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Showing posts with label Chinese Mythology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese Mythology. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

RELEASE WEEK BLITZ- THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO by F.C. Yee With an Excerpt & Giveaway



I am so excited that THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO by F.C. Yee is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author F.C. Yee, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for 5 finished copies of the book and a bookmark courtesy of Pique and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.



About The Book:

Title: THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO
Author: F.C. Yee
Pub. Date: August 8, 2017
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 336
Formats: Hardcover, eBook

The struggle to get into a top-tier college consumes sixteen-year-old Genie Lo's every waking thought. But when her sleepy Bay Area town comes under siege from hell-spawn straight out of Chinese folklore, her priorities are suddenly and forcefully rearranged.

Her only guide to the demonic chaos breaking out around her is Quentin Sun, a beguiling, maddening new transfer student from overseas. Quentin assures Genie she is strong enough to fight these monsters, for she unknowingly harbors an inner power that can level the very gates of Heaven.

Genie will have to dig deep within herself to summon the otherworldly strength that Quentin keeps talking about. But as she does, she finds the secret of her true nature is entwined with his, in a way she could never have imagined…

Excerpt:
“GREETINGS,” HE SAID, HIS ACCENT THICK BUT HIS VOICE LOUD and clear. “I have arrived.”

Now, I’d done my best to describe this guy to the police. They pressed me hard for details, as apparently this wasn’t the first group mugging in recent weeks.

But I’d let Officers Davis and Rodriguez down. Nice eyes and a winning smile weren’t much to go by. I was too frazzled to notice anything before, which meant this was my first decent look at the boy without the influence of adrenaline.

So a couple of things.

One: He was short. Like, really short for a guy. I felt bad that my brain went there first, but he wasn’t even as tall as Mrs. Nanda.

Two: He was totally okay, physically. I didn’t see how anyone could be up and about after that beating, but here he was, unbruised and unblemished. I felt relieved and disturbed at the same time to see there wasn’t a scratch on him.

And his mint condition just made Point Three even more obvious.

He was . . . yeesh.

Nothing good could come of our new classmate being that handsome. It was destructive. Twisted. Weaponized. He had the cheekbones and sharp jawline of a pop star, but his thick eyebrows and wild, unkempt hair lent him an air of natural ruggedness that some pampered singer could never achieve in a million years of makeup.

“Argh, my ovaries,” Yunie mumbled. She wasn’t alone, judging by the soft intakes of breath coming from around the room.

“Arrived from where?” said Mrs. Nanda.

Quentin looked at her in amusement. “China?”

“Yes, but where in, though?” said Mrs. Nanda, trying her best to convey that she was sensitive to the regional differences. Fujianese, Taishanese, Beijingren—she’d taught them all.

He just shrugged. “The stones,” he said.

“You mean the mountains, sweetie?” said Rachel Li, batting her eyelashes at him from the front row.

“No! I don’t misspeak.”

The class giggled at his English. But none of it was incorrect, technically speaking.

“Tell us a little about yourself,” Mrs. Nanda said.

Quentin puffed out his chest. The white button-down shirt and black pants of our school’s uniform for boys made most of them look like limo drivers. But on him, the cheap stitching just made it clearer that he was extremely well-muscled underneath.

“I am the greatest of my kind,” he said. “In this world I have no equal. I am known to thousands in faraway lands, and everyone I meet can’t help but declare me king!”

There was a moment of silence and sputtering before guffaws broke out.

“Well . . . um . . . we are all high achievers here at SF Prep,” said

Mrs. Nanda as politely as she could. “I’m sure you’ll fit right in?”

Quentin surveyed the cramped beige classroom with a cool squint. To him, the other twenty-two laughing students were merely peons on whom his important message had been lost.

“Enough wasting of time,” he snapped. “I came to these petty halls only to reclaim what is mine.”

Before anyone could stop him, he hopped onto Rachel’s desk and stepped over her to the next one, like she wasn’t even there.

“Hey! Quentin!” Mrs. Nanda said, frantically waving her hands. “Get down now!”

The new student ignored her, stalking down the column of desks. Toward mine.

Everyone in his way leaned to the side to avoid getting kicked. They were all too flabbergasted to do anything but serve as his counterweights.

He stopped on my desk and crouched down, looking me in the eye. His gaze pinned me to my seat.
I couldn’t turn away. He was so close our noses were almost touching. He smelled like wine and peaches.

“You!” he said.

“What?” I squeaked.

Quentin gave me a grin that was utterly feral. He tilted his head as if to whisper, but spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

“You belong to me”

About F.C:


F. C. Yee grew up in New Jersey and went to school in New England, but has called the San Francisco Bay Area home ever since he beat a friend at a board game and shouted “That’s how we do it in NorCal, baby!” Outside of writing, he practices capoeira, a Brazilian form of martial arts, and has a day job mostly involving spreadsheets.

                       



Giveaway Details:

5 winners will receive Genie Lo prize packs—complete with a finished copy of the book and a special Genie Lo horoscope (that doubles as a bookmark!), US Only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, October 3, 2016

Blog Tour- SACRIFICE by Cindy Pon An Interview & Giveaway!


Hey y'all! I am stoked to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for SACRIFICE by Cindy Pon! I freaking LOVE this fantasy series! I have an interview with Cindy to share with you today. Check it out & make sure to enter the giveaway!



Haven't heard of SACRIFICE? Check it out!
Title: SACRIFICE (Serpentine #2)
Author: Cindy Pon
Pub. Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Month9Books
Pages: 300
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks 
Sacrifice, the sequel to Serpentine, plunges Skybright into the terrifying underworld where demons are bred and whisks her up to the magnificent Mountain of Heavenly Peace where the gods dwell. 

Stone is stripped of his immortal status and told to close hell's breach, which mysteriously remains open, threatening mortals. 

Zhen Ni, Skybright's former mistress and friend, has been wed to the strange and brutish Master Bei, and finds herself trapped in an opulent but empty manor. When she discovers half-eaten corpses beneath the estate, she realizes that Master Bei is not all that he seems. 

As Skybright works to free Zhen Ni with the aid of Kai Sen and Stone, they begin to understand that what is at risk is more far-reaching then they could ever have fathomed.



Now on to the interview!



Hi Cindy! First I want to say welcome back to Two Chicks on Books! SACRIFICE 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!

Cindy: It is such a pleasure to be here! Thank you for having me!!

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

While Serpentine was told only from Skybright's point of view, Sacrifice actually incorporates a trio of narratives: Skybright, Zhen Ni, and Kai Sen. Skybright is a very practical handmaid until she discovers she is actually a half serpent demon of lore. In this book, she really comes into her own. Zhen Ni is a spoiled rich girl, but shows her true grit when she's married off to a brute of a husband with too many secrets. And Kai Sen is our reluctant hero, with too many secrets of his own!

I know there’s a third book in the series do you have a title yet?

I am awful at titles! No title yet, although I have the barest inkling of the story.

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

I love Stone. But in Sacrifice, I found Zhen Ni a lot of fun to write. She's stubborn and sassy. Kai Sen was the hardest character for me! I had to really get to know him through the prose. But in the end, I think I did!

What is your favorite passage/scene in SACRIFICE?

Tough call as I love the entire book! But likely the scenes that take place on high where the Immortals dwell. :)

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

This is the fourth book I have written set in the Kingdom of Xia, so much of the research I had already done. But for this one in particular, I studied Chinese houses, their layouts and the rituals involved in building them.

Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?

I seem to love thieves: Leigh Bardugo's Kas, Megan Whalen Turner's Gen, and Cinda Williams Chima's Han.

Lightening Round Questions

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?
Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia

Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter!

Favorite Superhero?
Wonder Woman!

Favorite TV show?
Project Runway!

Sweet or Salty?
Salty.

Any Phobias?
Dolls! (nooooooooo!)

Song you can’t get enough of right now?
U2's "Song for Someone"

Winter Movie you’re most looking forward to?
A Monster Calls!

Thanks so much Cindy for answering my questions! I can’t wait for everyone to read SACRIFICE!





About Cindy:
Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books, 2015), is a Junior Library Guild Selection and received starred reviews from School Library Journal and VOYA. The sequel, Sacrifice, releases this September. WANT, a near-future thriller set in Taipei, will be published by Simon Pulse in summer 2017. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Learn more about her books and art at http://cindypon.com.


Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr | InstagramGoodreads

Giveaway Details:
Contest ends October 14, 2016 

One (1) winner will receive a scrabble tile book cover charm (US ONLY)
Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Serpentine and Sacrifice by Cindy Pon (INT)










Go to Chapter by Chapter to check out the Tour Schedule for more awesome posts!


 Make sure to grab book 1 now if you haven't read it!



Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Release Day Celebration: Sacrifice (Serpentine #2) by Cindy Pon with Giveaway

sacrificerdc
 
Welcome to the Release Day Celebration for
Sacrifice (Serpentine #2) by Cindy Pon
presented by Month9Books!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
 
Happy Book Birthday, Cindy!
 
SacrificeCover
 
Sacrifice, the sequel to Serpentine, plunges Skybright into the terrifying underworld where demons are bred and whisks her up to the magnificent Mountain of Heavenly Peace where the gods dwell.

Stone is stripped of his immortal status and told to close hell's breach, which mysteriously remains open, threatening mortals.

Zhen Ni, Skybright's former mistress and friend, has been wed to the strange and brutish Master Bei, and finds herself trapped in an opulent but empty manor. When she discovers half-eaten corpses beneath the estate, she realizes that Master Bei is not all that he seems.

As Skybright works to free Zhen Ni with the aid of Kai Sen and Stone, they begin to understand that what is at risk is more far-reaching then they could ever have fathomed.
add to goodreads

Sacrifice (Serpentine #2) by Cindy Pon Publication Date: September 27, 2016 Publisher: Month9Books
 
excerpt
Stone pulled her into his arms then surprised, she resisted, before submitting to his embrace. He had never overstepped boundaries since taking her captive, and she knew when he did touch her on rare occasion, it was for a reason. His armor made no noise when he moved, and when she pressed both hands to his chest, she felt a tunic beneath her fingers. Soft and worn.
            The immortal was truly never as he appeared.
            “You will see,” Stone said as he tightened his arms around Skybright’s waist, clasping her close like a lover.
            It was unexpected, both thrilling and terrifying; his usual warmth felt uncomfortably hot against her skin.
            Then Stone leaped off the cliff edge.
            A strangled scream tore from Skybright’s throat, but the sudden rush of air snatched it away in an instant, and she couldn’t draw enough breath to even gasp as they plummeted toward the lake far below.
 
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
 
Serpentine-Cover
 
SERPENTINE is a sweeping fantasy set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology.

Lush with details from Chinese folklore, SERPENTINE tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns sixteen, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell.

When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.
add to goodreads

 
About-the-Author2
cindyponauthorcolor2
 
Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent novel, Serpentine (Month9Books, 2015), is a Junior Library Guild Selection and received starred reviews from School Library Journal and VOYA. The sequel, Sacrifice, releases this September. WANT, a near-future thriller set in Taipei, will be published by Simon Pulse in summer 2017. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Learn more about her books and art at http://cindypon.com.
 
giveaway2
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
 
Chapter-by-Chapter-blog-tour-button
 

Monday, May 16, 2016

M9B Cover Reveal- SACRIFICE by Cindy Pon & A Giveaway!



Today Cindy Pon and Month9Books are revealing the cover for SACRIFICE, book 2 in the Serpentine Series! Which releases September 27, 2016! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win a paperback copy of book 1, Serpentine!!

Here’s a message from the author.

I am so excited to share the Sacrifice cover with readers! I didn't think it was possible, but I love it even more than my gorgeous Serpentine cover. My second novel is always about dealing with consequences of what happened in the first book. Skybright was on a journey to discover the truth of her origins and identity in Serpentine, and I believe she truly comes into her own in Sacrifice. I love the prominent featuring of her crimson tail, and the tension and energy this cover conveys—it reflects the novel so well. I hope you enjoy Sacrifice!

On to the reveal! 




Title: SACRIFICE (Serpentine, Book 2)
Author: Cindy Pon
Pub. Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Month9Books
Format: Paperback, Hardcover,  & eBook
Find it: Amazon | B&N | TBD |Goodreads

Sacrifice, the sequel to Serpentine, plunges Skybright into the terrifying underworld where demons are bred and whisks her up to the magnificent Mountain of Heavenly Peace where the gods dwell.

Stone is stripped of his immortal status and told to close hell's breach, which mysteriously remains open, threatening mortals.

Zhen Ni, Skybright's former mistress and friend, has been wed to the strange and brutish Master Hou, and finds herself trapped in an opulent but empty manor. When she discovers half-eaten corpses beneath the estate, she realizes that Master Hou is not all that he seems.

As Skybright works to free Zhen Ni with the aid of Kai Sen and Stone, they begin to understand that what is at risk is more far-reaching then they could ever have fathomed.





Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy,Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA.The sequel to Silver Phoenix, titled Fury of the Phoenix, was released in April 2011. Her first published short story is featured in Diverse Energies,a multicultural YA dystopian anthology from Tu Books (October 2012). Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Visit her website.

Where you can find Cindy: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr | Instagram




Giveaway Details:


2 winners will receive a paperback of SERPENTINE, US Only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Release Day Blitz- SERPENTINE by Cindy Pon and a Giveaway!

Serpentine-RDB-Banner
 
Happy Release Day to
Serpentine by Cindy Pon!!
Join us in celebrating this release from Month9Books!
Enter the giveaway found at the end of the post.
Happy Book Birthday, Cindy!
 
Serpentine-Cover
 
SERPENTINE is a sweeping fantasy set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology.

Lush with details from Chinese folklore, SERPENTINE tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns sixteen, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell.

When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.

“Vivid worldbuilding, incendiary romance, heart-pounding action, and characters that will win you over–I highly recommend Serpentine.” Cinda Williams Chima, best-selling author of the Seven Realms and Heir Chronicles fantasy novels

“Serpentine is unique and surprising, with a beautifully-drawn fantasy world that sucked me right in! I love Skybright’s transformative power, and how she learns to take charge of it.” ~Kristin Cashore, NYT Bestseller of the Graceling Realm Series

“Serpentine’s world oozes with lush details and rich lore, and the characters crackle with life. This is one story that you’ll want to lose yourself in.” ~ Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of Legend and The Young Elites
add to goodreads



“Skybright … ” He tugged her gently to him. “I never feel
as if I can speak of my past with the other monks. Because of
my birthmark. Because I’m different. But with you, I … ” He
didn’t finish the thought, but instead leaned in and kissed her.
It was like a jolt, quickening her pulse. His mouth was full,
firm against her own. He smelled of camphor wood and sweat.
Of boy. His tongue flicked across her lips and instinctively she
opened her mouth to him. She gasped when their tongues met.
Warmth pooled in her stomach and spread, till her entire body
was roused.

Lit.

His hands had wound around her waist, sneaked under
her sleep tunic so she could feel his rough palms against her
midriff. They met at the small of her back and slid upward,
till his fingers caressed her shoulder blades, and they were
crushed against each other.

They kissed until the blood roared in her ears and she felt
drunk with desire. Then something ignited inside of her, that
now familiar heat, writhing through and pulsing down her
legs. Terrified, she shoved his shoulders hard, and he stumbled
back, dazed.

Skybright clutched her head between tight fists, willing the
blazing heat away. Willing herself not to change. No. Not now.
Not in front of Kai Sen. Her body shook with the effort, still
trembling from the kiss they had shared. Terror constricted her
chest.

His thumb stroked her cheek, and she jerked away from him.

“What was that?” She tried to catch her breath, and the
words came unevenly.

“I’ve always wondered what it was like, to kiss.” His voice
sounded low and thick.

“So you decided to experiment on the first handmaid you
came across?”

The first handmaid he came across naked in the forest.
Humiliation and anger wound tight within her, and she
welcomed the emotions. Anything to smother the heat that
threatened to rise below.

Kai Sen made a choking noise. “No. Of course not. I
wanted to kiss you.” He lifted his hand to touch her again and
she slapped it aside. “I like you,” he said quietly. “I’ve seen
plenty of servant girls in town, wandering the markets. But
you were the only I ever knew brave enough to climb a giant
cypress to spy on monks.” He smiled. “You’re the only one
I’ve felt I could share my past with–”

“You don’t even know me,” she said. And it felt as if her
heart was shattering like brittle porcelain, because Kai Sen
could never truly know her. Not ever. “Please go.”
He took a step back, and she hated him for obeying her.

“Will you still meet me in the morning by the creek?” he asked.



  cindyponauthorcolor2  
Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. The sequel to Silver Phoenix, titled Fury of the Phoenix, was released in April 2011. Serpentine, the first title in her next Xia duology, will be published by Month9Books in September 2015. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Visit her website at www.cindypon.com.
 
 

Complete the Rafflecopter for a chance to win!
 
Chapter-by-Chapter-blog-tour-button

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Blog Tour- SERPENTINE by Cindy Pon A Playlist And A Giveaway!


I am so excited to be hosting a spot on the SERPENTINE blog tour I LOVED this book! I have the book playlist from Cindy to share with you today and I've posted videos for all of them! And make sure to enter the giveaway to win a hardcover or a paperback of the book and some awesome brush art cards!

Haven't heard of SERPENTINE? Check it out!



Title: SERPENTINE
Author: Cindy Pon
Pub. Date: September 8, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books
Pages: 303
Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook
Find it: Find it: Amazon | B&N |  iBooks | Goodreads
SERPENTINE is a sweeping fantasy set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology.

Lush with details from Chinese folklore, SERPENTINE tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns sixteen, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell.
When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.

“Vivid worldbuilding, incendiary romance, heart-pounding action, and characters that will win you over–I highly recommend Serpentine.” Cinda Williams Chima, best-selling author of the Seven Realms and Heir Chronicles fantasy novels

“Serpentine is unique and surprising, with a beautifully-drawn fantasy world that sucked me right in! I love Skybright’s transformative power, and how she learns to take charge of it.” ~Kristin Cashore, NYT Bestseller of the Graceling Realm Series

“Serpentine’s world oozes with lush details and rich lore, and the characters crackle with life. This is one story that you’ll want to lose yourself in.” ~ Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of Legend and The Young Elites



SERPENTINE Playlist.

The Saddest Song I've Got by Annie Lennox


I still do by The Cranberries


Tornado by Jay Chou



Chrysanthemum Flower Bed by Jay Chou




This Love by Taylor Swift (sorry can't find a video for this one)






About Cindy:
Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association's Booklist, and one of 2009s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. The sequel to Silver Phoenix, titled Fury of the Phoenix, was released in April 2011. Serpentine, the first title in her next Xia duology, will be published by Month9Books in September 2015. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Visit her website at www.cindypon.com.






Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a signed hardcover of SERPENTINE and brush art painting card. US Only.

3 winners will receive a signed paperback of SERPENTINE and brush art painting card. US Only.



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Check out the Tour Schedule!


Week 1:
8/31/2015- Good Choice ReadingGuest Post
9/1/2015- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview
9/2/2015- FiktshunGuest Post
9/3/2015- Two Chicks on BooksGuest Post
9/4/2015- Novel NoviceInterview

Week 2:
9/7/2015- Once Upon A TwilightGuest Post
9/8/2015- Chapter by ChapterInterview
9/9/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy ReadsGuest Post
9/10/2015- Mundie MomsReview
9/11/2015- Page Turners- Interview








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