July 29, 2014

Blog Tour: Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre – Interview and Giveaway

Hey guys!  Welcome to our Tour Stop for

Mortal Danger (Immortal Game #1) by Ann Aguirre

presented by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn’t imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She’s not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he’s impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly… bad things are happening. It’s a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil’s bargains, she isn’t sure who—or what–she can trust. Not even her own mind…

Mortal Danger (Immortal Game #1)
by Ann Aguirre
Publication Date:  August 5, 2014
Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Available for purchase:
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Top Favs with Ann Aguirre

You’re home alone, there’s a fire!  Top 3 things you’d grab and save from the fire.

Dixie, Dominic and Darius. (These are our pets, one dog and two cats.)

Top 3 Favorite authors (dead or alive) and why

1)    Sharon Shinn

In college, I discovered romance and fantasy could work together when I read Sharon Shinn for the first time. So clearly I can remember how I felt when I discovered her books for the first time. I was in a dungeon of a shop in Muncie, Indiana. I didn’t really want to be there because, frankly, they sold gaming stuff: Dungeons and Dragons, sourcebooks, dice, graph paper, and pewter miniatures. I wanted to be in a proper bookstore because I had a little money to spend. (My part-time job as a pharmacy tech paid all of $4 an hour.) But I had gamer friends (and I played too, but my great love has always been books), so I was hanging around the store, waiting for them. As I wandered, I eventually came upon a wire book rack. It mostly had TSR novels (Drizzt, Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance) and maybe a few White Wolf stories. I was spinning it listlessly when this fey cover art caught my eye.

Hm, what’s this? I asked myself, plucking the book from the rack. The Shapechanger’s Wife. I read the back and it sounded wonderful, so I bought it at once. While they finished shopping, I hugged the paper bag to my chest and couldn’t wait to get home to start reading. In short, I devoured that one in a few hours and then from that point on, I would buy whatever she released, even if I had to dine on ramen… or nothing at all.

The coolest thing about Sharon Shinn is that so many years later, I’ve had the pleasure of her reading my book for a blurb—and then I met her. After that, I cried tears of pure joy over a dream come true. It’s so wonderful when your idols turn out to be even more amazing than you dreamed. As of now, we’ve gotten together multiple times and I have the pleasure of calling her my friend.

2)     JRR Tolkien

My first memory of reading a fantasy novel: I was eight years old, and someone was in the hospital. I suspect it was one of my grandparents, but I cannot be sure because I had a copy of The Hobbit in my hands. I’d checked it out at the library and I was lost in that book. I know I sat in that hard vinyl chair in the waiting room for hours, but I don’t remember any of that day. I remember only the book I was reading at the time. Once I discovered Tolkien’s other works, I devoured those quickly. And then I realized he was the founding father of a whole, magical realm of fiction. Each week, I went to the mall and browsed my Waldenbooks for likely candidates. This is what I spent my money on as a kid. And when I dreamt of becoming a professional author, I always wanted to write epic fantasy myself. The fact that I’ve yet to sell an epic fantasy series is rather ironic, but it’s on the to-do list, as I still love the genre.

3)     Madeleine L’Engle

Continuing in that vein, I found much to love in Madeleine L’Engle. To this day, A Wrinkle in Time is one of my favorite books (along with its lovely sequels). I identified so strongly with the wallflower heroine, Meg Murry, with her crazy hair, glasses, and braces. I shared her sense of not being like the other girls in my class and I adored my introduction to science fiction. The reason I ended up writing science fiction was because I wanted more like this, more character driven and accessible to women. But it took Ms. L’Engle a while to find a publisher, too and I took heart from her struggle. Like Sharon Shinn, she inspired me to keep writing and keep believing in myself.

Top 3 Favorite snacks while writing and why

1)     Protein bar

It’s fast and better nutritionally than a candy bar. I’ll often have this instead of lunch.

2)     Cranberry Greek yogurt

Delicious, more protein than regular yogurt. Also fast, doesn’t require preparation.

3)     Frozen blueberries and milk

Healthy, similar to ice cream, but better for me. It’s a tasty treat.

Top 3 Favorite books that inspired you to write and why

1)     Ken Follett

One of the books that had the most impact on me was Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. His books are fabulously complex. What I mean by complicated is… they involve many points of view interwoven through the larger plot. And I just adore when authors can pull that off—intrigue me with multiple characters. Complicated books, done poorly, are a disaster because I wind up not caring about any of the characters. But when it’s done well, the intensity of my attachment—and my pleasure in the story—rachets up about a hundred notches. And Pillars of the Earth ticked all the boxes and impressed me with the tremendous detail, meticulous research, and epic scale of the book.

2)     Sharon Shinn

She’s inspiring to me because when I found her books, she was a woman living in the Midwest. She didn’t seem to be famous or connected to publishing. She earned her publishing contract through her beautiful writing and through persistence. She gave me hope that I might be able to do it someday, too. If not for her, shining as a beacon of hope for another Midwestern girl, I might’ve given up on my dreams. I’ll never stop thanking her for blazing a trail that I pictured myself following.

3)     Shel Silverstein

When I was nine, I wrote my first “book.” It was a Scooby Doo style story called “The Mystery of the Golden Doubloon.” I won a contest at my school and went to a state-wide competition called The Young Authors Conference, where I met Shel Silverstein. He read to us from Where the Sidewalk Ends. That was the thrill of my young life. In that moment, sitting on my square of carpet, I thought, they pay him for his words. this is what I want to do. Later that same year, my teacher told me writing wasn’t a real job and I should pick something else. As it turns out, I am stubborn beyond the point of common sense, as I never did choose another career. But hey, it’s working out awesome so far.

Top 3 favorite songs to listen to while writing and why

This is hard to be definitive about because I don’t listen to the same songs for the same stories. Music creates a mood, and it’s relative to the tone of the scene you’re writing. But I’ll name three songs I love, period. Right now, I’m singing along with:

Rude by MAGIC!

Big Strong Girl by Deb Talan

Dear Darlin by Olly Murs

Top 3 favorite techniques to overcome writers block and why

First, don’t call it writer’s block.

If you’re stuck in a book or story, in my experience, it means your brain is telling you there’s something askew with what you’ve already written. If you can’t figure out what, then maybe it’s time to step away from this project and let it rest until you do know. Otherwise, you’ll just spend hours banging your head on a wall. I don’t recommend not working at all, however. The cure for not writing is writing.

The best cure is to write something else. It could be a poem, a short story, a project you’ve been dreaming about. The point is to rediscover the fun and passion. Most times, once you relax, and you’re enjoying your work again, your brain will then sneakily puzzle out what’s wrong with the other WiP, which you can return to when you feel like it.  Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help with your projects. Your friends and family members may be able to think of a solution to your problem.

Top 3 musicians/bands/groups and why

Leonard Cohen – I love how gravelly his voice is and the pure poetry of his lyrics.

Drowning Pool – They’re great for action scenes.

The National – I just love their music, period.

Top 3 favorite movies of all time and why

I can’t limit myself to three. Sorry.

Terminator (the future is bleak indeed), any Resident Evil film, 28 Days Later, Undead (a wicked awesome indie Aussie film), Daybreakers (by the same directors who did Undead), Zombieland, 12 Monkeys, Children of Men, Road Warrior, Shaun of the Dead, Logan’s Run, Blade Runner (some might argue its inclusion), Equilibrium, Tank Girl, The Postman, Escape from New York, The Blood of Heroes, Reign of Fire… okay, I’m stopping now.

Top 3 favorite animated movies and why

Up – Because it made me cry.

Despicable Me 1 & 2— One Word: Minions.

The LEGO Movie—It was hilarious, awesome, and touching.

 

Top 3 favorite movie moments and why

Last of the Mohicans

“I will find you.” Seriously, this needs explaining? Just watch that bit. You’ll get it.

Star Wars

When they blow up the death star. Why? Because it’s just like shooting wamp rats on Tattooine.

Friends with Kids

When Jason grovels for Jennifer’s heart after rejecting her romantically. You kinda just have to watch the movie. It’s SO AWESOME.

Top 3 favorite actors/actresses and why

Ron Perlman

Because he’s awesome. And he was Hellboy.

Mark Ruffalo

He’s a talented, versatile actor.

Jason Statham

He’s super hot and he does amazing action movies, usually his own stunts.

 

Top 3 favorite gadgets and why

1)     Laptop

Because I use it to write books.

2)     Toaster

Because it helps me make breakfast.

3)     Google Nexus tablet

Because it’s more portable than my laptop and I can play games on it.

 

Top 3 favorite dream destinations and why

1)     Japan

I love watching Japanese dramas and adore Japanese food. Would love to visit and see the sites.

2)     South Korea

I’m completely addicted to Korean dramas and I love the food, too. I would enjoy touring the country to learn more about the culture firsthand.

3)     Australia

Because it’s one part of world I’ve never been to. I hear it’s gorgeous and incredibly diverse. Plus, the accents are amazing.

Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Doctor Who. She writes all kind of fiction in multiple genres, both YA and for adults.

Connect with the Author:  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumbler

Sunday, July 27                 The Midnight Garden

Monday, July 28               Bevy Bibliotheque

Tuesday, July 29               Chapter by Chapter

Wednesday, July 30        Birth of a New Witch

Thursday, July 31              Two Chicks on Books

Friday, August 1                Rainy Day Ramblings

Saturday, August 2          Wondrous Reads

Sunday, August 3             Alice Marvels

Monday, August 4           Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

Tuesday, August 5           Mac Teen Books

Mortal Danger Pub Week Tour Schedule

 

Tuesday August 5                            Malaprop’s Books, Asheville, NC

Wednesday, August 6                    Cover to Cover, Columbus, OH

Thursday, August 7                         The Book Bin, Salem, OR

Friday, August 8                                Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA

Saturday, August 9                          Barnes & Noble Firewheel, Garland, TX

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