Personalized OwlCrate box up for grabs!

On February 25th, there will be a chance to win this personalized OwlCrate bonus box (includes an autographed B&N exclusive edition [with 16 extra pages] + mask and Thorn print along with the original goodies). 

How to enter the giveaway? 

Just join us on twitter for the official OwlCrate chat during the date and time announced below.

**You must use the #owlbabble hashtag to be eligible for the giveaway. I'll be drawing the winner from the chat threads.**

**I'm sorry, but this giveaway is only domestic. I can't afford the foreign S&H on a package this heavy. However, I will have an INTL giveaway at a later date for an exclusive edition RoseBlood + Thorn print and mask to make up for it!**

RoseBlood's UK Blog Tour Day 6

Welcome to stop #6 on the UK Blog Tour! We're trying to figure out what went awry with yesterdays's post (stop #5), but since it didn't go live, I'm doing an encore presentation here. Enjoy!

RoseBlood Aesthetics

Today, Splintered’s own master of panache and charm is here to chat up my latest retelling by critiquing  spotlighting some of the scenes, fashions, and settings in RoseBlood, using the book's official pinterest board for inspiration. And to prove how accommodating he can be, he’s even embracing the Phantom theme (he claims it’s because the style complements his subterfuge top hat, but I suspect it’s more because Alyssa thinks masks are sexy). 

And with that, I give the floor to Morpheus, moth-man extraordinaire.

******

Thank you, luv. *tips head while holding mask in place* As most of you know, I’m not traditionally an admirer of human lifestyles. I find most everything about mortality tedious, pedestrian and boring. However, in exchange for wasting part of my precious eternity on this drivel, Alyssa vowed to give me a private fashion show later, in which she'll model any ensemble of my choosing: the sky is the limit. *smirks and flutters wings* So, let’s get a move on, aye? I have somewhere much better to be…

First, let’s start with the fashions.

Seeing as RoseBlood is a school of music and theater, you can expect costumes and sewing to play a role. And being a moth-man who knows his way around a needle and thread, this is one aspect I can appreciate, if not admire … However, I’ll be keeping it to a modicum of enthusiasm.

Speaking of sewing, our lovely little Rune is a seamstress in her own right. She’s also kind-hearted, loyal, and brave with a touch of darkness, like another stylish girl I know. *casts sidelong glance out the window* And Rune executes her homespun, natural style most brilliantly.

But perhaps I’m biased, as her tattered elegance and captivating voice bring to mind the birdsong wood nymphs who frequent Wonderland’s wilds—one of my favorite holiday spots.

On the note of mythical creatures, Thorn is admittedly too striking for a human. He must have a touch of the fae. He certainly has the cunning of one. But although I approve of his subversive schemes and clandestine constitutionals about the opera house, his style is far too casual for my liking. 

However, his addition of a hooded cloak adds a mystical dimension to any trappings. And as I’ve attended my share of banquets with satyrs and pan flutes providing the music, Thorn’s preference for playing his violin half-clothed is another taste of home that warms me to the cockles. As most of you know, I’m not adverse to showing a bit of skin whilst performing in any venue. If you have it, flaunt it.

As for flaunting what you have, Erik, a.k.a. Le Fantôme, has mastered this skill. Whether decked out in red velvet for a night of torturing guests at a masquerade, donning a woolen bolero suit in his childhood, or creeping down to his lab in a hooded monk’s robe for some scientific experimentation, he manages all with flair and finesse. And did I mention he has a mask for every occasion? A quaint obsession to which I can relate. *adjusts moth-trimmed top hat* Add to that a penchant for strangling anyone who stands in his way, and of any character in RoseBlood with whom I’d wish to have a spot of tea, Erik would be my top choice. Oh, the maniacal stratagems we could hatch over spider-leg scones and clotted dodo-egg cream…

This talk of tea brings to mind parties, and fair warning, paltry humans, there are two in RoseBlood that are brimming with horror and mayhem worthy of any netherling revelry. One in particular is reminiscent of Wonderland’s own psychedelic landscapes. But—*presses a gloved finger to lips*—mum’s the word. Wouldn’t wish to spoil the deliciously frightful discoveries awaiting you. Instead, let these visuals fuel your nightmares.

Nightmares are always on the fringe at RoseBlood. Who could expect anything less from a renovated opera house sitting atop a lake veiled in mist, adjacent to an abandoned chapel and cemetery?

But RoseBlood’s outsides are nothing compared to its insides. A haunted auditorium, golden stairways, and dorms carved out of dressing rooms. 

All of it pales to what lurks beneath, in the bowels—underground canals, a caged elevator, and beds varying from canopies to coffins.

This talk of bedrooms reminds me of a certain fashion show I’m anxious to attend, so I’ll be taking my leave. *drops mask, transforms to moth-form, and flutters toward the door* 

Do give my regards to the occupants of RoseBlood. And remember: If you wish to survive the story, keep your hand at the level of your eyes. 

******

Thanks for joining us today! Don't forget to hang out with us via our twitter chat during the #RoseBloodBall at 12:30pm central time (6:30pm GMT). I'll be answering questions via the hashtag, and we'll also be giving away a Thorn print to a lucky winner (INT)!

And hope to see you again Saturday for the final stop of the tour at The Arts Shelf where we'll be offering up a grand prize package (UK)!

RoseBlood's Birthday!

It's January 10, 2017, RoseBlood’s official birthday! 

Visit a local bookstore for your copy and follow this link to checkout the giveaways and celebrate with us!

Roseblood's Less-Than-A-Month-Away-INTL Giveaway!

There's less than a month (24 days!) until RoseBlood hits shelves, so it's time for a giveaway. 

And I'm not the only one who's pulling out all the stops to celebrate. My publisher's YA website, Pique, is offering a beautiful limited edition Thorn postcard (crafted by Nathalia Suellen and signed by me!) to anyone who preorders the book (domestic). Follow this link for details.

Now, onto my personal INTL giveaway. To celebrate RoseBlood's imminent birthday, I'm offering up the following prizes:

1 Signed RoseBlood hardback and collector's mask

1- signed German Unhinged w/unique foreign cover

(in celebration of RoseBlood's recent foreign sales)

1- Phantom/music themed mask

1 - signed RoseBlood tote

1 skeleton key necklace

(representing the skeleton dorm keys in RoseBlood)

1 - RoseBlood themed charm bracelet

(representing details from the book)

 I still have so much to do to get ready for the launch, but I can't wait for readers to meet Thorn and Rune, and to become reacquainted with Erik! If you missed the virtual tour, you can go back and find all the character / music / book posts and reveals here.

Use the rafflecopter below to enter, and good luck to everyone. 

Happy Holidays, and don't forget to look for RoseBlood on shelves January 10, 2017!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exclusive Excerpt Reveal with USA Today!

Today, there's an exclusive peek at RoseBlood on USA Today's HEA! Here's a sneak peek. To read the entire excerpt, follow this link.

RoseBlood Virtual Tour Schedule

Here are the official dates and hosts for the #RoseBlood virtual tour presented by Amulet Books and RockStar Book Tours. 

10/24/2016

• Spotlight Post: Mundie Moms 
• Review: Adventures of a Book Junkie
• Author Guest Post: Stories & Sweeties - Meet the characters behind the masks 

10/25/2016 

• Spotlight Post: Once Upon a Twilight
• Reveal Post: Two Chicks on Books - Official RoseBlood playlist 

10/26/2016

• Spotlight Post: Tales of the Ravenous Reader
• Author Guest Post: Seeing Double In Neverland - Explore the maniacal history of the Phantom: Little known facts about the original novel and characters 

10/27/2016

• Review: BookHounds YA
• Reveal Post: Dark Faerie Tales - Cover evolution and final book jacket reveal 

10/28/2016 

• Review: Fiktshun
• Reveal Post: Bookemoji - First Chapter reveal 

Live RoseBlood Chat + Giveaway!

This Friday (Oct 21) at 7pm central, we're having a RoseBlood Live Chat to kickoff RoseBlood's virtual tour the following Monday (Oct 24). Please join us if you can. I'll be answering all kinds of questions about the characters, setting, story, and writing in general. 

Type in the hashtag: #RoseBloodChat for more info online.

And yes, there will be prizes! A RoseBlood mask + arc set and signed swag will be up for grabs. Hope to see you there!

Click to view larger image

The Preciousssss - part two...

Yesterday, in part one of this post, I shared my author copy for The Architect of Song. Today, I wanted to showcase my beautiful RoseBlood arcs, and share a sneak peek into how the hardback's interior will be different. 

I'm so thrilled with the dramatic effect of the vivid covers juxtaposed against the stark B&W interior! And the thorny, brambly vines? Eerie perfection. Check it out:

Now, should you be one of the lucky recipients who ends up with an arc, be sure to get yourself a hardback, too. Because not only is there colored ink in the HB, but there's also a completely different design for the end papers. Here's an example:

So stunning! <3 Of course, the color might not be exactly this shade (computer monitors may vary), but it's close.

I'm getting so excited to send off the arcs! Any bloggers who put their bid in for one via my publisher should be getting theirs within the next few weeks (if you were chosen). My publicist informed me that she didn't send anyone emails if they were going to get one, she's simply going to put them in the mail. So be watching your mailbox to find out if you scored one! And as for the past winners of my arc giveaways, I'll be sending those off sometime within the next few weeks, too. 

One last thing, if anyone would like to plaster this little animated beauty on your blog's sidebar, or share it via twitter, FB, tumblr, pinterest, etc... to get the word out about RoseBlood, I'd appreciate it so much! Just follow this link for HTML or other posting options. 

Have a great weekend, and I'll see you again soon with more bookish updates!

RoseBlood Cover Reveal and Giveaway is LIVE!

The RoseBlood cover is in the spotlight over at YABC!

To see it in living color, and for a chance to win an ARC or poster, check out the post here!

Finished Writing RoseBlood!

At long last, I finally finished writing my Phantom of the Opera spinoff, RoseBlood, due to come out Jan 2017!

Here's the manuscript, printed off in all it's glory -- all 118,000 words of it. @.@

By clicking on the image, you might be able to make out the first few paragraphs, although it's pretty blurry. My cell takes terrible pictures. ;)

If you'd like to know more about the story, follow this link for some RoseBlood FAQs. 

And now come the edits... *coughs*

The White Rabbit is Out of the Bag!

 

I've been keeping a sekrit for several months because I was under strict instructions not to tell. BUT, the rabbit squirmed its way out of the bag on Monday when Publisher's Weekly posted their Fall Preview Sneak Peak (click on image below to enlarge):





What does this mean? First, of course, there is a SPLINTERED sequel in the making, and it's called UNHINGED. It's scheduled to be released January 2014.

 

Second, it means a giveaway, because anyone who follows my blog knows how much I love to give things away! 

 

Since I'm not allowed to offer a blurb for the book yet, and I have to leave you in the dark about it's premise, I'm going to have prizes that play a role in the story somehow, so that later when you read UNHINGED, you'll say to yourself: "Oh, so that's where this comes in."

 

One last thing: The contest will begin this Friday (March 1), will be INTL, and will run for a whole month! Stop back Friday for details and for a peek at the six SPLINTERED/UNHINGED related prizes I'll be offering.

 

Thanks for being so patient while my blog has been in hiatus! Hopefully soon I can clear some of the cobwebs away. Have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you Friday!