Blog Tour Kickoff

Welcome to the To Slay a Curse Blog Tour! We’ve got a lot planned for you this week, but before we get into that, I just want to say a great big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me on this journey to publication. My first book baby has been officially out in the world only two days and I’ve already sold out of signed copies! Fear not, I have ordered more 😉

Ok, you ready to get this thing started? So am I! Kicking off with my signature tour post, a character interview 😊

Meet Giselle

Character art by Laura Hollingsworth. Rest from Pinterest.

Welcome, Giselle! Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us today.

‘Tis so good of you to have me! I’m not sure why anyone should care to interview me. But I’ll do my best to satisfy.

Now don’t be like that! My readers have been dying to meet you. The girl who traveled her own mind! And while so young, too. Tell me, dear, how old are you?

I will reach my 19th autumn this year.

See? Your trip was quite the achievement.

*Blushes* I thank you. But, truly, credit must go to the others. I didn’t do all that much mysef.

If you say so. Now, down to business! What’s your favorite scent?

Roses to be sure. I always get this warm, cared for, feeling when I catch a whiff. As if wrapped in a mother’s arms. *smiles sadly.* I like to think my mother kept them about.

Roses are delightful! Even better when coming from a man, right? *sly wink*

*embarrassed laugh* I would not know. I have yet to receive any.

What a shame! And his own mother runs the florist shop. Don’t worry, love, I’ll see that he pulls his act together.

Ah, here’s another favorites question for you. If you had to choose one sweet to eat the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ami’s tarts. She is always so disappointed when they don’t come out just as her mother’s, yet I love them. I attempted baking some myself, once. It was quite the disaster!

Haha! I feel your pain. I enjoy baking, but am not much good.

Now, for one of my personal favorites. If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would give anything for a chance to see Ivlin. It’s Healer Aliza’s birthplace, you know. And Elden’s home. I want so badly to see their tales.

I don’t blame you. It sounds like a truly magical place. In the vein of tales from childhood, what’s your best childhood memory?

*Eyes gleam* The first time Ami came over! It was rather unexpected and I had just made a dreadful mess in the kitchen. *laughs* I’m sure I looked a fright, flour all over. I was mortified, yet she wasn’t put out. Not one bit. Just picked up a rag and started cleaning! She claimed me as a sister that day and we have been, ever since. I truly don’t know what I would do without her.

Sister friendships are priceless. And it sounds like you admire Ami a good deal. Who else would you say is a personal hero?

It’s no secret where Ami gets her courage. Healer Aliza gave up her home for love, came to a village on the edge of nowhere that feared her, and had kids of her own yet still found room for the lonely girl a cottage over. I aim to be her one day.

What a wonderful legacy to leave. Any other hopes for the future?

I do miss my friends in the mind world terribly. Especially Leal. That boy never failed to bring me a smile. I know there is no going back, so I’d like to find a way of honoring their memory here. Perhaps write their stories down. Tell the lives I know, imagine where they could be now. After all, I’ve got Stella to help.

I think that’s a lovely idea! Come to me if you need anything. I’m more than happy to help.

Many thanks, I certainly shall!

*Consults list* Looks like that’s a wrap! Thank you again for sharing so much with us. It’s been truly inspiring.

It was my pleasure entirely.

And thank you, dear readers, for joining us! I do hope you’ll return for our next stop on the tour!

*Exit together deep in writerly discussion.*

Lineup

Ready for more? You’ll have to wait till tomorrow I’m afraid 😉 Here’s what you’ve got to look forward to in the upcoming week:

January 19 Candice Yamnitz: Book Spotlight (https://candiceyamnitz.com/2021/01/19/book-spotlight-to-slay-a-curse/)

January 20 M.H. Elrich: Author Interview (https://mhelrich.com/author-interview-rae-graham/)

January 21 Cheyenne van Langevelde: Review & Author Interview (https://thedancingbardess.wordpress.com/2021/01/21/to-slay-a-curse-review-interview-with-author/)

January 22 Tamika Doyle: Book Spotlight (http://standingstronginthechristianwalk.blogspot.com/2021/01/book-spotlight-to-slay-curse-by-rae.html)

January 23 Emily Hayse: Review (https://emilyhayse.com/2021/01/23/to-slay-a-curse-tour-stop-review/)

Want to know more about To Slay a Curse? Check out my Books page!

Dust Blog Tour Stop #25

Welcome back, Adventurers! Have I got a treat for you today! Not only am I interviewing the boy who never grew up, but I’ve also got the inside scoop on a Treasure Hunt hosted by his lovely author, Kara Swanson! Are you ready to join the Lost Boys and fight Hook for some awesome bookish swag? Here’s how!

Treasure Hunt Rules

There are a total of 36 posts throughout the month of June with hidden keywords. Collect them all and arrange them to find the message, which you will then submit on the Post-Tour Stop to win a pirate’s chest of awesome prizes! And if you’re the first to solve and submit your answer, your treasure will contain an extra special gold piece: a signed and annotated Advanced Reader Copy of Dust! What are you waiting for? You can start the adventure here: https://gracebought.wordpress.com/2020/05/31/dust-blog-tour-kickoff/

Peter Interview

Sorry, what’d you say? Oh, you want my clue? Well, you’ll just have to wait till the end for that 😉 We’ve got an interview to do! Everyone, please welcome, PETER PAN!

‘Ello there, mates!

Hello, Peter! We’re so glad to have you with us today. Let’s start with some easy questions, shall we? What is your favorite season?

Summer! All play and fun and sunshine!

What about your favorite food?

CHOCOLATE CAKE! With loads of icing.

Great choice! You can never go wrong with chocolate.

Now we’re getting into some of the deep questions. What is your greatest fear?

Fear? Me? *Peter smirks* Ha! Nothing.

…except maybe growing up. And snakes in my bed. Both are rather beastly.

That would be terrible! And along that train of though, what is your biggest regret?

*Peter shuffles uncomfortably* Probably Claire’s brother, Connor. I said some…things to that lad I wish I hadn’t. *crosses arms stubbornly* But I’m not saying a word more on that!

Ok, let’s change track and talk about something happy! What’s your best childhood memory?

All of it? So many grand adventures and getting out of scrapes with the Lost Boys. We also played a lot of jolly pranks on the pirates and that codfish!

Who do you admire the most and why? I’m guessing it’s not the codfish 😉

Myself! Because I’m pretty bloody awesome!

*Kara smacks a hand over Peter’s mouth and mutters apologies for his swearing. He’s spent way too much time with pirates.*

Well, all right then, mister ‘pretty awesome’, if you could only keep three things you currently possess, what would they be?

Tink…my blade…and maybe a bit of gold I stole from Hook? Could always come in handy.

Smart boy! As for how it might come in handy, what is one secret dream that you have?

*Peter rubs a hand over his face, groaning dramatically* Do I REALLY have to answer this?

*Kara pokes at him.* Yes, you do.

*Peter groans again*

*Kara tells him to stop being a baby.*

*Peter rolls his eyes* Alright. Whatever. I’d secretly like to…see a play someday. Like the stories Wendy would tell–but with real blokes acting it out. Might be kind of fantastic.

*Kara grins* That’s actually sweet!

I agree!

*Peter snorts* Better not tell anyone I said that!

Then you’re really going to hate this next question. What is one thing that makes you cry?

*Peter groans loudly, starting to walk away.* What am I? A bloomin’  flower? I’m not answering that.

*Kara grabs him and drags him back* C’mon. I know you can do it. I’ll give you a slice of cake if you just finish the interview…

*Peter raises an eyebrow at her* …the whole cake?

*Kara snorts* Fine, just do it, please.

*Peter grins and gives a dramatic bow* For cake, I’d do most anything. Alright, last thing that made me cry… losing Tink. That hurt a bloody lot.

I’m sure it did. Now, hang in there. I promise this is the last question. What is one hope that you have for the future?

To eat some chocolate cake! And maybe take some of you readers to Neverland with me. We’d have a jolly old time.

And I’m sure they would love to come! Thank you, so much, Peter. You’ve done a splendid job. Now go have some cake!

The rest of you jolly adventurers, join in! Grab yourself a slice of your favorite dessert and read on to take Peter up on his offer!

Dust Spotlight

The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.

Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real–since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London… and a boy who shouldn’t exist.

Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.

The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan–and herself.

Links: 

Add Dust to your Goodreads list!

Preorder Dust from Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

And you can also follow Kara on Amazon to stay tuned for all her new releases! Don’t know Kara yet? It’s high time you met her! 

As the daughter of missionaries, KARA SWANSON spent her childhood in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped into a unique new world, she fell in love with the Fantasy genre and was soon penning stories herself. She is the author of the 2018 INSPY Award Finalist, The Girl Who Could See and the upcoming Enclave release, Dust.

Connect with Kara on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for awesome bookish boards, photos, chats, and more! 

Follow Kara on Facebook or join her Starchasers group where we have loads of fun getting to know one another and nerding out on all things bookish! And, lastly, you can find all things Kara on her website and even sign up on her newsletter to receive a free short story!

My Clue

And at long last, we come to what you’ve all been waiting for. My clue! Please note it is capitalized with no punctuation.

Did you miss stop #24? Find it here: https://wearethefutureblog.home.blog/2020/06/20/why-care-what-you-read-and-dust-tour-stop-24/

Ready to move on with the hunt? Stop #26 can be found on June 21 here: http://www.klpiercebooks.com/2020/06/21/dust-blog-tour-stop-26-dust-review/

Farewell, and happy adventuring, treasure hunters!