Title: Gemini of Emreiana
Series: Gemini Series Book #1
Author: Kristen DaRay
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Blurb:
My entire life has been a lie: My parents didn't die in a car accident. They're not even dead. I'm not American. I'm not even human. I have strange powers, and I'm the heir to the throne of the planet Emreiana.
If I take the crown, I have to leave behind everything I have known here on Earth. I would have to say goodbye to my friends and leave behind Kyle, the boy I've loved since I was five. If I don't, then I risk the Bremoir finding me here on Earth and destroying everything I love.
Excerpt:
"Look, this isn't very funny if you think it is a joke." I turned around to leave. I wanted to believe that my aunt had cracked and this guy was just insane, but the fact that he was in my dream confused and frightened me. Everything they were telling me could not be true. That would just be crazy.
I had not even made it out of the kitchen when something itchy grabbed my wrist. I looked down to find what looked like a vine. Then I followed the rest of it to find that it actually was a vine! The vine had come through the window above the sink and somehow grabbed my arm!
"Please dear, let me explain." Aunt Trish pleaded with me. Her arms were reached out and swaying to the rhythm of the attacking vines. That was when I realized she was controlling the vine.
Author Interview:
The Avid Reader What inspired you to write Gemini of Emreiana?
Kristen DaRay Behind this book in particular would be events in my life. I kind of just wanted to get away, so at first it was about a girl who wanted to get away and finally had the chance to get out of the solar system. BUT Carson has a mind and life of her own so once it was finally out, it was the opposite. She had a life and she didn't want to give it up. Isn't that funny?
The Avid Reader When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Kristen DaRay When I was in the 6th grade, after I won a writing contest, I had tried writing my first books, really they were journals on my life, and I kept deleting them. But, it was when I was 15 that I realized my passion for writing genre fiction (Paranormal, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy). It was then that I knew that I wanted to be a writer. I had told everyone in my family that I wanted to be a writer and showed some the first chapter of the Love for Blood, a vampire story that I had no heart to finish. While my family supported my dreams they told me to keep in mind when searching for a college that my writing would be a side job. I guess I couldn't argue with that with todays economy. At first I was going to go to school online and be an airline attendant. I would study strait english to improve my writing. However, my plans for that did not go through for multiple reasons. Then I decided to go to UNA. I registered as an Education Major. While I love the idea of teaching and thought it was something I could do, I realized after helping with the church children's music that I wasn't ready for it yet and perhaps later in my life I could get a Masters and teach college. So from there I changed my major to strait English Professional Writing. That is when I truly made a decision to be a writer.I should note that I minored in Theatre. While I love writing my books, I also would enjoy writing a script for people to enjoy and watch. I'm just waiting for that big story to come to my mind.
The Avid Reader What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?
Kristen DaRay Oh wow! I have been reading ever since I could remember. I remember always going to the library in the morning before school and picking out a book to read. The earliest I remember is around the second grade, but I have a feeling it was even earlier than that. I know I read Goosebumps and some mystery romance during that time.
The Avid Reader What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
Kristen DaRay Just about everything except for non-fiction unless it is something of high interest to me. I really like fantasy and science fiction right now. Sometimes I like to read time travel romances or historical romance. Sometimes I like just strait fiction. Really it depends on the mood I am in and if the story line captures my interest at that moment. Right now I have been fixated with love-hate relationship stories. :
The Avid Reader What is your favorite book?
Kristen DaRay I have so many! You can't make me choose! This has probably been over done, but I would say the Harry Potter series. I started reading them around the same age that the story was being told so it really captured the magic for me during that time. I still have not forgotten how much I enjoyed it! Me and my sister used to run around with a stick from the back yard casting spells from the book. Ah, those were the days!
The Avid Reader You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
Kristen DaRay I wish I could say Rowling, but the truth is I didn't care too much for the casual vacancy so I'm not always jumping to her books at the moment. One author I seem to always enjoy would be Jennifer Armentrout. I always love her characters!
The Avid Reader If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?
Kristen DaRay I would go back in time to when I was a child. I would tell myself about my talent and have myself start to utilize it at a younger age and learn more about the craft. I always get the feeling I started too late, and because of that my writing and passion has suffered a little.
The Avid Reader When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?
Kristen DaRay Once I actually sit down and write it seems to flow. It's the editing later that is a pain in the arse.
The Avid Reader Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?
Kristen DaRay My little Gemini! Yes like my book LOL. She is my little critter who loves to purr, eat and sleep.
The Avid Reader What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?
Kristen DaRay Um cheesecake. I love cheesecake. So does my husband, so this works well when we share a dessert :
The Avid Reader Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?
Kristen DaRay Write, write and write. When you're not writing, read. Always learn more about your writing and what you can do to improve it. I'm always learning more and more because I write and read.
My Review: Gemini of Emreiana
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Carsona is a young woman who is about to graduate from high school as the valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. Carson has applied to several different universities and can't wait to start college in the fall. Carson and her boyfriend Kyle have been best friends since kindergarten. Carson and Kyle have been in love with each other for a very long time. Carson wants what any human girl wants. Like go to college when she graduates and after that she plans on spending the rest of her life with the one she loves, Kyle.
Carson has been raised by her Aunt Trish from a baby. Carson's parent both died when she was just a baby. She never knew her parents and has never even seen a picture of them. Her Aunt Trish had no photos of her parents. Carson has pondered on this before without coming up with any answers as to why she has no photos of her parents but she has never dwelled on it or even asked her Aunt why.
Carson's life is going just as she has planned but then one day a new guy just pops into her life right out of the blue. Carson's Aunt Trish knows Aaronmon and together they both start explaining to her who he is and why he is there. Carson finds out that who she thought she was is all a lie. At first she is kind of mad in a way but when she gives it some thought she realizes that they had no choice but to lie to her to protect her from their enemies, the ones who want her dead.
After finding out who she really is; Carson soon decides that she is going to have to leave behind everything and everyone she has grown to love over the last eighteen years. She doesn't want to leave them but she knows that is the only choice she has if she wants to save their lives.
I have never read many Sci-Fi or Fantasy books but have watched a lot of Sci-Fi and Fantasy movies and loved them. I am very happy that I am now getting the chance to read books in this genre because I have found out that I love reading it as much as I love watching it. I have really enjoyed reading Gemini of Emreiana and following Carson on her journey and learning who she really is. I have felt as if I was walking beside Carson and watching her with Kyle and all of her friends. Kristen DaRay knows how to write a story and make you feel as if you are a part of it as if you are one the characters in the story. Gemini of Emreiana is one of those stories that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good Sci-Fi or Fantasy story.
Title: Gemini the Heir
Series: Gemini Series Book # 2
By Kristen DaRay
Publication Date: September 28th, 2013
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Blurb:
Just a year ago, I thought I was an ordinary human, and I gave up everything on Earth to save the people I loved. I have become the Lenai of Emréiana, making me the heir to the Emréian throne. It also makes me in charge of defeating the Bremoir, a race that has been consuming other worlds. If I can't stop them, the universe is doomed.
Then there is Aaronmon, my betrothed. We have only known each other for a year, but our bond is strong. It's that bond that makes it hard to know my true feelings. While I think I am ready for the ceremony, I wonder if I really love him like I loved Kyle, my ex- boyfriend who was murdered.
But none of my feelings matter. In order to rule Emréiana, I must go through with the bonding ceremony. If I don't, then I risk losing the right as heir and I'll have no power in the war against the Bremoir. Nobody wants them defeated more than me.
Author Bio:
Kristen was born in Alabama in 1991 and still resides there today. She has been writing since the 6th grade. However, she did not begin to write fiction until she was 15. In 2009, Kristen had an idea that would spark the concept for Gemini of Emréiana that she would later write in 2011. During that time, she met her husband. They married in August of 2012. When Kristen is not writing, she spends time watching Korean Drama's or creating SIM's 3 stories. Kristen continues to write the next novels to the Gemini Trilogy. She also plans to release a new series later on in the year.
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