Thursday, August 11, 2011

THE SECRET IS OUT ...



Today I have a very exciting announcement. Our friend, Y/A fantasy author, Heather  McCorkle of Heather's Odyssey is launching her debut novel on August 15! She is publishing through Abbott Press, a division of Writer's Digest, and as you can see by the cover, they know what they're doing.... isn't it awesome?!

Like her novel, Heather is full of her own secrets. Each blog host has one opportunity to peel away another layer of Heather or her novel.     

When Heather first mentioned Eren's trials and tribulations, I immediately thought of THE SECRET GARDEN. Yes, I know there is an age difference in the mc's, but there are two similarities... the exotic locations and Eren losing her wonderful former life to go to another less desirable one. 

Michael: Did that story influence you in any way, or is it just pure coincidence?

Heather: Purely coincidental! But isn't that funny? The secret of Spruce Knoll is that there is an entire society of people that 'normal people' don't know even exist, living right under their noses. And not just your run of the mill secret society or super hero-types, these people are tied more closely to the earth than any other living creature. Only their kind can save it from dying. The deeper secret is, anyone can be one. Most people have just distanced themselves so far from their nature and instincts that they have shut off the ability irrevocably. 

Well, there you have it everyone ... the secret is OUT.

Just to wet your appetites even more, here is the blurb from THE SECRET OF SPRUCE KNOLL.

Following the tragic death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. Little does Eren know the entire town of Spruce Knoll is filled with “channelers”~a magical group of people who immigrated to the small Colorado town when they were driven out of their own lands.
Channelers are tied to the fate of the world. As the world slowly dies, so do
they~and they alone have the power to stop the destruction of Earth. Now, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad.

Heather is hosting a fantastic giveaway! To help celebrate its birthday she's doing a blog tour and contest followed by a live chat on YA Bound  August 30th with a separate giveaway. The blog tour ends August 31st. 

Here's what you can win:

1st place: 
*$50 gift certificate to B&N (or the Book Depository if you're over seas). 
*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll 
*Special swag bag

2nd place: 
*Swag bag filled with:

*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll 
*Spoiled by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

*Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan 
*Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick 
*A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young 

3rd place: 
*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll 
*Swag bag


The Rules: You can earn extra points, but if you don’t want to, you don't have to. You can just be a follower of Heather's Odyssey and leave a comment on her post saying you'd like to enter to win. But if you want extra points/entries here's how you can get them:

+1 for being a follower of Heather's Odyssey and commenting (+1 for each blog participating in the giveaway that you follow and comment on. Winners must follow Heather's Odyssey but aren't required to follow each blog participating, you just get more points if you do!).
+2 for adding The Secret Of Spruce Knoll to your To-Read shelf on Goodreads or Shelfari.
+3 for tweeting or posting on Facebook about the giveway.
+4 for Blogging about The Secret Of Spruce Knoll giveaway.
+5 for placing a link on the sidebar of your blog about the giveaway.

29 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations to Heather!

Denise Covey said...

This is awesome. I've commented on Heather's book cover on her blog or somewhere else. I love it. Good question Michael. All the best Heather.

Denise

Hart Johnson said...

That's a stunning cover! I love it! And I love the premise of the book--I like the combo of fantasy with what I'm guessing is some environmental stuff.

Linda Gray said...

Beautiful cover, Heather, and excellent question, Michael! Heather, I've already ordered a hardback copy from B&N (!!!), but I entered your fantastic contest, too!

Heather said...

Alex, thank you!

Denise, you're so sweet to keep following the tour, thank you!

Hart, you're making me tear up, in a good way!

Linda, you are amazing, thank you so much!

Michael, thanks for having me! You asked an excellent secret and it's always a pleasure visiting your blog!

LTM said...

GORGEOUS cover!!! ooo... and I love the premise. That looks really nice. And I didn't know Writers Digest was in the publishing game~ :o) <3

Fida Islaih said...

I've never read 'The Secret Garden' but I've heard so much about it. I never thought to put the two together.

Great job, Micheal!

VR Barkowski said...

Congratulations, Heather! I'm absolutely beaming for you. This is such an intriguing premise, the connection to nature and the environment really sets the story apart. And yes, that cover is gorgeous!

Talli Roland said...

It sounds FANTASTIC and I'm so excited for Heather. That cover ROCKS!

Heather said...

LTM, thank you, I'm glad you like it. WD just entered the fiction publishing game with Abbott Press and I'm so glad they did!

Fida, The Secret Garden is a great classic. I think you'd like it!

VR, thank you, on so many levels! :)

Talli, aw, thank you hon!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

What a stunning cover, Heather! The book is mine -- I'm going to Amazon to see when I can buy it! Roland

Michael Di Gesu said...

It has been my pleasure hosting you Heather. I couldn't be MORE excited for you!

Thank you everyone for showing your support to our wonderful friend Heather.... you are all the best.

OUR COMMUNITY ROCKS!

Jessica E. Subject said...

With every secret revealed, I'm getting more and more excited about the release. :)

Tina Moss said...

Ah ha so, anyone can be one Heather? I love that twist. Did I mention I can't wait for this book? Oh, only fifty times? LOL. Seriously, can't wait. :)

Summer Ross said...

the cover looks very beautiful and alluring! Congrats heather!

Ms Saba (aka Teacher007.5) said...

You are right Micheal, there is a sense of similarity between the two. I love that 'anyone' can be a channeler bit! I want to be one :D

dolorah said...

Sounds exciting. Great interview Michael and Heather.

......dhole

Heather said...

Thank you so much everyone. I keep saying that and it just feels so inadequate compared to how I feel. The interest, kind words, and outpouring of support means the world to me. :-)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

That giveaway is epic in size. Yowsa :)

Golden Eagle said...

Congratulations, Heather! :)

I love the idea of "channelers"--and that everyone has the potential to be one.

Unknown said...

All I have to say, I love the cover! If it's like The Secret Garden, it should be popular.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Heather! It always warms my heart when an author makes it via the traditional publishing route.

erica and christy said...

Hi Michael and Heather. We feel like the worse friends ever, but we'll be back soon. Good luck, H!!!
erica

Anonymous said...

Now that sounds like my kinda story. Congrats Heather. Good interview Michael :O)

Karlene Petitt said...

Excellent post Michael! Live from Barcelona... thank you for supporting Heather!

catherinemjohnson.com said...

Gorgeous book cover, congrats Heather. I love The Secret Garden, so I know I'll like yours too.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats Heather! So excited for your debut.

Lorelei Bell said...

Hey, been gone, and so I'm just working backwards. Mike has a great blog, and I've joined to learn more about him and what makes him tick.

Hope you're having fun, Heather. Can't wait to spotlight you at my blog in September!

Elliot Grace said...

...clink the champagne glasses, Heather! Congrats ;)

I'll be dropping by your blog shortly.

Well done, Michael!

EL