Finding Faith Release Day Blitz with Giveaway!

Who's excited for Finding Faith?! I am! I can't wait to read Finn and Faith's story.

A little FAITH can get you through…

One night. That’s all Finn had with the only girl he ever loved. Years
later, all he has left of that night is a silver cross, a broken give a
damn, and the unrelenting desire to drink her memory away. As the lead
singer of Blow Hole, Finn has his pick of women, but none are able to squash
the need he still carries around for Faith. To hate her offers some relief,
but when Finn sees her again after so many years, it’s hard to despise her.
Especially when every reason he had to hate her, turn out to be lies.

As the daughter of a strict Baptist preacher, Faith Warren lived sheltered
from all things sinful. When she met Jimmy Finn, the epitome of all seven
deadly sins, she found out exactly what she was missing. After being forced
to choose between her soul and the only person in the world who made her
feel alive, Faith walked away from Finn and dove head first into her
father’s preferred life. But now Finn’s back and he’s getting payback by
wreaking havoc on her emotions. Except sometimes bad things feel good, and
Faith has to decide once again if she wants to stay in her gilded cage or
fly free with the dark angel of lust himself.
Buy links:
Amazon
Nook

AUTHOR BIO

“Tabatha Vargo is a USA Today bestselling author from a small town just

outside of Charleston, SC. Tabatha is a sweet tea sippin', front porch

sittin' kind of girl from the south. She loves old, historical anything,

wind chimes, and all things romantic. She is the mother of a seven-year-old

rockstar/princess and the wife of her very own Prince Charming. When she

isn't writing or reading, she's texting book ideas to herself and spending

time with her friends and family. Her first publication was a little poem in

her elementary school paper and from that point on she was hooked. She

finished her first novel, ‘Wicked Fate’, in 2009 and released it in November

2012. She has since released ‘On the Plus Side’, USA Today bestselling

‘Playing Patience’, and ‘Perfecting Patience’.”

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Wombstone Blog Tour - Interview & Giveaway with Jessica Roscoe

Today I have debut author Jessica Roscoe stopping by to tell us a bit about herself and her book Wombstone: A Vampireland Novel. I seriously loved it. Dark and dangerous, with vampires that make you fear the dark.

Thank you for stopping by Worlds of Wonderment Jessica.

Thanks for having me!

Your debut novel, Wombstone has been released. Can you tell us about it?

Wombstone is the story of a teenage girl, Mia Blake, who is kidnapped as she walks to her car one night. She awakens in a small cell with another girl, who tells her about the vampires who are holding them captive. Mia is skeptical at first but soon sees first-hand the horrors of a world she never knew existed. When she attempts to escape, and injures herself gravely, there is only one thing that can save her – but is it worth an eternity of suffering?

Is Wombstone part of a series? If so, what do you foresee for the series?

Wombstone is the first book in the Vampireland series. There are 5/6 books planned in the series. I am so excited and am already working on Vampireland #2, which I hope to release in time for Christmas.

How does it feel to know that people are going to be reading your book?

Terrifying and exhilarating! It’s quite confronting to put a piece of myself out there to be judged. Will people like it? Will they hate it? What will my parents say?! :)

How does your book differ from other vampire stories? Did you have to do a lot of world building?

My book differs in that my main character, Mia, is a reluctant vampire. She is terrified of spending an eternity without her loved ones, and would prefer to die than face that possibility. There is also not so much of an emphasis on romance in this book (the series contains several romantic relationships but the focus is always more on the action). Mia is trying to find the right way for herself, instead of latching onto a strong male character and allowing him to make all of her decisions. She is very headstrong and stubborn.

I really enjoyed Mia’s character, even though she is put through a lot she still manages to be snarky. Was her character always like that?

She was always sarcastic, but she was lighter and happier before. There is a flashback scene where she notices Jared for the first time as a hunk and a potential boyfriend instead of an immature kid who used to take great delight in tormenting her and her friends. But since her father died, and her mother checked out emotionally, she’s had to create this tough exterior to protect herself. She was in a good place before the vampires took her.

How did you come up with the premise for Wombstone?

It came to me! I honestly have no idea. Usually ideas smash into my brain while I’m driving, and I have to pull over and scribble them down before things start going too fast and I don’t know what to capture first. Driving with the music blaring is a great way for me to invite my muse to visit.

Have any authors influenced your writing?

Oh, sure. Lots! I find so many writers inspiring. I really admire Stephen King and his journey from a broke schoolteacher who couldn’t even afford his kid’s medicine to best-selling author. In “On Writing” there is a part that makes me cry every time I read it, when he tells his wife he has sold Carrie, his first novel, for 400 thousand dollars and he buys her a hairdryer to celebrate.

In terms of actual influence, I grew up reading Christopher Pike novels. That dude is amazing. He writes about teenagers but they are so well rounded as people (and, in some cases, pretty crazy). He is the epitome of an author who can tap into his inner teen! I’m 28 now, married and with a baby so I find I really need to work to keep that younger voice alive and authentic.

Paullina Simons is another amazing author whose influence I prize greatly – Tully has got to be one of the most heart-wrenching books I have ever read. Red Leaves is a close second. She breaks my heart! I went to a signing of her books once, and I was so nervous all I could say was, “your books make me cry every time!” And she took it as a great compliment because that’s what you want to do as a writer, to move your reader to tears (or laughter, or any other emotion you’re trying to convey).

Other writers who inspire me: Frankie Rose, Kim Harrison, Richelle Mead, and Lili St Crow. The Strange Angels series is one of my favourite series.

Why did you decide to go down the self-publishing route?

Uhh… impatience? But seriously, my goal is to be operating a fully-fledged, independent publishing house in the next few years. I have learnt so much over the past few years about the radically changing publishing industry, and I feel my work is better off being controlled by me instead of ending up lost in the crowd. Nobody is going to market my book more genuinely than me. And this way, I get to keep complete control! I am so passionate about good writing and if I can help writers get their stuff into the world, I’d be so pleased.

Name five things you can’t live without?

My daughter, my husband, my writing, Rum & Raisin Tim Tams, and Tea. Oh, and my favourite TV shows. That’s 6 :)

Favourite ice cream flavour?

Baskin Robbins Love Potion 31 :)

When I was living in New Jersey there was an amazing ice cream place there, too. Can’t remember the name of it, but it was just a little stall on the side of the highway that sold pure heaven in an ice cream cone.

What’s the last movie you saw at the cinema?

Life of Pi. It was good visually but I found it to be about an hour too long. I’m all for getting to the point! Plus the ending was way too ambiguous for me. I like my loose ends tied up.

Writes Urban Fantasy / horror. Lives in Australia. Loves expensive wine, gourmet coffee and all kinds of food. Currently gearing up to release Wombstone on March 1st. Grew up devouring Christopher Pike novels. Reads things by awesome people like Richelle Mead, Lilith St. Crow and Kim Harrison .

Visit www.jessicaroscoe.net

GIVEAWAY!

To win a signed paperback copy of Wombstone just fill out the Rafflecopter form. 

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Mia Blake is stolen in the night, taken from everything she knows.

She wakes up three days later, bruised, bloodied… and the newest chew-toy for a bunch of bloodthirsty vampires.

Mia didn’t know about The Real World, but It knew about her. She was taken for a reason, and she needs to figure out what that reason is – before it’s too late.

GIVEAWAY!

I have a signed copy of Forever by Maggie Stiefvater that's been collecting dust on my shelves for nearly a year. So I thought I'd have a giveaway. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form and you're done! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview & Giveaway with Susan Dennard

Welcome to Worlds of Wonderment Susan, it’s great to have you here!

You’re book Something Strange and Deadly releases later this year. Can you give potential readers a rundown?

It’s 1876, and Philadelphia is hosting the first American World Fair. It’s also hosting rancid corpses that refuse to stay dead. When one of those decomposing bodies brings Eleanor--a 16-year-old with a weakness for buttered toast and Shakespeare quotes--a hostage note for her brother, she resolves to do anything to rescue him. But to face the armies of Dead that have him, she’ll need a little help from a rag-tag ghost-fighting team called the Spirit-Hunters.

Is Something Strange and Deadly going to be part of a series? If so, what do you foresee for the series?

Yes, Something Strange and Deadly is the first book in a planned trilogy. Book 2, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, leads Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters to Paris, and book 3 takes them to Egypt.

Can you describe your main characters in five words?

Do you mean a sentence of five words? Or five adjectives? I’m going to go with the latter. ;)

Eleanor is brave, overly curious, too impulsive, hungry-for-carbs, and fiercely loyal. Okay, that was WAY more than five... Sorry!

What do you think sets Eleanor and Daniel apart from other YA couples?

I think they’re different because they aren’t necessarily meant to be together. There is no love-at-first-sight, soul-mate love between them. In fact, they aren’t even remotely interested in each other at the start. Their romance is a gradual thing...but even in books 2 and 3, there’s a lot standing in their way--specifically themselves and their own emotional readiness for love.

What makes a swoon-worthy rogue attractive and why do think we swoon over these rogues?

Ah, it’s the arrogant charm. A good ol’ Han Solo or Howl makes me go weak in the knees. There’s just something about their self-confidence...and also their tendency toward sarcasm. The key is figuring out which rogues are actually worth being with and which are just self-centered jerks. ;)

Is there a song that you think encompasses Something Strange and Deadly? Why does it fit your book?

For Something Strange and Deadly, it would be “Septimus” from the Stardust score. It’s just full of tension, and I can so vividly see Eleanor and Daniel running for their lives as they flee a dynamite factory on the verge of exploding!

Was there one defining moment when you realised you wanted to be an author?

Well, I wanted to be a writer when I was growing up, but when I went to school to study creative writing, I wound up sidetracked by marine biology. But when my husband and I got engaged, we realized if I continued to pursue science and he continued to pursue engineering, then we would be apart for many, many, MANY years. At that point, I decided to re-examine that old life goal of mine. But this time, I was older and willing to approach it without the rose-coloured glasses of childhood. This time, I was going to approach it as a profession. And...well, that’s what I did!

What has your journey been like to become published?

It was definitely not what I expected! When I started querying, I was actually on vacation and barely had access to the internet. I figured I wouldn’t hear from any agents for a while, so I sent out my queries and then went to the south of France for a week…only to get my first offer of representation a few days later! I can’t explain to you how stressful  that vacation was.

A few weeks after I signed with the amazingly fantastic and astonishingly wonderful Nancy Coffey Literary, I became an official HarperTeen gal!! :)

Honestly, I feel like my luck with SS&D all boils down to two things: how much I revised the book before I even began querying (I totally over-revised! But maybe my perfectionism paid off…er right?) and timing. The premise for Something Strange and Deadly was exactly what my editor was looking for at that exact moment, so it was all very “stars aligning”.

Is there one thing you wish you had the talent for (besides writing)?

Oh goodness yes! There are so many things I wish I had a talent for--long-distance running, playing an instrument, promoting myself. ;) But if I had to choose one skill I really, really wish I had, it would be drawing. Being able to sketch the characters in my head or draw out a scene--that’s something I would love to be able to do.

I’m a 28-year-old reader, writer, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I really like swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in Germany with my French husband and Irish setter, and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on twitter, facebook, or Goodreads. Visit www.susandennard.com!

So who wants to win a pre-order of Something Strange and Deadly? Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

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One Year Blogoversary - Charlotte Bennardo

I'm running a bit late with my second Blogoversary post with Charlotte Bennardo, but better late than never! So here it is!

My vote for YA couple is…

By Charlotte Bennardo

 

Well, before I get to that, let me explain that I didn’t pick Katniss and Peeta because I haven’t read the Hunger Games and everyone else will vote for them. (I’m a rebel that way—I go against the crowd.)

And I’m not choosing Bella and Edward because I can’t relate to women whose whole life (and death) center around a guy to the exclusion of everything else. Bella didn’t even know what she was going to study in college- it was all Edward, Edward, Edward.

It would be ill-advised of me to choose one writer friend’s hero/heroine duo over another. I have to live amongst and work with them, so let’s not cause any rifts. And I won’t be crass enough to pick my own characters (even though I have love for them. Sigh)

While I like Jane Eyre as a spunky gal—Mr. Rochester not so much, and I think he aged out of the “YA” part. Romeo and Juliet were silly kids, and even though I love his Highness William Shakespeare and his characters, (I’d consider Kate and Petruchio, but I think they’re too old for YA also), Romeo and fair Juliet didn’t even make the “Under Consideration” list.

There are a lot of literary couples I could go through, but I will finally reveal my choice to keep from boring you or driving you mad by my procrastination. My choice is….

Harry Potter and Ginny Weasely.  Really.

In short order, here’s why:

-They had a life that was full, busy, complicated and realistic (as much as you can get when you’re witches and wizards). They went to school, had to study, played sports, got mad at their friends. Life as we know it.

-It wasn’t the old “Love at first sight.” Sorry, not a believer. Lust, yes, love- NO. They grew to love each other after going through silly crushes, dating others, enduring heartbreak and having arguments.

-Their relationship had balance; it wasn’t all one or the other. Since Harry was older, he was more worldly than Ginny, but she matured, caught up, and was someone of equal determination, resourcefulness and passion. She kicked evil Voldemort butt and was a fun date.

-They faced real issues (Voldemort and his evil plots aside). Dating others, seeing the one you liked date someone else, facing loss, hardship and separation.

I truly believe these two, with all the magic stripped away, are representative of YA couples, which is why I find them appealing: I could look in the mirror and see a shadowy version of me—or anyone.

The SIRENZ Series

by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman

Sirenz 

Sirenz: Back in Fashion - June 2012

www.thesirenz.com

Do you agree with Charlotte's choice? Leave a comment with your favourite YA couple and your email address for a chance to win a copy of SIRENZ! Giveaway ends Saturday 5th May

One year Blogoversary - Brigid Kemmerer

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year already! My blog has recently been renamed and redesigned, so I hope you like the new look.


This week I have a couple of authors stopping by to tell us about their favourite couples from YA books. Their posts are great! First up is the awesome, amazing Brigid Kemmerer, author of Storm (which is released within hours!).

Thank you so much for including me in your blog event!

You asked me to write a post about my favorite Young Adult couple and why I think they're awesome.

That's impossible for me to do.

I mean, I sat down to write this post, and of course I immediately thought of Perry and Aria from Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. Perry is just wickedly cool -- not to mention genuinely badass -- and there's something about his fierce gentleness that's impossible not to like. And Aria might be a futuristic version of the "spoiled rich girl," but she's got a core of steel, and she fires back on Perry with everything she's got. Their relationship is organic, and natural, and I believed every minute of their chemistry. I wanted to be with them while they were trekking across the Death Shop. I wanted to be their friend. Their story affected me that much.

But then I realized that if I picked Rossi's book, I wouldn't be able to talk about Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins, which is seriously the sweetest romance in the whole entire world. Etienne St. Clair. ETIENNE ST. CLAIR. I mean, honestly. Who doesn't love that boy? I knew I was loving the book while I was reading it, but when one of the boys licks the crotch of the statue in the cemetery, I knew it would be one of my favorite books of all time. I think my favorite part of the book is their constant email exchange when they're on winter break. Those emails were just ... magical.

AUGH. But what about Will Grayson and Tiny in Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. You want to talk about a magical relationship ... This book seriously tugged at my heartstrings until there wasn't any give left. There's a huge turning point in the middle of the book, where a serious truth is revealed (and we're talking a SERIOUS TRUTH), and I read that part while on a five hour plane ride. I just about punched my husband and said, "YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED," and then he snorted and woke up and thought the plane was crashing. You must read this book. It will break your heart and then repair it in the most delicious way possible.

There are too many great couples. I love them all. You can't make me pick just one.

What are your favorites?

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of Storm, available April 24 from KTeen (US) and Allen & Unwin (Australia). You can visit her website at www.brigidkemmerer.com, and follow her on Twitter @BrigidKemmerer. 

I am giving away one copy of Storm from The Book Depository. Just tell us in the comments who is your favourite YA couple or couples. Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win! Giveaway is International and ends Sat 28th April.

Psst! Elemental the prequel to Storm is currently free on Amazon too! It's a great beginning to this series!

Interview & Giveaway with Jessica Shirvington!

Welcome to Cotton Candy Reviews, Jessica. It is great to have you here.

Thanks so much!

For those who are yet to have the pleasure of reading your books, could you tell us about them?

Book 1 in The Violet Eden Chapters is called EMBRACE. It is the story of a seventeen-year-old girl, Violet Eden, who discovers that she is caught up in this ancient battle between exiled angels that are on earth and angel-human warriors that fight against them called the Grigori. Violet discovers her destiny is entwined with this eternal battle and must make her choice – to follow the path that has been set for her, or turn her back on her destiny. At the heart of the story she is also torn between the two men in her life; Lincoln – her long time crush who is the one to tell her nothing will ever be the same, and Phoenix, an exiled angel who, despite his more frightening attributes always happens to be there when she needs someone.

Book 2, ENTICED, follows on from Embrace and we see Violet come into her powers and also begin to take charge of her life. New characters come in from the Academy in New York and new friendships are forged. But old enemies return, too, and Violet quickly discovers that she is more vulnerable than ever. It is in the sacred mountains of Mt Nebo, in Jordan, where the ultimate secrets are revealed and Violet must step up and make one more very difficult decision.

Book 3, EMBLAZE, has just come out. A lot has happened and Violet’s life has changed so much she sometimes barely recognises herself. She has had to face so many battles, but she knows her biggest is coming and she must ultimately face Phoenix. The trouble is, Phoenix always seems to have the upper hand. When he double crosses them and takes something very dear to Violet, she realises – the games are over. If she wants to protect the people she loves, she has to fight Phoenix – even though she knows, there is little chance of her coming out of it alive.

So far there are three books in the Violet Eden chapters. How many books are planned for the series?

Definitely 4 and probably 6. I am writing book 4 at the moment and I have always promised myself I would let the story build and end organically and at the right time. I am not interested in telling the same story over and over – but also, I don’t want to cut the character progression short or just give a predictable ending – so I am leaving myself open to find the right place to end. Of course, I think I have a good idea, but sometimes when you start writing you just discover a better way and I want to be in a position to take that better road if it presents itself.

How would you describe Violet?

I’d describe Violet as strong and independent but also fragile and flawed at the same time. Some of her actions are forced from a place of fear rather than strength. She is not always as strong as she likes to appear and I think that makes for some interesting scenes. At other times, when she is put in the most frightening of situations her real strength comes through and then you can see her potential. I guess you could say ... she’s complicated. Like most seventeen-year-old girls.

What are the differences between Lincoln and Phoenix?

Many. Lincoln is grounded. He knows who he is, had a stable upbringing. His morals and ethics are well developed and though he makes mistakes he has an inner strength that makes him an incredible person. On the other hand, he tends to overthink things as well. Sometimes I just want to grab him and shake him and tell him – he doesn’t have to always take the hard road.

Phoenix is quite different. His upbringing has been completely unique. No other being in the world is like him. He has been tossed aside so many times as if no one would claim him as one of their own. He has learnt to function, to take and to please himself when he wants, but you can see that has left him wanting in other areas. As opposed to Lincoln, Phoenix’s innate tendencies make it difficult to simply to the right thing. It is as if, even when he tries, he can’t help but chose the most questionable way to get there. I feel like shaking him a lot too!

How do your angels differ from other angel books that are out?

First of all, my angels are non-corporeal – and they are forbidden from visiting the earth. That also means that my exiled angels have to adjust to having human bodies when they fall to earth – it is a huge thing for them to become accustomed to and they never really do. As a result, they can’t process the physical restraints and the emotional responses that come with having a human form and they gradually become more and more insane.

Are the Violet Eden Chapters set anywhere in particular, or have you created a separate universe?

They are set in our world; however, I never name the city that Violet lives in. In book 2, they go to Jordan. In book 3, they go to Greece. In book 4, they go to New York. However, when I wrote the early drafts of Embrace I found myself simply referring to Violet’s home city as the ‘City’ and quickly realised this was the way I wanted it to stay. I want the readers to be able to fully submerge themselves in Violet’s world and that means imagining it as if they were there. I imagine a version of the places I have lived in my life and around the world and readers should do the same – whether they imagine a place they live in or have been to.

Was there anything in particular that sparked the idea behind your books?

I loved the idea of the angel hierarchy and I used that to help create the premise for the world rules. The idea that there are these nine ranks of angels – each with a purpose, power and function. It made sense that they would be broken up this way. Also, I liked the idea that angels were completely flawed, just like us. This led to a lot of my story threads.

What is one thing you wish you had the talent for?

Music. I love music so much and listen to playlists all the time in between writing. I am always singing along in the car – people point and laugh at the traffic lights! And my kids are always blocking their ears. I think they would like it too, if I had a talent for singing.

Do you have a favourite flavoured Tim Tam?  (I prefer the dark choc mint version.)

Hmm ... To be honest, I haven’t explored the flavour options. I’m pretty traditional when it comes to Tim Tam buying but my favourite ice cream is mint choc-chip so I like your suggestion.

Jessica Shirvington lives in Sydney with her husband of nine years, FOXTEL presenter and former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington, and their two daughters. She has previously founded and run a coffee distribution company, Stella Imports, in London, and been involved in managing the restaurants Fuel Bistro, Tow Bar and MG Garage in Sydney.

She is currently a full-time mum, author and co-director in the company MPS Investments Pty Ltd.

You can find out more about Jessica and her books by visiting her website: http://www.jessicashirvington.com/

Liking The Violet Eden Chapters on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/violetedenchapters

And by visiting the official Violet Eden Chapters website: http://www.violetedenchapters.com.au/ 

To win a copy of EMBRACE, just leave a comment with your email! If you don't follow my blog I would be most appreciative you did. Giveaway is international as the book will be shipping from the Book Depository.  (The English covers are also different.)

Giveaway ends Friday November 11th.

Vampire Academy Giveaway!!

A few weeks ago I was able to get my hands on 10 copies of Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead. With the release of Bloodlines, the new VA spin off, I am having a giveaway. Ten people will a copy of Last Sacrifice, with one winner also winning a copy of Bloodlines!! So, what do you have to do to enter? Well, being a follower of my blog is mandatory, but for an extra entry each, follow me on Facebook, twitter & Goodreads. You can also get extra entries by tweeting and posting about the giveaway on Facebook. Leave a comment with all your entry links and email, so I can contact you if you win.


When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.


I have 5 copies for Australia & 5 copies to giveaway internationally! Giveaway ends September 30th.

Win one of my What I'm Reading books!

I have ten books on my What I'm Reading list. Want to win one? All you have to do is follow my blog, 'like' Cotton Candy Reviews on facebook, and for an extra entry post a link on twitter. If I reach 50 followers I will add a third winner, and if I somehow manage to reach 100 followers I will add a fourth winner.

The first winner will have their choice of two books, second winner their choice of what's left and so on.

The winners will choose from:

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Matched by Ally Condie

Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell

Exile by Rebecca Lim

Entice by Carrie Jones

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Wither by Lauren DeStefano 

Books will be shipped from either Amazon or The Book Depository.

GIVEAWAY ENDS 30th JUNE 2011!