YA Feature: Introducing YA author Kimberly Kinrade


Hey! This week on Reading Away The Days YA Feature is YA author Kimberly Kinrade. Kimberly is the author of YA paranormal thriller/romance series Forbidden. Welcome Kimberly to Reading Away The Days by checking out her books and leaving her a nice comment!




A little about Kimberly and her writing career so far:


I've had an eclectic career that began when I was a child and ran out of teeth to sell to the Tooth Fairy. I needed a new business plan, so I started writing stories to sell to the neighbors. These were much easier to produce than teeth! I'd love to say I became a best-seller out of grade school, but I had a few more bridges to cross. In college I fell into journalism, and while I still dabbled in creative writing, my non-fiction writing payed the bills.

I became a theater critic and entertainment writer for a large, daily Los Angeles newspaper. It was my mentor and academic advisor, Barry Cavin, who really inspired me in my work and encourage me to go to Sarah Lawrence College in New York, where I studied playwrighting. Still, the world of non-fiction called to me and I worked as a freelance writer, editor and ghostwriter for many years.

When I met my fiance and writing partner, Dmytry Karpov, he reignited my love for stories and inspired me to finish a few books I had set aside. Thus, Forbidden Mind was born, as was my career as a novelist.



Can you tell me about the first book in the Forbidden series, Forbidden Mind?


In Forbidden Mind, Sam reads minds and is one of many kids raised in a secret school devoted to nurturing, and exploiting, the gifts of paranormal children and teens. She has been raised to believe this organization, dubbed Rent-A-Kid by the kids, has her best interest at heart and will free her to live her own life when she turns 18.

However, when she mentally bonds with a young man who controls minds, she starts to uncover dark secrets that destroy her illusions and force her to face the truth about her future, and her past.



Where did you get the idea for the Forbidden series?


Forbidden Mind was born from a dream about a girl with special gifts who spent her life rented out to the rich and powerful as a spy. I took some notes one night and set them aside... for many years. I remembered this story, originally called Rent-A-Kid, while looking for something I could put out while preparing my other books for publication. What started as a short story turned into a trilogy! 

In your novel Sam can read minds and Drake can control minds. If you had to read minds or control minds which would you choose and why?

You know, after living in both their heads, I'm not sure I'd want either 'gift.' Sam really struggles with the ethics of mind control--does anyone really have the right to do that to another?--and even mind reading. She begins to question the morality of her existence and struggles with what comes so naturally to her.

I suppose if I could control it, I'd love to read minds. I mean, how many of us would love to know what someone else is really thinking? But then I think about all the fleeting thoughts I have--some shallow, some unkind, most not really reflections of what I truly think or feel, and I wouldn't want to be judged based on those. Nor would I want want to be privy to others' passing thoughts. I think it make us all less trusting and intimate with each other.


Forbidden Fire the second book in the Forbidden series. Are you excited for the release of the next book?


I'm SO excited. Forbidden Fire is a longer, more complicated book that actually runs two story lines parallel to each other. One from the point of view of Sam and the other from the point of view of Lucy, Sam's best friend who always knows when people are lying.

In Forbidden Fire, some secrets will be revealed that really blew me away when I wrote them (some were a surprise to me!). I hope others are as excited as I am when they read it. But it means taking more time to flesh it out and make sure all the plot lines and characters are woven together well. I'd rather delay the release and make sure it's ready, then rush a story that's almost ready. I hope, in the end, everyone else feels the wait was worth it!



How many books are going to be in the Forbidden series?


This is a trilogy, with Forbidden Life being the last in the series. However, I already have some ideas for a branch-off series down the road. I'm not sure about it yet, but it could be a lot of fun!


Are you currently working on any new projects at the moment?

So many! I have a lower grade chapter book trilogy in the works, called The Three Lost Kids. Each book is based on a world my little girls have created: Lexie World, Bella World and Madelynne World and each include full color illustrations that are going to be amazing. I'm so excited to be working with Josh Evans at Evolved Pub. He's incredible! In these books, young readers will be drawn into a magical world where they'll learn about caring for the earth, sharing and how to handle bullies from unicorns, dragons and fairies!

I also have another trilogy started, The Chronicles of Corinne. This is an Upper YA (or New Adult) series starting with Death by Destiny about a young woman who has been born under two prophesies--one says she'll save the worlds, the other says she'll destroy them. Through her journey into power, she learns about love, betrayal and what it means to choose. This is a series close to my heart and I can't wait to launch it!

Finally, I have a younger YA series planned called The Reluctant Familiar about a young witch, Agnes, who doesn't think she has any powers until she accidentally bonds with an alley cat, who turns about to be a god. When she is thrust into the worlds of gods and goddesses, she must learn to use her powers to discover who has stolen the Ring of Nefertiti before it's too late. 


Why should we read your series Forbidden?

The Forbidden series is a blend of thriller, paranormal suspense and romance. The themes in these books transcend genre and age, forcing readers to consider questions of love (what is it about someone you really love?), how we as humans use each other--or look the other way as others are used, and what it really means to be human. Through it all you get pages of action packed adventure, a heroine that is strong and relatable and a unique love story that captivates you. (I hope!)


As Halloween is just around the cornor. I asked Kimberly some Halloween related questions!


Scariest book you have read and why?


The Pet Sematary by Stephen King. It was so real and so human, the loss of his son, the desperate desire to bring him back. It freaked me out!

Scariest movie you have seen?

That's tough. I don't really get scared by movies, but I think the Paranormal Activity movies come closest. I like when things are presented in a very real, normal way and the terror is subtle, until it's not! I can't wait to see the 3rd one in theaters!  

One thing you where afraid of when you where a child and why?

Ants. I was--and am still--terrified by ants. I know it sounds lame. But I'd rather have spiders, lions, man-eating beasts, anything other than ants. One ant alone doesn't bother me, but when are they ever alone? A single ant is a suicidal ant. They come in droves, or... whatever they're called. They attack as an army and they could eat an entire human being, I'm sure. They are terrifying and unnatural I tell you!!!

If you where/are going to dress up for Halloween what would it be as?

We are all dressing up for Halloween! I'm going as a sexy witch. Dmytry is a very sexy sorcerer. Our kids are going as a goth fairy, dragon and unicorn! (They each match the main fairy tale creatures in their books, totally coincidentally!) I love Halloween!


Thanks to Kimberly for the awesome interview!!


Buy Kimberly's book at various locations:



SmashWords: http://bit.ly/qravET






Connect with Kimberly:


Website: http://KimberlyKinrade.com
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/KimberlyKinrade
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/KimberlyKinrade

Author Interview: Cyndi Tefft

A little about Cyndi and her writing career:

I first started writing (mostly a bunch of angst-ridden poetry) when I was in middle school as a way to deal with the emotional trauma of liking This Guy or That Guy who didn't know I was alive. Being able to purge my thoughts on paper--those words I wouldn't dare say out loud--kept me sane. It wasn't until I was married with two kids that I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. I was watching a video of Stephenie Meyer and she seemed like a normal person. Kinda like me. I thought that if she could do it, maybe I could, too. So I did. It hasn't had the same following, though. LOL

You are the author of Between. Can you tell me a little about it?



Between is a love story between a modern American girl who dies in a car accident and the 18th century Scottish Highlander who comes to take her to heaven. It's for older teens and young-at-heart adults who love romance (and hunky guys).

Where did you get the idea for Between?

I was reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and fell in love with Scotland, so that was the inspiration for my leading male character, Aiden MacRae (who, I must say, is yummy). I wanted to write a good versus evil kind of story but didn't want to do angels and demons (per se), so I spent some time noodling on it and came up with the idea of the Transporter who takes souls to heaven and this realm in between the two planes, where anything can happen.

How does it feel to have your first book out there for everyone to read. Exciting and nervous at the same time I would guess!

You're so right! Writing a book is grueling, but getting it ready to publish and then marketing the book. Oy. *wipes forehead* It's a lot of hard work. Still, holding the printed copy in my hands for the first time was euphoria like I'd never known. And connecting with readers who love the book has brought me such joy. Group hug!!

Are you currently working on any other projects at the moment?

I am about halfway through the sequel to Between, called Hell Transporter. Aiden is a Transporter who takes souls from earth to heaven. The sequel focuses on his counterpart who goes the other way. *cue scary music*

Why should we read Between?

If you like to get swept up in a love story, to forget about the day-to-day trials of the real world and immerse yourself in a realm where time travel is possible, and if a sexy Scottish accent makes you swoon, then Between is the book for you!

Cyndi's Book History!

Favourite book as a child and why?



The Ramona books by Beverly Cleary because she got into more trouble than I did.


Favourite book as a teenager and why?
 
 


Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury because his imagination knows no bounds.

Favourite book you have read this year and why?



Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready because it's an awesome read and it features a Scot!

A book you would recommend my readers check out?



If you haven't read the Outlander series, do it! It is not YA, but it is brilliantly written. Jamie Fraser is the inspiration for my YA hero. He is divine.


A book that has taught you a lesson and why?



On Writing by Stephen King is an incredible source of inspiration, guidance and hope for writers. I borrowed it from the library and loved it so much, I bought a copy for my bookshelf. If you are a writer (or would like to be), you owe it to yourself to get a copy.

Between is available for sale:

Personalized print copies available from cynditefft.com


Connect with Cyndi:


Twitter:  @cynditefft

Winners of 13 on Halloween!

13 on Halloween (Volume 1)

Hey! Here are the 4 Winners of an Ebook of 13 on Halloween!
A BIG THANK YOU to author Laura Elliot for providing the Ebooks for the giveaway!

Winners:

PABKINS
KELLY
GEORGI
THE KISS

All winners have been sent emails!

Congrats!

Don't forget to check out my current giveaways by clicking the current giveaways tab along the top!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop -October 24th-31st (International)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED


Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by the awesome I am a reader not a writer & The diary of a bookworm

I love this time of year I think the main reason is because it's my birthday the day before Halloween. LOL So here is what I am giving away on this hop:

One lucky person will win:

A copy of Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie by Holly Black

Valiant (The Modern Faerie Tales, #2)

(This does contain some adult content, so be advised.)

Also the lucky winner will recieve a awesome swag pack of:

*A pack of Spirit Storm cards by E.J Stevens
*A signed Legend of Witchtot Road by E.J. Stevens
*She Smells the dead bookmark by E.J. Stevens

So to enter to win a copy of Valiant by Holly Black & the E.J Stevens Swag pack:

*Be a GFC follower (Leave follower name)
*Comment with your fave scary read

Extra Entries:

+2 Tweet about the giveaway
+2 Subscribe by email (It's easy its at the top right just enter your email and follow the instructions, it doesn't take long)

-To enter you must be 14+
-Giveaway is International
-Giveaway sponsered by me with thanks to E.J.Stevens for the swag pack

Check out my other giveaways: (ALL INTERNATIONAL)

600 Follower Giveaway
Win a paperback copy of Jessie hearts NYC by Keris Stainton
Win Shade & Shift Swag by Jeri Smith Ready






Review: Shade by Jeri Smith Ready & Giveaway

Where can I start with how awesome Shade by Jeri Smith Ready is. First off I have to admit Shade has been on my TRL for a while and the main reason I got around to bumping it up the TRL was via contact with the author on twitter. She kindly replied to my tweets and I saw all the love she was getting about her series that I thought why not check it out of the library straight away and start it, and am so glad I did. Once I started reading it I was engrossed by the story.


The story surrounds Aura a girl who can see ghosts. However she is not the only one. On the Winter Solstice over sixteen years ago something happened meaning that anyone born after this can now see ghosts. Anyone born before that time can't see ghosts (even if they could see ghosts before) The ghosts are of people who have died suddenly not of those who knew they where going to die.

Aura is a normal sixteen year old girl (who hates seeing ghosts) with normal teenage issues. Like is she ready to have sex with her "rockstar" boyfriend Logan. Aura decides the time is right and decides that their special night will be the night of Logan's seventeenth birthday. Logan is in a band called the Keeley Brothers with his brother Mickey, sister Siobhan and his friend Bryan. And on the night of Logan's birthday his band plays a gig in front of major record labels. The gig goes well and his band gets an offer. Back at Logan's house everyone is celebrating and Logan gets drunk and when he and Aura got to have sex, lets just say he can't perform. He doesn't want to let Aura down and does something stupid to try and help the situation and dies!

Logan is now a ghost. Aura now thinks maybe its a blessing she can see ghosts as a ghost Logan is better than know Logan at all. Step in handsome Scottish exchange student Zachary. Zachary and Aura have to work on a school project together and from the start you can see that Aura and Zachary has a connection. Thus starts the boy drama. Along with the boy drama Aura is trying to figure out why the Shift happened (when everyone started seeing ghosts) and there is shocking surprises and revelations along the way.

I really enjoyed Shade and loved the concept of Jeri- Smith Ready's ghosts, they weren't your typical scary ghosts. Ghosts can "go bad" though if they Shade like which can get quite scary and deadly for the ghost seeing generation.  The characters were relateable and it wasn't all about the shift and the ghosts even though this is the mean story but there was teenage and moral issues as well. I think Jeri Smith Ready is an amazingly talented author and I can't wait to read more of her books.

Overall Shade was an exciting, amazing and engrossing story.

5/5 Butterflies

Giveaway Closed!

I have some awesome Shade & Shift swag to giveaway thanks to the awesome Jeri Smith Ready.

Prize one:

*A signed Shade bookmark
*A signed Shift bookmark
*A signed sticker of Shade
*An Enthralled postcard signed by Jeri Smith Ready

Prize two:

*A signed book with Shade on one side and Shift on the other
*A signed sticker of Shade
*A Keeley Brothers Sticker

To Enter:

*You must be a GFC follower (Leave GFC follower name)
*Comment below on my review of Shade

Extra Entry:

*Tweet: +2


-Swag provided by Jeri Smith Ready
-Giveaway is International
-Giveaway closes 10th November


YA Feature: Introducing YA author: Alexia Purdy


This week on Reading Away The Days I would like to welcome Alexia Purdy. Alexia Purdy is the author of The Teleen Trilogy. Please welcome Alexia to Reading Away The Days by checking out her series and by showing some comment love.

A little about Alexia and her writing career so far:

I read a lot, I can remember reading in 1st grade and I’d devour everything I got hold of.  I have to credit this for my love of writing too.  Writing is something I must do.  The stories scream to be written, so I must write.  I delved into short stories and poetry most of the time.  I have stacks of them.  I figured that I need to learn to write more extensively to become of any interest to be published as an author, so I dove head first into writing and Interim Blue arose from this.  It’s definitely harder than I thought it would be but I absolutely love it!  I am also self-published, which has offered me so many opportunities and is definitely not the same as some stereotypes try to lead people to believe it is.  The indie/self-published community is awesome; absolutely hands down the best people I have ever met.  They help each other out, offer advice and are extremely talented people.  I will never look back thanks to them.


I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and I work as an RN, which leaves my imagination quite parched and dry!  I have four rambunctious kids that keep me quite busy.  I have always wanted to be a nurse and a writer since I can remember and now I can finally say I have done both! 

You are the author of The Teleen Trilogy.  Can you tell us a little about the first book in the series, Interim Blue?

Interim Blue is about a girl named Shade who has had some strange talents her entire life without really knowing why.  After a run in with a faerie warrior named Jack, she is pulled into the world of Faerie where she reluctantly undertakes a mission to obtain powerful magic to aid the Seelie Queen in an ongoing war in Faerie between the Unseelie (evil) and Seelie (good) courts. Trouble follows her like a magnet as she meets friends and foes.  She works to overcome them and learns more about the magic inside her.

Where did you get the idea for The Teleen Trilogy? 

A lot of my writings are based on dreams.  I remember all my dreams and Interim Blue came from a really weird dream I had where I dreamt of a girl following a man made of blue fire taking place in a where house.  Pretty much followed it and let the story unfold.

I love the cover of Interim Blue! Who designed it and did you have much say in the designing of the cover?

Interim Blue (The Teleen Trilogy #1)

Thank you!  I had a ton of say!  I took the picture myself in the Sequoia forest of California about 12 years ago.  When I was thinking of a cover, my pictures came to mind of that beautiful and enchanting place.  I wanted something simple but foreboding.  Tinting it helped me capture the vision in my head. 

The Teleen Trilogy has faerie's in it. There are lots of different takes on faeries's in novels today. What sort of take on faeries have you used in your book?

I have all the well-known aspects of faeries, for example- their intolerance to iron, they cannot lie, they have magic and some are beautiful beyond words and some are not.  Other than that, I have added a new race, The Teleen, who wield blue fire and electrical currents.   They are all mischievous and not really trustworthy.  Definitely not the Disney type of fairies, these are more like a parallel world where they can be quite cruel and fantastical at the same time.

The second book in the Teleen Trilogy, Ash and Embers is out next month. Can you tell my readers a little about the next book in the trilogy?

Ash and Embers (The Teleen Trilogy #2)

Shade has come into her powers in this book.  It will have more tragedy and blood-shed, battles and of course, love and heartache.  Her internal struggles continue but with a more mature aspect to things around her.  There is more of her home life in it; interactions of her family and such.  There is also a more in depth approach to the Land of Faerie, its politics and effects of the war between Unseelie and Seelie courts.  More in depth characters, and the return of some very key characters.

Why should we read The Teleen Trilogy?

I think you should read it because this is not the usual ‘Fairy Tale’.  It has a fresh look on a fascinating world and it’s a place one can disappear into and never return.  Definitely not the worn out vampire/werewolf tale.  It’s a highly neglected branch of paranormal that has infinite possibilities! 

Are you currently working on any other projects at the moment?

I am!  I will be working on the third book of the Teleen Trilogy, title pending.  I have a post-apocalyptic vampire hunter novel coming up called ‘The Reign of Blood’.  It is also an upper YA Urban Fantasy with a twist on vampires and vampire hunters, I have Resident Evil to thank as an influence on this one but with vampires, not zombies.   I love the paranormal genre but I want to breathe new life into it, I refuse to take the road most taken.  This novel will be done before book three of the Teleen Trilogy, and hopefully due out in Feb/March of 2012.  Book 3 of the Teleen Trilogy will be due out July 2012.   I also am compiling a collection of poems I have written spanning two decades.  That will be due out hopefully March 2012, title pending.  I’m planning a very busy year!


Alexia's Book History

A favorite book as a child and why?


It was ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, but it was illustrated and written in Spanish!  Wish I still had it.  Otherwise it was ‘Wait till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story’ by Mary Downing Hahn (1987), which I believe was recently re-released.  Such a haunting tale.  It freaked me out so much, I had to read it over and over and over again.  I’m a gluten for punishment.

A favorite book as a teenager and why?



‘Homecoming by Cynthia Voight’  Why? Well, at that time it seemed so epic and I loved how the kids overcame obstacles and abandonment with realistic reactions.   Her writing envoked so many feelings of fear, hate, sadness and loss.  Love those types of books.

The best book you have read this year and why?



Oh, I’ve read so many this year, let’s see, hmmm.  That’s the hardest question ever!!! I’d have to say probably ‘The Road’ by Cormac Mc Carthy.  The raw terror you feel for the characters is absolutely gripping.  It was so disturbing that I have to say, I will never read this book again, it affected me so much!

A book that taught you a lesson and why?



The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman.  It tells of how everything you do today, can affect everything in your future and the futures of others.  I love how she writes, she leaves you haunted with characters spun with pain and suffering, yet they survive, and find the humanity within themselves and eachother.

An author you would recommend to my readers?

I always recommend Alice Hoffman and Cassandra Clare.  Their stories are weaved seamlessly and evoke deep emotions, leaving you breathless in every read.

Thanks to Alexia for the awesome interview. Interium Blue is now available on Amazon , Smashwords & Barnes & Noble

Follow Alexia @ her:

Website
Facebook Profile
Interium Blue Facebook Fan Page
Goodreads

Generations 1: Book of Enlightenment Blog Tour: Chapter Excerpt & Giveaway

Generations: Book of Enlightenment (Generations, #1)

"Ellie Solomon has always been sort of a loner. Between her brother (who is the only family she has left) and a few friends (that are more his friends than hers) she lives a boring life. The one person she confides in is her Guardian Angel who visits her dreams. He is her best friend, too bad he's not real. When strange wolves with red eyes begin chasing her one evening, a mysterious boy and his dog saves her, catapulting her into the secret of her parents fate and who she really is. Together, with her new friends she embarks on a journey that leads her to the destiny of her Generation"

Today the Generations Blog Tour stops by Reading Away The Days. Generation: Book of Enlightenment is a new book from author Mia Castile. Here is an excerpt from the book and a giveaway:

This is one of Mia's favorite scenes in the book because "it's both spooky and introduces a main character Ben."  Mia Castile

It opens up as Ellie's finishing her shift at the book store:

I dusted the stacks, swept, mopped the floor, and took out the trash. When the clock struck seven, I was ready to go. “Good night, Sonny. I’ll see ya next Tuesday.” He was in his office and didn’t answer me. I locked the front door and began my three-block walk home. It was brisk for a spring evening. I wrapped my sweater tighter around me and tied the strap. I held on tight to my shoulder purse. My hair was pulled up in a ponytail. I almost wished I’d let it down before I stepped out. The hair on the back of my neck began to stand up. It was very quiet to be so early in the evening. There were no cars on the street or people walking on the sidewalks like there usually were at this time of day. I walked a block in silence. Then I heard the patter of feet behind me. I turned to see who was there and I froze. What looked like mangy grey wolves were following me. There were three of them. They must have realized they had scared me because the one in the middle stepped forward. His eyes glowed red. He began to growl, “Grrreeelllliii.” My eyes widened with fear. Did this creature just say my name? I took a step backward but held eye contact with the wolf in the middle. Was there really no one around? He took two steps forward. “Grrreeellliii.” I began to freak out. “Help!” I yelled in my loudest voice. I turned and ran. They snarled, and I heard them chasing me. I could hear the main one growling my name. I ran as fast as I could. If I could make it to where people were, I would be safe. If not, I might have to get a tetanus shot and some stitches, or worse. I didn’t want to think about or worse. I ran. It was a good city block before I heard him. I’ll never forget the relief I felt.  “Hey,” and then I heard one of the wolves yelp in pain, then another yelp. I slowed and turned around. There was a blond-haired boy standing between me and the wolves. He wore jeans and a hunter green letterman jacket. He had a German Shepherd with him. It was growling at the two wolves left. The other one had run away in fear. The boy swung a board wildly. The dog leaped and bit into the neck of one of the wolves. Again I heard a yelp of pain as the wolf struggled to free itself. The boy swung again and hit the second wolf in the leg. It snapped back at the board and jumped on him, but it was too late. He swung again and hit it in the head. That was all it took. The wolves freed themselves and ran away. The boy and his dog ran up to me. He was tall and had strong features. His eyes were crystal blue. It looked like the wolf had scratched him across his cheek. “Hey, sweets. Are you all right?” he asked between his heavy breaths.
“I think so. Were they saying my name?” I looked past him to the direction the wolves had run, still trembling.  “I don’t know what your name is.” He beamed a brilliant white, perfect-teeth smile. I didn’t answer him. I didn’t know if I should answer him. He must have sensed my unease because he added. “I’m Benjamin. You can call me Ben, and this. . .” He put his hand on the head of his dog that stood there with its eyes fixed on me. “This is Boss.”  “I’m Ellie.” “Yeah. They were growling your name.” I smiled a nervous smile at his observation. “Can we walk you someplace safe?” It was dusk now. “I’m just a block up this way.” I pointed in the direction of my apartment. We walked the rest of the way in silence. What could we say? When we reached my apartment building door, I noticed his scratch was bleeding. “You should come up.” He raised his eyebrows and surveyed me. “You’re bleeding. You should come up,” I added nervously as I pointed to his scratch. “Lead the way.” He held his hand toward the door.


Thanks to Mia for the excerpt! Generations 1: Book of Enlightenment is released on October 25th and it will be available, on amazon, bn.com, ibooks, and kobo, as well as print!

Giveaway

 Mia is giving away and ecopy and print copy of Generations: Book of Enlightenment as well as 5 sets of bookmark/postcard combos

To qualify, you must:

1. Comment on each blog post (each comment gets you one entry into the drawing.) Here are the other bloggers participating in the tour:
2. Tweet the blog post that day with the hash tag #generations (each tweet earns you another entry.)


3. Post a link on facebook to the blog entry.(Allowing you yet ANOTHER entry)

The winners will be announced during the Virtual Launch Party Saturday 22nd at 6pm est on USTREAM.

-Giveaway is International
-Giveaway is sponsored by Mia Castile

International Giveaway: A paperback copy of Jessie loves NYC by Keris Stainton

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Jessie ♥ NYC

Today I am giving away a paperback copy of Jessie loves NYC by Keris Stainton on behalf of my sister's blog Reading A little bit of Everything . Today on Reading A little bit of everything my sister posted a interview with author of Jessie loves NYC, Keris Stainton and a also her review of Jessie Loves NYC. I thought why not give away a copy of Jessie loves NYC to one lucky follower.

To Enter:
You must head over and follow my sister's blog Reading A Little Bit of Everything and then come back here and comment below that you have followed her blog along with your email address so I can contact you if you win! Simple as peas!

*My sister is also giving away a copy of Jessie hearts NYC on her blog so that means you have two chances to win*

-Giveaway is International
-Giveaway Ends October 31st
-Giveaway is sponsored by me in association with Reading A Little Bit of Everything's blog

Smokeless Fire Blog Tour: Character Interview & Giveaway


"For the last two years Ari Johnson's life has been anything but normal, and on her 18th birthday, when her friends surprise her with a gimmick genie claiming to grant wishes, Ari discovers the truth. The tragic and strange occurrences surrounding her 16th birthday were not coincidental and her life is never going to be the same again.

Ari's real parents are not normal. They are not loving. They are not human.

They are myth.

They are Smokeless Fire.

They are Jinn."


Today the Smokeless Fire Blog Tour stops by Reading Away The Days! Smokeless Fire is the first book in a new YA Paranormal Romance series from author Samantha Young!  Today on Reading Away The Days we have a character interview with Ari the main character in Smokeless Fire plus a giveaway! Enjoy the character interview and check out the giveaway below!

You seem to have difficulties deciding what to do with your future but if you really had to choose between going to Business School and embracing the Jinn world, what would you choose?

Uhh...that's like the opposite of Sophie's Choice. You're asking me to choose between boredom and probable death...Can I choose neither??

If there was one thing in the world you wish you could change about your life what would it be?

I'm not making wishes these days. They lead nowhere good.

You mention you played Little League when you were a kid. Are you a baseball fan and if so what team do you support?

Weeelll...if you ask my dad he'll tell you we're both Cincinnati Reds fans... but I may have a secret Yankee's cap hidden in my closet somewhere. Let's not tell my dad, though. We'll just add it to the ever growing pile of stuff that my dad is completely oblivious to.

I noticed you're a huge Harry Potter fan. Do you think if you were Hermione you would have fallen for Ron or would you have pursued the title hero himself?

Harry is a lot more straightforward than Ron. Ron kind of gives Hermione the runaround a few times so....going by my track record? Yeah, I probably would have fallen for Ron too. I seem to have a thing for guys who play hard to get and are hard to read. What is that?! Guys are such tools sometimes.

You seem harder on Jai than you are on Charlie. Is that because you consider Charlie a friend but Jai the enemy?

There's a lot of history between Charlie and me. If I seem easier on him (even when he is being a douchebag) it's because I know deep down he's a good guy just going though a rough time. As for Jai... I don't mean to be hard on him. And he's hard on me! We've come to an unspoken mutual agreement to try and irritate the life out of each other. It's a lot more fun than I would like to admit...because, honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about Jai. He's not the enemy. I know he's trying to protect me... but does that mean I can trust him? Hmm...it remains to be seen I guess.

When you were in the realm if the Jinn you said you were freaked out and scared but you also seemed to be in awe of it. Is there a part of you attracted to the Jinn world?


Would it make me a masochist if I said a tiny little part of me? OK , OK, 98% of me is like "ahhhhhh, run for your life, Ari!" but standing on that balcony looking over the emerald mountains of Mount Qaf... I was a little bit impressed. OK, a lot. OK it was frickin' beautiful. 2% of me is attracted to the Jinn world! That's not so bad. I'm not masochist. I just like things that sparkle...the correct answer should have been no, right? Can I have a do over? No? Crap.

Your friends and your dad don't know anything about the Jinn world. Would you tell them if you could?

No. Definitely no. It's bad enough some of them have been inadvertently drawn into it. I wouldn't put my dad and the rest of my friends in danger by sharing this secret with them. It would ruin their lives. Plus...I'd have  to enlist Jai to demonstrate Jinn enchantment to get them even to believe me and I already owe him a bunch of favors. If I find myself too much in his debt I might actually start to trust him. The horror.

Finally, if you were stranded on a desert island what one person, one book and one refreshment would you take with you?

One person? Well that's not fair, Jai is permanently glued to my side because of this whole guardian business. I'd have to take him! What if I wanted to take Charlie? Or my dad? Hmm.... I'd be stranded on a desert island with Jai so I'd need a really good book to distract me. OK, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. It's my favourite. And refreshment? A six pack of Diet Coke. Jai, The Handmaid's Tale and Diet Coke. Well at least two out of three of those things will make a desert island bearable.

Thanks to Samantha for the awesome character interview!

Smokeless Fire is available October 21st! Check out the Fire Spirits website
http://firespiritsnovels.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow's stop on the Smokeless Fire Blog Tour is over @ the slowest bookworm's with a review and a giveaway! For the rest of the tour schedule click here!



Samantha's Blog
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@SYoungSFauthor

Giveaway Closed

Samantha has kindly offered TWO Ebooks of Smokeless Fire up for grabs. All you have to do to enter is be a GFC follower of my blog!

Extra Entry:

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-Giveaway ends October 28th



Author Interview: Cat Patrick

A little about Cat and her writing career so far:

Sure! I've always loved writing, ever since I was very young. I wrote my first story at eight--Dolly the Purple Spotted Dolphin. My mom had it laminated and I was so proud! In college, I majored in journalism, then I ended up going into public relations, but the part of my job I loved best was the writing. I always wrote creatively on the side, be it poetry, short stories or the beginnings of novels. It wasn't until after I had my twins in 2008 that I got the right idea. The concept for FORGOTTEN just struck me one morning when I forgot what I'd been doing in the middle of the activity. I started writing that day, and three months later, sent the book to my top-pick agent. He responded very positively, and we worked together for six months to fine-tune the book. Then it went to auction and sold to Little, Brown in the US, followed by Egmont in the UK. All told, it'll be in 21 territories and Paramount bought the film rights, as well.


For all my readers that haven't read FORGOTTEN can you tell us a little about it?

FORGOTTEN is the story of London Lane, a teen girl who remembers the future instead of the past. The book is about London's plight to navigate life, love and high school with her strange condition, and to solve the mystery of her past so she can move forward with her future.

I love FORGOTTEN. It is one of my favourite books I have read this year. The twists and turns of the book I didn't see coming and oh the romance (I heart Luke) was awesome. FORGOTTEN has got amazing praise from many people. How does it feel when you here how someone loved your book. I can only guess its a great feeling.

It truly never gets old--I get chills every single time someone says they loved my book. Being an author is such a strange thing. It's a very solitary "job"--you sit alone at your computer and make up stories, then you shove them out the door and hope that people like them. Hearing from fans that they connected with something I wrote is the best encouragement I can get. It makes me want to keep writing.

There are lots of different covers for FORGOTTEN as alot of countries have different covers. I really like the UK cover. Is there a particular cover you like?

Forgotten


The UK cover really is amazing--did you know that the model is also the photographer?--but I love each of them for different reasons. France and Australia are so dreamlike and remind me of London's future memories. US is bold and really jumps off the shelves. UK has the windy landscape and eerie setting that speaks to the darker parts of the book. Russia is so distinctive, and have you seen the one from Sweden? Very creepy, in a good way. Those who haven't seen them can check out the covers on my site at http://www.catpatrick.com/media/.

Paramount bought the rights of the book at the beginning of this year. If you could have an input is there any actors/actresses you could see playing London and Luke?

Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) is attached to play London, and I think she's the perfect choice. As for Luke, I'll leave that tough job for the casting director. But based on looks alone, I'd be partial to someone who resembles a young Chris Hemsworth.

I am so excited for you next book Revived. May 8th seems forever away. Can you tell my readers a little about Revived?

Aw, thank you. Yes, I can share the "official" description of the book:

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life. A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency's true goals, she realizes she's at the center of something much larger -- and more sinister -- than she ever imagined.

Finally why should we read FORGOTTEN?

There are so many great books out there, but I do think that FORGOTTEN's unique, and I've heard that it's a single-sitting read...so it's good for a quick hit of entertainment! More than that, even though it's about a girl with a very strange (and fictional) condition, I really hope that people find London Lane to be an approachable character that readers of all ages can relate to. I still root for her and Luke--and I still get chills at the surprises along the way--when I re-read it. I only hope that people enjoy reading FORGOTTEN as much as I enjoyed writing it.

twitter @seecatwrite

Check out my review of FORGOTTEN here!

Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Forgotten is a forgettable story from debut author Cat Patrick. From page one I feel in love with Forgotten and I couldn't out it down.

Forgotten

I was intrigued by the concept of Forgotten from the beginning. A girl who could see the future but not remember her past. She may remember the fight she has with her best friend next week but she can't remember what she ate for breakfast the day before.

London Lane is this girl and she gets by with the help of her mum, her best friend Jamie and notes. London has to put alot of trust in her best friend Jamie and her mum to help her. However her best friend is "going of the rails". Jamie is having an affair with her teacher and London can see it ending in disaster, the disaster being her friend and the teacher getting caught and Jamie taking an overdose. How can London stop this from happening. Can she intervene and change the future?

London's "forgetfulness" can also lead to embarrassing moments. Like forgetting your gym things and having to borrow "a bright yellow cat t-shirt that says "Have a purr-fect day!" and to top it of theres a fire drill during that gym class. However a plus is meeting a hot guy who lends you his jacket :)

There isn't much explanation at first to why and how London started forgetting. She wasn't always like that. However as long as London can remember i.e. with her notes and with help from her mum, each day at 4.33AM her brain resets itself and London forgets everything from that day. The problem with not remembering is that London can choose to forget embarrassing situations and boys that lie to her by simply not writing them down so she doesn't remember them. But one of the downsides is that because you can't remember people can also lie to you. And that's exactly what London's mum is doing. Through the book London has a recurring dream and each time she dreams, more details are added. The big shock is this dream is not for the future its from the past (which of  course London can never remember) and opens a whole load of questions and revelations you don't see coming.

There is also a romance in Forgotten, one that I loved. Luke is the new boy in school and London is instantly attracted to him. Soon after a few forgetfulness mishaps they get together. Each kiss is the first for London as she can't remember them, how can her notes explain the feeling of a kiss. Each date is the first. But a big problem is London can't see Luke in her future. Why? And there is a big secret Luke is hiding from her that I didn't see coming.

Overall I really enjoyed Forgotten. It is definitely a one sit read. Forgotten is one of the best books I have read this year. I can't wait for more amazing books from Cat Patrick!

5/5 Butterflies

Check out my interview with author Cat Patrick here!

IMM #19

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren were everyone puts up the books they have bought, received or got from the library!
 
Hey! This week I only received one book in the mail and I got one book from the library. So it was a quiet week for me. The two books I did get where awesome books though!
 
From the library I got Shift by Jeri-Smith Ready:
 
Shift
 
 
This is the second book in the Shade Trilogy. I finished Shade the first book in the series last week and loved it and had to get my hands on the second one. I actually finished Shift last night and I loved it even more that Shade. I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy Shine, to come out next summer. I should have a review of both books up next weekend along with a swag giveaway.
 
I won a copy of Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey:
 
Cold Kiss
 Goodreads

I won the chance of picking a September release over on Karen's blog For What It's Worth Reviews and I choose Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey! I love the sound of the story and the cover is beautiful.
Thanks Karen!!

What did you get in your mailbox?

I currently have two awesome giveaways on the blog. My 600 Follower giveaway and a chance to win 1 of 4 Kindle Ebooks of 13 on Halloween up for grabs. Check the current giveaway tab above!




 

YA Feature: Introducing YA author Emma Raveling


Hey! This week on Reading Away The Days YA Feature is author of the Ondine Quartet series, Emma Raveling. Please show Emma some love by checking out the first book in the Ondine Quartet series, Whirl and show some comment love!

A little about Emma and her writing career so far:


Hi, Megan! Thanks for having me here!

I began writing as a child. I was always a voracious reader with an imagination that was constantly on overdrive. When I was around six-years-old, I decided that I would begin writing down the stories that were always spinning around in my head. My mother was very patient and gracious, always taking the time to read my silly little works and provide encouragement.

I continued to write throughout my childhood and won a few writing competitions in high school. I was fortunate to also have had wonderful teachers who provided continual encouragement. But by the time I went to college I chose a different career path. I always imagined that I would one day publish a novel, but it remained a vague dream.

Last year, I participated in NaNoWriMo for fun. I really wanted to get into the habit of writing daily and I enjoyed the process so much. I wanted to continue to write every single day. In January of 2011, I decided that this was the year I would publish. The idea of the Ondine Quartet series came to me at the end of the month, and I immediately began work on my debut novel, Whirl.

You are the author of the Ondine Quartet series and recently released the first book in the series WHIRL. Can you tell me a little about WHIRL?


Whirl is a young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance. The main character is Kendra Irisavie, a seventeen-year-old water elemental known as an ondine. For thousands of years, the water elemental world has been at war with the Aquidae, immortal and soulless demons. Kendra is raised to be a warrior, a tough fighter who has mastered numerous martial arts forms. Her life dramatically changes one night and she suddenly finds herself having to deal with a new world that forces her to question everything she has ever learned or known. The challenges she faces are not only life-threatening ones, but emotional risks of her heart as well.

Where did you get the idea for the Ondine Quartet series?

Whirl was inspired by classical music. The French composer Maurice Ravel composed a masterwork for solo piano called Gaspard de la Nuit. He based this three-movement work on a series of poems by Aloysius Bertrand.

The first movement of Ravel’s piece is entitled Ondine and is based upon the poem of the same name by Bertrand. This poem is included as the epigraph in Whirl. It not only serves as the inspiration for the series, but also becomes more relevant to the storyline as the series progresses. Based upon an old French myth, the poem is about Ondine, a water nymph who sings to a mortal man, attempting to lure him to her. Because the man is in love with a mortal woman, he rejects Ondine and her pleas to join her in ruling the water world. Heartbroken, Ondine fades away, disappearing beneath the waves.

I highly recommend Whirl readers to listen to Ravel’s Ondine. It captures the haunting essence of Bertrand’s poem, and the lyricism and power of the music immediately conjures the tragic, otherworldly image of the beautiful Ondine disappearing into the water.



How does it feel to have you novel out there for everyone to read. Of course you would be excited and a little nervous at the same time LOL. How has the feedback been from readers?

It really does feel like a dream come true and part of me still can’t believe that there are people out there reading and enjoying my story! You are right - it is both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking at the same time. Writing a novel feels like (or at least I imagine what it would feel like) having a child. You’ve spent so much time, work, effort, love, and care in creating it and then you set it free into the world. It can be difficult and hard to let it go in that way.

The feedback from readers has been amazing. I’ve received emails and messages from people saying how much they loved Kendra and the Ondine world. It thrills me when they tell me how realistic and relatable Kendra is and how they understood some of the subtle, deeper themes and issues I explore in the book. It makes all those hours of sweat and hard work worth it!

The Ondine Quartet Series is an edgy urban fantasy/paranormal romance. Are these the genres you like to read yourself? If so what are some of your fave books?

Yes. I do enjoy reading urban fantasy, though I am a very eclectic reader and so my reading tastes span a wide variety of genres. My favorite urban fantasy authors include Ilona Andrews, Jeanine Frost, and Stacia Kane. Besides urban fantasy, I also enjoy epic fantasy and sci-fi, horror, mystery, and literary fiction. Some of my all-time favorite books include Kafka’s Metamorphosis and Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
Three of my favorite Young Adult / MG books are Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, The Hunger Games, and the Harry Potter series.

Is there any other genres you would like to tackle i.e. dystopian, horror etc
Yes! Actually I’ve already begun taking notes on two other projects that I will begin once the Ondine Quartet is complete. One is another YA series, a dark fantasy with elements of horror. The other work I have in mind is an adult book that will be a sci-fi/dystopic/romance.

The next book in the series is called BILLOW. When is it released and can you tell us a little about it?

I’m currently working like crazy on Billow, and I really hope to have it done and released by the end of 2011 (fingers crossed).

Billow takes place six months after the end of Whirl. Kendra has, for the most part, adjusted to Haverleau life, but is still dealing with the aftermath of what happens in Whirl. Her relationships with her friends as well as Tristan and Julian deepen and become more complicated. A new Aquidae threat looms over Haverleau and Kendra soon finds herself in a situation that will drastically alter the course of her life.

Why should we read your book, WHIRL?

I think Whirl provides a new world of water elementals that hasn’t been seen before. If you like kickass girls, rich fantasy, gritty and exciting action, and a subtle simmering romance that promises to become an epic love story, Whirl is definitely for you.


Emma's Book History

Favourite book as child and why?

This would have to be a tie between EB White’s Charlotte’s Web and the entire Encyclopedia Brown mystery series.

Charlotte’s Web was the first book to provoke an emotional response in me as a reader. It was the first time I ever cried over a book, and perhaps the first time that I really understood the power of words.

The Encyclopedia Brown series got me hooked onto mysteries. I loved the idea of a boy close to my age who was a genius at solving problems. I always pitted myself against the stories, trying to figure out the solution before Encyclopedia Brown did. LOL.

*Favourite book as a teenager and why?

This is a difficult one to answer. As a teenager, I was very serious and was obsessed with literary fiction. There weren’t a lot of YA books at that time (Harry Potter and Twilight didn’t come out until I’d already left college) and so I was reading quite a few adult books.

One YA book I read and loved as a freshman in high school was JD Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. More than the story itself, what captivated me was the voice of the protagonist. I’d never come across a character quite like that before and his world viewpoint left a striking impression.

*Favourite book you have read this year and why?


That would have to be City of Ghosts, the third book in Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts series. It was so emotionally powerful and an absolutely compelling read. I love how she’s not afraid to really get gritty, messy, and screwed up both with her main characters and world. It’s bold and unapologetic writing. I like that.

*A book that has taught you a lesson and why?

The Harry Potter series. It taught me that books and stories have the power to contain a magic that resonates with readers of any age.

*An author/book you would recommend my readers check out?

I highly recommend Cinda Williams Chima’s works. She has two YA fantasy series - the Heir Chronicles and the Seven Realms. Both are exciting, imaginative, and wonderfully written.

Thanks to Emma for the awesome interview.