You know those moments when you just love Book blogging? When you are contacted by an author and you instantly like him/her? Well, this happened with Dan. When he then send me his Guest Post and the Giveaway pictures I was sold! I read the post and I knew I had to read his book!!
And.. now let’s share what got me smile all over my face and made me fall in love with Daniel and his sense of humor! Oh and .. don’t forget we have a cute giveaway at the end.. Like.. super cute! and… funny and awesome!
Daniel A. Cohen (blog, twitter, facebook)
Author of Masters of the Veil, published March 1st 2012 by Spencer Hill Press
Magic FAQ & A short lesson from Bariv the Conduit
Congratulations! You can do magic!
Here’s what you need to know about your exciting new ability:
Q: WHAT IS MAGIC? AND WHY CAN I DO IT?
This can be a very thrilling, confusing, and even frightening time for a young sorcerer, so let’s start with the basics. Magic is just another way of saying, “Connecting with the Veil.” As you may already know, the Veil is an ancient energy that lies all around us that some fortunate few (YOU!) can even use.
The Veil gives the sorcerer communities everything we need to survive. The more the Veil is used, the more She gives us. All sort of wonderful plants, animals, food, clothing, and shelter… they’re all there, waiting to spring forth.
There is no conclusive evidence explaining why some people can use the Veil and some people cannot. Some speculate it’s genetic, while others believe it’s spiritual. Alas, we will probably never be sure, so just be thankful that you are one of the lucky ones.
Q: HOW DO I DO MAGIC?
There are two methods of doing magic: A “grip” and a “drape”
A Grip: Connecting with the Veil to perform a specific feat.
A Drape: Essentially it’s wrapping the Veil around an object to give it extraordinary properties.
As you may have seen from the older sorcerers in your magical community, we use something called a “Second-Skin” to access the Veil. A second-skin is a covering for your hand that allows you to grip the Veil. Second-skins must be made from materials that have sprung from the Veil in order to work. One of the first things that you will be instructed to do is create your own second-skin in order to create the deepest connection. You can use anything from dried aansi leaves to the bark from a zigzag tree, just know that attempting to do magic that is beyond your reach with break your second-skin.
Q: HOW SOON WILL I BECOME A MASTER SORCERER?
Whoa there! Don’t get ahead of yourself. Magic is extremely difficult and it’s going to take some time for you to become proficient at it. You have a magnificent, bumpy road ahead of you.
Q: BUT WHO IS GOING TO TEACH ME?
The sorcerer community doesn’t take your new ability lightly. We will provide you with the finest teachers available. Train hard enough and you might even get to be in Rona’s group (but don’t get your hopes up)!!! You will be matched up by your skill level and organized by the type of magic you’ll be pursuing.
Q: IS MAGIC DANGEROUS?
It can be if used wrong. To avoid causing unnecessary pain, make sure you study hard, respect your clan elders, and eat your vegetables.
Q: VEGETABLES?
Yes, vegetables.
Q: WILL I HAVE TO LEAVE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY?
For a short time, yes. Whether you’re from the flathand (those who can’t grip the Veil) world or a magical community, you will be brought to Atlas Crown to study with Bariv. Bariv is the conduit to the Veil, and he will be the first—and probably the most influential—teacher you will have. After learning about your ability from Bariv, you will have the choice of returning home or staying in Atlas Crown.
*Special note for those who come from the flathand world. In the rare occurrence that you choose to return to the non-magic world, you will be draped with the inability to speak of our world or perform magic outside of a magical community. Sorry. The good news is that if you choose to join a magical community, your immediate family will be invited to come with you and will be provided for.
NOW TAKE A SEAT AND ENJOY A QUICK LESSON FROM BARIV ON THE THREE DISCIPLINES OF MAGIC
Welcome. Please have a seat. Before you are three second-skins that I have created for choosing purposes. As you may already know, there are three disciplines of magic that come from the Veil.
First, there are natural magics, which are best gripped with the aid of plants. The green second-skin is made from the leaf of the grampith tree.
Natural magics are very useful. They feed, they clothe, they help us interact with the world around us. We would not survive without them. Nature is dough and you shape it to your desires—if you are skilled enough. Mountains can be leveled and water can fall upwards. Nature’s secrets will whisk you away to another plane where you can realize the awe-inspiring connections we hold with the world around us.
Next, there are the mystical magics. The metal second-skin you see on the left was mined from beneath Grus’ pass and made from silver-palladium mixed by my own hand. A mystical sorcerer would use this second-skin. The mystical magics keep true to their namesake. Even I don’t fully understand all that can be accomplished with this, and I have been close to the Veil for a very long time. Those who excel at the mystical arts can reach into the deepest, darkest parts of the mind and cast dreams into reality. They can navigate the vast and powerful river of time. Reap gold out of metals like a glorious harvest. Harness fear, and ride on its back until it tires.
And last… there is the second-skin made from the hide of Sectus remisican, the skull-wolf. This is a tool of power magics. These tools work best if taken forcibly. In Atlas Crown, we do not kill when we do not have to; however, in this particular case we had to. The power sect is a dangerous one, yet it brings with it the ability to forge oneself into the greatest ruler and purveyor of dominance. Authority is a given. Supremacy is taken. The true power sect is scarcely found here. Those who have chosen it, or rather have been chosen, usually take the road down another path, a false path that can only lead to death and misery. However, when applied for good, the power sect can be the most useful of them all. An iron body has no need for a suit. That is what the Veil is at Her heart. She is power. She holds possibilities so grand, we can never understand, only observe.
Now why don’t you try one on?
——————
Seriously! I love this post and it makes me want to grab Masters of the Veil right now! Here are some Links where you can actually get the book for yourself:
amazon (Kindle, Paperback) 
Synopsis of Masters of the Veil
Life can’t get much better for Sam Lock. Popular, good-looking, and with a future as a professional football player. every guy at Stanton High School wishes he were Sam. That is, until his championship football game, when Sam accidentally links with an ancient source of energy known as the Veil and reveals his potential to become a powerful sorcerer.Sam is whisked off to Atlas Crown, a community of sorcerers who utilize the Veil as a part of everyday life. Once there, he trains beside a mute boy who speaks through music, an eternal sage who’s the eyes and ears of the Veil, and a beautiful girl who’s pretty sure Sam’s an idiot.As it becomes clear Sam’s meant for power magic-the most feared and misunderstood form of sorcery-people beyond Atlas Crown learn of his dangerous potential. An exiled group of power sorcerers are eager to recruit Sam, believing that he is destined to help them achieve their long-held goal. If they succeed, they could bring about the downfall of not only Atlas Crown. but all humankind.
About Author Daniel Cohen ((blog, twitter, facebook)
Daniel A. Cohen was just your average business student. Microeconomics, finance, marketing… you name it, he had to do a PowerPoint presentation on it. One dark and stormy night, he was bitten by the radioactive realization that memorizing business jargon could possibly be the most boring activity known to man.
After gaining eagle-eye vision, abs that could grate cheese, and a talent for imagining things (including his cheese-grating abs), he wrote his first novel and began his epic battle against the formidable business jargon. He continues to fight the good fight by playing saxophone and writing YA fantasy, forever hoping his Veil trilogy will help inspire others to join his cause.
And nooooowww onto the Giveaway!
Dan generously offers a signed copy and some mega epic awesome Swag! Including the most awesome Can-Jerseys! Seriously, who wouldn’t want one of those?!!
Answer the following question and you’ll be entered!
US/Canada only Ends: March 13th
If you would discover you could do magic, what magic power would you love to have?
Much love!
Latest posts by Danny (see all)
- INTENSITY by Sherrilyn Kenyon – Excerpt & Giveaway - September 8, 2017
- Locked in Temptation – Q&A withBrenda Jackson & Giveaway - August 4, 2017
- Locked in Temptation by Brenda Jackson – Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway - July 26, 2017
To reverse time. It's the first thing that popped in my head, I could go back and see my loved ones or slap some sense into my younger self LOL
bluesun1218@yahoo.com
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Oh yes I'd love that too!!! I think that would be a great ability to have!
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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Time travel for sure!
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Yep! Would love to time travel myself!
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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oh…if I could only manipulate time! So much more could be done. The possibilities are endless!
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
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Haha Time Travel is really in right now!!! And again I agree! Going back and forth in time would be awesome!
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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Having magic sounds awesome! If i had any, i would want healing powers. I hate seeing people in pain and being helpless and unable to help them. Having healing powers would help so many. Your book sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing and for the awesome giveaway!!!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
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Gosh, I love your answer! Selfless and wonderful!!! There should be more people like you!
But, I think the responsibility would be too much for me ..
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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I would love to be able to teleport if that is considered a magic power. I hate traveling! Yes, it may be lazy but teleportation would be insanely convenient 🙂 Thanks so much for the giveaway!
kmritchie02 at gmail dot com
My recent post Movie Trailer Tuesday: Now is Good
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Haha! Awesome choice! I however love to travel, I love do drive, fly and take the train! Those are all times where I can read!
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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I'd choose invisibility
sgiden at verizon.net
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hehe! Sneaky 🙂
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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To control things with my mind. That would be fun and scary at the same time. Sounds like a very interesting read. Thanks for the chance.
sariahwalters at gmail dot com
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Wow yeah that would be indeed scary but also very cool!
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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Mind control and invisibility would be awesome!
Thanks for the giveaway!
My recent post I've Been Tagged!
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Mind control sounds really scary, I guess I wouldn't pick it ! But being sometimes invisible could be cool!
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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Slow down time
skovach717@gmail.com
My recent post Top Ten Covers ………..
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I would rather control time as in sometimes moving it faster and sometimes slower, that could be convenient 🙂
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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Telekinesis! Though I think Brandy's idea of going back and slapping my younger self (and slipping myself some winning lottery numbers)is good too.
Thanks for the giveaway!
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Gosh yes I totally forgot about the lottery! That would be great no more money issues.. *sigh*
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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The power to heal would be wonderful, but maybe too draining… it would have to be something simple like being able to move objects or maybe transporting. Being able to see or alter the past/future seems to scary to me, lots of responsibility comes with that, what if you're doing it all wrong the second time around, lol!
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
My recent post Happy World Read Aloud Day!!!
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But maybe you could also do some things right! But yes I agree this would be a heavy responsibility – but I still think pretty cool :))
I think, the healing power would be too much responsibility for me, how to heal ?
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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Definitely telekinesis and mind-reading. I think they'd be great for solving crimes!
Masters of the Veil sounds awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!
ccfioriole at gmail dot com
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And how cool would it be to know everyone's secrets?!! Also great for crime-fighting!
ccfioriole at gmail dot com
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YEAH about the crime fighting and there mind reading would come in very handy!! :))
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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I would love to have the power of healing because I hate to see people suffering.
My recent post Huge Giveaway on Live to Read!!
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Gosh I love this answer! This tells so much about you which is wonderful!
My recent post A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
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I would want to grant wishes! Is that magic? I'd be careful about it for sure!
Heather
hrose2931 (at) gmail (dot) com
My recent post Review-Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers
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I would really want the magical power to time-travel. There are so many places and times I want to experience.
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I would love to be able to move any object at will. Just be able to call on something and have it come to you, how awesome. That would especially come in handy for when I needed something and couldn't find it on my own, and of course in an emergency when you can't waste time looking for things.
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Ohhh, LOL, the guest post IS awesome! HAhah vegetables… I dunno why that makes me laugh. Probably because me and a friend has an ongoing discussion about sexiest vegetable, LOL. (Totally bell peppers *nods*)
Anyway, the book does sound great! I'm definitely curious! 😀
My recent post Mystery Blogger: Christy (Love of Books)
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To have the ability to go back in time to revisit and re-live memorable moments and events again with my loved ones, friends, and family would be a magical gift to have and to share. That is magic that could fill your heart and soul. Thanks for the giveaway!
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I think I would have to say that I would like the ability to become invisible. The book sounds wonderful.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
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I have always wanted to help people so I would want the power to heal. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
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