#T4T Got a dark obsession? @chapterxchapter @tydrago @kitforbeswrites @Month9Books #ya #giveaway

Hello and welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

Secret of the Corpse Eater (Undertakers 3)by Ty Drago and
Shadows Fall Away by Kit Forbes

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

The Corpses are up to something.

U.S. Senator Lindsay Micha has been kidnapped and replaced with a “dead” ringer, the sister to Lilith Cavanaugh, the Queen of the Dead. Now Will Ritter must go undercover in our nation’s capitol to ferret out the truth and try to stop this ambitious deader. But his mission becomes even more dangerous when he learns of a mysterious ten-legged monster that prowls the halls of the Capitol Building — a lethal monster with a taste for Corpse flesh.

The Undertakers: Secret of the Corpse Eater is book three in the wildly popular The Undertakers series from Ty Drago.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“Ty Drago has done it again. This series gets better and better!” – Jackie Morse Kessler, Author

“I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading "exotic" zombie stories!” – Erika, WS Momma Reader's Nook

“Percy Jackson-caliber middle grade with a new twist on zombie/aliens. Excellent world-building!” – Katrina, Goodreads Reviewer

Ty Drago does his writing just across the river from Philadelphia, where the Undertakers novels take place. In addition to The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses,The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead, and The Undertakers: Secret of the Corpse Eater, he is the author of The Franklin Affair and Phobos, as well as short stories and articles that have appeared in numerous publications, including Writer’s Digest. He currently lives in southern New Jersey with his wife and best friend, the real Helene Drago née Boettcher.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Mark Stewart is one incident away from becoming a juvenile delinquent, and his parents have had enough. They ship Mark off to London, England, to stay with his eccentric aunt Agatha who is obsessed with all things Jack the Ripper. After a strange twist of luck, Mark is struck by lightning, and he wakes to find himself in 1888 Victorian London. His interest in a string of murders Scotland Yard has yet to solve make him a likely suspect. After all, why would a young boy like Mark know so much about the murders? Could he be the ripper they've been searching for? Convinced the only way to get back home is to solve the murders, Mark dives headfirst into uncovering the truth. Mark's only distraction comes in the form of the beautiful Genie Trembly, a girl who is totally out of his league and who may have already caught the attention of the infamous ripper. To save her, he'll endanger both their lives, and risk being trapped in the past forever.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“If you enjoy YA time-travel mysteries, I think you'll like this fast-paced novel.” – Kimber Leigh Wheaton, Author



“I found Shadows Fall Away to be extremely engrossing. It's the type of book you want to start and finish in one day because you can't put it down.” – Jennifer Bardsley, Author

“'Shadows Fall Away' is a gripping and imaginative young adult novel that mixes time travel, historical fiction, and mystery to keep readers on the edge of their seats.” – Stephanie, A Dream Within A Dream

Kit Forbes has been a lover of books, history, and all things paranormal for as long as she can remember. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her youngest daughter and an assortment of cats who give new meaning to the world bizarre.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

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Um, yeah, this is HOT! The Power by Jennifer Armentrout @InkSlingerPR #ya #myth #fantasy

We are over the moon about this Cover Reveal for Jennifer L. Armentrout's THE POWER!! THE POWER is a New Adult Paranormal being published by Spencer Hill Press, and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s The Titan Series. It is being released on February 23^rd, 2016!!

 

“You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

Official Description To Come…

   

Don't miss THE RETURN, the first book in the Titan Series....

 

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Booksamillion

THE RETURN Synopsis: The Fates are cackling their bony asses off... It's been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they've given him have been violent and bloody--which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He's got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet. Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy's deal might be, but it's a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her. But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all. Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Booksamillion

  Jennifer L. Armentrout/J.Lynn Bio: # 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads ** THE POWER Goodreads ** THE RETURN Goodreads

 

Review and excerpt: Wonder Horse by @anitadaher #mg #giveaway #horse@chapterxchapter @RebelightBooks

~~ About Wonder Horse ~~

Wonder Horse by Anita Daher

Publication Date: May 8, 2015

Publisher: Rebelight Publishing

  

Fitting into a new school in a new city isn’t easy, but dreams come true for Sera with a gift from her parents: a gorgeous and spirited American Paint horse. Sera’s bubble bursts when a mean girl, Brittany, tells her that neither she nor her less than well-trained horse belong with the rest of the “reiners” in their riding class. As Sera sets out to prove Brittany wrong, she risks losing her passion for training and the friendship of Dev, another girl who truly understands her.

An earlier version of this story was originally published by Stabenfeldt (Stavanger, Norway) in 2011 as Wager the Wonder Horse and distributed in six languages: Norwegian, Hungarian, Czech, German, Finnish and Swedish.

~~ My Review ~~

Wonder Horse is a delightful story about a young girl and her new horse, Wager. As Sera struggles to fit into a new school, she and her horse are snubbed for his less than perfect bloodlines for the sport of reining. But Sera is determined to prove her special boy can do anything, including a few tricks she teaches him.

Along with her goal to show her horse’s abilities, Sera must also decide what’s important to her – sucking up to the mean girls, being childish and fighting back, or choosing her reactions to become the person she wants to be.

This is a book that will appeal both to girls who love horses and those who know nothing about them. The horse lingo is well explained in a natural way, and Sera’s difficulties are universal. But she’s a smart girl who handles even a spooking horse analytically and finds the ability to use her parent’s psychology experience in her own way.

I loved that Wager’s antics were based upon a real horse. I’ve known a couple horses that would have been his best friends and delighted in learning tricks from their owners as well.

The editing of Wonder Horse was top notch, no grammar nazi complaints from me! The only nit I found was Sera’s extremely calm reaction to her horse running away with her. It took away from the drama of the situation. Or maybe I’m just jealous cuz when my horse bolts, I panic. No thinking at all!

I heartily recommend Wonder Horse to middle grade readers or anyone who wants to enjoy a low-key, but very cute, horse story with a likeable main character who comes to terms with nay-sayers and proves them wrong. 

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25522628-wonder-horse

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

~~ Excerpt ~~

As we walk our horses toward the arena door, I see Brittany watching us, and she doesn’t look happy. Talk about jealous! As usual, her mare flattens her ears at Wager. That mare might benefit from Mom and Dad’s lecture on actions and reactions.

                “Dani,” Brittany calls, “have you seen some of the other things Wager can do?”

                “What do you mean?” Dani asks.

                “Yeah, what do you mean?” I echo.

                “He’s a good looking horse,” she says. “Flashy.”

                She looks at me, as if expecting me to say something. Like what? I’m way too surprised.

                “Since they’re going to be at the winter show anyway, why don’t they enter a showmanship class?”

                Dani cocks her head to the side. “I wonder,” she says. “Sera, what do you think?”

                I’ve watched showmanship classes in Calgary. It wouldn’t be like our lesson. Wager would have to be groomed to look like a million bucks—not a problem for my boy—and must respond instantly to my cues to walk, trot or halt. He’d also have to stand still for very long periods of time.

                “Honestly? I don’t think he’s patient enough.”

                “Well let’s see,” she says. “Go ahead and walk a small circle with him.”

                I feel like today’s lesson has been three-in-one! We walk, trot, stop, and start and backup on Dani’s cues. Finally she calls us in. “I think you’ll do fine if you’d like to try it,” she says. “Good idea, Brittany.”

                “No problem,” Brittany says, and I see a strange glint in her eyes. “Wager’s a good boy.” She looks at him. “Aren’t you. Wager? Such a good boy!”

                I’m so busy thinking about the show that I don’t notice how closely Wager is listening to Brittany. I catch on just in time to watch Wager offer a vigorous “yes” head-bob, which unfortunately catches Dani’s chin on the upswing.

                “Son of a gun!” she shouts after a sharp cry of pain. She’s holding her chin, but manages to look at me and spit out, “What is that?”

                “A trick,” I say, my voice small.

                She shakes her head. “Bad idea, Sera. Does he always do that when someone tells him he’s a good boy?”

                “Pretty much,” I say. “You have to be looking at him.”

                “And what if a showmanship judge tells him the same thing?” She lets go of her jaw and gives her head a roll, as if to work out the kinks, and I get the sense she’s not really waiting for me to answer. Her chin is red where Wager whacked her. “I’m not confident that we can train that out of him in one week. Stick to reining this time around, Sera. We’ll work on showmanship another time.” She turns and—muttering the whole way—leads Spike out of the arena.

                “Why did you do that, Brittany?”

                “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says, smirking. “Clearly, Wager is a special boy, but that doesn’t mean he can be good at everything.” She sniffs. “You don’t have to show him, you know. He’s a nice riding horse. Why don’t you stick with that?”

                My heart and every bit of happy I had in me drops to the arena floor. I don’t know what I did to turn Brittany against us, but it’s pretty clear she doesn’t want us in her world.

                We’ll show her, Wager. We’ve got to.

                I stroke Wager’s nose. Brittany’s right about one thing. He is a nice riding horse. We used to have so much fun together. When exactly did riding stop being fun?

~~ About Anita Daher ~~

Anita Daher has been entrenched in the publishing industry since 1995, and is (thus far) author of fourteen books for children and teens. Aside from short stints as grave-plot seller, tour guide, and children’s party clown, she’s worked in aviation, publishing and broadcasting. When not word wrangling, she enjoys inhabiting characters on stage and screen.

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

Giveaway Information:  Winner will be drawn June 26, 2015

·         Two (2) winners will received a physical copy of Wonder Horse by Anita Daher (US/Canada)

·         Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Wonder Horse by Anita Daher (INT)

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Best in Blogs May 30-Jun5 #amwwriting #amreading

Here are links to some of the blogs I ran across with a great topic, meaningful advice, or just plain interesting. You'd make my day if you post a link to your favorites or even your own blog so I can visit. Then scroll down for an interview with author Ty Drago and giveaway!

Janice Hardy's Fiction University
As always, some of the best, detailed writing advice - with Bob and the zombies!
"While working on my current novel, I reached a pivotal scene that involved a lot of subtext (where the characters aren’t talking about they’re really talking about, or what's going on has greater meaning under the surface)."

Sarah Negovetich
How to get that ms ready for an editor!
"I was talking to an editor last week and something he said really stuck with me.

"Editors aren't looking for a fixer-upper."

Of course, I knew this already. But the imagery of a fixer-upper really got inside my head. If you've ever been house hunting then you know exactly what to expect when a listing says "needs a little TLC". It means you should plan to dedicate all your weekends for the next year to stripping old wall paper, fixing loose wiring and hanging gutters. It means that the house could be great, but right now, it's not. It's a fixer-upper."

Brenda Drake
First page critique opportunity!
"I’m holding a first page workshop with some of our wonderful Pitch Wars mentors during the month of July! They’ll critique your first page and help you shine it up to snag an agent or a mentor (if you’re entering Pitch Wars this coming August)."

Storyfix - Larry Brooks
Dialogue can be tough, here's some great advice
"Dialogue is the most trusted and most human aspect of story. Sure, we love the action and the conflict, but what we seek in a story in order to make it real for us is what the characters actually say to each other. We often skip to that part in a novel because we find it the most relateable part of any story. "

Post in the comments your favorites!

Interview: Last Siege of Haven by @TyDrago @chapterxchapter @month9books

ABOUT LAST SIEGE OF HAVEN (THE UNDERTAKERS #4):

Title: Last Siege of Haven (Undertakers #4)

Publication date: May 2015

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.

Author: Ty Drago

While away on an undercover mission, Undertaker Will Ritter has made an unthinkable alliance...with a Corpse! But though Robert Dillin (aka 'The Zombie Prince') is indeed one of those alien invaders who animate and possess the bodies of the dead -- unlike the rest of his kind, Dillin isn't evil. In fact, he wants to help. And Will needs that help, because the Queen of the Dead has learned the location of Haven, the Undertakers' secret HQ, and is planning a massive and deadly assault.

With the last day of the Corpse War finally upon them, Will and his friends find themselves in a desperate race to close the Rift between worlds and forever kill the Corpses. But can they do before Haven is overrun?

For that matter, can they do it at all?

MY INTERVIEW:

1. Where/how did you come up with the idea for your story? Did it suddenly pop into your head or were you brainstorming?

I was in the mall with my son, Andy, who as twelve-years-old at the time.  He’s nearly twenty-two now, which give you an idea of how long it’s been since the Undertakers were born! 

I’d been looking for a new project for a while by then.  It had been a few years since I’d published anything substantial and, frankly, I needed a win.  On this particular day, as we were leaving a bookstore, Andy said to me, “Why don’t you trying writing a book for my age?”

I kind of liked that notion.  So I started up what I think of as the Idea Machine.  That’s the part of my brain that takes notions and chews or them and churns at them until they turn into something I can use...or not. Well, in this case, the Idea Machine ended up spitting out a winner.

2. Did you start with the main character, the world or the overarching concept?

I liked the concept of a child army, a fighting force composed entirely of teen and pre-teens.  The way I saw it, they were battling an enemy that only they could see.  Once I had that, it was just a matter of coming up with a good villain.  Vampires?  Been done to death (pun intended).  Werewolves?  I’ve always liked them as good guys.  How about ... zombies?  But not your moaning, shuffling idiot kind of zombies.  My zombies had to smart, fast, and organized.  They had to have some means of disguising themselves, of hiding the fact that they were dead.  So that, to the rest of the world, they were normal living people: teachers, bus drivers, policemen.

And the only ones capable of penetrating this illusion, of seeing the truth, were members of the aforementioned child army.

That’s how the Undertakers, and the Corpses, were born.

3. Panster or Plotter? Or in between?

Panster, I suppose.  I don’t like outlines.  I think they stifle my creative juices.  Most of the pre-work I do, I do entirely between my ears.  I drive a lot, listen to music a lot, and think.  Then, when I’m ready, I write it down.  That’s honestly my process.

4. Are you a fan of writing contests?

Of course!  Anything that gets anyone’s work in front of judges – be they editors, agents, or other writers – is fine with me.  I’ve had the honor of judging a few writing competitions, most recently on TentSquare (www.tentsquare.com), a really great crowd-sourced content/social media site.  Included in the prize was a thirty minute consult with me, which was flattering and, as it turned out, a great experience for all concerned.

5. How did you find your agent? How many query letters did you send?

My first agent I found by networking.  But my second, the amazing lady who has sold five Undertakers books for me, I found the old fashioned way.  I went onto AgentQuery.com and searched their database for agents who (a) accepted YA and MG fiction, (b) were actively seeking new clients, and (c) didn’t charge reading or mailing fees.  Once I had a list of sixty names, I checked each of them out individually and whittled the list down to about forty.

Then I submitted to all of them at once.  I know, I know.  Some agents don’t like simultaneous submissions.  What can I tell you?  I wasn’t getting any younger and I was tired of waiting!  J

Two of the queried agents responded favorably, asking to see the entire manuscript.  Of them, one offered to represent me, and she’s been my partner and one of my best and most loyal fans ever since.

6. What's the best marketing tool you've found so far?

School visits, hands down!  Since 2011, I’ve visited more than sixty middle schools in six states, speaking in front over more than 25,000 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders.  They’re a great audience and its wonderful venue for self-promotion and selling books.  I’ve quite literally sold thousands of copies at such visits, and intend to keep doing them!

7. What do you like best about your mc?

Will Ritter is the hero I always wanted to be but, in the real world, could never quite manage it.  When we meet him, he’s scared and confused, terrified by the new and awful world into which he’s been thrust.  But by the end of RISE OF THE CORPSES, the first Undertakers books, he’s a force to reckoned with.  And by Book 4, the newly released LAST SIEGE OF HAVEN, he’s described as the Corpses’ “boogeyman!” 

The series is all about empowering children, and that theme is epitomized in Will.

8. What do you like best about your main antagonist?

Lilith Cavanaugh, the Queen of the Dead, was described by one reviewer as combining sophistication with a certain savage monstrosity.  I’ve always liked that.  Lilith is more than just an alien who possesses and animates the bodies of the recently dead, the way all Corpses do.  She’s a true despot, which a soul so black it would frighten Hitler.  To give you some idea, Lilith covets the body of Susan Ritter, Will’s mother, and is always plotting to kill her and then wear her cadaver as her next host.

Doesn’t get more evil than that!

9. Anything else you like to share about your journey or your upcoming launch, including links to giveaways or ways people can help spread the word?

Anyone who wants to know more about the Undertakers and their adventures can check out www.jointheundertakers.com.  There, they’ll find background on the series and its characters, as well as links to the book trailers and, from time to time, special promotions and giveaways.

If you’d like to follow me more personally, you can check out my blog at www.tydrago.com or send me an email at me@tydrago.com.  I’m also on Twitter and Facebook.  So reach out!  I love hearing from folks!

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23344384-last-siege-of-haven

Purchase Links:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | TBD

ABOUT TY DRAGO:

Ty Drago does his writing just across the river from Philadelphia, where the Undertakers novels take place.  In addition to The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses,The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead, and The Undertakers: Secret of the Corpse Eater, he is the author of The Franklin Affair and Phobos, as well as short stories and articles that have appeared in numerous publications, including Writer’s Digest.  He currently lives in southern New Jersey with his wife and best friend, the real Helene Drago née Boettcher.

Author Links:  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Tour schedule: http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-last-siege-of-haven-the-undertakers-4-by-ty-drago-presented-by-month9books/

Strange Country Day by Charles Curtis #M9BFridayReveals #giveaway #ya #sports

M9B Friday Reveal: Cover Reveal - Strange Country Day by Charles Curtis with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are revealing cover for

Strange Country Day by Charles Curtis

presented by Tantrum Books/Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Alexander Graham Ptuiac, the son of an inventor, wants to play for the school’s football team. During tryouts, and under the watchful eye of the team’s coach, he suddenly manifests mysterious superhuman powers. Alexander makes the team, but not before the some ill-intended adults take notice, putting his life in danger.

Alex struggles to suppress and control his strange new abilities, worried about exposing his secret and being kicked off the football team. Then he befriends Dex, a diminutive classmate who can somehow jump as high as ten feet in the air. Seems Alex isn’t the only one at school with a secret.

As the school year unfolds, Alex will find himself the target of bullies, holding hands with his first crush and discovering the shocking truth about himself and his parents.

Strange Country Day by Charles Curtis
Publication Date: August 2015
Publisher: Tantrum Books/Month9Books

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | B&N

Charles Curtis is a writer and journalist based in New York City. He has reported and written for publications including NJ.com (where he is currently the site’s sports buzz reporter), The Daily, ESPN.com, ESPN the Magazine, Bleacher Report, TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly. Charles has covered the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, golf, tennis and NASCAR. He has also written about television, film and pop culture.
In addition, Curtis has also written, produced and was featured in videos for ESPN.com and The Daily. He has made radio appearances on stations including 92.9 The Ticket in Bangor, Maine, WLIE 540 AM in Long Island and on morning shows across Canada via the CBC.
He can be reached on Twitter: @charlescurtis82.

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

Complete the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

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Swoon Romance: Finding Mr. Darcy by Erin Butler #ya #readswoonrepeat #giveaway #romance

Welcome to this week’s

Swoon Romance YA Wednesdays!

This week features:

Finding Mr. Darcy: High School Edition by Erin Butler!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Sixteen-year-old Liza Johnson takes fangirl to a whole new level of crazy when she decides to take dating advice from her literary hero: Jane Austen.

With the help of her best friends, Liza sheds her ancient-speak and complete Austen wardrobe for something a bit more modern in an attempt at finding her very own Mr. Darcy.

Enter Will, the new kid and Liza's Darcy incarnate. Add her BFF's ex to mix and the sexy Brit who kisses with an accent, and Liza is in trouble.

So, what's a girl to do? Without her mom to go to relationship advice, Liza turns to the only person she can truly trust with matters of the heart via her mother's copy of COMPLETED WORKS OF JANE AUSTEN.

It's too bad Austen's heroines have never played Spin the Bottle or Seven Minutes in Heaven. Liza's determined to find her true Austen-esque happy ending, but if she can't trust herself instead of books, she just might end up in her own tragic love story.

Finding Mr. Darcy: High School Edition
by Erin Butler
Publication Date: September 2014
Publisher: Swoon Romance

Amazon | B&N

Erin Butler is lucky enough to have two jobs she truly loves. As a librarian, she gets to work with books all day long, and as an author, Erin uses her active imagination to write the kinds of books she loves to read. Young Adult and New Adult books are her favorites, but she especially fangirls over a sigh-worthy romance.

She lives in Central New York with her very understanding husband, a stepson, and doggie BFF, Maxie. Preferring to spend her time indoors reading or writing, she’ll only willingly go outside for chocolate and sunshine—in that order.

Erin is the author of BLOOD HEX, a YA paranormal novel, and the forthcoming contemporary romance titles, HOW WE LIVED and FINDING MR. DARCY: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION. You can visit her online at www.erinbutlerbooks.com.

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

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