Liz Reinhardt's Blog, page 4
June 3, 2012
Junk Miles Paperback Giveaway, New Book News, FB Love, and General Adoration...Directed at YOU. Yes. YOU!
It's been a little while since I updated, but I have resolved to be a better blogger! I have good news (always! I never burden my blog friends with bad news...unless it involves me being so sad it's actually funny ;)!).
1. I have a YA mature paranormal coming out this summer. The title is Inherit, and if you stay tuned this month, there will be teasers, cover reveals, giveaways...all kinds of awesome! I'm a little head-over-heels in love with this book, mostly because I want to BE Wren, my kick ass heroine. I want her powers and her boyfriend (kinda boyfriend...it's complicated), and even her angsts. Because angst makes this girl ROCK her sort of scary powers! Oh, it's crazy!!!
2. Did you really think I would forget Evan Lennox? NEVER! She hasn't left my mind for a single day since Brenna got word of her rampant arson in Slow Twitch. Evan met someone. Someone hot and funny and a pain in the ass, who challenges her and makes her blood boil. Someone with more baggage than she has, who needs her help to get rid of some of it...and I'll be teasing you with THEIR story very soon as well!
3. And GIVEAWAYS! Who doesn't love getting something rad? Like a sexy book? So please check out my Facebook page (and like me if you want...I update there often-est), or just read below to get the skinny on how to enter. (And her's my link...c'mon, you know you wanna like it! https://www.facebook.com/lizreinhardtauthor)
[image error]
Belated cool giveaway news...I have had a gorgeous pile of *Junk Miles* books chilling in a box on the floor 'cause I'm a SLACKER! They're BEAUTIFUL, and I'd love to give 2 signed copies away!!
So, (and this may seem familiar if you were around for the DC giveaway) if you would like to be considered, just put a review of *Junk Miles* on Amazon or B&N (or both, if you'd like your name entered twice!). Post the link(s) on my timeline or message me, and on June 25, I'll pick two winners!! (And if you already reviewed on Amazon or B&N all YOU have to do is send me the link to let me know you want in ;)!!)
And, as a reminder, when we hit 100 reviews on *Double Clutch* I'm doing a rewrite of Brenna's first day at Frankford...from Saxon's POV!! I'll share it right here!! (We're at 74 now!! SO CLOSE!!)
ALL GOOD NEWS!! And love to everyone of you! I hope your summers are rad and fun and book filled!! UBER book filled ;)!
1. I have a YA mature paranormal coming out this summer. The title is Inherit, and if you stay tuned this month, there will be teasers, cover reveals, giveaways...all kinds of awesome! I'm a little head-over-heels in love with this book, mostly because I want to BE Wren, my kick ass heroine. I want her powers and her boyfriend (kinda boyfriend...it's complicated), and even her angsts. Because angst makes this girl ROCK her sort of scary powers! Oh, it's crazy!!!
2. Did you really think I would forget Evan Lennox? NEVER! She hasn't left my mind for a single day since Brenna got word of her rampant arson in Slow Twitch. Evan met someone. Someone hot and funny and a pain in the ass, who challenges her and makes her blood boil. Someone with more baggage than she has, who needs her help to get rid of some of it...and I'll be teasing you with THEIR story very soon as well!
3. And GIVEAWAYS! Who doesn't love getting something rad? Like a sexy book? So please check out my Facebook page (and like me if you want...I update there often-est), or just read below to get the skinny on how to enter. (And her's my link...c'mon, you know you wanna like it! https://www.facebook.com/lizreinhardtauthor)
[image error]
Belated cool giveaway news...I have had a gorgeous pile of *Junk Miles* books chilling in a box on the floor 'cause I'm a SLACKER! They're BEAUTIFUL, and I'd love to give 2 signed copies away!!
So, (and this may seem familiar if you were around for the DC giveaway) if you would like to be considered, just put a review of *Junk Miles* on Amazon or B&N (or both, if you'd like your name entered twice!). Post the link(s) on my timeline or message me, and on June 25, I'll pick two winners!! (And if you already reviewed on Amazon or B&N all YOU have to do is send me the link to let me know you want in ;)!!)
And, as a reminder, when we hit 100 reviews on *Double Clutch* I'm doing a rewrite of Brenna's first day at Frankford...from Saxon's POV!! I'll share it right here!! (We're at 74 now!! SO CLOSE!!)
ALL GOOD NEWS!! And love to everyone of you! I hope your summers are rad and fun and book filled!! UBER book filled ;)!
Published on June 03, 2012 08:09
April 18, 2012
It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's a PAPERBACK!! And I Want You To Have It For Your Very Own!!
Publishing has so many cool, cool aspects. One huge one is the breathless beauty of new cover art. Nothing can make me swoon as quickly as seeing a really beautiful book...and to see my VERY OWN BOOK looking so fine and slim and shiny and gorgeous? I'm kvelling. Wanna peek?
[image error]I would follow her into the dark. She needs to keep her clothes on; I've had all that I can take. I've been looking so long at this picture of her, that I almost believe that it's real. If she falls I will catch her, I will be waiting, time after time. (Please add any other lyrics that make your heat pitter patter!)
So, I'd like you to win a paper copy!
You. Yes. You. (Marcus Flutie reference, for all the Meg McCafferty lovers!)
How, you ask?
Simple.
Put a link of your Amazon and/or B&N review of Double Clutch on my Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/lizreinhardtauthor or message me the link. If you do BOTH Amazon and B&N, I'll totally put your name in my magic hat twice!
On May 1, I'll pick 2 winners, autograph and mail two lovely, lovely copies!
AND whenever I make it to 100 reviews on Amazon, I'll post the first day of school at Frankford High...told from Saxon's POV. I really have been missing my favorite chain-smoking bad boy!
And now I must get Jake and Saxon's covers done in paper...because they're way to fine to be confined to a computer screen ;)!
[image error]I would follow her into the dark. She needs to keep her clothes on; I've had all that I can take. I've been looking so long at this picture of her, that I almost believe that it's real. If she falls I will catch her, I will be waiting, time after time. (Please add any other lyrics that make your heat pitter patter!)
So, I'd like you to win a paper copy!
You. Yes. You. (Marcus Flutie reference, for all the Meg McCafferty lovers!)
How, you ask?
Simple.
Put a link of your Amazon and/or B&N review of Double Clutch on my Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/lizreinhardtauthor or message me the link. If you do BOTH Amazon and B&N, I'll totally put your name in my magic hat twice!
On May 1, I'll pick 2 winners, autograph and mail two lovely, lovely copies!
AND whenever I make it to 100 reviews on Amazon, I'll post the first day of school at Frankford High...told from Saxon's POV. I really have been missing my favorite chain-smoking bad boy!
And now I must get Jake and Saxon's covers done in paper...because they're way to fine to be confined to a computer screen ;)!
Published on April 18, 2012 19:29
March 26, 2012
I Wish I Could Make Rice Krispie Treats To Share With You ALL On The *Forgiving Trinity* Blog Tour!!!
Hey Blog Friends!! So the lovely, amazing, smart, wonderful, sweet Amanda from Letters Inside Out organized this incredibly cool blog tour for Forgiving Trinity and it starts TODAY at Respiring Thoughts with a very nice review ;)! Please stop here and check it out, and please follow along if you want! Lots of fun giveaways, crazy reads, awesome peeps in general. It's like a party...for book nerds...and general nerds. And there's nothing better than a nerd/book party! We really need to find a way to make snacks available on blogs...
WOOT!!!
http://www.lettersinsideout.net/forgiving-trinity-tour/
3/26
Fire Star Books - Guest Post
Respiring Thoughts - Review
3/27
Insightful Minds - Review & Author Interview
Reading in Winter - Review
Addicted to Books - Guest Post from Trinity
3/28
A Diary of a Book Addict - Review & Character Interview w/ Trinity
Nose in a Book - Guest Post
3/29
Book Briefs - Review
A Written Rhapsody - Guest post
3/30
Kindle Fever - Guest post
Reviewing Shelf - Review
It's a PenPal World - Review & Author Interview
4/2
Rondo of a Possible World - Guest Post
Nose in a Book - Review
(Love of Books) - Guest Post
4/3
Sweeping Me - Guest Post
Kindle Fever - Review
4/4
Catch The Lune - Top Ten
Simply Infatuated - Review & Character Interview w/ Aidan
4/5
Catch The Lune - Review
A Tale of Many Reviews - Author Interview
The Book Barbies - Guest Post
4/6
Actin' Up With Books - Guest Post
A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Review
Addicted to Books - Review
4/9
Forbidden Passions - Review
A Book & A Latte - Guest Post
4/10
A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Guest PostReviewing Shelf - Author Interview
Zodiac Book Reviews - Review
4/11
Nyx Book Reviews - Guest Post
Never Too Fond of Books - Review
4/12
My Shelf Confessions Guest post
Reading in Winter - Author Interview
Seeing Night - Review
4/13
Ed and Em's Reviews - Review & Author Interview
My Life With Books - Guest Post
WOOT!!!

3/26
Fire Star Books - Guest Post
Respiring Thoughts - Review
3/27
Insightful Minds - Review & Author Interview
Reading in Winter - Review
Addicted to Books - Guest Post from Trinity
3/28
A Diary of a Book Addict - Review & Character Interview w/ Trinity
Nose in a Book - Guest Post
3/29
Book Briefs - Review
A Written Rhapsody - Guest post
3/30
Kindle Fever - Guest post
Reviewing Shelf - Review
It's a PenPal World - Review & Author Interview
4/2
Rondo of a Possible World - Guest Post
Nose in a Book - Review
(Love of Books) - Guest Post
4/3
Sweeping Me - Guest Post
Kindle Fever - Review
4/4
Catch The Lune - Top Ten
Simply Infatuated - Review & Character Interview w/ Aidan
4/5
Catch The Lune - Review
A Tale of Many Reviews - Author Interview
The Book Barbies - Guest Post
4/6
Actin' Up With Books - Guest Post
A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Review
Addicted to Books - Review
4/9
Forbidden Passions - Review
A Book & A Latte - Guest Post
4/10
A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Guest PostReviewing Shelf - Author Interview
Zodiac Book Reviews - Review
4/11
Nyx Book Reviews - Guest Post
Never Too Fond of Books - Review
4/12
My Shelf Confessions Guest post
Reading in Winter - Author Interview
Seeing Night - Review
4/13
Ed and Em's Reviews - Review & Author Interview
My Life With Books - Guest Post
Published on March 26, 2012 06:08
February 13, 2012
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a blog tour filled with romance and teen angst! And you will LOVE every second!
I'm blog touring! If you'd like to follow along, the schedule is below! (It's super fun...you know you want to join the fun!)
Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt
February 13 – March 2
Coordinated by: KariMonday, February 13: Kristen T at Seeing Night Reviews (Character Interview: Jake)
Wednesday, February 15: Basma at In Between the Lines (Author This or That)
Thursday, February 16: Jen D at What's on the Bookshelf (Review)
Friday, February 17: Vickie at Me, My Shelf and I (Author Interview)
Monday, February 20: Damaris at Good Choice Reading (Character Interview: Brenna)
Tuesday, February 21: Crystal at My Reading Room (Book Picks)
Wednesday, February 22: Kristen T at Seeing Night Reviews(Review)
Thursday, February 23: Heidi at The Readiacs (Music Post)
Friday, February 24: Jen D at What's on the Bookshelf (Author Interview)
Monday, February 27: Divya at Bookish Delights (Character Interview: Saxon)
Tuesday, February 28: Vickie at Me, My Shelf and I (Review)
Wednesday, February 29: Ashley S at Ashley Suzanne (When I'm Not Writing)
Thursday, March 1: Heidi at The Readiacs (Review)
Friday, March 2: Kari at A Good Addiction (Author Interview)
Published on February 13, 2012 05:26
February 7, 2012
A Giveaway, A Sweet Story, Hot Abs, A Valentine Deal...All The Good Stuff!
Why We All Love Abs And It's All Okay!
So, I lured you here to drool over some delicious abs with me! And to let you know why my guys have such bodily gorgeousness. AND to let you know that I'm giving away two paper copies of Double Clutch in a Goodreads giveaway contest that ends this Friday, February 10. AND to announce that I'm going to run a .99 Valentine's Day sale on the e-version of Double Clutch this weekend (2/11 & 2/12) because I want EVERYONE to have a chance to be with Jake and Saxon this Valentine's Day! So there are all my announcements, and I'm providing a link to the contest, and then back to the abs, natch!
To enter to win a paper copy of Double Clutch, click here and throw your name in the hat!!
I recently wrote a YA contemporary romance called Double Clutch, and one of the highlights of writing it was creating these two amazing, gorgeous, brilliant guys. Do they have flaws? Oh, don't even get me started! But there is one thing I just couldn't budge on, and it's something that comes up a lot in complaints about heroes and romance and YA in general...my guys have abs.
Yep! Jake and Saxon both have them. Washboard abs that ripple when they take their shirts off. They have abs, and I'm not going to apologize or make excuses or giggle (okay, maybe I'll giggle a little tiny bit). But I will explain why it's perfectly okay for guys to have abs in fiction and for all of us to swoon.

In order to tell this story, I need to go back into my dating life. I like guys. I started liking guys back when I was a wee girl, and once I had my first kiss at summer camp, I was a goner. There are a few things that really make my heart thump. First of all, I love a good laugh. I love a guy who can laugh at anything and everything with me. I love nice hands. Big, calloused, rugged-nailed hands that have clearly been building something or making something really appeal to me. I also love shoulders. A nice, wide pair of shoulders can make me feel a little faint.
So, every guy I liked must have had a great sense of humor, nice hands, and huge, muscled shoulders, right?
Um, not so much.
The first boy I kissed was thin and gangly. He did have great hands, but his laugh was really soft and quiet.
My first real boyfriend was embarrassed by how stubby his fingers were. He didn't like his teeth, so he always laughed with his mouth closed, and it was a muffled kind of laugh. And his posture wasn't great, so his shoulders always looked a little stooped.
I dated one guy who had a big, jolly laugh, fine hands, and a definite six pack. We had absolutely nothing in common and wound up breaking up without a second glance back because we bored each other to tears.

So how are those three things my things? Why did I go to all that trouble to describe them in so much detail? Well, they're the three things I love most about the guy I finally fell head-over-heels in love with. And they might sound slightly shallow, but represent what he means to me as a person.
My husband, Frank, has a laugh that is so loud and funny, it makes other people laugh. He laughs hard. He laughs from his gut, and he often can't stop. Like he's doubled over, crying from laughter. I'm seriously laughing just thinking about his laugh. Some people have said it sounds like a donkey that's scared for its life. He's been teased for it. People turn around in the movie theater and stare in shock when he laughs. And I LOVE IT!
When we first dated, I told a joke. It was probably fairly funny. I manage to be funny sometimes. Frank laughed so hard and loud, I was afraid he'd drive off of the road. I had a few boyfriends before Frank who just didn't appreciate my sense of humor, so his laughter made me feel great. And it was contagious. We spent so much time on every date laughing like hyenas about nothing and everything. We still crack each other up. I think it's why I still have a major crush on him, even after years of being married.

And his hands? I'm a tall girl, and my hands are big, but when he holds my hand I feel kind of petite. I love having that sensation sometimes. And he does work with his hands. He works on engines, tiles my countertop, makes wooden toys for our daughter, landscapes, draws...his hands are dirty, calloused, and so capable. I love holding hands with him, because they just feel like Frank. They feel strong and safe and warm.
And the shoulders. Sigh. Frank has these big, broad shoulders. He has a tattoo on one that I love. He looks amazing in a suit. When he hugs me, his shoulders are so wide, I feel like I can just get lost in his embrace. It's amazing.
Okay, now I've described my husband to you, and I bet he sounds amazing. And, I have to admit, he is. But if you saw him in real life, would you go gaga? You might! Haha! He is pretty cute! But I have plenty of girlfriends who told me I could do better when we were dating. He had plenty of girls turn him down or dump him before he met me. There are things about his appearance and the way he is that some girls wouldn't be able to stand. And, sadly, he doesn't have a six pack!
Do I ever check out other guys? Do I drool over Ryan Gosling? Um, I am alive!

And I know he thinks other girls are pretty. That's okay. I know that for him, just like for me, there's a particular combination of qualities that just clicks on a higher attraction level...and that click happens when he's with me and I'm with him. It's very cool!
So about abs? Well, there is a different combo for every lady out there. We all know that. When I write these guys, I want you to know for a fact that they are hot, hard-working, sexy guys. And how do I tell you that in shorthand, even if I don't know your particular hot-button combo? Well, take a lookie, ladies! (You're welcome!)

Published on February 07, 2012 12:27
December 27, 2011
Forgiving Trinity and Rough Sales Numbers!
I'm very happy to let everyone know that Forgiving Trinity debuted! I'm especially happy about this one, because it all started one gray November on Blogger...
I don't want to be one of those parents who's always talking about her own kid and bragging about how many dance recitals and bassoon solos and French tests said kid aced, but c'mon, look at that little beauty! That's gorgeous, right? Props to my guy, Steve Peterson! I found him on elance...if you need a cover guy, I cannot recommend him highly enough. His rates are amazing, his work ethic is intense, and, well, just look at the magic he works!
What happened, that long ago November, is that I had finished Double Clutch (and Junk Miles and Slow Twitch...) and sent out a bunch of letters to agents, and was primed to be instantly on my way to a major publication deal!
Oh.
Except I got a lot of really sweet 'no thank yous.' And I was starting to get bummed. But, more importantly, I was losing hours, days, weeks, pressing my email's 'refresh' button over and over again, on the off chance that in the three minutes it took me to get up, to pee, and come back to my laptop, some important agent had emailed me!
Then I read about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I was also, simultaneously, trying to build a platform, so I was floundering on Blogger. I decided to combine my desire to start a blog with my desire to participate in NaNoWriMo, thus resulting in my blogel/blovel Forgiving Trinity.
I wrote a chapter a day. I badgered a few friends into reading the chapter and voting on what would happen the next day. I was psyched by the legions of fans who began demanding I write more (or the four friends and awesome blog lovers who put up with my obsession). Every single day I had people who loved books and words writing to tell me what they liked and didn't, what they wanted to see more of and what they thought dragged on. It was an incredible writing experience.
By the end of the month, I had a book. Done.
Well, not done. I had to edit it. Get it critiqued. Comb through suggestions. Make changes. Take things out. Add things in.
And I loved it! I really, really loved it. And when I had tweaked it and done all I could to make it perfect, I got an amazing cover, and put it out there! So, if you have an ereader, it's available on Amazon and B&N. And if you love paper, I promise that will be coming out soon! (I promise.)
Oh! And I'm SUPER behind in sales figures, but I'd like to let you know how I made out the last few months!
October - I sold about 58 copies of Double Clutch. Woot!!
November - I released Junk Miles just before Thanksgiving. I sold a combined total of 381 copies! That made me especially giddy, because it was exactly 300 more than I sold in September! (Though, of course, I had one more book out this month!)
Currently, I'm on the cusp of 400, with the three books out. So that's very, very cool for me and makes me extremely excited and happy!
I really wanted to break it all down more specifically, and I will. But I can tell you that the bulk of my sales come from Amazon Kindle US purchases, and that there has been an almost neck and neck tie between Double Clutch and Junk Miles, so releasing a second book definitely helped sales in a huge way.
And thank you. I love being part of the blog community. I love having people to share this exciting stuff with. I love that I can share a book that literally took root right on this blog. Amazing!

What happened, that long ago November, is that I had finished Double Clutch (and Junk Miles and Slow Twitch...) and sent out a bunch of letters to agents, and was primed to be instantly on my way to a major publication deal!
Oh.
Except I got a lot of really sweet 'no thank yous.' And I was starting to get bummed. But, more importantly, I was losing hours, days, weeks, pressing my email's 'refresh' button over and over again, on the off chance that in the three minutes it took me to get up, to pee, and come back to my laptop, some important agent had emailed me!
Then I read about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I was also, simultaneously, trying to build a platform, so I was floundering on Blogger. I decided to combine my desire to start a blog with my desire to participate in NaNoWriMo, thus resulting in my blogel/blovel Forgiving Trinity.
I wrote a chapter a day. I badgered a few friends into reading the chapter and voting on what would happen the next day. I was psyched by the legions of fans who began demanding I write more (or the four friends and awesome blog lovers who put up with my obsession). Every single day I had people who loved books and words writing to tell me what they liked and didn't, what they wanted to see more of and what they thought dragged on. It was an incredible writing experience.
By the end of the month, I had a book. Done.
Well, not done. I had to edit it. Get it critiqued. Comb through suggestions. Make changes. Take things out. Add things in.
And I loved it! I really, really loved it. And when I had tweaked it and done all I could to make it perfect, I got an amazing cover, and put it out there! So, if you have an ereader, it's available on Amazon and B&N. And if you love paper, I promise that will be coming out soon! (I promise.)
Oh! And I'm SUPER behind in sales figures, but I'd like to let you know how I made out the last few months!
October - I sold about 58 copies of Double Clutch. Woot!!
November - I released Junk Miles just before Thanksgiving. I sold a combined total of 381 copies! That made me especially giddy, because it was exactly 300 more than I sold in September! (Though, of course, I had one more book out this month!)
Currently, I'm on the cusp of 400, with the three books out. So that's very, very cool for me and makes me extremely excited and happy!
I really wanted to break it all down more specifically, and I will. But I can tell you that the bulk of my sales come from Amazon Kindle US purchases, and that there has been an almost neck and neck tie between Double Clutch and Junk Miles, so releasing a second book definitely helped sales in a huge way.
And thank you. I love being part of the blog community. I love having people to share this exciting stuff with. I love that I can share a book that literally took root right on this blog. Amazing!
Published on December 27, 2011 08:39
December 7, 2011
Guest Post: High School Dances With YA Urban Fantasy Writer, Jo Ramsey!

The very cool, talented author Jo Ramsey agreed to be on my insane blog! I'm so happy to have her here and encourage you all to check out her website: www.joramsey.com. This woman is amazing!
Hey everyone! I'm just off my blog tour, and I'm very lucky to have the lovely Jo Ramsey gracing my blog with a story that my YA-loving soul absolutely loves. Remember prom? Was yours magic? Did you go? Did you dance? Ditch? Celebrate another way? Jo is sharing her story here, and I'd love to ask you guys to share your favorite prom memories in the comments. Also make sure you check the links to Jo's awesome book, From the Ashes, which is book 5 in her fabulous Reality Shifts Series, and the cover of her upcoming short story The Harvest Dance (where we get to see Shanna enjoy her school's version of Homecoming)!
High School Dances
If you've attended school, chances are you've been to a school dance. Andif you've attended a school dance, chances are that at least once, you ended upupset or embarrassed.
Dances can be fun. My sixteen-year-old daughter went to a semi-formaldance at her school last year. Her unofficial date was her best friend, who'smale and who wasn't interested in actually having a date to the dance. Theywent together because it was that kind of dance. Both of them said they had agreat time, and my usually shy daughter told me she danced with people shedidn't know.
On the other hand, dances, especially semi-formal or formal ones, can bepretty stressful. I remember agonizing over what I was going to wear to mysenior prom. My mother ended up finding her old prom dress and having it remadefor me. The problem was, I didn't have a date. The guy I wanted to go with wastwo grades behind me, even though he was only a couple months younger, so Iwasn't sure I could ask him. Or who would have to pay for everything if I didask him. I ended up not asking.
The night of the dance, I got all dressed up, planning to drive myself tothe dance and go alone. Then my mother announced that she was driving mebecause she didn't trust me to drive her car in high heels. (Huh?) She drove meto the place where the dance was being held, and I saw all the couples walkingin and froze. It was bad enough that my mother was my freaking chauffeur, butEVERYONE ELSE had dates and I didn't. I ended up having an anxiety attack andnot being able to go in.
I've always kind of wished I had gone alone. The next school day, a fewpeople asked me why I hadn't, and said they would have danced with me and thatthey had admired me for saying I would go alone. I've also kind of wished I hadasked the boy I wanted to go with. But you know what they say about wishes…
I did go to some dances in high school, but most of them weren't verymuch fun for me. I was almost never asked to dance, and to this day I cringewhen I hear "Total Eclipse of the Heart," because that was the mostcommonly-played slow song at the dances I went to. (Though Glee did a prettygood version of that song.) I kept going to dances because I kept hoping that"this" would be the time it would be different. It never was, but I kept tryinganyway.

In book five of my YA urban fantasy series Reality Shift, From the Ashes, Shanna Bailey agonizesover being asked to her school's "Harvest Dance" (their version of Homecoming)by her former next-door neighbor Ken, who seems a lot more interested in Shannathan he used to. I didn't manage to write about the dance in the book, sincesomehow it seemed more important to have Shanna and Jonah preventing theUniverse from being vaporized, so I wrote a separate short story about thedance, which will be available this month. Shanna has plenty of reasons to beafraid of going to the dance, and of going on a date, but she pushes throughand does it anyway.

I am extremely glad that Shanna gets up the courage to go...I LOVE to relive the fun of high school dances through characters who get to enjoy all the fun I was too busy being nervous about!
You can find out more about Jo and her books on her website, http://www.joramsey.com. The Reality Shiftseries so far is available from Jupiter Gardens Press, http://www.jupitergardens.com.
Published on December 07, 2011 19:27
November 22, 2011
A Giveaway, A Sweet Story, Hot Abs, Great Book Deals...All The Good Things
Why We All Love Abs And It's All Okay!
So, I lured you here to drool over some delicious abs with me! And to let you know why my guys have such bodily gorgeousness. AND to let you know that I'm giving away two paper copies of Double Clutch in a Goodreads giveaway contest that ends this Friday, February 10. AND to announce that I'm going to run a Valentine's Day sale on the e-version of Double Clutch this weekend (2/11 & 2/12) because I want EVERYONE to have a chance to be with Jake and Saxon this Valentine's Day! So there are all my announcements, and I'm providing a link to the contest, and then back to the abs, natch!
To enter to win a paper copy of Double Clutch, click here and throw your name in the hat!!
I recently wrote a YA contemporary romance called Double Clutch, and one of the highlights of writing it was creating these two amazing, gorgeous, brilliant guys. Do they have flaws? Oh, don't even get me started! But there is one thing I just couldn't budge on, and it's something that comes up a lot in complaints about heroes and romance and YA in general...my guys have abs.
Yep! Jake and Saxon both have them. Washboard abs that ripple when they take their shirts off. They have abs, and I'm not going to apologize or make excuses or giggle (okay, maybe I'll giggle a little tiny bit). But I will explain why it's perfectly okay for guys to have abs in fiction and for all of us to swoon.
Those are lovely abs, good sir.
In order to tell this story, I need to go back into my dating life. I like guys. I started liking guys back when I was a wee girl, and once I had my first kiss at summer camp, I was a goner. There are a few things that really make my heart thump. First of all, I love a good laugh. I love a guy who can laugh at anything and everything with me. I love nice hands. Big, calloused, rugged-nailed hands that have clearly been building something or making something really appeal to me. I also love shoulders. A nice, wide pair of shoulders can make me feel a little faint.
So, every guy I liked must have had a great sense of humor, nice hands, and huge, muscled shoulders, right?
Um, not so much.
The first boy I kissed was thin and gangly. He did have great hands, but his laugh was really soft and quiet.
My first real boyfriend was embarrassed by how stubby his fingers were. He didn't like his teeth, so he always laughed with his mouth closed, and it was a muffled kind of laugh. And his posture wasn't great, so his shoulders always looked a little stooped.
I dated one guy who had a big, jolly laugh, fine hands, and a definite six pack. We had absolutely nothing in common and wound up breaking up without a second glance back because we bored each other to tears.
Not that you're officially Mr. Wrong for every girl, fella! You're just Mr. Wrong for me. You'll find the girl for whom you will be Mr. Right. I promise!
So how are those three things my things? Why did I go to all that trouble to describe them in so much detail? Well, they're the three things I love most about the guy I finally fell head over heels in love with. And they might sound slightly shallow, but represent what he means to me as a person.
My husband, Frank, has a laugh that is so loud and funny, it makes other people laugh. He laughs hard. He laughs from his gut, and he often can't stop. Like he's doubled over, crying from laughter. I'm seriously laughing just thinking about his laugh. Some people have said it sounds like a donkey that's scared for it's life. He's been teased for it. People turn around in the movie theater and stare in shock when he laughs. And I LOVE IT!
When we first dated, I told a joke. It was probably fairly funny. I manage to be funny sometimes. Frank laughed so hard and loud, I was afraid he'd drive off of the road. I had a few boyfriends before Frank who just didn't appreciate my sense of humor, so his laughter made me feel great. And it was contagious. We spent so much time on every date laughing like hyenas about nothing and everything. We still crack each other up. I think it's why I still have a major crush on him, even after years of being married.
This is pretty much how we spent the majority of our dating time...it's still like that, only now we have a daughter who joins in and laughs like crazy with us!
And his hands? I'm a tall girl, and my hands are big, but when he holds my hand I feel kind of petite. I love having that sensation sometimes. And he does work with his hands. He works on engines, tiles my countertop, makes wooden toys for our daughter, landscapes, draws...his hands are dirty, calloused, and so capable. I love holding hands with him, because they just feel like Frank. They feel strong and safe and warm.
And the shoulders. Sigh. Frank has these big, broad shoulders. He has a tattoo on one that I love. He looks amazing in a suit. When he hugs me, his shoulders are so wide, I feel like I can just get lost in his embrace. It's amazing.
Okay, now I've described my husband to you, and I bet he sounds amazing. And, I have to admit, he is. But if you saw him in real life, would you go gaga? You might! Haha! He is pretty cute! But I have plenty of girlfriends who told me I could do better when we were dating. He had plenty of girls turn him down or dump him before he met me. There are things about his appearance and the way he is that some girls wouldn't be able to stand. And, sadly, he doesn't have a six pack!
Do I ever check out other guys? Do I drool over Ryan Gosling? Um, I am alive!
Ryan, you can talk to me about fonts all day long!
And I know he thinks other girls are pretty. That's okay. I know that for him, just like for me, there's a particular combination of qualities that just clicks on a higher attraction level...and that click happens when he's with me and I'm with him. It's very cool!
So about abs? Well, there is a different combo for every lady out there. We all know that. When I write these guys, I want you to know for a fact that they are hot, hard-working, sexy guys. And how do I tell you that in shorthand? Well, take a lookie, ladies! (You're welcome!)
This is internationally understood as HOT!!
So, I lured you here to drool over some delicious abs with me! And to let you know why my guys have such bodily gorgeousness. AND to let you know that I'm giving away two paper copies of Double Clutch in a Goodreads giveaway contest that ends this Friday, February 10. AND to announce that I'm going to run a Valentine's Day sale on the e-version of Double Clutch this weekend (2/11 & 2/12) because I want EVERYONE to have a chance to be with Jake and Saxon this Valentine's Day! So there are all my announcements, and I'm providing a link to the contest, and then back to the abs, natch!
To enter to win a paper copy of Double Clutch, click here and throw your name in the hat!!
I recently wrote a YA contemporary romance called Double Clutch, and one of the highlights of writing it was creating these two amazing, gorgeous, brilliant guys. Do they have flaws? Oh, don't even get me started! But there is one thing I just couldn't budge on, and it's something that comes up a lot in complaints about heroes and romance and YA in general...my guys have abs.
Yep! Jake and Saxon both have them. Washboard abs that ripple when they take their shirts off. They have abs, and I'm not going to apologize or make excuses or giggle (okay, maybe I'll giggle a little tiny bit). But I will explain why it's perfectly okay for guys to have abs in fiction and for all of us to swoon.

In order to tell this story, I need to go back into my dating life. I like guys. I started liking guys back when I was a wee girl, and once I had my first kiss at summer camp, I was a goner. There are a few things that really make my heart thump. First of all, I love a good laugh. I love a guy who can laugh at anything and everything with me. I love nice hands. Big, calloused, rugged-nailed hands that have clearly been building something or making something really appeal to me. I also love shoulders. A nice, wide pair of shoulders can make me feel a little faint.
So, every guy I liked must have had a great sense of humor, nice hands, and huge, muscled shoulders, right?
Um, not so much.
The first boy I kissed was thin and gangly. He did have great hands, but his laugh was really soft and quiet.
My first real boyfriend was embarrassed by how stubby his fingers were. He didn't like his teeth, so he always laughed with his mouth closed, and it was a muffled kind of laugh. And his posture wasn't great, so his shoulders always looked a little stooped.
I dated one guy who had a big, jolly laugh, fine hands, and a definite six pack. We had absolutely nothing in common and wound up breaking up without a second glance back because we bored each other to tears.

So how are those three things my things? Why did I go to all that trouble to describe them in so much detail? Well, they're the three things I love most about the guy I finally fell head over heels in love with. And they might sound slightly shallow, but represent what he means to me as a person.
My husband, Frank, has a laugh that is so loud and funny, it makes other people laugh. He laughs hard. He laughs from his gut, and he often can't stop. Like he's doubled over, crying from laughter. I'm seriously laughing just thinking about his laugh. Some people have said it sounds like a donkey that's scared for it's life. He's been teased for it. People turn around in the movie theater and stare in shock when he laughs. And I LOVE IT!
When we first dated, I told a joke. It was probably fairly funny. I manage to be funny sometimes. Frank laughed so hard and loud, I was afraid he'd drive off of the road. I had a few boyfriends before Frank who just didn't appreciate my sense of humor, so his laughter made me feel great. And it was contagious. We spent so much time on every date laughing like hyenas about nothing and everything. We still crack each other up. I think it's why I still have a major crush on him, even after years of being married.

And his hands? I'm a tall girl, and my hands are big, but when he holds my hand I feel kind of petite. I love having that sensation sometimes. And he does work with his hands. He works on engines, tiles my countertop, makes wooden toys for our daughter, landscapes, draws...his hands are dirty, calloused, and so capable. I love holding hands with him, because they just feel like Frank. They feel strong and safe and warm.
And the shoulders. Sigh. Frank has these big, broad shoulders. He has a tattoo on one that I love. He looks amazing in a suit. When he hugs me, his shoulders are so wide, I feel like I can just get lost in his embrace. It's amazing.
Okay, now I've described my husband to you, and I bet he sounds amazing. And, I have to admit, he is. But if you saw him in real life, would you go gaga? You might! Haha! He is pretty cute! But I have plenty of girlfriends who told me I could do better when we were dating. He had plenty of girls turn him down or dump him before he met me. There are things about his appearance and the way he is that some girls wouldn't be able to stand. And, sadly, he doesn't have a six pack!
Do I ever check out other guys? Do I drool over Ryan Gosling? Um, I am alive!

And I know he thinks other girls are pretty. That's okay. I know that for him, just like for me, there's a particular combination of qualities that just clicks on a higher attraction level...and that click happens when he's with me and I'm with him. It's very cool!
So about abs? Well, there is a different combo for every lady out there. We all know that. When I write these guys, I want you to know for a fact that they are hot, hard-working, sexy guys. And how do I tell you that in shorthand? Well, take a lookie, ladies! (You're welcome!)

Published on November 22, 2011 05:40
November 14, 2011
(Update: Junk Miles is out and ebook available! If you ha...

(Update: Junk Miles is out and ebook available! If you have already read Double Clutch and would like to enter to win Junk Miles in any of the blog tour drawings, just let the blog host/me know!)
Hey Everyone! So, between editing Junk Miles and trying not burn dinner every single night, I'm on a blog tour!! The fabulous Missy (http://missyreadsreviews.blogspot.com/) set it up, and it's been a blast so far! If you follow my guest posts, they will tell the story of my slightly weird 'firsts' (in honor of the first love in Double Clutch!). So we kick off with first brush with romance and go all the way to first true love! Sigh! But it's not all corny. I promise there are some laughs in there! So please follow if you'd like and enjoy all the madness!
Double Clutch Tour Stops
November 13 - December 4
Sunday, November 13: Interview @http://roroisreading.blogspot.comMonday, November 14: Guest Post @ http://turnersantics.blogspot.com/Turner's AnticsTuesday, November 15: Interview @ A Diary of a Book Addict
Wednesday, November 16: Guest Post @ Dreams Galore
Thursday, November 17: Review @ I Heart Books
Friday, November 18: Guest Post @ A Word's Worth
Saturday, November 19: Review @ Much Loved Books
Sunday, November 20: Interview @ Arianne Cruz
Monday, November 21: Review @ The Confessions of a Book Nerd
Tuesday, November 22: Guest Post @ Alchemy of Scrawl
Wednesday, November 23: Interview @ O'Boyled Books
Thursday, November 24: Guest Post @ Books, Biscuits & Tea
Friday, November 25: Interview @ All Things Books
Saturday, November 26: Review @ KC's Paranormal Books
Sunday, November 27: Interview @ Words on the Shelf
Monday, November 28: Guest Post @ Missy's Reads & Reviews
Tuesday, November 29: Interview @ Musings of a Bookworm
Wednesday, November 30: Review @ Purple Jelly Bean Chair Reviews
Thursday, December 01: Interview @ The Book Barbies
Friday, December 02: Review @ Dee's World
Saturday, December 03: Interview @ Book Labyrinth
Sunday, December 04: Review @ The Ballad of a Subcultural Mother
Published on November 14, 2011 06:48
Hey Everyone! So, between editing Junk Miles and try...

Hey Everyone! So, between editing Junk Miles and trying not burn dinner every single night, I'm on a blog tour!! The fabulous Missy (http://missyreadsreviews.blogspot.com/) set it up, and it's been a blast so far! If you follow my guest posts, they will tell the story of my slightly weird 'firsts' (in honor of the first love in Double Clutch!). So we kick off with first brush with romance and go all the way to first true love! Sigh! But it's not all corny. I promise there are some laughs in there! So please follow if you'd like and enjoy all the madness!
Double Clutch Tour Stops
November 13 - December 4
Sunday, November 13: Interview @http://roroisreading.blogspot.comMonday, November 14: Guest Post @ http://turnersantics.blogspot.com/Turner's AnticsTuesday, November 15: Interview @ A Diary of a Book Addict
Wednesday, November 16: Guest Post @ Dreams Galore
Thursday, November 17: Review @ I Heart Books
Friday, November 18: Guest Post @ A Word's Worth
Saturday, November 19: Review @ Much Loved Books
Sunday, November 20: Interview @ Arianne Cruz
Monday, November 21: Review @ The Confessions of a Book Nerd
Tuesday, November 22: Guest Post @ Alchemy of Scrawl
Wednesday, November 23: Interview @ O'Boyled Books
Thursday, November 24: Guest Post @ Books, Biscuits & Tea
Friday, November 25: Interview @ All Things Books
Saturday, November 26: Review @ KC's Paranormal Books
Sunday, November 27: Interview @ Words on the Shelf
Monday, November 28: Guest Post @ Missy's Reads & Reviews
Tuesday, November 29: Interview @ Musings of a Bookworm
Wednesday, November 30: Review @ Purple Jelly Bean Chair Reviews
Thursday, December 01: Interview @ The Book Barbies
Friday, December 02: Review @ Dee's World
Saturday, December 03: Interview @ Book Labyrinth
Sunday, December 04: Review @ The Ballad of a Subcultural Mother
Published on November 14, 2011 06:48