Blog Tour: Grey by Christi J. Whitney

Welcome everyone to another blog tour! 

Grey 
by Christi J. Whitney

 Grey, Book 1 in The Romany Outcasts Series by Christi J. Whitney (HarperCollins/HarperVoyagerUK)
YA urban fantasy
Digital Release Date: 30 April, 2015
Paperback Release Date: 30 October (only in the UK)
 Available with: HarperCollins, HarperCollinsUK, Amazon, AmazonUK, Barnes and Noble, iBooks
 Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/125617735 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Grey-Romany-Outcasts-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00MT9E66E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443540290&sr=8-1&keywords=grey+romany
 HarperVoyager Publisher website: http://harpervoyagerbooks.co.uk
 The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Grey/9780008120450

 Sebastian Grey always thought he was a fairly normal teenager – good friends, decent grades, and a pretty sweet job in his foster brother’s tattoo shop. But when Romany gypsies arrive in town, Sebastian discovers his world is not what it seems. There is an age-old feud between his family and the gypsies – and this isn’t the only secret his brother has been keeping from him. His life is not his own. The girl he’s been dreaming about has just turned up at school, and he feels compelled to protect her at all costs. Even if that means life might never be normal again.    

About the Author: 

    Christi J. Whitney is a former high school theatre director with a love for the dramatic. She lives just outside Atlanta with her husband and two sons. When not spending time with them or taking a ridiculous number of trips to Disney World, she can be found directing plays, making costumes for sci-fi/fantasy conventions, geeking out over Doctor Who, and watching superhero movies. Connect with her on Twitter @ChristiWhitney  
 SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERNET CONNECTIONS:  
Author Website: www.christijwhitney.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/christiwhitney Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christi-J-Whitney/220577227350
 Goodreads Links: Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22449800-grey
Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8299600.Christi_J_Whitney

 Upcoming Releases by Christi J. Whitney SHADOW (Book 2 in “The Romany Outcasts Series”) – 2 June, 2016. MIDNIGHT (Book 3 in “The Romany Outcasts Series”) – 2017.

   The Book Trailer:

 
Grey // Romany Outcast Series from Christi J Whitney on Vimeo.

 Author Interview:

Can you tell us about your book, GREY?
Absolutely! Grey is a YA fantasy, and it’s the first installment of “The Romany Outcasts Series.” It’s the story of eighteen-year-old Sebastian, who lives in a small town with his brother Hugo, a tattoo artist. One day, Sebastian wakes up feeling unusually sick, and he can’t figure out what’s going on. Then, strangers arrive in town, along with a mysterious girl Sebastian can’t seem to shake. Pulled into a world of Outcasts Gypsies with closely kept secrets, Sebastian discovers his life is not what it seems.

What was your inspiration behind writing Grey?
My favorite fairy tale has always been Beauty and the Beast, but I’m a softie for any story involving the theme of not judging a book by its cover. There are similar themes in Grey, which are set up at the beginning and flourish throughout the entirety of “The Romany Outcasts Series”.

I wanted to write a story with an underdog type character who doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional hero. Those are the people I was always drawn to in books, films, and television. I love sidekick characters and those that might sometimes appear unnoticed in the shadows of a larger-than-life hero or heroine. I love quirky and offbeat humor. And I just really wanted a story with a character that embodied all those things I loved.

Did you ever experience writer’s block?
Absolutely all the time! It feels a bit like failure, and it’s easy to get frustrated. I sometime try and write dialogue scenes to fight past it. If that doesn’t work, I leave the scene entirely and find something else to do – watch a good television show, read another book, go for a walk, or go off somewhere alone where I can talk out loud to myself and people not look at me like I’m crazy. Usually one of those things will eventually jar something loose in my brain.

Did any music inspire you while writing this book?
I love listening to music while I write. I’m a big fan of movie and television soundtracks, especially during action scenes or emotional moments. But I also like particular bands when I’m trying to get into the heads and atmosphere of my characters. For Grey, I listened to the following pieces of music and groups quite frequently:

The soundtrack from Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
Playlists of Romanian folk music
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Satellite
The Royal Wood
Coldplay
Playlists from the television show Being Human
To Be Juliet’s Secret

Do you have a favorite place to write?
I’ll really write anywhere, but one of my favorite places is a small room upstairs in my house that I’ve converted into an office. It’s basically a den of geekness, though. I’m surrounded by pirates, hobbits, various incarnations of the Doctor and his Tardis, pictures of former students, costumes and cosplays, theatrical swords, X-Men, 80’s cartoon cartoons…you get the idea. My husband often asks me how I can write with all that stuff around me, but it’s inspiration.

How are the main characters of Grey celebrating the holidays?
Sebastian will be hanging out with his brother Hugo at the tattoo shop, most likely eating cartons of Chinese food and watching cheesy Christmas movies. Josephine will be with her family, celebrating a very traditional Christmastime with lots and lots of food.


What did the main characters of Grey dress up as for Halloween?
Well, I think Josephine probably opted for something fairly low key, seeing that she wears so many elaborate costumes for her job. Possibly a character from a book. Sebastian…well, that’s actually a very interesting question. After you read Grey, I think you will definitely know the answer.

Favorite TV show?
Doctor Who

Cats or Dogs?
Dogs

Biggest Pet Peeve?
Bad theatre etiquette during a performance or show. (I’m a theatre director, what can I say?)

Holiday Traditions?
Spending Thanksgiving with friends in a cabin in the north Georgia mountains is one my favorite holiday traditions. For Christmas, I love my church’s Christmas Eve service, my family’s lasagna dinner afterwards, doing Christmas crackers around the table, and sitting in front of our tree with a cup of tea. Driving around looking at Christmas lights. Listening to my stepfather read the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas morning while we sip hot cider. Oh, and I can’t forget the Doctor Who Christmas Special on television.

 

 The Giveaway: (2) ecopies of Grey by Christi J. Whitney a Rafflecopter giveaway

2015 Debut Author Bash - Day 2

Welcome back Everyone!!

Hope you all are enjoying your posts for the Author Bash!
Find some new authors or books and get to reading! 

Lauren Gibaldi Mathur

Hello, I’m Lauren. I’m an author of young adult novels and public librarian. I’ve been, among other things, a magazine editor, high school English teacher, bookseller, and circus aerialist (seriously). I have a BA in Literature and Master’s in Library and Information Studies, both from Florida State University. I currently live in Orlando, Florida with my husband, daughter, and ever-expanding collection of books. (I mean, it comes with the professions, right?)

I love dinosaurs, pasta, musicals, and cheesy jokes.

I’m represented by Claire Anderson-Wheeler with Regal Literary.

The Night We Said Yes

 

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life. But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan. And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of. Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.  In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.  

1) What were you like in school? Where you good at English back then?

I was a drama girl in high school--I pretty much spent all my time in the drama room, or in the theatre. I loved it! I did like English class, too--I've always liked reading. I went on to major in English Literature.

2)  How did you come up with the idea for the book?

I love the idea that in one night, anything could happen. I kind of wanted to write about a really fun, amazing night where the characters felt unstoppable, and then revisit them a year later to see how that night changed them.

3) On your Goodreads page, many people compare your book to John Green's 'Paper Towns'; How do you feel about that?

As someone who loves "Paper Towns," I think it's a major compliment! I love John Green's books! That said, I think outside of both stories taking place in Orlando, they're quite different.

4) If 'The Night we Said Yes' is the so called "baby" of two other books, What would you say it's parents were?

I thought about this for a bit, and honestly have no idea! What do you think?

(Answer below in the comments) 

5) The friendship between Meg and Ella is so amazing and honest - Did you take that friendship from one in your real life?

Thanks! I didn't base Meg and Ella off anyone, but I think their friendship is similar to several of my friends. I love that honest friendship--the one that's so deep and loyal that you if you do fight, you know it'll end in about five seconds because it's not worth it. I wanted that for the two of them. I wanted them to be undeniably honest and open with one another, even when it was hard. I wanted their friendship to be just as important as the relationship between Ella and Matt because, to me, friendships are just as important as relationships.

6) I would have to say that Ella was my favorite character because she was so relatable and down to earth. It seemed like we grew with her as we went through the book. Who is your favorite character and why?

Thank you so much! I have a weak spot for Ella, definitely. She's the most like me. But I have to say my favorite character is probably Jake, I think mostly because I feel like I have to take care of him. He needs someone like that! I just want to pop into his life every now and then and make sure he's okay. I also adore Meg. I'm very protective of her.

7) There was a conversation towards the end of the book that really made me rethink things about my life and how I am living now; While writing the book was there any point where you did the same thing?

That's very amazing to hear! I think the whole "saying yes" message of the book made me want to "say yes" to more things. Like publishing in general! It's scary, but worth it. So, I think, like Ella, I say yes to more things now, even if they're scary.

8) What is one secret about the book? Like was there something you almost wrote differently, or a routine you have while writing?

Hmmm. Barker's first name is Jeremy. I wrote the entire book as Jeremy, and then changed it to his last name. So when referring to him, I still call him Jeremy (or Jerm, for short).

9) What is your favorite book and why?

I'm both a librarian and writer, so it's impossible to choose a favorite! I'll go with the ones I've read the most: The Great Gatsby and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. They're both amazing and beautiful.

10) What is the one thing you hope people take from your book?

I want people to not be afraid to go for what they really want, despite it being hard or scary. I had people tell me I shouldn't make a career of reading and writing because there's nothing in it, but, hey, I'm a writer librarian. I wanted it, so I went for it. So go for it!

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2015 Debut Authors Bash

Hey everyone! Welcome to the start of the YA reads 2015 Debut Authors Bash!

Make sure you check out all the other blogs as well! 

Jasmine Warga

 

Hi, I'm Jasmine. I live and write in a small town (technically a village, but that sounds so medieval) that is a few miles outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Since I find it exceedingly uncomfortable to write about myself, I will keep this short. MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES is my first novel and will be published by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins in Winter 2015. My second novel, which is currently untitled, will most likely be published in 2016.

My Heart and Other Black Holes

 

 Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness. There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman) who’s haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner.  Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other’s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.

 

1)  Is 'My Heart and Other Black Holes' your first time writing or have you been writing since you were younger?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I started to get more serious about my writing around the age of twenty-two, but I had trouble finishing projects. I would start novels and lose momentum around page 50 or so. (I still have this problem to some respect to be honest!). MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES is my first published novel, though it’s definitely not the first novel I ever tried to write.


    2)  I know you wrote this book after a close friend of yours passed on; (I'm sorry for your loss) Do you think this kind of helped you understand or get over what happened?

I don’t think that writing the book helped me get over losing my friend. To be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever be over losing my dear friend. In Jandy Nelson’s beautiful book, THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE, the narrator states: “Grief is forever. It doesn't go away; it becomes a part of you, step for step, breath for breath.” And I really think that is true. But I do think working on this book was a huge part of my grieving process. It allowed me to contemplate for hours on what it means to die, and more importantly, what it means to live.


    3) Before you were a full-time writer you were a science teacher - do you think this helped you with your book?

Help? I’m not sure if it helped, but it certainly influenced the book. I think Aysel’s penchant for physics stems directly from my frustration at having to teach physics when I knew so little about it. (I’m terrible at science and it was a really bad idea that I was assigned to teach it!) I also think that teaching was such a life-changing experience in general for me. I was so affected by my wonderful students so those interactions have certainly influenced my writing.

    4)  I personally have gone through some of the issues in this book so this really touched my heart - Other than "Everything gets better" what is something you want the readers to take from this book?

First, thank you so much for your kind words—it means so much to me to hear from readers like you who have struggled in similar ways to Aysel. To answer your question, I’m not even sure that everything gets better, but I want readers to understand that they will get better. You are stronger and braver than you realize. And you are more loved than you realize. I want more people to understand that depression is an illogical illness that lies. It will try to convince you that you are alone. But you are not alone—you are never alone. Please hold on. And please reach out and get the help you need. We are all counting on you to stick around.

    5) Of course I have to settle on Aysel as my favorite character but I love them all. Do you have a favorite character? Why?

Oh, I don’t know! I’m probably partial to Aysel was well since she was my narrative companion throughout the novel and I knew her better than any of the other characters. I also have a soft spot for Aysel’s little brother and Roman’s mother just because I believe that they are so full of love and very large-hearted.

    6) Are you currently writing another book? If so, Can you tell us anything about it?

Yes! It’s actually written and I’m currently revising it under the guidance of my brilliant editor. I’m really excited about it. I can’t say too much about it yet, but it’s about music/reclusive rock stars, fandom, and secrets. It’s certainly different from MY HEART, but I think ultimately plays with some of the same themes. 

Hope you all enjoyed this little interview! I sure did! I thank her so very much for taking some of her time out of her day to do this with me! 

If you loved this book as much as I did then make sure you enter my giveaway!!

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