M.L. LeGette's Blog, page 30

Monday Book Lines :: The Unicorn Girl

Every Monday I’m going to be pulling an image that showcases or represents a moment in one of my books, along with an excerpt. None of these images (unless otherwise stated) are mine.

From THE UNICORN GIRL:

Before us lay a large, crystal-clear lake.

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Image credit: Alessandro Andreuccetti “The fog in the forest”

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THE UNICORN GIRL is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Books on Parade ~ The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski

Featuring books that have caught my eye — welcome to Books On Parade! If you are an author and would like your novel featured in Books On Parade, click here to find out how.

The Cabinet of Wonders

Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But it’s never been ordinary. She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning inside a glass sphere. Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind. He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the world’s finest astronomical clock.

Petra’s life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home—blind. The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them. But why? Petra doesn’t know, but she knows this: she will go to Prague, sneak into Salamander Castle, and steal her father’s eyes back.

Joining forces with Neel, whose fingers extend into invisible ghosts that pick locks and pockets, Petra finds that many people in the castle are not what they seem, and that her father’s clock has powers capable of destroying their world.

Praise

“For those who like their fantasy with a splash of history, or their history with a twist of magic, this book is ideal.” —School Library Journal

“The Cabinet of Wonders is just that—a book to get lost in, to be amazed and astonished by, to explore with curiosity and delight.” —Books & Books, Miami, Florida

 

Spotlight on the Review #8

Happy readers make happy writers

Elizabeth’s full review:

 

First of all can I say how beautiful I think this cover is? I’m really not much of a cover enthusiast, but I honestly could not love this cover any more. (Although I have noticed since I started blogging that book covers DO matter to me more than they used, or more than I thought they did before. I’m guessing it’s in part every one else’s cover love and that when you start reading in bulk judging by a cover starts becoming a survival technique). It’s just…perfect really.

But we’re not here to talk about the cover, we’re here to talk about the book itself. Honestly this book was just such a delight to experience. The writing was beautiful and had the level of description and finesse that I find common in the fantasy genre and have been missing as I’ve been reading more contemporary and sci-fi at the moment. I will say that the passage of time in the beginning was quite confusing. It’s not really clear how much time has passed – I for some reason thought it was 5 years…but it’s 16. Once you get past the first couple chapters and realize this, it’s smooth sailing for the rest of the book. I especially loved how the romance was handled. I won’t give spoilers, but it was subtly done and surprising, and definitely takes a backseat to the big parts of the story (which in my book is a good thing). So if you are looking for swoons, you probably won’t find many here. There may have been a few things I wish more time had been spent on, like fleshing out the villain a bit more (why does he act the way he does??), and I would have liked more time on how she was going to figure out ruling the kingdom, but honestly the book was such a fun read that I just don’t care that much.

Overall

It was absolutely charming, fun, and addicting! This is a good book to go for if you just want a really fun light read to get you through your day.

 

 

THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

 

Monday Book Lines :: The Orphan and the Thief

Every Monday I’m going to be pulling an image that showcases a moment in one of my books, along with an excerpt. None of these images (unless otherwise stated) are mine.

From THE ORPHAN AND THE THIEF:

“Go?” The man stepped close, so close that Melena was nearly nose to nose with him. “People don’t come into my territory and go. Travelers would be better off knowing where they’re traveling.”

“She said we didn’t know!” shouted Toad.

The man with red hair didn’t even turn to look at Toad. He kept staring at Melena. Melena forced herself to hold his gaze. The eyes under his bushy eyebrows were dark. Darker than coal.

“Let’s show our travelers why it’s best to know where yer troddin’.” He stepped back and yanked his double bladed axe from the ground with ease. He turned back to Melena, cradling the handle. The last rays of the sun glinted upon the sharpened blades. The man kept his eyes on Melena, and then at the last moment, he turned and headed toward Hazel.

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Art by Lane Brown

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THE ORPHAN AND THE THIEF is on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Garden Windows Photography :: Scent of Apricot

The feature where I share my own photography — welcome to Garden Windows! I’ve been playing with a camera since I was a young teen and I find it to be a very peaceful, very satisfying hobby. Feel free to browse my collection.

Garden Windows Presents: Scent of Apricot

 

Monday Book Lines :: The Tale of Mally Biddle

Every Monday I’m going to be pulling an image that showcases a moment in one of my books, along with an excerpt. None of these images (unless otherwise stated) are mine.

From THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE:

They passed row upon row of caskets, their smudged name plaques glinting in Lita’s candlelight.

“Wait!” [Lita cried]

Mally turned to her and watched as she lit a tall candelabra. Mally was amazing Lita had even noticed it. Its silver was so tarnished it was the exact same color as the wall.

“So we can find our way back,” Lita explained.

Art: Glimpse Into Utterdark by M0AI on deviantART

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THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Giveaway Fun // Win an ebook // The Tale of Mally Biddle

It’s the end of the month! That means giveaway fun! This month you’ve got a chance to win an ebook of my 2nd book, THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE.

To enter comment on your favorite dessert.

My current favorite is cheesecake …. and I get to eat some today!

One person will be randomly drawn tomorrow (3/31) at 9pm. Open worldwide. Ebook version only. Good luck!

Interviewed by BookHounds

This interview took place during THE ORPHAN AND THE THIEF Blog Tour. I’d like to thank the runners of BookHounds for having me. You can read the interview on their site.

Do you have a secret talent?

Hmm, not so much a secret talent. I play around with photography and post my photos online. I think other than writing, photography is where I’ve got a lot of natural talent. I call it Garden Windows Photography. I’ve fiddled with drawing, but have never had the patience to improve. I once tried out knitting – turns out not so talented there.

Is there a song that really reminds you of your book?

I’m sure there’s one out there and I just haven’t found it yet. There are songs that remind me of some of my prior books and some that remind me of works in progress, but not so much when it comes to The Orphan and the Thief. I think it’s probably because I listen to rather mournful music and Orphan is so quirky and cheerful and fun.

What was the easiest thing about writing this book?

Ooo, I’m experiencing a brain cramp. This book was actually the hardest for me to write, so far. It took me a crazy long time to figure out the plot, but you’re asking about what came easiest. The characters came easiest, especially Toad, which I was rather surprised by. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to write a 12 year old boy, because I’m not really around them, but once I started, he took shape almost immediately.

Is there a word you love to use?

There are so many! Why only pick one? I adore ‘bombard’, ‘bamboozle’, ‘monocle’, ‘snort’, ‘snout’, ‘mischievous’, ‘poison’, and ‘bellow’ to name a few.

Any real or imaginary pets? 

Real: 1 poodle (Andy), 4 cats (Zuzu, Agnes, Truffles, and Kit)

Imaginary: 1 spit-fire dragon (Pep)

A Baaa here, a Baaa there, everywhere a Baaa Baaa!

Sorry I’ve been so absent from the updates the last two weeks. The farm has taken oven, as it always does, and I’ve been using the spare time that I have to figure out my next book, so not much focus has been given to the poor ol’ blog. But hey, that’s sort of a good thing if I’m actually getting back into writing, right? Right!

The sheep have also begun to lamb. I’ve been posting pictures on facebook and tumblr, but I can’t leave you guys out! Enjoy.

 

 

Monday Book Lines :: The Unicorn Girl

Every Monday I’m going to be pulling an image that showcases or represents a moment in one of my books, along with an excerpt. None of these images (unless otherwise stated) are mine.

From THE UNICORN GIRL:

In a stone cottage, deep in a dark and entangled forest, sat a tall, thin woman in a high backed chair.

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Photo credit: ‘Even Flow’ by dmromero

THE UNICORN GIRL is on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.