New Update!

Hello everyone. All of my Reviews, that I have yet to write, will be posted sporadically during the summer. After the end of this summer, I will not be posting on here anymore, as you will see the info on the right side of the blog.
Thanks for your understanding.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Elemental by Kelbian Noel *Guest Post & Tour Wide Giveaway*

(To Check Out Other Tour Stops, Click The Tour Banner!)


Elemental
The Elementals, Book 1
Kelbian Noel

Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy

ASIN: B008MZ59Q0

Number of pages: 364
Word Count: 71279

Cover Artist: Kelbian Noel


Book Description

Baltimore Land is a typical teenager whose parents embarrass her completely. She wants nothing to do with her family's beliefs and is convinced their silly rituals only exist to make her life miserable. All she wants is to be normal, but the fact that her parents are witches seriously messes with her social life.

She's doing alright, with a boyfriend who seems to like her just the way she is and an awesome best friend who is fascinated by her lifestyle, but she's not the most popular girl in her small Utah town. In fact, she's kind of the town freak.

When her boyfriend's ex tries to win him back, Baltimore's emotions get the best of her and she soon realizes her parents' beliefs aren't so silly after all--they're just the beginning. 


Guest Post By: Kelbian Noel


Realistic Fantasy

I’m not a witch. Though sometimes I consider it. Based on my research, I’ve come to realize that it must be a beautiful path to follow. Themes of peace, gentleness and love are central and it makes me wonder how things became so muddled in the first place.

As I wrote Elemental, I became obsessed with Wicca and Paganism. I wanted to learn as much as I could, so that everything I relayed in Baltimore’s life would be real. Not just to me, or potential fans, but real witches. Yes, real witches.

One of the things I really tried to avoid doing while writing this series was not to mock an actual religion. I read a ton of books and even interviewed a few people. I didn’t want readers to believe that being Wiccan was part of the fantasy. Or what is referred to throughout the novel as the “sparkly stuff”. It’s not. To some, it’s very real. It’s a way of life, not the stuff of fiction.

That’s why the introduction to this series is written from a spiritual standpoint, piling the fantasy on top. It allows the reader to decide what’s real and what isn’t. I’m still trying to decide, for myself, and learning more every day. 


Short Excerpt From Elemental

The kiss is tender, as usual. But aggressive in a way that makes me regret inviting him over. Maybe I should have just gone to the mountains. Watching Dad play the part of the Holly King for the coven’s Yule ritual would be less uncomfortable.
Toby pulls my right leg over his lap, so that I face him.
He really is good at multi-tasking, I think as our lips stay connected the whole time.
His hands snake up my back and as he pulls me closer to him, he lets out a low moan.
This is going way too fast.
After several tries, I pull away with success.
“What?”  Toby asks, breathless. His face is flushed in the muted glow of the living room.
“I just…I’m kind of…are you sure you’re not hungry?”
“Positive.” He pulls me back to him. “I have everything I need right here.”
This time I kiss him. I figure, if I take the lead, I can determine the pace. But I’m wrong. Five minutes later, Toby’s thick fingers are fumbling with the buttons on my shirt.
I put my hands over his. “Wait.”
“You should’ve worn a t-shirt,” he says laughing. “Do you want to do the honors?”
I shake my head, roll off him and sit up. “I think maybe we’re going too fast.”
Toby props himself up on one elbow. “I can go slower. Sorry, I’m just excited, that’s all.” He reaches forward to cup my chin.
Excited is an understatement.
“No, Toby. I mean with everything. Maybe we should…wait.”
He drops his arm and looks up at me, his hopeful expression falling.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I thought I was ready. I just feel like this is too weird. In my living room, when my parents aren’t home. I mean, what if they walked in or—”
“You said they wouldn’t be home until tomorrow.” Toby sits up. “And you promised.”
“I know, I just—”
“How long am I supposed to wait, Baltimore, huh? We’ve been together for almost two years. Do you have any idea how hard it’s been?”
“No. Why don’t you enlighten me?” I cross my arms.
“Are you kidding? In case you haven’t noticed you’re kind of the town freak.”
My mouth drops open and I narrow my eyes. “Then I guess that makes you the village idiot.”
“Maybe it does. I mean, I like you. A lot. I always have. You know what my friends say? That you put some kind of spell on me. That you’re controlling my feelings.”
I can’t hold back the bark of laughter. “Seriously? And, what? Now you’re thinking there’s some truth to that bull?”
Toby slips his shirt back over his head and stands to his feet. “I don’t know what to think. I know that despite your quirks, I’m still into you. But it doesn’t seem to be paying off, does it?”
“Quirks?” I gape.
“Your parents are witches.” Toby throws his hands in the air. “You’re…well not my regular type.”
“You mean I’m not blonde and blue-eyed.”
No. You’re different. You’re not one of those girls who cares what she looks like.”
Was that supposed to be a compliment? “Wow.”
“I mean you’re beautiful. I love your face. Your skin. Even your hair.”
I push past him and head to the kitchen. “You should stop talking now.”
Toby grabs my wrist. “I’m serious, Baltimore. I’m so into you it hurts, but sometimes I swear you don’t see me the same way.”
I sigh and allow him to entwine his fingers with mine. “What are you saying? Sleeping with you will validate my feelings for you?”
Toby kisses my nose. “It would mean a lot to me if we could get past this. I love everything about you.” He tugs on one of my dreadlocks. “And I want to love even more of you.”
Our lips meet again and as I wrap my arms around his neck, I consider his words. Maybe he’s right. Then why do I feel so sick about it?
I pull away and meet his gaze. “I promise you, when the time is right I’ll—”
His mouth covers mine again, muffling my words. I grunt beneath his body and as he pins me to the kitchen wall, I push against his heavy chest but Toby’s hands tighten around my waist. I thrust my knee upward, connecting with his groin.
He yelps, staggering backwards. “What the hell?” He hunches over, steadying himself with one hand on the kitchen table. “What’d you do that for?”
“Me?” I back up and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.
“So that’s it? The answer’s just no?”
“I’m saying not right now. I’m not ready.”
“Baltimore.” He holds me by my shoulders, squeezing a little bit harder than normal. “Don’t do this to me. I love you.”
“Then wait.” I’d seen that response in a movie once. And was ready to use it at a moment’s notice. The moment is right, but it has no effect on him.
He grabs me again, holding tighter this time. Palming the back of my head he smothers my lips with his eager wet ones.
“No.” I push him hard startled by the volume of my voice.
When the ground shakes beneath me and the dishes begin to rattle, I subconsciously go into survival mode. It isn’t until I’m under the kitchen table looking up at Toby that I realize how silly the situation is.
Earthquakes in Utah?
Toby glances around, frantic. Flames explode from the fireplace and he yelps. Water burst from the sprinklers and he covers his head with his arms. When the porch door flies open sending a tunnel of wind through the kitchen, the look on his face is one of pure astonishment.
Our eyes meet and for the first time I see something on Toby’s face I’ve never seen before. Fear. Of me. 


About The Author
From a very young age, Kelbian loved to read. She found herself engulfed in novels by Janette Oke and L.M. Montgomery, but never seemed to find herself in the pages. At the age of 11 she declared she would write stories that had to do with her own experience, and be the youngest author in history. But life was full of baseball, homework, best friends and boys.

Decades later, having studied writing in college and pursued it as a career, Kelbian decided it was time to get back to her dream. She started writing again, joined a critique group and wrote two novels. Then in March 2011, along came Elemental. This time life's distractions couldn't shake the feeling that the world needed to hear Baltimore's story. At least those who would listen! A year later, Kelbian is excited to introduce Elemental to the world with hopes someone will love the story as much as she does.

Kelbian lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with her two children.







*Tour Wide Giveaway*

Open to US and Canada
- one digital copy of Elemental along with some witchy swag:
- 1 "Coexist" bumper sticker
- 1 smoky quartz sphere with a wooden holder
1 wooden incense burner
- 2 packs of stick incense (Dragon's Blood and Super Hit)
- 1 "Magick Happens" magnet
- 5 mini pillar candles with a blue and gold satchel

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 comments:

  1. Hi Marissa!

    Thanks for hosting today :) It's nice to be here :~)

    ReplyDelete

I love to read what you have to write and I like to write back, so feel free to comment :)

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