Guest Author: Emilia Ramos Samper

I'm delight to welcome Emilia Ramos Samper to my blog. She is a young author of fantasy novel, CROWN OF SCALES AND WONDER. But instead of me telling you more about this talented young lady, I'm going to let her. Please help me welcome Emilia to my blog!

The Story of a Ten-Year-Old Published Author

Emilia Ramos Samper

Hello, my name is Emilia Ramos Samper, and I am the kid author of the fantasy novel Crown of Scales and Wonder. I’m so glad to be here on Cherie’s blog sharing my experience as a young author! Since I published my debut novel, it’s been my mission to support other young writers. The most common question they ask me is: Why write so young? What inspired you to write?

Well, it all started during the pandemic. Ever since I can remember, reading and writing have been my escape from a not-so-perfect world. When I write, I become a different person in a different world. One day after virtual school, I sat down at my computer and started writing an idea that had been stuck in my head. I read it to my family during dinner, and they begged me for the next chapter. Really, I owe my writing success to my family and the quarantine.

Writing was hard, as are so many of the things we love. I would sit down every day and wouldn’t stop until I wrote 1,000 words. Throughout the course of the quarantine, I plunked out every idea in my head. Today, it has taken form as a 240-page fantasy novel with a sequel coming out next year!

While writing, I struggled with imposter syndrome quite a bit: You’re too young. You’re never going to make it as a writer. For this reason, I’ve begun to speak at schools and share my journey with other young people. It is my mission to make sure that no other kid ever feels like they’re alone in the pursuit of their dreams.

The world is a blank page. And it’s never, ever too young to start writing your story.

Crown of Scales and Wonder

Author: Emilia Ramos Samper

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

A princess of dark blood. An agent of a scarred revolution. A kingdom tormented by scale and shadow.

Blurb: In a kingdom torn apart by dark magic and a million-year war, Princess Naomi Elistaire searches for answers amidst the facade of her palace imprisonment. With an irreversible gift ready to destroy her and a martyred father buried in a web of lies, who’s to say which way fate will turn?

Deep underground, Agent Ez Shores trains everyday at the dragon base, waiting for the revolution, the day to kill the Queen. But as dangerous bloodlines reveal themselves and a seemingly suicidal mission is handed to him, Ez finds himself locked in the palace dungeons, facing the daughter of his worst enemy.

Lies.

Love.

Revolution.

Grab your copy today on Amazon!

About the author:
Emilia Ramos Samper is one of the youngest people to ever publish a novel. She published her debut novel, Crown of Scales and Wonder when she was ten and her second book is coming out this year. She has won 1st place in the LaPlume Young Writer's Contest, as well as the Literary Icon Award at the 2022 LitFest.

Connect with Emilia:

Instagram: @emiramsa ~  TikTok: @emiliaramossamper ~ Pinterest: @emiramsa 

Do you have a favorite fantasy creature?  

Dragons are one of mine!

Thanks for stopping by!

Book Tour: The Golden Frog Games by Claribel A. Ortega

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES by Claribel A. Ortega Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES (Witchlings #2)

Author: Claribel A. Ortega

Pub. Date: May 2, 2023

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Formats:  Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-GOLDEN-FROG-GAMES

Get ready for more magic, mayhem, and monstruos! From Claribel A. Ortega, author of Frizzy and Ghost Squad, comes the sequel to the instant New York Times bestselling and #1 Indie bestselling Witchlings.

Every four years, the Twelve Towns gather for a legendary magical tournament--the Golden Frog Games.

With Ravenskill hosting this year's games, all eyes are on Seven Salazar, Valley Pepperhorn and Thorn Laroux: the most famous Spares in the Twelve Towns. Thorn is ready to compete as a fashion champion, but when a forbidden hex is used to turn her fellow champions to stone, suspicion lands on the Witchlings.

As the Witchlings attempt to unravel the mystery of the stonifications, future Uncle Seven is harboring a dangerous secret: While she's supposed to be able to communicate with animals, the voices she hears most clearly belong to monstruos, and one spine-chilling voice is the loudest of all.

Can Seven fix her broken magic and find out who is stonifying the champions . . . before Thorn becomes the next victim?

Grab book 1, WITCHLINGS now!

 

Claribel talks about THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES

My thoughts...

I'm about halfway through this enchanting and imaginative middle-grade novel. It has such a fun tone, with likable characters I'd love to be friends with. There's mystery, danger, magic, and champions turned to stone! I always enjoy stories where the underdogs save the day. I'm rooting for Seven and her friends to unravel who is behind this mystery, and I'm so very curious to learn more about the monstrous.

I haven't read the first book in the Witchling series, and while it took me a little bit to learn all the characters, there is enough backstory for a reader to thoroughly enjoy this book without reading the first. But do yourself a favor, and grab Witchlings book one first, so that you or the young reader in your life can spend even more time in this magical world.

 

About Claribel A. Ortega:

Claribel A. Ortega, New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Squad, Witchlings, and Frizzy (Pura Belpre Award-winner), is a former reporter who writes middle grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she's cohosting her podcasts Write or Die and Bad Author Book Club and helping authors navigate publishing with her consulting business, GIFGRRL. Claribel has been featured on BuzzFeed, NPR, Good Morning America, and Deadline. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @Claribel_Ortega and on her website at claribelortega.com.

 

Sign up for Claribel’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE GOLDEN FROG GAMES, US Only.

Ends May 16th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/17/2023	YA Books Central	Interview/IG Post
4/18/2023	Reads by Radus	Excerpt/IG Post
4/19/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Book Drop
4/20/2023	onemused	IG  Post
4/21/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Guest Post/IG Post
4/22/2023	pluvioreads	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

4/23/2023	@bookish_cherie	IG Review
4/24/2023	laura's bookish life	Review/IG Post
4/25/2023	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
4/26/2023	For the Love of KidLit	Guest Post/IG Post
4/27/2023	Nonbinaryknightreads	Review/IG Post
4/28/2023	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post
4/29/2023	@_lbee2ndl_	IG Post

Week Three:

4/30/2023	@katherinebichler	TikTok Post
5/1/2023	@Ohyouread	IG Post
5/2/2023	Confessions of the Perfect Mom	Review/IG Post
5/3/2023	The Litt Librarian	Review/IG Post
5/4/2023	The Story Sanctuary	Review
5/5/2023	Stacialovestoread	Review/IG Post
5/6/2023	Breysreviews	IG Review

Week Four:

5/7/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
5/8/2023	The Momma Spot	Review
5/9/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
5/10/2023	@drew_ambitious_reading	IG Review/TikTok Post
5/11/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
5/12/2023	@lexijava	Review/IG Post

Book Tour & Review: Clash of Fate and Fury by Rachel Menard

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the CLASH OF FATE AND FURY by Rachel Menard Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: CLASH OF FATE AND FURY (Labors of Gen #2)

Author: Rachel Menard

Pub. Date: March 21, 2023

Publisher: North Star Editions

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 416

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/CLASH-OF-FATE-AND-FURY

Seventeen-year-old Gen may have rescued her beloved father from prison, but she hasn’t saved him yet. If she fails her end of a bargain with the Olympian Empresses, they will send him right back to his cell. To keep the Empresses happy, Gen must bring them the legendary golden apples of Hesperides and the monstrous Cerberus. But both are rumored to be in the neighboring Elysium Empire, which has a long history of war with Olympia. Making matters worse, Gen’s former enemy and newly designated heir to the isle of Arcadia Castor invites herself on the journey, hoping a golden apple could end Arcadia’s reliance on Illumium for storm vials. And Castor’s twin brother, Gen’s StormMaker boyfriend Pollux, has been pulling away from Gen due to troubles stemming from her mind magic. With Castor’s pirate-thief girlfriend and Pollux’s servant companion in tow, the unlikely team embarks on its voyage. But war is only an insult away in Elysium, and more than the Emperor has their eyes on Gen’s mission. The quest has caught the attention of one of Elysium’s Oracles, and trouble is sure to brew with Prophecy on the rise.

Grab book 1, Game of Strength and Storm now!

 

My thoughts:

I'm a few chapters in Clash of Fate and Fury and eager to read more. I read the first book about a year ago, but it was easy to jump right back into this mythological world. The games from book one are over for everyone but Gen. She either completes the potentially deadly tasks given to her by the Empresses or her father will be sent back to prison. Castor is looking for a way to save her kingdom that doesn't include marrying a man she doesn't love. Pollux is ready to separate himself from his father and kingdom forever. Seeing as Gen and Castor hate each other, this should be an interesting and fun story.

While you can probably read this book without reading book one, I suggest starting with Game of Strength and Storm. 

Click here to read my review of Game of Strength and Storm.

 

About Rachel Menard:

Rachel Menard is an author of strange and fantastical tales for teens. Her self-published novel, Steel Hand, Cold Heart won the grand prize in the 7th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published e-book awards, and her traditional debut, Game of Strength and Storm, was selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard along with its sequel, Clash of Fate and Fury, forthcoming from Flux in March of 2023. Her short fiction has been featured on the Cast of Wonders podcast and her writing tips and advice have been seen in Writer’s Digest. She lives in Rhode Island with her partner, son, and feisty cat.

Subscribe to Rachel’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive finished copies of books 1 & 2 in The Labors of Gen series, US Only.

Ends April 17th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/27/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
3/28/2023	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
3/29/2023	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post
3/31/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
3/31/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
4/1/2023	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review/IG Post

 Week Two:

4/2/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/Tiktok Post
4/3/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
4/4/2023	@bookish_cherie	Review/IG Post
4/5/2023	Emily Ashlyn	Review/IG Post
4/6/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/7/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
4/8/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review

 Week Three:

4/9/2023	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
4/10/2023	The Momma Spot	Review

Book Tour & Guest Post: Malketh and the Undead, by Dave Maruszewski

 

I'm delighted to be a part of the Marketh and the Undead by Dave Maruszewski book tour, hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dave will be giving away a $25 gift card at the end of the tour.

Please help me welcome Dave!

Guest Post: Why I write the way I do

by Dave Maruszewski

Once, a very good artist and teacher said to me, “Don’t put every detail into your painting. If you do, the people will have no way of let themselves into it.” Even though I used quotes, this is a bit of a paraphrase. Nonetheless, what he meant was that if I put in too much detail in my painting, viewers won’t be able to use their imagination to “fill in the blanks.”

The above concept is a method I have kept in a lot of my creative endeavors. It is also what I employ in my Raven, Romda and Ravai series. In these books, you’ll see scant description of the three characters appearance. Furthermore, I practice this pretty much for every personality in the books. I want you, the reader, to make a picture of each person that is specific to you.

When I talk about a sunset, I don’t want to describe it perfectly to you with wonderful style. Instead, I want to take you back to a sunset you remember and have you put it into my book. This is part of my goal to create a little bit of interaction with the reader.

Another reason that I do this is to engage readers who are less apt to love reading. These types of readers see fiction as a static, impersonal way of presenting material and not a beautiful, expressive way that book-lovers have discovered since written stories were invented.

My style can be scary. I may turn off the traditional reader. Even more intimidating, this may gain me low scores with the professional critic, who evaluates books based on traditional methods. After all, I’d like to sell books and make a small living from it. However, what if I don’t choose this way? Who will reach these youth?

We are seeing a decline in reading, and I don’t see it coming back up to levels it was at before. Maybe, it isn’t important to start all children on the classical methods of writing. They are living different times than when reading was a major form of entertainment, not necessarily used for enrichment. They may need different approaches to writing as much as they need different genres. And why not? So, they aren’t ready for Shakespeare or Milton as quickly. If they learn to read, they will learn to read more. Then, let’s see where it takes us.

Raven, Romda and Ravai: Malketh and the Undead,

Author: Dave Maruszewski

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

BLURB:

Raven, Romda and Ravai are settling into their new knightly duties well. With the Dark Beast defeated, their normal tasks almost seem mundane.

Amidst the boredom, Ravai asks, “Why does no one talk about villains from the past?”

Romda reasons, “What would be the point?”

There is a point. Even though villains may have been defeated in the past, they may still be around, waiting in the background ready to resurface once again.

Malketh has returned to the kingdom, but something is different about him this time. He is back with an entire army … an entire army of undead soldiers.

Praise

“Whether you want to read this aloud to your little one or let them explore this magical world on their own, parents can rest assured that this second installment in the Raven, Romda, and Ravai series will be a playful, whimsical addition to their bookshelves.” –The Book Review Directory

“… the squires are appealing characters, as is their comical banter.” - Blue Ink Review

A great story for the fantasy loving youth, this adventure will appeal to those who like action and humor in an easy reading environment.

Read it today!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Peek between the pages

They keep going until they hear a large rumble. A small mass of rocks fall to the ground. The three look up and see a gigantic figurine of a man holding a giant emerald. Romda puts her lantern up to the emerald, and the light refracts and bounces off the many faces such that the whole room is lit. This brings relief to the three.

Unfortunately, they notice something else. When the room comes up from the dark, Raven, Romda and Ravai notice all these eyes staring at them. The undead are here. The three are surrounded.

Perplexed, Raven, Romda and Ravai freeze. They are scared. However, the entire horde of undead does not approach them. What is wrong with them? What do they want?

At last, the undead begin to slowly stir. They begin to walk slowly. At first they seem to move in random directions. Then, a pattern to their motion becomes apparent. They move about, revealing an opening in their numbers in the shape of a small circle. That opening reveals a hooded figure. The hooded figure says…

Giveaway
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About the author:

Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family. He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son.

He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults. The Raven, Romda and Ravai books are targeted especially for children who shy away from reading. His stories are created from an accumulation of experience from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer.

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.

Book ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ NetGalley ~ Amazon

Book Blitz: The Stained Sea by Paul Carver Williams

I am so excited that THE STAINED SEA by Paul Carver Williams is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a copy of the book courtesy of  Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

About The Book:

Title: THE STAINED SEA (Omen Book 1)

Author: Paul Carver Williams

Pub. Date: March 31, 2023

Publisher: Paul Carver Williams

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 279

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-STAINED-SEA 

In the wake of a lost messiah, an oppressed religious sect known as ‘the singers of Oros’ are targeted by those in power. A lone singer calling himself Runo works tirelessly to revive the faith of his people by any means necessary. Even if it leads to bloody experiments, and cold-hearted manipulation. A young slave named Cai is called on by a philosopher to aid in a catalogue of the wealthiest families in Grecuria, starting with the owner of the library where he works. On his journey he must confront a past that isn’t his own. Lastly, Sailing on a sky ship surrounded by merchants, Mele Amahki was given passage to begin a new life. However, everything changes when their pink sky turns blue, and they find themselves in a new, unexpected world where things are much the same as back home, except her people do not exist. She finds herself thrust into positions of power, entirely unsure of what is best for her crew. Knowledge, religion, power, and blood run through the veins of the Grecurian islands. But through three headstrong individuals, the veins will be cut, and darkness will stain the sea.

 

Excerpt:

“Something has already happened to Akamai. And what— we’re to trust this, this Lili Mele in his place?”

Mele bristled, but tempered herself with a glance to Akamai, finding his eyes staring dead into hers. To her surprise, he tapped his lips. A gesture on a list he wrote. It meant she was allowed to speak freely. Mele burst from her seat and pressed her hands into the table. “Lili Mele? I am not the one who sold myself to the council of nobles in exchange for a good word with the emperor. Don’t fool yourself, Lili Takaahae, this is not the world we used to live in, and I am the most valuable asset you sniveling council of cowards has. What choice is there but to wait for now? Min needs the energy when he returns. I’d imagine tracing the edge of the land has drained his stores far lower than any of ours. Now I’m begging to return to our plans for when the search parties return. My brain has been decaying with every syllable that exits your mouth.”

 

 

About Paul Carver Williams:

An LGBTQ, Black-Latino young adult with an eclectic taste in music, Paul Williams has struggled with his identity, eventually leading to mental illness. However, with support from his siblings, he gained new confidence to express his inner emotions through art and writing. At age seventeen, he published his first book. In 2018, along with his friend, Icesis Street, Paul won the technology Student Association (TSA) 1st place State award for Children's storybooks. He is now working endlessly to carve a place for himself among the creative professionals and pave the way for other talented ‘students’ of art and literature.

In his newest book, Shadow of Hades, Williams reveals themes of grief, often what we commonly associate with death. He hopes readers are moved to examine their lives on a smaller scale, feel invited to empathize with all aspects of the world and see the magical playground that is our shared universe. The world seemed uniquely grim at the time Williams wrote Shadow of Hades, and that darkness is nuanced in the characters, however, he still provides a glimmer of hope to the readers for a world that desperately needs it and that we should all keep close to our hearts. 

Website |  https://instabio.cc/20520NQozji

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE STAINED SEA, US Only.

Ends February May 6th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway