Meet the Author: Mary Pauline Lowry

Mary Pauline Lowry is the author of The Earthquake Machine. Her life is an adventure, and she believes every girl should have adventures of their own. She has kindly taken some time to answer a few questions.

How long have you been writing?
I've been writing consistently since June of 2000. I wanted to be a writer for a long time before that, but that summer of 2000 is when I really committed to it.

What inspired you to write your first book?
My work as a forest firefighter on an elite Hotshot crew inspired me to write my first book THE GODS OF FIRE, which is based on that experience. The book hasn't come out yet, but it has been optioned for film. I wrote the screenplay and the film is in pre-production. I'm going to wait to release the book until we're a little closer to production on the film. So I decided to release my novel THE EARTHQUAKE MACHINE first, even though it's actually the second novel I've written.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
I think I most relate to the protagonist of THE EARTHQUAKE MACHINE. She's a 14 year-old American girl named Rhonda, but she travels through Mexico alone "passing" as a Mexican boy named Angel, because she knows she'll be safer if people don't know she's a female. I've always loved to travel and have adventures and do wild, courageous things. And I've always tried to push against the boundaries of what's acceptable for women and girls (even though I like to do some traditionally "girly" things, too).

What is a secret about Rhonda that nobody else knows?
At the beginning of the novel, no one knows that Rhonda has learned to speak fluent Spanish by spending time with her family's yardman, a Mexican man named Jesús. And when she's traveling through Mexico alone, no one knows she's actually a girl and an American.

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
I would be a crazy bookworm, but also kind of wild. I would sneak out all the time to go hear fantastic rock shows in all-ages bars and clubs.

What book have you read too many times to count?
I've read the young adult novel WEETZIE BAT by Francesca Lia Block too many times to count. I first read the advance copy when I was 13 years old and as soon as I finished the firstchapter I knew I'd never be the same. I've read the book over and over since then.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
I think the best piece of writing advice I ever received was, "Write first thing in the morning every day." I heard that from James Kelman, who won the Booker Prize for his novel HOW LATE IT WAS, HOW LATE. I also love James Kelman because after he won the Booker Prize he got a job driving a public bus in Glasgow so he could "stay in touch with the people."

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I learned I can get up early in the morning to write no matter what my "day job" is. I've learned I can write and stay committed to my writing whether I'm in the mood to write or not.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When I'm not writing I love to run and lift weights. I always joke that I go to the gym to "get huge" because I like the idea of building muscle and getting strong instead of trying to "lose weight," which magazines and television often encourage women to do. I also love to read and spend time with my girl friends. Lately several of my friends meet once a week to hang out and embroider together. I like to embroider rad designs on pearl snap shirts. I just finished one with Lucha Libre Mexican wrestlers that I love. (I bought the design from embroidery diva Jenny Hart's website sublimestitching.com).

Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
THE EARTHQUAKE MACHINE isn't autobiographical at all, and yet my whole life is in it. The novel is completely fantastical, but also based on so many truths that I believe in. Many fragments of it are true--like my grandma did hire a Mexican man named Jesús to take care of her yard when I was a girl. And when I was 15 I did run away home and I made it all the way to Matamoros, Mexico. (Though I didn't travel across Mexico OR pretend to be a boy). I left my parents a note with a quote from John Irving's novel THE HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE. The note said, "Life is serious, but art is fun!" (Of course I would never ever recommend that girls ACTUALLY run away. A huge percentage of runaways end up being sex trafficked and in other terrible situations. I was just lucky to make it home safe and sound).  But I do advocate that girls stretch themselves to have adventures and make art and support each other in doing these things, because they are not easy.

Thank you for joining us today! We look forward to your guest post here on Thursday!

You can also read this interview on Examiner

To learn more about Mary Pauline Lowry and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Twitter.

Teaser Tuesday: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week is from Delirium by Lauren Oliver:

And suddenly I'm thinking of my mother. My mother had remained uncured despite three separate procedures, and the disease had claimed her, nipped at her insides and turned her eyes hollow and her cheek pale, had taken control of her feet and led her, inch by inch, to the edge of a sandy cliff and into the bright, thin air of the plunge below.

Be sure to check out more books by Lauren Oliver!

Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!

Book Review: The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Thriller)
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Pre-order now! 

Humans are all but extinct, and the only reason Gene has survived as long as he has is because no one else knows that's what he is. Then he gets chosen along with a group of others to go on a hunt for the last humans. As his feelings for a girl, and fellow hunter, start to grow, so do the suspicions of the other blood thirsty hunters, and it becomes increasingly hard to hide that he's human and to keep himself off the menu.

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

That was the blurb from the book that grabbed me and didn't let go. Andrew Fukuda created a completely believable world in The Hunt. Gene is a well developed character.  He spent his whole life hiding his humanity and pretending to be something he's not that when he finally sees real humans, he is completely disassociated from them and uses terms like "it" in reference to them. I enjoyed watching him grow as a human and come to terms with his humanity as the story progressed. With each page, you are living vicariously through Gene as you are kept on the edge of your seat, never knowing what's going to happen next.

To learn more about Andrew Fukuda and his books, visit his website. You can also find him on Twitter and Facebook.

The Hunt will be released May 8, 2012! Pre-order now! 

You can also see this review on Examiner

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda was provided to me by the publisher through Net Galley for review. The opinions are my own.

 

Book Review: Summer of the Brother by Ryan O'Riordan

 

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/Horror)

Oscar never new he had a twin until that twin, Sebastian, was murdered. Fueled by anger and so many unanswered questions, Oscar travels to visit the family and friends of his dead brother who all have secrets of their  own. After Sebastian's body disappears from the grave, Oscar learns his brother may not be dead. Or is he?

With so many "friendly" vampires running around in young adult books, it's almost a novelty to find some good old fashioned vicious vampires these days. Summer of the Brother brings you vicious and then some. The main characters are well developed and believable. The talented young author, throws  things at you throughout the story that you definitely don't see coming. With it's combination of mystery, horror, and a touch of romance, Summer of the Brother is an intriguing story that keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

To learn more about Ryan O'Riordan and his books, visit his website. You can also find him on Twitter.

Summer of the Brother by Ryan O'Riordan was provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own. 

You can also see this review on Examiner

Book Review: Overcast by Ryan O'Riordan

 Genre: Young Adult (Mystery/Adventure)

Overcast is the first book in the The 01:23 Bardo Series by Ryan O'Riordan. After the disappearance of her brother, Rebecca has spent most of her time daydreaming of an alternate reality where her brother is in hiding from a man who wants him dead and together they run around solving mysteries. Before she knows it her own world starts changing, and the things she imagined in her daydreams are making their way into her real life.

Rebecca's daydreams enable her to escape into her own little world and ignore the fact that her brother is missing. In her mind, they are solving mysteries and beating the bad guys, but most importantly they are together again. As things from her imagination start to happen, reality and fantasy begin to mesh together. The unfolding of the story is a fun little fantasy all it's own. Who hasn't wanted to escape reality and live in their daydreams at one time or another? I never really figured out what was real and what was not when it was all said and done, but I do have a theory or two as to what I think could be happening. I guess we'll have to see as the series progresses. Overcast is an entertaining mystery that takes you on an adventure that doesn't stop just because the book ends.

To learn more about Ryan O'Riordan and his books, visit his website. You can also find him on Twitter.

Overcast by Ryan O'Riordan was provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

You can also see this review on Examiner

Teaser Tuesday: Summer of the Brother by Ryan O'Riordan

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week is from Summer of the Brother by Ryan O'Riordan:

The screaming found its way into crying as Janet, completely inconsolably collapsed in a heap at the foot of the grave. The foul stench of death was rising up from the dip in the ground. Oscar looked around at the desecrated scene in horror. He wasn’t sure what had happened but it seemed as though someone had tried to dig down to Sebastian’s coffin.

Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!

The Guardian's Wildchild Blog Tour: Guest Post by Feather Stone and Giveaway!

Feather Stone's Top Ten List

1. Favorite movie/actor/actress?
I love movies but seldom go to the theatre. Hubby doesn’t like crowds. But if it looks like it’s worth a small fortune to pay for tickets and all the goodies, I’m there. The last two movies I saw were Sea Biscuit and War Horse – and I cried through most of the movie. Perhaps that’s another reason hubby doesn’t go with me. I love the old movies on television. Actors like Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Judy Garland, Fred McMurray, Henry Winkler – the list goes on. Some of the more current actors I’ve enjoyed are Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. The formula for a great movie is when the plot doesn’t rely on special effects to grab me. The acting must stand on its own.

2. Favorite song/singer?
Music is my breath, my connection to my soul. I love most music that uplifts or is filled with passion; jazz, blues, country, rock n roll, new age, gospel or someone whistling a melody while enjoying their work. Hubby sometimes whistles while preparing breakfast – what a beautiful way to start the day. While writing The Guardian’s Wildchild I listened continuously to Enya and Loreena Mckennett. Their sound was mystical and it suited many of the scenes I was capturing.

3. Favorite place you would love to visit?
Okay, here’s the short bucket list.

• Whitehorse to see the northern lights

• The maritime provinces to see my ancestor’s home

• The east coast of Vancouver Island to watch the whales

• Return to Nahanni National Park in the Yukon and stay over night

• Return to Egypt and stay for at least two weeks

• Visit family in England and Scotland

4. One item you cannot live without?
My Sheltie, Jasper. It’s hard to imagine going without a being that loves you unconditionally, without the makeup and nice clothes, during dark moods, and is over the moon just to go for walks with me. Hubby and family are wonderful. But nobody looks into my eyes with total love like Jasper does. This was also true for Scotty, another Sheltie to whom I dedicated The Guardian’s Wildchild.

5. Who would you like to meet?(dead or alive)
First person that comes to mind is Sir Ernest Shackleton, explorer. I read the book The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition which described his leadership in saving the lives of his men against impossible odds. The next person I would like to meet is Red Skelton, a man who can tell a gut splitting joke without foul language or insult to any culture. Other persons would be the grandfather I never met, Charlie; and an uncle who was killed in WWII, Stan.

6. Favorite hobby?
Oh, you shouldn’t have asked that! (Hubby is laughing his head off.) Now you’re really in for it. As you can tell, I don’t pick favorites. However, for your sake, I’ll pick what is currently my passion. My animals (one dog, two cats), writing, reading, knitting, playing poker, gardening, photography, studying Islamic culture, watercolor painting (attached is my latest attempt).

7. Guilty pleasure?
Hey, you have to pay me for that info. Okay, I’ll give you a break. Chocolate! I was so
thrilled to learn that it’s actually good for you – in moderation (damn). Then there’s the times I walk in a forest and sit in silence. Being a workaholic, I feel guilty that I should be doing something, anything to keep my hands busy. My dad’s Protestant Work Ethic is firmly entrenched in my psyche.

8. Favorite author and/book?
I’ve read most of Diana Gabaldon’s books and enjoyed her first book “Outlander” more than any other book I’d read before. I’m so busy all the time that when I do sit down to read, it’s usual an easy read like short romance novels. I’ve read some great epic novels. However, I don’t stay attached to anything (the Buddhist influence). I like to stay open to new and different experiences all the time. Life’s too short to limit one’s choices.

9. Do you collect anything?
No, unless you count dust. Housekeeping is low on my to-do list. Now, I don’t live in a dirty house. If company’s coming, Hubby and I can get it ready pretty quick. I just may have to keep the visitors waiting outside while he puts his underwear away.

We are seniors and in the beginning stages of downsizing. Whatever we’ve ‘collected’ in the past is on the hit list unless a relative shows interest. Both of us love art, sculptures and carvings. At one time we thought acquiring art would be a good investment. However, one must sometimes make mistakes in order to grow. We have some beautiful things that will be hard to part with but senior’s homes are generally short on space.

10. Favorite color?
Oh, you’re going to hate me, I just know it. Favorite? Ha! Who isn’t mesmerized by tangerine sunsets/sunrises., or feel the rapture of blue green waters of the Mediterranean. Jasper’s brown eyes and my hubby’s blue eyes remind me that I’m loved. The soft pink in my rose steals away my breath, while white lilies remind me of purity. A green meadow dotted with yellow daisies lifts me above my troubles, and the darkest black night brings quiet and peace. The fury of red, the holiness of violet, the allure of wine – what would life be without all the colors?
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

I am a Canadian. Okay, so you get a vision of a peacekeeper, right? Mountains and wheat fields. Correct! Oil rigs and Inuit communities. Sparkling rivers flowing throughout my nation and cold winters. Give yourself A+. To describe myself, I would have to say I'm as diverse as my beautiful country and its people.

My husband gets a tad testy at times as I have several project in varying stages of completion all the time. These range anywhere from digging up my flower beds, training my sheltie, knitting another afghan, writing another novel, photography, geneology, the list goes on. I'm never bored - and I don't think my husband is. Oh, did I say that I also like to play poker, pretty good at it too.
With all that activity, I also love quiet time, sit in silence in a forest, meditate, and slide into a shamanic dimension.

I have experienced the paranormal since I was a child. Therefore, I don't think of these events as odd. They're gifts and I treasure and hold them as sacred. I met my spirit guide when I was about seven. Later, when I was drowning in a lake and laying on the sandy bottom, accepting death. My guide whispered, "If you stand you can breathe." I did as he beckoned and survived, obviously (LOL). Many times my guides have spoken to me, including my father a few years after he died. Now that was unexpected!

I believe everyone is visited by his/her guide though we are often too busy to notice the stranger offering a moment of comfort or assistance. We are all capable of experiencing the paranormal, if you so choose. Sit in silence once each day, even if only for five minutes. Empty the chatter in your mind. Enjoy the bliss.


To learn more about Feather Stone and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

Book Review: The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone

Genre: Adult Fiction (Paranormal Romance)

Book Summary via Feather Stone's Website:

The Guardian's Wildchild is a story that's unlike anything you've read before. It's not a typical romance story of starry eyed lovers in the throws of passion. No, Sidney Davenport and Captain Samaru Waterhouse are adversaries, at first.

Sidney Davenport is gifted in the paranormal, but carefully conceals her powers from the world.  Even in the crises that threaten her life, she refuses to use her powers of telepathy, telekinesis, space/time travel.  If her enemies discovered the truth of who she is, her Guardian people would be at risk.  She calls upon her spirit guides, Seamus and Celeste, to guide her through a mine field of the insane - Madame and  Captain Butchart.

But, God help Sidney, she can't deny her attraction to the man who has orders to perform her execution - the tall, dark eyed Captain Waterhouse.  He's meticulous, disciplined and trusted by his ship's officers and naval seamen. Captain Waterhouse is walking a fine line between his mother's Buddhist influence and a dark destructive path.  He is about to scrap his higher morals to bust out of his hell.  When a female prisoner is delivered to his ship, he has no idea she is capable of turning his disciplined life into a storm of unimaginable experiences.  His prisoner's enemies, he discovers, are also the ones who hold his life in the palm of their hands.

The ending? Not a fairy tale ending here. But enough said.

The Guardian's Wildchild was definitely very different from anything I have read before. I'll be honest, the whole New Age vibe was a bit of a turn off for me. That's just not something that has ever kept my attention; however the story and the characters drew me in. I thought that the story was both plot and character driven. It was definitely an emotional read. It had moments that made me laugh, moments that made me furious, and moments that brought me to tears. The point of view shifts between Sidney and Sam as well as a couple other characters giving you different perspectives as to what is going on. I felt like I was a part of their world, and was glued to the book until the end. For me, the way a book ends greatly effects how I feel about it as a whole, no matter how good it was before the ending. I was warned it wouldn't be a fairytale ending, but I still had hope.

To learn more about this book and the author, visit Feather Stone's Website. You can also visit her on Facebook and Twitter.

Be sure to check back next week to read Feather Stone's guest post about her Top Ten's as she stops off here on The Guardian's Wildchild Blog Tour!!

Meet the Author: Cat Kalen

Thank you to Bewitching Book Tours for letting us be a part of this tour.  Cat Kalen, author of Pride's Run, has joined us on our tour stop today to answer a few questions.


How long have you been writing?
I was always an avid reader but hadn’t thought about writing until later in life. I went to university and completed a Business Degree and started working in the finance department for Environment Canada. It wasn’t until after my hubby was posted up North (population 800) and I ran out of books that I first tried my hand at writing. I was in my early twenties but I put the writing away, and didn’t pick it up again until my kids started school.

What inspired you to write Pride's Run?
I wanted to write a dark, edgy werewolf story with a vulnerable but strong female protagonist. I write in other genres but there is just something so real, raw and emotional in teens that make the writing and reading journey that much more satisfying to me. I love the character growth and discovery, the way teens face obstacles and how these obstacles change and shape young adults and prepare them for adulthood. I love watching them discover who they are, what they want, and what they believe in.

I love the flaws, and they way teens struggle openly and honestly. They can make mistakes that adults can’t, and we can forgive them for it because we realize they are trying to find out who they really are. Also, writing YA is less restrictive and I can explore issues in YA that I can’t in adult books.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
I’d definitely have to say Pride, because while she’s quiet on the outside she has an inner strength and stands up for what she believes in.

What is a secret about Pride that nobody else knows?
Ooooh, I want to tell you, really I do. But I can’t. That secret is going to come out in the third book!!

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Happy, easy to get along with, go lucky kid who took things in stride and totally hated her parents because they were stupid and had NO idea what they were talking about. LOL

What book have you read too many times to count?
Hunger Games!!!! Love, Love, Love that series and can’t wait for the movie!

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?

Write everyday and hone your craft. Try not to listen to those negative voices, the ones coming from inside your head and from those people who don’t believe you can do it. Surround yourself with positive, like minded people and believe in yourself!

What was one of the most surprising things you learned during the writing process?
I think the most surprising thing for me in writing Pride’s run was how much she spoke to me, how easy it was to bring her to life. I’ve never had a character speak to me quite like she had. Pride is a tortured heroine who has been kept caged her whole life and her struggles touched me deeply. Not only did I care for her, I ached for her and there were times when I was telling her story that my heart broke for her. I put her in grave danger but I gave her the inner strength to fight her way out. Pride is my heroine and she never once let me down!

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love to watch movies with my husband, watch my son play soccer, and either shop or bake with my daughter. I love to get together with friends over drinks and food, and I love to chat with my sister over a steaming mug of coffee.

To learn more about this book and the author, visit Cat Kalen's Website. You can also visit her on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also read this interview on Examiner.

**The First Giveaway!! One lucky person will win tan ebook version of Pride's Run by Cat Kalen!!

How to Enter:
  The Rafflecopter form will guide you through the entry process. 

For your entries to qualify, you MUST complete the first item on the form. Once you do that, you have 1 entry. Plus, there are opportunities for more entries if you choose to fill out the entire form! (The form may take a moment to load.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway ** The Tour WIDE Giveaway! **

Tour! Book Review: Pride's Run by Cat Kalen!!

Thank you to Bewitching Book Tours for letting us be a part of this tour. Pride's Run is about a seventeen year old werewolf, named Pride, has been abused by her drug dealing master her whole life, trusts no one, and to top it off she's trained to kill. Just before her master sends her to hunt another mark, he informs her that she is to be mated. She knows this is her time to run. With hunters and her master's trackers on her tail, her survival depends on trusting a guy she barely knows.

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)

Pride's Run is the first book in a new Paranormal Young Adult Romance series by Cat Kalen. The story is told solely from Pride's point of view. In the beginning, it's easy to see the wolf in Pride that dominates her feral personality. When she meets Logan, she is faced with the decision of putting her trust in someone for survival or taking her chances on her own. Her inner struggles are very realistic. Many people, both young adult and older, will be able to relate to her. As the story progresses, she encounters situations and emotions that she's never faced before, and you start to see her gaining control of the wolf as she learns more about her human side. Logan is a very loveable character. As soon as he entered the scene, I liked him. He has that endearing, protective vibe without being overbearing. A third character worthy of mentioning is Stone. Stone is another werewolf owned by the same master as Pride. He's tough, mean, and is intended as her mate. Stone is someone you love to hate, and he has this clever way of making it harder and harder for you to hate him.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read that reeled me into it's world more and more with each page. Cat Kalen's characters are brought to life so well within the story of Pride's Run. You will form strong opinions and emotions towards each one of them. I'm excited to see what happens in the next book, Pride Unleashed.

To learn more about this book and the author, visit Cat Kalen's Website. You can also visit her on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also read this review on Examiner.

This book was provided by Bewitching Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.

**The First Giveaway!! One lucky person will win tan ebook version of Pride's Run by Cat Kalen!!

How to Enter:

The Rafflecopter form will guide you through the entry process. 

For your entries to qualify, you MUST complete the first item on the form. Once you do that, you have 1 entry. Plus, there are opportunities for more entries if you choose to fill out the entire form! (The form may take a moment to load.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway ** The Tour WIDE Giveaway! **

Have You Seen The Hunger Games Soundtrack Cover Art Yet?

I think the cover looks great! What do you think? I'm so darn anxious to see this movie! I don't know about you, but I'm not going to be able to wait until March!

Source: The Hob

Teaser Tuesday: The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week is from The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone:

Sitting on her bed was a stranger with his arms around her shoulders. Her hand was tightly enveloped in his.

Then, as the physical world began to recede, Seamus' voice had sounded clearer than ever before. He was urging her to return to her body.

"Sidney, my preciousm there's more for you to do."
.

Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!

Book Review: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

 

Genre: Young Adult (Action/Paranormal Romance)

Nora is a teenage girl growing up in New Victoria, a world of the future where, society has decided to re-adopt some of the customs and fashions of the Victorian era with the added perks of technology. After the death of her parents, Nora is put under the care of her aunt who has spent all the family's money and now wants to marry off Nora in hope of gaining more money. Just when she though life couldn't get worse, Nora finds herself fighting the un-dead in her own home. When a second team of Zombies rush in to rescue her from the surprise kidnapping, she learns that not all zombies are crazy and ravenous.

When I learned that Dearly, Departed was a romance involving a human and a zombie, I didn't think it would be a book that I would remotely like. However, I kept seeing such good reviews for the book, and it's almost impossible for me to turn away from a pretty cover, so I gave it a chance. I was surprised at how fast I became involved in Nora and Bram's world. I'll admit the thought of a zombie romance was quite disturbing in the beginning, and when I really stop and think about it, I'm still a little turned off by the "zombie" idea, but I absolutely love Bram. I loved how their whole relationship developed through the story. It was a gradual process, and definitely not a love at first sight situation. Dearly, Departed is not solely a romance. The story has action, adventure, and bits of horror spread throughout it. While it had some slow moments, it was a very hard book to put down. I think people of all genders and tastes would enjoy this book.

To learn more about Lia Habel and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on  Facebook and Twitter.


Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel was provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley for review. The opinions are my own.

You can also see this review on Examiner

The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle Excerpt

Thank you for stopping for for our second date on the Lure of Shapinsay Tour! In case you haven't read The Lure of Shapinsay yet (What are you waiting for?!), here is a little excerpt to tease your further:

A hand slid over my mouth and stifled my scream before I was even fully awake. When
my eyes sprung open, I was ready to be filled with the image of a most ghastly villain, but
instead it was forewarned magick that filled my eyes, and I was filled with awe. A man in the lightest sense of the word, loomed over me with eyes so wide and feral, I thought he might howl to the moon. His words came out rough and breathy. “If you make a sound, I’ll snap your scrawny neck.

Now for the giveaway! One lucky reader has a chance to win an ebook version of The Lure of Shapinsay and a super cute t-shirt! Check it out below!

You know you want one!

How to Enter:

The Rafflecopter form will guide you through the entry process. 

For your entries to qualify, you MUST complete the first item on the form. Once you do that, you have 1 entry. Plus, there are opportunities for 2 more entries if you choose to fill out the entire form! (The form may take a moment to load.) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: Author, Devon Ashley's Favorite Books

We are so glad to have Devon Ashley, author of Falling in Between, with us today as a guest blogger on our second stop on the Falling in Between Blog Tour! So, without taking up anymore time, I'm going to hand over the blog to Devon!

Okay, I love to read an eclectic range of books, so my list of faves may seem a little odd. Or not, who knows!

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - my all time favorite book. Love the tension between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. By far the best romance I've ever read. 

2. Chester by Melanie Watt - It may just be a picture book but I absolutely love how Chester the Cat interacts with the author, and takes his bright red marker to the entire book so Chester is the focus of attention and not the mouse. Very creative! Love!

3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - My fave of the three books, and if I have to tell you why these books are so awesome, you've probably been living under a rock!

4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Love is a sickness? Then label my condition critical.

5. Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - If you're a knitter, this novel will leave you in stitches. Who would've thought there'd be this much yarn humor?

6. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - Nora isn't exactly a strong heroine but Patch is so freakin' hot I hardly notice she's there! Yum!

7. Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey by Alison Weir - You think your family's messed up? This poor girl lost her life cause her money-hungry parents pushed and manipulated their daughter's way to the throne.

8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows by J.K. Rowling - My fave of the series...probably cause I finally got some closure.

9. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown - No, this book didn't make me wanna trace the characters' footsteps or question a bunch of religious beliefs. I just really enjoyed the book.

10. Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin - Alright, I had to add this for my lil' man cause we sure do love this one. :)

Are any of these on your list of faves?

Enter to win a Doodle Graph copy of Falling in Between!!

Unfurl Blog Tour: Interview with Cidney Swanson!

Thank you for stopping by on our date of the Unfurl Blog Tour! Cidney Swanson, author of the Ripple Trilogy, will be joining us today for an interview, and she has a special giveaway for one lucky person!

How long have you been writing?
I started writing stories when I was seven. I could only carve out time for poems and essays in my twenties and my Decade of Giving Birth, but I switched back to fiction about five years ago.

What inspired you to write your first published book?
I’ve always loved the idea of invisibility—Bilbo’s and Frodo’s ring, Harry’s cloak, and some character I can’t remember from the extended Oz series. Rippler came about after I had this clear image in my head of a girl beside a river who disappeared and didn’t realize it.

When you first started writing Rippler, did you plan for it to be a series?
Not right away. At first, I just wanted answers to “Why did this girl turn invisible?” and “Why didn’t she notice that she turned invisible?” But as I answered these questions (by writing the book), I realized that there would be more than one book, especially after the creepy back story with experiments emerged.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Oh, this is such a boring answer! I relate mostly to Sylvia, who is the step-mom of the main character. I’m a mom. What can I say?

What is a secret about Samantha that nobody else knows?
For three months after Will passed her a pink-speckled rock in Yosemite, (because it was interesting-looking,) she kept it in her pocket at all times.

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Nose-in-a-book, consuming endless coffee/chocolate-combo drinks, worrying if I was weird, and carrying a sword. Because anyone with a sword is automatically cool.

What book have you read too many times to count?
Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien; Persuasion, by Jane Austen; The Horse and His Boy, by CS Lewis.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Put your butt in the chair and write. (B-I-C.) Also, write the story you want to read.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That the state of California (among others) sterilized tens of thousands of individuals without their consent in the mid-twentieth century over a course of five decades.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read, of course! I also like to cook and go for tea with friends. And I seriously love to travel.

Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Pretty much all imagination, with one notable exception. In Rippler, I knew that I wanted to include a location I had hiked to when I was a kid (Illilouette Creek.) I actually ended up making a trip to Yosemite just to re-visit that area. It was a good thing I did, because the trail that I remembered as a shady hike had been transformed by a forest fire. I had to completely rewrite the section describing the trail.

Thanks so much, everyone, for the chance to stop by and visit today! Come say hi
anytime!

Thank you for taking the time to visit with us!

To learn more about Cidney Swanson and her books visit her blog or check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

You can also see this interview on Examiner

The Giveaway!! One lucky person will win the WHOLE Ripple Trilogy in Kindle/Mobi format!!

How to Enter:

The Rafflecopter form will guide you through the entry process. 

For your entries to qualify, you MUST complete the first 2 items on the form. Once you do that, you have 2 entries. Plus, there are opportunities for more entries if you choose to fill out the entire form! (The form may take a moment to load.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway