I've been meaning to post this for a while, but life, author interviews, and other writing have gotten in the way! Anyhoo..

February, right on the heals of EVERYBODY's birthdays we took the kids on their first trip to Florida. We stayed with my parents, ate lots of food, did lots of shwiming (as Hailey puts it), and Joseph got punched in the face by a kangaroo. Yup. That actually happened. We went to FLORIDA of all places and my kid got punched in the face by a real live red kangaroo. Let's look at the offending species:

Now how did this happen? Well we went to this lovely place called Jungle Island. (That 'lovely' comment was not sarcasm. Seriously, it's the perfect sized zoo-like park for a bunch of toddlers.) While there, we noticed that they had a petting zoo full of red kangaroos. I thought that that would be fun for the kids. They love animals, and this way they could feed and pet something a little different then the standard goats that you'd usually see. (Sidebar- the goats freak them out! They keep trying to eat their hats, and any paper they carry in their pockets: Gone.) So we paid our extra $5.00 and went inside. The kids got handfuls of grapes and kangaroo pellets and went to pet them, with Brian and I watching carefully. Joseph looks at them and yells: "They look like Sebastian!" Sebastian is our dog. He is 85 lbs of patience and love when it comes to the kids. See:

He knows they don't bite, and if he gets annoyed he stands up and walks away. Well, Joseph runs for the nearest kangaroo, and I chase after. He reaches for it's ear squealing with joy, and it jumps up, spins, and lashes out with fists of fury. Joseph falls on his butt, and his brother Phillip bursts out laughing that the kangaroo hit his brother. Joseph seemed okay, and went off to continue feeding and petting the other animals, albeit a bit more tentatively.

A while later, I sat with him in a bird show and asked what had happened. His response: "Kangaroo try to hug Joseph. Didn't do a good job." Yeah....

Their other discovery that day: Dinosaurs are real and alive. This is proven by this thing they saw:

6 foot tall bird monster known as a cassowary. The kids thought it was awesome, and I was a horrible parent for not letting them rush the stage so they could pet it.

The trip was a lot of fun, and as the triplets grow and mature, we can definitely do more things with them. I can't wait for the next one!

I recently had the chance to interview the award winning author Michelle Bellon about her writing, life, and novel Rogue Alliance. Check out everything she had to say!

1.  Rogue Alliance isn't your first book. Tell us about what you've written so far.

The first book I wrote is a YA, coming of age story, titled Embracing You, Embracing Me. It was not the first to be published however. It’s about a young girl learning about self-discovery through tragedy and loss. It won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for its category in 2012.

The Complexity of a Soldier is a story that follows Rory and Emily, two high school sweethearts, through the heartache and trials of his multiple deployments to Iraq as they also try to start their young family. This book spurned me to write an article on PTSD among our troops that was published nationally. You can currently read it on my blog http://www.michellebellon.com/u-s-must-rally-support-for-vets-with-ptsd/

His Salvation is a fast-paced romance suspense. Seth and Krista were best friends as teenagers, forming a bond like no other until one day Seth disappears without a trace. Ten years later, he finds himself in a conspiracy too deep to tackle on his own and he seeks help from the only person he has ever trusted- Krista.

2. You write in many different genres. Is it hard to jump from genre to genre? How do you keep them straight?

This is a good question. No, it’s not hard for me to jump from genre to genre. When characters and a plot come to me I don’t think of it in terms of what genre it will fit into. I simply see the story that needs written and I start writing. Later, during rewrites, I start thinking of who my target audience will be and edit with that in mind.

3. What is your favorite genre to write in and why?

Even though it’s harder, I really enjoying writing suspense. It forces me to keep every chapter moving at a challenging pace, which means digging deeper into the plot and subplots, and honing the dialogue.

4.  Rogue Alliance is part of a series. Do you have all the books written? Did you know exactly how the series would end when you first began writing? If so, did that make it harder or easier to write?

 I had absolutely no intention of writing a series. I didn’t want that kind of pressure. (laughs) However, when I finished writing the book I knew that there was still a lot of Brennan’s and Shyla’s story to be told. Then when readers began to reach out to me with such strong, positive responses to the book and to the characters they also demanded a sequel. I had to start writing the next book. At this point it’s about half finished and the screenplay is nearly done as well.

5. Shyla is an amazingly complex character. Did she come to you fully formed, or did she grow and change as you crafted the plot?

She and Brennan both presented themselves as fully formed characters with pasts, fears, strengths, and, yes, flaws. Plenty of them. The entire book was born of one scene that came to me while driving one day. In that single scene it was clear to me who these people were and what their motivations were.

6. You write all sorts of different books. What do you prefer to read when you have the chance?

 Ooh, that’s a tough one. I find magic in so many different genres. My favorite book of all time is Outlander, an epic historical fiction novel. I tend to like those quite a bit. I love suspense and thrillers so I’ve read my fair share of Koontz and Grisham. Also, last but not least, I love a good romance whether it be contemporary, suspense, or young adult. I like to swoon just as much as anyone else.

7. Let my readers know where to find you. Give us your links!

First just let me say thank you for having me on your blog Alisse. It’s been fun!

http://www.michellebellon.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Bellon-Author/544448685599147

https://www.facebook.com/michelle.authorpage

https://twitter.com/MichelleBellon

I am having a ton of fun interviewing other authors, and seeing what makes them tick, what inspires them, and how they write. Today I get to introduce you to the talented Christine Gabriel. She is the author of the upcoming New Adult novel Crimson Forest. 

1. Tell us about your upcoming novel  Crimson Forest due out this summer with Pandamoon Publishing.

Crimson Forest is the first book in the Crimson Chronicles Series.  It focuses on eighteen year old Angelina Adams who is lives in the small town of Buffalo, Wisconsin which is famous for its eerie moss covered forest.  The novel focuses on age old myths and shows that no matter how average you are, wonderful, amazing things can happen to you.  The series has an awesome love triangle, devastating losses that will most certainly make you tear up, and of course action that will hopefully put you to the edge of your seat.  
 
2. What are your top ten novels of all time? Why do you love them?

Ooo, top ten novels of all time.  Well let's see: 

- Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas - James Patterson - I love this book because it's packed full of emotion.  I literally went through an entire box of Kleenex as I read it. 

- Eightysixed - Emily Belden - I'd never read a memoir until this book.  I laughed, cried, and got so mad I threw a pencil across the room. 

- The Secret - Rhonda Byrne - It taught me that all the positive energy you put out into the universe manifests itself and rewards you with what you ask for.

- To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee - I read this in 8th grade English and even got to see the play at a college theater.  I adore this book. 

- The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien - It's just my size, what can I say?

- IT - Stephen King - Scariest book I've ever read...I now have a huge fear of clowns.  Thank you for being that awesome that you've incited a true fear in me Mr. King. 

- Sunday's at Tiffany's - James Patterson - This is a great book about an imaginary friend who she ends up falling in love with.  (swoon)

- The Sookie Stackhouse Collection - Charlaine Harris - What can I say?  I love this series(having Joe Manganiello play Alcide...enough said.)

- All of the R.L. Stine books - That's right, I read the entire series growing up and they've stuck with me. (I think that should count as 9 and 10 haha)
 
3. You talk a bit on your blog about being bullied in high school. This is something that, unfortunately, affects a lot of people and can stay with them for a while (myself included). What advice do you have to give to teenagers who are dealing with this right now?

You know Alisse, growing up was extremely difficult for me.  Being bullied is something that has stuck with me throughout the years.  My advice for teenagers would be this:  Never lower your standards to please others.  You're a beautiful soul and embrace that.  People only bully others because they're jealous of their own insecurities.  Never try to be someone you're not because the person you are is AMAZING.  Hold your head high and know you're NEVER alone.  Be proud of yourself and know that the future holds great things for you, don't believe me?  Just take a look at me now :)  
 
4. Your novel  Crimson Forest is a New Adult novel. Why did you choose to write for this age group?

I love the New Adult genre because it appeals to so many different ages - from young girls hitting their teenage years to women in their twenties.  It makes me smile to know they're all able to read it and understand the emotion behind my words. 
 
5. Who are your top ten authors for new adults?

Top Ten?  Whew, I don't really have a top 10 list for new adult authors because I have such a vast taste in books.  If I had to narrow it down to one however; it would be Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
 
6. You say that you grew up in a small rural town. What was it like? Are you still there?

Oh yes!!  The Village of Monroeville, population 1394.  What was it like?  Well, it was your typical small town with everyone knowing everyone else's business :)  If you didn't have a "certain last name" you were dubbed a geek (yes I'm proud of my last name and yes I'm proud to be a geek.)  Monroeville has 2 stop lights, a gas station, a subway, pizza place, and now a Dollar General(woohoo) all within half a mile.  It's surrounded by cornfields and they even have their own events such as - Tractor Day(everyone drives their best/dirtiest/oldest/smallest tractors to school where they're judged and awarded) and the famous St. Joseph's Festival which is held every summer.  

I promised myself that as soon as I moved out I would leave that small town...and I did :)  I now live like 10 minutes away in Norwalk...still close enough to my parents, but just far enough away that the smell of cow manure won't overwhelm me.

7. Let my readers know where to find you. Give out your links!

www.facebook.com/christinegabrie

www.facebook.com/christinegabrielcrimson

www.twitter.com/christinegabrie

www.thecrimsonforest.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7276953.Christine_Gabriel