The Souls for Stars Giveaway Winner!

Today is the big day! The day when Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction announces the winner to The Souls for Stars Giveaway. The winner who will walk away today with 12 fabulous YA Indie books!  ...but before we make the big announcement lets take a look at our cast list.

Here is who you cast for Soul Quest! Great picks everyone! I love your choices and I can totally see these wonderful actors running wild with the characters you assigned them too.


Liv – Anna Popplewell


Laith – Liam Hemsworth


Brayan – Zachary Levi


Meena – Molly C Quinn


Shyam – Logan Lerman


Avna – Evan Rachel Wood


Lefu – Gary Oldman


Etheline – Amanda Seyfried


Beau - Adrian Grenier


Kevin - Chord Overstreet


Belinda - Candice Accola


Naomi - Chloe Moretz


Hala - Asa Butterfield (with blonde hair)


Great job casting everyone!  I really enjoyed hosting this giveaway! It was a lot of fun for me and I hope you enjoyed the journey too!

...and now the moment you have all been waiting for! The winner to the Souls for Stars Giveaway is..... (drum roll)

FirestarBooks! (confetti! fireworks! balloons! celebration music!) I will email you shortly regarding your prizes!

Thank you so much to everyone who who participated as well as the fantastic authors who contributed their books!

The Totally Awesome Giveaway Prize List!

Significance by Shelly Crane

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto

Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase

Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie

Blood Like Poison by M. Leighton

Every Last Kiss by Courtney Cole

The Childe by CA Kunz
(a print copy)

Existence by Abbi Glines

Forgotten Souls by Tiffany King

Soul Quest by Amy Jones
(a print copy)

The Guardians of Souls by Amy Maurer Jones

Soulless; The Story of Shayan by Amy Maurer Jones

  

YA Indie Carnival; Interview with a Villian!

Welcome to Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction and the twenty - eighth post in the YA Indie Carnival. The carnival is designed for authors, readers and reviewers of YA Indie books. Each Friday this team of YA Indies will post on a common theme.

This week's post is: Interview with a Villian!

I decided I would focus this week's post on my villian from The Soul Quest Trilogy, Shyam Donavan. This week's post will feature an excerpt from Soulless; The Story of Shayan, a novella and prequel to Soul Quest, the first book in The Soul Quest Trilogy.  Shyam, formerly Shayan, the Oracle of Humanity, finds himself envious of human kind's free will. In the end his selfish desires over power his duty as the protector of mankind. Soulless is the story of Shyam's descent into darkness.

Meet Shyam (Shayan):

The Assassination Conspiracy

Shyam Donovan

Time: 1963

Place: Los Angeles, California

“I am as innocent regarding any conspiracy as any of you gentlemen in this room.”

~Jack Ruby

As I gazed around the familiar hall housing the gun show I was greeted with a familiar smiling face. I’d met the gentleman several years ago and on many occasions.  This is not an unusual or chance meeting in my line of work.  These days I pass my time and earn my fortune by selling fire arms.  The face of relaxed recognition approaching me now is a regular customer.

“Hello Sirhan. How has life been treating you?” I inquired politely.

“Not too bad… and yourself?” he returned easily. 

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to gain the trust and respect of this man just as I have the three other human men I’ve recently rallied to my cause. Today’s goal will be to compel Sirhan into my ranks too. 

What is this cause I refer to, you may wonder?  Perhaps I should begin with the secondary priority in the matter. The priority that is necessary to support my primary cause.  The secondary priority is necessary only to insure my innocence along the journey. This has been my motivation for pursuing and acquiring assistance from Sirhan and the three other humans.  These men lack credibility.  They are introverts, loners and a few are just plain crazy.  I intend to compel them into doing my bidding and watch them suffer the consequences. Afterward I’ll walk away with out an ounce of suspicion to deface my exemplar reputation. 

So, how will I get these men to help, you now puzzle? It’s simple, hatred.  Whether their hatred manifests itself in the form of revenge, prejudice or insanity I have no concern because it is this hatred that binds them to my task.  I’ve lured them in by forming an assassination conspiracy.  Everyone needs someone to blame for their problems, right? Of course they do. So, my little assassination conspiracy will target the culprits to these supposed betrayers, the most powerfully influential American political and spiritual leaders of the day and time; John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Now, what is my primary cause? Power, of course… It is my sole objective to weaken and cripple the order and spirit of the American people.  I will wreak havoc on The United States of America so that I may one day take my rightful place as the President of this awesome country.  Securing the political spot as leader of one of the world’s largest and most powerful nations will be the beginning of my quest toward world domination. 

“So Sirhan, my dear friend, have you made a decision regarding the opportunity I extended toward you on our last rendezvous?” I prodded.

Hopefully my compulsion is taking effect.  Sirhan looked at me sternly for just one moment before tossing his head back in laughter. He was teasing me.

“Of course I have Shyam.  I wouldn’t pass this chance up for anything.” he grinned. “What’s next?”

Sirhan’s eyes sparkled with intensity and excitement.  I had him for sure. 

Two weeks later in Manhattan I found myself sitting with the four gentlemen. We gathered around the dining room table of my suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.  It was time to make plans.

“Thank you for coming Sirhan, James, Lee and David. I’m delighted to know that I am not alone on my mission for justice in this newly misguided world.”

“Amen to that.” echoed David.

This man is about as dense as they come but his heart is one hundred percent committed. 

“Here is what I propose we do.  It seems obvious to me that the major threats at hand politically are President Kennedy and that brother of his, Robert. I want to silence this black preacher man too but these fools continue to support his cause.” I began.

“So, we knock off John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr?” Lee inquired.  “Fine with me, but I get to put a bullet in the President as payback for what he did to Castro.”

“Speaking of bullets… tell us about this magic bullet of yours again Shyam.” James smiled.

This was another strategy I used to lure the men into my plans.  It is true that I have created a magic bullet of sorts but I don’t dare share all of the details involved in developing it. What makes this bullet magic is my DNA.  I’ve injected each bullet with enough DNA to dissolve the fired shell and destroy the surrounding flesh of the newly made wound. This effect will make it impossible for the authorities and medics to trace any bullets to their source.

“My magic bullet, as you like to call it, has been designed using a special chemical bond which I can not identify. Sorry, copyright laws and all of that… Anyway, the bullet I’ve designed is entirely untraceable. No medical or fire arms expert will be able to identify the gun used to fire the fatal bullet.  In fact, they will not be able to retrieve the bullet itself because it disintegrates upon impacting human flesh.”

Four male faces stared back at me with awed expression.

“Hey, what about that actress Marilyn Monroe… she’s always hanging around with the President.  I think she’s more than she claims to be, you know, a lot more than just a pretty face on the side?” David regained composure.

He was getting caught up in the excitement. I had heard others speculate that this Monroe character was much more than the President’s whore but never gave it much credence. Still, I should keep David happy.  Doing so will only further my cause. 

“As you wish David… I always say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.” I nodded and the four men robotically copied my action.

The day has finally arrived, November 22, 1963. Today President Kennedy will breathe his last breath.  The five of us were huddled in a circle on top of the Texas Schoolbook Depository.  The president would pass this location in his route in some parade or event scheduled for the day.  It was the perfect opportunity for his death. 

“Are you ready Lee? I promised you the President. Will you be able to pull the trigger when the opportunity to execute him presents itself?” I asked.

“Absolutely, I’ve been looking forward to this with great anticipation.” Lee nodded.

He had a smirk on his face that lacked humor.  He was entirely relaxed and focused on his task. David, James and Sirhan looked nervous. Sirhan even had a slight green tint to his complexion. Still, the men were here fulfilling the details of their assignment.

We decided to separate to take different firing angles in the event that Lee missed the target.  Lee took aim in a room at the top of the Texas Schoolbook Depository while the rest of us scattered ourselves along the Grassy Knoll.  I intended to flee the scene just as soon as I was assured of the President’s death.  As President Kennedy’s uncovered limousine turned onto Elm Street and passed the Texas Schoolbook Depository shots were immediately fired. I distinctly heard three shots.  Two came from Lee’s location but the third was fired from the Grassy Knoll.  Lee had missed his target leaving someone else the task of firing the fatal shot.  As the President lay despondent and grotesquely wounded in the back seat of the limo James, David, Sirhan and I took the chaotically, distracting moment as an opportunity to escape. 

Later that evening news reports confirmed the death of President John F. Kennedy.  James, David, Sirhan and I returned to Manhattan to distance ourselves from Lee. He had been arrested by an officer J. D. Tippit only forty minutes after the shooting. We watched nervously from the comfort of my suite at the Waldorf Astoria.  As suspected the nation was in hysteria. I relished in the fact that with this one death I had already managed to weaken the political foundation of this powerful nation and secure an emotionally fragile state among its people.  We continued to watch the story unfold on the television screen. 

“Only two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy his alleged murderer, Lee Harvey Oswald has been killed by night club owner Jack Ruby.” we heard the news anchor report.

The authorities were transferring Lee from police headquarters to the county jail when Mr. Ruby shot and killed him. 

I could sense that James, David and Sirhan were rattled by this news.  I was not about to share my relief with them.  The way I see it, I now have one less mouth to silence when this is all over.

“It’s a shame about what happened to Lee but he did get to avenge Castro as he wished.  Even though I do not feel vulnerable to any suspicion at this time I feel we should take precaution and keep our distance for awhile. I will contact you when I feel it is safe to move forward with the plan again.” I said firmly. 

My colleagues agreed and we returned to our everyday lives as if nothing had transpired. 

Several years have passed. One month ago the assassination conspiracy reunited to continue with my mission.  The motel room in Memphis was small and dingy but today the room next door housed the next target on my list, Martin Luther King, Jr.  It was James who made the fatal shot in Dallas over four years ago and so it is him that I rely on today to do the same service to the preacher man.  I listened carefully as I heard the neighboring hotel room door open. I could hear the preacher speaking in hushed tones as he exited his room.  Within seconds I heard the popping blasts of shots fired.  David and Sirhan darted toward the window to catch a glimpse of what was happening but I restrained them. It was crucial that we remain undetected.  As the chaos commenced I led the two men to the back of the hotel room.  There was a window located in the bathroom that led out to a small platform. I instructed them to follow me as I exited the window onto the platform, jumped from it onto a nearby dumpster and finally found the ground.  They followed and we ran. 

It was an oddly enjoyable and familiar feeling listening to the news regarding the shooting of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I’d been following the media’s accounts of James’s whereabouts since the killing on April 4, 1968. He had escaped in Memphis and gone on the run.  Four days after the killing he crossed the Canadian border and fled to London using a fake passport. 

“Now what?” Sirhan wondered.

“Now, while James has the authorities busied, we plan our next assassination, Robert F. Kennedy.” I said calmly.  Sirhan and David eyed one another hesitantly. “Is there something the matter gentlemen?” I challenged. 

“No!” Sirhan began defensively. “Well, it’s just that Lee was arrested and killed and now James is on the run.  I’m just not sure…” he trailed off.

His voice was filled with uncertainty. I could tell his words had rattled David too. I can not afford to lose Sirhan and David’s support right now. Not when I’m so close to completing my goal. 

“You’re not sure about what?” I snapped at Sirhan.

When all else fails intimidation works divinely.  Sirhan was literally quivering in fear. 

“N..n.n..nothing Shyam... It was nothing, nothing at all.” he easily bent to my will.

“Good. Go home now. I will contact both of you when the time is right to move.” I instructed.

They obeyed. 

The authorities remain hot on James’s trail. In the mean time I took it upon myself to keep tabs on Robert Kennedy.  I soon learned that Mr. Kennedy would be in Los Angeles during the California primary election for the Democratic nomination in June. 

“Sirhan, I need you to pick up David and me from LAX in the morning. I’ll fill you in on the details when we arrive.  Be there with a car by ten AM.” I commanded into the telephone before replacing the receiver.  I didn’t bother to wait for his response. 

“So what’s going on Shyam?” Sirhan breathed with anxiety as we pulled out of the airport into LA’s traffic. “What is so urgent?”

“Robert Kennedy is in your neck of the woods Sirhan.” I smiled.

He shrugged indifferently. “Oh yeah, it’s June fourth. The California primary is tonight. So, you want to try to take him down in front of thousands of people?” he asked incredulously.

“Not quite. I was thinking about after the primary when he returns to his headquarters at The Ambassador Hotel.” I clarified. Sirhan only nodded.  He was nervous and I could see his fear gaining a power beyond my control.  He may lose his nerve and decide not to pull the trigger.  “Relax Sirhan, everything will be fine.  They still haven’t caught James.” I encouraged. 

My suspicion was that James would be caught very soon but Sirhan and David aren’t aware of this fact.  I had to use James’s current freedom as leverage tonight.  My words seemed to work a little.  Sirhan’s shoulders relaxed slightly and his breathing became more even.

“OK, so what do you want me to do?” he asked.

What an idiot!

“I want you to shoot him.” I explained as if I were speaking to a small child. 

Robert Kennedy won the Democratic vote for the California primary election. This doubled my motivation to kill him. He could become as politically powerful as his late brother John.  Currently we were in Sirhan’s car on our way to The Ambassador Hotel.  Sirhan claimed that he could and would still live up to his part of the plan but I decided not to trust his commitment to the mission.  I quickly devised a back up plan when we reached the hotel.  People were scattered everywhere in the building. They were ecstatic over Robert Kennedy’s victory.  The hotel was swarming with security and so I decided I would use these men to my advantage. As one of the hotel security guards rounded the corner I grabbed him with my inhuman strength and speed and whisked him into a linen closet.  I knocked him out and traded out our clothing.  I was now a part of the hotel security detail.

Shortly after midnight Robert Kennedy made his way to the kitchen of the hotel.  Sirhan, David and I recognized our opportunity and seized it.  I watched as Sirhan approached Robert in the kitchen. He stopped short of the man when he was a good six feet away. He lost his nerve. There was no way he would attempt to shoot Mr. Kennedy in this crowded space from that far of a distance.  As this fact registered I made my way toward Robert.  I stood directly behind him, close enough to touch him, to press the trigger of my gun into his back and then I fired it.  Panic erupts in the kitchen and Robert Kennedy’s security personnel find a shocked Sirhan standing several feet away from the collapsed politician holding a hand gun.  They seize him.  I slip out of the chaos and return to the linen closet holding the unconscious hotel security guard.  I replace our clothing before finding David.  We walk four blocks from the hotel and hail a taxi to freedom.

David had been pacing nervously on the balcony of my suite at The Waldorf Astoria for over twenty minutes.

“Spit it out David.” I finally encouraged. I couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s on your mind?”

David responded with out hesitation. This surprised me a little.  “I want out of the assassination conspiracy Shyam. I know I was the one who suggested that we off the Monroe chick but my hearts not in it anymore. I’m done with this.” he finally admitted.

Wow, he really is desperate. I shrugged as if I didn’t mind. I didn’t really. I’d already gotten what I wanted and was planning to kill him anyway, not that he was precisely aware of this fact.  “Fine, you’re a free man.” I smiled. “…and just to show you there are no hard feelings why don’t we celebrate with this fabulous bottle of Champaign.” I suggested.

David immediately relaxed and approached the sofa as he returned from the balcony. He smiled at me with relief and gratitude as he fell onto the lush cushions.  I turned on the news as a distraction.  As David’s eyes glued themselves to the TV I began to fill two glasses with golden bubbly liquid.  Ever so quickly I slipped cyanide into his drink.  He never saw or suspected anything.  The effects of the drug took effect almost immediately and I ignored his momentary strangled gasps and groans as my gaze was caught up in the latest news on the television.  As David lay slumped in death next to me a picture of James flashed across the screen. 

“At 11 o’clock in the morning on Saturday, June 8th 1968, James Earl Ray was apprehended by an immigration officer at Heathrow Airport.” the news anchor bellowed.

“Oops, sorry James… It really is a shame that the one person you so desperately trusted through all of this tipped off your whereabouts to the authorities. Never trust a criminal James, even when you are one.”

Well, that's my two cents on this weeks theme. Don't forget to meet the villians for the rest of my carni friends! I can't wait to read their posts myself!

	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes

The Souls for Stars Giveaway Week Four!

The Souls for Stars Giveway!
Week Four


What? You don’t know what this giveaway is about? Well, here is a little recap.


Seeing how YA books are taking the silver screen by storm these days, I thought it would be really cool to let my fans and blogging friends cast Soul Quest. Each week I will post an excerpt from Soul Quest on the blog. The entrants will read the excerpt and suggest actors and/or actresses who they feel would best fit the role of the characters within the blurb. The next week (along with the new blurb and casting call) I will set up a poll to vote on the nominated actors/actresses. By the end of the giveaway (the month of January) I will tally up all of the nominations and votes (each nomination/vote counts as one point) and the entrant with the most points will win! The winner will take home the whole reading pile!


Now it’s casting time! Here is the cast of characters you voted for!


First the tie breakers for Liv and Laith:


Liv – Anna Popplewell
Laith – Liam Hemsworth


Last week you voted for the following cast members:

Brayan – Zachary Levi
Meena – Molly C Quinn


Here is your cast for Shyam, Avna , Lefu and Etheline:

Shyam – Logan Lerman
Avna – Evan Rachel Wood
Lefu – Gary Oldman
Etheline – Amanda Seyfried

Great Casting! Bravo!


OK, here is the list of nominations for each character for week three. Please vote for only one actor/actress for each character (choose your favorite). If you nominated a character that was previously cast (for another character – example – Amanda Seyfried was cast for Etheline) I did not list them in the list below, but I did tally the nomination to your score!


Beau
Joseph Morgan
Charles Hunnan
Jesse Metcalfe
Max Thieriot
Drew Van Acker
Adrain Grenier
Brody Jenner
Mika
Eric Dane
Danny Masterson
Orlando Bloom
Adam Brody


Kevin
Austin Butler
Alex Pettyfer
Chord Overstreet
Benjamin Stone
Jeremy Sumpter
Josh Halloway
Chris Hemsworth


Belinda
Lilly Collins
Jane Levy
Skyler Sammuels
Rachelle Lefevre
Rose McGowan w/ red hair
Isla Fisher
Emma Stone
Amy Adams
Candice Accola w/ red hair


Naomi
Dakota Fanning
Brittnay Snow
Saoirse Ronan
Abigail Breslin
Chloe Moretz


Hala
Freddie Highmore w/ blonde hair
Asa Butterfied w/ blonde hair
Preston Bailey
Jonah Bobo
Jackson Brundage
Nolan Gould


All you have to do now is vote. List the actor/actress’s name in your comment.

If you haven’t already done so, please leave your email address in your comment as well.


Here is how the competition stands thus far….


FirestarBooks is in the lead! Not too far behind is Ashley Chen and Globug Needs a Book. Hushed Paradox is taking the 4^th place slot, The Fallen Heart is 5^th, Twins of Canada and Xerxes are tied for 6^th and Tiffany finishes in 7^th place.

Since this is the final week of the contest there will no excerpt (boo!). I know, sorry… This week we will finish up the contest by voting for the final nominations (listed above) and the winner of 12 YA Indie Books will be announced next Saturday, January 28, 2012! Please cast your final votes by 12PM eastern time, Friday, January 27, 2012 to insure your votes are counted. Good Luck!

Amy Jones Young Adult Fiction and Fantasy would like to extend big cyber hugs and kisses to the awesome indies who donated their books to this giveaway! You guys rock!!!!


The Souls for Stars Giveaway kicks off its second week today and will wind down at the end of the month. Stay tuned! Each week you will receive a new casting call and additional chances to earn more points!!!

The Totally Awesome Giveaway Prize List!

Significance by Shelly Crane

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto

Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase

Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie

Blood Like Poison by M. Leighton

Every Last Kiss by Courtney Cole

The Childe by CA Kunz
(a print copy)

Existence by Abbi Glines

Forgotten Souls by Tiffany King

Soul Quest by Amy Jones
(a print copy or Kindle gifted ecopy)

The Guardians of Souls by Amy Maurer Jones

Soulless; The Story of Shayan by Amy Maurer Jones

  

The YA Indie Carnival: What reading teaches me as a writer.

Welcome to Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction and the twenty - seventh post in the YA Indie Carnival. The carnival is designed for authors, readers and reviewers of YA Indie books. Each Friday this team of YA Indies will post on a common theme.

This week's post is: What reading teaches me as a writer.

What does reading teach me as a writer? Reading and writing pretty much go hand in hand. A writer who doesn't enjoy reading would be like a swimmer who doesn't enjoy being in the water.  The stories we have read over the years were the spark that kindled our passion for writing in the first place.

Writing styles vary as much as the genres available to be read. My writing style has been molded in the same way my choreographic style as a dance instructor evolved. I began dancing at the age of 5 (I'm now 41). As you might imagine I have studied under countless instructors. Some of them were good, some not so good and some awesome and inspiring. No matter the teacher, they all taught me something. I made a mental note when an instructor communicated in a way that made the movement fall into place easily and when he or she confused me and left me feeling awkward. Whether consciously, or unconsciously, I've discovered that the accumulation of these lessons led to the dance teacher I am today. Reading countless authors and genres has done the same thing for me.  All of my reading experiences have enabled me to develop my own style as a writer. In both scenarios I realized what I was good at, what I liked best and what felt the most natural to me.

Reading the work of others reinforces my writing abilities. It's like a mental warm up for my brain. In Ballet class I warm up my muscles with barre exercizes to prepare my body for performance. To get my creative juices flowing as a writer I stimulate it regularly with creatively well written  and enjoyable books. Doing this rejuvinates and inspires me.

Reading also challenges me to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I think this is very important as a writer, or artist of any kind, because trying different things allows our talent to blossom and grow. What is my comfort zone as a writer? I enjoy reading and writing stories that are told from multiple perspectives. I like getting inside of the head of the characters I meet in books and grow to love.  Naturally, my writing reflects this too. Right now I'm writing a new series in which the story is told from one point of view. It's a bit of an experiment for me and so I have allowed myself a few chapters here and there to cheat by inserting "dream sequences" that, at times, can take the reader into the thoughts and feelings of some of the other characters. We'll see what happens!

Well, that's my two cents on this weeks theme. Don't forget to check out the indie resolutions for the rest of my carni friends! I can't wait to read their posts myself!

	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes

The Souls for Stars Giveaway Week Three!

The Souls for Stars Giveway!
Week Three 

What? You don’t know what this giveaway is about? Well, here is a little recap.
Here's a recap of how the Giveaway will work!

Seeing how YA books are taking the silver screen by storm these days, I thought it would be really cool to let my fans and blogging friends cast Soul Quest.  Each week I will post an excerpt from Soul Quest on the blog. The entrants will read the excerpt and suggest actors and/or actresses who they feel would best fit the role of the characters within the blurb. The next week (along with the new blurb and casting call) I will set up a poll to vote on the nominated actors/actresses.  By the end of the giveaway (the month of January) I will tally up all of the nominations and votes (each nomination/vote counts as one point) and the entrant with the most points will win! The winner will take home the whole reading pile! 

Now it’s casting time! We need to vote again for Liv and Laith. The votes are tied up right now for them so please vote again. 

Liv tie breaker vote!
Anna Popplewell
Kayla Scodelario

Laith tie breaker vote!
Liam Hemsworth
Douglas Booth

Here is who you cast for Brayan and Meena! These are awesome pics! Yay!
Drum roll please…

Brayan – Zachary Levi


Meena – Molly C Quinn (Molly blew everyone out of the water!)

OK, here is the list of nominations for each character for week two. Remember, while you are allowed to nominate as many actors/actresses as you want for the cast list, please vote for only one actor/actress for each character (choose your favorite).

Shyam
Blair Redford
Alex Pettyfer
Asa Butterfield
Logan Lerman

Avna
Rachel Hurd-Wood
Christina Hendricks
Evan Rachel Wood
Rachelle Lefevre
Marcia Anne Cross

Lefu
Grey Damon
Gary Oldman
Joseph Leonard-Gordon-Levitt
Johnny Depp
Jensen Ackles
Adam Gregory

 

Etheline
Phoebe Tonkin
Amanda Seyfried
Carrie Underwood
Emma Stone (with blond hair)

All you have to do now is vote. List the actor/actress’s name in your comment. 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave your email address in your comment as well.

Here is how the competition stands thus far….

Ashley Chen is in the lead followed closely by FirestarBooks. Hushed Paradox is just around the corner. Globug Needs a Book and The Fallen Heart are tied for 4^th place and Twins of Canada and Xerxes are tie for 5^th place.

Now it’s time to read the third excerpt. This week you will be casting the Guardian Spirits,Beau, Belinda, Kevin and Naomi.

Casting Call #3!

Here is the third excerpt. Have fun and good luck!

"Does anyone know what this is about?" asked Belinda. "What could Hala want with us?" she wondered out loud.

"Maybe it has something to do with the recent tragic events in New York." offered Naomi.

"No really, do you think?" Kevin said rolling his eyes.

"Shut up, Kevin! You have no idea why Hala has called upon us." Kevin snorted in amusement. Belinda raised an eyebrow at him. "Well, do you?" she challenged. He just shrugged his shoulders. "That's what I thought." she snapped.

"Here we go again." Naomi muttered sadly.

Kevin looked as if he were about to say something in retaliation when Beau hastily shuffled through the door.

"Am I late?" he asked. He was out of breath from running.

"Man, are you ever on time?" Kevin complained.

Beau was notoriously late for everything. If it wasn't one thing it was another. His alarm didn't go off, he lost the text message, he went to the wrong location.... you get the idea. The four some were well acquainted. They had completed their training cycle for guardianship two years ago but had yet to receive their human assignments. Most of the Guardians in their graduating class had long since received their assignments and the four were beginning to worry. I had assured them this was nothing to worry about. I promised they would receive assignments when the time was right. The Guardianship program goes to great lengths to effectively match Guardians and humans. There are no random combinations. Each Guardian receives an extensive evaluation following their completion of the program. Each strength and weakness is noted and the data received is compared with similar information regarding newborn humans. This is very important. The strongest matches can mean the difference between a human  child growing up to become a rocket scientist or a serial killer literally.

"Hala will be here shortly." I announced, entering the room. I'm Paul, the Oracle of Guardianship. I noticed Kevin smirking in my direction.

"Paul looks a lot like the guys you see in the World Wrestling Federation." he whispered in Beau's ear, snickering. Beau fought back a smile. "Even his bald head and blue eyes make him look like Mr. Clean." Kevin laughed again louder than before.

Beau controlled his face better this time because I was looking at the two of them with an unamused expression on my face. Mr. Clean, how ridiculous I thought.

"You'll be receiving your human assignments today." I said sternly, hoping Kevin would focus.

"Really, don't you usually relay the assignments, Paul?" asked Beau.

"Yes usually, but your assignments are... unique. Hala will explain when he arrives." I replied more calmly.

They were nervous and confused. They had waited longer than most for their assignments but their waiting was going to pay off. The four Guardians stared after me a bit unsettled as I exited the room as hastily as I entered it.

Each guardian is unique, just like a human. Within the first few weeks of the Guardianship training program it is always obvious to me what a particular Guardian's Gift will be. A Gift is a Guardian's calling or purpose. Guardians are labeled into one of four different categories of Gifts; Guides, Seekers, Watchers and Planners. A Guide's purpose involves steering humans down the correct path. They are very patient and diplomatic people. They have a gift for helping others realize their full potential. Additionally, because they are good at diplomacy they are often good coordinators in the event that a group of Guardians need to work together in facilitating human relationships. They can consider all of the information objectively and guide the human toward a productive outcome. Many feel that Guides are the most important of all Guardians which is why everyone in the Guardianship program was surprised when I identified Beau as a Guide.

"Beau has absolutely no organizational skills whatsoever. He's always late, he's messy, he loses everything, and he's forgetful. How is he supposed to guide anyone anywhere? He couldn't even find his own shoes this morning." Belinda had said after the Gifting Ceremony. The Gifting Ceremony is the ceremony where Guardian's Gifts are identified.

"Physically speaking he is a nice looking guy..." Naomi commented. Beau is tall and broad shouldered like a football player with curly, brunette hair and handsome blue eyes. "He's really sweet too... but a Guide?" Naomi pondered. She agreed with Belinda.

"Maybe." shrugged Kevin. The girls looked at Kevin incredulously.

I identified Kevin as a Watcher. Kevin saw something in Beau that Belinda and Naomi had not yet discovered. Watchers are the eyes into reality. They are calm and cautious. They pay closer attention to what a person does than to what they say. They are powerfully gifted readers of body language. They can read a lie in a glance, fear in an angry outburst or manipulation in tears. They can see a person's true intentions in their actions. A Watcher could convict you or prove your innocence without hearing you utter one word.

"Are you sure you're not just jealous, Belinda?" Kevin teased. He had known she wasn't jealous, but he couldn't resist annoying her.

"Shut up, Kevin! You're getting on my nerves!" Belinda had barked.

The two of them bicker constantly. Kevin is cocky to the extreme and Belinda has a short temper. She is the fuse and he is the igniting flame. Kevin is a lanky, blue - eyed blond, a true surfer boy in appearance and attitude. Belinda is a petite, dark - eyed red head, a little fire cracker.

Belinda had been surprised about Beau's Gift. She had wondered if she didn't clearly understand everything involved with being a Guide. I identified Belinda as a Seeker. Seekers seek the truth and shed light on what is hidden or misunderstood. They are tolerant and fair. Their Gift enables them to read between the lines, look past stereotypes, and learn what is to be learned before passing judgment. They help humans overcome prejudice and discrimination. Likewise they help humans to see through deception and fraud.

"Beau is very patient and easy to talk to. Maybe we are missing something here." Belinda had pondered.

"I think you're right Belinda. I get really stressed out about my Ethics Analysis class. Beau is the only one who really ever listens to my venting. He is very good at helping people work through their issues." Naomi had reflected.

"Ethics Analysis, you make straight A's in that class. You make straight A's in every class Naomi. You are a true Planner." Belinda had complimented.

Belinda had been right. Naomi, a timid yet wise young girl with sandy brown hair and piercing gray - blue eyes, was a Planner. You could almost see the depth of her knowledge in those gray - blue eyes the way you might assume the vast depths of the ocean stretched out for miles before you on a quiet, clear day. Planners are historians, analysts and problem solvers. They are wise beyond their years. They know without being taught. They possess memories from lives they have never lived themselves. They are a living archive of information and experience. They are gifted at considering many options and determining which outcome will turn out best. A Planner could easily solve many of the world’s most difficult problems through simple research and analysis.

"OK Naomi, I haven't been fair here." Kevin admitted. "Why do you think Hala is assigning our humans? Why not Paul?" he asked.

"Change is my guess." Naomi said.

"What was it that Paul had said about our assignments?" asked Belinda.

"He said they were unique. So... they're special." Naomi smiled, satisfied that she was right.

"She's the Planner." Beau encouraged. They all smiled at him in agreement.

"OK, so why would Hala choose us?" Kevin asked.

"Maybe we are special too?" Beau wondered.

They all looked at Naomi and she nodded in agreement.

"Why?" asked Belinda.

"Guardianship is a tricky thing. For centuries Guardians have approached humans the same way. Considering what just happened in New York my guess is Hala is seeking change. We are young and strongly gifted. None of us have overlapping Gifts and we are more adaptable to change than the Elders.” Naomi explained.

Elders are Guardians who have existed for many centuries. On occasion a Guardian's Gifts overlap. Once in awhile you may find a Seeker with a capacity for watching. Various combinations may apply to this theory but only two Gifts may appear simultaneously and one of the two is always dominant. Still this is rare and many believe possessing two Gifts makes the dominant ability weaker, thus it is favorable to possess only one Gift. There has only been one Guardian to possess all four Gifts simultaneously. Me. Hala, the Great Spirit commanded me as the Oracle of Guardianship. When this happened I came to possess all four Gifts. I was formerly a Guide, like Beau.

"Wow, I can't believe Hala is going to assign our human charges. I can't believe he has chosen us for some unique purpose." Beau murmured.

"I'm not surprised that he chose yours truly." bragged Kevin. Belinda and Naomi rolled their eyes. Beau just laughed. "I'm serious. We make a great team. Some of us may contribute more than others, but even so we work together quite well." Kevin said, implying that he was the 'someone' who contributed more.

"Whatever Kevin… If we work well together it is because Beau is such an excellent Guide and nothing to do with you." Belinda snapped.

"We all make significant contributions." Beau clarified before Kevin and Belinda could start arguing.

"That is exactly what I said." Kevin snorted.

"You are so full of yourself." Belinda whispered just to Kevin.

Kevin winked at her and grinned. Belinda clenched her teeth together holding back the words and anger inside her. She was immediately distracted from her irritation when Hala and I walked into the room.

Hala takes the appearance of a child in physical form. In years he is as old as the universe. He is billions of years old while looking no more than the age of seven.. His beauty is beyond anything humanly imaginable. His cherub - like face is framed in long, pale, blond curls and his brilliant emerald green eyes are nestled in thick brown lashes. The face of this child is wise beyond his years. Even his rosy dimpled cheeks and baby soft skin could not mask the magnitude of knowledge and power he possesses.

"Hello, my children." Hala greeted the young Guardians. Beau, Belinda, Kevin and Naomi all knelt and bowed their heads in respect with their right hand fisted over their hearts. Hala bowed his head in acknowledgment and returned respect. Hala finds the spirit of the young endearing and powerful. Guardians finish the program at the age of 12. The Guardians he spoke to now were 14 years old, high school age. A guardian will stop aging physically until his or her assigned newborn human reaches the same age. This allows them to grow up together. When their human passes on to the next life they will graduate to the status of Elder. "You are right as usual Paul. This is indeed a very strong and special group of young Guardians." Hala complimented me approving of my choice. Naomi smiled as her gut feeling from earlier became more intense. Hala noticed her confidence. "Young Naomi, your guess is correct. It is indeed time for a change and you and your friends are going to be an integral part of this change." Hala confirmed looking at each of the four young Guardians.

"Yes, sir." the foursome nodded dutifully.

"Four human children will be born very soon and you will be charged as their liaisons to me. They will be the first humans of their kind, the first humans to be commanded as Oracles." Hala said seriously.

"Commanded as Oracles, as in spirits?" Naomi asked doubtfully.

Humans were not Oracles. Naomi knew this for fact. I gave her a look which suggested she should listen and not speak but Hala was not offended by Naomi's inquisitiveness. Naomi is a Planner. It's her job to understand and keep the facts straight. He not only found her question natural, but responsible.

"Yes, Naomi." Hala spoke very patiently. "You have heard correctly. Four human newborns will be commanded as Oracles." he reassured her.

Are you ready to nominate actors/actresses for round two? Today through Friday we will nominate potential performers and on Saturday we can all come back to vote (I'll vote too, for fun, but I won't count my votes toward the prize so I can remain impartial). 

Here we go!

Character Casting List
Beau – Liv’s handsome Guardian Spirit and possible love interest.
Belinda – Brayan’s feisty Guardian Spirit.

Kevin – Laith’s easy-going, self – loving, surfer-boy-mentality Guardian Spirit. He has a tendency to annoy Belinda.

Naomi – Meena’s quiet and sensible Guardian Spirit.
Hala – The Great Spirit. He appears to be a child of 7 or 8 years of age but he is as old as the universe. He is the creator of all spirits.

The more actors/actresses you nominate, the more points you can earn! Good Luck!

Amy Jones Young Adult Fiction and Fantasy would like to extend big cyber hugs and kisses to the awesome indies who donated their books to this giveaway! You guys rock!!!!


The Souls for Stars Giveaway kicks off its second week today and will wind down at the end of the month. Stay tuned! Each week you will receive a new casting call and additional chances to earn more points!!!

The Totally Awesome Giveaway Prize List!

Significance by Shelly Crane

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto

Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase

Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie

Blood Like Poison by M. Leighton

Every Last Kiss by Courtney Cole

The Childe by CA Kunz
(a print copy)

Existence by Abbi Glines

Forgotten Souls by Tiffany King

Soul Quest by Amy Jones
(a print copy)

The Guardians of Souls by Amy Maurer Jones

Soulless; The Story of Shayan by Amy Maurer Jones