Welcome everyone to my stop of A Tale of the Other Kind blog tour, hosted by Orangeberry Book Tours! I've got an author interview with Leandi Cameron coming up, but firstly, here's the 411 on the book:
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 270
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2012
Website: Leandi Cameron | A Tale of the Other Kind: A Therian Novel on Goodreads
Synopsis via Goodreads:
Kai Emery likes to be indiscernible; however, his infatuation for his classmate, Sienna Fynn, has made his invisibility status all the more impossible to upkeep. His world spirals out of control when he discovers that he is a shape-shifting were-leopard, and finds himself unable to control his new-found anatomy.
An unpredictable vampire enters his life, leading him down a path that soon reveals his destiny, and discloses another world, filled with magic and terrifying darkness. When he finds himself in danger from the god of magic and darkness for disobeying a curse bestowed upon his kind, forbidding him from falling in love with a human, he has to fight for survival, and protect everyone that he loves.
To tell the truth, I think I've got something against stories like this - maybe because they all sound similar to Twilight (which in my opinion is the worst story ever told). But I think this book deserves a chance - especially after reading the reviews on Goodreads. The synopsis also shows no appearance of a Bella-like character, which makes it even better!
It probably sounds like the world’s biggest cliché, but I was born to be creative. I was born to write and sketch. My veins are filled with ink and my hands itch to put pen to paper. I am drawn to books like addicts are drawn to their drugs and alcohol. When I write, or draw, I feel liberated; I am exported to another world that I create for myself – one I wish I could live in. I become my protagonist, and I become my characters. And for those periods when I indulge, I am nothing but my characters. They are who I am.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Nothing felt more profound than the moment that I finally completed my novel and had the final hardcopy in my hands. Years of hard work and a dream was finally realised. I finally feel that I have made it. Now, only, I hope that others will enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
What is one book everyone should read?
I love philosophy, and it is quite inspiring to read the philosophies of some of the great minds of the past. One book that I believe everyone should read is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It is a heart-wrenching, eye-opening and a humbling novel. It looks deeper into the psyche of the human-being and shows us in our true raw form.
What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
It is advice that has been passed down through generations, and it still holds true. If you want to be a writer, and you have the ability, then don’t give up on your dreams. But never think that anything comes without hard work, a good education and a lot of research to make an idea reality. Always remember that by choosing the life of a writer, you choose a life that may lead you frustration and heartache. Not everyone’s dreams will become a reality – but if you fight hard enough, and you put in time and effort, anything is possible. However, remember that you still need to find a way through those hard times while you pursue your life as an author – for me, it was an easy choice - get an education, become a journalist, and then pursue my dreams. And, simultaneously, I got to write for a living as well!
What is your dream cast for your book?
Sienna Fynn to be played by – Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries) or Lily Collins (The Blind Side).
Kai Emery to be played by - I still haven’t found him… suggestions would be welcome!
Daniel Adams to be played by – Johnny Pacar (Make It or Break It) or Xavier Samuels (Eclipse)
Quinn to be played by – Vigo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings)
Bethany Emery – Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth)
Definitely a night owl.
One food you would never eat?
Asparagus – absolutely disgusting.
If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?
If I could choose, I would love to be transported back to the sixteenth century, Venice. I would have loved to live a life of masquerading – it is mysterious and intriguing.
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Kai Emery and his struggle – What You Want by Evanescence
What’s the craziest writing idea you've had?
Too many to tell. I am crazy – everything I write is crazy. I had to be crazy to write, or I wouldn't be good at it at all.
If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?
Cute puppies – I just melt when I see them.
If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
Anything by Anne Rice – she is amazingly gifted and one of the most talented authors of our century.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Playing Sims.
How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
At home, with my close friends and family and bottle of champagne.
Pages: 270
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2012
Website: Leandi Cameron | A Tale of the Other Kind: A Therian Novel on Goodreads
Kai Emery likes to be indiscernible; however, his infatuation for his classmate, Sienna Fynn, has made his invisibility status all the more impossible to upkeep. His world spirals out of control when he discovers that he is a shape-shifting were-leopard, and finds himself unable to control his new-found anatomy.
An unpredictable vampire enters his life, leading him down a path that soon reveals his destiny, and discloses another world, filled with magic and terrifying darkness. When he finds himself in danger from the god of magic and darkness for disobeying a curse bestowed upon his kind, forbidding him from falling in love with a human, he has to fight for survival, and protect everyone that he loves.
To tell the truth, I think I've got something against stories like this - maybe because they all sound similar to Twilight (which in my opinion is the worst story ever told). But I think this book deserves a chance - especially after reading the reviews on Goodreads. The synopsis also shows no appearance of a Bella-like character, which makes it even better!
Let's chat a bit with our author, Leandi Cameron!
What inspired you to want to become a writer?It probably sounds like the world’s biggest cliché, but I was born to be creative. I was born to write and sketch. My veins are filled with ink and my hands itch to put pen to paper. I am drawn to books like addicts are drawn to their drugs and alcohol. When I write, or draw, I feel liberated; I am exported to another world that I create for myself – one I wish I could live in. I become my protagonist, and I become my characters. And for those periods when I indulge, I am nothing but my characters. They are who I am.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Nothing felt more profound than the moment that I finally completed my novel and had the final hardcopy in my hands. Years of hard work and a dream was finally realised. I finally feel that I have made it. Now, only, I hope that others will enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
What is one book everyone should read?
I love philosophy, and it is quite inspiring to read the philosophies of some of the great minds of the past. One book that I believe everyone should read is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It is a heart-wrenching, eye-opening and a humbling novel. It looks deeper into the psyche of the human-being and shows us in our true raw form.
What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
It is advice that has been passed down through generations, and it still holds true. If you want to be a writer, and you have the ability, then don’t give up on your dreams. But never think that anything comes without hard work, a good education and a lot of research to make an idea reality. Always remember that by choosing the life of a writer, you choose a life that may lead you frustration and heartache. Not everyone’s dreams will become a reality – but if you fight hard enough, and you put in time and effort, anything is possible. However, remember that you still need to find a way through those hard times while you pursue your life as an author – for me, it was an easy choice - get an education, become a journalist, and then pursue my dreams. And, simultaneously, I got to write for a living as well!
What is your dream cast for your book?
Sienna Fynn to be played by – Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries) or Lily Collins (The Blind Side).
Kai Emery to be played by - I still haven’t found him… suggestions would be welcome!
Daniel Adams to be played by – Johnny Pacar (Make It or Break It) or Xavier Samuels (Eclipse)
Quinn to be played by – Vigo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings)
Bethany Emery – Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth)
Now for the quick-fire round!
Night owl, or early bird?Definitely a night owl.
One food you would never eat?
Asparagus – absolutely disgusting.
If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?
If I could choose, I would love to be transported back to the sixteenth century, Venice. I would have loved to live a life of masquerading – it is mysterious and intriguing.
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Kai Emery and his struggle – What You Want by Evanescence
What’s the craziest writing idea you've had?
Too many to tell. I am crazy – everything I write is crazy. I had to be crazy to write, or I wouldn't be good at it at all.
If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?
Cute puppies – I just melt when I see them.
If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
Anything by Anne Rice – she is amazingly gifted and one of the most talented authors of our century.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Playing Sims.
How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
At home, with my close friends and family and bottle of champagne.
I checked out this book's reviews on goodreads too - I think I'll give this a shot! ;) It doesn't sound too Twilight-ish to me either.
ReplyDeleteLyra @ Defiantly Deviant
It is nothing like Twilight - I promise you :)
DeleteIt has more of a mythology element combined with romance - think giants, trolls, mythological gods and curses. It is based in South Africa - and it incorporates local myths from the Khoi-San tribe, mixed with other myths.
This book is definatley not like Twilight. (although i loved the series). a Tale of the Other Kind was full of adventure, love, drama, humor and the book drew me into another world. I loved the book and read it three times. Cannot wait or the next one.
ReplyDeleteLeandi sounds like a real dreamer with lotsa amagination.You go girl. You definately inspire.
Thanks for an awesome post! I loved the interview questions (and the answers of course!) - it's always great to know more about an author. :)
ReplyDelete