Meet the MG Writing Duo of J. S. Jaeger

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes the Middle Grade writing duo J. S. Jaeger and their fantasy story Scrolls of Zndaria.

First, a bit about this duo:

As husband and wife, we have teamed up as J.S. Jaeger to write Scrolls of Zndaria. We live in Southern Utah and have four wonderful children. We have worked hard throughout our lives to prove that with hard work and persistence, any dream is possible.

Overcoming stuttering and bullying in his early years in school, Jerry earned his black belt in Kempo Karate and graduated with a law degree from the University of Wyoming. He served as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and currently works as a prosecutor with the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

While raising their family, Stephanie earned her bachelor degree from the University of Wyoming and master’s degree from Southern Utah University. She ran her own accounting practice for several years before turning her focus to writing Scrolls of Zndaria with Jerry.

Why did you pick to write books for Middle Grade readers?

We write middle grade books because we want readers of all ages to have an uplifting, clean read. Young readers can read along with a parent or older sibling, while experienced readers can read for entertainment while noticing events that are intertwined between the first five books of the series. Our goal in writing this series is to make it fun for experienced readers while being able to read it to our young children without having to censor or blush.

What types of books do you like to read?

Jerry enjoys reading epic and juvenile fantasy. Stephanie also enjoys juvenile fantasy and loves historic fiction. 

When you two are not writing, what do you like to do?

With four active children, a full-time and part-time job (Jerry) and several part-time commitments (Stephanie), we have to make time to write. When we aren’t doing this, Jerry enjoys running, biking, and training for challenging events such as the Ironman and Ironman 70.3. Stephanie also enjoys running and reading. She loves combining these two interests by listening to books on tape while running half or full marathons. Together, we love to travel when the opportunity arises.

Tell us about Scrolls of Zndaria and how the story came to be.

Scrolls of Zndaria is a seven-book series with The Golden Wizard first book. Jerry first envisioned the world of Zndaria while finishing the seventh book in the Harry Potter series. He began writing. The first five books each introduce a new unlikely hero. The lives of each of the heroes are intertwined. Events from each book will appear in the other books written from a different hero’s point-of-view, giving readers a different perspective of the event or more information to answer questions and explain the event.

As the story unfolded, Jerry realized that Stephanie would be an asset to the series. Jerry is the creative genius behind the story. After he puts the story on paper, Stephanie reworks it to ensure it follows the grammatical rules and that the story flows smoothly.

Here's a peek at the Scrolls of Zndaria: The Golden Wizard:

 Join Nathanial “Nate” McGray, the fifteen-year-old son of the king’s woodsman, on an unforgettable adventure. He is determined to be the first peasant to become a wizard in the magical world of Zndaria.

Wedged in a sticky spot, Nate is saved from the town bullies by a mysterious elf named Blinkly. Together, Nate and Blinkly embark on a journey to the Halls of Magic. Along the way, they encounter vicious Dread Vikings, deadly bounty hunters, and a deranged beast. Just as Nate begins to learn magic, the Infinite Wizard and a devilish army attack his Kingdom.

Will Nate become a wizard? Can he save his Kingdom?

 Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

Scrolls of Zndaria: The Golden Wizard is our first published book. We entered a children’s picture book called A Monster in the House in a writing contest. Although it didn’t win, it was fun, and our children hope we will be able to publish it someday.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?
We are currently working on our second book, Scrolls of Zndaria: The Alamist Queen, and a short story about Nate’s brother, Ted. Ted’s adventures parallel the Scrolls of Zndaria: The Golden Wizard. Readers will see the world of Zndaria from Ted’s point-of-view, find out what happened to him after he became a champion, and be a part of the war.

The Alamist Queen introduces readers to the second hero in our series, Cenaya. She will witness events from The Golden Wizard, giving readers more details and deeper perspective into Nate’s journey. One example: we recently rewrote the chapter from The Golden Wizard entitled “The Crossroads Inn” (seen completely from Nate’s perspective in The Golden Wizard) from Cenaya’s perspective. Readers will learn why she was at the Inn, what she was thinking, and what happened to her afterward.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Start writing. There is only one guarantee with writing stories: if you never start, you will never finish. Don’t expect your first draft to sound fabulous. Just write. Fabulous comes with revision. You have to get your ideas on paper in order to rework them. Next, rework, rework, rework. Did we mention that it is vital to rework your story? The number of reworks required depends on your writing skill and experience. Once you have your best work, let someone that isn’t afraid to tell you the truth critic it.

We worked on The Golden Wizard for seven years and then paid a professional content editor to help us make it great. She didn’t hold back, and we are so grateful for her. Some of the pages of our manuscript have as much of her writing on it as our typed words. We learned so much from her that is now reflected in our writing skills, easily trimming several years off the writing of The Alamist Queen.

Where can readers find you and your books?

Scrolls of Zndaria: The Golden Wizard is currently available at amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and from our website www.zndaria.com.

A giveaway for Scrolls of Zndaria: The Golden Wizard is currently underway on Goodreads. It ends on May 27, 2014.

Kid Lit Blog Hop #39

Welcome to the 39th Kid Lit Blog Hop where twice per month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists.

On this Hop, Carpinello's Writing Pages brings you interviews with MG fantasy writer

LaurisaWhite Reyes and the writing duo J. S. Jaeger.

You are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

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Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hosts. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)

Hostesses:

Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews Facebook * Twitter

Jaymie @ Snacks for Max Twitter * Facebook

Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Reshama @ Stacking Books Twitter * Facebook

Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks Twitter * Facebook

Destiny @ Reading and Sharing Twitter * Facebook

Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Twitter * Facebook

Lina @ Best 4 Future: Bringing Up Baby Bilingual Twitter * Facebook

  2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.

* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.*

* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *

* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*

* Feel free to link more than one post.*

3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you! 4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links! 5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!

Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? If you've joined us before, you are welcome to join us again! Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.

Happy Hopping!

Meet MG Fantasy Author Laurisa White Reyes

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes MG author Laurisa White Reyes and her fantasy novel The Last Enchanter, the second book in The Celestine Chronicles.

First, a bit about Laurisa:

Laurisa White Reyes is the author of two middle grade fantasy novels, an editor for Hamilton Springs/Xchyler Press, and the Editor-in-Chief of Middle Shelf Magazine. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in creative writing at California State University at Northridge. Aside from being a book horder, she also loves bearded dragons, rainstorms and chocolate.

Why did you pick to write books for middle grade readers?

As a mother of five children, I read a lot of kids books, but I really fell in love with children’s literature when I worked as a teenager for Once Upon A Time, the oldest children’s bookstore in America, located in Montrose, California. When I started writing books of my own a few years ago, I wanted to write books my kids could enjoy.

What types of books do you like to read?

I enjoy all types of books, but I especially enjoy dystopian and paranormal young adult books. I also love contemporary YA and anything middle grade.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I work part-time from home as the Editor-in-Chief of Middle Shelf Magazine, a digital publication dedicated to the best in middle grade books. I also enjoy digital scrapbooking and family history.

Tell us about The Last Enchanter and how the story came to be.

Well, it really began about eight years ago. My son, who is now 16, was a reluctant reader, so I would read aloud to him every night. One night he asked me to make up a story instead, so I created a story about a young enchanter’s apprentice whose magic always seemed to backfire. Over time the story grew and eventually became my first published novel, The Rock of Ivanore, which was released in 2012 with Tanglewood Press. The Last Enchanter is its sequel.


Here's a peek at The Last Enchanter:

Months have passed since Marcus and Kelvin succeeded in their quest to find the Rock of Ivanore. Kelvin is living as royalty in Dokur, and Marcus is studying magic with Zyll. When Fredric is murdered and Kelvin becomes king, Zyll and Marcus head for Dokur in hopes of protecting Kelvin from meeting the same fate, though it quickly becomes apparent that none of them are safe, and Marcus has had disturbing visions of Zyll's death. With the help of his old friends Clovis and Bryn, joined by new friend Lael, a feisty girl in search of her mother, Marcus uncovers a powerful secret that will change the course of his life forever.

"This book is an AWESOME sequel to book 1 in the series... As much as I liked The Rock Of Ivanore,  I enjoyed The Last Enchanter even more." - This Kid Reviews Books



Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

The Rock of Ivanore and The Last Enchanter are my first two published books for middle grade readers. I also have a young adult thriller called Contact releasing in June with Hallowed Ink Press.

Here's a peek at The Rock of Ivanore:

The annual Great Quest is about to be announced in Quendel, a task that will determine the future of Marcus and the other boys from the village who are coming of age. The wizard Zyll commands them to find the Rock of Ivanore, but he doesn’t tell them what the Rock is exactly or where it can be found. Marcus must reach deep within himself to develop new powers of magic and find the strength to survive the wild lands and fierce enemies he encounters as he searches for the illusive Rock. If he succeeds, he will live a life of honor; if he fails, he will live a life of menial labor in shame. With more twists and turns than a labyrinth, and a story in which nothing is at it seems, this tale of deception and discovery keeps readers in suspense until the end. Middle readers will find that The Rock of Ivanore fits nicely among the traditional fantasies they so enjoy. They will also appreciate its fresh and inventive take on the genre.

"This is a swift and compelling epic that readers of high fantasy will love!"  - Tony Abbott, author of The Secrets of Droon

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

The third book in my fantasy series is slated for release in 2015. I plan to write it this year. I’m also in the process of revising three additional young adult books, which I hope to publish in the near future.

What advice do you have for other authors?

The hardest part of writing is finishing that first draft. Once that’s done, you’ve accomplished more than most aspiring writers will ever do. I never edit anything during the first draft. I wait until I’ve finished the last page, which can take anywhere from three months to a year, before I go back and start revising.

Anything else you want readers to know?

For me, writing a novel is like living in Disneyland. Every day is so much fun. Sometimes I get frustrated that I have to do normal, everyday kind of things like washing dishes, driving my kids to school, or going to bed at night. I’d always rather be writing. But without “life” I’d have nothing interesting to write about, and no one worth writing for.

Where can readers find you and your books?

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Book Trailer

The Last Enchanter  

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-enchanter-laurisa-white-reyes/1114768704?ean=9781933718934

The Rock of Ivanore

Barnes & Noble

Meet MG Fantasy Author Daniel Nanavati

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes one of the UK's prolific authors Daniel Nanavati and his middle grade fantasy novel Midrak Earthshaker.

First, a bit about Daniel:

I was born in London, UK. We have mostly lived in Cornwall. My mother is an author; she wrote the first social study of drug taking in the UK in 1967. I knew I wanted to write for children when I was 14 and started when I graduated at the age of 22. I have had two agents and nearly been taken twice, by Heinemann and by Penguin. I started FootSteps Press in 2010 with the intention of bringing well designed books to market through digital publishing. I have been heartened by the broadly excellent reviews our authors have received, some of which the big six would be delighted to have for any of their authors.

Why did you pick to write books for children and MG?

I had a blissful childhood. Though we never had a stable home or much money, we were surrounded by a loving mother. I can say, knowing it is a privilege, that I was loved, but being brought up by an artist (professor emeritus Butler Breton has called my mother 'one of the world's finest living poets) it rubs off. I started to learn to type at 4, started collecting my childhood poems when I was 8 and she gave me a small book to write them in. Talk was about art of all forms, and the centre of the world seemed to me to be creative. Writing for children reflects the high degree of happiness in my own childhood and the love I have for so many wonderful authors for children. It also reflects my own belief that the ideas you put into a child's head stay with them for their whole lives. That marriage of high imagination and deep responsibility suits my character.

What types of books do you like to read?

I have read hundreds of the classics and know to the year when I read most of them. Of course studying Theology and Philosophy at college means I enjoy a good deal of non-fiction, but I am endlessly interested in any writing that explores our boundaries of knowledge and takes us one step further. I couldn't understand most equations or the mathematics, but I can read explanation of science theories and delight in those that show me my observations are inaccurate and that there is something going on mere day-to-day experience cannot explain. I like being challenged. I also enjoy political philosophy. Occasionally I will take up a fiction book, but I rarely get drawn into the hype surrounding books. Trawling secondhand bookshops for treasures unknown is my hobby. I also read poetry.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I live a country life so I spend a lot of time out in the fields walking my dogs. I often go for walks to think through my stories and have had some good ideas when I've been up to my ankles in mud or sitting on the limb of an oak tree. I really enjoy typesetting and designing books with artists. For fifteen years I did a lot of fund raising for arts and environmental projects. Since my mother became very ill, I have stayed at home mostly being her carer.

Tell us about Midrak Earthshaker and how the story came to be.

Midrak Earthshaker is about a group of elves, magicians and children, who journey to the centre of the earth, where the tree of life is hidden, to save it from being stolen. It is brilliantly illustrated throughout by John-Thomas Pryor, a very talented American artist.

When I started writing I sent my manuscript to Rosemary Bromley, a top children's agent in the UK, and she said I had potential but needed to find my voice. She also told me to write shorter books. I wrote a series of three books during that year, and I really liked characters in each and began to see how they could be linked. That link is the much longer fantasy novel Ruzniel which will come out at the end of 2014. The actual idea for Midrak Earthshaker follows how I write everything. I have a first page and then just start writing. The story is as much a surprise to me as the readers. All I know is I enjoy putting my characters into impossible situations and asking, 'how do they get out of this?' and then going for a walk and coming up with some ingenious plot device to help them.

Here's a peek at Midrak Earthshaker:

The Ruzniel Wipple, companion to the magician Midrak
Earthshaker, unexpectedly falls to Earth right into the laps of a family of elves who have a pressing problem. The guardians of the Tree of Life have been attacked by Girval, a creature of immense age and power. So begins their adventure to save The Tree of Life which has remained hidden at the centre of the Earth. They are not alone, assisted by two children and the rock people, but since the beginning of his life,

Girval has never been defeated!




Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

I published Blueskin the Cat about a highwayman who is reincarnated as a cat. Illustrated in watercolours by Gabriela Sepulveda, it is the first of ten books. The following two are finished and the fourth is in draft. The reviews have been glowing.

The Exalted Gate came about because I love the artwork of Annie Ovenden. She kindly allowed me to choose ten of her paintings, and I wrote a modern day fairy tale for each one.

Mr Binks, Sweetly illustrated by Welsh artisi Nia Ellis is due out this year and follows the adventures of three children caught up in the spells of an alchemist who managed to give himself and the woman he loved eternal life.

I have about fifteen books for children from save adventures to environmental disaster, all of which will come out in the next couple of years.

The Love Poems of Daniel Nanavati is not for children, nor is the essay A Brief History of Lies, on the habits and genetics of lying with great cartoons by Calvin Innes.


What's next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

Ruzniel is almost finished, and we are just getting early readers to give feedback. This takes as its theme the big bang and is set in the last three days of universe. Here there is a titanic battle that spans all time to stop evil surviving into the creation of the new universe. Although a marriage of science and magic, it is also a love story and a way I have found to explain our lives:  giving an argument for destiny existing, why we have choice is how ethical we choose to be - you know, the small themes -

What advice do you have for other authors?

The one thing that has always annoyed me when listening to anyone who has success is their fatuous advice. All I can say to any artist anywhere is that if you give up, you are lost, and just because you give your whole life to your art, you are not guaranteed recognition of any kind. This is the life you choose, that is the chance you take.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I have just spent an hour looking into my soul. What I have found there gives me pause for thought.

I am also writing this on January 2nd, so to everyone I offer my respects and warm wishes for 2014, may it bring you peace, fulfillment and joy.

Where can readers find you and your books?

All my books are published by FootSteps Press and are part of the ISBN system so you can order copies online and from your local bookshops or through your libraries. They are all in English, but I am open to suggestions about how to translate them into other languages. The web page for FootSteps with links to all their books is www.footsteps.co

Also: We are offering voucher prizes for children to draw their favourite character. The end date is August 1st 2014 and full details are on the FootSteps web site.

Readers may also connect with me on Goodreads where I am giving away for a signed copy of Midrak Earthshaker. The giveaway ends June 10, 2014.

Kid Lit Blog Hop 38

Welcome to the 38th Kid Lit Blog Hop where twice per month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists.

On this Hop, Carpinello's Writing Pages brings you interviews with two MG fantasy authors: first-time author Angelina Hansen and the UK's prolific author Daniel Nanavati. Stop by and acquaint yourself with these very different authors. Daniel's interview will go live Wednesday afternoon.

You are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

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REMINDER: Children's Book Week ~ Kid Lit Giveaway Hop 2014

We also want to invite you to participate in the Children's Book Week Kid Lit Giveaway Hop 2014 (May 12 to 18). Are you a children's book or teen literature blogger, an author, a publisher, or a publicist looking to share copies of a fabulous book? Mother Daughter Book Reviews and Youth Literature Reviews are joining forces to provide you with the opportunity to take part in a Blog Hop featuring links to giveaways for fabulous children/teen's books, gift cards, cash, or other prizes. What better way to celebrate Children's Book Week?

SIGN UP NOW!

 

Kid Lit Blog Hop Rules *Please Read*

1. We ask that you kindly follow your hosts. You can follow us any way you choose (Email, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, G+, Pinterest, etc.), but we've added our preferences below. If you could just give us a quick "follow" or "like" that would be much appreciated! Make sure to leave us a message if you are following us (i.e., on Twitter or Facebook or on our websites) and we will be sure to follow you back. Thanks! :-)

Hostesses:

Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews Facebook * Twitter

Jaymie @ Snacks for Max Twitter * Facebook

Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews Twitter * Facebook

Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger Twitter * Facebook

Reshama @ Stacking Books Twitter * Facebook

Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks Twitter * Facebook

Destiny @ Reading and Sharing Twitter * Facebook

Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Twitter * Facebook

Maria@ Music Teaching and Parenting Twitter * Facebook

  2. Link up any Kid Lit related post. This can be a link to a children’s book review, a discussion about children’s literature/literacy, or a post on a recently-read children’s book or one that you love from your childhood.

* Don't link directly to your blog, it must be a specific post.*

* For Authors, we prefer you to link to your blog if you have one. Please link unique posts each time ~ no repeats please. *

* Make sure you include an image relevant to the POST (e.g., book cover), not your blog button or photo of yourself.*

* Feel free to link more than one post.*

3. Please visit AT LEAST the TWO LINKS directly ahead of your own and leave them some love in the form of a comment. We are trying to build a community of bloggers, readers, parents, authors, and others who are as passionate about children’s literature as we are so please CONNECT and follow any or all of the blogs that interest you! 4. If you like, grab the button above and put it somewhere on your blog, preferably the post you're linking up. If you'd prefer, you can just add a text link back to this Hop so that others can find it and check out all these great book links! 5. It would really help us get the word out about the Kid Lit Blog Hop if you would be so kind as to tweet, share, and spread the word about the Hop!

Interested in co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop? If you've joined us before, you are welcome to join us again! Please email renee @ motherdaughterbookreviews (dot) com and put Co-Hosting Blog Hop in the subject line.

Happy Hopping!

Meet MG Fantasy Author Angelina Hansen (aka Ace Hansen)

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Middle Grade author Angelina C. Hansen, well sort of. Read on, and you'll see what I mean.

First, a bit about Angelina:

I’m a sassy green alien who lives inside my Earth Host, Angelina C. Hansen. She started writing novels way before I did, but I had a story to tell, and she allowed me to amuse my potty-humored self. Angelina writes the serious stuff—contemporary and historical YA—blech! All I want is to make people laugh. I tell jokes. And I play cowboy songs on the harmonica.

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

Because in Earth years I am 10 years old. I act like a ten-year-old. I think like a ten-year old.

What types of books do you like to read?

Funny books. Laughing is the bestest.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

Eat gummy worms. Play music. Skip through the woods. Make food.

Tell us about Julius Caesar Brown and The Green Gas Mystery and how the story came to be.

The world is farting green! Who will stop the global gas crisis? This story was inspired by a breath mint commercial—the one where people’s bad breath comes out green. The commercial got me thinking. . . 

Here's a peek at Julius Caesar Brown and The Green Gas Mystery:

When a mysterious green gas crisis breaks wind, the Global Air Group (GAG) offers a million-dollar prize to the first person to discover the cause. Julius Caesar Brown dreams of winning the cash so he can pay off Jake the Snake, the blackmailing bully who threatens to ruin his chances with the cutest girl in fifth grade. But Julius can barely pass a math test, let alone solve an international scientific mystery. What he needs is money. Fast. His mom volunteers him to help the Zombie Lady. Yeah. The crazy woman down the street who every kid knows eats boys’ brains. But Miss Crabtree’s no zombie. And winning the million-dollar prize may not be as far-fetched as Julius once thought.




Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

Angelina doesn’t let me come out and play on her laptop much, so this is my first book. Maybe she’ll let me out again to write another. Maybe.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

In my super-powered brain I have many more funny stories, but like I said, Angelina’s busy working on all that young adult stuff.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Have fun! If writing’s not fun, why torture yourself?

Anything else you want readers to know?

If you need a good laugh, this is the book for you. ^_^

Where can readers find you and your books?

I’m all over the Internet and so is my book (Amazon, B&N, and all the other usual places.) If you’re ever in Northern Arizona you can stop by and say hi, but otherwise you’ll find me at

www.acehansenmg.com

Twitter

Facebook

Faery Swap Book Blast

About the Book

Title: Faery Swap | Author: Susan Kaye Quinn | Publication Date: December 19, 2013 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 281 | Recommended Ages: 10+  


Summary: Warrior faery princes can be very stubborn. Especially when they possess your body. Fourteen-year-old Finn just wants to keep his little sister out of Child Protective Services--an epic challenge with their parentally-missing-in-action dad moving them to England, near the famous Stonehenge rocks. Warrior faery Prince Zaneyr just wants to escape his father's reckless plan to repair the Rift--a catastrophe that ripped the faery realm from Earth 4,000 years ago and set it adrift in an alternate, timeless dimension. When Zaneyr tricks Finn into swapping places, Finn becomes a bodiless soul stuck in the Otherworld, and Zaneyr uses Finn's body to fight off his father's seekers on Earth. Between them, they have two souls and only one body... and both worlds to save before the dimensional window between them slams shut. Faery Swap is an action and druid-magic filled portal fantasy, told by both a runaway faery prince and the boy he's tricked into taking his place. This Prince and the Pauper meets Warrior Faeries tale is suitable for all ages.

NOTE TO TEACHERS: A 2 minute book trailer and a 9 minute Virtual Author Visit video brings Author and Rocket Scientist Susan Kaye Quinn (Ph.D. Engineering) into your classroom, sharing her background in science and engineering and talking about her book, Faery Swap. A downloadable Teacher's Guide includes discussion questions, activities, and a Knowledge Seekers card-based game designed to be played in the classroom - all aligned to Common Core reading, writing, and college readiness standards for Grades 3-6. (Virtual Author Visit can be found at Susan's website: www (dot) susankayequinn (dot)com/p/virtual-author-visit.html)  

 

Book Trailer

 

Purchase

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes and Noble

 

The Buzz

"I've seen and enjoyed this theme before, but never in a book for this age group and Ms. Quinn carries it out beautifully. The kids were fun and acted like kids, which makes them believable for all ages. The pace and action will keep readers flipping pages greedily. Also, telling the story from the two viewpoints greatly added to my overall enjoyment. Highly recommend for ages 9 and up." ~ 5 Star Review, Alan T., Amazon

"I am a 10 year old boy. My mom recommended this awesome book to me because she knows Kai Strand, who knows Susan Quinn. I was hooked from the first paragraph! This is a wonderful ( and quite thrilling) story! Good for all ages and I wish I could rate it 100 stars! ... I can definitely recommended this to almost anyone! Good job to Susan Quinn. The story is balanced neatly between Zaneyr and Finn, by Finn's perspective in the first chapter, Zaneyr's perspective in the the next, then Finn again, and so on. Great book and is a must read." ~ 5 Star Review, Red Rose, Amazon

"I LOVED this book. This is one of those books that grabs you and doesnt let you go. Susan Kaye Quinn is an awesome writer! Feary Swap is funny, well paced, and filled with adventure. It's a book no kid will want to miss. I especially loved the witty humor that kept me laughing page after page. The world building was vivid and phenomenal. I could just see this as a movie in my head. I liked how the author sneaks those educational moments in there without you even knowing it. A delightful book for old and young readers alike. Get it!" ~ 5 Star Review, Daddy's Girls Book Reviews, Amazon

 

About the Author: Susan Kaye Quinn

  Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy, which is young adult science fiction. Faery Swap is her foray into middle grade, which is her first writing love. Her business card says "Author and Rocket Scientist" and she always has more speculative fiction fun in the works. You can subscribe to her newsletter (BONUS: new subscribers get a free short story!) or stop by her blog to see what she's up to.

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* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

 

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 29, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Susan Kaye Quinn and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway