Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Review: Creators by Tiffany Truitt

 Creators, the third book in Tiffany Truitt's dystopian saga of love, loss, and survival, Tess' story delves further into questions that matter not only to a young woman trying to survive in a world that has decided her kind is worth less than nothing, but resound in modern daily life as well: what does it mean to be a family, what makes someone human, how does love change a person, and what exactly is this thing called womanhood, and how can or should it define one. Interestingly, Creators probes myriad faces of womanhood from political, emotional, and social perspectives, all within the context of a world in which pregnancy, as often as not, is a death sentence. 
As with many books that deal with women's sexual roles set in post apocalyptic patriarcal dystopias, Creators deals heavily with issues of bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and consent in a way that, at times,  reminds me of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Truitt has an interesting way of addressing the social programming and propaganda that conditions people who are systematically being abused into not even realizing they're being abused through the kind of rape culture Tess observes as a direct result of the health crisis facing pregnant women in Tess' world.  In dealing with Tess and her father's relationship, it put me in mind of Dearly Departed, while raising the question, once again, at what point does one's responsibility to one's blood family stop, and their wider responsibility to one's species begin? Aside from the social justice issues which permeate Creators, Truitt writes with momentum and energy, propelling the story from one confrontation to the next. 

Of course, as Creators is the third book in the Lost Souls trilogy, you'll want to start with Chosen Ones, work your way through Naturals, and finish with the unexpected and rather breathless plot twists in Creators. Yes, I'm admitting that I was surprised, and it was good to be surprised. 


    




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Thursday, 17 April 2014

Book Blast: Shadow Fire by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Shadow Fire Tour


Shadow fireShadow Fire

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.

Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.

All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire – adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal

As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?

Each installment of The Light Chronicles is a standalone story.



Praise for Shadow Fire

"This book contains monsters, magic, majestic creatures, and a evil guy that wants to destroy the world. If you love hot guys.....Zane is all that plus a few tricks up his sleeve. Just read it!" Venture ~Amazon Reviewer
"Adventure, magical creatures, fun characters, and romance make this book a perfect read for all ages." James ~Amazon Reviewer

 "I thought the writing was strong; it had me turning the pages quickly to see what would happen next. The characters were engaging and the dialogue well-written." Lisa Temple ~ Goodreads

 "Oh, I truly loved this one! Shadow Fire, by Kimber Leigh Wheaton, is a snappy, sassy, sweet, all-that-kind-of-awesome-and-then-some YA read. I couldn't put it down." ~Sasha Hibbs ~ Amazon Reviewer

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Excerpt 

When we reach the deck, everyone stops to stare at me. Trying to ignore the blatant curiosity, I follow Hanna down the aft stairs to the brig. Zane and Taranis occupy cells across from each other. They're both sitting on the floor glaring daggers at each other. Hanna hands the key to me and slips away. Inching closer, I'm careful to remain out of reach of the two prisoners. As soon as they see me, both men jump up and start talking over each other.

"Ashlyn! How are you feeling, Love?" Zane asks.

"Ashlyn, my fiery angel, you are a ray of sunshine in this dank prison!" Taranis says.

"I'm gonna let you both out, if, and only if, you promise to behave," I threaten. Both men nod their agreement. "That means no fighting. It also means we never, and I mean never, speak of what happened last night." When I get no argument, I free Zane first and then Taranis.

"Do you even know what happened last night?" Zane asks, taking me into his arms. I stand rigid in his embrace, not sure if I'm ready to forgive him quite yet.

"Only what Hanna told me," I snap at him.

"I saved your virtue from this raving lunatic," Taranis says, pointing at Zane.

"Then you decided to take it for yourself!" Zane yells back at him. "Did you not hear me?" I shout. Pulling myself from Zane's embrace, I back up and glare at both men. "No speaking of last night. Period. End of discussion."

"Yes, Love," Zane replies.

"Yes, virtuous virgin," Taranis replies.

"Taranis!" I release a menacing growl, and wince when my right eye starts to tic.

"Yes?" he asks, eyes full of mock innocence.

"Run," Zane says. Taranis listens to Zane's advice and takes off up the stairs to the deck with me hot on his heels.

About the Author

KimberKimber Leigh Wheaton is a YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs and four cats. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Her house is filled with dragons, though she does lament that they are the porcelain, non-flying variety. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) Her debut novel, Shadow Fire, is the first book in The Light Chronicles series. Watch for book two, Stolen Moon, a standalone sequel, coming soon.  




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Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/15/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Dorothy's Dream Team

So, I decided to start a street team.

What's a street team? According to Wikipedia: A street team is a term used in marketing to describe a group of people who 'hit the streets' promoting an event or a product. 'Street Teams' are promotional tools that have been adopted industry-wide as a standard line item in marketing budgets by entertainment companies, record labels, the tech industry, corporate brand marketers, new media companies and direct marketers worldwide.

What does this mean for authors? Participation in an author's street team usually consists of tweeting, retweeting, sharing on Facebook, blogging, spreading word-of-mouth promotion, handing out flyers, requesting the author's books from local book stores, etc. Members are asked to participate in cover reveals, blog tours, commenting on promotional posts, and basically helping the author out in a promotional venue.

And I've decided to start one. I don't know how much it will help, so this is very experimental for me. I already have a few members, and I would love to add some more, from those who have great social media reach to those who simply tell a few friends to check out my books. Every little bit helps, right?

I've decided to call my street team: Dorothy's Dream Team

Interested in joining my team? I'd love to have you! Members of Dorothy's Dream Team get special access to my secret group on Facebook. They will get sneak peeks, advance notice of special events, and occasional special swag and goodies provided by yours truly. Top promoters get a mention in the acknowledgement page of my third book (and future books, too, I hope).

To become a member, fill out this form, and I'll contact you soon.



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Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Happy Book Birthday: The Looking Glass by Jessica Arnold @jess_s_arnold @month9books

Today we celebrate the book launch of THE LOOKING GLASS by Jessica Arnold, published by Month9Books. Check out this creepy-sounding young adult paranormal, and make sure to come back on April 24th to read an interview with the author.

The Looking Glass
by Jessica Arnold

Find the diary, break the curse, step through The Looking Glass!

Fifteen-year-old Alice Montgomery wakes up in the lobby of the B&B where she has been vacationing with her family to a startling discovery: no one can see or hear her. The cheap desk lights have been replaced with gas lamps and the linoleum floor with hardwood and rich Oriental carpeting. Someone has replaced the artwork with eerie paintings of Elizabeth Blackwell, the insane actress and rumored witch who killed herself at the hotel in the 1880s. Alice watches from behind the looking glass where she is haunted by Elizabeth Blackwell. Trapped in the 19th-century version of the hotel, Alice must figure out a way to break Elizabeth’s curse—with the help of Elizabeth's old diary and Tony, the son of a ghost hunter who is investigating the haunted B&B—before she becomes the inn's next victim.





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Happy Book Birthday: House of Ivy and Sorrow by Natalie Whipple @nataliewhipple

Today marks the release of HOUSE OF IVY AND SORROW by Natalie Whipple, published by Harper Teen. This one definitely goes on my TBR list.

House of Ivy and Sorrow
by Natalie Whipple

Josephine Hemlock has spent the last 10 years hiding from the Curse that killed her mother. But when a mysterious man arrives at her ivy-covered, magic-fortified home, it’s clear her mother’s killer has finally come to destroy the rest of the Hemlock bloodline. Before Jo can even think about fighting back, she must figure out who she’s fighting in the first place. The more truth Jo uncovers, the deeper she falls into witchcraft darker than she ever imagined. Trapped and running out of time, she begins to wonder if the very Curse that killed her mother is the only way to save everyone she loves.


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Monday, 14 April 2014

Interview with Shannon Duffy + GIVEAWAY!



Wow! What an amazing weekend! I'm almost sad it's Monday. Thankfully, Shannon Duffy has dropped by for an interview. Shannon has joined us before (here and here), but today she's promoting the release of her newest novel in the Gabriel Stone Series, Gabriel Stone and the Wrath of the Solarians.

Title: GABRIEL STONE AND THE WRATH OF THE SOLARIANS
Series: GABRIEL STONE
Publication date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Shannon Duffy

Gabriel Stone is back from Valta, but the adventure is just beginning! His friend Tahlita is trapped in Willow Creek with no memory of Valta. Gabe, Piper, and Brent are determined to reunite Tahlita with her father. Yet even as they do, Prince Oliver arrives asking for their help. Menacing forces known as the Solarians have kidnapped the Empress and Princess and are threatening the lives of humans everywhere. Along with talking tracker monkey, Finley, the friends battle vampire mermaids and a living, blood-filled lake in their quest to save the Empress and Princess. Even with cool new powers, Gabe discovers their strongest weapon is their friendship as they battle the Solarians and rescue a cursed white witch—who may be the only one who can save Valta.
        



Welcome back to We Do Write, Shannon! So excited to have you again!

Thanks for having me! I really do appreciate it.

Tell us a bit about Gabriel Stone and the Wrath of the Solarians.

Well, with Tahlita being in Willow Creek, Gabe, Brent, and Piper need to find Dane and get the two of them re-united and back to Valta. But when Prince Oliver shows up and tells them about the princess and empress being kidnapped by other planetary creeps, they need to go back to Valta and help out—this time equipped with new and awesome magic powers.

Sounds exciting! How did you get the idea for your story?

All in my crazy, over-active brain. =)

Ah, yes. I know about over-active brain syndrome. :-) 

Your MC is a middle-grade boy. What challenges did you face writing from that POV and how did you solve them?

Being the mom of a boy definitely helped. And I’d read it aloud to him chapter by chapter as I finished them. Gabe (my son) isn’t afraid to tell me if something doesn’t work—and he did tell me to change some things.


Isn't it great to have a representative of your intended audience in your house? And even better if they are willing to give constructive feedback. 

The Gabriel Stone series is chock full of world building. Do you have any advice for writers who struggle with world building?

I think you really need to think things through and ask yourself a lot of questions about this world you’ve created. For example, what are the rules of physics there? Is there magic? Is the landscape the same as Earth or different? If different, how so? Weave these details in but whatever they are, be consistent throughout.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know.

I’m really into fashion and decorating. I guess it’s all looped in with creativity, but I love it.

And finally, if you could ask any person, real or fictional, one question, who would it be and what would you ask?

Wow, that’s a tough one. Let’s go with fictional. Damon from the Vampire Diaries. My question: Will you marry me? ;)

Ha! Thanks again for joining us! I can't wait to read the next installment of the Gabriel Stone series!

Thanks so much!


ABOUT SHANNON DUFFY:

Shannon Duffy grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and son, Gabriel. She’s mom to one boy, and several pets. Shannon loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions: shopping.

              




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Friday, 11 April 2014

Cover Reveal: Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway @month9books @eholloway300 @chapterxchapter

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway

presented by Month9Books!

I'm super excited about this one, as Elizabeth is not only my blog partner and pub sister, but my critique partner as well. And this book is awesome, folks! Believe me. So come take a look at this gorgeous cover.
And be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Call Me Grim
The truck should have turned Libbi Piper into a Libbi Pancake -- and it would have, too, if Aaron hadn't shown up and saved her life. The problem? Aaron's the local Grim Reaper... and he only saved Libbi's life because he needs someone to take over his job. Now, Libbi has two days to choose between dying like she was supposed to, or living a lonely life as Death Incarnate. Talk about a rock and a hard place.
And the choice goes from hard to sucktastic when her best friend shows up marked: condemned as a future murderer. Libbi could have an extra week to stop the murder and fix the mark... but only if she accepts Aaron's job as Reaper, trapping herself in her crappy town forever, invisible and inaudible to everyone except the newly dead. But, if she refuses? Her best friend is headed straight for Hell.
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Title: CALL ME GRIM
Publication date: November 11, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Elizabeth Holloway
Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author
Elizabeth HollowayElizabeth Holloway is a registered nurse living in Southern Pennsylvania with her two teen children, Bam-bam the dog, and Tinkerbell the cat. CALL ME GRIM is her first novel.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway
Complete the Rafflecopter for a chance to win!



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