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.

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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!