Sorry I'm late to my own blog tour! I'm still away trying to help my mom recover from an illness. Enjoy the blog tour and good luck
Hosted by readnowsleeplater.com
Join us for interviews, guest posts, reviews, and giveaways!
Tour Schedule
Wed 2/19 - The Book Monsters - review & giveaway
Thu 2/20 - I Am a Reader - interview & international giveaway
Fri 2/21 - Unleashing Readers - guest post & giveaway
Tue 2/25 - Kid Lit Frenzy - guest post & giveaway
Wed 2/26 - Sharpreads - review & giveaway
Fri 2/28 - The Windy Pages - review, interview & giveaway
Tue 3/4 - Read Now Sleep Later - review & international giveaway
Wed 3/5 - The Brain Lair - review & giveawayThu 3/6 - Bookalicious - review & international giveaway
About the Book:Luke Riley is lost. His mother's recent death has set Luke and his family adrift. Even though his father, twin brothers, and their three Bloodhounds are search and rescue volunteers, they have been unable to rescue themselves and become a family again. The summer after sixth grade looms in Luke's mind as a long, lonely three months where the only thing he can look forward to is watching The Weather Channel. Luke is fascinated with the weather, but since his mother's death in a storm, he is also terrified. Even the promised 13th birthday present of a Bloodhound puppy fails to lift Luke's spirits. He would rather have a different breed-a petite Papillon-but his father insists he get a Bloodhound.
When Luke decides to get the Bloodhound from Willajean, a dog breeder who owns Storm Watcher Kennel, he works out a deal to help at her kennel in exchange for the expensive dog. Thrilled to have a summer with a purpose, Luke befriends Willajean's daughter, Megan, and together they plan how Luke can get a Papillon puppy instead of a Bloodhound. But nothing seems to work as they struggle with stubborn fathers, summer storms, unhelpful siblings, and hidden guilt. Can one little white dog really save both families?
Alethea's review:I've been a huge fan of Maria V. Snyder's since her first trilogy, The Study Series, ended a few years ago. I get really excited whenever a new tale of hers hits the bookshelves. So when she mentioned that her first middle grade book was about to be released, I couldn't wait to read it. I usually find Maria's characters and world-building so captivating, and
Storm Watcher is no exception to this rule. Luke may be just a boy, rather than a weapon-wielding magician or healer like most of Maria's other protagonists, and the world she describes is the same one we live in, but the ordinariness of these elements actually add to the book more than they detract from it.
At first I couldn't really relate to Luke. I'm the eldest, he's the youngest. I'm totally a cat person. I love storms and am generally oblivious to their danger; even though he's interested in them, their unpredictable aspects scare him half to death. And I (knock on wood!) haven't lost my mother, although we came really close to it last week. But there's a lot that Luke and I have in common too. He's thoughtful and a loner. He hangs on to guilt and is a big worrier. Making plans makes us feel a little more in control of our situations, so when we want something, we plot and scheme until we get it. Once Luke takes stock of the problems and challenges he's facing, he doesn't automatically have all the answers. He struggles and makes mistakes. Snyder shapes him in such a real way that the reader can't help but empathize and root for Luke. She also applies her signature style--putting her protagonists through hardship and peril. Poor Luke--but what doesn't kill him makes him stronger.
I would recommend it to those who enjoy family dynamics, survival stories, underdog tales, and learning things while they read. Maria majored in meteorology, and the weather facts you might pick up on while you read are actually true! And even as a die-hard cat person, I really appreciated the details about the different dog breeds.
Storm Watcher is a short, emotional tale that really stuck with me, and I hope other readers will enjoy it as well.
About the Author:Maria V. Snyder writes adult and young adult fantasy novels and short stories. Formerly an environmental meteorologist, she earned a Masters degree in writing from Seton Hill University; she is currently a teacher and mentor for the MFA program. Storm Watcher is her first middle grade novel. You can contact her at maria [at] mariavsnyder.com.
Available now:
You can enter to win a copy of
Storm Watcher here! 10 copies will be sent out to the lucky few (up to 4 will be sent to non-US winners).
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
.jpg)
|  | | Maria V. Snyder |
|
|
We are so thrilled to welcome
Maria V. Snyder back for another interview! If you missed last year's, check out the
Touch of Power blog tour post.
While you're listening, check out the Rafflecopter widgets below. You could win...
 |
Due out December 18 in the US/Canada, Jan 4 elsewhere
|
Thanks to Maria, there will be 5 International winners on the tour, one of whom will be picked from our Rafflecopter. There are also 5 US only giveaways, so make sure you visit all the tour stops linked above for more exclusive content and chances to win!
 | | A Scentsy starter pack (winner's choice) |
|
 | | Up to $35 worth |
|
I don't have a photo of the Harlequin Teen Prize Pack that is the grand prize for the blog tour, but it sounds uh-may-zing. It's a pile of Harlequin Teen and Mira titles! Squee! (US/Canada only - 2nd Rafflecopter widget)Giveaway Rules:- The Scent of Magic book prize is open Internationally. Maria will send the prize directly to the winner. The Grand Prize pack from Harlequin Teen is open to US/Canada only. The Scentsy Starter pack (up to $35 worth of items from Scentsy) is open to US only. (So on the first widget, anyone can enter, the second one is for US/Canada only).
- We are not responsible for items lost in the mail.
- One set of entries per household, please.
- If you are under 13, please get a parent or guardian's permission to enter, as you will be sharing personal info such as an email address.
- Winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter widget a day or two after the contest ends.
- Winner will have 48 hours to respond to to the email, otherwise we will pick a new winner.
- If you have any questions, feel free to email us. You can review our full contest policy here.
- PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY PERSONAL INFO IN THE COMMENTS. Sorry for the caps but we always get people leaving their email in the comments. Rafflecopter will collect all that without having personal info in the comments for all the world (and spambots) to find.
Thanks, and good luck!
Sooo... It's been a while since I did one of these, and I was going to wait until after ALA to post, but, well, I kind of went a
little crazy with books the last couple of weeks and it's just going to be too much for one post.
So this is just a teaser before
The Big One!
Traded:
.jpeg?picon=3655)
By: alethea aka frootjoos,
on 5/31/2012
Blog:
Read Now Sleep Later
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
insiders,
Study Series,
hops,
bloghop,
poison story,
Glass Series,
giveaways,
contests,
Maria V Snyder,
Add a tag
Hi everybody! Thanks for stopping by.
Today you can win one of my absolute favorite books of all time:
It's an awesome, kick-ass fantasy romance with magic, spies, and... chocolate?
Just trust me on this. It's really good.
If you're on Goodreads you can log in and read my "
Poison Story"
here, about how I got hooked on Maria V. Snyder's writing.
And if you win but you already have Poison Study, I will substitute any one of Maria V. Snyder's books instead. The winner can also choose an anthology with her writing in it :)
Rules:
Open internationally, wherever
bookdepository.com ships. To enter you must be over 13 years old or have the permission of a parent/guardian since you may be sharing personal info such as your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly via
Rafflecopter. Good luck!
Don't forget to enter to win more books on other blogs in the hop!
Maria V. Snyder is the author of many books for young adults including Touch of Power, Poison Study, and Storm Glass.
Out of all the things you've learned to do as research for your novels (glass blowing, picking locks, etc.) what was the most fascinating?
Glass blowing without a doubt :) Glass is an extraordinary medium to work with - not only versatile, but reusable. Make a mistake and you melt it down and rework it. I loved those classes and would like to do more when I have the time.
How has your previous career as a meteorologist influenced your writing?
Oh yes. The book with the most is "Storm Glass" - all those weather metaphors, is my meteorology degree creeping in. I also wrote a short story about a college student, who is a meteorology major at Penn State University who gets attacked by a big strange dog. It's called "The Coldest Game" and is the "Bewere the Night" anthology edited by Ekaterina Sedia. And I have another story about a weather wizard in Black Gate Magazine titled "Cursing the Weather." Oh, and my middle-grade novel, "Storm Watcher" has been recently picked up by a small press (no details yet). And if I ever write a book about Heli the Stormdancer from the Glass books, weather will most certainly play a major part in the plot.
I've seen The Study series in both Young Adult and Romance sections of bookstores. How did that happen?
The Study books were re-printed as YA with new cover art and at YA price point a few years ago. I'd been getting a ton of emails from teens about how much they loved the books, my publisher wanted to make them more visible for teens. I don't write any different if my book is called a YA or and adult title and I've readers as young as 9 years old all the way up to 92 :)
As for the romance....sigh The powers that be at Barnes & Noble have decided to stock them in the romance section and I've been trying to get them to put them in SF/Fantasy for ages.
As a lover of traveling, what's your favorite destination?
This is a very hard question, but I'd have to say London. It's easy to navigate as the Underground is wonderful, it's full of history, and I even liked the gloomy rainy days. It's a big city with a small town feel - if that makes any sense!
I've heard talk of a potential version of Poison Study from Valek's point of view. Is that still a possibility?
I'd like to write another Study book with Valek as the main point of view- but it wouldn't be a revision of Poison Study, it would involved a new plot/conflict, but there would be a great deal of flashbacks to Valek before he met the Commander and as he worked as an assassin.
As a professor, what is the most common mistake you see young writers make?
Too many details and character movements. New writers tend to worry about how much to include so they include everything. I've seen a lot of unnecessary actions. For example: "Melanie walked to the door. She grabbed the door knob with her right hand and twisted it, swinging the door open. She moved through the threshold and pulled the door shut behind her." That's too much. F
Set your calendars this week for Wednesday, December 14. That's the day that Read Now Sleep Later will help kick off the Blog Tour for Maria V. Snyder's new novel, Touch of Power. If you're a fan of Maria's books like we are then you are also excited about her new book which will be released on December 20. Alethea will be posting a podcast interview on Wednesday with Maria herself. Come back and visit us and find out what Maria has to say about the new book.
Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.
Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life.
0 Comments on Maria V. Snyder Touch of Power Blog Tour - Coming Soon as of 12/12/2011 4:23:00 PM
By: frootjoos,
on 5/6/2010
Blog:
Read Now Sleep Later
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
dystopia,
adventure,
young adult,
mythology,
yay,
funny,
5 stars,
wolves,
4,
Maria V Snyder,
upcoming book,
upcoming reviews,
Add a tag
So, I really haven't been doing much reading lately--well, I have, but I just can't seem to finish anything! With all the events of the last few weeks, including LATFOB, Gayle Forman's Musical Tour, and Children's Literature Council, and everything I need to read/write/make for school... My eyes are about to fall out of my head.
So I'm going to unload a little bit of information onto the blog, and hope that makes some room in the grey matter chamber to finish the semester without too much screaming.
Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff
If you hunger for love and thirst for approval, you'll devour this clever novel in just a few bites. This book was funny, touching, and a great counterpoint to
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. I think it's pretty strange that I decided to read them both at the same time.
Food is much more enjoyable; I enjoy the complexities in the various characters like O. Douglas, the quarterback who takes Andrew "under his wing" so to speak; the various attitudes toward fatness that help both Andrew and the reader see beyond the blubber. For the synopsis,
click here.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (The Queen's Thief, Book 1)
This has been sitting on my shelf for at least a year or two. I finally picked it up last week and couldn't put it down! Storytelling figures greatly in this book as Gen and other characters retell folktales based on Greek myths. The final twists and turns revealed at the end of the book are clever and well worth the wait! I wish I weren't still in the middle of
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell so I could plow through the next three books. For the synopsis,
click here.
0 Comments on Releasing the Frontal Lobe: A Catch-Up Post as of 5/6/2010 4:48:00 PM
Oh man, im so excited for Scent of Magic! I love all of Maria's books (one of the few authors who will make me re-read a book several times ;P). Maria, you have to come to Auckland, New Zealand! I want to be able to thank you in person for the brilliant worlds you create <3
I would be delighted to see Maria in Belgium for a signing session Bruxelles would be a great place ( easily accessible for me even if i don't live there)
thank you a lot for aving an international giveaway ^^, i really appreciate
happy holidays!
Christina K. in the rafflecopter
I'd love for Maria to come to Montreal!! I think she's got lots of fan there and she'd love the city:)
Thank you:)
I'm with Christina! Montreal/Canada! I know when I worked at chapters we all LOVED her books after Megan discovered them and got us all hooked! And then we passed that love along to everyone we could ^.^
Maria's books are always my favorite. I buy them as soon as they come out and speed through them. They are a great escape from reality when stress and life drag me down. Love jumping into the life of her characters and living along with them as they move through their journeys. Cant wait for avry to show us a little more of her life.
I love her Study series and I'm sure I'll love this one!
She could come to São Paulo, Brazil XD
Thanks for the interview and giveaway =]
I met Maria at BEA a couple of years ago, but I'd love for her to visit Wisconsin!
I would love for her to visit New York.
California! =P
Maria should come visit Boston! That would be awesome!
Eugene Oregon would be perfect. :)
Alabama!
jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
Central PA would be great!
Emily, she'll be in Exton on Jan 5 :) I don't know if that's "Central" enough :D
Books-A-Million signing (Jan 5)
I loved the Study books! I even got a couple friends into them as well!
And think Maria should come to Williamsburg, Virginia. There are a lot of William and Mary students who would come!
She should come to United Kingdom!
Toronto!
I also love the Study books!!!
She should come back to El Paso! I heard about her coming here... the day after it happened -_-
Florida! Preferably near the Tampa area, but I'm willing to travel.
Boston! and Poison Study was my first Maria Snyder book, and remains my favorite!
Manila, Philippines! <3
Kazhy, come to Greenhills's Fully Booked on Dec 22 (4:30 pm) for the Pinoy Book Blogger meetup -- I'll have Maria V. Snyder swag!
The Midwest USA!
I love Poison Study!
The Poison Study! :) edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOtcom
Southern California! :)
Lacey T
You have to visit Australia again please Maria! I loved meeting you last time and would greatly love to again! ^_^
Come to NYC!! We love you here! and what?!? Valek has parents? Am I the only one who's hoping for a huge family get together in future Study books? How is it that we have never heard of them before? and yay! a book with valek's POV in it! can't wait!!!
Haha! I think it's time for a re-read of the Study books... Everyone has parents or they wouldn't be born, right? Valek's family = sad story. It's in the books :)
I'm with you, Lacey! SoCal!!!
Austin TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD
Unfortunitly i havent read any of her books :( But I want to!!
I don't have a favorite book of hers because I've never heard of her until now. How have I never heard of her? Seriously her books look great and I'm going to have to read one soon. I'm thinking of starting with Poison Study.
I don't have a favorite book of hers because I've never heard of her until now. How have I never heard of her? Seriously her books look great and I'm going to have to read one soon. I'm thinking of starting with Poison Study.
Love Maria. I've been following her for... Gosh it's been so long, i can't remember. Super excited for you next 3 books ;)
You should totally visit Washington DC! I've gotten a few of my friends hooked on you down here.
Maria, pls pls visit either Townsville or Mackay in Australia. Love all your books!
It would be very legendary if Maria would come to the Philippines!! It would be really cool to see her in person and have a chance to maybe chat with her? :) I love, love Touch of Power I can't wait to read Scent of Magic!
Thanks for the giveaway! :)
How about Kentucky?
Thanks so much for the post & giveaway.
Thanks for a fun post and congrats to Maria on the new release! How about the middle of nowhere? Nebraska!
This is awesome. I can't wait for the rest of the tour.
Somewhere in Northwestern Pennsylvania - like Pittsburgh maybe?
I haven't read any of her books yet, but I would like to
I'm devastated that I missed her when she last came to Australia - so would definitely like her to come back!!!
Our town of course Alethea~!! :)
I've never read any Maria V. Snyder books but I really want to! I think she should come to Bay City, Texas =D
If it's possible it would be amazing if she paid a visit here in the Philippines! :)
-Riz B.
Surely Italy
Somewhere in Europe would be great.
Oooh Australia! I know she's been already but I want her to come back!!!!
Midwest US would be great! I haven't read anything by her yet but hope to read this series soon! Thanks!
Please come to Calgary Canada !!!!!!! To the chapters in Chinook centre !!! Please please please!!
I love Poison Study!! Maria should pay Europe a visit. :)
You can always come visit us here in Australia.
Poison Study is my favorite of her books.
New Zealand of course! I know Maria love travelling here so we would love to see her for lots of book signings here too! :)
Maria is one of the few authors whose work I *always* check out right away. Can't wait to read Scent of Magic!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I hope she comes to New York city!!! I have been a big fan ever since poison study came out :)
Maria should totally come to Australia! There is plenty of sunshine to go around so we don't mind sharing!
She should come to Brazil :)
Thanks a lot for the giveaway!
she needs to come to london, but I would follow her anywhere! thanks for the giveaway I can't wait to read Scent of Magic all Maria's books are AMAZING!!!
ITALY! Yes, let her come here and I'm going to be her interpreter and will spoil her with our best dishes!
Idaho Falls!
Lynnwood Washington!!!!
Jolene A
I have yet to read anything *hangs head in shame* but I plan to fix that as soon as santa brings me some giftcards for Christmas :)
Jolene A
The Poison Study is my favorite, but truly, I have to say they're all my favorite!
-Jen Haile
England, i really hope she visits England, it doesnt matter where because i would travel anywhere to see her!
I'm sure she won't come to the Philippines, because her books aren't even sold here, but it's not bad to hope, right? And people can always buy from TBD or Amazon. Lol
She should come visit Seattle!!!! :D
Then I can buy more of her books and get them signed!!!!!!!
I would love if she could visit cork in Ireland.
Southern California! Maybe L.A. or Anaheim ;)
San Francisco, CA!
Thanks,
Leanne
I love Valek, so I would say her first Poison Study book is my favorite!
Thanks,
Leanne
She should come to Hawaii :D I mean, not only would it be a vacation, but also a great way to meet fans!
Like Karen, I would love for her to come to Hawaii as well.
We don't have enough authors coming here!
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
I loved Poison Study!
Chicago!
Grande Prairie, Alberta!
SINGAPORE!!! :D :D :D
Rabiah (name on Rafflecopter)
Slim chance but I would totally love it if she came to Malaysia!
She should come to the Philippines!!
I was blessed to have met Maria when she last came to Sydney, Australia so I'd probably go with my 2nd vote, Manila, Philippines :D
South Africa :)
This may be cheating, or maybe just selfish, but she needs to come back to SE Michigan. We had her here once for our book club, and I really think we need a follow up. ;)
Thanks for the giveaway! Loved the first book in that series. :)
I seriously love Maria V. Snyder. Her books are amazing. I was really lucky last year to meet her face to face. Thanks for the giveaway, I can't wait to read the second book.
On that note, I think Maria should visit Australia again!
I don't think it's possible for Snyder to come to my country so I'll say she should visit a state she hasn't visited yet.
Thank you for the giveaway! Huge fan of Maria Snyder!! :)
Australia for sure!
NYC of course!
Houston, Texas!
Powell's in Portland!
Indianapolis, Indiana