Laurisa White Reyes's Blog, page 118
November 29, 2013
November 27, 2013
WRITER 2 WRITER: HOW TO WRITE A REAL PAGE-TURNER, PART ONE
* Giveaway & Author Interview: A Midsummer Night's Steampunk
* Blockbuster Death Nell: Sign of a New Era?
* Book Review: Butter by Erin Jade Lange
I recently gave a presentation at the
Kanab Writers Conference
in Southern Utah on "How To Write A Real-Page Turner" and thought it might be fun to pass along some of the key elements I shared there to you.
Today in Part One, I will define what being a page turner is and why you, as a writer, might want to write one. Part Two will address what my son calls "Fun Suckers," writing techniques sure to put your readers to sleep. And Parts Three, Four & Five will tackle the three top techniques used by best-selling authors to keep their readers turning those pages.
So to start with, WHAT IS A PAGE-TURNER?
This term is probably one of the most sought-after compliments an author can receive about our books. It means we have succeeded in keeping our readers engaged from the first page to the last, and that they have connected with our story in a way that is both satisfying and invigorating. Books like that are never forgotten, and are most likely to be the ones readers will rave to their friends about.
Here are some quotes from reviews of page-turners, quotes we authors all want to hear about our books:
"I just couldn't put it down!"
"I have to know what happens next."
"Kept my attention to the last page."
"A book I would definitely read again."
And my personal favorite because it came from a review about The Last Enchanter...
"Holy Moly! Read this book now!"
Now you may be thinking that writing a page-turner is only for specific genres such as thrillers, action-adventure, or horror. If you think that you could never write one because you are write romance, or picture books, or even non-fiction, think again.
Page-turners transcend genre and target audiences. The Da Vinci Code, an action-packed suspense/mystery, is definitely a page-turner. But so are Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen, a non-fiction narrative about the history of the 1898 World's Fair and America's first serial killer; The Hunger Games , a young adult dystopian about kids who kill each other in an arena; Wonder by R.J. Palacio, a contemporary middle grade novel about a boy with a facial deformity; The Help , a historical novel about the racial tensions of 1960s south; and If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, a picture book about a very demanding little mouse. In other words, it doesn't matter what kind of book you are writing or who you are writing it for, you CAN write a real page-turner.
Not every book has to be a page-turner. There are plenty of wonderful, slow-burning books out there, and many readers enjoy the kind of tomes they can snuggle up with in front of a cozy fire, or pace their read over several weeks or months. If that's the sort of book you want to write, then read no further.
BUT if you want to hear your readers say the sorts of things about your book mentioned above, come back next week for Part Two: 5 Sure Fire Fun-Suckers and How To Avoid Them.
* Blockbuster Death Nell: Sign of a New Era?
* Book Review: Butter by Erin Jade Lange
I recently gave a presentation at the
Kanab Writers Conference
in Southern Utah on "How To Write A Real-Page Turner" and thought it might be fun to pass along some of the key elements I shared there to you.Today in Part One, I will define what being a page turner is and why you, as a writer, might want to write one. Part Two will address what my son calls "Fun Suckers," writing techniques sure to put your readers to sleep. And Parts Three, Four & Five will tackle the three top techniques used by best-selling authors to keep their readers turning those pages.
So to start with, WHAT IS A PAGE-TURNER?
This term is probably one of the most sought-after compliments an author can receive about our books. It means we have succeeded in keeping our readers engaged from the first page to the last, and that they have connected with our story in a way that is both satisfying and invigorating. Books like that are never forgotten, and are most likely to be the ones readers will rave to their friends about.
Here are some quotes from reviews of page-turners, quotes we authors all want to hear about our books:
"I just couldn't put it down!"
"I have to know what happens next."
"Kept my attention to the last page."
"A book I would definitely read again."
And my personal favorite because it came from a review about The Last Enchanter...
"Holy Moly! Read this book now!"
Now you may be thinking that writing a page-turner is only for specific genres such as thrillers, action-adventure, or horror. If you think that you could never write one because you are write romance, or picture books, or even non-fiction, think again.Page-turners transcend genre and target audiences. The Da Vinci Code, an action-packed suspense/mystery, is definitely a page-turner. But so are Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen, a non-fiction narrative about the history of the 1898 World's Fair and America's first serial killer; The Hunger Games , a young adult dystopian about kids who kill each other in an arena; Wonder by R.J. Palacio, a contemporary middle grade novel about a boy with a facial deformity; The Help , a historical novel about the racial tensions of 1960s south; and If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, a picture book about a very demanding little mouse. In other words, it doesn't matter what kind of book you are writing or who you are writing it for, you CAN write a real page-turner.
Not every book has to be a page-turner. There are plenty of wonderful, slow-burning books out there, and many readers enjoy the kind of tomes they can snuggle up with in front of a cozy fire, or pace their read over several weeks or months. If that's the sort of book you want to write, then read no further.BUT if you want to hear your readers say the sorts of things about your book mentioned above, come back next week for Part Two: 5 Sure Fire Fun-Suckers and How To Avoid Them.
November 22, 2013
GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ SCOTT TARBET, author of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S STEAMPUNK
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S STEAMPUNKScott Tarbet
Xchyler Publishing
Adult/Steampunk
Pauline Spiegel, a master artificer like her mother before her, wants just one thing: to wed the love of her life, Alexander MacIntyre, a lowly undersecretary of the Royal Household. However, a long-term pact between her parents, and a noble House, stands between her and her happily ever after. When a priceless mechanoid of unfathomable power is stolen, Pauline finds herself entangled in skullduggery and international intrigue, upon which the fate of nations rest. Only with the help of her friends, and a brilliant scientist with a swarm of micromechanical insects, can Pauline survive the dark forces determined to destroy her. But will her betrothed and his rag-tag band of semi-mechanical soldiers reveal Alexander’s secrets as well? Immerse yourself in this Steampunk retelling of Shakespeare’s classic, replete with the newfound wizardry of alternative Victorian technology, mistaken identities, love triangles, and deadly peril, set against the backdrop of a world bracing itself for war, and Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
One of my current activities involves editing for a speculative fiction publisher, Xchyler Publishing. My first project was to line edit Scott Tarbet's debut steampunk novel, which was just released this month. Scott graciously agreed to an interview, and is also giving away a copy of his book. To enter the giveaway, be sure to fill out the rafflecopter form below.
INTERVIEW:
1. Tell us about A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S STEAMPUNK.
A Midsummer Night’s Steampunk (AMNS) interweaves the plot points of Shakespeare’s classic play A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a story of international intrigue at a crucial turning point in Victorian era history. Four young lovers become enmeshed in the clash of the great European empires, aided by half-man/half-machine clockwork mechanicals.
2. What inspired you to write this story?
The novel combines my great love of Shakespeare (my wife and I were married in full Elizabethan garb and honeymooned at the Utah Shakespeare Festival) and my love of history.
The adaptability of Shakespeare’s stories to each new generation is at the heart of his longevity and continued literary dominance. He not only the writer at the center of English literature, his stories continue to have ‘legs’. Stage productions, movies, and books are constantly adapting him. (One of my favorite directors, Josh Whedon, has a brand new film production of Much Ado About Nothing.) Extending that history of adaptation into the steampunk sci-fi and alternative history sub-genres couldn’t have been a more natural fit.
3. What exactly is Steam Punk and how does it differ from other spec fiction genres?
Steampunk harkens back to an idealized Victorian age before the widespread introduction of electricity and the subsequent inventions that have changed the world. It substitutes steam power and clockwork for electrical power in imagining what the shape of inventions would be.
4. What are the top 3 steam punk books & movies (in addition to yours, of course) would you recommend for someone new to the genre?
I was introduced to Steampunk via Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series, which is a wonderful start. The TV series (and subsequent reboot movie) Wild Wild West, and the two recent Sherlock Holmes movies, are good examples of the way Hollywood continues to mine the genre.
5. What books did you enjoy reading when you were younger? Have any of them influenced you as a writer?
From an early age I was a voracious consumer of sci-fi, in the Golden Age of Asimov, Heinlein, and Bradbury, etc. When Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game) hit his stride I became a big fan, to the extent that I ran one of the earliest fan websites and email lists. The email list continues to this day, though it has morphed into a Facebook group. The thoughtful examinations of characters’ inner lives draw me to Card, who eschews the space age gadgetry of my earlier idols.
6. What can we expect from you in the future? I am polishing up my short story Ganesh for submission to the Xchyler Publishing steampunk anthology Around the World in 80 Days. Fans of AMNS will enjoy the back-story of one of AMNS’s more imaginative characters.
AMNS actually elbowed its way in front of a longer-term Work In Progress by the name of Dragon Moon, which is also under contract with Hamilton Springs Press and is pending the creation of an ‘imprint’ specific to sci-fi and techno-action. DM is a techno-thriller and not a perfect fit for the Xchyler Publishing imprint, which focuses on fantasy, paranormal, and steampunk. Dragon Moon is a cautionary tale of what happens when the International Space Station partners rest on their Space Race laurels and let newcomer nations take up the slack.
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!Scott Tarbet is giving away one copy of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S STEAMPUNK. To enter just fill out the rafflecopter form below. U.S. residents only, please. This giveaway will end on Friday, 12/6.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 20, 2013
BLOCKBUSTER DEATH NELL: SIGN OF A NEW ERA?
Blockbuster has crumbled under the competition with Netflix and Redbox, and its no wonder really. As sad as I am to see our neighborhood store shut down, it was no big surprise. This is just one more nail in the coffin of tangible media.
What do I mean by that?
When was the last time you walked into a music store? I'm not talking about the CD section at Wal-mart. An honest-to-God music store? I can't remember either because most of them vanished more than a decade ago with the rise of Ipod and downloadable music. The shops that remain tend to sell vintage albums and such, and the CD sections in other stores are shrinking.
Then Borders bit the dust in 2011. The advent of e-readers and digital books took down the once mighty corporate giant, and we all felt the earth tremble beneath our feel as it fell.
And now Blockbuster.
Doesn't this feel like a massive tipping of the media dominoes? Newspapers have faced massive declines in subscriptions as more and more people access their news online. The goes with movies and TV shows. And word has it that Barnes & Noble isn't feeling so hot these days, although it's doing its best to compete with Amazon and the Kindle e-reader.
For a while I felt kind of sad about all these changes. What will the world be like without music, books and movies I can hold in my hand? What will living in an all-digital world be like? Well, I don't know just how soon physical books will disappear, or if they ever will, but we are on the precipice of a world of all-virtual movies and music, so it really isn't difficult to imagine books may eventually go the way of the dinosaur, too.
But is that really a bad thing, or even a sad thing? I do love reading "real" books, the texture of the paper, the turning of the pages, the smell of a new book. It's an experience I treasure, and I think as long as my generation lives, we will still have books. But for my kids and their future kids, life is all about digital, downloads, uploads, and E-everything. That is what they will know, what they may prefer. And that's okay.
Change, progress, is what living in the 21st Century is all about. And it was no different in the 19th & 20th Centuries. I imagine my parents sighed a little when 45 records disappeared. My dad still has an extensive collection of originals that we play on an old turn table once in a while. My grandma loved her 8-track tapes. My husband loved his cassettes. But remember, recorded sound, recorded music has only been around for a little more than a hundred years! Recorded movies even less. And the forms these recordings have taken have been transforming and progressing ever since.
Now, books have been around for a lot longer. The Guttenberg Bible was printed in the 1400s. But books - the way we know them, stories and information accessible to the masses, have only been around since the mid 1800s, less than 200 years. In the grand scheme of history, that's not really all that long. Before that stories existed in the form of either oral traditions or stage performances.
My point is that change is not so bad. The format in which we access our music, our stories isn't really as important as the fact that we continue to have music and stories. Whether via my Ipod, or E-reader, or some future electronic implant in my skull, as long as I have my stories, I'm happy.
What about you?
What do I mean by that?
When was the last time you walked into a music store? I'm not talking about the CD section at Wal-mart. An honest-to-God music store? I can't remember either because most of them vanished more than a decade ago with the rise of Ipod and downloadable music. The shops that remain tend to sell vintage albums and such, and the CD sections in other stores are shrinking.
Then Borders bit the dust in 2011. The advent of e-readers and digital books took down the once mighty corporate giant, and we all felt the earth tremble beneath our feel as it fell.
And now Blockbuster.
Doesn't this feel like a massive tipping of the media dominoes? Newspapers have faced massive declines in subscriptions as more and more people access their news online. The goes with movies and TV shows. And word has it that Barnes & Noble isn't feeling so hot these days, although it's doing its best to compete with Amazon and the Kindle e-reader.
For a while I felt kind of sad about all these changes. What will the world be like without music, books and movies I can hold in my hand? What will living in an all-digital world be like? Well, I don't know just how soon physical books will disappear, or if they ever will, but we are on the precipice of a world of all-virtual movies and music, so it really isn't difficult to imagine books may eventually go the way of the dinosaur, too.
But is that really a bad thing, or even a sad thing? I do love reading "real" books, the texture of the paper, the turning of the pages, the smell of a new book. It's an experience I treasure, and I think as long as my generation lives, we will still have books. But for my kids and their future kids, life is all about digital, downloads, uploads, and E-everything. That is what they will know, what they may prefer. And that's okay.
Change, progress, is what living in the 21st Century is all about. And it was no different in the 19th & 20th Centuries. I imagine my parents sighed a little when 45 records disappeared. My dad still has an extensive collection of originals that we play on an old turn table once in a while. My grandma loved her 8-track tapes. My husband loved his cassettes. But remember, recorded sound, recorded music has only been around for a little more than a hundred years! Recorded movies even less. And the forms these recordings have taken have been transforming and progressing ever since.
Now, books have been around for a lot longer. The Guttenberg Bible was printed in the 1400s. But books - the way we know them, stories and information accessible to the masses, have only been around since the mid 1800s, less than 200 years. In the grand scheme of history, that's not really all that long. Before that stories existed in the form of either oral traditions or stage performances.
My point is that change is not so bad. The format in which we access our music, our stories isn't really as important as the fact that we continue to have music and stories. Whether via my Ipod, or E-reader, or some future electronic implant in my skull, as long as I have my stories, I'm happy.
What about you?
BOOK REVIEW: BUTTER by Erin Jade Lange
I use Grammarly to check for plagiarism because I prefer to get credit for my own creativity.
BUTTER
Erin Jade Lange
Bloomsbury USA
14-17 years
320 pp.
A lonely obese boy everyone calls "Butter" is about to make history. He is going to eat himself to death-live on the Internet-and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online to his classmates, Butter expects pity, insults, and possibly sheer indifference. What he gets are morbid cheerleaders rallying around his deadly plan. Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn't go through with his plans?
MY REVIEW:
I picked up BUTTER after hearing about for months. Finally my curiosity got the better of me. I brought the book home, read the first chapter, and handed it to my teenage son. "You gotta read this," I told him. He's an avid reader and very fast, and I trust him to give me an honest opinion about anything he's read. He whipped through it in days and told me it was "disturbing" and "a great book." Very odd words to describe a book about a 423 pound teenager.
Butter's hefty weight makes him an outcast at school and at home. His only escape is his online relationship with Anna, who believes her virtual boyfriend is a jock from another school, and playing his sax. Butter decides to literally eat himself to death on New Year's Eve, the night he has also promised to reveal his true identity to Anna. When he creates a website, "Butter's Last Meal," to his surprise the very kids who once shunned him now rally around him. His new although morbid friendships lead Butter into a world he never thought he could be a part of. But when the countdown to his suicide finally arrives, he has to decide whether or not he'll go through with it.
What Butter does is, as my son said, disturbing. And it is a great book. Told in Butter's voice, the story is straightforward with few embellishments. Lange perfectly captures the seedy side of high school, though it would have been nice if she had somehow acknowledged the fact that not all high schoolers are sex-crazed, partying, alcoholics. Yes, there is an overabundance of underage drinking and shallow adolescent humor here, but the story itself is really touching. Butter is an accessible character with depth and realism, someone even the thinnest most popular kids in school can relate to. Where Lange succeeds is tapping into the heart of kids who might otherwise be ignored or misunderstood, showing that they are real people with real feelings. Even if Lange fell a little short doing the same about "popular" kids, Butter is still a noble story that kept me turning the pages long into the night.
BUTTER is a perfect fit for fans of contemporary teen fiction, like 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I give it a very strong:
CONTENT REVIEW:
(Note: BUTTER has led me to add a fourth topic to my content review.)
Sexuality: Moderate
Violence: Moderate (discussion of suicide)
Profanity: High
Substance Abuse: High
BUTTERErin Jade Lange
Bloomsbury USA
14-17 years
320 pp.
A lonely obese boy everyone calls "Butter" is about to make history. He is going to eat himself to death-live on the Internet-and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online to his classmates, Butter expects pity, insults, and possibly sheer indifference. What he gets are morbid cheerleaders rallying around his deadly plan. Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn't go through with his plans?
MY REVIEW:
I picked up BUTTER after hearing about for months. Finally my curiosity got the better of me. I brought the book home, read the first chapter, and handed it to my teenage son. "You gotta read this," I told him. He's an avid reader and very fast, and I trust him to give me an honest opinion about anything he's read. He whipped through it in days and told me it was "disturbing" and "a great book." Very odd words to describe a book about a 423 pound teenager.
Butter's hefty weight makes him an outcast at school and at home. His only escape is his online relationship with Anna, who believes her virtual boyfriend is a jock from another school, and playing his sax. Butter decides to literally eat himself to death on New Year's Eve, the night he has also promised to reveal his true identity to Anna. When he creates a website, "Butter's Last Meal," to his surprise the very kids who once shunned him now rally around him. His new although morbid friendships lead Butter into a world he never thought he could be a part of. But when the countdown to his suicide finally arrives, he has to decide whether or not he'll go through with it.
What Butter does is, as my son said, disturbing. And it is a great book. Told in Butter's voice, the story is straightforward with few embellishments. Lange perfectly captures the seedy side of high school, though it would have been nice if she had somehow acknowledged the fact that not all high schoolers are sex-crazed, partying, alcoholics. Yes, there is an overabundance of underage drinking and shallow adolescent humor here, but the story itself is really touching. Butter is an accessible character with depth and realism, someone even the thinnest most popular kids in school can relate to. Where Lange succeeds is tapping into the heart of kids who might otherwise be ignored or misunderstood, showing that they are real people with real feelings. Even if Lange fell a little short doing the same about "popular" kids, Butter is still a noble story that kept me turning the pages long into the night.
BUTTER is a perfect fit for fans of contemporary teen fiction, like 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I give it a very strong:
CONTENT REVIEW:
(Note: BUTTER has led me to add a fourth topic to my content review.)
Sexuality: Moderate
Violence: Moderate (discussion of suicide)
Profanity: High
Substance Abuse: High
November 13, 2013
COVER REVEAL: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S STEAMPUNK by Scott Tarbet
I use Grammarly to check for plagiarism because I prefer to get credit for my own creativity.
Millions of lives hang in the balance. The micro-mechanical flying Friends of the Queen spread out across Victorian London seeking the fabulous Diamond Jubal–the priceless automaton stolen for its almost limitless power. With the help of a group of semi-mechanical veterans, two young couples are swept along in the conflicts of empires hurtling toward world war. The wizardry of Victorian technology and the intrigues of the builders of the English and German Empires combine with mistaken identities, love triangles, heroism, and deadly peril in this imaginative steampunk/alternative history retelling of Shakespeare’s timeless classic.
Preview chapters HERE .
Millions of lives hang in the balance. The micro-mechanical flying Friends of the Queen spread out across Victorian London seeking the fabulous Diamond Jubal–the priceless automaton stolen for its almost limitless power. With the help of a group of semi-mechanical veterans, two young couples are swept along in the conflicts of empires hurtling toward world war. The wizardry of Victorian technology and the intrigues of the builders of the English and German Empires combine with mistaken identities, love triangles, heroism, and deadly peril in this imaginative steampunk/alternative history retelling of Shakespeare’s timeless classic.
Preview chapters HERE .
BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY: DESMOND PUCKET MAKES MONSTER MAGIC
Welcome to the DESMOND PUCKET BLOG TOUR!!! Whoo hoo!!!
Check out Desmond's recipe for monster blood below AND then
enter the raffle below for a free copy of the book !
But first, watch this amazing trailer!!!
DESMOND PUCKET MAKES MONSTER MAGICby Mark TatulliAndrews McNeel PublishingAges 8 - 12
Someday Desmond will be famous for his special effects wizardry, but for now he's just trying to make it through sixth grade at Cloverfield Memorial Junior High, which means he needs to stay one step ahead of the school's disciplinary officer, Mr. Needles.
The only problem is Desmond just can't stop pulling pranks—like the time he attached a shrieking rubber goblin to the toilet seat in the teachers' bathroom. Mrs. Rubin screamed so loudly her wig flew off! Or the time he put giant motorized worms into the mashed potatoes in the cafeteria. Or the time Desmond and his best friend, Ricky, arranged for a three-headed ghost to crash his sister's slumber party. Rachel still hasn't forgiven him.
And now Desmond has to stay prank-free for the rest of the year, or he won't be able to go on the class trip to Crab Shell Pier, home of the Mountain Full of Monsters ride! It's going to be tough, but Desmond has to try.
PURCHASE DESMOND PUCKET HERE!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mark Tatulli is an internationally syndicated cartoonist best known for his popular comic strips Heart of the City, which chronicles a fun-loving, tenacious little girl's adventures in the big city of Philadelphia, and Liō, which tells the adventures of a young boy and his pet squid. In addition to cartooning, Tatulli is an accomplished filmmaker and animator, and the recipient of three Emmy Awards. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Donna, three children, and three nefarious cats, all of whom supply endless ideas for his books.
AWESOME MAGICAL LINKS:
The Official Desmond Pucket website: desmondpucket.com
Desmond Pucket's Blog: Blog: http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/landing/desmondpucket/view-the-blog
A link to the Teaching with Comics guide: http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/landing/desmondpucket/teachers-and-librarians
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 10, 2013
WINNER OF THE NOOK ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to Libertad Araceli Thomas, the winner of The Last Enchanter Blog Tour giveaway and a 16 GB Nook HD!!! Libertad, if you are reading this, you have 3 days to claim your prize! Thanks!
November 8, 2013
THE EMERALD RING BLOG TOUR
THE EMERALD RING
Dorine White
Cedar Fort
Ages 8 - 12
Sara Bogus's life turns upside down when she discovers an emerald ring that once belonged to Cleopatra. The fun of discovering the ring's unique abilities turns to fear when she finds out a dangerous cult bent on restoring Rome to power is after the ring. Forced to choose between keeping the ring and saving her friends, Sara learns the price of bravery in this electrifying read!
INTERVIEW WITH DORINE WHITE:
1. What is it like to be an author? Absolute torture, lol. Unless you are instantly a NYT bestseller, you end up promoting your book non-stop. It is never ending, and if you’re a wall flower, you’re in trouble. Plus the waiting. Ugh. People don’t realize how much waiting is involved in writing. You can wait up to two years to hear back from a publisher you queried. And even after you’re published, you wait on sales numbers, checking book scan like nuts, hoping you draw the numbers to excite publishers into a second book.
2.So why do you do it? It is my dream. Since I was a kid all I did was fill up notebooks full of stories. It never mattered if anyone read them. I just needed to write them. The same is true with my books. I write because I love to create stories. Getting published is the icing on the cake.
3.What is your book about? Well, The Emerald Ring is actually the first book in a series about a selection of magical jewels that Cleopatra once owned. This first book deals with young Sara, who finds the emerald ring in her grandmother’s attic. When she slips it on, it becomes stuck and she finds herself experiencing strange events. Soon she is having visions, understanding animals and able to shape shift. The catch of the entire series is that an evil Roman cult is after all 5 gems, wishing to return Rome to a world power. The members will stop at nothing to gain the gemstones.
4.When is the second book coming out? As of now, The Ruby Pendant is slated to be released Spring 2014, but it is all in the publisher’s hands.
5. What is it about? Let me give you my blurb: Welcome to New Orleans- home of Mardi Gras, jazz music and voodoo. Eighth grader Melanie Belaforte is home for Spring break and itching for excitement. Late one night she discovers a hidden chamber and a secret journal in her deceased Aunt Florence’s bedroom. The diary contains the writings of a mad woman, along with vague clues about the whereabouts of a ruby necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. The ruby bestows upon the wearer the power to hear other people’s thoughts- even the thoughts of the dead! And so the hunt begins. Melanie, her best friend Sybil, and a haunting specter unravel clues that take them from crumbling graveyards, to the busy streets of the French Quarter, and then into murky swamps, all to find the prize. But they need to watch out, because a murderous cult is matching them step for step, and they won’t give up, ever.
As you can see, we have a new main character, but the cult and search for the gemstones remains the same. Readers will see Sara pop up in book 2 as Melanie searches for the ruby.
6. Just for fun- What’s your favorite ice-cream? Hmm, Cookies and cream.
7. Are you a geek about anything? Sci-fi/fantasy all the way! Oldies like Dr. Who, Red Dwarf and Star Trek TNG. Then current ones like Supernatural, Fringe, Vampire Diaries. I love them all.
November 3, 2013
BLOG TOUR: PRINCESS IN THE OPAL MASK
PRINCESS IN THE OPAL MASKby Jenny Lundquist
Running Press Brook Press
352 pp.
Ages 9 - 13
Orphaned as a child in the crumbling village of Tulan, Elara is determined to learn her true identity, even if it means wielding a dagger. Meanwhile, in Galandria’s royal capital, Princess Wilha stands out as someone to either worship or fear. Though no one knows why the king has always made her conceal her face—including Wilha herself. When an assassination attempt threatens the peace of neighboring kingdoms, Elara and Wilha are brought face to face . . . with a chance at claiming new identities. However, with dark revelations now surfacing, both girls will need to decide if brighter futures are worth the binding risks.
WIN A COPY OF THE PRINCESS IN THE OPAL MASK! DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS POST!
The Princess in the Opal Mask Playlist
1. Lights by Ellie Goulding Whenever I hear this song I always think of Wilha staring out her window in the Opal Palace, wondering what’s so wrong with her.
2. Try by P!nkHalfway through the book Wilha makes a really surprising decision and finds herself literally stumbling around in the dark, trying to figure out where she should go next. This is the song I think of during those scenes.
3. Fighter by Christina Aguilera When I hear the lyrics I imagine Elara screaming them at Mistress Ogden, sarcastically thanking her for making her a “fighter.”
4. Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys I think of this song during Elara’s second half of the book. (But really, I also think of Katniss Everdeen, one of my literary heroes, so it just makes me smile while I write.)
5. Somewhere Only We Know by KeaneHalfway through the book two characters share a midnight meal in front of a fire. This is the song I imagine playing in the background.
6. The Second Waltz by Dmitri Shostakovich (Composer)Music for the masquerade ball!
7. The Sleeping Beauty Waltz by Tchaikovsky (Composer)More music for the masquerade.
8. Divine Romance by Phil WickhamThis was my warm-up song; I listened to it in the morning before I started working on the draft.
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About Jenny Lundquist: Jenny Lundquist was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies with a minor in TESOL at Biola University. Lundquist has published two middle-grade books, Seeing Cinderella and Plastic Polly. She lives in Rancho Cordova, California with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at jennylundquist.com and Twitter @Jenny_Lundquist.Social Media Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jenny_LundquistFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/writerjennyWebsite/Blog: http://jennylundquist.com/ Book on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17290682-the-princess-in-the-opal-maskAuthor on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4851121.Jenny_LundquistGIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Jenny is giving away 15 copies of THE PRINCESS IN THE OPAL MASK! Enter to win by entering the Rafflecopter below. a Rafflecopter giveaway
