Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 83
May 14, 2014
Review: Fall (The Ragnarök Prophesies #2) by A.K. Morgen
From Goodreads:How do you save someone who doesn't want to be saved?
Those called to stand guard against the end are broken, and Sköll and Hati run free. Now Arionna Jacobs and Dace Matthews face a threat unlike any before. Ragnarök is coming and they aren't strong enough to stop it.
Arionna thought she understood sacrifice, but she never counted on her destiny tearing Dace apart. Ever since she nearly died, he has been consumed with guilt. Now it threatens to turn him into the monster he always feared.
It's up to Arionna to stop him before it's too late, but the path to hell is paved with good intentions, and Dace is hurtling toward self destruction. This time, Arionna isn't sure she can save him from himself. Can she convince him to let the past go, or is her true destiny to sacrifice her heart in exchange for the lives of the people she loves?
Talk about a cliffhanger ending! But no spoilers here.
Fall continues right where Fade finishes; with Arionna recovering in the hospital. Dace is at Arionna's side to help her recover, but Skoll and Hati are still around.
Like book 1, this one was a little heavy on the internal dialogue for my taste. But I like that it delves deeper into Norse Mythology.
It also develops Ronan's character, which I enjoyed. He's a good old fashioned bad boy, with a hidden good guy side.
I wouldn't call this fast paced, in fact, I found the first half a bit slow, but once Arionna leaves with Ronan and Fuki, things start to really get interesting until you reach that cliffhanger ending I mentioned. I flicked the page on my kindle and thought, "No! You can't leave it like that!" It definitely leaves you needing to know what happens next.
May 13, 2014
Guest Post: Writing New Adult by Leesa Bow
Hi Katie and thanks for having me on your blog.
I write new adult books focusing on the characters ages when everything in their life changes.
I believe 18 to 25 is a time in one’s life when pivotal things happen and fond memories are developed. Described as an emotional period and for some of us we experience death of a close family member or friend for the first time. These highs and lows continue as we leave the family home for college, or full time employment. Many friendships are formed while others lost. It is often a sensitive time with many changes happening in the individual’s life and the struggle of becoming an adult is generally central to the story.
But it is the finding love — and sometimes losing it just as quick — that is my focus. So my stories are about the characters finding their way as they enter adulthood, adding the emotion and adventure of romance. And along the way characters discover who they are and what really matters to them, and then fighting for it. Something we can all relate to regardless of our age. Although I write contemporary new adult with a sport theme, other sub genres are becoming just as popular like fantasy or sci-fi, paranormal, and suspense.
My favourite NA authors are Jennifer Armentrout/J. Lynn, Tammara Webber, and Cora Carmack.
When injury destroyed her dream of playing college basketball, Aubree Taylor fled overseas. Now she's finally home again and ready to move on with her life. Until she runs into Hunter Stone on her first night out, the only guy who's ever meant anything to her – and the last person she wants to see.Since she ran out on him two years ago, Hunter hasn't been able to get Aubree off his mind. The sexy football star has had girls all over him for years, but Aubree is the only one to have ever seen behind the cocky persona he puts on for the crowd. Despite her attempts to keep her distance, Aubree is unable to resist the strong attraction between them and it isn't long before they fall into a passionate relationship. She has never been afraid of a challenge, but Hunter's arrogance and inability to trust are testing her to her limits. Aubree must decide whether to follow her heart and lower her guard…or risk losing the best thing that's ever happened to her
Buy Winning the Player:http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Player-Destiny-Leesa-Bow-ebook/dp/B00J3KF4T0/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399869393&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=winningbthe+player
Leesa Bow grew up in Broken Hill. Sport played a major role in her life growing up in a small country town, and Leesa had a passion for basketball. Although she loved to read books with happy endings, she never believed she would end up a novelist.
Leesa started her professional life nursing at the local hospital before moving to Adelaide in her early twenties. She married a football player, and inevitably her four daughters were also sporty. Leesa began writing seriously when her second daughter became sick with cancer. Initially writing was therapeutic, but when her daughter got the all clear, she decided to continue writing seriously. Stories about sport, romance, and characters aged eighteen plus seemed logical since her daughters were of a similar age, and often surrounded by athletes.
Leesa now works in merchandising and in her spare time writes New Adult romance. On weekends she enjoys watching basketball and football, having beach days with the family, catching up with girlfriends, and daydreaming about strong heroines.
About Leesa:www.leesabow.com
Author Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Leesabowromance
Winning the Player:http://www.destinyromance.com/products/9781743485699/winning-player-destiny-romance.
I write new adult books focusing on the characters ages when everything in their life changes.
I believe 18 to 25 is a time in one’s life when pivotal things happen and fond memories are developed. Described as an emotional period and for some of us we experience death of a close family member or friend for the first time. These highs and lows continue as we leave the family home for college, or full time employment. Many friendships are formed while others lost. It is often a sensitive time with many changes happening in the individual’s life and the struggle of becoming an adult is generally central to the story.
But it is the finding love — and sometimes losing it just as quick — that is my focus. So my stories are about the characters finding their way as they enter adulthood, adding the emotion and adventure of romance. And along the way characters discover who they are and what really matters to them, and then fighting for it. Something we can all relate to regardless of our age. Although I write contemporary new adult with a sport theme, other sub genres are becoming just as popular like fantasy or sci-fi, paranormal, and suspense.
My favourite NA authors are Jennifer Armentrout/J. Lynn, Tammara Webber, and Cora Carmack.
When injury destroyed her dream of playing college basketball, Aubree Taylor fled overseas. Now she's finally home again and ready to move on with her life. Until she runs into Hunter Stone on her first night out, the only guy who's ever meant anything to her – and the last person she wants to see.Since she ran out on him two years ago, Hunter hasn't been able to get Aubree off his mind. The sexy football star has had girls all over him for years, but Aubree is the only one to have ever seen behind the cocky persona he puts on for the crowd. Despite her attempts to keep her distance, Aubree is unable to resist the strong attraction between them and it isn't long before they fall into a passionate relationship. She has never been afraid of a challenge, but Hunter's arrogance and inability to trust are testing her to her limits. Aubree must decide whether to follow her heart and lower her guard…or risk losing the best thing that's ever happened to herBuy Winning the Player:http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Player-Destiny-Leesa-Bow-ebook/dp/B00J3KF4T0/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399869393&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=winningbthe+player
Leesa Bow grew up in Broken Hill. Sport played a major role in her life growing up in a small country town, and Leesa had a passion for basketball. Although she loved to read books with happy endings, she never believed she would end up a novelist.Leesa started her professional life nursing at the local hospital before moving to Adelaide in her early twenties. She married a football player, and inevitably her four daughters were also sporty. Leesa began writing seriously when her second daughter became sick with cancer. Initially writing was therapeutic, but when her daughter got the all clear, she decided to continue writing seriously. Stories about sport, romance, and characters aged eighteen plus seemed logical since her daughters were of a similar age, and often surrounded by athletes.
Leesa now works in merchandising and in her spare time writes New Adult romance. On weekends she enjoys watching basketball and football, having beach days with the family, catching up with girlfriends, and daydreaming about strong heroines.
About Leesa:www.leesabow.com
Author Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Leesabowromance
Winning the Player:http://www.destinyromance.com/products/9781743485699/winning-player-destiny-romance.
May 12, 2014
Expanding Your Reading ~ New Boundaries For New Adult
Last Week I featured Lisa as she talked about Paranormal New Adult. Today I have Jennifer Ibarra discussing Sci Fi and Fantasy New Adult. Let's bring these awesome NA alternatives into the light!
One of the most exciting new book categories to emerge in the last few years has been New Adult. Most of us are familiar with Young Adult, no doubt because of its dominance in the last two decades: HARRY POTTER, TWILIGHT, THE HUNGER GAMES, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, ELEANOR AND PARK, just to name a few. But New Adult snuck up on all of us when no one was looking, because it filled a void for the 18-25 age group that Young Adult wasn't quite hitting.
Today, about one in four Americans falls in that age group—no wonder they’ve been hungering for books that speak to them. The first genre to really make its mark in New Adult has been Contemporary Romance, and it’s been such a dominant genre that booksellers often fold New Adult books into their Romance sections, rather than break it out into its own section.
What will it take for New Adult to get its own section? More genres to make up the rich, diverse world that 18-25 year olds want to read about--and Science Fiction & Fantasy feels poised to be one of those breakout genres in New Adult in the coming years.
This is the Harry Potter generation. The kids who were pulled into reading by one of the most magical (literally!) books to come along in generations. As they grew up, they began to devour other speculative fiction books—we only need to look at today’s movies to see what books were embraced by this generation in the last decade. And now as they move into their twenties and establish themselves as adults, they’ll naturally want to read about characters their own age, going through many of the same things they are. And wouldn’t it be great to marry that love for speculative fiction that many of them formed as kids with the issues and themes that resonate with them now?
New Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy can marry the two. We’re already seeing these types of stories played out in fan fiction—and it’s no wonder that many in this audience flock to fan fiction to get their fix. While Contemporary Romance remains hot in New Adult, other genres are gaining momentum, and it’s only a matter of time before New Adult expands into these other genres. And I for one can’t wait!
Title: THE POLARIS UPRISING (Polaris, Book 1)
Author: Jennifer IbarraSynopsis:
No citizen shall be left behind.
Life in Neress is simple. For nearly four decades, people have known exactly what’s expected of them. Obey the rules, follow the path that’s been laid out, and everything will be provided for: food, shelter, education, safety. No need goes unmet.
But the cost is steep: you lose all rights to make your own choices in life.
In seven years, eighteen-year-old Ryla Jensen will come of age and take over for her father as president of this idyllic nation. Groomed since childhood to take on a role she’s not even sure she wants, Ryla’s only escape from the pressures of duty is her sister, Alanna. But when her eyes are finally opened to the oppressive regime her father built, she begins to question everything she’s set to inherit—and finds herself at odds with her sister’s blind allegiance to their father.
Torn between loyalty to her family and the fight for freedom, Ryla must decide just how far she’s willing to go to make a stand and risk losing the person she loves most in the world: Alanna.Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Polaris-Uprising-Jennifer-Ibarra/dp/0989499200/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1394650021&sr=8-1&keywords=polaris+uprisingBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-polaris-uprising-jennifer-ibarra/1117138587?ean=2940149490080 Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/the-polaris-uprising/id731384481?mt=11 Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-polaris-uprisingSmashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/365533Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18046385-the-polaris-uprising
Jennifer Ibarra grew up on a steady diet of books, Star Wars, and other fantastic feats of the imagination. Her debut novel, THE POLARIS UPRISING, is the first book in a planned trilogy and has been called "Frozen meets THE HUNGER GAMES," exploring family drama, romance, and political intrigue against a dystopian backdrop.
She lives in Silicon Valley, where she does marketing for a tech company and spends her time running, cooking, baking, and keeping up with celebrity gossip.
Connect with her on:jenniferibarra.comgoodreads.com/jenniferibarra facebook.com/officialjenniferibarra twitter.com/writejenwritewritejenwrite.tumblr.com
One of the most exciting new book categories to emerge in the last few years has been New Adult. Most of us are familiar with Young Adult, no doubt because of its dominance in the last two decades: HARRY POTTER, TWILIGHT, THE HUNGER GAMES, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, ELEANOR AND PARK, just to name a few. But New Adult snuck up on all of us when no one was looking, because it filled a void for the 18-25 age group that Young Adult wasn't quite hitting.
Today, about one in four Americans falls in that age group—no wonder they’ve been hungering for books that speak to them. The first genre to really make its mark in New Adult has been Contemporary Romance, and it’s been such a dominant genre that booksellers often fold New Adult books into their Romance sections, rather than break it out into its own section.
What will it take for New Adult to get its own section? More genres to make up the rich, diverse world that 18-25 year olds want to read about--and Science Fiction & Fantasy feels poised to be one of those breakout genres in New Adult in the coming years.
This is the Harry Potter generation. The kids who were pulled into reading by one of the most magical (literally!) books to come along in generations. As they grew up, they began to devour other speculative fiction books—we only need to look at today’s movies to see what books were embraced by this generation in the last decade. And now as they move into their twenties and establish themselves as adults, they’ll naturally want to read about characters their own age, going through many of the same things they are. And wouldn’t it be great to marry that love for speculative fiction that many of them formed as kids with the issues and themes that resonate with them now?
New Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy can marry the two. We’re already seeing these types of stories played out in fan fiction—and it’s no wonder that many in this audience flock to fan fiction to get their fix. While Contemporary Romance remains hot in New Adult, other genres are gaining momentum, and it’s only a matter of time before New Adult expands into these other genres. And I for one can’t wait!
Title: THE POLARIS UPRISING (Polaris, Book 1)
Author: Jennifer IbarraSynopsis:
No citizen shall be left behind.
Life in Neress is simple. For nearly four decades, people have known exactly what’s expected of them. Obey the rules, follow the path that’s been laid out, and everything will be provided for: food, shelter, education, safety. No need goes unmet.
But the cost is steep: you lose all rights to make your own choices in life.
In seven years, eighteen-year-old Ryla Jensen will come of age and take over for her father as president of this idyllic nation. Groomed since childhood to take on a role she’s not even sure she wants, Ryla’s only escape from the pressures of duty is her sister, Alanna. But when her eyes are finally opened to the oppressive regime her father built, she begins to question everything she’s set to inherit—and finds herself at odds with her sister’s blind allegiance to their father.
Torn between loyalty to her family and the fight for freedom, Ryla must decide just how far she’s willing to go to make a stand and risk losing the person she loves most in the world: Alanna.Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Polaris-Uprising-Jennifer-Ibarra/dp/0989499200/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1394650021&sr=8-1&keywords=polaris+uprisingBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-polaris-uprising-jennifer-ibarra/1117138587?ean=2940149490080 Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/the-polaris-uprising/id731384481?mt=11 Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-polaris-uprisingSmashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/365533Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18046385-the-polaris-uprising
Jennifer Ibarra grew up on a steady diet of books, Star Wars, and other fantastic feats of the imagination. Her debut novel, THE POLARIS UPRISING, is the first book in a planned trilogy and has been called "Frozen meets THE HUNGER GAMES," exploring family drama, romance, and political intrigue against a dystopian backdrop. She lives in Silicon Valley, where she does marketing for a tech company and spends her time running, cooking, baking, and keeping up with celebrity gossip.
Connect with her on:jenniferibarra.comgoodreads.com/jenniferibarra facebook.com/officialjenniferibarra twitter.com/writejenwritewritejenwrite.tumblr.com
May 10, 2014
Working Mommy Guilt
Being an author is only part of my life. The part that takes up most of my time, and definitely most of my energy is being a mommy to a vivacious three-year-old, and wife. Not only this, but I work out of the home part time too.
Working has been necessary for us to keep us afloat. Admittedly, things are getting better, but working along with my husband is still needed to pay the bills. I don't mind working. My parents raised me to work hard and earn an honest pay, but what about my daughter?
I live in an area and in a community where most women my age are popping out babies and stay at home moms. It's not terribly conducive to the sanity of a woman whose fertility is poor and must work. I see people advocating for the recognition of stay-at-home mom's as working, and I'm fine with that. Maintaining a house and raising children is incredibly hard. But add into that a work schedule. Working mom's may have the opportunity to get out of the house and have adult conversations, but for me, the work leaves me feeling guilty. I could have spent those hours cleaning, teaching my daughter, walking the dog. Instead, my house sits trashed, someone else is playing with my child and the dog is laying around bored.
I love my family. I have a wonderful husband who works hard, and a beautiful, bright little girl. They are my world, but more often than not, I feel like I fail them. I feel like I'm a bad mommy because I'm thinking about work, or marketing my books in someway so we can raise that extra income. I find myself wishing for a moment's peace so I can clear my head and get it in the zone to write something just a little bit inspired or catch up on some reading. I find myself wishing I could get to the gym more so I can take control of my PCOS and have another child so I don't feel like I'm failing as a woman and a wife. I see other women having child after child, delighting in their stay at home opportunities, while I'm being that "working mom".
While people tell me how amazing it is I'm published, and I do feel proud of my accomplishments, I do wonder if it is a substitute for my inability to be a good mother and having more children. I am terrified people see me and think I am selfish for not having another child and working instead.
People talk about mommy guilt with stay at home moms who lose their temper and compare themselves to the blissfully happy images the media portrays of motherhood, but I feel an added guilt to that. When I get home, I'm tired and don't what to deal with the whining of a toddler, but then feel bad because she has spent the last few hours with someone else. I feel bad because I don't want to play with her and her ponies because I've fallen behind on just about everything. Then I feel bad because I want another child and I can't conceive, but then I also wonder why I should bother when I'm fairly certain the one I have is about to make me lose my mind.
People say to me, "You have a wonderful life. A good husband who loves you, a beautiful little girl, a successful, blossoming writing career, and you're only in your twenties!" Yes, I do, and I am so grateful for all of them. They bring me so much joy. But the mommy guilt still remains as I see the things I can't do and slowly they overshadow the good. Each day I struggle to fight back those negative thoughts, but the battle is exhausting and endless.
Does anyone else feel like this? We are not perfect, none of us. Each of us struggles on, but sometimes, women especially, like to hide their struggles by smiling and getting by. We do not want pity, we want people to see us as perfect like we "should" be. That is probably part of the problem; we place too much pressure on ourselves.
Please, tell me your thoughts. photo credit: puck90 via photopin cc
May 9, 2014
Cover Reveal: Curse of the Granville Fortune by Kelly Hashway
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Welcome to the Cover Reveal forCurse of the Granville Fortune by Kelly Hashwaypresented by Month9Books!Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
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Welcome to the Cover Reveal forCurse of the Granville Fortune by Kelly Hashwaypresented by Month9Books!Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
Find the fortune, break the curse![image error]
The hunt is on for an ancient treasure tied to nine-year-old J.B.'s family history. He's been having visions that make him sweaty, lightheaded, and certain he’s turning into some kind of freak—or worse, going insane. But things are worse than he imagined. The visions stem from a family curse. An ancient ancestor was accused of stealing the massive Granville fortune, and now J.B.’s entire family will suffer.
To break the curse, J.B. must find and return the Granville’s stolen property. But he's not the only one searching for the treasure. As he sets out on his journey through a dark and foreboding forest, he'll battle his worst fears and fight terrifying creatures along the way. And when he meets two others who share the missing pieces of his visions and suffer from the same curse, the three soon realize they need to work together to break the curse before it's too late.
Reading is a thing of magic. It has allowed me to enter into worlds I never would have known. I’ve cried, laughed, and been scared right alongside my favorite characters. And my hope is that one day kids will do the same for my characters. I want kids to see that reading is one of the greatest gifts. Luckily, my daughter already agrees with me![image error] Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter </ a>| Facebook</ a> | Goodreads[image error]Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!(Winners will receive their book on release day)a Rafflecopter giveaway
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May 8, 2014
Featuring... Curiosity Quills Books
So, to complete the set of CQ titles I have "on file", these are Curiosity Quills titles I haven't read nor do I yet own. Some are yet to be released. Enjoy!
18 Things 18 Truths
Charming (TBR) Shattered Secrets
Devil's Flower Copied
The Actuator
Exacting Essence Salvation
Heart Chants Zarconian Island
The Artful Broken Branch FallsMay 7, 2014
Expand your Reading Experience ~ Pick up a New Adult Paranormal
I've been asking around for authors to feature who write non-contemporary New Adult. One author I've found is Lisa Collicutt, who writes NA Paranormal. I asked to feature her on the blog today, and she has agreed! Enjoy!
When I first started writing I had no idea what genre my work fell under, other than romance, and something of the otherworldly nature. But when the subject of “paranormal” kept coming up in several of my writing groups and online places I visited, I put the pieces together and discovered, A) paranormal is more than ghosts and hauntings, and B) I was a paranormal junkie and never knew it. That dark undertone in my stories that I need, that my characters insist upon—probably hate me for, is . . . PARANORMAL.Paranormal encompasses just about everything beyond the realm of unexplainable possibility. Witches (my personal favorite) to ghosts, vampires, angels/demons, shape-shifters, and things that go bump in the night —all things supernatural. This genre umbrellas a bevy of sub-genres, as well, expanding across all age groups, from children’s picture books, to Young Adult, to New Adult and beyond, and allows the writer to enrich their writing, as well as the reader to broaden their reading pleasure. Admit it, we all love a little (or in some cases, a lot) of mystifying mystery in our reading lives. Whether it’s a mild case of goosebumps, or heart-thumping fear, to star-crossed lover tingles weaved throughout the pages of a book, paranormal lives and flourishes for our reading pleasures, as twisted as they may be. Lisa Collicutt ~ Paranormal Fiction Author
Bio:
Lisa likes to write dark and twisted tales of magic and romance. She has a passion for Young Adult and New Adult Paranormal.
When she's not conjuring tales about witches, demons, and other magical beings, she can be found leathered, and bound to the back of her husband's Harley, touring her homeland of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Enter Lisa's imagination where light ends and fantasy begins. But heed these warnings . . . it's dark, it's magical, you may experience tingles.
When I first started writing I had no idea what genre my work fell under, other than romance, and something of the otherworldly nature. But when the subject of “paranormal” kept coming up in several of my writing groups and online places I visited, I put the pieces together and discovered, A) paranormal is more than ghosts and hauntings, and B) I was a paranormal junkie and never knew it. That dark undertone in my stories that I need, that my characters insist upon—probably hate me for, is . . . PARANORMAL.Paranormal encompasses just about everything beyond the realm of unexplainable possibility. Witches (my personal favorite) to ghosts, vampires, angels/demons, shape-shifters, and things that go bump in the night —all things supernatural. This genre umbrellas a bevy of sub-genres, as well, expanding across all age groups, from children’s picture books, to Young Adult, to New Adult and beyond, and allows the writer to enrich their writing, as well as the reader to broaden their reading pleasure. Admit it, we all love a little (or in some cases, a lot) of mystifying mystery in our reading lives. Whether it’s a mild case of goosebumps, or heart-thumping fear, to star-crossed lover tingles weaved throughout the pages of a book, paranormal lives and flourishes for our reading pleasures, as twisted as they may be. Lisa Collicutt ~ Paranormal Fiction Author
Bio: Lisa likes to write dark and twisted tales of magic and romance. She has a passion for Young Adult and New Adult Paranormal.
When she's not conjuring tales about witches, demons, and other magical beings, she can be found leathered, and bound to the back of her husband's Harley, touring her homeland of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Enter Lisa's imagination where light ends and fantasy begins. But heed these warnings . . . it's dark, it's magical, you may experience tingles.
May 6, 2014
TO BEAR AN IRON KEY Blog Tour: Guest Post Getting Into Character by Jackie Morse Kessler
Sometimes, characters pull an Athena and spring fully formed out of our heads and onto the pages. Other times, learning about our characters takes time—and patience. When I first started the short story that would eventually transform into the novel TO BEAR AN IRON KEY, the main character, Bromwyn, sounded very similar to the other main character, Rusty. Sure, she was impatient and he was impertinent, but they were far too similar in most aspects—goals, motivations, conflicts, even the way that they spoke. (There was a reason that short story was never published!)Over time, I got to know Bromwyn and Rusty—and I let myself experiment with how they spoke and acted. How easy were their resolutions? What did they do when obstacles got in their way? What was their first reaction? Was that different from their actual course of action? Did Bromwyn—a witch, and a very serious one, trained by the village Wise One whom everyone fears—speak the same way and have the same gods and beliefs as Rusty—the baker’s son, who considers himself to be sharp in the way of the streets and eager for a wealthier life than the bakery promises? Did Rusty shirk responsibility, even as Bromwyn took on more and more? Were their goals, and their histories, really so similar?Once I allowed myself the time to try different things, I wound up getting the answers to those questions, and much more. Bromwyn and Rusty, while best friends, are completely different characters, down to the way in which they speak. But there’s an ease between them, the comfort of solid friendship, that informs their actions (and Bromwyn’s thoughts, as the story is told in her close third-person point of view). That’s not to say things don’t get explosive between them as well. Best friends can fight. They can also set aside their differences and work together to save the world…and learn about themselves along the way.
To Bear an Iron Key is the first in a new and exciting series from acclaimed author Jackie Morse Kessler.Five years ago, the young witch Bromwyn refused a gift from the powerful fairy king. Tonight, on Midsummer, that decision comes back to haunt her. When her best friend Rusty picks the wrong pocket, he and Bromwyn are all that stand between their village and the rampaging fairies who have pushed through the World Door. If they cannot outwit the fairy king and queen before the World Door closes at sunrise, the friends will lose everything—their village, Bromwyn's magic, and Rusty's life.
From To Bear an Iron Key by Jackie Morse Kessler: "Bromwyn turned to face the burning fields. Reaching deep inside of herself, she closed her eyes and touched the core of her power, the place where her magic lived, where it connected her to all of Nature. She held onto that magic, let it fill her almost to the bursting point, and then she cast it out onto the fields. It blanketed the rows of spelt, and she felt as it rode the wind—Air—and then touched the grain—Earth—and then sizzled around the fire."
Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD |
ABOUT JACKIE MORSE KESSLER:
Jackie is the author of the acclaimed YA series Riders of the Apocalypse, published by Harcourt/Graphia. The first two books in the quartet, HUNGER and RAGE, are YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers; in addition, HUNGER has been nominated for several awards and RAGE is an International Reading Association YA Choice. RAGE, LOSS and BREATH are Junior Library Guild selections
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 5, 2014
Cover Reveal: Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler
Welcome to the Forest!
It's time for the highly anticipated, most spectacular cover reveal of the day!
BROKEN BRANCH FALLS (MG Fantasy)
by Tara Tyler
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Curiosity Quills
Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the other kids at school, especially the ogres. Gabe’s closest friends are goblins like him, but Gabe is tired of being a goblin – he’d like to try other things. And he has his eye on the new ogress at school. It’s against all beastly rules, but there’s just something about her.
When a prank goes wrong, Gabe is forced to join the football team as punishment – but finds a way to make it work. Soon the whole school is getting in on the fad of mingling with other species. Too bad the adults have to step in and ruin things by threatening to destroy the school and split up Broken Branch Falls. And Gabe is their scapegoat. With help from friends, old and new, Gabe sets out on a quest for the Book of Ages, which holds the laws of all beastkind and hopefully the key to saving Broken Branch Falls. After all that trouble, it better work.
Add it to your GOODREADS list!
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Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective series, The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP TRAVEL
Tara Tyler started out as a math teacher. After having a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering and living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beastworld (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every good story should have a moral, plus a few laughs!
A BIG SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THOSE HELPING ME WITH THE REVEAL TODAY!! And you can get up to five entries in this fun raffle just for commenting on five of the many cover reveal posts! Today only!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It's time for the highly anticipated, most spectacular cover reveal of the day!
BROKEN BRANCH FALLS (MG Fantasy)by Tara Tyler
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Curiosity Quills
Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the other kids at school, especially the ogres. Gabe’s closest friends are goblins like him, but Gabe is tired of being a goblin – he’d like to try other things. And he has his eye on the new ogress at school. It’s against all beastly rules, but there’s just something about her.
When a prank goes wrong, Gabe is forced to join the football team as punishment – but finds a way to make it work. Soon the whole school is getting in on the fad of mingling with other species. Too bad the adults have to step in and ruin things by threatening to destroy the school and split up Broken Branch Falls. And Gabe is their scapegoat. With help from friends, old and new, Gabe sets out on a quest for the Book of Ages, which holds the laws of all beastkind and hopefully the key to saving Broken Branch Falls. After all that trouble, it better work.
Add it to your GOODREADS list!
Twitter ~~~ Facebook ~~~ Blog
Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective series, The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP TRAVEL
Tara Tyler started out as a math teacher. After having a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering and living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beastworld (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every good story should have a moral, plus a few laughs!
A BIG SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THOSE HELPING ME WITH THE REVEAL TODAY!! And you can get up to five entries in this fun raffle just for commenting on five of the many cover reveal posts! Today only!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
