Sunday 31 March 2013

YA Giveaway 2013!


Myself and my mum (from JeanzBookReadNReview) decided to do an international giveaway of 21 YA Indie ebooks, which will be divided into three prize packs for three winners!

Prize Pack One
includes:


Prize Pack Two
includes:

 

Prize Pack Three
includes:


Fancy winning one of the above prize packs?
Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

Thursday 28 March 2013

Promotion: The Blaze Ignites by Nichelle Rae

The Blaze Ignites
By Nichelle Rae

The Blaze Ignites is the second book in The White Warrior series.

The problem with Azrel’s magic has been revealed. Now Azrel has the daunting task of trying to live with this problem and at the same time try to fix it, with no idea how to.

Meanwhile, creatures of Shadow are emerging in vast numbers across Casdanarus foretelling the beginning of a Second Shadow across the world. More terrifying then their actual appearance however, is the fact that these Shadow creatures seem to be homing in on Azrel herself and not the necklace. 

Azrel is left to wonder if Hathum has figured out that she is The White Warrior. If so, why hasn’t he attacked yet? Azrel knows she is vulnerable and certainly in no condition to fight him. So what was he waiting for?

Only Hathum knows.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Promotion: Only A Glow by Nichelle Rae

Only A Glow
By Nichelle Rae

Only A Glow is the first book in The White Warrior series.

What if the world was ending? What if only you had the power to save it? And what if your power wasn't in your control? Welcome to Azrel's dilemma.

Join Azrel, her brother Rabryn, and her best friend Ortheldo as they journey across their land to try to save the world from another age of the Shadow Gods rule. 

Along the way they try to find out what's wrong with Azrel's magic, because her magic is the only power that will cause the Shadow Gods to stumble and fail.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: Nichelle Rae

Nichelle Rae has written The White Warrior series.

1. What is your name and where do you call home? 
Hi! My name is Nichelle Rae and I'm from Massachusetts. 

2. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say? 
Epic Fantasy with a unique twist to the stereotypical fantasy genre concerning the main character, Azrel's, magic.

3. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series? 
This book is part of a 7 book series called The White Warrior. I have the first book out now and available for download and the second book will be available on March 28th 2013. The first book (volume 1) is called "Only A Glow" and the second book (volume 2) is called "The Blaze Ignites."

4. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? 
I have been writing since I was 14. No one really inspired me to start writing it was just something I enjoyed doing. To make impossible situations, (like meeting, or even dating, a member of your favorite boyband) seem and become real through stories was just so much fun!

5. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews? 
Absolutely! Since I'm such a new author, I will always have my books available for free download somewhere, either on Amazon or Smashwords, all the time if I can. If reviewers require or prefer a physical copy of my books I would absolutely do what I could to make that happen.

6. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book? 
I didn't come up with the cover. LOL I was absolutely clueless as to what I wanted my cover to look like. My poor, but completely brilliant cover artist came up with the cover of "Only A Glow" all by himself with nothing from me but a short synopsis of my book. What he did was so gorgeous I just couldn't believe it. He created all my covers and even has the cover of my second book "The Blaze Ignites" on his home page! His name is Travis Pennington and his website is http://www.probookcovers.com/

7. Which is your favorite cover of all the books you have written? 
I still have to order 2 more book covers to complete the series, but so far I would have to say that "The Blaze Ignites" book #2 is my favorite. Not only is it gorgeous and featured on my cover artists website, but a fan and a friend of mine, Sandra Alincastrofrom Argentina (yes, Argentina), created the magnificent diamond sword hilt of my main character on her own accord. It was so beautiful I HAD to put it on a book cover!

8. How did you come up with the title for your book? 
Each of my book titles is a description of the place my main character, Azrel, is in her journey. BecauseAzrel wields white fire magic the titles are centered around fire. The state of the fire in the title is a statement of where Azrel is in her journey (Book #1, Only A Glow. Book #2, The Blaze Ignites. Book #3, Steady Burn. Book #4, Doused. Book #5, Embers Under The Ash. Book #6, Commanding The Fire. Book #7, Fire of the World). Only a Glow refers to the fact that Azrel is just beginning her journey but she hasn’t made any significant personal or war triumphs yet, so she’s Only A Glow of the Fire of the World warrior she was born to be.

9. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers? 
HA! Yes I do have a book trailer. You can view it here: http://vimeo.com/51313772 I love book trailers so much I started my first Blog titled "B.R.A.V.E. (Books Really Are Very Entertaining)" dedicated to featuring author book trailers and a short interview with the author. You can visit B.R.A.V.E.via the link below.

10. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it? 
I have read at least 1000 books in my life and have only read two books twice. The first was "Wizard's First Rule" by Terry Goodkind and the second was "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Genius. Both of them. They create believable worlds that make the reader wish they could live in despite the obvious danger and peril. The camaraderie and friendship and love and bravery that gets these characters through the danger and peril makes the danger an peril worth it.

11. What is your favorite film? Was it based on a book? 
Sure was! The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. It was those movies that inspired my entire 7 books series that I took 2 years out of my life to write when I was 19 LOL! I was obsessed with the Lord of the Rings movies, but to me it seemed there weren’t enough tough females in the books (or movies), and I'm a sucker for a tough-as-nails female heroine. So I started writing my own version of Lord of the Rings with an added main character named Azrel. As the story progressed though, I was shocked to suddenly realize that Azrel was starting to take on a life of her own and her story started to lead away from the Lord of the Rings plot. When I realized this, I just shrugged and decided to follow her. Lo and behold! The White Warrior series was born.

12. What is your favorite book genre at the moment? 
Fantasy! Always has been always will be my favorite.

13. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? 
I'm reading R.A. Salvatore's "The Hunter's Blades" trilogy. It's the second trilogy in Salvatore's "Dark Elf" series starring Drizzt Do' Urden, who is absolutely my favorite character in the history of the thousand books I have read! I love Drizzt!!

14. Where can your readers follow you?








Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Monday 25 March 2013

Promotion: Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

Dark Star
By Bethany Frenette

Dark Star is the first book in the Dark Star series.

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile. 

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers - livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin. 

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight. 

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything - and everyone - she loves.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Friday 22 March 2013

Promotion: Deadly To Love by Mia Hoddell

Deadly To Love
By Mia Hoddell


There is a love that is so dangerous, so powerful, so intoxicating that it embraces your heart and smothers your mind until it leaves you defenceless.

Serena knew that but still, it didn't stop her. His name was Kai. He was the most beautiful, irresistible man she had ever encountered. Their attraction was too compelling to fight and she knew she would go to the end of the world beside him. That is love.

However behind the allure was hidden a deadly secret – a secret that threatened her fragile life... But secrets best left unsaid never remain hidden forever. When Kai reveals his true identity, she is exposed to a frightening world she had no idea existed. Controlled by powerful Elemental forces her life is placed in mortal danger.

Unbeknown to them, their lives have been entwined from the beginning and it leads her to discover an even greater secret about who she really is. As the pieces begin to unravel and death becomes a reality, Serena is forced to decide what is more important...her love or life.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: Mia Hoddell

Mia Hoddell has written Deadly To Love.


1. What is your name and where do you call home?
My name is Mia Hoddell and currently I live in the UK, although I would love to move somewhere where there is less rain and more sun.

2. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers) – The Elementals: Beautiful, Majestic and deadly…

3. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I’m currently writing the sequel to Deadly to Love and the final instalment in The Wanderer Trilogy. Apart from these I have another 9 books planned that are waiting to be written. Three of them are the next books in the Elemental Killers series while the others are new series with new supernatural beings.

4. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?
I have in the past for The Wanderer Trilogy but I won’t being doing this for Deadly to Love, I may host free days or giveaways but not for review purposes.

5. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
I came up with and designed the covers myself (student budget). The main feature of Deadly to Love is the Elementals so I wanted something to do with the elements on the front cover. I wanted to make it different from all the YA Paranormal books out there that have girls in dresses on the front though so I used ‘EK’ (Elemental Killers) as the centre point due to how much they feature in the book.

6. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?
My favourite has to be Deadly to Love. However I love the sequel’s cover even more but you will have to wait for the book to be released to see that.

7. Would you have different book covers for different countries?
If I ever get the book published and have a professional designing the covers I might but I’m not sure as it isn’t something I have considered.

8. How did you come up with the title for your book?
I wrote down the main themes in my book and then started playing around with words while keeping a list of each idea. For Deadly to Love I ended up with 63 ideas before I narrowed it down to my favourite 20. After that I got people from my target audience in college, my family and my blog followers to vote on what they liked best so I could get a feel of the favourites. That doesn’t mean I went with the most popular but it helped with the top three.

9. What is your opinion on ARCs?
I love receiving them to review and I think they are great for getting a general feel about your work before you release it.

10. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?
I prefer paperbacks any day. There is just something different about them as I feel I physically own something rather than it all being digital. However I read ebooks for reviewing purposes as they are more convenient for self-published authors as I can carry hundreds around with me at one time.

11. Are you a self-published / Indie author?
Yes but I’m hoping to start querying agents soon.

12. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
I love re-reading books, especially my favourite scenes. It depends on my mood as to what I read really but two common ones are Dragonfly and Glass Swallow by Julia Golding. Actually, anything by Julia I will read more than once as she is the author who first got me into reading and is my favourite.

13. Have you ever bought a specific edition of a book because of its cover? (For example a UK, US or Canadian version)
I normally buy the UK version because shipping from the US costs quite a bit extra and I would rather buy more books than one with a specialised cover. However I hate it when my series don’t match up as I either get the wrong version or the publishers change the designs in the middle of a series.

14. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
The cover is what initially attracts me but I will always read the description before purchasing a book.

15. What is your favourite film based on a book?
I’m not really a fan of movies based on books as I never think they do them enough justice or they never live up to what I imagined. However the one that I came out of the cinema feeling OK about was the Hunger Games. It didn’t seem as bad but it still wasn’t as good as I would have liked.

16. What is your favourite book genre at the moment?
I love anything paranormal/supernatural. I like urban fantasy as well and enjoy reading darker fiction too.

17. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
At the moment I am going through an angel faze so I have a box full of books I’m waiting to find time to read. The current book I started (haven’t found the time to get back to it) is Angel’s Avengers and it’s in paperback.

18. Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
The best piece of advice I have been given is to write because you love it and to follow your dream/passion as it is what will make you happy. I would also say that developing a thick skin is good because there are always people who don’t like your work or what you do.

19. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?
I love photography and art. They help me relax and photography gets me out the house for a while as I can wander off around the fields. I love it most in the spring when all the blossom is out in the apple orchards.


Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Promotion: Tethers by Jack Croxall

Tethers
By Jack Croxall

In the wake of a cold Victorian winter, Karl Scheffer and Esther Emerson discover an anonymous journal filled with strange passages and bizarre scribblings.

The journal soon draws them into a covert and sinister conspiracy, a conspiracy centred around an otherworldly artefact with the power to change everything …

Karl and Esther have spent almost every day of their thirteen years in the quiet market town of Shraye. Stifled by their rural surroundings and frustrated by their unfulfilled ambitions, they find the allure of the journal’s mysterious pages impossible to ignore. The book seems to be beckoning them away from Shraye, away from their homes and towards the coast where an unsolved disappearance has set in motion a dark chain of events.

The voyage the teenagers soon find themselves undertaking is one of desperate importance and true peril; it will change the way they see the world, and each other, forever.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: Jack Croxall

Jack Croxall has written Tethers.


1. What is your name and where do you call home?
Jack Croxall and I live in rural Nottinghamshire (a beautiful place which helped inspire my novel).

2. Do you have a pen name?
No, I just went with my normal name!

3. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
Victorian teenagers Karl Scheffer and Esther Emerson are drawn into a treacherous conspiracy in Tethers. I hope that ticks the boxes?

4. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
Yes, I’m working on the second instalment of The Tethers Trilogy now.

5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing on and off ever since university, but I had the chance to start seriously when I was put out of action by glandular fever in late 2010.

6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?
At the moment, yes! It’s brilliant exposure and a great way to make new friends.

7. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
The cover for Tethers was designed by Charlie Harvey, a web-designer by trade but I think he did a top job!

8. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?
I’ve only written one so far so it’s an easy choice!

9. Is there anything you would change about your book covers?
Well I’m thinking of doing a new cover for the physical version of the book which I’m releasing in aid of the charity, ME Research UK – time will tell.

10. Do you have a playlist in mind for any of your books?  
Yes, check it out here: http://bit.ly/Zr6l9U

11. Did you listen to any particular songs whilst writing your books?
The ones in the above playlist and many, many more to boot!

12. Would you have different book covers for different countries?
In an ideal world, yes, I think so – different markets require different approaches.

13. How did you come up with the title for your book?
It’s a reference to a very important theme in the story, but I couldn’t possibly say any more than that ...

14. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?
Hmm, tough one. I think I’ll know more about that when I’ve finished the sequel.

15. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
I don’t have one but I think they’re great; I love the one for A Monster Calls.

16. Do you have a “Dreamcast” in mind for any of your books?
Not really, I’m open to suggestions though!

17. What is your opinion of ARCs?
I think they’re a great idea, it’s all about creating a buzz, wouldn’t you say?

18. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?
I love all of them all, it very much depends on my mood. I’d say I read paperbacks most though.

19. Are you a self-published / Indie author?
Yep, and a proud one at that!

20. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
Oh gosh, too many to name! I must have read His Dark Materials five times, and Watership Down almost as many!


21. Have you ever bought a specific edition of a book because of its cover? (For example a UK, US or Canadian version)
The UK cover of Into That Forest by Louis Nowra is quite simply, sublime. I’d say that drew me in as soon as I saw it.

22. What is your opinion of novellas?
Great! I’ll read anything from flash fiction to epics.

23. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
Yes, and I do not advise it – always read the blurb too!

24. Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?
I’d say so; an atrocious cover is always going to be off-putting.

25. What is your favourite film based on a book?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – they nailed that one.

26. What is your favourite book genre at the moment?
Still YA, ever since I was a teenager it’s always been YA.

27. What books have made it onto your wishlist recently? And why?
I read a very good review of Hollow Pike by James Dawson, I think I’ll be checking that out in the near future!


28. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
Two at the moment: Wool (hardback) by Hugh Howey and The Young Moon (ebook) by Sharon Sant. Both are superb, I highly recommend.

29. If you could invite any four celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
Philip Pullman: I’m just so very desperate to meet him.
David Attenborough: The man’s a legend and a national treasure.
JK Rowling: I have so many questions for her about her iconic characters.
Emma Watson: Because I quite fancy her!

30. Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
The best advice I’ve ever come across (I can’t remember where it was from), was to read everything; DVD boxes, billboards, menus, blogs – all can be a great source of wonderful language use.

31. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?
Yes, I try to experience as many different things as I can!

32. Where can your readers follow you?







Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Through My Letterbox! 19/03/13

Through My Letterbox is a meme that myself and my mum (from JeanzBookReadNReview) created to showcase the books that we receive and review on our sites. Our meme was inspired by In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren & Letterbox Love hosted by Narratively Speaking.

What came Through My Letterbox:

Since my last Through My Letterbox post, I turned seventeen! My mum and my nan bought me the books pictured below for my birthday!
Undone by Cat Clarke - as I had read and loved both of her previous books, Entangled and Torn!

The Farm by Emily Mckay and Gravity by Melissa West, both of which I had spotted on Goodreads.

Eve & Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Appelgate, which I had also spotted on Goodreads, as well as reading some great reviews!
Wolf Pact by Melissa De La Cruz - as I had read some of her Blue Bloods series, and because I love reading Shifter books!

The Disappeared by C. J. Harper, a great sounding dystopian book which I hadn't heard of before, and The Prey by Andrew Fukuda, the second book in The Hunt series.

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna and The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse, which were another two books which I spotted on Goodreads and then added to my wishlist!

I found out about Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger through an email from Netgalley, so I looked Gail Carriger up (via Goodreads), and found out about her other series, the Parasol Protectorate!

Since my last post, myself and my mum received Intrusion by Ken Macleod for review from Orbit, and One Crow Alone by S. D. Crockett for review from Macmillan.

As an early Easter present my nan bought my Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick from our local bookstore, and myself & my mum also received If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch for review from Indigo!

My mum won Eve by Anna Carey from Nancy, The Avid Reader!

And finally, we received Working Stiff by Rachel Caine from Becky, via a swap on the UK Swap Shop, on Goodreads!

What books came though your letterbox?