Author Interview - R. Rodriguez

Do you find teaching to be a rewarding experience?

I do. Teaching allows me to express my creativity and knowledge. Every day is different. The interaction with students allows for the teaching/ learning process to be dynamic. I love creating new ways for my students to learn.

Tell us your latest news?

I’ve enjoyed the process of publishing and marketing my first book, Grace. Working with book bloggers and interacting with my readers has been great. My last book was released on the same day of my birthday, which made the day an extra special one. On a personal level, I’m going through important life changes since my kids are entering the teenage years which is an interesting period in their lives. I’m enjoying it quite a bit.

What books have influenced your life the most?

I am an avid reader so I have many favorite books. I would say that I have favorite books for every one of my life stages so far. As a kid, it was the Ramona Quimby Series, anything by Judy Blume, and V.C Andrews. As a teenager, my favorite books were The Catcher in the Rye and The Outsiders. As an adult, I enjoy many genres. My favorite books include Memoirs of a Geisha, Anna Karenina, The House of Spirits, The Twilight Series, and especially Paulo Coelho’s books. If I were to recommend a book that everyone should read, it would be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Review of Their Last Suppers by Andrew Caldwell

Their Last Suppers:   Legends of History and   Their Final Meals by Andrew Caldwell

     This book sounded a little morbid but I thought it was an interesting concept and had a different approach to history that deserved a try. This book was a lot different than I had expected.

Chastity - an Eternal Beloved Novel

     

     For my review of R.Rodriguez's latest book Chastity, the second book in The Eternal Beloved Novel series and an opportunity to win your own copy, please visit A Goddess of Frugality.

Review of From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz

From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz

     Two women who give birth during perilous conditions result in two incredibly gifted children. One delusional psychopath with a constitution too weak for murder, but does it anyway. Add some very caring and giving people into the mix and you have the ingredients for this interesting story.

     The book is written from the viewpoint of several different characters. While it is interesting to see the delusional man's point of view, I think it would be humorous to be shown someone else's point of view around him to see what is really going on. The few times we are given this second point of view it becomes quite obvious that Junior's take on the world is a bit off.

     This book is hard to categorize. While it isn't Koontz's normal plot of horror, it does have some horror and suspense while following Junior around. It also has almost a paranormal feel to it but the seemingly unnatural occurences are actually based on real metaphysical theories. So these things could happen, but probably not within our lifetimes.

     I found the ending a little disappointing to be honest. The climax is towards the end of the story and then the plot keeps plodding along, until it just doesn't any more. The continuation of the story is pretty much anticlimactic and while not quite pointless it almost is. Even so, the book has an interesting premise and is an entertaining read.

Top Ten Tuesday - Dean Koontz Quotes

1. “Where there is cake, there is hope. And there is always cake.”
   ― Dean Koontz


2. “The most identifying trait of humanity is our abilty to be inhumane to one another.”
   ― Dean Koontz


3. “Books were this wonderful escape for me because I could open a book and disappear into it, and that was the only way out of that house when I was a kid.”
   ― Dean Koontz


4. “When we hope, we usually hope for the wrong thing.”
   ― Dean Koontz, Brother Odd


5. “As long as I have laughter, I am not without hope”
   ― Dean Koontz


6. “Humanity is a parade of fools, and I am at the front of it, twirling a baton.”
   ― Dean Koontz


7. “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.”
   ― Dean Koontz, False Memory


8. “There are no explanations for human evil. Only excuses.”
   ― Dean Koontz, Intensity


9. “Human beings can always be relied upon to exert, with vigor, their God-given right to be stupid.”
   ― Dean Koontz


10. “We are not strangers to ourselves, we only try to be.”
    ― Dean Koontz, Odd Thomas

Quotes provided by goodreads

Review of Saying Goodbye to the Sun

Saying Goodbye to the Sun by David McAfee

     Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Vincent finds that it must be possible as he cannot get Raine out of his mind after meeting her briefly. But IS it true love or just the dazzling effect that vampires have over humans?

There's an App for That - Dean Koontz

     For huge Koontz fans, there is an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that allow you to receive updates for videos, excerpts, podcasts, audiobook clips, iPhone wallpapers, news items and much more! The app is free for download!

     If you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch, this may be the best choice for you: