Jessie Harrell's Blog, page 10

December 22, 2012

ATONE by Sara M. Ross


ATONE is now Available!!! Sarah M. Ross, author of Awaken and Avenge, has released the third book in this series, ATONE. This novella is available at Amazon, and Smashwords.  (Will be available on Barnes and Noble shortly). 

About the Book: Book Synopsis: Before there was Awaken, before there was “Lucy and Max”, there was just Max. And he had some issues.A lot of issues.Max Kensington ‘s death haunted him for years. The guilt of his sins tormented him. Unable to let go, he was sure he’d never be able to atone for all of them. But that didn’t stop him from trying.When his reason for being is suddenly thrust back into his life, he vows to protect her at all costs. He’ll do whatever it takes to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. And this time, he’ll fight to the bitter end to capture the one thing that has alluded him—happiness.
Excerpt:My fingers finally got the knob to turn. I opened the door and stepped inside, holding my breath. I pulled the curtain back, but kept my eyes closed for a moment longer. I could hear a hiss of air being pushed and knew she was probably on a ventilator. The knowledge made my heart clench, but hearing the steady beep of her heart monitor—knowing it was strong and constant—helped ease it a little.I took a deep breath. Bitter iodine and antiseptic swirled in my nose, but underneath it was another scent. Soft lilac emanated around me, and though it was faint, it overtook everything else. It was her. The beautiful, flowery aroma somehow clung to her and caressed my senses, making my heart pound in my chest.I opened my eyes and took my first look at her. If I had a thousand books filled with a thousand pages each, it would still not be enough to describe how beautiful she was. I knew that she was broken, bloody, and bruised, but I didn’t see any of that. All I saw was perfection. I took a few steps forward and reached my hand forward. My fingertips gently grazed her soft, creamy skin as I brushed her hair out of her face.As my fingers grazed her skin, a sizzle of electricity passed between us. Her monitors beeped like crazy, letting me know that even in this state, she was just as affected by me as I was by her. I pulled back, double checking that she was alright and I wasn’t inadvertently hurting her. After all, she was in a very precarious state right now and I couldn’t risk anything happening to her. After a few moments, the monitors resumed their steady rhythm and I tried again, this time taking her tiny, delicate fingers in my own.Her eyes fluttered behind their closed lids. I hoped she was having good dreams. I pulled up a chair and sat down next to her, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “I can’t believe I found you. I didn’t even know I’d lost you, and yet here you are. But I promise you this, I’m never leaving you again. So just rest now; let your body heal. We’ll be together very soon.” I brushed my lips against her temple, inhaling her sweet lilac smell as I did.A quiet knock at the door drew my eyes away from her, but not my hands. They refused to let her go. “You guys can come in,” I whispered. I wasn’t sure why I was whispering; I knew it wouldn’t wake her, but it just seemed like I should.James pulled back the curtain, allowing access for Cassie and Adam to slip in around him. James crossed the room, carrying a thick three-ring binder in his hands.  That binder held the key to unlocking the mystery of who this woman was—I still didn’t even know her name, but I yearned to know everything about her. What was she like? Where was she from? What happened to her? I wanted to know it all.

Price:$1.99 for ebookPaperbacks will not be available for this novella
About the Author: I started my obsession with reading at an early age, getting in trouble for sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class in elementary school. I would read any fiction book I could get my hands on. I knew it was an addiction when instead of grounding me from TV or music, my mom would take away my books as punishment (The Horror!). My love of all things paranormal was inspired by my good friend Laurie, who convinced me that books with vampires, witches, and all things shifter were amazing. After a little reluctance, I gave it a shot with the Sookie Stackhouse books, realized she was right, and the rest was history.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with my degree in English, and taught 8th graders to love reading as much as I do for several years. I will always be a proud member of the Steelers Nation, but I couldn't take the cold and moved my frozen tush to Florida where I now live with my family and two cats. You will find me now with my trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!

Please feel free to contact me!

Website- http://www.sarahmross.com
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/SarahtheAuthor
Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/SarahtheAuthorGoodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5447785.Sarah_M_Ross
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Published on December 22, 2012 13:35

December 20, 2012

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop.  Up for grabs is a YA book(s) of your choice up to $12.  This means you can pick a book from Amazon, or The Book Depository (the giveaway is open Internationally if you live in a country where TBD ships), or you can pick multiple e-books up to $12 through the provider of your choice.  What's not to love about that?

There are only a few entries so hopefully you'll be able to hop right along to the next stop on the hop.  Thanks for coming by!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
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Published on December 20, 2012 21:00

December 19, 2012

Sweeter than puppies?

What could be sweeter than these adorable puppies?
 How about this e-mail I got following my recent Skype chat with a middle school class in Tennessee?

Hello Mrs. Jessie,

My students were so excited about talking with you!  Some said that it was one of the "coolest experiences of their lives" and that you were their "inspiration" for their own writing.  In addition, all of them were impressed with your dedication, the hard work that went in to creating Destined, and the perseverance you showed through taking care of a family, working full-time as a lawyer, and trying to find time to pursue your dream of becoming an author.  Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with my students.  You'll never know how much it meant to them and to me!

I will continue to keep in touch.  You'll be receiving some projects and letters from the students who chose to read Destined that I think you will very much enjoy.

Thanks for everything,
Leah

Yep - that's definitely sweeter!  It makes me want to hug everyone in sight.  So here are some virtual ((HUGS)) just for you.
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Published on December 19, 2012 06:27

December 11, 2012

INDIE ReCon is coming!


Hi guys!
Do I have a surprise for you! :)











A small group of indie writers has pulled together and is hosting a FREE online conference on everything INDIE in Feb 2013!
Welcome to the first INDIE ReCon - Make Indie Publishing a Mission Possible
Are you curious about Indie publishing, but don't know where to start?  Or, are you already a published Indie author looking to boost your sales or expand your reach?  Then you'll want to attend a new, exciting online conference happening in 2013 - INDIE Revolution Conference.  Or as we like to call it, INDIE ReCon.
INDIE ReCon is happening online from February 12-14, 2013.
INDIE ReCon is a FREE, ONLINE conference that is modeled after the awesome annual WriteOnCon. It is designed to help any writer or author who is curious about the ins and outs of Indie publishing. 
However, INDIE ReCon is not just for Indie authors -- any author can attend because we cover topics all of you may want to know more about (marketing, etc).
We will cover everything from the pros and cons of Indie publishing, essential aspects in creating a high-quality book, successful online marketing, and expanding into International markets. 
We will feature over 30 guests that include industry experts as well as some of the bestselling adult and young adult authors in the publishing industry today including: Bob Mayer, Hugh Howey, M. Leighton, and Samantha Young (just to name a few).  
For three days, INDIE ReCon will highlight new topics every hour (sometimes every half hour) for 8 hours a day which will include interviews, blog posts, vlogs, and live online chats.  You'll receive advice from authors, bloggers, marketing partners, cover designers, editors, and more.  You can check out our line up of topics and guests on our website.
Did we mention it's FREE and ONLINE? Well, there's more. Tons of Giveaways! There will be awesome giveaways from each and every speaker and partner. This will include books as well as services like free book designs, free editing, book development services, marketing prizes, and more. 
So mark your calendars for Feb 12-14th!
But, more importantly, sign up now with your email and we'll be sure to send you updates, news, and reminders as the conference gets closer so you won't forget. 
You won't find this much information (or excitement) about Indie publishing anywhere else. The hosts, partners, and presenters are all giving their time and knowledge for free for one simple reason: they're excited about being Indie and they want to help you decide if it's right for you too.  
You can already sign up on the home page to receive updates and news.
We hope you join us at INDIE ReCon - where we'll help you make Indie publishing a mission possible!
See you there!
Founders/Hosts: S.R. JohannesAli CrossLaura PaulingJessie HarrellHeather McCorkleCheri Lasota
Special thanks to our partners: ALLiBibliocrunchIndieReaderKindle Fire DepartmentWorld Literary Cafe
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Published on December 11, 2012 05:00

November 30, 2012

DUST by Devon Ashley

Just finished this book last night - DUST by Devon Ashley - and it kept me up way too late reading several nights in a row.  If you enjoy dark paranormal with a smidgen on romance, this is a book you don't want to miss.
Goodreads review.
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Published on November 30, 2012 05:45

November 29, 2012

Passion Blue Blog Tour - fun author interview!

Thanks for dropping by today to read about PASSION BLUE and meet the author, Victoria Strauss.  I'm sure you'll enjoy her insights into the past as much as I did. SUMMARY:Be sure you know your true heart’s desire, or you may find yourself surprised by what you receive.

This is the warning the Astrologer-Sorcerer gives Giulia when she pays him to create a magical talisman for her. The scorned illegitimate daughter of a Milanese nobleman, Giulia is determined to defy the dire fate predicted by her horoscope, and use the talisman to claim what she believes is her heart’s desire: true love and a place where she belongs–not likely prospects for a girl about to be packed off to the cloistered world of a convent.

But the convent of Santa Marta is full of surprises. There are strict rules, long hours of work, and spiteful rivalries…but there’s also friendship, and the biggest surprise of all: a workshop of female artists who produce paintings of astonishing beauty, using a luminous blue mixed from a secret formula: Passion blue. Yet even as Giulia begins to learn the mysteries of the painter’s craft, the magic of the talisman is at work, and a forbidden romance beckons her down a path of uncertainty and danger. She is haunted by the sorcerer’s warning, and by a question: does she really know the true compass of her heart?

Set in Renaissance Italy, this richly imagined novel about a girl’s daring journey towards self-discovery transports readers into a fascinating, exotic world where love, faith, and art inspire passion–of many different hues.

INTERVIEW:

If you could go back to Renaissance Italy:
What would you like to try?
The food! There's a dinner party in Passion Blue, and I did some research on Italian Renaissance recipes. They sound awesome. Italy was unusual in Renaissance Europe for the variety of its food, and for its abundance of fruits and vegetables. 
What would you like to see?
Venice. I visited it when I was a teenager, and fell in love with its exotic, mysterious beauty. The alleys and the squares, the palaces, the Piazza San Marco, the soft light, the constant presence of water...it's just a place like no other. You can feel the past—there are so many places you can go in Venice and it's as if you've stepped back a hundred, two hundred, even five hundred years. I'd love to go back for real and see Venice at the height of its power and wealth in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it was considered one of the wonders of the world.
Who would you want to talk to?
This will probably sound like a cliché answer, for someone who loves Renaissance art as much as I do...Leonardo da Vinci. His exquisite paintings and drawings were just the beginning of his incredible creativity. For such a famous man, not very much is known about his life. I'd like to learn more.
What would you avoid like the plague (other than the plague)?
Florence, while Girolamo Savonarola was in power there (late 1400s). He was a charismatic preacher and prophet who waged a campaign against the "vice" of the city and whipped the inhabitants into a puritanical frenzy. He and his followers instituted new laws, organized bonfires of the vanities in which thousands of books and artworks were destroyed, and recruited gangs of youths to patrol the streets looking for immodest dress and behavior. It must have been a terrifying place to be. (On the other hand, I'd love to set a book there.)
So now that you're all in the spirit of Renaissance Italy, you can pick up your copy of PASSION BLUE or learn more on Victoria's website:

BUY LINK  |  WEBSITE LINK


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Published on November 29, 2012 04:30

November 27, 2012

BROKEN Trailer

My dear friend and Oasis Sister, A.E. Rought, has her debut YA novel, BROKEN, coming out from Strange Chemistry in January.  But right now, she has the trailer all ready for your viewing pleasure.  Sit back, make sure your volume is on for the mood music, and enjoy.


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Published on November 27, 2012 05:00

November 19, 2012

Jingle All the YA

Don't you just love that title?  I think it's adorable and I couldn't be more proud to be included in this sampler, featuring 13 HOT YA authors (plus me).

But here's the really cool part of this sampler:
1. It's FREE
2. If you read it and find the secret code by December 31st, you can enter to win a Kindle Fire HD or any other e-reader up to a $200 value.


Here is the description of contest
WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD (199$) or ereader of your choice up to value of 200$
It's easy to enter!

1) Download the free ebook, 2) find the secret phrase (hintL there is one character in each book bolded)3) Enter secret phrase (14 characters) into the contest link embedded in the ebook.
Contest ends on Dec 31st. Winner announced on Jan 7th
Book description

Curl up this holiday season and sample 14 bestselling young adult books. 
14 YA authors compiled this special gift for their readers. The holiday sampler includes excerpts from YA's bestselling books - all wrapped up in one neat little package. 

Whether you like paranormal, romance, mythology, or thrillers, "Jingle all the YA" gives you a taste of it all.


This sampler includes:

Chelsea M. Cameron - Nocturnal (When seventeen-year-old Ava-Claire Sullivan meets a mysterious boy in a cemetery who isn't human, she'll have to decide whether a relationship with him is worth the risk to her own mortality.)

GP Ching - Grounded (A modest seventeen-year-old girl discovers she's the product of a government experiment, when her father's illness causes her to leave her isolated community.)

Shelly Crane - Significance (Because you are my significant, my soul mate, and I'm yours.)

Chelsea Fine - Anew (Sometimes love is meant to be, but sometimes...love is the death of you.)

Jessie Harrell - Destined (When Psyche destroys the one relationship she can't live without, she must journey alone through ancient Greece and face the wrath of the gods if she wants to reclaim an immortal love.

Ella James - Here

S.R. Johannes - Untraceable (When Grace's forest ranger father goes, missing, she fights officials and nature to find out what happened, uncovering a conspiracy that changes her small town forever.)

Tiffany King - Forever Changed

M. Leighton - Fragile (Her heart, as delicate as glass. His love, as strong as steel. Can either survive life and death?)

Addison Moore - Ethereal (An entire faction of earthbound angels wants 16 y/o Skyla Messenger dead, at least she still has Logan, a boy who shares her gift of telepathy, or does she?)

Jessica Sorenson - Ember (What if you knew when someone was going to die?)

Raine Thomas - Becoming (When Amber Hopkins discovers that ancient gods, avenging angels and other beings of myth and legend all exist, she doesn't realize that her life is only going to get more complicated from there.)

RaShelle Workman - Exiled (Worlds divided them. Chance brought them together. Only love will save them.)

Samantha Young - Smokeless Fire (One girl's fiery battle with ancient deadly creatures, epic family drama and heart-wrenching romantic entanglements.)
And if you want to enter the contest, you can do it right here!  So go download your sampler, find the hidden letter in each story, and enter.a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Published on November 19, 2012 04:00

November 16, 2012

Destined's Birthday, Your Presents!

I CANNOT believe that it's been a year since I let my book baby - Destined - lose into the world.  I had no idea the amount of support I would get for the novel or the number of new friends I would make.  365 days ago, I would have been ecstatic to think I could sell even 5,000 copies.  You've helped me almost double that number.  I'm awed and humbled by all of you who've thought enough of me and my book to spend your time reading, reviewing or blogging about it.
I TRULY CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH.  But I'm going to try.  I have loads of birthday presents for you!

You can check out the rafflecopter forms below and enter as many of the raffles as you would like.  This celebration will continue for a week before I pick the winners.  Since this is my way of thanking you, there won't be any tasks or hoops to jump through.  Just free entries (of course, if you want to tweet or share about the contest, I'd love you dearly).
Seeing as how this is about me being THANKFUL for all of you, I'm going to go ahead and count this for INDIE-giving too.  Why not?

And that's it.  I'm passing around the virtual cupcakes.  Go forth and celebrate!

(Oh, did I mention that Destined is still only $.99? Talk about a great Christmas present... just saying.)


a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Published on November 16, 2012 21:00

November 14, 2012

RENEGADE!!!

I totally dropped the ball because I didn't tell you yesterday that my friend and Oasis Sister, J.A. Souders, was celebrating the release of her debut YA novel, RENEGADE!
You simply must read it.  I participated in the blog tour, so you probably read my review there.  But if not, here's the short summary: It's awesome.  Go get a copy.

Here's the summary ~
Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie.

Her memories have been altered.

Her mind and body aren’t under her own control.

And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.


To celebrate with Jess, here are some simple steps:

* Add RENEGADE to your TBR list on Goodreads.
* Read the first chapters and order a copy on Amazon.
* Like Jess (J.A.) on Facebook.

No go!  You don't want to wait to get your copy!
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Published on November 14, 2012 05:41