Hello Book Lovers! Today on my blog I have the Jaclyn and the Beanstalk tour. On my stop there is a spotlight, excerpt, review, and giveaway.
What fate awaits a girl who hears monsters at night…
Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn looks up to her father. An honest man who once fought for the king, he now teaches Jaclyn how to use her wits—and her sword.
But he has a secret. And his secret may have a connection to the one thing Jaclyn is hiding from him.
Upon hearing “monsters” are terrorizing the small villages around Black Mountain, Jaclyn’s father and his friends head out to hunt them … but they don’t return.
Armed only with her sword and three magic beans—a gift from a mysterious old woman—Jaclyn sets out for Black Mountain to save her father.
On her climb, one bean drops and grows into a beanstalk, catching her when she falls.
She isn’t the only one that takes the ride. Jack, her childhood friend and secret crush, is following her.
Jaclyn and Jack will have to work together to save not only their fathers, but the townspeople the beasts plan to lay waste to before it’s too late.
Excerpt:
I
reached out, and just before I touched the brush, the old woman grabbed my
wrist. Her probing fingers seemed to be seeking something. I gasped and jerked
away from her sharp nails and the coldness of her touch.
“I apologize.” I tugged at my
sleeve, even though it was already down, for fear she had seen my birthmark.
Her hood shifted and her dark, snapping
eyes assured me she had. But when she peered up at me with a small smile, she
eased my mind.
“Have a care, please.”
Her raspy voice stunned me, as she
continued to stare, examining me like I was some kind of novelty.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized again. “I want to
buy the set for my mother. I have a silver coin.”
I showed it to her. Perhaps she thought me
a thief like the hat seller.
“Which one suits your fancy?”
She reached underneath her cloak for
something—a dagger maybe?
My pulse raced. My mind became unsteady.
Defeating an old woman would be easy, unless she was a witch. I had heard tales
of witches in my younger days, but I’d never paid attention. I wished I had.
I pointed. “That one, please.”
She handed me the brush first and
then the mirror. I ran my finger across the vine from the bottom, feeling the
curves and indentations and the fine texture of the smooth wood. Admiring its
beauty, I knew Mother would be pleased.
The old woman’s eyes stayed on my covered
wrists. No fear showed through them, only recognition or something else
unexplainable. Before she could ask me a question, I placed the silver coin in
front of her and turned to leave.
“Stop,” she said.
I gulped fear down my throat.
Have
I done something wrong? What will she ask of me?
All my life, no one had asked me about my
birthmarks. I hid them well.
“Yes?” I turned to her, smiling.
“Here, I have a gift for you.”
I was foolish enough to think she
would give me a silver back, so I opened my hand to her. She dropped three
beans in it and closed my fist. When her hand touched mine, she gasped sharply,
and her eyes rolled back.
I shuddered at her expression. I wanted to
run far from her, but I remained calm when no trickery played from her. But why
beans? Not a bag of beans, but three shriveled, gray, speckled beans.
“Nay, thank you.”
I tried to open my hand to return them to
her, but she held steady onto me. The old fool giving me beans—she must be mad.
And I needed to head back to Father.
“You look like your mother. Have
’em.” Her eyes bored into mine, and then finally let go. “You’d be wise to hold
these fast. A time will come when you are in need. Use them wisely.”
Review:
I have read so many fairytale retellings and their original stories but I have never read a gender swap Jack and the beanstalk before. And I am so glad I read this one. Having the main character as a female brought a whole new vibe to this story and I loved it. Jaclyn is such a great character and having Jack as the love interest was such a great twist. Without saying to much, as I am worried I will spoil this amazing book. I will say I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fairytales and retellings. 4/5 Bloody Fangs
Praise for JACLYN AND THE BEANSTALK
A mash-up of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Lord of the Rings" ... RECOMMENDED ―School Library Journal
"Keenly descriptive and eloquently written with touches of sixteenth-century language, the story takes the reader into the world of monsters controlled by a diabolical villain, and into a land of mystery and magic beans." ―Readers' Favorite Review
"Mary Ting managed to surprise me at every turn, even though I must have read this story a million times as a kid. The most impressive surprise was the creation of a girl protagonist who is so much better than the original Jack. Then she brings in the boy, Jack, as the love interest. Sheer genius and a great idea. The writing is great. The plot is good, and the various themes woven throughout the story make it a very compelling tale." ―Readers' Favorite Review
Mary Ting writes with an adventurous heart, a clever pen, introducing young readers to a classic that meets fantasy, shedding light on the family devotion and a love story that buds to completion by the end. This short novel comes as a highly recommended read for parents and young adults that prefer fantasy fiction with a Christian-based theme and a creative perspective. Mary Ting is one of those writers to notice and watch. ―Kingdom's Review
Mary Ting is an international bestselling, award-winning author. She writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers around the world. Her books span a wide range of genres, and her storytelling talents have earned a devoted legion of fans, as well as garnered critical praise.
Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.
Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Being a huge Twilight fan, Mary was inspired to make book-themed jewelry and occasionally gives it away as prizes to her fans.
PHOTO CONTENT FROM MARY TING
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Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank you to Jean for letting me participate in this blog tour and say Thank you to Mary for letting me review your book. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below.
~Sabrina
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