Book Tour: Waning Moon by PJ Sharon Review & Interview & Giveaway

Waning Moon

by PJ Sharon 

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BLURB: 

In the year 2057, in a post-apocalyptic world where a global shift threatens the remainder of the population with extinction, sixteen-year-old genetically enhanced Lily Charmichael has more immediate problems. Her uncle is dying of cancer and her healing abilities are ineffective against the blood ties that bind them. In order to find a cure, Lily must leave the protection of her quiet town and journey into the trading city of Albany, all while avoiding the Industry, an agency that would like nothing better than to study and exploit her abilities.

 Seventeen-year-old Will Callahan has been searching for his father since severe storms blasted through the Midwest, killing his mother and sister. When he learns that his father may be in the city, he catches a ride with Lily, a girl who has come to his rescue more than once. As the two embark on a dangerous journey, the attraction between them grows. But the secrets Will’s keeping could put her in far more danger than traveling to the city with him, and if he was any kind of man, he would have told her to run the minute she found him.

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EXCERPT: 

“Wait,” I said before he got far, “I bet I could find you something to eat.” I tried to appeal to what I knew would work for any hungry male. “Would you like some of this?” I asked. My bag of premium jarred honey lay across my back, and I figured it wasn’t really a meal, but I was willing to bet he’d eat whatever he could get his hands on. Or maybe he could trade Mrs. Higgins for some soup or a place to bathe. She would likely offer him something herself once she saw him. He was clearly in need of both.

The boy eyed the honey as I pulled a glass jar out of my pack, but he put his hands up and backed away. “No, I...thanks anyway…I’ll be fine…I gotta go…” He spun away and strode across the street toward an alleyway. It wasn’t like I could invite him back to the farm. Sam would kill me if I brought home a stranger. His warnings rang clear in my head even as I caught up to the boy and grabbed his arm.

“C’mon. Let me…”

The stranger whirled around, his grey eyes cold and hard. “I don’t need some girl to rescue me!”

Stunned, I took a step back. Not only did his words come as a complete surprise, but the color of his eyes rendered me speechless. I hadn’t noticed beneath his shaggy bangs before, but his eyes were a crystalline blue-grey that reminded me of an icy lake or a stormy sky. Brilliant, backlit with sunshine, and rimmed by dark, thick lashes. I sucked in a breath, confused by somehow feeling happy while being horribly offended at the same time. My brain kicked in and my heart felt the sting.

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Review:

I thought this book was good. It was like the Hunger Games (more Revolution, the new TV series that on right now) mixed with paranormalness. You know now that I think about it, it is really similar to Revolution. Girl lives outside cities, in a small town. Brother somehow ends up in the hands of the boss people. She wants to save him. Get helps from a boy that is sent to get her (shh she doesn't know that). She finds out about the boy and hates him. Then forgives him later and he saves her life.

One thing I like about books more than shows is that you know the characters feelings and you can connect to them more. You also see the little steps, like how she ends up liking him,etc. 

4/5 Stars.

~ALISIA

Interview:

1) Where did you get the idea for the novel?

I live out in the Berkshire Hills in a small remote town with neighbors who love living in the woods as much as my husband and I do. We often get together and talk about current events and contemplate our survival strategies if the world as we know it comes to an end. We aren’t quite as bad as the Doomsday Preppers, but we do try to be prepared for whatever the future holds. Humans are the most adaptable creatures on the planet, and in keeping with my “hopefully ever after” philosophy, I wanted to show how we might survive if life as we know it took a turn for the worse.

2) Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title? Which came first, the title or the novel?

I decided on the title. It’s funny, but titles come to me quickly after the concept for the books. The story had a race against time feel to it. I knew the environment was a big factor in this story, and WANING MOON captured the essence of both the dying of the planet and Lily’s race to find a cure for her uncle’s cancer. It was then easy to incorporate references into the book.

3) Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?

Tough question. There have been so many great highlights. Finishing my first manuscript stands out. It’s such an accomplishment when you think about how many people want to write a book and how many actually complete one. Each time I write THE END, I have a bittersweet feeling of euphoria and sadness, because I know I’ll miss my characters and their journey. I think that was one of the reasons I wanted to write a trilogy. Oh, another highlight was when Kristan Higgins told me she cried at the end of HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES, and how much she loved my writing. That gets me through those moments when my doubt monster is wreaking havoc.

4) What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?

I’m almost at the end of Huntley Fitpatrick’s debut novel, MY LIFE NEXT DOOR. Such a sweet teen romance!

5) What was your first book that you ever wrote (very first one you wrote, not published)?

Uggh! Island of Women. Need I say more?

6) What is your writing process?

I’m a pantser by nature, but I’ve learned the value of at least creating a timeline and jotting down the turning points in the story, as well as the dark moment and big climax scene. I make sure I know what the goal, motivation, and conflict are for the main characters and what their fatal flaws are that they have to overcome by the end of the story. It saves me a lot of revision on the back end if I know these details up front. Whatever happens on the page after that is organic and magical. I think that if I plotted the whole book out, there would be no point in writing it.

7) Who are your favorite authors of all time?

I fell in love with Barbara Kingsolver as a young adult. Her prose and storytelling are marvelous, but my all-time favorite is Diana Gabaldon. Her OUTLANDER series is pure genius. I heard her speak at last year’s RWA national convention and was amazed and thrilled to hear that she doesn’t plot her stories either.

8) At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say? 

I try to personalize my autograph for each book. I use a quote from the book or a sentiment that is meaningful. I have a few quick lines I use in a pinch. “Peace and Blessings” is always a lovely wish for my readers.

9) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

That I sing opera in the shower—I take very long showers.

10)How do you react to a bad review?

I cringe, try to find anything constructive that makes me a better writer, and then let it go. That process now takes about thirty seconds. I also remind myself that “Wow, I’m getting reviews…for a book…I wrote. How many people can actually say that?” A half a minute is about all the time I’m willing to spend pondering a bad review. I have work to do. I’ve got another book to write. My hope is always that each one will be better than the last.

11) How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

I had my critique partners over to my house to celebrate with me. They are the best!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I knew I would be a writer someday when I was a little girl sitting on my grandpa’s knee and telling him stories that he would help me put on paper. By the time I entered kindergarten I could already read and write, and I couldn’t wait to look up new words every morning in the ginormous Webster’s Dictionary that sat in the book case at the bottom of our stairs. I would get on the bus and ask my friends, “Do you know what pulchritudinous means?” Between that and challenging the boys to push-up contests at the bus stop, I mostly sat alone on those bus rides to school. But that just meant I had more time to make up stories.

I went on to many other endeavors in life, including the world of figure skating, and later, earning a bl

ack belt in martial arts. Though I was a mom at seventeen, I did manage to finish school and somehow made it through college, earning a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant. After nineteen years, two sons, a divorce, and some fairly lean years, I found that it’s true what they say about life beginning at forty. It was about that time when I reunited with the love of my life and worked my way to owning my own business as a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Yoga Instructor—all of my favorite things. To make my bliss complete, I moved out to the Berkshires and found my muse waiting for me there amongst the lilacs and humming birds.

I now write Extraordinary Stories of an Average Teenage Life in order to share hope with others, especially teens, that no matter how tough life gets, there is always a bright spot waiting just around the corner. My published books include the award winning YA Novels, HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES, ON THIN ICE, and SAVAGE CINDERELLA, available through Amazon and B&N Booksellers.

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pjsharonbooks

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Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/pjsharon/

Good reads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5238865.P_J_Sharon

Secretsof7scribes  http://www.secretsof7scribes.com/

YABeyond  http://www.yabeyond.com/

Giveaway:

PJ will be awarding an eBook copy of "Thin Ice" to one commenter at each stop and a $25 Amazon or BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. 

The tour dates can be found here:  http://www.goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/08/virtual-book-tour-waning-moon-by-pj.html

Buy Links:

Amazon e-book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GW3GTK/ref=tag_dpp_yt_edpp_rt?_encoding=UTF8&ie=UTF8&redirect=true&redirect=true&s=books%23tags#_

BN:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waning-moon-pj-sharon/1113017575?ean=2940015609547

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/239484