Andrea Pearson's Blog, page 4
August 8, 2015
Mastitis During Pregnancy
I don't normally put personal things on my author blog, but because so many people have never heard of what I've been going through, I really felt I needed a more permanent place to put this information. Mainly so that others who experience mastitis while pregnant will know what to do and what not to do. I hope by posting these things, I'll help someone somewhere.
By the way, my case is an extreme, severe case. Most people will NOT go through what I've experienced! But if you do, please know you're not alone.
I put up regular updates on Facebook and I'm going to be copying and pasting those updates here, with dates included and some partial entries from my journal to fill in the blanks. I'll be running this post like it's "live," meaning I'll add updates as they happen in the future. (And I'm hoping not to have too many more, now that things are finally winding down.)
The BeginningI first noticed painful lumps in my right breast around the end of June 2015. (I was just over five months pregnant at this point.) I did a bunch of online researching, and found that they were most likely blocked ducts. I didn't worry too much about them, since I'd had a couple earlier in the pregnancy that had worked themselves out.
However, over the course of two weeks, they didn't go away and actually got more painful. My next regular pregnancy checkup with my OBGYN was scheduled for July 13, so I decided to wait until then to get the ducts checked out.
By Friday, July 10, I was in so much pain, I couldn't handle not doing something. I read online that lavender (essential oil) would help clear up mastitis and blocked ducts, so I mixed several drops of that with a tablespoon of coconut oil and started applying it throughout the day. It seemed to help with the pain, but I began oozing green pus from my nipple. I also massaged, and tried hot showers and compresses and many other things.
That evening, going off of what I'd read online, I expressed some of the infection (pus). By the next morning, the entire right half of my breast was bright red, incredibly painful, and hot to the touch. The infection had spread across triple the original space.
My mom took me to an urgent care (my husband was at work).
The doctor explained why what I'd done hadn't helped and had actually made the problem much worse. (And more on that in my first Facebook post below.) She put me on amoxicillin and told me to have my regular OBGYN check up on it the following Monday, at my already-scheduled OBGYN appointment. I went to that appointment and the doctor told me the antibiotics wouldn't clear things up for at least a week.
Facebook post, July 15, 2015So, I've been experiencing something the past week that has been absolutely horrendous and incredibly painful. The only reason I haven't said anything about it here is because it's personal. But I decided to speak up because others who experience this might do things badly like I did. :-)Here's what I've learned:
1. It's possible to get mastitis while pregnant (milk production begins at conception)2. It's a billion times more painful and horrible than getting it at other times (I had it both while nursing and weaning. Trust me - this is much, much worse)3. Things that work and relieve while nursing (and weaning) only increase the infection (or cause other problems) while pregnant4. There's not a lot of solid information available for women who get mastitis while pregnant
I'm on antibiotics, after everything I tried on my own didn't work. (And both doctors I've seen explained to me why nothing else helped, then explained why they made the issue much worse.)
The gist of their explanations:While nursing, everything you do to clear up mastitis (including natural remedies, any sort of touching, etc) encourages milk flow. This is BAD while pregnant, since the milk doesn't have anywhere to go.
When you aren't nursing, everything you do to clear up mastitis (including natural remedies) tells milk production to stop. If done while pregnant, this causes issues for the pregnancy and leads to not being able to produce milk when the baby is born. (Many home remedies are natural sources of estrogen. Too much estrogen is dangerous for mom and baby. Over-the-counter products are just as bad/dangerous.)
Lastly, trying to stop milk production not only causes issues when the baby is born, but methods have to be continued the entire duration of the pregnancy, which again, causes other issues.
Both doctors said the same thing: I'll most likely get mastitis again before the baby is born. And both doctors warned me that the infection and pain will take more than a week to clear up, especially because it's such a severe case.
Anyway. Live and learn. If you don't see me out and about a lot right now, this is why.
I took Tylenol - the maximum dose recommended - and that helped a GREAT deal. Which, of course, surprised me, since Tylenol hasn't ever helped my pain before. :-)
The next few days were absolutely miserable. I couldn't use my arm at all and couldn't bend over, walk quickly, or do anything that increased my heart rate.
On Wednesday, July 15, I called the nurse at my OBGYN office because some of the hard/red spots were bruising. I wasn't sure if this was normal or not. She said that it does happen sometimes, and that if the hard spots didn't start softening in the next day or so, I'd need to go in and get checked out because the antibiotics probably weren't working.
By the next day, the redness and pain started clearing up. This was a huge relief. But I started leaking pus again. As I wrote in my journal, "I'M SO TIRED OF DEALING WITH THIS!!!" :-) Sadly, the road ahead of me would be a very long and painful one. :-(
On Friday, July 17, I talked to a nurse again. We scheduled a follow-up appointment for the next Tuesday, as things seemed to be clearing up and we wanted to be sure. But on Saturday evening, the pain came back as strong as it had been before and a new red, painful spot appeared.
Facebook Post, Sunday, July 19 at 9:33pm
Heading to the ER for the mastitis, as the pain has come back really badly and the infection is spreading. Please keep me in your prayers. :-(
That Sunday was probably the most painful the mastitis infection itself ever got. I should have gone to the ER Saturday, but didn't want to make a big deal out of it. Sigh.
Facebook Post, July 20 at 3:01amBack from the ER now. They think I had two infections - one that amoxicillin worked against and another one that amoxicillin is ineffective against. Switched my antibiotics to clindamycin. It *should* clear things up in the next 48 to 72 hours. However, I'm developing an abscess. If the infection doesn't clear by Tuesday/Wednesday, I get to have surgery to drain it. Really, really, really praying that won't need to happen! I was hoping my knee surgeries would be the last surgeries I'd ever have. :-(
Thanks for your prayers! I really felt them tonight. And many thanks to my friends and family who have been checking in with me regularly during the last two weeks. This has been such a struggle and trying time - it helps knowing I have people to turn to. Makes the trial a lot less lonely.
At the ER, they ultrasounded the infection. Women, hold on tight, if this ever happens to you! I can't even begin to say how painful that was. But it was necessary.
Now, a break to mention three things I learned from my breast specialist/surgeon since this whole thing has started:
First: When there's pus in the breast, an abscess has already developed. Pus isn't a normal occurrence with mastitis - you can be infected and have red, swollen tissue, without pus actually being present.
Second: While at the ER, I should have insisted on them doing cultures of the pus. Why? Because they would have found out exactly what sort of antibiotic I needed to be on, thereby preventing a month of three different types of antibiotics.
Third: According to a mastitis study mentioned on Wikipedia (I HIGHLY recommend reading that entire mastitis article! It was very helpful), antibiotics only clear up 15% of mastitis cases. Actual nursing clears up the rest of the cases. Where nursing isn't possible, incision and drainage is almost always required. So, if you're in my boat (mastitis during pregnancy) just know now that it's going to happen and it really will make things better in the end. In fact, at that first appointment with the doctor to verify you really do have mastitis, I would a) insist on cultures (expressed through the nipple, if possible) being done immediately (it takes seven days for some of the test results to come back), and b) schedule an appointment with a breast specialist who will most likely tell you that incision and drainage is the best course of action. I totally agree! Rather than being scared of it happening like I was, embrace it, because healing will come soon after.
Facebook Post, July 22I had a follow-up appointment today for my Sunday ER visit. The physical examination showed that my abscess hadn't gone anywhere and that I'd need further work. They sent me to the hospital for another ultrasound and the request that the infection be drained.
The hospital radiologists did that ultrasound (ouch) and compared between Sunday's and today's. And... no change whatsoever. The antibiotics aren't working. Again. The infection hasn't spread, but it hasn't gone down at all either, even with the stronger antibiotics.
We decided to go through with the draining (needle aspiration), but there wasn't a big pocket of pus, only tons and tons of small ones. They were only able to get a tiny sample out with a needle, which they're now sending to the lab to figure out what kind of bacteria it is and to hopefully find antibiotics that will work against it. Mastitis nearly always responds to amoxicillin and when it doesn't, it responds to the next stuff they put me on. I'm just really "lucky" to be in the totally random infection group.
(Note from present-day Andrea: because nursing clears up mastitis, and because amoxicillin is almost always the first antibiotic prescribed, most doctors believe this particular antibiotic is the one that works the best. Yes, it does, when antibiotics actually work. But it doesn't work nearly as often as health professionals believe. Simply nursing, which isn't possible while pregnant (unless you have a child currently nursing) is what clears things up the most.)
They then manually drained the pus by putting a hole in the tissue above it and squeezing it all out. The numbing didn't work because I'm too swollen and infected.
I am really praying I never have to experience that again. I can't even say how horrible and painful it was. I can barely move anymore, and the entire area is on fire. Clothing is excruciating to wear. This is the most painful it's been since the infection started.
Because of Pioneer Day (Utah holiday), we won't find out until Monday what antibiotics will even work. I'm needing to continue using the ones I've got to prevent farther spreading of the infection, since things haven't gotten worse while on it. (Thank goodness.)
I'm incredibly drained now, physically and emotionally. Really hoping for answers... and really, really, really hoping and praying not to experience this ever again. I've had two doctors agree that because I have mastitis while pregnant, it's almost guaranteed I'll get it again before the baby is born, since there are still three months to go. Just can't handle thinking about that right now.
Me and myself have agreed that it's someone else's turn. Any volunteers? This past year has thrown a lot of really, really weird and horrible (and expensive) physical trials at me. I'd like to take a break now. :-)
The next several days were horrible. I was incredibly close to breaking down at every moment. Though I don't cry easily (even while pregnant), crying happened frequently. I was at my tolerance threshold from the pain and exhaustion. During this time, my mother-in-law came to stay with us and help out. Such a blessing! However, the infection got worse (again) and was exceptionally painful. Not only that, but the old flu symptoms came back really strongly. So not fun!
Facebook Post, Monday, July 27Update on my situation: I had a follow-up appointment at my regular doctor office today to get results from the lab. The first set of cultures came back negative. The second set won't be finished until seven days after the sample was taken, so I won't know what sort of bacteria I have until Thursday, at my next appointment.
The infection got really, really bad over the weekend again. It ended up breaking through the old needle hole made five days earlier and drained itself. Yeah, that was painful... but I did feel marginally better after, with the pain from the pressure lessened. The needle hole closed off and the infection is building up again, but I'm really hoping things will start looking up soon. I've had mastitis for over three weeks! It's been horribly awful and an experience I'm hoping not to repeat.
I absolutely love the doctors who are working on this with me. After talking it over, we've decided to try a third antibiotic, a strong, broad-spectrum one (keflex), with thoughts that it may change again this Thursday when we get more test results back. If this antibiotic doesn't work, I'll be going in for surgery to be more "aggressive" with the deeper infections. (The surface ones are the ones that were drained this week.)
Also, if the rest of the cultures come back negative, my doctors office has an infectious disease specialist who will be taking on my case. Yayness. :-) (He can't take it on until the test results come back, in case you're wondering.)
Even though I'm still sick and am in tons of pain and those flu-like symptoms aren't completely gone, I'm feeling a lot more positive about the situation. First, I've got awesome doctors working on this with me. Second, we have a good plan of action (and no holidays or weekends to get in the way). Third, my husband and I bought a car today and actually have reliable transportation again. HALLELUJAH.
Many, many, many thanks to my wonderful mom and my super amazing mother-in-law! My mom spent several hours with me at the hospital last week, even though she'd recently had knee surgery. And my mother-in-law has been with us for nearly a week now, helping with our two-year-old and letting us use her van to get around. I LOVE these women. :-)
So, even though this has been the experience from Hell (pardon the language, but there's no nice way of putting what I've been through these past weeks), things are going to be okay, and we've been blessed throughout it. I know we may not be through everything yet, and there will probably be a few more hurdles to jump, but I will overcome this! And hopefully not get it again before the baby is born... though my doctors say the chances are very, very high that will happen. :-(
As of today, I'm officially in the third trimester. Yay. :-)
The infection filled again, and again got incredibly painful. I ended up sterilizing a needle and worrying at the old needle hole, encouraging it to open and drain again. It did, and I stood in the shower, nearly passing out from the pain and dizziness, letting it drain with the water. Most difficult shower I've ever taken, hands down.
The next Facebook post was written after a very long day and while I was on the way to the hospital for emergency surgery.
Facebook Post, July 30 at 4:12pmMore updates... Had my next appointment today. No changes from the last two appointments. I'm going in for surgery in a little less than an hour and will be staying at the hospital possibly for 24 hours. Keep me in your prayers and wish me luck! And thanks sooo much for your prayers thus far! I've really felt them.
And now I'm hoping there's an end in sight to this experience.
Facebook Post, July 31 at 9:38pmUpdate on my situation: The specialist who operated on me last night gave me the choice of having the procedure done in her office with local numbing or to do it under anesthesia at the hospital. Because of how things had gone last time I'd been "numbed" and drained, I chose surgery at the hospital. (Yeah... a two-inch incision when a simple needle nearly killed me? Not a hard decision to make, especially when local numbing doesn't work against infected tissue.)
After surgery, my doctor said it was a good thing we'd done it at the hospital, since there had been "complications," and I would have ended up there anyway.
Apparently, the infection was really, really deep, and she had to dig very far to remove it all. I bled a TON (was still bleeding when I woke up - they had to keep stuffing gauze under the ace bandage). Doc said there was no way they could have numbed me enough, and the pain alone would have killed me.
Also, if we'd done the procedure in her office, I would have required blood transfusions and an ambulance ride to the nearest ER (which isn't covered by our insurance). Much more traumatizing, horrible, and expensive than a scheduled surgery. (So grateful I followed my gut, even if half of my brain said I was wimping out!)
Waking up was a joy. Because I'm pregnant, they operated without pain killers. They were in a big hurry to get the infection out and didn't want to hurt the baby (and I appreciate that). But I was at about a fifty billion out of ten on the pain scale. It took an hour and a half to get it to "manageable" levels, with medications safe for baby and me.
Had the wounds redressed today at my doctor's office, where they pulled ten inches of iodine-soaked gauze tape out of the incision. (Ouch.) Then yes, stuffed that much more back in. Good times.
I'm home and will be having a nurse come in once a day for the next few days to change my dressing until I can tolerate the pain enough to do it on my own. It still hurts a great deal, but it's a different kind of pain from the infection-induced type of before. This, I can handle, because it finally means recovery.
It'll take 3-4 weeks before the incision heals and I don't have to put gauze in it anymore. During that time, I'm supposed to take it easy. I've already missed four weeks of church, due to this bout of mastitis. Never thought I'd miss for any reason other than my recovering knees combined with pregnancy! But with all the rest I'm getting, my knees are actually doing fantastically. It's the little things, people.
Oh, and the second set of cultures came back negative, which means I haven't had bacteria in my system for well over a week. Basically, my body was attacking the pus it was creating to combat non-existent bacteria. Go team.
The baby is a trooper - he's still kicking away inside me, happy as can be. :-) I had a non-stress test completed today, and he's perfectly fine. So happy about that!
Thank goodness for my parents for helping with my little girl and getting me to doctor appointments while my husband has been at work, my in-laws for sacrificing so much to make sure I was receiving the care I needed (my mother-in-law came and stayed with us for a week!), my dear friends Roberta and Schaara who have checked in with me on a nearly daily basis this whole time (even though they've both been having tough medical things going on themselves), and my wonderful and supportive husband who has taken over cooking and cleaning!
There's no way I would have made it through all of this without their help, support, and compassion. So much love goes to these people!
And now I can say that I've experienced four straight weeks of mastitis while pregnant, which has resulted in three hospital stays, seven doctor appointments (and counting), one urgent care visit, several painful infection drainings, surgery, and what's looking to be a HUGE medical bill. :-)
If anyone is searching for good professional care for this sort of thing in Utah, email me and I'll give you referrals! I can't even begin to say how grateful I am that I've had access to such fantastic care.
And again, thanks to all of you for your prayers and kind words during this time. It has meant so much to me.
The next day, I posted on Facebook that the nurse was on her way and I didn't know what to expect. I asked a few questions, basically worried about how it would go. Welllll.... yeah. It didn't go great, as you'll read below:
Facebook Post, August 1, 2015 at 10:59pmI've had an incredibly long, grueling, horrible, upsetting day, and I'm so exhausted and really need to get to bed. But I know family and friends need to know that I'm okay, and I'm too tired to text the details. So, here's my update:
I can now say that I've ridden in an ambulance. That definitely wasn't on my to-do list for today, not to mention EVER.
The nurse came to change my gauze and repack the wound. As soon as she started pulling the top layers of gauze off, I began gushing blood. In only a couple of minutes, I soaked three bath towels. She called 911. The paramedics, who work just around the corner (so, so many prayers of thanks being given for that!), showed up right away. By this point, I was incredibly lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseated. I can't believe how quickly I went from feeling fine to almost passing out over and over again. They got me set up on oxygen and an IV, then took me to the hospital with my husband following behind.
I almost started bawling several times on the way there, praying so hard that things would be okay. I don't cry easily, even when pregnant. But I've really passed my threshold for tolerance. I just can't handle anymore.
Here's what had happened: a little artery, unknowingly exposed, had really just had it, and when the gauze barely bumped it, started spurting. The doctor put in eight stitches (without me being numbed, mind you - he was in too much a hurry to get the bleeding stopped) and my surgeon from Thursday came and added her own stitches.
It stopped bleeding right before my surgeon got there, thank goodness.
In all, I lost two liters of blood. I'm home now and yet again, really wishing this trial were over. The blessing I got at the hospital said it was. I'm holding to that!
It'll take a few days to recover from the loss of blood. They gave me 3 liters of saline, and if the bleeding hadn't stopped when it did, they would have given me blood transfusions.
I feel so bad for the nurse. She's coming again tomorrow, and when she called the hospital to check up on me, she told the ER nurse that she's completely paranoid it's going to happen again. I don't blame her!
So, to recap. Now I can say that I've experienced four straight weeks of mastitis while pregnant, which has resulted in FOUR hospital stays, seven doctor appointments (and counting), one urgent care visit, several painful infection drainings, emergency surgery, an ambulance ride, two visits to the ER, and what's looking to be an even BIGGER medical bill. I'm really trying not to think about how on earth we're going to get caught up, financially!
If you've ever felt like gifting any of my eBooks to someone else or buying one or two for yourself, now would be the best time ever: http://amzn.to/1fV3gZm
Please continue keeping us in your prayers. :-(
Facebook Post, Aug 2I'm happy to announce that I just had my dressing changed and it went perfectly fine. I only bled a little. So much better compared to the 2 liters lost yesterday! My nurse, husband, and I were all very relieved. (Exceptionally relieved.)
I'm super lethargic and sluggish, and haven't been able to do much. Been lying down a lot, trying to catch up, physically. The baby is doing well - he's such a trooper. He's happily kicking away, thank goodness.
Again, thanks so much for your prayers!
Facebook Post, August 4Just got back from a follow-up appointment with my specialist. She's very pleased with how well things are healing. She said we'll only need to have the wound packed for another two or so weeks, instead of the four she'd originally thought! :-) She also said that as the infection clears up, the pain that occurs when we pack the incision will also go away. Hallelujah. I love hearing good news.
Due to what happened on Saturday, she opted to leave the stitches from surgery in for another week.
In the meantime, I'm still really dizzy and weak from blood loss and feel like I've got a really bad bout of the flu, but I'm in good spirits. So grateful for talented and inspired doctors and friends and family, many of whom included us in their fasts on Sunday. Much thanks for that!
Facebook Post, August 6Yesterday (Wednesday) was really, really difficult. I was severely nauseated nearly the whole day and very dizzy/lightheaded. Sigh. Things are just going to take a while to resolve themselves. I wish I could say, "Hey! I'm all better!" but it takes time to recover... especially since I'm pregnant and not getting much sleep while all of this is happening.
On the bright side, my mom came and hung out with me all day and my friend Leah visited, as did my sister-in-law. Yay for not being bored! :-) :-) :-) And thanks so much for coming, ladies. :-)
Facebook Post, August 7Well, the nurse never showed up yesterday and didn't return my calls... (I'm hoping she didn't have her own emergency) so my exceptionally amazing and brave husband got to unpack and repack the incision with gauze. I'm sooooooo grateful I'm married to a guy who isn't squeamish and handles blood regularly! He did a fantastic job. :-) :-) I love him. :-)
I still go back and forth between groggy, dizzy, nauseated, and lightheaded. I'm sure if I weren't pregnant, my recovery from blood loss would go faster. Yesterday was a really good day, but last night, I had an "episode" of nausea and dizziness. Maybe because we did "too much." (Went outside for the first time in weeks for something other than hospital visits and doctor appointments. We walked to the mailbox, which is about 1,000 feet away. :-) )
I am, however, off of all medications now, minus the prenatal vitamin. After a month of antibiotics and a week of narcotics, THAT'S something to celebrate! Yayness. :-) :-)
I'm also getting back in the saddle again where writing is concerned. Reclaim, the last book in my Katon University series, is now up for pre-order. I'm super excited about this because now, when I have my huge promotion right before the baby comes, I won't have to worry about anything - the entire shindig will be in place and I'll be able to sit back and relax. (Ha ha. With a new baby. Relax. That's funny. :-)Hey - it's a different kind of stress from book stress. :-) )
That was my last update on Facebook, put up yesterday. I'm really hoping not to add to it with more bad news! I really believe and feel that things are getting better now.
I've discovered that Tylenol works for infection-related pain, but not for the pain related to the incision. The incision, by the way, is about an inch long, half an inch wide, and an inch deep. It's super gruesome looking, but I'm grateful to have it because it represents healing and freedom from pain. Of course, it in and of itself is painful... but the pain is much less than what the infection pain brought. (This is stabbing pain and it happens at random times throughout the day, making my muscles in my arm and chest clench. Good times.)
Please, if you have any questions and especially if you are suffering through something similar, feel free to email me or comment below. My breast specialist says that mastitis while pregnant is a fluke - it happens so rarely that half of the medical field has never heard of it. I found that to be true with the doctors and nurses I've seen and worked with the past month.
Also, the artery-spurting thing is incredibly rare. My breast specialist says in twenty years of doing this, she'd only ever had two cases of this happen - me and one other woman. It just doesn't happen often. Thank goodness! As I said to fellow writers, I would never, ever wish what has happened to me on my meanest reviewer. :-)
But I am grateful that I've been able to help other people - especially to educate women (not make them paranoid, of course), so that they know what to do if this ever happens to them.
One last thanks to friends and family for their prayers and kind thoughts as I've struggled through this ordeal! Looking back, I really can't believe I survived half the things I did. The pain was so intense and horrible! But I'm sure it's made me a stronger person. I hope so, anyway. :-)
By the way, my case is an extreme, severe case. Most people will NOT go through what I've experienced! But if you do, please know you're not alone.
I put up regular updates on Facebook and I'm going to be copying and pasting those updates here, with dates included and some partial entries from my journal to fill in the blanks. I'll be running this post like it's "live," meaning I'll add updates as they happen in the future. (And I'm hoping not to have too many more, now that things are finally winding down.)
The BeginningI first noticed painful lumps in my right breast around the end of June 2015. (I was just over five months pregnant at this point.) I did a bunch of online researching, and found that they were most likely blocked ducts. I didn't worry too much about them, since I'd had a couple earlier in the pregnancy that had worked themselves out.
However, over the course of two weeks, they didn't go away and actually got more painful. My next regular pregnancy checkup with my OBGYN was scheduled for July 13, so I decided to wait until then to get the ducts checked out.
By Friday, July 10, I was in so much pain, I couldn't handle not doing something. I read online that lavender (essential oil) would help clear up mastitis and blocked ducts, so I mixed several drops of that with a tablespoon of coconut oil and started applying it throughout the day. It seemed to help with the pain, but I began oozing green pus from my nipple. I also massaged, and tried hot showers and compresses and many other things.
That evening, going off of what I'd read online, I expressed some of the infection (pus). By the next morning, the entire right half of my breast was bright red, incredibly painful, and hot to the touch. The infection had spread across triple the original space.
My mom took me to an urgent care (my husband was at work).
The doctor explained why what I'd done hadn't helped and had actually made the problem much worse. (And more on that in my first Facebook post below.) She put me on amoxicillin and told me to have my regular OBGYN check up on it the following Monday, at my already-scheduled OBGYN appointment. I went to that appointment and the doctor told me the antibiotics wouldn't clear things up for at least a week.
Facebook post, July 15, 2015So, I've been experiencing something the past week that has been absolutely horrendous and incredibly painful. The only reason I haven't said anything about it here is because it's personal. But I decided to speak up because others who experience this might do things badly like I did. :-)Here's what I've learned:
1. It's possible to get mastitis while pregnant (milk production begins at conception)2. It's a billion times more painful and horrible than getting it at other times (I had it both while nursing and weaning. Trust me - this is much, much worse)3. Things that work and relieve while nursing (and weaning) only increase the infection (or cause other problems) while pregnant4. There's not a lot of solid information available for women who get mastitis while pregnant
I'm on antibiotics, after everything I tried on my own didn't work. (And both doctors I've seen explained to me why nothing else helped, then explained why they made the issue much worse.)
The gist of their explanations:While nursing, everything you do to clear up mastitis (including natural remedies, any sort of touching, etc) encourages milk flow. This is BAD while pregnant, since the milk doesn't have anywhere to go.
When you aren't nursing, everything you do to clear up mastitis (including natural remedies) tells milk production to stop. If done while pregnant, this causes issues for the pregnancy and leads to not being able to produce milk when the baby is born. (Many home remedies are natural sources of estrogen. Too much estrogen is dangerous for mom and baby. Over-the-counter products are just as bad/dangerous.)
Lastly, trying to stop milk production not only causes issues when the baby is born, but methods have to be continued the entire duration of the pregnancy, which again, causes other issues.
Both doctors said the same thing: I'll most likely get mastitis again before the baby is born. And both doctors warned me that the infection and pain will take more than a week to clear up, especially because it's such a severe case.
Anyway. Live and learn. If you don't see me out and about a lot right now, this is why.
I took Tylenol - the maximum dose recommended - and that helped a GREAT deal. Which, of course, surprised me, since Tylenol hasn't ever helped my pain before. :-)
The next few days were absolutely miserable. I couldn't use my arm at all and couldn't bend over, walk quickly, or do anything that increased my heart rate.
On Wednesday, July 15, I called the nurse at my OBGYN office because some of the hard/red spots were bruising. I wasn't sure if this was normal or not. She said that it does happen sometimes, and that if the hard spots didn't start softening in the next day or so, I'd need to go in and get checked out because the antibiotics probably weren't working.
By the next day, the redness and pain started clearing up. This was a huge relief. But I started leaking pus again. As I wrote in my journal, "I'M SO TIRED OF DEALING WITH THIS!!!" :-) Sadly, the road ahead of me would be a very long and painful one. :-(
On Friday, July 17, I talked to a nurse again. We scheduled a follow-up appointment for the next Tuesday, as things seemed to be clearing up and we wanted to be sure. But on Saturday evening, the pain came back as strong as it had been before and a new red, painful spot appeared.
Facebook Post, Sunday, July 19 at 9:33pm
Heading to the ER for the mastitis, as the pain has come back really badly and the infection is spreading. Please keep me in your prayers. :-(
That Sunday was probably the most painful the mastitis infection itself ever got. I should have gone to the ER Saturday, but didn't want to make a big deal out of it. Sigh.
Facebook Post, July 20 at 3:01amBack from the ER now. They think I had two infections - one that amoxicillin worked against and another one that amoxicillin is ineffective against. Switched my antibiotics to clindamycin. It *should* clear things up in the next 48 to 72 hours. However, I'm developing an abscess. If the infection doesn't clear by Tuesday/Wednesday, I get to have surgery to drain it. Really, really, really praying that won't need to happen! I was hoping my knee surgeries would be the last surgeries I'd ever have. :-(
Thanks for your prayers! I really felt them tonight. And many thanks to my friends and family who have been checking in with me regularly during the last two weeks. This has been such a struggle and trying time - it helps knowing I have people to turn to. Makes the trial a lot less lonely.
At the ER, they ultrasounded the infection. Women, hold on tight, if this ever happens to you! I can't even begin to say how painful that was. But it was necessary.
Now, a break to mention three things I learned from my breast specialist/surgeon since this whole thing has started:
First: When there's pus in the breast, an abscess has already developed. Pus isn't a normal occurrence with mastitis - you can be infected and have red, swollen tissue, without pus actually being present.
Second: While at the ER, I should have insisted on them doing cultures of the pus. Why? Because they would have found out exactly what sort of antibiotic I needed to be on, thereby preventing a month of three different types of antibiotics.
Third: According to a mastitis study mentioned on Wikipedia (I HIGHLY recommend reading that entire mastitis article! It was very helpful), antibiotics only clear up 15% of mastitis cases. Actual nursing clears up the rest of the cases. Where nursing isn't possible, incision and drainage is almost always required. So, if you're in my boat (mastitis during pregnancy) just know now that it's going to happen and it really will make things better in the end. In fact, at that first appointment with the doctor to verify you really do have mastitis, I would a) insist on cultures (expressed through the nipple, if possible) being done immediately (it takes seven days for some of the test results to come back), and b) schedule an appointment with a breast specialist who will most likely tell you that incision and drainage is the best course of action. I totally agree! Rather than being scared of it happening like I was, embrace it, because healing will come soon after.
Facebook Post, July 22I had a follow-up appointment today for my Sunday ER visit. The physical examination showed that my abscess hadn't gone anywhere and that I'd need further work. They sent me to the hospital for another ultrasound and the request that the infection be drained.
The hospital radiologists did that ultrasound (ouch) and compared between Sunday's and today's. And... no change whatsoever. The antibiotics aren't working. Again. The infection hasn't spread, but it hasn't gone down at all either, even with the stronger antibiotics.
We decided to go through with the draining (needle aspiration), but there wasn't a big pocket of pus, only tons and tons of small ones. They were only able to get a tiny sample out with a needle, which they're now sending to the lab to figure out what kind of bacteria it is and to hopefully find antibiotics that will work against it. Mastitis nearly always responds to amoxicillin and when it doesn't, it responds to the next stuff they put me on. I'm just really "lucky" to be in the totally random infection group.
(Note from present-day Andrea: because nursing clears up mastitis, and because amoxicillin is almost always the first antibiotic prescribed, most doctors believe this particular antibiotic is the one that works the best. Yes, it does, when antibiotics actually work. But it doesn't work nearly as often as health professionals believe. Simply nursing, which isn't possible while pregnant (unless you have a child currently nursing) is what clears things up the most.)
They then manually drained the pus by putting a hole in the tissue above it and squeezing it all out. The numbing didn't work because I'm too swollen and infected.
I am really praying I never have to experience that again. I can't even say how horrible and painful it was. I can barely move anymore, and the entire area is on fire. Clothing is excruciating to wear. This is the most painful it's been since the infection started.
Because of Pioneer Day (Utah holiday), we won't find out until Monday what antibiotics will even work. I'm needing to continue using the ones I've got to prevent farther spreading of the infection, since things haven't gotten worse while on it. (Thank goodness.)
I'm incredibly drained now, physically and emotionally. Really hoping for answers... and really, really, really hoping and praying not to experience this ever again. I've had two doctors agree that because I have mastitis while pregnant, it's almost guaranteed I'll get it again before the baby is born, since there are still three months to go. Just can't handle thinking about that right now.
Me and myself have agreed that it's someone else's turn. Any volunteers? This past year has thrown a lot of really, really weird and horrible (and expensive) physical trials at me. I'd like to take a break now. :-)
The next several days were horrible. I was incredibly close to breaking down at every moment. Though I don't cry easily (even while pregnant), crying happened frequently. I was at my tolerance threshold from the pain and exhaustion. During this time, my mother-in-law came to stay with us and help out. Such a blessing! However, the infection got worse (again) and was exceptionally painful. Not only that, but the old flu symptoms came back really strongly. So not fun!
Facebook Post, Monday, July 27Update on my situation: I had a follow-up appointment at my regular doctor office today to get results from the lab. The first set of cultures came back negative. The second set won't be finished until seven days after the sample was taken, so I won't know what sort of bacteria I have until Thursday, at my next appointment.
The infection got really, really bad over the weekend again. It ended up breaking through the old needle hole made five days earlier and drained itself. Yeah, that was painful... but I did feel marginally better after, with the pain from the pressure lessened. The needle hole closed off and the infection is building up again, but I'm really hoping things will start looking up soon. I've had mastitis for over three weeks! It's been horribly awful and an experience I'm hoping not to repeat.
I absolutely love the doctors who are working on this with me. After talking it over, we've decided to try a third antibiotic, a strong, broad-spectrum one (keflex), with thoughts that it may change again this Thursday when we get more test results back. If this antibiotic doesn't work, I'll be going in for surgery to be more "aggressive" with the deeper infections. (The surface ones are the ones that were drained this week.)
Also, if the rest of the cultures come back negative, my doctors office has an infectious disease specialist who will be taking on my case. Yayness. :-) (He can't take it on until the test results come back, in case you're wondering.)
Even though I'm still sick and am in tons of pain and those flu-like symptoms aren't completely gone, I'm feeling a lot more positive about the situation. First, I've got awesome doctors working on this with me. Second, we have a good plan of action (and no holidays or weekends to get in the way). Third, my husband and I bought a car today and actually have reliable transportation again. HALLELUJAH.
Many, many, many thanks to my wonderful mom and my super amazing mother-in-law! My mom spent several hours with me at the hospital last week, even though she'd recently had knee surgery. And my mother-in-law has been with us for nearly a week now, helping with our two-year-old and letting us use her van to get around. I LOVE these women. :-)
So, even though this has been the experience from Hell (pardon the language, but there's no nice way of putting what I've been through these past weeks), things are going to be okay, and we've been blessed throughout it. I know we may not be through everything yet, and there will probably be a few more hurdles to jump, but I will overcome this! And hopefully not get it again before the baby is born... though my doctors say the chances are very, very high that will happen. :-(
As of today, I'm officially in the third trimester. Yay. :-)
The infection filled again, and again got incredibly painful. I ended up sterilizing a needle and worrying at the old needle hole, encouraging it to open and drain again. It did, and I stood in the shower, nearly passing out from the pain and dizziness, letting it drain with the water. Most difficult shower I've ever taken, hands down.
The next Facebook post was written after a very long day and while I was on the way to the hospital for emergency surgery.
Facebook Post, July 30 at 4:12pmMore updates... Had my next appointment today. No changes from the last two appointments. I'm going in for surgery in a little less than an hour and will be staying at the hospital possibly for 24 hours. Keep me in your prayers and wish me luck! And thanks sooo much for your prayers thus far! I've really felt them.
And now I'm hoping there's an end in sight to this experience.
Facebook Post, July 31 at 9:38pmUpdate on my situation: The specialist who operated on me last night gave me the choice of having the procedure done in her office with local numbing or to do it under anesthesia at the hospital. Because of how things had gone last time I'd been "numbed" and drained, I chose surgery at the hospital. (Yeah... a two-inch incision when a simple needle nearly killed me? Not a hard decision to make, especially when local numbing doesn't work against infected tissue.)
After surgery, my doctor said it was a good thing we'd done it at the hospital, since there had been "complications," and I would have ended up there anyway.
Apparently, the infection was really, really deep, and she had to dig very far to remove it all. I bled a TON (was still bleeding when I woke up - they had to keep stuffing gauze under the ace bandage). Doc said there was no way they could have numbed me enough, and the pain alone would have killed me.
Also, if we'd done the procedure in her office, I would have required blood transfusions and an ambulance ride to the nearest ER (which isn't covered by our insurance). Much more traumatizing, horrible, and expensive than a scheduled surgery. (So grateful I followed my gut, even if half of my brain said I was wimping out!)
Waking up was a joy. Because I'm pregnant, they operated without pain killers. They were in a big hurry to get the infection out and didn't want to hurt the baby (and I appreciate that). But I was at about a fifty billion out of ten on the pain scale. It took an hour and a half to get it to "manageable" levels, with medications safe for baby and me.
Had the wounds redressed today at my doctor's office, where they pulled ten inches of iodine-soaked gauze tape out of the incision. (Ouch.) Then yes, stuffed that much more back in. Good times.
I'm home and will be having a nurse come in once a day for the next few days to change my dressing until I can tolerate the pain enough to do it on my own. It still hurts a great deal, but it's a different kind of pain from the infection-induced type of before. This, I can handle, because it finally means recovery.
It'll take 3-4 weeks before the incision heals and I don't have to put gauze in it anymore. During that time, I'm supposed to take it easy. I've already missed four weeks of church, due to this bout of mastitis. Never thought I'd miss for any reason other than my recovering knees combined with pregnancy! But with all the rest I'm getting, my knees are actually doing fantastically. It's the little things, people.
Oh, and the second set of cultures came back negative, which means I haven't had bacteria in my system for well over a week. Basically, my body was attacking the pus it was creating to combat non-existent bacteria. Go team.
The baby is a trooper - he's still kicking away inside me, happy as can be. :-) I had a non-stress test completed today, and he's perfectly fine. So happy about that!
Thank goodness for my parents for helping with my little girl and getting me to doctor appointments while my husband has been at work, my in-laws for sacrificing so much to make sure I was receiving the care I needed (my mother-in-law came and stayed with us for a week!), my dear friends Roberta and Schaara who have checked in with me on a nearly daily basis this whole time (even though they've both been having tough medical things going on themselves), and my wonderful and supportive husband who has taken over cooking and cleaning!
There's no way I would have made it through all of this without their help, support, and compassion. So much love goes to these people!
And now I can say that I've experienced four straight weeks of mastitis while pregnant, which has resulted in three hospital stays, seven doctor appointments (and counting), one urgent care visit, several painful infection drainings, surgery, and what's looking to be a HUGE medical bill. :-)
If anyone is searching for good professional care for this sort of thing in Utah, email me and I'll give you referrals! I can't even begin to say how grateful I am that I've had access to such fantastic care.
And again, thanks to all of you for your prayers and kind words during this time. It has meant so much to me.
The next day, I posted on Facebook that the nurse was on her way and I didn't know what to expect. I asked a few questions, basically worried about how it would go. Welllll.... yeah. It didn't go great, as you'll read below:
Facebook Post, August 1, 2015 at 10:59pmI've had an incredibly long, grueling, horrible, upsetting day, and I'm so exhausted and really need to get to bed. But I know family and friends need to know that I'm okay, and I'm too tired to text the details. So, here's my update:
I can now say that I've ridden in an ambulance. That definitely wasn't on my to-do list for today, not to mention EVER.
The nurse came to change my gauze and repack the wound. As soon as she started pulling the top layers of gauze off, I began gushing blood. In only a couple of minutes, I soaked three bath towels. She called 911. The paramedics, who work just around the corner (so, so many prayers of thanks being given for that!), showed up right away. By this point, I was incredibly lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseated. I can't believe how quickly I went from feeling fine to almost passing out over and over again. They got me set up on oxygen and an IV, then took me to the hospital with my husband following behind.
I almost started bawling several times on the way there, praying so hard that things would be okay. I don't cry easily, even when pregnant. But I've really passed my threshold for tolerance. I just can't handle anymore.
Here's what had happened: a little artery, unknowingly exposed, had really just had it, and when the gauze barely bumped it, started spurting. The doctor put in eight stitches (without me being numbed, mind you - he was in too much a hurry to get the bleeding stopped) and my surgeon from Thursday came and added her own stitches.
It stopped bleeding right before my surgeon got there, thank goodness.
In all, I lost two liters of blood. I'm home now and yet again, really wishing this trial were over. The blessing I got at the hospital said it was. I'm holding to that!
It'll take a few days to recover from the loss of blood. They gave me 3 liters of saline, and if the bleeding hadn't stopped when it did, they would have given me blood transfusions.
I feel so bad for the nurse. She's coming again tomorrow, and when she called the hospital to check up on me, she told the ER nurse that she's completely paranoid it's going to happen again. I don't blame her!
So, to recap. Now I can say that I've experienced four straight weeks of mastitis while pregnant, which has resulted in FOUR hospital stays, seven doctor appointments (and counting), one urgent care visit, several painful infection drainings, emergency surgery, an ambulance ride, two visits to the ER, and what's looking to be an even BIGGER medical bill. I'm really trying not to think about how on earth we're going to get caught up, financially!
If you've ever felt like gifting any of my eBooks to someone else or buying one or two for yourself, now would be the best time ever: http://amzn.to/1fV3gZm
Please continue keeping us in your prayers. :-(
Facebook Post, Aug 2I'm happy to announce that I just had my dressing changed and it went perfectly fine. I only bled a little. So much better compared to the 2 liters lost yesterday! My nurse, husband, and I were all very relieved. (Exceptionally relieved.)
I'm super lethargic and sluggish, and haven't been able to do much. Been lying down a lot, trying to catch up, physically. The baby is doing well - he's such a trooper. He's happily kicking away, thank goodness.
Again, thanks so much for your prayers!
Facebook Post, August 4Just got back from a follow-up appointment with my specialist. She's very pleased with how well things are healing. She said we'll only need to have the wound packed for another two or so weeks, instead of the four she'd originally thought! :-) She also said that as the infection clears up, the pain that occurs when we pack the incision will also go away. Hallelujah. I love hearing good news.
Due to what happened on Saturday, she opted to leave the stitches from surgery in for another week.
In the meantime, I'm still really dizzy and weak from blood loss and feel like I've got a really bad bout of the flu, but I'm in good spirits. So grateful for talented and inspired doctors and friends and family, many of whom included us in their fasts on Sunday. Much thanks for that!
Facebook Post, August 6Yesterday (Wednesday) was really, really difficult. I was severely nauseated nearly the whole day and very dizzy/lightheaded. Sigh. Things are just going to take a while to resolve themselves. I wish I could say, "Hey! I'm all better!" but it takes time to recover... especially since I'm pregnant and not getting much sleep while all of this is happening.
On the bright side, my mom came and hung out with me all day and my friend Leah visited, as did my sister-in-law. Yay for not being bored! :-) :-) :-) And thanks so much for coming, ladies. :-)
Facebook Post, August 7Well, the nurse never showed up yesterday and didn't return my calls... (I'm hoping she didn't have her own emergency) so my exceptionally amazing and brave husband got to unpack and repack the incision with gauze. I'm sooooooo grateful I'm married to a guy who isn't squeamish and handles blood regularly! He did a fantastic job. :-) :-) I love him. :-)
I still go back and forth between groggy, dizzy, nauseated, and lightheaded. I'm sure if I weren't pregnant, my recovery from blood loss would go faster. Yesterday was a really good day, but last night, I had an "episode" of nausea and dizziness. Maybe because we did "too much." (Went outside for the first time in weeks for something other than hospital visits and doctor appointments. We walked to the mailbox, which is about 1,000 feet away. :-) )
I am, however, off of all medications now, minus the prenatal vitamin. After a month of antibiotics and a week of narcotics, THAT'S something to celebrate! Yayness. :-) :-)
I'm also getting back in the saddle again where writing is concerned. Reclaim, the last book in my Katon University series, is now up for pre-order. I'm super excited about this because now, when I have my huge promotion right before the baby comes, I won't have to worry about anything - the entire shindig will be in place and I'll be able to sit back and relax. (Ha ha. With a new baby. Relax. That's funny. :-)Hey - it's a different kind of stress from book stress. :-) )
That was my last update on Facebook, put up yesterday. I'm really hoping not to add to it with more bad news! I really believe and feel that things are getting better now.
I've discovered that Tylenol works for infection-related pain, but not for the pain related to the incision. The incision, by the way, is about an inch long, half an inch wide, and an inch deep. It's super gruesome looking, but I'm grateful to have it because it represents healing and freedom from pain. Of course, it in and of itself is painful... but the pain is much less than what the infection pain brought. (This is stabbing pain and it happens at random times throughout the day, making my muscles in my arm and chest clench. Good times.)
Please, if you have any questions and especially if you are suffering through something similar, feel free to email me or comment below. My breast specialist says that mastitis while pregnant is a fluke - it happens so rarely that half of the medical field has never heard of it. I found that to be true with the doctors and nurses I've seen and worked with the past month.
Also, the artery-spurting thing is incredibly rare. My breast specialist says in twenty years of doing this, she'd only ever had two cases of this happen - me and one other woman. It just doesn't happen often. Thank goodness! As I said to fellow writers, I would never, ever wish what has happened to me on my meanest reviewer. :-)
But I am grateful that I've been able to help other people - especially to educate women (not make them paranoid, of course), so that they know what to do if this ever happens to them.
One last thanks to friends and family for their prayers and kind thoughts as I've struggled through this ordeal! Looking back, I really can't believe I survived half the things I did. The pain was so intense and horrible! But I'm sure it's made me a stronger person. I hope so, anyway. :-)
May 11, 2015
May 2015 Author Promotion!
I've released a new book, making this a great time for another author promotion! All the books being promoted are clean, and I'm positive you'll find something to love. :-)
Sale ends SATURDAY, May 16, 2015
First, a word about my new release. I'm super excited about it because it's the project my illustrator, James E. Curwen, and I worked on together with a local elementary school. We gave the kids creative control over nearly every aspect of the process - they gave feedback on characters, the writing, the illustrations, and they picked the names of the characters, their personalities, and physical attributes. I'm super excited about this book and am very happy with how it turned out. :-)
Bezza's Book of Enchantments
My newest release and first book in the Ranch City Academy series, complete with awesome illustrations by James E. Curwen!
Author: Andrea Pearson
Original price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available on: Kindle, iTunes, Smashwords
Carter's life changes when an old man entrusts him with a book of magical spells. Ridge, his best friend, wants to try one of the spells—the power to bring people back to life—but Carter isn't comfortable with the idea. He finally consents when Ridge suggests they resurrect an obscure composer they've been studying in school. But will the spell work, and if it does, will the boys agree never to do it again?
The Key of Kilenya
An Amazon bestselling eBook for three years! First book in a completed six-book series. I've never had a young reader (3rd grade and older) dislike this book or the series. Note that the second book in the series is available free for a few days on Kindle.
Author: Andrea PearsonOriginal price: $3.99Sale price: FREEAvailable on: Kindle, iTunes, Smashwords
We all have a choice—but we can’t choose the consequences.
Jacob Clark is chased down a path that takes him to another world—a world where he is a wanted young man. The Lorkon want to control him and the special powers he possesses. The people of the new world want him to save them from the destruction of the Lorkon. All Jacob wants is to go home, but even that choice has consequences. If he waits too long to decide, the new world and the one he came from will be destroyed.
As Jacob looks for people he can trust, he finds himself in the center of a fight for freedom—both for himself and the people he’s come to know. And when he meets a pretty girl named Aloren, everything he understands about his role on Eklaron is challenged.
Jacob has no idea where the path he chooses will take him, but once the choice has been made—bring on the consequences.
Samara, A Kilenya Romance
One of my best selling eBooks ever, this novella was SO much fun to write! I'm excited to be able to offer it for free for this promotion. It involves characters you'll come across in the Kilenya Series (the book above).
Author: Andrea PearsonOriginal price: $1.99Sale price: FREE!Available on Kindle
When Samara Oldroyd takes a break from her somewhat insane family to browse a music store, she meets the funniest, most attractive and awesome guy ever. A phone call interrupts their conversation, and she has to leave before she can find out anything about him—what his name is, where he's from, and why his smile is so familiar.
Her wishes that they'll run into each other again come true, but not how she expects. When Samara’s older sister finally lets the family meet her new boyfriend, Samara is shocked to see it's the guy from the music store!
Awkward and hilarious situations are plentiful as Samara tries—in vain—to undo the crush she's formed. Inspired by the film Dan in Real Life, this novella will tickle you pink.
And now some books from other authors! :-)
Just My Luck
Author: Jaclyn Weist
Regular price: $0.99
Sale price: FREE
Available from Kindle
Adam Crenshaw is tired of living in his little sister’s shadow. She wins everything, and he gets the leftovers. Big brothers are supposed to be the role models, right?
Then one day, all that changes. Louie is a leprechaun who offers him all the luck he could possibly want—for a price. The offer is tempting, but Adam refuses to work with him. To teach him a lesson, Louie steals all of
his luck, and Adam’s life is turned upside down. He now has a choice between giving in to the leprechaun’s demands, or losing everything that matters to him.
Stolen Luck
Author: Jaclyn Weist
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle
Sixteen-year-old Megan Crenshaw has everything going for her, until a leprechaun shows up on her doorstep and steals all her luck. If that weren't enough, he follows her around, making sure nothing goes right.
What Louie didn't count on was Megan's friends standing by her. No matter what he throws at her, they're by her side to pick her back up again.
When Megan learns about Louie's ultimate plan for her family, it's a race against time to stop him before he takes away everything she cares about.
Horstberg Saga Books 1-3
Author: Elizabeth D. Michaels (aka Anita Stansfield)
Regular price: $9.99
Sale price: $2.99
Available on Kindle and iTunes
Contains volumes 1, 2, and 3 of the Horstberg Saga - save $15 compared to price of single titles!
Behind the Mask (Volume 1 of the Horstberg Saga)
When You’re Hiding For Your Life, What Do You Live For?
Abbi has the gift of dreams. But her uncanny ability to see glimpses of the future has no apparent purpose or meaning until a dream leads her to a man on the brink of despair and destruction.
Cameron is a man without a name and without a country, framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Long ago forced into exile and believed dead, the passing of years have defaced him of all hope.
The country of Horstberg suffers beneath the weight of tyranny, and only Cameron holds the secret that could see her ruler undone and restore the people to peace and prosperity. While revolution brews and whispers of treason threaten all that is dear to Abbi, she remains unaware of her own ability to answer a nation’s prayers.
Trusting only her heart and the power of her dreams, Abbi gives all that she has to lead Cameron back into a civilized world, where love is real and freedom comes only in facing what hides behind the mask.
PLEASE NOTE: Volumes Four and Five, The Tainted Crown and Through Castle Windows, are now available for purchase and conclude the Horstberg Saga.
Silent Cries
Author: Anastasia Alexander
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle and iTunes
Charlene believes she’s an ordinary housewife and mother with ordinary challenges. Gradually, she comes to realize her marriage isn't healthy and that her husband’s treatment isn't normal. Relying only on her own courage and the help of a few friends, she struggles to free herself and her children from a relationship that has turned their lives into a living nightmare.
Charlene soon discovers that altering her relationship is only half the battle and finding what she really needs takes just as much courage as recognizing the problem in the first place. Trusting again—and making love work—may be the biggest challenge of all.
The Making of a Queen
Author: Rachel Ann Nunes
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle and iTunes
On a rainy Parisian evening, memories plague Ariana de Cotte. Memories of her beloved twin brother, her estranged parents, and the loneliness and anger that consume her. She is nineteen, it’s her wedding night, and her life seems beyond hope or repair.
Thus begins the story of an extraordinary young woman who, as her life spirals downward, struggles to find meaning and hope in the face of unimaginable suffering. Her bitter refusal to listen to the LDS missionaries only increases her pain, as does blaming God who has allowed her so much heartache. Until one dark night, when her life hits rock-bottom and the Spirit begins its whisperings to her heart.
As you come to know Ariana, you will weep for her tragedy, smile at her small triumphs, rejoice as she embraces a faith that will sustain her, and feel the love of a good man who helps her find the power to change her life forever. Rachel Ann Nunes has created a powerful and moving novel with characters so real that you will let them into your heart and find yourself re-living this exceptional story again and again.
“The last few chapters of this book contain some of the most powerful images of forgiveness and redemption that I’ve seen in any Christian novel. Though the religion of the characters is LDS, this novel should be read by everyone who craves to understand and feel the Savior’s touch in their own lives. Well done!” - Daniel Schroeder, Boston
To Love and to Promise
Author: Rachel Ann Nunes
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle and iTunes
When Brionney Fields marries handsome and charming Derek Roathe, she feels like her life is a fairy tale come true. And when baby Savannah comes along, she's sure of it. Then, with a horrifying discovery, the dream is shattered and her fairy tale begins to unravel. Trying to pick up the bits and pieces of her life, she wonders if she'll ever be able to take a chance at love again.
The answer finally comes, but is Brionney ready for it? Can she set aside a world of pain for the hope of true love? She's heard all the promises before, but they've been empty and tainted by lies. Why should she believe them now?
In this compelling and emotional story of love, betrayal, and soul-wrenching challenges, bestselling author Rachel Ann Nunes creates memorable characters and dramatic moments that will live in the reader's mind and heart long after the book is closed. Join Brionney as she learns that the road to true love and happiness is never easy . . . but in the end it's worth every prayer, every tear, and every leap of faith along the way.
This Time Forever
Author: Rachel Ann Nunes
Regular price: $6.99
Sale price: FREE
Available from Kindle and iTunes
Tender story of heartbreak, healing, and faith (Mickelle Book 1, Rebekka Book 1)
Mickelle Hansen never realized marriage could be so challenging. Her husband's epilepsy has caused him to become cynical and verbally abusive, but with love in her heart and strength from her Heavenly Father, Mickelle is determined to make her marriage work. Then the worst happens. Can she ever pick up the shattered pieces of her life?
Meanwhile, Rebekka Massoni arrives in America to work for handsome widower Damon Wolfe, leaving all her hopes and dreams back in her beloved France. She has loved and idolized Marc Perrault since she was five years old, but he can offer only her friendship in return.
Can Rebekka forget Marc and learn to love another man? Both Damon and Samuel Bjornenburg, successful CEO of Corban International, hope to win a place in her heart, but Damon's daughter doesn't like Rebekka, and Samuel doesn't share her faith. To make matters worse, Rebekka's heart is still breaking over Marc. Suddenly she must make the most important decision of her entire life. Will it be the right one?
Join Mickelle and Rebekka as they search for love and self-discovery. This tender story of heartbreak, healing, and faith is one you will not soon forget.
And that's all for this time! Enjoy! :-)
Sale ends SATURDAY, May 16, 2015
First, a word about my new release. I'm super excited about it because it's the project my illustrator, James E. Curwen, and I worked on together with a local elementary school. We gave the kids creative control over nearly every aspect of the process - they gave feedback on characters, the writing, the illustrations, and they picked the names of the characters, their personalities, and physical attributes. I'm super excited about this book and am very happy with how it turned out. :-)
Bezza's Book of Enchantments
My newest release and first book in the Ranch City Academy series, complete with awesome illustrations by James E. Curwen!
Author: Andrea PearsonOriginal price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available on: Kindle, iTunes, Smashwords
Carter's life changes when an old man entrusts him with a book of magical spells. Ridge, his best friend, wants to try one of the spells—the power to bring people back to life—but Carter isn't comfortable with the idea. He finally consents when Ridge suggests they resurrect an obscure composer they've been studying in school. But will the spell work, and if it does, will the boys agree never to do it again?
The Key of Kilenya
An Amazon bestselling eBook for three years! First book in a completed six-book series. I've never had a young reader (3rd grade and older) dislike this book or the series. Note that the second book in the series is available free for a few days on Kindle.
Author: Andrea PearsonOriginal price: $3.99Sale price: FREEAvailable on: Kindle, iTunes, SmashwordsWe all have a choice—but we can’t choose the consequences.
Jacob Clark is chased down a path that takes him to another world—a world where he is a wanted young man. The Lorkon want to control him and the special powers he possesses. The people of the new world want him to save them from the destruction of the Lorkon. All Jacob wants is to go home, but even that choice has consequences. If he waits too long to decide, the new world and the one he came from will be destroyed.
As Jacob looks for people he can trust, he finds himself in the center of a fight for freedom—both for himself and the people he’s come to know. And when he meets a pretty girl named Aloren, everything he understands about his role on Eklaron is challenged.
Jacob has no idea where the path he chooses will take him, but once the choice has been made—bring on the consequences.
Samara, A Kilenya Romance
One of my best selling eBooks ever, this novella was SO much fun to write! I'm excited to be able to offer it for free for this promotion. It involves characters you'll come across in the Kilenya Series (the book above).
Author: Andrea PearsonOriginal price: $1.99Sale price: FREE!Available on KindleWhen Samara Oldroyd takes a break from her somewhat insane family to browse a music store, she meets the funniest, most attractive and awesome guy ever. A phone call interrupts their conversation, and she has to leave before she can find out anything about him—what his name is, where he's from, and why his smile is so familiar.
Her wishes that they'll run into each other again come true, but not how she expects. When Samara’s older sister finally lets the family meet her new boyfriend, Samara is shocked to see it's the guy from the music store!
Awkward and hilarious situations are plentiful as Samara tries—in vain—to undo the crush she's formed. Inspired by the film Dan in Real Life, this novella will tickle you pink.
And now some books from other authors! :-)
Just My Luck
Author: Jaclyn WeistRegular price: $0.99
Sale price: FREE
Available from Kindle
Adam Crenshaw is tired of living in his little sister’s shadow. She wins everything, and he gets the leftovers. Big brothers are supposed to be the role models, right?
Then one day, all that changes. Louie is a leprechaun who offers him all the luck he could possibly want—for a price. The offer is tempting, but Adam refuses to work with him. To teach him a lesson, Louie steals all of
his luck, and Adam’s life is turned upside down. He now has a choice between giving in to the leprechaun’s demands, or losing everything that matters to him.
Stolen Luck
Author: Jaclyn WeistRegular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle
Sixteen-year-old Megan Crenshaw has everything going for her, until a leprechaun shows up on her doorstep and steals all her luck. If that weren't enough, he follows her around, making sure nothing goes right.
What Louie didn't count on was Megan's friends standing by her. No matter what he throws at her, they're by her side to pick her back up again.
When Megan learns about Louie's ultimate plan for her family, it's a race against time to stop him before he takes away everything she cares about.
Horstberg Saga Books 1-3
Author: Elizabeth D. Michaels (aka Anita Stansfield)Regular price: $9.99
Sale price: $2.99
Available on Kindle and iTunes
Contains volumes 1, 2, and 3 of the Horstberg Saga - save $15 compared to price of single titles!
Behind the Mask (Volume 1 of the Horstberg Saga)
When You’re Hiding For Your Life, What Do You Live For?
Abbi has the gift of dreams. But her uncanny ability to see glimpses of the future has no apparent purpose or meaning until a dream leads her to a man on the brink of despair and destruction.
Cameron is a man without a name and without a country, framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Long ago forced into exile and believed dead, the passing of years have defaced him of all hope.
The country of Horstberg suffers beneath the weight of tyranny, and only Cameron holds the secret that could see her ruler undone and restore the people to peace and prosperity. While revolution brews and whispers of treason threaten all that is dear to Abbi, she remains unaware of her own ability to answer a nation’s prayers.
Trusting only her heart and the power of her dreams, Abbi gives all that she has to lead Cameron back into a civilized world, where love is real and freedom comes only in facing what hides behind the mask.
PLEASE NOTE: Volumes Four and Five, The Tainted Crown and Through Castle Windows, are now available for purchase and conclude the Horstberg Saga.
Silent Cries
Author: Anastasia AlexanderRegular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle and iTunes
Charlene believes she’s an ordinary housewife and mother with ordinary challenges. Gradually, she comes to realize her marriage isn't healthy and that her husband’s treatment isn't normal. Relying only on her own courage and the help of a few friends, she struggles to free herself and her children from a relationship that has turned their lives into a living nightmare.
Charlene soon discovers that altering her relationship is only half the battle and finding what she really needs takes just as much courage as recognizing the problem in the first place. Trusting again—and making love work—may be the biggest challenge of all.
The Making of a Queen
Author: Rachel Ann NunesRegular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle and iTunes
On a rainy Parisian evening, memories plague Ariana de Cotte. Memories of her beloved twin brother, her estranged parents, and the loneliness and anger that consume her. She is nineteen, it’s her wedding night, and her life seems beyond hope or repair.
Thus begins the story of an extraordinary young woman who, as her life spirals downward, struggles to find meaning and hope in the face of unimaginable suffering. Her bitter refusal to listen to the LDS missionaries only increases her pain, as does blaming God who has allowed her so much heartache. Until one dark night, when her life hits rock-bottom and the Spirit begins its whisperings to her heart.
As you come to know Ariana, you will weep for her tragedy, smile at her small triumphs, rejoice as she embraces a faith that will sustain her, and feel the love of a good man who helps her find the power to change her life forever. Rachel Ann Nunes has created a powerful and moving novel with characters so real that you will let them into your heart and find yourself re-living this exceptional story again and again.
“The last few chapters of this book contain some of the most powerful images of forgiveness and redemption that I’ve seen in any Christian novel. Though the religion of the characters is LDS, this novel should be read by everyone who craves to understand and feel the Savior’s touch in their own lives. Well done!” - Daniel Schroeder, Boston
To Love and to Promise
Author: Rachel Ann NunesRegular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Available from Kindle and iTunes
When Brionney Fields marries handsome and charming Derek Roathe, she feels like her life is a fairy tale come true. And when baby Savannah comes along, she's sure of it. Then, with a horrifying discovery, the dream is shattered and her fairy tale begins to unravel. Trying to pick up the bits and pieces of her life, she wonders if she'll ever be able to take a chance at love again.
The answer finally comes, but is Brionney ready for it? Can she set aside a world of pain for the hope of true love? She's heard all the promises before, but they've been empty and tainted by lies. Why should she believe them now?
In this compelling and emotional story of love, betrayal, and soul-wrenching challenges, bestselling author Rachel Ann Nunes creates memorable characters and dramatic moments that will live in the reader's mind and heart long after the book is closed. Join Brionney as she learns that the road to true love and happiness is never easy . . . but in the end it's worth every prayer, every tear, and every leap of faith along the way.
This Time Forever
Author: Rachel Ann NunesRegular price: $6.99
Sale price: FREE
Available from Kindle and iTunes
Tender story of heartbreak, healing, and faith (Mickelle Book 1, Rebekka Book 1)
Mickelle Hansen never realized marriage could be so challenging. Her husband's epilepsy has caused him to become cynical and verbally abusive, but with love in her heart and strength from her Heavenly Father, Mickelle is determined to make her marriage work. Then the worst happens. Can she ever pick up the shattered pieces of her life?
Meanwhile, Rebekka Massoni arrives in America to work for handsome widower Damon Wolfe, leaving all her hopes and dreams back in her beloved France. She has loved and idolized Marc Perrault since she was five years old, but he can offer only her friendship in return.
Can Rebekka forget Marc and learn to love another man? Both Damon and Samuel Bjornenburg, successful CEO of Corban International, hope to win a place in her heart, but Damon's daughter doesn't like Rebekka, and Samuel doesn't share her faith. To make matters worse, Rebekka's heart is still breaking over Marc. Suddenly she must make the most important decision of her entire life. Will it be the right one?
Join Mickelle and Rebekka as they search for love and self-discovery. This tender story of heartbreak, healing, and faith is one you will not soon forget.
And that's all for this time! Enjoy! :-)
March 17, 2015
Official Announcement. And other things... :-)
Hi, Everyone!
The next several months, I'm going to be working on the Katon University series at an accelerated pace. I plan to have all of the books written by the time the Indie Author Hub writers conference takes place June 19-20. (You should come, if you want to be a writer, are a writer, and want to meet other writers. Info here. I'm presenting a couple of times. :-))
Anyway. After LTUE (another writers conference) this past February, I sat down and figured out that if I write 2,000 words a day, six days a week, never skipping - even after I finish each book - I'll have finished the entire series by June. This might seem like a lofty goal, but I've been keeping up with it since LTUE, which happened a month ago, and it's been very, very doable. Even with a toddler and all my other duties as a wife and mom.
Why am I doing this? Because after the IAH writers conference, I'm taking a break from the writing world (perhaps not writing itself, but everything else for sure) for a while.
Again, why?
Maybe this shirt I bought my husband will explain it:
:-) We had the first doctor appointment and ultrasound yesterday and got to see the baby's heartbeat. So very exciting!
Here's how I told my husband (pardon my messy penmanship - I had to hurry to write it before he got home from work. :-)):
And that's why I'm taking a break for a while. :-) My pregnancies are pretty difficult - this one has been no different - and with writing and being a mommy, I'm already ready for that break. :-)
My other big announcement is this: Perceive, Katon University Book Two is finished! I'm so very excited. :-) I'll be looking for beta readers pretty soon here, and will be going through my newsletter email list exclusively to find them. If you aren't already a member, sign up here and I'll send you the eBook for Discern, Katon University Book One for free.
Anyway. We're pretty excited. And I'm ready to sleep for thirty hours a day. :-)
The next several months, I'm going to be working on the Katon University series at an accelerated pace. I plan to have all of the books written by the time the Indie Author Hub writers conference takes place June 19-20. (You should come, if you want to be a writer, are a writer, and want to meet other writers. Info here. I'm presenting a couple of times. :-))
Anyway. After LTUE (another writers conference) this past February, I sat down and figured out that if I write 2,000 words a day, six days a week, never skipping - even after I finish each book - I'll have finished the entire series by June. This might seem like a lofty goal, but I've been keeping up with it since LTUE, which happened a month ago, and it's been very, very doable. Even with a toddler and all my other duties as a wife and mom.
Why am I doing this? Because after the IAH writers conference, I'm taking a break from the writing world (perhaps not writing itself, but everything else for sure) for a while.
Again, why?
Maybe this shirt I bought my husband will explain it:
:-) We had the first doctor appointment and ultrasound yesterday and got to see the baby's heartbeat. So very exciting!
Here's how I told my husband (pardon my messy penmanship - I had to hurry to write it before he got home from work. :-)):
And that's why I'm taking a break for a while. :-) My pregnancies are pretty difficult - this one has been no different - and with writing and being a mommy, I'm already ready for that break. :-)
My other big announcement is this: Perceive, Katon University Book Two is finished! I'm so very excited. :-) I'll be looking for beta readers pretty soon here, and will be going through my newsletter email list exclusively to find them. If you aren't already a member, sign up here and I'll send you the eBook for Discern, Katon University Book One for free.
Anyway. We're pretty excited. And I'm ready to sleep for thirty hours a day. :-)
March 12, 2015
Getting a BookBub Promotion
While waiting for my toddler to eat, I decided to go through the last
several days worth of BookBub emails to check out how many reviews each
book has in the categories that are sent to me. I thought the info might
be interesting to y'all.
Middle Grade: 4 (anthology), 53, 24, 4 (HarperCollins book), 131
Teen and YA: 88, 179, 159, 803, 244
Fantasy: 125, 3 (anthology), 1 (anthology), 177, 293
Science Fiction: 8, 3 (anthology), 248, 133, 5 (anthology)
New Adult: 329, 65, 132, 303, 28 (anthology),
Romantic Suspense: 69, 62, 114, 84 (anthology), 45
Paranormal Romance: 157, 23 (anthology), 157, 189, 29
Contemporary Romance: 189, 1,493, 200, 220, 6 (anthology), 110, 23
(anthology), 207, 417
Action and Adventure: 72, 58, 413 (anthology), 160
Thrillers: 36 (anthology), 152, 13 (big 5), 483, 193, 120, 887, 72, 202, 31
I can see why BookBub doesn't require a certain number of reviews and why
they're really wishy-washy when asked how many we should have before
submitting. But I can also see that it's really important to have a lot of
them. Anthologies are pretty low in reviews. I checked, though, and the
individual books have high reviews (around 100 for the first book in the
series).
Do you guys know of any ways to get reviews other than what I mention in
my blog post here?
http://andreapearsonbooks.blogspot.co...
I want to keep that post updated and accurate.
Oh, and also, I can see why using BookBub if you write contemporary
romance is difficult and frustrating. Pretty much all of those books are
smut.
several days worth of BookBub emails to check out how many reviews each
book has in the categories that are sent to me. I thought the info might
be interesting to y'all.
Middle Grade: 4 (anthology), 53, 24, 4 (HarperCollins book), 131
Teen and YA: 88, 179, 159, 803, 244
Fantasy: 125, 3 (anthology), 1 (anthology), 177, 293
Science Fiction: 8, 3 (anthology), 248, 133, 5 (anthology)
New Adult: 329, 65, 132, 303, 28 (anthology),
Romantic Suspense: 69, 62, 114, 84 (anthology), 45
Paranormal Romance: 157, 23 (anthology), 157, 189, 29
Contemporary Romance: 189, 1,493, 200, 220, 6 (anthology), 110, 23
(anthology), 207, 417
Action and Adventure: 72, 58, 413 (anthology), 160
Thrillers: 36 (anthology), 152, 13 (big 5), 483, 193, 120, 887, 72, 202, 31
I can see why BookBub doesn't require a certain number of reviews and why
they're really wishy-washy when asked how many we should have before
submitting. But I can also see that it's really important to have a lot of
them. Anthologies are pretty low in reviews. I checked, though, and the
individual books have high reviews (around 100 for the first book in the
series).
Do you guys know of any ways to get reviews other than what I mention in
my blog post here?
http://andreapearsonbooks.blogspot.co...
I want to keep that post updated and accurate.
Oh, and also, I can see why using BookBub if you write contemporary
romance is difficult and frustrating. Pretty much all of those books are
smut.
February 21, 2015
February 2015 Author Promotion!
In celebration of the release of my newest teen romance, Midian, several authors and I are teaming up to bring you these fantastic and clean eBooks! :-) We've got something for everyone!
As a side note, if you're interested in reading The Key of Kilenya for me (to give feedback on scenes I've changed), fill out this form here.
Midian, A Kilenya Romance
Andrea Pearson
ANDREA'S NEW RELEASE
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Midian has lived in Gevkan Castle for almost all of her twenty-five years, growing up alongside Princess Arien. Though timid, she's content in her life and comfortable with the people who surround her. It's not until she meets Kelson, best friend of Prince Dmitri, that she realizes how deep her shyness runs. Kelson is outgoing and wildly flirtatious, pushing Midian away when all he wants is to draw her closer.
Midian's life is put in danger when she's kidnapped by the neighboring king who thinks she's the princess and wants to leverage her life for power and money.
Will Kelson be able to stop the king fast enough, proving his affections for Midian, or will the king's scheming keep them forever separated?
The Manor
(A Katon University Novella)
Andrea Pearson
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: FREE
Kindle
Austin receives a photograph in the mail and quickly discovers something about it isn’t quite right: every time he looks at it, there are changes.
And the changes aren’t good.
The Angel
(A Katon University Novella)
Andrea Pearson
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: FREE
Kindle
Lizzie doesn't know the old whistle she found in a deserted trapper's cabin is possessed. She blows on it, accidentally calling back the spirit of a dead goddess consumed by the desire to snare the person who called her.
When the goddess arrives in the form of a statue, the stillness of Lizzie's mountain retreat is destroyed.
Tides Across the Sea
Lu Ann Staheli
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Set against the background of the exploration of the Aztec civilization, TIDES ACROSS THE SEA, opens in the year 1519, where the passion for adventure and the lust for gold reign in the hearts of both young and old. Fifteen-year-old Felipe is no exception, though his yearning for adventure is tempered by his love for the beautiful Manuela. She wants to marry him, but when Felipe ends up on Cortés’ ship bound for the New World, the young couple is pulled apart. Felipe and Manuela each must find a way to overcome the odds stacked against them if they want to someday reunite.
Bless Your Heart: Low-sodium Recipes for a Heart-healthy Lifestyle
Tristi Pinkston
Regular price: $2.99
sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Tired of bland, boring low-sodium recipes? Tristi Pinkston brings some spice back into the kitchen with this huge collection of recipes designed to show your heart, and your taste buds, some love.
Season of Sacrifice
Tristi Pinkston
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Sarah Williams is a young Welsh immigrant, coming to Utah to join her sister Mary Ann Perkins and her young family. When the Perkins' are asked to join the San Juan mission to pioneer a trail through Southern Utah, they take Sarah along to help care for the children. But a six-week journey turns into six agonizing months of hard work and toil as the Saints blast their way through a cliff to bring their wagons through what would become the famous Utah landmark "Hole in the Rock." This LDS historical fiction novel is based on the life of the author's great-great-grandfather and accurately depicts the experiences of these intrepid pioneers as they sought to be obedient to a higher call.
For Love or Money
Paige Timothy
Regular Price: $2.99
Sale Price: $0.99
Kindle
Cynical Morgan has just about decided that no one could possibly fall in love with her - all the good guys want perfect girls, and she's anything but perfect. But then along comes the guy who falls head-over-heels in love with her just as she is and helps her find the bright side of life again. This is book two of the Main Street Merchants series – book one, And Something Blue, is already just .99 all the time.
Behind the Mask (Horstberg Saga #1)
Elizabeth D. Michael (AKA Anita Stansfield)
Regular price: $5.99
Sale price: $.99
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
When You’re Hiding For Your Life, What Do You Live For?
Abbi has the gift of dreams. But her uncanny ability to see glimpses of the future has no apparent purpose or meaning until a dream leads her to a man on the brink of despair and destruction. Cameron is a man without a name and without a country, framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Long ago forced into exile and believed dead, the passing of years have defaced him of all hope. The country of Horstberg suffers beneath the weight of tyranny, and only Cameron holds the secret that could see her ruler undone and restore the people to peace and prosperity. While revolution brews and whispers of treason threaten all that is dear to Abbi, she remains unaware of her own ability to answer a nation’s prayers. Trusting only her heart and the power of her dreams, Abbi gives all that she has to lead Cameron back into a civilized world, where love is real and freedom comes only in facing what hides behind the mask.
A Matter of Honor (Horstberg Saga #2)
Elizabeth D. Michaels (AKA Anita Stansfield)
Reglar price: $5.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
When Honor Means More Than Anything To A Man, Can He Sacrifice His Honor For Love?
Captain Lance Dukerk has no doubt that the only woman he ever loved married the right man—even though that man wasn’t him. Yet he longs to have that kind of love in his life and is growing weary of being known as the most eligible bachelor in Horstberg’s military force. When poverty-stricken Nadine Rader arrives at Castle Horstberg, insisting that her young daughter is the legitimate child of the duke, it becomes increasingly evident that the deceased ruler Nikolaus du Woernig left a torrent of disillusionment and heartache in his wake. Inexplicably drawn to Nadine, Lance takes personal charge of seeing that her needs are met as she attempts to piece her life back together. Their mutual attraction quickly merges into something profound, until Nadine discovers that Lance’s connections to Nikolaus go far deeper than she’d ever imagined, and her budding trust in Lance shatters. Nadine’s life becomes more troubling as women who fit her description are brutally murdered, and neither she nor Lance are prepared to face startling evidence that widens the chasm of mistrust between them. While Nadine fights to stay alive, Lance relentlessly tracks the monster responsible for these horrendous crimes, hoping he’ll be in time to protect the one woman he knows he can never live without.
The Superstitious Romance
Anastasia Alexander
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: free and $0.99
Kindle (99 cents)
Nook (99 cents)
iTunes (free)
Can Love Survive Friday the 13th?
Friday the 13th has always been unlucky for history professor Camille Britain, and this one doesn't seem any different. In an effort to escape her failed marriage, Camille is renting a cabin in beautiful Island Park, Idaho, where she meets wildlife photographer Jackson Armstrong, who scoffs at her superstitious ways and infuriates her with his offers of help. Camille doesn't need another man—not even one as compelling and attractive as Jackson. Especially when he seems hung up on another woman. And yet Camille can’t deny the passion between them or the way Jackson makes her feel. This Friday the 13th upsets both their worlds by forcing Camille and Jackson to see things about themselves, their families, and each other that might—with a little help—change them forever. Maybe this time superstition is on their side. The Superstitious Romance is a story about a strong woman who feels weak, a man who doubts himself, and a powerful love that changes everything.
Birdlegs
Kenneth R. Tarr
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Sometimes you have to run for your life
At Lincoln High, Nathan Stewart is practically invisible. The only time he is noticed is when his fellow students need someone to torment. Not only do they call him nerd, bookworm, or “Birdlegs,” but they also threaten him with physical violence. The problem has become so serious that two of his main goals in life are to hide his skinny body from his classmates and to escape the constant persecution of the bullies, especially muscle-bound Kit Morrison.
As one of the outcasts at Fremont, Nathan has little hope that the girl of his dreams, Kathy Young, will ever notice him. So he resigns himself to adoring her in secret. The only person who really knows how Nathan feels is his friend in misery, a classmate named Benny Berger, who is hounded and teased for being fat and clumsy. But Nathan has one remarkable ability that has the potential to change everything and win the admiration of that very special girl.
The Change
Teyla Branton
Regular price: $4.99
Sale price: FREE
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
Death, Life, or Love—Unbounded Always Play for Keeps
There are only two ways to kill Unbounded, and fire isn’t one of them—as law school dropout Erin Radkey learns the hard way. By fluke of a recessive gene, she has become Unbounded, a nearly immortal being with paranormal abilities. Erin’s Change separates her from her loved ones and alters everything she believes to be true. A week earlier she was considering a marriage proposal; now she contemplates the best way to stay alive. Caught in a battle between two Unbounded groups, the Emporium and the Renegades, she is also hunted by a secret mortal society sworn to eradicate the Unbounded gene. Some will stop at nothing to use Erin as one more pawn in a battle that has spanned centuries. Erin’s undeniable attraction to Ritter Langton, whose family was massacred by opposing Unbounded two hundred and forty years ago, complicates her choices. There are no second chances. Death, life, or love—Unbounded always play for keeps.
This Very Moment (New cover!)
Rachel Ann Nunes
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
A Compelling Story of Heartbreaking Loss, Inspiring Faith, and a Newfound Love Strong Enough to Heal All Wounds.
Bill Dubrey is a sought-after plastic surgeon for LA’s prestigious and wealthy, and an equally sought-after bachelor. On the surface it appears he has it all—money, respect, and fame. Yet behind his aloof exterior lurks a tragic past that prevents him from finding lasting happiness. All that changes on the day Kylee Stewart reenters his life. She alone knows Bill’s secret agony, and she is determined to help him face his past. During the years they’ve been apart, Kylee’s own life has been far from easy, but unlike Bill, she has turned to God in her need, finding a faith to which she desperately clings. The tentative friendship they begin has Bill rethinking his stark future, yet he keeps his heart in check—afraid to commit, afraid to lose again. During Kylee’s darkest moment, when she needs him most, will he be there for her?
Aliso Creek Romances Box Set Heather B. Moore
Regular Price: $4.99Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Welcome to the Complete Aliso Creek Series Box Set:Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating the “Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone . . . if perfect is even possible.
Enjoy reading! And don't forget to fill out that form to read The Key of Kilenya! :-)
As a side note, if you're interested in reading The Key of Kilenya for me (to give feedback on scenes I've changed), fill out this form here.
Midian, A Kilenya Romance Andrea Pearson
ANDREA'S NEW RELEASE
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Midian has lived in Gevkan Castle for almost all of her twenty-five years, growing up alongside Princess Arien. Though timid, she's content in her life and comfortable with the people who surround her. It's not until she meets Kelson, best friend of Prince Dmitri, that she realizes how deep her shyness runs. Kelson is outgoing and wildly flirtatious, pushing Midian away when all he wants is to draw her closer.
Midian's life is put in danger when she's kidnapped by the neighboring king who thinks she's the princess and wants to leverage her life for power and money.
Will Kelson be able to stop the king fast enough, proving his affections for Midian, or will the king's scheming keep them forever separated?
The Manor (A Katon University Novella)
Andrea Pearson
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: FREE
Kindle
Austin receives a photograph in the mail and quickly discovers something about it isn’t quite right: every time he looks at it, there are changes.
And the changes aren’t good.
The Angel (A Katon University Novella)
Andrea Pearson
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: FREE
Kindle
Lizzie doesn't know the old whistle she found in a deserted trapper's cabin is possessed. She blows on it, accidentally calling back the spirit of a dead goddess consumed by the desire to snare the person who called her.
When the goddess arrives in the form of a statue, the stillness of Lizzie's mountain retreat is destroyed.
Tides Across the Sea
Lu Ann Staheli
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Set against the background of the exploration of the Aztec civilization, TIDES ACROSS THE SEA, opens in the year 1519, where the passion for adventure and the lust for gold reign in the hearts of both young and old. Fifteen-year-old Felipe is no exception, though his yearning for adventure is tempered by his love for the beautiful Manuela. She wants to marry him, but when Felipe ends up on Cortés’ ship bound for the New World, the young couple is pulled apart. Felipe and Manuela each must find a way to overcome the odds stacked against them if they want to someday reunite.
Bless Your Heart: Low-sodium Recipes for a Heart-healthy Lifestyle
Tristi Pinkston
Regular price: $2.99
sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Tired of bland, boring low-sodium recipes? Tristi Pinkston brings some spice back into the kitchen with this huge collection of recipes designed to show your heart, and your taste buds, some love.
Season of Sacrifice
Tristi Pinkston
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Sarah Williams is a young Welsh immigrant, coming to Utah to join her sister Mary Ann Perkins and her young family. When the Perkins' are asked to join the San Juan mission to pioneer a trail through Southern Utah, they take Sarah along to help care for the children. But a six-week journey turns into six agonizing months of hard work and toil as the Saints blast their way through a cliff to bring their wagons through what would become the famous Utah landmark "Hole in the Rock." This LDS historical fiction novel is based on the life of the author's great-great-grandfather and accurately depicts the experiences of these intrepid pioneers as they sought to be obedient to a higher call.
For Love or Money
Paige Timothy
Regular Price: $2.99
Sale Price: $0.99
Kindle
Cynical Morgan has just about decided that no one could possibly fall in love with her - all the good guys want perfect girls, and she's anything but perfect. But then along comes the guy who falls head-over-heels in love with her just as she is and helps her find the bright side of life again. This is book two of the Main Street Merchants series – book one, And Something Blue, is already just .99 all the time.
Behind the Mask (Horstberg Saga #1)Elizabeth D. Michael (AKA Anita Stansfield)
Regular price: $5.99
Sale price: $.99
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
When You’re Hiding For Your Life, What Do You Live For?
Abbi has the gift of dreams. But her uncanny ability to see glimpses of the future has no apparent purpose or meaning until a dream leads her to a man on the brink of despair and destruction. Cameron is a man without a name and without a country, framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Long ago forced into exile and believed dead, the passing of years have defaced him of all hope. The country of Horstberg suffers beneath the weight of tyranny, and only Cameron holds the secret that could see her ruler undone and restore the people to peace and prosperity. While revolution brews and whispers of treason threaten all that is dear to Abbi, she remains unaware of her own ability to answer a nation’s prayers. Trusting only her heart and the power of her dreams, Abbi gives all that she has to lead Cameron back into a civilized world, where love is real and freedom comes only in facing what hides behind the mask.
A Matter of Honor (Horstberg Saga #2)Elizabeth D. Michaels (AKA Anita Stansfield)
Reglar price: $5.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
When Honor Means More Than Anything To A Man, Can He Sacrifice His Honor For Love?
Captain Lance Dukerk has no doubt that the only woman he ever loved married the right man—even though that man wasn’t him. Yet he longs to have that kind of love in his life and is growing weary of being known as the most eligible bachelor in Horstberg’s military force. When poverty-stricken Nadine Rader arrives at Castle Horstberg, insisting that her young daughter is the legitimate child of the duke, it becomes increasingly evident that the deceased ruler Nikolaus du Woernig left a torrent of disillusionment and heartache in his wake. Inexplicably drawn to Nadine, Lance takes personal charge of seeing that her needs are met as she attempts to piece her life back together. Their mutual attraction quickly merges into something profound, until Nadine discovers that Lance’s connections to Nikolaus go far deeper than she’d ever imagined, and her budding trust in Lance shatters. Nadine’s life becomes more troubling as women who fit her description are brutally murdered, and neither she nor Lance are prepared to face startling evidence that widens the chasm of mistrust between them. While Nadine fights to stay alive, Lance relentlessly tracks the monster responsible for these horrendous crimes, hoping he’ll be in time to protect the one woman he knows he can never live without.
The Superstitious RomanceAnastasia Alexander
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: free and $0.99
Kindle (99 cents)
Nook (99 cents)
iTunes (free)
Can Love Survive Friday the 13th?
Friday the 13th has always been unlucky for history professor Camille Britain, and this one doesn't seem any different. In an effort to escape her failed marriage, Camille is renting a cabin in beautiful Island Park, Idaho, where she meets wildlife photographer Jackson Armstrong, who scoffs at her superstitious ways and infuriates her with his offers of help. Camille doesn't need another man—not even one as compelling and attractive as Jackson. Especially when he seems hung up on another woman. And yet Camille can’t deny the passion between them or the way Jackson makes her feel. This Friday the 13th upsets both their worlds by forcing Camille and Jackson to see things about themselves, their families, and each other that might—with a little help—change them forever. Maybe this time superstition is on their side. The Superstitious Romance is a story about a strong woman who feels weak, a man who doubts himself, and a powerful love that changes everything.
Birdlegs
Kenneth R. Tarr
Regular price: $2.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Sometimes you have to run for your life
At Lincoln High, Nathan Stewart is practically invisible. The only time he is noticed is when his fellow students need someone to torment. Not only do they call him nerd, bookworm, or “Birdlegs,” but they also threaten him with physical violence. The problem has become so serious that two of his main goals in life are to hide his skinny body from his classmates and to escape the constant persecution of the bullies, especially muscle-bound Kit Morrison.
As one of the outcasts at Fremont, Nathan has little hope that the girl of his dreams, Kathy Young, will ever notice him. So he resigns himself to adoring her in secret. The only person who really knows how Nathan feels is his friend in misery, a classmate named Benny Berger, who is hounded and teased for being fat and clumsy. But Nathan has one remarkable ability that has the potential to change everything and win the admiration of that very special girl.
The Change
Teyla Branton
Regular price: $4.99
Sale price: FREE
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
Death, Life, or Love—Unbounded Always Play for Keeps
There are only two ways to kill Unbounded, and fire isn’t one of them—as law school dropout Erin Radkey learns the hard way. By fluke of a recessive gene, she has become Unbounded, a nearly immortal being with paranormal abilities. Erin’s Change separates her from her loved ones and alters everything she believes to be true. A week earlier she was considering a marriage proposal; now she contemplates the best way to stay alive. Caught in a battle between two Unbounded groups, the Emporium and the Renegades, she is also hunted by a secret mortal society sworn to eradicate the Unbounded gene. Some will stop at nothing to use Erin as one more pawn in a battle that has spanned centuries. Erin’s undeniable attraction to Ritter Langton, whose family was massacred by opposing Unbounded two hundred and forty years ago, complicates her choices. There are no second chances. Death, life, or love—Unbounded always play for keeps.
This Very Moment (New cover!)Rachel Ann Nunes
Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Nook
iTunes
A Compelling Story of Heartbreaking Loss, Inspiring Faith, and a Newfound Love Strong Enough to Heal All Wounds.
Bill Dubrey is a sought-after plastic surgeon for LA’s prestigious and wealthy, and an equally sought-after bachelor. On the surface it appears he has it all—money, respect, and fame. Yet behind his aloof exterior lurks a tragic past that prevents him from finding lasting happiness. All that changes on the day Kylee Stewart reenters his life. She alone knows Bill’s secret agony, and she is determined to help him face his past. During the years they’ve been apart, Kylee’s own life has been far from easy, but unlike Bill, she has turned to God in her need, finding a faith to which she desperately clings. The tentative friendship they begin has Bill rethinking his stark future, yet he keeps his heart in check—afraid to commit, afraid to lose again. During Kylee’s darkest moment, when she needs him most, will he be there for her?
Aliso Creek Romances Box Set Heather B. MooreRegular Price: $4.99Sale price: $0.99
Kindle
Welcome to the Complete Aliso Creek Series Box Set:Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating the “Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone . . . if perfect is even possible.
Enjoy reading! And don't forget to fill out that form to read The Key of Kilenya! :-)
January 22, 2015
My Schedule at LTUE!
Here's where I'll be at LTUE (February 12-14) and on which days:
Thursday:
9:00am: Defining Digital Design: Amanda Sorensen, Justin Kunz, Devon Dorrity, Andrea Pearson, Travis Walton
1:00pm: Description: Drawing the line between too little and too much: Chris Weston, Karen Hoover, Andrea Pearson, Suzanne Vincent, Clint Johnson
4:00pm: Disease & Epidemics: Holli Anderson, Derrick Dalton, Andrea Pearson, Johnny Worthen, Karen Webb
6:00pm: Publishing In The Future: Lisa Mangum, Andrea Pearson, Nathan Shumate, Joe Vasicak, Scott Bascom
Friday:
12:00pm: Publishing In Today’s Market: Jared Barneck, L. E. Modesitt Jr., Jess Smart Smiley, Adrienne Monson, Andrea Pearson
3:00pm: The Elements of Horror Fiction: Virginia Ellen Baker, Steve Diamond, Sarah Seeley, Nathan Shumate, Andrea Pearson
8:00pm: Mass book signing
Saturday:
9:00am: Orson Scott Card and Ender’s Game – Grudge Match: Book Moves and Movie Counter-moves in the Movement of Redefining Gender Roles: Jenniffer Wardell, Scott R. Parkin, Andrea Pearson, James Wymore, Brian Lewis
2:00pm: Horror fiction, haunted houses, etc. Why are we so fascinated with being scared?: Sandra Tayler, Steven Diamond, Randi Weston, Andrea Pearson
6:00pm: Writing for Children: Jessica Day George, Julie Wright, J Scott Savage, Andrea Pearson
And in other news, I've completed two new books recently: Bezza's Book of Enchantments and Midian, A Kilenya Romance. I can't wait for both to be released! Bezza will be coming out in April or May (it's going to be illustrated... writing it was the easy part!) and Midian will be coming out in about a month. Yay for new things to read!
Thursday:
9:00am: Defining Digital Design: Amanda Sorensen, Justin Kunz, Devon Dorrity, Andrea Pearson, Travis Walton
1:00pm: Description: Drawing the line between too little and too much: Chris Weston, Karen Hoover, Andrea Pearson, Suzanne Vincent, Clint Johnson
4:00pm: Disease & Epidemics: Holli Anderson, Derrick Dalton, Andrea Pearson, Johnny Worthen, Karen Webb
6:00pm: Publishing In The Future: Lisa Mangum, Andrea Pearson, Nathan Shumate, Joe Vasicak, Scott Bascom
Friday:
12:00pm: Publishing In Today’s Market: Jared Barneck, L. E. Modesitt Jr., Jess Smart Smiley, Adrienne Monson, Andrea Pearson
3:00pm: The Elements of Horror Fiction: Virginia Ellen Baker, Steve Diamond, Sarah Seeley, Nathan Shumate, Andrea Pearson
8:00pm: Mass book signing
Saturday:
9:00am: Orson Scott Card and Ender’s Game – Grudge Match: Book Moves and Movie Counter-moves in the Movement of Redefining Gender Roles: Jenniffer Wardell, Scott R. Parkin, Andrea Pearson, James Wymore, Brian Lewis
2:00pm: Horror fiction, haunted houses, etc. Why are we so fascinated with being scared?: Sandra Tayler, Steven Diamond, Randi Weston, Andrea Pearson
6:00pm: Writing for Children: Jessica Day George, Julie Wright, J Scott Savage, Andrea Pearson
And in other news, I've completed two new books recently: Bezza's Book of Enchantments and Midian, A Kilenya Romance. I can't wait for both to be released! Bezza will be coming out in April or May (it's going to be illustrated... writing it was the easy part!) and Midian will be coming out in about a month. Yay for new things to read!
November 17, 2014
Bookmarked Bargains Promotion - November 2014!
Happy eBook promotions! We over at Indie Author Hub are excited to announce our third Bookmarked Bargains event! With 60+ eBooks and 45+ authors, this is our biggest event yet. Each book is heavily discounted or free! We're offering a giveaway for a Readers Party Pack, valued at $160. Come check it out by clicking here!
Also, my latest book, Discern (Katon, 1) has been nominated for an award! I'm so excited. :-) It's a people's choice award and I'd forever love you if you came and voted for it here on Goodreads. (You need to sign in to Goodreads to see the "Vote for this book" button.)
Please consider voting for other books on the list as this award celebrates clean and good books of every genre! :-)
Have fun with that Bookmarked Bargains promotion! :-)
Also, my latest book, Discern (Katon, 1) has been nominated for an award! I'm so excited. :-) It's a people's choice award and I'd forever love you if you came and voted for it here on Goodreads. (You need to sign in to Goodreads to see the "Vote for this book" button.)
Please consider voting for other books on the list as this award celebrates clean and good books of every genre! :-)
Have fun with that Bookmarked Bargains promotion! :-)
October 16, 2014
SALE!!!
Announcing the FIRST EVER Andrea Pearson Book Sale! :-)
We're redoing book covers for three of the Kilenya Series books and need to move out old stock. To make this easier for everyone, we've decided to do a sale on any and all of my print books, along with my Kilenya Series charms. Yay for sales! :-)
These prices are better than what you'd get at a book signing, so if you've been thinking about buying the books, now's the time to do it. :-) Plus, I'll be signing and personalizing everything. :-)
What you'll need to do:
Read below, then decide what you wantSend me an email (telling me which option you want, who to sign the books to, and where to ship them),Pay the PayPal invoice that I'll send OR let me know if you want to pay by credit/debit card over the phone (both will include the cost for shipping and handling), then, Wait for the books to arrive. :-)
Here is a list of the books and merchandise that are available for this sale:
Kilenya Series:
The Key of Kilenya (Kilenya, 1)
The Ember Gods (Kilenya, 2)
August Fortress (Kilenya, 3)
Rise of Keitus (Kilenya, 4)
Eyes of the Sun (Kilenya, 5)
The Golden symbol (Kilenya, 6)
Other Kilenya Books:
Samara, A Kilenya Romance (one of my best selling eBooks, now in print!)
Kilenya and Grail Bestiary Volume I: Creatures of Grail and Kilenya (illustrated monster book)
Kilenya Merchandise:
Key of Kilenya Charm
Ember God Charm
Key of Ayunli charm (from the cover of Eyes of the Sun. Click here to see that cover.)
COMING SOON (and available for this sale, as you'll see below):
Charms for August Fortress, Rise of Keitus, and The Golden Symbol
Katon University Series:
Discern, (Katon, 1)
And here are the uber-awesome-and-amazing options:
FIRST OPTION:
Buy two print books (any of my full-length books) at $12 each and get one book free.
If you buy the whole Kilenya Series, you're looking at $48 for six books. That's pretty awesome. :-) The books don't only have to be in my Kilenya Series, though, so if you have The Key of Kilenya in print already, you could buy the other five plus Discern, Katon University Book One. Or any other combination of my print books, including more than one copy of a certain book. :-)
Samara, A Kilenya Romance and the Kilenya Monster book aren't full-length books so they won't count for this option.
SECOND OPTION:
Buy the whole Kilenya Series at $12 per book and get all three currently-available Kilenya Series charms (pictures below) for free, along with the Kilenya monster book and Samara, A Kilenya Romance.
THIRD OPTION:
The sampler option! Buy The Key of Kilenya (Kilenya, 1), Discern (Katon, 1), and Samara, A Kilenya Romance (the first Kilenya Romance) for $25.
FOURTH OPTION:
Buy all six Kilenya Series charms for $20 (regularly $5 each)! (We've got the charms for Key of Kilenya, Ember Gods, and Eyes of the Sun finished and are nearing completion on the other three.)
FIFTH OPTION:
Buy one full-length print book for $14 and get it signed and personalized. :-)
SIXTH OPTION:
Don't see something that fits what you want? Email me and we can work something out!
Now that you've seen the options, here's how to put in your order:
Send me an email (ap @ andreapearsonbooks . com) including the following with a subject line of BOOK SALE:
Tell me which of the above options you want, including the titles of the books and how many of eachTell me who to sign the books to and where to ship themGive me your PayPal email address so I can invoice you OR tell me if you want to pay by credit/debit card over the phone (you'll need to give me your phone number) know that you'll need to pay for shipping and handling (if you are a family member or close friend and if you know where my mom lives, we can arrange to have you pick up the books there instead of having me ship them. Unfortunately, I will not be able to deliver books or meet anywhere else.)
PLEASE NOTE:
Stock is low on a couple of the books, and depending on how many orders we get, you may have to wait for us to order more. But don't worry! If you get your order in now, you'll still be eligible for the deal listed here that you requested. :-)
Here are the changes we're making to the book covers:
Rise of Keitus:
Back when we first put the cover together, we couldn't find a real piece of wood that we liked enough for the background, so James Curwen created one using textures and layers and PhotoShop brushes. Neither of us has ever loved it, so we've constantly been on the lookout for something else. Well, we've found that something else and over the next few days, we will be putting together a new cover. :-) Yay!
Eyes of the Sun:
We, uh... forgot to put "Kilenya Series Book Five" on it, even after seeing the proof. :-) Ha ha. Yeah... :-) Hey! Don't hate - those books will be worth billions some day. :-)
The Golden Symbol:
Is getting a complete face lift. And, after looking at these pictures, you'll see why:
'Nuff said. :-)
(And if 'nuff wasn't said, that first cover really ... just didn't match the rest of the series. And you can't even tell it's a door behind the symbol, can you? The new cover features a background picture taken from the same place as the background picture in The Key of Kilenya, which is a nice way to tie off the series. For those who are interested in knowing, that forest is located in the Hoh National Rainforest in Washington state. It's a BEAUTIFUL place! My husband and I went there for our honeymoon. :-))
Here are the finished and completed charms:
I'm still in love with them. :-) Especially that Ember Gods one. :-) And as already stated, we're nearing completion on the rest of the Kilenya Series charms.
Please help me spread the word about this book sale! Share this blog post with friends, family, dogs, neighbors, enemies... pretty much everyone. :-)
And thanks for your support and friendship!
Andrea
We're redoing book covers for three of the Kilenya Series books and need to move out old stock. To make this easier for everyone, we've decided to do a sale on any and all of my print books, along with my Kilenya Series charms. Yay for sales! :-)
These prices are better than what you'd get at a book signing, so if you've been thinking about buying the books, now's the time to do it. :-) Plus, I'll be signing and personalizing everything. :-)
What you'll need to do:
Read below, then decide what you wantSend me an email (telling me which option you want, who to sign the books to, and where to ship them),Pay the PayPal invoice that I'll send OR let me know if you want to pay by credit/debit card over the phone (both will include the cost for shipping and handling), then, Wait for the books to arrive. :-)
Here is a list of the books and merchandise that are available for this sale:
Kilenya Series:
The Key of Kilenya (Kilenya, 1)
The Ember Gods (Kilenya, 2)
August Fortress (Kilenya, 3)
Rise of Keitus (Kilenya, 4)
Eyes of the Sun (Kilenya, 5)
The Golden symbol (Kilenya, 6)
Other Kilenya Books:
Samara, A Kilenya Romance (one of my best selling eBooks, now in print!)
Kilenya and Grail Bestiary Volume I: Creatures of Grail and Kilenya (illustrated monster book)
Kilenya Merchandise:
Key of Kilenya Charm
Ember God Charm
Key of Ayunli charm (from the cover of Eyes of the Sun. Click here to see that cover.)
COMING SOON (and available for this sale, as you'll see below):
Charms for August Fortress, Rise of Keitus, and The Golden Symbol
Katon University Series:
Discern, (Katon, 1)
And here are the uber-awesome-and-amazing options:
FIRST OPTION:
Buy two print books (any of my full-length books) at $12 each and get one book free.
If you buy the whole Kilenya Series, you're looking at $48 for six books. That's pretty awesome. :-) The books don't only have to be in my Kilenya Series, though, so if you have The Key of Kilenya in print already, you could buy the other five plus Discern, Katon University Book One. Or any other combination of my print books, including more than one copy of a certain book. :-)
Samara, A Kilenya Romance and the Kilenya Monster book aren't full-length books so they won't count for this option.
SECOND OPTION:
Buy the whole Kilenya Series at $12 per book and get all three currently-available Kilenya Series charms (pictures below) for free, along with the Kilenya monster book and Samara, A Kilenya Romance.
THIRD OPTION:
The sampler option! Buy The Key of Kilenya (Kilenya, 1), Discern (Katon, 1), and Samara, A Kilenya Romance (the first Kilenya Romance) for $25.
FOURTH OPTION:
Buy all six Kilenya Series charms for $20 (regularly $5 each)! (We've got the charms for Key of Kilenya, Ember Gods, and Eyes of the Sun finished and are nearing completion on the other three.)
FIFTH OPTION:
Buy one full-length print book for $14 and get it signed and personalized. :-)
SIXTH OPTION:
Don't see something that fits what you want? Email me and we can work something out!
Now that you've seen the options, here's how to put in your order:
Send me an email (ap @ andreapearsonbooks . com) including the following with a subject line of BOOK SALE:
Tell me which of the above options you want, including the titles of the books and how many of eachTell me who to sign the books to and where to ship themGive me your PayPal email address so I can invoice you OR tell me if you want to pay by credit/debit card over the phone (you'll need to give me your phone number) know that you'll need to pay for shipping and handling (if you are a family member or close friend and if you know where my mom lives, we can arrange to have you pick up the books there instead of having me ship them. Unfortunately, I will not be able to deliver books or meet anywhere else.)
PLEASE NOTE:
Stock is low on a couple of the books, and depending on how many orders we get, you may have to wait for us to order more. But don't worry! If you get your order in now, you'll still be eligible for the deal listed here that you requested. :-)
Here are the changes we're making to the book covers:
Rise of Keitus:
Back when we first put the cover together, we couldn't find a real piece of wood that we liked enough for the background, so James Curwen created one using textures and layers and PhotoShop brushes. Neither of us has ever loved it, so we've constantly been on the lookout for something else. Well, we've found that something else and over the next few days, we will be putting together a new cover. :-) Yay!
Eyes of the Sun:
We, uh... forgot to put "Kilenya Series Book Five" on it, even after seeing the proof. :-) Ha ha. Yeah... :-) Hey! Don't hate - those books will be worth billions some day. :-)
The Golden Symbol:
Is getting a complete face lift. And, after looking at these pictures, you'll see why:
'Nuff said. :-)
(And if 'nuff wasn't said, that first cover really ... just didn't match the rest of the series. And you can't even tell it's a door behind the symbol, can you? The new cover features a background picture taken from the same place as the background picture in The Key of Kilenya, which is a nice way to tie off the series. For those who are interested in knowing, that forest is located in the Hoh National Rainforest in Washington state. It's a BEAUTIFUL place! My husband and I went there for our honeymoon. :-))
Here are the finished and completed charms:
I'm still in love with them. :-) Especially that Ember Gods one. :-) And as already stated, we're nearing completion on the rest of the Kilenya Series charms.
Please help me spread the word about this book sale! Share this blog post with friends, family, dogs, neighbors, enemies... pretty much everyone. :-)
And thanks for your support and friendship!
Andrea
September 16, 2014
For the Fun of It: Author Promotion
Hello, all!
It's time for another Clean eBooks Author Promotion! Yay!
This promotion runs from Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 10:00pm MST until Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 11:59pm MST. Enjoy these fantastic, clean eBooks, which include my latest release! :-)
Discern, Katon University Book One
Andrea Pearson
$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Nicole Williams is an Arete—a fourth child with magical abilities—yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t Channel her power. In fact, she seems to be the only student at Katon University who fails at magic.
That doesn’t stop magic from finding her. It starts with magical currents and possessed books before moving quickly to cursed spiders and freaky shadows. Nicole turns to her best friend for help, along with fellow student Austin Young, who is considered by all a magical rarity. He also happens to be the hottest guy on campus and just might be interested in her.
Nicole soon finds herself competing to be included on a university-led expedition to Arches National Park. She is determined to show everyone, but mostly herself, that she does belong. Yet, to qualify for the trip, she must produce at least a speck of Wind magic, and that appears to be impossible.
As the competition progresses, Nicole wonders if she’s making the right choice—especially when she learns that the strange fossils they’ll be studying in Arches might not be as dead as everyone thinks.
Prejudice Meets Pride
Rachael Anderson
$0.99
Kindle, Nook
After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own.
Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn't afraid to show him that he doesn't. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.
Your Eyes Don't Lie
Rachel Branton
$0.99
Kindle, Nook
Sometimes Surviving Isn't Enough . . .
Years of living on the street and fending for herself have made Makay Greyson tough and resourceful, if a bit disillusioned. She's come a long way from sleeping in parks and scavenging for food. Her entire focus is on providing a better life for her young brother, one without fear of loss and
neglect.
That certainly doesn't leave time for Harrison Matthews, who from their first meeting sends fire through her veins and upsets all her carefully laid plans.
Makay has done things she isn't proud of to survive, and those choices now threaten the small amount of security she's created-and any chance of a future with Harrison. They've been raised in two very different worlds, and the secrets they both hide can only lead to disaster. There is only one chance to make it right, and one misstep could be fatal.
Your Eyes Don't Lie is a story about facing fears, sacrificing for those you love, and about a girl who thinks she isn't worth loving and a guy who knows she is.
A Fantasy Christmas
Cindy C Bennett, Stephanie Fowers, and Sherry Gammon
$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Three mystical tales that make for fun reading as the weather turns cold. Enjoy the romance, the magic, and the joy of Christmas and fantasy while you snuggle up in a blanket and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
Ride to Raton
Marsha Ward
$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Thinking he's been treated unjustly by his father, James Owen leaves the family homestead to make a new life for himself.
The turbulent world of post-Civil War Colorado Territory is fraught with danger and prejudice that increase his bitter loneliness as personal setbacks threaten to break him. Then James's journey brings him into contact with another wayfarer, beautiful young Amparo Garcés, who has come from Santa Fe to Colorado to marry a stranger. Through a twist of fate, their futures are changed forever when their lives are merged in a marriage of convenience. James and Amparo undertake a hazardous horseback trek over Raton Pass to Santa Fe, battling their personal demons, a challenging language barrier, and winter's raging storms.
"Ride to Raton is a pure western, complete with bad guys and broken hearts and even a dog. The sequel to The Man from Shenandoah features James Owen, the younger brother. Marsha Ward writes a fantastic romance against a vivid southwestern backdrop. James begins this book as a hurt young man, but by the end of the book, I really could see him grow up and become a man. Made tougher by circumstances he has no control over, James realizes that the love he thought he had lost was nothing compared to what Amparo shows him. Amparo is a young Hispanic lady, forced to leave her home in Santa Fe to marry a stranger in Colorado. She bravely faces her uncertain future, relying on her faith to get her through. She is sweet, loving and she provides a great contrast to James's rough exterior. With an ending that surprised even me, Ride to Raton is not your usual romance. However, I do recommend it for western lovers—even the cover is wonderful! Marsha Ward once again shows us her gift for old fashioned storytelling!" ~Jen Hill, Roundtable Reviews
The Husband Maker
Karey White
$0.99
Kindle, Nook
Charlotte’s a girl with nicknames. She may not love being called Charles or Chuck, but the hardest nickname to take is the one she was given in college, the one that’s followed her now for too many years. They call her “the husband maker” and sadly, it fits. Every guy she's dated since high school has gone on to marry the next girl they date. Not two or three girls down the road. The very next one.
Is she doing something wrong or is she just cursed?
When Kyle Aldsworth enters the picture and sweeps her off her feet, Charlotte begins to hope that maybe she's not destined to be single forever. A senator’s son with political aspirations of his own, Kyle's wealthy, handsome, and in need of a wife. Will Charlotte be disappointed yet again, or will she finally be able to make a husband for herself?
Life, Love, and The Pursuit of Free Throws
Janette Rallison
Free!
Kindle
Josie loves hottie Ethan Lancaster, the captain of the basketball team, but she never can do or say the right thing in front of him. So how can it be fair that Ethan is only interested in her best friend, Cami, when Cami isn’t even trying for his affection? Or is she?
Cami dreams of winning her basketball team’s coveted MVP award, and earning the chance to take the court during a special halftime demonstration with WNBA star Rebecca Lobo, but her best friend, Josie, is a better player. So how can it be fair that Josie is a shoo-in for the honor if she is barely interested in basketball in the first place and isn’t even trying to be the best? Or is she?
Told from two points of view, this novel of freshman life, love, and the pursuit of free throws displays the same delightful humor as Janette Rallison's other comedies.
My Forever: A Triple Treat Romance Box Set
Annette Lyon, Karey White, Cami Checketts
$0.99
Kindle, Nook
A Portrait for Toni by Amazon bestselling author Annette Lyon
Toni has no idea what she’d do without her best friend, Carter. Who else would she be able to vent to about her parents, her job at the dance studio, or her latest relationship woes? That is, until he starts questioning Toni, saying he thinks she has an eating disorder. Then she starts dating Clint, and somehow that puts a deeper wedge between her and Carter. When she’s hospitalized after an on-stage collapse, and Carter stupidly starts in with advice about food and weight, she sends him away. One night after a performance, Toni tries to mend the hurt between them. Instead of finding Carter, she stumbles onto proof that he has feelings for her that go way beyond those of a friend. Toni is left with the very real prospect of losing Carter forever, unless somehow she can return his feelings—but that’s impossible. Isn’t it?
My Own Mr. Darcy by USA Today bestselling author Karey White
After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. During the six intervening years, she finds all of her suitors lacking—they just aren’t Mr. Darcy enough. Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. She starts dating Chad, but she believes her dream comes true in the form of wealthy bookstore owner Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.
The Broken Path by Amazon bestselling author Cami Checketts
Injured in a debilitating accident at age six, Ethan Searle believes women eye him with a mixture of pity and disdain. He’s tried love before. He won’t again. He meets his match in a precocious two-year old who loves him despite his disability, even while her mother seems bothered by everything about Ethan. Autumn Reader escaped her abusive marriage with her beautiful daughter and a stack of fear. She can’t make the mistake of trusting a man again. Autumn’s daughter becomes enraptured by Ethan. Despite Autumn’s best intentions, she finds herself following her daughter’s example. When her ex-husband reappears, threatening everyone she loves if she won’t submit to his demands, Autumn has to learn to trust or lose her chance at real love.
Still Time
Maria Hoagland
$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Thrust into the chaos of her mother-in-law’s hoarding and forgetfulness, LDS church member Alyssa Johnston wishes she could retreat to a simpler time when her kids were small and almost anything could be fixed with a hug. But reassurance and a quick distraction no longer erase the pain of a missionary son who is struggling, a young teen who is bullied, or a daughter who is distant. As Aly’s own life and relationship with her husband plunge out of control, she wonders if her faith will be enough to keep her family—or herself—from falling apart.
Still Time is a deeply moving story about a woman’s faithful journey into the next phase of her life. You will laugh with Aly, feel her sorrow, and see yourself in Maria Hoagland’s realistic, heartfelt portrayal of a woman’s struggle to keep her family safe and hold back time as long as she can.
It's time for another Clean eBooks Author Promotion! Yay!
This promotion runs from Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 10:00pm MST until Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 11:59pm MST. Enjoy these fantastic, clean eBooks, which include my latest release! :-)
Discern, Katon University Book One
Andrea Pearson$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Nicole Williams is an Arete—a fourth child with magical abilities—yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t Channel her power. In fact, she seems to be the only student at Katon University who fails at magic.
That doesn’t stop magic from finding her. It starts with magical currents and possessed books before moving quickly to cursed spiders and freaky shadows. Nicole turns to her best friend for help, along with fellow student Austin Young, who is considered by all a magical rarity. He also happens to be the hottest guy on campus and just might be interested in her.
Nicole soon finds herself competing to be included on a university-led expedition to Arches National Park. She is determined to show everyone, but mostly herself, that she does belong. Yet, to qualify for the trip, she must produce at least a speck of Wind magic, and that appears to be impossible.
As the competition progresses, Nicole wonders if she’s making the right choice—especially when she learns that the strange fossils they’ll be studying in Arches might not be as dead as everyone thinks.
Prejudice Meets Pride
Rachael Anderson$0.99
Kindle, Nook
After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own.
Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn't afraid to show him that he doesn't. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.
Your Eyes Don't Lie
Rachel Branton$0.99
Kindle, Nook
Sometimes Surviving Isn't Enough . . .
Years of living on the street and fending for herself have made Makay Greyson tough and resourceful, if a bit disillusioned. She's come a long way from sleeping in parks and scavenging for food. Her entire focus is on providing a better life for her young brother, one without fear of loss and
neglect.
That certainly doesn't leave time for Harrison Matthews, who from their first meeting sends fire through her veins and upsets all her carefully laid plans.
Makay has done things she isn't proud of to survive, and those choices now threaten the small amount of security she's created-and any chance of a future with Harrison. They've been raised in two very different worlds, and the secrets they both hide can only lead to disaster. There is only one chance to make it right, and one misstep could be fatal.
Your Eyes Don't Lie is a story about facing fears, sacrificing for those you love, and about a girl who thinks she isn't worth loving and a guy who knows she is.
A Fantasy Christmas
Cindy C Bennett, Stephanie Fowers, and Sherry Gammon$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Three mystical tales that make for fun reading as the weather turns cold. Enjoy the romance, the magic, and the joy of Christmas and fantasy while you snuggle up in a blanket and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.
Ride to Raton
Marsha Ward$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Thinking he's been treated unjustly by his father, James Owen leaves the family homestead to make a new life for himself.
The turbulent world of post-Civil War Colorado Territory is fraught with danger and prejudice that increase his bitter loneliness as personal setbacks threaten to break him. Then James's journey brings him into contact with another wayfarer, beautiful young Amparo Garcés, who has come from Santa Fe to Colorado to marry a stranger. Through a twist of fate, their futures are changed forever when their lives are merged in a marriage of convenience. James and Amparo undertake a hazardous horseback trek over Raton Pass to Santa Fe, battling their personal demons, a challenging language barrier, and winter's raging storms.
"Ride to Raton is a pure western, complete with bad guys and broken hearts and even a dog. The sequel to The Man from Shenandoah features James Owen, the younger brother. Marsha Ward writes a fantastic romance against a vivid southwestern backdrop. James begins this book as a hurt young man, but by the end of the book, I really could see him grow up and become a man. Made tougher by circumstances he has no control over, James realizes that the love he thought he had lost was nothing compared to what Amparo shows him. Amparo is a young Hispanic lady, forced to leave her home in Santa Fe to marry a stranger in Colorado. She bravely faces her uncertain future, relying on her faith to get her through. She is sweet, loving and she provides a great contrast to James's rough exterior. With an ending that surprised even me, Ride to Raton is not your usual romance. However, I do recommend it for western lovers—even the cover is wonderful! Marsha Ward once again shows us her gift for old fashioned storytelling!" ~Jen Hill, Roundtable Reviews
The Husband Maker
Karey White$0.99
Kindle, Nook
Charlotte’s a girl with nicknames. She may not love being called Charles or Chuck, but the hardest nickname to take is the one she was given in college, the one that’s followed her now for too many years. They call her “the husband maker” and sadly, it fits. Every guy she's dated since high school has gone on to marry the next girl they date. Not two or three girls down the road. The very next one.
Is she doing something wrong or is she just cursed?
When Kyle Aldsworth enters the picture and sweeps her off her feet, Charlotte begins to hope that maybe she's not destined to be single forever. A senator’s son with political aspirations of his own, Kyle's wealthy, handsome, and in need of a wife. Will Charlotte be disappointed yet again, or will she finally be able to make a husband for herself?
Life, Love, and The Pursuit of Free Throws
Janette RallisonFree!
Kindle
Josie loves hottie Ethan Lancaster, the captain of the basketball team, but she never can do or say the right thing in front of him. So how can it be fair that Ethan is only interested in her best friend, Cami, when Cami isn’t even trying for his affection? Or is she?
Cami dreams of winning her basketball team’s coveted MVP award, and earning the chance to take the court during a special halftime demonstration with WNBA star Rebecca Lobo, but her best friend, Josie, is a better player. So how can it be fair that Josie is a shoo-in for the honor if she is barely interested in basketball in the first place and isn’t even trying to be the best? Or is she?
Told from two points of view, this novel of freshman life, love, and the pursuit of free throws displays the same delightful humor as Janette Rallison's other comedies.
My Forever: A Triple Treat Romance Box Set
Annette Lyon, Karey White, Cami Checketts$0.99
Kindle, Nook
A Portrait for Toni by Amazon bestselling author Annette Lyon
Toni has no idea what she’d do without her best friend, Carter. Who else would she be able to vent to about her parents, her job at the dance studio, or her latest relationship woes? That is, until he starts questioning Toni, saying he thinks she has an eating disorder. Then she starts dating Clint, and somehow that puts a deeper wedge between her and Carter. When she’s hospitalized after an on-stage collapse, and Carter stupidly starts in with advice about food and weight, she sends him away. One night after a performance, Toni tries to mend the hurt between them. Instead of finding Carter, she stumbles onto proof that he has feelings for her that go way beyond those of a friend. Toni is left with the very real prospect of losing Carter forever, unless somehow she can return his feelings—but that’s impossible. Isn’t it?
My Own Mr. Darcy by USA Today bestselling author Karey White
After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. During the six intervening years, she finds all of her suitors lacking—they just aren’t Mr. Darcy enough. Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. She starts dating Chad, but she believes her dream comes true in the form of wealthy bookstore owner Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.
The Broken Path by Amazon bestselling author Cami Checketts
Injured in a debilitating accident at age six, Ethan Searle believes women eye him with a mixture of pity and disdain. He’s tried love before. He won’t again. He meets his match in a precocious two-year old who loves him despite his disability, even while her mother seems bothered by everything about Ethan. Autumn Reader escaped her abusive marriage with her beautiful daughter and a stack of fear. She can’t make the mistake of trusting a man again. Autumn’s daughter becomes enraptured by Ethan. Despite Autumn’s best intentions, she finds herself following her daughter’s example. When her ex-husband reappears, threatening everyone she loves if she won’t submit to his demands, Autumn has to learn to trust or lose her chance at real love.
Still Time
Maria Hoagland$0.99
Kindle, Nook, Smashwords
Thrust into the chaos of her mother-in-law’s hoarding and forgetfulness, LDS church member Alyssa Johnston wishes she could retreat to a simpler time when her kids were small and almost anything could be fixed with a hug. But reassurance and a quick distraction no longer erase the pain of a missionary son who is struggling, a young teen who is bullied, or a daughter who is distant. As Aly’s own life and relationship with her husband plunge out of control, she wonders if her faith will be enough to keep her family—or herself—from falling apart.
Still Time is a deeply moving story about a woman’s faithful journey into the next phase of her life. You will laugh with Aly, feel her sorrow, and see yourself in Maria Hoagland’s realistic, heartfelt portrayal of a woman’s struggle to keep her family safe and hold back time as long as she can.
September 3, 2014
Plagiarizer identity learned, papers served
Tiffanie Rushton: third grade teacher by day, plagiarizer and porn writer by night.
Many of you have already heard that my friend Rachel Ann Nunes was the victim in a horrible case of plagiarism, but you may not know that Tiffanie, who teaches at Eagle Bay Elementary in Farmington, UT, has done this many other times! This woman should not be teaching children.
Here is the initial information, as written up by the ever-fantastic John Doppler:
To an author, there are few crimes more heinous than plagiarism. Every author knows the agony of the untold story, the grueling birth of a novel, the joy of finally bringing that creation into the world and holding it up for all to see.Having that joy stolen from you is an unspeakable cruelty.That’s why Rachel Ann Nunes’ plight has struck a chord with so many authors. Rachel’s novel, A Bid for Love, was stolen, mutilated, and repackaged as a sloppy knock-off titled The Auction Deal.Rachel’s work has already hit #1 on the Amazon bestseller lists for Christian fiction, but the plagiarist believed she could improve it by injecting explicit sex scenes into the work. She then offered the book for sale under her pen name, Sam Taylor Mullens, and pretended that it was her own, original creation.The plagiarist tried to take credit for Rachel’s inventiveness, hard work, and perseverance. It was a cowardly act, but it paled in comparison to what followed.An impersonal crime becomes personalIt’s said that character is what you do when nobody is looking. Mullens felt invisible and untouchable behind her pseudonym, and her true character was quickly revealed.First, she attempted to deflect criticism by offering a bewildering series of lies: that she had permission to use the work; that the work had been given to her by a mysterious, nameless man who later died in a car crash; that she was the niece of the CEO of Rachel’s publisher; and that she had collaborated with Rachel to write the book.When those flimsy lies failed to stand up to scrutiny, she turned to a campaign of harassment and vicious libel against Rachel.
1 star reviews left by fake accountsOne woman, dozens of identitiesMullens had been inflating her ratings and reviews with an army of fake accounts — at present count, more than 20 of them — on Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, and various blogs. When the plagiarism scandal was exposed, she used those sockpuppets to leave 1-star reviews on Rachel’s books. She disparaged Rachel personally with false allegations of fraud and with jaw-dropping audacity, accused Rachel of being the bully. And Mullens used her accounts to harass various bloggers sympathetic to Rachel, hoping to intimidate them into silence. She failed miserably.Mullens proudly portrays herself as an indie author… but indie authors are a supportive community. They don’t prey on their fellow authors. They don’t cannibalize their family.They don’t steal each other’s work.Dire consequencesToday, I’m happy to report that the plagiarist is being held accountable for her actions in a spectacular way. She has been identified as Tiffanie Rushton, a Utah schoolteacher. Rushton has been served with a summons to appear in Federal court on complaints of copyright infringement, defamation, false light, injurious falsehood, harassment, false advertising, and deceptive trade practices. If the suit is successful, she faces statutory damages of $150,000.00, plus damages for each sale of the infringing work, damages to compensate for the other allegations in the complaint, and attorney’s fees.The compensatory damages could be tripled due to the nature of the offenses.
Tiffanie Rushton / Sam Taylor Mullens: Schoolteacher by day, brazen thief and cyberbully by night.Additionally, the plaintiff’s attorneys have request a string of injunctions: prohibiting her from using fake accounts and identities to promote herself, prohibiting further disparagement of Rachel or Rachel’s works, prohibiting her from using any name other than her own online, requiring a retraction of all her attacks on Rachel, and requiring Rushton to publicly admit her plagiarism.It’s likely that Rushton will declare bankruptcy to avoid paying the judgment, which makes the injunctions critical.Her next victimAccording to the complaint and evidence I have personally witnessed, Rushton is responsible for at least one other act of copying someone else’s work, and there may be more victims who are unaware that their hard work has been stolen. She is currently soliciting ARCs under the names Abby Forbush and Lucy Evans. (Please note that there is a legitimate author by the same name who is not involved in this case.)If you have provided a copy of your work to Tiffanie Rushton or any of her other aliases, you may be at risk. Rushton’s fake identities include:Sam Taylor MullensLucy EvansJennifer GreerMacey ForbushAbigail ForbushAbby ForbushAbigail Booklover ForbushJennifer BookloverMecedes Booklover DrakosEmma KosterBethany JohnsonMoonshine and BooksSimple Book ReviewsElle FlokhartGibby CHailey WilliamsHannahKy HartleyRylee PetersenSierra FierkW PettleyAubrey Powell
Tiffanie Rushton, aka Abby Forbush, soliciting advance review copies.A plea for restraintLet me stress that this matter is being handled in the courts where it belongs. As infuriating as the situation may be, we are not vigilantes or bullies, and retaliation is entirely inappropriate. Under no circumstances should any person take it upon themselves to harass any party in the case, even if it’s just “giving her a piece of your mind.” It may be just a stern rebuke from your perspective, but multiplied by dozens or even hundreds of other rebukes, it becomes a brutal assault.Also keep in mind that she operates under a number of names, some of which are shared by innocent persons.Holding Tiffanie Rushton accountable may prevent other authors from being defrauded and attacked, but it must be done through proper channels. If you would like to help bring this con artist to justice, please donate and share Rachel’s fundraiser at http://www.gofundme.com/ctdxpw. She will need all the help she can get to fight back.Together, we can stand against plagiarism.
Standing Against Plagiarism fundraiser
Rachel Ann Nunes: Standing Against Plagiarism
Rachel Ann Nunes: Update on STM Plagiarism Case
Authors United Against Plagiarism and Cyberbullying
The Passive Voice: Standing Against Plagiarism
Pete Morin: Plagiarism and Petulance
Bookworm Nation: Busted! Sam Taylor Mullens has been positively identified!Permission is granted to reprint this article in part or whole, with attribution to the author, John Doppler.I'd like to repeat John's request that we not bully Tiffanie. We don't want to cause any more harm to come to Rachel! There are other things we can do to stop Tiffanie from plagiarizing again, such as keeping an eye open, alerting news media and other officials, and donating to the fund here. This sort of behavior needs to be stopped, otherwise she'll continue doing it again and again, as she has in the past.
Many of you have already heard that my friend Rachel Ann Nunes was the victim in a horrible case of plagiarism, but you may not know that Tiffanie, who teaches at Eagle Bay Elementary in Farmington, UT, has done this many other times! This woman should not be teaching children.
Here is the initial information, as written up by the ever-fantastic John Doppler:
To an author, there are few crimes more heinous than plagiarism. Every author knows the agony of the untold story, the grueling birth of a novel, the joy of finally bringing that creation into the world and holding it up for all to see.Having that joy stolen from you is an unspeakable cruelty.That’s why Rachel Ann Nunes’ plight has struck a chord with so many authors. Rachel’s novel, A Bid for Love, was stolen, mutilated, and repackaged as a sloppy knock-off titled The Auction Deal.Rachel’s work has already hit #1 on the Amazon bestseller lists for Christian fiction, but the plagiarist believed she could improve it by injecting explicit sex scenes into the work. She then offered the book for sale under her pen name, Sam Taylor Mullens, and pretended that it was her own, original creation.The plagiarist tried to take credit for Rachel’s inventiveness, hard work, and perseverance. It was a cowardly act, but it paled in comparison to what followed.An impersonal crime becomes personalIt’s said that character is what you do when nobody is looking. Mullens felt invisible and untouchable behind her pseudonym, and her true character was quickly revealed.First, she attempted to deflect criticism by offering a bewildering series of lies: that she had permission to use the work; that the work had been given to her by a mysterious, nameless man who later died in a car crash; that she was the niece of the CEO of Rachel’s publisher; and that she had collaborated with Rachel to write the book.When those flimsy lies failed to stand up to scrutiny, she turned to a campaign of harassment and vicious libel against Rachel.
1 star reviews left by fake accountsOne woman, dozens of identitiesMullens had been inflating her ratings and reviews with an army of fake accounts — at present count, more than 20 of them — on Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, and various blogs. When the plagiarism scandal was exposed, she used those sockpuppets to leave 1-star reviews on Rachel’s books. She disparaged Rachel personally with false allegations of fraud and with jaw-dropping audacity, accused Rachel of being the bully. And Mullens used her accounts to harass various bloggers sympathetic to Rachel, hoping to intimidate them into silence. She failed miserably.Mullens proudly portrays herself as an indie author… but indie authors are a supportive community. They don’t prey on their fellow authors. They don’t cannibalize their family.They don’t steal each other’s work.Dire consequencesToday, I’m happy to report that the plagiarist is being held accountable for her actions in a spectacular way. She has been identified as Tiffanie Rushton, a Utah schoolteacher. Rushton has been served with a summons to appear in Federal court on complaints of copyright infringement, defamation, false light, injurious falsehood, harassment, false advertising, and deceptive trade practices. If the suit is successful, she faces statutory damages of $150,000.00, plus damages for each sale of the infringing work, damages to compensate for the other allegations in the complaint, and attorney’s fees.The compensatory damages could be tripled due to the nature of the offenses.
Tiffanie Rushton / Sam Taylor Mullens: Schoolteacher by day, brazen thief and cyberbully by night.Additionally, the plaintiff’s attorneys have request a string of injunctions: prohibiting her from using fake accounts and identities to promote herself, prohibiting further disparagement of Rachel or Rachel’s works, prohibiting her from using any name other than her own online, requiring a retraction of all her attacks on Rachel, and requiring Rushton to publicly admit her plagiarism.It’s likely that Rushton will declare bankruptcy to avoid paying the judgment, which makes the injunctions critical.Her next victimAccording to the complaint and evidence I have personally witnessed, Rushton is responsible for at least one other act of copying someone else’s work, and there may be more victims who are unaware that their hard work has been stolen. She is currently soliciting ARCs under the names Abby Forbush and Lucy Evans. (Please note that there is a legitimate author by the same name who is not involved in this case.)If you have provided a copy of your work to Tiffanie Rushton or any of her other aliases, you may be at risk. Rushton’s fake identities include:Sam Taylor MullensLucy EvansJennifer GreerMacey ForbushAbigail ForbushAbby ForbushAbigail Booklover ForbushJennifer BookloverMecedes Booklover DrakosEmma KosterBethany JohnsonMoonshine and BooksSimple Book ReviewsElle FlokhartGibby CHailey WilliamsHannahKy HartleyRylee PetersenSierra FierkW PettleyAubrey Powell
Tiffanie Rushton, aka Abby Forbush, soliciting advance review copies.A plea for restraintLet me stress that this matter is being handled in the courts where it belongs. As infuriating as the situation may be, we are not vigilantes or bullies, and retaliation is entirely inappropriate. Under no circumstances should any person take it upon themselves to harass any party in the case, even if it’s just “giving her a piece of your mind.” It may be just a stern rebuke from your perspective, but multiplied by dozens or even hundreds of other rebukes, it becomes a brutal assault.Also keep in mind that she operates under a number of names, some of which are shared by innocent persons.Holding Tiffanie Rushton accountable may prevent other authors from being defrauded and attacked, but it must be done through proper channels. If you would like to help bring this con artist to justice, please donate and share Rachel’s fundraiser at http://www.gofundme.com/ctdxpw. She will need all the help she can get to fight back.Together, we can stand against plagiarism.
I can’t imagine the price of an ARC is worth one’s honesty or reputation.Additional information:Nunes v. Rushton
Sam Taylor Mullens, July 26, 2014
Standing Against Plagiarism fundraiser
Rachel Ann Nunes: Standing Against Plagiarism
Rachel Ann Nunes: Update on STM Plagiarism Case
Authors United Against Plagiarism and Cyberbullying
The Passive Voice: Standing Against Plagiarism
Pete Morin: Plagiarism and Petulance
Bookworm Nation: Busted! Sam Taylor Mullens has been positively identified!Permission is granted to reprint this article in part or whole, with attribution to the author, John Doppler.I'd like to repeat John's request that we not bully Tiffanie. We don't want to cause any more harm to come to Rachel! There are other things we can do to stop Tiffanie from plagiarizing again, such as keeping an eye open, alerting news media and other officials, and donating to the fund here. This sort of behavior needs to be stopped, otherwise she'll continue doing it again and again, as she has in the past.
