Monday, July 2, 2012

Grave Artist Tour: Giveaway&Guest Post with Author Paula Lynn Johnson

The Grave Artist
By Paula Lynn Johnson
BLURB
16-year-old Clare can't stop drawing the bizarre, winged skulls she calls "Sammies". Her psychiatrist assumes the compulsive drawings are just expressions of Clare's grief over her father abandoning her. But then Clare discovers that her Sammies are exact matches for the Death's Head on the grave of Samantha Forsythe, a teen who reportedly fell to her death over two centuries ago.
Before long, Clare's drawings morph into cryptic writings that urge her to uncover the truth behind Samantha's death. Together with Neil -- the friend she might be falling for -- Clare scours the local history for clues. She finds that, although Samantha was engaged to a wealthy landowner, there were whispered rumors of her involvement with a younger, biracial man.
Soon, Clare is haunted by disturbing dream images -- a mysterious eye, a broken chain -- that point to someone Samantha called her "Dearest". But who is Dearest? And why does Samantha need Clare to find him so badly?

Isolated and carrying hidden scars of her own, Clare fears her obsession with Samantha will threaten her sanity and safety. But it seems she has no choice in the matter . . . 
The Grave Artist is a compelling paranormal murder mystery and a poignant story about loss and what it means thrive in a less-than-perfect reality.

AUTHOR BIO
Paula Lynn Johnson loves a good ghost story. She's a former English major and attorney living in central New Jersey with her husband, kids, cat, dog, and killer rabbit. She adores them all, even the killer rabbit.
Paula also loves a good laugh! You can read her short, humorous pieces on sites like The Big Jewel and Errant Parent, or on her blog, Twaddle Like a Duck.
When she's not writing, Paula sells antiques and art out of Lambertville, NJ. You can visit her online at Tiny's Lambertville.

The Grave Artist: Excerpt from Clare’s Diary
November 22
Can’t sleep.  Tried watching some stupid reality TV show about a pet grooming salon, but couldn’t concentrate.  Mom had left a pen out on the couch, along with the Sunday crossword.  Tried filling in a few words, but then I started drawing again, before I could stop myself.  As if I could stop myself.
Surprise, surprise.  I drew another winged skull – this one bloodied on one side.  Concave, too, with deep cracks in the bone, like someone bashed it in with a baseball bat.  I think this must be my millionth Death’s Head by now, and my grisliest to date.  I drew it right over Mom’s crossword, too.  She’s going to love that.  Back to the shrink, Clare.
I wish I could call Gollum, but it’s two in the morning.  Talking to him always makes me feel better.  He almost convinces me that my compulsive drawing makes me artsy and interesting, as opposed to completely psycho.  I’m kind of attracted to him – who wouldn’t be?  He’s talented and smart and has the kind of eyes you can get lost in for hours.  But I’m pretty sure he only thinks of me as his friend.
Make that his crazy friend.
Ugh.  Now it’s 2:15.  I’ve got a math test tomorrow at school, plus a history report to finish.  It would help to get some rest.  The best thing would be to go back to bed, relax, and drift off.  But every time I try, I sense a nightmare coming on.  My nerve-endings light up like warning signals, and I find myself awake and staring in the dark.
Those nightmares.  Who is that man who keeps stalking me, and why does he seem to savor my fear?  Does he push me from the ledge, or do I slip and fall?  I know they’re just dreams, but the crushing pain in my head seems all too real.
Gollum thinks I’m channeling Samantha, that she’s trying to tell me something.  But for all I know, maybe she’s just a dead girl who enjoys messing with my head . . . 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

22 comments:

  1. This book definitely sounds intriguing, and that necklace is gorgeous!
    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  2. you're welcome, I love the cover and the necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The cover is brilliant!
    The books sounds really interesting!
    Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds like such a creepy book! Thanks for the giveaway! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love to have this and read the book as well! Thanks for the giveaway~

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi all! I love the cover, too . . . I was so lucky to find the very talented Luciana Lebel, who graciously let me use one of her images. She creates some fantastic, beautiful artwork with Photoshop. You can check out more of her work on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thegraveartist

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thats just a beautiful cover and this sounds very good!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds really good and I love the cover! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for the giveaway! This sounds like a great read!
    email: contestwpggirl@mymts.net
    :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Intriguing story. Been seeing this book around. Will be reading it. Thanks for the giveaway, the necklace is gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the giveaway! I have a copy of this novel and can't wait to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. thanks for the giveaway,,i love a pendant..wish i win,,^^

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the cover and the book sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for offering! Great cover!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you soo much for this awesome giveaway! This book sounds really great,I can´t wait to read it. And necklace is georgeous and I´m in love with it (:

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the cover. Definitely have to check out this book.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This sounds like a book I read last summer. It was really good too. The girl kept channeling the dead girl as well. It had me guessing who did it until the very end! I would love to read this book! Thank you for the give away!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Awesome cover! Thanks for the giveaway!!:)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I along with with everyone else love this cover. The excerpt leaves me wanting more. Thank you so much for participating.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This book sounds really great.
    Thanks for the giveaway :D

    Mariska

    ReplyDelete
  21. Good Luck and your welcome all!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...