#GirlsGoneSciFi Interview & Giveaway with Jessica Brody, Lauren Miller, Jessica Khoury & Tamara Ireland Stone

From L to R: Jessica Khoury, Lauren Miller, Me, Jessica Brody, Tamara Ireland Stone & Jade(cousin)

Author Websites

Jessica Brody | Lauren Miller | Tamara Ireland Stone | Jessica Khoury

I was chosen as the featured blogger for this stop on the #GirlsGoneSciFi Tour at Books-A-Million in Brookwood Village, Birmingham, AL on  March 27, 2014. I got the chance to meet with and chat with these awesome authors and I hope you see how great they are as you watch the interview. This time around I decided not to transcribe the interview and did a video instead, it's about 30 minutes, enjoy! Also, I want to thank my cousin, Jade for being my camera girl, she did a good job! 

I also will post snippets of the Q&A session soon!



      Now for the giveaway. US only. Just fill out the rafflecopter and you are good to go.

What’s up for grabs?
Prize#1 Signed copies of Parallel(Hardback) & Free to Fall (ARC) by Lauren Miller
Prize #2 Signed copies of Unrembered (Paperback) & Unforgotten by Jessica Brody
Prize #3 Signed copy of Time Between Us & Time After Time by Tamara Ireland Stone
Prize #4 Copy of Vitro by Jessica Khoury
PLUS some awesome swag!

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Waiting on Wednesday #55: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Expected Release: October 2014

Goodreads Synopsis
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Sara Raasch’s debut fantasy is a lightning-fast tale of loyalty, love, and finding one’s destiny.

What book are you looking forward to reading?

Trailer Blast: Storm by D.J. MacHale

From #1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale comes STORM —the exhilarating, action-packed sequel to SYLO :

“Absolutely un-put-downable, more exciting than an X-box and roller coaster combined.”—Kirkus, starred review

“With this extremely high-octane story that’s the equivalent to a summer movie blockbuster, MacHale kicks off an apocalyptic trilogy sure to leave readers demanding the next installment.”—Booklist

“An entertaining and creepy tale.”—Publishers Weekly

   

#1 New York Times bestselling author D.J. MacHale is back with the third book in the SYLO Chronicles. Once again, Tucker Pierce and friends must fight for their lives against the better-equipped SYLO. All bets are off in Strike—with twists so big readers will never see them coming—while the action and pulse-pounding suspense remain as high as ever. Fans will be sure to devour this incredibly satisfying conclusion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D.J. MacHale is a writer, director, executive producer and creator of several popular television series and movies. As an author, his ten-volume book series: PENDRAGON – JOURNAL OF AN ADVENTURE THROUGH TIME AND SPACE became a New York Times #1 bestseller.

He was raised in Greenwich, CT and graduated from Greenwich High School. While in school, he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm, engraving trophies and washing dishes in a steakhouse…in between playing football and running track. D.J. attended New York University where he received a BFA in film production.

His filmmaking career began in New York where he worked as a freelance writer/director making corporate videos and television commercials. He also taught photography and film production.

D.J. broke into the entertainment business by writing several ABC AFTERSCHOOL SPECIALS. As co-creator of the popular Nickelodeon series: ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?, he produced all 91 episodes over 8 years. D.J. also wrote and directed the movieTOWER OF TERROR for ABC’s WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY which starred Kirsten Dunst and Steve Guttenberg. The Showtime series CHRIS CROSS was co-created, written and produced by D.J. It received the CableAce award for Best Youth Series.

D.J. co-created and produced the Discovery Kids/NBC television series FLIGHT 29 DOWN. He wrote every episode and directed several. His work on FLIGHT 29 DOWN earned him the Writers Guild of America award for “Outstanding Children’s Script” and a Directors Guild of America award nomination.

Other notable writing credits include the ABC AFTERSCHOOL SPECIAL titled SEASONAL DIFFERENCES; the pilot for the long-running PBS/CBS series GHOSTWRITER; and the HBO series ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN, BOY DETECTIVE for which he received a CableAce nomination for writing.

In print, D.J. has co-written the book THE TALE OF THE NIGHTLY NEIGHBORS, based on his own teleplay and penned the poetic adaptation of the classic Norwegian folk tale EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON. His most current work is the spooky MORPHEUS ROAD trilogy; and a whimsical picture book THE MONSTER PRINCESS.

D.J. lives in Southern California with his wife Evangeline and daughter Keaton. They are avid backpackers, scuba divers and skiers. Rounding out the household are two elderly goldfish and a Kitten, Kaboodle.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway is open Internationally. | Must be 13+ to Enter

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Afterparty by @AnnStampler

Author: Ann Redisch Stampler
Title: Afterparty
Publication: January 7th 2014
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Author/Publisher
Website 

Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother -- whose name her dad won't even say out loud. That's why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her...and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she's everything Emma is not.

And it may be more than Emma can handle. 

Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It's more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop... 

This explosive, sexy, and harrowing follow-up to Ann Redisch Stampler's spectacular teen debut, Where It Began, reveals how those who know us best can hurt us most.

I love the cover for this book and I think it ties in well with the story. The story begins when Emma and her over protective father move to California. Emma hopes that this will finally be her chance to live and experience being a teenager. She meets Siobhan, who is also a new student at school and they become instant friends. Emma never expects the wild roller coaster ride that her new bestie Siobhan has planned for her. Siobhan is a train wreck, completely uncontrolled and dysfunctional young woman. She never really grasps true friendship because everything is extreme for her. There is no balance to her levels of chaos. She's manipulative and cruel but Emma's still drawn to her, no matter the hurt or the embarrassment. Emma's tired of being a good girl and Siobhan is the key to adventure. This makes her the perfect puppet for Siobhan, who loves to have control of her relationship with Emma.  

Both girls have strenuous relationships with their parents. Emma's father has her wound so tight because in a sense he's transferring his fears of her becoming like her mother. He also let his family treat her unkindly. Siobhan's mom seems to think only of herself and her behavior influences how her daughter exhibits herself. She lives by her own set of rules and regulates them as she pleases, which usually isn't good for the recipient. While reading this book, I had several moments where I just couldn't understand why she stayed friends with Siobhan, especially after a situation with a boy Emma likes named Dylan. 

Overall, this book is as addictive as reality TV. I don't think Siobhan ever really grows from the situation because she believes her way is right. Emma gradually becomes a different person, which changes her relationship with her father.  I couldn't stop reading it because Siobhan's actions are just so out there. The fact that she made a pact with Emma to commit suicide, if they didn't have the best year ever by Afterparty is insane. The pace is fast, the relationships chaotic but loaded with setups, backstabbing, and lies. I think readers that enjoyed books that remind them of movies such as Mean Girls and Clueless will like this one. 

Blitz & Giveaway: The Golden Apple by Michelle Diener

We're celebrating the release of Michelle Diener's second fairy tale retelling:
The Golden Apple
An Adult Fantasy Romance based loosely on the Princess on the Glass Hill

The Golden Apple

by Michelle Diener

Adult Fantasy/SciFi

March 24, 2014

Kayla's world has been turned upside-down...

Her father has made her the prize in a deadly, impossible tournament, and Kayla has retaliated in the only way she knows how; by choosing her champion beforehand. But taking control of the outcome changes the game completely, and when the real reason behind the strange test becomes apparent, Kayla realizes not just her life, but her entire kingdom is at stake.

Rane's honor is torn in two...

In order to save his brother, Rane will do whatever he has to--including deceive and betray a princess. He knew nothing about this tournament would be easy, but when it turns into a deeper, far more sinister game, Rane is forced to see it through to the end, or leave his brother at the mercy of their enemy.

Now their fates are entwined, and they must venture into the deep, dark forest together...

Kayla and Rane are bound to one another by an enchantment and Kayla's actions. But the sorcerer forcing them to do his will may have miscalculated, because no-one comes out of the Great Forest unchanged. No-one.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes

The inspiration for The Golden Apple

The Golden Apple is loosely based on the Norwegian fairy tale The Princess on the Glass Hill. The original tale is more about the hero than the heroine, and it is a very straightforward quest story, with the hero becoming more and more accomplished, until at last he succeeds against the odds. But there were a few things in this fairy tale that stood out for me and made me take notice. The first is the very unusual situation of the king holding a contest for his daughter’s hand by putting her on top of a glass hill with a golden apple in her lap. Knights from all over are invited to race a horse up the smooth glass sides of the mountain and the one who can pluck the golden apple from the princess's lap wins her hand and is heir to the kingdom. As usual in fairy tales, there is no explanation as to how the king came by a glass mountain, but I wondered where he got it, and that sparked the starting point of the story. It is really the inciting incident that starts the story off, rather than the focus of the story, as it was in the fairy tale.

Secondly, the crux of the tale, for me, is that the hero cannot win the princess's hand without help from the princess herself. That part of the original tale is one or two lines long, but for me, it's fascinating. The feminine power determining and choosing which masculine power will prevail. This really made me interested, because the princess doesn't just sit there and take whoever it is manages to accomplish the (impossible) task set by her father, but actively chooses who it is she wants to win and helps them. I wanted to write a story about the consequences of her taking that power and using it and The Golden Apple was the result -- far, far more heroine-centric than the original, and I really had fun with it.
- Michelle Diener

LAST CALL FOR REVIEWERS!

Are you interested in fantasy romance?
Do you love fairy tale retellings?
Have you read Michelle Diener and enjoyed her work in the past?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you can request a review copy of The Golden Apple! The Golden Apple is up for review by invitation only on NetGalley. Reviewers with book review sites can apply for a limited number of pre-approved copies. Book reviewers who post their review on their review site, Amazon, and Goodreads can enter a Rafflecopter draw to win one of ten copies of any Michelle Diener book of their choice, or a $10 Amazon gift card. (Instructions in sign-up form.)

Sign up HERE! 

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout & John Parker series, set in the court of Henry VIII, includes In a Treacherous Court, Keeper of the King's Secrets and In Defense of the Queen.

Michelle's other historical novels include Daughter of the Sky, The Emperor's Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies (loosely connected to The Emperor's Conspiracy).

Michelle's first fantasy novel, Mistress of the Wind, is set for a December 23, 2013, release.

Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.

Goodreads * Amazon * Website * Twitter * Facebook

Blitz-Wide Giveaways:

1 - Enter to WIN one of ten ebooks of The Golden Apple.
- March 30 - April 7.
See Rafflecopter for restrictions.

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2 - For book bloggers: Review The Golden Apple by April 1, 2014 and enter to WIN one of 10 prizes:
- Choose any one of Michelle Diener's books or $10 Gift Card!

- March 24 - April 7

Request an early review copy using the form. Instructions on entering the second giveaway are included!

Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.

Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.

Giveaway + Teaser: The Prophecy by S.P. Cervantes

Young Adult Romantic Fantasy
Date Published: 11/19/2013

Ava Fox has spent the past year acclimating to her new life as a wizard of Shadow Hill. Over the past year, her connection with Dalton has only grown stronger. They share a bond she has never known before and can't explain.

The danger is still there, even after the Sabatino coven was defeated, and Ava's future is anything but sure. Her powerful relationship with Dalton continues to make others wonder about the Prophecy, and their place in it. Time and again Ava's loyalty and strength will be put to the test as she fights for those she loves.

There are many more secrets of Shadow Hill that will be revealed in The Prophecy

BUY LINKS
Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author
S.P Cervantes lives in Orange County, California with her husband and three children,  where she is a teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing, reading, and  running, but is always thinking of an idea for her next novel. 

S.P. Cervantes is currently working on a new contemporary romance, while finishing the  final novel of the Secrets of Shadow Hill series. 

S.P. Cervantes has a B.S. in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Cross Cultural Education.

Website| Facebook | Twitter | Blog

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Interview: Author Danielle Jensen of Stolen Songbird

Describe yourself in three words?

Quiet, stubborn, ambitious.

Tell us about Stolen Songbird and it's main character Cécile?

Here is what is on the back cover of the book sitting next to me!

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the mountain. When Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she realizes that the trolls are relying on her to break the curse.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind: escape. But the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time…

But the more time she spends with the trolls, the more she understands their plight. There is a rebellion brewing. And she just might be the one the trolls were looking for…

Cécile’s an ordinary girl who finds herself in an extraordinary situation. She’s feisty and determined, and she goes after what she wants.

What do you feel is the most important aspect of story development; setting, characters, plot...? What makes a good story?

Character development. If you don’t care about the characters, it won’t matter how great everything else is.

What do you believe are the key elements to writing realistic love interests/romance in young adult fiction?

Hmmm, I’m not sure Tristan is a realistic love interest – he is quite fantastical!

I’m going to limit my answer to romance in YA fantasy, because I think contemporary novels are quite different. In my humble opinion, the relationships of YA fantasy are quite idealized – everything is better and worse than real life. The idea is not to make them realistic by our standards, but to make them compelling and believable in the world the author has created.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? Why?

A tiger, because I would strike fear into the hearts of all who crossed my path. Alternatively, a house cat.

If you could be a character in a book, which book and what character?

I would be Isabelle in The Mortal Instruments.

Any new projects in the works?

The sequel to Stolen Songbird. It is a time-sucking vortex.

What is the question that you wish interviewers would ask, and the answer to that question? 

Are you really excited to see the Divergent movie? Hell ya! I will probably have seen it by the time this interview is posted. So excited for Four.