Book Blitz: The Star Catcher by Stephanie Keyes

Today we are pleased to participate in a Book Blitz for author Stephanie Keyes' novel The Star Catcher. We did a cover reveal for this title not too long ago (and BOY! It's a stunning cover) and now we get to offer you folks a sneak peek and a giveaway!

The Star Catcher by Stephanie Keyes 

(The Star Child #3) 

Publication date: November 10th 2013 

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Magick and destiny intertwine as he fights to save his kingdom and the goddess he loves.

Her kiss…the feel of her skin…the beat of her heart…For seventeen-year-old Kellen St. James, each memory is marred by a single sentence on a lone strip of paper.

Cali has been taken…

Armed with an amulet that channels the ultimate power of Faerie, Kellen searches for his love. However, control of the amulet’s energy comes with a price, and Kellen soon learns that Cali’s captor has plans for the stone. With the threat of the Star Catcher’s evil looming above Kellen and his kingdom, he’ll have to free the Heart of Faerie and break the curse the binds the Children of Danu to the darkness. But before that, he has to find his real father, the king. No pressure, right?

Kellen and Cali will battle bewitched armies and unknown foes as they fight to stay together. Will Kellen embrace his immortal destiny? Or will his world, and the man he is fated to become, be destroyed by The Star Catcher?

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EXCERPT

“Right.” Automatically, I turned to go right, my usual default.

Don’t use your brain, K. Cast out your senses and search for your father that way. Logic won’t find him. 

“You have a point.” Mortal folklore and beliefs had gotten us this far, but from here on out, I’d need to use my gut. Closing my eyes, I focused on the hallway where I stood, reaching out. My mind crept like a thief, snaking into each open space. Yet no one was there. Otherwise, I would have sensed something. Changing tactics, I shifted my attention to the corridor on my left. Immediately, I received an emotion back—complete and utter happiness—a sensation of fulfillment that went   far beyond what most people experience. Soundlessly, I moved down the hallway, drawn toward the sensation of contentment.

What is it? 

Someone’s happy, I answered with my mind, not wanting to speak the words out loud and give myself away. I could sense the close proximity of the feelings I’d picked up on.

Be careful. It could be a trap.

But as I wandered forward, I got the feeling it wasn’t. I needed to walk this corridor. I’d been waiting my entire life for it. The closer I came to the happiness, filling up the place like a cloud, the more I considered never leaving, staying in this place forever. What could the outside world possibly have to offer? What? Wait a minute. What was that I’d been thinking? Cali was waiting for me. I had to get back to Cali. I pushed forward.

“Willock, is that you?”

I froze. That voice. It was my father’s voice,   not the evil tone I’d become used to over the years with the fake Stephen. Instead, this voice sounded pleasant, welcoming. I had just reached the doorframe when I paused. I had two more steps to take, and I would see my father.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she's still doing the same thing, except now she gets to

share those ideas with readers!

When she's not writing, Stephanie is also a graphic designer, international speaker, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she's best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.

Mrs. Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Business and Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University. She is a member of the Society For Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as a featured author in the global group of writers, Love a Happy Ending.com.

Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child (September 2012) and The Fallen Stars (April 2013), both released by Inkspell Publishing. She is currently hard at work on the third book in the trilogy, The Star Catcher.

Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Guest Post by Stephanie Keyes: Where do Characters Come From?

Where Do Characters Come From?

Have you ever read a book and wondered, “Where did they get the idea for that person?” Let’s face it, there are so many great characters in fiction to choose from and they all bring so much to the table.

In my case, my characters come from a few places:

• Behaviors/Peronality Traits that I’ve seen demonstrated
• Beliefs that I respect

In The Star Child, my debut novel, protagonist, Kellen St. James is a love-starved prodigy. He graduates from Yale at eighteen and is immediately transported from his graduation ceremony into a dream. It was important to me that Kellen demonstrated the following:

• Skepticism
• Intelligence
• Courage
• Problem-solving Skills
• Honor
• Loyalty
• Questioning
• Sensitive, but not over the top
• Romance

Once I had a sense of what shaped the character’s personality, then I could truly start to write in that character’s voice.

One time, I attended a meeting, and a co-worker kept asking questions, repeatedly. It was really starting to frustrate me, because I felt like it was derailing the conversation. Of course, I gave Kellen that personality trait. Ironically, that same colleague read The Star Child and asked if she was the inspiration for that scene. I had to fess up.

About the Book

The world is about to be cloaked in darkness. 
Only one can stop the night.

Kellen St. James has spent his entire life being overlooked as an unwanted, ordinary, slightly geeky kid. That is until a beautiful girl, one who has haunted his dreams for the past eleven years of his life, shows up spinning tales of a prophecy. Not just any old prophecy either, but one in which Kellen plays a key role.

Suddenly, Kellen finds himself on the run through a Celtic underworld of faeries and demons, angels and gods, not to mention a really ticked off pack of hellhounds, all in order to save the world from darkness. But will they make it in time?

Paperback
E-Book

About the Author
Stephanie Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems as well as a Master's in Education. A seasoned, facilitator, Mrs. Keyes worked in Training and Development for an international telecommunications corporation for twelve years; spending the first eight years of her career as a Software Trainer and Technical Writer and the last four working in Human Resources and Employee Development.

In May of 2012, Mrs. Keyes left the corporate world to focus on her family and her writing full-time. She also operates a freelance graphic and instructional design business, Sycamore Road Design.

Inkspell Publishing will release her first novel, The Star Child, on September 21, 2012. She is now currently at work on the second book in The Star Child Trilogy, The Fallen Stars.
Keyes lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two children, and Riley the dog.

Contact Stephanie
Website: www.stephaniekeyes.com
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Keyes/150860604966160
Twitter: www.twitter.com/StephanieKeyes

And remember, there's still a chance to win great prizes!

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Interview with Stephanie Keyes

Today we're hopping on the Star Child blog tour and chatting with author Stephanie Keyes. We also have a giveaway, so be sure to keep reading to the end of the interview.

Welcome, Stephanie. Tell us a bit about yourself. 

Hi, thanks for the welcome and for having me on your site! Let's see, I'm a mother of two boys, both under six, and a wife. I've been married to my husband for eleven years and he's my best friend. When I'm not writing, I'm reading. I always have a book close at hand.

How long have you been writing? 

Ever since I can remember. I can remember sitting on my bed at fourteen with a ruled notebook and scribbling away furiously.

Tell us about STAR CHILD. What’s the story about? 

The story is about a child prodigy, Kellen St. James, who gets approached by a young girl on the beach in Ireland when he's there visiting his Gran. He instantly has this connection to the girl and he feels like she could be his best friend. All he knows about her is her name, Calienta. After prompting his Gran, he finds out that Calienta is something of a local legend. They call her The Star Child, because she lights the stars in the sky at night.

Kellen mostly dismisses it as a dream, but he's never certain. Particularly since he dreams about the same chance encounter over the next eleven years of his life. When Kellen's Gran dies, he travels to Ireland to to take over her estate, having inherited it as her sole heir. Calienta makes a repeat appearance and he finds out that she's just as real as he is. Plus, she's come to tell him about a prophecy in which he plays a key role.

Kellen soon finds himself on the run through an underworld, where all he has to rely on is his photographic memory, book smarts, and his courage...

Sounds awesome! How did the idea of the story come to you?

I just looked out at the stars one night and though "Star Child". Then I began to think about a girl who lit the stars at night. Who was she? What did she want out of life? Ironically, I wrote Kellen before I wrote about her. He just intrigued me.

Are you a planner or a pantser? 

I am a hybrid!I plan for almost everything, but I can throw the plan out the window for a fabulous new idea. I am more than willing to just wing it and see what happens.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you? 

Editing! I love planning it out, writing it, and going through those ideas. However, I just have a hard time with editing because I'm ready to move on. Ha! Fortunately, I had a fantastic editor on this edition of The Star Child, Melissa Keir, who really worked with me and kept on top of me. I know the book is in the best possible shape because Melissa kept me honest and challenged me.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing? 

Music, my Bose headphones, and Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisps.

If you could have any super power, what would it be? 

It would be the power to magically clean my entire house and do the laundry in one fell swoop. My family would appreciate this as well.

What's the weirdest thing you've googled? 

How do you repel faeiries?

Very useful information. ;) Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: figurine, hereditary, and washboard. 

The hereditary song of my ancestors began to hum at such a decibel that I grabbed the figurine from the laundry room shelf and drove it right through the washboard.

Wow, great job with that one! Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

playing with my kids or snuggling with the hubby.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

These are great questions! Love 'em. A shout out to my husband and kids – they are the reason that I do everything. To my Mom, for telling me, yes, they will want it. To my Aunts Linda and Mary for reading the draft when I was afraid to tell anyone I'd written a book. My brother, Adam, for just being there. And the ladies in my old work group, Laura, Tessie, and Gina. They loaned me their guts so that I could pitch this to New York and let anyone read it all.

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

My website is really where I communicate with folks the most. That's www.stephaniekeyes.com. However, you'll also find me at:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephanieKeyes
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Keyes/150860604966160
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/stephaniekeyes/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5360651.Stephanie_Keyes

Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Stephanie. It was great having you here. Enjoy the rest of your blog tour!

And now for the giveaway! The autographed books and posters can be won by those in the US and UK. the ebook raffle is open to everyone. Good luck!

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Star Child Cover Reveal and Giveaway

The world is about to be cloaked in darkness.

Only one can stop the night.

Kellen St. James has spent his entire life being overlooked as an unwanted, ordinary, slightly geeky kid. That is until a beautiful girl, one who has haunted his dreams for the past eleven years of his life, shows up spinning tales of a prophecy. Not just any old prophecy either, but one in which Kellen plays a key role.

Suddenly, Kellen finds himself on the run through a Celtic underworld of faeries and demons, angels and gods, not to mention a really ticked off pack of hellhounds, all in order to save the world from darkness. But will they make it in time?


The Star Child will be available September 21, 2012 in digital and print from Inkspell Publishing.

About The Author:

Stephanie Keyes was born in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania and has worked for the past twelve years as a corporate educator and curriculum designer in the Telecommunications industry. She holds a Master's degree in Education with a specialization in Instructional Technology from Duquesne University and a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University. She is a classically trained clarinetist, but also plays the saxophone and sings. When she's not writing, she is a wife to a wonderfully supportive husband and mother to two little boys whom she cites as her inspiration for all things writing. The Star Child is Mrs. Keyes' debut novel.

Website: http://www.stephaniekeyes.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephaniekeyes

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Keyes/150860604966160

Giveaway Details (Open for US & UK):

Win a celtic knot designed antiqued bookmark – Perfect to go with this book! ☺

Enter here to win!

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