Cherie Reich's Blog, page 5

**Limited Time** Mindjack Box Set by Susan Kaye Quinn #99c #dystopian #scifi

**LIMITED TIME** Box Set of the Bestselling MINDJACK SERIES
Free Souls, Closed Hearts, Open Minds
In a world where everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.
Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can't read thoughts, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader. When she accidentally controls Raf's mind, Kira hides her frightening new ability. But lies tangle around her, and she's dragged into an underworld of mindjackers… where mind controlling everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.
Regularly $7.99, Mindjack Box Set will be ON SALE for 99 cents from May 29 - June 4. Susan Kaye Quinn is trying to hit the USA Today bestseller's list, so every sale counts. You won't be disappointed either. I loved Open Minds and hope to finish reading the rest of the series soon.
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Double, Double Toil and Trouble - 10 Witch Fantasy Books in One Bundle #StoryBundle

The end of April and the start of May–exactly six months from Halloween–has always been a time for witches, magic and the influence of the Other World in pagan folklore. The Celtic festival of Beltane is traditionally observed on May 1st, and April 30th is also known as Walpurgis Night–or in Germanic folklore Hexennacht, literally "Witches' Night."
What better time, then, to partake in the Witchy Bundle, your chance to grab a collection of ten truly magical books that involve witches of one sort or another. This collection takes us all across our own world as well as into other lands that touch upon ours. There are American witches and witches battling the Nazis in war-torn Europe. There are dark twists on fairy tales and witches in the wild west. There are witches who don't know they have the power or the sight until dire need comes upon them.
Thrillers, fantasy, romance, horror, mystery–there are books here to suit every taste.
The bundle also includes a newsletter bonus book!
Books in the Witchy BundleThe Tatterdemon Omnibus by Steve VernonHedge Witch by Simon KewinCoyote Cal by Milo James FowlerAcademia of the Beast by K.N. LeeThe Full Moon by David NethMuddy Waters by Sara O. ThompsonNine Candles of Deepest Black by Matthew S. CoxDarknight (The Witches of Cleopatra Hill Book 2) by Christine PopeWitch of the Cards by Catherine StineThe Gray Tower Trilogy by Alesha Escobar*Bonus Newsletter Novel: Darkangel (The Witches of Cleopatra Hill Book 1) by Christine Pope
Buy Now*The Witchy Bundle ends May 18*
If you're looking for this month's IWSG post, click here.I have turned off comments for this promotional post.

Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life Release #IWSG | May Goals | Bookworm News #specfic

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. May's co-hosts are Michelle Wallace, Nancy Gideon, Tamara Narayan, Liesbet @ Roaming About, and Feather Stone. Follow the other IWSG bloggers or sign up for the blog hop here.

First, thank you for your comments on my previous IWSG post! I've decided to be kinder to myself by focusing on 1-2 projects a day. Sometimes I still think I have to do ALL the projects NOW, but I know I do not.
May's optional question: What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story? Maps and map making. Creating a map for the Kingdom of Amora made me realize how much I needed one from the start. I plan to redo the maps I've drawn in hopes to make them even better. *crosses fingers*

May 2 was the release date of the next Insecure Writer's Support Group Anthology, Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life. As part of the first anthology, Parallels: Felix Was Here, I know how much of an honor it is to be a part of these anthologies. Congrats to the authors!
Can a lost hero find redemption?
What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?
Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.
Purchase in PrintAmazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-MillionPurchase the EbookAmazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Nook | iTunes | Kobo
Yeah, I totally did not accomplish all my April goals. I am currently caught up on helping my friend with her novella series and am waiting for her to finish the last novella so I can find out what happens. I've been working on editing the stories for the upcoming Untethered Realms' anthology Spirits in the Water. I am also almost finished with my outline of A Soul to Take (Soul Reaper #3) and have started the A-Z Glossary for the Soul Reaper series.
As for The Fate Challenges, I'm hoping to get back to editing it in June. Unfortunately that means the second edition of Reborn and the release of Determined and Marked won't be until July/August instead of May/June. Hopefully it won't take me longer than August to publish them.
So, for May, I've decided to keep my goals simple. My goals include:- Finish the outline for A Soul to Take. I've written 2-3 sentences for the last few chapters, but I want to expand upon them. So far the outline is over 13,000 words and I have four chapters left to outline.- Read through and create an A-Z Glossary for the Soul Reaper series. This will include A Soul to Save, A Soul to Kill, A Soul to Reap, and A Soul to Keep. Around 215,000 or so words to read through and write up the main things (names, dates, places, terms, etc.) so I can finish the series (A Soul to Take, A Soul to Give, and A Soul to Bare).- Edit anything my friend has coming my way for her novella series.- Edit the stories for Spirits in the Water. We have eleven short stories in this anthology, which will be released in October. So far I've edited two out of the eleven.
What are your May goals?
2017 Stats: 76,231 words written and 342,475 words edited

BOOK READRose Daughter by Robin McKinley
I still haven't written up any reviews lately. I must admit I'm a bit burned out with reviewing books in a more official capacity. As for Robin McKinley's Rose Daughter, I did really like this book--four stars! I read it because of Beauty and the Beast coming out in theaters in March. It has a different take on the "tale as old as time." McKinley has a beautiful way of writing, but I found the poetic prose sometimes got in the way of the action and slowed the pace. Beauty was charming, and I enjoyed the magic and world building.
SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKSRELEASING IN MAYFree Space by Sean DankerViolet Grenade by Victoria ScottOwl and the Electric Samurai by Kristi CharishAssassin’s Fate by Robin HobbHero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life by Various AuthorsStar Wars: Rebel Rising by Beth RevisDragon Bones by Jasmine Walt and Ines JohnsonDragon Teeth by Michael CrichtonThe Battlemage by Taran Matharu
When Smoke Rains Down by Cecelia Earl

Four Steps Forward, Two Steps Back #IWSG

The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. April's co-hosts are Christopher D. Votey, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Fundy Blue, and Chrys Fey. Visit the other IWSG bloggers here.

The "steps" I am alluding to in this post's title involve months. It's already April, and yet I'm already two months behind in my goals. I must admit it is making me question (almost) everything. If I complete half my goals this month, it'll be a miracle. So insecurity, I'm feeling it in spades this month.
April's IWSG question: Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results? I did use the A to Z Challenge one year to create a flash fiction book set in my fictional world of Foxwick and its neighbors. I've sold 30 copies of A to Z Flashes of Foxwick and have given away 2269 copies. Not bad for a collection less than 10,000 words.
As for my March goals, I pretty much still have everything left over from March to do in April. I did finish editing a friend's novel, and yesterday (April 4), I finished writing A Soul to Keep (Soul Reaper #2). The novel, my ninth completed one, came in just under 80,000 words.
Despite my April goals, I would do well if I could remember I'm not a full-time writer. I tend to forget that. So we'll just see what I can do this month.
Here is my to-do list for April:- Edit two novellas for a friend.- Edit Marked. This goal will contain a content edit, a line edit, and a Kindle proofread.- Edit Determined. This goal will contain a line edit and a Kindle proofread.- Outline A Soul to Take (Soul Reaper #3).- Create mock-up covers for Reborn, Determined, Marked, Forged, and Destined.- Read through and create a glossary for the Soul Reaper series. I have around 217,000 to read through so I can catch up where I'm heading in the series. I know I've gotten details wrong, so it's important not to make things worse. *sighs* Yes, I should have taken better notes all along. Next series, I promise.
I don't expect to get through that last goal this month, but we'll see.
2017 Stats: 61,770 words written and 275,965 words edited
In March, I read Alex J. Cavanaugh's CassaDawn short story. I really liked it. It's a fun read, although I would have liked a little more buildup surrounding Byron's conflict. I will write a proper review soon. I'm nearing the end of Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley. It has such beautiful descriptions, although I wished for more action. I've enjoyed how it plays off the Beauty and the Beast tale.
Have you seen the Beauty and the Beast movie? We went the Saturday after it premiered. It was magical.
SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKSRELEASING IN APRILToward a Secret Sky by Heather MacleanRed Sister by Mark LawrenceGauntlet by Holly JenningsThe Witchwood Crown by Tad WilliamsTyrant’s Throne by Sebastien de CastellSkullsworn by Brian StaveleyLong Black Veil by Jennifer Finney BoylanThe Castaways by Jessika FleckGlass Faerie by Rachel MorganDefy the Stars by Claudia GrayThe Breaking Light by Heather HansenTrue North by L.E. SterlingGiven to the Sea by Mindy McGinnisRescued by the Space Pirate by Nina CroftStolen by the Space Pirate by Nina CroftSaving the Space Pirate by Nina CroftStar Struck by Kalli LanfordFalling for the Billionaire Wolf and His Baby by Sasha SummersDrakon’s Prey by N.J. WaltersOnce Bitten by Heather McCorkleBrimstone by Cherie PriestLocked Tight by Susan Kaye Quinn

Looking Back to See Ahead #IWSG | March Goals | Bookworm News #SpecFic

The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. March's co-hosts are Tamara Narayan, Patsy Collins, M.J. Fifield, and Nicohle Christopherson. Please visit the other blogs participating in IWSG here.

First, thank you so much who commented last month. I'm still searching for images, but I have a clearer idea what I'd like to do for The Fate Challenges' covers.

March's Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

My answer is a big YES. Reborn is the first novel I wrote back in 2009. In 2012, I pulled it back out after writing three other novels and numerous other works. From November 2012-May 2014, I rewrote, edited, and published that book. In 2015 and 2016, I wrote the other stories to The Fate Challenges and am now editing them for publication in 2017-2018.

In January and February 2017, I've been doing a read-through/second edition of Reborn, and I've discovered I still stand by that story. It pulled me back in. Yes, I've found typos and errors. Yes, I've found 500 minor things to change about the writing, but while reading it, I fell back in love with the world and the characters. At times, I couldn't believe I'd written this--a real book. It was surreal. So, yes, I stand by pulling out those old stories and seeing what can be made of them. You might be surprised by how it all turns out.

I wish I could say I pulled off my February goals, but that would be one big lie. February was a hard month. First, I was assigned a HUGE project at work. True, that's what the day job pays me for, but it flared up my carpal tunnel and tendinitis and drained me mentally and physically. I wrote little, although I have finished through Chapter 30 of 38 in A Soul to Keep. Then, my grandfather died on February 14. He was my last grandparent, so it hit me harder than losing the other ones. It made it seem more real that they were all gone. I did manage to keep writing a bit, but editing fell apart. I only managed to finish my edit/read-through of Reborn.

So I have a LOT to do in March. My March goals include:
- Finish writing A Soul to Keep. Just eight chapters to go!
- Outline A Soul to Take (Soul Reaper #3).
- Continue my read-through and edits of The Fate Challenges. I'm hoping to make a pass or two of Determined and Marked.
- Edit a friend's novel.
- Edit a friend's novella.
- Edit "The Folding Point" that'll be published in Untethered Realms' Spirits in the Water anthology in October.
- Search for images and decide on a cover artist for The Fate Challenges.

Thankfully, I'm taking a few days off from the day job for my birthday (March 8). I hope to get some of these things crossed off my list then.

What are your March goals?

2017 Stats: 42,894 words written and 176,166 words edited
I only finished reading one book in February, which was Susan Kaye Quinn's Indie Author Survival Guide, which I do recommend and gave it five bookworms, but I haven't written up a review for it yet.

SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKSRELEASING IN MARCHEtched in Bone by Anne BishopFinding Jade by Mary Jennifer PayneThe Bone Witch by Rin ChupecoSpymaster by Margaret Weis and Robert KrammesShadow Hunted by Jasmine Walt and Rebecca HamiltonRedux by A.L. DavroeMIND: The Message by Jenn NixonTaming the Pack: Box Set by Wendy SparrowThe Black Lily by Juliette CrossExtracted by RR HaywoodFanning the Flames by Chris CannonScorched by Magic by Jasmine Walt

What Is in a Cover #IWSG | Bookworm News #SpecFic

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. February's co-hosts are Misha Gericke, LK Hill, Juneta Key, Christy, and Joylene Butler. Please visit the other participants!

Cover art has been an on-going insecurity I've had, but I must admit my anxiety over finding cover art for The Fate Challenges series has increased over the past month.
For Reborn, I hired an artist, Laura Sava, to illustrate the cover. I enjoyed working with Laura, but her business has grown and she's no longer taking commissions for cover art. Plus, I must admit I can't afford illustrated cover art for four more books (five, if I count a new cover for Reborn).
So I'm stuck with digital art, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Digital artists are like magicians. Taking a picture here, another picture there, and creating something altogether new. But The Fate Challenges is epic fantasy, geared toward young adults, and set in an alternate world similar to ancient Rome. Yssa wears some specific dresses too, which would be near impossible to find without a seamstress/fashion designer to create them. I can't afford photo shoots either. So I'm left with either symbols or finding a model, who is more symbolic of the Phoenix Prophetess.
What if what I imagine the covers to be doesn't exist? That's my biggest concern I'm addressing this month as I plan to scour photo sites to see what's out there. Wish me luck!
For epic fantasy, do you prefer cover art with symbolic images or ones with a person/people on it?
What's your insecurity this month?
February's question: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader? When I first started writing, I noticed I was often pulled from the story because of the simplest things. It's the whole peek behind the curtain thing, I suppose. You see what it takes to make a story, so when you read a story, you see more than the casual reader would. Through the years, I've found it to happen less and less as I've realized a lot of those nitpick things don't really matter as far as story goes. If I'm not enjoying the story, then I stop reading, which isn't something I would have done before I became a writer.
One thing that will still throw me out of a story, though, is bad formatting. With all the information out there on how to format an ebook as well as software (Jutoh, Vellum, Scrivener, etc.) to help a person as well as people who format books for a living, there's really no reason for badly formatted ebooks.
I did accomplish my January goals, although I'm two chapters behind where I'd hoped to be in A Soul to Keep.
The Fate Challenges edits/read-through/notes are going well. Determined, a bonus woodwose section set between chapters 24 and 25 in Reborn, is with my second critique partner. I'm on Part III in Reborn for edits/read-through/notes, and I should tackle Marked, a novella told from Liam's POV and set between the last chapter of Reborn and the first two chapters of Forged, this month. At the rate I'm going, I'm looking at publishing the second edition of Reborn as well as Determined (on my website only) and Marked in April. Of course, those plans depend on obtaining a cover artist in March. I also plan, for now, to publish only ebooks. Print books are harder to change after publication and the cover art usually costs more. I do plan for Reborn, Forged, and Destined to be in print, but I'll likely not publish the print versions until after Destined is published.
My February goals include:- Continue writing A Soul to Keep. I'd love to finish this novel by the end of this month.- Continue editing/notes of The Fate Challenges series. I will finish Reborn this month and likely get through another edit of Marked.- Peruse photo sites for potential cover art for The Fate Challenges.- Edit "The Folding Point," a short story which will be published in Untethered Realms' Spirits in the Water anthology.- Continue helping my critique partner with her nine-part novella series.
What are your goals for February?
2017 Stats: 27,341 words written and 120,865 words edited
BOOKS READDeep Current by Christine RainsUnreal Encounters by Milo James Fowler
BOOK REVIEWSDeep Current by Christine Rains Saskia Dorn longs for a good fight to take her mind off her grief and not having found a totem token yet, but what she had in mind didn't have anything to do with a sea hag asking for the impossible in Christine Rains' Deep Current. This novella is the sixth book in the amazing Totem series. Saskia still brings the snark, but the story delves deeper into who Saskia is and what she fears. While the fast-paced action keeps the story moving, I found the emotional side of the story to be where the real meat is. I love how Rains introduces readers to Inuit mythology, particularly the Salmon People. Deep Current by Christine Rains sets up what will likely be a hard and emotional fight for the totem tokens in the next three Totem books. I highly recommend this series!
Unreal Encounters by Milo James Fowler Unreal Encounters by Milo James Fowler has packed in a lot of great science fiction, horror, and the occasional humor in these forty short stories. This collection is perfect to read while on a lunch break or while exercising on a treadmill or elliptical. I enjoyed most of the stories, although there were at least two where I was a bit confused character-wise who was telling the story. Some of my favorite stories involved the Grey men. They had a very X-Files feel to them. The story with the man trapped in the hotel room also has stuck with me as well as the child cannibal. If you combined The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits with a dash of The X-Files, then you'll have Milo James Fowler's Unreal Encounters.
#SPECFIC BOOKS RELEASING IN FEBRUARYThe Remnant by William Michael DavidsonGilded Cage by Vic JamesDeep Current by Christine RainsThe Blue Moon Narthex by N.J. DonnerSomething like Voodoo by Rebecca HamiltonA Sigil in the Ash by Clara CoulsonIsland of Exiles by Erica CameronGuardian of Secrets by Brenda DrakeWith Blood Upon the Sand by Bradley P. BeaulieuWolf Moon by Lisa KesslerHis Fake Alien Fiancée by Patricia EimerThe Black Blade by Jeff ChapmanEmpress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

Show and Tell #IWSG | 2017 Goals | Bookworm News

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. January's co-hosts are Eva @ Lilicasplace, Crystal Collier, Sheena-kay Graham, Chemist Ken, LG Keltner, and Heather Gardner. For a list of other IWSG bloggers, click here.

January's question: What writing rule do you wish you'd never heard?
A couple years ago, I would say "Write every day," but I must admit I've found it helpful to write every day. So I guess I would go with "Show, not tell." Yes, it's a good rule. It is better to show when writing, but there are times when telling is not only good but necessary. The rule should be show and tell with examples of when which is better. Of course, some days I still am trying to figure out if I'm showing enough. *laughs*
So. Wow. We've made it to 2017.
My writing goal this year is to finish writing the Soul Reaper series. I'm currently writing book two, A Soul to Keep, and have three more books to go.
My editing goal this year is to edit The Fate Challenges and start to publish them. Reborn was published way back in 2014. I have a bonus woodwose section titled Determined, which is set between Chapters 24 and 25 in Reborn, that I plan to publish on my website. I also need to edit and publish Marked (#1.5, a novella told from Liam's POV), Forged (#2), and Destined (#3). Destined will need the most work, so I might not have the time to publish it before the end of this year, but I'm hoping to get Determined, Marked, and Forged out. *crosses fingers*
Speaking of edits, I plan to count the words I edit this year instead of by the page. My hope is this will give me a clearer sense of how many words I edit as words per page varies so much.
My reading goal continues to be 24 books a year. I read 35 books last year.
My January goals include:- Write for an hour a day in A Soul to Keep.- Edit for 30 minutes a day in The Fate Challenges. This goal will likely revolve around the polish/read-through notes/creating a glossary of Reborn and editing Determined.- Continue helping my friend with her nine-part novella series.
What are your goals for 2017?
2016 Stats: 348,203 words written and 2,213 pages edited
SPECULATIVE FICTION
BOOKS READShattered Spirit by Christine RainsThe Illusory Prophet by Susan Kaye QuinnStargate SG-1: Trial by Fire by Sabine C. BauerGhost Cat by Christine Rains
Raven by Rachel Morgan
SPECULATIVE FICTION
BOOK REVIEWSShattered Spirit by Christine Rains Ametta Dorn’s dream job of remodeling a Cremaschi comes with a ghost of a problem in Christine Rains’ Shattered Spirit. The fourth novella in the Totem series follows the youngest Dorn sister, a polar bear shifter. What I loved best was Ametta’s emotional growth and how she becomes closer to the handsome Kodiak shifter Lucky Osberg. Rains continues to expand the paranormal world she’s created and introduces readers to unusual mythological creatures such as the domovoi. Shattered Spirit by Christine Rains delves deeper into the characters’ lives while keeping the tension high as they continue their quest for the seven totem tokens.

The Illusory Prophet by Susan Kaye Quinn Elijah “Eli” Brighton needs to understand his powers before his next vision comes true in Susan Kaye Quinn’s The Illusory Prophet. As Eli falls deeper in love with Kamali, he can’t hide from the world falling apart around him and what that world expects of him. What I loved most about this book was Eli’s growth in his powers concerning the fugue. He is finally stepping up to his destiny, whether he wants to accept that destiny or not. I love how Quinn infuses science fiction with philosophical musings of the soul and reality. The twists at the end have left me craving the next book. A fast-paced story, The Illusory Prophet by Susan Kaye Quinn is a fantastic intellectual installment in her Singularity series that will excite science fiction fans.

Stargate SG-1: Trial by Fire by Sabine C. Bauer An archaeological discovery on Earth leads the SG-1 team to a new planet in Sabine C. Bauer’s Trial by Fire. This novel is set in the Stargate universe. Colonel Jack O’Neill, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter, and Teal’c become drawn into a conflict between the Tyreans and the Phrygians, especially when O’Neill and their archaeologist guest are kidnapped. The sarcasm found throughout the novel was entertaining. As someone who has studied ancient cultures, I loved seeing the rites of Mithras as well as all the Latin. O’Neill’s growth is particularly poignant, especially as he confronts what happened to him by the Goa’uld Ba’al. The downside to this novel was the rapidly changing point of views, which sometimes left me confused by who was telling the story at any particular moment. That said, I did enjoy Trial by Fire by Sabine C. Bauer and feel that Stargate SG-1 fans will enjoy reading about some of our favorite characters.

Ghost Cat by Christine Rains Kinley Dorn, a polar bear shifter, must heed the silent whispers if she’s going to find him in Christine Rains’ Ghost Cat. This fifth novella in the Totem series follows the middle Dorn sister. Kinley faces her growing insecurity over her relationship with Ransom Averill and the legacy her mother left behind. Several parts of the story tugged on my heart. Rains does an excellent job continuing the totem quest as well as introducing readers to Inuit legends such as about the ghost cat (a lynx) and the Urayuli (a bit similar to Bigfoot). I’m thoroughly enjoying Christine Rains’ Totem series, and Ghost Cat is a great continuation.

Raven by Rachel Morgan Raven Rosewood can’t wait to graduate as a clothes caster, but graduation day might be killer in Rachel Morgan’s Raven. This standalone novella takes place within Morgan’s fantastic Creepy Hollow series. Raven has grown up in high fae society, but as she is falling for her guard Flint, she questions the wealth around her and what type of person she wants to be. The mystery of who placed an explosion at school and tried to kill Raven amped up the tension. Raven by Rachel Morgan is a fast-paced, sometimes intense, and sweet coming-of-age tale.
SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKSRELEASING IN JANUARYThe Burning Page by Genevieve CogmanThe Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine ArdenThe Heart of What Was Lost by Tad WilliamsDeadlight Jack by Mark OnspaughShattered Spirit by Christine RainsGhost Cat by Christine RainsFangs and Fennel by Shannon MayerLittle Heaven by Nick CutterWhen Ash Rains Down by Cecelia EarlFreeks by Amanda HockingFreefall by M. PaxPressure Point by Adam QuinnFate of Perfection by K.F. BreeneDiffraction by Jess AnastasiGirl of Fire by Norma HinkensLock and Key by Clara CoulsonFrom the Ashes by Xen SandersDeath’s Mistress by Terry GoodkindThe Black Blade by Jeff Chapman
Frost Blood by Elly Blake
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston
There are a few more days left to have a chance to win one of two paperback copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here on Goodreads.
Goodreads Book Giveaway


Parallels
by L.G. Keltner

Giveaway ends January 07, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Parallel Universes and a Goodreads Giveaway

I hope everyone is having a good holiday. Today I'm over at the Parallels' blog talking about multiple worlds. I'm also hosting a Goodreads giveaway for a paperback copy of Parallels: Felix Was Here. Happy New Year!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway


Parallels
by L.G. Keltner

Giveaway ends January 07, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.


Enter Giveaway


Comments are turned off here since this is just an announcement post. I'll be back on this blog on January 4, 2017 for IWSG.

As Long as the World Keeps Turning, I'll Keep Writing #IWSG | Bookworm News

The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. December's co-hosts are Jennifer Hawes, Jen Chandler, Nick Wilford, Juneta Key, JH Moncrieff, Diane Burton, and MJ Fifield. Please visit the other blogs!

December's question: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what's your plan to get there?
Since the election, I must admit it's hard to imagine what the world will look like in five years, much less my writing career. The status quo is gone, but the world keeps on spinning, and I'll keep on writing. After all, writing is good for my equilibrium and gives me a way to make sense of the world and the people in it.
I do hope to keep publishing too.
Within five years, I'd like to have two author names established (Cherie Reich for YA+ Speculative Fiction and a pen name for adult urban fantasy). I'd like to increase my productivity so I can write at least 6+ novels a year (three books per author name per year). Since I've been writing every day since July 2015, I've been on track to writing 4+ novels a year, so writing more seems doable. I'm also reading books to help with outlining/plotting/character development and increasing my writing productivity (spreadsheets/timer/etc.).
For example, it's my hope to start publishing the rest of The Fate Challenges (Cherie Reich) in 2017 and start publishing Soul Reaper (Pen Name) in 2018. Before the end of 2018, I want to start publishing Cherie Reich's next series (most likely Folding the Future, set in my Paperist world). In 2019, I would publish Pen Name's next series and Cherie's next series, and so on and so forth.
The biggest obstacles to this plan are time and money.
I've done well with making the time for writing, but editing has fallen to the wayside more times than I care to admit. This coming year I hope to change that. Whether it means having a set amount of words/pages to edit a day/week or some other way to keep track, I need to edit my work if I hope to ever publish it.
The biggest costs to publishing I have are cover art and marketing (buying ads). Money, in some ways, is hard to come by even with a full-time job, but I've been putting some money aside to make an investment in my career and business in the coming year. I'll do what I can because I'll need to make money back on my books if I hope to continue publishing them, and the best ways to do those things are to have great covers, to write great books, and to keep publishing.
What are your insecurities this month?
I can't believe it's December already. Where has this year gone?
Last month I wrote nearly 15,000 words in outlines for books 2-5 in my Soul Reaper series. I finished writing A Soul to Reap (#1), which came in at a little over 79,000 words, and am on Chapter 5 of 38 in A Soul to Keep (#2). I continued to help my friend with editing her novella series, but I failed again to get any work done on The Fate Challenges.
My goals for December include:- Writing at least an hour a day in A Soul to Keep (Soul Reaper #2).- Editing, formatting, and proofreading my friend's novella series (#4-#6).- Reading through and making notes on Reborn. To save time, I'm not going to read through and write notes on The Fate Challenges series in its entirety before editing said series. I'll do it as I edit.
What are your goals for December?
2016 Stats: 332,302 words written and 2,109 pages edited
I'm in the process of reading five books. Unfortunately, I haven't finished reading any of them since last Bookworm News, so I have no reviews at this time.
SPECULATIVE FICTION BOOKSRELEASING IN DECEMBERFallen Ashes by T.F. WalshA Measure of Gloom by Nicole ZoltackMend by Elana JohnsonEver the Hunted by Erin SummerillX Dare and the Keys to Nin by PK HrezoDeceived by Magic by Jasmine WaltSan Francisco Wolf Pack Box Set by Kristin MillerDrakon’s Promise by N.J. WaltersShade Chaser by Clara Coulson

A.A. Charmberlynn's Huntress Found #fantasy #newadult #newrelease

From the author of the bestselling Zyan Star fantasy series comes a new world of magic...
Evryn’s got mad skills at playing hide and seek. She can find lost children, hack the most secure databases, pretty much anything. Except for the one thing she desires most: the knowledge of who her parents are, why they abandoned her, and what her special talent means about who and what she really is.
So, when a guy named Seeker appears quite literally out of nowhere, claiming to know about her past and offering her a job, Evryn can’t say yes fast enough. Even if it does mean following him to another realm. As in, mind-blowingly, not Earth. Apparently she’s part of an elite clan of Hunters descending from Artemis who can find just about anything in all of time and space. As the last of Artemis’ direct lineage, Evryn is her clan’s best shot at finding a lost city before rival clans do.
Not just any city, but the flying, realm-hopping city of Skye. Aboard Skye is the Artifex, a magical device with the power to create or destroy worlds. Everyone wants the device, and with Evryn’s super-powered lineage, it means everyone wants her, too. It’s hard to decide who she can trust, even within her own clan. After she discovers a strange, alluring connection to the Artifex, she’s not even sure she can trust herself. Worse yet, the only person who may be able to help her is the Timekeeper, the sadistic ancient being who created the Artifex. An interdimensional war is brewing, and Evryn is right at the epicenter of it all. 
Let the hunt begin.
Purchase for 99c!Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo
Add to Goodreads.
Title: Huntress FoundSeries: The Timekeeper’s War, Book OneAuthor: A.A. ChamberlynnRelease Day: 11/11/16Category: New AdultGenre: Contemporary Fantasy, Mythology Mashup with Sci-Fi and Steampunk
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She can find anything in all of time and space. Huntress Found is here! Enter the $50 #AmazonGiveaway: http://bit.ly/iMzJ1m
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A big congrats to Alexia!

Also, thank you all who served. Happy Veterans Day!
Comments are turned off for this post. I'll be back on December 7 for IWSG, and I apologize for not visiting/commenting more yet. I'm getting to it, but between the day job, being sick, and the Election, I haven't had the chance.