TFFOS: Amanda Ashby -- Field Guide & Giveaway

To find out more about The Four Flavors of Summer and to view a master-list of all features and giveaways, click HERE. 

AMANDA ASHBY is joining us today to talk about her recently released novel, FAIRY BAD DAY, a lighthearted paranormal read that promises supernatural beings, romance, and kickass moves. Read on to get the insider on all things Burtonwood Academy so when you do read FAIRY BAD DAY, you're all ready to face on snarky teachers and unruly dragons. ;)

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TEN THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BURTONWOOD ACADEMY

To the outside world Burtonwood Academy, which is where my book Fairy Bad Day is set, looks like a regular school with its Spanish Mission style buildings, its white walls and its inconspicuous sports fields, but once you walk inside you quickly realize that it’s anything but regular. The stuffed jungler demon in the corner of the reception is probably the first give away, not to mention that as well as learning Math and English, students all have to learn how to dismantle bombs, clean their swords as well as the best way to stop a three hundred pound goblin from eating an unsuspecting picnicker.

So, to celebrate the release of Fairy Bad Day I thought I would let you in on some of Burtonwood’s deepest darkest secrets.

pheonix girl // source

1)      Mrs. Barnes (or Barney as everyone calls her) is the school secretary and Principal Kessler’s right hand woman. She also has an uncanny ability to always know when a student is sneaking off campus and despite thorough snooping, no one has figured out how she does it. Of course I would tell you but Barney would kill me for giving away her secrets and the kids of Burtonwood aren’t the only ones who are scared of her.

2)      Burtonwood was set up to help train sight-gifted students to fight the elemental creatures that came through from the Gate of Linaria. The four fire elementals are: salamanders, dragons and phoenixes. The four earth elementals are: goblins, demons and ogres. The four sky elementals are: fairies, elves and griffins and the four water elementals are: selkies, sirens and krackens. Oh and most students would much prefer to fight all of the above rather than be caught by Barney. Told you they were scared of her!

3)      Emma’s favorite subject is Dragon Studies and How to Find Their Kill Spot Without Getting Burnt. Her least favorite subject is math.

4)      Most of the teachers at Burtonwood are pretty cool, though they don’t take kindly to having anyone do unauthorized slaying while out on field trips since it leads to extra paper work.

5)      Like all schools, there are definitely cliques at Burtonwood. There are the over-achievers like Brenda Vance who is more interested in reading theory books and making sure that she is an authority on the steel content of her sword and how many times it was folded rather than actually knowing the best way to stalk a demon without it picking up your scent (cover yourself in mud for those who are curious). Then there are the jocks like the Lewis Twins who are beefy and can fight anything, normally with their fists, but don’t bother to learn more than they have to—apart from how to clog up the girl’s showers since they live in hope that one day they will seen a bunch of towel clad girls running down the hallway. And finally there are the beautiful people like Curtis, with his stupid curls that flop in his eyes who thinks that he can just waltz in (okay limp in since he’s on crutches) and steal other slayer’s designated spots. Obviously, it’s the beautiful people that Emma hates the most. Well, one beautiful person in particular . . .
 

6)      Burtonwood Academy is protected by hundreds of tiny wards to stop any elemental creatures from getting through the borders. Which would explain Emma’s surprise when she actually sees something fly across campus!

7)      Most of the students from Burtonwood will go on to work for The Department of Paranormal Containment. Sometimes it can be dirty, dangerous work but they do offer a great dental plan, which can be surprisingly handy when you’re fighting creatures who like to kick you in the teeth.

8)      The student parties at the bottom of the practice fields are the worst kept secrets ever. However the teachers don’t mind since it gives them time to watch America’s Funniest Home Videos without being interrupted.

9)      There is a very large statue of Sir Francis in the quad and because slayers are incredibly superstitious, they always have to touch the statue for good luck. Personally Emma thinks that Sir Francis is a bit over-rated since not only was it his guidelines that meant she was stuck with slaying fairies, but he also has an alarming lack of information about fairies in the handbook that he wrote many moons ago.

10)  Unless you are gifted with the sight to see elemental creatures than you will unfortunately never be invited to see Burtonwood, which is a pity because on Tuesdays the cafeteria do really great nachos.

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Summary:  

While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?

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GIVEAWAY

Amanda has offered up one finished copy of FAIRY BAD DAY for YOU to win! Again, comments not required, but appreciated. :)

To enter, fill out the form below. Open internationally.