Welcome to the Crossroads!

The Crossroads Blog Tour for 2013!
Day TWO!

This year we have 23 authors that I'll be featuring over 7 days and each day you'll have a chance to enter to win! There's also a scavenger/trivia hunt going on, so be sure to check out The Crossroads Tour Post HERE to see what questions will be asked, what blog you'll be able to find the answer on and enter to win!

So, for the second day of the week long event I have another THREE amazing authors and their characters taking of this space. Take a look, and don't forget to enter to win the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below!

Title: Poison (Legacy #2)
Author: Molly Cochran
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 368 Pages (December 4th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order Molly's Books Online here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indie Bound, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Arthurian legend mixes with modern-day witchcraft in this haunting sequel to Legacy, which Publishers Weekly said “should please the legions of paranormal fans looking for a sophisticated supernatural thriller.”

After the riveting—and romantic—events of Legacy, Katy has won Peter’s heart and is now claiming her place in the magical world. Though half the students at her boarding school come from witching lines, the use of magic is expressly forbidden at Ainsworth, so as to keep the witching world hidden from the blue-blooded preppies, aka Muffies, who also walk the halls.

But the Muffies have at least a notion of magic, because Katy catches them staging a made-up ritual—and to her astonishment, the girls collapse at Katy’s feet and fall into comas. When Katy is blamed, she becomes desperate to clear her name and finds herself battling all odds to harness her growing magical powers in order to save the Muffies and dispel the Darkness once more.

Hey Molly! Welcome back to the blog for Crossroads! I have a couple questions for your characters, so how about we get started?

What are your plans for Halloween?

(Answering as Katy Ainsworth, heroine of the LEGACY series):  I plan to attend the big Samhain celebration with all the other witches in Whitfield, in which the spirits of the dead will walk among us and let us know that life is beautiful but short. Samhain is our New Year, and after these celebrations, I always want to live my life to the fullest. Oh, and I plan to make out with my boyfriend Peter like crazy. Yummy.

Can you tell me a bit about the last scary movie you watched? (Were you alone? What snacks you had? What movie you watched? Did it scare you, etc.)

KATY’S ANSWER: Uh, this is embarrassing, but I’m a total wimp. I can’t even watch commercials for scary movies—I have to stick my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la. I’d rather spend the evening at a party, dancing. If you saw me, you’d know that was scary enough!

About the author: 

Molly Cochran, author of the teen paranormal romances LEGACY and POISON, has written 26 published novels and four nonfiction books under her own name and various pseudonyms. Her books include New York Times bestselling novels GRANDMASTER and THE FOREVER KING, coauthored with Warren Murphy, and the nonfiction DRESSING THIN, also a NY Times bestseller. She has won awards from the Mystery Writers of America (Best Novel of the Year), the Romance Writers of America (Best Thriller), and the New York Public Library (Outstanding Books for the Teen Age).

SEDUCTION, the third installment in the LEGACY series, is scheduled for release later this year through her publisher, Simon & Schuster.

Two eBooks, THE TEMPLE DOGS and THE FOREVER KING, are currently available through online retailers. A third, GRANDMASTER, will be available soon.

Molly has lectured extensively and has taught writing at the college level as well as at a women's prison (where she was NOT an inmate). She also writes a blog on writing technique which appears on her website, MollyCochran.com. She is also on Facebook at facebook.com/molly.cochran1 and Twitter at Twitter.com/mollycochranYA.
She lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Find Molly Online:

Website | Blog| Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Title: Stalked by Death (Touch of Death #2)
Author: Kelly Hashway
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press, 235 Pages (August 13th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order Kelly's Books Online here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Jodi knows that any slip-ups made by the Ophi--a special group of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac--will fall on her shoulders... and that Hades is just waiting for them to screw up so he can wipe out the Ophi line.

Unfortunately, Jodi has only convinced one Ophi to join her school: A hot guy named Chase who jeopardizes her relationship with Alex. Jodi loves Alex, but Chase can enhance her powers with just a touch—making her stronger than any Ophi has ever been.

Her mixed emotions send her powers surging out of control, and the dead start rising without her conscious summoning—exactly what Hades doesn't want! If she chooses Alex over Chase, she may lose the battle to Hades, leading the Ophi race to extinction. If she chooses Chase, she might be able to stop Hades for good… but lose everything else.

Jodi needs to figure things out fast--because death is stalking her at every turn.

Hi Kelly! I'm excited to have you visiting today for the Crossroads Blog Tour! I've been asking authors if they can pass along a couple of questions for their characters, so thank you for doing that for me! I can't wait to share what they had to say...

What are your plans for Halloween?

(Jodi Marshall) Well, I can’t be around humans so I can’t exactly go to a Halloween party or go trick-or-treating (though I’m too old for that anyway).  But Mason, the owner of Serpentarius, the Ophi nightclub, usually throws a Halloween party each year. If Hades isn’t breathing down my neck, I’ll probably go there.

Can you tell me a bit about the last scary movie you watched? (Were you alone? What snacks you had? What movie you watched? Did it scare you, etc.)

(Jodi Marshall) The last scary movie I saw was a zombie flick that Chase picked out. Leticia, Randy, and of course Alex watched the movie too, so it was a group thing. We had popcorn and spent the movie laughing at how dumb zombies are depicted. They don’t bother to yell “Brains!” or hobble around with their arms out. They try to eat you. Plain and simple. I wasn’t scared at all, mostly because my life is one big horror movie these days.

About the Author:

I write for children of all ages from picture books up to young adult. I am proudly represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. My debut YA, TOUCH OF DEATH, releases January 15, 2013 through Spencer Hill Press. Also look for my other upcoming YA novels: STALKED BY DEATH (Spencer Hill Press, July 23, 2013), THE MONSTER WITHIN (Spencer Hill Press, April 2014), THE DARKNESS WITHIN (Spencer Hill Press, TBA), and INTO THE FIRE (Month9Books, spring 2014). My debut MG series CURSE OF THE GRANVILLE FORTUNE releases fall 2014 through Month9Books.

Find Kelly Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

No cover for Call Me Grim at the time of posting.

Title: Call Me Grim
Author: Elizabeth Holloway
Publisher: Month9Books (Available Fall 2014)
Add to: Goodreads (No link at the time of posting)
Pre-order here: No purchase links at the time of posting

Synopsis: Libbi Piper should be dead, squished between a pick-up truck and a Honda, a Libbi-pancake. That is until the local Grim Reaper saves her life. Aaron (who is far too cute to list "escorts people to Hell" on his resume) needs a replacement. He's given Libbi two days to choose between dying like she was supposed to, or living a lonely life as Death Incarnate.

The choice goes from hard to sucktastic when her best friend shows up marked, condemned as a future murderer. Libbi could have an extra week to stop the murder and fix the mark, but only if she takes the job as Reaper--a job that will trap her in her crappy town forever, invisible and inaudible to everyone except the newly dead. But, if she refuses, Aaron will cart her best friend off to Hell.

That's not good.

Maybe she should practice her scythe swinging skills.

Hi Elizabeth! Welcome to the blog and this years Crossroads Tour. It's exciting to have you and your characters here for a couple of questions, so let's get these questions started!

What are your plans for Halloween?

Aaron: Well, I hope I’m not around this Halloween. But if Libbi doesn’t take my job and I’m still here, I suppose I’ll hang out at the haunted house Carroll Falls puts together every year. There’s something about being near me that gives people the creepy-crawlies and watching them squirm is sort of fun… on Halloween, that is. I’m not a sadist, or anything.

Can you tell me a bit about the last scary movie you watched? (Were you alone? What snacks you had? What movie you watched? Did it scare you, etc.)

Libbi: I really don’t like scary movies. At all. I hate gore and the feeling of anticipation as the music builds. It’s just too much for my overactive imagination. Last year, my best friends, Kyle and Haley, forced me to watch The Shining. They said it was an awesome film and a classic. I wouldn’t know. I kept my eyes covered the whole time. The popcorn was good, though.

About the Author:

I am an author and a maternity nurse living in Southern Pennsylvania with my two teen children and our pets, Bam-bam the dog and Tinkerbell the cat. In addition to nursing and writing, I also read avidly. I'm an artist, a karaoke singer, a music lover, and a kick-ass Pictionary player. My favorite color is green. I'm a Cancer. I like cats and pizza, but not cats on pizza.

My first novel, Call Me Grim, will be published by Month9Books in Fall 2014. I'm represented by Lindsay Riber of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

Find Elizabeth Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook 

GIVEAWAY!!!

Totally awesome giveaway going throughout the WHOLE WEEK of the tour! Enter to win and be sure to check back again tomorrow for another spooky post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of this weekly event is to spotlight a soon-to-be-released book that you are very much anticipating. "Waiting On" Wednesday will also give bloggers an opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.

Title: Waiting
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Publisher: Paula Wiseman Books, 288 Pages (May 1st, 2011)
Preorder here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: After her brother’s death, a teen struggles to rediscover love and find redemption in this gripping novel.Growing up in Africa and Latin America as the children of missionaries, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Did Zach take his own life? Was it London’s fault?


Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel from award-winning novelist Carol Lynch Williams.

Title: Timepiece (Hourglass, #2)
Author: Myra McEntire
Publisher: Egmont, 336 Pages (June 12th, 2012)
Preorder here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

Title: Until I Die (Revenants, #2)
Author: Amy Plum
Publisher: HarperCollins, 320 Pages (May 8th, 2012)
Preorder here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy. 

Another 3 books that I can't wait for. 2012 has SO MANY AMAZING books coming out, I almost don't know where to start! I always try to put some very different books together when I have more than one I'd like to highlight for my WoWs and this week I've done just that! First off there's Waiting. This one looks emotional with a bit of a mystery attached. I can't wait to check this one out! Next we have Timepiece. I LOVED Hourglass. It was one of the best books I've read and when I heard there was a sequel I just about jumped for joy! And lastly, we have Until I Die. I have and still have to read Die For Me and I can't wait to check it out. Both covers are amazing and I've heard nothing but amazing things about the first book. What do you guys think of the books I've shared this week?


ETA: When this WoW was first put together and posted, the wrong synopsis was included for Waiting. Thanks to the author, Carol for bringing this to my attention. Sorry for the confusion! It's been updated and changed to the correct synopsis. Sorry Carol, sorry guys!

*covers are always subject to change.
*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this post.

"Just Picked" is a feature here at A Life Bound By Books. This is a place where I'll be spotlighting new (and old) childrens book or picture books for parents and new readers. It's a place to talk about books for a younger group and to try to help create a new generation of readers.

Title: Mostly Monsterly
Author: Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Scott Magoon
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 40 Pages (August 31st 2010)
Age Range: 4-8
From: the Publisher, Thank You!

Synopsis: Bernadette might seem like an ordinary monster, but sometimes she likes to do some very unmonsterlike things, like pick flowers. And pet kittens. And bake.

When the time comes for Bernadette to go to Monster Academy, she's just a teensy bit nervous. Her classmates just don't understand her. They'd rather uproot trees than sing friendship songs. And they prefer fried snail goo to Bernadette's homemade cupcakes with sprinkles. Can Bernadette find a way to make friends at school and still be herself?

Review: 5 Stars - The uber cute Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer with illustrations by Scott Magoon has totally found a special place in my heart. The story and art came together and fit perfectly! I loved the fact that even though Bernadette was a monster, she was different and found a way to be okay with it. She didn’t change who she was, instead she found a way to be who she was, a nice monster around the scary monsters.

This is a wonderful story to show kids that everyone is different and that’s okay, that there are ways to bring all of our differences together and get along. The monster part of things was just an added plus, or for Bernadette, the frosting and sprinkles on her cupcakes.

I highly recommend this one for anyone with younger kids who can handle a monster or two… even the nice ones. Enjoy!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.