Monday, July 16, 2012
Welcome to the Secret of Vanmars Blog Tour! I've got a special set of blurb with a great interview for you so don't leave! The party's getting started! *cheering ensues and the fun begins* Since The Secret of Vanmars is the second of 7 books I'll be blurbing about the first as well! That way you aren't totally clueless!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Janir had the misfortune of being born with one of the hated Argetallams for a father. But unlike other Argetallam children, she was mostly granted a normal childhood, away from the rest of the family. It looked as if she would live a relatively normal life as the foster-daughter of a powerful lord. Until one critical day Janir's powers awaked and she became entangled in a young enchanter's quest for a long-ost treasure called the Ket of Amatahns....
After her adventures with the Key of Amatahns, sixteen-year-old Janir Carsynn Argetallam returns home to find Brevia on the brink of war with a neighboring country Stlaven. Her foster-father and even Saocen (a brave young elf warrior) think it will be safe at the castle where Janir grew up. However while trying to unravel a looking mystery, Karile (self-taught wizard and Janir's self-appointed best friend) becomes certain that there is danger in the mountains surrounding Janir's childhood home and that is has something to do with Stlaven's most powerful family, the Vanmars....
PRAISE FOR THE BOOKS
"She's going to be legendary!" - Tim McClure, co-founder of GSD&M, one of America's most successful advertising agencies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elisabeth Wheatley started writing short stories when she was as young as seven years old. She began working on what would eventually become The Ket of Amatahns when she was eleven. The story went through countless total requites until Elisabeth began working on what would be the final version when she was fourteen. When she completed the draft at fifteen, her parents (being supportive) sent her manuscript to a professional editor in West Texas. The editor, Suzanne O'Bryan was so impressed with her work that she recommended it to a friend at a small publishing house, Chengalera Press. Chengalera Press was also very impressed and wanted to publish the manuscript. the first Kindle edition was published June 2011 when Elisabeth was still 15. Paperback followed days later. She is currently working on the following installments in the Argetallam Saga while continuing to attend her high school in the Texas Hill Country. Hobbies include beekeeping, cheese making, mythology and studying ASL.
Visit her on her WEBSITE / FACEBOOK PAGE
What inspired the idea for this story? Was it totally random or based on something? First, I created an imaginary world. Then different stories to go with it came and went like flies. Finally, I got the idea of a main character who was invulnerable to magic. The story stemmed from there.
If you had to rename your book, what would you name it? The Key of Amatahns was easy to name, but The Secrets of the Vanmars vehemently wanted to remain anonymous. After fighting with a title for a few weeks, I came up with a list of potential names and picked the one I liked best. But there was a close runner-up and if I had to rename The Secrets of the Vanmars, I would call it The Wizard’s Gambit.
Idea of a perfect dinner? Crab sushi with wasabi and green tea. (My grandmother would be so proud.)
When did you know you wanted to write? I’m not really sure. I toyed with the idea off and on for awhile, then abandoned the idea of writing for the idea of becoming a veterinarian. But I had my mind promptly changed after a traumatic experience at a my vet clinic internship involving surgery on a Chihuahua, fainting, needles, and an ambulance ride (it was nothing serious, it just freaked me out). Ever since, I’ve decided I don’t want to be a veterinarian. Or a nurse. Or a doctor. Or anything else that involves...needles.
Most exciting books to read by other authors this year? Oh, I’m getting excited just thinking about it! Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series. The first book hasn’t even come out yet, but I’ve read three of the four e-novellas that tell the backstory. They are (for lack of a better word) awesome and I have sky-high hopes for Throne of Glass when it comes out in August.
Was there an author who inspired you to write a fabulous book? Someone you look up to? I was really inspired by Christopher Paolini. He was a teenager when he started writing and I’m officially a crazy fan of his Inheritance Cycle. But I’ve also been inspired by Shannon Hale and, my favorite author of all time, Madeleine L’Engle.
Who was the most supportive in your writing process? The most influential? I have to say my mother was the most supportive in my writing process. She has an English BA and she never lets me get away with sending a faulty-grammar-ridden manuscript to my editors. As for most influential, that would have to be the eldest of my three brothers as Karile is very loosely based on him.
Chocolate or Vanilla? CHOCOLATE. The super-dark, 89% cacao stuff that nobody else likes (which is fine because that means more for me ;).
What’s your favorite color? Grass-green. Like in the pictures you see of Ireland...it looks so gorgeous!
What are your favorite scenes to write? I love writing fight scenes (I’m an action-junkie, sorry) or reading them in other books for that matter. But my favorite scenes are the ones between Saoven and Janir. I’m still experimenting with writing a romance and I’m pacing their story, but those scenes are the ones that make me smile as I write them.
How much is your MC like you? I would say Janir Caersynn Argetallam is 53% me and 47% what I’d like to become. Janir is braver and often more reasonable than I am.
What do you have in common with your MC? We both hate lying, we both adore horses...oh, and we both have troublesome younger brothers. (Though, when compared to hers, I don’t have much to complain about.)
If you could have any other author to dinner, who would it be? Does it have to be someone who is alive? Because, if it could be arranged, I’d like to have tea with C.S. Lewis. But if he’s not an option, then I’d be tickled pink to meet Shannon Hale, author of the Books of Bayern, Book of a Thousand Days, and lots of other incredible works of literature.
Favorite fictional crush? As it happens, every crush I’ve ever had has been on a fictitious character. My favorite is Prince Caspian of Narnia. He’s so brave and good and always tries to do the right thing and...*sigh* (Note: I had a crush on the character long before I saw the movie. Just saying.)
Best book quote? “DIE, PUNY HUMAN!!!”~Christopher Paolini, Brisingr
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? I’ll take Wolverine’s unlimited regeneration, please. With a side-order of gravity manipulation.
Any advice to Aspiring Authors? Don’t give up. Everyone whoever got anywhere had to start somewhere. Don’t ever, ever give up.
Has being a writer changed the way you read and perceive literature? A little bit. Since I’ve started writing and thinking about plotlines, setting up scenes, and preparing readers for story twists, I’ve started to recognize those things in other stories. I try to spot when a writer is setting the story up for something, make guesses as to what’s coming and sometimes I’m even right.
Any upcoming projects we should look for? I’m thrilled to say that I have completed the first draft of the third book in the Argetallam Saga, titled The Chalice of Malvron, and it should be coming out sometime in early 2013!
~~~
Thanks so much to Elisabeth for spending some time with me today! It's been a pleasure having you her on the blog. Honestly guys, I'm going to try and get my hands on her books because they sound amazing! TNT,
Sunday, July 15, 2012
It's time for Book Hauls again so here's what I got this week:
It's been a pretty sweet week for me! Full of books and awesome-sauce! I hope yours has been just as fabulous. So make sure to leave me a link! TNT,
FOR REVIEW:
Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman (copy received from author)
Hidden by Sophie Jordan (ARC via Once Upon A Twilight tours)
Mystic City by Theo Lawrence (from Random House via NetGalley)
FROM LIBRARY:
Darker Still by Leanna Renee Heiber
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
BOOKS I BOUGHT:
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (for Random Reads)
Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
It's been a pretty sweet week for me! Full of books and awesome-sauce! I hope yours has been just as fabulous. So make sure to leave me a link! TNT,
Saturday, July 14, 2012
It's time for another fabulous blogger to join me! This time I've got the lovely Krista over from her lovely blog Nawanda Files! The only galaxy known to man that revolves around books and inhabiting by robots! Krista herself is a science nerd and is studying to become a doctor. Welcome Krista!
M&M's Or Skittles? M&M's! Chocolate all the way!
Besides a love of books what made you want to share your reviews w/others? Honestly, I just love the whole YA community. Sharing my reviews is awesome, but I love to interact with all the other YA bloggers and readers out there.
Favorite Books/Authors? Oooh, this is definitely a hard one. Of all time, I'd have to say the Harry Potter series. Recently, I'm really digging Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, and The Selection by Kiera Cass.
Favorite Color? Red!
When did you start really reading a lot? When I was ten. My twin sister and I had a contest to see who could read the most in a year. We went to the library almost everyday and had a whiteboard tallying our book count and page count. We were a bit competitive :)
Favorite fictional crush? There are so many! Probably Kaidan Rowe from Sweet Evil. That book is steamy for young adult!
If you designed your own fortune cookie what would it say? Don't eat yellow snow. (Because we all know that is some sage wisdom)
Could you say that reviewing from a bloggers perspective has changed how you think about books? Not really. I'm still reviewing it like I would before I started blogging. My review just may be more in depth.
How did you get the blog name you use now? Nawanda comes from the movie Dead Poets Society. There is a character in the movie named Charlie who decides that he wants to be called Nuwanda (but I changed it to the other spelling). He's a free thinking, really independent person, and I've always valued individuality. It's my favorite movie, and my sister and I have been using the name Nawanda as screen names and such since we were kids. It just kind of seemed appropriate to name my blog after a name that kind of stands for individuality when I've always tried to be myself.
If you could pick any one book to be made into a movie what would it be? Under the Never Sky would be an epic movie.
What do you look for in a book that will go into a review? I don't know if I look for anything. I just kind of read it and if there is something that makes me laugh, smile, or cry I'll write about it. If I get irritated I'll write about that too. I'm not opposed to bad reviews as long as they are honest.
Thanks so much Hannah for the interview! It was lots of fun!
It was a blast having you On the Spot today Krista! Thanks for stopping by! Make sure you all visit her rocking blog! TNT,
Want To Be Interview For On The Spot? Email me via the sidebar!
Friday, July 13, 2012
I've got more sweetness in giveaways for you today! Don't miss them!
Hosted by MOSTLY YA BOOK OBSESSED
Ends: August 5th
Open To: US/CAN
Ends: July 31st
Open To: International
Ends Sept 1
Open To: International
Hosted by: Shattered Memories
Ends: August 31
Open To: International
Hosted by Yearning to Read
Ends: July 23rd
Open To: US/CAN/MEX
That's all for this edition of Giveaways Galore! If you'd like to share any, feel free to link me to some. Who doesn't like giveaways! Happy Saturday!
So, I've been thinking alot about redesigning my blog. I'm one of those people who always tweaks and looks for ways to make things better and more eye-catching..and BLAH BLAH BLAH. You get the gist. Anyway. I've really been wanting to have some sort of custom design that could fit me and my blog a little bit better. Don't get me wrong I love my blog now but.....yeah.
However, I don't do designs. I couldn't really do one well enough or even begin to comprehend HOW to do one. So, here's what I'm asking for. Could you reccomend me to a graphic designer or refer them to me? I'm looking for someone who customs book blogs or would be willing to help me with some of that.
But here's the catch: I'm currently trying to save up for some things so I can't really afford to do much in the way of buying services. So what I'm really asking is, do you know someone who does custom designs who out of the goodness of their heart would be interested in helping me?
You can refer them to me or refer me to them. Maybe they'll want to see my blog first or whatever. And this is just optional. It might be awhile before I do anything I just wanted to see if you had suggestions I could consider.
And while I'm at it maybe I'll give you a little idea as to what I'm thinking for a new blog design. I've been wanting to rename my blog for a while now since I'm sure there are a ton of Book Havens out there. So I'm totally thinking I could change to BOOKING THROUGH LIFE, which to me is awesome and if you've seen the Broadway musical WICKED you'd know it's also a play off of the song Dancing Through Life! Anyway I could totally envision that as part of my blog.
That's if for now. You guys rock! Thanks for your help!! Keep on booking!
But here's the catch: I'm currently trying to save up for some things so I can't really afford to do much in the way of buying services. So what I'm really asking is, do you know someone who does custom designs who out of the goodness of their heart would be interested in helping me?
You can refer them to me or refer me to them. Maybe they'll want to see my blog first or whatever. And this is just optional. It might be awhile before I do anything I just wanted to see if you had suggestions I could consider.
And while I'm at it maybe I'll give you a little idea as to what I'm thinking for a new blog design. I've been wanting to rename my blog for a while now since I'm sure there are a ton of Book Havens out there. So I'm totally thinking I could change to BOOKING THROUGH LIFE, which to me is awesome and if you've seen the Broadway musical WICKED you'd know it's also a play off of the song Dancing Through Life! Anyway I could totally envision that as part of my blog.
That's if for now. You guys rock! Thanks for your help!! Keep on booking!
Welcome to Feature & Follow!This meme is hosted by Parajunkee &Allison Can Read. The purpose is to meet and follow new bloggers and get your own new followers! It's a total win-win!
This Week's Question:
What drove you to start book blogging in the first place?
Inky's Response:
Well honestly, it wasn't the free books or publicity that drove me here. It was my pure, intense love of books. I talk books to my friends SO much that sometimes I think they'd get annoyed every time I'd ask them what they were reading. So I needed another place to vent. Somewhere other book lovers could listen and connect! And that is how my humble little Book Haven began! Did I mention it's Extraordinaire? ;)
I'd love to hear about your beginnings!
Link me to your FFF!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.
*Note: Synopsis has been shortened to fit format.
Now look at the cover. Isn't that thing flipping AMAZING! It's beautiful! The colors and shades all blend with this eerie look especially with the castle in the background. Don't forget the guys awesome cape and the swords. Look at the swords. And the font of the letters. Would you like me to continue? I'm seriously in love with all the amazing covers happening. This is not to be missed.
And Finally, this book is going on the BREATHLESS READS TOUR. What other proof could I possibly want to know that this book is ASTOUNDING? MUST READ! Anybody have an ARC they'd like to share? ;) I promise it would be put to good use.
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
releasing 12.11.12 from Razorbill
ADD THIS ON GOODREADS
releasing 12.11.12 from Razorbill
In a land where magic
has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest
is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming
their subjects’ lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and
battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth discovers the truth about her past and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...
The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth discovers the truth about her past and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...
The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?
ADD THIS ON GOODREADS
Why I'm Hyperventilating:
First.Did you read the synopsis? Does that now sound like a SWASH-BUCKLING EPIC FANTASY? Okay so maybe swash-buckling would be more fitting with a pirate book, but whatever. It sounds awesomtastical! I've been having a Fantasy-off phase lately but with this new load of Fantasy coming in I just want more!!!Now look at the cover. Isn't that thing flipping AMAZING! It's beautiful! The colors and shades all blend with this eerie look especially with the castle in the background. Don't forget the guys awesome cape and the swords. Look at the swords. And the font of the letters. Would you like me to continue? I'm seriously in love with all the amazing covers happening. This is not to be missed.
And Finally, this book is going on the BREATHLESS READS TOUR. What other proof could I possibly want to know that this book is ASTOUNDING? MUST READ! Anybody have an ARC they'd like to share? ;) I promise it would be put to good use.
What are you Waiting/Hyperventialting on?
Link me up!S
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