Rockstar Book Tours Blog Tour, Excerpt, & Giveaway: Faithful (Michelle Hauck)

FAITHFUL
Author: Michelle Hauck
Pub. Date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Harper Voyager Impulse
Pages: 384
Formats: eBook

Following Grudging--and with a mix of Terry Goodkind and Bernard Cornwall--religion, witchcraft, and chivalry war in Faithful, the exciting next chapter in Michelle Hauck's Birth of Saints series!
A world of Fear and death…and those trying to save it.
Colina Hermosa has burned to the ground. The Northern invaders continue their assault on the ciudades-estados. Terror has taken hold, and those that should be allies betray each other in hopes of their own survival. As the realities of this devastating and unprovoked war settles in, what can they do to fight back?
On a mission of hope, an unlikely group sets out to find a teacher for Claire, and a new weapon to use against the Northerners and their swelling army.
What they find instead is an old woman.
But she’s not a random crone—she’s Claire’s grandmother. She’s also a Woman of the Song, and her music is both strong and horrible. And while Claire has already seen the power of her own Song, she is scared of her inability to control it, having seen how her magic has brought evil to the world, killing without reason or remorse. To preserve a life of honor and light, Ramiro and Claire will need to convince the old woman to teach them a way so that the power of the Song can be used for good. Otherwise, they’ll just be destroyers themselves, no better than the Northerners and their false god, Dal. With the annihilation their enemy has planned, though, they may not have a choice.
A tale of fear and tragedy, hope and redemption, Faithful is the harrowing second entry in the Birth of Saints trilogy.

Find it: 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iBooks * Goodreads

GRUDGING
Author: Michelle Hauck
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Publisher: Harper Voyager Impulse
Formats: eBook

A world of chivalry and witchcraft…and the invaders who would destroy everything.

The North has invaded, bringing a cruel religion and no mercy. The ciudades-estados who have stood in their way have been razed to nothing, and now the horde is before the gates of Colina Hermosa…demanding blood.

On a mission of desperation, a small group escapes the besieged city in search of the one thing that might stem the tide of Northerners: the witches of the southern swamps.

The Women of the Song.

But when tragedy strikes their negotiations, all that is left is a single untried knight and a witch who has never given voice to her power. And time is running out.

A lyrical tale of honor and magic, Grudging is the opening salvo in the Book of Saints trilogy.

Find it:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two teenagers. Two papillons help balance out the teenage drama. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack. 
She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat and Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow.

Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, is published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She's repped by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.

Website | Twitter |Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr

A fresh wave of laughter came from the other side of the tent, and this time Claire picked out the actual word “witch.” More laughter and unsympathetic looks followed. The women sitting around Claire suddenly found other places for their eyes, avoiding her gaze, and hastily returning to their work.

Claire’s shoulders dropped. Words shouldn’t bother her, but moisture rushed to her eyes and now she blinked to hold back tears. Did they think her brainless? She knew they only tolerated her because her magic saved them or because Ramiro insisted. Still, it seemed that if there was a time to get over such pettiness, the tragedies they’d all faced would be it.

These may be Ramiro’s people, but they seem nothing like him.

Strangely, that thought led to another: that she missed Teresa, though she barely knew the woman. The woman who dressed like a man and taught at the university would have stood up for her. But Teresa had been left behind in the swamp. Who knew if she even lived?

Not for the first time, Claire reconsidered her decision to stay when Ramiro had asked her. She’d lingered out of curiosity—and truthfully because it felt good to be needed—but they didn’t need her now with the Northern army defeated. She could return to the swamp and away from so many people. Despite her hopes of friends and community, she felt awkward here. Reason said she’d get used to their ways, but being around so many folk made her want to hide. Everything pressed down. The walls of the tent shrunk, pinning her in, and smothering her. It became hard to breathe.

She reached for a fresh strip of cloth, only to have her hand shake. She snatched the material and began to roll it, trying to shut out everything else, including her own doubts.

Before she could find a semblance of peace, though, someone shouted. Ladies screamed. Claire looked over her shoulder at the noise. A brown-bearded man in a poncho and a floppy hat ran in her direction. “My family is dead, because of the evacuations. Because of you.”

Claire gasped. He seemed to be talking to Beatriz, then his gaze found Claire.

“Witch!” His outstretched hand suddenly held a long butcher knife. “Witch! Stay away from us! Murderer! Abomination! Die!”

2 winners will receive signed paperbacks of book 1, Grudging ~ (US Only)

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/7/2016- Books,Dreams,Life- Interview

11/8/2016- Bibliobibuli YA- Review

11/9/2016- Book in the Bag- Interview

11/10/2016- History from a Woman's Perspective- Review

11/11/2016- Marty Mayberry- Guest Post

Week Two:

11/14/2016- Book for Thought- Review

11/15/2016- Curling Up With A Good Book- Guest Post

11/16/2016- Always Me- Review

11/17/2016- Dazzled by Books- Interview

11/18/2016- The Autumn Bookshelf- Review

Rockstar Book Tours Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: The Women In The Walls (Amy Lukavics)

Title: THE WOMEN IN THE WALLS

Author: Amy Lukavics
Pub. Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 496
Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Lucy Acosta's mother died when she was three. Growing up in a Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods with her cold, distant father, she explored the dark hallways of the estate with her cousin, Margaret. They're inseparable—a family.
When her aunt Penelope, the only mother she's ever known, tragically disappears while walking in the woods surrounding their estate, Lucy finds herself devastated and alone. Margaret has been spending a lot of time in the attic. She claims she can hear her dead mother's voice whispering from the walls. Emotionally shut out by her father, Lucy watches helplessly as her cousin's sanity slowly unravels. But when she begins hearing voices herself, Lucy finds herself confronting an ancient and deadly legacy that has marked the women in her family for generations.

Find it: 

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

Ever since she was little, Amy was especially intrigued by horror books and movies. Raised in a small mountain town in Arizona, she sustained herself on a steady diet of Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books before discovering Stephen King in her mother's bookshelf. 
Amy lives with her husband, their two precious squidlings, and an old gentleman cat by the name of Frodo. When she isn't writing, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and playing games across many platforms. 

Website | Twitter |Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr | Wattpad

Creepy old mansion with strange, curious people makes the perfect mix for a chilling YA Horror story......

The Women In The Walls is the perfect read for the fall and in preparation for Halloween. The Women In The Walls is intensely creepy, deeply disturbing, and the perfect psychological thriller. The whole setting of the book is dark and mysterious and just when you think you know what is happening....Be ready...because you don't.


and that cover....SERIOUSLY! How creepily awesome is that cover? An old mansion sitting back in the fog with The Women In The Walls written as though it is dripping with blood....Ummmm YES!!!!!!!

Lucy Acosta lives with her family in the Acosta mansion. Her mother passed away at a young age and she has been raised by her father and aunt. She has an cousin named Margaret that also lives with them and Lucy has grown up with her and thinks of her as a sister. Lucy and Margaret have never ventured far from home. Both girls are home-schooled and when they are not doing school work they play within the old mansion or out in the grounds of the land.

"The girl lives in a beautiful dollhouse made of stone, I wrote one time in my diary when I was young, my handwriting shaky but sure. But underneath her shining plastic smile, there are only screams."

One afternoon Lucy watches her Aunt Penelope walk into the woods late at night and never come back. This odd occurrence begins a series of strange events among the Acosta house. From this point on Lucy experiences changes with the people she loves and realizes that something dark and evil is happening within their home.  Lucy must figure out the truth behind what is really going on in her home before it is too late and the evil takes over.....

"Some of us die afraid, my mind whispers, shaky at the knowledge, desperate for release from it. Some of us die in awful, unexpected ways."

The Women In The Walls is not for the faint of heart and at times can be very gruesome and horrifying... I recommend this book to true Horror genre fans who aren't afraid of a little blood and evil apparitions. Amy Lukavics really knows how to dig into the heart of a story and take the reader on a horrific journey that will stay with you long after reading the last page. Her writing is emotional, deep, and yet very thought provoking. I love that her characters all seem to have scars and yet by the end of the story are able to overcome their issues and truly....face ...their...fears.....

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE WOMEN IN THE WALLS, US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/19/2016- The Cover Contessa- Interview

9/20/2016- Emily Reads Everything- Review

9/21/2016- Curling Up With A Good Book- Guest Post

9/22/2016- RhiReading- Excerpt

9/23/2016- A Gingerly Review- Excerpt

Week Two:

9/26/2016- Ohana Reads- Review

9/27/2016- Bibliobibuli YA- Guest Post

9/28/2016- Smada's Book Smack- Review

9/29/2016- A Dream Within A Dream- Interview

9/30/2016- BookCrushin- Review

Rockstar Book Tours Blog Tour, Review, & Giveaway: And The Trees Crept In (Dawn Kurtagich)

Title: AND THE TREES CREPT IN
Author: Dawn Kurtagich
Pub. Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

A stunning, terrifying novel about a house the color of blood and the two sisters who are trapped there, by The Dead House author Dawn Kurtagich

When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt's home, it's immediately clear that the "blood manor" is cursed. The creaking of the house and the stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too--the questions that Silla can't ignore: Who is the beautiful boy that's appeared from the woods? Who is the man that her little sister sees, but no one else? And why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer?
Filled with just as many twists and turns as The Dead House, and with achingly beautiful, chilling language that delivers haunting scenes, AND THE TREES CREPT IN is the perfect follow-up novel for master horror writer Dawn Kurtagich.

Find it:

 Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

Dawn Kurtagich is a writer of creepy, spooky and psychologically sinister YA fiction, where girls may descend into madness, boys may see monsters in men, and grown-ups may have something to hide. Her debut YA novel, The Dead House, is forthcoming from Orion/Indigo (UK) and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (US) in 2015.

By the time she was eighteen, she had been to fifteen schools across two continents. The daughter of a British globe-trotter and single mother, she grew up all over the place, but her formative years were spent in Africa—on a mission, in the bush, in the city and in the desert.
She has been lucky enough to see an elephant stampede at close range, a giraffe tongue at very close range, and she once witnessed the stealing of her (and her friends’) underwear by very large, angry baboons. (This will most definitely end up in a book . . . ) While she has quite a few tales to tell about the jumping African baboon spider, she tends to save these for Halloween!

When she was sixteen, she thought she'd be an astronomer and writer at the same time, and did a month-long internship at Cambridge's prestigious Cavendish Laboratories.

She writes over at the YA Scream Queens, a young adult blog for all things horror and thriller, and she is a member of the YA League.
Her life reads like a YA novel.

Website | Instagram| Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest | Goodreads

The first time I read about And The Trees Crept In I knew I had to read it. Everything about this creepy story jumped out at me and I couldn't wait to dig in. Not only was the synopsis of this story intriguing but the cover is amazing as well! What a creepy and  intricate cover that just grabs the readers attention.

And The Trees Crept In is a psychological thriller that will keep readers guessing till the last page.  It is a haunting story about two young girls , Silla and Nori, that go to stay at their aunts house in the middle of  dark, scary woods and learn about a "man" who stays in the woods and whom no one else can see. 

This young adult horror book is so different, creepy, and yet very unique. The story is told from Silla's point of view and also through diary entries throughout the book. I found this very interesting and the diary entries really kept my attention but at some times they became confusing and I wasn't sure who was writing the entries. 

There are so many psychological twists and unexpected turns in this book and when  you think you know what is happening...another twist is thrown in the story. It would be so easy to give away the plot of this story so I will keep it simple..If you like a good mystery with a creepy dark haunted house and a scary mysterious man in the woods ....then this book is for you! I was definitely intrigued by the uniqueness of this story and will be reading future books written by Dawn Kurtagich! 

3 winners will receive a finished copy of AND THE TREES CREPT IN, US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/29/2016- Lisa Loves Literature- Interview

8/30/2016- Curling Up With A Good Book- Review

8/31/2016- Bookish Fangirl- Guest Post

9/1/2016- NovelKnight- Review

9/2/2016- Once Upon a Twilight- Interview

Week Two:

9/5/2016- Pretty Deadly Reviews- Review

9/6/2016- Ohana Reads- Guest Post

9/7/2016- Such a Novel Idea- Review

9/8/2016- Bookish Lifestyle- Interview

9/9/2016- A Dream Within A Dream- Review

Rockstar Book Tours Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Sticks & Stone (Abby Cooper)

Sticks & Stones
by Abby Cooper
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: July 12th 2016

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, School

Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about. Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying "I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help." As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self.

Which came first, the title or the novel?

The title, and I’m so glad that it did! When I was writing and I got stuck, I thought about the entire “sticks and stones may break my bones…” expression, and the idea came to me – what if words literally hurt you? That’s how I thought of Elyse’s skin disorder, and the rest is history!

What do you like most about the cover of the book?

Everything! The cover designer did such an incredible job. I love the bright colors, the font, the way the words are written across arms. It’s such a wonderful representation of the book.

What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016? 

There have been so many amazing 2016 books so far, and there are so many yet to come! I’m really looking forward to Bridget Hodder’s THE RAT PRINCE, Elly Swartz’s FINDING PERFECT, and Jill Diamond’s LOU LOU AND PEA AND THE MURAL MYSTERY.

What would you say is your superpower?

I am Opposite-of-Procrastinator Girl. (Is there a word for that? There should be a word for that.) I don’t know why, but I’ve never been able to procrastinate on anything; I have to do everything right away or else I feel really anxious. (Sometimes I actually wish I could procrastinate, though, because there have been many times throughout my life when I’ve done things way too fast or arrived places way too early. Once I was so early meeting someone for dinner that the restaurant wasn’t even open yet, and I had to sit outside in the rain for half an hour.) 

Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

I’m a huge fan of the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute (which has nothing to do with actual oceans, in case you were wondering!) It’s modeled after 826 National, and each chapter of the program takes on a fun, creative theme. Step inside and you’ll totally feel like you’re in a submarine exploring Minnesota’s long-lost ocean. 

The organization provides creative writing field trips to students in 2nd-4th grade. The students work together as a class with volunteers to write, illustrate, and publish a book over the course of a couple hours. The kids have such great ideas and are so proud of themselves when they see the finished books. I’m honored to volunteer with such a special program. 

What’s up next for you? 

I’m finishing up BUBBLES, my 2017 book, and am writing another MG. I’m also getting ready for a ton of fun book events and school visits! I’m doing several events in Minneapolis/St. Paul this summer, as well as some in Madison, Denver, and Chicago in the fall. Check my website – www.AbbyCooperAuthor.com - for details and updates. 

Follow the Sticks & Stones by Abby Cooper Blog Tour and don't miss anything! 

Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Abby Cooper lives in Minnesota with her miniature poodle, Louis, and a whole bunch of books. A former teacher and school librarian, her favorite things in the world (besides writing) are getting and giving book recommendations and sharing her love of reading with others. In her spare time, she likes eating cupcakes, running along the Mississippi River, and watching a lot of bad reality TV.

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Rockstar Book Tours Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Empire Of Dust (Eleanor Herman)

Title: EMPIRE OF DUST (Blood of Gods and Royals #2)
Author: Eleanor Herman
Pub. Date: June 26, 2016
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 432
Format: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook


In Macedon, war rises like smoke, forbidden romance blooms and ancient magic tempered with rage threatens to turn an empire to dust

After winning his first battle, Prince Alexander fights to become the ruler his kingdom demands—but the line between leader and tyrant blurs with each new threat.

Meanwhile, Hephaestion, cast aside by Alexander for killing the wrong man, must conceal the devastating secret of a divine prophecy from Katerina even as the two of them are thrust together on a dangerous mission to Egypt.

The warrior, Jacob, determined to forget his first love, vows to eradicate the ancient Blood Magics and believes that royal prisoner Cynane holds the key to Macedon's undoing.

And in chains, the Persian princess Zofia still longs to find the Spirit Eaters, but first must grapple with the secrets of her handsome—and deadly—captor.

New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman entwines the real scandals of history with epic fantasy to reimagine the world's most brilliant ruler, Alexander the Great, in the second book of the Blood of Gods and Royals series.

Find it:

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Goodreads

Grab the FREE novella VOICE OF GODS Now!

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The novella QUEEN OF ASHES for $2.99!

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Title: LEGACY OF KINGS
Author: Eleanor Herman
Pub. Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 432
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Imagine a time when the gods turn a blind eye to the agony of men, when the last of the hellions roam the plains and evil stirs beyond the edges of the map. A time when cities burn, and in their ashes, empires rise.
Alexander, Macedonia’s sixteen-year-old heir, is on the brink of discovering his fated role in conquering the known world but finds himself drawn to newcomer Katerina, who must navigate the dark secrets of court life while hiding her own mission: kill the Queen. But Kat’s first love, Jacob, will go to unthinkable lengths to win her, even if it means competing for her heart with Hephaestion, a murderer sheltered by the prince. And far across the sea, Zofia, a Persian princess and Alexander’s unmet fiancée, wants to alter her destiny by seeking the famed and deadly Spirit Eaters.
Weaving fantasy with the salacious and fascinating details of real history, New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman reimagines the greatest emperor the world has ever known: Alexander the Great, in the first book of the Blood of Gods and Royals series.

Find it: 

Amazon | B&N |iBooks | Goodreads

Before the Game of Thrones craze swept the nation, Eleanor Herman was hard at work entertaining readers with her extensive research on courtly intrigue and romance. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Sex with Kings, as well as three other works of nonfiction: Sex with the Queen, Mistress of the Vatican, and King Peggy.

Obsessed by all things royal and historical, she lives in McLean, Virginia with her husband and four extremely dignified cats. Legacy of Kings is her first novel.

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What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

This is the second book in the series. Legacy of Kings ended with many stories up in the air so this is a continuation. I love taking my characters to different places in the ancient world: Egypt, Samothrace, Delphi, Halicarnassus, and across the vast Persian Empire. 

Who is your favorite character in the book?

That’s like asking am other which of her many children is her favorite. But I suppose I enjoy writing Cynane the most. She is a very modern soul trapped in a woman’s body in a very non-woman friendly time period. I like her fierce independence, her refusal to accept a traditional life. I don’t always like the things she does but understand why she does them.

Which came first, the title or the novel?

The novel came first as it is the second in a series of four Blood of Gods and Royals books. The title Empire of Dust reflects Alexander’s realization that unless a king handles his responsibilities properly, his reign doesn’t really mean anything. 

What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I love writing battle scenes! I have read every ancient Greek and Roman description there is of battles and strategies; most of them involve tricking your enemies in some clever way. So my favorite scene in Empire of Dust is when Alex and his men are waiting in the tunnel with bee hives and a portable oven for the Aesarians to march toward them. 

Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?

I’ve learned fiction takes much more skill than non-fiction, which is simply putting facts into a readable format. Fiction has to really bring the read into the moment you are creating and involves smells, sounds, textures, and tones of voice in addition to believable conversation, back stories, and moving the story forward. Too many details in the moment and lose the pace. Too few and you don’t connect with the reader. There’s a delicate balance a fiction author has to achieve.

What do you like most about the cover of the book?

I like the sense of mystery. The Pyramids in a key which is going to unlock…what? There are many mysteries in the series, and some of them are unlocked in Empire of Dust.

What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016?

I’m really looking forward to Rae Carson’s second book in the Gold Seer Trilogy. I loved the first one, Walk the Earth a Stranger. You experience the sweat, dust, mud, hunger, and aching legs of going west in 1849, and there is a fantasy element full of surprises. Like a River Glorious will be published in September and I will probably read it in one big gulp and then cry that I have to wait another year for the next one.

What was your favorite book in 2015?

I really enjoyed Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes. Though set in a fantasy society, it had much in common with ancient Rome and a very realistic historical feel.

What’s up next for you?

My novella Queen of Ashes is out August 1! It tells the story of the legendary Princess Laila of Sharuna, immortal ruler of an accursed kingdom along the Nile, who has a minor part in Empire of Dust. I loved researching ancient Egypt, and there’s even a horrific battle with mummies! I’m also halfway through the sequel to Empire of Dust, Reign of Serpents and love how the characters are changing and developing.

Is there anything that you would like to add?

I would like to thank my cats Mouse, Mr. Skittles, Samantha Papooty and Miss Genevieve for sitting on my desk and helping me write every day. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

3 winners will receive a finished copy of EMPIRE OF DUST, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/20/2016- The Cover Contessa- Interview

6/21/2016- Zach's YA Reviews- Review

6/22/2016- Fiction Fare- Guest Post

6/23/2016- My So-Called Book Reviews- Review

6/24/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

Week Two:

6/27/2016- Lisa Loves Literature- Review

6/28/2016- A Dream Within A Dream- Guest Post

6/29/2016- Mundie Moms- Review

6/30/2016- Once Upon A Twilight- Review

7/1/2016- Curling Up With A Good Book- Interview