Creatura by Nely Cab

When seventeen year-old Isis Martin is having trouble sleeping due to perturbing dreams of a horrific growling beast, she decidesto confront her fear. But what Isis discovers is something other than a menacing entity.The human-like creature offers Isis assurance that he is not a figmentof her imagination. Unwilling to accept his avowal, Isis sets his wordsto contest by asking the entity to prove himself - a dare, he readily welcomes.It is in her dreams that Isis innocently stumbles upon the silent existence of the divine lineage of those that man has long forgotten.In a quaint town, deep in south Texas, this story leads Isis onto the path of impermissible love and captivating life-changing truths. Isis Martin's journey is sure to leave any reader ravenous for more.

Where to find more info:

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12039534-creatura 

Nely Cab (author):  www.nelycab.com ; www.facebook.com/authornelycab 

INTERVIEW WITH NELY CAB

Nely Cab, Welcome to TSK TSK What to Read.  We appreciate you stopping by and answering our questions. 

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you decided to start writing.

As a child I was always creative and I transferred that creativity onto paper, which is when I found that I had a talent for drawing. As I grew older and discovered illustrated stories I thought that telling a story through pictures was the greatest thing that ever existed -- I was ten at the time. I decided to write a story of my own, and I submitted it to a publisher of children's books. When it was returned for lack of agent representation (not to mention that I was a 10 year-old), I decided that one day I'd write a story that would be published. 

It wasn't until I was in my early thirties that I rediscovered reading and started to write short stories as a hobby and liked taking on different roles. I loved living stories in my imagination.

2. What made you decide to write in the paranormal YA genre?

I decided to write in the Paranormal YA genre because I wanted to make up my own world within the real world. I chose Young Adult because there's a little bit of the child in the young adult that serves as the main character, and I like to see that partial child blossom into maturity by the end of the story. 

3. How did you choose the supernatural "beings" that are in your book?

I've always been a fan of mythology. It seemed only natural that I would choose to write about immortals. 

4. What was your inspiration behind Creatura?

Several things inspired the writing of Creatura. At first it was a personal challenge to write a longer short story than the stories that I had previously written. Then my sister pushed me to continue writing the story instead of telling her my plot. Finally, the hero in the story is a personality that I've dreamt of since I was ten years old. I decided that he would make for a great story along with my sister (Isis was modeled after her in the beginning), who was my only audience. 

5. Do you have a clear path for the story and your characters or do you let it develop on its own?

Both. My stories always start off with points A,B, and C: A is the beginning, B is the climax and C the end.  But as the story develops there are always pieces and bits that grow on their own. 

6. What was your favorite chapter to write?

My favorite chapter to write was Chapter 9 because you get a feel for David's personality and what he's feeling. 

7. Are you planning to make Creatura into a trilogy or are you planning to take the series as far as the characters will go?

My plan is to make Creatura into a trilogy; however, I've gotten several requests for prequels, which I'm still considering. 

8. Do you have anything else in the works that we should be keeping our eyes out for?

At the moment, I'm working on book two of the Creatura Series, entitled Vivus.

9. Who are your favorite authors? Your favorite genre to read?

My favorite authors change because there's always a new genius writer coming up with a great new storyline and writing style. Right now my favorite author is Suzanne Collins. My favorite genres to read are Young Adult and sometimes humorous non-fiction biographies.

10. What do you do to change a bad mood?

I breathe and grab a cup of coffee. 

11. Do you have a favorite movie? Or two?

There's a long list of favorites that I have, including romance, comedy, mythology and pirate movies. But off the top of my head, I can name two that I absolutely love: Sixteen Candles and the Breakfast Club.  

12. What is something you do to pamper yourself?

I buy perfume. I love being enveloped by different scents when I'm writing, depending on my mood.  

13. Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?

I'm a sweets junkie. I have an undying love for cakes, pies and pastries. 

14. What is your favorite song or band of the moment? Do you listen while you write?

Right now, I really like Death Cab for Cutie, and my favorite song is "I will possess your heart."

Shelley's Review

After much deliberation, I'm still not sure what I can say about this book to really convey how much it has affected me. Reading the blurb you assume you'll be reading a typical YA paranormal romance story.
There is not much typical about this world of Creatura Nely has created. It is finely crafted with lively characters, touching and realistic relationships, beautiful prose (especially when David is "speaking"), and jaw dropping-shell-shocking-my heart just fell through the floor and was stomped on by a giant-gut wrenching-uncontrollable out and out sobbing inducing emotion. I am not exaggerating here.
The feelings Isis and David's story brought out in me were not just felt in my head. My heart was literally aching.
I'll admit, I get emotionally involved with all my favorite characters, but something about Creatura touched me deeply. It wasn't just the relationship between Isis and David, but also between Isis and her mother. As well as the colorful dynamics among David's family. They all have strong bonds. The kind everyone hopes to have. The kind that makes you feel secure in your life and yourself. Unconditional. Unyielding.
The story was fast paced and exciting. At times frightening and maddening. But always entertaining and enthralling. More than hard to put down. And of course, there's the completely, COMPLETELY, unexpected cliffhanger.
Creatura is spectacular in it's uniqueness. It is beautiful and lyical. This a book I will be talking about for a very long time. I recommend it for everyone. I anxious to see where Nely takes us next. I wait with bated breath...

Kathryn's Review 

I don't have just one single word that can truly grasp exactly how I feel about this book....
I am hoping that I can explain it to you....
A little over four years ago I joined goodreads and fell in to books again. I have loved it!
During this time, I have read some good books, no GREAT books...These are books that have embedded themselves in to the very fabric of your being. They are the ones that you recommend first and they are the ones that my standards for other books have to meet up with. So with that said, I sit here now letting you know that Creatura has done just that and now sits among the GREATS on my bookshelf!

I was sooo looking forward to reading Creatura. To begin with, the cover is so intriguingly beautiful that it captured me and forced me to open it up to see that the actual beauty was in fact inside. As I started with the first page, I was engrossed as I turned page after page, reading word for word of the world that Nely Cab had given us. I was drawn in, mesmerized by Isis and David, as well as the Chios family, and when the final page of Creatura came upon me...I knew right then, that each word was stamped on soul, my heart, and in my head for eternity.
Creatura is written so eloquently, vividly depicting the lives and emotions of Isis and David, that I am physically aching because it has ended and I am now going to have to wait for the next installment.
If you are looking for a book that tells of a love that is full of passion, a love that reaches down to touch the deepest parts of your soul to show that you are truly alive, all while surrounded by the mythological and supernatural world, then get Creatura today!! You will not regret it...
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!! If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!!

I have also had the pleasure of receiving mail from David Chios in the form of this poem!  I just had to show it off!

We each give Creatura by Nely Cab 

=SCORCHER

GIVEAWAY

Nely Cab is offering a wonderful prize for coming and visiting our blog today.  By leaving a comment and your email here on this post, you will be entered for a chance at this awesome prize.  The giveaway will run until midnight EST February 16, 2012 and then the winner will be chosen through random.org.  Good Luck!