FEATURE: AUTHOR OF THE MONTH.. (3)

I am again so happy to share with you my interview for this month's Author of the Month. I loved her debut novel and found it really intriguing and I am just so glad that SHE agreed to have this interview. Let me introduce you to

SUSAN DENNARD.

The interview goes something like this. Enjoy!

How did you come up with 'Something Strange and Deadly' to be the novel's title?

This such a fun story! I was brainstorming with my agents and editor (over sangria ;)), and we were goofing off--naming thoroughly absurd things--when one of the agents said, "What about something...Strange and Deadly?" She meant "something" as a "we'll insert a better word there", but we all loved the rhythm of "something" so much, we kept it! :D

The premise is set in 1876 and I loved the setting! What were your preparations for the novel? Did you travel?

I had to do a TON of research for every book in the series--before I wrote and then as I wrote. I definitely visited Philadelphia as well as Paris for book 2--and even Egypt for book 3! It's pricey, but also worth it in the end. Nothing tells you about a place quite like going there.

Look what came!!! EEEEK! ARCs for A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY! (source)

I am personally not a fan of love triangles. But in this novel, I actually caught myself hoping there would be one. What are your plans for Eleanor's love life?

Eleanor's love life ain't simple. Let's just put it that way. She and Daniel have a rocky road ahead of them, and though there's never a love triangle in the traditional sense of the word, there are other people that pop into Eleanor's life and interfere. I think readers will really enjoy the relationship complexities that crop up in later books. ;)

Eleanor's mother, honestly, is annoying! Is she inspired by someone you know? (Haha sorry I can't help it!)

No! Hahaha. I would never base a character specifically on someone I know. Characters are created based on how I see people behave and interact, but they're never tied down to one Real Person. And yes--Eleanor's mother is horrible. But you know you know people like her--I sure do!

How does it feel that you're debut novel has been a huge success?

Wonderful! Ha--I'm not sure "huge success" is quite the right term, but definitely "more than I expected and this is AMAZING" feels right. ;) I never expected to get this far with my writing, and it is absolutely a dream come true.

Have you ever received a fan mail which expresses negative things about the novel? If yes, what did you do?

Of course! That's just part of being an artist and putting your work out there. I usually delete these emails and don't reply--unless it's clear the writer wants a response. But even then, I don't need negativity in my life. I'm proud of what I create and I know it won't be for everyone. People forget that reading is SUBJECTIVE. Your cup o' tea isn't my cup o' tea--and that's totally okay!

Mowgli as he sleeps. This cat truly is the dumbest, laziest tabby in the world. But he's pretty darn cute too... (source)

Do you read reviews? How do you handle negative ones?

Absolutely NOT. I don't read good ones, bad ones, trade reviews, blogger reviews, or anything. I think most artists avoid that sort of outside input--it really affects the creative process. Even good reviews get in your head and make you doubt what you produce (X-reader LOVED the romance--did I do it right in book 2?!).

That said, I do read all fan mail. It's different if a reader writes to me with a specific comment, and the positive emails are so, so, SO heartwarming. They're what keep me going. :D

Are you a fan of Walking Dead? If yes, who is your favorite character?

DARYL. I love him so, so, SO much. Unggghhhh!

I know you're also into KDramas. My favorite is Endless Love, what is yours? Any recommendations?

I recently watched Flower Boy Ramen Shop and LOVED it. But my all time fave--without a doubt--is Coffee Prince. Gong Yoo is just too beautiful to handle.

Any message for your Filipino fans?

Thank you SO much for reading Something Strange and Deadly! I love you all so much, and maybe one day (fingers crossed!!), I can come see YOU all. Boy, that would be amazing, huh??

It this fun or what? I've enjoyed reading her questions so much as well as her book and I am looking forward to reading the sequel! Here are some information about the book! Grab your copy now!

Susan's Novels:

Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1)

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository

A Darkness Strange and Lovely (Something Strange and Deadly #2) 

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository

About Susan: Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook *

Please watch out for Something Strange and Deadly's sequel, A Darkness Strange and Lovely! Available July 3, 2013 from HarperTeen!

REVIEW: SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY BY SUSAN DENNARD.

Title: Something Strange and Deadly
Author: Susan Dennard
Series: Something Strange and Deadly #1
Edition: Hardback
Publication: July 24, 2012 by HarperTeen
Source: Gifted
Pages: 388
Category: Romance, Horror, Paranormal, Steampunk

Synopsis:

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon 🔼 Barnes and Noble 🔼 Book Depository

Something Strange and Deadly left me in pain.

I initially fell in love with the cover. It conveys dark and mysterious plot by merely looking at it. Then the synopsis just hit the jackpot! I've never read a "zombie" plotted novel and it definitely made it to Top Ten titles on my wishlist. Glad I got it as a birthday gift last September!

Eleonor Fitt is a sixteen-year-old member of high-society of Philadelphia with issues all over. Her mother wants her to soon marry the handsome and wealthy Clarence Wilcox to save them from poverty and his brother Elijah didn't show up at the train station when she was supposed to pick him up. Instead, a walking dead gave her a letter from her brother. Though she's so terrified and worried, she knows she has to find out what really happened to Elijah and how to stop the walking dead.

The setting was in 1876 and Dennard basically wrote a novel that depicted the era perfectly. The parasols, corsets, gowns, horses and operas were some of the things I find alluring. Not only am I reading a novel, I also get to picture how its like during those times. I loved how typical yet captivating the world building Dennard had created. I enjoyed following each character in such era I thought I would never appreciate in literary aspect.

As I go deeper into the story, there were major parts and characters I thought were predictable. There were also some parts I have doubts as to what really is the main plot and where the story is really going. I feel that the "walking dead" part and the "revenge" part where totally different points in the novel and it didn't work well for me. I adore the zombie-related plot and I find it fantastic (though gore) and I adore the Gas-trustees-bullying-and-using-the-Fitt part as well but I adore both in separate ways. I just couldn't adore them when put together.

I was really impressed how the characters progressed in the novel. Eleanor for example. From a princess type, she develops into such an admirable protagonist that isn't afraid to kill the dead or to find her missing brother. Living in a society where your reputation matters most, she did well. I also love how fast she thinks and analyzes some clues and how she doesn't hold grudge to others especially Clarance. I was actually betting for him to be Eleanor's husband. I thought he's perfect and just a little bit mysterious at first and I was totally broken by the end of the novel. I was expecting a love triangle that never happened. That part I wasn't sure if I would like thinking how I hate love triangles but still I ache for him. Daniel is strong and loving but I cannot see myself liking him just yet. I love Elijah, Jie and Joseph but the hate I feel for Eleanor's mother and Peger is just unexplainable.

The action-filled, dark, gore novel sprinkled with a little romance that one could not get over with ended painfully. Dennard chose to end book one in a way that completely torn my heart apart. Now I just couldn't wait to continue reading A Darkness Strange and Lovely to mend it! Overall, I enjoyed and liked it so much!

"Even the greatest feats of man lose their luster when one's head is filled with storm clouds."