When you discover that the upcoming book you’re dying to get your hands on is having a blog tour, you hop on board, no questions asked. (Yes, I did receive a copy of the book pre-release, and ohmysweetgoodness!!!) I am crazy excited to announce that I have here with me both of the authors of Blood Mercy; Thicker Than Water.
*deep breathing to contain mass excitement* Julia Busko and Janeen Ippolito will be answering some questions that I specially designed for them to satiate my curiosity. ^_~ So grab some popcorn, snuggle down, and prepare to chuckle and be moved.
Hardcover or paperback?
Julia Busko
Paperback. I feel less guilty if I mess up the pages. But on the downside, the binding is more fragile. See I don’t care if the pages are messed up… but the binding? I once freaked over breaking the binding of a book that costed me like… 5 dollars.
Janeen Ippolito: Hardback, because in a pinch they can be used as a weapon. Plus, I tend to wear out paperback spines.
Book or e-copy?
JB: Book. My learning style tends more towards kinesthetic and audio, and although I CAN retain from just reading, it’s easier if I can “feel” the words by highlighting them. All my books are bent and written in. Except the binding! Aside from a few casualties, all the bindings are perfect.
JI: depends on the book. I prefer reference in hardback because I am a rabid marker-upper and underliner and highlighter. ALL the colors! But for fiction it matters less. I always have books on my phone to read.
Library or book store?
JB: Ack don’t make me choose! I love both… Although if I was to choose, I’d go with bookstore. See I have this dream of having a library in my house, full of fiction and nonfiction alike, that friends and family can come and borrow books without having to worry about late fees. See, that’s what gets me about libraries. The late fees.
JI: I believe that I have personally contributed hundreds of dollars to the betterment of libraries through my inability to locate books in time for the late fee. I’m now on a bit of a probation. Of course, the solution is just to buy books!
(Julia, I. Am. Visiting. Your. House!!!! Janeen, I can totally relate. Also, I’m dying laughing)
New books or used books?
JB: Depends. Fiction? I prefer new (See: my quirk on book binding) but reference books I love used books, since there’s a higher chance a previous owner wrote in notes. During a trip to Philly, I found an archery reference book that a skilled archer had written his experiences, views, and techniques in, and I really treasure that knowledge.
JI: I prefer new in general, unless it’s textbooks. Old books are awesome, but they make me sneeze.
If you were in a book, which type of character would you be?
JB: Oh, gosh. One of two roles. Supporting the protag, like an oracle or something that involves psycho-analyzing EVERYTHING, or the antagonist. Freaking. Crazy. Antagonist.
JI: Probably the sarcastic trickster sidekick who has lots of useful information and likes to pick at the too-serious protagonist. Or else a tree. I’d like to be a tree.
*laughs hysterically because these answers are everything*
If you could live in any possible genre, which would you choose and why?
JB: Gothic Horror. I love me some melodrama.
JI: Urban fantasy. As long as I had a motorcycle and a sword.
If there was a book about your life, what would it be called?
JB: Chartreuse Skulls: When Happiness Meets Skeletons
JI: Psychedelic Kaleidescope: How An Overactive Imagination Can Be a Good Thing
Besides reading, what are some of your other favorite hobbies?
JB: I’m a dancer. Currently, I have the honor of dancing in a ameture company (where I’m the oldest by like, 13 years, but hey, I look like I’m in high school, so it’s all good). I also love to sew and create props, although my apartment isn’t well set up for that. I used to do it a lot more before, but given the lack of ventilation in the basement and the fact that I don’t think my husband would appreciate me stinking up the front room with fumes from fabricating props… I mostly stick to dancing with a bit of sewing when I find the time.
JI: hobbies? You’re assuming I have a life outside writing, publishing, and teaching! 😉 Although I am a huge foodie and the more stressed and time-crunched I am, the more I’m inclined to make ridiculously complicated foods. Also, I love to sword fight.
Julia, own that youthful glow! And, Janeen, as a fellow writer I should have known better *facepalm* Free time? What is that you speak of?
How do you organize your books on your bookshelf?
JB: By size and series. Generally I don’t care if a horror book is next to a YA book, or if the genres are splattered throughout the shelves. My general goal is “Does it look nice and can I find X series in the same place?”
JI: generally by category or genre for the first layer. The second layer is organized a la “stack the books semi-neatly and hope none of them fall off.
What’s your favorite genre of music? Your favorite bands?
JB: I love Symphonic Metal. Nightwish, Epica, and Within Temptation are my jam. Honestly, I love anything with a strong composition, symphonic flare, and dynamic (albeit mostly melodramatic) lyrics. I also appreciate some pop, punk, and classical (Tchaikovsky mostly. I have intense emotions about his Swan Lake composition.) Everyone has something that moves their soul, and for me, if the music can do that, no matter what genre, then I’m not going to complain.
JI: All the things! However, my core sounds are rock, folk, the country songs that tell a story, and a handful of irresistible pop songs. I don’t tend to follow certain artists as much as I follow certain songs they do.
Julia, may I just say that your music choices are stupendous (Within Temptation and Two Steps from Hell basically wrote my first novel). Janeen, I am definitely the same way. I fall in love with songs, not always the artists themselves.
What are some of your favorite bloggers or booktubers?
JB: This is where we get into interesting territory, hahaha. I’m an illustrator who happens to write, so I primarily follow other illustrators. Some of my notably favorite illustrators are Chris Oatley, Bradley Noah, Will Terry, Jake Parker, and Ahmed Aldoori. Although I don’t really share technical styles with them. Except perhaps Jake Parker superficially, given we both work in pen and ink, but even then, he’s YEARS more experienced than me. But those five artists never cease to inspire me to keep going, and their painting videos have helped me grow SO much.
JI: Again, I’ll follow posts I like more than people. If a person tends to have a record of certain posts, I might just follow them more, but otherwise? I’m all about the content.
What’s your least favorite genre and why?
JB: Historical fiction. I love history when told through art. Surprise, surprise, I loved Art History in college. Which was good, bc I had like 5 semesters worth. But straight-up historical fiction is something I struggle through.
JI: *sighs* Anything without humor or romance. Sorry guys. Straight-up serious fiction isn’t for me. Even in classic literature, I love me some Russian literature for the snark.
So prairie romances are out, Julia? Agreed! And, Janeen, if a book can make me laugh out loud at any point, it’s probably a winner for me.
Do you like to listen to music or snack on food while you read, or do you like it really quiet?
JB: When I was in high school I would read while having the TV on, AND listening to music, and actually do pretty good with it. Nowadays… that is not the case. I’m a VERY slow reader, and I’m also very distractible, so I read in silence while by myself (if I can). When I’m able to concentrate, I’ll forget things, so I rarely have a drink or snack while reading. And if I do, my tea is usually cold long before I remember to drink it.
JI: I can read anywhere, anytime, any place. But if I’m eating, I won’t taste the food and if I’m drinking, I might accidentally knock over the drink. I totally zone out when reading. In college band the team apparently made some awesome play–yeah, so I was reading a really interesting book for a class and totally missed it. There’s even a picture of everyone standing and cheering wildly–and then there I am, hunched over a book.
So we can all agree that it should be socially acceptable for writer’s to wear bibs? Because I could use one from time to time…. *hangs head* Okay, moving on.
How many books do you usually read at a time?
JB: hahaha, you don’t want me to answer this question. Since I read slow, it takes me a LONG time to finish a book, but instead of being “smart” and focusing on one book at a time, I’ll pick up a new one. Last time I checked I had about 5 books I’m reading. That I’ve been reading. For a while. Bc I’m slow.
JI: I’m also a promiscuous book reader, but since I’ve become a reviewer I’ve gotten a lot more committed to one book at a time. Which means I’m only reading three books right now instead of ten.
If you were allowed to have a party and you could invite any three book characters, which three book characters would you invite and why?
JB: Bertie from Eyes Like Stars bc she’s super fun and interesting, Dorian Grey bc I’d LOVE to get into a conversation about life, love, and morality with him, and then Father Gaetano bc poor dear was just trying his best and he needs a break.
JI: Ella of Frell from Ella Enchanted because she’s a linguist and cook’s helper (I mean, PERFECT JOB THERE), Eowyn from The Lord of the Rings for awesome sword-fighting moves, and D’Artagnan from The Three Musketeers so I could properly smack him upside the head for being such an absolute idiot in the book.
Thanks so much for stopping by, ladies! I laughed, I cried, it moved me (VeggieTales reference, guys. It’s a classic). And if you haven’t pre-ordered your copy of Blood Mercy; Thicker Than Water, it releases TOMORROW *squeals* so don’t be a slow poke and be the only person you know who doesn’t own a copy. Use the links below to find that joy between the pages, and please give it up for the hilarious and brilliant authors who graced this page today.
What would you do if the one you loved was turned into a monster?
Melrose Durante brings order. As founder of the Houses of the Dead, he tirelessly opposes the vampires, and provides refuge for the Blood Kind, those like himself who fight against the blood curse that leads to vampirism. His medical breakthroughs have brought many back from the vampire path. After thousands of years, the Blood Kind finally has the upper hand.
Until a vampire attacks Melrose’s family, then begs for asylum. To his friends she’s Lucy, a disturbed young woman prone to incoherent rants, warning of an imminent attack by vampire leader, Conan. But to Melrose she’s something more.
His lost wife, Jane.
One thing is clear – time is running out. In five days Conan will attack Quebec City, killing or enslaving all in his way. If Melrose cannot unlock his wife’s tormented mind, even his immortal wisdom may not be enough to save Quebec City, the Blood Kind, and the Houses of the Dead.
Blood Mercy Official Website: http://www.bloodmercy.wordpress.com
Amazon Preorder Link: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Mercy-Thicker-Than-Water-ebook/dp/B01L47ILUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476321001&sr=8-1&keywords=blood+mercy%3A+thicker+than+water
Uncommon Universes Press Website: http://www.uncommonuniverses.com