L.S. Murphy's Blog, page 14

Fall In Love Blog Hop Giveaway

The FABULOUS Reading Romance blog is hosting this hop! Make sure you stop by to check out all the other authors along the way.

I’m giving away an ecopy of my romance novella A Reason to Stay.

She had a reason to leave, now will she have a reason to stay?

Within minutes of arriving in her hometown after a six year absence, Julianna Markum runs into Pace Carter, the last person she expected to see. Pace was her best friend during high school, but she left town without telling him, knowingly breaking his heart. Now that she’s back to help care for her ailing aunt, Julianna wants to make things right with Pace. If she could only find the words to explain why she left and why she didn’t tell him goodbye.

The idea for A Reason to Stay actually came from my a drive through my hometown. I drove through town reminiscing about living in such a small community. What would it be like if you came back to such a place after a long absence? How would things be different?

And what would it be like if you left behind someone you loved?

It didn’t take me long to fall in love with Pace Carter as I wrote the story.

To Enter to Win an ecopy:

Leave a comment telling me the moment you first knew you were in love. 

My four-year-old daughter will draw the winner from a hat (we do it old skool around here. )

The winner will be announced on November 30th. 

Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Fun, Giveaway, Giveaways, Just for Fun, Love, Memories, Musings, Novels, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Writers, Writing

Reaper Playlist: Broken by Seether ft. Amy Lee

Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s a great song by Seether with the wonderful Amy Lee adding her voice. I could listen to this all day.

Tagged: 2012, Amy Lee, Authors, Books, Broken, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Music, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Rockin' Thursdays, Romance, Seether, Teens, Videos, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

{Blog Tour} 5 Questions with YA Author Emi Gayle

Emi Gayle just wants to be young again. She lives vicariously through her youthful characters, while simultaneously acting as chief-Mom to her teenaged son and searching for a way to keep her two daughters from ever reaching the dreaded teen years.

Ironically, those years were some of Emi’s favorite times. She met the man of her dreams at 14, was engaged to him at 19, married him at 20 and she’s still in love with him to this day. She’ll never forget what it was like to fall in love at such a young age — emotions she wants everyone to feel.

J. Taylor Publishing     Twitter     Facebook     Goodreads

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1.  What was the spark of inspiration for After Dark?

One day I was thinking about how my life and career has changed over time, but what if I could never change my career and worse, had to decide what I’d be for the rest of my life when I turned 19 — 1 year after i’d become an adult (officially). No chance for change. No chance for ‘parole’ from what I’d chosen. Never, ever, ever get to go back. Hmmm …. that became After Dark.

2. Which character trait to you share with Mac?

Stubborn. I’ve been termed ‘stubborn as a mule’ since I was a kid. I am the epitome of stubborn. Mac is too.

3.  If you could go back in time, what era would you visit?

Why does everyone make me go BACK in time? I want to go FORWARD. I want to see the future. The past I can study in books … I like the idea that there’s something out there I can’t already know and if we have the technology to send me back we surely have the technology to send me forward, right? So I choose the read 2099. No reason … just to see.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Write, write, write, write, and write, more. Then, once you’ve done that, write more with a critique group that is not made up of your friends, family or coworkers. Get people who have experienced the publishing world. One vs. the other is a world of different.

5.  Finally, Vampire or Werewolf?

Changeling. She can be both.

About After Dark:  What eighteen year old Mac Thorne doesn’t know will probably kill her.

In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what she’ll be for the rest of her life.

She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, it’s her birthright. To Mac, it’s a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours.

Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists—which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class figures out there’s more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge.

In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.

Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

Waiting on Wednesday: Uses for Boys

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, showcasing books that we are waiting to read hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This reminds me of Kody Keplinger’s books. And I love Kody.

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, brining home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna’s new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can’t know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up.

Tagged: 2012, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, YA, YA books, YA Contemporary, ya romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

5 Questions with Marci Boudreaux

Marci Boudreaux resides outside of Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and two daughters. With an abundance of pets and freelance writing and editing jobs, she somehow manages to find time to write contemporary romance and sometimes, just sometimes, a bit of erotica under pen

Emilia Mancini.

Romance is her preferred reading and writing genre because nothing feels better than falling in love with someone new and her husband doesn’t like when she does that in real life.

Marci is currently preparing to begin work on her Masters in Publishing because she still has time to sleep.

Links:

http://marciboudreaux.webs.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auGrKsPguO4

 

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1. What was the spark of inspiration for Unforgettable You?

I don’t think there was a real “spark” for Unforgettable You. I started it with the intention of focusing on the relationship between my main character, Carrie Gable, and her mother-in-law, Doreen,  for whom she is the primary caregiver. I really wanted to delve into the incredible bond that I imagined these two women having, which was looked into, but as with every book I write, romance wormed it’s way into the forefront and took over. One of these days, I’ll write a book

that doesn’t make its way into someone’s bedroom.

2. Which character most resembles you in your story?

I think there’s a little bit of me in all the characters in the book. Carrie is very focused and knows what has to be done, while her friend Natalie is fiercely protective of her and Doreen has a hint of mischief that keeps everyone on their toes. I’d like to think the only one that people couldn’t relate to me someway would be Carrie’s nemesis, the ever needed actress Juliet Ramirez.

3. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Have enough confidence to put yourself out there. I’ve been writing for years but was only submitting occasionally until the last year or so when I finally pulled my big girl pants on and threw myself out there. Now that I’m submitting, I’m getting published. Imagine that!

4. If you could go back in time, where would you go?

I’d probably go back to the late 1800s London. I think that would be an amazing time to visit. As long as I got to have all my vaccinations first.

5. Finally, Vampire or Werewolf?

I’d have to go with vampire. I’d much rather drink blood than deal with all that hair. Really, can you imagine the shedding?

About Unforgettable You:

Desperate to keep her ailing mother-in-law, Doreen, in the woman’s home, Carrie Gable agrees to board a handful of Hollywood’s most elite actors at the manor. Despite her resentment of the demands being placed upon her, she can’t help but be taken in by actor Will Walker.

Will, in a last-ditch effort to save his career, has agreed to a project he has no interest in. The more time he spends with his egotistical co-stars, the more drawn he is to Carrie. Long nights

spent talking about the paths their lives have taken make him realize he’d rather have a simpler life, but his ties to L.A. aren’t as willing to let him go.

With the temptation of stardom pulling Will in one direction and the obligation to care for Doreen tugging Carrie in another, the couple struggle to hold onto the happiness they were missing until finding each other.

Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, Memories, Musings, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Writers, Writing

Reaper Playlist: Grenade by Bruno Mars

Love this song. Totally reminds of me of **********. Yeah, I can’t tell you who. Let me know who you think it is.

Tagged: 2012, Books, Bruno Mars, Fiction, Fun, Grenade, Just for Fun, Music, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Rockin' Thursdays, Romance, Teens, Videos, Weekends, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

Reaper Playlist: Lifeline by Papa Roach

Hmmm…. I wonder who this applies to in Reaper. Well, I don’t. I know. But… nope, not telling. *evil laugh*

Tagged: 2012, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Lifeline, Music, Opinion, Opinions, Papa Roach, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Reaper, Rockin' Thursdays, Romance, Teens, Videos, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

Reaper Playlist: Numb by Linkin Park

Told you Linkin Park would be on here again.

Tagged: 2012, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Linkin Park, Music, Musings, Novels, Numb, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Reaper, Rockin' Thursdays, Romance, Teens, Videos, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books

Waiting on Wednesday: Make Believe

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, showcasing books that we are waiting to read hosted by Breaking the Spine.

I love a good anthology and this one looks promising. Besides, J.A. Belfield is one of my favorite writers.

About Make Believe:

Sacrificial Oath by Terri Rochenski

An impetuous act unwittingly makes Alesuela the fulfillment of the Sovereign’s Blood Oath to their Goddess. In five days, she’ll be forced to make the greatest choice of her life: become the virginal sacrifice already promised, or force the man she loves most to die in her place.

With an impossible choice in front of her, she searches for ways to undo the oath, and in her quest, finds not everything in her life is as she expects.

The Amulet of Ormisez by J. Keller Ford

There is only one way to save Elton Fletcher’s brother from an insanity-ridden death.

After years away from home, fighting for his people, Elton returns to discover his only sibling, Cayden, possessed by greed and malice, and responsible for malicious, unthinkable deeds. Cayden, though, isn’t the only one afflicted by the Amulet of Ormisez, and Elton finds himself in yet another battle, where the price of failure could be his own life.

Birthright by Lynda R. Young

Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible.

She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she’s never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her.

Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.

Petrified by Kelly Said

A mysterious storm has replaced summer with winter, devastating crops and smothering Castle lands in snow. Prince Sterling August stands alone as a leader, lost in personal grief as well as a desire to help his people but with an inability to do either.

The answers he needs await him, but without Lochlyn, a woman who’s just as isolated as Sterling, he’ll never see what stands before him, cloaked in illusion.

Last Winter Red by Jennifer M. Eaton

Emily is a Red, a woman whose sole purpose in life is to produce offspring. When her husband dies and leaves her childless, she risks her life and forsakes the safety of Terra—a disease-free city born after the nuclear holocaust. Beyond its boundaries, she knows, survives a man with whom she can be properly paired.

The Outside, though, holds secrets the government struggles to keep, and what Emily discovers on her quest for a mate will change her life forever.

Escort to Insanity by J.A. Belfield

From a charity auction, to a stroll in the park, to the craziest night of her life. Nicole Harrington can’t help but wonder how a simple event went so drastically wrong.

Of course, the male escort she booked is wholly to blame. Not only charming but shrewdly intelligent, Benjamin Gold drags Nicole into a platoon of unimaginable problems—ones from which she’ll have to find the courage just to survive.

Tagged: 2012, Anthologies, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Memories, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Waiting on Wednesday, Writers, Writing

5 Questions with Rita Monette

Rita was born in the marshes and bayous of Louisiana, and it is where she gets most of her stories.

After retiring from her administrative assistant job for the State of Michigan, she decided at that it was time to put all the stories in her head on paper. She attended a few classes and made several attempts at writing picture books before plunging into a children’s novel, which is based on her childhood living as a “levee rat.” The result was The Legend of Ghost Dog Island.

And excerpt from The Legend of Ghost Dog Island won second place in the “Writing for Young People” category of the annual Tennessee Mountain Writer’s contest, where she also walked away with first place for her WIP, Zone of Fear, another middle grade novel, still in revisions.

Rita is now living in the beautiful state of Tennessee with her husband and four rescue dogs and a rescue cat. Well, the cat thinks he rescued them.

The Legend of Ghost Dog Island will be released November 16, 2012 from Musa Publishing.

Website     Facebook     Blog

Email: frmonette@yahoo.com

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

 

1. What was the spark of inspiration for The Legend of Ghost Dog Island?

Oh, that one is easy. My childhood. I grew up in the bayous of Louisiana, and the story takes place in an area I know well. My father was a fisherman/trapper, just like the one in the story, and he used to tell us many spooky tales of things living out in the swamps. My main character, Nikki, takes those legends a step further, and acts on them.

2. Which character most resembles you in your story?

Nikki Landry, the main character is me. The only difference is that she is feisty, brave, adventurous, and a tomboy. Hey, that’s not me at all.

3. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

My advice is to never give up. I won’t say never get discouraged, because you will. You will many times if you are human. You will feel like you’re not meant to write. But give yourself a cooling down period and jump back in. Also, study your craft. Go to conferences and learn from the pros. Get critique partners that are hard on you and that hurt your feelings. And last, but not least, read. Read everything in your genre, especially award winning books, then read everything else. It gets the creative juices flowing.

4. If you could go back in time, where would you go?

There are so many places I’d love to go if time travel were possible. But one era that fascinates me is the 1800’s, when people were trying to make a life in the western United States. I’d love to visit my ancestors and see what they were up to.

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Gee, that’s a hard choice. I love them both. I guess the Beatles.

About The Legend of Ghost Dog Island

Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry.

Her fisherman father relocates their raggedy old houseboat several times a year in search of better fishing spots. However, their latest move has brought her to a mysterious bayou where she feels like something is watching her from a nearby island. But when Papa tells her about a local legend that something sinister might be living near her new home stealing the souls of dogs, she fears for her beloved beagle’s life.

Join Nikki as she seeks to discover the truth behind the legend…before it’s too late.

 

Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Interviews, Middle Grade, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, YA