Bitten by Books
In Gamma Rift, the main character, America, gets a free trip, not to the moon, but to Enestia, a planet three galaxies away from earth. Unfortunately she didn’t book this excursion. She was abducted by aliens, and although Enestia is a beautiful planet with its moss-covered ground and expanse of lush, tall trees, the king of the planet is going to make sure her trip does not include a return ticket.But no worries – maybe – because the prince of the planet, Garran, does not agree with his father’s perverse desire to snatch alien creatures and dissect them alive. And as required, Garran learned two foreign languages at the royal conservatory, one galactic and the other intergalactic, the latter being English. Garran’s respect for the human race expands that of any other Enestian, which turns out to be a good thing for America.
Despite being from two different worlds, Garran and America discover that they have much in common, and they slowly develop strong feelings for one another and make many sacrifices to keep each other alive. This is what I truly love about this story. The characters never judge each other due to their differences in race.
Like America, readers really connect with Garran and his good heart, finding him attractive both in appearance (he’s totally hot) and personality. As for America, she is relatable and extremely likeable due to her strong, righteous personality. I loved creating these characters and this world.
I’m not sure if aliens exist, but I hope so, as long as they’re more like Garran instead of his father. And even if I had the money, I would NOT book a flight to the moon and back. I’m too big of a chicken, and I don’t think I would trust the engines on the used and modified Russian rocket the company purchased for the task. In the end, I’d rather go to another planet and meet aliens by reading a good book.
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About Kalli Lanford
Author Bio:
Kalli Lanford, a native of San Diego, California, grew up hanging out at the beach and playing sports. When she’s not nerding out at San Diego Comic-Con, she can be seen doing normal-people stuff like teaching high-school English, cooking delicious meals for her family, and attending her son’s football games. In her spare time, she writes new adult fiction and loves listening to hard rock. She hopes to live long and prosper, and that you will, too.
Connect with Kalli
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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.
Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
Who are some of your favourite authors?
Hi Minna,
When it comes to contemporary novels, I really love Billie Letts. Her novel Honk and Hollar Opening Soon is one of my favorites. J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowlings are also two of my favorites. This may sound strange, but I am also a fan of Chasrles Dickens and Victorian literature.
How/why did you choose the genre you write in?
Hi Lisa,
I have always been a huge sci-fi fan, so chosing thast genre was very natural for me. I love creating new worlds, and the only way to do that is through sci-fi. Things also don’t need to be factually accurate in terms of the comtemporary world, so when I build a world, it can come purely from my imagination.
Hi Kalli and Congratulations! Your book cover is awesome! Who is your all time favorite character from a book?
Hi Betty,
Thank you. I love my book cover too. My publisher had me fill out a cover art form, giving my own suggestions for the cover. I came up with a few. They didn’t really follow them, but I’m okay with that because what they came up with is amazing.
My favorite character from a book would have to be Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus has so much integrity, and I love the way he relates to his children. When it comes to something more contemporary, I have to admit that Edward Cullen had my heart through the entire series.
Thank you, Kalli! How amazing is it that after all these years, there’s another Harper Lee book?
1) Do you believe in aliens? Actually, I am not sure.
2) Have you ever seen a UFO? No.
3) If you could easily spare $155 million and six month of your life for travel time, would you take a round trip to the moon? No way.
Hi Lisa,
I’m not sure about aliens either. I know someone who knows someone who knows someone who used to work in Area 54 and says he was hired to reverse engineer an alien craft, so they could learn the alien technology. This person suposedly worked on the ship for two years. But who knows how true that is.
I wouldn’t go to the moon either — at least not until I knew the technology was completely reliable.
My answers to your questions:
1. I don’t know. It seems likely there would be other life forms…
2. No, I have never seen a UFO.
3. I’m not really interested in traveling to the moon but I’d love to have that much money to travel here on earth!
It does seem likely. The universe is so big that it’s hard to believe that humans are the only intelligent life that exists.
My reasoning exactly!
1. Yes, I do think there is other life out there.
2. I have seen UFO’s over Lake Ontario. Remember, they’re things you can’t identify.
3. No, I would not go on the trip.
Why did you pick Enestia as the name of the planet?
Thank you.
What kind of UFO? Like a glowing light? What about it made it unidentifiable?
I have no idea how I came up with that name for a planet. I wanted something that sounded pretty and with an “ia” at the end because I thought it would sound like a planet. Then the people on the planet could be referred to with an “ian.”
I just kept thinking about it and suddenly Enestia entered my mind.
Several times it was clusters of lights that moved at incredible speeds in sharp directions. A couple times long cigar shaped silver looking things.
I’m also a fan of Star Trek, the original, the Next Generation, and the new movies with Chris Pine. Is anyone else a fan? Yeah, I would love to be Chris Pine’s “Number One.”
Welcome, Kalli!
Hi Clif,
Thank you, and thank you for stopping by. Are you a reader, a writer, or both?
Kalli
Thanks, Kalli. I read and write nonfiction mostly, and I’m also the site admin (aka Rachel’s hubby).
Congratulations on the publication of Gamma Rift! It sounds like a fascinating book. Do you plan to write another book about this world? Also do your high school students know you are a science fiction author?
Hi Bonnie,
I actually have a two-book deal for this series. I’ve started writing the second book. My publisher already set the release date. It’s March 2016. My editor would also like this to turn into a trilogy, so I’m hoping they will opt for a third book.
I actually write young adult under my legal name, so my students know about and read those books. Many have gone to my book signings at Barnes and Noble. Since Gamma Rift is for 18+, they’re in the dark about Gamma Rift, which is how I want it to be.
Hi Kalli!
Welcome to Bitten by Books. Congratulations on your new release.
It is fantastic to have you with us today.
My question for you is; do you have a favorite book or series that you have written so far????
If so, which is it and why???
Hi Brandi,
Thank you. My favorite book is actually a young adult novel that my agent is currently pitching to publishers. Hopefully someone will snatch it up. It’s my favorite because it is based on my grandmother who passed away about five years ago. This book is a tribute to her.
In terms of my published novels (YA and NA), I will have to say Gamma Rift is my favorite so far. Unlike YA, the romance in NA can be pretty spicy. The romance in Gamma Rift is sweet, tender, and tasteful, but it’s still not anything I could put in a young adult novel. I love my character Garran. He’s exactly the kind of alien I’d want to have a relationship with.
I have so many ideas for the second book in the series and the third if my publisher decides to buy it. I love this world. I wish Enestia existed, and I could go there for a couple of days.
Author Questions
Because of the vast number of galaxies in space, I think it is probable that some type of alien life form exists.
I have never seen a UFO.
I have no interest in traveling to the moon.
It would be breathtaking to see the earth from space, but at the same time, once I left the earth’s orbit, and the reality of being so far away sunk in, I’d probably have a panic attack.
Where do you get the inspiration for your characters?
Hi Ryan,
My characters are always inspired by people I know or know of. In Gamma Rift, although Garran is an alien, he was inspired by the actor Matt Lanter. Matt was in the TV series 90210 and he was the voice of Anakin Skywalker on Star Wars: Clone Wars. Because of that, he was at Comic-Con one year, and I met him. He was so nice and down to earth. We actually talked for quite a while. The irony is that after I came up with the idea for Gamma Rift, started writing it, and saw Matt as Garran in mind, Matt actually got a role as an alien in a 2014 TV series called Star-Crossed. I never saw it, and it only lasted for 13 episodes.
If I visualize a real person in my head when I’m writing about or as a character, I think the character becomes more authentic.
Hello! What writers have influenced you?
Hi Susan,
Charles Dickens has influenced me, which might sound kind of weird, since our genre’s are so different, but he’s incredibly descriptive, and I love that. Some people think he’s a bit wordy, which I agree with in some cases, but at the same time, his books play like movies in my mind. That’s what I want my books to do, too.
Other influences have been J.K. Rowlings and Stephanie Myers.
Hiya, my question will seem a little odd but do you prefer an ordinary keyboard or a natural one? My natural is dying (the C doesn’t work) so having to look at replacing.
Do you believe in aliens? Not aliens as such but other life forms yes
Have you ever seen a UFO? No.
If you could easily spare $155 million and six month of your life for travel time, would you take a round trip to the moon? Possibly, would depend if there were adverse effects
Hiya Emma,
That’s a great question. I’ve never tried one of those natural keyboards. I’m guessing they take a while to get used to, since the key pad is slightly separated at the middle, and then it would be weird at first to go from a natural to an ordinary one. I actually use a laptop. All of my keys work, but the letters are worn from six of them.
When it comes to adverse effects, I get car sick and sea sick. I wonder if I’d get motion sickness on a space shuttle.
Hey Kalli!
To answer your questions on the contest widget:
1) Do you believe in aliens? YES! (have you met my in laws?) hehehe
2) Have you ever seen a UFO? yes a few times though I am not sure what it was but it was in Eastern Washington.
3) If you could easily spare $155 million and six month of your life for travel time, would you take a round trip to the moon? If my cardiologist cleared me I totally would!!
What about you?
Wow Rachel,
You are the first person to say that you’d go to the moon! I’m not sure if I would. I saw the space shuttle blow up on live T.V. in 1986. I definitely wouldn’t want to be on the test flight or even the first 100 flights. I’d want to make sure it would be as safe as flying in an airplane.
I’ve never seen anything in the sky I couldn’t identify, but I hope some day I will.
You seem like you have a visual thought process with your writing - would you want to see Gamma Rift as a movie or a graphic novel?
Hi Paula,
Either one would be awesome. I’d prefer a movie though because I’d love to visit the set and see behind the scenes. I love that stuff. And I’d also get to meet the hot actor playing the part of Garran.
Yep, I want my stories as movies too
I took a stagecraft class once - fascinating stuff.
My husband isn’t much of a reader, so that’s probably the only way he’ll enjoy them
1. The universe is a big place, and the definition for “alien life” is really broad. Of course there must be
2. I once saw a really awesome meteorite. At least I think that’s what it was. Could have been an exploding TARDIS.
3. Um… There are so many other spectacular things that could be done with that kind of money. How about I put it on the end of the bucket list? (When I’m 104 I won’t care if something goes wrong)
Good point, Paula. I wait and go to the moon when I’m 100, so then if something happens, I was already close to leaving the earth. lol.
What are some of your go-to meals that you cook for your family?
Hi Bethany,
Here’s an easy go-to-meal that I make in a crock pot. I add one and a half to two pounds of chicken (it can be either frozen or thawed), pour in a jar of salsa (I use Pace thick and chunk, medium), and then a packet of taco seasoning (McCormick). Let it cook all day (5-7 hours). Stir and shred it with a fork. It is so tender, it shreds easily.
Then you can use it for chicken tacos, burritos, etc. My family loves it.
To jazz up any meal, I will often make a roux, and then turn it into cheese sauce by adding milk and shredded cheese. It’s great over vegetables, stirred into noodles for homemade mac and cheese, or drizzled baked potatoes. I can also turn the roux into or a sauce or glaze for meat by adding either chicken broth or beef broth and then seasoning it with salt and pepper.
Author questions:
Aliens- I have to say yes, but we’ll probably never see them. The universe is vast; it’s harder for me to believe that Earth is the only planet out there capable of sustaining intelligent life.
UFO- erm, no.
Moon travel- no thank you. I’d get spaceshipsick. Just send me pictures.
Lol.
Do you have a favorite stand-alone novel?
A great last-minute and great-tasting meal is a pizza using a Boboli pizza crust. I top it with jarred spaghetti sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and tons of veggies, or I’ll even use store-bought pesto for the sauce and use pre-cooked shrimp for the meat. Artichoke heart from a jar and broccoli are amazing on that one.
Hi Fox,
Lol. For some reason, I thought you said “stand alone meal,” (meals were on my mind) so here’s my answer for “stand-alone novel.” There is an out-of-print novel I love called Starman Son. My father read it to me when I was ten, and then as an adult I wanted to read it again. My dad couldn’t find his copy, so I searched ebay and found one. It’s a yellowed, torn paperback, but I love that book. I wish it was still in print, so more people could discover it and read it.
How do you decide if a book is going to be a stand alone or part of a series?
Hi Mary,
I personally love reading series. Once I’m attached to a character and his or her plight, I want to see him or her through at least more than one book.
My agent told me that series aren’t selling as well right now, so they are not being picked up by publishers as often, so lately I’ve tried to write books that can stand alone or work as a series. Gamma Rift actually ends at a point where another novel isn’t totally crucial. It doesn’t end with an irritating cliff hanger, but I am contracted with my publisher for another book, so book 2 is in the works, and honestly, I think it will be better than the first. I am proud of the fact that a reader could end with Gamma Rift (although I hope he or she would want to read more) and only move on to the next book if he or she loves to the first book, something I would love to happen.
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
Hi Trix,
Kermit has always been my favorite. “It’s not easy being green.” lol. I just heard today that Miss Piggy and Kermit officially ended their romantic relationship but will continue to work together professionally. Kermit is also dating a new pig named Denise. Unlike Miss Piggy, she is a brunette instead of a blonde.
I’ve always loved Kermit the most of all the muppets because he is so sweet and more concerned for others than himself. When it comes to Sesame muppets that are not part of the the muppet movies, Grover is my favorite. As a kid, I had a Grover hand puppet, and I loved his fushia nose.
I do (at least, I hope they exist)!
I’ve never seen a UFO.
I don’t think so…at least, I’d wait for reviews from people who went. If the moon had a cool hotel or something…
Yes, it would take a five star hotel on the moon for me to stay there.
I am searching for new place to go on vacation. Where is your favorite place to go?
Answers:
1. yeah I believe that there is life out there.
2. nope never seen one.
3. nope I’d not spend that much money on it. I might do it for free.
Hi Pamk,
This may sound weird, but my favorite vacation spot is my own home. I’m totally into staycations. I didn’t feel this way until we had a pool put in, but now that we have a pool, I’d rather stay home, save money, and enjoy our own backyard.
Before then, my favorite place was Palm Springs in the summer when it was scorching hot but the hotels were cheap. It’s nice getting a lot of bang for the buck, and the dry heat is doable. If you haven’t been to Palm Springs, that is my first suggestion.
My second choice would be Tombstone, Arizona. Watch the movie Tombstone before you go though. That town has so much history. I loved going to Boot Hill and seeing where the shootout at the O. K. Corral took place. Besides that, the restaurants are good and the town is relaxing and the Lagoon Mountains are beautiful.
If money was not an issue, than I would go to Munich, Germany. I was there three years ago and loved it. I could see myself living there some day. What an amazing country.
Do you watch Ancient Aliens? I will admit it is one of my favorite shows and I don’t even consider it a “guilty pleasure”
Yes- I do believe in aliens- I am not sure where they are on the intelligence level but with how big the universe is, it would be more unlikely that there is not life somewhere else, right?
I have seen a UFO! A relatively “famous” sighting in Tinley Park, IL in 2004.
I don’t know that the moon would be my vacation destination of choice- I like food options. However, I would like to see the Earth from that POV
Yes, I love Ancient Aliens. The guy with the crazy, tall spiked-up hair is amazing. It’s not a guilty pleasure for me either. The show integrates real archaeological evidence that takes it from being hokey to being based on fact — or at least hypotheses. lol.
I have to check out the famous sighting in Tinley Park. I’ll Goggle it.
Oh- Giorgio Tsoukalos and his hair are 2 of my very favorite things on this planet!
It was very strange- I didn’t even realize it was as big of deal as it was till several years later. It was just this weird thing I saw in the sky while I was on my way to a baby-sitting job (I did check the doors and windows more than usual that night though!)
Yes, love his hair. It’s his trademark now.
1) Do you believe in aliens?
Yes of course!
2) Have you ever seen a UFO?
Sorry, no.
3) If you could easily spare $155 million and six month of your life for travel time, would you take a round trip to the moon?
Maybe but it is not top priority.
Hi Sarit,
Awesome that you believe on aliens. I want to see one, but at the same time, if an alien did end up on Earth, I’m not sure how it would be treated. I could only hope the authorities would treat like an equal instead of a specimen.
I hope the government will be enlighten kind…. but usually as most of the lit. and movies going for the bad guys…. so everybody tend to have xenophobia…
Would you please name 3 unique things about yourself — thank you
1. yes
2. no
3. no
Hi Jo Anne V
1. First of all, I love hard rock music- Korn, Slipknot, Pearl Jam, Seether, Avenge Sevenfold, Nickleback, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, and many more in that genre. For some reason, that surprises people. When they hear about my taste in music, I think they expect me to have a ton of tats and piercings, but I don’t — not because I disagree with doing that, but just because haven’t I haven’t done it. I don’t judge or dislike people who do.
2. I’ve attended the San Diego Comic-Con for ten years in a row and slept in line for three days straight each time without taking a shower in order to a make it into Hall H. All of the movie panels are in Hall H. People who don’t spend the night in line don’t get in. I will rough it in order to get in Hall H. I may look like a princess, but I’m not.
3. Even though I live outside the city of San Diego, I dream about the day I can buy a place in New York City and live the fast-past city life for half of the year. I love the hustle and bustle of a big city. San Francisco is one of my favorite places. I love to walk and take public transportation.
From any of your books, what has been one of your favorite scenes, or types of scenes, to write?
Hi Lindsey,
I love world building, so I love describing the setting. I usually write too much though, so my editor cuts some of it in order to tighten it up a bit. Romance scenes are also fun to write, too.
To answer your giveaway questions:
Yes.
No.
No.
Believe in UFO yep
hi Kali,
?1 yes I do
?2 nope
?3 no afraid of heights (get it?) he he
where is the farthest you have traveled?
Hi Dina,
The farthest I’ve traveled is to Europe. I would love to go to New Zealand though. That is a crazy, long flight, and then that would be the longest.
meant to say HI Diana, glad you made it here
Hi Diana,
Yeah, I agree. There has to be other life out there. Hopefully we’ll find out the truth during our lifetime.
Kalli
see a ufo no
believe in aliens… hell yeah
would I pay all that money for space travel… F NO
Hi Diana,
That is a lot of money for space travel. Even if the trip was free, I probably wouldn’t go. I’d be too afraid that the engine would fail, I’d get a hole in my space suit, or I’d end up floating out into space like George Clooney did in Gravity.
If you weren’t writing, what other adventure would you like to do?
Hi Ann,
I love traveling. I went to Europe for the first time three years ago and then again about a year ago. I’ve been to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, England, and Wales. I really want to go to France, Spain, Italy, and Greece. If I could travel the world while staying in 5-star hotels, that would be awesome.
What is your favorite food?
Hi Natalie,
I would have to say pizza. I’m a cheese freak. What about you?
ice cream!
hi Kalli,
?1 yes I do
?2 nope
?3 no afraid of heights (get it?) he he
where is the farthest you have traveled?
who is your favorite author?
Hi Thomas,
I have several favorites: Billie Letts, Charles Dickens, J.K. Rowlings, and J.R.R. Tolkien. When I was a kid, Judy Blume was my favorite.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but never done?
Hi Amanda,
I’ve always wanted to go zip lining. There are two in San Diego, one at the Safari Park and another at a local Indian Reservation, so I can always try one of those. But I’d rather zip line in Costa Rica or Hawaii. Maybe someday I will get to.
One thing I would never do is bungee jump. I’d be too afraid the line would break. I like the sensation of flying, not falling.
That’s awesome that you would go to the moon if the circumstances were right. I’m not sure I would. I’d get too scared.
What is one thing you would never do?
I believe there could be aliens
I’ve never seen a UFO
And yes if I didn’t have a baby and somehow has that much extra money
how old were you when you wrote your first story?
Hi Stacey,
I wrote my first short-story when I was eight. It was about a ladybug who slept in a hammock made from a leaf. I even drew the pictures, too.
I was in my thirties when I wrote my first manuscript and found an agent to represent me.
Kalli
Do you have any current favorite tv shows or books?
Hi Amy,
I have two favorite TV shows right now — Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. In terms of books, I never have time to read for pleasure anymore, so I’m behind on keeping up with all of the new releases.
Kalli
1. Do you believe in aliens?
I don’t know, maybe alittle part of me would love for X-Files to be real
2. Have you ever seen a UFO?
Nope
3. If you could easily spare $155 million and six month of your life for travel time, would you take a round trip to the moon?
Nope I don’t think I’d do well by myself in space.
What is your favorite author ?
Hi Alexandru,
My overall favorite author is Charles Dickens. I also love J.J.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowlings. I love so many that it’s really hard to narrow it down.
Kalli
If you found a genie, what would be your three wishes?
Hi Lisa,
Let’s see:
1. World peace
2. A cure for every form of cancer and every disease
3. That no one would drink and drive under any circumstances
Kalli
Have you ever written fan fiction? For what fandom?
Hi Dovile,
I’ve never written an fan fiction. I’m actually not very familiar with it or how it works. I should check it out though
Kalli
1) I believe it’s possible that they exist somewhere out there, I just don’t think it’s likely they’ve ever visited Earth or even know about us.
2) No
3) Sure, although I’d be more interested in a cruise in Earth orbit or a trip to Mars.
My answers to your questions:
1. No, I do not believe in aliens. It seems likely there would be other life forms out there because the universe is so huge, but me personally no.
2. No, I have never seen a UFO.
3. I am not really interested in traveling to the moon but I’d love to have that much money to travel here on earth and buy books for my kindle library.