Blog Tour Character Interview & Giveaway - The Wolf's Cry by Natalie Crown

Thanks for stopping by my tour stop for The Wolf's Cry by Natalie Crown. This is a YA Fantasy book that released in January 2014. This is the first book in the The Semei Trilogy.  This tour will run March 10th-21st and consist of reviews, author interviews, guest posts, top tens and a giveaway.  Stop by the tour page for the full list of tour stops.

Character Interview with Kammy Helseth

1. For those who don't know you, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm seventeen years old and I should probably have enrolled in the college over in Erinsdale when I finished school in the summer. Instead, I took on this part time job cleaning glasses and waiting tables at the pub. The idea was that I would take myself across to the mainland, like Jamie did, so there was no point in going to college. Of course, I was too much of a coward to actually do it.

I guess I should mention that I have this weird thing with my eyes, before you notice it and freak out. You know how normal eyes dilate when a person is excited or whatever? Well, my eyes kind of do the extreme of that if I'm feeling any strong emotion. The pupil disappears all together and they're just a ball of colour. 

It never exactly helped me make any friends. I hate my eyes, if I'm honest.

2. What has been the scariest moment in your life?

Losing mum. I mean, she was always sick so I'd been braced for it for a while. And in a weird way I was prepared, but being prepared did nothing to stop the fear. The first few weeks were a haze and then I was numb...and then this paralysis hit.

I'm lucky that I had my Gran, and that she held it together so well. I wish I could be as strong as she is.

3. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was really little I wanted to be an adventurer!

As I started to grow up and dream of the mainland, all I wanted was to work in an office in London. Boring, I know. But I just wanted to be one of those powerful business types that are able to pull off pencil skirts and heels and that terrify people as they stroll past.

Neither of these future careers were in any way realistic.

4. Who should play you in a film?

Oh, wow. Um...Adelaide Kane, maybe? I don't know. Maybe she's too good for the role? They'd have to use some good CGI for my eyes.

5. What would we find under your bed?

Odd socks and random bits of clothing, mostly.

And that pebble that I found. I don't know why I'm holding onto it. It's pretty and all, but I don't want it. I don't want anything to remind me of that. I don't know why I don't just throw it away but every time I pull it out to look at it, I just...

6. Tell us about your family.

It's just me and my Gran now. My dad died before I was born in an accident at sea. He didn't have anyone else. Then mum died. She was an only child, so was Gran.

Gran has said that I've got cousins from her husband's side somewhere in the world, but I don't know how I'd find them.

I'm happy how things are, but it would be nice to have a bigger family. Family have to like you, right?

7. Do you have a love interest?

Ha. Love? I don't really have time for love right now, with everything that's going on.

I mean, Jad is good looking - in a grumpy, way too intense kind of way. Those moments when he smiles, or when he laughs, I find myself thinking that he's handsome. And, well, he's not so bad now that we've spent a bit of time together. I get it, he's got a lot going on. And he's kind of fascinating too. I've never met somebody like him. I do catch myself watching him sometimes, and just wondering...

But yeah, no love for me.

This or That:

Vampires or Werewolves?

Well, I suppose I should say werewolves, even though Jad's wolf isn't the same thing.

Hotmail or Gmail?

Gmail but I really don't care.

Chocolate or Vanilla Ice Cream?

Chocolate please. Chocolate all the time.

Summer or Winter?

Summer, because it feels like it's ALWAYS winter on Daleswick.

Introvert or Extrovert?

I'm used to time alone. 

TV or Movies?

Films. My connection is so bad that I hardly get to watch TV. My DVD's are everything to me.

Book Title: The Wolf's Cry (Book One in the Semei Trilogy)

Author: Natalie Crown

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: YA

Length: PDF is 199 pages

Book Description:

She is his weakness.

And she will ruin everything.

Kammy Helseth's idea of adventure never amounted to more than getting a boat across to the mainland and finally escaping to London. That was until she stumbled through the mouth of the forest into a world beneath our own, the world of the Semei.

Her only wish is to find her way home but when Jamie, her best friend, is taken into this new world of shapeshifters and Crystals she has no choice but to stand up to her fear and to remain beneath the surface. Hunted by Bagor, King of Alashdial, and those that are loyal to him, Kammy finds herself in the company of a group of outlaws led by Jad, a Prince with a bitter past and a similarly bitter demeanour.

They overcome age-old prejudice to find a way to work together. But Bagor knows a secret about the Crystals that threatens to change everything. Kammy and Jad must find a way to thwart the king and to save Jamie, but that is just the beginning. For Kammy is in possession of a Key and the fate of countless lives, both human and Semei, may rest in her hands.

Book Links:  

Goodreads | Amazon 

About the author Natalie Crown

I grew up in a village called Swilland, in the countryside of Suffolk, England. There wasn't much around, other than farms and fields, but for the most part I loved it, and I still do. I’m a passionate person by nature. I don’t just LIKE things, I LOVE things. Whether it’s a book, a film, or a sports team. Once I decide to enjoy something, I enjoy it to the MAX.

I’m a terrible cook. I prioritise essential social media work over keeping my flat tidy, because I know best. I

Onto my love of reading and, consequently, writing - it was my dad that played a big role in encouraging me to read. He didn't push me towards books necessarily; he simply read a lot himself. Then I would pick up his books and read them after him. I was reading high and epic fantasy from a very young age. I guess that might explain why I have always loved adventure stories with magic and intrigue and princes and princesses in.

I was aware that I wanted to ‘be a writer’ from a very young age. I was convinced I would be the first best seller that hadn't reached double figures in age yet! I wrote about the Danshees, furry creatures that lived through a mirror. I wrote about a Sand Bottle that transported a boy into a world of magic. I wrote about a sick girl finding a music boy that healed her, but transported her back in time. (Wow, I always have loved alternate universes…)

When I was eight I wrote my first novel called The Land of No Return. Despite the title, I am determined to return to it one day. I feel like I owe it to my past self. So, as you can see, I have always been writing. There have been times when I have gone weeks without scratching down a word. Then there are days where I churn out multiple chapters and only my body’s silly desire for sleep and/or food can stop me.

I write because I enjoy it. I write fantasy because I enjoy it. I try my hardest to put something of myself into my writing. I like to think my characters have depth, I like to think that my fantasy worlds reflect upon the real world in some way. You guys will be the judge of that but even if you don't agree I know that I at least try and I can do no more than that.

These days I live in North London and I love it. I work full time and London is a hectic city. Juggling work, writing and a social life is tough but nobody is forcing me to do it so I can't complain. The dream is that writing will be my career one day but it doesn't matter if I never quite make it. I love writing too much to ever pack it in.

I am desperate to get a dog. My mum suspects I miss my cats at home more than I miss her. I am a devout Arsenal/Ferrari/Rafael Nadal fan. I get all mad when confronted with a case of social injustice and then I get all mad when people take the fight for social justice too far. I mostly keep those thoughts to myself and simmer with rage. I watch good TV and bad TV, because I can. What I can’t do is enjoy bad books (subjective opinion of course). I just can’t.

Author Links:

Website/Blog |  Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

***Giveaway***

2 $50 Amazon Gift Cards (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organised By:

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Dragon's Egg by H.B. Bolton

My name is Heidi Bolton, but I use my initials for my writing name, H.B. Bolton. I’m the author of the middle-grade fantasy series, Relics of Mysticus. The Dragon’s Egg (Book Three) is in the final stages of development and is almost ready for its May release date. Today I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my newest book cover with you.

Cover artist, Elisabeth Alba, offered an inside peek of her work’s progression through her photographs and commentary. I’m extremely fortunate to know this Scholastic Book illustrator and have had the privilege to benefit from her talents for all three of my covers. In fact, we’ve already started talking about The Mummy’s Amulet (Book Four).

I met Elisabeth about 14 years ago through one of my drawing classes. From her high school freshman year through senior year, she was one of my students (a favorite one, at that). I taught advanced-placement art, which was before having children of my own and creating worlds with unlikely heroes for my mythical stories.

Thank you, Elisabeth, for helping to bring my characters to life!

As a bonus, I’m offering a free eBook version of The Serpent’s Ring (Book One) through Amazon from March 10-13.

Grab it on Amazon!



~H.B. Bolton (Author)




Progression of a Book Cover Illustrator by Elisabeth Alba 

This is a progression of The Dragon’s Egg book cover from sketch to final drawing. Truth be told, I haven’t illustrated many multi-figure images before, and then add a ton of stuff happening around them, so I was in for a challenging composition — a fun challenge! You can see how I gradually worked out and tightened the image. In the beginning, I had planned to make the background darker but then realized if the glowing fog was everywhere, then it wouldn’t be so dark. It framed the floating castle better as well.

Once I figured out the drawing, which I did digitally, I worked on a color composition to figure out how I would paint it. This was an important step — especially since watercolor is really hard to fix if you make a mistake.

At this stage, I printed the line drawing onto watercolor paper and got to work. I painted with Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus fine-art liquid watercolors to start. I painted the base color first, which in this case was greenish.

After painting more of the base colors, I decided to do some line work with pen and ink to solidify the shapes.

Once the base colors were done, I sealed the image with matte medium. The Hydrus watercolors can be difficult because they are not like normal watercolor. Once they’re down on paper, you can’t wipe them away, but sealing with matte medium helps them not to smear — which is nice! You can also see how my desk lamp caused some glare over the castle when I took the photo.

On top of the matte medium, I painted with acryla gouache to darken and saturate the colors, and to do any highlights like the edge lighting around the figures. Finally, once the painting was done, I sealed the entire image with Kamar varnish. It brought out the colors even more, because once the acryla gouache dried, it became matte and the colors faded some.

Once I scanned the image, I worked on any digital touch-ups (some things are hard to do in watercolor, like getting colors really dark, and also the colors sometimes don’t scan well). This was how it looked once scanned, before any touch-ups. It was a more faded and less vibrant version of the original painting. I also lost the highlights.

Finally, after all of the digital work was complete, the cover was ready for text.

For the typography, I added a dark-blue gradient around the edges to frame the image and help the text stand out. I’ve used the same font for all three books, but in this one, I replaced the “O” in “Dragon’s” with the actual Dragon’s Egg relic.

Official Blurb

The Dragon’s Egg (Book Three)

Sure, the glass castle floating over Evan’s head makes him uneasy, but that’s the least of his worries. With each step inside the Dungeon of Dreadful Dreams, he must battle against his worst nightmares. One after the other, wispy smoke-filled bull sharks come at him — he must remember they’re only illusions pulled from his imagination by those dreaded shadowlike hands. If only the vengeful dragon circling above was also an illusion and didn’t have his mind set on destroying the one person who can control him: Emrys.

Inside the castle’s glass tower, Emrys sleeps in an eternal slumber, and Evan’s uncertain whether he can save the great wizard. Especially now that Emrys’ former student, the Lady of the Lake, has joined forces with the cunning immortal Alamaz. Together they have already stolen the Dragon’s Egg, but their greed doesn’t end there. The Siren’s Pearl calls to them, and that means only one thing … Atlantis is in trouble.

Join Evan, Claire, and Dunkle — along with a few other unlikely heroes — as they travel across the realm of Medieval Legends, float through the Ancient Isle of Avalon, plunge inside the Dungeon of Dreadful Dreams, and be there when Atlantis rises once again.

You can see more artwork by Elisabeth Alba and keep up with her future creations through her sites:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy store 

Elisabeth is a Queens-based illustrator whose work focuses on fairy tales, fantasy, and historical subjects. She earned her MFA in illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her clients include Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, and Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Elisabeth wants to thank Heidi for being the best high school art teacher ever, and setting her on the path to becoming an illustrator!

Connect with H.B. Bolton here:

Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon 

Giveaway:

Signed copies of The Serpent's Ring and The Trickster's Totem (US)

ebook of The Trickster's Totem (you can grab the first book for free!)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Man Test by Amanda Aksel

The Man Test

by Amanda Askel

Release Date: March 25, 2014

Book Description:

Marin Johns is San Francisco’s Pollyanna couples therapist. She’s months away from wedded bliss when she discovers her fiancé is having an affair. After nursing her broken heart with Kleenex and break-up songs, she adopts a new brand of thinking when she uncovers a tell-all book that proves all men are liars and cheaters who will do and say anything so they’re not found out. No exceptions. 

In an attempt to convince her friends of her newfound truth, she begins a fictitious relationship with James, a do-gooder from Montana. Marin seeks any means necessary to catch him cheating from hiring a PI to enlisting the help of a fidelity tester. Will her new "boyfriend" beat the statistic or will Marin regret the satisfaction of being right?

About the author Amanda Aksel

Amanda Aksel is an author with an affinity for love. Becoming a couple’s therapist was her “backup” career, and after completing her BA in Psychology she was on her way to solving love's most complicated quandaries one couple at a time. The Man Test is Amanda’s debut novel, and now she plans to solve love's most complicated quandaries one novel at a time.

Author Links:

Website ¦ Facebook ¦ Twitter

***Giveaway***

Winner gets to choose any ebook valued up to $3.99

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Blog Tour Promo & Giveaway - Emily's Heart by Natalie Wright

About the author Natalie Wright

Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult paranormal fantasy trilogy. When not writing, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, plays with her two young cats, and feeds her dog too many treats.

Natalie enjoys walking in the high desert, snorkeling in warm waters, travel, and excellent food shared with family and friends. She was raised an Ohio farm girl, now lives in the desert Southwest, and dreams of living in a big city high rise.

Natalie enjoys chatting with readers, so stop by and say hi.

Author Links:

Website ¦ Twitter ¦ Facebook ¦ Goodreads ¦ YouTube ¦ Wattpad ¦ Pinterest

Emily's Heart Excerpt

We had a few minutes until class – or longer if our prof never showed up. We were shootin’ the shit about sports when I felt my phone, tucked inside my bag, wedged between the pages of my notebook, vibrate.

I dug the phone out and checked the caller ID. ‘Gabriella Hoffman.’ I didn’t know any Gabriella. But Hoffman. Could it be?

“You going to answer that?” Tristan asked.

“I’m not sure who it is.”

“They can’t beat you up over the phone, man. Answer it.”

I hesitated another second, but when it rang again, I hit the answer button.

“Hello?”

“Jake?”

“Yeah. Who’s this?”

“It’s Greta.”

Silence.

“Greta Hoffman.”

Hearing that name was like a punch in my gut. I was suddenly clammy, and my stomach seized into a knot.

“Jake, are you there?”

I tried to respond, to tell her ‘yeah, I’m here’, but my mouth was full of cotton. I hadn’t seen Greta for almost a year. The last time I saw her, she was walking down that hill in the cemetery, going her way, and I went mine. None of what happened was Greta’s fault, but she’d been there. She was a part of the nightmare I’d tried so hard to forget. When I heard her voice, it was like a rush of horrific images flooded my mind. It made me want to puke out my French toast.

“Jake?”

I finally managed to squeak out, “I’m here.”

“Phew, I thought you’d fainted or something for a minute there. I’m glad you picked up. I need to talk to you.”

“Why? You haven’t ever needed to talk to me, Greta. Not BA, and not for the past year.”

“I think it’s pretty obvious why.”

“No. No, it’s not obvious.”

“Maybe you haven’t noticed, but there’s a friggin’ Apocalypse going on out there. That’s why.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” I touched my still-sore ribs, all the reminder I needed. I doubted perfect, pretty, rich and mighty Greta Hoffman had a set of broken bones or bruises to match mine.

“Well? Don’t you want to do something about it?”

“I’m pretty busy trying to stay alive. Besides, why are you calling me? I’d suggest you contact the redhead with the magic arm bracelet.”

“I have talked to her.”

She had talked to Emily? Greta Hoffman had voluntarily talked to Emily Adams? That was even more improbable than the God of Dark Energy taking over our planet. It made me instantly nervous.

“And?”

“And she has agreed to join with me to recruit people to fight the Dark Energy followers.”

Silence.

“Jake? You still there?”

“Yup. Let me get this straight. You and the witch want to create some little band of light knights or something?”

“Ooh, I like that. Light Knights! Or maybe Lucent Knights. What do you think?”

“I think you’re nuts.”

I looked over at Tristan and mimed a ‘she’s crazy’ motion with my hand around my head. He smiled at me and went back to whatever it was he was doing with his phone.

“Why am I nuts for wanting to fight back?”

“Haven’t you noticed that you can’t fight against this darkness? Oh, you probably haven’t noticed anything. Your daddy probably has a driver take you to school and pick you up and shelter you from all the shit going down.”

“How dare you! You don’t know anything about what I’ve gone through. I was there, or have you forgotten that?”

“I’ve tried to forget it all, but so far haven’t been able to expunge you and her and the whole damned circus from my mind. Well, Miss Hoffman, because you were there, you’ll remember that Ciardha single-handedly took down a Goddess with nearly infinite power. So I’m thinking you, me and the redheaded witch don’t stand much of a chance.”

“So you’ve given up? I always thought you were a nerd, but I never thought you were a loser.”

“Loser. That the best you can come up with?”

That one did sort of sting, though. Was Greta right? Had I become a loser?

“Childish.”

“Whatever. Look, class is getting ready to start, so I’ve gotta go. So fabulous catching up with you Miss Hoffman. Take care of yourself.”

“Jake – wait! Don’t hang up yet.”

Desperation in her voice. Interesting.

“What, Greta?”

“Before you say no, just come meet with me. One time. Meet with me and hear me out, then you can say no and good-bye and never have to see me or talk to me again. I swear if you meet with me one time and say no, I’ll never hound you again.”

“And if I don’t meet with you?”

“I’ll be like wet toilet paper stuck to your shoe.”

Lovely thought. I knew Greta. She was totally capable of being wet toilet paper stuck to my shoe.

“Okay, fine. I’ll see you. Once.”

“Great. You name the time and place.”

“My last class is over at 3:00, and I have to be at work by six. So meet me here, Wheaton Community College, room 21-A at 3:15. I don’t have much time, so don’t be late.”

“I’ll be there.”

I pushed the red ‘End Call’ button with relief that it was over. For now.

“What was that all about?” Tristan asked.

“Old business.”

He raised his eyebrows at me. “You need my help?”

“Nah, not yet anyway.”

“You need me, holler.”

“Thanks, man,” I said. He put his hand out, and we fist bumped.

It was just a meeting with Greta. I was pretty sure I could handle that. I’d meet with her, tell her to hit the pavement, then get back to my routine of avoiding human contact like it was the plague, ’cause it pretty much was.

Emily's Heart
by Natalie Wright
Release Date: 11/26/13

Summary from Goodreads:
**The long-awaited final book in this popular magickal, action-packed teen series! Seventeen-year-old Emily Adams unintentionally unleashed a shadow god's dark energy power into the world and started an Apocalypse. But Emily is also the only one that can end the dark god's reign. Though the powerful faerie magic of the golden torc is still coiled around her arm, self-doubt threatens to undo her.

Emily wants nothing more than to feel the soft kiss of her one true love, but he won't even speak to her. Her first crush is still quite dead and her best friend remains a prisoner in the dark god's house of nightmares. A growing legion of black-eyed shadow people, devoid of conscience, roam the streets. Emily needs help now more than ever, but redemption seems far off indeed as she faces the expanding darkness alone. Emily will need an army of her own if she is to save the world from being taken over by pure evil.

But will a small band of Lucent geeks and freaks be enough to send the dark god packing?

Amidst chaos and ruin, will love blossom in Emily's Heart?

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ Amazon UK ¦ B&N ¦ iBooks ¦ Smashwords

***GIVEAWAY***

$20 Amazon gift card + winner’s choice of ebook or audiobook of Emily’s Trial (book 2).

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS: 

Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

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Blog Tour Organised By:

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Falling From the Sky by Nikki Godwin

Falling From The Sky

by Nikki Godwin

Release Date: 02/21/14

Summary from Goodreads:

All stability in sixteen-year-old Ridge McCoy's life crashed and burned in the plane crash that killed his dad. This summer-long basketball camp is his chance to improve his skills and escape his problems back home. But his summer plans take a turn in an unexpected direction when he meets Micah Youngblood, the guy who runs the carousel at the local mall and has a reputation for devouring straight boys' heterosexuality for breakfast, alongside his chocolate chip pancakes.

Ridge needs a way to avoid the guys at camp, whose only quest for the summer is to drown in beer and hook up with girls. So when Micah offers to explain how the ten unique horses on the carousel are significant to his tribe, Ridge takes him up on it. Still, Ridge can't decide if this is a bad thing or not. All he knows is that he hasn't felt this alive since his dad fell from the sky, and as the horse adventures come to an end, Ridge finds himself falling as well – for Micah.

Falling From the Sky Excerpt

He reaches an arm out from under the towel and grasps my forearm. He pulls me closer to him, and everything in my brain says to fight him off, but my body screams out for him to just hold me close to him and not let me go. His other hand brushes over my bare shoulder, and I glance toward the sky to avoid eye contact with him. I see the towel fall from his shoulder out of the corner of my eye, and I know he’s inches away from pulling his bare chest against mine. 

In this second of almost touching, I realize that falling for Micah – or any guy for that matter – will be a thousand times worse than falling from the sky. I have a girlfriend, and never in my life have I been attracted to a guy. At least not before now. No one has ever gotten to me like Micah does. His hands run along my arms, and I take the chicken way out.

“Will you jump with me?” I spit the words out quicker than I process them in my head.

Micah pulls back and inhales deeply. He’s not smiling with excitement or dragging me to the top of the bridge. He just stares at me with those sad puppy dog eyes filled with disappointment. He almost had me, and he knows it. That’s the point of a toxic green elephant – everyone sees it, but no one talks about it. However, he’s not talking at all, and the hurt in his eyes actually hurts me in return. 

I look back to the bridge so if those brown eyes of his start pouring, I won’t see the raindrops. His hands leave my arms, and he steps beside me. He’s in my peripherals, but I don’t dare turn my head. It looks like he’s staring at the bridge, which means he’s either debating jumping with me or he’s refusing to look at me for the same reasons I won’t look at him.

“You sure you’re brave enough?” he asks. 

I nod, even if he isn’t looking. “Yeah. As long as I don’t have to jump alone,” I say.

“If you jump, I jump,” he replies.

I really wish this hadn’t made me laugh. “Did you like Titanic?”

He laughs too, and I feel a world better. “I admit, I did…except for when Jack died. I mean, I get that it kind of made the movie, but I prefer happy endings.”

Hopefully this falling from the sky experience will have a happy ending for me, as in not smashing my head against a rock or drowning or being eaten by an alligator. Now is a good time to let my “what if” scenarios play out, and it’s an even better time to talk myself out of this. 

I look over at Micah to suggest my many wild reasons on why I shouldn’t jump, but he’s smiling. Damn it. Why does he have to smile and actually want to jump off a bridge?

Buy Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

About the author Nikki Godwin

Nikki Godwin is a Young Adult author from the southern USA. She is a city girl who can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, Hawthorne Heights, and candles from Bath & Body Works. When not writing, she's not-so-secretly internet-stalking her favorite bands. She is slightly obsessed with rock stars and surfers. She no longer hides her love for One Direction.

Author Links:

   

***GIVEAWAY***

2 ebook copies of Falling from the Sky (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized By:

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs

Black Amaranth

by Sasha Hibbs

Release Date: 08/16/13

Summary from Goodreads:

Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more than a little annoyed that her Uncle Argyle—Ally’s legal guardian and only surviving relative—didn’t even bother showing up. But instead of berating him for his forgetfulness, Ally finds him in a life-or-death battle with a monster. Argyle manages to kill the creature, and gives Ally a parcel containing a destiny she never knew existed.

Ally, along with her best friends Michael, Jessica, and David, hurry to Georgia to uncover the truth of Uncle Argyle’s secrets, and the meaning of the mysterious marks that Ally bears. Are the marks related to the blacksmith mythology of her ancestors? Who are these heavenly warriors who show up in the oddest of places? And will an ancient gypsy curse destroy the very things Ally fights to save?

Black Amaranth: a simple flower, a symbol with an ancient legacy, a conduit for prophecy…while faith and hope are essential to the journey, Ally soon discovers that love is the most powerful force of all.

Available from:

Black Amaranth Excerpt

“There are three Ravenscraft women: Denaulda, Griselda, and Irini.” Parthenia looked deeply into Ally’s eyes and then shot a look of caution to Michael and the twins. 

“Denaulda is the eldest sister, and by right, the acting leader of the Gypsies. She is the most powerful next to their holy woman, Belle Crow. Let me caution you now. Do not cross them. 

They prove to be useful and good allies, but can also prove to be fearful enemies if you’re not on the same side as them. Remember, the curse of the elder Gypsies coupled with Vulcan crossing them is what caused all of this to ensue in the first place. Their magic runs deep, it’s old, and just as the blaxxmiths have a particular affinity for a single element, Gypsies have a strong affinity for magic.”

“Ooo, this should be fun,” Brandi purred mischievously.

“Try to curb your enthusiasm, will you?” Parthenia glared back at Brandi.

“I’ll not say a word.” Brandi winked and said, “Promise.”

“Are they witches?” Jessica asked, a noticeable trace of anxiety in her voice.

“They’re worse than witches,” Eli barked out.

“What is your problem? Considering how you treated me last night, I doubt that your dislike is exclusive to Gypsies. I’m guessing that you hate everyone and everything.” Jessica’s face flushed with anger. Eli fumed, but said nothing.

“No, they are not witches,” Parthenia said, interrupting the awkward silence. “They are Gypsies, and if you want to get on their bad side quick, call one of them a witch.” She turned and looked down her nose at Dave.

“Gotcha,” Dave said, seeming to understand she worried most about what might come out of his mouth.

“Stay behind me and try not to stare at anyone,” Parthenia said.

About the author Sasha Hibbs

By age 5, Sasha Hibbs' favorite movie was Gone With the Wind. By age 12, she completed her 7th grade book report on the sequel, Scarlett. By 18, she met and married her very own Mr. Rhett Butler and as it turns out, she never had to worry about going back to Tara to win the love of her life back. Fortunately, he stuck with her.  

With a love of all things paranormal, the ambiance of the South with its gigantic antebellum mansions and canopies of Spanish moss, and a love for her husband’s rich storytelling of blacksmiths and the mythology surrounding their origins, it wasn’t long until the world of her debut novel, Black Amaranth, was born.

When not working her day job as a nurse, you can find Sasha dreaming of her next beach trip, reading the latest YA novel, and drinking more white chocolate mocha than she should.  

Sasha lives in mountainous West Virginia with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Aeliza and Ava. She is currently hard at work on book two in The Vulcan Legacies series.

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Book Blitz Organized By:

BOTW - WEEK 43 {Wattpad}

64 Letters A Day

Author: DiceFab

Genre: Romance / Short Story

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Danielle Teared is a girl that her boyfriend Samual is in the marines across country. He sends her letters for 65 days, until he stops. Danielle will go through so much pain, loss, and love, sending letters for 65 days will be tough, but its between love and war.

Click here to read the book.

The Kingdom of Centaurion

Author: Arvinjanpevensie

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Four Kingdoms, Three Warnings, Two Brothers, One Destiny 

“Only one can be crowned and not all twins are forever be bound. Take my warnings young prince and you will know that I’m telling the truth”

Fifteen years after the Queen Clessandra was lost, Dark Times has reached the Kingdom of Centaurion. Twin brothers were born and were said to save the kingdom from the hands of evil but as they were born, the Old Tale which all are feared of, will begin to affect their lives. One day, Charvrius dreams of some warnings and threats on their kingdom which can be a key or a trick in their future, a dream that will change their lives. Join the adventures of the twin brothers, Chevrius and Charvrius along with the knight Couragesonn and the rest of the Guardians in their remarkable journey that will test their faith, friendship and beliefs. A journey to protect their kingdom, save the lost spirits and souls, and to destroy the ultimate powers of evil. 

The Old tale will change their lives, forever!

Click here to read the book.

89 Messages

Author: Sherwin14M

Genre: Teen Fiction / Short Story

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Daryl is a college student and still studying in the known university in their place. The story begins in Friday morning inside the school campus during their National Service Training Program when he saw the “exotic girl” in his eyes whose name is Crizza. After months, they never expected the great news. Adrian, his friend is the boyfriend of Rena who is also a first degree cousin of Crizza. Is there any conflict to their friendship?

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Just Friends

Author: E_girl7

Genre: Teen Romance / Short Story

Wattpad Book Blurb:

It has almost been three years since they met. They were normal, ordinary friends then. That day changed her life... but now her heart is broken, shattered into pieces. What exactly happened..? Things were just not the same without him. (Based on true life events)

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Hurry Up and Save Me

Author: RoseSunshine

Genre: Teen Fiction / Mystery / Thriller

Wattpad Book Blurb

Jude Nelson doesn’t exactly has an easy life, but she makes the best of it. Living with her usually absent godmother and taking care of her young sister, Mel, Jude has little time for everything else. 

Suddenly, her life is blown into pieces and it's a race against time for her. If she truly cares for her loved ones, she has to dig deeper into something that is far more shocking than the truth. 

He is waiting in his lair to avenge what cursed his life. To fight him, Jude has to know his game and play the right card... quickly. He is the master, she has to be the challenger.

Click here to read the book.