"When I'm not writing" with Amanda Bonilla + giveaway!

Our guest this week is Amanda Bonilla. Her debut novel, SHAEDES OF GRAY, came out in December and it's the first book in her Shaede Assassin series. This year, Amanda has published two more stories in the series, an e-novella called "When Shadows Call," which is a prequel, and the second Shaede Assassin novel, BLOOD BEFORE SUNRISE, which came out on July 3. She's taken the time to visit us as part of her blog tour to talk about what she does when she's not writing and to offer up a copy of her newest book as a giveaway. Welcome, Amanda!

Thanks so much to Tynga’s Reviews for hosting me today! I’m so happy to be here!

It feels like I’m writing more than I’m not. And I know the hubs feels that way. ;) If I’m not working on a novel or short story, I’m chatting with readers on my Facebook page, or talking books with my friends on Twitter. Blog posts count as writing, too. In fact, most of my day from the time I get up to the time I shut my laptop down right before I go to bed, is spent on some facet of my career as an author. I have to remind myself to take a step back every once in a while. To leave my house and go mingle with people face to face. To enjoy a warm, sunny day or just sit and read. Finding balance can be tough for me. But there are things that I enjoy outside of writing, and here are a few of them:

Gardening

This is more the hubs’s baby than mine. But I love to help him with it. The garden is more than just functional. I think it’s beautiful and adds to the aesthetics of our property. Plus, it’s a great conversation point. Complete strangers have stopped by to look at the garden and our greenhouse because a friend told them about it. And it’s so great to have fresh veggies in the fall! The best thing about growing your own food is you know exactly what you’re getting. The worst thing about growing your own food is canning and freezing it. SO time consuming. But totally worth it in the winter!

The Beach

Okay, so I know to most people “the beach” is a trip to the ocean. But to me, the beach has always been the lake where I live. My family owns this great, old (I mean ancient) cabin that was built somewhere around 1910. It’s decorated in the reds, golds, and oranges, of the 70’s and is, for lack of a better word, quirky. But I’ve spent every summer of my life at that house and on that beach, and I don’t plan on changing my summer routine any time soon. There’s no phone, no cable, no internet, and yeah, I do occasionally go there to write. But with this view, can you blame me? I sometimes sit on the dock from sun up to sun down. And I’d swim all day, too, if I could keep my skin from getting waterlogged. I. Love. The. Beach!

Ice Fishing

Okay, so this is one of those activities that I do maybe once or twice a year, and only because I love the hubs and don’t want him to be sad. Winters are loooooong where I live. We’re talking November to March. Sometimes April. In fact, we’ve had snow in July. So, you can either ski (which we do occasionally), ride snowmobiles (which is way too expensive), or you can go ice fishing. The hubs fishes. I just go for company. But since I hate, hate, hate the cold, I’m only good for a few hours. Then, I’m outta there!

Soccer

Goooooaaaalllll! Our teen has been playing soccer since he was five-years old. He made the high school varsity team as a freshman, and the hubs and I couldn’t be prouder. We volunteer at team functions and go to every game, sometimes driving three-hours one way. I’m usually pretty reserved, but when I’m watching soccer, I yell and cheer like crazy. Jump up out of my seat. I’ve even called out a ref or two. But maybe I should save that story for another time. LOL.

Hiking

Because of those long, nasty winters I mentioned earlier, most of our outdoor activities are crammed into the summer months. So from June to September, we try to get outside as much as we can. I’m lucky that I live in an area surrounded by lakes and acres upon acres of forest. We hike, pick berries, just soak up the sounds of the wind, birds and squirrels chirping at us, and the rush of water in the streams. Summer is my favorite season. I just wish it was longer here!

What do you do when you’re not working or reading? Do you have a favorite season, place to visit, sport to watch? I’d love to hear about your favorite fun activities!

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What a great post, Amanda! Thanks for visiting us as part of your blog tour!

For more information about Amanda and her books, check out her website or follow her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also click on the tour badge to see where else Amanda is going on her tour!

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Here's the scoop on BLOOD BEFORE SUNRISE:

What you can’t see can kill you…

For months Darian and her Shaede guardian Raif have searched for the Oracle who attempted to overthrow the Shaede Nation—and kill Darian in the bargain. But now that they’ve finally found the half-crazed Oracle, for their efforts they are granted a possibility too painful for Raif to imagine, and too enticing for Darian to ignore.

Darian is determined to reunite Raif and the daughter he thought was dead, but her mission quickly proves dangerous when her lover Tyler is almost killed. And when a brooding and mysterious Fae warrior offers his guidance—at an extraordinary price—Darian finds herself willing to risk everything. As her single-minded hunt turns into an obsession, and she and Tyler grow further apart, Darian finds herself caught between the man she loves like a brother, and the man whose love she can’t live without…

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

You should also check out SHAEDES OF GRAY, the first book in the series:

In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind – an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin..

When Darian's next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she's taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished...

 

Stéphanie's thoughts

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

And don't forget about the prequel e-novella, "When Shadows Call":

The envy of 1900s society, Darian is the rich, beautiful wife of a prominent Californian doctor—but her life is far from perfect. For years, Darian has suffered at the hand of her cruel husband and yearned for an escape—one that she knows to be all but impossible.

But when an enigmatic stranger comes to call, Darian finds herself charmed by his seductive smile and the inexplicable connection she feels. And when he makes her a thrilling—yet frightening—proposition, Darian must decide if she’s strong enough to abandon the mortal world she knows and answer the shadow’s call…

Purchase: Amazon

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Amanda is kindly offering one (1) copy of BLOOD BEFORE SUNRISE to a lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway, obey the Rafflecopter!

US/Canada only

Ends Monday, August 6, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

Posted by jenn at 07:03

 Amanda Bonilla, Assassin, giveaway, Penguin, When I'm not writing  28 People left their mark

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.