environmental Engineering. Why did you leave it all behind to write?

Susan: I actually left it all behind to be with my kids – I have three boys, now 8, 11 and 13. I absolutely adored my work, but I decided to stay home with my boys after the second one was born, always intending to return to engineering work someday. It completely shocked me that I decided to be a novelist instead! But as I started reading children’s literature with my kids, I rediscovered the buried love of writing from my own teen years. And once bitten by the writing bug, there was no turning back.

TRC: Many writers bounce ideas between spouses or other authors, as well as friends. With whom do you share ideas or concepts about writing?

Susan: I don’t do a lot of sharing in the early stages, usually waiting until I have a couple drafts of the full manuscript done before I share it with anyone. But I talk general craft issues all the time with my fellow authors, and bore my husband and kids endlessly with point-of-view issues and storytelling craft. Now that my teenage son writes novels as well, dinner conversation is completely monopolized.

TRC: You are a member of the INDELIBLES-an indie website for authors of YA novels and storylines. How were you first introduced to the Indelibles? What would you consider the Indelibles most significant feature for indie authors?

Susan: I was invited to join the Indelibles by fellow Indelible author Heather McCorkle, and I am so glad (and lucky) to be in this fine group of authors! We support each other in our publishing journeys, cross-promote, and chat nearly every day on email about writing and life. Indie authors don’t have a support team with a publisher, so finding that support in each other is critical for success. And the collective lessons-learned of all 25 of us has helped each of us individually as well. I learn something new from these ladies every day!

TRC: What is the title of your first published novel? What inspired you to write your first book?

Susan: My first published novel was Life, Liberty, and Pursuit (a teen love story) that I wrote for my niece (who was 13 at the time). She and I bonded over the Twilight craze, and I wanted to write something that showed that epic love could exist, even if there were no paranormal creatures involved! I have nothing against paranormal (far from it, since Open Minds is paranormal/science fiction story), but I had fun just writing the love story. I never intended to publish it, but I was approached by a friend who was starting a small publishing company and was asked to submit.

TRC: Mind Games (found in the anthology-In His Eyes) is the prequel to OPEN MINDS (see our review below) , the first novel in the Mindjack Trilogy. Would you please tell us about the premise of this series?

Susan: Open Minds is about a girl (Kira) who can’t read minds in a world where everyone else does. She’s ostracized because of her “disability” and only her best friend Raf (who she secretly loves) treats her like she’s worthwhile. Kira soon finds out that she has the ability to control people’s minds, and things get dangerous in a hurry after that. Mind Games is a prequel short story to Open Minds, told from Raf’s point of view, about the difficulty of being a mindreader in love with a zero (someone who can’t read minds or be read by others). I’ll be releasing Mind Games as a single short story in mid-May.

LINKS TO PURCHASE

*Amazon Kindle
*Amazon Books
*KOBO
*B&N Nook
*B&N Books
*Smashwords

MIND GAMES free introductory e-novella from IN HIS EYES
*KOBO
IN HIS EYE anthology-FREE from AMAZON Kindle-click here)

TRC: What is the significance of ‘Mindjack’ and its’ relationship to the trilogy?

Susan: Mindjacking is the term I use for mind-control. Kira is a mindjacker, and the hidden world of mindjackers within the larger mindreading world drives the story. I think of mindjacking as an almost physical experience, where people reach with their mindfields into other people’s minds to control their thoughts, actions, emotions, and even their memories. The exploration of what we can do with our minds is endlessly fascinating to me.

TRC: Will Raf and Kira remain the central figures throughout the series?

Susan: The Mindjack trilogy is definitely Kira’s story, although Raf plays an important role throughout.

TRC: If the MindJack series is a runaway hit with the readers, will you consider writing future storylines or novellas?

Susan: This is a great question! Mind Games is actually the first of a series of short stories I’m writing in the world of Open Minds – I’m calling them “Mindjack Origins” and they will each look at a different character and a story from their past, that predates their appearance in the trilogy. The next one I plan to write this summer will be called “The Handler” – a character from the sequel, Closed Hearts. There’s a lot of richness in the world of Open Minds, and while I have another (different) trilogy that’s chomping at me to write it, I may be tempted to write a companion series to Mindjack. It would have to be as compelling as the Mindjack trilogy before I would be willing to commit to that, though. I think each book, and trilogy, needs to stand on its own.

 

TRC: CLOSED HEARTS is the second book in the Mindjack Trilogy (release date May 23, 2012). Would you please tell us something about the premise? (see our review below)

Susan: Closed Hearts is a continuation of Kira’s story in Open Minds. If you’ve read the book, you know things are just starting to change in Kira’s world. If you haven’t, I won’t spoil it for you. But safe to say, the story of mindjackers is just beginning.

 

 

LINKS TO PURCHASE

*Amazon Kindle
*Amazon Books
*B&N Nook
*Smashwords

TRC: Is there anything you found particularly challenging (to date) in writing the Mindjack Trilogy?

Susan: Writing a novel where everyone reads minds seemed so daunting at first, I almost didn’t start. How do you do that? Is everything written in italics?? Then I realized that the mindreading and mindjacking experience was a very physical one (see above) and that helped make the story more concrete, less esoteric. And more reasonable to render onto the page!

TRC: At The Reading Café, we always say that Young Adult literature is no longer just for teens and young adults. Many of today’s authors write books and series knowing that ‘grown ups’ will be reading their stories. What do you feel is the attraction ( for adults) of the many YA storylines and series?

Susan: I love reading and writing YA because the stories are fresh, fast-paced, and deal with universal experiences. I’m far from my teen years, but they’re still vivid in my mind. It’s a time when we discover who we are, and I think that remains as an indelible memory – and something we can all share.

TRC: What are you currently writing?

Susan: I’m working on Book Three of the Mindjack Trilogy, plus making notes for The Handler (short story) which I hope to write in-between drafts of the novel.

TRC: Would you like to add anything?

Susan: I hope your readers enjoy the Mindjack books! I always love to hear from readers, so feel free to drop by my facebook page and tell me what you think
LINK to Susan’s FACEBOOK

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Cheese. No, sourdough bread! Ok, cheese AND sourdough bread. #yum

Favorite Dessert
Any form of chocolate. Bonus points if it’s cake.

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Yes.

Favorite Movie
Star Trek (the reboot with OMG Chris Pine AND Zachary Quinto!! *faints*).I’m a fan.

Favorite TV Show
Avatar: The Legend Of Korra. So. Good.

Last Movie you Saw
The last movie was so bad, I don’t remember it. The last movie I saw that was AMAZING? Hunger Games.

TRC: Susan, we would like to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. The Reading Café is looking forward to your upcoming release and we wish you the best of luck with your writing career. Please keep us informed about your future projects.

Susan: Thanks so much for hosting me today!!

*******GIVEAWAY*******

Susan K Quinn is offering an e-copy of either OPEN MINDS or CLOSED HEARTS (winners choice) plus an e-copy of MIND GAMES

1.  All members at The Reading Cafe are eligible for the giveaway.  If you are not a member, please register using the LOG-IN at the top of the page.

2.  Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

3. {like} Susan on FACEBOOK and follow her NEWSLETTER for additional entries.

4.  Please drop by and say hello to Susan.  Post a comment and enjoy our interview with the author.

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CLOSED HEARTS (Mindjack Trilogy #2) YA-by Susan K Quinn-a new release review

CLOSED HEARTS (Mindjack Trilogy #2) YA-by Susan K Quinn-a new release review

CLOSED HEARTS (YA) by Susan K Quinn

CLOSED HEARTS is the second novel and May 23, 2012 release in Susan K Quinn’s Young Adult -Mindjack Trilogy.

PREVIOUSLY: In a world where mindreading is the norm (due to decades of contaminated water) those without the ability are known as zeroes, but there are a few who possess a power greater than most, and Kira will learn first hand, just how different is she. Discrimination and stereotyping will force the mindjackers into hiding-fearing for their lives.

Kira Moore is a mindjacker. It has been 8 months since Kira revealed to the world that Agent Kestral and the FBI were performing illegal experiments on changelings. With her family now secluded and hiding under false names, Kira and her father are working for a powerful man thought to be on their side. But waking up in Jackertown amongst strangers wasn’t part of her plan. Complicating matters, Clan leader Molloy appears to have aligned himself with other mindjackers in the hopes of finding his brother.

Kira soon meets the other housemates who are hiding in Jackertown. Julien, their leader, is hoping that Kira will help find and rescue his sister, who has been taken prisoner by Agent Kestral to another mindjacker experimental facility. And it is Julien’s references to Kira as a keeper that have everyone hoping she is their answer to freedom but even Kira is not strong enough to break through the newly established mindguard security. With the revelation that mindjackers exist, security is tight, and government officials are hoping to round up everyone perceived as a threat.

Kira is introduced to several variations on the mindjacker phenomenon. Julien explains that those with enhanced abilities beyond the normal mindjacking are considered mage-they perform ‘magic’ and are able to control others in varying degrees. It is the mage more than anyone that the FBI fear. If the mindjackers are able to control one’s mind, are they able to control the body as well? But it is Sasha that will truly scare Kira-as a scribe, Sasha has a special ability that could easily make him a weapon in the war against the others.

Kira’s boyfriend Raf falls prey to Molloy’s tricks and deviance. Not originally part of Julien’s plans, Raf is now a pawn in a new game of search and rescue between Kira and Molloy. But there is more to Molloy’s plans than the rescue of his missing brother- and it is Kira who will become the ultimate prize for Agent Kestral and the FBI.

Kira’s love for Raf will force her to make choices and her decisions could ultimately cost Raf his life. Molloy’s schemes will find Kira imprisoned in a mindjacker facility, but with the help of a few new friends, Kira discovers that it is no longer (just) about her. Security becomes a necessary evil, but detection and discovery will result in lives lost and the loss of a friend. But the biggest loss for Kira will be her heart, when the one person she loves most in this life, is the one person who is no longer himself.

CLOSED HEARTS is a wonderful second instalment in the Mindjack Trilogy. The story is fast paced, the characters are real, and the discrimination against those that are different is a definite possibility in the world in which we live. The premise will make you think ‘what if’ and your heart will break for a love now lost. Susan K Quinn writes a thought provoking series that can easily reflect the mindset of many countries, groups and faiths.

In My Opinion:  The Mindjack Trilogy by Susan K Quinn is one of the best NEW young adult  series this year.

LINKS TO PURCHASE

Amazon Kindle
Amazon Books
B&N Nook
Smashwords

reviewed by Sandy

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