WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME by Kimberley Griffiths Little

Okay, Kimberley is one of my favorite people on the earth. She is smart and funny and kind. She listens to me when I need to vent, and she gets it. So yeah. I got to see her cover a teensy bit early, because we went to the Storymakers conference together.

Isn't she so cute?

She had a cover reveal on her blog last week, and she's giving away lots of fun stuff! Her newest book is called WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME. Let's learn a bit more about it.

Everybody thinks Tara Doucet has the perfect life. But in reality, Tara’s life is anything but perfect: Her dear Grammy Claire has just passed away, her mother is depressed and distant, and she and her sister Riley can’t seem to agree on anything. But when mysterious and dazzling butterflies begin to follow her around after Grammy Claire’s funeral, Tara just knows in her heart that her grandmother has left her one final mystery to solve. 


A strange butler shows up to take Tara and Riley to Grammy Claire’s house, where Tara finds a stack of keys and detailed letters from Grammy Claire herself. Note by note, Tara learns unexpected truths about her grandmother’s life. As the letters grow more ominous and the keys more difficult to decipher, Tara realizes that the secrets she must uncover could lead to mortal danger. And when Tara and Riley are swept away to the beautiful island of Chuuk to hear their grandmother’s will, Tara discovers the most shocking truth of all — one that will change her life forever. 


From Kimberley Griffiths Little comes a magical, breathtaking mystery full of loss and love, family and faith.

And you can win a signed copy of Kimberley's THE HEALING SPELL, or a signed copy of CIRCLE OF SECRETS. I've read them both, and they're some of the best middle grade on the market right now. Not only that, but Kimberley is offering three ARCs of WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME!

You can enter on Kimberley's blog by leaving a comment and then unlocking the other options. GO HERE TO ENTER.

What do you think of her cover? 

Also, today begins the SURRENDER blog tour! I'm over at Literary Rambles with Natalie, and she's giving away a copy of my sophomore book! Follow all the action this week to enter to win one of five signed Spectacular Second books!

And I hope you're getting ready for Blog Tour Week 2 by signing up for the Never Surrender blogfest. You know you want to. 

This Is Why You Wanna Come to my Party*

Okay, so I cleared my post for today because of the epicness that happened last Thursday night. Hopefully it's not too long, but if you look up EPIC...

First and foremost, if you are in a 2000-mile radius of Salt Lake City (which means everyone in the U.S. and most of Mexico and Canada) you must eat at Mazza Restaurant. It's right next door to The King's English where Kimberley Griffiths Little had her book signing last night, and they serve the best Middle Eastern cuisine I've ever eaten.

Not only that, they were the nicest people ever. EVER. Lemme give you a run-down of how this simple author book signing with a little dinner beforehand became an event of epic proportions.

First we arrived at Mazza. And we didn't have time to eat before the book event. So we said we'll be back and can you please hold our food. Not only did they do that, but they said they'd make it fresh for us!

I mean, who does that?

Mazza Restaurant in Salt Lake City.

So we ran over to the book event. And it was amazing. Kimberley is da bomb. Here's a pic of me and her.

Then we were late getting back to Mazza. Did they care?

No.

Because they're freaking awesome. Then we increased our party of 3 to a party of 7. They didn't bat an eye. They moved two tables together and brought out some ambiance candles. I mean, candles!

Here's us: (clockwise, Jenn Wilks, Nichole Giles, me, Ali Cross, Sheralyn Pratt, Suzette Saxton took the photo)

Where was this? Mazza Restaurant in Salt Lake City.

FRAWESOME. Our waiter, Jody, was the best waiter ever. He had this deep voice and wicked awesome glasses, and sort of spiky hair. And, dude, you guys, you know how I like that stuff. After he used the word "sidled" (best word of the night), I mentioned to Ali Cross* (one of my favoritest peeps) that I was going to write him into a book.

So then we thought it was only fair to let him know that he'd just served a table of six authors, and hey, he might see himself in a few novels in a year or two.

(Have I mentioned that you should all eat at Mazza? Service = incredible. Food = divine.)

So then Jody sidled back on over and we had a little photo op, courtesy of the fabu Suzette Saxton. Jody thought it'd be pretty funny to stare straight at me, and ohmyheck youguys! He's my first fanboy!!

*insert fanboy scream*

So after I told him that was a little weird, Jody goes, "I can't stare at you?"** and we decided that indeed, he could, and should. So he did.

*blissful sigh*

Best. Night. Ever.

The King's English with Kimberley Griffiths Little.

Mazza Restaurant with their wicked awesome service and ultra-fanboyish waiters and scrumptious Middle Eastern delicacies. And the writing friends. Dude, the writing friends.***

They're the best (after Mazza, where I will be having a party before my book signing next year).

So. What's the best time you've had with your writing pals? What did you do? Anyone find that perfect restaurant with the perfect waiter? Lemme know.

*Ali Cross named this blog post.
**Nichole Giles made sure I wrote this quote down.
***Other writing friends in attendance: Jenn Wilks and Sheralyn Pratt and Suzette Saxton.

Bookanistas -- Books are the New Black!

Today is launch day for a new team of book review bloggers - The Bookanistas: Books are the New Black! *insert fangirl screaming*

We are a group of writers in various stages of the publishing process, and we've decided to band together and review books. We--as fellow writers--will only post positive reviews, because The Bookanistas are all about spreading the love!

Starting today, we will post every Thursday covering various topics: upcoming ARCs, books we love, special diamonds in the rough, classics, and even cover reviews. And I mean, look at that cute badge. Isn't it the most amazing thing ever? (Special props to Shelli!)

So join me, along with Christina Fonseca, Jamie Harrington, Michelle Hodkin, Kirsten Hubbard, Shelli Johannes-Wells, Myra McEntire, Shannon Messenger, Bethany Wiggins and Suzette Saxton, Beth Revis, Lisa and Laura Roecker, Sarah Frances Hardy and Katie Anderson, Scott Tracey, and Carolina Miller, as we look at books in a whole new way -- as the best accessory!

Up today as the newest fashion accessory you shouldn't be caught dead without is THE HEALING SPELL by Kimberley Griffiths Little.

Why this book is the new black, and you should run out and buy it right this second: The main character, Livie. I simply loved her. She's stuck in the middle of two sisters (you know, that dreaded middle child) and has such a unique, headstrong personality that you can't help but love and root for her.

Secondary characters that are just as awesome as Livie: her father. I could *hear* him in the dialog, and simply loved his devotion to his family, to Livie (despite her flaws) and the way he called her Sugar Bee.

One more thing that makes THE HEALING SPELL a 5-star read: the setting. I could smell, hear, breathe in the bayou from the page. And that takes a darn fine writer, my friends. I felt there, in a way I long to feel with every book I read.

If you haven't entered my giveaway for a signed copy of this book, click here. I'm going to Kimberley's signing tonight, and can't wait to get you your signed copy! If you don't win (announcement tomorrow), get on over to your favorite retail locale and pick up THE HEALING SPELL. You won't be sorry.

If you would like me (and possibly The Bookanista team) to review your book or ARC, feel free to contact me (elanajohnson(at)gmail(dot)com) and we may add it to our list.

Other books up for review today:
Katie and Sarah Frances - ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS
Lisa and Laura Roecker - STRANDED
Christine Fonesca - NIGHTSHADE CITY
Shannon Messenger - LINGER
Shelli Johannes-Wells - DARK GODDESS
Scott Tracey - OTHER
Kirsten Hubbard - THE DUFF
Beth Revis - PEGASUS
Carolina Valdez Miller - MATCHED
Jamie Harrington - ARCHVILLIAN
Bethany Wiggins and Suzette Saxton - NIGHTSHADE CITY

The Healing Spell Giveaway

Dude, you guys, you need to get and read The Healing Spell by Kimberley Griffiths Little. I was lucky enough to get an ARC and I'll be posting my review on Thursday this week.

But today it's all about you. Not only is Kimberley the nicest person ever, and I'm going to see her again at her signing in Salt Lake on Thursday night, but she sent me some swag for The Healing Spell!

And my son totally wanted this gator, and he's pretty mad that I'm going to be giving it to one of you.

First, what The Healing Spell is about. Watch this amazing trailer.



You know you want this book. It's just that good, trust me. A 5-starrer, for sure.

So the giveaway. You'll get a signed copy of The Healing Spell (not pictured), the below-pictured stuffed gator, and a book plate and bookmark.

To enter:
1. Follow my blog.
2. Leave me a comment.
3. Extra points for tweeting, posting on your blog, etc. Just let me know what you did in your comment.

Have a great day!