A.R. Vagnetti's Blog, page 5

Nicole Fights

Pain sparks through my cheekbone like a firecracker as my opponent’s gloved fist connects with my jaw. A murmur ripples through the crowd sitting in the seats surrounding the sparring mat. How long has the match lasted? Two seconds, two minutes? My heart thunders in my ears. Sweat drenches my body, and it’s an effort to keep my bruised arms up and moving. Hell, every muscle and joint are on fire. If I don’t finish this in the next few seconds, he will end me. I’ve fought too hard over the last three years to let this jerk snatch the title within my grasp.
Nathan charges, attempting to wrap me up in a hold. I spin and punch left, missing his nose by a hair. Duck his roundhouse kick. Punch right, connecting with his temple. I barely evade his huge glove aimed for my jaw and throw my weight into a quick, solid left jab to his midsection. He grunts and folds forward. With the last bit of oomph, I grab his arm and leap into the air, wrap my legs around his head, and drive my body forward. My weight forces him backward. I drive a solid right punch into the side of his temple as we fall. A sharp burst radiates through my fist and down my wrist, but I don’t register the pain, only relief, as he hits the mat with a satisfying smack; my feet land on either side of his head. Game, set, match, motherfucker. I plant my knee in the middle of his chest. Sweat drips off my chin onto the bare, glistening chest of my opponent. Perspiration saturates my black spandex shorts and tank top. Long wispy strands of hair escape my ponytail, and ruffle with each heavy pant of breath as I scrutinize every twitch of the meathead’s bulging muscle. Agony creases his brow, but it’s the rage in his hazel eyes that stirs the aggressive nature I strive to control daily. He wants violence. I can oblige. I no longer care about the pain. I want blood as badly as he does. Photo courtesy of Pinterest

The Aftermath

Forgotten Storm Snippet

Author Life Balance?

How the hell do you discover a life balance as an author? It’s genuinely something I struggle with daily. When inspiration strikes, it’s difficult to walk away. My muse sucks me in and before I realize it, several hours have passed, sometimes a whole day, and guilt assaults my brain reminding me of all the things I didn’t get done, or how I’ve neglected crucial one-on-one moments with my husband. I’m quickly discovering you cannot shove an author’s life into a neat time-limited package. And if you’re not aware; being an author is not just about the writing. It’s the endless editing, research, and the dreaded marketing that monopolizes a majority of our time. As a newbie in this career choice I’m learning every day how best to manage my schedule more effectively. Honestly, I fail miserably quite often, but I think I’ve finally found a way to juggle the precarious balance. For me, I CANNOT sit down at the computer with my coffee in the morning anymore. Sad, I know, because that was my favorite way to enjoy my cup of heaven. But my OCD brain demands I don’t simply peruse my social media. Oh no, she lashes the whip and before I know it, I’ve careened down into the dark abyss of blogs, hashtags, media image creation, FB, Instagram, Twitter, and emails with no end in sight. When I eventually come up for air, it’s after 2:00 pm, I’m still wearing my jammies, and my breath could knock a buzzard of a shit wagon. My husband, bless his forgiving soul, just shakes his head at me and asks if I plan to participate in the beautiful day outside. Wait? There’s another world outside? Since when? All humor aside, I now attempt to start my morning with my coffee out on the deck, if the weather permits, workout, eat breakfast, shower, and yes, brush my teeth and get dressed, before I even contemplate sitting down at my computer. Because he’s right — damn I hate when I have to admit that — a big, amazing world does live beyond my duel monitors and if I want new adventures to write about, I’d better get off my ass and go enjoy them, and him.

Kyanite Publishing Book Club

I’m excited to share that Kyanite Publishing is launching a book club through their Discord server! Each month, they’ll pick two titles. They’ll attempt to give readers more options by selecting one each of science fiction and fantasy. They will promote this on their website, blog, and social media. As will I. ;) Readers who follow the link to join Discord will be able to access a channel specifically for each selection. In that way, it’s kind of like launching a separate book club for each title. Readers will be able to pick and choose which titles interest them, and are under no obligation to participate in every channel or read every book we select. Inside the channel for each book, They will post a coupon code for 30% off the eBook, paperback, or hardcover through their website. Readers can also purchase or rent the book elsewhere and still join Discord and access the channels. Aside from the coupon, the other benefit to membership will be connecting to the author directly. We think readers will love this! While they could have just picked books to put on sales, their hope is that by asking readers to come into the Discord server and chat about the book, they will build community and brand recognition. We can’t force readers to participate after utilizing the coupon code, but we hope some of them will, and they may even branch out to other channels in Kyanite's server.

Author Round Table

Writer's Wednesday is a casual, fun way for Kyanite authors to connect with our readers, fellow writers/publishing industry workers, and each other. We cover a multitude of topics centering around... you guessed it, writing. You can check out each weeks discussion at Kyanite Pulblishing's YouTube Channel. For this blog, the links to the videos I participated in are posted here. Check out the first webcast about Author Branding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39q18...

A Glowing Review!

As a first time author, I've had serious doubts about my abilities as a writer throughout this long process. And while my husband encourages and praises me constantly, well, he's my husband. What else can he say if he likes his head attached to his body? ;) But when the very talented Production Director and Editor for Kyanite Publishing, Sarah LaChance, sent back my manuscript for Forgotten Storm after going through it with a fine tooth... pen? I can honestly say I was floored by her comments and I can't begin to express the joy they gave me. So much so, I just had to share them with you. Where do I begin? I so thoroughly enjoyed working on your book, I can scarcely express it! It is beautiful. You have a fresh voice, incredible way with painting a scene, and are a great storyteller. Forgotten Storm is enthralling, delicious, and moving. I can't wait to have a copy of my own and be able to pleasure-read it (without having to use my editing lens). I was very impressed by your style and skills. I laughed, I cried, I had a few, ahem, physical reactions to some of the hotter material, haha! I felt like I was reading a piece a friend wrote. You strike a delicious balance between eloquence and smart-assery, which I believe will resonate with readers. The evolution of Nicole's experience is so accessible and relatable. I believe that the atmosphere is right for the expansion of protagonists like Nicole, who are strong and choose to give up some power, but only when it is deserved and reciprocated appropriately. I would love to see more stories featuring her! I am finding it hard to believe that it is your first book, and do hope you have more planned (even if not featuring this particular storyline, though a series would be kick-ass!). :) Reading her praise again gives me goosies. I am humbled by her words and proud of my accomplishment. I hope and pray the readers will love Forgotten Storm as much as my editor, the staff at Kyanite, and the beta readers do. Of course, no one could love Nicole and Logan's story more than their creator. Their story lived in my heart and brain for so long it was a tremendous relief to get them out so I could enjoy a little peace without people looking at me funny. Like talking to yourself is weird or something.

Forgotten Storm Available for Preorder!

I am so excited to announce: Forgotten Storm is now available for preorder through Kyanite Publishing! The plan is to get a feel for demand before it goes up for preorder on Amazon and Barnes and Noble in late June or early July. (Nervous sweat breaks out on my upper lip at the thought) So here is where I need your help. Please share this link https://kyanitepublishing.com/product... with your family, friends, coworkers, or hell, complete strangers if you want, just be careful not to scare anyone. You can also send them directly to my website here. Let them know it's a paranormal romance filled with buried memories, ancient prophecies, and suppressed desires. I'm passionate about Nicole and Logan's story. I hope everyone who reads Forgotten Storm will fall in love with them too and crave more. And don't forget, when you get your copy of Forgotten Storm, authors live on reviews. Let me know if you loved it!

Kickass YA Book Review

I recently read a book called River by Ryen Lesli, a.k.a. “The Witch”. It’s a young adult fantasy available for pre-order on Amazon with an official launch date of 6/14/19 with Kyanite Publishing. Before I get into the nitty gritty of this book, let me preface by saying, young adult is not my usual go-to genre. Although, I must confess I read the Twilight series because you know vampires, that’s my thing. River. Where do I begin? Let’s start with the characters, because great character development is the core to every remarkable book. Ryen nailed it! I love, love, love her main character River. This 17-year-old, and River is a teenager in every sense of the word, foul mouth and all, gets thrust into a world where the rules are in complete opposition from how she grew up; human. If you’ve ever been a parent of a teenager, or hell, if you recently survived those tumultuous years or are struggling through them right now, you will connect with River. You’ll applaud the tough, no bullshit exterior she desperately clings to, sympathize with the inner chaos only a teenager can experience, and share in her angst with the “f*#@king queen”, her mother. Because what teenager, at some point in a high dramatic fashion, hasn't loathed their overbearing, controlling, out to destroy their life parents. River is a courageous, and inspiring young woman, and Ryen does an excellent job of bringing her to life with all the insecurities and inner turmoil of a young adult. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the two hot, yummy guys in her life. Honestly, I didn’t know which one I liked more. Cat, for his unwavering loyalty and understanding wrapped around a delicious six pack, or Wolf, the angry, sexy beefcake who hides his hurt behind his rage. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so that’s all I’m gonna say about that. Read it to find out. What’s the next component to any wonderful fantasy story? Yup, you guessed it, world building. Ryen’s book has it in spades. I can’t say enough about the fantasy world she’s conjured up in that brilliantly creative mind of hers. Ryen’s writing sucks you into a realm so vivid, you stop and look around to make sure you’re still sitting in your living room or bedroom, or wherever you read, and not walking alongside River and her friends in the Banyans. The attention to detail wasn’t overwhelming or lengthy either. Several fantasy books I’ve read drone on and on about the environment and inner workings of said world. And half the time, I’m skipping ahead to get back to the actual story. Ryen gives you just enough to light your imagination on fire and draw you into the dazzling inner workings of River’s world. So, even though this was not my normal genre to read, it sparked a need to get my hands on the ten books planned for this series. Yup. You heard me right. Ten books! Ryen’s story and writing style resonated with me and I believe it will connect with both young adults and adults alike.

BDSM Paranormal Romance Review

Several years ago, I read the first two books in this series and for some reason I lost touch with this author until this book, Vampire's Embrace. When I did a little research, I realized there are numerous books in this series and my TBR (to be read) pile has grown exponentially. On to the review. I can't say enough about Joey W. Hill's world building skills. This book is set during WWII. The MC is a nurse in the Australian Army and you are quickly embroiled into the horrors of war through the steady, compassionate, and courageous eyes of the nurses and all they sacrificed and endured to protect the wounded. Intricately woven into this human history is the vampire world and the author ties the two worlds together in such a way you never question the truth of their existence. This book, along with the others I've read, have strong elements of erotica, and even though I dabble in light erotica in my books, the scenes in Vampire's Embrace pushes my boundaries. As did the others in this series. But as always, the author's phenomenal writing is what keeps it from tittering over the edge. The male vampire is strong but compassionate. A true master. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a stand alone but I fully intend to go back and read the ones I've missed.

Holy Moly Book Review!

This was bittersweet for me. I am a huge fan of the Charley Davidson series and while I was excited to read Thirteenth Grave I was also devastated it was the last one. I laughed (as always), and cried. Saying goodbye was tough but as always, Darynda delivered a fabulous end to a phenomenal series filled with amazing characters. I couldn't get enough of Charley's humor or the dark smoldering hotness from Reyes. The in depth settings and world building. And lets not forget the incredible sidekicks and friends along the way. Thank you Darynda Jones. As a fellow writer, you are truly my inspiration and I can't wait to read whatever adventure is in store for us next. I will always be a devoted fan. You can check out all her available books on her website here. Happy reading.