I Promise You Won't Learn A Thing From This Blog

The official blog for author Ashley Chappell. Check back every week for a few laughs at my expense or, if you know the love-hate process that is writing, commiseration.



Friday, November 15, 2013

HOT OFF THE PRESS! "Moonless" by Crystal Collier

Football season, schmootball season! Don't people realize that fall is also book release season? I'm thrilled to pieces to get to host another one of this season's awesome new books on the blog today. What do you get when you cross Supernatural with Jane Eyre? You get the killer paranormal historical romance "Moonless" by fellow author (and fellow cheese fiend!) Crystal Collier. Crystal was kind enough to share the top ten fantasy novels that most influenced her writing, so be sure to check them out at the end! I think I found a few new titles to add to my reading list ;-)



This book only released this week and critics are pouring love for this story already, calling it "...powerful, compelling, packed with soul," and that it "...transports us to a time of elegance and mixes in supernatural splendor that gives goosebumps." Are you hooked yet? 

From the book cover:

Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.



So what are you waiting for? It might be cold outside, but this is just the thing to warm you back up so go grab yourself a copy, turn down the football, and treat yourself to a romantic fantasy unlike any you've ever read!


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Top Ten Fantasy Books that Have Influenced Crystal's Writing






10. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White: It's rare I read a book with so much personality packed into its pages. I aspire to write a book with this much spunk.



9. Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck: Foreign backdrops, a new culture, even some historical content, I LOVED this book. Colleen tutored me in character relationships.



8. The Magicians Nephew by C.S. Lewis: This book set my mind on fire with cross-world travel an the importance of world building--especially in the real world.



7. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare: If you want to know how to get 'er done as far as plot goes, you can't have a better pattern. Action takes a front seat. And the dialog? Whew!



6. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle: Again cross-world travel, but the importance of familial relationships really shines through.



5. Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede: A whole education on taking classic fairytales and molding your own world out of it. I still marvel about the mechanics of the Enchanted Forest.




4. Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn: A clever meshing of the Grimms tales and the real world, I adored how Chanda built relationships.



3. My Friend the Monster by Clyde Robert Bulla: The first story I ever read where a monster could be a good guy, this story left a lasting impression.



2. Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin: Comedy meets fantasy. This series was my own brand of cheese merged with my first reading love.


1. The Windrose Chronicles by Barbara Hambly: Merge fantasy, technology and complex world building with an anti-hero, and you've got magic. This was the first time I saw THE bad guy (no questions asked) suddenly become the hero. Seriously, such a powerful transition that it's the only entire series I've read twice.






Crystal Collier, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. 

You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.


Buy MOONLESS HERE or add it on Goodreads.

28 comments:

  1. Wow! Ashley, you are amazing. Seriously, amazing.

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    1. I'm only as amazing as my guests! And you totally rock - I wish I could be even half as organized as you have been with this tour. You deserve mind-blowing success :-)

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    2. Aw, thanks! I still I feel like I'm chasing leads with spinning head. As long as it appears polishing and pretty on the outside, eh? ;)

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  2. How fantastic is it to learn about the influences of an author? Really. Really, really, REALLY. Thank you, Ashley! And thanks to Crystal for sharing with us!

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    1. Thanks, Beverly! Now that I know her inspirations I'm going to read Moonless with a much deeper perspective, so I ditto the thanks to Crystal for sharing :-)

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    2. LOL! You'll never see behind my curtain, even if you do read all those. *shifty eyes* ;)

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  3. Crystal's book looks so awesome!

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    1. Don't be bashful, Crystal - you deserve some horn-tooting and chest-thumping :-)

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  4. I got the honor of reading the ARC and I LOVE it!! And looking at these other books I have lots of catching up to do!

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  5. I canNOT wait to read Moonless! And now I have 10 books to add to my TBR list. ;)

    Thank you for sharing, Ashley and Crystal!

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    1. I'm with you, Chrys! I can't wait for reading time this weekend :-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Yay, Chrys! So glad I was able to share some of this goodness.

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  6. So cool to see the books that have inspired you, Crystal! Paranormalcy and City of Bones are currently in my TBR pile, so I'll have to remember you once I have the chance to read 'em. :)

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    1. Both very epic reads. ;)

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    2. Hi Heather! I just downloaded Paranormalcy; I think my fiance will be able to blame Crystal for my additional reading time requirements ;-)

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    3. Meh--just make him read with you. ;) (Tell him is part of the WHOLE marriage package.)

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  7. I love reading your top ten list, Crystal. Thanks to you both for a great post!

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  8. It was great to read Crystal's top 10. I love C.S. Lewis and Madeline L'Engle too! :) I have Unenchanted, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Thanks for sharing and wishing Crystal the best of luck.

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  9. I love book suggestions! L'Engle and Lewis are old favorites, of course, but now I have 8 new ones to add to my wish list, thank you!

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    1. I love finding obscure titles that are truly amazing.

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  10. Way fun idea! I'm glad you shared your favorite titles. I'm always look for more good reads to inspire me. You guys rock!

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  11. I've read almost all of the "older" books listed as Crystal's top influences.

    Another Fine Myth sounds incredible! I might have to add that to my TBR pile. But it'll get to it after I read MOONLESS!

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