L.M. Preston's Blog, page 39
March 5, 2012
The Pack - Retribution COVER REVEAL!!!!
I'm super duper excited! I know the book doesn't come out until September, but we are taking reviewers names now and it will be a featured book at the BEA this summer!
I have no words for the awesome work my artist created!
Here's the cover reveal of The Pack-Retribution
Tagline: Revenge has met its match, and she's got someone worth fighting for.
Blurb:
Revenge doesn't have a name, but has chosen a victim - Shamira. But she's never been the type to lie down and let someone hurt her family or her friends. In order to find the mastermind behind the threat to all she cares about, she must give up the one person who's found his way into her guarded heart, Valens.
Valens refuses to back off easily , and neither will Shamira's friends. They join forces with her in order to deal with a new enemy who seeks to kill everyone in Shamira's life that dared save the missing kids on Mars.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
I have no words for the awesome work my artist created!
Here's the cover reveal of The Pack-Retribution
Tagline: Revenge has met its match, and she's got someone worth fighting for.
Blurb:
Revenge doesn't have a name, but has chosen a victim - Shamira. But she's never been the type to lie down and let someone hurt her family or her friends. In order to find the mastermind behind the threat to all she cares about, she must give up the one person who's found his way into her guarded heart, Valens.
Valens refuses to back off easily , and neither will Shamira's friends. They join forces with her in order to deal with a new enemy who seeks to kill everyone in Shamira's life that dared save the missing kids on Mars.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
March 4, 2012
Odd Places I've Bought Books
I've purchased books in many different places.
Of course there's the typical Book Store. But where have you purchased books that you never would have thought to buy them.
Here's my list:
- Street Vendors: Lots of big cities have street vendors that thrive and have regular customers. I purchased many of my books as a teen from street vendors because there weren't many bookstores around.
- Out of someone's car: Yes I did. On a trip to NY and visiting the city, I purchased music and books out our people cars and .... big cloth bags that they dragged around.
- In Hawaii at Waipo Valley: Just before we went on a hike.
- A bar: I purchased a book that was themed in the bar. I purchased it since it was a murder mystery.
- The Flea Market: I visited the flea market in Baltimore and wanted to read some Urban books and boy they had a lot. So, I purchased quite a few. Also, I recently took my cousin there while she visited and she purchased some from there too!
- On The Subway - Metro Center, in DC: I started talking to some lady on the train and just so happened she was an author. I asked her if she had any of her books and she did. I bought it right there on the train.
SO WHERE ARE SOME OF THE ODD PLACES YOU'VE PURCHASED BOOKS?LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
March 2, 2012
Good Deeds - Movie Review
What can I say, I wanted to end the month of February with a Love story and an African American one since it was Black History Month.
Image
I was pleasantly surprised with this one.
FANDANGO BLURB:
A successful, wealthy businessman, Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry) has always done what's expected of him, whether it's assuming the helm of his father's company, tolerating his brother's misbehavior at the office or planning to marry his beautiful but restless fiancée, Natalie (Gabrielle Union). But Wesley is jolted out of his predictable routine when he meets Lindsey (Thandie Newton), a down-on-her-luck single mother who works on the cleaning crew in his office building. When he offers to help her get back on her feet, the chance encounter with someone so far outside his usual circle ignites something in Wesley. This one good deed may finally spark his courage to exchange the life that's expected of him for the life he's always really wanted.
MY REVIEW
I love a good love story. I also love seeing movies with people that look like me in them. That's why I suppose the Tyler Perry Movies have always entertained me. But this one I was skeptical about. Mainly because my husband didn't like Tyler's last two movies. My DH felt that Mr. Perry was a man basher and simply refused to accompany me and my friends to another one of his movies - OH, but this time I tricked him into going to this one. And you know what...we both loved it. Sure Thandie Newton didn't quite nail that ghetto slang, but we fell in love with her character anyway. Not only that, but there were 2 parts where we actually teared up. Lastly, it was tastefully done without raunchy cheating that you see in most movies. I truly enjoyed this one. It was rather mainstream also. I give it a 4 out of 4 stars (and so did my husband).LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
Image
I was pleasantly surprised with this one.
FANDANGO BLURB:
A successful, wealthy businessman, Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry) has always done what's expected of him, whether it's assuming the helm of his father's company, tolerating his brother's misbehavior at the office or planning to marry his beautiful but restless fiancée, Natalie (Gabrielle Union). But Wesley is jolted out of his predictable routine when he meets Lindsey (Thandie Newton), a down-on-her-luck single mother who works on the cleaning crew in his office building. When he offers to help her get back on her feet, the chance encounter with someone so far outside his usual circle ignites something in Wesley. This one good deed may finally spark his courage to exchange the life that's expected of him for the life he's always really wanted.
MY REVIEW
I love a good love story. I also love seeing movies with people that look like me in them. That's why I suppose the Tyler Perry Movies have always entertained me. But this one I was skeptical about. Mainly because my husband didn't like Tyler's last two movies. My DH felt that Mr. Perry was a man basher and simply refused to accompany me and my friends to another one of his movies - OH, but this time I tricked him into going to this one. And you know what...we both loved it. Sure Thandie Newton didn't quite nail that ghetto slang, but we fell in love with her character anyway. Not only that, but there were 2 parts where we actually teared up. Lastly, it was tastefully done without raunchy cheating that you see in most movies. I truly enjoyed this one. It was rather mainstream also. I give it a 4 out of 4 stars (and so did my husband).LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
February 29, 2012
Boring Books
I have a problem. I hate reading or writing books that nothing happens. Now there are many books that have been considered best sellers that are just plain dull. Nothing truly happens to the character for over ten chapters. At least nothing you can see outright. But I have stuck with them. I have read those works in spite of the fact it took me an awful long time to do so.
DOES IT PAYS TO BE DULL?
However, great works of fiction are not exciting. But they feed you bits, and nibbles of the underlying plot and conflict along the way. There are some genres that are notorious for this type of 'ease the reader in' approach and I find that they tend to be my least favorite genre.
WRITING THE DULL PARTS
As a writer there are parts when I just have to bring it down several notches. I've tried over my writing years to weave exciting things into those mundane parts where the character has to learn something, share something or experience something. And I'd be lying if I didn't reveal that there have been best sellers that I had to force myself to read in pieces just to finish.
I've realized that yes, yes, yes, there is a need for those slow parts of a book. It sets the pacing, brings the reader in, and if the writer is really clever, they are a welcomed slow down.
WHEN IT'S TIME TO WRITE THE DULL PARTS WHAT DO YOU DO?
For me it takes me longer to get through them, then before I know it, my character takes over and sets it up for something big to happen.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
DOES IT PAYS TO BE DULL?
However, great works of fiction are not exciting. But they feed you bits, and nibbles of the underlying plot and conflict along the way. There are some genres that are notorious for this type of 'ease the reader in' approach and I find that they tend to be my least favorite genre.
WRITING THE DULL PARTS
As a writer there are parts when I just have to bring it down several notches. I've tried over my writing years to weave exciting things into those mundane parts where the character has to learn something, share something or experience something. And I'd be lying if I didn't reveal that there have been best sellers that I had to force myself to read in pieces just to finish.
I've realized that yes, yes, yes, there is a need for those slow parts of a book. It sets the pacing, brings the reader in, and if the writer is really clever, they are a welcomed slow down.
WHEN IT'S TIME TO WRITE THE DULL PARTS WHAT DO YOU DO?
For me it takes me longer to get through them, then before I know it, my character takes over and sets it up for something big to happen.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
February 27, 2012
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - Movie Review
Fandango Blurb:
Now 17, Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) receives a coded distress signal from an island where no island should exist. Knowing that he will not be able to dissuade Sean from tracking the signal to its source, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), Sean's new stepfather, joins the teen on a quest to the South Pacific. Together with helicopter pilot Gabato (Luis Guzmán) and Gabato's feisty daughter, Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens), they set out to find the island and rescue its sole human inhabitant (Michael Caine).
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Josh Hutcherson
Director: Brad Peyton
Genres: Action/Adventure
My Review:
I'm biased. I love, love, love Dwayne Johnson. But, I went to this movie for my kids. The movie was cute, had great role model parents (The Rock - of course) and had a healthy taste of action. It started off with the typical kid not digging the step-dad (the gorgeous step dad I may add, like who's mom gets lucky enough to marry a hung with bulging muscles who loves her kid and her abundantly...or sorry I digress - It could happen.). There was some funny parts, cutsie parts and it was somewhat predictable, but my kids 14yrs, 10yrs and 8yrs loved it. They gave it a 4 stars out of 5 stars and my husband (The Rocker - hater) gave it a 3 stars out of 5.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
February 26, 2012
The Frugal Ereader Free Gifts of My Books
The Frugal Ereader spotlights my ebook Giveaways,
Click Here
Also, My FB Release Party for Explorer X-Beta is Sat. March 31st from 12pm-11pm EST. You don't have to leave your home to join in for free prizes, spotlight guest authors, games and more, on this page, http://www.facebook.com/events/263303...
I'm giving away 2 of my books in Ebook from there. Also the Frugal Ereader is a great place to find out about new books!
The Frugal Ereader: Click Here
BANDITS:
Teen Pirate, forbidden love, Treasure and adventure.
Daniel's father has gotten himself killed and left another mess for Daniel to clean up. To save his world from destruction, he must fight off his father's killers while discovering a way to save his world. He wants to go it alone, but his cousin and his best friend's sister, Jade insist on tagging along. Jade is off limits to him, but she insist on changing his mind. He hasn't decided if loving her is worth the beating he'll get from her brother in order to have her. Retrieving the treasure is his only choice. But in order to get it, Daniel must choose to either walk in his father's footsteps or to re-invent himself into the one to save his world.
THE PACK:
Teen blind vigilante, drama filled teen romance, and kick-butt hero.
Shamira is considered an outcast by most, but little do they know that she is on a mission. Kids on Mars are disappearing, but Shamira decides to use the criminals most unlikely weapons against them the very kids of which they have captured. In order to succeed, she is forced to trust another, something she is afraid to do. However, Valens, her connection to the underworld of her enemy, proves to be a useful ally. Time is slipping, and so is her control on the power that resides within her. But in order to save her brother's life, she is willing to risk it all.
AUTHOR SIGHTINGS Places I'm hanging out 2012
Check out my website for updates: www.phenomenalonepress.com
Public Library Conference (PA) - 3/12th
Explorer X - Beta Facebook Release Party - 3/31
Twitter Launch Party (Promo Explorer X-Beta) - 4/3th
Explorer X-Beta Blog tour - 4/8-17th
Book Expo America (NY) - 6/6-7th
Otakon (Baltimore, MD) 7/27-29th
Shore-Leave (Baltimore, MD) 8/3-5th
Baltimore Book Festival - 9/28-30th
Capclave (Baltimore, MD) - 10/12-14thLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
Click Here
Also, My FB Release Party for Explorer X-Beta is Sat. March 31st from 12pm-11pm EST. You don't have to leave your home to join in for free prizes, spotlight guest authors, games and more, on this page, http://www.facebook.com/events/263303...
I'm giving away 2 of my books in Ebook from there. Also the Frugal Ereader is a great place to find out about new books!
The Frugal Ereader: Click Here
BANDITS:
Teen Pirate, forbidden love, Treasure and adventure.
Daniel's father has gotten himself killed and left another mess for Daniel to clean up. To save his world from destruction, he must fight off his father's killers while discovering a way to save his world. He wants to go it alone, but his cousin and his best friend's sister, Jade insist on tagging along. Jade is off limits to him, but she insist on changing his mind. He hasn't decided if loving her is worth the beating he'll get from her brother in order to have her. Retrieving the treasure is his only choice. But in order to get it, Daniel must choose to either walk in his father's footsteps or to re-invent himself into the one to save his world.
THE PACK:
Teen blind vigilante, drama filled teen romance, and kick-butt hero.
Shamira is considered an outcast by most, but little do they know that she is on a mission. Kids on Mars are disappearing, but Shamira decides to use the criminals most unlikely weapons against them the very kids of which they have captured. In order to succeed, she is forced to trust another, something she is afraid to do. However, Valens, her connection to the underworld of her enemy, proves to be a useful ally. Time is slipping, and so is her control on the power that resides within her. But in order to save her brother's life, she is willing to risk it all.
AUTHOR SIGHTINGS Places I'm hanging out 2012
Check out my website for updates: www.phenomenalonepress.com
Public Library Conference (PA) - 3/12th
Explorer X - Beta Facebook Release Party - 3/31
Twitter Launch Party (Promo Explorer X-Beta) - 4/3th
Explorer X-Beta Blog tour - 4/8-17th
Book Expo America (NY) - 6/6-7th
Otakon (Baltimore, MD) 7/27-29th
Shore-Leave (Baltimore, MD) 8/3-5th
Baltimore Book Festival - 9/28-30th
Capclave (Baltimore, MD) - 10/12-14thLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
February 23, 2012
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR CHARACTERS?
Do you feel that? The 'acting' of sorts that goes in creating a believable character. Something that sucks you into their moment and doesn't let you go?
That's a good book, movie, song and expression. Artist can do that. Create a moment a feeling that absorbs you and takes you away into their moment.
HOW CAN YOU WRITE IT
When I wrote my first draft ever of a book, it was awful. I gave a listing of accounts. Like, 'He was six foot tall with dark hair about 150 pounds..." and "He was angry, sad, mad..." Yuck!
Then my daughter gave me the answer after she read the first few pages of my horrible draft.
"Mom, pretend you are an actor. That you are the character and write that."
BECOMING YOUR CHARACTER
Living in the moment of your character is darn fun! I close my eyes and open myself to the experience. Also writing in a close 3rd person. That way I can have more characters point of view.
EXPRESSION
This bit is where you are constantly told, "SHOW and DON'T TELL" and you do this by asking yourself, what happens to a person when they are:
Angry: Eyes dilate, muscle clench, teeth grind
Sad: Tears fall, sniffle, whimper
Scared: Hairs raise, trembling, teeth chatter
THE ACTOR IN YOU
So the next time you watch a movie, a show, a commercial or your friend's youtube videos ask yourself how that actor has portrayed their emotions. Write it down while you watch, create your cheat sheet and.... FIND YOUR INNER ACTOR (sometimes dubbed as a Muse)
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR CHARACTERS?
I usually close my eyes and pretend I'm them. What a rush!LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
February 21, 2012
The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
Teen Book Reviewer NYIA's in the house!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Amazon Blurb:
In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.
In the aftermath of a war, America's landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen's grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler's Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler's Landing--and their lives--forever.
NYIA's Review:
I have read a lot of dystopian books and this one is pretty good. I liked Stephen a lot and he made me want to keep reading. He was confused after what happened. I also felt like even though things were really bad in this world the characters still had hope that everything would be fine. I didn't think that the kids acted like most teenagers would have acted. It didn't make sense why Tom Will was so mean to the other settlers. It also had a lot of dry spots. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
Amazon Blurb:
In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.
In the aftermath of a war, America's landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen's grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler's Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler's Landing--and their lives--forever.
NYIA's Review:
I have read a lot of dystopian books and this one is pretty good. I liked Stephen a lot and he made me want to keep reading. He was confused after what happened. I also felt like even though things were really bad in this world the characters still had hope that everything would be fine. I didn't think that the kids acted like most teenagers would have acted. It didn't make sense why Tom Will was so mean to the other settlers. It also had a lot of dry spots. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
February 19, 2012
Thinking Big Has Gained Me A Lot
I could never figure out when it first happened. That defiant, growling spirit within me that screamed 'No!' but when it happened, that was the turning point in my life.
Now that I think back on it, I remember it.
THE MOMENT WHEN I REALIZED I COULD FIGHT BACK
I think I was around ten when I was backed in a corner at the playground and kids were snatching away pieces of my candy that fell to the ground.
Something rose up in me - greed, maybe need, maybe just plain fury. I don't know, but I screamed, "No! My candy" and fought away grubby little hands away from my candy.
SO NOW WHAT?
Well then I just started to think differently. Nope, not then, but later it built up. When I realized that I wasn't as brilliant as my best friend. But she did me a favor and said, "So what if you have to work harder - we'll still end up at the same place."
Wow!
MY WRITING LIFE FAST FORWARD
Well here I am, I've queried, I've pitched, I've pimped my manuscript and got only a small nibble - but that was before.
Now, my books are out there - birthed to the world and you know what?
My old friend's comment came back.
"So what if you have to work harder - we'll still end up at the same place."
SO? ARE YOU READY TO THINK BIG? Here's what thinking big has gotten me...
- A great career beyond what I've ever imagined
- Wonderful family that is making me wonder if they are really my kids or someone beamed them down to me from a distant planet
- Stories that come out of my head - and people actually want to read them.
- And more adventures to comeLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
February 16, 2012
What I'm Working On - My Writing Goals Realized
Well although my writing is a bit behind, the ideas are flowing. I'm in promotion mode for my Middle Grade but am doing the following fun things to bring you all some great new books in the next year.
The Pack-Retribution (due out Sept. 2012 - Book 2 in The Pack series) I'm in the final stages of revising this. Just got the 2nd run from the editor. Once I finish revising this in about a month or two, the ARCs will be submitted to the printer. The artist is working on the NEW cover art for this so look out for that in about 2 months.
Purgatory Reign (out in 2013) This is my new paranormal series with a sprinkle of scifi and romance. It's gonna be hot. I'm working on the 1st set of edits for this. I will be subbing it to agents and if nothing bites this year - Phenomenal One Press will publish it. This is a 3 book series. Upper YA.
Bandits - Wastelands (out in 2013 - Book 2 in Bandits series) I am writing this now. My personal deadline for the first draft is April 1st and I'm way behind. But stay tuned.
Big Crush - short story (out in 2013 as part of anthology) This is the first short story I've written in like forever. It was fun and I may turn this into a series. It's an Urban Middle Grade short story.
Fire's End - a Middle Grade Fantasy I'm working on with my daughter who is 10 years old and has amazing ideas. It's shaping up fine and if we ever finish it...who knows.
PLANS to write first draft of the following:
Explorer X-Beta (to come out in 2013)
The Pack - Deception (to come out in 2014)LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
The Pack-Retribution (due out Sept. 2012 - Book 2 in The Pack series) I'm in the final stages of revising this. Just got the 2nd run from the editor. Once I finish revising this in about a month or two, the ARCs will be submitted to the printer. The artist is working on the NEW cover art for this so look out for that in about 2 months.
Purgatory Reign (out in 2013) This is my new paranormal series with a sprinkle of scifi and romance. It's gonna be hot. I'm working on the 1st set of edits for this. I will be subbing it to agents and if nothing bites this year - Phenomenal One Press will publish it. This is a 3 book series. Upper YA.
Bandits - Wastelands (out in 2013 - Book 2 in Bandits series) I am writing this now. My personal deadline for the first draft is April 1st and I'm way behind. But stay tuned.
Big Crush - short story (out in 2013 as part of anthology) This is the first short story I've written in like forever. It was fun and I may turn this into a series. It's an Urban Middle Grade short story.
Fire's End - a Middle Grade Fantasy I'm working on with my daughter who is 10 years old and has amazing ideas. It's shaping up fine and if we ever finish it...who knows.
PLANS to write first draft of the following:
Explorer X-Beta (to come out in 2013)
The Pack - Deception (to come out in 2014)LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS
