The Forgotten by Mariah Deitrick

Today I am excited to announce that I have both the book, The Forgotten and it’s author, Mariah Deitrick, here at my blog this week.  First the book:

BACK COVER BLURB:

Addaline Walker is sentenced to death after being accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Determined to save herself, she makes an impossible deal with the man who wants her dead. Every time she fails to get him what he wants, he threatens to kill someone she loves. With time running out, Addaline must face her fears, swallow her pride, and allow help from Xander, a seventeen-year-old boy she was raised to fear.

As Addaline and Xander race through the guarded city to save themselves and their loved ones, Addaline uncovers horrifying secrets that will leave most of the city dead. With hundreds of lives on the line and Xander by her side, Addaline sets out to stop the man trying to kill everyone.

MY REVIEW:

I gave this book 5 Full Stars!

First I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It’s high fantasy and romance all wrapped up together in a wild ride of a story.  Your first interaction with the main character, Addaline Walker, greets you with a life or death situation.  No build up, just right into the drama.  The story takes off from there and never lets you out of its grasp from that first word on.  From torture to escape, to bombs and potential kidnapping, this has it all.  You get to go on this life journey with Addaline and her partner in escape, Xander as they fight their way to a new life.  You fear for them at times.  You distrust them at others.  Such a fun read.  The dialogue was true.  The characters were full.  I can’t say enough about this book.  Fantastic job, Mariah.  When can we expect a sequel? 

If I have to say something in the negative, I would admit that one of the secondary characters, Addaline’s sister, could have used a bit more fullness.  She was the only one that I felt this way about.  She simply came across as a bit empty.  Maybe it’s only me though.  All the other characters came across as so full of life.  It could also be that I didn’t really like the sister all that much.  All in all that’s the only thing I can poke at.  The read was just that good.  I highly recommend it to teens and adults alike. 

AUTHOR

BIO:

Mariah Deitrick is a wife, mother of four, and writer. She’s a graduate from the Institute of Children’s Literature, and is the author of the adult novel, “Deadly Hunt,” with Undead Press, and the YA novel, “The Forgotten,” with Rogue Phoenix Press.

Her work has appeared in a variety of markets including, Spaceports and Spidersilk, Knowownder!, Super Teacher Worksheets, Stories That Lift, Story Teller Tymes, and Living Dead Press. A complete list of her work can be found at her website www.mariahdeitrick.weebly.com 

INTERVIEW:

1.         Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thanks so much for having me! What can I tell you about myself…hmm. Well, I’m a stay-at-home mom of four wonderful kids, two cats, and a dog. In my spare time, I’m a writer.

2.         What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m plugging away at a YA paranormal. I don’t want to spill too much about this since it’s a WIP, but I’ll say, it’s hard to convince someone their dead when they’re walking around like any other living, breathing, human on Earth.

3.         If you could be any character from any book, who would you want to be and why?

Hermione Granger. She’s smart, confident, and can do magic.

4.         What inspired you to start writing?

When I was young, I struggled to read. In fact, I hated it because I couldn’t understand most of what was in the books. So, I turned to creating my own stories. Some of those stories landed me in big trouble too! Apparently, horror wasn’t appropriate for my friends. :)

5.         Do you remember the very first story you ever wrote? What was it about?

I don’t remember the first story I put on paper, but I do remember an early story I told one of my friends when I was about five.  She asked me where my dad was one day because she found out my mom was remarried. I told her this long, graphic story about how huge wolves ate him. Yeah, I know, it’s kind of weird. But hey, I never said I was normal.

6.         What resource has been most influential in helping you become a published writer and why? How often do you refer back to it?

Wow! This is a hard one. I use so many different resources while writing, but the book on my stand right now is On Writing Well by William Zinsser.

7.         What is the thing you enjoy the most about writing.

The reason I write is the same as why I read. I love the escape that both give me, from whatever is happening in my life. If I’m having a crappy day, I know I can pick up a good book or open a WIP and leave my worries behind for at least a few hours.

8.         What are you doing when you are not writing?

Spending time with my family, reading, and watching movies.

9.         Who is your favorite author?

This is a hard question. I love so many different authors. I guess I’ll have to stick with Stephen King.

A few fun questions that have nothing to do with writing:

1.            Chocolate or Candy?

Actually, I’m not big on candy or chocolate. I’d rather have some real food. :)

2.            Summer or Winter?

Winter.

3.         If you were trapped on a deserted island, what 3 things would you have to have with you to survive?

A box of sharpened pencils, a box of paper, and a box of books.

4.         What is your absolutely favorite movie of all time?

The Pursuit of Happiness. It’s very inspiring.

5.         What are your thoughts on ebooks vs. print books?

Though I’ll always prefer print books, I do enjoy the convenience of ebooks. 

~*~

Where can you find this book?

Amazon:  The Forgotten