Angelia Almos's Blog, page 8

Q&A and #Giveaway - The Guild of Assassins: Majat Code #2 by Anna Kashina

The Guild of Assassins
Majat Code #2
By: Anna Kashina
Q&A with Anna Kashina



What was the spark or initial idea that started your book?
I believe that stories are out there, and that they actively seek the right person who will write them down, so they are just floating around until it clicks with a particular author--much like finding a love match. I guess this mystical image reflects the fact that stories tend to come naturally to me, I just wake up one day knowing that this is what I am going to write. Some stories come to me in dreams, others from the pool of semi-consciousness that dominates my mind in a pre-waking state, or during daydreaming.
The big idea behind the Majat Code series was that of an near-absolute force confined by very tight rules. I have explored this idea earlier in my first novel, “The Ptincess of Dhagabad”, which features a djinn as the main protagonist. “Blades of the Old Empire” deals with a similar theme, but in a more familiar setting, and with much more action involved. The centerpiece to the series are the Majat warriors, who are so skilled they are nearly invincible, and must pay for it by strict obedience to the Code of their guild. The Code gets broken by the main character, Kara. And then everyone must deal with the consequences. These consequences continue to feed the conflict in the current release, “The Guild of Assassins”, book 2 in the series, and lead to a drastic rearrangement in the entire kingdom.

What was your favorite part of writing this book?
This was one of those books that just begged to be written. My favorite part, each day, was to sit down and write it. It was like a love affair, I could not wait to get back to the object of my love. I had fun every minute of it, and I can only hope the readers would pick up on some of that.

What is your favorite line from your book?
This is a tough question, since every line taken out of context would be difficult to relate to. Strangely enough, when I tried to think of anything quotable out of context, all these quotes came from the same chapter, and from the same character, who is not among the main cast but is probably the oldest and the most cynical in the group. So, I will put one out here, said in a heated argument by one character to another:
“As the leader of your people, you are bound to realize that at this level of command, things are normally decided by words rather than by one’s skill with the blade.”
Maybe, if nothing else, this phrase can hint at the conflict and the action to come.

 What movie or television show would you say is most like your book in tone, topic, and/or characters? 
Without any explicit parallels in story or plot, I would name “The Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl.” In my books I aimed for the same effect: a fun adventure and a plot that fits every element perfectly into place. In my version of this movie, though, the love interests would have turned out differently (no spoilers, I hope). And, of course my book is not about pirates and it does not have ships, firearms, cannons, and walking skeletons, so no one would hopefully read too much into this analogy.

If your book was made into a movie and you got to design the movie poster, what would the tagline say? 
You know, these taglines are hard and are usually written by teams of top professionals. I cannot even imagine being close to that level. With that in mind, it would probably say something like this: “The Majat Code: To face his enemy, they must unleash absolute power. To win, they must keep this power under control.” Or maybe this: “The Majat Code: To unleash his power, he must take control. To take control, he must first break his heart.” There. I am sure the movie studios would have fired me right there and then.





Blurb

Kara, an elite warrior from the Majat Guild, has escaped execution and achieved something that no Majat has ever managed – freedom from the Guild!

But the Black Diamond assassin Mai has been called back to face his punishment for sparing her life. Determined to join his fight or share his punishment, Kara finds herself falling for Mai.

Is their relationship – and the force that makes their union all-powerful – a tool to defeat the overpowering forces of the Kaddim armies, or a ploy sure to cause the downfall of the Majat?


Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/06/now-booking-tasty-virtual-tour-for_7.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19325184-the-guild-of-assassins


Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Guild-Assassins-Book-Majat-Code-ebook/dp/B00I75ET7A/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402088430&sr=1-3


Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-guild-of-assassins-anna-kashina/1117541969?ean=9780857665270


Random House: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/239563/the-guild-of-assassins-by-anna-kashina


Author Info

Anna Kashina grew up in Russia and moved to the United States in 1994 after receiving her Ph.D. in
cell biology from the Russian Academy of Sciences. She works as a biomedical researcher and combines career in science with her passion for writing. Anna's interests in ballroom dancing, world mythologies and folklore feed her high-level interest in martial arts of the Majat warriors. She is a recent medalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year and Independent Publishers Book Award contests.

Author Links

http://annakashinablog.wordpress.com/

https://twitter.com/annakashina

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-Kashina/215289654593



Rafflecopter Giveaway (Print copy of BLADES OF THE OLD EMPIRE and THE GUILD OF ASSASSINS (US Only))

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Movie Monday Recap

Creepy for sure. I had to cover my eyes in some parts (grossness factor). Acting is great. And boy was I surprised by the ending. LOVE THIS MOVIE. Tom Hanks is great as the OCD cop and Hooch is his perfect foil. You have to watch this movie! One of Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline's best. Some of the best dialogue in a romcom. HILARIOUS! Finally saw it from start to finish (caught the end once and wasn't impressed) with my mom. So funny. I laughed so hard I cried multiple times.  A gem of an animated film. Like to rewatch here and there. Lots of laughs and clever. Kids like it. But I've never been that fond of it. There are laughs here and there, but I feel they missed something with this one. Cute 80s flick. Tom Selleck shines in his scenes with the baby and the grocery store.

#Giveaway and Spotlight: Uncovering Cobbogoth by Hannah L. Clark

 Tour Schedule



Uncovering Cobbogoth by Hannah L. Clark

Norah Lukens needs to uncover the truth about the fabled lost city of Cobbogoth. After her archaeologist uncle’s murder, Norah is asked to translate his old research journal for evidence and discovers that his murder was a cover-up for something far more sinister.

When she turns to neighbor and only friend James Riley for help, she realizes that not only is their bitter-sweet past haunting her every step, but James is keeping dangerous secrets. Can Norah discover what they are before its too late to share her own.
Amazon * Barnes & Noble








Praise for Uncovering Cobbogoth

"With a fascinating protagonist in Norah Lukens, a fully realized, never before seen fantasy world, and a fast paced, compelling story, Uncovering Cobbogoth establishes Hannah L. Clark as a major new voice in American fiction. The richness of the story and the scope of the world she's created screams for a film adaptation. This is a fantasy novel for everyone, even readers not usually drawn to the genre. Highly, highly recommended!"

-Bryce Clark, author of Red Shirt Kids

"This book takes you on a wonderful ride, bringing myth and legend to life. The characters are full and flawed, with a sweet romance woven through the adventure."

- Annette K. Larsen, author of Just Ella

"Uncovering Cobbogoth is an Icelandic tale that will appeal to many Harry Potter series fans […] For those who’ve missed the Harry Potter world, here’s a pretty good alternative!"

- Sharon Haddock, For the Deseret News
"This isn't a typical YA fantasy/scifi/para story like the multitude of vampire or witch or werewolf or mermaid themes that fill bookshelves in stores currently. When after a couple of chapters it became apparent that this wasn't yet another entry into the aforementioned themes, I was downright giddy. And then to find out there wasn't a standard issue love triangle? I wanted to find the author and buy her dinner."

-Radar626, Amazon reviewer

"A friend of mine recommended this book […] I checked it out and I was so pleased! I love this book. I can't wait to read the next one [...] and I am encouraging my daughter to read it as well. If you like fantasy with a little mix of science this book is perfect. I had such a hard time putting this book down just so I could deal with real life and working on promoting my own book. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book."

-Pamela Hall, author



Excerpt

The Legend of the Cobbogothians is really where Uncovering Cobbogoth begins. For as long as Norah can remember, her Uncle Jack has been obsessed with the mythical people. He became an archeologist and world famous Myth-chaser because of the Cobbogothian legends he heard while visiting his Granddad Aegissida’s farm in Iceland.



The Legend of the Cobbogothians

Long ago, at the beginning of time, a peculiar race ruled the earth. They found favor in the eyes of the gods and received great gifts of knowledge and power at their hands. These gifts made them elementalists—masters of earth, wind, fire, water, metal, wood and space. The elementalists thenceforth became rulers of the earth and sky.

With this power came corruption, and the elementalists soon forgot their patron gods. Instead, they turned to worshipping themselves and their own creations. This angered the gods, and in their wrath, the vowed to bring an icy end to the prideful race.

Rumors of the looming destruction were heralded throughout the land, and a final invitation was issued to the elementalists to renounce their fallen ways. Yet only a few heard and heeded. Among them was a man named Cobbogoth. Being a wise and humble servant of the gods, he believed the warnings and led all who would listen deep into the bowels of the earth to wait out the approaching storm.

When the day of destruction was come and the wrath of the gods rained down, the race of elementalists was wiped away, and then came the dawning of a violent and frigid ide age.

It is said that Cobbogoth’s posterity still lives beneath our feet, waiting to rise and rule the earth and sky once more.

Sigurd Jorgensson

Icelandic Bard, 1045 AD



*Translated from the original Old Norse by Dr. Jack A. Lukens of Harvard University, April 1975





Author Hannah L. Clark

Hannah L. Clark lives with her husband and their son in the Rocky Mountains. She has always known she would be a storyteller. In 2006 she graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in English and immediately began writing Uncovering Cobbogoth, the first book in a seven book series based on Clark's mythological brain-child, the Icelandic Legend of the Cobbogothians.
Clark loves her family, running, mythology, laughing, soulful bluegrass music, road-trips, studying alternative medicine, retro hairdos, and growing things. Like her heroine Norah, she also kind of believes trees have souls, but must clarify (for her parents' sakes) that she was not raised by hippies. ;-)


Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * Pinterest



Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/24/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Cover Reveal & #Giveaway: Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Cold Burn of Magic
Black Blade #1
Jennifer Estep
Releasing April 28th, 2015
KTeen, imprint of Kensington Publishing




THERE BE MONSTERS HERE…


It’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I’ve got my mom’s bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend’s pawn shop, and I have to make a call—get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn’t. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I’m stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I’m going to end up just like her…


Pre-Order


a Rafflecopter giveaway










New York Times bestselling author Jen­nifer Estep is constantly
prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy
idea. Jennifer is the author the Mythos Academy young
adult urban fantasy series for Kensington and the Elemental Assassin urban
fantasy series for Pocket Books. She is also the author of the
Bigtime paranormal romance series. 
Jen­nifer
is a mem­ber of Romance Writ­ers of Amer­ica, Sci­ence Fic­tion and Fan­tasy
Writ­ers of America, and other writ­ing groups. Jennifer’s books have been fea­tured
in Cos­mopoli­tan ,
Enter­tain­ment Weekly ,
South­ern Liv­ing , and a vari­ety of other
publications. 


To learn
more about her, visit www.jenniferestep.com . You can also sign up
for Jennifer's fan page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter and
Goodreads.

First Sentence Friday - Encounter at Shalana

My weekly meme. Wanted something fun to do for a little bit and thought it would be fun to go through one of my books and pull out the first line from each chapter each week. So here is the last one.

Chapter Fourteen


Kristy bit her lip as she entered the code in the hatch of the Unicorn.

August Giveaway: Mafia Secret by Angie Derek Audiobook

For my August giveaway I have an audio copy of MAFIA SECRET up for grabs. This is an international giveaway. The winner will receive a code from my publisher to claim their copy from Audiobooks.com.



Mafia Secret by Angie Derek. A steamy romantic suspense novel about a professional cheerleader who finds herself immersed in organized crime after the father she never knew is murdered.


Lessa Noelle grew up never knowing she was the illegitimate daughter of a
mafia king pin. After his murder, she finds herself a surprise heiress
immersed in the dangerous world of organized crime with only the
guidance of Marco Santo her father’s second in command to help her.

Marco searches for her father’s killer and tries to keep the realities of his
life from touching her. An uneasy attraction blossoms between the two.
An already dangerous situation turns volatile when a killer turns his
attention to Lessa. 


Available as an ebook from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobo, iTunes, Diesel, Crossroad Press, and Smashwords. Available in print from CreateSpace and Amazon. Available as an audiobook from Audible.com, Amazon, iTunes.





Reviews: 

"I recommend this book to anyone looking for a different kind of romance, one with a little suspense, a lot of sparks and a really smokin hot hero with a dangerous side." - A Tasty Read 

"Mafia Secret got off to a thrilling start and held my attention the whole way till the end." - Crazy Four Books

"If you love a romantic thriller, then this is for you. It is equally appealing to the chick lit lover in me." - Reading Renee

"You have to pick this book up, read it, & enjoy!" - I am a Book Addict...and Proud Of It!

"If you’re looking for a book with romantic scenes that will take your breath away, Mafia Secret is a great choice.  It is definitely full of the slow burning tension, explosions of sexual passion, and lingering romance." - Emerald Musings 

"Derek doesn't disappoint fans of romance or suspense. She keeps you guessing who the killer may be until the very end." - Book Bling

"Mafia Secret is a well written romantic suspense story that has multiple lines of suspense weaved delightfully through the story. Angie Derek is a wonderful story teller with characters and situations that will definitely hit your buttons." - Illustrious Illusions

"This one surprised me with the twists and turns it took and I was not expecting it to go where it did! ... This story is a good read that I would recommend to anyone that likes romance or suspense novels!" - Romancebookworm's Reviews

"With it’s nearly non-stop action, gritty mafia plot line, twists and turns, and steamy romance, Mafia Secret grabbed me from the first page." - Tattooed Book Reviews
 
"I loved the suspense, it kept me glued to my kindle blocking out everything but the pages of this book. I really liked Mafia Secrets and I am wondering why it took me so long to find this author." - Busy Moms Book Reviews

"I found Mafia Secret well written with a touch of humor and suspense thrown into Marco and Lessa’s love story." - Guardian's Hangout

"With action from the very first scene, Angie Derek's Mafia Secret grabs hold and doesn't let go. This is a gritty love story, there is so many twist and turns with a mafia theme running through out." - For the Love of Bookends

"Mafia Secret has some hot and steamy scenes with a bit of a mystery and secrets." - The Book Enthusiast  

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Movie Monday Recap

Hysterical in the beginning, a little slow through the middle, but with a good ending. Billy Crystal and Daniel Stern are great.
Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon are adorable in this RomCom together. A great movie date movie or one just for you when you want a good laugh.

I LOVE this movie. For the newbie, it can be confusing, you have to pay close attention due to the time jumps (with no warning). But the story and performances are wonderful. Strange, but good. Christina Ricci is suitably creepy as Lizzie Borden. The brat pack. Or at least some of them. Though I can't watch without wondering which of his co-stars Rob Lowe slept with. Plot was a tad weak. Though the two leads did a credible job. It was okay. Really liked Ethan Embry and wish his character had more to do. Think the originally ending might have been better. Hmmm. Not great, but not bad either. I did laugh when Josh's character turned his car on and the theme song to Dawson's Creek came on. Cheap laugh, but funny. That song will follow him forever.

First Sentence Friday - Encounter at Shalana

My weekly meme. Wanted something fun to do for a little bit and thought it would be fun to go through one of my books and pull out the first line from each chapter each week. So here is the next one.

Chapter Thirteen


Andrew stood in the entrance of the small cavern, shaking his head and clucking disapprovingly.

Movie Monday Recap

I love this movie. Watch it every couple of years. Harrison and Kelly are great. Keep your eyes open and you'll spot a young Vigo Morgenstern. If you haven't seen this movie, what is wrong with you? I actually didn't think it was great the first time I saw it. But then I watched it the second time and DVD and realized it is f-ing brilliant. Now it's one of my fave movies. I didn't hear very good things when it was in the theaters so I cancelled my plans to see it. After watching it on DVD, I so wish I had seen it in the theater. I was engaged and couldn't wait to find out the end. Want to see it again to see if it holds my attention as keenly now that I know the puzzle. I really wanted to like this movie. But it just didn't hold my attention through a lot of it. I did enjoy the ending. I think there might have been too much before we got to the robocop part. Which feels odd to say for me as I usually get mad when movies skip the important before stuff and jump right into the action.

First Sentence Friday - Encounter at Shalana

My weekly meme. Wanted something fun to do for a little bit and thought it would be fun to go through one of my books and pull out the first line from each chapter each week. So here is the next one.

Chapter Twelve


Kristy leaned back in the pilot’s seat and closed her eyes.