Tag: blog tour (Page 1 of 2)

Use Your Words by Linda Budzinski Author of EM & EM

September 16, 2015 / Katie L. Carroll

Today’s guest blogger is yet another wonderful writer friend of mine I met at the Eastern PA SCBWI Poconos conference. (I’ve seriously met so many amazing writers there, and I haven’t even been for several years!) Join Linda Budzinski as she celebrates the release of her new YA contemporary EM & EM. Be sure to enter the giveaway!

Use Your Words

by Linda Budzinski

Dear Readers:

As writers and readers, we appreciate the immense power of words. They’re like a secret weapon—one we all possess and can use for good or for evil.

In EM & EM, Emily Slovkowski finds herself the victim of a single word: Slutkowski. After a GIF of her behaving badly at a party makes the rounds, her classmates taunt her with that word to the point that she allows it to define her.

Fortunately, in her new life under Witness Protection as Ember O’Malley, she makes friends who have new words for her—smart, funny, brave—words that allow her to see herself in a new light.

The words we use, the labels we apply to one another, matter.

My senior year in high school, I applied for a grant for college. I had to fill out an application, write an essay, and do an in-person interview. Partway through the interview, the very intimidating gentleman who was assessing my grant-worthiness pulled out my essay and said, “Your command of the English language is remarkable.”

I don’t remember what my essay was about, nor do I remember anything else about that interview, but I remember that moment as clearly as if it were yesterday. I have relived it in my mind many, many times since. Why? I’m not sure. I only know that it made a huge impression and is a big part of the reason I’m a writer today. I am sure that gentleman, if he is still alive, would not remember me. He would not remember his remark. But his words made a difference.

We hear a lot these days about the prevalence of bullying and the destructive power of cruel words. The good new is, encouraging words possess equal, and maybe even stronger, powers.

How are you using your words?

EM & EM blurb:

The last thing sixteen-year-old Emily Slovkowski wants is to move away from her home at the Jersey shore, gorgeous surfer boyfriend Zach, and her entire identity. But that’s kind of how Witness Protection works, and Em must prepare herself for an epic do-over as she starts a new life in the Midwest.

Even as she pines for sandy beaches and the night life of the shore, the newly-named Ember O’Malley finds herself making new friends, taking photos for the high school newspaper, and thinking an awful lot about the paper’s editor, an oddly cute cowboy named Charles.

When Em stumbles upon a shady beneath-the-bleachers exchange between one of the school’s football coaches and a student, she refuses to get involved. The last thing she needs is to be witness to another crime or call attention to herself. Besides, she finally has some real friends – well, real except for the fact that they don’t know a single thing about her – and she prefers to keep it that way until the trial.

But as her day in court approaches, Em begins piecing together what she saw that day beneath the bleachers. And, as her own past secrets start to catch up with her, Em needs to figure out who she really is – Em or Em.

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24980193-em-and-em

Purchase Links:

BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | TBD |

About the Author:

Linda Acorn Budzinski decided in the second grade that she wanted to be a “Paperback Writer,” just like in the Beatles song. She majored in journalism in college and now works in marketing and communications. She spent 18 years at a trade association in the funeral service industry, where she discovered that funeral directors are some of the bravest and most compassionate people on earth. Linda lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their chihuahua, Demitria. She has two step-daughters, Eris and Sarah. THE FUNERAL SINGER is her debut novel. She is represented by Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Inc.

THE FUNERAL SINGER is Linda Budzinski’s first novel.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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{MMSAI Tours Presents} The Darkness Within by Kelly Hashway Release Day Celebration

June 2, 2015 / Katie L. Carroll

THE DARKNESS WITHIN
Release Day Celebration Hosted by MMSAI Tours

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Darkness Within
The Monster Within #2
Author: Kelly Hashway
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

After dying of cancer at seventeen and being brought back to life by an evil witch who turned her into a monster, Samantha Thompson thinks she’s finally gotten past all the tragedy in her life. Now she’s part of a coven of good witches who are helping her and her boyfriend, Ethan Anderson, learn to use the powers they received from other witches. Aside from the fact that Sam and Ethan are still in hiding from their old lives–the ones they had before Sam was brought back to life–things couldn’t be better. Sam and Ethan are inseparable. What could go wrong?

Magic.

Ethan’s magic came from a witch who’d turned as evil as possible, and though his coven thought he’d be fine, the more he uses his magic, the stranger he starts acting. The magic inside him is changing who he is. One minute he’s Sam’s sweet, perfect Ethan and the next, he’s a complete stranger. Even with all her witchy power, Sam is helpless against the magic corrupting Ethan. Can Sam find out what’s wrong with him before she loses him to dark magic forever?

Book Links: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelly Hashway grew up reading R.L. Stein’s Fear Street novels and writing stories of her own, so it was no surprise to her family when she majored in English and later obtained a masters degree in English Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University. After teaching middle school language arts for seven years, Hashway went back to school and focused specifically on writing. She is now the author of three young adult series, one middle grade series, and several picture books. She also writes contemporary romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she isn’t writing, Hashway works as an editor for Leap Books as well as for her own list of clients. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and volunteering with the PTO. Hashway currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter, and two pets. Hashway is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Links: Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads, YouTube

GIVEAWAY

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Meet Fran on the Blog Tour for Impervious by Heather Letto

May 5, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

I am excited to be a part of the blog tour for Heather Letto’s YA dystopian IMPERVIOUS. In celebration of her debut release, Heather has a special giveaway running. Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

Impervious Blurb:

The residents of Impervious are the remnant—survivors of the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness―has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage.

But Fran is counter-cultural. And living off the grid in true rebel fashion, her life is far from opulent. Scurrying through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals and ditching the holographic security team encompass most of her day. However, she views it as a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can’t steal her sliver of hope―a belief that she’ll see The Epoch arrive before the beast can pull her into its fetid embrace.

After losing her mother and then her Rebel mentor, however, she grasps painfully onto the splintered sliver, until a new hope is born. First through Pete. And then through a miraculous discovery.

But the question still haunts her…

Can she outrun The Beast?

INTERVIEW WITH FRAN:

Hi all! Heather Letto here with a funny story–I sent Fran an email not too long ago, asking if she wouldn’t mind making an appearance for today’s blog stop. She said, sure… if I was willing to throw a few donuts and a Big Gulp into the kitty.

So, sitting with me today, fresh out of the Impervious air vents, with a box of Dunkin’s finest in her lap, would you welcome Gen-Four’s most elusive Rebel, Fran Monde.

Fran: (Waving a chocolate cake donut dipped in sprinkles) Hey.

Heather: Do you mind if I call you Fran or do you prefer Frannie?Fran: (Stuffs donut into her mouth and rolls her eyes.)

Heather: Great. Fran it is. So let’s start with your hometown, Fran. Although it wasn’t your favorite place, I’m sure the readers would love to hear about the city. What can you tell us about the lifestyle of an Impervieite (and yours before you became a Rebel)?

Fran: Well, you might notice as you thumb through my story, food plays a pretty central role in the lives of underground dwellers.

Heather: Duly noted. Why is that?

Fran: (Shrugs) I’m not sure how to explain it. I was just always hungry underground.

Heather: And obviously still are. (chuckles)

Fran: (Snarky laugh.) Maybe it’s because there’s really not much to do. It’s kind of boring actually. I spent a lot of my free time as a kid just wandering the Agora, snacking, gaming… that’s about it.

Heather: Hmm. Fair enough. What about Pete?

Fran: (Stuffs the remainder of the donut into her mouth and licks each finger) What about him?

Heather: Like him?

Fran: Duh.

Heather: Love him?

Fran: Sheesh. No comment. (Grabs second donut.)

Heather: Okay, how about that weird name your brother called you? Some sort of worm?

Fran: Wickworm?

Heather: Yes, that’s it. What’s that all about?

Fran: Well, if you Google the word, you’d see that A Wickworm is a worm, or parasite, that
lives in the intestines of an animal. You may not be aware of this, but the air vents of impervious are kind of like the guts of the city… therefore—

Heather: Ah yes…. You’d be the worm.

Fran: Exactly. (Winks at me.)

Heather: Listen, I know you don’t have a lot of time here today, but I do have one final question that I think a lot of the readers would want to know.

Fran: (Nods her head) I’m listening.

Heather: Retter. Is there a crush happening there?

Fran: (Face blossoms into a cherry) Nah. Ret’s just a guy. Well, a very muscular guy. With tawny eyes….

Heather: (snapping fingers) Hello? You still with us, Fran?

Fran: I gotta go. (grabs box of donuts and stomps off).

Heather: (Clears throat.) Well. Thanks, Fran, for gracing us with your presence. (Sighs)

About Heather Letto:

Heather considers herself but a worker in the field with a desire to share truth through the art of good story. In real life, she’s the proud mother of two grown sons and lives part-time in Northern Illinois with her husband, but scurries off to warmer climates when the mercury takes a dive on the thermometer. As well as The Ascension Series, Heather contributes to WHOAwomen magazine, The Fit Christian, Tween Girls and God, Devotion Magazine as well as Swagga for Christ Ministry.

Impervious is available in

e-book and paperback at:

AMAZON

Barnes and Noble

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Japanese Wedding Traditions from S.J. Pajonas Author of Released

January 29, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

I’m super thrilled to have S. J. Pajonas and her Nogiku Series back on the blog. She is celebrating her the release of book #2 Released (see my 5-star Goodreads review here) and sharing a bit about Japanese weddings and offering a giveaway. Welcome, S. J.!

Whenever I sit down to write another book in the Nogiku Series, I first think hard about what new and interesting Japanese traditions I want to highlight in that book. For REMOVED, I introduced a lot of Japanese language and culture but made sure to touch on a few bigger events: New Year’s Eve, swordfighting, Japanese food and the izakaya phenomenon, a geisha party, and then a taiko drumming concert. It was a hard one to beat!

So when RELEASED came before me, I was pleased that one main event would stand out: a wedding! Now, I’ve been a Japanophile for as long as I can remember and when my husband and I got married, I incorporated a few Japanese traditions into our ceremony. Let’s look at a few of the more obvious Japanese wedding traditions and then I’ll touch on the traditions of attending a wedding.

Japanese Wedding

The dress, the umbrella, and the cups

A traditional Japanese wedding kimono is called a shiromuku (“Shiro” meaning white and “muku” meaning purity) and it is one beast of a kimono. I actually own one. I bought it before we got married because I thought it might be fun to get married in one, but I tried it on once and decided against it. They are very heavy, made of silk and usually woven in intricate patterns across the back. Mine has a heron and bamboo woven into it. The hem is unusual as well. It’s stuffed and padded, rounded so that the fabric weighs straight when worn.

In the photo above, you’ll notice that everything the bride is wearing is white. This is also a tradition symbolizing her purity and her willingness to be dyed the colors of her groom. The wedding hood she wears is the wataboshi and is usually only worn during the ceremony.

The red umbrella is very symbolic of Japanese weddings. The color red in Japan means life and wards off evils and the umbrella itself keeps the bride dry if it happens to be raining. It’s quite large and usually carried by man who follows the bride in a wedding procession.

The tradition of san-san-kudo was a component of my own wedding ceremony. I describe it in RELEASED as:

“One of the temple maidens lays out three cups of different sizes: small, medium, and large. I’m familiar with this ritual called san-san-kudo, three-three-nine times. The tradition is the bride and groom each take three sips from each of the three cups, going from smaller to larger cup, until each has consumed nine sips of rice wine. Nine is a lucky number for couples because it cannot be divided equally in two, and the number three is also lucky because it’s prime. So three, three times, is three times as lucky.”

So the interesting thing about san-san-kudo is that the number 9 itself is considered an unlucky number in Japan. It’s pronunciation, ku, sounds like the word for “torture” or “agony” and it is often omitted from places like hospitals. All Nippon Airways does not use the number either. But in the case of this ceremony, since it’s three times three, it’s different.

Writing a wedding ceremony

I have never been to a Japanese Shinto wedding so, writing about one, I wondered what they were like. I’m so thankful for YouTube! I watched several before I sat down to write the wedding in the book. Here’s a playlist of several videos you might be interested in. (The first one in this list was so beautiful it made me cry. Make sure you have tissues.)

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWPSOQScLodyOkoVh7p8kfuF7fTj56mSg

Attending a Japanese wedding

I don’t go into much detail in RELEASED about what guests are expected to do at a Japanese wedding because the event is very dramatic for Sanaa, my heroine, all on its own. But here are a few things to remember if you’re ever invited to one.

A wedding gift is usually cash and sometimes the invites will come with a suggested Yen amount to be gifted depending on how well you know the bride or groom. The gift should be given in one-man bills (equal to about $100) and should be an odd number so they cannot be split evenly between the couple. There is a special white envelope tied in red that should be used and the fancier the envelope the better. Most stationery stores in Japan have them.
Dress nicely! Japanese weddings are not dressed-down affairs. It’s not black-tie, but it’s close. If you’re a woman, wear a nice dress (not black), get your hair done, etc. Men, please wear a nice suit. Ties are a must. If in doubt, dress conservatively.
There are usually several after-ceremony parties unlike Western ceremonies. The first one you attend is the main one, then there may be several after that organized by the friends and/or family. You are usually required to pay to attend them (which covers drinks, food, the venue, etc). Be sure to have plenty of cash on hand.
Please do not be late! Arrive early for everything.
You may be asked to give a speech. Yes. It seems most people at a Japanese wedding are expected to say something nice to the bride and groom. A short, congratulatory statement will do.

Still interested?

If you’d like to learn more about Japanese weddings, read this article on GoJapan.About.com.

And I have also put together this Pinterest board on Japanese Weddings. Enjoy!

(All images in this post are used under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)

S J Pajonas Removed

REMOVED (The Nogiku Series, #1)
By S. J. Pajonas
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic
Age category: Adult
Release Date: September 11, 2013

Blurb:
Can she piece together the truth before Earth’s last city tears itself apart?

It’s easy for Sanaa to ignore the first signs of trouble. After all, she’s living her dream with a job and life she loves. But when she’s reassigned as a data analyst for a mysterious, well-connected man, she starts to piece together the alarming reality. Corrupt clans vie for control of the city, desperate for a ticket off the dying planet.

As war looms between the clans, Sanaa’s new boss sends her to train with Jiro, an expert swordsman. Forbidden to share the dangerous secrets she’s learned with her family, she confides in Jiro, bringing them closer with every word, strike, and parry. Together, they realize that Sanaa’s boss is keeping secrets of his own.

When the truth comes to light, the war and Sanaa’s world could be changed forever. To save her family and forge a new peace for her city, Sanaa has no choice but to risk her life for the human race.

REMOVED is the first installment in the Nogiku Series, a saga of post-apocalyptic sci-fi novels set in future Japan. If you like tenacious heroines, sizzling chemistry, and unique post-apoc settings, then you’ll love S. J. Pajonas’ dystopian adventure.

You can find REMOVED on Goodreads

Want to view some inspirational images for REMOVED, visit the REMOVED inspirational Pinterest board

You can find all the links to download REMOVED at https://www.spajonas.com/removed/

S J Pajonas Released

RELEASED (The Nogiku Series, #2)
By S. J. Pajonas
Genre: Science Fiction Romance, Post-apocalyptic
Age category: New Adult
Release Date: December 17, 2013

Blurb:
Sanaa must deal with her fate.

Left in the desert to recuperate from her injuries, Sanaa Itami paces the floors and contemplates her mistakes. She trusted too easily, and now people she loved are dead, killed at the hands of men coming to assassinate her. Sanaa feels beaten, but life awaits her at home. While her city recovers from the devastating earthquake, negotiations for Sanaa’s future continue. New allies must be made, new friendships brokered, new skills acquired — at all costs.

Life at the top of the chain is complicated and lonely, though. With all her friendships rocky and uncertain, Sanaa must learn to trust others again more than she’s willing. Who is left holding a grudge? And will the new family Sanaa has found with Jiro support or betray her?

RELEASED is the second installment in the Nogiku Series, a saga of post-apocalyptic sci-fi novels set in future Japan.

You can find RELEASED on Goodreads

You can find all the links to purchase RELEASED at https://www.spajonas.com/released/

About the Author:

Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, amateur astrologer, Capricorn, Japanophile, and USA Today Best Selling author. She loves foxes, owls, sushi, yoga pants, Evernote, and black tea. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing or spending time outside, unless it’s winter. She hates winter. Someday she’ll own a house in both hemispheres so she can avoid the season entirely. She’s a mom to two great kids, one feisty dog named Lulu Ninja Assassin, and lives with her husband and family outside NYC. When it comes to her work, she writes about everyday women and uncommon worlds. Find her online at https://www.spajonas.com

You can find her online here…
Website: https://www.spajonas.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SJPajonas/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/spajonas/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/spajonas/
Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-j-pajonas
Amazon Profile: http://www.amazon.com/author/sjpajonas/
Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7233209.S_J_Pajonas

Blog Tour for Erin Albert’s The Prophecy

November 22, 2013 / Katie L. Carroll

Let’s all help Erin Albert celebrate the release of her fabulous YA fantasy The Prophecy (see my 5-star Goodreads review here). Today she’s sharing a bit about her writing process and a giveaway. Welcome, Erin!

First of all, I want to give a big shout out and virtual hug to my editor and friend, Katie, for hosting me today!!

Katie asked me to give a little bit of information about my writing process. If you dare, enter the inner workings of my mind… 😉

What am I working on?

I am always working on multiple projects. Currently, I am revising the sequel, The Outlanders, to my young adult fantasy debut novel, The Prophecy (which released November 15). I also have a futuristic thriller called Number 25598, a middle grade fiction in the vein of Judy Blume called Meet Kit: An American Boy, and another young adult fantasy novel without a title—all in progress.

Why do I write what I do?

I write young adult books because I LOVE young adult books. My friend and Dream Team member Danielle Craver (she created all of the crests for The Prophecy) got me hooked on the YA genre, and I’ve read that almost exclusively ever since. Epic high fantasy appeals to me because I’ve always loved Arthurian legend. When George R.R. Martin combined that time period with fantastical elements, my mind sprung to life. Reading fantasy allows a person to fully immerse in a totally different world, escaping this one completely. Who doesn’t need a good escape every now and then?

How does your writing process work?

I am a total pantser, which means I do not plan a thing. I have a rough idea of how I want the story to start and how I want it to end, but I let the characters take over for the middle. Sometimes that gets me in some logic trouble, but I’m fortunate enough to have my Dream Team and critique partners to catch those little snafus.

The demands on my life and time afford me a very short window to get my writing done, usually between 3pm-5pm. I have ADD, so I always have to drink something caffeinated to help me focus. Also, a little container of chocolate is a creative must. I seek to write a chapter a day (my Dream Team member and timekeeper, Kim Sharp, requires a new chapter to read each night which keeps me on task).

The creative portion of my work takes me very little time. I wrote the entire Fulfillment Trilogy in 3 months. But I am also an anal grammar freak, so editing the work takes me MUCH longer. It’s a painstaking process.

So, to recap: Afternoon writing time with chocolate and caffeine, 1 chapter a day, and edit, edit, edit!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my post!!

The Prophecy blurb:

Growing up on a small farm in the kingdom of Vanguard, seventeen-year-old Layla Givens lives a deceptively tranquil existence. But her carefully constructed life quickly falls apart when she’s abducted by a religious zealot who proclaims her The Fulfillment of an ancient peace prophecy and whisks her away to marry her greatest enemy.

Wilhelm, Prince of the Ethereals, is reluctant to meet his new bride. He’s grown up believing Vanguards are evil, an enemy to fight and fear…not love. Can he set aside his prejudices and work alongside Layla to bring lasting peace after centuries of war?

Nash, a loner who has never fit in, carries a huge secret, one big enough to destroy both kingdoms. When he accidently meets Layla, he’s no longer content to live in the shadows, but he must resist his growing attraction—for her safety and for the longevity of the two kingdoms.

When Nash’s secret is revealed, a firestorm sweeps through both realms, with Layla at the center. Now she must choose between duty and desire while the fate of two nations hangs in the balance.

The Prophecy can be purchased at the MuseItUp bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other ebook retailers.

About the Author:

Erin Albert is an author and fitness trainer. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the “Grammar Police.” In her free time, Erin enjoys acting, running, kickboxing, and, of course, reading and writing.

Find Erin online:

Twitter: @ErinAlbertBooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Albert-Books/182769448541270

Website: www.erinalbertbooks.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18160774-the-prophecy

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