Kristi Helvig's Blog

It’s that time of the year, and I’m so excited to be part of the Young Adult Scavenger Hunt (YASH) yet again, where you can enter to win tons of books by your favorite authors. This time is especially bittersweet because it’s the last ever YASH which has been a bi-annual event first organized by the awesome author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! So enjoy this last hunt and give a shout out to Colleen for her hard work!

At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one book from each author on the hunt in my team! I am beyond excited to be part of #TEAMRED and see all the awesome books you can win below! Aren’t they pretty? Need help on how to play? Go here.

SCAVENGER HUNT Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve hidden my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the RED team, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!). Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify. Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the entry by the time noted below. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

This fall, we three teams of twenty authors each, and each team is assigned a color: red, blue, and purple. You can enter the hunt on all 3 teams if you want. The blog hop begins Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 29th at 12 pm Pacific Time and comes down on Sunday, Oct 4th at noon Pacific Time. It’s easy to play, and go to  the YASH website where you’ll find a list of all the authors participating as well as an answer sheet you can print off to gather the info you’re hunting for and to keep track of any bonus contests you may have entered.

Remember: Make sure to read all the way through this post to get the secret number, and to enter the bonus contest at the end of this post where I’m giving away an extra ebook copy of my newest urban fantasy, KILLER POINTE.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT: I’m thrilled to be hosting author D.S. Murphy on this leg of the hunt!

ABOUT D.S.: Derek Murphy lives in castles and writes YA dark fantasy and science fiction. He wrote his MA Thesis on Harry Potter and his PhD dissertation on Paradise Lost, and believes that “words are our most inexhaustible source of magic.” When not dreaming up epic tales with dragons, aliens, vampires, mermaids and fallen angels – either hunting or falling in love with each other – he prefers to be sipping espresso and half buried in a pile of books and kittens. Find out more about Derek on Twitter and Facebook.

The book D.S. is featuring on the hunt is Taste of Vampire, the first book in the Kingdom of Blood and Ash series.

Toxic air. Vicious Beasts. Poisonous ash falling from the sky. That’s what awaits anyone brave enough to traverse the electrified fence of the compound I grew up on. My only chance at freedom is the arrogant—and oh so handsome—Prince Damien.

Every girl wants to marry him—except for me. But, when our weekly ration of healing elixir isn’t enough to save my mother, giving myself to Damien is my only hope. But not everyone within the citadel is pleased with our elite masters… and me? I’m the key to demolishing the whole system.

Taste of Vampire

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: D.S. has several exciting things to share with you: first, the cover reveal for Throne of Vampire! Isn’t it gorgeous?

But that’s not all! D.S. wanted to share a deleted scene from Book 3 with you readers:

My head buzzed as the fading elixir withdrew from my veins. The light was too bright and there was a shadow over my bed. I pulled back in surprise, until my vision focused on Jasmine’s long curls. She was sitting next to me with a tin bowl of soup.

I recognized features of the long, furnished room built with the same black volcanic rock of the mountain, with richly woven back carpets and drapes that gave off a musty, spicy scent. The room was empty, expect for us, and my head felt clear for the first time in days.

“Camina?” I asked.

“She’s fine,” Jasmine said. “You know it would take more than riding down a cliff on a demon goat to slow her down.”

“And the others?”

“Exploring the compound. With the king dead, Damien is basically in charge, at least officially. The guards don’t seem to like it, but he is elite after all, it’s not like they can move against him.”

“He’s up?” I asked, with a sigh of relief.

“Since yesterday,” Jasmine nodded. “We fed him, a lot, but you know how they recover once they’ve tasted blood. He’s in the cellars, avoiding the sunlight, but he’s safe. It’s you everyone’s been worried about.”

I nodded, visions and memories flitting in front of my vision like hummingbirds in the dappled light from the window. Damien attacked his father for me, and then I killed him. I was everything they said about me and more, a terrorist. A monster.

The
light.

I pulled myself up and stumbled to the window. I hadn’t imagined it. The sky was blue and filled with white puffy clouds. Near the horizon, a thin silver crescent hung like a fishing hook.

“Is that the moon?” I asked, nearly holding my breath.

Jazmine nodded, squeezing my shoulders.

“It’s over,” she said softly. “No more compounds, no more choosing ceremonies. This time, we get to decide. So tell me, what would you like to do first?”

My mind immediately went to Damien, and I bit my lip, filled with guilt and shame.

A few days ago, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see him again.

I’d given myself to Trevor, because of all that he’d suffered, all that he’d done for me.

I never considered a future where I could choose who to love, but if I had, I never thought it would be the elite who chose me as his blood companion. A war was coming, and Damien was the enemy.

“What do you want?” Jazmine asked, stepping forward. “A lot of people are going to start asking this of you, to make decisions, to make plans. Before the circus starts, unless you want to be pulled into someone else’s agenda, you need to make your own choices.”

“Honestly I have no idea,” I said, pulling my dark hair out of my eyes. My face felt sticky and hot, and although someone had tried to sponge me down, most of my skin was still bruised and stained with dirt and blood.

“A shower then,” Jasmine said, pulling me up. “It’ll help you think.”

I caught her wrist but kept my feet firmly planted.

I would
have to choose.

As long as I didn’t move, I was still free.

“I feel like one of those death moths we saw earlier,” I whispered. “Going from flower to flower in search of nectar, never satisfied. Maybe I’ll end up in a ball of fire too, my wings burnt to a crisp.”

“Maybe we both will,” Jasmine said with a smirk. “We don’t know what’s going to be waiting for us back at the citadel. It’s not like there’s going to be a smooth transition of power.”

I nodded again, chewing on my lip.

Damien was the crown prince now, but the other elite wouldn’t slither away into the darkness, just because we’d gotten rid of the ash machines. The other compounds were in danger, and I knew instinctively that things were going to get worse before they got better.

Jasmine handed me a towel and a bar of soap and pushed me down the hall towards the bathrooms.

“What about you,” I asked, pulling up the thin night gown and catching my reflection in the mirror. I was thin, and pale, but still in one piece, which was a miracle. I ran my finger down the long scar across my abdomen where the king had stabbed me.

“What about me?” Jasmine repeated, watching me carefully.

“How did you know what you wanted?”

She crossed her arms and met my eyes in the mirror. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

“It’s a little like the thirst,” Jazmine said finally. “It’s not a decision you make. It’s something you feel. Sex is always a choice, or at least it should be. It complicates relationships, but it doesn’t have to. Love, is never a choice. I’m probably more attracted to men, to be honest. But Camina, I love that girl fiercely. Even if it doesn’t make sense. Even if it’s going to make life harder, for both of us. Because I’m my best version of my self when I’m with her, and I don’t want to be anything less.”

I dropped the towel and stepped into the hot shower, feeling the warm water wash away the sweat and grime. I felt like an insect shedding its skin and becoming something new.

Jasmine’s words weren’t an answer, but at least they were a compass. The anxious thoughts melted away, leaving only one, which I repeated with conviction.

Who did
I want to be?

This is a sneak peek at book 3 of my vampire dystopian series, Kingdom of Blood and Ash. Grab book one free or join my reader group for ARC’s when it’s live!

A huge thanks to D.S. for stopping by on the hunt to give us a sneak peak at his new cover which is so gorgeous that it makes me want to do 11 cartwheels!

EXTRA BONUS PRIZE on this blog stop: I’m giving away an ebook of my newest urban fantasy novel, Killer Pointe, in which a dancer plans to fund her dreams of Juilliard School in this world by serving as a hired assassin in a parallel fairytale world. Just enter a comment below by the end of YASH and I will choose one using a random number generator. Get an extra +5 entries by signing up for my newsletter here and just mention that you did that in the comment. You can check out my exclusive bonus material (the dance move that inspired my battle scene) over at fellow #TEAMRED author, MELANIE HOOYENGA.

NEXT BLOG STOP ON #TEAMRED:

You’re doing great! Now, go on to next stop on the hunt with the lovely Kaitlin Bevis.  Good hunting!

Ballerina by day. Assassin by night.

Hello lovelies!

I’m so excited to announce the release of my new urban fantasy novel, Killer Pointe. All books are a labor of love and I couldn’t have finished this one without the support of my amazing family and friends. In addition to my own daughter being a dancer, my youngest sister danced professionally in a ballet company and helped immensely with the technical aspects involved in this book. She didn’t even bat an eye when I told her I needed a ballet move that could take someone down! Congrats to Cheri R. who won a $50 Amazon gift card in the pre-order contest and to Shannon C. who won a paperback copy of the book.

Here is a little bit about Killer Pointe:

Here are the two most important things to know:

1.I am going to be a professional dancer.
2.Every fairy tale you’ve ever read is a lie.

A prince didn’t rescue Rapunzel from her ivory tower nor did a huntsman save Little Red Riding Hood from a voracious wolf.

I did.

The men might get all the credit for it but I’m the one who makes bank. Sure, the official versions of these stories are altered in books but I’m good with that. I have bigger goals—like Juilliard School type goals.

Shifting between my world, with its ballet classes and homework, to the parallel world of Liralelle, with its witches and trolls, can be jarring at times but I’ve gotten the hang of it. That is, until the day a troll crashes my Sleeping Beauty audition and I’m asked to kill the most fearsome witch of all. Yet the pay for this final job will cover my entire Juilliard tuition—if only I can live long enough to make it there.

If you love urban fantasy and assassin ballerinas sound like your kind of thing, you can grab a copy here! Happy reading and hope you enjoy it! Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter on the sidebar for info on upcoming books for 2020.

Killer Pointe cover

Hi all! It’s been awhile and I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this crazy time. I’m so excited to share my new cover for my upcoming urban fantasy novel, Killer Pointe, which releases 5/20/20. If you know me, you know that one of the things I am is a dance mom (though not the cray-cray kind as depicted on the popular show). My daughter, now a teen, has been dancing since age 4, so I’ve spent countless hours at various dance rehearsals, performances, competitions and conventions. The dancers all work so incredibly hard and I am in awe of their dedication and perseverance. This book is dedicated to them.

Here is a little about Killer Pointe:

Ballerina by day. Assassin by night.

Here are the two most important things to know:
1.I am going to be a professional dancer.
2.Every fairy tale you’ve ever read is a lie.

A prince didn’t rescue Rapunzel from her ivory tower nor did a huntsman save Little Red Riding Hood from a voracious wolf.

I did.

The men might get all the credit for it but I’m the one who makes bank. Sure, the official versions of these stories are altered in books but I’m good with that. I have bigger goals—like Juilliard School type goals.

Shifting between my world, with its ballet classes and homework, to the parallel world of Liralelle, with its witches and trolls, can be jarring at times but I’ve gotten the hang of it. That is, until the day a troll crashes my Sleeping Beauty audition and I’m asked to kill the most fearsome witch of all. Yet the pay for this final job will cover my entire Juilliard tuition—if only I can live long enough to make it there.

Pre-Order Contest: Since the book is partly about dance, I have an option for the pre-order contest in line with that. So, if you pre-order the book anytime before the release date on 5/20/2020, you can enter to win your CHOICE of either a $50 Amazon gift card OR a $50 gift card to the online store Discount Dance (my daughter LOVES that store).

How to Enter: Go to the button below to pre-order (both ebook and paperbook are available), or click here. Just email me proof of your pre-order (without personal payment info) to kristi (at) kristihelvig.com. I will announce the winner on the release day.  

Fun fact: My first “novel” was written on a cursive typewriter. I was 9-years-old. It was short.

Hello lovelies! I’ve gotten quite a few query critique requests lately in my inbox (and NaNo isn’t even over!) and one common question I’m getting is “Are you still available for query critiques?”

Yes, I am! In fact, I do many varied things within two vastly different career fields as a writer and as a psychologist, but I LOVE doing query critiques. Helping other writers is one of my favorite things and the queries I’ve seen lately have been so fun to read and edit.

As I’ve suggested before, if you’re interested in a critique from me, please read my post on Query Tips first before sending your query so it can be in the best shape possible. You will get the most out of the critique that way!

If you’re ready to query and would like a critique before you send it off to agents and/or editors, you can find all the info here. Thanks and happy querying!

It’s that time of the year, and I’m so excited to be part of the Young Adult Scavenger Hunt (YASH) yet again, where you can enter to win tons of books by your favorite authors. This bi-annual event was first organized by the awesome author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes!

At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one book from each author on the hunt in my team! I am beyond excited to be part of #TEAMPURPLE and see all the awesome books you can win below! Need help on how to play? Go here.

 

SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE
 
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve hidden my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the PURPLE team, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!).

Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the entry by the time noted below. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

This spring we five teams of twenty authors each, and each team is assigned a color. You can enter the hunt on all 5 teams if you want. The blog hop begins Tuesday April 2nd at 12pm Pacific Time and runs through Sunday, April 7th at noon Pacific Time. It’s easy to play, and go to  the YASH website where you’ll find a list of all the authors participating as well as an answer sheet you can print off to gather the info you’re hunting for and to keep track of any bonus contests you may have entered.

Remember: Make sure to read all the way through this post to get the secret number, and to enter the bonus contest at the end of this post where I’m giving away an extra prize–a paperback copy of my urban fantasy, THE WING COLLECTOR.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT:

I’m thrilled to be hosting author J.C. Welker on this leg of the hunt!

About J.K. : ​Award winning author J.C. WELKER has been, among other things, a fashion designer, a graphic designer, a filmmaker, and occasionally a kickboxer (seriously). Her recent novel THE WISHING HEART won awards in the 2016 YARWA Rosemary Awards, 2018 Athena Awards, and was a finalist for Best First Book. She continues to work towards giving a voice to stories that are needed, while facing magic and monsters along the way.

Find out more about J.K. on her website,  Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

​The book ​J.K. Welker ​is featuring is
The Wishing Heart. 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 With a book in her bag and a switchblade in her pocket, Rebel’s been thieving her way through life while hoping for a cure to fix her ailing heart.

But when the bejeweled vase she just tried to hawk turns out to be a jinni’s vessel, Rebel gets lost to her world and dragged within another. Now every magical being in the city wants the vase for himself.

Thrust into a game of cat and mouse in a world she never knew existed, Rebel must use her uncanny skills to find a way to free Anjeline the Wishmaker.

But wishes have consequences. And contracts. Anjeline’s freedom could unravel a love like Rebel has never known, or it could come at the cost of Rebel’s heart…

J.C.’s book sounds awesome! Grab a copy of The Wishing Heart here!

BONUS MATERIAL: Graphic Playlist from The Wishing Heart

A huge thanks to J.C. for stopping by on the hunt and giving us a sneak peak at her book, The Wishing Heart. It looks so cool that it makes me want 11 copies!

EXTRA BONUS PRIZE on this blog stop: I’m giving away a paperback copy of my urban fantasy novel, THE WING COLLECTOR. Just enter a comment below by the end of YASH and I will choose one using a random number generator. Get an extra +5 entries by signing up for my newsletter (right side of blog) and just mention the name you used in the comment (if different than your real name). You can check out my exclusive bonus material (a scene from the killer’s POV) over at fellow #TEAMPURPLE author, May Freighter.

When a pair of faerie wings fetch big bucks online, 17-yo Lila Kincade realizes her kind aren’t just oppressed; they’re hunted.

Next blog stop on #TEAMPURPLE:

You’re doing great! Now, go on to next stop on the hunt with the lovely Julia Day! Good hunting!

It’s that time of the year, and I’m so excited to be part of the Young Adult Scavenger Hunt (YASH) yet again, where you can enter to win tons of books by your favorite authors. This bi-annual event was first organized by the awesome author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one book from each author on the hunt in my team! I am beyond excited to be part of #TEAM PINK and see all the books you can win below! Need help on how to play? Go here.

 

SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE
 
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve hidden my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the PINK team, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!).

Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the entry by the time noted below. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

This fall we have 7 teams, and each team is assigned a color. You can enter the hunt on all 7 teams if you want. The blog hop begins October 2nd at 12pm Pacific Time and runs through Sunday, October 7th at noon Pacific Time. It’s easy to play, and go to  the YASH website where you’ll find a list of all the authors participating as well as an answer sheet you can print off to gather the info you’re hunting for and to keep track of any bonus contests you may have entered.

Remember: Make sure to read all the way through this post to get the secret number, and to enter the bonus contest at the end of this post where I’m giving away an extra prize–a paperback copy of my urban fantasy, THE WING COLLECTOR.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL:

I’m thrilled to be hosting author Cheyanne Young on this leg of the hunt!

About Cheyanne : ​

Cheyanne lives near the beach with her family, one spoiled rotten puppy, and a cat that is most likely plotting to take over the world. Her newest book, The Last Wish of Sasha Cade, releases in 2018.

​The book ​Cheyanne ​is featuring is
THE LAST WISH OF SASHA CADE. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

The day Raquel has been dreading for months has finally arrived. Sasha, her best friend in the whole world, has died of cancer. Overwhelmed and brokenhearted, Raquel can’t even imagine life without her.

And then a letter from Sasha arrives.

 

​Exclusive Content: Deleted Scene from THE LAST WISH OF SASHA CADE​ 
~ ~

I put my hand on the door’s metal handle, but before I push it open, someone presses the glass above my head and opens it for me.

It’s Zack. As much as I kind of hate him, his familiar face grounds me a little. I even let him hold open the door.

“Can we talk?” Zack asks.

“About what?” At least some of my energy is pulled from worrying about Elijah.

When I don’t say anything, he leans forward, smelling a little like the Doritos he always buys from the snack machine. His lips place a soft kiss on my forehead, and a part of my hard heart melts.

I missed this.

I hate it so much and I’m a piece of shit for feeling this way, but it is what it is.

I missed having someone kiss my forehead.

“Five minutes,” I say, giving him a look. I climb in, dropping my backpack and history textbook to the floorboard.

I’ve been here before. I miss you baby, I love you baby, please take me back. Still, I wait to hear what he has to say.

“I talked to the moms about us,” he says, gnawing on his bottom lip. The moms is what he calls his mom and her long-time girlfriend. They aren’t married, but they might as well be, since Kira has been in his life since he was five.

“It was Kira’s idea for me to go to the party and post pictures on Instagram. She said it would make you jealous and you’d want me back.”

“Worst advice ever,” I snap.

“I guess. I mean at the time I thought it would work, but then you unfollowed me so . . .”

“The only way to get me back is to be a loving, kind, caring, comforting, understanding boyfriend.”

“That’s a lot of -ings,” he says, dragging a hand over his face. “Look, Raquel, I can’t be like, the most perfect guy ever. No one can.”

“I’m not asking you to be perfect, Zack.”

“Then what can I change?” It’s the same look I’ve seen him make a thousand times. Part desperate, part annoyed. I have to wonder what he even sees in me. I move the air vent so that it faces me better and then I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t know if I can do this anymore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I have to say it, Zack. It’s true.”

His head drops, forehead touching the steering wheel. “I know we’ve had some shit in our relationship, but it doesn’t have to be over. We’re good for each other. You know this.”

“I don’t know that,” I say, my voice rising as I draw on some secret well of confidence hidden in my heart. “We have separate lives. All you care about are video games and trying to get me to sleep with you, and—”

“And what do you care about?” he says, nostrils flaring. “You like animals, and wearing flip-flops everywhere. You like shit music from boy bands, but I think it’s cute even though I hate on it, and you used to like me.”

Maybe if things were different, if I didn’t have this massive black hole of a secret to hide, maybe we could make this relationship work again. But if he thought I was distracted before with Sasha’s cancer, then he’ll really hate it now that I’m spending the next few weeks going on secret missions for reasons I can’t explain.

I don’t even notice him slide across the bench seat until he’s right in front of me. Eyes closed, lips puckered, Zack grabs the back of my head and pulls me into a kiss.

Startled, I freeze at first. But then he works his tongue between my lips and I sigh, letting him kiss me because it’ll make him happy.

But that’s just it. Does it make me happy?

He’s already got his hand slid up under my shirt before I figure out the answer.

“I can’t do this,” I say, reaching for the door handle. “I’m not ready.”

Zack sits up, groans, and slides back to his side. “Fine,” he growls. “Leave me with blue balls.”

“You did that to yourself,” I say, refusing to feel bad about it. I grab my stuff and head to my car, feeling a thousand times worse than I did before.

~ ~ 

Need this book now? You’re in luck!

 You can buy it HERE!
 Check out more on Cheyanne’s Website, Instagram, or Facebook!

A huge thanks to Cheyanne for stopping by on the hunt and giving us a sneak peak at her book, The Last Wish of Sasha Cade. It looks like an emotional read, and you might even cry 11 tears while reading it!

EXTRA BONUS PRIZE on this blog stop! I’m giving away a paperback copy of my urban fantasy, THE WING COLLECTOR. Enter by leaving a comment below and make sure to include your email [but use (at) in the email address so the bots don’t find it]. I will select a winner at random using the random number generator.

When a pair of faerie wings fetch big bucks online, 17-yo Lila Kincade realizes her kind aren’t just oppressed; they’re hunted.

Next blog stop on #TEAMPINK:

Now, go on to next stop on the hunt with the lovely Jamie Blake! Good hunting!

I was so excited when I saw there was a STEM-themed picture book coming out centered around a science-minded girl! Personally, I have an 11-yo daughter who loves researching and mixing concoctions in the kitchen to see what happens and has already said she cannot wait to take Chemistry in high school. We need more girls in science and I love that this book highlights how fun science can be. It is written by the fabulously awesome Shelli R. Johannes, along with her co-author, Kimberly Derting, who I’m sure is equally fabulous and the illustrations by Vashti Harrison are beautiful. This should be in elementary school classrooms and libraries everywhere! Read below for more about Cece and you can grab the book here!

 

Here is a little about Cece Loves Science:

Cece loves science! This STEM-themed picture book, the first in a series, follows inquisitive Cece as she poses one of life’s most pressing questions—do dogs eat vegetables? With her best friend, Isaac, Cece uses science to uncover the answer. This entertaining and educational book is perfect for readers who love Andrea Beaty’s Ada Twist, Scientist and the companion volumes. Cece’s parents say she was born asking questions. Why? How? What if? So when her science teacher, Ms. Curie, assigns a project about zoology, Cece has the perfect question: Do dogs eat vegetables? Working from their treehouse lab, Cece and her best friend, Isaac, investigate, research, and collect and analyze data, using Cece’s adorable (and hungry!) dog, Einstein, as their case study. This engaging and educational STEM picture book is just right for readers of Andrea Beaty’s Rosie Revere, Engineer, and Kobi Yamada’s What Do You Do With an Idea?

Go To CeceLovesScience.com for activities and more information Reviews “Harrison’s clean, bright illustrations add expression and personality to the story…this endearing protagonist earns a place on the children’s STEM shelf. A good introduction to observation, data, and trying again.”

(Kirkus Reviews) “Cece is a smart and curious girl who loves to get to the bottom of all her complex questions. …Harrison’s expressive digital illustrations have a lot of energy, color, and motion…A fun way to introduce scientific methods.”

(Booklist) “Words and pictures combine to make smooth blend of entertainment and education that may be useful in early elementary classrooms. An appealing concoction!” (School Library Journal)

Creators: As a child, Kimberly Derting spent hours drawing underground “worm cities” because her art skills didn’t allow her to draw arms or legs. Her hypothesis is that she’s always right…although she’s never actually been able to prove that theory. And even if you don’t laugh at her jokes, she knows in her heart that she’s hilarious.

Shelli R. Johannes never warmed up to creepy crawly bugs, but she always loved zoology and biology. In fact, she can often be found on highways and country roads saving strays and other jaywalking critters, or volunteering with animal conservation groups like the Atlanta Zoo, the Dolphin Project, and animal rescue centers.

Part author – illustrator – filmmaker, Vashti Harrison is an artist originally from Onley, Virginia. She has a background in filmmaking and a love for storytelling. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia as a double major in Media Studies and Studio Art with concentrations in Film and Cinematography. She is also the bestselling author/ illustrator of the Little Leaders series and a NAACP winner.

I’m so excited to have Joshua on the blog today to celebrate the release of his new novel, Ecosystem, which sounds amazing. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter contest at the end of the post for your chance to win a signed copy of Ecosystem! Here is the fabulous cover:

Seventeen-year-old Sarah is a Sensor, gifted with the ability to survive within the sentient Ecosystem that swept away human civilization centuries ago. While the remnants of humankind huddle in small villages of stone, Sarah uses her psychic connection to the Ecosystem to travel freely in the wild in search of food, water, and fuel. Sarah doesn’t fear the Ecosystem—but she hates it for killing her mother when Sarah was a child. When she hunts, she hunts not only for her people’s sustenance but for revenge.

Then Miriam, an apprentice Sensor, is lost in the Ecosystem, and Sarah sets out to rescue her. Joining Sarah is Miriam’s beloved, Isaac, a boy who claims to possess knowledge of the Ecosystem that will help their people survive. The harrowing journey to find the missing apprentice takes Sarah and Isaac into the Ecosystem’s deadliest places. And it takes Sarah into the unexplored territory of her own heart, where she discovers feelings that threaten to tear her—and her society—apart.

A thrilling fantasy adventure from the author of Freefall and the Survival Colony series, Ecosystem is the first book in a YA trilogy that includes The Devouring Land (2019) and House of Earth, House of Stone (2020).

About Joshua:


Joshua David Bellin has been writing novels since he was eight years old (though the
first few were admittedly very short). A college teacher by day, he is the author of three science
fiction novels for teens and adults: the two-part Survival Colony series (Survival Colony 9 and
Scavenger of Souls) and the deep-space adventure Freefall. His new book, the YA fantasy
Ecosystem, releases on April 22, 2018 (Earth Day). Josh loves to read, watch movies, and spend
time in Nature with his kids. Oh, yeah, and he likes monsters. Really scary monsters.



Joshua was kind enough to answer some questions about his newest book so I’ll let him take it away!



1) The idea of a sentient planet is fascinating and terrifying. How did you come up with the concept for Ecosystem and was it influenced at all by current events such as climate change?




I’ve always been a huge Nature geek–whether that meant playing with frogs when I was ten years old (see the photo) or, more recently, participating in environmental advocacy on issues including climate change, fracking, and so forth. Maybe this explains why, as a writer, I’ve been drawn to extreme environments–the desert setting of SURVIVAL COLONY 9 and SCAVENGER OF SOULS, the dead planet of FREEFALL, etc. So the thought popped into my head one day, “What if I set a story in a world where the environment wasn’t just threatening but was actually aware, and angry, and out to get human beings?” That led to other questions: “How would people survive in such a world? How did it come into existence?” And once I started asking those questions, I couldn’t stop until I had all the answers!




2) That’s awesome and leads right into the next question. I’m a huge research nerd, and love the research part of writing my books (sometimes to the point of procrastination), so can you talk about what research you had to do for Ecosystem and if you discovered something along the way that surprised you?




I don’t want to give too much away about the science of ECOSYSTEM, but I did do some research into the emerging field of genetically engineering natural systems. It’s kind of JURASSIC PARK territory, but not for entertainment; it’s more a matter of trying to restore ecosystems that have been critically damaged by human activities. I also had to do lots of research about existing organisms and habitats, because in the Ecosystem, lots of plants and animals that exist today have changed in ways that make them dangerous to human beings. I’d say the most surprising thing I discovered had to do with the medicinal properties of certain plants. I tweaked things for the purposes of fiction, but it was really fascinating to learn about traditional methods of healing.




3) It sounds fascinating and seems like it entailed a ton of research which takes time. I see that you also teach college classes, so how do you balance all your researching/writing time with your work without losing your mind?




Would it be safe to say that I don’t?

It’s that time of the year, and I’m so excited to be part of the Young Adult Scavenger Hunt (YASH) yet again, where you can enter to win tons of books by your favorite authors. This bi-annual event was first organized by the awesome author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one book from each author on the hunt in my team! I am beyond excited to be part of #TEAM PINK and see all the books you can win below! Need help on how to play? Go here.

SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE
 
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve hidden my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the PINK team, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!).

Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the entry by the time noted below. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

This spring we have one hundred twenty authors split into six teams, and each team is assigned a color. You can enter the hunt on all 6 teams if you want. The blog hop begins April 3rd at 12pm Pacific Time and runs through Sunday, April 8th at noon Pacific Time. It’s easy to play, and go to  the YASH website where you’ll find a list of all the authors participating as well as an answer sheet you can print off to gather the info you’re hunting for and to keep track of any bonus contests you may have entered.

Remember: Make sure to read all the way through this post to get the secret number, and to enter the bonus Rafflecopter contest at the end of this post where I’m giving away an extra prize–a paperback copy of my new urban fantasy, THE WING COLLECTOR.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL:

 

I’m thrilled to be hosting author C.M. Boers on this leg of the hunt!

About C. M. : ​Obscured  was C. M.’s debut novel. What began as a way to spend her free time slowly transitioned into a passion for writing. She’s currently working on releasing her fourth novel​, RETREAT, releasing this Summer! The best is yet to come! 

C. M. is a mother of three. She grew up in the sunshine state of Arizona with a love of reading and an ambition to write. But never took her writing seriously until after the birth of her first child. After that she took up writing more seriously in her spare time and hasn’t stopped since. 

​The book ​C​. M. Boers ​is featuring is
OBSCURED. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Abby Martin thought she was an ordinary girl about to start high school. But when her mom announces that they’re moving to Arizona, vivid nightmares start plaguing Abby’s nights. As she settles into her new school and a cute guy named Pete catches her eye, she hopes that life might somehow get back to normal. To Abby’s horror, “normal” becomes a thing of the past as she’s swept up into a world of immortal protectors wielding supernatural gifts. When Abby realizes she’s a pawn in a centuries-old feud, she must figure out who she can trust before she’s caught in the crossfire.

Prepare yourself for heart-pounding suspense in the world of Obscured, where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks in unexpected places.

​Exculsive Content: An excerpt from OBSCURED. ​ 
~ ~

“This isn’t your battle,” I whispered as I stared down at my shackled hands.

“Not my battle? You made it my battle when you and your little boyfriend made me go in front of the elders!” he shouted. “You can’t just split up friends and walk away like nothing happened! When you crossed Pete, you crossed me!”

                “Where are we going?” I asked.

                 “We are going to Colorado. When Pete is done with his meeting with the elders that’s when the real fun begins.”

                 I tried to calm myself so I didn’t upset Eli even more, but it was no use. It was happening all over again. I have been kidnapped for the second time. I braced myself on the dashboard and stuck my head between my knees in an attempt to keep my lunch down. I didn’t know what to do. If Eli were here nothing like this would have happened, and I felt guilty for even letting that thought go through my head. I should be able to take care of myself. I always have, but there was something different now. I was suddenly a walking target.

“You are going to drive me, by yourself, to Colorado?”

“That’s the plan,” he said snidely.

I sat back against the seat. I had to think quickly. Colorado was more than 15 hours away. This plan was obviously not very well thought out. How was he going to drive 15 hours without a second person to help take the load off? I wouldn’t be surprised if he fell asleep at the wheel.

Eventually I would have the opportunity to get away; at least I hoped I would. When he turned his back or stopped for gas, his guard would be down eventually, wouldn’t it?

~ ~ 

You can add OBSCURED to your To Be Read list on Goodreads!

Are you as interested in this book as I am?
Here’s how you can get your hands on it!
You can buy her book HERE!
 Check out more on her Website, Twitter, or Facebook
​ ​pages and sign up for her Newsletter so you’ll never miss out

on any important book news or updates.

A huge thanks to C.M. for stopping by on the hunt and giving us a sneak peak at her book, Obscured. It looks so good that it makes we want to jump for joy 11 times!

EXTRA BONUS PRIZE on this blog stop! I’m giving away a paperback copy of my new urban fantasy release, THE WING COLLECTOR. You can check out my exclusive bonus material (the music playlist that served as inspiration for The Wing Collector) over at fellow #TEAMPINK author, May Freighter.

When a pair of faerie wings fetch big bucks online, 17-yo Lila Kincade realizes her kind aren’t just oppressed; they’re hunted.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next blog stop on #TEAMPINK:

Now, go on to next stop on the hunt with the lovely Jaime Questell!

I’m beyond excited to announce that today is the release day for THE WING COLLECTOR!

When a pair of faerie wings fetch big bucks online, 17-yo Lila Kincade realizes her kind aren’t just oppressed; they’re hunted. Due to prejudice and hostility by humans, half-human/half-faerie Lila lives in a world where faeries are required to bind their wings in order to look like everyone else. As faerie corpses pile up around her, Lila realizes she is the prime target and must race to save herself—and all faeries—from extinction.

You can grab your copy of THE WING COLLECTOR on Amazon here (and the paperback version will be coming soon!) Also, for the next 3 days only, you can get the prequel, WINGLESS, free on Amazon. I hope you enjoy it!

To celebrate, I’m giving away this gorgeous fairy figurine and a $50 Amazon gift card. There are multiple ways to get entries and no purchase is required to win. Good luck:

a Rafflecopter giveaway