Blog Tour: The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall
by Katie Alender

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: August 25, 2015 

Synopsis:

Asylum meets Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, in this riveting tale of ghosts, secrets, and family, from master of suspense Katie Alender. 

Delia's new house isn't just a house. It used to be an insane asylum, a place to lock up "troubled" young women long ago. And a restless, wicked spirit is still at play--and it doesn't want defiant girls like Delia to go anywhere. 

So the house kills her. 

Now Delia is a ghost, trapped in her creepy home forever. As she meets the other ghost girls who haunt the narrow hallways, as well as the handsome ghost boy on the grounds, she learns shocking truths about the house's history. Delia also realizes that her alive and grieving sister might be the house's next target. Can Delia unlock the mystery of the old asylum, save her sister, and free herself? 

Kirkus (starred review): "This superior ghost story keeps the creep factor high… A really scary and original ghost story, well told. Read it with the lights on." 

School Library Journal: "Alender has created a chilling tale of forgotten tragedies and family secrets. A great choice for fans of horror or suspense novels."

Can you describe THE DEAD GIRLS OF HYSTERIA HALL in a tweet (140 characters)? 

Girl inherits haunted house. Wants to leave. Can’t. Seriously big time can’t.

How did you come up with this story? Did you find inspiration in another book/movie/TV Show? 

Initially the idea was born because I was wondering why there were no books like “The Shining” for teens — I mean books set in rich, isolated, super spooky environments. 

Can you describe Delia to our Book Addicts? What would you say are her best qualities and how it affects her to become a ghost in THE DEAD GIRLS OF HYSTERIA HALL? 

One of Delia’s best qualities actually came as a big surprise to me — she’s willing to take action. If she decides she wants to do something or know about something, she sets out to do or learn about whatever it is. Despite the fact that she’s a bit of a geek, she’s very brave. 

If you had to choose one song to describe THE DEAD GIRLS OF HYSTERIA HALL, which song would you choose? 

Hmm… there are a lot! I have a huge playlist. I’m going to cheat and name three: (1) Like a Stone by Audioslave, because it has this sense of waiting and urgency that I feel suits the book very well. (2) O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Enya (a Christmas song), because it’s completely beautiful but also completely chilling and eerie, in my opinion. (3) The Races by The Bird and the Bee, because that song captures this sense of trapped repetition. 

Imagine that we get to see THE DEAD GIRLS OF HYSTERIA HALL on the big screen. Who would you choose to play your characters?

Hmm… Can Emma Watson just play everybody?

Follow THE DEAD GIRLS OF HYSTERIA HALL Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Katie Alender is the author of The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall, Famous Last Words, Marie Antoinette: Serial Killer, and the Bad Girls Don’t Die series. She is a graduate of the Florida State University Film School and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. When she’s not writing novels, she can usually be found quilting, reading, eating delicious high-calorie foods, and hanging out with her friends (on very special occasions, she manages to do all of those things at once).

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE DEAD GIRLS OF HYSTERIA HALL (US Only)

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Book Blitz + Giveaway: My Summer Roommate by Bridie Hall

My Summer Roommate

by Bridie Hall

Publisher: Evernight Teen

Release date: September 19th 2014

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Chloe needs a place to crash for the summer before college. When Chris offers, she moves in with him. It’s just for two months, no biggie. But soon she realizes she may have made a mistake. He is too perfect; a former snowboarder, laid-back and kind to boot, and he’s smitten with her. But she’s got trust issues and a relationship feels daunting. When he keeps trying to win her over, the temptation becomes overwhelming.

Just as she gives in and decides it’s not worth fighting their emotions anymore, Chris reveals he’s made a stupid mistake which might ruin Chloe’s trust in him and tear them apart.

My Summer Roommate

by Bridie Hall

“Remember Chris? He was in History with us this year,” I say over my shoulder to Isabelle, as I lead the way into the

deli. Isabelle’s expression is confused, but I know she remembers Chris. We’ve talked about him before. A lot of girls from class were all ‘gaga’ over him because he was hot and a snowboarder––or a shredder, as he called himself. Except for Isabelle, who’s had love troubles with Harper and Jamie, two brothers from Atlanta. Harper won. I like him well enough. I even had a crush

on him way back when.

“That cute guy with iPod earphones practically glued to his ears?” she asks, recognition lighting up her face.

“Yes. I’m going to crash with Chris for the next two months,” I say quickly, hoping that Isabelle won’t react too strongly

to the news.

“What do you mean?”

I drop into a chair.

“Aren’t you going to stay with me?”

Isabelle said I should come live with her. But Harper hangs out at her place constantly, because their relationship is still

in the head-over-heels stage, too.

“I don’t want to be in the way. You and Harper need some alone time, Izzy.”

The waitress takes our orders and then rushes back with a small bowl of peanuts.

“My dad’s there, too, and he’s not in the way,” Isabelle says, taking a peanut and munching it absent-mindedly.

“Because he’s holed up in his study all day long.”

I smile and keep the tone light, but the thought of everyone around me starting their new lives, with their new, happy

relationships, makes me feel lonely. Deserted. Even though I’m not looking for a relationship.

“It’s just for the two months until I go to college.”

“You wouldn’t be in the way, Chloe. You could never be in the way.”

“Okay, okay, I admit it. Watching you two being all crazy about each other would just make me envious.”

“Oh.”

Izzy’s my best friend, which means I know her well enough to have predicted such a response. Fact is, I broke up with Adam a few weeks ago. For the second time, but this time it’s for real. Of course Isabelle thinks I’m broken-hearted about it. I am sad, but not too much. I’ve never really thought our relationship would last. He was just a pretty boy, selfish and immature. I wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship, anyhow. I’m too young for that. Or maybe I’m too selfish and immature, too.

“Yeah.” I sigh. I feel a bit guilty for not being entirely honest with Isabelle, but the waitress bringing our drinks distracts me so I forget it quickly enough. Besides, I’m doing it to give her some space. Well, her, and Harper.

“So … You’re just moving in with this Chris? I didn’t know you were tight.”

“We’re not. I mean, I saw him at Adam’s birthday party. We started talking and he was sort of cool. We stayed in

touch.”

“And he just asked you to come live with him?”

She looks incredulous, a bit worried, perhaps.

“I told Mark—Jamie’s friend? The lacrosse team captain?—about my situation, and apparently he told Chris. He called me last week and said I could crash with him for the two months, no prob. He’s got enough space now that his roommate went back home for the summer.”

“Hm.” Isabelle looks thoughtful as she sips her drink.

“How are things with you and Harper?” I say to change the topic, because I don’t like her frowning. I grin when I see Izzy’s

cheeks warm up. “That cozy, huh?”

“We’re … great.”

“Uh-huh.” I’m amused by Isabelle’s short answer. She has always been very private and reserved. I wonder how that works

with Harper, but my thoughts quickly veer into the gutter territory. Good thing Izzy can’t read my mind.

“Okay, okay,” Isabelle says, holding up her hands in surrender. “He’s wonderful. He’s so much fun, and experienced and …”

I wiggle my eyebrows just to taunt her and it has an immediate effect. Isabelle turns scarlet and starts to protest.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant in a general sort of way, like … he can teach me about life and such.”

“Sure.” I can’t help my lips stretching into a wide grin. This is better relaxation even than yoga.

“Well, he’s experienced … like that, too.”

Isabelle stumbles over the words, but it is obvious that she is more than happy about it.

I snort in my tea, spilling it all over the table. “Good for you.”

Isabelle’s face radiates with happiness, different than when she was with Jamie, Harper’s younger brother. I’ve always

known Harper was the right one for her, but Isabelle didn’t believe me until she spent one long day with him on the way home from Atlanta. That road trip made her see that Harper wasn’t just an arrogant jerk that taunted her at every opportunity he got. I saw right through him the first time I saw him with Isabelle, long before they ended up together. I could tell he’d fallen for her and that he wasn’t the bad person everyone thought.

I’m pretty good at that, reading people and their deepest secrets. I think that’s because I have experience guarding my own

heart against selfish bastards, so I know all the tricks in existence. I’ve even invented some.

“You sure you’re going to be okay with Chris?”

Izzy asks.

“It’s just two months. He’s a cool guy. Honestly. I wouldn’t accept his offer if I wasn’t sure I could handle it.” 

- Character Interview -

Chris, thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I’d like our readers to get to know you better, so let’s start with your sports career. You were a very successful snowboarder until your injury. How did you get over the news that you’d never be able to compete again?

First, it’s a pleasure. Second, the injury and everything that followed were some of the worst moments in my life. It wasn’t easy, but I had the support of my family and I’m really grateful for that. I think it made all the difference. It takes a while to wrap your head around such a change in your life, but eventually you get over it.

You want to study sports pedagogy. Why?

This is something I feel very strongly about because I’ve experienced first-hand what it means to be a competitive athlete. A lot of the coaches are good with the technical stuff, they may be former champions in a certain sport, but they don’t know a lot about teaching or passing their knowledge along. That’s what I want to do, be a good teacher, not just a teacher. Although, if I think about it, bad teachers aren’t even proper teachers, right?

What did you like best about moving from Colorado to Georgia? And least?

What I liked least was the lack of snow. What I liked best were the people. Or I should say, a particular person.

I take it you’re talking about Chloe?

Yes.

Tell me about her.

She’s the most inspiring person I know. Unpretentious, genuine, passionate. She’s straightforward, she has her priorities straight. She really knows what she wants in life, not so much in terms of a career, but the kind of people she wants to be with, the sort of positive vibe that she wants in her life, the peace, the simplicity and goodness. She wants to study psychology, and I think whichever way she decides to go in her career, it’ll never be just a career. She’ll always bring her warm, personal touch to her work. That’s who she is. That’s who I love.

What’s your biggest success in life so far?

I’m still working on it. Convincing Chloe that we’d be good together would be a pretty huge success. But to be together, I need to-get-her, don’t I? I think she’d appreciate the pun. (Laugh.)

You’d consider that a bigger success than your snowboarding wins?

Oh yeah.

What are you most afraid of?

Hm ... Disappointing people. The people close to me, I mean. I want my friends and family to know I’ll be there for them. They’ve always supported me and I want to return the favour. I want them all to be able to rely on me. That’s the kind of person I want to be. I think it’s important to stand by your loved ones, at all times.

Is there anything you’d like to change in your life?

Obviously, I’d prefer not to have injured my knee so that I’d be able to keep snowboarding, but on the other hand ... I wouldn’t have met Chloe then. So yeah, I wouldn’t change much. I’d just maybe like for someone to open Chloe’s eyes so she’d really see me for who I am. And like me, of course. (Laugh.)

What do you think Chloe said about you?

You asked her about me? Oh, god. (Laugh.) I think she said she hates how untidy I am and how she has to constantly pick up my clothes all around the apartment because I just drop them wherever. (Laugh.) Maybe she also said she likes me, a little bit. I hope. Yeah, I hope she said that.

Bridie Hall sold her first story at fourteen. Since then, she has written dozens more, translated books, studied writing, and started writing novels. Her days revolve around stories and words, her sleepless nights involve plotting and inventing fascinating new characters. The only activity that takes up more of her time than writing, is reading.

Win (1) ebook copy of My Summer Roommate (INT)

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Win (1) of (5) eBook copies of Letting Go

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Release Day: Tempted (A BirthRight Novel #2) by Brandi Leigh Hall

 

Tempted (A BirthRight Novel #2)
by Brandi Leigh Hall
Release Date: May 27th 2014

Genre: YA, NA, Romance, Paranormal

Synopsis:

What if the very thing to save you—is the one thing beyond your reach?

Torn between the two men who have fallen for her--and the evil who wants to possess her--twenty-year-old Chloe Bishop can no longer remember the fatal vision which threatens her future happiness. But when the magical link is severed between Chloe and her Wiccan family, they must find a way to save her before temptation leads her into darkness—-and into the welcoming arms of Mr. Wrong.

A Sweet Upper YA / NA Paranormal Romance, perfect for fans of CHARMED! 

CONTENT RATING: (PG 13). No sex, passionate kissing, moderate swearing.

Purchase Tempted for just 99 cents during release week!

Brandi lives in central Pennsylvania with her fur-ball cats (Onyx and Klepto), where she spends most of her time attached to her laptops, reading books, appeasing her sweet tooth, and watching TV for motivation.

Growing up in a haunted house inspired Brandi’s fascination with the paranormal, so it only made sense that she’d write Urban Fantasy books for both teens and adults.

Brandi hasn’t been lucky enough to meet her soul mate (yet), so she writes paranormal tales of those who have. Her stories combine magical elements with real-life issues, strong female characters, semi-old fashioned men and family values, woven together and told from an emotional, first-person perspective. She enjoys writing sweet stories that teach girls it’s okay to speak your mind and be independent, career-driven, and not worry about fitting in to society’s mold.

In addition to the BirthRight Novels, she also has four additional adventures she’ll be writing over the next few years, so stay-tuned.

Win (1) of (2) Signed Paperback copies of Tethered and swag ( US Only )

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