Return to Cardamom Blog Tour {Interview and Giveaway}

I'm excited to have the Return to Cardamom Blog Tour stopping by today! Below you'll find info about the series, a character interview, and a giveaway...

About Return to Cardamom

Return to Cardamom

 (Caramel Cardamom Trilogy, Book #2) 

by Julie Anne Grasso 

July 17, 2013 

Pages: 136 (Paperback) 

Recommended Age: 9+

Life is sweet for Caramel and things are finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a telepathic elf who can train trees and control computers, but she soon finds life on Cardamom is not all cupcakes and apple cider. A saboteur is hiding in the rainforest canopy, and the elves’ precious cardamom export has been wiped out. Caramel is certain it’s another trick of Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel, but no one will believe her, and the clock is ticking. She must expose the saboteur in time to save the crop or the Elves of Cardamom will lose their livelihood. Caramel won’t rest until her theory is proven. While she is on the hunt, she makes a shocking discovery, one that will change everything.  

Purchase

Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)

The Buzz About Book 1: 

Escape From the Forbidden Planet

"Julie Anne Grasso has created an action-packed story featuring a range of interesting and imaginative characters (i.e., elves, the Alexanders, and other creatures), intergalactic travel, advanced medical and scientific technology, and complex environmental and conservation issues. Escape From the Forbidden Planet contains an intricate plot which slowly unfolds until you're hooked and you are left on the edge of your proverbial seat wondering what will happen next." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews, 5 Stars

"It's part geeky, part science, and part fun, all brought together to become this awesome book called Escape From The Forbidden Planet. I would recommend this book to reading age kids and adults who like sci-fi kids books. Definitely something different. I really enjoyed reading it!" ~ Michael S., Amazon, 5 Stars

"I loved this book. Super great series for middle graders. I loved Caramel. She has a great attitude and determination. I really admired how she was focused on getting home, saving her family but also made the best of being stuck on an alien planet. Definitely a book with great role models for kids. I really hope there is more to come where this came from. Kids need books like this with catchy stories, solid characters who have good values that they can relate to." ~ Unorthodox Mama, Goodreads, 5 Stars.

 Get your FREE COPY of Escape From the Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso July 17 to 21, 2013. Available for 99 cents after July 21, 2013. ***

Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)

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Today we have a real treat for you folks.

It’s not often you have a telepathic elf and an inventing clone together for an interview, but oh… I correct myself, we have Caramel with us today and Alexander222 will be coming to us live from his super secret hiding place amongst the stars. He is of course on the run from the Chairman of the Intergalactic Council for crimes committed against the Elves of Cardamom. 

So Caramel, welcome to my blogosphere! Tell me, what’s it like being able to read people’s minds?

Caramel chuckles and her cheeks turn the color of a Santa Claus suit

Thanks for inviting me Aeicha. Well, I can read your thoughts and I know you are totally craving a cupcake right now, but I suspect that could be any time of the day, am I right?

Aeicha turns a shade of plum.

But seriously Aeicha, it’s cool, but it’s not really that big a deal on Cardamom. We can all read thoughts. It’s pretty bad manners to do what I just did though.

So you have never been tempted to read your friends or families thoughts?

Caramel looks like she has just eaten a bad curry

Yeah, sometimes, but the last time I did that I found out a bit more than I bargained for.

Really Caramel, tell all. What did you find out?

Caramel coughs a few times

Well, I can’t really tell you because that would give away some of the story and I know Ms Grasso who writes down all my adventures wouldn’t be too happy with me. She’s a nurse too you know. My mum tells me you never cross a nurse, or one day you might end up needing cardio pulmonary resuscitation and she might just run a bit slower than usual.

Mental note, never cross Ms Grasso, unless I offer her a cupcake for appeasement. Tap tap tap. Oh, what’s that, oh, yes, of course, Alexander222 is on the line.

Tell us Alexander222. What did you really do in order to be a fugitive?

Oh, please, it was all a misunderstanding. In book 1 you may have heard how I discovered an amazing reaction by adding cardamom pods to a sticky toffee syrup. A truly incredible invention if I do say so myself. Well, those pesky elves of Cardamom weren’t going to just hand over their pods, so I had to improvise. And oh well, … Isabel, (Caramel’s Aunt) was the obvious choice really. That stuffy old King Carob was never going to strike a trade agreement with me so I got rid of him so to speak.

Meanwhile Caramel is gripping her seat

Yeah by forcing him into service on your home planet of Ishqwartz, as well as exiling me and my parents to a forbidden planet!

Yes, but it all worked out in the end and I hear Caramel had a great deal to do with that. So Caramel, what have you been up to since returning from the “Forbidden Planet”?

Caramel’s relaxes in her chair

Well, I have been studying healing at the Elf-care, but it’s almost summer so I will be going back to visit my friend Jemm in the rainforest canopy. I’ll be able to continue my tree tending training while I am there.

Wow, Caramel, healing and tree tending, is there anything else you can do.

Caramel looks sheepish

Oh, well I can control computers with my thoughts too, but I only just figured that out. You will find out more about that in Ms Grasso’s sequel “Return To Cardamom”

Well, Caramel, if I am ever in need of a virus scan, I will know to ask you instead of using that silly program I installed the other day that never seems to work.

Caramel nods excitedly

So Alexander222 will we be hearing more from you in Ms Grasso’s book 2, or are you going to just stay in hiding for the whole book.

Oh, Miss Aeicha, you are in for the ride of your life. Yes I will be back in book 2, and I can guarantee you that pesky little elf isn’t going to thwart my plans this time. Mark my words.

Caramel rolls her eyes.

Well, that’s about all we have time for. Don’t miss out on Ms Grasso’s gripping sequel, “Return to Cardamom, ” available right now on Amazon and hop on down to the rafflecopter below to get yourself in the draw to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, the Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy was the result. Julie lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.  

Book Website: http://www.julieannegrassobooks.com/

Author Blog: WhenIgrowupIwannawriteakidsbook

Facebook page: Julie Anne Grasso Books

Twitter: @Jujuberry37

Goodreads Author: Julie Anne Grasso

 Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Giveaway 

                

Prize: One winner will receive a copy (print in U.S./Canada & e-copy interntionally) + a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash

Contest runs: July 17th to August 7th, 11:59 pm, 2013 

Open: Worldwide

How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. 

Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send us an email! 

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Interview and Giveaway: Julie Grasso (MG Author)

I have the lovely Julie Grasso stopping today to talk about her book Escape from the Forbidden Planet and for a fab giveaway!

Caramel Cinnamon thought the worst day of her life was the day her grandparent’s the King and Queen of the Elves of Cardamom went missing. 
She was wrong! 
The day she spills sticky toffee syrup onto her father’s computer, that's when her worst nightmare begins. Suddenly she finds herself marooned on a forbidden planet by an evil clone, with a very sticky secret. 
Caramel is desperate to find a way to escape and rescue her grandparents. If she doesn't she will lose her dreams of returning to Cardamom to become a healer like her mum. 
Luckily, she has a secret of her own and the lives of her family and friends depend on it!

WS: What three words best describe ESCAPE FROM THE FORBIDDEN PLANET?
JG- Deliciously Quirky Elves

WS: Give us a one sentence pitch that tells readers why they must read your book.

JG- If you like the idea of telepathic elves who are obsessed with sticky date and chocolate cake with caramel sauce, that swing through the rainforest on vines, can train trees into the intricate dwellings in the canopy as well as do battle with evil clones that aim to take over the universe, then this book may interest you.

WS: What inspired ESCAPE FROM THE FORBIDDEN PLANET? Where did the idea come from?

JG- With a background in pediatric burns nursing, I spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool and every day I witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people I cared for, which inspired me to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, my love of science fiction and my desire to impart great values through my little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, Escape From The Forbidden Planet was the result.

WS: Who was your favorite character to write and explore? What do you love about them?

JG- Well, I of course love my main character Caramel, because although she discovers she has these incredible abilities, the injury that she sustained as a little elf undermines her confidence. Throughout the story we watch her slowly regain her confidence as she realises she must believe in herself and overcome her disability in order to rescue her family and friends from the clutches of the evil Alexander clones.

WS: Grab a copy of ESCAPE FROM THE FORBIDDEN PLANET and answer the following:

     Favorite chapter?

Chapter 11:To Tree Tend Or Not That Is The Question.  In this chapter we watch Caramel as she faces the dilemma of possibly having to chose between her amazing abilities. Will she pursue her dream of becoming a Healer like her Mum or will she get taken in by the sweet whispers of the trees in the rainforest canopy, calling her to become a Tree Tender. You will have to read it to find out.

    Favorite page?

Page 33: On this page we find out a bit more about the mysterious Elves of Cardamom (Caramel’s home planet) and where their wonderful abilities come from.

   Favorite character name?

Why of course my little girl elf named Caramel Cinnamon, but I also love my villains name, Alexander222 of Ishqwartz, doesn’t he sound deliciously evil.

  Flip to a random page, choose a random sentence and give us a little teaser:

                ‘Thanks…Oh, thank-you,’ Caramel stammered and her courage seemed to collapse around her ankles like an old pair of elastic undies and she dropped to the vine floor. 

WS: If you could jump inside any book for just one day, what book would it be and what would you do in that world?

JG- Oh I can’t resist, it would of course be one of the Harry Potters.  I want to explore Hogwarts, have a butter beer in Hogsmeade and sample all the sweets in Honeydukes.

WS: Who are some of your favorite YA or MG heroes and heroines?

JG- I love Thursday Next in Jasper Fforde because she is so strong and quirky, Hermione Granger because she is so smart and funny, May Bird in May Bird and The Ever After because she is just a little girl who has to find her courage to defeat her enemies or she will be stuck in the ever after forever.

WS: What's the one book you think everyone should read at least once in their life?

JG- The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey, I love that book. It was one of the first science fiction books I read and I realised I loved science fiction, as it takes you to another world of possibilities and gives you hope to dream big.

WS: Fill in the blanks:

I'm really awesome at making baked cheesecake and eating it.

I'm embarrassed to admit I once burnt down my grandmothers kitchen, quite accidental.

I wish I could heal the sick with just the power of thought.  That would be awesome and why I wrote a book about Elves with special abilities to heal.

I could eat sushi everyday.

WS: If you were to create/bake a ESCAPE FROM THE FORBIDDEN PLANET inspired cupcake, what would it look and taste like and what would you call it?

JG- Oh that one is simple, it would be a Sticky Date and Chocolate cupcake with Caramel Cardamom syrup, because that is Caramel’s favourite cake and also how she got her nickname.  You will have to read to find out why.

Thank you so much Julie for answering my questions and for the generous giveaway below!!

Julie Grasso: Site / Blog / Twitter 

With a background in paediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them.
She has a degree in Nursing from Queensland University of Technology and has been published in her nerdy nursing specialty in medical journals, but her true love is writing about elf worlds that preferably involve some kind of dessert obsession. 
She has an awesome husband who loves to do battle in the computer trenches every day and a little 15 month old elf called Giselle.

Purchase Escape from the Forbidden Planet: Amazon 

Win 1 of 3 paperback or Kindle copies of Escape from the Forbidden Planet!

Julie has generously offered 3 copies (winners' choice of paperback or Kindle ebook) to give away.

DEATILS

-Open INT

-3 winners will win their choice of a paperback or Kindle ebook copy

-Will run from 10/19 - 10/26

-Must be 13+, One main entry per person

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

-Prizes are coming directly from author

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