Flowers for Gaia Goes on Tour

With less than a month to the launch of J. D. Grant's debut novel, Flowers for Gaia, we are lining up reviews and author interviews. If you are a book reviewer and love YA/speculative fiction, send me a message to request a review copy!

Here's a bit about the book:

Call her Earth, or call her Gaia, years from now, our planet is almost uninhabitable as a result of worldwide environmental chaos and war. In the middle of the ocean, two small, conjoined islands still thrive and serve as home to a unique population of survivors, the Wiconi. These peaceful, agrarian-based islanders have genetically evolved affinities that allow them to influence earth, water, air, and fire, talents they use to protect and aid the Earth Mother. They are her Guardians. When three Terran ships from the dying, outer “civilized” world land on the Wiconi islands, cultures collide. The newcomers, with their advanced technologies and cultural arrogance, subjugate the peaceful islanders and build industries that quickly threaten the natural balance and sustainability of the islands. The Wiconi call the Terrans “Gila,” after the venomous Gila monster, and begin resisting their destructive practices. In response, the Terrans put a bounty on the Wiconi people and hunt them like animals. Calix loses his parents, his memory, and the ability to speak all on the same day. Bounty hunters. An elderly Terran widow takes him in and hides his Wiconi roots from the Terran authorities. She helps him learn about his Wiconi heritage and his Earth affinity. He also learns that each of the elemental affinities has its own catalyst flower that must be ingested for energy to flow: the windflower for Air, water lilies for Water, red roses for Fire, and the common dandelion for Earth. Calix trains with other Wiconi youths, including Brooke, his best friend, to become full-fledged Guardians—and to wage war on behalf of Gaia.

"Flowers for Gaia is a compelling, inspiring, and highly relevant climate fiction novel. Thought-provoking powers, a strong political stance, and a surprising sci-fi twist make for an amazing story I won't forget." Aries K. Bazinet, age 13

Thank you to those who have joined the virtual book tour. As reviews and interviews post, we will update the links. Please visit these sites, like, comment and share!

Midwest Book Review - early announcement and review, April 26

Laura's Books and Blogs - quest post and give away, May 8

The IndieView - author interview, May 9

Mary Lanni Reads - review (date TBD)

Atlantic Books Today - review (date TBD)

The Seaboard Review - review (date TBD)

Bring on Lemons - review (date TBD)

Dragonfly Eco - author Q&A (date TBD)

Readers' Favorite - review (date TBD)

Review Tales - review (date TBD)

Learn more about J. D. Grant and his book on his OC Publishing author page - ocpublishing.ca/john-grant. Contact anne@ocpublishing.ca for review copies. Pre-order Flowers for Gaia from your favourite online retailer or ask your local indie bookstore to order it in for you.

Where Did i Go? a Memoir Plus by Francene Gillis is on Tour!

As we celebrate the launch on June 22 of Where Did i Go? a Memoir Plus by Nova Scotia-based author, Francene Gillis, we're reaching out to reviewers, bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and avid readers who would like to receive a review copy. Our tour schedule is starting to take shape so wanted to share with you those who have already joined the virtual book tour. Make sure you visit and follow these folks and show the love for those who support authors in their mission to spread the word! As reviews, author interviews and spotlights run, we will be updating the links so come back often :) If you have a favourite book blogger/reviewer, podcaster, BookToker, or Tuber that you think would be interested, add them in the comments below. The Where Did i Go? T our Line-up: Francene Gillis Sarah Butland's Imagination Captured Author Takeover - Kicked off the tour on May 14 Tea with Francene Gillis on Toons & Wooden Spoons with Mary Janet MacDonald - June 8 Lisa Has...

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

Paul tinkles the ivories with the Beatles 'Let it Be' Artists Inspire Artists I was at my brother's piano recital yesterday and had a very interesting conversation with his 92 year old piano teacher and one of her students. The student, who was an artist and had only started learning to play the piano, was talking about how she used sound to teach painting. A long stroke was a 'shoosh' and making short, staccato brush movements went 'bup, bup, bup'. I smiled and thought about how all creative types overlapped, embracing all elements of culture to enrich one's specific area of skill and passion. A sculptor or painter often creates to music and, as a writer, I definitely pull from my cultural experiences, whether it's a symphony or an art gallery, to help formulate descriptions of feelings and senses to lay out on a printed page. Nature Inspires Creative types see the world around them just a bit differently, which leads to the creation ...

Guest Blog - Mari Barnes, Author of My Peace Place

I'm very pleased to host Mari Barnes today as part of her virtual book tour for her book, My Peace Place. Mari is participating in D'Vorah Lansky's Book Marketing Boot Camp , which is where we 'met'. Take it away Mari! Eye on the Why I read this recent post from a discouraged new author: My friends don't seem very excited about my new book. Does no one read anymore? I've sold 4 whole copies so far. That did more than ring a bell—it set a gong clanging in my mind. I remember those days too well. Some friends and family weren’t even reading gift copies of my book, much less actually spending money to support me. It created a hollow feeling unlike anything I can adequately describe but despair, disappointment and betrayal all come close. How could they not understand how important this is to me? Haven’t I bought every Girl Scout cookie--supported every sport, church and school fundraiser? When little Cindy Lou was selling crocheted key rings, who boug...

Writing...Just because!

Search This Blog