Tricia Copeland's Blog, page 49

Kingdom Journals Vol. 2 - Kingdom of Darkness

[image error] When I first envisioned the Kingdom Journals series, I thought I would write every book through the view point of Alena. But the more I got to know my characters, the more I wanted their voices to be heard. Camille begins her life in this series as an imaginary friend of Alena and Hunter, known to them as Ivy. Ivy becomes sick and leaves her friends. As Vol. 1 of this series draws to a close, Alena and Hunter realize they may be able to find Ivy. In Vol. 2, Kingdom of Darkness, we find Ivy, or Camille having visions of Alena and Hunter.

Camille can't decide whether her visions are more  than psychotic lapses. Still, they've taken over her life. Seeking a solution, she enrolls in a special camping trek. On the trip, she meets Jude, a teen with similar issues. Is it possible that they are connected somehow? Can she trust the mysterious psychologist? Follow Camille and Jude into the Kingdom of Darkness to find out!

Kingdom of Embers Spotlight

[image error] Looking to the release of the next book in the Kingdom Journals series, I wanted to highlight each of the books in the series. The Kingdom of Embers story is intricately tied to it's prequel, Kingdom of the Damned, coming Sept.21. I started to think how I would talk about the genesis of the series and that I'd set out to write a vampire story that became about a girl who doesn't belong anywhere, her nature one forbidden by the two things she can't change about herself, because her mother is a vampire and her father, a witch, or witch-like being. In Kingdom of Embers, her mother is looking for someone, but we're not sure who it is, whether her father or another being like Alena, a hybrid. Who Alena finds is someone entirely different all together, and not in the realm of anything she'd imagined.

To that end, I thought maybe I shouldn't talk about this book, but let you guys talk about this book, so here I'm including a couple of reviews for Kingdom of Embers!

S'meetheLVFlea reviewed Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1)
***** - Alena is one tough cookie. April 16, 2018
First off, I would like to say, I read Drops of Sunshine, which was in the anthology, Spellbound: A Young Adult Novella Collection - this was Tricia Copeland's venture into the paranormal and she has a the knack for it and does not disappoint. Because of this, I downloaded Kingdom of Embers, but didn't get to it until recently and I've been kicking myself ever since. So, hold on, I'm on a Tricia Copeland high, and can't get enough of her work. So lets start with...

Kingdom of Embers, Book One in the Kingdom Journals YA series, bewitched me from the first chapter, and by the end, I found a desire to want more. FYI: It does end in a cliffhanger, but this one is well worth it.

Alena, is a tough cookie, and she has to be. Growing up as a witch/vampire hybrid isn't a bed of roses. The story starts off with a little backstory about her forbidden existence and how her mother, the Vampire queen, has been dragging her in toe for years to find answers about Alena's delicate situation as well as searching for her father who happens to be a witch. But for now, Alena finds herself in LA and trying really hard to act normal and tackle her senior year with a positive outlook. Things start stacking against her though when a bully enters the picture and her friends seem more superficial than friendly.

Flustered with her situation, and uncovering more secrets than she can handle, Alena starts searching for answers on her own, until a friend from her past happens upon her. (Hunter, I believe has a deeper tie to her, but I'm waiting to see how this unfolds between them.) Once dots start connecting things become sketchy and dangerous.

Shall I continue? Nope. You're going to have to read and find out what happens next. Tricia Copeland is one of my favorite authors and has become wildly diverse in her writing. I love it. Be sure to look for my next review on her second in this series, Kingdom of Darkness. Diving into Alena's world once again.

This received five starts from me.
(A big thanks to S'meetheLVFlea for guest posting on my blog today.)

PeteB reviewed Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1)
***** - I enjoyed this book though normally this is not what I read March 18, 2018
I enjoyed this book though normally this is not what I read. The characters were built in a very realistic image and the story line was soothe and smacked of tension. Minimal blood and guts that would have distracted from the story.
(Also, many thanks for PeteB for taking time to review.)

Charity Rowell reviewed Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1)
***** - A compelling & enjoyable paranormal YA novel! September 5, 2017
I received a free copy of this book with the option of leaving an honest review.

I found Alena's character intriguing; half-witch and half-vampire, she has magical abilities and shares many of the same traits as vampires. She has vampiric tendencies which she keeps at bay using aromatherapy and a special diet. Her character alone gives the plot an original twist that makes it stand out from the rest of the YA vampire novels available.

Copeland also introduces readers to other enigmatic characters: Elizabeth, Orm, and Alena's mother. While hints are provided regarding the histories of these three characters, Copeland's focus remains primarily on Alena; however, I get the feeling that more about their history may be revealed later on in the series. I hope so because I found myself wanting to know more about them.

Besides the characters, I felt that what kept me from wanting to put the book down was the premise. It's apparent that Hunter's and Alena's destinies are intertwined, but why? How did this bond between them come to pass? I was compelled to read more to see if I could figure it out; however, the answers to those questions still eluded me. In most cases, I would normally find this frustrating and lose interest, but Copeland provided me with enough tantalizing bits of information to keep me reading. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!

If you enjoy paranormal novels with vampires, witches, and magic, I think you'll enjoy Kingdom of Embers. While it does have some teenage drama and angst, there is a noticeable lack of the emo/goth vibe that is prevalent in many of the young adult, paranormal novels on the market.

Yes, Charity, I get that "answers to those questions still eluded" you... but much will be revealed in Kingdom of the Damned! Thanks to S'meetheLVFlea, PeteB, and Charity for their guest posts today!

Happy Reading!
Tricia
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Lovelock Ones Genesis

[image error] Hi all! With my Lovelock Ones special promotion this week/weekend, I thought I'd take some time to give you more information about how the story came about. Lovelock Ones was born out of an opportunity to write in an anthology produced by the author group, SASS (Supporting Authors to Stay Sane) Promotions. More than just highlighting each other’s work, our goal was to give back to the world in some way. The organizers did some research on worldwide organizations and chose Doctors Without Borders as a charity to support. From this, the theme of healing grew. Our stories were each to be centered around healing in some way.

My background in microbiology helped with forming a plot idea. It became a story about a girl and her family, torn apart by an eminent flu epidemic, the last of which decimated the earth’s population. Jema, her mother, and her sister, Nave, traveled to a remote desert community where they learn Nave has already contracted the virus. Jema and her friend Troy tried to devise a plan to save Nave.

Lovelock is a town in central Nevada, named for a nearby cave, Lovelock Cave. Findings by Ron Morehead (http://ronmorehead.com/lovelock-cave/), author and renowned researcher, told of a legend of a group of red-headed giants called Si-Te-Cah. The Si-Te-Cah and Paiutes were at war, and after a long struggle, the Piautes, aided by other tribes, trapped the Si-Te-Cah in the Lovelock Cave. They stacked brush at the entrance to the cave, and set it ablaze, killing the Si-Te-Cah. In 1924, Miners unearthed human remains, being large with red hair the evidence corroborated the Paiute stories.

The story is a little grim, but Lovelock Cave became the perfect setting for my community of rogue military soldiers searching for a cure for the epidemic. The novella I published in The Butterfly Box anthology benefiting Doctors Without Borders is Native One which, along with an additional novella, Bred One, formed the full-length novel, Lovelock Ones. Lovelock Ones has a bit of something for everyone from action, adventure, mystery, intrigue, to a bit of romance intertwined. Find out more about Lovelock Ones take advantage of my weekend sale here! Good through 9/4! For more about The Butterfly Box, go here!
 
Happy reading!
Tricia

The Watcher Series Box Set Release

[image error] I love a good dystopian series, so when I saw this one, I wanted to snatch it up immediately. Here's the skinny! The Complete Watcher Series Box Set includes: WATCHER | CARBON | SAVIOR plus BONUS mini novellas: KENZIE | MAX | COLEMAN | AELISH
Perfect for fans of Divergent by Veronica Roth or Red Queen by Victoria Averyard
 
"First came the Bots. They were meant to serve us, but they turned and thousands died. Then the Carbons arrived and we were left with only a few hundred humans. After ten years of war, I'm one of the few survivors. I'm a Watcher, and I won't give up the fight."
 
As a Watcher, Sawyer Russo has sworn to protect her fellow humans. But the Bots and Carbons that overran her city are evolving, and are picking off her comrades one by one. Embarking on a desperate mission to save humanity from extinction, Sawyer discovers that the line between friend and foe is no longer easily drawn when one of her own betrays them. Faced with a choice between fulfilling her vow and avenging those who have fallen, she must ultimately decide who can be saved … and who can’t.
 
JOIN THE RESISTANCE TODAY
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41074339-the-watcher-series-complete-box-set
 
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/2mQozDKNAvI

AJ Eversley is the author of the WATCHER series. A true north Canadian girl, AJ currently lives in Central Alberta with her husband and dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found binge watching Harry Potter, quoting various movies in everyday conversation, and eating copious amounts of candy.
 
Author Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2FXzC42
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watcherbook/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/watcherbook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16314472.A_J_Eversley
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aj-eversley
Web: https://www.watcherbook.com/
Newsletter: https://watcherbook.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=db3d76a0497ae5643ca4d5c02&id=3acf0a572a
 
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PwIPVX

Excerpt from Carbon:
There was a bang across the hall as Max strutted in. His usual smooth grin hit me from across the room as he filled up a bowl full of slop. Amusement tugged at the corner of his mouth when I scowled back at him and he parked himself down across from me.
“Do you mind?” he asked.
“It’s a free world.” I shrugged.
He snorted. This was his usual game, finding any way to annoy me. Even sitting down across from me irritated me to no end, but I did my best to ignore him and returned to stirring my cold food.
We were both silent as Max moved his food around with his spoon for a few minutes before he let out a heavy sigh. Max placed the bowl onto the floor where Chevy was waiting eagerly to gobble it all down.
“I can’t eat any more of this garbage,” he grumbled.
“Keep your voice down,” I hushed.
“Oh, come on. It’s not like you’re eating it either. Everyone knows it sucks. I’m not saying anything you’re not already thinking.” He gestured to my still-full bowl, now cold from sitting for so long.
“We’re guests here. Show a little respect.” My voice was quiet but stern.
Max leaned into the table, surveying my body, my face, and my mouth. “Then you eat it,” he challenged me. “Eat more than one bite, and I’ll stop complaining.” He raised an eyebrow. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to piss me off, or if the hint of worry and pleading in his voice I detected was begging me to eat something. Anything. I’d been starving myself unintentionally, but it was hard to focus on things like eating when there was so much rattling my brain.
I didn’t look away, and I didn’t touch the spoon that still sat in my cold food. Crossing my arms, I settled in to wait him out, unwilling to let him win even one battle with me.
His shoulders slumped, and I realized worry indeed was hidden behind his feeble challenge. He pushed his chair back hard, clenching his jaw tightly, as he picked up the empty bowl from Chevy. “Didn’t think so. Looks like we’re both going to starve to death in this metal trap.”
I rolled my eyes, “I’ll be fine. You’re the one who will suffer, not me.”
He swaggered around the table and leaned in so close that his breath tickled my neck, but I didn’t flinch or look away. His gaze swept from my head to my toes once again. “I’m not the one who needs to save a dying world. I don’t need to be in peak condition or feed a body that isn’t quite human. I’m not the one who’ll suffer. Everyone else will if you don’t stop moping around and feeling sorry for yourself.” His cold glare was like ice in my veins as he stepped away. With a slight smirk, he spun on his heels and left before I’d even blinked, leaving a shudder down my spine.
His words rang in my ears, “a body that isn’t quite human.” I was a Carbon now, no longer human, even though every instinct inside of me was wired to protect humans, not hurt them. That was why they all looked at me differently, why Max looked at me with prying eyes as if he was trying to figure out what exactly I was. I was different, yet I found myself forgetting that at times.
But I wasn’t a hero anymore. I was no longer someone or something to be proud of. There was a monster living inside of me, waiting to break free. And the weight of everything he said was the reason I hadn’t slept in weeks or eaten in days. I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to be better. But every time I thought of it, the guilt and pain took over, and I could barely breathe without breaking down. I often wondered what Kenzie would think if he saw me, or if he knew what I was—what I had become. Would he look at me like he used to? Or would he look at me with disgust for what I let happen to me? What I let myself become?
Chevy sat at my side, pawing at my leg, as he looked up with worried eyes. I stroked his head as I looked at my bowl of slop with a groan. My hand quivered as I took a tentative bite and fought the gag threatening to bring the food back up. With a long, hard swallow, I took another bite and another—until the bowl was empty.
And I could’ve sworn I saw the door to the hall close a crack more than it had been before.

Kingdom of the Damned Cover Reveal

[image error] It's so excited to share with you the cover image for my own upcoming release! I am absolutely in love with the cover design (many thanks to Daryl McCool of d.a.m. Cool Graphics, Superior, Colorado), characters, and story line of this book. At its heart Kingdom of the Damned is a story of a girl who loses her family too young and despite the cruel hand she is played decides to try to make the world a better place. But the book is so much more, it's hard to categorize. An epic fantasy, a historical fiction, a paranormal romance, all rolled into one, Kingdom of the Damned takes you on a journey from 16th century France to Norway, across Asia to the Bering Strait, to China, Africa, and to the New World, as Anne strives to unite her people and foster peace.

Many vampires live isolated from humans, as they have for centuries. As the human populations grow, vampires are pushed to the edges habitable environments, survival their only mission. Anne sees the possibility of uniting the vampire tribes and fostering alliances, even peace, with age-old enemies including the witches. Her unlikely champions herald her vision and many unite around her cause, but enemies aren't far behind.

Leading up to the release on September 21st, I'll be sharing more about Kingdom of the Damned and Anne's journey to create a kingdom for her species, even if they are damned creatures. If you'd like to join in my newsletter, I'll be giving away ebooks and signed paperbacks of the first three books of the Kingdom Journal Series, Kingdom of Embers , Kingdom of Darkness , and Kingdom of Honor . Kingdom of the Damned, Provocation, Anne's Story is a prelude, or prequel, to Journals 1-3, so hold on to your seats, there is much to learn about the curse and beings that started it all!

In the meantime, happy reading!
Tricia
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My latest read: Just Cause by Ian Thomas Healy

[image error] Just Cause – “Revised & Expanded Edition” by Ian Thomas Healy
 
I met Ian Thomas Healy at the Denver MileHi Con in October, 2017. His description of his super-hero world intrigued me. Being a super-hero fan of sorts (I’ve watched all the movies from Superman, Spiderman, Batman, DC, & Marvel), I picked up this first book in the Just Cause series entitled Just Cause.

In the Just Cause world superheroes, or “parahumans” with paranormal abilities, are known entities. They’ve been “out of the closet”, so to speak, for decades and now can be identified with by the Musashi gene encoding for a parahuman. These parahumans attend special schools like the Hero Academy and join various hero groups. One group, sanctioned by the US Government, is known as Just Cause and is the elite hero team.

Sally, an eighteen-year-old parahuman, is the main character in the story. Her para-ability is speed. We join the story as she becomes an intern with Just Cause. This book is much more than a super hero book with elements of a coming-of-age story. Super hero genre fans won’t be disappointed and those that are looking for a touching storyline will also love Ian’s plot.

Full disclosure, this is the first super-hero book I’ve read . I wasn’t sure what to expect and still am not sure how to compare it to others in the genre, but I can definitely recommend it as it kept me page-turning and I grew invested in the characters.

Find Ian and all his books here: http://www.ianthealy.com/blog/

Happy reading,
Tricia

Once Upon a Rebel Fairytale

[image error] I'm excited to announce this upcoming release of paranormal fantasy rebel fairytale stories! Here's a little more info!

Blurb:
Cinderella has a dark secret. The Little Mermaid loses more than her voice. And Little Red Riding Hood isn't so little anymore.
 
Join our heroes and heroines as they travel through the underworld to Mars, rescue damsels in distress, and battle deadly foes in ONCE UPON A REBEL FAIRYTALE, a limited edition collection of beloved stories from today's bestselling authors.
 
Inside these pages, you'll find 22 action-packed fairytale retellings that rebel against tradition, from dark and gritty paranormal romances to sexy and thrilling supernatural fantasies.
 
The princesses, queens, kings, and villains of your childhood return in these adrenaline-spiking spins on your favorite bedtime tales.
 
But reader beware: these fairytales are not for the faint of heart.
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40663155-once-upon-a-rebel-fairytale

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/szP8Xf7EmZ8
 
Come party with us here: https://m.facebook.com/groups/2069107013338335
 
Participating Authors:
New York Times bestselling author, Jamie Campbell
Tate James writing with C.M. Stunich
G. Bailey writing with Cece Rose
USA Today bestselling author Ivy Quinn writing with Megan Hussey
USA Today bestselling author Carysa Locke writing with Lucy Smoke
USA Today bestselling author, Isra Sravenheart
RITA Award Winner Sharon Ashwood
Liz Gavin
Mary E. Twomey
Russell Nohelty
Adrienne Woods
Erin West
Helen Scott
Stephanie Morris
Madeline Freeman
Sadie Carter
India Kells
Cailin Briste
Elle Middaugh
Tigris Eden writing with Misha Elliott
Caroline A. Gill
Siera London
Grace White
 
Universal Link: http://books2read.com/rebelfairytale
Read a free sample here: https://claims.instafreebie.com/free/80d18LDl
Enter to #win a Kindle: https://www.russellnohelty.com/giveaways/kindle082018/
 

5 top tips for back to school!

[image error] Thinking about heading back to class is not always the most fun topic. Here are a few tips to help you start off your new year right!
Always try your best! That doesn’t mean we always ace everything or even get an A. If you’re doing your best work, you can be proud you made the best effort possible.Pay attention in class from start to finish. Focusing on your teacher and the lesson or activity will help you retain and remember everything you need to know.Be nice and respectful to your teachers. They appreciate it and think of you in a positive way.Get to class on time with all your supplies and tools ready. This will help you be ready to learn from the start!Always be cool to your classmates. All people are different and there might be people you don’t click with. That’s okay, just be respectful and nice, do your part on your team or in your group, and it will go a long way to having others treat you nicely too!These tips adapted from Psychology Today’s article here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/201308/five-back-school-tips-teens

For a LIGHTER LOOK AT BACK TO SCHOOL see these prior blog posts:

Back to school advice from characters Amanda (college freshman) and Alena (high school senior & vampire): http://triciacopeland.com/blog/back-to-school-advice-from-amanda-alena

What’s your back to school personality? http://triciacopeland.com/blog/whats-your-back-to-school-personality
 
Wishing you an awesome year!
Tricia

Intensification/The House Box Set by Jo Michaels

Happy Wednesday all! Today I have an announcement from one of my favorite authors, Jo Michaels. Check out her psychological thrillers!

Blurb:
Story 3:
Detective Hank Reynolds has just been handed the case of a lifetime. Another reality TV star has gone missing, and it’s up to the Atlanta police department to find her before it’s too late. While he’s digging around, he discovers there have been nearly twenty similar kidnappings in the surrounding areas over the last twenty years, and while trying to find out more—and a witness that’s still alive—he’s dragged into a past he wishes he could erase. His dreams become nightmares about the women, and his sanity unravels. Even his eyes begin to play tricks on him, but no hallucinations are as devious as the antics of the killer—who’s always one breath away—waiting for the chance to strike again.
 
Story 4:
This house is cursed, and everyone who lives there is in grave danger.
 
Ever wonder what stories you’d hear if walls could talk?
 
What if those walls witnessed unimaginable horrors?
 
Inside these pages is the story of one such house. What it sees, the people it meets, and what happens when a terrified spirit is invited to stay.
 
Story 1 – The Butcher
Story 2 – Marna, Fred, and Kimberly McDade
Story 3 – Lacy Mae Ritter
Story 4 – Mark and Olivia Cullpepper
Story 5 – The Writer
 
The House is a collection of short stories that ties in with the Pen Pals and Serial Killers series by Jo Michaels. You’ll find a couple of those characters named, and discover how one grew the teeth he used on the women he captured later.

Author Bio:
Jo Michaels is...
 
Hi, I'm Jo. Let's forget all the "Jo Michaels is blah, blah, blah" stuff and just go with it. I'm a voracious reader (often reading more than one book at a time), a writer, a book reviewer, a mom, a wife, and one of the EICs at INDIE Books Gone Wild. I have an almost photographic memory and tend to make people cringe at the number of details I can recall about them and/or their book(s). My imagination follows me around like a conjoined twin and causes me to space out pretty often or laugh out loud randomly in completely inappropriate situations.
 
I have a degree in graphic design, and my journey to the end was one few students who begin that program ever complete. However, this was one case where my memory and OCD tendencies helped me. Graduation was one of the most amazing days of my life. But, my most amazing day was when my now husband proposed. Every little girl dreams of being Cinderella someday, and he pulled off the proposal of fantasies.
 
At the risk of sounding cliché, I'm going to let it out there and say how much I absolutely adore the man I'm married to. Along with my children, he's my whole world.
 
I've lived in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia, but I've had my feet in almost every state. Traveling is something I adore, and have plans to someday see the Mongolia I've written about in Yassa.
 
One of my favorite things is hearing from fans! You can find me on social media most any day of the week. Connect! I'd love to hear from you.
 
Author Links:
Website: http://WriteJoMichaels.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/WriteJoMichaels
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriteJoMichaels
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/WriteJoMichaels
Instagram: http://instagram.com/WriteJoMichaels
Blog: http://jomichaels.blogspot.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2rkgBSZ
Radio: http://blogtalkradio.com/ADailyCupofJo
 
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2M7dgmv

An interview with YA author Colleen Nye!

[image error] I met Colleen Nye at UtopiaCon a couple of years ago. I absolutely loved talking to her and am excited about her upcoming YA series! The Pull is her newest work and the first book in the Manifest Experiment series, a paranormal suspense series where the main characters find out they're not only not insane, but they're not even alive. Her book Immersion is a dystopian sci-fi where a small group of people set out to take down a corporation whose VR gaming system is having devastating effects on society as a whole.

I asked Colleen when she began writing... "As a teen... I suppose I needed an escape from a tumultuous childhood. And I loved having one thing I did that seemed to make people smile - giving them stories to read. I struggle socially being on the autism spectrum. But when people enjoy my books and short stories, it makes me feel like I connect with them just a little."

...what her favorite genre to read is... "I prefer supernatural. I love seeing how a writer's characters handle the complex and confusing task of living a life with a supernatural power or being something totally different than the rest of the world."

...and what else she writes about..."I have a romcom series, coming of age, paranormal, dystopian, crime... but all of my books have a romance element to them."

Her faves: "I love all types of movies & music. I love accepting/open minded people that love to stay in touch. And I LOVE travel."

Her least faves: "I dislike intolerant/unaccepting people, being limited and glitter."

What else she wanted us to know: "I do book formatting/layouts as well as dabble in covers and book trailers. I would LOVE to make them a career along with my writing. #futuregoals"

Find out more about Colleen and her books here: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorcolleennye
Twitter - www.Twitter.com/colleen_nye @Colleen_Nye

Instagram - www.Instagram.com/authorcolleennye @Authorcolleennye
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7822534.Colleen_Nye
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/colleen-nye

Happy reading!
Tricia