Blog Tour - Book Review: A Golden Web

On vacation at Disneyland and my internet is not cooperating. My email, goodreads and blogger are all taking forever to load and my computer keeps freezing up...




I'll get a review up this week. Visit The Teen Book Scene for all tour stops.

Splash Into Summer - Sites without Giveaways

Help! I'm on vacation and my internet access is so slow and I'm unable to check all the sites on the linky to ensure they have a giveaway posted.
There are typically dozens of sites that don't post giveaways and I've only come across 5 or 6 so far so I know there are more that need to be removed.
While you are entering giveaways if you come across a site that does not have a giveaway posted please leave a comment with the site's name on this post or email me and I'll remove them from the linky.
Thanks!!

Blog Tour: Book Giveaway & Guest Post - Popular by Alissa Grosso

Character POV:
Zelda from Popular by Alissa Grosso -

When I entered high school, I was determined to be an antisocial, anti-establishment little punk who nobody would mess with. I was the girl who got in trouble for building a shrine to the lead singer of the latest goth band complete with lit votive candles in her locker in eighth grade, for godsakes. So, I was set to be hell in black fishnet stockings in high school until popularity in the form of Hamilton Best came and shit on my parade. Since then, everything’s been just peaches and cream and sunshiny daydreams.



In my heart of hearts I'm nothing but a freak, but in reality, I'm more of a sellout. Too weird to be a normal popular girl and too popular to be a weirdo, I am forever in some sort of high school social hierarchy limbo.

For all the tour stops please visit The Teen Book Scene

Popular by Alissa Grosso:

Meet the clique that rules Fidelity High: Olivia, Zelda, Nordica, and Shelly, each one handpicked by über-popular Hamilton Best. You know you're "in" when you make the guest list for one of Hamilton's parties. And in the thralls of senior year, everyone wants to get noticed by Hamilton.

But Hamilton's elite entourage is coming apart at the seams. Olivia fantasizes about finally having a boyfriend, Zelda dreams of ditching high school, Nordica wants to be alone with her photography, and Shelly's plotting to dethrone Hamilton. Lies and secrets are ripping away the careful ties that have kept them together for years. But Hamilton has the biggest secret of all, one that only her boyfriend Alex knows. If the truth got out, it would shock everyone and destroy Hamilton's fragile world—and she'll do anything to protect her secret and keep her clique together.

Book Giveaway:
1 copy of Popular
Open Internationally
Ends June 2nd

Blog Tour: Book Giveaway - The Misadventures of Phillip Isaac Penn by Donna L. Peterson

Donna Peterson has enjoyed writing stories and poetry since the second grade. She has been published four times in the Idaho Magazine; wrote a weekly humor column, "Kaleidoscope," for the Three Rivers Chronicle; and she continues to write short stories for the children at Park Intermediate School, where she has been employed for the past twelve years. Two years ago, Donna took a children's literature class, which inspired her to finally publish her own stories.

Donna lives in Weiser, Idaho, with her husband, Brad, and her three-legged cat, Sam. Her son, Erik and his lovely wife, Shawna, live in Murray, Utah. Her other son, David, will be attending college in Japan next fall.

Writing has always been Donna's favorite pastime, so having her first children's book published is a dream come true.


For all the Book Tour Stops please visit: http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/misadventures-blog-tour/

The Misadventures of Phillip Isaac Penn:


Pip, whose real name is Phillip Isaac Penn, feels that the world is against him as he struggles to deal with angry parents, a bossy older sister, a frazzled teacher, and memorable characters such as Bully Bart, Cheater Chaz, Know-It-All Nell, Liar Lizzy, Stealer Steffan, Conman Cody, and Tattle-Tale Tess. Every day of the week brings another challenge that Pip handles in his own endearing way. Yet, no matter how hard he tries, he realizes that it’s just not easy being a kid.


Giveaway Details:
One copy of The Misadventures of PIP.
Open to US only
Ends 6/18/11


To enter just leave a comment on this post.

Book Review: How Huge the Night by Heather Munn & Lydia Munn

Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.


Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.


Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.


Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.

I'm supposed to post a review of this today as part of the blog tour but I'm not finished. I'm struggling to get through this one. I'm not sure if it is the book or the fact that this has been a crazy week and I'm worn out so I keep falling asleep while reading.

I usually give a book 50 pages to hook me and then quit if I haven't connected to the characters. I've made it much further than that but I'm still not connected or hooked, however I am actually enjoying what I read and it seems to be an accurate portrayal of life during World War 2 so I'm going to finish the book to see how it all turns out.  I've read a lot of historical fiction about WWII & Jews in hiding in the past so perhaps the novelty of the subject has just worn off for me.

Rating: currently 3.5 stars but may change depending on the ending

Source: Review copy from Kregel

Content: Clean

Splash Into Summer Giveaway - $10 from Amazon or The Book Depository

Welcome to the Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop. 

Thanks to Pixie from Page Turners for helping to host this giveaway hop!

My Giveaway: $10 in Books

I'm offering a $10 Amazon gift card:


Or if you live internationally and can't use an amazon.com gift card you may choose up to $10 in books from The Book Depository.


To enter this giveaway please follow this blog via Google Friends Connect and fill out the form below.
 
If you follow this blog another way: goodreads, twitter, facebook, networked blogs or via an email subscription you will get another (+1) extra entry for each way your follow.  Up to 5 extra entries.

Last day to enter is May 31st at midnight.  Giveaway open to anyone 13 or older.

To enter my giveaway simply fill out this form:



Now Hop to another blog on the list and enter their giveaway:

Giveaway Winner: Odessa

Congratulations to the Winner of
Odessa ebook + swag




The winner was selected using Random.org

Lori Brouse

Winner has been notified. Thanks to all who entered.

Blog Tour: Author Interview: The Queen Bee of Bridgeton by Leslie Dubois

Welcome to author Leslie Dubois!

If you could invite 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
I actually gave this assignment to my students one year when I was a teacher. It’s a tough question so in order to answer it, I had to think about it in categories: historical, living, math, music and dance. The historical person I’d like to invite is Jesus. I had to change the name of this category from dead to historical because technically, he’s not dead. Anyway, from the music category I choose Chopin. I was a music composition and math double major in college and my favorite composer was Chopin. My goal is to one day play all of his songs on the piano. Though I think the Fantasie Impromptu seems impossible. From the dance category, I’d like to invite Demetri from Dancing with the Stars. In fact, I hope to sell enough books in order to become famous enough to actually be a “star” on that show so he can be my partner. It’s a slight obsession. And the last person is Karl Urban. You’ve probably never heard of him, but he’s an actor and I think he might be the most attractive man on the planet. Just saying his name makes me giddy. I hope my husband isn’t reading this. Love you, Michael!

One piece of advice for inspiring authors?
Advice for authors. My advice for authors is to have patience. It’s advice that I need to follow myself. The publishing process is extremely tough right now. I had an agent for four years and while he was able to sell the movie option for Priscilla the Great, he was still unable to get me a publishing deal for any of my books including Priscilla the Great and The Queen Bee of Bridgeton. A major publisher had Queen Bee under consideration for three years without giving me a decision. I placed Priscilla the Great and another one of my books with small publishers, but I didn’t like my experience with either of them and ended up pulling my books and going with Indie publishing. So, after six years of writing, I finally have six of my titles available for purchase with many more to come. Now it’s time to wait for people to learn about my books. It would be nice if I could become the next JK Rowling or Stephanie Meyer overnight, but I know that’s not going to happen. Since I’m doing this all alone without the backing of a publishing house, I have to be patient and just let my talent shine through. It might take years, but eventually people will get to know me. And I’m not going anywhere. I have a lot more books to write!

Who are your favorite authors?
Favorite Authors: Meg Cabot, Ally Carter, Jacqueline Woodson, Phillippa Gregory, Dave Barry, Michael Crichton, Tom Wolfe, Jane Austen, Alice Walker, Madeleine L’Engle and Thomas Hardy to name a few. I read a lot and I have a broad range in tastes as you can see. It’s really hard for me when people ask me for my favorite author or my favorite book. There are too many! And when I finish writing this, I’ll probably think of authors I forgot.

Hidden talent.
I have gotten so good at coupon shopping that sometimes I make money at the grocery store! I take my savings and invest them into my writing career.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
I can see myself in both Sonya and Sasha. Like Sonya, I loved to dance. I took ballet lessons starting at five-years-old. Being poor, my mother cleaned the dance studio in exchange for lessons. That’s where I got the idea for the book. Like Sasha, I was a very good student. I remember one time in high school literally crying over a B I received in a history class. Like both girls, I left an extremely poor upbringing to attend a prestigious school on scholarship. Though for me it was a University and not high school.

The Queen Bee of Bridgeton:

When fifteen-year-old Sonya Garrison is accepted into the prestigious Bridgeton Academy, she soon discovers that rich girls are just as dangerous as the thugs in her home of Venton Heights. Maybe more so. After catching the eye of the star, white basketball player and unwittingly becoming the most popular girl in school, she earns the hatred of the three most ruthless and vindictive girls at Bridgeton. Can she defeat the reigning high school royalty? Or will they succeed in ruining her lifelong dream of becoming a world class dancer

For all the tour stops please visit The Teen Book Scene

Author Interview & Book Giveaway: The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore

Welcome to Author Meg Mitchell Moore


Bio:


Meg Mitchell Moore worked for several years as a journalist. Her articles have been published in a wide variety of business and consumer magazines. She received a master's degree in English literature from New York University. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their three children. The Arrivals is her first novel.


Interview:


If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
Definitely the past.

What is one book everyone should read?
I am so influenced by what I'm currently reading but right now I would say The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks because not only is it a great read but it touches on so many different and important topics: science, race, poverty, journalism, health care...

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
The ability to subsist happily on almost no sleep. OR, maybe a Samantha-in-Bewitched sort of thing where I could snap my fingers and all of the laundry would be washed, folded and put away.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Coffee, preferably with some kind of chocolate in there.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Smoothie.

Night owl, or early bird?
Early.

Skittles or M&Ms?
Definitely M&Ms.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
If you HAVE a parent or you ARE a parent there's something in there for you.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
My second book is currently with my editor, and I hope to start my third this summer.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
As a child I read the Betsy, Tacy and Tib books by Maud Hart Lovelace. I am now reading them with my own daughters and I still love them.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Listen to those wiser than you.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?
I have many favorite authors but if I had to pick just one I'd choose Alice Munro. I can open any of her books to any random page and be completely blown away by the writing and the way she brings her characters one hundred percent to life, every single one of them. There is no such thing as a stock character or a stock description for her.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?
An agent who did not end up taking on my book was very encouraging about an early draft but told me that my characters weren't in enough danger (could be emotional or physical)--she said it seemed like they could take care of themselves, so why should the reader worry about them? She advised me to have my characters do things that would make the reader cringe. I think that's excellent writing advice.

Hidden talent?
I'm really good at putting memories in context: for example, if someone says, "What month did so-and-so get married?" I'll remember something strange like, well, we took the dog to the beach that day, and they don't allow dogs on the beach after May 1st, so it must have been April, because I know it was after Easter...." etc. I also remember odd details about people I've never met or don't know well (like if a friend told me a story about her friend I'll always remember that detail about the friend even though I may never meet her).

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
A house with a gorgeous mudroom (cubbies, shelves, shoe racks) to contain the detritus my children shed each time they come in my front door. Unfortunately in my town
said house would probably cost more than one million dollars but it would be a really good start.

What's your favorite season/weather?
Bright sunny windy fall New England day--cool enough for long sleeves but only just. I was married on a day like that.

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I bought a Nespresso machine I had had my eye on for some time.

The Arrivals:

It's early summer when Ginny and William's peaceful life in Vermont comes to an abrupt halt.

First, their daughter Lillian arrives, with her two children in tow, to escape her crumbling marriage. Next, their son Stephen and his pregnant wife Jane show up for a weekend visit, which extends indefinitely when Jane ends up on bed rest. When their youngest daughter Rachel appears, fleeing her difficult life in New York, Ginny and William find themselves consumed again by the chaos of parenthood - only this time around, their children are facing adult problems. 

By summer's end, the family gains new ideas of loyalty and responsibility, exposing the challenges of surviving the modern family - and the old adage, once a parent, always a parent, has never rung so true.


Giveaway Details:

Thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group I have 2 copies of The Arrivals for Giveaway.
Open to US or Canada (no P.O. Boxes)
Ends 6/16/11

To enter just leave a comment on this post.

Giveaway Winner: Future Glimpse

Congratulations to the Winner of
Future Glimpse





The winner was selected using Random.org

Ariel W.

Winner has been notified. Thanks to all who entered.

Book Giveaway & Blogger Interview @ A Little Bit of Everything

Kerry-Ann from the site A Little Bit of Everything posted an interview she did with me.  In conjunction with the interview she is giving away a copy of one of my favorite books - Sense & Sensibility.  The giveaway is open Internationally and ends on May 28th.


Stop by to enter the giveaway: http://kerry-ann-mcdade.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-interview-and-competition.html

Book Giveaway & Author Interview: Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

Welcome to Author Darby Karchut!


Bio:

Darby Karchut is a writer, a teacher, and a compulsive dawn greeter. She lives in Colorado with her husband and owns more running shoes than high heels. Visit Darby Karchut at: http://www.darbykarchut.com
 http://darbykarchut.blogspot.com

Interview:

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

My Swiss army knife

Pepto-Bismol (all those coconuts!)

Bear Grylls

What is one book everyone should read?

The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. Okay, just kidding. Actually, I would choose The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette. Enough said.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Rolled oats, cranberry juice, and coffee

Night owl or early bird?

I make early birds look like slackers

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

Because even a hero-figure needs a father-figure. Once in awhile.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

Griffin Rising is the first in a four book series. The second book, Griffin’s Fire will be released next April.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?

The Lord of the Rings (I have action figures!)

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash. There is a running joke about it in all the books.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Read loads of books in your genre as well as outside your genre. And turn off the TV!

If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?

I’m such an Anglophile, so England during the High Middle Ages would be lovely

What is your favorite quote?

“To whom much is given, much is expected.” (Saint Paul)

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

A bard.

How did you know you should become an author?

When I finished writing Griffin Rising. I’ve never written a thing until then. I never even want to be an author! The idea just slammed into my head one day. Kind of like an avalanche, except I could still breath.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

“Try the haggis. It’s delicious!”

Hidden talent?

I can read classical Latin. Fluently

How do you react to a bad review?

Same as from a bad fall on the ski slope. Get up. Check for any broken bones, learn from it, and move on.

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?

More stock in Catepillar Equipment

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

TV show: “Supernatural”. I know, I know, but come on - Castiel is a dreamboat.

Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is.... The Ranger’s Apprentice series.

Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut:
For centuries, rumors have abounded of a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors secretly serve as guardians for mortals in danger.

But for one young angel-in-training, Griffin, life is hell as a cruel master makes his apprenticeship a nightmare. On the verge of failing, a new mentor, Basil, enters his life and changes it forever.

Taking on the identity of father and son, Griffin and Basil forge a special bond where honesty and trust go hand in hand to secure Griffin’s destiny as a Terrae Angeli. Griffin’s belief in himself and the love of a mortal girl are the perfect combination in overcoming the darkest days of his life. But will it be enough for him to succeed?

For Griffin, it’s time to angel up.

Giveaway Details:
1 paperback copy open to US & Canada
1 ebook open Internationally
Ends 6/17

Book Giveaway & Author Interview: Redheart by Jackie Gamber

Welcome to Author Jackie Gamber

Bio:

Jackie Gamber is an award-winning freelance editor, as well as award-winning author of the fantasy novel Redheart, available now through Seventh Star Press(www.seventhstarpress.com) and ebook at a special rate of $1.99! A veteran of the USAF, she is now, among other things, a rosarian, a professional BookTaster, and an avid believer in imagination. Visit Jackie and her BookTastings on the world wide web at www.jackiegamber.com

www.facebook.com/seventhstarpress
seventhstarpress.blogspot.com
www.seventhstarpress.com

Inteview:

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with
you?
If it was a magical desert island with endless supplies of these things, I’d be all set with Yorkshire Gold tea (does the mug to drink it in count?), steno pads, and an unbreakable writing utensil. I could while away the hours with nary a care.

Night owl, or early bird?
I’m such an early bird it’s embarrassing. It doesn’t seem to matter what time I go to bed; gray dawn peeks through the curtains, and I’m awake with it. I’m really at my best first thing in the morning, and I peak mentally around 1pm. Then I slowly fade, until I’m utterly useless to anyone or anything by about 7pm. I usually manage to shuffle along until normal people go to bed, but if I could choose a bed time, I’d hit the hay around 9 pm. Every night. Then my 4 or 5 a.m. circadian wake-up call wouldn’t seem so inconvenient.

One food you would never eat?
I saw an episode of “Bizarre Food” with Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel that featured a poisonous shark that local fisherman hang in a shack for weeks until it rots and ferments, making it edible. Or at least, no longer poisonous. Apparently the fishermen are forced by law to keep the reeking shack well away from populated areas. Now, I’m an open minded sort of person, and I enjoy experiencing cultures and foods, but I have to say I couldn’t bring myself to try that rotten shark if my life depended on it. I don’t even like tuna fish.


Skittles or M&Ms?
M&Ms, most definitely. With peanuts or almonds! I don’t really see the need for any other candy; M&Ms sum up the best of sweet snacks. Whenever I’m stocking up on Halloween candy and I want to make sure I don’t sneak-eat the supplies before October 31st, I buy all kinds of things lacking chocolate. Skittles, DumDums, Smarties, or Twizzlers. Not a temptation for me (although I have to hide them from my hubby).

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Readers should indulge in Redheart because reading is a brain antioxidant, and reading about Riza and Kallon is the spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I’ve recently finished a time-travel novel based on two real historical figures; Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, and Adam Worth, the master thief who was the inspiration for Doyle’s Moriarity. I’m also working on book two of the Leland Dragon Series, and I’d like to try my hand at a little steampunk for an upcoming anthology.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
One of my most rewarding experiences related to being published was winning the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley award for Imaginative Fiction. I’ve been a long-time admirer of Mary Shelley, with Frankenstein being one of my all time favorite novels. To have been bestowed an award attached to her name is such an honor.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
I love this question. Ever since the song “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson has been out, it runs around in my head as the perfect song for Riza Diantus – I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly. I’ll do what it takes ‘til I touch the sky.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Never. Give. Up. Even when it hurts. Even when the whole world and all of your insides are screaming at you to let go. Keep writing. Keep learning. Write for reasons only you understand.

What is your favorite Quote?
By Ray Bradbury: "There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches."

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
More than anything, I wanted to be a singer in a band; a Country Western band was a top choice. I almost made it a couple of times, but the timing didn’t work out, and the trail on that dream went cold.

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?
You know, the only actress that comes to mind is Queen Latifah. She’s witty and a little sassy and utterly believable. And she carries beauty the way a woman of generous build can do. Hips to sink ships.

How did you know you should become an author?
To be honest, sometimes I still wonder if I’m not playing at trying to be an author; maybe one day I’ll get caught at being a hack, and my secret will be out. But I did make a promise to myself that I would hang on to this dream, because I’ve let so many other aspirations in my life slip away.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?
Oh, goodness, my favorite authors of all time? I could gush on and on. But I’ll simply mention Mary Shelley, Ray Bradbury, Charles Dickens. Oh, and John Wyndham. And H.G. Wells. If I could hug them all, I would.

Hidden talent?
I haven’t done much singing these days, but I used to be pretty good at it. I can nail a Trisha Yearwood tune on a good day.

Favorite Food?
Pizza, pizza, pizza. Not just the frozen cardboard kind (although I’ll take that over nothing). I love a yeasty crust, dripping with herbed cheese and piles of veggies. Mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, sun-dried tomatoes. Add a glass of red wine, and I’ve just named my last meal, if I ever face execution.

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
I believe I would break down and cry if I ever received a signed copy of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” I love that book, treasure it. And I have an enormous collection of the movie versions, from the first 1935 “Scrooge” with Seymour Hicks to the spin-offs like (cringe) “All Dogs Christmas”.

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
A plane ticket to Europe. London, Versailles, Glasgow, Rome. One of these days I’ll see them all, plus the green acres in between.

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
Mama Mia’s pizza http://www.homeofthebigmama.com/ (my favorite place in Memphis), dripping with herbed cheese and veggies. And a glass of red wine. Oh, yeah.

Write a Haiku about your book
Without claws or flame
Or flight, still we all may be
A dragon inside.

Synopsis of Redheart:


Enter the lands of Leland Province, where dragon and human societies have long dwelled side by side. Superstitions rise sharply, as a severe drought strips the land of its bounty, providing fertile ground for the darker ambitions of Fordon Blackclaw, Dragon Council Leader, who seeks to subdue humans or wipe them off the face of the land.

As the shadow of danger creeps across Leland Province, a young dragon
named Kallon Redheart, who has turned his back on dragons and humans
alike, comes into an unexpected friendship. Riza Diantus is a young woman whose dreams can no longer be contained by the narrow confines of her village, and when she finds herself in peril, Kallon is the only one with the power to save her. Yet to do so means he must confront his past, and embrace a future he stopped believing in.

A tale of friendship, courage, and ultimate destiny, Redheart invites readers to a wondrous journey through the Leland Dragon Series.


Giveaway Details:
2 Winners will each receive:
-Redheart Trade Paperback
-set of 4 5X7 glossy print cards featuring illustrations by Matthew Perry
from Redheart
-Redheart Bookmarks
-A Redheart magnet


Open to US & Canada only
Ends 6/14


Optional Extra Entries:
+1 Like on facebook www.facebook.com/seventhstarpress
+1 Follow the blog:  seventhstarpress.blogspot.com

Book Giveaway & Author Interview: Plain Jane by Sonia Ashby

Welcome to Author Sonia Ashby!

Bio:

Sonia Ashby is the author of Plain Jane which was her first novel. She has been in the field of education for seventeen years. Sonia attended the University of Utah where she earned a degree in psychology and elementary education. She received her Masters of Education from Utah State University. With her husband and three children, Sonia lives near Salt Lake City, Utah where she feels very ‘Plain Jane’ herself from time to time. Visit Sonia’s Web site at www.soniaashby.com

Interview:

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?   I would choose mind reading.  Most of the time, I feel like I read what people are thinking fairly well, but it would be nice to confirm my predictions.  When I went to the Downtown Farmers' Market with my girlfriend once, she said more than one guy had checked me out.  I didn't see that nor did I really believe her, so mind reading would have come in handy to verify what she said.  It could also allow me to help law enforcement, lawyers, and judges know who is telling the truth.  On the other hand, we all think some really mean thought from time to time, and that talent could blow up in my face.  No one wants their super powers to drive them to seek counseling.  Any other books in the works?  Goals for future projects?    I have a handful of chapters written for a sequel to "Plain Jane."  The title, as of right now, is "Chance."  I thought I would write this one straight through from beginning to end, but I have already started out like I did with "Plain Jane" by jumping around.  I have the first couple of chapters written, one near the end, and the ending chapter. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?   I loved the Anne of Green Gables series.  The PBS version of the movie got me hooked and then I read the books and fell in love with the characters all over again.  I love strong female characters especially ones that have the Ugly Duckling Syndrome. What is your favorite Quote?   "The answer to life, the universe, and everything else is 42," which is from Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series.  Hidden talent?   I like to pick up things with my toes.  It is much more fun to snag things with my toes rather than bending down to pick things up even though with my four foot eleven height I am rather close to the ground. Favorite Food?   I love Italian pastas, German Weisswurst with red cabbage, and Liebkuchen (German spice cookies). What was your favorite children's book?   "Are You My Mother" for a picture book.  I struggled with reading in first grade and the school had me go to summer school.  The only thing I remember about that experience is making my own version of the book, and discovering books were fun. If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?   "Twilight" because after reading the first three books over labor day weekend a few years ago I realized how much I had missed reading for enjoyment since graduating from college and starting my family.  I have never read and then reread a book before.  I have to admit that I probably read them about 20 times.  After reading them numerous times, I thought about Stephenie Meyer writing down her story from an idea that came to her in a dream and I decided I could write a story I had been kicking around for years. What's your favorite season/weather?   I love early fall when the leaves are changing and the mountains look like an explosion of color.  The colors remind me of beautiful sunsets and snuggling up with a good book in front of a warm fireplace.  The smell of crisp, fallen leaves and wood burning fireplaces add to the beauty of the season. In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?   Shannon Hale - we seem to have similar senses of humor.  Her books are fun, clean, and there is always some romance in them too.

Plain Jane by Sonia Ashby:


How many times can a girl hear, I think you re cute, but let s just be friends? Guys either think Jane Harris is Plain Jane or cute, and she never knows if by cute they mean cute like your little sister is cute or something else. Once people take the time to get to know her, they find out there are many layers to her. Jane is sarcastic, spunky, and a little bit on the obsessive side. She also makes you wonder how one person's hard wiring can be so messed up when it comes to relationships.


Giveaway Details:
2 copies of Plain Jane
Open to US Only
Ends 6/14

Optional Extra Entry:
+1 Like Plain Jan Fan Club on Facebook

Giveaway Winners: Two Lives... One Diary

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Two Lives... One Diary




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Ebooks
Katharine A.
Rhonda1111
Karen G.

Winners have been notified and will receive their book from the author. Thanks to all who entered.

Giveaway Winner: Guardians of the Hidden Specter

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The Guardians of the Hidden Scepter





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Alex W.

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Giveaway Winner: Flavors

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Flavors




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rbooth43

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Giveaway Winner: Life Choices

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Life Choices




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LeAnne B.

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Giveaway Winners: Better Together & The Fire Within

Congratulations to the Winners of
Better Together




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Paperback
maryf


The Fire Inside

Kaylish


Ebook of Better Together & The Fire Inside
Stephanie -thegirlonfire

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In My Mailbox

These are books I've received in the past month.


FOR REVIEW:
I'm not Her by Janet Gurtler


Nia by Mella Reese


Don't Stop Now by Julie Halpern


The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore



The Golden Pathway by Donna M. McDine



(dis)Abilities and the Gospel by Danyelle Ferguson & Lynn Parsons


How Huge the Night by Heather Munn & Lydia Munn


The Queen Bee of Bridgeton by Leslie DuBois


The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt



Bought:
The Green Smoothies Diet



In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.

Blog Tour: Guest Post - Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Welcome to Author Tara Hudson.


Bio:

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Tara Hudson graduated with a degree in law, mostly because she believed all the horror stories about English majors and their careers in the food-service industry. Luckily, she soon remembered how much she loved telling ghost stories, particularly to her girlfriends who liked visiting abandoned cemeteries as much as she did. Tara currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband, son, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets.

Guest Post: When I'm Not Writing:

When I'm not writing (which is rare, since we're on a pretty intense schedule for the HEREAFTER Trilogy), I'm doing one of the following: feeding my kid; changing my kid; watching my kid as he demands the attention of all who pass him by. Notice a theme, here? :)

You see, I got my book deal when I was about 3 months pregnant with my first child, and I had my son less than two months after finishing the final rewrites on HEREAFTER. So I save every spare moment I have for my writing!

However, before that Blessed Event (and hopefully again, some day soon), I loved to read voraciously, collect more music that I could possibly listen to in this lifetime, and rescue mangy, surly animals with behavior problems. What can I say? I have a soft spot for the outcasts of the animal kingdom. And who knows? Maybe, when my kid is old enough to join me, I'll add hang-gliding to the list....

Hereafter by Tara Hudson:

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.



For all the tour stops please visit: The Teen Book Scene