Saturday, October 18, 2014

Author Saturday Spotlight: Theo Fenraven *Excerpt and Giveaway*

One of the things I like most about Theo, as a writer, is how he seeks out new genres and masters them. In Theo's newest book, Weatherboy, he takes on YA... And succeeds! I've read this book, as I have read all of his work, and it's marvelous!

I have the cover, blurb, excerpt, my review, and a chance for ONE of you to win your very own copy.

Weatherboy isn't the first book Theo has written and I HOPE won't be his last! I will talk about his other work shortly. First let's look at Weatherboy a little, shall we?

Blurb:

After fifteen-year-old Tuck finds a Maya artifact while on vacation in Guatemala, his whole life changes. To his surprise, he discovers he can make it rain and snow. A local weatherman happens to be around when Tuck creates a waterspout near his home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and the next thing he knows, someone from the Department of Homeland Security is picking him up at school and taking him to their offices in Orlando. From there, things only get weirder and more dangerous when he’s escorted to Washington, D.C.

With help from friends and family, Tuck tries to outwit government agents while staying one step ahead of the mysterious Rafe Castillo, the man assigned to ride herd on him. Tuck has an amazing opportunity to reverse the effects of climate change… but only if he stays alive long enough to do it. 

Excerpt:

“Swim first, then study, ’kay?” Holly said.

Mick fell in behind her, but Tuck held back. “I’m gonna wait a bit for my pop to chill. I’ll be out in a minute.”

Mick trailed laughter. “We’ve had this discussion, Tuck. It’s called ‘soda’ down here.” A moment later, Tuck heard a loud splash and Holly’s giggles as she and Mick jumped in the pool.
 
“It’s pop,” Tuck said under his breath. Although he’d been in Florida five years, he still sometimes felt out of place even though there were lots of transplanted northerners here. Mick and Holly, however, had been born in Tarpon Springs. Tuck raised his voice. “I’ve seen snow! I’ve gone skiing and made igloos.”

“Who the hell cares?” Mick called back.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Tuck sulked. Wrapping his fingers around the talisman―something he’d been doing a lot since he’d taken to carrying it―he thought about his last day in St Paul. The house had been sold and their things shipped down to the new place on Bayshore Drive. It had been the fifteenth of January, and snow was falling hard enough they’d wondered if their flight would be delayed. The temperature had been fifteen degrees and falling. He remembered being really cold as they locked up and got in the airport van. He slid his thumb over the curves and lines on the talisman and briefly wanted to feel that cold again. There’d been something clean and refreshing about winter up there that was always missing in the Sunshine State.

“I wish it would snow,” he whispered into the empty kitchen. “For just five minutes.”

He grabbed his can of pop from the freezer, and the backpacks off the table, and joined his friends in the cage. Mick and Holly were horsing around in the pool, but when they saw he’d brought their homework, they made faces at him and climbed out, dripping on the flagstone. Mick had stripped down to his boxers, as threatened, and Tuck averted his eyes.

“Ugh, work,” Holly said, giving her shoulder-length hair a quick rub with a towel. “But after we finish, maybe we can hang at Howard Park. What do you say?”

“Food first. I’m getting hungry,” Mick said, flopping down in a chair at the patio table. “Think your parents would invite me to stay for dinner? Your father grills a mean hamburger.” Reaching into his pack, he retrieved his history book and opened it to the third chapter; rumors were a pop quiz on the material was scheduled for tomorrow.

“You’re always hungry,” Tuck teased, claiming part of the table for his math work. He reached for his Dew and froze; something that looked suspiciously like a snowflake landed on top of the can. “What the....”

They turned toward him. He pointed at the table, where more flakes had fallen.

Holly said, “Is that... snow?”

“Can’t be,” Mick said in a hushed voice. “It’s almost a hundred degrees out here, even in the shade.” He looked up. “Besides, we’re protected by the overhang. Even if it was possible, there’s no sky directly above us.”

Tuck inhaled sharply and touched the white stuff. It was cold and wet.

“It’s snow,” he said, “... and I think I made it happen.”

I KNOW I KNOW You're like, "WHOA!" Welcome to my world! It truly is a wonderful story. Although this isn't a review site, I do, on occasion, post my reviews IF I LOVED THE BOOK! So here's my review:

Review: 5 STARS

If you love YA you will love this book. If you don't like YA, read this book because you'll love it. Imagine having the power to change the weather. Imagine that power could change the world. Now imagine what would happen if the world knew you had it? Yeah... Intense. Tuck is power personified in this book. But as Voltaire said, with great power comes great responsibility. My heart broke for Tuck in this story. I always try to relate to characters while I read. It enhances the experience. He's a kid. 15-16 but to me, that's a kid. The weight of the world is on his shoulders. He's "newly" out and he's crumbling. I wanted to put him in my pocket.

The story itself is brilliant. Climate change is a HUGE problem. An issue we see in the news constantly. I've heard people say, "I wish I had the power to fix it all." It's about balance. To fix one thing, something must break. Theo does an outstanding job showing the balance. He does it in the most gripping and intense way. I really became consumed with this story. Tuck is a symbol in this book.

YA or not this book needs to be read by everyone. Spot on editing, creative, entertaining, and brilliant!
Pick it up today! 


As I stated above there is a giveaway to win your VERY OWN copy of this book. But, if you're anything like me you will want to buy it like NOW! So you can... It's exclusive to Amazon right now for 90 days so here is the buy link:
Weatherboy on Amazon 


OTHER BOOKS BY The Fenraven include
ALL Outstanding! He truly is an amazing writer. There's creative and then there's skilled creativity! I don't read Theo's work and roll my eyes. I don't question when he adds magic, or paranormal activity. I don't grunt in disbelief wondering if this was researched. IT ALWAYS IS! 
If Theo Fenraven isn't on your list of Authors to check out ADD HIM!
You can always subscribe to his blog, read the happenings in his life here: Theo Fenraven on Wordpress 
You can also check out Theo, and his books over at Goodreads: Theo on Goodreads 
NOW GIVEAWAY TIME!
One person will win a copy of Weatherboy. Contest runs until Friday October 24th! Winner will be emailed.  
Make sure to check out Weatherboy and all of Theo's books. Add this author to your must read list!

REMEMBER: REVIEW WHAT YOU READ!

GIVEAWAY:




a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments:

  1. I have heard of Theo but I haven't read any of his books. This book sounds really interesting and the excerpt was really good I've added the book to my wishlist.

    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for a terrific review! I'm looking forward to giving away a copy of Weatherboy to one lucky person. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the review and giveaway! I am new to Theo, but have heard a lot of great things about his books.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've read the first book in Precog in Peril (really enjoyed it) :)
    thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  5. My favorite Theo book so far is Transgression Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am new to Theo but I have heard many good things! Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like fun, I love young adult fiction.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love all of Theo's books and I'm looking forward to reading this one :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Precog in Peril series was fabulous as was Transgression.

      Delete
  9. Theo is a new to me author also! Great excerpt

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have a few of his books on my wish list, such as Wolf Bound as I have a bit of a thing for paranormal stories, so I am really grateful for a chance to win one of his books :)

    ReplyDelete