Guest Post: Christina G Gaudet - The Lure of Magic in MG and YA Books

The Lure of Magic in MG and YA Books

by Christina G Gaudet

When I was asked to write a post about the lure of magic in middle grade and young adult novels, I thought “Great! Easy! I’ve been drawn to books with magic in them my whole life, so I can just talk about personal experience.” But as I started to write, I realised I had no idea what drew me to those stories.

There are two types of books with magic in them that are particularly popular right now. First, there are the stories of adventure with a clear bad guy to hate and a good guy to love. The main character develops their skills with magic, or makes friends with someone with magic in order to save the day. This type of story is what I consider the more traditional style of fantasy. In MG and YA, the genre is still led by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.

What’s really attractive about this type of story is that readers know exactly who to cheer for. They can place themselves in the position of the hero and can live vicariously through them throughout the adventures of the story. Through the hero, readers can use the magic all of us have wanted to posses at some point in our lives. Magic helps to intensify everything that occurs in the story, from the good to the bad, making the story more exciting than possible in “real life.”

Second, readers are looking for magical characters to fall in love with. These types of stories are less about an outward struggle against an evil being, but instead about an impossible romance where the magic keeps the two swoon-worthy lovers apart. This type of story is known as paranormal romance and Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer dominated this genre for a long time.

In these types of stories, there’s a sense that the events are happening in the real world. If we as readers could only get to the right place at the right time, we too could experience the supernatural events. The magic is created to seem so realistic that part of us hopes the hot supernatural guy/girl in the story will leap from the page and sweep us off our feet. 

There are many other types of stories out there that include magic, but those two seem to be the most attractive to both readers and writers right now. Magic in stories has been around for a lot longer than these two examples and can be traced back to stories by Tamora Pierce and Lloyd Alexander who I personally read while growing up, all the way to Greek and Roman mythology. Magic has always been an exciting way to explain the unexplainable. 

It’s hard to put my finger on what exactly draws me to magic. Perhaps it has something to do with the way it can punch up the excitement of a story, create impossible and wonderful characters, and explain the unexplainable. But, I think what really draws me to magic is that it allows me to believe there’s more to the world then I can ever know, and only my imagination is the limit to what’s possible.

While its popularity might rise and fall over time, magic will be featured in stories as long as novels exist.

Christina G Gaudet is a young adult author. When not writing, Christina can be found working on comics, illustrations and designs. She grew up and continues to live in Prince Edward Island, Canada where having red hair instantly makes you famous.

Blurb from THE BOX by Christina G Gaudet

Some gifts should be left unopened.

When her gran passes away, the only item left to Lou is a small wooden box. Although it’s not the car that her sister, Cindy, receives, Lou knows it could have been worse. She could have gotten Gran’s collection of toenails. When Lou opens the box and a guy the size of a stick of gum falls out; she changes her mind – the nail clippings would have been better.

Not a day goes by that Lou doesn’t wish she could shove that guy back in the box and pretend she’d never laid eyes on him. Because of him, she discovered Gran was a sorceress and Cindy is a witch and all these years they have been keeping Lou’s magic locked away “for her own safety.” Without the magic she’s vulnerable to whoever, or whatever, is after her. With it, she’s a target for a fate worth than death.


Excerpt

I think I make a squeaking sound, though it might be a full out scream. Either way, the thing hears me and turns its heads—because one head isn’t bad enough—and looks directly at me. All of those lessons kick in and I react without thinking, pirouetting on my right foot and bolting as fast as I can into the darkness of the trees.

“Bad bad bad,” I say as I run.

“What?” Al’s voice is tight with fright. “What is it? What’s happening?”

“Creature.” I gasp. “Bad.”

It’s gaining on me. I can practically feel the heat of its breath. A glance over my shoulder and I see it’s not breath I feel. The bloody thing is shooting fire. From one of its mouths. I am so dead.

As I’m turning to face forward again so I can pick up speed, I realize at the last second the creature’s muscles are tensing as it prepares to leap. I stop and spin around to the side, my arms guiding the huge beast past me as I’ve done a hundred times for normal human attacks in practice. Most people don’t have teeth and claws to rip at your skin as they pass. With the creature facing the wrong way, I run back in the direction of the car. The size of the thing, I should have a decent head start before it can turn all the way around. Plus, I should be helping Cindy. I guess.

I’m wrong. It’s fast. Faster than anything its size should be able to move. This time when I turn to meet the attack, I do a spinning kick my master would be proud of. My foot lands hard on one of the heads, knocking it back for a second. The problem is the kick only seems to surprise the creature rather than hurt it. When I kick again, it easily dodges out of the way and sweeps its snake tail around to whip the back of my legs.

I fall to the ground and attempt to scramble away, but it’s no good. Holding the lipstick container hard against my chest, I wait for the inevitable pain and death.

“Sorry Al,” is the last thing I say.

Links

Website - www.ChristinaGGaudet.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-G-Gaudet/150492618347433
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4985004.Christina_Gaudet
Twitter - https://twitter.com/CGGaudet
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Christina-G-Gaudet/e/B007DKZ1ZO
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/christinaggaudet

Guest Post: SR Johannes - Writing Sequels

Writing Sequels

Guest Post by SR Johannes

Sequels are hard to write. Authors stress out about them. Are they as good as the first? Will the readers like it?

Sequels don’t get the blank slate in a reader the way the first book does so the reader comes into the second book with expectations and high hopes.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are writing a sequel:

1. Readers remember everything so be thorough.
2. Make sure you keep your facts and small details straight.
3. Weave in important elements from the first book to get the reader back up to speed but not in an obvious info. dump.
4. Allow your character to grow from book to book or your readers will feel cheated.
5. Introduce new characters and relationships, but be sure to keep threads from the other books to remind the reader.
6. Trust your readers.
7. Raise the stakes for your character.
8. The story must stand on it’s own, separate of a series.
9. Sub plots can be seeds for another.
10. Create an overarching plot that connects the books together.

Be sure to check out Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable by SR Johannes. Leave a comment and win the ebook!

Cover Reveal: RELEASE by MR Merrick

Announcing the cover reveal for RELEASE by MR Merrick!

Congrats on a beautiful cover, M.R.! I think it's spookily gorgeous.

RELEASE SYNOPSIS

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems.

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especially regarding Rayna.

One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past - sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

Links:

M.R. Merrick | Goodreads | Exiled (Protector #1) | Shift (Protector #2)

RELEASE will be available December 10th. Be sure to look for it!

What do you think of the cover?

Interview with Dana Mason

Today we're chatting with author Dana Mason about her book DANGEROUS EMBRACE.

Welcome, Dana. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi Dorothy, and thank you for inviting me to your blog. As a new author, the idea of doing interviews is a little intimidating, but I’ll do my best to keep it interesting. My personal tag line is “Mother-Writer-Person in training.” I guess you could say, expert at nothing, experienced at everything.
Let’s start with the mother side of me. I have two beautiful daughters and a beautiful little boy who isn’t so little anymore. They keep me grounded and remind me regularly that there is more to life than work.

Writer: I’m a debut author who still has a lot to learn, but I learn something new every day. Today I learned that it’s harder to talk about yourself than you might think.


Person: Like I said, I’m an expert at nothing but experienced at . . . well I’ve done a lot and seen a lot, yet life still manages to surprise me regularly. I’m a planner who tends to toss the plan out of the window and fly by the seat of my pants.

I spend my days at a large University managing a small continuing education department. I spend my nights between laughing at the dinner table with my family and at my laptop, running wild with my favorite fictional people. I’m also on the board for the local Art’s Council. That’s been an interesting experience, talk about a variety of different people. Maybe I’ll write a book about it one day.

You lead a busy life. How long have you been writing?

I started writing seriously about three years ago. I’ve always been an avid reader but never really put pen to paper until the two main characters for my novel popped into my head. I spent the next few months mulling over the two of them until the story idea eventually came to me in a morning news story.

Tell us about DANGEROUS EMBRACE. What's the story about?

Dangerous Embrace is about second chances and not taking life or people for granted. The story begins with Sarah getting attacked when leaving work one evening. She escapes the attacker and runs away . . . directly into Mark. Needless to say, Mark is happy she got away, but a little disappointed he didn’t get to nab the guy that attacked her.

Here’s a synopsis:

Sarah Jennings wants nothing more than a quiet life—alone.

Raised by an eccentric mother, their life on the road only taught her how to run away from hard times. But when she finds herself in an abusive relationship, this lesson serves her well.  

Now, back in her hometown, she's found a place she loves. She’s a first grade teacher, and with few friends and less family around, she has what she wants, a quiet life under the radar where she can be free of her past and live quietly. Finally comfortable in her own skin, she’s settled, and less fearful than she’s ever been in her life.

But it only took one night and one act of violence for everything to change. Injured and afraid, Sarah wants to run again, but Mark Summors refuses to let her go.

Just when Sarah thinks she can have Mark and the life he promises, her past comes back to haunt her.

***

Mark Summors was born and raised in Santa Rosa. He married his high school sweetheart and never questioned his life, until he found his wife with another man.

Now divorced, he wants something more. He’s passionate about his job, he wants to protect people, and he devotes his life to it.

This time he’s protecting more than just another client, he’s protecting his future; at least, Sarah Jennings will be his future, when he convinces her she loves him.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

I already had character outlines, I just needed a hook and little help with the plot. I was drinking my coffee, watching the morning news and there is was, ‘woman fights off attacker after being thrown into the bushes and assaulted’. Aha! I immediately grabbed my notebook and started taking notes. What’s better than a woman fighting off an attacker and ultimately getting the best of him? It was the perfect story to fit my characters. I loved it right away. Sarah is strong and she’s a fighter, refusing to let a man take from her again. She needed to save herself. Of course I let Mark do a little saving in the story too, but I wanted Sarah to be a strong woman, yet vulnerable enough to need Mark’s help. The plot blossomed from there.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

A little of both. When it comes to characters, I’m a planner. I spend weeks working on characters, getting everything right, from the way they look to their favorite catch phrases. When it comes to plot, I’m a pantser. I just need a vague idea and I can go from there. As long as I have a solid character to work with, I can write for days without ever looking up from the laptop. They take over the story, and if I try to harness that or control it, my creativity is smothered. I’ve tried to outline and I’ve tried to make lists, charts, you name it and I’ve tried it. They don’t work for me.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Time. There isn’t enough hours in the day. I have a full time day job with an 80 mile roundtrip commute and three kids. Writing time is limited. Fortunately I have a very considerate family and a very helpful husband. He does all the laundry. ☺ Yes, I’m bragging. My teenage girls also do a lot of the house work. It’s difficult to juggle writing and family, but I love both so I manage.

I hear ya. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing? 

Music. I must have music to concentrate. I know it’s odd, but true. Not loud music, I keep the volume down, but I need to have it on. A dictionary is always within reach as well as a book called ‘100 Words for Lovers’ by American Heritage Dictionaries. I also have a little alabaster owl that sits on my desk, I’ve named him Piccolo. He makes me smile.

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

Super human strength. One of my pet peeves in not being able to open a jar or lift a box. If I have to ask my husband to open a jar, it’s usually after I’ve tried for 10 minutes and I’m near tears. Which makes him laugh and makes me angrier, but I have to ask the question, what if he wasn’t here. I don’t like asking for help, my own weakness bothers me. I wouldn’t mind being able to fly either, since I’m short and always need him to reach things for me.


What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

Ahh, hum . . . good question. Let’s just say, I’m surprised the FBI hasn’t shown up on my doorstep yet. Okay, serious answer. This week I googled ‘how to fire your hair stylist’. I’ve googled a lot about missing kids, kidnapping, rape, and abandoned babies. Also current laws regarding rape convictions and punishments. All for my current novel or other works in progress.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: depository, dishwasher, and embargo.

I put an embargo on the depository of dirty dishes because this dishwasher is on vacation.

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


Oh where to start…?
Amy and Katie at Sapphire Star Publishing have made my dreams come true. They really are the greatest. I hate to gush, and I know that all the Sapphire Star authors praise them a lot too, but it’s all true. They’re patient, caring, thoughtful, and they’re always available. Most important, they listen.

I’d also like to thank my family for sharing me with my characters. They are more understanding than they have to be, and I love them for it. My extended family have been very supportive too, Facebooking and Tweeting news about my book. It’s been heartwarming to see them all come together for me and my romance novel.

I’d like the thank you, Dorothy, for inviting me to be here today. Also the writing community in general, writers are truly generous. It’s been a great surprise to see everyone so supportive and helpful. 

You're very welcome. And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danamasonromance?ref=hl
Twitter: @danamason06
Website: http://danamasonromance.com/
Sapphire Star Publishing Author page: http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/danamason/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440793.Dana_Mason 

Dangerous Embrace will be release October 4, 2012. You can find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Winner of the Three Two One Pitch

We have a winner! Let's take a look at what judging agent Rebecca Podos had to say about this month's contest:

I've read through all of the entries several times, and it was harder than I expected to pick a winner! I’m not one to linger over pitches, but a few of them really caught my eye. I wish I could learn more about them.

In the end, the winning pitch really stopped me when I came to it the first time, and I kept returning to it:


Name: Tristina Wright
Email: tristina[at]tristinawright[dot]com
Title: CHILDREN OF THE GODS
Genre: YA Steampunk/Mythology (Mythpunk)
Word Count: 75,000

Pitch:
I met her at a masquerade.
I kissed her at a carnival.
I fell in love with her at an execution.

It was definitely a risky pitch, because it didn’t give much of the plot away at all. But I know the book involves intrigue, romance, and danger, and I’m curious to see how that combines with steampunk and mythology. I liked the author’s instincts – I read an awful lot of pitches, and anything out of the ordinary that catches my eye, I try to pay attention to.

Congratulations, Tristina! Please send your manuscript to rebecca@reesagency.com as an attachment and put "Pitch Winner" in the subject line. Make sure you mention in the email that you won from this site, just in case Rebecca has participated in other pitch contests.

And to all other participants, feel free to query Rebecca via normal routes. Who knows, she may request your manuscript as well!

In the meantime, I'm trying to set up the next pitch contest. I'll be sure to let you know when it is, so be sure you're following me here and on Twitter. :)

Cover Reveal plus Giveaway: Hollywood Holiday by Sasha Summers

Today I'm happy to be a part of the cover reveal for HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY by Sasha Summers.

The Cover:

The Blurb:

All she wants for Christmas is for Hollywood to love her again. But once she meets him, her Christmas list changes.

Jen’s only Christmas wish: Hollywood falling back in love with her. Meeting ex-Marine Gunner was a bonus. She likes that he isn’t impressed by celebrities or the movie biz. She likes that he’s funny and sweet … and drop-dead gorgeous. And she loves that he has no idea who her alter-ego is: Jen Fleming, Hollywood bad-girl and paparazzi target number one. Why ruin an amazing affair when he’s leaving after the new year?

But the closer they get, the harder she falls, and the more she wants to tell Gunner everything. Especially once he shares his secret with her.

Her new Christmas wish: Gunner accepts and loves her for who she really is.

Know More about Red Carpet Series Book 1: Hollywood Ever After (Paperback Giveaway)

She wasn't meant for movie stars, Hollywood, or happy endings.  And then she met him.

Happy endings are for fairy tales. Or the movies. Not for real life. At least, not in Claire's life. Even though she's starting over, she knows better than to want too much this time. But when she falls, literally, into the arms of Hollywood's "it" boy Josh Wiley, Claire's in for some surprises. Her plans for rest and relaxation are forgotten as one incredible night with Josh becomes two . . . And her heart begins to want him as much as her body. Will two kids, one bastard ex-husband, and Josh's juggernaut career mean the end of their affair? Or can Clair find her happy ending after all? 

About the author:

Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Giveaway Swag Gift:

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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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Happy Launch Day: Uncontrollable

Yay! Uncontrollable is out today!

Uncontrollable is the second book in "The Nature of Grace" series by S.R. Johannes. Untraceable, the first book in the series, has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award (YA), 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (YA Nominee), and a finalist in The Kindle Book Review's "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)".

Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."

If you like a page turner, you will love this series!

Head over to Mundie Moms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.

To continue on with the blog tour, check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways.

Book Summary

As 16-year-old Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program". 

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants. 

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. 

Little does she know, she is being hunted too. 

On Sale Now! 

Uncontrollable is on sale in paperback and ebook at all major booksellers including Amazon, iBooks/Apple (coming soon),  Smashwords, and B&N. If you haven't read Untraceable, you can get it in paperback and ebook at all major booksellers including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, and B&N.

Author Bio

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes.  Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.

S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult). Untraceable was also recently named a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Indie Book of the Year (YA)

After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.  She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. 


Connect!

Follow S.R. online on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest

You can also sign up for her newsletter to keep up on author or book news.

The Three Two One Pitch Contest Official Entry Post

This contest is now closed. I will announce the winner as soon as our judging agent makes her decision. Thank you all for your participation!

Are you ready, writers? I hope your manuscripts are polished up and pitches ready to wow our judge. Because pitching day is here! On your mark, get set ... WAIT!

Before you start haphazardly pitching, let's take one last look at the rules:

THREE - Pitch your story in only three sentences. NO RUN ONS!

TWO - You have two days to enter: September 21st and 22nd.

ONE - The fabulous Rebecca Podos of the Rees Literary Agency will judge and pick a winner. The winner will get a full manuscript request!

This contest is open to unagented, completed and polished manuscripts in the genres of:

• YA
• Fantasy
• Science Fiction

To be eligible, you must:

• Follow this blog - go ahead and click "Join this Site" on the right if you haven't already
• Follow me on Twitter
• Spread the word! Tweet, Blog, or mention on Facebook about the contest linking back to this post

Not necessary, but in the spirit of paying it forward:

• Friend me on Goodreads
• Like my Facebook Author Page

NOW! Please leave your pitch as a comment in the following format:

• Your name and email
• Title of your manuscript
• Genre of your manuscript
• Word count
• Three-sentence pitch (No more than three sentences or you'll be disqualified)

Limit: Two pitches per person. Good luck, everyone! I can't wait to read all your awesome pitches. Ready, set, GO!

Star Child Release Day!

Stephanie Keyes is a wonderful voice for a new generation of YA readers. She has skilfully blended mythology and faerie-tale into an original and enthralling story.  Pure magick! I'm looking forward to more. - Maya Snow, Author of Sisters Of The Snow

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?

Special Teaser Quote!
“You gave me bad meat. I think we’re even.” Lugh to Kellen, The Star Child

Want to read more of Kellen? – See the complete list of release day party hosts and enjoy the sweet tid-bits!

EXCLUSIVE BOOK BIRTHDAY DISCOUNT!
Buy the book now at Inkspell Publishing Store and enjoy a special EXCLUSIVE 30% discount! Offer valid only till 30th Sep!
Also, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and The Book Depository amongst others.
Join the twitter party at 7:00 PM EST! - http://twtvite.com/thestarchild

 Paperback copy and posters are open to US, UK and Canada only. ebook giveaway is international.
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