Author Interview, Book Review and Giveaway: Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman!

Title: Audrey's Guide To Witchcraft
Author: Jody Gehrman
Series: Book One in the Adurey's Guides Series
Published By: Magic Genie Books (June 30, 2012)
Source: Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Parnormal
My Rating; 3.5 Stars!


Goodreads Description:
 Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer—it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training. When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past.

My Review:

I wouldn't be me if I didn't comment on the cover of this book first. It is pretty eye catching. It has a way of drawing you in and making you want to pick it up and stare at it absorbing the details. At first glance I thought the dress was blood and then I realized it was fire, which so happens to be very fitting and well done for this story.

This book started off like most first books in series do, a little slow with lots of setting and character development but nothing that made me feel like the book was dragging on excessively.

It is no secret that I love books with witches in it, I have always been fascinated by the idea. Maybe that goes back to my days of watching Bewitched on TV and wishing I could crinkle my nose up like Elizabeth Montgomery could. Whatever the reason, paranormal books about witches, are always something I am willing to read and try out.

This wasn't your typical YA book about witches. Some of the ideas and concepts were uniquely done and really did make this an interesting fun read.

I never really felt a connection with Audrey like I wanted but it didn't really seem like I had to either. It didn't distract me from the story like it sometimes can if you don't. She was a good character and her relationship with some of the secondary characters actually made her character better. I really liked Bridget and her made up words and eccentricities. Sadie was pretty outrageous with her circus of animals and even Julian was slightly endearing with his weird compulsion to be around Audrey. They really helped lighten up the book and made for some real laugh out loud moments.

This didn't have as much romance as I normally like and everything wasn't answered and cleared up but then again since this is just the first book in the series I wasn't really expecting it to be.

I think it will be fun to see where the second book takes the characters and where the story goes from here.

Author Interview: 

MGO: "What made you decide to become a writer?"

Jody: "I don't even know if it was a conscious decision. I just can't stop myself from writing; I feel less alive if I'm not working on a novel or a play of some sort. On the other hand, I definitely made a choice to pursue writing as a career, to seek publication. Even if I didn't do it professionally I'm pretty sure I'd do it for fun. The choice to get a book or play out there is pretty simple: I'm a writer, so I crave readers. I want to share the worlds that spring from my imagination."

MGO: "Why in the paranormal genre?"

Jody: "It's been a real challenge, taking on magic. All of my books before this have been realism, contemporary romance, coming of age stories--that sort of thing. Not a magical creature in sight. But I've always been drawn to witches, both in real life and in fiction, so it felt more comfortable to me than, say, writing about werewolves or vampires. I freely admit I'm new at taking on the fantastic. Writing this book took me seven years (crazy, right? Off and on, anyway). I think it took me that long because it was so totally foreign territory. I have all kinds of respect for writers who can blend paranormal elements into a very rich and believable "normal" world. It's super difficult to do well, and there are so many clichés one can fall into without even knowing it, especially now that just about every main character in YA fiction has some sort of paranormal power (or loves someone who does)."

MGO: "Vampire, witch, werewolf, fairy or other?"

Jody: "Witch, of course! I've always felt a little pagan, ever since I was little. But I do love me some fairies! Like the Tinker Bell kind more than the people-sized fey that have become so popular in Urban Fantasy. I've yet to come across a YA novel with tiny magical fairies, but I'd love to read such a book if it's done well. If anyone has suggestions they should email me! (jodygehrman at gmail dot com)"

MGO: "e-book, paperback or hardcover?"

Jody: "Ooh, hard choice. They all have their place. For me it's between paperback and e-book when it comes to actually reading, though hardcovers look nice on one's shelves. I'm leaning towards e-book lately, because I'm on the road a lot and I love knowing I have a massive library in that tiny, light object. Also, I'm such a moody reader. It's so incredible being able to download any book, anytime, anywhere. I sound like a Kindle ad or something!"

MGO: "Ice cream, candy, or cake?"

Jody: "Cake--the dense, rich, chocolate sort--especially magical cake like the one Audrey bakes."

MGO: "Tell us something about the next book in the series? What can we expect next for Audrey and the gang?"

Jody: "Eek! I can't. I'm very superstitious about letting any information out before it's done. Lately I don't even tell my husband what's happening until I've finished a whole draft. Only my cats know, and they're not talking."

MGO: "How many books do you have planned for the series?"

Jody: "It's a trilogy, so two more. My first trilogy! But three is my favorite number, so I'm excited."

MGO: "Thank you so much Jody for being here today and letting us get to know you better and of course for the great giveaway you are offering as well!!"

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway