Interview with Kim Harrington about the Clarity series

Interview with Kim Harrington about the Clarity series

 

Kim was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about Clarity and Perception.

I hope you enjoy her answers!

1 – Can you tell us about what inspired you to start writing Clarity?

Strangely enough, CLARITY came from one line that popped into my head. And from those five words grew a snarky, sarcastic main character and her unusual family. I played the “what if” game, figuring out what’s the worst thing I could do to them. And CLARITY was born! The line that started it all is now the last sentence of chapter two.

2 – Some of the characters in Clarity have a few special paranormal abilities. Has the paranormal always interested you?

Definitely. When I was a little girl I wanted so badly to be psychic. I read all these books about ESP and tried to read my friends’ minds and all that. So, maybe creating main characters with paranormal gifts is a bit of wish fulfillment. Plus it’s fun to write!

3 – While writing Clarity and then Perception what was the biggest challenge you faced?

The biggest challenge is finding the right balance with the mystery plots. I want to give enough clues to keep the suspense high, but not so many that it becomes predictable. I want the reader to be able to figure some of the truth out, but not all of it. It’s a delicate balancing act.

4- Can you tell us something we might not know about the series or the characters?

Clare’s original name was Andromeda “Andie” Fern. With a title change came a name change and now I can’t imagine her as anything other than Clare.

5 – Clare is a great, strong character. In your opinion what makes a great character? Is there a specific trait you just can’t stand on a character?

I think most people would say great characters should be likeable, but I think it’s more important to be interesting. This is someone you’re going to follow around for three hundred pages. If you’re going to be in their head, you want that to be an interesting place. The only type of character I can’t stand is an immature, whiny one.

Thanks for having me!

website - www.kimharringtonbooks.com

facebook - www.facebook.com/kimharringtonauthor

twitter - www.twitter.com/kim_harrington

Book Trailer: Clarity Novels by Kim Harrington

I came across the trailer for the Clarity Series and though I would post it here:

So, what do you think? Do you like the trailer?

Does it make you want to read the books?

What People Are Saying - Clarity Series by Kim Harrington

In case you haven't come across this series before, here's what a few  book bloggers and reviewers are saying about JKim Harrington and the Clarity Series.

Praise for Kim:

"Kim Harrington has done a really good job with Clarity. Believable characters, and a wonderful plotline that kept me guessing the whole way through. The supernatural bits are there but not overwhelming and with a dabbing of murder and mystery makes Clarity a sure fire winner"

  - Michael @ Goodreads

Praise for the Clarity Series:

"Clare found her place high up on my list of favorite heroines. She felt like an actual person to me and I enjoyed her intelligence and her loyalty. In fact, I thought all the characters were fully fleshed out."

  - Maja @ The Nocturnal Library

"There was so much mystery in Perception that I couldn’t stop reading it! I just had to know all the things that were going on and I was busy forming opinions the whole time about which events were linked and which were just red herrings. I loved it so much!"

  - Rebecca @ Everything to do with Books

"I still found Perception a quite thrilling and entertaining read, with an engaging plot and still opportunity for more secrets and mysteries"

  - Rachael @ The Book Muncher

Book Series: Clarity Series by Kim Harrington

 
This week the book series I chose to be featured is the Clarity Series by Kim Harrington.
I really enjoyed this series so I hope you did/do as well.

Books:

Title and Author: Clarity (Clarity 01) by Kim Harrington

Publisher: Scholastic Point

Publication Date: March 1st, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover: 246

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal 

 

 

 

 

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?
This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.
And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title and Author: Perception (Clarity 02) by Kim Harrington

Publisher: Scholastic Point

Publication Date: March 1st, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover: 288

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal 

 

 

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.
Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.
But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?
One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

 

 

You can find Kim at:

Official Website 

Twitter

Link Your Reviews

We all want to promote our reviews, don't we? This is a way of letting other people know about them. Just leave a link to your review below.


Go visit the other reviews and let people know what you think about them!

This will is weekly feature posted on Thursdays. :)

My Book Boyfriend

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme, hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader. It is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out the My Book Boyfriend Introduction Page over at Missie's blog The Unread Reader.

This week my book boyfriend is:

Chaol Westfall from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

 

 

 

  

Stats

Status: Chaol is the Captain of the Royal Guard. He's charged with training Celaena and is bestfriends with Prince Dorian.

Age:  22

Height: Tall

Eyes: Golden-Brown

Hair: Brown

 

More info: Chaol is a skilled fighter and even though he can seem cold sometimes, it's obvious he ends up having feelings for Celaena

"Captain Westfall was not excessively handsome, but she couldn’t help finding the ruggedness of his face and the clarity of his golden-brown eyes rather appealing."

  

“You have the skills,” Chaol said, “but some of your moves are still undisciplined.”
“That’s never stopped me from killing before,” she spat.
Chaol chuckled at her agitation and pointed his sword at the rack, allowing her to get to her feet. “Pick another—something different. Make it interesting, too. Something that will make me sweat, please.”
“You’ll be sweating when I skin you alive and squish your eyeballs beneath my feet,” she muttered, picking up the rapier.
“That’s the spirit.

“In the garden, the Captain of the Guard stared up at the young woman's balcony, watching as she waltzed alone, lost in her dreams. But he knew her thoughts weren't of him.
She stopped and stared upward. Even from a distance, he could see the blush upon her cheeks. She seemed young—no, new. It made his chest ache.
Still, he watched, watched until she sighed and went inside. She never bothered to look below”

“How long was I asleep?” she whispered. He didn’t respond. “How long was I asleep?”
she asked again, and noticed a hint of red in his cheeks. “You were asleep, too?”
“Until you began drooling on my shoulder.”
“Such a self-righteous young man,” she cooed, and he poked her leg.
“Pay attention.”

“Celaena," Chaol said gently. And then she heard the scraping noise as his hand came into view, sliding across the flagstones. His fingertips stopped just at the edge of the white line. "Celaena," he breathed, his voice laced with pain--and hope. This was all she had left--his outstretched hand, and the promise of hope, of something better waiting on the other side of the line.”

If you're wondering what I imagine Chaol to look like, Sarah J. Maas posted THIS PICTURE of Sam Worthington on her pintrest and I think he's perfect.

So, what do you think of Chaol? I think he's quite wonderful and, even though Dorian is great as well, I'm definitely Team Chaol! :)

Review - Human Instincts by Ioana Visan

Title and Author: Human Instincts by Ioana Visan

Publisher: 

Publication Date: June 14th, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover: 100

Genre: Apocalyptic

Summary:

Dr. Deanna Nichols is a geneticist searching for a cure to save the world. After the war nearly destroyed it by releasing an aggressive virus, it was the vaccine that killed the humanity’s chances for progress and survival. Deanna feels guilty because she has participated in creating the vaccine, and General Mackenzie never lets her forget that.
Their luck changes when they are contacted by the convicts held in a secret military prison hidden in the arctic desert. The C deviance criminals are willing to negotiate and provide unaffected DNA samples in exchange for supplies and a visit paid by the doctor herself. Suddenly there’s hope, so Deanna embarks on a dangerous journey to a grittier reality than she had expected.

Could a woman alone save the world?

Review:

I have received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review.

Human Instincts is a fast and interesting, apocalyptic novella of about 100 pages.

The world has been almost completely destroyed after a global war and the release of a virus and the vaccine that killed any change humanity could have to survive and grow.

Having participated in the process of creation of the vaccine, Deanne feels incredibly guilty. Suddenly the chance for her to redeem herself presents itself and Deanne doesn’t hesitate.

Can she find a way to save the world?

There’s not much background on the characters but I still found them to be very interesting and well-written.  I wouldn’t mind reading more about them and their lives.

When it comes to the whole apocalyptic world, I think the author did a great job creating it. The apocalyptic scenario created is believable and I quite enjoyed the whole story surrounding the virus and its cure.

There’s a big scientific component to the story that can sometimes become difficult to understand for people who (like me) aren’t exactly science oriented.

All in all, I really did enjoy this novella. It is well-written, well-researched, fast paced and interesting.

If you enjoy a good apocalyptic story with a logical component, I think you’ll definitely be able to enjoy this novella. 

Rating: Worth Your Time (4 Stars)

Goodreads