Friday, December 30, 2011

(Keegan's Chronicles Blog Tour) Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Julia Crane + Giveaway!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and Happy (almost) New Year!  Today we have Julia Crane, author of Coexist, book one in the Keegan's Chronicles series with us today as part of the Keegan's Chronicles Blog Tour!  Julia was kind enough to answer my questions about her experiences as an author and many magical elements in her book.  Coexist takes place in the modern world, but really it is inhabited with magical creatures.  Keegan, is just one of them, as she is an elf.  However, little does Keegan know that she is about to meet the love of her life and be the center of a war between the creatures of the light and the dark.  Look for my full review of Coexist coming soon!

Now without further ado, as part of the Keegan's Chronicles Blog Tour here is, Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Julia Crane!

Don't forget to scroll down to win an e-book copy of Coexist as well!

A Talk With Julia Crane

Author of Coexist

By T.B.

1) Where did you get the idea to write your debut novel, Coexist?

I think the idea has always been in the back of my mind. Years ago, my husband told me he had a dream about a big elf battle. Which was strange because he never recalls his dreams. When I was halfway finished with Coexist, I remembered that. I figured it was always in my subconscious. Also, growing up I was always teased about having elf ears and coming from an Irish family. We heard many stories about sprites.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

(On A Dark Wing Blog Tour) Interviews with Characters: A Talk with Abbey Chandler

The holidays are almost upon us! Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Abbey Chandler, from On A Dark Wing by Jordan Dane, as part of the On A Dark Wing Blog Tour.  Abbey was kind enough to answer some questions about her experience with Death and how she copes without her mother.  On A Dark Wing follows Abbey as she tries to escape Death's clutches once again.  Five years ago Abbey cheated Death, but now he's back to take her secret crush, Nate Holden, as well.  On A Dark Wing takes a look at the complexities of the concept of death, and spins them into a beautiful tale full of love, letting go, and new beginnings.  Look for my review of On A Dark Wing coming soon!

Now in honor of the On A Dark Wing Blog Tour, I give to you Interviews With Characters: A Talk With Abbey Chandler!

And don't forget to find out how you could win a Kindle Fire at the bottom of the page!

A Talk With Abbey Chandler

From On A Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

By T.B.

1) If you could change one thing about the day your mother died, what would it be?

Only one? The easy answer is—I would never have missed that damned school bus. If I had a groundhog day and could do something different, I would’ve faked being sick and stayed home from school. Or I could have resisted the urge for a Pepsi and Cheetos and quit being such a junk food addict, but wishing for a do-over has been pure torture and it never changed anything. I like to think that I eventually would have been smart enough to realize that, but after years of nightmares where nothing ever changed and my mom died over and over—I only felt worse about what I did.

Death had been the smart one, not me. I love you, mom…always.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt

The Things a Brother Knows

Author: Dana Reinhardt

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

5 out of 5 stars

Boaz is back.  After all this time, he has finally returned.  Boaz can put the war behind him once and for all, and just go back to how things were before he left.  He was gone for three years.  Three years full of worrying, hardship, and adjustment.  Those three years don’t matter anymore.  They can be tossed out the window, because Boaz would never leave them again.  Never put them through that unnecessary strain on their emotions ever again.  He’s home for good.  But is he really?

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Phantom Limb by William Sleator and Ann Monticone

The Phantom Limb

Author: William Sleator and Ann Monticone

Publisher: Amulet Books

3½ out of 5 stars

It is just a box.  It’s called a mirror box.  If I stick my right hand in one side I can see my left hand on the other, even when it’s not in the box.  It’s weird to see your hand in one place, but feel it in another.  The hand in the box is a copycat.  Everything I do, it does as well.  If I wave, it waves.  If I snap my fingers twice, it snaps its fingers twice.  If I pull my hand out of the box, it… stays in the box.  This is more than just a box.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Glow

Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

5 out of 5 stars

The mission: Travel across space to reach New Earth.
The goal: Populate New Earth in order to start the human race anew.

You have been given everything you need in order to survive.  Everything should go as planned.  Nothing should go wrong.

What you didn’t see coming: You are not alone.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Why Chromosome: Why Boys Do Love Books Recap!

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of attending The Why Chromosome: Why Boys Do Love Books!  The event was put on by Bridge To Books, an amazing non-profit organization who's goals are to connect kids with books and promote literacy and reading.  The Why Chromosome event was all about why boys DO love to read.  Six male authors were featured at the event, and all of their books feature male protagonists as well.  The event took place at Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop.  I had a spectacular time!  There were parents, teachers, educators, authors, and bloggers there, and of course boys of all ages!  Young or old, boys came to celebrate their love of reading.  Here's a look at the event:

The Why Chromosome Authors

Andrew Smith- author of Ghost MedicineIn The Path of Falling ObjectsThe Marbury Lens, and Stick
Greg van Eekhout- author of The Boy at the End of the World and Kid vs. Squid
G. Neri- author of Ghetto CowboyChess Rumble
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty, and Surf Mules
Jonathan Auxier- author of Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
John Stephens- author of The Emerald Atlas
Allen Zadoff- author of Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can’t Have and
My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies

----------------------------------------------------------------------

After eating a delicious lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, and an array of mouth-watering desserts, the event was ready to begin!  First, we had a very fun icebreaker to start off the event.  We paired up with a partner and had to come up with a list of books that had male protagonists.  Each book counted as a point and if you had read the book that counted as another point as well.   Next, the authors were asked questions about how the book industry has changed, boys and reading, and what got them started as authors.  I took some video of the panel answering questions, and you can watch them below.  You'll have to excuse my loud laughter, but I hope you enjoy!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Interviews With Authors: Amy Plum

Hiya everyone!  Fall is in the air, and with the weather getting chillier I have another great Interviews With Authors for you!  Today we have Amy Plum, author of the the popular book Die For Me.  Amy was kind enough to answer my questions about her book and what it is like being an author.  Die For Me is a paranormal tale of one girl's journey as she walks a fine line between a century-old rivalry.  Set in Paris, Kate has attracted the attention of Vincent, but there's more to him than meets the eye.  You can find my full review of Die For Me here.

Now I present to you, Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Amy Plum!

A Talk With Amy Plum

Author of Die For Me

By T.B.

1) What inspired you to write your debut novel Die For Me?

I had written a memoir (about living in the French countryside), which had gotten great feedback from publishers, but which hadn’t sold. So I wanted to try something in a different genre. I had just read TWILIGHT, and thought it would be fun to do a paranormal romance. And then one night when I was considering what to write, this sentence popped into my mind: “Ten days after I got my driver’s license, my parents died in a car wreck.” And all of a sudden, I had Kate’s character. After that, I just had to figure out what kind of paranormal creature she would fall for.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Deviant by Adrian McKinty

Deviant

Author: Adrian McKinty

Publisher: Amulet Books

3½ out of 5 stars

A guttural scream sliced through the frigid evening air, waking you with a start.  What could that have been?  Who would be up in the middle of the night?  You tiptoe quietly to your bedroom window and peek through the blinds.  Scanning the forest behind your house you think you see a glimpse of someone, but you can’t be sure.  Setting your worries aside you decide to just go back to sleep and forget about it.  But you won’t be able to forget it anytime soon, because in the morning you find out just what made that scream last night.  It was a cat.  The second in a row that was brutally murdered.  This has to stop, and soon…

Monday, October 17, 2011

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Virtuosity

Author: Jessica Martinez

Publisher: Simon Pulse

4½ out of 5 stars

I closed my eyes and let all of the tension drain out of my body.  My fingers were poised on my violin, ready to start strumming the bow across the strings.  Tonight would be the night.  But I couldn’t think about that right now.  I couldn’t think about the audience, the lights, or the judges staring me down.  I definitely couldn’t think about what would happen if I failed.  That was not a possibility.  I had to feel the music and let that show, because I didn’t get another shot after this.  It was now or never.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Giveaway Winner!


Our winner for the Crossroads E-Book Giveaway is...

Yto

Congratulations Yto!  I have already sent an email to the winner.  Thank you to everyone who entered!  Keep checking back for more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!

-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf...
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Variant by Robison Wells

Variant

Author: Robison Wells

Publisher: HarperTeen

4½ out of 5 stars

They’re watching.  They’re always watching.  Every single move you make, everything you say, everything you do, is being recorded.  If you blink, they’ll know.  They have cameras everywhere.  Even if you can’t see them, they’re there.  Someone is always watching you, and taking note of everything you do.  You can never escape their watchful eyes.  There’s no real explanation why, but there are consequences.  One wrong step and you’re out… for good.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Charlie Woodchuck is a Minor Niner by Dalya Moon

Charlie Woodchuck is a Minor Niner

Author: Dalya Moon

Publisher: Dalya Moon (Smashwords)

4½ out of 5 stars

My pen hovers over my elective sheet for my first year of high school.  I have two choices.  I can either fill in one of the boxes for the girl’s electives, like Sewing and Cooking, or I can take a dive into the unknown and sign up for the boys-only shop classes.  I mean why not?  If a boy can do it why can’t I?  All I have to do is fill in that little box.  That’s it.  That’s all it takes for me to be known as the girl who took the forbidden shop class.  That girl is me, Charlie Woodchuck.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

OC Children's Book Festival Recap!

Last Sunday I was at the Orange County Children's Book Festival, and I had a blast!  There was a ton of great authors there, and the day was filled with signings, giveaways, panels, and readings.  This was my first time attending the festival, and I was a part of the YA/Teen Stage Press Corp.  I was mostly at the stage all day, as it was packed with panels and authors throughout the day!  Here's a recap of what went on at the Teen Stage:

"In-Be-Tween" Panel

Gitty Daneshvari (Moderator)- School of Fear series
Greg Taylor- Killer Pizza series
Helen Stringer- SpellBinder and Midnight Gate
Greg van Eekhout- Kid vs Squid and The Boy At The End Of The World
Mark Jeffrey- Max Quick


This was the first panel of the day, and it was made up of Middle Grade/Tween authors.  Each of them talked a bit about their books and read a chapter or two as well.  Gitty was a hilarious moderator, and she and the authors talked about their favorite memory as an author, and what their greatest fears as an author are as well (the most common answer was that no one would read their books and that they would have to go back to their day job).

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Stick by Andrew Smith

Stick

Author: Andrew Smith

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

5 out of 5 stars

My name is Stark McClellan.  You can call me Stick if you’d like, because that’s what I am.  A stick of a boy.

…and I’m ugly.
I have only one ear.  I was born that way. 
If you look closely you’ll notice, and then you won’t be able to look away.

But I’m not going to let this stop me.  It never has before.  I drive at night. I blow things up.  I steal cars.  I am going to get my brother back.  He’s always been by my side and I’m not about to let him leave me alone now.

I’m as unremarkable as canned green beans.

I’m Stick, and this is my story.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

OC Children's Book Festival!

Hi again!  I wanted to let you all know that the Orange County Children's Book Festival will be taking place this weekend on Sunday, October 2 at the Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM.  It's free for all those who wish to attend.  I'll be there as part of the festival's Press Corp for the Teen/YA Stage.  I'll make sure to provide updates throughout the day with my new Twitter account as well.  You can reach me at @ftbotbblog.  Hopefully, I'll see you there!

An amazing group of authors will be there as well, participating in panels, signings, readings, and giveaways throughout the day.  Here's a look at some of the authors who will be there:

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

I'm Now (officially) A Twit!


Hi guys!  I just joined the world of Twitter!  I know I've been one of the last to jump on the Twitter train, but I'm excited to be a part of it all!  I thought'd it'd be easier to connect with other bloggers and be more involved in the YA book community as well.  I've added my Twitter feed to my sidebar, so check it out!  I'll be going through the blogs I follow to follow them on Twitter, and if any of you want to follow me you can tweet me @ftbotbblog!  I can't wait to see you guys on Twitter, and I'm new, so no making fun of me :)

-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf...
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!

Monday, September 26, 2011

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

After Obsession

Author: Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

Publisher: Bloomsbury

4 out of 5 stars

Your bedroom door slams shut with such force that it rattles the doorframe.  You jump, wondering how it could have closed when you’re all the way across the room at your desk.  The lock clicks, and suddenly, you know that he’s here.  An ominous shadow starts to form in the corner of your room.  It takes the shape of a towering man, and as he grows, it seems to suck all of the light out of your room.  You try to get out of your chair, but it feels as if a ton of bricks is pressing down on you.  You can’t move, and your eyes dart around the room in search of anything you could use as a weapon.  But it’s too late.  He’s reaching towards you, and that’s when the cold fear sets in.  You’re his now.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

(The Crossroads Experience) Interviews With Authors: Mary Ting + TWO Giveaways

Hi there!  Today we have another wonderful Interviews With Authors!  In honor of The Crossroads Experience Blog Tour, I have Mary Ting, author of Crossroads, here with us today!  Mary Ting was kind enough to answer my questions on where she got her inspiration for her book and what it is like being an author.  Crossroads is a paranormal romance that takes place on both Earth, and a place between life and death: Crossroads.  Claudia travels to Crossroads in her dreams, only to discover that it is home to alkins, half-human, half-angel beings.  Suddenly Claudia is thrown into an intense battle between good and evil, and she's at the center of it all.  You can read my full review of Crossroads here.

Now in honor of The Crossroads Experience Blog Tour I would like to present, Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Mary Ting!

And don't forget to check out the TWO giveaways at the bottom of the page!

A Talk With Mary Ting

Author of Crossroads

By T.B.

1) How did you get the idea to write Crossroads?

Crossroads was inspired by a dream I had in high school-chapters one and two. I also have to thank Stephenie Meyer for inspiring me. I knew that Twilight was based on her dream so I thought why not do the same with my book.

(The Crossroads Experience) Crossroads by Mary Ting

Crossroads

Author: Mary Ting

Publisher: World Castle Publishing

4 out of 5 stars

A breeze ruffles your shirt as it sweeps by you, teasing you to follow.  The air is sweet, and the sun is shining down casting a golden glow over everything it touches.  You can feel the dirt and pebbles under your feet as you make your way to the fields of tall, brown grass that seem to go on endlessly for miles.  You push through the grass, aimlessly walking to and fro.  You aren’t quite sure where you are, but you wouldn’t mind staying here for a while.    As you push aside a curtain of grass, that’s when you see him… and you know, you’ve been here before.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Between The Land And The Sea by Derrolyn Anderson

Between The Land And The Sea

Author: Derrolyn Anderson

Publisher: Derrolyn Anderson (Smashwords)

4 out of 5 stars

The water is all around you.  It’s too dark to see this far below the surface, but you can feel the water rolling over your body and you know that the waves are calm up above.  Suddenly, you tear away in the water, swimming wildly ahead.  You don’t know where you’re going, but you feel so wild and free.  This is where you belong, in the water.  As you near the surface you can see the sun streaming down through the water in dim rays.  Your hair streams behind you in wisps as you shoot upwards, wondering what awaits you above.  You rocket towards the surface, and break through the water.  When you look back to the shore a sudden pang of guilt races through you, as you suddenly realize that you should have never left.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Ashes

Author: Ilsa J. Bick

Publisher: Egmont USA

5 out of 5 stars

Your chest heaves rapidly, up and down, up and down.  You try to calm down, but it’s hard to do so after what you’ve just seen.  The images are burned into your skull and you don’t think you’ll be forgetting them any time soon.  Your head spins as you try to raise yourself up, but it’s too much and you fall back down again.  The trees around you stand majestic and tall, and if you didn’t know any better you would have thought that everything is normal.  But it’s not.  You can smell the blood, and it’s overwhelming.  You shut your eyes tight and try to ignore the horror of it all, but you can already feel the burning bile coming up your throat.  This can’t be happening you think.  It is happening… and the Changed are on their way.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Interviews With Authors: Jennifer Archer

Hi everyone!  Today I have another wonderful Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Jennifer Archer, author of her new YA novel Through Her Eyes!  Jennifer was kind enough to take the time and answer some of my questions about her experiences as an author, and where she got the ideas for her book.  Through Her Eyes follows the story of Tansy who has just moved to Cedar Canyon, Texas with her mother and grandfather.  Her new home holds many more secrets than meets the eye, and Tansy is about to figure out just what this old house holds.  You can read my full review of Through Her Eyes here.

Now without further ado, here is, Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Jennifer Archer!

A Talk With Jennifer Archer

Author of Through Her Eyes

By T.B.

1) What inspired you to write your first young adult novel, Through Her Eyes?


I was substitute teaching one day and I saw a copy of the classic novel A WRINKLE IN TIME in the classroom. During a break, I picked it up and started reading. I had loved the book when I read it in middle school and I was surprised by how much the story still intrigued me as an adult. At the time, I had written novels for adults, but I began thinking I'd like to write a novel for a younger audience. I talked to my agent about it, and she said she thought I had the "voice" to write young adult fiction. I awoke the next morning with the character of Tansy whispering in my ear and the bare bones plot of the storyline on my mind.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

The Beginning of After

Author: Jennifer Castle

Publisher: HarperTeen

2½ out of 5 stars

I thought it was going to be like any other day.  I thought that this would be just another day out of the year, and absolutely nothing special would happen.  Well, at least nothing that would impact my life in some immense way.  There was no reason for me to think that today something would happen that I would look back on and wonder how I didn’t see it coming.  That’s exactly what happened though.  Except, now when I look back, I don’t just wonder what happened… I wonder where it all went wrong.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Giveaway Winner!


Our winner for the Raie'Chaelia E-Book Giveaway is...

Carol

Congratulations Carol!  I have already sent her an email.  Thank you so much to everyone who entered!  If you didn't win this time, you can still check out the author, Melissa Douthit's, giveaway for a free e-reader or $100 gift certificate!  Enter soon, because it ends on September 10, 2011!  You can enter the giveaway here.

-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf...
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Brooklyn, Burning by Steve Brezenoff

Brooklyn, Burning

Author: Steve Brezenoff

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

3½ out of 5 stars

After Felix left nothing has been the same. 

There has been an inexplicable shift that no one can identify, but we all feel it.  He’s gone and I don’t know how much longer I can take it.  All around me I see the reminders of Felix everywhere.  But… now there might be someone else.  There’s Scout.  Scout, who plays the guitar.  Scout, whose voice is the soundtrack of my summer.  Scout, who has made my summer worthwhile.  Scout, who I think I might love.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Goats by Brock Cole

The Goats

Author: Brock Cole

Publisher: Square Fish

4 out of 5 stars

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.  They weren’t supposed to be the ones who it happened to.  They thought it was going to be a funny joke is all.  No one would get hurt, and it would be something that everyone could look back on and laugh about.  No one had any idea that it would turn into something much more than a harmless prank.  They didn’t think it was very funny when they realized that the joke was on them.  They didn’t realize until it was too late.  And by that time, there was no one there to help… except themselves.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Princess Callie and the Totally Amazing Talking Tiara by Daisy Piper

Princess Callie and the Totally Amazing Talking Tiara

Author: Daisy Piper

Publisher: Daisy Piper (Smashwords)

3½ out of 5 stars

We’ve all imagined that we were royalty.  Whether it was our dream to be a king, queen, prince, or princess, most of us have had that fleeting desire to be of royal blood.  What would it be like to have ladies-in-waiting?  Or how about regal balls that were in our honor?  That life seems far out of reach and only a childish fantasy invented to keep boredom at bay.  To be able to say, “Off with their heads!” or ask for anything you want and have it granted.  That would be the life.  Well, for one young girl it is… she just doesn’t know it yet.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Sign Language by Amy Ackley

Sign Language

Author: Amy Ackley

Publisher: Viking

5 out of 5 stars

Have you ever had that feeling where you know that something’s wrong?  That there’s something out of place?  You might not be able to put a finger on what exactly, but you have a creeping feeling that something is terribly wrong.  Instead of investigating further, you choose to ignore it.  Act like whatever it is isn’t there.  Maybe then it will go away, stop bothering you, and you’ll forget that there was anything there in the first place.  What if… it doesn’t disappear?  It stays right where it is, slowly growing and becoming more and more horrible with all of the apathy you have shown it.  But no one bothers to tell you what’s wrong, and you choose to look the other way.  Until it becomes so unbearable that it twists your whole life out of control.  Suddenly, you wonder how you could have ever missed it.

Friday, August 12, 2011

(The Raie'Chaelia Blog Tour) Interviews With Authors: Melissa Douthit + TWO Giveaways

Hello everyone!  Today I am very excited to have another fantastic, Interviews With Authors!  As part of The Raie'Chaelia Blog Tour, I have Melissa Douthit, author of The Raie'Chaelia here with us today.  Melissa was kind enough to answer my questions on her book and what it is like being a self-published author.  The Raie'Chaelia is a fantasy book set in the realm of Naeo' Gaea, that many unique creatures and races inhabit.  Chalice is one everyday girl, who turns out to have an extraordinary destiny.  You can read my full review of The Raie'Chaelia here.

Now in honor of The Raie'Chaelia Blog Tour, here is Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Melissa Douthit!

A Talk With Melissa Douthit

Author of The Raie’Chaelia

By T.B.

1) What inspired you to start writing The Raie’Chaelia?

This is actually in the preface to my novel:

On the morning of 21st of September, 2007, I sat down at my computer with a cup of coffee and clicked a familiar bookmark on my internet browser.  The link took me to a website that I knew well.  In doing so, I learned that one of my favorite authors had passed away.  His name was James Oliver Rigney, Jr., also known as Robert Jordan.  The website was www.dragonmount.com.

Ever since I was seventeen, I have been reading his epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time.  I remember buying the first book, The Eye of the World, from a local bookstore and rushing home to read it.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  To this day, after twenty-one years, I am still reading his series as it quickly draws to a conclusion in its final completion by Brandon Sanderson.

I never thought I could be a writer given that my talents lie in other areas, mostly in mathematics and science, but when I learned of Jordan’s passing, I decided to start writing a story that I had been tossing around in my head for a while.  The ideas were there but the realization of those ideas into a book was a problem.  I didn’t believe that I could do it.  So, that morning, inspired by Jordan’s life story, I sat down and started typing.  I soon found that by having read his books, as well as many others by other authors, the writing came naturally and the words flowed.  The novel, The Raie’Chaelia, is the result of that day.

Now, three years later, my first novel has been published.  It is a novel with both a storyline and a background theme.  The ideas for the story were conceived out of a desire to write a fantasy that was different from any other I had read in the past.   The entire story required a few years to fully develop, but I believe I have achieved my original intention – keeping it different.  I am hoping that you, its reader, will feel that difference and love it.

Thank you for reading my story.  I hope you enjoy it.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

(The Raie'Chaelia Blog Tour) The Raie'Chaelia by Melissa Douthit

The Raie'Chaelia

Author: Melissa Douthit

Publisher: Lucky Bat Books

4 out of 5 stars

Chalice squinted against the smoke, but despite not being able to see, she could still hear the screams.  They sounded as if they couldn’t possibly be coming from a human being.  They were raw, and ringing in the air long after they had ended.  Grandpa’s warning was clear in her head.  She had to escape, and make it to the farm in Branbury.  He had said that there was someone there that she had to meet.  What if I never get to hear his stories again?  What if those were the last words I would ever hear from him?  Chalice pushed those thoughts out of her head.  She had to focus now.  She knew that if she didn’t escape now then she would never get the chance again.  Chalice threw her leg over the side of her horse, and took one long last look at her home.  She might never see this place again she realized.  That felt like a punch in the stomach, and she turned and rode away as her eyes filled with tears.