Giveaway
Yesterday, Christy Dorrity released her debut album, Awakening. So, of course, I asked myself, "That's good and all, but what's in it for me?"Well, first I get to give away an eBook copy of Awakening. How cool is that? So, I get the God-like powers of choosing a winner. BUAHAHAHAAHA!!!
Just kidding, I'll let Excel hold those powers. To enter, just comment below with the name of your favorite form of dance. No cheating by copying somebody else's answer. I want YOUR favorite dance. Don't think I'll know. *stern look*
The winner will get a copy of the book in eBook format. I'll stalk you until I get your email address, and then the author will contact you. I'll close the contest and announce a winner Thursday night when the comments slow down.
If you need inspiration, here is one of my favorite Youtube videos, the evolution of dance:
Interview
I also got to interview Christy after I read the book. So here goes:JD: Welcome to my blog. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Christy Dorrity: Hi James! Thanks for having me. Well, my name is Christy. I’m a stay-at-home mom to five amazing kids. I love to spend time with them and my best friend, and husband, Devon. In my ‘spare’ time, I love to write, and Irish dance.
My debut novel, AWAKENING, has just released and I am so excited to share it with the world!
JD: What inspired you to write Awakening?
CD: I began Irish dancing about eleven years ago and I was fascinated by the Irish culture, music, and mythology. When I began writing part time a few years later, it felt natural to write about something I am so passionate about.
There was a little girl in the class I taught at church whose name was similar to what is now my main character’s name. I thought, ‘McKayla McCleery. I could write a story about an Irish dancer with that name.’
JD: There is a large focus on Celtic mythology, do you have Celtic roots?
CD: I have no Irish roots, all of my Celtic roots come from Scotland. My husband’s family comes from the O’ Dochartaigh clan in Ireland.
JD: There is also a focus on dancing, both ballet and Celtic dancing. You write like you know what is involved in these dances. Do you have a dance background?
CD: Yes, I’ve been dancing as long as I could walk. When I was four years old I begged my mom to put me in ballet. I danced all through school and into college.
When I was an adult, my husband bought us tickets to see Riverdance and I was hooked. I found lessons and now, eleven years later, my thirteen-year-old son and I have recently advanced to the championship level in our competitive Irish dance training.
JD: I really liked this magic system. How did you put it together?
CD: I love the quote, ‘Music is the language of the heart’, and I wanted to extend this to dance. I didn’t want the magic system to be too heavy-handed, instead I focused on the reality that we all have gifts that when used to help others can be magical. For instance, have you ever been affected by a movie, or a dance performance, or a vocal performance that touched you emotionally?
In AWAKENING, the characters have gifts that can be found in our lives, but are magically enhanced. For instance, McKayla can instill that emotion in others through her dance. In book two you will see more of the magic come out through motion, song, and the senses.
JD: This appears to be written as a series. Any idea when the next book will be released? How much of it is already written?
CD: I have two more books planned in The Geis series, and ideas for other books or series in the same world. Book two is in the outline stage right now and the ideas are fast and flowing!
In book two, which I plan to have out in 2014, we will follow Zoey to Tír na nÓg, where she will rescue her sister McKayla, who has been missing for four years, from those who would use McKayla’s gift for evil.
Book Description
About the Book
. . . because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth.
A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery's family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn't think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.
When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities. After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened.
When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy. A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.
Praise for Awakening
"AWAKENING is a wonder and a delight. Christy Dorrity is a talent to watch."
~David Farland, New York Times bestselling author of Nightingale
"I thoroughly enjoyed AWAKENING, a captivating and unique debut novel that creatively integrates Irish dance."
~ CHRIS NAISH, Riverdance member and Creative Director of Fusion Fighters Irish dancers.
About the AuthorChristy Dorrity lives in the mountains with her husband, five children, and a cocker spaniel. She grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming, and is the author of The Geis series for young adults, and The Book Blogger’s Cookbooks. Christy is a champion Irish dancer and when she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.
Purchase Awakening by Christy Dorrity:
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