Saturday, September 6, 2014

Author spotlight E.C. Hibbs, Blindsighted Wanderer {Guest Post, Review & Giveaway}

The Wall has long kept Elitland Valley safe from the demons on the other side. For centuries the villagers have avoided speaking of the Wall or the creatures it protects them from. 



Upon their return from the annual Country Fayre, the older Atego brothers learn of their father’s passing. When fifteen year old Silas Atego learns the mysterious illness that took his father might have been a curse from a demon, his need for answers draws him to the one place he must not go. The far side of the Wall.


When Silas is still missing days later, his older brother Raphael sets out on his own to bring him home. On his journey, Raphael learns how it was his ancestor who was cursed by a demon creature from the Lake and had the Wall built to keep them out. More desperate than ever to find his brother, his search draws Raphael to the same terrifying barrier.

Along the brothers’ individual travels they face their greatest fears, make lifelong friends, and more importantly, learn the truth of what happened centuries ago. 

Blindsighted Wanderer is a tale about how truth and forgiveness will set you free. Where myths are transformed to legends that last a lifetime. The brothers leave their home as desperate boys but return to their family as honorable men.

Blindsighted Wanderer is a young adult fantasy, coming of age story appropriate for readers 12 +.


Blindsighted Wanderer was a fantastical story that covered the past, present and future of the Atego brothers. Silas and Raphael Artego become men and learn the root of the curse that has plagued their family family for centuries on two completely different journeys in a search for truth behind the curse.

The story begins with Adrian and Merrin. Adrian betrays Merrin and pays with his life, the residual effects of the anger and hatred Merrin harbours is the root cause of the curse that holds the Artego family captive to this day. Princess Merrin must overcome her deep seeded need for vengance if she is to become the Queen she's meant to be.

Silas Artego is determined to discover why his family is cursed, even if means he must travle to the far side of the wall. His brother Raphael follows when hours become days and his brother still hasn't returned. Along the way both brothers meet different people who will have lasting affects on their lives. Silas meets Pearl when her people capture him thinking he's a demon. And Raphael stumbles across Merrin. Merrin holds on to her hatred and bitterness with every fiber of her being, but she's fascinated with Raphael.

The world Hibbs has created is stunning and beautiful as we follow each brother through the Valley. The backdrop had a very Renaissance feel with descriptives to capture your attention, and hold you till the very end. A story about humanity, compassion, building trust and overcome your inner demons.

The story was a little slow to start, but once it got going I was thoroughly engaged in the storyline and equally engrossed by the characters. Character development was well written, I as well loved that the title of the book could be interpreted several ways in regards to the story itself. 


E.C. HibbsE. C. Hibbs has lived all her life in Cheshire, north-west England. A lover of stories from an early age, she wrote her first 'book' when she was five, and throughout school was a frequent visitor to the younger classes to read her tales to the children.

Living so near the coast, she loves anything to do with the sea. She studied Animal Behaviour at university and longs to work with marine mammals in the future. As well as nature and animals, she also has a soft spot for history, and loves paying visits to castles, cathedrals and museums.

There are many things she could be without, but writing isn't one of them. She carries a pen everywhere, in case an idea appears, and takes pride in still seeing the world as brimming with magic. Besides writing, she reads obsessively, her favorite genres being the classics and all kinds of fantasy. She also enjoys Disney and horror films, practicing Shotokan karate, drawing, archery, and playing with her very cheeky kitten.
Author links: 

And now for a Guest Post from Author EC Hibbs... 

FOLLOWING FOOTSTEPS: THE AUTHORS I ADMIRE

We all have our favourite authors who we go back to again and again. And sometimes they can do more than simply entertain us; they can inspire us. Sometimes, I’ve had to look up from a book and actually gasp for air because of the hold the author has got on me. It goes deeper than what the words are telling me is happening; it’s the feeling and emotions that are evoked, and which will leave a lasting impression as I type away at my own stories.

So here are some of the authors who I look up to. I’ve read their work more times than I can count, and I honestly can’t imagine my bookshelves without them. In no particular order:…

Marcus Sedgwick

The first Marcus Sedgwick story I ever read was The Book of Dead Days, and I was ensnared from day one. He has a brilliant ability to weave together horror, fantasy, history and atmosphere, and I’m yet to find a book of his which I haven’t loved. Each one is different, which only highlights his writing skills, and the twists in them all are amazing. My favourites though will always be the Dead Days Omnibus. I’ve never read anything quite like it, and I’ve made a little tradition of devouring it every December between Christmas and New Year. If I ever get the chance to meet Marcus Sedgwick, I’ll be constantly thanking him for the influence he’s had on me.

Christopher Paolini

I didn’t actually jump on the Eragon bandwagon until around the time the movie was announced, but I read the book first, and I fell in love with it. But something else that really struck a chord with me was that Christopher Paolini had written and published this epic fantasy at the age of fifteen. I was fifteen at the time, and in the middle of writing my own fantasy series. He inspired me to believe that it would be possible, no matter your age, to succeed in the writing industry. I started to seek out publishers around this time, and the mountain of rejections in turn helped me to refine my craft all the more. Eventually, I tried pitching a different story, and it turned out to be ‘the one’. But I can definitely say I owe a good chunk of my drive and thickening skin in those early attempts, to the idea of what Christopher Paolini had achieved.

Charles Dickens

Dickens is one of the first authors I became obsessed with. I read Oliver Twist in primary school, fell in love with it, and devoured several more of his books afterwards. I was completely entranced by his writing style, and how the richness of his characters fell so beautifully against such dark and intense stories. I always felt as though I’d fallen back into the 1800s when I had a Charles Dickens book in my hand. Thanks to him, the style and texture of Victorian literature has always been with me, and it opened me up to the other classic period authors like the Brontes, Oscar Wilde, and Bram Stoker. The flowing sentences really had an impact on my own writing, and introduced me to the concept that the atmosphere in a book can be a character in its own right.

Garth Nix

A few years ago, I was going through a very rough emotional time. Death and illness had ravaged my family and friends, and I was finding it terribly hard to recover. I couldn’t actually bring myself to create anything, so I found escape by immersing myself in a series called The Old Kingdom. I was amazed when it started working some kind of catharsis in me. The books revolved completely around death, but dealt with it in a way I’d never really seen in books before, and I connected so much with the character of Lirael that I reread the entire thing as soon as I’d finished it! At a really tough time, Garth Nix’s words managed to break through and give me just what I needed.

Michelle Paver

Where do I even begin with this lady? I’ve read her Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series practically every single year. Her writing style is gorgeous and never fails to pull me into an ancient world. This is a coming-of-age story first and foremost, which inspired my own stories; but the biggest thing I’ve taken away from these books is the POV of Wolf. It’s amazing. I’ve never come across an animal POV so good – if animal communication could be translated into human words with no anthropomorphism, then this is the closest I think anybody can come in fiction. I studied animal behaviour at university and I can’t even say how big an influence this story had on my work in that. I even encouraged my lecturers to read it. Michelle Paver has left her mark on me in so many ways that I can’t count them all. I’d love to be able to speak to her personally one day and say thank you.

Thank you so much, Tammy, for arranging this giveaway and letting me do a guest post for it! Loads of hugs to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




There are a lot of goodies up for grabs in the fan appreciation giveaway! Enter via the rafflecopter links below for a chance to win one of four different Prize Packs compliments of EC Hibbs and Staccato Publishing. 

1 winner will receive a Blindsighted Wanderer Necklace, a signed postcard and concept artwork designed by EC Hibbs herself. {US only}
1 winner will receive a Blindshighted Wanderer Book Thong, a signed postcard and concept artwork designed by EC Hibbs herself. {US only}
1 winner will receive an e-book copy of Blindsighted Wanderer with kindlegraph and a signed postcard. {International}
1 winner will receive an e-book copy of Blindsighted Wanderer with kindlegraph. 
{International}

* Please note that TTC Books and more nor the Author is responsible for any items lost or stolen in transit. *  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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