Blog Tour: Taking Wing by Clemency Crow @MenaceCCFC @YABoundToursPR

Blog Tour: Magic Harbor by Kristen L. Jackson @KLJacksonAuthor

Magic Harbor
Kristen L. Jackson
(Keeper of the Watch, #2)
Publication date: October 10th 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

When Alyx Eris convinced him to become a keeper of the watch, Chase Walker knew he gained the ability to traverse the twelve dimensions.
He knew there were others—the hunters—who would do anything to put an end to the watches’ existence.
He knew his status as a keeper was completely binding until his nineteenth birthday.
Most importantly, he knew he’d be spending the year by Alyx’s side.
What he didn’t know was that in this dimension resides a ruling mage that poses more of a threat than the hunters ever could.
He didn’t know that magic-born hybrid beasts lurk in every corner of the surrounding forests.
And he didn’t know that nothing—and no one—is what it seems in the mystical world of Dimension 8.

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

The great thing about being a writer is that you can do something else and still be a writer! I’m a full-time teacher, and I do most of my writing on the weekends.

I didn’t always know I wanted to be a writer…or more accurately I lacked the courage to put myself out there and just do it. It took me a while to get over that. It takes great persistance to become a published author, and it’s a lot more work than most people realize, but having the best of both worlds truly is possible if you have the drive to do it.

What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

Finding time to write! I have a full-time job, so I find anytime I can to write. Early mornings on the weekends are my most productive writing times, but I also write a bit on week nights and sometimes even on my lunch break!

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

I’ve written five novels and a bunch of children’s picture books, but only three are published. My YA novels KEEPER OF THE WATCH and MAGIC HARBOR are both published by Black Rose Writing, an independent publisher based in Texas. My children’s picture book, JOCELYN’S BOX OF SOCKS, is published by Schiffer Publishing, an independent publisher based in my home-state of Pennsylvania. I’m so thankful to both of them for giving me the opportunity to live my dream.

One of the favorite books I’ve written is an adult sci-fi novel called BENEATH THE WAVES. I haven’t found a home for it yet, but I’m not giving up!

Do you have a favorite character?

From my own books, I have to say that Chase—the main character in the KEEPER OF THE WATCH Series—is one of my favorites because I modeled him after a combination of my two sons. I guess you could say he’s like another son, LOL! I also love writing animal characters. I had so much fun creating the character Bo in MAGIC HARBOR. He is a half-Enfield (A chimera), half wolf-hybrid puppy that plays a huge roll in the story here in the magical world of Dimension 8. I love bringing animals to life with actions alone since (of course) they have no dialogue.

Where do you write?  

I write at home on the couch with a laptop. My favorite time of day for writing is in the early morning hours when the house is totally quiet and I’m the only one awake. I also do a lot of my writing in the mountains. It’s so peaceful there, the words just seem to flow.

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

I sent out query letters to both agents and small publishers and waited to see if I received any offers. After receieving contract offers from two small publishers, I was happy to sign with them to publish my books.

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

I’ve always been an avid reader, so of course I read every chance I get. My family and I love to visit the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, where we own a small cabin with a creek that runs right through the back yard. We take our four large-breed dogs with us every weekend through spring, summer, and fall. It’s a place where we can go and just relax with nature. We love kayaking and sitting by the campfire.

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

Don’t give up! Rejection is part of this business so you have to learn to live with it. Writing is very subjective. Perservere until you find that one person who is interested.

Are you working on anything now? 

I started writing KEEPER OF THE WATCH, BOOK THREE right after Book Two was set for release. I was 10,000 into the  manuscript when I had an idea that intrigued me, so I put Book Three on the back-burner to begin writing a prequel to the Keeper of the Watch Series. This book takes place in the 1900’s, and will tell the story of the watches’ origin and creator, Elias Walker (Chase’s ancestor.) I’m very excited about it!

Tell us 5 things that make you smile

Family, Dogs, Pizza, Daisies, Sand between my toes

Tell us 5 things that make you sad

Rain, Cold, Cruelty, When a favorite character dies in a book or movie, When it’s time to close up our cabin for the winter

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?

Ireland. I love a hint of magic in a story, and Ireland is a place filled with mythical Celtic folklore. It would also be a lovely background for a book because of its raw beauty. I mean, castles and fairies? Come on! Send me there now!

Author Bio:
Kristen L. Jackson been a teacher for over twenty years, and lives in Reading, Pennsylvania with her husband, two grown sons, and three large-breed dogs. Books inspire her. From children’s picture books to adult literature in all genres, she has loved reading all her life. Becoming a published author has been her dream come true, and she loves to share her stories with readers of all ages. Sign up on her website to follow her blog to stay up to date on what she’s working on now! Kristen loves writing, reading, and spending time with her family and dogs at their cabin in the Poconos…her favorite place to escape and write!

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Blog Tour: The Kilwade Tragedy by Terry Keys @tkeys15

Cover Reval: Sons of Fire by Tracy Auerbach @TracyAuerbach

Sons of Fire
Tracy Auerbach
Publication date: January 7th 2020
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

When Keegan’s father, the Demon King of Fire, attempted to produce an heir, a surge of light energy interrupted the process. One tiny piece of the newly forming demon broke off. That piece is Keegan. For years, he has attempted to lay low, watching from the shadows while his monstrous brother Aidan, the true Prince of Fire, is groomed for the throne.
Keegan’s shaky status quo is shattered when one of his father’s power-plays goes horribly wrong. He is cast to Earth and forced to work with a suddenly powerless Aidan. The two brothers must cooperate to complete an impossible task and avoid being cast forever into the abyss. As if having to spend time with his beastly other half wasn’t bad enough, Keegan must adapt to living on Earth, wielding his new human vessel, and dealing with his demonic appetite without harming the human creatures for whom he has always cared.
As Keegan and Aidan work to save themselves, questions arise. What exactly was the King of Fire up to, that sparked their Master’s interest enough to cast them from the Demon Realm? Can Aidan be trusted in his new human form, complete with emotions, or is he the same unfeeling creature he’s always been? And why are so many demons suddenly invested in the outcome of the brothers’ trial? The only thing Keegan knows for certain is that whether he succeeds or fails at the task, the consequences for the Demon Realm and for Earth itself will be catastrophic.

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Author Bio:
Tracy Auerbach is an author of science fiction and fantasy for teens and adults. As an avid reader with a vivid imagination, she chose to study film, English, and education, and went on to teach and write STEM curriculum for the New York Department of Education. This helped to polish her writing skills and ignite her passion for science fiction and fantasy.
Her first scholarly article, published in Language Magazine, was about the value of active, creative learning in science.
On the fiction side, Tracy’s work has been featured in the online literary journal Micro-horror, The Writing Disorder fiction anthology, and the “(Dis)ability” short story anthology, in addition to her novels.
When she is not teaching or writing, Tracy is usually reading or spending time with her family. She lives in New York with her husband and sons.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: The Last Dragon by James Rily @_JamesRiley_

Perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons and Stranger Things, don’t miss the second novel, which can be read as a standalone, in New York Times bestselling author James Riley’s thrilling new series The Revenge of Magic: THE LAST DRAGON (Aladdin | On Sale October 8, 2019)! Fort Fitzgerald is determined to uncover the truth, but a new student at school and the secrets he has to keep complicate matters. This mysterious action-adventure novel is packed with twists, and is sure to keep readers guessing until the very end! The Revenge of Magic has been optioned by Stampede Ventures.

Fort Fitzgerald can’t stop having nightmares about the day his father was taken from him in an attack on Washington, DC. In these dreams, an Old One, an evil beyond comprehension, demands the location of the last dragon. But other than some dragon skeletons dug up with the books of magic on Discovery Day, Fort has never seen a dragon before. Could there still be one left alive?

And weirdly, Fort’s not the only one at the Oppenheimer School having these nightmares. His new roommate, Gabriel, seems to know more than he’s letting on about this dragon as well. And why does everyone at the school seem to do whatever Gabriel says? What’s his secret?

Fort’s going to need the help of his friends Cyrus, Jia, and Rachel, if he’s going to have any chance of keeping the Old Ones from returning to Earth. Unless, the Old Ones offer something Fort could never turn down…

In this refreshing take on the perennially popular theme of magic schools, THE LAST DRAGON is filled with mystery, magic, and mayhem and is sure to keep readers hooked!

JAMES RILEY lives in Virginia. He is the author of Half Upon a Time, Twice Upon a Time, and Once Upon the End as well as the Story Thieves series. Visit him online at james-riley-author.tumblr.com or on Twitter @_JamesRiley_.

Giveaway! Enter to win a set of books 1&2 here:

  The giveaway is for one set of the series (books 1 & 2), meaning that there will be ONE winner of the giveaway who will receive both books in the series.

·        The prize will the shipped 1-2 weeks after on-sale (10/8).

·        The giveaway is US-only.

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Cover Reveal: Off Balance by Aileen Erin @aileen_erin

Off Balance
Aileen Erin
(Aunare Chronicles #2)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: February 11th 2020
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Retelling, Young Adult

Broken, beaten-down, and plagued by nightmares, Amihanna di Aetes is surrounded by the Aunare race that makes up the other half of her heritage, but she feels alien amongst them. She’s not sure which is worse: SpaceTech’s overt hatred of Aunare or the Aunare’s covert hatred of halfers. She hears their whispers whenever she enters a room and sees her death reflected in their eyes. Amihanna doesn’t know who to trust anymore, but she hasn’t survived this long by ignoring the warning signs all around her, especially when her instincts are screaming that a familiar choice is coming: flee or fight.
Her parents assure her everything is okay—that there won’t be any reason for her to fight, let alone flee—but with Amihanna’s sudden return, questions arise among the Aunare: who should be blamed for the start of a full-scale war with SpaceTech, how much danger will the war bring, and is Amihanna truly fit to be the next high queen?
Honestly, Amihanna wants to forget all the politics, her betrothal to Lorne, and the possibility of being queen. Her needs are much more basic. All she wants is a solid night’s sleep where she doesn’t wake up screaming with the phantom pain of her skin burning. All she needs is to live without fear of a mob tearing her away from her family. All she hopes for is a chance to dream of a future instead of constantly fighting for her right to live.
And yet, somehow, everything she does leads her back to Lorne. He always seems to know when she’s about to break under the pressures of her new life. His quiet patience is wearing Amihanna’s protective walls down, and she’s terrified of what will happen if they fall.

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Author Bio:
Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

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Blog Tour: Crimival by R.L. Walker

Blog Tour: Ressurection Girls by Ava Morgyn @AvaMorgyn

Book Blast: The Memory Thief by Laurent Mansy @LaurenMansy

The Memory Thief
Lauren Mansy
Published by: Blink
Publication date: October 1st 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

In the city of Craewick, memories reign. The power-obsessed ruler of the city, Madame, has cultivated a society in which memories are currency, citizens are divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others through touch as they please.
Seventeen-year-old Etta Lark is desperate to live outside of the corrupt culture, but grapples with the guilt of an accident that has left her mother bedridden in the city’s asylum. When Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, a Craewick practice in which a “criminal’s” memories are sold to the highest bidder before being killed, Etta will do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it means rejoining the Shadows, the rebel group she swore off in the wake of the accident years earlier.
To prove her allegiance to the Shadows and rescue her mother, Etta must steal a memorized map of the Maze, a formidable prison created by the bloodthirsty ruler of a neighboring Realm. So she sets out on a journey in which she faces startling attacks, unexpected romance, and, above all, her own past in order to set things right in her world.

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Q&A with Lauren Mansy:

• What was it like to write your first book and have it published?

Incredible! It’s been such a wonderful journey filled with many sweet moments. I began writing over seven years ago, and it’s definitely surreal that The Memory Thief is now on shelves! As of late, there have been quite a few teary moments—and I’m totally not a crier! I’m truly overwhelmed by every kind word, the support, and the willingness to walk alongside me as The Memory Thief has gone from something imagined to a real book. I couldn’t be more excited to share this story with readers!

• What was your inspiration behind TMT?

When I was a teenager, my mom was diagnosed with a heart condition, which led to an unexpected heart surgery. On the way to the operating room, her heart stopped six times, and the doctors warned my family that it was unlikely she’d survive. And if she did, she may not remember us due to the trauma she’d experienced throughout the entire ordeal.
I was sitting at her bedside when she first began to stir after her surgery, and I slipped my hand into hers and told her that it was me. Then she began to squeeze my hand three times, our signal for I love you! That’s my most favorite memory because I’d never felt such fear suddenly overcome by the most incredible joy. That collision of emotions was the moment which first sparked the idea for The Memory Thief.
Ever since then, I always struck by how memories make up so much of our identity and influence our relationships with others. It terrified me that my mom wouldn’t remember me, but I’m so thankful to say that she made a full-recovery. Though it was long and difficult process, she never gave up hope that things would one day get better. Her unwavering courage inspired me to want to share this story.

• What kind of impact did writing TMT have on you personally?

Writing TMT has had a huge impact on me. I first began writing after completing treatments for Hodgkin’s Disease, a form of lymphatic cancer. It was a very difficult time in my life, and writing fiction helped me express myself in ways that I’d never done before. It helped me process through some of my most difficult memories.
When I first began drafting The Memory Thief, I realized there were still some emotions about being faced with the possibility of losing my mom that I’d yet to express out loud. Writing this book proved to be a source of healing, and a wonderful platform for exploring truth in my own life through a backdrop of fiction.
This story is very dear to my heart, and reflecting back on the process of writing this book is what made the moment of holding it in my hands so amazing.

• What is your favorite part about TMT?

I think my favorite part is the relationship that Etta has with her mother.
Gwendolyn was one of my favorite characters to write because she’s full of opposites. Because of her coma, she hasn’t spoken a word in four years yet that entire time, she’s been teaching Etta how important it is never to give up, even when all the odds are stacked against you.
On her journey to save her mother, Etta discovers that Gwendolyn’s story is intertwined with Etta’s in ways that she never imagined. Writing this aspect of the plot was so much fun, and definitely one of my favorite parts of the drafting process, as well!

• What do you hope readers take away from TMT?

The main thing I hope readers take away is that it isn’t the hardships of the past which define us but the strength we find in overcoming them. Etta has been through a lot of difficult things, and she struggles with trusting others because she has a hard time trusting herself. At the beginning of the story, Etta has spent four years hiding from both the people and events which haunt her, but to save her mother, she’ll have to come face-to-face with the past. I hope her journey will inspire readers to never lose hope, even in the midst of impossible odds.

• How are you reflected in TMT (or, how much of you is reflected in the book)?

Because this story is based on my own journey with my mother, many of Etta’s worries, doubts, and fears are things I also experienced when faced with the possibility of losing my mom. The questions that Etta asks about how to deal with a situation like this are questions that I often pondered myself.
So when I first began writing TMT, I thought, “What if I wasn’t the only one who faced this fear? What if there was an entire society that feared their loved ones no longer remembering them?” It was these kinds of thoughts which ultimately let me to want to explore a world where memories reign over everything. Then writing Etta’s emotional journey also helped me process through a lot of my own memories, as well.
That’s one reason that I love not only writing but reading fantasy novels. Even though these characters live in worlds that are vastly different than our own, what they love, hate, and fear can often be so relatable. That often sticks with me long after I read the last page, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with readers.

• What is your favorite thing to do to promote your book?

My favorite thing has been getting to know readers. I had the privilege of attending BEA and ALA this past summer, and I loved meeting librarians, educators, fellow writers, bloggers, and industry professionals. Writing can often be a solitary venture, but the publishing process has been filled with creating some wonderful relationships. I couldn’t be more grateful for this community!

• Why should readers be sure to place TMT on their TBR list?

The Memory Thief is a book full of secrets, lies, and betrayal. It’s set in a world where memories are currency, people are struggling to hold onto their true identity, and nothing is quite what it seems. And Etta is a very flawed character. She has a lot of regret and has made many mistakes, yet she never stops fighting to save her loved ones. If any these things appeal to you, I hope you’ll consider adding TMT to your TBR!

• What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned while being a writer?

I think the biggest lesson being a writer has taught me is the importance of the “story behind the story”. Though the publication journey is filled with exciting moments (like seeing the cover for the first time and holding the final copy!), the journey of getting here has changed me for forever. There have been highs and lows, moments of uncertainty coupled with unexpected encouragement, and wonderful support from family, friends, and even strangers! Writing fiction gave me a voice when I was still struggling to find mine, and I’ll be forever grateful that even as the last page of The Memory Thief ends, my own life story is still being written

• Additional thoughts?

If you’re interested in learning more about The Memory Thief, I have more information of my website, and I also LOVE connecting with readers!
Website: www.laurenmansy.com
Instagram: lauren_mansy
Twitter: laurenmansy

Author Bio:
Lauren lives in the Chicago area, where she's spent years working with youth, from young children to high schoolers. When she's not writing, Lauren is usually with her family or exploring the city to find the best deep dish pizza. The Memory Thief, which was inspired by Lauren's own journey with her mother, is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.laurenmansy.com.

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Blog Tour: Beasts of the Frozen Sun by Jill Criswell @JillCriswell

Beasts of the Frozen Sun
Jill Criswell
(Frozen Sun Saga #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Burn brightly. Love fiercely. For all else is dust.
Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand.
When a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland–one of the fearful marauders from the land of the Frozen Sun–Lira helps the wounded man instead of turning him in. After reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. He confides in her that he’s been cursed with what his people call battle-madness, forced to fight for the warlord known as the Dragon, a powerful tyrant determined to reignite the ancient war that Aillira started.
As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all of Glasnith, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira’s life, for Reyker’s soul, and for their peoples’ freedom has only just begun.

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Jill Criswell interview

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

I loved reading and writing stories as a kid. I often made up my own storylines for my favorite books, movies, and TV shows. As I got older, I went back and forth about what sort of career I wanted, and I kept coming back to writing. I double-majored in English and Psychology, and in the end, writing (and teaching writing) won out.

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

Usually a year—around 6 months to write a draft, then I let it sit for a while, come back and read and revise it myself, give it to my critique partners to read, and revise based on their comments, then send it to an editor (either one I’m working with through a publisher or one I hire) and revise again. All of those revisions together can take up to 6 months before the manuscript is finally in publishable condition.     

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

Lots of things inspire my writing. Books, movies, TV shows—ones I’m a fan of now, and ones I’ve loved for years. Travel is another big inspiration. I never would have written Beasts of the Frozen Sun if I hadn’t traveled to Iceland and fallen in love with it.

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

I try to write/revise every day, unless I’m in between books and brainstorming before I get started. How much I write depends on how busy I am and how into the scene I am—sometimes all I have the time or patience for is twenty minutes of writing, other times I can write for hours. I prefer writing in the morning, but I also write in the afternoon and in the wee night hours—anytime I feel inspired.

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

It’s tough. I have a family and a day job. It’s even harder now that I have a book coming out, because I spend a lot of time doing promotional stuff. I’ve had to squeeze in writing time whenever I can, and be flexible about when I write and for how long.

What keeps me going is the characters. If I love my characters, then I want to find out what happens to them, I want to tell their story—even if it keeps me up past my bedtime, or gets in the way of grading my students’ papers (shh, don’t tell them I told you that!).

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

For me, it’s about creating a fascinating world and characters worth caring about. The plot details are the icing on top, but they’re pointless if your cake is collapsing.

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

Getting it to the point where it was publishable. The first draft was a disaster, and I had to rewrite huge sections of the story three times before it was anywhere close to good enough. It took me a while to figure out how to juggle all the different elements that go into writing an epic fantasy, but once I got it, I ran with it and never looked back.  

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

I’ve written seven books total. Beasts of the Frozen Sun was the fourth book I wrote, and books six and seven are the sequels to Beasts. Since I just finished it and worked really hard on it, the third and final book of the Frozen Sun Saga is my current favorite. It’s the first series ender I’ve ever written, and it was really satisfying to see where these characters ended up and how they’d changed since the beginning of their story.

9. Do you have a favorite character?

It's hard to choose between Lira and Reyker. Lira starts out an idealist, but as the people she cares for die or betray her and the gods she worships use her as a pawn in their schemes, her character gets darker and darker. Reyker has already hit rock bottom, and his journey is about clawing his way back to redemption, with many setbacks and relapses along the way. Both of them are flawed and struggling through tragedy and trauma, which made it fascinating to write from their points of view.

10. Where do you write?  

I can’t write in public—too distracting—so I have a quiet office with a desk, a computer, and a window that looks out at the woods behind my house.  

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

I wanted to try and get traditionally published, so the only option was for me to get an agent. From there, I trusted in her expertise when it came to submitting to editors, and though it took a long, long time, in the end, it paid off.

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

There aren’t a lot of readers in my family, which makes me seem that much stranger. My husband read multiple versions of Beasts of the Frozen Sun while I was working on it, and he likes it a lot, and my aunt and sister-in-law have said they love it and can’t wait for Book 2.

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

I read a lot, mostly young adult fantasy. I put in some hours at my day job, teaching writing at the local university. I try to work out a little every day to stay in shape, and I binge-watch shows (often while doing my workouts) when I can. I just finished watching season 1 of The Boys, and now I’m getting caught up on Season 6 of The 100.

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

First, be prepared for failure, but don’t let it stop you. Beasts was one of five books that I wrote as I was trying to start my career as an author. Those other books may collect digital dust on my computer forever, but I learned a lot from writing them, so it wasn’t a waste.
Second, don’t commit to finishing a novel unless you love it. You have to love your characters and your story enough to keep writing, enough to read and revise many times. If you don't love it, it will be hard to get anyone else to.

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

One book I’ve read over and over again and still love is Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton. Some of my favorite authors (all of whom inspire me) are Juliet Marillier, Jaqueline Carey, Karen Marie Moning, Sabaa Tahir, and Marie Rutkoski.

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? 

I’m lucky that my husband (Brock Adams) is also an author, so I always have someone to brainstorm ideas with, someone to catch my comma splices and plot holes. Whenever I finish a draft, he’s the first person I hand it to, and the first person who lets me know if it’s any good or not.   

17. Are you working on anything now? 

Right now, I'm focused on the Frozen Sun Saga, revising and editing the second and third books. But I do have a draft of a Hindu-inspired young adult fantasy I’m really excited about, and this will hopefully be the next series I get to work on.

18. Tell us 5 things that make you smile

A good book.

A good cup of coffee.

Free time to write for as long as I want.

Looking at pictures of places I’ve traveled to.

Thinking about the next book I want to write.

19. Tell us 5 things that make you sad

Trying to read a book that I’m not really into.

A crappy cup of coffee.

Being so busy I don’t have time to write.

Going too long without traveling anywhere.

Watching/reading the news—I know I need to stay informed, but it’s just depressing.

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?

I would love to go to Nepal. There’s so much history and mysticism surrounding the Himalayas, and I’d like to hike to Mount Everest’s base camp and use it as the setting for a story.

Author Bio:
Jill Criswell is a writer of Young Adult Historical Fantasy. She was born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida. She earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she's visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland).

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