The Best Reader:
crossroads

1. I read that you grew up in California and your grandfather had a vineyard. What was a typical day like for you as a child hanging out in the vineyard?

3. I saw that you are a fan of Janesen Ackles (me too, since his time on Days of our Lives), but if you could choose what stars could play the Freakvilles characters Kasey and Josh, who would you choose?
Oh, yes he was great as Eric Brady. I liked him on Dark Angel, too. Big fan girl, never met him though. Hum, casting FREAKSVILLE is hard. Would need someone who is 16 and can do a British Accent for Josh. No clue there… Not Pattison, he’s too well known as Edward. Kasey would be harder. Maybe Emma Stone? It would have to be someone with a quirky spunk.
4. What is your favourite thing to do to relax after a hard day of writing?

Relax what’s that? Since selling FREAKSVILLE my life has been pretty crazy.

5. Can you share with us what you are working on right now?

Really rough unedited teaser? This isn’t final but it’s a scene taken from FURRY & FREAKED, book two. I really like Ruby and Kasey. They play off each other in a fun way. They are complete opposites but common goals bring them together as friends. Ruby is blunt, she’ll tell you how it is, and everyone needs somebody like that.
I think this is somewhere in chapter five… Kasey is alone at her new school. Valkyrie is Ruby’s pet name for her. You’ll have to read the series to find out what it means.
**** Chairs screeched signalling the mass exodus of the final bell and end of the school day. I hung back pretending to dig through my backpack waiting for the last student to leave the classroom. I didn’t want to run into Clay and his gang. I’m not one to hightail it from ghosts or teenage werewolves but, heckling was something I was never good at swallowing.
“You’re going to miss the bus, Valkyrie.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin as Ruby materialized next to me. Her jet black hair was pulled into two short pigtails streaked with navy blue. She ran her hands down her black and navy plaid pegged leg pants studded with massive amounts of safety pins, until, she came to a zipper and proceeded to remove a mint, not before blowing a piece of lint off it first.
“Here,” She said thrusting it my way.
“I don’t want it. No telling how long it’s been there. You died in the seventies, right?” I replied hoisting the backpack over my shoulder as I ignored my personal poltergeist. As I weaved in and out of the desks until I was out of the classroom and in the hall. Ruby followed with her blue combat boots hovering an inch or so above the floor.
“As if, 1988. Take it or I’ll cram it down your throat! Don’t think I won’t do it. Your breath smells like something died.” She took a step closer and sniffed, curling her upper lip in disgust."I stand corrected you reek. What’s in the backpack? A body?” “Could be, if you keep it up.” Ruby and I had this little verbal wits match. I really liked that about her. *** Furry & Freaked, Kitty Keswick

Freaksville by Kitty Keswick Publisher: Leap Books (January 8th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 328 pages Series: Freaksville, book #1 High school is hard enough when you’re normal. There’s peer pressure, book reports, the in crowd and the enormous zit that has a life of its own. Having a family whose skeletons in the closet lean toward the paranormal is not a topper on anyone’s list. Sophomore Kasey Maxwell is busy juggling the typical teen angst. Add visions, ghosts and hairy four-legged monsters into the mix and you get FREAKSVILLE. It’s a wonder Kasey has survived.

Every woman in the Maxwell family has the gift of sight. A talent sixteen-year-old Kasey would gladly give up. All she wants is a normal life. Shopping and talking about boys with her best friend and long-time sidekick Gillie Godshall consume her days. Until Kasey has a vision about Josh Johnstone, the foreign exchange student from England. The vision leads her into new waters, a lead in a play, a haunted theater… and into the arms of the Josh. Yet, both Kasey and Josh have secrets lurking in dark corners. Can Kasey’s new romance survive FREAKSVILLE?

Find Kitty Keswick Kitty Keswick / Twitter / Goodreads
Purchase Freaksville Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

1. The Crescent involves Lacey who is brought into a world of werewolves. Where did your interest in werewolves originate?
Hey Jessica! Thank you so much for hosting the Crossroads Tour authors! We are so thankful to be with you!

I’ve had an obsession with all things paranormal since I was young. Ghosts especially, however, werewolves became part of my world because of my dog. When he hit two, he suddenly morphed into this obscenely huge beast that was more horse than dog. So, when he became seriously overprotective, the idea just continued to go and go and go until Bisquit (my german shepherd) became a werewolf. Go figure. Odd, I know. But that is how my mind works.
2. Are there any authors you would love to work with someday?
There are so many that I’d love to work with. I love to organize a compilation book with several authors. Shannon Delany, Janenifer Murgia, Judith Graves, Karen Kincy, Lisa McMann, and Alyson Noel.
3. What is your favorite paranormal creature? Are there any creatures you would never write about?
My favourite paranormal is by far shifters. They are so versatile. You can do so many things with them. I mean, look at the series True Blood. The different characters on there really bring different levels to the story.
I won’t say that I’ll never write anything. The one thing I never thought I’d write was zombies, however, I have a short story that is on option right now with a publisher. So, never say never!
4. Do you have any other books or projects you can tell us about? What can we expect from Benches?
There have been lots of people talking about Benches on this tour! Come on Agents! Sign me! I swear a publisher will pick it up! J Okay, Benches is unlike anything I’ve ever written or read. It is a two person point of view novel that follows Danny, a boy that is fighting his demons and anyone else that gets in his way. He drinks to try to forget everything he has done and everything he hasn’t. The other point of view, Lauren, is running from everything, just like Danny is. Her father might be a cheater and her mother might be an arsonist, and she is stuck in the middle—determined not to get sucked into the firestorm of a life that they’ve dragged her into.
The novel is about the two of them, Danny fighting to be everything Lauren wants, and Lauren not to see him as anything she wants. It’s such a strong, heartbreaking, life changing story. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

5. Can you tell us a little about the next book in The Crescent series, Half Moon?

Brandon and failing miserably. Magic, mystery, and some unexpected twists will leave her confused, but stronger, than she ever thought she’d be.

The Crescent by Jordan Deen Publisher: Black Rose Writing Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 187 pages Series: The Crescent, book #1 Becoming a werewolf is not an option for seventeen-year-old Lacey Quinn, but death can be a strong motivator. Lacey is so focused on her future that everyday life has passed her by. Counting down the days to her eighteenth birthday, Lacey is almost home free. But when she falls for the mysterious Alex Morris, she lands in the middle of an ancient war between two enemy wolf packs. Tempting dreams, tantalizing lies and a dangerous love triangle ensues leaving Lacey heartbroken and confused. Lacey's fate rests in the hands of Alex and Brandon, but both are pulling her strings for their own agendas. Even as she slips further into the dark world of werewolves, Lacey struggles to find the truth and save the only family she's ever know.

Find Jordan Deen Jordan Deen / Blog / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase The Crescent Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

1. Your first novel 13 to Life, started from a textnovel contest. Has this experience been more fast-paced because of that? Is being an author what you expected it would be? It was definitely I whirlwind to begin! Being an author’s actually a lot more than I ever expected it would be—and a lot better. It’s also a lot more work. 2. Since becoming a debut author, have you received any advice from others authors that you have used the most? Every time I’m at a conference or convention we’re exchanging advice. Mostly, as authors, it seems we talk more often about the market and agents and writing and marketing strategies.

3. 13 to Life is one of my favorite books of this year! Can you tell us what else we can expect from this series? Thank you so much for saying that—it totally makes my day! There’s a lot happening throughout the series. Although Jess and Pietr are generally our leads through the 13 to Life novels, readers will get to see more of other key characters, too, like Amy, Alexi, Max, and Cat. You’ll learn that the trouble flooding into Junction doesn’t just surround the werewolves but is tied to some very dangerous characters who are much more than they first appear. By the series’ end everything will be wrapped up neatly and readers will have answers to all the questions being raised throughout the books. And by the end not everyone we started with will still be *cough* with us and some that will remain will be changed forever. In pretty dramatic ways. 4. Do you have any other ideas that you are working on? Are there any other paranormal creatures you would love to incorporate into a novel? I’ll answer both those questions with one phrase: yes, quite a few.; -)

5. Book 2, Secrets and Shadows, is set to release in February. Can you tell us a little about this new chapter in the lives of Jess and Pietr? Things heat up a bit in Secrets and Shadows: more fighting, more kissing, more werewolf action. Pietr’s struggling with a couple realizations—change is never easy--acting with the very best of intentions. Jess spends some time being rightfully ticked (and seriously confused) and, trying to adjust to her new normal she struggles to find the right path for herself, too. Oh! And there’s a Halloween Party.

13 to Life by Shannon Delany Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (June 22nd, 2010) Paperback: 308 pages Reading Level: Young Adult Series: 13 to Life (book #1) Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

Find find out more about Shannon Delany Shannon Delany / 13 to Life / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads
Purchase 13 to Life Amazon / The Book Depository / Barnes & Noble

1. How do you know when someone is a zombie?

Well now hold up! If we’re talking about THE UNDERTAKERS, then don’t call ‘em zombies! Zombies are slow and stupid, while Corpses – the villainous invaders who animate the dead and wear them like suits of clothing – are fast, smart and well organized. They project an illusion of normalcy around themselves, so that 99.999% of the world see ordinary men and women. Only kids, and only a few kids, are “lucky” enough to be able to penetrate these masks, and spot the rotting cadavers underneath.

So, to answer the question: you don’t.

Not unless you’re an Undertaker.

2. Can you give us a teaser from Queen of the Dead?

Thirteen-year-old Will Ritter and the rest of the Undertakers have won their first victory, but the celebration is cut short when a new threat emerges through the Void between worlds. Lilith Cavanugh, the Queen of the Dead, is even more ruthless and dangerous than her predecessor, and her ambitions are even more sinister.

To defeat her, the Undertakers will need to prevent an assassination, rescue Will’s family, and somehow convince a skeptical F.B.I. agent that their cause is just. But how to you convince a grown-up that monsters are real?

3. Are you addicted to any TV shows? What do you watch in your spare time?

I am a crazed Doctor Who fan and have been since I was a teenager. When it’s on, it’s my favorite show. When it’s not, I mourn it and wait for my other favorite shows: Fringe, The Walking Dead, How I Met Your Mother and NCIS!

4. What are some of your favorite Young Adult novels?

I enjoyed the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series. I loved Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games Trilogy. But my favorites in YA have to Jackie Kessler, A. S. King and Heather Brewer! YA has come a long way since I was a kid, when Nancy Drew the Hardy Boys were about the only games in town. It’s edgier now, more challenging, and I think that’s being reflected in the number of young readers we’re picking up out there.

The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead by Ty Drago
Publisher: Sourcebooks (October 1st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult/Middle Grade
Paperback: 432 pages
Series: The Undertakers, #2
Twelve -year old Will Ritter and his rag-tag army of teenage resistance fighters may have triumphed over the Zombies last time, but that's the thing about the dead: they keep coming back.

A new Corpse leader has crossed the rift and taken command of the invasion: The Queen of the Dead is even more brilliant and ruthless than her predecessor, and her ambitions are even deadlier. Will and the crew must somehow rescue his mother, prevent an assassination, and show FBI Agent Ramirez the truth about the Corpses-and the danger the world faces.

But how do a bunch of kids prove to a grown-up that monsters are real?

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HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

1. Can you tell us one of your favorite lines from Bad Hair Day?

I’ll give you a couple of lines, because I think it’s funnier that way and I’ve never been able to follow directions well.: )

“A guy prepped a body in a closed autopsy suite to my right; I could see him through the oversized viewing window. He wore one of those super cool protective suits that make you look like a blueberry flavored astronaut.
I wondered if they’d let me wear it. If so, I was definitely staying.”

2. Give us 3 words you would use to describe Kate.

Mega science geek. And I have to admit that it took every bit of self control I have not to hyphenate. Because it counts as one word if it’s hyphenated, right?

3. Since people have been talking about the recent “zombie” attacks, are you starting to think that maybe zombies could be real?!

There are actually some real life “zombies” that helped to inspire BAD TASTE IN BOYS. I’m not just talking about the bath salts. There are also zombie ants and zombie mice, and you can read about them in National Geographic! But human brains are pretty complex, so I do think we’re not quite to the point where an honest-to-god human zombie is possible. Although is it a bad thing if I say I’m kind of thinking that would be awesome? In theory, anyway.

4. Do you have any special Halloween traditions?

Oh yeah! It’s my son’s birthday on Halloween, so we really go all out at my house. We do up the house (this year, I think it’s going to be a neon spider den, because the best kinds of spiders are NEON), and we do birthday gifts and cake and then go out for trick-or-treating because we haven’t had quite enough sugar yet. And ALL of us dress up. Last year, I was a sparkly vampire. I wrapped myself in twinkle lights. We don’t have special Halloween traditions as much as we have ALL OF THEM.

Thanks so much for having me to visit and letting me ramble on about monsters! YOU ROCK.

Bad Hair Day by Carrie Harris
Publisher: Delacorte Press (November 19th, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 240 pages
Series: Kate Grable, #2
S enior year is positively hair-raising.

Kate Grable is geeked out to shadow the county medical examiner as part of her school’s pre-med program. Except when he’s arrested for murder, she’s left with the bodies. And when Kate’s brother Jonah stumbles upon a dead gamer girl, she realizes that the zombie epidemic she cured last fall was only the beginning of the weirdness taking over her town. Someone’s murdering kids—something really hairy. And strong. Possibly with claws.

Is it werewolf awesomeness like Jonah and his dorktastic friends think? Kate’s supposed to be a butt-kicking zombie killing genius… but if she can’t figure out who’s behind the freakish attacks, the victims—or what’s left of them—are going to keep piling up.

It’s scary. It’s twisted. It’s sick. It’s high school.

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HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

I have had a wonderful time with the Crossroads tour. I can't believe it ends Sunday! It feels like we just got started: ) But now it's time for the CONTEST!! The authors were kind enough to donate some swag and a book for the tour and the book I have to give away is Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton. In order to sign up to win this prize pack just fill out the form below. This is a quick contest! It will end at midnight (ET) on Halloween!

Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton Publisher: Flux (October 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Series: The Seer, book #6 The Final Book in Linda Joy Singleton's Popular Paranormal Series, The Seer

A whisper, too soft to swirl wispy candle smoke, carried across time, beyond life and death—and was heard."Our bargain is sealed. My secrets will be yours-when the girl dies."

In the thrilling climax to The Seer series, Sabine's psychic abilities, sleuthing skills, and courage are pushed to a dangerous edge as she deals with the mysterious disappearance of her ex-boyfriend Josh, a new threat against her boyfriend Dominic, evil magicians (both living and dead)—and a coldblooded murder.

Giveaway Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a signed copy of Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton and swag from the Crossroads tour participants!

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US/CANADA and ends Sunday night, October 31st.
• Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

Also, for the huge prize pack giveaway, each day of The Crossroads Tour, a new research question will be revealed here on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page (http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/), and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the 16 different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all 16 answers by the end of the tour, on Halloween.

YOU MUST send your answers to judithgraves at ymail dot com by midnight on October 31^st

1. You write YA and MG titles. Which do you find to be more difficult?

Oh, great question! I find MG books a lot harder to write, which was a real surprise since I wasn’t expecting it! I love writing YA books and I never have to force them but with MG I felt really restricted. It was a lot harder for me to get my heroine out of the house and away from the protection of her family. Plus, it probably doesn’t help that my daughter is almost 12 and I keep freaking out at the idea that she might get up to the same things my heroine does!!!

2. What can you tell us about Demonosity?

Cassidy Carter-Lewis inadvertently becomes the guardian to an ancient alchemist treasure called the black rose and is forced to fight a horde of medieval demon knights. Along the way she also meets two demon brothers and learns that while not all demons are bad, not all of them are good either and soon the battle is a lot more personal than she ever expected.

There are so many things that I love about this book, not only my tortured demon knights but also Cassidy’s best friend Nash who is a total hottie! I also love Cassidy herself and she is going through a lot of personal struggles that I could really relate it. It’s definitely my favorite book so far!

3. What are your writing habits? Have you developed any new ones over the years?

My writing habits were actually a lot more structured before I sold a book. It was because my children were babies and so I only had specific times when I could sit down and write. However, now that they are in school I tend to flit around a lot more and then write in bursts (normally about ten minutes before they are due home!)

4. Do you have any special Halloween traditions?

We don’t really celebrate Halloween in Australia, though my kids always try and convince us to take them out Trick-or-Treating, which can be embarrassing since most doors they knock on are answered by grumpy people who don’t have any candy!

Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby Publisher: Speak (June 9th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 336 pages
While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy — and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?

Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodread

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

1. Your bio says you love vampires, werewolves, magick, and all things creepy. Can you tell us what creature of the night you would choose to be and why?
I’d likely be a shapeshifter and hopefully not one tied to a single form… this way you could fly, crawl, slither, run with wolves, swim with sharks, get the skinny on any creature you could imagine – from THEIR point of view. Cool.

2. The first book in the Skinned series, Under My Skin, has been out for a few months now. What has been the most surprising part of this experience?
That people I’ve never met have read it, but those I work with every day haven’t.; )
3. Where do you think your passion for the paranormal came from?
I blame my mother and her love of horror films… hmmm… but then there’s my dad and his love of sci-fi and Star Trek. Let’s just say I’ve been doomed since birth.
4. What would you like potential readers to know about the Skinned series?

If you’re looking for a slightly skewed take on paranormal fiction, something that mixes lore and urban fantasy with dry sarcasm, you might want to try the Skinned series.
5. Book 2, Second Skin, is set to come out in 2011. Do you know how far this series will go, and do you have any other book plans in the works?
There are three books planned for the series, Second Skin will be out in 2011 and the final book, Skin of My Teeth, will be out in 2012. I have other projects, more YA paranormals and an edgy YA contemporary.

Under My Skin by Judith Graves Publisher: Leap Books (March 27th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 328 pages Series: Skinned, book #1 All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life…

Redgrave had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets, missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief's son and Redgrave High's resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn--in fact, she's lethal.

But she can't help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding--human Alec. And then her world falls apart.

A normal life? Now that's the real fairytale.

Find Judith Graves Judith Graves / Goodreads / Twitter
Purchase Under My Skin Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Tonya Hurley is the New York Times best-selling author of the highly acclaimed “ghostgirl” book series; creator, writer and producer of animated and live action hit television series; writer and director of independent films; writer and director of commercials for Playstation, Gameboy and Warner Home Video; and creator of groundbreaking videogames. 1. You have accomplished so much in your life already. From writing books, directing movies, and writing films; how do you find time for it all? What is the biggest challenge?

If you’re passionate about an idea, you have to see it through. I think of myself as a storyteller, so I write down my story first and see which format best suits it.
2. On top of being a New York Times best-selling author, you have received countless awards for your other accomplishments. Can you share a little of what that has been like and what honors tend to mean the most to you?
Without sounding sappy, the biggest honor is being Isabelle’s mom.

3. You have worked with so many amazing people, can you tell us if there is anyone in the writing world that you would love to work with, and why?
There are so many, I don’t even think I could list them!
4. The “ghostgirl” series has some of the most beautiful and unique covers I have seen for any novel. Did you have a lot of input into this process?
The direction and art was taken from my website. Little, Brown did a fantastic job translating that into a book cover.

5. The third book in the trilogy, ghostgirl Lovesick, was just released in July. What projects are coming up for you now?
Something will be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Here are some places Tonya will be appearing this week.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 CARLE PLACE, NY 7:0oPM to 8:30 PM Talk & Signing BARNES & NOBLE 91 Old Country Road / Carle Place, NY 11514 _______________________________________________________________________
Saturday October 30, 2010 CENTEREACH, NY 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Talk & Signing
BEST BARGAIN BOOKS 217 Centereach Mall, Centereach, NY 11720

Ghost girl: Lovesick by Tonya Hurley Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers (July 12th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 320 pages Series: Ghostgirl #3 Before she can rest in peace, Charlotte Usher must return to the tragic site of her death: high school. Once there, her assignment is to help a designated teen solve a personal problem in time for the allimportant prom. But no one explained what happens if you fall in love with your class project. Charlotte would die (again) for love but facing the all-too-familiar feeling of invisibility may be too much for her to swallow.

Find Tonya Hurley Tonya Hurley / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Ghostgirl: Lovesick Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Book Trailer

Check out the Ghostgirl site here

1. Can you give us a tweet-length description of Darker Still?

LRH: A spooky tale of dark magic and demons, nightmares and adventures, passions and haunted paintings in 1880 New York City.

2. With The Twisted Tragedy, Magic Most Foul #2, coming soon, can you share a little teaser with us?

LRH: For Natalie Stewart, a normal life has never seemed so far away. Her only solace, Lord Jonathan Denbury, is wanted for murder. To clear his name, Denbury must return to England and assume the role of his demon doppelganger. But Natalie begins to doubt his true motives, especially as a new gentleman begins whispering in her ear. Natalie and Denbury may be able to visit each other in their dreams, but they can't escape the darkening shadows. Amid spontaneous explosions, friends turned enemies and dangerous secrets revealed, there's still a demon who has Natalie's scent, and someone is trying to resurrect the ultimate evil.

3. Tell us 3 words you would use to describe Natalie.

LRH: Brave. Opinionated. Feisty.

4. Do you read a lot of Young Adult novels? What are a few of your favorites?

LRH: I try, but my TBR pile is really large and I’m very behind. I’m obsessed with Harry Potter and read Hunger Games at a break-neck clip. I’m currently enjoying The Clockwork Scarab an upcoming Steampunk YA by Colleen Gleason, a book that I’m blurbing.

The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart by Leanna Renee Hieber
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (November 1st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 336 pages
Series: Magic Most Foul, #2
For Natalie Stewart, a normal life has never seemed so far away. Her only solace, Lord Jonathan Denbury, is wanted for murder. To clear his name, Denbury must return to England and assume the role of his demon doppelganger. But Natalie begins to doubt his true motives, especially as a new gentleman begins whispering in her ear. Natalie and Denbury may be able to visit each other in their dreams, but they can't escape the darkening shadows. Amid spontaneous explosions, friends turned enemies and dangerous secrets revealed, there's still a demon who has Natalie's scent, and someone is trying to resurrect the ultimate evil.

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HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

1. Can you tell us one of your favorite lines from Anastasia Forever?

My Sourcebooks editor, Leah Hultenschmidt share the same favorite Tess line which comes near the end of the book. “I think Anne just told destiny to suck it.” Makes me laugh every time I read it.

2. What can you share with us about Sweet Dead Life?

Oh how I love this book! I love it so hard! I think the blurb on Amazon gives you the gist:

Fourteen-year-old Janena Samuels is having a very bad 8th grade year. Her single mother spends all day in bed. Dad vanished when she was eight. Her 16-year-old brother, Casey, tries to hold what's left of the family together by working two jobs--difficult, as he's stoned all the time. To make matters worse, Janena is sick. When she collapses one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius and crashes instead. Janena wakes up in the ER to find Casey beside her. Beatified. Literally. The flab and zits? Gone. Weirder, he makes her feel better. Before long, Janena figures out that Casey didn't survive the accident at all. He's an"A-word." (She can't bring herself to utter the truth.) Soon they both discover that Janena isn't just dying: she's being poisoned. And Casey has been sent back to help solve the mystery that not only holds the key to her survival, but also to their mother's mysterious depression and father's disappearance.

Also, when Casey returns as Janena’s guardian angel, he comes back with all his bad habits firmly intact. Which I also love.

3. Can you describe your writing process? What steps do you take before writing?

I make a huge mug of green tea with honey or Agave. I sit down. I open a new document. I type.

Beyond that, I also do some basic outlining and character brainstorming. And often there’s a number of hours of research involved – like for the book I’m working on right now, I ‘ve extensively researched film noir, both reading it and watching the movies.

4. Do you have plans for any other series or stand-alone books?

Well, as I’m typing this, we have just announced that there will be a follow up book to next year’s THE SWEET DEAD LIFE, It will be out in spring of 2014 and will be the rest of Casey and Janena’s story. I am thrilled! Beyond that, you’ll just have to wait and see.

Anastasia Forever by Joy Preble
Publisher: Sourcebooks (August 1st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Series: Dreaming Anastasia, #3
Stories within stories. Secrets within secrets. In accepting powers from the legendary witch Baba Yaga, Anne must tackle a complex set of missions: Discover the secret of their enemy's newfound immortality; decide whether she can kill him to free her family from a vicious curse; come to terms with the magic that now resides inside her; and finally find true love with Ethan. The riveting conclusion to the trilogy that began with Dreaming Anastasia.

Website | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

This year we have 23 authors that I'll be featuring over 7 days and each day you'll have a chance to enter to win! There's also a scavenger hunt going on, so be sure to check out The Crossroads Tour Post to see what questions will be asked, what blog you'll be able to find the answer on and enter to win!
Today I am featuring Dorothy Dreyer, Sarah Bromley, and Ty Drago. Be sure to check out the rafflecopter giveaway, too!

1. Tell us what makes Zadie such a great character. What are a few things we need to know about her personality?

Zadie is no ordinary girl, as one might be able to gather from the book blurb. She has powers, though she doesn’t quite know how to control them. But I don’t think it’s her powers that make her so great; I think it’s the love she has of her family. She would go to any lengths to protect them, to save them, and to keep them alive. She has a big heart she just has to learn to trust it.

2. Share with us your favorite line from My Sister’s Reaper.

The leather cover was smooth under my fingertips, worn with age, but the photograph tucked along its binding grated against my heart like sandpaper.

1. A Murder of Magpies will be coming out next year. What can you tell us about the book?

I wrote the book in 2008 after a hiatus during which my first two children were born. Vayda and Ward were both so strong in my head, and I knew there was no putting off their story. I am firm believer that the things our parents do can trickle down and, in some cases, taint us. Curse us. Vayda and her twin, Jonah, experience a lot of that, and Ward does as well. Vayda and Jonah come from a background of murder and scandal and have been in hiding in Black Orchard for two years. Ward is the first person either of them has grown to trust, and they know it can go terribly wrong in a heartbeat. They fight against expectations placed on them, but as they do so, they all uncover secrets about their families, truths they weren’t prepared to face.

2. Can you share an excerpt from the story?

I can! My publisher, Month9Books, LLC, has been gracious in letting me give you the first sneak peek at the book with the entire first chapter of A MURDER OF MAGPIES!
__________________

Chapter One

Vayda

I always swore Jonah would blow our cover, and today looked ideal for a catastrophe.

We’d seen disasters, somehow crawled out of the rubble and lived. They didn’t just happen, all explosive and bombastic at once so that we had no doubt everything had changed. No, a real disaster began with a slip-up, a spark of fire that rose in the air and snuffed out. But when the ash landed, it was still hot enough to burn, and from that ember, everything we knew went up in flames.

It had happened before. I had reason to fear it would happen again.

My fingers drummed on the time-scarred armrest on a chair in Monsignor Judd’s office. Someone etched a cross into the wood five, ten, maybe twenty years ago. In an ornate stained glass window, there was no comfort in the saint’s face, only my guilt for not knowing the saint’s name. Outside the office, Monsignor stood with his fingers steepled while the heating vent blew the draping of his cassock. His ear turned to the young nun whispering with him over the manila folder of Jonah’s permanent record. Curls snaked out from her nun’s habit, and her eyes slid to watch me. Dull, dark. Nearly dead.

My hands grew warmer. I forced my breathing to slow. Calm down, Vayda girl. Nothing to get too worked up over yet.

Not easy when I was literally a magnet for emotion.

Slouching low in his chair, Jonah fidgeted with a hole in his blue trousers. A bruise purpled his cheekbone. His heat, a mix of emotion and energy, radiated with an intensity that further prickled my hands until they were scorching. I needed to cool down, put everything on ice to stabilize both myself and Jonah. I exhaled in hopes for a cold breath. I wasn’t built to absorb my twin’s fury.

You outdid yourself this time. I pointed the thought to his mind like a laser. Do you honestly think fighting with Marty Pifkin is worth all this trouble?

He avoided eye contact, naturally. That didn’t mean he didn’t hear me. And he answered soon enough, silent to all but me. Dad’s already gonna read me the riot act. Don’t give me any grief, especially since I was defending you.

Defending me from Marty Pifkin of all people. Let it go. What’s done is done. I didn’t know whether to give my brother a good wallop upside the head like our mom would have or pray we’d skate on by. Keep at it, Jonah, and people will notice what you can do. Deliberately throwing a desk without using your hands isn’t exactly wisdom for the ages.

Why don’t you keep that in mind the next time you lose it and break all the light bulbs in the science lab? He swiped a rogue strand of long, dark hair from his face. You lack subtlety and finesse, Sis.

Subtlety. Finesse. Words sixteen-year-old boys knew oh-so-much about. I choked on a laugh and lowered my eyes to the natty, blue Chucks I paired with the Catholic school-issued plaid, wool skirt and tights. Even when I wasn’t in school, I wore long skirts most days. I could move my legs and didn’t feel so caged in.

Brushing away the glass dust on my skirt, I overlooked the blood drying on my hands and clasped them together. They were less dangerous that way.

The door to the office lobby opened. The new nun’s floor-length dress gave her the look of a black dandelion seed gliding into Monsignor’s office. He followed then finally my father walked in last, the scent of wood dust clinging to his clothes. Most parents visiting St. Anthony of Padua High School rolled in wearing suits or golf attire, and then there was Dad with his New Glarus brewery shirt and vanish-splattered jeans—evidence he’d been working on restorations when called to the school.

Even if the fight between my brother and Marty hadn’t already strained my mental barriers, I would’ve noticed the disappointment coming off Dad. He had so many of what he termed cardinal rules for Jonah and me, and right then, one whispered in my conscience: There’s a devil on every man’s shoulder, whispering in his ear. Only he decides if he’ll throw salt at the devil or feed him his soul.

“What happened, Magpie?” Dad asked, a Georgia-born drawl buttering his voice, as he checked out the cuts on my hand.

“Broken glass,” I answered.

“You ought to be more mindful, don’t you think?”

His question had everything and nothing to do with breaking glass.

Monsignor cleared his throat. “Sorry to have you back in my office so soon, Mr. Silver.”

“Twice in one week is overkill.” Dad stood behind Jonah and me, a hand on each of our shoulders.

“I’ve spoken with our new staff psychologist, Sister Polly Tremblay.” Monsignor introduced the new nun. “She was hired this year after Dr. Fernandez took a position in Madison. Sister is a licensed practitioner, educator, and bride of Christ.”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “Is she now? That’s all very impressive, Sister. Do you go by Sister Polly or Sister Tremblay?”

The nun blinked twice, no emotion registering on her face. “Sister Tremblay. Polly is from my past life.”

Monsignor grabbed the manila folder from the nun’s hands and hurried through his words. His hurrying, seemingly to get us out of his office and be done with us, made blots of sweat rise along my widow’s peak. “Sister Tremblay has acquainted herself with Jonah’s file and feels he may benefit from some sessions with her. Mr. Silver, your family came to Wisconsin two years ago, but of the people I’ve spoken with, no one really knows you.”

“I see you’re a widower running an antiques business,” Sister Tremblay added.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” Dad snapped.

“The adjustment period after moving, especially when grieving and moving, can be prolonged. In that regard, two years isn’t very long at all,” Sister Tremblay answered. “Teenagers tend to cope by acting out. And if you’re as busy as I suspect—”

“I’ve got time for my kids,” Dad argued. “Always.”

The heating vent blasted more hot air into the office. My brother beside me, silent, burned with frustration, and my shoulders tightened. I crackled my knuckles, all too aware of how the lights dimmed as I did so.

Monsignor let out a sigh. “Sister Tremblay is only suggesting that talking to someone away from family could be good for Jonah.”

There was no outside the family. There never was. Hard to make friends and get past the New Kid stigma when we were either cooped up at home or at Dad’s shop under his watchful eye. No wonder our classmates thought we were weird—we were.

The hairs on the back of my neck stiffened, and I shifted in my chair for a better view into the lobby where another boy waited to talk with Monsignor. His hair curling near his jaw was the color of liquid cinnamon dashed with espresso, and a wire umbilical cord tethered an iPod to his ears as he held an icepack to his bottom lip.

Jonah’s sort of friend, Ward.

He averted his eyes from mine.

My hands grew hot again, and the overhead lights flickered, this time drawing everyone’s eyes to the ceiling. Dad’s grip pumped my shoulder.

Jonah stretched his legs. “I’m not seeing no damn shrink. Marty Pifkin’s got everyone wrapped around his finger.”

“Here we go again,” I muttered. “Jonah, stop it.”

“That guy is a creeper, and—”

I looked to Dad for sympathy. “Marty asked to compare answers on our homework and Jonah lost it.”

“—he was bothering Vayda,” my brother talked over me. “Guys like that shouldn’t be talking to her. He’s gaje. I didn’t throw the first punch, didn’t ask for Ward’s help. I barely know the kid.”

Monsignor waited until Jonah and I both quieted down. “What’s gaje?”

Jonah gave Dad a pleading look, but Dad confessed, “It means outsider, though it seems we’re the outsiders here.”

Monsignor gave a satisfied nod. “Marty claims Jonah threw a desk. That’s not behavior that will go unpunished.”

“And the physics’ lab? Every light was broken.” Sister Tremblay crossed her arms.

I sank into my chair and hid behind my hair. Those dull eyes couldn’t be avoided. I wanted out of the office. Now.

The flickering of the overhead lights grew faster. I shuddered, not cold but burning up. The poster of a kitten clinging to a clothesline cheering “Hang in there!” obviously didn’t know how fragile my grip was when so many emotion flooded a room. Usually, I could keep it together with mental barriers to deflect the constant flow of others’ feelings, but so much tension …

“You’re seriously suggesting a couple of kids broke every light bulb just like that?” Dad’s voice rose. He gestured to the palsied lights above our heads. “Y’all would be better off hiring an electrician before the school burns down.”

The room skewed left, and my vision blurred and head dizzied. Too hot, cluttered. My hands—I shut my eyes.

Energy. Rising. Must release!

Crack! A fracture drove down the length of the fluorescent light above the desk. Sister Tremblay yelped and snatched Jonah’s folder to her chest.

“Hell of a power surge.” Jonah’s black eyes searched for a way into my mind. I flung up a barrier to keep him out. Not gonna let him in, not this time. He was worried, but nothing was wrong. Except that I felt like I could spew red, white, and blue.

“Vayda, go get some fresh air,” Dad ordered. “You look flushed.”

Monsignor dismissed me, and with the expected curtsey before hoisting my backpack onto my shoulder, I cracked my knuckles one last time to diffuse the energy swelling in my hands. I stepped out of the office, out of the glow of the stained glass window, and paced near the chairs where Ward waited. Jonah started this whole mess. Marty had done nothing to me. This time. Marty never listened until Jonah made him last spring. Ever since then, Jonah had his eyes and his anger on Marty. Anything Jonah felt, I felt ten times worse. When he was happy, he was very happy, but when he was angry, he was furious.

Mom had been the same way.

“I promise you won’t go belly-up if you hold still.” Ward’s voice was deep, raw honey. His head rested against his chair, eyes shut, yet I knew he’d been watching me.

His left eye opened a crack, and I gave him a weak smile. My ears liked his voice.

Ward had been at our school only since Monday, and already he’d been cast into the same social boneyard where Jonah and I had roamed since we transferred in after Christmas break nearly two years ago. We’d tried blending with the nameless, faceless uniforms, but it wasn’t so simple. The other students never warmed to us, or we to them. We weren’t from here. We didn’t look or act like them. We were among the Avoided. But, as of yesterday, we had a shadow. A gaje shadow.

“How’s your hand?” Ward asked.

I eyed my brother and father talking to Monsignor. That Jonah hadn’t chased off Ward was a tacit tolerance of him. “A few cuts. I’ll live.” I twisted my black hair, which was long enough to skim my hips. “You hardly needed to play the white knight. Marty’s not much of a dragon, more like a salamander.”

“Maybe I like fighting salamanders.”

Chipped gray polish colored his fingernails. Artsy in an I-don’t-give-a-damn-I’ll-wear-it-if-it’s-clean way. If Monsignor noticed, that’d earn him a detention or two.

“Listen, gajo.” He didn’t deserve to be shoved to the outskirts all because of my cavalier brother. He needed to back off. While he still could. “Marty won’t bother you if you don’t bother him. Tangling with him will never be forgotten.”

His mouth twitched, neither a grin nor a frown. “I don’t scare easily.”

He slipped on his headphones and closed his eyes once more. Must be nice to be so untouched, unfazed. Must be peaceful.

“Hey,” I called. He lifted one side of his headphones. “What are you listening to?”

“Music.”

Smart ass.

Thud!

Ward’s eyes popped open and landed on the overturned chair in Monsignor’s office. A chair no one had been sitting in. Dad’s muffled voice came fast as he pulled Jonah by the arm. From the dark expression on his face, we were in for a major talking to.

“We need to leave. Now,” Dad said as he steered Jonah out of the office.

There would be no explanation to Ward of why we were leaving so fast. Dad whisked my brother and me out of Monsignor’s office, past the sanctuary where our footfalls echoed on wood floors polished by nuns until glistening. The school was a dour extension of a century-old Catholic parish. The walls in the language arts’ wing were painted rich blue, the Virgin’s color. Hung between classrooms were carvings from the Stations of the Cross, thick with dust except for the Christ’s eyes, which followed us and knew my family’s secrets and sins.

Outside was better. Riding in the car, the windows were lowered to allow in the fire-musk smell of mid-October leaves, but there was something else, an odor of buried things deep in the black earth. Dad steered into a parking lot by a grocery store. With the silence in the car, I couldn’t push back the memory of the last time we pulled over like this. Instead of a parking lot, it’d been off a highway in a forest in northern Georgia and, with the haze of morning fog guarding the Chevy we’d escaped in, Dad had vowed we were going straight to Wisconsin. There, we would start over.

Find someplace new. Claim different names.

Dad pushed his fingers through his black hair streaked with silver and set his green eyes, the same shade as mine, on my reflection in the rearview mirror. “This stops now. Your mama might’ve called what y’all do Mind Games.” The last two words were spoken slowly. “But I won’t play.”

“Yes, Sir,” Jonah and I answered.

“Mind Games, if you must work them, are private. Working them in public is how your mama found trouble.” He twisted his wedding band. “We can’t risk a repeat of Georgia.”

I jerked my head to look out the window. Black Orchard, Wisconsin. Such a pretty town despite its eerie name. Easter egg colored Victorian homes lined the streets, and people spoke with northern accents that sounded friendly no matter what was said. But pretty towns and nice people could turn on you.

Last time that happened, we escaped with nothing but our lives.

If it happened again, would we even have that?

1. What can you tell us about the third book in The Undertakers series?

SECRET OF THE CORPSE EATER raises the Undertakers’ adventures to a whole new level. The Corpses have launched a daring new scheme down in Washington D.C.: they’ve somehow replaced a sitting U.S. senator with one of their own, a trick that’s supposed to be impossible. But when Will and Sharyn go undercover as Senate Pages to foil the plot, they get even more than they bargained for. Because something haunts the hallowed halls of the U.S. Capitol Building. Something big and strong and impossibly fast. Something that seems to have a taste for Corpses!

But can the enemy of your enemy truly be your friend?

2. Can you tell us one word you’d use to describe Will and each of his friends?

I’ll try!

Will Ritter: Reckless
Helene Boettcher: Courageous
Dave “The Burgermeister” Burger: Loyal
Tom Jefferson: Noble
Sharyn Jefferson: Fearless

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1. In the series Vamped, Gina is a total fashionista. If you suddenly became a vampire, would you make sure you were at least a stylish one?

3. Can you share with us some tips to being a fashionable vampire?

4. Can you tell us the scoop on Vamped book 2, ReVamped? What is in the future for this series?

Vamped by Lucienne Diver Publisher: Flux (May 1st, 2009) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 340 pages Series: Vamped, book #1 Gina Covello's Perks and Pitfalls
of Vamp Life
1. Hello?! Eternal youth and beauty!

2. Free. Designer. Clothes.

3. My hot new boyfriend Bobby went from chess dud to vamp stud.

4. No reflection! First order of business: turn my own stylist to stop the downward spiral from chic to eek.

5. Vampire vixen Mellisande has taken an interest in my boyfriend, and is now transforming the entire high school into her own personal vampire army. If anyone's going to start their own undead entourage it should be me.

I guess I'll just have to save everyone from fashion disasters and other fates worse than death.

Find Lucienne Diver Lucienne Diver / Blog / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase Vamped Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

1. What can you tell us about Killer’s Instinct?

Killer’s Instinct is the first book in the Most-Wanted Monsters series Judith Graves and I are co-writing and Leap Books is publishing. We’re excited that Leap is testing an innovative, new format by releasing Killer’s Instinct in 6 cliffhanger e-episodes throughout 2013, and then publishing the print book in its entirety in 2014.

Here’s the official blurb for Killer’s Instinct. It’s creeptastic!

Where there is NO life – there’s Hope.
Hope has always been a bit of a freak. But when her mother crawls from her grave and her undead corpse goes MIA, Hope's last thread of normal snaps with a vengeance.

Enrolling in a militia-style school for monster slayers seems the only course of action. And the best bet at tracking her mother down.
But does Hope have a true killer's instinct? If she finds her mother, will she have the guts to do what must be done?

If you’re into monsters, why not check out the Most-Wanted Monsters blog at www.mostwantedmonsters.blogspot.com, where Judith and I wax poetic about some of the world’s most sought after beasties. Hey, it might even save your life.

2. What do you like to listen to while writing?

It really depends on what project I’m working on. Every character kind of has his/her own soundtrack. Lately, I’ve been leaning towards the heavier stuff, like Marilyn Manson and Linkin Park, but I’ve been known to write to pop and classical, as well. My family knows to walk away when the headphones are in, or the iPod is cranked.

3. What is your writing process like?

Chaos. I’ve always got a lot of projects on the go, and I’m not much of a plotter, except when I have to (or when I’m working with Judith Graves on something – she’s the plot master and she wields a mighty whip!) I try to write at least 1,000 words a day on any given project, but I’m more apt to binge write and then take a few days of break. I have several writing places throughout the house – my husband even built me a small writing “cabin” in the back yard – but more often I’m sitting at the kitchen table.

4. Is it more difficult to develop a book or a story for an anthology?

I’ve never considered myself a strong short story writer. Even though I think I write “tight” I can never figure out how to get all of the elements of the story into something that isn’t a novel. But I love reading shorts stories, and I had a lot of fun writing THREAD OF THE PAST for the SPIRITED anthology, so it’s certainly something I’ll keep working on.

Fun questions, Jessica. Thank you!

Spirited: 13 Haunting Tales (anthology)
Published: Leap Books (February 13th, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 332 pages
Leap Books has summoned some big names in fiction to help put together 13 ghostly stories to support a good cause. Spirited drops this October, with all proceeds to be donated to 826 National. 826 offers free after-school tutoring, workshops, and in-school programs because they believe that"strong writing skills are fundamental to future success." The authors featured in the anthology, from best-sellers to wickedly talented debuts, will participate in a chilling blog tour that's guaranteed to raise your goosebumps.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Amazon

HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

1. Which character from The Faerie Ring series has been the most fun to write about?

Larkin is the most to fun to write because she’s wicked and unpredictable and mercurial and has secrets. I never know for sure what’s she’s going to do next.

2. Can you tell us one of your favorite lines from The Torn Wing?

His words were soft. “Maybe it’s because I’ve placed my life in your hands.” He took her hand, turning her palm up and ran his fingertips gently over her skin. “Have you kept my secret?”

3. What do you like to listen to while writing?

When I write fantasy I write in silence. When I wrote my contemporary story I had a playlist that was a combination of Maroon 5, John Mayer, Sara Bareilles and others.

4. Tell us 5 little-known facts about you.

1. I believe in ghosts.
2. I believe in reincarnation.
3. I had a motorcycle when I was 19.
4. I love plants. I have an amazing green thumb and my house is like a jungle including several trees!
5. My koi let me pet them.

Thank you so much for participating in the Crossroads Tour and supporting our books! xo Kiki

The Torn Wing by Kiki Hamilton
Publisher: Fair Wind Books (October 2nd, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 318 pages
Series: The Faerie Ring, #2
London 1872 -

A bloody escape, a deadly threat, a shocking revelation…

As an orphan who stole the Queen's ring — only to find the ring was a reservoir that held a truce between the world of Faerie and the British Court — Tiki’s greatest fear suddenly becomes all too real: the fey have returned to London seeking revenge. As war escalates in the Otherworld, Queen Victoria’s youngest son, Prince Leopold, is attacked. In order to protect her family and those she loves, Tiki needs to know the meaning of an fáinne sí, the birthmark that winds around her wrist. But will she be brave enough to face the truth?

Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

This year we have 23 authors that I'll be featuring over 7 days and each day you'll have a chance to enter to win! There's also a scavenger hunt going on, so be sure to check out The Crossroads Tour Post to see what questions will be asked, what blog you'll be able to find the answer on and enter to win!
Today I am featuring Kelly Hashway, Molly Cochran, and Elizabeth Holloway. Be sure to check out the rafflecopter giveaway, too!

1. Can you tell us a little about the Ophi line from your Touch of Death series?

The Ophi are descendents of Medusa and they are all born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. Medusa’s blood had both the power to restore life and the power to kill, so each of the Ophi in the Touch of Death series has those abilities as well. Their blood, sweat, and tears are poisonous to humans, which means they can’t be around humans without posing a danger to them. The Ophi are also feuding with Hades, the god of the underworld, because the Ophi raise the dead. So life’s not easy if you’re an Ophi.

2. There is a bit of a love triangle in Stalked by Death. Can you share with us what makes Alex and Chase different?

Alex and Chase couldn’t be more different. Other than being Ophi and both being hot, the only thing they have in common is their interest in Jodi. Though even that is different. Alex truly cares about Jodi, while Chase has other motives. (No spoilers.) Alex is what I’d call a good Ophi. He doesn’t abuse his powers, and he trains hard to learn how to use them. Chase abuses his powers every chance he gets. He’s constantly pushing his abilities to the limit and trying to make Jodi do the same. Both guys can offer Jodi something she wants, while costing her something in return.

1. The Legacy series deals with a lot of magic. What magical spell would you want to try out and would you be a good witch or a bad witch?

ANSWER: I would most definitely be a good witch. I believe that the purpose of magic is to improve the lot of living beings. That being said, the spell I wish I could do is from SEDUCTION, the third—and not yet published—book of the series, in which Katy uses magic to wash dishes after a dinner for twenty. It wouldn’t improve the lot of living beings, but it’d surely come in handy!

2. Can you tell us a little about the boarding school life Katy has to deal with in your books?

ANSWER: Boarding school kids are generally sophisticated beyond their years, so there are cliques and intrigues everywhere. I’ve tried to simplify these demarcations into two main groups: the Muffies, who are rich, spoiled, and used to getting their own way, and the witches, or townies, who have magical powers that they’ve learned to keep secret. There’s always tension when the two groups come together.

1. Can you tell us a little about the main characters in Call Me Grim?

Libbi Piper is a high school junior, an aspiring artist, and not the greatest student. She’s snarky and stubborn, but full of heart and humor. In Call Me Grim, all of those qualities combine to get Libbi into a ton of trouble.

Aaron Shepherd is the local Grim Reaper. He’s handsome, mysterious, and looking for a replacement. He hopes Libbi will accept his offer to become the next Grim Reaper, but Libbi isn’t easy to convince.

2. What is your favorite line from the book?

“A chill runs through me and my teeth chatter together. Something strange is about to happen, more strange than a crazy guy miraculously predicting my death and saving my life. I can feel the strangeness seeping through the closed door.”

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1. I read that you moved around a lot as a child, but stayed constant in your love of books. What books did you enjoy the most then?
I read a lot of Betsy Byar books, Madeleine L’Engle, and even enjoyed some classics, like Dickens. I also went through a Harlequin romance phase when I read about 100 in one summer. J

2. Your novel Forget-Her-Nots, is about mysterious and magical flowers, where did the idea for this story come from?
I was researching an article I wanted to write for a magazine and found a reference-type book about the language of flowers. I recognized some of the meanings, but wanted to find out more. A neighbor of mind was very ill, so I made a tussie-mussie (a symbolic Victorian bouquet) for her to cheer her up. I so wished my floral messages of strength, hope, persistence, and good health could come true for her. From there it was a quick leap to wondering what would happen if flower meanings did come true.
3. If one flower could have those magical powers, which flower do you think it would be?
Cool question! The lotus has a lot of meaning and magical powers in Eastern cultures, but for Western cultures, it would probably have to be the red rose.
4. If you had the power to help others, as Laurel does in Forget-Her-Nots, would you do it? Or, would you worry about the consequences of interfering?
I would definitely help others. If we’re given powers or gifts, I believe we should use them for everyone’s benefit.

5. Can you tell us a little about your current projects and what’s up next for you?
Sure! I just finished up a novel called String Theories. It’s about a girl who gets in over her head, a stream, the physics of relationships, and getting even.
White bellflowers and pansies to you for hosting me, Jessica!

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March 2nd, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 384 pages When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom.

Find Amy Brecount White Amy Brecount White / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Forget-Her-Nots Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

1. What is one of your favorite lines from Body & Soul?

I can tell you that when I started the book, I had one line in my head that I was writing to.

“That bitch is haunting me, and I can’t get rid of her.” Misty, talking about being haunted by Alona’s ghost. (Or so she thinks).

It just tickled me, the idea that Misty would think she was being haunted by Alona and Alona being right THERE and not able to correct her misconception.

2. What can you tell us about The Rules?

The Rules is the first book in a new series called Project Paper Doll. It’s about a girl, Ariane, who was created in a lab as a genetic experiment, an alien/human hybrid. She escapes when she’s little and now lives, hiding in plain sight, among the humans in her small town in Wisconsin. But there’s always the danger that the corporation that created her will find her and try to take her back.

So, in addition to dealing with all the normal high school stuff (mean girls, pranks, homework, etc.), Ariane also has to be very careful about letting people get to know her. She can’t afford to get close to someone.

That’s why she has The Rules:
1. Never trust anyone.
2. Remember they are always searching.
3. Don’t get involved.
4. Keep your head down.
5. Don’t fall in love.

Which is all well and good until she’s tempted to break those rules for someone.

You can check out the official (and more detailed) description as well as the cover on my site: http://www.staceykade.com/books/

3. Can you give us 3 words that would best describe Ariane and Zane?

Ariane: quiet, fierce, torn
Zane: broken, loyal, lost

4. Do you have any fun Halloween traditions?

I usually man the door on Halloween night to hand out candy. I love seeing all the costumes!

Body & Soul by Stacey Kade
Publisher: Hyperion (May 1st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 316 pages
Series: The Ghost and the Goth, #3
The final book in The Ghost and the Goth Trilogy!

The Ghost
I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily… or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am, or if who that is is good enough. I need out of this mess. Now.

Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted… by me. Seriously?

I’m determined to get to the bottom of who’s pretending to be the spirit of Alona Dare (while I’m pretending to be someone else) and then get the heck out of this body. Or die trying…

The Goth
I’ll admit it. It’s really weird to look at Alona but see Lily. I do know the difference, though, contrary to what Alona might be saying. And Alona is more than a pretty face to me, not that she would believe that.

Our one lead for some help in this messed up situation might be a page torn from the yellow pages-—the “Psychics” section-—I found in my dad’s stuff. One of the “fakes” seems a bit more real-—and odd-—than the others. Before I can investigate further, though, Alona is off and chasing a ghost that’s probably nothing more than a figment of Misty’s guilty imagination. Now Lily’s family is freaking out because she didn’t come home, my mom is ordering me to stay out of it, and something is definitely wrong with the person formerly known as Lily “Ally” Turner…

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HOW THE TOUR WORKS Each day of The Crossroads Blog Tour, a new research question will be revealed on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page: http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/ and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all answers by the end of the tour.
Answers are to be emailed to judithgraves @ ymail dot com by October 28th at MIDNIGHT. Winner of the grand prize will be announced on OCTOBER 31st – HALLOWEEN.
The GRAND PRIZE you’re vying for? A brand new KINDLE, preloaded with a title from each of the participating Crossroads Blog Tour Authors. That’s right folks, a free KINDLE and 13 free EBOOKS!

This year we have 23 authors that I'll be featuring over 7 days and each day you'll have a chance to enter to win! There's also a scavenger hunt going on, so be sure to check out The Crossroads Tour Post to see what questions will be asked, what blog you'll be able to find the answer on and enter to win!
Today I am featuring Joy Preble Amy Christine Parker and Victoria Scott. Be sure to check out the rafflecopter giveaway, too!

1. The cover of Gated is super creepy and perfect for Halloween! What did you think when you first saw the cover?

I was instantly in love with it! I think I might’ve jumped up and down a bunch of times and gotten teary-eyed. I actually have a huge framed version of it hanging up in my house now.

2. Tell us 5 things we will learn about Lyla’s personality from reading Gated.

You’ll find out that she’s: observant, much stronger than she thinks, intelligent, struggling to figure out who she is and what she believes in, and above all, hopeful.

1. Of all the characters you have written, which one has been the most challenging for you to write?

Baba Yaga the witch in my DREAMING ANASTASIA series was probably my most challenging because she exists as a character in so many other stories by so many other people. My challenge was to create a version of her that worked for the series, that melded with the Romanov story and that also connected to the sub text of everything that contemporary Anne, my MC, was going through—her

journeys, personal, romantic, heroic. I was delighted when a very different type of backstory for Baba Yaga emerged as I wrote. I wanted to know how she became Baba Yaga. And why. And so a narrative of beauty vs. power came about. Among other things. I love it when I hear from readers and they say that they actually kind of like her! That’s so cool to me.

2. The Sweet Dead Life involves Janena and her brother Casey. Can you tell us a little about each character?

Sure! Janena is fourteen when the series starts, and in 8th grade. (Although let me interject here that this is a YA novel and although she is on the young side for YA narrators, she will be aging up during the series and it is NOT a middle grade book, although it could be read by 8th graders for sure). Janena is feisty and mouthy and sassy. She is brave a loyal and manages to keep her head up through a variety of crazy shenanigans. She narrates through her diary entries, so you get to see her more or less uncensored thoughts about her life, her brother’s antics, the bad times that have befallen her family and definitely her world view on the Texas suburbs and mall culture. Janena calls it like she sees it. Careful readers will be able to pinpoint who Janena’s first love interest will be in next year’s sequel THE A WORD. I am so excited for you all to read that, too!

As for Casey, he is sixteen as the series begins. He is smart and athletic and also brave and loyal, but since their dad disappeared 5 years ago and their mom progressed into a depressed state, he’s had to be the man in the family, quitting football to work two jobs. He’s hanging out with the stoner crowd, spending his spare time on weed and other bad habits. But he’s there for his sister no matter what! Including rushing her to the hospital in their beat up Prius when it seems as though she’s dying. Of course then he’s the one who bites it… and comes back as his sister’s less than angelic guardian angel…

1. rocks! We all know this: ) But, what would we be surprised to learn about our favorite bad boy?

That he loves musicals. Not that he’d ever, ever watch them in front of anyone, but he totally does.

2. For those who haven’t read The Liberator yet, what can you tell us about the new “bad girl” we meet here?

Aspen is a tough girl that is very similar to Dante. She’s been hurt by those she should have been able to trust, and now she has a thick exterior that’s hard to get past.

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1. Everlasting was your debut novel. What has been the most surprising part of the process from writing to promotion?
The most surprising part was discovering just how much marketing the authors must do themselves. My expectations were so far above the reality, so with my next few books I feel I much better prepared to be my own advocate.

2. You have done a lot of historical research in the past. What was the most fascinating thing you learned during that experience?
So many amazing tidbits captured my imagination. When researching, it’s a risk that I’ll stumble onto something that will distract me and make me want to write a new book! For Everlasting, I loved learning about sailing and a sailors life at sea. The superstitions, the work sailors were expected to do, the risks and the dangers of the ocean. All very fascinating!

3. If you could go back in time, what time period would you like to visit, and why?
Regency England would be my first stop, and the next would be Civil War era America. Someone better invent a time machine, pronto.

4. Your next book, The Midnight Tunnel: A Suzanne Snow Mystery, is set to be released next March. Can you tell us about this story?
Zanna is an 11-year-old girl who lives at the grand hotel her parents manage in New Brunswick, Canada. All she wants is to be a detective like her famous uncle, Bruce Snow. When a young guest goes missing and her uncle writes off the case as unsolvable, Zanna sets out to prove him wrong. I’m really excited about this new mystery series! It’s a fun one.

5. What other things do you have in the works right now?
Other than a few more Suzanna books and a possible third Everlasting novel, I am concentrating on a new historical paranormal YA. All I can say is Paris, 1899, and gargoyles. I’m still figuring it out!

Everlasting by Angie Frazier Publisher: Scholastic Press (June 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 336 pages Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty.

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous—and alluring—magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who—and what—matters most.

Beautifully written and feverishly paced, Everlasting is an unforgettable journey of passion, secrecy, and adventure.

Find Angie Frazier Angie Frazier / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Everlasting Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository