Weekend Review - Acquiescence - Velya Jancz-Urban

For this Weekend Review, the spotlight will be on Velya Jancz-Urban and her novel, Acquiescence. 

First, getting to know Velya:

Velya Jancz-Urban, and her Acquiescence protagonist Pamina Campbell, have a lot in common. Both are teachers and hoodwinked Brazilian dairy farm owners, and both share a 1770 Connecticut farmhouse with a spirit woman. Velya has been married for 32 years, and is the mother of two grown children. She has a few too many rescue dogs and cats, is happiest with a fresh stack of library books, loves thrift shops, and is passionate about alternative medicine. Velya is the creator/owner of How Cool is That?! (Hands-On Science (more info at www.howcoolisthat.name), as well as the East Coast Instructor for Earth Adventure's Earth Balloon. her entertainingly informative presentation, The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife, is a result of the research for Acquiescence. 

Now to get to know Velya a little better:

What is your book about?

When Pamina Campbell learns of a murder committed over two hundred years ago in her Connecticut farmhouse in order to avenge an unforgivable crime, she accepts that she has no idea how the universe works, except that it requires acquiescence at every point. Two plot threads twine in Acquiescence, as one woman calls to another across three centuries. One story, featuring Susannah Mathews, takes place in the late 1700s, while Pamina's story is set in modern day. Pamina learns that disaster - the sort of disaster that leaves you numb on a park bench or aching for your husband to come back to you - can be a freaky thing of beauty. As Pamina and her family try to piece their lives back together in their 1770 home, little do they know that secrecy, homophobia, and a ghastly confession await.

Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?

The message in Acquiescence is that even though a person may have no desire to re-live a challenging or difficult time in their life, the obstacle can play a role in shaping who you become. If you allow adversity to become an opportunity for growth, you may become a different person.

Do you have a favorite snack food or favorite beverage that you enjoy while you write?

While I don’t have any particular type of snack or drink at my side as I write, I did have a food-incentive-as-reward for when I received my first Offer of Representation for Acquiescence.  Although I don’t eat them (because years ago I gave up corn syrup, GMOs, and wheat), I’m crazy about Vienna Fingers cookies. A year ago, when I started sending out query letters, I decided to buy a package of Vienna Fingers and keep them on top of an exposed, hand-hewn beam in our kitchen. I promised myself that on the day I got my offer, I would welcome “corn syrup coma” and gobble down the entire twenty-four pack, along with a cold glass of raw milk. The enticing red and yellow package stared down at me every time I walked under the beam. With every rejection letter, the rounded-end finger-shaped cookies taunted me. I could almost hear them sneer, “Ha! Ha! We’re safe up here. You’re never gonna eat us!” And then, came my Offer of Representation from Second Wind Publishing.  As I triumphantly dunked each crème-filled vanilla cookie, every “unfortunately, this manuscript does not fit our needs at this time” rejection drowned in the glass of milk.

What advice you would give to an aspiring author?

The best advice I would give an aspiring author is a quote by literary agent, Dan Lazar: “The best rule of thumb is always to start the story where the story starts.” This was one of the stumbling blocks in my first drafts.  Where does the story start? Until you, the author, have that straight in your mind, the story’s flow won’t be right.  Also, although it’s difficult, being able to summarize your book in one sentence clarifies its goal.

If you could have lunch with one person, real or fictitious, who would it be?

If I could have lunch with one person, it would probably be Alva Vanderbilt.  Ever since my first trip to Newport, Rhode Island as a little kid, I have been fascinated by the Gilded Age.  I was never envious of Alva’s life, just intrigued by her drive. I love the fact that she went from a seen-better-days Southern belle, to an unconventional, multi-millionaire, American socialite, and then became a major figure in the women's suffrage movement. For our twentieth-fifth wedding anniversary, my husband bought me a set of her “Votes for Women” china.

Which is more important to your story, character or plot?

Character is the heart of story.  Readers relate to stories through character. Plot frames the conflict and action. Why would we want to pick one over the other when we can – and should – have both?

What is a talent you have that no one knows?

- As a hands-on science teacher, I can identify any bone that comes out of a regurgitated owl pellet.

- Although I’m an atheist, I can recite the books of the Bible – Old and New Testament – in order. 

- From hours of quizzing my pre-teen son, I still know all 100 answers to the 4-H Poultry Showmanship questions. 

Why will readers relate to your characters?

Every family has a moment that changes everything. Things happen - things you can’t even imagine - and in a minute the world is changed. Readers will relate to my characters because, just as in real life, they’ll like some and despise others. In my novel, Acquiescence, the Campbell family finds the courage to overcome adversity, realize that love never dies, and accept that there are bigger forces out there that know no limit. They learn that it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with what happens to you, and that the best revenge is living a happy life.

What famous literary character is most like you?

​

Although I look like Liza Minnelli, I think my personality is similar to Ma Joad’s in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.  I’ve never decapitated a chicken, but, like ‘Ma,’ I’m the backbone of my family. When we first meet Ma Joad, she is a strong woman. When we see her in the very last chapter, she is a strong woman.  Her strength only grows throughout the course of the novel. In fact, her initial strength transforms into a different kind of strength - one that it is dead set on survival – the survival of her family. As her family meets obstacle after obstacle, Ma Joad keeps it together. She is the strongest supporter of family and togetherness. Ma expresses this best when she directs Rosasharnto breast-feed the starving man at the novel’s conclusion. Both Ma Joad and I know that even the most horrible circumstances can be surmounted with grace and dignity.

Did you do any research for the book?

 Moving into a 1770 Connecticut farmhouse ignited my interest in the colonial era. Behind the walls of our house, surprises and secrets waited to be exposed, and this became the spark for my novel, Acquiescence. While researching my novel, I became obsessed (in a good way) with colonial women. I wanted to find out what life was really like for them - the stuff we’ve always been curious about. How did they deal with menstruation at a time when women didn’t wear underwear?  How about sex and birth control, childbirth, sickness and medicine? I put together an entertainingly-informative presentation called Colonial Goodwife: The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife (www.colonialgoodwife.com) to help promote my novel, as well as to let today’s women see that although we have a long way to go, it’s amazing how far we’ve come.

What are 3 words that describe your writing style?

Breezy, honest, unpretentious.

What's next for you?

I have a hands-on science children’s fiction series under contract.  As a hands-on science teacher, (www.howcoolisthat.name) I know that the new importance placed on standardized testing doesn’t leave enough time in a school day for hands-on activities. Standardized tests don’t encourage a love of learning. A kid is more than a test score. 

I offer inquiry-based, hands-on/minds-on science activities like Dissecting Owl Pellets, Making Chicken Mummies, Grossology, Shampoo Analysis Lab and Gotta Brain/ Getta Helmet! Not every child can participate in one of my classes, but soon they will be able to take part through my book/science kits with the summer 2015 launch of One Lucky Mealworm! and Whooo Eats What? I’m also cooking up a follow-up to Pamina’s story titled Woman on the Rock.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your work-in-progress?

Working title: The Woman on the Rock 

For forty years, Chuck Ehrismann stared at a black and white photo of an unknown, stunning woman – the only clue was ‘1949 Keansberg, New Jersey’ penciled on the back, but Chuck suspected she was family and held the key to his own identity.

Where can we learn more about you and your book?

Acquiescence is available from Second Wind Publishing: Second Wind Publishing

or, Amazon

You can find Velya at:

www.acquiescencethebook.com

www.colonialgoodwife.com

Facebook

Acquiescence Facebook Page

Twitter

Blog

And now, for my review!!!

Acquiescence by Velya Jancz-Urban

A wonderful story of the hardships of two women who lived hundreds of years apart, yet helped each other heal.

5 out of 5 stars

Acquiescence is a wonderful read that blends the life of a modern-day woman with the past of a colonial era wife. Velya writes so well I wasn't sure if I was reading a memoir-like fiction, or if I was becoming the character I was reading about. Acquiescence does touch on some sensitive subjects that might be offensive or uncomfortable for some people. If you read it with an open mind as the wonderful story it is, you won't regret it! 

The main character, Pamina Campbell is a confident, self-assured mother and wife that pushes through some very difficult circumstances; from a verbally and emotionally abusive father, to being conned by a family friend and losing everything. With an amazing husband and two wonderful children, they pull through the obstacles and their family ends up settling in a colonial era farmhouse in Connecticut. 

Once in their new home, we get to meet a new character, Susannah, the spirit of a colonial era mother. Susannah's story is a sad one, full of heartbreak and hardships, but as more of her story is uncovered, she provides more healing for Campbell family. Pamina focuses on uncovering what happened to Susannah and her family, uncovering some gruesome and shocking truths. With events that eerily parallel their own unique family, Susannah's tragic life shows the Campbell family how blessed they are. 

Reading through Acquiescence had me vowing to stop evil people like Pamina's father or Susannah's husband. It made me want to be supportive and understanding like Pamina's husband Jim. And I want to be as open, loving, and caring as Pamina. 

I loved the colonial details and history Velya added to her story without it sounding like an info dump. It flowed with the story so well, I didn't realize I was being taught! ;)

Great, great job Velya!

I recommend this book for ages 18 and up due to some adult language and content. I was given a copy of Acquiescence in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekend Review - Anna Larson - The Horse That Haunts Dreams

This weekend's review features freelance writer, Anna Larson, and her memoir, The Horse That Haunts Dreams, a touching story of the life of her beloved horse, Hobo.

Here's my Review:

A story every horse enthusiast can relate to and love.

The horse that haunts dreams is a touching memoir about a young woman and the horse that she will never forget. Full of wonderful stories and memories of her beloved Hobo, Anna tells a wonderful tale that spans Hobo's life. Most horse enthusiasts have experienced the same one-of-a-kind bond that Anna describes, and reading her collection of memories brings our own journeys back to life in our hearts. Anna makes her journey with Hobo a compelling, humorous, and heart-touching read.

I would've liked to see it written more as a narrative than a memoir, as it jumped about a few times. Some of the stories could've been expanded and elaborated to make it sound less journalistic. But as it's written, it is still a solid 4 star read, partially due to it reminding me of my own unforgettable horse, a APHA gelding named Leroy. :)

Where to find Anna Larson:

Blog 

Goodreads

Smashwords

Facebook

Where you can find The Horse That Haunts Dreams:

https://www.createspace.com/4384530

http://www.amazon.com/The-Horse-That-Haunts-Dreams/dp/1495250539

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-horse-that-haunts-dreams-anna-larson/1120911435?ean=2940149907908

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/432828

More Thoughts:

To elaborate: The memoir bounces back and forth from a narrative storyteller, to a more factual, journalistic approach. Both styles are fine, but personally, (as a fiction reader and writer) I prefer the more narrative style. By sticking with the storytelling instead of the reporting narration, Anna could have expanded on her and Hobo's stories quite a bit. The book itself could have doubled in size, if not more. 

Still, I want to make it clear that I enjoyed reading it and since I am a horse-lover myself, I could really connect with Anna and her wonderful horse, Hobo.

Getting to know Anna Larson:

Anna Larson is a freelance writer and long time horse owner. She attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico and Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Equine Science before enlisting in the U.S. Army as a veterinary technician. After leaving the Army she returned to New Mexico where she still lives with her partner and her horses.

A little more from Anna:

What inspired you to write your first book?

In 2007, a horse I'd owned since he was a baby, died at the age of 23. Shortly after that he started haunting my dreams. Every night I'd have this dream about another horse that was "in the dream", a reincarnation of my dead horse. Three months later, I found a baby horse that almost matched the descriptions in my dreams. I bought that foal and the next day the dreams stopped.  It was the freakiest thing that's ever happened in my dreams or real life. The foal I bought was so much like my old horse, right down to being allergic to vaccinations, that it's scary.  As for writing, that dream did start me on the writing path. I had no plans to be a writer before that, but I had to write that story down.

What books have most influenced your life? 

Every book I've ever read has something to teach me. The truly badly written ones show me what not to do and the well written ones give me a guide for my own work. However the most influential book in my life I would have to say would be "Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West" by Marguerite Henry. Without that book I wouldn't have had my own Hobo.

If you had to pick only one, who would be your favorite author?

That's really tough to choose between my childhood favorite Marguerite Henry or my adult favorite Dick Francis. 

If you could cast your main character(s) in a Hollywood adaption of your book, who would land the rolls?

That's a really hard one since it's difficult to cast a horse and a mule. As for me, I think Emma Watson in her short hair would most closely resemble a younger me. 

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

At first I wanted to be a truck driver, but my dad took me to the truck stop and one of his buddies let me look into the cab of the truck. I remember thinking I was way too tiny to ever grow big enough to drive a truck so I changed my mind and decided on being a jockey instead. 

What do you like to do when you aren't writing? 

I ride my horses, keep up the farm, garden, and crochet. I'm also an avid reader and spend a part of every day with "my nose in a book" as my mom likes to say. 

What is one tip you'd give to up & coming authors?

Make sure to get an editor. No matter what, you will need an editor. Even with an editor, mistakes will happen. You can minimize your mistakes and your negative reviews by making sure your work is as mistake free as possible. I run my manuscript through beta readers, an editor and then I convert it to a kindle format and have my kindle text to speech read the text back. It's amazing what mistakes, awkward sentences and so forth you will find by listening to the story read back. Having the text to speech option keeps your eyes from playing tricks with your mind. You hear the mistakes instead of the eyes skipping over them. 

If you could spend the day with one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

I'm a huge fan of horse racing and I used to work at several race tracks, but I wasn't old enough to have been around the famous Bill Shoemaker when he was in his riding prime. I watched as many races as were televised way back when was a kid. I always idolized the man and his riding skills. 

What's next for you?

I'm debating between Equine Fantasy of some type or a western revolving around a horse, but nothing solid yet. 

A big thanks to Anna Larson for being such an 'open book', no pun intended! Your tip on the Kindle text speech is brilliant! :)

Avoiding the Cliche Cover - Thursdays with the Author

We've all seen the 'typical' cover for the genres we like to read.

In Historical Romance you see the dashing aristocrat with tight breeches being clung to by the beautiful woman with her dress halfway off her body. Or the muscled Scotsman, kilt, and not much else, ripping the woman's dress off with a look of masculine passion. 

In contemporary romance, long legs with high heels, even though she's wearing nothing else. Or the sexy man in a suit, his rippled abs bared beneath his jacket. Because what savvy business man wears a shirt beneath his suit jacket?

In mystery and suspense we have a blade or weapon in the forefront and perhaps a shadowy figure looming in the background. Shattered glass with a perfect bullet hole, or crime scene tape and police car lights. 

In Women's fiction, recently, you get a house, maybe in the woods or on the beach, with a front porch or smoke curling from the chimney. You might get lucky and have an animal somewhere on the cover, or something on a table that might have something to do with the book.

In YA just a close-up shot of a girl's face, maybe even the whole body, usually doing nothing that has to do with the book. 

In Dystopian you get a symbol or some type of unknown imagery that won't make sense until the book has actually been read. 

In Westerns, particularly the Romance kind, you'll have a hot cowboy, not a speck of dirt on him, maybe throwing hay without his shirt on, because there's no way hay is itchy in anyone's skin, and definitely no way that a cowboy's work will actually make him dirty.  Just a regular ole' Western? Expect a regular ole' cowboy on a regular ole' horse.

In paranormal you can get a sexy vampire that looks completely human, not counting the fangs dripping in blood. Or a shape-shifting hottie, with a well-defined 6-pack, a bunch of tattoos, and walking around in leather pants without a shirt, because a half-naked, tattooed, muscle man is a sure sign of a shape-shifter. 

The only genres that seem have the most original covers are fantasy, sci-fi, and children's, mostly because each world is completely made up, so no one else is going to have the same cover.

Of course, not every novel has the same cliche, stereotypical, cookie-cutter cover, and kudos to those authors that bucked the trend. Still don't believe me? Go to Barnes and Noble, or any book section, in any store, and check out the different genres. Look at the romance section: Can you count on two hands how many covers have at least one person missing clothing? Or making out? Or both? You'll probably need more than ten fingers to count. Check the western section: Lone horse and rider? Cowboy half clothed? Scene with said cowboy doing something that no actual cowboy would do? How about YA: Strangle symbol? Single girl's face or body doing something like standing, or sitting?

Go check it out. The amount of covers that all look the same are astounding.

Am I saying you shouldn't put any of those 'traditional' images on your cover? Yes and No. It really depends on your novel and what you think fits. But what you don't want to do is have your cover looking like everyone else's. Remember my tip from the Creating A Cover For Your Book - What You SHOULD Do, I recommended going to the store and taking a picture of the books in your preferred genre. Take it home and compare your book to those in the picture. Do you stand out? Are you unique and eye-catching? Do you stand out too much? 

Don't automatically go for the cliche and stereotypical. You risk getting lost between the dozens of other books with the same cover.

You know how people say, 'You can't judge a book by it's cover,'? You shouldn't, but the sad fact is that people DO judge a book by it's cover. Half the time, when they're doing an online search, the cover is the ONLY thing that comes up. They have to click on it to read your blurb. People at book stores don't pick up every single book to read the back when deciding. They look at the covers, for the author's name, title, and imagery, to help them decide if they'll like the book. IF the cover catches their eye, they'll click on it, or turn it over, and read the blurb. The blurb, or back of the cover, needs to be just as good as your cover. Because the cover AND the blurb are what gets people to click buy or put it in their shopping cart/bag.

I've written on the cover of subjects MULTIPLE times on this blog and mentioned it in MULTIPLE posts because I believe it is very important. And it's one of the things authors neglect the most.

You can find my cover posts at the links here:

Creating a Cover for Your Book - What NOT To Do

Creating a Cover for Your Book- What You SHOULD Do

The Publishing Process - Part 2 - Self-Publishing and My Choices

Comparing To Other Writers 

Comparing To Other Writers... Why You Should Be Doing Just That - Thursdays with the Author

Comparing To Other Writers - 

Why You Should Be Doing Just That

I was recently reading submission guidelines for a publisher and came across something I hadn't seen very many publishers ask for. One of the requirements for the query letter was this:

" Please provide titles for up to three comparative books published in the past five years. These should be books that have a similar audience to your book and that you feel will compare with your book in the marketplace. Explain how your manuscript is different from these books. "

I must say, I was a bit thrown off by this at first. My book is supposed to be different and unique! Why would I want to compare it to other books?

But this publisher has the right idea. As a writer, you have to know what your competition is. You have to be BETTER than your competition. More original, more memorable. If you don't know what your competition is with the book you are writing then you are definitely NOT ready to publish. How are you going to know how your book stacks up to the hot new releases and best seller lists if you aren't even paying attention to other writers?

Part of how we grow and learn as writers is by reading. It's one of the MOST important things we can do to improve our craft. Especially when it comes to the genre you write for. Are you writing a romance but only read mystery? Are you writing children's but never read any books for kids? Are you writing a YA/NA and have only read adult romance? You're bound to get something wrong. You're sure to have the wrong tone and inflection. You're nearly guaranteed to get the language wrong.

Even the cover can make or break your book. Go to your local bookstore or grocery store and find the section of books for the genre you're writing for. Take a picture of all the different covers. Take a picture of the blurbs on the back cover. Take a picture of the whole shelf. (Or write notes if you're worried about looking crazy for taking pictures at your local grocer.) Does your book stand out? Does it fit in at all? Is the blurb memorable compared to all the others there? Because if it stands out like a sore thumb, a reader might wonder if your book was maybe put in the wrong section. But at the same time, if your book looks and sounds like every other one on that shelf, they why is the reader going to buy YOUR book?

If you are writing romance, you need to be reading the top-sellers in that genre. Of course, there's a million sub-genres in romance, so you'll need to zero in on that as well. Contemporary romance? Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Robyn Carr, Nicholas Sparks. Historical Romance? Johanna Lindsey, Mary Jo Putney, Mary Balogh. Romantic Suspense? J.D. Robb, Jayne Ann Krentz, Carla Neggers. Western? Diana Palmer, Dorthy Garlock.

Same with any other genre! Young Adult? Veronica Roth, Rick Riordan, Stephanie Meyer, Suzanne Collins. Science Fiction or Fantasy? Anne McCaffrey, George R.R. Martin, Anne Rice, J.R.R. Tolkien. Mystery/Suspense? John Grisham, Carol Higgins Clark, Catherine Coulter. Military? Tom Clancy, Tim O'Brien, Clive Cussler.

How about children's? Picture books? Dr. Seuss, James Dean, Mo Willems, Anna Dewdney. Early Chapter Books? Herman Parish, Mary Pope Osborne, Megan McDonald, Barbara Park. Chapter books to Middle Grade? Dav Pilkey, Jeff Kinney, Rick Riordan.

Look at the reviews for some of these author's books. Were the readers content/happy with what they read. Did they think it was missing something or had too much of something else? Reader opinion is highly valuable (though in some cases {like trolls} it should be taken with a grain of salt. But if a majority of reviewers are saying the same thing, then there's something wrong. Take what they are trying to say to the other authors and apply it to your own writing.

Read the books, surround yourself in the genre, look at the covers, read the reviews. Learning from other writers is the key to becoming a better writer yourself. And with some publishes, the key to getting your book out of the slush pile. 

Weekend Review - Elizabeth Loraine - Katrina: The Beginning - RoyalBlood Chronicles - Book 1

Today's Weekend Review is featuring Elizabeth Loraine and her first Royal Blood Chronicles book, Katrina: The Beginning. 

First, a little about Elizabeth:

I grew up in a small, Northern Minnesotan town, married my high school sweetheart, had two beautiful children, and as soon as we could we moved to a warmer climate. I have worked with my husband building and decorating custom homes for years. 

After loving every kind of vampire book, movie and series since I was a child, I decided that I wanted to know more. I can write a book I thought, how hard can that be? Well....it wasn't as easy as I thought, but I stuck to it, and finished my first book Royal Blood Chronicles Book One in August 2009. I now have ten books in the series and am about to release book three of my new series Phantom Lives. 

I want to reach all audiences, and let my stories be told. I love to give you characters you can relate to and multi-leveled plots, but also a simple, sweet, romance you can relax into. 

When not world building, I love to cook and work in my garden. Gardening and cooking always lead to new book ideas. I guess it’s because both are so relaxing to me.

A little more with Elizabeth:

What inspired you to write your first book? 

I really just could not find something I wanted to read. Everything in the YA aisle was a copy of things already out there, same theme, kids with powers in high school. I wanted to know more. Where had they been, what had they seen and been involved with throughout history? If I couldn’t find it, I was determined to write it, and Royal Blood Chronicles was born. Now ten in the series.

What do you think is more important: Characters or Plot? 

Oh I love a good plot, but a great plot is nothing if the reader doesn’t care what happens to the characters and can’t relate to them.

What book do you wish you had written? 

I wish Lord of the Rings was mine. I love those epic fantasy stories.

If you could cast your main character(s) in a Hollywood adaption of your book, who would land the rolls? 

I think I’d like someone new to play the lead roles.

Do you write an outline before you write a book? 

No, I never outline. I start with a simple idea and the lead character and start to write.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing? 

I love to cook, garden, and travel. Spending time with family is always top of my list.

What is a talent you have that no one knows?

Few know that I play the flute.

What is one tip you'd give to up & coming authors? 

Write, everyday. Even if it’s just a few lines. Ask questions, other writers welcome them, at least I do. This isn’t easy and when I started I didn’t have anyone to ask. Now there are plenty of groups to join and authors to ask about writing, publishing and everything else.

If you could spend the day with one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why? 

My dad. I miss him so much.

What's next for you? 

Always writing. New stories, new genres. It’s not what I do, it’s who I am. I have to tell my stories.

Available books:

The Royal Blood Chronicles:

Katrina: The Beginning

The Protectors

The Dark Prince

Cain the Quest

Bloodline

Legacy

Redemption

Destiny and Sabine

Quinn, a Watchers Story

Marcella – Vampire Mage

Julius – the Coven

  

Phantom Lives

Collier

Power

Shifter Chronicle 

Green River 

Adult Romance Novels

Corporate Ties

Western Escape

Pathogen Series

Pathogen

Mutations

Factions.

Here's some ways you can find out more about Elizabeth and her books!

Elizabeth Loraine

Author central

Royal Blood Chronicles on Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

And now, my review for Katrina: The Beginning

I will start off by saying that this book has a great premise and theme. The potential for The Royal Blood Chronicles to be the next great YA series is all there. 

The cover is absolutely gorgeous. Great use of color and contrast. I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover but the cover made me want to read what was behind it. 

But unfortunately that's where the positives start to end. 

For a YA novel, there are a few too many sexual references, insinuations, content. This may just be me, but when I see YA, I see ages 12-18 unless otherwise noted by the author. If there's mature content, I want to see that in the description or have it classified as New Adult. My 11-year-old likes to read YA so if it's classified that way, I expect it to be 'clean'. If it has more mature content, I want to see in the blurb or description that it's recommended for 16+. But that could only be my over protective 'mommy senses' kicking in. 

The dialogue both internal and verbal caters strictly to teenagers.  

For being historically based, the continuity is all over the place. It was impossible to gauge what time period this book takes place when there are references as far back as the 1400's and as modern as the 2000's. The language, social norms, world events, speech, etc were simply all over the place. 

The author did a great job giving vampire genre lovers a new take on the legend, but fails to explain further than just notifying the reader of how it is before very quickly moving on. 

I noticed quite a few issues with eBook formatting, grammar, punctuation, dialogue, and strange POV switches, and this book is a second edition. 

The pacing dragged so slow in places that I was tempted to give up reading all together, and so fast in others that I had to turn back a few pages to be sure I didn't miss anything.  

That's a lot of problems for a second edition, first-out-a large-series, book. There is SO much potential here and I feel like the author has a great idea going, but either hurried through writing it and the subsequent novels in the series, or lacked any professional editing or proof reading before publishing. 

I give Katrina: The Beginning 2.5 out of 5 stars. With corrections, it has the potential to be a 5 star book. 

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.