News

31
Oct

Breathless Reads: VENOM Contest

Hi! Today we’re celebrating the release of VENOM by Fiona Paul.

Love, lust, murder, mayhem and high society converge in one thrilling debut.

Cassandra Caravello has everything a girl could desire: elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, invitations to the best parties, and a handsome, wealthy fiancé—yet she longs for something more. Ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon the body of a murdered woman—with a bloody X carved across her heart—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of secret societies, courtesans, and killers. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a poor artist with a mischievous grin . . . and a habit of getting into trouble. Will Cassandra find the murderer before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, romance, and mystery weave together in a novel that’s as seductive and stunning as the city of Venice itself.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, here are a few blurbs:

“Deftly balancing beauty and death, Venom renders the canals of Renaissance Venice frightening and irresistible in a sensual tale where no one can be trusted and passions kill.”
-Andrea Cremer, New York Times bestselling author of the Nightshade series

“Wonderfully sinister and thrillingly romantic, Venom has it all—secret trysts in graveyards, Venetian canals, murdered courtesans, and masquerades! Fiona Paul created a lush, compelling mystery I couldn’t put down.”

–Jessica Spotswood, author of Born Wicked (THAT’S ME! This was my first blurb! I was so excited to be asked!)

Ok. Ready for the interview?

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun. 

Cass is a stubborn, emotional, impetuous niece. 

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun. 

VENOM is a dark, sultry, glamorous mystery.  (JS: It is! And I love the word “sultry.”)

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

I am an enthusiastic, emotional, thrill-seeking wanderer. 

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

I’m going to go with Nepal, Greece, and the Galapagos Islands, but I honestly want to travel almost everywhere. The places I do end up going are usually based on an awesome deal or on finding someone else I like who wants to visit the same spot. (Shark diving, anyone?)  (JS: Fiona is about 12x more adventurous than me. But I would like to go to Greece too!)

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

Krav Maga, Spanish, and Feldenkrais. (And I actually have plans to take all three of those in the near future). (JS: Link in case anyone else has to look up Feldenkrais, as I did!)

6. If you could have 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

Wait. You mean other than the alternate careers I already have? Okay, I would be a whitewater rafting guide, a dolphin trainer, or a pet detective. Dude. Can you imagine how cool it would be to reunite people with their lost pets? So awesome.

7. What are 3 of your favorite flowers?

Flowers and I do not get along. Please send chocolate. 

8. What are 3 of your favorite foods?

Chocolate! Also medium rare steaks and those Smuckers Uncrustables PBJ sandwiches–strawberry flavor. Don’t judge me 🙂 Those things are convenient, and they now come in a healthier whole-grain variety. 

9. What are 3 of your favorite books?

GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray

ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen

SAME DIFFERENCE by Siobhan Vivian

Yay! Thanks so much for stopping by, Fiona! I hope you’re having a marvelous release day. I loved your book, and I hope readers will too.

Penguin is generously offering up a finished copy of VENOM, and I’m also offering some BORN WICKED swag for the winner. Contest open in the US only until Saturday at midnight EST.

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

34 Responses

  1. MackenziLee

    Oh my gosh I want to read this book so badly! I've entered so many online giveaways for it and not won one! Oh well….hopefully I get this so I don't have to buy it 🙂

  2. Cordelia

    Venom is hitting all 5 stars on the blogs I follow! I had a wonderful chat with Fiona last night and now I'm even more excited to read this book!

  3. Kassandra Feuntes

    The book trailer, book cover, and synopsis caught my attention :D! I am super excited to read Venom :). Thanks for the Famazing giveaway :D!

  4. I want to read Venom because I've heard wonderful things about it, and it sound like a great read! Also, I haven't read many historical YA books. We need more!

    1. I agree! If you like historical, you might also like GILT by Katy Longshore – it's set at the court of Henry VIII and it's about a maid to his flirtatious teenage wife Catherine Howard.

  5. Karen

    I really want to read VENOM because the murder interests me 😀 Also, I wonder how the setting of Venice will play into the story.

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