Devon Ashley's Blog, page 34
July 2, 2011
A Metamorphosis Excerpt
I've officially posted the first (and maybe only...we'll see) excerpt of Metamorphosis. You can find it here on my blog.
June 25, 2011
Win an ARC of Metamorphosis
So I'm about ready to send Metamorphosis off to the book bloggers. I'm so excited at how this novel turned out. In Ordained, my characters were confined to one location and uneasy with their surroundings, as they were forced to play nice with the enemy. But now that they're home again, they're free to be themselves and let loose a little. (Of course it all goes to hell again, but it was nice while it lasted) So much is going to happen in this novel, but I don't dare spoil the fun!
[image error] Change is not always a good thing...
Some survived the battle – but not without a price. As one heart starts up again, another dies down. The pure vampires learn their immortality isn't as strong as they'd thought – the status of their hearts determines their vulnerability. And when the truth gets out, a betrayal by one of their own will cost more lives.
Expected Publication: November 15, 2011
So ya wanna win a copy long before it hits the market? Just fill out the form below before August 20th. I'm extending this giveaway because Ordained is going on a book tour August 8 - 19th via The {Teen} Book Scene. I'm going to give away one copy for every 50 entries. And yes, I'm going to offer extra entries for this special giveaway. :)
How to Enter: 1. Fill out the FORM - free entry, no obligation on your part2. Follow The Crazy Dream Blog (+1)3. Follow Dark Horse Books Blog (+1)4. Become a fan on GoodReads (+1)
[image error] Change is not always a good thing...
Some survived the battle – but not without a price. As one heart starts up again, another dies down. The pure vampires learn their immortality isn't as strong as they'd thought – the status of their hearts determines their vulnerability. And when the truth gets out, a betrayal by one of their own will cost more lives.
Expected Publication: November 15, 2011
So ya wanna win a copy long before it hits the market? Just fill out the form below before August 20th. I'm extending this giveaway because Ordained is going on a book tour August 8 - 19th via The {Teen} Book Scene. I'm going to give away one copy for every 50 entries. And yes, I'm going to offer extra entries for this special giveaway. :)
How to Enter: 1. Fill out the FORM - free entry, no obligation on your part2. Follow The Crazy Dream Blog (+1)3. Follow Dark Horse Books Blog (+1)4. Become a fan on GoodReads (+1)
Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Winner!!!
Thank you to all that entered the 'I am a Reader, Not a Writer' Midsummers Eve Giveaway. But there can only be one winner and that person is:
SPAZ!!!
SPAZ!!!
June 20, 2011
Midsummer Eve's Hop
It's that time again!
What better way to splash into summer than with a good book?
Here at The Crazy Dream Blog, I'm giving the winner any book they want for a list price up to
$12 from the Book Depository*
*If the book depository ships to you, then you are eligible to enter! Check here to see if they ship to your country!
It's easy to enter. Just Follow This Blog and fill out the FORM below.
Want to win a copy of Ordained?
Head over to Dark Horse Books and enter te
Midsummer's Eve Giveaway there!
As always, winners will be chosen by random.org.<p><p><p><p><p><p><p>Loading...</p></p></p></p></p></p></p>
I AM A READER, NOT A WRITER
June 14, 2011
Misfit by Jon Skovron (ARC)
Misfit by Jon SkovronExpected Publication: August 1, 2011
Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She's changed schools too many times to count. The only family she's ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn't exactly help.
But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.
Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.
When I read the synopsis for Misfit, I was under the impression that I was going to get to witness an awesome tale about a girl coming into demonic powers. In a way I did, but I had higher hopes.
The first half of this book felt like a long, drawn out religious lesson to me. I'll give the author props here, cause I certainly felt like I was stuck in class with Jael listening to the priests lecture on and on and on... I was a little disappointed that such a huge chunk of this novel was devoted to the backstory of her parents and uncle. I felt a little cheated; because what little I got from Jael at that point, I had really enjoyed. After a while, I found myself scanning the other chapters because they just couldn't keep my attention.
The last half of this novel is why I'm glad I kept reading. Though I wish she hadn't picked up all these 'difficult demon traits' within one or two attempts, her demonic side merging with her mortal side was interesting and believable. If Misfit gets a follow-up, I hope it'll be more devoted to Jael, because I came to adore her a little bit more as the story progressed.
Novel provided by Amulet via NetGalley
Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She's changed schools too many times to count. The only family she's ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn't exactly help. But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.
Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.
When I read the synopsis for Misfit, I was under the impression that I was going to get to witness an awesome tale about a girl coming into demonic powers. In a way I did, but I had higher hopes.
The first half of this book felt like a long, drawn out religious lesson to me. I'll give the author props here, cause I certainly felt like I was stuck in class with Jael listening to the priests lecture on and on and on... I was a little disappointed that such a huge chunk of this novel was devoted to the backstory of her parents and uncle. I felt a little cheated; because what little I got from Jael at that point, I had really enjoyed. After a while, I found myself scanning the other chapters because they just couldn't keep my attention.
The last half of this novel is why I'm glad I kept reading. Though I wish she hadn't picked up all these 'difficult demon traits' within one or two attempts, her demonic side merging with her mortal side was interesting and believable. If Misfit gets a follow-up, I hope it'll be more devoted to Jael, because I came to adore her a little bit more as the story progressed.
Novel provided by Amulet via NetGalley
June 10, 2011
Release Date for Metamorphosis is...
Grab the Countdown on my Sidebar!
June 7, 2011
Dark Horse Books for Indies
I am an Indie Author (or Self-Pub, depending on who you speak to). (Whew! Glad I got that off my chest!)
Over the course of this journey - okay, journey may be an overstatement for 3 months - I've learned a lot of things. I've learned there is soooo much more to becoming an author than simply writing a book. Hell, looking back, that may have been the easiest part of all.
It took me about a month to figure out what putting my book on the market would really entail, and then go about doing it. I had to choose a publisher, design the interior and exterior of the book, choose where I would offer an eBook and format it in a way that would look good on an eReader, and determine how I wanted the book to be distributed. But all that was just making the book available - amongst the millions already available.
This is where being an Indie really weighed me down - public relations and marketing - all those wonderful things a group of people can help you do with traditional publishing. But luckily, there's GoodReads and Shelfari, and so many wonderful book bloggers that are willing to review your book. And who can forget the bloggers who take a tremendous amount of time and effort putting together a book blog tour for you! I'm so excited The {Teen} Book Scene is willing to take my Indie book Ordained on tour this August!
Along the way, I spotted some great Indies in nearby canoes who were paddling upriver next to me. Of those, a few of us have joined together to share the new blog Dark Horse Books for Indies. Here,
Rebecca
,
Constance
and I are going to spotlight Indie Authors. We'll review, host interviews and offer giveaways. We know there are some really great books out there written by Indies and we're determined to find them for you. So come by and check us out!
Over the course of this journey - okay, journey may be an overstatement for 3 months - I've learned a lot of things. I've learned there is soooo much more to becoming an author than simply writing a book. Hell, looking back, that may have been the easiest part of all.
It took me about a month to figure out what putting my book on the market would really entail, and then go about doing it. I had to choose a publisher, design the interior and exterior of the book, choose where I would offer an eBook and format it in a way that would look good on an eReader, and determine how I wanted the book to be distributed. But all that was just making the book available - amongst the millions already available.
This is where being an Indie really weighed me down - public relations and marketing - all those wonderful things a group of people can help you do with traditional publishing. But luckily, there's GoodReads and Shelfari, and so many wonderful book bloggers that are willing to review your book. And who can forget the bloggers who take a tremendous amount of time and effort putting together a book blog tour for you! I'm so excited The {Teen} Book Scene is willing to take my Indie book Ordained on tour this August!
Along the way, I spotted some great Indies in nearby canoes who were paddling upriver next to me. Of those, a few of us have joined together to share the new blog Dark Horse Books for Indies. Here,
Rebecca
,
Constance
and I are going to spotlight Indie Authors. We'll review, host interviews and offer giveaways. We know there are some really great books out there written by Indies and we're determined to find them for you. So come by and check us out!
June 6, 2011
Dark Horse Indie Books
Ordained is now a Dark Horse Indie Book! Check it out!!Giveaways start soon!
Ordained Second Edition
If you've tried to purchase the paperback copy of Ordained during the past week, then you've noticed Amazon and other sites saying it was 'out of stock'. This is because I've removed the first edition and am in the process of replacing it with a second. The novel will be back in stock by next week.
Kindle and Nook began selling the second edition on June 4th.
Kindle and Nook began selling the second edition on June 4th.
June 4, 2011
Valerie's Character Post
Recently, Melissa from Weres Vamps Romance ran a character post for Ordained during her Author Month. I thought I'd give it a few days here as well. :) There's also an audio file if you'd like Valerie to read the post to you directly.
Hi. I'm Valerie and I have a dilemma. Given my current living situation, I don't really have anyone to talk to. So, I'm using this session to ask you: If you knew without a doubt your friend was gonna die and nothing could be done to change that, could you – would you – tell her?For the past fifteen years I've been the resident psychic for the Order. Not really by choice. I was originally recruited cause I bare the mark of the hunter, but when my advisor realized I was clairvoyant, I was removed from training and taken off the roster to become an active hunter – doomed to spend the rest of my life in this hellhole. I've been cursed with the gift of sight and I've seen the gut-twisting, horrific deaths of every hunter that left this school – hunters I was once friendly with. But years of experience has proven the visions are absolute. Once I see your death there is no escaping it. Not once was the outcome able to be changed – not even Emily, who did die but was brought back to life by the woman that is the subject of this dilemma: Abby. Abby is special - beyond special - there is no other like her. She's a hunter, a witch, a vampire, and unfortunately, ordained to battle the demonic pet of the Goddess Eris. Her life has bred her for this purpose and there is no avoiding it. When the time comes she'll be automatically transported to another dimension to face this demon. No spell can hide her, no weapons can pass through the portal and no one else can make this journey with her. She's on her own – and she will die. I know what you're gonna say. She's the best warrior this world has to offer, she's magically gifted and she's immortal. Let me assure you. If ever there was something that could destroy her immortality and wrap death's arms around her, it's a demon pet blessed by the Goddess it serves.I know I sound cold. Blame it on the Order for isolating me all these years. Blame it on the cursed visions that made me feel each of those deaths as if they were my own. Hell, blame it on me if you'd like. Whatever it was, I've learned not to feel too much over the years. But this woman has become my friend. And I'd love nothing more than to change her fate. But like I said, once I see your death, your death is absolute. So now I'm asking you: If you knew without a doubt your friend was gonna die and nothing could be done to change that, could you – would you – tell her?
Hi. I'm Valerie and I have a dilemma. Given my current living situation, I don't really have anyone to talk to. So, I'm using this session to ask you: If you knew without a doubt your friend was gonna die and nothing could be done to change that, could you – would you – tell her?For the past fifteen years I've been the resident psychic for the Order. Not really by choice. I was originally recruited cause I bare the mark of the hunter, but when my advisor realized I was clairvoyant, I was removed from training and taken off the roster to become an active hunter – doomed to spend the rest of my life in this hellhole. I've been cursed with the gift of sight and I've seen the gut-twisting, horrific deaths of every hunter that left this school – hunters I was once friendly with. But years of experience has proven the visions are absolute. Once I see your death there is no escaping it. Not once was the outcome able to be changed – not even Emily, who did die but was brought back to life by the woman that is the subject of this dilemma: Abby. Abby is special - beyond special - there is no other like her. She's a hunter, a witch, a vampire, and unfortunately, ordained to battle the demonic pet of the Goddess Eris. Her life has bred her for this purpose and there is no avoiding it. When the time comes she'll be automatically transported to another dimension to face this demon. No spell can hide her, no weapons can pass through the portal and no one else can make this journey with her. She's on her own – and she will die. I know what you're gonna say. She's the best warrior this world has to offer, she's magically gifted and she's immortal. Let me assure you. If ever there was something that could destroy her immortality and wrap death's arms around her, it's a demon pet blessed by the Goddess it serves.I know I sound cold. Blame it on the Order for isolating me all these years. Blame it on the cursed visions that made me feel each of those deaths as if they were my own. Hell, blame it on me if you'd like. Whatever it was, I've learned not to feel too much over the years. But this woman has become my friend. And I'd love nothing more than to change her fate. But like I said, once I see your death, your death is absolute. So now I'm asking you: If you knew without a doubt your friend was gonna die and nothing could be done to change that, could you – would you – tell her?
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