Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 238

Conversation with Best-selling author SOMAN CHAINANA

What types of challenges wait for Sophie and Agatha in Book 2?Without giving away any spoilers, I want Sophie and Agatha to face themes in each book that we tend to think about in black-and-white terms. In Book 1, they face Good and Evil, and reveal the immense shades of gray between those two words. In Book 2, they do the same to Boys and Girls. And if it sounds like I'm going to get in a lot of trouble for it, well… Mischief is my favorite pastime.In terms of their character growth, I think readers of Book 1 have asked me all the right questions: What is Agatha thinking, knowing what she gave up? And what is Sophie thinking, knowing her own crimes? The delicious part of Book 2 is that neither girl can really share their answers with the other, without opening up old wounds. 
If you had to live in a classic fairytale world (from books or movies), which would you choose?I'm going to cheat and choose a world that isn't technically fantasy at all. One of my favorite books is From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by EL Konigsburg. In the book, two children run away and take up secret residence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I couldn't think of a place more stirring and fun, because as a child, you're often kept behind ropes at a museum and berated with reminders: NO TOUCHING, NO RUNNING, NO EATING, NO COUGHING, TALKING, SNEEZING, OR HAVING ANY FUN AT ALL. As you can tell from the world of SGE, I'm not a big fan of… rules. To get to just roam free in the Met and play seems like the greatest fantasy possible.
Why do you think these books have found such a strong international audience? Have you gotten to engage with any international fans? Any memorable fan reactions?If it was up to me, I'd spend every day of the year traveling to see readers around the world. The support for THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL has been staggering -- and my favorite thing to do in the morning is check the Good and Evil scoreboard on the homepage of www.schoolforgoodandevil.com. Each day, the five highest Good and Evil soul scores from the "Are You Good or Evil" online school entrance exam are posted on the site, along with the city and country the reader is from. Without fail, it's a smorgasbord of users from around the world. I'm looking at it right now: Idaho, Los Angeles, Dubai, London, Canberra, Pakistan, Brazil… 
I'm at a loss to explain it, except for the fact that the kids seem to love the idea that in the SGE world, they can be truly themselves. You don't have to be perfect. You don't always have to do the right thing. You can just be 'human' and won't be subjected to an unrealistic moral at the end of the story.
As for engaging with international fans, I answer every letter I get from around the world, post every piece of fan art we receive, and occasionally Skype with classrooms in different countries. And for Book 2, I'll be on tour this spring and summer to Canada, England, and no doubt more countries to come. The book will also start being translated into a ton of different languages over the next year.
How have the characters evolved?For a while, I know there’s been a fair bit of debate online over whether Agatha and Sophie would even be in the sequel. After all, the end of book 1 should have been their happy ending. But questions remain: What is Agatha thinking, knowing what she gave up? And what is Sophie thinking, knowing what she’s done? The delicious part of Book 2 is that neither girl can really share their answers with the other without opening up old wounds.
What do you do when you get writers block?I don't really get writer's block, honestly, because there's always a way around a problem. But usually writer's block means you're coming at a problem from the wrong direction or you have a faulty assumption. Taking a day off or a long yoga class inevitably solves it without too much stress.
What advice can you give to young budding writers?Read your work out loud to an average teenager. If they fidget after the first paragraph or look bored, then you need to keep working on that opening until they ask “What happens next?”. Character, story, theme… that all comes later. First you need the voice that feels authentic, that draws people in.
Which countries would you travel to if you could go anywhere in the world?I'd love to go to Argentina, Greece, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, and Sweden… We're working on the School for Good and Evil movReviews: “Soman Chainani's whip-smart debut, guaranteed to make any little girl think twice about wanting to be a princess. If I could bewitch you all to read it, I would. Grade: A.” – Entertainment Weekly
“A funny, frightening and fully satisfying novel that explores the meaning of true love and the vast gray area between good and evil.” – San Francisco Chronicle
“This marvelous fantasy reinvents the fairy tale and explores the mythic power of fairy tale images, heroism and gender roles, while offering marvelous entertainment at the same time.”– Buffalo News
“A droll fairy tale of sorts with appeal for all ages…quite funny and already optioned by Joe Roth, the producer of “Oz the Great and Powerful.” – New York Daily News

“Although many have tried, no writer has quite been able to reach the ‘top rung’ on the ladder when it comes to the ‘best’ in tween fantasy (top spot being held by Harry Potter)…until now. This is a fairytale/adventure/thriller/fantasy with humor and characters readers will never forget, and everyone from tweens to adults will want to walk in this world.” –Authorlink.com
“THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL is a fun and exciting read, incorporating elements of beloved fairy tales and putting a modern twist on others.” – Teenreads.com
Buy links:Amazon Book 1: http://www.amazon.com/School-Good-Evil-Soman-Chainani-ebook/dp/B009NF6FYI/ref=twoen-20Amazon Book 2: http://www.amazon.com/School-Good-Evil-without-Princes-ebook/dp/B00DTT8D7G/ref=two-en
Watch the book trailer:http://shelf-life.ew.com/2014/03/18/see-the-trailer-for-a-world-without-princes-the-sequel-to-the-school-for-good-and-evil-exclusive/

Guest Post: MY FAVORITE THING TO WRITE by Sybil Bartel

You would think this was an easy question, right? But really, I equate it to walking into a candy store and having to choose one thing. Who wants that? Well, okay, I’d sogo for the chocolate covered cherries. But I’d be tempted, really tempted, by a lot of other candy.
Writing is like candy. I crave it. But mostly, I crave the damaged, desperate parts. If the love scenes are the chocolate covered cherries, I want to write the broken bits and pieces that fall apart. I love the drama. But more? I love a broken character. I love the desperation of wanting something so badly but knowing that getting it will break you. And the bad boy character that takes all that angst and turns it into the prefect alpha storm? Oh man. Swoon.
For me, Graham Allen in NO APOLOGIES is that character. He’s gritty and raw and desperate. He wants his heroine, Carly, so badly but he knows she will break him. With each sentence I wrote, the layers of Graham’s story built up and took me by surprise. I am totally a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of writer. It’s all character driven for me. I love to watch the hero’s story unfold, occasionally helping out with an adjective here or there (wink). But ultimately, it’s the hero’s story, and all the grit in between the priceless moments. That is what keeps me going.
Is it hard to write the heartbreaking parts? Does it make me want to crawl into bed and cry? Do I wish my characters wouldn’t make such horrible decisions? I so do. But. Without those broken bits and pieces that make up the in between, we wouldn’t have the really spectacular chocolate covered cherry scenes. And I live for those scenes.
So, if you ask me, it’s the grit I love to write. It makes the whole candy store come together. Maybe tomorrow I will change my mind. Maybe I will be writing one of those really spectacular scenes for Graham’s best friend, Myles. And maybe I will say—Hey! Those! Those hot and heavy, clothes flying, hands skimming, breaths faltering, scenes—those are my favorite. But deep down, I’ll know. There’s no reward without the work. There’s no dessert without dinner and there’s no story without the angst. I love the angst—desperately, obsessively, adoringly—love the angst.

Book & Author Details:No Apologies by Sybil Bartel
Published by: Carina Press (HQN)
Publication date: June 23rd 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:Never apologizeHard-edged rocker Graham Allen has it all. He’s flush with cash from playing bass in a band by night and restoring classic cars by day. And there are plenty of women willing to share his bed for a night, complication-free. Perfect, because if there’s anything he learned from his past, it was to never get attached—to anything. So when bartender Carly Sullivan flashes her innocent smile, Graham isn’t prepared for what happens next.
Never fall in love
Two rules, that’s all Graham has—never apologize and never fall in love. He knows Carly is everything he should avoid. Cheerful and sweet, she has “relationship” written all over her. But Graham can’t stay away from her probing questions and concerned blue eyes.When Graham discovers Carly is hiding a crushing secret, he’s prepared to risk it all. Until in one single moment, everything changes and Graham’s past threatens to collide with his future. His life is crumbling down around him, and soon no apology in the world can save him.He should’ve known to walk away.91,000 words
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20926029-no-apologies?ac=1
Purchase: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I15VKWI/ref=twoen-20
--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-apologies-sybil-bartel/1118327857?ean=9781426898532
AUTHOR BIO: Sybil grew up in Northern California with her head in a book and her feet in the sand. She used to dream of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books about wistful summer days and first loves drew her into the world of storytelling. Her true literary love is the New Adult genre but really, any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful, makes her swoon.

Sybil now resides in Southern Florida and while she doesn't get to read as much as she likes, she still buries her toes in the sand. If she's not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in her backyard, you can find her spending time with her handsomely tattooed husband, her brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer who stole her heart.

Author Links: https://twitter.com/SybilBartelhttp://sybilbartel.com/https://www.facebook.com/sybilbartelauthorhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7893521.Sybil_Bartel

Blitz-wide giveawayOpen INTL - Ends June 30th--25$ Amazon gift card
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#Excerpt: HER SECRET INHERITANCE by Jen McConnel

Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, she quickly calculated the time back home. Her family wasn’t likely to be up for a few more hours, but it was possible that Tammy might not have gone to bed yet. Lou crossed her fingers and dug her cell phone out of the small pocket inside her purse.            She punched in the numbers by memory, and after five rings, a groggy voice said, “Hello?”            “Oh, shit, Tammy. Did I wake you?” Lou frowned at the phone, flooded with guilt.            “It’s three o’clock in the morning. What do you think?” Tammy’s voice was terse, but Lou couldn’t tell if she were just tired, or cranky, too.            “I’m sorry. It’s morning here. I didn’t figure the time difference right.” Lou lied quickly, hoping Tammy wouldn’t call her on it.            She didn’t. “Okay. Fine. I’m up: what did you need?”            Lou hesitated. “It’s just—I’m in Scotland.”            Suddenly, Tammy sounded wide awake. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I forgot that you were flying yesterday.” She paused. “Is everything all right?”            Relief washed over Lou as she leaned back against the headboard. “I don’t know. It’s just, weird, you know?”            Tammy was quiet for a minute, and Lou pictured her nodding. “Lots of memories?”            Tears threatened Lou again, so she forced a bright note into her voice. “Some. It’s just strange to be here after so long.”            The line was still. Tammy knew better.            Lou sighed and admitted, “It hurts. Not just knowing that the he’s gone, but knowing that—“            “You missed your chance.”            Lou exhaled sharply. She knew who Tammy was talking about. “Yes.”            “Did you think about looking him up while you’re there?”            “No!” Lou spoke too quickly. “I’ll be too busy.”            “I’m sure Brian would help you, if you asked him.”            Hearing his name caused a sharp pain in her chest, but Lou shook her head. “That was a long time ago.”
HER SECRET INHERITANCE Five years after the trip to Scotland that changed her life, Lou is back in the misty, magical country. But this time, she’s not on vacation.

When Brian, her old Highland fling, turns up at the scene of some depressing family business, tension mounts between the former lovers. But dealing with Brian is only part of the problem; something wicked is stirring in Scotland. Lou must use all her strength to handle the increasingly desperate situation, but will she be strong enough to battle both a vengeful ghost and her heart?

Lou may have thought that she was finished with the witch Isobel Key, but some secrets can’t stay buried forever.
Learn MoreBloomsbury | Website| Goodreads | Bloomsbury Spark | Purchase:Amazon | B&N | Google | iTunes | Kobo | Audible |
Author bio: Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she also holds a MS in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  When she isn't crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches college writing composition and yoga. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.  Her debut NA novel, THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY, is out now from Bloomsbury Spark. She also writes YA and nonfiction. 
Visit http://www.jenmcconnel.com  to learn more.
Connect With Jen
| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Facebook | Blog | Website |

Artist Contact:
website:- www.incahoots.org.uk
twitter:- @incahootsclaire
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/incahoots/256765432501
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Blitz-wide giveawayOpen INTL - Ends June 24:One mounted black and white print of Claire Heminsley’s artwork, “A Snippet of St. Andrews”The Prints are black and white. Mounted with an acid free, antique white mount. Size of image: 18x40cm, Size of mount:-29x52cm.
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Interview with Karen-Anne Stewart

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book?  Is it part of a series?Ash to Steele is a story of bad boy meets good girl but has some serious twists and turns with strong supporting characters that you will want as your friends.   Emma is a preacher’s daughter from a small, southern town who is desperate to find out who she really is, not just the girl she’s supposed to be, so she leaves for Boston to follow her dream and find her ‘more’.  Breck doesn’t believe in love or being with a girl for more than one night.  He’s a definite ‘I’ll kick your ass if you threaten my family or friends’ badass with a past he wants to stay hidden.  When Breck and Emma meet, hate is the mutual emotion…but so is desire.   She is his ruin, his sweetest hell. Ash to Steele is a standalone, but Gavin, the cocky, sexy bouncer, will have his own story in 2015. 
 Do you have a favorite character?Breck is my favorite character in Ash to Steele; I had a blast writing in his POV.  I loved Emma’s quiet strength and spunk, but I became addicted to Breck’s arrogant but soft side.  He’s full of beautiful contradictions.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one?  Did that change the direction of the novel at all?Gavin was originally going to be a character that showed up a few times in Ash to Steele, but I fell in love with him, and he became a major player.  The novel completely shifted when Gavin became more of a prominent figure, and I love the direction it took.  I’m so excited to write Gavin’s own story. 
Do you belong to a critique group?  Have they helped improve your writing?I’m so lucky to have the beta readers who read my novels before I publish them.  They are amazing and really help make the novels better. 
What is your writing process?  Do you listen to music or do you like silence?Music is a huge inspiration to me and I almost always have music blasting in my ears when I write.
 Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I usually only have the beginning and end of the story outlined; the rest just plays out as I write.  Once I let the characters take the lead, anything I had in my head is subject to change. 
What have you learned during your self-publishing journey?I keep learning something new every day.  The most amazing thing I’ve learned, though, is how supporting authors are to other authors.  The writing community is a close-knit group, and I LOVE being a part of it.
 What kinds of marketing (twitter, facebook, blog, forums) are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Linkedin, and, most recently, Instagram.  I’ve just started doing consistent blogs on my website, which are mostly features of other author’s books, and started my newsletter, Scripted Happenings.  I love to connect with readers, so feel free to hang out with me on any of the below:Website:  http://www.karen-annestewart.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnneTwitter:  https://twitter.com/SKarenAnneGoodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_StewartInstagram:  http://instagram.com/skarenanne
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?I’ve found that marketing does take a large amount of time, especially when I suck at it.  With each book, I seem to have less time to write.  I’m currently working on organizing my time management better…wish me luck ;). 
What’s next for you?I’m working on a paranormal romance that I hope to have live late this year.  I’m loving writing Jensen and Saige’s story, and I’m very excited to begin working on Gavin’s!  


Book & Author details:Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart
Publication date: February 13th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:Emma.
Who I am and all I believe is marred with just one glance into angry, steel blue eyes. He seems to control my air, my ability to breathe. He makes me crave everything I know is a sin. Pure becomes tainted and lines are blurred. It’s my fault; I’m the one who isn’t strong enough. I’ve been damaged…broken. Breck’s words haunt me…’There’s a consequence for every choice you make.’
Breck
I’ve had so many women I can’t even remember over half of their names, but none of them are mine; I make damn sure of that. I take what I desire and never look back. I don’t need or want anyone, ever…not until I met Emma. Those eyes bore into what’s left of my soul and her touch sears me, weakens me. I want to hate her for that. She is my ruin…my sweetest hell.
Disclaimer: Intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and some violence.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20810676-ash-to-steele
Purchase: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IGGCCUQ/ref=twoen-20
AUTHOR BIO Karen-Anne Stewart has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards and is a nominee for the 2013 RONE Awards.

When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.Author links:http://www.karen-annestewart.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_Stewarthttps://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnnehttps://twitter.com/SKarenAnne   Giveaway:Tour wide giveawayOpen INTL-a signed copy of Ash to Steele + a 25$ Amazon Gift Card
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#Review: THREATS OF SEA AND SKY by Jennifer Ellision

4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Ellision and she has crafted an entertaining fantasy. The story unfolds when Breena Perdit discovers strangers in the forest near her small northern village. Those strangers turn out to be the King's Elemental soldiers and they are there to arrest her father and her as well. Her father has magical gifts that she never knew about, but he refuses to talk about it. There's so much that she doesn't know about the man that raised her and what she doesn't know puts her in grave danger. They are taken to the King's castle and her father is thrown into prison for refusing to give the King the information he seeks. Breena is thrown in the middle of court politics - who can she trust and who wishes her dead?

The story flows well with a few twists and turns and the secondary characters are interesting as well. Not everyone good is good and not everyone evil is evil. This definitely adds depth to the story. My only complaint is that the book ends on a major cliffhanger without much resolution of the conflicts presented in book 1. This is not a stand alone novel and readers should be prepared for this.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.


AUTHOR BIO: Jennifer Ellision spent a great deal of her childhood staying up past her bedtime with a book and a flashlight. When she couldn’t find the stories she wanted to read, she started writing them. She loves words, has a soft spot for fanfiction, and is a master of the fangirl flail. She lives in South Florida with her family, where she lives in fear of temperatures below 60 Fahrenheit.

Threats of Sky and Sea, a young adult fantasy, is her first novel.

You can find Jennifer online at www.jenniferellision.com, or on twitter @JenEllision.
Author Links:http://speakingjenerally.wordpress.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7753988.Jennifer_Ellisionhttps://www.facebook.com/JenniferEllisionhttps://twitter.com/JenEllision

Tour Giveaway:Tour wide giveawayOpen to US/Can--Prizes listed on the Rafflecopter - includes several prize packs.
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Interview with Jacinta Maree

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?The Reapers, which is book two in the My Demonic Ghost series, has a very interesting time line. Unlike book one, Banished Spirits, The Reaperstakes place before, during and after the first book. I wrote it from a different perspective, the Reaper Jordon as he comes to terms with his messy death and his new role as Reaper and owner of Raix, the demonic wolf.
The Reapers stands out among all three books because the story is told through Jordon’s eyes and you get to see behind the scenes where Lock or Rachael cannot get to.
Do you have a favorite character?In the Demonic Ghost series, yes. And I’m not afraid to say Lock is by far my favorite, followed by Mother, Gargoyle and Rachael.
Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?I did, but I mostly stuck to Australian publishers which were a very hard market to crack. I tried a couple of different places that I thought suited, and if I was lucky, got a rejection letter. Though it never put me down, I just had to try different methods of approach. I’m just so thankful I was picked up by Staccato Publishing, they have been amazing to me and so supportive and hard working.
How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?I was searching for about a year before I found Staccato where I was looking for editing services for my first book, Banished Spirits. So, yes that was my first completed and serious novel.
Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?I am with an agent at the moment, Eric Ruben, and I feel just so giggly with joy that I had suck in my courage and introduced myself to him at the RT pitches in 2013. I don’t believe I will self-publish any of my current works; I barely have the money or time to write and promote what I have now let alone try and do it by myself.
Plus, I love working with others, and I love being a part of a publishing team where I can make friends with the other authors. You become a family, and I feel I couldn’t do that if I ran in just for myself.
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?Oh, I must have music and a warm cup of tea with me but I can’t be in a room with other distractions like TV.  
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I love to outline my stories, I need direction or I just end up looking up pretty pictures on pinterest. Before I even write a character I need to know everything about them, their favourite food, what they like to wear, what their childhood was like. I especially love being able to watch their reactions, like when they are startled or when they are angered. Maybe their nostrils will flare up; maybe they just bite down and swallow their rage? It’s a lot of fun. 
What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?I like to dip my toes in a bit of everything.
I have twitter:  https://twitter.com/JacintaMaree6Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jacinta.maree.10Blog: http://jacintamareeauthor.blogspot.com/Deviant Art account:  http://jacintamaree.deviantart.com/Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448929.Jacinta_Maree
More facebook accounts:  Demonic Ghost: https://www.facebook.com/MyDemonicGhost?ref=hlTime Weaver:  https://www.facebook.com/TimeWeaverTheTimeCollectorSeries?ref=hlSoulless: https://www.facebook.com/soullessBook?ref=hl
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jacintamaree6/
What’s next for you?Well, I think I have the problem of jumping from project to project way too often. The third installment of My Demonic Ghost, Hunters and Creators is sitting with my lovely editor/ publisher Heather Savage. Unfortunately, no release date yet.
I’ve completed my Steampunk supernatural novel, Time Weaver: Heart of Cogs where we follow eighteen year old Elizabeth as she teams up with a Time Collector, a creature capable of exchanging wishes for time. Right now it’s sitting with my agent, the fabulous Eric Ruben.
Secondly, I have Soullessin the works which is my new supernatural/ dystopian. This one is a bit more of a secret until I work out all the kinks.
On the back burner, I have Grave of Machines, my Cyberpunk and a few others.  

Book & Author details:The Reapers by Jacinta Maree
(My Demonic Ghost #2)
Publication date: September 17th 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:
The day you die is meant to be the end, but for 18 year old Jordon Hastings, his death was only the beginning.

In a dark and twisted world, lost spirits known as Reapers remain behind after death to help collect the spirits from the realm of the living. A new Reaper, Jordon struggles to accept his fate and lingers in the shadows of his mortal life. But when a demon wolf starts to live through his shadow, hunting his family and friends Jordon has no choice but to leave. As soon as he accepts his new role the truth behind the relationship between Reapers and Angelic Hunters is revealed. His loyalty is tested, making him choose between a corrupted God and a single Banished Spirit.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18513846-the-reapers?ac=1

Purchase:
--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-reapers-jacinta-maree/1116987955?ean=9780989202749--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Reapers-My-Demonic-Ghost-ebook/dp/B00F8LQ1JK/ref=twoen-20
AUTHOR BIO: Self confessed chocaholic, Jacinta was born and raised in Melbourne Australia with her loving family of five. Even as a child Jacinta had an itch to write. Writing was the one constant hobby she clung to, also trying her hand at piano, flute, tennis, horseback riding and drama.

Jacinta works full time in the family business and spends her afternoons either playing basketball, reading, writing or hanging out with friends. She is always happy to try something new; getting her real estate license, practicing ninjitshu, Zumba and parkour to name a few.

For her future, Jacinta sees herself writing. It is a large part of her identity and something she hopes to continue. Aside from her love of stories she loves Japan and its unique and beautiful culture and history. From their delicious sushi dishes right down to their wooden sandals and kimonos. She is also a huge cat person and loves to snuggle up in front of the fire for a good movie or book. Her favorite genres are paranormal and fantasy but she also loves anything written by thriller writer, Stephen King.

 

#Cover Reveal: A DANGEROUS SEASON by Olivia Hardin

 
Pain, joy, death, life, magic: All of it fits. Or does it…  

The faery realm is in a frenzy now that the Women on the Hill are no longer united in power. The fabric of life as the fae know it is changing, and with it the dynamics of friends, lovers and neighbors. Devan will risk both her life and Kent’s love to locate her missing father.  

Nicky must follow Gerry headfirst into danger as she runs from the new demons within herself. Doc and Jill choose an ally in the cold war between faery factions as Robin struggles to help McKenna recover from a loss that could cripple her forever. Kristana and  Langston seek answers and follow a ghost into enemy territory, while Rooney confronts the challenges of Belle’s growing powers and the path revealed for their lives. A collision of forces could create a new order between the faery and human realms, but will everyone survive the fallout of the cataclysm?
 Pre-Order now to get the release day price of just 99cents. Only guaranteed for the date of release! Pre-Order on iBooks Pre-Order on Barnes and Noble

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Transcendent: 
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#Review: SUNSTONE by Freya Robertson

5 of 5 stars
SUNSTONE is the second book in the Elemental Wars by Freya Robertson. I read the first book and though it was enjoyable, there were too many characters to keep track of in all their different quests across the land in the hopes of opening the Nodes. In this book, the author pares down the cast and writes a compelling and interesting read. The story follows three different groups as they are called by The Arbor, the tree that is the living force of the land, to come to its aid. The Arbor is in trouble and strives to bring about the APEX, the singular event that will have past and future events converge with the present. The ancient sunstones must merge across timelines into one, but the Incendi, fire elementals, will do everything they can to prevent it. If the Apex does not happen, the world will be turned to ash and the Incendi king Pyra will rule forever.

It was easy to follow each group's adventures and perils. Ms. Robertson kept the tension high and never strayed from any one story too long. That was the problem with the first book, but in SUNSTONE, the continuation of each journey was never further away than a chapter or two. The climax was exciting, the magic inventive and the characters well-fleshed out. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would suggest reading HEARTSTONE first though to fully understand the story. Recommended.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sunstone-Elemental-Wars-Freya-Robertson-ebook/dp/B00FIMWF2G/ref=twoen-20
 

Guest Post: FINDING THE INSPIRATION TO WRITE by Summer Lane

The best things in life are free. For me, that includes the environment in which we find ourselves living in. I think that the everyday world is the best material for stories, and I often find inspiration for my books from the common occurrences going on around us every day.  The entire premise of The Collapse Series was based on the idea that everyday things are no longer common – they are defunct. Society as we know it has suddenly deteriorated and survival is based on how fast you are, how strong you are – and what you are willing to do to stay alive.
I live in the Central Valley of California. I’ve lived here for most of my life, surrounded by orchard My favorite setting thus far in the series was Camp Freedom in the high mountains in State of Rebellion. I used a variety of different ideas from different campgrounds in the Sierra Nevada Mountains as springboards for the camp, and I hope that I get to return to that setting at some point in the series!

Book & Author Details:State of Pursuit by Summer Lane
(Collapse Series #4)
Publication date: June 6th 2014
Genres: Dystopia, New Adult

Synopsis:Cassidy Hart is alone.

Her Commander and the love of her life, Chris Young, has gone missing in action. A horrific battle with Omega has left too many good men and women dead, and Cassidy must bear the burden of leadership in the militia on her own.

But she’s not about to give up.

With the help of her faithful friends – and former enemies – she will stop at nothing to rescue Chris and ensure victory for the militias in their fight against the all-powerful Omega forces.

The game has shifted. This time, Cassidy is one step ahead of the enemy.

This time, Cassidy is in charge.

Collapse Series #4 – YA/NA Romantic Adventure – National Bestselling Series
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21843647-state-of-pursuit?ac=1
Purchase: --Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/State-Pursuit-Collapse-Series-Volume/dp/1499577613/ref=twoen-20
--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/state-of-pursuit-summer-lane/1119677750?ean=2940149270736
AUTHOR BIO:Summer Lane is the author of the national bestselling Collapse Series, which currently includes State of Emergency, State of Chaos, State of Rebellion and the fourth installment, State of Pursuit - releasing June 6th, 2014. She owns WB Publishing, and is the CEO of The Art of Storytelling, an upcoming creative writing program for children.

Summer is also the founder of Writing Belle, an online magazine dedicated to the art of storytelling. She is a consultant, creative writing teacher and journalist. Check out Writing Belle for interviews with upcoming authors and insights into the world of publishing! http://writingbelle.com/
Author links: http://www.summerlaneauthor.com/https://twitter.com/SummerEllenLanehttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823376.Summer_Lane
GIVEAWAYBlitz-wide giveawayPrize - Open INTL except the signed copy prize:1 ecopy of Outage, by Ellisa Barr 1 ecopy of Aberrant by Ruth Silver, 1 ecopy of The Road by G. Michael Hopf 1 ecopy of Land of the Unaltered by Leti Del Mar 1 ecopy of Flappers, Flasks and Foul Play by Ellen Mansoor Collier 1 Signed Paperback of Destiny Gift by Juliana Haygert (U.S. residents only for the paperback) 

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INDIE BOOKFEST 2014 (Aug. 8-9), Orlando, FL - Tickets NOW Available

Indie Bookfest 2014 ScheduleOrlando, FL. August 8th-9th at the

Buena Vista Palace 
Friday, August 8th.7:00-8:00 Registration8:15-8:55 Keynote Address- HM Ward9:00-9:45 Session 1A (Got Flexibility?) & 1B (Got Reach?)10:00-10:45 Session 2A (Got Serials?) & 2B (Got Gore?)11:00-11:45 Session 3A (Got Character?) & 3B (Got Grit?)12:00-12:45 Session 4A (Got Diversity?) & 4B (Got Game?)12:45-2:15 Lunch Break2:15-3:15 Session 5 (Got Mad Author Love?)3:30-4:15 Session 6 (Got Fantasy?)4:15-5:00 Session 7 (Got Romance?) 5:00-5:25 Closing Credits ;) Saturday, August 9th.1:00-4:00 Free-Entry Book Signing Event6:00-10:00 After-Party!!! (50’s style!) 
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Indie Bookfest 2014 Panels Orlando, FL. August 8th-9th at the
Panel 1A- Got Flexibility?(Tiffany King, Elise Marion, Courtney Cole, Casse Narome)Today’s successful authors know that there isn’t a right or wrong way to publish, as a matter of fact some of the best are going HYBRID! Find out what being a hybrid author means and why it just … makes sense. Panel 1B- Got Reach? (Kobo Writing Life Presentation)Presentation by Kobo Writing Life, one of Indie Bookfest’s 2014 sponsors. Panel 2A- Got Serials? (HM Ward, Rebecca Ethington, Sarra Cannon, Rene Folsom)It’s new. It’s wow. And how! Not really … serials have been around about as far back as when authors had to pen their work by candle light with paper and a quill. Find out about this “new” wave of novella serials from some of the very authors who are writing and publishing them. Panel 2B- Got Gore? (Alexia Purdy, Rick Chiantaretto, Melanie Karsak, Adam Kunz)Murder. Zombies. Mayhem. Find out how to keep the tingle going up your reader’s spine. See how gore, guts, & plot can work together to make an amazing story. A bone-chilling good time!Panel 3A- Got Character? (Maria V. Snyder, Claudia Gray, Raine Thomas, Adam Kunz)If you ain’t got a character that readers can feel deeply for, you ain’t got much! Why plot, without great character development makes for a hollow story. Panel 3B- Got Grit? Not all those who arrive survive!(Kristie Cook, Amy Miles, K. S. Thomas, Carol Kunz)So you wrote a novel? Cool! Now the real work begins. Hope you’ve got what it takes. Editing, beta readers, book covers, & swag. Oh MY! & let’s not even get started on the … marketing! Panel 4A- Got Diversity? (Inger Iverson, Casse Narome, Kristina Circelli, Ceci Giltenan)The world is a colorful place filled with a huge variety of people, cultures, and diversity. So where is all the variety in our books? Take an inside look on what some authors are doing to portray heroes/heroines from different cultures and backgrounds. Panel 4B- Got Game? (Kristie Cook, Rick Miles, Tawdra Kandle, Mandie Stevens)Time to market your book. Oh, boy. Marketing is hard. Marketing is a lot of work. But sometimes thinking outside of the box when it comes to trying to get your book noticed is just what can make the difference. Panel 5- Got Mad Author Love?(All authors attending Indie Bookfest!) An interactive round of “Author Speed Dating”. Meet each and every one of our authors in this fun, fast-paced table-hop! (Some goodies may or may not be involved!) ;) Panel 6- Got Fantasy? (Maria V. Snyder, Claudia Gray, GP Ching, Chanda Hahn)No matter what the current trends are in books, we will never tire of our paranormal, fantasy, and sci-fi reads. Am I right? Learn what it takes to make a fantasy plot really work and how these authors keep their writing fresh with new ideas. Panel 7- Got Romance? (Belinda Boring, Lacey Weatherford, Sawyer Bennett, Brenda Rothert)Everyone loves a little boom-chicka-wah-wah every now and then. While some authors like to keep it sweet & light, some like to make their pages steam as they type. What is your flavor of romance?

Enter to win a Kindle Fire HD. (GC if outside the US)

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