Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop!!

Hello and Welcome to my stop on the Midwinter's Giveaway Hop!! A big thank you to Mary @ Book Hounds and Kathy @ I am a Read not a Writer for putting this huge blog hop together!!  My name is Bisi Leyton and I write paranormal YA!  So what am I giving away here?  Why a $15 amazon card and an e-book copy of Wisteria....let's take a look at the  book:

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.

Eighteen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dirt People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows. 

Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.

Prologue - Excerpt

Thirteen months after the first official case of Nero Disease

“Wisteria, run!” Rebecca O’Leary screamed over the radio.

Wisteria Kuti whipped around and came face-to-face with the blood-red eyes of a hungry flesh-eating biter. The biter was a man, infected by Nero Disease, who had long lost his mind. He looked more animal than human and he wanted one thing—to feed on the flesh of uninfected people. The biter growled and staggered toward Wisteria.

She fled down the deserted road to the nearest house. The front door was locked. She kicked at the door, but it didn’t open. Taking out her handgun, she smashed through the window of the door.

“Ugh,” more biters growled behind her.

She spun around, fired once, and hit one in the head. She unlocked the door by reaching in and turning the lock. Once inside, she chained and bolted the door.

Crash—a biter smashed through another window into the house.

Wisteria’s heart jumped and she darted up the stairs as fast as she could.

“Get out of the house, Wisteria!” Rebecca radioed.

I’m trying.

A biter grabbed her ankle as she ran. Falling hard on the steps, she wailed in pain. “Ah.” No time to cry, Wisteria. She fired at the biter holding her. One bullet left.

Three more biters appeared below and started coming up the stairs. Leaping up, she sprinted to the top floor and dashed into the first open doorway that led to the master bedroom. Locking the door, she headed straight for the window.

The infected clawed at the door, tearing it apart and snarling as they entered.

Intrigued?  I hope you are!!  Enter in to win below and don't forget to hop on to these other great blogs!!!

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WInner!!

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by and entered to win!!  The winner of my giveaway was:

Susanna Davis!!  Congrads!!!

Christmas Paws Giveaway Hop!!

Hello!!  Welcome to my stop on the Christmas Paws hop!!  I'm author Bisi Leyton and I write paranormal YA, with a hint of zombie.  So for my picture...here is zombie kitty:

Isn't she cute?   She had her brain bites and is good to go..lol!   For my stop, I'm giving away a $10 amazon card and a copy of  Criteria......here is a small looksee:

A Wisteria Series Novella

For two and a half years, Fiona Butler and her best friend, Yumi, have lived in an abandoned private school that has become a safe haven for a tiny community of kids. Protected by Yumi's boyfriend, Jack, and his friends—the inner circle—from the bloodthirsty zombies and collapse of their society, the kids manage to survive.

But dealing with flesh eaters isn’t Fi’s only dilemma: she’s fallen in love with Jack and figuring out how to live becomes harder when she learns he’s in love with her too.

Their community is disrupted when four teenagers arrive seeking refuge. Fi has to choose between her longing for Jack or a chance at a new love that might lead to her expulsion from her safe haven.



Just fill out the rafflecopter for your chance to win!!! Don't forget to hop on through to these other great

blogs!!! And Don't forget to..........

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FREE This week on Amazon: Criteria

For two and a half years, Fiona Butler and her best friend, Yumi, have lived in an abandoned private school that has become a safe haven for a tiny community of kids. Protected by Yumi's boyfriend, Jack, and his friends—the inner circle—from the bloodthirsty zombies and collapse of their society, the kids manage to survive.

But dealing with flesh eaters isn’t Fi’s only dilemma: she’s fallen in love with Jack and figuring out how to live becomes harder when she learns he’s in love with her too.

Their community is disrupted when four teenagers arrive seeking refuge. Fi has to choose between her longing for Jack or a chance at a new love that might lead to her expulsion from her safe haven.



Amazon Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Criteria-YA-Paranormal-Romance-Wisteria-ebook/dp/B00CFB35D6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1384876327&sr=8-6&keywords=bisi+leyton


STOP BY AND PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY!!!!

Who Am I?

Who is this guy below? Simply leave a comment about the back story of this character. You can write anything like his name, hobbies, his home life, is he a clone, elf, does he see ghosts? I'm a paranormal writer, so the less crazier the better.

I'll pick my favorite comments and the winner will get a free copy of Criteria.

Entries close at 28th February 2013 at 12pm GMT.

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*The winner will be given an Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.de gift certificate of the value of the Kindle

Interview with Anita Okanigbe-John

Today I am honored to be hosting my friend and author Anita Okanigbe-John and to introduce her debut novel, Miracle in the Storm.

When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing inspirational quotes since my high school days. In 2011, I published my first book. I write because I believe that I have a message for the world and my books would be able to reach millions of people I can’t get to.

When did you first know you could be a writer?

In 2008, I knew without a shadow of doubt that I wanted to become a writer and I began to write short motivational stories.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

Memoir and non-fiction 

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?

My favorite quote is ‘you can achieve the extra ordinary; nothing is impossible' by Anita Okanigbe-John 

What is your greatest strength as a writer? 

My greatest strength is my imaginative mind 

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? 

Yes, I have. Usually, I would pray and draw inspiration from nature – birds singing, river flowing, gardens, trees, sky, and anywhere nature is at its best. 

Who designed the cover? 

Seun Salami (for Vine Media) 

Will you write others in this same genre? 

Yes 

Please tell us about your current release.

I have two new books that will be released in April, 2013 and they are titled – Midnight Cries and One White Lily 

What inspired you to write this book?

Midnight Cries was inspired by true stories of four young maids who were [attacked] while on duty. One White Lily, is a true story of an unlikely couple

Factoids
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

I think out aloud then type what I thought on the computer and modify it until it becomes perfect (while at it, I must have something to snack on). 

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I wanted to become a musician or an Actress. 
Anything additional you want to share with the readers? 

Watch out for my blogspot and my new books! 

Blurb
As the seventh daughter, Igho is rejected at birth by her father who desperately wanted a boy. At age eight, she is molested by her father's laundry man. Constantly being punished for crimes she did not commit, she secretly begins to long for a better home. Igho goes to live with her elder sister but soon begins to suffer domestic abuse from sister and sexual harassment from her sister's husband. Due to the psychological trauma resulting from the abuse, Igho drops out of high school and runs away from home at age seventeen. She begins to live on the street begging strangers for food, shelter and money. With the help of a youth Pastor, she finds a new home and gains admission into the university where she graduates with a second class upper degree. After two years of paid employment, Igho resigns from her job to start her own business. Now Igho has a business that is becoming a brand to reckon with and a ministry to help youths overcome their painful past.

Author's Bio

Anita is currently the CEO of Apex-Laurel Limited. A graduate of International Law & Diplomacy, Babcock University, Nigeria and Masters in Human Resource Management & Business, Aston Business School, United Kingdom. She is an Author, Speaker, Performance coach and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Her passion is supporting the underprivileged to gain control of their lives through education and making positive impact in the lives millions of abuse victims all over the world. She lives in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

You can find out more about Anita on her 

• Facebook page: http://facebook.com/AnitaOkanigbeJohn
• Twitter: @anitaokanigbe
• Website: www.apex-laurelgroup.com

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Please leave a comment below about the interview and leave a sign up for the Bisi Leyton Mailing List for a chance to win a copy of my latest novella Criteria.

Entries close 12pm GMT on the 25th of February 2013

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Character Interview with Bach From Wisteria.

(This interview was taken before the start of Book One)

Three years after the Nero Plague turned 80% of the world's people into flesh eating zombies, most humans barely understand what is happening around them. Our people are struggling to survive. Amongst this madness (and through the ages), a race known as the Family visit to watch the Earth die, out of a twisted pleasure.

Welcome! Today we’re interviewing Bach from new novel Wisteria. You can find out all about Wisteria on this blog, facebook or get it here.

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008XRI3BA
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008XRI3BA
Paperback Lulu: http://goo.gl/90mIF
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/257049
Barnes and Noble: http://goo.gl/rfS1J
Kobo: http://goo.gl/3Sjkv

Tell us about your family.

I have two older brothers, a father and a step-mother. My father is the Sen of my clan or Pillar. He leads our clan of a million people and is one of the seven Elders who guide our realm. This makes my brothers Sen-Sons and we work with our father ensure stability on our realm.

So, you’re like a prince?

No, I am more like the son of a governor.

And what should we call your people?

The Family.

Don’t you have a real name? The Family kind of sound generic?

Almost no one knows the ancient name of our people because we  find names too sacred to just say.

It is hard to see how easily your people throw names around.

Well you can’t feel that strongly about it, since you told us your name.

Bach is not my true name. I just told you, names are highly sacred. Like most of my people, I do not go by my actual name.

What is your actual name?

(He pauses) I will never tell you that.

The last person to actually say it was my mother shortly before the Terran’s killed her.

I’m sorry for your loss.

 I do not need your pity.

Still, that must’ve been the scariest moment of your life?

I do not get scared. I suppose if you were  be caged and tortured by humans for amusement and shortly after those same human’s murdered someone  you cared about, you would be terrified.

While that was a terrible time for me, I was not afraid.

I’ll move on to my next question. If you could apologize to someone in your past, who would it be?

(He frowns)

Unless you have nothing to apologise for?

You are right. I have nothing to apologise for and if I did why would I tell you Terran?

Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know?

I am a night person. I find the darkness and cooler air better for contemplating.

What makes you happy?

I will be happy once my Great Walk is done.

The Great Walk?

It is a 1,000 day journey away from our home realm. It is a rite of passage teenagers take to see more of the realms around them and develop the skills required to live as adults. Mind was to come to Terra, or Earth as you call it and watch the zombie destroy your world..

Wait you want to watch us get destroyed? Do you even care about your own safety? Eventually the zombies will come after you.

First the infected don’t come after The Family, because they cannot sense us unless we let them. Second I can control them telepathically—if I wanted to. Third, I’m immune to the Nero virus, so their bite has no effect on me and finally, I am faster and stronger than any Terran which means,  I would be able to kill a zombie long before it was even a threat to me.

Why don’t you help the humans?

Why should I after what they did to my mother? The Terrans created the virus, so they should figure out how to deal with it or it will deal with them.

You can’t mean that.

Did I stutter? The Terran’s killed my mother. I do not care what happens to them.

Isn’t here a single human you care about?

There was this girl when I was younger... No, the Terrans mean nothing to me.

Is there a piece of advice that you have received that has really stuck with you? If so, what was it?

It was something my father said, “The Family and Humans can never commune. That was the way it was in the beginning and the way is shall be forever.”

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For a chance to win a copy the latest Wisteria novel Aporia, please sign up for the newsletter here and leave comment below stating one thing you've learnt from the interview above.

I will select my favorite comment.

Entries close 5th February 2013 at 12pm GMT (London Time).

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Aporia (Wisteria Series #3)

Out Soon

The Third Book in the Wisteria Series by Bisi Leyton

Wisteria was forced to betray Bach in order to save his life. Two years later, his best friend and her blackmailer Enric shows up on the Isle of Smythe demanding she help the Family locate Bach's brother who has disappeared.

Dragged back into the center of the Family's politics, she searches for the missing Family member along with Bach who is still deeply bitter from her apparent callousness.

Traveling through the decaying human world, Wisteria and Bach uncover more truths about RZC Bio Technologies, Wisteria's complex family, Bach's mother and their seemingly impossible bond. And pay a very high price.

Sliding Scale of Antiheros

Rather than talking about Bad Boys, thought I'd go all out and discuss the beloved Anti-Hero.  I believe when it comes to down to it a Bad Boy is an anti-hero. We all know we should hate him and really part of does, but then we still can put the darn book down.

I was on TV Tropes's blog and came across this interest classification which I've summarized.

Bach from Wisteria

1. The Classic

An classic anti-hero is a protagonist lacking the typical heroic characteristics like loyalty, honor, duty, and in the case of some of the bad boys kindness. Sometimes the a guy (or girl) falls into this category due to a checkered past they are trying to escape. At the end of day, the antihero still believes in the cause. He will try to save the day because it is the right thing to do. His methods just might be less than perfect questionable, but no one gets hurt.

Ladies love him because he's just misunderstood

2. Pragmatic Anti-Hero
A lot darker than the first antihero. He wants to do good, does so using questionable methods. He'll whatever it takes to get the job. Sure a few people get hurt on the way, but they were bad guys and probably deserved it. He's not a killer, but might cross the line by accident if he doesn't stop.

Ladies love him because we want to change him

3. Vicious Anti-Hero

Amadeus from Unwish

He has undergone some gut wrenching ordeal that has made him bitter out for revenge or blood. Nothing will derail him from fulfilling his mission not even his love for the leading lady. His revenge or mission drives his bloodlust or the manner in which he treats those around him. He will do what it takes to stop the villain and where necessary they are prepared to kill, but this serves to make them more tortured and unstable. There is some teeny-tiny hope he will grow into the classic hero, but in reality there's an almost fifty-fifty chance he'll become just scrape to the Dangerous Anti-Hero or descend into a Hero in Name only.

Ladies love him because we love tortured souls and deep down he's a little boy who's momma left him

4. Hero in Name Only

The only thing that makes this guy a hero is the villain he's fighting is worse than himself. He has no redeeming quality whatsoever and really for the story to work, he has to be that way. Simply put, he is the lesser of two evils as not only are his methods despicable and his motives are too.

Ladies... and girl with him is probably long dead.

For more on this check out: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SlidingScaleOfAntiHeroes

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Why do you like bad boys?

Please answer below and include your email address.

The best answer will win an Advanced Copy of Aporia (Wisteria Series #3)

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Winner: Vicky

Paranoia - Free Wisteria Short Story!

Sign up for our newsletter and get the Wisteria short story, Paranoia free!

Zola, Dale and Cheryl crash land on a mysterious Isle of Smythe.  Immediately her boyfriend, is taken by the shady residents under the direction of the dictatorial Major. It is up to Zola and her friends to find him and escape the island that is determined to turn everyone in slave

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It's all about the Fair Folk

One thing I loved about vampires were the rules: stay out of the sun, no reflection and only come in if invited. Now, everything is changing and while change is good for the soul, sometimes I miss what once was. 

Luckily with Fairies  not a lot has changes yet. So for the sake of memory lane, I am listing a few of the rules of the Fair Folk we called Fairies.

And for those who've read the Wisteria Series, you might recognize a few of these traits in Bach's people.

As Fairies are mythical creatures, the rules will sometimes contradict each other, but hey...

1. Fairies cannot produce music, but they love it and are often found around live music.
2. For the Fairies who can make music or art they often teach humans in exchange for animal sacrifices
3. Fairies do not lie, but can be selective with the truth
4. They steal babies and switch them with their own. These switched infants are often called Changelings
5. While they all have names, they don't offer them up freely as knowing a Fairy's name give you power over her
6. Cold Iron is like kryponite to a Fairy
7. They are magical creatures and their main business on earth is to cause mischief
8. A fairy are generally good humored, but will do horrendous things to a person once she is upset.
9. They have green eyes 
10. Not all accounts held that Fairies were tiny people with wings. Some believed Fairies were tall and majestic human like people.

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Leave your own rule about fairies below (Existing or made up).

Please let me know if you made it up yourself or actually did a bit a research.

Include your email address.

I will select my favorite rule (one I will work into the last Wisteria Novel).

The winner will get an advanced copy of my new Wisteria short story (Criteria)

Contest Closes 12pm GMT on 15 January 2013

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Character Interview with Julian from Her Game His Rules

http://www.iamareader.com/2012/10/happy-new-year-2013-giveaway-hop.html

Today it’s all about HER GAME, HIS RULES, a breathtaking upper YA romance, and the enchanting heroes of the story.

The book is brand new, just one week old, and some of you may have already adventured the sweet love evolving around teenager Jona and guardian angel Julian.
I’m happy to introduce Julian to you today, who agreed to join me so I could ask him a few questions. And ladies, if you thought him hot in the novel, you have no idea what a cupcake he is in reality…   But let’s not waste time making the man flush with compliments when I know you all are burning to hear what he says.
B: Julian, you’re an angel. But you don’t look a day older than 20. As far as we know, angels go way back. So, how old are you really?
J: If I told you that, you’d probably keel over. My girlfriend did. Ha ha. But I’m a good few millennia old.
B: Okay, that’s quite a span of time. In all the time you’ve existed, have you ever dated a human?
J: Apart from Jona? Never. And she was well worth the wait. (Julian grins)
B: And now I know why Jona’s heart flutters every time he does. Fine, let’s move on. What do you like about human girls that you don’t find in angel girls?
J: I value their ability of being short-tempered and sarcastic at times, something you’d never find in an all-loving angel. It’s fun to sit back and watch Jona in action. Very entertaining.
B: Short-tempered and sarcastic. Not everyone’s favored trait in a partner, I would say. So tell us, do you have any pet peeves?
J: I don’t like liars. Nothing can ever be so bad as not to come out with it straight forward.
B: I see that, and I totally agree. So here I have a few questions from readers who asked me to get them answered in this interview. Ladies, here you go:
Hugs or kisses?
J:Jona gives amazing hugs, but I’d die to kiss her right now. With a little stop in time, I can enjoy her all the more. So definitely kisses.
B: If you could choose between being a human and an angel, how would you decide?
J: Oh no… (he laughs) You will have to read our story to find out.
B: What is the hardest thing about being in a relationship with a human?
J: Patience. Definitively, and nothing else. As an angel you have en mass of it. Humans mostly don’t. Jona—no way. Ever since she found out that life is too short to waste a single minute, she’s dragging me everywhere, making me try everything, taste whatever exotic food she’s holding in my face. Then again, the girl is just lovely when she’s on a roll.
B: Are you romantic?
J: Hmm, I like to believe I am. But not in a bring-her-flowers-and-candy way. I think a lot about what could make Jona happy and would be good for her soul. Our first real alone-time on the beach was well thought through. Although, I didn’t expect it would end in a kiss. A win-win situation. Ha ha.
B: Oh, this laughter is infectious. Is there anything Jona doesn’t like about you?
J: She never lets me wear ball caps. Don’t understand why. I look cool with a ball cap. Really.
B: Favorite quote?
J: Seriously? Without having a book of quotes with me? I see your readers are of the hard-nut kind. But I wouldn’t be an angel if I didn’t know my math, right? (He winks)
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a ride!” by Thompson
B: Definitely something to live by and remember. Next one. If you could name a star, what name would it be?
J: If I said Jona, it would sound a little apparent, right? So I think I’d name it…Princess.
Okay, I think we came to the end of our questions. Thank you very much for coming. And here’s a final note to the readers: if you have any questions you want to ask Julian personally, please feel free to post them in a comment. I’m sure he will answer them for you.
If my chat with Julian intrigued you and you want to find out more about him and his lovely girl, please check out Piper Shelly’s website for more information on the romance.
http://www.pipershelly.com
The book is available on Amazon, Barns & Noble, the publishers website http://www.blackopalbooks.com and many more online stores. Or maybe you want to check with your local book store and ask for the title.

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Please leave a comment and sign up for the Bisi Leyton News Letter for Chance to Win a copy of Myopia.

Entries close 12pm GMT on the 8 January 2013

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Winner: Wwe11