Transcender Trilogy Blog Tour: Character Interview with Jaden and INT giveaway!

Hey, guys! Welcome back! I wanted to repost one of my favorite character interviews that I did with Jaden herself a while ago, because I'm sure that some of you who now have had a chance to read the books, or take a look at the blurbs will enjoy this more than before!

Also, I'm thrilled to introduce Kat from The Art of Midnight, who draws amazing pictures, and drew some great ones of Jaden!

Interview with Jaden, Transcender and Princess of Domerica

Jaden, thanks so much for joining us at Ensconced in Lit! It's not often we get a Transcender here. Can you tell us a little bit about Transcenders?

Thanks for having me. This is my first interview, so I hope I don’t suck at it. I’ll tell you what I can about the Transcenders, but I’m sort of in the learning phase myself. Apparently there’s something in Transcenders’ DNA, a defect maybe, I don’t know, but it makes us able to release the electromagnetic fields holding our atoms together. It’s like we just lose our mass and transform into a kind of wave. It allows us to travel faster than light speed through walls and also through dimensions to parallel worlds. It’s really astounding. I’ve been to a few amazing places recently—some on purpose and some accidentally. I’m still getting the hang of it. Anyway, the whole thing is kind of scary awesome, if you know what I mean.

Wow, that's so cool. I wish I were a Transcender. Back to Earth, for a little bit. Tell us about where you grew up in Connecticut and your family.

Oh well that’s easy enough. The town I grew up in, Madison, is exactly what you think of when someone says New England. Quaint, charming, tons of trees. We have a busy little town square, and lots of pretty and close-knit neighborhoods. My dad’s a senior cardiac nurse at St. Ignatius Hospital, and my big bro is studying pre-law at Duke University. My mom was a Superior Court judge, but she died in a car wreck a few years back. I had kind of an idyllic childhood up to that point. Since then … things have been like a roller coaster ride.

What are the best and worst parts of Connecticut? Of Domerica?

The best part of Connecticut is that my friends are there and I’ll always think of it as home. The worst part is that it can be a bit provincial. Translation: boring. The best parts of Domerica, for me at least, are all the fantastic perks of being part of the royal family—great clothes, great food, being sort of pampered. Also, the countryside is storybook gorgeous and the weather always perfect. The worst parts: no iPhone, no music, no TV, no internet. Oh, and it seems like somebody’s always trying to kill me. That can be annoying.

What was your favorite dress in Domerica and why?

Well, I kind of have a weakness for pretty clothes, and I got to wear some killer outfits when I was in Domerica, but I’d have to say my favorite was this white gown, covered with crystals. I wore it to a feast in Unicoi. It was awesome. The crystals cascaded in diagonals all the way down the skirt, and it had a little train in the back. But it was pretty tight—one of those dresses you have to wear sans panties, so it wasn’t the most comfortable thing to sit in. In fact, by the end of the night, the crystals had made little indentations on my butt. Oops, is that TMI for an interview? Anyway, I still loved it.

Tell us a little about your gorgeous horse.

Oh man, I used to be afraid of horses because they’re just so big. But in Domerica, horseback is the major mode of transportation, and the princess, my mirror in that world, was supposed to be this accomplished horsewoman, so I had to get up close and personal with them whether I wanted to or not. The first time I saw my horse, Gabriel, there was this kind of a soul connection between us. And then when I took him for a test ride, I knew I had to make him mine. It was such an adrenaline rush. His coat is glossy and jet black, his mane long and silky, and he’s fast as lightning. I have to admit, I’m kind of partial to tall, dark, and handsome.

We think that Ryder is totally hot. Can you tell us a little about the first time you met him?

The first time I laid eyes on him, I thought he had to be an angel or something, because no normal guy really looks like that—flawless golden skin, gleaming raven hair, and bottomless blue eyes. He stole my breath away. Once I realized he was in the process of kidnapping me, though, his six-foot-five frame, black armor, and wicked long sword, made my heart race faster for a different reason—stone cold fear. Weird as it sounds, even though he was holding me against my will, his kindness and decency shone through, and I couldn’t hate him. In fact, I was kind of crushing on him that first day, and I worried it might be some bizarre Stockholm Syndrome thing. But it turns out he really is a great guy.

Have you ever played a joke on Ralston? If so, tell us about it!

Seriously? I’m always playing jokes on Ralston. He’s not what you’d call gullible, but he’s a little stuffy, so I can’t resist ruffling his up-tight British feathers from time to time. Once I “borrowed” his glasses without asking. They don’t have corrective lenses, but they do have some very interesting capabilities that I was hoping to try out. He was furious! I won’t be doing that again.

We LOVE your Skorplings. Will you tell our readers a little more about them?

Fred and Ethel are amazing. A Skorpling looks like a cross between a koala bear and a monkey, furry, gray, and cuddly. Plus they can actually speak. Their vocabulary is limited and they can’t pronounce certain letters, but they’re adorable, and different as night and day. Ethel is a sweetheart, always smiling and kissing me. Fred is a total prankster, always getting into some kind of mischief. But I love them both so much. I highly recommend them as pets if they ever make their way over into this dimension.

Since you can Transcend anywhere, what's on your to see list and why?

There are rumors circulating in the Transcender community about a parallel world where people actually have wings and can fly. I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s something I’d really like to see. Also, I want to visit Venice, Italy. During carnival time. I can't imagine anything more romantic and exhilarating than losing myself in a sea of beautifully masked faces and dancing my way along the Grand Canal at midnight.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope we'll see you again soon!

Thanks for inviting me. It was fun!

Question for the giveaway: What do you think of the great pics by Kat and/or Jaden's Interview?

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Don't forget the rest of the tour!

July 21  Ensconced in Lit - review 
               Crystal in Bookland – Transcender Character quiz
July 22 Pandora's Books - Transcender movie wish list

              Ensconced in Lit – character interview with Jaden

July 23 YA Book Nerd Reviews - review 
               Wonderland of Reading - review

July 24 The Whimsical Mama – guest post

                Fly to Fiction  – Review

July 25 Tea and Fangirling – Review

                A Reading Nurse – guest post

July 26 I Heart YA Fiction – Author Interview

Mary Had a Little Book Blog – Character Interview with Ryder

Character Interview with Don Tillman, PhD from The Rosie Project and INT giveaway of signed copy!

Dear Readers:
I'm very lucky to have Don Tillman, PhD on the blog today. He rarely makes public appearances like this, so savor it while you can! I certainly did :-) I do believe this is now the most memorable character interview I have ever done.

Goodreads Book Description: An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love.

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

The Rosie Project is a moving and hilarious novel for anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of overwhelming challenges.

About Graeme: 

GRAEME SIMSION is a former information technology and business consultant who decided to re-invent himself as a screenwriter. Somewhere along the way, he became a novelist instead. The Rosie Project is his first book. A sequel, The Rosie Effect, will be published later this year. Graeme lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Interview with Don Tillman

1. Thanks, Don, for stopping by the blog today! We're excited to get to ask you some questions. First, tell us what your perfect day would be like. 
No deviation from schedule.

2. What is the most memorable event from your childhood?
Being unreasonably evicted from religious education class.

3. What is your favorite book and why? Favorite movie?
Book: Gödel Escher Bach by Douglas Hofstadter. It contains some fictional material that is nevertheless interesting and has an interesting discussion of artificial intelligence and recursion. Movie: To Kill a Mockingbird due to the positive effect on Rosie who finds the Atticus Finch character sexually attractive.

4. I hear you learn very fast. What skill set that you don't have would you like to learn most?
You have been misinformed. Probably your impression was based on anecdotal evidence in a limited domain – e.g. cocktail making in which focus and a good memory were critical. I am not surprised by your mistake. Physicians are notorious for overvaluing personal experience and anecdotal evidence. It took me an extremely long time to learn to catch a ball. “Don’t have” is imprecise. I obviously have some skills at reading and remembering faces, but they are well below average, leading to problems in fulfilling cocktail orders when people change positions. Plus some other difficulties.

5. I know you have quite a detailed list for the perfect woman. If you were able to advertise with only 5 words, what 5 words would you use? 
Before meeting Rosie: I require a rational partner.

In the hypothetical situation in which I could apply what I learned from the Rosie Project prior to commencing the Wife Project: Partner required for joint projects.

6. If you could meet one historical figure, who would it be and why? And what would be your most burning question?
This is a tricky question as few historical figures could provide interesting information, as our scientific knowledge has since progressed. I could ask Fermat for the proof he claimed to have found for his “Last Theorem” but I would almost certainly find that he had made an error and in any case we have now solved the problem. Hence I choose Y-Chromosomal Adam, the member of homo sapiens sapiens from whom all living humans are descended from patrilinealy. I choose the male ancestor, as we know more about Mitochondrial (“African”) Eve due to the ability to trace mitochondrial DNA. I presume I would be provided with the capability of conversing in his language. I would gain vast amounts of information just by looking around – at animals, Adam himself, even verifying that the location was indeed Africa. I would ask: What is your daily routine?  

7. Can you tell us a story about your most memorable student? 
No. I am forbidden by the Dean and the University legal department from discussing the Gender Misidentification Disaster.

8. Why genetics? 
Due to studying computer science originally and being stereotyped as a computer geek, which was annoying. Genetics was also interesting, from a mathematical perspective, and provided me with two degrees with strong synergies. I also thought I would avoid the geek label. I was incorrect – whatever profession I had chosen would have been suffixed by ‘geek’.

9. If you were only able to eat one meal for the rest of your life-- what would it be and why? 

The same meal every day? Incredible idea. Do you ask all interviewees this question? As a physician you should surely be aware that it would be difficult to provide correct nutrition with invariant meals. My solution would be to choose a large, multi-course meal with excess amounts of each course so that I could provide dietary balance and variation by varying the relative amounts consumed of each course. Since the question is hypothetical and my answer unlikely to be of practical value, I consider it wasteful to spend significant time on it. The following answer is indicative and only principal components are shown. All dishes are assumed to be accompanied by variety of nutritious grains and vegetables.

New Zealand Bluff oysters
Miso soup

Tuna sashimi

Lobster salad

Barbequed Kangaroo Fillet
Cheese including Roquefort, Gorgonzola and truffled Brie
Fruit

Your question has motivated me to make a real margarita to accompany my virtual meal.

I hope you guys enjoyed this interview as much as I did! I can say with certainty that I have never and never will again interview someone quite like Don.

Now enter the awesome giveaway to win a signed copy of The Rosie Project! It's INT!

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Character interview with Sam, the swoony love interest in the INCARNATE Trilogy and GIVEAWAY!

Happy Birthday, INFINITE! Now who's ready to learn more about the swoony Sam? *raises hand* I'm so thrilled that he was able to stop by my blog today!!!

Goodreads Book Description: 

DESTRUCTION
The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHT
Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICE
The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions.

Interview with Sam from the INCARNATE trilogy

1. If you could describe Ana in five words, which words would it be?

Inspiring. Incredible. Surprising. Smart. Impulsive.  

2. What is your favorite instrument and why?

That depends. Often the piano is my favorite, but sometimes I focus on other instruments more.  

3. If you could go back and change one thing about your past lives, what would it be and why?

I wouldn't change anything. I've made a lot of mistakes and done a lot of things I wish I hadn't, but they've all been lessons I needed. Everything in my past has helped me become the person I am now.

But dying less frequently might be nice. 

4. What are your favorite and least favorite things about Heart?

They're the same thing: the community. I love having a community of people to call on for companionship and help, but sometimes they're too nosy or stubborn for their own good. Sometimes the community is more harmful than helpful, especially when it comes to newsouls. 

5. Other than Ana, who we know is your favorite person, who would you say is your best friend and why?

Stef, of course! We've been friends for so long. I can't remember a time when we weren't friends. We disagree on some things, obviously, but Stef is always looking out for me, and I am always looking out for him. 

6. Other than dragons, what is your greatest fear?

Losing the people I care about. (Sometimes those people are actually instruments.) 

7. If for some reason, you couldn't have music as a profession in any form, what would you do instead?

I would probably be dead. I really don't know what I am without music.  

8. If you composed a song for Ensconced in Lit, what would it be like?

It would begin with the fluttering of paper and low chimes, joined by a cello and clarinet. The piece would be soft, hypnotic, so as not to distract you from reading. It would be the kind of music you could listen to in the background, over and over.

Thanks so much for stopping by Sam! Ana is one really, lucky girl!

OK guys, enter to win your choice of Incarnate, Asunder, or ARC of INFINITE! $5 Amazon GC to the winner if INT!

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Review of INFINITE by Jodi Meadows + Giveaway of your choice of Incarnate, Asunder, or ARC of INFINITE!

Goodreads Book Description:

DESTRUCTION
The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHT
Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICE
The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions.

My Rating: 4.5 Couches

My Review: I've been waiting for a year to read Infinite by Jodi Meadows, the last installment of the Incarnate trilogy. I wasn't disappointed. I received this ARC from Harper Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I award this book 4.5 stars.

Infinite by Jodi Meadows takes off where Asunder left us. We are taken right to the action with Ana and Sam, as they frantically try to figure out how to prevent Janan for ascending. Ultimately, a small group of them have to leave Heart to try to figure out their ultimate plan. Will Ana sacrifice her chance for love and happiness for the greater good of all souls alike?

I don't want to say too much in the synopsis, because this final installment is chock full of really great reveals that all of us have been wondering for ages. Let's just say that every character you've loved in this series gets their due. Ana really comes into her own, Sam continues to be one of the most loveable characters in YA, and other side characters come in different forms, which really enhances the world building.

I really felt the book came into it's own around page 100. It was good up to then, don't get me wrong, but after that point, it became increasingly difficult to put it down. I loved how we got to learn more about dragons, sylphs, and phoenixes. There is one particular reveal that I loved because I never suspected there was more to it. But Meadows never forgot, and it's pretty amazing.

I really liked the ending, but it almost seemed too perfect. That said, it was really satisfying and beautifully written, so I just went with it. If a writer can get my doubting self to just disappear, that's pretty awesome.

In a world chock full of ending YA trilogies, this one stands out. It started strong and ended stronger, with a great middle installment, so as a whole, it was really great. This is hard to do. I feel like several trilogies have failed on one book or another, or disappointed me in some way. The Incarnate trilogy didn't, and I'm thrilled to add it to my very short list of must read trilogies.

Overall, a fantastic and worthy ending to the Incarnate trilogy with great characters, prose, and plot twists. Everyone needs to get their hands on this book as soon as it comes out!

Now enter a giveaway to win either a paperback of Incarnate or Asunder or ARC of INFINITE (US only) OR $5 Amazon GC if the winner is INT! 
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Tune in tomorrow to hear from Sam, the swoony love interest who's gonna visit!  

Character interview with Roemi from Tag Along by Tom Ryan and US/CAN giveaway of a signed copy of his book!

I'm so excited to introduce Roemi, my favorite character from Tag Along by Tom Ryan!

Goodreads Book Description: It’s junior prom night. Andrea is grounded, Paul is having panic attacks, Roemi has been stood up, and Candace is trying to avoid one particular cop. Over the course of eight eventful hours, paths are crossed, plans are changed, messages are mixed, and four near-strangers form some unlikely bonds.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Blurb about the Author:
Tom Ryan was born and raised in Inverness, on Cape Breton Island. He spent his childhood reading, wandering the countryside, making up stories and bossing around his younger brothers. After high school, he studied English at Mount Allison University and then moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he studied film production. He currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario, with his partner and dog. In the future, he would like to write more books, travel the world, direct a feature film and eventually move back to beautiful Nova Scotia.

Character Interview with Roemi

Thanks for visiting my blog, Roemi! Can you tell us a little about your family and where you grew up?

My parents are both doctors who grew up in India. They emigrated to Canada before I was born, and so I’ve spent my entire fabulous life in not so fabulous Granite Ridge. They’re always telling me that they came to Canada so that their kids (i.e. yours truly, I’m flying solo here) would have more opportunities than they had, and I’m sure that’s true, but there are moments in January when I would kill to be chilling with my cousins back in my Mom’s hometown instead of staring out the window of a snowstorm, feeling totally tragic.

What is your favorite TV show? 
Omigod, where to begin? I was into True Blood for a loooong time, for obvious reasons, but now it’s just kind of ridic, so it’s not must-see-TV for me anymore. I just TIVO it and save up the episodes for sick or lazy days. I’m totally over Honey Boo-Boo, that kid got on my last nerve pretty quick. I’d have to say that at this point, the show I love the most is Breaking Bad, because that shizz is thirty-three million percent cray. Also, Jesse Pinkman is totally hot. Sorry, not sorry.

Who would you say your best friend is and why?

I’m not into the besties thing, although I let some of my friends at school think they’re the most important thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s just too much effort to spell it out for them. I like to think of myself as a lone wolf, a dazzlingly, dramatically, effortlessly, suave lone wolf with killer moves.

What's your favorite quote?

“I am a star. I am a bright big shining star.” Marky Mark in Boogie Nights 

Coffee or hot chocolate?

If I had sunglasses right now, I’d push them to the tip of my nose and give you a withering stare. Do you really need to ask? Chocolate beats rock, paper, and scissors, every time.

Would you rather-- get $1000 or receive a trip to the Caribbean that is double that amount?

A thousand bucks, any day. If I had a thousand bucks, I’d blow it on one incredible night with my friends. It’d be the kind of night that people talk about decades down the road. Legen – wait for it – dary.

Describe your perfect date.

Oh, it would have to start with a killer outfit. Skinny jeans, white belt, popped collar, you get the idea. I’d want to be a full on swag-demon, and it goes without saying that mister lucky had better show up looking pretty slick himself. Then we’d go for a romantic walk at the beach or some park or something like that before hitting up a fancy restaurant in the city. After that, we’d get milkshakes from Bizzby’s, and he’d take me for a fast drive on the highway. To finish it all off, a lingering kiss in the driveway before he drops me off. I’m swooning already.

Thanks, Roemi! It's been so awesome having your unique commentary on my blog :-) Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did! Now enter to win a signed copy of Tag Along!

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Character interview with Sebastian Fiscard from The Vampire Code by E.C. Adams and INT giveaway!

I'm so excited to introduce this sexy vampire character (my first vampire crush!).

Goodreads Book Description: 'The Vampire Code' is an Urban Fantasy Romance Novel about a young lawyer from Manhattan who agrees to defend a vampire wrongly accused of murdering a human.

In so doing she becomes the target of human hate-groups, primary among them the New Ku Klux Klan and the much more dangerous Vampire Resistance - a secret society of vampires who refuse to mainstream and obey the Vampire Code.

In the mayhem that is now Aurora’s life the only constant is Sebastian, the stoic vampire assigned to protect her. Nothing ever seems to affect him. Violence and politics are his life and there's no space for anything else.

Yet when an ancient curse starts killing Aurora slowly he's willing to go to unimaginable lengths to save her. Could Aurora have changed him the way he changed her? And how far are they both willing to go together so they can have the happy ending they both deserve?

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Author Blurb:

A lawyer by profession, E.C. Adams started writing when she decided to take a break from her career and focus more on her expanding family.

Born in Malta, a tiny island bang in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, she now lives there, but over the years, she's lived in Italy (Rome), England (London) and Cyprus (Paphos).

She loves Greek and Italian food, and throwing lavish parties at home, where all guests are expected to bring a +1 or more.

"The Vampire Code" is her debut novel and the first book in a Series by the name “The Fiscard Vampires”. 

Interview with Sebastian
Thank you so much for stopping by! Can you tell us a little about where you live?
I live in Manhattan, New York, where I work for the Vampire Council of Twelve. 

What is your favorite thing about being a vampire? Your least favorite? 
My favorite is the fact that I keep being given time to improve myself and leave a positive impact in the world. My least favorite is the way I so often fail to either improve myself or improve the world around me, no matter how much time I am given on this planet. It can get very frustrating. 

If any vampire would scare/intimidate you, who would it be and why?
I am not afraid of anyone in particular. My only fear in this life is that someone could harm my loved ones and I’d be powerless to help them. In popular culture, what is the fictional depiction of the vampire that would make you cringe and why? Probably Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, because it left the greatest impact on the minds of humans, painting the worse possible image of vampires.

Do you really like wine or is it really just tolerable? If so, what kind? (I'm guessing Cabernet-yum!)
Red wine, yes. If a red is properly aged and then allowed to air, I’d go as far as to say it’s exquisite.

What drew you to work with the Vampire Code?
I couldn’t accept the fact that vampires should continue to live in secret, and it was always more clear to my community that if we were going to reveal ourselves to humans, we had to be prepared. The Vampire Code is the platform on which we built all of our efforts to integrate into society. It allows us to come to the human world with a set of promises that we, as a people, pledge to keep, in order that we may live side by side, with humans, in harmony.

Can you tell us a memory from your human life? 
Some of my best memories revolve around hunting with Louis the thirteenth, who was my King when I was still human. We’d be gone for days – a bunch of young men, their horses and their hounds – and we would forget the formalities and restraints of our noble lives. At the end of each day, we’d have mud up to our knees, our muscles would be aching from riding all day, and we’d share a hearty meal by a large fire while telling dirty jokes, gossiping about women and generally drinking and boasting too much. I cannot think of happier times in my human life.

OK, I have to know. Describe your perfect woman!
Personally, I value honesty and bravery, and have always found women who respect and assert themselves, very attractive.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Sebastian! Now stop swooning everyone, and enter to win this great book!

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Character Interview with Dante Walker and INT Giveaway of The Collector by Victoria Scott!

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to introduce this next book. I actually won it on another blog's giveaway, and boy, am I glad I did! It totally took me by surprise... in a good way! Plus, Victoria Scott is one of the sweetest authors you'll ever meet. Just the icing on my Dante Walker cake. :-)

Goodreads Book Description: He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Author Blurb: Victoria Scott is a teen fiction author represented by Sarah Crowe. She's the author of the DANTE WALKER series (Entangled Teen) and the FIRE & FLOOD series (Scholastic). Victoria lives in Dallas with her husband and adores cotton candy. You can visit her online at www.VictoriaScottYA.com

DANTE WALKER INTERVIEW

*fans face* Whoo! It's HOT up in here. Thanks so much, Dante, for swinging by my humble blog, Ensconced in YA. I know you had to take some time off of your busy job to do so, and we appreciate it. 

1. Can you tell us a little about your occupation? I place seals on people's soul who do naughty things. You don't see me watching, but all that matters is that I see you. 

2. What's your best memory from life? The few times I spent with my father, I guess. I don't know. I don't really like to talk about that kind of stuff. It's whatever. 

3. Alcoholic beverage of choice? Come on, you're dead, you can tell us :-) I'm going with Jack Daniels, because it's straight up hard, like me. 

4. What's your most embarrassing moment-- either from life or death?

I don't get embarrassed, doll. Everything I do is done with intention. 

5. Describe your ideal girl. *fans face again*

Any girl that knows how to rock her shit. I dig a girl that likes her own body, regardless of whether it's a stick figure or a brick house. 

6. Favorite book? 

Pass. None. 

7. Movie?

The Godfather. That dude got mad respect. 

8. Music?

Anything that's heavy, loud, and angry. 

9. Food?

Bacon. Also, more bacon. 

10. Mode of transportation?

Candy-apple red Escalade. Pow! 

11. Cat or dog person?

All day long...dogs. Cats creep me the hell out.  

12. Favorite vacation spot?

Probably my old stomping grounds, Chicago.  

Thanks so much to Dante for visiting us here at Ensconced in YA! Now everyone MUST get their hands on this fantastic book! Here's a chance to win a copy!

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Character Interview with Elijah from Black City by Elizabeth Richards and INT giveaway!

To commemorate the release of Phoenix in June, Elizabeth Richards kindly agreed to allow one of her characters, Elijah to stop by Ensconced in YA!

Goodreads Book Description: A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My Amazon Review: Black City Review

Goodreads Book Description: Weeks after his crucifixion and rebirth as Phoenix, Ash Fisher believes his troubles are far behind him. He and Natalie are engaged and life seems good. But his happiness is short-lived when he receives a threatening visit from Purian Rose, who gives Ash an ultimatum: vote in favor of Rose’s Law permanently relegating Darklings to the wrong side of the wall or Natalie will be killed.

The decision seems obvious to Ash; he must save Natalie. But when Ash learns about The Tenth, a new and deadly concentration camp where the Darklings would be sent, the choice doesn’t seem so simple. Unable to ignore his conscience, Ash votes against Rose’s Law, signing Natalie’s death warrant and putting a troubled nation back into the throes of bloody battle.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Author blurb:

Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist who spent her early career reviewing video games for a living before making the bold (or crazy) move to become a travel writer and editor, specializing in cruise holidays, despite suffering from terrible sea sickness.

In her spare time Elizabeth ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls, where she got to interview many of her favorite bands, go to gigs and basically bag loads of free swag all in the name of "research".

More recently she worked as a website editor before deciding to pursue her dream of becoming an author. She now dedicates her time to writing fantasy books aimed at young adults. BLACK CITY is her debut novel.

Interview with Elijah 
Elijah, thanks so much for joining us on Ensconced in YA. *ducks* to avoid his tail. Wow, watch where you swing that thing! 

*chuckles* Sorry about that, pretty girl. Thank you for having me. 

1. So tell us a little about family, where you lived, and what your childhood was like.

Like most of my people, I live in Viridis in the Emerald State. It’s this beautiful, ancient city built up the side of an enormous cliff-face, with a waterfall cascading down its center. It’s quite amazing. I love it there, although it’s pretty isolated, especially since Purian Rose came into power—we don’t get a chance to travel much anymore. My childhood was okay, I guess. I mean, it was sort of lonely. My parents aren’t together anymore, so it’s just me and my mom, but she works a lot, so I was on my own most of the time. I do have three half-brothers though: Acelot, Donatien and Marcel. Acelot’s great, we’re really tight, but the other two are just...urgh. Donatien is a real mommy’s boy, and Marcel’s a total jerk.      

2. Do you have a favorite past-time?

I love fishing! Ace taught me how to fish when I was a kid, and takes me out on his boat whenever he can. We also keep a few horses at the embassy, so I go riding at night sometimes, when everyone else is asleep. I read poetry too.   

3. Who would you say is your best friend and why?

I don’t really have a best friend—guys don’t like me for some reason, and my female friends are more interested in kissing than talking, not that I’m complaining!—but I’m close to Acelot. He took me under his wing a few years ago, and basically raises me.  He’s very funny and doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. I really look up to him.   

4. Tell us something you've never told anyone.

I hate birds. They freak me out; especially the tiny ones. I can’t stand their beady little eyes and clawed feet, and the way they flap at you when you go near them. Urgh, it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.  

5. What is your favorite food?

My mom’s legendary fish stew, with fresh tomatoes and lime. She always cooks it for me on the weekends, because she knows how much I like it.

6. Where is your favorite spot to just be yourself and relax?

There’s nothing like being out on Ace’s boat, miles away from anyone, with just the sound of the ocean to keep me company. It’s very peaceful. It’s just me, the sky and the waves.

7. Describe your dream girl.

Well, obviously you’re my dream girl, but you’re already taken *pouts*. My dream girl is brave and caring, with an adventurous spirit and good sense of humor. I don’t mind what she looks like; I’m attracted to all sorts of girls, she doesn’t have to be a Bastet. In fact, I’d prefer it if she wasn’t. Bastet girls are incredibly vain, and coming from me, that’s saying something.  

8. What would you say your "motto" is and why?
“Trust no one.” Experience has taught me it’s best not to put your faith in people.

Thanks so much for joining us today! 

It was my pleasure, beautiful.

 
*blushes* So, um, thanks again, and erm, *fans face* I'm really (whew, it's hot in here!) looking forward to having you back on my blog!

Now enter to win some great prizes! 

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MEGA Giveaway of Stereotypical Freaks by Howard Shapiro, $50 Amazon GC Grand prize, with tons of other loot AND 20 questions with Tom, main character of Stereotypical Freaks

Wasn't a winner in the last giveaway?? Here is your chance to win this terrific graphical novel SIGNED and/or tons of other prizes including a grand prize of $50 Amazon GC!!!

Goodreads book description: Four disparate high school seniors come together to compete in their school's battle of the bands. Sharing a love for playing rock and roll, the members name the band "The Stereotypical Freaks" because they feel stereotyped by their classmates - smart kid, geek, star athlete and quiet weirdo… when in fact they know they are much more than those labels that have been placed on them.

When one member reveals life altering news, winning the competition takes on more of a meaning to each member. Scared and angry, upset and yet still with a lot of resolve they set out to win one for the good guys… will they?

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Pick it up NOW!

Author Blurb: HOWARD SHAPIRO lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and two sons. The Controller for the Pittsburgh-based Visual Effects firm, Animal Inc., he has also written four children’s books and The Stereotypical Freaks will be his debut Graphic Novel.  His 2008 book, Hockey Player for Life, has been the #1 downloaded children’s hockey e-book on Amazon’s Kindle chart since its arrival as an e-book in November of 2011.  His, Hockey Days book was the only book featured in the December 2007 Sporting News Annual Gift Guide as a Best Buy Gift for Children.  Through a corporate sponsorship program he set up (and maintains), since the 2010-11 season, both of his children’s hockey books have been given to NHL teams (over 2,500 copies to date) for use in their community and educational initiatives.  Since 2006 his annual charity raffle, which he matches dollar for dollar donated, has raised funds for several hockey-related charities including the Mario Lemieux Foundation, Hockey Fights Cancer and the Keith and Lisa Primeau Scholarship Fund.  For more information, please log on to howardshapiro(dot)net.

 20 Questions with Tom, the main character of Stereotypical Freaks

1. Pets? 
 None.  My family and I are not really pet people... I personally have never been the same since I saw Charlotte's Web when I was younger.  I think I cried for a day straight after I saw it for the first time.

2. Favorite ice cream? 
I love coffee ice cream the best.  Cookies and cream would be right behind that.  Interestingly enough, I don't like to drink coffee, but I love the smell of it.  I guess you can tell by these first two questions that I am a little, not a lot, just a little odd!

3. Favorite band?
That's a tough one... wow, if you ask me next week I may say something different then I would right now.  Plus, I differentiate between how an act plays in concert and how they sound in the studio.  Still, I think I'll go with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band by a little bit over The Who.  I could name about ten others that would be close but I won't bore you to death with them.

4. Favorite comic? 
Spiderman!  I grew up reading any and every Spiderman comic book I could find and watching all of the different Spiderman cartoons that have been on TV.  I could always identify with Peter Parker.

5. Favorite subject in school? 
 I guess it would be Intro To Accounting.  I know that sounds weird, but my dad is an Accountant so he helps me out when he is not regaling me with stories about the ins and outs of the business world!

6. Favorite book?
"Catcher in the Rye."  Much like I mentioned above how I could relate easily to Peter Parker, I can do the same with Holden Caufield!

7. Favorite TV show? 
It's tough again to choose just one.  Are we talking old shows or new shows?  All time or recent?  I would have to say that my all time favorite show is "Batman The Animated Series."  My dad and I will watch all of DVD's every now and then and I just love the way it looks and was done.

8. Best friend?
That would be Dan Roberts... I kind of drift back and forth between him and Marcell Bennett but I know Marcell has other friends while I know that I am Dan's ONLY friend in the world.

9. Favorite movie?  I'd say "The Natural"... to me its a perfect movie, not just a perfect sports or Baseball movie.

10. Favorite food?  Pizza!

11. Favorite beverage?
 I'm partial to Mountain Dew... I think I could drink a whole two liter bottle in one sitting!

12. Least favorite thing to do?
I hate cutting the grass!  We don't have a huge yard or anything, but its still a hassle.  Plus, my dad stands at the window and points out my errors or where I missed a spot.

13. Favorite sport?
Hockey... its fun to play and a lot of fun to watch as well!

14. If you could be a superhero, who would it be? 
I'd say... Green Arrow.  I know that might be a weird choice but I really like the guy!  He doesn't have super powers per se and I always root for the underdog!  So, I would be him if given the chance.

15. If you could meet ANYONE, who would it be? 
 I'd love to meet Bruce Springsteen... just to say thanks for the great music you've provided me and everyone else!

16. Beach or mountains?
How about a mall, ha ha!  If you held a gun to my head, I'd say beach just because I'd know that there would be a boardwalk close by selling pizza!  The family and I are neither beach nor outdoorsy folks but if pressed I'd say the beach but I wouldn't be happy on it... I sunburn easily!!

17. If you could have only one of your five senses, which would you keep?
I'd say sight... its one thing not be able to hear, believe me when I say that I would like to not hear a bunch of the conversations I hear on a daily basis!

18. Books with pages or e-reader? 
I'm old school!  I love the tactile experience of holding a book in my hands.

19. What's worse: failing a class or banned from having a band?
Definitely failing a class.  Bands can come and go but knowing I'd have to face my mom and dad having failed a class... that would be an ugly conversation!!

20. If you could have a super power (invisibility, super strength, etc), what would it be?
I'd say super speed.  That way I could get out of a lot of jams!!

Thanks again for joining us on Ensconced in YA!
Thank you so much!  It was a lot of fun!

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