Authors are Rockstars! Guest Post + Giveaway with Megan Shepherd

 

 Hi guys,I know it's been awhile since I've last done a blog post,and unfortunately,it's going to continue that way until next May/June,when I'm finally done with my O'levels.But anyway,I'm really excited to be a part of the 2nd Annual Authors Are Rockstars tour.Full schedule of the tour can be found HERE so be sure to check out the other blogs participating as well! And without further ado,I'm glad to present my tour stop with Megan Shepherd,author of The Madman's Daughter!!!

Now on to the big question.Why did I choose her as a rockstar author?!!You see,I got the opportunity to read and review an ARC of her debut The Madman's Daughter right before its release last winter thanks to some awesome folks at HarperCollins.And I absolutely fell in love with it.This book gave me the courage to pick up more YA historical fictions which I seldom did before as they rarely aligned with my tastes.Not only that,reading The Madman's Daughter gave me this huge surge of adrenaline,the kind you get when listening to your favourite or any good rockband for that matter.So she definitely fits into the rockstar criteria. ;) 

She even did this post on Great Gothic Classics for today,a bit similar to the premise of her book,which makes her all the more awesome!Check it out below:

One of my favorite parts of being a writer is getting to read other books as legitimate “work.” Since my first series, THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER, are Gothic thrillers, this meant brushing up on one of my favorite genres: Gothic classics. I adore all the dramatic and creepy elements of these novels: tortured romance, secrets in the attic, lightning crashing, windswept moors. Gothic books are such a wonderful blend of beautiful writing, melodramatic plots, tortured characters, and there’s usually a few brilliant twists. Here are some of my favorite iconic Gothic classics.

The works of Edgar Allan Poe

There really are too many too chose a favorite. The Cask of Amontillado, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, The Tell-Tale Heart… Poe was a master of horror, science fiction, and satire. One of the first authors to truly explore death and its various manifestations as literary fiction, his works have been giving readers nightmares for generations.
 

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, Oscar Wilde

I love almost every Oscar Wilde quote I come across, and it’s a shame he only wrote one novel. Luckily, it’s a brilliant one. In the book, a beautiful young man named Dorian Gray sells his soul so that his portrait will age instead of himself, thus giving him eternal youth. This hedonistic freedom leads to a sinful life, which manifests on the portrait. It’s a creepy story of the supernatural as a metaphor for our own split natures and how we can never escape ourselves.

FRANKENSTEIN, by Mary Shelley

Even more than the book itself, I love the story behind how Mary Shelley came up with this idea. One night, she and her husband Percy Shelley, along with Lord Byron, were sitting around an old manor daring each other to tell stories. At the time, galvanism (experimentation on dead flesh) was a flashy new sort of science, and Mary twisted this idea into the story of obsessed Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his tortured monster. There are so many different versions of this story in books and movies, but I highly recommend reading the original. 

WUTHERING HEIGHTS, Emily Bronte

Along with her sister Charlotte, who wrote JANE EYRE, the Bronte sisters are known for starting the feminist Gothic genre. WUTHERING HEIGHTS is the story of a doomed love affair between beautiful Catherine and the brooding Heathcliffe, set on the windswept English moors, and should be required reading for anyone who loves tortured romance and family secrets.

Thanks for the lovely post,Megan!And now,on to the giveaway.Now I'm going to make this a super long one as I won't be active in the blogging world for a while.Also,this one will be an international giveaway,with two winners.One will get an ARC and the other will get a finished international edition paperback of The Madman's Daughter.Before that,here's a bit on The Madman's Daughter itself and you'll find a rafflecopter widget for the giveaway at the end of the blurb.

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Publication date: January 29th 2013 by Balzer + Bray


Links: MyReview / Personal Guest Post With Author

Blurb:  
  
In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

 
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Blog Tour: Chantress Guest Post by Amy Butler Greenfield + Giveaway!!

 

 **P.S this post was supposed to go up on Saturday but blogger failed me yet again with its poor abilities in putting up scheduled posts on time so here it is, a day later. :( **

Hi guys!I am so excited to be a part of the Chantress blog tour,hosted by Shane@ItchingForBooks.

For my stop I've got an awesome guest post from the author on worldbuilding and of course,a giveaway as well.You can check out the rest of the tour stops here.

 

About Chantress :

Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful — and most hunted — girl in England.

“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing — and she is swept into darkness.

When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses — women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.

Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion…

Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.

Release date: May 7th 2013

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Purchase: Amazon

 

About the author :

 

Amy Butler Greenfield was a grad student in history when she gave into temptation and became a writer. Since then, she has become an award-winning author. 
Born in Philadelphia, Amy grew up in the Adirondack Mountains and later studied history at Williams College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Oxford. She now lives with her family in England, where she writes, bakes double-dark-chocolate cake, and plots mischief.

Official links: www.amybutlergreenfield.com | twitter.com/ab_greenfield

Book Trailer :

 

Amy's world building guest post :

 

Chantress is the story of a girl who sings magic in a world that forbids it—and finds herself in the middle of a life-and-death struggle for the future of her country.  Its setting is an unusual one, based on a time and place that stole my heart long ago: London in the 1600s.

 

The London part is easily understood.  After all, I’m far from the first to fall for that ancient and endlessly fascinating city.  But why the 1600s?  Compared with the popular Tudor and Victorian periods, the seventeenth century languishes, almost a forgotten era in fiction.

 

And yet it’s one of the most gloriously intriguing centuries ever.

 

Mind you, I didn’t always see it that way.  For a long time, the 1600s just meant Pilgrims and Puritans to me—worthy but not hugely engaging.  But the century came alive for me when I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, set in Connecticut in the 1680s  How could I not be interested in a time and place that had witch hunts and seafaring and spirited, rule-breaking girls? 

 

It was only when I came to study history in England, however, that I really fell in love with the 1600s.  What an extraordinary—and dangerous—time to be alive!  Terrorists almost blew up Parliament and the King.  Civil War raged.  The first coffeehouses were springing up, and chocolate and tea were brand new.  Alchemists abounded.  Scientists were working out the mysteries of the universe.  And the women—oh, the women!  They were spies and playwrights and actresses and artists and travelers.  They had nerves of steel.  They were women of wit and laughter and fire.

 

Chantress’s London is based on this world. It’s a London of twisty streets and half-timbered houses and secret passageways beneath great mansions.  Just like the real 1660s London, it has clockmakers, apothecaries, engravers, street criers, alley brats, and dapper aristocrats. 

 

Some of the great landmarks of London are there, too, including the River Thames and the Tower of London and its ravens.

But there is one truly vital distinction between this London and the real one:  In Chantress, there is magic. 

 

In Chantress’s world, the King and his Court really are blown up—and a cruel Protector uses magic to seize control of England.  Using terrifying creatures called the Shadowgrims, he holds the kingdom hostage.  He destroys all magic-workers who might have a chance of defeating him, except one—a girl who’s been hidden out of his reach.  A girl who doesn’t even know she’s a Chantress… until she sings.

 

If you read Chantress, it’s my wish that you’ll slip as easily into this world as I did.  I’d love to have you experience the danger and romance and mystery of its streets—to shiver when the fog rolls in, to feel a surge of fear when a Shadowgrim draws close.  And when the book ends, I’m hoping a small piece of seventeenth-century London might just have a hold on your heart, too.

  

GiVeaWaY!!

Every tour stop on the Chantress blog tour comes with a giveaway!!!And mine's no different.Use the rafflecopter below to enter.

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An Insight Of The Characters' World: Guest Post + Giveaway by Cat Winters

This is a feature where I ask authors to do a guest post discussing about the background of their books and share their experiences in creating the world in which the characters are portrayed.For more info on this feature,click HERE.

 Today,Cat Winters stops by to share her insights on her upcoming debut,In The Shadow Of Blackbirds.Thanks for stopping by,Cat! :)

IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by CAT WINTERS

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Cat Winters was born and raised in Southern California, near Disneyland, which may explain her love of haunted mansions, bygone eras, and fantasylands. She received degrees in drama and English from the University of California, Irvine, and formerly worked in publishing.

Her debut novel, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS—a YA ghost tale set during the World War I era—is coming April 2, 2013, from Amulet Books/ABRAMS. She currently lives outside of Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. 






  

CONTACT INFO:
 
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/catwinters   
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/catwinters 
Facebook:   http://facebook.com/catwintersbooks
Website:   http://www.catwinters.com


 Here is Cat's guest post for today's feature.

IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS isn’t a typical historical ghost story. It doesn’t take place in a decrepit old manor house rising out of the gloom of an English moor. The setting is a very specific moment in time: October and November 1918, during the last weeks of World War I and the height of the deadly Spanish influenza pandemic that killed millions of people around the globe.

My main character, Mary Shelley Black (named after the author of FRANKENSTEIN), travels from Portland, Oregon, to live with her aunt in San Diego, California, after watching her father get arrested for treason. There’s an atmosphere of fear and paranoia gripping America. Anyone who speaks out against the war is at risk of arrest. Anyone who catches the flu might die within hours. Encountering the ghost of her first love is only one of the many reasons Mary Shelley is trying to keep hold of her courage and sanity.

After researching 1918 America in depth, I realized I was dealing with a real-life version of a dystopian/apocalyptic setting. I decided to draw out the science-fiction elements of the time period. One of the first scenes that came to me was the opening chapter, in which Mary Shelley boards a train. I envisioned a crowded railroad car populated by passengers wearing flu masks, with only their eyes visible. Onions were a popular folk remedy used to fight off the flu germs, so I smelled the potent fumes of onions in the air and imagined Mary Shelley making her way past all the watchful eyes in her quest to find a seat. When a woman sneezes, Mary Shelley holds back on saying “gesundheit,” for the word is German, and Americans were fighting Germany. She’s worried she might go to jail for seeming un-American, like her father.

To add richer layers to my otherworldly atmosphere, I continuously drew upon reports of the 1918 flu and all the homemade flu remedies. Some people sprinkled sulfur over hot coals to try to chase away the germs, creating a smelly, eerie blue smoke—which seemed perfect for a paranormal funeral scene in the novel. I read accounts of coffins piling up in front of undertakers’ homes and children climbing on the caskets as if they were playing in a fortress—chilling details that also went into the book.

In the research archives of the San Diego History Center (http://www.sandiegohistory.org), I learned about a Red Cross House that was opened for recovering war veterans in November 1918. Two scenes that are important to the story’s central mystery take place in that convalescent home. I merged the archives’ descriptions of the building with my own interpretation of what the men recuperating there would have looked like and how the place would have smelled and sounded. Those chapters became some of my favorite parts of IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, and even though those sections of the book were more grounded in the real, living world, they contain their own touch of the novel’s surreal atmosphere.

There are also scenes involving the ghost—a troubled, terribly haunted eighteen-year-old soldier named Stephen Embers. Those moments usually occur at night, and most of the tension and fear my main character endures were drawn from my own experiences of lying in bed after reading a scary book or watching a frightening movie, my heart thumping so loudly until it sounded like a second heart beating inside my mattress. The aunt with whom Mary Shelley lives can’t afford electricity, so most of the ghostly encounters occur by the light of an oil lamp, or in pitch darkness…as all frightening ghost scenes should.

Atmosphere and world building are an essential part of submerging one’s readers into a story. I hope you enjoy your journey into Mary Shelley Black’s dark and dangerous historical world and feel I’ve fully transported you to this strange, sad, and fascinating period in time—even if it makes you want to leave your own lights on at night. 

 
GIVEAWAY:
 
Cat is giving away a signed swag pack containing a bookmark, postcard, and bookplate, as well as a clock-gear necklace inspired by the jewelry that technology-loving Mary Shelley Black wears in the novel (All pictured below) to one lucky INTERNATIONAL winner.Giveaway is international.Enter via the rafflecopter below and please check the TERMS AND CONDITIONS on the widget.Good Luck! :)

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Book Review + Intl. Giveaway : In The Shadow Of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

In The Shadow Of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

My Rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Publication date:  April 2nd 2013 by Amulet Books 

 Blurb:  In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

My Review:

**I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from Abrams And Chronicle Books U.K in exchange for an honest review.**

Words CANNOT explain how I felt while reading In The Shadow Of Blackbirds.It is quite a unique novel of the YA historical fiction genre,I'll hand you that.But the entire story is like a bumpy roller-coaster ride,with its sharp turns and frequent highs and lows.After finally being able to put down the book,my mind was all jumbled up with my mixed thoughts.There were parts where the story did not proceed the way I wanted it to,but were good nonetheless.But my possessiveness got the better of me and during those parts I felt like taking control of the plot and guide it the way I wanted it to go.

But even then I felt that the author did a wonderful job in writing the book,despite the fact that some things did not turn out the way I wanted them to be.With black and white photos from around the same era the story was set in at the beginning of each chapter,this author really knows how to bring a story to life.

So overall,after considering both the pros and cons of my mixed feelings,I've decided to rate this book 3.75 out of 5 stars.Mixed feelings equals a mixed rating! :)

But one thing's for sure.This book will definitely win the hearts of fans of YA historical novels like The Diviners or The Masque Of The Red Death. I just hope that there's a sequel to this book with an ending which will satisfy my disappointment of the ending in this one.

Giveaway:

Abrams U.K has generously offered a copy of In The Shadow Of Blackbirds for me to give away to one INTERNATIONAL winner.Enter via the form below and please check the TERMS AND CONDITIONS on the form.Giveway starts at 15:58 EST time (New York)

Good Luck!!! :)

An Insight Of The Characters' World: Guest Post + Giveaway by Liesel Schwarz

This is a feature where I ask authors to do a guest post discussing about the background of their books and share their experiences in creating the world in which the characters are portrayed.For more info on this feature,click HERE.

I would like to thank Liesel Schwarz for doing this feature with me.Her debut,A Conspiracy Of Alchemists,was published by DelRey on the 7th of January in the U.K and will be published in the U.S on the 5th of March.
                                                      
A CONSPIRACY OF ALCHEMISTS by LIESEL SCHWARZ


LEAVE IT TO CHANCE. Eleanor “Elle” Chance, that is—a high-flying dirigible pilot with a taste for adventure and the heroine of this edgy new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy, steampunk, and paranormal romance into pure storytelling gold.

It is 1903, and the world is divided between light and shadow. On the side of light is a wondrous science that has transformed everyday life by harnessing magical energies to ingenious new technologies. But each advance of science has come at the expense of shadow—the traditional realm of the supernatural.

Now two ancient powers are preparing to strike back. Blood-sucking immortal Nightwalkers and their spellcasting Alchemist allies have a plan to cover the whole world in shadow. All they require is the sacrifice of a certain young woman whose past conceals a dangerous secret.

But when they come after Elle, they get more than they bargained for. This enterprising young woman, the daughter of a scientific genius, has reserves of bravery and determination that even she scarcely suspects. Now she is about to meet her match in more ways than one: a handsome yet infuriating Warlock named Hugh Marsh, whose agenda is as suspect as his charms are annoyingly irresistible.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Liesel Schwarz has an MA in creative writing and is currently completing her doctorate in English and creative writing at Brunel University.

A life-long fan of 19th Century Gothic literature, she is a hopeless romantic and loves Victorians, steampunk, fairies, fantasy monsters, the Fin de siècle, and the correct way to drink absinthe. She also likes Medieval stuff, pirates, zombies, space operas and all subjects in between.

Her debut – the first in a series of Edwardian Steampunk Novels published by Random House/Del Rey is out now.

She is also currently busy with her doctorate in English and Creative Writing at Brunel University. She chooses to live in London because she loves weather there. 

CONTACT INFO:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6458963.Liesel_Schwarz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Liesel_S
Website:   http://lieselschwarz.com/

Here is Liesel's guest post where she not only gives a wonderful insight of her debut but also provides some helpful advice for anyone who is thinking of writing a steampunk novel.

 My favourite definition of Steampunk is “…the science of what could have been.” But it’s not just about airships and brass goggles. Steampunk is a philosophy. It’s a hankering for an era gone by. And most of all it is an aesthetic movement which comprises fashion, art and design in many forms.

A Conspiracy of Alchemists came to me one afternoon as I was travelling home on the London Underground through Baker Street. Eleanor and Marsh started having an almighty row in my head and I knew I had to write it down. The series just grew and grew from there. I decided to set the story in the Belle Epoch, because I think the Art Nouveau of the time is absolutely beautiful. The beginning of the 20th Century was also a time for phenomenal growth and invention. In fact, most of the things we consider to be indispensible in our lives today were invented around that time, which I find very exciting.

Steampunk is tremendous fun to write. In fact, I loved writing A Conspiracy of Alchemists so much, that I had to write a sequel and I am currently busy with the third.

So here are a few tips for anyone who is thinking about writing steampunk:

• Do your research. There is no substitute for historical accuracy and if you cut corners, your readers will catch you out for sure. Look into the time period you wish to use. You will be amazed at all of the interesting information you will find. 

• World building. The trick to writing historical fantasy is blending fact and invention in such a way that the reader cannot tell what is real and what is made up.  It’s not just a case of slapping a few top hats and goggles onto characters. The technology and the world must be integral to your story.

• Ensure that you have good, sympathetic characters. Make them come alive.

• Plot. Just like a body cannot function properly without good strong bones, so no story will survive without a solid plot to hold it up. 

• Remember to have fun. This, in my view, is the most important thing.

Thank you Bonita for inviting me to post here. 


As usual,this post also comes with a GIVEAWAY!!!DelRey U.K has generously donated a copy of Liesel's debut to one lucky INTERNATIONAL winner.This giveaway is NOT applicable for NORTH AMERICAN residents,since they already have a different edition of the book coming out in March.Good luck and please check the TERMS AND CONDITIONS on the Rafflecopter widget.
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Book Review: The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman

The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman

My Rating : 5 0f 5 stars

   
Publication date:  January 1st 2013 by Arthur A. Levine Books

Blurb: A fiery and romantic adventure, perfect for fans of Grace Lin, Kristen Cashore, or Lisa See!

Jade Moon is a Fire Horse -- the worst sign in the Chinese zodiac for girls, said to make them stubborn, willful, and far too imaginative. But while her family despairs of marrying her off, she has a passionate heart and powerful dreams, and wants only to find a way to make them come true.

Then a young man named Sterling Promise comes to their village to offer Jade Moon and her father a chance to go to America. While Sterling Promise's smooth manners couldn't be more different from her own impulsive nature, Jade Moon falls in love with him on the long voyage. But America in 1923 doesn't want to admit many Chinese, and when they are detained at Angel Island, the "Ellis Island of the West," she discovers a betrayal that destroys all her dreams. To get into America, much less survive there, Jade Moon will have to use all her stubbornness and will to break a new path . . . one as brave and dangerous as only a Fire Horse girl can imagine.

My Review:   

  

** A huge thanks to Scholastic for sending a review copy of this book,and to my cousin in NY for forwarding it to me.This review would not have been in existence if it weren't for you guys!**

-Recommended for children above the age of 12.

The premise of The Fire Horse Girl might have been beyond my usual comfort zone,but I still decided to take my chances when asking for a review copy since I absolutely love discovering new titles.And being a book blogger/reviewer,I get to do that A LOT.

The story of The Fire Horse Girl is basically based on the immigration of the Chinese to America around the 1920s and about how one Chinese girl's fiery and temperamental personality helped her survive there.Most men in America,especially the Chinese ones,were not at all respectful towards their female counterparts during that time do being a Chinese female and surviving in America took a lot of guts.And it seemed that our protagonist had just that;tons of it.

The Fire Horse Girl is one of those books that you will keep wanting to hold on to,with an unforgettable premise,admirable characters,and a well-paced storyline.While it went perfectly as a stand-alone,if it ever had a sequel I would gladly welcome it with open arms.The thing which felt most surreal to me was the fact that this was the author's debut.I know a lot of well published authors who still have yet to write a book as good as this one.Kay Honeyman definitely has a bright future ahead of her.Can't wait to see what else she's got in store!

An Insight Of The Characters' World: Guest Post + Giveaway by Megan Shepherd

This is a feature where I ask authors to do a guest post discussing about the background of their books and share their experiences in creating the world in which the characters are portrayed.For more info on this feature,click HERE.

Megan Shepherd is here at my blog today as a part of this feature to discuss about her debut Gothic YA,The Madman's Daughter ,which releases on January 29th.If you've already checked out yesterday's review,then you know how much I loved that book.Now here's your chance to get an insight of the book's world,from the author herself!

THE MADMAN'S DAUGHTER by MEGAN SHEPHERD

 In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Megan Shepherd grew up in her family's independent bookstore in North Carolina. An avid reader and world traveler who spent several years in the Peace Corps, Megan now lives with her husband in Asheville, North Carolina. The Madman's Daughter is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.meganshepherd.com. She is represented by Adams Literary.
 
Contact Info:

Goodreads
 FaceBook  
Twitter
Website





Here's Megan's guest post on worldbuilding.Enjoy!
  
Re-imagining a classic is always a challenging endeavor.

My book, The Madman’s Daughter, is a spin on HG Wells’ novella The Island of Doctor Moreau, as told from the doctor’s 16 year old daughter’s perspective. I went through several possibilities for the retelling. I could set it in modern or futuristic times, but I didn’t see how that would radically add to the story, and I felt the 1996 movie with Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer had already tackled that. I then realized that a female perspective was lacking from HG Wells’ book. That led me to ask the question, “What if the doctor had a daughter? How would this basic story idea look from her perspective?” So I decided to keep a similar setting: 1890s, on a tropical island in the South Pacific.

However, it was important to me that I not simply reuse the same setting Wells had used. After all, two people who live in the same city might have vastly different perspectives on the place they call home. So I gave Juliet Moreau a rich backstory in London, and then continued her story on Moreau’s island, but rather than tell it from an adult male’s perspective, I described the setting from the perspective of a teenage girl who had never traveled before and only learned about the world in books. I was well suited for this task; when I was 16 years old, I studied abroad for a year in Costa Rica, spending much of my time horseback riding on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and hiking through rainforests. So a lot of my source material for world-building on the island came from my own teenage firsthand experience.

The London scenes were more challenging to write, since at the time I had never been there. But since the sequel is entirely set in London, I knew I needed to go. In April, my husband and I traveled to London for a week and took Jack the Ripper tours, haunted London tours, and explored all the dark and historical areas where my characters would live and work. I’ve since decided that I should set all my books in exotic locations, to give me an excuse for in-person world-building research!

I’m hoping that readers come away from The Madman’s Daughter feeling as though they’ve visited the 19th century themselves, knowing what it felt like to be a woman at the time in a man’s world.                                                  

Megan was generous enough to donate some Madman's Daughter swag for you guys.Picture of the swag is given below.

 The swag includes signed bookmarks and custom-made "Sweet Madness" tea inspired by The Madman's Daughter book.

Enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter widget below and make sure to check the Terms And Conditions on the widget before entering!Good Luck! :)

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Duet Review: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Hi guys,I'm launching this feature to highlight the reviews which I do with my friend,Maliha.Since I lend her a lot of my review copies,I asked her to contribute to my blog with her feedback and she agreed.Hopefully you'll see a lot more of this feature from now onwards.

So here's the book which we're going to review today.

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Publication date: January 29th 2013 by Balzer + Bray

Blurb:  In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

My Review:   

 

Rating: 5 0f 5 stars

**I received an ARC of this book from HarperCollins through Shelf Awareness in exchange for an honest review**

The thing with me and historical YA fiction is that either I really like it,or really hate it.My feelings towards that genre has no consistency.I know,I am a pretty weird person. **sigh**

ANYWAY,as you can already guess from my rating,I LOVED The Madman's Daughter.While it may be the part of a series,it can be read as a stand-alone as well,with no MAJOR cliffhangers.And yes,there may be a love triangle alert in this book,though it does not drone on and on about how the heroine does not know what to do with her feelings,making me want to whack her on the head.This problem had made me put down so many books in the past that I'm really glad for not having to face it again.The story-line was a lot more fast-paced and action packed,and by action packed I mean the "mad scientist on the loose" sort of action.I would say that this is one of those books which,without reading,your life would not be complete,like the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series.

Right now,all you need to know is that you'll absolutely love it if you're into three things:
*Gothic England
*Eerily disgusting and creepy stuff.Example: Frankenstein.
*A story with a unique premise.

On my ARC it says that the book is inspired by THE ISLAND OF DR.MOREAU but I wouldn't know the similarity because I've never read that book before.I might actually pick it up someday to compare it with The Madman's Daughter,but just not today.And guess what,the sequel of this book is inspired by THE STRANGE CASE OF DR.JEKYLL AND MR.HYDE!Eeep!! xD **Happy Dance**

Maliha's Review:

 
Rating: 4 0f 5 stars

The Madman's Daughter is a breathtaking multi-theme novel. It has sweet romance on one side, reluctant friendship and a dark touch as well.

Juliet’s father was a pretty  predictable character. Apart from being a madman crazy about his work, he made crazy decisions for Juliet as a father. Their reunion was sweet, though, with him being protective and all. His reaction to Edward, the first one we see that is, was hilarious.

For the love-triangle fans out there, you’ll be satisfied. Both Edward and Montgomery are all about Juliet’s safety, and who doesn’t like a protective guy?

All the mystery also kept me turning pages. The mysterious island, mysterious island dwellers were well described.  And I was obsessed with Edward’s secret as it wasn’t revealed until the end.

Montgomery was sweet. He tried to convince Juliet how he had changed, how he wasn’t the doc’s servant anymore. But he made mistakes of his own and tried to correct them. Edward was, well, a typical yet different ‘Edward’. You’ll see what I mean when you read it.

Juliet was an interesting heroine. She’s brave and daring from the first page to the last. She’s smart and beautiful. Even after the shocking revelations, she remains sane and saves herself.

 It may not be a real cliffhanger but definitely a heartbreaking ending, that will leave readers in enough suspense and anticipation for the sequel.

Those who have already checked out my "An Insight Of The Characters' World" page might have guessed this by now,but I'm still going to mention it.My next post will be a guest post with Megan Shepherd (author of The Madman's Daughter) along with an epic giveaway too,so keep your eyes on my blog updates.Happy Weekend! :)

Book Review: Ironskin by Tina Connolly

Ironskin by Tina Connolly
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Expected Publication: October 2nd 2012 by Tor Books
Blurb:  Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.

It’s the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain—the ironskin.

When a carefully worded listing appears for a governess to assist with a "delicate situation"—a child born during the Great War—Jane is certain the child is fey-cursed, and that she can help.

Teaching the unruly Dorie to suppress her curse is hard enough; she certainly didn’t expect to fall for the girl’s father, the enigmatic artist Edward Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio...and come out as beautiful as the fey.

Jane knows Rochart cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things is true? Step by step Jane unlocks the secrets of her new life—and discovers just how far she will go to become whole again.

 My Review:

ARC received from Netgalley for review purposes.

Ironskin is supposed to be a re-telling of Jane Eyre,steampunk style.By steampunk,I thought that it would mean more action and cool machines,but trust me,if you're thinking like that,then you're going in the wrong direction.But then again, it IS a re-telling of Jane Eyre.But I think I liked Jane Eyre's Mr.Rochart way better than Ironskin's one.He was just plain creepy. -_- As usual,I got overly excited with the gorgeous cover and blurb and when I saw the word Fey . I practically started jumping.Though it was not THAT bad the disappointment was like a real blow to me.It makes me so upset when I have to write a review feeling neutral when I've been so excited about reading the book all along.To me, it's a bit of like a mild version of a horror movie( or even better,Frankenstein with an eerie romantic twist) than a YA Steampunk novel.I come to this conclusion from Mr.Rochart's personality and profession.But other than that,the story was great.I even appreciated the "Frankenstein with a romantic twist".What bothers me is that it starts out really well so it's easy to get into,but becomes bland as it stretches out towards the end which turns out abrupt and confusing.It looked as if the author was rushing to end the story when she realized that she had crossed her word limit.But it's worth to be appreciated because of its absolutely unique and original plot and the same thing goes for the characters as well.

Recommended as a borrow from friend material unless you want to buy the book for its pretty cover and rated 3.5 out of 5 stars for the following reasons:
-1 star for the ending
-0.5 star for the way the storyline stretched out.

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Book Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Expected Publication: September 11th 2012 by Entangled Publishing
Blurb:  On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

My Review:

Thank you Heather Riccio for the ARC. :)

The author has an excellent way with words.I read the entire story in one sitting(I seem to be doing that a lot nowadays) and no matter how hard I tried,I couldn't take my eyes of the kindle until I finally finished the last page.(I know,it sounds as if I'm in love with my kindle but you know what I mean) and because of this,I had to listen to a lot of gibberish from my mom about how I'm ruining my eyesight by reading on the kindle all day.The ending was a total cliffhanger,and nowhere near how I expected it to be.Plus,I never thought that I could ever put time-travel and chick-lit in the same room without causing conflict,since the things that pop into my mind when I think about time-travel are sci-fi stuff.You know,time-travel machines,spaceships,flying cars,alien invasions,and other crazy stuff of that sort.But Rachel Harris showed me otherwise. ;)

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is a wonderful read for any teenage girl,or any adult woman who's young at heart.(like the author herself :))It has its share of humour and romance,along with a hot Italian guy from the sixteenth century which makes up the whole package.(Yum!^^)While reading this book you'll laugh and swoon at the same time,so much that you won't be able to tell which is which.And let's not forget about Cat's pathetic attempt to fit in to the elite society of renaissance Italy which is bound to make you laugh so hard that your cheeks will start hurting.Even if you're not into chick-lit much,My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is absolutely worth a shot.

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