Blog Tour: DAWN STUDY by Maria V. Snyder A Guest Post & Giveaway!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for DAWN STUDY by Maria V. Snyder! Maria's Study Series is my all time favorite series and I am super sad that this is the final installment, but I have high hopes for a spin-off series! I have a guest post with Maria to share with you today! And make sure to enter the awesome giveaway for a chance to win the book!!

Haven't heard of DAWN STUDY? Check it out!

Title: DAWN STUDY (Study Series #6)

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Pub. Date: January 31, 2017

Publisher: Mira Ink

Pages: 384

Format: Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion.

Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond and a family that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.

Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.

With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.

Now on to the guest post!

I asked Maria about writing a series finale. Is this really the end? Or may we see another spin-off series (fingers crossed)

It’s the end of book length stories for Yelena and Valek.  After six books, it’s very hard for me to think of new and exciting problems for them to deal with and over come. They’ve both been captured, betrayed, injured, arrested, etc… I think at this point, I’d have to really up the stakes and that would probably  make the plot a bit outrageous. Plus my stories always focus on the characters and their growth. They’ve both come a long way in six books and I’m happy where they ended up.

I hope to write a few short stories about them in the future, but no more books (okay, I’ve been told never to say never so if something happens and the planets align just so and I get a fantastic, blow your socks off idea, then I will write more).

As for a spin off series, that’s a good possibility! I really enjoyed writing about Reema and Teegan in Dawn Study and I’ve always loved Fisk.  I can almost see a Helpers Guild book down the line. No promises though!  Just a thought that might need a few years to ferment in the depths of my mind (a scary lawless place where ideas battle to survive ;).

I must say writing a final book was harder than I expected. The plot spanned two countries as they prepared for war and all the Study and Glass characters were involved in some way.  At one point, I had 26 characters together – do you know how hard it is to keep track of all those people? Herding cats is easy in comparison!  That’s why I don’t write epic fantasy – too many details to keep straight.  And then tying up all the loose ends – oy vey!  I may have left one or two dangling – life is never neat and tied with a bow and I was running out of pages.

Dawn Study ended up being my longest book at 125,000 words and I hope my readers are satisfied with how it ends. It’s been a wonderful journey. Through my books, I’ve met readers from all over the world and many of them have become good friends (I’m looking at you, Jaime ;).  I’m very grateful for that connection and I hope to continue writing for a few more years at least!

About Maria:

Maria V. Snyder changed from being a meteorologist to a novelist in 1995, when she began writing to keep her sanity while raising two children. Since then, she has published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and teaches fiction-writing classes at the local college and area libraries. The classes give her the wonderful opportunity to encourage fellow writers, and to keep improving her craft.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. Dreaming of chasing tornados, Maria earned a bachelors of science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. But she discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. In order to chase tornados you had to predict where they might form. Creating fantasy worlds where she has complete control of the weather was more agreeable to her.

Maria's research on food-tasting methods with an expert chocolate taster, her husband, turned out to be a delicious bonus while writing Poison Study.

Maria has a brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, and enjoys playing volleyball and the cello. Traveling in general and via cruise ship in particular are her biggest distractions from writing. Maria has traveled to Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

Maria lives with her husband, son, daughter and yellow lab, Hazelnut, in Pennsylvania where she is at work on more LUNA novels. She is also pursuing a master's degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University.

Readers are welcome to contact Maria at the following email address: maria@mariavsnyder.com.

Where you can find Maria:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

6 Winners will receive finished copies of DAWN STUDY, US Only.

4 Winners will receive finished copies of DAWN STUDY, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/23/2017-a GREAT read- Interview

1/24/2017- Books for Thought- Review

1/25/2017- YABC- Guest Post

1/26/2017- Mundie Moms- Review

1/27/2017- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview

Week Two:

1/30/2017- Kindle and Me- Review

1/31/2017- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

2/1/2017- Eclectic Ramblings of Author Heather Osborne- Review

2/2/2017- Moonlight Gleam Reviews- Interview

2/3/2017- The Bibliophile Chronicles- Review

It's not too late to start this amazing series or to read the spin-off series! Get them now!

Blog Tour- NIGHT STUDY by Maria V. Snyder A Deleted Scene and A Giveaway!

I am so excited to be hosting a spot on blog tour for NIGHT STUDY by Maria V. Snyder. I think by now you all know how obsessed I am with Maria's books if you havent had a chance to read them I highly suggest you do! NIGHT STUDY was as fantastic as the rest of the series and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book! I have a deleted scene to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway! 

Haven't heard of NIGHT STUDY? Check it out!

Title: NIGHT STUDY

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Release Date: January 26, 2016

Pages: 448

Publisher: Mira

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's life has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia is safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear.

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he's quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he's been keeping secrets from Valek…secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander's mysterious plans, they realize it's far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.

Now on to the deleted scene!

Deleted Scene: Valek, Yelena, Janco and Onora are in Ixia staying at a mining camp in the foothills of the Soul Mountains.  They’re discussing setting an ambush at the castle.  Yelena’s POV.

He ladled stew into them one at a time, passing them around the fire.  “Then we set our ambush at the castle.” 

“At the gates?”

“We don’t have enough people who can sense magic to cover all four of them,” Valek said.  “We’d have to use the Commander as bait.”

“No.”  Onora’s firm tone sounded more like an order than a disagreement.  “Find another way.”

Valek stiffened.

I touched his arm.  “There are enough to be stationed at the gates.”

He turned his attention to me.  “You wouldn’t want to put Reema in harm’s way.  Who else is there?”

“Kiki.”

“That’s three, who’s the fourth?”

I glanced at Onora.  Just how trustworthy was she.  Would she report the person to the Commander?  While the Commander has been a little more accepting of Sitian magicians in Ixia, he wouldn’t tolerate one of his own people using magic.  He’d order his execution just like he had ordered mine when he discovered my ability.  Good thing I had enough time to escape to Sitia.  I don’t think Porter, the Commander’s kennel master would run away.  No.  Porter would report to the noose as directed.

“I’ll tell you if the situation arises,” I said.

“You can’t do that,” Janco cried.  “Now I’m gonna be up all night thinking about who it is.”

Valek laid his hand over mine and squeezed.  He understood.  Despite the Commander’s zero tolerance, Valek had allowed Porter to continue smuggling those young adolescents who developed magic at the same time they hit puberty.  A double whammy.  If they were smart, they’d hid their powers until they could leave Ixia via Porter’s network.  If they were exposed, then Valek was dispatched to assassinate the young man or woman.  Or so everyone thought. 

Over the eight years I’ve been with him, I’d learned that he funneled more people through Porter’s network than he’d killed.  But the one thing I hadn’t told Valek was about Porter’s own magical power.  The man communicated with his dogs the same way I’d “talked” to Kiki. 

I reached out to Kiki without thinking, and encountered dead silence.  The usual sharp jab of sorrow failed to manifest.  Just a pang of disappointment fluttered in my chest.  Interesting.  Was I resigned to being without my magic?

[A bit later that night]

A sleepy silence descended for about two seconds.

“Yelena, who is the fourth person who can sense magic?  I can’t sleep.” Janco pleaded from the other side of the fire.

I decided to have some fun with Janco.  “I’ll tell you, but you have to keep it a secret.”

“Okay.”

“You can’t even tell Ari.  Promise?”

A pause, then a weak, “Okay.  I promise.”

“It’s the Commander.”

Valek tightened his grip.  He and I knew the Commander did have magic, but not in the same way as a magician.  The Commander’s mother’s soul remained with him.  She had been a healer before she died in childbirth.

Janco groaned.  “Yeah, right, and I’m a Master Magician.  That’s just nasty.”

Valek relaxed.

“Not as nasty as being executed for having magical powers.  You know you can’t keep a secret.”

“We wouldn’t hang him or her if the person helped us,” Janco said.

“Are you sure?  I remember a magician who saved the Commander’s life and she wasn’t given a stay of execution.” 

“You can’t use that.  He burned that order a year later.”

“When he decided I could be of use as a Liaison between Ixia and Sitia.  Back when he wished to play nice with Sitia.  Now, who knows?  It’s very easy to write another order.”

“No.  You’re wrong,” Janco said with conviction.  “Even if your powers come back, he won’t do that.”

The word “if” pricked my soul. 

“He won’t,” Valek whispered in my ear.  “Because I will not let him or anyone else harm you.”

I turned my head.  “What if he orders you?”  When the Commander had written the execution order eight years ago, he hadn’t given it to Valek.  If he had, then Valek would have killed me.  No doubt.  His loyalty to the Commander was absolute.  And I understood and accepted it.

“Then it will be the first time I’ve disobeyed a direct order.”

Wow.  That was new.  Warmth spread throughout my chest and it wasn’t because of the fire.

About Maria:

Maria V. Snyder changed from being a meteorologist to a novelist in 1995, when she began writing to keep her sanity while raising two children. Since then, she has published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and teaches fiction-writing classes at the local college and area libraries. The classes give her the wonderful opportunity to encourage fellow writers, and to keep improving her craft.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. Dreaming of chasing tornados, Maria earned a bachelors of science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. But she discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. In order to chase tornados you had to predict where they might form. Creating fantasy worlds where she has complete control of the weather was more agreeable to her.

Maria's research on food-tasting methods with an expert chocolate taster, her husband, turned out to be a delicious bonus while writing Poison Study.

Maria has a brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, and enjoys playing volleyball and the cello. Traveling in general and via cruise ship in particular are her biggest distractions from writing. Maria has traveled to Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

Maria lives with her husband, son, daughter and yellow lab, Hazelnut, in Pennsylvania where she is at work on more LUNA novels. She is also pursuing a master's degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University.

Readers are welcome to contact Maria at the following email address:maria@mariavsnyder.com.

Where you can find Maria:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

6 Winners will receive a finished copy of NIGHT STUDY, US Only.

4 winners will receive a finished copy of NIGHT STUDY, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/18/2016- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview

1/19/2016- The Bibliophile Chronicles- Review

1/20/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

1/21/2016- The Moonlight Library- Review

1/22/2016- Read Now Sleep Later- Interview

Week Two:

1/25/2016- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review

1/26/2016- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Excerpt

1/27/2016- a GREAT read- Review

1/28/2016- Fiktshun- Interview

1/29/2016- Mundie Moms- Review

Go back to were it all started!

Trust me you'll want to read these too they're set in the same world! With a lot of the same characters!

  

Also Maria posts tons of short stories on her website set in the same world!

Book Review- NIGHT STUDY by Maria V. Snyder

Title: NIGHT STUDY
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Mira
Formats: Paperback & eBook
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks
Rating: OBSESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia are safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear. 

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he's quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he's been keeping secrets from Valek...secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander's mysterious plans, they realize it's far more sinister that they could have ever imagined.

Perfection! That is all! I know I probably sound like a broken record when it comes to Maria and her books. But I just can't say enough good things! You would think there would be one meh book out of the 5 Study books but there isn't! They are all truly amazing and Night Study was no different! I can't even begin to talk about all the awesomeness that happens in this book because it would be way too spoilery! I loved that we got POV's from Yelena and Valek and Janco again (yay!) but we also got a new POV which was Leif. I really loved reading his side of the story although it made me hungry lol

The story is so intense and so is the romance and magic!!! I am dying to get my hands on Dawn Study!

Valek is just *swoons* Lets just say Valek has ruined all men for me. Nobody could even come close to him. 

POISON STUDY Chapters 9-17 Thoughts & A Giveaway!

Hey Everyone!

Today I'm posting my thoughts about Chapters 1-8 of POISON STUDY! I re-read this while series every year and I seems I discover new things or things I didn't think about each time! I was also very happy to be able to read chapter 1 from Valek's POV! I got to host that stop during the blog tour if you haven't read it go HERE! Also Maria is posting chapter notes on her POISON STUDY 10 Year Anniversary events page and I have been reading them after each chapter I finish. Go HERE to read Maria's notes!

I'm skipping right to chapter 16 first! We finally get to meet Ari and Janco in this chapter!!! If you're new to this series trust me you will love them and if you're an old fan I'm sure you probably smiled when you got to this one. Everyone knows Valek has my heart but Janco would be my bff in real life!! Ok back to chapter 9 and a short synopsis of the rest! We start to learn how ballsy Yelena is I mean really who gets out of prison to become a poison taster and asks for a salary? I know I wouldn't have thought of it I would be too scared of dying every day lol. We also get to meet a mysterious woman who will become a pivotal part of the series so I hope you paid attention! Also Yelena finally starts her weapons training with Ari and Janco which is hilarious with Janco's taunts. I'm going to keep my notes short each week because if I didn't this post may become a novel lol.

What I really want to know is your thoughts! Are you new to the series or is this a re-read for you as well. Please leave your links to your posts in my comments section. I promise I will read and comment on every post!

Make sure to stop by our other hosts posts too to see their thoughts!

Two Chicks on Books

Fiktshun

Parajunkee

Mundie Moms

Read Now SleepLater

The read-along schedule:

October 4th-10th: Chapters 1-8

October 11th-17th: Chapters 9-17 This week

October 18th-24th: Chapters 18-25

October 25th-31st: Chapters 26-32 and closing post

The giveaway:

Giveaway Details:

10 winners to match 10 years!

Grand Prize is a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study and Magic Study (both books).

First Place a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study

5 winners will get a signed cover flat of the original cover of Poison Study

3 winners will get a signed original bookmark for Poison Study

a Rafflecopter giveaway

POISON STUDY Chapter's 1-8 thoughts and A Giveaway!

Hey Everyone!

Today I'm posting my thoughts about Chapters 1-8 of POISON STUDY! I re-read this while series every year and I seems I discover new things or things I didn't think about each time! I was also very happy to be able to read chapter 1 from Valek's POV! I got to host that stop during the blog tour if you haven't read it go HERE! Also Maria is posting chapter notes on her POISON STUDY 10 Year Anniversary events page and I have been reading them after each chapter I finish. Go HERE to read Maria's notes!

One of the things I never thought of was Valek's awareness of Yelena. I honestly thought he was surprised when he met her but man knowing that he knew who she was beforehand it changes things for my re-read. Also knowing that when Yelena's magic first appears that Maria had no idea where it was going to lead was also quite interesting I had no idea she was a pantser! But what I love the most is just revisiting my favorite place and people. 

I'm going to keep this fairly short since I could ramble on for days about this book but here's some things I was thinking while re-reading these first  8 chapters. I love Yelena's strength and resourcefulness, she's truly one  of the first badass MC's I ever read! She doesn't need someone to rescue her and I think that's awesome. Valek is sexy as hell and scary as hell at the same thime I think that;s what drew me to him and why he's my #1 All time Book Boyfriend. And I alwys forget how much I miss Ari and Janco and how much they make me laugh these 2 would be my best friends IRL! Also I knew when I met the commander that there was something unusual about him but now knowing what it is I can definitely see the "little things".

What I really want to know is your thoughts! Are you new to the series or is this a re-read for you as well. Please leave your links to your posts in my comments section. I promise I will read and comment on every post!

Make sure to stop by our other hosts posts too to see their thoughts!

Two Chicks on Books

Fiktshun

Parajunkee

Mundie Moms

Read Now Sleep Later

The read-along schedule:

October 4th-10th: Chapters 1-8

October 11th-17th: Chapters 9-17

October 18th-24th: Chapters 18-25

October 25th-31st: Chapters 26-32 and closing post

The giveaway:

Giveaway Details:

10 winners to match 10 years!

Grand Prize is a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study and Magic Study (both books).

First Place a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study

5 winners will get a signed cover flat of the original cover of Poison Study

3 winners will get a signed original bookmark for Poison Study

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour- POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder an Exclusive Excerpt and A Giveaway!

I am so excited to be hosting a spot on the POISON STUDY 10 Year Anniversary blog tour I am freaking OBSESSED with this series! I have an exclusive excerpt from Valek's POV (Chapter 1 of POISON STUDY!!!) to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway to win some very rare prizes!
Haven't heard of POISON STUDY? Check it out!

Title: POISON STUDY

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Release Date: October 1, 2005

Pages: 361

Publisher: Luna

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear... 

Other covers for the book:

Now on to chapter 1 from Valek's POV!

POISON STUDY

Chapter 1 – Valek’s POV

by: Maria V. Snyder

          The body hit the floor with a thud. After a few more convulsions, the man died with a final breathy exhale.

          Glancing up, the Commander put the file he'd been reading down onto his neat desk.  "What was wrong with this one, Valek?"

          "He'd grown sloppy and lazy. If only he'd taken his time, he wouldn't have died." Valek stood and grabbed the tray.  "I'll get you some fresh breakfast."

          "And train a new food taster. You'll have to take over the job until the next taster is ready. It's risky."

          "Only if you don't know what you're doing." Valek stepped over the body.

          "And have someone dispose of Oscar's body."

          "It's Oscove...or it was."

          "Just get it done."

          "Yes, sir."

          "And don't play around with the next guy. Train him quick."

          Valek paused at the threshold. "Her. The next person scheduled for execution is female."

          "The one who murdered General Brazell's son?" The Commander's voice held a weary indulgence. "You just can't leave that one alone. Can you?"

          "There's more going on with her and I need to find out what it is."

          "Brazell won't be happy."

          "I'm counting on that." 

          "Just make sure it doesn’t affect my meetings with him."

          "Yes, sir." Valek wove through the maze of desks and clusters of officers in the throne room. But his thoughts were on the prisoner who was going to be offered the choice—execution or become the Commander's new food taster.

          Only two people have chosen the noose since the Commander had taken over the Territory of Ixia fifteen years ago. Both had been loyal to the assassinated King of Ixia and chose death over working for the Commander. The rest had hoped to escape and, when they learned it was impossible, turned corrupt or lazy or both. Oscove had been selling secrets to their enemies, which Valek as the Chief of Security for Ixia tolerated until the risks outweighed the benefits.

          Valek brought the Commander a clean plate of eggs then he arranged for the removal of Oscove's body before sending an agent to fetch the next prisoner on death row. Returning to his office, he cleared the files off the extra chair and settled at his desk. A breeze blew from the open window behind him and mid-morning sunlight warmed his back—the one perk of wearing an all-black uniform—otherwise it was bloody hot.

          Opening a dossier, he scanned the information on the prisoner. Yelena had been in the dungeon for almost a year. She was eighteen years old when she slit Reyad's throat with a knife, killing him. Valek noted that Reyad had been found on the bed in his room. The sheets soaked with his blood. The most obvious explanation—rape didn't quite fit. For one, she admitted to the murder, but didn't say why she killed him. Not that it mattered why to the Commander. He didn't tolerate homicide from the citizens of Ixia. Self-defense, accident, or pre-meditated—they all resulted in the same sentence. Death.

          But it irked Valek. He wanted...no he needed an explanation. She had been one of Brazell's orphans. Raised with others who lost their parents, educated and doted on—if he believed the snide comments from the other Ixian generals. Why would she repay his kindness and generosity by murdering his only son? Something strange was going on with Reyad and perhaps Brazell as well. Valek hoped to find out.

          Before Yelena arrived, Valek decided to downplay his interest in the circumstances surrounding her incarceration—act as if he didn't care as long as she performed her job.

          A light tap on his door announced the arrival of two dungeon guards, escorting the prisoner. They approached his desk. As Yelena scanned his office, Valek studied the sorry sight in front of him. Coated with muck, bleeding from various scrapes, wearing a tattered prison gown, the poor thing strained to remain upright under the weight of the chains hanging about her. The acrid dungeon stench wafting off her polluted the air. He hadn’t expected her to be so…bedraggled and pathetic. She wouldn’t survive the first test.

          Valek met her gaze. An icy calm stared back at him—almost as if challenging him.  Interesting. 

“A woman? The next prisoner to be executed is a woman?” He used his most severe tone while pretending to be surprised.

The poor thing quivered and Valek felt a pang of guilt for being so harsh. Softening his voice, he said, “I should have taken the time to reread your dossier.”  Valek discharged the guards with a wave. “You’re dismissed.” After they left, he motioned for Yelena to sit down on the chair before she fell over. 

Her chains jangled when she sat. 

He flipped open her file and feigned reading the information. “Yelena, today may be your lucky day.” Valek spotted a brief flare of anger before she bowed her head. She probably thought he referred to her impending execution. He had various reactions to that comment from the other food tasters. Most raged at him, thinking they had nothing left to lose. A couple picked up on the “may be” and allowed a glimmer of hope to show through.  

“Well behaved and respectful. You’re starting to look like a good candidate,” he said, trying to goad her into a response.

Still avoiding his gaze, she studied the items on his desk instead of reacting to his comment.

He switched tactics. “You’ve been tried and found guilty of murdering General Brazell’s only son, Reyad.” Valek paused and stoked his temple as if suddenly making a realization.  “That explains why Brazell’s here this week, and why he has been unusually interested in the execution schedule.”

Finally, the woman reacted, but not quite as expected. There was fear. However her body stiffened in…determination. Would she try to plead for her life?

“I suppose you’re going to protest the conviction. Say you were framed or you killed out of self-defense.” Valek leaned back, waiting.

“No, sir.” Her voice rasped. “I killed him.”

Completely surprised, he straightened. He didn’t know whether to be impressed or disappointed she didn’t try to explain her actions. Either way, she managed to amaze him—something only a few people have done. Valek laughed. “This may work out better than I’d planned. Yelena, I’m offering you a choice. You can either be executed, or you can be Commander Ambrose’s new food taster. His last taster died recently, and we need to fill the position.”

Yelena stared at him in shock. “A fool would refuse the job.”

“Well, it’s a lifetime position. The training can be lethal. After all, how can you identify poisons in the Commander’s food if you don’t know what they taste like?” Valek paused to let the information sink in and to see if she’d jump in with questions. When she didn’t, he continued, “You’ll get a room in the castle to sleep, but most of the day you’ll be with the Commander. No days off. No husband or children. Some prisoners have chosen execution instead. At least then they know exactly when they’re going to die, rather than guessing if it’s going to come with the next bite.” He snapped his teeth together for effect.

Valek knew her thoughts were whirling by the way she trembled.

“Who tastes the Commander’s food now?” she asked.

Interesting question. Was she still stunned or was she smarter than he thought? “I do. So I’m anxious to find a replacement. Also the Code of Behavior states that someone whose life is forfeit must be offered the job.”

Yelena stood as if unable to keep still. She dragged her chains with her as she explored his office. Valek wondered what she was thinking. He hoped she’d take the position.

She faced him, and he asked, “What shall I tell the executioner?”

“I am not a fool.”

No she wasn’t. Not all all. Valek suppressed a grin, getting to know her was going to be an enjoyable challenge.

About Maria:

Maria V. Snyder changed from being a meteorologist to a novelist in 1995, when she began writing to keep her sanity while raising two children. Since then, she has published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and teaches fiction-writing classes at the local college and area libraries. The classes give her the wonderful opportunity to encourage fellow writers, and to keep improving her craft.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. Dreaming of chasing tornados, Maria earned a bachelors of science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. But she discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. In order to chase tornados you had to predict where they might form. Creating fantasy worlds where she has complete control of the weather was more agreeable to her.

Maria's research on food-tasting methods with an expert chocolate taster, her husband, turned out to be a delicious bonus while writing Poison Study.

Maria has a brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, and enjoys playing volleyball and the cello. Traveling in general and via cruise ship in particular are her biggest distractions from writing. Maria has traveled to Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

Maria lives with her husband, son, daughter and yellow lab, Hazelnut, in Pennsylvania where she is at work on more LUNA novels. She is also pursuing a master's degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University.

Readers are welcome to contact Maria at the following email address:maria@mariavsnyder.com.

Where you can find Maria:

Website/Blog/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

10 winners to match 10 years!

Grand Prize is a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study and Magic Study (both books).

First Place a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study

5 winners will get a signed cover flat of the original cover of Poison Study

3 winners will get a signed original bookmark for Poison Study

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the Tour Schedule!

Week One:

9/28/2015-Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Scavenger Hunt

9/29/2015- a GREAT read- Scavenger Hunt

9/30/2015- Seeing Double In Neverland- Scavenger Hunt

10/1/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

10/2/2015- Alice Marvels- Scavenger Hunt

Week Two:

10/5/2015- Fiktshun- Scavenger Hunt

10/6/2015- Read Now Sleep Later- Scavenger Hunt

10/7/2015- Mundie Moms- Guest Post

10/8/2015- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Scavenger Hunt

10/9/2015- Parajunkee- Scavenger Hunt