JUSTICE review and Author's Interview

Seth writes . . .

Today I'm spotlighting a book I really identified with, starting with the title - Justice, book one of the Deck of Lies series. As Rain, the main character in Justice says, when you build your life on a foundation of lies, it only takes one truth for the whole thing to come crashing down.  

For Rain, the truth was that the people she had loved for the last sixteen years as her mom and dad weren't really her parents. Stop for a minute and think about how tough that must have been for her. I've some inkling of what she felt because I recently discovered that my parents - my whole family, in fact -  lied to me about something life-changing. I guess that's why I can identify with Rain.

Like me, through no fault of her own, Rain ended up in the hands of Social Services - and trust us both when we tell you, that's no fun. With little thought to how it would freak Rain out, her case worker dumped her with what she claimed was Rain's real family. Confronted with an entirely new identity, Rain is forced to live with this new set of parents. Her new, mega rich family are determined to deny the existence of her former mom, dad and brother. And this is were the story hots up into a full-blown mystery, ending in a murder. But that's all I'm going to tell you about the plot, because I don't want to give to much away.

Now to my impressions. 

The first thing you HAVE to do is look past the cover. PLEASE don't judge this book on that truly horrible pink thing. The book deserves a million times more than that. It's a great read, filled with life-like, credible characters, and to be honest, I found it impossible to put down. I read it way too late into the night because I had to know what happened to Rain. And for those of you who like romance (hint . . . Erin) there's enough of that to keep you happy. In fact, Rain is spoilt for choice-

Erin interrupts . . . "She has three hotties to choose from. But in my opinion, she picked the wrong guy." *grins* "Seth's frowning at me, so back to him."

As I was saying, Rain is . . . well, to be honest, at times very irritating because she refuses to trust the one guy - River - who really wants to help her. (Yes, agreed. Some of the names in the book are a bit odd, but I've definitely seen worse) 

Erin interrupts . . . "Seth! How can you talk about Rain not trusting people! That's rich, coming from you."

*Seth gives wry smile* Okay . . . I suppose I can understand Rain not trusting anyone after all the lies she'd been told, but still, at times I wanted to shout at her for being so secretive with the one person who was trying to help her. But through it all, she's a spunky, confused, determined, bright teenager coping with waaaay to much. I really liked her.

Erin, again . . . "And the ending was really unexpected. I just didn't see it coming."

Me neither. All told, it was a great read. Maybe one of the best I've read in 2012, The moment I finished I started looking for book two, The Tower. I will review it for you in a few weeks time.

But now we have the author, Jade Varden, with us today to answer some questions about Justice. 

Jade Varden, author of Justice.

Hi Jade, welcome to our corner of madness. Maybe you'll start by telling us little about yourself. What do you do when you're not writing?

Jade: I don’t have a great answer for that question, Seth, because really I’m always writing. The only time I’m not working is when I’m exercising, bathing or sleeping. But sometimes, if I do steal a few moments for myself, I like to play video games. 

Seth: Video games? We do those too. What are your favs?

Jade: Lately I've been mostly playing Sims 3 on my computer and Goldeneye on Wii.

Seth: Goldeneye? Cool, so you really are into skullduggery and espionage. I guess that's why you wrote a mystery story. So tell me, what's your favorite scene or quote (spoiler-free) from Justice?  

Jade: My favorite scene in Justice is the library where Rain’s doing some research, and she spends some time talking to the person working there.   

Seth: That may be a bit too spoiler free! Rain meets up with River, and, well, let's just say he doesn't win any brownie points for politeness. Okay, now down to what I really want to know. Who controls your story? You or your characters?

Jade: I always thought I did, but something interesting happened to me while I was writing Death, the third book in the Deck of Lies series. One character completely took over a scene. I actually had the book plotted a bit differently, but as I was writing a big “reveal”, the character just somehow took control and changed the Fates. Their version of events was so much better than mine, so I left it in. 

Seth: *grins* Jade, you should learn to trust! Us characters always know what's best for our stories.

Erin interrupts: Jade, while Seth is smirking, let me ask about new projects. Are you working with some new characters in a new project? And if so, how do your other characters feel about this?

Jade: I'm introducing several new characters in the book I’m writing now, the fourth in the Deck of Lies series. It’s hard to bring new characters in at the end of the series, and there has been some clashing between the new guys and the others. Anyone new is a threat, and they all know it. 

*Erin and Seth exchange knowing smiles.*

Seth: Only too right. Okay, so how do you handle it when your characters give you a hard time with writer’s block?

Jade: The first thing I do is stop trying to write. Every time I try to force a scene, it ends up getting deleted later because it’s no good. So I like to step away from the computer, walk around, and try to think it out. If I’m good and stuck, I’ll work on something else (like maybe a blog post) or I’ll take a break from writing for a while until something comes to me.

Seth: I have to know, what inspiration/advice would you give our readers who are also writers to encourage them to continue in the noble work of providing a voice for characters?

Jade: Picture them in your mind, and see them as real people. Remember that they have to have motivations and ambitions to do what they do, and that in their own minds, in their world, they’re all main characters and not just supporting cast members. 

Seth: See them as real people? Strange comment that. After all, what else can they be but real people? I mean, look at Erin and me - we even have a blog.

Erin: *nudges Seth in the ribs to shut him up*  I have a question for you, Jade. Who is your favorite book boyfriend?

Jade: Gilbert, I think, from the Anne of Green Gables series. The actor who played him in the movie is totally gorgeous, and Gil grows up to be a doctor. Nothing wrong with that.

 Erin: Gilbert! From Green Gables? Eat your heart out Ettiene St.Claire!

 Jade: What can I say? Gilbert likes wordy women!

Seth: Jade, it's been so great having you, and you answered all our crazy questions so willingly. Thanks for that. 

Now folks, don't forget that Jade is giving us 4 eBook copies of Justice as prizes in our GIVEAWAY. Trust me YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK. So click the link to find the Raffelcopter. http://todayinshenaya.blogspot.com/2012/07/erin-writes.html

But if you hate entering competitions and want to buy yourself a copy, you'll find JUSTICE here: 

Justice on Amazon <http://www.amazon.com/Justice-Deck-Lies-1-ebook/dp/B006PW51F6/>
Justice on Smashwords <https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/130638>
Justice on B&N <http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/justice-jade-varden/1108892733?ean=2940013947139>
Justice on Kobo <http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Justice-Deck-of-Lies-1/book-82Nn0gS7hUq5cg_HX9vYDQ/page1.html?s=NMZOjU_q7km8j1-aOX2ryA&r=2







And you can contact Jade at:
@JadeVarden <https://twitter.com/jadevarden>
Goodreads <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5414964.Jade_Varden
Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jade-Varden/300695563318891
Jade's blog <http://jadevarden.blogspot.com/

Cheers

S&E