Book Blitz|Author Interview|Giveaway: Becoming: The Balance Bringer by Debra Kristi



Author: Debra Kristi
Release Date: March 9th 2015
Publisher: Ghost Girl Publishing


Ana’s world is falling apart. What she thought were dreams start entering her waking life. Eerie shadows hunt her. Her dream guy becomes reality. And strange new abilities begin developing. Ana is becoming something other.She is determined to find answers, but where to turn? Her mom and best friend are keeping secrets. Her older sister is dead and exists only in her dreams. And her younger sister thinks they are goddesses.Above all else, dark forces will stop at nothing to crush Ana – to keep her from restoring balance. To keep her from…becoming.Is love and blood and sisterhood enough to stop the dark secrets and power from destroying her? - Goodreads

Buy Links:
AmazonBarnes & NobleKoboSmashwordsiTunes

About the Author:

Live in reality. Play on the other side. 

Debra Kristi is a paranormal and fantasy writer. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two children and and three schizophrenic cats. She’s a full-time kid chaser, video game maker's wife, and muse prompted writer. Unlike the characters she often writes, she is not immortal and her only super power is letting the dishes and laundry pile up. When not writing, Debra is hanging out creating priceless memories with her family, geeking out to science fiction and fantasy television, and tossing around movie quotes. 

“She writes because the dead girl told her to.” 


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Interview:

Tell us about your latest book.
What happens when a high-school senior discovers everything she knows about her life is a lie? As Ana Janssen’s true nature blossoms, the secrets and deceptions she’s lived under begin to fracture, sparking her quest for the truth. An outcast at school, she’ll need to rise to her calling―her destiny―and learn what it means to become the Balance Bringer. She’ll need to find a way to accept her new found responsibility, step away from the life she’s always known, and allow the becoming. Can she stay the course without getting distracted by life events, or worse yet, guys?

How do you develop your characters?
Interestingly enough, I talk to them, interview them, and get to know them through their backstories. It’s through this process that a visual begins to take form. In Ana’s case, I started a daily journal where she wrote down her thoughts regarding daily events that took place a couple of years prior to the start of her story. For Ryland, Jaden, and Dohlan, I worked out their lineage and early year experiences, all major points that went into making them the individuals they are in the first book of The Balance Bringer Chronicles.  

Are your characters based on real people? 
Yes and no. A few of them are based on real individuals and then tweaked and had different life experiences added. Since experiences help make a person, adding or taking away major events in one’s life helps shape any one character more precisely, thereby drawing them away from the original mold. Some of my characters are purely fiction, a creation of life events, morals, values, religious beliefs, faults and strengths put to work. Can you tell from reading the story which characters are which? 

Did you always intend for Skylar to be "unlikable" in the beginning or did she just come out that way?
Skylar was always intended to be that individual starving for attention. We see her existing in a world of mirrors, where she sees herself at the center of everything. Her actions make her unlikable, but deep down she’s just another broken soul striving to find herself and her happy path. 

What has been the most challenging part of this whole process and how did you overcome it?
I’d have to say, believing in myself and my story telling ability. Sure, I’ve taken plenty of writer courses and workshops but it doesn’t stop doubt from creeping in. Learning is a marvelous thing, yet it can only take you so far without a natural talent for creating an engaging story. 

What did you learn along the way? Anything you wish someone had told you? Any advice for aspiring authors?
I learned that writing isn’t always fun. A dedication is required, the result, writing even when you don’t feel like writing. It’s work. It’s stressful, even painful, but rewarding if you stick with the process. The best advice I have for aspiring authors is the same advice you’ve heard time and time again. Write, write, and write some more. You’ll only get better and gain confidence in your ability, the more words you add to your résumé. 

Where did the idea for the book come from?
That’s a difficult question to answer. One day the story simply started writing itself. In the beginning it was extremely different from what it is today, but it clearly had a life of its own. Day after day, year after year, it kept talking to me, developing characters and adding to the storyline. Things I did, places I went influenced parts of plot, and it was obvious it was neither going away nor allowing me to ignore it, so eventually I had to bring it to fruition. 

Who and what inspire you to write?
My sister was the one who inspired me to write. Believe it or not, the inspiration came after her death and spilled onto the page. My pseudonym is a combination of my name and her name together. 

Each author has his or her own inspiring journey. How did you begin writing?
You’ve probably heard similar stories before. My characters started chatting in my head and wouldn’t shut up until I wrote their story. That was before my son was born, he’s almost fourteen now. I was so green back then and had no idea if I could write or if it was something I even wanted to do. I decided to enroll in a correspondence writing course and got promising feedback. But then the kids came along and everything came to a screeching halt for several years. When my youngest was old enough to allow me a few hours of extra time, the characters started right back up where they’d left off. Things began rolling like a snowball downhill after that. I sat through a local writer’s workshop, found twitter, ended up in a blogger’s course, became a member of RWA, so on and so forth, and many years later I ended up here―a much better writer and storyteller.  

What has been the most pleasant surprise about writing? How about an unexpected down side?
The biggest surprise: My stories don’t suck, and can’t get enough writing time. When I was young, I never envisioned myself as a writer, yet here I am! The downside: my house looks like a hurricane aftermath crisis zone and my refrigerator is almost always in need of stocking. 

Do you write your books in order?
Yes and no. I generally write my actual books in order. Although I may drop back and write a prequel later (as I have planned for this series). If you are referring to the chapters, I have been known to skip a chapter or scene and come back to it later when my muse doesn’t need to be forced and things flow more organically. 

What advice would you give writers who aspire to be published?
Write. Every day, write. Learn your craft, network, and set up a platform. Today’s publishing world is far different than it was five, even two years ago. There are so many more options open to you. Make sure you approach the venture as a business and don’t rush. Get critique partners, beta readers, and don’t forgo the editors: content, line, and copy. They will make all the difference in the end. 


Thanks for another fantastic interview, it’s been a pleasure. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you helping me get the word out about Becoming: The Balance Bringer by sharing a bit of space on your blog. Big thanks to the readers, as well. You are the reason we do what we do!

Giveaway:
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Blog Tour | Review : The Assassin (Mortal Beloved #2) by Pamela DuMond





Author: Pamela DuMond
24180925Publisher: Pamela DuMond
Publication Date: July 5th 2015
Source: ebook (Xpresso Book Tours)
Rate:



Summary:

"I was a Messenger: I kept the memory of all our encounters, our lives, like a locket that brushes the skin and bones covering my heart. But Samuel was a Healer: he didn't time travel. His kind lived, died, re-incarnated, and he didn't retain memories from his past lives. Every year I landed in required starting our relationship over: from ashes, from scrap...
Every place I journeyed had beauty as well as darkness; all my time-travels were bittersweet." Madeline.
Madeline’s a Messenger: time traveling across lifetimes and delivering messages that could change one life or many. When she discovers that her true love, Samuel, is alive in present day, but doesn’t remember her from their past, she journeys to a deadly royal conflict in medieval Portugal hoping to rekindle his memory. Mortal assassins as well as dark-souled time travelers seek to kill her. Will Madeline and Samuel be together again in life—or only in death?  - Goodreads

THE SEEKER (Mortal Beloved, Book Three) publishes Winter 2015/2016.

Deviate (The Light Key Trilogy #2) by Tracy Clark


*This review contains spoilers for the first book.*


Author: Tracy Clark
22392755Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: March 3rd 2015
Source: ebook (given by publisher through YA Bound Book Tours and Netgalley)
Rate:





Summary:
Tormented after a daring escape, Cora Sandoval must find a way to stop the Arrazi from murdering innocent people and from violating, using, and killing the Scintilla for their powers. She must also accept one bitter betrayal: Finn Doyle—the Irish boy who has both a piece of Cora's heart and soul—is Arrazi...
On the verge of extinction and sought by those who would either consume or destroy them, Cora and the remaining Scintilla survivors must solve the mystery of The Light Key. If they fail, the truth will stay buried forever and mankind will pay the ultimate price.
No longer will she hide.
No longer will her loved ones be hunted.
And she will have her vengeance...even if she shatters her heart in the process.- Goodreads

Review: Scintillate (The Light Key Trilogy #1) by Tracy Clark



Author: Tracy Clark
18050015
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: 4th February 2014
Source: ebook (given by publisher through YA Bound Book Tours and Netgalley)
Rate:





Summary:
Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and they were living in Ireland. Since then, her dad has been more than overprotective and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she suddenly sees around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—instead, she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.
As she realizes the danger associated with these strange auras, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves, and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.
There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…and end her life. - Goodreads

Book Blitz | Excerpt | Giveaway: Cutlass (Cutlass Series #1) by Ashley Nixon



23555863Title: Cutlass (Cutlass Series #1)
Author: Ashley Nixon
Publication date: April 23rd 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Notorious pirate Barren Reed has one thing on his mind: Revenge against the man who killed his father. So kidnapping his enemy’s fiancé seems a perfect plan…until he actually does it.
Larkin Lee is more than a pretty face and fiancé to a powerful man. Her fierce personality is enough to make any pirate want to push her overboard.
But when the King of the Orient comes to Barren with a task—to find the Bloodstone, a powerful gem thought only to exist in legend, Barren sees another opportunity to destroy his enemy. Together, Barren, Larkin and a crew of pirates set off to find the stone, only to discover it caused the death of Barren’s own mother and Larkin’s, too. As his strongest allies turn into his greatest enemies, and the life of the girl he kidnapped becomes more important than he ever dreamed, Barren’s quest for revenge becomes a fight to save the Orient.

Cutlass will be FREE on the day of the blitz (2015/09/19), and Flintlock (book 2) will be 0.99c

The Author:
Ashley was born and raised in Oklahoma, where the wind really does sweep down the plains, and horses and carriages aren't used as much as she'd like. When she's not writing, she's hard at work on her Master's degree in Library Science and Information Technology, working out, or pretending she's Sherlock Holmes. Her obsession with writing began after reading the Lord of the Rings in the eighth grade. Since then, she's loved everything Fantasy--resulting in an unhealthy obsession with the 'geek' tab on Pinterest, where all things awesome go.

Excerpt:
Barren gazed at the crowd, sifting through the faces. While he wasn’t sure who he was looking for, he could only imagine what sort of wife William would need. A woman who was slight and meek, someone who didn’t like to stand out in the crowd, or speak up—obviously—or she would not have agreed to marry William. Then again, perhaps Barren was not giving this mystery woman enough credit. Perhaps she saw William as a way out of a situation. Either way, he felt sorry for her.
Barren heard Leaf chuckle and he looked at the Elf. “I think you have no idea who you are dealing with.”
Leaf pointed toward a circle of people. Barren’s eyes shifted there, and his breath caught. What he had expected was a fragile girl—someone slight, doll-like, and silent. This girl was not so. The first thing he took in was her strength. It radiated from her like warmth from a hearth. She stood straight with her shoulders back, an observing eye upon everyone. Then he drank in the features composing her beauty. Almond-shaped eyes gleamed with emerald irises that shone like sun on the green sea. Her smile, while charming and beautiful, had something mischievous about it. She had high cheekbones, blushed with pink and long, dark curls decorated with white flowers falling down her back and over her shoulders. Her dress, crimson in color, was unlike the others, hugging her hourglass figure like it was made on her. Barren could not have thought up a more beautiful girl, and no one around her compared.
A smug smirk crossed Leaf’s thin lips.
“What am I supposed to do with her?” asked Barren. His thoughts were all muddled. He had forgotten why he was here, or how he had intended to attract this girl’s attention. Could he even do that?
Leaf laughed. “Oh, you silly boy, we won’t make it out of this one alive, will we?”
Barren glared at the Elf. “Don’t tell me you expected her! How could she ever agree to marry my brother?”
Leaf shrugged, still smirking. “Ask her.”

Giveaway:


And there's a second book in the series click in the picture to go to the Goodreads page:



Review: My Soul Immortal (Fated Eternals #1) by Jen Printy



Author: Jen Printy
20727560
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Publication Date: February 15th 2014
Source: ebook (given by author and publisher)
Rate:



Summary:

An endless love, for an endless price.
Jack’s immortality is exposed when he prevents a liquor store heist, forcing him to flee to protect his secret—a secret not even he understands. But when he meets Leah Winters—a mirror image of his decades-lost love, Lydia—his very soul is laid bare. He begins to question his sanity. Is she real, and if so, what does that mean for Jack and his secret?
Jack’s not the only mystery man in town. A stranger named Artagan hints at knowledge Jack is desperate to possess. But can he trust Artagan, or does the dark newcomer harbor deadly secrets of his own?
As Jack’s bond with Leah grows, so does the danger to her life. Jack must discover just how much he is willing to risk in order to save the woman he already lost once. - Goodreads

The Feelings of a Book Addict During the School Year

Hi guys! Today I'm have a fun post for you! It's a little collection of the feelings we, avid readers, have during the school year and some of the struggles we have.
Enjoy...

1. When a new book comes out and you don't have any money... because you spent it all in food and school supplies.

2. When you want to bring your current read to school and it wont fit in your bag.
source: www.mashable.com
3. When you're in the school corridor reading and everyone thinks you're strange and you're like:

4. When something bad happens in a book and you're trying not to cry in public... which is freaking hard....

5. When realise you gained weight because you just sit down and read in your free time.
6. When you find out that your test was delayed which gives you the time to read that new realease you're praying for.
7. When you're studyin and you tell yourself  "Just one more chapter..." and end up reading two or three books instead.
8. When you have to read boring books for school when you could be reading something much better...
9. When you stay up all night reading and can't get up the next day.
10. When hot guys say reading is sexy. (Just saying it, it hasn't happened yet but it might happen... even if it is in my dreams)

11. When you see a guy that looks like one of your book boyfriends.

 This is the end... for now!
I think this is already very long but if you like it I'll make a second installment (or more). If you have any suggestions or can relate to any of the things I listed above please tell me in the comments!

Love, Ana

Review: Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum



Author: Amy Plum
9462812
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 10th 2011
Source: ebook (purchased)
Rate:



Summary:

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.
When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.
Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again - Goodreads

Review: The Messenger (Mortal Beloved #1) by Pamela DuMond



Original Title: The Messenger's Handbook
16240528
Author: Pamela DuMond
Publisher: Createspace
Publication Date: April 10th 2012
Source: ebook (Xpresso Book Tours)
Rate:



Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Madeline's meant to fall in love with Samuel in every lifetime. But she meets him for the first time when she accidentally time travels into the past—hundreds of years before she's even born.
Their relationship is forbidden—Samuel's half Native, Madeline's white. Every rendezvous they share must be secret. Each moment they spend together tempts the odds that they'll be discovered and brutally punished. But their love is fated—they musk risk all. Danger intensifies when Madeline learns she's in the past not only to fall in love, but also to claim her birth right as a Messenger—a soul who can slip through time's fabric at will. She can bring messages that change one life or even save many.
Deadly Hunters, dark-souled time travelers, crave Madeline's powers and seek to seduce or kill her. Can Madeline find her way back to the future in time to save herself and Samuel? - Goodreads

Doon (Doon #1) by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon


Author: Carey Corp , Lorie Langdon
17745703
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: August 20th 2013
Source: ebook (purchased)
Rate:




Summary:

DOON…
Veronica doesn't think she's going crazy. But why can't anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes? When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months.
But the Scottish countryside holds other plans.
Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna's great aunt—and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation. Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica's daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they've longed for...or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

Review: Betrothed (Betrothed #1) by Wanda Wiltshire



Author: Wanda Wiltshire
17975557
Publisher: Pantera Press
Publication Date: July 1st 2013
Source: ebook
Rate:



Summary:
Amy Smith has always known she was different. Severe allergies, fragile health and taunts at school have made life an endurance test for the adopted seventeen year old.
When Amy starts having strange dreams, everything changes. Night after night, she becomes trapped in a shroud of black - a void of silence but for a male voice calling for a girl named ‘Marla’.
One night, the darkness clears, Leif is revealed and Amy discovers that she is the girl he has been searching for.
Immediately the two are swept up in a passionate yet forbidden love. Leif isn’t like the other boys Amy knows. Breathtakingly gorgeous, he speaks with her telepathically … not to mention, he can fly …
Desperate to find a way to be with her, Leif tells Amy of the terrifying threat to his Fae homeland, the danger to the people, and of an unforgivable betrayal to his King. He urges her to seek her true identity…. But Amy is confused... isn't it all just a dream?