{ Darby Karchut interview and giveaway!! }

I am so very happy to have Darby Karchut join me today. Before we start, here is a little background...

All her life, the archetypal hero and his journey have enthralled Darby Karchut. A native of New Mexico, Darby grew up in a family that venerated books and she spent her childhood devouring one fantasy novel after another. Fascinated by mythologies from around the world, she attended the University of New Mexico, graduating with a degree in anthropology. After moving to Colorado, she then earned a Master’s in education and became a social studies teacher.

Drawing from her extensive knowledge of world cultures, she blends ancient myths with modern urban life to write stories that relate to young teens today.

Darby is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Pikes Peak Writers Guild. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband, where she still teaches at a local junior high school. She enjoys running, biking, and skiing the Rocky Mountains in all types of weather.

Griffin Rising is her first novel. She is currently working on the next books in the series, Griffin's Fire (April 2012) and Griffin's Storm (both from Twilight Times Books). Her middle grade novel, Finn Finnegan, will be released March 2013 from Spencer Hill Press.

Welcome, Darby. Thank you so much for agreeing to join me here at TracysHappyBookShelf.

Hi Tracy! It is so fun to be here visiting with you and your followers. I’m all set for your
questions, so fire away.

As a kid, did you have an adult in your life that encouraged
and helped to create a love of reading in you?

Not a single adult, but rather a family that ate books. We always had books in our house, we received books as Christmas and birthday presents, and we were always going to the library. Oddly enough, I never wanted to be a writer. In fact, I had never written a thing in my life until I wrote Griffin Rising. I guess the old expression about the relationship between reading and writing is true: you read and read and read, gorging yourself on the written word, and then one day, you throw up a book. That’s what happened to me.

What was your all-time favorite book growing up?

Gosh, that would be a tie between The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien and The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. At one time, I wanted to be a bard!

What is your current favorite book of 2012?

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. Her lyrical voice is unmatched. And her use of the water horse mythology is brilliant. Plus, I adore Sean and Corr. (I grew up riding and showing Arabian horses). The middle school where I teach has a weekly book club during lunch (over 35 members strong; mix of boys and girls) and the club read The Scorpio Races just last month.

What made you decide to become an author and why YA/Middle
Grade?

Like I mentioned earlier, I never, ever thought about writing a book. It seemed like too much
work! I would much rather read. But one day, the idea of an apprentice angel and his stalwart mentor slammed into my head and I just couldn’t get it out. So I started writing and editing (and editing and editing) Griffin Rising. Then eleven months later, I landed my first publishing contract.

Why YA/Middle Grade?
My brain is hardwired to write this way. I couldn’t write an “adult” book to
save my life. Plus, I enjoy exploring the great questions of life through YA/MG
fantasy.

What has been the most difficult scene/character to write in
the Griffin series thus far?

Fight scenes are the most difficult. I really struggle with keeping the pacing tight and the
physical actions realistic. As far as characters, female characters are harder for me to write than males. I have no idea why, since I am a female. I guess I just identify with boys more.

Of all the characters in the Griffin series, which character do
you identify with the most and why?

It depends. As a middle school teacher, I find myself identifying with Basil quite often and his
struggles to raise a “good” teen. But I also see a lot of myself in Griffin: The insecurities, the need for a strong father figure, and the search for self-identity.

What has been the best ‘author’ moment for you thus far on your
journey with Griffin?

The moment during study hall last year when a student finished his homework and pulled a book out of his pack back. It was Griffin Rising. I could have wept.


Let’s add a few little fun questions too...

* Coffee or tea? Coffee and more coffee!

* Early bird or Night Owl? Early bird. If I am not up by 5:30, I consider the day half gone.

* Cats or Dogs? Yes, please. Plus horses, too.

* Favorite singer/band/musician? John Denver and Plain White T’s

* Favorite vacation destination? Anywhere with mountains. But I also love the high deserts of New Mexico, where I grew up.

* Favorite food? Key lime pie.


Thanks again, Tracy, for letting me visit and talk about my books. I loved every minute of it!

Thank you Darby! I have said right from the beginning, that there is nothing I love more than to share my love of reading and books with anyone and everyone who will listen. Being able to promote the books I love and to help spread the word about a book/author brings me great joy. Even though the blog is small, I still like to do what I can. I have read some amazing books over my past year of blogging and have had the opportunity to meet some great people. One of which is Darby Karchut. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being an added smile in my life. :0)

Okay...onto some more good stuff! Darby has graciously offered up a Signed copy of Griffin Rising and a Signed copy of Griffin's Fire! So yes, two winners and I also have a couple of signed postcards to add to those books as well.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite YA/Middle Grade read is thus far for 2012. Also, be sure to leave your email address, so that we can get in contact with you. That's it. Pretty easy, right? I would also, love it if you could spread the word. No, there will be no extra entries, but the more people we can introduce to Darby and to Griffin the better!!

This giveaway will be running until Griffin's Fire release date of April 15th. All entries must be received by 11:59 April 15th MST.

Thanks to Darby and all of you for stopping by today.

Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut

Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut

April 2012 by Twilight Times Books

Source: from author for review

Format: ebook ARC

From DarbyKarchut's Website:

For centuries, there have been rumors about a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors and their apprentices clandestinely serve as guardians for humans in danger.

Forced to become mortal, ex-teen angel Griffin has been banished from the Terrae Angeli. Struggling to adjust, he enrolls in the heaven-and-hell known as high school. In spite of his friends’ support, Centennial High proves to be a battleground, complete with a malicious math teacher.

And to make matters worse, his Mentor, Basil, has been ordered to take on a new apprentice, the gifted and egotistical seventeen-year-old Sergei, whose covert attacks on Griffin makes home life as bleak as a Siberian winter.

Trapped between school, Sergei, and a desperate secret, Griffin is certain of one thing: the only way to fight a Cold War is with Fire.

My mini review:

Once again author, Darby Karchut has created a great middle grade read! Griffin is adorable as ever and Basil is still such a great father figure and brilliant man. Griffin’s Fire was somewhat tamer than book one. This second installment dealt more with the ‘human’ aspects of the story. Griffin has to deal with the fact that he is no longer a Terrae Angeli and must learn to deal with the day to day life of a normal teenager. On top of all of the new experiences in his life, he also has to deal with a new intrusion at home. We are introduced to a new character, Sergei, Basil’s newly appointed Tiro. Sergei added a great new element to the story. Sergei was a great force, but not overly evil. Not only was he a pain in Griffin’s butt, but poor, poor Basil. Having two teenage Tiro’s, one Wind and Water and the other Earth and Fire? Ya gotta feel for the man.

We also have seen the relationship between Griffin and Katie grow to an even deeper level. It has been kept on a PG13 level, but we can definitely feel their connection growing to a greater degree. Griffin has to deal with not being an angel, living a ‘normal’ life and having these feelings for a mortal girl and then we see Katie’s point of view. She has to deal with her growing feelings for Griffin as a ‘normal’ boy, yet knowing he is having a hard time being ‘normal’. Knowing that your boyfriend wishes he was someone else, someone that you most likely could not have a future with, because you would grow old and die and he would live on forever. That’s a lot for a girl to deal with.

While I loved the whole development of the characters and story, I really enjoyed the ending. The action of the first book resurfaced towards the end and a few twists and turns has made me even more excited for book 3…Griffin’s Storm. We are treated to a sneak-peak into book 3 and I must admit? I was bouncing once again. I look forward to seeing where book 3 takes Griffin and Basil. Darby Karchut cannot write fast enough for me!

I highly recommend this series to all the middle graders in your life. It is such a nice escape from the norm of YA out there right now. It’s nice to see a book from a male point of view and one with such an original storyline too. Well done, Darby!

Rating: 4.5 stars!

I will be back with a more detailed review closer to the release date in April. Stay tuned...

{ Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut }

Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

June 28, 2011 by Twilight Times Books

Source: Pdf ARC provided by the author for review

From Goodreads:

For Griffin, it's time to angel up.

For centuries, rumour have abounded of lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors secretly serve as guardians for mortals in danger.

But for one young angel-in-training, Griffin, life is hell as a cruel master makes his apprenticeship a nightmare. On the verge of failing, a new mentor, Basil, enters his life and changes it forever. It is their father-and-son relationship, sometimes turbulent, often hilarious, always affectionate, that sings through the story like a pure note.

Masquerading as the average teen next door, Griffin struggles to learn his trade, navigate the ups and downs of modern life among humans(including falling in love with the girl next door), and prepare for the ancient trial-by-combat every apprentice must pass at sixteen or be forced to become mortal.

My review:

I was so very excited to finally get my hands on this one. First off this was my first ebook, read on my new Ereader. And this was my very first ARC copy given to me by an author for review...thank you so much Darby! And? I am bouncing right now. I so, so, so loved this book! All I can say is, Darby Karchut, where were you when I was 14? This is an awesome middle grade book, but I'm 40 and I still loved it!!

I was not too sure in the beginning if I liked the narration as it flowed into the journal entries, but after the first one? I was hooked. We get a look into the two main characters Griffin and his mentor Basil and also later in the story Griffin's neighbour/girlfriend, Katie, through their journal entries. These journal entries added so much to the story. There is so much humor in this book and there were many laugh out loud moments for me. Katie's first journal entry after meeting Griffin, is priceless!!

I have to say though that the main reason I love this book so much? The relationship between Griffin and Basil. It is so real, so human, so loving, so natural, so...everything. I don't know how you could not fall in love with Griffin. He is such a great character. We see him grow from this broken, shell of a boy, at the hands of his original mentor, Nicopolis, to the loving, strong, cheeky, funny young man he becomes thanks to Basil's love and devotion. I want to adopt Griffin.

Then there is Basil. I love Basil. He is such a strong, loving, amazing mentor/father figure to Griffin. He made me laugh just as much as Griffin. It's funny, aside from the British accent? I kept picturing Nicolas Cage in The Sorcerers Apprentice. Not sure why, but I love Basil. He is just that cool.

I love the mythology of this book as well. I have read other angel books recently and quite frankly, some of them have been quite cheesy. Not in this case! This book was more than just a story about angels though. It is a coming of age story, a love story. The growing relationship between Griffin and Katie is very sweet. And although, Katie may not have been as strong a character as Griffin, I found her very believable and likable in her own right. And Katie's best friend, Carlee? This is my daughter! Non-stop, motor mouth.

The only negative thing? This book is not officially released until June! How long must I wait for more Griffin and Basil??? But another positive? The ebook addition is now available at Amazon and Barns and Noble. If you have a middle grade boy or girl who enjoys reading? Go grab it. Or if you are an adult looking for a fast, fun, hilarious, touching read? Go grab a copy of the ebook or wait for the hard copy this summer!

Rating: 5 stars