Release Party: Frost by Kate Avery Ellison! Dream Cast with Lia + G!veaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

Frost

Kate Avery Ellison

In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person might end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone. After monsters kill her parents, she must keep the family farm running despite the freezing weather and threat of monster attacks, or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and treachery just one wrong step away, she can’t afford to let her emotions lead her astray. So when her sister finds a fugitive bleeding to death in the forest, a young man from beyond the Frost named Gabe, Lia surprises herself and does the unthinkable.

She saves his life.

Giving shelter to the fugitive could get her in serious trouble. The Elders have always described the advanced society of people beyond the Frost, the “Farthers,” as ruthless and cruel, and her village has nothing to do with them. But Lia is startled to find that Gabe is empathetic and intelligent…and handsome. She might even be falling in love with him.

But time is running out. The monsters from the forest circle her farm at night. The village leader is starting to ask questions. Farther soldiers are searching for Gabe. Lia must locate a secret organization called the Thorns to help Gabe escape to safety, but each move she makes puts her in greater danger. Is compassion—and love—worth the risk?

DREAM CAST: LIA

• Age - 18

• What they are wearing or tend to wear – homespun clothing, a ragged, pale blue cloak, a knife, boots, snow blossoms necklace (to keep the monsters away)

• Hobby – doesn’t have time for hobbies, but if she did, it would probably be reading

• Best memory – A time when her parents were still alive and everyone was safe and well. Her mother was teaching her brother Jonn to play the wind flute, and her father was teasing Ivy about her animal rescues.

• Worst fear – losing her siblings to relocation because she can’t meet quota and run the farm on her own

• 1 thing they would do differently if they could – she would change the way everything operates in the Frost so that her brother could have gotten medical care when he was injured as a kid, and so she and her siblings didn’t have to work so hard.

Lia is roughly eighteen years old. It was hard to find an actress that I felt adequately represented her—she is pretty but not a supermodel. Her skin is fairly pale and she has brown-blonde hair. She’s the kind of girl that most people wouldn’t notice right away—she isn’t physically stunning, but there’s a quiet, steely determination and strength in her eyes that sets her apart from everyone else. I think Hannah Marks would work well for the part if she dyed her hair a little lighter, almost to a reddish-blonde-brown.

Typically Lia wears homespun dresses with a pale blue cloak to keep her warm. Like everyone else who ventures out into the Frost, she wears a necklace strung with blue snow blossoms to keep the monsters away.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Avery Ellison loves long walks, late night phone calls, and reading while it rains. She thinks ice cream cake is the perfect combination and she has a love/hate relationship with the sultry climate of her hometown, Atlanta. FROST, her third book, is a YA fantasy/dystopian tale of love, sacrifice, and suspense.

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

You can win 1 Frost-inspired artistic print signed by the artist and the author
Giveaway is open for US & Canada Residents Only

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[Cover Reveal] Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

Astarte’s Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

e-book

Expected publication: July 2012

A Kythan Guardians Novella

Prequel to Destiny’s Fire

MY THOUGHTS

OHHH MY GOSH!!! Isn't this one BEAUTIFUL Cover? Tell me you didn't like it? I definitely love the purple hue and of course the cover model! She looks stunning, I mean WOW! I read Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe last January and I just love it! If you want to read my review you can find it here. I can say that Destiny's Fire was one of my best read for so far, I cannot wait for this prequel to come out. Since this is a prequel I believe there won't be any Dez and Jace which broke my heart since I definitely love them both. But knowing new characters would be fun, I can't wait to read more about the Kythan's. This book comes out this July so watch out for it. If you haven't read Destiny's Fire I say you do cause its definitely worth the read!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Kythan Astarte vowed to free the Kythans from the binds that enslaved them to the Egyptian pharaohs and sorcerers. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls...This is the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarian her duty, he’s the son of Cleopatra, and he’s…human. All of which makes their love forbidden.

But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar, Caesarian’s own father, creeps its ways into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythans free themselves of their servitude, or protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.

EXCERPT

Whenever the sky bleeds, covering the once-blue pallet with crimson, and the bright ball of fire burns through billowy puffs of white, staining them and the earth in hues of red-orange and amber…and ash floats on a non-existent breeze, I know the Narcolym Guardians are waging a battle.

            Shuttering my window, I unloose the hemp thread, and a sheer curtain veils the sand-covered horizon from my vision. My fingers trail the cream fabric, the tips tracing the darkening clouds against the light material as my other hand curls into a fist by my thigh, dousing the swirling vortex rising up at the charge in the air.

            “Star…?”

            Astarte, I correct inwardly, but pinch my lips closed. “Yes, Habi?”

            Habi’s footsteps echo throughout the mud-brick room as he approaches. “It’s time…”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trisha Wolfe is the Young Adult author of the Steampunk/Paranormal Romance novel DESTINY'S FIRE. Her short stories have appeared in literary journals, Fantasy magazines, and anthologies. Her first novelette UNVEILED can be found anywhere ebooks are sold. She's represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA Management.

Blog |  Website |  Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Youtube

Thank you to Trisha for allowing me to post this on the blog <3

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[Cover Reveal] League of Strays by L.B. Schulman

League of Strays by L.B Schulman

Expected publication: October 1st 2012 by Amulet

MY THOUGHTS:

The cover is gorgeous! League of Strays sounds very dark and promising. The dark/purple hue complements the whole cover. The cover models are awesome choices. I like the girl, I think she did a great job being scared/worried while being captive by the guy. The font face and size of the title is also a great plus for the cover. What I could suggest is that maybe they could add an author blurb at the top? it seems plain so maybe a blurb would do. All in all the cover looks amazing and I cannot wait for this book to come out! though you need to wait 6 months more for this beauty to hit the stores! 
 

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE COVER?

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Charlotte Brody, a lonely 17-year-old student at a new school, receives an invitation to join The League of Strays, she's intrigued by the group's promise of "instant friendship." The League does provide companionship--and even a love interest--but Charlotte grows increasingly uncomfortable with its sinister mission to seek revenge against the bullies of Kennedy High. When escalating acts of vengeance threaten to hurl her down a path of remorse, Charlotte must choose between her new friends and the direction of a future she's never fully considered.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

L.B. Schulman writes middle grade and YA fiction, contemporary and fantasy. She lives in California with her husband, two daughters, two dogs and a pet rat. L.B. used to be an Internet writer back in the day, publishing many aricles on parenting. She also wrote for Parents magazine once, before she realized her calling was to spend hours every day locked up inside her own imagination. L.B. also writes screenplays. Okay, screenplay...but it did reach the semifinals of the Page International Screenplay Awards. Oh, and she also has a black belt in Taekwondo. L.B. is agented with the amazing Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency..

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Lauren Oliver Philippines Book Signing Event!

I know it's really late but I've been hold up with all the school stuff so I'm going to post this now and tell you about my experience in meeting Lauren Oliver, the New York Times Bestselling Author of Before I Fall.

Hmm how do I start this...

The moment National Bookstore announced that they'll be bringing Lauren Oliver in the Philippines for a Book Signing I was literally excited! I've read Delirium last year when it was released and I love it, like really really love it and now that the second book (Pandemonium) is released and the author is going to have a signing here I was excited to meet her!

(taken from National Bookstore Facebook Page)

The signing was held at Powerbooks Greenbelt 4 and can I just say how jam packed the event is? here's a picture courtesy of National Bookstore.

(taken from National Bookstore Facebook Page)

The event started a little bit late but we were there early because we didn't want to get late for the registration which started at 1pm. It was worth the wait, I even got to meet Kai @ Amaterasu Reads, Precious @ Fragments of Life, Louisse @ The Soul Sisters and Dea @ Teen Readers Diary.

( Me, Precious, Kai and Dea)

The event started and Lauren answers some questions regarding Delirium, Pandemonium, Before I Fall, Liesl and Po and a future book! I really wished that National Bookstore would upload the video of the Interview but until now I haven't seen any... though Kai @ Amaterasu Reads did some live tweeting of the event so here are some of her tweets!

If you cannot be inspired by the world you live in, then you're not paying attention. - @OliverBooks
— Kai A (@amaterasureads) March 25, 2012

Write as much as you can until it becomes a habit. - @OliverBooks
— Kai A (@amaterasureads) March 25, 2012

You cannot be a good writer if you're not a good reader. -@OliverBooks
— Kai A (@amaterasureads) March 25, 2012

Lauren's new YA realistic fic book is called 'Panic', w/c is like Before I Fall on the wrong side of the tracks! #LaurenOliverBookSigning
— Kai A (@amaterasureads) March 25, 2012

Crowd laughed. Alex will never be played by Justin Bieber! #LaurenOliverBookSigning
— Kai A (@amaterasureads) March 25, 2012

Requiem will be told in 2 points of view. Lena and someone else! I wonder who... #LaurenOliverBookSigning
— Kai A (@amaterasureads) March 25, 2012

Now tell me you're not excited with Panic? and for some additional info Lauren said that on the way to the signing she was reading the script for Delirium! So are we expecting some casting news soon? Well I hope so...

(Lauren signing books c/o Jayjay)

The event was really great and had so much fun, it was a first time experience and I definitely had a great time. Big Thanks to National Bookstore and Powerbooks for organizing this event! I do hope you get to bring Cassandra Clare next or even Suzanne Collins! haha well we can all hope!

Lauren left a little message for her Filipino fans!

I do hope she comes back for Requiem!

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[Cover Reveal] Water by Shauna Granger

Today I reveal you the Cover of the Third Book of The Elemental Series by Shauna Granger.

Cover was designed by Stephanie Mooney.

SYNOPSIS

Shayna's first surfing session of the summer is interrupted by the screams of a mother who has lost her little boy in the water. Without regard to her own safety, Shayna swims out, rescues the boy, but must escape the clutches of something far worse than she could have ever imagined – mermaids.

Compelled to answer the sirens' call, the boys of Shayna's town are drawn to the sea, but when they return are afflicted by an unknown illness, a sickness which is draining them of their life force. Unable to tell anyone about the mermaids, Shayna and her friends are forced to solve the mystery before it's too late, and in doing so, Shayna will finally have to face the full force of her powers. Whether she’s ready or not, she will have to face her true nature.

This is a YA Urban Fantasy by Shuna Granger! If you haven't checked the series out make sure you do!

 

The Book Blog Tour will run July 23-27, 2012. Review blogs that fit the age group and genre interested in participating in the tour may sign-up here.

WHERE TO FIND THE AUTHOR

Shauna Granger's Blog

Facebook: Shauna Granger

Twitter: @dyingechoes

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[Blog Tour] Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout #PureTourJLA

 

Today is a very exciting day! I'm posting Seth's Point of view on Half Blood where he sees Alex for the first time! Now if you've read Half Blood I'm sure you'll be excited to read this! Without further a do I bring you Seth's POV!

            Bored out of my ever-loving mind, I stared at the backs of the Council Guards and wondered for what was probably the thousandth time, how in the world did I end up in this speck of island. I was the Apollyon, not a damn babysitter, but here I was, guarding the prissiest Minister I’d ever seen.

            If the man flicked his wrist at a Guard one more time, I was going to break it.  

            I had no idea why I’d been summoned to do this.

            There were daimons to hunt down and kill. Pures to monitor and make sure they were behaving. Girls to chase…

            But I was stuck on an island about the size of my foot. The ocean smelled of seagulls and feet. There were way too many mortals close by and classes weren’t even in session. Pickings would be slim, if nonexistent…

            Minister Lucian halted. Like a domino effect, all those Guards came to abrupt stop, confused by why they weren’t heading into the main Covenant building. Their gazes bounced off one another like distressed little hamsters.

            I didn’t even fight the grin.

            “Seth?” Minster Lucian looked at me over his shoulder. “You will join me in the Dean’s office.”

            Doing my best to feigned interest, I nodded and wondered if I’d get to hit something in the Dean’s office or if they’d be showing a movie…

            There was a pause and something shone in the Minister’s obsidian gaze. “My stepdaughter will be there…”

            Is she hot? That’s what I wanted to ask.

            “She can be a bit… incorrigible, but you may find her of interest,” he said, then turned and started walking.

            If she was hot and down for some fun, then I’d probably find her of interest, but as I watched the Minister and his Guards head into the Covenant, I wondered if this was some kind of twisted Match.com? If so, I was not going to be happy about that.

            Muttering under my breath, I followed them into the large building. The Covenants may look different from the outside, but they all looked the same from inside. Statues of gods, a lot of pures that looked like brooms were stuck where the sun didn’t shine, servants, and a slew of half-bloods.

            But the moment one foot stepped inside the cool building and the shadow of the Muses fell over me, unease blossomed in my stomach. Something… something wasn’t right here. I couldn’t quite place what it was, but I knew.

            At once, the marks of the Apollyon started to tingle. Power hummed over my skin, sudden and inexplicable. Tiny hairs on my arms rose as the marks started to prick and burn, not painfully but different…The cord snapped alive in me, in the center of my being. Akasha flared to the tips of my fingers and for the first time I thought I’d lose control and zap some hapless half gawking at me. And they were staring, because they knew, just like the pures did, what I was.

            Something… someone was different.

            I knew it in my core.

            My eyes skipped over the identical faces—all of them awed, of course—as I followed behind the caravan of self-importance. There was a tall bronze-haired boy and another that was blond beside him. I almost skipped over her—almost.

            She stood beside the blond, shorter than the rest of the halfs lined up. Abnormally short for a half-blood—barely five and half feet if I had to guess, and her long, brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail except for one strand that had slipped free.

            This girl—this half-blood was trying not to look at me, doing everything in her power to deny the urge, but she couldn’t deny it. None of them could.

            Her chin lifted and our eyes locked.

            I was caught off guard, as if I should know her somehow—did know her, but I didn’t, because I remember that face anywhere. What she lacked in height, she surely made up for in the looks department.

            She was beautiful in odd way.  Like one of those poisonous exotic flowers.

            Round face with high cheekbones, eyes wide set and incredibly large and lips… yeah, she had great lips. 

            Then she sucked in a harsh gasp, her skin visibly paling.

            At first I didn’t understand why and then I felt them—the marks of Apollyon bleeding across my skin, itching down my arms, and then spreading like wildfire. They tingled as they swirled, making signs of all-powerful words.

            Gods. That had never happened before. I didn’t know why they were going crazy, but it was such a raw and primitive reaction and there was nothing I could do to stop them. And it had something to do with this girl. What, I didn’t know, but they were reacting to her.

            For an instant, I almost thought she saw them, but that was impossible. No one other than the Apollyon could see the marks and there were only one Apollyon per generation.

            When I passed her by, I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. What the hell just happened? I fought the urge to look over my shoulder as we left the lobby. It was harder than I imagined and that more than ticked me off.

            She was just a girl—a half-blood.

            And I was the Apollyon.

            My eyes lifted from the back of the Guards and met the Minister’s. He smiled in a secretive way, and I knew that moment, that the unease I had felt when I first entered the lobby had something to do with the Minister… and something to do with the girl waiting back in the lobby.

ABOUT THE BOOK

PURE BY JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

So what can you say about Seth's POV? Tell us about it in the comments!

If you want to know more about Jennifer Armentrout's works you can visit her in the following sites:

Official Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Thank you Valerie @ Stuck In Books for including us in the tour.
You can see the full list of participants here!

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The Hunger Games Advance Premiere!

Before I start telling you about this wonderful experience, I would like to thanks the sponsor of this event mainly JackTV and National Book Store. This even won't be possible without them so Thank You so much!

Tuesday when National Book Store posted a Twitter contest to win two passes for The Hunger Games Advance Premiere. The instructions were simple you just need to tweet this sentence "#NBSHGtix I want to watch The Hunger Games by @NBSalert." and tag along some of your twitter friends. I was excited to join when I did, I owned it for sure! I just want to say sorry for those I spammed on Twitter! I intended to win, thank goodness I didn't get bombarded with angry tweets. I'm sure you guys would understand! It's The Hunger Games tickets at stake!

When the winner was announced I was jumping with joy cause I won! and so I won two tickets for the premiere which led me and my classmate to Glorietta to watch the premiere! (which was an adventure since I believe its our first time going there)

See how ecstatic we are when we claimed the tickets!

While claiming the tickets I believe I saw where Lauren Oliver will be doing her Private Lunch Party!

They were preparing the venue already yay!

The premiere starts at 7:30PM but we got there early to claim the tickets, we stroll around Glorietta and did more picture taking :)

See how jam-packed the lines are!

My reaction after watching the movie? 

I was completely freakin out... I cannot breath! I was absolutely satisfied with the whole movie. Gary Ross's direction was really great. I just have some problems with the camera movement at first but it didn't hinder me in liking the whole movie. I love the book and this movie adaptation nailed it. Kudos to the whole Lionsgate team for bringing this book alive in the big screen. I love the fact that it stayed loyal to the book, meaning that it was close to the book I didn't quite see any difference actually but it was delivered perfectly!

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen was phenomenal, she did an awesome job portraying Girl on Fire! She was fierce she captured every emotion that was needed for the part. I have to be honest I doubted her skills if she could pull off the role but I was stunned after watching her play Katniss.

This might sound horrible but don't hate me for this... I don't like Liam Hemsworth being Gale! I guess we all have different Gale in our minds while reading the book and to be honest Liam Hemsworth was not in my list while reading The Hunger Games. But like everybody is saying it was played well despise the fact that it was a minor role. I think I did hear some audience saying "His expressions were all the same" which I totally agree since he has a minimum exposure. I believe he still have many things to improve in terms of acting but movie wise it was played well. The movie can't go on without a Gale and I believe that the casting director see Gale in him thats why he got the role.

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark was an superb, I also have some reservations for him but after watching the movie I just fell in love with him. He was a charmer, and was perfect to be Peeta! He did it well along with Jennifer Lawrence. Their rapport on screen is undeniably good, I was happy with their team-up. It was a surprise since it's my first time seeing Hutcherson in a movie since I haven't seen any of his works.

Great characters cannot go on without great casts, The Tributes, President Snow, Seneca Crane, Cinna, Effie! It was a blast, the movie has got to be the movie event of the year. If  you haven't read the book I believe the movie will satisfy you. If you are one of the people who has read the book and is contemplating to watch the movie I say you don't! The movie adaptation stick to the original plot. If you haven't watch it I say you do.

Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be forever in your favor!

It was a great experience watching the Advance Premiere and this won't be possible without National Book Store~  Thank you very much! 

Our next event would be Lauren Oliver's Signing, happening this Sunday @ Powerbooks Greenbelt 4. If you're a Filipino Book Blogger/Reader who's going to the signing see you there!

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[Review] Mayfair Moon by J.A. Redmerski

Mayfair Moon
by J.A. Redmerski
Publication Date: February 6, 2012
Published by:
Source: from Author
Summary:

After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.

Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.

As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

REVIEW

Mayfair Moon has left me at awe and raising my eye brows at times. But it’s safe to say that I enjoyed it to the fullest.

I hope I’m not spoiling you but this book is about werewolves, which I think is very obvious on the title and especially the synopsis. I don’t usually read the synopsis of a book I’m reading; I think it tends to spoil the readers sometimes. As for this book, the synopsis is just a giveaway.

Why do I suggest that you read Mayfair Moon?

First, it’s about werewolves.
Here you go Team Jacob! Well not exactly. But I think Isaac can pass the standard. I have a little kiss quote for you to decide.

“Isaac took me possessively into a kiss.
He enveloped in his arms, his lips pressed against mine so devotedly that it made me mad for him. The warmth of his arms, the smell of his skin, the taste of him; combined, it sent me over the edge. I pressed myself even further against his chest, my lips becoming heavier upon his own the longer he held me there. It was like a dream and I never wanted to wake up from it.”

Second, the appealing story!
The story is unique; as far as the story goes I think it made justice to the whole werewolf thing and stuff. I rarely read any werewolf book so don’t judge me. The story appealed mostly because the plot was really interesting. I love the twist and turn of the story.

Third would be the characters.
Adria the main character of the story is straight forward and cares for who she love. She has a strong personality, much more if her family is at stake. I basically love her character because she has a trait that I think everyone should have. Isaac, the swoon worthy wolf boy! Love me some Isaac please! I think I’ve said enough.

If it’s so great why give 5 stars?
I tried to shrug it off but I think the inner fan girl of the author is showing. I did read some of actors/tv series reference. The likes of Ian Somerhalder, Taylor Kitsch, Supernatural and Jared Padalecki which I think the author likes? There were vague moments that I didn’t quite understand. There were too many characters! I can’t count how many a wolf pack may be but having them all introduced in one scene is really like a head-spin for me. If you read this quote I guess you’d understand.

““Including Isaac,” she said, “eight… no nine! I forgot about Daisy, Xavier’s twin sister. She’s usually up in her room and not down there with the drama.”
I looked at her questioningly
…
This is all so much to take in at once.”

There was a twilight feel while introducing the Mayfairs. I mean you transfer to a new place, new life, new school and new friends and then suddenly a mysterious family comes by. This is Bella choosing Jacob. One fourth of the book, the plot are still unclear. The plot is slow moving but the story sounds really interesting so I kept on reading. But there are parts of the book where you just skim.

Overall this book is really good. If you love werewolves, this book is for you! I was really amazed by how the story was told and I suggest that you read it. Are you a fan of werewolf themed books? If you do then this book won’t be a disappointment. If you don’t then I think it’s safe to start with Mayfair Moon!

RATINGS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I'm a Contemporary Fantasy and YA writer - author of THE MAYFAIR MOON and DIRTY EDEN. I'm a mother, werewolf & zombie fanatic, book addict and a happy hermit obsessed with the Universe. Oh, and AMC's "The Walking Dead".

I started my first novel at the age of thirteen and have been writing something ever since. Generally, I love characters in life and on paper. I pay attention to people, especially those whose personalities make them different from the rest of us: the drug addict roaming the Laundromat that talks to himself, the young, inattentive mother in the park with the meanest kid on the playground - (the entire cast of 'Swamp People') - characters fascinate me and I hope that it shows in my literary work.

Some authors that inspire me are Neil Gaiman, Cormac McCarthy, David Moody, Philippa Gregory, Max Brooks, Anne Rice, J.K. Rowling, Richard Matheson, William R. Forstchen, Carrie Ryan, Stephenie Meyer and Lisa Smedman.

Also, almost more than anything I love nature and this beautiful planet that I live on. I just wish everyone else did too....

Official Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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[Blog Tour] Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

A Bestseller Always Begins with a Best Friend!

There are thousands of books out there on writing techniques, character building and ‘how-to’ guides covering everything that should come out of your imagination. After being an editor in this industry for around twenty years, and a writer for the same, I have to tell you the one ‘solid’ piece of advice that should be given is that all of this comes from YOU. YOUR characters, YOUR plot - this is YOUR work of art, so nothing you do is actually wrong. I can ‘feel’ the shaking heads right now. But I’m not talking about grammar, margin width, spacing, paragraphs, or POV’s; I am talking about the core, the gist of what YOU are trying to say.

With The Write Companion I have received books that are not grammatically correct. I have seen many where the quotation marks are nonexistent and even where the POV’s change so rapidly you wonder who on earth is speaking at the time, BUT the characters were so intriguing that the book, itself, was an A+. It just needed to go through that ‘cleaning up’ process. And even Stephen King goes through that after all these years, so I wouldn’t get overly upset about it. That’s what the editorial world is for.

To me, characters are the most important facet of a book. I love the hideous, bone-chilling bad guy, or the sweet princess who’s about to become the warrior princess because of the battles she’s up against. I love the strong, independent women like J.D. Robb’s, Eve Dallas, and I also love the wit and charm of Sherlock Holmes. Why? Because these characters have a voice. They literally jump off the page and become a reader’s new ‘best friend.’

YOU are the tale-teller. YOU are the person who must ‘live’ with the characters you create, and any reader who picks up that book is going to know if YOU care about them. I knew that Jane Austen loved Mr. Darcy. That was a man who was sincerely a pain in the proverbial corset, yet he was also masking the deepest love that a man could hold for a woman. Was he based on someone? Perhaps. Or, he could’ve been one of those amazing characters that was imbedded in Austen’s imagination who she wanted to be real. Either way, the reader knew that Austen cared so much for him and Pride and Prejudice that it’s still being heralded (and copied) in 2012.

I know that Harry Potter is J.K. Rowling’s friend and confidant. She wanted a hero and the YA world needed one - Harry Potter was it. Why has it become the biggest seller of all time? Simple. The reader felt all of the emotions that the author had for her characters. They could ‘see’ the castles, dragons, giants - and the world of Hogwarts became a place we wanted to go.

As an author, when your mind begins that formulation of a friend, hero, heroine, or bad guy - you are the one telling their story to the world. Character development is finding each and very facet of the people you love, despise and honor, and this is your mission when you sit in front of that computer. Of course the plot is necessary, and you must follow the rules and make sure everything is ‘clean’ before it heads out to those agents. But when you’re alone and it’s just you and your Mr. Darcy or Harry Potter, that is YOUR time. It’s all up to you to find a way to show the reader how much you care about these people. And trust me, when you gift the world with that new best friend, the response from readers will be absolutely phenomenal!

Until Next Time, Everybody.
Amy

ABOUT THE BOOK

Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1 Summary

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.

AVAILABLE IN: KINDLE, NOOK, IBOOKSTORE, SMASHWORDS, PDF

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.

Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.

She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.

Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.

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