Hi. I am happy to be hosting the Authors Around the World Kindle Fire Blog Hop with J.L. Campbell. There are so many great authors, books and locations to discover, as well as prizes to be won, so hop around. If you collect all the various locations featured, you can enter them into the rafflecopter for an extra 25 entry points to win your very own Kindle Fire. And there are only 16 blogs, so it shouldn't be too overwhelming. I am also giving away 3 Kings & Queens eBooks and one $10 giftcard to the store of your choice. Enter to win!
For this Hop, I am happy to be highlighting, young adult author, Linda Ullesit. I've been eying her book for a while now because I love horses, and what's not to love about flying horses? That's even better! And I'm not sure what happened to Suzanne. She hasn't been on her blog, FB page or Twitter since the 25th or responded to my emails, so I'm going to post J.L. Campbell's interview too. I hope she's okay and just on vacation or something.
Anyway, without further ado, here's Linda.
What title are you highlighting in this blog hop?
On a Wing and a Dare
Synopsis:
When tradition and parental disapproval threaten the very existence of the flying horses of medieval Wales, three teenage friends must fight to discover a way to save the mystical creatures and break free of their parents’ reins. Sixteen-year-old Emma longs to become the rider of a winged colt born in the barn of her father’s biggest rival. She also dreams of the rival’s sons, not sure which she loves: Evan, the exciting but insensitive one, or Davyd, the dependable one. Risking public humiliation and his family’s disappointment, Davyd must accept his fear of heights and plan an alternate future that does not include becoming a rider. When the horses begin to die, Evan discovers a way to save them, but his position as a junior rider hinders acceptance of his idea. The teenagers must put aside their self-doubts and work together to execute Evan’s plan before all the winged horses in the world are gone forever.
Who are your main characters?
Emma, 16, and brothers Davyd, 16, and Evan, 18
Who is your favorite character and why?
I actually like all three characters for different reasons. My favorite, though, is Davyd. He goes through the most inner turmoil before learning who he is and finding the courage to act on it.
Share one quirky trait in one of your characters.
Davyd has a habit of running his hand through his curly hair when he's worried or stressed out.
What was your biggest challenge writing this book?
The hardest part was keeping track of all the themes and threads I was weaving and making sure that everything came together at the end.
Spill a secret, mystery or hidden thing in your book:
One theme of the book is that you need to balance your dreams, your responsibilities, your outside influences. Flowers symbolize the earth, or the practical. In the beginning of the book, Emma doesn't even notice as she walks over the flowers. Emma is all about the air, her dreams. In the middle, Davyd the practical one teaches Emma the names of some of the flowers. At the end, during a special event, Emma wears a wreath of flowers and can name all of them and appreciate their beauty.
Where do you live?
I live in San Jose, California
What's a cool, unknown spot?
Near my house is a neighborhood shopping center with an independent coffe shop called Evergreen Coffee Company. I can sit on its patio year round and see the center's fountain and palm trees. Behind that are the rolling hills that border San Jose to the east. They are grassy, green in the spring and brown in the summer, and dotted with oak trees. A beautiful spot to visit with friends, read, or write.
Tell us a little about an interesting landmark in your country.
You'll probably have a lot of people from the United States, so I'll focus on the west coast. I live about an hour south of San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge is one of its most amazing landmarks. It's a beautiful suspension bridge, quite an engineering marvel when it opened in 1937. Workers are continually painting the bridge bright orange, officially called International Orange.
What's a little known fact about where you live?
The original location of Evergreen Elementary School, where both my sons went to school and where I taught for ten years, opened in 1860. Walt Whitman taught there for a year while he attended San Jose State University.
Name two famous people who’ve been sighted in your corner of the world.
My son was a lifeguard at Raging Waters a few years ago when actor David Spade visited the park. His bodyguard climbed the steps with him, but only David went down the water slides. We have a country club nearby where some of the players for the Forty Niners live. Ex-Niner Bubba Paris has been active coming to schools for assemblies to raise money for programs.
What is the one thing tourists must do?
Tourists to San Jose should see the Winchester Mystery House, built by Sara Winchester, heir to the rifle fortune. They should also visit Raging Waters.
What's your favorite restaurant and what type of food do they serve?
There's a Pasta Pomodoro located near my house where my husband and I eat almost every Friday night. They serve tasty Italian food.
What are you giving away on your blog?
I'm giving away a button with my flying horse logo.
Who is the author you are highlighting on your blog?
Patricia Lynne
Where can readers connect with you?
I'm on Facebook as Flying Horse Books.
I'm on Twitter and Goodreads and Shelfari.
My book review blog is: http://ulleseit.wordpress.com
My novel site is: http://flyinghorsebooks.wordpress.com
Thanks, Linda.
What was your biggest challenge writing this book?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My favorite place would be Red Rock amphitheater in Colorado. It's just stunning.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Courtney & Linda. I read On a Wing and a Dare and I enjoyed it. Really liked the idea of flying horses.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joy! My favorite place of those listed would be Finland. How cool to collaborate with an author who's so far away!
ReplyDeleteLinda Ulleseit
My favorite locale would be Hearst Castle in California.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I haven't been to many places, but I loved Toronto and Niagara Falls.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite locale would be Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Thanks for the giveaways.
ReplyDeleteSue B
I have never been there but; my favorite place in the world would be England.
DeleteSue B
My favorite locale is Key West, FL. The atmosphere is different there. Everyone is relaxed and calm.
ReplyDeleteI've been to other parts of Florida, never Key West though, but it sounds great.
ReplyDeleteSo Sorry! I was running around Berlin photographing graffiti and street art! I'm back now... Am I too late ?? :(
ReplyDeleteNo, you're not too late. I was just worried. Sounds like Berlin had a lot going on. I love street art. Have you ever seen those 3D chalk drawings? They are phenomenal.
DeleteHi! Thank you for the awesome hop and the great giveaway! :) My favorite place is home. Its where my family is. It holds memories and its where i feel as myself and safe. ;) Thanks!
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My favorite place is my parent's home.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite place is somewhere exotic!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
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