GINNIE WEST ADVENTURES SERIES GIVEAWAY

Welcome to the Best of Summer 2013 Kid Lit Giveaway Hop

Hosted by Mother Daughter Book and Youth Literature Reviews

Each of the following BLOGS in the linky list are hosting their own prizes. Feel free to click on each link,check out their blogs and enter to win prizes at each of them.

I am giving away a set of my e-books with their brand new covers  as well as printed copies of my first two books with their original covers. Same great story, just different covers. For details, click on Rafflecopter below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

King's Artesan by Cas Peace

Today, I am happy to welcome Cas Peace to my blog. She is the author of a YA trilogy: King's Envoy, King's Champion and King's Artesan as well as a non-fiction book: For the Love of Daisy.  We are celebrating the release of her book: King's Artesan. Take it away, Cas:

First I would like to thank Monique for inviting me on to her blog. I hope everyone enjoys the following post. 

WHAT IS AN ARTESAN?

The fundamental premise behind my Artesans of Albia series is that a section of my world’s populace, drawn from five separate races, is born with a certain talent. One manifestation of this talent is the ability to learn how to control your inner life force – an energy I call “metaforce.” Once I established this premise, I found I needed a vehicle through which metaforce could be channeled. It had to be something every living thing possessed, but also something unique to each individual.

I experimented with various terms until I hit on the word “matrix.” The matrix would be akin to the psyche, and it would be a thing of ephemeral, mystical beauty. In my world, it can only be seen by another practitioner of the craft, and is an intricate, four-dimensional pattern consisting of whorls, spirals, helixes, colors, and emotions. The more skilled the practitioner, the more complex their matrix becomes.

Having decided these things, the series title became obvious. It just had to be “Masters of the Matrix.” Brilliant title, I thought – I love it! (Can you see where this is going?)

I wrote happily on, oblivious to the slap in the face that was coming my way. Sometimes I just hate the film industry…. Ok, of course, you know it was the release of the Matrix films. I spat feathers when the first one came out – how dare they ruin all my careful planning, not to mention a perfectly good series title? Not fair! For a while I toyed with the idea of keeping the title – maybe I could capitalize on the connection? Thankfully, I thought better of it. Can you imagine how mad someone would be if they bought one of my books by mistake, thinking it was related to the films? And I could just imagine what agents or publishers would say….

Anyway, now I had a problem. The people in my world who exhibit this talent are not magicians or wizards in any sense of the word. Their powers owe more to Druidical beliefs, or that of Wicca, than to characters like Gandalf or Merlin. I knew I had to find a unique name for them, a term that reflected their knowledge, their artistry.

One of the best-loved books in my writers’ arsenal is my Roget’s Thesaurus. It was a 21st birthday present from two great-aunts. They are both gone now – my 21st birthday was a long, LONG, time ago – but I still frequent my Thesaurus. So when I exhausted all the obvious and immediate terms I could think of for my talented people, I dug through its many permutations and suggestions until I whittled all the possibilities down to two words. Artist, and Artisan.

Both these words carried elements (pun intended) of the skills my people possess, but both were too ordinary. I rejected them, but it wasn’t long until I realized there was nothing else. I had already decided against coining a brand new word. I wanted potential readers to at least have an inkling of what the term might mean. Eventually, in desperation, I tried altering the word artisan by exchanging the “i” for an “e.” It looked good to me, and so I decided to keep it.

In my fantasy series, Artesans who have learned to harness their metaforce are able to influence, or even control the four elements, Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. There is a fifth element – Spirit – considered by many to be a myth. The story opens with one of the main characters, Taran Elijah. He was born to the Artesan craft, yet is struggling to achieve his potential. He is driven and desperate, and makes some rash choices. His actions lead to some pretty serious consequences for his village and his friends. Yet they also lead to the uncovering of a potentially lethal plot. King’s Artesan, the latest in the series to be published, sees Taran in dire straits. Not only is he in danger of his life, but so are the lives of every Artesan everywhere.

King’s Artesan is the culmination of this first trilogy in the triple-trilogy Artesans of Albia series.

Cas,

Thanks for stopping by. I am sure you will find lots of new readers. :)

Laugh lots ... love much ...write on! :) 

Author website: http://www.caspeace.com/

Amazon Author Profile: http://www.amazon.com/Cas-Peace/e/B0098KMASI

Book Links:

Watch the King's Envoy book trailer:

http://rhemalda.com/2011/04/kings-envoy-book-trailer/

Find me on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/cas.peace

Children's Writer's Blog Hop

If you are new to my blog, welcome! Take a look around and have fun with what you find.  I was invited to be a part of a blog hop for writers of children's books. A blog hop helps people find new and exciting blogs connects people all over the world. If you're following the tour you most likely came from Mikey Brooks blog at: Written By Mikey Children's literature encompasses a lot of ages. I write middle-grade (ages 9-14) and am trying my hand a picture books (ages 2-9). I also have a Young Adult series that crosses over into New Adult territory (the books for people who have graduated from high school and are starting to navigate the adult world. So on this hop you might find someone who writes picture books or someone who writes for teens. That's what makes blog hops so fun.

We were asked to answer 4 simple questions. I hope you find my answers insightful. I also invite you to check out the stops on this blog hop so we can help you discover many  new and talented writers. 

1. What are you working on right now? I am finishing up the 4^th book in my middle grade series. It is called: Being West is Best: A Ginnie West Adventure.

Here is my blurb:

Twelve year old BFFs, Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor, are matchmaking geniuses. Together, they maneuvered Ginnie’s widower-dad into proposing to Tillie’s divorcee-mom. Sweet!

Certain they are well on their way to sisterhood, each girl is floored when Tillie’s lousy-excuse-for-a-father puts in an appearance after a six year absence. Ginnie's job will be to kick Tillie’s father to the curb or “Operation: Secret Sisters” may have to be renamed:  “Operation: Not Gonna Happen.”

If that's not bad enough, the biggest bully in seventh grade comes over often and wishes he could call the Wests’ farmhouse home. When the bully's abusive dad shows up as well, Ginnie thinks it's time to change her family's motto from "When you're here, you're family" to "There's no more room at the Wests’."

I am hoping to launch it in the next few weeks or early fall. I am also working on my first non-fiction book with my good friend, Mikey Brooks, as well as a fun picture book, due out in November 2013.

2. How does it differ from other works in its genre? Being West is Best: A Ginnie West Adventure is a ‘slice of life’ family drama that deals with everyday life in a meaningful way. Although neither Ginnie or Tillie come from a traditional family of a mom, a dad, and kids--their families work well together as the girls try to figure out how life  

3. Why do you write what you do? Having been a foster parent to many children for over 12 years, I write books that empower kids to deal with the sometimes tough reality of life in an positive way. Life can be messy, and it can be hard, but I like to show that it can also be rewarding and uplifting. Good friends, good family, trying new things, standing up for what you believe, as well as for the people you care about most is very important.

4. How does your writing process work? I tend to be a ‘pantser’—a writer who is not overly detailed in my plotting. However, I do believe my story benefits from having some idea where each chapter begins and ends. Even so, I love it when occasionally my characters hi-jack my chapters and I discover something about them, or a new way to look at one of their arcs that sends myself and my readers on a journey that I haven’t previously thought of.

Due to some technical difficulties and some family drama—I didn’t ask more authors to participate in this blog hop as I had intended. If that changes—I will be posting links to their sites for next week and will let you know.

Laugh lots … love much … write on! J

Another New Cover! :)

Having a good cover is very important for any book, but especially for younger audiences. The cover starts the promise of the author to their reader about what the book is about and what kind of experience than can expect. 

Recently my good friend, Mikey Brooks, revamped the covers on my Ginnie West series and I LOVED them. Then we started talking about putting all three books into an "omnibus" edition.

1) The Scret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure

2) Trouble Blows West: A Ginnie West Adventure

3) Simply West of Heaven: A Ginnie West Adventure

An omnibus edition will combine all three of my full-length 
middle-grade books into one awesome book-- with an even more "awesome sauce" price. 

Mikey came up with a beautiful new cover. We just can't decide if we should have it  mirror the first 3 books by using the same sky or whether we should show the razzle-dazzle of the 3-in-1 book option by letting it shine in a sunset blaze of glory. 

We thought it would be a good idea to let our friends and readers help us decide. So, here are the choices:

Please record your vote here -------------------------------->

Sunset Sky to "illuminate" the 3-in-1 deal

Classic Sky to go along with the first 3 books:

I will be awarding a FREE e-copy of Trouble Blows West: A Ginnie West Adventure on July 31st to everyone who votes-- so please leave your email in a comment below or send it to me at:

monique.bucheger@gmail.com

Please type "Ginnie West Cover Poll" in the subject line. Your email address will NOT be sold. :) It might be used to announce the 4th book, "Being West is Best" upon it's release in a few months.

As a BONUS-- if anybody comes up with a better title for the omnibus edition than "The Ginnie West Collection"-- I will send you a free copy of the omnibus when it is officially formatted and ready for sale. 

*Please leave all suggestions in a comment below*

Thanks so much! Laugh lots ... Love much ... Write on! :) 

I SPY....a SECRET Blogfest

"The I SPY ... A SECRET" Blogfest features a scene in a book or a memoir of a secret. Because there is a 'secret' even in the title of my book-- "The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure" I had to participate. Below you will find a 2-page chapter from my book about a secret that Ginnie has been keeping from her best friend, her twin brother, and her dad.  Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE:

Ginnie Shares

Her Secret

"Wow, Gin! That’s so cool you found your mom’s journals.” Tillie ran her finger down a blue stripe. “What did your dad say?”

“I didn’t tell him. He’s weird about her. I’m going to read them all and then tell him I found them. Like Uncle Jake says, sometimes it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.”

Tillie’s eyes popped open. “I don’t know Ginnie. That seems pretty sneaky. He showed you her scrapbook. He’ll probably let you read her journals.”

“When I asked him about his first date with Mama, he freaked.” Ginnie snatched the book from Tillie. “He isn’t going to tell me everything, but Mama will.”

“Like what?”

Ginnie grinned mischievously. “Like when Mama threatened to shoot him—with a real gun.”

“Why?”

“‘Cause he snuck in their bedroom to surprise her. She thought he was a burglar and ended up surprising him instead.”

Tillie giggled. “No way!”

“Yes way. Check it out.” Ginnie flipped to the journal entry and read it to Tillie.

“Wow!” Tillie fell back on the bed laughing a minute before sitting up. “I wonder if he’d do that with my mom? Good thing she doesn’t have a gun.”

“I doubt it.” Ginnie closed the journal, feeling protective of her dad all of a sudden.

“Does Toran know?”

“Not yet. And you can’t tell him.”

“Don’t you think he should know? She’s his mom too.”

Panic gripped Ginnie. “Tillie, I only trusted you because I was mean to you. You’re my best friend and you’re probably gonna be my sister. But I need to have this time with my mom all to myself for a while.” She set the book on her bed and held Tillie’s hands tight.

“I understand.”

She shook her head. “No you don’t. You have a mom.” Ginnie swallowed a growing lump in her throat. “I’m never going to be able to just sit down and talk to her. So this is sorta my way to just chat with her… like you do with your mom. If you tell my dad or Toran, that will be ruined. Promise me you won’t tell. If you do, we might not be able to be friends anymore.”

“Ginnie!”

“I mean it, Tillie!” Ginnie jumped to her feet. “You can’t tell.”

Tillie stood and wrapped her arms firmly around Ginnie.

Ginnie stiffened, regretting she’d shared her secret treasure.

“Cross my heart,” Tillie whispered in her ear. “I won’t tell. I promise.”

Wanting to believe her friend, Ginnie nodded.

        You better not.  

If you want to read more secrets from other authors' books and win a gift card--follow this link: HERE

There are free prizes--just for reading. Check out the link on Jordan's blog. Please join the fun. :)

The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure is also just .99 through this link:

An interview with Anna Del C. Dye--author of Shahira & the Flying Elfs

Today I am spreading my wings a little and hosting the first-ever interview on my blog. :) 

(No pun intended as you look at the beautiful cover below.) :)  

There's also a Book Giveaway Jun 29 to July 16:

You have a chance to win a PDF book of the Young Adult Novel, Shahira & the Flying Elfs. The author will be giving one E-book to every blog that participates in the blog tour. So please leave a comment if you want to be entered.

Now on to the interview. Welcome Anna. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Let's start at the beginning and introduce your books a little. Who is the target audience for your books?

The Elf series are written with the young adults in mind. They can be read by pre-teen, tweens, and the young of heart. They are easy to read, clean and wholesome. 

What is the name of your latest book and what is it about?

Shahira & the Flying Elfs is about giant eagles in the land of the elfs and her story. Shahira is a she-eagle and lives with her father, mother, and younger brother in the high cliffs of Eagle Mountain. Her dream is to find a stripling young eagle to mate with. But mating is a ritual that happens in the sky and she can’t fly. She has told herself that one day she will be able to, but every time she tries, she falls.

Can you tell us a little more about that?

Sure...here is a teaser:

Flying takes you to new heights, still you won’t see if you don't want to…

What would you do if your world comes tumbling down? That is what happens to Shahira every time she tries to fly. You see, she is an eagle and eagles fly…but why can't she?

The wizard Huzan has spent his entire life under the shadow of his renowned brother, Zanteon. But no more. He has discovered a book revealing his brother’s secrets. Now he is going to use it to destroy the wizardry school and him.

Llorradinn’s life has been simple and peaceful in the land of the elfs. That is until the human caravan comes and he finds himself hanging from the claws of a giant eagle. Elfs have not seen the eagles for many centuries; so why now, and why so hostile toward the elf race?

The answers to these questions, can be found in: “Shahira & the Flying Elfs.” Inspired by the myths and legends of Europe and from the pens of writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien. I have tried to weave a new and completely original tale full of suspense, adventure, and medieval-style warfare in “Shahira & the Flying Elfs” 

Which number book is this?

"Shahira & the Flying Elfs", while stand-alone book, is also number six in my elf series.

What inspired you to write fantasy rather than anther genre?

Movies, I think. Star Wars, Star Trek, Willow, Arturian Tales, etc., and most of all ... The Lord of the Rings.

How much of your books are planned out ahead of time, and how much of them are made up as you go along?

They are all different. The Elf and the Princess was 90% planned. I sat to write the first page and tweaked it as I went. Shahira & the Flyng Elfs was 90% made up as I went. This was quite hard.

When it comes to Elves in fantasy, what do you consider to be some of the common elements of their race? Have you seen that completely changed or ignored in other books?

The comment elements in elfs are that they live forever and know much. Also, that they are graceful, quiet, pretty, and overall much better that mankind.

I have always expected elfs to be beautiful and perfect in many ways. Yet, when I read one book in the Shanara series they were ugly, in another book they were cannibals, in a third one, they were dark and delighted in killing. That set very heavily in my heart. I never picked up those books again. I consider elfs better than man and those three examples made them human or less, not better. Still, as authors we have the right to create our characters as we please…those elves are just not my cup of tea.

How do you pick the names for your characters?

Usually the characters come to me with their names. Seldom do I have to invent one. I have, though, and usually pick a letter and then start saying words until one sticks with me. I usually sound the name of my characters in Spanish and I am picky about how they are pronounced. For this reason, I include a pronunciation guide at the beginning of my books.

Where can people go to find out more about you and your other works?

My website: http://www.annadelc.com

Amazon: http://ning.it/19iThs3

Barns & Noble. http://ning.it/1744E2U

Monique, it was a pleasure to visit your blog today, happy writings to you...

Thank you, I'm glad you stopped by. Good luck with your blog tour. 

Laugh lots ... Love much ... Write on... :)

A GREAT NEW SITE FOR TWEENS: EMBLAZON

A great new site for Tweens launched TODAY!!

EMBLAZON

To celebrate we are 
giving away lots of tween books!

(Just click on the rafflecopter below the poster):

Click the poster to check out EMBLAZON: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway