BLOG TOUR: Flashtide by Jenny Moyer - Interview & Giveaway

Hi Everyone, 

Welcome to me stop of the AMAZING Flashtide Blog Tour hosted by the Fantastic Flying Book Club. 

Flashtide is the second book is a series and you can find out all about it just below. This series sounds STUNNING to me and every time I see someone reading it, I wonder why I myself haven't started yet. 

In any case, I hope you guys enjoy this interview that I did with Jenny Moyer and ALSO, don't forget to enter the giveaway!

1. For those readers who haven't read Flashfall or Flashtide yet, do tell them a little about your series.

FLASHFALL is the story of caving partners, Orion and Dram, who live in a futuristic mining outpost that borders a deadly anomaly called the flash curtain. Every day, they defend each other down dangerous tunnels as they search for an ore called cirium. If they can mine enough of it, they can trade it for safety in the protected city, which is shielded from the deadly particles of the flash curtain. They soon discover their people have been betrayed, and that the only way to freedom and safety is through a path they’ll have to forge themselves.

FLASHTIDE is the conclusion of their story, and I love how this reviewer puts it:

"Fans of the unique post-apocalyptic story will be riveted by the blistering pacing and unexpected twists. An intriguing follow-up." –Kirkus

I encourage readers who aren’t familiar with FLASHFALL to check out the book trailer. My husband is a filmmaker, and he did an amazing job. It gives people an exciting glimpse into the world and characters.

Book trailer link: http://www.flashfall.com/watch-book-trailer/

2. Was the journey you took writing the sequel, Flashtide different from writing book one? If so, how? 

FLASHTIDE is the sequel (and conclusion) to FLASHFALL, and it was really exciting to get to take these characters to new places—both physically and emotionally. When I first wrote Orion’s character, I was inspired by her resillience, and I think with this book, it was Dram’s capacity to endure so much darkness, and still find the light—that I wanted to explore. I took both characters to the edge in FLASHFALL, and in the sequel, I push them right over it . . .

3. Are you a plotter, a pantser or somewhere in the middle?

I’ve learned that my writing process can vary from book to book, but for the most part, I’m a pantser. When I’m drafting, I tend to just sit down and freewrite, oftentimes out of order. The way I uncover the story and figure out the characters, is by placing them in a set of circumstances, and exploring that scene by scene.

I don’t usually know what’s going to happen ahead of time, and I like giving my characters the opportunity to surprise me, and for the story to evolve organically. This makes for a lot of revision later on, but it’s the process that’s worked for me!

Once I’ve forged my way through a draft, I write all the scenes/chapters on notecards, spread them out in a timeline, and develop a bit of an outline from there. It’s easier for me to see plot holes, or where there needs to be more development, clarification, etc. and then work from there.

So, in essence, a pantser that evolves into a plotter. : )

4. If you could give one piece of advice to your main characters, what would it be?

Never give up!

5. Lightning Round:

-- Cupcakes or Cheesecake

Both! ; )

-- Sci Fi Books or Contemporary Books

Sci-fi!

Would you travel to the UK or Australia?

Both!

I’ve been to the UK twice and I LOVE it! Would go again in a heartbeat! Would LOVE to go to Australia!

-- Harry Potter or Newt Scamander

Harry!

Jenny: THANK YOU so much for doing this! I really appreciate you hosting me on your blog and helping me spread the FLASHTIDE excitement! 

Title: Flashtide (Flashfall #2)

Author: Jenny Moyer

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Release Date: November 14th 2017

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia

Buy Links: Goodreads || Amazon || The Book Depository || Barnes and Noble || iTunes || Kobo

Synopsis: Orion has survived the tunnels of Outpost Five, filled with mutant creatures and dangers around every bend. She has traversed the cordons, exposed to the radiation of the flash curtain and hunted by forces that want her stopped, dead or alive. Now, with Dram by her side, she has made it to the safety of the mountain provinces, where free Conjurors live and practice their craft of manipulating matter. But Orion's story is far from over. With the effects of the flashfall spreading and the might of the protected city of Alara looming, Orion must travel into the hands of her enemies once again. Heart-pounding action and adventure await in this sequel to Flashfall.

Jenny is the author of the YA sci-fi/fantasy FLASHFALL, and its sequel, FLASHTIDE. (Holt/Macmillan 11-14-17) She lives with her filmmaker husband and their three boys in Iowa. Watch the epic, live action book trailer for the novel that Booklist calls "A cinematic page-turner."

Find out more at http://www.jennymoyer.com and connect with Jenny on Twitter and Facebook.

To Follow the Flashtide Blog Tour, Click on this link!

·         Prize: Win a FLASHTIDE pack: signed copies of Flashtide & Flashfall, a $50 Gift Card from Amazon.com and swag (INT)

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Interview with Erin Summerill, Author of Ever The Brave

Hi Everyone!

I've been bombarding you with reviews lately and I thought it's time we do something different.

I had the opportunity to interview the ABSOLUTELY lovely Erin Summerill, which was organised by her lovely publishers, HMH Teen. Her debut series, a duology (Clash Of Kingdoms), with the two books titled Ever The Hunted and Ever The Brave and the both of them are a) GORGEOUS and b) I can't WAIT to read them. Scroll down and see the lovely interview that I did with Erin and I hope you love it!

1. If you could teleport into any place (real or fictional) where would you first go? 

Ah! I want to go to so many places. I want to go to Alaska and see the northern lights. I want to go to Rome and see the Vatican. I want to explore Machu Picchu. I want to see the Serengeti at sunset. I want to go on a castle tour in Germany and France! 

I have to stop, because I could go on forever. 

But if I had to pick one to go to first, I would want to go back to Hawaii, and spend time with my grandmother again. 

2. Which five fictional characters would you take with you on a heist? 

I would take: Darrow, from Red Rising - he's the perfect lead. Gen from The Theif - he is the trickster. Katsa from Graceling - she survives everything! Rhysand from A Court of Mist and Fury because he's just perfect. And Britta from Ever The Hunted, because she's clever and soft-footed.  

3. What are some of your favourite 2017 book covers? 

Learn about the Pre-Order Campaign for Ever The Brave here

Without sounding glib or like a braggart, I love EVER THE BRAVE's cover. It is my most favorite cover ever and all the credit goes to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and the artist, Martin Schmetzer. 

But I really love The Wish Granter by CJ Redwine. That cover is so striking and unique to me. 

And now, moving onto your masterpiece: 

4. For those readers who haven't read wither Ever The Brave or Ever The Hunted yet, could you tell them a little about what the series is about? 

It's about a girl, Britta, who must track down her father's killer before the killer gets her. The problem is, the accused is the one boy she loves, Cohen. 

These books are an adventure and mystery and romance rolled into one! 

5. If you could give one piece of advice to your main characters, what would it be? 

Be vulnerable and open yourself to new ideas and relationships.

6. Are you a plotter of a pantser or somewhere in between? How did writing books one and two differ from each other? 

I'm somewhere in the middle. I know the main points of the story before I begin (the start, the middle, the end, and the source of conflict). Then I start writing and often try to write through scenes without a plan.

7. What were your first thoughts when you saw the cover for Ever The Hunted? What was the design process like? 

OH my! I cried. I saw how beautiful the font and design was and tears dripped down my cheeks because I was so happy. Authors often have little say in what their covers look like, so when I saw mine I felt like I had won the cover lottery!

Title: Ever The Brave (Clash Of Kingdoms #2)
Author: Erin Summerill
Publication Date: December 5th 2017
Publisher: HMH Books For Young Readers
Part of a Series?: Yes, Book 2 on 2 of the Clash Of Kingdoms Series
Buy Links: Amazon US || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery ||

Blurb Description: Ever the Divided. Ever the Feared. Ever the Brave.After saving King Aodren with her newfound Channeler powers, Britta only wants to live a peaceful life in her childhood home. Unfortunately, saving the King has created a tether between them she cannot sever, no matter how much she'd like to, and now he's insisting on making her a noble lady. And there are those who want to use Britta’s power for evil designs. If Britta cannot find a way to harness her new magical ability, her life—as well as her country—may be lost.
The stakes are higher than ever in the sequel to Ever the Hunted, as Britta struggles to protect her kingdom and her heart. 

Erin Summerill was born in England. After spending years bouncing between Air Force bases in Hawaii, England, and California, her family settled in Utah, where Erin graduated with a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University. She had aspirations to write the next great American novel, but writing proved tougher than she first thought. So she grabbed a Nikon and became a professional photographer while crafting manuscript after manuscript. The scenic detour of shooting weddings across the United States, as well as internationally, provided world-building inspiration. It gave her the vision to draft her debut YA fantasy, EVER THE HUNTED. Now when she isn’t writing, or shooting a wedding, she’s chasing her four kids, two dogs, one cat, and five chickens. This could be why she downs massive amounts of Coke Zero and Hot tamales.

You can follower her on twitter: @erinsummerill

 Have you had the chance to read the Clash of Kingdoms series yet?

What do you think of it?

I can't wait for hear from you.

Also, don't forget to say hi to Erin in the comments. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.

Meet The Authors: Tracey Neithercott, Author of Gray Wolf Island - Character Interview + Giveaway

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the last day of Meet The Authors October. Finals start on Monday for me which means I'll mostly be exiting the blogging cave for at least the next week (unless I'm feeling brave and think I can do both studying and blogging) and entering the studying cave of last minute prep, anxiety and trying to remember whatever I can.

Which is not the point of today's Meet The Authors post at all. I have with me today the AMAZING Tracey Neithercott, debut author of Gray Wolf Island who has done on of the MOST FUN CHARACTER INTERVIEWS I've done in a while! (Or Ever?)

Now, there's two Tracey Neithercott giveaways going on on my blog - one is INTL and the other is US, just to include everyone.

Click here to enter the INTL Gray Wolf Island Giveaway.
Scroll down to enter the US one!

 *After some awkward fumbles and no doubt slightly embarrassing moments, clears throat to begin interview*

Aditi: I like your tattoos. I've always wanted one (or many) but I've never been able to decide what to permanently etch onto my body. Which was your first tattoo and what does it mean to you?

Elliot: Did you talk to Ruby about this? Because if she told you my tattoos are nostalgic, you should know she doesn’t even understand the correct definition of the word.

Ruby: It’s the sentiment, Elliot.

Elliot: Nostalgia is wistful longing for the past. I’ve been longing for Gray Wolf Island my whole life, but it’s only ever been my present and future. No, my first tattoo—a wolf for Gray Wolf Island, on the right side of my torso—is badass. I wasn’t even 18 and legal to get a tattoo at the time, but I found a guy who knew a guy. You know what that makes me?

Ruby: Don’t say it.

Elliot: A rebel.

Ruby: He’s really, really not.

Elliot: Get out of my interview, Ruby.

Aditi: My sources tell me that you're a great fan of linguistics. What's your favourite part about it and could you give us the origin and meaning of one of your favourite words - in any language?

Elliot: I started studying the treasure before I could even point to Gray Wolf Island on map. Mostly because Thornes are destined to discover it one day.

Gabe: Says nobody but Elliot Thorne.

Elliot: I know I’m destined to find it the way I know the treasure exists. And part of my studies were with my mom, who was called in by Wildewell’s most famous treasure hunter, Bishop Rollins, to translate the markings on one of the Star Stones. Everyone thought they were runes, but everyone is obviously an idiot. They’re nothing like the runic alphabet.

Ruby: You’re such a badass, Elliot.

Elliot: Anyway, I’m not really into that whole thing anymore. Language and words and all of that. But if I had to choose—like if someone forces me in an interview—I’d say it’s the Welsh word hiraeth. I read an article about it a few years back, how it’s a word with a definition that doesn’t really exist in English. Closest we can come is a deep longing for a place you’ve never been. A place that may never have existed.

Ruby: You feel it, don’t you? About the island.

Elliot: Yeah. I have a hiraeth for Gray Wolf Island.

Aditi: If you had to eat three of Gabe's dishes for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Elliot: Well, he makes really great pancakes.

Gabe: Of all the stuff I’ve cooked for you guys…

Elliot: I like pancakes. I’d also eat his chef salad for the rest of my life—one of the three meals should be slightly healthy so I don’t die when I’m 20. I’d also eat his mac ‘n’ cheese forever. He puts crispy bits of bacon in it.

Gabe: First off, that’s prosciutto, not bacon. Second, what about my paella? I rock that thing.

Elliot: It’s good. Everything Gabe cooks is good.

Gabe: Good.

Charlie: I’d want your paella for my last meal. Not that I’d be in a position to need a last meal. I mean, everyone eventually eats a last meal. It’s, like, a human thing. But I don’t think I’d need to request one from a jailer or anything.

Elliot: Aditi asked me the question. And I want Gabe’s pancakes, chef salad, and mac ‘n’ cheese.

Aditi: Let's talk about the mysterious Gray Wolf Island. When was the first time you heard about it? How long has your family been The Thornes who would find the treasure?

Elliot: I heard about it before I was born. So many stories passed down for so many years—that’s the sort of thing you understand before you take your first breath. And everyone knows my family is destined to find the treasure—they found an old shoe back in 1876. If that isn’t proof a Thorne will find a treasure, I don’t know what is.

Ruby: An actual treasure?

Elliot: So maybe everyone doesn’t believe a Thorne will find the treasure, but I do. It’s a pull inside me. I can feel the treasure out there—miles off the coast of Maine and nearly in my backyard. I’ll find it. I know I will.

Aditi: What would be some of the first things you buy/ do if you find treasure of Gray Wolf Island?

Elliot: Well, we wouldn’t actually keep the treasure. I’m sure whatever is buried there has great historical significance and belongs in a museum.

Charlie: That defeats the entire purpose of a treasure hunt. 

Anne: Unless the purpose is the treasure hunt.

Elliot: You can’t keep priceless artifacts. That’s totally irresponsible.

Ruby: Such. A. Rebel.

Aditi: Since you're such a voracious reader, do give me a few treasure hunting TV/ Movie or Book recommendations that you think will get my in the spirit?

Elliot: Well, you could watch The Goonies, which I liked when I was a kid because of the treasure hunt (obviously) and the fact that it was a bunch of kids who found it. Even at 10 I knew age didn’t make a difference in a person’s ability to find a legendary treasure.

Anne: Well said! Though it does make a difference in their ability to sail a boat to the island hiding the treasure.

Elliot: There’s The Curse of Oak Island on the History channel, but those guys still haven’t found the treasure. I bet I could find it, if I could find a way up to Nova Scotia.

Ruby: Your confidence in your ability to do everything better than everyone else astounds me.

Charlie: I think you’re really starting to win Ruby over.

Aditi: And finally, Is there a significant other (or even someone you just like for now) in your life? Would you take him or her treasure hunting with you? And what would your ideal date with this person be? (Names aren't needed)

Elliot: There might be someone…significant.

Anne: There is.

Elliot: Okay, yeah. There is. And of course I’d take her treasure hunting. I already did.

Ruby: You’re such a Thorne. You took nobody treasure hunting. I took all of you.

Anne: Maybe just talk about the date part of the question?

Charlie: That’s literally the last thing I want to hear Elliot talk about.

Elliot: Aditi, can you remind these interlopers that this is my interview? Because it’s my interview.

Gabe: No way could you plan a better date than I can.

Elliot: I can plan a date, Gabe. It’d be summer. I’d take her to the beach at night—late, when the sky’s a crisp black. I’d bring my comforter, and we’d lay down next to each other.

Gabe: I know where this is going.

Ruby: It better not be going there.

Elliot: Can you two stop talking? We’d lay down next to each other. I’d probably hold her hand because it’s better that way. And we’d stare at the sky, waiting for it.

Ruby: For what?

Elliot: The Perseid meteor shower. We’d watch it side-by-side, and when it was over, I’d walk her back to her house so she wouldn’t get lost.

Ruby: She might cry.

Elliot: I might hold her tight.

Ruby: Would there be kissing involved?

Elliot: Oh yeah. There’d be kissing. 

Tracey Neithercott’s first book was written by hand and illustrated with some really fancy coloredpencils. It was highly acclaimed by her mother. Now, she writes YA stories of friendship, love, murder, and magic. (None of which she illustrates—you’re welcome.) She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, who suggests improving her novels by adding Star Wars characters.

Title: Gray Wolf Island
Author: Tracey Neithercott
Publication Date: October 10th 2017
Publisher: Knopf Books For Young Readers
Part of a Series?: No, A Standalone
I Got A Copy Through: eARC via NetGalley for the SST Tour
Buy Links: Amazon US || Barnes and Noble || The Book Depository || Wordery || Kobo || Books A Million || Chapters Indigo || Google Books

Blurb Description: Right before Sadie died, she begged her sister, Ruby, to do the one thing she could never do herself: Find the treasure on Gray Wolf Island.
With just a mysterious treasure map as a guide, Ruby reluctantly allows some friends to join her on the hunt, each of whom is touched by magic: a boy allegedly born to a virgin, a girl who never sleeps, a boy who can foresee his own death, and a boy with deep ties to the island. Each of them is also keeping a secret—something they’ll have to reveal in order to reach the treasure.
As the secrets come to light, Ruby will have to decide: Can she make peace with her friends’ troubled pasts and continue to trust them? Can she forgive herself for doing the unspeakable? Deep in the wilderness of Gray Wolf Island, Ruby’s choices will determine if they make it out with the treasure—or merely with their lives.
From debut author Tracey Neithercott comes a darkly compelling tale of profound friendship, adventure, and finding the strength to tell the truth.

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Meet The Authors: Lauren James, Author of The Loneliest Girl In The Universe - Interview

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Author Five on Seven of October's Meet The Authors and I hope all of you have been absolutely loving 'meeting' all these wonderful authors and entering the giveaways they've been hosting.

I got the chance to read a lovely ARC of today's authors latest book a few months ago and I FELL IN LOVE. I love everything to do with Space and Romance and twists you won't see coming. This book released in the UK in September but releases in the US in May 2018 so keep a look out for it because this is one book you SHOULD NOT MISS.

So, without further ado, please welcome the LOVELY Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl In The Universe who I had the honour of interviewing.

P.S: She's talking about a possible sequel to this book and I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT ALREADY.

 We'd Love To Get To Know More About You: 

If you had the opportunity to visit space, would you accept? Would you prefer to go on a long journey like Romy Silvers' or a relatively shorter one? 

I’m not sure. I think I’m probably not as brave as Romy. I might go after tourism space travel has been running for a few decades and it has been proven its safe, but definitely not yet! If I could go anywhere safely, I would want to go and visit an alien civilisation!

2 What has been the best part of the publications journey so far with all of your wonderful books? 

Getting to sign battered books for readers who’ve read my books over and over again. That’s always my favourite!

If you could take five personal items to space with you, what would they be? 

Kindle, my dog, Skype, my fountain pen, diary.

And now, moving onto your masterpiece: 

4. For those readers who have't heard of/ read The Loneliest Girl In The Universe yet, do let them know what it's about:

A girl alone on a spaceship find a connection with another ship, just at the time she needs that the most.

5. Who would you see cast in the movie for your BRILLIANT book? 

Top row from left to right:

Commander Romy Silvers – Alia Shawkat

Romy’s Dad – Ricky Whittle

Jayden Ness - Alfie Enoch

Bottom row:

Dr Talia Silvers - Lesley Sharp

? - Chris Pine

Lyra Loch - Georgia King

Dr Molly Simmons – Hattie Morahan

More details here!

6. What was the cover design process like? What did you first think when you saw the final cover? (I love the way both the ARC and the finished copy look)

It was actually a really simple design process, as far as I’m aware. The designers, Iree Pugh and Maria Soler, settled on the concept straight away and we didn’t even consider any other ideas. I think it’s such an easy hook that they knew immediately what they had to go for!

The American cover, though….. just you wait. It’s going to blow your mind.

7. Is there a sequel to The Loneliest Girl In The Universe in planning? What are we going to see from you next? 

My next book (out with Walker in 2018) will involve mudlarking, time capsules, romance and - of course - more science. It’s kind of a sci-fi detective story about the extinction of humanity.  I do want to write a sequel about Romy, though – maybe in 2019. Keep an eye out!

 Lauren James was born in 1992 and is the British Young Adult author of The Next Together series and The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. She graduated in 2014 from the University of Nottingham, UK, where she studied Chemistry and Physics.

The Next Together has been translated into five languages worldwide. It was described by The Bookseller as ‘funny, romantic and compulsively readable’ and Kirkus as ‘An ambitious, promising premise . . . James is one to watch’. It was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, a prize given to recognise an outstanding novel by a first time writer.

Her other novels include The Last Beginning, the epic conclusion to The Next Together which was named one of the best LGBT-inclusive works for kids and young adults by the Independent, who called it ‘ideal for teenagers. The Last Beginning is on the ball’. A short story set in the world of The Next Together series, Another Together, is also available.
The Loneliest Girl in the Universe was inspired by a Physics calculation she was assigned at university. Lauren is a passionate advocate of STEM further education, and all of her books feature scientists in prominent roles.

She lives in the West Midlands and is an Arts Council grant recipient.

Twitter at @Lauren_E_James, Tumblr at @laurenjames or her website http://www.laurenejames.co.uk, where you can subscribe to her newsletter to be kept up to date with her new releases and receive bonus content.

Title: The Loneliest Girl In The Universe
Author: Lauren James
Publication Date: September 7th 2017
Publisher: Walker Books
Part of a Series?: No, A Standalone
I Got A Copy Through: Penguin India (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon IN || Amazon UK || The Book Depository || Wordery || Foyles || Waterstones || WHSmith || Kobo || Google Books

Blurb Description: Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met, never even spoken to – someone who is light years away?
Romy Silvers is the only surviving crew-member of a spaceship travelling to a new planet, on a mission to establish a second home for humanity amongst the stars. Alone in space, she is the loneliest girl in the universe until she hears about a new ship which has launched from Earth – with a single passenger on board. A boy called J.
Their only communication with each other is via email – and due to the distance between them, their messages take months to transmit across space. And yet Romy finds herself falling in love.
But what does Romy really know about J? And what do the mysterious messages which have started arriving from Earth really mean?
Sometimes, there’s something worse than being alone . . . 

 What are some of your favourite books and movies set in Space? I'm always looking for more recommendations. 

If you ever got the opportunity to visit another planet that humans begin to colonize, would you you take it? Or would you stay on Earth? 

I can't wait to hear from you!

Don't forget to say hi to Lauren!