Fire Prophet Promo Tour

Here is all of the information you guys need for this blog tour.  Please make sure to include the following on all posts:

Blog Tour banner

Book covers

Book summaries

Links to books

Author Bio

Author picture

Giveaway Info

Link to blog tour: http://yabound.blogspot.com/2012/12/blog-tour-schedule-fire-prophet-by.html

Or you can copy and paste the following: Welcome to my stop on the Fire Prophet Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound.  Click HERE to check out the rest of the blog tour schedule!

Spirit Fighter (Book #1)

by Jerel Law

Published April 3rd 2012

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Paperback, 243 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

"In his exciting debut novel, Jerel Law transports readers to a place where supernatural forces of good and evil collide. Young readers will be entertained and inspired by "Spirit Fighter." I heartily recommend it." -Robert Whitlow, bestselling author of the Tides of Truth series

Percy Jackson, move over! Jonah Stone is here!

What if Nephilim-the children of angels and men-still walked the earth? And their very presence put the entire world in danger? In "Spirit Fighter," Jonah and Eliza Stone learn that their mother is a Nephilim and that they have special powers as quarter-angels. When their mom is kidnapped by fallen angels, they must use those powers to save her. Along the way, they discover that there is a very real and dangerous war going on between good and evil and that God has a big part for them to play in that war.

Parents today are looking for fiction that makes Christianity and the Bible exciting for their kids. This series is the Christian answer to "Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles, The Secret Series" and other middle-grade series packed with adventure, action, and supernatural fights. "Son of Angels, Jonah Stone" will be the first series in the market to explore this topic from a biblical perspective with content that is appropriate and exciting for middle-grade readers.

"Jerel Law has crafted a fantastic story that will leave every reader wanting more. Stop looking for the next great read in fantasy fiction for young readers-you've found it!" -Robert Liparulo, bestselling author of Dreamhouse Kings and "The 13th Tribe"

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Fire Prophet (Book #2)

by Jerel Law

Expected publication: December 11th 2012

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Paperback, 256 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

"Jerel Law transports readers to a place where supernatural forces of good and evil collide. Young readers will be entertained and inspired . . . I heartily recommend it." -Robert Whitlow, bestselling author of the Tides of Truth series

What if you could actually see angels and fallen angels engaging in battle-and you were expected to join the fight?

It's been one year since Jonah Stone and his sister, Eliza, discovered that their mother is a nephilim, the product of a union between a human and a fallen angel, which makes them and their little brother, Jeremiah, "quarterlings," or one-quarter angel. After embarking on an epic journey to rescue their mother and the other nephilim, who were kidnapped by fallen angels, the Stone kids have enjoyed a little peace and quiet.

But when Jonah and Eliza are attacked by fallen angels at school, they learn that quarterlings all over the world are being targeted, and separating them from their parents is the only way to keep them safe. The kids undergo special training to help them discover their own unique angelic gifts, which come in handy when they embark on a mission to find a mysterious prophet who they believe holds the key to Abaddon's defeat in a massive battle between good and evil.

Parents today are looking for fiction that makes Christianity and the Bible exciting for their kids. This series is the first Christian answer to Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Kane Chronicles, the Secret Series, and other middle grade series packed with adventure, action, and supernatural fights. But the message is solidly scriptural in that God alone is always in control.

"Jerel Law has crafted a fantastic story that will leave every reader wanting more. Stop looking for the next great read in fantasy fiction for young readers-you've found it " -Robert Liparulo, bestselling author of Dreamhouse Kings and "The 13th Tribe"

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Jerel Law is a gifted communicator and pastor with seventeen years of full-time ministry experience. He holds his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Tarheels!), and a master of divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Jerel began writing fiction as a way to encourage his children’s faith to come alive. He lives in North Carolina with his family. Spirit Fighter is his first novel.

Website / Blog / Goodreads / Amazon / Twitter / Facebook

GIVEAWAY

Thomas Nelson is providing 5 print copies of Fire Prophet (US Only). 

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The End of The World As We Know It - Top 10

I am so pleased to have a hilarious guest post from mega-talent, Iva-Marie Palmer today! Be sure sure to check out The End of the World As We Know It; you'll be thoroughly entertained!

I am super-psyched to be here on YA News and Reviews for the last day of my The End of the World As We Know It blog tour!!
In my book, four mismatched teens survive a full-scale alien invasion and have to save their town to prevent the end of the world. Kind of what we all do every day, right? Yes, it’s true that the Mayans were wrong about 2012, but I still keep hearing things about a zombie apocalypse, so I say, you can never be too prepared.
That said, I’d like to give you my top ten list:
Top Ten Skills I Need to Acquire Before the End of the World
 Parkour – Come on, it’s cool to watch and fun to say. Especially if you yell it. (Has anyone seen The New Girl episode where Schmidt does just that as he parkours around the apartment?) Anyway, if all that’s left of the world is a bunch of shard-y, burnt-out buildings and big canyons where intersections used to be, I want to be nimble, I want to be quick, I want to jump over that … PARKOUR!
Bartending – As it stands, I can whip up a few cocktails, but I want to get really good, so I can open up a bar with a cool name, like Last Stop Saloon. I’ll be there to lend an ear and pour you something to make everything seem a little better.
Woodworking – I know, I know, why wouldn’t I just want to be a carpenter so I could build shelters, etc.? That seems like more pressure than a parkour-adept bartender wants to take on, though. I’m thinking I might just like to whittle little toys to bring cheer to tiny survivors who feel lost without their LeapPads. And, you know, if I happen to make a few tiny weapons along the way…
Bartering – I am one of those people who is currently no good at this. At. All. I will go to a flea market and totally pay the asking price, just because I assume the price is the price is the price. And why would anyone rip me off? On the flip side, I give in far too easily  to the notion of the customer always being right and I’d probably totally let someone bargain me down to practically nothing. And I don’t want to be selling my amazing woodworking wares for less than they should rightfully fetch.
 Fashion Design – This probably seems very shallow of me. But, it’s not. Not totally at least. When we’re all in tatters, and the cold is creeping in and there’s nothing around to use as clothing but some old newspapers and a couch someone left by the curb just before the apocalypse, wouldn’t it at least provide some comfort to be wearing something that gives you a nice silhouette??
 Cryptography – Secret messages. I’m assuming they’ll abound, post-The End. And I want to decode them.
Cartography – I can barely read a map for the intact, as-is world. But maybe if I knew how to make maps, I’d also be able to read them. Like my logic?
 Archery – Call it the Katniss Everdeen factor. There’s an undeniable glamour to holding a bow and arrow, with your hair flowing down your back (and while wearing an amazingly- cut duster coat made of someone’s old couch.) Of course, then there comes the whole nasty skinning-the-rabbit-you-just-killed thing, but nothing’s perfect.
Chopped-Style Chef-ery – I really feel like Chopped is meant to prepare us all for the apocalypse. Like we’ll be wandering the new, desolate earth, picking up random, hopefully edible debris until we look down in our baskets and just have to say to ourselves, “What can I make with this?” I want to be able to whip up something amazing from a weird assortment of foodstuffs I found on the ground.
Positive Thinking – This one should be obvious. And if it’s not, I’m also over here working on my non-sarcastic explaining of things.
 Iva-Marie Palmer is the author of The End of the World As We Know It, a sci-fi action comedy from Alloy Entertainment (creators of Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries). Find her online on Twitter (@ivamarie), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ivamariebooks) and at her website (www.ivamariepalmer.com).

Gossamer Bookmark Blitz Tour

Shouldn't all faerytales end with happily-ever-after?

Kyla Ashbury is nearing her eighteenth birthday when a mysterious boy appears at school. Her instant attraction to him inexplicably awakens something inside her and she discovers her true identity. 

Now, armed with the knowledge of her past, she is forced to leave behind the life she has always known for a new one filled with temptation, faery charm and magic, and a future she wasn't prepared for. 

Kyla is left with a difficult decision…but no matter which path she chooses, someone will get hurt. 

A Lyrical Press Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Excerpt:

“It’s kind of ironic our rendezvous point is at the corner of Magnolia and Pansy.” I chuckled. Grant looked at me and arched an eyebrow. He was so cute when he did that. “You know Pansy.” I got nothing. “It’s a joke. You know we are making our great, big, daring escape from Pansy Lane.” He still looked confused. I shook my head. “Never mind.” He didn’t press for an explanation. I shot him a sidelong glance. “Are all grants as serious as you?”

The corner of his mouth tugged up. “I can’t say all, but most grants are guards. Serious comes with the job.” 

“So, you’re a guard?” He nodded. “Hmm.” 

“Hmm, what?” A smile still played at the corners of his mouth. 

“I’m not surprised. You’re observant and cautious. Protective. But, I guess that comes with the job, too.” 

“Protective?” His tone doubtful as he repeated my word choice. “I don’t know about that. My job is to sense danger and act upon it if necessary. Safety--I provide safety. I think protectiveness is fueled by emotions, typically, and that goes beyond my job description.” 

I was taken aback by Grant’s comment. It seemed almost cold. “But, you told my parents you’d protect me?” 

We finally arrived at our destination and I could see Conor already waiting. Grant stopped and looked at me. 

“And I will,” he said and walked away. 

I was locked into place. My brain incapable of processing his comment and walking at the same time. Was that his way of saying he cared about me? Which really didn’t mean much. I cared about my friends, too. Oh, but I really wanted him to mean something more. Don’t read too much into it. I forced my mind to clear and approached the guys. 

Grant filled Conor in on Lexie’s plans to pick us up. He seemed to like the idea of not having to walk the entire way and I could have sworn he liked the idea of seeing Lexie one last time. 

The three of us stood silently waiting for her. The humid night air left my skin clammy. A few minutes later a black car pulled up alongside the curb. The tinted passenger window glided down and Lexie peered out at us.

“Need a ride?” She asked with a wicked grin. I grinned back. I was going to miss her. I opened the door and decided to let the boys fight over who got the front seat. Grant stopped me and told me to sit in the front. Although I’m sure he was being a gentleman, I had a strong feeling they didn’t want to deal with the onslaught of questions she was sure to have. 

They squished into the back and I climbed in. I pulled my seat up as far as possible, feeling sorry for Grant as he tried to contort into such a small space. I felt bad for Conor too, of course. 

As soon as we were buckled, Lexie’s car coasted onto the quiet street.

“Okay, first where to?” She looked at me expectantly. I glanced back at the boys. Grant spoke up giving her directions. She nodded, not even caring that we were asking her to drive us practically out of town. 

She laughed. “It’s pretty funny you’re making your big getaway from Pansy Lane.” 

“Thank you!” I over exaggerated my words and rolled my eyes at Grant. “See. Joke. Funny.” He grinned and shook his head. I faced front again as my heart fluttered from the adorable way he looked at me. 

Buy Links:
Amazon
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iTunes

Author Links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Lyrical Press
Book Trailer

Author Bio: Renita Pizzitola writes Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. An avid reader herself, she has always enjoyed  stories with witty humor, romance, and fascinating characters. Renita lives in Texas with her husband and two  children. When not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and playing referee to her two typically adorable children.

Karen Ann Hopkins Interview

I'm so excited to have my author of the month, Karen Ann Hopkins here to answer some questions about her novel, Temptation, and the soon-to-be-released sequel, Belonging! 

* Can you tell us a little bit about your book?

Temptation is Rose and Noah’s story and is told in both of their points of view.  When Rose moves to the sleepy community of Meadowview, the teenagers fall hard for each other.  But there’s one big problem.  He’s Amish and she’s not.  The story follows their struggles to be together and the prejudices they encounter from both worlds.  The sequel, Belonging, which will be out in May, continues their struggle, showing the grittier/darker side of being Amish.

* What inspired the story?

I moved to an Amish community in northern Kentucky five years ago.  Soon after my arrival in the neighborhood a group of Amish kids began coming to my farm to participate in horse-back riding events.  I watched the interactions between them and the non-Amish teens and the question, ‘what if,’ took root in my mind.  Temptation is a fictional story, but there have been several situations within my own community where Amish young people hooked up with non-Amish (or English, which is what the Amish call all outsiders) ones.  In one particular instance, the Amish girl left her world to marry an outsider.  She was subsequently shunned by her family and church. 

* What's your writing process like?

Before I began writing Temptation, I researched my own community in great detail.  Since I spent much time with my neighbors, both at my farm’s riding arena and providing a driving service for the Amish, I was able to have more personal and in depth experiences than most people do with the oftentimes secret lifestyles of the Amish.

* What have you learned from writing this novel?

One of the most valuable lessons I learned from writing Temptation is that persistence is the key to success.  Even though the story was originally rejected by several agents, I kept improving it, taking suggestions along the way, until I finally had it in tip-top shape and it was enthusiastically picked up by the Jane Rotrosen Agency and later purchased by Harlequin Teen.

* Do you have a favorite character?

Rose is my favorite character, but I really enjoyed writing Sam’s chapters in Belonging.  His personality popped off the pages with a will of its own very early on.  Noah was more difficult to write as he’s a guy and Amish, but getting into his head was very interesting.  I spoke with several of the teen boys in the community about their attitudes and also observed their behaviors with much interest to craft Noah’s character.

* What do you find most difficult about writing?

Getting started is difficult.  Once I have a few chapters behind me, the story takes on its own life.

* What is your favorite scene from Temptation?

The buggy accident scene was the most difficult one to write on an emotional level, yet it was also my favorite.  It was extremely visual in my mind.

* Can you give us any hints what's going to happen in your upcoming book, Belonging?

In Belonging, the reader will enter the Amish world in a more personal way.  The entire store is darker, showing the side of being Amish that isn’t always portrayed in writing.  It’s grittier and more intense.  Rose and Noah are tested in unimaginable ways, but their love continues to hold strong.

* What draws you to the YA genre?

Even as an adult, I love to read YA.  The stories are more straightforward and fast-moving than adult fiction and most of my favorite life-time reads have been from the YA genre.

* What's been the best part of being a writer?

I get to stay on the farm with my children and I’m able to schedule my life around my job, instead of vice-versa.

* How involved are your family and friends in your writing process?

Being a single mom of five kids, I’ve learned to ask for help when needed and I’m lucky to have family and friends who will happily care for the smaller children when I really need a few days of intense writing time.

* How long did it take you to write Temptation?

It took two months to write the story and another six months of revisions.  I got my agent, Christina Hogrebe from the Jane Rotrosen Agency, about eleven months after I began writing the manuscript and a few months later had a contract with Harlequin Teen.

* Where do you hope your writing career will be in 10 years?

I hope to branch out into YA paranormal or adult mystery. 

* Did you write as a child or teen?

No, I began writing as an adult, but I always had stories in my mind that wanted to escape.

* Do you still find time for reading?

Not as much as I’d like.  The writing, editing and promotional part of publishing keeps me busy, but I work hard to get personal reading time in when I can.

* Who are some of your favorite authors?

George R. R. Martin, Tolkien, Charlaine Harris are a few.

* If you could meet any author, who would it be?

At this point, I’d really like to meet George R. R. Martin.  I’ve been reading his Song of Ice and Fire saga for the past eight years and I have a lot of questions for him.

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Temptation on Harlequin
Barnes and Nobles Link
Amazon Link for Temptation
Goodreads Link
Goodreads Link for Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins

Silver Sphere Promo

The Silver Sphere

by Michael Dadich

YA Fantasy

Add to Goodreads

Published November 26th 2012 by Evolved Publishing (first published November 19th 2012)

ISBN ISBN13=978 (ISBN13: ISBN13=978162)

Evolved Publishing presents a wild journey to a sister planet of Earth, in "The Silver Sphere" by Michael Dadich. [YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi] Shelby Pardow never imagined she could kill someone. All she wants to do is hide from her troubled father... when she is teleported to awaiting soldiers on the planet Azimuth. Here she is not a child, but Kin to one of the six Aulic Assembly members whom Malefic Cacoethes has drugged and imprisoned. He seeks to become dictator of this world (and then Earth by proxy). His father, Biskara, is an evil celestial entity, tracked by the Assembly with an armillary device, The Silver Sphere. With the Assembly now deposed, Biskara directs Malefic and the Nightlanders to their strategic targets. Unless.... Can Shelby find the other Kin, and develop courage and combat skills? Can the Kin reassemble in time to release or replace the Assembly, overthrowing Malefic and restraining Biskara?

Links to Buy 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Michael Dadich

I’ve been writing since first setting pencil to steno pad at age 8. A year later, I began developing the world of my current series-in-progress, and even created its title, The Silver Sphere. Now, with the support of years of experience, those early maps and back stories have progressed into what I hope is a fresh and entertaining take on the classic young adult fantasy adventure.

Despite my frequent escapes into parallel worlds, I root myself firmly in my very real family and community. When not pacing the yard maniacally after every few pages of writing, I spend as much time as possible hanging out with my studly 9-year-old son, and my inspirational wife Jenna. I also coach several local youth sports teams in Beverly Hills, and alternate between yelling at my two crazy Corgis and hiking with my trained German Shepherd.

For more, join me in my favorite fantasy worlds, from Lord of the Rings to the creations of C.S. Lewis, Anne McCaffrey and Terry Brooks. Even more importantly, stop by and say hello on my Facebook page at AuthorMichaelDadich, tweet me at @MichaelDadich, and stalk my website athttp://www.thesilversphere.org.

Website  | Twitter | Facebook

You can find the whole tour Here

Rapunzel Untangled Review

Rapunzel Untangled blurb. (Taken from rapunzeluntangled.blogspot.com)

Rapunzel is not your average teenager. For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction.

But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.

Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.

My Review: 

One of the most exciting things about the young adult fiction genre is that the characters are feeling so many things for the first time. In Rapunzel Untangled, readers get to feel the thrills that our golden-tressed protagonist experiences as Fane slowly brings the world in through her window: pizza, movies, kisses. Fane  pulls Rapunzel away from her tower to parties, playgrounds and new friends. All things so foreign and magical to her.

The story is a modern day re-imagining of the fairy tale classic, but  Cindy C. Bennett's take on Rapunzel is anything but stale. The mysterious circumstances that keep Rapunzel in the tower, the motives of her "mother," Gothel, and the strange mansion she calls home, kept me intrigued as the story smoothly flowed along. The sweet, romantic relationship between Fane and Rapunzel charmed the pants off me. Fane is every bit the modern hero. Rapunzel is the damsel in distress, a little helpless, but it's very sweetly portrayed and realistic, given she's been locked away from the rest of the world and brain-washed by Gothel, her only companion for nearly 18 years.

Rapunzel Untangled moves steadily toward the shocking, supernatural-tinged ending, never-stagnating, but delivering one exciting moment after another as Rapunzel gets acquainted with the world at large and the truths about herself.

Another perk about this novel: The themes of freedom, new love and self-discovery that are explored here are so classic and integral to basic human nature that my 5 year-old was able to comprehend and appreciate the book as I read it to her each night. Rapunzel just has universal appeal!

Skillfully written and beautifully imagined! 5 stars!


Pre-Order Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett on Amazon
Rapunzel Untangled Facebook Page

Season of Giveaway Giveaway Hop

Ho ho ho. No need to start pulling off your rings! No name-calling here. I'm just wishing you a very happy holiday. I like to celebrate the joy of the season with gifts. So what'd ya bring me? Just kidding. No more bad, Bob Hope-esque jokes, I promise. Let's get on with the giveaway! Drum roll please!

I'm giving away..... Winner's choice of one of these 3 incredible YA books in kindle format!

Charade by Nyrae Dawn. Amazon link

                 













OR

Torched by Andrea Lynn Colt Amazon Link

 

                 













OR

Slammed by Colleen Hoover Amazon Link

Enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

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