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Thursday, June 22, 2017

Blog Tour- THE LIBRARIAN by Christy Sloat An Interview & Giveaway!


Hey everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for THE LIBRARIAN by Chriaty Sloat! I freaking loved this amazing time travel book it's full of interesting characters, a great story, and tons of swoons!

I have an interview with Christy to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!


Haven't heard of THE LIBRARIAN? Check it out!


Title: THE LIBRARIAN
Author: Christy Sloat
Pub. Date: June 17, 2017
Publisher: CHBB Publishing
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 230
Find it: Amazon, B&N, TBD, Goodreads
He’s from 1892 England, she’s in a small library in 2017. And that's just the start of their troubles.

Emme never meant to stay in Maine. She'd come only to find a librarian for her Gram's library, a custodian for the collection of mysterious books she'd promised to protect. On a dark, wintery night, alone in the library, she takes her first glance into one of the antique novels and finds herself transported to 1892 England staring into the eyes of handsome and dashing hero Jack Ridgewell. As each chapter passes she learns you can truly fall in love with a character in a book, that book boyfriends are real and Emme must choose between the real world, and his.

When the last page is read he's gone and Emme feels the cold loneliness of lost love. Will she find Jack again, or will their love be forever lost? The answer lies within the pages…


Now on to the interview!


Hi Christy! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books! THE LIBRARIAN was absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! And am so happy that you could stop by for a visit!

For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about THE LIBRARIAN and the characters?

Absolutely!

The Librarian is about a small-town librarian, Emmeline, who is swept up inside a book, literally. She is transported to the past, 1897, to be exact, and meets the dashing, Jack. They begin a very complex and difficult relationship together. They are from two different era’s and on top of it all, Emme doesn’t want to be a librarian. She has plans and was only watching the library until she found the perfect replacement. Finding the set of books that allows her to travel awoke a whole new life and possibility for her.

Jack only knows one thing; become the best. And meeting Emme threw him for a loop. He’s never met anyone so different than him and he wants to be with her forever.

The love story that I wrote for them is so strong and viable that I truly believe readers will fall for them both.

Is this a standalone or a series? And if it’s a series do you have a title for book 2 yet? And if it’s a standalone what are you working on next?

The Librarian is a standalone novel.  My current WIP is called, Beauty and Rage. It’s more for the New Adult crowd, if you get what I’m saying. I’m very excited to actually get time to finish this story this upcoming summer.

Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

For the first time in my writing career none of these characters are based on anyone I know. Emme is so unlike myself, and that’s odd to me. I put a lot of myself in my main female characters, but this time I developed her from scratch. Jack, now he’s so dashing and daring that I absolutely know no one like him. He’s from the 1800’s so he is way different than any man I’ve met. He’s polite, gentlemanly, and so eager to please Emme.

Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?

Oh! I love them all! I hate choosing a favorite. I think I’ll go with Emmeline as my favorite because she’s so witty and smart. She was actually very fun to write.

Least favorite would be Gram. It’s not because she’s bad or a villain, but more so because I hated having to write a certain sad scene.

What is your favorite passage/scene in THE LIBRARIAN?

There is this gut-wrenching scene where Emme and Jack are speaking on a cliff. It’s been a long time since they’ve seen one another and they’re both really raw and emotional. It was so hard to write because I wanted to get the emotions right. But ultimately I love how it turned out. It was perfect and I can tell you that any girl reading it will recognize the feelings they both had.

What kind of research did you have to do for the story?

Loads and loads of research. I talked to my local librarian and she gave me books all the goods. I read books about the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. I also watched a lot of films based in that time and beyond. I wanted Jack to be just as he would be if he were real.  I also watched a lot of Downton Abbey, which was such a great TV Show. Lots of inspiration. Even though it was a different era, it still helped.

Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?

Wow! That’s not easy to answer. I loved Edward from Twilight up until about two years ago. My daughter officially claimed him as hers, so I backed away slowly. I can tell you now that I have met Rhysand from Sarah J. Maas’s books and I’m officially over Edward.

What inspired you to write YA?

My daughters. I wanted to write books that they could someday.

Lightening Round Questions

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

Current read: A Court of Mist and Fury

I’m dying to read Lord of Shadow’s by Cassandra Clare.

What Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat place you in?

Oh I’ve been sorted, fun story actually, and I’m a Gryiffindor.


Twitter or Facebook?

Facebook. I’m old.

Favorite Superhero?

Superman. Why’d he have to die?

Favorite TV show?

Ohcraptoomanytochoosefrom

Supernatural.

Sweet or Salty?

Salty

Any Phobias?

Flying, but I do it anyway. And wasps. I will take off running the other direction.

Song you can’t get enough of right now?

Oh..Sign of the Times by Harry Styles.

Fall Movie you’re most looking forward to?

It.

Gave me nightmares as a child but let’s watch it again


Thanks so much Christy for answering my questions! I can’t wait for everyone to read THE LIBRARIAN!


About Christy:
I am Southern California native, now living in New Jersey! How did that happen? I am married and have two beautiful little girls who love to read just like Mommy. I have had a passion for books since I was a little girl and an imagination for just as long. I hope my books can inspire others to read and to write too.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads









Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a THE LIBRRAIAN Tote bag and swag , US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Tour Schedule:

Week One:
6/12/2017- Lost in Ever AfterInterview
6/13/2017- Melissa's Eclectic BookshelfReview
6/14/2017- Fire and IceExcerpt
6/15/2017- MEREADALOTReview
6/16/2017- YA and Wine- Interview

Week Two:
6/19/2017- NerdophilesReview
6/20/2017- BookHounds YAGuest Post
6/21/2017- Kindle and MeReview
6/22/2017- Two Chicks on BooksInterview
6/23/2017- Page Turners BlogReview







Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Blog Tour- PLAINS OF SAND & STEEL by Alisha Klapheke An Interview & Giveaway!


Hey everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for PLAINS OF SAND & STEEL by Alisha Klapheke! I freaking love this amazing High Fantasy series it's full of interesting characters, killer world-building, and tons of swoons!

I have an interview with Alisha to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!


Haven't heard of PLAINS OF SAND & STEEL? Check it out!


Title: PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL (An Uncommon World Novel)
Author: Alisha Klapheke
Pub. Date: June 16, 2017
Publisher: Alisha Klapheke
Pages: 325
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Find it: AmazonB&N, Goodreads
Forced into marriage. 


Chosen by Fire. 


Determined to do what is right.


Seren will do anything to protect her people. Even if it means hiding the body of their dead ruler and telling a lie that could lead her to a brutal end.


As she struggles to accept her role as leader and fails to resist a mercenary she isn’t allowed to love, an army falls on her city. Seren fights to protect her friends—the only family she has left—but her newfound power turns a possible victory in to a storm of chaos.

Now on to the interview!


Hey Alisha!! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books Im glad you could stop by for a chat! PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL is was freaking AWESOME and I cant wait for everyone to read it!

For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about the events leading up to PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL and the characters?

The main character, Seren, recently had to marry an older man, and let’s just say, she isn’t real thrilled about the situation. He rules the Empire, but that’s about all he has going for him. Not that she’d say that out loud. That’s not her style. As the wife of a powerful ruler, she helps her beloved people in the little ways she can. Being seventeen and in such a lofty position isn’t easy. An enemy lurks on the horizon. Seren knows the time approaches when her whiny, selfish husband will need to somehow defend their people.

So do we have a title for book 3 yet?

I think it’ll be titled Forests of Silver and Secrets and will feature characters from Plains of Sand and Steel and also characters from Waters of Salt and Sin, the first standalone in the Uncommon World series.

Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

All my characters have touches of real life people either from history books or from my personal life. None are in any way exactly someone I know or have studied. I’m a little bit like Ona from Plains of Sand and Steel. My friend Rae Ann told me that and I can’t argue it. I can be a hot head and I speak very bluntly.

Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?

It’s a tie between Seren and Ona. They are both so fierce and I love them dearly.

What is your favorite passage/scene in PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL?

Oooo definitely the ocarina scene because it’s swoony!

What kind of research did you have to do for the story?

Research is my total favorite!!! I read through translations of ancient texts about Spanish and Italian mercenaries. I watched videos about nomadic lifestyles in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and the Middle East. Because I can’t get enough, I visited museums featuring art, weapons, and texts from Syria, Israel, Europe, and Asia. Did I mention research is my favorite? Especially when it involves traveling the world? :)

Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?

Oh tacos and tribulations, what a question. You just had to hit me with that. If I’m forced, Will Herondale. Or Kaz Brekker. Dang it. What about Sturmhond? Can I just have those three? Come on.

What inspired you to write YA?

I didn’t plan on it; it’s simply what I read and what I get super excited about. I guess I’m drawn to the firsts in life and the recklessness of youth (at least I was reckless anyway).

Lightening Round Questions

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that youre dying to read?

I’m reading Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor and it is amazing.

What Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat place you in?

Slytherin because I relish power and want to take over the world. Or I like green. Not sure.

Twitter or Facebook?

Hmmm. Can’t I say Instagram? I’ve only been on IG for a while, but I like it best. I’m enjoying life @alishaklapheke ;)

Favorite Superhero?

Loki DUH

Favorite TV show?

Game of Thrones, Vikings,  and Downton Abbey *cries a little*

Sweet or Salty?

Sweet and spicy is my ultimate taste choice. I adore spicy mango salsa and eat entirely too much of it.

Any Phobias?

Spiders. Sticky things. Tight spaces. Being underestimated.

Song you cant get enough of right now?

Soldier by Fleurie

2017 Movie youre most looking forward to?

Oh tough one. Right now it’s the Guy Ritchie King Arthur movie and the upcoming Pirates of the Carribean. I ADORE movies!!!!

Thanks so much Alisha for answering my questions! I cant wait for everyone to read PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL!


Thank you for having me! It was really fun! :)


About Alisha:
Award-winning author Alisha Klapheke wants to infuse your life with unique magic, far-flung fantasy settings, and romance. Her inspiration springs from medieval art and artifacts, the world travel she enjoys with her husband, and the fantasy she grew up reading when she was supposed to be doing her math homework.
When she's not writing, Alisha teaches Thai kickboxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and krav maga at her family's dojo just outside of Nashville. That may be why writing fight scenes is her favorite.
Kathleen Rushall of Andrea Brown Literary Agency represents Alisha in all things books.


Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive signed paperbacks of WATERS OF SALT & SIN, FEVER, and PLAINS OF SAND & STEEL & Swag (Stickers & A Signed Map), AND Paperbacks of AIR AWAKENS by Elise Kova & FIRST YEAR by Rachel E. Carter, US Only.


3 winners will receive eBooks of WATERS OF SALT AND SIN, FEVER, and PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Tour Schedule:

Week One:
6/5/2017- MNBernard BooksInterview
6/5/2017- Pooled InkReview

6/6/2017- The Autumn BookshelfReview
6/6/2017- Rachel's Book ReviewsReview

6/7/2017- Novel NoviceExcerpt
6/7/2017- Hooked To BooksReview

6/8/2017- Taking It One Book at a TimeReview
6/8/2017- Bibliobibuli YAReview

6/9/2017- Wandering Bark BooksExcerpt
6/9/2017- PC Book ReviewsGuest Post

Week Two:
6/12/2017- Fiction FareGuest Post
6/12/2017- What the Cat ReadReview

6/13/2017- Two Chicks on BooksInterview
6/13/2017- Why I ReadReview

6/14/2017- BookloveReview
6/14/2017- Just Another BookaholicSpotlight

6/15/2017- Crystal's Chaotic ConfessionsExcerpt
6/15/2017- BookHounds YAReview

6/16/2017- BookBriefsReview
6/16/2017- Page Turners BlogReview


Make sure to grab the companion novels in the Uncommon World Series!



Blog Tour- ROAR by Cora Carmack A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway!

From New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack comes her debut young adult fantasy, ROAR! Releasing June 13, 2017, ROAR takes readers on an adventure filled with charismatic characters in an enthralling world sure to keep them turning the pages. Order your copy today!

 

New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack's young adult debut: Roar.

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora's been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

iBooks

Kobo

Book Depository

Add to your Goodreads


                                           Excerpt
You are lightning made flesh. Colder than falling snow. Unstoppable as the desert sands riding the wind. You are Stormling, Aurora Pavan. Believe it.

Believe it, and others will too.

It was a vow that her mother, Queen Aphra, made her swear on the day she reached twelve years. She had gripped her daughter’s shoulders tight, and Rora could still remember the pinch of pain, the furious beat of her heart as she saw how afraid her mother was and learned to be afraid too.

Today that fear had led Aurora Pavan to sign her life away before she ever had the chance to really live it.

As she was primped and prettied like some kind of sacrificial offering, her mind remained stuck on her morning spent in the throne room. She recalled the rasping sounds as the treaty was unrolled and the way her fingers suddenly felt too weak to hold a quill. Many days of her sheltered life had been spent writing out ideas and facts and figures for her tutors, yet in that moment, she had struggled to remember the letters of her name. Then she had met her mother’s eyes, and those familiar words came to her again.

Colder than falling snow.

That was what Rora had to become as her shaking hand sealed her fate with a scratchy, bleeding line of ink. And now hours later a stranger peered back at her from the looking glass, powdered white so that none of her flaws would show.

Rora’s white-blonde hair had been curled and bound up in an elaborate ceremonial headdress that was crowded with jewels, flowers, and four jagged crystals cut like bolts of lightning to mimic her mother’s skyfire crown. Headdresses honoring a family’s ancestors were an important part of Pavanian tradition for the upper echelons of nobility to the poor and working class. They were donned for birth and death and every major life event in between, including betrothals. But this headdress was larger than Rora had ever seen. It had to be anchored to the thick metal necklace she wore about her collar with embellished fastenings, and it weighed on her nearly as much as the events of the night still to come.

Her already pale skin had been covered in a shimmering white powder, which made her look like she’d just emerged from a blizzard. Her ribs were tightly bound in a corset that squeezed and squeezed until it felt like all her organs were in the wrong place. Over that was a heavy, beaded gown whose neckline dipped low, revealing far more cleavage than she had ever shown. The fabric clung to her frame until it fanned out at her knees into a long train, and the color of the dress changed from white to ash gray to glittering black.

Rora looked exactly as her mother had always told her to belightning made flesh: blinding white and bright against a dark sky, and the train that pooled around her was the ground, charred black by her impact.

It was stunning. Exquisite, really. Even, Rora, who hated dresses of all kinds, could tell that. It was also a lie. Every jewel, every bead painted a picture of someone that wasn’t her. But that was the goal for tonight’s betrothal celebrationto be someone else, to be the perfect Stormling princess. Because if she failed, everything could fall apart. 


                                       Review
I've known Cora for a long time. Back before she was Cora but, I've never read any of her books. I remember when she told me she got her first book deal I was super excited for her but I knew I wouldn't read it because it was contemporary. So when I heard she was writing a YA fantasy I was super stoked and oh my gods she wrote an amazing story! I fell hard for Roar and Locke and even Cassius he may seem bad but I think there's something more to him. I can't wait to read the next one! It's going to be a long wait!!!
 
Cora Carmack’s ROAR – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
June 5th
As The Book Ends – Review & Excerpt
BookWorm221 – Review & Excerpt
Milky Way of Books – Review & Excerpt
Omg Books and More Books – Review & Excerpt
Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt
Taylor Fenner's Bookish World – Review & Excerpt
June 6th
Letshaveakya – Review
Smart & Savvy with Stephanie – Review & Excerpt
June 7th
Ali's Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt
Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt
Books, Dreams, Life – Excerpt
Dazzled by Books – Review & Excerpt
Quite the Novel Idea – Review & Excerpt
June 8th
BookCrushin – Review
Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
NovelKnight – Review
June 9th
Books Books Books – Review & Excerpt
Feeling Fictional – Review & Excerpt
Grownup Fangirl – Review
June 10th
Ceres Books World – Review & Excerpt
My Fangirl Chronicles – Review & Excerpt
Red Hot + Blue Reads – Review & Excerpt
Tales of the Ravenous Reader – Review & Excerpt
Zili in the Sky – Review & Excerpt
June 11th
Book Briefs – Review
PBC – Excerpt
Vi3tbabe – Review & Excerpt
June 12th
Feed Your Fiction Addiction – Review & Excerpt
Reads & Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Swoony Boys Podcast – Review & Excerpt
Take Me Away To A Great Read – Review & Excerpt
June 13th
Beneath The Covers Blog – Review & Excerpt
Chapter Break – Review & Excerpt
I'm A Book Shark – Excerpt
Moonlight Rendezvous – Review & Excerpt
Two Chicks on Books – Review & Excerpt
June 14th
Kindle and Me – Review & Excerpt
My Book Filled Life – Review & Excerpt
Stuck In Books – Excerpt
The Cover Contessa – Review & Excerpt
Bibliobibuli YA – Review & Excerpt
June 15th
A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia – Review & Excerpt
Books Need TLC – Review & Excerpt
Lit This & That – Review & Excerpt
The Book Hookup – Review & Excerpt
This Jabberwocky Eats Books – Review & Excerpt
Shelf Life-Review
June 16th
Closet Geeks and Slow Mo – Review & Excerpt
Fishing for Books – Review
Library of a Book Witch – Review & Excerpt
The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt
Under the Covers Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
June 17th
Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt
Smokin' Hot Reads Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
The Ordinary Housewife Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
YA Insider – Review






About Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Since she was a teenager, her favorite genre to read has been fantasy, and now she’s thrilled to bring her usual compelling characters and swoon-worthy romance into worlds of magic and intrigue with her debut YA fantasy, Roar. Her previous adult romance titles include the Losing It, Rusk University, and Muse series. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages around the world. Cora splits her time between Austin, TX and New York City, and on any given day you might find her typing away at her computer, flying to various cities around the world, or just watching Netflix with her kitty Katniss. But she can always be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her website www.coracarmack.com.   

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