Then I Met My Sister Cover Post

Today, we have Christine Hurley Deriso here talking about the cover of her new book, Then I Met My Sister:

Love, love, love the cover. I think it captures the eeriness, transcendence and mystery of the book. I'm so grateful to my wonderful publisher, Flux, for treating my book with such TLC, including coming up with such a great cover. Coincidentally, the girl on the cover of the book (Shannon) looks a lot like my daughter, who portrays Shannon in the book trailer. (Check it out either on my website, www.christinehurleyderiso.com) or my publisher's, www.fluxnow.com.) 

Thanks, Christine! Here is the trailer for those of you that want to see it:

Don't forget to check out Then I Met My Sister, which comes out April 8, 2011!

Swords are for fighting,

Guest Post: Ramona Wray, author of Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale (plus a giveaway)

Today at Swords for Fighting, we have a special guest! Ramona Wray, author of Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale, is here to tell you all about her book. Please, give her a warm welcome.

Hi guys! Thank you for having me. As some of you may know, I'm the author of a YA fantasy novel called Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale. I've stopped by today to tell you a little bit about my book.

I'll start by saying that if you're looking for a good beach read, or something fun and lighthearted, you should definitely give Hex a try. It's the story of Lily, a high school girl with an unusual talent - if she touches someone, she sees into his/ her mind. Evidently, this neat trick of hers, makes her quite unpopular. But then there's a boy, and he doesn't seem to care about her persona-non-grata status; and then there's a second boy - a gorgeous, strange newcomer - and he's interested in her, as well. Suddenly the girl to whom no one ever spoke in the past, finds herself pursued by two guys.

If you like historical fiction, hang on to your seats because things aren't quite so simple. There's a back story, one that starts in the seventeenth century England, with a terrible curse. A curse that lives on...

Join Lily on an exciting adventure as she discovers the secrets of her past and finds love, all the while fighting to stay alive.

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale is my first published novel. It's only been released in the US, and I do hope you like it.

Happy reading!

Thanks Ramona for sharing! I am in the middle of reading her book at the moment, and I am enjoying it. Definitely check it out!

Ramona has been such a great guest. She even agreed to host a giveaway for a copy of her book! If you want a chance to win a copy of Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale, then keep reading. All you have to do is leave on comment on this post with your email address. It is that easy! The contest ends on April 1st.

Swords are for fighting,

Guest Post: Savita Kalhan (and a Giveaway!)

Today, I have a special guest for all of you. Savita Kalhan, author of The Long Weekend, is here! She is going to share some young adult book recommendations, so enjoy and give a warm welcome to Savita Kalhan!

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YA Books that I recommend as must-reads for Elizabeth

I love reading and I read a lot, but where to find the time to read more can be a problem. I’m sure you all know what I mean! I try to read as many teen and YA books as I can, but I do get left behind and end up stockpiling books for holidays and even then I don’t get through half as many as I want to.
I don’t read YA when I’m writing. I’m not really sure why, but I think it’s to preserve the integrity of the voices of my characters, or not to be influenced by other styles within teen and YA writing.
So this is by no means a definitive list, but very much a work in progress! I’ve enjoyed all the books on this list and would highly recommend them.


1. Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick
I love everything this man writes, but if I was forced to pick one it would be Revolver, which I’ve just read!
2. The Noughts and Crosses series by Malorie Blackman
I love everything this woman writes, but again I was forced to pick one, so I picked her compelling trilogy, which is utterly brilliant!
3. Before I Die by Jenny Downham
I hadn’t read anything quite like this before. I cried buckets all the way through it, but it’s much more than a simple sentimental read.
4. Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
A brilliant novel by a talented writer for teens. It is both thought-provoking and moving, and tells the story of neglected child and how she tries to move forward with her life after committing a terrible crime.
5. I’m Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti
This book was published a few years ago, but recently re-published as a YA book. It’s a gripping portrait of a nine year old boy who uncovers a terrible secret, and with that knowledge his life begins to fall apart.
6. The Survival Game by Tim-Wynne-Jones
This story stayed with me long after I had put the book down. It is a tense, vividly-drawn portrayal of a boy’s struggle to escape his bullying father by running away, knowing that no matter how far he runs, he will be tracked down.
7. The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
I love fantasy epics and this is one I really enjoyed recently. The characters are brilliant, the djinni is inspired, and the story hooks you instantly and you fly with it.
8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Who doesn’t love Katniss and the many trials and tribulations of the dystopian world she defies death in? The series is easy to read and great fun, thrilling and quite brilliant. I wish there was a fourth!
9. The Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly
I read this a couple of years ago, but it made an impression on me. Beautifully written, multi-layered and completely absorbing. I loved it.
10. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
A very important book for any teenager and young adult to read. The isolation and pain of the central character and her inability to deal with the crime that has been done to her is poignant. You really want her to speak.


When this blog is posted, I’ll probably kick myself as several other books will have come to mind! I think I might try to do this list every three months so I don’t forget anything important...

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Thank you, Savita for your recommendations! I am definitely going to have to some of those out.

Savita Kalhan is also offering one of Swords for Fighting's readers to win a copy of The Long Weekend! If you would like a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment. Oh, and make sure to leave your email adress, so I have a way to contact you. This contest is international, and it ends on March 1st.

Swords are for fighting,