Blog Tour -- BRIDGER by Megan Curd. This vs. That!

Ashlyn McVean doesn't believe in fairy tales. That is, until Ashlyn is thrown into the crosshairs of grudges her grandmother created long ago. After finding out she is one of two people able to cross between faerie realms, Ashlyn is faced with trying to understand her abilities, along with navigating a new relationship with her boyfriend, Liam. As if being on a centuries old hit list and dealing with crazed pixies isn't enough, her new abilities mean trouble for Liam. Knowing her new life puts everyone she loves in danger, Ashlyn must decide what's most important in her life between friends, family, love, and ultimately, realms.

(From Goodreads)

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Hey all! I'm so very excited to have two of author Megan Curd's characters with us today. Please give a warm welcome to Ashlyn and Memaw and a round of This vs. That!

Sweet or Salty?
Memaw: Salty - really, do you see me as a sweet type of person? Don't answer that.
Ashlyn: (Laughs) Do you really think you're anything other than -
Memaw: I said don't answer that! (laughs)

Pop music or Jazz music?
Memaw: Jazz. It is nice to listen to something I actually understand. All that popping booties and grinding up on people isn't really my kind of thing.
Ashlyn: Popping booties? You pop people! Who are you to judge?
Memaw: I never popped my booty, and I never pop people who don't deserve to get popped. And if I ever catch you popping your booty, I'll pop you!

Toe socks or Normal socks?
Memaw: What are toe socks?
Ashlyn: They're like gloves, but for your feet.
Memaw: Why on earth would you wear gloves on your feet?!
Ashlyn: ::hands on face::

Pen or Pencil?
Ashlyn: Pencil. You can change things if you make a mistake.
Memaw: Pencils give me the heebie jeebies. The way they sound when you use them - eugh. Give me a pen. I don't need a second take, anyway.
Ashlyn: You would say that.
Memaw: I would, and don't question your elders. I have a story about that...
Ashlyn: You have a story for everything.

Winter or Summer?
Memaw: Winter. Definitely winter.
Ashlyn: (sighs) I hate to say this, but winter.
Memaw: Why do you hate to say it?
Ashlyn: Because anything that makes it look like we might be alike is scary.
Memaw: We're McVeans, Ashlyn. Of course we're alike. I have a story about that...
Ashlyn: I know, I know, I know. There's a story for everything. We've been over this. (smiles)

Modern clothes or Vintage clothes?
Memaw: Vintage. These new clothes show too much skin. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
Ashlyn: What does that even mean??
Memaw: Well, let me tell you a story...
Ashlyn: No! No more stories! I believe you!

Cats or Dogs?
Memaw: Cats. Dogs are too dependent. I like being able to go and not worry about an animal. I'm busy.
Ashlyn: When are you busy? You fall asleep on the couch every afternoon!
Memaw: I'm busy sleeping, then, aren't I? (laughs)

Urban or Suburban?
Ashlyn: Urban! I like the cities.
Memaw: There's more crime in the cities.
Ashlyn: Then stay in the sticks.
Memaw: (rolls eyes) Maybe I want to visit the cities.
Ashlyn: Are you sure you won't pop someone? There's more crime in the city!
Memaw: (grips cane) I can take care of someone if they're trying to stir up trouble.
Ashlyn: Next time I see on the news someone's been beat to death with a cane, I'll know it was you. (laughs)

Fruit or Veggies?
Memaw: Can I say both?
Ashlyn: It's an either/or...you have to choose.
Memaw: No, I don't! That doesn't make any sense at all.
Ashlyn: if you have an either/or, you choose one or the other.
Memaw: But if both options are good, just keep them both. That's why you should keep both Reese and Liam.
Ashlyn: (blushes) Memaw!
Memaw: Hey, I'm just saying. If you can have the milk without buying the cow, might as well have two cows! (Laughs)
Ashlyn: MEMAW! (Looks @ Hope) Are we done yet??

Polk-a-dots or Stripes?

Memaw: Stripes.
Ashlyn: Why?
Memaw: Because you told me last question I had to choose one or the other.
Ashlyn: But why do you like stripes?
Memaw: I didn't say I liked stripes any more than polka dots. I just was told to choose one or the other. I choose stripes.
Ashlyn: (hand on forehead) Okay, Memaw, okay. (laughs)
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Thanks Ashlyn and Memaw for stopping by! Readers, be sure and comment for a chance to WIN an eBook of BRIDGER! The drawing will take place November 7th!


Follow along on the tour for a chance to win an eBook at each stop and enter the grand prize giveaway on November 13th!!! You can also find BRIDGER and Megan here:
Twitter
Facebook 
Amazon

FYI: During the month of October, for every Bridger eBook Megan sells, she will be donating $1 to a community of single moms & low-income families in Ecuador! Megan spent time with this particular community during a mission trip.

Much thanks to A Tale of an Reviews for hosting this amazing tour!
Oct. 1 ~ Bookbriefs: Review
Oct. 2 ~ Bookworm Lisa : Review
Oct. 3 ~ Unabridged Andra: Author Interview Part I
Oct. 4 ~ YA Bound : Author Interview Part II
Oct. 5 ~ Supernatural Snark: Excerpt
Oct. 6 ~ Off
Oct. 7 ~ The Reader Bee: Review
Oct. 8 ~ The Magic Attic ~ Excerpt
Oct. 9 ~ Reading Angel ~ Review
Oct. 10 ~ Crazed ’bout Books: Review
Oct. 11 ~ Faery Ink Press: Review
Oct. 12 ~ Death Books and Tea: Review
Oct. 13 ~ The Wannabe Knight: Review
Oct. 14 ~ Great Imaginations: Guest Post
Oct. 16 ~ Tamara’s Book Ramblings: Review
Oct. 18 ~ An Avid Reader’s Musings: Review
Oct. 19 ~ A Casual Reader’s Blog: Review
Oct. 20 ~ Candace’s Book Blog: Excerpt
Oct. 21 ~ Nicole’s YA Book Blog: Review
Oct. 22 ~ Second Bookshelf on the Right: Review
Oct. 23 ~ Ya-Aholic: Review
Oct. 24 ~ Novels on the Run: Review
Oct. 25 ~ Off
Oct. 26 ~ Reader Girl: Review
Oct. 27 ~ Letters Inside Out: Review
Oct. 28 ~ Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf: Review
Oct. 29 ~ My Shelf Confessions: Where You Write Guest Post
Oct. 30 ~ The Fairytale Nerd: Review
Oct. 31 ~ A Lilliputian’s Journey: Halloween Pairing
Nov. 1 ~ Mundie Moms: Review
Nov. 2 ~ Kristie Cook: Guest Post
Nov. 3 ~ Words I Write Crazy: Review
Nov. 4 ~ Braintasia Books: Review
Nov. 5 ~ Seeing Night Book Reviews: Review
Nov. 6 ~ Off
Nov. 7 ~ YA Book Lover Blog: Author Interview
Nov. 8 ~ Laine’s Fiction Book’s Corner: Review
Nov. 9 ~ Stuck in Books: Review
Nov. 10 ~ Off
Nov. 11 ~ Mercurial Musings: Author Military Post
Nov. 12 ~ Supa Gurl Books: Review
Nov. 13 ~ The Fiction Fairy: Review
Nov. 13 ~ A Tale of Many Reviews: Final Stop and Author Wrap-Up

Problematic Prose (Part III)

 Continuing with our Problematic Prose series, here we are with issue #3.

Sensuous vs. Sensual:
The word sensuous usually implies gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure. The word sensual usually describes gratification of the senses or physical appetites as an end in itself. (Dictionary.com)  

~ The sensuous curve of her mouth was accented by a smile.
~ The sensual tone of his voice caused her heart to race in anticipation.

Flaunt vs. Flout:
The word flaunt means to display or show off proudly. Whereas the term flout means to show contempt for, to defy, or to spurn.

~ The rebellious boy flaunted his ability to flout school rules.

Emigrate vs. Immigrate:
These are quite closely related. To emigrate your home country is to leave it. You then immigrate to another.

~ Dmitri emigrated Russia to immigrate to America.

Eminent vs. Imminent:
The word eminent means outstanding, noteworthy, or famous. The word imminent  means about to happen.

~ The arrival of the eminent actor was imminent.

Site vs. Cite:
The word site refers to a place. The word cite means to quote or make reference to.

~ Annabeth cited the mayor's speech at the site of the new memorial.


For more Problematic Prose click here for Part I and here for Part II.

Book Bloggers are the Best

I <3 Book Bloggers!!!

With Haven's ARC tour wrapping up, I wanted to take a moment and say a few things.

First of all, thanks to everyone who's participated in one form or another:

1) Those of you who commented (sometimes daily) along the tour stops, I love your enthusiasm. It drives us writers to create and strive to give readers a story worth their time. 

2) My wonderful and supportive friends who tweeted and re-tweeted (sometimes multiple times a day), I love you guys. You are the most amazing and encouraging people on earth. I know it's tough because most of you are writers yourselves, and taking time from marketing and story-telling is a huge sacrifice. I love you guys.

3) To everyone who has bought the book, y'all are priceless. I truly hope you enjoy it. But even if you don't, I appreciate your taking a chance regardless. I couldn't do this without you guys.

4) Those of you who've taken the time to leave reviews and ratings, if you're anything like me, it's a challenge to sum a book and its qualities in a single post. I appreciate your effort!

5) Finally, I want to offer a special thanks to book bloggers. Those people who took time out of their lives to participate in promoting an author they didn't even know. Without book bloggers, authors, especially new/indie/small press authors, wouldn't do nearly so well. Your guys' constant participation and promotion means the world to writers. Thanks for doing what you do :)

I especially want to thank Julie at A Tale of Many Reviews for hosting the tour! You did an amazing job. I can't thank you enough!!!

Julie is also the last stop on the tour. She has the grand prize giveaway consisting of some "Thanks for participating in my tour" swag. There are 5 days left to enter. The swag bag, or box rather, consists of: a trunk similar to the one Ashton found in the attic, a charm bracelet with charms representative of different things in the story, a signed (personalized, if the winner wants) copy of the book, and two bookmarks. Click here to enter. The contest ends 10/12/11 at 12:01AM CDT.

Let the ARC tour Begin

As you should know, or would if you stalked me because I offered free cupcakes, my very first novel debuts this month! Woot for finally having a product 2 years later :D I swear, the gestation of this book was worse than a preggo elephant.

Anyway, my ARC tour is under way as we speak. I'm going to try and not inundate you with posts, but rather update this page each day with links to the featured blog. Keep in mind, if you comment (and encourage others to do the same) you might win a free eBook. AND at the end of the tour, we'll be doing some nifty swag-bag type stuff, so keep up :D

I do want to offer a massive Thank You to the Wonder Woman mastermind behind all of this, Julie at A Tale of Many Reviews, you are simply the greatest! Thank you for all your hard work in bring this together!!! I'm so glad you made those book recs on Twitter that got us talking. I need to buy you some indestructo gold armbands and a Lasso of Truth! (That would be wicked cool regardless.)

Without further ado, here's the schedule!

Thursday, September 1: The Worm Hole -- author interview, book review and giveaway.
Friday, September 2: Me, My Shelf, and I -- book review and giveaway.
Saturday, September 3: Words I Write Crazy -- review and giveaway.
Sunday, September 4: Stuck in Books -- excerpt and giveaway.
Tuesday, September 6: Mocha Latte Reads -- Dream Cast and giveaway.
Wednesday, September 7: Live to Read -- review and giveaway.
Thursday, September 8: Two Readers Reviews -- review and giveaway.
Friday, September 9: Bookworm Lisa -- review and giveaway.
Saturday, September 10: We Fancy Books -- Interview with Gabe.
Sunday, September 11: A Tale of Many Reviews -- review and giveaway.
Monday, September 12: A Casual Reader's Blog -- review and giveaway.
Tuesday, September 13: Songs and Stories -- review and giveaway.
Wednesday, September 14: Fantasy Fairy -- review and giveaway.
Friday, September 16: The Light of Asteria -- guest post and giveaway.
Saturday, September 17: Paper Cut Reviews -- review and giveaway.
Sunday, September 18: Cici's Theories -- review and giveaway.
Monday, September 19: Literature Monsters -- review and giveaway.
Tuesday, September 20: Letters Inside Out --excerpt and giveaway.
Wednesday, September 21: A Written Rhapsody -- review and giveaway.
Thursday, September 22: aoBibliophere -- review and giveaway.
Friday, September 23: Turning the Pages -- review and giveaway.
Saturday, September 24: The Life of Fiction -- review and giveaway.
Sunday, September 25 : YA Bound -- Interview with Ashton and giveaway.
Monday, September 26: Young Readers -- excerpt and giveaway.
Tuesday, September 27: The Ending Unplanned -- review and giveaway.
Thursday, September 29: Alison Hess -- review and giveaway.
Friday, September 30: Megan Curd -- guest post and giveaway.
Saturday, October 1: Cup of Tea Reviews -- review and giveaway.
Sunday, October 2: Charissa Weaks -- review and giveaway.
Monday, October 3: The Awesome Magic Attic -- review and giveaway.
Tuesday, October 4: Tori Scott -- review and giveaway.
Wednesday, October 5: Jessie Harrell -- review and giveaway.
Thursday, October 6: A Tale of Many Reviews -- video interview with yours truly and swag giveaway.

The Willows: Haven is officially live...

This is the full cover, by the way! Pretty sweet, huh? Neil Noah is a genius.

In celebration of my debut novel going live, I'm thinking something fun might be in the works. Now, mind you, this is the eBook going live. Paperback will be up at the end of the month. Speaking of which, y'all should keep up with my ARC tour here. And you should all go follow A Tale of Many Reviews for being amazing and hosting this blessed event!

So, here's what I'm thinking. How about a couple of FREE eBooks? All you have to do is comment here and give Haven a shout out on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads...whatever you're a part of and link it in your comment. Please don't forget to add your email in there so I can let you know if yo win! I'll give you guys 48 hrs to see what goes down, and then I'll use random.org to select TWO winners. Simple right?

So don't make me look like I have no friends and only like two people comment. Not that I wouldn't appreciate those two ;)

Ready. Set. GO!

The Willows: Haven Dream Cast

Well, the ARC tour is well under way and going fantastically! Julie at A Tale of Many Reviews is just masterful. Thanks again, Wonder Woman ;)

I've had several people mention wanting to see my idea of a Dream Cast, and since that was part of the ARC tour, I thought I'd throw it up on my site as well!

Here we go!


Ashton Blake -- Alexandra Daddario.

"I gazed into the mirror over the sink, taken aback by the change of my oddly blue eyes. The color seemed more vivid, even through the tiredness. ... Loose brunette strands curled out along my temples and the nape of my neck — an unmanageable feature I inherited from my father, though the waviness and color were the only genetic similarities I shared with the man."

Gabe Willoughby -- Kevin Zegers.

"His eyes were the most distinctive color, like the Caribbean ocean — a faint orange circled his pupil, turning the palest shade of blue in the center, before fading into a deeper blue-green toward the outer ring. ... He tucked a mop of longish auburn hair beneath a Gatsby style hat. ... He grinned, and I lost myself in his dimples."




Allie Taylor -- Taylor Swift.

"Allie’s sapphire eyes crinkled into a grin. ... (She) tossed her blonde curls over her shoulder."












Kevin Hawthorne -- Sam Witwer.

"Images of gray eyes and wicked smiles filled my dreams."




Kyle Hawthorne -- Jesse Metcalfe.

"(Kyle) stared at me, his black brows low. ... He sat down in front of me, an olive-toned arm resting across the top of his knee, the other falling along the ground. "



Harry Waterford -- Simon Baker.

"(Harry) had thick blonde hair and eyes the color of faded denim; his smile was to die for, and all of my girlfriends had crushes on him at one time or another."

So, there it is! What do you think?

Problematic Prose (Part II)

Today is part two of the Problematic Prose rounds!


Founder vs Flounder:
The word founder means to fall or sink down. The word flounder means to struggle clumsily and helplessly. Something that helps me: If a ship goes under, a diver might claim, "I found 'er!" Whereas a Flounder fish will flounder on the shore.

~ The ship foundered in the rough ocean.
~ The fish floundered in the sand.

Altar vs Alter:
The word altar means a shrine or place of worship. The word alter indicates a change in being.

~ The groom met his bride at the altar.
~ They vowed their undying love would not alter. (Not the best, but you get the picture ;)

Bated vs Baited:
Bated means to moderate or restrain. Baited indicates to hook or trap. Remember, if it has an "i" you use it to lure something/one in.

~ We baited out poles and waited with bated breath ;)

Lose vs Loose:
This is one we use on a daily basis yet is oftentimes hard to get right. The word lose means you can't find it or you didn't win. The word loose means you've released something or it isn't tight together.

~ If you lose your cash, you can't go shopping.
~ Because the the pens came loose from their package, they were 50% off.

Amount vs Number:
Another booger of an issue because these terms are often used interchangeably when they shouldn't be. Number refers to items which can be counted such as people, crayons, flying monkeys. The word amount means a measurable substance such as cough syrup or food coloring.

~ The amount of starch you add to the dinner is determined by the number of servings.

Principle vs Principal:
I still remember learning this in elementary school. Gotta love the good teachers who use mnemonics to help their kiddos! A principle is something that governs the way an item or person behaves or reacts; a law, truth or professed rule of action; standards. A principal is the man or woman who runs your school. My mnemonic device: Your princi-pal is your PAL. Easy, right?

~ The principal at Edgar Allan Poe Elementary was hired for his sound principles.

Did you miss Problematic Prose (Part I)? No worries! You can find it here.