Interview and Giveaway: Steve Schatz, author of the YAlit Adima Rising and Adima Returning

ADIMA RISING by Steve Schatz

For millennia, the evil Kroledutz have fed on the essence of humans and clashed in secret with the Adima, the light weavers of the universe. Now, with the balance of power shifting toward darkness, time is running out. Guided by a timeless Native American spirit, four teenagers from a small New Mexico town discover they have one month to awaken their inner power and save the world. Rory, Tima, Billy, and James must solve four ancient challenges by the next full moon to awaken a mystical portal and become Adima. If they fail, the last threads of light will dissolve, and the universe will be lost forever. Can they put aside their fears and discover their true natures before it’s too late?

BOOK ONE of The Adima Chronicles: Adima Rising- Available NOW!

ADIMA RETURNING by Steve Schatz

The sacred cliff is crumbling and with it the Adima way of life! Weakened by the absence of their beloved friend James, Rory, Tima, and Billy must battle time and unseen forces to unite the greatest powers of all dimensions in one goal. They must move the sacred cliff before it traps all Adima on Earth–and apart from the primal energy of the Spheres–forever!

Aided by a surprising and timeless maiden, the three light-weaving teens travel across the planes of existence to gain help from the magical creatures who guard the Adima’s most powerful objects, the Olohos. There is only one path to success: convince the guardians to help. Fail and the cliff dissolves, destroying the once-eternal Spheres and the interdimensional light weavers known as Adima.

Like the exciting adventures of “Adima Rising,” the second spellbinding book of The Adima Chronicles, “Adima Returning,” will have your senses reeling right up until it’s across-worlds climax. Will conscious creation and the bonds of friendship be enough to fight off destructive forces and save the world once again?

BOOK TWO  of The Adima Chronicles: Adima Returning Coming Soon!

Q1. What three words best describe your books, Adima Rising and Adima Returning?

Create your sacred

Q2. Grab a copy of your books and answer the following:

Favorite chapter? My favorite chapter from Adima Rising is chapter 26: The third challenge, the power of earth. I can’t answer that yet for Adima Returning because it is still being formatted.

Favorite page? I’m particularly fond of Belecha’s words on page 237 of Adima Rising: “When there is darkness, you light a candle. If a candle is not enough, light a torch. Keep lighting candles. Get others to help. Don’t stop.”

Favorite setting/place? From both Adima Rising and Adima Returning: The web of light. I would love to actually be there, riding it, seeing energy spreading as far as I can see from each aware creative act.

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

From Adima Rising: “I’ve been watching and planning for more than 5,000 years and if you can’t activate the Stone by the next full moon, we don’t get another chance. Tag – you’re it!”

From Adima Returning: “Before the cave, we sat in a hole behind your house, held onto a rock, and flew along a web of light. You have no problem with that, but walking down a tunnel and ending up on the surface of a different place seems impossible?”

Q3. What inspired your Adima Chronicles series? How did the story come to be?

I had been to see a Native American dreaming woman. On our way home, I had a vision of a village of aware beings who were looking through the web and seeing the mistake humanity was on the verge of making: turning over the responsibility for creating the sacred to another person (a priest) and the horrors caused by giving up that essential power.

Q4. Can you tell us a bit about your four main characters, Rory, Tima, Billy, James? What makes them special?

Rory Hurtado the son of an archeologist. He’s stocky, strong, and independent with a quiet wit. He’s used to hanging out with grad students and has met tribal elders all over the world, so he knows how to be respectful but hold his own.

Billy Fuller is a math whiz with a smart mouth. He comes from a bad home, but he doesn’t let it get him down. He’s short, blond, wiry, and fast, and he tends to blurt out what he’s thinking.

Tima Clark is an artist. She likes wild colors and making her own clothes. She’s used to people noticing her; she’s the only African American in school and her mother is a well-known author. Her full name is Septima, named after Septima Clark, an early civil rights worker and educator.

James Normura is Tima’s closest friend. He lives and works on his family’s farm, which was started by his great grandfather. He likes farming, working on robotic and engineering projects, talking with Tima, and playing with Lilly, his sister. He is neat and tidy and likes things to be explained and understood.

Q5. What’s next for Rory and his friends and The Adima Chronicles?

The second book in The Adima Chronicles, Adima Returning, has the world of the Adima on edge. The Sacred Cliff, which is an essential part of their life, is crumbling. The four friends must travel to different planes of existence and work with the beings there. They also must join with the Katsinim to return the Cliff to its original place.

Q6. What is your inner mythical creature/being and why?

Usually when I seek an answer, I am met by a moose. However, it is different depending on what I face. A fox was once very helpful. Many times, when I am writing, I am guided by beings without form.

Q7. Fill in the blanks:

I’m really awesome at telling stupid jokes.

I’m really embarrassed to admit how long it takes me to write a book.

The last great book I read was Hopi Stories of Witchcraft, Shamanism, and Magic by Ken Gary and Ekkehart Malotki.

Q8. If you were to create and a bake a cupcake inspired by Adima Returning, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?

Billy’s the cook. I imagine he’d come up with something like this: Corn flour with plenty of chili to give it a surprise bite. Honey for sweet follow up. Glazed sugar icing to reflect sparkles. He’d call em “Eat ‘Em & Die” cupcakes to add a sense of adventure that no one could resist.

Steve Schatz grew up in New Mexico, where, as a teen, he dug a kiva in his backyard. He has traveled all over the US, discovering how other people see the world. He has been a tour guide, party clown, TV producer, business owner and, for the last several years a professor of learning theory. Always interested in things spiritual, a life changing experience brought him to the idea for Adima Rising and spiritual guidance during the tricky parts. He spends most of his time writing in a little house in a little town next to Yokum Brook.

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Adima Returning!

Absolute Love Publishing has generously offered both books for one winner.

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Interview and Giveaway: Janet McLaughlin, author of the YAlit Fireworks

Fireworks by Janet McLaughlin

Dreams aren’t real. Psychic teen Zoey Christopher knows the difference between dreams and visions better than anyone, but ever since she and her best friend returned from spring vacation, Zoey’s dreams have been warning her that Becca is in danger. But a dream isn’t a vision—right?

Besides, Zoey has other things to worry about, like the new, cute boy in school. Dan obviously has something to hide, and he won’t leave Zoey alone—even when it causes major problems with Josh, Zoey’s boyfriend. Is it possible he knows her secret?

Then, one night, Becca doesn’t answer any of Zoey’s texts or calls. She doesn’t answer the next morning either. When Zoey’s worst fears come true, her only choice is to turn to Dan, whom she discovers has a gift different from her own but just as powerful. Is it fate? Will using their gifts together help them save Becca or will the darkness win?

Discover what’s real and what’s just a dream in “Fireworks,” book two of the Soul Sight Mysteries!

Coming soon! http://absolutelovepublishing.com/fireworks/

Q1. What three words best describe your book, Fireworks?

Exciting romantic mystery.

Q2. Grab a copy of Fireworks and answer the following:

Favorite chapter?

Chapter 28, where Zoey takes courageous action to save her friend but then feels angst over what she has just done.

Favorite page?

The last page. It’s “truly fireworks,” and I guess I’m an incurable romantic at heart.

Favorite setting/place?

The Moretti kitchen where I can almost smell the aroma of Maria’s sauce. I may not like to cook, but I love to eat!

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

Dan and the bald man are walking across the deck. He has a gun pressed against Dan’s back!

Q3. What inspired your Soul Sight Mysteries series? How did the story come to be?

I love telling this story. My husband and I published several local magazines. As publisher/editor, I was in the position to do any type of interview I wanted. We had a Body/Mind/Spirit section so I sought out several intuitives that lived in the area. (Sarasota, Florida, has a very active spiritual community.) All of the intuitives I interviewed had issues as teens with their gift. Even their families didn’t believe in them. So they would hide it, or fight it, or even “forget” about their gift only, to embrace it later in life. Their stories were the inspiration for my character, Zoey.

Q4. Can you tell us a bit about your heroine, Zoey? What makes her special, and what do you love about her?

Zoey Christopher is the girl I always wanted to be. Imagine having the ability to help people by “seeing” the potential future and doing all you can to stave off danger and save the day. (I say “potential” because our free will means everything on earth is subject to change.) I admire her innate honesty with herself and others, her kindness, and her humility—all things I strive for and so often fall short of accomplishing. But I can do all things through Zoey!

Q5. If you were psychic, like Zoey, what would you use your abilities for?

I sincerely hope I would do as Zoey does and use them for the good of others. She’s the better half of me.

Q6. What’s next for Zoey and the Soul Sight Mysteries?

I’ve just started on the next book in the series, but where would be the mystery if I gave it away here? Let’s just say there’s romance, angst, tragedy, and—of course—resolution in the end, with maybe just a hint of a new problem to come in the future.

Q7. Fill in the blanks:

I’m really awesome at being a loyal friend.

I’m really embarrassed to admit that I’m—here goes—sigh—vain.

The last great book I read was the entire Harry Potter series.

Q8. If you were to create and a bake a cupcake inspired by Fireworks what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?

Oh no! I’m a horrible cook! Okay, it would be BIG, because I love cupcakes. It would be chocolate with swirls of color in the icing, because fireworks are set off at night (hence the chocolate) and colorful. Someone else would bake it so it would be delicious. I would call it “Dan’s Secret.”

Janet McLaughlin is the author of the Soul Sight Mysteries series, including “Haunted Echo” and “Fireworks.” She has been involved in the communication field most of her adult life as a writer, editor, and teacher. Her love of mysteries and the mystical are evident in her novels. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Florida Writers Association. She lives in Florida with her husband, Tom, and along with writing enjoys playing tennis, walking, traveling, and meeting people.

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Guest Post & Giveaway: Irma the Inventor by Kim Kasch

Irma the Inventor

By Kim Kasch

How many kids do you know who can build robotic spiders out of scrap metal, develop a substance that’s stronger than steel, or crash a cyber-wizard's computer from an undetectable monitor? Irma the Inventor can but all she really wants is to make some friends and blend in. But, no matter how hard she tries, Irma always seems to stand out—NOT in a good way.

Irma’s minions bring back thoughts of Terminator…okay in a much less lethal way, but who wouldn’t want to be able to build their own personal bodyguard or create a pet that will live forever?

Those are the sorts of questions Irma the Inventor asks and then answers. That’s a good thing because women are lagging far behind men when it comes to careers in computer science. And robotics is an interesting field that blends mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science together and manages to spit out a mechanical (wo)man in the end.

Irma the Inventor just might inspire a few young girls to study a career in the S.T.E.M. fields because Irma actually creatures her own robotic creatures and (SPOILER ALERT) even ends up a hero by the end of the story.

So, if you’re interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math you might just fall in love with IRMA THE INVENTOR and, even if you aren’t interested in anything S.T.E.M. related, you might enjoy this story of surprising friendships and even learn a thing or three all while laughing on the journey through middle school mania.

I want to send a HUGE shout out to Aeicha for giving me the opportunity to share Irma the Inventor in a post for Word Spelunking. And I’m hoping Irma will help inspire a few of you to read more…maybe even something about S.T.E.M. careers.

See, I'm a writer who grew up in a family with 9 kids and only 1 t.v. so I spent my days reading and, later, writing. I love books. . .maybe because I never got to pick t.v. shows we watched. But I’d run home after school to catch the last fifteen minutes of Dark Shadows...

 I still love to run...and read. My favorite romance novels are The Hunger Games...okay, I know, it's a survival book but it's really all about romance. Then there were the series: Twilight, Fifty Shades, and more but I also love paranormal, Horror and even light books like Dewey the Small Town Library Cat... Mainly, I just love to read. . . and write.

Sorry to be so long-winded but did I say I love to write? ...and talk and...knit, and sew, and bake... I could go on but I'll stop by saying, I hope you’ll stop by my blog and say “Hi” or send me a shout-out on Instagram or twitter.

But, most of  all,  I want to say thanks for spending a few minutes with me listening to me talk about Irma the Inventor.

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Join me on Twitter or stop by and see what I'm pinning on  Pinterest and, if you read Irma the Inventor and have a question or simply want to share a comment, please feel free to send me an email. I love connecting with readers.

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Win an Irma the Inventor prize pack filled with science experiment goodies for kids and a copy of the book, from Kim Kasch!

(prize provided by and shipped from author)

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Picture Book Reviews + win Found Dogs by Erica Sirotich (giveaway)

I have three wonderful picture books from Penguin Random House to share with y'all today! Plus, there's a giveaway...

Here Comes Teacher Cat

By Deborah Underwood

Illustrated by Claudia Rueda

August 8, 2017

Dial Books

It's back to school for the New York Times bestselling Cat when he steps in as a substitute teacher.

Cat is not pleased to be tapped as substitute teacher. Not only is it cutting into his naptime, but a roomful of kittens is a little, well, scary. At school, he's faced with six adorable kittens and follows the lesson plan of music, building, and painting--only in pure, mischief-making Cat style. By the end, Cat has learned a thing or two about inspiring others by being himself. But even more heart-melting and humorous is what the kittens have learned from Cat.

Goodreads / PRH

Deborah Underwood returns to her adorable and hilarious picture book series about Cat, with Here Comes Teacher Cat. Cat finds himself playing the role of substitute teacher for a classroom full of kittens...and really, he'd rather be napping. But soon Cat finds that even though being a teacher is hard work, it's also kind of fun!

With her signature sparse, yet pitch-perfect text, Underwood will charm and entertain little readers with silly, giggle-inducing humor and antics. Readers will love joining Cat and his kitty students as they play music, build, and create unforgettable art. And Rueda's engaging illustrations, with their soft and whimsical palette, and lively depictions, make for the perfect companion to Underwood's text.

Lexie the Word Wrangler

By Rebecca Van Slyke

Illustrated by Jessie Hartland

April 4, 2017

Nancy Paulsen Books

Lexie is the best wrangler west of the Mississippi, word wrangler, that is. She watches over baby letters while they grow into words and ties shorter words together into longer ones; she herds words into sentences, hitches sentences together, and pens them all in to tell a story. But lately, something seems off at the ranch. First the "d" goes missing from her "bandana," leaving her with a "banana" to tie around her neck, and soon afterward every "S-T-A-R" in the sky turns into "R-A-T-S." There's no doubt about it there's a word rustler causing this ruckus, and Lexie plans to track him down.

Goodreads / PHR

In Rebecca Van Slyke's Lexie the Word Wrangler, cowgirl Lexie is the best word wrangler around, but when someone starts messing with her words, she must make sure justice is done!

Lexie the Word Wrangler is a clever and witty tale that encourages little readers to explore the world of letters, words, and reading. With endearing, fun cowgirl and cowboy "talk", a creative and imaginative plot, a precocious and lovable heroine, and Hartland's childlike and sweet illustrations, Lexie the Word Wrangler is sure to entertain and educate eager little readers!

Found Dogs

By Erica Sirotich

July 18, 2017

Dial

For fans of Sandra Boynton’s Doggies and a perfect fit for every preschooler’s library, this adorable rhyming and counting book tallies up all the dogs at the shelter, and then counts backward as the pups are adopted.

Babies and toddlers will delight in counting up each wriggly, wraggly rescue pup and then counting back down as each doggie is adopted. A bright, bouncy rhyme, jubilant art, and scads of adorable dogs will have wee ones giggling for more.

These patient pound dogs.

Now they’re family!

Found dogs.

Goodreads /PRH

Erica Sirotich's Found Dogs is a joyful, brightly illustrated picture book that celebrates doggies of all kinds and encourages little ones to practice their counting. Readers will count from one to ten, as each adorable pupper is accounted for, then will count down from ten to one, as each of those eager puppers is adopted and becomes found dogs.

Sirotich's rhyming text flows in a wonderfully whimsical and charming way that will delight little readers (and grown-ups!) and have them smiling big. Little ones will love counting each and every cute, sweet doggie and rejoice when each dog finds his forever family. Sirotich pairs her text with colorful, happy, and captivating illustrations. Joyful, bright, and irresistible Found Dogs is sure to be a favorite of little readers!

Win a copy of Found Dogs!

Thanks to the generous folks at Penguin Random House, I have one copy of this fun picture book for one winner.

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-ends 7/28/17

-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

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