Author Interview & Giveaway: Wanita May

    Wanita May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario - St.Catharines.  Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy.

   The youngest of six -- four older brothers, and a sister --  taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.

   At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump.  She continued to compete, breaking Canada's JR High Jump record (1.92m - 6' 3 1/2" for those metric-ly challenged).  She attended University of Toronto, and Kansas State University - winning CIAU's and becoming All-American 6x - NCAA Indoors Runner Up + more.

  But you're not interested in her athletic career - unless of course you're curious to know she stands 1.70m (5'7") and has jumped 20cm over her head on more than one occasion. She's represented Canada at the World Championships, World Jrs., won Francophone Games, and loved every minute of every competition.  From the grueling workouts, the crazy weights she lifted on her back, the days she thought her lungs were going to spit out of her mouth for lack of oxygen, the travelling around the world and the opportunity to read - her favourite past time.

   Life continued with her husband (a distance runner from Liverpool, UK, who she met at KSU) and then their first, then second and finally third child.  Their house became full of more imagination and stories.

  After her father passed away in 2008, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again.  A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.

   Her first book, Rae of Hope - from the Chronicles of Kerrigan - is published through Mitchell Morris Publishing.

  She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.

-Favorite reads? 

Usually whatever I am currently reading.  I am a fan of  YA, Fantasy, Paranormal. I don't think I could pick an absolute favourite.  If I had to pick something I've read the most - it would be the Narnia series by CS Lewis :)

-Inspirations for the book? 

My Father - he passed away in 2008 and before he died, we had a conversation that reminded me how much I wanted to write.  So I did... and Rae of Hope is a result of that.

-Did you know you wanted to be an author when you were little?
I did :) But I also wanted to go to the Olympics :)


-Chocolate or Peanut Butter?
Both, preferably.  Or ENGLISH CHOCOLATE ... its SO yummy!


-Is there a soundtrack to the book / Favorite music?  
My editor and I came up with a play list that is at the back of the book. :)


-Do you need anything to write?(ex. snacks, music, slippers) 
 Just the time/ability to concentrate.  I seem to write best during the evenings and do my brainstorming during the day. 


-How long do you write on any average day?
I spend probably a minimum of 2hrs a day with writing - that isn't just straight writing. I consider the editing, website, social feeds, etc... all part of the writing process. 


-Give us the number one reason to read your book.
'Cause it's got a unique storyline with a fantastic twist. 


Author Info:

FB:  Wanita May  (or you can like my Author page: WJ May)

Twitter: @wanitajump

Website: www.wanitamay.yolasite.com

Blog: wanitajump.wordpress.com 

      Wanita May has donated an ebook copy of her fabulous book, Rae of Hope, for a giveaway! See my review here.

   How hard do you have to shake a family tree to find out the truth about the past?

    Fifteen-year-old Rae Kerrigan never questioned her family’s history. That is until she accepted a scholarship to Guilder Boarding School in England. Guilder is an exclusive, gifted school. Rae has no idea what she is getting herself into or that her family’s past is going to come back and taunt her.     She learns she is part of an unparalleled group of individuals who become inked with a unique tattoo (tatu) on their sixteenth birthday. The tatu enables them to have supernatural powers particular to the shape of their ink-art. Both of her parents were inked, though Rae never knew, as they passed away when she was young. Learning about her family's past, her evil father and sacrificial mother, Rae needs to decide if there is a ray of hope in her own life.

*Giveaway*(International)

Ends 1/12

Mandatory:

 Follow this blog through GFC

Extra: 

Follow Wanita May on Twitter (+1)

Like Wanita May's author FB page (+1)

Follow Wanita May's Blog (+1)

Book Review: Rae of Hope by W.J. May

       Rae of Hope is the debut novel of author W. J. May.
Cover Blurb:
How hard do you have to shake a family tree to find out the truth about the past?
    Fifteen-year-old Rae Kerrigan never questioned her family’s history. That is until she accepted a scholarship to Guilder Boarding School in England. Guilder is an exclusive, gifted school. Rae has no idea what she is getting herself into or that her family’s past is going to come back and taunt her.     She learns she is part of an unparalleled group of individuals who become inked with a unique tattoo (tatu) on their sixteenth birthday. The tatu enables them to have supernatural powers particular to the shape of their ink-art. Both of her parents were inked, though Rae never knew, as they passed away when she was young. Learning about her family's past, her evil father and sacrificial mother, Rae needs to decide if there is a ray of hope in her own life.


      I read the summary and was hooked, what an interesting idea! This book in no way was a disappointment.
        Rae(main character) felt very realistic, and I loved the fact that, even though she was a very strong lead, she still had several insecurities and "personal demons" that she needed to deal with. In many books the main character is usually somewhat tempted by evil, however Rae always considered the greater good and was willing to give up her life for the world. Her roommate, Molly, made a fun quirky friend, and Devon (romantic interest) was exactly what a knight in shining armor should be, while not being stuck-up about it.
Characters: 4.5 Stars
        As far as car chases and big battle scenes go, this book was rather quiet. But the plot kept my interest quite easily with Rae's self-development and the powers all students of her school receive on their sixteenth birthdays. Towards the later end of the book the story really picked up with a big twist that I had not idea was coming! For a while it was hard to tell who to trust! But I was very satisfied with the ending. It tied up nicely while still leaving openings for a sequel.
Plot: 4.3 Stars
    W. J. May's words flowed and kept the story from becoming dry. It didn't feel like scenes were thrown into the book just for the heck of it. Everything had a purpose in furthering the plot, and though this was a debut novel it didn't read like one at all.
Style: 4.7 Stars

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Source: From Author for Review
Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal
YA Fiction

Author Info-
Twitter: @wanitajump
Website: Wanita May