Tag: young adult

Monica Schultz

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Monica Schultz and I both wrote for the same anthology – Slow Burn. She resides in Australia – one of the places I really want to visit.

Author Bio

Monica Schultz is a full-time Mathematics and History teacher from Ipswich, Australia, with a passion for writing fantasy. When she isn’t busy finding ‘x’ in the latest equation, you can find her curled up with a young adult book and a cat on her lap.

Tell us about yourself.

Hi, my name is Monica Schultz. I’m a High School Math and History teacher from Ipswich, Australia. I’m also a Cat Mum of a grumpy Devon Rex and his newly adopted little brother. When I’m not writing or teaching, I am busy training to be the next Poke-Master or creating havoc in my poor Sims lives.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’ve always loved writing. I wrote the first draft of my novel during a family camping trip when I was 10 years old. The draft was terrible, but thankfully my writing skills have come a long way since then. 

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

I love reading young adult fiction. It can be anything from romance to fantasy to historical fiction. Sometimes I venture out and dare to read a novel other adults consider mature and insightful, but I always come back to the comfort of YA. This is why I love to write younger characters.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

While most of my work is aimed at young adults, this short story focuses on new adults. Although set in the 50s, Faye’s desire to leave town still rings true to the emotions felt by new graduates moving out for the first time. 

What is your current release or project?

I’m currently working on an urban fantasy series set in Australia. Mythical creatures, from werewolves to mages, all live in a secluded corner of Australia, under the thumb of the Human Protection Society. Most Mythicals learn to live without basic freedoms, but this isn’t good enough for one teenage elf, Arya.

Almost all my short stories are also set in this universe, including More than Magic, and will tie back to Arya’s life in some small way.

Tell us about the key characters

More than Magic is centered around the life of Faye, a young woman desperate to leave town and chase magic in the big city. This is until she meets Laurie, a charming new volunteer firefighter. When Faye first meets Laurie while waiting tables, she wants nothing to do with him. Yet, Laurie quickly wins Faye over with his honesty and charming smile. 

Share an excerpt.

“‘Scuse us Miss,” a firefighter calls to my back, “We’re ready to place our orders now.”

I give the table one last hard swipe, satisfied with the result of a little elbow grease. Plastering on a smile, I turn with a sharp twist, knocking over a chair in the process. I mumble a curse and straighten it, frustration knitting my brows together.

“What can I get for you?” I ask, failing to mimic Debbie’s sunny voice.

The men remain silent, their jaws flapping like fish out of water. My foot taps, restless against the timber floor as I wait for them to find their voice.

“December’s special pie is pork and plumb if you want to try it,” I suggest, my eyes flicking to the chalkboard resting by the front door.

Still nothing. I comb my fingers through my hair. Surely, I’m not sweating that badly after the lunch rush that they won’t look me in the eye. Flushed and confused, I turn to Debbie for support. Her made-up lips form a perfect ‘o’ at the sight of me.

“Uh, Faye, how ‘bout you fetch me some more serviettes from the back room, while I serve these blokes,” Debbie says.

Before I can protest, Debbie rushes around the benchtop and pulls me into a tight embrace.

Debbie presses her cheek against mine. “Your buttons are undone,” she whispers.

I freeze, glancing down. The white lace of my bra peeks back at me. Horrified, I yank my shirt closed and stare at the countless buttons scattered across the floor. Oh God. Blood pounds in my ears, drowning out Debbie as she chatters to the customers, to distract their lingering gaze. With a light shove, Debbie sends me on my way, hurrying out of sight. At least now I will be too embarrassed to cry.

Do you have a favorite scene?

My favourite scene is Faye and Laurie’s date at Lake Alford. The emotions captured by this scene leave me sighing at all the right places and longing to write them into my main series.

What advice would you give a beginner?

Join a writer’s group and don’t be afraid of criticism. I only really started my journey as an author in January of 2019. The realisation that my writing was miles from professional was rough, but I’ve grown so much from putting myself out there and accepting the support of others. By writing short stories and drabbles, something I never thought I could do, my novel has improved by leaps and bounds.

Please provide the following:

Social media links:

Facebook @monicaschultzauthor

Twitter @MonicaSchultz_

Instagram @monicaschultzauthor

Website https://monicaschultzauthor.weebly.com/

The Growing Roots Series

by eileentroemel, posted in Book Tour
Less Than Humble Beginnings
Growing Roots Book 1
by Chelsea Falin
Genre: YA Coming of Age
Willie and Babette have long, long been shielded from their own culture and heritage by their mother. When circumstances change, the girls are thrown into what they were once shielded from – only to find it is nothing like they once believed.
While Babette adjusts easily, Willie finds herself much more hesitant. While she struggles to find her true self, Willie is forced to learn she is not the only one suffering from “Less Than Humble Beginnings.”
“Try to remember everyone here has their demons, but we put those demons to good use. Make ourselves better, stronger, wiser.” – Jack
Personal Growth
Growing Roots Book 2
Willie, despite a rough start, has become immersed in the culture she should have been born into. As she grows in her own knowledge of her ancestral roots, she also grows in who she is as a person. All things are now within her reach, and all she must do is put forth a little effort. With all of this in mind, Willie has decided to dedicate herself towards her own ‘Personal Growth.’
“Our heritage might be bloody, but that’s no reason not to be proud!”
-Spike
~~~
‘Personal Growth’ is the second installment in the fairly popular indie series, Growing Roots. It is the sequel to ‘Less Than Humble Beginnings.’ Here is what people have said about the series:
“The characters are believable and realistic.”
“Chelsea used concise descriptions of her characters which made it very easy to imagine their interactions.”
“Chelsea Falin is a great story-teller. With her clear descriptions of the characters, settings and dialogue, it was not difficult for me to imagine the characters and to picture every scene. With her excellent weaving of words, the world of Willie came alive as if I’m watching a movie.”
“Being a teenager is never easy, and Willie’s internal struggles were easy to relate to.”
Great Strides
Growing Roots Book 3
Willie has finally found her father, and he’s welcomed her with open arms. Now she must forge a relationship with the man she never even knew was alive. It isn’t just him, however, Willie must also find out how she fits in with her step-mother and half-siblings. Left in Alabama with no close-in-age peers, Willie makes great strides in finding out who she is as an individual without a group of close friends to rely on.
Alabama offers many firsts for Willie. The most notable in her own mind is her first relationship. There are other firsts in store, however, and a whole new cast of characters to get to know. How will Willie handle this newest experience? Will she handle it in the mature the way she has always handled change? Or will this be the point in which Willie loses herself?
“Genetics are a tricky business at times, and you just never know what you’re going to get when you throw two ancestry’s together.”
-Willie’s Mamaw
Putting the Pieces Together
Growing Roots Book 4
Living a “normal” life doesn’t always mean that things will always be good. Bad things happen to even the best of people, and this is a life lesson Willie must now learn when tragedy strikes her close-knit group of friends.
As she continues to grow and change, Willie knows that she is far from the girl who arrived in Oklahoma little over a year ago. She’s growing, changing, and working on putting the pieces together in her life – just as her friends struggle to do the same.
“You never know, Willie. Death doesn’t discriminate by age or gender or social status. It’s one of the few things that doesn’t care. When it comes for you, it comes. It could be today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now, but when your time is up, it’s up. There’s nothing you can do to change that.”-Dakota
Praise for the ‘Growing Roots Series’:
“a great lesson in the way life can change at any time”
“an eye-opener for teenagers and older adults alike”
“Chelsea Falin is a great story-teller. With her clear descriptions of the characters, settings and dialogue, it was not difficult for me to imagine the characters and to picture every scene.”
Chelsea Falin is the 25 year old independent author of well over ten titles. She began writing with intents to publish in 2006, at age 16, and finally published in 2009, at age 19. Chelsea writes in a variety of genres, including but not limited to: romance, young adult, comedy, cooking, poetry, and dramatic fiction. Professionally, Chelsea is also a freelance blog/article writer, web designer, and book blogger.
In her personal life, Chelsea is the mother of a six year old daughter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, fishing, hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with her friends or family.
$10 Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

The Good Inside Me

by eileentroemel, posted in Book Tour
The Good Inside Me
by Barbara Russell
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Dragons, short-tempered archdemons, and hysterical damned souls—Shax is used to dealing with all that. He’s a young fire demon and lives in Hell, after all. What he’s not used to is being possessed by a human. A very good human and a pretty girl at that: sixteen-year-old Tolis. Despite still having control of his body most of the time, Shax can hear Tolis’s voice inside his head and feels what she feels constantly.
Shax’s mentor claims that Tolis hides an ancient, powerful grimoire, a book of spells, and proposes a deal: if Shax finds it, he’ll help Shax get work as a dragon keeper—Shax’s dream job. Tolis swears she doesn’t have the grimoire and asks Shax to help her father, whose soul is turning evil by the minute. Unless Tolis does something, her dad’s soul will end in Hell. Hoping to convince her to give him the grimoire, and not because Shax cares about the man’s soul, he agrees to help.
Goodness is overrated. Since Shax decided to help Tolis, his life has turned into a hurdle race. Thugs chase him, the scientists in Hell want to prod and examine the first possessed demon in history, and he can’t find the darn grimoire.
And the worst part? Due to the unavoidable presence of Tolis, who keeps intruding into his evil thoughts, Shax discovers an almost decent side of himself. In no time at all, he catches himself doing actual good deeds. Is he becoming—yuck—good?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC7wTElHHlc?feature=player_embedded]
I’m an entomologist and a soil biologist, which is a fancy way to say that I dig in the dirt, looking for bugs. Nature and books have always been my passion. I was a kid when I read The Lord Of The Ring and fell in love with fantasy novels.
When I discovered cozy mystery and crime novels, I fell in love with Hercules Poirot and Sherlock Holmes. Then I grew up and . . . Nah, I’m joking. I didn’t grow up. Don’t grow up, folks! It’s a trap.
PS I hate gardening. There, I said it. Sorry fellow Kiwis.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

J.L. Keathley

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

JL and I met through social media. I enjoyed getting to know her.

Author Bio

J.L. Keathley is a self-published author who focuses on YA Fantasy. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and two daughters. She loves animals and has a variety of pets. She has always loved to read and decided to write what she wants to read about. She likes to travel with her family and find adventures.

Tell us about yourself

I am from Arkansas. I have been married since 2007 and have two daughters.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I didn’t really, it just happen. Now I am excited because I published a book and plan to publish more.

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

Anything YA, preferably YA Fantasy. Yes, I write the same genres.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

It is for people who enjoy young adult novels.

What is your current release or project?

My current project is Chasing Lightning Bugs (hope to have it published by July of this year.) My current release is Distant Memories (The Shadow Realm, Book 1).

Tell us about the key characters:

Key characters for Distant Memories is Alexa and Lavy. Both are what makes the main character a big part of who she is and what she will be come. They will both play a large part in her character development. I can’t really say much else, because it will give spoilers.

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Distant Memories: About to turn sixteen, Jade was looking forward to getting her first car and a little more freedom. Life, however, had a different path in mind. A thirst for blood and newfound fangs exposed a secret world to her… a world hidden from humanity. To leave behind everything she knew and enter The Shadow Realm, she must embark on a fateful journey to uncover the truth about the past and understand her strange dreams. Daring efforts to unravel her destiny will reveal new powers, new friends, and very real enemies.

Share an excerpt

The girl started to change forms. She started to get smaller; her arms became wings with brown, black, and white feathers. Her feet changed into talons, her mouth and nose became a beak, and her eyes went from dark brown to black. I could hear her bones crunching as she turned. When she was done, she was a falcon, a beautiful bird. After the change had been completed, she flew away.

Do you have a favorite scene?

When Jade, my main character has flash backs in the cemetery with a powerful witch and learns of her past.

What advice would you give a beginner?

Write for yourself, not for anyone else. Tell the story that you want to tell.

Social media links:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/J.L.Keathley/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlk_ya_author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.keathley/

Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17740041.J_L_Keathley

Blog link:

https://jlkeathleyyaauthor.wordpress.com/

https://jlkeathleysauthorspotlight.wordpress.com/

Purchasing links:

The Silver Series

by eileentroemel, posted in Book Tour
Silver
The Silver Series Book 1
by Cheree Alsop
Genre: YA Fantasy

His Father Is Murdered By Werewolf Hunters

After his father is murdered, Jaze and his mother are forced to flee and start new life. On top of adjusting to a new school and trying to make new friends, he must try to stop a killer from striking again.

˃˃˃ A New Pack, A New Love

Moving to a new place is difficult for any teenager. Being a werewolf, Jaze must make peace with the territory’s pack. Falling in love make his new situation even more perilous.

˃˃˃ A Fresh New Werewolf Series

Silver is the first book in a fast paced and exciting series unlike any werewolf books you have read before. It shows that with love, there truly are no limits.

˃˃˃ “All around this book was such an awesome read. If you enjoy books with suspense, fighting, and romance you’ll love this one.” Niala- Goodreads Reviewer

**FREE on all platforms!!**
Black
The Silver Series Book 2

A Werewolf Stolen From His Family And Forced To Fight

Black tells the story of Jet Black, a young werewolf who was kidnapped as a child and raised for combat in a werewolf fighting ring. Through it all Jet becomes a ruthless and brutal fighter.

˃˃˃ A Chance For A New Life

When Jet is rescued by Jaze on the brink of death, he is given the chance for a new life, but haunting reminders of his past follow him as he tries to make a fresh start. He must confront his dark history in order to protect the girl he loves, or risk being swept away into the pain and humiliation of the arena once more.

˃˃˃ Black is the second book in the fresh, new Silver werewolf series

It is fast paced, dark, and shows that love is something worth fighting for.
Crimson
The Silver Series Book 3

After Dying In A Car Accident He Returned As Someone, Something Different

Kaynan was a teenager whose life was cut short by a car accident. That is, until he woke up as a werewolf. He is forced to quickly adjust and learn how to survive in his new form.

˃˃˃ Can He Find Redemption Apart From Death?

Burdened with heavy guilt over his sister’s death in the same accident, Kaynan escapes with a blind girl named Grace who gives him purpose and direction. They seek shelter with a pack of werewolves who brave dangerous odds to help them. Kaynan is given the ultimate chance to make up for his poor decisions, but dying again might be the only way to redeem himself.

˃˃˃ Crimson is the gripping third installment in the Silver werewolf series!

It is a story of love and redemption amid danger and violence, a story where accepting change may be the only way to survive.
Violet
The Silver Series Book 4

A Teenage Girl Awoken as a Werewolf

Colleen awakens to the harsh reality of life as a werewolf.

˃˃˃ Solace in an Unexpected Ally

Protected by a wild werewolf with golden eyes, Colleen finds solace in his forest and control over her rapidly changing life.

˃˃˃ Another Welcome Chapter to this Fresh, Exciting Werewolf Series

Colleen’s control is put to the ultimate test when her loved ones are in danger, forcing her to choose between freedom or returning to the source of her nightmares.

˃˃˃ “I really enjoyed the wild element that played a key role in this book. Rafe may be one of my favorite secondary characters ever created. Read this book!” Jennifer Ekins- Goodreads Reviewer

Azure
The Silver Series Book 5

A Werewolf Rescues a Human

An alpha werewolf who rescues a human from the vengeful grasp of his pack.

˃˃˃ Against All Expectations

Nora is the only person who is not afraid of Vance’s size or strength, and in return she gains his respect.

˃˃˃ Another Welcome Chapter to this Fresh, Exciting Werewolf Series

When Vance is pushed to the edge of survival, his heart is torn between loving Nora and a werewolf who befriends him with the kindness that is greatly lacking in his life.

˃˃˃ “I instantly enjoyed watching the interaction between Vance and Nora. They don’t always agree/ get along and sparks fly. I found them so real. I could see myself doing and saying some of the same things Nora did. . .this is an amazing read!” Tiffany, Tifferz Book Review- Book Blogger

Hunter
The Silver Series Book 6

He Thought He was Alone

Dray, a werewolf who feels trapped and alone in his small farming town. He struggles to find his place and fit in despite his differences.

˃˃˃ A New Girl, A Vengeful Wild Werewolf Pack

Then Dray’s world is shaken when a cute girl shows up the same time as a vengeful wild werewolf pack. With Jaze’s help, Dray fights to protect his town, but when Jaze is in trouble, Dray puts everything on the line to help the werewolves who changed his life.

˃˃˃ A Fresh, Exciting Werewolf Series

Hunter is about finding the courage to step into the unknown. It is a story of risking life for love, and discovering the truth about one’s self in the heart of adversity.

˃˃˃ “This is another great book in the series. I loved it and am getting very little sleep while reading the series. It’s so hard to put my kindle down, I just want to know what happens next and am so entranced by these books.” arlc- Amazon Reviewer

Silver Moon
The Silver Series Book 7

The Culmination of a Hero’s Journey

Jaze he fights to hold onto the peace he has achieved for the werewolves.

˃˃˃ Tensions Rise and Ultimatums are Made

Jaze is forced to make a decision that will change everything for werewolves, hunters, and humans alike. Hearts are broken, lives are forfeit, and Jaze’s pack is called upon to save those who survive.

˃˃˃ The Gripping Conclusion to This Fresh, Exciting Werewolf Series

You have journeyed with Jaze and the other werewolves through their adventure. Join us to find out what happens.

˃˃˃ “I was hooked from the very beginning of this series with Jaze’s story. This book had me going in so many different ways with my emotions. My heart broke with Jaze’s in some of the parts of the story. But, I loved the ending.” Patricia- Amazon Reviewer

Cheree Alsop is an award-winning, best-selling author who has published over 40 books. She is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and amazing twin sons who fill every day with joy and laughter. She is married to her best friend, Michael, the light of her life and her soulmate who shares her dreams and inspires her by reading the first drafts and giving much appreciated critiques. Cheree works as a fulltime author and mother, which is more play than work! She enjoys reading, traveling to tropical beaches, riding motorcycles, playing the bass for the band Alien Landslide, spending time with her wonderful children, and going on family adventures while planning her next book. Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out in their garage band, enjoy the outdoors, plan great quests, and never stop dreaming.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

Robin Gregory

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Robin and I came together through a blog tour.

Author Bio

Robin Gregory was born in Florida and raised in California with seven siblings, and in the company of cowboys, crawdads, and the occasional rattlesnake. When not writing magical realist novels and screenplays, she likes to hike in the wilderness, listen to difficult jazz, talk with angels, and watch Guillermo del Toro films. 

Her début, young adult novel, The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman, is about a disabled, orphan boy with healing powers who befriends an otherworldly clan. It won 22 awards, including Kirkus Reviews, Indiefab, IPPY Best Books of the Year. Chinese and Turkish translations to be released Summer, 2018.

Mrs. Gregory studied Creative Writing and Literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz and Stanford University’s Writer’s Workshop. Her professional experience includes journalist, minister, and mapmaker. 

What are her favorite things? Saints with potty-mouths, children under the dinner table, the classics, and corn chips. 

Presently, she lives in California with two comedians, her husband and son.

Tell us about yourself.

They tell me I came through a portal above Pensacola, Florida, where my daddy flew Navy jets. I grew up with seven brothers and sisters, building forts and romping in the foxtails of California, accompanied by real cowboys and the occasional rattlesnake. I studied Creative Writing and Literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz and Stanford Writer’s Workshop. My favorite jobs have been “mom,” lay minster, and infant massage instructor. I am a longtime student of mysticism, a blend of Eastern, Western, and Middle Eastern teachings that emanate from Love. This is what inspires me to write, and to be of service to others. The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman, my début novel, won 22 awards, and is in development for a feature length film. 

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I actually wrote my first novelette in first grade. It was a picture book about an Arabian horse who didn’t have any friends. I had trouble learning to read, so the idea of writing word-stories never occurred to me till the end of high school, when I miraculously “caught up.” After reading  “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, I was literally set afire, and started taking writing classes.   

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

I’m drawn to literary fiction, especially magical realism. I like books that speak to me on multiple levels, that make me see the world through new eyes.     

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

I wrote The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman for fluent readers of all ages.  It has won awards in middle grade, young adult, and adult categories.

What is your current release or project?

I’m working with a producer on the screen adaptation of Moojie 1. It’s nearly ready to go out for pre-production reviews and contests. Meanwhile, I’ve got Moojie 2  & 3 of a trilogy drafted.

Tell us about the key characters

The key character in The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman is a young, partially-disabled boy named Moojie. Despite a pretty rough beginning, he’s gifted, determined, smarter than people think, and kind-hearted.

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Early 1900s, Western America. Moojie is a lonely, disabled boy with uncontrollable telekenetic powers. His adoptive father leaves him at his grandfather’s wilderness farm where he befriends otherworldly outcasts mistaken for Native Americans. Following a series of trials that challenge his mental and physical abilities, Moojie is summoned by the call to a great destiny … if only he can survive one last terrifying trial.

Share an excerpt

P R O L O G U E

Once I dreamed of being crippled and lost in the woods. Using umbrellas for crutches, I circled back to a giant oak tree three times, fell to the ground, and burst into tears. The leaves of the tree rustled, and I looked up and asked, “Which way from here?”

“Depends on where you’re going,” said the tree.

“I want to go home.”


“You are home.”


“But I want to find my real home.”

“You don’t have to go anywhere,” the tree said.


I cried all the more.


The tree continued, “All right, go on a journey, if you must. Just get up and walk.”

“But that would take a miracle.”


“A miracle, you say?”


“I don’t believe in miracles.”


“Why, you’re talking to a tree, aren’t you?”

—M.L.

Do you have a favorite scene?

I think it would be the end. Though circumstances have been difficult, unpredictable, and sometimes infuriating, Moojie sees that everything happened as it should–and for the better.

What advice would you give a beginner?

First and foremost: Don’t be in a hurry to publish! Nine out of ten books are published before they have had time to ripen or undergo sufficient revision and editing. It’s one thing if you’re writing a book for friends and family. But you don’t need to publish on Amazon to do that. It’s a whole other game if you want to be a recognized author. Your work, more than ever, must distinguish itself through professional review or it will disappear into cyberspace, never to be read. 

Social media links:

Facebook facebook.com/RobinGregoryAuthor

Twitter @tweety_robin

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26075634-the-improbable-wonders-of-moojie-littleman

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/11robingregory11

Blog link:https://robingregory.net/blog/

Purchasing links:

BARNES & NOBLE http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-improbable-wonders-of-moojie-littleman-robin-gregory/1122692771?ean=9781942545002

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

SMASHWORDS https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/840456

The Sherlock Jr. Detective Agency

by eileentroemel, posted in Book Tour
The Sherlock Jr. Detective Agency
by Marc Morgenstern
Genre: YA, Teen Mystery
Chas, Zoe, Xander, Nickie and Patricia and Sally make up the Sherlock Jr. Detective Agency. Even though they are only 12 years old, each one of them possess their own unique specialty. Patricia is a computer whiz, Zoe and Xander, the twins, are inventors, Nickie is a mathematician, Sally is their administrator and Chas is the leader. In this adventure, they are hired by Skids, the local skate boarding champ, to find his missing dog Casper which was stolen out right of his back yard in broad daylight. Suspecting foul play their detective skills and the Sherlock Jr. Network in the neighborhood. They must put their best foot forward to solve the crime before time runs out and the kidnapped Casper is sold on an auction web site to the highest bidder.
**only .99 cents**
Marc Morgenstern has been a part of the film industry for at least 25 years, but became a serious writer/director in 2004 when he shot his first feature film, The Vampire Conspiracy, that went on to receive worldwide distribution. In addition, it has been translated into four languages and sold in Wal-Mart, Blockbuster, Target, and more. It launched Fangoria’s, the nations largest resource for horror fiction’s online streaming service Fangoria TV, and during its release was searched in the top 700 searched movies on imdb.com. After it was turned into a graphic novel, it won a silver medal at the 2010 Independent Publishing Awards.
Since then, Marc has achieved international recognition with his Cannes Lions Shortlisting commercial “Poker Face”, that either placed or won in 10 different award shows.
One of Marc’s greatest industry accomplishments was as the creator of the variety show HouseCapades with Mike Bullard, and achieved the #1 show of its kind in its time slot and ran for over 250 episodes, one of the longest running television shows in Canadian history.
After that, he ended up becoming the Broadcasting Creative Director at Avid Life Media, where he created and produced over 80 international commercials for over 30 markets and directed the documentary Affairs Across America. With Avid Life Media, Marc has written and developed a variety show, a reality show, two feature films and a sitcom.
Marc is no stranger to directing children. He also created the three award-winning nationally renown live-action shorts titled: Operation: LabBrats. In 2013 Marc moved to California where he immediately went into production, writing and directing the feature film ‘Vitals’ with Christopher Showerman, Charlene Amoia, Tim Russ, Claudia Wells and Sachin Mehta.
He currently lives in Burbank, CA with his loving wife Tanya.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!
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Emily Knight

by eileentroemel, posted in Book Tour
Emily Knight I Am….
Emily Knight Series Book 1
by A. Bello
Genre: YA, MG Fantasy
Emily Knight I AM… is about a thirteen year old warrior named Emily, who is far from ordinary and she hates it! The daughter of a heroic warrior and the press favourite problem child. Against her wishes she is sent to the Osaki Training School to control her powers. She learns to fly, breathe under water and battle but someone has their eyes set on Emily and now she has to chose between the two people she loves.
Emily Knight I AM… has elements of grittiness that is more mature than other fantasy books. As well as being laugh out loud funny, the characters are real, complicated and relatable. A. Bello pushes the boundaries by breaking the conventions in this diverse, absorbing novel.
Emily Knight I Am…Awakened
Emily Knight Series Book 2
Dark times are upon us. Neci is back and she is more dangerous than ever. The warriors are forced to pick a side and to stand up for what they believe in. The race is on to find the missing warrior first. It’s the only way to prevent a war from happening and to stop Neci from destroying everything. Emily Knight has to get sharper, stronger and faster because Neci has made her a target and someone is going to great lengths to hurt her. Can Emily win the race? Or will Neci take her down once and for all?
**Nominated for the 2019 Carnegie Medal!**
**Finalist for London’s Big Read 2019!**
A. Bello is a young author from North London and the author of the Emily Knight series (Emily Knight I am… & Emily Knight I am…Awakened)
She wrote her first novel at aged 8, where she fought monsters and dragons daily and was first published at aged 12 for a poem she wrote in school.
A. Bello wrote the first in the Emily Knight saga at aged 12, with the intention of filling in a gaping hole in children’s fiction for an inspirational, strong, black female protagonist (who can fight like a man!)
A. Bello has received rave reviews for her debut book as well as success with her Emily Knight Warriors pop-up book. She is the founder of The Lil’ Author School and co-founder of The Author School. The Author School was shortlisted for The Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2016.
A. Bello has appeared in Female First Magazine, The Mirror, BBC1XTRA to name a few.
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