Here's what Miranda's been reading this past month and what she plans to read in June!
Monday 30 May 2016
Friday 27 May 2016
Author Interview: Caroline A. Gill #blogtour #giveaway
Flying Blind
Caroline A. Gill
(The Flykeeper Chronicles, #2)
Publication date: May 21st 2016
Genres: Dystopia, Paranormal, Young Adult
Caroline A. Gill
(The Flykeeper Chronicles, #2)
Publication date: May 21st 2016
Genres: Dystopia, Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis:
In a broken America, seventeen-year old Iolani Bearse encounters a world full of wonder and danger.
Lani discovers a secret: houseflies have magic.
Stealers have no mercy.
Armed with memory-draining lanterns, the stone-cold hunters relentlessly follow catastrophes, laying traps, preying on the weak.
Together with her father, Eleanor, Sam, and Mango, her beloved pinto mare, Lani rescues victims from the grasp of Memory Stealers. One by one, she saves whomever she can, looking for any path that leads to safety. When her family’s farmhouse is attacked, Lani must act quickly to save those she loves.
Can Lani unmask their powerful, hidden enemies before the flies’ magic fails and everything burns to ashes?
Will the loss of one of her greatest friends become her downfall?
Can Lani overcome the evil that is tearing her world apart, flying blind?
Author Interview
Hi, Caroline!
Welcome to We Do Write. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Thanks for
having me here! I am a novelist and I say that proudly, it’s been quite a
journey to get here. Growing up in southern California, Florida, and Utah gave
me a perspective on what it means to be American. There are so many ways we are
all different, but we are still the same. I met the love of my life at UCLA,
and married him nine years later. We have four sons and a daughter who rules us
all and now live up in the midst of the sequoias of northern California.
Trained as a fine artist, I received an MFA in printmaking and metalsmithing,
and a Masters in Art History. I love teaching but for now that skill is limited
to the small copies of myself running around the house. I started writing to
keep myself sane. The kids can mess up a room in five seconds flat, but what I
write or draw stays safely tucked away. At the end of each day, I know I
accomplished a measurable thing. It makes the weirdness of kids’ messes
tolerable. Dishes are dishes. They never end. But page by page, a novel is
written.
Tell our
readers a bit about FLYING BLIND. What’s the story about?
Flying Blind
is the second book in the Flykeeper Chronicles. It is the continuation of
Iolani and Malcolm’s journey.
Flying Away
started when Lani was fourteen. She is sixteen when Flying Blind begins, living
on her family’s farm, saving people when she can. She sees the danger around
her and feels that it is her responsibility to fight what others cannot. Using
flymagic, she watches the memory stealers arrive at emergencies in fake
ambulances and use the disorder of disaster to empty the minds of stragglers
and other abandoned people. Lani fights to save whomever she can.
And then, she
is betrayed. Her farmhouse is attacked and Lani must flee for her life, saving
all those who are precious to her with the flysight and hope.
She tries to
find safety only to be turned away and imprisoned.
Now, Lani must
bargain for her life in order to escape a lifetime of slavery and misery. Can
one girl outsmart the traps laid all around her? Can Lani save those she loves,
flying blind?
How did the
idea of the story come to you?
I wrote Flying
Away two years ago as part of National Write a Novel in the month of November.
I had these ideas of an orphaned girl staring out the window, lost in sorrow
and of the houseflies that flew around her. And I thought, “Why can’t there be
magic?” Magic comes from wonder and belief. Magic is found in the simplest of
things. Even unattractive objects become beautiful when they are loved. That is
what houseflies are, for me: pests who hide a wild, unknown magic that can save
the world.
Are you a
plotter or a pantser?
The characters
are pantsed. They write themselves for the most part. But I sketch a skeleton
of a story frame, following a plot line and interacting surprises. I feel like
that is the only way to write: I have to know where I am going to find my path
there.
What’s the
hardest part of writing for you?
Quiet.
In a household
full of children, there is only so much ps3 or Disney I can absorb before I can’t
concentrate. Ear plugs are my friends. With them, I can hear what is happening
but the shrieking is more of a soft lullabye ;)
What do you
absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
A brilliant
light, a leather chair, some sunshine, dark chocolate, a Monster drink, and a
cuppa.
If you could
have any super power, what would it be?
Stopping Time.
It marches on, so quickly, so relentlessly. It really is true: we are all dust
in the wind. Seize the day, my friends, and hold on tight.
What's the
weirdest thing you've googled?
What are the
symbols and meandings of the words written on the carpet in the Oval Office?
Finish this
sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably …
Sitting at a
park, drawing or napping whilst madly planning the next chapter.
Here’s the
part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout
outs.
I really
appreciate you taking the time to support Flying Away and Flying Blind. Writing
a novel about something as pest-y as flies has meant getting down and dirty in
so many ways.
Giselle at
Xpresso Book Tours has been really helpful to me. SASS has promoted my work and
cheered me on with enthusiasm. Thank you, Mel, Julie, Sabrina, Gaynor, Stacie,
Jo, and Casey.
Cheer Papworth
has been a HUGE help as has Amy Bartelloni, Audrey Southwick, and Jennifer
Long. There have been so many times when I was frustrated with the book’s
cover, and all of them were so patient with me as I finessed the final design.
Kate Corcino has had my back almost daily as I work through plot and marketing
challenges. Maria Pease has been an absolute joy to work with as an editor. I
really value both her insights and her enthusiasm. Mostly, I really want to
thank Lathe Gill, my husband who shares his life with me, through thick and
thin. You are my anchor, baby.
Thanks so much
for stopping by the blog!
About the Author
Unusual stories attract me, ones in which the reader cannot easily see the ending or most of the journey. Visiting Rome during university studies, I found a simple truth sitting on buses, traveling all over the ancient city: the joy is in the Journey, in the people I meet, not in the destination. So, I write for you. I write for sanity. I write for chocolate and really good pizza.
Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
$10 Amazon Gift Card + signed copy of Flying Blind
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow the rest of the tour clicking the link below:
Thursday 26 May 2016
Book Blast: The Descendant Prophecies by Mary Ting
Today we're featuring FROM TITANS, Book Four in the Descendant Prophecies by Mary Ting. Take a look at the fourth book in this mythological series, read an excerpt, and watch the trailer. Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post!
From Titans (Book #4) by Mary Ting
Everyone is searching for Mason.
Zeus sent Hermes, and the Oracles have used their magic, with no success. A sparkle of hope arises when Eris, the goddess of Chaos, sends an invitation to her wedding engagement party. She’s holding Mason hostage, and Skylar and her friends only need permission to enter Eris’s world to rescue him.
At the party, Eris gives them one condition: In exchange for Mason, they must travel to the Land of Reverse and bring back the bottle of gold water King Midas used to wash himself free of his gift. Further chaos follows when Eris not only sets up a hunt in the Labyrinth of Crete, but makes a bargain with the Titans she rescued.
The Titans possess power more than anyone anticipated, and Cronus is hungry for revenge after his own children locked him up in Tartarus. No one is safe. Not even the humans.
Praise for the Series
"From Gods takes mythology to a whole new level of imagination with its incredible plot and amazing characters. It's full of hotness that you never want to end!" Michele, Insane About Books
"From Gods by the AMAZING AUTHOR Mary Ting is OMGods good!! If you even LIKE Greek Mythology, set aside some time because you will DEVOUR Mary Ting's Demi Gods and Vultures!!!" Mindy, Books Complete Me
Grab a FREE copy of From Gods this weekend ONLY!
Did you just see a flash of lightning across the sky on a clear sunny day?
Don’t blame Mother Nature.
Skylar Rome can’t wait to spend her last summer before college with her cousin, Kayla. Everything changes when they meet the Grand brothers. Skylar is sure she should stay away from Mason Grand, but their attraction is undeniable. Then Skylar’s life erupts into turmoil. She steps into a world where descendants of ancient gods have super powers, evil beings chase her, and questions arise about her own identity. She is running out of time and running for her life, while trying to unravel the mystery of what they want from her.
Forced into a battle set into motion long before she was born, will Skylar find the answers she seeks, or will she die trying?
Excerpt
“Mason, MASON, MASON!” Skylar panicked.
“I know. Skylar, hold on tight. I’m going to brake.”
“But there are cars behind us.”
“We have no choice. Don’t worry. I got this.” Mason pushed down on the brake forcefully. The car hydroplaned to the right. “Hold on.”
Skylar gripped the first thing her hand found. The water from the road jetted up into the air like in a water show, but the car kept gliding sideways, until finally it spun in a full circle and stopped. With no time to waste, Mason turned it to the right and accelerated, hoping to dodge what was coming toward them.
Out of nowhere, a long piece of ice, taking the form of a spear, darted through the trucks’ tires and punctured some of them. More ice spears came soaring out of the rain, but this time ten or more sphere-like ice balls followed, denting the sides of the trucks. One went through a windshield. With flat tires, the trucks now glided as if skating on ice, maneuvering from side to side.
“Did you do that?” Skylar asked excitedly.
“No. Must be Poseidon’s kids. Where the hell are they?” Mason spread his right arm out in front of Skylar as if to protect her. “Bend down, Sky.”
One of the trucks hit another and veered off, hitting yet another one. The crash caused the trucks to flip and tumble, heading straight for Mason’s car. With a look of shock, Skylar held her breath. There was no time to move, think, or get out of the car, so she closed her eyes and prepared for the crash.
Seconds before impact, Mason’s car flew up into the air and over the trucks. Somehow, as if by magic, the water created a liquid bridge, guiding the car safely over, and then it thumped hard onto the ground on the other side. Without looking back, Mason sped away as the sound of screeching brakes and metal hitting metal blasted behind them.
Author Mary Ting
International Bestselling, Award-Winning, Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.
Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 6/13/16
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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday 25 May 2016
Monday 23 May 2016
Book Blast: Aqua by Katherine Armstrong Walters
Today we're joining the book blast for AQUA by Katherine Armstrong Walters. Take a look at this book, read an excerpt, and enter the giveaway!
Aqua by Katherine Armstrong Walters
Eighteen-year-old Marin has few clues about where she came from, outside of a recurring nightmare of a horrific boating accident. Determined to prove to the world and to herself that she can overcome her water phobia and lead a normal life, she enrolls in a summer internship at a marine research facility in California.
When a cataclysmic accident suddenly brings her drowning nightmares into reality, she learns a secret about herself that begins to unlock the mystery lurking in her hidden memories. What she discovers could be the key to her past, but opening that door forces her to choose between two worlds and two hearts, and starts a chain of events that could destroy everything and everyone she loves.
Praise for Aqua:
“This book grabbed me right away and never let me go! The characters were fresh and believable and immediately took you into their world. Not sure who the intended audience would be but I am 68 and enjoyed it immensely but my 16 year old granddaughter would love it too! Kathy Walters allows us to enter into the world of her imagination and escape our own for a while. I am looking forward to more from her!”
~Gerri Stephy
“Heart-stopping adventure and swoon-worthy romance that will take your breath away.”
~Heather Hepler, author of Frosted Kisses and The Cupcake Queen.
Excerpt
Over twenty feet of surging seawater now separated her from her life-saving gear, and the force of it shoving through the submerged beach exit dragged her, spinning her around the rocky cave. Three feet of air was all that was between her and the dripping roof. Her fingers scrabbled to gain a handhold in the slippery walls, her legs fighting the current to gain access to the beach opening, ducking her head underwater, straining with all her might toward it, but the water pouring in beat her back.
Her mind spun frantically, jumping through stages in her life; despair at what Paul would think, angry at her stupid fantasy of living without the fear of the deadly water swirling around her. There was nothing but terror to believe in now. Who would be foolish enough not to be afraid of this living, breathing monster sucking the air from her lungs?
The top of her head brushed the rocky roof and she pressed her face to the broken surface, screaming and crying and pleading for help. This was it; this was the end of everything. She clawed desperately at the rocks, crushing her face to the melting air, pushed by the hand of the merciless sea. The last pockets sifted noisily up through the rocky ceiling, through small cracks and fissures that led to the surface many yards above, merging her dying screams with the thin whistling pressure of the triumphant ocean, disappearing into the darkening sky.
Author Katherine Armstrong Walters
Katherine Armstrong Walters has been making up stories since she was old enough to talk. She was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, but moved to Texas where she and her husband, Kelly, have enjoyed living in the country and raising their five fabulous sons, two cats, one snake and a small herd of chickens. When she’s not writing she loves sketching, editing, painting, reading, being outdoors, remodeling, and travelling with her family. Her favorite hobbies include boating and Star Wars.
Blast Giveaway – $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in Paypal Cash
Ends 6/1/16
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 and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday 20 May 2016
Book Blitz: Because I Love You by Tori Rigby @XpressoTours
Happy release day to BECAUSE I LOVE YOU by Tori Rigby! You can order your copy of this YA contemporary romance from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or get a signed copy from website. Come join us at the Facebook Release Party today from 12pm to 11pm EST. We've got a special Teaser Tuesday in store for you with a preview of the audio book narrated by Megan Solesski. Take a look, er, listen!
Because I Love You by Tori Rigby
Published by: Blaze Publishing
Publication date: May 17th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sometimes, love is sacrifice.
Eight weeks after sixteen-year-old Andie Hamilton gives her virginity to her best friend, “the stick” says she’s pregnant.
Her friends treat her like she’s carrying the plague, her classmates torture and ridicule her, and the boy she thought loved her doesn’t even care. Afraid to experience the next seven months alone, she turns to her ex-boyfriend, Neil Donaghue, a dark-haired, blue-eyed player. With him, she finds comfort and the support she desperately needs to make the hardest decision of her life: whether or not to keep the baby.
Then a tragic accident leads Andie to discover Neil’s keeping a secret that could dramatically alter their lives, and she's forced to make a choice. But after hearing her son’s heartbeat for the first time, she doesn’t know how she’ll ever be able to let go.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Website Instagram Twitter Facebook Goodreads
GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
Want to stay up to date on everything from Blaze Publishing? Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss a thing! The first 100 subscribers get free Blaze bookmarks (UK, US, and Canada only) AND get added to our Loyal 100 group, which gives you access to exclusive news, teasers, prizes, and ARCs!
Thursday 19 May 2016
Underground Blog Tour: Interview with Author Alice Rachel
Today we're joining the UNDERGOUND blog tour by chatting with author Alice Rachel. Alice Rachel is the author of the YA Dystopian ROMANCE SERIES “Under Ground.” Originally from France, Alice Rachel moved to the United States ten years ago to live with her husband, and she now also shares her home with two really old foster guinea pigs. Alice enjoys books of all kinds and more specifically those introducing well-written antagonists and complex protagonists. Alice also loves to draw her own book characters. The first book of her series “Under Ground” came out in October 2015, and the sequel will be out later this year. Alice loves to interact with all readers, so feel free to send her a Tweet.
Hi, Alice! Welcome to We Do Write. Tell our readers a bit about UNDER GROUND. What’s the story about?
My series "Under Ground" takes place in dystopian New York State, where the protagonist Thia is forced into marriage with William Fox, a young man she can hardly stand. One day, Thia meets Chi, a boy born illegally, who is also part of the Underground—a rebellious group seeking to overthrow the established government of New York.
If caught in their forbidden relationship, Thia and Chi could face a death sentence. Soon devastating secrets surface from Chi's past, forcing Thia to make a choice that could save her or destroy her forever.
It's a YA forbidden romance / dystopian romance.
How did the idea of the story come to you?
I originally wrote the story for Chi. I needed to create him, so I did. And then the rest followed. I wanted a story that would raise important questions and issues—a story that would make the readers think. The story developed around Thia and Chi and I followed the flow.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a pantser. I write all my chapters out of order, starting with the romance and emotional scenes and finishing with the action scenes. Then I assemble everything together like a puzzle.
I made sure to write the sequel before releasing book 1, so that everything would fit together because I never know in advance where things are going.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Editing. Making sure there are no typos, no grammatical mistakes. I could never do it on my own without my proofreader/editor. Editing is my least favorite part.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
COFFEE! A lot of it! And Youtube playing my playlists...
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Teleportation. Traveling the world at will. Seeing my family whenever I feel like it. Best power ever! :-)
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
I don't know that the things I google are weird so much as scary... The scariest things I've googled (besides pictures of Linda Blair in "The Exorcist") probably were about the human body's reaction to tasers, the electric chair, and electrocution... That gives you an idea of the nice things coming in the sequels. *laughs wickedly and grows devilish horns*
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
reading.
I'm not too original on that one, sorry.
What, reading is awesome! ;) Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.
First of all, I want to thank all the blogs that have participated in this blog tour. Thank you so much for taking the time to spread the word about my book. I want to thank Giselle for organizing this blog tour for me and doing such an incredible job. And I would like to thank all the bloggers who have read my book and talked about it since it came out.
Special thanks to my hubby, my family, my family-in-law, and my editor Liz!
And last but not least, thank you to all my friends who have been there from me for so long: Kylie, Evelyn, Annie, Kathryn, Vera, Erica, and Chloe. Thank you to Nadège and Morrisa as well for agreeing to read my book and for talking about it. And to my new friends, Tuba, April, Sunni, and Emily, thank you for supporting me, for liking the book, and spreading the word. :-)
If I forgot anyone, please come yell at me and throw me your tomatoes. I tried my best not to forget anyone...
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today.
.....
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday 18 May 2016
Book Blast: Narine of Noe by Danika Dinsmore
Today we're joining the Narine of Noe Book Blast. Take a look at this beautiful book, read an excerpt, and be sure enter the rafflecopter below!
Narine of Noe (Faerie Tales from the White Forest Book Four)
Narine of Noe should have had her whole life to train to take her father’s place as High Sage. But when a mysterious force falls from the skies, sending the world into elemental chaos and her father into mortal danger, the fate of every living creature lands on her shoulders . . . including that of the Eternal Dragon. Without the Dragon it is impossible to regain the Balance of All Things. An elaborate plan to save the world must be hatched, and Narine is forced to take charge in a world gone mad.
Before the White Forest was born, before the Great World Cry, the story that started it all. . .
Praise for Narine of Noe and the White Forest series
A charming, magical journey...
~Cassandra Rose Clarke, Author, The Assassin's Curse series
Dinsmore weaves a coming of age story through a world that is both fantastic and believable.
~Rise Reviews
I was hooked before I finished the first chapter . . . I fell in love with Narine and you will, too.
~Brenna D'Amico, actor, Disney’s Descendants
Narine dropped to the sand from the force of the Eternal Dragon’s energy. Never could she have imagined the power of Its presence. There was no resisting or competing with that power; the Dragon commanded the elements like no other. Each bit of earth, air, fire, water inside of Narine blew open, mere seeds popping over a fire.
The Dragon glanced at her with Its eternal eyes, no more than a flick, but in that flick she plummeted deeper inside herself than she had ever known. Her existence in that eternity lasted less than a moonsbreath before she was back, gasping for breath.
Her father, perched at the edge of the dock, caught her eye, a look as eternal as the Dragon’s. He smiled at her, gestured with open hands, and then fell from the pier. Before she had time to react, to digest what had just happened, the Dragon opened Its mouth and inhaled. The world froze. She felt the Dragon’s great inhale pulling at her heart, but she could do nothing as It drew that breath and absorbed Thorze’s corporeal energies as Its own.
As It exhaled, Narine felt her own cells fill back up with her Father’s Knowing. His Transitioning of himself into her. She could feel it rooting, thin tendrils weaving themselves through the miniscule spaces within her being.
But it was too fast; it was too much. There was no way she could contain it all.
She wasn’t ready! It wasn’t her time!
“No!” she cried and grasped at the wet sand. “Father, no!”
The world popped back into place, her cries became those of Vendra’s, reaching her great flipperpaw after Thorze’s body as it plummeted into the water’s darkness.
Vendra leapt to the side of the pier, the waves shook the world, and she slammed into a silver pillar.
The great Dragon huffed and knocked Thorze’s scepter away with Its thick sea green tail. The scepter flew across the water and landed on the shore before Narine with a
heavy, wet thud. No! It couldn’t be!
“Father!” she cried, searching the waters, tears streaking her cheeks. “Father!”
The Dragon dipped Its head back into the lake, and, in one fluid motion, arced Its massive body after it. The tail of the great serpent flicked out from the water like a tongue, and the serpent was gone. The World Sages stared at the water in silent shock. Waves lapped at Narine’s feet, dragon-sized ripples.
She looked down in her daze. The scepter. She picked it up from the sand, and her body immediately seized up. A white light tortured her vision, and then streaks of blue and silver blended within the reassuring voice of her father, Yes, Narine. Take the Dragon’s Gift.
Author Danika Dinsmore
Danika Dinsmore is an award-winning author, performance artist, and educator. Over the past 25 years she has developed content for the page, stage, screen, and web. Danika currently works in literary and speculative fiction with an emphasis on juvenile & young adult literature. Author of children’s fantasy adventure series FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST, she often takes her interactive Imaginary Worlds Tour on the road, performing and teaching world-building & creative writing at schools, conferences, and festivals across North America.
Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/30/16
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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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