Emma Michaels's Blog, page 8
September 4, 2014
Shadow of the Last Men Trailer Reveal!
My Top 5 Most Influential Novels
1. Gates of Fire – Steven Pressfield
A stunning epic of the battle of Thermopylae, this book resonates with its humanity and bravery. It is a masterful portrait of the ethos of warriors and a hymn to brotherhood.
2. The Lord of the Rings – J R R Tolkien
Good vs. Evil in such glorious depth that once one dives in, it can, and usually does, take years to surface again.
3. The Road – Cormac McCarthy
I love a desperate battle to cling to fraying humanity.
4. Le Comte de Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
A classic revenge tale, or a classic quest for justice? Why not both?
5. Animal Farm – George Orwell
Highly recommended read for all youngsters.
Honorable mention goes to Faust by Goethe, No Country for Old Men (McCarthy), The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, and Fall of Giants by Ken Follett.
Follow Salyards on the web at:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Amazon | Goodreads
About Emma Michaels
Emma Michaels is a cover artist, blogger, author, and director at Hallowed Ink Press. Growing up her library card was her best friend and books were her home. Her love of blogging started when she created a book blog in 2009 which gave her the courage to submit her own novels to publishers and the rest, as they say, is history.
September 1, 2014
Edge of Falling Blitz!
Title: Edge of Falling
Author: Valia Lind
Series: Falling, #2
Genre: Contemporary YA
Publication: August 1, 2014
For Chance, there’s always only been Dakota.
He’s been in love with the girl since the day they met. He’s tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can’t believe his luck.
Until Kyle comes along.
Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn’t in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness?
When Chance’s world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they’re able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity.
Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance?
As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don’t always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling.
Purchase
Amazon | B&N | iTunes
CreateSpace | Smashwords
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About Valia
Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Falling by Design is her debut young adult novel. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.
Website | Twitter | Facebook
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The Tour
August 25th
Total Book Geek | Review
Books are Love | Review
Kelly P’s Blog | Excerpt
August 26th
Her Book Thoughts | Review
August 27th
What’s BeyondForks? | Excerpt
Love In Every Page | Excerpt
August 28th
Camisado Mind | Teaser
August 29th
Good Choice Reading | Review
My FavoriteThings | Teaser
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Giveaway
Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours
About Emma Michaels
Emma Michaels is a cover artist, blogger, author, and director at Hallowed Ink Press. Growing up her library card was her best friend and books were her home. Her love of blogging started when she created a book blog in 2009 which gave her the courage to submit her own novels to publishers and the rest, as they say, is history.
August 23, 2014
Soulless Release Day!!!
Title: Soulless
Author: Amber Garr
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Expected Release Date: August 23, 2014
Publisher: Hallowed Ink Press
Blurb:
When it comes to death and love…only one is guaranteed.
Four decades ago Nora died. A tragic event for someone so young; however, four decades ago Nora was also given a second chance to walk among the living.A Death Warden with a mysterious past, her job is to escort the newly expired towards the light, battling with the Soul Hunters who want the freshly dead to help with their own evil purposes buried in the dark.
When Nora’s charges suddenly become targets, she realizes that the hunters are after far more than just souls. A shift in power between good and evil threatens to change everything, risking the lives of the only family Nora has ever known.
Devastated and angry, she’s forced to face the man she once loved – a man who chose darkness over her – in order to find the answers she needs to stop the horror from escalating. Yet, while a lost relationship still haunts her broken heart, a new Warden with secrets of his own will enter the mix and quickly alter everything Nora believed to be true.
Death is unavoidable…but sometimes, so is love.
FB Party: https://www.facebook.com/events/1517213108493425/
Amber Garr spends her days as a scientist and nights writing about other worlds. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain she has a supernatural sense of smell. Amber is a multiple Royal Palm Literary Award winner, author of the bestselling The Syrenka Series, The Leila Marx Novels, The Water Crisis Chronicles, and the upcoming Death Warden Series. When not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie. Find out more at www.ambergarr.com.Author Links:Website * Facebook * Goodreads * Email * Twitter
Goodreads * Facebook * Web * Twitter
August 22, 2014
Edge of Falling Blitz!
Title: Edge of Falling
Author: Valia Lind
Series: Falling, #2
Genre: Contemporary YA
Publication: August 1, 2014
For Chance, there’s always only been Dakota.
He’s been in love with the girl since the day they met. He’s tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can’t believe his luck.
Until Kyle comes along.
Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn’t in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness?
When Chance’s world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they’re able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity.
Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance?
As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don’t always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling.
Purchase
Amazon | B&N | iTunes
CreateSpace | Smashwords
—————————————————————————————Excerpt
It doesn’t take me long to reach the
cabin. Grayson greets me as I run up to the house. The girls are already
inside, getting settled. So is Kyle. I can see them inside the main room, the
one with all the large windows.
“You guys are here early.”
“Well, you know how Brooklynn loves
her early mornings.” I roll my eyes at my friend, because Brooklynn is not
the morning person of the group. Dakota is. And now, apparently so is Kyle
because he comes bouncing down those stairs with a huge smile on his face.
“This place is sweet!” He grabs
one of the bags, and heads back into the house without another word.
“He’s very cheerful in the
mornings.” Grayson comments.
“Grand.”
The girls walk out then, coming down the
porch stairs. Brook heads toward me, but before she can hug me, she crinkles
her nose and frowns. I know Dakota is standing next to her, but I’m keeping my
eyes strictly on Brook.
“Really, Chance? This is how you
greet your guests?” She waves her hand over my sweaty body.
“Yep. Come here, darling.” I
reach for her, but she drags Dakota to block the path, nearly making us
collide. Dakota is wearing her usual annoyed expression and the simplicity of
practiced interactions make me braver. With a gleam in my eyes, I lunge at the
girls, wrapping Dakota in my arms as I reach for Brook hiding behind her. Both
of them squeal, trying to wiggle out of my embrace.
The movement does weird things to my
insides as Dakota’s frame fits so perfectly against mine. Brook manages to
escape, and now it’s just Dakota and me, locked in an embrace. I look down at
her, my eyes crashing into hers and it’s like everything I’ve ever imagined.
Time stands still for one perfect moment, before I’m bending over and gasping
for breath.
“Did you seriously just punch me in
the stomach?” I rasp, glaring at Dakota’s smug smile.
“You’re lucky that’s all I did.”
Oh is this how we’re going to play it? Good thing I know this game. Right then
and there, I decide that I’m going for it. Just for this weekend, I won’t hide
from Dakota and my feelings for her. I’m going to rebuild the awkward
friendship we’ve established last year and see where it takes us. I know she
sees the change as my eyes light up, mischievously.
“You know, Dakota. You stink a bit of
sweat. Maybe you should take a little bath.” I reach for her, my
intentions clear. She smacks at my arms, turning to run back into the house and
away from the hot tub that’s a lot closer than she’d like. I haven’t been
running all my life for nothing. I catch up to her easily, grabbing her from
behind and lifting her clear off the ground.
“Chance! Don’t you dare put me into
that water. I swear I will get you for it.”
“Awe, honey. Promises,
promises.”
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About Valia
Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Falling by Design is her debut young adult novel. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.
Website | Twitter | Facebook
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Giveaway
—————————————————————————————Follow the Upcoming Tour:
Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours
August 12, 2014
Meet My Character Blog Tour!
Blogs are hoppin’ as part of the Meet My Character Blog Tour! Here’s how it works, as explained to me by the author who tagged me:
“This tour highlights a main character from your WIP (work in progress), recently published work, or soon to be published work. The person who invites you will have a set day to post. You will post one (or two) week(s) after that, the authors you tag will post one/two week(s) after you, and so on. Here are the questions to answer about your main character:
1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
2) When and where is the story set?
3) What should we know about him/her?
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
6) Is there a working title for this novel if it is a WIP, and can we read more about it? OR what is the title of this novel and where can it be found?
If a WIP: 7) When can we expect the book to be published?
It is suggested that authors recruit 2-4 others to continue the chain. There is no pressure to have any specific number; this is just for fun and is a nice way to get more cross traffic between all our sites/blogs. Please send the one who tagged you a short bio and any links to blogs, author pages, etc. you wish him/her to use so he/she can tag you in style.”
To begin with, then, here’s the bio for my tagger, Danielle Shipley!
Danielle E. Shipley‘s first novelettes told the everyday misadventures of wacky kids like herself. …Or so she thought. Unbeknownst to them all, half of her characters were actually closeted elves, dwarves, fairies, or some combination thereof. When it all came to light, Danielle did the sensible thing: Packed up and moved to Fantasy Land, where daily rent is the low, low price of her heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, firstborn child, sanity, and words; lots of them. She’s also been known to spend short bursts of time in the real-life Chicago area with the parents who home schooled her and the two little sisters who keep her humble. When she’s not living the highs and lows of writing, publishing, and all that authorial jazz, she’s probably blogging about it at www.EverOnWord.wordpress.com. Writing partnerships include J. Taylor Publishing (young adult anthology, literary fiction novel) and Xchyler Publishing (paranormal anthology forthcoming). Book Four of her fairytale retelling series, The Wilderhark Tales, released this past June.
Website | Facebook | Amazon | Twitter
Without further ado meet Iris.
1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
Iris is a fictional teen with asthma.
2) When and where is the story set?
Modern day but there is a bit of a twist on our universe as we know it. A secret society hides among us.
3) What should we know about him/her?
She was first introduced in Owlet and now her story is coming to its conclusion in my WIP Stryx, the final in the trilogy. Because of her physical limitations the world has a way of looking at her as weak but as the story progresses she continues to show them that true strength isn’t purely physical.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?
Hard to answer this one without spoilers for the first two books but let’s just say the world has a way of bringing her unexpected surprises!
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
To survive but more than that, to help others achieve personal freedom.
6) Is there a working title for this novel if it is a WIP, and can we read more about it? ORWhat is the title of this novel and where can it be found?
This is the third in a series and the first two novels can be found on any of the links on this page: http://emmamichaels.com/my-novels
Here is a preview of the cover!
The three tagged volunteers are:
Michael Cross:
Michael Cross has been a writer and amateur explorer for most of his life. He began submitting his original writing in 2013 with two short stories, Tell Her She was Loved and The Promise, both accepted by Xchyler Publishing and are due to be released early 2014 in anthologies. Most recently he is a blogger and works to share his love of the past and all things steampunk (whenever he is not working as a shrink). You may learn more about him at The Hidden Library of Michael-Cross or on Twitter @TheCrossLibrary.
Ren Cummins (from website):
I write. I’m a writer, perhaps much the way my act of breathing makes me a breather. Wait, that’s a poor example.
I began with sketching, but my love of music and math turned me into a musician, and from there prose and poetry fashioned me into a writer. My first series, the young adult (steampunk) fantasy series “CHRONICLES OF AESIRIUM” about a young girl who becomes an angel of death, marked my work as a light hearted and optimistic look into death and darkness, but I’m sure that’s just the lip of the rabbit hole.
I also helped found Talaria Press, a loosely affiliated gang of misfits whose work can be found at www.talariapress.com – come join the parade, there’s space enough for all.
Also, feel free to follow me on Facebook and Twitter!
Michael Loring:
Michael Loring was born in Bristol, Connecticut, but has lived in a variety of places such as Florida and Tennessee. He likes to think of himself as an amateur Lycanthropologist, studying werewolves ever since he was eight years old when he first saw An American Werewolf In London. He spent most of his life switching between home school and public school, always focusing on his passion for writing no matter what. His interest in writing was sparked in the second grade when his teacher encouraged him to write short stories for the class, earning him more than one award at school assemblies for Creative Writing. He currently resides in Punta Gorda, FL with his father who, for some unexplainable reason, avoids him during the night of the full moon
August 7, 2014
In Between Seasons Tour and Giveaway!
Show n’ot Tell Publishing Presents:
NEW ADULT POST – APOCALYPTIC ROMANCE SERIES
In 2021 the world as we know it changed. The government collapsed, and the worst characteristics of human nature were shown as the world fell into ruins. Years after The Fall, the Tribes that were established are still at war. They still fight to keep what they pillaged, and most of all, they fight to keep their lies a secret. In a world filled with deception, nothing is as it seems.
I was born into this world.
Hunter Marks was molded into this world; a General— a person cold and harsh. A person meant to kill me.
We were told to just believe.
We were taught to never question.
We’re supposed to be robots, and accept our roles in this altered society.
Too bad Hunter and I don’t follow the rules.
And we’re a hell of a lot stronger than they ever thought possible.
They’ve been searching for the world’s deadliest weapon.
It’s me.
And I’m not following the leader any more.
AVAILABLITY:
Release Special Ebook- Just $1.99 for a limited time!
Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Kobo
Google Play
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cassandra doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character’s stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.
Cassandra Giovanni is published by Show n’ot Tell Publishing based out of Connecticut, USA.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~Goodread
Cover Design: Gio Design Studios
Photography: Alex Kotlov via iStock
August 6, 2014
Seeress Blog Tour and Giveaway!
Book Title:
Seeress
Series: Runes #3
Author: Ednah Walters
Release Date: April 28th 2014
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Firetrail Publishing
BLURB
I love Torin St. James…
I crave his touch…
I need his strength…
Raine Cooper is certain of two things: her love for Torin St. James and her destiny to be a powerful seeress. But when she starts having premonitions, they are unclear and disturbing. Worse, they involve Torin. Not sure what to do, she keeps quiet.
But when the visions are about her and another man, Raine realizes she needs to talk to someone. Just her luck two new students arrive at her school and they seem to have answers. When with them, her powers are enhanced and her visions become clear. There is only one problem: Torin does not want Raine to have anything to do with the two girls but he won’t explain why.
Can their love survive the secrets they are keeping from each other?
Runes (book 1, Raine/Torin)
Immortal (book 2, Raine/Torin)
Grimnirs (A Runes Novel, Echo/Cora)
Seeress (book 3, Raine/Torin)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.
Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, was released March 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN.
Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She just released book 3, GRIMNIRS December 2013. Read more about this series and the world she’s created on this website.
Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published five more books in this series. She’s presently working on book seven.
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter
Praise for the Seeress
…suspenseful, dramatic and exciting… Raine is surrounded by the most wonderful little group of people, all willing to support her. Even though they are not all related by blood, the love and sense of family is something beautiful… YA Book Addict
After reading Grimnirs I thought this series couldn’t get any better. Boy, I was wrong. Seeress put the bar really high for the next books in the series… Ruty @ReadingDreaming
“Seeress” is the third book of the Runes Series and it’s just as good as its predecessors. The book with its Norse Mythology background and great characters (Raine, Torin, Echo, Cora, Andris, Ingrid….) just sucks you… Stacey M. Cook Amazon reviewer
I swooned, cried, laughed, fretted and cheered. I was guessing with each turn of events. Totally brilliant.… Maureen “I am a 40 something year old female that still loves young adult fiction”
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 8/27/14
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.
“I need to show you something,” I said and reached under my T-shirt for his seal pendant.
“Apologize first.”
“Torin, this is not the time for games.”
“Who said I’m playing?” He braced himself on the doorframe and lowered his head until he and I were on the same eye level. “You told me to stay away from you. Unforgiveable. You implied our relationship might not survive. Totally wrong and cruel. But the worst part, you said your feelings for me make you weak.” His eyebrows shot up. “Weak? Seriously? What in Hel’s Mist does that mean?” He was furious.
“Are you forgetting what happened before I said those things?”
“So no apology?”
“No.” I was dying to, but he had to understand I wasn’t a breakable doll.
He stepped back and slammed the door in my face.
My jaw dropped. No, he didn’t. That arrogant man didn’t just do that. I turned to walk downstairs so angry I wanted to chuck something. Halfway down the stairs, I stopped and glared at my phone, wishing I could send him a nasty text. Too bad he wouldn’t see it.
I stomped back.
When I burst into his room, he was waiting. His eyes said he’d known I’d be back.
“Let me tell you exactly what I think of your tantrum, Valkyrie. It was unforgiveable. You don’t slam the door in my face. Ever. You do it again and I’ll… I’ll…” I took a step back as he closed the gap between us. “What are you—?”
August 5, 2014
Accession Blitz and Giveaway!
Accession by Terah Edun
(Sarath Web #1)
Publication date: August 5th 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Katherine Thompson wasn’t trained to rule a coven. That was her sister – perfect, beautiful Rose. But when a mysterious plane crash kills off the heir presumptive of the Sandersville coven she has no choice. After stepping in to fill her sister’s shoes, Katherine realizes she didn’t have a clue – faery wars, depressed trolls and angry unicorns are just the beginning.
For centuries, her family has served the high Queens on both sides of the Atlantic but it is a well-known rule that mid-level witches stay away from high-level Queens. But when Katherine’s youngest cousin vanishes without a trace in the Atlanta court and no one wants to investigate, Katherine decides to step into the darkness on her own. She soon discovers that nothing, especially in the Atlanta High Queen’s court, is as it seems.
When she accidentally opens a rift in the search for her cousin, Richard LeCross, the Queen’s warlock, decides that Katherine is more trouble than she’s worth. He determines that this mortal, dangerously close to becoming a High Queen, needs to die. But killing Katherine is easier said than done. For a young woman who’s always believed in right versus wrong, she’s about to go head over heels into the dark side.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17207202-accession?ac=1
Purchase:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Terah-Edun/e/B00A45ZH0Y/
Terah Edun’s next YA Fantasy novel, BLADES OF MAGIC – Crown Service Book #1 (set in the Algardis Universe), will release on March 31, 2014. Book Five of Courtlight, SWORN TO DEFIANCE, will release in April 2014.
Her favorite writers include Mercedes Lackey, Tamora Pierce, Kristin Cashore, Robin Hobb and Maria Snyder.
Check out Terah’s author website (teedun.com) for more information about her books, find her online @TEdunWrites and subscribe to her newsletter (bit.ly/SubscribetoTerahsNewsletter) to be notified of upcoming releases.
Courtlight Series: http://smarturl.it/courtlightseries
Book 1 – Sworn To Raise
Book 2 – Sworn To Transfer
Book 3 – Sworn To Conflict
Book 4 – Sworn To Secrecy (smarturl.it/tenewrelease)
Book 5 – Sworn To Defiance (Coming April 25, 2014)
Crown Service Series:
Book 1 – Blades of Magic (March 31, 2014)
Author links:
http://teedun.com/
https://twitter.com/tedunwrites
https://www.facebook.com/TerahEdunAuthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6517970.Terah_Edun
You know the old saying ‘If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you?’ Katherine thought wryly while she waited for her sister and Derrick to do their worst. Well, I have the opposite problem. If I show you my gifts, you’ll be dead. There’s no explaining, no second guessing. Which was why even though she was furious with her older sister, she couldn’t defend herself. Not as a witch. Katherine might not like her sister, but she loved her. Loved her in the way that siblings that fought like cats and dogs, but still hung together against a common enemy did. Since they were rarely on the same side of anything recently, Rose and Katherine had yet to face anything worse than the schoolyard bully they had taken down together when Katherine was in kindergarten and Rose was in second grade. That incident had proved that blood trumped friends, at least in the all-out war over the marbles container, that is.
But now? Now, Rose and I never really see eye-to-eye at all, Katherine thought with a shiver. She must have been desperate to invite me on this stupid escapade. I know I was pretty stupid to accept the invitation. And now I’m going to pay for that. That hope that for once Rose wanted me along for me, as her sister…as a friend.
August 4, 2014
Uncovering Cobbogoth Blog Tour!
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.
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.
For the past several months, Norah has been having strange dreams. She initially believes they are part of the hallucinations that have been plaguing her since Gram’s death. However, as time goes on, Norah begins to wonder if her peculiar visions aren’t something more prophetic.
Standing before me was a woman with tangled, waist-length hair—hair the color of blood. Her eyes shone like amethysts. She reminded me of a painting Uncle Jack gave me when I asked him yet again for a mother—a painting of the prophetess known as the Opalian Eye in the Cobbogothian legends. As her eyes shone down upon me, I remembered her name—Totherma. She watched me carefully. Then, lifting her arm, she pointed to my right. I looked and saw a woman covering her face and crying.
Turning back to Totherma, I watched her enter a doorway, walk down a corridor, and stop in front of another doorway. I went to follow, but something made me look down. My hands were covered in blood, and the floor sparkled with shards of glass. I smelled something pungent and musty, something burning.
Looking up, I saw Totherma pointing into the doorway where she stood. I hurried to meet her, but my path was suddenly blocked by people dressed in white.
Angels? I wondered.
They were huddled around something , and I knew that whatever it was had caused that salty, burning smell.
I struggled to get by them, trying to see what Totherma wanted me to see. I stood as tall as I could, but it wasn’t enough. I looked for Totherma until our eyes met. Understanding, she lifted her arm, and with the motion of her hand, I rose up off the ground. I could see over the group of people into the center of the circle.
What I saw made me scream . . .
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. 
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