🏰 Author Interview Featuring Cheryl Carpinello, Author ANCIENT TALES & LEGENDS SERIES #interview

 


I have a very talented lady here today to tell us all about her new YA historical fiction series, Ancient Tales & Legends. Her name is Cheryl Carpinello and her series information as well as buying link is below. Enjoy the interview!

First, find out more about Cheryl and her hot new series...



Cheryl Carpinello
 taught high school English for 25 years. During that time, she worked with numerous students who didn’t like to read for a variety of reasons. However, she discovered that even the most reluctant readers became engaged in the classroom and in reading when she introduced units on King Arthur and the works of ancient world writers. Upon retiring, she set out to write fast-paced, action-filled stories in these setting to encourage young readers to read more. When not writing, you can find her reading, spending time with family, and traveling.

“In 2008, my husband and I spent three weeks traveling around Egypt via train and visiting all those magnificent archeological sites. Since we returned home, Egypt has never been far from my thoughts. I truly believe that I left part of my soul in that ancient land. To satisfy my longing to return, I wrote Sons of the Sphinx and Tutankhamen Speaks.” Visit her on Twitter and Facebook.




As a book bloggin’ and book luvin’ Princess, I’m always curious to find out how authors got the ideas for their books. Can you tell us how you got the idea to write your books?

I’ve always loved ancient Egypt. After spending three weeks exploring that country in 2008, I toyed with several story ideas over the next four years. I settled on


Tutankhamen because of all the mystery surrounding him, his family, his kingship, and his death. The translation of the stela that sits between the Sphinx’s paws gave me the story line for Sons of the Sphinx. However, Tutankhamen insisted that his story (Tutankhamen Speaks) be told first. 

Can you tell us a little about the main characters of your books?

Rosa (Sons of the Sphinx) is a typical 15-year-old, almost. She has a unique gift—she views it as a curse—that sets her apart from her friends and classmates. In fact, because of this gift/curse, Rosa really has no real friends. You see, the dead talk to her. Yep, you heard right. Rosa hears the dead. It’s hard enough being a teenager without something like this hanging over your head. But, Rosa is also a spunky girl and not about to be cowed by ghosts!

Tutankhamen(Tutankhamen Speaks) was every bit a Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, but he was also a young boy growing up in a society that didn’t tolerate deviation from the norm. Underneath all the mysticism surrounding the Pharaohs/Living Gods of the people breathes a boy who laughs, loves, and harbors regrets. He was/is a ruler, a husband, and the defender of his family.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?

Keep dreaming and imaging! Don’t worry about being different. Be yourself.

What would you say is one of your interesting writing quirks?

I usually write most of my stories in my head. Then before I even look at a computer, I write my entire story in longhand.

Do you hear from your readers?  What do they say?

I do hear from readers. Many times, kids will come back to a show I’m at to buy another of my books /or to tell me how they enjoyed my Arthurian Legend stories. One young reader from Texas send me a note: “I think your books are AWESOME!” Lots of adults tell me how much they love reading about ancient Egypt as they are buying my books!


What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

The best piece of advice/criticism comes from an instructor: Lock out your critical voice. Let your creative voice write the story. It knows what to do.

What has been your best accomplishment?

In my writing: Finishing my MG/Teen Guinevere trilogy in 2020.

In my life: My family

Do you Google yourself?

No.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

Two from years and years ago. Currently, only the one I’m working on now.

Fun question – if you were princess or prince, what’s one thing you would do to make your kingdom a better place?

Ensure that kids can grow up being kids.

Do you have anything specific that you would like to say to your readers?

My stories are all about growing up, even as adults. My characters never give up or give in. Feed your dreams, your imagination, and your knowledge by reading. Only you can put a limit on what you can accomplish.

{BOOK TEASER} THE DEMON HUNTERS SERIES by A.S. Fenichel



Title: DEMON HUNTER SERIES
Author: A.S. Fenichel
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 320 – 340 each book
Genre: Paranormal Historical Romance

SERIES BLURB:

In a world fraught with demons threatening to destroy humankind, a company of demon hunters will risk everything to save the world.

The Demon Hunters Series is available at:

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Baby-Second-Chance-Stillwater/dp/1335456252/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 
You can also watch the book teaser at :

https://youtu.be/TZ4zSEjipA0

About A.S. Fenichel


A.S. Fenichel gave up a successful IT career in New York City to follow her husband to Texas and pursue her lifelong dream of being a professional writer. She’s never looked back.

A.S. adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic, and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story.

Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in Missouri with her real-life hero, her wonderful husband. When not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history, and puttering in her garden. On the side, she is a master cat wrangler and her two fur babies keep her very busy.

Website: http://asfenichel.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/asfenichel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A.S.Fenichel

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5154640.A_S_Fenichel

{BOOK TEASER} MY FEATS IN THESE SHOES by Ronda Beaman

 


MY FEATS IN THESE SHOES

Author: Ronda Beaman
Publisher: Adelaide Books
Pages: 190
Genre: Memoir/Inspirational/Self-Help

If memoirs, done right, tap the right sort of personal journey to ignite fresh insight and inspiration into the human journey, then what better way to humorously and poignantly illuminate the sequential steps and stages of life than with shoes?

“My Feats in These Shoes” is an exuberantly spunky woman’s spirited and irrepressible romp—slips, missteps, leaps, scuffs, and twirls—toward becoming something bigger, something better, something more.

Far from serving up trauma porn (or emotional bunions), this memoir is an upbeat, humorous, affectionate and affecting coming of age memoir that ends each chapter with a ‘Put Yourself in My Shoes’ section for readers to consider their own strides in pursuing an out of the shoe box life.


My Feats in These Shoes is available at:

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Baby-Second-Chance-Stillwater/dp/1335456252/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 
You can also watch the book teaser at :

https://youtu.be/TZ4zSEjipA0

🏰Blog Tour! Bandits of Basswood by E.P. Bellows

  

An adventure tale for young readers…



By E.P. Bellows

Title: BANDITS OF BASSWOOD
Author: E.P. Bellows
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 195
Genre: Children’s Fantasy

BOOK BLURB:

John William Drake was born an explorer; just like many, many Drakes before him. His adventure really began with the discovery of a book hidden in the ceiling, followed by the mysterious disappearance of his father. He lived every day in misery until his twelfth birthday. A new friend gave him an invitation he could not turn down… follow me and change your destiny.

He never imagined being captured by bandits and taken to a ship riddled with river rats was part of his fate. Not just any bandits – the Bandits of Basswood; known to be a ruthless and wild crew of thieves. Trying to escape would be a ridiculous idea. No one has ever escaped and lived to tell about it. Uncovering traces of his missing father gave him hope and upped the stakes. John William was determined to get off the ship alive and search for the missing pieces of the puzzle. The chase out of Basswood was on. He took a chance to change his destiny and ended up on a wild ride to solve the most important mystery of his life.

PRAISE

“The imaginative world created by the author is especially fun. Some animals can talk (with attitude!), magic is in the air and emu-like creatures provide fast transportation. Yes, I realize this series is for children- and they can certainly read it. Just as soon as I’m finished.” – Amazon Reviewer 5 stars

I enjoyed reading these books. Great for young adults, even though I’m an adult. I would recommend this series to those kids who like a good adventure…” – Amazon Reviewer 5 stars

“A simple walk into the world of furry and fairy alike. Enjoyed the character building, as the young boy finds himself in a world with furry pirates, and a feisty fairy princess. Even the villains (as a group,) were only bad because of the main villain of the piece. all in all a nice intro to a simply enchanted world. Hope to see more…” – Amazon Reviewer 4 stars





~Escaping the Pirate Ship...

Celeste stiffened her posture. “Here is the plan; one of you needs to help me free myself from this tie before the hatch opens again. I will take on my bird form and fly out of here. They won’t even know what happened. Once I tell my dad, the guards will come to save you.” Her tongue hovered over her upper lip as she strained to free her hands.

Ferdinand frowned. “That’s your plan, is it? Marvelous! You are just going to flutter off in the dark of night? You don’t even know how far away from Verhonia you are. Nonsense! You’re not doing it!”

“Why can’t you turn to a bird with your hands tied? Then you could free yourself and unfasten my ties.” John William wiggled around on the bench.

“I could break a wing or something worse. I’m not willing to risk it.” Celeste replied.

“A lot of good having your hands free will do when you are locked in a cabin surrounded by bandits and river rats!” Ferdinand huffed.

The boat jolted suddenly, throwing the three of them off their seats. Celeste’s eyes lit up. She waved her hands around. “I did it!” she shrieked.

The drunken slur of a bandit came from the other side of the hatch. “I don’t want any foolery in there!” The hatch shifted and wiggled.

“Don’t worry,” Celeste whispered and smiled at John William.

Within seconds, she was a beautiful red robin flying around the cabin. The hatch swung open and out she flew, nearly hitting the bandit in the face.

“Oh, great,” Ferdinand grumbled.

The bandit swung his arm. “What the – how did a bird get in here? Hey, you lazy lumps! Catch that bird; let’s boil it for dinner!” He laughed belligerently. The bandit reeked. He must have been saturated from head to toe with rum.

John William and Ferdinand exchanged nervous glances.

The bandit poked his head in and looked around. “Hey! Where’s the girl?” He stumbled inside, knocking ship tools and other small objects around with his tail.

John William and Ferdinand remained quiet, looking like they both swallowed the same canary. The bandit stood over John William, swaying with his hands on his hips. “Well, where is the princess, wart? Did you help her escape?”

John William cleared his throat. “I, I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Is that so?” The bandit pulled a knife from his belt with a taunting smile.

“She escaped,” Ferdinand blurted. “We tried to stop her, but she refused to listen. She went out the hatch and jumped overboard.”

“Impossible.” The bandit rubbed his fingers over his oily fur.

“Wait a minute… who are you?”

“Um, I believe I am Captain Vic’s supper.” The hopper stuck out his pudgy belly.

“It’s true! I heard the splash, myself,” declared John William, trying to take the focus off Ferdinand. The bandit examined their faces.

Plunk – it sounded just like that,” said Ferdinand with a shaky laugh.

“Plunk?” The bandit’s soggy, rum-soaked face crinkled in confusion.

“Yes, yes, that’s right… plunk,” Ferdinand squeaked.

The bandit stormed out of the cabin. “The princess escaped!

Get up, you twits!” He ran around the boat, banging his blade on an iron pot, making as much racket as one drunken bandit possibly could. The other bandits stirred.

Ferdinand shook his head with terror in his eyes. “We’re in for it now, boy….”~

 

 























A few random things about me…

Um, let’s see… when I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my very short lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a “Dollar Saver” with turkey poop splattered across the front page. Apparently that’s where the best coupons are.

Books… well, “Treasure Island” is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. I would also like to thank C.S Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds (even in the most unpleasant locations, e.g… the older brother’s closet, etc…)

I write fantasy stories for children. Yep – I am a HUGE fantasy geek. I can’t help myself! It’s too darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment, self love, and living purposefully.

When football is on I turn into a different person. I may even use a curse word or two… or three. I enjoy running; which is a good thing because I need to do it in order to fit into my jeans.

I love to cook and really, really love to eat. I have a theory that avocados actually contain super powers and have the amazing ability to make any snack epic. I also love garlic… which, according to my loved ones, also has an unfortunate super power … the pungent breath-inator… or something of that nature.

Few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese… AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again – just once:)


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GIVEAWAY

E.P. Bellows is giving away a summer goodie bag containing Azra’s Pith swag! Goodie bag includes a coffee mug, tumbler, beach towel, paperback and kindle copy of Bandits of Basswood!

Terms & Conditions:

  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter
  • This giveaway ends midnight September 30.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on October 1.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!







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