Shadow Study Giveaway!

   Here is a fabulous chance to win a SIGNED COPY OF SHADOW STUDY BY MARIA V. SNYDER! To enter complete the tasks bellow to get ballets for a chance to win this awesome prize! This giveaway is for Canada and US residents only!  This giveaway will be open from May 1st to May 15th 2015.

   Blurb: 

   Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

   When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia.

   Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

   Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.

   As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked.And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.

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Getting to Know the Authors: Featuring Maria V. Snyder!

Bio

   Meteorologist turned novelist, Maria's been writing fantasy and science fiction since she was bored at work and needed something creative to do. A dozen novels and numerous short stories later, Maria's learned a thing or three about writing. She’s been on the New York Times bestseller list, won a half-dozen awards, and has earned her MA degree in Writing from Seton Hill University where she's been happily sharing her knowledge with the current crop of MFA students. She also enjoys creating new worlds where horses and swords rule, 'cause let's face it, they're cool, although she's been known to trap her poor characters in a giant metal cube and let them figure out how to get out. Readers are welcome to check out her website for book excerpts, free short stories, maps, blog, and her schedule at http://www.MariaVSnyder.com.

What Has She Written?

    She has written: Poison Study (Study, #1), Magic Study (Study, #2), Fire Study (Study, #3), Touch of Power (Healer, #1), Inside Out (Insider, #1), Storm Glass (Glass, #1), Sea Glass (Glass, #2), Scent of Magic (Healer, #2), Spy Glass (Glass, #3), Outside In (Insider, #2), Taste of Darkness (Healer, #3), The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire, Assassin Study (Study, #1.5), Power Study (Study, #3.5), The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, Ice Study (Study, #3.6), Shadow Study (Soulfinders, #1), The Study Series Bundle (Study, #1-3), Corsets & Clockwork: 13 Steampunk Romances, Inside (Insider, #1-2), Opal Cowan Trilogy 3 Books Collection Set (Glass, #1-3), Poison Study & Storm Glass, Brave New Love: 15 Dystopian Tales of Desire and Storm Watcher.

Now On To The Interview!

1) How old were you when you started writing, in your opinion?

I was in my early 20s - I was bored at work and started jotting down story ideas and writing cheesy science fiction short stories.

2) What do you want a reader to gain from reading your works?

I want them to be entertained and also know that when life is difficult, you need to keep going, to persist and not give up. That if you work hard and don't be afraid to ask others for help, you can achieve anything.

3) What are your three top suggestions on becoming an author, or being a pleasure writer?

My top three are: #1 - Read a lot! Read as many books in your genre as possible, but also read in other genres as well. No only will you know what's been done before (or done to death), but how your story will fit in with the others. Also it gives you an instinctive knowledge of how novels are structured. #2 - Write a lot! The more you write the better you'll be. Also get feedback from other writers on your stories, take writing classes if you can, and attend writing conferences if you can. #3 - Don't give up. Writing is hard work and it takes persistence to finish that story, to keep revising until it's the best story possible. Also if you're going to seek a publisher - you'll need persistence to find a publisher for your novel.

4) What is your favourite novel, why?

The Gate to WOMEN'S Country, by Sheri S. Tepper - it's the ultimate girl power book!

5) Who is your favourite author, why?

This changes and I don't have just one favorite. Currently I'm really enjoying books written by Ilona Andrews - they're fantasy and urban fantasy and they have strong female protagonists.

6) What are your favorite pass times besides writing?

I enjoy photography, making jewelry, and playing volleyball. I also LOVE to travel and read of course!

7) Who in your life do you credit your imagination to the most?

 I've never been asked this question before! I'd have to say my parents - no only do I have their genes, but they always encouraged and supported me when I wanted to take dance classes or acting classes. They never said I couldn't do something.

8) What are the top five things on your bucket list?

I want to get a Ph.D in creative writing, I want to travel slowly - where I can spend months in one country and explore and not rush around going from one historical feature to the next. I also wish to see the Pyramids, Galapagos Islands, the Taj Mahal, and Machu Piccu.

9) What is your funniest childhood memory?

 My dad asking my sister what she would say or do if her BOYFRIEND asked her to "you know....mmmm hmmmm" (referring to have sex). And my sister replied without hesitation, "I'll tell him I don't hum."

10) To the youth of today, if you could tell them one thing, what would it be?

 Don't give up. If you have a goal or have a dream, then pursue it. It won't be easy, but if you work hard and keep going, it's possible!

Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) by Maria V. Snyder (Review)

        Book one of a new series, I recommend that you read the Study series beforehand because there is a lot of reference back to it in Shadow Study, and the story is a continuation of the lives of the characters from the Study series. Well, if I'm honest Shadow study was not bad, but it was not good either. Ultimately, I found shadow Study very boring. I mean VERY boring. I felt it was a task to read from the beginning to the end. I'm not saying that Shadow Study was a bad book, but I could not seem to get into the story no matter how hard I've tried. My feelings on the story are so mixed up that I have fallen into a grey zone. I do and don't like it. The characters were developed in previous novels, but it feels as if in Shadow Study was without any real character growth. I give Shadow Study TWO AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE STARS!

Fire Study (Study #3) by Maria V. Snyder (Review)

     The third installment of the Study Trilogy, Fire Study has Yelena taking on her final set of foes. In this epic tale, Yelena has to take on a Fire Warper, a delusional "prince", and a soulstealer/rapist/murderer/all out horrible human being. With the odds constantly staked against her she has to be constantly taking chances. I personally was a little bit bored by this installment, with very little personal development seemingly happening in the characters, leaving for a less empathizeable storytelling. At times these characters had so such endurance it was simply inhuman. Making up for that was the plentiful and interesting action scenes that catches the readers attention pretty well, and makes Yelena look pretty intense and kick-butt. Ultimately a pretty satisfying conclusion and a good read if you have read the rest of the series. I give it THREE AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE STARS!

Magic Study (Study #2) by Maria V. Snyder (Review)

      Pretty good, pretty good. As a continuation of Yelena's adventure in Poison Study.  It's storytelling but has a different feeling then in Poison Study. In this continuation, Yelena is brought into Sitia to avoid the death sentence that comes with her being magical, leaving behind her true love. Taken to her family that she was kidnapped from years prior, she encounters a life and a way of living that she has never seen before. The narrative voice was consistently strong and smooth, causing for an easy read. With a new set of rules and character, the readers quickly adapt to the new environment. There are many intense and epic moments in Magic Study with a quick witted and resourceful character like Yelena, and if you have the time I totally recommend that you give it a look. I give Magic Study FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS!

Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder (Reivew)

   Simply enchanting. Poison Study was a captivating read starting from the get-go with interesting storytelling, setting the scene very well and informing the reader about the past while maintaining interest in the current story. In this story the strong main female lead character Yelena, is faced with a choice of becoming a poison tester for the Commander, or be hung for murder. Not much of a choice, Yelena joins the ranks of the kings staff under the eye of a handsome assassin, loyal to the Commander. In this heart stopping story, Maria (the author) constantly grows and develops not only Yelena, but those around her as well.
      Although it is not close to being the focal point of the story, the romance in between Yelena and... for the sake of spoilers I won't say, is very intense and well written. Ultimately I  really enjoyed this novel and give it the rating of FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS!