Shout Out to Indies - Shadow Eyes by Dusty Crabtree, Blog Tour and Guest Post

 

 

 

We here at The Paperback Princesses often receive emails from Indie authors requesting reviews and are blessed with free book copies. Often we are unable to get to so many titles before our mass market published books take over our TBR shelves. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of great reads though! We want to give back to those Indie authors and are declaring EVERY SECOND SUNDAY our SHOUT OUT TO INDIES MEME. For those of fellow bloggers, please feel free to add our meme to your regular schedule. We only ask that you quote and link back to us as a courtesy. For all of you Indie authors, we invite you to contact us at the contact link to your top left. We will select 1 - 3 titles (each time we post) that sound interesting. Lastly, for you readers, this is a bit of a test so please do comment and let us know what you think. We will also be offering up giveaway copies whenever we can! So without further ado, here is this week's pick -

 

Iris Kohl lives in a world populated by murky shadows that surround, harass, and entice unsuspecting individuals toward evil. But she is the only one who can see them. She’s had this ability to see the shadows, as well as brilliantly glowing light figures, ever since an obscure, tragic incident on her fourteenth birthday three years earlier.

Although she’s learned to cope, the view of her world begins to shift upon the arrival of three mysterious characters. First, a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows; second, a new friend with an awe-inspiring aura; and third, a mysterious and alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend.

As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, she must ultimately revisit the most horrific event of her life in order to learn her true identity and become the hero she was meant to be

 

The Paperback Princesses are proud to be part of the blog tour for Dusty Crabtree's new book Shadow Eyes.  We asked Dusty why she chooses to write for the Young Adult audience.

 

Thank you for hosting me on your Shout Out Sunday, ladies! I’m not exactly an “Indie” author, but I do come from a smaller press – Musa Publishing, so I appreciate what you do for us authors!

(Everyone, don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win a print copy of Shadow Eyes, your full name in the sequel, and a KINDLE FIRE!)

So about the question – Why young adult urban fantasy?

Let’s start with, “Why urban fantasy?” I’ve actually loved these types of books ever since I read Twilight. Yes, I said it…I’m a Twilight fan. Although I have since fallen in love with several other series that I think are better written (Hush Hush and Fallen are two of my favorites), I still owe my love of YA urban fantasy to Twilight.

There is something unique and intriguing about the idea of having a fairly normal life (unlike in straight fantasy, such as Harry Potter) but with paranormal people, elements, and events. I think that because everything else in the main character’s world is basically normal, it’s easy to identify with her or him. The result is getting to vicariously experience all of the crazy, fantastical things the main character experiences, and I love that!

So why young adult? I’m almost thirty now (shhh, don’t tell anyone), so I know I could very easily write adult urban fantasy. There is definitely a market for that as well. But I think I’ll stick with the teen audience, and there are several reasons why.

For one thing, I have a feeling my writing would be too, um…how do I say this?...tame and pure to be considered adult urban fantasy.  I mean, don’t get me wrong, by no means is Shadow Eyes completely PG and I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it to someone under 13, but the overall feel of it is, well…more pure. You’ll have to read it to know what I mean.

For another thing, I’m a high school teacher and youth sponsor at my church, so I feel like I know teens well enough to be able to relate to them. Plus, I get enough exposure to teens to gather inspiration and to, I hope, make my writing and dialogue authentic.

Lastly, since I do teach high school and have committed to being a youth sponsor, you can probably surmise that I have a passion for teens. I truly want to touch their lives, whether it’s helping them get through difficult times, giving them hope when they feel there is none, or simply giving them an enjoyable, inspiring book to read. Whatever the case, I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to write for teens and, in a way, play a small part in their still impressionable lives.

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A Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out Dusty’s blog at http://dustycrabtree.wordpress.com/
Find her on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dusty.crabtree.1
Follow her on twitter at https://twitter.com/dustycrabtree
Buy Shadow Eyes at http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=176
(also available at all major online bookstores)

Thanks Dusty for joining us today.