Nikki from Fiction Freak has graciously offered to do a guest review of

Goodreads

Author of Motocross Me, Cheyanne Young, has stopped by for a guest post about how Hana Fisher spends her day on the racing track.

www.cheyanneyoung.com | twitter.com/normalchey

GIVEAWAY!

These past few days have been crazy.  I started a new job last week.  Then yesterday I spent the night in the hospital.  My dad thinks I'm allergic to work lol.  But really it's just a hurniated disc that's pushing on a nerve making my arm and leg numb and swell.  Or so the doctors think, but they're not sure.  So if I disappear again I'm at the doctors.  And that's why this post is late and the review will be even later.  I'm doing better now so hopefully I can blog more this week.

Now, please let me introduce Ruby Preston, the author of Showbiz!  She has kindly agreed to stop by and do a guest post so you can learn a little about her and her new book which focuses on the behind the scenes of Broadway!

By Ruby Preston

To say that my personal experiences as a Broadway producer have inspired SHOWBIZ would be the understatement of the century. In fact, it was entirely thanks to my crazy experiences - and a few clever friends who suggested over drinks one night that I put my stories down in writing - that my heroine Scarlett Savoy and this whole novel came about!

If you want my juiciest stories, you’ll have to read SHOWBIZ. But let’s just say that show business is riddled with contrasts. From rehearsals in rat infested basements to red carpets and paparazzi. From meetings where the agenda items include discussing a $10 million dollar budget followed by what kind of “look” we want for a fairy godmother in Act 2. And keep in mind that most of these meetings are populated by men in ties discussing said fairy godmothers. Can you picture it?

In these meetings, each decision can feel like it’s make or break, risky, high stakes. And yet, when you take a step back, you can’t help but smile at the subject matter. It’s a crazy business.

Despite the myriad challenges I’ve faced as a young producer, there’s no arguing the fact that I feel lucky every day to work in a business where the shows I produce can have such a vital impact on people. Theater speaks to audiences deeply and can change lives.

I agree that broadway definitely affects us all.  My personal favorites were Rent, Chicago, and Mary Popins!  If anyone is interested in learning more about the author, her book, or if you just want to connect with her online, read below!  Thank you Ruby for stopping by today and sharing some fun experiences you've had.  I think it is so awesome that you've had experience in the show business and have decided to share it with us!  

Author Bio:
Ruby Preston is an up and coming Broadway producer currently working on several new musicals on the Great White Way. She couldn’t be more thrilled to be living her dreams in the Times Square trenches of Manhattan. Ruby loves hearing from readers and Broadway fans so feel free to drop her note via email ruby (@) rubypreston (dot) com or twitter @Broadwayruby.

Connect with Ruby!
My website: www.rubypreston.com
My publisher Dress Circle Publishing: www.dresscirclepublishing.com 
Twitter @BroadwayRuby

Buy the Book!
http://www.amazon.com/Showbiz-A-Novel-ebook/dp/B007V59IZU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344990438&sr=8-2&keywords=showbiz+a+novel
And on Barnes & Noble's Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/showbiz-a-novel-ruby-preston/1110479015?ean=2940033232789
And on iTunes. 

And, as a young gentleman, he would never leave home without his top hat, nor would
he EVER be seen without his gloves. He's a firm believer in cleanliness being next to godliness.

Jie Chen, the Spirit-Hunters' "muscle", said good-bye to Chinese garb in favor of an
American boy's fashion. Trousers, a waist coat--or more often, just suspenders--and a bright red tie leave this brawl-loving character happy...and more importantly, mobile enough to knock skulls when needed.

As for Daniel Sheridan--the inventor for the Spirit-Hunters'--fashion is about as important
to him as...well, snowfall in Antarctica (not at all, in other words). That said, he does care what people
think of him, so he's been known to clean up on occasion. But, when it comes to working in the lab, he's most
comfortable in loose trousers and a baggy white shirt--collar scandalously unbuttoned at the top and hands
glove-free (gasp!).

Oh, and we can't forget his flat cap--which he never leaves the lab without. I imagine it
looking exactly like this:

Daniel would NEVER be seen in public without it...at least not in book 1. In A
Darkness Strange and Lovely, well...let's just say, things change.

Finally, we have the heroine of the story, Miss Eleanor Fitt of the
Philadelphia Fitts. Though she was born into privilege, her family has fallen on some seriously hard times. No more
new wardrobe each season; no more scouring the pages of Godey's and Harper's
Bazaar for a new walking gown; and no more worrying about which parasol would look best with which hat.

I had so much fun finding somewhat plain--though still stunning--gowns for
Eleanor since she needs things that will stay as timeless as she can make them. Even though she may
not care about fashion, her Mama does as well as all the people in her social circle. When the book opens, she's
wears something like:

And then later on, she gets to dress up all fancy like this:

But by the end of the book, Eleanor has pretty much taken to no corsets...and no skirts
even! (It's not like it's easy to fight the dead in layers of petticoats and bustle!) Yet, by the end of the
trilogy, Eleanor has gone back to skirts because--despite her love of mobility--she's still a curvy young woman and proud of it. I imagine her dressing in something of her own design, similar to this image by anndr on Deviantart:

Oh, and let's not forget her parasol--the perfect protection against the sun
and zombies! As Jie teaches her, Aim for the Knees!

You tell me: What do you think of Victorian fashion? Are you a
fan of all the ladies' frills or more into the simplicity of men's clothes?

I love dresses and am glad that girls are starting to wear them again.  Not sure if I'd like to wear one with all the frills every day though.  I don't like corsets so I would probably be like Eleanor and complain about it all the time.  The men's clothes are nice.  Daniel's hat reminds me of what Noah (Ryan Gosling) wears in The Notebook lol so of course I like that!  What do you guys think?


Susan, thank you again for stopping by! 
I can't wait to find out what happens next for the spirit hunters in book 2!

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I want to thank Suzan for stopping by my blog today!  She has agreed to give us some insight into the highly unique world she has created for the BaSatai.  Make sure to check out my review of BaSatai: Outside In.