Author Interview and Book Review: Other Side of Forever by Shannon Eckrich

Title: Other Side of Forever
Author: Shannon Eckrich
Series: Book One (Sequel Planned)
Published: Jan. 23, 2012 by Crescent Moon
Genre: YA Fantasy

Book Description:

Seventeen-year-old Allie Anderson's telekinetic powers are anything but useful--she can't bring her father back, can't stop her mother's downward spiral into alcohol, and can't keep her from falling in love with Ethan Bradley. Loving Ethan is easy, but it comes with a hefty price: Ethan is prohibited by his people from interacting with mortals--because he isn't mortal himself. When Allie and Ethan's love is discovered, there's someone who will do anything to keep them apart. If Allie can't learn to control her powers and fight to save Ethan, this dark entity will make every attempt to stop her beating heart. And if that happens, not even the energy of an immortal can bring her back.

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Author:
Born and raised in Delaware, Shannon Eckrich lives with her husband, two children, and chocolate lab, Chewy. She has always had an interest in the paranormal. Ghosts, angels, vampires, aliens, it doesn't matter, she loves it all. When she's not writing, you can find her consuming young adult novels. When she discovers an awesome book, one that has a huge impact on her, she has a hard time letting it go, even to lend it to a friend. 

Along with reading and writing, she enjoys planting flowers with her daughter, going to the beach, or just hanging out with her family.

MGO: How old were you when you first realized this was what you wanted to do?
Shannon: I was thirty-one when I decided I wanted to be a published author, right after I finished the second draft of Other Side of Forever. The funny thing is, I never knew it was going to be so much work. I'd never researched the publishing industry, so I was very unprepared. In the beginning, I thought I only had to write books. That is so not the case. There's marketing, building a strong fan base, and lots of waiting and rejections. With so many awesome novels out there, you have to do your best to make yours stand out. And, I'm not going to lie, it can get frustrating and overwhelming at times.

MGO: If you could have any super power what would it be?

Shannon: I would love to be able to become invisible. I could have so much fun with that power.  

MGO: Would you want to be immortal if given the choice?

Shannon: Only if I can go through portals. I mean, how cool would that be? To travel back and forth through different dimensions, different worlds, that would be awesome, as long as my friends and family could come with me.  

MGO: What are some of your favorite genres to read? Do you have any favorite series?
Shannon: If a book catches my eye, it doesn't matter what genre it is. But, that's the thing, I have to be hooked by the first paragraph or I'll toss it aside. So far I really like Alyson Noel's Riley Bloom series and Angie Sage's Septimus Heap series.

MGO: Are any of your characters based off of real people in your life?

Shannon: Becca, the bully, sort of stems from a real person. I was bullied in school, but it was more emotional than physical. 

MGO: How long does it take you to complete a book?

Shannon: It takes me two to three months to finish the first draft of a novel. Even though I'd like to dedicate all of my time to writing, I just can't. I have to make room for family time, and I have a part time job.

MGO: What do you have planned next?

Shannon: I do have a sequel planned for Other Side of Forever, but it's in the very early stages of development. I also have another YA paranormal novel in the works. The working title is Haunting Lia, and it's much darker than Other Side of Forever. 

You can check it out on my website: http://shannoneckrich.com 
-- 
MGO: Thank you so much for being here today Shannon!

My Thoughts and Review on Other Side of Forever:

I had been curious about this book for awhile so when the author approached me about doing a review I jumped at the chance.

I have to say, this really was a very unique fun read. Not at all what I was expecting.

As a little girl (okay, maybe as an adult too) you always imagine what you would want for a super power if you could choose one and telekinesis was always high on my top 5 powers I would choose. I mean how cool would it be to be able to move things around with your mind? You would never have to get up to reach something again! Okay, maybe that power appealed to my more lazy side, either way, it would be super cool.

Ahem, where was I now? Right, telekinesis. Allie has this power but instead of seeing it as a gift she sees it as a curse. She isn't able to control it and unfortunately it springs up at the most inconvenient times.

Enter Ethan. A super hot guy new into town who not only shows an interest in Allie (who has sworn off love by the way) but it also some how able to calm her crazy energetic powers by simply being near her and you have one heck of a storyline.

This really was a fun story. I liked the original storyline as well as the characters. It wasn't something that has been done over and over but yet, still had elements to it of other books that I have read and enjoyed in the past.

There wasn't exactly an insta love story going on but it was close, which admittedly did bother me a little bit but I was able to over look it to get to the real heart of the story and discover exactly who Ethan was and to learn more about Allie.

While we didn't get all of Allie's background revealed to us (I really wanted to know more about her dad and what made Allie so special exactly and what that meant for her) we did get some and I am really hoping that the sequel will bring more of that to life along with her mother's story as well.

I really think readers who enjoy fantasy would like this one. I think it shows promise and I would pick up the next book and read it just to see where the author took the storyline.

Overall I give this one 3 Stars!