Alivia Anders's Blog, page 3

Title and Cover Reveal for the Final Illumine Novel!

Yes, it's finally time. I can't keep hiding this gorgeous cover and title from you all one more minute. Okay, maybe for a few more minutes. But I promise, it's only because I want to make sure everyone sees this beautiful cover and know the title to the end of the first series that started everything for me. 

So, without adding any more weird, random fluff bits, here's the sign-up sheet if you want to help reveal the cover and title. Both cover and title will be revealed on May 18th, so sign-ups are only going to be up for a few days. If you're a blogger and you sign up, please feel free to see if any of your book-blogging buddies want to help with the cover and title unveiling, it would mean the world to me. 



Want to take part in the cover reveal and see it before everyone else? Here's how: Loading...




You must be signed up by 9:00PM EST on May 16th, 2013 in order to join the cover reveal!

And now, we wait for May 18th!

Random 1900 Follower Giveaway!

I'm in-between book releases right now, so I don't really have anything sparkling and new to show you all. Yet. We're slowly inching to the release of Unwanted on July 30th, and then later on the first novella to A Shard of Ice, titled An Ice Princess Heart, releases October 28th.

Sooooo while I continue to stare at my screen and slowly go blind, I figured there might as well be a little happy giveaway of some sort when my Facebook hit 1900 peeps. We're sitting pretty at 1906 now, so dun dun dun dunnnnn, crack out the burritos and sour cream, I've got goodies for you guys and gals to win!

Here's the goodie list: 
(2) Two delicious swag bags with signed bookmarks of Illumine, Obumbrate, Riven, and A Shard of Ice
(1) Mini-heart pendant replica of Essallie's white heart from the Illumine Series

Ready, set, go!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WARRIOR UNLEASHED Cover Reveal!

Hey everyone! I'm not dead, I promise! (Might sort of feel like it, though.) My blog's been seeing a little neglect due to some icky medical problems at home (you know, dentists going all drill-drill on my mouth, and then some kind of sinus infection/post-op tooth infection to boot, yummy) but no more! I have a nifty little cover here to share with all of you from an author I'm slowly getting to know and hopefully become super-ninja friends with. 

I say super-ninja simply because super-unicorn friends are full at the moment, and I'm no longer filling that boat, or it might sink a-la Titanic. Hah! 

Aaaaanyway... cover time! Don't forget to post your thoughts on it in the comments! (I like comments, they fuel me better than coffee some days.)

Quoted from the lovely author, Lindsay Avalon herself:

"When Breaking the Nexus released on 12/12/12, readers fell in love with the Mythrian Realm and clamored for more. Since the follow up, Waking the Phoenix won’t be ready until sometime this summer, I knew I had to give readers a taste of Mythria.

Warrior Unleashed, a novella featuring Sha’s half brother, will be released on May 7! This novella is set entirely in the Mythrian Realm and while the hero and heroine are not Sha and Connor, I think you’ll all fall in love with this couple. Find out what happens when the sexy panther Chimerae, Achaius Rilke, must team up with feisty Gaelen Sorceri Saia Makan in this action packed novella!

Without further ado, I present the gorgeous cover designed by Blue Harvest Creative!"

Blurb for WARRIOR UNLEASHED:

Nothing is more dangerous than a warrior unleashed.
When Sentinels begin dying under mysterious circumstances, the deaths are believed to be unrelated. Only one man sees the truth: an unknown enemy is targeting the elite group of warriors and no one is safe. As a panther Chimerae, Achaius Rilke recognizes the signs of an unpredictable predator. The only person he can trust is Saia Makan, the tempestuous Sorceri who has driven him crazy for years. But when the killer has set his sights on Saia, Achaius faces the hunt of his life.
Don’t miss the first book, Breaking the Nexus, available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in paperback! 

Catch up with Lindsay and the Mythrian Realm! Blog - Facebook - Twitter - GoodReads

SELLING SCARLETT Giveaway!

I've got a sweet little deal for all you Ella James fans out there. Guess who has three (3!) copies of her newest release to give away?!

Want to read her newest book? Hit up the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post, and don't forget to share new of SELLING SCARLETT's release!

Can't wait for the giveaway to end? Grab your copy of SELLING SCARLETT now!

About Selling Scarlett:


Elizabeth DeVille doesn't belong at a party like this—one where the gowns cost more than her Camry and cigars run higher than her grad school utility bills. Dragged out of seclusion by her best friend Suri, Elizabeth is merely playing dress-up, rubbing elbows with a crowd that banished her troubled family years ago.
Hunter West is tired. Tired of parties, tired of pretending, and tired of trying to right a wrong that haunts him every day. Bourbon heir and professional poker player by day, by night Hunter is gambling with his life in a high-stakes game of crime and blackmail. 
When Elizabeth stumbles into Hunter's den of vices, she's a light in the darkness, a flame in the void. And, just like everything he touches, Hunter mars her in a record time. To rectify the damage done, Elizabeth needs money she doesn't have, and she's come up with a foolproof way to get it.
Follow Elizabeth—code-named Scarlett—to the lush Nevada brothel where she'll auction her virginity and risk the only thing that's not for sale: her heart. The highest bidder is a familiar face, with wicked hands and the devil's mouth. And a secret so dark that it could cost her life.
**Mature Content Warning** Not recommended for readers under the age of 17, due to mature language, sexual content, and violence.


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A SHARD OF ICE Cover Reveal

It's finally THAT TIME. What time? Cover reveal goodness time! 
It feels like it's been forever since I hosted a voting contest for a winning cover, but now it's finally time to announce the winning cover YOU all voted for.  Since the sign-up sheet went up, over 80 blogs from all over signed up to help in this cover reveal. To all those involved in this, seriously, the urge to hug all of you is insane. 
Most of you (okay, probably all of you) don't know how excited I am to be publishing this in the future. A Shard of Ice is heavily based off of a character I created and grew up with through my early teens. Lilix has been one of those voices in my head I just can't seem to shake. And now, I think it's time the rest of the world gets to know the character behind the name, too. 
As we inch our way closer to April 2014, and to the release of A Shard of Ice, I have many different things planned to give everyone clues and hints as to who Lilix is. But for now, we'll just have to make due with a cover reveal and blurb that'll hopefully get you excited for the upcoming spring.
And, to not keep you waiting...



Title: A Shard of IceSeries: Black Symphony Saga
Publisher: Red Alice PressRelease Date: April 14th, 2014Synopsis:
THEIR SOULS, REAWAKENEDWhen 13-year-old Lilix Morgan is found alive and floating on a bed of ice at sea, everyone counts it a miracle. Kidnapped nearly four weeks earlier, she remembers nothing of her mysterious abduction. When she tries to remember what happened, she hears only a melody – a faint and delicate set of notes, strung together in a tune she doesn’t understand. THEIR POWER, UNMATCHEDA year later and desperate to put the lingering nightmares of her past behind her, Lilix crosses the country to enroll at Baelmorte Academy, aiming to become the violinist she once dreamt of. Things seem to be finally going well, and Lilix settles into a routine of sheet music and inspiration among new friends.Then the dreams start. The melody and night terrors she thought she’d left behind return with a vengeance, threatening to ruin her fragile version of normalcy. Then an unlikely ally tells her that she isn’t alone. That there are others just like her, fighting to hide their own shocking truths from coming to light. That they know who she is, and what she’s been through. Now, accompanied by four other girls, Lilix discovers her nightmares are larger than a single trauma; they’re a window to a hidden part of her soul, a place of immense power with a destiny that cannot be ignored. THEIR BATTLE, IS ONLY BEGINNINGWith this knowledge comes a new and frightening reality. For Lilix has been reawakened to stop an age-old enemy, one thought to have been destroyed centuries ago. Trapped by her destiny, Lilix is torn between what feels right and what she remembers. Her memories tell her of a star-crossed love waiting to be reunited, of friendships and trust broken in the past. But can she save that love when reality brings her an enemy, and an evil that will be the undoing of them all if they don’t destroy it?

LINKS FOR A SHARD OF ICE: Add 'A Shard of Ice' to Goodreads
LINKS FOR ALIVIA ANDERS:Alivia Anders on Facebook - Alivia Anders on Twitter


SMALL EDIT: The lovely model on this cover is Maria Amanda, and the photographer was Rune Hammelstrup. If you're free for a minute, please check out her Facebook here or her Deviantart here. <3

We Interrupt Your Standard Program For...

This! 



Just learned that my name and quote is going in the re-print of Keeper of the Black Stones by PT McHugh! Can you say, HOLY HOT BURRITOS?! Should I crack out another Supernatural gif? 

How about a Sailor Moon one? 



And now, back to the world of books, and writing, and prepping for more beautiful quotes and mentions. 

Oh, and don't forget the winning cover reveal for A Shard of Ice is this Thursday, April 11th. You'll finally get to learn more about the mysterious project I've been hiding in my back pocket. (insert well-deserved cackle here.)

Some SUPREMELY AWESOME and Unexpected News!

Squee!
I tried to give myself a few days before blogging about this, because, you know, the last thing I wanted to do was spam a million exclamation points and words in caps all over the internet like a wildly over-exaggerated 10 year old discovering a keyboard for the first time.

Emphasis on the word 'tried' up above.

So I've got one hell of a huge whopper of sweet and sassy, super short but jam-packed awesome news.

I'm working on a publishing contract with Glass House. As in, signing a book deal. As in, signing MULTIPLE books. This deserves a Supernatural gif.



Two secret projects I've been expanding on are up for the contract, and while I can't say which ones, I can say that one is a YA Fantasy, and the other is a YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian. As long as no major hiccups happen down the road, you'll get to see these babies in 2015, which is SQUEE WORTHY! 

But wait, you ask, what about all your other stuff? The final Illumine novel (that still has no name), and your debut A Shard of Ice, and Unwanted? 

Those are all still set for their release dates, and are all still being self-published by me. GHP and I both agreed it would be best to keep those in my hands while giving them some of the top secret stuff I've been hoarding in my house like... well a hoarder. 

So Unwanted will still be out in July (ermahgosh, nerves) and the last Illumine novel AND A Shard of Ice will arrive in 2014. 

But until then, it's off to the writing hole for me. Only this time, I've got one hell of a grin plastered on my face. 

Ladies and gents, a'this gal is getting her Cinderella moment, her dream come true. <3 

A SHARD OF ICE Cover Reveal Sign-Up and GIVEAWAY!

It's been a few days since the release of ETHEREAL, and as much as I want to stay focused on one thing at a time, I can't help but want to get the word out of the winning cover to A SHARD OF ICE! I finally will be able to share the winning cover, full blurb, AND a teaser that will probably have you sobbing for the wait for April 2014.

I'm a tease, I know. ;)

The cover reveal for A SHARD OF ICE is scheduled for... dun dun dun, April 11th, 2013! Also known as my birthday, also known as an awesome day, also known as...

Well, I can't say all of it. That would ruin the fun of the secret you'll all get to read with the cover reveal. Mwahahaha-ha.

Want to take part in the cover reveal and see it before everyone else? Here's how:
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*You MUST fill out this form before April 9th, 11:59PM EST!*Facebook pages (must be book related, cannot be personal profiles) can participate as well. You do not need a blog to participate in the cover reveal.
Everyone who participates in the cover reveal for A Shard of Ice will be entered into a drawing for an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of A Shard of Ice in paperback. Winners will be selected randomly. 

A lot of you have been asking just what A Shard of Ice is about, and have been wanting to know the details. While I can't break down every inch of the book for you, I can say it's probably my favorite book out of everything I've written so far. Lilix has been near and dear to my heart for years now, and now you all finally get to step into her world. 
Come on, April, get here faster!

ILLUMINE Is Smacking The Charts!

Okay, first, does anyone have a paper bag to breathe in?

Why? Oh, no reason, just that I'M WATCHING MAGIC HAPPEN. Ahem. I mean, ....ah crap, I can't hide my excitement. Illumine is DANCING on both the Amazon AND B&N charts right now!

Wanna see?



Talk about a OH MY GOSH moment! So, I think we need to celebrate.
From March 2nd to March 8th, ALL BOOKS in the series are on sale! 
Illumine is on sale for $0.99AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE
Obumbrate is on sale for $2.99AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE
Riven is on sale for $2.99AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE
and Ethereal is brand spankin' new at $0.99!AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE
Grab 'em, gift 'em, go nuts!(I'm going to go back to looking for a brown bag to hyperventilate in.)

ETHEREAL (Illumine, #3.5) Teaser!

Okay, so I seem to keep forgetting that not everyone is stalking me on Facebook, I know, shame on me! But I'm making up for it, I promise!

Ahem. Enjoy! Here's a peek at Ethereal, which will be here on February 28th. ♥ 
___________________

“Hold up, Slayer,” came a low, coarse voice. Rinae paused for a fraction of a second, wondering if she could get away pretending not to have heard him. But Jake always knew when she was lying. He had since Day One.

Nervously, she turned around, suddenly self-conscious in her own skin. A little voice in her heard reminded her that there was nothing to be nervous about, it wasn’t as if she was forbidden from leaving the group’s underground home. Maybe it was her clothes? She did a quick once-over, noting her black pants, black top, shit-kicker thrift boots, and maroon hoodie. Nope, definitely not the clothes.

Jake came up to Rinae, slowing his pace until he inched his way toward her. Out of the dozen or so that roughly lived in their hideout, Jake was both the person you wanted in your back pocket, and the person you wanted to avoid at all costs. He stood at average height, his short blonde hair shocking and naturally bright, the same way his blue eyes glowed on their own. Rinae thought back to the first time she had joked he soaked up all the radiation from a power plant, and how he’d punched her so hard in the shoulder she had sworn it was dislocated. Over time, he came to warm to Rinae, as all the others had carefully done, too. In some ways, she viewed him as an older brother more than their unspoken group leader. He was their dark angel, the protector of their small, tight-knit group to the city’s cruel and unforgiving streets.

“Leaving so soon?” His voice was smooth, but gritty, like sand polishing your feet at the beach. “Del said you only just got back.”

Fighting the mechanical urge to sneer at the mention of Del, she gave a short, jerky bob for a nod. Opening her mouth would have the same effect as pulling the plug to a bathtub full of water; rushing of words that couldn’t be said.

Reaching with a pale hand, Jake touched the hem of Rinae’s sleeve, slipping a finger in the thumbhole. A small frown dashed his lips. “Guess it’ll be the clubs. Kickin’ it out tonight?” Jake probed. He had a terrible habit of sticking his nose where it didn’t belong, but Rinae never could bring herself to say something. “What, are we not good enough for your precious time?”

She knew it was meant to be a friendly jab, still since winced. “You know me,” she offered, shrugging off the verbal sting. Her free hand flexed in and out of a fist, starting to shake. “Can’t sit still for more than a few seconds.”

Jake studied her for a moment, then nodded. She thought back to the first time they met, and how he’d made a passing comment of her visible shaking. In an act of desperation, Rinae had claimed she suffered from some kind of ADD. Couldn’t bring herself to sit still, never kept her mouth shut. And yet somehow he managed to tolerate her, smooth talk the rest of the gang into accepting her like a little sister while she kept the real reason hidden. Now it was her calling card, an excuse she could slap on anything in case she got out of hand.

“So which club are you thinking of crashing?” His hand moved from her sleeve to the ends of her hair, twirling a strand around his index finger. 

Rinae ignored the urge to bite the inside of her cheek, that would be the quickest way to tell she was about to lie. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes, working a wall of liquid that would spill if she didn’t control herself, fast. 

Forcing herself to stop twitching for a moment, she let the lie slip effortlessly from her lips. “Nowhere special. Was thinking about Slash.” She paused, long enough to fake contemplation. “Maybe Glitz & Bitz if I’m feeling edgy.”

“The lesbian bar?” Jake arched a single blonde eyebrow in true, classic cartoon form. Confusion and amusement riddled his voice as he spoke between two chuckles. “Funny, you don’t take me for the gay type.”

She made a move to turn and look away, but it was too late. A fresh, strawberry red blush tinted the upper half of her cheeks. The shakes riddling her body stopped, replaced by a new kind of jittering that swallowed her stomach and rattled her heart. Memories of his lips, brief and strong as he kissed her lips and palms, only made the quivering worse. Against all odds, she kept her cool. “Hey, you never know. Maybe that’s where my true love is at. You know, true love’s kiss can take form in a variety of ways.”

A knowing, come-on-now look settled in his eyes. “So can a chicken’s egg. Scrambled, sunny side up, hard-boiled, deviled, the list goes on. Just picture freshly made deviled eggs, laid out on your naked-”

“Jake Mathews, you finish that sentence, and I’ll-”

“You’ll what?” He pressed his body closer, stealing the space she had been keeping between them instinctively. Heat flamed her cheeks brighter, a twisting sensation in her gut making her brain go hay-wire. She could feel the beginning of her control unwinding, stripping away like paint to a wall. Or clothes to a body.

“What happened, Rinae? What happened to us?” His breath tickled the side of her neck, teeth grazing the edge of her earlobe. Hands found themselves on her hips, holding her tightly in place. “Tell me, Slayer, tell me you miss it. Tell me you miss us like I do.”

Rinae could feel her jaw forcing itself to lock. Her tongue rammed into the roof of her mouth. Sure, she could have told him she missed being together, missed it like a flame misses wood when it burns to ashes. But that would have been a lie. A beautiful, hopeless, damning lie.

He couldn’t be with her, just as she couldn’t be with him. For more reasons than he’d ever know.

Seconds ticked by, slow and silent. Each moment felt like a painful gunshots to the chest. It sealed her fate. Jake’s hands, having moved up and wrapping in her hair, withdrew carefully until they hung to the sides of his body in defeat.

She sighed. “Jake...”

“Be safe.” Red tinged the white in his eyes, hurt wavering inside them. He quickly blinked both eyes, the hurt dissolving with each blink. She could hear the faint wavering of his voice as he fought to keep himself in check. “I’d hate to break someone’s face if you didn’t come home in one piece.”