Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 258

#Excerpt: DRAWN by Cecilia Gray

FBI Field Office, Atlanta, Georgia
I've studied Chelsea since the FBI teamed us up when I was twelve. She has a move…classic Chelsea. She turns the doorknob and her body stiffens, a metal rod shoved down her spine. As she sets a high heel inside the interrogation room, her southern accent and soft manners are buried beneath a terrifyingly sleek, blond exterior in a perfectly pressed pinstriped suit.Four years of practice, two custom-cut suits of my own, and I still look epileptic when I try to project that sense of total control. Of I've got this. Even though I don't have her drawl and my posture's not bad.I follow Chelsea, stiff as can be, into the room with the bright white walls. Our sicko suspect glances up from the steel table in its center. I flinch at his chilling stare. Flinching already, see. A slow smile bulges his cheeks as he studies me. Attention from a guy in an orange jumpsuit sitting at a steel table—to which he is handcuffed—is what Chelsea would officially term an undesirable outcome. More undesirable—me showing I care. Like she always says, "Don't let 'em see you sweat, hon."No way am I giving this psycho the satisfaction. I suppress a shiver as the air conditioning kicks on with a groan. Tiny goosebumps break out on my forearms, raising the fine hairs to attention. Can't rub myself warm—that's a tell. Instead, when Chelsea slides into one of the fold-out metal chairs across from him, I follow her lead and take comfort in her giraffe-like posture in the chair next to mine.Chelsea tosses a manila folder so that its contents spill across the table. The file details his alleged heinous crimes, the FBI's efforts to track him, and the blood evidence in his garage that matches that of the latest missing girl—Georgia State art major, vegetarian, and more important to the suits, daughter of a local bigwig. Funny, the things you remember from a file when they have nothing to do with the case, like how she specialized in collages. They'd found cut-up pieces of magazines littered across the desk and floor of her dorm room. The pieces trailed into the hall like flower petals down a church aisle.The strewn high-gloss photos of his suspected victims—his own personal collage of the young, female, and carved—don't solicit a cringe from him when I can barely hold down my water and I've been staring at them for weeks. My gaze flickers to the one-way mirror—a silent promise: We're gonna nail this freak."I'm FBI Agent Chelsea Tanner. This is my partner. How are you this evening?"This is normally when a suspect will ask, with understandable outrage, why I'm party to the interrogation because aren't I, at almost sixteen, too young to be in the FBI? Pinstriped suit or not, I look my age, maybe even a year or two younger because I've always been small—childhood malnutrition will do that to a girl.It's the suspects who don't care that I'm in the room who worry me. Like this guy, whose pale eyes flicker to my throat.I fight the urge to shift, even to clench my fingers tight into a fist. I don't blink."Fine weather we're having this winter." Chelsea manages not to smirk at our sitting in a windowless room. Her face is unbreakable. "These are perfect skies for a getaway. Do you have plans for the weekend?"When he doesn't answer, she shares our itinerary—a leisurely drive to Savannah to visit her mother at their family wintering home. Yes, that's a thing. The trip always involves mint juleps and wide-brimmed hats, not that Chelsea shares the finer details. A genteel background rarely earns cred with criminals.She chit-chats as if he's not imagining the slice of his boning knife into my neck. The careful incision he would carve against the clavicle, removing the flat bone from the ligaments attached to the shoulder. I don't need my unique magic to know what's on his mind. Some things in the case file stick for a reason.My bone structure fascinates him. His gaze caresses my cheekbones, roams over the bridge of my nose, dips into the hollow of my neck, and brushes the stray dark corkscrew curls that drape over my sternum.Don't move. Don't blink. Don't even breathe.

Book & Author Details:
Drawn by Cecilia Gray
Publication date: November 13th 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis:Take a journey into the gritty world of political espionage through the eyes – and lies – of one extraordinary girl. A wholly original tale of friendship and betrayal from the author of The Jane Austen Academy series….

Sasha has a secret – that she can make you spill your secret with nothing more than a question. Her strange gift makes her a burden to her foster family and a total freak of nature. Not that Sasha cares. Why should she when no one cares about her?

Then the CIA knocks on her door. They want to give Sasha a new identity and drop her into a foreign country to infiltrate a ring of zealous graffiti terrorists. They want to give Sasha something to care about.

To survive a world where no one is who they seem, Sasha needs to make people trust her. But when that trust blossoms into love, Sasha is forced to decide between duty and friendship, between her mind and her heart, and whether to tell the truth or keep her secrets.Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17725214-drawn?ac=1
Purchase:--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cecilia-Gray/e/B0077RU55Y/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/cecilia-gray

AUTHOR BIO:Cecilia Gray lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where she reads, writes and breaks for food. She also pens her biographies in the third person. Like this. As if to trick you into thinking someone else wrote it because she is important. Alas, this is not the case.

Cecilia has been praised for “instilling a warmth and weight into her characters” (Romancing The Book Reviews) and her books have been praised for being “well-written, original, realistic and witty” (Quills & Zebras Reviews).

Her latest series of young-adult contemporary Jane Austen retellings was named a What’s Hot pick (RT Book Reviews magazine) and is a Best of 2012 pick (Kirkus Reviews) where it was praised for being a “unique twist on a classic” and offering “a compelling mix of action, drama and love.”

She’s rather enamored of being contacted by readers and hopes you’ll oblige.
Website: http://www.ceciliagray.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceciliagrayGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5061397.Cecilia_GrayTwitter: https://twitter.com/ceciliabooks

Grand prize giveaway

Prize (open internationally):--50 $ Gift Card to book retailer of their choice
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Interview with Jessica Bell

What have
you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?

The beauty
of self-publishing is the very thing that critics say is its downfall: there is room for everyone. Have a
unique voice that doesn’t fit the mass market? Want to write another angel
book, even though publishing experts say angel books are “dead”?
Self-publishing allows the readers who love exactly
the kind of books you write to find you, even if that number is too small
to interest a mainstream press. And if you have written a book that has
mainstream appeal? There are even more readers who will scoop up your
value-priced indie book.




What
advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing
arena?

Don’t doubt your decision. Self-publishing allows all
writers of all stripes access to the world’s readers. The industry has changed,
forced into embracing the digital revolution, just like the music industry.
Independent artists are everywhere now. Authors don’t self-publish because they’re
too lazy to go through the slog of submitting queries to agents, or editing
their manuscripts properly, or simply out of impatience to see their work in
print, just like independent musicians aren’t too lazy to find a record deal.
They simply have a different sound. Or they don’t want to be told by the record
label what they should and shouldn’t record. In a saturated market, where
publishers/music producers have millions and millions of queries and proposals,
independent artists are driven by self-belief and a passion that their work
deserves a place. So believe in yourself. You word does deserve a place.




What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your
life?

The fact that,
despite the full-time job, I can still find time to write books. So many people
get stuck in a rut, thinking they can't manage it, that there's no time. But
it's not true. If you really want something, you find the time.




What are your goals as a writer?

To have my books
linger in the minds of readers long after they've turned the last page. With
regards to my non-fiction, to help aspiring writers realize that writing
doesn't have to be as overwhelming as it seems. Learn the craft in bite-sized
pieces, and eventually everything will come together.




Besides writing,
do you have any other passions?

I’m also a singer/songwriter/guitarist. And you can access
my albums here.




When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing poetry first. I must have been about
eleven, sitting on a rock by the sea in a little place in Greece called
Monemvasia. I was so inspired by my surroundings that I needed a way to express it.
Not long after, I started writing songs. My mother had decided to sell her
twelve-string acoustic guitar to get a bit of extra cash. I saw it sitting by
the front door. I think someone was coming over to take a look at it. I
remember opening the case and thinking that it just looked so beautiful, and
why would Mum want to get rid of it? I think she was in the music room at the
time and I interrupted one of her recording sessions to ask about the guitar.
When she told me she was selling it, I asked her whether I could have it. She
said that I could if I learnt to play. From that day I had that guitar in my
hands every single day until I moved to Greece in 2002. I taught myself how to
play. The first song I ever wrote was played on one string and sung in a very
high-pitched awful voice. I hope that cassette never gets dug up!




How does Greece affect and influence your work?

There is a lot about Greece in my debut novel, String
Bridge, but I have to say that Greece had already started to influence me when
I was a kid. I must have been about eleven. I remember sitting on a rock by the
sea in a little place called Monemvasia. I was so inspired
by my surroundings that I needed a way to express it. This is when I
started writing poetry. In the end (well, beginning), Greece is what sparked my
passion for words.




Also, I would never have got my
first job as an editor if I hadn’t moved here. As I said above, I make a living
as an editor/writer of English Language Teaching materials. There is no need
for this sort of thing in an English speaking country. So I guess, I have Greece
to thank for giving me the opportunity to pursue this career path. If I had
have remained in Australia, I probably would have focused more on my music.




You’re also a poet. Do you consider yourself above all a
singer/songwriter or a writer/poet?

A writer for sure. I was born
into music, so it came naturally, but writing is something I learned I truly
wanted for myself and had a stronger passion to pursue.




How are
you able to be so productive as a writer, a musician, editor, and conference
organizer, as well as having a good social media platform, while working
full-time?

I'm not usually a person who utilizes lists and schedules.
But I certainly have been forced to create them due to all of the projects I
juggle. It's difficult. There's no denying that fact. But it's also fun! I
enjoy every minute of it.




Basically I do everything in scheduled, short bursts. I get
up early to make sure I have one hour to write and one hour to do something
else from my list (such as Vine Leaves or retreat organization). I pick and
choose depending on priority. During my lunch break, I blog, and spend about
half an hour to an hour (depends on how long I can take from work) on social
media. After work, I walk the dog, make dinner, maybe go to yoga (I do neglect
my laundry, though. Too often). Once that's done, I'll spend another hour or so
doing something else from my list (if I'm up-to-date on all my tasks, I'll try
and do something creative like writing, or music again). Then I'll relax in
front of the TV, or do something else away from the computer before I go to
bed. Then in bed, I'll read a chapter or two of whatever book I'm reading.
Sometimes that may even include critiquing a friend's manuscript. Reading to me
is relaxing and not a chore, so I really don't feel like that is tackling any
sort of task.




The most important thing? Recognizing when I'm too tired and
need to take a few days off. If I don't give myself decent breaks where I don't
do anything, then I very quickly burn
out and fall behind.




What’s
next for you?

Right now I'm working on my 4th novel, White Lady. Here’s the current blurb:




Mia used to be a skinny bitch. Now she’s an overweight
outcast. Mia used to idolize her mother, until she eloped to LA to marry a
cosmetic surgeon. Mia used to enjoy drinking beer, pigging out on burgers, and
watching the AFL with her dad, Nash, until he started dating her Maths teacher.




Mia’s fix?

Take drugs. Bathe in self-pity.

Lip sync, strung out, to Courtney Love in the mirror mirror
on the wall.




Yep. That should turn her ‘fat cow’ status on its head. At
least until it leads to inadvertently infiltrating Melbourne’s prime criminal
network ... and falling for the drug lord’s son.




This will end in bloodshed.

But maybe—just maybe—she’ll feel beautiful again.









Author Bio:

Jessica Bell is an Australian contemporary fiction author,
poet, singer/songwriter who lives in Athens, Greece. She may not write fairy
tales, but she can certainly exorcise the beauty within a beast. Bell also
makes a living as an editor and writer for global ELT publishers (English
Language Teaching), such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan
Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.




She is the
co-publishing editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the director of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca.




CLICK HERE  to subscribe to
Jessica’s newsletter. Every subscriber will receive  The
Hum of Sin Against Skin  for free, and be the first to know
about new releases and special subscriber giveaways.




Connect with Jessica online:

website | retreat & workshop | blog | Vine Leaves Journal | Facebook | Twitter




Giveaway:



Grand prize giveaway

Prize (open internationally): 

--The winner has a choice of 3 prizes:




Choice
1: Paperback copies of my novels: String Bridge (+ MP3 downloads of
original soundtrack), The Book, and Bitter Like Orange Peel

Choice 2: Paperback copies of my Writing in a Nutshell Series (three pocket-sized writing craft books)

Choice 3: Paperback copies of my poetry books: Muted, Fabric and Twisted Velvet Chains.







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Character Interview: SLOANE from RED SECTOR by Krystal Jones

 











Today, Krystle Jones, author
of the young adult dystopian/PNR series The
Red Sector Chronicles, will be interviewing her main character, Sloane
McAllister!




KRYSTLE: So, Sloane, tell
the readers a little about yourself.

SLOANE: Um… *tucks hair
behind ear and stares at the floor* I’m, uh, a vampire hunter who kind of
became a vampire. *laughs* Yeah, EPIC fail.

KRYSTLE: *grins* How’s that
working out for you?

SLOANE: Well, you know, it
was a big adjustment at first. And by big adjustment, I mean I totally freaking
hated it! *laughs* But you get used to it, and being a vampire isn’t all bad. *looks at handsome blond vampire
off-stage*

ADEN: (shouted) Yeah, it isn’t!

SLOANE: Get out of my
interview!

KRYSTLE: Aden, darling, you’ll
get your turn in a minute.

ADEN: *sad face*

SLOANE: *sighs* Why does he
have to look so cute when he’s sad?

KRYSTLE: Anyway, back to the vampire thing. How
did you feel when you first went into the Red Sector to look for your brother?

SLOANE: Scared to death!
Duh! I mean, the Red Sectors are crazy dangerous. All those vampires…
*shudders*

KRYSTLE: And yet you went
anyway.

SLOANE: *glares at author*
And whose fault is that?

KRYSTLE: *grins* I think you
relish being in danger, a bit of a thrill-seeker, as it were. Not to mention
you’re stubborn and reckless.

SLOANE: Hey! Those are my finer qualities. And I wouldn’t have had
to be in dangerous situations if you hadn’t kept putting me in them.

KRYSTLE: You know you liked
it.

SLOANE: *suppresses a smile*

KRYSTLE: Right. Well, thanks
for coming today, Sloane! Good luck staying out of trouble. You’re going to
need it. *last part grumbled*

SLOANE: I heard that!
Vampire hearing, remember! *points to ears*



Book & Author Details:







The Red Sector Chronicles by Krystle Jones

(The Red Sector Chronicles Omnibus)

Genres: Dystopia, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult



Synopsis:

The strength of Sloane’s heart is about to be put to the ultimate test.

After
the Eclipse – the night vampires began openly slaughtering human
victims – everything changed. Out of fear, the government salvaged what
remained of the human population and enclosed them in
massive, security-laden cities called White Sectors, while marking the
vampire infested territory as Red Sectors.



When
seventeen-year-old Sloane McAllister’s twin brother disappears, she
seems to be the only one who thinks he isn’t dead, and she vows to stop
at nothing to find him. Gathering her courage, she braves the Red Sector
to search for clues to his whereabouts. By chance, she encounters Aden,
a handsome, charismatic vampire with a hidden agenda. He turns Sloane
against her will and whisks her away to his underground city. Enemies
quickly become friends as Sloane struggles against her attraction to
Aden, and resists her growing loyalties to the creatures that ruined her
life.



But the vampires themselves are the least of her problems.
A war is brewing between the humans and vampires, along with a growing
web of deceit and betrayal. And before it’s all over, loyalties will be
tested, hearts will be broken, and no one’s lives will ever be the same.






Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/68870-the-red-sector-chronicles




Goodreads for the Omnibus: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18742623-the-red-sector-chronicles-omnibus-edition?ac=1




Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sector-Chronicles-Omnibus-Edition-ebook/dp/B00GB37DV4/

--Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/372600








AUTHOR BIO:


Krystle
Jones was born and raised in the small, southern town of
Tullahoma, Tennessee. Reading and writing have been lifelong passions of
hers. In addition to being a novelist, she is also an award-winning
flutist, and moonlights as a voice actress. Her voice can be heard in
the popular online game, Alice is Dead 3.




Author Links:


www.krystlejonesbooks.com

twitter.com/kryjonesbooks

facebook.com/krystlejonesbooks

goodreads.com/krystlejonesbooks




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Interview with Kailin Gow

How long
before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for
your first novel?

I got my first offer to be published from a traditional
publisher for my first book back when I started writing 12 years ago. But went
indie for digital publishing 12 years ago, as well, too because traditional
publishing did not have that form of publishing at the time.




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 have been offered traditional publishing contracts for a
handful of my series by some major publishers this year and last, but have
decided to go the indie route for particular reasons. I do self-publish, and I
also publish other people’s works. So I’m a hybrid in many ways, and I will be
open to all possibilities if it is what’s right and best for a particular book.




What
factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?

I wanted to offer something that was different in all the
books I’ve seen being published at the time. I wanted to provide a list of
resources for help at the end of a fiction novel. I also wanted to be able to
give part of the proceeds of the book sales to the American Red Cross at the
time.  Additionally when I started
going indie in YA and New Adult, it is because I wanted to mix genres, which is
something traditional publishing did not have at the time. Mixing genres was
taboo.




If you
used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the
creative process for your cover?

Very much involved. I choose the photos and even direct the
style.




Do you
belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?

I was initiated into a writer’s group a while back with some
pretty popular authors in the same genre, especially my ya paranormal
romances.  The idea of the group as
supporters of each other as authors and of the genre would have worked had it not
been for some of the social dynamics of the group and undefined group rules
which was not clearly conveyed to all members.  Author and writers’ groups would work if rules are clearly
defined, and especially in a critique group, egos are checked.




What is
your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

I do listen to music most of the time, but I can also write
in complete silence.




Do you
outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

I always outline first.




Did you
hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?

An editor and at least two other proofers. Plus I have
betas.




What
advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing
arena?

Just keep writing. Thank everyone who helped you become
successful on the way up, and manners are important.




Besides
writing, do you have any other passions?

Yes, reading, traveling, filming, and trying new foods.




What’s
next for you?

After releasing Freeing
You Freeing Me, I’m getting ready to release my Adult Steamy book series’
Master Chefs Series final book in the series, Consume Me and then releasing the final book in the PULSE Vampire
Series, called Blood Curse.  I’m also getting ready to host/organize
the 2nd Rockin’ the Holidays Indie Readers Bash Author Signing for
2014.




Purchase link Book 1:

http://www.amazon.com/Saving-You-Me-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B007USAZWI




Purchase link Book 2:

http://www.amazon.com/Finding-YOU-You-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00B2UZ8MC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=






Author bio:

Kailin Gow uses her author platform to bring awareness to issues
affecting young adult and women. She has appeared on national radio as a
regular guest on topics such as body image, self-esteem, dating and
sexual relationships, bullying, and more; often brought up in her
fiction books for young adults and women.



She is a graduate of the Annenberg School for Communications Masters
in Management program in journalism, marketing and publishing at the
University of Southern California.


























You can find her here:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KailinGowBooks

Her website: http://kailingow.com/

Her Publisher's Site: http://www.theedgebooks.com

Official website and blog: http://www.kailingow.wordpress.com

New #Romance Release: MY MR. ROCHESTER by L.K. Rigel

The classic Gothic tale set in a future utopia, retold in five episodes.

Episode 1:  Orphan Jane endures luxurious cruelty at Gateshead, survives the sterile austerity of Lowood, and finds a place at Thornfield Righteous Estate ~ only to encounter a rough, mysterious stranger who threatens the tranquility of mind she's fought so hard to achieve.

Approximately 32,000 words, novella length.



Only $.99



Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Rochester-Jane-Eyre-Retold-ebook/dp/B00GPI34IG/ref=twoen-20

Interview with S. M. Blooding

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?Knight of Wands is book 2 of the Devices of War Trilogy . Synn El’Asim finds himself captured by the Hands of Tarot yet again, only this time, it’s by the Queen of Swords, Dyna. She has a plan to take down her sister, Queen Nix. In order for them to do that, Synn has to be Nix’s Knight of Wands.
Through the course of the book, Synn finds himself played by Nix, Dyna, and his mother as they all position him for their own powerful benefit. Frustrated with all of them, he tells them to go pound dirt and calls all the tribes of their world into a council of peace.
What happens when the voiceless find their power? Or when the already mighty discover a power they haven’t tapped into yet? And what happens when the one that everyone thinks they can control slips his leash, and works to better the world and not himself?
Do you have a favorite character?I have two. Synn is my top favorite. That’s not always the case with main characters. Sometimes, you’re writing the story and going, “I can’t wait to get this scene because this character’s going to be in it.” I had that every time I picked up this book. I’m not looking forward to the end of this trilogy. I was initially excited because we’d be delving into the rest of the world with the other books. I’m feeling a bit sad that I won’t be with Synn in each scene of the other books, though.
My other favorite character is Nix. Oh my word! I loooooooooove this woman! She makes such an excellent villain. Writing this book, I wished more than once that I hadn’t chosen first person for the narrative. She does so much stuff in the background! You won’t see all of it in this book, though, if you’re onto her, you’ll be like, “Yo, woman! What the heck are you up to? No! No. There ain’t no way!” She is deliciously evil. Love her!
Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish?I actually have two other series under contract with publishers. The latest one is my Dreamland Stories series which you should be seeing in the early part of 2014. I was very excited when that contract came in! I’m excited about the team, Just Ink Press. I think it’s going to be a great experience.
I do have one other series that I will be self-publishing. You should be seeing one episode releasing next month, with the other five launching in 2014. The Dream Killers is to Dreamland Stories what The Agents of Shield is to the Marvel movies. I’m very excited about it and can’t wait to share!
If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?I used Ravven’s Glass. She’s absolutely amazing! She has such an eye for detail and color! AND she has this gift of being able reach inside my head and come up with something that’s so very, very my world.
Working with her is easy. You just tell her about your character(s), your world, the genre and a few ideas of what you’d like to see. Then she does her magick and sends you three proofs. You choose the one you want, make whatever corrections you want, and it’s done. It’s so painless, and so easy! I looooooove her!
What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?I discovered Spotify. There so much music at my fingertips, it’s amazing! I now have playlists for each series per mood. It’s funny, I understand. If you’re ever curious, you can find my profile on Spotify. I can’t give you a link because I haven’t figured that out yet, but you should be able to search for “Blooding” and that should get you to me.
I, however, can write anywhere! In a loud coffee shop, in my office at work, to the sound of the fan, to the sound of traffic or screaming kids. I can write to silence. Okay. The only thing I can’t write to is the sound of the TV. Yeah. No. No. Other than that? Just give me my computer and say, “Frankie, I’m not going to talk to you for a few. Entertain yourself!” You got it!
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I outline! Holy Hades! There were a few books where I outlined, and then the characters decided to throw it out the door. Fall of Sky City was that way. I had a completely different idea of how that book was going to go. Synn said, “Nope,” and ran with it. It was the most exhilarating and mildly terrifying writing event I’ve experienced since I started writing for publishing.
He threw out the outline for Knight of Wands, as well. That should give you an idea of the kind of character he is. But my other books? Oh, yeah. I outline and I stick to them. Well, mostly. Sometimes, I do have to tweak them as new events occur that I didn’t foresee.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?Oh, yes! I hire a whole team of them. AND I enlist my sister and besties. I learned that lesson the hard way. I’m not doing that again! I want reviews that focus on the story, not my grammar. I mean, I’m pretty good. I’ve been at this a long time.
However, I’ve lost the ability to tell the difference between past and passed. I’m pretty sure I knew that once a long time ago. I’ve also mixed up a few comma rules because they’re not the same in different industries. Contracting law grammar is much different from fiction grammar. Also, reading outside of the U.S.A., you realize there are even more differences in grammar rules. I’ve fallen into that trap of, “The more you know, the less you master.”
What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?Perseverance. Oh, yes. I’ve whined and complained and threatened to quit. Many times.
The one thing I’ve learned through this entire journey so far is to not quit.
What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?The norm. Twitter compaigns (which reminds me, I need to schedule those for tomorrow.). Facebook, this tour.
For this book, I decided to create banners that can be shared on FB. They’re like meme’s (I’m still learning the lingo), and I got the idea from Mortal Instruments when the movie launched. It was a great idea! People shared them, and were talking about the book. It was a great way to get readers involved in the book before it was launched.
What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?If you’re thinking of self-publishing, just know that it will be the hardest thing you ever do. Ask yourself if you’re willing to give birth to a baby without any drugs. Or if you’re willing to go to a typhoon hit part of the world and help them rebuild. Those things will be easier and more rewarding than publishing your own book. There are more disappointments down this road than there are accomplishments. The only thing you might get out of this journey is the fact that you can say, “I’m an author.”
The other thing, is not quit. There are obstacles. Lots of them. Face them. Overcome them and get creative about it. If you can’t think outside the box, this field is not for you. Book 2 of the Devices of War Trilogy Book Description:

Return to a world of mind blowing visuals, heart stopping action, and ships that sail the skies. Nix, Queen of Wands, has exactly what she wants—Synn El’Asim, the greatest Mark the world has ever seen. Even though she bound his soul to hers, he is not easily controlled. If she wants him, she must do the one thing that pains her most. Let him go, and give him what he desires. Peace.

Armed with a treaty bearing Nix’s seal, Synn sets off to bridge the gap between the world’s two reigning tyrants—the Hands of Tarot and the Great Families. He struggles to trust Nix as he fights for control of his soul. He’s going to need every ounce of restraint when dealing with his mother, leader of the Great Families. She will not give up her power without a fight. Nix will honor her treaty only if Synn agrees to become her knight. His mother refuses to sign the peace agreement if he falls into the queen’s control. Frustrated, Synn does the one thing neither woman saw coming. He invites all the tribes, currently voiceless in the war between these two ruling tyrants, to partake in the treaty negotiations. All they have to do is prove their worth in his Peace Games. As Synn’s influence and subsequent power grows, a new fight begins. Who will control Synn’s League of Cities? Can he protect more people as a leader of the Great Families, or as the Knight of Wands?

Find on Goodreads  Purchase for only $2.99 or Read for FREE with Prime!    Fall of Sky City Book 1 : Amazon – Kindle| Amazon – Paperback| Goodreads  Praise for Fall of Sky CityWow! What did I just read?? The story was deliciously complex, full of fear, wonder, magic, gadgets, gizmos, one heck of a psycho Queen and wonderful friends. Every character brought something to the story, each with a unique personality that came to life through the book, each with their own fears to overcome. Victoria Limbert  

I love the world Blooding has created. She managed to create it in a way that it combines specs of all my favorite movies, books, etc. It’s a mixture of young adult fantasy, steam punk, dystopia, sci-fi, paranormal and even some tiny bit of romance. Fall of Sky City is a diverse book that is intense, a little bit violent, and a whole lot of awesome! I look forward to reading the next book of the series! Unputdownable Books  

SM Blooding is a new author to me, but this is definitely not the last book I’ll read by her. Synn El’Asim is a powerful character–the reader sees him grow from a young man who has not yet come into his power to a strong man who is courageous enough to fight for what he believes in–his family and his people. The world building Ms. Blooding does is nothing short of remarkable. A world composed of flying ships, ice worlds, danger, and intrigue. My World of Dreams  

This book is action-packed and intense. You feel like you’re part of the drama. This story is intense. The action is perfectly paced. I had trouble putting the book down. I really felt for Synn from the very beginning. He goes through so much. As soon as he gets his mark, he is plunged into one situation after another. Queen Nix, who is horrifying by the way, pushes Synn to new levels, in more and more diabolical ways. With the help of friends and family, Synn becomes a strong leader. Waiting on Sunday to Drown

 I’m amazed of the world Blooding has created and built. It has Sky, Land, and Water Cities. These cities each has its own technologies, language, and a whole different way of life. These worlds remind me a lot of Avatar the Last Airbender and Star Wars, which I both loved wholeheartedly. Bahrain Newspaper Article Review!
 
Meet the Author: SM “Frankie” Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, and Jack the Bird. Jack has refused to let her to take up the piano again, but is warming to the guitar. It might help that Frankie has learned more than two strings. She’s added a few more Arabic words to her vocabulary, but don’t invite her into conversation yet—unless, of course, you’re willing to have a very . . . slow . . . conversation. She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.

She’s also an investigator with a local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!
Find out more about her at:Facebook /Twitter /Website  Follow the Book Tour

#Excerpt: EMOTIONALLY COMPROMISED by A. Rosa

                      I try the distraction technique. I press my lips against his, and though he is shocked by the move, he accepts them willingly. His lips devour mine in need. He slams my body hard into the wall, and pins me with his hips. His hands drag down my torso, gripping my behind roughly, and his fingers dig into my skin.This is Jeremy Hunt. Commanding and demanding. Another favorite. With this version, I don't need to think.He pulls away from me, out of breath. "I need to know we are OK." I realize this is our way of doing things. Sometimes I suck at talking, and this might be my only way of showing him that we are fine.His mouth covers mine again, and I can't help but whimper. He pulls away once more. "That's better."The bastard knows that talking like this isn't my thing, and he seems aware of his power over me. I return his heated crystal glare with a wry look. Obviously, he's aware I let him control me. "Fine. Let's not talk, then."He scoops me up, bridal style. "Jeremy, what are you doing?" I yelp in surprise."You don't want to talk. Fine! But I will at least make this more comfortable for both of us." He beelines for my bedroom."I am no good at talking," I blurt out.He raises an eyebrow at me, starting up the steps. "Oh really? I think you are good at it when you are scolding me."Before I can respond with something sarcastic, he throws me onto the bed. "Jeremy!""Oh, are you angry at me now?"His grin is infectious as I watch his Viking form, in only his boxer briefs, crawl over the bed toward me. My previous anger vanishes, and I smile. How does he do that?Before I can finish my thought, his lips come down on mine hard, he presses his hips into me, and he grabs my hands, pinning them above my head. His tongue dips into my mouth for a brief moment, teasing me, eliciting an involuntary moan to slip from my lips.He pulls away looking triumphant. "Now that I've got you calmed down, and right where I want you"—his eyes glitter mischievously—"you need to know that I am glad I am everything to you."My eyes widen, and the previous panic seeps back into my core. My arms jolt, trying to get free of his grasp, but his grip is firm. I try to speak, but he cuts me off with an authoritative voice. "I am not finished yet." He places a chaste kiss on my lips to soften the conversation. "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, and I have to admit that would frustrate the hell out of me, but for now I will let it go. I just want to say a few things. Maybe we don't know what everything means to us, but those feelings are mutual. You don't need to be scared, or embarrassed by your emotions. I can tell this is something you don't know how to handle, and in a way, it's kind of"—he tilts his head to the side as if pondering it for a moment—"cute."I furrow my eyebrows at the word cute. Teddy bears are cute, not trained federal agents.He laughs at my look and kisses the soft skin between my wrinkled brows. "You are so much cuter than you let on, but that is beside the point. You are a lot to handle, you know that?"My lips twitch playfully, hiding my own secrets.. "Oh, you have no idea."We both let out a belt of laughter, and things feel back to normal. Whatever normal means to us.
Book & Author Details:Emotionally Compromised by A. Rosa Publication date: November 15th 2013
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense
Synopsis:“A smile will get you far, but a smile and a gun will get you farther” -Al Capone.

Federal Agent Alex Turner deals better with guns than boyfriends, and prefers it that way. Her emotional range is bleak, but her aim is damn near perfect.

Thinking saving the world is a far easier task than dating, Agent Turner springs at the opportunity to prevent young scientist Marcus Gibbs from selling his biological weapon to the highest bidder. With her goal in sight, and Marcus eating out of the palm of her hand, an obstacle she doesn’t see coming interferes. Meet Jeremy Hunt — the distractingly handsome CEO of Sunscape Biotechnologies, and Marcus’s boss and best friend.

A man who is accustomed to getting what he wants, Jeremy’s never been one to take no for an answer, which has Agent Turner realizing for the first time that her wit might get her farther than her weapon. With no protocol or training to reference when it comes to matters of the heart, she worries that this might be her hardest assignment yet.
Amazon buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/Emotionally-Compromised-Series-Volume/dp/0578134225 
AUTHOR BIO:A. Rosa lives in San Diego, California. When she isn’t scouring city parks or cafe’s to write she is more than likely trying to convince her friends to join her on her next adventure. A sufferer of wanderlust, she is always looking for a new mountain to climb, a canyon to hike, or a plane to board. Her resume consists of coroner, to working at a zoo, and most recently as an executive assistant, but finds her home amongst words, whether it be in books, or in film. Her obsessions are on the brink of bizarre, but that’s just the way she likes it.

Author Links:
www.authorarosa.com
https://www.facebook.com/author.arosa
https://twitter.com/_pink_dandelion
https://www.goodreads.com/pink_dandelion

Interview with B.R. Kingslover

  Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?No, it’s not part of a series, but I do have a series, The Telepathic Clans, that’s set in the same world. This book is a suspense thriller. I started out to write a mystery, and rather than investigate a crime, it became larger than that. The private investigator, RB Kendrick, is a telepath who is engaged to find a telepathic girl, a succubus, whom it is feared has been kidnapped. In the course of RB’s investigation, she discovers that there’s a network trafficking telepathic girls throughout Europe, the U.S. and into Asia. This actually mirrors a major problem in the world today.
Do you have a favorite character?I like the main character in this book quite a bit, but I tend to fall in love with my characters. I did use a character, Rebecca, in this book who is also in my other books. I like her take-no-prisoners attitude, her lack of judgment toward people and her loyalty. She’s what you would hope your best friend would be.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?Rebecca was a minor character in my first book, The Succubus Gift. I really didn’t have a plan for her, but she’s evolved and many of my readers tell me she’s their favorite character in my books.
What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?The process of publishing through traditional channels is daunting. Only a small percentage of the books submitted to them are ever published, and most of those sell very few copies. I didn’t even try to write fiction until inexpensive self-publishing came along. To spend all that time writing a manuscript and then just stick it in a drawer seems like a colossal waste of time. I may never have a best seller, but some people buy my books and tell me they enjoy them.
If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?Mia Darien, who is also an author, does my covers. She also coordinates the critique group I’m with and was a beta reader. Since she’s actually read the book, we discuss the book, look for pictures to use and she’s very flexible. We went through several designs before choosing this one.
Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?Yes, and it was instrumental in helping me with my first novel. Several of the people in the group have beta read my novels, in addition to giving me feedback on other works that haven’t been completed.
Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I outline my books, but not in great detail. And the stories often take off in directions I don’t anticipate. I also use the feedback I get from my beta readers and editors to make revisions, and sometimes those changes are major.
Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing? I don’t hire an editor, but I have my books professionally edited. I’m lucky in that a couple of friends who beta read my books are professional editors. I also worked as an editor for several years, though not an editor of fiction. The final edits are done by my partner who is a middle-school English teacher.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?Absolutely. If not for the marketing, I would finish at least another book every year. It’s the worst part of being a writer. Even if you’re traditionally published, most of the marketing falls on the author.
What’s next for you?I’ve started on the fourth and final book of the Telepathic Clans series. I also have several chapters written for a New Adult paranormal romance, and just completed an outline for an NA romance without any paranormal or fantasy elements.
I also have a shape-shifter romance short story that was just published in an anthology Here, Kitty Kitty, edited by Mia Darien with stories from six authors. All the profits from the book are being donated to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana. Mia and I and the other authors have discussed several ideas for another such anthology. Broken Dolls Book DescriptionPrivate investigator RB Kendrick makes her living nailing cheating spouses, digging up other dirt to help in a divorce, finding long-lost relatives, and occasionally sniffing out criminal activity and fraud. When she takes a job to find a missing girl, she has no idea she is headed for the most dangerous case of her career. Usually, her ability to read minds gives her an edge. But when the people she’s hunting are also telepaths, that advantage is limited. The search takes her into the dark underbelly of telepathic society, where anything, and anyone, is for sale. She discovers that telepathic women and girls are being trafficked as the ultimate sex slaves. With people trying to kill her, she’s on the run, not knowing who she can trust. Will she find the missing girl, or become a victim herself?
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo About the Author: I made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master's in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, and somehow found a career working with computers. I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I've skied since high school, with one broken leg and one torn ACL to show for it. I've hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven't done enough of it. I've seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England and France. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite. I have a very significant other, two cats and two Basset Hounds. I'm currently living in Baltimore, nine blocks from the harbor, but still own a home in New Mexico.
 Follow BR Kingsolver on FaceBook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads 

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Blog Tour Blast: SEARCHING FOR NORMAL by Alison Neuman

 

 
by Alison NeumanSearching for Normal is a book about following in the great tradition of creative nonfiction. Detailing her personal experience from the onset of a rare and painful illness at the age of three, Alison Neuman recounts her personal journey coming to terms with an ever-shifting conception of 'normality'. The disease having shaped her life in ways most could never imagine, a carefree childhood quickly morphed into a blur of ongoing hospitalizations, increasingly reduced mobility, and overwhelming fatigue and pain. But amidst her constant battles with her health, Alison emerged as a champion. Searching for Normal will leave readers awed by Alison's perseverance and strength of character. Her story serves as a pertinent reminder that 'normal', is in the eye of the beholder.
Amazon Barnes & NoblePaperback 
 Meet the author: Alison Neuman lives in Alberta, Canada, where she works as a freelance writer. Nearing the end of her studies at Grant MacEwan College, she was inspired to complete the first draft of Ice Rose: A Young Adult Spy Novel. The YA novel integrates her love for gadgetry with the broad imaginative license afforded by the secret agent genre, and features a female protagonist in a wheelchair. It was published in 2010 by Fireside Publications.

Alison’s work has appeared in MacEwan Today, Westword, and the Edmonton Journal as well as on three tracks of the CD release, Outside The Window, and as a credit on the script for Cheryl Kaye Tardif's screenplay adaptation of Whale Song. She was also an "Edmonton Stories' top-ten finalist, a winner in the "Expressions of Hunger" in the Emotional Poetry Category (2009), and a nominee for the Northlands Award for Emerging Artist (2012), Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award, and Avenue’s "Top 40 Under 40." Alison was also honoured in 2011 for her human rights work in advocating for the rights of the disabled. One of her greatest achievements is an integrative camp she started for children from all walks of life—both with and without disabilities.

Camp Mission Access uses a secret agent theme and activities as children of all abilities complete mission activities. Since 2010, she has been a member of iDANCE Edmonton, performing regularly. A musical version of Searching for Normal, will debut at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival in August 2013. Alison is currently working towards her Master of Arts at Athabasca University and, when time permits, completing her next YA novel.
 Follow Alison:https://twitter.com/crossingtshttp://ca.linkedin.com/pub/alison-neuman/14/427/b77

https://www.facebook.com/alison.neuman.14

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Complete #Fantasy KINSHIELD Saga Books in 1 Volume!

Here's a special treat for fantasy fans. Author K.C. May has put together all 4 books of the Kinshield Saga in one volume. No more waiting for the next volume to be published. Happy Reading!!



Book Description:

All Gavin Kinshield really wants is the letter written 200 years ago by his ancestor, champion to King Arek--a letter he must earn by tracking down a thief. But when Gavin saves a woman's life, what should have been a simple task draws him face-to-face with his nightmarish past... and the truth of King Arek's demise.

As he unravels the mystery surrounding King Arek's mysterious disappearance, Gavin's strongest convictions are tested by his greatest fears. He begins a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, and along the way, discovers that making difficult choices isn't nearly as painful as accepting their consequences.

The Kinshield Saga: The Complete Series contains four complete novels:
Book 1: The Kinshield Legacy
Book 2: The Wayfarer King
Book 3: Well of the Damned
Book 4: Kinshield's Redemption

Also includes the prequel novella Sole Sacrifice.

4 Complete Novels and 1 Novella for $9.99.

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Kinshield-Saga-Complete-K-C-May-ebook/dp/B00GMPHJLK/ref=twoen-20

BN: buy link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-kinshield-saga-kc-may/1117389824