Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 99
April 23, 2013
Spellbinding by Maya Gold (Review)
Summary:
There's more than one way to be powerful . . .
It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession.
Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.
A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth.
My thoughts:
The cover drew me in instantly, and then I read the blurb and knew I had to read this. Abby discovers she's the descendent of one of the most famous witches persecuted in Salem, and as such, she can't ignore that strange things have happened just because she thought about them. She knows she's using magic, and it tempts her to make a few changes in her life. Starting with the boy she's had a crush on for a long time. But this action has some major consequences, since he already has a girlfriend.
If that's not bad enough, Abby is being pursued by a group of witches who want her to join their circle and get vengeance on Salem for the witch trials. Abby doesn't want to be evil, but with the pull of the magic and her connection to the sexy Rem, she has a really hard time separating her human self from her witch self.
This is such a quick, fun read. I could really identify with Abby. What girl wouldn't want to use magic to get what she's always wanted and to put the mean girls in high school in their place. If you like books about witches, definitely pick this one up.
Just for fun:
Abby can't resist doing a few spells on her classmates. If you had magic for a day and could use it on anyone you went to high school with, what would you use it for?
April 21, 2013
Monday Mishmash 4/22/13
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Family Expo 2013 I'll be at the Family Expo held at East Stroudsburg High School South on Sunday from noon to 3pm. I'll be displaying my books and talking about writing.Reading Somehow I'm managing to find more time to read. I'm not even sure how I'm doing it.Edits Just sent off edits for Face of Death (Touch of Death #3), which made me cry. There are some emotional moments. Now I'm getting back to edits on Into the Fire, which also has a section that gets me every time. I need more tissues.Revising for my agent In the midst of all my edits, I'm also revising a novella to hand over to my lovely agent. Good thing I love editing and revising so much. ;)Allergies This crazy weather is killing me. One day it's 80 the next it's 50. I'm sneezing like I'm trying to set a world record, and I wake up every morning with a sore throat. I'd love some consistent temperatures.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Family Expo 2013 I'll be at the Family Expo held at East Stroudsburg High School South on Sunday from noon to 3pm. I'll be displaying my books and talking about writing.Reading Somehow I'm managing to find more time to read. I'm not even sure how I'm doing it.Edits Just sent off edits for Face of Death (Touch of Death #3), which made me cry. There are some emotional moments. Now I'm getting back to edits on Into the Fire, which also has a section that gets me every time. I need more tissues.Revising for my agent In the midst of all my edits, I'm also revising a novella to hand over to my lovely agent. Good thing I love editing and revising so much. ;)Allergies This crazy weather is killing me. One day it's 80 the next it's 50. I'm sneezing like I'm trying to set a world record, and I wake up every morning with a sore throat. I'd love some consistent temperatures.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
April 18, 2013
Confession Time Again!
If you've been following my blog for a while, you know I'm pretty open about all my quirks. (And I have a lot of them.) But today I'm sharing some things about myself that you might not know. Here it goes:
I'm the worst boss in the world. I won't even let myself break for meals. I eat with one hand and type with the other, and if it takes me longer than 7 minutes to eat, I'll just give up eating all together and get back to typing with two hands.I rock out to teeny bopper music. Yup. When I'm stressed out, I turn to my 6-year-olds playlist on my iPod, which consists of songs from Victoria Justice, R5, Big Time Rush, and Selena Gomez. Call me crazy but it's instant relaxation.I have laptop separation anxiety. I have to have one of my laptops on at all times. Unless I'm sleeping, when I have my smartphone on the nightstand in case I need it in the middle of the night.My day planner stole my memory. Ever since I started using a day planner, I can't remember anything I don't write down. It's a little annoying and very inconvenient.I fall in love with every male lead I write. I feel bad for guys in real life because they can't compare to book boyfriends. Sorry, guys. And I fall for my male leads every time.Okay, I've embarrassed myself—yet again. Now it's your turn. What do you have to confess about yourself?
I'm the worst boss in the world. I won't even let myself break for meals. I eat with one hand and type with the other, and if it takes me longer than 7 minutes to eat, I'll just give up eating all together and get back to typing with two hands.I rock out to teeny bopper music. Yup. When I'm stressed out, I turn to my 6-year-olds playlist on my iPod, which consists of songs from Victoria Justice, R5, Big Time Rush, and Selena Gomez. Call me crazy but it's instant relaxation.I have laptop separation anxiety. I have to have one of my laptops on at all times. Unless I'm sleeping, when I have my smartphone on the nightstand in case I need it in the middle of the night.My day planner stole my memory. Ever since I started using a day planner, I can't remember anything I don't write down. It's a little annoying and very inconvenient.I fall in love with every male lead I write. I feel bad for guys in real life because they can't compare to book boyfriends. Sorry, guys. And I fall for my male leads every time.Okay, I've embarrassed myself—yet again. Now it's your turn. What do you have to confess about yourself?
April 16, 2013
A Privilege by Amy Lignor Release Party and Giveaway!
Today, I'm taking part in the release party for A Privilege (The Angel Chronicles book #3) by Amy Lignor. I've got an excerpt and a giveaway for you!
A Privilege:
The Angel Chronicles, Book 3
The beloved Angel/Warrior team face pure evil in their final climactic story!
The first time they were sent down, Irish lives were led. Emily, the angel, ended up embedded in murder and lost in the realm of true love. While Matthew, the warrior, took over a life that left blood on his hands and anger in his soul.
With their second coming, Emily found herself facing an oncoming war that brought her to the shores of America. While Matthew tried desperately to unveil the evil character of a young man who was intent on locking his partner in a ‘gilded’ cage.
Now...Emily and Matthew find that their lives are all their own. Yet, all the memories, hatred, longing and regret have come hand-in-hand with this newfound freedom.
In small town U.S.A., Matthew finds himself loving his new life. From his military school existence to a new, ‘odd’ friend who’s arrived in town, Matthew’s looking forward to graduation and heading off into a brilliant future with Emily by his side.
Emily wants nothing more than to hide. Although doing her best to fit in, she lives a life on the edge, wondering when her past love with reappear to either forgive or seek revenge on the angel who let him down. Battling the shadows that seem to be breaking her soul in two, Emily soon discovers that her small, quiet town has a secret that’s beyond dangerous...
As she and Matthew join forces to help a ‘haunted’ victim, they open the door on a mystery neither of them can believe. A true villain has returned from the past, and not even their heavenly family will be able to save them. This time they’re on their own, as they face a fight that could lead them straight to Hell…and end the angel/warrior team forever.
Kindle * Nook * iBookstore
Smashwords * Google * PDF
Excerpt
Without a word, Matthew reached out, took Emily by the hand and pulled her down beside him. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “I knew my Emily was still in there.”
Out of the blue, the room became incredibly hot, as if Gabriel had entered in order to give a lesson to his favorite students. “What?”
“That spark.” He pulled Emily’s face closer before she could push herself away. “You’ve been acting all this time like you’re just here to sit and wait it out until you’re lucky enough to go Home. But you’re still in there, Emily. You still have all that energy and belief in there and you want to do something. That’s the partner I know.”
Shaking her head, Emily listened to her own breathing intensify as she stared at his full lips and wondered why she felt so completely and utterly strange...vulnerable even. “I want to help this girl. This is a job, maybe my only job down here. She saw a ghost and she wants me to help her out, that’s all.”
“And you will.” Matthew captured Emily’s lips, and she could no longer feel the breath in her lungs. Completely different than the one kiss they’d shared up above so long ago, this one was far more demanding, as if Matthew was a young man determined to kiss his human love for the very first time.
Sitting back, Emily practically jumped off the bed.
“I’m sorry,” she heard him whisper behind her. “I guess I was just excited to see you again.”
Not trusting her voice, she remained silent.
“We have jobs, but we also have a life to live. Our own lives this time around. Maybe you should think about adding that into your angelic plans.” Matthew continued softly, “Jason isn’t here, Emily.”
The name being said out loud sent a chill down Emily’s spine. It reminded her of the vow she’d made a long time ago—a vow that an angel couldn’t break.
She cleared her throat. “It doesn’t matter if he’s here. We were sent to do a job, and maybe helping this little girl prove her story is what I need to begin.”
Standing up, Matthew looked as if he was a man who wanted nothing more than to turn back the clock and erase the name he’d spoken aloud. He walked to the open window. “Well, I hope the job goes well. Good luck with it.”
“Matthew,” Emily took a step toward him. “Don’t leave like this.”
He nodded at the book on the bed. “You have your mission, Emily...your job. Ghosts, goblins, lost souls—knock yourself out.” He took a deep breath. “I wonder when you’re going to figure out that the living souls around you would like some of your attention as well.”
Closing her eyes, Emily shed silent tears as she heard his feet hit the ground beneath her window. A friend, a partner, the one who actually listened, was now just an angry young man racing back to The Armory—a place where warriors reigned.
Emily sighed. She’d done it again. No matter how hard she tried to be good, her mouth always got her into trouble. She needed Matthew to understand. She’d made a promise to a young man a long time ago; a promise that was supposed to last for eternity. How was she to know at the time that their eternity would include death by her hand? Had the second time around broken their vow? Emily had no idea. But whatever happened she could not and would not offer Matthew her heart if payment was still due for her past sins. Above all, Matthew was the last person who deserved to be punished for her mistakes.
Author Amy Lignor
Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.
Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.
She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.
Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads
Books 1 and 2 are now 99 cents on Kindle!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have you read any books in this series? If not, what do you think of the blurb and excerpt?
A Privilege:The Angel Chronicles, Book 3
The beloved Angel/Warrior team face pure evil in their final climactic story!
The first time they were sent down, Irish lives were led. Emily, the angel, ended up embedded in murder and lost in the realm of true love. While Matthew, the warrior, took over a life that left blood on his hands and anger in his soul.
With their second coming, Emily found herself facing an oncoming war that brought her to the shores of America. While Matthew tried desperately to unveil the evil character of a young man who was intent on locking his partner in a ‘gilded’ cage.
Now...Emily and Matthew find that their lives are all their own. Yet, all the memories, hatred, longing and regret have come hand-in-hand with this newfound freedom.
In small town U.S.A., Matthew finds himself loving his new life. From his military school existence to a new, ‘odd’ friend who’s arrived in town, Matthew’s looking forward to graduation and heading off into a brilliant future with Emily by his side.
Emily wants nothing more than to hide. Although doing her best to fit in, she lives a life on the edge, wondering when her past love with reappear to either forgive or seek revenge on the angel who let him down. Battling the shadows that seem to be breaking her soul in two, Emily soon discovers that her small, quiet town has a secret that’s beyond dangerous...
As she and Matthew join forces to help a ‘haunted’ victim, they open the door on a mystery neither of them can believe. A true villain has returned from the past, and not even their heavenly family will be able to save them. This time they’re on their own, as they face a fight that could lead them straight to Hell…and end the angel/warrior team forever.
Kindle * Nook * iBookstore
Smashwords * Google * PDF
Excerpt
Without a word, Matthew reached out, took Emily by the hand and pulled her down beside him. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “I knew my Emily was still in there.”
Out of the blue, the room became incredibly hot, as if Gabriel had entered in order to give a lesson to his favorite students. “What?”
“That spark.” He pulled Emily’s face closer before she could push herself away. “You’ve been acting all this time like you’re just here to sit and wait it out until you’re lucky enough to go Home. But you’re still in there, Emily. You still have all that energy and belief in there and you want to do something. That’s the partner I know.”
Shaking her head, Emily listened to her own breathing intensify as she stared at his full lips and wondered why she felt so completely and utterly strange...vulnerable even. “I want to help this girl. This is a job, maybe my only job down here. She saw a ghost and she wants me to help her out, that’s all.”
“And you will.” Matthew captured Emily’s lips, and she could no longer feel the breath in her lungs. Completely different than the one kiss they’d shared up above so long ago, this one was far more demanding, as if Matthew was a young man determined to kiss his human love for the very first time.
Sitting back, Emily practically jumped off the bed.
“I’m sorry,” she heard him whisper behind her. “I guess I was just excited to see you again.”
Not trusting her voice, she remained silent.
“We have jobs, but we also have a life to live. Our own lives this time around. Maybe you should think about adding that into your angelic plans.” Matthew continued softly, “Jason isn’t here, Emily.”
The name being said out loud sent a chill down Emily’s spine. It reminded her of the vow she’d made a long time ago—a vow that an angel couldn’t break.
She cleared her throat. “It doesn’t matter if he’s here. We were sent to do a job, and maybe helping this little girl prove her story is what I need to begin.”
Standing up, Matthew looked as if he was a man who wanted nothing more than to turn back the clock and erase the name he’d spoken aloud. He walked to the open window. “Well, I hope the job goes well. Good luck with it.”
“Matthew,” Emily took a step toward him. “Don’t leave like this.”
He nodded at the book on the bed. “You have your mission, Emily...your job. Ghosts, goblins, lost souls—knock yourself out.” He took a deep breath. “I wonder when you’re going to figure out that the living souls around you would like some of your attention as well.”
Closing her eyes, Emily shed silent tears as she heard his feet hit the ground beneath her window. A friend, a partner, the one who actually listened, was now just an angry young man racing back to The Armory—a place where warriors reigned.
Emily sighed. She’d done it again. No matter how hard she tried to be good, her mouth always got her into trouble. She needed Matthew to understand. She’d made a promise to a young man a long time ago; a promise that was supposed to last for eternity. How was she to know at the time that their eternity would include death by her hand? Had the second time around broken their vow? Emily had no idea. But whatever happened she could not and would not offer Matthew her heart if payment was still due for her past sins. Above all, Matthew was the last person who deserved to be punished for her mistakes.
Author Amy LignorAmy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.
Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.
She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.
Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads
Books 1 and 2 are now 99 cents on Kindle!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have you read any books in this series? If not, what do you think of the blurb and excerpt?
April 14, 2013
Monday Mishmash 4/15/13
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
1. The Other Marlowe Girl My buddy Beth Fred's second book in The Marlowe Girls series is out! Get it here.
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?
2. Stomach bug My daughter was sent home sick on Thursday with a stomach bug. That's better, but now she has this awful congestion that makes her sound like a whispering frog. Poor thing.
3. Love All is only $0.99! The price of Love All has been lowered to only $0.99! If you want to snag a copy before book two in the series releases next month, now's the time. You can get it on Kindle or Nook.
4. Into the Fire Edits I'm up to my chin in edits for Into the Fire, but my editor is amazing, so I'm excited.
5. Less than 4 months until Stalked by Death releases! So... I'm giving away some SWAG. I got these awesome "Ophi in training" pins. Who wants one?
I'll pick three winners on Saturday, April 20. Just fill out the rafflecopter below. Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
1. The Other Marlowe Girl My buddy Beth Fred's second book in The Marlowe Girls series is out! Get it here.
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?
2. Stomach bug My daughter was sent home sick on Thursday with a stomach bug. That's better, but now she has this awful congestion that makes her sound like a whispering frog. Poor thing.
3. Love All is only $0.99! The price of Love All has been lowered to only $0.99! If you want to snag a copy before book two in the series releases next month, now's the time. You can get it on Kindle or Nook.
4. Into the Fire Edits I'm up to my chin in edits for Into the Fire, but my editor is amazing, so I'm excited.
5. Less than 4 months until Stalked by Death releases! So... I'm giving away some SWAG. I got these awesome "Ophi in training" pins. Who wants one?
I'll pick three winners on Saturday, April 20. Just fill out the rafflecopter below. Good luck.a Rafflecopter giveaway
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
April 11, 2013
Itching to be on Submission
I realized the other day that I haven't been out on submission in a while. Really since September when The Monster Within was acquired by Spencer Hill Press in a deal that went to auction. That was probably the craziest submission process because we had four offers. I met one of the acquiring publishers at a conference, who went on to offer, but ultimately, the book ended up with Spencer Hill Press, and since I love them, I was very happy about it.
Also in September I had another deal go through—well two actually, but they were pre-emptive deals. Month9Books acquired Into the Fire and the two other books in the Birth of the Phoenix series.
And Swoon Romance acquired the three novellas in my Game. Set. Match Heartbreak series.
Then in January, Spencer Hill Press bought Face of Death, the final book in the Touch of Death trilogy, but it wasn't your typical submission process since they already had the first two books.
Since then, I've written a few books. My agent is reading my YA contemporary romance now, and I'm itching to get her feedback and go through edits to get it ready for submission. I love the thrill of wondering if a publisher will love my book as much as I do. It's scary, but exciting at the same time.
Do you enjoy the submission process as much as I do?
Also in September I had another deal go through—well two actually, but they were pre-emptive deals. Month9Books acquired Into the Fire and the two other books in the Birth of the Phoenix series.
And Swoon Romance acquired the three novellas in my Game. Set. Match Heartbreak series.
Then in January, Spencer Hill Press bought Face of Death, the final book in the Touch of Death trilogy, but it wasn't your typical submission process since they already had the first two books.
Since then, I've written a few books. My agent is reading my YA contemporary romance now, and I'm itching to get her feedback and go through edits to get it ready for submission. I love the thrill of wondering if a publisher will love my book as much as I do. It's scary, but exciting at the same time.
Do you enjoy the submission process as much as I do?
April 9, 2013
Cursed by Jennifer Armentrout (Review)
Summary:
Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.
My thoughts:
Okay, my book The Monster Within stars a girl who is brought back from the dead, so naturally I had to read Cursed. Also, Ember is a lot like Jodi from Touch of Death because she can kill with a single touch. But Ember's curse is much stronger than Jodi's, so I really felt for her. She has to wear long sleeves, gloves, and pants all the time to avoid killing the people around her. And her own mother thinks Ember is dead and won't acknowledge her presence. In fact, after the accident, Ember's mother became a shell of her former self, which leaves Ember to take care of her little sister on her own. The same little sister who raised her from the dead.
When Hayden shows up to help Ember, she doesn't want to hear of it. But after Cromwell takes her sister and mother, Ember has no choice but to stay with the group of gifted people and find out more about who she really is. But can she find a way to manage her curse and be around others?
Ember is such a likable character. I felt for her. She's broken, yet strong for her sister's sake. I got very wrapped up in the story and flew through it. I definitely recommend it.
Just for fun: If you had Ember's sister's power and could bring anyone back from the dead, who would you choose?
April 7, 2013
Monday Mishmash 4/8/13
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Advantage: Heartbreak (May 7th) Less than one month until the second novella in my Game. Set. Match. Heartbreak series releases! This book has so much emotion and tons of swoony moments. I'm really excited for it.Reading I'm trying to get caught up with all the books I downloaded to my Kindle recently.Switching tenses Last week I finished drafting a new WIP, and now I'm going to switch it from present tense to past tense. I think it will work better that way. *sigh*Melinda's Museum Magic I have another picture book coming out soon through G8 Press. I should have a cover image to show you soon!Cover Reveal Spencer Hill Press has another cover reveal. It's for Milayna by Michelle Picket.
Everyone needs to be bad once in a while. But for seventeen-year-old Milayna, being good isn't a choice--it's a job requirement. And it's a job she can't quit. Born a demi-angel, Milayna steps in when danger and demons threaten the people around her, but being half-angel isn't all halos and happiness. Azazel, Hell's Angel, wants Milayna's power, and he'll do anything to get it. But he only has until her eighteenth birthday, after which she becomes untouchable.With the help of other demi-angels, Milayna thwarts the trouble Azazel sends her way. Fighting with her is Chay, a demi-angel who's sinfully gorgeous, and Milayna falls hard. But is Chay her true love... or her nemesis in disguise?
Because when she learns of a traitor in her group, there's no one she can trust... not even the one she loves.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Advantage: Heartbreak (May 7th) Less than one month until the second novella in my Game. Set. Match. Heartbreak series releases! This book has so much emotion and tons of swoony moments. I'm really excited for it.Reading I'm trying to get caught up with all the books I downloaded to my Kindle recently.Switching tenses Last week I finished drafting a new WIP, and now I'm going to switch it from present tense to past tense. I think it will work better that way. *sigh*Melinda's Museum Magic I have another picture book coming out soon through G8 Press. I should have a cover image to show you soon!Cover Reveal Spencer Hill Press has another cover reveal. It's for Milayna by Michelle Picket.
Everyone needs to be bad once in a while. But for seventeen-year-old Milayna, being good isn't a choice--it's a job requirement. And it's a job she can't quit. Born a demi-angel, Milayna steps in when danger and demons threaten the people around her, but being half-angel isn't all halos and happiness. Azazel, Hell's Angel, wants Milayna's power, and he'll do anything to get it. But he only has until her eighteenth birthday, after which she becomes untouchable.With the help of other demi-angels, Milayna thwarts the trouble Azazel sends her way. Fighting with her is Chay, a demi-angel who's sinfully gorgeous, and Milayna falls hard. But is Chay her true love... or her nemesis in disguise?
Because when she learns of a traitor in her group, there's no one she can trust... not even the one she loves.
That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
April 4, 2013
Do You Read What You Write?
No, I'm not talking about reading your own writing. I've heard a lot of people say they can't read the same genre they are currently writing. They think it will influence what they write. I have to read what I'm currently writing. Maybe it's because I write so many genres (everything from picture books to middle grade to young adult to new adult). Reading the genre I'm writing keeps my head in the right place.
This month I worked on edits for three of my books. Two were YA and one was lower MG. I edited the YA novels back to back and read YA books while I was editing. That ensured I had the YA mindset for my edits. When I moved to my MG novel, I switched to MG books. And more so, I made sure those books were the exact age level of my book. I found it really helpful because I knew when my voice crept out of that age level, and I was able to fix it.
What about you? Do you read the genre you're currently writing or editing?
This month I worked on edits for three of my books. Two were YA and one was lower MG. I edited the YA novels back to back and read YA books while I was editing. That ensured I had the YA mindset for my edits. When I moved to my MG novel, I switched to MG books. And more so, I made sure those books were the exact age level of my book. I found it really helpful because I knew when my voice crept out of that age level, and I was able to fix it.
What about you? Do you read the genre you're currently writing or editing?
April 2, 2013
Unexpected Release Day Party
Happy release day to my writer friend Faith Sullivan. I met Faith a little while back and through our blogs and Twitter, I've discovered that she's a great person and a great writer. Her first book Heartbeat released in February and I devoured it. Today, I hope you'll help me congratulate Faith on the release of her second book, Unexpected.September 11, 2001.
A day that forever changes the destiny of college overachiever, Michelle Rhodes.
Shattered, confused and alone, no one understands the trauma consuming her until she meets Connor Donnelly.
A native New Yorker, he believes he can aid in getting her life back on track. But what if he's even more broken inside?
Offering her a chance at a fresh start, Connor convinces Michelle to move in with him. Hiring her to waitress at his bar, their mutual attraction only complicates matters.
As more details surrounding Connor's past emerge, Michelle uncovers the full magnitude of the loss he's trying to hide. Refusing to let her feelings for him hinder his recovery, she makes a decision that winds up hurting them both.
By sacrificing her heart, Michelle thinks she is helping Connor come to terms with his grief. Little does she know, Connor is gambling everything for the sake of having a future with her.
What happens is truly unexpected.
Title: UnexpectedAuthor: Faith SullivanExpected release date: April 2, 2013Genre:Contemporary RomanceCategory: New AdultEbook available at: Kindle ($1.99) http://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-eboo...Paperback available at: Amazon ($6.99)http://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Fait...
And here's an excerpt: Chapter Six
“W...what?” I stutter despite myself.
He gives me a crooked grin. “All night, I’ve been freezing my ass off out here waiting for you. I didn’t think you were gonna show.”
If his first remark didn’t floor me, the second leaves me utterly confused. “Whoa, slow down, buddy. How do you even know my name?”
Again, he laughs. “Does it really matter? I’m here to talk some sense into you.”
The dimples in his cheeks distract me. He has such a cute smile. But I’m not letting him off that easily. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m done with New York.”
“Really? You could’ve fooled me.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because you should never run from something that scares you.” His hazel eyes catch the moonlight as they bore into mine. “And this time, you won’t be alone. I’ll be with you.”
This whole conversation is getting way too intense. Standing up, I wrap my arms around myself. I have to get out of here. This guy is crazy.
I jump as the front door opens and my ex-boyfriend Tony emerges, giving me a hopeful look. We broke up after our senior year. He understood I wasn’t planning on sticking around, so I set him free. He met someone else over the summer, and I only talked to him once on the phone when I got back. But with the way he’s looking at me now, I can tell he feels sorry for me, and that’s something I won’t tolerate.
Inching closer to the steps, I attempt to play it cool. “Oh hi, Tony. It’s good seeing you. I wish I could stay and chat, but I was just leaving.”
“I don’t think so.”
I whirl around. That’s it. Who does this guy think he is? “Listen, you little...” I begin, but Tony interrupts by grabbing my arm.
“Michelle, calm down. There’s no need to freak out,” Tony says, slowly releasing his grip on me. “Do you remember me telling you about Sal, my roommate at school, the one from New York?” I nod, but I can care less at this moment. “Well, this is his older brother, Connor. I kind of told him all about you, and I thought it’d be a good idea if you two met.”
I shake my head and sigh. “So you made him wait out here alone in the cold?”
I can tell Tony’s nervous. He’s running his fingers through his hair. “I thought you’d bolt otherwise.”
“She nearly did,” Connor chimes in.
Frustrated, I slam my fist on the porch railing. “The both of you just stop it, right now! I knew it was a bad idea to come here. I don’t need some random guy from New York giving me advice on how to live my life.”
Pushing off the swing, Connor gets to his feet. “Well, what are you doing with your life then? What’s plan B?”
I advance toward him. “I don’t have a plan B, asshole. I don’t have all the answers, but apparently you do.”
Connor closes the gap between us. “I wish I did, but I think you can figure it out. You were brave enough to take on the big, bad city once. Why not try it again under different circumstances?”
Tony clears his throat, and for a moment, I forgot he was there. “Michelle, Connor owns a bar downtown. He thought you could go back and work for him. Give it another go.”
“I’m no bartender,” I retort.
“You sure aren’t,” Connor fires back.
Tony holds up his hands in an attempt to keep the peace. “Just hear him out, Michelle.”
“Fine,” I say glaring up at him.
“Go on, Connor. Tell her about it,” Tony urges, knowing I may flee at any moment.
Connor’s eyes find mine again, but I look away as he starts speaking. “My family’s owned a pub on Beekman Street for years. Not too long ago, my dad had a heart attack, so I took over. I can offer you a waitressing job plus room and board above the bar for as long as you want it.”
For a minute, I stop and consider the possibility. It actually doesn’t sound that bad, and it’d be a welcome change from my original intention of becoming the next film school prodigy. It would be fresh start, and I wouldn’t be alone. But can I really go back there?
Sensing my trepidation, Connor pats me on the shoulder. “Listen, I know it’s not what you imagined. Tony told me how smart you are and how you were hoping to make it big at NYU. I can understand how working in a bar sounds like a letdown after that. But honestly, I think it’d be good for you.”
“And why do you care about what happens to me?” I ask, raising my eyes to his.
“Because I was there that day, and so were you.”
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