Book Blurb :
Circus Summer (Circus of Curiosities Book #1) by
Kailin Gow is a YA Dystopian Fantasy -
Releases July 2, 2012
In post-apocalypse America, every season, the
Circus of Curiosities visits the city, bringing with it the most fantastic
circus acts that are beautiful, majestic, curious, and death-defying. Every
season performers for these acts are chosen from the young men and women in
each town, trained, and sent to perform in a live grand performance, performed
literally to the death. Two performers from Sea Cliff, a beach town at the
outskirts of The Center find themselves chosen to be in this Summer's Circus
Act. Both must win at any cost, but could they ignore their feelings for each
other? Leela Sinclair needs to win in order to get to The Center where she can
get medical help from the best physicians for her ailing mother, plague with a
condition no one have heard of. For Zachary Nile, his reasons for becoming a
performer at the Circus is more mysterious. Only the ringmaster and the
Circus of Curiosities owner Dex Hightower (Dr. Dex) knows what the touring
Circus is really about amidst the magic and splendor. Despite the Great
War and the poverty surrounding the land except for the towns fortunate enough
to be near the Center, Dr. Dex and the Circus performers all know, "The
show must go on."
About Kailin Gow:
Links:
Website: www.KailinGowBooks.com
Blog: http://KailinGow.Wordpress.com
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/KailinGow
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/KailinGowBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KailinGow
In the Kindle version there is a $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway/contest!! it is
found within the pages of Kindle editions of Circus Summer!!
All books on Amazon :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3AKailin+Gow&keywords=Kailin+Gow&ie=UTF8&qid=1337442917&sr=8-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B002BMAEH4
All books on B&N
: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kailin-gow?keyword=kailin+gow&store=allproducts
Guest Post:
In many ways, my books are an extension of myself, like children, as it is with all authors. It's also true what is written in my bio on Amazon that all my books are based on something real in my life.
"All her books are inspired by personal experiences. Saving You Saving Me was inspired by her experience as a peer counselor for young women during college and from her psychology major college roommate's experience being in a relationship similar to the one portrayed by Sam and Collins in the book. Loving Summer was inspired by Kailin's experience growing up with a family consisting of a mother, two sons, and a daughter who went through a similar experience of tragedy in the book. Aunt Sookie is based on herself and some actor friends she knows. The Frost Series, Circus of Curiosities Series, and FADE Series came about through vivid dreams. Never Say Never was inspired by Kailin's experience as a radio host and working with and interviewing bands, as well as having college friends who were in bands. Kailin also played the drums and keyboard for a band she once started. A classically-trained musician, she was once led her school orchestra, playing first chair violin. Her experience in the music world and her love of Phantom of the Opera, inspired the Phantom Diaries. PULSE was inspired when Kailin was in the hospital suffering from heavy blood loss post surgery and needed several bags of blood to survive (like a vampire). Beautiful Beings was inspired by her college encounter with a young demon exorcist. A pastor once told her she had the gift of sight and that she was destined to become a prolific author, many times over."
Please welcome Kailin Gow to my blog. It's wonderful to have you with us today. Please share with us
1) who was the biggest encouragement in your life in
respect to reading and writing your own books.
What was
that relationship like? Is that person still living? Are you still close?
My mother who gave me a solid sense of self growing up and never treated me differently than my brother because I was a girl. When my brother took kung fu and karate classes, she had me take them with him. When my mother entered me into a storytelling contest last minute and without any preparation when I was about seven, she told me I had it in me to do well. I did well enough to place in the finals. It is that confidence and that unshakeable belief in me that forms my backbone today. As a mother myself and a mother of a young child who was initially diagnosed as having autism, I understand how necessary it is for parents to instill this confidence in their children. Through trials and tribulations known as life, everyone gets tested. I thank God that my parents, especially my mother, was very encouraging. Our relationship is very close, and besides my husband who is my best friend, my mother is my bff for life.
When my mother got cancer and not just cancer of one kind, but three types; it was the hardest period in my life, along with finding out my daughter was autistic. My mother told me to start writing the kinds of books I felt compelled to write and to tell stories that will help people. These are the stories that matter, not the fame, not the glory about being an author; but the satisfaction that my stories about how people who are faced with incredibly bleak odds rise up to overcome them. I took that advice from my mother to heart, and began writing books, mostly in YA and now in Mature-YA/New Adult, that has this journey. My books reflect my life. I've had a lot of struggles and a lot of blessings. When my mother was going through cancer treatment and my baby daughter was going through speech therapy; I felt a lot like my MC in the beginning of each series...that there was a battle I must fight and an uphill one at that. But gradually, as I fought on, as I did my best and never stop believing there is hope, things got better. Just like in my book series. It's a journey and one that will test everything you have. This happened to me.
And while the end of each series has not yet concluded. Nor has my journey, I can say that when you least expect good things to happen in your life, that's when it does. Miracles happen. My mother fought back and won against cancer. Today she is cancer-free. My baby daughter who can barely talk when she was diagnosed, fought back with every ounce of her little body, and won. She is now a witty, self-assured, confident and strong little girl, who is learning three languages. She is no longer diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum.
I've been through some challenges in life, and I feel compelled to talk about it and to give the message of hope where I can, either through my books (not necessarily the first book but through the series) or through my visits with schools and other organizations, radio, and interviews.
2) Anything you would care to elaborate on?
My mother who gave me a solid sense of self growing up and never treated me differently than my brother because I was a girl. When my brother took kung fu and karate classes, she had me take them with him. When my mother entered me into a storytelling contest last minute and without any preparation when I was about seven, she told me I had it in me to do well. I did well enough to place in the finals. It is that confidence and that unshakeable belief in me that forms my backbone today. As a mother myself and a mother of a young child who was initially diagnosed as having autism, I understand how necessary it is for parents to instill this confidence in their children. Through trials and tribulations known as life, everyone gets tested. I thank God that my parents, especially my mother, was very encouraging. Our relationship is very close, and besides my husband who is my best friend, my mother is my bff for life.
When my mother got cancer and not just cancer of one kind, but three types; it was the hardest period in my life, along with finding out my daughter was autistic. My mother told me to start writing the kinds of books I felt compelled to write and to tell stories that will help people. These are the stories that matter, not the fame, not the glory about being an author; but the satisfaction that my stories about how people who are faced with incredibly bleak odds rise up to overcome them. I took that advice from my mother to heart, and began writing books, mostly in YA and now in Mature-YA/New Adult, that has this journey. My books reflect my life. I've had a lot of struggles and a lot of blessings. When my mother was going through cancer treatment and my baby daughter was going through speech therapy; I felt a lot like my MC in the beginning of each series...that there was a battle I must fight and an uphill one at that. But gradually, as I fought on, as I did my best and never stop believing there is hope, things got better. Just like in my book series. It's a journey and one that will test everything you have. This happened to me.
And while the end of each series has not yet concluded. Nor has my journey, I can say that when you least expect good things to happen in your life, that's when it does. Miracles happen. My mother fought back and won against cancer. Today she is cancer-free. My baby daughter who can barely talk when she was diagnosed, fought back with every ounce of her little body, and won. She is now a witty, self-assured, confident and strong little girl, who is learning three languages. She is no longer diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum.
I've been through some challenges in life, and I feel compelled to talk about it and to give the message of hope where I can, either through my books (not necessarily the first book but through the series) or through my visits with schools and other organizations, radio, and interviews.
2) Anything you would care to elaborate on?
In many ways, my books are an extension of myself, like children, as it is with all authors. It's also true what is written in my bio on Amazon that all my books are based on something real in my life.
"All her books are inspired by personal experiences. Saving You Saving Me was inspired by her experience as a peer counselor for young women during college and from her psychology major college roommate's experience being in a relationship similar to the one portrayed by Sam and Collins in the book. Loving Summer was inspired by Kailin's experience growing up with a family consisting of a mother, two sons, and a daughter who went through a similar experience of tragedy in the book. Aunt Sookie is based on herself and some actor friends she knows. The Frost Series, Circus of Curiosities Series, and FADE Series came about through vivid dreams. Never Say Never was inspired by Kailin's experience as a radio host and working with and interviewing bands, as well as having college friends who were in bands. Kailin also played the drums and keyboard for a band she once started. A classically-trained musician, she was once led her school orchestra, playing first chair violin. Her experience in the music world and her love of Phantom of the Opera, inspired the Phantom Diaries. PULSE was inspired when Kailin was in the hospital suffering from heavy blood loss post surgery and needed several bags of blood to survive (like a vampire). Beautiful Beings was inspired by her college encounter with a young demon exorcist. A pastor once told her she had the gift of sight and that she was destined to become a prolific author, many times over."
My Review:
I am reviewing from an ARC copy of Circus Summer.
So now what did I find ? Kailyn Gow is an author who writes smoothly and develops her characters well. When I picked up Circus Summer, I began the book one day and finished the next and I really enjoyed it. And I really want to know what will happen to these characters as this will probably be trilogy. Leela Sinclair is a strong female character. Although she is in highschool, she is loyal to her family and wants to do what she can to help her mother get well. Her lifelong friend Thomas, is fully aware of his feelings for Leela and will do anything to help her and continue to love her. Zachary, however, holds her heart. She has loved him since she was 6 years old. Now at seventeen, it is lust. But she has more on her mind than just boys.....the circus has come to town. The offering of more money than she could ever earn in Sea Cliff, glitz glamour and physical challenges, draws her to sign up for the Circus of Curiousities. All is not as it would seem under the Big Top, but can Leela live long enough to discover what it is? And is there a place for her
there? And why does it seem that Dr Dex, Circus of Curiousities Ringmaster, is everywhere at the same time? I liked the premise of the book. I loved the Characters. I loved the storyline, although I couldn't help but feel similarities to the Hunger Games. It's just enough different to be intriguing. And I can't wait for the next installment, Circus Autumn!
I am reviewing from an ARC copy of Circus Summer.
So now what did I find ? Kailyn Gow is an author who writes smoothly and develops her characters well. When I picked up Circus Summer, I began the book one day and finished the next and I really enjoyed it. And I really want to know what will happen to these characters as this will probably be trilogy. Leela Sinclair is a strong female character. Although she is in highschool, she is loyal to her family and wants to do what she can to help her mother get well. Her lifelong friend Thomas, is fully aware of his feelings for Leela and will do anything to help her and continue to love her. Zachary, however, holds her heart. She has loved him since she was 6 years old. Now at seventeen, it is lust. But she has more on her mind than just boys.....the circus has come to town. The offering of more money than she could ever earn in Sea Cliff, glitz glamour and physical challenges, draws her to sign up for the Circus of Curiousities. All is not as it would seem under the Big Top, but can Leela live long enough to discover what it is? And is there a place for her
there? And why does it seem that Dr Dex, Circus of Curiousities Ringmaster, is everywhere at the same time? I liked the premise of the book. I loved the Characters. I loved the storyline, although I couldn't help but feel similarities to the Hunger Games. It's just enough different to be intriguing. And I can't wait for the next installment, Circus Autumn!
2 comments:
Circus Summer sounds like an interesting dystopian. I didn't know anything about the book before reading this post- but I have put it on my list. I also enjoyed finding out more about the author. I know she has had some very difficult times, but she has tried to help others through her writing. I wish her much success.
~Jess
You will love it, I'm sure!
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