Claire Reads: 250 Follower Giveaway!

Claire Reads: 250 Follower Giveaway!:
 Claire @ Claire reads is having a fololwer giveaway

the choice of 4 prize packs
all 2012 releases or debuts
Grave mercy
Partials
Hemlock
Of Poseidon to name a few

go go  go and head to Claire.
the Giveaway link is posted above [ also a title in one of the prize pacts] and
below


Claire Reads: 250 Follower Giveaway!:

Emerald City book tour: interview w/ Alicia Leppert

This blog tour is presented by Cedar Fort Publishing.
You can see the tour schedule and more information by clicking HERE

First to introduce the author

About this author

I always knew I wanted to be a writer, ever since Career Day in first grade when I walked around carrying a notebook and pencil. Twenty-some odd years later, after a short stint in high school where I dreamed of being an actress, a whirlwind Internet romance including a blind proposal that led to a fairytale wedding and two pretty-near perfect kids, my lifelong dream came to fruition with my first novel, Emerald City. I live with my small brood in my beloved hometown of Pasco, which is located in the only part of Washington state that isn't green. When I'm not writing, I can be found decorating novelty cakes and taking naps--my other two passions. Visit her on aliciakleppert.com  or stalk her on twitter @alicialeppert

Now for the interview

What inspired you to write Emerald City?

I always knew I wanted to write a really good, dramatic love story. I tried several different settings and situations and just wasn't feeling it. One night after a lot of brainstorming I started to toy with the idea of adding a fantasy element to it. Suddenly, the idea for Emerald City just popped into my head and I knew I had my book: a love story with a paranormal twist that takes place in modern-day Seattle.


Who is the artist[s], fanboying here! Lol

My gorgeous cover was created by Brian, the brilliant designer at Cedar Fort Publishing. He had very little information about my book to go off of, and I had such an idea in my head of how I wanted it to be that I was really nervous it wouldn't come out right. But when they sent me my cover, I almost cried because it was like he tore the picture out of my head, it was so perfect. To this day I get tons of compliments on my cover and I have to give him 100% of the credit!


Wat was youre favr scene[s] to write in  Emerald City?

Well, I'm a die-hard romantic, so my favorite scenes were always the romantic ones between Jude and Olivia. The first kiss, the first little hints at attraction, the intimate conversations, etc. I would find my heart pounding in my chest as I wrote some of them. Also, the first scene, with Olivia, was very personal and emotional for me to write, and I felt like I was there, experiencing it with her, so that was a favorite as well. I enjoy writing the raw, gritty, intense scenes as much as I do the lovey-dovey ones.


Do you have a set routine when you are writing? Are you a plotter or just write what the characters feel like to saying? [to me all characters are like real people]

All characters should be like real people, if the writing is good! They certainly are to me! As far as a routine, not really. I've never been much of a routine person. I wrote whenever I felt like it, and didn't write sometimes for long periods of time when I wasn't feeling it. I know most authors say a writer should write something every day, but I found I couldn't force it or my writing was crap. I had an outline for the first three-fourths of my story that I did stick to for the most part, but I honestly didn't know how the ending was going to end until I was actually writing it. The story sort of took on a life of its own as I wrote it and I let it go where it wanted to go! As for my characters, I knew them so well right from the start that I never had to think twice about what they would say in a given situation. I always knew how they'd respond.

Have you any other books in the making at the moment?

My next venture will be the sequel to Emerald City, and, although I have not actually started writing it, I'm in the first stages--ie, lots and lots of brainstorming. I will begin writing it very, very soon.

What are you currently reading, have finished or on your wish list?

I am currently reading the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I'm on the second book and can hardly put it down. She does an amazing job of somehow realistically combining a modern-day romance with a mythological world full of creepy monsters. I can't wait to read the rest in the series.

Any song[s] that fit perfectly with Emerald City, scenes /characters or the book itself ?

What a great question! I actually plan to add an Emerald City playlist to my website one day. There is a song that came out a couple years ago, when I was a quarter of the way through writingEmerald City, that summed up my entire book. I was so shocked the first time I heard it, it was as if someone had put my book into a song. I can't tell you what it is, though, because it would give away the entire surprise twist to my book! There are a few others I can tell though: Krwlng, by Linkin Park, is the perfect soundtrack to the scene in the first chapter with Olivia, the "infamous" night when she...well, you know. And OneRepublic's Goodbye Apathy goes really well a few chapters later, as Olivia starts to sees changes in herself.

Why should we read Emerald City,

Because it's awesome. And I think it has something for everybody--romance, fantasy, action, mystery...But more than anything, people should read it because it's more than just fictional fluff. It covers topics that are considered taboo to a lot of people, in a way that isn't in-your-face or off-putting. It's real, and intense, and emotional, and I think everyone should read it!

This or that segment

Vanilla or chocolate--Chocolate. Always chocolate.


summer or winter:--Winter

Xmas or hallo ween--Christmas!

Vampires, faeries or zombies--faeries. Definitely faeries. Unless it's Edward Cullen, then vampires.



The book 

One city of 600,000 people.

One broken girl.

One mysterious boy.

One fateful night,

Two worlds collide.  

Seattle, Washington. The sprawling, industrious city set in a blanket of pine. I have never known a day that wasn’t spent inside this concrete jungle. It’s my home, and for that I love it. But it’s also the setting for the tragedy called my life, and so I loathe it.

I live alone in a cold, empty studio apartment. The tiny square room closely resembles a cell. That’s my life: solitary confinement.

Here, in this desolate place that perfectly reflects my soul, my story begins.

Broods of Fenrir// interview w/ Coral Moore

This is one of the stops of this booktour

First to introduce the author.

About this author
Coral Moore has always been the kind of girl who makes up stories. Fortunately, she never quite grew out of that. She writes because she loves to invent characters and the desire to find out what happens to her creations drives the tales she tells. 
Prompted by a general interest in how life works, her undergraduate schooling was in biology. She follows science news and enjoys conversations about genetics and microbiology as much as those about vampires and werewolves. Coral writes speculative fiction and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Writing at Albertus Magnus College. 
Currently she lives in Connecticut with the love of her life, who offers both encouragement and kicks in the tail when necessary. Also in residence are two mammals of the families Canidae and Felidae. 
She released her first novel, Broods of Fenrir, in November 2011. Her next release, Elements of Rebellion, is due out in spring 2012. visit her on chaosandinsanity.com  like her on FB or stalk her on twitter @  coralm

Now for the interview

What inspired you to write Broods of Fenrir ?

I was inspired to write Broods by a love of Norse mythology and the desire to write werewolves in a different way. The history of werewolves is so vast, and I think in today’s fiction they’ve gotten a bit one-dimensional, so I wanted to go a different way with them.

Who is the artist[s], fanboying here! Lol

Amanda Kelsey at Razzle Dazzle Design made my cover. She’s amazingly talented. I love the cover she made for this book. She’s working on the cover for my next release right now. I can’t wait to see it.

What was your favorite scene[s] to write in Broods of Fenrir ?

There’s a scene where Dagny leaves Brand that was one of the most painful I’ve ever written. I enjoyed the emotion there, and it gives such a wonderful snapshot of who Brand is.

What got you in to reading and at what age , what sort of books did you like reading as a child?

I’ve always been a big reader. I don’t really remember a time in my life when I didn’t read. I went through a long phase when you I was young where all I read was animal books. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell was my favorites for many years—a very sad story, but wonderful too.

Do you have a set routine when you are writing?

I don’t have any kind of set routine. Sometimes I write at my desk, sometimes at the kitchen table and sometimes on my couch. It depends on the mood I’m in that day.

Are you a plotter or just write what the characters feel like to saying? [to me all characters are like real people]

I’m not much of a plotter. For the most part I just put my characters in situations and explore the world through their eyes.

Have you any other books in the making at the moment?

I’ve got a more traditional fantasy called Elements of Rebellion coming out at the end of March or beginning of April. I’ve started a second book in the Broods world as well, but that one won’t be out until probably the end of the summer.

Any song[s] that fit perfectly with Broods of Fenrir  scenes /characters or the book itself?

I’ve always thought Do What You Have To Do by Sarah McLachlan is the song that represents the Brand and Dagny romance. There are forces pulling them apart and though they both know they probably shouldn’t be together they can’t let go.

Why should we read Broods of Fenrir ?

Broods features a different kind of werewolf. There’s a lot of action, and a strong romantic plotline. It has aspects of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy.

 

This or that segment

Vanilla or chocolate

Chocolate, always.

summer or winter

Winter. I don’t like the heat.

Vampires, faeries or zombies

Lately probably faeries. I’ve been researching a lot of folklore lately, and some of the faery stories are really interesting.

The book

Synopsis: Shapeshifter Brand Geirson was raised to rule the Broods of Fenrir, but he refused his birthright. Instead, he killed their brutal leader–his own father–and walked away. 

For hundreds of years he’s avoided brood society, until a werewolf kills an innocent human woman and Brand finds himself dragged back into the violent politics of the shapeshifters. When the two brood women who mean the most to him come under threat, he must take up the throne and risk becoming the kind of vicious bastard his father was, or let the broods descend further into chaos–taking the friend he swore to protect and his lover with them.

WOW #1

this is my first WOW/whoot whoot

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Book bloggers present upcoming books they can’t wait to read and share their enthusiasm about new releases.

Wicked as They Come (Blud #1)
by Delilah S. Dawson 

Published by Pocket

Date published:  March 27th 2012

Synopsis:Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me—only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.) 
Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk . . . and completely irresistible. 
When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love.

This one sounds like steampunk fantasy maybe with vampires. who knows and read a few raving reviews. i want it

Way to Go 

by Tom Ryan
Pubkished by Orca Book Publishers 

Date Publication:  : April 1st 2012

Synopis:  Kierce has a rule for everything, not to mention his whole future planned out. Jay has bad grades, no plans, and could care less. As for Danny, he’s stuck somewhere in the middle and can’t stop stressing out about it. His dad keeps nagging him about his post-high school plans, his friends won’t stop bugging him about girls, and a run-in with the cops means he has to to get a summer job – about the last thing he had planned. Worst of all, the secret he’s been keeping for years is threatening to spill out into the open. 
Just when he’s beginning to wonder how he’ll get through the summer, let alone survive another year in Deep Cove, Danny meets Lisa Walsh. Lisa is dynamic, beautiful, and different from any girl he’s ever known. She’s also from New York City, which is about as far from Deep Cove as the dark side of the moon. For the first time in a while, things begin to look like they might turn out all right after all – that is, if friends, family, and reality don’t get in the way. 
WAY TO GO is Tom Ryan’s first novel 

I love contemporary and this one sounds mmmm .... ooh soo good