New Review for Marvin's Curse

Just came across this review on Goodreads from November. Thank you, Yohanna!

'I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When I first started reading the book, my thought was Ghost Whisperer, only a younger version. My next thought was Sixth Sense.

It is a unique story line and it kicked in my imagination. The scenes were detailed and descriptive enough that the author took me there. This is a book I would recommend. I love and strive to find books that ignite my imagination and this definitely did that.

Read this book, you won't be disappointed. I wasn't :)'


Still just 96p on Amazon!

A busy week!

The time before Christmas is always busy and for me that has meant attending Christmas craft fairs, Christmas school fairs and signing books in stores. With almost 100 books sold this week I am a very happy author. I have been selling and signing the Aggie Lichen trilogy as these are in printed form, but it didn't stop me advertising my teen e-book Marvin's Curse by showing the trailer on my netbook and giving out info. In fact, I was amazed to see Marvin's Curse 'storm' up the Kindle charts to #13 in the YA horror category. Just shows what promotion can do at the right time and place.

Claire and Lauren

Emily, Ashley and Sharmina

As always, I have met some fabulous people, in W H Smith's, Croydon for example. Some just very excited like Lauren and Claire, who were really pleased to meet an author and bought a set of the books EACH! Emily, Ashley and Sharmina were out shopping and we got talking about the books. Emily was persuaded to by a book, not by me, but by her friends. I hope she hasn't regretted it! Other people wanted to talk about writing as they had the creative urge too. All in all, it's been a crazy week with more to come. Thanks to everyone who bought or helped in the success.

5 Star Review from Reader's Favorite

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite Marvin has a gift: he can see dead people. He hates his new home, which is near a graveyard, and his stepfather. He considers his gift as a curse. The ghost of his dad, a dead psychic medium, still hangs around, niggling him to use his ability. Then he meets a strange girl who lost her memory and claims that her name is Stella McCartney. From that point on, Marvin has to accept his ability and his dad’s advice if he wants to help Stella. A fascinating paranormal modern tale, Marvin’s Curse is written by Debra J. Edwards. I found Marvin’s Curse easy and enjoyable to read from start to finish. Obviously it is a YA paranormal story, but very well-crafted so that mature readers like me won’t find it hard to be drawn to it. The young protagonist, Marvin, is a 17-year-old teenager with anger and angst that is familiar to all of us. He misses his time with his dad when he was still alive, but finds his dad’s ghost annoying. This is ironically funny and a delight as I always consider humor an added bonus. Marvin progresses from an angry teenager to a young man who comes to terms with his problems. Debra J. Edwards’s writing style is simple yet deftly done and the plot is uncomplicated, but nonetheless interesting. The pacing of the story is not slow but not rushed either; perfectly balanced. Simply put, a paranormal novel that I could easily describe with the word ‘comfortable.’ The only question I have is whether there’s going to be a sequel.

New interview at The Cult of Me

Guest Author Interview - Debra Edwards 

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/guest-author-interview-debra-edwards.html 

 

We start the week with a new guest author interview, in today's interview we welcome Debra Edwards, you can find out what she has to say below:

Please introduce yourself, who are you and what do you do?
Hi, I‘m Debra Edwards and I write fantasy fiction for children and YA paranormal. I’m a former primary school teacher, mostly teaching pupils of 10-11 years. I finished teaching last year so that I could spend more time on my writing, although I do spend more time promoting books at the moment. I have been writing for about 10 years now and love everything about it – apart from editing! I live near London in the UK and although I have travelled extensively, I really wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
 
What first inspired you to start writing?
I really never saw writing books as something I could do. I totally lacked confidence. In fact, before writing I wasn’t even reading that much. Teaching gave me a way in.

My first books were for 8-12 year olds and about stroppy teenage tooth fairies. I used to teach a class who were always losing teeth and constantly wanting to tell me about the tooth fairy. This got me thinking as they could never say what happened to the teeth after the tooth fairy took them. For me, this was the start of my writing career. I had to solve the problem, create a world where tooth fairies did something with the teeth and as such, Aggie Lichen; Pilp Collector was born.

And what attracted you to the paranormal?
I have always, from teenage, had an ‘unhealthy’ interest in vampires, werewolves, witches etc. I can’t really pinpoint when it started or with what, but I like to watch films and TV programs of that genre. I think I would have quite like to be a vampire at one point!

Where is your happy place?
This is mostly holiday memories. I am a poor sleeper and to clear my head, I trawl back to a holiday and walk my way through the events. I’ve travelled extensively, so I have many wonderful memories to fall back on.

As a physical happy place, the seaside town of Brighton in the UK is somewhere I feel totally relaxed. It is such a unique place to wander around.

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
William Shakespeare would be great to spend a day with. I’d like to see when and how he would write. I’d be curious about his relationships with fellow playwrights at the time. There have been many debates about whether he actually did write so much and I could question him to get to the truth!

What is your favourite song lyric?
I love the lyrics from Imagine by John Lennon. They never date even though it’s nearly 40 years since its first release. The lyrics are truly inspirational.

What book did you last read?
I have just finished reading Poison Heart by S B Hart, another YA book. I would definitely recommend it. It’s very different from what I’ve read before, no fantasy or paranormal. It’s about a girl who wants to take over another girls’ life. A really good read – must get the review done for it! And just started Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse. I love Percy Jackson books and so far this one, number 3, is just great! Loved the first film too. That’s what drew me into wanting to read the rest of the books.

What are you working on at the moment?
I am writing another YA book now. It’s kind of a cross between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Hunger Games. My working title is, Buffy the Dragon Slayer’! In the book, it falls to a teenage girl, Rae, to save the world from dragons. Here’s a snippet!

‘I am George, the original George as in George and the Dragon?’ said George, taking a Peter Pan stance. ‘And this is my trusted friend, Ascalon.’ He pulled a small wand like stick from his pocket. ‘…the dragon slaying lance.’

Rae stared hard at George then transferred her fierce look to the stick/lance he was holding. Then she burst out laughing. ‘Oh, please! George and the Dragon?’ She fell back against the tree. ‘Are you for real?’

George shook the stick several times. ‘It does that sometimes. It gets stuck. I think it’s all the crap it’s collected over the last few hundred years.’

 ‘Oh my god. You’re still talking, George,’ said Rae. ‘And it’s still just a stick. Look!’

Tell us about your latest book and how we can find out more.
My latest book is Marvin’s Curse, a YA paranormal novel. It’s my first YA book as all previous writing was aimed at the 8-12 year range. It’s about a boy who’s just lost his dad and one year later he’s still grief stricken. It examines how the different ways he deals with grief and the darkness that consumes him. Here’s the blurb:

How would you handle the dead? After losing his dad, 17 year old Marvin finds he can see and talk to the dead, an inherited 'gift'. Bonus, you might think, but Marvin hates it. It makes him different and he just wants to be 'normal'. He meets Stella in the graveyard that backs onto the house he's just moved into. 'My name is Stella, Stella McCartney. It says so inside my trousers.' (!?!)
A mysterious business card reveals that Stella has lost her memories and all signs point to Moghador, a gateway to hell where a pawnbroker holds the answers. And Stella is DEAD! She just doesn't know it... yet!

Book Buy links:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/

http://www.amazon.com/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marvins-curse-debra-j-edwards/1115835656?ean=2940044588752

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325225


Your Links:
Website: www.purpleraypublishing.co.uk

Blog: http://trialsofaself-publishedauthor.blogspot.co.uk/

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/MarvinsCurse?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/debra_J_edwards

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18115238-marvin-s-curse

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/DebbieEdwards

Authonomy: http://authonomy.com/books/53981/marvin-s-curse/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpNB65nYyRM

Books by Debra Edwards on Amazon:

Successful signing at Waterstone's Croydon

I had a great time at Waterstone's last Saturday. Lots of Aggie Lichen books were sold and signed and many took advantage of the 'buy one get one half price' offer. Something that rarely happens to me is a return visit by a happy mum. Her daughter had bought the first book from me some time ago and came back a little later to get the second book, but the store had sold out so she bought the third book instead. On finding out I was back in store, her mum bought the third book in for me to sign and took a copy of the second book for her daughter's 15th birthday. Now that was nice to see.

I also had a lovely compliment from another girl, Caitlin, who was with her family and had read all my books. She said how much she'd loved them and had reread them all. Again, great to hear that kind of feedback.

A special hello to Swaraa who also bought books. Her family seemed really happy to have met an author and have signed copies so they took photos of us together.

As always, big thanks to the store, especially Katherine, events organiser, and Holly who looked after me on the day.

Swaraa

 

Caitlin

                                                          


                                                  

BOOK SIGNING WATERSTONE'S CROYDON SATURDAY 5TH OCTOBER

I will be signing copies of the Aggie Lichen trilogy at Waterstone's Croydon this Saturday between 11am and 4pm. If you are in the area do pop in for a chat. The books are part of the 'buy one get one half-price' promotion so there's a bargain to be had too!

Promotion for this week only!

SPECIAL PROMO!

Just for this week, my YA paranormal e-book, Marvin's Curse has been reduced to just 99p. It has many great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Why not take a peek and see?


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380621136&sr=8-1&keywords=Marvin%27s+Curse

Great review from Satarupa

A Great Review from Goodreads Member, Satarupa.

'This is an awesome book with a totally unheard of story line and plot where a physic teenager falls in love with an unique ghost.

I loved the concept of the dark world and all the fighting scenes that spiced up the story. Stella is cute and she didn't know that she's dead and all and Marvin and Stella falls in love after Marvin meets her at the graveyard.

The description of the dark world is really vivid and I totally liked the writing style of the author.

The suspense that the author kept till the end is remarkable and the slow revelation of many unanswered questions and the twists and turns with which the story is laced was really great to experience.

I liked the new take in the paranormal romance genre and enjoyed it thoroughly.

All in all a great read and totally deserves a shot so go for it and find out more about this unique love story and the horrors of the dark world.'

Waterstone's Sutton Book Signing

I had a great day selling and signing my Aggie Lichen trilogy at Waterstone's Sutton last Saturday. I met some lovely people there and had a good chat about screen writing with one fellow writer. It's alway nice to meet new readers and it was a real pleasure to talk about the books with so many. I also had a reader who had read all the books and wanted to know what was next so I was able to direct her to my e-book, 'Marvin's Curse'. 

A special 'hello' to Georgia and Madison from Blenheim High School in Epsom, who over the period of the day, bought all three 'Aggie' books each, so a big thank you to them. 

Overall, a really great day. Many thanks to the staff at Waterstone's for accommodating me again.

 

Madison and Georgia, Waterstone's Sutton

Self-publishing talk SCBWI Oxford Group 18th September

 

I had a lovely time talking to the SCBWI Oxford group last Wednesday. Organised by Sue, I spent about one and a half hours speaking about self-publishing using a presentation to prompt my terrible memory. I'm no expert, but was able to share my experiences. It seemed to go well. I just hope I didn't put them off going down that route.

•

We spent some time looking at why some people choose to self-publish and what that entails with the printed book. Then we looked at publishing e-books and what that involves. The last part of the talk was about marketing, going through the many different ways of promoting books etc.

I did go away thinking about how much work self-publishing actually takes. Sometimes when you do things you don't realise the full extent of it. Would I do it all again? Most definitely!

Thank you the invitation, ladies. I had a really good time.

Bella Harte part 2! The interview.

The Sunday Spotlight ~ Talking with Debra J. Edwards

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Welcome to another installment

of

The Sunday Spotlight

I hope you've been enjoying a nice and relaxing weekend.  Mine is progressing nicely with perhaps a little editing stint on the horizon, as I really need to get 'Crimson Fire' Book II in The Seraphoenix Saga ready for publication.  Fingers crossed it won't be too long now!

Yesterday my guest author, Debra J. Edwards was here sharing her latest novel - see below - and today she's back sharing writing, life and a little of everything else.

The Saturday Showcase

Talking with Debra J. Edwards

on

The Sunday Spotlight

Welcome Debra and thanks for joining us today.

Firstly can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a former primary school teacher, mostly teacher pupils of 10-11 years.  I finished teaching last year so that I could spend more time on my writing, although I do spend more time promoting books at the moment. I have been writing for about 10 years now and love everything about it – apart from editing! I live near London in the UK and although I have travelled extensively, I really wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Have you published any other novels, if so can you share the details?

I have three children’s fantasy novels published for the 8-12 year range although I have sold a lot to teenagers and adults. In fact, my oldest reader for these books is in her sixties! They are stories about a group of stroppy teenage tooth fairies and how they try to say their world.

Here’s the blurb for the first book:

Aggie Lichen faces the same dilemmas as any other thirteen year old; what to wear, how to keep out of trouble at school. But while other thirteen year olds are doing their homework or settling down to watch T.V., Aggie flits from house to house in search of prize pilps. That’s where Aggie is a little different. You see, Aggie Lichen is a pilp collector – a tooth fairy!
One nightsgritch – a tooth collecting evening – Aggie is attacked by a bright, mysterious light. Is it just a low flying glow worm or a bad tempered giant bluebottle? Or, as Aggie and her gang suspect, is it something more sinister?
Unknown to them, Aggie and her gang have just thirty days to solve the mystery and save their kind but time is not on their side … neither are the Sprites or the Grublins …

Are you working on anything new right now?

I am writing another YA book now. It’s kind of a cross between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Hunger Games. My working title is, Buffy the Dragon Slayer’!  In the book, it falls to a teenage girl, Rae, to save the world from dragons. Here’s a snippet!

‘I am George, the original George as in George and the Dragon?’ said George, taking a Peter Pan stance. ‘And this is my trusted friend, Ascalon.’ He pulled a small wand like stick from his pocket. ‘…the dragon slaying lance.’
Rae stared hard at George then transferred her fierce look to the stick/lance he was holding. Then she burst out laughing. ‘Oh, please! George and the Dragon?’ She fell back against the tree. ‘Are you for real?’
George shook the stick several times. ‘It does that sometimes. It gets stuck. I think it’s all the crap it’s collected over the last few hundred years.’
‘Oh my god. You’re still talking, George,’ said Rae. ‘And it’s still just a stick. Look!’

  

What is your all-time favourite novel?

Can I have more than one? Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit are up there on the list. Brilliantly written and a fantasy world created like nothing else I have read.  I am also a great fan of Herbie Brennan, author of the Faerie Wars series. Seriously, if you haven’t read these you should. They are YA fantasy and the writing is amazing. After reading these I contacted Herbie to see if he would read my books and he did! He provided some fabulous quotes for me to use on the covers! I also love the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett. They are hilarious and you really grow to love the characters who pop up at different times in different novels.

Can you tell us who your favourite indie author is?

Although now traditionally published, I got hooked onto Amanda Hocking’s books when she was self-publishing. I loved the Trylle series of books and they were something fresh to read in this genre. I have yet to try some of her others. I also was able to meet Amanda when she visited her publisher’s offices in the UK last year. There was just a small group of us who shared pizza together and were able to put questions to her informally. She’s a lovely person and so deserving of her success.

What are you reading at the moment & would you recommend it to us?

I have just finished reading Poison Heart by S B Hart, another YA book. I would definitely recommend it. It’s very different from what I’ve read before, no fantasy or paranormal. It’s about a girl who wants to take over another girls’ life. A really good read – must get the review done for it! And just started Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse. I love Percy Jackson books and so far this one, number 3, is just great! Loved the first film too. That’s what drew me into wanting to read the rest of the books.

Do you have a favourite quote, if so what is it?

"I ATE'NT DEAD"  This is by Granny Weatherwax, a witch in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books.  When she goes off ‘borrowing’ she overlays the minds of other creatures, leaving her body in a death-like trance, so to avoid any misunderstandings, she wears a placard with this quote around her neck.

How many novels/books do you typically read in a month?

I can read very quickly and it makes my husband mad as he’s so slow at reading! Time allowing, I can probably read 4-6 books a month. It doesn’t sound much, but that’s because other things like writing have to be done and I spend an awful lot of time on promotion.

What is your favourite genre to read at the moment?

I’m not good at trying other genres so I mostly stick to children’s and YA paranormal.  Books like the Septimus Heap series and Charlie Bone series are children’s books I have loved. In YA, I am enjoying the House of Night series and have just read through all the Iron Fey books by Julie Kagawa.

Apart from writing, do you have any other hobbies that you’d like to share with us?

I love travelling and so far have been to nearly 50 different countries! I’m such a travel geek that I have a world map in my study with pins placed in where I’ve been. It’s great to see the sights and experience different cultures. I am not a beach person, so for me it’s being able to do all the touristy things then find my own way round villages, towns and cities. One of the most exciting times was visiting China and using overnight sleeper trains to get to Beijing, Xian and back to Shanghai. I also like to cruise! I get a lot of writing done that way too as they have quiet areas and libraries where I can work. India is next on the long list, but may have to do a few short journeys to complete Europe first.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Oh, I’m most definitely not a morning person! When I taught, my colleagues knew not to speak to me until mid morning, after I’d had a coffee or two. I would mostly just grunt at anyone who spoke to me before that as sentences were hard to form at that time of day! Now, I get up when I please so no more grunting!

Who would be your dream cast if your novel was made into a movie?

I’d kind of hoped Jay Baruchel would play Marvin, but I’m not sure he’d be cast in the role of a 17 year old anymore! I loved him as ‘Dave’ in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice with Nicholas cage. For Stella, possibly Helena Bonham-Carter, again cast as a 17 year old??? 

Tell us one thing that no-one else knows about you – your darkest secret if you dare!

It’s not a dark secret, but… I’m terrified of the dentist! And I mean, knees knocking, tears in the eyes kind of terror! Which is ironic as the books I’ve written previously are about tooth fairies. I just remember lots of visits when I was little and the mask they used to give gas when taking teeth out. It makes me shudder just to write about it! I look after my teeth carefully now so that I don’t have to make a visit and so far have survived not having to go to the dentist for quite a while…

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Book Buy links:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374315355&sr=8-1&keywords=marvin%27s+curse

Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374313372&sr=1-1&keywords=marvin%27s+curse

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marvins-curse-debra-j-edwards/1115835656?ean=2940044588752

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325225

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Give-Away:  

Debra has very kindly offered my readers the chance to get a FREE copy of YA Novel Marvin's Curse.  

For your chance to get your hands on one of the 5 e-books available, in either mobi or PDF format.

All you have to do is answer a quick question:

Which of the following would you pick and why? 

In the Grave yard on Halloween?

or

In the Forest on a Full Moon?

Leave your answer in the comment form below, the winners will be notified by the author.

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Join me again tomorrow as I'm back with a Book Blog Tour.

Great Blog post from Bella Harte - Book giveaway at the end.

The Saturday Showcase with Guest Author Debra J. Edwards

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Welcome to 

The Saturday Showcase

featuring

Marvin's Curse

by 

Debra J. Edwards

Book Genre: YA Paranormal

Book Blurb:

How would you handle the dead? After losing his dad, 17 year old Marvin finds he can see and talk to the dead, an inherited 'gift'. Bonus, you might think, but Marvin hates it. It makes him different and he just wants to be 'normal'. He meets Stella in the graveyard that backs onto the house he's just moved into. 

'My name is Stella, Stella McCartney. It says so inside my trousers.' (!?!) 

A mysterious business card reveals that Stella has lost her memories and all signs point to Moghador, a gateway to hell where a pawnbroker holds the answers. And Stella is DEAD! She just doesn't know it... yet!

Book Buy links:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374315355&sr=8-1&keywords=marvin%27s+curse

Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374313372&sr=1-1&keywords=marvin%27s+curse

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marvins-curse-debra-j-edwards/1115835656?ean=2940044588752

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325225

Author Bio:

Debra J Edwards is a full time writer living in Surrey, UK. She lives in a rambling Victorian house with husband and pyscho staffy, Buster.

Debra currently has four books published. A trilogy about stroppy teenage tooth fairies; Aggie Lichen; Pilp Collector, the sequel, Aggie Lichen; Pilp Collector - Arty's Revenge with Hero Required, the third book in the series.

Marvin’s Curse is her fourth novel although the first for YA readers. For this latest book, Marvin’s Curse, she worked under cover as a ghost whisperer in order to bring that something extra to her central character. Debra feels this has paid off well and is now training to be a dragon slayer for her next novel…

Your Links:

Website: www.purpleraypublishing.co.uk

Blog: http://trialsofaself-publishedauthor.blogspot.co.uk/

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/MarvinsCurse?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/debra_J_edwards

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18115238-marvin-s-curse

 Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/DebbieEdwards

Authonomy: http://authonomy.com/books/53981/marvin-s-curse/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpNB65nYyRM

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                     Publish date: July 2013                       

Publisher: PurpleRay Publishing

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Book Excerpt:

He’d never had a teenage ghost come to him before, let alone a girl. He felt his face flush as a wave of excitement rose through him. But she was still a ghost. She would still want something. Didn’t they always? No, she had to go.

‘What do you really want?’ he said. ‘Only I’m rather busy, as you can see.’

‘And rather rude!’ said the girl, retreating to the back of the bench. She wore a black jumper with a glittery skull motif on the sleeve that sparkled in the fading light.

‘Just tell me what you want then I’ll send you on your way,’ said Marvin.

‘And rather patronising too!’ The girl made her way round to the front of the bench and sat down, crossing one leg over the other.

‘Look, this always goes a certain way,’ said Marvin, trying not to stare at her. ‘You want me to do something. I refuse to do it and then send you away.’

‘What if I don’t want anything?’

‘Sorry?’

‘What if I don’t want anything from you?’

‘Well, that would be a first! First time in a year that any sp…’ He stopped suddenly. No unfinished business? They always have unfinished business! Oh god! She doesn’t know. She doesn’t know she’s dead. A slight panic came over him. How the hell was he going deal with this? Within seconds he had his answer.

‘Do you see a light?’ he asked, pushing his hands towards the sky. ‘Do you see a very bright light?’

‘At this time of day?’ said the girl. ‘Don’t be stupid!’

No, she definitely doesn’t know.

‘And you’re sure that there’s nothing that you want. Nothing you need to find out. Nothing you need to have finished…’

She stared at him, widening her eyes. ‘Just this conversation!’ She turned to leave, but Marvin was quick to jump in front of her.

‘Hey!’ he said as she stopped walking. ‘Sorry, I’m just not good with sp… er, people.’

‘Understatement! You are rubbish with people!’

Marvin led the way back to the bench where she sat and he leant against a tree.

After a short awkward silence the girl spoke, ‘So what are you doing here – in my graveyard?’ She pulled at the hem of her jumper. ‘I’m Stella by the way.’

‘Marvin,’ said Marvin. ‘So how is it your graveyard?’ He waited, hoping she’d find a way of answering, a way of acknowledging her deadness, but nothing. He continued, slipping in the odd comment where possible. ‘Surely you share it with other people.’

‘Well, it’s not exactly mine,’ said Stella, ‘but I like to hang out here. It’s always so – peaceful.’

Marvin grunted in agreement and edged his way onto the bench ensuring there was a good distance between them.

‘Have you always lived here? I don’t remember seeing you before,’ said Stella pulling her knees up under her chin. ‘And why are you here?’

‘You ask a lot of questions,’ said Marvin. The last thing he wanted to do was to talk about his family to a complete stranger, a completely dead stranger. He decided to go for the simple explanation. ‘Just moved in,’ he said then added. ‘And I’ve come here to draw.’

Stella threw back her head and laughed. ‘What rubbish! No one really comes to a graveyard to draw! People come here to escape life.’ She paused. ‘Is that what you’re doing – escaping?’

Marvin tapped his fingers on the bench handrail. ‘So what are you escaping from then, huh?’

‘Nothing! I just like it here.’ She jumped up and ran towards a tree, hugging it. ‘I love the trees, I love the grass. I even love the gravestones.’

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Give-Away:  

Debra has very kindly offered my readers the chance to get a FREE copy of YA Novel Marvin's Curse.  

For your chance to get your hands on one of the 5 e-books available, in either mobi or PDF format.

All you have to do is answer a quick question:

Which of the following would you pick and why? 

In the Grave yard on Halloween?

or

In the Forest on a Full Moon?

Leave your answer in the comment form below, the winners will be notified by the author.

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I'm back again tomorrow with Debra on

The Sunday Spotlight

Where we'll continue the Give-Away Competition and on to Part II of my Weekend Author Showcase.