Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 86

Monday Mishmash 2/17/14

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
1. The Monster Within  I got to proof the galley (in .pdf form) for The Monster Within. It looks beautiful and I can't wait to hold it in my hands soon.2. BEA  I'll be signing with two publishers at BEA this year. I can't tell you how happy this makes me. :)3. Author Events  I have two events booked for April, and I'm working on a fall tour with another author. So exciting!4. Revise, Edit, Draft, Repeat!  I'm so busy right now. I'm revising one of my own books, editing for a client, and plotting a book I need to draft.5. Challenging Destiny Cover Reveal  My fellow Darkly Delicious YA author, Cherie Colyer has a new book coming out this spring with Wild Rose Press. Check out Challenging Destiny!
Being Chosen is a terrible thing when there's no one you can trust.  Logan Ragsdale and his younger sister, Ariana, have been marked, chosen to be unwilling participants in a war between angels and demons. Logan can sense something's not quite right. Like an unexpected chill on a summer's day, he can feel the unseen closing in. He's had these feelings before and, each time, someone close to him died. He's afraid this time it might just be Ariana. Logan's fears are soon confirmed when he discovers their new friends aren't human, but rather representatives from Heaven and Hell sent to Earth to ensure he and Ariana accept their roles in an ancient prophecy. Demons want Logan to open the gates of Hell. Ariana has the power to stop them, but if she chooses to side with Heaven to spare the lives of thousands of innocent people, she'll damn her brother for eternity. Together, they must derail the biblical event if they hope to save themselves and the future of mankind...but what price are they willing to pay to keep the other safe?


That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

Friday Feature: Kindar's Cure by Michelle Hauck

Today I have my agency sister, Michelle Hauck, with her most recent release, Kindar's Cure. Check it out.
Princess Kindar of Anost dreams of playing the hero and succeeding to her mother’s throne. But dreams are for fools. Reality involves two healthy sisters and a wasting disease of suffocating cough that’s killing her by inches. When her elder sister is murdered, the blame falls on Kindar, putting her head on the chopping block.

No one who survives eighteen years of choke lung lacks determination. A novice wizard, Maladonis Bin, approaches with a vision—a cure in a barren land of volcanic fumes. As choices go, a charming bootlicker that trips over his own feet isn’t the best option, but beggars can’t be choosers. Kindar escapes with Mal and several longtime attendants only to have her eyes opened that her country faces dark times. 

Her mother’s decision to close the prosperous mines spurs poverty and joblessness, inciting rebellion and opening Anost to foreign invasion. As Mal urges her toward a cure that will prove his visions, suddenly, an ally turns traitor, delivering Kindar to a rebel army, who have their own plans for a sickly princess.

With the killer poised to strike again, the rebels bearing down, and the country falling apart, she must weigh her personal hunt for a cure against saving her people.
Excerpt:

“Princess Kindar, Her Majesty will see you,” a chamberlain barked from her mother’s bedchamber. Kindar strode forward alone. As the door closed after her, she sank into a deep curtsey before moving forward to the center of the room. Empress Eugenie Stefanous sat before a large mirror, clothed in her undergarments. Seventeen when her first daughter was born, the empress was still young, her belly and hips pleasantly rounded. Her auburn hair fell in a thick mass of long curls around a delicately painted face.After bearing three daughters, Empress Eugenie had retired her husband, not wanting to ruin the fortunate omen with another child. Now she confined herself to her own amores. The empress’ two current favorites lounged on a chaise. Young enough to be her children, they sported more paint than their mistress. Kindar pushed down irritation that these wretches sat while she must stand. Behind her mother, the First Minister Hayden wore a military uniform which had never seen a day’s fight. He held a sheaf of papers from which to report his latest information. Information his extensive team of spies provided. “… and the disposition of the Cushwair rebels remains unchanged.” Minister Hayden cut off as he saw her, stooping to whisper into her mother’s ear. Eugenie lifted her eyes to Kindar’s reflection in the mirror. “I hear your humours are clean this morning, Daughter.”Suddenly, answers clicked in Kindar’s mind. The physician had been suggested by Minister Hayden as punishment for failing to show him favor. Kindar narrowed her eyes. From such men as this, her mother sought the advice that would dictate her children’s futures. But this meant her mother might be well-disposed toward her. Her optimism grew to a painful intensity. After all, Eugenie needed all three daughters to give weight to the omen. Kindar curtseyed again. “Yes, Majesty.”“Strange.” The empress turned her eyes from contemplating her own face in the mirror to favor her daughter with a glance. “Your humours are seldom clean.”“It is more auspicious for the wedding, Majesty, if I’m not bled.”“Perhaps.” Empress Eugenie set down a thick rope of diamonds and picked up a necklace of pearls. “That gown doesn’t suit you. You look like a scrawny washed-out rabbit. Why did I ever choose it? Never mind, I suppose it will do for you. I have made a decision about your future.” The minister bowed, looking suitably impressed.“Yes, Majesty.” Kindar waited with a fluttering heart. The throne could not belong to an unmarried woman; the law made that clear. In addition to making her a legitimate heir, a betrothal would give her certain freedoms, such as the end of these painful morning visits. Even if she did not care for the peer chosen by her mother, a betrothal would give her status. She would be higher than Ceria, instead of equal, and able to overrule her actions.

Want to read more? Kindar’s Cure on Amazon PaperbackKindar’s Cure on Amazon EbookKindar’s Cure on Amazon UKKindar’s Cure on Barnes and Noble Kindar’s Cure at The Book Depository
About Michelle:

Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two teenagers. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.

She is a co-host of the yearly query contests Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow. Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, was published by Divertir Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, was published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She’s represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.
Find Michelle online:Twitter: @Michelle4LaughsBlog: Michelle4Laughs: It’s in the DetailsFacebook: Michelle Hauck, Author Goodreads: Kindar’s Cure

Writer Wednesday: Street Team Voting Time

Thank you to everyone who signed up for my Street Team and/or made a suggestion for the name. I really appreciate all the help. If you haven't signed up yet but would like to, you can do so here. 
Now, on to the name. Here's a list of my favorite names that people came up with. Help me decide by voting for your favorite. And...if you can think of something better, enter it in the "other" choice and type your proposed name.
Loading... 
One last question for you to answer in the comments. What should I do to thank my Street Team members for signing up? Host a giveaway just for them? Shower them with SWAG? Dedicate my next book to them? I'm open to suggestions. 

Monday Mishmash 2/10/14

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
1. Blog Blitz  You may have noticed about a month ago that one of my blog posts received over 200 comments. The reason for that is because I belong to a Blog Blitz group. Every once in a while we pick a member and blitz his/her blog. It's a lot of fun. If you want to join us, you can sign up here. 2. SWAG  I'm in the process of coming up with SWAG for The Monster Within, which releases June 17 through Spencer Hill Press. I'll be bringing a bunch to BEA to give away.   3. Street Team  If you missed my post last Wednesday, I'm looking for people to join my Street Team. There will be two levels of members, those who are all in and those who will help when and how they can. If you are interested, sign up here.4.  Name My Street Team and Win a Book!  I'm looking for a name for my Street Team, one that will encompass all my books and not just the Touch of Death series. The person who comes up with the best name will win a signed copy of one of my books. To enter, just leave the name you come up with for my Street Team in the comments below.5.  YA/NA I Heart SWAG Giveaway Hop  I'm participating in the I Heart SWAG Giveaway Hop. One winner will get SWAG from the Touch of Death series, which includes signed bookmarks, stickers, and a button. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below, and don't forget to check out the other participating blogs here. This giveaway is for U.S. only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

Friday Feature: Speak of the Devil by Shawna Romkey

What happens when falling in love and falling from grace collide?
After dying in a car accident with her two best friends, Lily miraculously awakens to grief and guilt. She escapes to her dad’s to come to terms with the event and meets some people at her new school who seem all too eager to help her heal. Sliding deeper into sorrow and trying to fight her feelings for two of them, she finds out who…what they really are and that they are falling too.
Can she find the strength to move on from the past, reconcile her feelings for Luc, find a way to stop a divine war with fallen angels, and still pass the eleventh grade?

Excerpt:Rain fell, not uncommon for late spring in Missouri. “If you don’t like the weather here,” my grandfather would say, “wait five minutes.” Of course, I’d visited distant relatives in Maine once before, and they said the same thing.
Julie fumbled with the wipers while I pulled the sun visor down to check my face in its little rectangular mirror, even though I’d only left my vanity like five minutes ago. The lights on either side lit up the interior of the car. I reached into my tiny party purse to find my lip gloss, which was easy to locate since I’d only packed the essentials in my bag: phone, some cash, and make-up. As I glanced at myself, I saw Mike in the reflection, smiling at me from the back seat. I stuck my tongue out at him, making him laugh, and put on the lip-gloss, fully aware of how flirty I acted.
The windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the sudden downpour. The pitter-patter turned to thumping. Hail came down in gumball-sized pellets. “Damn.” Julie jerked the steering wheel to keep The Whale off the curb.
“Slow down, Jules.” Mike gripped Julie’s headrest. “We can pull over until it passes.”
“Yeah.” She squinted to see the road before her.
I pressed my lips together to smooth out the gloss. “Damn is right. I didn’t bring a jacket.”
The Whale swerved to the right crunching along the gravel on the side of the road. I braced myself in my seat. Julie leaned up to the steering wheel and peered over it as my grandmother sometimes did when she drove. I squinted because of the stupid light up visor mirror. I slammed it shut, but Julie panicked and over corrected, pulling The Whale to the left and careening over the yellow dotted line in the middle of the street.
“Julie!” Mike shouted.
Time slowed and ticked out in heartbeats.
Ba bum.
Julie cringed, her hands moving up to shield her face. Her head turned away from the highway.
Ba bum.
Mike reached protectively from the back seat.
Ba bum.
The headlights illuminated the rail of the overpass.
Ba bum.
The car hit the rail on the opposite side of the road with a hard thud.
Ba bum.
Crap. We’re going over the bridge.
Ba bum.
The Whale’s nose pointed down toward the water.
Ba bum.
A jolt forward and my forehead slammed into the dashboard.
Ba bum.
The Whale flipped in the air. I’m upside down.
Ba bum.
Pain.
Ba bum.
Did my mom say good-bye when I left?
Ba bum.
Cold water rushed into the car.
Ba bum.
Is this it?
Ba bum.
I can’t breathe. Oh my God, I can’t breathe. I can’t see or breathe!
My heart quickened. It pounded. The Whale leaned on its side under the surface of the water which rushed in fast, and I couldn’t see a damn thing.
Calm, stay calm. Don’t panic. They say when you’re drowning not to panic because you use up your air faster.
Dammit, am I drowning?
I tried to get myself upright and jerked out of my seatbelt. Luckily, it gave way. I fought the latch to open the door facing up, but the pressure of the water from Black Water River held it closed, trapping me inside.
Jesus. I know this river. It’s more of a creek. It can’t be more than fifteen feet across and ten feet deep.
I pushed at the door. Opening my mouth to scream, I swallowed water.
I couldn’t see or hear Julie or Mike. My watch ticked. Or was it my heart beating?
Ba bum. Ba bum. Ba bum.
Darkness.
Silence.
Cold.
Wet.
Defying gravity.
Nothing.
The dreams came. Like a good sleep you don’t want to wake up from. I felt heavy and floaty. I wore this long white gauzy gown and the wind blew my dress and my hair like in some feminine hygiene commercial. I could breathe slowly and deeply. Completely relaxed and at peace, but I was alone.
I floated along in a white space for a while. Drifting. Breathing. Relaxing. Had I gone to a spa? After an immeasurable amount of time, others appeared. They wore white clothing, too, and they floated like me, reaching out. They opened their arms as if to welcome me to them.
I stopped and frowned. I heard no sound, and I didn’t know who these white floaty people were or why they welcomed me. They smiled, genuinely happy, and held their arms out to me. I panicked.
Where’s my mom? My family? Wait, Mike and Julie were just with me, where are they? Are those wings?
I noticed the others floating with me had white feathery wings.
“Lily,” one of them called out.
Holy hell. I’m dead.

Shawna grew up around farms in the heart of Missouri but went to the University of Kansas, was raised in the US but now lives on the ocean in Nova Scotia with her husband, two sons, two rescue dogs and one overgrown puppy from hell. She’s a non-conformist who follows her heart.
She has her BA in creative writing from the University of Kansas where one of her plays was chosen by her creative writing professor to be produced locally, and two of her short stories were published in a university creative arts handbook.  She earned her MA in English from Central Missouri State University where she wrote a novel as her thesis.She’s taught English at the university and secondary levels for close to twenty years and can’t quite fathom how all of her students have grown up, yet she’s managed to stay the same.  She’s a huge geek and fan of Xena, Buffy and all kick ass women, and loves to write stories that have strong female characters.
Shawna’s debut novel was just released and is a YA Paranormal Romance called Speak of the Devil.
Website  | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
Amazon Print | Amazon eBook

Barnes & Noble Print
What do you think?

Writer Wednesday: Street Teams

For some time now, I've been tossing around the idea of starting a street team. When Touch of Death first came out, I had people ask me if I was going to create a street team. To be honest, I didn't even know what that meant. But after seeing how many authors rely on their street teams to help get the word out, I decided I should probably create one.
So today I need a favor. I need help naming my street team. I want a name that will encompass all my books, so it can't be anything zombie or necromancer related because only the Touch of Death series has those kinds of characters. I'd love something paranormal or fantasy related though. What's in it for you? Well, if I choose the name you came up with (and leave in the comments for me), I will gift you a copy of any one of my books. 
I'm also looking for people who are interested in being part of my yet-to-be-named street team. Street team members will be asked to participate in cover reveals, book blasts (with ready html posts I'll provide for you), passing out SWAG to local libraries, and general spreading the word via Facebook and Twitter. Do you have to do all of that? No. I'll have two tiers of street team members. Members who want to do it all and members who will participate when and how they can. If that's you, sign up below. If you aren't interested but know someone who might be, please pass this on.
Loading...
So, what should I name my street team? Leave your answer in the comments to be entered to win a copy of one of my books.

Monday Mishmash 2/3/14

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:Face of Death Giveaway  There are still two days left to enter to win a signed paperback of my latest book, Face of Death (Touch of Death #3). Enter here.Scholastic Book Fair  I spent way too much money at the book fair at my daughter's school last week, but Ayla was excited to get a bunch of new novels to read so I'm happy.Into the Fire edits  I'm finishing up final edits on Into the Fire this week. Free Monthly Newsletter  My monthly newsletter goes out at 5pm EST today. If you aren't signed up but would like to receive one, click here.Zombie Party Pics!  As promised, here are some pictures from the zombie party for the release of Face of Death. Chocolate blood fountain—how awesome is that?
The Spencer Hill Press/ Spence City mini cakes were to die for!
Looks yummy, right?
Yes, people wanted to eat the plastic eyeballs. The sign was totally necessary.
Kate Kaynak, Trisha Wooldridge, Me (holding a copy of Face of Death), Marie Romero, & Vikki Ciaffone
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

Friday Feature: PODS by Michelle Picket

Summary:Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.
My thoughts:I couldn't help but feel for Eva when she has to leave her family to die, knowing she's been chosen to survive. And I liked that when Eva does go to the PODs things are tough. First she has to go through a quarantine period, which isn't pleasant and weeds out others who were chosen but who carry the virus. Eva is basically losing everyone she gets close to.
Life inside the PODs isn't great either. The crew Eva is stuck with for the year is made up of very different characters. You have your token jerk who everyone would like to see leave, the hot guy Eva says she doesn't want to get involved with but can't help falling for, the pregnant girl whose baby will need to be delivered inside the POD by Eva and the others, a girl who barely speaks English, and so on. I loved the diversity.
The story really got good when things began to go really wrong. PODs are shutting down, and then they are freed, but instead of being free, they have to live in these communities where their lives are dictated to them. Eva and David are split up and she's forced to be a teacher, the one profession she said she didn't want. 
I won't give spoilers, but Eva won't stay away from David, and he won't stay away from her. That's where I really got into this story because life on the outside is full of monsters, and we all know I love that. :)
This is a fun read for anyone who likes dystopian novels.

Writer Wednesday: Face of Death Release Week Giveaway

Release day or release week is always an exciting time for a writer—even though it's common for places like Amazon and B&N to ship your books before your official release day. ;) Yesterday was the release day for Face of Death, the final installment of the Touch of Death series. So of course I celebrated. And since this is my release week, I have a giveaway for you.
What can you win? How about a signed copy of Face of Death and signed bookmarks?
Face of Death sports my awesome blurb from Jennifer Armentrout. :)
And look at Hades on the back cover! *drool* He makes evil sexy.


Enter by filling out the rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open internationally and will end next Wednesday, 2/5/14 at midnight. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Mishmash 1/27/14

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:Passing of my dog  My 13-year-old German shepherd, Sage, passed away yesterday. She was the best dog you could ask for, so we're all very sad in the Hashway household. We'll miss her dearly.Face of Death  Technically, my release date is tomorrow, but all the online retailers began shipping Face of Death on the 21st, so my baby is already out there in the world. Still, I'll be celebrating on Tuesday. This might be my favorite book in the series.Scholastic Book Fair  This week I'm helping the PTO at my daughter's school with the Scholastic Book Fair. Looks like I'll be buying lots of books.Edits  I'm working on Into the Fire edits this week. And speaking of, there are a few Phoenix books coming out this year. Mine will be among them.Breathe For Me Cover Reveal  Last week was the reveal for a new Spencer Hill Press book by Rhonda Helms. Check it out.
Isabel’s been cursed since the Middle Ages.Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, she made a hasty bargain with a demon, asking for liberation from an oppressive husband-to-be and the excitement of travel. But the demon’s “gift” came at a steep cost. Each time he moves her to a new city, her memory’s wiped. No one can touch her bare skin without injury or even death. And she sees the lifespan of every living being (and is, in fact, immortal herself).All a constant reminder that she’s different than other teen girls.But New Orleans seems to accept her as she is. She has friends and a real life in this quirky, hot city. Then Isabel meets Dominic, whose deep soul and strong character draw her to him. Her growing love gives her the courage to confront the demon, insisting the curse be broken. But the demon’s price for freedom is much, much higher than she could possibly give.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?