Promo Post and Author Interview: We Awaken by Calista Lynne

Book info:
Title:  Awaken  
Author:  Calista Lynne
Publisher:  Harmony Ink Press
Cover Artist:  Aaron  Anderson
Published:  July 14th, 2016
Genre:  YA magical realism, LGBQT protagonist

Synopsis:

Victoria Dinham doesn’t have much left to look forward to. Since her father died in a car accident, she lives only to fulfill her dream of being accepted into the Manhattan Dance Conservatory. But soon she finds another reason to look forward to dreams when she encounters an otherworldly girl named Ashlinn, who bears a message from Victoria’s comatose brother. Ashlinn is tasked with conjuring pleasant dreams for humans, and through the course of their nightly meetings in Victoria’s mind, the two become close. Ashlinn also helps Victoria understand asexuality and realize that she, too, is asexual.

But then Victoria needs Ashlinn’s aid outside the realm of dreams, and Ashlinn assumes human form to help Victoria make it to her dance audition. They take the opportunity to explore New York City, their feelings for each other, and the nature of their shared asexuality. But like any dream, it’s too good to last. Ashlinn must shrug off her human guise and resume her duties creating pleasant nighttime visions—or all of humanity will pay the price.

Buy links:
Harmony Ink Press: https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/we-awaken-by-calista-lynne-399-b

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/We-Awaken-Calista-Lynne/dp/1634769953/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1466868261&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble:  barnesandnoble.com/w/we-awaken-calista-lynne/1123939010?ean=9781634769952

 
Author Interview:

1.  What does your writing process look like?  Do you know the whole story when you start?  Or do you just start writing and go with it (seat of the pants writing)?  If you plan it out, how do you do that?  Outline, note cards, post-it notes, etc.?

I am the outline queen, which is odd because I wasn’t always this way. The most important part of planning is writing up a list of scenes. My theory is that if I plan it all out and make a numbered list of everything that I know happens, I can just move on to the next number if I get stuck. It’s helpful for avoiding procrastination and writer’s block.
 
2.  With your story being about a dancer, are you a dancer yourself?  If not, how did you learn about the dancing world?

I wish I was a dancer! My only trysts into that community are the tap dancing lessons I took for a year in high school and the pathetic moves I break out at weddings. I study Drama & English and have worked in a few theatres. The drama and dancing community are closely intertwined in many ways so I was able to get firsthand experience and hear anecdotes, plus you can learn anything through research these days.
 
3.  What made you want to write about the topic of asexuality?

I wrote the representation I wish I had growing up. So many young people feel broken because they don’t know what asexuality is and my goal was to prove that anyone can have a happy ending regardless of whether or not they feel sexual attraction.
 
4.  Dreams play a big part of your story.  I often have very vivid dreams that I remember.  Do you remember your dreams?  What do you think about dream dictionaries and their "definitions" of different dream topics?

As a child I owned a dream dictionary and while they’re fun, I don’t believe a word of them. They are helpful in thinking up symbolism for novels, though. I tend to remember my nightmares more frequently than other sorts but I don’t have them too frequently. Dreams have just always excited me and I love stories that involve them. My favorite book in elementary school was The BFG and I love the Sandman graphic novels.

5. 
Favorites: 
Books/authors/genres American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Actually, all his books. Also I’m partial to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz.
Movies/TV Shows The Princess and the Frog. My favorite TV programmes are Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Fargo.
Music Broadway show-tunes get me going real good.
Food/writing snack Coffee and tea
Social Media Site Tumblr is a lot of fun for book photography. Twitter confuses me but I use it.

Author Bio:

Calista Lynne grew up on the American East Coast and is currently studying  in London. She  is having difficulty adjusting to the lack of Oxford commas across the pond and writes because it always seemed to make more sense than mathematics. Look for her near the caffeinated beverages.  



Author links:
Tumblr: http://calista-lynne.tumblr.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/calistawrites

Blog:  http://calista-lynne.blogspot.com/

If you stop by the author's blog she's got a giveaway for an e-copy of the book open until the end of July.

Halloween in July Scary Book Read-a-Thon and Giveaway

I realized that I had a bunch of scary books I got last year after Halloween, probably from winning Halloween giveaways, or because they came out around that time and I never got them read. So I decided at the beginning of the summer I was going to do a little personal read-a-thon at the end of July to rectify that situation.  I'm planning to read three books, although I'm not sure one of them really counts as a scary book, but the cover looks scary.  So I have a back up for it in case I decide it isn't scary, although the one I plan to replace it with also may not be a scary book.  Here are my 3 planned books:

1.  The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich
2.  Ghost House by Alexandra Adornetto
3.  The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett
OR
4.  These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

I'm actually leaning more towards #4 than #3, but we'll see.

If you want to join in this week, leave me a comment below.  Even if you just want to join in with one book, that is cool.  In fact, one you're following me, you can use your comment below as one of the entries on the Rafflecopter giveaway.  If you decide to join in, I'd love it if you'd do a post on your own blog, and feel free to use the button I made above featuring my sweet dog named Dora, hiding her face from the scary stuff!

And because it is putting me in a fun mood to try this, I'm going to host a giveaway! I feel like I haven't had one in a while, so it should be good to have one.  I'm going to give away any scary book of your choice up to $15 as long as The Book Depository will deliver to you.  Just enter in the Rafflecopter below!


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Sunday Post #65 and Stacking the Shelves July 24th, 2016

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted  @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.  Not sure when the being busy is going to end, but it's still there!  And I didn't get one review a day written, so I'm still behind.  :-(

Last week on the blog:

• Reviews:  Sojourn by Tara Dawn,  Fall From India Place (On Dublin Street #4) by Samantha Young (audiobook), And I Darken by Kiersten White
• Cover Characteristic:  Eggs
•  Waiting on Wednesday:  Love Between the Lines Coloring Book by Christina Collie
•  Giveaways:  invisible-i-am by Gregg Davis (Blog Tour), Hear the Wolves by Victoria Scott (cover reveal), The Carver by Jacob Devlin (Book Blitz)

I got my two reviews for the week in.  I had planned to do my discussion post this week, but didn't get to it, so I'm planning it for this Thursday.  I did my exercising like I should, so yay!  I also got to the movies this week, finally saw The Secret Life of Pets, and also went to see the new Star Trek movie.  I went in and worked with my new co-librarian on Monday.  It sounds like we have a lot of the same ideas, so I'm getting very excited for next year.  I got to go to the Royals baseball game on Monday night and it was a blast!  They were losing, and then, come the 8th inning, they brought it back!  It was so exciting.  I still insist that I probably need to be at the home games as a good luck charm to help them win.  They didn't win Saturday  night.  They did win Friday night, and while I wasn't at the game, I was visiting my grandpuppies over near the baseball stadium.  I've told you about my grandpuppies, right?  My male dachshund, Argyle, is still used by his breeder once in awhile.  Well, this is his second litter, and they were actually born on the same day as his first litter last year.  Here's a picture of me with one of the puppies.

Isn't he adorable!  :-)  Of course it is still pretty hot outside, so I'm ready for hopefully some cooler weather and getting to see him and his three siblings play outside.

Coming up this week on the blog:

• Promo Posts:  We Awaken by Calista Lynne, The Architect of Song by AG Howard (Review and Giveaway), Wax by Gina Damico (Review and Giveaway)
• Reviews:  The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stiefvater
• Waiting on Wednesday
• Cover Characteristic:  Schools
• Discussion Post:  DNFing books
• Maybe Beach Reads in August Giveaway Hop

I've put my 3 days of walking on the calendar to make sure that I get them all in.  I also need to do some writing, but I know that this week I need to get into my library and get some stuff done!  

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  It is a way for us to share the new books we have collected.  I did okay with physical books.  I only bought one, but got three others.  Ebooks, well, you'll see.

Physical books:

I won both of these from Jennifer L. Armentrout in a giveaway on her Facebook page.  I have to finish reading the Covenant series first.  I've got books 3 and 4 on their way from The Book Depository.  I decided I wanted the white covers.  :-)

I got this as part of the books for trade on Twitter.  I haven't read this author yet, but she is going to be at NOLA Story Con when I go in September, so I should give her a try before, right?  And then have this to get autographed?

I found this at Half Price Bookstore this weekend.  It's the next book in this series that I need, although I will probably listen to it as an audiobook.  I will eventually want to own all of them I think!  Just in case I ever get the chance to meet the author.  :-)

E-galleys:

Both of these are from Edelweiss. 





Free or Cheap Ebooks:

 All of these I got from Amazon for the Kindle app, except the last one is for my Nook.  But I didn't realize that Masque is the second book in a series.  Grrr.

Free e-books/galleys:

All of these were given to me by the authors, either for review, or for signing up for their newsletter.

So, those are the books I got this past week.  What did you add to your shelves? Virtual or physical?

Book Blitz and Giveaway: The Carver by Jacob Devlin

The Carver
Author:  Jacob Devlin
Published by: Blaze Publishing
Publication date: July 19th, 2016
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult

THE GIRL IN THE RED HOOD has been looking for her mother for six months, searching from the depths of New York’s subways to the heights of its skyscrapers . . .
THE PRINCE looks like he’s from another time entirely, or maybe he’s just too good at his job at Ye Old Renaissance Faire . . .
THE ACTRESS is lighting up Hollywood Boulevard with her spellbinding and strikingly convincing portrayal of a famous fairy. Her name may be big, but her secrets barely fit in one world . . .
Fifteen-year-old Crescenzo never would have believed his father’s carvings were anything more than “stupid toys.” All he knows is a boring life in an ordinary Virginia suburb, from which his mother and his best friend have been missing for years. When his father disappears next, all Crescenzo has left is his goofy neighbor, Pietro, who believes he’s really Peter Pan and that Crescenzo is the son of Pinocchio. What’s more: Pietro insists that they can find their loved ones by looking to the strange collection of wooden figurines Crescenzo’s father left behind.
With Pietro’s help, Crescenzo sets off on an adventure to unite the real life counterparts to his figurines. It’s enough of a shock that they’re actually real, but the night he meets the Girl in the Red Hood, dark truths burst from the past. Suddenly, Crescenzo is tangled in a nightmare where magic mirrors and evil queens rule, and where everyone he loves is running out of time.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

The #roadtripwithpeterpan has begun! THE CARVER is a young adult fairy tale retelling that takes you on a road trip with an adult Peter Pan as he and the children of some of your favorite characters. Together, they must find out what happened to their missing family members as secrets of the old world and new are revealed, with only Pinocchio’s carvings to guide the way. You can get your copy of THE CARVER by Jacob Devlin on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

EXCERPT:

“Welcome to Sirenetta’s Diner, gentlemen. You boys ever dined here before?”

Liam cut right to the chase. “Are you Mr. Bellamy?”

The man’s face fell into a tight frown, but Crescenzo assumed by the figurine that the frown was just his natural expression. “I am he. The Lord of the Diner.”

“Violet sent us,” Crescenzo said.

“Mm. You mean Heather, yes?”

“Sure?” Crescenzo was still trying to figure out the rule on what he should be calling the Old World people. He supposed Pietro would forever be Pietro to him and he understood why he needed the new name, but he didn’t feel that somebody like Violet, who wasn’t a part of any story Crescenzo had heard before, needed an alias.

Mr. Bellamy plopped two brunch menus in front of Liam and Crescenzo and poured them each a cup of coffee, to Crescenzo’s dismay. Then the old man leaned over the counter and furrowed his eyebrows. In a tense whisper, he said, “Your presence brings ruin to my happy New World life! Where you go, trouble will surely follow. Now, what can I serve you this morning?”

Author Bio:
When Jacob Devlin was four years old, he would lounge around in Batman pajamas and make semi-autobiographical picture books about an adventurous python named Jake the Snake. Eventually, he traded his favorite blue crayon for a black pen, and he never put it down. When not reading or writing, Jacob loves practicing his Italian, watching stand-up comedy, going deaf at rock concerts, and geeking out at comic book conventions. He does most of these things in southern Arizona.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

About the Publisher:
Want to stay up to date on everything from Blaze Publishing? Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing! The first 100 subscribers get free Blaze bookmarks (UK, US, and Canada only) AND get added to our Loyal 100 group, which gives you access to exclusive news, teasers, prizes, and ARCs!
Website – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube – Facebook – Tumblr – Google+

Get ready to give up your time to THE SURRENDERED by Case Maynard–a young adult dystopian sure to suck you in further to with every page! Want to be a part of this new release? You can sign up for the Facebook parties, blog tours, or to review. The #taxonkids is coming!

GIVEAWAY!

 
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Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Hear the Wolves by Victoria Scott

If you've been a follower of mine for awhile, then you know that I'm a huge fan of Victoria Scott, and also a part of her V Mafia.  So when I got an email on Thursday about a new book from her, I was excited to get to be a part of the cover reveal!  And if you're interested, there's a giveaway below for 10 ARCs. 

Book info:

Title:  Hear the Wolves  
Author: Victoria Scott
Publisher:  Scholastic
Publication Date:  March 28, 2017
Genre:  Middle Grade Contemporary

Blurb:
It's survival of the strongest in a contemporary, girl-versus-wild middle-grade debut from Fire and Flood author Victoria Scott!

Sloan is a hunter.

So she shouldn't be afraid of anything. But ever since her mom left the family and she lost hearing in one ear in a blizzard, it's been hard to talk to people, and near-impossible to go anywhere or do anything without her dad or big sister within eyesight -- it makes her too scared to be on her own.

When they leave her home alone for what should only be two nights, she's already panicked. Then the snow starts falling and doesn't stop. One of her neighbors is hurt in an accident. And the few people still left in Rusic need to make it to the river and the boat that's tied there -- their only way to get to a doctor from their isolated Alaska town.

But the woods are icy cold, and the wolves are hungry. Sloan and her group are running out of food, out of energy, and out of time. That's when the wolves start hunting them . . .

Victoria Scott
www.VictoriaScott.com
____________________________

TITANS (Scholastic)
FIRE AND FLOOD Series (Scholastic)
VIOLET GRENADE (Entangled Teen)

Giveaway:

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: invisible-i-am by Gregg Davis

invisible-i-am by Gregg Davis
Harriet Showman
Publication date: August 18th, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

An experimental, literary YA multimedia narrative centered on the experiences of 16-year-old Gregg Davis, who undergoes brutal bullying and sexual violence by her peers. Spanning the mediums of the printed page, online social media and the screen, this story offers a wrenching, empathetic look at the experience of bullying through a victim’s eyes, and then extends this theme of oppression, humiliation and violence to address issues of historical and systemic racism in the U.S. today. A picture book.
Read Chapter One for free at invisible-i-am.com.

For updates on Gregg and the invisible-i-am story, follow her on
Twitter @iaminvisibleiam,
Tumblr via http://iaminvisibleiam.tumblr.com,
YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ3_7rR2myNZl0rX2mWsy1g,
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/invisibleiambook.

Goodreads / Amazon

 Excerpt:
“Caroline Lee Davis.” my mother’s second command penetrated my sister’s brain and she left me to the inevitable interrogation. Her thoughtful eyes met mine as she passed. Good. my sister and i understood each other.

(at least this time)

As she went upstairs, i turned to face my parents.

Mom still wore her yoga clothes from teaching classes earlier in the day. The thigh-length, mossy green, cashmere sweater and dark teal leggings complemented her brown hair and hazel eyes. She was barefoot yet she had draped a silk paisley shawl across her shoulders. Typical.

my father was fashion hopeless. Think tan khakis, a button down, light blue. Yet i never doubted their absolute love.

As if reading my thoughts, Dad put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him in support. His touch made me stiffen at fi rst but i reminded myself to breathe. my father was not going to abuse me and if i was going to pull off this charade, i needed to act like nothing was wrong.

“Spill,” Mom ordered, stepping into her role as disciplinarian. To her, living a well-regulated life was an act of self-friendship. She believed consistency provided a foundation for creativity. Dad was more into chaos, despite the fact that he viewed the scientific method as his religion. Both believed in balance. Or, as Mom taught, “hugging-the-midline of life.” Dad used English and called it moderation in all things.

(my hair-cutting exercise hardly fell within their parameters)

“Well,” my mind sifted through strategies and chose the first line of defense. “You know how Jack and i broke up a couple of weeks ago?” How could they forget? i used every invective i could access in my vocabulary and invented new ones. It took them days to calm down my rage.

“Yes,” Mom answered. Succinct, as ever, my mother. She poured me a cup of Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Tea from Zhejiang Province, China, out of a delicate Qing Dynasty china pot.

Silence.

Mom knew the best way to break me.

(hated when she did it)

“i wanted to make a statement?” i offered, hoping this would be enough. The skeptical looks on their faces said maybe not.

Dad changed his usual approach and challenged me, “Kind of extreme, don’t you think? What are you not saying?”

His eyes sought the truth i would never give him.

Fate intervened when a convoy of guys in pick-up trucks roared by our house. They blasted their horns and shouted obscenities about me. Their noise intruded into our sanctuary.

Shit.

Mom and Dad raced over to the window, pulled back the heavy, indigo velvet drapery and stared as the thugs made another pass. The full moon rising added drama to the scene.

(lovely)

(quintessential loveliness)

my parents turned and looked at me. And then they did something so them. They drew me off the sofa and placed me in the middle of their gentle hug. My father whispered, “Gregg sandwich.” A’ja rubbed against our legs, purring.

The sweetness of their gesture contrasted with the horribleness of the day and overwhelmed me. i began to cry heart-wrenching, broken-animal sort of sobs. Mom stroked my hair. Dad sang the lullaby, “Hush, little baby, don’t you cry.” Their tenderness made me blubber even more. i don’t know how long we stood there.
 

Author Bio:

Harriet Showman (born 9 May 1954) is an author and multimedia artist born in South Carolina and raised in Pennsylvania. She returned to South Carolina for university and lives there today. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in colonial South Carolina history and has spent much of her life helping children and young adults succeed amidst challenging circumstances, including poverty and abuse. With a strong core of allies, Showman helped to establish a statewide Guardian ad Litem program to provide legal support for abused children; a Cities in Schools organization to serve underprivileged students; and a vehicle for the accumulation of monies to be distributed in grants through the Children’s Trust Fund. As a development officer for South Carolina’s flagship university, Showman attracted resources from major, national foundations to target South Carolina’s most urgent needs. She remains interested in the plight of children, teens and adults who suffer abuse, oppression and the paralyzing pain of invisibility.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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