Countdown to Becky Wallace's THE SKYLIGHTER & Giveaway!

Just one more week until Becky Wallace's THE SKYLIGHTER hits shelves!

Everyone, I adored THE STORYSPINNER and feel so lucky to have read an early version of this next book in The Keepers' Chronicles! But I haven't read the final version and I'm so stoked about getting the hardcover of THE SKYLIGHTER that I'm giving away a copy! And if you haven't read THE STORYSPINNER yet, I'll give you a copy of that one as well!

*Just leave a comment and consider yourself entered~ I'll announce a winner next Monday, March 21, the day before the book is released.*
UPDATE: Via Random.org, the winner is.... Sara! Congratulations, Sara! Please email me or get in touch via Twitter (handle: @JS_Lawson)

Here's what School Library Journal has to say about THE SKYLIGHTER:

"A compelling, unique world with Portuguese-inspired echoes of Patrick Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind (DAW, 2007), this series is a must for fans of fantasy."

Here's a summary:
Johanna and Rafi are in a race against time to save their country before a power-mad Keeper destroys everything they hold dear in the “enthralling magical world” (Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles) introduced in The Storyspinner.

As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.

And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?

With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.

THE SKYLIGHTER- Other places to read reviews/interviews and win free stuff!


*Again, if the giveaway winner hasn't read THE STORYSPINNER, I'll be shipping a copy of it as well! Here are a couple of reviews to get you salivating:

"This first installment of The Keepers’ Chronicles is as engaging as fantasy gets, full of magic and romance, intrigue and espionage, epic battles and heartbreaking loss. The quicker the second book comes out, the better. This is definitely recommended for public and high school libraries." (VOYA)

"In this beautifully constructed first installment of a new fantasy series, Wallace creates a lush environment, interweaving unique characters. Recommended for fans of classic fantasy (J.R.R. Tolkien) as well as more modern fantasy adventures by Melina Marchetta, Kristin Cashore, and Sarah J. Maas." (School Library Journal)

Midnight Without A Moon- Review and ARC Giveaway!

I was lucky enough to win Linda Williams Jackson's MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON from Caroline Starr Rose's blog (see the excellent interview HERE). In the spirit of sharing excellent literature, I'm going to pass the ARC along to one of you readers, in hopes that you'll read and review it as well. The book doesn't hit shelves until January 3, 2017, but this one deserves all the advanced buzz we can give it. Add it to your Goodreads "Want to Read" list if you have one!

UPDATE: Via Random.org, the winner of the ARC is Melissa Guerrette! Congratulations, Melissa~ please email me your preferred mailing address. You can also get in touch w/ me via Twitter. My handle is JS_Lawson.

My Review (5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads):

This is the powerful story of Rose Lee Carter and her journey to find strength and purpose in a Jim Crow South on the verge of changes, set against fourteen-year-old Emmett Till's murder and trial (among other tragic, bigoted crimes). Vividly drawn characters and scene-setting will put readers right there with Rose, bursting with anger and sadness about the injustices she witnesses and endures, and struggling to make a decision about whether to seek a destiny outside of Mississippi, or to stay and be part of an important movement.

This book has it all from the first page~ setting, voice, character, heart, senses. Linda Williams Jackson's debut is just what Sharon G. Flake said in the blurb on the back of the ARC I read: "... an unflinching bird's eye view of 1955 Mississippi. A magnificent piece of writing!"

Okay, folks! Just leave a comment to be entered to win my advanced copy of MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON! I'll choose a winner on Friday, March 11.

UPDATE: Via Random.org, the winner of the ARC is Melissa Guerrette! Congratulations, Melissa~ please email me your preferred mailing address. You can also get in touch w/ me via Twitter. My handle is JS_Lawson.

As always, happy reading!