Word Spelunking: Keeper of the Black Stones Blog Tour {Interview & Giveaway}

I'm thrilled to have the Keeper of the Black Stones Blog Tour stopping by today! Author PT McHugh is here today for an interview, plus you can win a signed copy...

Keeper of the Black Stones

by PT McHugh

2/26/13

Glass House Press

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Jason Evans, a shy, introverted high school freshman, thought that his mundane life was all there was – girls, golf, physics, and the occasional bully. Until he found out about the secrets his grandfather had been keeping from him … a set of stones that allowed them to jump through time … a maniacal madman who used the stones to shape history to his liking … and Jason’s role as one of the few people in the world who could stop that man.

Against impossible odds, a fourteen-year-old boy must take up his legacy, learn everything he needs to know within one short day, and travel helter skelter into the Middle Ages, to join Henry VII’s fight against Richard III, end the Dark Ages, and stop the man who now holds his grandfather captive. In this romp through history, Jason and his friends must race against time to accomplish not one, but two missions.

Save his grandfather.

And save the world.

WS. What three words best describe KEEPER OF THE BLACK STONES?

Adventure, friendship, and danger

WS. Can you give us your best one sentence pitch that tells readers why they must read KEEPER OF THE BLACK STONES?

Who doesn’t want to hear about a fourteen-year-old boy, his best friend, the girl of his dreams, and a heroic bodyguard traveling back in time to save the world?

WS. What inspired or influenced the story behind KEEPER OF THE BLACK STONES?

I’ve been a history buff my entire life, and I see history being ignored in the education system. I wanted to show my own children that reading and history are actually more exciting than any electronic device you can buy!

WS. Grab a copy of KEEPER OF THE BLACK STONES and answer the following:

Favorite Chapter?

That’s like asking a parent to pick their favorite child, but if I had to do it I’d say chapter 23. I can’t give it away, but I can say that we get to see Reis in action.

Favorite Page?

Actually it’s the pre-prologue that I love the most. It’s a short description of who Jason is, and what the series is all about. It was the first thing I sent the publisher, Glass House Press, and it’s what sold the story. I think it really grabs you, right off the bat.

Favorite Character?

Ironically it’s a person that wasn’t even in the original manuscript, Tatiana. She has guts and brains, and she can kick your butt. I wish I knew her growing up.

Flip to a random page and give us 1-2 sentence teaser:

“Beyond that, what are the repercussions on the world, on time itself?” he continued. “If history suddenly changes course, our entire reality will change in the beat of a heart. Will the world survive this sudden change in direction? Will we?”Fleming had gone quiet. He evidently didn’t have an argument for that bit of logic. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, although possibilities were flooding through my brain. My grandfather and one of his close friends were sitting in our kitchen discussing how to manipulate Henry VII’s future. As easy as discussing the weather.
(I cheated on this one, I gave you more than 1-2 sentences.)

WS. Can you give us any hints about what's to come in future Stone Ends books?

The only thing I can say for certain without getting in trouble with my publisher is “don’t assume you know where the second book takes place after reading the conclusion of the first.”

WS. Since your character Jason can jump through time I have to ask, if you could jump through time where/when would you go? What would you do there?

I guess it depends on the day you ask me and how I’m feeling. Right now, I would love to visit late 18th century Europe. The French Revolution was causing quit a stir, and our world was changing dramatically. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I want to live through a battle waged between Napoleon and Wellington, but I’d love to visit for a day, just the same.

WS. If you could jump into any book, which would you choose? Would you change anything in the story?

The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum) was an amazing book (so much better than the movie, which was also good). I read it in high school and could not put it down. The only thing is, I’m not sure I would want to jump into the middle of that mess … it’s much better to sit back and read from the safety of my sofa. I would not change one line in that book!

WS. As a fellow North Carolina resident I'm interested to know some of your favorite place to visit in NC? Are there any NC attractions or cities that you'd love to see but haven't yet?

There are two cities that I love the most: Boone, because the mountains are wonderful and it reminds me of where I grew up in New Hampshire, and Asheville. My wife and I love that small city, and I’d have to say it’s my favorite place in the state. The entire town has such a cool relaxing feel about it. It reminds me of San Francisco, but on a smaller scale. Incredible restaurants, coffee houses, and just a beautiful place to hang out.

WS. Fill in the blanks:I'm really awesome at___

Worrying – just ask my publisher and my wife.

I'm embarrassed to admit that___

if Karate Kid (the original) is playing on television, I’ll stick around and watch the ending for the 156th time.

The last great book I read was___

I love anything written by Robert Parker (who recently passed away), and I just put down his last Spenser Novel, Sixkill. If you have not read his Spenser novels, your don’t know what you’re missing.

The one book I think everybody should read is___

That’s an easy one and I make reference to it in book #2 – Catcher in the Rye. A must for any teenager to read!

The title of my autobiography or memoirs would be___

How one man stopped worrying about life and began to enjoy it!

WS. If you were to create and bake a KEEPER OF THE BLACK STONES inspired cupcake, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?

It would be a fudge brownie, with vanilla frosting, and covered in fresh raspberries. It would be in the shape of a book and it would taste even better than it looked (if that’s even possible).

PT McHugh

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

PT McHugh didn’t start out as a storyteller. He was, however, born into a family that encouraged imagination. He became a fan of history in school and then went to college to become a construction engineer, to build a world of straight lines, angles, and equations.

He was just as surprised as everyone else when he realized that he believed in magic, and might just know the secret of how to jump through time. Since then, he’s been researching the possibility and learning everything he can about history. Just in case the opportunity arises.

PT was born and raised in New Hampshire and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Bob, daring to dream of alternate worlds and cheering for his beloved New England Patriots.