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Friday, December 23, 2011

A Christmas With… Maria V Snyder

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I’m a huge huge fan of Maria’s work and I was really pleased that she accepted to stop by the blog to celebrate the release of Touch of Power, the first book in her latest series!

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1- I'm a huge fan of your Study and Glass series, and with the debut of your new series, Touch of Power, I can't help but wonder how different this new magical world will be?

A) One difference is the world is recovering from a deadly plague, which killed over two-thirds of the population.  The survivors are trying to pull together, but without police and government and with the criminal element running wild, it’s a struggle.  Also the world had Fifteen Realms, but after the plague, two leaders who had survived, Tohon of Sogra Realm and Estrid of Ozero Realm wish to conquer the others and form just one Realm.  The magic system is different as well as magic is a gift from certain elements like fire, water, earth, the sun, etc…

2- Avry, your main character has the power to heal yet it comes with a price, how did you decide what would be the cost of such power?

A) I dabbled with that type of healing power in my first book, Poison Study.  Yelena also has the power to heal by assuming the person’s injury or illness and then healing herself.  This was just a part of her magic, so I wanted to explore this in more depth. The ability to heal with magic is very appealing to me.  As a mother, I hate to see my children sick or injured and always wish I could make it all go away.  I also have to give credit to an old Star Trek episode titled The Empath about a race of healers/empaths who would can take on the injury or illness of another.  The empath eventually takes on Dr. McCoy’s injuries and then dies.  I watched all the Star Trek episodes, but this one just stayed with me.

3- I'm a romantic at heart, is there a love story developing in this first encounter?

A) You know me, it wouldn’t be any fun without a little romance J

4- How many books are planned in the Healer series? Scent of Magic will release in January 2013, do you have tentative titles of the following books?

A) There will be three books for now.  The third is called, Taste of Death, due out January 2014.

5- As mentioned before, I love the study series, and I'm wondering if you are thinking of revisiting those characters? I'd love a story from one of the man's perspective!

A) I do plan to write another Study book with Valek and Yelena.  However, it will probably be more from Valek’s point of view than Yelena’s and it will include some flashbacks about Valek’s early years.  Don’t get too excited.  There are no definite plans as to when this will be published – I haven’t discussed this with my editor yet. J  I’d also like to follow Reema and Teegan from Spy Glass.

Now onto some Christmas-y questions!

6- What's a typical Christmas like in the Snyder family?

A)  I decorate the house in early December and we get a live x-mas tree around mid-December.  We have my husband’s family over at our house on x-mas eve, and my parents come up for x-mas dinner.  I always cook a tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and corn.  We open presents in the morning.  I always make sure the kids have at least five boxes to open.  It’s pretty standard type stuff.

7- What's your favorite Christmas song?

A) The Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby

8 - What's your best Christmas memory?

A) My son’s first x-mas.  My husband and I had been trying to decide where to go – his parent’s or my parent’s house and I was stressed about doing all the things we used to do when I was a kid.  When my husband said, “We’re a family now, we’ll make our own traditions, ”  it just took all the stress away and made the holiday fun again.

9- What's the best Christmas gift we could offer Avry?

A) 9 lives!  LOL

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If it got you curious, here’s a bit more about Touch of Power

Touch of Power (Healer, #1)

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life….

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

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Maria is offering 2 copies of Touch of Power (1 INT – 1 US & Canada only)

Open Internationally

Giveaway Ends January 4th, 2012.

All you have to do is fill the Rafflecopter form below.

The only mandatory entry is to provide your name and email addy =)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Maria lives with her family and a black cat name Valek (a.k.a. the bug assassin!) in Pennsylvania where she is at work on another book and/or a short story (yes this is purposely vague - as you can see, Maria is very busy and updating her website takes time that she just doesn't have. Oh, all right, but if this information is out of date, don't blame Maria :). Actually, Maria is hard at work...well not at this very second...on a new fantasy series featuring a healer in a world recovering from a horrible plague.TOUCH OF POWER the first book is expected to be published in January 2012, and she's working on the second book, SCENT OF MAGIC, well...that's what she told her editor ;>

You can visit Maria here.

 

More of Maria V Snyder‘s books:

Poison Study (Study, #1)Magic Study (Study, #2)Fire Study (Study, #3)Storm Glass (Glass, #1)Sea Glass (Glass, #2)Spy Glass (Glass, #3)Inside Out (Insider, #1)Outside In (Insider, #2)

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Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

Follow Tynga on: Facebook | Twitter

97 People left their mark' :

  1. Hi! For some reason I can't see the rafflecopter form. I tried refreshing a few times, but no luck. Is anyone else having this problem or is it just me?

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  2. Mimz, I had the same problem from my iPhone, but found that if I open the blog in Safari, rafflecopter works fine. Hope that helps!

    And Tynga (& Maria!), thanks for the giveaway chance!

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  3. Ack! Mimz, I didn't lie, but THIS time opening in Safari didn't work for me, either! I know my JavaScript is enabled, so I hope Tynga can figure out what's up so we can enter!
    :(

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  4. Issue fixed. I don't know why it bugged, sorry about that!

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  5. I follow via GFC, and I haven't read the series so have no favorite characters.

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  6. I haven't had a chance to read the series yet either.

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  7. Hi! I didn't read this series yet.... But mostly I love the heroine so maybe in this series too ??? LOL Thanks for this giveaway!

    GFC: Proserpine

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  8. Great interview, T! I love, love, love Maria and I can't wait to read Touch of Power. :)

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  9. Great interview, T! I love, love, love Maria and I can't wait to read Touch of Power. :)

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  10. Excellent interview! I fell in love with Maria's work after reading Poison Study (still my most favorite book by her). I've heard so many great and wonderful things about Touch of Power, and I'm sure it would be an excellent read. :) Thank you for having the giveaway, Tynga and Maria! Merry Christmas!

    ~DJL
    djlibrarian3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. And as you probably noticed, the Study Trilogy is my favorite series by Maria with Valek and Yelena being my favorite characters. :)

    ~DJL

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  12. Thanks for an great interview and giveaway! I've never read this author :( but I've always loved her covers. It's one of those series that I've always looked at and wanted to try but I don't know why I havent.

    Happy Holidays!

    GFC: erin
    efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. I've read Poison Study and loved it very much. I didn't have a chance to read others in this series, but I will.

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  14. It wouldn't let me add my GFC name (Kara DiDomizio) but a good interview and I've been wanting to read Poison Study for a while! Haven't read anything by this author, yet though.

    Kara
    supersonic182@gmail.com

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  15. You're new to me but everything I've seen on TOUCH OF POWER has been positive. I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Thank you.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. I haven't read any of Maria's series yet, so I need to get moving, lol! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. I've read all of Maria's books, but my favorite is still the Study series. Can't wait to try Touch of Power!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  18. My first series was the Inside Out series. I fell in love, so that's my favorite. I just read the Study series and really like it, with Poison Study being my favorite. Can't wait to read the rest of her novels.
    GFC: Vivien

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  19. I haven't read one of her series yet, but I've heard great things about them and would love to give them a try!

    I follow via GFC - Ina

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  20. Surprisingly, I had time to get in here from work today, so I could do the Rafflecoptering. ;)

    I really enjoyed the Glass series, and I like the idea of more from that world. The Poison series is on my TBR. :)

    Happy Holidays!

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  21. Maria's books are new to me but I am looking forward to them. Discovering new authors are always great.

    GFC: Na

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  22. I haven't read anything from Maria yet, but after reading your review on this book. i have to have it

    a big thanks you for this great event and giveaway and thanks you Maria for having thought about international people too. i really really appreciate

    follow by email ( and gfc: isabelle frisch or miki)

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

    happy holidays

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  23. Grate interview! I hope I win the international copy!

    x Renée

    aka maagtablet

    reneevossen@gmail.com

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  24. btw maagtablet is my GFC name, and my favorite MVS series is the Study series ofcourse!

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  25. Thank you for the giveaway, I would love to win your book! Jenny Bynum
    bynumjenny@yahoo.com

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  26. Touch of Power sounds wonderful, thank you for the giveaway. I'll be adding this one to my list.

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  27. I haven't read any of Maria's books yet, but this one caught my eye because of the heroine's healing power. I'm intrigued to read it.

    GFC follower
    jen(at)delux(dot)com

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  28. My favorite series by Maria V. Snyder, would definitely be the Glass Series! :))

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  29. US resident! And my fave series is definitely the Study Trilogy! I LOVED Yelena, and Valek and Ari and Janco! Especially Janco!!

    jessica(DOT)agreatread(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  30. I recently read Poison Study and really enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to reading this one as well. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  31. I haven't read any of her series yet, but I have the Study series on my shelves =) I follow on GFC and feedburner.

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  32. I have read a couple of her books and I enjoyed them! Touch of Power looks great, I can't wait to read it. :]

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  33. I forgot to say which was my favorite. I liked Inside Out the best. :]

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  34. The Study Series!! One word: VALEK

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  35. I love the Study series best but all others follow very close behind.

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  36. My favourite of Maria's is the Study series but I have all the books of the Glass series and will hopefully read them soon. OMG I'm so happy to hear that there might be another book about Valek and Yelena.

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  37. I read the ebook of Touch of Power and absolutely loved it. It's made me want to read the Study and Glass series.

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  38. I love the Glass series, I haven't had a chance to read the Study series yet. I'm looking forward to reading this new series, it sounds fantastic.

    GFC follower - Barbara E.

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  39. I just order Poison Study because I've been hearing only positive things about the author's books! Touch of Power sounds great!

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  40. TOUCH OF POWER looks amazing.

    GFC: Mary Preston
    Email Subscriber


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  41. I have not read Maria V. Snyders work yet and recently through this new release have been looking into her books. Thank you for sharing with us today - I have definitely put Touch of Power on my wishlist.

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  42. I've read all of Maria's other books and have been dying to get ahold of this one. Please enter me.

    romancebookjunkiesdanielle at yahoo.com

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  43. The only one I've read is Inside Out and I loved it!

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  44. The Study series is my absolute favorite. I think it would be awesome if Maria would write more on Valek and Yelena. Also it would be fun to see things from Valek's POV.

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  45. Maria is a new author to me so I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of her books yet! I don't have a favorite series, but Touch of Power looks and sounds amazing so I think I'm going to have a favorite as soon as I read it!

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  46. The rafflecopter wouldn't let me enter how I follow:
    email subscriber: jwitt33 at live dot com

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  47. Maria V Snyder is a new author to me. So I haven't had the chance to read her work... Yet that is. Thank you for introducing her and her work to me. DeAnna sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. Maria is a new author for me and I haven't read any of her series yet.

    GFC: ML

    Happy Holidays!

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  49. I love the Study series by Maria :)

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  50. I love all Maria's series! Study was great but I just loved Inside Out so much!

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  51. I haven't read any of Maria's books yet but I would like to. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

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  52. I love the Study series! I'm a follower - Aik.

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  53. I really like Poison studies. :)
    I'm a gfc follower.

    thank you for the intl chance!

    kah_cherub at hotmail dot com

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  54. GFC (jennifer).

    I have Inside Out but have not had a chance to read it yet. Thanks.

    jennifer k

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  55. I love the Study series, especially Magic Study. I would love to read Touch of Power :)

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  56. Haven't read any of her books but this one sounds great.

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  57. Haven't read any of her series but this book sounds very interesting. :)

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  58. I loved Poison Study and I'm really curious about this series, so thanks for the giveaway, and for making it international! ;)

    Btw, I entered as Catarina R., but I couldn't enter in Rafflecopter the way I follow. I follow through GFC, as p7. ;)

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  59. I loved reading the study and glass series. I can't wait to start on the healing series!

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  60. Hi! Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite series by Maria V. Snyder is probably the Glass series, but all of the books are awesome!

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  61. Oh, and I'm following on GFC and on facebook!

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  62. I've read both the Study series and the Glass series. Although they are amazing, I think Poison Study is probably my favourite.
    Thank you for this giveaway! (esp the int one)

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  63. I'm a GFC Follower!
    Hope to win it. I'm curious:)

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  64. Gonna be honest here,

    I have not read any of your series but have heard a lot about them, especially Poison Study.

    =)

    am a follower via GFC

    FairyWhispers

    Am a follower via twitter

    @FWhispers

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  65. I like Inside Out...dystopian is such a neat subgenre.

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  66. Oh...I'm a GFC follower. I missed the part in the Rafflecopter where I was supposed to put how I follow. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  67. The poison study books are definitely my favorite.

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  68. SQUEE! I looooove the Study Series by Maria!!! I really cannot wait to read this one!!

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  69. I know I will probably shock folks, but I've yet to read any of Maria's books...and they've been on my TBR list for a while now. Sigh

    So, I while I can't say I have a favorite at this time, I will say that her Study series is what first brought her to my attention and that I'm looking forward to reading all of her books someday soon.

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  70. Poison Study! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  71. I am a GFC follower and my favourite series is the Study series.

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  72. Um, Touch of Power, duh? Lol actually I haven't read any of her books yet. But I'm hoping to, soon. Thanks!

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  73. I just love Maria's books, but if I had to choose, I'd go with Inside Out and Outside In.

    And I'm a GFC follower. :)

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  74. I haven't read any of Maria's work yet. But this book sounds so interesting! I love the healer and price aspect. I'm looking forward to reading some of her books.

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  75. I haven't read her series -Yet
    I am a follower on GFC and Email
    audie(at)wickerness(dot)com

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  76. Never read her series yet but I would love to start it ^^
    Thansk for the great giveaway!!!

    GFC: red_tigergirl2
    Email: red_tigergirl2 (at) hotmail DOT COM

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  77. I really love the Glass series, the covers are amazing :)

    GFC follower: I love books
    email: ilovebooksblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  78. I love all her series. But if I had to choose I would say her Study Series because thats where it all started.

    GFC: Gabbie

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  79. My favorite is the Poison Study series :)

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  80. My sister has one of Maria's books, but I haven't read it yet. I have seen this around and am interested in reading it, so thanks for the chance to win it.

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  81. Thought I'd be able to specify how I follow in Rafflecopter but I couldn't. I follow via GFC.

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  82. My favourite series by Maria is the Study series. I really hope she writes more books with Valek & Yelena as main characters!

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  83. I haven't read any of Maria's books yet but I have had them on my 'to-read' list for a while now. :)

    I follow with GFC.

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  84. I love the study series. I also loved learning about the poisons

    GFC follower

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  85. I haven't read any of her books yet, but I hear wonderful things about this one and I'd love to read it.

    I follow via GFC: mimz

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  86. I LOVED loved the Study series! :)

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  87. My favorite series by Maria Snyder is the Inside Out series.

    Thanks!

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  88. Ohh I would have to say it was the last Glass series that swooned me into her characters.

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  89. I want to read the Inside series because it looks cool.
    GFC-Kulsuma

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  90. I haven't read any of her books but they all sound so good!

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  91. I've read the study series and I loved it. I had some problem filling the form. I'm a gfc follower. My gfc name is nidhi upadhyaya.

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  92. To be honest, I haven't read any of Maria's books but I have Storm Glass on my to-read list.

    Twitter follower @artsymusings
    GFC follower - Sana

    Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile

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  93. I haven't read anything from Maria yet, but I have all her books on my wishlist. Thank you for this chance! :D

    GFC follower: Giada M.

    fabgiada (at) gmail (dot) com

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  94. I have not read any books of hers yet This sounds like a great book I would love to read it! Thank you for the great giveaway!
    GFC-latishajean
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  95. definitely poison study! it is one of my favorite books that i have ever read!

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  96. I haven't read any of her books yet! But i'll do it soon! :)

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  97. I've really enjoyed all of Maria's books (that I've read so far) but I have to say that Poison Study is my favourite :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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