Stars in Her Eyes REVIEW

We are so happy to bring you Stars in Her Eyes by Clare C. Marshall.

STARS IN HER EYES (SPARKSTONE #1) BY CLARE C. MARSHALL

Published May 13th 2013 

Publisher: Faery Ink Press

Burn hot and cold.

Read minds.

Disappear at will.

Dream your own death.

Welcome to Sparkstone University, where some students are more gifted than others.

When Ingrid learns she’s been accepted at the hyper-secretive Sparkstone University, she is sceptical. It’s an honour to attend, apparently, and yet barely anyone has ever heard of the place.

And everyone seems a little too happy that she’s there: especially when she meets Sunni and her group of friends. They seem to already know Ingrid. As if she was expected. Expected to save Earth from an imminent alien invasion. Like she has superpowers or something.

As if magic and mutations exist. As if aliens are really planning to attack.

That just sounds ridiculous. There’s no such thing.

…right?

Wrong.

REVIEW:

 

Stars in Her Eyes starts off slow, but as you read on you understand why.  Clare introduced a lot of things in the beginning, but it was at a good pace so you didn't feel overwhelmed, and slowly got used to what was going on.  Clare gives you a real sense of the mystery surrounding the unusual Sparkstone University in the beginning, especially the fact that none of their students even applied to it.  The novel really picks up after you meet Ethan.  Ethan fits my dream man description, over six feet tall, dark curly hair, British accent AND GREEN EYES!  Anyways, the novel picks up quickly after you meet everyone and doesn't slow down till the end.  It's been a while since I read any science fiction books, especially because they get so depressing and slows down so I need a break.  I didn't feel that way at all with this book, and loved that it jumped right into things after the introduction.

You Can read an EXCERPT HERE

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SMASHWORDS

Guest Post by Clare C. Marshall

We All Make Mistakes In Publishing

Cynthia and Diana of “We All Make Mistakes in Reading” asked me today to write about learning from our mistakes to go along with their blog name. So I thought I’d talk a little bit about one of the mistakes I made when I first got into publishing my own books.

The biggest mistake I’ve made in publishing? I thought this:

“The YA fiction market is very saturated right now, but that’s okay, I’ll magically stand out.”

No, silly Clare, that is not how it works.

I never assumed that publishing would be easy. I never assumed that success would happen to me overnight. But maybe one of the things I did assume was that I would be the exception to the rule. After all, I have nice-looking books, publishing experience, and compelling storylines. All that together means I’m going to get some attention, right?

Well, yes. But also no. Attention is fleeting. You really have to work every day at not just getting people’s attention, but holding it as well. Holding someone’s interest is completely different than getting it.

I can hold blog tours, I can do giveaways, and these can get me attention, but once those events are over, if you don’t continue to entertain, then you’re going to fall out of a person’s mind. And then you’re back to square one again. No, promoting a book is an everyday thing. And it’s easy to forget that if you let other things take priority.

But we’re also only human! I do my best to keep people apprised of Faery Ink Press goingson between all of my other projects, and really, it’s been a slow upward climb. I’ve been doing this for a year and a half now. Looking back, I know I’m further ahead now than I was half a year ago. It’s all about keeping focused. Publishing is a lifelong thing for me. I’m twenty-four, I’ve got lots of years ahead. I’m not stopping anytime soon. And maybe, when I’m super old, I’ll stand out as that lady who just wouldn’t give up.

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ABOUT CLARE C. MARSHAL

Clare Marshall grew up in rural Nova Scotia with very little television and dial up internet, and yet, she turned out okay. She has a combined honours degree in journalism and psychology from the University of King’s College, and is a graduate from Humber College’s Creative Book Publishing Program. She foundedWoulds & Shoulds Editing and Design in 2010 for self-published authors looking for quality editing and design services. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing the fiddle and making silly noises at cats. Within is her first published novel.