Lindsay Eland - Middle Grade Author

Welcome to the very last day of EGMONT WEEK with awesome author Bree Despain and her amazing book, THE DARK DIVINE! I got to meet and hang out with Bree for an entire day last fall and not only is she sweet and fun, but she has the best hair I’ve ever seen. Really! It’s like the Pantene Pro-V commercials…and I’d definitely want her hair if I ever had the patience to grow it out or if I looked okay with long hair, but that’s beside the point. Oh, and stay tuned cause Bree’s giving away a little something!

A Tad More About Bree: She rediscovered her childhood love for creating stories when she took a semester off college to write and direct plays for at-risk, inner-city teens from Philadelphia and New York. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, two young sons, and her beloved TiVo.

The Awesome Synopsis of The Dark Divine: A prodigal son. A dangerous love. A deadly secret . . .I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?” Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away. As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel’s dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

Oooo, everyone, you are in for a treat! This is a delicious read in every way. One of those books that you have to set a block of time aside, because once you start this one you’re not going to be able to stop until you get to the very end!

Now onto my interview with Bree!

So Bree, what is that one main character that you wish you could be?

I love Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody series and I’d want to live in all of those books because I love Egyptology and the pre-WWI era.  Not to mention all the adventure and mysteries that family gets themselves into.   As much as I love Amelia, I think I’d rather get to be Nefret because then I’d get to kiss Ramses.  Now there’s a hot fictional guy!

Ooo, really? Hot fictional guy? Now that’s my kind of book! But as much as I’d like to dwell on this subject, we have to move on. So tell me, Bree, what are your thoughts on the Mustang Kick To The Chest vs the Cheetah Face Claw?

I think I’d go with the mustang kick because it’s less likely to involve facial scars.

Yeah, I’d have to agree with you on that one, too. So now about airplanes. What would the best airplane experience you could ever have  look like?

Full beds, spa treatments, no screaming children, chocolate dipped strawberries, and four course gourmet meals.

Ooo, chocolate covered strawberries and a gourmet meal? Now that sounds right up my alley!

Thanks so much for joining me Bree!

You can visit Bree online at www.breedespain.com. And The Dark Divine is an absolute must-have, so click HERE to order your own copy…and remember don’t start it too, too late at night, cause I promise, you will not be getting much sleep that night.

Today, I’m with 2 Egmont authors! Visit me at Kristina McBride’s site as well as Alexandra Bracken’s!

And to conclude EGMONT WEEK I want to say thanks to all my fellow Egmont authors as well as the entire staff at Egmont USA! You are all amazing!

*Giveaway Time*

Here we go…Bree is giving away a Dark Divine Nail Polish to one lucky commenter! So leave a comment and tell me your favorite movie couple and you’ll be entered to win!

Welcome to Egmont Week on my blog! Today I have the amazing Kay Cassidy whose debut novel, The Cinderella Society, was released this past April! And stay tuned until the end and find out how you can win a Glass Slipper book mark!!

I “met” Kay about a week after Scones and Sensibility went to auction and sold. We emailed back and forth and let me just say, this is a doll of a girl! Not only is she an amazing writer, but she can organize a week like this (which she did), run a nation-wide Scavenger Hunt Contest for libraries, and start her own Girl-Power Blog. She’s also the kind of person who is always optimistic and encouraging!

But enough of my bragging. Here’s a more official-sounding bio…

Who is Kay Cassidy? Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life.  She is the founder of the national Great Scavenger Hunt Contest^TM reading program for kids and teens and the host of the inspirational Living Your Five^TM web project.  In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, music, and reading.  Lots and lots of reading.  She hopes her debut YA novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (April 13, 2010 – Egmont), will help girls embrace their inner Cindy.

THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY blurb of awesomeness: What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore? Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider.  So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it’s like something out of a fairy tale.  Swept up by the Cindys’ magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she’s finally found her chance to fit in. Then the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch-enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there’s more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside.  She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything. Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her.  Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn’t want to be seen with her in public?  And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?

This is the first Egmont book I had the privilege of reading and let me just say that it is truly wonderful, inspiring and empowering. An absolute perfect book for any girl to read!

Now let’s get onto my mini-interview!

Okay, Kay, we all know the first question by now, so spill…what main character would you love to actually BE if you could?

That’s a tough one!  Hmm… probably either Katsa in GRACELING or Cammie in I’D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I’D HAVE TO KILL YOU.  Katsa is one of my favorite heroines of all-time: smart, strong, caring.  And she’s a total survivor.  Cammie has the most amazing skill set of any YA heroine, imo… I mean, how many teens can defend themselves with a strand of spaghetti while speaking Farsi and dancing the Viennese Waltz?

I definitely agree with Katsa, and that was an amazing book as well! Now onto my next question. Tell us Kay, do you prefer Mustang Kick a la chest or Face Claw prepared by Cheetah?

Umm… are there cupcakes involved?  No?  Then, can I choose c) none of the above?  LOL  Geez Louise, I don’t know, Linds.  Isn’t that kind of a rough question for Jane Austen reincarnated?  If I had to choose, I guess I’d say the cheetah because I’m pretty such getting kicked in the chest by a mustang could easily kill you.  Horrible.

I know, it is a tough one…but that’s exactly why I asked you, the element of surprise! You probably thought, “Lindsay would surely not ask me about my fear of being kicked by a mustang or about the remote possibility of being clawed by a Cheetah, so I don’t have to worry…” and then BAM…I sprung it on you. Kind of like Katsa, huh? And really, I’m convinced that Jane Austen most definitely played the “would you rather” game. She has such a great sense of humor I find it hard to believe she couldn’t have.

Now for my final question for the amazing Kay Cassidy! Describe the best airplane experience you could ever have…and don’t hold anything back!

Oh, that’s easy.  One where the airplane does not leave the ground. I don’t like to fly so the best airplane experience, in my opinion, is one where the airplane stays at the gate.  And possibly seats me next to George Clooney while serving cupcakes.  Okay, that’s a lie.  I’d definitely want the cupcakes, but I’d never eat it if George was there.  I often end up with frosting on my nose and that’s not really very ladylike.

Not leave the ground?! We really are kindred spirits…cause I couldn’t agree with you more, or at least mystomach agrees with you!

Thanks so much for being on my blog, Kay!

You can visit Kay at www.kaycassidy.com. And now you must click on this link HERE so that you can order THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY for yourself. Then once you read it, you’ll be ordering another one and another one to give to all the amazing girls and women in your life!

Come back bright and early tomorrow for the final day of EGMONT WEEK with author Bree Despain!

*GIVEAWAY TIME*

Kay has graciously donated to give away one of these awesome glass slipper bookmarks!! Just leave a comment and tell me one amazing, empowering thing about yourself! Isn’t it cute?!

Good morning one and all! Today I have with me the super hilarious, and amazing writer, Chelsea Campbell, author of the newly released THE RISE OF RENEGADE X. And Chelsea has even donated some goodies for a giveway, so stayed tuned to find out how you can put your name into the hat and win!

But before I get into my interview and find out what main character Chelsea would LOVE to be, here’s a bit more about her:

Bit O Bio for Chelsea Campbell: She grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where it rains a lot. And then rains some more. She finished her first novel when she was twelve, sent it out, and promptly got rejected. Since then she’s written many more novels, earned a degree in Latin and Ancient Greek, become an obsessive knitter and fiber artist, and started a collection of glass grapes. As a kid, Chelsea read lots of adult books, but now that she’s an adult herself (at least according to her driver’s license), she loves books for kids and teens. Besides writing, studying ancient languages, and collecting useless objects, Chelsea is a pop culture fangirl at heart and can often be found rewatching episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, leveling up in World of Warcraft, or spending way too much time on Livejournal and Facebook.

THE RISE OF RENEGADE X BLURB: Damien Locke knows his destiny–attending the university for supervillains andbecoming Golden City’s next professional evil genius. But when Damien discovers he’s the product of his supervillain mother’s one-night stand with–of all people–a superhero, his best-laid plans are ruined as he’s forced to live with his superhero family.

Going to extreme lengths (and heights), The Rise of Renegade X chronicles one boy’s struggles with the villainous and heroic pitfalls of growing up.

Oh folks, this is an awesome book on so many levels. I suggest you click on this little linky thing HERE and order it…okay…have you done it yet? Well, once you have, come back here cause you haven’t yet read Chelsea’s answers to my pressing questions.

Here goes:

So Chelsea, we’ve all contemplated this question, especially when we’ve read an amazing book with an even more amazing main character whose amazingness is just…amazing. But now, I want you to fess up and answer this question:

If you could BE (really BE) a main character in a book…what main character would you want to be and what book would you want to live in till the last page is turned?

I would totally want to be Harry Potter.  Even though he has a lot of problems, he gets through them and also gets to go to wizard school and go on adventures.

Wizard school does sound like a gas, and I would like my own pet owl because that would be extreme awesomeness. Now, tell me, if you were ever in this situation, would you rather be kicked in the chest by a mustang or face-clawed by a cheetah?

Yikes! If I had to pick, I think I’d go with the cheetah.  I mean, I would hope there was no lasting damage like getting an eye clawed out, but getting kicked in the chest sounds like it would be painful for a long time!  Like it could break my cartilage or stop my heart or something.

Yeah, I can see where you’re coming from.

So onto more pleasant topics like…like plane rides. Okay, so maybe that isn’t the most pleasant topic (especially if you’re an airplane throw-upper like myself), but imagine (as I try to do) the best airplane experience you could ever have…and don’t hold anything back.

In the best airplane experience, they would have lots of GOOD food (I still get grossed out when I think about the very gray-looking roll I ate on an airplane 10 years ago), and it would all be free.  And they would have the little TV screens on the backs of the seats and give you headphones, and there would always be something good on.  And I wouldn’t have to go to the bathroom the entire trip, but if I did, I would have no trouble getting to the aisle, even though I had a window seat.

There you have it! A glimpse into the mind of Chelsea Campbell! Thanks so much for chatting with me, Chelsea!

You can visit Chelsea at www.chelseacampbell.com. And if for some reason you still haven’t bought THE RISE OF RENEGADE X yet, click here, wait impatiently for the mail to arrive, and then enjoy!

Come back tomorrow when I interview the fabulous Kay Cassidy! And today I’m over on Chelsea Campbell’s blog! So stop on by and find out what I think of the Brontosauras!

*Giveaway Time!*

In honor of the newly released The Rise of Renegade X, Chelsea is giving away a signed bookmark of Renegade right here! When you leave a comment just tell me what your Superhero name and power would be if you could be one!

Hi everyone! Today I have with me the amazing author, Alexandra Bracken and her book BRIGHTLY WOVEN! Before we find out what “would you rather” Alex would rather experience, here’s a bit about her and her amazing book!

A little bit about Alex: She wrote Brightly Woven as a birthday present for a friend, and the story   grew and flourished during a year of unpredictable, wild weather. A native of Arizona, she is a recent graduate of the College of William and Mary, where she majored in History and English. She now lives in New York City.

Brightly Woven blurb: Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be       changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

Doesn’t Brightly Woven sound amazing? Well…it IS amazing! I read it a few months ago and immediately fell in love with this fairy tale-esque book!

Now, onto my short little interview!!

So Alex, if you could BE (literally BE) a main character in a book, what character would you want to be and what book would you want to live in until the last page is turned?

I would have to say Hermione, though that’s not a very creative choice.  It’s hard not to read HARRY POTTER and want to live in that world, huh?  And to be Hermione, who’s clever, brave, and ends up with Ron?  Sign me up!  hehe

I can definitely understand that one. Now Alex, us writer’s can be a pretty strange breed. Our imaginations run wild and we always have to ask questions in our heads, no matter how bizarre they may be. So I just have to ask…would you rather be kicked in the chest by a mustang or face-clawed by a cheetah?

Oh jeeze, probably the mustang in the chest, though I’m probably only saying that because I’ve never been kicked by a horse before…  So maybe the cheetah to the face would be a less lethal option?  Can I choose option C, RUN AWAY QUICKLY?

Now, describe the best airplane experience you could ever imagine…and remember this does not have be true…just a wish, however far away it may be

It would involve me in a window seat, with a cute boy sitting next to me who then asks for my number.  Oh wait, I lied.  It would involve me in a window seat, falling asleep the moment I sit down and sleeping through the entire flight.

Thanks for joining me Alexandra!

You can visit Alex at www.alexandrabracken.com And to buy Brightly Woven, just click right here. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Join me tomorrow when I interview Egmont author, Chelsea Campbell…

And today I am visiting Kay Cassidy’s blog!

Me and 5 other Egmont authors have teamed up this week to celebrate our wonderful traditional publishing house Egmont USA! I will be visiting their blogs to answer funny, insightful questions and they will be joining me on my blog as well.

Today, I have the amazing Kristina McBride whose book THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES officially releases on May 25th!

May 25th, you ask? Yes, that is tomorrow!

Now, each of my fellow authors will be answering the same series of questions from me, but rest assured, their answers are as different as the amazing books they’ve written! Now, before I get into my short little interview, here’s a little bit about Kristina and her book THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES…

Tidbit about Kristina: Kristina McBride, a former high-school English teacher and yearbook advisor, wrote The Tension of Opposites in response to the safe return of a child who was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friend’s house. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two young children. This is her first novel.

THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES blurb: What happens when your best friend is kidnapped – and returns two years later?

I’d also encourage you to take a look at her book trailer for the book which is excellent! The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride

So without further ado…here’s Kristina’s random thoughts on my random questions.

Kristina, if you could BE (actually BE) a main character in a book…what main character would you want to be and what book would you want to live in till the last page is turned?

Since To Kill a Mockingbird’s Atticus Finch, a character I would so love to be, doesn’t have a love interest, I can’t choose that book. I LOVE Margo Roth Spiegelman from John Green’s Paper Towns. Granted, she’s a little troubled, but aren’t we all? I wish I’d had the guts to pull of all the pranks she came up with. SO daring! And SO unlike me!

Oo, pranks! I do remember a few of those: rubber band around the fruit sprayer, mattress in the elevator during college, hiding in my sisters shower before she woke up…bwahahahaha.

Ahem…onto the next question.

Okay, Kristina, we all have to be prepared for the what-if’s of life. So I’m going to help you out with one that hopefully wouldn’t happen, but…you never know. Would you rather be kicked in the chest by a mustang or face-clawed by a cheetah?

Oh, dear. Do I have to? How about both – maybe that way I could duck out of the way and escape any injury while the mustang and cheetah battle it out. I am not a fan of being injured, you see.

We’ve all had the bad airplane experience. The layovers, the missed flights, the loud talkers, the leaning-against-your-shoulder-and-snoring passengers. But now I want you to dream big. Describe the best airplane experience you could ever imagine…however far away the dream might seem.

My best airplane experience would find me en route to Hawaii (or the Caribbean – I’m not picky) with my family. We’d have lots of fun excursions planned, and while my children slept next to my husband and I, giving us hours of totally relaxing peace, I’d be finishing up my next YA novel, gazing out at the clouds as I brainstormed that very important last sentence. Hmmm . . . I just re-read this question. Best airplane experience I could ever imagine? I’m thinking I should add that this plane is a private jet that I’ve recently bought with money from book sales. And there’s loads of chocolate on board! And maybe John Mayer has hitched a ride, and is playing acoustic guitar and singing softly in the background . . .

Thanks so much for being on my blog today, Kristina, and good luck on the release of THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES!

You can visit Kristina online at www.krisitinamcbride.com. And to buy THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES just click here! I already have mine ordered!

Join me tomorrow with Egmont USA author, Alexandra Bracken!

I’m visiting Bree Despains blog today, so make sure to visit and get a chance to win a signed bookmark and vintage lace handkerchief from yours truly!

I graduated High School 13 years ago…13 YEARS! In some respects, it seems like just yesterday that I was swooning over my Environmental Science Teacher, eating a warm Irving’s Bagel at lunch, or driving around with my sister in our old BMW listening to Bob Marley and Rusted Root with the top down. In other ways, more has happened in the past 13 years than I ever thought possible.

Life has had it’s twists and turns and surprises since that sunny afternoon when I walked across the stage with my diploma in hand. But one thing hasn’t changed from 13 years ago.

One thing is exactly the same.

My longing and anticipation for summer.

Ice cream

Popsicles

tank tops and shorts

flip flops

campfires

fireworks

walking on gravel paths

picnics

swimming pools

sprinklers

sleeping in

pj days

staying up late

bike rides

reading books on rainy days

rushing brooks

green leaves

budding flowers

squirrels

time with my family

Some things haven’t changed.

And I bet they never will.

Today my blog tour ends! It has been such a blast and I’ve loved meeting all of the wonderful bloggers that invited me to be with them! Today I am with The Book Girl Reviews where I reveal something that I’ve never mentioned in any other interview, the weirdest/funniest thing that happened to me (that may or may not involve a taxi cab and multiple Kit Kat bars) and one of my own summer jobs. Anyway, thanks to everyone who has been following my tour, to the wonderful bloggers who have had me, and to my publicist, Beth, for putting it all together!! You all are full of awesomeness!

Happy Mother’s Day!! First off, here’s a post I wrote in honor of Mothers everywhere!!

John is out of town today, but I was woken up by my four beautiful children this morning with a bowl of Raisin Bran and a mug of ice water!! How sweet are they?! Anyhoo…today I am with Once Upon a Book Blog for a super fun interview! You can find out why I write for middle grade readers, what I hope to accomplish from my writing, as well as my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night! Thanks for joining me!

And a signed copy of Scones and Sensibility as well as a ten-page critique from moi of your manuscript to the highest bidder at Do the Right Thing for Nashville.

Happy Saturday and day-before-Mother’s-Day everyone! Today I’m with the fabulous Mrs. Magoo Reads where I reveal what my favorite books as a preteen were as well as advice for those that long to be writers, both young and old!

It’s Day 12 today and I’m with the marvelous Page Turners! Go on over to find out what my favorite movie quote is. I had a hard time deciding between:

“What I need from you is…a hundred thousand dollars,” said by Corky Sinclair in Waiting For Guffman

or

“Get me a baby, Hi,” from Raising Arizona.

And a ton of others…I grew up in a long-line of movie quoters that seems to have  only gotten stronger with each generation.

So anyway, I tried to pick a quote that I adore, that says a lot of who I am, and is from one of my favorite movies and that’s how I finally  narrowed it down. Thanks for stopping by!