Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Laugh with Me, then Win a Book

Break ups can be messy, right? 



Yeah, I know, no demons involved, although a sparkly vampire is pretty darn close. Have you seen this video before? It cracks me up every time!

Oh, a quick heads up, I'm hanging at Kristin Smith's blog today. Come check out why I'm a TOTAL CHEATER.

AND how are you at visual teasers? They're the wave of the future. Come check this out!


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Julie Musil shared The Boy Who Loved Fire with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her eBook!

Julie's game:

1.  This California girl likes to be near the ocean, but won’t swim in it.

2. Julie met her hubby in the snack line when she was in 7th grade.

3. At 5’ 3”, Julie the tallest girl in her family.

And the lie is: 

#3. Lie: Julie is only 5’ 1, but still the tallest girl in her family. Her mom is slightly shorter than her, she has one sister who is 4’ 11” and another who tops out at 4’ 10”.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Connie Keller!


Congrats Connie!

And now to today's feature... Do you like to battle demons

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she's losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone, in the middle of nowhere - little knowing that it isn't coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons never give up, and their focus on Ash has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she's looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is. 

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be...

Pick up your copy HERE.

And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 

Emma spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing fantasy and paranormal for young adults. She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also wrote various novels and short stories. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).

Now a reluctant graduate, Emma can usually be found in front of her writing desk. Her debut novel The Puppet Spell, published by Rowanvale Books, is a fantasy tale for young adults and the young at heart, inspired by her lifelong love of the fantastical, mythology, and video games. Emma also writes urban fantasy/supernatural novels for older teens and adults. She is currently working on several projects, including the planned 5-book upper-YA/New Adult Darkworld series. The first novel, Darkness Watching, was published in 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press.

Emma likes cheddar, and can be found eating it at her desk, because her characters won't let her leave. 

Emma gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for a chance to win Darkness Watching (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, April 1, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 2.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I've scuba-dived in the Great Barrier Reef.
2. I wrote Darkness Watching while living in a cabin in the Costa Rican jungle.
3. I've never been to the USA. 

Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Have you ever had a messy break up? Do like books with demons? And are you participating the the A to Z Challenge next week? 

125 comments:

  1. That video is hilarious. She was more patient than I would have been. lol

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    1. I know! I would have hung up the instant I saw his face, but ah, fiction is so much better than reality. =)

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  2. Congratulations, Emma! The book sounds great. I'm going to guess #2 is the lie...although I hope it's true, because that sounds so awesome!

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    1. And if you don't get it right, you'll have to go buy a copy of the book, right? ;)

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  3. I love the cover of Darkness Watching and the blurb! I'm guessing #3.

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  4. I'll guess #2 as the lie. Sounds like a great book, Emma! And no A-Z for me.

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    1. Aw. Well, that's okay. We love you with or without an alphabet of insanity. =)

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  5. Love the video! And I'm guessing #1, because I really want all three to be true and nobody else has guessed #1 yet.

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  6. That's hilarious!

    Congrats to Emma!

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  7. Darkness Watching looks like a great book! I'm guessing #3.

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  8. Cool, heading over now:) Also, #2 sounds fishy to me;)

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  9. Cool book cover for Darkness Watching. Congrats on the novel. :)

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  10. Ha! Great video. I've seen MeenaKitty and Nanalew before in the SAIL by AWOLNATION video cover. They crack me up. Such expressive faces.

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  11. I think she's never been to the USA though lots of other great places. I like some demon novels but not others.

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    1. I want to say there have been a few I put down, but I can't actually recall one now that I think about it.

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  12. I'm going to say the last one is the lie.
    And Julie's family must be part Hobbit.

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  13. I'm going with never coming to the US. Best of luck to Emma, btw!

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  14. Ha-Ha! Funniest video I've seen a while. Thanks, Crystal!

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  15. You? A total cheater? I don't believe it. Heading over now...

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    1. Eek! Are you trying to say I have a rep for being honest? Okay. I'll take that.

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  16. Hi Crystal and congrats to Emma. I think the lie might be number 3.

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  17. Yay! How fun to win a book. Thanks, Crystal and Julie.

    My kids first showed me the Rhett & Link break-up video. So funny.

    As for the lie, I'm guessing that she's never been to the US.

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  18. Those guys were really good singers! And funny too! You're always filled with enthusiasm, Crystal. I don't how you do it. I always feel I'm under an avalanche of stuff to do. And when I finish a bunch -- there's always more rolling down the hill onto me. I loved Emma's book. I reviewed for her and now I'm waiting for the sequel. :)

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  19. That video - Too funny! Hadn't seen it.

    Congrats to the winner! And to Emma!

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  20. Video is not loading for me. Maybe it doesn't like my iMac? :)

    I'm guessing #3 is the lie.

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    1. =( How sad. Well, at least you get to play the game.

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  21. I wanted to drop by and thank you for your beautiful comment ... you are right one thing at a time ... goals are great because it gives us all something to work on and you are very right that we always have to persist. Have a wonderful rest of the week Crystal <3

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    1. Launna! Endure, we shall! Here's to sticking it out and eating too much cheese. =)

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  22. Hah! That video is awesome :) And Darkness Watching sounds like my kind of book! I'm guessing that #3 is the lie. Though I really have no idea!

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  23. I'm guessing No 3 is a lie! Great video.

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  24. lol Cute video. I think I'll pick #2 as the like. Did you eat fake cheese? Is that how you cheated? Guess, I'll have to stop by and see... :)

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  25. Love this video! So funny! Yes, I've had MANY break ups when I was much younger and still trying to find the "right" guy. Thank goodness I finally found him!

    Emma sounds like quite the adventurer, but I'll guess that #1 is the lie.

    Yep, I'm doing A to Z. My first time. Wish me luck!! :)

    Oh, and thanks for the shout out to your interview on my blog! And thanks for being a willing participant! :)

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    1. Ooh! Good luck. I'm looking forward to all of it. =D

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  26. Wow - Emma's had some neat adventures! I've never read a book with demons but this one sounds intriguing :)

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  27. Oh that was funny! I think everyone should have a break up song. :D
    I do enjoy stories with demons in them and I'm trying to write one as a side project....but it's in the very VERY early stages.
    Unfortunately no, I'm not doing A-Z again this year. I participated the last two years, but this year I'm just too burnt out. I'd like to take the time and just work on my writing as much as possible.

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    1. I totally understand. This is only my second year because I watched everyone else and decided it would be too much, but last year taught me otherwise. It was a blast! Still, I'm not sure how much writing I'm going to get done this month. Some, I'm sure.

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  28. Congrats to Julie. And Emma is quite adventurous! I'm going to say #2 is the lie.

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  29. That is so cool that Julie met her husband in the 7th grade. I think of the guys I knew in 7th grade and can't even imagine knowing any of them were 'the one.' Congrats to Julie and Emma on their books!

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    1. I think it's pretty cool too. Having that much history with someone would be amazing.

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  30. Hilarious video! Ha-ha!

    I never would have guessed Julie was 5' 1." Everyone in my family is short, too. I'm 5' 3" and taller than my three daughters, one sister, and my mom. My other sister is taller than me by a half inch.

    Congrats to Emma!

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    1. I'm the shortest person in my family. Period. At 5'5." That's not short, right?

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  31. I guess #2 is the lie. You have to chuckle when you hear dingleberry...

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  32. Ugh! Can't get the video to play. I hate my laptop. But I'm 5'2" and I'm the shortest person I know. I always feel like the odd woman out!

    I'm guessing #2...but I could be wrong! I can't imagine someone writing while living in the jungle!

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  33. Congrats to the winner! And good luck to Emma. Her books sounds great. I think the lie is #1.

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  34. Yay for Emma! Her story sounds creepy cool.

    I'm gonna guess #3 as the lie. Yes? No? Maybe?

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    1. Creepy cool. Do you by chance like alliterations?

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  35. I don't like to battle demons ... actually ...

    Off to see why you're a total cheater, cheese girl.

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  36. I'm guessing #2 is the lie. We shall see... But if it's #1 that isn't the lie, then you are a much braver girl than me! When I think Great Barrier Reef I think Great White! Nibbling on my toes... =/

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  37. I'm guessing that #1 is the lie! And so nice to meet you Emma! The book sounds great!

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  38. I do like books with demons, though I've never seen any two books handle demons in the same way. That's probably part of why they work so well as bad guys. ^_^

    As for break-ups... no comment.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how many different ways the exact same subject can be handled? I'm often baffled at people's raw creativity.

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  39. Connie,you are going to love Julie's book. That video was hilarious. I better bookmark it for my next break up. Emma's book sounds like a blast.

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  40. Seriously Ashlyn? Going to the middle of nowhere to escape demons? What did you do? Read City of Bones (Mortal Instruments)? Not everything demonic/supernatural happens in the cities girl. Darkness Watching has a cool cover and a nice story but I find the starring character so stupid. The video was beyond hilarious and that Chewbacca impression by the girl might not be sexy but it was spot on.

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    1. Yeah, but there are more souls to munch on in the cities, so you're more likely to stumble across them there.

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  41. The video was hilarious...I would have hung up on him!
    Emma's book sounds awesome, but I don't know which one is the lie! :(

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  42. Congrats to Emma. And sorry, but no A-Z challenge for me.

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  43. Great video and no, haven't seen that one before. So funny! Sorry, no A-Z for me either . Just won't make it *sigh* And yay, Emma! Sounds like a terrific book.

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    1. Okay, fine. We'll survive the challenge without you--but it won't be easy.

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  44. That video is excellent LOL. Congratulations to Emma! I love demon stories. I'm going to guess #2 is the lie.

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  45. I'm guessing number three is the lie, just because three is a good number.
    See you around the A to Z!
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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  46. So hard to guess, but I'm going #2 as the lie. I think I closed my eyes and threw a dart!

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    1. *dodging* That was you? Hey, try keeping your eyes open next time, eh? ;)

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  47. That breakup song tops my charts. My favorite line "But it might be me, because me decided to date you..ooo...ooo." I think about that when I'm bashing the men of my past. What does it say about my judgment? It might be me. LOL.

    #2 sounds too good to be true.

    Be well, Crystal.

    xoRobyn

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  48. Lots of good tidbits here, Crystal. I love the diversity of the content, and the chance to meet new writers and read new books. Thank you for sharing!

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  49. No, I never saw that video before, but I love it. It's a real hoot.

    Congratulations to Connie for winning Julie's book.

    Ummmm, let's say #1 is the fib. I mean, technically, someone can dive/swim in the waters around the Great Barrier Reef (how cool!) but no one can actually dive IN it, right? Right? Okay, so I'm being nitpicky, but I'll still guess number one.

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  50. No, I hadn't seen that video before.

    For the lie...#1?

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  51. Just checked out your interview at Kristin's blog! :)

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  52. I don't know, she's seems like a world traveler, so I thought about saying #3, but she does mention Australia and Costa Rica in her bio, not the U.S., so I'll go #2.

    Love that breakup video, ha!

    The Warrior Muse

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  53. I think #1 the scuba diving is the lie.
    I first noticed the fear in the woman's eyes on the cover of Darkness Watching, then the cat's eyes - not sure which was the scariest!

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    1. That sounds logical, Fanny. Wait, can I change my answer? :-)

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    2. I think your answer is locked in, Debi.

      Fanny, it's a pretty great cover, right?

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  54. Ok, that break-up song was HILARIOUS!

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  55. Hey Crystal,

    A virtual cheesy smile for you! :) All the best to Emma. She seems a busy lady. I have been to Birmingham, England and don't get me started on their accents. I have also been to Lancaster University. Although, it was for a rather drunken weekend, way back when....

    Numero uno is the lie.

    That video bored me to tears. Sorry :)

    And the A to Z! Yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Gary :)

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    1. Gary, you were only bored through the video because you would have made one ten-times wittier. =)

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  56. Hilarious video.

    Thanks for the giveaway and congrats to Emma. I think 1 is the lie.

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    1. The lady has chosen #1. Minions, record it down!

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  57. I am going with #3 being the lie. :)

    Wishing Emma the best of luck. The eyes on the cover caught my attention right away!
    ~Jess

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  58. Oh no. That song gets stuck in my head so easily! LOL

    Hooray for Emma! :)

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    1. Me too. In fact, I just have to look at this post and it starts playing in my mind.

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  59. Awww I do so hope Emma's characters allow her some wine!! Yay!!! Take care
    x

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  60. Fun video.

    Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations to Emma. I think No 1?

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Hit me with your cheese!