Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 101
March 7, 2013
Cover Reveal: The Chemistry of Fate by Meradeth Houston
Today I'm happy to share the cover of Meradeth Houston's latest novel, The Chemistry of Fate, due to release April 2013.
The chemistry between Ari and Tom is reactive, but a deadly secret in a family journal will tear them apart if they can’t avoid fate.
“They are everywhere, can be anyone, and are always the last person you’d expect.” When Tom stumbles across his grandfather’s journal, he’s convinced the old man was crazier than he thought. The book contains references to beings called the Sary, immortals who are assigned to save humans on the verge of suicide. They certainly aren’t allowed to fall in love with mortals. Which the journal claims Tom’s grandfather did, resulting in his expulsion from the Sary. As strange as the journal seems, Tom can’t get the stories out of his head; especially when he finds the photo of his grandfather’s wings. Tom’s only distraction is Ari, the girl he studies with for their chemistry class. Ari has one goal when she arrives in town: see how much Tom knows about the Sary and neutralize the situation. This isn’t a normal job, but protecting the secrecy of the Sary is vital. If Tom is a threat to exposing the Sary to the public, fate has a way of taking care of the situation, usually ending with the mortal’s death. While Ari spends time with Tom, he becomes more than just an assignment, but how far can a relationship go when she can’t tell him who she really is? When she finds out just how much Tom actually knows about the Sary, Ari is forced to choose between her wings, and her heart. THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE is a companion to COLORS LIKE MEMORIES and is set before the latter takes place.
What do you think?
The chemistry between Ari and Tom is reactive, but a deadly secret in a family journal will tear them apart if they can’t avoid fate.
“They are everywhere, can be anyone, and are always the last person you’d expect.” When Tom stumbles across his grandfather’s journal, he’s convinced the old man was crazier than he thought. The book contains references to beings called the Sary, immortals who are assigned to save humans on the verge of suicide. They certainly aren’t allowed to fall in love with mortals. Which the journal claims Tom’s grandfather did, resulting in his expulsion from the Sary. As strange as the journal seems, Tom can’t get the stories out of his head; especially when he finds the photo of his grandfather’s wings. Tom’s only distraction is Ari, the girl he studies with for their chemistry class. Ari has one goal when she arrives in town: see how much Tom knows about the Sary and neutralize the situation. This isn’t a normal job, but protecting the secrecy of the Sary is vital. If Tom is a threat to exposing the Sary to the public, fate has a way of taking care of the situation, usually ending with the mortal’s death. While Ari spends time with Tom, he becomes more than just an assignment, but how far can a relationship go when she can’t tell him who she really is? When she finds out just how much Tom actually knows about the Sary, Ari is forced to choose between her wings, and her heart. THE CHEMISTRY OF FATE is a companion to COLORS LIKE MEMORIES and is set before the latter takes place.
What do you think?
March 5, 2013
Sweets Blogfest
The Sweets Blogfest is here! Beth Fred and I are cohosting this blogfest all about sweets. Participants will be posting about all things sweet: favorite sweet literary couples, favorite sweet romances, favorite sweets (candy), and there's a giveaway!
I'm sharing two sweet romances, one by Beth and one by me. Beth is offering up a copy of her book, The Other Marlowe Girl and I'm offering up a copy of Love All, the first novella in the Game. Set. Match. Heartbreak series.
THE OTHER MARLOWE GIRL (Book 2 in The Marlowe Girls Series)
Summary:
When twenty-four-year-old dance school drop out Kammy Marlowe is evicted by her mother, she goes to her favorite hangout. She finds an unlikely friend in the blunt eye candy, Enrique. But Kammy knows there is no way she and Enrique have a shot because he's her brother-in-law’s brother and has been privy to her wild past.
Enrique swears he’s only interested in the person she is today, but their relationship is tested when her ex-husband's drug dealer attacks her, looking for money. With no options and a money hungry drug dealer on her back, Kammy accepts a position as a dancer at a strip club. But when Enrique shows up at the club, their relationship is over. With no reason to stay in Texas anymore, Kammy auditions for the Bolshevik Ballet and gets the opportunity to go to Russia. Only Enrique is determined to stop her.
Will she give up the chance of a lifetime to stay with the man she still loves?
ADVANTAGE: HEARTBREAK (Novella #2 in the Game. Set. Match. Heartbreak Series)
Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Meg Flannigan thought she’d made up her mind about love. But with two guys still vying for her attention, she wonders if she made the right decision. Ash is everything she’s ever wanted in a boyfriend: loyal, loving, and totally hot. But then there’s Noah: fun, sexy, and the more he sticks around, the more Meg wants him there.
What’s a girl to do?
Make up her mind, before it’s too late! Gorgeous freshman Liz has set her sights on Ash, and Noah is beginning to remind Meg of her last boyfriend—the one who broke her heart. Can she figure things out before she ruins not one, but two relationships? Or is she doomed to serve up heartbreak?
The giveaway will run from March 6th through 8pm (EST) on March 10th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And be sure to check out all the great blogs participating.
What's your favorite sweet?
March 3, 2013
Monday Mishmash 3/4/13
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Birthday Party Yesterday was my daughter's birthday party. Lots of fun.Sweets Blogfest The Sweets Blogfest is Wednesday, March 6. I'm looking forward to it. Be sure to stop back for a chance to win some sweet books.YALitChat Debut Author Chat I'm a guest on Wednesday's YALitChat Twitter chat at 9pm (EST). I hope you'll stop by to chat.Stalked by Death The release date for Stalked by Death was pushed back a few weeks to August 13, 2013, but you can now pre-order it on Amazon and B&N.Into the Fire is on Goodreads! My YA paranormal, Into the Fire, releasing spring 2014 through Month9Books is now up on Goodreads. Woo hoo! You can add it to your TBR list here. And here's the description for you:
Sixteen-year-old Cara Tillman, a descendant from the mythical phoenix bird, is nearing her rebirth where she will forget everything, including the love of her life, Logan, and attempts to embrace her last days with him even if it means drawing deadly phoenix hunters to her doorstep.
*My free monthly newsletter comes out at 5pm (EST) today. If you aren't signed up but would like to receive on, you can sign up here.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Birthday Party Yesterday was my daughter's birthday party. Lots of fun.Sweets Blogfest The Sweets Blogfest is Wednesday, March 6. I'm looking forward to it. Be sure to stop back for a chance to win some sweet books.YALitChat Debut Author Chat I'm a guest on Wednesday's YALitChat Twitter chat at 9pm (EST). I hope you'll stop by to chat.Stalked by Death The release date for Stalked by Death was pushed back a few weeks to August 13, 2013, but you can now pre-order it on Amazon and B&N.Into the Fire is on Goodreads! My YA paranormal, Into the Fire, releasing spring 2014 through Month9Books is now up on Goodreads. Woo hoo! You can add it to your TBR list here. And here's the description for you:
Sixteen-year-old Cara Tillman, a descendant from the mythical phoenix bird, is nearing her rebirth where she will forget everything, including the love of her life, Logan, and attempts to embrace her last days with him even if it means drawing deadly phoenix hunters to her doorstep.
*My free monthly newsletter comes out at 5pm (EST) today. If you aren't signed up but would like to receive on, you can sign up here.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
February 28, 2013
Writers Need Other Writers
One of the things I learned early on is that writers need other writers. Writing is a tough business. We face rejections on so many levels, whether it's from agents, editors, or readers. I've come to think that the only way to survive in this industry is by connecting with other writers.
I joined YALitChat, She Writes, the blue boards, and the Writer's Retreat. All online communities for writers. I also have a critique group, participate in twitter chats such as #YALitChat and #KidLitChat, and I recently joined Scene13, which is a group of writers with books coming out in 2013.
My discovery? Writers are the greatest people. We support each other. We cheer each other on. We're there to lend a shoulder. This is such an amazing community to be a part of. So I just want to say how thankful I am to be a writer and to have met so many other amazing writers over the past few years.
How has the writing community helped you?
I joined YALitChat, She Writes, the blue boards, and the Writer's Retreat. All online communities for writers. I also have a critique group, participate in twitter chats such as #YALitChat and #KidLitChat, and I recently joined Scene13, which is a group of writers with books coming out in 2013.
My discovery? Writers are the greatest people. We support each other. We cheer each other on. We're there to lend a shoulder. This is such an amazing community to be a part of. So I just want to say how thankful I am to be a writer and to have met so many other amazing writers over the past few years.
How has the writing community helped you?
February 26, 2013
Deciding Which Manuscript to Write Next
Lately I've been having the same problem. I'll get an idea for a new manuscript and as soon as I flesh it out, another one hits. Getting ideas is great. We couldn't write without them. But why do they have to come at the same time?
Last week, I fleshed out my plotting for a new YA novel and wrote 8,000 words of it. Then I had to stop to work on edits for my MG novel. I finished the edits and the manuscript is in the hands of 6 of my lovely CPs as we speak, so I thought I'd go back to working on my YA novel. Wrong. I woke up Sunday morning at 4am with another idea. An idea that I love.
The beginning of the book came to me so clearly, so I got up at 5:45 and starting writing it down. I had to because I didn't want to lose the MC's voice, which was so clear in my mind. And after writing that small section, I loved the idea even more.
So now the question remains, do I work on both novels at the same time, something I admit I'm not good at doing? Or do I let one novel take over and put the other aside?
What do you do when multiple ideas come at you at once?
Last week, I fleshed out my plotting for a new YA novel and wrote 8,000 words of it. Then I had to stop to work on edits for my MG novel. I finished the edits and the manuscript is in the hands of 6 of my lovely CPs as we speak, so I thought I'd go back to working on my YA novel. Wrong. I woke up Sunday morning at 4am with another idea. An idea that I love.
The beginning of the book came to me so clearly, so I got up at 5:45 and starting writing it down. I had to because I didn't want to lose the MC's voice, which was so clear in my mind. And after writing that small section, I loved the idea even more.
So now the question remains, do I work on both novels at the same time, something I admit I'm not good at doing? Or do I let one novel take over and put the other aside?
What do you do when multiple ideas come at you at once?
February 24, 2013
Monday Mishmash 2/25/13
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
My daughter's birthday! Tomorrow is my daughter's 6th birthday. How did that happen? She's getting so big.Scholastic Book Fair I'm working at my daughter's school all week to help the PTO out with the book fair. I'm going to have to write like the wind in the afternoons to make up for working in the mornings.New novel idea I woke up at 4am Sunday morning with yet another book idea. I'm currently doing edits on my MG novel and I'm drafting another YA already, too. I need to clone myself so I can get all this done.Warm Bodies I'm dying to see this movie. I'm reading the book right now and will be reviewing it soon.Sweets Blogfest There's still time to sign up for the Sweets Blogfest on March 6th. The rules are simple, just post the blogfest button and link to me and my co-host Beth Fred. Then write about your favorite sweet, favorite sweet couple, favorite sweet romance, or promote your own sweet romance. That's it! You can sign up below:
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
My daughter's birthday! Tomorrow is my daughter's 6th birthday. How did that happen? She's getting so big.Scholastic Book Fair I'm working at my daughter's school all week to help the PTO out with the book fair. I'm going to have to write like the wind in the afternoons to make up for working in the mornings.New novel idea I woke up at 4am Sunday morning with yet another book idea. I'm currently doing edits on my MG novel and I'm drafting another YA already, too. I need to clone myself so I can get all this done.Warm Bodies I'm dying to see this movie. I'm reading the book right now and will be reviewing it soon.Sweets Blogfest There's still time to sign up for the Sweets Blogfest on March 6th. The rules are simple, just post the blogfest button and link to me and my co-host Beth Fred. Then write about your favorite sweet, favorite sweet couple, favorite sweet romance, or promote your own sweet romance. That's it! You can sign up below:
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
February 21, 2013
Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick (Review)
Summary:
Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?
My thoughts:
I've been dying to read this book, yet I put it off because I didn't want this series to end. Hush, Hush is hands down my favorite YA series. I fell in love with Patch and Nora in book one and their relationship just gets stronger as the series progresses.
In Finale, Nora and Patch find themselves on opposite sides of a war, but if you've followed the series, you know they can overcome anything. Nora has to lead the Nephilim army in a war against fallen angels or she'll die since she swore an oath. Over the course of the book, she comes to side with the Nephilim, understanding that they are victims in this battle, and she truly wants to help them. Only she's hiding a big secret—or two. She killed their former leader and she's dating a fallen angel.
The twists in this book are amazing! As they were revealed, I thought, "I should've seen that coming!" But I didn't, which I love. I did predict something major that happened at the end, but I was okay with it because if it hadn't happened, it would've felt unrealistic to me.
I got teary when I finished the book because I don't want to say goodbye to Patch and Nora. This is definitely a series I'll read again and again.
Just for fun:
What's your favorite book about angels?
February 19, 2013
Bathrooms Make Great Settings
Yes, you read that correctly. I made a recent discovery that I like to set scenes in bathrooms. Why? Weird things happen to me in bathrooms. Weird things happen to my family members in bathrooms. So, it only seems natural that weird things would happen to my characters in bathrooms.
To be different, I'm sharing a video I made of me reading one of my favorite bathroom scenes in Touch of Death. Enjoy!
Do you have any weird settings that pop up often in your books?
To be different, I'm sharing a video I made of me reading one of my favorite bathroom scenes in Touch of Death. Enjoy!
Do you have any weird settings that pop up often in your books?
February 17, 2013
Monday Mishmash 2/18/13
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Presidents Day Happy Presidents Day! My daughter and husband are both home for the holiday.Taxes We're getting our taxes done this morning. I hate sitting through this, but the refund is always nice.New SUV We're picking up my husband's new Escape this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll like driving this better than his previous vehicle, which felt like a bus to me.New WIP Yes, I'm still plotting this book. I keep getting snippets of dialogue instead of an overall plot ARC. Very strange, but I'm very "go with the flow" when it comes to plotting.Love All Reading I decided to make a video of me reading the opening of Love All, my YA romance novella. If you haven't seen it, you can check it out below. And Love All is still only $1.29 on Kindle and Nook.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Presidents Day Happy Presidents Day! My daughter and husband are both home for the holiday.Taxes We're getting our taxes done this morning. I hate sitting through this, but the refund is always nice.New SUV We're picking up my husband's new Escape this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll like driving this better than his previous vehicle, which felt like a bus to me.New WIP Yes, I'm still plotting this book. I keep getting snippets of dialogue instead of an overall plot ARC. Very strange, but I'm very "go with the flow" when it comes to plotting.Love All Reading I decided to make a video of me reading the opening of Love All, my YA romance novella. If you haven't seen it, you can check it out below. And Love All is still only $1.29 on Kindle and Nook.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
February 14, 2013
Meet Shannon Duffy
Hi, everyone! I'm really excited today because I have Shannon Duffy with me. She's my publishing house sister, a great friend, and the author of the middle grade novel Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta, which released yesterday from Month9Books.
First, here's the synopsis and my review of Gabriel:
Synopsis:
Gabriel Stone is a twelve-year-old boy still reeling from the unsolved disappearance of his mother. With a dad who’s hard to relate to, and mounting pressures at school, Gabriel lets off steam by hiking in the place where his mother was last seen. There, Gabe and friends find a crystal that proves not only beautiful, but magical beyond their wildest dreams. Only, magic and beauty come with a price: in order to return home, they must save the dying world of Valta.
My thoughts:
Gabriel is a very likable character that made me feel for him right from the start. And his two best friends, Piper and Brent are so much fun, especially with the way they bicker with each other. Gabriel is desperate to find out what happened to his mother, but instead he finds a whole other world, a world that is going to die unless Gabriel can find the divinities and save them all.
The creatures Duffy cooked up in the book are amazing. I mean look at the flying tiger on the cover! I also loved that everything in Valta is the opposite of Gabriel's world, which makes navigating a little... backwards. The three friends meet a great cast of characters on their journey and they learn a lot about themselves on the way.
This is a great adventure with characters you'll want to read more about, and you can in the rest of the series.
Please welcome, Shannon Duffy!
Hi, Shannon! Okay, I have to ask, of all the great creatures in Valta, who's your favorite?
That's soooo tough to answer! Of course I love Gabriel cause he's based on my son. And Brent is based on my awesome newphew so love him too. Loove Piper's spunk. But I have to say I really do love Finley the monkey. He's just so cute and sweet that I wish I could get some magic dust to make him real and bring him home with me. hehe
I know your son's name is Gabriel. How similar is he to the Gabriel in your book?
I have to say a lot. My son will kill me for saying this, but he is the same with the horror movies. He's so interested to watch them, but when it gets dark he wants to then sleep in my room. I don't let him watch them anymore....and he does sleep with a nightlight, but hey, so do I. LOL And my Gabe is based on the Gabe in the book as far as looks too, and he has a strong, leader type personality I'd say. So, yeah, he's a lot like Gabriel in the book. :)
Which of your characters would you not want to meet in a dark alley?
Duke Malgor for one. He is just pure evil and doesn't care who he has to step on to get what he wants.
Can you tell us anything about the second book in the series?
Well you can expect Gabriel, Brent, and Piper to return to Valta to go on another different, but very important (and dangerous) quest. You'll see the return of some familiar characters and be introduced to some new cool ones, too.
Just for fun:
Favorite animal: Dogs--I have three.
Best comfort food: Hmmm French Fries.
Superpower you wish you had: To heal people.
Thanks for coming by today, Shannon!
Thanks so much, Kelly for inviting me to your blog today!~Shannon
Shannon Duffy grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and son, Gabriel. She’s mom to one boy, and several pets. Shannon loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions: shopping. Shannon Duffy is available for quotes, signings, video or podcast appearances, and all opportunities relative to GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA. GABRIEL STONE AND THE WRATH OF THE SOLARIAN, Book 2 in the Gabriel Stone series will be available from Month9Books in February 2014!
ABOUT MONTH9BOOKS:Month 9 Books is a publisher of speculative fiction for teens and tweens… where nothing is as it seems. Month9Books will donate proceeds from each of its annual charity anthologies to a deserving charity. Individually, authors may donate his or her advances and royalties to a charitable organization. Month9Books will also release 10-12 non-charitable titles annually.GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA is Month9Books’s first Middle Grade release. Month9Books is distributed by Small Press United, a division of IPG. You may visit www.month9books.com for more information.Goodreads GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15841297-gabriel-stone-and-the-divinity-of-valta
Goodreads SHANNON DUFFY: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3873156.Shannon_Duffy
Shannon Duffy Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShannonDuffyLit
Shannon Duffy Website: http://www.shannonduffylit.com/
Goodreads Month9Books: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/67761-month9books
Month9Books Blogger Central: http://month9booksblog.com/?page_id=477
Month9Books Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/month9books
Month9Books Twitter: http://twitter.com/Month9Books
Month9Books Publishing Website: http://www.Month9Books.com Feel free to leave a comment for Shannon or answer my "Just for fun" questions.
First, here's the synopsis and my review of Gabriel:
Synopsis:
Gabriel Stone is a twelve-year-old boy still reeling from the unsolved disappearance of his mother. With a dad who’s hard to relate to, and mounting pressures at school, Gabriel lets off steam by hiking in the place where his mother was last seen. There, Gabe and friends find a crystal that proves not only beautiful, but magical beyond their wildest dreams. Only, magic and beauty come with a price: in order to return home, they must save the dying world of Valta.
My thoughts:
Gabriel is a very likable character that made me feel for him right from the start. And his two best friends, Piper and Brent are so much fun, especially with the way they bicker with each other. Gabriel is desperate to find out what happened to his mother, but instead he finds a whole other world, a world that is going to die unless Gabriel can find the divinities and save them all.
The creatures Duffy cooked up in the book are amazing. I mean look at the flying tiger on the cover! I also loved that everything in Valta is the opposite of Gabriel's world, which makes navigating a little... backwards. The three friends meet a great cast of characters on their journey and they learn a lot about themselves on the way.
This is a great adventure with characters you'll want to read more about, and you can in the rest of the series.
Please welcome, Shannon Duffy!
Hi, Shannon! Okay, I have to ask, of all the great creatures in Valta, who's your favorite?
That's soooo tough to answer! Of course I love Gabriel cause he's based on my son. And Brent is based on my awesome newphew so love him too. Loove Piper's spunk. But I have to say I really do love Finley the monkey. He's just so cute and sweet that I wish I could get some magic dust to make him real and bring him home with me. hehe
I know your son's name is Gabriel. How similar is he to the Gabriel in your book?
I have to say a lot. My son will kill me for saying this, but he is the same with the horror movies. He's so interested to watch them, but when it gets dark he wants to then sleep in my room. I don't let him watch them anymore....and he does sleep with a nightlight, but hey, so do I. LOL And my Gabe is based on the Gabe in the book as far as looks too, and he has a strong, leader type personality I'd say. So, yeah, he's a lot like Gabriel in the book. :)
Which of your characters would you not want to meet in a dark alley?
Duke Malgor for one. He is just pure evil and doesn't care who he has to step on to get what he wants.
Can you tell us anything about the second book in the series?
Well you can expect Gabriel, Brent, and Piper to return to Valta to go on another different, but very important (and dangerous) quest. You'll see the return of some familiar characters and be introduced to some new cool ones, too.
Just for fun:
Favorite animal: Dogs--I have three.
Best comfort food: Hmmm French Fries.
Superpower you wish you had: To heal people.
Thanks for coming by today, Shannon!
Thanks so much, Kelly for inviting me to your blog today!~Shannon
Shannon Duffy grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and son, Gabriel. She’s mom to one boy, and several pets. Shannon loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions: shopping. Shannon Duffy is available for quotes, signings, video or podcast appearances, and all opportunities relative to GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA. GABRIEL STONE AND THE WRATH OF THE SOLARIAN, Book 2 in the Gabriel Stone series will be available from Month9Books in February 2014!
ABOUT MONTH9BOOKS:Month 9 Books is a publisher of speculative fiction for teens and tweens… where nothing is as it seems. Month9Books will donate proceeds from each of its annual charity anthologies to a deserving charity. Individually, authors may donate his or her advances and royalties to a charitable organization. Month9Books will also release 10-12 non-charitable titles annually.GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA is Month9Books’s first Middle Grade release. Month9Books is distributed by Small Press United, a division of IPG. You may visit www.month9books.com for more information.Goodreads GABRIEL STONE AND THE DIVINITY OF VALTA: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15841297-gabriel-stone-and-the-divinity-of-valta
Goodreads SHANNON DUFFY: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3873156.Shannon_Duffy
Shannon Duffy Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShannonDuffyLit
Shannon Duffy Website: http://www.shannonduffylit.com/
Goodreads Month9Books: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/67761-month9books
Month9Books Blogger Central: http://month9booksblog.com/?page_id=477
Month9Books Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/month9books
Month9Books Twitter: http://twitter.com/Month9Books
Month9Books Publishing Website: http://www.Month9Books.com Feel free to leave a comment for Shannon or answer my "Just for fun" questions.
