Queen of Likes by Hillary Homzie

Join us in the all as we visit with Hillary Homzie, author of QUEEN OF LIKES. There's a Rafflecopter at the end of the post for a chance to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC!

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

I write juvenile fiction because when I was younger I had a passion for making up stories, as well as reading them. But my greatest joy was as a storyteller. I write for children and tweens as attempt to reconnect with that joyful inner child. I feel like the stories that I read as a child inform me now as an adult, and I want to write those stories that influence a child's development and perception of the world.

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

In Karma Cooper's locker you would see her textbooks stacked at the top shelf. There would be a pre-algebra textbook as well as the book she's reading for language arts. On a hook below there would be a sweatshirt. She has forgotten to bring it home and it's been in her locker for a couple of weeks. There's also a couple of candy bar wrappers that she needs to throw away but hasn't yet. She also has a magnet frames on the inside with a photo of her dog and a photo of her best friend.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

My favorite books growing up were A Secret Garden and A Wrinkle in Time. I love how A Secret Garden introduces a disagreeable child who we come to love. Her transformation in the book is extraordinary, and I loved how she found the secret garden that like her had been neglected. As she tends the garden she blossoms as a person. It's a book full of hope and transformation. I also really loved A Wrinkle in Time. I like how the main character is a bit fearful, doesn't have a lot of confidence is a bit of an introvert and yet she becomes a heroine who goes on an extraordinary journey to rescue those she loves.

What's your favorite sweet treat?

My favorite sweet treat is caramel corn. I'm a big fan of popcorn so when you throw something sweet on top of it, I'm a pretty happy person.

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

I would tell myself not to yearn to be something that I'm not. For example, I wouldn't look at girls who, like my younger sister, were really gifted at lacrosse and wish that I were on the lacrosse team. Or look at with envy my friend’s long silky blonde hair and watch her get asked to slow dance at a middle school dance and wish if only I could look like her I would find happiness. Instead, I would say--celebrate what it is that you love and know that that's OK-- it's more than OK ---it's marvelous.

Here's what the book is about:

Like everyone at Merton Middle School, Karma Cooper’s smartphone is almost another body part. She’s obsessed with her LIKES on Snappypic. When her parents shut down her social media account and take away her smartphone, Karma’s whole world crumbles. She has to figure out what she actually likes and how to live life fully unplugged. This book will jumpstart conversations about how social media is changing the ways tweens are growing up.

Here's an excerpt from the book:

“So we’re come up with a new punishment,” says Dad. “Something that will get your attention.”

Dad looks at Mom and Mom looks at Dad and I can tell that they are a united front against me. “We’re going to close your Snappypic account,” states Dad.

“What?” My stomach dips as if I’ve just dropped from highest part of a roller coaster. I want to flop against the nearest car in the parking lot. “You can’t do that. It’s my account. It’s private. You can’t.” Every day, I get smiley faces and hearts and balloons and LIKES. All of the time. Waking up and not being able to se what my followers are up to? Being totally cut off like that? My parents might as well send me to Antarctica because I’m going to be frozen out of everything. “This must be some kind of hallucination,” I say. “The parents I know would never do this to me!”

“Karma, I’m sorry,” says Mom. “But I think you are over-reacting. You knew the rules.”

“Please.” I clasp my hands together. “Please, please. Please. I’ll do anything. I’ll babysit Toby as much as you want. I’ll clean the house every single day. I’ll make dinner I’ll—”

“It’s a final decision,” says Dad.

“But I’m like… a professional. I have more followers than some companies.”

“Exactly our point, Karma,” says Mom. “You’re not a company. You’re our daughter and still a kid. And I don’t really love this obsession of yours.”

The parking lot is practically spinning. “You just don’t want me to grow up!” I fling up my arms. “Please,” I beg. “Don’t do this.”

Here's the author's bio:

Hillary is the author of the tween novel, THE HOT LIST (Simon & Schuster/M!X) which Booklist says “captures the angst of young teen friendships and fragile identities.” She’s also the author of the middle grade novel, THINGS ARE GONNA GET UGLY (Simon & Schuster/M!X), a Justice Book-of-the-Month, which was just optioned by Priority Pictures, and the forthcoming QUEEN OF LIKES (Simon & Schuster/Aladdin M!X, April 2016), which is about social media, as well as the humorous chapter book series, ALIEN CLONES FROM OUTER SPACE (Simon & Schuster/Aladdin), a Children's Book-of-the-Month Best Books for Children. Emmy-nominated Suppertime Entertainment developed the books to become an animated television series and it was sold to ABC Australia. Hillary’s young adult fiction has been published in TEEN MAGAZINE and anthologized (MUDDVILLE DIARIES, Avon Books). She has sold non-fiction and fiction projects to Klutz Press/Scholastic Books, The Learning Company and John Muir Books. With her frequent writing partner, Steven Arvanites, she has had film projects developed by Brooklyn Weaver’s Energy Entertainment. Hillary got her start performing and writing sketch comedy Off-Broadway, and was a Heideman Playwrighting Award Finalist. Hillary holds a master's degree in education from Temple University and a master’s of arts degree from Hollins University in children's literature and writing. Currently, she’s a visiting professor of children’s literature and writing at Hollins University.

http://www.hillaryhomzie.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/HillaryHomzie
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hillary.homzie
Here's where you can buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Likes-mix-Hillary-Homzie/dp/1481445219
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-of-likes-hillary-homzie/1122088367
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481445214
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781481445214
Here's a link to the song QUEEN OF LIKES which was written just for the book. It’s a wonderful song. https://soundcloud.com/ari-eisenberg/queen-of-likes



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Cursed by Christina Bauer - Spotlight and Giveaway

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

Most days, Elea couldn’t care less about having Necromancer magick. Who needs to conjure skeletons and sprits when you’re a farm girl? Elea only uses her powers to speed up chores and scare off suitors.

Everything changes when the evil Necromancer Tsar curses Elea. Now, she only has five years left before she burns as a ghost, tortured for all eternity. They say there’s nothing she can do, but Elea disagrees. She decides to embrace her Necromancer powers, train as a magickal assassin, and kill the Tsar… All before his curse kills her. Impossible as it may sound, Elea thinks she has it in the bag, but then everything goes horribly wrong.

That’s when a handsome mage named Rowan steps up to help. Elea wants an ally, but she doesn’t need all the mixed-up feelings that come along with Rowan’s crooked smile.

An assassination mission is no time to fall in love, but Elea’s heart may have other ideas…

Enjoy an excerpt:

“Hello, girlie.” Wyatt took a half-step closer, his gaze locked onto my breasts. I had the sudden urge to vomit.

I hefted my mallet again, hoping he’d take the hint not to come any nearer. “Elea. My name’s Elea.”

“Didn’t I say that?”

“Nope.” I adjusted my grip to show my glowing bones. “Why are you here?”

“Some monk had a letter for you. Thought I’d help out.” He slipped an envelope from his pocket. I recognized the seal right away—it was from Tristan’s old Monastery, the one where he’d trained as Necromancer. He’d given that all up to become a merchant. Why would they write me of all people?

“Thank you.” I reached for the letter, but Wyatt pulled it away. “Not so quickly. I want to talk.”

Now, we get to it.

“So talk.” My bones glowed more brightly as my swing took on extra power.

Thud.

Wyatt jumped when the hammer hit. I grinned.

“You’ve grown into a lovely young woman, Elea. Eighteen years old, only ten years younger than me.” Wyatt clutched his hand to his chest the way that characters did in badly drawn illustrations of courtly love. “You’re tall and fit with hair black as a raven’s wing, smooth olive skin, and whiskey-colored eyes. A man could spend a lifetime looking at your sweet face.”

I stared at him, slack jawed. Whiskey-colored? Did he really say that?

Wyatt’s blue eyes narrowed slightly and he pursed his lips as if ready for my kiss.

Oh, no.

“Come now, Wyatt. Ever since the courts ruled in my favor, I’ve had suitors darkening my door day and night.”

Wyatt shook his head in surprise. He was really playing this up. “That’s not true. You’re a lovely maiden. The finding of the court is merely a coincidence. I’ve been hoping to be sweethearts for ages.”

“Sweethearts. Truly.” I smacked my lips. “For ages.”

“Of course.”

I gripped my mallet tighter and imagined it was his neck.

About the Author:Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. An avowed girl geek, Christina loves creating immersive fantasy worlds with action, adventure, romance, and kick-ass female protagonists. As part of her work in Ink Monster, Christina has co-developed the ‘Heroine’s Journey,’ a blueprint for telling female myths inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and golden retriever Ruby.

Publisher's Author Page: http://inkmonster.net/blog/category/christina
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBauer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CB_Bauer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_cb_bauer/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/546812.Christina_Bauer

Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo.

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Interview with Patricia Grasher, author of MY DOG CAN FLY

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Patricia Grasher will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC 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 loved reading as a child and that first fascination has stayed with me. I love the young age group because they are open to almost anything. Magical, fantasy or true life the possibilities are endless.

I still read lots of books in the age group I write for simply because I enjoy them.

What’s your favorite sweet treat?

Definitely ice-cream. Dairy Queen’s Peanut Buster Parfait to be exact. With 710 calories it’s not something that I have very often. Not even once a year but it is yummy delicious. If I could have a second it would be a frozen yogurt chocolate swirl from Costco. And if I could have a third (I like sweets) it would be a couple of chocolate chip cookies. Did I say a couple? I always plan that way not usually how it ends up.

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

Does your dog fly? Maybe you don’t really know. Perhaps they turn invisible when they take off. That would make them much more difficult to tell.

Favorite hot beverage. Why?

It changes but this year my favorite is Green tea with mint and a bit of honey. The green tea gives a bit of energy that is a nice pick-up and the mint sort of zings in my mouth with a refreshing wake-up. I don’t always take it with honey – but the sweet is nice as well.

Ideal summer vacation.

A week or two on the Oregon Coast with some of my brothers and sisters. We have done it a couple of times and it was crazy fun. I love getting together with my family with or without their kids. At Waldport, Oregon, the sea lions spend a lot of time on the beach with their young ones and it is fun to walk by and see them. You can actually get quite close before they take to the water.

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

Well, definitely Aminta. Aminta is a guardian dog – sort of like an Angel. She can fly and turn invisible and is very smart. I’m sure she would find a way to get me off of that island in no time.

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

One dream I have had is to open a half-way house for women coming out of addiction rehabilitation. Not a large house perhaps for 5-10 women for low income who could stay up to a year for getting their lives back in order. I have gone through rehab myself and it takes a long time to get turned around.

Favorite class in high school. Why?

Poetry. I actually loved this class so much that I asked if I could take it again and was allowed even though I got an A the first time. When I was in the third grade that is what I wanted to be when I grew up. A poet. I sort of fell in love with "The Owl and the Pussy Cat went to Sea" and was hooked after that. Both of my parents liked poetry and that definitely played a part in my love for it.

When a mysterious cave is found by ten year old Michael and his cousin Emma they are excited. But the cave is not an ordinary cave and the hidden secrets inside that cave are more than they bargained for.

Michael and Emma soon find themselves involved in a dangerous series of events that cause them to join forces with the hidden cave dwellers in order to order to rescue a small boy with a huge secret.



Enjoy an excerpt:

Do not be afraid. Caden grabbed tighter onto Aminta’s fur as they sailed through the midnight sky of a thousand stars. Do not be afraid. He closed his eyes and whispered the words again as he buried his face into the warm and heavily furred, ruff of the dog’s neck.

It wasn’t working.

He was afraid.

From the minute, he had been grabbed in the night by silent strangers he had been afraid. A rough hand had smothered his mouth with a cloth so he wouldn’t scream but he had struggled and tried so hard to cry because he was, no matter what his mom had told him. Afraid.

He was safe now though. For the moment. Big dog had saved him. His mom had told him he would, that he should not be afraid. But it was hard not to be afraid.

What if they found him again?

About the Author:

Patricia Grasher is my pen name for the series, My Dog Can Fly. It’s my pretend name. The name I write when I enter a world of magic and adventure. Where anything can happen and often does.

I am now doing what I have always wanted to do. Write books for children. Like Peter Pan a certain part of me has ‘refused to grow up’ and writing allows the fantasy to bloom and grow. My first book, My Dog Can Fly will be out in March 2016. Getting close!

In my ho-hum real life my name is Patricia Proctor. I live in Vancouver, Washington with a giant big dog named Andre who plows through the house and expects everyone to step aside because he is coming through. Pudge my little dog who wants to be first but realizes this is not always possible around Andre. (He squeals if Andre gets too close as he has been run over a few times too many.) And finally there is my cat, Buddy. He is really the brains of the outfit. Being smart he waits until the thundering herd (my nickname for Andre) passes through and then pretty much does whatever he wants. Sleep, chase squirrels, fights off other cats who dare to trespass into his yard, etc.

Looking back in time I have done a number of silly and amazing things. I spent four years in the U.S. Navy as a Cryptologic technician, getting into all sorts of trouble in Iceland and Germany before being sent back to the United States and told to be a good sailor. Straighten up and sail right. Which I sort of did. After my service was over I bummed around for a couple of years and then joined a monastery in Spokane, Washington. I was a nun for 30 years living a good life with some wonderful sisters. I published 5 books, ran a full time AM radio station from the fourth floor and had a large internet ministry that was recognized at one point by USA Today. I actually managed to live a pretty active life for a contemplative nun.

My life changed in 2009 when things inside my head and outside no longer seemed to fit. I went through a lot of counseling and came up with the decision that being a nun was no longer the best for me. In 2011 I was officially give the okay from Rome to return to lay life. My time in the monastery was wonderful it just wasn’t for forever. God does call us to new adventures all the time. My latest adventure is writing this children’s action fantasy book.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/patriciagrasher
Website: http://www.ayearwithjohnkremer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Patricia-Grasher/100010245673512

The book is FREE on Amazon.

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Hunters of the Dream by Ingrid Koivukangas

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ingrid Koivukangas will be awarding an Eco Heart Oracle Deck valued at $38 US, (the Eco Heart Oracle is an integral part of the Hunters of the Dream trilogy) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour (International Giveaway). Click on the banner for more chances to enter.

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

I have loved reading since I can remember. I was deeply impacted by books that I read when I was growing up – as an adult too. I wanted to be able to create and share views of the world, seen and unseen, through storytelling.

What books were your favorite as a youth and why?

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Lord of the Rings, Dragonlance novels…I loved books that transported me to a magical world filled with adventure and challenges to overcome.

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

Astronaut, aka: StarTrek – wow, who wouldn’t want to go exploring where no man has gone before?!
Archaeologist, aka: Indiana Jones – more exploring!
Librarian - I loved books and it seemed like the best place to be, where the books are
Writer - I loved words and using them to make up stories
Musician - I love music and wrote songs when I was younger
Artist – I loved creating things and working with all kinds of mediums

What book is on your nightstand currently?

A few including, The Biology of Bees by Mark Winston, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, The Flower Farmer by Lynn Byczynski, The Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier and more!

Favorite TV show from your childhood?

StarTrek! I loved that they were exploring new worlds and learning about new beings, while overcoming incredible odds and danger. Boldly going where no man has gone before! Loved it.

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

Aurora's a normal teen, then a long-silent Oracle awakens in response to the Darkness. Will she find courage to lead Hunters of the Dream?

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

Beaumont Seabring. He has a time traveling 15th C carrack sailing ship!

Favorite class in high school. Why?

English class. Especially creative writing–it was like not doing schoolwork, and homework was a joy.

When the summer holidays begin, Aurora thinks she’s just a normal teenager about to have another boring summer. Then, for her seventeenth birthday, Nana Brin gives her a long-silent Oracle that has been passed down through their family for generations. The mysterious Oracle soon awakens in response to the creeping Darkness that is escaping and destroying all worlds. Aurora must quickly find the courage to come to terms with her calling as the Huntress of the Dream.

Check out this excerpt:

The cards rustled, shifting in their dusty threadbare bag. They had lain dormant, forgotten, for generations. The Oracle woke slowly, like a hound sniffing the wind, trying to catch the scent of what had disturbed it, before calling forth a warning. The Oracle bristled. Attuned to the subtle vibrations of the Worlds it sensed a shifting in the balance of energy. The Darkness was once again pulsing, sending out tendrils of elusive gloom. It too had lain waiting, patiently. Over time it had slowly gained power, recruiting those it could ensnare with its black promises. It could not yet escape from the confines of the agreement reached during the Great Darkness...but soon the winds would shift and change. Fully awake, the Oracle began to cast out its own response, filaments of white light unfurling, in a quest to find the Huntress before the Darkness did.

About the Author:

Ingrid Koivukangas, BFA, MFA, is an award winning environmental artist, writer, designer, Reiki Master and educator.

As an artist Ingrid works intuitively at sites creating new works in response to sites and their energies and histories both natural and human. Her work encompasses many media including site specific ephemeral, large scale public works, writing, video, photography, sound, web, sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking.

Ingrid's artworks have been exhibited in Canada, the USA, Europe and Asia. She's been featured as an artist in residence on CBC-TV; has had numerous gallery exhibitions; has many site specific ephemeral works left in situ and large scale permanent public art projects.

Ingrid's artworks have been included in many publications and books including: Art in Action: Nature, Creativity and Our Collective Future, published by the Natural World Museum and the United Nations Environmental Programme and Art + Science Now: How scientific research and technological innovation are becoming key to 21st-century aesthetics by Stephen Wilson, Professor of Conceptual and Information Arts at San Francisco State University. One of her favourite publications to be included in is Scholastic Book's Now See This! Art That Influences.

Ingrid has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with Distinction, from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and a Master of Fine Arts, Environmental Sculpture, from the University of Calgary. You can view her work at: www.ingridkoivukangas.com.

Ingrid lives on Salt Spring Island with her husband Robin, two dogs, Lucy and Scout, and a fierce cat named Hunter.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13548228.Ingrid_Koivukangas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IKoivukangas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HuntersTheDream
Website: http://www.IngridKoivukangas.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hunters-Dream-Book-One-Gathering-ebook/dp/B0194J80JA
Chapters / Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/hunters-of-the-dream-book/9780973632767-item.html

Get a free online Eco Heart Oracle reading: http://bit.ly/FreeEcoHeartOracleReading
Visit the World of Wonder membership site. This site is for Hunters of the Dream readers. Continue exploring the world of Hunters of the Dream: http://bit.ly/EnterAWorldofWonder

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Life on Base: Quantico Cave by Tom and Nancy Wise

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tom and Nancy Wise will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

For Stephen, his life on base is much the same as most other children’s. The difference is in the details. Look both ways before crossing a tank path and be sure to check if the spent bullet casings you find in the long-abandoned trenches are actually empty. Sports stop at the sound of the evening trumpet call as he and his friends stand at attention while the flag is retired. Quantico Cave is a story of friendship and competition, and when Stephen meets up with a friend he once knew at a previous home station, the contest hits a whole new level that places everyone at risk.

Here's an excerpt from the book:

Stephen’s breath hung in the air, white in the early morning sunlight filtering through fresh fog that tangled in the low brambles of the Virginia woods. He hunkered alongside his topographical map, head down, butt planted in the grass. This orienteering challenge was his chance to do what a real Marine can do. His chin was propped on one bent knee that jutted out like a pale, bald mountaintop from his blue jean shorts. He wore his favorite t-shirt, marine drab with a scarlet-red Marine globe and anchor emblazoned on the front. Watching Jimmy from the corner of his eye, Stephen pondered their next move. Get it right. Semper Fi.

Jimmy looked like a deflated balloon as he stood next to Stephen. “We're lost? Oh man. I can’t”

Stephen cut him off quickly. His head wobbled on top of his knee as he muttered, “Nope, we’re not,” without lifting his gaze from the map. “I got this.” And Dad is watching.

“We ain’t?” Jimmy sounded hopeful. His eyes scrunched as he focused hard, trying to see the map folded to their location. “I can’t lose. My Dad’ll kill me.”

“Stop. Alright?” Stephen mustered all the manliness of his twelve years and hoped his voice sounded more confident than he felt. He stole a quick glance toward the shadows. The camo-clad figure that followed the boys’ every move through the woods watched. Stephen tried not to look in that direction. Dad’s watching. He’s counting on you.

“They’re struggling, too.” His head bounced on his knee as he talked. “Look.” His eye, against his will, darted back to the shadow as he pointed to the map with a grubby index finger. “Where the lines come real close,” he said, peering through the blond hair that hung over his eyes. “Remember?”

About the Authors:Tom and Nancy Wise are award-winning authors. Their first novel, The Borealis Genome, is the grand- prize winner of the Chanticleer Book Reviews Dante Rossetti 2013 Award for YA Novels and Award Lab Lit Category. Thomas grew up in a military family moving from base to base as the child of a Marine, living the life of an officer's brat in times of war while Nancy was raised the youngest child of a WWII veteran. When not working together on their novels, Tom teaches at University and authors articles on project management topics and nonfiction books published by Gower Publishing in the UK.

https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Nancy-Wise-678608352235570/
http://www.authorthomaspwise.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bxsiPspN0g
https://twitter.com/BorealisGenome
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Base-Tom-Nancy-Wise-ebook/dp/B018N4HK7K

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The Mapkeeper and the Rise of the Wardens by Katie Cash

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Katie Cash will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A teenage girl in future North America discovers that she is heir to a magical map which transports her to another world called Praxis, where her position as Mapkeeper is held in high regard. She is expected to learn to use the map’s magic to help the creatures of Praxis defend their homeland against the dark magic of the Wardens, a group of ancient beings whose magic is stirring again after centuries of peace.

Read an excerpt:

The walk to school was gorgeous and still. The gentlest snowfall drifted from the gray sky, dusting last night’s snowfall with a fresh final layer of fluff. The padding of snow muffled the sounds of the small town coming to life.

To Lucy’s surprise, there was a large crowd of townspeople gathered around Frostbite High when it came into sight. They spilled into the parking lot, cramming themselves against one another, trying to get a view of someone or something at the center of the outdoor courtyard. Lucy’s curiosity was piqued—nothing interesting ever happened at Frostbite.

“What’s going on?” Luke asked.

“I don’t know… I don’t remember any of the teachers saying there would be an event on Monday,” Mack replied.

The Barnes siblings quickened their pace. The low murmur of excited voices emanated from the crowd. People pointed toward the center of the courtyard and stood on tip-toes to get a better view. An inexplicable apprehension formed somewhere deep within Lucy’s stomach.

The siblings weaved through several parked snow mobiles and reached the edge of the crowd in the parking lot. They shouldered their way in until they had a clear view of the courtyard. There was a group of people seated in high-backed chairs on stage, but Lucy couldn’t make out their faces.

“Who are they?” Mack asked a man who was squeezed up against him.

“It’s Mr. Quincy and his staff!” the gray-bearded man muttered. “He’s supposed to make some special announcement, just for us here in Aglid.” The man’s eyes darkened with mistrust.

About the Author: Katie Cash is an active duty military officer who lives in San Diego with her husband and their cat. She enjoys running, surfing, competing in triathlons, and, of course, writing. She also hosts an annual badminton tournament, rides a 150cc Vespa scooter, and plays the cello. She can most often be found exploring new running trails, at the beach, hunkered down writing in a coffee shop, or sampling a new local craft beer at one of San Diego’s many craft breweries.

http://www.katiecashwriting.com
https://twitter.com/the_katiecash
https://www.facebook.com/katiecashwriting?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

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School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino

This review is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Christopher Mannino will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other reviews.

Thrust into a world of men, can a timid girl find bravery as the first female Death?

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail.

Scythes hungry for souls, Deaths who enslave a race of mysterious magicians, and echoes of an ancient war with Dragons.

As her year progresses, Suzie suspects her presence isn't an accident. She uncovers a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths. Now she must also discover the reason she's been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

My Thoughts:

When Suzie finds herself suddenly snatched from her life to enroll in a School of Deaths, she's a bit out of her league. But the bullying and schooling she encounters forces her to draw deep within herself and find a strength she didn't know she possesses.

This is a good book for the middle age crowd. I think the girls can identify with Suzie and will be able to really empathize with some of the experiences she has.

My only complaint is that the book had more of a telling feel to it--it was like watching a TV show. I would have liked to have been drawn in a bit more into the characters. But, the book is well written and the story line itself is very interesting.

There are a few similarities with another popular kids book that shall not be named, but the plot itself is different enough that the book does not feel derivative. I am glad there's going to be a sequel--I look forward to seeing what new adventures are in store for Suzie and her friends.

3.5 stars.

Read an excerpt:

You ready?” asked Billy. He wore a mask over his face, showing only his eyes. He had insisted on covering his face to help the soul feel at ease. If they were transporters, they didn’t want to frighten their passenger.

“You can do this,” said Frank. His calm manner reassured her. He looked at her with his deep brown eyes and freckled face. She nodded and straightened the sleeves of her black robe.

She walked to Hann who stood in the center of the class. He handed her a long scythe, even taller than she was. It was light in her hand; the handle danced with energy. The blade slid through the air like sunlight through water. Life flowed down from the blade, coursing through the handle, sending tingles into her arm. Sweat beaded in her palms and trickled from her forehead.

“Let the scythe do the work,” reminded Hann, “and you’ll be fine.”

She nodded and walked back to her group. She tied herself to Frank and Billy using a tether. Then she held the scythe in her hands and paused.

This was ridiculous. She was a thirteen-year-old girl, a kid from Maryland, holding a scythe. Not some costume piece, but an actual, working scythe. Now she, Suzie, was supposed to Reap a soul. Even her mysteries with Sindril and the Dragon Key suddenly seemed trivial.

“Good luck,” said Frank.

She adjusted her grip and adjusted again. The tingles in the scythe grew stronger, itching her hands and arms. It’s ready. It wants to swing; to do its job. She moved her hands a third time and Frank glanced at Billy. Billy adjusted his mask.

“What’s the matter,” taunted Luc behind her. “Is the little girl scared?”

She clutched the handle and let the blade fall. She hardly moved, but the blade shot downward, slicing air, light, heat, even thought. For an instant, her arm was on fire and the world vanished into darkness.

The smell of strawberries exploded around her as color, form, and details blurred into a single, unending stream of confusion. She heard the sound of screams in the distance, and tears. The scythe pulled her down, down, down between the worlds. She slipped past the twin suns of the In-Between and watched the Mortal World approaching. On the edge of her vision, she glimpsed two bright pools of green fire.

“You grow stronger every day,” said the eyes. “But the greatest challenge is yet to come.”

She tried to turn, but the scythe pulled her onward. She coursed through stars and space, beyond time and emotion. Lighter than a daydream, she slipped through a crevice: the gap between light and shadow. The blade twisted, finding its way.

A face appeared before her: an elderly man she didn’t recognize. Somehow, she sensed a name: Elias Stoneridge.

She landed hard, stumbling as her feet hit a tiled floor. Beads of white light trickled off the blade.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell where she was. She heard beeps and the slow intake of air.

Frank patted her on the shoulder. “You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Remember, don’t let anyone else see us,” said Frank, looking around the hospital room. Certified Deaths received special robes to help avoid mortal eyes. Ironically, the Deaths who’d inspired tales of the Grim Reaper throughout the ages had been students like her. Students and ones who didn’t make it back. She shuddered, remembering her skeletal appearance. It seemed long ago.

A man lay in a bed, connected to an array of tubes and machines. Suzie walked to the foot of his bed and read the name on his chart. “Elias Stoneridge.” The scythe quivered in her hand. The handle pulsed like a beating heart, or was that only her own heartbeat? No, the blade felt the soul, it was hungry.

“It’s his time,” said Frank, patting her on the shoulder. “Quickly, before someone comes.”

Elias’s eyes stared at her, but he seemed to look through her. He gasped for air and the machines behind the bed beeped.

“A nurse is coming,” said Billy, glancing into the hallway. “She’s only a few doors down.”

Suzie didn’t have time to think, but in a way, she didn’t have to. She didn’t even swing; she relaxed her muscles and stopped fighting the scythe. The blade leapt downward, straight through Elias Stoneridge. As it struck the weak stranger, she felt a strange sensation as the blade swam through the soul. For an instant, she swore she heard chewing, not from Elias, but from the blade itself. The scythe continued down through the floor, before swinging around. It pulled on her, jerking her into a stumble.

Elias sat up, his eyes wide with fear. His body lay on the bed and the machine let out a long, droll beep.

The scythe tingled again.

About the Author:

Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet. He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland. In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance and production drama groups. He spends his summers writing and singing. Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University. His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life. His wife, Rachel Mannino, is a romance author at www.RachelMannino.com

Mannino is currently completing The Scythe Wielder's Secret series and is working on several adult novels.

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