P.J. Hoover's Blog, page 46

July 20, 2011

DANYELLE LEAFTY and THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA! Giveaway!

I'm beyond thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for Danyelle Leafty today! In case you haven't heard of Danyelle or THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA, then sit back, and read all about it!

And wait! You can win THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA! All you have to do to enter is comment on this blog post by the end of the day, Saturday, July 23rd, 2011! That's it! So easy. So simple. So magical :)


*****

PJH: I love how you are publishing The Fairy Godmother Dilemma! What made you decide to bring out TFGD in such an amazing and unique way?

DL: I had been looking for a way to do this off and on for a while, but couldn't figure out how to do it until I stumbled on Tracy Hickman's Scribe's Forge method.

I've always loved the ideas of serials (except for the part of me that *needs* to read the last page before I start the book), and I liked the idea of releasing my novel as a paid subscription. I was also very intrigued at the idea of having forums to touch base with readers and offering extra content throughout the subscription.


PJH: What has been the funnest thing about having your book out in the world?

DL: The funnest thing has been getting out and doing this even though I'm a quivering mess of jelly sometimes.



PJH: How about the most challenging? Or has it all been sunshine and lollipops?

DL: I wish!

The most challenging thing (besides the whole website tech debaucle—note to self, I do not speak Computer) has been facing my own insecurities. I'm finding there are a lot of them and they like to talk. A lot.

Which is why I appreciate the incredible support I've received. I was very nervous at first (still am in ways), and the interest and kind words have been life savers. It's also been a very humbling experience to know that other people are reading my story, meeting my characters, and visiting my world. All of which makes me strive harder to give my very best.



PJH: What's the funnest part of marketing for you? Least fun?

DL: Strangely, the funnest part of marketing has been coming up with marketing plans. I've never considered myself good at marketing, but it's been a blast coming up with ideas. A close second is putting myself out there and being able to meet so many awesome people. And the third is writing the weekly Fairy Notes and updating the Compendium of Fairy Godmothering Terms.

The least fun is the time attending to marketing takes away from actual writing time.



PJH: If you had to give five reasons why someone should read The Fairy Godmother Dilemma, what would they be?

DL:
Think of the old adage: forewarned is forearmed. THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA can give you some ideas on how to deal with your own fairy godmother when she (eventually) pops up. (Fairy godmothers are not known for their punctuality. Cinderella, for example, had to wait a good number of years before hers surfaced. Word is that Snow White's still waiting.)Who doesn't love a good transmogrification? THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA has at least four.I'm slightly biased here, but I think the story rocks!The price of the Collectable Subscription may last for about 1/4 of a tank of gas (depending), but the story will last forever. (Or at least until the gamma rays the scientists have been predicting hit Earth and fry all our electronics. But even then, you'll still have the hardcover, so you're covered.)For all those wondering what it's like to be a fairy godmother and how they handle the many dilemmas they face, you need wonder no more. You have questions, THE FAIRY GODMOTHER'S DILEMMA has answers.*****

About The Fairy Godmother Dilemma:

Sixteen-year-old Breena doesn't want to leave the faerie queen's court, and she doesn't want a fairy godmother. But if she has to choose between the two, she'd leave the Faerie Realm over getting bossed about by a faerie with a pointed stick any day. Unfortunately, her attempt to evade her fairy godmother gives her growing pains in the form of fur, whiskers, and a tail.

Turning into a cat is the least of her worries, though, because the potion wasn't meant to bring out her inner feline, it was meant to put her to sleep. Forever. If Breena wants to make it to her Happily Ever After, she'll have to accept that sometimes having a fairy godmother makes all the difference in the world.



About Danyelle:

Danyelle Leafty writes MG and YA fantasy. In her spare time, she collects dragons, talking frogs, and fairy godmothers. She can be found discussing the art of turning one's characters into various animals, painting with words, and the best ways to avoid getting eaten by dragons on her blog. Her serial novel THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA can be found here. You can contact her here.


Check out the full blog tour schedule!
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Published on July 20, 2011 05:00

July 18, 2011

SOLSTICE TOUR PART 2!

Summer is flying by, and it's already time for the second part of my SOLSTICE blog tour, this time hosted by The {Teen} Book Scene! There are so many fun blog posts, I can't wait!





SOLSTICE tour details:


Monday, July 18: Character Interview at I Read That 2

Tuesday, July 19: Author Interview w/ Book Line Answers at Lindsay Writes

Wednesday, July 20: Review at C A Marshall

Thursday, July 21: Author Book Picks: Childhood/Teen Years at Caught Between the Pages

Friday, July 22: Tens List at Just Another Book Addict

Monday, July 25: Character Interview at Reading Vacation

Tuesday, July 26: Review at The Fiction Enthusiast

Wednesday, July 27: Guest Post at A Backwards Story

Thursday, July 28: Review at Taming the Bookshelf

Friday, July 29: Author This or That List at Ivy Reads

Monday, August 1: Character Tweets at That Hapa Chick

Tuesday, August 2: Author Interview w/ Music Lyric Answers at C A Marshall

Wednesday, August 3: Review at Lindsay Writes

Thursday, August 4: Author Book Picks: Current at Lost for Words

Friday, August 5: Tens List at My Reading Room

Monday, August 8: Character Interview at Naughty Book Kitties

Tuesday, August 9: Review at Caught Between the Pages

Wednesday, August 10: Teenage Garage Sale at The Fiction Enthusiast

Thursday, August 11: Review at Lost for Words

Friday, August 12: Character This or That List at Taming the Bookshelf





Hope your summer sizzles!
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Published on July 18, 2011 08:04

July 15, 2011

THE RETURN OF THE MONSTERS!

You've waited a year for their return. Now they are back and scarier than ever. Watch out. Lock your doors. Beware of the return of the monsters!

(also, this could what I do with my time when I'm trying to entertain my kids.)



And in case you missed it, here are the monsters from last year. Yikes!



Enjoy! And happy weekend!
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Published on July 15, 2011 12:22

July 13, 2011

ASTRONAUT ACADEMY: ZERO GRAVITY by Dave Roman

Book Review brought to you by my 10-year-old son.

I (PJ - the mom) was thrilled to meet Dave Roman at ALA and pick up this book at the recommendation of my friend E. Kristin Anderson who raved and raved about it. So happy I did. My son finished it within a day and highly recommends it to anyone who loves graphic novels, space stories, and fun.

****

ASTRONAUT ACADEMY: ZERO GRAVITY by Dave Roman (First Second, June 7, 2011)


(From my son...)

I would recommend ASTRONAUT ACADEMY: ZERO GRAVITY to kids from about third grade to adult. It's full of fun and adventure. My favorite part was the flashback where Hakata (the main character) fought the birds. This book is guaranteed to make you want to forget about playing the iPod or Wizard 101 and read all day.

*****

Bottom line - If you have a kid, buy this book for them. If you don't have a kid, buy this book for yourself!

From Amazon:

Hakata Soy's past life as the leader of a futuristic super team won't stay in the past!

The former space hero is doing his best to keep his head down at Astronaut Academy. Things aren't going so great, though. The most popular girl in school has it in for him. His best friend won't return his calls. And his new roommate is a complete jock who only cares about Fireball.

Hakata just wants to make a fresh start. But how will he find time to study Anti-Gravity Gymnastics and Tactical Randomness when he's got a robot doppelganger on its way to kill him?

Source of book: Bought at ALA

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Published on July 13, 2011 08:04

July 11, 2011

CONTEST WINNERS!

Thank you to everyone who entered to win these two awesome books!

The winner of SASS & SERENDIPITY by Jennifer Ziegler (Delacorte, July 12, 2011)



is...
MRS. HEISE!

*****

The winner of THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic, October 18, 2011)

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is...

ALICIA BALENTINE!

*****

Look for more giveaways coming soon!
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Published on July 11, 2011 19:14

July 6, 2011

ASHES by Ilsa Bick

If you're like me, these days I read lots of first books in series, but it's rare when I actually care enough to want to pick up book two and run with it. So when I finish a book and really can't wait to find out what happens next, I relish that feeling. Enter...

ASHES by Ilsa Bick (Egmont, September 6, 2011)


The day after I finished ASHES, I had the joy of meeting Ilsa in person and helping her celebrate ASHES at ALA. In addition to being a fellow Star Trek lover, Ilsa was smart and savvy and completely easy to talk to. Her book rocked, and I was able to tell her so in person.

Ilsa Bick has a few things mastered.

First, this girl can torture her characters. And though I love each and every one of her characters, I completely appreciate the fact that they need to go through these tough circumstances. The world has faced an apocalypse. And yes, there are zombies. Torturing characters is necessary.

Second, Ilsa is the master of the cliffhanger chapter endings. While reading, I kept saying I'd go to bed at the end of the current chapter, but I was unable to put the book down.

Third, like I mentioned, these characters are worthy of our caring. They make us want to see them survive because they deserve to survive. I'm only sad because I know they all can't.

Do yourself a favor and pre-order ASHES. You will want to read this the day it is released (unless you're lucky enough to read an ARC like me). Highly recommended for boys and girls, seventh grade and up.

And, for fun, here is Ilsa talking about ASHES and her main character Alex.



Source of book: From publisher at TLA

From Amazon:

It could happen tomorrow . . .

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.
Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it's now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation.
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Published on July 06, 2011 20:12

July 5, 2011

JULIET IMMORTAL by Stacey Jay

Of course I'm a huge fan of the love story of Romeo and Juliet. But what if they didn't die like you thought? What if they were actually turned into beings that hunted and killed each other and were immortal? Enter...

JULIET IMMORTAL by Stacey Jay (Delacorte, August 9, 2011)


Yes, Juliet is immortal. And so is poor Romeo. But they don't love each other. In fact (and I use this word sparingly) they hate each other and have for centuries. JULIET IMMORTAL is a clever book that takes everything we ever knew about Shakespeare and turns it upside down. It's filled with love (but not between who you might think), adventure, deception, betrayal and pretty much everything else that makes for a page-turning story. I recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy, paranormal, twisted classics (that should be a genre, right?), and romance. You'll find yourself with white knuckles while reading, smiling at the end, and always wishing for more. And because Barnes & Noble is so excited about it, the release date has been pushed up a month to August!

From Amazon:

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.


Source of book: From publisher at TLA
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Published on July 05, 2011 06:30

July 4, 2011

A BLAST FOR MEGG JENSEN AND ANATHEMA!

I'm so happy to feature today someone I've just met recently and am thankful to consider my friend. Megg Jensen is a fabulous author and has written some books I highly recommend you check out. And I have to laugh as what totally started my friendship with Megg was something in her Facebook profile. Think you can figure out what it was? (I'm pasting below)
YA Novelist at My LaptopStudied at University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignLives in Chicago, IllinoisMarried
Knows Sarcasm (Fluent), Parseltongue, elvish, KlingonAnyway, enough on the Star Trek nerdom that I revel in...Megg is the author of the CLOUD PROPHET TRILOGY of which the first two books are out (third book comes out this fall!).

ANATHEMA by Megg Jensen (February 4, 2011)
OUBLIETTE by Megg Jensen (June 2011)



ANATHEMA has a fantastic first chapter that really hooks the reader into the world, and the rest of the story easily keeps you there. I read ANATHEMA in two days only putting down the Nook when the kids demanded my attention (yes, you know how kids are). OUBLIETTE is next on my list, and I can't wait to find out what happens to Reychel and her world. For me, what really set ANATHEMA apart was the fact that it is not a standard paranormal. Instead, it had more the feel of a high fantasy, but with a fresh, more modern taste to it.

And check out the book trailers!






From Amazon (for ANATHEMA):

Forget prophecy. Make your own destiny.

Sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape, slave girl Reychel dreads her fifteenth birthday - when her master's symbol is burned on the back of her bald scalp. Her best friend disappears the night before, leaving her to face the branding ceremony alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for Reychel's help.

Can Reychel learn to believe in herself?
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Published on July 04, 2011 14:25

June 30, 2011

TRADING CARDS HIDDEN VIDEO

Thank you all so much for all the SOLSTICE support! I mentioned I have awesome trading cards for the book, and each trading card has a QR code to a bonus extra for SOLSTICE. You can request these on the trading card page, and I'm handing them out at author events I do, also.

After each extra has been hidden for a while, I'm going to make it public, so today I give you a bonus vlog I made for SOLSTICE.

It's MYTHOLOGY 101, and I'm thrilled to have my writing group from THE PLACE star in this fun, informative, and slightly crazy video.

If you've every been curious about how exactly Pegasus and a bunny are different, then this video will answer your questions.

And definitely notice the backgrounds. THE PLACE has so many cool places to film. My favorite is E. Kristin Anderson's scenery :)

Enjoy!


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Published on June 30, 2011 18:50

June 29, 2011

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater ARC Giveaway

I'm thrilled to offer up for giveaway an ARC by my awesome agent-sister, Maggie Stiefvater!

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic, October 18, 2011)

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From Amazon:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shiver and Linger comes a brand new, heartstopping novel.

With her trademark lyricism, Maggie Stiefvater turns to a new world, where a pair are swept up in a daring, dangerous race across a cliff--with more than just their lives at stake should they lose.


Source of ARC: From publisher at ALA

The contest will run through midnight on Tuesday, July 12th, 2011!


For your chance to win, you have to follow this blog. That gets you one entry.
+1 entry - Follow this blog
Extra entries are here:
+ 1 entry - Tweet about this contest. See button at the top of post for an easy tweet!+ 1 entry - Blog about this contest. + unlimited - Do something nice for SOLSTICE. You know, like buy it (for $2.99, email me the receipt), tweet about it, blog about it, send it chocolate and roses. I'm not particular. And let me know in the "Other" section!

Okay, that's it! So click away on the above links, and then fill out the form below. Thank you! And don't forget I'm also giving away:


SASS & SERENDIPITY
by Jennifer Ziegler (Delacorte, July 12, 2011)
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS


*****

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Good luck!
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Published on June 29, 2011 20:49