Leap Books is excited to announce two Frolic titles leaping in 2013.
The first title in this new line for tweens is by New York Times Bestseller Maria V. Snyder. Maria is known for her Poison Study and Magic Study books as well as for Inside Out and Outside In. She is also a contributor to the anthology Spirited.
In STORM WATCHER, the youngest son in family of search-and-rescue dog trainers, Luke Riley, must
face his deadly fear of storms to prove that he and the dog he's
training belong in the family business.
STORM WATCHER will be be debuting October 2013. Fans can pre-order a copy now in the Leap Bookstore and have it shipped as soon as it comes out.
Our second 2013 Frolic release is by another Leap author, Patrice Lyle. She is the author of Lethally Blonde. Her new release, THE CASE OF THE INVISIBLE WITCH, is part of the Poison Ivy Charm School series.
In THE CASE OF THE INVISIBLE WITCH, thirteen-year-old Tulip Bonnaire, Witch PI, runs Spells & Spies out
of her dorm room at Poison Ivy Charm School, a school for polite witches
and warlocks. She has only 72 hours to figure out her latest case, or
her classmate, Missy, will never be seen again. Literally.
When Missy shows up in Tulip’s dorm room around midnight, she’s
invisible. As in not even x-ray vision could spot her. The mean triplets
who call themselves The Belles have cast an invisibility spell on poor
Missy. But if Tulip can’t break the spell in 72 hours, Missy will remain
invisible forever.
It’s a case Tulip can’t resist — between her mom’s annoying new
boyfriend and her own secret crush at school, Tulip understands how much
it stinks to feel invisible. Luckily for Tulip, her two best friends
and her cute, techy guy friend help dig up clues on a case that turns
out to be her freakiest one ever.
THE CASE OF THE INVISIBLE WITCH can also be pre-ordered in the Leap Bookstore.
Author Mark Finnemore has. Wonder why? So do we...
Leap Books has asked Mark to answer a few questions for us. If you have any other questions for Mark, be sure to leave them on the blog or ask them on the Spirited Facebook page. Each question or comment earns you a contest entry (see below).
Mark's story in the Spirited anthology is "Stained." But he is also the author of several free reads at Mythic Picnic. If you'd like to read more of his work, hop on over to the site and enjoy a variety of stories. We caught Mark as he was hard at work on his next novel, Straw Man, which is an intriguing read with the tag line: "What if Robin Hood worked at the IRS?" You can read the blurb at Love & Taxes. Mark was so busy he only had time to answer a few questions, leaving lots of mystery in his wake, but he did give us a link to some sage advice, so be sure to check it out.
So, Mark, have you ever climbed into or out of a window?
I have, but I don't want to give anyone any bad ideas that will get them into trouble.
Very thoughtful of you. But it also makes us wonder: are you worried that you'll get in trouble if you divulge when and where you did this window climbing? Hmm... is that a discrete silence we hear?
What advice do you wish you could give to your younger self (besides not climbing out of windows, that is)?
So many things. Too many to list here. I've got a free booklet available through my website called "Wise Things That Other People Have Said." It's basically a listing of some of the smart things I've come across that I wish I had known when I was younger, things that remind me not to take stuff too personally and to pursue happiness instead of anger. I still read through a few of them almost every day to keep from slipping back into darkness. Hopefully it can help someone else too, because even the rockiest of roads can lead to a happy ending.
What super power do you wish you had?
I've always wanted to fly, to be able to see everything from a eagle's view and soar and swoop and hover. Now, since the flight powers have yet to manifest themselves, I'm thinking about taking helicopter lessons.
That should get you flying! Good luck with the lessons, Mark. We'll watch for you hovering overhead.
About Mark's story in the Spirited anthology: "Stained"
Isaiah Wildes was born to be a witch hunter like his father. It's his destiny. And now that his father is gone, Isaiah is determined to honor his father’s memory by becoming the best ever. Then he meets Faith Jacobs and wonders if his destiny may lie elsewhere. But will the chief witch hunter let the talented Isaiah just walk away?
About the Author
Mark Finnemore lives in California with his beautiful wife Panji, who helped him learn that even the rockiest road can lead to a happy ending. Mark has had short stories published and is currently working on the finishing touches of a novel titled Love & Taxes, which he hopes will one day be not only finished, but published and found at your local bookstore as well. Visit Mark at Mythic Picnic or Genre Trash or Love & Taxes.
And if you'd like to know a few more secrets about Mark, read some early posts on the Spirited Facebook page and Leap Books blog. Anyone who posts a link to one of those secrets will be entered in a drawing for a free book. You may leave a comment or question for Mark for an additional entry for a print copy of Spirited.
One winner will be drawn after all 13 blogs about the authors are posted. Enter as often as you'd like by linking to author secrets or leaving comments or questions.
And for a limited time, click on this link to get the Spirited ebook
Teen interviewer Anna interviews Leap Books author Kitty Keswick:
When did you know that you wanted to be an author?
I have always written stories. I wrote to escape, to entertain myself, to get the stories that were in my head...out. I write from my dreams and if I don't work on the stories that I'm dreaming about ("they" can be very persistent), I don't sleep until I do. I started out as a journalism major because I enjoyed writing. I didn't care that much for non-fiction and switched my major. The idea of being a novelist was always in the back of my head. I had been writing full-length stories since high school. It was until 2004 that I started to do something about it and joined RWA (Romance Writers of America). There I learned more about the craft and started attending conferences and sending out queries.
Have you always specifically liked supernatural stories?
Yes and no. My stories have supernatural elements, but they are more character driven and based in folklore and mythology.
Do you consider romance a necessary component in all your stories?
Yep. I am and always will be a romantic sap. It's a blessing and a curse. Love can be wickedly cruel and totally earthmoving amazing. There's always something to write about when love is involved, good or bad. Love changes you, it shapes you. Whether it's for better or worse is up to you.
What is your favorite genre of stories to read?
Right now, it's mysteries and sci-fi. It changes. I am re-reading One for the Money and Game of Thrones.
Why did you choose to write young adult books instead of adult books or children's books?
I wrote general romance first. Several novels and got close. I had many editors tell me they liked my character building and worlds and snarky humor, but felt my voice was a little young for general romance. I took their advice and went back to my roots, YA. I started writing, really writing as a teen. I used the basic elements of those stories to formulate my YA novels. I keep a dream journal and often get my ideas from my dreams. Freaksville started out as a strange conversation between two best friends.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Study your craft, never stop learning. Read. And never give up.
More about author Kitty Keswick:
Kitty Keswick has been an Anglophile since age four when she saw Robin Hood and fell head over heels in love. As she grew up on her grandfather’s California vineyard, Kitty’s imagination was her best friend. At a very tender age, she started writing her stories and reading them to the grapes.
Kitty now lives with a bossy tabby cat and maybe even a few ghosts. She spends her days with Werewolves, Valkyries, Vamps and other creatures that go bump in the night.
Her books:
Having a family whose skeletons in the closet lean toward the paranormal is not a topper on anyone’s list. Sophomore Kasey Maxwell is busy juggling the typical teen angst. Add visions, ghosts, and hairy four-legged monsters into the mix and you get FREAKSVILLE. It’s a wonder Kasey has survived.
Sixteen-year-old Kasey Maxwell left Freaksville behind when her family moved from California to rural Pennsylvania. But she didn't leave her troubles behind. As her Valkyrie side grows, the spirits become more haunting. When her visions turn bloody, Kasey must trust new support systems—paranormal ones.
Get entombed in stories of Egyptian treasures, shudder at tales of malevolent spirits, and become enthralled with the adventures of witch-hunters, ghost seekers, and lost souls. From steampunk to cyberpunk, our collection spans past, present, and future hauntings. One story actually leaps off the page with 3D augmented reality. Go ahead. Turn the page if you dare. We won't tell if you sleep with the light on. Because after all, there's no rest for the wicked.
"Judith Graves created an incredible cast of characters with her first of this series: Under My Skin, and I enjoyed them even more in Second Skin....But Second Skin, WOW...I simply love the progression of Eryn's story. There is a love triangle, danger and mystery throughout this book making it a definite page-turner. There are a lot of secrets surrounding Eryn....There are still so many questions to be answered and I can't wait for the next book in this series: Skin of My Teeth."
Intrigued? You can find Second Skin at Leap Books and Amazon. Better hurry, the Amazon website says, "Only 2 left in stock--order soon (more on the way)."And watch for specials on the Leap Books site during March Madness from March 21 to 31.
If you'd like an autographed copy, keep an eye on Judith's website and blog for info about her Gothic Tea Party Book Launch. Open to the public. Even better, sign up for her newsletter for info and great giveaways.
For her new release, author Judith Graves is going on tour. Join the celebration of the official launch of the second book in the SKINNED series, SECOND SKIN.
During the month of March Judith will be doing interviews and guest posts on some fabulous blogs, as well as features on her own site. It will be a month of giveaways, SWAG, and great conversations.
In honor of Second Skin’s major theme, FACING YOUR DARKEST FEAR, she’ll look at what scares us – from horror films, fiction, phobias, folklore and the beasties that haunt our dreams. Thankfully, she'll only talk about others' sheer terror – Eryn and her monster-hunting crew are the ones who get thrown to the wolves.
Here’s the line up of blog stops and author thus far:
Monsters. Bloodsuckers. The evil. The damned. Eryn McCain knows they exist—she's been hunting them since she was a child. At sixteen, she's ready to take on all comers. Being a shapeshifter gives her an advantage when it comes to her unusual part-time job. The hours suck and the pay is, well, non-existent, but bonuses like inhuman strength and night vision make tracking scary beasties a dream come true. Especially in a town like Redgrave.
When an ancient demon targets Redgrave High, Eryn and her crew of hunters must face their innermost fears to prevent the Harvest Moon Dance from becoming one serious Monster Mash. Loyalties are tested and temptations abound. With questions ever brewing, can Eryn share a future with the brooding, noble, human Alec—the hunter after her heart? Or will she succumb to her enemy's son, Wade, a seductive predator as bloodthirsty as she is?
What happens when you’re both the beauty and the beast?
Leap Books is thrilled to announce Judith Graves' latest book in the Skinned series SECOND SKIN.
Praise for Second Skin
"Smart, sassy and more than a little scary, Second Skin hits all the right notes. I adored reading about Eryn and her attempts to deal with her life!"
~Amanda Ashby, award-winning author of Zombie Queen of Newbury High and Fairy Bad Day
"If tasked to recruit a monster-hunting army, I'd want Eryn on my side—her tongue is as sharp as the athame she brandishes. In Second Skin, the second book in Judith Graves' thrilling SKINNED series, Eryn goes head-to-head with a chilling new paranorm, has lingering feelings for two of Redgraves' hottest boys, and is surrounded by an endearing cast of family and friends. Prepare to be engrossed—Graves digs in her claws and doesn't let go until the mesmerizing cliffhanger end."
"In Judith Graves' Second Skin, book two of her Skinned series, shapeshifter Eryn McCain is fighting the paranorm baddies again and cracking wise while she's at it. A wild ride of snark, chills and romance, Second Skin poses the creepy question: what if your worse nightmares came to life?"
~Joy Preble, author of Dreaming Anastasia and Haunted
Also look for the second edition of Under My Skin: Book 1:
And watch for Judith Graves' blog tour. Stop back next week for kick-off info.
Today, December 31, 2011, is the last day to snag your copy of Judith Graves' e-book, Under My Skin, for only $.99.
If you're a paranormal lover, this is one sale you won't want to miss.
All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life...
Redgrave had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets, missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief's son and Redgrave High's resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn--in fact, she's lethal.
But she can't help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding--human Alec. And then her world falls apart.
A normal life? Now that's the real fairytale.
Reviews
"Under My Skin is a roller-coaster romp through a supernatural world filled with scary beasties, otherworldly magic, and characters you'll root for...a compelling story full of mystery, magic, action and romance. A fun and engaging read."
~Rosemary Clement-Moore, author of Prom Dates from Hell
"Eryn emerges as a strong, independent, feisty young woman whose sense of responsibility for her "pack" .... fans of paranormal YA fiction will appreciate a protagonist with attitude and anticipate the next volume in the planned trilogy, Second Skin, to be released in 2011."
~ CM Magazine
"I love stories that are filled with paranormal beasties, great characters (especially kick-butt heroines), resident hotties, and humor! I couldn't decide whether I was Team Alec or Team Wade even up to the end."
The Eerie Digest, the Online Mystery and Hollywood Insider Magazine, has interviewed Judith Graves on her upcoming work. Check it out her feature in the Spotlight.
Read an excerpt for Witch's Shadow and find out more about the next books in the Skinned series, including Second Skin, due out in 2011.
We've had fans tell us how much they love UMS (That's Under My Skin by Judith Graves, if you haven't been following all the book blogs where Judith's appeared.) If you love werewolf - vampire books filled with other paranormal creatures, this is the summer read for you.
If you're already a fan or want to find out more about the book, you can hear Judith Graves on Book Bites for Kids next Wednesday, July 14 at 2 pm CST. She'll be talking about her writing process, her characters, and what's in store for those of you who are eagerly awaiting the sequels.
And if you missed them, two of our other authors, Kitty Keswick (Freaksville) and Bonnie J. Doerr (Island Sting), were also interviewed on this blog talk radio show.
So tune in next week and find out more about UMS, and werewolves and witches and vampires and wolven. And if you comment on our blog and let us know you've listened in, we'll put your name in a drawing for a free copy of UMS or another Leap Book of your choice.
It's Saturday again, and time for some spooky encounters with the paranormal. This one comes courtesy of Kat O'Shea, Editor-in-Chief of Leap Books. Is it any wonder Kat likes to edit the Leap Books line of paranormals?
When I was in high school, I was eating lunch with my friend Alice at a picnic table outside. Two girls sat at the table in front of us, spread out their lunches, and began making fun of Alice. When they made ape sounds and kissing noises, Alice’s eyes filled with tears. (Some people called the guy Alice had a crush on “Apeman.”) She gathered up her stuff and started to flee, but I’d had enough.
I stood and said, “You’d better watch out because I’m a witch. If you don’t leave Alice alone, I’ll cast a spell on you.”
The girls giggled and pretended to cower.
“Ooo, scary,” one of them said.
I have no idea why I did this, but I held out my arms and wriggled my fingers toward their lunches in what I hoped looked like a witchlike motion.
A sudden breeze blew their bags of chips off the table and dumped them into their laps. Their eyes got wider.
The wind grew stronger. The plastic wrap on their sandwiches and cookies flapped open, a partially eaten pack of Tastycakes slid to the ground. They clutched each other and screamed as a carton of chocolate milk tipped over and doused the cookies.
As the puddle of milk flowed toward their laps, they leapt up. Throwing frightened glances over their shoulders, they fled, leaving their lunches behind.
Truth was, I was as petrified as they were. I have no idea if the wind was a coincidence or if I caused it, but I’ve been afraid to repeat that performance. I worry that nothing will happen, or even worse, that something will. I’m not sure which I’d prefer.
I still wonder: Can people really cause things like that to happen? Why did the wind stop as soon as I lowered my hands? How come only their table was affected by the wind? Nothing on our table or nearby tables even moved.
Any thoughts? Anyone else ever have an experience like this? Feel free to leave comments or send your story to Lexie North and we’ll post it on the blog.
The town of Cold Lake, Alberta, is getting prepared for the big day. The vendor who will be selling books at the launch party is Lots-a Books. So far, the books are selling fast. They may be all sold out before the party. Here's all they have:
Not much left, as you can see, on their once-full display table. More books are winging their way to Canada, but will they arrive in time? The town of Cold Lake is rallying behind their hometown author, and a signboard outside the store (see below) has been luring the locals in. If you live in the area, you might want to hurry in to get one of the last few copies before they're all sold out.
Not to worry if you miss out, as you can still order the books from Leap Books, and we'll ship them right out to you. Be sure to check out our spring special rates and enter the coupon code at checkout. The books are also available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and through major distributors, such as Ingram and Baker & Taylor.
So what's all the excitement about? Is it the cool gothic art by Val Cox that decorates the pages? Or is it the engrossing story of Eryn McCain written by Judith Graves? Most likely it's both. Check back all this week for some sneak peeks at the art and excerpts from the novel. Today we'll just tantalize you with the first lines from the book:
I ran as if my life depended on it.
Maybe it did.
Who needs to stay alive and why in this cold northern Canadian town of Redgrave? A town infested with paranorms...
Is it possible? Can it be? Does the fictional town of Redgrave resemble Cold Lake? The thought is chilling. If so, maybe it's the paranorms who've been snapping up those books before the humans find out their deep dark secrets.What has author Judith Graves revealed about them in the pages of her book?
Vamp thrall...wolven vs. werewolves...
witches and warlocks...and other beasties of the nightromp through the pages of Under My Skin (UMS). Get your copy to discover the hidden magick buried in Redgrave. Or perhaps, Cold Lake?
You'll meet many Beasties of the Night at Judith Graves' launch party on Saturday Night, April 24, 2010. Stop in for cake and drinks, great music, and an autographed copy of UMS. And maybe you'll discover some paranorms in disguise...
Author Judith Graves will be part of the Young Alberta Book Society's TaleBlazers Festival, which runs from October 4-29, 2010. Schools and libraries can host author visits.
And what better month to have a visit from a paranormal author than October?? Under My Skin is filled with wolven, witches, vamps, and otherworldly beasties, so it's the perfect Halloween treat.
"Every fall the Taleblazers Festival tours the province giving hundreds of literary presentations to Albertan children in communities large and small, getting them fired up about literacy, sparking their imaginations, and giving them stronger literacy skills for a brighter future." To find out more about TaleBlazers and the Young Alberta Book Society, check out the website: http://www.yabs.ab.ca/TaleBlazers.asp.
Leap Books is proud to have authors who are working hard to promote literacy. If you'd like to host any of our authors, please contact Cathleen Cartwright at marketing@leapbks.com.
