**Notice** Due to transfering back from a godaddy hosted wordpress blog back to blogger, reviews published before june 2017 don`t all have a pretty layout with book cover and infos. Our apologies.

Monday, March 28, 2011

PSB: Interview & Giveaway with Jackie Morse Kessler

PSB2

 

 

Jackie’s books really stand out from the crowd because even though there is a strong paranormal element, her novels features delicate subjects such as anorexia and self injuring. Make sure you read along to discover more about her world and learn juicy details about the upcoming books.

 

A series about the four horsemen of the apocalypse is very unique, would you mind introduce us to your Lore? Have you done a lot of research before your wrote your books? Were there some sources with a bigger impact on your series?

JK: Well, the original source is from the Book of Revelation. But there are plenty of other influences—Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s fabulous GOOD OMENS, Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality, and Marvel Comics’ X-FACTOR are three big ones. One of the things I had to do was figure out what the purpose of the Horsemen were in my books, considering that I don’t really want the world to end in Armageddon just yet. :) By the third book (which I’m working on now), many of the worldbuilding questions are answered. And by the fourth book, everything else will be answered. Stay tuned!


Anorexia and self-injuring, addressed in respectively Hunger & Rage, are very touchy subject, how did you approach them?

JK: I used to be bulimic, so writing HUNGER was very cathartic for me. RAGE was emotionally draining to write; I’ve never self-injured but of course I’ve had times when I’ve felt like everything was just too much to bear. I did my best to be honest with both books — there are graphic parts to both, because I didn’t want to shy away from the ugly reality behind eating disorders and self injury.


Have you been contacted by individuals or support group for those conditions?

National Eating Disorders AssociationJK: A few readers have told me that HUNGER really spoke to them because they used to suffer from an eating disorder. More have told me that they had never thought about eating disorders before reading HUNGER. The more that people start talking about things like anorexia and bulimia and self-injury, the more likely it is that people who need help will get the support they need. I’m donating a portion of HUNGER proceeds to the National Eating Disorders Association, and a portion of RAGE proceeds will go to the organization To Write Love On Her Arms.


Would you like to introduce your main characters to us?

JK: Lisa is 17 and anorexic, but she doesn’t believe she has a problem—even though she’s at the point where she’s hallucinating, her hair is falling out, she’s alienating those who care about her, and she’s picking fights all the time. HUNGER begins right after Lisa has accepted a strange parcel from an even stranger deliveryman, who tells her, “Thou art Famine. Go thee out unto the world.”

Missy is 16 and a self-injurer. Unlike Lisa, she knows she has a problem and is desperately trying to stop, but situations keep occurring that drive her back to the blade. Death comes calling and offers her the Sword of War.


If you had to pick a song to represent each one of them, what would they be and why?

JK: LOL, Nirvana is on all of the Riders of the Apocalypse book soundtracks. :) For Lisa, it would be “Come As You Are.” For Missy, it would be “Jesus Don’t Want Me For A Sunbeam.”




Do you already have plans for the next two horsemen? Would you let us in on the secret without any spoilers?

JK: Yes indeed! I’m writing LOSS right now — it’s about a bullied teenage boy who is tricked into becoming Pestilence. And the last book will be called BREATH, and that’s Death’s book. **rubs hands gleefully**

And last, a question I ask to all my guests: What's your best spring break memory?

JK: Oh my gosh. Spring Break was so long ago! But recently, my family and I went to Walt Disney World. That was tons of fun — even the waiting on lines for rides was fun! (Well, okay, maybe not that...) Hope to go again next summer.

-----------------------------

Thank you so much Jackie for taking some time in your busy schedule to stop by <3

Hunger (Horsemen of the Apocalypse, #1)“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

Purchase: Amazon | Amazon Can | Book Depository

Rage (Horsemen of the Apocalypse, #2)Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world.

Purchase: Amazon | Amazon Can | Book Depository

Jackie would like a to offer one (1) copy of RAGE to one (1) lucky winner!

  • This giveaway is open Internationally

  • To enter, just leave a comment letting us know  how you feel about touchy subjects in books ^^

  • Don’t forget to include a way to contact you!

If you want to earn an extra entry, spread the word and provide a link in a different comment =)

Tweet: WIN a copy of RAGE by @JackieKessler ! http://bit.ly/hLhI08 hosted by @Tynga & @parajunkee #giveaway #ParanormalSpringBreak PLS RT

Ends April 6th, 2011.

Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

Follow Tynga on: Facebook | Twitter

85 People left their mark' :

  1. I think touchy subjects are so important in books! that's where there is an opportunity to make them less touchy so people can be open and discuss them

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I enjoy reading about touchy subjects. But I usually have to prepare myself ahead of time. I think they bring great awareness to those that don't necessarily know about the topic.

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. +1 spread here
    http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/113700-psb-interview-giveaway-with-jackie-morse-kessler

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Touchy subjects in books can be risky - it really depends on how the author deals with them, honesty and being straight forward and not judgemental are key elements to make it work.

    danaan at gmx dot at

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE touchy subjects in books, especially if the writer finds a way to incorrperate a bigger metaphor for the issue, as is the case in Hunger and Rage. I've wanted to read these since I first heard about them but I haven't had time to pick them up.

    kathleenelizabeth@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't mind most of them, as long as the author truly understands them. Otherwise, I feel like it is just being used as a plot line.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I, for one, love touchy subjects in books, and I love authors who speak their mind about societal issues. I'm a social worker and feel that we don't talk enough, so kudos to authors who brings these issues to light.

    I would love, love, love to read this series! Thanks for the opp!

    ash at smashattackreads dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tweet! http://twitter.com/SmashAttackAsh/statuses/52336966712303616

    ash at smashattackreads dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am perfectly ok with touchy subjects in books. I finfpd such books to be very educational in an interesting way.

    Both these books sound amazing. I've read books and watched movies/TV shows on both eating disorders and cutting. But these books talk about these subjects in a unique and innovative way I've never seen before.

    Please count me in.

    monagarg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Touchy subjects are great in books. For one, it helps you understand them better, and for two, it makes them less of a taboo subject so that people feel more comfortable discussing it with others. This can only be a plus :)

    hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu

    ReplyDelete
  11. I tweeted :D

    http://twitter.com/#!/hense1kk/status/52341186689646592

    hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu

    ReplyDelete
  12. Touchy subjects in books is a hard subject to tackle, obviously. I float between liking it and avoiding it. When I was in elementary school, there were these really popular books that basically dealt with death.

    I picked up a few because they were recommended to me, but I would always cry at the end, and then it would take me a while before I got to the next one. And I think that is generally my approach to touchy subjects in books: I will read one, like The Lovely Bones", and I will read it at about 1/4 of my usual speed because I need to process it, and then when I finish, it will take me months to get to another book that concerns a touchy subject.

    This series, however, intrigues me: the Apocalypse and touchy subjects - and girls - it is an interesting mix, and I really want to explore it.

    Anyways, thanks for the post and the giveaway! Even if I don't win, I think I will have to pick these books up :)

    apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think fictional books are better with real issues and touchy subjects. It makes them more relate-able while enjoying the made up stuff.

    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think books about touchy subjects are ok as long as they have a positive side to it. Like telling about it and what can be done to help someone that has that problem or how someone with a problem over came it. It's all a fact of life and although people might not want to know it's best to get it out in the open, knowledge is a good thing.

    bkwolf(dot)whitaker@gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have no problem with touchy subjects in books. After all it is freedom of speech and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am Ok with touchy subjects as long as they are handled well.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Some of my favorite books have been about touchy subjects. I think it's because their are so rare and different. I like things that are outside of the norm. I can't wait to read Rage. =)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Touchy subjects in books are perfectly fine as long as the author approaches the subject with respect. On the flip side, readers need to approach the book with an open mind and be willing to see another person's view. I have found that reading books on subjects most people avoid is a great way to gain perspective and insight on things most of us don't want to think about. When done correctly, these books can be very memorable.

    jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Blog post:

    http://jasmynninestuff.blogspot.com/2011/03/giveaway-link-rage-by-jackie-morse.html

    jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'll be honest - I usually shy away from books on these subjects. Only because I find them to be kind of depressing. However, I'm very interested in the Horsemen of the Apocalypse series. I haven't read Hunger yet, but I definitely plan to. I think it's the fantasy elements of the series that intrigued me the most.

    daniellesaunders1984(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. touchy subjects ROCK. i love to see them expressed through writing.

    americangirlie1991 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  22. tweet +1
    http://twitter.com/#!/Dani_Nguyen/status/52380512777551872

    daniellesaunders1984(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think it's OK to cover touchy subjects in books. If no one ever wrote about something that someone might consider a touchy subject there would be a lot less books written.

    sgiden at verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. I enjoy touchy subjects in books - especially young adult books. Touchy subjects come up all the time in real life, and reading about them is a good way to discover good (or bad) ways to deal when they come up in real life. Seeing other people, even characters, make mistakes and learn from them is a good way to grow and learn as well.

    ohmorningglow AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't mind touchy subjects in book. Like Jackie Morse Kessler said talking about them will help people who have them.

    Glassheart18ca@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sometimes its hard to read about touchy subjects, but if it opens my eyes then it was worth the read.


    Jnmt3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think books are an excellent forum for discussing subjects such as this. Not only do they increase awareness and educate, they provide a neutral approach to discussion and, hopefully, recovery for any who suffer from these types of afflictions.

    Thanks for the giveaway! I'm on WordPress or DM @paigevest on Twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for the giveaway.

    flaka.077@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/52448675946958848

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think touchy subjects are so important in books but it´s important too how the author deals with them becouse he have to understand this problems

    welzen@hotmail.com

    Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/elblogdewelzen/status/52466652264140801

    ReplyDelete
  31. Touchy subjects add more depth to books. So bring on the touchy subjects.

    Morganlafey86@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/YearofTiger86/status/52492692646666240

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have no problem with touchy subjects. I try and remain open minded. Sometimes the funnest books to read are the ones that make the reader a bit uncomfortable.

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I didn't realize what these were about when I first heard of Hunger! It seemed very steampunk to me, and I must have been skimming the description the first time. The books actually sound very cool.
    I don't mind touchy. I like edgy and touchy, as long is it's not being flooded by angst. Touchy means the author's willing to risk entering the forbidden territory, the "taboo" area. It's impressive.

    Thanks so much, Tynga!
    rivkarno1(At)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Touchy subjects don't bother me. When it comes to fiction, no topic is really off the table...unless its illegal. You just need to understand your own comfort level.

    heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/IntenseWhisper/statuses/52501028444188672


    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  37. tweeted - http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/52501129031983104

    heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I like touchy subjects if it's done well. For example, these books look really interesting. I don't like when they are thinly veiled political statements, which seems to happen a lot with pro-lifers and romance novels.

    innocentbutler@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love touchy subjects in books. It makes you think and discuss and remember those books.

    amy408(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I appreciate the touchy subjects addressed in some books. Many books I have found relate to issues that my teens go through and reading about these problems in books and then talking about it with them later has really helped in my house.

    terilhack at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I don't mind reading about touchy subjects as long as they are handled with respect to the issues.
    lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/LexieBookBug/status/52515541235154944
    lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I think it takes a very brave author to write about "touchy" subjects. Not only are they usually baring their souls by drawing from personal experience, but all too often, they are opening themselves up for ridicule.

    Thanks
    Kate
    mleger0546 AT rogers DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I don't have a problem with touchy subjects as long as its done tastefully.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/BookLovershaway/status/52555663326445568

    ReplyDelete
  46. I actually appauld touchy subjects in books--especially if the author writes about them in a proper way.
    Reading has become such a big thing recently, and I think discussing and bringing awareness about certain subjects to a new range of people is brilliant!

    rachybee101@live.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  47. I tweeted too!

    http://twitter.com/#!/RachyBee/status/52625051928903680

    ReplyDelete
  48. I believe if it is done tastefully there is no problem. It is really up to the reader, if they want to read it.


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I think touchy subjects are good. They get people to think about things they might not usually think about. Then hopefully voice their opinion on the matter.

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Emma015/statuses/52722365313982464

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I think it's important to write about touchy subjects. They will generate the most emotional responses, and that in turn makes a book memorable.

    helpersarah2009@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I like reading about them and am glad when authors can bring awareness to certain problems. I don't think authors should be afraid to brooch touchy subjects; if a reader sees the blurb on the back and finds a subject offensive, they can choose not to read it.

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I don 't mind some subjects as long as the story is good and the subject materials are handled appropriately- and I can always choose not to read them.
    audie@wickerness.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Touchy subjects are important subjects so I definitely don't mind reading books that include them! However, they do need to be written with sensitivity.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

    ReplyDelete
  55. Touchy subjects are really good in books, it opens us up to discuss and sometimes understand things that we shut out.

    officiallyjewels@gmail.com

    thanks julie

    ReplyDelete
  56. I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/officiallyjewel/status/52817218534252544

    officiallyjewels@gmail.com
    thanks julie

    ReplyDelete
  57. I think touchy subjects in books are okay it helps us understand that subject matter better

    bookflamereviews@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. http://twitter.com/#!/bookflamereview/status/53122431816187904

    bookflamereviews@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. im usually okay with touchy subjects in books. it takes alot to offend me and if a book does, i try to take it in stride and not let it affect how i enjoy the story.

    jennzahling@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm alright with touchy subjects in books and sometimes feel that it's important to have them because it can certainly provide a more in depth view and maybe perhaps even educate readers on the subject matter.

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. How do I feel about touchy subjects in books? I say bring it on. Authors should be free to write about anything they choose...if people do not like it then they shouldn't read it.

    Thank you! mmafsmith@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Tweet: WIN a copy of RAGE by @JackieKessler ! http://bit.ly/hLhI08 hosted by @Tynga & @parajunkee #giveaway #ParanormalSpringBreak PLS RT

    ReplyDelete
  63. Well I think touchy subjects are important in books but the author must know how to show it and understand it too.


    Thanks for this giveaway!

    desapd(at)gmail.com
    @desapd

    ReplyDelete
  64. http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/53503291014909952

    ReplyDelete
  65. Literature and art needs to explore the touchy subjects, or there is no real reason for it to exist. Without that deper exploration, it is simply mindless entertainment. Some times you need the mindless, but after awhile, it becomes brain-numbing.

    I cannot wait to read this series.

    stephanie AT stephaniemloree DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I for one really enjoy books with touchy subject matter. I think that a lot of people shy away from them but it's eye opening to be able to 'see' what someone goes through, with anorexia or cutting, and why they feel the need to resort to those measures. You can't begin to help someone if you don't understand what they're going through.
    I need to read this series, thanks for the giveaway :]

    m_laura28 at yahoo dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  67. I think touchy subject books are great. I think its horriable books are band. teens are going to have sex, teens are going to do drugs. Not alot of them are going to be reading. Also thinks like cutting and anixrexia need to be spoken out about, one of my fav book is More then you can chew

    also tweeted

    https://twitter.com/#!/Tegan19/status/53604867540922368

    ReplyDelete
  68. How I feel about touchy subjects in books is directly related to how well they are handled.

    Gratuitous exploitations of violence against women and children infuriates me (oh right, your lead female is a hard-ass, clearly she had to be brutally raped as a child to get that way) - as does the use of minority stereotypes as a shortcut to characterization (oh your gay character loves musical theatre because he's gay).

    But well utilized touchy subjects - whether they are generally considered taboo or just rarely tackled in any meaningful way - have been the key ingredients in some of my favorite books.

    cass at feministdracona dot net

    ReplyDelete
  69. I think touchy subjects in books, YA especially, go along way to help people think and talk about things that they would usually avoid. I loved the first in this series and can't wait to read Rage.

    hopingfourmore[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. In my country a book with touchy subject inside is always hunting by the readers. I am not really mind with it as long as it's not about my faith. :D
    Sometimes we need to revealed it.

    aleetha.ally at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I link in my side bar
    http://bacaan-ally.blogspot.com

    aleetha.ally at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I can prepare myself all I want but I still have to sometimes take a breather in between things like this. I take a few breaths and plow on through it. It works from me.

    Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/Emmys322/status/53970409908998145

    ReplyDelete
  73. I like reading about touchy subjects in books. A lot of times they are about things people don't usually talk about openly. Those books can allow people to better understand issues that they might not know much about otherwise.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Melanie_2006/status/54206278565761024

    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  75. http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/54214778654162944

    ReplyDelete
  76. I feel okay about touchy subjects being in books. I suppose it depends on an individual's preferences.

    pams00 @ aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. http://twitter.com/#!/pams00/status/54381296209760257

    pams00 @ aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. It never really bothers me.

    Chllybrd(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I love "touchy" subjects in books - I love it when authors push the boundaries. Thank you for this giveaway!!

    PelicanJL@hotmail.com

    <3 Happy Reading
    Patricia @ Patricia's Particularity

    ReplyDelete
  80. I find that touchy subjects in books are a way readers can learn to deal with their problems like abuse or drugs. The find someone that they can relate to.

    mendyha26@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/55262671783727104

    ReplyDelete
  82. It depends on what the subject is, some things I just don't want to read about.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  83. http://twitter.com/#!/desapd/status/55753749897019392

    ReplyDelete
  84. I find them painful to read sometimes, but they are necessary. sometimes life has touchy issues!


    amanda@heartless-ink.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. nice helpful information thanks for sharing

    we provide best and reliable House Shifting Services in Karachi

    ReplyDelete