[Blog Tour] Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein - Interview and G!veaway

I'm part of the Pretty Amy Blog Tour and today I bring you an Interview with none other than Lisa Burstein today we talk about her journey to publication and more about her book Pretty Amy. So with out further I do, here's Lisa Burstein.

Author Interview with Lisa Burstein

Thank you Lisa for dropping by the blog, How are you doing today? 

Good :)

To start of let’s talk about your journey to publication. How it all started? Was it a rough road? Tell us about it. 

Rough, yeah and long. For this book it actually happened fairly quickly within 6-8 months I had an agent and contract, but I've been trying to get published for eight years. I had another agent and two other books that I wrote before I got one published.

When did you realize that you have the passion for writing? 

Second grade. I tell this story on my website, but it's true. My first short story was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. I wrote it in second grade and my teacher went nuts for it, because it was so different from what anyone else did. Her approval of my creativity was the start, for sure. But I went to college for writing and also to grad school, so I really, really wanted to make it my career. It still isn't my full-time career, but I'm so glad I have the opportunity to share my work with others.

Let’s talk about your debut novel, who/what inspired you in writing Pretty Amy? 

I was arrested during my senior year of high school, not for the same reason Amy was, but that was where the kernel came from. I also knew I wanted to write a "shocking" book from a teenage girl's point of view. I feel like you can get away with your character being a murderer, or a jerk, or just a smart ass more easily if your book isn't contemporary and I wanted to try to break that mold with PRETTY AMY. I also wanted to write a contemporary YA book that was about what real teens go through. I feel like teenage girl's lives are complex and I hoped to show that in PRETTY AMY.

What message do you want to convey in writing this novel? 

I write YA because I felt like I still had all these things to say from when I was a teenager that I never got a chance to say. I also feel like teens need books in a way adults don't. At least I know I did, I looked to books to help me make sense of what I was feeling. I guess I hope teens will use PRETTY AMY in the same way.I was a lot like Amy. Just like her I had such a desire to belong, to fit in, to have people who understood me. I wanted that so badly and I guess I never felt like adults understood that. It was most of the reason I wrote PRETTY AMY. If I'd had it when I was in high school I feel like I would have been able to understand my feelings better. I wouldn't have felt so alone. That feeling was something I never admitted to anyone, not even my friends and I want to let teens know it's okay to feel lonely even surrounded by friends and family.

What do you think is the edge of Pretty Amy among other novels? 

I think it's edgy because it's true. One of the things I pride myself on in my writing is not holding back. I say things that make people uncomfortable, but I think that's what writing it about.

Any last message you want to tell our readers? Please invite them to read Pretty Amy!

Just that I hope they enjoy reading PRETTY AMY as much as I enjoyed writing it.

About the Book

Pretty Amy

by Lisa Burstein

Published: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Genre: Contemporary YA

Synopsis

“A coming-of-age story without the comfort of padding…a relatable and compelling character [with] a lot of wonderful snark.” —New York Journal of Books
Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

About the Author

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

Want a chance to read Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein? Here's your chance to win an eBook of Pretty Amy! There's also a Giveaway running on Goodreads check it out here.
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[Review] Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Pretty Amy

by Lisa Burstein

Published: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Genre: Contemporary YA

Synopsis

“A coming-of-age story without the comfort of padding…a relatable and compelling character [with] a lot of wonderful snark.” —New York Journal of Books
Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

Review

Reading this book had me on a whirlwind of emotions, the fact that this book is very moving and touching makes me want to cry. I’m such a cry baby when it comes to tear jerker books this one almost made me cry. Pretty Amy is a very realistic novel about lives up and down, realizations that will entice readers even after reading it.

My first impression about this book is that “it’s very disturbing”. The main character is suffering major teen issues which I think is very common nowadays. Reading this book is an eye opener on how teens are like these days. Having major family and friend issues along with heavy profanity this book is quite a shock to me. It has a realistic take on how life is at present times and I think the author did an excellent job telling the story.

I can commend the Lisa for having such great characters. They are unique in their own way and very significant throughout the whole story.  Amy the protagonist is a character that you’ll be able to relate to with her story. Her story is quite tragic but in spite the hardship she learned from her mistake and raise above it. What she went through was very difficult and that had me feel for her character. I learned a lot reading this novel. Especially being a strong person. This is a very inspiring novel for teens and teens alike.

If you are looking for a poignant and realistic novel you are definitely looking for the right book. I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a new breath of YA Contemporary. I did say that I find it disturbing and I think it’s very different from your normal read.

Favorite Quote:

“That’s the way you’re presenting yourself. Silent, sullen, misunderstood. Without words, you are the very rebellious teenage girl in the world.”

Ratings

I got this book in participation of the Blog Tour and has no way affected my review of the book.

About the Author

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Make sure to check out my Interview with Lisa and get a chance to win an eBook of Pretty Amy!

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[Book Blast] Masters of the Veil by Daniel Cohen + 100 GC G!veaway

Masters of the Veil
by Daniel A. Cohen
Published: March 1, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Fantasy


Synopsis

Life can't get much better for Sam Lock. Popular, good-looking, and with a future as a professional football player. every guy at Stanton High School wishes he were Sam. That is, until his championship football game, when Sam accidentally links with an ancient source of energy known as the Veil and reveals his potential to become a powerful sorcerer. Sam is whisked off to Atlas Crown, a community of sorcerers who utilize the Veil as a part of everyday life. Once there, he trains beside a mute boy who speaks through music, an eternal sage who's the eyes and ears of the Veil, and a beautiful girl who's pretty sure Sam's an idiot. As it becomes clear Sam's meant for power magic-the most feared and misunderstood form of sorcery-people beyond Atlas Crown learn of his dangerous potential. An exiled group of power sorcerers are eager to recruit Sam, believing that he is destined to help them achieve their long-held goal. If they succeed, they could bring about the downfall of not only Atlas Crown. but all humankind.

Author's Top Ten Books That Inspired You Being A Writer 

10. ENDER’S GAME, by Orson Scott Card

My first foray into science fiction. I think I was in middle school when my friend Seth recommended this book to me. It literally blew my mind. And after I read the companion book, ENDER’S SHADOW, my love for books was solidified. I even wrote a song about it.

9. ENDER’S SHADOW, by Orson Scott Card

Haha, I had to. It taught me that the same story can have many different sides. Important life lesson.

8. CITY OF THIEVES, by David Benioff

This is a story that stays with you long after you finish the book. And jus FYI, if any of you are fans of the new HBO series, “Game of Thrones,” Benioff is one of the head writers.

7. ON WRITING, by Steven King

If you are thinking about diving into the mind-twisting endeavor that is writing, please read this book. Even if you hate King’s writing, the guy’s half autobiography/ half how-to is one of the best pieces on the craft.

6. THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, by Douglas Adams

Taught me that books can be so very, very funny… also not to panic.

5. ANGELS AND DEMONS, by Dan Brown

I got swept up in Brown’s writing when I was younger. This particular adventure made me question the very fabric of society. It showed me that important secrets can be stowed in plain sight, and that treasured beliefs don’t have to be fact.
And it was friggin sweet.

4. RELIC, By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Preston and Child’s books might not be the height of literary accomplishment, but boy can they be fun. I read all of their books when I was younger and I became super intrigued with the paranormal. Their work deeply inspired my first book, “The Ancillary’s Mark.”

3. THE ALCHEMIST, by Paulo Coelho

This book is like an earthquake. It’s a powerful guide to life disguised as a simple tale, and without any warning it can rock your world.

2. THE NAME OF THE WIND, by Patrick Rothfuss

So to be fair, I was already a writer when I read this book. But it inspires my current writing. Rothfuss is one of my greatest literary heros. He makes magic almost too real.

1. HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I was the same age as Harry growing up. We adventured together. We grew together.

I LOVE these books. They made me want to do magic. But since I couldn’t, I created my own. They’re why I write fantasy.

Starred Reviews

I absolutely adored Masters of the Veil. It is a unique and creative read in today's sometimes overwhelming YA market. Daniel is taking JK Rowling's lead and putting a whole new twist on fantasy. I love that this book starts in Texas...being a Texas girl myself. When you combine Texas and Football...well, you can't go wrong. Then you throw in a heaping spoonful of magic and POW...you have the makings for an extraordinary novel. Congrats Daniel...you brought your A game. Ok...enough fan-girling. Let me tell you a little about this book. - Kristin (Better Read Than Dead)

As I reflect on the fun read I just completed a few minutes ago, two elements of this inaugural volume of the Veil series stand out: How excited many of my friends will be to find a fun read that they will feel good about handing to their kids, and how truly original the world-building is. - Reading Lark

This is a great start to the Veil Trilogy! A funny, imaginative, and delightful read! I'm delighted that we were able to get this manuscript for Spencer Hill Press. The main character, Sam, is like an American Harry Potter. Check it out--you won't be disappointed! - Kate Kaynak

Book Trailer

About the Author

Daniel A. Cohen was just your average business student. Microeconomics, finance, marketing… you name it, he had to do a PowerPoint presentation on it. One dark and stormy night, he was bitten by the radioactive realization that memorizing business jargon could possibly be the most boring activity known to man.

After gaining eagle-eye vision, abs that could grate cheese, and a talent for imagining things (including his cheese-grating abs), he wrote his first novel and began his epic battle against the formidable business jargon. He continues to fight the good fight by playing saxophone and writing YA fantasy, forever hoping his Veil trilogy will help inspire others to join his cause.

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[Book Spotlight] Wings of Hope by Hillary E. Peak

Book Spotlight

Wings of Hope
by Hillary E. Peak
Published: CreateSpace
Publisher: December 9, 2011
Genre: Literary Fiction


Synopsis

The bond of a father and daughter is special. When Jules father asks her to come be stay with him because he's terminally ill, she goes for the remarkable opportunity to really know her father. She never dreamed he had liberated a concentration camp, dealt cards to Bugsy Siegel or saved the life of a Black Panther. Wings of Hope takes you on a road trip through the memories of a man making peace with his life through his conversations with his daughter. Teaching her that death is sometimes the most heartbreakingly beautiful part of life. Hope is the last gift of a father to his daughter--the power to reach for her dreams.

One Question Interview

"What do you think the readers would like about Wings of Hope?"

Because all of us deal with loss at some point in our lives, everyone can relate to Wings of Hope. Additionally, almost all of us would like time to say goodbye to our loved ones and have time to ask the questions we have before they are gone, this book is a tribute to those desires in all of us.

Starred Reviews

This novel will connect with anyone who has lost someone they loved and realized later that there were things left unsaid or questions unanswered. Jules has the opportunity that most people don't have, and that is to sit down with a dying relative and spend quality time and to have those conversations that we don't usually get around to having in our day-to-day lives. It was a wonderful novel that I read in on sitting. I could not put it down. If you are an emotional reader, you will want to have a box of tissues handy. But hang in there, because the understanding that Jules acquires is worth the emotion. - TAMMY

This story really resonated with me. I connected with Jules from page one and laughed and cried along with her during the story. I am coming to the age where the roles between parent and child are beginning to reverse. I have already seen a little bit of it with helping my parents with their computers and cell phones, but I know the day is coming when it will be me taking care of them rather than them taking care of me. It is hard for me to imagine my fiercely independent parents as needing to be taken care of, but they are getting older and that day will come sooner than I want. - Mindy

Wings of Hope is beautifully written story that will pull at your heart strings. A terminally ill father writes to his daughter and requests that she come home and stay with him through his final days. The father and daughter go on a journey of self-discovery that binds them together through the power of love, hope, life lessons, dreams followed, choices made, and that even death could be a heartbreakingly beautiful life experience. - Kathleen Higgins-Anderson

About the Author

Who am I?
Author (but government lawyer by day)
I’m a recovering idealist. I became a lawyer to change the world and am still somewhat shocked that didn’t occur. Now, my goal is to retire from practicing law and write novels that people love.
I started with topics I knew–shared experiences of hating my job, searching for something more meaningful and losing a loved one.
I’m moving on to writing legal thrillers. My first one will be out before the end of 2012!

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Waiting on Wednesday #25

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

I have three beauties for your this week and I cannot explain how I'm totally eager to read these books. First up is Cold Fury, the synopsis says it all. I love action packed novels and I think this one is totally jammed with it! This book doesn't come out till last week of July make sure to check it out! Next up is The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life, I think this one is really good alliance, scavenger hunt? One week before graduation? Sounds FUN to me! This comes July 5th and is just around the corner so you don't have to wait any longer! Make sure to check this one out. Last book for this week is Monstrous Beauty, I rarely read mermaid books and I think I cannot let this one pass. Looking forward on reading this one when it comes out. This one doesn't come out till September so lets wait together XD

Cold Fury
by T.M Goeglein

Expected publication: July 24th 2012 by Putnam Juvenile

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.

The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life
by Tara Altebrando

Expected publication: July 5th 2012 by Dutton Juvenile

An all-day scavenger hunt in the name of eternal small-town glory

With only a week until graduation, there's one last thing Mary and her friends must do together: participate in the Oyster Point High Official Unofficial Senior Week Scavenger Hunt. And Mary is determined to win.

Mary lost her spot at Georgetown to self-professed "it" bully Jake Barbone, and she's not about to lose again. But everyone is racing for the finish line with complicated motives, and the team's all-night adventure becomes all-night drama as shifting alliances, flared tempers, and crushing crushes take over. As the items and points pile up, Mary and her team must reinvent their strategy--and themselves--in order to win.

Monstrous Beauty
by Elizabeth Fama

Expected publication: September 4th 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse?

With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.

WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

LEAVE US A LINK SO WE COULD CHECK IT OUT!

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[Guest Post] Let's Set the World on Fire by Pandora Poikilos

Let's Set the World on Fire

What and who are the true measures of Indie publishing success?

By Pandora Poikilos 

Deep within each of us, there is a burning desire to leave an immortal mark of ourselves for future generations. Writers are no different. Most of us look forward to the day when our books will outlive us and 1000 or 1 million, if someone in 2055 is reading our books, then our work is done. 

So, writing isn't all about the money. But let's be honest, we all want to be paid writers. We don't want to slog at one job when our heart and soul is set on writing. But can it be as successful as some people say it is? Newsflash - you're the only person who can answer that question. 

First, how badly do you want it? 

As a teenager, I knew I wanted to write, all my life. I got a scholarship for my degree, worked part time all through university and then applied for the journalism internship of a lifetime. But I got sidetracked. Life stepped in. I was diagnosed with IIH (Intracrannial Hypertension). Medical bills piled up, writing took a backseat. Then in 2010, I had my VP shunt surgery. I felt alone, and caved in so I picked up a pen. The words came and so did the books.

Bottomline - don't wait for things to go your way so you can write. Write now, and keep writing. One hour a day, 30 minutes a day. Something is better than nothing. If you want something badly enough, you will find a way. Yes, I've sold close 120,000 books but I've also worked as a cashier, a typist, a proofreader and sold handmade jewellery at a flea market among other things to get to where I am. Frequent Traveller was finished with me dictating and Peas writing for me. He was my eyes when I couldn’t see. If I can do it, so can you. Success is the destination you reach when you know where you're going. But it's your journey so guess who has the answer about your success? 

Build bridges, don't burn them

A few weeks ago, fellow author Paul Rega was doing a promo for his book, he asked if I could help him send out some tweets. I did. Last week when Peas and I launched our recipe book, he returned the favour. He is one of the many authors I know who has helped me on my journey. 

Bottomline - Don't harass people into buying or reading your book. Don't expect your book to sell because you purchased one advertising campaign. A fruit tree doesn't grow and yield fruit overnight. Plan, work, tweak, adjust, talk to other writers, connect, build relationships ... books are forever. Learn what works for you. It'll take time and patience but again how badly do you want this to work? 

Stay away from negativity

As readers or writers, it is extremely easy to be negative about someone else's work. "This is how it should be" and "that is how it shouldn't be" Yes, for spelling, grammar and punctuation, there are only so many acceptable variations but ideas ... these are the very essence that signifies who a person is. In all my more than 30 years, I have slept through every Star Wars movie I have ever seen. I cannot name ten differences between Star Trek and Star Wars because it almost feels the same to me. How I can hear the gasps of shock. But yes, neither appealed to me. I had an elder brother who tried to educate me, and many friends and at least one ex-boyfriend who failed miserably. It just never sank in. Imagine me telling George Lucas or George Roddenberry that their shows were the worst thing ever. 

Bottomline - Just because you don't like an idea, that doesn't make it the worst book written. If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. Strangely enough, negativity has a way of coming back to you one way or another. If you must point out flaws then be constructive, not negative. On the other end, when you have received a negative review, don't get your knickers in a twist. Some people think it is essential to throw pebbles in your shoes. Ask yourself three questions - Did you give it your all? Did you give it your best? How could you have done it differently? Not all of us write to be loved, sometimes a story needs to be and told it shall be. 

But my publisher said ... 

As the process of self-publishing becomes more accessible, numerous people are seen to take advantage of this situation and not in a good way. Take for example Publisher X. A few weeks ago this publisher swapped Author A's book on Amazon. Publisher X used the same cover and author’s name but changed the synopsis to erotic content. Overnight, reviewers found themselves linked to a book they had never reviewed and wouldn’t want to review. The author was bad-mouthed and all promotional work for her book seemed to be flushed down the toilet. Drama nobody needed. This was the same publisher that publicly shamed one of his authors over the Thanksgiving holiday to the point she filed a restraining order against him. There are also numerous 'independent' publishers who use this status to sidetrack royalty issues and treat an author's book like it's the least important thing in the world. Their excuses are endless - not enough funds, not enough manpower, they know the industry better. But again, it’s your book and it’s your story. How do you want it to be remembered? 

Bottomline - Yes, it isn't easy to do book cover design, editing, formatting and marketing on your own. Most times, it is impossible. But publishers aren't the only people who can help you. There are numerous freelancers who are good at what they do. Do a bit of research. Join some writing groups. Ask around. Yes, it'll take time and yes, it'll cost you money. But put some cash aside, do it step by step. A little hardship in the beginning saves you from a lot of unnecessary drama later on. 

Be creative

When I was a freelance reporter, my interview request for one particular personality was repeatedly rejected. I was distraught. A quote from him was crucial to add credibility to the article. My editor wasn’t at all sympathetic and only told me that there's more than one way to skin a cat. So I kept trying, and he finally agreed to meet me at the airport before a flight to South Africa. I had 30 minutes to ask him at least 10 questions.

Bottomline - things aren't going to fall from the sky and into your lap. Sales will slow down. Things can and will go wrong. Be creative. There's always one more road to take. Writing is a journey, no one said it'll be an easy, straight road. Sales are low? Organize a book tour, put together a twitter campaign, work on book store appearances, look at sites like eReader News and Kindle Nation. Possibilities are endless and there are people who can help you. So, again how badly do you want this to work?

I wish you success and perseverance. You and I separately are just one different book but together and in the words of the band Fun, "Let's set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun. 

About the Author

Pandora Poikilos has been writing for more than 10 years for various media which include newspapers, radio, television and various websites.

A social media enthusiast who is passionate about blogging and finding her way around the virtual world, she wills away time in the real world by reading, writing and people watching.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Books by Pandora

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Game of Thrones, iPad and a Cookbook G!veaway

If you haven't heard yet The Book Depository is having this awesome competition where you can win a Shiny New iPad, All 5 Books of The Game of Thrones Series by George R.R. Martin plus a DVD Boxset and Red Hot Chili Cookbook!

You can enter The Game of Thrones and Red Hot Chili Cookbook till May 28th Monday and till June 11th for the iPad!

May the odds be in your favor and win these giveaways!

There is also a few Giveaway happening on the blog at the moment. You can Win The Summer of No Regret and While He Was Away, The Lesser Evil, Dark Waters and Mrs. Tuesdays Departure! I hope you can drop by and enter the giveaways.

If you want some Kindle Deals get some of them here

Happy Reading!

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[Book Spotlight] Mrs. Tuesdays's Departure by Suzanne E. Anderson

Book Spotlight

Mrs. Tuesday's Departure
by Suzanne E. Anderson
Published: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Henry and George Press
Genre: Religious / Historical Fiction


Synopsis:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…

Hungary's fragile alliance with Germany kept Natalie, a renowned children’s book author, and her family out of harm's way for most of the war. Now as the Führer's desperation grows during the waning years of the conflict, so does its threat. Natalie's younger sister, Ilona, married a Jewish man, putting both her and her young daughter, Mila, in peril; Natalie's twin sister, Anna, is losing her already tenuous hold on reality. As the streets of Budapest thrum with the pounding boots of Nazi soldiers, danger creeps to the doorstep where Natalie shields them all.

Ilona and her husband take the last two tickets to safety for themselves, abandoning Natalie to protect Anna and Mila from the encroaching danger. Anna's paranoid explosion at a university where was once a professor, sparked by delusions over an imagined love triangle, threatens their only other chance for escape. Ultimately, Natalie is presented with a choice no one should ever have to make; which of her family will she save?

An inspirational story of faith and family, strength and weakness, and the ultimate triumph of love over hate. Mrs. Tuesday’s Departure demonstrates the power of faith to light even the most harrowing darkness.

... faith is the evidence of things not seen.

Genre - Religious / Historical Fiction

Rating - PG

More details about the author

Connect with Suzanne Anderson on

Twitter & Facebook & Pinterest

Check out where this author will be talking about her latest release!

Giveaway

Want a chance to read Mrs. Tuesdays Departure? Enter for a chance to win Mrs. Tuesdays Departure eBook!

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[Blog Tour] Swipe by Evan Angler

Today is my Tour Stop for the Swipe Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound, I bring you today Evan Angler's Top Ten Book Picks!

Author's Top Ten (Evan Angler’s top ten book picks)

It’s too hard just to list my top ten--there are so many pre-Unity books that captured my imagination as a kid and stuck with me over the years. I loved the emotional punch of Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia, the creativity of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the wordplay of Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the genre-defining sci-fi of Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles, the epic fantasy of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia (particularly The Magician’s Nephew), and the rich themes of classics like William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Lois Lowry’s The Giver, George Orwell’s 1984, and John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Other particular young adult/middle grade favorites are Louis Sachar's Holes, Patricia C. Wrede's Dealing with Dragons, and Nancy Farmer's The Ear the Eye and the Arm. I wouldn’t feel right putting any of these books into a ranking--they are each so different from one another!--and I realize I haven’t quite narrowed them down to ten...but to this day I really feel you can’t go wrong with any of them.

About the Book

Swipe

by Evan Angler

Published: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Middle Grade / Science Fiction

Synopsis

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong?

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.

About the Author 

Evan Angler is safe, for now. He lives without the Mark, evading DOME and writing in the shadows of Beacon.

As a kid he was quiet and well-behaved, having grown up in a town not unlike Spokie, where he enjoyed music, drawing, hover-dodge, astrophysics, hiking, virtual reality . . .

None of that matters now.

Evan Angler is the author of SWIPE. But if anyone asks, you know nothing about it, and you didn't hear anything from him. Don't make eye contact if you see him. Don't call his name out loud. He's in enough trouble already.

And so are you, if you've read his books.

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