Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 94

Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather Reid (Review)

Summary:
It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

My thoughts:
First, how gorgeous is this cover? I love it. From the moment I saw it, I knew I had to read this book. In fact, at BEA I pushed my way through the crowd to get to Heather's signing, and not a moment too soon. She was out of books in three minutes flat. No lie. Gone. And now I know why.

Quinn is tormented by demons. She can't sleep, and they are ruining just about every aspect of her life. She's hung up on her ex-boyfriend Jeff, who I wanted to hit so badly. You'll easily see why if you read the book. Then there's Aaron. I loved him. He's so head over heels for Quinn, but their relationship is complicated in so many ways. I can't give details without being spoilery, but I didn't see the ending coming at all! And I loved that. Quinn resists the demons as much as she can, but when they threaten her friends and family, she can't help but give in, even for a little while. But demons don't play fair, and they are out to get Quinn.

Honestly, I'm not sure where book two will go. The ending sort of shocked me, but I'm eager to see where Reid takes us next.

Just for fun:
Quinn sees and hears demons, but she's afraid if she tells anyone and seeks help that they'll just think she's crazy. What would you do if you were in her shoes?

Stalked by Death is Here!

Yesterday was a very exciting day for me because Stalked by Death released! Yay! 

Jodi knows that any slip-ups made by the Ophi--a special group of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac--will fall on her shoulders... and that Hades is just waiting for them to screw up so he can wipe out the Ophi line.

Unfortunately, Jodi has only convinced one Ophi to join her school: A hot guy named Chase who jeopardizes her relationship with Alex. Jodi loves Alex, but Chase can enhance her powers with just a touch—making her stronger than any Ophi has ever been.

Her mixed emotions send her powers surging out of control, and the dead start rising without her conscious summoning—exactly what Hades doesn't want! If she chooses Alex over Chase, she may lose the battle to Hades, leading the Ophi race to extinction. If she chooses Chase, she might be able to stop Hades for good… but lose everything else.

Jodi needs to figure things out fast--because death is stalking her at every turn.

I was so excited to see reviewers saying they loved this book more than the first. That's exactly what I was hoping for. There's more everything in this book. More zombies, more tension, more Hades, more swooning. It was an emotional roller coaster to write, and I think you'll enjoy it.

To celebrate, I'm giving away a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card, a Stalked by Death button, signed bookmarks, and stickers. All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter below. And yes, the giveaway is international because I love you no matter where you live.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much to everyone who has read or is planning to read this series. You guys are pure awesome!

Monday Mishmash 8/12/13

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:

1. Touch of Death and Stalked by Death are on Walmart.com  Last week I discovered that both Touch of Death and Stalked by Death are on Walmart.com for only $5.97! That's 40% off the list price! (Click the titles to go to their Walmart.com pages.)

2. Behind Closed Doors by Ashelyn Drake  The second installment in the Campus Crush series released last week. It's only $1.99 so check it out. The books all feature different characters in the series so you don't have to read them in order. Buy it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Julia Monroe is through wishing she had an older guy like her best friend Noelle does. It’s time for her to act on her desires. So when she sees sexy, twenty-three-year-old Darren McEntire eating dinner alone at the pub, she decides to make her move. The attraction between them is undeniable, and even through Julia isn’t looking for a one-night stand, she winds up back at Darren’s place the same night she meets him. Only being with him makes her realize what she’s been missing dating other guys. All she wants is Darren.

But Julia allows Darren to think she’s his age and a grad student at the nearby college. She knows she has to confess the truth, but she’s afraid to shatter what they have. Not knowing what to do, she starts the semester only to discover that her new teaching assistant is none other than Darren. With the lies out in the open and campus policy against them, Julia and Darren know the relationship should be over before it even begins. But the chemistry between them is too strong to deny. 

Can they find a way to be together or are they doomed to only see each other behind closed doors?

3. Stalked by Death was sighted in Bookworld in Hayward, WI!  You might have seen that just about everyone has already released Stalked by Death even though it's not supposed to be out until the 13. Here's the first sighting in a store. Thanks to Sara Biren for posting the picture online. :)

4. Planning a big addition on my house  Things are going to get crazy at my house this fall. We're planning an addition that will make it tough to live here, but with my daughter in school, we have no choice. Wish me luck!
5. Running on Empty Cover Reveal I'm happy to participate in the cover reveal of Running on Empty by Colette Ballard. This is the first title in Spencer Hill Press's new Tulip Romance imprint.
What does it feel like when you die—in those final moments? Do you feel the physical pain, or just the pain of your regrets? What does it feel like when you realize you can’t answer these questions because you’re not the victim?
 
You’re the killer.
 
River Daniels lives an ordinary life as a high school junior growing up in the confines of rural Texas until her boyfriend’s brutal attack leaves her both a murderer and a fugitive. When River’s closest girlfriends come to her aid, they make a hasty decision to not only help her, but leave their own troubled lives behind and join in her escape. The girls manage to elude police for months, but with every near-miss, River’s life spirals further out of control, until she finally hits rock bottom. Realizing she must stop endangering her friends and find evidence proving she acted in self-defense, the girls decide to make a risky return to Texas. Her return means more than facing her ugly past, she must also face the one person she was protecting the night her world caved in, the guy she has loved for as long as she can remember.
Tulip Press is giving away a $50 Amazon GC. a Rafflecopter giveaway 
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

The Devil's Triangle by Toni DePalma

Summary:
When 17 year old Cooper dies in an attempt to burn down his school, he finds himself in the afterlife. Lucy, the Devil's sister who has crossed party lines, decides to give Cooper another shot at heaven. The deal? Cooper returns to Earth and has to find a girl named Grace. The rest is up to him.

While Cooper figures out his mission, he's thrown into the life he's always wanted. Great parents, a spot on the Varsity football team and a real future are all within reach. But what he really wants is Grace, a feisty girl with an abusive boyfriend who can pound Cooper into pulp if he doesn't watch out.

While Lucy plays demonic-puppeteer, clues to an unknown past between Cooper and Grace start to unravel. Cooper discovers that what's keeping him and Grace apart is far more sinister than anything this bad boy could have ever imagined.

My thoughts:
I saw this cover a while back and loved it. Then I was approached to review the books, so of course I agreed. I love books where the Devil is a character, and this may be the first one I've read where the Devil's sister is a character. So I loved that spin. Especially since Lucy is going against her brother by helping Cooper get another shot at Heaven.

I enjoyed the characterization. There are glimpses of Cooper's previous life when he burned down the gym and we get to see how different things are for Cooper in his new life. The contrast was done really well and added to his character's depth. 

While he tries to get close to Grace, things get complicated and more dangerous for Cooper. She's got a boyfriend and he's trouble. I wish we would've gotten to see more of Cooper and Grace, but it seems like we may get to see it in the next book.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and quick read.

Just for fun:
Would you trust the Devil's sister to help you get into heaven?

Write the Next Book or Promote the Current One?

You may have heard authors say that the best way to market your work is by writing the next book. It's no secret, I love to be drafting a new book. And after I signed my first book contract, I did exactly that. I wrote the next book. I've continued to do that, but what about promotion?

Yes, having more than one book out is good because people who like your writing can purchase your next book. But how will people know about your first book if you don't promote it?

Well, I think I did a lot to promote Touch of Death, and early on too. But as the release date for Stalked by Death approaches (August 13), I realized that I haven't done nearly as much to promote this book. And now I feel guilty. What have I been doing? If you guessed writing the next book, you're right. But is this the right move? Should I be spending more time marketing?

I think the answer to both questions is yes. I should be writing another book, but I should also be marketing more. It's about balance. So I'm making a conscious effort to spend more time marketing while I continue to work on new projects.

What are your thoughts on the best way to market yourself as an author?

Monday Mishmash 8/5/13

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Edits  Yup, I'm still editing my 2014 titles. LOL I love that I have multiple books coming out next year, but man, that adds up to a lot of edits. Good thing I love to edit.Reading  I finally finished a book I've been reading for a while. I've had limited reading time lately, and as much as I enjoyed the book, I had trouble finding time to read it.Research  I consider watching teen TV shows research for my target audience. Right now I'm loving Pretty Little Liars and Twisted, both of which are on Tuesday nights.Free Monthly Newsletter  My monthly newsletter goes out at 5pm EST today. If you aren't signed up but would like to receive one, you can sign up here.The Monster Within Cover Reveal! My April 7, 2014 title with Spencer Hill Press has a gorgeous cover designed by Lisa Amowitz. I love it!
The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side—a completely unfair shot at life.     But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.     She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.     But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.Title: The Monster WithinAuthor: Kelly HashwayPublisher: Spencer Hill PressISBN:  978-1-937053-85-7Release Date: 4/7/2014Formats: Paper, e-bookGoodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839932-the-monster-withinIf you'd like to request an ARC, please use the reviewer form on our website. ARCs will ship in January 2014. 
That's it for me. What's on your mind today.

Multiple Projects at Once

A while ago, I discovered fast drafting, and I loved it. I vowed never to edit as I wrote again. I whipped out books in a matter of days—8 being my record. Sure, I had my work cut out for me during revision, but I love revising so I was totally okay with it. I was on a roll.

Then summer came, and fast drafting went out the window. Not only could I not devote five and a half straight hours a day to writing, but I ended up doing something I swore I'd never do. I worked on more than one book at a time. The whole thing made me really uncomfortable. I battled with myself over why I was breaking my rule of finishing one book before starting another.

Here's the conclusion I came to. Every book is different, and sometimes it's because of what's going on around you. My summer schedule is crazy. Not only are my daughter and husband home but I'm also working on edits for three of my 2014 titles. I can't do it all. 

So, I'm doing what I can. I'm working on two novels in pieces—between my edits. Am I happy about it? Not really. LOL But if this is what the summer has in store for me, then I'm going to have to accept it. After all, September isn't that far away and then I'll be back to fast drafting.

Can you write more than one book at a time? Or edit one book while writing another?

Immortals by Ednah Walters

Book Title:  ImmortalsSeries:  RunesAuthor:  Ednah WaltersRelease Date:  August 5th2013Genre:  YA Paranormal Romance Length:  342 PagesPublisher:  Firetrail PublishingPresented by: Walking on Bookshelves & As You Wish ToursImmortals Tour Schedule

Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something…Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology, and that her feelings for him are strong. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her, his memories erased by Norns—Norse destiny deities—to punish her for defying them.
She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again. But she quickly learns that well-laid plans do not work when dealing with deities and supernatural beings. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.


EXCERPT
That was a stupid explanation. Everyone in our cul-de-sac was either old or married. Maybe I could save face with a lie and move on to plan B—make him fall in love with me again. The problem was I had no idea what I’d done to make him fall for me in the first place. I was an average girl, while he was super hot.Silence hung heavily between us as we crossed Riverside Boulevard, the street running in front of our school. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes and caught him studying me. I wasn’t sure what I saw in his eyes. Pity? I hated to be pitied.“Actually, I thought you were someone else,” the lie rolled off my tongue with such ease I wondered why I hadn’t started with it.Torin stopped walking, forcing me to stop, too. His brow shot up. “You mistook me for someone else?”The outrage in his voice made me grin. “Yep, my ex.” “Your ex-boyfriend looks like me?” Torin was no longer smiling. “No, you look like him. Black hair, blue eyes, even the bike. You could be his doppelganger.”“Doppelganger?” He said it like I’d just called him a troll. His eyes narrowed, and then that sexy grin I loved curled his sculptured lips. “Nice try. No one looks like me, Raine. The world couldn’t handle two of me.”His arrogance was rearing its ugly head, but I didn’t care. He’d called me by my nickname. Soon, he’d remember he always called me Freckles, a special nickname he’d coined because of the freckles on my nose. “What’s his name?” he asked.“What’s whose name?”“Your ex-boyfriend.”“Blue Eyes,” I said and grinned. I had called him Blue Eyes when we first met. Surely, he’d remember.Torin snickered. “What kind of a stupid name is that?”“Hey, no disrespecting the nickname. He had dazzling eyes.” Torin frowned while I warmed up to the subject. Maybe I could make him jealous. “They were like blue sapphire. He had gorgeous hair, too—darker than yours, and his smile…” I fanned myself. “Sexiest evah. You know what the best part was?”“Not interested,” he grumbled.Was that annoyance in his voice? “He was completely crazy about me.”“What happened?” he asked, his voice hard to describe.



a Rafflecopter giveawayWhat do you think?


d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/r...

Monday Mishmash 7/29/13

Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Monroe County Book Expo  Thank you to everyone who came out to the Monroe County Book Expo on Saturday. It was a lot of fun.Edits  I'm working on edits for three of my 2014, which means copy edits galore! Pre-order FACE OF DEATH You can now pre-order Face of Death on Amazon or B&N. :)Reading  I'm falling behind in my reading lately, which makes me sad.Gideon's Spear Cover Reveal  I'm happy to share the cover of Darby Karchut's Gideon's Spear, which is the sequel to Finn Finnegan.

When a power-crazed sorceress and the neighborhood pack of beast-like goblins team up and threaten both his master and his friends, thirteen-year-old Finn (not Finnegan) MacCullen does the only thing an apprentice monster hunter can do: he takes the fight to the enemy.And woe to the foe he meets along the way.
Title: Gideon's Spear (The sequel to Finn Finnegan)Author: Darby KarchutPublisher: Spencer Hill PressISBN:  978-1-937053-94-9Release Date: 2/4/2014Formats: Paper, e-bookGoodreads TBR: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18046728-gideon-s-spear
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?

1000 Follower Giveaway!

To celebrate reaching 1000 followers, I'm giving away books! Yes, books plural. Why? Because I love my followers. I have so much fun interacting with you guys here, so this is my way of saying thank you.

So, what will you win? Despite the rafflecopter form asking you to choose a book, the winner will get all 3 of these books:Poltergeeks by Sean CummingsPretty Amy by Lisa BurnsteinFade by Lisa McMann

Open internationally. Just fill out the rafflecopter, and thank you again for following my blog!
a Rafflecopter giveaway