Lavender in Bloom {+ Giveaway}

I’m happy to be taking part in the LAVENDER IN BLOOM by Lily Velez Book Blitz with Xpresso Book Tours today.

Today’s post features an interview with Lily and an excerpt from her new book. In addition, there’s an International tour-wide giveaway for a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Please see the end of the post for more details.

Lavender in Bloom
by Lily Velez
Publication date: July 25th 2016
Genres: Historical, Romance, Young Adult

It’s the year 1802 in Avignon, France…

Noah Capet has spent most of his young life living simple and unvaried days in the hushed countryside of southern France. Quiet, reserved, and diffident, his preference for existing is to do so in solitude, keeping to himself both in town and on his family’s farm—a predilection that’s altogether disrupted when a newcomer to town by the name of Jeremie Perreault begins an unremitting quest to befriend him.

Jeremie is everything Noah is not. Charismatic and gregarious, he leaves a trail of charmed admirers in his wake wherever he goes. Expressive and idealistic, he talks without end about his deep love for old books and his spirited dream to one day travel the world on a literary pilgrimage.

Over the course of a single summer, the two form an unlikely friendship, but just as quickly as it develops, it soon entirely dissolves as they’re forced to face the truth of what has unexpectedly emerged between them.

Lavender in Bloom is a tender and tragic coming-of-age story about first love and self-discovery, and a poignant reminder that time is fleeting and always takes with it the choices we’re too afraid to make.

You can find LAVENDER IN BLOOM at Goodreads and Amazon.

Now an excerpt from the book for your reading pleasure.

The music formally began and, with it, the dance. Noah’s body was stiff as he bowed along with the other men, the women curtsying.

Already, Noah was sweating. It was as if the entire room had caught fire, and he couldn’t understand how no one else felt the blaze of the flames. Focus on Margaux, he told himself. He reached for the satin fingers of her elbow-length glove when they closed the space between them.

“You’re doing just fine,” she whispered quickly before they parted, assuming his distress stemmed from self-consciousness.

If Margaux believed he could survive this unpleasant social ritual, then he would. Or so he told himself. Except that the part of the dance he’d most dreaded had now come upon him. Each couple was to presently join hands with their immediate neighbors, the four of them then walking in a circle counterclockwise.

The girls easily clasped hands as was expected of them. Then Jeremie extended a hand to Noah, and Noah had to stop himself from drawing back. He didn’t move.

“Noah!” Camilla hissed. He was embarrassing her. The other couples were already turning in their circles while his own quartet remained stationary because of his faltering.

Realizing his hesitancy would only draw attention, he surrendered his hand.

The contact lasted but a few breaths, for no more than a string of heartbeats easily counted. But for Noah, it was an eternity. It was a moment on his hill back at the farm, where time stretched impossibly, dropping a person into a pocket full of forevers. It was yesterday, today, and a multitude of tomorrows, and most of all, it was Jeremie. His skin ever so warm, so soft. It was his poetry and books, his curiosity and joy, the kindness in his eyes and the way Noah’s name sounded when it left his lips. It was all these things, and all these things kindled a spark in Noah. 

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Lily as she answers some questions. Welcome Lily.

What was your favorite part of Lavender in Bloom to write and why?

Lily:

There were a lot of scenes that were exciting for me to write. I would say one of my favorite scene, however, takes place in Jeremie’s bookshop when Noah has finished helping him ready the store for its grand opening. I don’t want to give away too much so that I don’t spoil it for readers, but toward the end of this scene, Jeremie does something to indicate that he’s begun to see Noah as more than just a friend. To me, it was just a very tender moment in the story, and I think it’s something we can all relate to. We’ve all had those moments when we’ve wondered if the object of our affection feels similarly. It can be scary to make the first move to find out, so I just feel like the scene has a universality to it. I also enjoy this scene because it’s the ‘point of no return’ for Noah and Jeremie. Neither of them can pretend like the moment never happened, and it ends up changing their relationship for the rest of the summer.

What was the hardest part of the writing process?

Lily:

As it happened, the mass shooting in Orlando (the worst mass shooting in U.S. history) took place while I was doing final edits for Lavender in Bloom. I live in Orlando, and the shooting actually took place at a venue just 20 minutes away from my home. That was hard because it emphasized the amount of hate that’s in our world, especially when it comes to who a person loves. Noah and Jeremie’s story takes place in 1802. Although revolutionary ideals (and later, The Napoleonic Code) decriminalized same-sex relationships at the time, it’s not like you could suddenly walk down the street hand-in-hand with your significant other. Objections still ran deep, and just decades before the story’s set, two men were actually burned alive in Paris for being lovers. So the hardest part for me was realizing just how close to home Noah and Jeremie’s story is for countless people even to this day.

Can you share some surprising things you learned while researching this book?

Lily:

At one point in Lavender in Bloom, Jeremie shares an anecdote about a book in his collection. What’s so unique about it? It’s bound in someone’s skin! As it turns out, this sort of thing happened back in the day. People would have books bound with their own skin upon their death so that the book would serve as a memorialization for their families. I don’t know if those family members ever ended up keeping those books, though! I don’t think I’d want to! :)

If you could spend a day with a character from your book, who would it be and what would you do?

Lily:

I’d probably most enjoy spending a day with Jeremie. I would want to join him on one of his literary pilgrimages--probably the one where he visits all the breathtaking libraries in the world. That would be so much fun, and it’s actually a goal of mine as well!

What were your goals and intentions in this book? What do you hope people will take away?

Lily:

I hope people will take away the fact that you can’t live your life to please other people. This is something I think we all face at some point in our lives. We either do what’s expected of us to make mom and dad (or whoever it might be) happy and proud (but it comes at the expense of our own joy) ...or we forge a path for ourselves, break the mold, and live the fulfilling life of our dreams.

It can be scary to do the thing that lights you up on the inside--especially if it’s met with the disapproval of others. No one wants to be an outcast. We want to be accepted and loved. We want to feel like we belong.

But this life you have is your life and yours only. It’s a gift. You’ve been given a unique opportunity to explore the world, to grow, to learn about what you like and don’t like, to develop meaningful and beautiful relationships with others, and to have an overall fulfilling and positive experience until your last day. So why spend a single minute of your life in a job/role/position/relationship/etc. that doesn’t make you excited to be alive?

Your dreams are special, and I hope this book encourages people to go after that thing that’s been tugging at their heart for a while now, to say yes to that opportunity no matter how scary it might be, and to not let amazing and beautiful things slip through their fingers because of fear.

Are you working on another book?

Lily:

Two stories are currently warring within me to become my next book.

The first is a contemporary, new adult romance about a young woman who tracks down the family of the organ donor whose heart saved her father's life a year ago, and finds a group of shattered individuals still in the throes of grief.

The second is an adult historical romance set in the 1800s in Prague that follows a young psychology professor named Gottfried, whose world is turned upside down when a seventeen-year-0ld, would-be anarchist named Dominik Prochazka becomes enamored of him.

If you'd like to stay updated about my future books and be among the first to know about advanced reader copies, giveaways, and events, you can sign up to join my VIP crew here: http://www.lilyvelezbooks.com/free/

Lily, thanks for joining us today and sharing this insight into your book. It’s amazing how far and how little we’ve come from the 1800s.

Author Lily Velez

Lily Velez has been writing stories since she was six years old. Not much has changed since then. She still prefers the written word and her overactive imagination over the 'real world' (though to be fair, her stories no longer feature talking dinosaurs). 

A graduate of Rollins College and a Florida native, when she's not reading or writing, she spends most of her days wrangling up her pit bulls Noah and Luna, planning exciting travel adventures, and nursing her addiction to cheese. All this when she isn't participating in the extreme sport known as napping.

You can learn more about Lily and her books by visiting her website and connecting with her on Goodreads and Twitter.

This tour-wide giveaway is for a $100 Amazon Gift Card (International Giveaway). To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks so much for dropping by during Lily’s stop. Do you think we’ve come very far in our thinking and acceptance of others since the 1800s?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

52 LIKES by Medeia Sharif {+ Giveaway}

It’s my pleasure today to be participating in the cover reveal for YA and MG author Medeia Sharif’s latest release, 52 LIKES, published by Evernight Teen.

In addition, Medeia is joining us to talk about how she ‘fast drafted’ her book and has a special giveaway.

Here’s a brief synopsis of this intriguing story:

        After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. She’s plagued by not knowing the identity of her rapist and by the nasty rumors in school about that night.
        Valerie follows clues from ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site—why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Medeia. Welcome, Medeia. Tell us how you ‘Fast Drafted 52 LIKES.’

The idea for 52 LIKES hit me last April. I wrote down notes and a rough outline, but I couldn’t start novel writing because I had edits for two different books coming in. I needed to meet those deadlines and wait for some free time in order to draft this shiny new idea that I was passionate about. It was paranormal, which I had never written before. It was edgy and dark. I wanted to flex my writing muscle to see if I could do this. 

It happened in early June. I had vacation time. I took my AlphaSmart word processor, which has no internet capabilities, and went to the library every weekday. I brought my typed outline and a notebook along with that. My phone was on me, but I only turned it on occasionally to check messages. Other than that, it was off most of the time. I wanted no distractions. I typed away, as if I were in a trance. Because the characters and plot points were in my mind for months, the story flowed out of me. In two weeks the draft was done. This was the first time I drafted a novel in such a short time period.

I couldn’t stay away from it for long. I let it rest for a few days, but then started on revisions. I transferred the files to a tablet, which I took with me on a Caribbean trip so that I could revise and edit at the airport and at the hotel, when I wasn’t sightseeing. In early July, I handed it to beta readers. In August I revised based on their notes, and then it was out on submission in September. Months later here it is, with a January release. 

Who else fast drafts? Has it worked for you?

Medeia, thanks for visiting with us today and sharing this look at 52 LIKES. Sometimes a story just has to be told and comes together in a fast draft.

52 LIKES can be purchased from Amazon, and Evernight Teen (vendor links will be updated on the author's site).

Now for those who aren’t familiar with Medeia, here’s some background.

Medeia Sharif was born in New York City and presently calls Miami her home. She received her master’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. 

After becoming a voracious reader in high school and a relentless writer dabbling in many genres in college, Medeia found her niche writing for young people. Today she is a MG and YA writer published through various presses. In addition to being a writer, Medeia is a public school teacher. Her memberships include Mensa, ALAN, and SCBWI.

For more on Medeia and her writing, visit her blog and connect with her on Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram and Amazon.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
 Thanks so much for stopping by during Medeia’s cover reveal. What are your thoughts on bullying in school? If you’re a writer, remember Medeia asked, ‘Who else fast drafts? Has it worked for you?’

Time and Again by Deborah Heal

Back in November I had the pleasure of welcoming two ‘new-to-me’ authors and a narrator to Thoughts in Progress. Author Terry Lee Rosing visited on Nov. 6, narrator Michelle Babb stopped by on Nov. 7 and author Deborah Heal dropped by on Nov. 13. 

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Deborah’s book, TIME AND AGAIN, the first installment in her History Mystery series. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on Terry’s book later this month. Michelle is the narrator for both books. Now my thoughts.

Books are sometimes hard to pin down to a single genre. Such is the case of author Deborah Heal’s TIME AND AGAIN, Book One in her History Mystery series.

This delightful story could be classified as a YA/Christian-themed/Historical/Mystery/Fantasy with a touch of romance. To me, it’s simply the best genre – an entertaining adventure with all these elements combined.

Narrator Michelle Babb brings the various characters to life. Her mannerisms and accents enhance the story. Her beautiful portrayal of the characters’ emotions adds depth.

Abby Thomas is spending the summer tutoring pre-teen Meredith Randall. But Meredith is sullen and angry due to her parents’ divorce. She hates that she and her mother moved from Chicago to small town Miles Station where there’s nothing to do. Abby has her work cut out for her since Meredith only wants to lounge around playing video games.

When the computer program Beautiful Homes keeps coming up on the screen, Meredith discovers their house is on the program but it shows the run-down house as it was when first built in the 1800s. As Abby and Meredith watch the video of the house, they become immersed in the lives of those first living in the house and the events of their era. They learn a young Abraham Lincoln visited there and that the house was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Through the actions of the earlier generation Abby is able to help Meredith understand that even though bad things happen, God has a purpose for everything. 

The author combines the various elements of fantasy, history, YA, romance, and mystery with faith to tell a delightful story. The characters, both past and present, are realistic and likable. The author brings their plight and emotions into play in such a way the listener feels a part of the story.

The small town setting is comfortable. With the author’s vivid descriptions a prior settlement can be seen blending the past and the present with a smooth flourish. The story flows between the two settings with ease.

TIME AND AGAIN is a fascinating story that draws you in on several levels. The ending doesn’t give a definite finish to the story, but leaves listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment in this tantalizing story.

Time and Again by Deborah Heal, History Mystery Book #1, Narrated by Michelle Babb, Write Brain Books, @2014, ASIN: BOOL2P6U6K, Unabridged, Audible Audio, Run Time: 5 Hours and 12 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope your Monday is off to a good start and you have a wonderful week. Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you could become a part of a game you were playing or a video you were watching?

*This post contains affiliate links.

Sudden Secrets by C. Lee McKenzie

 I’m delighted today to share a new YA book by friend, fellow blogger and author C. Lee McKenzie.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

one Secret
        Cleo has struggled to heal after her baby sister’s death, but the flashbacks to the accident won’t go away. With the move, she vows to keep her tragedy a secret and avoid pitying looks.

one Mystery
        Something’s strange about the abandoned house across the street—flashes of light late at night and small flickers of movement that only someone looking for them would see.
        Everyone says the house is deserted, but Cleo is sure it isn’t, and she’s sure whoever is inside is watching her.

another Secret
        In one night, Belleza’s life changes forever. So famous, her only choice is to hide her secret from the world so she can silence small town bigotry.
        Then Cleo happens.

SUDDEN SECRETS can be purchased at the following links: KINDLE, PRINT, EVERNIGHT TEEN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

C. Lee McKenzie is a native Californian, and after living a lot of different places in the world, landed back in her native state on the edge of a redwood forest. When she’s not writing or blogging she is hiking or practicing yoga. Then there's that half acre of garden that needs a lot of love.

SUDDEN SECRETS (Evernight Teen 2014) is her fourth young adult novel. She wrote her first young adult novel, SLIDING ON THE EDGE, after reading a news article about "self-abuse" among ivy league students. Her second novel, THE PRINCESS OF LAS PULGAS, deals with a young girl and her family. They have everything and suddenly nothing. DOUBLE NEGATIVE (Evernight Teen 2014) is a book that turned C. Lee into an advocate for literacy. 

You can find C. Lee on TWITTER and FACEBOOK or visit her WEBSITE. She also blogs at THE WRITE GAME.

See all of her book titles HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope I’ve enticed you to check out C. Lee’s new book,  as well as her other novels. Are you a YA reader? If so, what do you enjoy about YA books?

Visit With The Monster Squad and Christian Page

You don’t have to have children to enjoy reading YA books so I’m delighted to welcome author Christian Page here today to talk about the first installment in his new kid’s book series.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

Monsters. Mad Scientists. Danger.

        Dark forces are converging on the sleepy town of Autumn’s Hallow. Monsters in the woods, mad scientists on the loose and sinister minions lurk. Four young friends must band together to uncover a secret plot that threatens them, the town they live in and the people they love. It’s up to Blaine Davis, Daschle Gaunt, Shelley Merry and Drake Harker, heirs to fantastic powers to stop an evil that threatens to consume the world. Can the Monster Squad thwart the evil Victor von Frankenstein in time? Find out in Book 1 of an exciting new series!

I’ll let Christian explain further and he has a treat to share with you as well. Welcome, Chris.

Hi, my name is Christian Page and I am the author of a new kid’s book series called The Monster Squad. Book One is the Monster Squad: The Iron Golem and is now available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and other popular sites and book stores from my publisher New Generation Publishing. I’m guest posting today to provide an overview on the book and an exclusive excerpt from the story! I hope you’ll enjoy it.

The Monster Squad follows a group of small-town friends who discover they are heirs to frightening and mysterious powers. There’s quiet and shy Blaine Davis who is the invisible woman reborn; the jock, Daschle Gaunt, who has the strength and speed of the wolf man; the mystery man, Drake Harker, who has the mind control powers of the vampire; and the brain, Shelley Merry, who is the heir to a terrible and fierce monster. 

The kids must learn to master their powers while grappling with a group of nasties led by the nefarious Victor von Frankenstein who threaten their town, families and themselves in a race against time. The book combines the action and adventure of a popcorn sci-fi movie, introduces readers to the rich cannon of sci-fi, gothic and horror movie characters with a new and fresh modern spin, and breaks up the action with a ton of fun pop culture references and one liners to make sure readers of all ages get a breather and not take the action too seriously.

We have a trailer posted on You Tube that gives a quick 60 second run thru of the high points of the story. You can check it out here.

You can also read a “look inside” preview on Amazon by clicking here.

Now for Thoughts in Progress readers, an exclusive excerpt from the story…

Kevin raced with Shelley thru the crowds. They ran from the field, to the front entrance, and into the grassy area surrounding the stadium. Long shadows from the football field lights crisscrossed the grassy knoll, extending to the nearby wall of trees. Few people were outside and most were up to no good or couples sneaking away for some privacy. Kevin tripped over two surprised seniors attempting a half-time smooch.

“High Schoolers…” he murmured, as he ran past the surprised girl and her irate boyfriend.

“Aaaoooo!”

They skid to a stop at a long, low howl from the woods. Inside, they could see bobbing cell phones acting as impromptu flashlights. There were dozens of them running this way and that.

“Which way?” Shelley asked, breathing hard.

A Grimm student came flinging thru the underbrush landing hard on the grass. He fell in a broken heap, skipping across the lawn, landing in the bright glare of the stadium. 

Kevin looked closer. It wasn’t Heinz, Frederick, or Carlos but the kid looked like he could have been a relative; snow white hair, fair skin, and the same perfectly pressed clothes. Except this one looked broken. His head and legs were pitched at odd angles and he lay still on the ground. A swarm of tiny, odd-looking insects rose up around him glinting metallic in the light. 

Shelley gasped as the swarm congealed on the Grimm student and his body contorted. The strange bugs melted onto the boy, reshaping his broken limbs and injuries, while emitting a soft greenish light. The Grimm picked himself up from the ground and looked at Shelley and Kevin with a sneer as a gash on his forehead closed. A final metallic bug flew into his mouth and he bit down, licking his lips. He ran back into the underbrush toward where he had been thrown.

“That way!” Kevin said, pointing at where the mutant Grimm had run off to.

“After you…” Shelley said with a gulp.

“Thanks…” Kevin whispered, running into the woods after the boy, Shelley close on his heels.

Darkness closed on them fast as they entered the woods. The trees were tall and the underbrush was thick. Bright stadium light stabbed thru the branches and trunks but most of the woods were pitch black. Kevin pushed forward, following the trail the Grimm student had paved. He caught sight of him thru a gap in the trees jumping ten feet in the air over a thick bramble patch.

“Holy cow!” Kevin said. “That kid moves like Spiderman!”

“What are they? That Grimm kid is like some kind of monster,” Shelley said.
Kevin grabbed his cell phone and punched in some information. “Cyborgs,” he replied grimly, as he handed over his phone.

Shelley took it and looked at the screen. Kevin had launched his phone’s Gothic app and pulled up an entry from the Gothic Monsterpedia. A 3D picture of a scary half-man, half-machine revolved in the foreground with a table of attributes and brief description to its side.

“Machine augmented humans, usually controlled by a remote source. Very high strength and constitution. Low charisma. Proceed with caution. Best dealt with range weapons, ideally a high grade plasma cannon.”

“I forgot my photon torpedoes at home,” Shelley quipped, giving back his phone. “Any suggestions?”

“Do you know any friendly, time travelling Terminators?” 

From out of the gloom two Grimm students stalked forward. They were perfect reflections of each other. They walked through a bright shaft of stadium light, revealing their harsh jeers and robotic blue eyes.

“You will come with us, heir,” the first said to Shelley. The second moved forward to grab her by the shoulder.

Kevin pushed him. “Hey! Leave my friend alone!”

The second boy regarded Kevin with disdain. The Grimm grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him in the air.

“You are the one who evaded the Heinz unit,” he said, leering at Kevin who dangled from the ground, struggling against the boy’s grip. “You are no heir.” He flung Kevin to the side who landed in a nearby bush.

“Kevin!” Shelley shouted, shirking away from the Grimm students.

“You will come with us now, heir,” the first Grimm boy said, approaching Kevin and picking him up by the hair. “Or we will break your companion’s neck.”

Shelley raced forward and tried to tackle the Grimm kid holding Kevin. The second pushed her away. She fell in a heap on the ground near a large tree trunk. She looked up woozily.

“Get her,” the first said to his companion.

The second stepped forward. 

BOOM!

The trees shook.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The Grimm student scanned the nearby trees. The earth and lower limbs shook. 

“What is that?” the second Grimm asked.

From out of the bushes, a giant metal fist smashed into the Grimm student nearest Shelley and slammed him into in a tree, hitting it at fantastic speed. The student evaporated in a swirling puff of angry, buzzing, metal insects. The insects fell to the ground, dying with a soft green light.

The first Grimm dropped Kevin who looked up to see a giant metal man walk from under the shadows of a nearby fir tree. The Grimm student crouched into a fighting position as the giant robot raised to its full height, towering over him, its harsh emerald eyes glaring down. The Grimm cyborg sneered and launched himself at the robot.

The giant iron creature grabbed the student in midair with one hand and whipped him around, smashing him into a nearby tree. Like his companion, the Grimm exploded into a million tiny pieces. A cloud of glowing lime-hued metal buzzed angrily and then fell helplessly to the ground, turning to a dull grey dust.

Kevin scrambled to Shelley, staring at the giant robot in fright. The creature was huge, easily ten feet tall. Its body was smooth and metallic with large iron fists and feet which carved deep impressions in the soft forest earth. It had no features on its body or face except for two bright green slits that served as eyes. 

The creature turned its head and regarded Shelley and Kevin. The harsh green of its eyes softened and the slits angled down to a neutral expression. It turned its body and stood still before them.

“Holy cow!” Kevin muttered.

Shelley got up on her elbows and looked at the glistening steel robot. “What does your phone say about this one, Kevin?” she breathed.

Kevin shakily took his phone from his pocket. He gulped. “Robot,” he whispered, “infinite strength, unknown weaknesses, intentions unclear.”

*****

Liked what you read? Then go to Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Good Reads or Kobo to find out more!

Thanks so much for taking a look at my story! I hope you take a few minutes more to explore it on one of the sites with reviewer and purchase information. I check these regularly and hope to see your feedback soon!

Thanks – Chris

Chris, thank you for visiting with us today and sharing this excerpt. You definitely make reading fun. I like the pop culture references.

Now here’s a bit of background on Chris.

Christian Page loves stories that combine fun, action and adventure. A father of two, he lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States with his wife, son, daughter, overly plump cat and under-behaved dog. 

You can visit the author to learn more about his stories and upcoming work at www.chrispage.com or follow him on Facebook (Chris Page) or Twitter. 

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. We’re getting close to the end of the year. Are you ready for 2015? Do you enjoy reading YA books? If so, what do you enjoy most about them?

The Strength of Ballerinas {+ Giveaway}

I’m delighted today to be participating in the Cedar Fort Publishing virtual book tour for THE STRENGTH OF BALLERINAS by Nancy Lorenz.

In celebration of the release of her YA novel, Nancy is hosting a tour-wide giveaway for a couple of amazing prizes. Please see the end of the post for more details on that. Now for my thoughts on this delightful book.

THE STRENGTH OF BALLERINAS by Nancy Lorenz

Shattered dreams and personal hardships are mere obstacles for the young protagonist to overcome in Nancy Lorenz’s THE STRENGTH OF BALLERINAS.

Kendra wants only to dance for the Manhattan Dance Company. Her dreams are crushed when her family has to relocate to Napa Valley from New York. Faced with fitting into a new school and still pursuing her dream of dancing, Kendra has many challenges to overcome.

Helping care for her autistic brother in her single parent household, Kendra begins to adjust and find her place in the new setting. But when she receives news of her own health issues, her life changes forever. The choices she makes and the decisions she pursues turn her life upside down while giving her more determination than ever.

THE STRENGTH OF BALLERINAS deals with the hard work, discipline and dedication it takes to be a ballerina. But the author also gives readers a deeper story dealing with the issues this teenager must face and conquer not just with her dream to dance, but with family and friends. The turmoil and uncertainty of starting over in a new school, making new friends and being accepted from a teenager’s viewpoint are well developed throughout the story.

Lorenz has created well-developed characters that evolve as the story unfolds. She highlights the many highs and lows teenagers deal with daily. She blends desire, family, friends and understanding into a fascinating read. The story flows smoothly and the setting draws you in.

A love or enjoyment of the ballet is not necessary to appreciate this story. THE STRENGTH OF BALLERINAS deals with striving for your dreams, even as they change due to circumstances beyond your control. This is an enchanting and inspiring story you won’t be able to put down.

The Strength of Ballerinas by Nancy Lorenz, Sweetwater Books, @2014, ISBN: 978-1462114528, Paperback, 256 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me as part of the author’s virtual book tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Nancy Lorenz currently teaches as an English adjunct at several colleges. She worked in publishing, public relations and in network television. She studied ballet in New York City at numerous studios, including open level classes at American Ballet Theater in the 1980’s, and continues to study ballet for the sheer love of it. 

Nancy recommends that you love what you do, but also to branch out to the many subjects out there yet to discover. The more you learn, the more you can bring back into your art.

For more on Nancy and her writing, please visit her website and blog. You can also connect with her on Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter.


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is tour-wide and hosted by the author. The prize for one lucky winner will be a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of THE STRENGTH OF BALLERINAS.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, please be patient.

Thanks so much for stopping by today during Nancy’s tour. Have you or someone in your family ever dreamed of being a ballerina? Have you ever thought about the hard work and discipline that goes into being a ballerina? Do you hear music and feel like twirling when you look at the book cover?

*This post contains affiliate links. a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Adventures of Horace, George and Ingle by H.W. Cumming

I recently learned of a new author, H.W. Cumming, who was on tour with his debut novel for youngsters. I wasn’t able to participate in Cumming’s tour for the book, but I did have a chance to read the book and would like to share my thoughts on it with you.

THE ADVENTURES OF HORACE, GEORGE AND INGLE: THE RISE OF THE BLACK KNIGHT by H.W. Cumming

Looking for an adventure set during the time of knights and dragons, then THE ADVENTURES OF HORACE, GEORGE AND INGLE: THE RISE OF THE BLACK KNIGHT by H.W. Cumming is the perfect book.

The story is geared to be read by pre-teens. However, younger children’s attention will be captivated by the story if read to them as it also entertains those doing the reading. In addition, there are a number of beautiful drawings to enhance the story.

Life in Galray has been calm and peaceful for many years under the strong leadership of the King. To ensure the peace, the King is hoping to sign a treaty with the dragons where all can live in harmony.

The King’s three sons – twins Horace and George, along with older brother Ingle – are playing chess one night when a terrible, mysterious storm settles over the kingdom. The trio rush to the tower to see what is happening only to discover many buildings in the kingdom being destroyed by fire. They also feel a presence nearby, but see no one.

The next day they learn there was a strange substance on the rooftops that caused the fires. Their father sends them and Roland, the teenage son of a neighboring King, on a journey to find out what caused the storm and the fires.

In their search for the truth behind the mysterious storm, they uncover a plot to harm their way of live. The three brothers – ages 15 and 17 – are forced to grow up quickly in order to save their kingdom.

Cumming crafts an intriguing tale while also incorporating valuable life lessons. He combines the bonding of brothers with issues faced as we grow older, along with challenges of trust and betrayal, while blending in bits of humor. The characters are likable and the story flows quickly.

THE ADVENTURES OF HORACE, GEORGE AND INGLE is a magical tale that readers of all ages will find entertaining. The story concludes, but an opening is left for hopefully more adventures by these young men.

The Adventures of Horace, George and Ingle: The Rise of the Black Knight by H.W. Cumming., FriesenPress, @2014, ISBN: 978-1460238462, Paperback, 144 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. Do you enjoy visiting the era of knights and dragons? What was your favorite magical tale from childhood?

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Wherewolves: Screenplay, Book, Oh My!

I recently had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of two ‘new-to-me’ authors that have an intriguing background and an interesting book that actually began life as a screenplay.

WHEREWOLVES was written as a screenplay in 2010. The couple wrote the novel, edited by award winning Canadian author/poet, Shelley A. Leedahl, to get the story out while they wait for it to hit the screens.

Together for over 20 years, John Vamvas and Olga Montes started as an acting team but soon began to write their own scripts for lack of finding two-person plays they could tour across North America. 

They wrote and toured four full-length critically acclaimed plays to packed houses across Canada and the United States, including, Bad Boy, which they performed Off-Off-Broadway at New York’s Creative Place Theatre in the heart of Times Square.

WHEREWOLVES is a mature YA, new adult, horror, thriller that is available in eBook and paperback. Here’s a brief synopsis:
   
    Using a fun, explosive style, full of new slang and fresh dialogue, WHEREWOLVES is the story of a group of high school seniors, most “military brats”, who are headed for an army-type survival weekend.
    The underdogs, Jeffrey and Doris, do not want to go as they fear for their safety among the disdain and cruelty of the popular students. Sergeant Tim O’Sullivan, their teacher, as well as their dysfunctional parents pressure them into going, but it is an unforgivable act by their peers that propels the pair to go. Likewise, Elie, a student resented because of his Arab roots, is even more determined to prove himself this weekend.
    In the background, a news report cautions of a wanted couple with alleged super-human strength supposedly brought on by a new drug on the streets.
    In the woods, the students hike, hunt, camp, and soon act in unity as the forest brings them closer together. But does it? O’Sullivan leaves them alone for the night. The students bond, chant, tell campfire tales, and quickly lose their fears and inhibitions. HOO-AH! Though sexual tensions are high, it soon turns to violence and everything quickly turns sour.
    When the kids start disappearing one after the other, the remaining begin to unwittingly “act like the natives” carving spears, ready to face whatever is out there. What has gotten into them?     Amid blood-curdling growls and gruesome deaths, the story’s underlying layers are revealed. We see how misconceptions, prejudice, greed, fear, and hatred bring out the worst and best in them.
    WHEREWOLVES is a thought-provoking, intense, action-packed ride loaded with plot twists that will keep you guessing: What is out there? Can it really be werewolves?

Olga and John join us today and have graciously answered some questions.

Tell us a bit about yourselves.

Olga:
I'm a mother (of two), a preschool French teacher, an actress, and an avid reader of almost all genres. I dreamed of being a writer as a child and spent many high school lunch hours working on my writing with my English teacher. I have a college degree in Professional Theatre and a university degree in Spanish and French grammar and literature. I was on my way to becoming a translator/interpreter for the UN when I heard of an open audition at one of Montreal's biggest theatres. Funny, I later found out that I almost didn't get the role because the director and co-star, John Vamvas, was scared of falling in love with me and ruining the play. That was 1992. John and I have been writing and working together on stage, screen, and in life ever since.

John:
I grew up in one of Montreal's roughest boroughs. My high school teachers always told me that I'd be in jail or dead by eighteen. All I can say is, thank God for the Arts. I'm an actor, playwright, screenwriter and now novelist. I love words, especially dialogue, and have a lot of fun coming up with new ways to say the same thing.

I now live in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada (a Montreal suburb) with Olga, our two extraordinary children, an awesome dog, and two crazy lovebirds we refer to as pterodactyls.
 
Give a brief description of what WHEREWOLVES is about and what genre it belongs to.

Olga and John:
WHEREWOLVES is a horror/thriller. It's about a group of high

school seniors, most of them military brats, who set out on a weekend survival trip with their teacher, 'The Sarge'. It is essentially a fresh take on bullying told using a rapid-fire style, new slang, and loaded with many plot twists.

How did you come up with the idea of high school students, consisting of mostly army brats, participating in a military survival type weekend?

Olga and John:
We knew a good chunk of the story had to take place in the woods. When we were developing the story, the characters manifested themselves as 'military brats'. We extensively researched the lifestyle and psychology of children whose parent or parents are in the military and found the general particularities of many 'military brats' to fit perfectly with our story.
 
WHEREWOLVES was originally written as a screenplay. How difficult was it to translate it into a book?

Olga and John:
We have written two screenplays and four critically acclaimed plays. This is our first stab at novel writing and turning a script into a novel has been a thrilling/terrifying/overwhelming challenge, to say the least. 

Screenwriting is all about creating the skeleton that the actors, director, cinematographer, sound, lights, etc. will shape and make unique. This time, though, we got to be everyone, feel everyone, see and smell everything. Amazing. It took nine months of sleeplessness to come up with a first draft. We gave it to a few people to read. Some loved it. Some thought something was missing. All had corrections. 

We decided to get a professional opinion and searched for an editor online. We stumbled on a Saskatoon writer/poet/editor, Shelley A. Leedahl, who was familiar with our writing style. We wrote her asking if she could edit a novel that has the film feel; meaning, our writing is intense, the dialogue is quick, the slang is fresh, and the descriptions blend with the action. The story moves, just like a movie reel. She said, "Send it over." And we did. We were confident. Maybe a little cocky—I think we were looking for a professional pat on the back. We got our manuscript back four weeks later.
 
We expected to find circled a few typos here, a couple of commas missing there. Ha! Ha! What we got were notes. Plenty of them ("Work harder!", "Whose POV are you in?", "This section is boring! Cut it!", etc.), and pen marks littering almost every page. Plus a detailed 20 page report. We almost cried. But all her notes were in keeping with our writing style—not hers. She was pointing us in the right direction. The task seemed daunting but we took it one page at a time. The hardest part was the narration and making sure that the changes in point of view were clear and flowed smoothly. 

Soon, the task turned into an exciting challenge. And we were flying. We came up with our second (we thought final) draft and sent it back to her—still looking for that pat on the back. Two weeks later, we got more (but not as many) notes. We were, according to her, well on our way.

You co-wrote WHEREWOLVES. How difficult is it brainstorming with another writer?

Olga and John:
We have been writing together for a long time. We're at our creative best when we work together; 90% of the time we finish each other's sentences. The other 10%, ha! that's the fun part.

What was the most difficult part of writing WHEREWOLVES and how much research did you do as to how a survival type weekend would be conducted?

Olga and John:
The most difficult part, actually, was just technical; there are a lot of point of view changes in the story and we had to make sure the transitions were smooth. The story wrote itself, really. The characters spoke to us, and we just typed. We did do a lot of research, though, about the military, military brats, small towns near military bases, survival weekends, equipment, and human psychology.

What, in your opinion, about WHEREWOLVES will appeal to readers?

Olga and John:
So far, readers have really been getting a kick out of the dialogue, the edge-of-your-seat writing style, the many plot twists, and the underlying social commentary.

Do you plan any subsequent books?

Olga and John:
Yes. WHEREWOLVES stands alone but there could be a prequel and we've been developing the sequel. Both will stand alone as well yet complement the others. There's also another story Johnny came up with last summer that we've been musing about.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Olga and John:
If you're a writer: No matter how brilliant you think your writing is, hire an editor. One with experience, or at least a degree, who knows what they're doing. It will make your novel that much more brilliant.

If you're a reader: Read WHEREWOLVES. It's fast, fresh, fun, and riveting. It will get your heart pounding and have you laughing and crying at the same time. For a look at the first two chapters, visit www.wherewolvestheblog.com and let us know what you think. We love hearing from our readers.
 
Thanks Olga and John for joining us today and giving us a look at how a screenplay becomes a book. Plot twists and edge-of-your-seat writing does capture my attention when it comes to finding a good story.

I also wanted to note that in 2001, Olga and John were approached to star in and rewrite the short film, Things Never Said in Playa Perdida. Playa won the audience award at the New York Short Film Festival in 2002 and tied first place at the Festivalisimo festival in Montreal.

For more on Olga and John and their writing, visit their website and find them on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

Here are what Amazon reviewers are saying about WHEREWOLF:
    "5 stars. A MUST READ!"
    "5 stars. It reminded me a bit of Lord of the Flies versus Silver Bullet but only way cooler."
    "5 stars. Finally! A thriller that is unpredictable. A real page turner that expertly knows how to balance dialogue and description."
    "Chillingly terrifying... This is one horror novel that will have you thinking long after you've finished reading."
    "5 stars. Great keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat writing! Love the depth of the characters."

To tempt your reading taste buds a bit more, Olga and John are sharing an excerpt from WHEREWOLF, enjoy…

   

Dilly runs. The deafening beat of her panting isn’t enough to drown out the monstrous growls and trampling that rumble behind her. Though she can’t see well enough to dodge the naked branches slicing into her, the full moon’s rays help her find the path. This way, the young woman tells herself, and takes a left. Now right! Her body veers. She slams her beaten shoulder against the thick trunk of a sugar maple. Ah, fuck! The pain electrifies her cells. Like sticking a finger in a thousand volt socket. She falls to one knee. Don’t you fucking stop! Move! Move! Move! She forces herself up and implores her feet to barrel forward.

    There it is! The fallen stump that looks more like a giant claw! She makes a mad dash for it, hurtles over the trunk, lands on all fours, and snaps her head back. She gasps, “Yes!” eyes on the nest-like bundle cradled between the two lower branches of the tall yellow birch before her.

    She can hear whatever is out there tearing through the brush.

    She leans against the tree’s peeling, gray bark, and kicks at the dead leaves on the ground. Come on! she screams in her head. And at last feels the line dig into her ankle. She yanks it back hard. Click.

    A thunderous roar!

    She throws herself to the ground and in the next instant, a burlap sack swooshes over her.

    Slam!

    A canine screech rips through the forest.

    Dilly jolts, feels the ground, and snatches a heavy rock. She thrashes her head from side to side and strains to hear the danger, but hears only the sack’s long suspended rope creaking as it swings. She gets to her knees. A branch snaps, she spins to pitch the rock— Nothing’s there. “Breathe, girl, breathe,” she reminds herself. And inhales deeply. The prominent scent of balsam firs transports her to the weekend she spent with Brian in a cozy bed and breakfast last May. Her eyes well. Brian ... She scans the beech, spruce, and birch tree outlines, caressing her ring—its diamond lost to the forest. We should have never ... ahh ... She brushes off tears. Be strong, she compels herself. She staggers to a stand and lumbers off.

    A harrowing growl booms—her feet are in the air, her face smashes to the ground.

    “No! Nooooo!” She screams, as she’s dragged across the underbrush.

    Pebbles, leaves, and branches cut into her. Her fingernails claw a trail into the earth as she tries to grip at something—anything—that will anchor her long enough to turn over and hurl the rock she still has gripped in her hand. A trio of saplings gashes her chin and she grabs onto them, jerking to a stop.

    She fears she’ll be rent in two as she's tugged savagely. But she doesn’t let go. I’ve got to ... She tries to twist—turn my ... fucking arm ... over ...

    Light shines through from approaching high beams. Distant, but just enough of a distraction. Yes!

    She whips the rock.

    A painful yowl!

    “Fuck you!” she bellows as she scrambles to her feet and darts for the auspicious lights. She pushes her way through a thicket of juniper shrubs, waving and hollering—”Hey! Hey!”—and scarcely manages to catch herself. Shafts of light from the oncoming vehicle reveal there is nowhere to go but down. Down a ridiculously steep hill, she discovers.

    The charging footsteps close in.

    Shit! She glances over her shoulder—Fuck!—and drops to the ground. She gropes the ridge, clasps a sturdy root, and slides over the edge. Splinters stab into her hands. “Ahhhh!” she squeals—Shut up!—and hangs on. She cocks her head east to west. I need ... something ... else ... to grab on ... to.

    The thicket rattles and cracks.

    She winces. No! The rocks beneath her feet crumble. Oh my God, oh my God. Hang on. Don’t you fucking let go. Her feet dangle. The roots dig deeper into her palms. “Ahhhh!” She presses her mouth into the dirt and feels the earth above vibrate. A pebble bounces off her head.

    Beastly snorts and growls turn into sniffing and heavy panting.

    She holds her breath. Go away, go away, go away!

    The noises above her suddenly fade; all she hears is an eerie, unsettling breeze.

    Oh my God! She listens hard. They’re gone. Breathe, she reminds herself again. She inhales and looks down. The slope is too extreme. She needs another path. She waits a long moment—God help me!—and takes another mouthful of air, then musters the strength to pull herself up. Please don’t be there. Please don’t be there. Please—Fiery breath steams her forehead, and a snarl swells into a ferocious roar.

    Dilly glimpses the blur of black, indigo, royal blue below. And lets go.

Thanks for stopping by today. Does a camping trip in the great outdoors bring visions of horror stories to mind?