L.J. Higgins's Blog, page 5
March 26, 2018
Arcadia is here!
Arcadia: Secrets of Aurora #3 is finally here! I’ve worked hard to get this one to you as soon as possible and am working even harder to bring the final instalment of the series, Elysium to you mid 2018.
ARCADIA:
Aurora knows the truth about who she is, but her father’s final secret could change everything. Seth is her twin brother – and it’s the one secret she’s not sure she wanted to uncover.
Just as she has barely processed the revelation, she’s awoken at gunpoint by the very boy who has thrown her entire world off kilter. He’s unpredictable and dangerous, and her group of rebels can’t let him go now. Their priority is seeking the final piece of the pendant, hoping that the one who holds it can tell them what comes next.
Aurora doesn’t believe she can see her brother as anything other than cruel and malicious, but she soon learns there’s more to Seth than meets the eye.
When confronted with someone from his past, Aurora knows her fate rests in his hands. When allegiances are tested, can Aurora trust that blood is thicker than water?
You can grab your copy of Arcadia or any of the other books in the Secrets of Aurora Series on Amazon HERE!
March 23, 2018
My New Zealand adventure
Four weeks ago my friend and I flew into Dunedin on New Zealand’s south island into the freezing cold at some ridiculous hour in the morning. After a two hour drive to my friends hometown of Invercargill, I waved goodbye to her and jumped into a car with her mother and aunty, both of which I’d never met before. And so began my amazing adventure around the beautiful south island of New Zealand. The trip involved hours of driving and little sleep, but it was well worth every moment of puffy eyes and numb butts to see so much of what New Zealand has to offer.
I saw and experienced so many things; the Moeraki boulders and the crystal clear water and snow-capped mountains of Lake Tekapo. I platted huskies and experienced a snow storm at the Antarctic Centre. Walked through the cardboard cathedral and enjoyed the city of Christchurch. We road in a carriage pulled by a beautiful Clydesdale in Hamner springs before taking a relaxing dip in the hot spring pools. I stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast on a hill overlooking the beautiful beaches of Greymouth while enjoying local beer. I saw the beautiful formations and layers of rock at Pancake Rocks. I visited the beach at Hokitika and walked in my ‘jandals’ through ice water and past amazing waterfalls to see the Franz Joseph Glacier and see first hand how far it has receded. I had the thrill of jet boating in Queenstown then having a delicious cocktail in the Ice Bar and walking through the crazy rooms of Odyssey. Then last but not least, after meeting back up with my friend we traveled to Te Anau and visited the magical glow worm caves.
I only had ten days in New Zealand but feel like I experienced and saw so much of what it has to offer and I couldn’t have done it without my friends mum who drove me most of the way around the south island. Below are some photos of my New Zealand adventure, and stay tuned to hear about the holiday my husband took me on after only being home for twenty-four hours.
March 12, 2018
Author Spotlight: Jesikah Sundin
This month I had the chance to have a chat with Jesikah Sundin, author of the eco-dystopian series, The Biodome Chronicles.
[image error]LJ: What are your favourite genres to read and why?
JS: I absolutely love, LOVE, love earth-based science fiction (ecopunk, solarpunk, literary spec fiction) and various fantasy genres (fae fiction, epic fantasy, dystopian fantasy). Nature speaks to me and nature-heavy themes and otherworldly landscapes in books provide the perfect escape for my imagination. I especially love books where characters live like the ancients, perhaps even pagan-esque, even if they are in a contemporary or near-future society.
LJ: What is one book you think everyone should read?
JS: In modern YA SFF, two of my favorite books are The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater and Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.
LJ: Describe yourself in five words
JS: Awkward. Goofy. Compassionate. Creative. Intelligent
LJ: When you’re not writing what could we find you doing?
JS: Hiking, gardening, editing manuscripts for other authors, playing games (tabletop and video), cooking with my Instant Pot (heart eyes), Bookstagramming, and shooting nature photography (especially forest photography).
LJ: What is your favourite quote?
JS: “There is no kingdom like the forests. It is time I went there, went in silence, went alone. And maybe there I would learn at last what no act or art or power can teach me, what I have never learned.” -The Farthest Shore, Ursula K. Le Guin
LJ: Tell us about your latest book
JS: Well, my latest book, GAMEMASTER, is set to publish on May 1st and is also the final book in my eco-dystopian series, The Biodome Chronicles. The series is about how two worlds collide when a hacker from the near-future decodes a shocking death inside a psychological game of survival. The final book, however, focuses on a corporate prince and an old-world king who wage war against the Gamemaster dictating their lives, embracing their worst nightmares to revolutionize a community they swore to protect.
LJ: What is a piece of advice you’d give to someone who is thinking about writing a book?
JS: Write. Don’t worry about if it’s good or not. Just write. Editing exists to clean up the literary spills in aisle 12. Beta readers can help you fill plot-holes and flesh out weak characters prior to publishing. Online writing communities are on standby to give virtual hugs and beautiful words of encouragement. It takes a village to create a novel, so don’t worry if it’s good or not. Just write.
[image error]LJ: Where do you write?
JS: At the kitchen table. Not the best place, but it allows me to be a part of what my children are doing and keeps me close to the coffee pot . . . which is critical, haha! One day I’ll have an office, though.
LJ: Where do you find your inspiration for your writing?
JS: Nature and books. I devour books and the soak up each word as if they’re a fine wine or rich dessert. Sometimes I’ll read a word or a way a sentence is constructed and my mind lights up with ideas. Also, whenever I hike and roam the woods, my imagination fills up story potentials.
LJ: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
JS: I desperately wish to travel to Ireland. My family originally hailed from Ireland and the stories, music, and landscapes sings to my blood.
Thank you to Jesikah Sundin for taking the time to chat with me this month! Want to know more? You can find Jesikah Sundin and her books using the links below:
www.jesikahsundin.com
Social Media
Find The Biodome Chronicles on Amazon HERE!
February 25, 2018
EBook Library Giveaway!
To celebrate the launch of, Arcadia: Secrets of Aurora, Book Three, I’m giving away a whole bunch of eBooks!
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One lucky winner will receive a library of 10 amazing eBooks including:
~ On Delicate Wings by L J Higgins
~ Air and Ash by Alex Lidell
~ Magic Bound by G.K. Derosa
~ The Ex-Pacifist by Sarah K. L. Wilson
~ Dawn of Rebellion by Michelle Lynn
~ Dawn of the Dreamer by L J Higgins
~ Self Help Stories by J. Macgregor
~ Prophecy of Darkness by Michelle Bryan & M. Lynn
~ Emerge: The Awakening by Melissa A. Craven
~ Legacy by Jesikah Sundin
One lucky runner-up will win an eBook Library of 6 awesome eBooks including:
~ Air and Ash by Alex Lidell
~ Magic Bound by G.K. Derosa
~ The Ex-Pacifist by Sarah K. L. Wilson
~ Prophecy of Darkness by Michelle Bryan and M. Lynn
~ Emerge; The Awakening by Melissa A. Craven
~ Legacy by Jesikah Sundin
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Ten more people will receive one of the fantastic eBooks listed above!
Click HERE to grab your entry into this awesome giveaway!
February 11, 2018
Arcadia Cover Reveal!
The time has finally come for me to reveal the cover of, Arcadia: Secrets of Aurora, Book Three!
I’m so excited for you to find out what happens to Aurora and her friends as they set off towards the floating city of Arcadia in search of the third piece of the pendant.
And here’s the cover!
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But that’s not all I want to share with you today. Because you have to wait until the official release date on the 26th of March to read the next instalment of the Secrets of Aurora Series, here is the blurb to give you an idea of what’s to come:
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Can’t wait to read it? To make sure you’re one of the first to receive your copy on the 26th March, you can pre-order your copy of Arcadia!
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To pre-order an eBook copy click HERE!
To pre-order a paperback copy click HERE!
Bring on March 26th! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Arcadia.
January 29, 2018
Author Spotlight – Philippa Cameron
This month I spoke to the author of the contemporary Elements Series, Philippa Cameron.
LJ: [image error]What are your favourite genres to read and why?
PC: I read around lots of different genres, but if I need something to read during a busy period where I just want to chill, it has to be a detective novel!
LJ: What is one book you think everyone should read?
PC: Pride and Prejudice! It’s a classic, it’s historical, it’s a love story, it’s an early feminist novel…
LJ: Can you describe yourself in five words?
PC: A reading, writing, teaching chocoholic!
LJ: When you’re not writing what could we find you doing?
PC: Reading! And recently I’ve taken up making ecobricks out of single-use plastic…
LJ: Do you have a favourite quote you could share with us?
PC: “Well-behaved women seldom make history.”
LJ: I’d love to hear more about your latest book, [image error]However Dark the Night.
PC: I write contemporary Young Adult fiction, with a dark thread running through my stories. In my latest book, I’ve moved slightly into the dystopian field, but haven’t cast off the dark thread just yet! It’s also a comment on divided societies, but, as with my previous two books, it’s also a love story! Alex can’t tell Erin that he’s fallen in love with her, because he’s classified as a powerful Oxy and she’s a disenfranchised Blue – how much is he willing to lose in order to be with her?
LJ: What is a piece of advice you’d give to someone who is thinking about writing a book?
PC: Keep a notepad nearby at all times, or a writing app on your phone – ideas, a turn of phrase, an entire chapter can come to you at any moment!
LJ: Where do you do most of your writing?
PC: At an old writing desk that’s been passed down to me. Although I have to confess, probably half my writing gets done from my bed!
LJ: Where do you find your inspiration for your writing?
PC: I’ve always loved to write so what I need inspiration for is what to write ABOUT – this I get from my students at the all-girls’ high school where I teach. I love their vitality and enthusiasm for life, but I also know that life has hurt some of them, and I hope that what I write about helps them to get through this.
LJ: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
PC: Anywhere with a beach! A cottage meters away from the sea, so I can do some body boarding in the morning, before settling down to write to the sound of the waves.
Thank you to Philippa for taking the time to chat with me this month and make sure you check out her books on the links below!
You can find Philippa Cameron‘s books using the links below:
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The Day We Are Born
Every Move I Have Made
However Dark the Night
Find Philippa Cameron on social media:
www.philippa-cameron.com
Instagram
Facebook
January 21, 2018
Happy Birthday Dawn of the Dreamer!
Yesterday marked three years since I first published Dawn of the Dreamer!
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When I sat down in 2014 to finally write the full-length novel I’d been wanting to write for years I could never have imagined how many opportunities, ideas and amazing people would come my way.
I made many mistakes when I first released Dawn of the Dreamer. I took bad advise, didn’t do enough research, and lost a decent sum of money. But despite the setback and with the support and encouragement of my husband, family and friends I had my cover redesigned and took my first steps into the world of self-publishing. And boy has it been a ride. There have been days I’ve been ready to give up on my dream and other days when I’ve been so excited about a story I couldn’t stop writing. And if it wasn’t for my small but amazing network of author friends I know I couldn’t have achieved and grown as much as I have.
In May last year, I made the decision to sign with publisher Creativia which has given me more time to write and will mean I’ll be able to complete and release even more books in 2018.
So, if you haven’t read the book that started it all I’d love to celebrate three years of being a published author by sending a FREE, yes that’s a FREE copy of Dawn of the Dreamer to the first 20 people who email me at ljhiggins01@hotmail.com!
You can find the rest of my books on Amazon HERE!
Thank you for coming along for the ride over the past three years and I can’t wait to bring you even more books in the future.
[image error]Original Cover
[image error]Re-designed Cover
January 7, 2018
Title Reveal: Book Three, Secrets of Aurora
[image error]To celebrate the new year I thought it was about time I revealed the title of book three of the Secrets of Aurora series!
In book three, Aurora and her band of rebels embark on the next leg of their journey as they travel towards Arcadia in search of the third and final piece of her pendant. But the adventure takes some unexpected twists and challenges along the way.
So here it is, the title of book three…
[image error]I can’t wait to release ARCADIA very soon and would love to hear your thoughts on the title and what you think book four’s title might be, in the comments.
December 30, 2017
My favourite book of 2017!
Can you believe 2017 is almost over? It’s been a big year in the world of L J Higgins. I released the first two books of the Secrets of Aurora series, Utopia and Eden, I finished writing the third book, and I signed with publisher Creativia. Signing with them means I’ll have more time for writing, so in 2018 I plan to publish a book every 2-3 months! I also attended my first author signing event this year in Brisbane, Australia. Riveting Reads Australia was lots of fun and I loved meeting new readers and authors.
As well as achieving a lot in my writing life, I also had an amazing year personally. I helped raise over $2000 for Beyond Blue, joined a dance class and pushed myself out of my comfort zone by performing, competed in Tough Mudder and organised a successful writing weekend for local authors. All of which I intend to do again in 2018!
I also read plenty of books in 2017. I actually beat my Goodreads reading challenge goal by 10 books and read 30 in 2017! Here are some of the books I read:
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But, my favourite book of 2017 would have to be the very last one I read… The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey. It such a beautiful, insightful, spiritual, and thought provoking book and it’s layout and the photography make it a pleasure to read. It’s full of Oprah’s favourite conversations/quotes from many of the amazing people she’s interviewed over the years, and there will be at least one quote in this book that will resonate with you and shift your thinking if only a little.
If you want to find me on Goodreads, you can add me as a friend HERE!
Thank you all for an amazing 2017! And I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for all of us.
December 19, 2017
Author Spotlight – Alison Ingleby
For the last Author Spotlight for 2017 I got to have a chat to fellow Dystopian/Science Fiction author Alison Ingleby. Her book Expendables has been described as “gripping”, with “unique characters and unexpected twists” and is the first book in a brand new dystopian series.
[image error]Alison’s writing space.
LJ: Where do you like to write?
AI: I mostly write in my office at home. I’m working on Book 2 of The Wall Series at the moment so have a big outlining board to keep me on track! If I feel like treating myself, I love working from the café at my local bookstore in Bradford. It’s in a beautiful building and has really tasty cake. I’m also trying to get into dictation, so I can start dictating my first drafts while walking.
[image error]‘Sadie’ the campervan.
LJ: Do you have any pets or kids?
AI: Neither… yet. We love going away at weekends, so the closest we have is our campervan, who we’ve named Sadie. Here she is in the wild, at a camping spot in Scotland earlier this year.
LJ: Can you draw us a picture of yourself or a picture that represents you.
AI:
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This represents the constant juggling act I have going on in my head with everything I want to do: writing, being outdoors, spending time with my husband (and other family and friends) and earning money!
LJ: Other than writing what are you passionate about?
AI: I love spending time outdoors. In the UK, we’re lucky enough to have some really beautiful, varied scenery. I have the Yorkshire Moors on my doorstep and have the seaside and mountains within a few hours’ drive. I do a lot of rock climbing and orienteering and am currently training for the Isle of Wight Ultra, which I’m walking with a group of other authors next year.
When at home, I enjoy baking and making chocolates as presents for friends and family. And sleeping. I LOVE sleeping. (Is that weird?!)
LJ: Do you have a favourite quote you can share with us?
AI: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
My parents had this quote on a picture on a bedroom wall when I was growing up. I loved exploring when I was a kid, so for me, it’s about getting off the beaten track and exploring your surroundings as well as the more obvious, inspirational meaning.
[image error]Bookstore in Bradford.
LJ: I love that. Do you have a favourite singer or band?
AI: Newton Falkner – he’s a British singer-songwriter and amazingly talented. He’s literally a one-man band; he does vocals, guitar and percussion all at the same time! I’m also a huge fan of folk rock bands like Mumford & Sons and Bears Den, and the Scottish singer, Amy Macdonald.
LJ: Do you prefer to drink coffee or tea?
AI: Tough choice! I normally go for tea (Yorkshire tea, naturally), but I enjoy a coffee occasionally. My husband is half Italian, so he’s trying to convert me from drinking lattes to espresso.
LJ: Who is an author you wish more people new about?
AI: Louise O’Neill has written some fantastic YA books that deal with really difficult topics. Her book, Asking For It, is a must read.
For epic fantasy fans, I really enjoyed reading Meg Cowley’s Caledan series earlier this year. The final book in the series is brilliant and I know Meg’s reworking book one at the moment, so keep your eyes peeled for a relaunch!
LJ: If you could travel back in time what year would you travel to?
AI: I’m fascinated by Scottish medieval castles, so I’d jump back to the 15th Century to see what life was really like and how the surrounding landscapes have changed since. But if your time machine could go forward in time, I’d go to 2217 to see if the future is really like a dystopian novel!
LJ: What is one thing you want people to know about you?
AI: That this calm, cool exterior is just a mask – inside I’m a quivering perfectionist who’s terrified of failure! I just hope that my readers enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Thank you to Alison Ingleby for being my final Author Spotlight for 2017! Her book Expendables is available NOW on Amazon!
Alison currently has a prequel to her series, Outsider which is currently exclusively available to her Readers’ Club. You can sign up and get a copy HERE!
You can find out more about Alison on the links below:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
