Monday 21 October 2013

"Purple Moon" by Tessa Emily Hall- Blog Tour

Hello everyone,
First of all, can I start of by apologizing for not writing a single blog post in absolutely ages! Everything's been a tad crazy but it's beginning to settle back down again and I am finally reading once more, it's now the holidays so I will have a lot more time for reading, so do not fear my lovelies...

Anyway, as you've probably guessed by the title, I am lucky by enough to have Tessa Emily Hall on my blog, with her new book "Purple Moon", and I decided to ask her a few questions about her first book, which you will get to see in the Q & A

So here is her beautiful book cover and the blurb, so you can get the jist...


Selena's life isn't turning out to be the fairy tale she imagined as a kid. That hope seemed to vanish long ago when her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. This summer might finally hold the chance of a new beginning for Selena ... but having to live with her snobby cousin in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab wasn't how Selena was planning on spending her summer. She soon begins to wonder why she committed to give up her "bad habits" for this.

Things don't seem too bad, though. Especially when Selena gains the attention of the cute neighbor next door. But when her best friend back home in Brooklyn desperately needs her, a secret that's been hidden from Selena for years is revealed, and when she becomes a target for one of her cousin's nasty pranks, she finds herself having to face the scars from her past and the memories that come along with them. Will she follow her mom's example in running away, or trust that God still has a fairy tale life written just for her?

"Purple Moon" by Tessa Emily Hall (Q & A)


What inspired you to write “Purple Moon”?


I wanted to write a character-driven story about a teenager who has fallen way from the relationship she once had with God after her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. In the story, Selena is forced to leave her apartment in NY and stay with her snobby cousin in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab. It was initially inspired by the song “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North, as well as the skit that many churches have performed to the song “Everything” by Lifehouse.

In what ways can you relate to your protagonist, Selena?

Even though Selena has a completely different past and family situation, I did incorporate a little bit of “me” in her.  For example: she’s passionate, a dreamer, an artist, somewhat of an introvert, has the same style as I do, a romantic, and loves coffee a little too much. I've also given her some of my flaws. However, when I wrote “Purple Moon”, I mainly tried crafting Selena in a way that I hoped many teenagers would be able to relate with—whether they share the same backstory as she does, possess many of the same qualities, or are experiencing some of the same struggles that Selena deals with in “Purple Moon”.

When did you start writing Purple Moon, and how long did it take?

I started writing the first version of “Purple Moon” when I was fifteen. When I was sixteen, I completed the first draft and landed a publishing contract with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. It’s difficult to pinpoint how long it took to complete “Purple Moon”—the more I learned about the writing craft, the more I continued wanting to go back and rewrite the story or add a few changes. However, I have finally reached a point where I am happy with the story and can’t wait to get it in the hands of my readers.

What are you working on now?

I just completed my second book, “Unwritten Melody”, which is going to be a stand-alone novel. As of now, I am brainstorming and beginning to write the first draft of “Fallen Leaves”, which will be the second book of the Purple Moon Series and a continuation of Selena’s journey throughout the next season of her life. I am also going on a blog tour this fall and will continue to write the teen column for Whole Magazine.

What do you hope to accomplish in your writing career?

I hope to never stop writing, whether or not that includes having my work published or seeing my name on the best seller list. I hope to never stop encouraging people—especially teenagers—to follow their dreams. But more than anything, I hope that my stories will represent the power of God’s unending love and His transforming grace. That’s my number one goal, my number one reason for wanting to pursue writing for the rest of my life.




Tessa is being incredibly generous, and running a giveaway where you can win lots of great prizes. To enter simply use the box below.



“Purple Moon” Blog Tour Stops:
Don’t forget to stop by the blog tour’s next stop to increase your chances of winning the PURPLE MOON Prize Pack!
Wednesday, September 18th: Purple Moon Blog Tour Launch: The Story Behind the Story: Christ is Write
Thursday, September 19th: 5 Facts about Purple Moon: Kim Vandel
Friday, September 20th: Character Sketches + Character Cast Contest: Who YA Reading?
Monday, September 23rd: Behind the Scenes: Why I Chose Lake Lure: Words to Dreams
Tuesday, September 24th: Release Day! Selena’s Diary Entry + Creative Photo Contest: Writing for Young Adults
Wednesday, September 25th: Austin’s Diary Entry: Amy’s Book Blog
Thursday, September 26th: Q & A: Notebook Sisters
 Friday, September 27th: Purple Moon Playlist: Ashley Carr  
Monday, September 30th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Wooden Swings: Heather Brice   
Tuesday, October 1st: Dealing With Anxiety—The Spiritual IV: The Destiny of One  
Wednesday, October 2nd: Q & A: Saved by Grace
Thursday, October 3rd: Behind the Scenes: Name Meanings: Labor Not In Vain
Friday, October 4th: Is It Okay To Be An Introvert?: Alex Inks It  
Monday, October 7th: Story Behind the Cover Art: Candy Apple Books
Tuesday, October 8th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Cherishing the Sunrise: Author Casey Bond
Wednesday, October 9th: Q & A: Writing While the Rice Boils
Thursday, October 10th: Behind the Scenes: Christian Human Videos: Writing in Wonderland  
Friday, October 11th: Teenage Substance Abuse: Emily Rachelle  
Monday, October 14th: Behind the Scenes: Lake Lure Academy of the Arts: Worthy 2 Read
Tuesday, October 15th: My Middle & High School Experience: Hello Highlights  
Wednesday, October 16th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Meatless Turkey Sandwich: Diane Estrella  
Thursday, October 17th: Body Image Laurel’s Leaves
Friday, October 18th: Behind the Scenes: Brewer’s Coffee: A Splash of Ink
Monday, October 21st: Purple Moon Excerpt: Farkle at the Park: A Slightly Nerdy Bookworm
Tuesday, October 22nd: Teenage Dating: Tell The World
Wednesday, October 23rd: Q & A: The YA Book Stack
 Thursday, October 24th: How Much of My Personal Life Did I Put Into “Purple Moon”?: Read For Your Future
Friday, October 25th: Fairy tales & Happy Endings + Contest Winners!: Inspiring Daring


Author Headshot_Tessa Hall.jpgTessa Emily Hall is a 19-year-old author of Purple Moon, her YA Christian fiction novel to be published September 2013 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is also the editor over the faith department for Temperance Magazine, a column writer for Whole Magazine, a contributing writer for More To Be, as well as the PR for God of Moses Entertainment. Other than writing, Tessa enjoys acting, music, Starbucks, and her Teacup Shih Tzu—who is named Brewer after a character in her book, as well as her love for coffee.

Saturday 17 August 2013

Day At the Edinburgh International Book Festival: Who I Saw and What I Did!

Hey Guys!
I had a fab day at the Edinburgh International Book Festival today, which if you don't know what it is, it's one of the most famous book festivals in the WORLD!  It's a shame I wasn't feeling too well, but I tried to not let that dampen my spirits...!

So here is just some pictures for around Edinburgh, as the Fringe Festival was on at the same time! Just thought you would like to see a few...
Waverley Station! 



The Floral Clock in the Princes Street Gardens

The Waterstones in Edinburgh, so much nicer than the one at home!

The entrance to the Book Festival!

So I went to two different 'talks', one by Simon Mayo (A popular radio DJ turned writer, you can see a review of his first book 'Itch' one my blog roll) on his new book 'Itch Rocks'. Me and my family went to see him last year when he talked about his first book, and we had a lot of fun, so we decided to go back again this year.



Top: Simon Mayo reading his book. Bottom: His first and second books.

He was so entertaining and interesting, plus he even admitted to owning a banned science book, which was pretty funny! At the end when we got his book signed, he talked to us a bit more and even recommended a book, 'The Knife Of Never Letting Go' by Patrick Ness. He is really a fabulous author and I am looking forward to getting my teeth into his book!


Then we went to a talk called 'Writing across the genres', which my mum booked, saying that she thought I might enjoy it. I must say, I was skeptical at first, as it sounded very dull, but the authors there were extremely good! The two authors were called  Theresa Breslin, with her book, Spy for The Queen of Scots and Eleanor Updale with her new hardback book, 'The Last Minute', both highly interesting and witty authors! I am so looking forward to reading these books, one about the minute before a massive explosion goes off, and what happens, the other, about the lady in waiting to Mary Queen of Scots. So pumped right now! Eek!





So I had a fab day out, it was an amazing atmosphere that day, and the sun even decided to come out, which is very rare in Scotland! I got everything you could think of signed! Even my tickets, which will be great souvenirs....

I will see you next time for another post, I really need to do more reviews so I shall get right on that!
Keep |Reading
BookWorm xx