My Interview on The Lovely Books blog given by Jessica Ramirez :)

Interview with Tiffany Heiser author of Bonded with Love


Is a writer living in Fort Worth, Tx- with her Husband and two crazy dogs. She has been writing most of her life-short stories, and poetry. But she has always enjoyed reading young adult fiction and the amazing places it can take you. It has been her dream to one day be published. Her dream was accomplished with Bonded With Love as her debut novel.


1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born on Fort Hood but raised in Granbury, Texas- a small town southwest of Fort Worth. I am an only child, but not a spoiled brat- well in my opinion. I recently got married in October of 2011 and it was the best day of my life. I absolutely love my husband, he is my best friend.

I have two dogs- a spazzy tan corgi and a very chilled black doxiepoo (half dachshund and half mini poodle).

I'm a coffee addict, but it seems that it comes with the territory of being an author :) I also love rainy days- it helps with the inspiration for writing but it also inspires lazy days :D


2. What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to read! So in my off time or when I'm not busy I will be reading. I love spending time with my puppies- taking them for walks or just cuddling with them.

My husband and I have a daily ritual of curling up on the couch and watching our fave TV shows after work and I look forward to that time to spend with him. I enjoy getting to go over to visit our families and having quality time with them. Oh and I'm a huge pro football fan- Cowboys fan actually...I know I know don't remind me how that season ended :(


3. Do you have a day job as well?
I do. I work full-time for a bank as a teller. I have been in the banking business for ten years. I enjoy it, but I Love writing more :)


4. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I have been writing the majority of my life. When I was a young kid, I started writing poems. It helped me free any emotions that I didn't know how to express. I filled up a couple large notebooks of poems throughout the years.

5. When I was in middle school my vivid dreams put ideas in my head about exciting stories that could be written-of course then my writing needed a lot of help, but I knew one day I would write a full novel.

I finished Bonded With Love in April of 2011. That was one of the most exciting days of my life. To know that I had accomplished one of my major goals in life.


6. How did you choose the genre you write in?
I have always been into vampires and the paranormal. I would read R.L. Stine and Stephen King as a kid, but about four years ago I read the Twilight saga (twice) and found myself in love with reading books in a series (The majority of the full novels I write will be a series.). And absolutely adore paranormal romances even more after reading that series. So I tend to stick to that genre when reading and definitely will stay in that genre when I write.


7. Where do you get your ideas?
Dreams. I had a dream about Rena and the gang. I've recently had two more vivid dreams about two new series that I want to start on. My mind is wild with imagination especially while sleeping and most of my dreams I can remember colors and smells and noises so much that I can still remember each dream I've had about my books.


8. Do you ever experience writer’s block?
I haven't as of yet. I have moments when ideas aren't flowing through me, but then I move onto a different writing task and keep my mind focused on something.


9. Do you work with an outline, or just write?
Funny thing. When I first sat down knowing that I was going to write Bonded With Love, I grabbed a notebook and created my outline. Once I finished that I started writing. By the end of the first page my outline was no use anymore. Rena and the gang knew how they wanted their story to be told and it wasn't anywhere near where I thought it would go. ;)


10. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Stephenie Meyer brought me back to my reading addiction. I had lost it thanks to high school and then college. But she reminded me how much fun reading is and thus brought back my imagination.


There are other authors who I look up to and they have also influenced me.

Richelle Mead, Melissa Marr, Rachel Caine.


11. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
There were a few. Querying was one. I would get responses back about the topic and genre I was writing in. The last one I received was from an agent that said that vampires had been blacklisted and my genre is too full.

With that comment it was as if she was telling me that it would be nearly impossible to get published. And so I decided in that moment that I would self-publish and prove to whoever and to myself that I could do this on my own. There are so many options nowadays that make the process-not easy- but possible. So I looked into self-pub, asked questions, and found my way.


12. Would you change anything?
Not at all. I have learned so much in the couple of years that I have been part of the writing, editing, and publishing world. My eyes have been opened wider and every part of it was bringing my dreams to life. It has been a dream come true.


13. How do you market your work?
I'm always on Twitter, Facebook, and Bookrix.

I love meeting new people and other writers like me! :)

Twitter has been amazing and given me the ability to not only get the word out there about my books but helped me make new friends.


Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
No, actually I haven't. Bonded was the first book that I wrote from beginning to end. I'm sure it'll happen eventually though.


14. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
Right now my mind is on over-drive. I have four separate book ideas going on, but I'm currently working on Book 2 of the With Love series Struggled With Love due out in August/September. I don't really want to say much for those who haven't read the first one...except book 2 will definitely be crossing lines and boundaries -especially as Rena's powers blossom.


15. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
The plot is purely imagination. However, the main characters are based on people I know. Friends or family. The friendship between Rena and Cecile reminds me at times, throughout the book, of my own friendship with my best friend.


16. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I enjoyed writing the beginning because I loved finding out who my characters were and how they would act. I loved learning their personalities that was exciting and made it easy to write.


But I also enjoyed the ending. Seeing how Rena had grown, how close her and Cryder had gotten, but especially the final scene between Rena and Bristol. The power that brewed in that scene pulled me in and I wrote that whole last chapter in a day because I couldn't put my pen down. It was a big strong part of the book.


17. How did you come up with the title?
I had help from friends. I knew I wanted something that I could continue with each book. So I knew I wanted it to be the With Love series, but I had many options for the first word of the title- one of my best friends came up with Bonded, and I fell in love with it instantly.


18. What project are you working on now?
I have multiple projects that have a small portion written- An angel series, a demigod series, and one new vampire book have been started.

But I am currently putting all of my focus on working on finishing the first draft of Book 2 of the With Love series Struggled With Love.


19. Will you have a new book coming out soon?
I should have 1 or 2 short stories out before summer as part of the With Love series.

And Book 2 will be out in August/September of 2012.
Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
I'd love to come up with a book about Wicca and witchcraft. It completely fascinates me...but the plot hasn't come to me yet. Maybe one day.


20. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
I've been told I wasn't ready, that I should have waited before I published the book. That I still had a lot to learn.

It's true, I have a lot to learn about everything in life-we all do. But to say I wasn't ready...I didn't feel that way at all. I felt very ready. When I received the response to my query about vampires being blacklisted and that paranormal romance was to full for someone new, it brought the need and want to be published to the service.


21. What has been the best compliment?
The best compliment to get is someone who hasn't read in years started reading again and it was thanks to my book.

Or friends of mine who have been trying to get published for years are inspired by the fact that I self-pubbed, and they decided to do the same for themselves.

One of my writer friends, James Hussel, actually just self-published his first novel this past week and I'm so excited for him!


Funny Story:

I received a phone call one day from my grandma that she had stayed in bed all day reading MY book and loved it- this is from a woman that hadn't read in probably over 10 years. And she spent an entire day reading mine and actually loved it-which made my year!

On a side note: She also told me I needed to get the new one out soon or she would have a heart attack. :/


22. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Never give up. You can do absolutely anything you put your mind to. And if someone tells you that you can't, they're lying. Don't lose faith in yourself or your ability.


My fave quote:

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."- Winston Churchill


23. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Thank you for everything! Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my books! I adore you all and appreciate you for simply cracking open something I've written. I can't express how much that means to me and it's something that will never be forgotten.
Bonded With Love By Tiffany Heiser



Me***
I think it is so cool that Tiffany lives in Texas right around the corner from me! Although I do not care too much for the Cowboys..hehehe. My review of Bonded with Love will be up and ready for tomorrow! Stay tuned:)
Thank You Tiffany for the wonderful interview, I look forward the next book in the Bonded with Love Series.
Twitter:@Tiffany_Heiser
Blog-http://tiffanyheiser.blogspot.com/

4* Review for Bonded With Love by Jessica Ramirez- The Lovely Books

Review of Bonded With Love by @tiffany_heiser
Bonded With Love by Tiffany Heiser
Never in a trillion years did Rena really think vampires existed...or that she had enemies among them.

Beginning of senior year, and Rena Vesten is hoping for something incredible to happen. She never expected that the dark-haired, blue-eyed man of her dreams-literally-to suddenly appear as the new student at school.

The gorgeous mystery guy, Cryder, has more secrets than his inexplicable presence in her dreams. Soon Rena's world takes a turn into the supernatural when she finds out Cryder is a vampire king with a deadly rebellion on his hands, and a destiny irrevocably tied to Rena's...

...'till death do them part



My Review:
I enjoyed Bonded With Love and was a tad bit sad when the book ended. I grew accustomed to the whole gang, especially Cryder. And that name just sounds exotic and mysterious. I love it. Rena was a different story. I can't really say I liked her too much at the beginning of the story. There were times when she was rude for no apparent reason and I would find myself cringing because of it. But I guess I am being heartless. I can empathize to an extent with her because her parents had passed. I really can, I am not that rude! Do I like her now when I am all finished and done with the book? Well, I will say this, it can only go up from here. I see that she can make a strong Queen for the vamp community.

I like stories that involve the characters being in high school, don't ask me why, I just do. Rena and her friend, Cecile, are in high school when in walks the beautiful, mysterious guy that haunts her dreams. Cryder is sexy, there I said it. He is. I so want for a beautiful vampy guy to walk into my life and make it interesting! He is next in line to be King and Rena of course is his Queen, the one he has been waiting for his whole life. They had been betrothed when they were younger but they would not be able to meet until Rena became of age. Her own vampire soulmate. Soumates:) I like that idea!!

Every story must have a villian, in this case it is a guy named Bristol. Why couldn't they dispose of him? They had numerous amounts of time to do jus that but never did. Annoyed! I can't wait until he is taken care of. And by taken care of i mean killed! ha ha.

Tiffany's take on vampires was refreshing and creative. When Rena starts having dizzy spells, the only way she felt better was when she drank a fruity drink that Cryder gave her. Little did she know it had his blood in it. Um yuck or yum? To me it sounded good! And according to Rena, it was!

Reasons why I think anyone will love Bonded With Love. Because it had a twilighty feel of course. Twilight used to be my favorite book series until the movie came out. Blahhhhh! Now I can honestly say the books have lost that magical touch. So of course here I am looking for the emptiness I feel to losing love for my favorite book. I have found it! Through Bonded With Love, I can be happy, just like I was when I read Twilight. If Tiffany ever gets a movie deal, I hope they don't butcher it. And even if they did butcher it, I would still be there opening night:) Even though I hate the Twilight movies, I still go to every opening. I know it sounds crazy, but deep down I am still a true fan at heart.

If you are a big fan of vampires and paranormal romance in general, then this is your book. Why are you still sitting there reading the review? Go...NOW and buy it!!

Available at Amazon people! Go nowwwwww<3

Following a Dream

I often find myself looking into the future. What do I want to be when I grow up? Where do I want to be? How will I get there? What steps can I take to get there?
So many questions pop up and it took so long to finally figure out what I wanted to do with my life. The answer is simple, I wanted to be a published author. I wanted to get my book out there. Plus I needed something to clear my overactive mind.
That dream has been accomplished. I still have a lifetime of writing and getting out there to go, but something else has currently hit me.
How hard is it to get published? Yes you can do the indie way, like me and thousands of others, and make it as hard on yourself as possible. Or let someone help you.
I was tossed aside when I sent my query out to agents. Cast away and shunned for writing about vampires. But I believed in my writing enough to know that it could get out there and some people would enjoy it. Now I never expected the whole publishing part to be time consuming or exhausting, but it's all worth it.
Where I'm going with this, is that I want to help others to follow their dreams. I want to help others find their way. I want to help others get their books published.
And so that is my path. Author/Publisher. I want to be that company that reads all and finds a place for well written books. Or helps those that need it to make it into a reader's hands.
I start today.

My 5* Review for Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book didn't lack a thing. It was written to perfection. The style was absolutely unique and amazed me at every page. I couldn't put it down and had it read in less than two days. The descriptions were many, and yet not over-bearing like it would in most books. I found them to fit the book beautifully and brought the story to life in a whole new way.

I wish I could give more stars!



The main character grew so much throughout the novel and in the end had become a strong individual. That is something I look forward to in every novel. To see how the main character takes on the challenges and grows from beginning to end.



Each page and each chapter had something new and crazy happening and romance that you never expected to actually come into play.



The fact that the story starts in an asylum is already extremely different. You want to know why? How? For how long? What's wrong with the main character? It takes a little while to find out the answers, but it's worth it and very sad.



The differences in their world- you never know the date or time or where they are, but you know their Earth is different than ours and it sounds awful. That the main two characters are not only fighting for their lives against a dictatorship but against a falling apart society.



Tahereh Mafi knew what she was doing when this was written and I can't wait to read more from her.



View all my reviews

My 4* review for Switched by Amanda Hocking

Switched by Amanda Hocking

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was unique in the sense that I had never read anything about Trolls before. And once I found out that this author had created a whole world of them, I grabbed it off the shelf and bought it immediately. I had always thought of trolls as big ugly ones under a bridge.



It made me think of how Melissa Marr had created her whole new world of the fae in her books and I was completely enticed. I love when someone can create a community or government and bring you into it. You get the rules and regulations of something that sounds so real but is completely made up. The writing is traditional, and at times I felt like the book lacked an amount of action but found myself drawn in by the fact that They Are Trolls (or Trylle as they were called in the book).



Plus Trolls with powers which anything with a special power will grab my attention right off the bat.



Combine that with a possibility of a blossoming romance had me wanting to read until the end.



I am looking forward to the second book and hope that there is much more action to have me on the edge of my seat.



View all my reviews

Now

You think I'm fragile as glass.
You push and poke, I may break.
I survived my past.
And I found my strength you cannot take.

I may seem weak at first glance.
A young girl and nothing more.
But the fight in me has only grown.
You cannot take away my power.

I sleep with ease even more than before.
My eyes close with grace.
Your ugly words do nothing to me.
Because now I can put you in your place.

You tore at me when I was young.
But that was then and this is now.
I dare you to try that again.
I would win and take my bow.

Your unstable like water.
Unable to stand on your own two feet.
You may be grown but you're not grown up.
And make you easy to defeat.

I use to be so scared of you.
Scared of what might happen.
I use to want to hide from you.
But now my claws are sharpened.

I won't

What I wish I could stop doing...
I wish that for one day I could stop judging myself. I wish I would stop putting myself down and look in the mirror and find the true me inside. I wish that I could put away every small detail and focus on the big picture at hand. I wish that I could see me for the accomplishments I have gained or the friendships I have made or even just the fact that I am loved should be enough. But it isn't. Each day I wake up look in the mirror and boom I judge. My body isn't perfect, my hair isn't right, my make-up isn't right, my toenails need to be fixed, my fingernails aren't right, my nose looks big, my mouth is too small, my eyes are too small, my eyebrows need to be plucked, I have a zit, my skin is dry/oily, my hair is dry, my hair is curly not straight, I need to lose weight, my butt is big, my stomach pokes out, my boobs sag, I'm short and my body expands the wrong way, my thighs are bulgy...and this goes on.
I'm never perfect for just being me. I'm always questioning myself and always putting myself down.
Do I need to lose weight? Hell yeah. But don't most people? All my life my mind has been focused on that one aspect of me. and even when I was at my smallest, I still put myself down.
How do you get out of that funk? How do you see inside and not just outside? I still don't have that answer, but I plan on finding it. I plan on searching high and low for the right response. I want to look in the mirror and see someone that has accomplished so much and should be proud of herself. Someone that has fought against the bad guys and won. Someone that has danced in the rain and laughed. Someone that is married to the most amazing man. That is talented. Smart. Funny. Witty.
Now there is a woman staring back at me...a woman that once use to be a scared little girl. She now can stand tall and face the world head on. Can say 'Hey I've been there done that and I'm ready for the next challenge.'
I'm working on it...baby steps...but I will be there soon enough. I won't back down, I won't give up. I didn't do it when I was young, I won't do it now.

My review of Tears of Crimoson by Michelle Hughes

Tears of Crimson
by Michelle Hughes


The story is a romance between human and vampire. The favorite kind of the vampire enthusiast.
A young girl trying to find her way finds herself in the path of a vampire who can't keep himself away from her, or vice versa. The emotion and love between the two characters happens quickly but pulls you in just as fast. You want the two to get together and you want it to last.
The action offers edge of your seat excitement. After the first few pages, I found myself intrigued to know what would happen next and how the book would end.
The quick point of view changes had me confused at times and grammatical problems caused me to re-read a few passages.
But I would still recommend this to the vampire story readers out there. This is Definitely an enjoyable visit to the Tears of Crimson.
I give this novel

Review DESTINED by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Destined
Book #9 of the House of Night series
by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast



I have enjoyed the other books to this series. The characters are easy to enjoy. Zoey is easily loveable as well as her many other friends. And although the book seemed to jump Point of View numerous times throughout every story, I found it almost refreshing to be able to know what each character was feeling, however I hope that this doesn't continue throughout the next few books to come. That could become over-bearing and push aside the main character, Zoey Redbird.
The story itself was good and it kept me wanting to see what happened next. I wanted to see what crazy part of their world would we be thrown into next, but
I felt at times the book didn't really move forward. We relived the details from previous books in the series instead of getting new adventures.
And the ending fell short to me. I was hoping for something big and I felt let down. It seemed too easy and too basic for an ending, especially with a series that has been going on so long and still has a few more books to go. It should have been epic and making me stomp my foot and pouting for the next one. I will read till the very end, hoping to find that enjoyment that I found in the first few books and expect that this ending is only leading to something far too amazing to even mention in Destined! *fingers crossed*
With that said I still am looking forward to the next books in the series and can't wait to see how P.C. and Kristin Cast move this story along.
I give the book