L.S. Murphy's Blog, page 12
December 19, 2012
{Blog Tour} Guest Post by Rhiannon Paille
The song behind SURRENDER.
It’s true that the original working title for SURRENDER was not . . . SURRENDER. Way back in my book’s baby stages, it was called Tears of Istalindir. I know, it’s a horrible title right? Well, after going through a lot of different title choices, I heard a song on the radio by Billy Talent called Surrender.
I don’t know why I felt connected to that song, but I did, and I felt compelled to look up the lyrics, which is when I was blown away.
Surrender by Billy Talent, with Lyrics
It’s not the whole song, but the line “I think I found a flower in a field of weeds (x2), searching until my hands bleed, this flower doesn’t belong to me (x2), why can’t she belong to me?”
That’s what did it and made me name this book Surrender.
Here’s hoping you enjoy the book and the song.
Cheers,
Rhi
SURRENDER
The Ferryman and The Flame Book 1
Rhiannon Paille
ISBN: 978-1480029859
Cover Artist: Marc Wolfe
Review copies available on Netgalley
Book Description:
How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?
Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn’t listen, and because of what she is– a Flame– one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books
December 18, 2012
5 Questions with YA author Lenore Appelhans
Lenore Appelhans moved frequently growing up due to her dad’s US Air Force career. To date, she’s lived in six countries and visited nearly sixty. She currently resides in Frankfurt, Germany, with her illustrator husband Daniel Jennewein. Level 2 is her first novel. Visit her at PresentingLenore.blogspot.com, where she has been blogging about YA lit since 2008.
Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS
1. What was the spark of inspiration for Level 2?
There were two sparks, really. Years apart. The first came from a discussion I had with my grandmother who didn’t approve of the way I spent all my money on travel. It made me imagine an afterlife where memories are like currency and memories of travel were especially sought after. The second grew out of all the reading and reviewing of dystopian novels on my book blog, Presenting Lenore. I was in Pompeii with my critique partner and the spark hit me in the shower: “What would an afterlife dystopia look like?” I combined those two sparks and brainstormed out the major character arcs and plot points that evening over tuna and onion pizza.
2. Which character(s) most resemble you?
There are bits and pieces of me in many of the characters, I’m sure. Like Felicia, I grew up moving around a lot. Like Autumn, I tried to get my friends to write books and plays with me. Like Neil, church youth group was a big part of my life in high school.
3. If you could travel anywhere at any time, where and when would you go?
Are you taking about a teleporter/time machine? That would be the greatest invention the world has ever seen! It would also complicate things so much – it makes my head hurt just thinking about it.
My current travel wishlist includes Bhutan, Petra in Jordan, the sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica, St. Petersburg in Russia and so many more. And it would be so awesome to travel instantly via the teleporter than undertake long plane journeys.
4. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Read as many books as you can, especially in the genre you want to write in. Also, develop patience. Remember that it takes time to learn the craft of writing and foster your voice. Don’t submit work before its ready. And once you do get a contract, you’ll need patience to get through the glacial pace of publishing.
5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?
How about a funny story? When I was kid, I was a huge fan of the Nickelodeon revival of The Monkees TV show. Encouraged by my love of 60s music, my dad introduced me to The Beatles. And I actually told him: “They’re okay, but they’re a pale imitation of The Monkees.” Sacrilege!
About Level 2
Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved.
Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again.
Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself at the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.
Read an excerpt of the first 50 pages of LEVEL 2.
Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, Young Adult, Young Adult Books 
December 14, 2012
{Blog Tour} Guest Post: Meagre Advice on Writing a Series by J.A. Belfield
I am so THRILLED to have J.A. Belfield stop by to discuss writing a series today. Her Holloway Pack series is one of my favorites. Seriously, I’m in love with all the boys in the pack. 
Without further adieu, the most excellent J.A. Belfield:
When Linda asked me for a post on ‘how to write a series’ I almost snorted out my coffee.
Because the truth is, I never for one minute expected The Holloway Pack to be a series when I first wrote Darkness & Light.
Yep, I reached the end, wrapped up all the loose ends, and thought I’d finished.
Until a week later when I realised I was pining for more Sean and Jem.
After being shouted at strongly encouraged by ‘Him Indoors’ to write something else because my moping about was driving him nuts, I knuckled down to plan and came up with the idea for Blue Moon.
Again, I thought this one would be another standalone novel. Another Jem and Sean tale, yes—but one that would end wrapped up with a nice big bow.
Yeah, right. O_o
You see, my ridiculous naivety was there before I headed back to write the prequels so I could study Jem & Sean’s history. It was also 
before I had the idea for and started to write Holloway pack 3. At the time, my head was pretty rebellious about the third book in the series. Because the ideas for it were there, driving me nuts inside my head, but I held off for a year. Thankfully, holding off came with positive results—because my head decided (*ting* Cue ‘lightbulb moment’) to switch up the narrator to someone completely new.
Ethan Holloway.
This dude was a major pain in the butt to write.
However, stress and additional grey hairs aside, I was almost halfway in when I realised that I could, in fact, write a story for each of the Holloway Pack males.
*Ting* Cue another lightbulb moment.
Because the instant I quit fighting it, the ideas began to flood in. And within weeks I had loose concepts for each of their tales—and within days after that, I had a strong idea of what the conflict would be in each book, and how each preceding book could lead into that.
So where’s the advice in all of this, you ask?
Okay, the best I can give you is this:
Don’t force it. Not every story is meant to be bigger than a singular novel. If the ideas aren’t flowing for future stories, step away. But remember, even if they’re not there to begin, doesn’t mean they won’t be later—which leads me to …
Don’t fight the muse. He usually knows what he’s doing even when you think he’s an idiot. If he’s trying to pop new ideas in your head, don’t discount them just because you hadn’t intended for your novel to turn into a series. I also find that what some folk refer to as writers block is often a bad case of me not having listened to my muse. Trust me: as much as I hate to admit it, the dude knows his stuff. Which leads me to …
Once you’ve realised your story should be turned into a series, you have to have some kind of plan. Just a real rough, loose plan will do. After all, you don’t want your head stuck in book number 6 whilst you’re trying to work on book number three, right? BUT, that doesn’t mean you can’t jot ideas down. Have a document ready for each loosely planned title. Make any notes in there, as they come to you, but then shut the document down so it doesn’t interfere with the novel of the moment. Aaaaannnnnd (and this is possibly the most useful trick I’ve performed) if you know them, write your openings. If possible, a novel should have the conflict identified within the first scene. So what you waiting for? Get it written. And your head will instantly know the destination of the preceding title before you even start writing.
And that’s about it, folks. Yeah, I never claimed to be that helpful, ya know? 
About Blue Moon: Someone is watching the Holloway pack, and this time, the female isn’t the target.
Life with a group of seven male werewolves worries Jem Stonehouse not one bit. She is engaged to the Alpha’s son Sean Holloway after all. So what has Jem’s territorial instincts on high alert?
The pack’s latest addition. Both of them.
None of the men think there’s a problem with the new girlfriends. Jem’s intuition tells her otherwise—that and a nagging suspicion the new females aren’t there to partake.
Jem believes they’ve joined in to take.
The question is … What?
As the eve of the blue moon draws ever closer, Jem’s running out of time to find the answer and outwit a thief of the worst possible kind.
A woman who believes she can’t lose.
About J.A. Belfield: One day, a character and scene popped into J. A. Belfield’s head, and she started controlling the little people inside her imagination as though she were the puppet master and they her toys. Questions arose: What would happen if …? How would they react if …? Who would they meet if …? Before she knew it, a singular scene had become an entire movie. The characters she controlled began to hold conversations. Their actions reflected the personalities she bestowed upon them. Within no time, they had a life, a lover, a foe, family … they had Become.
One day, she wrote down her thoughts. She’s yet to stop.
J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, three cats, and a dog. She writes paranormal romance with a second love for urban fantasy.
Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Holloway Pack, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, werewolves, Writers, Writing
December 13, 2012
Reaper Playlist: Undertow by Mr. Big
While Eric Martin is trying to bring the mullet back, he’s got a great voice. Mr. Big’s an underrated band that deserves some love. Besides, “Undertow” fits in with Reaper in soooooooo many ways.
Bonus Track:
Billy Sheehan is a god on the bass.
Tagged: 2012, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Music, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books
December 12, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday: Everbound
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, showcasing books that we are waiting to read hosted by Breaking the Spine.
The second book in the Everneath series has a lot riding on it. I loved the first one so much.
The cover is gorgeous too.
About Everbound:
Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki’s boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it’s too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen – and he thinks Nikki is the one.
Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.
Tagged: 2012, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books 
December 11, 2012
5 Questions with Clarissa Johal
Clarissa Johal has done everything from working as a veterinary assistant and vegetarian chef to volunteering as a zoo-keeper aide and swimming with six foot sturgeons. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters and every stray animal that darkens the doorstep. One day she fully expects a wayward troll to wander into her yard, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Author Website Facebook Blog Twitter Photography Portfolio
Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS
1. What was the spark of inspiration for Between?
I was working on the second installment of my YA fantasy series when I was hit with two characters that didn’t belong in a YA novel. I kept setting them aside, but they kept returning, stronger than ever. So, I started writing Between. The first complete draft was finished within a couple of months and a year later, it was ready to submit.
2. If you could be any paranormal creature, what would you be?
A succubus. I won’t elaborate on that.
3. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Write every day, even if it’s “bad” writing. Develop a thick skin and don’t take rejections or criticisms personally. Everyone had their own style and taste. Find a writing support group, online or in person. To be successful, your writing has to be the best it can be, but networking is pretty crucial too.
4. If you could go back in time, where would you go?
I would travel to the 1920’s. I love the clothes, the music and the lifestyle. Flappers, you know.
5. Finally, Star Wars or Star Trek?
Star Trek. I was always a sucker for Spock’s ears.
About Between:
Since Lucinda was a young girl, she’s been able to see spirits, a gift that didn’t come without its problems. Now, a dedicated, young veterinarian, she is committed to the idea that everything can be saved. When Lucinda is involved in a car accident that kills her fiancé, she is devastated and moves to a small town to live a life of self-imposed exile. There, she meets a newcomer and feels an immediate connection with him. However, there is another mysterious stranger to the small town, one that stirs within her a mixture of unease and desire. The spiritual activity around her intensifies as Lucinda is increasingly haunted by memories of the accident. As she is drawn into a bitter tug-a-war from the forces around her, she is likewise pulled into a dangerous twist of past and present events. Forced to make difficult choices, she surprisingly finds that the two men are locked in not only a battle for her life…but a battle for their salvation.
Buy it at Musa Publishing
Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Writers, Writing
December 10, 2012
Cover Reveal: Dominus
“It’s been six months since my memories returned. Six months since Aydan was again ripped away from me. Six months since I broke a piece of my best friend’s soul.
Six months…”
Nesy has found her memories, her life. Now all she wants is to forget and be human. Only human. But fate holds a different destiny. Forced into a war she wants no part of, Nesy is put to the test in ways she never thought possible as she seeks to fix the mistakes she has made. And the mistakes of her former master, Mikayel. Will she be the Sentinal she was destined to be and put an end to the fighting once and for all? Or will she fail and send humanity into slavery?
The future of three worlds depends on the choices, and sacrifices, she must make in this final installment of the Requiem Series.
Availability:
Publisher: COMPASS PRESS
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
Buy information will not be available until October, but it will be available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine retailers.
Additional Titles in the series include:
DIES IRAE (a Requiem Novella),
LACRIMOSA (Requiem Series #1)
MEA CULPA (a Requiem Novella)
LIBERA ME (Requiem Series #2).
Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Cover Reveal, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Novels, Opinion, Opinions
5 Questions with author Sara Daniel
Sara Daniel writes what she loves—irresistible romance, captivating small-town drama, and quirky characters. She writes to entertain and to give people hope and a belief that everything can and will turn out happily ever after. On the personal side, she’s a frazzled maid, chef, chauffeur, tutor, and personal assistant. She was once a landlord of two uninvited squirrels. She’s crazy about country music and the drama of NASCAR. And she has her own happily-ever-after romance with her hero husband.
Website Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads
Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS
1. What was the spark of inspiration for Zane’s Art?
I saw a submissions call for a series called Finally Ever After from Musa Publishing. The stories were to be short, happily-ever-after romances about lovers who had loved each other and lost. I love characters with a past history, especially in a short word count. They have instant attraction and long-standing unresolved conflict—the perfect elements for a fast-paced, emotion-packed read. Zane’s Art had all these things coupled with a strong present conflict. The story flowed out of me so fast I knew it was meant to be!
2. Which character most resembles you in your story?
The hero Zane is probably most like me because he’s an artist, and he makes his living off his art. When heroine Julianne threatens his art brand, he tracks her down to stop her from destroying his reputation and his business. As an author, creativity is as essential for me as it is for any artist. Like Zane, I’m also running my own business and have to concern myself with the business of writing and the brand that my readers expect from each book I write.
3. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Write, write, write. Before you can have a best-selling novel, you have to finish writing it. And don’t forget to keep reading.
4. If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
My great-grandmother came to the United States on a boat through Ellis Island when she was nine. I would love to go back in time to that house with a dirt floor in Hungary to really understand what her life was like in the Old Country, so I could more fully appreciate my roots and all the basic things I take for granted every day.
5. Finally, Vampire or Werewolf?
Werewolf. He’s a compelling alpha male without the blood-sucking ick factor.
Zane’s Art (contemporary romance from Musa Publishing)
High school art teacher Julianne Truman’s last chance to save her beloved art department from budget cuts is to sell the old sketches that her former boyfriend—and now famous artist—Zane DeMonde drew for her. But is she prepared to let go of his artwork and the last traces of him in her life?
Desperate to save his artistic reputation from the exposure of his early works, Zane returns to the home town he wanted to forget. He accuses Julianne of profiting from his success and demands she take his art off the market and cancel the auction.
Their high school attraction flares back to life, forcing Julianne to choose between the students who count on her and the man she never stopped loving.
Musa Publishing Amazon Barnes & Noble iTunes All Romance eBooks
Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Writers, Writing
December 6, 2012
Reaper Playlist: Bring Me To Life by Evanescence
“Save me from the dark”…
Tagged: 2012, Books, Fun, Just for Fun, Music, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Videos, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books
December 5, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday: Pretty Dark Nothing
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, showcasing books that we are waiting to read hosted by Breaking the Spine.
This book sounds great! As soon as I heard of it, it jumped on my TBR pile in a flash. Heather L. Reid stopped by here a few months ago and answered 5 Questions.
About Pretty Dark Nothing:
Seventeen-year-old Quinn hadn’t slept a full night in twenty-three days. She’s terrified of the demons that stalk her dreams, pull her into a deep dark nothingness and whisper hauntingly of her death. Exhausted, Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, and Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. If Quinn can learn to trust her heart, and Aaron can discover the secret locked away in his fragile memory, their combined power could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.
Tagged: 2012, Books, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, Young Adult, Young Adult Books 
