The Castle Blues Quake Virtual Book Tour

I am very excited to be part of Linda Covella’s The Castle Blues Quake Virtual Book Tour {and if you will read all the way through the end, you will find a giveaway surprise waiting just for you :)}. This tour is happening from the 14th to the 24th of October. A number of bloggers are participating in this, too, so make sure to visit their respective blogs {I have a linky towards the end of the post for your convenience}. This sure looks like an exciting and interesting read, and very timely, too, as Halloween is just right around the corner. Before moving on, do read this lovely message Linda made for all you Mumwrites readers:

Creativity from Outside the Box

First, I want to thank Mumwrites for having me on this blog and for being a part of my Castle Blues Quake blog tour. And thank you to the readers for stopping by!

On this tour, I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity.

To really be creative, to really produce something that’s uniquely “you,” you must think outside the box. There are several things you can do to help yourself think beyond what’s typical:

• Don’t make assumptions. Don’t take something for granted. Rather, question what is commonly known about whatever it is you’re working on.
• Look at it from a different angle. This can be figuratively or literally. If you’re working on a physical project—a sculpture or an invention, for instance—walk around it, turn it over, add or remove something. In writing, experiment with different voices. Rewrite a scene from another character’s POV. If you’ve created an outline for your story, try deviating from what you’ve planned, whether with a character’s reaction or with the plot.
• Step away from your project. Take a walk or eventake a few days off. Observe things around you, but let yourself and your mind relax. It’s amazing how new ideas can come to you when you aren’t immersed in the details of your work.
• Make sure to break up your routine on a daily basis. When you’re in a rut, your mind gets into one as well.
• Talk with others about your project, even those who may not be in the same field. Voicing your ideas helps free up your mind, and ideas or questions from your listeners can trigger new ideas.
• Take a good look at your inner self. What beliefs, inhibitions, tensions are keeping you from exploring new ideas? Talk to others or read about ideas that are contrary to your own.

Finally, and I believe this may be the most important:

• Keep an open mind. Be willing to change.

Is it difficult for you to “think outside the box”? Do you have any techniques that work for you?

The Castle Blues Quake in a nutshell

THE CASTLE BLUES QUAKE by Linda Covella
Children’s, Young Adult – Sci Fi / Fantasy
Tour Dates: October 14 – October 24, 2014
Blog Tour with Giveaway

12-year-old Pepper Connelly leaves her best friend, Chrissie, behind when her family moves from New York City to Santa Cruz, CA. Pepper discovers a boy, Corey, hiding in her backyard shed. Unknown to Pepper, Corey is a ghost trying to contact his grandfather, Boppie, before he crosses over. He tells Pepper he must locate Boppie before Social Services finds him. Pepper agrees to help.

While Pepper’s communication with Chrissie dwindles, her friendship with Corey grows. She tells Corey about her passion for writing songs, and throughout the story, she composes a song about Corey. Corey teaches Pepper to play the harmonica. Soon, she’s torn between finding Boppie and knowing when she does, Corey will certainly go back on the road with his traveling-musician grandfather.

Other characters help her on her quest: new classmate Ally Cressman, who dresses in an odd-ball, non-mall style; Sawtooth Sam, the mysterious saw-playing street musician; and Madame Mchumba, who performs her psychic readings at the Boardwalk amusement park.

Earthquakes, haunted house rides, poltergeists, and crystal ball readings propel Pepper toward the shocking conclusion of her search.

You can buy THE CASTLE BLUES QUAKE at:  Amazon

Meet Linda Covella

Linda Covella’s varied job experience and education (associate degrees in art, business and mechanical drafting & design, a BS degree in Manufacturing Management) have led her down many paths and enriched her life experiences. But one thing she never strayed from is her love of writing.

A writer for over 30 years, her first official publication was a restaurant review column in a local newspaper, and as a freelance writer, she continued to publish numerous articles in a variety of publications. But when she published articles for children’s magazines (“Games and Toys in Ancient Rome” and “Traveling the Tokaido in 17th Century Japan,” in Learning Through History magazine, and “Barry’s Very Grown Up Day” in Zootles magazine), she realized she’d found her niche: writing for children. She wants to share with kids and teens her love of books:  the worlds they open, the things they teach, the feelings they express.

Yakimali’s Gift, a historical novel for young adults published by Astraea Press, and middle grade paranormal The Castle Blues Quake published by Beau Coup Publishing are her first novels.

She’s a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

No matter what new paths she may travel down, she sees her writing as a lifelong joy and commitment.

You can find Linda at these links:

Linda’s Website     |     Facebook     |     Twitter

Goodreads     |     Pinterest

 On to our Giveaway

This Giveaway is open Internationally. You must be 13+ to enter.

PRIZES

2 Winners will each receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card

1 Winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

This tour is brought to you by

Please check out the other hosts on the tour for chances to enter the Giveaway!