July 16, 2013

A Darkness Strange & Lovely Tour Stop!



About the Author

Susan Dennard is a writer, reader, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. She used to be a marine biologist, but now she writes novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (she really likes swoon-worthy rogues).

She lives in the Midwest with her French husband and Irish setter, and her debut, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, is now available from HarperTeen.

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About the Book

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.



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My Top 5 Favorite Book Hero/Heroines

1. Taran and Princess Eilonwy from The Book of Three
Taran and Eilonwy from were the first characters I REALLY got behind as a reader—and Eilonwy was the very, very first heroine I’d ever seen who could not only hold her own with the guys but who could dominate-the-crap-out-of-them. Her personality just exploded off the page, and I LOVED that. Plus, I loved how her relationship with Taran developed.

Actually, when I wrote Something Strange and Deadly, I really wanted Eleanor to have some of Eilonwy’s spunk. ;)

2. Sophie & Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle
Sophie is SO strong, and Howl…mmmm. So swoon-worthy. I read this book long before the movie ever came out, so the book characters are the ones I hold near-and-dear to my heart. These two were the first characters I read about in which their romance TOTALLY blindsided me. I mean, at age 10, of course I was going to think Howl was the bad guy for most of the book, and it amazed me to find that my heart was softening more and more toward him. Oh, I was so happy at the end when they got together—two very strong, very quirky leads.

Actually, a character in A Darkness Strange and Lovely is very similar to Howl. I didn’t do that on purpose, but I have no doubt that Howl’s “dramatic side” is what subconsciously drove me to write my character that way too.

3. Lirael from Lirael
Lirael’s whole character arc—growing from a place of utter self-doubt and shame into a full kick-butt heroine—was something that really resonated with me as a teen. I could just identify with Lirael so much, and I so desperately wanted to have the Disreputable Dog as my companion.

Also, a lot of the spark for necromancy and walking dead in MY series stemmed from this series. I just LOVED how creepy Nix made it all, and I knew I wanted to evoke a similar atmosphere in my alternate Philadelphia.

4. Attolia & Gen from The Queen of Attolia
I read this series as an adult, and while Eugenides (Gen) REALLY hooked me with his swaggering, rogueish heroics, it was Attolia’s quiet, unwavering strength that really blew me away. Basically, everything about this series blindsided me. I HIGHLY recommend it.

5. Anastatia & Dimitri from the cartoon Anastasia
Okay, okay, so they aren’t from a BOOK, but Anastasia is one of my all-time favorite heroines. She’s tough, she’s snarky, she’s not afraid to do what’s right, and she fights for the people she cares about. That’s everything I want in a heroine, and I’m pretty sure she was a BIG influence on how ultimately wrote Eleanor Fitt in Something Strange and Deadly.

And then Dimitri…Dimitri. SWOON. He’s one hot cartoon. Plus, his whole shady past—that he’s clearly trying to overcome—and his angsty longing for Anastasia…UNGH. A certain hero in my own series might have also been influenced by my love for this Russian scalawag.





Tour Schedule:

7/15/2013 Bookcase to Heaven - Interview
7/16/2013 Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Guest Post
7/17/2013 Tynga's Reviews - Review
7/18/2013 Supernatural Snark - Interview
7/19/2013 The Book Cellar - Guest Post
7/22/2013 Read-A-holicZ - Review
7/23/2013 IceyBooks - Interview
7/24/2013 Working for the Mandroid - Review
7/25/2013 The Reader's Antidote - Review
7/26/2013 Two Chicks on Books - Guest Post ideas

Giveaway Details:
There will be 10 winners total and the prizes are…..
5 Winners will receive A Hardcovers of A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY and a paperback of SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, and signed swag US ONLY.
5 winners will receive an e-novella of A DAWN MOST WICKED and signed swag INTERNATIONAL.


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37 comments:

Shane @ItchingforBooks said...

Awesome guest post! Love this author :)

Lili said...

Ah, I agree with so many people on that list. Absolutely adore Susan <3

Anonymous said...

I read SS&D a few days ago and I absolutely loved it. I'm so looking forward to holding A Darkness Strange & Lovely in my hands. Eleanor is a refreshing heroine!

Unknown said...

I loved the first book and I can't wait to read the next one. Thanks for the great giveaway!!!!

Nikki Diehm said...

YAY! Can't wait to read Darkness, and loved your heroines. Anastasia IS the coolest!

lgg0123 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathy L. said...

Cool Post! I haven't read any of these books but I love spunky heroines and drama so maybe I should try The Book of Three and Howl's Moving Castle!

erin said...

Sounds awesome!!! Congrats to Susan on the new release and thanks for sharing!

The Cover Contessa said...

Sounds so great! Congrats Susan!

Katie Bucklein said...

Have you seen the Anastasia with Yul Brynner and Ingrid Bergman? It's sooooooo good!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

Some great picks, I need to meet a few of them. I loved the first book and cant' wait to get back into this world!

Cassandra said...

I haven't read this series yet, but I have marked it now :) That cover is beautiful :) Lovely dress :)

Can't wait to read it sounds like something I'll love :)

Cassandra

erinlee20 said...

This is one of my favorite zombie series and Susan is awesome!! Contrats on book 2 and I'm looking forward to more!!

KaribbeanIsland said...

I Love this series and cannot wait for A Darkness Strange & Lovely!!! So excited.

Heidi D said...

This is an awesome giveaway. Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed the first book and am looking forward to reading the next one.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaway. Please enter me.

Jessica Hansen said...

Of course, I LOVE your covers Susan, they make me swoon!

Steph said...

Awesome guest post! I always like to see what favorite books authors have - it's so interesting! I have been DYING to read this for such a long time! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

jkrowyn said...

This sounds sooo good, plus I love that cover!! Thanks!!

Unknown said...

Cannot wait to read this one. The first book was great, and the cover for the new is spectacularly beautiful.

Carl Scott said...

So glad to see the new book out, looks great. Thanks for the giveaway.

Ava said...

I'm so excited for Susan and for A Darkness Strange and Lovely! I hope you can make it to SoCal eventually, Susan! You're so awesome!

Thanks!
- Ava

Unknown said...

I have been trying to get SS&D from my library for forever. I want it so so badly. Hopefully soon though. Thanks for sharing the guest post and the giveaway.

Unknown said...

Susan, I love you so much. Your books are AMAZING. <3 I'm looking forward to reading A Darkness Strange and Lovely!

Unknown said...

This sounds amazing! Thanks for this awesome giveaway.

Chey said...

Anastasia! <3 Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to read A Darkness Strange and Lovely, because I LOVED Something Strange and Deadly. :)

Unknown said...

I have been wanting to read Something Strange and Deadly for so long!! Maybe now I'll get the chance to read both! Thanks for an incredible giveaway!!!

Mary Preston said...

I'm looking forward to an amazing read.

Jaime Lester said...

LOVE! And your covers are some of the absolute best! AND your stories are definitely some of the BEST!

sarah said...

I love your top 5 picks, I can't wait to read your book:)

Unknown said...

I just bought the first book and I'm LOVING it!

And the covers = <3

Anonymous said...

I love the cover and the book sounds really good -I will have to get both books soon!! Thank you for the giveaway!!
Bonnie Hilligoss - bonnie@bonnieanddave.com

magic5905 said...

Book sounds great. Thanks.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

Alba said...

Anastasia and Dimitri!!!
YES!!!! Where have you been all my life?!!!!!

manda-rae said...

I need to pick up this book sometime. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Great series! I am a big fan! Can't wait to see what happens next!

Marked By Books said...

Oh my gosh, I love Lirael! Garth Nix is a genius!

Taylor

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