Raven, Romba, and Ravai: Malketh and the Undead by Dave Maruszewski,

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What part of the writing process do you dread?

Starting. Just sitting down and committing to t a long period, even if it is for 2 hours, I get anxiety. Once I start going, everything is fine. I don’t know why I stress out about it. I have enough experimental data that I should roughly know the outcome before it begins. Yet, I still stress.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

Luckily, I do not. I think that I attribute it to two things. The first is that I am not a full time writer. That takes the stress out of producing, and also it allows me to not be immersed in writing for long periods. The second is that I write in parallel. I like to write multiple things at once. That can create large amounts of dead periods in terms of production, but it also helps when I get stumped. I just pull out another book, article, etc. and work on that.

Tell us about your latest release.

This is the second book in the Raven, Romda and Ravai series. The first story kind of set the three protagonists on an epic journey to fight a legendary villain. They were inexperienced and learned as they went.

Here, the three are returned to the kingdom as somewhat accomplished. Still youthful, they aren’t allowed to run the biggest operations. When a rogue mage comes back to the kingdom, they are sent on a reconnaissance mission to get some basic information. Unfortunately for them, it throws them into the action again.

Magic in the kingdom has been banned, so it is not like they can bring another wizard to go toe-to-toe with the mage. Instead, Raven, Romda and Ravai have to use more practical measures. Not only that, the mage’s specialty of magic is necromancy. So, they will have to take him and an undead army as well.

How do you develop your plot and characters?

For the plot, I usually have a loose skeleton on what I want to accomplish. I take note of things that I like in fiction. For example, I like when there are two villains in the story. It makes the plot more unpredictable. So, I am currently writing a book with 2 villains. After that, I have usually 5-10 themes that I want to address. I use those to resolve plot. Say, I want to talk about nonviolence. I may have a conflict that our characters will try to do without fighting.

Themes will also help with character development. In the nonviolent case, how will each character react? Will they like it? Will it come naturally to it?

Lastly, I am writing a series. I have a direction that I want to take main character. So, I need plot and side character to get them there. I can do this by an ushered–like fashion or just plain antagonize these poor heroes.

If you could apologize to someone in your past, who would it be?

Probably every teacher that I had from about 6th grade until 11th. I actually liked learning. I guess that I loved it a little too much as I saw it as a social experience as well. I just screwed around and talked as much as I could. I should have to teach middle school as my penance.

Raven, Romda and Ravai are settling into their new knightly duties well. With the Dark Beast defeated, their normal tasks almost seem mundane.

Amidst the boredom, Ravai asks, “Why does no one talk about villains from the past?”

Romda reasons, “What would be the point?”

There is a point. Even though villains may have been defeated in the past, they may still be around, waiting in the background ready to resurface once again.

Malketh has returned to the kingdom, but something is different about him this time. He is back with an entire army … an entire army of undead soldiers!

“Whether you want to read this aloud to your little one or let them explore this magical world on their own, parents can rest assured that this second installment in the Raven, Romda, and Ravai series will be a playful, whimsical addition to their bookshelves.” –The Book Review Directory

“… the squires are appealing characters, as is their comical banter.” - Blue Ink Review

A great story for the fantasy loving youth, this adventure will appeal to those who like action and humor in an easy reading environment.

Read an Excerpt

Ravai said with almost a stone face, “We need to get back to shore. I’m not sure that snake is dead.”

The two swam probably twice as fast as they did when they were racing. Both were exhausted when they made it to the shore. They walked onto the small sandy shore, then both plopped down on their backs gasping at any available air.

After Raven finally caught his breath, he said to Ravai, “I have to admit, you handle yourself well in a fight.”

“Yeah,” Ravai agreed. “That was a sweet move with the shield, too. I mean from you.”

Raven responded, “Thanks.”

Ravai looked down at his leg and became alarmed, “Oh no!”

Raven worried and asked, “What?”

Ravai noted, “I lost the dagger! Darn, that was my favorite!”

Raven responded again, “Don’t worry. I’ll buy you a new one for saving me. I have some extra money that I was going to use on a good shield. Apparently, they come in handy.”

Ravai laughed, and graciously declined. “Nah, it’s okay. You can just tell everyone how great I was in the fight.”

Raven said, “Something tells me that you’ll beat me to it.”

From that day on, the two became friends…

Ravai looks at Raven and acknowledges, “I guess that was the first time that we teamed up. Hmm.”

Raven then says to Ravai, “Look, I was talking with Romda. She thinks we can win, and to be honest, I’m starting to believe her.”

Ravai says back to Raven, “Yeah, I just don’t want to lose.”

Raven replies, “This, I know.”

Ravai says, “Not that. I just don’t want to lose … people.”

About the Author

Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family. He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son.

He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults. The Raven, Romda and Ravai books are targeted especially for children who shy away from reading. His stories are created from an accumulation of experience from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer.

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.

Website: http://www.ravenromdaandravai.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Maruszewski-Books-100693982454237/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21946064.Dave_Maruszewski
NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/84200
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dave-Maruszewski/e/B09KQLN57W

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Marked by K.A. Gandy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. K. A. Gandy will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

Chocolate! I love most any kind (the darker, the better!) but my secret guilty pleasure is Andes’ mints. I don’t know why, but those things are seriously addictive.

What candy do you give out at Halloween?

A little bit of everything. I always grab the chocolate, and my kids love the sour/gummy stuff. My husband will eat any of it, but his favorites are KitKats. So, we’ve got a little bit of it all! We also do the teal pumpkin project, so there are allergy-free and non-food options as well.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

The Matchmaker’s Royal Mess by Frieda J. Downing.

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

Both. But if I can only have one, Twilight. I am so not ashamed to be Team Edward. As a teen I even had a t-shirt.

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

Atlas, because I am fascinated by how his brain works, and Auntie from Zanetti. She is so wise, and so calm. I feel like just being near her would feel like a hug.

Favorite pizza toppings.

Pepperoni, bacon, pineapple, and cheese. It sounds like a weird combo, but it’s perfection!

Playlist for your current book.

Paper Rings, Taylor Swift
The Sound of Silence, Disturbed
I’m Not Alright, Shinedown
Fire, Sara Bareilles

On the run from the men who murdered her parents, there's only one way to save herself. Marriage to a genetically-matched stranger.

Demy has been on the run since she was thirteen years old. Mysterious men in black cloaks have been chasing her, and so far she's evaded them. Something, though, has changed since she turned eighteen. Their attempts to capture her have gotten closer and closer, until she's only got one option left: turning herself over to the NLC, for the compulsory marriage program.

She doesn't want to get married, but with her would-be captors on her heels, she's got no choice but to hope the NLC's strict security protocols will be a safe haven. Marriage is a small price to pay for her life, after all. And maybe, just maybe, she'll finally have the space to discover why she's being hunted.

***

Marked is a new entry point in the Populations Crumble world, but many familiar characters will be present from the original trilogy.

Read an Excerpt

“Do you think one of the guys got here early? I already picked two of my three.” She does an excited little shoulder shimmy at the thought, but I want to run back to my room. I’m not ready to meet my guys, and I really hope we’ll get a little more time.

I still haven’t even opened the app. Though, if people are going to start showing up . . . I need to get on that. I trail behind Cammie and Leilani to the top of the grand staircase, and we only make it halfway down before a chipper, feminine voice calls out.

“Whassup, my ladies?!”

My head snaps up from the woven stair runner, and I see another blonde girl waiting in the middle of the foyer.

Cammie and Leilani both call out excited greetings, and I belatedly add a, “Hello,” to the mix.

We make it down into the foyer, and she’s bouncing on the balls of her feet like a boxer. Though, as a boxer I can’t imagine she’d do much. She’s maybe a hundred fifteen pounds soaking wet, short and delicate-looking in a slouchy green t-shirt, ripped jeans, and scuffed-up tennis shoes.

“My name’s Nell, and I’m joining you three for this round of matches! Have you guys met your dudes yet?”

“Uh, no? We just did all the medical exams this morning. The schedule in our e-planners says we have a week of training classes before the introductions,” Cammie answers, mirroring Nell’s peppy tone.

A week before any guys show up? Oh, thank God.

“Okay, so the fun is just beginning, nice!”

“Uhm, have you done this before or something?” Leilani asks.

“Oh, yeah. Couple years ago, now. But, uh, things didn’t work out.” She shrugs one shoulder blithely, but doesn’t offer any other explanation. “So, this is round two for me. Sucks I couldn’t have gotten here after the boring classes, though.” Nell rolls her eyes dramatically.

“So, what was it like?” I blurt the question, suddenly needing to know everything, while simultaneously afraid to hear what she has to say.

“Which part? The matching? The honeymoons? The breakup?”

“The matching—let’s start with that,” Leilani cuts in, anxiety ratcheting her voice up to a higher register than usual, and for a moment, I feel a sense of camaraderie. We’re all going through this roller coaster of unease and unknown.

About the Author:

K. A. Gandy was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and is married with two kids. She has worked as a restaurant hostess, library book shelver, ranch hand, tour guide, Realtor, tech whiz, landlord, and small business consultant, all in addition to pursuing her passion of writing. She likes to write late in the evenings and thinks drinking hot tea and baking great cookies fuels hopes and dreams. If you would like to find more of her works, you can sign up for her newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/kagandy. You can also get updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KAGandyAuthor. I’ve also recently started a facebook group for readers, who enjoy YA Dystopian books, and am available by email at kagandyauthor@gmail.com as well, if you’d ever like to drop me a line directly!

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/K.-A.-Gandy/author/B08NLQQTZF?ref

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The Breaks Between You and Me by Taiya Collier

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Taiya Collier will be awarding "bookish" sweatshirt and sticker pack (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Somewhere out in the hills of Montana, 17-year-old Harper Cassidy has a home. Really, she does! And so does her sister, Lil. But since all they’ve ever done is skip across the Pacific Northwest from town to town, following her mom’s every desire from Montana to California, it’s been getting harder and harder to feel rooted anywhere.

Until tragedy strikes. And, before she knows it, Harper is... free. Free to go home to Montana and return to a stability she never had. Only, there are several problems standing in her way.

First, she has to create a stable life for her and her seven-year-old sister. Second, she has to do it alone. And third, worst of all, she has to keep her mother’s absence a secret from the people she grew up with: her grandfather, her aunt, and him, the boy.

Andy Madden is Harper’s best friend, and the answer to her aching loneliness, but he is also the threat to containing the secret that her life depends on. A secret that seems just a little too heavy for any one person to keep.

Read an Excerpt

Your name is Andy, and you’re a city boy. You’ve never dressed like one, but the reason how I know is because you’ve always dreamed like one. You stay up late on cloudy nights because you’ve always said they look like city skies, and you love city skies, even though you’ve never even been to the city in your life except for once in New York with your mom when you were seven. It was loud and you loved it. She held your hand on the streets and you gripped it. The air smelled like hundreds of different things at once and somehow, you could manage to breathe it in.

About the Author:

At just eighteen years old, Taiya Collier is already making a name for herself as an author. The Austin-native has set her sights on creating age inclusivity within young adult fiction and shattering the notion that writing about teen life can only be done by middle-aged writers who lack true understanding of the experience. She's published four books so far, each filled with riveting storylines sure to enthrall readers from start to finish! By inspiring other teens towards authorship, she hopes to build up a new generation of YA novelists capable of capturing accurate accounts of today’s youth culture. Taiya is currently attending college full time while continuing to write as often as she can. Her recent works explore themes of identity, strength, growth, and resilience in young adulthood—all of which are important aspects of her journey as a writer. In addition to writing her own stories, Taiya is also involved in various literary events and speaking engagements throughout the year. As an advocate for literary inclusion, she uses these opportunities to spread awareness about the importance of diverse representation on all platforms.

Website: http://www.taiyacollier.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/authortaiyacollier
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJJF1XZ5

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My Best Friend Athena by Dana Hammer

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dana Hammer will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

I really disliked children’s literature, so I didn’t read any of the typical Sweet Valley High/Babysitters Club/Narnia stuff. I mostly read Stephen King, John Saul, Edgar Allen Poe, and VC Andrews. In retrospect, some of that stuff was probably not appropriate, but it’s what I liked. And I’m pretty much fine.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

I’m currently reading a romantic comedy called Would You Rather?. It’s about a young woman who marries her friend to get his health insurance, because she needs a kidney transplant, and wants to go back to school full time, and can’t keep her job. It’s a only marriage of convenience, because they’re JUST FRIENDS. I wonder what will happen! So far it’s a pretty fun read, and I’m enjoying it a lot. I’m also reading a book about stalking called The Book of You. It’s the opposite of Would You Rather — the tone is scary, serious, and sad. It makes me want to tell everyone I know that if they have a stalker, TELL ME. I will be your stalker buddy, and come with you to the grocery store and the bank and whatever. You don’t have to deal with it alone! But I don’t think I know anyone who’s currently being stalked, so this kind of feels like an empty offer.

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

Dear Dana,

1) Snickers bars are not a healthy lunch.
2) Mozzarella sticks and coke are not a healthy breakfast.
3) Don’t go to that expensive private college you’re thinking of going to — it’s not for you, and you will transfer out after one year, much poorer, and not better educated.
4) Make better romantic choices.
5) Take all those bumper stickers off your car — you think they’re funny, but they make you look like trash.

What reality show would you like to be on?

I don’t know if it counts as a reality show, but I’d like to be on “Is It Cake?” I am really, really good at knowing if it’s cake. I would win every time.

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

1) Ignatius J. Reilly, from A Confederacy of Dunces. Not because I want to be friends with him — I don’t — but I think he would be very amusing to hang out with — once. I want him to play his lute for me, and I want to hear his thoughts on 2023 TV shows.

2) Arturo Binewski, from Geek Love. I mean…he’s a circus freak who starts a cult that makes people cut off their limbs. How could I not want to meet someone like that? That dude has some stories, and some fascinating thoughts in his head.

3) Bertha, the mad wife from Jane Eyre. I mean, was she even mad? Or was she just inconvenient? But let’s say she was totally insane — the woman needed help, not to be locked in an attic. I would feed her, and get her any psychiatric care she needed.

4) Jamie Fraser, from Outlander. I don’t feel like this needs explanation.

Fanny Fitzpatrick has the coolest best friend ever. Athena is smart, and pretty, and brave, and kind. Fanny loves her friend, but sometimes, she feels a little jealous of how perfect Athena is.

But even “perfect” girls make mistakes, and Athena makes a big one when she accidentally turns the school bully into a cockroach. He was picking on their friend Gemma and Athena lost her temper and her magic powers just slipped out right in front of Fanny.

Now Fanny knows that Athena isn’t an ordinary girl – she’s the reincarnation of a Greek goddess, powers and all – and now she needs Fanny and Gemma’s help to hunt down the bully-turned-cockroach and turn him back into a human boy.

Fanny doesn’t want to spend all her time looking for a cockroach. She’s got the Junior Miss Super Pretty Pageant to prepare for, if she can get over her stage fright. Besides, Athena’s Dad, Zeus, has forbidden the girls from meddling with any more cockroaches or magic, and Zeus is a god you don’t want to mess with.

Fanny has to make a choice. Should she pursue her pageant dreams, or risk Zeus’ wrath to find the cockroach-boy? What’s the right thing to do? And how do you hunt down a cockroach anyway?

Read an Excerpt

By the time I get home, everyone in town knows about Daniel’s disappearance, including my mom, which explains why she grabs me as soon as I walk in the door, like I’ve just returned from war or something. She hugs me so tightly I’m pretty sure it damages my intestines. “Honey, I’m so glad you’re home. Where were you?”

“Athena’s. Remember? I told you where I was gonna be.”

“A boy’s gone missing! I had no idea where you were! I was terrified.”

This is what happens when a kid goes missing. Your mom completely forgets about any conversations you had earlier in the day, because all she can think about is the fact that a kid is missing, and it scrambles her brains.

“I’m sorry you were worried, Mom. But...um...a boy’s gone missing, you say?”

I’m such a bad actress.

“Yes! It’s all over the news. I got an amber alert just a few minutes ago. His name was Daniel Doyle. I think they said he went to your school. Do you know this boy?”

I panic inside. What am I supposed to say? “Yeah, I know him, and he’s a total douche-nozzle, and Athena turned him into a cockroach, but it’s ok. We’re working on it.”

No. I can not say that to my mom. Instead, I will deny everything.

“No.”

“Really?”

I can tell that my mom doesn’t believe me. She has that skeptical look on her face that she gets when I lie. Probably because I’m a terrible liar. I can’t look her in the eyes, and my face turns bright red. It’s the worst.

About the Author:

Dana Hammer is a novelist, screenwriter and playwright. She has won over forty awards and honors for her writing, few of which generated income, all of which were deeply appreciated. She is not a cannibal, but she is the author of A Cannibals Guide to Fasting. Dana is also the author of middle grade fantasy My Best Friend Athena which was inspired by a desire to write something her 9 year old daughter could read.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dana-Hammer-Author-Page-1707631229449685
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10794904.Dana_Hammer
Website: https://www.danahammer.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Friend-Athena-Dana-Hammer-ebook/dp/B0BHH74MNM/

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The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper by S.M. Morgan

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. S.M. Morgan will be awarding a Kindle Paperwhite, a signed Hardback cover of the book and a featured character spot in our next Bud Wiper story to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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

There are a few reasons why I write juvenile fiction. The first is that I love writing stories that are fast-paced and full of action. These types of stories, to me, are the most engaging for younger readers. Another reason is that I want to write stories that inspire readers; there is just something about young minds and imagination that just isn't there in other age brackets. Finally, writing stories that reflect our world's diversity is essential. I want to write stories that feature characters from all walks of life so that young people can see themselves represented in the books they read.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

I have always loved reading, and as a child, some of my favorite books were the Harry Potter series, the Chronicles of Narnia, and the Percy Jackson series. I loved getting lost in these magical worlds, and they were all such well-written stories that I could not put them down. I still enjoy reading them now, and they hold a special place in my heart. I just introduced my daughter to Harry Potter, which excited me!

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

Since I was a kid, I've always loved making up stories. I would create entire worlds and characters in my head, and I loved getting lost in my own imagination. It was only natural that I wanted to become a fiction author when I grew up.

I loved reading books as a kid, and I would often imagine myself as the characters in the stories. I would put myself in their shoes and think about how I would react in their situations. This is one of the things that I think makes me a good writer today – I'm able to empathize with my characters and understand their motivations.

Another reason I wanted to become a fiction author when I was a kid was because I loved the idea of creating something that didn't exist before. I would often daydream about coming up with the next great novel or movie, and it was always so exciting to think about.

Fiction writing is something that I'm passionate about, and it's something that I've always been drawn to. Even as a kid, I could see myself doing this for the rest of my life. It's a career that I'm truly passionate about, and I can't imagine doing anything else.

Coal or candy in your Christmas stocking? Why?

Candy, of course! But funny story, it is a tradition that my wife and kids go to my mom's on Christmas Eve. My sister and niece are always present, so while walking up to the house, I noticed some black rocks(broken asphalt), so I snatched them up, and inside the house, I placed them into a little gift bag, one for my daughter and one for my niece. I then explained how I wanted them to open these gifts first because Santa sent them directly to me for them to open. I may also have something about the first gift of Christmas (The Polar Express was watched daily during that time). The two kids were so confused and sad when they opened up what looked like coal. Good times!

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I saw the movie "Push" with Chris Evans, and I have been completely convinced that teleportation is the absolute best superpower! Money problems. Nope, not now that you zap yourself wearing a mask into a bank vault. Don't even get me started on the benefits of not needing a car or plane. It's the perfect solution for a low-laying superhero to have.

What book is on your nightstand currently?

Right now I am half-way through The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I am loving his prose. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

My favorite has to be Are You Afraid of The Dark. It came on Nickelodeon and I loved it! I also watched The X-Files with my dad a lot.

"Help!! My head is being lowered into the swirling vortex of a toilet!”

My name is Teddy, and I’m in the 6th grade. It’s my first day at a different school, and so far, the only person I know is Zane, the school bully. I was just your everyday kid trying to stay off everyone’s radar, but when I met my new best friend, Bud Wiper, everything changed.

Bud is a 6th grade millionaire from 60 years ago.

Yep, that’s right, Bud Wiper is a treasure hunter from the 1940’s who left behind his journal full of life and adventure, and even though we’ve never met, I think he might be the only thing that gets me through the 6th grade alive.

The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper is a fantastic story of bravery and friendship, perfect for kids, middle school students, and adults.

Read an Excerpt

Leo jumped out of his car and stood in front of Ramsey. “ This not good, mister. Not good. Tell him, perdoon stary, do it now, or they will surely kill us.”

Give them the book Ramsey,” I said, motioning toward the guard.

on his face and then repeated what Leo had told him to say, “Perdoon Stary.” It sounded— strange hearing it from Ramsey with his American accent.

The guards busted out laughing hysterically. Ramsey turned to Leo. “ What did you make me say? ”

“Old fart,” came a voice in a thick Russian accent.

I turned to see a man that looked like he was in charge step forward. He wore a large rounded bill military cap with a red band and golden emblem around the center. “ Nothing in Russia is private. Now give me the book.”

About the Author:

S.M. Morgan is the author of The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper — A Middle Grade Adventure. He lives in East Texas with his wife, daughter, and son, and when not writing potty humor for kids, he is trying to get alone to read more mystery adventure stories.

When the real world calls him to be social, he can be found canoeing with his family or trying to convince his wife to watch action movies.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B097531BSQ/about
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7076975.S_M_Morgan
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Journals-Bud-Wiper-Adventure-ebook/dp/B08YNJKFFD?ref_=ast_sto_dp
Barnes and Nobles: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-journals-of-bud-wiper-sm-morgan/1139735498
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1583880148
Website: https://budwiper.com

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Laurel's Marvelous Kingdom by Monique Roy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Monique Roy will be awarding a free hard copy of Laurel's Marvelous Kingdom to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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

I write juvenile fiction because I want to create meaningful and entertaining stories for children to help them get excited to read and to teach them something about the world.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

Any books by Judy Blume! She wrote amazing stories that made reading fun and enjoyable. She really knew how to write books that captured young readers and their interests.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

I love dark chocolate! I also could eat a whole bag of Twizzlers.

What superpower would you love to have? Why?

I would want to be a super healer. I could cure my ailments and injuries, help my family with injuries, illnesses, and diseases, and help the rest of the world. I could help people with life-threatening disease.

Favorite hot beverage. Why?

I love hot tea. When you drink tea, it is relaxing and so good for you. It is great to curl up with a good book and nice cup of warm tea.

Ideal summer vacation.

A month-long holiday at a beautiful beach in the Caribbean. I want to float around in calm, turquoise waters and let the sun kiss my face.

One stormy night, a wicked witch kidnaps the kingdom's two princesses in an attempt to turn them against each other. Now, Prince Falcon must save the princesses before one of them turns evil.

Read an Excerpt

Princess Laurel and her younger sister, Princess Astrid, live peacefully and happily in a marvelous Kingdom.

All is well until the wicked witch stirs up chaos and kidnaps Princess Astrid.

Now, it will take more than Laurel's tree-growing superpowers to rescue Astrid.

With the help of a handsome prince, Laurel rides into the dark forest to find Astrid.

But it turns out that Astrid is jealous of Laurel's superpowers and has teamed up with the witch to reap havoc on the kingdom.

Laurel must convince Astrid to abandon her evil ways and return to goodness-before Astrid and the old hag ruin everything with their mayhem.

This fairy tale for early readers will enliven the imagination of children with a magical adventure.

The story teaches that we are all extraordinary, and that we should appreciate and respect the uniqueness of others.

About the Author:

Monique's passion for writing began as a young girl while penning stories in a journal. Now she looks forward to deepening her passion by creating many unique stories that do nothing less than intrigue her readers.

Monique holds a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and is the author of a middle-grade book Once Upon a Time in Venice, historical fiction novel Across Great Divides, and historical fiction novel A Savage Kultur.

Monique was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and her grandparents were European Jews who fled their home as Hitler rose to power. It’s their story that inspired her to write Across Great Divides, her first historical novel.

She resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and son. She also works as a freelance writer.

Website: http://www.monique-roy.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laurels-Marvelous-Kingdom-Monique-Roy-ebook/dp/B095CGDWM8
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonWriter1

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The Secret of Alviton by L.V. Clark

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L.V. Clark will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

Fantasy!! Dragons, elves, magic, sword fights, romance! Dragon Chronicles, The Kiesha'ra of the Den of Shadows, and Hunger Games.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

Lemon bars and peppermint patties! Basically any baked lemon sweet and chocolate/peppermint combination

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

Oof! Tough question! To my sixteen year old self, I'd tell her to stick to your guns! Don't doubt yourself so much. You have got so much in you and you are going to do the things you put your mind to. Just stick to who you are!

Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?

For action and intigue- Hunger Games. For romance- Twilight. But as an adult, I noticed some toxic traits that were portrayed as "romantic" in Twilight series. Still super well written though! You could really feel the romance in how it was written, but the actual characters were a bit toxic.

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

Oh my gosh, Saoirse!!! I know in the first book, Saoirse is just barely introduced, but she is INCREDIBLE! Like I would love to meet her and become her best friend.

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

A house, two more dogs, pay off my parent's student debt, a mountain cabin near a lake, a hundred acres of a forest with trails, and all the delicious food I can buy.

Playlist for your current book.

The book I just finished publishing-

Drown- Front Porch Step
Anywhere but here- Mayday Parade
Could have been Me- The Struts (for the final battle scene!)
All I want- A Day to Remember

The sequel ;)

Drown- Bring me the Horizon (funny how it has the same song title)
Shadows- Red
Go to Hell- Go Radio
Falling Down- Atreyu
Ashley- Escape the Fate

Who was your teenaged crush? Why?

I'll amend that question to my teenage 'celebrity crush' since I don't want to say the name of the guy I crushed on so hard in middle and/or High school, haha.

Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp (from the movie Crybaby), Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic), and Jeremy Sumpter

Alviton was a strong, prospering country, full of light. The people worked side by side with the Fae, creatures blessed with magic. But that was before the war. Massive genocide and fear of the Fae touched everyone as brother turned against brother. Years later, and still reeling from the war, the new generation has clawed and connived to remove the stains left by their predecessors.

Sheltered from this reality, Nydia lives her life relatively happy and ignorant, surrounded by smoke and mirrors. But eventually glass shatters and smoke settles. As she struggles to unveil the truth about herself and the people around her, danger lies on the horizon, threatening to extinguish the small flicker of light in this dark and twisted country.

Read an Excerpt

“One day, the attacks from the west stopped. King Bast had won the war, by killing nearly a third of his subjects. But he still had thousands of children imprisoned all over the country because they couldn’t prove their heritage or where they came from. So, he gave them all the title, raspot, and put them into slavery as a ‘mercy.’”

“That’s horrible… but why are there raspots today? If those children no longer pose a threat, why continue with the enslavement of children?”

I asked. “Because of greed. After King Bast won the war, he used the raspots as a slave army to conquer the surrounding lands. His court and the regional officials saw the benefit of free labor and were all too quick to justify the enslavement of raspots as a form of protection of our lands.”

I paused to absorb all of the information and consider what she told me. “You don’t think… I-I mean, Nydia. Sh-she’s not a…”

I stuttered. “I’m technically not saying anything, but something you must know is that she is being sent a pendant that she must wear at all times. When she emits that light, it acts like a homing beacon to very dark and deadly forces that have killed so many already. The pendant should subdue it.”

My breathing shortened as her words hung in the air. “What kind of dark forces?”

“We aren’t entirely sure. We are concerned that these dark forces are similar to the ones that started attacking us over sixty years ago. That’s why we are bringing in a friend of yours, actually. Taj is the best at reading the ancient language.”

About the Author: Clark has had this story in their head for over a decade, and they finally got it on paper. Clark used their other hobbies—weight lifting and crocheting—to help develop ideas and work through any blocks. They grew up in the south of the United States with their large family. Clark is happily married with two sweet dogs and an apathetic ball python.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Expect more to the story!

WEBSITE: http://www.LVClarkauthor.com
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/lvclarkauthor

AMAZON.COM: https://amazon.com/dp/0228883172
BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-of-alviton-lv-clark/1142525851
BOOK DEPOSITORY: https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Secret-of-Alviton-L-V-Clark/9780228883173

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