Devyn Dawson's Blog, page 17

Malevolence - Legacy Series Book Two OUT TODAY!!

Hi to all of my Kindle owners! The second book in The Legacy of Kilkenny series Malevolence, released today. It had to go a week early due to a serious illness in the family. I'll be traveling to Texas for the next 4-6 weeks. I intend to have it available on Nook for all of my Nook friends in the next couple of days. I hope you love it

First I must say thank you to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer...

First I must say thank you to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & W32READS for hosting this fun hop. There are over 100 entrants and each will have their own rules - but the one thing we all have in common??? We are each giving away a fabulous faerie or fantasy (YA) book to YOU for FREE! Can I get a Woot! Woot! My giveaway is open to USA only - sorry. OKIE DOKIE - So, take a look at the list to the right side of my blog & try to hit us all up. This giveaway is from 1/6 - 1/12/2012

Love ya bunches... Oh, BTW - my book Malevolence will be released 1/17/12 - so come back for more fun! I have giveaways and stuff going on all the time.

JINX

Jean Honeychurch hates her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just . . . Jean). What's worse? Her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfortune seems to follow her everywhere she goes even to New York City, where Jinx has moved to get away from the huge mess she caused in her small hometown. Her aunt and uncle welcome her to their Manhattan town house, but her beautiful cousin Tory isn't so thrilled. . . .


In fact, Tory is hiding a dangerous secret one that could put them all in danger. Soon Jinx realizes it isn't just bad luck she's been running from . . . and that the curse she has lived under since the day she was born may be the only thing that can save her life.




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Prince of Wolves by Quinn LoftisMy rating: 5 of 5 starsI ...

Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have to say that I thought this book was both interesting and well thought out. In the supernatural world the real world becomes obsolete. I say that, because the relationship between Jacques & Fane was immediate. He is a wolf as she is half wolf, and wolves fall in-love at a different pace than humans do. They basically imprinted - but female wolves are rare, and some jack-butt wolf was trying to claim her as his own. As her friend Jen would say "Oh, hell no." There had to be some drama, it isn't a good story without a little drama, right.



Jacques friends Jen and Sally... quick witted and smart mouthed, but all in all they love their friend. They don't want bad things to happen to her. Would you, if it were your best friend? I thought about when my daughter was a teen and her friends....well, they were like Jen and Sally. I wanted to strangle them half the time, but they were loyal friends.



I found POW a very good read for a young adult girl between the ages of 13-17 and they will swoon over Fane. Quinn gave us a great new twist to the werewolf world. Her Romanian was pretty good too. Now go read the story to find out why I said that!



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Happy New Year! Giveaway 1 Autographed copy of TLOK

The Legacy of Kilkennybook oneby Devyn Dawson


    People ask me all the time about where I got the idea for TLOK.  I knew I wanted to write a book about family and friends, but I needed teenagers to read it.  Yes, the story is about werewolves, and no they aren't like Twilight.  I have absolutely no problem with Twilight's werewolves, I mean seriously who doesn't love them some Jacob, right?  My werewolves have more to worry about than a damsel in distress, that happens to be in love with a vampire and a werewolf.  TLOK is about friendship, and how far will we go to protect a friend?  How far will we go to stand up for what we believe in?  How in touch with our humanity are we really, and what would we do to make sure we stayed in touch with it? 
      My two main characters, Abel Casey and Pru Phelan are beautiful as you can see on the cover of the book.  Abel obviously has a crush on the princess of the pack Pru, but she has her eyes on her bodyguard Oakley.  Abel is a gentleman about his feelings, and realizes that if he is indeed the Great Wolf, he must stay focused.  What is a werewolf story without a vampire?  Arien, he is a perfect male specimen, minus the fact he is an obnoxious vampire that needles Pru at every chance he gets. Now we get back to the question about why I chose this subject, the answer is, they are interesting.  You have the hierarchy within the pack, as well as the lower ranked members, but all together they form a well defined pack.  Isn't that what happens in a family?  Isn't that what teenagers deal with in both their friendships and their family?  Of course they aren't werewolves and vampires, but they have the same rankings.  
    That was a long answer to a short question.  I guess you'll think twice about asking me anything.  I look forward to your comments and I hope to make a lot of new friends.  
    I have some more exciting news, my book Malevolence Book Two, will be out in Jan 2012.  I'm so excited - more info to come soon!


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The Ascended Blog Hop - by Tiffany King with GIVEAWAY

This is an excerpt from the amazing Young Adult Author Tiffany King.  Her first book Meant to Be (Saving Angels Series book 1) came out early in 2011 and has been a huge success.  Forgotten Souls is the second book in the Saving Angels Series. And the Ascended is the final book in the trilogy.  Keep reading for an excerpt from the book & what people are saying about Tiffany King (I'm saying she is pretty doggone awesome)


Excerpts from reviews of Forgotten Souls ~


King closed the story on a screeching, anti-climatic tone that made me ache for Krista (it was emotionally wrenching). I CANNOT wait to read book three! If there isn't a book three, I will totally stalk her until she writes it! *hatches evil plan* ;) .  ~ adoring fan on Amazon


(See that is one reason Tiffany was held down and made to write the third book.)


Tiffany King has created a world of beauty and grace and it is one to be read late into the night. I would totally recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story, who believes of a higher power and has ever felt a strong bond to a friend. Great book, hope you take the chance to read it, Tiffany King really knows how to create a strong world with 3-d characters. Take a chance on this book, I'm glad I sure did.  ~ adoring fan on Amazon


(3-d characters - how awesome is that!)


Beautifully written and full of heart. I laughed, I cried, I cringed and I could not put it down! ~ adoring fan on Amazon


(I hope she isn't still carrying it around - because she is going to have her hands full with The Ascended)


Are you about to tingle in anticipation???  Okay, but wait - there's more!!! Yes sirree, for being the next contestant on my website you can win a prize.... not any old prize either.  YOU GOTTA LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL - I didn't make the rules... oh, well yeah I kinda did.  Okay lovie, you really do gotta leave a comment.  EVERY comment is being pooled with the other blogs on the hop... yup Hop (not the bunny hop silly) - every 3 hops - she is giving away an e-book from the series... but wait!  The GRAND PRIZE will be given to Three people out of all the entries in the tour - it is a AUTOGRAPHED POSTER & BOOK - so love, LEAVE A COMMENT with an answer and your email address -  Do you believe in angels?



I sat up a little confused and saw that the campfire was almost completely out. I squinted my eyes, trying to see through the dim light and after several seconds, I could make out the sleeping silhouettes of my friends. There was a strange buzzing sound that sounded like a radio on a station that had a low frequency."Sheesh, we make the worst lookouts," I muttered, sitting up straighter to work out the kink in my back. Shawn sat up next to me looking puzzled."Sorry, I fell asleep too," he mumbled, looking down at Sam who had fallen asleep with her head resting on his knees."I guess we all did," I said, standing up to throw another stick onto the fire and watched as the flames reignited and lit up the area. I gasped when I noticed that the net was gone and blackness surrounded our campsite. It was as if someone had snuffed out the moon and the stars."Hey where's the net?" I asked my friends, taking a groggy step forward. I reached out my hand, confused that the entire net had disappeared on us. I went to take another tentative step forward when I was jerked backward by a hand grasping my arm."What the heck?" I asked, aggravated at my brother who had gripped my arm so tightly. I turned to see his horrified expression as he peered out into the darkness beyond me.Unease flooded through me like I had been doused in ice water. I turned around cautiously, scared that the eyes of a Daemon or something would greet me. I squinted in the darkness, trying to understand what had alarmed my brother. My eyes finally began to adjust and I was puzzled to see that the blackness around us seemed to pulsate as if it was alive. I took a terrified step backwards, finally realizing that thousands and thousands of bugs had filled the night sky around us.My terror induced scream filled the night air when I realized that the net wasn't gone, but was completely covered with the squirming bodies of every bug imaginable. The weight of their bodies made the netting bow in around us.Shawn grasped me by the shoulders, pivoting me around to face him as my scream continued to slice through the night like a banshee.My nightmare had somehow seeped into reality.

Interview with Lovie Lacey & Giveaway ARC DEADLY COOL

Throughout my writing process, I've had one constant…Lacey. She is not only a Lovie, but she is a friend. Her humor is wickedly dry, as is mine, and together we have a great time. I think you'll find a touch of her humor in this interview.


The writing process isn't complete until we share our words with a friend or beta reader. We sit and wait to find out if they liked it or not. Maybe they hate it and don't know how to tell us it sucks. What if I didn't make myself clear about letting me know if they liked it? What if they are having a bonfire and using it as kindling? What if……


There are a million what if's in a writers mind. I've decided to ask a couple of my Lovies what they like in a book. I think you'll find Lacey's view both smart and witty.


I almost forgot.... I have a giveaway! You heard me! I'm giving away an ARC of Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday. It's easy peasy to enter, follow the rules on the Rafflecopter. Have a great week! Next week I'll be interviewing Tiffany King!


Thank you for doing this interview!


1. As a reader, what POV do you prefer? Do you like first person?


I do like stories told from the first person point of view. I also like the third person point of view. I especially like it when stories alternate between the first and third person.


2. In a character, what do you look for? Do you like the damsel in distress? Strong willed characters?


I tend to gravitate toward strong characters. I don't have patience for the 'damsel in distress.' I find characters like that rather boring and predictable. I like characters that have something interesting about them, whatever that might be…something mysterious, an edge, a secret, a dark side. I also want the character I'm reading about to have some redeeming qualities. I want to see the good in this character.


3. What genre has been your go-to over the last year? Why?


Young Adult. Honestly, that's just what I like to read. I also think there are so many talented authors in the YA genre right now. It's almost impossible to keep up with all the new releases! My list of 'Must Read Now' is so long I don't even know where to start.


4. Do you have an e-reader? If so, do you prefer ebooks or the kind you can hold and feel the pages?


I have a Nook. I like it. I use it. I do have to say though, I will probably always prefer an actual book. You must realize this is coming from someone who believes she was born in the wrong era. I'm not in love with technology. It's like this: Technology and I used to be frenemies. Technology and I then decided to be friends. Recently, technology and I decided to start dating. It's not like we will ever get married or anything.


5. What entices you to read a book? Is it the cover or do you read reviews of books and decide from there?


I wish I could say that I read book reviews like a sophisticated person, but I don't. I usually look at the cover and think "This is pretty." I then proceed to read the back of the book/inside the jacket and if I'm interested I read the first few pages, and if I'm enticed I will continue. If I'm on my Nook, I will sample the first chapter. I also have a few friends that like the same kind of books that I like, so we suggest different Authors to one another.


6. Do you write reviews of books and post them on a blog? Do you rate books on Goodreads?


I have rated a few books on Goodreads. I have also done a few reviews on Amazon. Other than that, no. I don't usually do reviews.


7. Do you read any Indie books? If so, what made you take the chance on them?


I have honestly not read that many indie books, but the ones that I have read I have really enjoyed. What does that say? Maybe I should start reading more indie books? I took a chance on them because I had a good feeling about them and the author.


8. What is your view of the new rage of self published authors?


I think it's fabulous! If you have the talent and writing is something you want to do then you should do it. That's why the self publishing is so great because it allows you to have the opportunity to get your work out to the public.


9. Do you give books as gifts for children? Do you look at the illustrations or the message?


I try to avoid children. If I were to give a child a book, however, I would probably look at the message first and make sure it was appropriate for the child. I would then look at the illustrations and at least see if they were mildly interesting so that the child would be somewhat entertained while looking at it.


10. Quick! Other than yours truly, who is your favorite author right now? Last year? High school? Growing up?


Well, other than the fabulous Devyn Dawson, right now I really like Jessica Verday, Cassandra Clare, and Suzanne Collins. I'm also a huge Richelle Mead fan. Her Vampire Academy series is one of my absolute favorite. I'm a fan of the classics. Edgar Allan Poe. Anyone who knows anything about me knows that William Shakespeare is my lover. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde are two of my favorite novels.


Thank you Lacey... you always make me smile.





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Book Lover's Holiday Hop Dec 2 - 6

The Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop will run from Dec. 2nd to 6th.
Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for co-hosting. A special thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting yet another fabulous hop!

There are over 300 entries - so work fast this weekend and enter as many as you can. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a delightful New Year.

It is super easy to enter and up for grabs is a copy of the 30th Anniversary Edition of Where the Sidewalk Ends and a $10.00 gift card to Books A Million. It is by far one of the best children's poetry books around.





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Thanksgiving Cocktail

Who cares about turkey - pass me the rum. Did I say that? I did…guilty. I have no intentions to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. We are only three plus one (I guess we're four) and I don't want to slave over a meal that won't really be appreciated. They are guys; they don't care as long as they get food….. you know I'm right! I will make pie! I'm not taking orders for their favorite pie either….we will be having my favorite pie. It is a rich and thick chocolate pie; it will make any chocolate lovers toes curl. I said that too!

We won't be going anywhere or watching football so I'm thinking we should get liquored up. Honestly I don't drink…although I did recently. It didn't turn out well for me, AT ALL. I paid for my sins, certain that I would die the next day. I have no problem with everyone else boozing it up - I'll sit this one out. I'm a fast learner….and I learned I'm not twenty one anymore. I hope everyone has a safe and love filled Thanksgiving. Have fun shopping - don't forget to check out your local bookstore for Black-Friday deals!

I'm sharing my favorite go-to Thanksgiving cocktail - Enjoy!




Gingersnap Heaven (and it is)
4 oz eggnog (you can use the light kind) super cold is best!
1/2 oz Ginger Brandy (chill it first)
1 oz Sailor Perry Spiced Rum (Captain Morgan will work too) CHILLED
Dash of nutmeg
1 gingersnap

Combine all but nutmeg & gingersnap in blender - pour into large wine goblet - sprinkle nutmeg & add gingersnap for dunking. I like to add Ice to the blender to chill it even more. Add more eggnog & brandy if needed.

Review Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've heard a lot about this author recently and thought I'd check her out.

Now to my review - I found this book very interesting. I like the story being told from two POV's. Olivia is a girl living on the edge as a "Skilled" blood tracker. The explanation of a blood tracker is complicated - I'll let the other reviewers explain. She doesn't want people to know that she is bound to the creep mob-type boss Ruben Cavazos. She wants to keep the secret from her ex-boyfriend Cam because she doesn't want the truth as to why she became bound to come out. Cam, he too is a Skilled person, his skill is a name tracker - he can find anyone within 80 miles by knowing their real name. Since they broke up as a couple, Cam has become bound to his boss the other mob-styled boss Jake Towers. Towers and Cavazos are mortal enemies.

Liv (Olivia) and Cam are contacted by an old friend Anne after her husband is murdered. Knowing that Cam and Liv are trackers she has requested them to find the killer and kill him. A teenage oath binds Liv to obeying the request or she will have horrible pain until she dies. They find out that the killer was actually out for the daughter Hadley. Oh the trouble that comes to those that have to hide lies, and truths found out about childhood friends.

This story was weaved in and out with complicated stories that were thought out very well. Liv's boss has a sick binding to her, he can't have sex with her without her permission but he can do other things. Those other things include beating her to a pulp if he doesn't leave marks. He kicks her, strangles her, punches her and torments her. She can do the same to him. I'm not big on men beating women and was thankful she could beat him back....If she didn't fulfill her agreement that was 6 months before it was over...he would be able to rape her. I won't give any spoilers....

I liked the story and will read more of Vincent's books.

I originally started reading this book because of several people comparing my writing style to Rachel Vincent. I wanted to know if it was good or bad. I have to say - Thank you and I'm honored.



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Character Interview with Abel & Pru

Abel Casey
Here is a candid interview with Abel & Pru - the two lead characters in The Legacy of Kilkenny - I hope you enjoy!
Abel:
1. Have you ever fantasized about attacking Julie while in wolf form?  *Laughing*  No, I can honestly say I haven't.  Maybe now I will. 
2. The first time you "flew" into a tree and then jumped back down, it didn't end well for you or your ankles. Have you since been able to successfully jump without breaking any bones?  Oh man, yeah, that was totally embarrassing.  We called in a stuntman to train me on how to land without hurting myself.  Don't tell anyone, but I actually went to Missouri for a week to attend a circus class.  They put belts around my waist and lifted me high in the air, swinging me around like a balloon until it was time to come down.  Dolly told me it made me 'graceful' when I jumped.  If the pack finds out about that, they will never let me forget that I'm graceful. *grins as he rolls his eyes*
3. Do you miss your friendship with Shane, or do you think things are better since you and he drifted apart? Do you ever wonder if you'd have ended up being like him if you hadn't met Pru?I miss Shane all of the time and maybe when he gets out of rehab I will invite him out to the farm.  Chrissy helped me organize an intervention for him and I paid for this really amazing rehab place in Florida, their success rate is very high.  No pun intended.  He should be out soon.  I can say without a doubt that I would never do drugs.  I can't believe he did, but I'm confident he will be fully recovered and will stay away from the drugs.  At least I hope so. 
4. When you're a wolf, what's your favorite animal to hunt? Do you like to hunt alone or do you have more fun when other werewolves are with you?  I was a little self conscience about having people around in the beginning but it's getting easier.  We have this rabbit that Pru insists we can't harm it, but we can play with him.  He is a fast little sucker, man he can weave in and out of the trees like nobody's business.
5. Does the idea of bumping into the Kilkenny Pack again, and Patrick in particular, make you feel nervous or excited? Are you ready to flaunt your new status as the Great Wolf, or do you still need more time to get used to it?  There is a pack convention next year in Ireland, all alphas will be there.  I think I'll be ready, I'll cross my fingers.  I believe that convention takes place in the third book.  You'll have to wait and see how it goes.  
Pru Phelan
1. Did you ever decide on a good way to kill Abel? What was the most bizarre death-plan you ever came up with for him?  There is a rare spider that the bite will make a person look as if they are dead and it can be as long as a week before the person comes out of it.  The problem was, it would be very painful for him in the hours it takes before the venom immobilizes him.  We scratched that idea but came up with one we were going to use on him after the holiday weekend.  I'd talked to Alecia, the head of a local coven and she made a concoction that would do the same thing.  It was a potion he would drink and the spell would make him look dead to anyone that sees him.  I still have the potion in my room. *smiling* It might come in handy.
2. You drive a pretty sweet car, a 2011 SS Camaro. Did you pick this particular car out for yourself, or was it a gift? Have you always had amazingly fabulous cars to drive, or was this your first car?  Oh, my Camero?  It was a gift from my parents when I graduated.  It is the first car that is all mine.  I had free use of the farm truck and it wasn't a fancy one like my dad's.  No, it was always caked in red mud and reeked like horse dung.  I would have been happy with anything that didn't smell like a farm. *laughing*  Seriously, I would have been.  I hear that Oakley and Bryon picked out the Camero and convinced my dad it would be perfect for me. 
3. Sparks fly when Shaynie moves into your house. Do you think things would have been so heated between the two of you if you'd grown up with a sister or two? And for that matter, how different do you think you'd be if you'd had a younger sister growing up?  Shaynie?  Yeah, well she is special. (clears throat) Shaynie is perfectly aggravating and at the same time she is sweet as syrup.  I'm still on the fence about her, but I will say she is a master at her craft.  I've always liked the fact that we are an all male pack.  I guess it would have been nice to have someone to do girl things with, I just made the boys play dolls.  I did!  Ask them!
4. If Oakley weren't in the picture, would you allow yourself to enjoy, or give into, the dreams you've been having lately about Arien? Or do you think they'd still be horribly disconcerting? Because I've gotta say, for a mean, evil vampire, he's pretty hot. Don't you think so too?  He may be pleasing to the eye, but he is not a good vampire, not that I think any of them are good, but he is far from it.  We found Allie's journal after she left and I see her in a totally different way.  The pack decided to let Devyn release the journal, she named it The Seduction and it came out on Oct 31.  I can't imagine that I would ever get involved with a vampire after what I read.  They are sneaky, narcissistic, indulgent pains in the ass.  I'm sorry, can I say ass?  Pain in the butt.






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