End of Summer Bash: Welcome Leanna Ellis!

Leanna Ellis is talented at writing unique and engaging stories, and her latest book, Plain Fear: Forsaken, is no exception! I had the pleasure of reviewing this book a couple of months ago. If you missed my review, you can read it HERE.

And now, let's welcome Leanna Ellis!

Amber: Thank you so much for joining us today! Could you share with us one of your favorite memories from this past summer?

Leanna: Hi, Amber! Thanks so much for having me here today! Boy has it been a busy summer! I’m glad an end is in sight even though it’s been a lot of fun.

My son was busy during the first half with fencing, having two-a-days all June, as he was getting ready for Nationals. My daughter was in a camp with Dallas Summer Musicals, performing parts of Newsies, and playing the part of Jack.

At the end of June, it was time for me to head to New York for RWA (Romance Writers of America) where I was speaking with my friends Shelley Shepard Gray and Heather Webber. I took my daughter this year so she could get a taste of Broadway. What fun we had seeing Sutton Foster in Anything Goes, and then we had a great time at Mary Poppins! It was a short trip but packed with fun! I had one day at home then I flew to Reno with my son for USFA’s Summer Nationals. He did really well and came in 15th in his event. Then we hit a little snag with our return flight and ended up having to stay a couple of extra days.

Meanwhile, my daughter had started a summer camp where she was playing Jennyanydots in CATS. So as soon as we returned from Reno I jumped back into my role as Taxi driver. Wish I could charge the prices of a driver in NY! It was one busy summer but I’m glad it’s starting to cool off. These triple digit days in Texas are tough. I’m ready to settle in for the final editing of my manuscript so I can get it off to my publisher.

Amber: Wow! Sounds like a crazy (but fun!) summer!

If you could choose one of the characters from your latest novel to join you for an “end-of-summer” party, who would you want to celebrate with in person and where would you go?

Leanna: It would probably not be Akiva. LOL! Although I do find him very interesting. I would probably choose Levi and Roc. Levi would probably choose a family gathering with food involved. And if you haven’t had a taste of Amish cooking, then you are missing out! Roc on the other hand might choose something very adventurous, like chasing vampires or a bonfire.

Amber: Hahaha, yes - maybe not Akiva... ;)

Please tell us about your latest release. If you could share a scene from the book to whet our appetites, that would be fabulous!

Leanna: Plain Fear: Forsaken just came out August 1st. It’s my Amish/vampire story. I am incredibly excited about its release. Hannah Schmidt, a young Amish woman mourning the mysterious death of her beloved Jacob, must decide between two brothers, between good and evil. When she learns her first love is now the vampire Akiva, she must forsake him and cling to a new love, a lasting love, one that will save her soul.

There is a scene on my book page on my website. You can download it HERE.

Book Trailer:

Amber: What do you look forward to most about the coming autumn season?

Leanna: Cooler weather! Really, it’s incredibly hot here and I’m starting to melt. Or have a meltdown. I need fall’s cool breezes. Besides autumn is my favorite time of the year. The leaves start changing, the temperature cools, and there are so many fun activities—football (my husband says!), my birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, shopping and decorating for Christmas, and of course all of my kids’ activities like fencing tournaments and shows.

Amber: I love autumn, too! So glad you could visit with us today, Leanna!

Readers, Leanna has generously agreed to give away a copy of Plain Fear: Forsaken to one lucky winner! So if you'd like a chance to win, just leave a comment with your e-mail address. All winners this week will be announced on Saturday, August 27th.

*This drawing is open to U.S. residents only.*

Tomorrow's guest is MaryLu Tyndall, so be sure to stop by!

My Review of Plain Fear: Forsaken

Here's a description of the book:

"Hannah Schmidt pines for Jacob, the boy who saved her life. But Jacob is gone, buried. Levi Fisher loves Hannah. But he knows how much Hannah loved his brother Jacob. He also knows the troubling event that took Jacob out of their lives.

So when a stranger named Akiva comes into their community, he carries with him two secrets: he is, in fact, Jacob. And he is now a vampire.

When secrets are revealed, Hannah must choose between light and dark, between the one she has always loved and the new possibility of love—a decision that will decide the fate of her soul."

My Review:

This is the kind of book that requires a conversational review. I find it difficult to sum up my thoughts on this book in an eloquent way, so I hope you don't mind if I just speak plainly. (Pun intended, but not meant to be distracting!)

I have read two other books by Leanna Ellis: Ruby's Slippers and Once in a Blue Moon. Like those books, Forsaken defies labels. It is not a book that fits neatly into one specific category. Ellis is skilled at penning novels that are engagingly unique.

But unlike those two books, Forsaken is not "traditional" Christian fiction. Please don't let this be where you stop reading this review, or where you decide this is a must-read (depending on your preferences)!

I think the eerie cover fits the tone of the story, as well as the content, very well. So don't let the Amish girl there fool you. This is far, far different from a Cindy Woodsmall, Wanda Brunstetter, or Beverly Lewis novel. This is a book about vampires.

I have never read or watched any of the Twilight movies or books. But I have read Dracula by Bram Stoker. And I am pleased with how Ellis handles the subject--creating sympathy for Jacob, but showing that his vampire state (as Akiva) is evil. She includes certain characteristics of vampires that I recognized from Stoker's novel, such as a vampire's ability to morph into other forms (not just bats). But I also saw some differences, such as the vicious nature of a vampire attack (nowhere near romantic/seductive).

I think at this point it is important to state that this book contains some language, a fair amount of sensuality, violence, sexual innuendos, as well as drug/alcohol/smoking references. I believe that some of the questionable material was unnecessary, especially the extent of certain sensual scenes and the occasional language. But I also see that some of it is important to the story.

I don't say that to excuse Ellis' content or approve it. I think of it as more like what the artist Thomas Kinkade wrote in his book, Touched by the Light:

"Without a consciousness of darkness, there can be little or no awareness of light. Friends often ask me how I go about painting light. It often surprises them when I say that I start with massive amounts of darkness... Only after those pieces of cloth are saturated with darkness do I allow the light to emerge--and often only small pools of light at that." (p. 59)

In any case, I think the most important thing to note about Forsaken is that there are "small pools of light" which demonstrate a strong theme of good vs. evil, as well as a powerful message about love--the kind of love that sacrifices, giving instead of taking, and driving out unhealthy fear. That is the heart of the book, evidenced by the symbolism of blood (etc.) throughout the pages.

My main qualm with the book is the heroine, Hannah. I loved reading about Levi, and I really think he steals the show. He is sweet, protective, and strong in his faith. It is his growth and his insights at the end that tie the symbolism together. There were moments when I felt Hannah was maturing, too. But her overall emphasis on romantic love at the end disappointed me. Love between a man and a woman can be a gift, but it can never be salvation.

Last year on Ellis' blog she compared Forsaken to Phantom of the Opera. That intrigued me, and now I have seen the striking connection for myself. The love triangle will engross you; Akiva's fate will sadden you; and the "music of the night" might temporarily enchant you. But as Christine sings to the Phantom: "It's in your soul that the true distortion lies."

If you approach this book with an open mind and look to the deeper threads binding this story together, then I think you will find this to be an ultimately hopeful read through all of the sorrow and pain. But beware: it will also challenge you.

*With thanks to the author and Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Note: Since this was an advance copy, some changes might have been made to the final edition which would not be taken into consideration in this review.

Book Trailer:

Blogoversary Day 5: Welcome Back Leanna Ellis!

Welcome to the fifth day of my blogoversary extravaganza! Today we're reminiscing the first author interview I posted on this blog, which was with Leanna Ellis. I had recently read Once in a Blue Moon, so Leanna was a great choice for my first interview--and her fiction is so different and fun! (Also, I highly recommend her other book I've read--Ruby's Slippers--which I loved!)

For those of you who are visiting or are new to the blog (or if you just want a blast from the past!), here is the link to my first author interview:

• First Author Interview! Welcome Leanna Ellis!

And now, Leanna Ellis is back!

Amber: It’s such a pleasure to host you here at “Seasons of Humility” again! Can you believe it’s been almost a whole year since you were first interviewed here? How time flies! Could you share with us what you’ve been up to in your writing career since April 2010?

Leanna: Thanks for having me back here, Amber! It was definitely a busy year for me personally and professionally. My two kids have been keeping me very busy with all of their activities. In between going to fencing tournaments for my son and even doing a few ‘en guardes’ myself as well as rehearsals and shows for my singing, dancing, and acting daughter, I had two books out in 2010: Once in a Blue Moon and Facelift.

Amber: What’s on the agenda for this next year? I do believe I’ve seen something about an “Amish/Vampire” series… ;)

Leanna: Well, yes, you are right! Last year I sold an Amish/vampire series idea called Plain Fear to an ABA publisher (secular), and I was busy writing it last year. It is probably my most spiritual book to date, and I am very excited about it. It’s a story of good versus evil. So often we just think of evil as being dark and scary…well, it is that but it’s also alluring and appealing and attractive. If you just saw the dark, ugly, scary side of evil, who would go there? My Amish heroine is lured to the dark side by the man she once loved and she must make a choice that will decide her eternal fate. I just finished revisions and should be starting line edits on it soon. Forsaken is scheduled to come out in August 2011.

Amber: I'm very excited to read Forsaken! It sounds very powerful and intriguing.

Your first interview here was centered on your book Once in a Blue Moon. Since then, it sounds like you’ve been keeping busy with writing other books! Do you ever go back and re-read the books you’ve already had published? Do you have a favorite?

Leanna: I don’t usually reread my own work once it is published, because then I might see something I want to change. I tend to be a perfectionist. =) Books are like children and they go through many different stages. In their infancy (at the idea stage), I’m in love with them. Then as I begin writing the book, they hit those terrible twos where they don’t behave very well. But as I get into the middle of the story, that elementary age, it’s fun and exciting. Then the teen years hit—it’s when I reach the end of that first draft and I see all the pimples and flaws and gawkiness, but I’m usually the one having a few hormonal breakdowns, doubts and insecurities. But then after revising a lot and a bit more growth, it’s off to the publisher. Eventually, my baby graduates from college (hits the bookstores). Of course, parenting never quite ends, does it? And neither does my relationship with my books. But by this stage, I’m usually knee deep in another book, which is needing my full attention. So do I have a favorite? Well, it’s not the one in the terrible twos at the moment. My favorite is usually the one I’ve just finished, which would be Forsaken. But next year, I hope it’ll be Forbidden.

Amber: That's a great analogy of the publishing process! I guess my manuscript is at the teenager stage. ;)

If we could celebrate this blogoversary in “real life” (as a tangible party and not just a cyber party) and you were asked to help come up with ideas for party games, what would you suggest?

Leanna: One game I love when we have one of our big family reunions is…drum roll…water balloons! Or if you have the facilities, then laser tag is tons of fun! I always say, “There’s nothing like ‘shooting’ a family member to bring peace and harmony.” Those are my favorite party games. I love the chaos and all the laughter that accompanies the wet.

Amber: Hahaha, very cool! Do you have a funny memory you can share with us from a party/celebration that you attended or hosted this past year?

Leanna: Honestly I’m better at making up funny stories, and the last few parties I’ve been to have been very sedate. Maybe I need to do something about that! Still, I’ll tell you about last Thanksgiving. We were at my mom’s house. She lives on a farm, and there’s a lake behind her house. I was busy in the kitchen helping to get the big meal ready when my son bursts into the house, breathless and laughing. His cheeks were red from the cold. Our crazy labradoodle named Hilo had jumped off the pier and started swimming across the lake. At least she could swim because the one time our white lab jumped in the water we had to get the row boat out to save her as she started sinking because she didn’t know how to swim. Now, you also have to know that there is always an alligator living in that lake. We don’t encourage anyone to swim there. So of course, the kids went crazy, worried Hilo would get eaten any moment. But Hilo didn’t pay any attention to their cries for her to come back. She often ignores us that way. She even ignored my husband who is the only one who can make her behave. She just kept swimming. But about half way out in the lake, (and remember it’s COLD because it’s November) she started getting tired. Finally, she turned around and headed back to the pier, but she was slowing down and beginning to struggle to keep her head above water. So, my husband had to get the row boat out and rescued her.

But that wasn’t the end of her adventures that day. First, because she was soaking wet and stinky from the smell of lake water, she was banished to the garage until she dried out. Ordinarily, I would have had to bathe her but it was COLD and I was busy helping with Thanksgiving dinner. Anyway, fast forward a couple of hours and Hilo is dry, dinner is over, and we’re busy cleaning up the kitchen. My mother had already deboned the turkey, but she made the mistake of leaving the dish on the counter. Yep, you guessed it. Hilo helped herself. Now, my mother is the biggest animal lover of all time, but I thought that might be the end of Hilo. The vet was even surprised that she had no ill effects from the turkey as it can be toxic to dogs. But still, Hilo was not satisfied with all the trouble she’d caused. She saw some birds outside my mother’s kitchen window and attacked. She ran right into the glass and broke it. Of course, Hilo was all right. She seems to be indestructible. But I’m not sure she will be invited back for Thanksgiving.

Thanks, Amber, for inviting me back! I appreciate it!

Amber: Oh my goodness--Hilo is a survivor, for sure! ;) And I'm thrilled you could come visit with us again!

The Giveaway

Leanna has generously agreed to give away one of her already-published books to one lucky commenter! (These books include: Elvis Takes a Back Seat; Lookin' Back, Texas; Ruby's Slippers; Once in a Blue Moon; and Facelift. You can check them out on her website!)

Just leave a comment for Leanna along with your e-mail address for a chance to win!

(Be sure to come on back tomorrow to see a list of the winners and help me conclude this blogoversarsy extravaganza!)

First Author Interview! Welcome Leanna Ellis!

Welcome Leanna Ellis!

I just finished reading Once in a Blue Moon in the wee hours of the morning. And I now have my interview questions ready, if you wouldn't mind taking the time to answer them for my blog. Thank you so very much!

Hi, Amber! I’m happy to answer a few questions for you. Fire away!

What is your favorite part about living in Texas? Was it fun to write a book mostly set in your home state?

Probably my favorite part of living in Texas is being near family. My parents have always lived within a couple of hours drive, and now that my father has passed away I’m close enough to help my mother if she needs it. My sister lives even closer, which makes me very happy, and we have her over often. Also, my nieces live in Texas but have been further away as they’ve attended college and graduate school. I long for the day when they’ll be in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It makes it much easier to see each other on a regular basis. We are a very close family and see each other quite often throughout the year and especially on holidays.

Writing about my home state is always fun and somewhat easier as I don’t have to worry with accents. But thankfully I was able to travel to Marfa to research Once in a Blue Moon. That was very useful and fun. My kids really like research trips!

I noticed there were a lot of movie references in Once in a Blue Moon. This leads me to two questions: What is your favorite movie genre? And have you seen the movie IQ? Because the banter between the older men in the “spit-and-whittle” group reminds me a bit of Einstein and his friends. :)

The easy question first: I have not seen IQ. I’ll have to try to get it sometime. Sounds fun! And for the first question: I love movies, so choosing one genre might be hard. I’m quite eclectic in my tastes and probably have several different types of movies in my favorite category. I love musicals and was pretty much raised watching things like Singing in the Rain and Brigadoon. Can you tell I love Gene Kelly? But I love romantic comedies too. My husband enjoys Cary Grant movies and so we often watch those together. I probably wouldn’t say I’m a sci-fi fan but I love Star Wars and Star Trek. I also have several westerns that I love, like True Grit or Dances with the Wolves. I love epics too. Horror is probably my least favorite. I do, however, occasionally like something like Poltergeist or The Sixth Sense. Then, of course, there are so many classics that…see! I could go on and on! And then there’s comedies! And Christmas movies are a category all by themselves…okay, I can’t seem to stop!

Quick Note: If you love romantic comedies, you'd love IQ! It stars Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins (with Walter Matthau as Einstein!). It is such a fun, sweet movie, and I know you'd love it, Leanna!

How much research goes into a book like Once in a Blue Moon? Did you actually take a glider ride to feel what it was like? Make a trip to Washington D.C.?

I did get to go to Washington D.C. I had been there a couple of times before but my memory of specifics was sketchy at best and needed refreshing. I’m glad we went and were able to take the kids. It’s such a fascinating place. My kids favorite place was the Spy Museum. Very cool. I did not take a glider ride mostly because I’m chicken but also a total wimp with movement. I often get ill on rollercoaster rides. But I talked to several people who had been on gliders or who owned them and that was very helpful.

Are the places described in Marfa (such as the observatory, the soda shop, etc.) real or at least based off of real places? Did you ever go to the Marfa Lights Festival?

The MacDonald Observatory is very real and a wonderful place to visit. The hotel in Marfa is very real and has all the Giant memorabilia and a lovely patio and fountain as I describe in the book. Many of the places in the book are either real or based on a real place. Howard’s place is made up, as is Sam’s and the glider hanger. But a lot of gliders to operate out of that area. When we went to Marfa, it was during the Marfa Lights Festival. Because we decided to go on the spur of the moment, we had to get a hotel room over an hour away. But I’m so glad we went, and so glad we went at the beginning of writing that book and not after the fact as I changed a few things in the book based on our visit.

What was your inspiration for writing such an intriguing story?

An article about an obituary writer caught my attention and imagination, and I wondered what it would be like for a writer to have written their first obit for someone they loved. And then in my crazy brain a seed took root and the story started to grow. With Ruby’s Slippers, I thought, what would happen if Dorothy lost her somewhere over the rainbow? Another seed! I’m always asking myself questions like that and some seeds take root, others not.

Would readers get more from Once in a Blue Moon if they were familiar with Men in Black? (I noticed when I was reading Ruby’s Slippers that the story was much more humorous to me because I was familiar with Wizard of Oz.)

I think if you know what Men in Black is then you’re good but it isn’t necessary to see it. If you want to see the movie, that would be fun but it won’t give you any hidden meanings. It isn’t as intricately woven with Once in a Blue Moon as the Wizard of Oz was with Ruby’s Slippers. Last summer a gal came up to me and said she’d read Ruby’s Slippers and enjoyed it. But she’d never seen the movie! I was delighted to know that the story could be enjoyed on its own merit without prior knowledge. Because of my book she rented the movie. I do try to make my stories accessible to all whether you’re familiar with the pop culture aspects or not.

Thank you again! Thank you, Amber, for having me here today, for reading Once in a Blue Moon and providing a review of it! I appreciate that!

Blessings,
Leanna

Thank you so much Leanna for taking the time to answer my questions and for visiting my blog!

Leanna can be found at the following website: http://www.leannaellis.com/home.html.

And readers, if you'd like to read my review for this great book, click on this link (or just scroll down to the following post): http://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-review-of-once-in-blue-moon.html.

My Review of Once in a Blue Moon

Here's the description of the book from the B&H Fiction website:

"Bryn Seymour was nine years old when her mother died under mysterious circumstances on the same day Apollo 11 made its historic lunar landing. Forty years later—divorced, working as an obituary writer, and duly cynical—she meets Howard, a conspiracy theorist who knew her mom and believes a small Texas town may hold clues to what really fueled her demise. Seeking closure, Bryn goes along for this men-in-black ride. But upon meeting Howard’s son Sam, an outspoken Christian, she can’t decide whose beliefs are more pie-in-the-sky.
The gravity of life has pulled Bryn down for decades. But a perfect love could be her first step to soaring. It only happens once in a blue moon."

My Rating: Spring
(For my rating system, please see the sidebar.)

My Review:
This is a well-written and engaging book! There were several times I had to laugh out loud at Ellis' clever choice of words as well as her interesting cast of characters. Reading Sam's comment that "preachers like to kiss" was just one of many laughable moments. But what I really appreciate was Ellis' ability to weave together both sorrow and humor in such a way as to make the characters real. The dialogue seemed very natural, including the questions asked by Bryn when she's seeking answers on matters of faith.
On that note, I have to say I don't necessarily agree with everything in the book. Not to say that any material was offensive; rather, it was more that I wasn't sure that I agreed with all of Sam's beliefs (or how he worded them) or actions. However, a result of this was that it really caused me to ponder what Sam said and did, and to consider what it is I believe on certain subjects. And for that, I say bravo to Leanna Ellis!
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Intrigue really adds a lot to this book, and that sense of mystery doesn't even end when the book does! But to find out more about that, you'll have to read the book for yourself!

*Thanks to Deborah Vogts for my copy of this book! I won this book on her blog--http://deborahvogts.blogspot.com/*