Blog Tour- OF NEPTUNE an Interview and a Giveaway!

I adore Anna Banks and her books so I always jump at the chance to have her on the blog and do I have a treat for you today! I haven't had Anna here in a long time but she's finally back to answer some question about the series and her upcoming projects! Check it out and make sure to enter the awesome giveaway below!
Haven't heard of OF NEPTUNE? Check it out!

Title: OF NEPTUNE

Author: Anna Banks

Publisher: Macmillan

Pages: 336

Pub. Date: May 13, 2014

Find it: Goodreads |Amazon| Barnes & Noble 

Emma and Galen’s kingdom and their love is threatened by long-lost Syrena in the brilliant conclusion to Anna Banks bestselling trilogy.

Emma, half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean and the land-dwelling, freshwater Syrena. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love but their ocean kingdoms.

In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.

Now on to the interview!

Hi Anna! First I want to say welcome back to Two Chicks on Books! It feels like forever since I’ve had you or your characters here to visit! Thanks for stopping by to answer my questions!

How does it feel knowing the end to your series will be in readers’ hands soon?

I’m more nervous than excited, really. There’s a lot of pressure to wrapping up a trilogy the right way, and I’m not sure if the path I took was the right one—but I’ll let the reader decide. It’s out of my hands, and if I made the reader feel, then I’ve done my job.

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

I have the most boring answer to this question—No. The characters are all people I’d like to know, so I made them up in my head. Even in the case of the villains (yes, there are multiple villains!), I didn’t draw from experience. It’d be pretty scary if I actually knew someone that evil. 

Has your writing changed at all from OF POSEIDON to OF NEPTUNE?

I think so. OF POSEIDON starts out as a light, romantic read, but by the time you get to OF NEPTUNE, you have what I would call a romantic thriller (Is that a thing?). The mood of my writing changed from each book, but what I’m hoping is that my writing improved each time. I think that’s the goal of every author, to step it up with the next book.

What can readers expect in this final installment are we going to cry or want to kill any of the characters?

You might cry. You might want to kill some of the characters. You might want to kill me.  You’ll want to high-five Rayna. You’ll want to hate Reed, but you won’t be sure if you should. You’ll want to shake Galen and say, “For real???”

What is for favorite passage/scene in OF NEPTUNE?

The very last scene. That’s all I can really say. But it’s been a long time coming. 

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

I didn’t have to do a whole lot of research here because I laid the foundation for everything in the first two books, it was just a matter of tying them all together.

Now that the Syrena Legacy series is over what are you writing now? Something that involves a Yeti perhaps? ;) ;)

Ha! I’ve got Sasquatch on my back burner always. As soon as I come up with a plot that wouldn’t be entirely silly, you can believe I’ll be writing it! Until then, I just finished edits on my YA Contemporary called JOYRIDE (think Bonnie & Clyde meets Pretty In Pink), which will release next spring. Now I’m writing a very complicated YA Sci-fi that I’m stupid excited over. Like, even if it never gets published, I’m going to finish it and pet it and feed it at night and snuggle with it during the day.

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

Like the rest of the world, I’m awaiting RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo. I’ve been holding off on starting THE SELECTION series because I’m not good at waiting for books to come out, so I’m really looking forward to reading that. And I have yet to delve into the world that is Jennifer Armentrout, but this summer I shall remedy that. 

Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend?

I want to say Four because Theo James, but really Four is too tough for me. I’d have to go with Mr. Darcy. He likes feistiness, but I don’t have to jump from trains and crap.

What inspired you to write YA?

I was working two jobs and that was starting to take a toll on my health and family life, soA I ended up quitting my evening job. THAT left me with too much time on my hands, so I started reading. It had been years since I read a book. And what did I pick up? The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. After I read the whole series (devoured, really) I thought to myself, "If this writer can get published, then surely I can published!"

Now don't get me wrong, I know how bad that sounds. I'm not dissing Stephenie Meyer or her series or her writing. The point is, she made it so easy to read and enjoy her books, that I thought I could do the same. (Please note, I now know there is a saying among writers: Easy reading is damn hard writing.) And so I started writing. And it was...hard. Way harder than Stephenie Meyer made it look. But by then I was hooked. I wanted to get published so badly. So I pushed and pushed and pushed.

      So I guess I should send Stephenie Meyer a thank you card!

I love that Hebel Design has done a jewelry line for the books! What is your favorite out of the collection?

I adore the Syrena Bracelet and the Midi Rings, but I think my favorite is Nalia’s pearl necklace.

Thanks so much Anna for answering my questions! I can’t wait to read OF NEPTUNE and I’ll have my tissues at the ready 

About Anna:

Anna Banks is a young adult author whose primary goal is to entertain smart, funny gals like herself. You can expect her works to be centered around a love story, freckled with humor, and seasoned with sarcasm.

Anna grew up in a small town called Niceville (yes, really) in the Florida Panhandle. She now lives with her husband and daughter close to her hometown. The youngest of seven children, she was spoiled beyond comprehension growing up. Before she started writing, Anna worked as a banker and a waitress. She loves old movies, fried chicken, and Simon Cowell, but loathes exercise, licorice, and haters.

She also spews sarcastic, romantic fiction under pen name Anna Scarlett.

Learn more about Of Poseidon.

Learn more about Of Triton.

Learn more about Girls Day Out.

Join in on social media with #OfNeptune.

Add Of Neptune to your to-read list on Goodreads.

See Anna Banks on the Spring 2014 Fierce Reads tour!

Visit Anna’s website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Giveaway Details:

1 set of the Syrena Legacy series (Paperbacks of Of Poseidon and Of Triton and a hardcover of OF Neptune)  US/Canada Only.

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Of Neptune Blog Tour Schedule

Sunday, May 4
Into the Hall of Books

Monday, May 5
YA Sisterhood

Tuesday, May 6
Bewitched Bookworms

Wednesday, May 7
Mermaid Vision

Thursday, May 8
My Guilty Obsession

Friday, May 9
Icey Books

Saturday, May 10
Two Chicks on Books

Sunday, May 11
A Page of Heaven

Monday, May 12
YA Bibliophile

Tuesday, May 13
MacTeenBooks

Blog Tour- Of Triton by Anna Banks and a Giveaway!

Hey y’all! I’m super excited to have this post today! I loved Anna Banks OF POSEIDON and the sequel OF TRITON is just as awesome!!! Two of my favorite characters in the books are Galen’s best friend, Toraf and Rayna, Galen’s little sister. Why do I love these characters so much you ask? Well they’re bond mates and they are hilarious I mean they bring the comic relief to the books and they bicker like an old married couple. And they’re just teenagers LOL

Ok so on to the awesome part! I got to interview them!!!! So look below for their LOL answers and make sure to enter the giveaway for a paperback of OF POSEIDON and a hardcover of OF TRITON and an OF POSEIDON book mark!!(US and Canada only)

Hi Anna, Toraf, and Rayna!

Thanks so much for answering some questions for the Of Triton blog tour!

Anna: Thanks times infinity for having us today. Toraf and I are so grateful to be here, and Rayna has even promised to be tolerable.  Which is a HUGE compliment.

Ok so here are the questions.

So when did you two know that you were “the one” for each other?

TORAF: When? I don’t know. When I was born? I mean, it’s not something that just hit me one day. I always knew it would be me and her.

RAYNA: *shrugs* When Grom had us sealed, I guess. Not a lot you can do after that.

TORAF: Aw, princess, that hurts my feelings.

RAYNA: Better your feelings than your nose, right?

Rayna what is your fascination of the surface? Would you rather live there instead of the water?

RAYNA: It’s just that humans are so strange. They have so much stuff, more stuff than they ever could truly cherish. They have different clothes for the daytime and the nighttime. The females match their face and fingernail paint to their clothes. They have about a million gadgets you can use to cook a fish. They’re obsessed with spying on other humans through the fat screens in their living rooms. And apparently they have horrible memories, since they take pictures of EVERYTHING.

You’re all just so entertaining and silly. Who wouldn’t want to live on land and watch you?

Ha thanks I guess.

Toraf you have some mad tracking skills. Do you ever wish you didn’t have all that responsibility so you could spend more time with Rayna?

TORAF: I always want to spend more time with Rayna, but I usually need my Tracking abilities in order to find her first. She plays this adorable game where she tries to hide from me, don’t you princess?

Hides? I’d never hide from you Toraf *makes dreamy eyes*

What do you two think of Galen and Emma together?

RAYNA: *rolls eyes* I think Galen is a complete hypocrite. Growing up, he used to tease me endlessly about loving human things, and then he hauls off and falls in love with one of them!  I mean, she is a Half-Breed, I know, but she’s more human than anything else. She doesn’t even have a fin! And sometimes they act like we’re not even there, which is rude.

TORAF: I’m just glad Galen came to his senses. I thought he was going to go mad, trying to hide his feelings for her like that. Poor minnow. Of course, their relationship could never be as passionate as mine and Rayna’s—OUCH! What did I say, princess?  

LOL Behave Rayna!

What’s coming up next for the two of you can we have any hints about book 3?

RAYNA: Let’s just say King Antonis has more secrets than the beach has sand. And I get to hit people.

TORAF: And I am practically useless.

Useless? Never!

What is your favorite thing about the surface? Favorite Food? Music?

RAYNA: I like sleeping in a bed. It’s so soft, like floating on thick water. My favorite food is those sweet cookie things Rachel makes with the Nimy Nims in them. Music? What, that noise you guys make? *snorts*

TORAF: Uh, I like the bed too—OW! Sorry, princess.

Hahahahaha ok you two I think we should stop before Rayna does some serious damage to Toraf’s arm ;)

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions!! 

In this sequel to OF POSEIDON, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

  

Make sure to check out some cool stuff!

Anna Banks will be on tour in June as part of the Fierce Reads Tour. Get all the info/dates: https://www.facebook.com/FierceReads/events

Of Triton is featured in our Spring 2013 Fierce Reads Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/w-F_U3TtW24

Pre-order Of Triton  and Anna Banks will send you bonus content! Details: http://byannabanks.blogspot.com/2013/04/of-triton-pre-order-bonus-content.html

Follow Anna Banks on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ByAnnaBanks

Become a fan of Fierce Reads on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/FierceReads

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Make sure you stop by all of the other Tour Stops!

Monday 5/13

Bewitched Bookworms

Tuesday 5/14

Ex Libris

Wednesday 5/15

The Book Cellar

Thursday 5/16

Two Chicks on Books

Friday 5/17

Icey Books

Monday 5/20

Tales of a Ravenous Reader

Tuesday 5/21

The Cozy Reader

Wednesday 5/22

Mermaid Visions

Thursday 5/23

MacTeenBooks

Friday 5/24

Carina’s Books

Of Poseidon Blog Tour Release Day!!!! And a Giveaway!

We are super stoked today one of Jaime’s favorite characters from Of Poseidon by Anna Banks has graced us with his presence! Toraf the fierce tracker, loyal friend, comic extraordinaire (and bane of Rayna’s existence lol) has stopped by to tell us why Galen and Emma are perfect for each other.

It also just happens to be Of Poseidon’s release day so Happy Bok Birthday Anna!!!! *Throws Confetti*!!!!!!! We also have a finished copy of Of Poseidon up for grabs so make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Toraf’s Take

First of all, why does everyone keep asking how I “feel” about things? What’s to feel? Are humans really that emotional about everything?…Anyway, how do I “feel” about Galen and Emma?

First, you have to understand a few things about Galen. No one knows Galen better than I do, not even his sister Rayna (and there’s no reason for you to tell her I said that). I’ve known the Royal twins since we were all fingerlings learning how to swim straight, and I’ve been good friends with Galen since the first time he punched me for staring at his sister.

Most of the time, Galen is a good little minnow. He’s loyal and honorable and everything a Triton prince should be. Oh, don’t worry, he’s not boring all the time. Sometimes his jokes are even as funny as mine.

But Galen has serious flaws too, such as the way he talks to Rayna. Like the time he yelled at her for embarrassing the Triton Royals at an Archival ceremony. If he wouldn’t have been irritating her in the first place, then she wouldn’t have tried to bite him. And if she wouldn’t have tried to bite him then she wouldn’t have accidentally missed and bitten the ink out of the squid he was holding. And if she wouldn’t have bitten the ink out of the squid then she wouldn’t have had to attend an Archival ceremony with stained teeth. But to this day he will not take any blame for that, even though it was clearly his fault!

And that’s another of Galen’s flaws: He’s stubborn as a bullshark. Which is why Emma is perfect for him. As a Royal, Galen’s not used to being disobeyed or sassed or ignored or made fun of or interrupted or yelled at. He’s used to getting his way mostly. That’s why it’s good for him to struggle so hard with Emma. Sure, it’s excessively entertaining to watch, but more than that, Galen needs a little excitement. I mean, how interesting can serving as ambassador to the humans be? (No offense.)

But ever since he met Emma, he’s not as confident as he used to be. He doesn’t think he knows every single thing anymore. Sometimes he even asks me for advice. Me, who he always used to call an idiot. (Well, he still does call me an idiot, but nearly as much as he used to.) Now he’s realizing just how much he needs me. I mean, you should have seen Galen’s face when he admitted that he felt tingles when he touched Emma that first time on the beach. I would trade my good looks just to see that face again.

Of course Galen gets frustrated with Emma, but I think he secretly likes it. All of it. And why shouldn’t he? Syrena live to be hundreds of years old. That’s a long time. I think—oops, sorry, I “feel”—that deep down in his little minnow heart, Galen knows Emma will make things interesting for him. Just look how interesting things have gotten since he met her just a few weeks ago, right?

So how do I “feel” about Galen’s and Emma’s pull toward each other? I “feel” a sand dollar could have seen that coming.

If you haven’t read Of Poseidon yet you definitely should add it to your Goodreads shelves. And check out Jaime’s review of Of Poseidon here!

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Order your copy today!

Jaime's Review of Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon

Anna Banks

Hardcover: 336 pages

Release Date: May 22, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan)

ISBN: 1250003324

Source: ARC from Netgalley

Rating: Obsessed

From Goodreads. Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . . Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Of Poseidon is one of the best mermaid books I’ve ever read (or as Galen says mermaid is a derogatory term so Syrena lol)! But back to my thoughts I literally devoured this book! I haven’t laughed or smiled so much while reading in a long time. My cheeks literally hurt after certain scenes and I got crazy looks from my family when a giggling fit would erupt. One of my favorite things about this book was it was told from both Emma and Galen’s POV’s I love a book with multiple POV’s.

The MC Emma was awesome! I loved that even though she was a bit clumsy she was brave and hilarious; some of the things that came out of her mouth had me reeling and I love that she wouldn’t put up with Galen’s crap most of the time. Galen is hotness personified tall dark and handsome with piercing violet eyes and he’s the serious side of the book but, his desire and passion left me in a puddle of goo. Two of my other favorite characters were Rayna and Toraf they both had me in stitches with laughter the book wouldn’t have been the same without them.

I adored this story of as Emma might say “Ohmysweetgoodness” this was awesome!!!I loved how the back-story of both Poseidon and Triton were told as well as Atlantis and that Emma is a Titanic nut. There’s an awesome part in the story that involves Titanic that made me say “aww” out loud and made me gush and tear up. The structure of the royal houses and their relationships was also told well and I can’t wait for book two because I think we’ll see more of that especially with that cliffhanger of and ending. Yes I said it. Yes Anna did, she wrote the dreaded cliffhanger but it was an amazing ending so I’ll forgive her ;)

I chose one of the passages that made me giggle between Emma and Galen.

I had to force a nervous laugh. “Well, the good news is, you don’t have to worry about me rejecting you anymore.”

He shakes his head. “That is good news. But you say it like it’s not”

I take a deep breath. Where is a good lightning bolt when you need one? Because even if I take a hundred deep breaths, this will still be humiliating….

“Emma?”

“I told my mom we’re dating,” I blurt. There. Doesn’t that feel better? Nope. Nope, it doesn’t

While his smile surprises me, it mostly mesmerizes me beyond rational thought. “Are you kidding?” he says.

I shake my head. “It’s the only thing she would believe. So now…now you have to pretend that we’re dating if you come to my house. But don’t worry, you don’t ever have to go over there again. And in a few days, I’ll pretend that we broke up.”

He laughs. “No you won’t. I told her the same thing.”

“Shut. Up.”

“Why? What’d I say?”

“No, I mean, did you really tell her that? Why would you do that?”

He shrugs. “Same reason you did. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

Make sure to add Of Poseidon to your Goodreads shelves.

Pre-order it now you don’t want to miss this one!!!!!

Of Poseidon Trailer Reveal and Giveaway

We are very excited to bring you a trailer reveal today for Of Poseidon as well as an arc giveaway, thanks to MacMillan Books! First here's a synopsis of Of Poseidon:

Synopsis: Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . . Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Sounds awesome, right?! Look for Jaime's review soon :) Now on to the trailer...

Now I'm sure you're really excited about this book and asking yourself well how can I get a copy? Well as we mentioned above Macmillan is giving away an ARC of Of Poseidon and all you have to do is enter below: