Cecily Wolfe's Blog: The Start of Something New, page 10
December 2, 2018
25 YA E-Books Prize! 5 Winners
Are you a fan of YA books? Or want to try something different? Then this #giveaway is for you! You can fill your kindle with 25 YA books of different sub-genres for cold winter days.
❄️OPEN INTERNATIONALLY❄️5 WINNERS❄️
Enter the giveaway here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
December 1, 2018
Starlight is Available for Pre-Order!
Finally (yes, I know it has been a long wait for my A Harvest of Stars readers), Starlight is available for pre-order: https://amzn.to/2P9Dsug
Starlight is the sequel to A Harvest of Stars and is told from Lanie Parker's perspective (AHOS readers will know who she is), and opens up the dark secrets of her parents' past that they thought were behind them.
Starlight also includes Moonlight, a short story about Lucy and Daniel's time together the night after Lucy's grandmother's party in A Harvest of Stars. For 99 cents, you get the novella and the short story.
November 26, 2018
Treasure of Hope
This review of Treasure of Hope makes me sooo happy! I love these characters, too, and it's so hard to let them go!
Book one, Throne of Grace, is still FREE! https://amzn.to/2EX8965
If you're waiting on the paperback edition of Treasure of Hope, it should be available before December 1.
Book one, Throne of Grace, is still FREE! https://amzn.to/2EX8965
If you're waiting on the paperback edition of Treasure of Hope, it should be available before December 1.
November 19, 2018
Enter to Win 30 E-Books!
We are so thankful for our readers that we are offering this prize package of 30 YA fiction e-books to one lucky reader. All of the books shown in the photo are included!
https://bit.ly/2TwYu9I
November 6, 2018
WinterDream - Exclusive Excerpt!
I was thrilled to get an advance copy of the latest fairy tale retelling from Chantal Gadoury, and am happy to share an exclusive excerpt from Winterdream with you all today!
Prologue
Large, white puffs floated all around me. Sinking into my flesh with their cold, yet light kisses. Every snowflake was different, specially crafted before it fell from the sky. They were beautiful, even as they melted. I tipped my head back to catch the snow as it fell. I felt as though I was floating through air, caught in a haze of ice flakes as sugary and sweet as the icing on the gingerbread house my governess and I had made together.
I stretched my arms out to my sides, spinning in place.
The green forest turned with me, a wood full of large spruces perfect for Christmas trees. They were decorated as such, lighted with white candles and draped in silver tinsel. On some, icicles hung on the tips of the limbs. It was a world in which the snow was like sugar and the air smelled delicious, like freshly baked cookies. It was perfect—a world of my own making, if I was capable of crafting something so… wonderful.
“Clara…”
The sound of my name trilled from a distance, carried on the cool, winter wind.
Turning slowly, I peered over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of a young boy my age. He was dressed in a bright red suit, adorned with golden epaulettes. His blond hair was brushed away from his face, revealing two bright blue eyes. His lips, pink as his cheeks, curved into a smile.
“Clara…”
“Yes?” I asked curiously, turning to face him. As I slid my hands over my cream and ivory lace nightgown, I suddenly felt quite foolish. My mama had always insisted I never wear my bedclothes in front of guests or visitors. And yet, here, in this strange and beautiful world, such things hardly seemed to matter. He took my hand and flashed another warm smile as he led me to a large, white carriage.
“Where are we going?” I asked softly, pausing before the door. The panels were solid ivory, adorned with a golden handle and step.
“Winter Dream,” the boy said with a relieved expression. “Home. Home to Winter Dream.”
“Winter Dream?”
“I’ve come to take you back, Clara. To where I am—to where all the people who love you live.”
“But I don’t know where this Winter Dream is. I’ve never been there…”
“Come with me,” he beckoned, squeezing my hand gently. “Come. . .”
The snow fell all around us; small flakes clung to the tips of our hair and eyelashes. As much as I longed to go . . . there was something holding me back. Something. . .
As I peered behind me, a small, dark shadow began to form. It started out small, like the size of a mouse, and it grew—or was I shrinking? The boy beside me held my hand, and his eyes grew wide with fear.
“No!” I screamed, tucking myself into his shoulder. Whatever it was, I didn’t want to see. I didn’t want to know.
“Clara, wait!” I heard him beg, his urgent tone tugging at my heartstrings. “Come with me, please.”
“No! I want to go home!”
As soon as the words poured from my lips, I woke with a start.
Here, there was only me and the four walls of my bedroom. A sheer sliver of light crept through the space of an open curtain, sparkling with the bright white of the snow outside. It was quiet, as if the world had not yet woken. As if I was the only one no longer dreaming sweet things. Instead, while everyone else slept, I contained the chill of my own strange dream.
I buried myself beneath the duvet and hugged my knees to my chest. I was alone, completely and utterly alone.
I closed my eyes tight, not wishing to face that Christmas morning. I wished only for the chance to slip back into my dream. To return back to that magical world, where a boy with bright blue eyes was waiting for me. Back to the place where an enchanting land called ‘Winter Dream’ existed.
Book Description:
This Christmas Eve… no creature was stirring…
Except, maybe, a mouse.
At long last, can true love break the Nutcracker’s curse?
For Clara Stahlbaum, this Christmas means the end of her youth. A daughter of the aristocracy, Clara is expected to give up her dreams of adventures and the extraordinary for more normal days as the wife of a cruel Viscount.
But when magical Uncle Drosselmeyer returns with his wondrous, dancing contraptions, and one...special gift for Clara, she is beckoned to the land of Winter Dream, where she is thrust into the greatest adventure of her wildest dreams. But will she be able to break the Nutcracker's curse?
Uncle Drosselmeyer’s apprentice, Anton, is handsome as he is mysterious. But what is it about him Clara finds so alluring?
Winter Dream is a phenomenal retelling of The Nutcracker from the eyes of Clara Stahlbaum with all the magic of the Holiday season. If you loved S. Jae-Jones’ Wintersong, you’ll fall in love with this stunning tale of love, war, redemption, and Christmas magic.
Book Teaser Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMRGy...
You can PreOrder on Amazon and the Parliament House Publishing Website
About the Author:
Amazon Best Selling Author, Chantal Gadoury, is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published "The Songs in Our Hearts" and “The Songs We Remember,” with 48Fourteen Publishing, and "Allerleirauh,” “Between the Sea and Stars,” and “Blinding Night” with Parliament House Press. Chantal first started writing stories at the age of seven and continues with that love of writing today. Writing novels for Chantal has become a life-long dream come true! When she's not writing, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of DD Iced Coffee, and watching Disney classics. Chantal lives in Muncy, Pennsylvania with her Mom, Sister and furry-’brother’ Taran.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CGadouryAuthor
Blog: http://www.chantalgadoury.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chantalgadou...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chantalgado...
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Chantal-Gadoury...
Parliament House Press: http://www.parliamenthousepress.com/
Parliament House Press Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theparliamen...
Prologue
Large, white puffs floated all around me. Sinking into my flesh with their cold, yet light kisses. Every snowflake was different, specially crafted before it fell from the sky. They were beautiful, even as they melted. I tipped my head back to catch the snow as it fell. I felt as though I was floating through air, caught in a haze of ice flakes as sugary and sweet as the icing on the gingerbread house my governess and I had made together.
I stretched my arms out to my sides, spinning in place.
The green forest turned with me, a wood full of large spruces perfect for Christmas trees. They were decorated as such, lighted with white candles and draped in silver tinsel. On some, icicles hung on the tips of the limbs. It was a world in which the snow was like sugar and the air smelled delicious, like freshly baked cookies. It was perfect—a world of my own making, if I was capable of crafting something so… wonderful.
“Clara…”
The sound of my name trilled from a distance, carried on the cool, winter wind.
Turning slowly, I peered over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of a young boy my age. He was dressed in a bright red suit, adorned with golden epaulettes. His blond hair was brushed away from his face, revealing two bright blue eyes. His lips, pink as his cheeks, curved into a smile.
“Clara…”
“Yes?” I asked curiously, turning to face him. As I slid my hands over my cream and ivory lace nightgown, I suddenly felt quite foolish. My mama had always insisted I never wear my bedclothes in front of guests or visitors. And yet, here, in this strange and beautiful world, such things hardly seemed to matter. He took my hand and flashed another warm smile as he led me to a large, white carriage.
“Where are we going?” I asked softly, pausing before the door. The panels were solid ivory, adorned with a golden handle and step.
“Winter Dream,” the boy said with a relieved expression. “Home. Home to Winter Dream.”
“Winter Dream?”
“I’ve come to take you back, Clara. To where I am—to where all the people who love you live.”
“But I don’t know where this Winter Dream is. I’ve never been there…”
“Come with me,” he beckoned, squeezing my hand gently. “Come. . .”
The snow fell all around us; small flakes clung to the tips of our hair and eyelashes. As much as I longed to go . . . there was something holding me back. Something. . .
As I peered behind me, a small, dark shadow began to form. It started out small, like the size of a mouse, and it grew—or was I shrinking? The boy beside me held my hand, and his eyes grew wide with fear.
“No!” I screamed, tucking myself into his shoulder. Whatever it was, I didn’t want to see. I didn’t want to know.
“Clara, wait!” I heard him beg, his urgent tone tugging at my heartstrings. “Come with me, please.”
“No! I want to go home!”
As soon as the words poured from my lips, I woke with a start.
Here, there was only me and the four walls of my bedroom. A sheer sliver of light crept through the space of an open curtain, sparkling with the bright white of the snow outside. It was quiet, as if the world had not yet woken. As if I was the only one no longer dreaming sweet things. Instead, while everyone else slept, I contained the chill of my own strange dream.
I buried myself beneath the duvet and hugged my knees to my chest. I was alone, completely and utterly alone.
I closed my eyes tight, not wishing to face that Christmas morning. I wished only for the chance to slip back into my dream. To return back to that magical world, where a boy with bright blue eyes was waiting for me. Back to the place where an enchanting land called ‘Winter Dream’ existed.
Book Description:
This Christmas Eve… no creature was stirring…
Except, maybe, a mouse.
At long last, can true love break the Nutcracker’s curse?
For Clara Stahlbaum, this Christmas means the end of her youth. A daughter of the aristocracy, Clara is expected to give up her dreams of adventures and the extraordinary for more normal days as the wife of a cruel Viscount.
But when magical Uncle Drosselmeyer returns with his wondrous, dancing contraptions, and one...special gift for Clara, she is beckoned to the land of Winter Dream, where she is thrust into the greatest adventure of her wildest dreams. But will she be able to break the Nutcracker's curse?
Uncle Drosselmeyer’s apprentice, Anton, is handsome as he is mysterious. But what is it about him Clara finds so alluring?
Winter Dream is a phenomenal retelling of The Nutcracker from the eyes of Clara Stahlbaum with all the magic of the Holiday season. If you loved S. Jae-Jones’ Wintersong, you’ll fall in love with this stunning tale of love, war, redemption, and Christmas magic.
Book Teaser Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMRGy...
You can PreOrder on Amazon and the Parliament House Publishing Website
About the Author:
Amazon Best Selling Author, Chantal Gadoury, is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published "The Songs in Our Hearts" and “The Songs We Remember,” with 48Fourteen Publishing, and "Allerleirauh,” “Between the Sea and Stars,” and “Blinding Night” with Parliament House Press. Chantal first started writing stories at the age of seven and continues with that love of writing today. Writing novels for Chantal has become a life-long dream come true! When she's not writing, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of DD Iced Coffee, and watching Disney classics. Chantal lives in Muncy, Pennsylvania with her Mom, Sister and furry-’brother’ Taran.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CGadouryAuthor
Blog: http://www.chantalgadoury.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chantalgadou...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chantalgado...
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Chantal-Gadoury...
Parliament House Press: http://www.parliamenthousepress.com/
Parliament House Press Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theparliamen...
October 30, 2018
Treasure of Hope is Here!
I am excited and a little sad that the Cliff Walk Courtships series is at an end with the release of Treasure of Hope today, which is only 99 cents through the end of October.
I am in lovely Newport, Rhode Island, the setting for this series, exploring the Cliff Walk and the mansions I love so much that I had to write about them.
This is the moon gate at gorgeous Chateau sur Mer, You can find out more about this stunning home, built in 1852, here: https://www.newportmansions.org/explo...
Please let me know what you think of Treasure of Hope and the end of this story, which left me in tears even as I wrote it. Stay tuned for more pictures from Newport, where I am headed for a vanilla milkshake at the Newport Creamery right now!
I am in lovely Newport, Rhode Island, the setting for this series, exploring the Cliff Walk and the mansions I love so much that I had to write about them.
This is the moon gate at gorgeous Chateau sur Mer, You can find out more about this stunning home, built in 1852, here: https://www.newportmansions.org/explo...
Please let me know what you think of Treasure of Hope and the end of this story, which left me in tears even as I wrote it. Stay tuned for more pictures from Newport, where I am headed for a vanilla milkshake at the Newport Creamery right now!
October 27, 2018
Sweet & Clean Romance Bargains
This newsletter brings you the best in sweet, clean romance book deals, all $2.99 or less, and many for FREE, as well as giveaways.
Sign up here to get these delivered straight to your inbox, so you won't miss any of these bargains! These come twice weekly, so you won't see a lot of emails every day from them. This is a great way to discover new books and authors and get a heads up on deals.
http://sweetromancebargains.com/
Sign up here to get these delivered straight to your inbox, so you won't miss any of these bargains! These come twice weekly, so you won't see a lot of emails every day from them. This is a great way to discover new books and authors and get a heads up on deals.
http://sweetromancebargains.com/
October 23, 2018
Giveaway - Trio of Baby Treasures Boxes
***Instagram Giveaway - International!***
This unopened set of baby treasures boxes includes one for first tooth, first curl, and first treasures. Why would I give these away? What is the most asked question about Treasure of Hope- will Josie have her baby? Yes, of course she will! As for those who email with guesses as to whether she has a boy or girl and what she and Arthur name the baby, well, I'll leave that to next Tuesday when the book releases and the trilogy is complete ♥ .
So - for a trilogy with a baby who arrives at the end, I have this trio of baby treasures boxes. How to enter to win? Post a screenshot/photo of your review of Throne of Grace (book one of the trilogy, which is FREE from all e-book retailers) on your Instagram account, and tag any friends who you think would be interested in reading and winning. I'll choose a winner from all the Instagram posts next Tuesday when Treasure of Hope is out in the world. I can't wait to see all of your posts! (be sure to tag me, so I don't miss your photo!)
(original post on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Jb9chl)
This unopened set of baby treasures boxes includes one for first tooth, first curl, and first treasures. Why would I give these away? What is the most asked question about Treasure of Hope- will Josie have her baby? Yes, of course she will! As for those who email with guesses as to whether she has a boy or girl and what she and Arthur name the baby, well, I'll leave that to next Tuesday when the book releases and the trilogy is complete ♥ .
So - for a trilogy with a baby who arrives at the end, I have this trio of baby treasures boxes. How to enter to win? Post a screenshot/photo of your review of Throne of Grace (book one of the trilogy, which is FREE from all e-book retailers) on your Instagram account, and tag any friends who you think would be interested in reading and winning. I'll choose a winner from all the Instagram posts next Tuesday when Treasure of Hope is out in the world. I can't wait to see all of your posts! (be sure to tag me, so I don't miss your photo!)
(original post on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Jb9chl)
October 15, 2018
St. Cat's Chronicles - Chapter Two is UP!
Have you read my new Wattpad serial, The St. Cat's Chronicles? I just posted chapter two this morning, and will continue to post every Monday through the end of May.
If you've been reading, I'd love to know what you think!
https://www.wattpad.com/story/1639327...
If you've been reading, I'd love to know what you think!
https://www.wattpad.com/story/1639327...
October 8, 2018
The St. Cat's Chronicles is Here!
The first chapter of The St. Cat's Chronicles is on Wattpad, and readers can expect a new chapter every Monday through the end of May.
You can read it here, where it is and always will be absolutely free to read and follow:
https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/16393...
What is SCC?
Audrey is returning to the private school campus she has known since kindergarten. Elise joins twenty new freshmen, new to the school and unsure what to expect. After all, the rumors about St. Catherine's are rampant, and not all are good. Strict, academically challenging, and full of snobby rich girls. That's what the kids at all the other schools in the area say. Audrey thinks nothing will change this year; new girls would come, some would go, but the ones with whom she has grown up would stick to the same cliques and the same drama. She loves the school and the nuns in charge, but all-girls means mood swings that strike entire grades and certain personalities that fight to dominate. When Audrey and Elise find their locker assignments side by side on the first day of school, the warhorse and the rookie strike an unlikely alliance as their freshman year unfolds, with surprises and disappointments along the way.
*This is a companion sequel serial to The Competition, during which Mary Sofia and Jada are seniors at St. Cat's. They are not main characters, however, and will make very few and brief appearances.
You can read it here, where it is and always will be absolutely free to read and follow:
https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/16393...
What is SCC?
Audrey is returning to the private school campus she has known since kindergarten. Elise joins twenty new freshmen, new to the school and unsure what to expect. After all, the rumors about St. Catherine's are rampant, and not all are good. Strict, academically challenging, and full of snobby rich girls. That's what the kids at all the other schools in the area say. Audrey thinks nothing will change this year; new girls would come, some would go, but the ones with whom she has grown up would stick to the same cliques and the same drama. She loves the school and the nuns in charge, but all-girls means mood swings that strike entire grades and certain personalities that fight to dominate. When Audrey and Elise find their locker assignments side by side on the first day of school, the warhorse and the rookie strike an unlikely alliance as their freshman year unfolds, with surprises and disappointments along the way.
*This is a companion sequel serial to The Competition, during which Mary Sofia and Jada are seniors at St. Cat's. They are not main characters, however, and will make very few and brief appearances.
