Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Dawn Ford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
Series: Firebird Series #1
Author: Dawn Ford
Publisher: Expanse Books
Release Date: April 12, 2022
Genre: YA Christian Fantasy
Eighteen-year-old servant girl Tambrynn is haunted by more than her unusual silver hair and the star-shaped pupils in her eyes. Her uncontrollable ability to call objects leads the wolves who savagely murdered her mother right to her door.
When she’s fired and outcast during a snowstorm, her carriage wrecks and she’s forced to find refuge in an abandoned cottage. There, her life is upended when the magpie who’s stalked her for ten years transforms into a man, Lucas. He’s her Watcher and they’re from a different kingdom. His job is to keep her safe from her father, an evil mage, who wants to steal her abilities, turn her into one of his undead beasts, and become immortal himself.
Can they make it to the magical passageway and get to their home kingdom in time for Tambrynn to thwart her father’s malicious plans? Or will Tambrynn’s unique magic doom them all?
Winner of the 2016 ACFW Genesis Award and finalist in the 2018 Grace Award and the 2020 Great Expectations Contest, Dawn Ford has been recognized for her published and non-published works. Her flash fiction stories have been published in Havok magazine under both her real name and pen name, Jo Wonderly. Her debut novel, Knee-high Lies, was published in 2017.
As a child, Dawn often had her head in the clouds creating scenes and stories for anything and everything she came across. She believed there was magic everywhere, a sentiment she has never outgrown. Nature inspires her, and her love for the underdog and the unlikely hero colors much of what she writes.
Dawn adores anything Steampunk, is often distracted by shiny, pretty things, and her obsession with purses and shoes borders on hoarding. Dawn lives in Iowa and helps her husband run their foodservice and catering business out of Omaha, Nebraska. When not reading, writing, or catering, Dawn loves babysitting her grandchildren, is parent to Snickers the Wonder Beagle, and can usually be caught daydreaming.
Q: What was the inspiration behind The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes?
Dawn: I sat down one afternoon to write with a vision in my head of a servant girl who had been dismissed from her employer because of her errant abilities. Her carriage wrecks in a dark, dangerous forest. I had three chapters written within an hour just from that single image.
Q: How long did it take you to write this story?
Dawn: I started writing this story in 2010, so it’s taken me twelve years from start to publication.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote from this book?
Dawn: “Those who are given special gifts from the Kinsman have a great responsibility to use them faithfully. That doesn't mean ye won't fail. It just means ye'll have to work hard to make things right.”
Q: What do you hope readers take away from The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes?
Dawn: From the first image of this story, I wanted to get across the idea that our abilities are gifts, not curses. Too often we belittle our own talents while thinking someone else’s have more value. We’ve all been born with unique abilities and special talents. The trick is to appreciate ourselves for how wonderful we’ve been created.
Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers would not know?
Dawn: I didn’t start writing until I was in my forties, so it’s never too late to discover your special abilities.
Q: What are you reading now?
Dawn: I’m reading Erin Howard’s Beyond the Gates. It’s currently up for preorder.
Q: How many bookcases are in your home?
Dawn: Three.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Dawn: Reading, thrift shopping, watching my grandchildren.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(3) winners will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes, and book swag!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 16, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 23, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Eighteen-year-old Edward has been raised with tales of distant lands where dragons and other strange beasts dwell. He dreams of one day joining the Keepers, who fight against them to keep the land safe; however, life’s obstacles keep him firmly rooted in the small town of Cadestone.
When seventeen-year-old June comes passing through, following a dream given to her by the Creator of the universe, Edward’s life is about to change. Pursued by a demon-possessed man, the two of them are forced to flee to areas where dragons and monsters are not just tales but reality.
June and Edward eventually discover what the demons want from them. Is it possible to defeat this evil and save everyone from the darkness that threatens their lands?
Excerpt:The familiar metallic taste of blood and dirt mingled in Edward’s mouth as he hit the ground. He winced in pain, then spat the distasteful mixture and wiped his lips. Naman had been a little too rough with him this time. For an older man, his trainer could still fight better than most soldiers. Edward brushed the dust from his arms and knees as he rose, pulling a twig out of his curly brown hair. He tucked his dragon-tooth necklace into his shirt and took a step forward, his body aching beneath tattered clothes. Gazing down, he noticed a speck of blood dotting the material above his left knee.
“Hurry up, lad. Let’s get on with it,” Naman yelled, swinging his wooden sword in a figure-eight pattern, as if trying to loosen his arm.
Edward peered around for his own practice sword and picked it up, dragging the tip on the soft dirt, leaving a wavy line behind it. He gripped the wooden hilt tighter, lifting his weapon up in front of him, his lips curling upward.
“What are you grinning at, boy?” Naman barked.
“I almost had you that last time.”
Naman’s lips tightened. “Almost? If I were a varnack, you’d be dead.”
Edward nodded, preparing to attack, but then hesitated. It would be dark soon. “I think I’m done for today.”
Naman scrunched his eyebrows. “You’re done when I say you’re done.”
“I need to get to work,” Edward protested. “Bron will have me fired if I’m late again.”
“Pffft, Bron.” Naman spat out the words. “Why you insist on going back to that fat tavern owner, I’ll never know. Just quit and head south already.”
“You know I can’t.”
“You can. You just choose not to.” Naman sighed and tossed his sword under a tree. “Come inside before you go. I have something to give you.” He strode toward the house without waiting for a response, his muscular arms swinging with each step.
About the Author:
Costas Ioannou lives in Cyprus, with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys horse riding, and spending time with his family. Above all however, he is a follower of Jesus Christ and does his best to glorify God through his daily life and writing.
Author Interview: Q: What was the inspiration behind Creator’s Call?
Costas: Over the years that I have been a Christian, God has taught me much and given me insight and understanding of His ways as described in the scriptures. I wanted to share these things with others through a fantasy adventure. I have always been fascinated with dragons and other elements of fantasy and this was a way of combining the two. I want everything I do to glorify God and so writing Creator’s Call was a perfect opportunity to do this. I hope that the readers of this novel will be strengthened and encouraged in their walk with Christ as well as entertained.
Q:How long did it take you to write this novel?
Costas: Creator’s Call took me about two and a half years from start to finish. This is due to two main factors: lack of experience, and health issues with my hands and voice that made writing difficult. God however used this time to help me improve in my writing, which made the end result that much better.
Q:Do you have a favorite quote from this novel?
Costas: I’m not sure I do, however this quote from the character David in chapter 9 is one that I like:
“The greatest calling anyone could ever have is to love. To love the Creator with all that we are and to love those around us. If you do nothing else with your life except follow these two things, you would have lived a worthy life.”
Q:What do you hope readers take away from Creator’s Call?
Costas: There are many messages within Creator’s Call. Some people after reading it have told me that forgiveness stood out to them. Another person told me that love was a dominant message and another that it was our need for God. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will highlight the right message for each person.
Q:Would you share something about yourself that most readers would not know?
Costas: For a very long time before writing this book I had read no other books except my Bible. It was only after deciding to write Creators Call that I decided to start reading fantasy again in order to familiarize myself once again with the genre.
Q:What are you reading now?
Costas: Right now I am reading a book titled Shepherding Your child’s heart by Tedd Tripp. I am also listening to an audiobook called Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. It also goes without saying that I am reading the Bible.
Q: How many bookcases are in your home?
Costas: We have several shelves filled with books, but nothing too crazy.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Costas: Prayer and spending time with God is a priority which fuels all my other activities. I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughters as well as horse riding. I encourage friends in their walk with God and also do YouTube videos. Between work and all of that, there isn’t much time left.
The Elementals have decided they're gods, and humans are nothing but fuel for their fire.
A starving trapper.
Merciless drought withers Kira's ranch, leaving her family hungry and desperate enough to cross the border into the forbidden forest to trap wild game.
But the forest is infested with tree scorpions and giant cats that wield elemental invisibility, and they're hungry, too. When Kira mistakes one elemental creature for another, she ends up with the last thing she wants in her trap: an enemy soldier.
An invisible spy.
Ryon can't afford to be a prisoner of war. If the Malaano Empire extracts his secrets, the rumors of war will be confirmed, and the tribes stand little chance against the empire unless they can put aside generations of bad blood for the sake of a Tribal Alliance.
When Ryon's escape leaves Kira injured and her livelihood in flames, Ryon must choose between aiding her or returning to his chieftess with vital information.
But can he survive the trek when an elemental pursues him for his rejected heritage?
A sacrificial princess.
Imperial Princess Vylia is given a powerful ancient stone as her wavesinger trials approach. But is the stone's whispering voice from the water goddess or a masquerading elemental the creator god imprisoned, millennia ago?
When Vylia's diplomatic mission to the tribal lands erupts in fiery revenge, she, Kira, and Ryon must work together to survive or become pawns in the battle of the gods.
My Thoughts:
Emberhawk by Jamie Foley took me by surprise. I’ve
read only a handful of fantasy novels and I loved this one far more than I expected
to. At first, I read slowly to keep things straight as the story introduced the
characters, their powers, and their world. The maps and glossary helped me acclimate
to the setting.
Initially, Emberhawk captured my attention with its
interesting characters. As the story progressed, the blend of mystery, danger,
and romantic possibilities pulled me deeper into the story. I loved the
unfolding of Kira and Ryon’s relationship. With the budding attraction, the
snarky remarks, the forged camaraderie, the sacrificial acts, and the obstacles,
the romance proved to be a marvelous element of the story.
Emberhawk by Jamie Foley is the first installment in The
Katrosi Revolution series and I’m eager to read the next one. This YA fantasy has
some underlying Christian themes and soft echoes of stories from the Bible.
However, it is not overtly Christian and could be read as a clean, general
market fantasy. The characters do pray to gods, including the creator.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy
of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my
own.
Janie is an eight-year-old girl surrounded by a dysfunctional family. Her mother carries an unwanted child, her grandmother is the meanest person she knows and her sister, Rainey, has Downs Syndrome and struggles to understand. The crisis pregnancy leads to a road trip that changes Janie's life, as she knows it, forever. From the mountains to dirty motels to a dream house, the trail Janie learns she must walk is not easy, but it has the chance to save lives.
It's hard to write a review of this book and not give any spoilers. I think the author did an excellent job at creating a tale filled with a mystery that is not resolved until the end. Although there are hints throughout the story, they only serve to pique interest, they do not blatantly reveal all the is going on involving the characters. I admired that the author wrote the story in such a way that although she was revealing hints all along the way, the reader could easily miss those hints until the end. I confess, I did that and found myself going back to make sure that everything really did line up and make sense. I was pleasantly surprised that it did.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze.com as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
