Waken by Angela Fristoe - Meet the characters

Waken (The Woods of Everod, #1)

Haunted by nightmares of her mother killing her, Janie just wants to be normal.

Tristan is out of her league and the emotions he draws from her are almost enough to make her ignore all of the weird things he says. Almost enough to ignore the way the entire town seems ready to pounce on her as if she were fresh meat.

Almost, though, isn’t enough when Janie finally discovers what the town is hiding. The town of Everod has been waiting for Janie and if she hopes to survive, she’ll need to confront the truth of who and what she really is. 

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Blog Tour ~ Wicked Glory by DelSheree Gladden *Guest Post

Angela and I both have a great love for Young Adult literature, so I was glad she asked me to share some of my favorite YA characters today. Some of mine might date me a little bit, but they’re still great characters!

Princess Cimorene

Princess Cimorene is the heroine of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. She was the first character that really made me fall in love with young adult literature. What I loved about her was that she was strong and brave even when everyone else thought she was the most unprincess-like princess in the world. She didn’t fit in with the rest of her family, and she decided to go her own way. Become a Dragon’s princess. She even made it impossible for a prince to rescue her! She really was someone I looked up to and wanted to be like.

Janie Johnson

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney was the first book I read as a young adult that really dealt with some heavy issues. Imagine finding a picture of yourself on a missing child advertisement? Janie’s character was so real and you couldn’t help but connect emotionally with her fear and anger and confusion. Her story really opened my eyes.

Christopher Chant

The Chrestomanci Series by Dianna Wynne Jones might fall more into Middle Grade, but the line between MG and YA was hazy back in my day. What I loved about Christopher Chant was that even though he was often facing incredibly strange and dangerous situations, he always kept a pretty upbeat attitude. He brought humor to some crazy tight spots. My favorite of all the Chrestomanci books is The Lives of Christopher Chant.

Kit and Nita

Kit and Nita are the main characters of the Young Wizards Series by Diane Duane. I picked up So You Want to be a Wizard at the local book store and was immediately fascinated. These two characters played off each other so well. The “magic” is very scientific in this series, and I was always sucked in by watching them try to puzzle things out together when serious consequences hung in the balance. They were such a great mix of struggling young teens trying to figure things out and half-grown adults carrying a lot of responsibility.

Sophie Hatter

Another of Diana Wynne Jones characters makes my list. I’m a big fan, if you couldn’t guess! Sophie is an unknowingly special young woman in Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle. She has no idea what abilities she has, but her natural compassion and kindness drew me in right away. You can’t help root for her as she’s flitting around, stuck in Howl’s castle, trying to help him and set things right.

Cara Hunter

Bruce Coville’s The Unicorn Chornicles is an amazing series, and Cara Hunter is the main character you meet for the first time in Into the Land of Unicorns. She’s fairly young in this first book, but you won’t find a braver, more determined young woman. I remember reading this book when I was young and being absolutely drawn in by her strength and tenacity.

Yes, I know most of these books were written in the 80s and 90s, but great literature never has an expiration date. If you haven’t heard of these characters, go to your library or find a copy on Amazon. These are some of my most treasured books from my teen years. I still have copies of every one of these, and I’m now sharing them with my kids.

You can get your copy of Wicked Glory and the rest of the series here: 

Wicked Hunger is FREE on most platforms.


Kindle/Amazon: Wicked Hunger, Wicked Power, Wicked Glory

B&N: Wicked Hunger, Wicked Power, Wicked Glory

Smashwords: Wicked Hunger, Wicked Power, Wicked Glory

iTunes: Wicked Hunger, Wicked Power, Wicked Glory

Kobo: Wicked Hunger, Wicked Power, Wicked Glory

About the Author

DelSheree Gladden was one of those shy, quiet kids who spent more time reading than talking. Literally. She didn't speak a single word for the first three months of preschool, but she had already taught herself to read. Her fascination with reading led to many hours spent in the library and bookstores, and eventually to writing. She wrote her first novel when she was sixteen years old, but spent ten years rewriting and perfecting it before having it published.

Native to New Mexico, DelSheree and her husband spent several years in Colorado for college and work before moving back home to be near family again. Their two children love having their cousins close by. When not writing, you can find DelSheree reading, painting, sewing and trying not to get bitten by small children in her work as a dental hygienist. DelSheree has several bestselling young adult series, including "Invisible" which was part of the USA Today Bestselling box set, "Pandora." The Date Shark Series is her first contemporary romance series.  

Connect with DelSheree Online

Website : Blog : Pintrest : Google+ :Youtube/Vlog : Radio Show : Facebook : Twitter @DelSheree:  

Blog Tour: Intangible by DelSheree Gladden *Excerpt

I am so excited to be hosting this stop on the Intangible by DelSheree Gladden Blog Tour! After reading the excerpt, you can click on the tour banner to check out the tour schedule.

 

Intangible (The Aerling Series, #1)

by DelSheree Gladden

Published: March 12, 2014

Available: Amazon 

Mason is not imaginary.
He's not a ghost, either.
And he's most definitely not a hallucination.

Mason is an Aerling, and the Sentinels' number one target.

Separated to keep each other safe and alive until Mason's eighteenth birthday when Olivia is expected to guide him back to the world of the Aerlings, neither one was prepared to be stripped of their best friend, of the person they love most. The pain being away from each other causes is the least of their worries, though, as the Sentinels intensify their search for Mason and bring the threat of danger to a whole new level.

 

Excerpt from Intangible by DelSheree Gladden

Chapter 16

“I won’t sacrifice your life for any reason, Olivia,” I say, my voice sounding harsh.

Taking in a deep breath, Olivia prepares to argue with me. I don’t give her the chance.

“Unless Robin’s grandmother gave you some kind of insight about what’s going to happen to you when I go home, this is far from being a done deal. Nothing will ever convince me to let you risk your life to save mine. I won’t let you do it. I won’t!”

Expecting an immediate argument, I am left off balance when I am greeted by silence. An unsettling anxiety washes over me as I wait for her to say something, anything!

Olivia’s quiet, sweet voice whispers over the line, and from the first syllable I know going against her is nearly impossible. “Mason, I would gladly give up my life in exchange for yours. That was never even a question for me.” She breathes out slowly. “But this is so much more than just us now. It isn’t my life or yours that we’re risking. It’s every Aerling’s life. Molly’s, Conner’s, Shane’s. If I don’t help you get home, the Sentinels will eventually find them. They’ll never give up their war. We have a chance to stop this forever. We have a chance to save them all. Saving you is reason enough to do this, but ending a war…how could I not take the risk?”

Silently, I wipe away the tears that started falling at the mention of Molly’s name. I could never let Olivia risk her life for me, but could I make the same argument when it is Molly’s life hanging in the balance? I shake my head, knowing I would do anything to protect Molly. It breaks my heart to admit Olivia is right, but there is no other choice I can make.

Emotion is thick in my voice as I say, “Molly.” My heart aches thinking of such a sweet little girl being hurt because of me.

“She’s the only reason you’re going to let me try, isn’t she,” Olivia says.

It takes me a moment to answer, to clear enough emotion from my voice to forms the words I need to say. “Olivia, you have been my whole world since the day we met. I love you so much. The idea of any harm coming to you kills me, but Molly…she changes things.” I scrub my free hand through my hair. “Does that sound bad, that I’m agreeing to this in order to protect her? It’s still putting you at risk. Helping me could kill you, Olivia. How do I justify that?”

“You justify it because she’s you love her, Mason. She’s part of you now. That’s what family is all about, making the hard decisions and sacrificing what you love most in order to protect them,” Olivia says quietly.

Her love reaches out to me, wrapping me up and filling me with a warmth like I have never experienced. I have always known that Olivia was an amazing person, but I don’t think I realized until this moment just what a beautiful soul she really is. My breath hitches as tears begin rolling down my cheeks.

“You are what I love most, Ollie. You know that, right?” 

“You’re what I love most, too, Mason. You always will be.”

More about The Aerling Series
The Characters:

Invisible (The Aerling Series, #1)

Olivia’s best friend is not imaginary. He’s not a ghost, either. And she’s pretty sure he’s not a hallucination. He’s just Mason.

He is, however, invisible.

When Olivia spotted the crying little boy on her front porch at five years old, she had no idea she was the only one who could see him. Twelve years later when new-girl Robin bumps into the both of them and introduces herself to Mason, they are both stunned.

Mason couldn’t be more pleased that someone else can see him. Olivia, on the other hand, isn’t jumping at the chance to welcome Robin into their circle. Jealousy may have something to do with
that, but honest fear that Robin’s presence will put Mason in danger is soon validated when a strange black car shows up outside Olivia’s house.

The race to find out what Robin knows in time to protect Mason from whatever threats are coming becomes Olivia’s only focus.

About the Author

DelSheree Gladden lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children. The Southwest is a big influence in her writing because of its culture, beauty, and mythology. Local folk lore is strongly rooted in her writing, particularly ideas of prophecy, destiny, and talents born from natural abilities. When she is not writing, DelSheree is usually reading, painting, sewing, or working as a Dental Hygienist. Her works include Escaping Fate, Twin Souls Saga, The Destroyer Trilogy, and Invisible. Look for, Wicked Power, the next book in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series, and Soul Stone, book two in the Escaping Fate Series, coming 2014.

Author Links 

Website / Blog / Twitter / Amazon / Goodreads

Guest Post by Corinne Foster, Author of Secret of the Phoon

 

 The Secret of the Phoon

by Corinne Foster

Faced with certain death, Avira has to protect herself by summoning the Phoon, a long-secret and deadly supernatural force. Can she keep the Phoon safe from the two opposing powers who now race to challenge her for it, and when will she realize that the bigger threat lies from within her own community of outcast girls?

Secret of the Phoon – The Inspiration

by Corinne Foster

For me it started with the woods. I love woods and find them inspiring places to walk and think.

I decided my woods needed to be black – black trunks, branches, leaves and roots. They have a presence all of their own and I liked the idea of the trees having a kind of consciousness where they are able to help or hinder. The Black Woods in the book are either a friend or foe, depending on who is within them.

And it’s the woods that hide the Phoon, the secret supernatural force that is the main focus of the story. The Phoon live in the woods, but in a kind of another parallel time, so you wouldn’t come across them while out for a walk. But you would sense they were there. 

At the beginning of the book, the Phoon have been kept a secret for many years – because if the power of them was known and fell into the wrong hands, uncontained, it could easily mean the end of the world. But Avira is forced into summoning them and the rest of the story is set in motion.

It is always the leader of the Unloved – Avira at the time of this book – who summons the Phoon to defend the woods or the house where the Unloved live. But who are the Unloved? This is the group of which Avira is leader, formed by girls and women who have been shunned by their families, or who choose to live away from them.  

They live in a house called Domina. The word ‘Domina’ comes from old English law, and it refers to a title formerly given to noble ladies who held a barony in their own right – so they don’t get the title (such as Queen or Baroness) from being married to a man with one. That seemed appropriate to a house that, because of its history, is very hostile to men.

Domina is very important to the story too and was inspired by many old houses in my youth. I love those really old buildings that you know have seen so much during their existence. I have always been in awe of the Tower of London, particularly the White Tower – what it has looked over since it was built (starting in the year 1070)! Domina stands on the edge of the woods and it’s been there as long as anyone can remember (not unlike the White Tower). In fact, the house is probably the strongest character in the book! It’s austere, strong, commanding. The Unloved have lived there for hundreds of years, and their existences are intertwined.

Although the house is full of women, this is not a nunnery. They are free to leave if they want, and to visit the local town to sing and dance with the local lads.  It’s here that Shastia, one of the Unloved, meets the man who will take her away from Domina, and where her experiences with other men outside of Domina will shape her future, with repercussions for everyone. 

‘Secret of the Phoon’ is available currently only as an e-book, and you can find it on Amazon/Kindle, Goodreads, iBooks and Smashwords. 

I love to hear from readers, and you can reach me at any of the below!

Corinne’s blog: http://corinnefosterblog.wordpress.com/

The Phoon on Facebook

The Phoon on Twitter

Guest Post by S.E. Stenner, Author of Paraestrals

 Paraestrals (Volume 1)

by S.E. Stenner

Published: August 26, 2012

Available: Amazon

Synopsis:

Who ever said a P.I. has to be human!

A narrative coming of age thriller/horror, about a young girl whose world is turned upside down as the origins of her dark lineage surface.

'My name is Samantha LeFay, I'm young, popular, with my whole life ahead of me, what can go wrong - everything! After turning sixteen and suddenly becoming allergic to the sun along with a few other weird afflictions, my life begins to unravel at the seams, as my friends desert me, my boss at my weekend job forces me to quit and my stepmother nags me to the point of insanity. My life's different now, I'm different. As the people at school would put it I'm a freak - Sammy LeFreak. I don't know if they're right, all I know is the sun burns my skin, I suddenly have the strength to throw a guy ten foot in the air and my body craves a particular substance...Blood!'

Paraestrals is no ordinary Vampire tale, my story takes the reader along with Sam as she discovers this hidden side she never knew she had, and follows the decisions she makes when it comes to how she'll use these new found powers she possesses.

Guest Post by S.E. Stenner

I’ve been writing children’s and teenage fiction for over ten years and what drew me to the subject of Vampires was the flexibility of these folklore monsters. There have been so many portrayals of vampires through-out literature, film and history and it seems that they will forever continue to evolve. Which gave me my opener to take the vampire and mold it to fit the story I wanted to tell. A young teenage girl who not only has puberty, school and a disruptive home life to contend with, but the realization of what else she may be to add to the mix. Samantha’s character is one that will grow and change with every book and as a reader I hope some of you will relate with the everyday problems she comes up against, while marveling at her supernatural ones too.

I became a writer because I just love stories, though being dyslexic was a challenge when it came to putting my own thoughts onto the page, but ultimately I write because tales pop into my head and I hate to think of them drifting away and being forgotten, so I write them down.

I hope you will enjoy this little vampire tale, which came to me a few years ago and don’t forget for all the up coming info on the Paraestrals series check out the official website, Facebook page and Twitter link…..

All the best, S.E.Stenner.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

Blog Tour: Ciao by Bethany Lopez *Character Tweets and G!vaway

I am excited to be hosting the next stop in the Ciao Blog Tour! Ciao is the third book in the Stories About Melissa series from author Bethany Lopez. After reading some Ciao Character Tweets and entering the giveaway, don't forget to click on the banner to visit the other stops along the tour!

Ciao (Stories About Melissa #3)

by Bethany Lopez

Melissa has had a fantastic summer hanging out with her friends and making new ones. Life as she knows it will change when they all come together to begin their sophomore year at Dearborn High. Connections will be made and friendships will be tested. Will Melissa’s family and friends be able to help her through the challenges she will face in the upcoming months?

Ciao Character Tweets

Author Bio

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novel. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series, Stories About Melissa. Ta Ta for Now! and xoxoxo are available now. Book three, Ciao, will be released in Aug 2012.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon / Goodreads 

Other books by Bethan Lopez in the Stories About Melissa series:

 

Giveaway Details:

Signed paperback copies of all three books: Ta Ta for Now!, XOXOXO, and Ciao, along with a Bookmark and Magnet and a Book Nerd necklace!  US Only.

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Tallis Blog Tour ~ Playlist and Give@away!

Tallis by M.C. Rae

Published: April 2012

Publisher: Tulipe Noire Press

The Empire of Andresium is threatened by the corruption of the immortals, ancient beings given the gift of eternal life after the death of the last reigning empress. A prophecy speaks of their eventual downfall at the hands of one of their own, however. Tallis is known by most simply as "The Loren", and seeks to avoid her destiny while trying herself to remain untainted by the decaying morals and indifference to the fates of men that plague her kind. As the events of the prophecy begin to unfold, Tallis finds herself conflicted between upholding her dedication to justice, and falling victim to the ramifications of following the desires of her own heart.

Tallis Playlist:

Nina Gordon – “Tonight and the rest of my life”

This song just captures Tallis’s self-awareness beautifully. She knows she’s about to betray her own nature, and feels a joyful sorrow in knowing it’s coming, and welcoming it.

Muse – “Butterflies and Rainbows”

Again, an encapsulation of a world on the edge of irreversible change, with the fate of the many in the hands of the few. I consider this song Tarameen’s theme (though readers will see this side of him more thoroughly in book two. ;) Plus, I just REALLY dig the latter half of this piece with its Rachmaninoff-inspired bridge.

Tori Amos – “Crucify”
“Lorens don’t typically show emotion, Tarameen, but we do feel.” (from Tallis) Tallis finds herself the victim of intrigues and vicious rumors, though she’s never done anything to jeopardize life and, though unknown by most, has protected mortals from Shahlamin’s desire for power for centuries. She’s getting tired of it, however, when our story begins. J

Composed by Allesandro Scarlatti (performed flawlessly in this clip by the incomparable Cecelia Bartoli) – “O Cessate di Piagarmi”
For this one, it’s really the words. The unrequited lover begs the object of her affection to stop making her suffer by ignoring her, reminding him that while he’s the cure to her pain, he’s also the cure.  Allowing for the flip of the sexes, this is the nature of the relationship between Shahlamin and Tallis.

Azam Ali – “The Tryst”
This woman’s voice is so haunting that I’ve fallen in love with all her music. This piece specifically, however, is very in tune with Tallis’s situation at the end of Tallis, as well as with the state of her presence in book two, in which her legend and the echoes of her actions are stronger in play than she herself. It represents her retreat to stoicism.

 

About the Author

M.C. Rae (aka Killian McRae) is a cross-genre author whose works include elements of history, fantasy, science fiction, and romance- sometimes all in the same novel. She hails from the midwest but currently makes her home in Northern California. She is  a devout student of history,a podcaster, an amateur graphics and web designer, a coffee enthusiast, and has an unhealthy obsession with world music.

Author website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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