LABYRINTH LOST Blog Tour: Review & Q&A with Zoraida Córdova! #BrooklynBrujas #LabyrinthLost

It's FINALLY here!! LABYRINTH LOST is now out...and you can get a copy, and you can get a copy...and I can get a copy! We can all go out and get copies of this AMAZING book!

I have been eagerly (and quite impatiently, I might add) awaiting the release of Zoraida Córdova's newest book, LABYRINTH LOST!! I am not ashamed to admit that I fangirled like crazy when Raincoast Books sent me an ARC of it, and I tortured myself a bit by waiting until it was closer to the release date, but it was soooo worth the wait! I think this is my favourite book of Zoraida's yet, and I'm extremely excited to share my review and a quickie Q&A with you all for the fantastic Canadian blog tour that Raincoast has put together!

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Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas #1)
by Zoraida Córdova
Source: Received an ARC from Raincoast Books Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: September 6, 2016
Number of Pages: 336 (Hardcover)


Description from Goodreads:

Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.

I fall to my knees. Shattered glass, melted candles and the outline of scorched feathers are all that surround me. Every single person who was in my house – my entire family — is gone.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange markings on his skin.

The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…

Beautiful Creatures meets Daughter of Smoke and Bone with an infusion of Latin American tradition in this highly original fantasy adventure.

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MY REVIEW

I first heard about LABYRINTH LOST about a year before it released...and I immediately started fangirling over it! Magic, brujas, a journey to another world, and written by Zoraida Córdova...sign me up! I've been a fan of Zoraida's writing since I first read THE VICIOUS DEEP, and I've eagerly devoured and loved everything she's written since...and LABYRINTH LOST was no exception! In fact, it's my favourite out of everything she's written so far!

Why did I love LABYRINTH LOST so much? Well, there are plenty of reasons. The first reason is the characters. Zoraida always writes amazing characters! They're dynamic, and usually flawed in a way that makes them extremely easy to connect with. Her characters have so much depth and I always find myself loving each and every one of them, and Alex was the same! She was vulnerable, and super self-conscious, which I think anyone who's been (or currently is) a teenager can relate to. Even with her doubts, Alex is so strong and determined, but what I loved most about her was her capacity for love and her willingness to grow and to forgive. I really admired everything about her, and I think she's a wonderful character to see in a young adult novel because she's definitely someone worth admiring.

Alex isn't the only amazing character though! Her family is also absolutely fantastic! From her sisters, Lula and Rose, to her mother and extended family members, LABYRINTH LOST is packed full of some wonderful family dynamics, and diversity, too! While Zoraida admits in her author's note at the end of the book that she's invented much of the belief system for the brujas and brujos in her story when it comes to the deos and their actual magic, the cultural elements surrounding them are definitely rooted in reality and inspired by research and her own background, which I really loved! It was fantastic to get to see a diverse cast of characters, and I loved seeing the importance that their ancestors and family histories played in their lives! :D

Gotta love that snark! ;D

The other two big characters in LABYRINTH LOST are Rishi and Nova, and I loved them both, too!!! I'm not going to go into too much detail about these two because I think you need to get to know them for yourself when you read the book and I don't want to spoil anything, but I really loved what they each added to the story. I loved their dynamics with Alex, and they were certainly never boring. :P

Now that I've blabbered on about my love for Zoraida's fantastic characters, I've got to tell you about the story and the world-building! I thought that they were both absolutely superb!!! LABYRINTH LOST was the perfect coming-of-age story, and it reminded me of epic journeys where the hero has to discover themselves in order to return home and become the hero that they're meant to be. The magical elements and intricate world of Los Lagos really added to whole journey element, and I LOVED getting to see the world that Zoraida created!!! It reminded me of her previous trilogy, The Vicious Deep, which I loved! The world was extremely well thought out⎯it was intense, magical, and completely enthralling!!! I was reading it far too quickly, so I actually forced myself to slow down as I read, and that made me love it even more!! Once you start this book, you definitely won't want to put it down!

If it isn't obvious already, I loved LABYRINTH LOST, and am completely smitten with the world of the BROOKLYN BRUJAS! I can't wait for more of their world, and I was ecstatic when I heard that Zoraida would be writing more Bruja books!!! So, now that I've told you all about why I loved this book, I'm going to tell you that you should definitely read it! If you're a fan of magical stories and you love complex characters, intricate world-building and an abundance of diversity in your books, then you'll absolutely love the LABYRINTH LOST and the BROOKLYN BRUJAS, too! I seriously can't recommend this book enough...read it, read it, read it!!

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Q&A with Zoraida Córdova!

My Question:

The world of the Brooklyn Brujas that you've established in Labyrinth Lost and your Vicious Deep trilogy are intertwined (I may have squee'd out loud when I realized this after seeing Tristan's name :P)--did you always have plans to expand the world you first created in The Vicious Deep? If not, what inspired you? And are there other parts of the world you've created that you'd like to explore?

Zoraida's Fabulous Answer:

After creating the world of The Vicious Deep, I was left with characters who wanted their own stories. The Vicious Deep has more than merpeople. There are allies who are vampires and shapeshifters. Their stories are still to come. At that time, these brujas were still an idea. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to frame their story. Alex Mortiz and her sisters have been in my thoughts longer than Tristan and The Vicious Deep. Even though they exist in the same universe, borough, and school, I needed to tell Alex’s story completely separate from Tristan. Though, I am super glad that you caught the Tristan reference!

Going forward, I want this magical New York to have many layers. Book 2 in the Brooklyn Brujas series is going to be from Lula’s point of view. I’ve been toying around with the idea of bringing in some characters from Tristan’s book (not Tristan himself) into Lula’s story. It all depends on how well they fit into the plot line. At the end of the day, I have to be true to the worlds I’ve created.

 About Zoraida Córdova

Zoraida Córdova was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. She is the author of The Vicious Deep trilogy, the On the Verge series, and Labyrinth Lost. She loves black coffee, snark, and still believes in magic. Send her a tweet @Zlikeinzorro

Connect: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Yes!!! I absolutely loved Zoraida's answer to my question!!
Hearing that there are more stories from Zoraida's magical imagination to come has me so excited!!! And I'm glad to hear that the second Brooklyn Brujas book will be from Lula's POV. I was wondering if it would be Alex again, or if each book would follow a different sister, so I guess now we know! ;D

What do you think?

Are you as excited about LABYRINTH LOST as I am?
Does it sound like something you'd like to read?
If you've already read it, what did you think?
And who else got super excited to find out that Tristan and Alex's worlds are intertwined?
And what did you think of my Q&A with Zoraida?

LIFE ON THE LEVEL Blog Tour: #GuestPost, #Excerpt & #Giveaway!

Yay!! It's the release week for Zoraida Córdova's LIFE ON THE LEVEL!!! I have an awesome excerpt to share with you, and if you keep scrolling...you'll also find a giveaway to enter! Woo hoo!

LIFE ON THE LEVEL

On the Verge #3

Zoraida Córdova

Releasing Feb 23rd, 2016

Diversion Books

The tantalizing third book in Zoraida Córdova's steamy New Adult On the Verge series!

River Thomas was born a wild card. Her mother left before River hit puberty, and her alcoholic father raised her to have the best poker face in the city, but when he dies unexpectedly, River's already dangerous lifestyle spirals out of control. Six months sober, she relapses, and the resulting bender ends with her on the run from a guy looking to settle a score.

She wants to be better--needs to be better--before she ends up like her dad. The road leads her to Sun Valley, Montana, where she checks herself into a rehab center. But before her first night, she decides to go for a last hurrah, and the beautiful stranger at the bar is just what the doctor ordered.

She leaves before sunrise, and starts her ninety-day program, still thinking of his face. But her last hurrah with the guy of her dreams is also a counselor and extremely off-limits.

Their attraction is too strong to ignore, and soon she finds herself gambling with the one thing she never thought she would—her heart.

BUY NOW

Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

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Zoraida Córdova was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens. She is the author of The Vicious Deep Trilogy. She studied English Lit at Hunter College, and The University of Montana before finding a home for herself in the (kinda) glittering world of New York City’s nightlife. She prefers her cocktails shaken, her bacon crispy, and her men with a side of chivalry.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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ZORAIDA'S GUEST POST

CHOOSING MR. RIGHT

 River Thomas wasn't looking for a guy like Hutch. She's not in denial with the kind of person she is. Like so many people out there who struggle with substance abuse, it takes her a long time to admit she has a problem. It isn't until she hurts the people she loves that she realizes something has to change. Because of that, writing Hutch's character was natural. I knew I didn't want a knight in shining armor, though there are some allusions to just the opposite in the horse riding scenes. Hutch couldn't be River's insta-fix because, in the end, he's part of the problem. It's a precarious line to walk for the two of them. She's a addict. He's a counselor at her rehab center. I knew the man River needed would have to be the opposite of who she is. She's fire and he's rain. She's dark and he's light. She's hard all around the edges, and he's soft and willing to mold to her. It's a reversal of roles that was incredibly fun to play with. I hope readers fall in love with a River and Hutch, just like I did. 

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From Chapter 1

Zero days sober

“I hope the sky’s not the only big thing in Montana,” I whisper in his ear.

His full lips smile against mine.

“You’re a handful, aren’t you?” His voice is like the whiskey, burning right through me.

I pull away from him to get a good look at his face again. The dim blue light of Grizzly Country Bar frames his sharp cheekbones and strong jawline. He has dark eyes and darker hair that coils around the tips of my fingers. I’ve finally met a guy that makes my heart skip a beat.

I’ve been in town for a little less than two days, on the road to salvation. Actually, on the road to Sun Valley, Montana. Tomorrow, my life changes forever. Tonight, I’ll allow myself one last hurrah, and his name is—well, actually, I don’t know his name. But from the moment I set foot in the bar and saw him hunched over his beer, looking like he was just as lost as I was, I knew it had to be him—and only him.

I went right up to him, grabbed his beer, and took a swig from it. It was still frothy and cold. His midnight-black eyes went wide and a little angry. Then he looked me up and down, and his eyes softened. Unlike other guys, he didn’t linger at my long, suntanned legs. He looked straight into my eyes, and I didn’t look away for a minute.

“Hey, Trouble,” he said, an irresistible grin spreading across his beautiful face.

The rest of his body is solid, and even sitting down, he looks tall. I bet he’s one of those guys who rides around on horses, rounding up cows and stuff. Men aren’t built like this in New York. Salt of the earth and all that.

“Hey, kind stranger,” I said. “Can I buy you a drink, since I stole yours?”

He looked taken aback by the offer. Some guys don’t like aggressive girls, and even more girls don’t like aggressive girls. But what did I care? If he was into me, great. If he wasn’t, then it wasn’t meant to be. He looked a little nervous. He asked me my name, and I pretended the music was too loud. I loved watching him turn toward me. I asked if he wanted to sit in the corner booth for more privacy.

My heart skipped when he hesitated—just because a guy is smoking hot doesn’t mean he’s a manwhore. I put on my best mischievous smile, thrilled when he decided to follow.

And now we’re here.

I was surprised at how easily he talked about himself. I didn’t want to care. But I found myself smiling while he spoke. He was born and raised in Montana, and went to the U of M right here in town. He’s going to tell me what he does for a living, but the waitress comes over and drops off our next round. He wants to know too much. Asks too many questions. In turn, I’m super vague.

I’m from out east, I say, and he guesses New York because of the way I asked for water. I’m an only child, and an orphan. What do you know? So is he. Then we’re kind of quiet, and I feel something tight in my heart. He smiles so easily and reaches for my hand. I tell him, I’m just passing through. No, I don’t go to school. No, I don’t have friends in town.

He watches me like he’s trying to unravel a mystery, and I watch him because I want him to kiss me first. When he doesn’t, I kiss him. I press my lips to the corner of his mouth, and he watches me for a long while. It feels too intimate, but what do I know of intimacy? My skin flushes when he reaches for my long blonde curls. He brushes them over my shoulder. I see him trying to make up his mind. I see him convincing himself that this anonymous hookup is right.

“You look nervous.” I rest my back against the leather of our cozy little booth.

He chuckles. “I’m not used to putting on a show.”

A few locals nudge each other in the ribs. Waitresses eye us in their perfunctory ponytails and maroon tank tops two sizes too small, to get that perky and pushed up look. Or I should say, they eye me. It’s like I’ve taken something precious from them and kept it for myself.

My best friend Sky always reminds me that I don’t like to share. That goes for my fries and my men.

“Only when you’re sharking some dudes at pool?” I ask.

He cocks his head to the side and takes a sip of his beer. It’s local, and there’s a picture of a moose on it. It matches the moose head on the wall, among other mounted wild animals. This is the closest to nature I’ve been in a long time. Unless you count the squirrels that try to hijack my food in Central Park.

“I know what you’re doing,” he tells me, pulling my legs across his lap. “You’re trying to make me guess your name.”

It’s a funny thing—I don’t remember his name. I don’t know his birthday. I can’t figure out if his sign matches mine in any sort of astrological way. I don’t know where he got those cheekbones, that creamy skin, those callouses on his hands, or the scar right under his bottom lip shaped like a crescent moon. I don’t know any of these things, but I sure do love looking at him.

Sure, it’s not the first time I’ve been with a guy whose name I’m not too sure on. At least, I’m planning on being with this guy. At least, I know I want to. At least, until morning.

Morning. Tomorrow. Focus.

Think of the now. But isn’t the now what gets me into trouble in the first place?

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Enter to Win 1 of 5 Print Copies of 

LIFE ON THE LEVEL

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Zoraida is also hosting a Special Pre-Release Giveaway**

Enter Here

Don't Miss any of the On the Verge Series Romances

Follow the rest of the LIFE ON THE LEVEL blog tour:
http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/01/life-on-level-on-verge-3-by-zoraida.html

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Oooh!!! I LOVED Zoraida's guest post...and that excerpt, too!!! I've read the first two books in Zoraida's On the Verge series, and I'm SUPER excited to read LIFE ON THE LEVEL! 

What did you think of Zoraida's guest post and the excerpt?

And who else is excited for LIFE ON THE LEVEL?

Luck on the Line (On the Verge #1) by Zoraida Córdova (Audiobook narrated by Annie Greene)

Source: Received an Audible code from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: Audible Studios
Release Date: Already Released!
Format: Audible Audio


Description from Goodreads:

Despite her name, Lucky Pierce has always felt a little cursed. Refusing to settle for less or settle down, she changes jobs as often as she changes boyfriends. When her celebrity chef mother challenges her to finish something, Lucky agrees to help her launch Boston's next hot restaurant, The Star. Even if it means working with the infuriating, egotistical, and undeniably sexy head chef.

James loves being known as Boston's hottest bad boy in the kitchen, but if he wants to build a reputation as a serious chef, he has to make this restaurant work and keep his scandalous past out of the headlines. Getting involved with his boss' spoiled, sharp-tongued daughter is definitely not on the menu. As the launch of The Star looms and the tension and chemistry heat up in the kitchen, they're going to need more than a little luck to keep everything from boiling over.

This review is a long time coming. :P

I'm a huge fan of Zoraida Córdova's writing, and I was SUPER excited to read Luck on the Line! It definitely didn't disappoint! It's a fabulous start to a wonderful series, and it also happens to be the first book that I'd ever really listened to on audiobook!

I was pretty much an audiobook newbie when I first listened to Luck on the Line, and it was a fantastic book to start with! The narrator, Annie Greene, was absolutely amazing, and I loved her narration so much! It really added to the story. I think I would have loved Luck on the Line even if I'd read it instead of listened to it as an audiobook, but I definitely really enjoyed the audio. Most of all, I love that this audiobook kind of spurred my love for audiobooks! If you're looking for a great contemporary romance as an audiobook, this one would be perfect!

As to the story itself, I loved every second of it! I loved Lucky and I love, love, loved how her relationship with James developed! They're both extremely dynamic and strong characters so any moment they were together was interesting, and exciting! Their banter, their chemistry...everything between them was absolutely WONDERFUL!

This book not only cemented my growing love of audiobooks, but it also showed me that I totally love Zoraida's writing and characters no matter what genre she writes them in. Her characters and stories are vibrant, fun, and so addictive!

Overall, I loved Luck on the Line! It was a fantastic story with amazing characters, and it was also an absolutely exceptional audiobook experience! I highly recommend it in both print and on audiobook, especially to contemporary romance fans! Added bonus for any romance fans who love cooking and cooking shows since Luck on the Line also has a celebrity chef type thing going on! ;)

What do you think?
Does Luck on the Line sound like something you'd like to read?
And how do you feel about audiobooks?

Blog Tour Review: Love on the Ledge (On the Verge #2) by Zoraida Córdova

Source: Received an egalley through Netgalley to participate in blog tour and give an honest review.
Publisher: Diversion Books
Release Date: Already Released!
Number of Pages: 250 (Paperback)
Purchase Links: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks


Description from Goodreads:

Sky Lopez thought she had it all—the perfect job, the perfect relationship, the perfect life…until she discovers her not-so-perfect boyfriend has been cheating on her. So when her uncle asks her to help plan his Hamptons wedding, Sky jumps at the chance, leaving all of her “perfect” future plans in the rearview mirror.

The wedding doesn’t prove as good a distraction as she’d hoped, because when her relatives and friends find out she’s single, they put Sky in their match-making sights. Never mind that she’s only twenty four. Never mind that she doesn’t want to settle for anyone other than Mr. Right. Seemingly everyone in Sky’s life wants her to get married and have babies. Like, yesterday.

So when Hayden—a sweet, sexy roofer—plummets through the ceiling and practically falls into her lap, she can’t help but think that maybe nice guys do just fall from the sky.

Soon Sky finds herself juggling crumbling wedding plans, the cheating ex who’s trying to win her back, the cute plastic surgeon her family thinks is perfect for her, and the hot roofer she can’t seem to get off her mind.

As the wedding date draws closer, Sky will need to choose one—or none—to keep herself from falling off the ledge, and maybe into love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zoraida Córdova was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens. She is the author of The Vicious Deep Trilogy. She studied English Lit at Hunter College, and The University of Montana before finding a home for herself in the (kinda) glittering world of New York City’s nightlife. She prefers her cocktails shaken, her bacon crispy, and her men with a side of chivalry
.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

MY REVIEW

I listened to and loved the first book in the On the Verge series, and I was so excited to read this one!!! I really enjoyed Sky in Luck on the Line, so I was thrilled to get to see what happened to her in Love on the Ledge, and I was definitely not disapointed! Hayden kicks Bradley's butt anyday! :P

Love on the Ledge was amazing!!! I loved the characters, the story, the romance, the banter...absolutely everything!! The main character, Sky, was so refreshing and real. After going through a rough breakup, and being forced to reconsider her life, Sky was trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. I thought that was something that most people can relate to, I know that I certainly related to her! I also loved how Sky worried about what her family thought of her, and was conscious of their opinions, but when it really mattered, she stood up for herself. I loved that when push came to shove, Sky did what she thought was right! I'm definitely a HUGE Sky fangirl. :P 

I also just have to say that Sky's love interest, Hayden, was perfect!!! The way they met was so unique and memorable, and he was just such an absolutely wonderful man! It's so great to see a love interest who definitely has flaws, but is a nice, all-around great guy, and Hayden was definitely that! I especially loved how Hayden treated Sky. It's amazing to see a "nice" guy as a love interest, it really doesn't happen as often as it should. :P Sky's story actually begins in the book that comes before this one, Luck on the Line, so after we've seen Sky's history, Hayden is even more amazing!!! If you can't already tell, I'm a Hayden fangirl, too! :P haha

Overall, I absolutely loved Love on the Ledge! It was a wonderful story with fantastic characters! The romance was amazing, and the story itself moved at a really great pace. The entire book felt so natural, and it felt like I was right there in the story with Sky and Hayden! I'd recommend this one to Zoraida Córdova's current fans, and to readers who love romances that end on very, very happy notes!

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7 Winners will each get an awesome swag pack
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What do you think?

Does Love on the Ledge sound like something you'd like to read?

Review: The Savage Blue (The Vicious Deep #2) by Zoraida Córdova

 

Source: Received an arc from Raincoast books for an honest review.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages: 416 (Hardcover)

Blurb from Goodreads:

A storm is coming...

The ocean is a vicious place. Deeper and darker than Tristan could have imagined. Beneath its calm blue surface, an ancient battle is churning —and no one is safe.

In the quest for the Sea Throne, Tristan has already watched one good friend die. Now he must lead the rest on a dangerous voyage in search of the trident that will make him king. But while Tristan chases his destiny, the dark forces racing against him are getting stronger, and the sea witch of his nightmares is getting closer.

Battling sea dragons and savage creatures of the deep, Tristan needs his friends' support. But they each have their secrets, and a betrayal will force Tristan to choose between his crown and his best friend Layla — the only girl he's ever loved.

I've had this review also completely written for quite a while now, but have been procrastinating in finishing it all up, so I figured that with the final book in the trilogy releasing shortly, now was the perfect time to post it! I read The Savage Blue when I was in Mexico last year, and it was actually my first time being so close to the ocean and the first time I ever swam in it! My new experience gave me an entirely different feeling when I was reading the book, and it made it mean even more to me. I could picture everything more fully, and the story just completely enraptured me, and I didn't want the book to end...and instead I prolonged reading it for as long as I could during my vacation. 

The Savage Blue was an amazing sequel to The Vicious Deep! It took right off where the first book ended, and kept going at the fast pace that its predecessor had established! Along with the action, Tristan provided the constant humour and goodwill that encompasses this trilogy, and I had so much fun reading it! 

I absolutely loved the first book, but I loved this one, The Savage Blue, just as much, if not more! It was hilarious and had me constantly smiling and chuckling. It had me shocked, and heartbroken for the characters, and it had me completely riveted to every single thing that was happening on the page. I really do love this trilogy! The characters are fantastic, it's full of action, and it's hilarious! I also love Tristan as the protagonist. You don't read too many YA books with male leads, and I'm sure this is the only one where the male lead happens to be a merman...and I find that extremely refreshing! ;D

As soon as I finished reading The Savage Blue, I couldn't wait to read the next book, The Vast and Brutal Sea, and thankfully, the wait is almost over! :D It's a bit bittersweet because I love this trilogy and would love to have more of it to read, but at the same time, I really CANNOT wait to find out what happens next! :D 

What do you think of The Vicious Deep trilogy?

Have you started it yet?

 If you haven't, do you like the sound of a trilogy about mermaids, where the main character is a guy?

The Vast and Brutal Sea Blog Tour: Q&A with Zoraida Córdova

Today, I've got an extra special post for you! With the release date of Zoraida Córdova's The Vast and Brutal Sea approaching, I was lucky enough to be a part of the blog tour, and today she's let me ask her some questions...and her answers are pretty great if I do say so myself! ;D

Without further ado, here's my Q&A with Zoraida Córdova! My questions are in BLACK, and Zoraida's answers are in BLUE. :)

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Welcome, Zoraida! Thank you so much for answering my questions, and for stopping by my blog!

I just have to say that I am a huge fan of your Vicious Deep trilogy, and I absolutely love Tristan. I also find it extremely refreshing that you have a male narrator in your trilogy! Why did you choose to have a male main character? And did you have any inspiration for the epicness that is Tristan? ;)

When I decided I wanted to write the mer-story that I wanted to read, I knew I wanted to reverse the roles and have a merman. I was at Coney Island, tanning and reading, as you do. I remember checking out the lifeguard on duty who was young and beautiful and had these crazy blue eyes. He was totally a merdude ;) But really, I started to form Tristan’s backstory. Lifeguard. Coney Island (mermaid central). Urban setting with magical creatures. The return of the sea court. A wave. It all clicked.


Along with a fantastic main character, you’ve created an elaborate world for the mermaids embedded within our own. How did you craft such a unique world, and if you had any inspiration, where did it come from?

I had a friend tell me to write the mermaid story I wanted to read. I wanted to have a monarchy structure, and I wanted there to be a quest. These are tropes that are very familiar. Plus, I grew up on Disney. Other than that, I came up with my own mythology for the creation of merpeople. Why are there so many “sightings” and stories of merfolk ALL OVER THE WORLD? Because they travel on the Sea Court’s Toliss Island, duh. When the island arrives, only the members of the sea court who are granted the ability to shift back and forth between fins and feet can go inland. The Sea King’s trident is basically what keeps merpeople from going crazy and murdering ALL THE HUMANS.
 

With The Vast and Brutal Sea releasing shortly, how does it feel to be finished your Vicious Deep Trilogy?

Equal parts relieved, sad, and terrified. Relived because Tristan’s journey needs to come to an end. Sad because I really do love these characters. I want to write more about them. Terrified because I want people to love the ending. I hope I did these storylines justice.


What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music, brainstorm, etc.?

I sit on my couch. Type for a long time. Go on Twitter and Facebook. Then I move down to the floor (my poor back). When I feel stuck I do listen to music. It’s a great auditory bidet. Sorry, that’s a little gross. I’d like to think that I set goals. I’m all, YEAH 5K WORDS OR BUST! And then I have a measly 400 words. 


Now that we’ve learned a bit about your process, do you have any tips for other aspiring authors?

 It’s okay to write a measly 400 words. Write any words. Get them down on paper. And by paper, I mean your word document because chances are you won’t be able to read your own handwriting later on.

Read everything, and write always.


As a huge booklover, I am always looking for more books to read, so do you have any recommendations?

If you haven’t read Holly Black’s Urban Fairy Tale series (Tithe, Valiant, Ironside), then do. Amerlia Atwater-Rhode’s Kiesha’ra series is great if you love shapeshifter and high fantasy.

Gretchen McNeil’s Get Even Trilogy is on my HURRY UP AND RELEASE Goodreads list for fans of horror.


Finally, now that your trilogy is finished, what do you have planned next?

Right now I’m working on an NA contemporary romance about a college drop-out and a celebrity chef set in Boston. It’s called Luck on the Line and it’ll be published by Diversion Books on 11/10/14.

As for YA, I’m dabbling in the same magical Brooklyn as The Vicious Deep, but from other magical creatures.

About the Author:

Zoraida Córdova was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she learned to speak English by watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker on repeat. Her favorite things are sparkly like merdudes, Christmas, and New York City at night.


Links:  Twitter | Author Facebook | Series Facebook | Website | Tumblr | Series Tumblr | YouTube | Goodreads

THE VAST AND BRUTAL SEA,

 the final book in The Vicious Deep Trilogy, 

comes out July 1st!!!

Buy links: Indie Bound | B&N | Kobo | Books of Wonder

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Also, check out Zoraida's pre-order giveaway for The Vast and Brutal Sea!! :D

How the giveaway works: 

All you have to do it pre-order The Vast & Brutal Sea OR order a paperback copy of The Savage Blue any time until July 8th and you’re entered into the contest! After that everything else are BONUS points. Just remember to save your receipt to claim your prize! (INTERNATIONAL).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Is anyone else super duper excited for The Vast and Brutal Sea?

Did you enjoy the Q&A with Zoraida?

And if you haven't started The Vicious Deep Trilogy yet,
did the Q&A make you want to?

The Savage Blue Blog Tour: Tristan Hart's Bucket List!

TRISTAN HART’S BUCKET LIST
10. Eat an entire Junior’s cheesecake by myself. Merpeople don’t believe in dairy, apparently. And I don’t care how open minded I can be, I’m not going near whale milk.

9. Take my mom swimming. She hasn’t been to the ocean in 20 years.

8. Graduate high school. I know, kings don’t need to graduate high school. But it’s a right of passage... right?

7. Take a ride on Toliss Island around the world. It’s a good thing merpeople live a very long time.

6. Help the Landlocked. They’ve been on their own for so long.

5. Climb the parachute tower, all the way to the top, and scream, I’m the king of the seas.

4. But first, I’ve got to be king of the seas.

3. Put an end to Nieve, the sea witch. Family or not, she’s nothing but trouble.

2. I’m thinking about another tattoo. The first one was necessary to help me control my shifting. I want one on my own.

1. Tell Layla...

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About the books:

The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep #1)

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.
He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.
His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.

The Savage Blue (The Vicious Deep #2)

A storm is coming...

The ocean is a vicious place. Deeper and darker than Tristan could have imagined. Beneath its calm blue surface, an ancient battle is churning —and no one is safe.

In the quest for the Sea Throne, Tristan has already watched one good friend die. Now he must lead the rest on a dangerous voyage in search of the trident that will make him king. But while Tristan chases his destiny, the dark forces racing against him are getting stronger, and the sea witch of his nightmares is getting closer.

Battling sea dragons and savage creatures of the deep, Tristan needs his friends' support. But they each have their secrets, and a betrayal will force Tristan to choose between his crown and his best friend Layla — the only girl he's ever loved.

About Zoraida Córdova:

Zoraida Córdova was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she learned to speak English by watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker on repeat. Her favorite things are sparkly like merdudes, Christmas, and New York City at night. 

(Description from the author's website, here.)

Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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You can find the rest of the blog tour schedule, here, on Zoraida's blog.

 haha Tristan's Bucket List is definitely infused with his token sense of humour, and I think it tells you a lot about him even if you haven't already read The Vicious Deep or started on its sequel, The Savage Blue.

What do you think of Tristan's Bucket List?

 Have you started this series yet?

Any other thoughts to share? :)

Review: The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep #1) by Zoraida Córdova

Source: Received an egalley from Raincoast, Sourcebooks and Netgalley for an honest review.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages: 384 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

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I'm of The Little Mermaid generation...meaning I watched the movie at least once a month (in some cases a week :P) throughout my childhood, and ever since I have absolutely loved mermaids. The Vicious Deep takes it to a whole new level though, and the male narrator is certainly one of the reasons for that. :)

In most stories about mermaids...or rather merfolk, the mermaid is a girl and she's the narrator, but this one is totally different. I loved that, and I really enjoyed Tristan. He was pretty cocky and a jerk at times, but I actually really liked him. He was straightforward and he knew he could be a prick...which was kind of refreshing. It also helped that he was hilarious, and that most of the other characters were really funny too. :D I'm a sucker for great chemistry between characters, and for lots of jokes and The Vicious Deep had tonnes of both of those! I also really loved Tristan's best friend, Layla. I'm gonna keep mum about my feelings towards Tristan and Layla, but I totally loved the two of them together. Read into that however you like. :P

I also really loved the descriptions, and the way that the different species of creatures: mermaids, fairies, vampires, and an abundance of others were incorporated into our world. When Zoraida Córdova described things, I almost felt like everything was in technicolor and super vibrant. I think that finding theperfect balance with how you describe something is an art, and Córdova is excellent at it! :D There are so many times where you read something and it's so descriptive that you almost get bored with all the adjectives, but not with The Vicious Deep. Instead, you feel as if you've been submerged in the same world as Tristan, and you're just as mesmerized and overwhelmed with it as he is. I also love that Tristan's reactions are realistic. He's so confused, and he acts like a snarky and sarcastic teenager, which I found pretty amusing.

Along with the awesome descriptions, and characters, I loved the whole story in general. It was such an interesting plot, and while the story was very character-driven, it was also full of action. There was always something going on, or something to be figured out, and because of that, The Vicious Deep constantly keeps you on your toes! :D

Overall, I loved this one! So much! It's definitely on the top of my favourite reads this year, and I'm counting down the days until I can read the next book, The Savage Blue! :D I would recommend this to someone who loves mermaids, or even someone who isn't a mermaid fan. This book is so versatile with its male narrator and the action throughout, I think it would appeal to a lot of readers. It would also be great if you're a YA fan and are looking for an awesome story with a male lead. I know I personally like to mix it up and read a story with a male narrator every once in a while and there aren't too many YAs out there with them. :D

Have you read The Vicious Deep yet?
Are you a mermaid fan?
Does this sound like a book that you'd enjoy?

Purchase Links:
Book Depository: UK / US
Amazon: UK / US / Canada
Barnes and Noble