E.J. Stevens's Blog, page 48
March 20, 2014
My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling Excerpt + Giveaway
Today we are sharing a fun excerpt from MY LIFE FROM HELL by Tellulah Darling. Tellulah is the author of My Ex From Hell, My Date from Hell, A Date of Godlike Proportions, and My Life From Hell.
Keep reading for a chance to win signed books and ebook sets of The Blooming Goddess Trilogy!
Book Excerpt: My Life From Hell
I fired again and again, staying rooted to the spot, and forcing extra power from deep within the earth. I wiggled my bare feet into the dirt, digging my toes in deeper.
At least it didn’t stay dark. Between fireballs, lightning strikes, my shockwaves and Kai’s black light, it was quite the dazzling illumination.
My eyes closed. I didn’t need to see the Photokia and Pyrosim to know where they were. I could sense them, millions and millions, swarming me. More than I could count. More than I could process.
It was a plague of minions. The world was so thick with them that I was amazed there was still room for air. Their fireballs burned my skin and sparked my hair. Their lightning arced through my body.
The air was heat and smoke and burning destruction. Every particle glided over my skin in electric vibrations that shocked the tiny hairs on my arms. Black ash rained down, covering me in a blanket of soot. I took it all in and used it. Turned it around and sent it back with every shockwave I fired.
I felt untouchable. Even with all the hits I was taking, my healing abilities kept up pretty well. I had never been more a goddess, more every-inch powerful, than in this moment. I felt Persephone settle into my skin, connect to me in a way that had never happened before. For this moment, at least, we were in perfect synch. We were the vanquishers and our enemies would go down tasting our wrath.
Until I heard the laughter.
My Life From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #3) by Tellulah Darling.
To say that Sophie Bloom is at the top of her game with one only week until spring equinox and the final showdown with Zeus and Hades would be, well, lying. The Goddess of Spring feels more like the Goddess of Bzz Thanks For Playing than the savior of humanity. And could her relationships be any more messed up?
Good times.
Sophie is convinced that things can’t get any worse than crawling back to her mother Demeter and begging for help. But she’s about to find out how very wrong she is.
It’s a race against time for Sophie to implement the big battle strategy in the YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology finale My Life From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book three of this teen fantasy romance series. Save herself; save the world. Humanity may be screwed.
Release Date: March 20, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
***My Life From Hell Giveaway***
The author is giving away signed copies of Books 1, 2 & 3, and 2 eBook copies of the series (incl the short story).
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a tour giveaway, therefore the winners will be selected by the author, agent, or publisher.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
What did you think of the excerpt?
Keep reading for a chance to win signed books and ebook sets of The Blooming Goddess Trilogy!
Book Excerpt: My Life From Hell
I fired again and again, staying rooted to the spot, and forcing extra power from deep within the earth. I wiggled my bare feet into the dirt, digging my toes in deeper.
At least it didn’t stay dark. Between fireballs, lightning strikes, my shockwaves and Kai’s black light, it was quite the dazzling illumination.
My eyes closed. I didn’t need to see the Photokia and Pyrosim to know where they were. I could sense them, millions and millions, swarming me. More than I could count. More than I could process.
It was a plague of minions. The world was so thick with them that I was amazed there was still room for air. Their fireballs burned my skin and sparked my hair. Their lightning arced through my body.
The air was heat and smoke and burning destruction. Every particle glided over my skin in electric vibrations that shocked the tiny hairs on my arms. Black ash rained down, covering me in a blanket of soot. I took it all in and used it. Turned it around and sent it back with every shockwave I fired.
I felt untouchable. Even with all the hits I was taking, my healing abilities kept up pretty well. I had never been more a goddess, more every-inch powerful, than in this moment. I felt Persephone settle into my skin, connect to me in a way that had never happened before. For this moment, at least, we were in perfect synch. We were the vanquishers and our enemies would go down tasting our wrath.
Until I heard the laughter.
My Life From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #3) by Tellulah Darling.
To say that Sophie Bloom is at the top of her game with one only week until spring equinox and the final showdown with Zeus and Hades would be, well, lying. The Goddess of Spring feels more like the Goddess of Bzz Thanks For Playing than the savior of humanity. And could her relationships be any more messed up?
Good times.
Sophie is convinced that things can’t get any worse than crawling back to her mother Demeter and begging for help. But she’s about to find out how very wrong she is.
It’s a race against time for Sophie to implement the big battle strategy in the YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology finale My Life From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book three of this teen fantasy romance series. Save herself; save the world. Humanity may be screwed.
Release Date: March 20, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
***My Life From Hell Giveaway***
The author is giving away signed copies of Books 1, 2 & 3, and 2 eBook copies of the series (incl the short story).
To enter, please use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a tour giveaway, therefore the winners will be selected by the author, agent, or publisher.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
What did you think of the excerpt?
March 19, 2014
Impervious Character Interview + Giveaway
We have a special character interview for you all today from Heather Letto, author of IMPERVIOUS.
Keep reading for a chance to win a signed copy of Impervious by Heather Letto!
Impervious Character Interview
Hi all! Heather Letto here with a funny story-- I sent Fran an email not too long ago, asking if she wouldn’t mind making an appearance for today’s big cover reveal. She said, sure… if I was willing to throw a few donuts and a Big Gulp into the kitty.
So, sitting with me today, fresh out of the Impervious air vents, with a box of Dunkin’s finest in her lap, would you welcome Gen-Four’s most elusive Rebel, Fran Monde.
Fran: (Waving a chocolate cake donut dipped in sprinkles) Hey.
Heather: Do you mind if I call you Fran or do you prefer Frannie?
Fran: (Stuffs donut into her mouth and rolls her eyes.)
Heather: Great. Fran it is. So let’s start with your hometown, Fran. Although it wasn’t your favorite place, I’m sure the readers would love to hear about the city. What can you tell us about the lifestyle of an Impervieite (and yours before you became a Rebel)?
Fran: Well, you might notice as you thumb through my story, food plays a pretty central role in the lives of underground dwellers.
Heather: Duly noted. Why is that?
Fran: (Shrugs) I’m not sure how to explain it. I was just always hungry underground.
Heather: And obviously still are. (chuckles)
Fran: (Snarky laugh.) Maybe it’s because there’s really not much to do. It’s kind of boring actually. I spent a lot of my free time as a kid just wandering the Agora, snacking, gaming… that’s about it.
Heather: Hmm. Fair enough. What about Pete?
Fran: (Stuffs the remainder of the donut into her mouth and licks each finger) What about him?
Heather: Like him?
Fran: Duh.
Heather: Love him?
Fran: Sheesh. No comment. (Grabs second donut.)
Heather: Okay, how about that weird name your brother called you? Some sort of worm?
Fran: Wickworm?
Heather: Yes, that’s it. What’s that all about?
Fran: Well, if you Google the word, you’d see that A Wickworm is a worm, or parasite, that lives in the intestines of an animal. You may not be aware of this, but the air vents of impervious are kind of like the guts of the city… therefore—
Heather: Ah yes…. You’d be the worm.
Fran: Exactly. (Winks at me.)
Heather: Listen, I know you don’t have a lot of time here today, but I do have one final question that I think a lot of the readers would want to know.
Fran: (Nods her head) I’m listening.
Heather: Retter. Is there a crush happening there?
Fran: (Face blossoms into a cherry) Nah. Ret’s just a guy. Well, a very muscular guy. With tawny eyes….
Heather: (snapping fingers) Hello? You still with us, Fran?
Fran: I gotta go. (grabs box of donuts and stomps off).
Heather: Well, there you have it. The elusive Rebel. Don’t let her fool ya… she really is a softie.
Impervious (Ascension #1) by Heather Letto.
The residents of Impervious are the remnant—survivors of the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness--has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage.
But Fran is counter-cultural. And living off the grid in true rebel fashion, her life is far from opulent. Scurrying through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals and ditching the holographic security team encompass most of her day. However, she views it as a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can’t steal her sliver of hope--a belief that she’ll see The Epoch arrive before the beast can pull her into its fetid embrace.
After losing her mother and then her Rebel mentor, however, she grasps painfully onto the splintered sliver, until a new hope is born. First through Pete. And then through a miraculous discovery.
But the question still haunts her…
Can she outrun The Beast?
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Heather for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Heather Letto and her books, please visit her website.
***Impervious Book Giveaway***
We are giving away a signed ARC of Impervious to one lucky winner!
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a tour giveaway and therefore winners will be drawn by the author or publisher.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
Keep reading for a chance to win a signed copy of Impervious by Heather Letto!
Impervious Character Interview
Hi all! Heather Letto here with a funny story-- I sent Fran an email not too long ago, asking if she wouldn’t mind making an appearance for today’s big cover reveal. She said, sure… if I was willing to throw a few donuts and a Big Gulp into the kitty.
So, sitting with me today, fresh out of the Impervious air vents, with a box of Dunkin’s finest in her lap, would you welcome Gen-Four’s most elusive Rebel, Fran Monde.
Fran: (Waving a chocolate cake donut dipped in sprinkles) Hey.
Heather: Do you mind if I call you Fran or do you prefer Frannie?
Fran: (Stuffs donut into her mouth and rolls her eyes.)
Heather: Great. Fran it is. So let’s start with your hometown, Fran. Although it wasn’t your favorite place, I’m sure the readers would love to hear about the city. What can you tell us about the lifestyle of an Impervieite (and yours before you became a Rebel)?
Fran: Well, you might notice as you thumb through my story, food plays a pretty central role in the lives of underground dwellers.
Heather: Duly noted. Why is that?
Fran: (Shrugs) I’m not sure how to explain it. I was just always hungry underground.
Heather: And obviously still are. (chuckles)
Fran: (Snarky laugh.) Maybe it’s because there’s really not much to do. It’s kind of boring actually. I spent a lot of my free time as a kid just wandering the Agora, snacking, gaming… that’s about it.
Heather: Hmm. Fair enough. What about Pete?
Fran: (Stuffs the remainder of the donut into her mouth and licks each finger) What about him?
Heather: Like him?
Fran: Duh.
Heather: Love him?
Fran: Sheesh. No comment. (Grabs second donut.)
Heather: Okay, how about that weird name your brother called you? Some sort of worm?
Fran: Wickworm?
Heather: Yes, that’s it. What’s that all about?
Fran: Well, if you Google the word, you’d see that A Wickworm is a worm, or parasite, that lives in the intestines of an animal. You may not be aware of this, but the air vents of impervious are kind of like the guts of the city… therefore—
Heather: Ah yes…. You’d be the worm.
Fran: Exactly. (Winks at me.)
Heather: Listen, I know you don’t have a lot of time here today, but I do have one final question that I think a lot of the readers would want to know.
Fran: (Nods her head) I’m listening.
Heather: Retter. Is there a crush happening there?
Fran: (Face blossoms into a cherry) Nah. Ret’s just a guy. Well, a very muscular guy. With tawny eyes….
Heather: (snapping fingers) Hello? You still with us, Fran?
Fran: I gotta go. (grabs box of donuts and stomps off).
Heather: Well, there you have it. The elusive Rebel. Don’t let her fool ya… she really is a softie.
Impervious (Ascension #1) by Heather Letto.
The residents of Impervious are the remnant—survivors of the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness--has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage.
But Fran is counter-cultural. And living off the grid in true rebel fashion, her life is far from opulent. Scurrying through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals and ditching the holographic security team encompass most of her day. However, she views it as a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can’t steal her sliver of hope--a belief that she’ll see The Epoch arrive before the beast can pull her into its fetid embrace.
After losing her mother and then her Rebel mentor, however, she grasps painfully onto the splintered sliver, until a new hope is born. First through Pete. And then through a miraculous discovery.
But the question still haunts her…
Can she outrun The Beast?
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Heather for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Heather Letto and her books, please visit her website.
***Impervious Book Giveaway***
We are giving away a signed ARC of Impervious to one lucky winner!
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. This is a tour giveaway and therefore winners will be drawn by the author or publisher.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
March 18, 2014
Cover Reveal: Timespell: Perilous Waters by Diana Paz
It's time for a cover reveal! Feast your eyes on the cover for TIMESPELL: PERILOUS WATERS by Diana Paz.
Timespell: Perilous Waters (Timespell #2) by Diana Paz.
After nearly losing their lives defeating the creatures of Mythos in Revolutionary France, Julia and Kaitlyn finally understand what Angie has known all along… being a Daughter of Fate isn’t so fun when one mistake can mean their deaths. Haunted by visions and horror-filled memories, the girls have spent the summer honing their newly discovered magical abilities, determined to grow in power and prepare for the uncertain time when the Fates summon them to their next mission.
But their protector Ethan, still embittered by Julia’s betrayal, refuses to engage in the girls’ magical research or power-enhancing spell practice. That is, until his brother’s loyalty to Julia causes him to unwittingly uncover ancient magic greater and more binding than any force the girls have encountered so far. Before the girls or Ethan grasp the full extent of what his brother has done, the girls are jettisoned through time into the madness of the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy.
Only by working together can the girls harness the full power of their magic and secure the world timeline, but with the lives of those close to Angie and Julia at risk, and Kaitlyn designing a dark agenda of her own, all three girls harbor secrets that threaten to drive their fledgling trinity apart. Small treacheries, mounting fear, and the use of dark magic have not gone unnoticed by those trapped within the Nether… those who would stop at nothing to unleash their destruction upon the world once more.
Release Date: May 15, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
What do you think of the cover?
Timespell: Perilous Waters (Timespell #2) by Diana Paz.
After nearly losing their lives defeating the creatures of Mythos in Revolutionary France, Julia and Kaitlyn finally understand what Angie has known all along… being a Daughter of Fate isn’t so fun when one mistake can mean their deaths. Haunted by visions and horror-filled memories, the girls have spent the summer honing their newly discovered magical abilities, determined to grow in power and prepare for the uncertain time when the Fates summon them to their next mission.
But their protector Ethan, still embittered by Julia’s betrayal, refuses to engage in the girls’ magical research or power-enhancing spell practice. That is, until his brother’s loyalty to Julia causes him to unwittingly uncover ancient magic greater and more binding than any force the girls have encountered so far. Before the girls or Ethan grasp the full extent of what his brother has done, the girls are jettisoned through time into the madness of the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy.
Only by working together can the girls harness the full power of their magic and secure the world timeline, but with the lives of those close to Angie and Julia at risk, and Kaitlyn designing a dark agenda of her own, all three girls harbor secrets that threaten to drive their fledgling trinity apart. Small treacheries, mounting fear, and the use of dark magic have not gone unnoticed by those trapped within the Nether… those who would stop at nothing to unleash their destruction upon the world once more.
Release Date: May 15, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
What do you think of the cover?
March 17, 2014
K.D. McAdams Evacuation Guest Post + Giveaway
Please welcome today's guest author K.D. McAdams! K.D. is the author of The Seamus Chronicles (Annihilation, Evacuation).
Keep reading for a chance to win a Seamus Chronicles ebook!
What’s in your planetary go bag?Food, water and a 3-D printer may be keys to survival.
What if Earth was going down the tubes and you had to Evacuate the planet? What would you put in your go bag?
Thanks to the Mayan apocalypse and the popular Doomsday Preppers show on National Geographic the concept of a survival “Go-bag” has gained mainstream understanding. Survival experts can debate the best contents for one of these go bags but in general they contain food, water, security and some protection from the elements. The idea is that when civilization goes down the tubes you grab the go bag on your way out the door and use its contents to survive.
Here on Earth a go bag has to help you get by. Get by until order is restored. Get by until you can make a supply trip to a safe place. But if you have to leave Earth you can’t just get by, you have to start over. You could bring plenty of stuff, but what happens when you run out? Even if you brought enough of something to last your lifetime what would your ancestors do?
Our world is littered with finished goods. Even after an electromagnetic pulse or a collapse of the world financial markets if you needed a nail, screw or fastener you could find one with just a few minutes of looking. You may have to recycle or up cycle it from a previous use, but it’s there. Even a straight or flat piece of wood is only a few miles away from the places in America where most people live.
Imagine building something without screws, nails or dimensional lumber.
Many of us are familiar with assembling things from furniture to power tools, but can you manufacture anything? Given a tree, can you make a straight board? The earliest pieces of steel are four thousand years old, but could you smelt ore?
Following directions from Ikea doesn’t mean you can make furniture.
There are a few things I’m on the fence about; seeds (would they grow?), weapons (will they work) and a bicycle (can it carry enough?) for example. Given unlimited space these would certainly make it but space will be tight. For the purposes of this exercise lets assume you are leaving Earth in Nissan Maxima; doors, windows and trunk have to close. What do you bring?
You need to figure out all the firsts. The first mill, the first sewer system, the first farm all things that won’t fit in your bag. So in addition to food and water here are five things that I would bring if I had to bug out from Earth and start over on another planet.
1. A tent. The new planet will likely have a different weather system and you’ll need to protect against hot or cold.
2. Basic hand tools. Hammer, shovels, axes etc.
3. A hand crank or pedal generator for electricity
4. A 3-D printer. You can make some of the core pieces needed to build almost anything.
5. A tablet loaded with manufacturing how-to documents; How to build a sawmill, How to build an iron mill, How to make plastic etc.
What would you bring if you had to bug out from Earth and start over on another planet?
Evacuation (The Seamus Chronicles #2) by K.D. McAdams.
They have only one chance for survival, leave... the planet.
The virus that wiped out most of the human race is adapting to defeat the vaccine and kill the survivors. There is a government response protocol but it will kill them too, it involves a nuclear winter. The NASA scientists believe they can leave Earth and achieve faster than light travel, but Seamus doesn’t want to slog through space. He knows that to survive they have to go somewhere fast. To save them all he needs to invent a warp drive and evacuate the planet.
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you K.D. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about K.D. McAdams and his books, please visit his website.
***The Seamus Chronicles Ebook Giveaway***
We are giving away an ebook copy of Annihilation or Evacuation (winner's choice of The Seamus Chronicles book 1 or 2) to one lucky winner!
To enter, leave a comment on this post (please include your email address so we may contact you if you win). This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends March 31, 2014 midnight EST. Good luck!
So, what would you put in your planetary go bag?
Keep reading for a chance to win a Seamus Chronicles ebook!
What’s in your planetary go bag?Food, water and a 3-D printer may be keys to survival.
What if Earth was going down the tubes and you had to Evacuate the planet? What would you put in your go bag?
Thanks to the Mayan apocalypse and the popular Doomsday Preppers show on National Geographic the concept of a survival “Go-bag” has gained mainstream understanding. Survival experts can debate the best contents for one of these go bags but in general they contain food, water, security and some protection from the elements. The idea is that when civilization goes down the tubes you grab the go bag on your way out the door and use its contents to survive.
Here on Earth a go bag has to help you get by. Get by until order is restored. Get by until you can make a supply trip to a safe place. But if you have to leave Earth you can’t just get by, you have to start over. You could bring plenty of stuff, but what happens when you run out? Even if you brought enough of something to last your lifetime what would your ancestors do?
Our world is littered with finished goods. Even after an electromagnetic pulse or a collapse of the world financial markets if you needed a nail, screw or fastener you could find one with just a few minutes of looking. You may have to recycle or up cycle it from a previous use, but it’s there. Even a straight or flat piece of wood is only a few miles away from the places in America where most people live.
Imagine building something without screws, nails or dimensional lumber.
Many of us are familiar with assembling things from furniture to power tools, but can you manufacture anything? Given a tree, can you make a straight board? The earliest pieces of steel are four thousand years old, but could you smelt ore?
Following directions from Ikea doesn’t mean you can make furniture.
There are a few things I’m on the fence about; seeds (would they grow?), weapons (will they work) and a bicycle (can it carry enough?) for example. Given unlimited space these would certainly make it but space will be tight. For the purposes of this exercise lets assume you are leaving Earth in Nissan Maxima; doors, windows and trunk have to close. What do you bring?
You need to figure out all the firsts. The first mill, the first sewer system, the first farm all things that won’t fit in your bag. So in addition to food and water here are five things that I would bring if I had to bug out from Earth and start over on another planet.
1. A tent. The new planet will likely have a different weather system and you’ll need to protect against hot or cold.
2. Basic hand tools. Hammer, shovels, axes etc.
3. A hand crank or pedal generator for electricity
4. A 3-D printer. You can make some of the core pieces needed to build almost anything.
5. A tablet loaded with manufacturing how-to documents; How to build a sawmill, How to build an iron mill, How to make plastic etc.
What would you bring if you had to bug out from Earth and start over on another planet?
Evacuation (The Seamus Chronicles #2) by K.D. McAdams.
They have only one chance for survival, leave... the planet.
The virus that wiped out most of the human race is adapting to defeat the vaccine and kill the survivors. There is a government response protocol but it will kill them too, it involves a nuclear winter. The NASA scientists believe they can leave Earth and achieve faster than light travel, but Seamus doesn’t want to slog through space. He knows that to survive they have to go somewhere fast. To save them all he needs to invent a warp drive and evacuate the planet.
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you K.D. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about K.D. McAdams and his books, please visit his website.
***The Seamus Chronicles Ebook Giveaway***
We are giving away an ebook copy of Annihilation or Evacuation (winner's choice of The Seamus Chronicles book 1 or 2) to one lucky winner!
To enter, leave a comment on this post (please include your email address so we may contact you if you win). This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends March 31, 2014 midnight EST. Good luck!
So, what would you put in your planetary go bag?
March 16, 2014
Cover Reveal: Darkness Reigns by L.M. Justus
It's time for a cover reveal! Today we are sharing the cover for DARKNESS REIGNS by L.M. Justus.
Darkness Reigns (Darkness Trilogy #2) by L.M. Justus.
New York City is a wasteland. More than eight million people are dead or worse…infected.
After their failed attempt to stop the spread of a virus that turns people into zombie-like, human-vampire hybrids, Reed Hennessy and his ragtag crew are scrambling to stay alive. To make matters worse, the human authorities are close to proving the existence of vampires and blaming them for the disaster in New York.
Their storm of trouble is already spinning out of control when an old enemy reappears to issue a challenge–an ultimatum that will mean certain death for at least one member of Reed’s group. With their mountain of problems growing exponentially and a host of enemies closing in, they flee for their lives, desperate for a miracle. Will they survive and avoid the world’s scrutiny, or will darkness prevail?
Release Date: June 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
What do you think of the cover?
Darkness Reigns (Darkness Trilogy #2) by L.M. Justus.
New York City is a wasteland. More than eight million people are dead or worse…infected.
After their failed attempt to stop the spread of a virus that turns people into zombie-like, human-vampire hybrids, Reed Hennessy and his ragtag crew are scrambling to stay alive. To make matters worse, the human authorities are close to proving the existence of vampires and blaming them for the disaster in New York.
Their storm of trouble is already spinning out of control when an old enemy reappears to issue a challenge–an ultimatum that will mean certain death for at least one member of Reed’s group. With their mountain of problems growing exponentially and a host of enemies closing in, they flee for their lives, desperate for a miracle. Will they survive and avoid the world’s scrutiny, or will darkness prevail?
Release Date: June 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
What do you think of the cover?
March 13, 2014
Q+A with E.V. Fairfall + Transformed Giveaway
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author E.V. Fairfall! E.V. is the author of Transformed.
Keep reading for a chance to win an ebook copy of Transformed by E.V. Fairfall.
Q+A with E.V. Fairfall
EJ: What makes Transformed a unique story?
EV: Well, let me first ask you this: how often have you read a book in which God and Mother Earth are siblings? Or a book in which Earth itself is an entity of its own, and prevents God from doing anything he wants? How often have you read a book in which Mother Earth is able to take any form except for that of a human because it is forbidden? Though Transformed is a story about finding one's self, it also explores the foibles of being human and the value of all life. It is about making mistakes and finding a solution, even if that solution isn’t what was originally intended.
EJ: Where does the story take place?
EV: Transformed takes place in a small mountain town in Colorado. This fictitious town resides next to a forest and is green and lush (Colorado can get very dry), and because of its high elevation, it has strange weather patterns.
EJ: How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on the way they sound or the meaning?
EV: Names! Names are so important to me, mostly because I can’t actually write a character without first knowing their name. I can have the perfect scene in my head but until I find a name that I know fits the character, I just can’t write them in. I don’t pick names based on the sounds, but sometimes I pick a name because of its meaning. Mostly I just know when a name works for my character. As for resources, I tend to use lots of baby naming websites.
EJ: Who is your favorite character from Transformed and why?
EV: Oh gosh, I’m going to say Cricket. I love Chamber of course, but Cricket is just so fun. Cricket is a girl who Thea turned into a squirrel because she needed to borrow her apartment while she was human. Even though Cricket is now a squirrel, she insists on taking special care of the clothes that she reluctantly let Thea borrow—more like take. Thea, who doesn’t understand why Cricket cares about the clothes, tends to leave them wherever she might drop them. Here is a quick excerpt from the book:
“'You have a squirrel in your sweater.' Brice cocked his head to the side. 'Actually, I think it’s stealing it.'
Thea looked over her shoulder to see the little squirrel dragging the sweater across the floor toward the closet. If Brice saw a squirrel put a sweater on a hanger, she would never hear the end of it. She shook her head toward the squirrel, causing the ball of fur to stop and glare before continuing to drag the sweater out of sight. If Thea didn’t start hanging up the squirrel’s clothes, she had a feeling the little rodent would attempt to kick her out."
EJ: Give us some insight into your main character.
EV: Thea is God's sister and has spent her life filling the role of Mother Earth, creating the plants and animals and serving as their guardian. Alongside her brother God, the two siblings used their light to create for hundreds of years. She doesn’t understand humans, and she likes them even less. It isn’t until she takes a human form that she begins to understand what she has been missing out on, and ultimately she gains a deeper understanding of her brother and what it means to be a part of a family.
EJ: Did you have a specific song or playlist that you listened to when you were writing Transformed?
EV: I actually can’t listen to music when I write. I wish I could. Sometimes a song will inspire me or motivate me, but while writing I need quiet. Of course, that never really happens because I live in an apartment with paper thin walls—but that is part of the adventure.
Transformed by E.V. Fairfall.
Since the beginning, two entities have had complete, unquestioned control over Thea: the Earth and God.
But when Thea suddenly figures out that the Earth has trapped her within a forest, she discovers that the only way to set herself free is to break God’s one rule; she must forsake her animal form and become human.
The result is nothing she could ever have expected. Lost within the torrent of human emotions, Thea starts to lose who she is and even begins to fall in love with the one thing she always hated: a hunter.
As her act against God proves more problematic than anticipated, it is only a matter of time before her punishment may prove to be worse than Earth’s entrapment.
Release date: January 1, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you E.V. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about E.V.'s books, please visit her Goodreads author page.
***Transformed Ebook Giveaway***
We are giving away an ebook copy of Transformed by E.V. Fairfall to one lucky winner!
To enter, leave a comment on this blog post. Please include your email address so we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends March 28, 2014 midnight EST.
Keep reading for a chance to win an ebook copy of Transformed by E.V. Fairfall.
Q+A with E.V. Fairfall
EJ: What makes Transformed a unique story?
EV: Well, let me first ask you this: how often have you read a book in which God and Mother Earth are siblings? Or a book in which Earth itself is an entity of its own, and prevents God from doing anything he wants? How often have you read a book in which Mother Earth is able to take any form except for that of a human because it is forbidden? Though Transformed is a story about finding one's self, it also explores the foibles of being human and the value of all life. It is about making mistakes and finding a solution, even if that solution isn’t what was originally intended.
EJ: Where does the story take place?
EV: Transformed takes place in a small mountain town in Colorado. This fictitious town resides next to a forest and is green and lush (Colorado can get very dry), and because of its high elevation, it has strange weather patterns.
EJ: How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on the way they sound or the meaning?
EV: Names! Names are so important to me, mostly because I can’t actually write a character without first knowing their name. I can have the perfect scene in my head but until I find a name that I know fits the character, I just can’t write them in. I don’t pick names based on the sounds, but sometimes I pick a name because of its meaning. Mostly I just know when a name works for my character. As for resources, I tend to use lots of baby naming websites.
EJ: Who is your favorite character from Transformed and why?
EV: Oh gosh, I’m going to say Cricket. I love Chamber of course, but Cricket is just so fun. Cricket is a girl who Thea turned into a squirrel because she needed to borrow her apartment while she was human. Even though Cricket is now a squirrel, she insists on taking special care of the clothes that she reluctantly let Thea borrow—more like take. Thea, who doesn’t understand why Cricket cares about the clothes, tends to leave them wherever she might drop them. Here is a quick excerpt from the book:
“'You have a squirrel in your sweater.' Brice cocked his head to the side. 'Actually, I think it’s stealing it.'
Thea looked over her shoulder to see the little squirrel dragging the sweater across the floor toward the closet. If Brice saw a squirrel put a sweater on a hanger, she would never hear the end of it. She shook her head toward the squirrel, causing the ball of fur to stop and glare before continuing to drag the sweater out of sight. If Thea didn’t start hanging up the squirrel’s clothes, she had a feeling the little rodent would attempt to kick her out."
EJ: Give us some insight into your main character.
EV: Thea is God's sister and has spent her life filling the role of Mother Earth, creating the plants and animals and serving as their guardian. Alongside her brother God, the two siblings used their light to create for hundreds of years. She doesn’t understand humans, and she likes them even less. It isn’t until she takes a human form that she begins to understand what she has been missing out on, and ultimately she gains a deeper understanding of her brother and what it means to be a part of a family.
EJ: Did you have a specific song or playlist that you listened to when you were writing Transformed?
EV: I actually can’t listen to music when I write. I wish I could. Sometimes a song will inspire me or motivate me, but while writing I need quiet. Of course, that never really happens because I live in an apartment with paper thin walls—but that is part of the adventure.
Transformed by E.V. Fairfall.
Since the beginning, two entities have had complete, unquestioned control over Thea: the Earth and God.
But when Thea suddenly figures out that the Earth has trapped her within a forest, she discovers that the only way to set herself free is to break God’s one rule; she must forsake her animal form and become human.
The result is nothing she could ever have expected. Lost within the torrent of human emotions, Thea starts to lose who she is and even begins to fall in love with the one thing she always hated: a hunter.
As her act against God proves more problematic than anticipated, it is only a matter of time before her punishment may prove to be worse than Earth’s entrapment.
Release date: January 1, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you E.V. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about E.V.'s books, please visit her Goodreads author page.
***Transformed Ebook Giveaway***
We are giving away an ebook copy of Transformed by E.V. Fairfall to one lucky winner!
To enter, leave a comment on this blog post. Please include your email address so we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends March 28, 2014 midnight EST.
March 10, 2014
The Shadow Soul: Guest Post + Giveaway
Today we have a special treat for our readers. Kaitlyn Davis, author of The Shadow Soul, has provided us with a fun guest post...Jinji's Unsent Letter.
Keep reading for a chance to win one of two signed copies of The Shadow Soul!
Jinji’s Unsent Letter
Dear Rhen,
I’m leaving. I know this letter is the coward’s way out, I know I should tell you to your face, but I just can’t. It would be too much. Too hard. You would convince me to stay, when I know in my heart that I must go.
A letter? I know you must be confused. I’m not writing it, you know I don’t know how, never learned. But I won’t tell you who helped me, and though it is against your nature, I beg you not to ask. You hunt for secrets, you live to uncover them, but please do me this one favor.
In exchange, I’ll tell you my secret. You’ve known about it since day one, sniffed it on my skin, pushed me to the brink to reveal it, and now I will.
I am a girl.
The boy Jin—the one you saved, befriended, let inside—that boy is me, a girl named Jinji.
How? I know that word is spinning circles in your head. Well, here is my other secret. I have magic. Just like you, except different. I can weave illusions, very real illusions, and I apologize for my dishonesty.
But mostly, I’m sorry that you will never read this. That I will never send this. It will be torn up the moment it is completed. Because I would rather you hate the boy I pretended to be, than know the real me and hate her still.
I will miss you. But I cannot ignore that path of destiny any longer. My family waits, and I must put them to peace.
Goodbye,
Jinji
What do you think of Jinji's letter? Does it make you want to read more? Let us know in the comments!
The Shadow Soul (A Dance of Dragon #1) by Kaitlyn Davis.
GAME OF THRONES meets GRACELING in a new young adult fantasy by bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis. Told in alternating male and female perspectives, THE SHADOW SOUL has been hailed as "an amazing start to a new series that is going to have people of all ages wanting so much more." (Happy Tails & Tales Reviews)
When Jinji's home is destroyed, she is left with nowhere to run and no one to run to—until she meets Rhen, a prince chasing rumors that foreign enemies have landed on his shores. Masquerading as a boy, Jinji joins Rhen with vengeance in her heart. But traveling together doesn't mean trusting one another, and both are keeping a deep secret—magic. Jinji can weave the elements to create master illusions and Rhen can pull burning flames into his flesh.
But while they struggle to hide the truth, a shadow lurks in the night. An ancient evil has reawakened, and unbeknownst to them, these two unlikely companions hold the key to its defeat. Because their meeting was not coincidence—it was fate. And their story has played out before, in a long forgotten time, an age of myth that is about to be reborn…
Add to Goodreads.
***The Shadow Soul Giveaway***
We are giving away 2 signed paperback copies of The Shadow Soul by Kaitlyn Davis.
Please use the easy peasy Rafflectopter form below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This is a book tour giveaway. Winners will be drawn by the author, agent, or publisher. Good luck!
Keep reading for a chance to win one of two signed copies of The Shadow Soul!
Jinji’s Unsent Letter
Dear Rhen,
I’m leaving. I know this letter is the coward’s way out, I know I should tell you to your face, but I just can’t. It would be too much. Too hard. You would convince me to stay, when I know in my heart that I must go.
A letter? I know you must be confused. I’m not writing it, you know I don’t know how, never learned. But I won’t tell you who helped me, and though it is against your nature, I beg you not to ask. You hunt for secrets, you live to uncover them, but please do me this one favor.
In exchange, I’ll tell you my secret. You’ve known about it since day one, sniffed it on my skin, pushed me to the brink to reveal it, and now I will.
I am a girl.
The boy Jin—the one you saved, befriended, let inside—that boy is me, a girl named Jinji.
How? I know that word is spinning circles in your head. Well, here is my other secret. I have magic. Just like you, except different. I can weave illusions, very real illusions, and I apologize for my dishonesty.
But mostly, I’m sorry that you will never read this. That I will never send this. It will be torn up the moment it is completed. Because I would rather you hate the boy I pretended to be, than know the real me and hate her still.
I will miss you. But I cannot ignore that path of destiny any longer. My family waits, and I must put them to peace.
Goodbye,
Jinji
What do you think of Jinji's letter? Does it make you want to read more? Let us know in the comments!
The Shadow Soul (A Dance of Dragon #1) by Kaitlyn Davis.
GAME OF THRONES meets GRACELING in a new young adult fantasy by bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis. Told in alternating male and female perspectives, THE SHADOW SOUL has been hailed as "an amazing start to a new series that is going to have people of all ages wanting so much more." (Happy Tails & Tales Reviews)
When Jinji's home is destroyed, she is left with nowhere to run and no one to run to—until she meets Rhen, a prince chasing rumors that foreign enemies have landed on his shores. Masquerading as a boy, Jinji joins Rhen with vengeance in her heart. But traveling together doesn't mean trusting one another, and both are keeping a deep secret—magic. Jinji can weave the elements to create master illusions and Rhen can pull burning flames into his flesh.
But while they struggle to hide the truth, a shadow lurks in the night. An ancient evil has reawakened, and unbeknownst to them, these two unlikely companions hold the key to its defeat. Because their meeting was not coincidence—it was fate. And their story has played out before, in a long forgotten time, an age of myth that is about to be reborn…
Add to Goodreads.
***The Shadow Soul Giveaway***
We are giving away 2 signed paperback copies of The Shadow Soul by Kaitlyn Davis.
Please use the easy peasy Rafflectopter form below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This is a book tour giveaway. Winners will be drawn by the author, agent, or publisher. Good luck!
March 9, 2014
Cover Reveal: Five Out of the Pit
It's time for a cover reveal! Feast your eyes on the cover for Five Out of the Pit by Holli Anderson.
Five Out of the Pit (Five #2) by Holli Anderson.
The Five find their way to Moab, Utah where, before they’re even settled in, evil finds them.
As Paige fights to keep from succumbing to the pull of an Incubus that has her marked as his next conquest, Johnathan seeks to find a way to rid her of a curse she willingly accepted in order to save him.
A surprising revelation initiates a long-awaited, yet unexpected, reunion for Alec who discovers a new magical talent he possesses.
The FIVE, along with their mentor, Joe, must figure out what was meant by the last words of a Demon as it was sent back to the Netherworld—a promise of Gathering darkness—and stop the evil before it’s unleashed on the small town of Moab. And, the world.
Release Date: March 31, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
What do you think of the cover? Love it, hate it? Let us know in the comments (we love comments!).
Five Out of the Pit (Five #2) by Holli Anderson.
The Five find their way to Moab, Utah where, before they’re even settled in, evil finds them.
As Paige fights to keep from succumbing to the pull of an Incubus that has her marked as his next conquest, Johnathan seeks to find a way to rid her of a curse she willingly accepted in order to save him.
A surprising revelation initiates a long-awaited, yet unexpected, reunion for Alec who discovers a new magical talent he possesses.
The FIVE, along with their mentor, Joe, must figure out what was meant by the last words of a Demon as it was sent back to the Netherworld—a promise of Gathering darkness—and stop the evil before it’s unleashed on the small town of Moab. And, the world.
Release Date: March 31, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
What do you think of the cover? Love it, hate it? Let us know in the comments (we love comments!).
March 5, 2014
Q+A with Priya Kanaparti (Dracian Legacy)
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Priya Kanaparti! Priya is the author of Dracian Legacy.
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Priya: I started writing Feb 2012.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Priya: I've always been a paranormal fanatic - Supernatural t.v. show being one of my all time favorite! But at the same time I was draw to the idea of being able to show a paranormal story through words.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Priya: Invisibility? lol
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Priya: The most important reason they might enjoy the story is because of the concept of Kshadrias and why they have been at war for so long. All of the truths don't come out in Book 1, but if the readers can hang tight, the ending will leave you breathless! Book 1 is about building up emotions (Romantic or otherwise) and making Ren stronger--or in cases weaker-- for the impeding war a head.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Priya: I get asked this question soo often, you'd think that I've already picked my dream cast. But... Disappointingly I haven't. :/. However, I could say that I've imagined Axel to look like a Younger Jensen Ackles and Ren--a younger version of Jessica Alba.
Dracian Legacy (Dracian #1) by Priya Kanaparti.
At seventeen, Ren Pernell knows the meaning of tragedy.
But then, a year after losing her parents, Axel Knight walks through the door and changes everything. Strange creatures start to appear, her best friend suddenly finds her irresistible, and an undeniable, unexplainable bond with Axel threatens to drive her insane. She knows he’s the key. There’s something he’s not sharing, and she’s determined to find out.
Demanding answers, she finally learns the truth: everything she ever believed is an illusion. Caught in a centuries-old blood feud between races she never knew existed, Ren discovers her true destiny. She’s the chosen one, the Echo, preordained to end the bloodshed.
There’s just one catch--in order to save those she loves and a homeland she’s never seen, she’ll have to die.
With the clock running out, she’ll have to navigate a new world of betrayal, lies and deceit. If she can forgive, finding love even in the darkest places, she just might be able to escape the prophecy. But how much is she willing to sacrifice for a cause she didn’t know she was part of? And what will it take for her to be free?
Release date: February 25, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Priya for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Priya Kanaparti and her books, please visit her website.
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Priya: I started writing Feb 2012.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Priya: I've always been a paranormal fanatic - Supernatural t.v. show being one of my all time favorite! But at the same time I was draw to the idea of being able to show a paranormal story through words.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Priya: Invisibility? lol
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Priya: The most important reason they might enjoy the story is because of the concept of Kshadrias and why they have been at war for so long. All of the truths don't come out in Book 1, but if the readers can hang tight, the ending will leave you breathless! Book 1 is about building up emotions (Romantic or otherwise) and making Ren stronger--or in cases weaker-- for the impeding war a head.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Priya: I get asked this question soo often, you'd think that I've already picked my dream cast. But... Disappointingly I haven't. :/. However, I could say that I've imagined Axel to look like a Younger Jensen Ackles and Ren--a younger version of Jessica Alba.
Dracian Legacy (Dracian #1) by Priya Kanaparti.
At seventeen, Ren Pernell knows the meaning of tragedy.
But then, a year after losing her parents, Axel Knight walks through the door and changes everything. Strange creatures start to appear, her best friend suddenly finds her irresistible, and an undeniable, unexplainable bond with Axel threatens to drive her insane. She knows he’s the key. There’s something he’s not sharing, and she’s determined to find out.
Demanding answers, she finally learns the truth: everything she ever believed is an illusion. Caught in a centuries-old blood feud between races she never knew existed, Ren discovers her true destiny. She’s the chosen one, the Echo, preordained to end the bloodshed.
There’s just one catch--in order to save those she loves and a homeland she’s never seen, she’ll have to die.
With the clock running out, she’ll have to navigate a new world of betrayal, lies and deceit. If she can forgive, finding love even in the darkest places, she just might be able to escape the prophecy. But how much is she willing to sacrifice for a cause she didn’t know she was part of? And what will it take for her to be free?
Release date: February 25, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Priya for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Priya Kanaparti and her books, please visit her website.
February 24, 2014
The History Behind The Skinwalker's Apprentice + Giveaway
Today we are celebrating the release of The Skinwalker's Apprentice by Claribel Ortega with a guest post by author Claribel Ortega and a fab giveaway!
This History Behind
The Skinwalker’s Apprentice
The Skinwalker’s Apprentice is a book about two witches and the events in their lives leading up to a treacherous race against time that holds the fate of the magical world in the balance. But behind the spells and witchcraft, The Skinwalker’s Apprentice – which is part of the Empire Witch Series – is inspired by real life events and residents of NYC.
In TSWA, we meet Goody Garlick, a nurse maid who aids one of the story’s heroines Margo Pennyfeather. Goody Garlick was an actual resident of what was then known as Easthampton, Long Island (now East Hampton) and she was accused of witchcraft thirty five years before the Salem witch trials began. This little known story is also shrouded in mystery, as Garlick lived on the island until her death, but no records of her death or burial site has ever been found.
Aside from Garlick, Lion Gardner, the settlement’s founder is also talked about briefly in TSWA, and one of his direct descendants, Live Pirrotti, contributed artwork to the book.
For the next book in the series, Emerald Kipp and The Riddle of The Timekeeper, the character of The Timekeeper is inspired by real life New York resident, the late John Votta. Votta was nicknamed The Timekeeper for his daily hobby of shouting the time to NYU students, and helping them stay on time for class. He was a small man of less than five feet tall and was a cherished part of the NYU community.
Votta passed away in 2012 but through Riddle of The Timekeeper, his spirit lives on in an alternate magical NYC.
In a New York Times article from 1879, NYC resident Henrietta Snowden was nicknamed “The Witch of East Broadway.” Snowden plays a pivotal role in Riddle of The Timekeeper, and her character is described much like the actual person she was based on – unusually tall, with a penchant for trouble and an array of cats and dogs living in her apartment, all with small silver coins tied around their necks.
There are many more characters inspired by little known NYC residents weaved throughout the story, with more to come as the series progresses. Author Claribel Ortega also plans to include obscure but magical places in the upcoming books, such as the inspiration behind the iconic yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz, which is located in Peekskill, New York.
The Skinwalker's Apprentice by Claribel Ortega
New York City 1984: It’s Emerald Kipp’s sixteenth birthday, and nothing has changed. She’s still the biggest loser in school, she’s still trying to find a place for herself and yeah, she’s still a witch. Her last year of high school is turning out to be the worst yet, and Emerald thinks it can’t possibly get any worse. Unfortunately for her, she’s dead wrong.
East Hampton, NY 1658: The Pennyfeathers are the black sheep of their small English settlement. As hard as they try to keep the family secrets just that, the magical bunch just can’t seem to fit in. But when a High Priestess witch chooses 16-year-old Margo Pennyfeather as an apprentice, Margo’s luck finally begins to change. What she doesn’t know, is there’s a lot more to her apprenticeship, and to being a witch, than she could ever imagine
Discover the mysterious beginnings of The Empire Witch Series in The Skinwalker's Apprentice: An Emerald Kipp Novella.
***The Skinwalker's Apprentice Giveaway***
The author is giving away a signed paperback copy of The Skinwalker's Apprentice and a Forever 21 Prize Pack including: posh stackable rings, cameo bow necklace, and shopper tote (design may vary).
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is a tour giveaway and winner's will be drawn by the author, agent, or publisher. Book tour organized by YA Bound Book Tour.
This History Behind
The Skinwalker’s Apprentice
The Skinwalker’s Apprentice is a book about two witches and the events in their lives leading up to a treacherous race against time that holds the fate of the magical world in the balance. But behind the spells and witchcraft, The Skinwalker’s Apprentice – which is part of the Empire Witch Series – is inspired by real life events and residents of NYC.
In TSWA, we meet Goody Garlick, a nurse maid who aids one of the story’s heroines Margo Pennyfeather. Goody Garlick was an actual resident of what was then known as Easthampton, Long Island (now East Hampton) and she was accused of witchcraft thirty five years before the Salem witch trials began. This little known story is also shrouded in mystery, as Garlick lived on the island until her death, but no records of her death or burial site has ever been found.
Aside from Garlick, Lion Gardner, the settlement’s founder is also talked about briefly in TSWA, and one of his direct descendants, Live Pirrotti, contributed artwork to the book.
For the next book in the series, Emerald Kipp and The Riddle of The Timekeeper, the character of The Timekeeper is inspired by real life New York resident, the late John Votta. Votta was nicknamed The Timekeeper for his daily hobby of shouting the time to NYU students, and helping them stay on time for class. He was a small man of less than five feet tall and was a cherished part of the NYU community.
Votta passed away in 2012 but through Riddle of The Timekeeper, his spirit lives on in an alternate magical NYC.
In a New York Times article from 1879, NYC resident Henrietta Snowden was nicknamed “The Witch of East Broadway.” Snowden plays a pivotal role in Riddle of The Timekeeper, and her character is described much like the actual person she was based on – unusually tall, with a penchant for trouble and an array of cats and dogs living in her apartment, all with small silver coins tied around their necks.
There are many more characters inspired by little known NYC residents weaved throughout the story, with more to come as the series progresses. Author Claribel Ortega also plans to include obscure but magical places in the upcoming books, such as the inspiration behind the iconic yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz, which is located in Peekskill, New York.
The Skinwalker's Apprentice by Claribel Ortega
New York City 1984: It’s Emerald Kipp’s sixteenth birthday, and nothing has changed. She’s still the biggest loser in school, she’s still trying to find a place for herself and yeah, she’s still a witch. Her last year of high school is turning out to be the worst yet, and Emerald thinks it can’t possibly get any worse. Unfortunately for her, she’s dead wrong.
East Hampton, NY 1658: The Pennyfeathers are the black sheep of their small English settlement. As hard as they try to keep the family secrets just that, the magical bunch just can’t seem to fit in. But when a High Priestess witch chooses 16-year-old Margo Pennyfeather as an apprentice, Margo’s luck finally begins to change. What she doesn’t know, is there’s a lot more to her apprenticeship, and to being a witch, than she could ever imagine
Discover the mysterious beginnings of The Empire Witch Series in The Skinwalker's Apprentice: An Emerald Kipp Novella.
***The Skinwalker's Apprentice Giveaway***
The author is giving away a signed paperback copy of The Skinwalker's Apprentice and a Forever 21 Prize Pack including: posh stackable rings, cameo bow necklace, and shopper tote (design may vary).
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is a tour giveaway and winner's will be drawn by the author, agent, or publisher. Book tour organized by YA Bound Book Tour.
