Cecelia Earl's Blog, page 4
May 31, 2018
You’re Invited! A Cover Reveal Event
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Hello! I’m planning a cover reveal for the third book in my Kingdom Come series, the final book in The Legend of Shady Creek Trilogy.
When Fire Rains Down will be out July 27, 2018!
On June 25, it’ll go live for pre-order and I’ll host a Facebook event to celebrate. I’ll reveal the cover, blurb, and trailer for the first time. Plus, I’ll share excerpts, teasers, images, a character play list, and take time to discuss the book, the series, future stories, writing, publishing, favorite books, or anything you want!
PLUS, of course there’ll be games and prizes and giveaways (books and book swag, naturally)!
I don’t know what time everything will be happening yet, so stay tuned for a schedule and updates. (It’ll probably be a three-hour event. Do you have a preference morning, afternoon, evening? It’s a Monday. Let me know in the comments or a message, please! author@ceceliaearl.com)
If you’re an author and you’d like to be featured, or want to stop by to take over the event for a bit, let me know. I’d love to have you participate and talk about your books! Email me and we’ll chat! author@ceceliaearl.com
Much love,
Cecelia 
May 24, 2018
Tentative Dates… When Fire Rains Down
Good morning!
As I work to complete the third book in my series, I also work on finalizing its blurb and release date/promotion schedules.
To keep you informed, here’s a tentative outline of events.
June 25 (Monday night) Time TBD: When Fire Rains Down Cover Reveal Facebook Party (Excerpts, Contests, Games, Giveaways, Etc.) (Invites coming soon!)
(Authors interested in being featured during the Facebook Party, to post info on yourselves and your books, let me know! author@ceceliaearl.com)
June 25: When Fire Rains Down available for pre-order! (Add to your Goodreads TBR shelf!)
July 9: review copies of When Fire Rains Down available
July 19-21: series and swag available for purchase at Realm Makers Conference book store in MO
July TBD: When Fire Rains Down available for review on Amazon (paperback release)
July 26: Author Interview
July 27: When Fire Rains Down available for you to read! (Amazon, including Kindle Unlimited)
July 30-August 3: Blog Tour ( A week of reviews and interviews)
August 5: Author Interview
If you’re interested in being involved in a blog tour, takeover tour, instagram features, facebook party, stay tuned or email me author@ceceliaearl.com
Here’s my work-in-progress blurb as of right now!
Hell is nothing like Julia imagined and beyond everything she feared…
Julia wants to protect her friends, family, and hometown of Shady Creek from Lucifer and his demons by finding and returning all the Guardians to their charges, but her father doesn’t want her anywhere near the rescue mission and Hell’s gates.
Regardless, Julia begins training, but she faces more barriers than her father who doesn’t want her involved. Shadowy demons nobody knew existed reach for her and suck her into a vacuum in the cosmos. Narrowly escaping their clutches, an icy fear has seeped into her resolve. But she doesn’t want to be thrown off the rescue team, so she keeps quiet about the shadows and voices she hears.
Meanwhile, more and more demons exhibit new powers on earth, and more mysteries encompass Shady Creek, revealing an ago-old legend surrounding the town.
Julia tries to protect everyone: her brother, Mitch, and even Nicholas when her feelings for him become all too real, and all too dangerous; They need to focus on getting into Hell and getting out. There’s no room for error.
Unstable emotions and the imbalance in the cosmos, fueled by unnatural Hybrid Angels, Rogue Guardians, and confused Warriors, are doing nothing for the strength of their Rescue Team.
She’ll have to push her fears aside and let go of control once and for all. And, she’ll have to figure out how she’s tied to the ancient stories, because there’s truth in the legend of how Hybrids came into existence, and in that truth lies the answer to ending this battle.
It’s all or nothing in this end-of-the world finale to the Kingdom Come series.
May 19, 2018
#amwriting in my hotel room w/a crazy deadline looming!
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“With so many Guardians in captivity, we cannot simply sneak them out. Our breakout will be catastrophic. It will be an upset. We will go in small, like a whisper, but we will come out shouting in victory.” Nicholas pounds on the table, a jolting sound in the echoing cave. “Who is with me?”
(I love the chapter I’m currently writing (excerpt above) but it’s time to end it. In fact, I took a time out from it to write a pre-romantic scenes, but will return to finish it once I publish this post. Nicholas is one of my favorite characters. I love his strength and determination. He’s a little (okay, a lot) rigid, but I think we’ll see him soften up a couple of times in When Fire Rains Down!)
With a crazy deadline looming, I’m writing away, getting words down whenever I have a spare minute. Then I reread and revise chapters at a time before getting another couple thousand words in. I’m behind, like always. It’s why I set a date with my editor when I did.
I now know that I am not productive without a deadline. I plan to schedule myself out for the next two to three years so that I can hold myself accountable. But also, so I can book things like reviews and blog tours way in advance. I’m looking forward to my next couple of years as an author and publisher, but right now, I’m a bit panicked because this novel is way overdue and though I’m rushing now, I want it to be better than perfect for the ending to this series. It’s been planned out for forever now, and I have a paragraph summary for nearly every chapter written from beginning to end, but now it’s a matter of getting through this freaked-out mindset I’ve got going on and finish, hopefully in the next two weeks, so I can have a couple beta readers and critque partners get their eyes on it before sending it to my editor June 18. (Anyone a fast reader and want to beta read a draft for me?)
I’ll be announcing an official sign up (June) for sending out review copies (end of June/early July) but do let me know if you happen to read this and are interested in receiving a copy for reviewing (I’ll need reviews July 27 and into August and September after it’s released!)
I’ll also be announcing fun details about a Facebook party, cover reveal, giveaways, and whatnot soon (June) and will be on the lookout for bloggers and booktubers to review, interview, and help me out during my release week! Interested? Let me know. Official blog posts and invites going out soon.
Right now, I’m writing in a hotel room a couple hours from home. My middle son is playing in a baseball tournament and he had two early games today which freed up the afternoon so I could get a run in and write a couple thousand words. We’re also taking some time to swim and play board games. It’s cloudy and cool, so it ended up being a nice afternoon/evening to be indoors anyway.
Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
(And if you’re a blogger/reviewer/booktuber who enjoys young adult angel fantasy, then let me know if you’d like review copies of any of my books. And if you’re available the week of July 27 to participate in a blog tour (reviews, interview, promo posts, whatever you’d like). Official info and sign up coming soon.) Comment below or email me author@ceceliaearl.com
Much love,
Cecelia
May 16, 2018
Lots going on. Plus, what I #amreading and #amwriting. Oh, and here’s another excerpt for you!
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I got up before work to write this morning, as usual, and thought I’d share another excerpt. It’s from the same chapter I shared last time. 
(Unedited/Unrevised Draft, When Fire Rains Down, Coming July 2018)
It motivates me to share. And I need all the push I can get right now since a revised, clean version is due to my editor June 18!
I’m also reading Lord of Shadows (Cassandra Clare) and am about halfway through. She refuels my words when I run out of them.
In addition to reading and writing, things I wish I could do 24-7 (with a running break), I’ve been busy teaching my first graders to tell time and understand 3D shapes. They’ve also been writing their own fiction. I shared a couple images on Instagram. They’re amazing writers and love it almost as much as I do.
I also became my six-year-old son’s soccer coach. Not that I’ve ever played before… Don’t ask. I think our first lesson went well?!?
Excerpt:
“Demon-flame thrower. Self-explanatory.” Nicholas hangs it back on a hook and reaches for a double-ended sword, but is stopped short by the approaching Archangel Michael, Mila in tow. Her eyes graze the top of my head. She’s been obvious about ignoring me and I’m growing tired of her beautiful haughtiness.
Especially when she puts her hand on Nicholas’s back and leans in to tell him, “Let’s save the rest of the demos for outside. After your meeting.” She doesn’t immediately remove her hand. I narrow my eyes, wondering about their history together.
Archangel Michael takes the sword from Nicholas. He has an odd gleam in his eyes. “I haven’t seen these in some time.” He turns it slowly, examining it, running his finger over the decorative hilt between the blades. The spark in his golden eyes fades to reveal an underlying sadness, maybe tinged with some regret.
Raze moves to stand beside him and glances at Mila after silently observing Michael with the weapon. “That was Legion’s, wasn’t it?”
Michael nods, his eyes roving across the spread of weaponry. “I believe these all belonged to angels of Hell at one time, before they Fell. He turns to Nicholas. “Where did you find these?”
I wonder, watching these ageless, eternal beings, about all they’ve witnessed, about how much their eyes have seen. How tired they must be, how saddened by the evil Lucifer brought into their realm and to the physical world. When their entire existence has been about glorifying the King of Heaven, about returning all of His creation home one day, how discouraging to face so much resistance when all they want to share is peace and love.
Nicholas meets Archangel’s gaze. His face is grim, and he raises his chin as he says, “Believe me when I tell you, you don’t want to know the answer to that.”
Archangel holds Nicholas’s eyes without responding. Even the songs that play on the breeze outside the cave’s entrance seem to pause while waiting to hear what he’ll say. Nicholas is not challenging him. He appears to honestly hope to spare him a truth that will be either painful or consequential. No matter how sincere his intentions, however, looks as though he’s expecting to be reprimanded.
As much as I’m holding my breath to see Michael’s response, I’m distracted by a movement out of the corner of my eye. Mila, stiff and yet graceful at the same time, steps away from our huddle and walks along the wall, slowly appraising all the chains, daggers, and swords, until she stops in front of the only bow and arrow that’s displayed. I’m the only one paying any attention to her; The men are all head-bent over another decorated hilt, trying to decipher its meaning and recall who it belonged to. She raises a hand and whispers something as she traces the arch of a bow. She removes an arrow from its quiver. The tip, I notice, still holds a faint glow, a familiar silver that reminds me of angel wings. She glances at me, actually looks me in the eyes, and puts the quiver over her shoulder, the bow in her fist.
“Let’s get this meeting going,” she calls as she heads toward the table.
End. Thoughts?
What are you reading? Taking on any tasks that are out of the ordinary for you?
Much love,
Cecelia
May 12, 2018
Release Date! (And an excerpt for fun.)
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When Fire Rains Down will be out July 27, 2018! IT’S FOR REAL! You’ll be able to read the conclusion to my series in a matter of months!
Stay tuned for details on a Facebook party with cover reveal and bookish giveaways (June!). You won’t want to miss it.
I’m up early writing before heading to the baseball diamonds with the kids. Thought I’d share a sneak peek from my draft. Happy Saturday!
Nicholas begins to swing the chains over his head, slowly at first, and then in wider circles, so quickly they are nearly invisible, until they began to glow and throw sparks.
“Hey, watch it over there,” Cole shouts where he and my dad stop talking to look over their shoulders at us as sparks fly over their heads. The wall across the room sizzles as flames impact it and die out, leaving black singe marks for seconds before the wall returns to its normal pristine surface.
“You’re fine,” Nicholas quips. “These are Demon-Fire scythes. Only demons will feel or be harmed by them.”
Much love,
Cecelia
April 12, 2018
April = Mad Writing Month, so stay tuned for updates! (Also, #freebook today on #amazon!)
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I’m working hard on When Fire Rains Down, but it’s been a struggle so I’m not ready to make any promises on dates yet, but my desire is to finish this draft by April 30. I have to get over my fear of this story and write it without fear of making mistakes, without the fear of revisions and editing. I want the first draft to be so perfect that revisions and editing is easy, but that’s ridiculous and unrealistic. So I need to get over it. And write.
My new e-book covers are live and When Ash Rains Down (with bonus content Before the Ashes: Kari’s short story) IS FREE TODAY! So, if you’ve not yet read my work, today’s the day to try my books out for free! (New edition paperbacks will be available VERY soon!)
Happy reading!
Much love,
Cecelia
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There are three things Julia needs to come to terms with:
1. Angels are real.
2. The boy Julia is in love with is really an undercover angel.
3. Her dad is not who she thought he was, meaning… he might be a demon.
Being a teenager in Shady Creek, WI just got a whole lot harder… and a whole lot scarier.
Julia spent her childhood putting her life in order after abandonment, but now, it’s all coming unraveled again.
Julia received a necklace containing the songs of the angels from her dad when she was four. When she was eleven, he abandoned her family and the necklace went silent. Broke and heartbroken, Julia, along with her mom and little brother, moved from hotels to trailers until her mom finally found an apartment above the café she now owns. At seventeen, Julia’s doing everything she can to maintain security for her family, but now her necklace seems to have come to life once again. And that’s not all that’s changing.
When a robber attempts to steal from their diner, the necklace blazes and burns her chest. Pain in her back is nearly unbearable as the thief transforms before her eyes… into something demonic. When demon after demon threaten her home, family, and friends, Julia realizes there may have been something more behind her dad’s disappearance. And wherever he went, there may be something–or someone–dangerous now after her.
Facing an explosion, a kidnapping, and battles in a realm other than Earth, with a Guardian angel who’s as infuriating as he is attractive, Julia has to come to terms with the fact that she’s not quite human, and fending off demons is nothing, once the devil comes for her.
But it may be too late to save the ones she loves by the time she accepts the challenge he’s putting before her.
When Ash Rains Down is a contemporary paranormal novel for fans of stories with strong female protagonists and epic battle scenes. Fans of City of Bones and Unearthly will be captivated by this unique take on angels and demons.
When Ash Rains Down is the first book in debut author Cecelia Earl’s Kingdom Come series. The second book, When Smoke Rains Down, is also available, along with a companion short story and novella. Book three, When Fire Rains Down and more companion stories will be out in 2018. Join Cecelia’s newsletter list so you don’t miss a new release!
“Gripping!” ~Amazon Reviewer
“…an original take on angels…” ~Amazon Reviewer
“I couldn’t wait to escape into When Ash Rains Down every time I picked it up.” ~Amazon Reviewer
“A fascinating first book in a series…” ~Amazon Reviewer
When Ash Rains Down is a story of hardship and hope. Cecelia Earl brings humanity to this fantasy tale. Julia isn’t perfect by any means, but her striving, her misguidance, and her willingness to give up everything for her family is easy to relate to. When Ash Rains Down is surreal, idealistic, and full of heart, with a moral tale at the center, but also has a balanced side of loss, struggle, and tragedy.
It’s fast paced, and follows a small portion of Julia’s life, but in a way that feels like just the beginning of her story. It almost has a metaphorical tone with what is happening in Julia’s life and then the coinciding apocalyptic angels versus demons battle.
When her father left, he took away her happiness and her faith. She was taught about angels singing and praying at night, but his leaving took that from her. She goes from this carefree spirit as a child to a determined and materially-driven person, who is then thrown into a higher power of the world. There’s a good lesson in Julia’s arc. ~Readers’ Favorite
March 25, 2018
My books are now available with new covers and BONUS CONTENT! (And a series announcement!)
Hello reading and writing friends!
We had family over for my two eldest sons’ birthdays yesterday, during which I was the brunt of several jokes (all earned and all in good fun)! In case she stops by this blog today, I’d like to wish my cousin Lori a very Birthday Happy!
The news!
I released When Ash Rains Down and When Smoke Rains Down with new covers and bonus content!
The why:
Mostly I wanted to make these available in paperback form so my non-screen reading readers could enjoy Before the Ashes: Kari’s Short Story and After the Ashes: Mila’s Novella because I like them so much, and I realize how important they are to the final installment that I’m working on now. (Though, be assured, I’m working hard to ensure readers who don’t read the companion stories won’t be left in the dark!) And I figured since I’m adding content to the interior, and wanted to add a bonus content sticker to the cover, why not add a little more depth to the cover while I’m at it! So, now Shady Creek is on the cover along with Julia. (I may share more about the image in a later post!)
And since I updated the paperbacks, I figured I’d give the same gift to e-book readers!
The announcement!
You’ll notice that the series name is still Kingdom Come, but the trilogy is now named The Legend of Shady Creek Trilogy. That’s because I’m planning a Kingdom Come trilogy about Melissa and Raif (Julia’s parents) that will be called the The Story of Summersby Corner Trilogy (or something like that)!
Shady Creek has become as important to me as my characters and has grown in depth and mystery and intrigue as much as my characters have unveiled themselves throughout their stories. As I wrote Mila’s story, I came to know Shady Creek in a whole new way and it unveiled a legend to me over the course of her novella. I’ve been working to uncover the details of that legend in recent weeks, and now that I know what it is, finally, I can move forward with my writing.
So now I have time to write, though, I also have report cards due Wednesday and I leave on vacation Friday, working full time until then, so let’s pray I accomplish many words anyway!
Here are my new covers:
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I’ll post pics from my vacation after we return. It’s our first just-us family vacation ever! (Besides camping.) We are off to Lego Land and Universal Studios! Are you doing anything out of the ordinary this spring? Do tell in the comments!
Much love,
Cecelia
March 18, 2018
Want to Help an Author?
Authors are unique creatures. They live in dark caves and talk to people that don’t exist in the physical world. Once in a while, they emerge into the light, blinking and searching for a cup of Starbucks and a handful of chocolate.
They spend months, sometimes years, writing stories that leave you wondering where the day went and how you could be so distraught to end a journey with people that never existed. They want you to get lost in a book. To become the characters that have haunted their heads until they bled them onto paper.
More than anything, authors want you to be touched by the story and given the opportunity grow into a better person. Why? Because the best authors aren’t just invested in their book, they are invested in you.
Today I want to give you some ways you can encourage the author’s you read and none of…
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March 17, 2018
When Smoke Rains Down on SALE today! After the Ashes is FREE today!
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On SALE today! Enter a complex world where humans, demons, and angels collide, all battling to rule the Earth.
When demons once again start to show up at every turn, seemingly bringing about her brother’s deepening depression, she demands her sword from Nicholas. Ever the stern Guardian Angel, he forbids her from using it. Isolated, she takes protecting her brother into her own hands. But when demons show they have evils hidden within their weapons in addition to being able to siphon souls from the living, Julia’s not sure she knows the best way to handle saving him any longer. Especially when ash-colored lines begin to appear on humans, lines of demonic poison that travel through their veins toward their hearts and alter their moods.
Thrust into a dark world of conspiring demons, Julia is in more danger than she ever imagined possible. To stop evil from spreading and overtaking those she loves, she’ll have to seek out the one person she mistrusts most–especially when a line appears on her own arm, and her apathy toward doing much of anything, including saving anyone, grows.
Enter here to get your copy now!
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Don’t miss this! After the Ashes is FREE today only!
FIVE STAR Reader Review: I love stories with strong female protagonists and AFTER THE ASHES has one to top all. Fighting bad guys with a bow & arrow or sword is second nature to Mila which made me view angels in a whole new way. The bad guys in this case are hideous demons, lurking at every turn. But when Mila has to give up the sword in order to become a guardian angel, she faces her toughest challenge yet. This book is a quick read and is packed with non-stop action.
March 16, 2018
Don’t miss this book #sale! FREE today and tomorrow!
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Don’t miss this! After the Ashes is FREE (on Amazon) March 16-17!
FIVE STAR Reader Review: I love stories with strong female protagonists and AFTER THE ASHES has one to top all. Fighting bad guys with a bow & arrow or sword is second nature to Mila which made me view angels in a whole new way. The bad guys in this case are hideous demons, lurking at every turn. But when Mila has to give up the sword in order to become a guardian angel, she faces her toughest challenge yet. This book is a quick read and is packed with non-stop action.
