Showing posts with label Vanessa Barger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vanessa Barger. Show all posts

Thursday, 12 November 2015

T4T: A Whispered Darkness & Fire in the Woods

T4T-Banner
 
Welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy, and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:
A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger and Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
 
A-Whispered-Darkness-Cover
When Claire Mallory’s father leaves, her mom moves them to a new town and into a dilapidated Victorian house.
The old house creaks and whistles, and smells well — like it’s been abandoned for years. But as the nights grow longer and the shadows take on substance, Claire wonders if the strange sounds and occurrences might be more than the house showing its age.
Just as things start to pick up in Claire’s love life, her mother becomes possessed. In an attempt to save her mother and their new home, Claire enlists the help of two boys, each of whom is interested in Claire for different reasons. As she chooses one boy over the other, something dangerous is unleashed, and the spirits make their move.
They aren’t content to moan and scream inside Claire’s house, or even control her mom. They want a taste of freedom, and she’s their key to getting it. But is Claire strong enough to fight off the evil spirits, or will they claim her and her mom before it’s all over?
add to goodreads
 
WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:
 
“Drama, romance, a girl who can talk to ghosts and a possessed mom made for a cool weekend afternoon read” – Laurie Treacy, Author
 
“A Whispered Darkness did not disappoint. If you like ghost stories, you'll want to add this one to your TBR list” – Kimber Leigh Wheaton, Author
 
“As a non-horror reader, A WHISPERED DARKNESS kept a strong creepy thing without taking it overboard.” – Jennifer, The Dragon Blog
 
about-the-author
 
Vanessa Barger was born in West Virginia, and through several moves ended up spending the majority of her life in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and has degrees in Graphic Design, a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and a Masters in Technology Education. She has had articles published in Altered Arts Magazine, has had some artwork displayed in galleries in Ohio and online, and currently teaches engineering, practical physics, drafting and other technological things to high school students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and the Virginia Writer's Club. When not writing or teaching, she’s a bookaholic, movie fanatic, and loves to travel. She has one cat, who believes Vanessa lives only to open cat food cans, and can often be found baking when she should be editing.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest |YouTube
 
Fire-in-the-Woods-Cover
When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally. But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel.
But her father runs their house like an army barracks, and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. Ever. So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met?
Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. It just means she can’t get caught.
Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. After all, she can’t really fall for a guy who’s not exactly from here.
As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she’s to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.
add to goodreads
 
WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:
 
“David is the alien and the way Jennifer M. Eaton describes him as an alien is soo interesting!” – Brianna, Brianna's Bookish Confessions
 
“Overall, this novel surpassed my expectations. Truly a job well done and I’m already dying to get my hands on Ashes in the Sky, book two in the series!” – Kayla, Goodreads Reviewer
 
“Overall it's a quick fun and entertaining read alien fans everywhere will enjoy. It's been a good while since I've read a really good alien book and Fire in the Woods provided a much needed dose.” – Angela, Souther Bred Southern Read
 
about-the-author
Jennifer M. Eaton
Corporate Team Leader by day, and Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.
Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be.
Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.
Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active imagination constructively… creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.
 
Giveaway
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
 
Chapter-by-Chapter-blog-tour-button
  Elizabeth Follow on Bloglovin

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Interview With Vanessa Barger Author of Super Freak



Hello, hello, hello! Thanks for stopping by. Today, we are joined by Vanessa Barger, author of Super Freak, a Middle Grade fantasy novel that has recently released. Here's a little tidbit about the book...

Super Freak by Vanessa Barger
Publication Date:  October 13, 2015
Publisher:  Tantrum Books
Genre:  MG, Fantasy

Thirteen-year-old Caroline is a freak. Her parents have uprooted her to a town full of Supernaturals.
You’d think she’d be thrilled. But, with someone without a magical bone in her body, this daughter of tree sprites feels like even more of an outcast than she has ever before.
To make matters worse, her new home is cursed. But when Caroline takes to investigating the mysterious and strange happenings of Harridan House, her BFF goes missing. Seems someone doesn’t want Caroline sticking her non-magical nose where it most certainly does not belong. Determined to prove herself, Caroline uncovers a plot to destroy her new hometown.

Undeterred, Caroline can’t give up. But what’s a human without magical powers to do? Caroline better figure it out fast, before she loses everything she has ever loved and the whispers she’s heard all her life prove true: Caroline is a useless superfreak.

           
               

Hi, Vanessa! Welcome to We Do Write. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello! Thanks for interviewing me! I guess first thing, I’m an MG and YA writer, and I also teach high school students. I love to travel, to bake (it’s a problem), and do crafty things. I’m married to a fabulous man, and we live with our Overlord, a cat named Molly, in Newport News, Virginia.

Tell our readers a bit about SUPER FREAK.

SUPER FREAK is about Caroline Bennings, who is the only person in the world who doesn’t have any type of supernatural ability. Her parents are dryads, but she is just normal. She loves puzzles and mysteries, and when they move to a new town, she gets a whopper of a mystery placed right in her lap. Her house is supposed to be cursed, which just seems silly at first. But then she finds letters hidden in the house, and when they get too deep into the story, her new best friend disappears. It’s up to Caroline to figure out what’s happened, or live with the fact that she really is normal and a total useless super freak.

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

I was in a bookstore, looking for a new book and I had the thought that so many of them are a person with supernatural powers in the normal world. And then I thought, what about a story where the main character is normal, in a world where everyone is supernatural. What would be her “special Ability” then? And then I came up with the fact that she loved puzzles and mysteries, and it snowballed from there.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Sadly, I have to give my punster badge back now. I used to say I was a little of both, but this novel marked the end of my pantser ways. Writing a mystery required me to outline to make sure certain things happened in certain places. I am now a plotter. Mostly. I still get sidetracked, though.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part is a tie between the ending and making the time to write. I always end the book and mess with those last few pages and lines FOREVER. The only book I have liked the last lines of is one I have never finished yet (but I wrote the last three lines when I got about halfway through)!

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Tea. A lot of tea. And some kind of snack is always good too. Usually cookies or something else I shouldn’t be eating.

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

Psychic. Definitely.

What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

Weirdest thing? Probably how to start a fire with just a battery and some wire. At least, recently that’s the weirdest!

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ... Baking.

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

First, to all the readers, because without you, I wouldn’t be able to be published at all. THANK YOU for reading and loving my books! To my husband, Randy, who is amazing and puts up with so much from me. To my BFF, Sammi, who is fabulous and my self-appointed PR consultant. My parents and grandmother, who are always willing to be my cheering section and help me out. My publisher and publicist there at Tantrum Books. I’m sure I’m forgetting people, but I think that covers it.
And, of course, thank you to lovely bloggers such as yourself!!!!

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Barger was born in West Virginia, and through several moves ended up spending the majority of her life in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and has degrees in Graphic Design, a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and a Masters in Technology Education. She has had articles published in Altered Arts Magazine, has had some artwork displayed in galleries in Ohio and online, and currently teaches engineering, practical physics, drafting and other technological things to high school students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), the Virginia Writer’s Club, and the Hampton Roads Writers. When not writing or teaching, she’s a bookaholic, movie fanatic, and loves to travel. She is married to a fabulous man, and has one cat, who believes Vanessa lives only to open cat food cans, and can often be found baking when she should be editing.

                 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Elizabeth Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, 25 September 2015

M9B Friday Reveal: Author Spotlight – Vanessa Barger with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

M9B-Friday-Reveal-Bannernew

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!
This week, we are spotlighting
Vanessa Barger
author of
Super Freak
a Middle Grade title from Tantrum Books, coming October 2015!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!


Twitter or Facebook?
Can I say both? I like Twitter for instant gratification, but I like Facebook for posting fun things too!
<
Favorite Superhero?
This is hard. I'm not a huge superhero person. But if I had to pick? Wonder Woman. I dressed up as Wonder Woman one year when I was little. Somewhere, I still have my golden lasso of truth!

Favorite TV show?
Okay, most TV shows I actually like get cancelled, but I have three. I love the first 3-4 seasons of Supernatural, I LOVE the Vicar of Dibley, and the Two Fat Ladies. If I'm having a stressful day, I pop the Two Fat Ladies in to relax. I'm weird, I know.

Sweet or Salty?
Sweet. But not too sweet. :)

Coke or Pepsi?
Root Beer (But def coke, Pepsi is ICK)

Any Phobias?
I don't care for spiders, and anything to do with Jack the Ripper seriously freaks me out. Like, I won't watch a TV show about it, read about it, or even read fiction about it!

Song you can’t get enough of right now?
There isn't just one, but let’s go with Fight Song by Rachel Platten. The others on my playlist are a lot more....weird? Lots of instrumental music, and oddball things.

Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend?
Oh, man, just one?! That's not even fair.

What are you reading right now or what's on your TBR?
I have several books in the TBR pile, but the top three are Namesless by Lili St. Crow, The City of Ember, and Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff. Oh, and I'm dying to read The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

Fall Movie you’re most looking forward to?
Goosebumps! I can't wait to see that one. Jack Black as RL Stine? YES, please!

About-the-Author

Vanessa Barger was born in West Virginia, and through several moves ended up spending the majority of her life in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and has degrees in Graphic Design, a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and a Masters in Technology Education. She has had articles published in Altered Arts Magazine, has had some artwork displayed in galleries in Ohio and online, and currently teaches engineering, practical physics, drafting and other technological things to high school students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), the Virginia Writer’s Club, and the Hampton Roads Writers. When not writing or teaching, she’s a bookaholic, movie fanatic, and loves to travel. She is married to a fabulous man, and has one cat, who believes Vanessa lives only to open cat food cans, and can often be found baking when she should be editing.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest |YouTube

Super-Freak-Cover

Thirteen-year-old Caroline is a freak. Her parents have uprooted her to a town full of Supernaturals. You’d think she’d be thrilled. But, with someone without a magical bone in her body, this daughter of tree sprites feels like even more of an outcast than she has ever before.
To make matters worse, her new home is cursed. But when Caroline takes to investigating the mysterious and strange happenings of Harridan House, her BFF goes missing. Seems someone doesn’t want Caroline sticking her non-magical nose where it most certainly does not belong. Determined to prove herself, Caroline uncovers a plot to destroy her new hometown.
Undeterred, Caroline can’t give up. But what’s a human without magical powers to do? Caroline better figure it out fast, before she loses everything she has ever loved and the whispers she’s heard all her life prove true: Caroline is a useless superfreak.
add to goodreads

Giveaway


Button



Dorothy Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, 4 September 2015

M9B Friday Reveal: Cover Reveal - Super Freak by Vanessa Barger with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

M9B-Friday-Reveal Banner

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!
This week, we are revealing the cover for
Super Freak by Vanessa Barger
an MG title presented by Tantrum Books!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Super Freak

Thirteen-year-old Caroline is a freak. Her parents have uprooted her to a town full of Supernaturals. You'd think she'd be thrilled. But, with someone without a magical bone in her body, this daughter of tree sprites feels like even more of an outcast than she has ever before.
To make matters worse, her new home is cursed. But when Caroline takes to investigating the mysterious and strange happenings of Harridan House, her BFF goes missing. Seems someone doesn't want Caroline sticking her non-magical nose where it most certainly does not belong. Determined to prove herself, Caroline uncovers a plot to destroy her new hometown.
Undeterred, Caroline can't give up. But what's a human without magical powers to do? Caroline better figure it out fast, before she loses everything she has ever loved and the whispers she's heard all her life prove true: Caroline is a useless superfreak.
add to goodreads
Super Freak by Vanessa Barger
Publication Date: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Tantrum Books
Genre: MG, Fantasy

About-the-Author


Vanessa Barger was born in West Virginia, and through several moves ended up spending the majority of her life in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and has degrees in Graphic Design, a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and a Masters in Technology Education. She has had articles published in Altered Arts Magazine, has had some artwork displayed in galleries in Ohio and online, and currently teaches engineering, practical physics, drafting and other technological things to high school students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), the Virginia Writer's Club, and the Hampton Roads Writers. When not writing or teaching, she’s a bookaholic, movie fanatic, and loves to travel. She is married to a fabulous man, and has one cat, who believes Vanessa lives only to open cat food cans, and can often be found baking when she should be editing.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | YouTube

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
Titles not yet released will be upon its publication.

Button



Dorothy Follow on Bloglovin

Thursday, 4 September 2014

Vanessa Barger: The Importance of Reading to a Writer


Today we are happy to have our pub-sister Vanessa Barger here to chat about the importance of reading to a writer. I couldn't agree with her thoughts more. I think reading is the single most important thing a serious writer can do to improve their craft. But before we delve into Vanessa's spot-on post, here's a little bit about her new YA paranormal novel, A Whispered Darkness. It sounds absolutely fantastic and is available now!

Title: A Whispered Darkness
Publication date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Vanessa Barger

When Claire Mallory’s father leaves, her mom moves them to a new town and into a dilapidated
Victorian house.

The old house creaks and whistles, and smells well — like it’s been abandoned for years. But as the nights grow longer and the shadows take on substance, Claire wonders if the strange sounds and occurrences might be more than the house showing its age.

Just as things start to pick up in Claire’s love life, her mother becomes possessed. In an attempt to save her mother and their new home, Claire enlists the help of two boys, each of whom is interested in Claire for different reasons. As she chooses one boy over the other, something dangerous is unleashed, and the spirits make their move.

They aren’t content to moan and scream inside Claire’s house, or even control her mom. They want a taste of freedom, and she’s their key to getting it. But is Claire strong enough to fight off the evil spirits, or will they claim her and her mom before it’s all over?


          



The Importance of Reading to a Writer
by Vanessa Barger

Thanks for letting me guest blog today. Since I’ve been given free reign (insert evil laughter here) I took a while thinking of what to say. Do I talk about the road to publication? Nah. Where I got the idea for A WHISPERED DARKNESS? Meh. Instead I thought I’d talk about the importance of reading to a writer.

Some of you are looking at me like I’m crazy. Of course you read. But I want to stress the importance of it. As writers, you get caught up in your own worlds. Especially if there’s a lot going on. For me, I teach high school, then write (sometimes more than one thing at a time), then work on blogging and the things that come with having a book published. Hopefully I’ll be juggling speaking engagements with that someday as well.

It’s important to take the time to read. While I think authors should read extensively in their area – otherwise how do you know what else is out there – I think as long you’re reading something it doesn’t matter. I had a critique partner once who used to say she had to “refill her word count” and take a break to read a book. I think that’s pretty accurate.

It’s easy to write a book, edit it, submit it, edit it again, send it to crit partners, beta it, edit it, rinse and repeat and you get tired. But if you read a book or two (or seven) it helps to get you motivated. Reading someone you admire makes you want to do better as a writer. You get pumped and inspired.
Reading someone else’s work is kind of like watching those ridiculous football movies if you’re a football fan/player (Forgive me if I offend. There are football fans, and then there are people like me who hide at the mention of a touchdown). They make you want to be better.

Anything that can inspire you to be better and make your work better and is something fun wins in my book.

I have a few suggestions – if you want beautiful prose, read anything by Lisa Ann Sandell. You want creepy and gritty? Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann. Fun Scifi? I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. Light hearted historical? Eva Ibottson will do it for you.

I could go on, but those are some great suggestions. If you have something you adore, I’d love to hear it! I’m always looking to add to my never-ending reading list!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Barger was born in West Virginia, and through several moves ended up spending the majority of her life in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Old Dominion University, and has degrees in Graphic Design, a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, and a Masters in Technology Education. She has had articles published in Altered Arts Magazine, has had some artwork displayed in galleries in Ohio and online, and currently teaches engineering, practical physics, drafting and other technological things to high school students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and the Virginia Writer's Club. When not writing or teaching, she’s a bookaholic, movie fanatic, and loves to travel. She has one cat, who believes Vanessa lives only to open cat food cans, and can often be found baking when she should be editing.


               


Elizabeth Follow on Bloglovin