Domino Project Book 2 Review

Hybrid by K.T. Hanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an ARC for an honest review.

Sai's hurt at the end of Chameleon and Dom had a hand in it. Not only does Sai have to learn to deal with her injuries and the recovery, her relationship with Dom takes a hit. There's something about Sai that brings out the humanity in Dom and I LOVE that. Their friendship makes both of them stronger and Hybrid opens with it being strained. It's refreshing to read a book where the stakes are about friendship and the survival of the human race, not reading the second book in a series where the brand new romance begins to unravel. Does the unrepentant romantic in me hope Dom and Sai will develop something? Um, yes, The sooner the better.But that's the best part about these books--there's so much more that draws me in and keeps me hooked. The world building is amazing, the Sci-Fi aspects of technology and powers captivates me. K.T. has created a vivid world with her writing. This second book isn't a "filler" as so many middle books seem to be. It's a fully fleshed out, thickly plotted story that has me dying for more--especially after that ending! The sooner the third book comes out, the better!

View all my reviews

Review: Hybrid

Hybrid by K.T. Hanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an ARC for an honest review.

Sai's hurt at the end of Chameleon and Dom had a hand in it. Not only does Sai have to learn to deal with her injuries and the recovery, her relationship with Dom takes a hit. There's something about Sai that brings out the humanity in Dom and I LOVE that. Their friendship makes both of them stronger and Hybrid opens with it being strained. It's refreshing to read a book where the stakes are about friendship and the survival of the human race, not reading the second book in a series where the brand new romance begins to unravel. Does the unrepentant romantic in me hope Dom and Sai will develop something? Um, yes, The sooner the better.But that's the best part about these books--there's so much more that draws me in and keeps me hooked. The world building is amazing, the Sci-Fi aspects of technology and powers captivates me. K.T. has created a vivid world with her writing. This second book isn't a "filler" as so many middle books seem to be. It's a fully fleshed out, thickly plotted story that has me dying for more--especially after that ending! The sooner the third book comes out, the better!

View all my reviews

Author Interview: KT Hanna

Chameleon Releases Today!

"Wow! A fast-paced, science fiction delight with fabulous action, a seamless world, and the most unique characters I've read in a long time." Elana Johnson, Author of the Possession Series.

 

An Interview with K.T. Hanna

You sound very organized. Any organizational tips? I’m only organized because of lists. I must have lists, if I don’t make lists to cross stuff off, I kind of lose it. What I’d tell people, is try to be realistic about your goals and make sure you could conceivably achieve what you’ve got on your list. Because if you don’t? It will overwhelm you. And always try to carve out some you time.

Was there any point in your writing journey where things just clicked into place? Nope. And it still hasn’t. Frankly, I will always second guess everything I write. And I will always wonder if I should just stop. But I think that’s part of being a writer, even if I wish it weren’t.

Were there points you really struggled to keep going? How did you persevere? Being quite honest, I still struggle. Every day. I have to juggle my toddler, a new puppy, my day job, the house, the internship… my relationship haha. Just writing it out makes me want to give up. But you know what? The only time you ever fail is if you give up. So I don’t. This is how I persevere.

Any writing foods you can’t work without? Coffee is a food, right?

2 or 42? This is just plain evil. 2 is my favourite number, but 42 is EVERYTHING.

Pick a color, any color. Purple!

 

The Blurb:

When Sai's newly awoken psionic powers accidentally destroy her apartment complex, she’s thrown into an intensive training program. Her only options are pass or die.

Surviving means proving her continued existence isn't a mistake--a task her new mentor, Bastian, takes personally. Her abilities place her in the GNW Enforcer division, and partners her with Domino 12, who is eerily human for an alien-parasite psionic hybrid.

After eliminating an Exiled scientist, she discovers nothing is what it seems. With each mission more perilous, Sai must figure out who to trust before her next assignment becomes her last.

Available at:

Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | IndieBound

If you'd like a signed physical copy, Watermark Books has them in stock.

CELEBRATION!

We're having a blog hop, and an e-card & mega swag Rafflecopter giveaway!

The blog hop stops are noted below. Each day has a different theme and you can find out about the process, the idea, and the evolution of Chameleon, and even a bit about K.T. by visiting each blog, when their posts go live.

4-Aug	5-Aug	6-Aug	7-Aug	10-Aug
Fun facts about the book	What I learned writing Chameleon	Author Interviews	The world of Chameleon	The Evolution of Chameleon
Manuel Soto	Marlo Berliner	Leatrice McKinney	Rebecca Enzor	Patricia Lynne
J Elizabeth Hill	Stacey Trombley	Dawn Allen	Sharon Johnston	Bex Montgomery
E.L. Wicker	JC Davis	Suzanne van Rooyen	Mandy Baxter	Madelyn Dyer
Jessie Mullins	Andrew Patterson	Heather Rebel	Jessica Therrien	Carissa Taylor
Emma Adams	Lady Jai	Elayna Noreme	Kendra Young

I’m giving away e-cards of your choice from B&N, iTunes, & Amazon – one to the value of $25, and three to the value of $10! Each prize includes a swag pack of a magnet, sticker, bookmark, postcard, and mousepad!

Just follow the options listed on the giveaway and you'll be entered!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

KT Hanna has a love for words so extreme, a single word can spark entire worlds.

Born in Australia, she met her husband in a computer game, moved to the U.S.A. and went into culture shock. Bonus? Not as many creatures specifically out to kill you.

When she's not writing, she freelance edits for Chimera Editing, interns for a NYC Agency, and chases her daughter, husband, corgis, and cat. No, she doesn't sleep. She is entirely powered by the number 2, caffeine, and beef jerky.

Note: Still searching for her Tardis

#CoverReveal #TDPChameleon

Chameleon (The Domino Project #1) is a YA futuristic science fiction story. It's set in the wasteland of earth after a meteor shower devastates landmasses, makes seas rise, introduces the psionic gene into the human race, damages the atmosphere, and gives the gift of an alien parasite to the world.

The goodreads blurb is as follows:

After Sai's newly awoken psionic power accidentally destroys her apartment complex, she’s thrown into an intensive training program. The only grades are pass or die.

Surviving means proving her continued existence isn't a mistake--a task her new mentor, Bastian, takes personally. Her abilities place her in the GNW Enforcer division, which partners her with Domino 12, who is eerily human for an alien-parasite and psionic hybrid. When her assassination duties are revealed, Sai understands the real reason for her training. On a mission to dispatch a dangerous Exiled scientist, she uncovers truths she never thought possible. Sai is unsure who to trust as her next mission might be her last, and a double agent seems to be manipulating both sides.

Without further ado - here is the cover, by the amazingly talented S.P. McConnell.

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It's finally here

Isn't it GORGEOUS!?!?!

Sit back and bask in this for a moment.

It's available for preorder for a special price of $2.99 from

About the Author

KT Hanna has a love for words so extreme, a single word can spark entire worlds.

Born in Australia, she met her husband in a computer game, moved to the U.S.A. and went into culture shock. Bonus? Not as many creatures specifically out to kill you.

When she's not writing, she freelance edits for Chimera Editing, interns for a NYC Agency, and chases her daughter, husband, corgi, and cat. No, she doesn't sleep. She is entirely powered by the number 2, caffeine, and beef jerky.

Note: Still searching for her Tardis

Celebration!

To celebrate, we're giving away 2 x $10 Amazon e-gift cards (open to anyone who can receive and use an Amazon e-card) Just click on as many options as you like and enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Writing Diverse Characters

After posting sporadically a blog for a year, I'm gonna give you two in one week (shhh, I wrote this one on Tuesday but figured out how to schedule it for later--I'm learning!).

There's been a huge push for more diverse characters in stories. *Gasp* There are more types of people in the world than white, blond people--who'd've thunk it! It may be easier to write that because it's what you know (if you've seen my picture you'll know I'm a white, blonde person). But you don't go to school with people of one race or hair color. You don't work with people of one race or hair color. Your friends aren't all the same race with the same hair color. I think you get what I'm saying. Adding people from different races or cultures has been intimidating for me--more because I don't want to ignorantly offend someone. In the tradition of paranoid writers everywhere, I'm not going to tell you what ethnicity my new MC is--I don't want you to steal my idea. The very most important thing you can do when writing a character of a race or ethnicity you're not afraid of is to find someone who is. I'm very fortunate that I have a friend who's of this ethnicity and she's even picked the brains of her family members for me.

The internet is a huge, massive resource for writers. There are websites dedicated to certain ethnic groups with common phrases and cultural breakdowns. Get on message boards, reddit or twitter and find someone who's willing to help you learn about a group of people different than yourself.

Is it bad to write about blond, white people--no! But when the community is inundated with stories about the same types of people, they start to run together and can become boring. I'll start envisioning Jennifer Lawrence as all the main characters (I may read your character as looking like Dakota Fanning, but my mind always pictures someone else--I'm just strange that way).

Perhaps the best way to get more diverse characters is to encourage more diverse writers, but there's nothing stopping me from learning and writing about a culture or race I'm unfamiliar with. And just remember, any mistakes or stereotypes are completely my own fault--and remember, I'm human and I'm learning.

Red Ink Tank Podcast

I guess since my other two critique partners have shared the news, I won't be spoiling anything--I'm actually very good at spoiling things, usually on accident.

For at least five years now, I've had the pleasure of hoarding Anna Banks, NYT Best Selling Author, as my critique partner. About two years ago now, I had to start sharing her with Kaylyn Witt, a very talented writer who wanted to subject her manuscript to our red pens. Earlier this year, Anna brilliantly suggested that we start a podcast--offer writing tips, critiquing tips, and stories of our overall journeys with other writers.

Soon, very soon, we will start recording these podcasts and unleashing them on the world.

We are funny, irreverent and full of wisdom and sarcasm. We'll be broadcasting at least twice a month and we want to know what you want to hear about. Anna's blog had someone suggest we discuss how we found our critique partners--that is an excellent idea. Critique partners are vital to making your story the best it can be and give you outlets for the frustrations of trying to become a represented and/or published author. 

Be on the lookout for our website and the date of our debut podcast. Let me know if you have any writing, querying, critiquing questions you want us to answer.

But beware: pages WILL bleed. 

How It Should Have Ended...FRIENDS

Lately, I've been catching all these awesome reruns. Older episodes of The Big Bang Theory (love!), Full House and FRIENDS.

In May, 2004, after the last episode of Friends, I wanted to raise my hand in the air and offer a suggestion. A big, huge, major suggestion on how the whole show should have been changed--starting from the birth of Emma.

Here it is. Picture this. Rachel's laying in the hospital bed, snuggling with her new, precious baby girl. She's as beautiful and fresh as every woman after a delivery on TV. Her and Ross agree to move in together (which, yes, I know does happen). They both look at the life they created and think, "Hey, let's give it another shot." Hilarious moments ensue. Ross can throw around the "We were on a break!" after he and Rachel fight. Rachel can toss back, "Well we're not on a break right now." They'll fight, kiss, be jealous...everything that's supposed to happen in a sitcom. But here's the big change: they're together.

A few things I would love to have deleted from the entire show: Rachel and Joey together. Ever. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then they decided the show was almost over and they couldn't have Rachel and Joey together if everyone wants to see Rachel and Ross back together by the end. So the most awkward kissing scene in the history of television ensued. *DELETED* You're welcome. That whole debacle is gone. Never happened. You know why? That's right: Ross and Rachel are together.

Here's a good change: Phoebe's engagement and wedding get made into a bigger deal. Did anyone else feel like she got glanced over. Like, "Oh, she's in love. She needs her happy ever after, too. Here, get married in the snow. There you go. All done. Let's move on." Phoebe looked gorgeous in her dress, the wedding in the snow was beautiful, but Ross's failed marriage to Emily and his elopement with Rachel got more hoopla than Phoebe's wedding. Me no likey.

Speaking of Ross and Rachel's elopement, here's where it gets sticky. On the one hand, they could've stayed married. On the other, Ross could have followed through, gotten the annulment, THEN proposed to Rachel to get married for real, in front of guests and in a church. What? That's just crazy talk.

Now, for the grand finale. The last episode. At some point in the seasons after Emma was born, Ross proposes romantically to Rachel--maybe at the planetarium at the museum where Ross and Rachel, you know, for the first time. Anyways, on to the last episode. What I like to call "The One Where Ross and Rachel Get Married"--not witty or ironic, but to the point. This is what the last episode should have been. Emma as the flower girl. Ben is a groomsman. And in the middle of the ceremony, Erica (Monica and Chandler's babies' momma) goes into labor. And you know Anna Farris could have done an awesome over the top labor scene. And in the ensuing chaos, Ross and Rachel say "I do," kiss and rush off to see the twins born.

The End. And that's how it should have ended.