Blog Tour- Scent of Magic Guest post and 2 Giveaways!!

Hey y’all! So I have an awesome post for you today! Belen or as he’s lovingly nicknamed, Poppa Bear, from Maria V. Snyder’s Healer Series has paid me a visit and he is wise beyond his years! I adore this guy! Want to see what he has to say check it out below. Oh and don’t forget I have two giveaways for this stop. One, for the Harlequin Teen Prize pack and I also have one copy of Scent of Magic (US/Can on this stop) to give away to someone!!!! Also make sure to check out my review of Scent of Magic Here!

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomaniacal King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confidant, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon's opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon's most horrible creations yet: an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible...again.

 Now time for Belen’s words of wisdom!

Poppa Bear Knows Best

I knew it as soon as I saw her standing among Jaxton’s town watchmen.  They had caught her and planned to execute her for the forty golds Tohon offered, but she had this steely look in her eyes when she scanned the crowd.  I knew she’d be trouble.  I just wasn't sure if it would be the good or the bad kind of trouble.

The town watch had gotten to her first, but they wouldn't have her for long.  Kerrick caught my attention and nodded.  He kept his stony expression, not wanting to get his hopes up.  After two years searching for a healer, this seemed too good to be true.  I knew she was the real deal, but Kerrick wouldn't listen until he had proof. The monkeys on the other hand were practically jumping with glee.  We gathered to go over the plan one more time.

“What if she’s not a healer?” Flea asked Kerrick. 

“Then we leave her there,” he said.

Flea, Quain and Loren protested.  Kerrick remained unmoved.  “We would draw too much attention for nothing.”

“They’re not going to kill an innocent,” I growled, stepping closer to him.  “We’ll take her with us and drop her off in the next safe town.”

Kerrick didn't even flinch.  He knew me too well just like he also realized if he didn't rescue her, I would.

Finally, Kerrick sighed.  “All right, Belen, but it’s up to you to give us enough time.”

“Won’t be a problem.”  I grinned in anticipation.  I’d been given the task of distracting the town watch so I headed to the local tavern to quaff a few strong drinks.  It would take more than a few to get me drunk, but I just needed the smell of alcohol on my breath and witnesses as I become more…disorderly.  Fun.

The ensuing bar fight a few hours later involved lots of cursing and breaking stools. It was a thing of beauty—the monkeys would have been proud.  I slipped the owner a gold coin to pay for the damage as the town watch rushed in to arrest me.  Four men weren't enough so they sent for more.  At this rate, I’d have the whole squad away from the jail house.

Eventually, they dragged me into the jail house.  I stopped struggling and gave them a wide-eyed stare.

“He’s going to be sick!” one cried.

They dropped my arms and stepped back as I bent over and pretended to heave.  Now free, I started swinging at the two poor saps closest to me.  During the fight someone opened the door to the cells and the gig was up.

“She’s gone!” a man yelled.

Chaos reigned and most of the watchmen rushed out.  I threw one man onto a wooden desk and it collapsed underneath him.  I cursed as loud as possible, signaling Kerrick to get moving.  After knocking out the two others who stayed behind, I grabbed the girl’s pack and chased after the men.

Before I reached the woods, I noticed another larger group of watchmen assembling.  Too many for Kerrick and the boys to handle. 

I yelled, “She went this way!”  And pointed to another section of the forest.  “Follow me.”  I dashed south and they followed.

Well, I led them on a merry chase well away from the real action.  Of course, it took me longer to reach the rendezvous point, but everyone was all smiles when I arrived.  We’ve found our healer.

The beautiful healer seemed a bit skittish at first.  I couldn't blame her we were a motley-looking crew and all strangers to her, but we saved her life, that should count for something.  Of course Kerrick had managed to make a bad impression right away, being all stiff and cold and distant, bossing her around.  She bristled at every order and I predicted sparks would soon fly between these two.  Both good and bad.

Kerrick fell for her first.  He’d never admit it, but she’d gotten under his skin.  It took her longer—no surprise as he was downright nasty to her and I had to take him aside and pound some sense into him.

It all worked out for the best. Like I said, I knew it.  I am Poppa Bear after all J

 Maria V. Snyder changed from being a meteorologist to a novelist in 1995, when she began writing to keep her sanity while raising two children. Since then, she has published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and teaches fiction-writing classes at the local college and area libraries. The classes give her the wonderful opportunity to encourage fellow writers, and to keep improving her craft.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. Dreaming of chasing tornadoes  Maria earned a bachelors of science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. But she discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. In order to chase tornadoes you had to predict where they might form. Creating fantasy worlds where she has complete control of the weather was more agreeable to her.

Maria's research on food-tasting methods with an expert chocolate taster, her husband, turned out to be a delicious bonus while writing Poison Study.

Maria has a brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, and enjoys playing volleyball and the cello. Traveling in general and via cruise ship in particular are her biggest distractions from writing. Maria has traveled to Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

Maria lives with her husband, son, daughter and yellow lab, Hazelnut, in Pennsylvania where she is at work on more LUNA novels. She is also pursuing a master's degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University.

Readers are welcome to contact Maria at the following email address: maria@mariavsnyder.com.

Where you can find Maria:

Website/Blog/Goodreads/Facebook

OH also don't forget to check out the amazing Trailer for Scent of Magic!

On to the giveaways! Fill out the Rafflecopter forms and good luck!

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Make sure to check out the Tour Schedule for more awesome posts and giveaways some have International ones!!!

12/10/2012 Parajunkee  Q&A

12/11/2012  Paranormal Urban Fantasy Reviews  Review

12/12/2012 Read Now Sleep Later Podcast Interview with Maria

12/13/2012 The Book Heroine  Review

12/14/2012 We Fancy Books Playlist

12/17/2012 Two Chicks on Books  Guest Post From Belen

12/18/2012 The Starry-eyed Revue  Guest Post

12/19/2012 A Great Read  Review

12/20/2012 YA Reads Guest Post

12/21/2012 The Book Hookup Review