Kristina's Books & More: Blog Tour: Beyond Earth by Arlene Lagos!

Title: Beyond Earth

Author: Arlene Lagos

Published: June 24th, 2013

Word Count: 45,700

Genre: YA Science Fiction Fantasy

Recommended Age: 13+

Hidden in the fabric of our own galaxy are five planets, anchored to Earth and thriving with life. When young Adaminia walks through a doorway and onto another planet, she learns the truth about her destiny. She must locate the other six warriors and unite their shared power in order to fight off the growing darkness set to destroy their existence.

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Book Trailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2IyOtVOyug

Lagos has written poetry, stage plays, screenplays and short stories for over 20 years. In addition to writing the Beyond Earth Series she also has twelve award-winning short stories published in the Giant Tales anthology. "Beyond Earth" is Book one of the series. "Beyond Planets" and "Beyond Time" will be coming out later this summer. Lagos currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband and their daughter.

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Tell my fans a little bit about yourself and your books.

My name is Arlene Lagos and I’ve been writing my entire life. It started out as poems, then songs, then short stories, plays, screenplays and now finally novels. I like to write about people doing extraordinary things because I truly believe that everyone is extraordinary in their own way.

How would you introduce your books to someone that has yet to read them?

The Beyond Earth Series is a Young Adult Science-Fiction Fantasy trilogy, about a group of seven warriors that find out they alone hold the key to saving their worlds.

It’s not just about good vs. evil, it’s also about finding your calling, taking a physical, mental

and spiritual journey and learning about true love and friendship along the way.

How many books have you written? What are their titles?

The Beyond Earth Series is a trilogy; “Beyond Earth” which is out right now, Book 2 is “Beyond Planets” to be released at the end of August and “Beyond Time” coming in October.

I also have twelve award-winning short stories in the Giant Tales Anthologies.

What genre have you not yet written, but would like to try?

I love to read historical fiction but I haven’t tried writing it yet. You have to make sure you really do your homework when it comes to facts vs. fiction; I think it’s a fine line and I admire those who can do it.

What inspired you to start writing? What age did you start?

I have so much information in my head all the time; I learned very quickly that if I didn’t

start writing it down, I might go mad! What inspired me to write this particular series was

A combination of being put in a position of near poverty and the death of a childhood friend.

At the time I couldn’t find a silver lining, so I wrote one.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

I love to spend time with my husband and my daughter; I love to sing, dance, watch movies and travel!

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Write everyday. Even if it’s painful, even if what you write that day seems horrible, just keep writing. You will find your voice. Also, don’t wait around for someone to validate your existence or “confirm” that you are a writer. YOU ARE A WRITER. JUST BE ONE. You don’t need anyone’s approval.

What’s your favorite scene/line from your works?

I think in Book 3 when Grace turns to Adaminia and says, “Do you always do what everyone tells you to do?” is a great turning point for Adaminia’s character. Something about that line stays with her.

What's the hardest thing about writing? The easiest?

Writing is easy, I never run out of ideas. But editing. Oh how I hate editing.

Seriously though, taking all the ideas and making sense out of them can be hard so its important to map out the flow but also be prepared for when your characters decide not to listen!

What are you currently reading?

“Creatura” by Nely Cab

What are you currently working on?

“Butterflies Wake”- an underground society of vigilante women who have had enough and decide to take the law into their own hands.

What books did you read as a child?

When I was young I read a lot of Judy Blume and Nancy Drew.

What genre is your favorite to read?

Historical Fiction

How has your life changed since you began writing?

I’m happier. I finally feel like my true voice is out there now.

Do you listen to music while you write?

I have a radio constantly running in my head, but never one turned on. People laugh at me and ask me why I don’t have the radio on and I tell them, “there’s one going on in my head right now would you like to know what song is on?”

What's been your favorite moment as an author?

The support of my family and friends has been overwhelming. There is a lot of love and it fills me with such gratitude. I’ve also enjoyed meeting other authors!

Out of all of your characters, who is your favorite?

My main character Adaminia is my favorite but I have to say, I’m really beginning to love the Character Grace from book 3. She’s gutsy and full of heart.

What do you want readers to take away from your books?

That you can do anything you put your mind to, that we all have purpose and that there is more to the world then what you can see with your own eyes.

You’re stranded on a desert island. What books do you take with you?

The Dictionary, the Bible, How to build a hut for dummies (if such a book exists)

Walden by Henry David Thoreau; a collection of poetry by W.B. Yeats, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and anything by William Shakespeare.

What book(s) do you wish you would have written?

I don’t have any that I wish were written by me. I think that each person has his/her own voice and it would sound different coming from me. I’m happy with my voice.

Favorite book character?

WONDER WOMAN

What is your dream vacation destination?

Italy.

Do you have any interesting dreams or goals?

I want to travel the entire world and beyond!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully making a movie of the Beyond Earth Series!

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

“Woman on the Edge”

Where can fans find you?

Blog: http://www.beyondearthseries.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BeyondEarthSeries

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BeyondEarth_

• Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5819544.Arlene_Lagos

• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=32317937&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Arlene-Lagos/e/B00DH829PQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

• Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/4198095

• Apple iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/beyond-earth/id664423708?mt=11

• Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/323916

• Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-earth-arlene-lagos/1115835562?ean=2940044592858

• YouTube Book Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2IyOtVOyug

Day two at my first job ever and I already have a hit list of co-workers I want to torture. My aunt convinced me to take a summer internship at a marketing firm outside of Boston. It was less about convincing and more of an ultimatum if you ask me. I immediately regret agreeing to this insanity. I’d much rather be at the beach right now.

Blindly I thumb through the new employee manual while some really loud German guy a few cubicles down from me makes telesales calls. He says the same thing to everyone, "Oh what a beautiful name you have." If I hear it one more time I might have to invest in duct tape.

I never understood the appeal of working in a cubicle. It’s very sad when I walk down the hallway and have to count the rows so I know which row is mine because there are no distinguishing markers. At least these ones have sliding glass doors so nobody will notice me listening to Aerosmith on my iPod instead of actually doing my job.

It’s eleven in the morning and I've already gone to the bathroom twice, eaten my mid-morning snack and am secretly hoping someone will pull the fire alarm, when all of a sudden I hear a sound rattling in the hallway.

It’s getting louder and louder and now drowns out even the loud, wacky German dude. At one point I stand up because the sound is so alarming that I am passed curious and moving closer to concern. Nobody else seems to be bothered by it, which intrigues me. Way-too-tall guy is on a dating website; annoying girl is trying to fix the copier; and I’m pretty sure my irritating boss is asleep. I sit back down. Perhaps the noise is nothing, since it doesn't seem to alarm anyone else.

There it is again, the same sound. It’s five times louder than before and the vibration of it causes my phone to fall off the receiver. I couldn’t have imagined it. I stand up quickly this time sure that others have noticed. Nobody seems to care. Am I going crazy? I have to find out where it’s coming from.

Sneaking out of my cube and down the first stairwell, I walk towards the vibrating sound. This old brick building is massive, with endless winding hallways, elevators, secret halls and hidden floors with adjoining catwalks that lead to four other buildings. I was lost for over two hours yesterday trying to climb my way back from lunch, but at this point I hope I get lost again. I need to know what that sound is, if only to ensure that I am not hearing things or going crazy.

The sound is likened to that of a wounded animal mixed with a throbbing pulse that penetrates my eardrums as I claw my way closer.