The Dark Unwinding Blog Tour: Interview with Sharon Cameron and Giveaway!

I am proud to be a part of the marvelous blog tour for Sharon Cameron’s marvelous book, The Dark Unwinding. I love this title so much! Hannah at the Book Vortex organized this blog tour and she did a wonderful job, as usual. You should all go out and get a copy of the Dark Unwinding; it is fantastic! Sharon answered some of my questions and I hope you all enjoy her responses! Below is some more info on Sharon and her book.

 

Sharon Cameron Author Bio:

Sharon Cameron was awarded the 2009 Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for her debut novel, The Dark Unwinding. When not writing Sharon can be found thumbing dusty tomes, shooting her longbow, or indulging in her lifelong search for secret passages.

You can find Sharon…

on Twitter: @CameronSharonE
on Facebook: Sharon Cameron’s Page
on her Website: sharoncameron.com

 

 

The Dark Unwinding by: Sharon Cameron
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: September 1, 2012
Genre: Steampunk, Historical, Mystery
Page Count: 318
Buy the Book: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance!
When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.
Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.
As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

And now for the interview!

Describe The Dark Unwinding in one sentence.
The Dark Unwinding is an eerie gothic mystery with splashes of steampunk, romance, intrigue, and insanity, a bit like Jane Eyre, only with gears!

What kind of research is involved in writing a steampunk novel?
The research for the steampunk aspects of The Dark Unwinding was much more hands on than the other topics I researched (like autism and mental illness). It involved things like listening to a steam engine, or watching clockwork run, or manufacturing gun cotton in the basement and exploding it in the back yard. Really I just needed to know how bad the gun cotton smelled (confirmation: it reeks!), but the opportunity to explode it was more than my husband could resist. Still worried we’ve put ourselves on some sort of FBI list by purchasing all those weird chemicals!

Is there a message in The Dark Unwinding that you want your readers to grasp?
Many! Compassion, and the willingness to stand up and sacrifice for those you love being two of them. But I think one of the more subtle messages in the book is the question: “what is normal?” The Victorians had such rigid ideas of “normality” and Uncle Tully certainly flies in the face of all them. I think one of the major lessons for Katharine is learning to let go of her idea of “proper” and allowing herself to become a free and independent thinker.

What do you think makes a good story?
Tone and atmosphere, to begin with. I’m always hooked immediately when I can “feel” a story from the first few sentences. And of course multi-layered characters with difficult choices make a good story. But I’m always looking for a “great” story, and for me a story becomes “great” when not only am I sucked in by the atmosphere and characters and the plot, but by a deeper meaning that runs beneath it all. It may be a meaning that only I pull out, but that’s okay!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Not a writer! The thought never occurred, which seems ridiculous to me now. I wish it had! I wanted to be a musician, and then later I wanted to teach music. I loved teaching, especially one on one, though now I realize that what I was really doing was just delving into people’s brains and learning what made them tick, which is not all that different from what I’m doing now! I think teaching was great training for developing characters.

What did you consider most challenging about writing The Dark Unwinding, or writing in general?
I think my toughest challenge so far has been learning to how to find a way to please others while pleasing myself. When you’re getting critiqued from several different sources (agent, editor, critique group) it can be hard to find ways to solve problems that are obviously problems, but in a way that still makes the story uniquely yours. I think I’m still working on this. Probably always will!

What was your inspiration for Katharine?
Well, she’s definitely a little like Jane Eyre in her strong-willed practicality, but she’s also got a liberal dash of Anne Shirley when she puts on those roller skates and goes sliding down hills.

Is there something that makes The Dark Unwinding stand out?
That’s a difficult question, Sara, especially when you’re talking about your own work! But I think maybe what makes my book different from other YA out there is that it’s not easily defined, it’s historical (only different), gothic (only different), steampunk (only different) and romance (only different). And maybe that it feels a more like a classic than most books out there, though with structure and language that is a touch more modern.

Thanks so much to Sharon for the wonderful interview! I definitely think that The Dark Unwinding is unique to YA!

 

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Reading Road Trip Giveaway 2012: Georgia!

Hello, everyone! Today I have the pleasure of featuring the state I live in, Georgia, on the 2012 Reading Road Trip, hosted by Britta at I Like These Books and Hafsah at Icey Books.  Before I get start on the fabulous giveaway, I am going to show you some fun things to do in Georgia that I have either done or want to do.



Amicalola Falls
I've been here a few times and it is always wondrous and beautiful. A wonderful place to go hiking, have brunch at the lodge, go camping, or simply enjoy the view.

Georgia Aquarium

I've been here many times and it is always awe striking how big everything is. They have the largest viewing window in North America and a tunnel you can walk through with a gigantic tank as its walls.

 

Decatur Book Festival

I've been here once and it blew me away. I heard somewhere that it is the largest book festival in the South or US. There are always some of my favorite authors there. I saw Cassandra Clare there when I went. The author I am featuring in this giveaway, Jackson Pearce, was also at the same signing. She was dressed as Magnus Bane! It was hilarious and absolutely the best bookish time I've had. Here is the link to the DBF website. 

And now time for the giveaway!

I dedicated my giveaway to Jackson Pearce. She lives in Atlanta and writes fairytale retellings and contemporary. My giveaway is of two of her books! Her Fairytale Retellings books are getting new paperback covers but I'm not sure when those release. If you want one please specify when you win and I will see what I can do.  Good luck!

  

   

GUIDELINES:

- 2 winners ( 1 book per winner)

- US only

- Must be 12 or older to enter

-  You may choose any of her published books ( all listed here)

- Have fun!

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Call of the Sea Blog Tour: Giveaway of SIGNED Call of the Sea by: Rebecca Hart!

I am thrilled to be a part of this blog tour of the new release, Call of the Sea! Due to school taking up all of my time, I have not had the chance to write my review yet, but fear not! There is still a fabulous giveaway to be held and my review should be up in a few days. I will link it here when it's done.
 

Author Bio:


Rebecca Hart is a single parent, full time IT geek, and reformed gaming addict living in Upstate NY. When not at the office with her nose buried in a laptop trying to fix it, she can be found at home with her nose buried in a laptop, writing instead. Her debut novel, a Paranormal Romance titled CALL OF THE SEA, will be published by Inkspell Publishing with a release date of June 21, 2012, giving Rebecca one more reason to look forward to summer. Rebecca’s short stories have been featured in anthologies published by Pill Hill Press, Wicked East Press and DFE Quarterly (erotica). She enjoys hearing and interacting with her readers.


Rebecca’s Links:
Rebecca's Website: Http://www.rebeccahartwriting.com
Rebecca on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/963528.Rebecca_Hart
Follow Rebecca on Twitter: @Rebel Hart69
Follow Rebecca on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/RebeccaHartWriting
InkSpell Publishing Website: http://www.inkspellpublishing.com/

Call of the Sea by: Rebecca Hart
Publication Date: June 21, 2012
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Page Count: 278
Summary:

Elysandra Winters has always yearned for a life of adventure on the rolling seas and is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her dream. When her Privateer father continually refuses to allow his only daughter to sail, Ellie defies him, disguises herself as a boy, and goes in search of a captain who will give her a chance to prove her worth.
Thanks to the cursed selkie blood coursing through his veins, Daniel O'Rourke needs the sea to survive. After giving up on his humanity and spending three years in seal form, he decides to give his human side another chance. Daniel goes in search of a job and a sense of normalcy, earning himself a position aboard Captain Winter’s ship, The Siren's Call. However, his new captain’s first assignment has nothing at all to do with sailing, and everything to do with his headstrong young daughter.
Years later, when the leader of a band of bloodthirsty pirates murders Captain Winters, Daniel and Elysandra’s lives come crashing back together with the force of a hurricane. Both experts in deception, they must find a way to trust each other if they are to have any hope of hunting down the captain’s killer.

***You can buy Call of the Sea at 30% off at the Inkspell Publishing Store June 21-30!
And now for the giveaway!!


 

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Want to follow this blog tour? Here are the stops!

June 7-The Book CellarX

June 8-Through the Looking Glass

June 9-Terri Rochenski

June 11-Starting the Next Chapter

June 12-Seeing Night Reviews

June 13-Rai29 BookReadNReview

June 14-Bookaroo-ju-Review

June 15-Dreaming in Books

June 17-DJ Librarian Dishes

June 18-Jeanz BookReadNReview

June 19-Pages of Forbidden Love

June 20-BookBrats

June 21-RELEASE DAY!!-BookshelfBanter

June 22-Romance Novel News

June 23-Alluring Reads

June 24-BookLove101

June 25-BlookGirl

June 26-The Book Vortex

June 27-Bitten by Paranormal Romance

June 28-Night Owl Reviews

The Near Witch Blog Tour Stop: Video Interview with Victoria Schwab and Giveaway!

Today on the blog, I have the grand pleasure of interviewing the wonderful author of the Near Witch, Victoria Schwab! She was awesome enough to answer all of my questions in a video from her current location in France! To read my review of the Near Witch, a riveting mystery, click here. Be sure to enter the giveaway for a paperback copy of the Near Witch at the end of this post! Now, on to the fun stuff!

Here is my video interview with Victoria:

The Near Witch paperback release date is officially May 15, 2012.

Here are some links for news and info about Victoria!

Author Victoria Schwab’s Website
Victoria’s Blog
Goodreads Page
Twitter

And now for the giveaway of awesomeness!


***If the GFC widget doesn't show up on this page, go back to the homepage and it should be in the sidebar!***

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Other stops on the blog tour:

The Book Vortex – May 8
Starting the Next Chapter – May 9
Writer Quirk – May 10
Kelly – May 11
Through the Looking Glass – May 12
The Violet Hour – May 13
Word Spelunking – May 14
Starting the Next Chapter – May 16
Kelly – May 17

Between Shades of Gray Blog Tour Stop! - Character Interview and Giveaway!

Welcome! This is the first blog tour I have been a part of and it has been such a fun time working with the host, Hannah from the Book Vortex. Between Shades of Gray by: Ruta Sepetys will stay with me for years to come and I encourage every person out there to read it, even those of you who don't read will love it! With much thanks to Ruta, I am proud to have on the blog, Lina from Between Shades of Gray to answer some much anticipated questions plus a fabulous giveaway at the end of this post!


Interview with Lina:


Did you ever think about running away from the camp?

Lina: We all thought about it. We dreamed about it. We could imagine ourselves doing it. But we always came
to the same conclusion. It was selfish. If I ran from the camp I would have had to leave Jonas. He needed me. In the camp,
it was the  "we" not  "me" that was important.


What are the things that kept you going during the time you were captured?
Lina: The smallest things took on massive proportion. Seeing sparkles inside of a stone was enough to make me fight
for another day. It was proof that life had beauty to offer and that whisper of a promise was enough. And for me personally,
seeing Andrius's handwriting - where he made notes in my book - sustained me. It was part of him. It was as if I could feel him
by looking at his handwriting.


If you could go back and say one last thing to your father, what would it be?
Lina: I would tell him what I whispered so often through the lonely darkness in Siberia. "You are my hero."

How was life after you made it out of the NKVD's control?
Lina: When I returned from Siberia I was treated as a criminal. I wasn't allowed to attend university and I couldn't even rent an
apartment because I had a "criminal record." People who knew me prior to the deportation had to ignore me to protect themselves.
They couldn't be associated with me. But I understood and was grateful for what I did have - my life and the capacity to love.

There are people suffering from human trafficking, poverty, and imprisonment in the world today. What would you say to them if you had a chance?
Lina:  I probably wouldn't have to say anything. We would speak without uttering a word. We'd feel the wind blow through our hollow places onto one another. We'd recognize the absence in each other's face and the painful memories of what created that absence would make us shiver. Then perhaps I would nod, acknowledging
that the Soviets took my flag, took my language, took my country - but they would never take my spirit. And I would hope that she would nod back, proof that she too, was still fighting.

In what ways did the imprisonment change you?
Lina: I learned that suffering can be a spiritual teacher. And as difficult as it is, I learned that forgiveness is the solution to most problems. In the camps, when I let go of my anger I could literally feel strength returning to my body.

Between Shades of Gray is a bestseller and close to the hearts of thousands today. What is your reaction to the popularity and reality that your story brings to us?
Lina: I want people to know that this isn't just my story. Thousands of families from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia experienced the deportations. It's our story.
And together we're proof of the force of life, the power of love, and the miraculous nature of the human spirit. I don't want this part of history to be a secret so as
I mention in my letter in the book - please tell someone, share the story.

To learn more about Ruta, please visit rutasepetys.com. For more info about Between Shades of Gray, go to betweenshadesofgray.com




Now for the giveaway! There is a bookmark and bookplate, both signed by Ruta Sepetys up for grabs! To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter form below!

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Bree Despain Giveaway!

 So, check this out. Bree Despain, author of the fabulous Dark Divine Series, is hosting a giveaway of some uber-awesome SIGNED books! Here is everything you need to know:

What you get:
Signed copies of
1.) SILENCE by Becca Fitzpatrick
2.) DEMON GLASS by Rachel Hawkins
3.) THE DEATH CURE by James Dashner
4.) CROSSED by Ally Condie
5.) THE SAVAGE GRACE (ARC) by Bree Despain

How you get it:
Blog, tweet, facebook, yell down the street, call your mom. Ok, the last two are great, but won't work for the contest. Just tell people about THE LOST LETTERS eBook and KNTR (Kids Need to Read)  fundraiser. Then come back here and show me what you did (with links). One entry per person, but the more you do, the more money you help raise for KNTR. But as an extra added bonus, I've decided to give an extra entry to the first 10 entrants.

When you get it:
Give-away ends November 30th. I will then pick the winner via Random.org and announce it on or before Dec. 2nd here on the blog. If it's you, then you will have 30 days to claim the prize by emailing me your shipping address. If it is not claimed by then, I will assume the you do not want the prize and will pick another winner.

Seriously, I'm really excited about this. Please help me make it awesome and help put some great books in the hands of some great kids.

Oh, and don't forget to buy THE LOST LETTERS either here, or here, or you can get it in the iBooks store from your iPhone/iPad/Mac, or anywhere else eBooks are sold. Go forth and share the joy of reading!

****This was all hosted and written by Bree Despain****
See the original post here.

YA Autumn Giveaway at Dazzling Reads

Dazzling Reads is having a YA Autumn giveaway with lots of awesome books to chose from!

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
Daughter of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor
Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi
Crossed by Ally Condie
Legend by Marie Lu

Here is the link for the giveaway: http://dazzlingreads.blogspot.com/2011/10/autumn-giveaway.html