Sherry Gammon's Blog, page 21

Wonderstruck Anthology!!

Wonderstruck Anthology is now available! Get Wonderstruck TODAY from Amazon !

Add Wonderstruck to your Goodreads to be read list
When you look at a picture, what do you see? We gave authors around the world the challenge to write a story based on a set of five images. More than thirty authors rose to that challenge and created an amazing young adult anthology of drabbles, short stories, novelettes and novellas for you to enjoy. Flip the pages and prepare to be Wonderstruck!
Dive into a world where wind is a power that feeds the flames and love makes everything more complicated. A life where a scorned bride can cause a great deal of trouble and a place where silence as you will find out has a lot to say. Find yourself in a future where a powerful enemy can only be stopped by the most dangerous weapon of all: the truth. All of this and more lies within these very pages... Are you ready?
Wonderstruck is Clean Teen Publishing's first break through Young Adult anthology. All stories within this book have fallen within our YA rating scale, however, not all stories have young adult characters. You will find a great deal of entertainment within Wonderstruck that is appropriate for readers of all ages. To view more information on our official content rating system please visit: www.cleanteenpublishing.com
Winning Novella- Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger  (Clean Teen Publishing Author of Wind Warrior)The sleepy town of White Halls harbors a dangerous secret. On a picturesque street, two houses down from a lovely little park, in a quaint little home with a wraparound porch, lives a family that seems rather normal. Sure, their twenty year old son, Xander, still lives at home, but he's going to college and dating the leader of the schools top sorority. It's all very... normal.  However, when a man is miraculously saved from being hit by a bus, Xander's life turns in to the living embodiment of the tornadoes he can suddenly create with a flick of his wrist. Whether he wants this gift or not, Xander must learn to use his new 'super power' quickly if he wants to survive.  For his kind is a dying race, and when this sleepy town has a sudden influx of new, blonde, fire wielders, no one is safe, especially Xander. It doesn't help that one of these blondes happens to be the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Xander can't deny the instant connection he feels to her so, when she tries to kill him, it certainly makes things complicated.

Winning Novelette- Pastiche by Maren Dille      A punishment far worse than death awaits Alim Hamal. Sylin Incorporated has a particular sentence for their rogue assassins: uncovering the darkest moments in their subconscious, then watching as they relive them through virtual simulation. Only one assassin has ever escaped. Alim plans to be the second.
The simulation demands the truth, something Alim has kept from his employers at all costs. But as his final moments emerge, Sylin will discover that the truth is Alim’s most dangerous weapon.
Winning Short Story- The Silent Man by Kati EllisI thought my time with Silence would be peaceful. Heaven knows I deserve it after all those years of raising babies. Silence, however, had a different plan. If it weren't for Marigold, I don't think I would've seen it. She introduced me to the Silent Man, and Silence, as it turns out, has quite a bit to say.          
Winning Drabble- A Lady's Revenge by Jennifer BullA scorned bride can cause a great deal of trouble...
Wonderstruck Authors (By Last Name) Radeyah H. Ali            Drabble~ Magically Fitted
Gabrielle Arrowsmith (Clean Teen Publishing Author of Concealed in the Shadows)        Drabble~ Joah and the Beacon of Light
Beau Barnett               Short Story~ Into Eternity Eric, a widowed paralytic, knows he is dreaming when he sees a younger version of his deceased wife, Jessica, by a lake with his old dog. But the joy of seeing them again is replaced by the pain of knowing they won't be there when he wakes up.
Jennifer Bull                Short Story~ A Wizard's World When Jack stumbled upon a strange jar in the middle of the forest he found the one thing he had always wanted—a friend, and now he’ll do everything he can to protect her. Born into a world unlike any other, a world within a jar, Lottie longs to explore beyond her glass home. Little does she know that even the smallest adventures can have dangerous consequences…Drabble~ Life in a JarDrabble~ Round and Round I GoDrabble~ Once In a Blue Moon
Liana Chau     Drabble~ Ahead and Beyond
MeMe Collier               Short Story~ The Fairy Jar Gracie doesn't believe in magic. Disillusioned by their mother's abandonment, she dismisses her younger brother, Brennan's, claim that he's caught a fairy. But as the invisible Ileana works in her family's lives, memories of their mother's fairytales tug at Gracie's mind. They call into question everything she's come to place her faith in, making her wonder if magic really does exist and if love still lives on after loss.
Leah D.W.       Short Story~ Watery Grave There is something in the water...something dark...something hungry...When Ashlynn escapes from a life of abuse she is thrown into the swamplands rumored to harbor a nightmare. She should have listened to the rumors because there is something in the water...and it loves the taste of human flesh
Julie Gilbert   Drabble~ Keio and the Farsight Fire
Lisa Goldman              Short Story~ Oafish Me In Oafish Me, teenager, Misty, considers herself a social outcast—an oaf—as her classmates remind her every opportunity they get. When Drake, a charismatic and gorgeous new student, stays by her side through their constant ridicule, she discovers she not only longs for a friendship with him but for the first time, a relationship. With her raw emotions on the line, she accepts his invitation to go out but when he takes her to a secluded wooded area, she starts to question if he is her knight in shining armor or her worst enemy.
Dominique Goodall Drabble~ Fairy CaptureBrenna Harden          Short Story~ A Warriors Journey
Sandra Havriluk        Drabble~ Jedidiah
Sacha Hope Novelette~ Glass Heart Wolt is a brilliant scientist trying desperately to cure his wife's condition. Doctors suspected she had a type of cancer and their medicines offered little help to the ailing woman. Wolt finds a way to buy time for his wife, but his experiment turns her into something else altogether...
Erin Liles         Novelette ~ Outside the Walls Outspoken, seventeen-year-old Jenna hates the settlement she lives in where disagreement is frowned upon. Fed up, she leaves one day, and meets a group of outsiders, only to discover that her home and family are in danger. It is up to Jenna to save them and in doing so, discover what is really important.
B.T. Lyons Novella~ Heartkeeper Short Story It only took fifty years for humankind to plummet from the turmoil of a population of ten billion people to a struggling group of two billion trying to figure out how to survive in harmony with the Earth. Under a new, peaceful societal structure, people have relearned their connection with the Land and the spirits of nature that live there. Young Adain has just reached thirteen years of age, and must undertake the dangerous Heart Chase to secure the spirit of an animal that will act as his conscience and companion for the rest of his life. It will be a year of trials and challenges, but the risks to the People may be even higher as someone else binds with an animal spirit that may not have their best interests in mind...
Short Story~ Peace London in the late 1800's is a dirty, chaotic, and above all, loud place embroiled in a scientific war with neighboring France as each strives to outdo each other with technological wonders. A young married pair of university professionals finds themselves at odds over the benefits of this war: Nigel only wants to see England prevail – preferably through his own inventions – whereas his wife, Christine, dreams of quiet and a natural world that she has only seen in storybooks. Enter a street-side vendor offering “Peace In A Bottle”; this might be the answer to Christine's greatest desires, but it could be the beginning of Nigel's worst nightmare.
Julie Marcinik             Short Story~ The Executioner Vivian Fletcher has a gift that’s given her a special place in the kingdom—the King’s personal executioner. Everything and everyone she touches dies. When she finds out that the world she’s living in is full of lies and turmoil, she’ll have to accept her gift and use it to right the wrongs.

Mia Marin       Drabble~ A Note To My TravelerDrabble~ A Dear Dalliance
Miranda Maurin        Short Story~ The Dance of Time Tabitha and Carter are a little too daring when they run through a tunnel to investigate the mysterious music they heard while running through the woods. The cave is well lit, and the dance looks fun, but they can't seem to stop.
Veronica Morfi           Drabble~ Shine
Ifeoma Ofuani            Drabble~ He Would Be Great
Paula Phillips              Short Story~ Skye in High School Wonderland It started out just like any normal day for high school Plain Jane Skye Salisbury until tragedy strikes her school and out of nowhere, a glimmering hole appeared. The question on everyone's minds is—what lies at the bottom? Will it be another world or a different dimension?
Jocelyn Sanchez         Novella~ A World Unlike Mine What would you do if you could see magical creatures from the early age of five? Well, for seventeen-year-old Tasha it gets pretty difficult when a fairy prince named Thomas appears with news that will change her life forever. But with the help of her best friend and pixie, Seamus, Tasha will find her place in a world so unlike hers. Will she rise to the occasion and become who she was destined to be?Drabble~ NightDrabble~ Darkness and Light
Cindy Saunders (Clean Teen Publishing Author of Double Star)Short Story~ Nirvana She looked at the picture she’d painted many years ago. It was a magical place—a place inspired by her dreams. Though, tonight it almost seemed... alive, as if it were calling to her.
Clemy W. Thompson             Drabble~ The Truth
Dana Wright Drabble~ Fairy Lights
http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com https://www.facebook.com/cleanteenpublishing @CleanTeenPub

Phrase for today: Prepare to be Wonderstruck!

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The Night Marchers Series by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels

Day five of Clean Teen Publishing post: 



The Night Marchers Series by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels(YA Paranormal Romance) Night Marchers (Free) and Redemption
Available now through Amazon, B&N, iBookStore, Smashwords and Sony Kobo.
Watch the trailers today! Night Marchers and Redemption
NEVER, EVER lock eyes with a Night Marcher! Everyone in Hawaii has heard this warning, except for seventeen-year-old Emma Townsend, that is. For most Hawaiians know that looking into the eyes of Night Marcher can strike a curse that will end in death or eternal servitude.
Even though her father, who is a paranormal investigator, solely raised Emma, she has little experience in the realm of the supernatural. When she is forced to move with her father to Hawaii, only months before her graduation, Emma finds that her world as she knows it, is shaken when she starts seeing the unexplainable: fire balls in the distance, beating drums in the middle of nowhere and strangers who vanish into thin air. Then one day when she has a run in with a procession of Night Marchers, ancient Hawaiian spirits wandering from their burial grounds to their locations of battles past, Emma has no choice but to believe that the unbelievable does exist.
Now Emma must go on the run with the help of a mysterious stranger, as they seek out how to free Emma from the curse of a Night Marcher, who will stop at nothing to get her soul.
Night Marchers has had more than 100,000 downloads since February 2012. The Legend of the Night Marchers Guest PostSource of article: http://www.to-hawaii.com/legends/night-marchers.php 
Hawaii – Home of the Night Marchers
The Hawaiian Islands are notably one of the most spiritual vacation destinations. With a rich history of mythology and folklore and numerous sacred sites still standing, Hawaii’s link to the past is ever present.
The retelling of spooky ghost tales has been a favorite form of entertainment and an important cultural link in Hawaii since ancient times. Ghostly images or haunting acts have been reported in old buildings, deep valleys, sacred burial sites, ancient temples called heiaus, forested areas, beaches and lava fields. A good majority of Hawaii residents have either had a spooky encounter at some point during their lives, or know of someone with an eerie story to tell. One of the most popular subjects of ghost stories in the islands is the Night Marchers, or Hukai-po.
Who are they?
Night Marchers are ghostly apparitions of a band of beings who move with purpose to the beat of primitive pounding drums. Some say they are armed spirit warriors en route to or from battle, toting archaic weaponry and clothed in decorated helmets and cloaks. Other accounts tell of high-ranking alii (ruler) spirits being guided to places of high importance or to welcome new warriors to join in battle. Perhaps these restless souls are looking to reclaim rightful territory, replay a battle gone awry, or avenge their own deaths. Some say the Night Marchers are searching methodically for an entrance into the next world.Night Marchers are said to roam through very specific locations on the islands, between seashore and mountains and are often recognized by their raised torches and repeated olis, or chants. Although there have been a few scattered reports of daytime marches, these apparitions appear to be most active at night and are said to march on certain nights designated by the moon. And although the Night Marchers allegedly float a few inches off the ground, some local accounts tell of seeing mysterious footprints in their path after they’ve passed.
Areas like the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Kaaawa Valley and Kalihi Valley on Oahu are rumored homes of Night Marcher trails, and nighttime visitors are encouraged to be wary.
What to do when happening upon a night march in progress? The ghostly procession must never be interrupted. Legend has it that resting your eyes upon the Night Marchers could signal a grim fate for the perpetrator, a friend or relative, so witnesses are urged to crouch low to the ground, “play dead” and avert the eyes. Any sound or movement could invite a Night Marcher’s deadly glance. These Night Marchers are set diligently upon their destination and are not considered spirits that will deviate from their path to haunt humans nearby..Some characteristics of the mysterious night marches include:•  Heavy wind•  Rows of spirits carrying torches•  Alternating male and female rows•  Accompanying lightening and thunder•  Accompanying heavy rain or high surf•  Chanting and drumbeating•  Unusually bright torches•  Game playing and revelry•  Accompanying mist or fog

About Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels:
Rebecca and Courtney are downhome country girls powered by chocolate and other random late night cravings. Coined in southern twang they bring new meaning to the word y'all. BFI's since the 6th grade, with a knack for getting into sticky situations, has resulted in countless ideas to write about for years to come.
Where can readers check us out?Blog: http://nightmarchersseries.blogspot.c... fan page: http://www.facebook.com/nightmarchers... fan page: http://www.facebook.com/eleseriesGood... and NuckelsChttp://www.eleseries.comhttp://www.ni...

Phrase for today: The unbelievable does exist
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Double Star by Cindy Saunders

Day 4 of Clean Teen Publishing post:



Double Star by Cindy Saunders(YA- Paranormal Fantasy- Available Now)
She fell into his world, unaware of the key she carried and the doors it opened; a world where darkness waited to be set free ... The wait is over Do You Believe?
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Double-Star-ebook/dp/B00D94X34O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370814761&sr=8-1&keywords=double+star+cindy+saunders
When Cepheus, a dark god, forces seventeen-year-old Ally Ashworth off an isolated overlook, she has no idea she's falling into his world, or that the necklace she’s wearing is actually a key -one with the power to ignite the next world war. But she’s carried beyond his reach and into the one place where he’s powerless ... the forest of Gilgamesh.
Ally’s never been Miss Popularity, but her outsider status takes on new meaning when she’s rescued by Liam Cheveyo and his peculiar friends. After seeing them shape-shift into their freaky humanimal counterparts, Ally smacks hard into a few truths: magic really does exist and, although getting here took no effort, finding her way back might be impossible.
Feelings between her and Liam begin to grow along with the realization that, in this world, she’s stronger, better ... until she’s caught in a trap set by the creepy spider-boy Cepheus sends to retrieve her.  But Ally’s not going down without a fight, not after learning the horrible truth about the passageways.  
The survival of both worlds depends on it.

Excerpt from Double Star
“What I am going to tell you needs to stay here, for now. Once I explain, you will understand why. The world in which we live,” Thea said and looked at him and Meg, “is not the only one that exists. There is another, similar but not the same, that travels in parallel to our own. An unseen but strong force holds them together. Many centuries ago, our world was linked to the heavens but, over time, those passageways were sealed and others created in their place—doorways to another world through which travel is uncommon but not unheard of.”She turned her eyes to Ally. “That world belongs to you.” Ally stared, mouth agape, at Thea, and then dropped her head against the back of the couch. “A parallel dimension,” she said softly. Thea nodded. “Those secret corridors allow the spirit gods to travel between the two worlds. But, an indiscretion has led to their use by other beings, causing the fabric that holds them together to become compromised. It has developed tears within the seams where the energy wavers. I do not understand why you made the journey, Ally, but it is not the first time a human has traveled between them.”Thea gave an uncharacteristic sigh. “I am telling you this so you can understand what I am about to say. There are some who believe the ability to cross between our two worlds, despite the consequences, will give them great power. However, their greed will only serve to destroy us all.”Liam got to his feet. “How long have you known, Thea?” He could understand the subject not coming up in day-to-day conversation, but why had he never heard so much as a rumor?Thea shook her head. “Liam, are you so vain as to assume yours is the only world that breathes life?” He began to pace. “I have never given it a thought—” His feet stopped. “If what you say is true, what makes you think Ally is from this other world?” “I sensed it the moment I saw her. That was the reason for my trip to Podegar’s.” Thea pulled a washcloth from her apron pocket. “This is stained with the blood I wiped from Ally’s forehead.” She unfolded the rust-colored rag. In its center was an area where the blood was not visible. “Podegar poured tama juice on this. When the blood disappeared, it confirmed my suspicion. It is slightly different from our own.” “That would explain it,” Ally said.Liam looked at Ally. “How can you simply accept this?” “You haven’t been listening,” she answered. “I told you I wasn’t from around here. You thought I was crazy. Trust me—I questioned my own sanity when I saw what happened today. People don’t change into animals where I’m from. Not literally anyway.” “Ah, you know about the Shanyo.” Ally nodded at Thea’s statement.“If what you say is true, Thea,” Liam said, “could the location where Corm and I found her be one of those passageways?” Ally’s body tensed. “Yeah, why can’t I just go back the way I came?” Thea’s expression washed over with sympathy. “The portals allow movement in a single direction. The one you traveled through leads into the forest, not out of it. In order to return home, you must find the correct one. It is true that certain spirits can travel at will between the worlds. The gods before us could do it quite easily. Yet, even then, the journey changed their powers, either diminishing them or making them more powerful. Certain objects are able to travel to and from as well. Some change. Some simply do not make it through at all.” “So how do I find the right passageway home?” Ally asked. Thea shook her head. “You traveled through unintentionally. Great care must be taken if you journey through again. I learned a great deal during my time away. The opening of certain doors can result in dire consequence. Almost seventy years ago, in your sense of time, a spirit traveled from this world and allowed Chaos to enter yours. It had also happened twenty-seven years before, with a similar result. Prior to your arrival, the last time someone from your world traveled here was three years ago.” Thea looked at him and Meg. “The time of the sickness that took your mother.”Liam asked, incredulous, “Who would do such a thing?” Thea looked at him but did not speak. Ally began to count on her fingers.“What are you doing?” he asked her.“The math. Seventy years ago was 1941. Twenty-seven years before that was 1914. Huh. I know those dates. We talked about them in Hist—” Her mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? World War I and World War II? Are you saying something from over here caused those wars?”“I cannot say if the passageway was traveled before or after the trouble began. I do know that evil takes root when people have given up hope. I suspect the timing of such things is not chance but seen as an opportunity. I am sad to say, within the past year, the door into your world has opened again. Forces here tried to prevent that, to no avail. Tell me, is your world experiencing anything unusual… anything of consequence at the current time?” Ally nodded. “Yeah. Wars and terrorism are spreading—there are tsunamis, earthquakes, and natural disasters. And oh, the world economy is about to collapse… to name a few ‘unusual’ things. Everything’s falling apart.”“If your world falls, ours does as well,” Thea said.

About Cindy Saunders:
CINDY SAUNDERS was born in Lowell, MA. She moved to RI almost twenty-five years ago and now considers the Ocean State her home. She graduated from Bryant College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. When she’s not reading, writing, spending time with her two teenage children (how did that happen?) or working, Cindy tracks down one of her favorite local bands and enjoys a glass of wine. She completed her first novel, Double Star, a YA fantasy, in October 2012 and is currently working on the second book in the series.
Double Star is her first novel.
Website: http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/ci... https://www.facebook.com/doublestarbook

Phrase for today: Do you believe?
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Concealed In The Shadows by Gabrielle Arrowsmith

 Day 3 of Clean Teen Publishing spotlight:


Concealed In The Shadows by Gabrielle Arrowsmith (YA Dystopian- Available Now)Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Concealed-in-the-Shadows-ebook/dp/B00CUJ3QQE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370122427&sr=1-1&keywords=concealed+in+the+shadows



Sydney Harter has long awaited September 12th, 2033—her eighteenth birthday. She can finally apply for guardianship of her sister, who is her only family and entire world. She hopes they will be lawfully reunited, but is prepared to defy authority and risk everything to escape the captivity of Miles County so that they can be together.
Escaping will be difficult and dangerous. Citizens are bound to their county by sophisticated chip implants that deliver shocks to those who dare to cross the electric barrier. Sydney is very clever, but her trickery is limited against the all-seeing eyes of technology. Even if they were to survive the escape, disappearing into the forgotten forests and towns of the past seems an impossible task.
What Sydney doesn't know is that she is the particular interest of two opposing forces. With deceit, fear, and warfare surrounding her—can she trust the party that aims to help with her fight against the other? Can she open her heart to receive and return unexpected love? When her sister’s life becomes jeopardized, Sydney will have to weigh a new love against the only enduring love she has known. The cost could be deadly…
How will she choose?

Guest Post by Gabrielle Arrowsmith: Futuristic Technology
         Do you ever find yourself laughing out loud at old movies that were set in the future – a time period that has since arrived or will shortly? I sure do!
         It was important to me while writing “Concealed in the Shadows” that I try to carefully envision the technology of the future as not to be laughable. Eek! This was especially important since the novel is set in the near future, 2033, and even mentions the beginnings of chip implantation in the very near future – 2015!
         Of course, this required in-depth research about the capabilities of things like chip implants and application of current trends in the uses and styling of technological devices.
         In creating the story, I extended even small ways that we currently use technology to connect with others and share our whereabouts and/or happenings. Location services currently make it relatively easy for us to ‘check-in’. The chips in the wrists of all citizens allow anyone who has been added to your circle to track your whereabouts anytime. Of course, this invites some major drama if a friend has temporarily blocked another friend from being able to view their location and company.
Status updates are also automatically fed to the device of anyone who follows you. The pop-ups must be insane! The only way to be able to manage them is to be tied to your device more so than we currently are (already too much, in my opinion).
         Or devices can already handle transactions and more, but I wanted to take this a step farther. I need this capability to be moved inside the body so that the chips would hold a person’s identity and entire worth. Pretty hard to part with, right? Being in the body, the chips can also monitor citizens’ health. This is very important in this futuristic setting as cancer and other fatal illness are on the rise.
         Do you think the way that I’ve advanced technology in the setting of “Concealed in the Shadows” is possible? Probable? An eerie idea, considering how things go in the novel, but one about which I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s discuss in the comments!

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About Gabrielle Arrowsmith:

GABRIELLE ARROWSMITH enjoyed writing her debut novel, Concealed in the Shadows, during a lovely Minnesota summer that she had off from her primary profession, teaching. Acting, playing and coaching soccer, reading, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends are among her other interests.
Website: http://www.gabriellearrowsmith.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConcealedInTheShadowsGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6880655.Gabrielle_ArrowsmithYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/garrowsmith13CTP Website: http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/gabrielle-arrowsmith.html

Phrase for today: How will she choose?

The Trouble with Toads Spotlight

 
Tour Schedule The Trouble with Toads Once upon a time a young girl wanted revenge. But first, she wanted to be beautiful. Twelve-year-old Bettony has read enough stories that begin with ‘Once upon a time’ to know what happens to the ugly stepsisters at the end, and she’s determined to escape that fate by any means necessary—even by magic. Unfortunately, when it comes to magic, there is no place for regret, refunds, or exchanges. Even if you accidentally turn your older sister into a toad. If Bettony wants her Happily Ever After to end well, she’s going to have to find a way to turn her sister back into a person before their mother finds out she’s been dabbling with magic and grounds her for life. Tracking down the family magic turns out to be surprisingly easy. Now, if only it came with directions . . . THE TROUBLE WITH TOADS (45,000 words) is the first book in a new upper MG series The Secret Stepsister Society. The second book will be released Summer 2013.
Amazon   Author Danyelle Leafty Danyelle Leafty writes upper MG and YA fantasy, and is the author of THE FAIRY GODMOTHER DILEMMA series. Danyelle has always loved fairy tales, and prefers stories where someone gets eaten, or at the very least, transmogrified. Much of her inspiration has come from fairy tales, because as G.K. Chesterton so aptly states, "Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." In her spare time, she collects dragons, talking frogs, and fairy godmothers. She also collects books, and one day hopes to make a house out of them. She enjoys learning languages, fiddling with her harp, and perfecting the fine art of mothering. (It's a lot like trying to herd chickens during a lightning storm while a goat stampede is going on.) One of her heroes is Albert Einstein, particularly for the following quote: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The most important thing is not to stop questioning."
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Blog Blog Tour Giveaway$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal CashEnds 6/28/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $25 US.

Excerpt #3
At any other time, Bettony would have felt left out, but all her attention was on the cup Désire was handing to her sister.Never eat anything your grandmother concocted was something their mother had dinned into their heads for as long as she could remember. It went for gingerbread and other sweets, and probably potions too.“Wait,” she tried again. “Please don’t drink that. Here. You can have mine.”If Cadmilla had been looking daggers at her before, that was nothing compared to how she looked now.“Thank you,” she said stiffly, taking hold of the cup Désire had offered her, “but I already have a cup.”Then, before Bettony could make any more protests, she put it to her lips and drank.At first, nothing happened.Cadmilla didn’t explode or grow a second head or breathe fire.Bettony let out a sigh of relief. Maybe she’d been worried for nothing. Her grandmother had said the potion was her problem. That meant it wasn’t something their grandmother had concocted.Then Cadmilla’s skin turned the same greenish-brown as the potion.“My stomach,” she moaned, dabbing her face with her kerchief.Bettony held her breath. Désire’s mouth had dropped open, but Cadmilla hadn’t noticed anything was amiss yet. Maybe if she brought their grandmother here . . .A funny look crossed Cadmilla’s face when warts and ridges broke out along her face, neck, and hands. “I’m feeling most decidedly odd.”“You—you—” Fortunately, Désire was less than her placid, concise self.Cadmilla’s chin disappeared in her expression of regret. “Do you mind if we walk about the gardens later this evening? I should be feeling better by then. It’s likely nothing more than indigestion.”“You—you—” Désire tried again.Bettony put her head in her hands. If only her sister’s problem was one too many cakes or rancid tea. For the first time in her life, she realized that maybe her mother’s injunction against visiting their grandmother or practicing magic had some merit in it.But she never would have visited their grandmother for a spell if she hadn’t been driven to it. She might only be twelve years old, but she was smart enough to know she wouldn’t always be twelve. No, children grew up. It’s what they did. And they spent a lot more time as adults than they ever did as children.Forever was an awfully long time, and she wanted to spend it singing. She wanted to sing for the king and the court. She wanted to travel to other kingdoms and sing there.But she couldn’t. Not with this face.Cadmilla tried to stand, but she swayed and had to grip the edge of the table to keep her balance. “I think I—”She hiccuped and disappeared in a shower of gingerbread-scented sparks.
“A TOAD!” Désire managed at last, pointing at the creature blinking dazedly up at them next to the unfortunate teacup.

The ELE Series by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels

Clean Teen Publishing presents the ELE Series. Not going to lie, these books have been on my Must read list for a while...Oh, why can't there be more hours in the day!

The ELE Seriesby Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels Project ELE (Free), Finding ELE , Exposing ELE and Surviving ELE Available Now Through: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBookStore, Smashwords and Sony KoboView the book trailer for Project ELE !

Millions have already died, and thousands more are perishing daily. As a last ditch effort to preserve the human race, the government implements Project ELE. With the earth heating at rapid speeds, all remaining survivors are forced to turn to F.E.M.A. shelters to wait out ELE's wrath.
Fifteen-year-old Willow Mosby's life, as she knows it, ends the moment she walks through the shelter's door. Willow has to quickly adapt to the new challenges that shelter life demands, which includes making new friends and working a full time job.
Soon after making an interesting discovery, Willow and her friends start exhibiting strange abilities. Seeking answers, they embark on a mission to find out what these new abilities mean and whether they are a gift or a curse.
This new adventure can send her world crashing down around her. The question is: Can Willow survive the fall?
From the best selling authors of Night Marchers comes a new apocalyptic series with a paranormal twist.
Creating ELE Guest Post Courtney and I have been best friends since the 6th grade. We took that friendship to a new level in October 2011 when we decided to partner together to write our first novel, Night Marchers. Little did we know that a year and a half later we would have six books under our belt, two of which have hit best selling status on Amazon and we would have opened our own publishing company!
The ELE Series has become our favorite journey through writerdom yet! We've been asked what inspired us to create this series, and to be honest there are a number of factors that led us to create the world around Project ELE.
After reading The Hunger Games trilogy as well as a few of our other favorite dystopian genre novels, we knew that we wanted to try out a futuristic setting for our next quest. We played around with several different ideas and all of them kept coming back to a heroine with amazing powers who would eventually learn to kick bad-guy-butt. We also came to the agreement that we wanted to have a series that starts at the beginning of an apocalyptic event as opposed to the aftermath in the future after such an event had occurred. After many Skype dates in search of the perfect plot, we ended up blending two of our ideas together. Courtney had some awesome ideas about immunizations gone wrong and I had written a short story for an anthology about a world in the future where everyone has a special power. We smooshed the two ideas together, added a strong heroic female lead who is still very much a teenager and BAM, we had the ingredients for making The ELE Series. 
Currently the ELE Series consists of four novels: Project ELE (which is FREE), Finding ELE, Exposing ELE and our most recent release- Surviving ELE. We've been asked how many books will be in this series. We honestly don't have an answer to that yet. Willow's story hasn't been fully told, so there will be at least one to two more books that follow up after Surviving ELE. Currently we are working on the fifth book in the series that is tentatively called Ending ELE. We hope to release this book between June and July this year. We are also working on a novella called: ELE, which will show all of our main characters before they were forced to head towards the shelters. We figured this inside scoop would be an exciting edition for our fans and a sort of prologue to Project ELE.
For more information on our ELE Series, check out the book descriptions below. We hope you will take a chance and download Project ELE today.
Where can readers check us out?Blog: http://nightmarchersseries.blogspot.c... fan page: http://www.facebook.com/nightmarchers... fan page: http://www.facebook.com/eleseriesGood... and NuckelsChttp://www.eleseries.comhttp://www.ni... Trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpSSFW... http://www.amazon.com/Project-ELE-The...
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Phrase for today: Can Willow Survive?

Clean Teen Publishing

Note from me: Below is the start of a week long blog post about the new publishing company titled Clean Teen Publishing. I truly LOVE this idea, not because I want to censor books, NOT in the least. In fact, I am against censorship, but I am in favor of options! I see Clean Teen Publishing as a viable option, and am excited for this company. I wish them all the success in the world.
Clean Teen PublishingWe are excited to be able to tell your amazing readers about our new publishing company: Clean Teen Publishing. CTP is a new Indie publishing company that publishes Young Adult and New Adult fiction. We opened our doors in late February of 2013. Since then we have signed 5 authors and we have published 9books and we have another book release scheduled for next week:
•    Gabrielle Arrowsmith- Concealed in the Shadows (Available Now)•   Wonderstruck Anthology - (Available Now) by multiple authors.•   Cindy Saunders- Double Star (Available Now)•   Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels- Night Marchers , Redemption , Project ELE , Finding ELE , Exposing ELE and Surviving ELE . (Available Now) •   Jon Messenger- Wind Warrior (6/14/13)
We have additional author deals in the works as we speak now.
What Makes Clean Teen Publishing Different For Readers? One of the things that makes CTP stand out from the crowd is our trademark rating system. All Young Adult genre books that are newly published through Clean Teen Publishing will have a rating attached to their book. This content rating is based on the following: Romance, Language, Violence and Drug/Alcohol Abuse. At Clean Teen Publishing, we believe that our readers deserve to know ahead of time what they are reading. We do not believe in censorship; we believe in the right to know. Every reader, no matter what their age is, has certain boundaries they don't want to cross. Currently there is no consistent rating system in place for books like there are for movies, music and video games. We believe by offering a wider range of disclosure about the content of our books, we will give readers of all ages and parents, a stronger sense of comfort according to what lies between the pages. 
With that said, we will not deem whether a book is appropriate or inappropriate for any particular age range. *Our disclosure is simply for you to know what is in the book and we leave it up to you to decide what you are comfortable with reading. 
Below you will find an image of our current rating system. Please note that we only rate YA books. We currently have not determined the need to rate New Adult books. For more information on our ratings please check out this link: http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/content-disclosure.html




Did you know that Clean Teen Publishing offers the ability to order a rating for your self-published book? We also offer this content rating for other Indie publishing companies who want their YA books rated. For more information on how to order your rating, please check out this link: http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/order-a-rating-for-your-book.html

What Makes Clean Teen Publishing Different For Authors? At Clean Teen Publishing, we believe our authors, who create new and amazing literary worlds, deserve to receive a large share of the profits that their art creates. We also believe that our authors deserve the support of quality editing, breathtaking covers and the power of a strong marketing presence behind them. As authors ourselves, we know that your writing comes from your heart and, in a sense, is a part of you. We will carefully protect that part of you and work hard to keep your creative vision alive.
Clean Teen Publishing is currently accepting submissions for Young Adult and New Adult novels. We are looking for well written YA (young adult) or NA (new adult) novels that are between 50,000 and 100,000 words. We are interested in stand alone books and we will accept submissions for previously self-published work (however, this may change in the future.) Our ideal submission would be the first two books in a series or a novel and a novella that is a prequel to the novel. We are looking for something unique and breathtaking. For more information on our submission guidelines, check out: http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/submissions.html   ~The CTP Crew: Rebecca, Courtney, Marya and Dyan http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com https://www.facebook.com/cleanteenpublishing @CleanTeenPub
Find More from Clean Teen Publishing:
Facebook : Clean Teen Publishing, Gabrielle Arrowsmith, Cindy Saunders, Jon Messenger, ELE Series, Night Marchers Series, Strong Image Editing (Cover Designer), Cynthia Shepp (Editor)  
Twitter : @CleanTeenPub and follow the Clean Teen Publishing Blog
Amazon: Concealed in the Shadows by Gabrielle Arrowsmith, Double Star by Cindy Saunders, Wonderstruck (A Clean Teen Publishing Anthology), Project ELE and Night Marchers by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels
New Releases: June 14, 2013: Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger
Upcoming Releases: June 14, 2013: Wind Warrior by Jon Messenger

Phrase for today: Clean Teen

Review of Psyched, by Julie Caldwell

  Psyched by Juli Caldwell is now available! 
Cover Art by Morteque
http://morteque.deviantart.com/https://www.facebook.com/MyBeautifulDarkness
You can find it on Amazon, and look for it soon in paperback!

My thoughts: Aisi Turay is one awesome girl. She has power to see the dead...as in their souls. Now she's on a dangerous soul-risking quest, seeking answers to a mystery that's haunted her family for years. People she's lived around her whole life and never spoken to, as well as a new friend, have the knowledge she needs to solve it, and maybe bring her family back together again. This is a great read, filled with suspense. I NEVER knew from one chapter to the next what was happening. It is well written and a very enjoyable...and a bit scary, though not in the blood and gore sense. This is a thriller of the mind!!  I LOVED this book!!! 6 thumbs up!!



So far, great reviews for Psyched!

"This is one of those books you just can't put down. What I love about Psyched in addition to a great, spooky story is strong characters and narrative voice. Aisi is the most awesome chick, strong-willed, sassy, and deals with some crazy stuff happening with a spunkiness that I loved... Psyched is well-written, riveting, surprising and genre-busting. Teens will love this book, but it definitely has a more wide-ranging appeal."
and...
"Aisi Turay is one awesome girl. She has power to see the dead...as in their souls...This is a great read, filled with suspense. I NEVER knew from one chapter to the next what was happening. It is well written and a very enjoyable...and a bit scary!"
Psyched is part ghost story, part suspense, part demon-hunting thriller, part budding romance, the story of a girl named Aisi who's doing her best to keep it together for her wreck of a family. She is smart, sassy, and sarcastic enough to keep things interesting. When she meets Vance on the single worst day of her life, she finds a guy who just might be the first person ever to get her, to believe in her, and to out-random her with bizarre observations at the worst possible moment. There's just something about him that she knows she can trust.

Together, Aisi and Vance wander through the memories of others to unlock the secrets of her past while battling a demon who wants to ensure she never finds what she's looking for. Aisi vanquishes demons all the time, but Malus Indolus is too strong. And he has plans for her...and her family.

Psyched is Juli's second novel, the first as an indie writer, and her first experiment with her true love as a reader: paranormal fiction. Her debut novel Beyond Perfection is also available.

You can find Juli on her webpage, Twitter, Facebook,  and blog

Donna Weaver Blog Tour and my reivew

A Change of Plans Blog Tour InformationHosted by Lady Reader’s Blog Tours
My thoughts: When I agreed to do this tour, I didn't have time to read/review the novel, so I only commented to a media blitz post. But after hearing great things about it, I decided I could give up sleep for a good romance read. I was not disappointed. Lyn and Braedon are the main character in this story and might I say both are enjoyable. No whiney girl or overly macho man to distract from the story. It was sweet and fun with it's Jonhy Depp references and tender sweet romantic scenes. And exciting...being trapped on a dessert island!? Love it. I always dreamed of being stranded on a dessert island as a girl...now of course I thank the good Lord above that never happen, LOL! This is a great read!
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A Change of Plans Book Information:
When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He's everything her fiancé wasn't, and against the backdrop of the ship's make-believe world, her emotions come alive.Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.But it's hard to get away from someone when you're stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn's fear of a fairy tale turns grim.Title: A Change of PlansAuthor: Donna K. WeaverRelease Date: June 1, 2013Pages: 327Find it:  Amazon | B&N |  Goodreads | Rhemalda Store Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
About Donna K. Weaver: Donna K. Weaver is a Navy brat who joined the Army and has lived in Asia and Europe.

Because she sailed the Pacific three times as a child, she loves cruising and wishes she could accrue enough vacation time to do more of it with her husband.

Donna and her husband have six children and eight grandchildren who live all over the world.
At fifty, Donna decided to study karate and earned her black belt in Shorei Kempo.

After recording city council minutes for twenty years, Donna decided to write something a little longer and with a lot more emotion--and kissing. Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter | Website
What people are saying about A CHANGE OF PLANS...
"A Change of Plans will keep readers up way too late in this fast-paced tale of love lost and found again." ~Melanie Jacobson, author of The List, Not My Type, Twitterpated, and Smart Move"A Change of Plans is lots of romance sprinkled with pirates, shipwreck and adventure. Donna Weaver spins a tale that you will fall in love with, think about for days afterward, and then go back and read again. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down." ~Betsy Love author of Identity and Soulfire"A captivating tale of love, grief, and hope that will tug at your heartstrings until the very end." ~Laura Josephson, author of the Rising series andConfessions from the Realm of the Underworld"When someone says pirates and novel in the same sentence, I usually say, "Thanks, but no." Not in this case. Ms. Weaver brings a warm humor to her story of romance, travel and overcoming skeletons in one's past with her vivid characters and delightful scenes." ~Shaunna Gonzales, author of Dark Days of Promise

Born in Sin Camelia Miron Skiba

BORN IN SINDACIAN LEGENDS, # 2
BLURB: Loathing the thought of his beloved Oriana in the arms of another man, fearless Zyraxes delivers death upon the Roman enemy. With only the rugged land as his bed and the sky as his blanket, trouble finds him often.Summoned to aid Oriana’s father in the war against two powerful enemies—one of them Oriana's savage husband—Zyraxes proves himself worthy of more than just noble titles and coin. But he wants none of it. What he wants is her.When Zyraxes discovers a broken and nearly dead Oriana, though forbidden, he disregards her father's orders to leave her to her death, and instead chooses to protect and conceal her. Will saving her be enough to win her heart? Will his part royal lineage make him worthy of her love?
BORN IN SINDACIAN LEGENDS, # 2
EXCERPT: Who am I? Before Bastisza spoke to me I knew. Now … not anymore. I was the son of Polpium per Flavius, mender for King Decebalus. My mother the beautiful Medina of who people spoke as if she were a goddess. We lived a simple life in King Decebalus’ fortress with Father helping the ill, Mother embroidering for the king’s family, and me playing with Ilias, Galtys, and Ursus, daydreaming of the warriors we were meant to become. Mother taught me how to sing. Father shared his knowledge of herbs and medicinal remedies. I lived a sheltered life and had no siblings. Or so I thought.Until one ill-fated night when everything changed. I think of all the beds I’ve shared, women without a name or place where I shan’t return. Never more than a fleeting night spent in their arms, never so much as a wandering thought. They desired someone to warm their beds and who was I to deny their pleasures? Compared to Oriana their memories wither as darkness yielding to a new day.
My thoughts: Born in Sin is a fascinating short story. It is captivating from the first page. I loved the Alpha male Zyraxes. He is a strong and determined man, bent on saving his people and set on his love for Oriana. He risks it all for her. The man is a swoon-worthy character. This story is action packed and a must read for anyone who loves historical romances. Author Skiba never disappoints!  
 Camelia Miron Skiba—official bio
~~Who I am is not important but what I leave behind is~~ © 2013 Camelia Miron Skiba
I’m a dreamer
I’m a sinner
I love my books
I conjure hooks
And heroes with good looks
Romance is my guilty pleasure
Taking me to places with new decor
Come join me if you dare
I promise not to bore
If you like to read my stories
Pray my husband continues snorin’
For he’s the one who keeps me up at night
When I give my heroes wings and flight.



WEBSITE:      LOVE. WTHOUT YOU          http://authorcameliamironskiba.com/
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4864495.Camelia_Miron_Skiba
TWITTER: @CamiSkiba
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:  Camelia Miron Skiba
http://www.amazon.com/Camelia-Miron-Skiba/e/B007C79L1S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1