Tag Archives: giveaways

June 19, 2013 · 5:00 am

VIRAL NATION by Shaunta Grimes – Blog Tour + Interview + Giveaway!

viralnationI am thrilled to be part of the Viral Nation blog tour! I adored this book (you can read my review here) and I hope everyone reads it:) Big thanks to Rockstar Tours for inviting me to participate! Keep reading, because at the end of this post is a giveaway for FIVE finished copies of Viral Nation (US & Canada).

Viral Nation

Description from Goodreads:

After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything. They ration the scant food and supplies through a lottery system, mandate daily doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes before they can be committed.

Brilliant but autistic, sixteen-year-old Clover Donovan has always dreamed of studying at the Waverly-Stead Academy. Her brother and caretaker, West, has done everything in his power to make her dream a reality. But Clover’s refusal to part with her beloved service dog denies her entry into the school. Instead, she is drafted into the Time Mariners, a team of Company operatives who travel through time to gather news about the future.

When one of Clover’s missions reveals that West’s life is in danger, the Donovans are shattered. To change West’s fate, they’ll have to take on the mysterious Company. But as its secrets are revealed, they realize that the Company’s rule may not be as benevolent as it seems. In saving her brother, Clover will face a more powerful force than she ever imagined and will team up with a band of fellow misfits and outsiders to incite a revolution that will change their destinies forever.

Book Details:

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Language: English

ISBN-13: 978-0425265130

First in a series. You can read a two-chapter excerpt on Goodreads here:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15985355-viral-nation

About the Author:

author photoShaunta Grimes has worked as a substitute teacher, a newspaper reporter, a drug court counselor, and a vintage clothing seller. No matter which direction she strays, however, she always comes back to storytelling. She lives in Reno with her family, where she writes, teaches, and perpetually studies at the University of Nevada. Viral Nation is her debut traditionally-published novel.

Connect with Shaunta! Email: shauntagrimes@gmail.com * Twitter * Facebook * Blog * Newsletter

Author Interview

Books, Bones & Buffy: First of all, welcome to Books, Bones & Buffy, Shaunta! I’m thrilled to be part of your blog tour:) Your main character Clover is autistic. What made you decide to create an autistic protagonist?

Shaunta Grimes: Thank you so much for having me! As soon as I really started thinking about Clover, I knew she would have autism. I have a son who has autism, and I wanted to write a book with autism in it that wasn’t an autism issue book. I also really wanted to explore the relationship between siblings when one has special needs.

BB&B: I love that you incorporate time travel into a dystopian plot line. Where did this idea come from?

SG: Believe it or not, it came in my sleep. I woke up from a really intense dream that disappeared almost immediately, except the words “Time Mariner.” They seemed really important to my still-mostly-asleep self, so I wrote them down. I have no idea what that dream was about, but the term “Time Mariner” stuck with me. When I started researching Lake Tahoe, learning about it being a prehistoric body of water, the two just came together.

BB&B: I adore stories with a dog as a character. I think this stems from being a Dean Koontz fan for so many years! (Koontz is the ultimate dog lover, for those of you who haven’t read his books. Just about every one of his stories has a golden retriever in it.) Are you a dog lover, or was there another reason you chose to include Mango in your book?

SG: I love Mango so much! I am actually a cat person, and seriously considered giving Clover a service cat, but then my daughter suggested a bulldog and it just fit so perfectly. Autism service dogs are a real thing. I did a lot of research through Autism Service Dogs of America, which is an awesome organization. I struggled when I first started writing Clover with making her someone an audience could relate to. Mango helps her open up, which is exactly what an autism service dog is trained to do. He keeps her balanced. And he is her friend, completely unconditionally, which is something everyone needs—but Clover especially. Mango has no agenda. He just loves his girl.

BB&B: Who are your favorite authors, and how do you think they’ve influenced your writing?

SG: I have so many favorites! Octavia Butler, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Laurie Halse Anderson, David Brin, K.L. Going, and Nancy Farmer are particular favorites. I like stories with a speculative edge that are grounded in real life. I’m very influenced by great storytelling. I want a book that draws me in and keeps me there, with people I want to know (or that I’d be terrified to meet) so that when I read the final page I’m a little bit in mourning over having to say goodbye. Those are the kinds of books I want to write, too.

BB&B: What has your debut author experience been like? How long did it take to write Viral Nation and find an agent/get a publishing contract?

SG: It’s been such a wild ride. I’m actually a fast writer. I finished the first draft of Viral Nation in about six weeks. It sometimes takes me a bit to get started—I tend to have some false starts. But once I’m about 20,000 words in, the story takes over and I can’t stop writing. I wrote the last 2/3 of Viral Nation in three weeks, in a serious frenzy. I sent it out to a few agents, most of whom requested pages, and all of whom rejected the book. Then my youngest daughter got pneumonia and I was at the hospital with her for three weeks. I ended up putting the book aside for almost a year. I had actually decided to self-publish it, but when I read it through again, after so much time away, I could see where the problems where. And that I’d written something that I was really proud of. I did a massive edit and went out to agents again. I sent out that second round of query letters in November 2011 and signed with Kim Lionetti at BookEnds in January. She sold Viral Nation in May to Michelle Vega at Berkley Trade. So, once I picked the book up again, it took me about eight months to edit, find an agent, and for my agent to sell the book. Publishing is definitely the wrong business for people in a hurry!

BB&B: What is a day in the life of Shaunta Grimes like? What kind of writing schedule do you keep, and how to you balance writing with family life?

SG: I have three kids and I’m a full-time student. (I’m nearly done though, and I’m slowing down this fall because I have a deadline to meet for the sequel to Viral Nation!) I try to treat writing like a job. I write just about every day. During the summer and school breaks I write like a full-time job. During the school year, I write like a part-time job. I am a morning person and my best creative energy happens before noon. After three in the afternoon, I’m half brain-dead. I can edit in the evening, but I am almost never happy with new writing that happens that late in the day. I’m a total pantser. I start with “In the beginning” and write through to “the end” in a very linear fashion. I make notes to myself for edits later if something comes up that will change what I’ve already written. I never, ever edit while I’m writing. I usually have ideas for things I want to happen in a book from the beginning, but I’ve never been able to outline before I get started. When I reach about the half-way point, I usually outline the rest of the book (loosely, things always change), because the story line starts to get too complicated to hold all in my head.

BB&B: Tell us three things about Shaunta that can’t be found on your website.

SG: Hmmm . . .

1. I hate mayonnaise. I don’t even like to look at it.

2. I have claustrophobic feet and legs. So, elevators don’t bother me, as long as I’m not wearing tight shoes. And I can’t sleep in a sleeping bag.

3. My very favorite singer is Meat Loaf.

BB&B: So, what’s next? Are you working on a new book?

I am! I’m working on the sequel to Viral Nation. I’m really excited about it. I’ve never written a sequel before, so it’s very different working in a world that already has rules.

Thanks so much, Shaunta! I adored Viral Nation and everyone needs to read it! And luckily you can enter to win one of FIVE copies, simply click the Rafflecopter button below!

Raffle button

Follow the rest of the Viral Nation Blog Tour here:

6/15/2013            All Things Urban Fantasy- Guest Post

6/16/2013            Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance- Guest Post

6/17/2013            Moosubi Reviews!- Guest Post

6/18/2013            Mom With A Kindle- Interview

6/19/2013            Books, Bones & Buffy- Interview

6/20/2013            The Demon Librarian- Guest Post

6/21/2013            YaReads- Interview

6/22/2013            Fantasy Book Addict- Interview

6/23/2013            The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia- Guest Post

6/24/2013            The Reading Diaries- Guest Post

6/25/2013            Curling Up With A Good Book- Guest Post

6/26/2013            Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf- Guest Post

6/27/2013            Jessabella Reads- Guest Post

6/28/2013            Chocolate Coated Reviews- Guest Post

6/29/2013            Reading with ABC- Interview

6/30/2013            BookHounds YA- Interview

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April 16, 2013 · 3:00 am

Top Ten Rewind: Tammy’s Top Ten Blogging Tips

Top Ten Tuesday New copyTop Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! It’s been a while since I’ve done a Top Ten Tuesday, but I didn’t want to miss the chance to participate in this “rewind” and go back and talk about what I’ve learned from blogging. When this topic originally came up, I didn’t feel as if I had much to say on the topic, but now that I’ve been blogging almost two years, I definitely do. This post is geared towards book blogging, but many of these tips can be applied to other types of blogs as well.  So here are my Top Ten Blogging Tips:

Get Organized banner

1Use a blog calendar. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it actually took me a long time before I started a blog-only calendar. Many bloggers use computer-based calendars to organize their blogging life, like Evernote or Google Calendar, but a hands-on approach is the only way that works for me. What I mean by that is that I must write things on a calendar with my hand! I found this nifty four-month white board at Target and snapped it up:

001I try to color-code different blogging activities, like reviews, blog tours, cover reveals, memes, etc. And when a month is over, I simply erase it and write in the next month in line. The white board method is great because I can simply turn around (it’s behind my computer) and see at a glance what’s happening.

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Don’t over-commit/Follow through with your commitments. I know not all book bloggers participate in blog tours or request ARCs from Edelweiss and NetGalley, but for those who do, or if you are just starting out and thinking about doing so, let me save you some stress by saying it one more time: Don’t over-commit! It’s so easy to click that “request” button, but before you know it, you’ve requested (and have been approved for) fifteen titles that are all coming out on June 11th! LOL, that might be a slight exaggeration, but I’m not kidding folks. It could happen to you.

If you like participating in blog tours, keep track of the ones you’ve signed up for, and don’t over-book yourself, even if the Best Blog Tour Ever asks you to participate. You know how many books you can comfortably read each month, so keep track of what’s coming up on your schedule and know when to say “no.”

Likewise, always follow through with whatever you’ve committed to read and review. I am certainly guilty myself of eagerly telling an author I’d love to read their book, but then it ends up falling into that black hole of books you just never had time to read. I’m still catching up on some indie book requests, and I don’t feel very good about it. But I did learn a lesson! With NetGalley and Edelweiss, publishers will look at your stats to see how many reviews you’ve submitted in the past. If they see too many books that don’t have reviews attached, they may decide to decline your request.

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3

Check all your links before you publish! Making sure your links work, and making sure all your images have links, is really important. It may be a hassle and take extra time, but I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to be reading someone else’s blog and click on a link, only to find it doesn’t take me to the correct place. Equally frustrating is clicking on a book cover image and expecting it to take me to Goodreads, only to discover the blogger hasn’t linked the image at all. I try to link most of my images, usually to the book’s Goodreads page. And please, if you are participating in a blog tour and using a blog tour banner, link the banner to the website of the tour host! It’s the polite thing to do, and it comes in handy if you are thinking about signing up to be a tour host.

4Proofread & use spell checker! I know, most bloggers do this, but you’d be amazed at the number of typos and misspelled words I come across every day. Even incorrect word usage errors, like using “their” instead of “there,” for example, can stop me in my tracks. If you are a blogger, then guess what? YOU ARE A WRITER! And you should be proud of what you write and make it the best it can be. Publishing a blog post that is error-free makes you look professional, but posting something full of typos just makes you look like an amateur. Even if you’re in a hurry and have a deadline to get a post up (I mean, who hasn’t been in that situation?), it’s still worth a few extra minutes to check your post over before hitting the “publish” button.

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Make it easy to comment on your blog posts. This is a biggie, folks. My biggest pet peeve when trying to comment on other bloggers’ websites is when I have to prove that I’m a human. Yes, I know we all hate spam. I get tons of spam on my blog, too. But usually the spam filter catches it, and only very rarely do I have to delete a comment because it’s spam. I hate to say it, but it’s usually Blogger blogs that use CAPTCHA (or something similar):

CAPTCHA exampleWhenever I try to post a comment and I see something like this, I get so annoyed! You want your readers to enjoy visiting your blog, but having to jump through hoops to do so will turn a lot of people off. Even the CAPTCHAs that simply have you drag a picture of ice cream to the ice cream cone (for example) are annoying. And did you know people who are color-blind or have dyslexia may not be able to use CAPTCHA? Think about potential commenters you may be turning away because you are afraid of spam! Do everyone a favor and turn it off!!

6Build relationships with authors, publishers and publicists.  Even if you are a generally shy person, like I am, stretch out your neck and get to know these important people in the publishing industry. I always let an author know when I’ve written a review of their book, received their book for review, or chosen their book for a “Waiting on Wednesday.”

I always like to let publishers or publicists know about reviews of their books as well. Getting to know a publicist is a great way to be included on their list of bloggers that they enjoy working with, especially if you’ve done a good job of following through with a request they’ve made.

New authors, independent authors, and authors from smaller publishers are usually eager to have bloggers promote their books. Offer to run a giveaway or do an author interview to post on your blog. Sometimes it’s scary to ask for things, but often times the answer will be “yes.”

grow your audience

7Use Twitter! It took me more than a year to realize that I was missing out on something: the power of Twitter. Now I love it, and I recommend all book bloggers embrace this fun and easy social media platform (if you don’t already, and I’m assuming I’m preaching to the choir!). I think it’s the best way to quickly communicate something to either a large group of people, or even better, a specific author, publisher or blogger. It’s way faster than email, and more effective than Facebook (I feel very meh about Facebook these days…you never know if people are actually seeing your Facebook page.)

twitter bird

I always tweet authors when I’ve chosen their book for Waiting on Wednesday, written a review of their book, or received a copy of their book for review. Before you publish your blog, make sure to include the author’s and/or publisher’s Twitter handle in your “publicize” settings. As soon as you hit the “publish” button, the author will get the tweet and will often be curious enough to click on the link to your blog. And if the author likes what they read, he or she will most likely retweet your tweet, which means a completely different group of people may come to your blog. You never know what might happen when you do this! I’ve had authors offer me ARCs of their book because I mentioned it on Waiting on Wednesday.

Make sure to have a Twitter follow button near the top of your blog that is easy to find. I get new followers every single day, and you can, too!

8Consider signing up for Blog Hops, blog tours, cover reveals & host your own giveaways. This might be cheating, but a sure-fire way to grow both your stats and your followers is to participate in a Blog Giveaway Hop. Check out I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, a blog that has multiple hops to choose from each month. Anyone can sign up, provided you offer a giveaway. The link to your post will be part of the linky, so everyone on the hop will add your link to their post. Hundreds of people will visit your blog during the hop, I promise! And once you lure them in with a giveaway, many of them will like what they see and become new followers. Think of it as an opportunity to let a wider audience see what your blog is all about.

There are also many bloggers who host blog tours, cover reveals, and other promotional book events, like AToMR Tours, for example. Once you sign up with them, you will start to get emails with opportunities to participate in these events. This means more exposure for your blog! And never underestimate the power of a giveaway. Sure, you want people to love your blog because of what you have to say, but why not offer a giveaway of the book you’re reviewing? Maybe the author is interested in donating a copy.

Be Yourself banner

9Get creative with whatever blogging platform you use. One of the best things about having a blog (for me) is getting to make all the design decisions. I can’t speak for Blogger, because this is a WordPress blog, but you can do a lot with a free theme if you get creative. I’ve seen lots of blog posts lately about bloggers who are paying to have their blogs designed for them, but it really isn’t that hard to do it yourself with a little experimentation and a lot of perseverance. I’ve designed all my headers, backgrounds and buttons on Photoshop Elements, a versatile and inexpensive software program that does many of the same things that Photoshop does, but for a fraction of the price. Do you feel stuck because your blog theme won’t let you use the font you want? WordPress charges $30 a year to customize your fonts, but I’ve found a way around that, at least partially. I simply designed a header incorporating my blog name, and used the font I wanted. Then I turned off the name of my blog that would normally show up over the header. Problem solved! (Sorry, WordPress).

Creating your blog is all about showing the world who you are, and whatever you do should reflect your personality. And don’t be afraid to re-do your design every now and then! I just did a big design overhaul recently, and I really like it, but I know the moment it starts to feel “old” I will not hesitate to change it again.

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Be true to yourself.  It’s really easy to get caught up in the latest blogging trends and participate in the memes that everyone else is doing, but no matter what you choose to do with your blog, make sure you enjoy what you are doing. Write book reviews the way you want to write them. Just because everyone else is using a rating system for books doesn’t mean you have to. Start a new feature that you haven’t seen anywhere else, rant about things that bug you, or talk about things you love in the blogging world. But whatever you decide to put on your blog, make sure your personality shines through. If you love what you’re talking about, people are going to love what you write!

Do you have any blogging tips that work for you? Feel free to share them in the comments (no CAPTCHA, I promise!).

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March 29, 2013 · 8:26 am

Link Salad (9)

Link Salad button copyWelcome to Link Salad, where you just might find something interesting to read…I have some breaking news and lots of giveaways from various blogs (including this one!), and even an excerpt from an upcoming release. Let’s get the serious stuff out of the way first, shall we?

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amazon goodreads copyAmazon has just announced that it has made a deal to acquire Goodreads! I’m not sure how I feel about this, but my first reaction is to be worried. Goodreads is critical to my life as a blogger, and I’m sure many of you feel the same way. When companies buy other companies, what that usually means is that something is going to change, and maybe not in a good way. You can read the story from Shelf Life here. What do you think about this acquisition?Let me know in the comments.

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The 5th WaveAuthor Rick Yancey’s new book doesn’t come out until May 7th, but it’s already been getting lots of hype, and some pretty decent reviews. Shelf Life has the new trailer for the book, and you can also read the first 54 pages! Click here to see and read more. I’m very excited to get my hands on a copy of The 5th Wave, a YA alien invasion story.

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YA scavenger huntHave you ever participated in the YA Scavenger Hunt? Well, if you love YA books and authors and you love the chance to win stuff, your next opportunity to play is coming April 4th. The YA Scavenger Hunt happens twice a year, and is sort of like a blog hop. You go from one website to another looking for clues, and entering contests along the way. There are some huge grand prizes, and lots of smaller ones too. Bookmark the YA Scavenger Hunt site and don’t forget to check it out next week!

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Lego Bookshelf safeDo you love Legos? I do. I’ve been collecting Legos for years, and I’m always fascinated and impressed when people come up with original things like this LEGO Bookshelf Safe from The Brothers Brick. OK, I’ll admit the reveal for this was a bit anticlimactic, but hey, I know you’re intrigued now and you want to click here to see it in action!

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Eggs-celent hopKara and Lyn at Great Imaginations have another speggtacular giveaway going on. This time they have an Easter-themed contest, and you can enter to win a surprise book of your choice! They’ve given you some clues as to what each book might be, but it’s up to you to figure it out. You still have eleven days left to enter! Click here to play the Eggs-celent Bunny Book Hop Giveaway!

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Winners choiceOver at the Midnight Garden, four winners will get to pick from this fantastic selection of new releases! You still have twelve days to enter. Click here for all the details!

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Finally, I still have a few giveaways going on right here on Books, Bones & Buffy. Check them out:

Bruised2I have two signed copies of Bruised by Sarah Skilton, but I’m only giving away one unless I get 20 more entries today! If you’re interested (and you should be!) in reading this stellar YA debut about a girl who has a life-changing experience, click here to read about Bruised and leave a comment on the post. That’s all you have to do to enter! I’m pulling the plug on this contest at 7:00 p.m. Pacific time today, and I’ll be announcing the winner right after that. If I make it to 50 comments, then two commenters will win!

charm bracelet smallI adored Cat Winter’s YA debut In the Shadow of Blackbirds, and she was nice enough to answer some questions on the blog. You can read my interview and also enter to win a one-of-a-kind charm bracelet (hand-made by Cat’s sister) that is themed around the story. Click here to read more and enter!

Fairy Tale Giveaway HopI’m participating in the Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop, and you can win your choice of a mermaid-themed story! It ends April 2nd, though, so HOP on over right now to enter!

Did you miss last week’s Link Salad? Click here to read now!

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March 26, 2013 · 9:53 am

Interview with Cat Winters, Author of IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS + Giveaway!

In The Shadow of BlackbirdsI’m thrilled to welcome debut author Cat Winters to the blog today! I absolutely adored In the Shadow of Blackbirds (you can read my review here), and I was so excited when she offered to answer some questions. Not only that, but there is also a very special giveaway at the end of this post! (And when I say special, I mean it—it’s one of a kind!)

BB&B: Welcome to the blog, Cat! You know how much I loved your book, and I appreciate you taking time out of your very busy schedule to answer some questions:) The setting for In the Shadow of Blackbirds was a remarkable choice. You chose a period of history when so many bad things were happening and life was extremely difficult for many people. Was it easier to write from this place of horror, than say choosing a more “friendly” period of history to write about?

Cat Winters: Thank you for having me! This book pretty much started with the history itself. A while back I read an article about the origin of Spiritualism (séances, spirit photography, Ouija boards, etc.) in Victorian-era America, and I learned about the resurgence in the belief in spirit communication during the WWI time period. The more I dug into the history of 1918, the more I discovered all the real-life horrors: the violence of trench warfare, the deadly Spanish influenza, the fearful atmosphere of “superpatriotism” gripping the U.S. The time period itself was absolutely terrifying, even without the spirit communication factor, which I suppose did make my job of writing a horror story easier. I’m currently writing a Gothic historical novel set in a “friendlier” time period, so I’m digging a little deeper into the characters themselves to find the horror.

The story begins in Portland, Oregon (where you live) but mostly takes place in San Diego, CA. What made you choose San Diego as the primary location?

San Diego

Casa del Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego

I’m a Southern California native, and I spent the first nine years of my post-college life in San Diego. That’s where I found my first real job, enjoyed the early years of my marriage, and had my first child, so the city is near and dear to my heart.

Furthermore…San Diego has an intriguing ghostly side, despite its sunshine and warmth. One of my favorite activities while living in the area was visiting its alleged haunted sites: the Hotel del Coronado, the Villa Montezuma (home to a Victorian-era Spiritualist), and the Whaley House, which was officially designated a haunted house by the U.S. Department of Commerce. I find the idea of a Gothic version of sunny California to be absolutely fascinating.

I’ve been to the Hotel del Coronado, and it’s definitely got a ghost! There are so many historical details in your book, and they add a wonderful layer to the already engaging story. Did you spend lots of time doing research for your story?

Yes, I spent literally years conducting 1918 research. Originally, I had written an entirely different book set in this time period, but it never went anywhere. When the idea for In the Shadow of Blackbirds arose, I dove even further into the era and found a wealth of details I knew I had to use. You can visit http://www.blackbirdsnovel.com to see some of my favorite reference books, history-related websites, historical images, and 1918 movies, all of which helped me with my research. I also pored over WWI letters, personal accounts of the Spanish influenza, and literature from the time period.

Have you yourself ever had a ghostly experience, one that just can’t be explained?

When I was thirteen, I woke up one night to the sensation of my blankets getting pulled off my bed, and then something ran its finger down my spine. As soon as I could move, I bolted to my sister’s room and spent the rest of the night with her, wide-eyed and terrified. When I got up the next morning, my mom discovered I had a fever, so that phantom visitor was more than likely a fever hallucination. Even though I know there’s a rational explanation for that ghostly encounter, I still can’t sleep on my stomach because of it.

How cool! What books, authors, movies or other type of media influenced you to write In the Shadow of Blackbirds (or writing in general)?

In the Shadow of Blackbirds was mainly influenced by the types of books and movies I loved as a teen. I was a huge fan of classic Gothic literature, especially the works of Edgar Allan Poe, the Brönte sisters, Daphne du Maurier, and of course, Mary Shelley. Not only is my protagonist named after Mary Shelley, but I included several other nods to Frankenstein throughout In the Shadow of Blackbirds.

I also LOVED Alfred Hitchcock movies. My parents were teenagers when Hitchcock was at the height of his career in the 1960s, and when I was a teen, they introduced me to several of his films: Psycho, Vertigo, The Birds, Spellbound, etc. I adored the way many of his movies would lead you by the hand down one road and then knock you completely sideways with a deliciously dark, unexpected twist, which is something I tried to emulate with In the Shadow of Blackbirds.

Mary Shelley is one of my favorite all-time female characters. She is so strong and resilient and a real fighter. By the time you finished writing the book, did her character turn out to be what you’d envisioned, or did she evolve over the course of writing to be something else altogether?

Wow! Thanks so much for your praise of Mary Shelley Black! She came to me as a strong, bright, logical, highly curious girl, which seemed to me the perfect narrator for a story about a time period that defies logic. A weaker, more gullible character would have been devoured by the events in the book after the first few chapters.

What I find the most interesting as I read comments from early readers is the debate about whether or not the hardships she endures cause her to lose her mind…and whether she’s even really seeing a ghost. Originally I planned to make her strong and full of vigor all the way through to the final pages, but the more I wrote, the more I realized it would be far more interesting to hear her voice becoming exhausted and beaten down. If that opens up a debate about her sanity, then I feel I’ve done my job at creating a character who is worth discussing.

As a debut author, what was your “road to publishing” story like?

I took the long, lonnnnng road to publishing. I’ve been through two agents, had two other novels make the round to publishers without any success, and written numerous other manuscripts, but it wasn’t until I switched to writing YA fiction that I sold a book. I originally tried breaking into the adult fiction market, but my novels never fit neatly into one genre. Marketing departments turned down my work, even when editors fell in love with it. Ironically, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, incorporates at least a half-dozen genres, yet Amulet Books took the plunge and made an offer. I’m incredibly thankful that my agent, Barbara Poelle, encouraged me to branch out and try writing a YA novel. I feel I’m finally free to make the most of my imagination.

OK, just for fun, can you tell us three things about you that cannot be found on your website?

(1) When I was in college at the University of California, Irvine, I was a deejay at the campus radio station and hosted rap, hip-hop, ska, alternative rock, and worldbeat shows, using the air name “The Catmeister.”

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Cat’s childhood poetry notebook.

(2) I’m descended from the founder of the infamous city of Salem, Massachusetts.

(3) When I was about eight years old, I started writing poems in a little orange spiral notebook, which I still have to this day.

That was so much fun! Many thanks to Cat for taking the time to stop by and visit:) Don’t forget to add In the Shadow of Blackbirds to your Goodreads list, or pre-order it from Amazon (see links below)!

Cat WintersCat Winters was born and raised in Southern California, near Disneyland, which may explain her love of haunted mansions, bygone eras, and fantasylands. She received degrees in drama and English from the University of California, Irvine, and formerly worked in publishing.

Her debut novel, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS—a YA ghost tale set during the World War I era—is coming April 2, 2013, from Amulet Books/ABRAMS. She currently lives outside of Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.

IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, coming April 2013
http://www.catwinters.com

“[A] masterful debut novel…deliciously creepy…” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Find Cat online: Cat’s Website * In the Shadow of Blackbirds Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Amazon

And now for a super cool giveaway! Cat’s sister made this one-of-a-kind In the Shadow of Blackbirds charm bracelet, and Cat’s giving it away to one lucky winner (U.S. & Canada only)! Isn’t it gorgeous? Wouldn’t you love to win it? Simply fill out the form below to enter. You automatically get one entry, but you can do extra stuff for extra entries (and extra chances to win!).

This giveaway is now closed. A winner will be announced soon!

charm bracelet

A lovely hand-made charm bracelet.

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March 22, 2013 · 10:27 am

Link Salad (8)

Link Salad button copyHappy Friday, everyone! For my family, it’s the end of Spring Break:( It’s been so nice having the kids at home and not having to follow a schedule, but I guess all good things must come to an end…

In the meantime, here are some things that I found interesting around the internet this week. Maybe you will too!

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Postcard_LaunchPartyI was lucky enough to read this amazing book in ARC format (I will be posting my review in the next couple of days), but unfortunately I live too far away to attend Cat Winters’ launch party for In the Shadow of Blackbirds, which will be held at Powell’s Books in Beaverton, Oregon on Saturday April 6th @ 4:00 p.m. I’ll be there in spirit (ha ha!), but if any of my lucky readers can attend, please do so! I’ve gotten to know Cat a bit through Twitter and email, and she’s a lovely person and a very talented writer.  Even if you can’t attend the launch party, you can order a signed copy from Powell’s! Click here for all the details!

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Elizabeth GilbertAre you a fan of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert? Did you know she’s also written novels? I loved Eat, Pray, Love and read it for my book club, but I also love her novel Stern Men. Her next novel The Signature of All Things doesn’t come out until October, but Elizabeth is asking readers to play a part in selecting the final cover design for her book. You can click here and vote for your favorite cover! The winning cover will be announced on March 25th, so vote today.

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PersepolisIn the news this week, the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi has been restricted by the Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s third largest school district. Persepolis is Satrapi’s memoir, told in graphic format, of her coming-of-age in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution, and is a world-wide best seller. The book is normally part of the 7th through 12th grade curriculum, and students and administrators alike are protesting. You can read more about it here and here.

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Literary GrafittiBuzzfeed gives us 20 Awesome Examples of Literary Graffiti! I happen to be a big fan of graffiti, and looking at these photos makes me want to pick up a paint brush and leave my own mark on a blank wall somewhere. Mine would most likely be something from a Stephen King novel…

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SeafoamDaniel Marks’ YA horror story Velveteen was one of my favorite books last year, and he’s just self-published an adult short story under the name Mark Henry called Seafoam, which is available on Amazon for only 99 cents! When I say adult, I do mean adult. The author tells you all about Seafoam in this video on his website, so check it out! I just bought my copy…

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Bruised2

You still have time to win a signed copy of this awesome five-star book! I was lucky enough to meet Sarah at her book launch party and get a couple of signed copies of to give away.  Bruised is a YA contemporary story about a teen with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, the traumatic experience she has, and how she fights her way back  from it. You can read my review here and enter to win a copy here! I’m giving away TWO copies if I get at least fifty people to enter, so don’t miss out on this fabulous book.

Did you miss last week’s Link Salad? Click here to read now!

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March 17, 2013 · 11:36 am

Launch Party & Giveaway! BRUISED by Sarah Skilton

Leprachaun

Thank you everyone for participating in the giveaway. I loved reading your comments and hearing you express excitement for the book. I decided after all to give both books away, even though we didn’t hit 50 comments. After a random drawing using random.org, the winners of a signed copy of Bruised are: Natasha Donohoo and Christina Condomaros! Congratualtions!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! To celebrate, I’m holding a giveaway for a signed copy of Bruised by Sarah Skilton!

I was lucky enough to attend Sarah’s launch party yesterday for her amazing YA debut, Bruised, which was just released.  I adored her book (you can read my review here), so I purchased two SIGNED copies to give away! Here is Sarah signing one of those books:

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And unfortunately, that’s the only photo I took:( Yeah, when it comes to photography, well, that’s my husband’s strength, not mine! Sarah answered lots of questions about her road to getting published. For example, she started writing Bruised in 2009! And her next book is called High and Dry and will be coming out in 2014. It’s a mystery set in the desert, and it sounds really good. She was so nice, and I could tell she appreciated all the support of her family and friends who attended the party.

There were lots of authors in the audience, many of whom I didn’t know, but I did recognize Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and the upcoming 3:59! Author Kristen Kittscher (the soon-to-be-released The Wig in the Window) was also there. I admit to eavesdropping on a group of women talking about their agents and editors, which was pretty interesting! Everyone at the party got a raffle ticket, and Sarah raffled off some fun book prizes. She also read a passage from the first chapter of Bruised, which was a perfect section to read, since it does a great job of introducing the character of Imogen—showing her strength, vulnerability and humor—and it also shows off Sarah’s beautiful writing skills.

The book itself is beautifully designed—Amulet Books must have some great designers on staff, because this isn’t the first well-designed Amulet book I’ve seen:

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See that ink splatter above the title? That represents blood! Yes, that is important to the story.

Here’s what Bruised is about:

When Imogen, a sixteen-year-old black belt in Tae Kwon Do, freezes during a holdup at a local diner, the gunman is shot and killed by the police, and she blames herself for his death. Before the shooting, she believed that her black belt made her stronger than everyone else — more responsible, more capable. But now her sense of self has been challenged and she must rebuild her life, a process that includes redefining her relationship with her family and navigating first love with the boy who was at the diner with her during the shootout. With action, romance, and a complex heroine, Bruised introduces a vibrant new voice to the young adult world — full of dark humor and hard truths.

GIVEAWAY!!

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This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada only, and to enter you simply need to leave a comment on this post. Tell me why you want to read Bruised, do you know Tae Kwon Do, do you like character-driven stories, or anything else you’d like to comment on. I’ll throw in a couple of bookmarks, too! I have two signed copies to give away, but here’s how it’s going to work: if I get less than fifty comments, I’ll give one copy away, but if I get more than fifty comments, I’ll give away the second copy as well! So tell your friends, feel free to tweet about the giveaway or share it on Facebook. The more people who enter, the better! You have until March 29th to enter, and I will select a random winner from everyone who leaves a comment. May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Find Sarah and Bruised!

Twitter clover Facebook clover Website clover Goodreads clover Amazon clover Barnes & Noble

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March 7, 2013 · 6:54 am

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop! Win a Werewolf Pack of THE LAST WEREWOLF & LONELY WEREWOLF GIRL

Lunar Love Hop

This hop has ended, and the winner is Ashley Rogers! Thank you to everyone who participated, and especially commented. I loved reading all your comments!

Welcome to the Lunar Love Giveaway Hop, sponsored by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Bookworm Lisa. This hop has 100+ blogs participating, and you can hop from blog to blog and enter to win cool books at each one! I decided to give away two of my favorite werewolf stories, since werewolves can usually be found by the light of the full moon:) One winner will receive these two books:

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The Last Werewolf  by Glen Duncan. Meet Jake. A bit on the elderly side (he turns 201 in March), but you’d never suspect it. Nonstop sex and exercise will do that for you–and a diet with lots of animal protein. Jake is a werewolf, and after the unfortunate and violent death of his one contemporary, he is now the last of his species. Although he is physically healthy, Jake is deeply distraught and lonely.

Jake’s depression has carried him to the point where he is actually contemplating suicide–even if it means terminating a legend thousands of years old. It would seem to be easy enough for him to end everything. But for very different reasons there are two dangerous groups pursuing him who will stop at nothing to keep him alive.

Here is a powerful, definitive new version of the werewolf legend–mesmerising and incredibly sexy. In Jake, Glen Duncan has given us a werewolf for the twenty-first century–a man whose deeds can only be described as monstrous but who is in some magical way deeply human.
One of the most original, audacious, and terrifying novels in years

Lonely Werewolf Girl

Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Millar. While teenage werewolf Kalix MacRinnalch is being pursued through the streets of London by murderous hunters, her sister, the Werewolf Enchantress, is busy designing clothes for the Fire Queen. Meanwhile, in the Scottish Highlands, the MacRinnalch Clan is plotting and feuding after the head of the clan suddenly dies intestate. As the court intrigue threatens to blow up into all-out civil war, the competing factions determine that Kalix is the swing vote necessary to assume leadership of the clan. Unfortunately, Kalix isn’t really into clan politics — laudanum’s more her thing. Even more unfortunately, Kalix is the reason the head of the clan ended up dead, which is why she’s now on the lam in London. . . This expansive tale of werewolves in the modern world — friendly werewolves, fashionista werewolves, troubled teenage werewolves, cross-dressing werewolves, werewolves of every sort — is hard-edged, hilarious, and utterly believable.

Please be advised that these are ADULT books, and you should be seventeen or over if you enter. The Last Werewolf is scary, sexy and romantic. Lonely Werewolf Girl is hilarious, sad and unexpected. I love them both, and I hope you will too! One U.S. winner will receive paperback copies of both books! To enter, simply click on the Rafflecopter button below. Please make sure to BE HONEST and complete the tasks you enter with! I do check all entries, so I appreciate your honesty:) Good luck!

Raffle button

And don’t forget to check out the other blogs in the hop! Click here to see the list.

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March 6, 2013 · 11:53 am

INSOMNIA by J. R. Johansson – Review + Interview + Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered to win my copy of Insomnia! We had a bunch of entries, but unfortunately, only one winner. Congrats to Angela Chen!

I’m so thrilled to welcome J. R. Johansson to the blog today! Her debut Insomnia doesn’t come out until June, but you have a chance to win a signed ARC and read this fabulous book for yourself, months ahead of time! Jenn was also kind enough to answer some questions, so keep reading after the book review for my interview with her.

InsomniaInsomnia (Book 1 of the Night Walkers) by J. R. Johansson

Genre: YA Psychological Horror

Publisher: Flux

Release date: June 11 2013

Source: ARC from author

Pages:  353

four and a half

In a word: nail-biting, page-turning, terrifying and heart-pounding craziness!

Where had I been last night? And the night when my window was left open? Had I snuck out that night as well? I closed my eyes and focused on keeping myself upright, on keeping my lungs breathing in and out as my brain flew into a state of total panic. What was happening to me? My life had become like watching myself in someone else’s dream.

I really had no idea what to expect when I started reading Insomnia, and sometimes that’s the best way to experience a book. I knew what the basic plot was, but I didn’t realize that the many twists and turns would keep me up late flipping pages. The story is a combination of supernatural mystery and down-and-dirty psychological thriller, and it’s not always easy to tell these elements apart. One of the things I loved about the book was how unpredictable it was, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the author took the story in a completely different direction. I won’t give away very much of the plot, because you are going to want to watch the story unfold without any spoilers.

Parker is very tired. For the past four years, he has been unable to sleep. Instead, he spends all night trapped in other people’s dreams—specifically, the last person he makes eye contact with before he goes to bed.  Because he’s always so exhausted, his friends think he’s sick and his mother thinks he’s doing drugs. Parker keeps the real reason for his haggard appearance to himself, because who’s going to believe him? But one day, he meets a girl named Mia whose dreams are so peaceful that he is actually able to fall asleep in them, and he wakes up the next day feeling rested for the first time in years. Mia turns out to be the new girl in school, but catching her eye every evening proves to be almost impossible. Parker doesn’t want to lose his new-found ability to sleep, so he makes it his mission to get as close to Mia as he can—even if she doesn’t want him to.

Johansson slowly builds momentum as Parker’s desperation grows. When Mia receives threatening emails, notes that thrust her back into a terrible memory from her past, Parker is more determined than ever to figure out who is trying to scare Mia while keeping his friends safe and trying to get some sleep.

Insomnia has so many layers, and it was refreshing to read a story with lots of action that offers the reader more than just surface thrills. The characters are so well done that I liked them all, even the ones you’re not supposed to like! Parker’s best friend Finn was one of my favorites. Finn is one of those supportive friends that will do anything for you, and lucky for Parker, Finn is right there when he needs him most. I also loved Finn’s sister Addie, the girl who Parker’s known his whole life, but who he’s starting to see in a different light now that she’s all grown up. And of course there is Mia, who is really the innocent of the story, a girl who gets caught up in the middle of something she doesn’t understand. When Parker goes into her dreams, he inadvertently uncovers a tragic event in her past, and he realizes he’s not the only one with secrets to hide.

I also loved the way romance was integrated into the book. We are listening to the story from Parker’s point of view, after all, and Johansson very smartly keeps the romantic entanglements subtle so they don’t overpower the suspenseful parts of the story. For this reason, Insomnia will appeal to both male and female readers.

And I can’t end this review without talking about Parker’s ability to go inside other people’s dreams. On the surface this idea seems a bit out there, but you need to suspend your disbelief and just go with it. Since this is the first book in a series, not everything is explained, which is a good thing because it makes the story exciting, but a bad thing too because this lack of explanation might frustrate the reader. But I loved this idea, as illogical as it sounds, and I almost wish I could watch other people’s dreams. Johansson uses Parker’s ability to create some really interesting situations; for example, after watching one dream, Parker is compelled to try to help a woman who is being abused by her husband.

The last half of the book is non-stop action and a dark and creepy trip into the unpredictable land of nightmares. Even the reader will start to question what is real and what is simply a dream. Although much is resolved, there are still some surprises and a cliff hanger of sorts that will make you wish Book 2 was already out. For fans of horror and suspense who enjoy a splash of romance, Insomnia is a must-read.

Many thanks to the author for supplying a review copy! Note: the quote above is from an uncorrected proof, and may be different from the finished version.

DAC buttonThis review is part of the Debut Author Challenge 2013, hosted by Hobbitsies.

J.R. Johansson

And now, I’m so happy to have Jenn answer some of my burning questions. Welcome to Books, Bones & Buffy, Jenn!

Thank you, Tammy! I’m so happy to be here! I love your blog and was so excited you wanted to have me stop by!

First, an obvious question. Have you ever had insomnia yourself? Is that possibly what propelled you to come up with such a unique story concept?

Haha, good question. Actually, not until very recently. The last month I’ve been struggling a bit with insomnia for the first time. I think it might have to do with stress and excitement over the coming release. Or Parker might be trying to get even with me for everything I put him through in the book:) The idea for Insomnia came to me one morning when I woke up after a particularly weird dream. I started thinking, “I wonder if other people have dreams like that?” and “What would other people think if they’d seen that dream?” Then it kind of evolved from there.

As a female writer, what made you decide to make your protagonist male, and to write from Parker’s point of view?

In the book I wrote before Insomnia (which shall be forever shelved, thank goodness), my favorite character by far was the male love interest and the same was true for my readers. It intrigued me that I’d written this very, very interesting male character that in many ways was much better than my female lead. So, I decided just for fun to try the next book with a male protagonist and I really liked it so it stuck.

What kind of research did you do while writing Insomnia? The passages of the book dealing with sleep deprivation and hypnotherapy seem very well researched.

I knew a bit about both from psychology classes in college, but I did a lot of research on top of that to clarify everything. I even looked into some information about forms of torture that involve not allowing people to sleep. Every detail in the book about what can happen to the human brain without sleep is true…and pretty darn terrifying, if you ask me.

I loved all the twists and turns in Insomnia. You really keep the reader guessing! Does writing this type of plot require lots of outlining?

I do very broad outlines from the beginning and they get more and more specific as I get further into the book. I know how I want the book to end and all the major turning points before I ever start writing, but I stay flexible and I wing it if a better idea comes along.

What has your experience been like, being a debut author? How long did it take you to write Insomnia and find an agent/publisher? And did you do anything else before you started writing? (Sorry, that’s a bunch of questions all at once!)

The whole experience has been incredible. I did a reading at a conference a few weeks ago and was surprised when a few people gasped at the perfect moment while I was reading the first chapter. It was surreal to know I’d evoked that kind of response from them. Very cool:)  I wrote Insomnia in about three months and then revised for three after that. It took just over a month to get an agent, and my road to publishing was a little bizarre because I sold internationally first, which was odd. That happened after about a month of submission. Before I started writing, I worked in both human resources and public relations. Haha, wow, big paragraph:)

We’d love to learn more about you! Please tell us three things that can’t be found on your website.

Fun! Let’s see. I have a car named Gidget, a hot tub named Paolo, and my husband is from Finland…sexy accent included.

OK, you might be the first person I’ve known who’s named their hot tub! Who are your favorite authors, and did any of them influence you to write Insomnia? Is there any other media you love (like movies or television) that had an influence in the creation of your book?

Haha, I think I name different ones every time I answer this question. I have so many favorite authors! Let’s see, a few for today: James Dashner, Helen Fielding and Jane Austen. I love TV and movies, but I’ve had to become a bit more selective because my schedule is pretty packed right now…Criminal Minds always gets me in the mood to write darker stuff and Eureka (which is off the air now and I’m still in mourning) always gets my brain surging with ideas.

You did something very smart with the ending of Insomnia, in my opinion: you left the reader satisfied, but you also leave us dying to find out what happens next. I’m not a big fan of cliffhangers, so I appreciated this.  So, without giving away any spoilers, what’s next? How many books will be in The Night Walkers series? Are you currently working on the next book?

I’m glad you liked the way it ended. That’s exactly the response I was going for. Without any real spoilers, let’s say things broaden out a bit in the sequel. This first book deals exclusively with Parker’s inner circle and the people around them. The next branches out to include a wider view of what is happening to him and why. It’s everything from the first book, and then some. The series is set to be two books and I plan to end with a bang. I am currently drafting the next book and all I can say is…Hold on tight.

Great questions, Tammy! This was really fun. Thanks again for having me!

Thank you for such a great interview:)

Find Jenn here:  Twitter * Blog * Website * Goodreads

Add Insomnia to Goodreads

Pre-order from Amazon

And now for the GIVEAWAY. One winner will receive an advanced reader’s copy, SIGNED by Jenn! Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (sorry International friends, but I’ll have more giveaways later this month for you). Simply click on the Rafflecopter button to enter:

Raffle button

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February 17, 2013 · 12:34 am

Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop! Pick a Recent Five-Star-Reviewed Book!

Random Acts HopThank you for stopping by the Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway Hop! This hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Read For Your Future. I am super excited to offer one lucky winner a choice of one of the following books. I gave each one a gushing five-star review, and I want to spread the love! If you love brilliant writing and haunting and unusual stories, then any of these books will certainly fit the bill. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and you must be at least seventeen years old to enter, since these are not young adult books. Here’s what’s up for grabs:

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The Mad Scientist’s Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke (Advanced Reader’s Copy). This unusual love story takes place between a young woman and her android tutor. I loved Clarke’s haunting vision of the future and the growing relationship between Cat and Finn, the android. You can read my review here.

The Miniature Wife and Other Stories by Manuel Gonzales (Advanced Reader’s Copy). If you love strange and quirky tales that veer off in directions you don’t expect them to go, then this short story collection is for you. These stories are funny, sad, horrifying and just plain odd. You can read my review here.

Revenge by Yoko Ogawa (Finished paperback). Here’s another short story collection that will take you by surprise. Ogawa’s stories start out ordinary, but soon turn disturbing, and some of them will break your heart. You can read my review here.

You don’t have to choose now to enter, but feel free to leave a comment telling me which one grabs your attention:) Ready to enter? CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE RAFFLECOPTER!!

Check out all the other blogs that are participating:

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February 13, 2013 · 6:00 am

TALISMAN OF EL Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway

Tour Schedule
I’m happy to be a part of the Talisman of El Blog Tour today! You can read my review below and enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of THREE copies of Talisman of El!

Talisman of El by Alecia Stone

WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.

Two Worlds.

Population: Human … 7 billion.

Others … unknown.

When 14-year-old Char­lie Blake wakes up sweat­ing and gasp­ing for air in the mid­dle of the night, he knows it is hap­pen­ing again. This time he wit­nesses a bru­tal mur­der. He’s afraid to tell any­one. No one would believe him … because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago – the day before his dad died.

Char­lie doesn’t know why this is hap­pen­ing. He would give any­thing to have an ordi­nary life. The prob­lem: he doesn’t belong in the world he knows as home.

He belongs with the others.
Book Trailer

Purchase
 
 

Author Alecia Stone

Alecia Stone is the author of Talisman Of El (Centrinian, 2012), the first book in the Talisman Of El trilogy. She graduated with a BA in Film & TV and has worked in television for a short period of time before branching out into storytelling. Alecia loves anything and everything paranormal. Her fascination with all things supernatural sparked her obsession with books, particularly young adult fantasy fiction, which she has never grown out of. She was inspired to become an author after reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen at the age of fourteen.

In 2008, Alecia started working on Talisman Of El, a contemporary young adult fantasy fiction inspired by people who disappeared mysteriously, including, but not limited to, Amelia Earhart and Percy Harrison Fawcett, who went on an expedition in search of an ancient lost city. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys going to the movies, listening to music, and travelling.

Talisman Of El is her first novel. At present, Alecia lives in England, United Kingdom with her family.

My Review:

three stars

In a word: action-packed, creative, engaging, but needs editing

Independently published books are always a gamble. It’s one reason I’m reading less of them these days. You just never know whether or not the hours you spend reading them will be worth it. I had read really good reviews of Talisman of El and I was excited to dive into this book. And while it has amazing potential, for me that potential was never quite realized. I wanted to like it more, especially since this review is for a blog tour, but overall it just didn’t quite gel for me.

This is the first novel in a trilogy, the epic fantasy adventure of a young boy named Charlie and his friends as they journey to the land of Arcadia, a hidden realm beneath the earth where angels and demons and mythical creatures like dragons and werewolves live. When I started reading Talisman of El, I was expecting a young adult story, but both the ages of the main characters and the simplistic writing style make this feel like it was written for the middle grade crowd.  The author has creative ideas to spare, and the sweeping story line will be appreciated by fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Stone’s description of the mysterious land of Arcadia was truly engaging, and the idea of a world in the center of the Earth was a great idea to build a plot around. Stone has a talent for vivid description that brought the world to life for me. But my problem with this story is that there is just too much—too  many plot lines, too many characters, too many magical creatures, too many fantasy elements—and the story therefore becomes over-crowded and confusing. I had a hard time keeping track of everything that was going on, and the story often veered off in new directions, leaving me in the dust.

I did love several of the characters, but I could have done without others, just so I could spend more time with the ones that interested me, like Charlie, Derkein and a wonderful girl named Oren who, in my opinion, should have a whole book to herself. Charlie’s friend Alex, a girl his age who becomes jealous when Charlie speaks to some of the other female characters, was one of my least favorites, and unfortunately she plays a leading role in Talisman of El and therefore makes an appearance in every chapter.  A horrible man named Jacob, Charlie’s foster father in the beginning of the story, had the potential to be interesting; but although the author leads you to believe he’s connected to the magical Talisman in some way and will play an important part in the story, she completely drops his story line mid-way through the book and doesn’t adequately explain his purpose.

I found the writing itself to be solid for the most part, but full of awkward phrases and words in some parts of the book. This story needs a good polish, in my opinion. The raw material is there, but the shine is buried underneath a gritty surface. A professional editor would be able to take out the elements that slow down the pace of the story and really make it shine. The heart of the story, Charlie’s search for the Garden of Eden so that he can save his friend Derkein, has so much emotional potential, but somewhere along the way it gets lost in a confusing shuffle of extraneous characters and events.

Despite my review, I would like to read more about Charlie’s adventures and get to know the characters better, especially the fascinating Arcadians. Thanks to the author for supplying a review copy.

Blog Tour Giveaway

3 Print copies of Talisman of El

Open Internationally

Ends 2/18/13

Click here to enter the Giveaway!

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