Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 89

Monday Mishmash 12/9/13

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
1. Blog Blitz  Last Friday, my blog was blitzed by the amazing group DL Hammons set up. The group heard that my agency closed and that I'm in the query trenches again, and they decided to stop by and cheer me up as well as wish me luck. I was truly touched by the amount of comments. All 200+ of them. You all made my day.
2. My Birthday  Yesterday was my birthday. I didn't like the getting older part, but I did enjoy the day with my husband and daughter. I also got some great gifts, including an awesome new purse. And my daughter had a birthday party to attend for one of her friends, so I helped out with that as well.
3. Spencer Hill Press Holiday Giveaway  The very awesome Judy Spelbring is hosting the Spencer Hill Press Holiday Giveaway again this year. There are tons of prizes to win. I've donated money to a gift card and I'm giving away a signed copy of Stalked by Death. Make sure you enter.a Rafflecopter giveaway

4. Querying  I didn't do this last time I queried, but I'm going to share my progress this time around. I have a few fulls and partials out right now, so I've got all my fingers crossed that I might get the best Christmas present ever this year. The top item on my list is an offer for representation.
5. Meant For You by Faith Sullivan  Faith newest release comes out tomorrow. It's NA and it's HOT! Here's my review:
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC and let me say it is one HOT book! Seriously hot! I'm talking the hottest book I've ever read. The book opens with a very steamy scene and there are plenty more to follow throughout the book. Ivy and Eric are the couple you can't help but root for. Eric's past left him pretty much broken before he met Ivy, and now she's his second chance at happiness. Ivy's had plenty of struggles too, especially recently. So to see these two connect on such an emotional and intimate level is amazing.


But even though they are expecting a child together and are unable to keep their hands off each other, they have more than their share of problems. Ivy has been forced into a situation where she has to help her enemy, Lauren, from book one. I hate Lauren even more in this installment. She preys on Ivy's delicate situation and forces Ivy to write a script that will possibly destroy Eric and the relationship Ivy has with him.And it wouldn't be a Faith Sullivan novel if there wasn't a big twist at the end. As usual, I didn't see it coming but as soon as it happened, I thought, I should've guessed! Sullivan is so good at keeping me guessing and making me eagerly anticipate her next book. Looking forward to book three to see what's in store for Ivy and Eric.

And I loved the book so much, I'm giving a copy away! Just fill out the rafflecopter below.a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Friday Feature: Mikki Sadil's The Freedom Thief

Shortly before the Civil War exploded in the South, thirteen year-old Ben McKenna is fighting his own war against slavery. He and his family live on his grandmother’s hemp plantation, where his best friend is a crippled slave boy, Josiah. When Ben learns his father is going to sell Josiah, he knows the only way to prevent this is to arrange an escape for Josiah and his parents, Bess and Jesse. With only a few words from his secret Abolitionist grandmother, an old barn with secrets of its own, and a tiny rusted key, Ben plans the escape. When the buyer for Josiah arrives a week early, Ben and the slaves must leave immediately. Without a detailed plan, without even a map of the Kentucky terrain, Ben and the slaves embark on their journey to freedom into a world of hostility, danger, and deception.
Through a collapsing underground tunnel, into a dangerous swamp, and through almost impenetrable forests, Ben and his friends make their way towards the Ohio River. An almost-tragedy for Josiah, deceptive “rescuers” who imprison them for weeks, a daring rooftop escape in broad daylight, and a near capture by Union soldiers add to the many dangers they face. For months, they endure the hardships of hiding in barns, tiny attic rooms, cellars full of rotting fruit and vegetables, and even secret travel in wagons with false bottoms and coffins in a death coach. And always, the slave hunters and their dogs are not far behind.
Free Blacks, Quakers, and a strange young man offer their help to the runaways, sometimes with questionable results. Will they ever reach the Ohio River, and the freedom that is promised on the other side? If they do, will Ben go with them, or will he choose to return home, even though he knows the consequences of his actions could result in prison?


THE FREEDOM THIEF
ByMikki SadilAn Historical Adventure Excerpt:
Ben and the slaves are on their final leg of their journey before reaching the safety of the Ohio River, and the man who will get them across. They are hiding in another thick forest, with the Union Fort just ahead of them. The problem before them now is to get beyond the fort, stay out of the moonlight, and onto the beach without the soldiers seeing them.
The forest came alive as a fox yipped in the distance, and somewhere overhead, a night owl hooted and swooped away from its nest. Small animals rustled in the underbrush, a coyote sang, and occasionally, a tiny scream signaled the death of a small animal in the jaws of a predator. A breeze rippled through the trees, bringing a fresh coolness to dispense the daytime humidity. Still, Ben refused to move out.
He crept to the edge of the forest and watched the fort. When most of the lamps within were extinguished and only those on the parapets were lit, he moved back to his friends.
“Okay, we should go now, but we have to be fast and quiet. The moon’s up, which means the soldiers could see us if they’re looking. But there’s only one soldier on the parapet now, so I think it’s the best time. I’ll go first, Bess next. Jesse, you best carry Josiah since he can’t run fast. Be sure to follow exactly where I go.”
They waited at the edge of the forest. The lone soldier was pacing slowly black and forth from one end of the parapet to the other. When he reached the far end, Ben whispered quickly, “I’m going now. Wait until he’s at the same place, then come one at a time.”
He bent over, trying to make his shadow as small as possible, and raced to the wall of the fort. In a couple of minutes, Bess joined him, followed by Jesse and Josiah. They huddled tightly together and Ben knew they were all barely breathing. Even though the fort wall was at least thirty feet high, if the soldier looked down he could see them. He continued his pacing without interruption.
Pressed against the wall, they moved single file toward the end of the fort. Here and there, small patches of snow crunched under their feet and they stopped for fear of being heard. The soldier marched on, thankfully oblivious to their presence.
The wall angled out to the left, toward the river. Closest to them was a huge wooden gate that opened for wagons and soldiers returning on horseback. Now there were two soldiers walking their duty line on the parapet above the gate.
Ben looked out beyond the fort. The bright moon cast light that shimmered on water far down the road. Boats, beached for the winter, were illuminated as they lay against the white sand. A few were still in the water, tied to slips near the riverbank.
Between the end of the fort’s walls and the beach, the area was wide open. Off to the right, at the edge of the forest, only a few trees here and there leaned across the sand far enough to cast even small shadows. This was the dangerous part, running in the open to the limited safety of the beached boats. It was more than a half mile of open ground, easily seen by the soldiers if they chose to look in that direction.
He turned to the others and whispered, “Look, see where those boats are? That’s where the man is going to be.”
He looked around at the beach before them and the edge of the forest a short distance away.
“No matter how we do this, we can be seen if the soldiers start looking down this way. I reckon the best way is to get to the edge of the forest over there.” He pointed to where the sand trickled back into the woods. “Those big trees that lean out over the sand are the only shadows we have, and we’re still going to be in the open between them. But that’s the best chance we have. Let’s go.”
Single file, they ran silently from the protection of the fort wall out into the open and toward the edge of the forest. They had just reached the shadowy edge of the first few trees when Jesse, who was carrying Josiah, slipped on a thin patch of icy ground and fell. Josiah cried out as he rolled away before Jesse could grab him. He hit a rock and lay still.
Immediately, a shot rang out, and a voiced yelled, “Stop! Who goes there?”
Find Mikki on Facebook and Twitter.

Find The Freedom Thief on Amazon and B&N.

So, what do you think?

Writer Wednesday: Books/Series That Change POV

I recently started reading a book in a series that I quit reading years ago. Why? A few years ago, my husband bought me the latest book in this series as a Christmas gift. At the time, I thought I wanted to read it. But after book six or seven, I couldn't take the series anymore. And the big reason was the POV. It changed out of the blue. I don't like when a series begins with one MC narrating and then all of a sudden three or four books in, we have multiple narrators. I've never understood this. I get attached to the POV and I don't want it to change.

But I've had this book on my shelf, and I felt obligated to give it a chance. After all, I liked the first three books in the series (before the POV change) and I thought now that time had past, I'd be more open to giving the series another try. Well...I'm trying. I really am. But I find myself cringing when yet another POV is introduced. A minor character's POV. I'll be the first to admit that seeing a scene from another character's POV can be interesting. It offers new insight. But I don't want to be inside every character's head. It's too much. I feel like I know everything that's going on and the poor MC is clueless. I'd rather discover things alongside her.

How do you feel about books that introduce a new POV late in the story/series?

Monday Mishmash 12/2/13

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
1. Signing at Books-A-Million  This past Saturday, I had a signing at Books-A-Million in the Exton Square Mall. It was a lot of fun. Here's a picture of me at my table:
2. I finally saw my books in a bookstore!  Yes, I know my books have been out for a while, but I don't have bookstores by me. So sad, I know. So I finally saw my book on a bookshelf in Books-A-Million. And of course I took a picture.
3. I now have a BAM by me!!!  Okay, I just told you I don't have any bookstores by me, BUT the manager at BAM told me that they just opened one in my mall. Woo hoo! I'm beyond excited about this and am going there today to see if I can set up a signing. :) 
4. Querying  So, I've begun querying on a very small scale. I have one query out and one full out. Today I'll be querying a few more agents and really getting this process underway. Please cross your fingers for me.
5. Christmas decorating  We decorated for Christmas on Thanksgiving. As soon as we got home from visiting my grandfather, who is 92 and going strong, we put up our tree, stockings, and other decorations. Now I just need to finish my shopping.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
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Friday Feature: The Dollhouse Asylum

A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.

At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.

The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.

If they play it right, then they'll be safe.

But if they play it wrong, they'll die.

My thoughts:
This cover blew me away when I first saw it, and after seeing Cheyenne becomes Persephone, I was in. We all know I love Greek mythology and especially Hades, even though he's insanely hot and evil in my Touch of Death series. 

Cheyenne believes the guy she loves—who happens to be her math teacher, which makes their relationship taboo—is saving her and a group of others from the Living Rot, a disease that had previously turned people into zombie-like monsters and has returned in a big way. But the world Teo created goes beyond a love of literature. Teo is playing God. Hades to be exact. He's forcing the people to couple up and become great literary couples. And if they don't convince him they are committed to their new roles, Teo kills them. 

Cheyenne is terrified of Teo, but he holds the cure to the Living Rot and he's protecting them from the outside world, so no one is willing to stand against him. Instead, they try harder to please him, no matter how many people he kills.

This is a fast-paced read that has elements of mystery, action, horror, and suspense. I'm just sad that it seems to be a standalone because I didn't want it to end.

Just for fun: Which famous literary couple is your favorite?

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time I thought that finding an agent was the answer to becoming a successful writer. I queried, jumped for joy when I got requests for fulls, and cried when I got rejections. In February of 2011, I received an offer of representation, and I was elated. I accepted that offer a few days later and thought I'd have an agent for life.

Not every story has a happy ending. On the first of this month, my agency closed. What does that mean? I no longer have an agent. I'm querying once again. I cried. I really didn't see myself in this situation again, yet here I am. Is it the end of the world? No. I've come to terms with the fact that things happen. I wasn't let go because I'm a bad writer. I'm simply looking for new representation because my agent isn't agenting anymore. I can deal with that.

Of course, I'm also scared. Querying isn't fun. But at the end of the day, I want someone representing me and my work, especially since I'm now writing under two names. So I'm querying. Wish me luck, please.

Monday Mishmash 11/25/13

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
1. Book Signing  This Saturday, I'll be at Books-A-Million in Exton, PA. (I should find out where that is. lol) I'll be signing copies Touch of Death and Stalked by Death from 2-4pm.
2. Live Video Chat If you missed my live chat, you can watch it here: 

Also, don't forget to comment to enter to win a copy of Touch of Death or Stalked by Death (winner's choice)! And yes, the giveaway is open internationally. :)3. Another Announcement  On Wednesday, I'll be making another announcement. This time not a particularly good one, but it's something I feel I need to share.
4. Nothing To Tell is FREE  The prequel to my N.A. contemporary romance series, which I write under the pen name Ashelyn Drake, is finally up everywhere and FREE! It's called Nothing to Tell, and you can find it on Amazon and B&N.
5. Copper Raven's Cover Reveal  Fellow SHP author, Jennifer Allis Provost had a cover reveal last week. Check out the cover of Copper Raven.


Sara should be happy.She has what every girl wants: a man who loves her, a beautiful home, and wealth beyond imagining. She rescued her brother from the Peacekeepers, destroyed the Iron Queen, and doesn’t have to go to her boring job any more.And yet… Sara still doesn’t know if her father is alive or dead. Her mother hides in the garden, brooding about her missing husband. Her sister, the Inheritor of Metal, is scared of her own shadow, and her brother spends his days fighting and gambling. To add to Sara’s misery, the new queen (gold, of course) is more than a bit crazy, she misses her life in the Mundane world, and, worst of all, Micah wants to have children. A lot of them.As Sara wavers between happiness and homesickness, a conspiracy emerges against the Raven clan, implicating them in a plot to dethrone the Gold Queen. How can Sara prove her family’s innocence, and become the consort Micah needs her to be, without losing herself in the process? 

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

Friday Feature: Breaking Nova

Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?


My thoughts:
Nova is already broken when we meet her. Her boyfriend, Landon, took his own life, and she can't get past it. She just wants him back. Every day she tortures herself by contemplating whether she should watch a video Landon left for her before he killed himself. While Nova is spiraling downward, she gets caught up in drugs, thanks to the influence of her roommate and a new acquaintance named Quinton. No one actually tries to get Nova to use drugs. She winds up doing it because everyone around her does it. That and she's tired of people telling her she's too good for drugs because she doesn't feel she is.
Quinton is also broken when we meet him. He's responsible for the deaths of two people and can't get past that. Drugs are how he gets through each day. He thinks Nova's too good for him and tries to push her away.
I really wanted to love this book. I did. But the drug use got to be too much for me. I felt like it became the focus of the novel, and since I can't relate to that, it got redundant for me. The writing was solid though. It just wasn't the right book for me.

Question: 
What was the last book you read that was good but not really your type of story?

Writer Wednesday: Choosing a Pen Name

A few weeks ago, I came clean about using a pen name to write New Adult contemporary romance. I had two reasons for the pen name. First, branding. Kelly Hashway is a paranormal/fantasy author. Second, my NA titles are steamy and not for younger readers. So you can see why I needed a pen name. But you might be curious to know how I came up with the name Ashelyn Drake.
Here's how:
I took my full name: Kelly Christine Bradley HashwayYes, that's my first, middle, maiden, and married name. Then I pulled letters from each name. I wrote down an entire page of names and then Google searched them all. Why? I'm the only Kelly Hashway. I've checked on Google. And I wanted my pen name to be just as unique. So any name that came up in a search, had to get discarded. Well, I neared the end of my list and while I had a few names I liked, there was one I loved. Here are the letters I pulled:
Kelly Christine Bradley Hashway
Rearrange those letters and you get Ashelyn Drake. At first, I didn't have the "e" in Ashelyn but with the suggestion of my friend Beth Fred, I added it in there, and I had a name that didn't come up in Google searches. Yay! Plus, I love the way the name sounds. Maybe more so than my real name. ;)
So that's how Kelly Hashway became Ashelyn Drake.
If you used a pen name, what would yours be?

Monday Mishmash 11/18/13

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Speaking at Middle Smithfield Elementary  I'll be reading and speaking at Middle Smithfield Elementary School this morning. This is my daughter's school, but I was invited to read and talk to a fourth grade class. I'm excited. :)Reviewers Wanted  I'm looking for reviewers for the third book in the Campus Crush companion series, which I write under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. It's called Rushing Into Love, and it's my favorite book in the series. Since it's a companion series, you don't have to read them in order. I'm willing to gift copies in exchange for reviews on Amazon and B&N. Leave a comment if you are interested. Obviously I can't gift an unlimited number of copies, so it will be the first four of five people who contact me.Deliciously Dark YA Blog  I was asked to join a team of YA authors for a joint blog called Deliciously Dark YA. I'm very excited to be joining a great list of authors. More on this later.Pen Names  On Wednesday, I'll be sharing how I came up with the pen name, Ashelyn Drake. There was a method to creating this name that was actually a lot of fun. Come back Wednesday to find out what it was.Campus Crush Series Blog Tour  The blog tour for my Campus Crush Series (written under my pen name, Ashelyn Drake) is this week. It's hosted by Irresistible Reads Book Tours, and there's a giveaway of the gift card variety and lots of fun, so check it out. Here's the schedule:
Monday, November 18:Haloangel Reviews – ReviewNevaeh’s New Adult Book Blog – Book ExcerptAuthor Kristen Hope Mazzola – Interview
Tuesday, November 19:Kimberyfaye Reads – ReviewKristy Centeno – Promotional Post
Wednesday, November 20:Jesus Freak Reader – Guest PostLe Book Squirrel – ReviewAddicted To Books - Book ExcerptThe Revolving Bookcase – Review
Thursday, November 21:Thoughts At One In The Morning – ReviewLibrary Mosaic – Review
Friday, November 22:Living An Eternal Fairytale – Book Excerpt

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