By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Hooray! My latest books, Feral Nights (Book 1 in the Feral series), Eternal: Zachary’s Story (a graphic novel illustrated by Ming Doyle) and the paperback edition of Diabolical (Book 4 in the Tantalize series), are now available from Candlewick Press. So we’ll be celebrating all this week at Cynsations with a related series of posts!

Here’s your chance to enter to win signed copies!

Author sponsored; eligibility: North America (international giveaways TBA in conjunction with international release dates)

From the promotional copy of Feral Nights:

Read an excerpt

Fans of the Tantalize quartet will thrill to see werepossum Clyde and other favorite secondary characters — plus all-new ones — take to the fore in book one of an all-new series.


When sexy, free-spirited werecat Yoshi tracks his sister, Ruby, to Austin, he discovers that she is not only MIA, but also the key suspect in a murder investigation.


Meanwhile, werepossum Clyde and human Aimee have set out to do a little detective work of their own, sworn to avenge the brutal killing of werearmadillo pal Travis.


When all three seekers are snared in an underground kidnapping ring, they end up on a remote island inhabited by an unusual (even by shifter standards) species.

The island harbors a grim secret and were-predator and were-prey must join forces in a fight to escape alive.


Fans of best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Tantalize quartet will thrill to see favorite sidekick characters–together with all-new ones–take to the fore in this wry, high-action entry in an exciting new series.

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From the promotional copy of Eternal: Zachary’s Story, illustrated by Ming Doyle (Candlewick, 2013), a Tantalize series graphic novel:

View interior spread

Reckless guardian angel Zachary has an unusual assignment. He’s meant to save the soul of Miranda, high-school theater wannabe turned glamorous royal vampire.
Completely devoted to Miranda, Zachary takes his demotion to human form in stride, taking a job as the princess’s personal assistant.


Of course, this means he has to balance his soul-saving efforts with planning the Master’s fast-approaching Deathday gala.


Vivid illustrations by Ming Doyle elevate this darkly funny love story to a new dramatic level with bold black-and-white panels.


Cynthia Leitich Smith’s New York Times bestseller is reimagined as a graphic novel seen through the eyes of Zachary, guardian angel.

Eternal: Zachary’s Story is told from Zachary’s point of view and includes new scenes not seen in the preceding prose novel Eternal (Candlewick, 2009, 2010) as well as scenes previously told from Miranda’s point of view.

Read a sample chapter of the prose novel Eternal from Candlewick Press.

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From the promotional copy of Diabolical (paperback edition, previously released in hardcover and e-book format):

Read an excerpt

When “slipped” angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, are summoned under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked “students.”


Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall decor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due?


Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes from the previous three novels in the Tantalize series — including Zachary’s girl, Miranda, and Kieren’s love, Quincie — along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

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Cynsational Notes

More chances to win? To enter to win a copy of Feral Nights; see shakefire.com. To enter to win a paperback copy of Diabolical; see Cynthia Leitich Smith Author Interview, Review & Diabolical Giveaway
from JeanBookNerd.com. You also can enter to win one of three sets of five signed Feral Nights bookmarks here at Cynsations!

Check out curriculum connections for the Tantalize series from the Texas Library Association.

Cynthia Leitich Smith & Feral Nights: an interview from Joy Preble. More
thoughts on the new novel and its main characters, balance (or lack
thereof) and the writing life, best Austin dining and other
destinations, and much more. For more on the story behind the story, see Follow the (YA) Reader and Secret Asian Man: Yoshi Kitahara and Feral Nights.
 

Eternal: Zachary’s Story artist Ming Doyle

The Horn Book says of Feral Nights: “Smith’s blend of supernatural suspense, campy humor, and romantic
tension is addictive; allusions to both pop culture (‘Thriller,’ Monty Python) and literature (The Island of Dr. Moreau,
The Most Dangerous Game) add to the fun. Most satisfying of all,
Aimee and especially unassuming, injured Clyde leave their sidekick
roles behind to come into their own.”

Publishers Weekly chimes in: “Smith’s fantasy smoothly switches between the
three protagonists’ perspectives, while expertly blending the mythical
and the modern. The story’s sharp banter and edgy plot make for an
entertaining and clever story about loyalty and reconciling
differences.”

Booklist calls it “sexy, fast-paced” and cheers the “ending that satisfies and should win her many new fans.”

Kirkus Reviews cheers,
“…dialogue that sparkles with wit, filled with both literary and
pop-culture references. (‘You’re saying that you and my sister perform
exorcisms on vomiting children with rotating heads?’)…playful, smart
tone.”

Launch Events–San Antonio, Chicago, Madison

Join Cynthia Leitich Smith, Jennifer Ziegler and more at Library Palooza 2013: That Author Thing! will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Brandeis High School in San Antonio.

Join Cynthia Leitich Smith at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at The Book Stall (811 Elm Street) in Winnetka, Illinois/Chicagoland.

Join Cynthia Leitich Smith and YA debut author E.M. Kokie at “An Evening with Cynthia Leitich Smith” from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Feb. 28 at Alicia Ashman Library (733 N. Highpoint Road), open to the public and sponsored by SCBWI-Wisconsin. Event will include refreshments and giveaways!