Crazy Four Books : VBT: Review, Giveaway and Interview with Fumi Hancock author of The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra's Nest

Book Description:

What would you do if you found out you inherited an ancient familial curse?

When free-spirited and more than a little rebellious, seventeen-year-old Jewel Cardwell gained admission to Grayton Preparatory School, a prestigious, girls-only, top-notch private institution nestled in the South African farmlands of Limpopo, little did she know it would begin a trail of mysterious and unfamiliar events, changing her life forever! At Grayton prep, a battle line is drawn between ‘good and evil’ especially when there’s a full moon and dark forces swirl and turn up in the form of hideous monsters and frightening demons. With her school fre-nemies, rivalry and treachery become the order of the day and Jewel is forced to question everything she thought she knew as she struggles to stay alive in a dubious place riddled with demonic activity!

Armed with a magical secret from her dying grandmother, a golden locket, she sets a new course in motion. In the middle of this whirlwind of events, she is caught between two boys: Darwin Morton, a lad she's known growing up, and Eric Broder, a soccer team leader with a silver spoon in his mouth. Why her love life has to get interesting now is a question she can't answer!

“I welcomed death with open arms, closed my eyes and listened as the aircraft made rattling and shaking sounds through the dreary weather. If this was my time to go, I would embrace darkness, as I had nothing else to lose.” -- JEWEL CARDWELL

Will Jewel be able to solve the mystery before evil is unleashed against those she loves?

The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest

Grimmlyn Series: Book 1

Author: Fumi Hancock

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy & Romance Fiction

ISBN-13: 978-1475945379

ASIN: B009E0M3RK

Word Count: 96,567

Cover Artist: PhatPuppy Art

Book Trailer

Purchase links: Amazon / Smashwords / BN

About the Author:

Fumi Hancock is a walking example of how an ordinary person from a shackled life of broken promises and shattered dreams can live a fulfilled destiny. After twenty years of dropping her pen, she picks it right back up again by releasing the first in the Grimmlyn Series: The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest.

Though graduated with a postgraduate degree in communication arts, and undergraduate degrees in English studies and nursing, she ascribes her writing to her life experiences, which were many times challenging. According to her, the protagonists and antagonists in her novels often come from the darkest moments of her life—a tribute to the fact that something good can come out of mysterious and difficult circumstances, if we choose to turn our challenges around. Age is merely a number where success is concerned. She also pulls some of her characters from her travels around the world—in particular, exotic Africa—uniquely weaving her tales.

Fumi loves to write for young adults, particularly urban fantasy, and paranormal fiction with a touch of romance. She aspires to one day write a mystery/detective novel for the adult audience. But for now, she is content with her young adult audience. With her background in nursing, she gently nurses her unusual characters to life for her readers to enjoy.

She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Dr. David Hancock, and her two grown sons, Bola and Demola Thompson. She cherishes her two stepdaughters, who reside in Michigan.

Q&A / Behind the scenes / Her Youtube Channel

Blog / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

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Here is what Fumi Hancock said when I interviewed her:

What is your favorite thing about writing?

Wow! Awesome question…. Just having the ability to go places I may have never been before through research and “in my head”. In addition, writing has provided me with the avenue of speaking out louder than I would have in my normal daily living.

In what scenario do you do your best work?

I work best when in the stillness of the early mornings… my creative juices thrive around 2.30 am until 7am. After that, I am not sure I would be able to write to save my own life!

Breakfast, lunch or dinner which meal is your favorite?

For a gal like me who loves to eat, not sure if this question is fair… But be it as it may, I will choose lunch as it will give me time to walk it off my waist before hitting the sack.

Who is the first person you call with good or bad news?

I get on my knees and meditate; then I call the youngest of my sisters.

What type of cookie is your favorite?

Give me chocolate cookies and I’ll be sold on anything.

Hardback, paperback, or ebook?

I love the authentic look of a hard copy. With my book, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra Nest, those who have the hardcopy have told me time and time again, how much they love its “antique style”… some went as far as saying it is a collector’s item as the back cover also has endearing rendition of a scene from the story.

What types of books do you like to read?

I love fantasy, with a uncommon wicked magic and a touch of paranormal romance. A story with adventure is not bad either but make sure it is part of a series that I can sink my vampire-ish teeth into. :D

What type of music do you listen to?

I love Jazz & Blues. Those saxophones turn my head in crazy little ways. I remember falling in love with a Jazz player in my elementary school. I probably would have ran away with him, if I knew what the heck I was doing and if he was my age…eight --)

If you could talk to one person (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

I would want to talk to my great-great grandfather, King Odundun who reigned as an African King in the western region of Africa in the 1800s. I would have loved to find out where he got the courage to fight, conquer and create a whole kingdom. My trip back to Africa over 6 years ago, after leaving the continent almost 30 years ago was inspiring. They have opened me up to lots of questions and have actually inspired the writing of my Young Adult Fantasy, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest.

Inside or outside?

Keep me indoors all day with a cup of hot cocoa and my laptop; and you’ll have a happy camper in your hands.

What is your favorite part of the holidays? Least favorite?

My favorite part of the holidays is when my family and I sit in a circle reflecting on the year, being truly grateful for friends, family and all of life’s gifts. It is a time when my family would come together to celebrate one another and exchange gifts.

My least favorite part is when it is time for everyone to go to their various places. Some of my family members live in Africa while others are in the US yet so far apart. As I write, my home is beginning to buzz with the arrival of my family members from afar, in preparation for Thanksgiving holiday.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When I am done in the kitchen, I love making sure that the sink is completely wiped dry. I hate it when I walk into my kitchen and find water splattered across my dry sink. Whooosh! I feel icky, just thinking about it now. This continues to be a bone of contention in my household.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

Thank you so much for having me.

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My Thoughts:

What an awesome way to travel! I feel like I've been to South Africa. I really enjoyed the scenery.

I felt a little bit of a Harry Potter vibe as I was reading. I loved HP so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this book as well. The plot had a little of everything romance, evil, secrets, magic, action, mystery and more!

I had moments that confused me but I'm hoping that maybe I will find my answers in the next book.

I would definitely recommend this to others who like YA paranormal books.

I received a copy of this book from Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for my honest opinion. Honestly I liked it a lot and can't wait for the next one!

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