Tag: YA Fantasy (Page 9 of 9)

Quest of the Hart by Mary Waibel

April 22, 2013 / Katie L. Carroll

Please welcome fellow Muse author Mary Waibel as she interviews Prince Devlin from her YA fantasy Quest of the Hart. Based on the interview, this book feels like it’s going to be action-packed. Mary is giving away a copy of the book while on her blog tour. Use the rafflecopter below to enter!

Me: Welcome, Prince Devlin.

Devlin: Please, call me Devlin.

(He smiles, his silver eyes shining like coins, and I barely hold back a sigh.)

Me: Oh, well, thank you so much, Devlin, for taking time away from your duties to chat. I’m sure you have so much to do, with your wedding just a week away. And speaking of your wedding, I have a few questions about Princess Kaylee.

D: I’ll answer what I can, but I only have a few minutes. Kaylee and I are going for a ride soon.

Me: I’ll be as quick as I can, then. So, how did you and Kaylee meet?

D: We have an arranged marriage. In fact, until a few days ago, I’d never seen her. But, now that I have, I can say she’s wonderful. Kind, caring, smart, funny. Did I mention beautiful?

(Princess Arabella saunters in during his descriptions and groans.)

Arabella: Please, isn’t there anywhere I can go in this castle where it isn’t Kaylee this and Kaylee that? I thought it was bad when it was Devlin this and Devlin that. Things will be different before the day is out, though, I promise you that.

D: What do you mean?

A: Nothing. Aren’t you supposed to be out riding with Kaylee?

D: Oh, yes. I’m late. It was very nice meeting you. I hope you enjoy the wedding.

(Devlin leaves, and Arabella smirks.)

A: Not if I have anything to say about it.

(She slinks from the room.)

Me: Well, I guess we’ll just have to read Quest of the Hart to see what that was all about!

Quest of the Hart blurb:

A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale where the princess goes on the quest to save the prince.

Princess Kaylee has never had to fight for anything. Her entire life has been arranged, even her marriage. But when Prince Devlin falls under an enchantment, she finds she is willing to do anything to save him, even if it means fighting a dragon.

Devlin’s own sister, Princess Arabella, is behind the deadly plot. She wants the throne and will use any means necessary to gain it. Her perfect plan unravels, leaving Devlin caught in a magical sleep that is slowly spreading through the kingdom of Breniera. All Arabella needs to finish her spell and claim the crown is a drop of Kaylee’s blood, but obtaining the single drop is proving more difficult than expected.

To save her betrothed, Kaylee embarks on a quest to find an ancient sword and gather a drop of dragon’s blood, while trying to stay out of Arabella’s traps. But Arabella’s traps aren’t the only danger. Time is everything. For once the last inhabitant of the kingdom falls asleep, the spell will be sealed, and not even true love’s kiss will break it.

Quest of the Hart can be purchased at the MuseItUp bookstore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5SvEAbFQtE

About the Author:

Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When she isn’t twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey, and camping. Her debut novel, Quest of the Hart, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing April 19, 2013. The Lost Princess, a companion novel, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in August 2013. You can find Mary Waibel at:

http://marywaibel.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel

@mewtweety14 (twitter)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Elixir Bound in Paperback!

March 13, 2013 / Katie L. Carroll

After all the teasers, the day has finally arrived for my Elixir Bound announcement. And the big new is…*Drum roll*…Elixir Bound will be coming out in paperback later this year (not a definite date set, but it’s looking like June or July)!

You all know I’m a big fan of ebooks (I read on my Nook and my phone all the time), but I’m jumping for joy at the prospect of Elixir Bound in print. I hope it means my story will reach new readers. And I mean, what author doesn’t want to hold their book and fan through the pages?

In honor of this joyous occasion, I’m doing my first ever Rafflecopter giveaway. What can you win? Either a 3 chapter critique by yours truly (because I know lots of writers read my blog) or a signed copy of the paperback version of Elixir Bound (and probably some other surprise swag, which I’ll promptly send off to you once it’s released).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

October 31, 2012 / Katie L. Carroll

Warning: The Next Big Thing Blog Hop has gone viral. On this hallowed day, I’m sad to report I’m the latest victim. That means you’ll have to suffer through hearing all about my latest work in progress, a follow up to my novel Elixir Bound.

This all happened thanks to the virus-spreading Rosalie Skinner, who shared the pestilence of her work in progress last week.

What is the working title of your book?

Elixir Saved

Where did the idea come from for the book?

When I wrote Elixir Bound, I always knew I wanted to write a more epic sequel. Enter Elixir Saved. Three POV characters, an epic battle scene, and life-and-death choices.

What genre does your book fall under?

YA fantasy adventure

What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

This is a tough one, mostly because I haven’t had power for the last few days, which inhibits my ability to scan the Internet looking for just the right actors.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Each saved by the Elixir, three survivors must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice with their second chance at life.

Will you book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Most likely neither. I’ll be sending it to the publisher of Elixir Bound once it’s ready.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Who can say? Hopefully not as long as it took to write Elixir Bound. I’m aiming for less than a year.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Genre wise I’d say Kristin Cashore’s and Melina Marchetta’s fantasies. Wouldn’t I love someone else to compare me to those writers!

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My sister Kylene, who died unexpectedly at the age of sixteen. I’ve been very candid about how she has influenced me in my writing career.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Most of your favorite characters from Elixir Bound will make appearances in this book. Honestly, I’ve grown so much as a writer these last few years, I think Elixir Saved will be even better than its predecessor!

On November 7^th, the next victims of the blog hop will be posting about their own books and works in progress and spreading the madness. Tag, you’re it:

Meradeth Houston

Cheryl Carpinello

Sarah C. Pilon

Elixir Bound nominated for the 2012 Cybils Awards

October 16, 2012 / Katie L. Carroll

Well, I made it through my first author event without any major hiccups (no passing out or vomiting midspeech!). Rumors have been circulating that the whole thing was recorded and may end up on YouTube. I’ll be sure to let you know if that comes to fruition (and, of course, only if I look good in the video!).

CybilsLogo2012-Web-Button In other news, I was thrilled to have Elixir Bound nominated for the 2012 Cybils (Chilrden’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards) in the Teen Fantasy/Sci-Fi category. I’m up against some stiff competition, and that’s only after the public nominations have been listed. It’s an honor just to be in the running. (I certainly don’t expect to beat out a book like Kristin Cashore’s Bitterblue!) A special thanks to Ladybug Lin for nominating Elixir Bound.

Finally, check out an original short story of mine called When Angels Die up on the MuseItUp Publishing blog today. I penned this one specifically for the Halloween season, so I hope you like a good scare.