The Grave Winner Tour

Today I'm proud to be a part of the 'The Grave Winner Tour', hosted by Dark World Books. To view other stops on this tour and to join in on a giveaway (US only), just click on the banner.

The Grave Winner

Leigh Baxton is terrified her mom will come back from the dead — just like the prom queen did.

While the town goes beehive over the news, Leigh bikes to the local cemetery and buries some of her mom’s things in her grave to keep her there. When the hot and mysterious caretaker warns her not to give gifts to the dead, Leigh cranks up her punk music and keeps digging.

She should have listened.

Two dead sorceresses evicted the prom queen from her grave to bury someone who offered certain gifts. Bury them alive, that is, then resurrect them to create a trio of undead powerful enough to free the darkest sorceress ever from her prison inside the earth.

With help from the caretaker and the dead prom queen, Leigh must find out what’s so special about the gifts she gave, and why the sorceresses are stalking her and her little sister. If she doesn’t, she’ll either lose another loved one or have to give the ultimate gift to the dead – herself.

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My Review

The Grave Winner is an unusual, fast-paced paranormal with lots of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing until the end. Leigh is terrified her mother will come back from the dead, just like the prom queen did. To help her mother stay buried, Leigh buries some items at her mother's gravesite  even against the warnings of the mysterious caretaker who wants Leigh to stay far away from the cemetery, especially at night. Leigh finds out that burying the items was definitely a bad idea when she is told that two dead sorceresses plan to bury someone who offered certain gifts to the dead in the newly evicted prom queen's grave. When the dead sorceresses turn their sights on Leigh, and worse her sister, what will Leigh do to protect her family when her sister's and her lives are at stake?

The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. I absolutely loved the creepy and goth-like aspects and I was not disappointed with the story. Leigh was a strong and independent character who had a few insecurities, especially since she had just lost her mother and now she's trying to fill in for her mother's role for her younger sister. Leigh is just a feisty character full of sarcasm, someone I can definitely relate to and made the story interesting to read through her eyes. 

What's not to love about the story? Dead cheerleader coming back from the dead, dead sorceresses and a hunky cemetery caretaker. The story had plenty of twists and turns as Leigh tries to discover what was so important about the gifts she buried before the sorceresses claim her or her sister, and with just a touch of romance - not too overpowering that it took away from the creepy and thrilling aspects of the story - it made the story a real page turner. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next in the series. I recommend this book to anyone who loves creepy paranormals such as Anna Dressed in Blood. 

About the Author

Lindsey R. Louks 

Lindsey R. Loucks works as a school librarian in rural Kansas. When she’s not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she’s dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she’ll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to reenergize. She’s been with her significant other for almost two decades.

Website/Blog – Twitter – Facebook

Author interview with Lindsey R. Louks

1. Where did you come up with the inspiration behind the book?
   Well, I was finishing up my first novel, a YA science fiction story, and the title The Grave Winner just popped into my head. It stuck inside there because I had no idea why anyone would win a grave. Why would anyone want to win a grave? Then my main character Leigh made the leap into my head (it gets really crowded in there) and explained to me what it all meant. 
2. What inspired you to write your first book?
   My first book was that YA science fiction story I referred to earlier, and believe me when I say it was not good. But I had to write it. It came from a vivid dream I had about being chased while dressed as another person. Couple that with all these birthdays I keep having and the idea for Pause was born.
3. What books/authors have influenced your writing?
   Stephen King and Shirley Jackson are the big influences. I used to inhale anything by them. They know how to weave some nail-chomping stories.
4. What was your favourite scene to write?
   Probably any scene where Leigh interacts with her best friend, Jo, or her maybe love interest, Callum. Leigh plays off people so well with her spunky sense of humor and no-nonsense attitude. 
5. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
   The hardest part was probably that I was so mean to Leigh. It made me feel so guilty because I love her to death. But if I didn’t throw all those hurdles at her, it probably would be a very boring book.
6. How do you overcome writer's block?
   I read a book, exercise, pet my cat, write something else, or watch a movie. Mostly I just have to be patient with myself and know that writer’s block eventually ends.  
7. What are your current projects?
   My romantic horror novella, Salt in the Cupboard, comes out August 12^th from Entangled Publishing. I’m also working on the sequels to The Grave Winner and planning to write a ghost story that takes place in space. 
8. What book are you reading now?
   I’m reading Hunters by Stefanie Pristavu.
9. If you could have dinner with any fictional character who would it be and why?
   Harry Potter. I’d like to know how he’s enjoying his position as Auror and if there is anything I can do to help him, even though I’m only a muggle. 
10. Do you have any advice for other writers?
    Keep writing, keep reading, and never give up.