To Dance in Liradon by Adrienne Clarke - Virtual tour and Giveaway

Today we're visiting with author Adrienne Clarke on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the YA Fantasy, "To Dance in Liradon".  I'm excited to be reviewing this in a couple of weeks (come back on Feb 14th!), because it sounds fantastic -- never mind the amazing cover!

Adrienne will be awarding winner's choice of a Kindle touch, Nook Simple Touch, or a $100 Apple gift card, and one crystal Faerie necklace similar to what Brigid wore to the Faerie ball to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win some amazing prizes!

Adrienne answered all my prying questions -- thanks!

Why YA fiction? What draws you to it?

I’m drawn to YA fiction for its passion and idealism. For me, these qualities are the very essence of YA. Young adulthood is a time of almost limitless hope: The conviction that we can do anything, feel everything, be with anyone. Nothing is beyond our reach.

What would you write in a letter to your teen self?

Dear Adrienne at fifteen,

Please stop daydreaming and pay attention because I have something to say. Talent is important, but so is perseverance. Some of the most beautiful stories ever written will never see the light of day because the author didn’t think he or she could handle the rejection. When things are difficult (and they will be) remember why you write in the first place. Not for fame or money or the thrill of seeing your name in print, but because you love it. You’re a writer. That’s who you are and you always will be. Write when you don’t feel like it. The act of writing is where the energy comes from. It’s also the best cure for rejection. I hope you’re still listening because if you don’t hear this the rest doesn’t matter. Don’t give up! Tell yourself this as often as you need to because it’s the best advice you’ll ever get.

P.S. Don’t worry about all the imaginary people in your head. They are your friends and they’re here to stay.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

I’m currently reading re-reading Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It’s a beautifully written book with one of the most endearing, engaging narrators I’ve ever met. If you haven’t read it yet you really must. You won’t regret it, I promise.

Favorite hot beverage. Why?

My instinct is to say my favorite hot beverage is coffee because I truly can’t imagine my life without out, but after some internal debate I will go with hot chocolate. There’s something so comforting about hot chocolate – and of course, marshmallows. Best of all I can have hot chocolate whenever I want – first thing in the morning or in the middle of the night.

Who was your teenaged crush? Why?

I don’t fall in love easily. Even as a teenager I wasn’t the sort of girl to crush on celebrities, but I definitely gave a little piece of my heart to Johnny Depp after seeing him in Edward Scissorhands. I so loved his character in that movie. I wished I could meet a boy like that: Beautiful, strange, and sensitive. A winning combination if ever there was one. I guess I haven’t changed too much because I still love Johnny Depp! He’s a teenaged crush I’ll never be ashamed of.

Favorite class in high school. Why?

My favorite class was definitely English. Mostly because it was the class I was least likely to get thrown out of. I was forever getting sent to the Principal’s office for sneaking a book under my desk and reading during Math, Science, Social Studies…. My bad behavior helped me to become a writer, but it’s also to blame for the math phobia that haunts me to this day.

Seventeen-year-old Brigid O'Flynn is an outcast. A chance encounter with the Faerie Queen left her tainted in the eyes of the villagers, who blame the Faerie for the village’s missing women and children. Desperate to win the village’s acceptance, Brigid agrees to marry her childhood friend: Serious, hardworking, Connell Mackenna. But when Connell disappears before their wedding, Brigid's hopes are shattered. Blamed for her fiancé’s death, Brigid fears she will suffer the same fate as the other village outcasts, the mysterious Willow Women. Lured into Faerie by their inhuman lovers, and cast out weak and broken, the Willow Women spend their lives searching for the way back into Faerie. When Connell suddenly reappears, Brigid is overjoyed, but everything is not as it seems. Consumed by his desire for beauty and celebration, Connell abandons his responsibilities, and Brigid soon finds herself drawn into a passionate, dangerous world of two.

When Brigid discovers the truth behind Connell's transformation she’s forced to choose between two men and two worlds. Brigid’s struggle leads her into glittering, ruthless Faerie, where she must rescue her true love from a terrible sacrifice or lose him forever.

Brigid allowed herself to be dragged to the edge of the circle before she raised her right foot and kicked backwards as hard as she could. Midir released his hold long enough for her to remove the horseshoe from her bodice. When he tried to seize her again, she shoved him away, the object gripped firmly in her hand.

Midir stumbled backwards, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. A desperate, keening sound rose up from the circle before it broke apart and every Faerie man and woman rushed towards her. Long slender arms grabbed hold of each of her limbs, and Brigid felt certain they intended to tear her to pieces. A violet-eyed woman sat on top of Brigid’s chest, crushing the air from her lungs. Brigid watched the beauty leak from her face until it was a hollow masque of rage.

“Release her!” the Faerie Queen screamed.

Whining like disappointed children, the Faerie reluctantly retreated, and Brigid rose shakily to her feet.

The Faerie Queen’s eyes flashed cruelly. “If you want him, come and claim him!”

I think I became a writer because the world inside my head was so real and vivid, sometimes more so than the outside world. In some sense I have lived parallel lives, present in my real and imaginary lives in different ways. Because much of my childhood was spent searching for faeries or reading about them, it is natural that my work encompasses fairy tale themes and other magical elements. In the words of Tennessee Williams, forget reality, give me magic!

Adrienne has previously published short stories in The Storyteller, Beginnings Magazine, New Plains Review, and in the e-zines A Fly in Amber, Grim Graffiti, Les Bonnes Fees, The Altruist, The Devilfish Review, and Rose Red Review. Her short story, Falling was awarded second place in the 2008 Alice Munro short fiction contest. To Dance in Liradon is her first published novel.

An avid reader of fairy tales and other magical stories, a thread of the mysterious or unexpected runs through all of her work. When she’s not writing Adrienne can be found searching for faeries along with her daughters Callista and Juliet.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.adrienneclarkewriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ToDanceInLiradon
Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6436251.Adrienne_Clarke
Twitter: https://twitter.com/clarkeadrienne

Buy Links:

Amazon: US: http://www.amazon.com/To-Dance-in-Liradon-ebook/dp/B009F94I3W/ref=la_B009HWWMT4_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349915685&sr=1-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/To-Dance-in-Liradon-ebook/dp/B009F94I3W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1349972228&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-dance-in-liradon-adrienne-clarke/1112975145?ean=2940015710045

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/To-Dance-in-Liradon/book-J5YVsQBAyU26uuplRq4VrQ/page1.html?s=KS-iLsIhp0GoqVUvE-QpvA&r=1"

Bird Brain Book series by Emlyn Chand - review tour and giveaway

This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a$25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so leave your thoughts here and you're entered! If you want more chances to win, visit the rest of her tour stops here.

I've changed up how I'm formatting the reviews today because I'm not reviewing just one book, and really, these books are so similar in style, etc., that I think an overall review would be best.  First, take a look at the books:

Honey, an inquisitive young parakeet living in the Australian Outback, decides to become a superhero after she spies a human family watching Superman. Since she already has the power of flight, all she needs to do is create a costume to conceal her true identity and then fly off in search of animals that need rescuing.

Unfortunately, every time she tries to help, Honey only ends up making matters worse. She spoils Kangaroo’s game of hide-and-go-seek by revealing his hiding place to Wallaby; Mr. Anteater must go hungry when she alerts the ants to his presence, and Mrs. Koala is made a laughingstock among bears when Honey pretends to be her Joey. Finally realizing that she’s not as heroic as she’d like, Honey gives up her day-saving efforts.

But what happens when someone actually needs Honey’s help? Will she rise to the challenge?

Davey dubs himself the luckiest crow in the entire world when he finds a wonderful,

shiny object. It even has a fantastic name: “paperclip.” Wow!

One dark and dreary day, Davey’s treasure goes missing, and he is beside himself with grief. Luckily, he knows just how he can find out which of the forest animals is to blame for the theft. Inspired by the torn pages of a Sherlock Holmes story that were used to fashion his nest, Davey calls on the help of Sarah the sparrow to investigate the mystery and, hopefully, retrieve his prize.

Together the two birds begin to collect clues. Their trail leads them straight to Mr. Bushtail, a greedy squirrel who keeps a giant store of objects in a hollowed-out tree trunk. When Mr. Bushtail refuses to cooperate, the two birds have no choice but to break into his tree house in search of the truth.

Justice will prevail and treasure will be found in this intriguing tale of mystery.

Poppy is the prettiest peacock in the entire garden, but one day his privileged existence is upset when an all-white peacock is born and promptly named the most beautiful by a smitten flock. Intensely jealous, Poppy no longer knows where he fits in and decides to reclaim his title as the fairest bird in all the land, no matter what it takes.

In a desperate attempt to regain the admiration of his peers, Poppy steals items from the humans that visit his park. He wraps himself in a beautiful silk scarf, wears a series of ornate bangles around his neck, and even tries to dye his feathers with colored dust from a festive Holi celebration. Unfortunately, each of these attempts not only fails to improve his appearance, they actually make it worse. What’s a poor bird to do?

In this compelling tale of self-esteem, pride, and learning what makes each of us special, Poppy the peacock discovers that true beauty lies beneath the feathers.

Tommy is a mischievous little woodpecker who loves to fly to the edge of the forest.

and watch the people in the nearby suburb. One evening, something strange and exciting happens—people emerge from their houses wearing costumes and carrying colorful buckets with smiling faces on them. What’s even crazier is that they shout a special codeword while standing outside of each house, and are given delicious-looking candy.

Tommy simply must join in the fun. He and his friend, Michael the raccoon, fashion their own costumes and head off to join in the festivities. Thanks to Tommy’s knock-knocking beak and Michael’s quick paws, the duo is able to heist many a candy bar from the unsuspecting homeowners and children.

But are they missing out on the true spirit of Halloween?

Courtney is a peppy young penguin who just loves exploring, and is overjoyed when she receives a compass from Santa on Christmas morning. She’s so grateful for the gift, in fact, that she just needs to give Santa a great big hug and say “Thank you!” in person. The only problem is she lives in the South Pole, and Santa is all the way on the other side of the globe!

With the aid of her new compass, Courtney sets off on a journey that takes her almost an entire year. By the time she reaches Santa’s workshop, the elves are in a flurry preparing for the upcoming holiday. Unfortunately, Rudolph is feeling very sick—too sick to guide the sleigh. If Courtney can’t find a way to help, Christmas will be ruined and all the children of the world will be devastated. What’s a little penguin to do?

My review:  With gorgeous, bright illustrations and stories that will certainly engage very young readers, the Bird Brain Book series is a winner.  The hardest task I had as a reviewer was to stop being a mom (during the first book I read, "Courtney Saves Christmas", all I could think was -- what kind of parent would send their child off on a round the world trip alone?) and try to crawl into the psyche of a kindergartener. Finally I managed and was able to enjoy these books in way they're intended to be enjoyed.

Some stories presented better lessons than others, but they were all worth sharing with your kids.  My favorite was "Honey the Hero" mainly because I felt so badly for this sweet bird trying so hard to be a help and having everything go wrong.

"Davey the Detective" was a close second.  I giggled in a few places, especially near the end when poor Davey realized how wrong he'd been.  He was so abashed!

"Poppy the Proud" was such a good lesson on what really matters and what scale we should use to judge one another.

One of the best things about these books is that they don't talk down to the kids.  There are long, complete sentences with words that may challenge young readers.  I love this!  It's a fun way to teach lessons (saying thank you, saying you're sorry, sharing and more) that will also help your little ones learn painlessly.

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity. Best known for her Young Adult novels, she is also developing a small, but devoted, following to her children's book series and is beginning to dapple in other genres as well. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available via almost every social media site in existence. Visit EmlynChand.com for more info. Don't forget to say "hi" to her sun conure Ducky!

ONLINE LINKS:

Website & Blog: www.emlynchand.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/emlynchand
Twitter: www.twitter.com/emlynchand
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/emlynchand

The Ruby Curse by Makayla Yokley - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Today we're visiting with author Makayla Yokley on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the Young Adult Steampunk Fantasy, "The Ruby Curse".

Makayla will be awarding a free digital copy of The Ruby Curse via Smashwords to one commenter at every stop, so comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a very cool book!

Makayla answered all my prying questions -- thanks!

Pretend your protagonist is at school and opens her locker – what will we see inside?

Violet’s locker… goodness, I almost don’t WANT to know what she would have in there. If I had to guess, it would probably be stuff she stole from other people. Shiny pieces of jewelry, homework completed by other people with their names crudely scratched out and her own written in its place, lunch money she pickpocketed from the football team… stuff like that. There might also be a few spare hair ribbons tucked away somewhere in the back behind the books she’s never opened and the calculator she is convinced is possessed because it kept giving her the wrong answer. It’s the kind of locker that Ethan would try and clean out every opportunity he could get, only to have it cluttered back up in the span of a ditched class.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

A Series of Unfortunate Events, without a doubt. I love the way he follows the terrible lives of these children who, despite their circumstances, never give up. They keep on fighting even when things seem the bleakest and they know they can depend on each other for love and support even when the rest of the world is devoid of it.

Now that’s a clinical, adult view of it. Had you asked me why I liked it when I was a kid reading it in class, I probably would’ve just said “I don’t know, I just do” or something like that! It’s also fair to say I like the witty, unusual language that Lemony Snicket uses in the novels that makes it all that more engaging.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

Hunger Games. DEFINITELY Hunger Games. There is just so much more story to that one and it actually feels like its worthy of as many books as it has. While I found “Mockingjay” a little dull, I still knew it was part of the plot and necessary to wrap up the bigger picture. Twilight… it could’ve (and definitely should’ve) stopped at one book and have been at least halfway respectable. While I applaud Meyer for her business sense and ability to come up with an idea that is easily marketed to tweens, I think Collins has a base story that is more worthy of multiple novels.

What reality show would you love to be on? Why?

It’s a tie between Bridezillas and Survivor, I think. Bridezillas would offer the base security and ability to be nonathletic and nonsocial that is needed to get any kind of far in Survivor without being accused of “riding on coattails”, but I’d also have to learn how to be a raging bitch. I wouldn’t be able to do it without apologizing profusely to anyone I was cruel to, even if it was just a fraction of the cruelty the girls on the show have.

Survivor would be fun just for the basic fact that it’s a show most of my family likes and that I like, and I’d like to see how well I would do. Other than that I’ve got no business being there. I don’t like bugs, snakes, anything like that, and I’m not a good liar at all. I’d never be able to form multiple alliances and keep them all straight in my head. It would eventually turn out like the end of the old “Stepfather” movie (The one that has Terry O’Quinn in it) when he’s starting to prepare for the death of his current family and is establishing himself in a different neighborhood. His wife (who he’s about to kill) confronts him about why he quit his job, and he starts acting all angry, saying “I won’t stand for this! They can’t treat [his new name] like this!” and when his wife called him on it, he got a blank face and asked “Oh yeah, who am I here?” That’d be me trying to keep ANY alliance straight or ANY of my lies. It’s better for everyone involved that I just stay out of Survivor all together, I think.

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

Sailor Moon and it still remains one of my favorites even if it’s a little childish to say. The English version is terribly annoying, but if you watch the Japanese version it’s MUCH better. When it was brought to America a lot of the original Japanese content was censored out to make it more appropriate for children. The reason I still like the show, I think, is because it’s actually really dark if you’re allowed to have all the original content in it. A lot of the scouts die in ways that are actually surprisingly brutal, and easy going Usagi (Serena) is quickly darkened by all the troubles she must fight through as Sailor Moon. That’s one of the reasons I like it, it gives the kind of story that I enjoy. A story of a supernatural war being fought by young people who are unable to have normal lives because they need to be the “good” in a quintessential “Good Vs. Evil” story. It’s one of the biggest influences theme wise in “The Ruby Curse” and “The Violet Chronicles” in general. Youngsters who must do what is right despite how terrifying it is, and how quickly it forces them to grow up if they want to survive.

You’re stranded on a desert island—which character from your book do you want with you? Why?

Ethan. Definitely Ethan. Not only is he good at cooking, but he’d be able to build us a shelter and scavenge the jungle for food (assuming, of course, there IS a jungle. If there isn’t, he’d make an excellent fisherman). If that’s not a good enough reason to choose Ethan, it definitely helps that he’s a fairly attractive man and what woman wouldn’t want to be stuck on a desert island with an attractive man with the ability to find food for her and build her a shelter when she’s too… sheltered to do it herself?

Playlist for your current book.

I love questions like this! I’ve been building my playlist for “The Ruby Curse” for years, and even used it as a journal entry when I was taking an English class last year!

Okay, so here’s the playlist for “The Ruby Curse”!

“Hero” by Skillet
“Monster” by Skillet
“Ribbons” by Sisters of Mercy
“Madam Eldora” by Nox Arcana
“Oakfield” from the Fable II Soundtrack
“See Who I Am” by Within Temptation
“Forsaken” by Within Temptation
“Fight like a Girl” by Emilie Autumn
“Let the Record Show” by Emilie Autumn
“Mercenary” by Panic! At the Disco! “Ballad of Mona Lisa” by Panic! At the Disco! “Build God, then We’ll Talk” by Panic! At the Disco! “A Smaller God” by Darling Violetta
“Lecher Bitch” by the Genitorturers
“Two Hornpipes (Tortuga)” from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

I think that’s it!

Thanks for stopping by, Makayla!

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes... though they're not usually escaped convicts. Seventeen-year-old Violet Seymour is the only person to ever escape the highest maximum security prison in the steam-and-clockwork powered nation of Arcova. She is also a link in an ancient bloodline of heroes. When mages start going missing, Violet is the only person who can find them.

And an excerpt:

Off to one side of the path was a large curved wagon made out of polished brass and gold colored metal. The wheels on the side were comically large in the back, which made the normal-sized wheels in the front look disproportionally small. A black horse with white spots peppering its back grazed a few feet away, leisurely munching on the grass and soaking up the sun. As we advanced on the wagon, the horse did little more than lift its head in our direction.

Back towards the edge of the forest was a woman picking flowers. Long brown hair twisted into clumps cascaded down her back, moving stiffly against the colorful beads interwoven among the hair. She wore a long brown skirt that breezed around her delicate ankles when she stood up, revealing a pair of dainty black shoes with no heel. She turned around, cradling in her arms a bundle of droopy purple flowers with yellow centers and fat red berries hanging off the stems. A brown bandanna was tied around her waist, a red one around her neck, and another red bandanna held her hair away from her face.

From behind the dreadlocks I saw the woman’s pointed ears. She was an elf as well as a mage. Double-whammy when you consider how much people hated both elves and mages.

Her black lips spread into a toothy grin when she saw us.

Makayla Yokley is a college student who lives in Kansas with her somewhat evil cat named Cujo. She likes to write fiction of all genres. Currently she is majoring in Liberal Arts.

Where to find me:

(Fan page on Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Makayla-Yokley/231164716982029

(Blog) http://www.theforgotten-kingdom.webs.com/

Buy a copy of “The Ruby Curse” at:

(Paperback and Kindle) http://www.amazon.com/The-Ruby-Curse-Makayla-Yokley/dp/1479117471/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1

(Nook) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/206917

Wolf Sirens: Forbidden by Tina Smith - Book tour and Giveaway

This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding jewelry in theme of her book (wolf charms, charm bracelets etc), 3D book marks in shifter themes (Wolves, tigers, panthers etc) and Sun catchers (beaded glass and crystal) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so leave your thoughts here and you're entered! If you want more chances to win, visit the rest of her tour stops here.

Wolf Sirens: Forbidden by Tina Smith
Paranormal YA
382 pgs
Rated:  3.5 Stars

When Lila unwillingly moves to the country town of Shade, she can’t imagine the life-altering events that lie in wait for her. Shade has a curfew and has always been surrounded by myths. A central feature of the town is its famous statue of Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, whose spirit is said to protect the innocent.

Lila falls in with a group of intriguing teenagers with luminescent eyes and soon she is drawn into the shadowlands of fantasy and reality, where destiny collides.

A mysterious local girl, Cresida, warns her to stay away, but Lila is drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

Cresida knows their fatal secret and she is honour-bound to protect those who are endangered. But she underestimates Lila’s passion for the mysterious and charismatic clan of youths. Lila begins to feel a call she cannot ignore. Yet her heart is filled with vulnerable desires that begin to turn the underworld upside down, for both hunter and hunted, as she learns they have been waiting for her…

Inspired by the legend of the mythical femme fatale, Wolf Sirens is an intimate tale of unrequited and forbidden love in the underworld, a masterpiece of romance fantasy.

My Review:  This story was nothing like I'd expected.  It starts out like a typical YA:  disgruntled teen forced to move to a new town because her folks are divorcing.  Mom is disconnected, and Lila is friendless and alone.  But that's where the typical ends.

There are hints from the start that things are not as they appear.  Whisperings of wolves, gunshots, strange neighbors ... and then she's befriended by the cool kids and she doesn't know why (because Lila is far from cool).

While I was intrigued by the plot, and wanted to know the answer to the mysteries behind the odd behavior, I admit to wishing there had been a little less build up to what we knew would happen.  I skimmed past pages of Lila at school in the beginning because it was rather "day-to-day".  The author has a great skill with her words and descriptions and the characters are all very much individuals.  Some I liked, some I didn't (some I disliked and loved at the same time!) and I was quite emotionally invested in them all.

 Once the book got going about a third of the way in, there was no going back.  It's a great book for teens of all ages who are looking for more great shifter stories.  It's got some violence in it, of course, but nothing gratuitous and the romance is sweet and touching.

Better, this has a surprise ending that both breaks your heart and has you reaching to read the next book in the series.  Good job, and recommended.

Now read and excerpt:


Sam flitted about as usual making sure all was well. She made sure her best friend’s funeral ran smoothly and I thought it was a pleasant touch that she insisted Lily’s favourite music was played, though I’m sure the gathering thought it was odd that a teenager would love Elvis and the Supremes.

I hoped, though I couldn’t be sure, that the rest of the pack, her real family, had a private funeral. One without the orchestration, one where their feelings were real. I didn’t cry at the funeral. Maybe I tried but my eyes were dry. In the night as I lay my head on the pillow I remembered sections of the funeral and as I thought of Sam laying the flowers on her coffin my eyes swelled and all the pain that was absent or numb was real again. I had no one to hold me, but neither did Lily. I wanted the world to swallow me up whole. After missing two weeks of school in the morning we hit practice - now for Lily’s memory or at least that’s what Sam told the concerned faculty. But really it was for herself, to save her own skin; did she feel guilty like me? We all had to attend group counseling in which we all agreed to continue to practice for calisthenics dance finals, in Lily’s memory. And for a time she indeed did haunt the school hall in which we practiced. As a temporary memorial an enormous portrait photograph marooned in flowers leant crookedly against the stage. And she smiled at us with a blank look in her eyes while we danced without her, over the spot where she had died.

Tina Smith is an herbalist, dog lover, Piscean and mother with a fondness for strong female protagonists. A love of the fantasy genre and the deep exploration of dark and evocative subjects inspired Wolf Sirens Forbidden. The sequel Fever further unfolds the tale of the heroine femme fatal, on her journey in the underworld between the lands of myth and reality.

“Rich, complex, and deeply fascinating. Smith’s creation stands apart from other books in the genre. Wolf Sirens has raised the bar for paranormal romance.”- Kevis Hendrickson, author of Rogue Hunter

"Smith weaves a thrilling and beautifully crafted tale that sinks its fangs in and refuses to let go."- Michael Alexander, author of The Vessel

“Fever does not disappoint! Tina Smith captures her readers on the first page and leads them on a fast-paced journey full of suspense and adventure as heroine, Lila, struggles towards the truth.” - Beverley Eikli, author of A Little Deception

Ebook Wolf Sirens Forbidden. Discover the Legend.By Tina Smith.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GG06AS

http://www.amazon.com/Sirens-Forbidden-Discover-Legend-ebook/dp/B009GG06AS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354969345&sr=8-2&keywords=wolf+sirens%3Aforbidden

http://www.goodreads.com/TinaSmith

Like me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wolfsirens.

The sequel Wolf Sirens Fever. Many are Born, Few are Reborn By Tina Smith.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16120233-wolf-sirens-fever-many-are-born-few-are-reborn

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248222

http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Sirens-Fever-Reborn-ebook/dp/B009Z9EDQ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352189289&sr=1-1&keywords=wolf+sirens+fever

Youtube Videos

http://youtu.be/lxH8XWa5_RM

http://youtu.be/J5dkXaXXKCc

http://youtu.be/5HE-6oALPng

Destiny Unveiled by Laura DeLuca - Virtual tour

Please welcome author Laura DeLuca on her tour with Buy the Book Tours today for her paranormal YA"Destiny Unveiled".

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

Excerpt:

After collecting the offering from his followers, the leader returned to the center of the circle and the waiting initiate. With one quick motion, he sliced open his own palm. He held his hand over the cup, letting his blood drip slowly into the chalice, until the wound miraculously healed before Darron's startled eyes. When the chalice was full, he carried it to the eager initiate who took the cup firmly into his hands and tilted it towards his lips.

"As this blood makes you one with our flesh, so your soul follows to become one with the darkness," the English voice intoned.

As the initiate drained the last of the liquid in the chalice, his hood fell away, revealing a blonde ponytail pulled back over a pale white face, made even paler by the outline of bright red blood around his lips. Darron watched in stunned, horrified silence as his own face turned to meet his gaze. Eyes turned as black as coals stared back at Darron with a grim smile of satisfaction.

"Rise Darron," the leader commanded. And as he spoke, he lifted the hood from his head. Rise brother of the Dark Coven."

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan and Player.

Author Links:
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Reckoning by Molly M. Hall - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Please welcome author Molly M Hall on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours today for her paranormal YA"Reckoning". The author is awarding FIVE eBook copies of "Reckoning" to commenters on her tour, so make sure to say hello and complete the Rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of this post!

1. Why YA fiction? What draws you to it?

I love both reading and writing YA fiction because the possibilities are endless. They are in adult fiction, as well, especially with sci-fi and urban fantasy, but the characters are usually much more cynical and jaded. In YA fiction, there is a level of innocence, combined with the idealism and courage of youth that can be very inspiring. It's OK that these characters don't have all the answers, and it's their journey to find them that makes for a very exciting ride.

2. What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

I loved the gothic romances of Victoria Holt, Dorothy Daniels and Kathryn Kimbrough. Anything that featured a big, spooky house, a mysterious stranger, and a lot of unknown danger were my ideal worlds to escape into. Many of those aspects are reflected in my writing today, so they obviously had a great influence on me.

3. What did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

I always wanted to do something creative, so I was very drawn to music, art, theatre, writing, anything that involved the imagination and was an outlet for self-expression and individualism. It is through these lenses that we learn to see the world differently and explore new possibilities.

4. What superpower would you love to have? Why?

My superpower would be the ability to control the weather. It would be awesome to be able to create wind, rain, ice storms, fog, lightning, warm sunny days, anything weather related. I could create the perfect climate for myself, hold back my enemies (because if I have superpowers I'm guessing I have them), wreak destruction or wave my hands, and voila! - Paradise. It would be awesome!

5. Favorite TV show from your childhood?

I loved Scooby-Doo and never missed it on Saturday mornings. That's probably where my love of mysteries and spooky old houses started! Although the antagonists in my writing never end up being the old caretaker wearing a costume!

6. Ideal summer vacation?

My ideal summer vacation would be in Great Britain or somewhere else in Europe, exploring castles, gardens, old cemeteries and historic villages. It's something I've wanted to do since childhood, and hopefully, one day will.

7. You've just won a million dollars and you're not allowed to save any of it. What do you spend it on?

First, I pay for my son's college education. Then, I spend a year in Europe; donate to my favorite charities, and help my family with any of their needs. If there's anything left, I renovate my house to include a really fabulous library just like in the old English estates.

8. Playlist for your current book:

30 Seconds To Mars - Closer To The Edge
Evanescence - The Other Side
Ellie Goulding - Anything Can Happen
Thomas Bergersen - Soulseeker
Colbie Caillat - Fallin' For You
Linkin Park - Castle Of Glass
Dvorak - Symphony No. 9
Saint-Saëns - The Swan
Within Temptation - Faster
Fuel - Shimmer
Creed - My Sacrifice
Daughtry - Long Way

Reckoning (Dark Prophecy, Book 1) by Molly M Hall
Genre: YA Paranormal
Number of pages: 276

Amazon Print, Amazon Kindle 
BN Paperback , Nook 
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"They say the truth can set you free. I found out it can kill you."

Seventeen-year-old Kat Matheson has never revealed the dark secret that sets her apart from everyone else: She can see and hear the dead. Until now, she has been able to ignore the strange apparitions and whispering voices. But it may not be that simple anymore. Haunted by eerie visions and increasingly frightening nightmares, Kat begins to fear she may be the target of a dark and ominous force from beyond the grave. Complicating matters is the arrival of her new neighbor, a young man she instinctively distrusts but is inexplicably drawn to. Gorgeous and mysterious, he seems to hold a disturbing knowledge of her long-held secrets.

As she desperately tries to maintain control, events take an unexpected and violent turn. Discovering that nothing is what it seems and that her psychic abilities may involve far more than just communing with the dead, Kat may be forced to confront her worst fears and the powerful curse that controls her destiny.

A gentle breeze moves through the trees and gooseflesh creeps up my arms. I look around cautiously, my ears straining for even the slightest sound. Nothing. No dreaded flashes of a ghostly pink dress. No brain-numbing whispering. Just an empty expanse of green, dotted with trees, the stark silhouettes of houses rising behind.

My phone buzzes again, the vibration rippling through the nerve endings in my hand like a low-voltage jolt of electricity. I feel a sudden desire to fling it as far away from me as I can.

Reluctantly, I look down and click on the message.

RUN

Turning around, I see Rick, smiling back at me, waiting patiently. A scream of anguish and frustration begins to build deep inside of me and I hear a noise to my right, like the whooshing of wings. Jerking my head to the side, my eyes widen in shock, and I duck, narrowly missing a massive black bird as it sweeps past me, angling upward. I think I hear Rick say something, but his words are drowned out by the sound of my pulse pounding in my ears. I glance up, looking for the bird and see a large, dark shape sweeping past the top of the trees. I have no idea how any of it is connected – the girl, the texts, the bird – but instinctively I know they are. And it isn’t good.

I look at Rick again, the wonder and magic of this evening still singing through my veins, and my shock turns to anger. Hot, fiery, rebellious anger. This will not happen. Not tonight.

Clenching my jaw, I glare up at the sky. LEAVE ME ALONE, I scream in my head. Whatever issues this dead girl has, it has nothing to do with me.

Rick begins walking toward me. “Everything OK, Kat?”

I swallow, gathering my emotions back into a tight bundle. “Fine.” I force a smile onto my face, jogging back to him. “Just Rachel sending me another message.”

I step into the pool of light beneath the streetlamp, anxious to leave the darkness behind. Suddenly, the light flickers, an odd sizzling sound emanating from the globes. I stop and stare, watching as several sparks shoot out the sides. The bird, the largest crow I have ever seen, swoops down from the trees, one shining, jet black eye looking directly at me. Sound disappears and time seems to fold in on itself, slowing to half-speed. The same weightless feeling I’d experienced at school creeps over me, and I tense, fighting off the panic.

I stare at the bird, watching it descend lower and lower. It’s wings beat once, moving slowly down and back up again. Sparks continue to jet from the streetlamp, each brightly pointed flash of light spewing out in a torpid, glowing trail, before dropping slowly and silently to the ground. The bird is nearly on top of me. It sweeps past, close enough that I can feel the rush of air beneath its wings, gently lifting my hair. Then it arcs upward, higher and higher, before turning and diving back toward me again, it’s beak open in a silent cry.

I stand and stare, frozen in place, numb with shock and disbelief. My phone vibrates dully in my palm, and I slowly lower my head. As though acting strictly through muscle memory, my thumb pushes the message button.

NOW

I look back up at the bird. Then at the streetlamp. And suddenly, I understand. The obscure text messages melding into clear and precise meaning. But my legs won’t move.

I gasp, inhaling sharply as I struggle to break free of the torpor that has possessed me, and the world abruptly charges back into normal motion, sound and movement taking on a vivid clarity. The bird rushes toward me, it’s head cocked at an odd angle. The sparking and sizzling of the streetlamp grows louder, the globes glowing and flashing like some kind of deranged sparkler on the fourth of July. I take one slow step backward just as the globes explode with a loud bang, hundreds of tiny pieces of glass slicing through the air. I yelp and duck, lunging to the side.

Molly M Hall is the author of Reckoning, the first novel in the Dark Prophecy series. She has spent most of her life in Colorado and currently lives just outside of Denver. She pursued a degree in English Literature at Columbia College, and worked in the corporate world for several years before turning to writing full time.

When not reading or writing, she can be found shopping for awesome boots, listening to music, exercising, working on her very inadequate French, playing piano, or looking for inspiring landscapes to photograph. More at: mollymhall.com

Blog – www.mollymhall.com
Twitter - @mollymhallbooks
Facebook – www.facebook.com/mollym.hall.31
www.facebook.com/pages/Reckoning/457393657635234
Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/book/show/16077558-reckoning

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Visionary Unleashed by N. Dunham - Virtual Book Tour

Please welcome author N. Dunham on tour with Bewitching Book Tours today for "Visionary Unleashed".

Thanks for answering my questions!

Pretend your protagonist is at school and opens her locker – what will we see inside?

In Aislinn’s locker you will find, a mirror, pink lip gloss, fruity perfume spray, a jacket, and a couple of cd’s from some of her favorite musicians.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

Hands down ice cream. I don’t know if it’s the coldness or the heavenly taste, but I love it especially if it’s vanilla or cookie dough with coconut, chocolate chunks, and whip cream!

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I would love to be able to fly. To soar across the world and to be able to see sights I have never seen with the wind against my face would be breathtaking!

What would you write in a letter to your teen self?

If I could write a letter to myself it would say something like; Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Do the things you enjoy and what someone else does. Have your own mind and be proud of it. Choose your friends wisely. Study more and try to make your schoolwork more fun (somehow) and respect your parents because you too will be one someday.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

I am currently reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. It is very captivating!

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

It’s a toss between The Wonder Years and Who’s The Boss.

You’re stranded on a desert island—which character from your book do you want with you? Why?

Tough question- since most of the characters in my book have their own unique set of skills combined with being a visionary. It’s a toss-up between Aislinn and Sebastian. Aislinn for her extraordinary powers which are revealed at the end of the book and Sebastian for his protective like qualities and charm.

Who was your teenaged crush? Why?

Leonardo DiCaprio. Remember Titanic; need I say more?

Visionary-Unleashed (Visionary Trilogy Book One) by N. Dunham
Genre: YA Fantasy Fiction
Number of pages: 232

Sixteen-year-old Aislinn Lee Murphy accidentally unleashes her hidden ability to see things before they happen, making her a Visionary. But little does she know that this amazing gift comes with a severe price. She must never tell a soul or she risks putting herself and her family in great peril.

A Visionary is someone who has been chosen to see the future and has the benefit of having spirit animals to guide and protect them, but there is a secret agency whose sole purpose is to terminate all Visionaries and Aislinn has become their next target.

“My eye. I’ve been hit!” I scream as I anxiously rub my eye with one hand trying hard not to fall.

Sebastian nervously responds to my ill worded statement and asks me what I’m talking about and if I’m alright.

“Sorry. I was hit by a bug, I’m fine,” I say trying to correct myself. I was never one for bugs let alone bugs in my eye. Gross.

I focus back on the small, metallic ball. My right palm starts to feel sweaty and I begin to get an electrifying sense of confidence run through my body. I hold up my hand and forcefully throw the metallic ball smack into the center of their windshield. The glass shatters into a million tiny pieces and their car goes into a tailspin before coming to a complete stop.

“Yes!” I squeal in delight.

“Alright!” Sebastian says.

N. Dunham is the author of the Visionary Trilogy.

N. Dunham's interest in reading and writing didn't come until early adulthood. She enjoys works of many genres and has a passion for the arts. VISIONARY-UNLEASHED was inspired by New England's natural beauty and wildlife (especially red-tailed hawks).

www.ndunham.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/N-Dunham/565938163423483
https://twitter.com/ndunham151
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/N.-Dunham/e/B00AOB5CKS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Bad Apple by Barbara Morgenroth - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

Please welcome author Barbara Morgenroth on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours today for her mature YA"Bad Apple".  The author is awarding an eBook copy of "Bad Apple" to one commenter today, so make sure to say hello!

Thanks for answering my questions, Barbara.

Why YA (or Middle Grade) fiction? What draws you to it?

 I love YA with all my heart because the readers are willing to confront the difficult topics adults would like to skip. I can write about important life issues, situations with filled either emotional or physical danger then follow it with humor, and the audience can easily put it all in perspective. Adults are much more demanding that a book be one thing and one thing only. Having drama and humor in the same book tends to throw a lot of adults off-track. If anyone can explain it to me, please do!

What did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

First, I wanted to be a top equestrian rider because I loved horses so much. However, I was still so young I didn’t realize you need hundreds of thousands  What did you want to be when you grew up? Why? of dollars to do that, so eventually I said “Okay I’ll just have horses and become a photojournalist.” I wanted to travel the world and share that experience with others. That didn’t exactly happen either but I travel the worlds of my characters in my mind and share that experience with others, so I’m close.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

We won’t talk about what’s in the Nook or the Kindle which are on the nightstand. We’ll talk about paper books. I’m reading the biography of Ruth Harriet Louise, a portrait photographer for the Hollywood studios in the early days of film making. I’m still a photographer and I love getting the inside scoop of how people lived their lives. I could be called nosey, but I don’t mind. Underneath that is the biography of the great Hollywood producer, Irving Thalberg.

All my fiction reading is digital at this point.

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

I guess I have to say I Love Lucy even if it is before my childhood. I watch it every time it’s on. I still laugh at the same jokes. It cracks me up to see Lucy that first day in Hollywood finally meet Bill Holden and she lights her fake nose on fire, then Ricky’s eyes get so huge (you need that reaction shot). I know the dialog since I must have seen each episode a hundred times but it was so beautifully written, produced and acted that it stays fresh.

From my real childhood, probably Star Trek.

Sum up your book for Twitter: 140 characters or less.

Like a bottle of spilled ink, one act of evil can spread through lifetimes, staining, as the darkness leaches outward in an ever- widening pool.

Create an ice cream flavor. What’s it called?

That’s a great question and it gives me the opportunity to put two of my favorite ice cream flavors together. Mango Ginger. That would be the perfect ice cream! Could we put some chopped cashews or pistachios in there, too?

You’ve just won a million dollars and you’re not allowed to save any of it. What do you spend it on?

I would buy a small horse farm with lots of pastureland someplace where it’s sunny and warm most of the year. I would donate the rest to animal rescue. Then I would continue to keep writing.

Favorite class in high school. Why?

I loathed high school! I spent most of my time writing stories and dumb poetry. I was in denial as much as possible. I was so bad at math—undiagnosed dsycalcula—that they sent me to an extra art class. So I guess art was my favorite class because it got me out of geometry but you have to understand that I didn’t want to be there, either.

Bad Apple by Barbara Morgenroth
Genre: Mature YA
Publisher: DashingBooks

“You tell and next time you won’t even be able to crawl away.”

Neal Marchal lived with this threat for the next eight years. When she finds her neighbor murdered, she knows who did it. The why is the secret the family has been keeping forever. The reminder to never reveal the secret is her limp.

She rebuilt her life and now Neal has everything to live for—music, performing and a growing affection for the young man who pulled her to safety.

Then Joe comes home. Neal knows Joe’s going to finish what he started 8 years ago because she told. But this time Neal vows the outcome will be different.

About the Author:

Barbara was born in New York City and but now lives somewhere else. By now, she thinks of herself as a country girl and knows more about gardening and animals than how to ride the subway.

Starting her career by writing tweens and YA books, (and did the cover photography for her first two books published by Atheneum so continuing to do the covers to her ebooks is predictable), she was actually aiming at the small screen. Television seemed like the perfect place for her even if she had no clue how to get there. Life is funny and often presents opportunities. Advice--Grab Them! Through a neighbor, Barbara wound up getting an introduction to a lower honcho at ABC and an audition to write for them. Her hopes were more than dashed, they were disintegrated, evaporated, demolished when ABC couldn't find a place for Barbara on General Hospital. (No Luke and Laura in her future!) To ease the crushing disappointment, Barbara wrote “In Real Life I'm Just Kate” about a 17 year old girl who becomes a star on a soap opera. That became an open sesame moment and shortly thereafter Barbara became the last headwriter for NBC's daytime serial, The Doctors, where she was ordered by the network to kill Alec Baldwin, shooting him not once but twice. With two different guns. From different directions.

Ah, good times.

You can read the book that started Barbara’s television career as the Kindle YA ebook, “Just Kate”, now with a substantial tweak because living life made her smarter.

You can also read about some could-be-hers-could-be-rumors experiences gleaned during Barbara’s stint in daytime television in the Kindle romantic comedy, In Under My Head. Barbara is a recipient of a Writers Guild of America Best Writing Award for her work on One Life To Live.

Whether you're looking for a Mature YA or a romantic comedy, Barbara has a book for you!

www.barbaramorgenroth.blogspot.com
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Emily's Trial by Natalie Wright - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

We're welcoming Natalie Wright on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for her YA, "Emily's Trial". Natalie will award an autographed copy of "Emily's House", a handmade Celtic-inspired armlet, similar to one worn by Emily in the books and book swag to one randomly drawn commenter (US only -- an eBook of "Emily's House" will be substituted as the prize for an international winner), so leave your thoughts here and you're entered! If you want more chances to win, visit the rest of her tour stops here.

Natalie answered many of my prying questions -- it's a fun interview folks!  Natalie, the floor is yours.

Why YA fiction? What draws you to it?

Honestly, I feel like YA came to me, rather than me being drawn to it! My first novel, Emily’s House, began with an adult protagonist. But it wasn’t working. Then one day, out of the blue, I saw a vision of Emily and she was 14, not 25. Once I was clear about my main character, the rest fell into place. So it wasn’t like I planned to write Middle Grade (Emily’s House is best suited to 11-14 year olds), or YA (the other two books in the series are intended for 14 and up). But once I tapped into that “voice”, the writing came more naturally.

The teen “voice” seems to come naturally for me. And I enjoy writing for that age group. They are so intensely into their relationships, into finding out who they are and their place in the world, figuring out their place in their family while stepping toward independence. I find it a rich area to explore.

That’s not to say I’ll never try my hand at writing books intended for older audiences. I’ve got some fun ideas rolling around my brain for older audiences. But right now, I’m finishing up The Akasha Chronicles (Book 3, Emily’s Heart, will be out next year), and I have another teen speculative fiction trilogy planned (working title H.A.L.F.), so it will be a while before I can commit to another large project.

Pretend your protagonist is at school and opens her locker – what will we see inside?

What a fun question! Emily’s locker is a mess! You’ll find books for her classes, of course. Notebooks with papers hanging out of them. There’s a wadded up hoodie, a pair of running shoes, several pairs of dirty running socks. She keeps a small makeup bag on the shelf. Inside you’ll see a dusky, mauve lipstick, a hairbrush and hair ties for ponytails, blush and black mascara. There’s a bottle of sunscreen, a box of strawberry iced Pop Tarts, and a water bottle (the spout looks a bit gnarly from her chewing on it – nervous habit). What you won’t find is a mirror or posters of famous people ;-)

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

Hunger Games, all the way. Team Peeta (but the book version of Peeta, not the movie version). From the first paragraph of the first page of the first book of the Hunger Games, I was hooked.

I think my preference for HG over Twilight is all about protagonist. Katniss is my kind of MC. She’s strong, commanding, and capable but flawed. She’s interesting to me. She always ends up doing the right thing, but we see her struggle with choices. And she’s no helpless maiden. Katniss is the kind of female heroine that I aspire to write.

What reality show would you love to be on? Why?

Hmm, well if there’s a reality show about a writers – showing them sitting at their desk, typing away for hours on end, breaking only to swill Diet Coke and coffee and eat chocolate by the case - then I’d be on it! There’s not show like that?

Oh, then put me on the voice – team Cee Lo.

Favorite hot beverage. Why?

European drinking chocolate. If you’ve never had it, it’s a luxurious drink made from best quality chocolate and rich creamy milk. It’s not the same flavor as hot chocolate. It’s more like drinking Swiss milk chocolate. Heaven in a cup! Unfortunately, I’m unable to have this treat often. First, I don’t live in Europe. I haven’t found anyplace in America that makes it like they do in Europe. Starbucks, do you hear me?! Second, I live in Arizona. It can be in the 90’s into November! So I have some special chocolate I ordered from Burdick’s, a good whisk, and I await the weather getting cold enough to whisk me up a batch (*wipes drool from corner of mouth*).

You’re stranded on a desert island—which character from your book do you want with you? Why?

Brighid, of course. Why? She’s the Goddess of Lucent Energy! I’m thinking if I were stranded on an island, having a Goddess along would be a good plan.

You’ve just won a million dollars and you’re not allowed to save any of it. What do you spend it on?

First, I’d pay off my student loans! Can anyone relate?! It’d be nice to pay that off before my daughter goes to college. I’ve got about eight years – wish me luck! After that, I’d take my family on a lengthy European vacation. There are so many places there I’d like to see. I have family heritage in England, France and Germany, and I’d love to visit my ‘homelands’. And remember that drinking chocolate that I mentioned before? Need I say more ;-)

Of course I’d buy great shoes, fabulous purses and repair all the stuff in my house that needs fixed.

But I’m a woman of relatively simple needs, and there are so many in need. So I’d pay some bills and have some fun, but I’d love to donate significant funds to organizations that help children and critters in need.

Playlist for your current book.

I create “soundtracks” for all of my novels. It’s fun to find music that connects to the mood I’m trying to create while writing.

Emily’s Trial deals with fear, courage, and friendships being tested. To get in the mood to write about that, I created an eclectic playlist of music that hits on all three of these ideas. To set the mood for spooky and fearful, I’ve got “Brackett Finds Annie”, from the Halloween II soundtrack; “To Kill a Demon”, from Halo 3 soundtrack (I really like this one!); “Freddy’s Coming for You”, from A Nightmare on Elm Street soundtrack; “Sonja’s Trial and Execution”, from Underworld: Rise of the Lycans soundtrack; and Le carnival des animaux: Aquarium – a classical piece that is really creepy.

I’ve also got “Heart of Courage” and “Archangel”, both by Two Steps from Hell – very courageous music! I also love “Fortune Teller”, from the Eragon soundtrack, and “Secret Sword”, from The Last Legion soundtrack, both by Patrick Doyle.

As far as popular music goes, I’ve got “The Cave,” by Mumford & Sons, “A Forest”, by The Cure, “The Killing Moon”, by Echo & the Bunnymen, and “Enjoy the Silence”, by Depeche Mode. (Can you tell I like alternative music?!) These songs capture very well the mood of the characters in Emily’s Trial.

Favorite class in high school. Why?

I’m such a geek, I liked them all! Truly, I love learning and I’m curious about everything. But to answer your question, I’m going to cheat and pick two. I loved biology class (it was my best subject). I likely would have gone into a science field if I didn’t suck at higher math (found that out in chemistry class!). My other favorite was – no surprise – English Lit. I particularly enjoyed Shakespeare. I’m one of those rare geeks that actually enjoy analyzing the language, themes and meanings of his works. Hamlet is my favorite – talk about teen angst! And I love Dickens for the message in his books. His social justice themes resonate with me.

Two years ago, Emily’s journey began. She learned the ancient magic of her Celtic ancestors,and became a modern Celtic Priestess. The golden torc, forged by faerie hands, is still wound around her arm, fused to her soul. She was entrusted with powerful magic – secret knowledge.

But even a Priestess can feel desire – temptation – and the quest for love. Will passion entice Emily to use her sacred magic in a forbidden way? Can new love take root in a world of nightmares? And will her friendships survive Emily’s Trial?

The Journey Continues . . .

The Apocalypse didn't start with four horsemen, harbingers of the horror to come. It didn't start with a plague, or pestilence, or even zombies rising from the dead.

It came slowly, and without warning. It crept up on people in the shadows, no more than a vague darkness that spread like an unseen cancer.

And it wasn't set into action by a divine hand. A teenage girl was the catalyst for the End Times.

I should know. I'm the one that started it.

I didn't plan to. I didn't want to start the End Times, and I'm not evil.

Madame Wong taught me to tell the truth, and so here it is. I'm the one responsible for the Apocalypse. And this is the story of how I unwittingly unlocked the door to the darkness; of how a Priestess of the Order of Brighid, entrusted with powerful magic that was supposed to be used for the benefit of all humankind, unleashed a force that would destroy it instead.

And it all began with desire.

Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy trilogy. When not writing, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, feeds her dog too many treats, and can’t resist watching Ancient Aliens, no matter how absurd the show becomes.

Natalie enjoys travel, good wine, and excellent food shared with family and friends. She was raised an Ohio farm girl, now lives in the desert Southwest, and dreams of living in a high rise in a big city.

“Books are my friends, ideas my passion.”

Natalie enjoys chatting with readers, so stop by and say hi:

Blog: http://www.NatalieWrightsYA.blogspot.com
Twitter: @NatalieWright_
Facebook: NatalieWright.Author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468945.Natalie_Wright
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WritesKidsBooks
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/NatalieWright_
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/natwrites/

The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra's Nest by Fumi Hancock - Virtual Tour

Please welcome author Fumi Hancock on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours today for her fantasy YA"The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra's Nest".

What would you do, if you knew you’d inherited an ancient curse?

What would do, if you found out you were racing against time to save yourself and your loved ones?

And what would you do, if you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a love triangle, amidst the unraveling curse?

******

When free-spirited and more than a little rebellious, seventeen-year-old Jewel Cardwell gained admission to Grayton Preparatory School, a prestigious, girls-only, top-notch private institution nestled in the South African farmlands of Limpopo, little did she know it would begin a trail of mysterious and unfamiliar events, changing her life forever!

At Grayton prep, a battle line is drawn between ‘good and evil’ especially when there’s a full moon and dark forces swirl and turn up in the form of hideous monsters and frightening demons. With her school fr-enemies, rivalry and treachery become the order of the day and Jewel is forced to question everything she thought she knew as she struggles to stay alive in a dubious place riddled with demonic activity!

Armed with a magical secret from her dying grandmother, she sets a new course in motion. In the middle of this whirlwind of events, she is caught between two boys: Darwin Morton, a lad she's known growing up, and Eric Broder, a soccer team leader with a silver spoon in his mouth. Why her love life has to get interesting now is a question she can't answer!

"I welcomed death with open arms, closed my eyes and listened as the aircraft made rattling and shaking sounds through the dreary weather. If this was my time to go, I would embrace darkness, as I had nothing else to lose" -- JEWEL CARDWELL.

Will Jewel be able to solve the mystery before evil is unleashed against those she loves?

PROLOGUE

My weary eyes opened to an ominous sky speckled with dim stars and a huge full moon dappled with unsettling, flaming balls of fire. I was in an unfamiliar setting, an open space surrounded by terrifying, blazing fires, and the humming of a charter aircraft shattered the stillness of the night.

Mum and Darwin hopped out of the car, with me following, and we hastened toward the small aircraft.

“What’s this?” I kept asking, with no answer from Darwin or Mum.

“Are we going on that?” I asked again, ducking a cloud of sand blown from the ground, a result of the blazing fires and rumbling aircraft.

In front of us was a six-foot-tall, dark-skinned man, dressed in a dark blue pilot’s uniform. His eyes showed great anticipation as he struggled to move toward us. No sooner had we closed the distance to the aircraft when we heard the terrifying staccato of gunshots.

Continues... 

Fumi Hancock is a walking example of how an ordinary person from a shackled life of broken promises and shattered dreams can live a fulfilled destiny. After twenty years of dropping her pen, she picks it right back up again by releasing the first in the Grimmlyn Series: The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest. Though graduated with a postgraduate degree in communication arts, and undergraduate degrees in English studies and nursing, she ascribes her writing to her life experiences, which were many times challenging. According to her, the protagonists and antagonists in her novels often come from the darkest moments of her life—a tribute to the fact that something good can come out of mysterious and difficult circumstances, if we choose to turn our challenges around. Age is merely a number where success is concerned. She also pulls some of her characters from her travels around the world—in particular, exotic Africa—uniquely weaving her tales.

Fumi loves to write for young adults, particularly urban fantasy, and paranormal fiction with a touch of romance. She aspires to one day write a mystery/detective novel for the adult audience. But for now, she is content with her young adult audience. With her background in nursing, she gently nurses her unusual characters to life for her readers to enjoy.

She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Dr. David Hancock, and her two grown sons, Bola and Demola Thompson. She cherishes her two stepdaughters, who reside in Michigan.

BOOK TRAILER: Trailer
INTERVIEW: "Tea at Home" with Fumi Q&A: Video Reel
Behind-the Scenes: Scenes from the Story
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFromscratchtv
Her websites are fumihancock.blogspot.com and worldoffumihancock.com
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fumihancock
facebook http://www.facebook.com/fumihancockgrimmlyn
goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/fumihancock