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Win a copy of The Princess Curse! Details at the end of this post.

Chapter 1

Three days after my thirteenth birthday, Armas, the Executioner and Chief of Prisons, came for me while I ate breakfast.

“Apprentice,” Armas said, his cold voice freezing the thyme pie in my throat. “Princess Consort wants you.”

Cook whispered behind me, “Too many pies.” I almost erped with worry. I didn’t think they actually jailed people for eating too much in Sylvania, but they probably did punish new apprentices for insubordination. And I had been a tad insubordinate to my master.

I slid from my stool, feeling stiff and weak. But I held my head high and marched ahead of Armas into the courtyard while the castle kitchen burst into excited chatter behind us. My stomach knotted and tumbled harder, and I wished for a pinch of mint to settle it.

Halfway across the courtyard, I asked Armas, “Did the Princess Consort say why—?”

Excerpt copyright © 2011 Merrie Haskell

About the book:

Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling (if silly) curse, and anyone who ends it will win a reward. Reveka, a sharp-witted and irreverent apprentice herbalist, wants that reward. But her investigations lead to deeper mysteries and a daunting choice—will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul?

What people are saying:

“A wonder of a book–myth and fairy tale, romance and high comedy. Reveka, the herbalist’s apprentice, takes us with her on a journey through our world and what lies beneath as she learns about life and death, love and loyalty, courage and despair. As I did, you will delight in this exciting and touchingly romantic story. I can’t wait to see what happens next to the fierce and strong Reveka. Read it.”– Karen Cushman, Newbery Medalist

Released: September 6, 2011

About the author:

Merrie Haskell lives in Saline, Michigan, with her husband, stepdaughter, and too many cats named for legendary characters. She works in a library with over seven million books, and finds that to be just about enough. You can visit her at www.merriehaskell.com.

Giveaway:

Merrie has been kind enough to contribute a copy of The Princess Curse for a giveaway!

Just comment on this post to enter.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada, and ends on November 9th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

The pandas have lots of giveaway winners to announce today, so let’s get right to it!

The winner of Water Balloon by Audrey Vernick is:

Angelina C. Hansen

The winner of Witchlanders by Lena Coakley is:

Sharonne Katz

The winner of The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie is:

Becky Lees

The winner of With a Name Like Love by Tess Hilmo by:

Diana

The winner of Hope in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum is:

Vivien

The winner of Dearly Departed by Lia Habel is:

Amy Fournier

Congrats to all the winners!

When you are a dancer

You learn the beginning

Is first position.

Heels together,

Feet pointed as far to the sides

As your rotating hips will allow.

And when you are small

And at that beginning,

Your body is as flexible

As your mind.

There you stand,

Potbellied,

Eager.

They do not say to you then

That, when you are sixteen,

Doubt may cramp your muscled calves,

Arch your arrow back,

Leap into your mind.

They do not say to you

When you start in first position

That you may never be

Thin enough

Strong enough

Flexible enough

That you may never be

Enough.

Excerpt copyright © 2011 Stasia Ward Kehoe

About the book:

When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she’s deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem’s muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she’s chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent.

What people are saying:

“Stasia Ward Kehoe’s sinuous verse compellingly weaves this story of high level dance, scandalous romance and personal sacrifice.”– Ellen Hopkins, NYT Best-selling author of CRANK and PERFECT

“Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe is a sexy, poignant, and beautifully written coming of age story that will enchant readers of all backgrounds.”–Sarah Gundell, NovelNovice

“Intense, haunting, and ultimately hopeful. AUDITION captures the hazy space between dream and nightmare with honesty and fluid grace.”– Holly Cupala, author, TELL ME A SECRET

“Sara’s coming-of-age tale is one of passion and romance, colliding with her vision of whom she ultimately hopes to be. Her confused feelings are believably expressed, and her attitudes toward her friends and the adults in her life will ring true, especially to those readers who are also involved in the performing arts…Kehoe’s tale will appeal to teens yearning for a life on the stage and give them food for thought via an easy read.”–School Library Journal

Released: October 13, 2011

About the author:

Stasia Ward Kehoe grew up dancing and performing on stages from New Hampshire to Washington, DC. She now writes books for young adults and choreographs the occasional musical. Visit her online at www.stasiawardkehoe.com.

Book tour:

Stasia is  kicking off Stages on Pages with 11 other authors who write about the performing arts–dance, theater, music–and were/are performers themselves, in addition to being writers. Check out their books, giveaways, and book trailer!

Chapter One

London, December 1871

YOU wouldn’t be here pickin’ pockets, would you?”

Tiki jumped as the dark figure loomed over the corner where she sat, pretending to be half- asleep. Thick, black hair hung low over his forehead, shadowing his eyes. The glittery light of the pub illuminated his face as he leaned toward her, and the fear that bubbled in her stomach dissipated as she recognized him.

“Rieker.” Tiki spoke in a low voice. “What are you doing here?” His timing couldn’t be worse. “Are you following me again?” She’d identified her mark and was just waiting for the right moment to make her move.

“Me follow you?” Rieker gave an arrogant snort. “Now why would I do that?” He jingled the coins in his pocket as if to taunt her. “I’ve been workin’ the World’s End for a few months now.” He leaned an elbow on the plank table, a mug of ale clutched in his hand. “Maybe you’re followin’ me.” He looked her up and down with a mocking gaze. “Because I’d swear I’ve never seen your pretty face in here before.”

Tiki forced an insincere smile. “Maybe you weren’t looking hard enough.” She tugged the bill of her cap down to hide her features. Dressed in breeches and a man’s oversize jacket, Tiki was perfectly disguised— no one but Rieker would have known she was a sixteen-year-old girl. And even he hadn’t known until two months ago.

Excerpt copyright © 2011 Kiki Hamilton

About the book:

London, December 1871

Orphaned and picking pockets in London’s Charing Cross station to support not only herself, but her ‘family’ of orphans, sixteen year-old Tiki steals the Queen’s ring and thinks she’s solved  their problems. That is, until Rieker, a pickpocket from the North End, suspects her in the theft and tells her that the ring is really a reservoir that holds a truce between the British and Faerie courts.

When he warns her that the fey will do anything, including murder, to recover the ring, Tiki is unsure whether to believe him or not. To complicate matters, Rieker seems to know something about the unusual birthmark on Tiki’s wrist.  But when Tiki and her family are threatened the game changes.

In a dazzling debut that takes you from the gritty slums of Victorian London to the glittering ballrooms of the Royal Palace to the menacing Otherworld, you won’t want to miss this thrilling tale of mystery, adventure and romance.

What people are saying:

“An entertaining magical-historical adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews

“…an intriguing, beautifully written blend of historical fiction, mixed with the perfect dose of romance, mystery, and faerie lore, all set within the time period of Victorian London.”—Katie Bartow, Mundiemoms.blogspot.com

“If you’re interested in historical fiction, urban fantasy, faerie stories, strong female protagonists, and impeccable world building, read this book. If you’re not? Read it anyway, and find out why you should be!”—Candace Cunard, teensreadtoo.com

“The plot-driven story immediately immerses readers into the underworld of old London.”—VOYA

“Hamilton’s debut gracefully mixes fantasy, Dickensian London, and a dash of romance.”—Publishers Weekly

Released: September 27, 2011

About the author:

Kiki Hamilton believes in faeries. And magic. Her novel THE FAERIE RING, tells the story of a young orphan in Victorian England who discovers the reality of faeries. Though she has a BA in Business Administration from Washington State University and has worked in a variety of management positions, her first love is writing YA stories of fantasy and adventure.  Kiki lives near Seattle, Washington, where it only rains part of the time.  Visit her website at:www.kikihamilton.com.

Win a signed ARC of Virtuosity! Details at the end of this post.

The balcony felt cold under my cheek. Ten floors below me the traffic of Lake Shore Drive purred, but it seemed miles away. Everything before me was perfectly still: a black starless sky over Lake Michigan, my bare arm jutting out between metal bars, and the burnt-orange scroll of my violin rising out of my clenched fist.

It would be as easy as opening my hand. I could just uncurl my fingers one by one, and when the last one relaxed, the violin would slice the night sky like a blade, plummeting to the ground below. Then it would be over.

I exhaled and felt my body flatten against the concrete. My mother would be furious about the gown. Her personal dressmaker had twisted and tucked and pleated the filmy chiffon until it looked like a waterfall, flowing cascades in three shades of blue. Now it was bunched beneath me, probably soaking up dirt, grease, cigarette ash, and whatever else hotel balconies collected.

I shivered. The wind swirled around me, picking up my hair and whipping it against my cheek and bare back. The hair clips and bobby pins were long gone—they’d been the first things I’d removed after stepping inside the hotel room. Then I’d slipped off my heels, peeled off my stockings, and pulled out my earrings. But nothing helped. I couldn’t slough off the shame that clung to my skin.

So I took my violin onto the balcony.

Excerpt copyright © 2011 Jessica Martinez

About the book:

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. Two weeks before the most important violin competition of her career, she has bigger things to worry about—like growing out of that suffocating “child prodigy” label, and not disappointing her mother.

But it isn’t just the wrong time. It’s the wrong guy. Jeremy is Carmen’s most talented rival, and according to her mother, he’s only interested in one thing: winning.

He isn’t the only one.

Carmen is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to control performance nerves. But what started a year ago as an easy fix is now a hungry addiction. Carmen is too terrified to quit, but sick of not feeling anything on stage, sick of doing what she’s told.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall….

What people are saying:

Released: October 18, 2011

About the author:

Jessica Martinez was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. As a child she played the violin, read books and climbed trees incessantly. She went on to study English and music at Brigham Young University, and since then has been a high school English teacher, symphony violinist, elementary school teacher, violin teacher, and mother. She currently live in Orlando, Florida with her husband and two children. You can visit her at www.jessicamartinez.com.

Giveaway:

Jessica has been kind enough on contribute a signed ARC of Virtuosity for a giveaway!

Just comment on this post to enter.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada, and ends on October 25th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

Win a copy of Dearly Departed! Details at the end of this post.

Prologue

Bram

I was buried alive.

When the elevator groaned to a stop in the middle of the rocky shaft, I knew I was buried alive. Trapped thousands of feet below the earth’s surface and hundreds above the bottom of the shaft, dangling in a ten-by-ten foot cage over the bowels of the very mine I had been so freaking relieved to get work in.

I pulled myself to my feet and pushed my best friend Jack aside, hitting the button that controlled the elevator. I hit it again and again, wailed my fist on it. Nothing. The glass-paned lantern dangling from the ceiling flickered wildly as the kerosene within dwindled, as if it were attempting to ward off its own death with bursts of exaggerated life.

Dread became a solid, burning thing within me, something twisting my own flesh to its will, speeding my heart and making my skin slick with sweat. Before I knew it was coming up, I doubled over and retched through the grated floor. Jack sat calmly beside me as I heaved, his bloody eye sockets and the gaping wound in his throat mocking me, mocking my attempt to rescue him. He looked like some kind of hellish funhouse clown.

The dam broke, and I finally started screaming. At Jack. At God. At everything. There was nothing left to do but scream. I hadn’t screamed when the monsters had descended on us. I hadn’t screamed when I’d had to run from them, or fight them, or when I’d dragged Jack to the elevator, blood bursting from the hole in his neck. Everything had happened so quickly, it’d seemed there’d been no time to scream.

Excerpt copyright © 2011 Lia Habel

About the book:

A cyber-Victorian/steampunk romance – with zombies.

Almost two hundred years in the future, Nora Dearly lives in a world of bustled gowns, fake manners, watery tea, and uppity lords and ladies.

Thank God the zombies came to rescue her.

Dragged into the night by the living dead, Nora soon finds herself fighting for the father she thought long gone, the friend she was forced to leave behind – and the love of a handsome, noble young army captain.

Who just happens to be a walking corpse.

Released: October 18, 2011

About the author:

Lia Habel was born in Jamestown, NY, and has lived there the majority of her life. Her first book, Dearly, Departed, is a sweeping tale of zombie-living romance set in a cyber-Victorian/steampunk future. When Dearly, Departed sold, Lia was swimming in debt incurred from her studies and years of un- and underemployment, with only a few dollars to her name. Miss Habel enjoys attending anachronistic and steampunk events, watching zombie movies (she has watched over a hundred of them), commissioning ball gowns, and collecting Victorian and Edwardian books. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunities she has recently been given. You can visit her at liahabel.com.

Giveaway:

Lia has been kind enough to contribute a copy of Dearly Departed for a giveaway!

Just comment on this post to enter.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada, and ends on October 18th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

PLATTE BLUFF, NEVADA:

During the night, a tiny creature had crawled out of Tyler Sato’s right ear—or so the fat, inch-long footprints across his pillow seemed to indicate. Tyler traced the path with his finger across the bedsheet to the wall. From there the prints zigged and zagged through a field of NFL football cards like a running back heading for the end zone. The creature had tagged each member of Tyler’s fantasy football team with a pastel-colored sticky notes written in tiny print:

“You like this guy? Really? This guy?”

“Your quarterback has a rubber arm!”

“Tsk-tsk. Rookie mistake, picking this one.”

“Didn’t this guy tear his ACL in week two?”

“Hey! Why no Japanese-American football players?”

At the top of the wall, the footprints trailed across the ceiling as if they were telling gravity to take a number and wait for service. Little steps skipped around Tyler’s light fixture, then dashed toward the bedroom door. As far as Tyler could tell, the footprint maker had escaped the room through an impossibly thin crack between the door frame and the top of the door.

Excerpt copyright © 2011 Greg Fishbone

About the book:

In this hilarious middle-grade romp through space, eleven-year-old Tyler Sato leads a team of kids representing all of Earth in a sports tournament against alien kids from across the galaxy.

What people are saying: