Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Funny Fruit Blog Tour! (+$15 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Funny Fruit
Author: Grant/Gary Reed
Series: Vellian Heroes #1
Pages: 338
Date Published: 2015
Publisher: N/A
Format: Kindle
Genre: Fantasy/Comedy
Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
Buy Me!

Synopsis:
After ninety years of warring, exploring, and saving the realm, brothers Yarl and Fonn, must take up the title of Master again. If they don’t, someone else will surely steal all the fame, glory, and fertile women. How will they ever train new apprentices, save the kingdom, and still find time to fit in that extra order of chicken wings? Make no mistake, the old Masters have a lot to pass on and only a short timeframe to do it.
Will young Garrett flourish as an apprentice Sworvei? Can his partner Azilda master the ‘Nesting Nightingale’? And who in hell invited the ogres?


Join this rag-tag group of ‘Protectors of the Realm’ to see if they can pull off the biggest upset of the Continental Games, by saving young King Renli from the clutches of the evil First General.
~Interview with Grant!~
Where do you dream of traveling to and why?
I have never left Canada so really anywhere would be nice! For some reason I have always wanted to go to Greece. Maybe because of all of the Greek myths? I’m not really sure, I just think it would be an awesome trip. My wife and I celebrated our 20th year together this January, and we were planning to go on a trip (hadn’t decided where), when I started a new job. So we have some money put aside and we‘re going to go somewhere this coming winter!

What does your significant other and family think of your writing career?
My wife has always been very supportive of my efforts to write. As I mentioned we have been together twenty years, and she has never complained about my writing efforts. I wrote my first novel – Shadow of the Makarios when my daughter was first born. I was between jobs and was a stay at home dad for about two years. Still one of my happiest times, and a novel I am very proud of.

Does your significant other read your stuff?
Yes. She is usually one of the first of two people to read a novel when I am done it. It’s either my wife Robin or Gary who gets first dibs. Robin also helps me work my way through a novel as I plan it out. She helps me work out the kinks…or at least listens to me blab on until I have figured it out (this usually takes several evenings of walking for each kink!!)

How do you describe your writing style?
My Vellian books are light hearted fantasy novels. You could say they are humorous and whimsical and family friendly. Shadow of the Makarios (Standalone) is a darker more epic novel, I would classify as a traditional fantasy novel more in the vein of Tolkien’s work.

Do you hear from your readers? What kinds of questions do they ask?
Actually no. I always make my email available in the books, and on my webpage, but really I don’t get very much mail (okay none). I haven’t sold a lot of copies and have given more away than I sell (I have given away thousands of copies during various promotions), but I am still open to be contacted. There was an author I would have loved to have contacted, but alas his email address wasn’t available to me. I wanted to tell him how much his writing meant to me, and how he changed my life, but now he has moved beyond the reach of man…so if you want to ask me something don’t be shy (Not that I plan on going anywhere…!) reedg06@outlook.com

What do you think makes a good story?
For me I like something that is intelligent (It has to make sense without any story holes) and it has to have lots of gritty action! I don’t mind political jousting or a good battle of wits, but give me a rousing sword fight every so often.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Actually in a new development as of last year, I started listening to the classical music channel on the satellite in an effort to drown out the noisy kids and dog. I enjoyed it so much I wrote the entire 3rd volume of my Vellian Mysteries, with it on in the background. Heh, now that I think about it, the novel is about the theft of a violin. I guess it worked on many levels!


You just won a huge lottery what is the first thing you'll buy?
I’d pay off my house. Then I’d pay off my mother’s house. Then….I don’t know, I’ve always heard it is better to give than to receive.
~Try an Excerpt!~
“His name is James Lacie. Once he was one of the top alchemists in Cassadia. He was highly sought after for his many time-saving inventions and numerous elixirs. At any given time his shop carried wart remover, air fresheners, love potions, and something closer to that which you seek.”
Miss Mia turned back to her mirror and dabbed at her rosy cheeks again, humming to herself. Milo reached to his belt and produced a small leather bag. Opening the pouch he emptied it into the palm of his left hand. A pair of opal earrings spilled forth. “Closer to that which I seek, you say?” he inquired.

“Yes, a chemical fruit that when eaten would unknowingly render the eater susceptible to suggestion. A great party favourite a few years back. The unsuspecting victim would eat the fruit and was then told to cluck like a chicken or act like a coconut. Its effects would sometimes last the duration of a good party.”

“Yes, the gag would be much funnier if the victim was unsuspecting,” mused Milo. “Tell me, where can I find this James Lacie’s shop?”

“He no longer has one,” replied Mia. “It had something to do with a potion mix up. The king’s cousin ended up falling in love with a sheep, as I recall. The royal family was not impressed, and you know how the Chronicle can be when it gets its hands on what it deems to be a front page story. Ruined the man’s career, or so I’m told. Anyway Mr. Lacie has been on the lam ever since.”

~Meet Grant and Gary!~ 
Grant Reed has a background in business management, computer programming, and computer networking. He would much rather be out fishing though, so he spends his time writing and exploring the lakes in his back yard of Canada. He lives in Lively Ontario, Canada with his wife Robin, and their two children Aidan and Megan.

Gary Reed, his wife Kerry and their two children, Hannah and Kailey also live in Lively Ontario, Canada. And yes, he spends his time exploring the countryside too. Photography, fishing, and playing with his girls are amongst his interests.

Grant and Gary Reed will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

36 comments:

  1. Thanks for having us on your site today. - Grant

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  2. I enjoyed the interview and the excerpt!

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  3. You're very welcome. Good Luck!

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  4. Looks like an interesting book ;)

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  5. Great interview, I hope you get to take that trip!

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  6. You bet! There's no stopping us now, and... I'd never hear the end of it if we didn't!! LOL

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  7. I have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.

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  8. My pleasure, Patrick! Thanks for having a look.

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  9. The synopsis had me laughing - a good sign.

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    1. Well, thanks! I'm glad you had a chuckle!

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  10. What an awesome cover! Thank you for the great post and contest!

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  11. Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?

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    1. When I am able to write, I usually like to get up around 6am. Then I write until I have completed at least 6 pages. Sometimes I am done by 10am, and sometimes I am still chugging along at 2pm. It's all fun though!

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  12. I enjoyed the interview, sounds like a good book, thanks for sharing!

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  13. Interview interesting...humor always a plus in a book. Sounds good, thanks for sharing!

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  14. "... I started listening to the classical music channel on the satellite in an effort to drown out the noisy kids and dog...."
    I can totally relate. I began listening to an LP (yes, I'm that old) with instrumentals from Around the World in 80 Days whenever I was doing homework, especially during long projects. You don't have to give outside thought to the words playing, and can instead focus on your own words playing in your head!

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  15. yes indeed! It was a nice experience. I haven't written much in the last year or so, but when I start up again, then I will flip to the classics!

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  16. Living in Canada I bet the fishing is great and my boyfriend would love fishing so much he would love to travel there for the fishing and hunting.

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  17. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  18. Katieoscarlet - Gary and I just went fishing a couple days back. Your boyfriend can check this out if he likes !! We love fishing!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFAZYjemGR0

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  19. Replies
    1. The Rigante Series by David Gemmell! Heroic Fantasy at its best...

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  20. I love historical books. Do you find yourself drawn to a particular era?

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    1. Not particularly no. When I write in the Vellian books, they take place in their own world that is not based on ours as far as timelines go, but I do like to keep their inventions to the 18th century or so...barring magical interference of course ;)

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