Quest for Cuh-Razy Creatures Contest!

Alright guys! It’s time for another contest! This one is also for Prophecy of the Sisters launch!

This is the Quest for Cuh-Razy Creatures Contest.

Here is what you have to do to win.

Answer this Question

What Mythological Would You Be and Why?

The more unique your creature and reasoning, the more likely you’ll be able to win!

The winner will be chosen either by me or Michelle Zink and then she will send the winner the prize.

Now for what you’ll win:

The Winner Will Win:

Prophecy Playlist DVD
Bookstore Gift Card (of choice)
Prophecy Bookmart
Prophecy Magnet
Signed Prophecy Poster
Nail Polish
Candy
Choice of DVD between: Bram Stokers Dracula and Stardust

Ends August 27th, 2009 at Midnight

So please list your creature, reasoning, as well as your email address in order to be contacted if you win!

Interview with Michelle Zink

Michelle Zink is the author of the new book Prophecy of the Sisters that has recently been released on August 1st, 2009.

You can find out more about Michelle on her on her website by clicking Here or following her on Twitter at: @Michelle_Zink

To find out more about Prophecy of the Sisters, check out my review by clicking Here.

Q: What made you decide to write Young Adult literature as opposed to Adult?
To be honest, it wasn't a conscious decision! I still feel nineteen inside and I always enjoyed the same books as my teenage daughter. There's something really honest and open about YA books that appeal to me both as a reader and a writer.

Q: How long did it take you to write Prophecy of the Sisters?
The first draft only took me about three months, but that's because I prefer to draft in total-immersion mode - i.e. writing 6-8 hours a day, every day, until it's done ver sus a little here and a little there. I don't really allow myself to go back and fix anything in the first draft until it's completely done. If I did, I'd never actually finish! So I manage to write my drafts really fast. The downside is that I have A LOT of revisions on the back end. Between my "keep moving forward" motto and my preference to write without an outline, I usually have a whole lot of work to do once a book is finished. Prophecy took me ten months to edit after that first draft was complete.

Q: Did any of the characters particularly difficult to write? Particularly easy?
Alice was a difficult character for me because I really wanted to defy the cliched black & white evil antagonist. I know from real life that its rarely that simple, and I wanted to craft a character with a dark nature that also struggled with moments of goodness. It wasn't easy! But in the end, it was one of the more satisfying aspects of the book, at least for me!

Q: What would you say is your favorite book of all time and why?
You guys are going to get sick of hearing this in my interviews, but it's White Oleander by Janet Fitch. I've just never read anything that spoke to me as powerfully as that book. I'm always surprised how many people haven't read it! They always say they've seen the movie, and I'm like, "Noooooo! It's not the same!" And it isn't. It's Fitch's writing that gives that book meaning. You have to READ it!



Q: Prophecy is based off the myth about Watchers from the Bible. What is your overall favorite Legend/Myth (besides the one Prophecy is based off of)?
Ohhhhh, that's a tough one! You're talking to a myth/legend junkie! I love pretty much every biblical legend. Demons scaaaaaare me!

Q: Sonia and Lia and Alice all have supernatural gifts. If you could any supernatural gift what would it be and why?
I would love to be able to cast spells. But I would only use my power for good not evil! I promise! Wait... does giving myself the ability to eat whatever I want and be skinny count as evil? *ponders*

Q: Most authors say that music played a big help in writing their book. Did music help you while writing, and if so any particular song or genre?
Music helps me A LOT. I write to film scores because lyrics distract me. I try to find two or three scores that capture the mood of a my next book before I start a project. It helps me tune out the noise of my house (four kids aged 10-17 - need I say more?), is a constant reminder of the atmosphere I'm trying to create, and gives me a way to instantly slip back into the writing mood of a particular book no matter how much time has passed since I last worked on it. For this book I listened exclusively to the score from The Village.

Q: Now I’ve heard that Prophecy is the first of three books. Is that true and if so, is there anything you can tell us about the other two?
It is! The second book is called Guardian of the Gate. I think of the book as "big" - not in terms of length (it's almost exactly the length of Prophecy) but in terms of feel. It's just a big adventure, a lot of action, a lot of growth for Lia and a couple of crazy twists! Oh! And a hot new guy!

Q: Is there any debut novel that you are looking forward to reading?
Oh, my gosh, there are so many! Really looking forward to The Hollow by Jessica Verday, Bedeviled by Shani Petroff, The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard, and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garci and Maragret Stohl. But that's only a teeny-tiny fraction of the books I'm waiting for!



Q: How does it feel to have a published book?
It's just.... amazing. Surreal. Crazy! My son and I used to go to the bookstore near our small town, and he remembers us browsing the YA section and me saying, "I want a book on these shelves SO BADLY!" And the other day we went in to that same bookstore and walked smack into a HUGE Prophecy display in the very same YA section. My son kept shaking his head and saying, "This is awesome." I'm hoping it's up-close-and-personal proof to my kids that dreams DO come true.

Q: Any advice for aspiring authors?
Read and write as much as you can. Silence your inner editor while working and try to just FINISH something. You'll learn more from that process than from ANYTHING else you can do, and you can always edit later. Most of all, if you really want it, don't give up. That doesn't mean write aimlessly. That means WORK to get better, to learn, to take constructive criticism. But whatever you do, don't stop writing. Because the only sure way you will fail is if you quit.

Q: Anything else you want readers to know?
Just a big thank you to those of you who have done so much to support Prophecy online! You guys have made ALL the difference, and I so appreciate those of you who believed in my book very early on and spent the past few months telling anyone who would listen that Prophecy is a great book. You're the best! <3

Thanks again Michelle for doing the interview!

Prophecy of the Sisters

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Release Date: August 1st, 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352
Overall:

Without the Keys, something terrible will happen. 
Something that cannot be undone.
And with them, I might bring an end to the riddle of the Prophecy and my strange part in it.

If Alice and I are on conflicting sides of the Prophecy, 
the Keys would be dangerous in her hands.
Which means I have to find them.
And I have to do it before my sister.


Sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe has just recently lost her father, leaving her parentless. But when a strange mark appears on her wrist, she realizes she is being branded with much more than her newfound title of orphan. Lia and her twin sister Alice are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. 



Lia hides this discovery from Alice and even from her beloved James, but to escape from the burden this secret bestows she must end the prophecy-before her sister. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the mark on her wrist, the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her, and the impact the resolution of the prophecy could have. 


This was Michelle’s debut novel, and I have to say that I really liked it. I was a little unsure when I started reading, because I usually don’t like books set in the early 1900’s or earlier, and yet the prophecy idea drew me in and I’m glad it did. There was much more paranormal to it than I expected. Filled with demons, traveling plans and spells, Prophecy was a good read.

The characters were pretty original. You have Lia, the main character, who is trying to find her place in this prophecy. She isn’t sure whether she is drawn to good or evil, and continues to fight for the one she wants, not willing to give in so easily. She is steadfast, determined and brave. In comparison, is her twin sister Alice. Alice has obviously picked a side and refuses to try to fight for the other. She prefers the simple life promised her without wanting to fight for it. However, she also shows compassion, not wanting her sister to be harmed in anyway, and constantly tries to make this happen by trying to persuade Lia.

The writing style was very unique and yet familiar. I heard someone compare it to the writing style of Jane Austen or Emily Bronte. There is a haunting, gothic feel to the writing, making you feel like you are reading about the moors of Wuthering Heights. It was fun to read a modern-style to such classics.

Overall the book was a quick, intriguing read. It had the paranormal aspect that I tend to look for and even a bit of romance. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

Who Might Like This Book:
Mythology Lovers
Paranormal Gothic-Style Lovers

Plot:

Character:

Writing:

Cover:

Contest Winner!

Alright everyone. Since my contest is now over, it is only right that I pick a winner! Using Random.org got a random number between 1 and 197 with the chosen number 35! So, starting with one and counting downward the winner of Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink is...

Kristen from Bookworming in the 21st Century

So Kristen if you'll send me an email (see address to the left) your address, I'll get your book out to you asap!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Stay tuned for the next couple days as I will be posting another contest, celebrating reaching over 50 followers! Woot. =)

Thanks everyone!

Teaser Tuesday (4)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme held by Should Be Reading and here is my Teaser for today.

"Are you coming down?" I ask her. It takes her a moment to look my way, but when she does I feel a surge of sympathy at the sheer terror still displayed on her face.

"Down? Now that I'm up here you want me to get down?" Her voice borders on hysterical.

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, Pg. 177

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Contest - Win Prophecy of the Sisters!

Alright everyone, since I have reached (and passed) 25 followers, I'm going to hold my first contest! And since I have recently won the Swag Bag contest over at Michelle Zink's site for having found the book in stores, I thought it would make a good giveaway!


Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
(Released officially August 1st, but being found daily in bookstores!)

Sixteen-year-old Lia Milthorpe and her twin sister Alice have just become orphans, and, as Lia discovers, they have also become enemies. The twins are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate and to remain in the arms of her beloved boyfriend James, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the strange mark branded on her wrist, and the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her. Debut novelist Michelle Zink takes readers on an unforgettable journey where one sister's fateful decision could have an impact of Biblical proportions. Prophecy of the Sisters is the first of three books.

To Enter:

Open to U.S. Residents and International Residents!

You Must:

Leave a comment telling me what debut author's book you are looking forward to the most!

For Additional Entries

+1 - Linking to this contest (Must leave link/+1 for each additional link up to 5)
+1 - Tweeting about this Contest
+1 - Referring someone to this contest (they must leave your name)
+2 - Following me on Twitter (thebookexplorer)
+2 - For Becoming a Follower
+3 - For already following me on Twitter
+3 - For Already Being a Follower

Good luck!

This contest ends Saturday, July 25th, 2009. Winners will be posted on Sunday, July 26th.