Welcome to the YA Scavenger Hunt!
Hello! I’m Shannon A. Thompson—YA SFF author, librarian, and neighborhood cat lady.
About Me!
- During the day, I work in marketing for the Mid-Continent Public Library, the largest library system in Kansas City, but at night, I write stories about monsters and mayhem. I’m currently working on a monster book that takes place in space!
- I’m addicted to coffee, KDramas, and Sailor Moon. (Oh, and baking cupcakes at midnight.)
- I have three cats that I call my little gremlins: Boo Boo, Bogart, and Kiki. Boo Boo is 17 years old and still going strong!
- I’m on Wattpad! After tons of requests, I started posting my YA dystopian, TAKE ME TOMORROW, on Wattpad. This novel was originally published in 2014, but removed shortly after when the publisher closed down. Now I’m sharing it again, and the sequel, TOOK ME YESTERDAY, will release shortly after. (You might even get a sneak peek today!) Come say hi on Wattpad.
- This May I’ll be at the LitUp Festival for young adult literature in Independence, Missouri! It’s an amazing event, and I can’t wait. More info here.
- I’ll also be hosting CampNaNoWriMo write-ins at my branch this July!
- My YA historical recently won the Authoress Secret Agent contest. Read an excerpt from The Pharaoh’s Daughter by clicking here.
I’m on TEAM GREEN this year.
Searching for my exclusive bonus content? You’ll have to keep searching.
Somewhere on this blog hop, you can read an exclusive sneak peek of TOOK ME YESTERDAY, the sequel of Take Me Tomorrow that will soon be going up on Wattpad. You can also enter to win a signed copy of any of my books below. Before you go looking for it, check out the amazing author I’m hosting.
But maybe you need the rules first.
Scavenger Hunt Prize Rules
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve hidden my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the GREEN TEAM, and then add them up. (Don’t worry, you can use a calculator!)
Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by April 7 at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.
Now that we all know the rules, please welcome…
I am super excited to be hosting…
MELINDA R. CORDELL!
About the Author
About THE FLAME OF BATTLE
Bonus Material:
Here’s a little story about how I came up with the idea of the main character for The Flame of Battle.
Well, Pauline Creeden and I met each other in a little collaboration group and decided to write a book together. Pauline said, “I have some cool book covers with Vikings and dragons on them so let’s write a story about Vikings and dragons.” I said, “Oo, shiny!” I’m a dragon fan anyway, so that was a no-brainer. However, I knew next to nothing about Vikings, so I jumped into the research.
Now, I’d just written a nonfiction book about women soldiers in the Civil War. I’d always been interested in military strategy, and war stories. When I was reading about Vikings, I read about a burial mound from Birka, Sweden that contained a female military commander who was buried with high military honors, from all the things that were buried with her. She had a hnefatafl, or a King’s Table, game buried with her. It’s a strategic game that’s something like chess.
This grave was considered to be the iconic Viking grave and the person in it was considered to be a battle-hardened man — until careful DNA study proved that this was a woman.
Then a bunch of archeologists lost their minds, saying, “A woman can’t be a military commander! That’s impossible!” This is pretty much the same thing that some Civil War historians say about women soldiers in the Civil War. But that’s nonsense. Of course women can fight. Of course women can serve with distinction and valor in war. I know women who voluntarily signed up for military service. A bunch of yelling men ain’t going to change these facts.
Anyway, I read about this warrior, and wanted to write a story about that woman on the battlefield and how she might have gotten her start as a military commander. Except with dragons. And so that’s how I came up with the idea of Dyrfinna, leading her army division into battle.
The Flame of Battle also has dragons, and swords, and a little bit of romance, and a battle-hardened young woman willing to make the heartbreaking choices that come with war.
Thank you for coming on, Melinda!
I love hearing what inspires writers. They’re like super hero origin stories, right? (And, seriously, how cool is that tidbit of history?) The last time I read such an interesting origin tale was 23 days ago. I suggest taking that information and entering the YASH contest for a chance to win a ton of books by me and many more. Just check out all these awesome titles on the GREEN TEAM.
To enter, you need to write down my fav number, and find all the other numbers on the GREEN TEAM, add them up, and you’ll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!
Exclusive Giveaway!
Thank you so much for stopping by! While you’re here, don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter bonus contest I am hosting exclusively during the YA Scavenger Hunt. One lucky reader will win a signed copy of ANY of my books. They will also win signed swag from both of my series. Good luck!
Enter this Rafflecopter for your chance to win.
Ready to move on to the next link in the hunt? Then head on over to visit author SARA B LARSON’s page.
Shannon A. Thompson 
I work with teen in our library. My most attended program is our Manga Book Club. I will will be checking in on your programs and books too.
Awesome! Sounds great!
~SAT
Thank you for hosting with Yash!! this is my 3rd go around 🙂
Yay! Good luck!
~SAT
I think at this point it’s at least my 6th. And ONE DAY I will win a grand prize. I WILL.
I believe in you!
~SAT
This is not my first YASH… I’ve been doing it since pretty much the beginning! And I love it every single time!
Yay! It’s so much fun. Good luck!
~SAT
This is my first YASH and I’m having a lot of fun discovering new authors and books!
So glad you’re having fun! Good luck!
~SAT
I’ve been here since the beginning! Love finding new books and authors to love ❤
Wow! That’s awesome! I hope you find the perfect books to love. ❤️
~SAT
This is not my first YASH – I’ve been enjoying it from the beginning 😀 Always a blast to find out about new books, authors I didn’t know about, extra content, and great prizes. LOVE IT!!
Totally happy to hear that! Have a blast!
~SAT
not my first time. i’m trying to not get overwhelmed by it…. there’s a lot!
There is a lot! It’s pretty amazing. I hope you have fun. 😀
~SAT
This is my second YASH! I’m having tons of fun!
Yay! Glad to hear it!
~SAT
This is my first time participating in YASH, and it’s been an adventure. My “to read” list has gotten quite a bit longer already!
Welcome to YASH! I hope you enjoy your TBR.
~SAT
Having a great time with the Scavenger Hunt!
Yay!!! 😀
~SAT
Good Luck!
I hope you win some books. 😀
~SAT
This is so much fun! Thank you for being a part of it.
Glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks for stopping by. 😀
~SAT
im haven fun i love discovering new books
Fantastic! Glad you’re having fun.
~SAT
I’m having fun, and I love your Minutes Before Sunset series!!!!! Its sooo good.
So glad you enjoyed it! That means a lot to me. ❤️ Happy YASH.
~SAT
I have done YASH before but not every year. I am enjoying learning about all of these new books.
Yay! Enjoy!
~SAT
no, fun hunt
Glad you’re having fun!
~SAT
This is my third YASH. I’m having fun hunting. Thanks.
I’ve been participating since the 1st hunt! Still haven’t won one of the grand prizes, but I always hold out hope 🙂 If nothing else it gives me more ideas for books to read and authors to follow.
That is awesome! Sending you “good luck” vibes!
~SAT
This is my second YASH. I first did the fall 2018 YASH. I am having fun with the hunt.
Yay! Glad you’re having fun. Happy YASH!
~SAT
Yes this is my first time and I’m having alot of fun. I even encourage my sister to do it with me. I love this hunt, i manage to find alot of interesting author. Thank for the hunt!!
So exciting! I’m glad you’re enjoying YASH!
~SAT
Not my first time. As always I’m having fun!
Yay! Happy YASH!
~SAT
This is not my first time being a part of YASH, but I’m still having an excellent time!
Great! So glad you’re enjoying YASH. Happy hunting.
~SAT
Not my first YASH and I’m enjoying myself.
Never won from the YASH party yet, but you never know.
Yay! Good luck!
~SAT
no, it’s fun
Glad you’re having fun. 🙂
~SAT
Having fun on the YASh scavenger hunt. I was introduced to your books and I am excited about that.
Thank you. 🙂 I hope you check them out. Two of them are totally free right now.
~SAT
yes this is my first time participating in YASH and im loving it!
Good to hear. 🙂 Good luck!
~SAT
I love YASH and have been introduced to some of my favorite authors through it. I think I may have started doing it in 2013 or 2014! Thanks for participating in YASH!
Yay! So glad you found so many awesome authors through YASH over the years. I hope you find more this year. 🙂
~SAT
Not my first time haha I just have so much fun with the YA Scavenger Hunt! I love discovering new books and authors!
Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
~SAT
I’ve been doing this since it started. Still haven’t won one of the main prizes, but I always hold out hope! Thanks for participating!
Good luck!
~SaT