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Tuesday, June 30, 2009:
Spotlight: A - Ann Aguirre
Today I'm starting a new weekly feature here at the blog. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I decided that I'm going to use the alphabet to spotlight something or someone at least once a week, and I've decided to kick it off with Ann Aguirre. I coud have expanded and gone with "authors", but figured that was too general, so I'm going with a specific author. Next week I might do B is for Brockmann, you never know. Or I might branch out and do something like A is for airplanes or B is for books, but I haven't figured it all out quite yet. I'll just go with the flow, and have fun talking about who and what I find interesting.
Photo credit by Andrea V.G. Aguirre
I can't remember just how I found about about Ann, but it was probably from Katiebabs - I find out a lot of things from her, some I'm probably better off not knowing *g* But that is certainly not the case here. I would lurk at Ann's blog and read the review for her books, and though I was intrigued, I admit to being rather intimidated by the type of stories she wrote. Would I like them if they didn't have strong, romantic overtones but still managed to be about an incredibly strong and courageous heroine? I didn't know then what I know now.
Then I was lucky enough to win a book that Ann raved about called "Duke of Shadows", by Meredith Duran. I absolutely loved it. And had just one more reason to think Ann was totally cool. The next step? Actually read one of Ann's books. I finally overcame my doubts and gave it a whirl. And I was mad at myself for putting it off for so long, because "Grim Space" was even more amazing that I anticipated. Even though GS is not a romance, per say, there are very strong romantic elements that hint at more to come in upcoming books, and right then and there, I was sold. I had no problem with an ongoing relationship because based on the premise of the series and all the danger and mistrust and bad stuff, it makes complete sense not to drive the story forward by engaging in scene after scene of googly-eyed infatuation and sexin' when there's some serious crap going down. Our girl Jax was no simpering fool, and I could totally appreciate that.
Next up on the coolness factor is when Ann came all the way from Mexico and arrived in the Chicagoland area on one of the freakiest weather days I've ever experienced. We'd been hit by a ton of snow in December, yet the day she arrived we were hit by some unseaonably warm weather, and all that snow melted. No biggie. The weird thing was it created this incredible thick and white fog for miles around, making visibility near impossible. Yet I wasn't going to let that screw up my chances of meeting her. And she was even more interesting in person. I got another great rec from her with Julia Spencer-Fleming, and although I haven't finished the first book, the series promises to be rather thought-provoking and memorable. My regret is not getting a picture of her, but if eating pizza and talking to a very cool author is the alternative, well then I'm not complaining...much. It was definitely a highlight of 2008.
If she hadn't already won me over, she also is writing a new series, starting with "Blue Diablo", and she's got something cooking under the pen name Ava Gray. The mind boggles how she's able to keep it all straight.
So these are just a few reasons why Ann ranks up there as definitely one to watch. If she's not on your radar, you might want to adjust that dial. Now's as good a time as any :)
Are you an Ann Aguirre fan? What is your favorite AA book? Labels: Ann Aguirre, spotlight
posted by Stacy~ at 6/30/2009 06:44:00 AM
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Saturday, April 04, 2009:
Winner of Ann Aguirre's "Blue Diablo"
Congratulations go to... Maija P!
~ Please email aztleclady at gmail dot com with your address. She will send you your copy of Blue Diablo ~ A huge "thank you" to Ann Aguirre for stopping by and blogging with us. It's always a pleasure, and you're welcome back anytime. Also to Azteclady, thank you for pulling this all together. It was a fun experience :) Labels: Ann Aguirre, contests, winner
posted by Stacy~ at 4/04/2009 12:51:00 PM
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Friday, April 03, 2009:
Special guest: Ann Aguirre and "Blue Diablo"
***************** I'd like to give a warm welcome to a very special guest - author Ann Aguirre - as she kicks off the April 7th release of her amazing new book, Blue Diablo. Here is just a short excerpt from her website, starring Corine Solomon: Chance Met
Right now, I’m a redhead.
I’ve been blonde and brunette as the situation requires, though an unscheduled color change usually means I need to relocate in the middle of the night or face people burning crosses on my lawn. I’ve set a new record, going on eighteen months in the same city, no consequences, no demonstrations, and for the last year, I’ve been a respectable business owner to boot. Maybe I should knock wood.
So I do.
But right now, a redhead. I tell myself it goes with the blue eyes, even if my skin is a little too olive for the carpet to match the drapes. And sure, I get a few looks because it’s a true red, Garnier Nutrisse 64R to be exact, not the plum that most women here favor, but I may as well please myself because I will never, ever blend in entirely. The best I can do is to make sure nobody reckons me any crazier than anyone else.
***************** Doesn't that make you curious for more? Now here's Ann: ***************** Cross-genre Fiction
These days, we enjoy a rich buffet of cross-genre delights. I’ve apparently done some innovating myself. Readers have called my Jax books “futuristic urban fantasy” because they don’t seem like your typical SF. I’ve very pleased with that, and I’m happy I can attract readers who don’t usually care for SF.
Now take my Corine books books, for instance. They’re a lovely amalgam of romance, and fantasy, lightly seasoned with mystery. How can I hope to bring so many disparate elements into one cohesive whole? What makes a captivating cross-genre book?
Well, first I need…
A plot.
This is more important than in a completely character-driven romance, where the relationship is the primary focus. But if the characters spend the whole book running around getting into random situations that exist solely as an excuse for your leads to spend time together, readers will notice. Story arc is crucial in cross-genre fiction.
Compelling characters
The cool thing about cross-genre is that I have a little more leeway than straight romance. I don’t necessarily have to wrap up the love story by the end of book one. That means I can draw out the sexual tension. I can even offer the heroine several male leads to choose from, and explore various options as I go. Sweet! I’m really looking forward to hearing what readers think of the Blue D men.
Moving on, I also need…
Consistent, detailed world-building
How does magic work in my world? Why? Are there supernatural creatures? (A resounding no.) Why or why not? How do various factions interact?
And maybe…
HEA
This one is a bit controversial, but I hope to draw romance readers. Since I’m writing outside the box, I don’t have to wrap up the romance subplot in one book. That’s good for me. I can also fiddle around with several sexy love interests before I commit. However, romance readers want to immerse themselves into a world where good eventually triumphs over evil. I’m not interested in writing anything else, either.
This is fantastic news for me because I have a whomping big case of genre ADD. If I had to commit and say, “Yes, I’ll never write anything but this, so long as I live, amen,” it would be a sad, sad day at Casa Aguirre.
How do you guys feel about cross-genre fiction?
Random commenter gets a copy of Blue Diablo * Contest ends 8am CST and the winner will be contacted via email, therefore a valid email address must be provided for the comment to be entered in the giveaway * ~ Now go forth and comment, and be sure to stop by Ann's blog for her special "Blue Diablo" blog blowout~ Thank you, Ann, for stopping by! Labels: Ann Aguirre, blogging
posted by Stacy~ at 4/03/2009 08:07:00 AM
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Sunday, December 28, 2008:
Fog, pizza, and Ann Aguirre, who totally rocks btw
Earlier this week, when I was hard at work (Twittering), I discovered Ann Aguirre was going to be in town for one night not too far from where I live. Well of course I had to go! I checked with a few local friends but they couldn't make it, but I knew I was going to go, one way or another. the Trump Tower in Chicago (no I didn't take this picture) Well, it was touch and go. See, it's been cold here, with lots of snow, but the temps warmed up considerably on Friday, and that produced heavy, heavy fog, so heavy that as I was driving past O'Hare, I couldn't see a thing in front of my car. But by this point I was halfway there and as tempted as I was, I decided to keep on going. And as I got closer to the Giordano's restaurant, it was actually pretty clear. And I was ready for some pizza!  I walked in and the first person I see is Ann. I laughed with relief. She made it! She gave me a hug and right away I felt comfortable with her. Figuring we were the only two showing up, we got a table and sat down. We talked a lot about books, and I'm going to give a mystery author she recommended a try - Julia Spencer-Fleming. Her books also deal a bit with faith, and based on Ann's description, I was definitely interested in finding out more. We talked about writing, which hopefully didn't bore her but to me it's a fascinating process, one I never get tired of hearing about from writers. We ate really good pizza. Kudos to Ann for picking the restaurant, and for being so generous. She's a total sweetheart.  So thank you, Ann, for a fun evening of food and books. I had a great time. It was so lovely meeting you, and I'm sorry my friend Shannon couldn't make it, but thanx for signing the book for her. And I'm really, really looking forward to " Skin Game", written as Ava Gray. It sounds so freakin' good! I hope you had a good time during your short stay in Chicago, and a safe trip home :) Labels: Ann Aguirre, authors
posted by Stacy~ at 12/28/2008 04:06:00 PM
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008:
"Grimspace" by Ann Aguirre (2008) - review
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ace (February 26, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0441015999
ISBN-13: 978-0441015993 BY ALL ACCOUNTS, SIRANTHA JAX SHOULD HAVE BURNED OUT YEARS AGO... As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace - a talent that cuts into her life expectancy but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she's navigating crash-lands, and she's accused of killing everyone on board. It's hard for Jax to defend herself: she has not memory of the crash.
Imprisoned and subjected to a ruthless interrogation, Jax is on the verge of madness. Then a mysterious man breaks into her cell, offering her freedom - for a price. March needs Jax to help his small band of rogue fighters break the Corp monopoly on intersteller travel - and establish a new breed of jumper.
Jax is only good at one thing - grimspace - and it will eventually kill her. So she may as well have some fun in the meantime...
I rarely read science fiction, but I have heard many great things about this book by Ann Aguirre from fellow romance readers, so I picked up a copy about a month ago. I chose this book to read on my flight, and I'm ever so glad I did. Jax is under surveillance at the Corp, blamed for the deaths of everyone onboard the Sargasso, only she can't remember a thing about the devastating crash she managed to survive. The dream therapy she undergoes is not helping her, but instead makes her feel like she's going crazy. Tired, hurting, she feels ready to give up when a man she's never seen before steps inside her cell and gives her a choice, stay and die, or follow him and take her chances. Still having some fight left in her after all, knowing she might not make it out alive, she nevertheless takes a gamble on the unknown. March came to bring Jax to Lachion, a place where him and many others wish to create an alternative to the Corp, and they need Jax if this is going to work. He might not like her, probably even blames her for the death of someone he cared about, but the purpose that drives him is bigger than his pain, and Jax's wishes. March and his motley companions are not the only ones who want Jax, dead or alive, and soon they are engaged in battle and fighting to survive dangers much stronger than they are. Lives are lost, and things are just beginning to get ugly. But amongst all the fighting and the death and the frustration, there is always a speck of hope for something better, something worth fighting for, and even dying for.... I read this book on my flight to D.C., and it made me forget my nervousness at take-off. I re-read parts of it again after I finished it because in a book with all the different worlds and cultures, I tend to get it a bit mixed up so going back, knowing how it ends, helped tremendously, and I liked it even better then 2nd time around. Probably one of the most interesting things about Jax is that she's a warrior who's lost much, but she's not the perfect, beautiful, intelligent, sacrificial heroine you'd imagine in a story like this. Instead, she could be quite selfish, and rather ignorant of the world around her. She truly was only good at grimspace, and not much else. Sometimes I really disliked her, but then she would do something that made me like her albeit reluctantly. She wasn't always heroic, or clever, but that worked for me. I think I can be so tough on the heroines in my book, expecting them to be a certain way, so it took longer for Jax to worm her way past my defenses and earn my respect. She was slightly crazy, and broken, and...human. She did things I hate to admit that I would probably end up doing but don't want to acknowledge that part of myself. March was a solid leader, but at the same time he fought his own personal demons. He kept his promises, but he also had a strong primitive side that he couldn't quite conceal. He's been hurt, but he's not afraid to put himself out there. It's who he is, no pretense. Jax hurts him, but he keeps his promise to always come back for her. The two have an unusual connection, not only as jumper and pilot, but in a way that at first freaks out Jax, but soon becomes a way to taunt him, and eventually it's as necessary as breathing to her. If there were any complaints I had about the book, it's that sometimes good people die, too many, imo. And the other thing is that it ended rather too abruptly for my tastes, quite possibly because there is going to be a series ("Wanderlust" coming out in August). But these opinions do not take away from the story, and in the first point actually do drive the story. It just broke my heart, that's all. Still, I've got this writer on my tbb list. Rating: ****1/3 out of *****
Labels: Ann Aguirre, reviews
posted by Stacy~ at 4/15/2008 05:05:00 AM
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