Emily's Crammed Bookshelf

{YADP} The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala

2019-04-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

Young Adult Debut Promotions (YADP) is a post I do to help debut authors enter the book world with a bang! It's important for readers to find new authors, but it's also important for them to connect with the authors. That's my goal with this post. And if I'm being honest, I also really enjoy working with the authors and getting to know them. Click here for more information!

Today's debut author is....

Swati Teerdhala

After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Finance and History, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of chai, the right ratio of curd-to-crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell. She currently lives in New York City.

Connect with Swati:
Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr

Author Interview

1. Why did you decide to become a writer?
I’ve been writing ever since I was a kid, on and off, but I never thought of writing as a possible career. I just didn’t know anyone and I kind of thought authors were these magical creatures! I started writing again more seriously after I graduated from college, when I gave myself the challenge to just sit down and write the book I’d always wanted to write. And then I couldn’t stop!

2.Who were your biggest influences?
I’ve always loved mythology and history, since I was a child, and they’re both huge inspirations to me as a writer. As a kid, I started to read a lot of adult fantasy at a young age–everything from Tamora Pierce to Mercedes Lackey, Jacqueline Carey and Terry Brooks.

3. Where do you like to write?
I’m definitely a morning writer. I like to tap into my creativity before the weight of the day has fully settled on me (and before I go to my day job). Right now, I have a little desk setup in my apartment with my large calendar on the wall, but really I try to write wherever I can! Preferably with a cup of tea though.

4. When and how did you get the idea for The Tiger at Midnight?
I first got the idea for The Tiger at Midnight when I was traveling and visiting an old Fort. It was the first spark of an idea of what would become The Tiger at Midnight and the first time I heard the voice of Kunal, one of the two main characters. I looked out from one of the old window openings and wondered what would be the most odd or startling thing a soldier of old might have seen. A girl. And that’s the opening page of THE TIGER AT MIDNIGHT.

5. What was the writing process for the book like? Were there ups and downs, or was it smooth sailing?
The first draft of this book, which I wrote in a few months, was fairly easy. However, I revised extensively and would say the published book is probably my seventh draft of this story. There were definitely some ups and downs as I tried to hone in on and expand the story at the same time. I think the hardest part is when you’re on your fourth round of revisions and you don’t know if you’re making it better or worse with the changes anymore! I knew I had this grand story I wanted to tell, but it took me some time to find the right way to tell it.

6. How was the publishing process for you, as a debut author? Was it what you expected? Can you share some challenges or interesting tidbits?
It was pretty typical, honestly. Publishing is an industry that requires a lot of patience, and that’s certainly something I developed! Also a thick skin. Everyone says it and I’m just going to second it–rejection is commonplace and not personal. I think that was the biggest lesson I learned. To see every rejection not as failure, but as the next step to improving and to getting to where I wanted to be, which was a published author.

7. What are your plans for the future, and do they include writing?
Definitely writing! The second book (sequel to The Tiger at Midnight) is coming out in spring of 2020 and I’m revising that and drafting the third book as well. Hopefully, I’ll have a lot more stories coming out into the world in the future. :)

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE

1. Movie
Shakespeare in Love

2. Book/series
Harry Potter OR if that’s cheating, I’d say The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce

3. Dessert
Cheesecake

4. Animal
Tiger ;)

5. Color
Red

6. Hobby
Reading!

_______________________________________________________________________

The point you made about understanding rejection isn't personal is something I really need to learn as well. I am at the point in my life where I am trying to start my career and applying for a lot of jobs, but I haven't gotten any of them. The failure is disheartening, but I need to do what you did and use it as an opportunity to learn. Those were very insightful answers, thank you for sharing all that.

Swati's Book

The Tiger at Midnight
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 496
Release Date: April 23, 2019
by Katherine Tegen

Goodreads / Purchase

Esha is a legend, but no one knows. It’s only in the shadows that she moonlights as the Viper, the rebels’ highly skilled assassin. She’s devoted her life to avenging what she lost in the royal coup, and now she’s been tasked with her most important mission to date: taking down the ruthless General Hotha.

Kunal has been a soldier since childhood, training morning and night to uphold the power of King Vardaan. His uncle, the general, has ensured that Kunal never strays from the path—even as a part of Kunal longs to join the outside world, which has been growing only more volatile.

Then Esha’s and Kunal’s paths cross—and an unimaginable chain of events unfolds. Both the Viper and the soldier think they’re calling the shots, but they’re not the only players moving the pieces. As the bonds that hold their land in order break down and the sins of the past meet the promise of a new future, both rebel and soldier must make unforgivable choices.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology, the first book in Swati Teerdhala’s debut fantasy trilogy captivates with electric romance, stunning action, and the fierce bonds that hold people together—and that drive them apart.

Giveaway

One (1) finished copy of The Tiger at Midnight

{Re-Read Review} Defiance by C.J. Redwine

2019-03-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Defiance
by C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #1
Pages: 403
Release Date: August 28, 2012
by Balzer + Bray

Goodreads / Purchase

While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.

When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

*REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*

They are whited out so you can only read them if you highlight the text

This book easily withstands the test of time, which is why I loved it as much reading it now as I did six years ago for the first time.

What struck me the most was the romance, how unique it was, and how it was used to track the development of the characters. When we start the book, Rachel holds the world’s biggest grudge against Logan because she confessed her love for him, and he said he couldn’t deal with it at that exact moment. She was mad at him because he refused to reciprocate her feelings, which is just stupid. Honestly, her behavior at the time showed how immature she was, and Redwine wanted us to see that. But then time passed, things happened, she changed and grew up, and finally both her and Logan were at a place where they could really, truly love each other. Rachel’s first declaration of love was made by a kid, someone who was too young and immature to know what true love was, who hadn’t experienced the world. When she professed her love for the second time, it was real. The book had several passages that hinted at this development, talking about how Rachel was a different person now than before, and how the love her and Logan shared isn’t some fantastical, dream romantic stereotype, it’s hard, strong, and keeps them going through the hard times. I really enjoyed how the romance was developed, how it was used to track the change in the characters, and how it was a driving force behind the book. The romance is what tied everything together. It was Logan and Rachel’s devotion to each other that drove their actions, motivate them to keep fighting, and moved the whole story along.

Another thing I really liked was Redwine’s willingness to do the unthinkable. There was no line she wouldn’t cross, no action she wouldn’t take, no character she wouldn’t kill, to further the storyline and drive Rachel’s character growth. I really respected that, because it made the book and Rachel’s character development more believable and easier to become emotionally invested in. [SPOILER: Redwine didn’t kill thoughtlessly, she didn’t kill just to kill, she made each death a monumental point in the book, something that slingshotted Rachel’s development further. Her grandfather died because she defied the Commander. She killed Malkin because she believed he was going to kill her, but after the fact she fears she had killed an innocent man.] These deaths changed Rachel in drastic ways, and I really believed it.

I don’t think I’ve seen such a drastic change in a character as I saw in Rachel. She kept her core, which was her strong will, defiance of authority, and drive to save her loved ones. But when the book started, she was young, naïve, and fairly annoying. She held a grudge she had no business holding, but she quickly grew out of it. The pain Redwine put Rachel through changed her. I loved how beautifully the passages of Rachel reacting to torture after torture were written. They reminded me of Sarah J Maas’ Heir of Fire, when Aelin was being stripped down to her very core before rebuilding again. I really felt the pain. These descriptions were eloquent and heartbreaking, and they really sucked you in. I could feel the disorientation, feel the ringing in my ears, feel the panic, feel the lack of feeling. These parts of the book were so beautifully written, which is good because they were so incredibly important. Rachel went from being this vibrant, energetic person to being cold, hard, and fierce. The internal discussion over whether or not she was still a good person showed the depth of her character. [SPOILER: Rachel did some questionable things, she saw people she loved murdered, and she became a different person because of it. So much so that she worried Logan would no longer care for her when they reunited, even though she was determined to keep him alive.]

On the other side of the sphere, fighting across the forest to reach Rachel, was Logan. He wasn’t as developed as Rachel, but seeing his point of view added depth to the book. I loved being inside Logan’s brain. He was very practical yet imaginative, and I loved seeing the thought process behind his actions. He was a great guy, who was also driven to protect the people he loves. He has a tragic backstory which fuels his hate for authority, and a soft spot for the people who took him in. His grand escapes and solutions to problems were all very believable. His main atrributes were his heart and his brain, and that's what made him an interesting character.

The devotion Rachel and Logan have for each other, no matter how much time and space separated them, was what fueled this book. It was like being apart showed them how much they really cared about each other, and only brought them closer. Their main motivation for all their actions was to protect the other person. They were driving each other through life, knowing they had to reach the other person, but not really taking the time to understand why they were doing that. [SPOILER: So, when they finally reunited and confessed their love, it made sense, it really did.] And I loved seeing their development, from young, naïve children to hardened, mature adults. Together, he and Rachel make a great team. Rachel’s raw energy balanced by Logan’s calculating patience. Their romance goes to show that people change, and that change could mean something is now possible that wasn’t before.

With the romance taking up most of the plot, you would think there wasn’t room for much else. Well, you’re wrong. The romance was what connected everything, but Redwine created a world outside of that worth reading about. A tyrannical dictator, a deadly beast, other cities vying for control, and a burning desire for revenge. It all works. The writing was so good, none of that cheesy, stunted dialogue. She sucked you in right away and didn’t let go. She staged and developed everything smoothly, leaving readers wondering what comes next. I guessed some major plot points (and I didn’t cheat because I read this book so long ago I remembered absolutely nothing) but I didn’t hold it against Redwine. She dropped little hints about Logan throughout the book that have yet to be elaborated on, so I assume that is staging for the next book. She had a no-nonsense, tactical way of writing when it came to action scenes, which reminded me of Maria V. Snyder’s writing style (which I love). When Logan started listing out best- and worst-case scenarios, I knew shit was about to go down.

The ending was a bit anticlimactic, in that it didn’t go the way I thought it would at. ALL. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, it just took a second to calibrate my brain to accept what I was reading, and not keep thinking about what I expected to happen. It didn’t really feel like the ending of a book, it felt more like the ending of a chapter, which I can deal with because it is the first book in a trilogy. I’m excited to read on.

5 stars

My original REVIEW

Other books by C.J. Redwine

Deception (Defiance #2) - Goodreads / Purchase
Deliverance (Defiance #3) - Goodreads / Purchase
The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1) - Goodreads / Purchase
The Wish Granter (Ravenspire #2) - Goodreads / Purchase
The Traitor Prince (Ravenspire #3) - Goodreads / Purchase
The Blood Spell (Ravenspire #4) - Goodreads / Purchase

{Review} Cured by Bethany Wiggins

2019-03-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Cured
by Bethany Wiggins
Series: Stung #2
Pages: 320
Release Date: March 4, 2014
by Walker Childrens

Goodreads / Purchase

There is no “perfect” cure.

Jacqui still remembers what it was like before the honeybee virus destroyed her world. Before children turned into beasts and men desperate for power became raiders. Before she had to disguise herself as a boy. And before her brother, Dean, left and enver came back.

Jacqui asks Fiona and Jonah Tarsis to help find Dean, since he disappeared while leading their mother to safety. They immediately agree, and together they all quickly set out—along with Fiona’s boyfriend, Bowen—in search of their loved ones. But Jacqui soon discovers that they’ve kept a very dangerous secret from her: they have the cure.

The cure that could save those infected with the virus. If they can keep it safe.

With their survival hanging in the balance, Jacqui and her friends must restore their families, preserve the cure, and fight for the chance to rebuild their shattered world.

*REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*

They are whited out so you can only read them if you highlight the text

Somehow I enjoyed this book way more than its prequal.

I think the main reason is Jacqui (or Jack, as she is referred to the entire book). She was the complete opposite of Fiona, the main character from the previous book and the main focus of my ire while reading. Unlike Fiona, Jacqui was motivated, resourceful, fierce, and a force of nature. She refused to be protected, to allow others to risk their lives for her, to be put on the bench. Granted, her family gave her all the skills and abilities she needed to survive, but she was the one who absorbed all the information she was being given. She became who she was because she wanted to, which is in direct contrast to Fiona. Jacqui was a great character on her own, I just like to take any chance I can get to shame Fiona. Jacqui was scared, she had doubts, but she overcame them, and that is what made her such a strong character. The best characters have weaknesses, and the strength it takes to overcome those weaknesses is what is relatable and lovable. I think the reason she was so unwilling to be shoved behind someone and protected when she left her home was because she had spent her entire time since the bee flu broke out being ordered inside. She was never trusted or allowed the leave the house, even though everyone else could go where they pleased. I respect her desire to leave, her desire to move, her desire to live, her desire to do something worthwhile. She left for the same reasons her older brother did, and I really felt their bond and similarities throughout the book. I thought Jacqui was a great character, and I loved seeing her internal struggle between fear and the desire to do what was right. Plus she dreams about food, so I relate to her on a spiritual level.

And I don’t know why, but I loved Dean. I immediately felt this need to protect him, I don’t know why. We got to know him through the flashbacks and I saw him as a really good, caring person. The progression of events that lead to the reveal of his real purpose was so well done. He had this desire to do more, do better, than just surviving. He wanted to make a difference, even if he helped only one person. [SPOILER: But that wasn’t enough for him, he went right for the big bad guy. The person he turned into, the reputation he created as Hastings, must have destroyed him. He was known as a vicious, cruel, ruthless leader, and he had to become that so he could destroy the raiders. He had to destroy himself to protect everyone. In the wide expanse between Hastings and Dean is endless amounts of pain and self-sacrifice. Dean had to do terrible things for the greater good. And he did it, and he survived it, and was able to go back to his wife and child when it was all done.] I love that dude, and I love his relationship with Jacqui.

I also want to mention Jonah, because I have such a soft spot for that kid. The poor guy is haunted by what he did while under the influence of the vaccine. It isn’t his fault, but he bears the emotional and physical scars of his time as a beast, and it really makes me sad to seem him like that. He shuffles around with his face covered and head down and truly believes people think of him as hidous, that he doesn’t deserve love. That makes me so damn sad. JONAH DESERVES THE WORLD. He did so much to protect his (ungrateful) sister (and by the way, it was never explained how he was even able to suppress the beast long enough to do that) but only focuses on the terrible things. I really liked how Jacqui comforted him and propped him up, even though she went about it in a really weird way, but looking back it makes sense. [SPOILER: There was nothing romantic about their kiss, but it made a huge statement. It showed that he wasn’t repulsive, that she wasn’t afraid of him, that he was worthy of love and respect, and I really liked seeing that play out.] Honesty, I loved Jacqui’s relationships with Dean and Jonah way more than I liked her relationship with Kevin.

I don’t know where I stand with that dude. My opinion changed every five minutes in accordance with the way the events unfolded, which was Wiggins’ intent. [SPOILER: I think what the book narrative <i>wants</i> me to think is he was a nice guy who was doing a good thing and then he fell in love with a girl and lied to her a little bit but in the end he was protecting her.] I mean, ok. Now that I’ve finished the book, I’ll buy it. But when I was reading, I was leaning the other way. [SPOILER: I guessed pretty early on that he was the vagabond so I really didn’t like the fact that he was creeping on her while in disguise and lying to her when he finally met her as Kevin. And THEN I thought he was a raider and he was dead to me. But then it turned out he was the good guy, and I realized I played right into Wiggins’ hands with my mood swings, so props to her for writing such a thrilling book.] I just feel like the core of his character was based on his love for Jacqui. I would have liked to see him as more of his own person. [SPOILER:We did get his backstory and saw him in flashbacks, but we didn’t know that was him at the time.]

Now, the one thing that Wiggins’ didn’t improve from the last book was the instantaneous romance. [SPOILER: She attempted to develop it on Kevin’s side with his months of visiting Jacqui as the vagabond and falling for her then, but that is kind of see-through because their only interactions were when she gave him food. They never conversed and she didn’t know who she was really speaking to, so he didn’t know her as a person. Yes, her kindness in giving him food was very telling about the person she is but still.] And even if we accepted that attempt at development, that does nothing to make up for the fact that Jacqui fell in love with him in literally two days (the same amount of time it took for Fiona to fall in love with Bowen). [SPOILER: While Kevin was allegedly falling in love with her, Jacqui thought he was a gross old beggar. It doesn’t make any sense that she would suddenly love him deeply that quickly, especially when she knows he is lying to her.] Any way you look at it, it was a very poorly done romance. And, unlike with Fiona and Bowen, once they were together, it didn’t work for me. [SPOILER: It probably had something to do with the fact that Kevin was keeping something from her, but I just really didn’t feel the chemistry between the two.]

But I really liked how character-driven the book was. The relationships were what made me invested, and two scenes in particular really hit me hard. [SPOILER: One was the scene when Jacqui decided to go in front of the dogs instead of Kevin. She had this whole thought process about good people not deserving bad things to happen to them, and she realized Kevin’s desire to take her place and die the next morning made him a good person, which meant he didn’t deserve to die. She understood he was willing to die for her, that she had accepted his offer, but she couldn’t go through with it.] That scene really hit me hard, and I know it took so much strength for her to come to that conclusion. It showed how selfless and caring she is, and what she is willing to do for the people she cares about. [SPOILER: The other scene was when she read the letter from her brother. The last line of the letter, when Dean told her he was wrong to say boys don’t cry, hit me so deep. I don’t know why, I really don’t. I remember the part earlier in the book when he told her to stop crying because boys don’t cry and mentally planting a red flag there because my inner feminist was rearing its head. But then at the end, to parallel that scene, Dean says that’s not true, that he cried. I guess it’s because I feel this protectiveness for the guy, and I know what he sacrificed to achieve his goals.] That shit hit me right in the gut.

But there is one small thing that my inner feminist cannot let slide. This book majorly revolves around gender. This is a world where men rule and women are seen as objects, but that’s not the problem I have with the gender dynamics. The whole reason women have to cut their hair, bind their breasts, and try their best to look like men is based on the fact that men are unable to control themselves around a woman. It seems the men’s first priority is to find women and rape them, and are willing to go to extensive lengths to do that. The narrative paints men as mindless animals with no self-control. They are reduced to glorified beasts, only they don't lust for blood, but women. That’s just a very stereotypical and degrading way to paint them. In contrast, women are seen as completely helpless. Every time there is a dangerous situation, all the “good” men immediately throw the women behind them or lock them somewhere for their safety. Women apparently aren’t allowed at the table when the men are making plans. Fiona took that order laying down, but Jacqui fought against it, so clearly that was supposed to be debate within the book. Nevertheless, these sexist undertones—towards both men and women— were really killing me. And I know it’s a different time and I’m probably going to sound like a radical feminist, but I swear I’m not even stretching here. The dynamics are pretty easy to see.

But god, the story was also really damn good. When it first started out I was like “oh come on, the entire plot of this book is going to be centered around finding an old lady?!” I had zero faith in this book, but man was I proven wrong. This book was a rollercoaster. So many twists, so many turns, so much action and suspense. It was a really complicated plot and there really weren’t any holes. Trust me, I was looking for them. And I did find some and was like “AH HA, GOTCHA”, but then later they were explained away. The only thing is, they weren’t directly explained, I had to put two and two together, so someone who couldn’t make the jump probably would have been left in the dark, but it’s fine. It’s fun to connect the dots. The lure of the fabled sanctuary in Wyoming and the fight to survive and the struggle to decide who to trust was so interesting to read about. And God, Wiggins really had me breaking a sweat with those plot twists. Everything was so well done, so well thought out. I saw some things coming, but most of the time I was completely blindsided. I love the way Wiggins’ mind worked when it came to staging and the course of events. [SPOILER: There were no loose ends, not even when it came to the dogs.] I loved this book and this story, I really did.

Listen. I was in a bad mood when I read this book, and after reading the prequel, I was looking for plot holes and reasons to hate this book. But I couldn’t find them. Despite my best efforts, I really enjoyed this book. Yes, there were some things wrong with it, it wasn’t perfect, but the positives largely outnumbered the negatives. That’s all you can ask for, to be honest.

4 stars

Other Editions

Other books by Bethany Wiggins

Stung (Stung #1) - Goodreads / Purchase / Review

Shifting - Goodreads / Purchase

The Dragon's Price (Transference #1) - Goodreads / Purchase

The Dragon's Curse (Transference #2) - Goodreads / Purchase

The Sandbox Book Blitz (Excerpt & Giveaway)

2019-03-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today I am participating in a media blitz for The Sandbox, where a bunch of blogs post information about a book in the hopes that it will skyrocket the book into the mainstream. Today I will be sharing an excerpt!

About the Book

Release Date: October 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi
Goodreads / Purchase

What would you do? After a mysterious impact in the dry Oklahoma landscape, three teenagers discover a world where they can do anything they want. Anything at all: Play. Explore. Fly. Destroy. But as a ripple of consequences impact on reality, Sonny, Isla and Dan realise this is far from a game. Do they now have the power to change the real world? Because if they do, they know exactly what they want to do first. Dirt-poor Sonny Monroe blames the oil company that fracked his family ranch for his problems. Dan Hawk, a Native American from the Chickatawa tribe, has never forgotten who stole his native Homelands. Idealistic Isla Duncan, a Scottish Paralympian junior on a charity handcycle tour, would just like to make the world a better place. As the three teens attract global enemies and the killings begin, grave doubts divide them: Do they control this new-found power? Or is it controlling them? If so, what on Earth does The Sandbox want?

Editorial Reviews
Editorial Review Self Publishing Review:
"A memorable new work of YA science fiction. The focal characters of this novel make for a brilliant trio of protagonists wrestling with powers they had previously thought were impossible. The true beauty of the writing comes in the development of these central characters. This is a patient, timely, creative and thoughtful book that discusses key social and environmental issues within the framework of a thrilling adventure. Fascinating and thought-provoking, the book and the magical realm of The Sandbox are well worth exploring." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

www.bookreviewdirectory.com
“In The Sandbox, the stakes are high as alien technology and three, over-excited teenagers take the lead in this fun adventure story. Fantasy meets science fiction to create an action-packed plot that will keep readers guessing all the way through. With whimsical imagery, Patrick’s imaginative novel is entertaining, stimulating, and captivating.” Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Excerpt
“So what are you doing in Oklahoma? Isla Duncan from the Kingdom of Fife,” asked Dan, competing for her undivided attention.

“I’m doing a sponsored handcycle for charity. The more miles I rack up, the more funds we raise. My dad’s driving my support van, a camper van, you guys call them RVs. He’s writing a book on the Scottish diaspora where all the Scottish emigrants ended up in America, so we’re visiting libraries all over. Tracing family names, contacting descendants. That sort of thing. Oh and our route takes in as many of the Wild West movie sites as possible. We’re driving down to Texas next.”
“You a big Cowboys and... Indians fan, huh…” said Dan.
She nodded hesitantly, “My dad is.” She threw him a sidelong glance, uncertain if that was OK or not. Dan busied himself nursing their nascent fire, neither judging her or letting her off the hook. Sonny returned to the cave mouth to watch nature’s spectacular demonstration of raw power outside, his eyes shining with excitement as he stood as near to the entrance as he dared.
Settling on to the ground mat, tracing out the pattern of a glorious sunrise with her fingertip, Isla took time to assess her predicament. As her eyes became accustomed, she realised the cave was the size of a large basement, with a wide entrance and several smaller caves off-shooting in other directions, into ever deeper, darker areas.
Sonny, hair rippling in the wind, grinned at Isla, but startled by a sudden, especially large gust, he staggered backwards, then quickly regained his composure to prove he wasn’t scared. No sireee. But Isla didn’t care.
The incessant howling wind, and the intense whistling outside began to worry itself deep into Isla’s skin. She shivered — then looked up. Even the massive walls and ceilings of solid stone now seemed vulnerable. Each boy was trying to be brave but when one spectacular gust reached deep into the cave as if some invisible giant was groping for them, Sonny scurried back to join them by the campfire. Dan grinned at Sonny’s failure to keep his cool.
Isla covered her ears from the incessant roar of the beast and stared at the cave mouth as if some horrific monster was about to burst inside at any second. Now the wall etchings of birds flickered in the firelight and she felt surrounded, and watched, by crows and by hawks.
Dan shuffled closer to her and put an awkward arm around her back which she accepted gratefully and spoke in her ear:
“This is quite unusual. A really big one!”
“No kidding!” she yelled back, eyes wide with fear.
“You couldn’t ask to be in a safer place though.”
Isla didn’t seem at all convinced. Behind her back, Sonny and Dan exchanged another rapid-fire series of glances and expressions:
Do something.
What?
I don’t know!
You do something!
No!
You!
“So what happened to your legs?” asked Sonny, finally.
Dan rolled his eyes. Dude! How could you?
What? What did I do?
“Car accident when I was four. My mum died. It was me that killed her.”

About the Author

JW Patrick lives in Scotland and has written voice-over scripts for television in the UK and USA.

My novels include The Invincibles, The Sandbox

I most recently completed a non-fiction book called Why have Adventures? for parents of young teens exploring the benefits of outdoor education.

Connect with JW:
Goodreads | Website | Twitter

Giveaways

#1: Get a free ebook copy of The Sandbox HERE

#2: Hosted by the blitz organizers

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #71

2019-03-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

This is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlites upcoming new releases that we're highly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Publisher: Scholastic

Goodreads / Purchase

Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together. However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population -- except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar.

But when one of the most potent of the Ifrit dies, Fatima is changed in ways she cannot fathom, ways that scare even those who love her. Oud in hand, Fatima is drawn into the intrigues of the maharajah and his sister, the affairs of Zulfikar and the djinn, and the dangers of a magical battlefield.

Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.

First off, THAT COVER. Oh my god. Also, I love me a good fantasy story, and this looks like just that. Plus, Azad is a debut author, so I have my fingers crossed I will be able to feature her in a YADP post. Can't wait to get my hands on this book!

What book are you waiting on?

Top Ten Books On My Spring 2019 TBR

2019-03-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I can't plan ahead very well so finding books for this list was harder than it should have been. Normally I choose what I read based on what feels right, what I want at that moment. I don't put too much pressure on myself, but this is a list of books I have in mind to read, and also the ARCs I will hopefully be receiving soon.

#1: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

One of the book instagrams I follow recently read and LOVED this book. She can't stop raving about it so that made me want to read it.

Emily's Crammed Bookshelf

{YADP} The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala

{Re-Read Review} Defiance by C.J. Redwine

{Review} Cured by Bethany Wiggins

The Sandbox Book Blitz (Excerpt & Giveaway)

Waiting on Wednesday #71

Top Ten Books On My Spring 2019 TBR

{Re-Read Review} Stung by Bethany Wiggins

Waiting on Wednesday #70

Top Ten Standalone Books That Need a Sequel

{YADP} The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees (Interview & Giveaway)

Poison Study TV Show Fancast

Waiting on Wednesday #69

{Review} Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Weekly Wrap-Up #2

POSTS

DIARY ENTRY

{Review} The Summer After You & Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Waiting on Wednesday #68

Top Ten Places Mentioned In Books That I’d Like to Visit

Weekly Wrap-Up #1

PURCHASED BOOKS

POSTS

{Review} Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday #67

Top Ten Books I LOVED with Fewer than 2,000 Ratings on Goodreads

{Review} Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder

{Review} Night Study by Maria V. Snyder

{Review} Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

Study Series: Have You Heard Of It?