Bookish Events: Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little Blog Tour Interview & $25 Giveaway

So I'm super excited to be participating in the Forbidden by Kimberley Griffths Little Blog Tour today, I was fortunate enough to be able to do a really cool interview with Kimberley that I think you'll really enjoy. Kimberley is just such a wonderful person and writer who I've actually gotten the chance to meet twice as a part of The Compelling Reads Tour, unfortunately because I'm perpetually behind I only have the write up of one of those tour stops posted at the moment. I will get the other posted eventually. If you check out the post it has both video and photos of the tour stop so you can see for yourself just how awesome this author is to meet in person . If you get the chance to go to a Kimberley Griffiths Little signing I strongly suggest you go. Anyway enough of me gushing, lets read about the book and then get to the interview.

Forbidden

by Kimberley Griffiths Little

In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart.

Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.

With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself.

Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together.

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An Interview with Kimberley Griffiths Little

Can you tell me a little bit more about your book beyond what it tells us on the back cover?

The cover synopsis focuses on the romance and there’s so much more to it than romance—although the love interest is quite delicious! Kadesh is mysterious and secretive about himself because he comes from the frankincense lands on the Arabian Sea Coast (present-day Oman).

Frankincense only grows naturally one place in the entire world and it was more valuable gold at this time period. There were people who killed to learn the secret location of the frankincense lands.

FORBIDDEN is also a story of murder, blackmail, tribal warfare, Goddess Temples AND belly dancing!

Is Forbidden a standalone title or the first in a series? If it's part of a series how many books do you expect will be in it and when can readers look for those (because of course they're going to want to read more after they finish Forbidden)

It’s the first book of a trilogy. The second book has a title now—BANISHED! I’m currently working on revisions with my editor at Hapercollins and we’re musing over titles for Book #3. Which is mapped out and has a first chapter but I need to get crackin’ on very soon.

**Pst! I Have a Secret! The art dept is currently doing a cover shoot with the same model as FORBIDDEN. I can’t wait to see what kind of dress she’ll wear and what colors they choose.

The actress we found for the book trailer looks so much like the model on the cover, too. The fantastic book trailer was filmed *on location*. I wrote the script and hired the director, a young man I know who dreamed of going into the movies and now works full-time for a production company.

What was your inspiration for writing this story?

I’ve always been fascinated by ancient Middle Eastern cultures, like Egypt and Arabia. I started working on FORBIDDEN 10 years ago. It’s an epic story and has a pretty epic saga getting published. (Sold originally in 2008 to another publisher, then my agent and I pulled it and then the trilogy sold to Harpercollins in a significant deal, and then it got delayed due to a variety of reasons. So whew!)

I love the tribal people and their customs and culture; the importance of family and honor.

Last year I traveled to Jordan and was able to drive the King’s Highway and visit Bedouins in the desert in their tents and ride camels. A trip of a lifetime. You can see pictures of Petra here on my Pinterest boards as well as belly dancers: http://www.pinterest.com/kimberleylittle

Why did you decide to venture from Middle Grade novels into YA?

I’ve actually been writing both YA and MG for about 15 years, but FORBIDDEN is the first one to get published. (I’ve had 7 MG novels published by Knopf and Scholastic). I love both age groups and love reading them, too.

Who do you think your book would appeal to? Meaning fans of which books are likely to really enjoy this novel or people who have an interest in what topics might find this appealing.

Young Adults who want something exotic and delicious—something different from the usual fare of paranormal. It will also appeal to Adults who like historical fiction and a sensuous story. Danger and Romance!

When readers have finished Forbidden what other titles have you written that you consider to be must reads while they're waiting for your next novel?

Well, all of them! :-)

My MG are for older MG readers (although even good 2nd and 3rd graders read them. And I get fan mail from Moms and Grandma’s, too, because they’re multi-generational stories). Magical realism stories set in the swamps of Louisiana about family secrets and mysterious dolls and ghosts and time-slipping and pet alligators. Check out the book trailers for them, also filmed on location by moi! https://www.youtube.com/user/KimberleyLittle1

What are some of your favorite signings or festivals you've participated in as an author and will you describe what made those stand out?

I’ve loved the book events I’ve had at The King’s English in Salt Lake City and I never miss my monthly local SCBWI schmoozes or the LDStorymakers Writer’s Conference. Storymakers is fabulous for beginners through well-published writers and they have fantastic speakers for every genre and age group. And everyone is so friendly and welcoming! I highly recommend it. Lots of editors, agents, critiquing, contests, Boot Camp, the works!

Are there any annual Book Festivals or events that you love so much you always go, if so which ones and why?

I’d love to do the Texas Book Festival or TLA or the Georgia Book Festival. I’ve heard it’s great.

What upcoming events do you have where readers can come out and meet you?

At the moment I only have local school visits and Book Clubs and Skype visits scheduled.

Consider using FORBIDDEN for your local Book Club! Contact me at kglittle@msn.com and I’ll send you a set of Book Club Cards and the Club Guide to get started. Easy peasy. Here’s a direct link to the guide: http://www.kimberleygriffithslittle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Forbidden-Book-Club-Guide.pdf

The Compelling Reads Tour authors are considering doing a Spring tour in California in conjunction with the YALL WEST Festival in Los Angeles. Stay tuned! Dates and locations will be on my website.

What is going on tour like for you as an author?

It was an exhilarating two weeks. The best part was meeting readers and fans AND the other Young Adult authors in person for the first time. It was also exhausting and a little nerve-racking hoping events went well for the attendees. But I got to go clothes shopping with my daughter and that was fun, too! New clothes and jewelry! Because, you know, us authors need to look cute. :-)

I'm personally a huge fan of signed books by authors I enjoy and I know some writers have a sort of agreement with a local book store to them where readers who can't make their signings can call and order a signed or personalized & signed book from the author. Do you have a store you do that with, if so which store and how would a reader order one of those?

You can order personalized, signed books from BOOKWORKS in Albuquerque at (505)344-8139 and PAGE 1 BOOKSTORE (Also ABQ) at (505) 294-2026.

The focus of your Compelling Reads Tour in addition to the awesome books was teaching readers about writing, do you have any advice you'd give to aspiring writers?

These are common pieces of advice, but they’re really true.

1. READ, READ, READ in every genre. Read your favorites, but also try other genres because you can learn so much about various story-telling techniques.

2. Write, Write, Write.

3. Take Writing Classes. Find other writers through local writing groups, conferences, SCBWI chapters, bookstores, or libraries. You’ll learn so much about the craft of writing, plus make new friends.

You mentioned before that you might be working on a new multi-author Scholastic Series in the future which sounds really cool, can you tell me more about this or any other upcoming projects fans can get excited for once they've finished Forbidden?

This is still *in the works*. No firm decisions have been made, but keep your fingers crossed for me because I love working with Scholastic and hope to do more books with them!

Is there anything else you'd like to share with readers or potential readers about you, your work, or your current novel Forbidden?

The roots of the ancient Middle eastern dance (belly dancing) is an important part of the tapestry of FORBIDDEN. The thing I *LOVE* most about belly dancing is that it’s for every age girl or woman. It doesn’t matter how tall you are or your body type – EVERY woman looks gorgeous dancing. And there’s a great joy in the dance, too.

Read FORBIDDEN and become the Goddess that’s already inside you!

EXCERPT:

The night was starkly beautiful under a canopy of jeweled stars. I savored my moments of freedom, which were marred by the realization that it was dripping away day by day.

The sizzle of coffee beans roasting in the skillet floated across the still air. Cups clinked on a tray as my father passed them around the circle. The aroma of roasted brew spiced with cardamom seeped into the night.

As I tried to slip past, Horeb’s eyes caught mine. Firelight flickered over his face, outlining his jaw and wind-tangled black hair. He was devastatingly handsome just as all the girls said, but his lips curled into a smile that sent shudders down my spine.

Horeb’s glance lingered on my body, settling not on my face, but lower, as if he was undressing me right there on the dirt path.

His eyes locking onto mine, Horeb rose from the circle of men. I jerked around, breaking off his stare. Walking faster, I turned the corner of the tent just as his arm reached out to stop me.

“So, little cousin,” Horeb said. “Have you been enjoying the betrothal ceremony? Tell me, are the women telling stories of marital relations?”

My breath caught like a thorn in my throat. The women’s ceremonies were not discussed with any male—only inside the privacy of a marriage bed.

“You shouldn’t be saying these things to me,” I said.

Running his fingers down my arm, Horeb continued to study me. “There are many things I’d like to say to you, Jayden. Do to you.”

There used to be a time when my throat pounded every time Horeb turned my direction. A time when he was growing into those big, dark eyes and that hard, muscular body. Moments when I wanted to touch his thick, black hair, or run my finger along his jaw to discover what a boy’s skin felt like with a newly growing beard. But now that I was sixteen, and he twenty, his stares made me uneasy. My heart still pounded, but not from love. And I wasn’t sure what it was or what to call it

Praise for Forbidden

". . . At its core, this is a romance, with all the push and pull that goes along with impossible love, and Little elevates the story by creating a perilous landscape, both outward and inward, as Jayden must deal with the hardship of desert life as well as her own desires."

~*STARRED* Review, ALA BOOKLIST

"This is a fast-paced, entertaining choice which will appeal to fans of historical fiction and romance." ~SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Lush, lyrical, romantic. Forbidden transports readers into a vividly imagined place and time."

~Claudia Gray, New York Times bestselling author

"The harsh beauty of the deserts of ancient Mesopotamia come to life in Forbidden, with beautiful descriptions that will make you crave water and check for sand in your clothes. Your heart will break as you root for Jayden to triumph over the many struggles that threaten to tear her world apart, and the ending will leave you thirsting for more!"

~Sara B. Larson, author of Defy

Author Kimberley Griffiths Little

Award-winning author Kimberley Griffiths Little was born in San Francisco, but now lives in New Mexico on the banks of the Rio Grande with her husband and their three sons.

Her middle-grade novels, When the Butterflies Came, The Last Snake Runner, The Healing Spell, and Circle of Secrets, have been praised as “fast-paced and dramatic,” with “beautifully realized settings.”

Kimberley adores anything old and musty with a secret story to tell. She’s stayed in the haunted tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland; sailed the Seine in Paris; ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan; shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul; and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.

Find Kimberley Online At:

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/4/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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