Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Meet MG/YA Author Lorraine Carey

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes MG/YA author Lorraine Carey and her latest book Jonathan's Locket.

First, a bit about Lorraine:

Lorraine Carey is a  veteran Children’s Reading Specialist, Teacher, and Author. She has lived and taught in Ohio, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Grand Cayman. She had a short memoir published in 2010 called Losing Ground. She has also written three novels for tweens to young adults which feature a male hero. All of them are fantasy and revolve around true historical events. She currently resides on Grand Cayman Island with her husband and dog, Matty. Her passion is reading, writing book reviews and writing Fantasy novels for tweens to young adults.

Why did you pick to write books for MG/YA?


I chose to write Middle Grade/Young adult due to the many years in working with children from all ages as a reading specialist. I read so many novels and some were of great interest to them while others would turn them off after the first chapter. They would always be asking me if we could change our pic for that week. They loved ghost stories and books about children or teens in trouble. I always said when I retire I would write books that would hopefully inspire them, especially boys.

What types of books do you like to read?

I actually love to read YA Paranormal, Fantasy and love Paranormal Romance.

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

When I am not writing you can find me reading, beaching or boating with my hubby around this beautiful island on our boat, The Angelica.

Tell us about Jonathan's Locket and how the story came to be.


Jonathan’s Locket
is a Paranormal Tale which stems from a real historical event that happened here on the island back in the 1700s. It was The Wreck of the Ten Sails off the east end of Grand Cayman. When I went to visit the monument here on the island that is in the area where the wreck occurred, I walked away thinking that there was surely a story there. I also felt a sadness in my heart.

Here's a peek at Jonathan's Locket:

Orphan Jonathan Palmer is a fifteen year old stowaway aboard the doomed ship The Convert which was part of the fleet that crashed into the reef on Grand Cayman in 1794. This famous shipwreck was known as the Wreck of the Ten Sails. Jonathan was not lucky enough to survive the wreck along with eight other seamen. Problem was, no one ever knew he was even on board.

Two centuries later strange sightings have been reported of ghost ships, screams, and eerie lights off the east end of Grand Cayman. Brandon Wallace, a troubled teen, seems to acquire a strange affliction and begins to have bizarre encounters from the sea where he befriends a mystical sea turtle who holds the secrets to the mysterious sightings as he plunges into the world of the paranormal. Here he is compelled to embark on a dangerous journey, risking his life to uncover the dark secret of Jonathan’s death. This task proves to be even more dangerous when one of Brandon’s closest friends has other plans for him.

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

My first novel was a short memoir in 2010 called Losing Ground which chronicled some of the odd experiences I had encountered leading up to a family tragedy and how I coped with it. I also have Mysteries of the Red Coyote Inn and it’s sequel, Out of the Ashes, which is a Paranormal Western set out in the mysterious Superstition Mountains of Arizona. This also is a spin on the real Lost Dutchman Gold Mine and an Apache Massacre during the 1800s.

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

I have completed a new novel called The Last Vestal Virgin, which features a young Italian American teen who learns a dark secret about herself on a visit to Rome. She must deal with an ancient Roman Goddess, an obsessed lover, and a mysterious chaperone who will lead her into a realm she never knew existed.

What advice do you have for other authors?

I still regard myself as a Newbie Author, but if I had to give advice to others it would be to form a great support group with other authors who are genuine and can guide you along the way. I have been extremely lucky in that sense.

Where can readers find you and your books?
 
Readers can visit my website for additional information on me.

All of my books are available on Amazon in Kindle and print.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Meet MG/PreTeen Author Christine Meunier

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcome Christine Meunier, author of the MG/PreTeen Free Rein Series. Can't think of any Middle Graders who don't love horses, can you?

First, a bit about Christine:


I am a Christian who loves horses and is addicted to learning as much as I can about them and passing this on to others. I love to write and consequently have combined my faith, love of horses, learning and writing into the Free Rein series, which is aimed at 8 – 12 year olds.

Why did you pick to write books for MG/PreTeens?

Many children go through a pony phase, and it’s at this age that they may be lucky enough to discover the joys of reading. I know I did! I love the idea of being able to reach this age group through my writing, and being able to teach them about horses at an age when they will devour every book they can get their hands on.

What types of books do you like to read?
 
Anything horse related. I also really enjoy novels by Lori Wick and am a huge fan of Elyne Mitchell’s Silver Brumby series.  The Bible is a must read for me on a regular basis, too.

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

Read, study, garden, play guitar and listen to music, and spend time with my husband.

Tell us about Free Reign, and how the story came to be.

Free Reign is the third book in the Free Rein series. The King family are now settled into Victoria after their move from South Australia. Young Jacqui King is having a ball learning to ride on a pony Matty that her parents have leased for her. The book is a follow on from New Beginnings and In Pursuit of a Horse and continues to explore a young rider’s love of horses, learning about them and growing in her faith.

Here's a peek at Free Reign:
 
Jacqui is having a ball with her two closest friends Geordie and Hannah. All three have ponies that they are keeping at Jacqui’s parents’ property Genesis. Over the school holidays they’re taking advantage of opportunities to spend as much time in the saddle as possible.

After a growth spurt, Jacqui is amazed to find that her teenage instructor Kara suggests that her pony Matty may be too small for her. Jacqui is devastated to think she may not be able to ride for much longer.

An unexpected announcement from her parents brings more bad news. Jacqui is sad and confused. Why would God have the family move interstate where they could set up a horse property and then take it all away?

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

As mentioned above, this is the third book in the series. New Beginnings is book one of the Free Rein series and introduces readers to a 10-year-old Jacqui King who is excited to be moving from South Australia to Victoria because of a job transfer for her father. Her excitement is purely because they are moving to a large property for lease and will be able to set up a horse business.

Prior to the Free Rein series, I released my debut novel Horse Country (www.horsecountrybook.com) which follows the lives of four young women working and studying in the horse industry. It is a large book that covers six years in the industry, enlightening the reader to what they can expect with regards to job roles, hours, travel overseas and number of horses the may be working with, if working with riding school horses, or breeding thoroughbreds. It is based on a lot of my experience over the past 10 years in the horse industry.

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

I aim to continue working on the Free Rein series to further develop the characters Jacqui, Geordie, and Hannah.  I am also working on a story where a young woman moves to a tropical island with her husband and considers the idea of importing horses and setting up a trail riding business on an island where horses don’t live, and she doesn’t speak the local language.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Be passionate about your work–the more passionate you are about sharing it with others, the more likely people will be to check out what you’ve done. Never stop networking or pursuing possible avenues of publicity. Generosity goes a long way too.

Anything else you want readers to know?

Horses are incredible animals. I love to write and hope that through doing so, I can introduce others to the joys of learning about horses. My books are written to inform as well as entertain–I hope they do so!

Where can readers find you and your books?

Head along to http://www.freereinseries.com/ for updates on the series and be sure to stop by at http://www.facebook.com/FreeReinSeries to like the series and read about updates and competitions from time to time.

The books can be purchased via the Free Rein site, or directly from http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/christinemeunier.

Tintagel, Arthur, and the Kid Lit Blog Hop #48

We went to the UK in September in search of King Arthur and those places associated with him in both fact and fiction. Our list was long, and we missed some, but one of the more spectacular sights was Tintagel Castle.

Tintagel sits on the Northern Atlantic Coast of Cornwell on an island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land,









  and then a climb up a steep stairway.












The remains of the castle called Tintagel today are from the 12th century. The stone walls and other remains are breathtaking in spite of that.






























What inspired me was the real possibly that in the days of King Arthur (300-500), this could have held a wooden castle. The location here is one of strategic importance on the coast. Renegades from the sea could be seen for some distance.

And the protected cove below would have provided a safe place to land supply ships during a seige, or a secluded hideout in the caves surrounding the bay. The one on the left is referred to as Merlin's Cave.


As I continue to work on the sequel Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend—Cedwyn's Story, I wouldn't be surprised to find this location in there!



Now, onto the Hop!

Welcome to the 48th Kid Lit Blog Hop where we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children's books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists.

This Hop brings you interviews MG/PreTeen author Christine Meunier 
and MG/YA author Lorraine Carey.

Remember, 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! We are pleased to be welcoming two fabulous co-hosts this week: Kimbra, the blogger behind The Barefoot Librarian and Tiffiny from the blog, Spark and Pook. Big welcome to Kimbra and Tiffiny!

Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!

Kid Lit Blog Hop
 

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:
Co-Hosts:
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!

Thursday, October 16, 2014



The wait is over!
Book Three of this highly-rated fantasy series is finally here!


Disgrace of the Unicorn’s Honor is the third offering in L. R. W. Lee’s well-received Andy Smithson allegorical, fantasy, adventure series for middle graders – a planned seven-book series.
In Disgrace of the Unicorn’s Honor, Andy discovers more than he bargained for when his parents reveal his mom’s past ,and he realizes she will die when he breaks the curse unless he intervenes.
Now twelve, Andy returns to Oomaldee to find its citizens on edge after many have been turned into vulture-people. Against this background, Andy and his company embark upon the next quest, to retrieve the horn of a unicorn. But not long into it, a seductive voice calls to Andy, tempting him to surrender the next ingredient in exchange for a promise to preserve his mom. Will he be able to stop the transformation of Oomaldee’s citizens? Will he jeopardize his ability to end the curse to save Mom?

Available in Kindle and Paperback




Book 1:  Blast of the Dragon’s Fury eBook is FREE. Pick up a copy at Amazon, SmashwordsKoboGoogleB&N. You can also listen to the FREE podcast of Book 1 on iTunes. It is also available in paperback.











Book 2: Venom of the Serpent’s Cunning is available in Kindle and Paperback.








L. R. W. Lee writes to teach her readers principles that can transform their lives – overcoming frustration, impatience, fear and more. She also shows why responsibility, diligence and dignity are the keys to true success in life. L. R. W. Lee lives in scenic Austin, TX with her husband, daughter and son.

Connect with L. R. W. at: Twitter   Website   Facebook