A.R. Vagnetti's Blog, page 4

Forbidden Storm Update!

Many aspects of our lives have shifted, altered, or crashed during this #Quarantinelife. Businesses closed their doors. The streets seem desolate. This social distancing is messing with our innate instinct to gather with friends and family, and millions of Americans are on unemployment and bored out of their minds. 

The publishing industry is also affected. With delays or cancellations in shipping books as more essential items take priority, formating, and publication of paper books is slow or scarce. Indie, small presses, and even the larger publishing houses have postponed most of their upcoming launches, or are launching eBooks only. 

Now more than ever, I believe, as does Kyanite Publishing, that readers need books to help occupy their time, get away from the negativity in the news, and escape into a world of fiction during this forced reclusiveness. So, I sat down with my publisher, Kyanite Publishing, and we hashed out a strategy for the release of my upcoming book in the Storm Series, FORBIDDEN STORM.

Well, I am thrilled to announce, drum roll please, FORBIDDEN STORM will officially launch on August 17th, 2020! Hardcover, paperback, and ebook.

But why wait? Starting May 14th Kyanite is offering special Pre-Order Packages that feature signed copies, bookmarks and mugs, and other exclusive gifts from me! 

They'll be available at www.kyanitepublishing.com for a limited time before pre-orders open with other retailers. We are excited to offer these packages as a way to further extend the reading experience and connect authors with our fans. 

Included in some of the pre-order packages is the new Content Hub, which houses short stories and even full-length books, articles and essays, and other offerings from Kyanite authors. It is now available on a subscription basis as well.

If you missed out on book 1, FORGOTTEN STORM, fear not. As of right now, eBooks for Forgotten Storm are on sale on Amazon! (Click the book or blue title above)

**There are a few hardbacks and 1 paperback still available for a discounted price.

But wait! There's more! (Hehehe) I will be giving away 10 signed paperbacks of Forgotten Storm! 

I purchased these for a huge event here in Tucson that was canceled due to the Coronavirus so they are just sitting in a box waiting to be read.

See, every cloud has a silver lining.

Enter for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Forgotten Storm when you subscribe to my blog. All entries will be added to the virtual pot and 10 winners will be chosen on May 30th. So, if you would like a signed copy for yourself, or know someone who would love it as a gift, enter today. (Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is for U.S. residents only.)

Here's a recap for those who need bullet points and timelines in a linear fashion like me!

* Forgotten Storm -- Book 1-- The ebook is on sale right now at Amazon for only $2.99! 

* Enter for a chance to win a FREE autographed paperback of Forgotten Storm when you

  subscribe to my blog! 

* FORBIDDEN STORM -- Book 2 -- Pre-Order Pkgs w/cool swag available May 14th!

  (www.kyanitepublishing.com)

* FORBIDDEN STORM -- Available everywhere on August 17th, 2020.

Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. 

Please Vote!

They say not to judge a book by its cover but I need you to do just that. If you liked the cover of my book, FORGOTTEN STORM, please vote for it for the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor.com!
I’m getting closer to clinching the "Cover of the Month" contest on AllAuthor! I need as much support from you guys as I can get. Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover by clicking on the cover below. Thank you so much for your support! Click on the cover to Vote!

Forbidden Storm Launch Postponed!

These are strange and confusing times we are living in around the world. Stores with empty shelves. Bars and restaurants closed. People working from home, being laid off or losing their jobs completely. Driving down the road feels like living in a ghost town. The economy is taking a big fat hit upside the head as we try and ride out this #Coronavirus storm. And it appears the book industry is no different. Production of paperback and hardback books has slowed due to a lack of employees, and shipments are being prioritized to essentials like food, medical supplies, and, scratch my head in confusion, toilet paper. So it is with a sad heart I must announce the postponement of FORBIDDEN STORM, book 2 in my Storm Series which was due to launch July 21st of this year. I hope the delay is only a month or two but with the way this #quarantine changes from day to day, I cannot offer you a definitive timeline. However, a silver lining does appear. The owners and authors at Kyanite Publishing understand that during this time of isolation and social distancing, being forced indoors, spending an exorbitant amount of time with your significant other or *shudder* THE KIDS, we all need a little escapism. For a limited time, I and several of my fellow authors, are offering ebooks of our work for FREE! If you haven't read FORGOTTEN STORM, book 1, or you know someone who hasn't, now is the time! SPREAD THE WORD! Help your friends and family forget the troubles of world even for a little while. Hop onto Kyanite Publishing's website and peruse the selections. Then kick back in your bark-o-lounger, settle in by the fire, or submerge yourself in a nice hot bubble bath and enjoy the ride. I'd also like to take this moment to wish everyone the best of health and safety. Warmest regards and best wishes,

Cover Reveal!

I am so excited to reveal the new cover for book 2 in my Storm Series, FORBIDDEN STORM! When I started this journey with FORGOTTEN STORM, I never imagined in a million years I would, 1) finish a full-length novel, and 2) get said novel published. Now here I am with a release date of July 21st, 2020 for the second book and I couldn't be more thrilled with the feedback so far. I'm looking forward to getting her out into the world for you all to enjoy. Here is some preliminary feedback for FORBIDDEN STORM from my wonderful editor at Kyanite Publishing LLC. "This is some of the best writing I’ve had the privilege to read in my time helming Kyanite. You are like a skilled puppeteer here, guiding the reader through this chapter, expertly stoking the fire between Kurtis and Lu and then summoning a big ol’ gust of wind to fan the flames at the end. I am on the EDGE OF MY SEAT for the next chapter." "This was simply expert-level perfection. Words fail me. Well done." "I continue to enjoy your layered worldbuilding and the expertise of your delivery. Pure gold." "Beautiful. I love how this is playing out! It feels highly evolved, like it’s truly its own world, as real as the one we’re in. This is a very, very successful story, in every lens/perspective I know how to view a story with." Every comment, review, or critique sends a tingle through my body and I sometimes can't believe the words are about my writing. How did this desert rat from Arizona, not only get published but those who take the time to read and review my work seem to love it? Don't ever pinch me, cause I refuse to wake up from the glorious dream. On top of that, book 3, FIERY STORM, is ready to submit to my publisher. WHAT!? AND I've started writing book 4, FRACTURED STORM! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the peeps who have supported, encouraged, read, and reviewed my work. I have stories to tell, but they would be nothing without you all reading and recommending them to others. I'm looking forward to continuing the Storm Series journey with you.

Check out Upcoming Events!

So many exciting events happening in 2020! A book signing at Mostly Books on Speedway. I'm participating at the huge event; Tucson Festival of Books in March. Not to mention, all the info on cover reveals and launch dates for future books. (hint: books 2 & 3 release this year!) Please check out my upcoming events page so you don't miss out. 2020 is set to be a fantastic, whirlwind of a year and what better way to celebrate it than with all of you?

Forgotten Storm Book Signing!

I am super excited to partner with Mostly Books on Speedway for an intimate meet and greet and book signing of Forgotten Storm. Please join me. I would love the opportunity to sign a copy of the first novel in my Storm Series, and sit and chat with you about books. Forgotten Storm is a sizzling paranormal romance with an intense, action-packed plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's 50 shades meets a much darker twilight.

Amazon Review of Forgotten Storm

Nothing warms an author's heart more than a glowing review. It validates all our hard work, elevates our ever flagging confidence, and keeps us pounding away on the keyboard. So, I'm sending out a big fat virtual "THANK YOU" kiss to all my #Stormsters for taking time out of your busy lives to sit down and write a review of #ForgottenStorm. Your insights into Nicole and Logan's story affect me deeply, and I can't wait to offer up #ForbiddenStorm, book 2 in my #StormSeries soon! 5.0 out of 5 stars Where the hell is my Logan Moretti? Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2019 Format: Paperback Verified Purchase Let me just tell you right now that this book is hot. HOT. Not only can Nicole Giordano kick your ass and look good while she's doing it, she’ll make you beg for more. I love a heroine who doesn't wait around for the man to swoop in and save her. She’s too busy living her life, while running from her tragic past. As for Logan, well, he’s beautiful, and sexy and those fangs—he can bit me anywhere, anytime, anyhow he wants. But Logan’s haunted by heavy secrets; ones that speak of true horror. His betraying sins damn him to eternity, all just for loving Nicolle. The beautiful magic in this story drags you in deeper and deeper. The eternal fight of good versus evil doesn’t come in black and white. There are all these dark gray areas that bleed into the real world, causing chaos and pain. Pain that demands a sacrifice from Nicole. A sacrifice that forces Logan to face a future without her… The ending came to quickly for me, making me growl with frustration. I needed more, so much more but now I have to wait for the second book to be allowed back into A.R. Vagnetti’s sexy world.

A.R. Vagnetti Interview

Enjoyed this comprehensive interview with the great folks over at AllAuthor. A wonderful platform to connect authors and readers. Click the image and check it out.

My Writing Evolution

Back when I started this #writing journey four years ago, I can honestly say I was a pure #plotter. With #ForgottenStorm I created an in-depth outline, a short synopsis, a long synopsis, every character had an extensive bio with a picture, and each chapter included a brief summary. Since I had no formal writing experience, I felt I had to put into practice everything I'd ever read or researched about writing a novel. Forgotten Storm was a 2 1/2 year quest that consumed my every waking and sleeping moment. The anxiety it wasn't good enough plagued me constantly. She went through numerous rewrites, endless edits, and when I finally said, screw it, I've taken it as far as I can and submitted the manuscript, I was sure it would go nowhere. Thank God I was wrong! Writing book 2, #ForbiddenStorm, my stress level lowered from DEFCON 1 to about a 2.5. Most of the characters from Forgotten Storm streamed into Forbidden Storm, so I only created bios for any new roles. And while I still did a long synopsis, I nixed the shorter one and the outline. Hence, Forbidden Storm only took a year and a half from the start, to the time I submitted it to my publisher. While I wait to hear from them, sitting on pins and needles, all my old anxieties come roaring back, telling me Forbidden Storm's not good enough. Or Forgotten Storm was a fluke, and nothing will measure up. For which I reply, "Shut the hell up!" Four months later, I'm about halfway through book 3, Fiery Storm, with a projected submittal date of February 2020. I believe I've evolved from a Plotter to a full-on, fly by the seat of my pants, go where my characters take me, Panster. No outline -- which I rarely stuck to anyway -- no synopsis, and only minimal character bios for the newbies. So what does that mean? Well, I'm not entirely sure. I hope it means I'm finding my rhythm as a #writer. While I still have a general idea of the major plot points, and the wounds and goals of all my characters, my method has streamlined and become more enjoyable. I still suffer from the same old insecurities, but they don't cause me as much stress or anxiety as they did. I'm curious to discover how I evolve, if at all, with book 4, Fractured Storm, as I predict that storyline to be my most challenging to date. Onward and upward, and pick up your damn feet.

Forgotten Storm Review

Phew, after I finished, I had to step away from the book and just breathe. It was that good! Like going on a mind-blowing adventure, I was glued to it. It had my heart beating faster, shock made my mouth open on occasion and every page or two I burst out laughing. Nicole is so amazingly sarcastic I want to frame her responses or at least print them on a mug and flaunt it about. When they first met, well the first time she remembers, it is so incredibly hot I doubt I will ever forget it. Logan is yum! I love paranormal genre, and when it is so well written, every character comes alive and guess what – you believe the world created. You cry with the terror she had to endure as a child and celebrate the unwilling heroine she grows into. This kickass take no prisoners zero filter between her mouth and brain girl who can sing too. I like the quirkiness – the way she names her gun Annie and her truck Riddick and love the vulnerability she allows herself rarely. The fight scenes were incredible, and the sex scenes more so (*fans her face). I can hardly wait to read the next one. I hope this turn out into 20 book series because I spy some characters that need their own stories revealed. Review by @Mia.Fendi.Book