L.S. Murphy's Blog, page 4
August 30, 2013
Cover Reveal: Forty Nights by Stephanie Parent
Forty Nights (Neima’s Ark #2)
Release Date: September 2013
Cover Designed by: Najla Qamber Designs
Summary from Goodreads:
Neima, her family, and her grandfather Noah have found themselves trapped aboard an ark as a great flood destroys all life in the world. As their time aboard the ark lengthens, food begins to run out, wild animals grow restless, and family tensions become as much of a threat as the flood outside. In the second and final installment of Neima’s Ark, the stakes are higher, the conflicts are greater, and Neima finds herself facing a choice as impossible as the destruction all around her.
Forty Nights is a continuation of the story begun in Forty Days, and it’s recommended that you read Forty Days first for the best experience. Forty Nights does, however, contain a character guide to refresh readers’ memories. The Neima’s Ark series is a historical, feminist reimagining of the story of Noah’s Ark rather than a religiously oriented one, and the novels are best suited for readers who are comfortable with new interpretations of biblical stories.
Forty Days Info:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17261034-forty-days
Forty Days is currently FREE! Get your copy!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forty-days-stephanie-parent/1116761817?ean=2940045226042
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/forty-days-neima-s-ark-book-one
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333995
About the Author
Stephanie Parent is a graduate of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC and attended 
the Baltimore School for the Arts as a piano major. She moved to Los Angeles because of Francesca Lia Block’s WEETZIE BAT books, which might give you some idea of how much books mean to her. She also loves dogs, books about dogs, and sugary coffee drinks both hot and cold.
***Author Links***
http://www.stephanieparent.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6449665.Stephanie_Parent
http://twitter.com/BookCrazySteph
Cover Reveal Hosted by:
Tagged: 2013, Authors, Books, Cover Reveal, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Writers, Writing
August 29, 2013
Excerpt from “The 13th Month” ~ ONE MORE DAY
Hello, everyone! I’m thrilled to share the excerpt from “The 13th Month” coming soon in ONE MORE DAY!
So, without further adieu …
December 31st, 2013 4:01pm
“Stop being a douche, Jackie. This end of the world crap is nothing but a load of … well, crap. Get over it.” I snatched our shared laptop from my little brother and closed the lid, not bothering to check out the site he’d become fixated on during the last hour. Jackie’s conspiracy theories were a constant pain in my ass.
“Give it back, Nixon.” He whined, reaching across my body as I shoved the ancient computer behind my back. “This one’s real. I’m telling you; it’s gonna to happen.”
“Just like you said Rapture was real, right? Or the Mayan prophecy of December twenty-first in two-thousand twelve?” I shoved his thirteen-year-old body away from me. “Guess what, dipshit? Twenty-twelve has come and gone with the world still spinning. Get outta here so I can chat with my girl.”
Jackie stood, brushing invisible dirt of his green plaid shorts. In a few years, he’d either be modeling or coming out of the closet. I swore my brother got all the looks in the family—Mom’s California blonde hair, Dad’s bright blue eyes, and
at least two inches taller than I was.
Me? I inherited Dad’s brown hair that curled if it got too long and Mom’s brown eyes the color of dry dirt. In other words, boring.
“One of these days, you’ll believe me,” Jackie said, his voice deeper than normal. His eyes sparkled like ice held up to a light bulb. “The end is coming. Everything will stop. And there’s nothing you can do to prevent it.”
“Dude, did you forget your Zoloft, or something? What’s with the voice?” I fell onto my twin bed, wishing for the millionth time I had my own room. The computer lay across my
thighs, warming the denim beneath it.
Flipping me the bird, Jackie left the room and slammed our door behind him, rattling the windows from the force. The little shit must’ve started lifting weights. I glanced over to his half of the room but saw no sign that my brother had suddenly decided to add to his martial arts workout. Instead, his side was spotless, with a perfectly made bed, organized desk, laid-out clothes, and his lined-up tae kwon do ribbons. Jackie switched disciplines when he was seven, while I stuck with karate. I would’ve quit, but girls thought it was sexy. Laura included.
My shit was less than perfect. A box shoved into the closet hid my wrinkled karate ribbons. Homework and textbooks littered my desk. Even our matching blue plaid comforters were opposites—mine faded and wrinkled, his smooth and bright like the day Mom bought it.
Shaking my head, I opened the laptop and typed in the password. Laura was far more important than worrying about what was up little bro’s butt. Especially since we had big plans that night. Her parents would be out ringing in twenty-fourteen at some hotel soiree, leaving the house to us. Alone. Six years of crushing on her and six months of dating her were leading to what I hoped would be the best night of my life.
Hope you enjoyed! Stop by the other author’s blogs for excerpts from their stories.
Happy Reading!
Tagged: 2013, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, High School, J. Taylor Publishing, Just for Fun, Musings, One More Day, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books
Rockin’ Thursdays: Radioactive
I don’t what it is about this song, but I can’t seem to get enough of it. 
Although, poor Lou Diamond Phillips.
Bonus: a LIVE performance on David Letterman.
Tagged: 2013, Fun, Just for Fun, Music, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Rockin' Thursdays, Videos
August 27, 2013
Why Anthologies?
Why read an anthology? After all, it’s just a bunch of short stories by a bunch of different authors. I could just read their books, right?
As an author who has been published in multiple anthologies, I have to say yes, but no.
Anthologies provide a reader with a chance to discover new authors without committing to a novel, if the author has one. Short stories, especially in this digital age, are making an amazing comeback, and anthologies are growing in popularity. Sometimes it’s nice to sit down for an hour or two and read an author’s complete work. It’s also fun to read different interpretations of a theme. I’m always amazed by the ideas sprouting up. It’s great to see so many talented authors writing on one theme. Anthologies are a lot of fun to read because of this.
For writers, anthologies are an important tool. First, it’s a great way to study voice. Since anthologies have a cohesive theme, someone studying the craft of writing can see how each voice varies on a theme.
ONE MORE DAY (coming in December from J. Taylor Publishing) has the theme of “What if tomorrow doesn’t happen?” Each author had to come up with an idea based on this theme. The mixture of ideas and voice in the anthology is amazing. I loved each of the stories and 
marveled at where these ideas came from.
UNCONVENTIONAL (available from Spencer Hill Press) has the theme of strange things at a con. The styles ranged from paranormal to science fiction, from an English convention to a comic con. Each story was unique within the theme .
DETRITUS (available from Omnium Gatherum Media) shared a theme of collections gone wrong. The stories ranged from dark fantasy to horror. Some made me shiver, others totally freaked me out.
Second, anthologies are a great way for authors to break into the publishing world. Publishing is hard. Even if you hear of a debut author hitting the literary library, chances are they’ve been slaving away just like the rest of the pre-published authors. Getting your toes wet with an anthology gives an author a peak at the editing process and how a book comes together.
If you’ve been hesitant to read an anthology or even write a story for one, give it a shot. Anthologies can open your eyes to several worlds at once.
And, like I said, they’re just a lot of fun.
Happy Reading and Writing.
Tagged: 2013, Anthologies, Anthology, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Books
Cover Reveal: The Picture of Dulce Garcia
Isn’t this crazy? It’s beautiful and creepy at the same time.
And the wallpaper background? Totally cool!
The Picture of Dulce Garcia (The Coven #1)
Release Date: Fall 2013
Summary from Goodreads:
Dulce Garcia, star of The Coven, would rather spend her days sketching dresses. Instead, she works to support her family and dreams of one day becoming a fashion designer. After Teen Vogue declares Dulce, “The Hottest Teen in America,” she is stunned by how amazing she looks in their photo.
At sixteen, Dulce feels the pressure to stay youthful in Hollywood. When Dulce’s prop Book of Shadows gets destroyed, she substitutes her favorite Victorian Anthology, opened to Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, and says her spell during the shoot over the anthology. Afterwards, in her trailer, she discovers that she has transformed into her Teen Vogue picture, and her real body is completely airbrushed. Can she break the curse or will she remain locked forever in a picture?
Finalist—Young Adult Category of the 2011 RWA Stiletto Contest!
Finalist—Young Adult Category of the 2011 RWA Launching A Star Contest!
Finalist—Young Adult Category of the 2011 RWA Heart of the Rockies Contest!
About the Author
Alana Albertson is the former President of both Romance Writers of Americas’s Young Adult and Chick Lit chapters and the founder 
of Academe Advantage, a college admissions & test preparation company. Alana Albertson holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, Alana currently writes contemporary romance and young adult fiction. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two young sons, and four dogs. When she’s not spending her time needlepointing, dancing, or saving dogs from high kill shelters through Pugs N Roses, the rescue she founded, she can be found watching episodes of House Hunters, Homeland, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.
***Author Links***
http://www.alanaalbertson.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7189293.Alana_Albertson
http://www.twitter.com/alanaalbertson
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlanaAlbertson
http://pinterest.com/realcalichica/boards/
Tagged: 2013, Authors, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, Young Adult, Young Adult Books
August 26, 2013
Cover Reveal: Hothouse Flower
Check out this schmexy cover for HOTHOUSE FLOWER!
Hothouse Flower
by Krista Ritchie , Becca Ritchie
Release Date: February 2014
Summary from Goodreads:
Ryke Meadows, meet Daisy Calloway … she’s all grown up.
Twenty-five-year-old Ryke Meadows knows he’s hard to love. With a billion-dollar inheritance, a track-star resume, and an alpha-male personality—he redefines the term likable asshole. But he’s not living to make friends. Or enemies. After months helping his brother through rehab and sobriety, he just wants to free climb three of the toughest mountains in Yosemite without drama or interruption.
And then he receives a distressed call from a girl in Paris—a girl that he has never been allowed to have.
Daisy Calloway is eighteen. Finally. With her newfound independence, she can say goodbye to her overbearing mother and continue her modeling career. Next stop, Paris. Fashion week begins with a bang, and Daisy uncovers the ugly reality of the industry. She wants to prove to her family that she can live on her own, but when everything spirals out of control, she turns to Ryke to keep her secrets.
As Daisy struggles to make sense of this new world and her freedom, she pushes the limits and fearlessly rides the edge. Ryke knows there’s deep hurt beneath every impulsive action. He must keep up with Daisy, and if he lets her go, her favorite motto—“live as if you’ll die today”—may just come true.
Standalone New Adult Romance: recommended for readers 18+ for mature content
About the Authors
Becca Ritchie is a carnivore of pop culture, television, film and of course YA and NA books. While in college, she worked at The CW 
television network and put her vampiric knowledge to good use, blogging about hit series and swooning over actors’ abs. When she’s not blogging, she writes novels and has teamed up with her twin sister for their New Adult novel ADDICTED TO YOU. Available July of 2013.
Krista Ritchie is the mind behind popular trading website YA Book Exchange and created Nawanda Files, a book blog that also features books into movies news. When not pouring over entertainment news and the newest releases, she spends her time conducting research in a genetics lab. She’s happy to join forces with her sister, harnessing their twin powers to produce the first in a New Adult series.
Author Website │ Nawanda Files │ YA Book Exchange
Becca’s Links:
Krista’s Links:
Cover Reveal Oranized by:
Tagged: 2013, Authors, Books, Cover Reveal, Fiction, Just for Fun, New Adult, Novels, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Romance, Writers, Writing
Cover Reveal: Inspired by Danielle E. Shipley
Check out this awesome cover for Inspired by Danielle E. Shipley!
Doesn’t this sound fab?
About Inspired:
For a muse like Lucianíel, one story’s end is another’s beginning.
In the wake of his author’s sudden death, Luc takes ownership of her surviving creations—four fantastical characters with tales yet to be told—saving them from unwritten lives crumbling around them and giving them a second chance at a literary future.
Luc finds that chance in the unsuspecting mind of Annabelle Iole Gray, a quirky teen with her head in the clouds, nose in a book, and imagination ripe for a brilliant muse’s inspiration.
Or so he hopes.
Neither Luc nor Annabelle, however, realize all they’ve undertaken. Even with a to-write list including accounts of a shape-shifting cat creature, gentle knight-in-training, vigilante skater girl, and a mystery boy smothering in unspoken fear, the most remarkable saga created between author and muse just may turn out to be one stranger than fiction.
Their own.
Want to check out Danielle’s writing before Inspired hits the shelves? Add ONE MORE DAY to your TBR list which has the story “A Morrow More” written by Danielle.
Tagged: 2013, Authors, Books, Cover Reveal, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Reading
August 22, 2013
Rockin’ Thursdays: Castle of Glass
Welcome back to Rockin’ Thursdays.
I’ve been working my tail off on edits for a new novel, edits for my upcoming novella “Neighbors”, edits for “The 13th Month” which will appear in the upcoming anthology ONE MORE DAY.
AND I FINISHED A FIRST DRAFT OF A NEWESTESTEST NOVEL!
So, yeah, been a little busy.
ANYWHOOOOO….
Have you seen this video for Linkin Park’s Castle of Glass? I seriously can’t watch it without shedding a tear or two.
Check it out:
Tagged: 2013, Fun, Just for Fun, Music, Musings, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Rockin' Thursdays, Videos
August 20, 2013
Glutton for Punishment
How many times have you heard a writing refer to their muse? Quite a lot, I’m willing to bet.
We complain that our muse has left us, or our muse gives us ideas at the most inopportune times like driving on the highway or in the midst of shampooing.
Do you ever hear a writer complain that their muse is OVERACTIVE?
Nope, but maybe I’m a glutton for punishment. My muse has been in overdrive for the last year. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. Sometimes it seems like there’s so much going on in my head, I have to write it down or spontaneous combustion is a real possibility.
Sunday, I finished my most recent novel, NO REGRETS. While it’s just a first draft, it’s still DONE!
So, what did I do? Yep, I started something else. Well, sort of.
Last year, I attempted NaNoWriMo for the hell of it. I failed miserably. Well, not miserably. I hit 37k words before other things got in the way. So I put the novel on the back burner. I read through the draft last month and figured out what was wrong with it and were it needed to go. I cut around 8k. Last night, I started working on it again. Now, I’m back up to 35k on it. By the end of September, I hope to have a completed first draft.
That would be two novels completed and ready for revising.
I love my muse!
*Psst* I’ve also been writing something else longhand.
Happy Writing.
Tagged: 2013, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Writers, Writing
August 18, 2013
Finishing a First Draft
IT’S DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But it’s not.
Yep, I’m talking about the first draft. I finished the first draft of my latest novel, currently titled NO REGRETS. I started it in the middle of June, had a few hiccups in July and August, but I finally completed it. Ahead of schedule, I might add.
So, what’s with the GIF? Well, just because the first draft is done, doesn’t mean it’s time to send it to my agent. Actually, if I sent this draft to her, she’d probably hop on a plane to slap me in person. Is it that bad? Not necessarily, but there are a lot of inconsistencies I need to fix. A few scenes I need to go back and add. And, of course, there are probably more typos than i can count.
Sometimes, writing a book is like learning how to drive, over and over again.
Each book writes differently. REAPER took forever to write. Honestly, I have no idea how many drafts I went through. My next two novels, both of which are on submission, were totally different. One was a NaNoWriMo that I completely retyped about two years after the original draft. YES, I RETYPED THE ENTIRE THING. For the better. The other came out as easy as spreading butter on corn. NO REGRETS was a battle. It took me a while to get to know my MC. She’s feisty and a little crazy. Once I found her voice, the novel flowed much better.
What’s next?
I’ll set aside NO REGRETS for about a month before I start rewriting. That’s usually the right length of time to let it settle in my head.
During that time, I have another novel to finish. It’s halfway done, and I put it aside last year because it wasn’t working. Now I know why, so I can finish it while I let the dust settle from NO REGRETS.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I LOVE MY JOB.
Now, tell me. What are you working on?
Tagged: 2013, Authors, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Contemporary, Young Adult, Young Adult Books
