In case you haven’t heard, we acquired SHEN’S BOOKS last winter, and we couldn’t be more excited! Shen’s Books published great children’s books emphasizing cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia. 

This month, we released the first title under our new Shen’s Books imprint: Summoning the Phoenix: Poems and Prose About Chinese Musical Instruments, and it’s been an amazing journey so far! The title received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, and author Emily Jiang and illustrator April Chu have been very busy with book events!

There are seven more titles that we have reprinted and plan to release this spring. All will be available starting in mid-May:

Abadeha: The Philippine Cinderella, retold by Myrna J. de la Paz, illustrated by Youshan Tang

Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella, by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Eddie Flotte

Anklet for a Princess: A Cinderella Story from India, by Lila Mehta, adapted by Meredith Brucker, illustrated by Youshan Tang

Cora Cooks Pancit, by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant

Domítíla: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition, adapted by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Connie McLennan

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella, by Jewell Reinhart Coburn with Tzexa Cherta Lee, illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien

Land of the Morning Calm: Korean Culture Then and Now, by John Stickler, illustrated by Soma Han

We’re looking forward to all of these titles and hope you are too!

For a list of Shen’s Books that are currently available from Lee & Low Books or to place an order, contact our ordering department toll-free at 1-888-320-3190 x. 28.

Filed under: New Release Tagged: children's books, cinderella, diversity, new releases, reprints, Shen's Books

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Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley was released this month by Soho Press.

Aria Morse is an Oracle, blessed—or cursed—with the gift of prophecy.  Ask her anything, and the truth spills out immediately. But Aria’s answers sound like nonsense, even to herself… just as they did at Delphi 2500 years ago. 
 
To cope, Aria has perfected the art of hiding in plain sight—until Jade Price, the closest person she has to a friend, disappears.  All of a sudden, everyone around her has questions. The “nonsense” Aria spouts becomes a matter of life and death.
 
She may be the only one who can find out what happened to Jade.  But the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she comes to being the next target of someone else who hides in plain sight. Someone with a very dark plan.  (Amazon)

She doesn’t want to hear the questions so that she won’t blurt our the answers. She avoids the questions by putting in her earbuds and cranking up her playlst.

Listen on Spotify

 

Filed under: New Books Tagged: Kimberly Pauley, new release

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We’re excited to announce a new release from our recently acquired imprint, Shen’s Books: Summoning the Phoenix, a musical and informative journey through the history of traditional Chinese instruments.

 

In Summoning the Phoenix, author Emily Jiang and illustrator April Chu follow thirteen young musicians as they prepare to perform in a Chinese orchestra. In a starred review, Kirkus says that this is “a lively medley that will expand the musical boundaries of most young audiences.”

Happy birthday to Summoning the Phoenix! Here’s a fun video of a girl playing “Happy Birthday” on her dizi:

Filed under: New Release Tagged: april chu, chinese instruments, chinese orchestra, dizi, emily jiang, erhu, guzheng, instruments, Music, muyu, paigu, pipa, ruan, Shen's Books, sheng, summoning the phoenix, suona, traditional chinese music, xiao, yangqin

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Bette Lee Crosby is one of my favorite authors. She writes books you’ll want to share with friends and each book is filled with characters that fill your heart and leave you wanting more. Bette has a new book set for release in April 2014 and you’ll want to add it to your TBR (to be read) pile as soon as possible. There is no question Previously Loved Treasures is a five star story!

The twists and turns in Previously Loved Treasures ensure you won’t want to put it down. There’s a little something for everyone in this particular story. There’s drama, longing, romance, mystery, deceit, and a little bit of magic! Each character is written in true Crosby style. You feel you’ve known them your entire life and they stay with you long after you’ve closed the cover and placed the book back on the shelf.

Crosby has a way of engaging readers from cover to cover. There has never been a point I have thought ‘get to the point already’ and I find the time passing quickly as I am unable to put the book down. Previously Loved Treasures is no exception. My only complaint is I finished the book too quickly and can only hope there will be a sequel so I can continue my journey of friendship with the delightful characters I have grown to love.

Book Details:
Previously Loved Treasures - A lonely widow and a young woman trying to rebuild her life discover a family connection and a run-down second hand store where the clairvoyant owner anticipates every need. When a pocket watch is stolen, he warns of the danger ahead, but will the young woman listen and heed his advice?
Being Released in April; Watch Bette’s Website for Details - http://betteleecrosby.com/books/previously-loved-treasures/
Length: 191 pages

Author Details:
Bette’s website: http://betteleecrosby.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3222582.Bette_Lee_Crosby

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Bette-Lee-Crosby/284499021568642

Bette’s Bio: Bette Lee Crosby, originally from New Jersey now living in Southern Florida, has written seven novels, won fourteen literary awards and with well over 2,000 reviews her average rating is 4.5. Her 2011 novel Spare Change is a USA Today Bestseller, a #1 Barnes and Noble Bestseller and an Amazon #1 Literary Fiction Bestseller. Her other novels consistently rank in the Amazon top 100 for their genre. An active public speaker who makes frequent appearances to support various charities and women's groups. Schedule permitting she will join the discussion of book clubs by phone or by computer teleconference. Contact [email protected]



Crystal is a church musician, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Reedsville, Wisconsin with her husband, three young children (Carmen 7, Andre 5, Breccan 6 months), three dogs, two rabbits, four little piggies, and over 200 Holsteins. You can find Crystal blogging and reviewing books and all sorts of other stuff at: http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

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The Queen of Dirty Talking is back! Whether this is your first experience with Tessa Bailey’s dirty talking heroes or you’ve been following her all along, you don’t want to miss out on meeting Brent and Hayden. Their banter is witty, filled with sexual tension, and the sex itself is “fan-your-face” hot, according to an early review from USA Today Happily Ever After. Here’s a dirty talking snippet just for you guys: He leaned forward and spoke right against her ear. “Come for me right now and...

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New Release The Bionics Series by Alicia Michaels We are so excited to share the official covers of the first two books in The Bionics Series by  Alicia Michaels! Both books released through Crimson Tree Publishing (The Adult Imprint of Clean teen Publishing) on September 13, 2013. The Bionics (Book 1)  $.99 (New Adult or YA Mature)  The year is 4010. Nuclear war and the wasteful nature of humans have all but...

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Angus MacBain and the Island of Sleeping Kings by Angela J. Townsend Release Date: September 27, 2013 Angus MacBain is unaware that his ancestral roots hail from an ancient sect of Scottish kings. When his dying grandfather gives him a dragon pendant, thirteen-year-old Angus learns of a legacy that will take him across an ocean to the island of Iona and thrust him into a heritage he did not know he had. He soon discovers that his mother, whom he had believed dead, is really a...

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Celebrating the release of The Jamieson Collection with Harper Collins, today’s post gives you a look inside the books and a great giveaway! Title: Rock and a Hard Place (The Jamieson Collection, #1) and Snapshot (The Jamieson Collection, #2) Author: Angie Stanton Publisher: Harper Collins Release date: September 24, 2013 (re-release with Harper Collins) Genre: Contemporary Age Group: Young Adult Event organized by: AToMR Tours; http://atomrbookblogtours.com Rock and a...

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Title: Have Gown, Will Wed Author: Killian McRae Release date: September 25, 2013 Age Group: Adult Genre: Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit Event organized by: AToMR Tours; http://atomrbookblogtours.com Goodreads:Amazon: Barnesand Noble:  Back in college, the bras-before-bros sisterhood decided to live for achievement in the boardroom, not the bedroom. Rosalind Betters embraced that philosophy, pursuing her career and little else. But when her last single friend, Kamakshi,...

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Just in time for Halloween, we’re excited to announce the release of two new novels from our science fiction and fantasy imprint, Tu Books: Killer of Enemies, a post-apocalyptic retelling of an Apache monster slayer legend by award-winning Native American author Joseph Bruchac, and The Monster in the Mudball, a hilarious supernatural mystery set in England.

In Killer of Enemies, seventeen-year-old Apache hunter Lozen hunts monsters to ensure the protection of her family from the Ones, maniacal warlords who rule in a post-apocalyptic Southwest. Fate has given Lozen a unique set of survival skills and magical abilities. Soon she realizes that with every monster she takes down, Lozen’s powers grow, and she connects those powers to an ancient legend of her people. It soon becomes clear to Lozen that she is not just a hired gun. As the legendary Killer of Enemies was in the ancient days of the Apache people, Lozen is meant to be a more than a hunter. Lozen is meant to be a hero.

In this Junior Library Guild selection, eleven-year-old Jin must run around the English town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne trying to track down a monster named Zilombo. Jin teams up with Chief Inspector of Ancient Artifacts A. J. Zauyamakanda, or Mizz Z, for short. Zilombo gains new, frightening powers every time she hatches. Now the monster is cleverer than ever before . . . and it appears that Jin’s baby brother has disappeared! Will Jin’s baby brother be next on Zilombo’s menu? As the monster’s powers continue to grow, Jin and Mizz Z must find a way to outsmart Zilombo!

Happy birthday to both titles! We can’t wait to hear what you think of them!

*Today marks the release of the hardcover versions of both titles. E-book versions are also available.

Filed under: Book News, New Release, Tu Books Tagged: Joseph Bruchac, Killer of Enemies, middle grade, New Release, S.P. Gates, the monster in the mudball, Tu Books, YA, young adult

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Title: Unreap My Heart (The Reaper Series, #2) Author: Kate Evangelista Publisher: Omnific Publishing Release: September 17, 2013 Genre: Paranormal Age Group: Young Adult Event organized by: AToMR Tours;  Goodreads: Amazon Print:Barnes and Noble:  Book Description: When Death is stabbed with a dagger that sucks out his powers, Balthazar is roped into helping him find the Redeemer, the only one who can remove the dagger. But nothing is free in the Underverse. For travelling...

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So excited about THE STORYTELLERS release-day giveaway CLICK HERE TO ENTER.

 

Click here to see the dream cast at Reese’s Reviews

Thanks for helping to spread the word about THE STORYTELLERS!

Want more? For every comment on this post I’ll post a page of The Storytellers….thanks for stopping by!

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  COUNTDOWN FOR WEBSITE     ISBN-13: 9781468047820 ISBN-10: 1468047825 Water * Fire * Air * Earth Four girls. Four Elements. One destiny. Air: Keeper of life’s breath After the shocking betrayal by fellow Air apprentice, Celena, Jazmine is shaken about the rightness of their cause. She is sent south to train her abilities, master […]

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Broken Prince by Jen Wylie

Book 2 of The Broken Ones

Fantasy novel

Sometimes, when you’re broken, you can heal on your own. Sometimes, you need the help of your friends, your family, and the people you love. Keeping those pieces together when the world seems intent on ripping you apart is the greatest challenge of all. Especially when the ones you love, the ones who hold you together, start falling apart themselves.
Arowyn and her family continue on their journey to return the Elven Prince, Shael, to his homeland before he fades and dies. A journey full of triumph and horror, love and sorrow, rips them apart with every fighting moment, and yet brings them together as a family. They don’t allow the prophecy to rule their lives. Some don’t believe, some don’t care. Prophecies aren’t written in stone. Events can change. People can change. They are only words. From besieged cites, to the elusive Were and wild Fey, nothing quite prepares them to face their deadliest of enemies, one they didn’t know existed.

Broken Prince is now here! Pick it up at an introductory price of 2.99, and if you haven’t read Book 1, Broken Aro, it’s on sale for 0.99!

Available at Amazon US, Amazon UK and other Amazon sites. Prime members can borrow for free!

Check out what people are saying about it on Goodreads and add it to your TBR list!

Don’t miss the party!

June 2nd come join me on Facebook for a Broken Prince release party!

Click Here!

Stop by for lots of fun and games!

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Flashy Fiction and Other Insane Tales volumes 1 and 2 are now available in a bundle! Not only do you get both books together, you save 25% too!

 

Flashy Fiction and Other Insane Tales (Bundle Vol 1 & 2) 

by Jen Wylie and Sean Hayden

Anthology Bundle

Published March 17 2013

Price: 2.99 (save 25%)

Available at [Amazon]

IT’S THE BEST OF BOTH BOOKS!
Okay, technically it’s just BOTH BOOKS in ONE seriously funny and scary easy to read, purchase only once, compendium of the deranged! And you save almost a WHOLE DOLLAR! Do we rock or do we rock?

An anthology of the strange, bizarre, and just plain weird.

Zombies, vampires, ghosts, and …crickets? Try a taste of writing from two very different fantasy authors. Flash stories are super short and perfect for when you ‘just have a minute’. This anthology contains 15 stories from authors Sean Hayden and Jen Wylie. Run the rampart of emotions in this exciting mix of tales. From humor to twisted, there is something for everyone.

Unicorns, zombies, devils, dark whispers, teddy bears, and …fireflies? Try a taste of writing from two very different fantasy authors. Flash fiction stories are super short and perfect for when you ‘just have a minute’. This anthology contains 15 stories (both flash and longer short stories) from authors Sean Hayden and Jen Wylie. Run the rampart of emotions in this exciting mix of tales. From humor to horror, sweet to twisted, there is something for everyone.
~*~

Note: Some stories contain adult language.

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For the first time since 1991 The Abandoned (aka Jennie) by Paul Gallico is coming back into print in the United States.  The book has been featured on the BookFinder.com Report, for the most sought after out-of-print books in America, 5 times including each of the last 3 years.

The novel is about a young London boy who is hit by a large truck while attempting to save a stray cat.  When he comes to he realizes that he has been transformed into a feline himself, and with the help of a savvy stray, Jennie, learns to navigate the tough city of London on four paws.

The latest publisher of the book is The New York Review of Books, and I got a chance to ask their publishing Editor, Edwin Frank, why he decided to bring the book back into print after so many years.

“When I was a kid I had a friend who loved Gallico, and remembering that I read "The Abandoned" around the time we started the kids book series. I didn't acquire it right then, but it stuck in mind--it's a memorable book--and it kept coming up in surprising ways in conversations with different people, always an interesting indication. So I bought it....”

The New York Review of books edition of The Abandoned is set for an April 9th release, but you can pre-order a copy now.

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I’m not big on wind. Of all the meteorological marvels on offer, it’s the least appealing to me, perhaps because I endured a few too many tropical cyclones and missing roofs as a child.

So when The Windy Farm blew onto my shelves, I instinctively hunched my shoulders and wondered what on earth could be so appealing about the latest offering by well-liked picture book team, Doug MacLeod and Craig Smith. Turns out a whole Beaufort Scales worth.

Our plucky young narrator lives with her family on the windiest farm on Windy Hill because it’s all they can afford. Their home is buffeted and bullied by incessant katabatic winds. The kind of wind that permanently bends trees into weird angles; the kind powerful enough to blow away young pigs and little girls. No one is safe from its force, no one except Grandpa who, as the illustrations subtly suggest, is so immense and heavy that he will never budge just like his favourite pig, Big Betty.

The family survive undeterred and, as is often the case, necessity becomes the mother of invention. And indeed this is the case; Mum cannily invents heavy metal shoes to anchor them all to the ground. However, in spite of their best efforts, one day they lose half their home to nature’s tempest.

Rich Uncle Jeff is no help, pointedly refusing to lend them any of his oil-amassed fortune to help fix the house. They resort to good old fashioned ingenuity and Grandpa’s power tools instead but the ensuing crippling power bill plunges them into despair (who hasn’t felt like this after receiving their electricity bill?)

Not easily defeated, Mum comes up with a wily plan; to convert the farm into a sustainable wind farm. Pretty soon things are on the up and up. The farm road is paved in tarmac and truckloads of money from all the electricity they’ve enterprisingly ‘farmed’. Big Betty, the prized pig, returns to a wind-proof sty (she was sold to pay the electricity bills) and although the need to wear heavy metal boots remains, their money worries have been swept away, just like Uncle Jeff who ‘became poor’ after the ill winds of fate blew his way. ‘Never mind,’ Grandpa sanguinely observes; no one really liked him anyway.

Doug MacLeod’s contemporary message about the power of wind and its significance in environmental sustainability drifts delightfully zephyr-like throughout this picture book. Told in a concise, witty style, The Windy Farm exposes young readers to a range of fascinating topics including the harnessing of energy, inventions, problem-solving, sustainability and endurance.

No stranger to children’s book illustrating, Craig Smith’s flamboyant, comic-book style pictures and characters are hysterical; from the very top of Windy Hill all the way down to the chooks’ little metal boots. He uses heavier gauche paint to create a deeply detailed yet fluid almost dreamy visual effect that sweeps from page to page. Movement (of the omnipresent wind), is represented magnificently with the use of acrylics. One can see and feel the air swirling through each scene. I found it astounding even though I’m not that big on wind.

Smith and MacLeod include lots of witty references to the use of nuclear power and the need to adopt a clean energy philosophy if we are to enjoy a longer, better existence than poor old Uncle Jeff.

The Windy Farm is not however a heavy prescriptive lesson in world conservation. Rather, it is a light-hearted, fanciful look at ingenuity and tenacity in their purest and funniest forms. My Miss 7 just thinks it’s very cool. Well it would be with all that wind about wouldn’t it?

Breezy, good fun, imaginative with plenty of room for thought. Plus 5s will love it even if they are not big on wind (but most are).

Available now.

Working Title Press February 2013

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Do you have an all time favourite book character you secretly aspire to be more like? Discover Janeen Brian’s…

Q Who or what was your favourite book character as a child? If you could incorporate that character into one of your own stories, which would it be and why? How would you adapt that character to suit?

I wanted to be one of the girls in the Enid Blyton’s Famous Five or Secret Seven series, because, having few books in my childhood, I felt as if I personally knew the girls. But as well, they were up front characters who had adventures and were at time, quite gutsy. I liked that! I think many of my girl characters have some of those characteristics!

Q Which Aussie children’s book author do you admire the most and why?

How can any reader or writer answer that! I love the work of my friend and poetry colleague, Lorraine Marwood. Her words sing to me or shake me about. Her work is so real and yet, magical. A bit like her.

Q How long does it take you to develop a children’s story? Does the time vary dependant on the genre: picture book, MG novel, script etc.

I have recently compiled an anthology of my poems, entitled, As long as a piece of string. That will have to suffice for my answer to that one, because as vague as it is, it’s the truth. Sometimes picture books can take as long to write as a piece of fiction. Of course, you’re not necessarily slogging at it for hours every day, but developing it, shaping it and re-writing it over time.

Q Do you write every day? What is the most enjoyable part of your working day?

It’s rare that I miss a day where I’m not writing, even if it’s just catching up on my diary.

Q What inspires you to write like nothing else can?

Certain words; strong, emotional situations; a state of tranquillity.

Q Do you have a special spot or routine to make the magic happen or can you write anywhere, any time?

I work mainly in my home office; and each morning I prime myself by responding to emails and getting lots of admin out the way first. It’s also a way of letting my brain know that I’m here and we’re going to do something to do with writing or brainstorming. I do a lot of brainstorming. I don’t tend to start putting anything on the computer until I’ve written enough, using pen on paper, and have a physical feeling that that I’ve captured the voice of the character or that I’m ready to start.

Q What is that one thing that motivates you to keep on writing (for children)?

I love the creativity; the tumble and jumble of words and feelings; the constant astonishment that so much of what happens in your life can become the story for another and the fact children seem to like what I write.

Q Name one ‘I’ll never forget that’ moment in your writing career thus far.

So many! I think being a writer is full of surprises, but a recent one was winning the Carclew Fellowship in the 2012 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature. The Fellowship awarded me a sizeable amount of money to further research and develop a three-in-one-project. When the phone call came to say that I’d won, my first reaction was that I was going to be told my application was disallowed because it involved three proposals, not one. But instead, I was told I’d won!

Q What is on the draft table for Janeen?

Three books due for release within the next six months – so, much admin, media promotion and launches to organise. The books are: A picture book for the very young, called I’m a dirty dinosaur. (illustrated by Ann James and published by Penguin group Australia). An Australian historical picture book for the young called Meet Ned Kelly (illustrated by Matt Adams and published by Random House) and an historical, adventure novel for upper primary, called That boy, Jack.(published by Walker Books) I also have a number of other projects out with my agent or publishers.

My next project will be another picture book. I have vague ideas, but will need to do more research first.

Can hardly wait. For a full list of this year’s releases visit Janeen’s website too.

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I have never felt so exposed by a picture book as I did when I first laid eyes on Meet…Ned Kelly. The piercing stare of Australia’s most infamous bush ranger peering from the slit of his armoured headgear sliced through to the very marrow of my bones, anchoring the outlaw’s stare there as if to say, Want to find out more? I did.

I’m not one to wallow in history for too long; but I do find it compelling discovering new threads that help me appreciate how the fabric of a nation, its people and their culture is woven together.

Random House’s new Meet…series allows young readers to be similarly fascinated by picture books that tell exciting true stories of the real women and men of Australia’s past. And what more exciting a character than Ned Kelly?

Prolific children’s author, Janeen Brian, introduces children to one of the best known, ill-understood, and extraordinary tales of early Australian history, that of Ned Kelly. The sometimes misleading mystic and romance of bushranging is forsaken in favour of a straight forward, chronological telling of the facts of Ned’s life beginning with his not-so-easy childhood and ending with his untimely death in the Old Melbourne Goal in 1880.

However the story is anything but dull and lifeless. Brian leads us through Ned’s brief life with an objective clarity told in simple and effective bush ballad style verse. Each stanza is suffused with sufficient detail to allow us to develop a strong sense of Ned’s character and the treacherous times he occupied, featuring often unbalanced and corrupt systems of justice.

Ned is portrayed as a fair, brave young man but one who often found himself on the wrong side of the law mostly by misfortune, poor judgement, and ill-luck. His recurring stints in goal and unpopularity with the police ensured he and his family were regular targets for prosecution. The gaoling of his mother in 1878 was the catalyst for the birth of the Kelly Gang.

The gang escaped capture numerous times thanks to Ned’s long standing reputation amongst good friends, but following betrayal and the final calamitous showdown at Glenrowan Inn in 1880, not even Ned’s genius iron-clad armour could protect him from his ultimate fate.

It’s a stirring tale brought to life with the help of Matt Adam’s almost surreal illustrations that echo the lines and textures of a number of classic Australian painters and therefore add a rich authenticity to each scene. The font used throughout and for the timeline on the end pages reflects the feel of a wanted poster, many on which Ned’s name no doubt appeared.

I feel I better understand this young man, so vilified by the injustice of the day, after meeting him ‘face to face’ in Brian’s historic picture book. And I cannot imagine a more brilliant nor dynamic way for primary aged readers to explore our rich historic past.

Keep an eye out for my next post where we meet author Janeen Brian face to face and explore more about the author behind Meet Ned Kelly.

Random House Books Australia March 2013

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Merry Christmas everyone!

Today I have author Laura Hunter on my blog for her book tour. I met Laura on facebook some time ago, she is an amazing and wonderful woman! Please enjoy this interview and be sure to check out her new release! It is available at Amazon ,
Barnes and Noble (paperback only at this point- if you want a nook copy please click on “request from publisher” and
Kobo

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m 24 years old and I live on the central coast of NSW, Australia with my family. I enjoy writing, reading, acting, singing and directing. With my dramatic arts class I have written, directed, and starred in two original plays.

2. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I first began writing when I was 15. I wrote a lot of song lyrics as a way to get my thoughts down on paper. I then switched to writing fan-fiction at the age of 19. I finished my first book about September this year.

3. How did you choose the genre you write in?

I have always loved reading the paranormal/ urban fantasy/ YA fantasy fiction genres, so its only natural I began writing this genre, it chose me lol

4. Where do you get your ideas?

I get my ideas from anything I experience and my friends and family, but mostly  my ideas come from dreams.

5. Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Yes, I am currently having a little bit of writer’s block at the moment, mostly due to not plotting properly so I need to go and do that for my next few books.

6. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

As a teenager I remember walking into my school library and searching through the YA books. I picked up Phillip Pullman’s The Subtle Knife and my love affair with YA fantasy fiction began. Cassandra Clare and Kathy Reichs also inspire me every day.

7. Can you tell us the challenges in getting your first book published?

The first real issue for me was money. As I am not particularly rich and a self published author, I found investing my own money into my first book quite taxing, so I hope it will be worth it in the end. Everything else has been a breeze.

8. How do you market your work? What avenues have you found work best for your genre?

As a self published indie author I feel marketing is the biggest challenge for us, but I have found social media is the biggest help in creating a platform and reaching my target audience- Facebook, twitter and blogs (I have read several eBooks on the topic and they said this was the best way) Also I am addicted to goodreads! I recommend that every author get a Goodreads account as you can add the books you want to read to shelves and keep up to date with upcoming releases and have people rate and review your work.

9. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

The Chronicles of Fire and Ice is a New Adult urban fantasy set in Melbourne, Australia. It deals with the fact the human race is becoming over taken and out- bred by angels. It features Scarlett, a 21-year-old half Nephilim girl who finds out she is also half archangel and she has a frightening new ability to go along with it. She enrolls at an Academy for angels where she meets the handsome, yet mysterious Dyston Blackbell, the youngest son of the owners of the Academy, whom she discovers has been sending her weird dreams for years. Some of the story also deals with the backstory of Dyston’s dashing yet egotistic older brother, Lakyn.

10. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

Some things in my book are from real life experiences, like some of Scarlett’s dreams, they actually happened to me. Some of my characters are based on my friends, certain qualities. Most of the fantasy parts are all from my imagination.

11. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

One of my favorite scenes that I loved writing was when Scarlett first met Dyston. I also loved writing Lakyn’s backstory. He is one of my favorite characters to write as he has two sides.

12. How did you come up with the title?

I came up with the title, The Chronicles of Fire and Ice a few ways. I wanted something catchy and unique (aspiring authors, I recommend googling possible titles to see if there are any similar already out there, or doing a goodreads search) and also I played around with the elements of my story and tried to fit them into the title. Some might say fire relates to Scarlett, and ice to Lakyn, yes they do, but the meanings run deeper than that.

13. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Probably the toughest and most offending compliment given to me was criticizing my marketing plan, saying social media isn’t good enough. They are not authors so I didn’t really listen. As for the best compliment… I get more beautiful messages and compliments about my book every day and it almost brings me to tears, it means a lot to me.

14. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Yes, believe in yourself and believe in your work. If you think negative thoughts then that will be reflected in your work and it will suffer.

FUN QUESTIONS

 

1)    If you were a superhero (or villain!) what would your power be? Would you wear a cape?

I love superheroes! I think I would like to the ability to heal. And no cape for me.

2)   Chocolate, Strawberry or Vanilla?

Chocolate all the way. I am a self- confessed chocoholic!

3)   The light side or the dark side?

I love all things dark but I live on the light side

4)   Do you have deep dark secret? How about a shallow grey one?

Hmm had to think about this one… I have a crush on someone I shouldn’t.

5)   What sort of coffee would you order? Simple coffee, complicated soy-non-fat-extra-espresso-half-caff-nightmare?

My poison is a soy latte. And sometimes if I’m feeling like a sugar hit, I order a soy hazelnut latte.

6)   Have you ever given someone who asked for decaf, regular coffee just to see what would happen?

No because you can taste the difference. But I have given someone full cream milk when they have asked for skim.

7)   Is there any food you refuse to eat? (Other than brussel sprouts because NO ONE likes them)

Bananas!

8)   If you could live off of chocolate would you? What kind?

Totally! Chocoholic here! Dairy milk or the dark and nutty kind would suffice.

9)   What do you think the coolest pet to have would be?

I have always wanted a pet Panda.

10)If you could visit any world (real or imagined) where would you go?

Hmm, The House of Night school, or Narnia (before and after the white witch’s rein)

11) What kind of person drives you nuts? (personality trait)

Loud, obnoxious people, and smokers.

12) Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

All the time. And I’ve had to leave it until I could find a bathroom to fix it lol

13) Do you prefer fuzzy or tub socks?

Fuzzy but then my shoes don’t fit lol

14) Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

No point because it’s a known fact that bed bugs love made beds.

15) Be honest, how often do you wash your hair?

Once a week, I have the worst frizz prone hair

16) Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?

I don’t drive but I hate slow drivers and tail gaters

17) Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide?

Cockroaches, spiders and flies. I have a phobia of bees and wasps.

Stalk me the following ways:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LL-Hunter/110104129132865

Blog: http://llhunter.blogspot.com.au

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/llhunter_angels

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6559537.L_L_Hunter

Author Bio:

I am an Australian author who began writing when I was fifteen or sixteen, originally song lyrics, but then moved onto fanfiction when I was nineteen. Having published over 20 stories online. One of which was nominated for an award. I have also written, directed and starred in two original plays entitled, “No Frills Airlines: Flight 123,” and the sequel, “No frills Airlines: Come Fly with Us.” The latter of which was a musical.

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Blurb: TOUCHING ETERNITY
What would you choose?
She had everything but freedom.
He had nothing but his loyalty, his wits and his training.
She was a prisoner, a disease, not fit for the world, and she didn’t know why. But she did know she wasn’t allowed to die, she wasn’t allowed to live and she wasn’t sane.
He was a soldier, a protector, but his foundation will be tested when he must destroy the only light in his dark world.
Thrown together, prisoner and keeper, their rebellion will splinter through time, changing the course of history and the fate of the world. Their love will challenge their greatest enemy and immortalize them forever.
Loyalty. Freedom. Love.
What would you risk?
“Let me die.”
Pain darkened his eyes. “Never.”

Book Name: Touching Eternity (Touch Series Standalone, book 1.5)
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Publisher: Self-Published
Release date: December 25, 2012
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance Drama (18+)
Warnings: Angst, drama, torture, suicide, abuse (mental, emotional, physical, sexual, substance (unwilling)) all are implied, not graphic.
Formats: ebook, paperback
Other Novels:
~ Touching Smoke (Touch Series, book 1)
~ Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology
~ Midnight Surrender Anthology
Book Trailer: Touching Eternity Trailer
Social Networks:
~ Facebook
~ Facebook Author Page
~ Twitter (@AirickaPhoenix)
~ Goodreads
Author Site: Airicka Phoenix Website

Buying Locations: Links to come December 25, 2012

Author Bio:

Airicka Phoenix is the author of TOUCHING SMOKE (Touch Book #1), TOUCHING ETERNITY (Touch 1.5), TORRID, a short story as part of the Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and WANTING & INTENTIONS, two stories as part of the Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she’s not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King’s mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books.
Website: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?cat=10
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AirickaPhoenix (@AirickaPhoenix)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/airicka.phoenix
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Airicka-Phoenix/252135634831614?ref=hl
Goodread: http://www.goodreads.com/AirickaPhoenix

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Hey my peeps! While you’re running around crazy this time of year, don’t forget to get some reading in too! Check out this new novella (10k) from my dear Sean Hayden. It’s only .99 so you can still afford buying those xmas presents! Get yourself a little something!

The Ghost of Christmas Last by Sean Hayden

Throughout history, those who don’t keep the spirit of Christmas in their hearts were often visited by three ghosts. These wise spirits showed these souls what the true meaning of Christmas was all about.

Those were the souls worth saving.

Those who weren’t worth saving were only visited by one spirit and it wasn’t for educational purposes…

ONLY 0.99 Available at [Amazon][Smashwords]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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Somehow, the summer has disappeared and fall is in full swing. Have the kids really been in school a month already? I rather dislike how times seems to by flying by so quickly these last few years.

So… lots and lots of stuff is new! I’ll try not to ramble too much I’ve been super, crazy, insanely, sleeplessly, stressfully busy. Thanks to lots of chocolate etc and the occasional ‘crash day’ I’m still going strong… and still busy.

First off… In case you missed it I have a new book out! Whoo hoo! Broken Aro is the first in a young adult epic fantasy series (The Broken Ones). It is a full novel (abt 70k words) and is available at amazon (ebook) and amazon, BN, createspace (print). Happily it’s been getting fantastic reviews so far and I’m plugging along at the next book, Broken Prince, hoping to have it out early in the new year. Please check it out! (If you want to review, feature or otherwise spread the word please feel free to drop me a note)

Broken Aro by Jen Wylie

Book One of The Broken Ones Series

Young Adult Fantasy novel

Published: Sept 15 2012

2.99 Available at [Amazon] Available in Print for 12.99 at [Amazon][Createspace][Barnes and Noble]

Open your eyes to darkness. What do you see? Does the darkness frighten you? Now imagine the darkness being the cargo hold of a slave ship. Your city has fallen. Your family is most likely dead. You don’t know anyone around you, and some of them aren’t even human. Giving up would be so easy to do, but not for Arowyn Mason. Not after being raised in a military family with seven brothers. Every great story should begin with a plan. Aro’s was to escape and to survive.

Escape comes, but at a price. As they reach the shore, Aro and the other survivors learn that freedom doesn’t mean safety. The slavers want their property back and will do anything to get it. The party uses every ounce of their brute strength, a hearty helping of cunning, and even ancient magics to keep themselves alive. Sickness, danger, and even love surprise them at every turn. Dealing with danger becomes their way of life, but none of them ever considered that nothing can be quite as dangerous as a prophecy. Running turns into another race altogether as her world falls to pieces again and again.

On to the next thing new… Sean and I have a second volume of Flashy Fiction and Other Insane Tales coming out in a few weeks! We had so much fun writing the first one (and it was so well received too) we jumped into a second right away.  Personally I think this one is even better than the first. My very first, and possibly only, psychological horror is included! I’m a scaredy cat to begin with-but just editing it freaked me out LOL. I hope you’ll all give it a read too! The release date for it is set for Oct. 23. Check out the awesome cover! It’s the other side of the spooky face!

Just to keep me even busier, Sean and I are gearing up for the World Fantasy Convention in Toronto Nov 1-4. We’re super excited to be going and having the opportunity to meet so many great authors that will be attending! I keep falling into ‘fangirl’ mode just thinking about it, which is probably good that I get that over with now…maybe I can act normal when I’m actually there. We’ll be in the Dealer Room selling our all of our books in print at the Untold Press table. If you’re attending be sure to stop by and say hello!

As always, lots of hugs and rainbows to you all! Your continued support and friendship are greatly appreciated and mean so much to me. Hugs hugs!

 

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What a wonderful and busy last few days! I’m so excited to announce my newest release. Of course wordpress was being difficult and not letting me sign in, so this post is a few days delays. ~grumble~

Getting Broken Aro finally out is such a great pleasure (and relief). It’s a while in coming, with some ups and downs and too many edits to count. Finally it is here and has a kick butt cover to boot. I couldn’t be happier!

Broken Aro is the first in a new series, The Broken Ones. It is a YA epic fantasy and was a great book to write. I hope you all enjoy the story and characters as much as I do. My current goal is to have the second book, Broken Prince, written by Christmas and published in the beginning of 2013.

If you pick up a copy do drop me a note and let me know what you thought!

Broken Aro (Book One of The Broken Ones)

Published by Untold Press on Sept 14 2012

70 000 words

Available at all Amazon stores for 2.99. Free to borrow for Prime members!

Open your eyes to darkness. What do you see? Does the darkness frighten you? Now imagine the darkness being the cargo hold of a slave ship. Your city has fallen. Your family is most likely dead. You don’t know anyone around you, and some of them aren’t even human. Giving up would be so easy to do, but not for Arowyn Mason. Not after being raised in a military family with seven brothers. Every great story should begin with a plan. Aro’s was to escape and to survive.
Escape comes, but at a price. As they reach the shore, Aro and the other survivors learn that freedom doesn’t mean safety. The slavers want their property back and will do anything to get it. The party uses every ounce of their brute strength, a hearty helping of cunning, and even ancient magics to keep themselves alive. Sickness, danger, and even love surprise them at every turn. Dealing with danger becomes their way of life, but none of them ever considered that nothing can be quite as dangerous as a prophecy. Running turns into another race altogether as her world falls to pieces again and again.

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In preparation for the release of our fall title Drummer Boy of John John, we wanted to share the sounds of the Caribbean with our readers. Drummer Boy of John John tells the story of young Winston and his dream to have a band at Carnival so he can win the prize of free rotis from the Roti King. Using metal objects found in a junkyard and ingenuity, Winston discovers a new type of sound and creates a band of his own!

According to legend, Winston “Spree” Simon invented the steelpan in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s. The steelpan is a percussion instrument played with rubber-tipped sticks and is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.  To get an idea of what steelpans sounds like, we’ve compiled a few performance clips. Have a listen:

1. A band plays “Stand By Me” at the Flatbush Frolic, a free community street fair, in Brooklyn, NY:

2. The Mangrove Band plays during the 2011 Notting Hill Carnival in London, UK:

3. And here’s one from our very own Hamilton Hill Steel Drum Band, the group profiled in our book Steel Drumming at the Apollo:

We hope you enjoy these festive sounds!

Filed under: New Release Tagged: Drummer Boy of John John, drums, Fun, steelpans, Winston Spree Simon

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