Blog Tour: Paper Girl By Cindy R. Wilson @CindyRWilson

Paper Girl
by Cindy R. Wilson
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Release date: December 4th 2018
Entangled Teen

Summary:

I haven’t left my house in over a year. My doctor says it’s social anxiety, but I know the only things that are safe are made of paper. My room is paper. My world is paper. Everything outside is fire. All it would take is one spark for me to burst into flames. So I stay inside. Where nothing can touch me.

Then my mom hires a tutor. Jackson. This boy I had a crush on before the world became too terrifying to live in. Jackson’s life is the complete opposite of mine, and I can tell he’s got secrets of his own. But he makes me feel things. Makes me want to try again. Makes me want to be brave. I can almost taste the outside world. But so many things could go wrong, and all it takes is one spark for everything I love to disappear...

Add to Goodreads

Purchase links can be found HERE!

About the Author

Cindy lives at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and loves using Colorado towns and cities as inspiration for settings in her stories. She's the mother of three girls, who provide plenty of fodder for her YA novels. Cindy writes speculative fiction and YA fiction, filled with a healthy dose of romance. You'll often find her hiking or listening to any number of playlists while she comes up with her next story idea.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Scythe by Christina Bauer @CB_Bauer

Scythe
Christina Bauer
(Dimension Drift Worlds, #1)
Publication date: April 24th 2018
Genres: Dystopian, Fantasy, Young Adult

“Fans of A Wrinkle in Time can’t missDimension Drift!” – Christina Trevaskis, The Book Matchmaker
Truth time. I go to a Learning Squirrel High School. Don’t judge.
On second thought, judge away. Learning Squirrel is one step above attending class in a junkyard. But what do you expect? Everything’s made out of garbage these days. At least, I have my freelance work to keep Mom and me housed, clothed, and fed. How? I’m your regular high school science geek for hire, except my work manipulates space-time. The good news is that these gigs pay really well; the bad news is that the government likes to kill people like me. Whatever. I’m not worried; hiding from their detection systems is easy for me.
Then I screw up one of my illegal projects. Badly.
In fact, things go so sideways that my house slips into two-dimensional space-time. The shift only lasts for a few seconds, but that’s long enough to set off a dozen government alarms. If those goons track me down, Mom and I are as good as dead. Long story short, I need to pay someone off, hide the evidence, and keep us safe.
Unfortunately, that means asking the Scythe for help. He runs the local underground crime scene and has absolutely no conscience…Or at least, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t. It’s hard to think straight when a guy’s that hot in an ‘evil Mafioso kingpin’ kind of way. Most importantly, the Scythe is a crime lord who can conceal my slip-up with a few clicks on his minion’s computer keyboards. But the man has his price. In this case, the Scythe wants me to finish a certain dimensional prototype for him in twenty-four hours. I can do it, but it might mean Learning Squirrel High gets blown up in the process. Oh yes, and there’s also my new hot classmate who may or may not be an alien…and he says he’ll do anything to help me.
This job won’t be easy, but I’ve gotten out of worse scrapes. Maybe.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

An Interview with Christina Bauer

As part of her launch tour for SCYTHE, author Christina Bauer stopped by the Cover Contessa. Here’s the interview!

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else? 

I knew this was my goal since I was six years old. In fact, I used to stand up in class and spontaneously tell stories. The nuns loved that.

2. How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

I’ve gotten faster over time. My first book was two years. Book fifteen took me about three months.

3. How do you come up with themes for your stories?

For me, my stories all start with questions. What would happen if? How can I make this character really uncomfortable? Basically, I’m a bitch to my characters and it grows from there.

4. Do you have a schedule of when you write? 

Every day for at least six hours. The time changes depending on other factors, but I’m pretty consistent.

5. How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?.

Not always too tell. It’s hard!!! Sometimes I tell my husband “I have to go into my writer hidey hole for a few days to hit a deadline.” He and my son deserve a medal.

6. What elements do you think make a great story line? 

At least one character needs to start off somewhere emotionally and then end up somewhere else. That sounds easy, but it’s super hard, especially when you’re writing series and the ‘fall in love’ arc is done!

7. What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

Having my characters get hurt or lose someone they love. I have to do it, but I hate it.

8. How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite? 

I’ve written 15 so far, and I think my favorite is still ANGELBOUND.

9. Do you have a favorite character?

Myla Lewis. Angelbound. BOOM.

10. Where do you write?  

Starbucks.

11. When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took? 

I tried traditional publishing and agents, and that wasn’t a fit. Mostly because they told me no!

12. Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?

My best friend figured out that she was Cissy from ANGELBOUND. That was a hoot.

13. What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

I like to read, follow politics, and hang with my husband and son. I did PR for the Women’s March back in 2017.

14. What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing? 

Read. Be prepared to suck. Realize you are awesome for wanting to be a force for creativity and enlightenment.

15. What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write? 

My favorite book/author is The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. When I read LOTR, there were no other fantasy books out there. It opened my mind to an entirely new way of storytelling.

16. Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such? 

Sure! If you want to be part of the folks I consult and survey, please join my personal newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/bauersbooks

17. Are you working on anything now? 

After SCYTHE, I’m working on the next book in the series, ALIEN MINDS!

18. Tell us 5 things that make you smile

My son, my husband, wind in the trees, a good book, a bad joke.

19. Tell us 5 things that make you sad

People who care more about themselves than anything else and the culture that makes that not only possible, but values it (times five.)

20. If you could travel anywhere in the world to visit a place so you could use it as a background for a book, where would it be?

Ancient Egypt as the female pharaoh Maatkare. That would rock.

Author Bio:
Christina Bauer knows how to tell stories about kick-ass women. In her best selling Angelbound series, the heroine is a part-demon girl who loves to fight in Purgatory’s Arena and falls in love with a part-angel prince. This young adult best seller has driven more than 500,000 ebook downloads and 9,000 reviews on Goodreads and retailers. The first three books in the series are now available as audiobooks on Audible and iTunes.
Bauer has also told the story of the Women’s March on Washington by leading PR efforts for the Massachusetts Chapter. Her pre-event press release—the only one sent out on a major wire service—resulted in more than 19,000 global impressions and redistribution by over 350 different media entities including the Associated Press.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
Stalk Christina On Social Media – She Loves It!

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn / Blog

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Illusions by Madeline J. Rynolds

Illusions
by Madeline J. Reynolds
Genre: YA Fantasy/Historical Victorian
Release Date: November 6th 2018
Entangled Teen

Summary:

Dear Thomas,

I know you're angry. It's true, I was sent to expose your mentor as a fraud illusionist, and instead I have put your secret in jeopardy. I fear I have even put your life in jeopardy. For that I can only beg your forgiveness. I've fallen for you. You know I have. And I never wanted to create a rift between us, but if it means protecting you from those who wish you dead—I'll do it. I'll do anything to keep you safe, whatever the sacrifice. Please forgive me for all I've done and what I'm about to do next. I promise, it's one magic trick no one will ever see coming.

Love,
Saverio

Add to Goodreads

Purchase links available HERE!

About the Author

Madeline J. Reynolds is a YA fantasy author living in Chicago. Originally from Minneapolis, she has a background in journalism and has always loved storytelling in its various forms. When not writing, she can be found exploring the city, eating Thai food, or lost in an epic Lord of the Rings marathon.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Promo: Watch You Burn by Amanda Searcy

From Amanda Searcy, author of The Truth Beneath the Lies, which the bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying, Karen M. McManus, called “smart, suspenseful, and unpredictable,” comes a new YA psychological thriller, WATCH YOU BURN (Delacorte Press | On sale October 23, 2018 | Ages 14 & up). Readers who like dark, twisty mysteries will be mesmerized by this story about a girl who must keep her arsonist ways hidden—or watch her life go up in flames.

Jenny doesn’t want to move in with her dad at the creepy, possibly haunted motel he’s renovating. But the cops are on to her, and the only way she can protect herself is by moving as far away from her hometown as possible and staying out of trouble.

But even after she moves, Jenny gets the itch. The itch to light a match and then watch it burn. It’s something she hasn’t been able to stop since an accident years ago.

Now, in a new town, Jenny has the strange feeling that someone is watching her every move. And when a string of acquaintances are found murdered, she begins to worry that someone is out to get her. Will her secret be exposed? Or is the burning truth deep inside her a greater danger?

With a surprise ending and slow-burning romance, WATCH YOU BURN will leave you on the edge of your seat as Jenny desperately tries to keep her dangerous habit hidden at all costs. 

---

Praise for The Truth Beneath the Lies by Amanda Searcy

« “An intricately plotted thriller that’s both gritty and engrossing.” ─Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“This thrilling, fast-paced, and complex story will leave the reader questioning the truth until the very end.” ─Booklist

“A smart, suspenseful, and unpredictable thriller that will keep readers turning pages until every last lie is revealed.”

─Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying

Today we welcome Amanda for an interview!

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else?

I wanted to be everything else growing up (from an astronaut to an archeologist). Writing always felt too much like school to me (and I’m terrible at spelling and grammar). Then as an adult, I realized writing is storytelling, and it had very little to do with getting all the commas in the right places.  

2. How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

I can write a first draft in about four months. Then it takes a couple more months of polishing to get it to the point where I’m comfortable with anyone reading it. (Turning it into a publishable book then takes many, many more months after that.)

3. Do you have a schedule of when you write? 

Yes. I’m a morning person and have a day job, so I write really early in the morning in my pajamas (but after I make my coffee and feed the cat!).

4. How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?

I do it by keeping a very disciplined schedule. I go to bed/get up at the same time every day, so I make sure I get my writing time in. My brain is trained now to switch immediately into writing mode at the appointed time, so I get a lot done. And then I turn it off. I still think about my story throughout the day, but I rarely do any writing outside of my morning writing slot.

5. What elements do you think make a great story line? 

Really engaging characters with interesting backstories and a plot that keeps you turning pages and makes you sad when you have to put it down. I also really enjoy interesting plot structures.

6. What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

Showing up day after day. Some days everything is going great and it feels amazing to be creating, other days it feels like pulling teeth and no part of you wants to do it. But you have to keep showing up. You can give in a little to not wanting to do it, but in my experience, the longer you let it go, the harder it is to start again.

7. How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite? 

I have written 6 books (2 published, 4 unpublished). I love them all, but I do have one that is my very favorite: the first (unpublished) YA book I wrote. It’s really the book of my heart, and I’ve been hesitant to get it out of the drawer and dust it off, because I fear going through the editing/publishing process with it would be too hard on my heart.

8. What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

I’m obsessed with the Great British Baking show, so lately I’ve been practicing making bread (which has turned out well) and pastry (which has not).

9. What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing? 

Read for pleasure—and truly for pleasure. Read whatever you get lost in and don’t stop to analyze every bit of it. When you are engaged in the story, your brain is sucking up all the important stuff like structure and character development. It will help you intuitively add those things to your own story.

10. If you could travel anywhere in the world to visit a place so you could use it as a background for a book, where would it be?

I would love to go to Paris. Although, if I were to set a book there, my characters would probably just wander around eating pastries!

Amanda Searcy is the author of The Truth Beneath the Lies. She received her MA in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights from the University of Essex in England. She is now active in SCBWI and is a two-time winner in the SouthWest Writers annual contest. She works as a collection development supervisor for the Albuquerque public library system and specializes in the acquisition of young adult materials. Visit her website or follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @Aesearcy.

WATCH YOU BURN by Amanda Searcy

Delacorte Press ⎸On sale October 23, 2018 ⎸Ages 14 and up

Hardcover: 978-1-5247-0093-5 ⎸$17.99/ $23.99 Can. ⎸352 pages

Ebook: 978-1-5247-0095-9 ⎸$10.99

Blog Tour: First Full Move by Michelle Alstead @AlsteadMichelle

First Full Moon
by Michelle Alstead
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: August 28th 2018

Summary:

More secrets. More lies. I'm going to die.

She wanted a car for her sixteenth birthday, not magical powers… Candy McGregor is a teenager living in Sequim Falls, a small East Coast town, where the McGregors own just about everything. While her grandmother grooms her to run the family business—a pharmaceutical empire—Candy dreams of a life where she’s known as more than just a last name. When the monthly family dinner turns into a horror show, Candy discovers the McGregors aren’t so much blessed as they are cursed. At midnight on her sixteenth birthday, Candy inherits both the ability to do magic and the destiny to become a wolf on the next full moon. There is hope of a life that doesn’t require being chained up once a month. If Candy can undo the original spell that created the curse, she can rid the world of werewolves and remain a witch. But there’s one really big problem. Not everyone hates being a wolf. With the next full moon looming, Candy must take on forces that will do anything to stop her. Will she break the curse or surrender to life as a monster?

Add to Goodreads

Only $0.99 on Amazon!

Excerpt: 

The windows are shut and the blinds drawn. A space heater warms my bedroom to a balmy eighty degrees. As I stand in the middle of the room, a cold draft blows past me, raising the hair on my arms and neck.

Someone is watching me.

Will it be my time soon? Will I be the next one taken?

“That creepy frown on your face is going to cause premature wrinkles,” Larkin says.

My cousin lies across my bed, her black combat boots dangling off the edge as she scrolls through her phone without pausing long enough to read anything. She chews gum and blows a bubble that pops, covering her mouth. Larkin doesn’t seem to mind that strands of her long, raven-black hair brush the gum she pries from her face.

“I’m fifteen and too young for wrinkles,” I reply, moving to the window and opening the blinds. From the third floor, I can see everything and everyone in front of the house. The driveway and yard are empty. Not a soul to be seen anywhere.

“You turn sixteen in like five hours.” Larkin’s only a little bitter I’m the oldest grandchild.

Even though I can’t see anyone, there’s someone watching me. I feel it.

About the Author

Michelle Alstead is a single, divorced mom of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who tries to promote autism awareness and advocate for gender equality while raising Sheldon Cooper and searching for some semblance of a love life.

Michelle's novels are frequently available for free on Amazon Kindle. Sign up for her email list to receive notifications. http://michellealstead.com/sign-up-for-our-email-list/

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway