Ten Great Steampunk Novels (you might not have heard of) by M.K. Hobson

 I'm delighted to be part of the Warlock's Curse blog tour which is hosted by CBB Book Promotions. Ms. Hobson's debut novel, The Native Star—the first book in her Veneficas Americana series—was nominated for a Nebula award in 2010. She lives in the first city in the United States incorporated west of the Rockies. Her favorite writers are Theodore Dreiser, Sinclair Lewis, Booth Tarkington, Gore Vidal, and William S. Burroughs. The Warlock’s Curse is her third novel. Ms.Hobson is here today to give us her recommendations for ten great steampunk novels we may have not heard before! To make browsing easier for you, I've included book covers from Goodreads and linked the titles to Amazon.

M.K. Hobson's Ten Great Steampunk Novels (you might not have heard of)

With Christmas coming up, I bet many readers of Books In The Spotlight will find gift certificates for books in their stockings. Well, the readers who have been nice, anyway. And those who have been naughty surely have better ways of getting their hands on books than waiting for some fat man in a red suit to slide down the chimney with a gift certificate. So however you get your hands on them, here’s a list of ten great steampunk books you might want to check out in 2013!

Ironskin by Tina Connolly: The elevator pitch for this one—a “steampunk Jane Eyre with fairies”—really doesn’t do justice to this compelling, lyrical tale. Whether you’re a fan of steampunk or Charlotte Bronte, you’ll like this one.









Mechanique by Genevieve Valentine: A powerful tale set under the big top of the magical Circus Tresaulti. It’s simply chock-a-block with beautiful imagery, such as the mechanical wings which lay at the center of a epic power struggle between two fascinatingly damaged characters.









 Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia: This book as intelligent as it is gripping, set in a in a Russia where the Decembrists' rebellion was successful and the Trans-Siberian railroad was completed before 1854. A prime example of steampunk set outside the by-now-somewhat-yawn-worthy streets and alleyways of “foggy London.”








What Lies Beneath the Clock Tower by Margaret Killjoy: A devilishly delightful “choose your own adventure” steampunk novel with colonialist gnomes, indigenous goblins, and no small amount of political consciousness. This one is as intriguing as it is enjoyable.








 The Falling Machine by Andrew P. Mayer: This “steampunk superhero” book takes place in a Victorian New York powered by the discovery of Fortified Steam, a substance that allows ordinary men to wield extraordinary abilities. Super fun, with a strong heroine.







 God Save the Queen by Kate Locke: I like to take my steampunk with a large helping of magic, and there are plenty of magical creatures in this one. I especially like what Locke does with her goblins.








The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming: I am cheating a bit, because I can’t classify this one as purely steampunk, but I think it will hold a lot of appeal to readers who like steampunk. And it has a beautiful love story, which I think everyone likes.







New Amsterdam by Elizabeth Bear: I don’t think there’s anything Elizabeth Bear *can’t* write—and steampunk is no exception. In this collection of interlocked short stories, hard-boiled sleuth Abigail Irene Garrett contends with Spanish vampires, blood sorcery, and dirigibles in an colonial Victorian America where the Revolutionary War never happened..






The Women of Nell Gwynne’s by Kage Baker: This isn’t really unknown, as it was nominated for several awards, but it’s a novella, so it may have slipped under the radar. The titular women of Nell Gwynne’s not only work at the most exclusive brothel in London—they are also secret agents.







 All Men of Genius by Lev A.C. Rosen: I started this list with a “steampunk Jane Eyre” so it seems only appropriate to end it with a “steampunk Twelfth Night.” I generally go for darker fodder, but this one was sweet and light and fun.








 Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today and giving us new authors and books to discover, Ms. Hobson!

THE YEAR IS 1910. Eighteen-year-old Will Edwards has landed a prestigious apprenticeship at Detroit’s Tesla Industries, the most advanced scientific research center in the United States. It’s a plum prize for a young man who dreams of a career in the new science of Otherwhere Engineering.
But his father doesn’t want him to go. And he won’t tell him why.

Determined to get there by any means necessary, Will finds unexpected support along the way. His old friend Jenny Hansen—daughter of a San Francisco timber baron—is eager to help him for reasons of her own. And so is his estranged brother Ben, who he hasn’t seen in over ten years.

But running away turns out to be the easy part. On the first full moon after his eighteenth birthday, Will is stricken by a powerful magic—a devastating curse laid upon his ancestors by the malevolent sangrimancer Aebedel Cowdray. Will must find a way to control the magic that possesses him—or the vengeful warlock’s spirit will destroy everything and everyone he loves.

 Readers, if you would like to know more about Ms. Hobson be sure to check out the links below:

• Book Website
• Amazon Book Page 
• Amazon Author Page 
• M.K. Hobson's blog  
• M.K. Hobson's Facebook page
• M.K. Hobon's on Goodreads
• Twitter  

Glimmer Tour: Barbara Brooke's Audience

 As part of the promotional tour for Glimmers hosted by Candace Book Blog, I'm very happy to have the author of the book, Barbara Brooke, on the blog. Today Barbara will talk to us about her audience.

Who do you write for? 

   I write for people who enjoy traveling to another time, eating exotic foods and pretending that anyone can attain a superpower. Paige has the ability to “glimmer” into other people’s lives and experience their memories. Her first glimmer takes her into the life of a young girl from West Virginia during the 1980s. I wanted this story to have the same Southern warmth from books like The Notebook and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Paige’s second glimmer throws her into an uncomfortable moment from her sister’s life … and reveals a secret that Paige would rather not know. The third glimmer pulls her back in time to 1818 England, into the life of her great ancestor Emma. Emma’s story is charming and elegant like Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre.
   Through Glimmers I was able to bring elements from some of my favorite books. I was able to explore different personalities and talents through the perspective of four unique women. My taste is eclectic. I adore many styles of writing, as well as an array of settings, personalities and moods. I suspect that I’m not alone when it comes to altering my surroundings depending on how I feel at any particular moment: diving into a specific book, immersing inside a particular movie, devouring certain foods or humming to just the right song. Glimmers was written for women 16 and older, but can also be enjoyed by the fellas. I could name a few men whose eyes welled, just a bit ;) 

  I've noticed that some men are closet romance readers so it's not all that surprising to see them pick up your book. I love the sound of the story within the story feel to your book. I'm also excited to see how the concept of Glimmers work. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara!

A simple touch and suddenly, Paige is in the past - living someone else's life, seeing the world through their eyes, and feeling their deepest emotions.
 Paige used to think memories only existed in one's mind. But now, she knows better. She can't explain how or why, but she has glimmers: special moments that have remained behind - clinging to a letter, a ring, even a worn-out pair of boots.
  When Paige returns from each glimmer, a small part of her has changed. Who is this gourmet cook, fashion designer, feisty lover? And how is she supposed to explain this to her family without them thinking she has completely lost her mind?
  Paige thought her new talent was a gift, until…she was suddenly transported into her sister’s memory, and caught a glimmer of her secret life.

Character Interview: Lucy Day from Dead Girl + Giveaway!

  Happy Monday! I have another wonderful opportunity to introduce you to a brand new author and Lucy Day, the heroine of Deadgirl by B.C. Johnson. Lucy was suppose to have a great time on her first date with Zack. Instead she gets killed and wakes up alive the next morning trying to sort things out. Help me welcome Lucy to the blog and learn about her current predicament. If you're interested to learn more about Lucy, check out the giveaway at the bottom of this post.

  Before we get to the interview, here is the book cover and description of Deadgirl by B.C. Johnson:

Fifteen-year-old Lucy Day falls between the gears in the machinery of the afterlife. She is murdered while on her first date, but awakens a day later, completely solid and completely whole. She has no hunger for brains, blood, or haunting, so she crosses “zombie,” “vampire,” and “ghost” off her list of re-life possibilities. But figuring out what she is becomes the least of her worries when Abraham, Lucy’s personal Grim Reaper, begins dogging her, dead-set on righting the error that dropped her back into the spongy flesh of a living girl.

Lucy must put her mangled life back together, escape re-death, and learn to control her burgeoning psychic powers while staying one step ahead of Abraham. But when she learns the devastating price of coming back from the dead, Lucy is forced to make the hardest decision of her re-life—a decision that could save her loved ones...or kill them.

Hey Lucy. Welcome to the blog! In Twitter style, how would you describe yourself?

Confusingly hilarious, occasionally terrified, slightly less stubborn than a herd of donkeys. Atlanta High School resident student smartass.
 
Who is Zack?

Zack is . . . complicated. We had a mess of a non-relationship our Freshman year. One of those "will they won't they ah crap they messed it up" kind of deals. If either of us had guts or a working head on our shoulders things might have turned out differently.

Zack is smart, Zack is brave, Zack makes me want to be a better person just by being around him. Zack makes me stronger, and I like to think I make him stronger too. I don't know.
 
What was the first thought that popped into your head when Zack asked you on a date?

Probably something like "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." What do you think when you try not to pee yourself? I guess I just couldn't believe he'd finally asked, really. Why had he finally asked? What had taken a year of flirting and significant glances to finally say "Hey Luce, wanna hit the movies? By the way, I want to kiss you."

Unfortunately, your dream date didn't happen, but what did you hope for?

Certainly not for what happened. I don't know. It was my first date - I'm not exactly an expert. A million Julia Roberts / Kate Hudson movies have told me there ought to be flowers, a stunning act of heroism, maybe lips. Yeah, lips. Lips are good. Oh, and maybe the coat-over-the-rain puddle thing. I'm a sucker for the classics. If somehow a puppy could have been involved . . .

What are you exactly?

Lucy Day, fifteen-year-old girl who is completely normal and nothing at all weird happened to her. Some people disappear for a day. It happens.

In honesty? I've heard the word Phantom thrown around, but I don't know what any of that means. My sole source of information is a mute dude. It's less "ironic" and more "terrifically irritating." I tell you this - I'm alive. I'm not a monster. Woe to the person who tries to disagree.
 
Best thing about being re-animated? Worst thing?

Best thing? Not bleeding out in a bank parking lot. I'd call that the incredible upside.

Down side? I guess it's a toss up between "being stalked by a monster made of light" and "never having to sleep." I'll tell you what - sleeping is highly underrated. Do you have any idea how hard it is to fill the time when you don't sleep? I guess I need to take up crochet or sculpting or brain surgery. I've got a LOT of time to kill.
 
What's the most important lesson that you learned so far?

Never give up. Never stop. Never let anyone tell you what you can't be, and never let anyone try to take from you what's yours. All the strength you'll ever need is already there.

There's always a catch with getting a second shot at life, what's yours?

Let's just say that my body doesn't run off sandwichesanymore.

If you could change one thing about yourself it would be...

If I look in the mirror, plenty. Heh. I guess I'd say my heart - I have no ability to hold back. I just can't. I wish I could get a rein on that thing, but I don't think I'm in the driver's seat. I just feel.I love hard, I die hard, and I'm fiercely protective of my friends. I make bad decisions sometimes, I mess up, I leap to spectacularly wrong conclusions. I wish my heart wasn't pumping right there on my sleeve. I guess I'm saying a cold-calculating-logic injection wouldn't go amiss.

What would you like to say or do if you were to meet Abraham, the Grim Reaper, face to face?

I'll go with the "non-profanity" version. I guess it'd be something like: "You just signed up for the hardest gig of your life, buddy. I'm a weed with deep roots, I'm a cockroach, I'm Superman. Good luck you son of - " Sorry. No profanity, got it.

Thanks for stopping by, Lucy, and I hope you figure things out quickly.

  GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is open to U.S. and international readers! Please read the details below:

For U.S. READERS: ONE (1) lucky reader will get 1 (one) signed paperback copy of Deadgirl along with 1 (one) signed bookmark. 

For INTERNATIONAL READERS: ONE (1) lucky reader will get 1 (one) ebook copy of Deadgirl. 

To enter the giveaway, please leave your name and email address so I can contact you if you win. The giveaway will be held until SATURDAY, November 17th. The winners (one U.S. and one international) will be chosen randomly by Random.org and will announced on my blog on SUNDAY, November 18th. Good luck! 

Guest Post: Alternative Britain Setting in "The Substitute" by Holly Barrington

I'm thrilled to participate in Something Wicked Comes, a fabulous event where bloggers and authors celebrate all things creepy during the month of October. The event is hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings and Babbling About Books. Be sure to stop by and visit the busy month long schedule to sign up for awesome giveaways, read interviews from your favorite authors, and discover some great books!
  As part of my participation in the Something Wicked Comes for today, I'd like to share with you a guest post by indie author, Holly Barrington, who would like to talk to us about her alternative Britain setting for her debut paranormal novel The Substitute! Be sure to scroll down to the end of the post to see how you can win a copy of Freak. Below is the pretty book cover and its description:

   My book "The Substitute" is set in an alternate Britain, where Vampires and Mortals coexist more or less in harmony. They live together as part of a single, integrated society, which has been made possible by two significant developments. One is artificial human blood, known as "The Substitute". The other is a drug that renders Vampires immune to daylight.
 Vampires and Mortals work together, play together and become friends. Some even marry, although this is still quite rare. For the most part there is no real difference between the two groups. Vampires are stronger and have superior reflexes, but these have little meaning in everyday life. However, just as in any society, there are always extremists. Those who seek to change the order of things through terrorism. There are of course agencies set up to deal with this issue, just as in our world, and the conflict between the two sides is at the heart of the book.
  This alternative Britain has a similar history to ours, although the book only mentions the First World War onwards. The main differences are the major milestones in Vampire/Mortal relations, such as an agreement known as The Compact, and the involvement of Vampires in the Third Reich. There are a number of reasons why I chose Britain as the setting for my book. Because of the degree of cooperation needed between Vampires and Mortals, based on free will and voluntary participation, the book would not have "worked" in anything but a free, democratic country. It also needed to be set in a country with a long history of integration
and acceptance, with relatively little conflict. And the fact that I am British might have had something to do with it as well.
   From my point of view, "The Substitute" is a reflection of modern, multicultural Britain where the majority get on very well. I'm no George Orwell, though. I didn’t set out to make any kind of social or political statements. I'm just influenced/inspired by such things, and this is reflected in my writing.
   I hope this has piqued your interest enough to want to read my book. I hope you do, and I hope you enjoy it. Thank you so much for reading my post, and thank you, Rummanah, for inviting me!


Thank you for stopping by, Holly!

“The Substitute” is set in an alternate Britain, where Vampires and Mortals co-exist more or less in harmony. However, that may soon be about to change . . .

Emily Brown starts her new job at Pathway Software, and at first everything goes well. She makes new friends there and her bosses are impressed so things are really looking up for Emily. Until her friend is killed. Murdered. The official account said it was a gang hit gone bad, and rumours suggest she had drugs in her possession.

However another, unofficial, report suggests that the bullet wounds were all post-mortem, and the drugs were planted on her in the morgue. It also says that she suffered multiple broken bones, cuts, contusions and…vampire bites. Everything suggests that her friend died a brutal and vicious death at the hands of a number of vampires.

Vampire and Mortal relations are, on the whole, very good. Ever since The Compact, there have been eighty five years of unprecedented peace between the two worlds. But there are some dissenters, the foremost of which are the sinister Circle of Ixiom. And Emily is about to become their bitterest enemy . . .

Character Interview with Jamie from Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite + Giveaway!

 Everyone once in a while I come across a very different book to review. Unfortunately due to my insane work schedule, I'm unable to review many books but I do want spotlight some of the books that I thought my readers would like to read about. Ms. Simon's Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite is such a book that I'm sure will generate a lot of discussion and curiosity. I have Ms. Simon and Jaime on the blog today. I hope you enjoy their interview. Also, if you are interested in reading Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite, be sure to scroll down to enter the giveaway and win a copy of the book!

Lianne: On the front cover is the face of a teenage girl. Would you like to tell us about her?

Jamie: Okay, so I looked a little bit like a girl. But it's not like I wore dresses or makeup or anything. And it was 1970, so lots of boys wore their hair long. Anyway, yeah. Lisa took that picture my first day in college.

Lianne: You look pretty young in that photo.

Jamie: I was sixteen. Some people thought I looked younger than that.

Lianne: You were still a soprano then?

Jamie: Yes, ma'am. When I was fifteen some doctor my mom worked with began giving me testosterone injections. I freaked out when my voice started changing, so I got early admission to college. Nobody at school made me take any more shots.

Lianne: You didn't want a normal male puberty?

Jamie: What's normal about shots? I wanted to be tall and strong and play sports. Like other boys. My brother was six-foot-two and played football. I would have been okay with that, but I didn't want to be four-foot-eleven and hairy.

Lianne: What about a female puberty? Would you rather be a girl?

Jamie: I was never much good at being a boy, you know, but that doesn’t mean I have this strong desire to be a girl. It would be easier. Okay? That’s all. And boys are a lot nicer to me when they think I’m a girl.

Lianne: On the back cover, it looks like there's an old stone house...

Jamie: Yes ma'am. That's the manse on Saint Andrew's Island. The little kid is Rachael. She's the orphan I babysat for.

Lianne: And the cute guy? Was he your boyfriend?

Jamie: It's complicated, okay? Mom made me stay with Sharon after my appendectomy. Sharon was a medical student and she told me I should have been raised female, so I agreed to be a girl for one day. Just one day. But her brother Tyler came home and he thought I was a girl and he was really nice to me. All we did was kiss, you know, but my mom found out and threw a hissy fit. So I had to go stay with my cousin on Saint Andrew's. To get it out of my system, she said.

Lianne: How did the rest of your family react to your being a girl?

Jamie: My sister Alicia always treated me like I was her identical twin. She’s three years younger than me, but we were the same size as kids. When we were little, we shared toys, and clothes, and stuff. My brother Scott wouldn't play with me, because he thought I was a girl. My cousin Kaylah and my sister and I played together. You know--dolls, house, dress-up. My cousin treated me like a girl until I was nine and our family moved away from hers She saw me again when I was a girl over Christmas break and was okay with it, I guess. Mom said I had to stay with my aunt and uncle until I was willing to go back on testosterone. So I spent the summer as a girl, taking care of the little orphan girl Rachael.

Lianne: Did you enjoy that?

Jamie: Yeah. I always kind of wanted to be a mom. And nobody was bugging me about my gender then. Being a girl was okay.

Lianne: How did your father react?

Jamie: Dad wasn’t happy at all. He gave me a list of Things Boys Do and sent me back to school as a boy. He thought I'd find something I liked I could only do as a boy, I guess.

Lianne: Who was the elfin princess?

Jamie: When I was a little kid I had this pixie face, so I thought the girl in the mirror was an elfin princess.

Lianne: Did you know then that you were intersex?

Jamie: My sister and I shared a bedroom, so I knew I wasn't a girl. I was a bit different from other boys down there, too. I had to sit down to pee, but Mom and Dad always said that minor surgery and a few years on testosterone would make me like other boys.

Lianne: And you believed them?

Jamie: Well, I didn't think my parents would lie to me.

Lianne: The doctors put male on your birth certificate?

Jamie:Yeah. They had to put something, now didn't they?

Lianne: But you were born with one testis and one ovary?

Jamie: Yeah, but who cares? I got cancer, so they took them both out, anyway. When I was nine.

Lianne: You had gender issues?

Jamie: I was always me, you know. Mostly it was other people who had issues with my gender.

Lianne: The book is about you becoming more aware of your body?

Jamie: Yes, ma'am. And what happened with my family, and boyfriend, and all. And Rachael.

Jamie was born with a testis, an ovary, and a pixie face. He could be a boy after minor surgery and a few years on testosterone. That’s what his parents always say, but he sees an elfin princess in the mirror. To become the man his parents expect, Jamie must leave behind a little girl’s dreams. When a medical student tells Jamie he should have been raised female, he discovers the life he could have as a girl. The elfin princess can thrive, but will she risk losing her family and her education for a boyfriend who may desert her, or a toddler she may never be allowed to adopt?

GIVEAWAY

Ms. Simon has generously offered to giveaway 2 (two) copies of Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphodite to 2 (two) lucky winners. The books are either an ebook or a print copy of the book. The winners will have the choice of what format they would like. To enter the giveaway, simply leave your name/alias as well as an email address so I can contact you if you win. The giveaway is open internationally and will run until Saturday, September 15th at 11 PM EST. Winners will be selected by Random.org and be announced on the blog on Sunday, September 16th. Good luck!

7 Things That People Don't Tell You About Being a Merperson by Ciye Cho + GIVEAWAY

 Books featuring mermaids and mer-people have been very popular lately. Today I'm excited to introduce to yet a new book that also spins a new take on mer-people. Indie publisher Ciye Cho is here to talk about her book, Florence, and maybe we should reconsider somethings before wishing to be a mer-person. Be sure to check out the bottom of the post for your chance to win a copy of Florence!

7 Things That People Don't Tell You About Being a Merperson

Most people have a deep fascination with mermaids and mermen. Some
people even dream of life below the waves. And why not? Merfolk are
colorful, whimsical, and swim among dolphins. Yet, all things come with
a price, and the majesty of having a tail can come with some unexpected
hiccups. Here are some things that people don't tell you about life as a
merperson:

1) You'll get seaweed stuck between your teeth. A lot of it.
2) Raw fish is a human delicacy. Sashimi 24/7 is just a whole lot of
cold fish.
3) Sleep in a bad neighborhood and you could get eaten by a shark or
covered in barnacles (note: it is rumored that mermaids use special clam
tools to scrape off barnacles--and it's about as painful as it sounds).
4) Talking to animals can be fun. The conversation? Not so exciting.
5) Painting your fingernails underwater can be very, very messy.
6) Ariel gave up legs to be a human. You'll have to give up your
iPhone.
7) Ever tried drinking coffee underwater?

Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.

Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul.

GIVEAWAY

  Ms. Cho is very generous to giveaway 1 (one) ebook copy of Florence to 1 (one) lucky reader! To enter, simply leave your name/alias along with an email address so I can contact you to win. Giveaway will end on Saturday, September 8th. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and winner will be announced on my blog on Sunday, September 9th. Good luck to all those who enter!

Color of Snow Blog Tour: Guest Post by Brenda Stanley

I'm delighted to introduce you to a new author, Brenda Stanley, and be part of the promotional blog tour for Ms. Stanley's Color of Snow. Ms. Stanley is here on the blog today to give us a glimpse of what inspired her to write her novel.

 The Color of Snow has been described as dark or mysterious.  I feel most of my writing fits this description because I enjoy looking at the strange and unusual things in life.  My novel will definitely make some people uncomfortable.  I like to look at situations and issues and try to figure out how people will react.  For years I was a crime reporter, so I enjoy investigating stories and learning about the parts of life most people try to hide.  When I wrote The Color of Snow, I was working on a story about a young girl who went missing years ago and has never been found.  I started thinking about what would happen if she were to suddenly show up now.  I loved putting myself in Sophie’s shoes and seeing things for the first time.

Sophie’s relationship with Damien is both intense and tempered.  Her father has raised her to believe that she will destroy anyone who truly loves her, so she is torn between her love for Damien and her fear of causing him harm.

The story changes between what is going on with Sophie and what happened in her parent’s past that brought her to where she is.  I wanted readers to experience the often isolated feeling of living in a vast rural area, but also the mental confinement of a small town.

Mental illness, teen pregnancy, religious intolerance, and racism are all big parts of The Color of Snow.  I like my characters to face challenges and see them grow from them.  It is not only the conflicts with the other characters that keeps the story going, but also those within the person’s own mind.

I wanted Sophie to be unusually beautiful so that people treated her strangely and therefore made her feel even more alien when she is first discovered.  She has transformed from a tragic kidnapping victim to a mythical ghost from the past and this makes her transition into her new life even more difficult.

My ties to the Mormon Church go back to my great-great grandparents.  I was raised in the teachings of the Mormon religion and even though I am no longer a member, I have many friends and family who are still very active in the church.  My descriptions of the Mormon culture are how I view it and how I feel someone who has never been exposed to it might see it.  I think there are a lot of people who are curious about the Mormon religion and have misconceptions.  I feel I’ve been both candid and fair in my portrayal.

Can a troubled young girl reenter society after living in isolation?

When a beautiful 16-year-old girl named Sophie is found sequestered in a cage-like room in a rundown house in the desolate hills of Arbon Valley, Idaho, the entire community is shocked to learn she is the legendary Callidora--a baby girl who was kidnapped from her crib almost seventeen years ago and canonized in missing posters with portraits of what the fabled girl might resemble. Authorities soon learn that the cage was there to protect people from Sophie, because her biological father believes she is cursed.

Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa’s claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.

To learn more about Ms. Stanley, please check out the websites below:

The Color of Snow web site
The Color of Snow Twitter hashtag

The Color of Snow GoodReads Page

Brenda Stanley's Facebook

Brenda Stanley's Twitter's Twitter
 

Brenda Stanley's Website

Brenda Stanley's GoodReads

Dear Shiloh from Moonlight Mayhem Twitter hashtag: #MMBlogTour

To celebrate the release of author, Sherry Soule’s new YA novel, Moonlight Mayhem, the second thrilling novel in the Spellbound series, we asked her fictional heroine, Shiloh Ravenwolf to stop by. She has started her own advice column “Dear Shiloh”. Since several people have asked Shiloh for help with some “very” interesting questions, she’s generously taken time away from her supernatural studies to answer them. Pasted below are some of the emails sent to her. Enjoy the snark!



Question 1:

Dear Shiloh,
My boyfriend and I have been together for six months and I love him a lot but I think he loves his computer and his X-box games more than me! All he wants to do is play online games. He never takes me on dates anymore. I love him bunches, but I don't wanna feel ignored anymore. I don't know what to do!
Thanx,
Ignored-by-BF

A. Dear Ignored-by-BF,
It’s great that he’s into video games, but he should make time for you, too. If he can’t—I advise you to move on and find someone who appreciates you like my honey, Trent.
Kind regards,
Shiloh

Question 2:

 Dear Shiloh,
I think my house is haunted. Objects move by themselves, I hear whispering and moaning at night, and often the rooms get super cold. Once I saw a ghostly figure in the hallway. It freaked me out. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Scared of Ghosts

A. Dear Scared of Ghosts,
Sounds like your house is definitely haunted. My mentor Evans says that often a ghost simply wants to be recognized and sometimes they like to just hang out. Maybe the ghost really wants to play a game, like Monopoly before he/she ventures into the light. Always remember to be a good host, and even, offer your ghostly roommates some kind of entertainment.
Kind regards,
Shiloh

Question 3:

 Dear Shiloh,

Lately my boyfriend has been acting kinda weird. Sometimes he gets all aggressive, and then he acts all testosterone-fueled. And he seems to be inhumanly strong. One time he got so mad that he actually snarled like a wolf. Plus, he’s gotten a lot hairier, too. Whaddya think’s going on?

Peace out,
Worried Girl


A. Dear Worried Girl,

Well, his odd behavior might be a paranormal dilemma. He could have a serious lycanthrope disorder. Not sure what to tell you about his bad attitude, but you could buy him a bottle of Nair for his hairy bod. Evans told me that were-creatures cannot enter houses of worship or walk on sacred ground. Try taking him to a graveyard or church and if he freaks out—well, then you’ve got major problems, and it might be best to contact either the Paranormal Research Group or animal control.

Kind regards,
Shiloh


Question 4: 

Dear Shiloh,

I think I might have a “Devil’s Mark” like yours. Does that mean I have demon blood inside me? It itches a lot and occasionally the scar even pulsates like a heartbeat. Sometimes when I get upset or mad a ball of flames appears in my hand.
Best,
Super-Worried

A. Dear Super-Worried,
Okay, it could be one of three things. One, you’re possessed by something evil. Two, you were “marked” by a demon named, Esael. Or three, you’re a half-demon, otherwise-know-as a cambion. If its number three, then you should know that in medieval legend, a Cambion is the offspring of a demon and a human. I sure hope it’s something simple like possession. Best of luck!
Kind regards,
Shiloh

Question 5:


Dear Shiloh,
My BFF got hit by a car and we thought she died. But now she talks with an odd gurgle sound, she shambles around school, and she looks all insipid and blue-veiny. Recently, she’s had a weird craving for brains and she smells like embalming fluid. I think something’s terribly wrong with her!
Help me,
BFF Troubles


A. Dear BFF Troubles,
Yikes! This doesn’t sound good. I fear your BFF has turned into a zombie! But on the plus side, I’ve read online that zombies can often be affectionate, but hugging one often leads to, well, having your brains eaten—so you’ve been warned.
Kind regards,
Shiloh


Hope you enjoyed this comical post. Now go feed your mind and read a book! Preferably mine. J

Otherworldly Creatures. Dazzling Magic. Fiery Romance.
Shiloh Ravenwolf thought she was getting used to the strange events in Whispering Pines, until the full moon brings another surge of supernatural threats to her coastal town. Ferocious wolves, deadly necromancers, and shambling zombies have descended upon the neighborhood, so Shiloh needs to gain control of her magical abilities—fast!
    It sucks that she has a crippling fear of the dark, which for a demon hunter can be an epic problem.
When her classmates are attacked by a mysterious creature and her father is murdered, Shiloh vows vengeance. Forcing her phobias aside, she forms an unlikely coven of supernaturally gifted teens to help her eradicate this menace. Except that's not all Shiloh has to worry about. She’s battling a different monster within herself and struggling not to become the very thing she fights: evil.
But with demon blood inside her—anything can happen…Moonlight Mayhem is the second novel in the unforgettably epic Spellbound series.

For more information check out these sites!

Sherry Soule: Official Website 
Official Blog
Official Spellbound Series Universe
Twitter @WriterSherry
Goodreads


Thank you so much for hanging with Shiloh and me today. It’s been an honor to reveal a little bit about one of my favorite characters with all of you. If you haven’t seized your copy of Moonlight Mayhem yet, please do so. More thrilling adventures await you!

Guest Post: Jolene Perry

  As part of the promotional blog tour for Jolene Perry's latest novel, Knee Deep, I'm delighted to provide you a guest post from the author herself as she discusses her inspiration for her book.

Sometimes a story is more personal than you expect it to be. I read an article in an online newspaper that talked about the YA books coming out that year which dealt with abusive relationships. I'd part mapped one out a while back, and thought maybe I'd work on it - all evidence that the market had just gotten an influx of them didn't sway me the way it should have… The more I wrote in the story, the more personal it became.

  I was not ever hit by my boyfriend in high school. He never screamed and yelled at me - though I heard him trashing his room a few times when I left after an argument, and he didn't hesitate to show me when he was pissed about something. He'd pick fights with me over the phone and hang up, knowing it meant I'd sneak out to "straighten things out." There was one really horrible night with him that I'd blocked from my mind for a long time, that I remembered when I was writing, so I used it.

   I see these cases my husband talks about with women who are beaten and bruised and making up excuses and going back over and over. One ended in murder a couple of weeks ago. A case my husband will be prosecuting when it goes to trial.

   The abuse story I told is nowhere near that dramatic, but so much of Ronnie's story was mine. WAY more than I realized while I was writing it. When I got to the end, and started writing down the parts of her story that were real (I always do this for my author site), I realized more and more how much of me was in that girl. I stared at my computer screen in shock.

   I had one of my best friends, who was a guy, who I shared more with than I probably did to most of my girlfriends - (like Luke from Knee Deep) and a boyfriend I'd known since I was a kid (like Shawn from Knee Deep) And I felt this draw to my boyfriend, only because I'd known him for so long, not because we really had anything left in common.

   I felt more like I was stuck in this relationship, and didn't even realize I didn't want to be there until I visited a friend in college and saw how much more LIFE was out there. It was just that the idea of this one person had been in my head for way too long. And where did I end up? Married to the best friend.

   People talk about writing what you know, and then talk about keeping yourself out of your books. But you know what? I KNEW that situation - and I know I'll get some bad reviews (like you always do - ESPECIALLY when you tackle a tough topic) that are going to say that Ronnie's actions weren't believable.

   But here's the thing - I told her story, the best way I knew how. Ronnie's reactions with pieces of my truth. And there are some drastic differences, but there are also some startling similarities. So, to me, Ronnie's actions were completely and totally understandable.

  And that's the story of how Knee Deep came to be.

 Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.
   Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.
  Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.



 For information about Jolene Perry, please check out the following links:


Jolene Perry's Facebook

Jolene Perry's Twitter

Jolene Perry's Website

Jolene Perry's Blog

Jolene Perry's GoodReads





For information about Knee Deep, please check out the following links:


Knee Deep web site
Knee Deep Twitter hashtag

Knee Deep GoodReads page


Kindle buy link

Nook buy link

Google buy link

Smashwords buy link

PDF buy link  

Lies Beneath Tour: Word Associations with Calder

  As part of the Lies Beneath promotional tour hosted by The Teen Book Scene, I'd like to welcome Calder to the blog today. I sent Calder a few words and asked him what was the first thing that came to his mind. I will say that I'm definitely curious about his answers and I'm sure there's a story lurking there somewhere. I hope you enjoy!

Water - Home

 
Love - Foreign Movies

Family - Mysteriously Cool Thing When It Works

 
Betrayal - Unavoidable

Revenge - My Sister Maris

 
Purpose - To Make Things Right

Laughter - Hungry

 
Sadness - Black

Happiness - Pink

 
Peace - Dream On

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him. (Cover and description courtesy of Goodreads)

Guest Post with Simmer author Kaitlyn Davis!

 I'm pleased to have Kaitlyn Davis, the author of the upcoming book Simmer on the blog today. Since paranromal romance is still the rage in pop culture, I asked Kristin which paranormal romance world (book, TV, or movie) would she like to live in. Here's her answer and we would love to hear about yours!

   I want to go to Hogwarts!! I want a wand to choose me, I want to play Quidditch, I want to step on platform 9 ¾, I want my own owl and I want magic! Okay, I know Harry Potter is not a paranormal romance, but it is definitely the book I would live in given the chance. I think J.K. Rowling does an amazing job of bringing the setting to life and creating a hopeful world where dreams always have the possibility of coming true – to me that is irresistible!

 But, if I had to stick strictly within the paranormal romance genre, I would have to say I would want to jump into the pages of the Vampire Academy books and become a Moroi! First, I think the elemental magic is awesome! I would definitely specialize in water magic and would be right alongside Lissa and Christian learning how to fight Strigoi, even if it was technically against the rules! Second, I love the idea of the academy. Maybe I’m a nerd, but I love school and I wouldn’t want to live in a world where I had to give that up. School is where you make your best friends, meet your significant other and have a ton of fun! While many of the teenagers in the world of the Vampire Academy books grow up fast, they still have a childhood. Third and final, I want my own sexy dhampir bodyguard! Dimitri is one of my favorite fictional characters and I wouldn’t mind having a forbidden romance with someone like him ;)

   The only downside to the Vampire Academy world is the Strigoi, but I like to believe I would have been fighting with Rose and Lissa to take them down. I love a strong female lead and those girls would definitely be my friends!

 What about you guys? What paranormal world – book, television, or movies – would you absolutely love to live in?

Slowly, like a whisper almost blown away in the wind, two words streaked across her mind: "Kiss me."

Kira may have survived the eclipse, but her troubles are far from over. She's headed to Sonnyville with one goal in mind: to learn more about her parents. But with Luke and Tristan competing for her heart and Diana gunning for her head, time is running out on the search for her mother. And the closer Kira gets to answers, the more terrified she becomes. The conduits fear her, the vampires fear her, and Kira is starting to wonder if maybe they're right...

 To learn more about Kaitlyn check out the following links:

• Kaitlyn Davis' blog
• Kaitlyn Davis' Facebook
• Kaitlyn Davis' Twitter
• Kaitlyn Davis' Pinterest
• Kaitlyn Davis' Goodreads

 

To learn more about Simmer check out:

  

•  Simmer on Goodreads
•  Simmer blog tour site
•  Kindle Link
•  Smashwords Link
•  Nook Link 

This or that with Huntley Fitzpatrick

  I'm delighted to have Huntley Fitzpatrick, the author of My Life Next Door, stop by the blog today. If you're in the mood for a really good summer romance read, be sure to pick up My Life Next Door. This or that feature allows us, the readers, to get to the know the author's preferences. Below are Ms. Fitzpatrick's responses to my questions. Enjoy!

Mass or CT? I’ve loved both at different times and in different ways. What I love about both is living on the coast near the ocean.

Calvin O'Keefe from A Wrinkle in Time or Laurie from Little Women?  Oh, Calvin all the way. He really GETS Meg right from the start, completely accepts everything about her and stands by her. I think Laurie was a little more in love with the idea of Jo than he was with Actual Jo. And he gave up on her and went off and married her sister! Still haven’t forgiven him for that.

Favorite Shakespeare film adaptation: Branaugh's Hamlet or Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet? Romeo and Juliet is more fun to watch, but I think I’d pick the old Zefferelli version, even though Romeo has a bathing suit tan line in a key romantic scene.

Biking or walking?  Biking is great---it’s always felt a little like flying to me. But the slow-down-and-appreciate part of walking is wonderful. Plus you can walk and talk with friends, which is harder with biking. My daughters and I love to take this five mile ride to the beach, but we stop all the time to comment on things we see or thoughts that strike us, so I’m not sure how aerobic the whole experience
is.

 Revision or free write?  Both in different ways. Free writing and having characters do unexpected things and turn the plot in surprising directions is exhilarating. But going back over the tangled first draft and getting it right (hopefully) is satisfying in a completely different way.

Can't leave with out: cell phone or computer/laptop?  I have an unhealthy attachment to my laptop. I take it everywhere. My husband jokes that it’s like the suitcase with the nuclear codes the POTUS has to have with him at all times.

 Work preference: home or café?  Home. I can’t focus on my story when I hear all these other potential ones going on around me. I can’t work with music in the background. It’s hard for me to write if another person is in the room. Our pets, of course, know this and the minute I sit down at my laptop, the three cats and the dog all charge into the room and drape themselves around.

Coke or Pepsi?  Diet Coke. Way too much when I’m on deadline.

Instant love or slow burning romance?  Both can be amazing. The times I really fell were instant, but then with a long slow burn til we figured things out and were sure of one another.

Love and lost or not love at all? Love is always worth it. Always.

 Thank you for stopping by Ms. Fitzpatrick! I completely agree with you on Calvin. He is my first book boyfriend I've ever had. Still miffed about Laurie. Did he really have to pick Amy?!

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

Character Interview: Garrett Reese from Cornerstone by Misty Provencher

   Today I'm thrilled to be part of the promotional tour for Misty Provencher's Cornerstone. The book has been receiving rave reviews from some of my favorite bloggers! Check out Candace's, Missie's, Heidi's, and Heather's reviews just for a sample. Or better yet, check out the entire Cornerstone blog tour and win a copy of the book for yourself! Due to my time constraints, I wasn't able to review Misty's book, however, I got the next best thing: an interview with the irresistible Garret Reese, the heartthrob and one of the most talked about book boyfriends of this year. Not convinced? Just take a look at Missie's Book Boyfriend post below!

Image and link: Missie's MBB post

Hey, Garrett. I'm having a hard time in believing no other blogger has snagged you yet. I, uh, mean for an interview. You're causing quite a ruckus around the blogosphere. People have already claimed you as being theirs. How does this make you feel?   

Really?  Wow, I'm flattered.  I guess I should let them know though, I'm taken.  I've been seeing Nalena Maxwell.  

 *Laughs* Yeah, that's so not going to stop them. Just take a look at the traffic over at Missie's blog post.  *Looks at Garrett for one or two heartbeats* Wow, you really do have liquid blue eyes. *Blushes* So, um, you and Nalena go to the same school where you are a senior and she a junior. Why did it take you three years to finally approach her at the library? And where were you all those years when she was bullied?

  *Drops eyes*  That's a tricky question, but I'm glad you asked.  Some people have really wrong ideas about what happened with that.

   I'm part of a community called the Ianua.  That means that I've dedicated myself to abide by certain principles, one of them being a vow of  complete respect of other members in my community.  Going against these principles can result in being separated from the Ianua, which means losing everything - the material belongings are the very least of it.    

 In Nalena's case, her mother, Evangeline, had separated herself from the community before Nalena was even born.  We know why she did that now, but it's a harsh decision that no one would make unless they were desperate.  Nalena lived in a different school district, and even though I knew of Evangeline's family because of what happened, I didn't really know Nalena until she moved into our district and started attending Simon Valley, earlier this year.  Once I saw her, well, if you've seen Nalena, you understand.  Remaining dedicated to the rules of my community became nearly impossible.

 The problem for me was that Evangeline requested that the community would have no interaction with her daughter.  I had to respect that request, whether or not I agreed with it, but don't think I wasn't around.  I couldn't stop everything that came Nalena's way, but I stopped everything that would have physically hurt her.  I justified what I did by telling myself that Alo Evangeline would have been grateful for my intervention, but there was no way of knowing.  She could have just as easily asked for my separation from the community and it would've been granted.  

  By the way, I've been in libraries much longer than Nalena has and I've yet to meet a guy like you. I must be doing something wrong. There is some obvious romantic tension between you and Nalena. Don't look at me like that. It's written all over your face when I say her name. What were your first thoughts that popped into your head when you saw her sitting in the library? What draws you to her? 

 

 It'd be easy to say it was the way she looked, but it wasn't that.  *glances, grins*  It's a person's way that matters.  She could be the hottest girl on Earth, but if she's conceited or shallow, who wants to be with that?  

  My first thought, when I was walking toward her, was absolute relief.  I knew what was going on, that the danger had resurfaced for both her and her mother, and I was more concerned that she'd catch me lurking at some point and flip out on me.  I finally went to the Addo directly and asked if I could have permission to get in closer to Nalena.  He allowed it, due to the circumstances.  

 Walking down that library aisle was the easiest thing I'd ever done.  Every step closer to her made me feel more relaxed.  More alive inside.  I don't think I can describe it.  When they say you just know?  They're right.    

 

What is your idea of a perfect day? 

 

Easy.  Nalena and I hanging out together and the whole world at peace around us.  If I can't get perfect, I'll just take the first half and call it a day at spectacular.    

*Ticks off on one a hand* You're popular, athletic, smart, gorgeous, and ooze charm. Basically, you're perfect. There's got to be a dark side to you. What makes you tick?  

 

*Grins*  Wow.  I'm really not all that, but thanks for the vote of confidence.  *laughs*  I work hard to stay in the moment and stay centered in my life (my brother, Sean, would be so happy to hear that I said that...so don't tell him, alright?  *grins*).  But now I wish I had an impressive dark side!  

 What makes me tick is simple: commitment to family, friends and community.  Justice, honor.    

Thanks so much for stopping by Garrett. Do you have any parting words for your fans out there?

 I'm grateful for the attention, but sorry, ladies, I'm taken!