Friday Reads-Reversal Zone

Happy Friday friends! We are excited to be a part of the Reversal Zone blog tour. I don’t believe we have featured a science fiction novel yet. This one is part of a series and we love series,,don’t we? Be sure to enter to win signed copies of the first three novels!

J. Grace Pennington has published four science fiction novels. They each have a unique bent to them, but this one is very different. Each book is a standalone, but as with any series, you get more of the story if you read them all in order. In Reversal Zone, the main character, Andi Lloyd, becomes the only one who can save the ship and crew. Can she do it in time?

About the Book

Nothing is as it should be.
After weeks of boredom, Andi is excited when the Surveyor is called upon to rescue a freighter that mysteriously vanished in uncharted space. Excitement quickly turns to unease when the ship encounters an unknown phenomenon—a cloud that appears not to exist. But with the freighter’s crew in danger, the Surveyor has no choice but to venture into unknown territory.
As soon as they enter the cloud, its unstable effects wreak havoc on the ship. They’re flying blind. Every piece of equipment is malfunctioning. And every member of the crew is unable to think straight or act like themselves—except Andi.
Now she’s expected to guide them through the predicament with no previous command experience and no one to turn to for support. And with each passing hour, it becomes clear that if they don’t escape the cloud soon—they won’t escape it at all.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZV1ILB

About the Author

Grace Pennington has been telling stories since she could talk, and writing them down since age five. Now she lives in the great state of Texas, where she writes as much as adult life permits. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading good books, playing movie soundtracks on the piano, and looking up at the stars.

You can find out more about her writing at www.jgracepennington.com.

Friday Reads Interview

Tell our readers why they should choose your novel as their Friday Read.

Firmament: Reversal Zone is a great Friday read for three basic reasons.

a) It’s short. Reviewers have told me that they’ve read it in one to three sittings. So you don’t have to worry about using up your whole weekend.

b) It’s twisty. My readers so far have reported there were multiple twists they didn’t see coming. Who doesn’t love a good twist?

c) It’s clean. Unless you’re sensitive to some medical jargon and moderate peril, you should have nothing to worry about.

1. d) Space. We all love space!

e) The characters. I know I’m biased, but I love my characters—even if none of them are quite them selves this go-round.

(Okay, that’s five reasons. I thought of more while I was writing. But five reasons is better than three, amiright?)

I agree, and they are excellent reasons. I’m sure our readers would like to know the book’s backstory, what inspired you?

Well, this is the fourth book in the series, so it’s partly inspired by the books that came before it. Other than that, I tend to be inspired by two types of “what if” scenarios. The first is “What if this idea were taken to its logical conclusion?” and the second is “What if this character were thrown into this particular situation?”

In Firmament: Reversal Zone, I was inspired by both. I wanted to explore the idea that we are responsible for our choices, no matter how we feel, and I wanted to explore what it would look like if my characters behaved in completely different ways than they usually do. It was great fun, and I have to say this might be my favorite of the series so far.

Who were your favorite authors as a child and teen.

Too many and too varied to count, as per the norm, but among them were C. S. Lewis, L. M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Donald J. Sobol, Dr. Seuss, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and of course I loved Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys! I also loved Elsie Dinsmore, but we won’t talk about that.

(As an aside, I can still recite much of Dr. Seuss. I pride myself on it. People love it when my brother and I just start spouting Seussian tongue-twisters for no reason. Or when my sister and I recite selections from The Silver Chair and other Narnia books.)

4. Those are interesting authors! Now, imagine a modern day, big name author that you love is reading and raving about your book. Choose one of these reactions and explain why.

Freak out and shake all over.
b. Google everything you can find about your book and the author
c. Call everyone you know to share your excitement
d. Post immediately to Face Book so your friends can freak out with you.
e. Begin to mentally compose a tweet to tell the world.

Hmm, it’s hard to choose just one. I would probably post immediately to Facebook to tell all my friends and family, because all of them have been such a huge part of my writing journey, and I would be eager to share the joy and excitement with them. But I would probably be freaking out and shaking all over while I did it.

I’m sure I would be shaking too!

Giveaway

Grace is generously offering three prizes. A signed copy of each of her three previous novels in the series. They are each standalone stories, but they are also connected. If you would like to read more about them, you can read about them here: Radialloy, In His Image, Machiavellian.

To enter the giveaway, please fill out this form.

Tour Schedule

Friday, October 7
Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction
Fathers and Sons-Sports and Life-Guest Post
The Destiny of One-Guest Post
Perpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Excerpt
Rebekah Lyn Books-Author Interview
Saturday, October 8
Shout outs-Guest Post
Author Franky A Brown-Excerpt
Shire Reviews-Book Review
Sunday, October 9
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Excerpt
Zerina Blossom’s Books-Excerpt
Monday, October 10
Rachel Rossano’s Words-Excerpt and Guest Post
In the Bookcase-Excerpt and Book Review
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Book Review
Tuesday, October 11
The Abrahamic Adventures-Book Review
The Overactive Imagination-Excerpt
Morgan Elizabeth Huneke-Book Review
Lisa Swinton Queen of Random-Excerpt
Wednesday, October 12
Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner
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Clean Indie Reads March Madness Blog Hop

It’s been a little more than three years since I hit the publish button on my first book, Summer Storms. Since then I’ve met an amazing cover designer, an editor who understands exactly what I’m trying to say even when I have buried it under layers, and a number of supportive individuals who have provided encouragement when I’ve hit a brick wall. Now, with my fifth book going through revisions and two more books brewing I have a few minutes to contemplate what I would do should I be approached by a publishing house with a contract offer.

There are some good things a publishing contract could bring. Maybe they’d offer me enough money up front so that I could quit my day job or find something that’s only part time and closer to home so I’d have more time to dedicate to writing. Maybe my sales would take off and I could afford to give my parents a trip to Alaska for their anniversary. Maybe I could afford a trip to Italy to do research for a book I’ve been wanting to finish for years.

But what would I have to give up for that contract? How much of my independence, how much of my voice would I lose? If my books don’t fit into the mold of what’s hot now, will I be dropped like a hot potato? What if I don’t mesh with the editor they assign me like I do with my current editor?

As a little girl I pictured myself as a writer. I assume I was successful because I envisioned owning a ranch and several horses. While I don’t have the ranch or the horses, yet, I do feel fulfilled as a writer. I love having the chance to interact with my readers and asking them for input on my work. I love sharing my experiences and encouraging others who have thought about writing, but have been afraid to try.

For now, I’m happy right where I am. Who knows, in another ten years there may not be any big publishing houses and I may be on the cutting edge of the new industry. I kind of like the sound of that.

I am currently editing Spring Dawn, the third book in my Seasons of Faith series. It should be available late April or Early May. To thank you for stopping by my website, I am offering you a chance to win a signed copy of the first novel in the series, Summer Storms and some other swag! Simply leave a comment below in the comments section. If you have read any of my books, that would be a fabulous comment!

The Clean Indie Reads authors have teamed up to give away a huge assortment of books! In order to win one book from EACH author in the blog hop, simply fill out the secure Google form below. It’s that easy. To increase your chances, visit more of the blogs on this hop (see all their links below) and fill out the form on each of their blog sites. One random visitor will be selected at the end of the blog hop! Some of these authors have their own giveaways, so be sure to check them out. I’d also like to encourage you to visit the Clean Indie Reads Book Sale beginning at midnight March 15, 2015! Lots of great clean reading is offered there, and most of them are at discount prices.

Want to take a look before you decide to enter to be the

GRAND PRIZE WINNER?

CLICK HERE

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To visit the other blogs for more entries, catch the Leprerachaun!

PS: DON’T FORGET TO VISIT THE CLEAN INDIE READS MEGA SALE!

CLICK HERE

An Interview with the Women of Pendleton Petticoats

Our interview today is with three characters from Shanna Hatfield’s new historical series. Set in the western town of Pendleton, Oregon, the Pendleton Petticoats series highlights brave, determined women. During the early 1900s, Pendleton was a modern, progressive town, despite its Wild West reputation. In addition to 18 bordellos and 32 saloons, Pendleton offered residents such cultured experiences as an opera house, a French restaurant, and a tearoom. It was the second city in Oregon to have paved streets and boasted a telephone office as well as wonders like indoor plumbing to those who could afford the services. The women in Pendleton Petticoats are from diverse backgrounds but find unity in following their hearts and chasing their dreams.

Aundy, Caterina and Ilsa join us today to talk about life in Pendleton.

Welcome to you three lovely ladies. Tell us a little about how you each came to be in Pendleton.

Aundy: I came to Pendleton as a mail-order bride for a kind-hearted farmer named Erik Erikson. We wed as soon as I stepped off the train, but had a wagon wreck on the way home. Erik died three days later, leaving me, a city girl, his farm and everything he owned.

Caterina: Growing up in New York, I never expected to live so far out west. When a mafia boss decided I would marry him, my family helped me escape and I got off the train here. Aundy was the second person I met and we’ve been friends ever since.

Ilsa: (Giggles) You forgot to mention the first person you met was your very good-looking deputy sheriff husband, Kade. You literally ran into him when you turned a corner and smacked into his chest when you first arrived in town.

Caterina: (Glaring at Ilsa) So I did. Thank you for sharing that with everyone. Let’s talk about why you came to town.

Ilsa: Because Aundy, she’s my sister, and Garrett, that’s Aundy’s husband, rescued me from our horrid aunt in Chicago who was holding me prisoner and brought me here.

What does a typical day entail for each of you?

Aundy: Garrett and I live on the place I inherited from Erik. Our day starts early in the morning with chores. I still don’t like gathering the eggs because our rooster is a nasty little fellow, but I enjoy everything else on the farm. My favorite thing is riding my horse Bell with Garrett, or sitting on the hill above the pasture watching our sheep. Thanks to our Chinese cook, I don’t have to spend a lot of time in the house.

Caterina: Kade and I live just outside of town with his behemoth dog, Ike. We ride into town together in the morning. He goes to work at the sheriff’s office and I go to my restaurant where I create Italian food that reminds me of my family.

Aundy: She’s an amazing cook. You really should drop by sometime for dinner. Her ravioli is divine.

Ilsa: And you have to try one of her pastries. In fact, if I don’t stop eating there so often, I’m going to have to let the seams out of my dresses.

Caterina: You could always learn how to cook…

Ilsa: (Shakes her head) I’d rather sew.

Aundy: (Smiles sweetly and bats her eyelashes at Ilsa) We all know she eats at the restaurant so she can ogle Caterina’s handsome brother.

Ilsa: I don’t ogle Tony! (Huffs indignantly) Returning to the question, I have a dress shop just down the street from Caterina’s restaurant. I design and create clothing, primarily for women. I used to sew for the most elite in Chicago’s social circles, but I’m excited to bring high fashion to the women of Pendleton and Umatilla County.

What’s one thing people might not know about your town?

Caterina: It’s growing faster than we can imagine. In the two years I’ve been here, there has been a boom in new businesses and enterprises, like Ilsa’s boutique and my restaurant.

Aundy: There’s also a boom in less savory businesses like those in The Underground.

What’s the Underground?

(Caterina and Ilsa both look at Aundy)

Aundy: There are tunnels running beneath a section of town that connects several businesses and provides a place for unsavory characters to quench their thirsts, play cards, and engage the services of… um… (Aundy leans close and whispers) women of ill repute.

Ilsa: And you should never, ever stand on top of the grates set in the boardwalk because some of the men in the tunnels will try to peek up a lady’s skirt.

That’s certainly scandalous. Have any of you ever been in the Underground?

Caterina: Gracious, no!

Ilsa: I should say not! It’s no fit place for a lady.

Aundy: Oh, goodness, look at the time. We really should be going. Thank you so much for inviting us here today. We’re so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to connect with your readers.

Thank you for joining us. Any parting words for our readers?

Ilsa: If you enjoy historical fiction, clean romances, or a good western, I hope you’ll consider reading our stories in Aundy, Caterina and Ilsa.

***

Shanna Hatfield is a hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure. In addition to blogging, eating too much chocolate, and being smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller, she is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor. She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

Find Shanna’s books at:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Follow Shanna online:

Email Shanna at shanna@shannahatfield.com