Iris, the Unlikely Hero! Shadow Eyes Re-Release Blog Tour and $50 Amazon Card Giveaway with Dusty Crabtree

Welcome to Dusty Crabtree as she visits Eleni's Taverna as part of her Shadow Eyes Re-Release Blog Tour

Thank you for hosting me! It’s been a long time coming, but I’m so thrilled to finally be re-releasing my young adult, urban fantasy, Shadow Eyes! It was first released in 2012 by Musa Publishing. Musa closed in 2015, and since Shadow Eyes was my first novel, I took the opportunity to revise and change a few minor things before self-publishing it this time. I am very happy with this second version and I hope you will love it too!


(Everyone, don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win a print copy of Shadow Eyes and a $50 gift card to Amazon!)

Let’s check out the synopsis for Shadow Eyes first…

Iris thought she could ignore the shadows…until they came after everyone she loved.

Seventeen-year- old Iris Kohl has been able to see both dark and light figures ever since a tragic incident three years ago. The problem is, no one else seems to see them, and even worse…the dark figures terrorize humans, but Iris is powerless to stop them.

Although she’s learned to deal with watching shadows harass everyone around her, Iris is soon forced to question everything she thinks she knows about her world and herself. Her sanity, strength, and will power are tested to the limits by not only the shadows, but also a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows, a new friend with an awe-inspiriting aura, and a mysterious, alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend. As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, Iris must ultimately accept the guidance of an angel to revisit the most horrific event of her life and become the hero she was meant to be.

So Why is Iris an Unlikely Hero?

I’ve always been a fan of strong female characters. Take Katniss Everdeen for example. She is, beyond a doubt, the hero of her story. She doesn’t need a male to save her or take care of her, although she has a few who would and sometimes try. In fact, she takes care of them a few different times. She’s independent and isn’t afraid to rebel against the corrupt culture she lives in. Aside from that, Katniss is also hard-working, protective, loyal, loving, and genuine.

Strong female characters are so popular because they become heroes to the girls, young and old, who read about them. As readers of their stories, we then try to emulate and strive to be like them some day.

The reason why Iris is an unlikely hero is because she doesn’t come across as a strong female character right away. To put it gently, she has some issues. But I think that makes her relatable. We all have issues we need to work through, right? We all have a past we must overcome. We most likely don’t have the same issues or the same past, but when we see Iris eventually work through all of her mess and end up on top, it gives us hope for our own struggles. It gives us hope that we’ll eventually turn our mess around for good, too.

So, I guess what I want to say is, don’t give up on Iris. She may at first seem weak and ineffective, and you may feel sorry for her at times and frustrated with her at other times for not stepping up. But be patient and remember she’s not perfect just like we’re not perfect. And if you stick with her to the end, you’ll be so glad you did as you’ll get to see a huge transformation where Iris is empowered beyond what she ever thought possible. 

And that’s just the beginning of Iris’s story…



Author Bio 

Dusty Crabtree loves a good story, but she also loves young people. These two loves are evident in all parts of her life. She has been a high school English teacher since 2006 and a creative writing teacher since 2014. She's also been a youth sponsor at her local church for as long as she’s been teaching. She feels very blessed with the amazing opportunities she has to develop meaningful relationships with teens on a daily basis. With her love of reading in the mix, becoming an author of young adult books was just a natural development of those two passions in her life. She lives with her husband, Clayton, in Yukon, Oklahoma, where they often serve their community as foster parents.


Check out Dusty’s blog
Find her on Facebook 
Follow her on Twitter
Follow her on Instagram – dustycrabtree12
Check out Shadow Eyes on Goodreads

View the book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7UP9A0Fm78

Buy Shadow Eyes on Amazon or other major online bookstores like Barnes&Noble and Apple (Print is also available on Amazon)

Amazon | Apple | Barnes&Noble | Smashwords




a Rafflecopter giveaway


Rafflecopter Link - http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/aa7efb191/


To see other posts on this tour and to increase your chances of winning, visit Dusty’s blog for the schedule with links as they are posted. 

Thanks for dropping by Dusty!

~Eleni

Musa Monday: Wench Dusty Crabtree Blog Tour...

Today, I have fellow Wench, Dusty Crabtree, who is on her whirlwind blog tour for Shadow Eyes. 

Welcome to the blog, Dusty!


Thank you for hosting me, Eleni! Hopefully your readers will get to learn something new and interesting about me!


Everyone, don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win a print copy of Shadow Eyes, your full name in the sequel, and a KINDLE FIRE!



You are currently doing a blog tour for ‘Shadow Eyes’. Can you describe this book for us?

Sure! How about the synopsis:

Iris Kohl lives in a world populated by murky shadows that surround, harass, and entice unsuspecting individuals toward evil. But she is the only one who can see them. She’s had this ability to see the shadows, as well as brilliantly glowing light figures, ever since an obscure, tragic incident on her fourteenth birthday three years earlier.

Although she’s learned to cope, the view of her world begins to shift upon the arrival of three mysterious characters. First, a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows; second, a new friend with an awe-inspiring aura; and third, a mysterious and alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend.

As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, she must ultimately revisit the most horrific event of her life in order to learn her true identity and become the hero she was meant to be. 

Please tell us a little about your road to publication. 

It took me about 8 months to write the initial draft of Shadow Eyes. Once it was finished, I worked on revision and continued to work on revision as I sent queries to agents and publishers and got several rejections. I was actually still revising up until I was signed by Musa Publishing. From first draft to getting signed, it was another long 8 months. After that, it was fairly easy. The editing process and helping create the cover was super fun. I’m excited to go through that process again with the sequel!



What attracted you to the YA genre?

The simple answer: I have a passion for teens. I’m a high school teacher and a youth sponsor at my church if that says anything. Some people would say I’m crazy or a glutton for punishment. But honestly, I just want the opportunity to touch their lives. Whether that’s through being a caring mentor, being a good role model, being a friend when they need one, helping them through difficult times, or giving them hope through a book…I try to do what I can.


Are you a plotter? Pantser? Or somewhere in between?

I am totally a plotter! I am way too much of a control freak to be a panster. Lol! However, I do recognize that there are times when my characters or a certain scene may take a direction I didn’t necessarily plan. Also, my outline obviously has some gaps, and in those moments I just let inspiration help me find a way from Point A to Point B.



What are you working on now? And what’s in the near future for Dusty Crabtree?

You mean besides this blog tour, right? Haha. I’m actually still in the midst of writing the sequel to Shadow Eyes. I’m about 2/3 of the way finished, but I plan on getting more done very soon!


What is your favourite part of the process of writing?

I love those moments when the perfect wording or phrasing just comes to you, and while you’re typing, you can’t help but smile at the perfection! Similarly, I also love when you get in the zone and the writing just flows. Pure magic!


What are you currently reading?

Um…my students papers? Lol! This blog tour has been eating up my reading time lately. But it’s almost over, AND by the time you’ll be reading this, it’ll be my spring break!!! So, by then my answer will be the last book of the Hush Hush series – Finale! So super excited for that!

And now for the Rafflecopter....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~

Thanks, Dusty!

Check out Dusty’s blog;  Find her on Facebook; Follow her on Twitter

Buy Shadow Eyes at Musa Publishing (also available at all major online bookstores)

Youtube link

Special Guest: Nicole Murphy ~ Rogue Gadda

With a blog title of Eleni’s Taverna, there was only one thing I could write for you all about – food and drink in the Dream of Asarlai trilogy.

I love reading about food and drink. I love seeing characters interacting in real social environments, or celebrating or commiserating in a way that seems real to me.

Food is something that’s really important in every culture. Even here in Australia, where at times it can be hard to see what is our culture, the one thing that shines through is food.

Major holidays. Celebrations. Australia Day has now become one of the major food moments of our year, with picnics and barbecues. Anzac Day has become synonymous with the biscuit. And at Christmas, we’ve moved from the traditional meals that came with us from England – roast and pudding – and we’re into barbecues and salads. Prawn consumption is higher on Christmas day than any other.

Drinking, of course, has been part of Australia’s culture from the moment the first fleet came into the cove. At one point, our entire economy ran on rum. Watching a sporting event doesn’t seem RIGHT without a beer on hand – at least for me.

So when it came time to write about the gadda, to write about people and relationships, food and drink automatically become an important part of it all.

At the very beginning of Secret Ones, we see Maggie shopping for sparkling wine and nibbles to celebrate receiving her master’s degree. I purposely mirrored this in the first time we meet Lucas – he’s also celebrating a career achievement. It didn’t seem right to be having these celebrations without food.

As the story goes on, we learn that Lucas doesn’t drink much – he’s not comfortable with losing control. Stephen as well, in Power Unbound, states that he only drinks occasionally – his focus has been on reaching sixth order, and he doesn’t want anything to interact with that.

On the other side, both Maggie and Ione are quite comfortable drinking. It showcases the easy attitude both these women have to life – an attitude that their respective partners come to need and appreciate.

Then there’s the famous Hammond Stew – the family secret that only marriage to a Hammond can reveal. I’ve always loved the idea of a family recipe. My family has one – all seven of us Dunkley kids cook our spaghetti bolognaise in pretty much the same way – Mum’s way. We’ve all got variations (I for example add canned tomatoes to mine) but the basis is the same.

So when I realised that Ione was a bit of a gourmet, it made sense to have her be the owner of the secret recipe. It also made sense that Maggie would forever be after her for it. But Ione will remain firm, because family and tradition is important.

And when Hampton and Charlotte are getting to know each other in Rogue Gadda, food is an important part of the courtship – it’s incredible how in the act of sharing a meal, you often end up sharing yourself as well.

I like food – a little too much, my waistline would say. I also like drink – again, much to my waistline’s dismay. But my favourite food and drink nearly always corresponds with people – sharing beers with my brothers, cracking a bottle of champagne with my friends, the first meal I cooked for my husband.

Magical moments, for me and for the gadda.

To win a copy of Rogue Gadda, tell me – what is your favourite meal memory?

Rogue Gadda cookie:

“I can’t cook, I’m afraid,” Hampton said as he brought two dishes out. “I got this from a restaurant in town. I hope it’s suitable.”

 He put the dishes down and the aroma of coq au vin rose to Charlotte’s nose. “Perfect. Although I would have been more impressed if you said you’d cooked it yourself.”

 He sat down and for a moment his eyes were so clear she thought he was looking deep into her soul. “No lies between us, Charlotte.”

~~~

Thanks Nicole for joining me on my blog, and for the giveaway.

So what are you waiting for everyone? 

Comment for you chance to win a copy of Rogue Gadda.

~yia~