Waiting On Wednesday #104: "Revealed", by Margaret Peterson Haddix

This is a weekly event hosted by

Jill @ Breaking the Spine!!

It showcases future releases which

we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!!

Here's my choice for this week!

 Revealed

 (The Missing, #7)

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Hardcover, 400 pages

September 2, 2014

Historical Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction,

Young Adult Fiction

Amazon US/Amazon CA

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository

Book Synopsis

After a mysterious cameo from Charles Lindbergh, it’s up to Jonah to save his town in the seventh book of the New York Times bestselling The Missing series, which Kirkus Reviews calls “plenty of fun and great for history teachers as well.

It’s morning as usual at the Skidmore household—until Charles Lindbergh, the famous historical pilot, appears in their living room. Jonah can hardly believe his eyes—and then Lindbergh grabs Katherine and vanishes again. And that’s not all. Chip, Andrea, and all the other children from the plane have disappeared too. And worst of all, Jonah’s parents and all the other adults in his town have de-aged into children.

Jonah is the only one left, and the only one who can save everyone. With the help of de-aged JB and Angela, he has to collect the clues. And they lead directly back to Gary and Hodge, and a terrible plot that could mean the end of everything Jonah has ever loved. Can Jonah put the pieces together before time runs out?

Why am I waiting on this book?

I have long been fascinated by the 

concept of time travel, so

any novel dealing with this topic

will most definitely get my attention!

The plot of this one sure

sounds exciting, and that cover....

it's absolutely GORGEOUS!!

Besides, I see that the city of Paris is

somehow part of the story,

so I'm totally sold!

It's great to discover awesome writers

like this one obviously is!

 For previous volumes in this series,

just click HERE! 

(Scroll down until you find the books.)

What do you think of my 

choice this week?

What awesome books are you 

waiting on?

Author Interview: Cassandra Lawson, author of "Raven's Blood"

Please join me in welcoming Cassandra Lawson

to A Night's Dream of Books!  

She's the author of Raven's Blood, 

the fascinating new paranormal romance 

I recently featured for a Bewitching Book Tour!

Interview

Maria: Could you tell us something about your background as a writer?

Cassandra: Way back in middle school, when I was learning to type, I got bored with the quick brown fox jumping over the lazy sleeping dog.  My instructor suggested I write a story.  That was when I realized how exciting it was to create a world for fictional characters.  I continued to write on the side for many years.  In college, I took a playwriting class, where I wrote a one-act play.  This was one of my big turning points; it was the first work of fiction that I completed.  After that, I wrote when I could.  I was a single mom at the time, and life kept me pretty busy.  I did write a complete novel in the nineties.  That novel was updated and published in May of 2013.  I didn't start to write with the intention of publishing a book until January of 2013.  At that point, I needed something in my life that didn't involve taking care of my family.  I love my role as a homeschooler mom and wife, but I needed something else to balance it out.  My husband pushed me to take my writing more seriously, and I am very happy that he did.

Maria: I'm very excited about Raven's Blood, because it's not every day you see a vampire paired up with a wood nymph.  How did you arrive at such an original concept?

Cassandra: The idea for Raven's Blood came from a dream about Connor and Raven.  It was one of those exciting dreams that I just couldn't stop thinking about.  I knew immediately that Raven couldn't be human.  I also felt that, with the vampires having a science fiction-like origin, the story needed a little magic.  I went through a lot of ideas before settling on a wood nymph.  When I pictured Raven, she had a strong connection to nature, and she was a very sexual person.  The wood nymph idea seemed perfect.  When I told people that I was writing a vampire book with a wood nymph, I got many raised eyebrows, but I really think  Raven and Connor are a great match.

Maria: What do you like most about the paranormal genre, and why?

Cassandra: I love romance of all types.  Paranormal romance is my favorite because I feel that it has the most potential to fill all of my reading needs in one book.  One book can have action, romance, hot sex, and a creative new world.  I find that I get the most immersed in a good paranormal romance.

Maria: Did you encounter any challenges in writing Raven's Blood, as well as your other vampire novels?  If so, what were they, and how did you resolve them?

Cassandra: In all of my books, I struggle with physical descriptions, especially facial expressions.  I am legally blind, so these are things that I don't normally pay attention to.  I devote one of my rewrites in each book to just working on physical descriptions and gestures.

Maria: Do you use outlining when writing, or do you prefer to allow the novel to evolve as you go along?

Cassandra: I don't outline.  I do make notes if I have ideas that I can't get to at the moment.  Mostly, I just sit down and write.  Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, etc.

Maria: How many books are you planning on writing for this series?

Cassandra: Raven's Blood is the first in the series, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel.  At this point, I have two more books planned, but I suspect there will be more.

Shelf Candy Saturday #111: Giveaway Winner!! "The Winner's Curse", by Marie Rutkoski

Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!!

This is my weekly feature

showcasing beautiful book covers!

It als0 provides information,

if available, on their very talented creators!

For more information

about Shelf Candy Saturday,

just click HERE.

Here's my choice for this week!!

The Winner's Curse

(The Winner's Trilogy, #1)

Marie Rutkoski

Hardcover, 368 pages

Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux

(Tom Doherty Associates, LLC)

March 4, 2014

Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy,

Historical Fiction, Romance,

Science Fiction, Young Adult Fiction

Amazon US/Amazon CA

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository

This is the book won by giveaway participant Stephanie T.!!!

CONGRATS, STEPH!!

She has already claimed her prize!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why do I love this cover?

This is one of the covers featured in my Shelf Candy Saturday Giveaway, which ran from March 29th to April 29th.  This cover was the overwhelming favorite of the giveaway participants, and  I love it, too, so I decided to feature it this week!  I can see why it was such an overwhelming favorite -- that gorgeous dress, swirling all over the cover surface, the equally gorgeous, skinny, and very elegant white font, which has a definite Art Deco influence, all contribute to this cover's immediate visual appeal! Last but not at all least, the use of the letter "R" to frame the model's face, and then, to have her actually 'hold on' to the letter itself....sheer genius!

There's another masterful detail -- the letter opener held by the model's left hand emphasizes the downward slope of the second "N" in the title.  This just goes to show what a great eye the designer has!

Needless to say, the color of that dress, which is an incredible shade of rose peach, with touches of brown, and is patterned with flower designs, contributes to the image's richly textured feel.

Although I do have the name of this hugely talented designer -- Elizabeth H. Clark, I couldn't find anything about her on Google.  I'm not sure who the photographer is, either.  Unfortunate as this is, I don't think it takes away from the enjoyment of this cover!

   

What do you think of my choice?

Please leave a comment and 

let me know!

Thanks!!

Stacking The Shelves #33: Steadfast, The Daugthter of the Sea and the Sky, Angel, Water for Elephants, The Darkest Craving, Dream Eyes, Turned

Welcome to

Stacking The Shelves!!

This is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer, Lili,

Stephanie, Helen, and Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews!

As the title implies, this is all about

sharing the books you're adding

to your shelves, be they physical or virtual.

For the complete rules, and to sign up,

just click on the link above.

Here's this week's haul!!  

Books For Review

Click on each cover picture for the 

Goodreads or Amazon page about each book.

I received this book from the author,

David Litwack, to review

for an  upcoming blog tour!

It looks like a great fantasy novel,

and that cover is GORGEOUS!!

Books Purchased

This is the sequel to Gray's enchanting

novel, Spellcaster, which I

totally loved!!  I've been waiting on

this one for a while!!

Then there's this awesome series I've

heard so much about....

I got my copy -- a hardcover former

library book in great shape -- for only $2.00!!

This novel is, of course, a great read!

I had been wanting to get it

for a while, and now it's mine!

Being a Pattinson fan, I just had to

get the movie cover!!

I really have to start reading Gena

Showalter's books.  They're all 

bestsellers, after all!

And I love paranormal romance!

Krentz is yet another author I've been

meaning to read!  This one 

looks really intriguing!

Besides, I want to read more

romantic suspense.....

Since I love my paranormal romance,

I couldn't resist this vamp novel!

The author is entirely new

to me, but that cover totally convinced 

me to buy the book!!

What do you think of my haul?

What terrific books did you stack 

on your shelves this week?

Blog Tour: Guest Post/Giveaway!! Erasing:Shadows, by K.D. Rose

Welcome to this stop in the tour for

Erasing: Shadows, sponsored by

Bewitching Book Tours!!

About the Book

Erasing: Shadows
(Erasing #1)
K.D. Rose
Trade Paperback, 166 pages
Breathless Press, January 8, 2014
New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy


Book Synopsis:   What if to save the ones you love, you had to unlock the key to a different reality?

Generations of mystery smash together when a seemingly traditional family must shatter their illusions of normality to confront themselves and their friends, leaving no possibility unexplored in order to rescue—well, who exactly? Watch the Ross family, the High Five Gang, and multiple generations dig into an innovative explosion of imagination where they must confront numerous realities, real-world danger, and worst of all—their own teenage hormones!

In a place where nothing is as it seems and shocks are around every corner, even the people you thought you knew may find themselves strangers in this moving and provocative reality-bender. With breathless pacing and psychological intrigue, Erasing: Shadows and the High Five Gang will keep you guessing until the very end.

Amazon US/Amazon CA

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository

Guest Post: Character Interviews

Thank you for having me on your blog today!  I have something exciting planned!  I've gathered two of the main characters together from Erasing:Shadows, and both have agreed to let me interview them.  So here we go!

Interview with Mira Ross

First, I have Mira, one of the main characters in Erasing:Shadows, and we’ll attempt an interview without showing any spoilers. What is all this “traveling” business in the book about anyway? What does it mean? Readers want to know!

KD Rose: “Is that okay with you, Mira?”

Mira: "I'm game!"

KD Rose: “Great! So, you are actually the star of Erasing: Shadows. How does that make you feel?”

Mira: “Well, I wouldn’t really call myself the star. My husband Michael and our close friends and family really deserve most of the credit for everything that worked out well.”

KD Rose: “What about the things that didn’t turn out well?”

Mira: “I’d rather not discuss those.”

KD Rose: “Okay.  Switching gears— many of our readers had questions about ‘traveling’ and ending up in another reality. They wanted to know more in depth how it actually works. You were a child prodigy at ‘traveling’, correct?”

Mira: “Yes, I started traveling when I was around four years old. It just came natural to me. It was only later, when I was older, that I learned that not everyone does this and that for some it can be really difficult to even try.”

KD Rose: “Right. So Mira, what do you do to actually travel?”

Mira: :::blushes::: “There are actually several ways to travel. I learned about other ways as an adult. The way I used as a child is not the only way.”

KD Rose: “Tell us about the way you used when you started as a child. That is the way you’re most familiar with, isn’t it?”

Mira: “Yes, although now that I am married, my husband and I often travel together. But it can be done alone as well. You basically either get into a position that works for you to meditate, or you position yourself as if you are going to sleep. Either way works.”

KD Rose: “And then what?”

Mira: “If it comes naturally to you, it will just happen, but if you have to learn it, then you are forced to learn the different states of consciousness that your brain goes through from awake, to full sleep. I’m sure you know about the different brain waves and REM sleep. The body goes through these phases during the process of falling asleep.”

KD Rose: “Mira, are you telling me you just go to sleep?”

Mira: ::laughs::  No, not at all. I’m just trying to say that to learn traveling you have to become familiar with each of the stages of brain activity that occurs before—call it meditation or sleep, whatever you want, and then you have to be able to control your own activity to the point that you can pull yourself out during any of the phases, should you want to.  I have to say, learning it is very hard. I was lucky, because I was a natural.

KD Rose: “I don’t know if I would call it lucky. You went through a lot in Erasing: Shadows didn’t you?”

Mira: Yes, but I wouldn’t blame any of that on traveling. If anything, traveling has enhanced my growth as an individual. You would see that if you read the book.

KD Rose: “Thank you, Mira. That’s all the time we have today, but perhaps we can speak again about your techniques for traveling in the future.”

Mira: “I would like that. And thank you for having me.”