M. Leighton's Blog, page 22

September 4, 2012

My headlines: DBF, hotter than he** and the NYT

When I left my house Friday morning, my biggest concerns were missing my husband, forgetting to pack something important like 17 extra pairs of underwear and not succumbing to the cold I had taken on Thursday.  Little did I know what was ahead...

First of all, I got to spend Friday evening with some of the most talented authors the world has ever seen, as well as some of the most amazing people I've ever known.  We ate great BBQ at a restaurant where my shoes stuck to the floor.  I'm a risk-taker like that;)  Here we are after having closed down the joint.

From the left: Kris, Gloria, Courtney, Fisher, me, Nancy, Amy (bottom) Charlotte, Georgia and Shelly
After a comedy of errors involving the post office and a man that was mean to Fisher, Saturday morning found us setting up our tent in Decatur at the book festival.  The thing is, no one warned us that Atlanta in early September is directly adjacent to the ninth ring of hell, only with more humidity.  I have never, EVER sweated so much in my life!  No lie!  I'm pretty sure I nearly expired.  Here we are in our "Kissing Booth" tent. 


Me, Fisher and Courtney
As you can see, I'm completely wilted and goofy looking by 9 am, whilst they are simply fabulous.  *sigh* 

Anyway, after this picture was taken, we spent the day sweltering in a 412-degree tent all day.  There were highlights other than near-death, though.  I got to meet some readers I've known for months on-line, like these couple of girls, Kathryn and Heather. 




Bless their hearts, I hope they didn't mind my sweaty-author costume:P
I also got to meet an author I've never met.  Her name is Sarah Ross.  She's awesome and lovely and was remarkably dry.  I still don't know how she managed that.

I also got to see my wonderful friend, Autumn, again.  I'm pretty sure I soiled the entire left side of her body to get this picture:)  hehe
All in all, it was hotter than Hades and Fisher, Courtney and I swore we'd never do it again, but still it had some definite highlights.  I got to meet people like Nancy Straight, Shelli Johannes, Jessie Harrell, Charlotte Abel, Liz Reinhardt, J. L. Bryan, Colleen Hoover and Kathleen Tucker (seen below drinking from a caraffe and making me spew my drink everywhere) along with a zillion others. 



I also got to re-see (I love non-words) people like Tiffany King, Carol and Adam Kunz, Heather Robbins, Brittni Guillien, Heather Self, Abbi Glines, Nichole Chase, Michelle Muto, Laura Elliott, Amy Jones, Heather Hildenbrand, Tess Watson and so, so, sooo many more!  For that reason, I can only really call it a good day.
Sunday, Fisher, Courtney and I went to brunch at Restaurant 57, which was PHE-NOM-ENAL!  After that, we went back to the festival to tool around and remind each other how glad we were that we didn't set up our tent again that day.  hehe 
Okay, so here's where it gets SUPER, life-changingly interesting.  Eeeeeeeep!

As we moved around talking to other authors, I got to meet a great girl named Becca Donovan.  She asked me an odd question that would start a chain of events that led to one of the best nights of my entire life.  She asked me something about being a New York Times Bestselling Author.  I still can't remember exactly how that conversation went, mainly because I was so taken off guard. I can't really remember the next 10 or 15 minutes, because I was still wondering about it.  Anyway, when I got back to the hotel room, I called my husband before I got in the shower AGAIN and I told him about my day and about that odd conversation.  After checking out the NYT site, he went on to tell me the most exciting, fulfilling, earth-shattering, ground-breaking, overwhelmingly awesome news of my entire career.  For the week of September 9th, 2012, The Wild Ones appears at #34 on the New York Times Bestselling eBooks.


Yes, I barely squeaked on there, but still...  There are few things, professionally, that could mean more to me.  For the rest of my life, I can lay my head down on my pillow at night and say to myself that I wrote something that made the New York Times Bestseller's list, that I am now and will forever be a New York Times Bestselling author.  I still smile when I think of it that way.  No one will ever be able to take away this honor, this moment or this humbling, gratifying experience.  It's mine.  Forever.  And I'm more thankful than I could ever, ever, EVER say.  Yes, God got me here, but He used every single reader that went out and bought my book to do it.  In other words, YOU!  For that, I am eternally, deeply, profoundly grateful.  To say "thank you" sounds so inadequate I'm almost embarrassed to say it.  But I will anyway.
THANK YOU!  For giving me a reality that is more like the best kind of dream in the world. 
That night, I got to celebrate the news with some of the planet's most incredible people, those who have become like family to me over the past months.  This is us at The Brickstore Pub.
From left: Shelly, Georgia, Gloria, Adam, me, Amy, Kris and Carol
This is before the champagne toast.  About 10 of my friends are missing from this one.  We couldn't all squeeze into the picture:( And this is me in my natural state:  laughing with my mouth wide open:D
It was a weekend of extremes, but it was amazing nonetheless.  I got to close it out with the likes of Courtney Cole and Fisher Amelie, the best friends a girl could ever ask for.  I just wish Tiffany could've been there:(




And yes, in case you were wondering, I am the Earth's least photogenic person, but you know what?  I'm posting these anyway.  I wanted you to be able to share in this simply wonderful experience.  Maybe next time you can be there for real.  Just not in the summer.  Unless it's in Alaska:)
Love you all and I hope you have a great, great week!!
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Published on September 04, 2012 08:09

August 27, 2012

A few things, a GIVEAWAY, and some TRICK extras

This week is going to be a hectic one.  I will be leaving for Atlanta on Friday morning to spend the weekend at the Decatur Book Festival. I'm so freakin' excited! OMG!  I'm also trying to make some significant progress on my new book this week before I go.  I still don't have a title for it yet. That usually comes to me from something in the book itself. I do think I have a cover for it, though, and I must say I'm extremely excited about it. Holy moly!  I can't wait to show you! 

Anyway, something I've been thinking about lately is my blog.  I plan to be spending more time on it.  FB as well.  For that reason, I've decided to celebrate when I reach 750 followers.  And here's what I'm doing:

GIVEAWAY:  I'll be drawing randomly from my followers and giving away a signed copy of The Wild Ones as well as a TWO swag pack, which will have all my new TWO swag in it.  Squeeeeee! I'm so excited to show you my Trick goodies!!!

LOST PAGES OF THE WILD ONES:  I'll be posting what happens between Trick and Cami after he proposes to her. 

Sound like a plan?  I hope I get there soon, because I'm really excited for you to read those pages. And that's saying a lot when there's also a giveaway going on. Y'all know how much I love a giveaway:)

Happy Monday, everybody!  I hope it's blue skies and smiles all the way around:)
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Published on August 27, 2012 07:11

August 26, 2012

Cover Reveal: Blood Doll by Georgia Cates

So today, I have the last of my awesome string of cover reveals.  This one is from the uber amazing Georgia Cates. If you haven't read her, you need to!  This is the third book in her Vampire Agape Series and it's due out in early 2013.  Enjoy!



Blood Doll (The Vampire Agápe Series #3)
Solomon Alexander has faced huge obstacles during his existence, but they’re nothing in comparison to the one he’s about to hit head on. As leader of The Savannah Compound, part of Sol’s new position in the Coven of Landra is to guide the transition of fledgelings, newly turned vampires. It’s his job to save the unsavable. Being a Landra is what he’s done for over a century and he’s damn good at it, but everything he knows, practices and teaches is threatened when he is forced to drink from Avery Ferrand, a Blood Jewel.

The Blood Jewel is enshrouded with mystery, but one fact is known. There’s never been blood more desirable or addicting than Avery’s and there are consequences for any vampire that drinks it...including Solomon Alexander. Although he adamantly denies his need to feed from her, Avery suspects he’s lying but she has secrets of her own about the night he drank from her. She wanted him to and now she finds herself being drawn to Solomon in a way she shouldn't. As Avery’s desire to be closer to Solomon grows, she finds herself considering something more dangerous than being found by the dangerous covens hunting her...asking Solomon if she can become his Blood Doll.

Expected Publication Early 2013
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Published on August 26, 2012 04:56

August 25, 2012

Cover Reveal: Courtney Cole Of Blood and Bone

Y'all, look at this cover!  And just you wait until she tells you what it's about.  Holy.  Moly.  It's due out toward the end of September, so keep your eyes peeled!!



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Published on August 25, 2012 04:42

August 24, 2012

Weekend Sale!!!



**All titles available through Amazon.**  **Some are available through B&N and Smashwords, as well**
BLOOD LIKE POISON: For the Love of a Vampire, M. Leighton- FREE

MADLY, M. Leighton- FREE

MEANT TO BE, Tiffany King- FREE

PRINCE OF WOLVES, Quinn Loftis- FREE

BLOOD OF ANTEROS, Georgia Cates- FREE

FAIRY METAL THUNDER, J. L. Bryan- FREE

ANATHEMA, K. A. Tucker- FREE

EVERY LAST KISS, Courtney Cole- FREE

THE CHILDE- C. A. Kunz- FREE

JENNY POX, J. L. Bryan- FREE

SIGNIFICANCE, Shelly Crane- $0.99

AWAKEN, Sarah Ross- $0.99

13 ON HALLOWEEN, Laura A. H. Elliott- $0.99

STAINED, by Ella James- $0.99

ECHO OF AN EARTH ANGEL, Sarah Ross- $0.99

TRANSFER STUDENT, Laura A. H. Elliott- $0.99


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Published on August 24, 2012 06:50

Cover Reveal: Wide Awake by Shelly Crane

Lookie lookie what I got!  The newest thing (coming in 2013) from the lovely Shelly Crane!!


WIDE AWAKEA girl.
                   A coma.
                             A life she can't remember.
          When Emma Walker wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of how she got there, she learns that she's been in a coma for six months. Strangers show up and claim to be her parents, but she can't remember them. She can't remember anyone. Not her friends, not even her boyfriend. Even though she can't remember, everyone wants her to just pick up where she left off, but what she learns about the 'old her' makes her start to wish she'd never woken up. Her boyfriend breaks up with the new girl he's dating to be with her, her parents want her to start planning for college, her friends want their leader back, and her physical therapist with the hazel eyes keeps his distance to save his position at the hospital.
          Will she ever feel like she recognizes the girl in the mirror?
                                                                        Expected Publication : Early 2013



EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER ONE:


Someone was speaking. No, he was yelling. It sounded angry, but my body refused to cooperate with my commands to open my eyes and be nosy. I tried to move my arms and again, there was no help from my limbs. It didn't strike me as odd until then.
          I heard, "All I'm saying is that you need to be on time from now on." Then a slammed door startled me. I felt my lungs suck in breath that burned and hissed unlike anything I'd ever felt before. It was as if my lungs no longer performed that function and were protesting.
          Then I heard a noise, a gaspy sound, and my cheek was touched by warm fingers. "Emma?" I tried to pry my eyes and felt the glue that seemed to hold them hostage begin to let go. "Emma?"
          Who was Emma? I felt the first sliver of light and tried to lift my arm to shield myself, but it wouldn't budge. Whoever was in the room with me must've seen me squint, because the light was doused almost immediately to a soft glow. My eyelids fluttered without strength. I tried to focus on the boy before me. Or maybe he was a man. He was somewhere in between. I didn't know who he was, but he seemed shocked that I was looking up at him.
          "Emma, just hold on. I'm your physical therapist and you're in the hospital. Your…" he looked back toward the door, "parents aren't here right now, but we'll call them. Don't worry."
          I looked quizzically at him. What was he was going on and on about? That was when I saw the tubes on my chest connecting my face to the monitors. The beeping felt like a knife through my brain. I looked at the stranger's hazel eyes and pleaded with him to explain.
          He licked his lips and said softly, "Emma, you were in an accident. You've been in a coma. They weren't sure if…you'd wake up or not."
          Of everything he just said, the only thing I could think was, 'Who's Emma?'

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Published on August 24, 2012 05:41

August 18, 2012

http://www.supagurltours.blogspot.com... is a 32 year ...

http://www.supagurltours.blogspot.com/
Quinn is a 32 year old wife, mother, nurse, and writer, not necessarily in that order.  She lives in beautiful North West Arkansas with her husband, son and Nora their Doberman Pinscher. She loves writing, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, favorite book are Pride and Prejudice, The Alpha and Omega Series by Patricia Briggs, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. She loves to be silly and have fun, loves music and thinks there is no greater sound in the world than that of her little boy's laughter. 
Goodreads : http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5014564.Quinn_Loftis
Blog: http://quinnloftisbooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthQuinnLoftis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuinnLoftisBooks
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Published on August 18, 2012 09:08

August 17, 2012

WOW moment

I can't say that I've wanted to be a writer since grade school or that it's been my life's ambition to author a book.  All I've ever really wanted was to love or even just like my job.  I waited years and years and years to find "THE" job and I worked dozens and dozens of jobs until I found it.

But then I did.

And now I'm a writer.  By occupation, by divine machination, by SOUL, I'm a writer.  To be able to pay my bills was the main goal.  And God saw to that.  But I never once thought for a second that I'd be able to pay my bills with my PASSION.  And yet, here I am doing exactly that.  Anything above and beyond that is just icing.  Beautiful, wonderful, delicious, gratifying icing.

Thanks to y'all, I'm able to do what I love every single day of my life.  You can't put a price tag on that.  And you can't quantify how profoundly grateful I am.  But in the midst of all this that has happened in the last year and a half, another dream has taken shape.  This one isn't a matter of survival. It's a personal thing.  It's like the 40-year old swimmer who has already won gold at the Olympics.  He or she doesn't need to go back to win gold; that's been done.  He or she wants to go back to satisfy a personal quest, something that money can't buy and few people understand.  That's the kind of thing today represents to me. 

It's been a quiet, deeply personal dream of mine to crack the Top 25 on Amazon.  I'm not there yet, but I hope I will be.  It happens in baby steps.  But today, I got to see my book sitting in the company of two authors I've read and admired for the majority of my adult life.  I'm in no way comparing myself to them or their greatness. I'm just saying to see my work there amongst them is the most surreal thing I've ever experienced.  Surreal and wonderful.  It was one of the best WOW moments I've had over the past 18 months.

Thank you to every blogger, every reader, and every friend for being with me all this time.  I love you and value you more than you will ever know.  EVER!  From the bottom of my heart, I hope you get to see your dreams come true one day.  Truly.

THANK YOU!!!

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Published on August 17, 2012 07:30

Shadow Slayer by Laura A H Elliott Cover Reveal



Shadows will do anything to become human.
You see their influence everyday. You say things you don’t mean or do things that aren’t like you. You look different and become inexplicable, at times. Friends you’ve known forever suddenly never call.
Planet Popular was just a part of the Shadow World, where our alter egos merely exist. These shadows want nothing more than to become human so they can finally exercise their own free will. There’s a war brewing between the world of humans and the world of shadows. When shadows invade Roxie’s high school, she’ll not only fight for her life but the lives of her family and friends and discover she alone is the Shadow Slayer, the one human who can save Earth from the shadow onslaught. Oh yeah, there’s an evil English teacher, an enchanted play, a sword of Sandonian steel, a homecoming of horrors, and seven magic words.
Shadow Slayer releases September 18th!
13 on Halloween, (Shadow Series #1) is FREE on Smashwords and is now available as an audiobook on iTunes, Audible or Amazon.
Click here to enter the Shadow Slayer Cover Reveal Giveaway & a chance to win two Shadow Series necklaces (one for each book), a 13 on Halloween audiobook, and a Shadow Slayer paperback.
Laura loves writing about enchanted road trips, shadow worlds, and alien romance while eating lots of popcorn. Find out more about Laura’s books at Laurasmagicday.wordpress.com or find her on Facebook!
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Published on August 17, 2012 05:05

August 16, 2012

The Wild Ones book trailer

Y'all, I just have to post this here.  The awesome Rosette with Literati Literature Lovers put together this amazing trailer for The Wild Ones.  They are featuring this as well as some other truly cool and unique M. Leighton / The Wild Ones things over at their blog.  Please go by and check it out.  These ladies have just done a bang up job of making me feel like I can fly!!

Check out the trailer


A big huge THANK YOU to each of them and to each of you who has spread the word about this book and left me a lovely review for it.  There just aren't enough words to tell you what it means to me!  I hope y'all know how much I love and appreciate you:)  <3

Have a phenomenal Thursday!
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Published on August 16, 2012 06:07