Captives by Jill Williamson: Blog Tour&Giveaway

CAPTIVES (THE SAFE LANDS #1) by JILL WILLIAMSON

Movie Rating: PG-13 for suggestive content
Book Rating: @@@@
Swearing: None
Inappropriate Scenes: One guy wakes up in a girl's bed and there is talk of sex
# of Pages: 400 (paperback)
Genre: YA dystopian/sci-fi
Publisher: Zondervan

Back Blurb:

ONE CHOICE COULD DESTROY THEM ALL.

When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he'd find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many-including his fiancée, Jem--taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforces was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands have protected people since the plague decimated the world decimated the world generations ago...and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar's dream.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may b able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands' walls.
Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands' façade before its too late?

My Review:

*this book provided by the author in exchange for my honest review*

"Clearly, he couldn't trust anyone." So ends book 1 in the Safe Lands series. 400 pages of a wild ride that will spin you up, down, and around and leave you so immersed in the Safe Lands world that you will not be able to get it out of your head long after you've finished reading it.
Jill Williamson is one talented author! I always love getting to review her books before their published, because I know that the next Jill Williamson book is going to be better than the last.
What I liked about Captives was that if you looked hard enough you could find little hidden messages in just about everything. (it had an allegorical feeling to it.) Most of the characters were lovable. Especially Shaylinn. I loved Shaylinn. And Mason, too. Jordan was very very annoying. Seriously, I wished I could reach into the book and slap him so he would just shut up.
What I didn't like about Captives: There was a lot of suggestive content. More than I was used to, and it kind of made me uncomfortable. I mean, I can see where it was necessary but still. I wouldn't give this book to a little kid. A middle teenager (15+), yes. But under 15, I think they should get parental permission first.
Recommend to lovers of: Defiance by C.J. Redwine.

Giveaway time! Please only U.S. residents only. I know it seems unfair but due to our awful postage prices it's very expensive to ship out of the country. (cost me $27 to ship one hardcover book internationally)


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Check out the trailer here:

Check out the other epic blogs in this tour:
http://addlibrarian.wordpress.com/

http://www.bloomingwithbooks.webs.com/

http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

http://chriskolmorgen.blogspot.com/

http://christianbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/

http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/

http://www.ctfdevourer.com/

http://emilyrachellewrites.blogspot.com

http://www.jessicalaurie.com/

http://labornotinvain.blogspot.com/

http://katelynthekreative.blogspot.com

http://www.mrssouthernbride.com

http://www.ohrestlessbird.com/

http://alysonschroll.blogspot.com

http://theravenquill.blogspot.com

http://www.rachellerea.com/

http://www.ramblingsbybethany.blogspot.com

http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/p/book-reviews.html

http://shadowwriterworld.blogspot.com/

http://asimplelifereally.blogspot.com

http://surrenderingallofme.blogspot.com

http://terriharr.blogspot.com/

http://verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com/  

http://christianteenbooksandreviews.blogspot.com/

http://worthy2read.wordpress.com/

http://writingsofrosie.blogspot.com

http://heavenwardreviews.blogspot.com

The New Recruit--Review and Author Interview!

With me on this fine and fabulous day of October is YA author Jill Williamson! If you're wondering where you heard that name before just check out this link: Replication Review also Ms. Williamson can be found at her website http://www.jillwilliamson.com/ where she'll give you updates on events, book news, and she has awesome giveaways!!!

GIVE IT UP FOR..........MS. WILLIAMSON!!!! *people start clapping their hands and jumping up and down*

1: What are your 5 favorite songs?

I have so many favorite songs, there is no way to rank my top five. But here are five I really like:
1. Our God by Chris Tomlin
2. How to Save a Life by The Fray
3. By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North
4. Im Am by Nicole Nordeman
5. Shackles by Mary Mary

2: What is the worst movie of all time?
I'm sure there is a worse one, but what comes to mind is Eragon. Talk about a disapointment all around.

3: What is the worst song of all time?
Again, I'm sure there is something I hate more that this, but all that's coming to mind at the moment is "Macarena" by Los Del Rio. I never liked that song.

4: What is your earliest memory?
I remember going to pick blueberries in the woods with my family.

5: What was your favorite school subject?
Art.

6: What was you least favorite subject?
Math.

7: What is your favorite color?
Blue.

8: You're walking down the road and a big dog cuts you off, raises his hackles, and starts barking at you. You try to run but he bite's at your ankles. You have nothing to defend yourself except and empty water bottle, a squashed Skittle, and a stretchy sweat band. How do you get away?
I use the stretch band as a slingshot, shoot the dog with the Skittle, then run, and once I'm safe, I've got the water to quench my thirst.

9: What or Who was your inspiration to write The New Recruit?
This was the very first book I ever wrote. I pieced it together in a very backwards way. I was trying to write a story about teens going out into the world like missionaries, but since teen fiction books about missionaries weren't getting the attention of agents and editors, I thought, let's tweak the story and turn them into undercover agents.

10:  Tell us a little about your newest book.
Forced to choose between military school and a Christian spy organization, skeptic Spencer Garmond signs on with the Bible geeks. But before he even boards the plane for Moscow, Spencer realizes this is no Bible club.

These guys mean business.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And there you have it. Let's give a big round of applause and thanks for Ms. Williamson for visiting us today!

Here is my review for Ms. Williamson's newest book The New Recruit!!

THE NEW RECRUIT by JILL WILLIAMSON

Movie Rating: PG-13 for some sequences of peril
Book Rating: @@@@@
Swearing: None
Inappropriate Scenes: None
# of Pages: 399 (paperback)
Genre: YA Action/Adventure
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Back Blurb:

Forced to choose between military school and a Christian spy organization, skeptic Spencer Garmond signs on with the Bible geeks. But before he even boards the
plane for Moscow, Spencer realizes this is no Bible club.

These guys mean business.

Stumbling onto a case involving a gang of homeless boys, a chilling tattoo, and the always beautiful Anya Vseveloda, Spencer struggles to find the faith needed to save
the Mission League from enemy infiltration.

My Review:

O-M-G! I'm so excited to finally have another Jill Williamson book in my greedy hands! :-) Let's just say I love love loved this book! It was sooooo good. (the editing mistakes were a little distracting but they didn't slow me down much)
I really enjoyed how most of the kids weren't holier-than-thou. I said most because Arianna was VERY holier-than-thou. I really could have slapped her a couple of times. She had to be my least favorite character of the whole book. Yeah, you can be proud of being saved but to be oh so holier-than-thou is just plain annoying and  I was totally on Spencer's side because I probably would have been the same way if I was Spencer. (most of the time)
This book was very intriguing  It put a very fun twist on being a Christian. I mean, I've never looked at being a Christian as becoming a spy and an agent for God but now that Ms. Williamson put that thought of Christianity out there I can see a lot of similarities.

The New Recruit Blog Tours Dates!

The newest book to hit the stores by Jill Williamson!! : D It has a blog tour going on right now  and I don't want you guys to miss it! It's going on all through September and into the second to last week of October. So here are the blogs that are participating and the dates of their blog tour post:

9/16- 

Nichols for Your Thoughts - http://bluenichols.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-was-really-excited-to-get-chance-to.html

Further Up and Further In - http://www.furtherup-and-furtherin.blogspot.com/

 9/17

Delving into Books - http://delvingintobooks.com/2012/09/17/the-new-recruit/

 9/18

Summer’s Writing World - http://writinginsummertime.blogspot.co.uk/

Joy’s Thoughts - http://whatjoythinks.blogspot.com/

 9/21

The Realm of Hearts - http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/

 9/22

Pages from My Journal - http://alysonschroll.blogspot.com/

 9/23

Being Becki - http://beingbecki.blogspot.com/

 9/24

Pink Sapphire - http://pinksapphire118.blogspot.com/

 9/25

The Christian Fantasy Review - http://www.christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/

Starsongs Magazine - http://www.kidspublished.blogspot.com/

 9/26

Kim Vandel - http://www.kimvandel.com/

Land of My Sojourn - http://landofmysojourn.net/blog/

 9/27

Christian Teen Fiction Devourer –  http://www.ctfdevourer.com/

The Book Fae - http://thebookfae.wordpress.com/

 9/28

A Christian Worldview of Fiction - http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/

 9/29

A Writer’s World - http://shadowwriterworld.blogspot.com/

 9/30

Virtuous Girlhood - http://virtuousgirlhood.com/

 10/1

Inspiring Daring - http://www.rachellerea.com/

The Borrowed book - http://www.theborrowedbook.blogspot.com/

  10/2

Blooming with Books - http://www.bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/

 10/4

Legacy of a Writer - http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/

 10/5

Christian Book Review Blog - http://christianbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/

 10/6

Heavenward Reviews – http://noahsreads.blogspot.com/ 

 10/7

Bookworm - http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

 10/8

Life with a Mission - http://mylifewithamission.blogspot.com/

My Story Shelf - http://mystoryshelf.blogspot.com 

Labor Not in Vain - http://labornotinvain.blogspot.com/

 10/9

Writings of Rosie –  http://www.writingsofrosie.blogspot.com/

 10/10

Endless Antique  - http://endlessantique.tumblr.com/

Christian Bookshelf Reviews - http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/

 10/11

Life of a Teenage Writer - http://katelynthekreative.blogspot.com/

 10/12

The Ramblings of a Young Author - http://www.ramblingsbybethany.blogspot.com/

 10/13

Karen DeBlieck - http://simplyscribblings.blogspot.ca/

 10/21

The Maniacal Bookworm - http://themaniacalbookworm.blogspot.com/

And now I'd like to give you some ways for you to help spread the word, if you will. :-)  

First, Like The New Recruit on Amazon. Second, Like Jill Williamson on Amazon (she's a very talented writer, you know), Third visit Jill Williamson's author interview with The Maniacal Bookworm Author Interview, Fourth read my review on Replication (also by Jill Williamson, feel free to comment! :) Replication Review, and Fifth watch The New Recruit's book trailer.....

Cover Convo::The New Recruit by Jill Williamson

Okay, I know that it's not Tuesday but this was the only post I could think of to do for today so I'm discussing Jill Williamson's newest release: The New Recruit!

Release Date: September 1, 2012

Back Blurb:

Forced to choose between military school and a Christian spy organization, skeptic Spencer Garmond signs on with the Bible geeks. But before he even boards the plane for Moscow, Spencer realizes this is no Bible club.

These guys mean business.

Stumbling onto a case involving a gang of homeless boys, a chilling tattoo, and the always beautiful Anya Vseveloda, Spencer struggles to find the faith needed to save the Mission League from enemy infiltration.

My Thoughts on the cover:

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! I'm so excited! The cover it totally awesometastic! (that's a word you will hear a lot from me because i made it up and i'm very proud of it :) I can't wait to get my greedy little hands allllll over this book. Seriously cannot wait. I'm dying here. After reading Replication and the By Darkness Hid I am one of the biggest Jill Williamson fans ever! The cover promises tons of action and conspiracies. YAY! I mean who doesn't love a good conspiracy right? :D And I like the way it starts off dark colored at the top and shades down to white, that's pretty cool too. :P

Jill Williamson author of Replication Interview&Giveaway!

How long have you been writing?


I started writing in 2004. I worked on my first novel for about three years. In 2007, I went to Mount Hermon and had the opportunity to send in my full to two agents. Neither one worked out, but I knew I was getting closer. I wrote a few other books. In 2008, I attended the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference and gave the first chapter of a different story to editor Jeff Gerke. I knew his company wasn’t looking for teen novels, but he had edited my first book and I wanted to get his take. He asked for the full, then wanted to publish it. By Darkness Hid came out in April 2009.

What (or who) helped you decide to be an author?

I had left the fashion industry and was searching for the plan God had for my life. Since I had a pretty interesting childhood/life story, I thought God could use me as a motivational speaker for teens. I discovered that sometimes, people hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. So I looked into writing articles. I was working on all that when a new Harry Potter book came out, and a new barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether the books were safe for Christians to read. The debate inspired me to write a teen novel for Christians. Writing was so much fun I never stopped.

Who inspired you most in your life?

Both my parents inspired me a lot. They are both hard workers and creative. I think I got my creativity and work ethic from them.

Who are/is your favorite author(s)?

I like too many authors to name as favorites. Some of my favorites are: Frank Peretti, Jenny B. Jones, Bill Myers, Ted Dekker, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, Lowis Lowry, Nicholas Sparks, Cathy Gohlke, Tolkein, Lewis, and Melody Carlson.

What is your favorite genre(s)?

Fantasy.

What are/is your favorite book(s)?

Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, This Present Darkness, Blink, Harry Potters, William Henry is a Fine Name, A Walk to Remember, Hunger Games.

What are/is your favorite Scripture verse(s)?

John 3:16, Galatians 5: 22-23, 1 Cor. 11:1, Ephesians 2:10, the entire book of James.

Tell us a little about your book Replication: The Jason Experiment.

Replication: The Jason Experiment is about a girl named Abby, who is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

Were you trying to get a specific message across in Replication? If so, what?

I want readers to consider that God is real and that he has a purpose for every life on this planet.

Why did you pick Alaska as the main setting?

I chose Alaska as the location for my cloning lab because Alaska is a place where many people move to disappear. And it’s a vast enough state that a cloning lab would be easy to miss. Plus I grew up there, so I thought it would be fun.

What character was easiest for you to write about? Why?

Martyr for sure. He is smart and kind, but totally naïve about the world outside the lab. So he questions things like colors and animals and marriage, but doesn’t hesitate to stand up for what he believes is right. And it was fun to write his loving, selfless character in comparison with Abby’s by the book, it-has-to-be-my-way personality. Martyr sure showed her a thing or two.

What character was hardest for you to write about? Why?

Abby was the most difficult because I wanted people to like her but she was whiny and a know it all. I hope that her journey helped people identify with her in some way.

Are you currently writing another book now? If so, what is it about?

Right now I’m working on the first book in a dystopian trilogy. Book one is called Captives, and it’s the story of three brothers who are taken captive by their enemies and forced to live in a strange land.

Are there any additional thoughts you would like to add?

Come find me online. My website is: http://jillwilliamson.com/

And my Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/jwilliamsonwrites


Jill Williamson has also offered to *giveaway* a copy of her book! Just Follow this blog and comment (with your email address please. If you have already have followed this blog just comment :) below to have a chance to win! (Winner will be notified Saturday 17th. Giveaway ends Friday 16th! If you do not respond within 1 month you will forfeit to the next runner up!)

Stop the bullying!

STOP THE BULLYING! We've been hearing this for a while now haven't we? It's posted on FaceBook statuses, painted on walls, yelled at you at school. But it hasn't changed anything. Now I know that I'm not going to do this blog post and all of a sudden bullying is a thing of the past, no that isn't going to happen,

unfortunately, but one voice can make a difference. Be it a big or small difference it is still a difference. Do people not care what they tell or do to others? Don't they stop and think, "Hey, I can't tell the future. Maybe this person's going to become president someday or invent flying cars!"? Who knows. The person you pick on one day for being smart or standing up for what they believe in might be your boss someday. And then they'll have the power to bully you! What happens if the person you tell to kill themselves really does go and kill himself and he was going to be the person that solved world hunger or would have found the cure for Cancer? What happens then? World hunger or cancer continues for another 100 or so years till someone else comes along. Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people would die within those 100 years and you're partly responsible! And if you're the person being picked I understand that it's hard to stand up for yourself but remember, "A Person's A Person No Matter How Small." Your time to stand up is coming! Sooner or later it'll be here. Just have faith.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*ATTENTION* Friday, March 9th, I am having my very first author interview! Jill Williamson author of Replication: The Jason Experiment will be here answering my questions. Stop on bye and check her out! It's going to be fun! :D

Replication Review

Well, it's Book Review Friday again! And I got another review for you! YAY!!! (I'm finally getting back on schedule...) Today review is for...*drum roll*...Replication!

REPLICATION by JILL WILLIAMSON

Movie Rating: PG (for minimum violence and some kissing)
Book Rating: @@@@@
Genre: Science Fiction
Time Frame: Contemporary
Page Number: 287--Not including the discussion guide (Hardcover)
Swearing: none
Inappropriate scenes: none
Published By: Zondervan

Back Blurb:
       MARTYR--otherwise known as Jason 3:3--is one of many clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to "expire" in less that a month. To see the sky.
       Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has the feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars.
        As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures--the one for which he was produced, and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he's ever known.

WHEN YOUR LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN

My Review:
     I really enjoyed (no, LOVED) Jill Williamson's book 'By Darkness Hid' (check it out some time, seriously)so when I got the chance to review her book in my favorite genre (Science Fiction, btw) I was soooooo happy! This book ROCKED! Follow Martyr a.k.a. Jason 3:3 and Abby Goyer as they try to thwart the evil scientists from creating (and killing) a whole race of clones made for one purpose. The Purpose? I can't tell you that. I give away to much. ;) But I will say this-you will NOT be disappointed. If you are a HUGE Sci-fi fan (like me) definitely check this book out! Jill Williamson is an AWESOME writer!!! (I hope there's a sequel...) :P

Check out Chapter One of the book in the trailer below: