I am having some fun with my signed prizes and I thought Jana Oliver's The Demon Trapper's series was in line with the theme of this hop and Tim O'Rourke's Kiera Hudson Series so I have some wonderful signed bookplates by these lovely authors who were kind enough to sign them for me when I sent them to them from little ol Australia and some swag. Looking forward to hopping about and entering everybody's giveaways and finding new blogs to follow:)
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO I SHALL TELL YOU ABOUT THE WONDERFUL
GIVEAWAYS I HAVE FOR YOU TO ENTER TO WIN ALL INTERNATIONAL
Prize 1 = 1 x signed by Jana Oliver Forsaken Bookplate Prize 2 = 1 x signed by Jana Oliver Forbidden Bookplate Prize 3 = 1 x signed by Tim O'Rourke Vampire Shift Bookplate Prize 4 = Swag bookmarks as shown in image 4 WINNERS!!
Michelle: What fifteen words describe Mr Kristoff?
Jay: A very angry nerd who is nowhere near as cool or funny as he appears.
Michelle: What ten words would you use to describe The Lotus War Series as a whole? You can’t use dystopian, Japanese, steampunk or fantasy.... well, I got to make it harderJ
Jay: That is kinda hard :P Ok, here goes:
Girl and griffin in epic fight to save the frackin’ world. That’s eleven. The “frackin’” isn’t technically necessary, but can we keep it anyway? Frack away... I kinda walked into that one, lol!
Michelle: You have several stand out characters in Stormdancer, Yukiko, Buruu and Yoritomo. Yoritomo is a strong, intelligent, powerful , dangerous character. When he speaks, you listen. No smart mouthing back to this guy, you kiss the dirt and pray. When writing Yoritomo’s dialogue did you find yourself sitting up a bit straighter , being theatrical when you reread your writing back to yourself, feeling the power of your words, waving a cardboard chainsaw katana in the air, or head down bum up you didn’t need to 3D your words, it was all in the fingertips, the power just came naturally?
Jay: It was mostly natural. Probably because I’m a closet megalomaniac with dreams of riding a griffin at the head of my massive army of nerds.
I’m a Roman history buff (nerdnerdnerd) and I kinda based Yoritomo on the emperor Nero - a kid who came to power too soon with all the hopes of his dynasty pinned on him, who just started testing the limits of absolute power. I really like exploring that concept – what it would do to a person.
If I was king of the world, for example, there’d be no such thing as dubstep. Everyone involved in that scene would just be rounded up and dropped into a huge Hunger Games style death match. The victor would be eaten by polar bears. On live TV.
Michelle: I have snooped for a book trailer and have not been able to find anything. If finances were limitless, would you like to see your book trailer as animated or non animated? Go the green screen or tap Jason Chan on the shoulder and get him to slave away with ideas.
Jay: If finances were unlimited, I’d haveKatsuhiro Otomo (author/artist/director ofAkira) do me an animated trailer. Jason Chan could do character design. Rage Against the Machine would reform to write a special soundtrack for it. The only place you could watch it would be on a specially built supersonic jet. And while the money tap was on, I’d buy myself some kind of rocket pack and hide it in the expenses as “sundry costs”.
Michelle: Could you please give us a quote from book two? No names/spoilers needed.
Jay: I’ll give you an Aristotle quote instead (nerdnerdnerd), which is kinda the basis for the whole second book, and one that I ripped off shamelessly.
“Your anger is a gift.”
Grrrr.
Michelle: You wrote a most helpful , rather intelligent, and down right humorous way to look at writing outside of your gender, aptly titled, ‘5 Tips on Writing Outside Your Gender’. YA Highway
Jay Kristoff
I learnt , yes , I am not a 532yr old vampire, but what stops me writing like I am a 532yr old vampire....nothing. So, we have ascertained from your mere looks, ( I’m looking at the movember facial feature you have) , you are not a 16 yr old Japanese girl, so therefore no boundaries should be in place for you to not be able to write as though you are one....right. Writing is about creating. I must tangent for one second, as I did laugh out loud at you being mistaken for Dave Grohl.....hehe!! I must admit I thought that the uber second I saw your image...back on track again. What? It was mentioned in the above article @ YA Highway.
I for one am very glad you didn’t write ‘in your own shoes’, cause I KNOW you aren’t a Griffin.....*cracking up at myself*. I do have a question coming, even I have forgotten what it is.
J.K. Rowling chose her author name to sound like a guy author. We know about the famous little boy she wrote about with the glasses and a wand ( yes, I could have said Harry Potter ) What is your opinion of authors feeling the need to have their author name hide their gender?
Jay: It kinda sucks, but I’ve seen readers say they won’t read books written by authors of a particular gender. I once had a woman tell me “You will never know what it’s like to be a teenaged girl, so don’t pretend to.” And some authors overcome that ridonkulously (totally a word) sexist objection by adopting gender neutral names in the futile attempt to mask their identity. But this is the age of the internet – that shit’s just not going to work anymore. Why lie? Just ignore the lunatics who “don’t read books written by XXXX”.
I try to write the best I can to the truths I know. People are essentially people, no matter the gear between their legs. We all want the same things, at the heart of us. Love. Happiness. Shelter. Friendship. Chocolate ice cream. Bourbon.
Mmmm, bourbon…..
*nods* Mmmmm , bourbon:):)
Michelle: Graphic Designer by trade for 10 years, you understand art and design. Now correct me if I am wrong, you had input into only the US cover, if my spy notes are correct? Jason Chan, the most awesome illustrator, did a downright wicked job of the US cover . It is a crowd pleaser! The fans may go crazy getting Yukiko’s sleeve art. It was a truly most wicked design he did on Yukiko, it’s going to win some hearts. Have you branded yourself with Yukiko’s artwork or something from the book? Something that would set you apart from Dave Grohl. Not that there is anything wrong with being his doppelganger. Kinda cool , really.
Jay: I had input on the UK cover, I just had a lot more with the US cover (for which I am exceedingly grateful). I do have a STORMDANCER tattoo, designed by the same awesome artist we used to design the kanji watermarks in the US edition of the book (her name is Araki Miho). I wrote a blog post about getting itHERE 11-11-11. ( This is very funny)
If I ever hit the NYT list (lawl), I’ll get Yuki’s fox sleeve on my arm. I’ll do a vlog about it. How’s that for a promise?
Holding you to it as I know you will get there! You may want to start waxing that arm...if you are of the manly hairy variety:)
Michelle: Your favourite word is ‘Beautiful’, awww.....niceJ
Your favourite curse word rhymes with ‘truck diesel’, hehe!! Quite original .( People go forth and snoop, ye shall find it) You like to find a positive in a negative. So do I . Keeps the mind moving forward. What is one thing that Jay dislikes with a passion? It can be anything in the whole wide world.
Jay is Australian
Jay: Wow. Hard question. Especially since I’ve already covered dubstep.
I dislike being told I can’t do something. That I can’t write a certain way or dress a certain way or talk a certain way. People who use the word “can’t” at me are not my favourite people. Unless their reasoning is like, physics or something. If someone tells me I can’t drink a whole bottle of liquor without vomiting like the little girl in The Exorcist, yeah fair enough, I’ll wear that.
Michelle: The most influential person and your most brutal critic is your wife. I have a friend who is an author in the UK and his wife is nicknamed ‘The Hacker’, most affectionately of course, she is his strongest and most honest critic. They have this great team thing going on. Do you have a team thing, with your wife, in regards to your writing?
Jay: For sure. STORMDANCER wouldn’t exist without her, if only for the fact that I’d probably have starved to death writing it.
I’ll usually get her to take a look when I’m about half way through the first draft, just to see if I’m headed over any cliffs. That way if I get stuck later on, I’ll bounce ideas off her and she’ll have context. Once I’m done, I’ll give her the whole thing to read, and I edit based on her notes. Hard experience has taught me she’s right nine times out of ten – one time I didn’t listen to her, I wrote myself into an 80,000 word dead end :P
I try to keep the twists a secret so I can get a genuine reaction from her when she reads them. There’s a particularly brutal twist in book two that made her call me some very rude names, which I consider a win.
Michelle: I have to ask. The Japanese influence that you have breathed into Stormdancer, what type of research did you do, apart from watching the flicks. How did you choose your names? Cause, we aren’t talking, Ethan, Sam, Ash here.
Jay: Drank lots of saké. Ate pocky until my eyes bled. Had my friends yell curse words at me in Japanese while I trawled Wikipedia and watched anime.
Japanese names are infused with far more meaning than western names, so for quite a few of the characters, I chose a name that suited their personality or an aspect of their story in the book. “Yukiko” means “Rare Child” for example. I tried to instil some sense of character in each, but a few I just chose because they sounded cool.
Michelle: What inspired, made you think of a chainsaw katana?
Jay: Probably playing too much Warhammer 40K as a kid (nerdnerdnerd). J
Michelle: The Battle of Los Angeles by Rage Against The Machine was your constant music while writing Stormdancer, now, truly I am not a stalker, honest, I am just being an informed interviewerJ
Could you please name three songs that you would love to see on the Stormdancer soundtrack, if there was one? I like to think when there will be one. A little bit about the why, without spoilers, if possible.
Jay: My taste in music is extremely obnoxious. The stuff I listen to would flay the paint from the walls inside your average suburban home, and it’s kinda unsuited for a Japanese SP film. Trent Reznor and the Chemical brothers both do awesome movie soundtracks though, so if you know their numbers, hook me up. In the event we can’t get Trent on board, the entire Battle of Los Angeles album could be the soundtrack and I’ll be happy.
That’s a lame answer. But honestly, some of the CDs in my collection could make orphans of your children.
Michelle: Again, truly I am not a stalker. Jay does not believe in happy endings. You are frightening me. You like to kill!! I feel nervous for certain characters, but I will not put any questions on you about that. Jay played air guitar for 15 minutes in his excitement upon receiving publishing news. Will you do anything special, keep a manly scrapbook of the day, base jump off a building, possibly manly squeeee from a mountain top when Stormdancer hits the shelves? Basically have you any plans or anything special you will buy for yourself as a pat on the back for job well done Jay? Not being nosey.....maybe a tadJ
Jay: It’s not that I like killing characters. I just think that victory without sacrifice is cheap. Besides, I like the idea of people being scared for the characters they love. Makes them love those characters more.
I get three launch days (US, UK and AUS) in the space of a couple of weeks, so I need to space out the binge-drinking or else I might, you know, die. But I imagine there will be air-guitar. No base-jumping though – knowing my luck I’d die right before I became a squintillionaire.
(Totally a word).
Michelle: Thankyou so much for your time.
Enjoy the awesomesauce that comes with being published. I am sure there will be many more cherries on top in the future for you. Bask in the glory...and I shall repeat.
The Prints will look like this with an amazing signature on them: These are examples only!! I sent a few different designs of his wallpaper to him to sign. I will decide which ones to put in this giveaway when I receive them back. So, it will be a surprise which ones the winners receive:D Also the sizes vary. Could be 5"x 7" Could be bigger! 3 WINNERS INTERNATIONAL!!
A little dubstep and a guy who is an amaaaazzzing performer.
I’m dusty and thirsty as I stroll on into town on my fine stallion Ned. I have my interview with Sammy and Harry from Cowgirls & Vampires at the Black Water Gap Saloon today. I just have to find it. I’m so glad I wore my chaps ( hehe, this is my fantasy so I am wearing chaps and my leather cowboy hat and looking mighty fine....just go with it people.) Ned comes to a stop. Leaning forward in the saddle, I raise my gloved hand to my hat tipping it back a touch , surveying the town with a cool gaze. I really do need to get off Ned, my ass is killing me. Ned huffs and shakes his head. I think Ned is looking forward to a nice cool drink.
“Come on Ned, let’s find the Saloon, I should have packed a step ladder, dismounting is going to hurt, matey.”
There is a short, sharp whistle and I look around to see Harry Turner standing in the open saloon doors. Sammy was right – he is scruffy looking. His sandy coloured hair looks like it needs a good comb, his faded blue denim shirt and jeans are dusty looking. He looks as if he hasn’t shaved for a week. Ooo yeah, he is a looker. His gun belt is criss-crossed about his waist and two gleaming revolvers are tied to his thighs. I didn't have to mention the thighs, but they are rather nice looking thighs. Go Team Harry.
Ned trots over to Harry at the sound of his whistle. I look from Harry to the ground that is waaayyyy down there. I resign myself to the fact I can't sit here all day, time to dismount and not grunt from the pain. Groaning I rise in the saddle, oh man, I hope I can walk. I catch Harry smirking, he can see that I’m having trouble getting the leg over, it may be the unlady like noises I am making, suddenly I feel two strong hands on my ass. Eeeppp! Harry has taken it upon himself to speed up the process, helping me out of my saddle and depositing me on the saloon wooden steps.
“Err, thanks, I think I can manage now,” I tell him, bending and stretching . “Sammy was right; you are an ass man.” “Don’t get too excited, doll,” he grumbles and heads back towards the swinging saloon doors. Sadly, he doesn’t look back. "Oh well, bit late for that," I mumble behind him.
I follow him walking like a bow legged cowboy, I always wanted to walk through swinging double saloon doors. No, they don't hit you in the ass if you do it right. I can see Sammy leaning against the bar. Her wide brimmed hat is pushed back and she has a cigarette jutting from the corner of her mouth. She truly is beautiful. "Hi Sammy, I am Michelle from Novels On The Run and I am here to ...."
“Drink?” Harry asks me, his grey eyes sharp. "Yes, I'll have a ....."
“Don’t have the whiskey,” Sammy smiles at me. “It’s great for paint stripping, but not for drinking. Not the beer either, as warm as bath water. ” "Errr.....a coke?" "What?", said Harry who was staring at me. "Errr, water, anything I'm a bit dusty."
Harry orders me a water, then thrusting the glass into my hand, he looks at me and says, “Shall we just get this interview over with?” Then he’s off, striding across the saloon towards a table. He fits a pair of jeans well.
Sammy and I follow him, she sits, I choose to stand and take a big drink, I think once I am down, I am not getting up again. Harry eyes me for a few seconds before he sits opposite me.
Michelle: Sammy, what 10 words would you use to describe Harry? Be honest, pretend Harry isn’t sitting here.
Harry: You know she isn’t gonna have anything nice to say.
Michelle: Now don’t be like that Harry, you get a turn too.
Sammy: Ten words huh? (She smiles to herself) I can think of a lot more! Harry is moody, sullen, arrogant, a chauvinist, and a tease. But he is a loyal friend to the Preacher, Louise and Zoe. Harry is brave – or stupid – I’m not sure which, and good to have around in a fight.
Harry: I’m no tease (grumbles and takes a sip of his whiskey)
Sammy: Yeah you are. You’re always grabbing my arse.
Harry: It’s called an ass! Michelle: Um, well you do grab her ass a bit...... * clears throat* Harry, shoot from the hip, what 10 words would you use to best describe the first time you saw Sammy? *leans over nudges Harry*, she’s gorgeous isn’t she?
Sammy: Hey, thanks Michelle.
Harry: Is she? I hadn’t really noticed. (He takes another shot of whiskey and I can’t help but notice the way he eyes Sammy over the rim of his glass. It was brief, but it was there). I thought she was dumb, if I’m being honest. She couldn’t hold her liquor. But in fairness to the girl – she’s pretty quick on the draw. Sammy’s okay to have hanging around – and yeah she does have a cute ass I guess.
Sammy: I knew it (smiles to herself and takes a sip of her milk). Oh yeah, these two are going to be fun.
Michelle: I think the Preacher is a great guy. I love his handle bar moustache, very stylish. The Preacher has got himself a lady to keep him warm at night, I imagine she likes the moustache too. Although I think it would tickle. Harry, how long have you and the Preacher been blazing the wild west trails together?
Harry: We do have a rather interesting history but I know our story will be told in later books, so I can’t really answer that at the moment. I can tell you that meeting the preacher was quite an adventure and would fill a book or two.
Michelle: Sammy, you like to have a smoke, any other vices that you can’t go without?
Sammy: I thought smoking was my only vice but I experienced certain things on the Scorpion Steam one night – so I’d quite like to try some of those again (Sammy winks at me). I waggle my eyebrows at her. Harry: What is that you two are doing? Michelle and Sammy : What? Harry: *mumbles* Women. *shakes his head*
Michelle: I notice you don’t smoke , Harry. What are your vices?
Harry: Women who talk too much.
Michelle: The vampires in Cowgirls & Vampires are not the pretty , sparkly variety. They are a bit of the fugly squad, but with a keen fashion sense. The use of the red bandana is fashionable yet necessary or they would be catching bugs with those frightening mouths. You are a fit guy. What advice would you give Sammy when it comes to killing the vamps?
Harry: Keep her mind on her shooting and not on c&*k…
Michelle: *blushing*…..Can you give the followers of my blog an exclusive hint as to what might happen in book two?
Sammy: The story starts in the same place as book one. I get another visit and away I go! Sally might make an appearance – if she can behave herself (giggles). Michelle: Hehe! Sally, she is a goer. Harry: Who is Sally? Michelle and Sammy: Nobody, you have met. Harry: * grunts * Women! All I’m gonna say is that I not sure if the whole Marley Cooper thing is resolved. I’ve got a feeling that whole thing might come back to bite me on the ass. Michelle: * finishes drink * I'll be looking forward to seeing your ass get bit. Hehe! Harry: *stares at Michelle* Michelle: *cough* I think that may conclude my interview. I shall now take my leave and get back on Ned and ride out of this here town. Umm, anybody got a ladder? Oh stick around for the giveaway.
GIVEAWAY TIME
5 Signed by Tim, Banner Prints INTERNATIONAL
The banner on this posting is what you will receive signed by Tim.
Thankyou Tim:)
HUGE MEGA THANKYOU TO MISS SUZI MIDNIGHT FOR HER TIME AND EXPERTISE IN PUTTING THIS AWESOME BANNER TOGETHER YOU ARE VERY TALENTED MY FRIEND!! XXXX
( Tim organised this with Suzi, I only just found out they were doing it, so thanks guys!) I had so much fun putting this interview together with Sammy and Harry...ahhh.....to be a fictional character..... such fun:)
Today on NOVELS ON THE RUN I have a wonderful interview with author Katie McGarry and her characters Noah and Echo. I can not express how much I loved this book. It is a very heartfelt read .
Welcome Katie, Echo and Noah to Novels On The Run.
Michelle: Katie, what a powerfully emotional story you wrote. I think every reader will be hard pressed not to shed a tear with your words. I can only imagine what it did to you writing about Noah and Echo. You can feel it in your words. I wanted to ask you about Mrs Collins. I really loved her character. Is she based on somebody you know?
Katie: Thank you for your kind words about Pushing the Limits. To answer your question, no, Mrs. Collins isn’t based on anyone I know. Instead of basing my characters off of someone, I typically put a piece of myself, no matter how small, into each of my characters. Echo has my sarcasm, Beth encompasses my fears, Isaiah and Lila share my loyalty, and Noah has my passion to love.
Michelle: I understand from when you signed the contract until now it has taken two years for your book to be released. The publishers obviously loved it. What was it like for you waiting to find out what the bloggers/reviewers thought of your debut story as it is not released to the public yet. How did you react once you started seeing the positive response to your heartfelt work?
Pushing The Limits - Releases 31st July 2012
Katie: The wait honestly wasn’t difficult. I actually signed on with my publisher in the fall of 2010 so it’s only been a little longer than a year and a half. I know it sounds like a big time gap, but when you think of everything that goes into publishing a book (cover design, revisions, line edits, copy edits, promotion, marketing, etc.) the time flew by.
Thus far I’ve been very humbled and awestruck at the response. At BEA, I met a wonderful group of book bloggers and one of them had read the book. When she began telling me how much she enjoyed it, I think I went into shock. My brain stopped working, my heart paused, and I froze like a deer in headlights. There was no way she was talking about me. I mean, is it possible that someone really enjoyed my book?
She was very gracious when my brain began functioning again and I was able to stutter out a “Thank you.”
Michelle: Hi Noah, I think you are going to have yourself quite a few fans when Katie’s book is released. How do you think you will handle the excitement?
Noah: Fine. I’ve got two best friends who have no problem reminding me of who I am, plus I’ve got an awesome girl.
Michelle: You and Mrs Collins have this relationship I adore. She is quite a caring lady. What words would you use to describe her?
Noah: Annoying, persistent, and an awful driver, but she’s also smart and she gets a lot of things about me that others don’t.
Michelle: Hi Echo, can you tell us a bit about your art. What type of art would you say is your style? I really enjoyed the scenes where you picked up a brush.
Echo: I consider myself an impressionist. Think of Monet or Degas, but I’m not nearly as good as them. A few of the pieces that I painted while trying to reclaim my memory are more abstract expressionist. Think Jackson Pollock for this, but once again, I’m not nearly that good.
Michelle: Echo, what would be the one thing people would have written in your high school yearbook?
Echo: I guess most people would probably write, “It was nice hanging out once or good luck.” My life completely changed in high school and so did my circle of friends. Lila though, my best friend,—she’d take up entire pages recounting our every moment together.
Michelle: Noah, what would have been the one thing people would have written in your high school yearbook?
Noah: That would have required me to buy a yearbook. I was saving my paychecks to find a place for me and my brothers to live after graduation.
Michelle: Noah, what tangible object symbolizes you most?
Noah: I’d say my leather jacket. I use it to warn the world to stay away from me and it can keep Echo safe and warm when she forgets her coat. Which by the way, is often.
Michelle: Now for my musical questions as I love to hear what music links characters and their relationships.Noah could you please give me a song for each of these that you feel represents the person and why?
Noah:
Echo
'Nothing Else Matters' by Metallica.
I think of her when I hear the lyrics: 'I never opened myself this way, life is ours, we live it our way'
Mrs Collins
Dr. Dre’s 'I Need a Doctor' featuring Eminem.
A lot of that song captures how I feel about her. She gave me hope when I was in a bad spot. Believed in me when no one else did.
Grace
'What Its Like' by Everlast.
Doesn’t represent her, but maybe she should try listening to it before she tries talking to Echo again.
Michelle: Echo, could you please give me a song for each of these that represents the person and why?
Noah
I smile every time I hear 'Beast of Burden' by The Rolling Stones. It always reminds me of his sexy egotistical swagger when he’s coming onto me. Everything about him makes me smile.
Mrs Collins
It probably sounds silly, but I think of 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor when I think of Mrs. Collins. She just has this awesome attitude about her and she taught me how to bring out my own bit of attitude. She also taught me that I will survive everything that has happened.
Beth
I know just a little bit about Beth’s past so I’d have to say 'Farmer’s Daughter' by Crystal Bowersox .
Michelle: Katie, could you please give me a song for each of these that represents them and why?
Noah and Echo’s friendship
'Push' by Matchbox Twenty.
Echo and Noah never push each other physically, but they are always pushing the other in the area of trust. As in, you can trust me, but can I trust you?
Beth and Isaiah’s friendship
'Somewhere With You' by Kenny Chesney
These two share a very complicated friendship and this song describes it to me. You’ll learn more about them in the upcoming novel, Dare You To.
Isaiah
'Shimmer' by Fuel
Isaiah is a great guy, but there is a lot of hurt buried in him. I always thought of his pain when I heard the lyric: 'All that shimmers in this world is sure to fade away again.'
Echo’s mum (Sorry, I couldn’t think of one for her)
From these songs I am seeing the kleenex coming out again for Beth's story. I had better stock up.
Michelle: Katie, is there a YA author who has grabbed your attention the most and why?
Katie: I recently read an ARC of Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter and it completely sucked me in and blew me away. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It was one of those books that I have to read again because I know I missed stuff because I inhaled it so quickly. It has a fantastic plot and the hero is burning hot.
Michelle: Katie, is there anything you have learned from writing ‘Pushing The Limits?’
Katie: Yes. I lost my best friend quite a few years ago, but I hadn’t realized how much grief I had held onto until I wrote this story. As Echo and Noah worked their grief, I also discovered I was working through mine.
Michelle: Katie, is there anything special you will do for yourself on the day your book hits the book store shelves?
Katie: To keep my nerves at bay, I’ll probably try to go about my business as normal. I will be reading from the book at Carmichael’s, a local bookstore, later that night and will sign after the reading.
Michelle:Dared You To is the companion novel , Beth’s story is there a quote you could give us from this book? I am rather keen to read Beth’s story.
Katie: Why her? Why tonight? There’s a dare and I’m going to win. “Counter’s a little slow tonight.”
She (Beth) glares at me like I’m a little slow. “Are you speaking to me?” – First Chapter of DARE YOU TO, Ryan’s Point of View
Thank you Katie, Noah and Echo for answering my questionsJ
Michelle
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Giveaway starts now! Finishes 10th August 2012 Midnight Aussie Time Thanks Kindly!! Have a great week!! WINNER IS KALAYSN!! I have emailed you!
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Winter's Light & Hana = 6" x 8" in size
Both authors were kind enough to sign them for me for blog giveaways.
They are matt prints.
Today on Novels On The Run on our stop of the blog tour I have my review of Frost, The Frost Chronicles # 1.
ENJOY!
By:Kate Avery Ellison
Published By: Self Published
Released: Available Now
Details: Digital , 206 Pages
RATING: 4.25 TEAM ADAM STARS!!!
Book Blurb : Goodreads
In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person could end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone. After monsters kill her parents, she must keep the family farm running despite the freezing cold and threat of monster attacks or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and failure just one wrong step away, she can’t afford to let her emotions lead her astray. So when her sister finds a fugitive bleeding to death in the forest—a young stranger named Gabe—Lia surprises herself and does the unthinkable.
She saves his life.
Giving shelter to the fugitive could get her in trouble. The Elders have always described the advanced society of people beyond the Frost, the “Farthers,” as ruthless and cruel. But Lia is startled to find that Gabe is empathetic and intelligent…and handsome. She might even be falling in love with him.
But time is running out. The monsters from the forest circle the farm at night. The village leader is starting to ask questions. Farther soldiers are searching for Gabe. Lia must locate a secret organization called the Thorns to help Gabe escape to safety, but every move she makes puts her in more danger.
Is compassion—and love—worth the risk?
BOOK REVIEW by Michelle :
I really liked this story. It has a lot of intrigue that kept me turning the pages. I was not sure if I was reading a dystopian or a fantasy or something else .
The more I read, the more I wanted to know what the Watchers were. Are they good or bad?
I loved Adam Brewer. I am Team Adam , but this instalment is not written with any romantic attachment to Adam and our heroine, Lia Weaver. But , in saying that I loved Gabe too.
Now Cole...well he is from the word go somebody I didn’t trust, nor overly liked.
I did pick a reasonable amount of the plot, but I don’t care. I found this a very stimulating read. I have questions but I feel they will be answered in further instalments.
I did laugh at Kate’s acknowledgements section of her book. Yes, Kate I did notice this , ( the part about what the reader would say was too few of) but I didn’t care. Sure the action scenes are not really bouncing at you. I loved the character’s and the mystery and intrigue. This is what grabbed me about this book. Now I understand this hasn’t been picked up by a publisher. I think it should be as I think a cuddle from a publisher would give it the little nudge I personally think it needs.
I really liked Kate weaving into the story the 'why' about why people would even settle in Frost. All I will say is 'Bluewing', a great little paragraph or two that gave us a reason.
Quota’s, quota’s , filling that darn quota is what Lia thought would keep her family of Ivy, her fourteen year old sister and her twin crippled brother John, and her together, towing the line. Not bringing attention to her farm and the family she had left. They were all orphans. She needed to keep her brother and sister together.
Adam Brewer is a great character. I am still finding him a mystery, but we do learn more. We get hints about him not being originally from Frost....hmmm, I have some theories.
I liked Ann, Lia’s friend, I hope I can trust her.
Cole , I saw him coming from a mile away. Sorry, but I did. But that is ok.
My head is still in the clouds about a lot of things, the Farther’s being one of them and their country of Aeralis.
The story took a rather swift ending for all the work that went into the build up. It has a different feel to the start. I won’t spoil, we do get hints.
Sometimes I wondered if there was going to be a steampunk feel to the book, due to the technology and things. I am still intrigued to know how and why the world is the way it is and if infact this is earth. Not that it matters. I just have questions bobbing about in my head.
I have left out saying a lot as there is a mystery with people and the Mayor of the village and the 'Watchers' who will keep you asking yourself what they are , you won’t guess, I can assure you.
The Farther’s are a big question for me and the ‘why‘ of Gabe .
I think Lia is a great character, very intelligent and brave. I would love to see her with Adam.
I do rate this highly as it has me very intrigued and I want to know more about Adam. I like a book that has me guessing even if I do work out most of who is doing what. I still got some surprises.
FAVE QUOTE:
“I keep losing people. Well, sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it. Is this struggle to feel worth it? I just keep bleeding and bleeding, and it seems like it never stops.”
Today on Novels On The Run on our stop on the blog tour I have my review of Air, Elemental # 2 by Shauna Granger and giveaways.
ENJOY!
By : Shauna Granger Published By : Self Published Released : Available Now Details: Digital, 357 Pages RATING: 4 JENSEN & STEVEN STARS!! Book Blurb : Goodreads It was a rough start to the school year for Shayna and her friends, Jodi and Steven, but thankfully summer break is near. Trying to sort out her feelings for the new guy in town, Shayna agrees to let Jensen join her on a group date with her friends. While out they end up at a local coffee house where their classmate, social outcast Jeremy McCormick, is humiliated by his baseball star brother.
When Jeremy runs away from the jeering crowd, Shayna and Jodi hear the unmistakable sound of a thousand wings chasing after him, but no one else seems to hear them. These are not like any air elementals that Shayna or Jodi have ever encountered before and they fear Jeremy has gotten himself tangled up in something too dangerous for him to handle. But when Shayna tries to help Jeremy control his magical abilities she realizes it might be the biggest mistake of her life.
BOOK REVIEW by Michelle :
Evil Faeries are the creatures causing major disruption in this instalment of the Elemental series, nothing like an evil fairie to try to contend with. This of course, is easier said than done, as our crew of three elementals, plus Jensen, who pops up every now and then to lend a hand, find out.
Air’s story centres around Jeremy a classmate of Shay’s. He has always been this odd guy at school , being picked on, especially by his brother Jimmy. Nice one Jimmy ( said sarcastically), you think you could rely on your own family to accept you and stick up for you.
Jimmy does the unforgiveable while Jeremy has stood up at open mic night to read some rather bad poetry, humiliated , Jeremy works some weird mojo , and there we have the direction this story takes.
Shay , Jodi and the ever loveable Steven try to track down Jeremy and find out what is going on with all these faerie type creatures.
But, all may not be what it seems.
Shauna has entertained me with some colour characters in this instalment, Hobya, Iris of Shattered Light and Tegan.
I loved having Tegan the wee little Earth faerie about. He was a great addition and I hope he sticks around.
Jensen and Shay have a sometimes physical relationship and a sometimes, not really relationship. I would have liked to have made more ground in this book with them. Jensen was more a sub character ,as Shay, Jodi and Steven are this tight crew who don’t leave much room or time for others in their life. Shay is always finding somebody that needs help and she can gungho it with her other elementals, leaving not a lot of space for Jensen.
I liked meeting Anthony , Steven’s current squeeze. If Steven wasn’t gay , he would be a gorgeous boyfriend for Shay. He is very caring and protective when Shay permits him to be, even when she doesn’t. There is just something very Team Steven about him, even though he bats for the other team.
Jeremy’s character is really taking the reader on a chase with all the things he is getting up to. The Bookstore and Police Station scenes were rather intense and a scene with Jimmy....oh dear!
I thought this book would be from Jodi’s pov as it is titled Air, but it was Shay running the show and trying to keep herself and her friends safe and others out of harms way.
Shauna brought some new creatures to my attention as I hadn’t heard of them which I thought was great.
I enjoyed this instalment, I would have liked more Jensen and relationship development with Shay. Her character was very independent , not taking a lot of time to play with her feelings with Jensen. Bad boy Jeremy stole the show with the at times violent behaviour he got up to.
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