I am super excited to be a part of this awesome blog tour/giveaway hop!!
A big thank you to the hosts
Rainy Day Ramblings
&
Babbling About Books
for organising such a fun event!!
October has to be my favorite month of the year because it means Halloween has arrived!
I love this ghoulish holiday!!
I love this ghoulish holiday!!
Although we don't go all out with celebrations here in South Africa, I still enjoy the festivities, and it means there will be plenty of bloody, scary movies on the telly :)
Now onto the reason we're here!
Now onto the reason we're here!
If you haven't heard of the amazingly talented, Candace Knoebel, and her debut novel Born in Flames, then where have you been for the last few weeks??!!
The minute I laid eyes on the cover for this book I fell in love, and I kept on falling as I read it. It truly is one of my favorite books of the year and that is why I am showcasing it for this hop. I think the world needs to sit up and take notice of Born in Flames!
As one of this year’s most anticipated releases, it has been met with rave reviews (read them on Goodreads.), adding a unique and refreshing voice to the YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy genre. Debut author, Candace Knoebel, was signed to 48fourteen Publishing, in December of 2011.
As one of this year’s most anticipated releases, it has been met with rave reviews (read them on Goodreads.), adding a unique and refreshing voice to the YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy genre. Debut author, Candace Knoebel, was signed to 48fourteen Publishing, in December of 2011.
Juanita Samborski, of 48fourteen says, “Candace Knoebel's debut novel, Born in Flames, is captivating young adult novel, perfect for all ages. Each character has a striking, well-developed personality. Aurora, in her search to find herself and in her struggle with the decision to step into a world unknown to her, takes you on a thrilling adventure. Knoebel's words pull you to the edge of your seat as the first kiss between Aurora and Fenn lingers between the words. Knoebel takes you on an emotional journey that tugs at the heart as Aurora falls in love, discovers where she is from, what she is capable of, and rises above with such strength and determination that is inspiring. Knoebel paints a vivid picture with her words, as you click to the first page, you will enter the world she has created in Born in Flames.”
Praise for Candace Knoebel and Born In Flames:
“Born in Flames is SMOKIN!!” ~Kathryn, TSK, TSK, What to read?
“Candace weaves an emotional, action-packed tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat…” ~Shelley, TSK, TSK, What to read?
“This is one of my favorite books of the year and a 100% MUST READ!!” ~Terri’s Book Addiction.
“What a fantastic departure from the norm…If you’re a Sophie Jordan fan you will LOVE this book!” ~Tam’s Two Cents
Synopsis:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
There are so many amazing blogs taking part in this giveaway hop, which means a chance to win some fantastic prizes!! Check out the tour schedule:
Jess@The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow: Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci,
David Catrow (Illustrator)
October
17th:
Red
mirrored scales race up my arms as the haze of pain blurs my vision. My bones
crack, breaking to realign. I scream. It is then that the realization of my
unavoidable fate sinks in; I am of a dying race. I am dragon.
Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast .Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster mother’s doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldn’t explain. Something wanted out.
In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything she’s ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, she’s running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?
Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast .Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster mother’s doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldn’t explain. Something wanted out.
In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything she’s ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, she’s running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?
Isn't the cover the most beautiful thing you have ever seen??!!!!!
And if that synopsis doesn't draw your attention then I don't know what will...oh, wait, maybe this excerpt will entice you...
EXCERPT:
The
call of the orb was strong now that it rested in my hands. A song thrummed in
my chest as I felt the veins in my neck beating wildly. Looking at it now, the
change wasn’t as scary as I had thought it would be. Even with knowing that I
could be staring my possible death in the face. The question was—would I be
strong enough to sustain these powers given to me? Maybe I was just scared of
The Fates choosing my destiny, or maybe I was scared that what was about to
happen would forever change my life. Either way, growing up I had always hoped
that my life would mean something more than just being a foster child, but
this, this was much bigger than anyone could imagine. And what lies ahead? Well
if it’s anything compared to what I am going through now, then I expect my life
to fall into a whole new level of crazy. And I think it may be just what I was
looking for.
or better still, watch the amazing book trailer...
Candace Knoebel dreamed of being a dancer ever since she could remember.
With a love of all things art, she saw herself moving to New York and pursuing
her passion as an artist. But all that changed on October 10th 2002 when she
met the love of her life. Her dreams diverged and after marrying her high
school sweetheart and having two beautiful children, she realized she missed
her creative side.
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Born in Flames
has made it onto many Listopia
lists, check them out
and please VOTE!
VOTE! VOTE!!
Where to buy Born In
Flames:
48fourteen: http://www.48fourteen.com/catalog/born-flames
About the author:
Candace Knoebel dreamed of being a dancer ever since she could remember.
With a love of all things art, she saw herself moving to New York and pursuing
her passion as an artist. But all that changed on October 10th 2002 when she
met the love of her life. Her dreams diverged and after marrying her high
school sweetheart and having two beautiful children, she realized she missed
her creative side.
Growing up alongside the Harry Potter series, Candace found herself missing
the epicosity of a story that pulls you in and won’t let you go. In 2009, she
began dreaming up characters that would mold her first novel. Through lunch
breaks and late nights, after putting her kids to bed, she built a world where
she could escape the ever-pressing days of an eight to five Purgatory. She found
her calling in life and knew this was more than dancing could’ve ever meant to
her.
Once complete in 2010, she began the grueling process of finding a
publisher. With relentless determination, she was finally able to realize her
dream in December of 2011 when 48fourteen offered her a publishing contract.
With a HUGE yes and a happy dance, she now continues her Trilogy.
I am so honored to have Candace on my blog today for a little
Q & A :)
1. Tell us a bit more about yourself.
I guess I should start with the most important
thing about myself; I am a stay-at-home mom to two little ones-Logan (my
five-year-old) and Scarlett (my 19-month-old). They make the world go round. J I love music, art, dancing, laughing, good food, scary
movies, midnight premiers, lace, Pinterest, Tobuscus, 30 Seconds to
Mars…typical normal stuff I suppose. I have a very short attention span and
become bored quite easily… sometimes to the point of being a bit annoying.
*shrugs* Writing seems to be the only real thing that I think I’ve seen all the
way through. I own a pair of Heely’s that I love to roll around in and I have a
fetish with dying my hair. It’s currently brown with red highlights
2. Describe yourself in three words.
Quirky, kindhearted, and a dreamer.
3. What five things do you never leave home without?
Of course my cell phone and my Ipod. But also, my
sunglasses, my journal, and water.
4. What do you do when you are not writing?
I try to take care of everything else in my
life. Writing takes up a huge chunk of my time every day, so when I have free
time, I spend it with my family and friends. I also paint and create crafts for
a business my bestie and I run on the side. I’m always looking for new creative
outlets to fill my time when writing can’t.
5. Your dream was to be a dancer. Right now, if you could
choose, would you go back to your original dream or would you continue to
write?
I would continue to write… without hesitation.
I feel that everything happens for a reason. Every fork in the road is set
there for a purpose and I don’t think dancing would’ve taken me where I needed
to be. I know this because I feel complete when I write, more than I ever did
with dancing. I know that I can grow in my writing and it’s something that I
want… more than anything I have ever wanted before.
6. Who/What inspired you to write your first novel?
There wasn’t any one thing that made me sit
down and write. Nothing that I could explain at least. I had this idea in my
head around 2007 and in 2009, I decided to sit down and try it. The same thing
I do with every other experimental creative vent I try. You never know what
you’re good at until you try. I wanted to write something I would read and
would fill the void of all the other good books I had read that had come to an
end. And from there, it sort of grew into what it is now.
7. What has been your most rewarding experience on the road to
being published?
I can’t help but smile right now. It’s finding
so many people that believe in my writing. Every writer struggles with some
sort of insecurity and worry that you won’t be accepted, but when you hear that
it moves people and leaves them wanting more… I can’t think of anything better
than that. It tells me that I am on the
right path.
8. What is the best piece of advice you have been given as an
author?
To take in the good and ignore the bad. You
can’t please everyone and don’t expect to. It’s just the way the world works. Also,
don’t give up. If you want it, don’t let other’s opinions sway you from your
dream. Your dreams are all you have.
9. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
I would share the same bit of advice I was
given. Keep going for your dreams. Rejections are a part of the process. Even
the best have been rejected. It’s a rite of passage and it doesn’t mean you
aren’t good. Keep writing and keep believing!
10. Who are your favorite authors to read?
J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyers, J.R. Ward, Holly
Black… it could go on for a while.
11. How did you come up with the idea for Born in Flames?
I knew I wanted to write about a girl that was
part dragon. It just came to me… nothing specific triggered it. It took me
until 2009 until I finally sat down and made an attempt at it. I guess I just
never thought that I could actually do it. Everything else in the story (the
plot and the characters), that all came as I began writing it. That’s why it
took about a good four drafts until I felt it was ready and even after that I
still made changes to it.
12. Your novel is based in Hawaii. What kind of research did you
do regarding the setting and local folklore etc.?
I searched for a small town on an island that
had traces of a volcano. I needed the volcano for the dragons (this will be
understood in book three) and I needed the small town for Aurora’s feeling of
being an outcast to be believable. This turned out to be Kapaa Kauai. I found
as many images as I could and printed them out to familiarize myself with them
so the descriptions would be realistic. As far as the folklore, I found a
geyser known as the Spouting Horn that has a legend behind it. It’s about a
lizard family that experiences a tragedy and the geyser is the lizard’s tears.
A giant sea lizard-a dragon... it felt like fate to me, thus the beginning of
choosing Kauai.
13. Are any of your characters based on someone you know?
Yes, though it wasn’t intentional. I guess I
sort of put some of me into Aurora, some of my husband into Fenn, and some of
my best friend into Alexis. You write what you know. Those are the three main
characters to the story… so I spent the most time developing their characters
and they just flowed naturally onto the paper. Knowing them helped me focus on
the bigger things like plot and foreshadowing for the next two.
14. Who is your favorite character, and why?
Sheesh...tough question...umm...I have to go
with the main character Aurora. I relate the most to her and admire her
strength. She doesn't give herself enough credit sometimes, especially
considering her circumstance and inevitable fate that constantly threatens her
well-being. She's just fun and easy to write.
15. Which chapter was the most enjoyable/memorable to write, and
why?
I have to go with Chapter 6 – The Storm. It’s a
big moment for Rory. She not only experiences the full potential of her power
over fire, but she also starts to really understand how much Fenn means to her.
It’s more than a childhood friendship and it was fun working through that with
her.
16. I’ve said it a million times, and I will say it again. The
cover for Born in Flames is breath-taking! Tell us a bit about its creation,
and what did you think the first time you saw it?
I was speechless when I first received the
mock-up. No, more than speechless… I was trying to refrain from crying happy
tears. It had originally started with a
different girl. Her eyes were closed and she was looking up, hair blowing in
the breeze. We were then given a handful of girls to choose from and finally
decided on the cover. She most resembled what I pictured. Ravven was given the
description of her normal and her in her shift form and ran with it. She did a
fantastic job bringing her to life and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!
17. Are you working on any special projects at the moment?
Not currently. I am writing the third installment,
From the Embers, and am in the review
process for Embracing the Flames. I
do however have an idea that I can’t wait to begin when I finally see this
trilogy through. One thing at a time though.
18. Where can readers stalk you?
Twitter: @Candaceknoebel
Blog/Author site: www.candaceknoebel.wordpress.com
·
Enter using the rafflecopter below
·
Giveaway is International ( eBooks available in
ePub, Mobi. or PDF format )
·
Entrants must be 13 years or older
·
The Winner will be contacted by email 48 hours
after the giveaway ends, and will have 72 hours in which to respond.
There are so many amazing blogs taking part in this giveaway hop, which means a chance to win some fantastic prizes!! Check out the tour schedule:
October
1st:
Jenny@Supernatural Snark: Kirsty
Eagar: Night Beach
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Wendy
Higgins: Sweet Evil
Lila@Babbling About Books
Laurie@ Reader
Girls: Thomas Winship: Vaempires: Revolution
October
2nd:
Carly@Fiction Fascination Dianna
Hardy: The Witching Pen
Roxanne@ Books and Blossoms: Pride
and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen.
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight:
Freak by E.K. Henry
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's
Reading:The Fallen Boys by Aaron Dries
Heidi@Rainy
Day Ramblings: Scorch by Gina Damico
October
3rd:
Jess@The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow: Cinderella Skeleton by Robert D. San Souci,
David Catrow (Illustrator)
Roxy@RoxyKade:
Born in Flames by Candace Knoebel
Michelle@Michelle's Paranormal
Vault of Books: Book of Ember by Jessica Sorensen
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Amanda
Stevens The Prophet
October
4th:
Cassie@Gathering Leaves Brett
Talley: That Which Should Not Be Named
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's
Reading: Nightwhere by John Everson
Heather@Buried in Books: Ann Aguirre
Outpost Audiobook
Janiera@Books and Beauty: Derek the
Ghost Scary School
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: J.L.
Bryan: Jenny Pox
October
5th:
Ari@Reading
After Midnight: Mira Grant
Maghon@Happy
Tails and Tales Blog: Cambria Hebert Betwitched
Kristin@ My
Parahangover: Foretold Anthology
Aditi@Highly Readioactive: Kalayna
Price: Alex Craft Grave Witch
October
6th:
Cindy@Once Upon a Time:
Michelle Hodkin: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Veronica@Mostly Reviews Rachel Hartman:
Seraphina
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight:
Holly Barrington
Heidi@Rainy
Day Ramblings: Jennifer Martin:Don't Break the Glass: Fear Anthology
October
7th:
Lila@Babbling About Books
Catie@Forbidden Passions
Reviews Richelle Mead: The Golden Lily
Aditi@Highly Readioactive: Richelle
Mead: Bloodlines
October
8th:
Dafeenah@Indie Designz: Lizzy Ford
Jaspirit@The Readers Den Courtney Summers:
This is Not a Test
Rummanah@Books in the Spotlight:
B.C. Johnson
Jenn@JennRenee
Reads Kate Locke: God Save the Queen
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings Rhiannon
Frater: Pretty When She Dies
October
9th:
Michele@A Belle's Tales Ann Aguirre
Razorland
Candace@Candace's
Book Blog: Marrisa Marr: Carnival of Souls
Jennifer@
Passionate Book Divas: Joe by HD Gordon
Michelle@ Michelle's Paranormal
Vault of Books: Abbi Glines Existence and Predestined
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Darynda
Jones: Death and the Girl Next Door
October
10th
Cambria@CambriaHebert
Nora@Noracast
Nora Weston: Twelfth Paladin
Karla@ Book Addict Kate Douglas:
Demon Fire
Mina@Mina
Burrows Blogspot: Kresley Cole: Poison Princess
Corina@Pink Fluffy Heart: The Den of
Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Heidi@Rainy
Day Ramblings: Amber House: Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed, Larkin Reed
October
11th
Jennifer@Some Like It Paranormal:
Lia Habel Dearly Beloved
Tricia@ Tricia
Kristufek: Patricia Briggs
Atmika @I Talk Books!:
Blackbrooke: Emma Silver
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Heather
Hildenbrand: Dirty Blood
October
12th:
Diana@Offbeat Vagabond: Alan
Goldsher: My Favorite Fangs
Natausha@Dreamland: A Teenage
Fantasy
Danielle@Book
Whore: Terri Bruce: Hereafter
October
13th:
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's
Reading:Intricate Entanglement by Su Halfwerk
Aditi@Highly Readioactive:Maggie
Shayne: Mark of the Witch
Heidi@Rainy
Day Ramblings: Sean Beaudoin: The Infects
October
14th:
Prangon@The Nerd in Heels: Elizabeth
Hunter Building from Ashes
Patricia@Lady with Books: Michelle
Sagara: Silence
October
15th:
Andra@Unabridged Andra
Maria@A Night's Dream of Books
Heidi@ Rainy Day Ramblings: Cambria
Hebert: Charade
October
16th:
Christy@Love of Books: Jeyn Roberts
Melissa@Writer Grrl Reads: Michelle
Hodkin: The Unbecoming of Myra Dyer
Ana@Bookspark:Inger
Iversen:Few Are Angels
Heidi@Rainy
Day Ramblings: Rob DeBorde: Portlandtown
October
17th:
Lila@Babbling About Books
Megan@The Girly Bookworm
Nikki@Nicsquared
The Scent of Shdaows (Sign of The Zodiac #1) by Vicki Pettersson
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Ingrid
Paulson: Valkyrie Rising
October
18th:
Jenn@Indie
Supporter: Addison Moore
Suzanne@Paranormal Book Fan: Shannon
Dermott Cambion Series
Barbara@Basia's
Bookshelf: Velveteen by Daniel Marks
October
19th:
Kimmie@Kimmie's
Bookshelf: Rachel Hawkins Hex Hall
Rebecca@Kindle Fever
Kimba@The Caffeinated
Book Reviewer: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
Ana@Bookspark:
KC Neal: Alight
October
20th:
Natalie@Mindful
Musings: Simon Holt: The Devouring
Jenifer@Under
A Gray Sky: H.P. Mallory: Fire Cauldron Burn
Preet@ A Written Rhapsody: The
Evolution of Mara Dyer
Leanne@The Reclusive Reader:Sarah
Rees Brennan:Unspoken
October
21st:
Jeanette@Walking on Bookshelves: LM
Pruitt
Jenn@JennRenee
Reads
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's
Reading: Mind Games by Polly Iyer
October
22nd:
Pooja@On
Books! :Rebecca Hamilton
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Jess
Rothenberg: The Catastrophic History of You and Me
Ali@My Guilty Obsession: J.A.
Templeton
Heather@Buried in Books
Benji@The Non Reluctant Reader: Witch
Eyes by Scott Tracey
October
23rd:
Michelle@Book
Briefs: Karina Halle: Dark House
Candace@Novels, Notes and News from your
Northwest Neighbors: Kimberly Derting: Body Finder Series
Heidi@Rainy
Day Ramblings: Undead: Kirsty McKay
October
24th:
Maja@The
Nocturnal Library: Anne Aguirre: Outpost
Jenn@Indie
Supporter: Cambria Hebert
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Venom:
Fiona Paul
Kimmie@Kimmie's
Bookshelf: Laura Elliot: Shadow Slayer
October
25th:
Nick@Nick's Book Blog: Tara Fullmer:
Inbetween
Jenn@Indie
Supporter: Lizzy Ford
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Melissa
West: Gravity
October
26th:
Maghon@Happy
Tails and Tales
Shirley@Shiirleyy's Bookshelf
Kai@Fiction State of Mind:
Johnathon Mayberry
Angela@Chaotic Book Corner: Cambria
Hebert: Betwitched
October
27th:
Claire@Claire Reads Katie Alender:
Bad Girls Don't Die
Jude@ In Between: Gena
Showalter: Intertwined
Margaret@JBridger Writing: Annette
Curtis Klause: Blood and Chocolate
Aditi@Highly Readioactive:Kendare
Blake: Anna Dressed in Blood
Heidi@Rainy
Day Ramblings: Jody Gehrman: Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft
October
28th:
Rachel@Unforgettable Books: Katie
Alender: Bad Girls Don't Die Triology
Kapri@Book Fanatics: Anna Jarzab:
All Unquiet Things
October
29th:
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Rhiannon
Frater
Jen@Starry
Eyed Revue: Kendare Blake: Girl of Nightmares
Mandee@Vegan
YA Nerds
Veronica@Mostly Reviews Christopher Pike
Melissa@Melissa's Eclectic
Bookshelf
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's
Reading: JT Baroni: The Legend of Rachel Petersen
October
30th:
Elise@EC Writes:
Halloween Anthology
Katertot@A Belle's Tales R.L. Stine
Goosebumps
Laurie@Reader
Girls: Kimberly Sabatini: Touching the Surface
Michelle@ Michelle's Paranormal
Vault of Books: Vlkolak King by Rebekah Armusik
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Derek the
Ghost Scary School #2 Monsters on the March
October
31st:
Cambria@Cambria Hebert: Bewitched Novella Release
Krista@Breathe in Books: Libba Bray:
The Diviners
Blu@ Not Now...Mommy's
Reading: Brody Sommers
Monique@Monique
Morgan:Rise of the Infected Release Day!
November 1st: Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings: Wrap and Guest Post with
Darynda Jones
Thank you for stopping by!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Thank you for stopping by!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Hi Roxy, Excellent post! Loved the interview, and enjoyed hearing what Candace had to say about believing in your dreams : ) Born in Flames sounds like an interesting read, and I will be sure to check it out- I hope I win the giveaway! Thanks for sharing this book- I'm loving the Something Wicked Comes tour : ) ~ Jess
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