It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Mar 1

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Welcome to March. It looks like it will come in as a lamb with temperatures in the 40s during this week. Hopefully, precipitation will be light this month. I am ready for spring now that the three-tier garden bed planter I ordered arrived.

I had given up gardening by last fall because I don't have time for it. Then I realized I really would miss gardening, so I needed to make it more manageable. This planter will keep me from over investing in plants and will reduce weeding since I will buy soil for it. I ordered this year's seeds/plants over the weekend. 

In my reading world, I finished this fabulous book. Look for my review on March 19. 

I started this next one, which is coming up for review on March 10. 

I am also reading this one. The review will appear on March 29. 

My hope is to have the review of this next book done by March 31 at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. 

I will also review this one at my children's book blog in March.

Then this one is next. 

 

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

My mailbox held one cute treat this week.

After a series of terrifying events, Elanora is transported to a strange neighborhood where the only way to get about is by water and the only food to eat is the grasses of the marsh. When she discovers that the water level in her new home is falling, she suspects humans are the cause and puts together a plan to save the creatures who live there.

Will Elanora persuade the colony and swimmers to overcome their fear of the unknown and embark on a dangerous journey to their new home?

How is your reading coming along? Have you found yourself reading more or less lately? What's the next book you plan to read? 

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Book Covers with Fall Colors/Vibes

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Welcome to the first Tuesday in October. Hard to believe it's here. I'm enjoying the changing colors, which makes this the perfect week to talk about covers with fall colors or vibes. 

Top Ten Book Covers with Fall Colors/Vibes

Baking means fall around here.

The Thorn Birds spans generations. I always thought this cover reminded me of fall, though it probably symbolizes the blistering heat of the Australian outback. 

All of the Tradd Street books have great covers, but this reminds me of fall.

Same thing with these two Harry Potter stories.

The Cycle Path Mystery series takes place on Mackinac Island. This autumn cover is my favorite.

Another fabulous series from Charlotte Hubbard, this fall Promise Lodge cover is beautiful. 

The last three are all mystery novels. There is no better time of year to read a mystery than the season that we celebrate Farmers Day (Oct 12), National Apple Day (Oct 21), Halloween (Oct 31), National Book Month (Oct), National Author's Day (Nov 1), and Day of the Dead (Nov 2). 

Shelf Control - Aug 19

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves sponsored by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up!

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. Here's how to jump on board:

• Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
• Add your link in the comments!
• Link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your own post.
• Check out other posts, and…

Here is a recent Kindle freebie.

BLURB: All libraries are magical. Some libraries are more magical than others.

For Alex Reed, the world is an awkward place and books are her only escape. But when she is selected by a mysterious library to be its new Keeper she discovers that some books can be a lot of work.

Now Alex must balance her new adventures with the incomparable obstacles of being an anxiety-riddled teenager. All this would be completely doable, if only Hank would do as he was told.

DATE BOUGHT: July 11, 2020

WHY I BOUGHT IT: I like to stay in touch with what is being published in the teen and young adult market. In addition to picture books, I write middle grade novels. Since there is some crossover at the higher end of middle grade, it's important to see what is popular. In addition, magic is a neat element in stories for this age group. I enjoy seeing how it is handled in a variety of books. 

Have you read this book? Do you like magic in novels? 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Feb 10

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


Somehow, we are at Monday again. I hope you had a great week. I had to take a couple weeks off from this meme: 1) because I was too busy to do much reading, and 2) I hate sharing the same books over and again.

I finished this book, so look for my review this week. Great story, as always.

These books I need to dig into for reviews coming up.

After that, I have to catch up on these others:

What is a book you've enjoyed lately? What's up next for you?

Book Blast and Giveaway: Immortal Girl5 by Griffin Stark

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Griffin Stark will be awarding a copy of the book (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The year is 1095, Normandy, France. Five year old Skylar runs away into the woods to escape nuns who are convinced her inexplicable seizures are the work of satan. She survives after being adopted by wolves, when two mysterious strangers appear and reveal Skylar’s destiny to her. Skylar is the first of the Immortal Girls, destined to save humanity from itself.

Immortal Girl5 (January 22, 2019) follows Skylar, Rachel, Caitlin, Beth, and Bethany, five immortal sisters who, over the course of a thousand years, attempt to learn the purpose of their own existence while hunting down the worst criminals this world has ever seen. They’ve faced the likes of Jack the Ripper and the Nazis, but as a new enemy arises to threaten the sisters’ survival they’ll soon learn that immortality doesn’t mean forever.

EXCERPT


“Wait! Now look, please, just let me explain!” he begged her, while shielding himself from the next imminent attack. Even if he’d had the desire to fight back—which he certainly did not—Luke wasn’t sure how easy it would be. After all, she’d survived more than a thousand years from what he’d been told. For being that old, this girl looked beyond amazing, with her blonde hair that fell into curls at the ends, angelic looks, and a flawless, pale complexion that held two stormy blue eyes of unusual intensity. Skylar seemed to accept Luke’s sincerity, at least for the moment, and slowly put her fist down by her side.

Watch the Immortal Girl5 book trailer on YouTube

Purchase a copy at Amazon!

GRIFFIN STARK is an American author who proudly lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Even as a young child, Griffin had an active imagination. As an author of young adult fiction, he has harnessed his creativity to tell memorable stories filled with important life lessons.

Griffin served as a combat medic in The United States Air Force and later founded THE SHEEPDOG MOVEMENT to join in the fight against bullying of teens worldwide.

Visit http://immortalgirl5.com/ to learn more about Griffin and his YA fantasy novel, Immortal Girl5.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A COPY!

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Interview: Christine Norris, Author of The Mirror of Yu-Huang

Today's guest is Christine Norris, author of the YA fantasy novel, The Mirror of Yu-Huang. Christine Norris is the author of several works for children and adults, including the Library of Athena series and the Zandria duology. When she’s not out saving the world one story at a time, she is disguised as a mild mannered substitute teacher, mother, and wife. She cares for her family of one husband-creature, a son-animal, and two felines who function as Guardian of the Bathtub and Official Lap Warmer, respectively. She has also done several English adaptations of novels translated from other languages. She reached a new level of insanity by attending Southen Connecticut State University Graduate School’s Information and Library Science program, so that someday she, too, can be a real Librarian. She currently resides somewhere in southern New Jersey.

Thanks for joining us today, Christine. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thanks for having me. I was born on a cold winter’s night…wait, no, that’s not right. Actually I was born in the middle of summer, but that’s not what you mean, is it? I am a substitute teacher looking for a full-time job, and a mom to pretty terrific 8 year old boy, and a graduate student in Library Science. Which has all come about during the almost ten years that I’ve been writing. Five books in ten years isn’t too bad, is it?

Where did you grow up?

Wait, I grew up? When did that happen? Just kidding (sort of…). Actually I grew up about two doors down from where I live now. Yep, I live on the same street in New Jersey where I lived most of my childhood. Some people think it’s weird, I actually like it. My neighborhood is very nice and my son’s school is right across the street.

When did you begin writing?

I believe it was a Thursday, just after lunch. Ha! I don’t know exactly what day, just being silly. I had a few false starts over the years, ambition getting ahead of my talent or time. I started writing my first book, Talisman of Zandria, in September of 2001. It was such a weird time, and I remember it very clearly. I handwrote then, into notebooks, and then would transcribe into the computer. Now I do pretty much everything on computer.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

Mostly whenever. I have summers off, so I get quite a bit done then. Otherwise I just have to take the time whenever I can grab it. Between work, grad school, and my family, I have to be flexible.

What is this book about?

Which book are we talking about again?…oh, yes. THE MIRROR OF YU-HUANG is a thrilling adventure about Megan Montgomery and her friends. The headmistress of her school has wheedled her father into hosting a huge formal ball at their big English manor on New Year’s Eve. Which Megan is not happy about, because there’s a big secret at the Parthenon, (which is the name of the manor)—The Library of Athena. That’s a huge secret chamber under the house that holds some really rare and important books, including a collection of enchanted books that protect magical artifacts. So you can see why doesn’t really want a bunch of people traipsing all over. Then she has to play hostess to a Chinese ambassador and his family, and it seems that one of them knows about her secret. She suspects everyone, and eventually she winds up inside one of the enchanted books, chasing someone who wants to steal the Mirrror of Yu-Huang. It’s all very exciting and edge-of-your seat and twisty-turny.

What inspired you to write it?

This is the third book in the series, but I knew I wanted to do something different. So many books use Greek and Egyptian mythology, which were included in the first two books and I think a good introduction to the series. There aren’t a ton of books that include Chinese mythology, and there’s probably a good reason. It wasn’t the easiest to work with, making Mirror probably the most difficult book I’ve written so far. But I think the end result was worth the work—I am really happy with how it came out.

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?

I don’t have one yet, but I am looking. I’ve sent out a completed manuscript to a few people, and I’ve gotten really great feedback on it, really close to that illusive yes, I think. Then again I may be delusional, you never know! Did some revisions and it’s back out again.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Just about everywhere! Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com, and it’s available for both Kindle and Nook, and in multiformat ebook at Fictionwise.com. Of course it’s available at the publishers website: www.zumayapublications.com/thresholds.php,  and any bookstore should be able to get it or you.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

I have EVERYTHING! My website is at www.christine-norris.com, my blog is http://christinenorris.livejounal.com. You can get to my Facebook page through my website, and I am on Twitter at @cnorrisauthor.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

Read! Read everything you can get your hands on, and then figure out what makes it work and what doesn’t. I find that if I’m not feeling the love from my writing, reading is a good way to ‘refill the well’ so to speak.

What is up next for you?

I could tell you, but then men in black suits would be here to destroy your notes. Oh, no, that’s something else, sorry. I have several things going on right now. The next Library of Athena book, of course. And I’m working on a YA historical fantasy-with-bits-of-steampunk novel, a retelling of a classic fairy tale. I am getting it all shined up to submit to agents. I don’t have an agent yet, but I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about the manuscript, so I must be on the right track. I just have to keep at it, because the next one might be a yes.

And somewhere in between, I’m getting a Master’s in Library Science so I can be a School Media Specialist. I just got a new job, hopefully I will start soon, as a librarian in a Pre-K and Kindergarten school. I’m pretty excited for that.

Thanks for spending time with us, Christine. We wish you great success.

Author Interview: Debra K. Dunlap, Author of Fallon O'Reilly and The Ice Queen's Lair

Joining us today is Debra K. Dunlap, author of Fallon O'Reilly and the Ice Queen's Lair. Debra holds a B.S. in Physics and a second B.S. in Paralegal Studies. In her first novel for young adults, she weaves together her education, love of Alaska and experience as a Children’s Librarian to create a hidden world of magic in the far north.
Welcome Debra. It's wonderful to have you with us. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hmm, let’s see. I am the mother of five wonderful children-one lives in Japan, one in Texas and three in Wyoming. Currently, I work full-time as a Deputy Clerk of District Court and have two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in physics, the other in Paralegal Studies.

Where did you grow up?

My parents moved to Alaska when I was an infant, so I grew up running barefoot in the Alaska wilderness.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

My 6th birthday. We lived in Ferry, Alaska and at that time, there were no roads, no electricity or water and no access to stores. Only a few people lived nearby, but they all came to our little cabin (a railroad caboose that had been remodeled into a cabin) and brought gifts of their own belongings. I received a battery-powered radio and several records, and a package of dried salmon from our neighbors. Even at age 6, I was touched that people would part with their treasures on my behalf. My parents gave me a set of child’s cookware and a ukulele. To this day, I don’t know how they managed to get them.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

Because I work full-time, I squeeze in writing as I can. I get up at 5 a.m. to write before work and write again after I come home. Weekends are writing heaven!

What is this book about?

Fallon O’Reilly and the Ice Queen’s Lair is the first book in the Magic in the Americas series. Set in the Alaskan wilderness, the book tells the tale of a young girl’s first year of magical education. Together with her wheelchair-bound cousin and new friend from Wyoming, she seeks the identity of a great evil in Alaska and fights to protect her school and friends.

Fallon is currently available at museituppublishing.com in various e-formats and available for Kindle at Amazon.com. MIU Publishing plans to release Fallon in print form in 2011.

What inspired you to write it?

Someone asked J.K. Rowling if she planned to put Americans or other nationalities in her books. She said...if anyone wants to write about American wizards they are of course free to write their own book! That made me wonder what differences we’d see in an American school of magic and I started plotting the book. Then, my oldest son referred to my living room, which I keep very cool in the hot Wyoming summers, as the ‘Ice Queen’s Lair.’ Instant title!

Who is your favorite author?

Tough question for an author! I read some of everything, fiction and non-fiction, but my favorite is sci-fi/fantasy. Isaac Asimov and Anne McCaffrey tie for first place. Asimov’s classic Foundation series is wonderful. However, the world of Pern created by Anne McCaffrey is my all-time favorite fantasy world. I re-read every one of the books at least once a year.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Readers can purchase a copy of my book from the publisher at museituppublishing.com as well as other sites, such as the Amazon Kindle store.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?
 I have a blog here: http://debrakdunlap.blogspot.com/

My website is here: http://debrakdunlap.com/  

I am working on updating both.

What is up next for you?

I recently completed a novel and am busily editing it. I’ve also begun the second book in the Magic in the America series.

Why did you choose to send your manuscript to MuseItUp Publishing?

I chose to send my manuscript to MuseItUp Publishing because Lea Schizas founded the company. I met her first through the Muse Online Writers Conference and was so impressed by her dedication to helping authors that I thought if I ever wrote a manuscript I would want to send it to her. When I saw she had founded MIU Publishing, I wrote a query letter and submitted it to her the same day.

What has been the best part about working with them?

Fallon O’Reilly and the Ice Queen’s Lair is my first submission, so I do not have any experience with other publishers to compare with being an MIU author . However, Lea’s respect and consideration for authors shines through everything she does. MIU fosters a team spirit amongst the authors, artists, editors and staff. It’s like belonging to an author-ly family. So I guess I would say the best part of working with MIU is that people are kind to one another!

Thanks for spending time with us today, Debra. We wish you great success.

The Forgotten Warrior by Kathi Oram Peterson - Interview and Giveaway at Linda Weaver Clarke's Blog

Linda Weaver Clarke is running another fabulous giveaway at her blog. She recently interviewed Kathi Oram Peterson, author of the YA fantasy novel, The Forgotten Warrior.

Forgiveness has never been an attribute of sixteen-year-old Sydney Morgan's. Loyal and loving to her mother and sister, a crisis forces her to find her absent father, which in turn begins a chain of events leading her to the last place and time she would have ever expected.

The Forgotton Warrior follows Syd as she is transported back to Book of Mormon times by touching a mysterious clear stone. She meets Chief Captain Helaman; nursemaid, Mariah; and the stripling warriors. They believe Syd to be a boy, and worse yet, Helaman's second-in-command, Tarik, thinks Syd is a Lamanite spy and threatens to kill her.

Come follow Sydney as she desperately tries to find her way back home, fights to gain Helaman's respect, and despite herself, falls in love with Tarik.

"It is an entertaining young-adult book that makes readers feel they are in the middle of the stripling warrior camp as the story is told by both Syd and Tarik, Helaman's second in command." --Christine Rappleye, Mormon Times



Kathi Oram Peterson was born in the small town of Rigby, Idaho. Since childhood, she has loved reading and writing stories. After winning the Heart of the West (1994) and Golden Pen (1995) contests, she put her writing on hold to finish her English degree. Upon graduation, she worked for a curriculum publisher writing and editing concept and biography books for children. She now devotes her time writing inspirational fiction.

You can visit Kathi online at www.kathiorampeterson.com and at her blog, Kathi's Writing Nook.

Kathi is offering a copy of The Forgotten Warrior to one lucky person who leaves a comment on her interview with Linda. You can visit Linda's blog to enter.

This giveaway runs from April 19th - 26th, and is open to residents of the United States and Canada.

Interview with Melissa Burmester, Author of the YA Fantasy Novel Ginger High

Joining us today is the talented author behind the young adult fantasy novel, Ginger High. We’ll talk to Melissa Burmester about her debut release, the challenges of being a young novelist and what her future plans are.
Welcome to The Book Connection, Melissa. We’re excited to have you here.

Why don’t you start by telling our readers a bit about yourself? When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t remember but I have always been writing short stories. It just comes out, sometimes I don’t even know that I am writing.

Now at 14, you’ve already published your first novel. How do you feel about that? Is it all exciting or are there parts about being published so young that are scary too?

I feel… normal about it. I feel the same like before I published it. When I get a bad review I get sad but a couple of minutes later I just shrug it off. The scariest part is if I have to do a live interview either on the phone or on television. I am really shy and I don’t talk much unless I feel really comfortable around someone.


Tell us about Ginger High?

Ginger High is about a school that is for students with powers. Some of them can control air, fire, and some come heal. There is also an alternate universe called Animist where the people with powers reside. In this book, a group of students and their friends have to solve a murder that has been happening for years.

Where did you find the inspiration for this story?

Mew Mew Power. This anime show was my inspiration for the alternate world. Also I watched Angel and I loved it.

How long did it take you to bring this book from the first draft to the final published product?

It took about two years for everything. For the first draft I worked with it for a year then another year for the second draft and the editing.

Tell us about your main characters. Why will readers relate to them? What will they like about them?

Some readers might find some of the characters relationships like their own. There are a lot of friend problems between some of the characters. Also, some will not give up a relationship even if the other person wants them to.

Where can readers purchase a copy of Ginger High?

You can go to amazon.com.

Do you have a website or blog?

My website is www.gingerhigh.com.

What is up next for you? Any plans to release another book in the future?

I am working on the rewrite of Ginger High 2 right now. After that I might rewrite two other books that I wrote last year.

Thanks for spending time with us Melissa. I hope you’ll come back and visit us again soon. Good luck with your book!

READ THE REVIEWS:

"This is a fast moving story with plenty of twists and just enough action and adventure to keep the pages flowing." - Nelaine Sanchez, Blogger and Book Reviewer

"Fourteen year old, Melissa Burmester has written a fast paced debut novel; combining horror, mystery and fantasy." - Reviewthebook.com