IE Reviews~Breathkept

I have to admit, Saundra Mitchell is one of my favorite authors, like ever. I know what you're thinking, "she isn't indie, she's with Houghton Mifflin!" Ah, then you're in for a surprise. Saundra's novel, Breathkept didn't find a home so she went indie with it. "Why, since she's such a brilliant author?" you might ask? It saddens me deeply to say, because her book is, let's say, diverse, and couldn't find a fit in the market. But you know what else? It's AMAZING, just like her other novels.

I gave it:

*****

My review: Saundra's sojourn into contemporary does not disappoint. Despite my need for all things sci-fi, fantasy, or paranormal, I truly loved this novel and there aren't many contemporary novels that can have that effect on me. From the very first chapter we are drawn into a mystery within a rich setting that is filled with deep characters you'll be rooting for.

Here is a bit about it:

Parker Nixon has never been away from home. She’s never been in love. And she’s never been wanted for murder… until now. The boy Parker got caught kissing last night turned up dead this morning, and there’s no shortage of suspects. Her reclusive father leads a double life, and the people at Stone Well Ranch have their mysteries too. But then there’s beautiful, broken Brandon Beauchamp. He saved Parker’s life once, and holds her heart in his hands. But he may be hiding the darkest secret of all. 

Where to find Breathkept:

Goodreads, Amazon. 

It isn't currently on B&N but I bet if you contact Saundra, she'd be happy to get it on there!

Switching Gears: Benefits to Writing in Different Genres

Growing up as a military brat, my family’s wheel-of-life was ever turning. We lived all across Canada, from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, to Nanaimo, British Columbia. I got used to packing and unpacking, to the mad dash up the stairs with my brother and sister - to claim the biggest bedroom first, and, of course, to being the new girl at school.

Likely why Eryn, the main character in my SKINNED series is also new to town. I’m fascinated with the unknown, the next location, and the promise of a new adventure. Our lifestyle of travelling, starting over and scaling down so we didn’t have to haul useless items across the country has impacted my life in many ways.

I get itchy feet.

If moving is out of the question, which it has been for the last few years as my husband and I have been carving out a life in our cool little Northern Alberta town - then I rearrange the furniture in our house, renovate, paint – anything to change our environment.

In terms of writing – this means I don’t restrict myself to a single genre or medium. Sure, I write a lot of young adult paranormal fiction, but I also write edgy / contemporary YA, twisted horror short stories for adults, flash fiction, television and film scripts, as well as composing music and lyrics.

I’ve recently started writing a steampunk young adult series and I’m loving the research phase of things - reading EVERYTHING steam that I can get my hands on, taking notes on specific time periods, historical events and people, modes of transport, how people dressed, the science of the day, as well as alchemy and Victorian spiritualism.

I’m never bored when writing, because I’m always improving my skills and learning the tropes of new genres – so I can avoid them or smash them together with those of another genre – hopefully creating something fresh and new.

Diversity is key to growth. If you’re a writer, a musician, an artist – a reader…I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. Allow yourself to start from grown zero and enjoy the climb.

Shift those gears.

New worlds are waiting.

Judith Graves
~~+++~~

Judith is the author of Under My Skin and it's sequel Second Skin, YA paranormal fiction for those ready to go darkside.