The Immortal Circus Blog Tour Week Seven: Guest Post

Welcome to the seventh week of The Immortal Circus by A.R. Kahler blog tour!

The Immortal Circus by A.R. Kahler

Release Date ~ 12/4/12

Publisher ~ 47North

Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend…and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly Courts.
Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for.
The show's just beginning.

Step right up…

 Guest Post

Winter

Oh loves, he's at it again, isn't he?

Trying to slander my name, trying to tarnish all the good I'm doing in the world. No matter. As I said, I refuse to resort to his petty games. I am a woman of good character, not some twisted evildoer as he would have you believe. I could rant about the harshness of the male ego in its relationship to women but...I shan't.

Instead, I've asked Kingston to the stage for his personal rebuttal to Oberon's charges. Which, of course, are ludicrous at best. I'm hoping Kingston would share his more human side with you, and show you just how misleading Oberon's statements are.

Until next week.
Kisses,
Mab

*

Hey guys, Kingston here.

I hate to say it, but the old guy's nailed it on the head. I mean, we do run a business that pretty much screws them over, and it is run by criminals and outlaws. Which, in my opinion, is pretty damn awesome. What he doesn't mention is the fact that most of the outlaws are running from his Court and his insane rules and judgments. So...take it with a grain of salt, would you?

Mab wanted me to show my human side. So here goes.

I like dark coffee and long walks or dances on the beach. Thunderstorms turn me on. I've got a soft spot for cinnamon rolls and cheesy pop music (Mab said I should share that, so I've created a playlist and linked it below). I keep active and work out at least three hours a day. I volunteer at food shelters when I get the chance.

In addition to my performing roles, I act as the company medic and peacekeeper. I'm kind of the go-to guy for everything that doesn't immediately require Mab's attention. In other words, I'm pretty much responsible for everyone's well-being. And I do that job with care.

As for his claims...yeh, I'm guilty of witchcraft. Surprise.

Murder?

Well, that's one of those questions you should only ask if you really, truly, want to know...

Peace.
-K

Here's the playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv1slzpyrUxdZVWIEEAMyP7zIfBhwRQHC

Giveaway

The tour comes with a giveaway! Details after the page break!

Two Year Blogoversary Day Two: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Yesterday, January 11th was my two year blogoversary, so here at The Non Reluctant Reader, starting yesterday, there is a week long giveaway celebration, with each day holding a new giveaway... today is dedicated to my book blogging best friends.

~~~

    Though the list of bloggers I could thank would be a novel by itself, I'm going to keep it fairly brief and just thank the ones that mean the absolute most.

    Let's start with my number one book blogging best friend, Monica from Cover Analysis. I've known Monica for just about a year now, and she and I already argue like an old, crotchety married couple. We have an amazing, sarcastic, abusive relationship. Check out our foreplay on Twitter sometime, I'm sure you'll get a hoot at our insults going back and forth.

   Then let's continue to one of the biggest book bloggers out there who has helped my blog receive a lot of exposure, Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer! Thanks doll!

   All my local friends: Kristina, Rachel, Sarah, and Anna! You guys always make events fun!

Giveaway

Enter after the page break!

Two Year Blogaversary Celebration Day One: Nobody But Us and The Madman's Daughter

Hello! Well guess what? Today is my 2nd Blogaversary!

    Wow. Just wow. If you told me two years ago that The Non Reluctant Reader was going to blossom into what it's become today I would of laughed in your face. I couldn't believe it when I passed 30 followers. Today my follower count is well over 3,000. And it's all thanks to you guys. So for the next seven days here on The Non Reluctant Reader I'm doing seven giveaways to thank you all - my magical darling readers. And each giveaway is going to come with a post from me reflecting on these two years.

Schedule:

January 11: Starting Post (This post)

January 12: My Best Blogging Friends

January 13: Authors Who Deserve A Special "Thank You"

January 14: Some of my Best Blogging Experiences

January 15: The Non Reluctant Reader: The Top Five Posts Ever Posted

January 16: A Thank You To You

January 17: Looking to the Future

Today's Giveaway

Nobody but Us by Kristin Halbrook SIGNED 

The Madman's Daughter by Mefan Shepherd

Enter after the page break!

The Immortal Circus Blog Tour Week Five: Teaser

Welcome to the fifth week of The Immortal Circus blog tour!

The Immortal Circus by A.R. Kahler
Release Date ~ 12/4/12
Publisher ~ 47North

Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend…and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly Courts.
Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for.
The show's just beginning.

Step right up…

Teaser

Kingston is standing in the sand, barefoot and wearing a pair of dark cargo shorts and nothing else. There aren’t any fireworks.
He’s dancing along to the music, his eyes closed or half-lidded, the sweat making his body shine. His feet trace circles in the sand and his arms sweep around. One hand reaches out, stretching to the lake, and curls of light snake from his forearm and flare over the ground. He looks different, somehow. His hair is matted, sand is covering his bare calves. And that’s when I realize what’s different. His tattoo is moving.

Giveaway

The blog tour comes with a giveaway! Enter after the page break!

Top Ten Bookish Goals of 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Bookish Goals of 2013

1. Spend less time networking - more time reading. (Read my full post about that HERE)

2. Read The Great Gatsby

3. Read at least 100 books

4. Read at least 40,000 pages

5. Reread Les Miserables (one of the few books I like to reread)

6. Finish The Song of Ice And Fire Series

7. Write at least 90 reviews

8. Buy at least one book on total impulse

9. Go to at least 15 book signings. 

10. Read at least five books that have been on my TBR pile for more then two years.

Ten Book Theme Songs - Dystopian Edition

Hey guys! Well... I was trying to decide to come up with a post subject and I brainstormed a few ideas and one that really stood out to me was 'Book Theme Songs', taking ten books and picking theme songs for them. So I decided I could do different genre/subject editions, so we're starting off with...

Ten Dystopian Theme Songs

10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: 'The Cave' by Mumford and Sons

9. Divergent by Veronica Roth: 'Radioactive' by Imagine Dragons

8. Cinder by Marissa Meyer: 'Human' by The Killers

7. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi: 'How Far We've Come' by Matchbox Twenty

6. Possession by Elana Johnson: 'It Doesn't Mean A Thing' by The Airborne Toxic Event

5. Delirium by Lauren Oliver: 'Be Still My Heart' by The Postal Service

4. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins: 'Grapevine Fires' by Death Cab for Cutie

3.  Reached by Ally Condie: 'The Story' by Brandi Carlile

2. Far From The War by Jeffrey David Payne: 'Sail' by AWOLNATION

1. Matched by Ally Condie: 'Only The Young' by Brandon Flowers

The Immortal Circus Blog Tour Week Four Stop: Guest Post

Welcome to the fourth week of The Immortal Circus Blog Tour

The Immortal Circus by A.R. Kahler

Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend…and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly Courts.
Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for.
The show's just beginning.

Step right up…

Guest Post: What the Circus Does At New Year's

 Hello lovelies!

I hope your New Year's celebrations were just as lavish as my own. We threw a veryspecial Tapis Noir that evening. The guests and entertainment were positively delectable.

Today, I thought it would be fun to describe what goes on behind the scenes in our little travelling show. Here's a play-by-play of what you could expect to encounter at any given time on a show day.

6:30 AM – The day begins! Our dedicated chefs begin cooking in the pie cart. Expect to hear very loud pop music over the sound of crackling bacon.
7:15 AM – Breakfast is served. Get there quick—the coffee is always the first thing to go. We replenish as fast as we can, though.
9:00 AM – Morning warmup/conditioning. We often have guest artists come and share their training tips. Why, just last week we had a Mongolian contortionist trainer lead the troupe in intensive flexibility exercises.
10:30 AM – Morning rehearsals. Depending on the day, this might be a full run-through of the show or just fine-tuning individual acts.
12:15 PM – Lunch in served. Our chefs never seem to stop working, and they serve delicious feasts. Yesterday was Moroccan couscous with a full mezze platter, along with seared tuna and lemon-garlic asparagus. Delicious!
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Free time. Some performers decide to take the afternoon to venture into town. Others stay on site to relax, read, or—for the truly dedicated—practice.
4:15 PM – Evening rehearsal. This time is reserved for group act practice and individual training. We expect the best of our performers, which means they must constantly strive to better their technique.
5:30 PM – Dinner. Another feast befitting a king! Just make sure not to eat too much as...
6:30 PM – Warm up. A brief chance to work off any spare indulgences from the day. Our chefs make a mean chocolate chip cookie.
7:00 PM – Show time! Our shows run an hour and a half, back to back, with only thirty minutes in between.  Which means:
9:00 PM – Show two! Nothing is as magical as a glowing circus tent under the stars.
After the final show, many of our performers take a break for showers or journey into town to visit a  local pub. Campfires, music, and story-telling abound on-site, and we often retire early. After all, the whole cycle begins anew bright and early the next day.
But that, my dears, is show business!
And what a business it is.

Care to join?

There's  a giveaway going on with the tour! Enter after the page break!