Book Signing Tour : Jennifer E. Smith & Jasmine Warga in PH

National Book Store is bringing another duo of bestselling authors to the Philippines as they host book signing events with Jennifer E. Smith and Jasmine Warga. The first event is going to be held in The Gallery at Ayala Center Cebu on November 11, 2017 at 1 p.m., and the second in the Samsung Hall at SM Aura Premier on November 12, 2017 at 2 p.m.

Here are the information or guidelines you need to know before you attend the book signings

BEFORE THE SIGNING
1. Registration starts at 10:00 am for both events.
2. Each participant may have up to three books signed for each author (i.e. three Jennifer E. Smith books, three Jasmine Warga books).
3. Each participant may only register once. They will be given a signing pass and a stamp mark on their hand as proof of their registration.
4. Only books purchased from NBS, NBS Express, and Powerbooks will be accommodated. Please present either the official receipt or price tag of the books. Other merchandise (e.g. t-shirts, posters, journals, etc.) will not be signed.
5. Participants aged 17 and below may have one (1) parent / guardian accompany them inside Samsung Hall. However, only the child will go up on stage for the signing and photo op.
6. NBS will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible. However, should there be an excessive number of guests, NBS reserves the right to limit the number of copies per guest or limit the number of guests in line.

DURING THE SIGNING
1. Participants will be called in batches based on their signing pass numbers.
2. Official photographers will take your photo with the author/s using your smartphone, camera, or tablet.
3. No selfies with or video greetings by the author/s will be allowed.

* PR courtesy of National Book Store

Blog Tour: Karmic Hearts by Jhing Bautista (Character Interview + Review)

Welcome to my stop on Karmic Hearts Blog Tour! I have read the book few weeks ago and I had fun meeting Karmina (Mina) and Cupid, so imagine my delight when I discover that I got the chance to interview one of them. I originally wanted to interview Cupid but then I realized that that would be very spoiler-y. Good thing Mina agreed to answers my questions. So if you’d like to know more about her, be sure to check out her answers to my questions below.

Following the interview is my review for the novel, Karmic Hearts.

Also don’t forget check out the tour schedule at the end to read more reviews, Q&As, guest posts, and other fun posts.

Enjoy reading the interview!

Character Interview with Karmina Joan of Karmic Hearts

To start things off, can you please introduce yourself so everyone will know more about you?
Hello! I’m Karmina Joan. I wrote The Fall of Icarus before I got into an accident and Remembering Cupid after I woke up from the coma. And yes, Remembering Cupid was based on the dream that I had when I was in a coma.

What led you into writing? Was it a lifelong ambition, or the result of some type of turning point in your life? And why write about angels?
I’ve loved reading since I was a little kid. I used to read a lot, from novels, poems, and short stories to product brands, flyers, and advertisements. Publishing a book is one of my many lifelong ambitions. I’ve always wanted to write my own story and hold my own book, something that I’ve now achieved.
I’ve always been fascinated with angels. And when I began watching Supernatural, that fascination intensified. So I decided to write a story about them. But since my niche is romance, I incorporated romance.

Let’s say you meet Cupid today. What are the things you want to tell or ask him?
I’ll probably ask him to enumerate the reasons why he fell for me. He said so, in my dream. I don’t think I’m that special to make the angel of love himself defy the laws of heaven to be with me.

If Cupid could ask you one question about why you wrote his story the way you did, what would he want to know the most?
He’ll probably ask if the ending would be the same, the sad ending… if he didn’t insist that I change it!

What is one thing that surprised you the most about Cupid?
His naivety. He knows a lot but he still has so much more to learn. And he’s also very stubborn! I thought angels were supposed to be obedient. Apparently, he’s the exception.

If we could snoop in your room, what books would we find on your shelf besides The Fall of Icarus and Remembering Cupid?
I’m not a big fan of romance paperbacks. I like reading them online. But because I already write about romance, umay na ako sa romance. So you’ll probably find mystery/thriller and fantasy books on my bookshelf.

Are you working on any projects right now? What can we expect from you in the near future? Any other angel stories in the works?
Aside from writing articles for our company’s blogs, my boss also asked me for a personal favor. His girlfriend, who happens to be my fan, has a cousin (also my fan) who looks a lot like Cupid, but the total opposite. My boss wants me to set him up with someone, in exchange for letting me have my own page on our site. Should be easy, right? The problem is that Eros is really, really, really shy. So yeah, he’s my current project.
As for writing stories, I’m trying. But I don’t have anything solid yet. And I don’t think I’m ready to start another angel story. Need to get over Cupid first. Haha!

Personal Thoughts:

Karmic Hearts is a light-hearted, and heartwarming story about a girl who had an encounter with the Angel of Love.

Karmina Joan is a writer. She loves writing stories about love, destiny, and fate. She believes that everyone has a purpose in life, and she thought sharing her stories is her higher call. Little did she know that she has a different part to play. When the Angel of Love Cupid suddenly enters her life, she found herself playing matchmaker. She has one year to match six pairs of soulmates and fill a jar of love. Can she finished her task before the deadline?

“I figure I could use some of it in my story. It was the kind of thing that I could only imagine when I was younger. Some of my theories were downright ridiculous so I didn’t really believed in them. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t write about them to make someone else believe.”

Jhing Bautista adds in just right amounts of myths, theories, and fantasy to make Karmic Hearts interesting. She added few refreshing concepts like the love strings and mixed them with old onces – fate, destiny, soul-mates and more. There are some interesting thoughts too about love, life, and destiny which mostly from Cupid’s point of view.

“If everything is unfair in this world, then doesn’t that make it fair?”

Cupid as a character is so much fun to read. I like his sense of humor and insightful comments. Not only he is charming and witty but also smart. Though there are times that I don’t agree with his decisions, I still think that he stays true to his character, after all playing the Angel of Love means overly romantic to the fault.

The only mild complaint is the predictability of the plot. Though I haven’t read many stories with Cupid as one of the main characters, I still easily figure the twist and turns of the story. I’m only few chapters in when I guess the big twist in the end, and few more chapters about Karmina’s role in Cupid’s life. Maybe, having read too many fictions and fantasy stories makes this one easily predictable for me, but nevertheless an enjoyable read.

Overall, Karmic Hearts is a light read that is perfect for those who love cute romance. It is delightful, romantic and heartwarming. Something every romance lovers will surely enjoy reading.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Book Details:

Title: Karmic Hearts
Author: Jhing Bautista
Publisher: Summit Books, Pop Fiction
Publication Date: May 09, 2017
Pages: 241
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Love. Magic. Fate. Best-selling romance novel author Karmina Joan writes about them all. She believes that every person has a purpose, that every soul has a destiny to fulfill. She thought hers was simply sharing her stories.

Her story unfolds with Cupid, the Angel of Love himself. He brings with him a mysterious vessel and a message from on high. It turns out Karmina has a bigger purpose after all–a mission that will make or break humanity as we know it.

As Cupid teaches her the tricks of his trade, Karmina unknowingly gives him something unexpected in return–something that angel of love will find oddly familiar. This may become the one flaw in an otherwise perfect plan that destiny has in store for them.

Does love truly conquer all or are there limits to what humanity can do in the name of love? Witness as Karmina struggles to find the answer before time runs out on true love.

Book Links: Goodreads | WattPad

Follow the rest of the tour!

Update July 1st, 2017

Just drawn the winner for the giveaway. Congrats cainwrites! You won a copy of Karmic Hearts. I will be contacting you momentarily to get your details so I can send you your prize. You will have 48 hours to respond or I will be forced to choose another winner. Thank you to everyone who has entered.

The Deviants by C.J. Skuse

“As kids, we saw the magic there. We saw magic in everything. Something about growing up kicks that out of you without realizing it’s happening. ”

When you set out for revenge, dig two graves.

Growing up in the sleepy English seaside town of Brynston, the fearless five – Ella, Max, Corey, Fallon and Zane – were always inseparable. Living up to their nickname, they were the adventurous, rowdy kids who lived for ghost stories and exploring the nearby islands off the coast. But when Max’s beloved older sister Jessica is killed, the friendship seems to die with her.

Now years later, only Max and Ella are in touch; still best friends and a couple since they were thirteen. Their lives are so intertwined Max’s dad even sponsors Ella’s training for the Commonwealth Games. But Ella is hiding things. Like why she hates going to Max’s house for Sunday dinner, and flinches whenever his family are near. Or the real reason she’s afraid to take their relationship to the next level.

When underdog Corey is bullied, the fearless five are brought back together again, teaming up to wreak havoc and revenge on those who have wronged them. But when the secrets they are keeping can no longer be kept quiet, will their fearlessness be enough to save them from themselves?

Book Links: Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Personal Thoughts:

The Deviants grab me by the throat.

Just few chapters in reading C.J. Skuse’s latest novel, The Deviants I already know that I am going to like the book and that I am in for a special read. Right from the start, Ella’s story full me in with her intriguing voice. Add the atmospheric setting, and diverse cast of characters I can’t really find myself stopping even I am in need of a sleep. I almost felt bad for starting the book before bed, but then why care about sleep when I have a really good book in my hand.

In The Deviants, C.J. Skuse skillfully told a thrilling mystery which makes me wonder why I haven’t read any of her works before? If she is this good then I need to read all her previous works. Not only she produced a well plotted story in this one, but also written a beautiful and dark novel.

“…he gave me a look as if I’d given him a bunch of barbed wire to cuddle.”

At first, readers will get caught in the web of teenage drama between Ella and her boyfriend, Max. It’s a straight forward setup that can easily feel like you are reading a typical contemporary novel. But I warn you, don’t get too comfortable, because The Deviants is anything but typical. Ella and Max’s story is just the tip of the iceberg, there’s more in this book than just teenage drama or romance. I think, Skuse purposely put Ella and Max’s story in the front row, while skillfully boiling the dark parts behind the curtain. Though readers will get the feel of something is happening at the back, no one will really know what it is. Maybe you’ll guess some of it but I’m sure not all of what Skuse is planning in the end.

One of the many things that caught my attention while reading this riveting and thrilling book are the questions at the end of each chapters. It makes me wonder who is asking the questions? Because clearly Ella is talking to someone. She is telling her story not only to the readers but also to a specific person/character in the story. I have few guesses but in the end when it was revealed I am not only surprise but also at awe. It’s not totally unexpected but I think readers won’t guess it easily. It’s a brilliant surprise from the author.

Those questions at the end of each chapters also add tensions to the plot. Each of them prompt Ella not only to narrate more of her story but also makes me to read more. They are like my own questions for Ella and I am eagerly waiting for her answers which makes the book hard to put down.

Overall, The Deviants is a wonderful mystery novel that will keep readers on edge. It is brilliantly written story with a well-structured plot, atmospheric settings, diverse characters, and thrilling momentum of mystery. Readers will surely constantly asking or figuring what really is going on. And after everything is reveal and the last page is tucked close, the story will surely linger.

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* This review is based on a copy I received courtesy of the publisher, HQ, an imprint of Harper Collins UK.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.J. Skuse was born in 1980 in Westonsuper- Mare, England. She has First Class degrees in Creative Writing and Writing for Children and, aside from writing novels, works as a freelance children’s fiction consultant and lectures in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University. C.J. loves Masterchef, Gummy Bears and murder sites. Before she dies, she would like to go to Japan, try clay-pigeon shooting and have Ryan Gosling present her with the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Find CJ

Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Follow the rest of the tour

 

Blog Tour: Dr. Fell and The Playground of Doom by David Nielsen (Author Interview)

So excited to have author David Nielsen today on the blog for a quick interview about his newly released middle-grade novel, Dr. Fell and The Playground of Doom. David is nice enough to answer few questions for me about his writing experiences, inspirations and more. I hope you all enjoy the interview.

To know more about Dr. Fell and The Playground of Doom and David Nielsen, check the author’s bio and book’s description that follows after the interview.

Enjoy reading!

Interview with David Nielsen

Tell us a bit about your journey with DR. FELL AND THE PLAYGROUND OF DOOM. When did you first come up with the idea and what were the timescales involved between the first draft and the novel being accepted for publication?

The idea for Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom came from an illustration done by the late children’s illustrator Trina Schart Hyman. It was on the wall of my in-laws’ house and it caught my eye. It depicts an old man in a suit and top hat leering down at a little girl, who looks back suspiciously. On his back he’s wearing a basket out of which stick a number children’s arms, legs, and heads. Intrigued, I looked up Dr. Fell and discovered the original four-line poem written in 1680. Suddenly I wanted to know more about this character. What was he up to? What did he want? What would happen if he moved into the neighborhood?

The story came quite easily. I had the first draft in September, 2014, in about two months. From there I went through a short round of comments and edits from my friends and regular readers and sent it to my agent in October of 2014. Crown Books for Young Readers picked it up three months later in January, 2015.

As a writer, do you feel like you are writing yourself or pieces of yourself in DR. FELL AND THE PLAYGROUND OF DOOM? Why?

I don’t think a writer can help but put pieces of themselves into their work. As I was writing the story, each of my three protagonists took on certain aspects of myself, but definitely magnified. Gail trusts authority and doesn’t want to rock the boat. Jerry intensifies my nerdier elements, and also lives a bit of my childhood in being top of the class but not all that popular. Nancy is more like a tame version of my Id. She gets to be the smart alec and brat I always wanted to be, often saying what she really thinks rather than just saying what is expected of her.

Dr. Fell embodies a dark nature that we all have inside of us.

How does your previous experience as an actor influenced your writing? Does it make things easier being exposed with scripts or more of a challenge?

At first, being used to working with scripts made writing prose more difficult, because all I knew was dialogue. I was actually quite nervous when I first attempted true prose. It was only after my first few short stories got mainly positive feedback that I began to feel secure enough to attempt a larger work, such as a novel. My familiarity with dialogue is, I believe, a real strength in writing engaging work for young readers.
My acting experience also influences me as I write in how I see the scenes in my head as I write them. I visualize every moment in my story as if it were on stage, and try to capture that image and place it on the page.

If one of your characters could turn the tables on you and write a story based on your life, what would the title of that book be and what would be the first line?

The only character in the book I can imagine having the interest and patience to write a book about me would be Gail. Were she to come up with my life story, she might call it “Late Bloomer.” I imagine a first line might be something like, “For some reason, it took David over 40 years to start writing children’s books.”

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you for joining me on this journey into the slightly-dark world of Dr. Fell, I hope you enjoyed yourself. I am really quite fond of the Bad Doctor, and there are more tales about his nasty, unpleasant, nefarious deeds I hope to bring to life in the near future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Neilsen is a classically trained actor/storyteller, a journalist, and a theater/improvisation teacher for children and adults. During the Halloween season, David can be found telling spooky tales to audiences of all ages, or performing one of his one-man shows based on the stories of horror author H.P. Lovecraft. David lives in New York with his family. Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom is his first novel. Visit him at neilsenparty.wordpress.com.

 

Find David

Website | Goodreads | Twitter

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Book Details:
Title: Dr. Fell and The Playground of Doom
Author: David Nielsen
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication: August 09, 2016
Pages: 240
Format: Hardcover, eBooks, audio

When the mysterious Dr. Fell moves into the abandoned house that had once been the neighborhood kids’ hangout, he immediately builds a playground to win them over. But as the ever-changing play space becomes bigger and more elaborate, the children and their parents fall deeper under the doctor’s spell.

Only Jerry, Nancy, and Gail are immune to the lure of his extravagant wonderland. And they alone notice that when the injuries begin to pile up on the jungle gym, somehow Dr. Fell is able to heal each one with miraculous speed. Now the three children must find a way to uncover the doctor’s secret power without being captivated by his trickery.

Book Links

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

We hope you’re enjoying the blog tour for David Neilsen’s Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom! In case you missed yesterday’s post, head over to Cracking the Cover to check it out. The tour continues tomorrow on Margie’s Must Reads.

Book Signing Tour : Jennifer Niven in PH

National Book Store brings New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Niven to the Philippines for book signing events on May 28, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Northwing Atrium, SM City Cebu and on May 29, 2016 at 2 p.m. in Second Level Mega Atrium, SM Megamall.

Frequently Asked Questions

ONLY BOOKS PURCHASED FROM NATIONAL BOOK STORE, NATIONAL BOOK STORE EXPRESS OR POWERBOOKS WILL BE ACCOMMODATED.

When and where are the book signings?
May 28, 1:00 p.m., at the Northwing Atrium, SM City Cebu
May 29 6, 2:00 p.m., at the 2L (2nd Level) Mega Atrium, SM Megamall

Is there a registration fee?
No. There is no registration fee.

When will the registration be?
Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on May 28 at the Northwing Atrium, SM City Cebu, and 10:00 a.m. on May 29 at the 2L Mega Atrium, SM Megamall. Each guest will be asked to fill out the registration form upon arrival. First come, first served. Guests must present their book to get a numbered Signing Pass. The book must have either of the following as proof of purchase: Price Tag or Official Receipt from National Book Store, National Book Store Express or Powerbooks.

How many books can I have signed? Is there a limit as to how many people can have their books signed?
Each guest is allowed one (1) copy of ‘All the Bright Places’ by Jennifer Niven to be signed. Although National Book Store will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible, depending on the number of attendees, we reserve the right to limit the number of copies per person or limit the number of people in line. First come, first served.

Can I bring old books or other editions of the books?
Yes, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, National Book Store Express or Powerbooks. The books must have either the price tag or official receipt.

Do I need to buy on-site?
No. You can buy books before or during the event.

Can I have other items signed?
No. Only books will be allowed to be signed by the author.

Can we have our photo taken with the author?
Yes. There will be an official photographer from NBS who will take your photo with the author. However, we strictly allow only one photo per person.

How much are the books?
All the Bright Places (Hardcover – P649)
All the Bright Places (Trade Paperback – P439)

Blog Tour: Summer Days and Summer Nights by Stephanie Perkins (Author Interview)

I am beyond thrilled to welcome author / editor Stephanie Perkins to the blog as part of the promotional tour for Summer Days and Summer Nights, a new anthology book with twelve new stories of hope and love that is perfect for summer read. I have met Stephanie before when she visited Philippines and she is really a sweetheart. Now that I have the opportunity to ask Stephanie a few questions about this new anthology before the release date, I can’t help but remember how lively she is when answering questions. I hope you guys enjoy the interview.

To know more about Stephanie and Summer Days and Summer Nights, check the author’s bio and book’s description that follows after the interview, as well as links where to find Stephanie and where to buy copies of this new anthology book.

Interview with Stephanie Perkins

What was it like working at this project compared to the first one, My True Love Gave To Me? Is it easier to do the editing and collaborations with other authors now that you have experience from the first one? 

This one was significantly harder. The first anthology felt like a fluke—something with my friends, just for fun! A lot more planning went into this one. I’d already been a critique partner to several of the authors in the holiday anthology, so they were used to working with me. I’d already earned their trust.

With the summer anthology, I reached out to a lot of authors whose work I admired, but I didn’t personally know them as well. Relationships had to be established. That takes time. But the work was great fun, and I loved getting to know them, and it was a tremendous honor for these incredibly talented authors to have trusted me with their work. I’m so, so grateful.

Why did you decide to bring these particular authors together for this anthology?

I reached out to authors who are writing stories that I love. All of them have strong voices and—whether or not they primarily write romance—a kind and romantic heart.

The crazy and fantastic thing is that there are literally dozens of other YA authors who also fit this description. There are so many talented, inspiring writers in this industry! I had to make some tough decisions, and a lot of it just came down to keeping a balance between the genres.

And if you could pick one from the anthology authors, who do you want to spend your summer with? What are the things you would probably do?

Oh, no! What a terrible question, ha! But I’ll answer it. I WILL.

I’m gonna say . . . Tim Federle, only because his new musical Tuck Everlasting just opened on Broadway. So I’m hoping he’ll score tickets for me and the other twenty-one authors.

Your contribution to this collection is a new story featuring Marigold and North (previously seen in My True Love Gave to Me). What was it like revisiting these characters? Did you always know that there would be more to their story? Will there be more in the future?

I’m not sure if I always knew a continuation of their story was worth telling, but I did know where their future was headed. In the early days, I was working under the assumption that I wouldn’t HAVE another chance write about them, so I was trying not to think about it too much. If that makes sense.

But . . . I have a hard time letting go of characters. I always have. So when the summer anthology came to fruition, I knew immediately that I would continue their story. Now, I’m happy with how I’ve left them. In the first story, North helped to heal Marigold. This time, she helped to heal him. They’re good.

If readers could take away one thing from having read Summer Days And Summer Nights what would you hope it would be?

It always sounds corny, but . . . hope is the hope. No matter what’s going on in your life right now—and as teenagers, so much of your life is out of your own control—it will get better. You’ll get more control, you’ll get to make more choices. Make good choices. Learn from your mistakes. I promise—with every single fiber of my heart—that life gets better. There is always hope.

What can we expect to see from you next? Are there any plans of releasing a new full-length novel soon? 

My next novel is a teen slasher, which hopefully (if I finish it on time!) will be published next year. I’m having such a blast writing in the horror genre. And it’s honestly not as big of a departure as it seems. There’s still an attractive boy, an intriguing setting, and quippy friends. It just also contains a lot of murder.

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Thank you so much Stephanie for stopping by today and for answering all the questions above. I’m looking forward reading Teen Slasher next year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / EDITOR

Stephanie Perkins has always worked with books—first as a bookseller, then as a librarian, and now as a novelist. She’s the author of the international bestsellers Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, as well as Isla and the Happily Ever After. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories is her first anthology. Stephanie and her husband live in the mountains of North Carolina.

Find Stephanie

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Book Details:
Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories
Edited by Stephanie Perkins
St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication Date: May 17, 2016
Hardcover: 9781250079121 / $19.99 USD
eBook: 9781466891753 / $9.99 USD

Internationally bestselling author Stephanie Perkins brought together some of her closest friends and fellow bestselling young adult authors for the holiday anthology My True Love Gave to Me that a starred Publisher’s Weekly called “a rare holiday treat” and Romantic Times claimed “this is what all anthologies should aspire to be”. Now, she’s doing it again with SUMMER DAY AND SUMMER NIGHTS: Twelve Love Stories (St. Martin’s Griffin / On Sale: May 17, 2016), another anthology filled with twelve new stories from a superstar lineup of young adult authors. Already receiving rave reviews, this anthology is the perfect beach companion for those long, hazy summer days.

Featuring twelve brand new short stories from:
Stephanie Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss, My True Love Gave To Me)
Leigh Bardugo (Six of Crows, The Grisha Trilogy)
Francesca Lia Block (Love in the Time of Global Warming)
Veronica Roth (The Divergent Trilogy)
Lev Grossman (The Magicians Trilogy)
Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments Series)
Jennifer E. Smith (The Statistical Probability of Falling in Love, The Geography of You and Me)
Libba Bray (A Great and Terrible Beauty)
Tim Federle (The Great American Whatever)
Nina LaCour (Everything Leads to You, You Know Me Well)
Jon Skovron (Misfits, Man Made Boy)
Brandy Colbert (Pointe)

SUMMER DAY AND SUMMER NIGHTS, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

Book Links: Amazon | Book Depository | B&N | Goodreads | iBooks | Publisher