September 28, 2015

Poison Study 10 Year Anniversary Scavenger Hunt + Giveaway!



About the Author


Maria V. Snyder changed from being a meteorologist to a novelist in 1995, when she began writing to keep her sanity while raising two children. Since then, she has published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and teaches fiction-writing classes at the local college and area libraries. The classes give her the wonderful opportunity to encourage fellow writers, and to keep improving her craft.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. Dreaming of chasing tornados, Maria earned a bachelors of science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. But she discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. In order to chase tornados you had to predict where they might form. Creating fantasy worlds where she has complete control of the weather was more agreeable to her.

Maria's research on food-tasting methods with an expert chocolate taster, her husband, turned out to be a delicious bonus while writing Poison Study.

Maria has a brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, and enjoys playing volleyball and the cello. Traveling in general and via cruise ship in particular are her biggest distractions from writing. Maria has traveled to Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

Maria lives with her husband, son, daughter and yellow lab, Hazelnut, in Pennsylvania where she is at work on more LUNA novels. She is also pursuing a master's degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University.

☆ How to find Maria ☆
WebsiteBlogFacebookGoodreads


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About The Book


Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...

Other Covers




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Scavenger Hunt


The mystery word for the Scavenger Hunt in the chapter below is bolded and colored RED. Simply find the word and then put that word in the rafflecopter as a giveaway entry. Make sure you check out the tour schedule below to check out the chapter samplers and enter into the giveaway! Enjoy!


Chapter 1

Locked in darkness that surrounded me like a coffin, there was nothing to distract me from my memories. Vivid recollections that waited to ambush me whenever my mind wandered.

Lying in the darkness I remembered white-hot flames stabbing at my face. Though my hands had been tied to a post that dug sharply into my back, I had recoiled from the onslaught. The fire had pulled away just before blistering my skin, but my eyebrows and eyelashes had long since been singed off.

“Put the flames out!” a man’s rough voice had ordered. I blew at the blaze through cracked lips. Dried by fire and fear, the moisture in my mouth had gone and my teeth radiated heat as if they had been baked in an oven.

“Idiot,” he cursed. “Not with your mouth. Use your mind. Put the flames out with your mind.”

Closing my eyes, I attempted to focus my thoughts on making the inferno disappear. I was willing to do anything, no matter how irrational, to persuade the man to stop.

“Try harder.” Once again the heat swung near my face, the bright light blinding me in spite of my closed eyelids.

“Set her hair on fire,” a different voice instructed. He sounded younger and more eager than the other man. “That should encourage her. Here, Father, let me.”

My body jerked with intense fear as I recognized the voice. Twisting to loosen the bonds that held me, my thoughts scattered into a mindless buzzing. A droning noise had echoed from my throat and grew louder until it had pervaded the room and quenched the flames.

The loud metallic clank of the lock startled me from my nightmarish memory. A wedge of pale yellow light sliced the darkness, then traveled along the stone wall as the heavy cell door opened. Caught in the lantern’s glow, the brightness seared my eyes. I squeezed my eyes shut as I cowered in the corner.

“Move it, rat, or we’ll get the whip!” Two dungeon guards attached a chain to the metal collar on my neck, and hauled me to my feet. I stumbled forward, pain blazing around my throat. As I stood on trembling legs, the guards efficiently chained my hands behind me and manacled my feet.

I averted my eyes from the flickering light as they led me down the main corridor of the dungeon. Thick rancid air puffed in my face. My bare feet shuffled through puddles of unidentifiable muck.

Ignoring the calls and moans of the other prisoners, the guards never missed a step, but my heart lurched with every word.

“Ho, ho, ho...Someone’s gonna swing.”

“Snap! Crack! Then your last meal slides down your legs!”

“One less rat to feed.”

“Take me! Take me! I wanna die too!”






This is a publisher hosted giveaway!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
10 winners to match 10 years!
Grand Prize is a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study and Magic Study (both books).
First Place a signed hardcover first edition of Poison Study
5 winners will get a signed cover flat of the original cover of Poison Study
3 winners will get a signed original bookmark for Poison Study

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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☆ The Tour ☆


Week One:
9/28/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Scavenger Hunt
9/29/2015- a GREAT read- Scavenger Hunt
9/30/2015- Seeing Double In Neverland- Scavenger Hunt
10/1/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post
10/2/2015- Alice Marvels- Scavenger Hunt


Week Two:
10/5/2015- Fiktshun- Scavenger Hunt
10/6/2015- Read Now Sleep Later- Scavenger Hunt
10/7/2015- Mundie Moms- Guest Post
10/8/2015- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Scavenger Hunt
10/9/2015- Parajunkee- Scavenger Hunt


September 24, 2015

Nefarious 9 Introduces ☆ Psiren ☆ Plus Giveaways!



Penguin Teen has come up with an excitingly fun way to celebrate the paperback release of New York Times bestselling series THE YOUNG ELITES, and the upcoming release of THE ROSE SOCIETY by Marie Lu! As said before in the announcement of my awesome villain crew, we have each been releasing a villain we have created to celebrate. And today I'm proud to introduce you to the mysterious Psiren!

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☆ Now Reporting ☆


Psiren
Prefers to be called “Ren”

Legal age 19
Actual age is 17

$67M Net Worth

Ability:
Mental Manipulation


Psiren Joining Nefarious Nine
Ren (Psiren) had previously worked with each of the other Nefarious Nine (the villainous squad officially formed after the death of Ren’s mother) in many different illicit activities. Not only are Ren's abilities and connections valuable to the NN9 crew; it is suspected that Ren uses her wealth to invest in the squad's notorious efforts.

Psiren's Abilities
Ren (Psiren) is the older of two daughters by the recently deceased and politically infamous Psibyll. Each female born in Ren’s blood-line has had some form of the ability to control other minds. Psibyll's (Ren's mother's) gift was the power to influence dreams, but her ability also included the aptitude to influence day-dreaming.

Ren’s gift is even more powerful; she has the gift to heavily influence the thoughts and actions of others. Although she doesn’t initially have the capability to control someone completely, she can use seduction to fully succeed in her controlling influences.

Ren learned her skills of manipulating others at a very young age when her mother started training Ren on how to seduce the boys, and even many girls, into doing things for her. Many times Ren could accomplish manipulation without even using her mental manipulation. And then, a year ago, Psibyll acquired a fake identity for Ren so Ren could go under the knife and have breast augmentation surgery as a minor.

Rumor has it that Psibyll was losing favors in politics, so she started grooming Ren to get into the political field. Ren’s first “political” assignment was to seduce Jason West, the Secretary of State’s most recent political advisor, and it was shortly after this assignment that Psibyll was found dead in a Bethesda hotel.

The family fortune worth more than $130M is now split between Psibyll’s two daughters, Ren and Psienna. Due to Psibyll's many scandalous affairs, the fathers for both Ren or Psienna are unknown.

Psiren's Mother's Death
Many suspect Ren (Psiren) to be the mastermind in Psibyll’s demise, but there is no substantial proof. Psibyll was last seen alive with Jason West, and sources close to Jason West have confirmed his obsessive affection toward Ren. Jason West is the primary suspect in Psibyll’s mysterious death, but he is now missing and listed as one of America’s Top Ten Most Wanted.

Psiren's Sister
Ren (Psiren) is now the legal guardian of her 9 year old sister, Psienna. Ren is extremely protective of her little sister and we have yet to obtain information on Psienna’s abilities. She is just really well known as a sweet and likable little girl.

We also have obtained proof that Psibyll (Ren's mother) had been pregnant 7 other times and all 7 pregnancies resulted in an abortion once Psibyll learned they were male.

Psiren's Late Best Friend
We interviewed Ren’s previous best friend, Jared.

Jared and Ren had been inseparable all throughout their youth. It was well known that, other than Psienna, Jared was the only other person Ren would never use her gift on, but Jared distanced himself from Ren over the last year when Ren was starting to do her mother’s bidding.

Jared expressed to us that the last straw was when Ren joined the Nefarious Nine. He can’t imagine that their relationship can be repaired after her choice to join the villainous squad. Before now, it was easier for Jared to put the blame of Ren’s actions on her mother, but her choices are her own now and he’s chosen to not associate with it.

Conclusion
Ren has refused to allow us to interview her. Her only response was that she had better things to do than answer our “stupid questions.”

No one knows her motivation to join the Nefarious Nine or what she’s up to, but it can’t be good!

And there you have it folks! That’s the background on Psiren. Just remember, if you ever cross her path…run…very far away…and very fast…before she pulls you into her manipulation.




Check Them Out
Fiktshun: Fiammata
Owl Always Be Reading: Xana and Deadly Dolly
Books With Bite: Rewind
Once Upon A Twilight: Kenesis
Two Chicks on Books: Lahettaa
Me My Shelf And I: Chaotica
Tales of a Ravenous Reader: Radioaktiva
Magical Urban Fantasy Reads: Psiren
Mundie Moms: Elemental




About The Book




From New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes the second book in the exhilarating Young Elites series

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

Bestselling author Marie Lu delivers another heart-pounding adventure in this exhilarating sequel to The Young Elites.


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This is a publisher hosted giveaway!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Giveaway donated by several awesome peeps in the Nefarious Nine Crew
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
13 or older to enter and that cheaters will be disqualified

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 14, 2015

My AWESOME Villain Crew: Featuring The Rose Society + Giveaway!



About The Book




From New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes the second book in the exhilarating Young Elites series

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

Bestselling author Marie Lu delivers another heart-pounding adventure in this exhilarating sequel to The Young Elites.


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About the Author


Marie Lu (www.marielu.org) is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels Legend, Prodigy, and Champion, as well as The Young Elites. She graduated from the University of Southern California and jumped into the video game industry, working for Disney Interactive Studios as a Flash artist. Now a full-time writer, she spends her spare time reading, drawing, playing Assassin’s Creed, and getting stuck in traffic. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with one husband, one Chihuahua mix, and two Pembroke Welsh corgis.

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Our Wicked Villain Crew!


Greetings mortals! We have partnered with Penguin Teen and Marie Lu to celebrate Marie’s evilicious book THE ROSE SOCIETY and we are here to announce our villain crew! Be prepared to tremble with fear each day for 2 weeks as we reveal a new crew member, their backstory, and their secret abilities!

Introducing Nefarious Nine Schedule

September 15 Fiktshun
September 16 Owl Always Be Reading
September 17 Books With Bite
September 18 Once Upon A Twilight

September 21 Two Chicks on Books
September 22 Me My Shelf And I
September 23 Tales of a Ravenous Reader
September 24 Magical Urban Fantasy Reads
September 25 Mundie Moms





This is a publisher hosted giveaway!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Giveaway donated by several awesome peeps in the Nefarious Nine Crew
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
13 or older to enter and that cheaters will be disqualified

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 9, 2015

Serpentine Blog Tour + Giveaway!



About the Author


Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association's Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. The sequel to Silver Phoenix, titled Fury of the Phoenix, was released in April 2011. Serpentine, the first title in her next Xia duology, will be published by Month9Books in September 2015. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Visit her website at www.cindypon.com.

☆ How to find Cindy ☆
WebsiteTwitterFacebookGoodreadsTumblrInstagram


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About The Book


SERPENTINE is a sweeping fantasy set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology.

Lush with details from Chinese folklore, SERPENTINE tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns sixteen, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell.

When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.

“Vivid worldbuilding, incendiary romance, heart-pounding action, and characters that will win you over–I highly recommend Serpentine.” Cinda Williams Chima, best-selling author of the Seven Realms and Heir Chronicles fantasy novels

“Serpentine is unique and surprising, with a beautifully-drawn fantasy world that sucked me right in! I love Skybright’s transformative power, and how she learns to take charge of it.” ~Kristin Cashore, NYT Bestseller of the Graceling Realm Series

“Serpentine’s world oozes with lush details and rich lore, and the characters crackle with life. This is one story that you’ll want to lose yourself in.” ~ Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of Legend and The Young Elites


☆ Where to find Serpentine ☆
AmazonB&NBAMChaptersIndieboundKoboTBDiBooksGoogle Play



Favorite Heroes and Villains.

The Heroes
Eugenides from The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner.
Han Alister from The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima
Mai from The Crossroads series by Kate Elliott
Ged from the Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin
Anyanwu from Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler
Katherine from The Privilege of the Sword by Ellen Kushner

And the Villains
Darkling from The Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo
Zhong Ye from my own Silver Phoenix and Fury of the Phoenix titles.
Jack Torrance from The Shining by Stephen King





This is a publisher hosted giveaway!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
1 winner will receive a signed hardcover of SERPENTINE and brush art painting card. US Only.
3 winners will receive a signed paperback of SERPENTINE and brush art painting card. US Only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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☆ The Tour ☆


Week One:
8/31/2015- Good Choice Reading- Guest Post
9/1/2015- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview
9/2/2015- Fiktshun- Guest Post
9/3/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post
9/4/2015- Novel Novice- Interview


Week Two:
9/7/2015- Once Upon A Twilight- Guest Post
9/8/2015- Chapter by Chapter- Interview
9/9/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Guest Post
9/10/2015- Mundie Moms- Review
9/11/2015- Page Turners- Interview


Dear followers, fans and peeps! Some of the books I review on Magical Urban Fantasy Reads are provided to me for free by either the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. Please know that I am in NO WAY compensated for my reviews. All opinions are mine and I am not required to give a positive review in exchange for a free book! But some of the purchase links on my blog are monetized through places like Amazon, Book Depository or Barnes & Noble.