Monday, February 25, 2013

The Chronicles of Kerrigan by by W. J. May - Virtual Tour


Please welcome author W. J. May on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours today for her paranormal YA series, The Chronicles of Kerrigan.

Thanks for stopping by and answering some of my questions!

Why do you write YA fiction? What draws you to it?

YA and slightly older. I love to read YA. The idea of life experiences changing who we are (kind of taking the kid in us and making them a tiny bit more mature) is a fascinating thing to show to readers. As kids we want to much to be older (and of course, as adults we wants so much to be kids again *G*  ) It does help that the kid inside of me never grew up!

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

Rae Kerrigan would have school work, something from or about Devon that is hidden and probably something secretive that she wouldn’t want anyone to see. It would be hidden so no one could find it. She’s still trying to figure out the whole tatu world as is.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

CS Lewis NARNIA – still one of my favourite series to read. Loved the imagination and pretend world that seemed so real. My parents owned an antique shop and I was positive as a kid that one day, one of the wardrobes in the shop would take me to Narnia! I’m still hoping!

I read anything and everything I could get my hands on … hmmm seems I still do!

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

What would I tell myself? Well for one thing I have absolutely no regrets for any life choices I made. So I would definitely tell myself to stay the course BUT maybe suggesting to invest in this little thing call eBay *G*, to start writing sooner, and high jumping was really cool in HS but maybe trying multi-events a little sooner wouldn’t have hurt!

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

Rae Kerrigan’s tatu. That would be wickedly awesome. Mind you, I would settle for Devon’s tatu as well. Not sure what they are?! I suggest reading Rae of Hope! (ouch, that’s a bit of a plug isn’t it!)

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

A MUST READ!

Rae of Hope by W. J. May
The Chronicles of Kerrigan Book One

Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy (Paranormal, Romance, Suspense)
Number of pages: 248 pgs
Amazon    BN   Smashwords


Book Description:


How hard do you have to shake the family tree to find the truth about the past?

Fifteen year-old Rae Kerrigan never really knew her family's history. Her mother and father died when she was young and it is only when she accepts a scholarship to the prestigious Guilder Boarding School in England that a mysterious family secret is revealed.

Will the sins of the father be the sins of the daughter?

As Rae struggles with new friends, a new school and a star-struck forbidden love, she must also face the ultimate challenge: receive a tattoo on her sixteenth birthday with specific powers that may bind her to an unspeakable darkness. It's up to Rae to undo the dark evil in her family's past and have a ray of hope for her future.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/gILAwXxx8MU


The Chronicles of Kerrigan by W.J. May
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy (Paranormal, Romance, Suspense)
Page count: 265 pages

Smashwords

Book Description:

Nothing is as it seems anymore.

Leery from the horrifying incident at the end of her first year at Guilder Boarding School, Rae Kerrigan is determined to learn more about her new tattoo. Her expectations are high, an easy senior year and a happy reunion with Devon, the boy she’s not supposed to date. All hopes of happiness turn into shattered dreams the moment she steps back on campus.

Lies and secrets are everywhere, and a betrayal cuts Rae deeply. Among her conflicts and enemies, it appears as if her father is reaching out from beyond the grave to ruin her life. With no one to trust, Rae doesn’t know where or who to turn to for help.

Has her destiny been written? Or will she become the one thing she hates the most—her father’s prodigy.

Book Trailer - http://youtu.be/Ca24STi_bFM

About the Author:

Wanita May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario - St.Catharines. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy.

The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister -- taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.

At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump. She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged). She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.

But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occassion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition. From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.

Wanita and her husband now run an online business, dealing in antiques and collectables - particularly jewelry and porcelain.

After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.

She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.

Web: www.wanitamay.yolasite.com

Blog: www.wanitajump.wordpress.com

Twitter: @wanitajump

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/812657.W_J_May

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Arts - Angels Track 1: Drawn to You by Janel Rodgriguez Ferrer - Review tour and Giveaway


This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Janel will be awarding winner's choice of a $25 gift card to iTunes (music) or, Capezio (dance), or Utrecht (art supplies) 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.

The Arts - Angels Track 1: Drawn to You by Janel Rodgriguez Ferrer
Contemporary YA/Middle Grade
252 pages
5 Stars

Rock Your Destiny!

Gina Santiago is a thirteen-year-old "Nuyorican" with rock star dreams, so when she's accepted into the prestigious New York Academy of Arts and Talents for art instead of music, she's crushed. To make matters worse, the student body at the Upper East Side school is divided into "schollies" (students on scholarship, like her) and "dollies" (rich kids with "dollars"). But Gina discovers that there is one thing that brings schollies and dollies-and dancers, singers, actors, artists, and musicians-together: music! Maybe she can make her dreams come true after all....


My Review: What a fun book! I really enjoyed this and am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Middle grade school books can be so much fun and this is a great offering. If you are an adult who is looking for a quick read, or if you have a middle-grader (I would suggest this for mature 8 year olds up to about 14 or so), then I highly recommend Drawn to You.

Gina Santiago is a very talented artist and musician who receives a scholarship to the famed New York Academy of Arts and Talents---only she's disappointed when she gets in for art instead of music. There's a lot of drama in her household--her mom is against her music because Gina's father, a musician, was killed on his way to a show before Gina was born. But to Gina, her music is her life--she loves her art, but she lives for her music. The conflict between mother and daughter is very well drawn.

Thankfully, Gina has not only the support of other family members, but the new friends she meets at NYAAT. Of course, there's drama there of another sort--enough drama to carry us through a series.

Janel Rodriguez Ferrer is a name to watch out for-- and I already have her on my auto-buy list for the second book in this series!

Now enjoy an excerpt:

“You know what’s weird?” I asked, turning to Michiko. “That girl with the short hair reminds me of a girl I used to be friends with back in the third grade.”

Michiko shuddered. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

I snorted a laugh. “But it couldn’t be—”

“I sure hope you don’t mean—” Michiko said.

And together we ended, “—Willa Burch.”

Michiko gasped in horror. “No way! You were friends with—with Willa?”

“We were just little kids…. It was the third grade. She was an artist, too.”

Michiko didn’t change her expression. She still looked like was standing upwind of a garbage truck.

“Maybe I should go over and say ‘hi,’” I told Michiko. “See if she remembers me.”

Michiko actually put out her arm to stop me from going back down the stairs. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I doubt she’d give you the time of day. People call her ‘Willa the Witch’ these days. Let’s just continue with the tour.”

“Are you serious? She can’t be that bad.”

But just as I asked the question, I caught Willa’s reflection in the mirror.

She seemed to be looking straight at me. Did she…recognize me? I smiled at her.

Willa didn’t smile back. Instead, her face darkened and her eyes narrowed into slits. She tilted her head as if to get a better look at me.

“Come on. I’ll show you where your locker is.” Michiko was already halfway up the stairs. “You can catch up with Willa later. She might be in some of your classes. She’s an art major, too, you know.”

“All right,” I said. But as I followed Michiko, I couldn’t help but think that Willa had seen me—recognized me, even. And, the part I didn’t get? She hadn’t seemed happy about it.


Monday, February 18, 2013

Chrysalis by Michel Prince - Virtual Tour and Giveaway



Today we're visiting with author Michel Prince on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the YA novel, "Chrysalis".

Michel will be awarding a butterfly gift basket to one randomly drawn commenter and a butterfly necklace to a second randomly drawn commenter, so comment today AND follow her tour! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. The rest of her tour stops are here.

Michel answered many of my prying questions -- thanks!

Why YA fiction? What draws you to it?

First I’d like to say that my series is mature YA. When I was younger I was never told no on a book so I jumped from middle grade to adult, that mixed with the age range of YA being from 12 to 25 it’s a hard genre to pinpoint. But I do love the extremes that are allowed in YA fiction that isn’t in adult. It’s a time when nothing is certain. Although you can make decisions that will affect you for the rest of your life, most don’t so you get to experiment. The emotions are new and firsts are amazing. Close your eyes and remember the first time you experienced anything, be it a rollercoaster, chocolate ice cream, or a horseback ride. You can never truly get those first back and that’s what makes YA such a fun genre to write.

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

On the inside of the door the football game schedule poster, pictures of Orlando Bloom, Taylor Lautner, and John Legend. An old camera and her books.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

When I was younger I was a Babysitters Club girl. There seems to be a divide in my generation between them and the Sweet Valley High girls. You were one or the other. I loved that each book followed a different one of the girl and you learned about their family and who they were. I could get one and be done in a day or two and there were always more.

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

Wipeout…I’m sure I’d be sore as heck but to have the bravery to do that is something I’d love to challenge myself with.

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

Punky Brewster…PUNKY POWER. I even liked the cartoon version.

What four literary characters would you most like to have over for dinner?

That’s hard. Vixs from Summer Sisters by Judy Blume, Queen Catherine of Aregon from The Constant Princess, by Phillipa Gregory (although she was a real person I’d like the literary version), Betsy from the Betsy and Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace, and Rhage from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. What can I say I like a lively conversation.

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

Oscar. He’s a Boy Scout and would be able to make us a shelter, get us food and take care of any injuries…oh yeah and he’s hot as hell and gives amazing foot rubs.

What are your favorite pizza toppings?

Pepperoni and Mushroom if it’s a thin crispy crust. If it’s a thick crust I love Domino’s barb-b-que chicken pizza.

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

Pay all my bills…darn being a grown up. Then an around the world cruise for me, my husband, son and niece. Just don’t tell my niece she’s going to be a babysitter so my husband and I can sneak off every once in a while.

Playlist for your current book.

Wow that’s really long because Ellie’s all about the hidden words in music and I actually have a Oscar and Ellie playlist that covers all four books in the series on my iTunes.

The official song for Chrysalis is When I’m With You by Sierra (see my website for a link to this up and coming artist). Now for the ones in the book, Stupid Girls, by Pink, Whoop That Trick, by Terrence Howard, Slow Dance, by John Legend, Take me Away by John Legend, Say Hey (I love you) by Michael Franti, The Sweater by Meryn Cadell, Lady in Red, by Eric Clapton, Halo by Beyonce, Don’t Lie by The Black Eyed Peas, Fallin’ for you by Colbie Calliat…I’m sure I’m forgetting one or two.

Who was your teenaged crush? Why?

Christian Slater…his voice. That deep gravelly voice with the lips that were just a little off center and him in Pump up the Volume…yep he’d have been number one on my go to list.

Favorite class in high school. Why?

It was a toss up. I really did like history I just didn’t enjoy the teacher and I learned more from the textbook. Science, loved the teacher…Hey Mrs. Carlson…I like figuring out problems and formulas.

In the annals of dysfunctional families, the Chisholm’s are working their way to the top. Drug abuse, an unwed mother with multiple fathers, and the questionable cash flow for the 'pretty one'. All this from a seemingly normal, two parent middle class family. But were the choices truly made of their free will?

Bad choices are a Chisholm family trait, one that confounds the youngest child, Ellie, who's trying to separate herself by making smart decisions. And falling for Oscar Jeffreys, the hottest guy at school, would be number one on the list of Chisholm family disasters. Yet the crazy part is it’s not a one sided attraction. Somehow Ellie has caught Oscar Jeffreys’ eye. Sure she could see the barriers between them. Race, age, popularity. They were at opposite ends of the spectrum. But a demon set to destroy her family? She can't see that.

Oscar provides security and acceptance Ellie never imagined she deserved. As the passion of first love grows, Ellie honestly believes she has a chance to beat the odds and live a happy, normal life. Then her world collapses around her. With the help of a guardian angel, Ellie learns of a world that has unknowingly surrounded her for years. And she'll have to find strength buried deep inside to save not only her future, but flush out and stop the demon in her midst.

And Ellie will have to learn that sometimes the hardest lesson about growing up is accepting that you're worth more.
Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling "It's my turn damn it!!!" She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, cat and new puppy.

LINKS:

www.michelprincebooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/MichelPrinceBooks?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/MichelPrince1
http://www.youtube.com/user/Michelprincebooks?feature=guide

http://www.amazon.com/Chrysalis-ebook/dp/B007USU6AO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351526304&sr=8-2&keywords=Chrysalis+by+michel+prince

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/chrysalis-by-michel-prince?store=allproducts&keyword=chrysalis+by+michel+prince

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chrysalis-779953-140.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/chrysalis-0

Thursday, February 14, 2013

To Dance in Liradon by Adrienne Clarke - review tour and giveaway


This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. 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 leave your thoughts here and you're entered! If you want more chances to win, visit the rest of her tour stops here.

To Dance in Liradon by Adrienne Clarke
Fantasy YA
220 pgs
4 stars

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.

My review:  The search for true love is a staple of many plots: Romeo and Juliet; The Princess Bride; many fairytales. In To Dance in Liradon, Adrienne Clarke brings yet another story to the mix. This is a beautiful story about a girl who once had the misfortune of running into the Fairy Queen. Shunned by the other people in the village, she's blamed for anything that goes wrong in the village--from the death of her father to children who go missing.

The story begins with Brigid declaring to her mother that she does not love Connell--her childhood friend who wants to marry her. She grew up on her father's stories of true love and has her heart set on marrying her one true love. However, the course of true love can be strewn with confusion about what love truly is. Ms. Clarke keeps the reader on the edge of her seat. And, she keeps you wondering up to the end exactly what Brigid will decide and who she will choose.

I completely enjoyed this novel, and recommend it for teens of all ages.  Thanks for a fun book!

Now enjoy an excerpt:

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"

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Follower Love Giveaway Hop Winner!


The winner of my Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway of a $10 Amazon GC was:

MNark!!

I've emailed you.

Thanks to everyone for visiting :-)

Monday, February 11, 2013

The Dream Slayer by Jill Cooper - Review tour and Giveaway


This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding an Amazon $50 GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a second prize of an EBook Copy of Glistening Haven,a Dystopian Novel to another 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.

The Dream Slayer by Jill Cooper
Paranormal YA
312 pages
4 Stars

In the young adult teen series Dream Slayer, Natalie Johnson has always dreamed she’s someone else; calm, beautiful, in control. A chosen warrior with a maniacal arch nemesis and a dreamy boyfriend, the type that can make your knees melt and your heart quiver.

Real life is much different. She’s tormented by a bully and endures the sharp tongue of her father, but finds solace in her dreams.

When her bully ends up dead, de ja vu from a dream hits her hard as everything around her begins to fall apart. Whatever killed Sarah in her dreams is now in reality, hunting her from the shadows. And it wants her dead.

Somehow as the lines between reality and nightmare blur, Natalie must discover hidden strength to pull her friends and family back from the brink of madness.
My Review:

I was so intrigued by the concept of this book, I couldn't wait to read it.  I'm so glad I did!  It was interesting and, though I was a bit confused at first at the switches between the two Natalies, it didn't take long to get to know how they sounded and could tell them apart easily. 

I don't even know how to describe this plot (the blurb above does a great job), but I will say that it was never boring.  I was fascinated by how the two worlds began to intersect and how the different characters from each were the same, but different.

The author's writing skills are exceptional, and her descriptions are clear and three dimensional.  I could see all the characters, the settings and more.  I really felt as though I was right there with Natalie, especially when the action picked up. 

She created a love triangle (if there are two Natalies, does that make it a love square?) of sorts with Tristan and Damian, but honestly I found Damian's interest a little odd.  Tristan, though, is a sweetheart and clearly the right one for at least one of the Natalies.

Action packed, with a cast of well-rounded characters, The Dream Slayer is a young adult book I can happily recommend for teens of all ages.  The violence is there, of course, but not overly graphic (except, perhaps, one place at the end during an almost demon buffet) and the romance is sweet.  I am looking forward to the sequel -- maybe the Natalies will meet?

Now, read an excerpt:

“That’s my friend you’re talking about,” Michelle cried, red-faced, and punched Tristan in the arm.

“I’m sorry.” Tristan was sincere, grasping at Michelle’s fists. “I’m sorry.”

Michelle sobbed, her face contorted. She didn’t pull her hands away, but instead leaned against his chest and cried.

Tristan patted her back gently. Mortal enemies most of the time, Tristan wrapped his arms around her and just let her cry.

“Did she speak to you? What did she say?” Charles asked urgently. His tone compelled Natalie to speak, and despite herself, she did.

“That I won,” Natalie whispered. It sounded creepy. Her voice made her own hairs stand up on the back of her neck.

“You won? Do you know what she meant by that?”

“No.”

“We should move,” Charles said. “You’re sitting in… you need to get up, please. We need to get a handle on this situation.”

Natalie shook her head. She couldn’t. She stared at the blood embedded in Sarah’s matted hairline. Something glistened along her scalp, and Natalie reached through the hair despite Charles’ protests.

It was a shard of glass.

Like someone had pushed her out of a window.

Or maybe, Natalie thought, something made her jump.


Jill Cooper loves tea more than coffee and is obsessed over finding that perfect recipe.She was born in 1977 and shared a room with her sister for 18 years. Early on she had dreams of writing romances and mysteries. It was something she did when most kids were trying out for softball or out riding bikes.

She's always loved dark mysteries, but also enjoys a great comedy so she tries to include both these things in everything she writes, one way or another.

She lives in Danvers, MA with two cats, a toddler, a husband, and a 1964 yellow taxi. Her life is chaotic, but fun. She can be contacted at:

http://www.jillacooper.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jillybug
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Cooper/319251368110396

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Wisteria Series by Bisi Leyton - Virtual Tour and giveaway


Today we're visiting with author Bisi Leyton on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the dystopian YA Wisteria series, which includes "Wistera" and its sequel, "Myopia". I reviewed "Wisteria" earlier here.

Bisi will be awarding a $15 Amazon GC, so comment today AND follow her tour! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. The rest of her tour stops are here.

Bisi answered many of my prying questions -- thanks!

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

Considering there are no lockers in Wisteria’s school, she’d carry all her things in her book bag. In it, she’d have a pocket knife, canister of wisteria spray, a flash light and a Chad Pearson comic book.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

I loved anything and everything by Roald Dahl. I found is books a refreshing change from the books I was forced to read at school. He really introduced me to the blending of fantasy and science fiction.

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

I wanted to be a brain surgeon because I knew it was a job that would take me out of Africa. One some level, I always wanted to be a writer.

What candy do you give out at Halloween?

Cadbury’s chocolate buttons

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I’d like to be able to freeze time without aging.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

Not a book my Nintendo DS.

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

Battle of the Planets, I really loved and still love Jason

Favorite hot beverage. Why?

Hot Chocolate.

Favorite pizza toppings.

Canadian bacon, jalapenos and mushrooms

Favorite class in high school. Why?

Choir, I love to sing.

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.

Eighteen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dirt People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows.

Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.

Sixteen-year-old Wisteria has embraced her deep bond with eighteen-year-old Bach, a member of a supernatural race called the Family, despite the risk of his family finding out. Should Bach’s people discover his bond with a human, Wisteria will be guaranteed a painful and bloody death—but somehow, being together is more important.

Their bond is tested when empirics, an elite group of Family investigators, are sent to the Isle of Smythe under the orders of Bach’s father to find artifacts stolen by the humans. They’re to find the artifacts at any cost. Among the empirics is Bach’s old friend, the stunning Alba, who has learned about Bach and Wisteria’s secret relationship, and surprisingly accepts this. With no one else in the Family to turn to, she becomes Bach’s ally and confidant, but possibly more.

As the empirics start to take over the town, Wisteria is torn between trusting Bach and the safety of the humans on Smythe. She soon realizes that she and Bach are on opposite sides of the war between the Family and Humans, and there is no middle ground. One of them must choose a side.

Enjoy an excerpt from "Myopia":

“I promise when I know for certain what is going on, I will tell you and we will help Coles understand, but right now my father has gotten involved and that makes everything more complicated.”

“Why?”

“For one, if he finds out I am communing with a free human.” He shuddered. “I do not know what he would do.”

“Probably not any worse that my mum, if she finds out you’re here right now,” she joked and stopped playing. “She’ll kill you and your dad will murder me.”

Pulling the guitar out of her arms, he put his arms around her.

They’d spoken about the gravity of their relationship a few times, but they’ d never been able to figure a way out that would result with one of them walking away unharmed. The threat wasn’t her mother. Although she didn’t like Bach, since Major Coles had welcomed him into the island, the worst her mother could do was lock Wisteria away.

His father was a different story. Bach’s father was the Sen of the Third Pillar within the Family. He was a powerful leader who on more than one occasion had killed free humans for communing with members of the Family. There was no vice considered more heinous, disgusting and malicious as willingly loving a human. The price of that was blood—human blood.

Both factors resulted in them meeting in secret for the last four months. They settled on the church clock tower, weeks before he’d left for Jarthan.

“Do you want me to tell Coles you’re back?” She stretched herself across the lush rug. “Did you get him a present too?”

“There is a lorry full of ammunition parked at the end of the bridge, leading to town. I am sure Major Coles knows I have returned. I also brought him some medicine he said the hospital needed.” He pointed at several white boxes which sat in the corner.

“Bullets and pills,” she murmured. “Nice. Anything for my mum?”

He looked at her as if she were insane. “She would shoot me in the face if she ever saw me. The only reason she would not torture me is because I saved her life.”

“So basically, you’re saying my mother isn’t good enough for a present?” She glared at him.

Rubbing his temple with his right hand, he tried to explain. “Listen—”

Laughing, she hugged him from behind and laid her head against his back. “I’m joking.”

“That is not funny.”

She kissed the back of his neck, and then lay back down.

“Your mother is…” He turned to talk to her and saw her adjusting her skirt over her legs.

He was taken aback by how beautiful she was. Many people, human or Family, couldn’t see it for some reason, but she was the most beautiful woman he knew.

She finally noticed his stare and bit her plump bottom lip. “What’s wrong?” Frowning, she sat up.

He shook his head. The thoughts he was having were not something he could share with her.

“Are you all right? You’re completely red and you never turn red.” She touched his face tenderly.

It seemed to burn him and he backed away. “I am fine.” The images in his mind changed to what he’d like to do with her. He wondered how many escorts she’d had and what it would be like for him to really love her.

More pictures flashed through his mind and some didn’t make any sense. The last one was of him and the Seven Elders standing over the cliffs overlooking the Astolat River, as his brothers tried to drown a tanned half-human half Famila baby—Their baby. Did this actually occur and he was just now remembering it, or was it a fear he had harbored, should they ever conceive a child? “I have no intention or interest in a physical relationship with you,” he abruptly blurted out. Nothing good could come of anything like that happening between them.

She gave him a blank stare. “Okay.”

“You mentioned earlier that we had not talked about something. I am guessing that is what you meant.”

“Um, yes,” she said quietly.

“It cannot happen between us,” he replied.


Bisi Leyton was born in East London in 1978. She grew up in London, Nigeria and the States, listening to the stories life and love from aunts, cousins and big sisters.She lives in London, but has worked around Europe including France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She has a fondness for reading graphic novels.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Wisteriabooks
Current Blog: http://bisileyton.blogspot.com/
Old Blog: http://bisileyton.wordpress.com/
@bisileyton
http://www.goodreads.com/Bisileyton
BookTrailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_TWuWK_bbY&feature=context-cha and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvC9iJckrs4&feature=context-cha

Free Paranoia short story for anyone who signs up on my mailing list (from Smashwords)

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Follower Love Giveaway Blog Hop!



Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Maryann from The Reader's Antidote

Thanks for visiting my blog! As you can see, we love juvenile fiction in all shapes, sizes, lengths and genres and we post reviews, giveaways, interviews and guest blogs, contests and more.

To win my Follower Love giveaway, all I ask is that you follow my blog (make sure your email is associated with your profile). Earn a second entry by leaving me a comment with some of the YA/Middle Grade books you'd choose if you win (I always need help building my TBR pile)!

My prize?

One winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC!

It's so easy to enter! Just FOLLOW ME! And a comment with a book suggestion earns you another entry.

Good luck! And check out the other participants for more great prizes.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Tears of the Fallen by K.M.Hager - Virtual Tour and Giveaway


Please welcome author K.M.Hager on her tour with Bewitching Book Tours today for her paranormal YA"Tears of the Fallen". The author is awarding two eBook copies of "Tears of the fallen" to commenters on this stop, so make sure to say hello in the comments -- you could win!!

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

I used to love a horror series called Point Horror. Hundreds of different books all aimed at scaring teenagers. I loved them, and every Saturday I would use my pocket money to purchase the next book.

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I would love to be able to compel people. I would start off by compelling Jensen Ackles to marry me, and then possibly compel ridley scott into turning my novel into movie. All for selfish reasons I know, but my god wouldn’t it be fun.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

I’ve just finished reading the Others by James Herbert so that’s sat on my bedside at the moment. It was very disturbing story and even more disturbing when you find out at the end it was based on truth. I think that story will haunt me for life.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

That’s hard. I’ve only just read the hunger games series. I read all three books in four days, so I’m probably going to go with the hunger games. I love the way it’s written and the story is so powerful and original that it really transported me into their world.

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

Celebrity big brother. I’m a huge fan of the show, all the drams and conflicts, I would love it. Plus three weeks away from your ordinary life with lots of champagne and food sounds bliss to me.

Favorite hot beverage. Why?

Tea, I must drink about 10 cups a day. I suffer badly with panic attacks and I found that one of the causes was the amount of coffee I was drinking. So tea has become my replacement caffeine the only problem I find with that, is I need to drink a lot more tea to get my caffeine hit.

Which of your characters would you most like to meet IRL? Why?

Michael, the more I write about Michael, the more I seem to fall in love with him. Michael very charming and sexy and wins me over every time.

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

It would have to be Michael, but I can’t say why incase my hubby reads this lol, but you can use your imagination.

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

That’s easy, there’s only one thing I would love to have the money for and that is to buy myself a small cottage on dartmoor and hide away from the rest of the world, Just me, my family and my laptop.

Playlist for your current book.

The script, and I seem to be listening to a lot of Fleetwood mac at the moment.

Tears of the Fallen by K.M.Hager

Genre: YA Fantasy
Number of pages: 250

Amy Coleman on a mission to find her son, the only problem was up until two days ago she never knew she had a child.

Life for Amy is not worth living anymore; she has been brutally attacked; her nightmare of an abandoned child is seeping into her reality. There is only one person who can stop Amy's mission for death, Stephen. However, what Amy doesn't realise is falling helplessly in love with him will just lead her down a dark and deadly path and right into the middle of an angelic war.

Chapter one

It’s only when we get to meet death personally and stare deep into its soul, which we will ever really feel the raw emotion and fear that it brings into our lives. We all think about it, sense when it's coming but like most unpleasant thoughts, we disregard it, choose to ignore the niggling doubts our instincts are so desperately trying to warn us about. So when I walked home that night, taking my usual route across the isolated beach, why didn’t I listen to mine?

I felt danger was coming; my body was trying to warn me that something wasn’t right. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up in protest, as I refused to listen to my gut and take the long route home.

Fear was travelling through my veins, pumping its venom straight to my heart, drowning out the sounds of the crashing waves as the pounding over took. Even so, I was too late, I was nearly at the other end and it would be quicker just to keep moving. The clouds were closing over me and the sun was far out into the distance, ready to rest its tired head for the night. There would be no point turning back now. So I lunged forward towards the exit, desperately trying to get to the stairs so I could take the last step off the cold wet sand and onto the familiar stone of safety. But as I placed my left foot on the step and relaxed my soul, I felt a sharp pain at the back of my head. Suddenly I was flying across the sand, landing directly onto a rock. The pain was crippling, rendering me semi-conscious, unable to focus on any object or stand up and run from whatever force of nature had tried to take my life. I lay there for a minute trying frantically to muster the energy so I could escape the situation. I needed to get home, the blood from my head was trickling down the side of my face and I needed help. My eyes were trying to adjust back into focus, looking for someone to come to my aid, but I could see no one. As I lay on the dampness of the sand, I looked into the night sky and watched with panic as dark shadows emerged and hovered over me as if they were lost souls dancing over my vulnerable body.

In that moment, everything stood still, time and existence froze as I looked upon the lost souls waiting eagerly to take my life. A life I hadn’t really lived yet. Only 16 and there was still so much left to do; finish my exams, smoke weed, kiss Peter Jackson (the high school hunk) or even make love. Then all the thoughts were gone, all that was left was acceptance; that this was my time. There was no way out of it so I just closed my eyes and accepted my fate.

“Oh come on, it's no fun if your eyes are closed.” I jumped, my heart leapt straight out of my chest and slammed back in.

I looked up towards the shadows that had formed a ring around me, dancing delicately over my body and in the centre was darkness, a shadow that had crept out from the night walls and was now lingering over me. A dark energy had my wrists pinned to the ground leaving me paralyzed. I stared up at the silhouette of darkness and I watched with terror as the monster shifted, showing a glimpse of a human face trying to escape through the dark. His head was shaking erratically left to right, revealing his features. Within a split second, a shadow of a man was sat on top of me with deep penetrating eyes, which seemed almost hypnotic but were also filled with sin. They were soulless, without a touch of humanity. He was the devil, the devil on his darkest day.

I woke up with sweat dripping down my face; the silk sheet that lay beneath me was soaked through. I sighed, it was just another nightmare. It had been seven years since I was attacked, but the monster was still living on in my mind, tormenting my dreams and destroying my soul. I looked down towards my wrists, desperately trying to see any evidence that he was back. The imprints of his fingers were still pounding against my skin but there was nothing there, just the scars to remind me of the pain he put me through.

Panic was starting to escalate through my body and there was only one way to alleviate it, to stop the dreaded fear taking over my soul and that was to drink.

I reached over to the vodka bottle that was securely hidden away from my mother’s disapproving eyes and gulped the remainder of the poison that was slowly killing my body. I knew I needed more. The clock on the wall read 9.13pm, which gave me plenty of time to get to the shop if only I could just get passed Mum. I chucked the denim jacket over my shoulders and made my way down the stairs.

I may have been 23, but Mum kept me more wrapped up in cotton wool now, then she ever did when I was a teenager. I don’t even think it was because of the attack. I think it was because of the day she found me semi-conscious on the bathroom floor, surrounded by a pool of blood. I had become the danger to her now. It was so hard for me when I was attacked, not only had I been raped, but my innocence was snatched away from me.


K.M.Hager lives in Devon with her family. When she's not being a mother or a referee to her two children, she tries to get on writing her Tears of the fallen series.

She can be found on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/kelly.hager.106 or at her website or www.tearsofthefallen.co.uk