Magan Vernon's Blog, page 41

Show me your alien!

Do you love How to Date an Alien? Even if you don't, do you just own a copy and want to get your picture up in a collage on my new website?

All you have to do is take a picture of you with the book (either on your smart phone, ereader, or the paperback) and it will be added to a collage to go on the main screen of http://www.maganvernon.com/

If it makes at any better you get to be RIGHT next to Karen Amanda Hooper of Tangled Tides fame!

Show me your pictures! Just email them to authormagan@gmail.com, post them to my Facebook fan page, or Tweet them!

Can't wait to see yours!

Coffee Talk with guest Arethusa from Artemis Rising

Welcome to another episode of Coffee Talk, my guest today is Arethusa from Artemis Rising, so let's get down to it!

 Alex: Okay, since this is coffee talk, what is your coffee drink of choice?
Arethusa:  We drink galãos on our island. It is strong Azorean coffee. *she smiles coyly* An acquired taste, you might say. Even I must use agreat deal of sugar.
Alex:  Arethusa and I thought I've heard of every name, is there a special meaning to it?
Arethusa: Oh, this name! It has been my curse and my blessing since the nightthe moon goddess Artemis christened me with it. The name literallymeans water-bearer and it is the name of one of the goddess's nymphswho is turned to water in order to escape the river god Alpheus'sadvances. But this is not merely a story. This fate has become my curse. But it has also led me to the love of my life."
Alex:  Not to be rude, but we sort of kind of look similar. Your family wouldn't happen to be from Palermo, Sicily would they? Just saying, the olive skin, the hair, I may have a good fifty pounds on you, but that happens. Artethusa: My family comes from the Azores Islands, which were settled in the 1400s by the Portuguese. In point of fact, Portugal owns the islands. I live on the third largest of the nine islands, though it is only eight by eleven miles in diameter. Terceira, it's called. I was not born there, but I would die there if I could. It is a heaven on earth. We have word that describes the longing we feel for the islands. 'Saudade.' There is no equivalent word in English, but it is best described as a deep longing for what cannot be."Alex: So boys, let's talk about them. They are probably knocking down your door or whatever your house has.Arethusa: Oh, we have doors. *smile* There are two boys actually. One whom I love yet cannot have and one who I am fated to love. He is willing to destroy everything to get what he wants, but I am strong. I will fight this. I would do anything for Tristan and I would do anything to get away from Diogo. Fate will tell what shall happen to us all."Alex: I see you checking out my cross necklace. One of my friends gave it to me after my first flight, but enough about me, are you a good catholic girl yourself?Arethusa: My father was a good Catholic. I am... *hesitates* I am a pagan like my mother. We follow the goddess Artemis. But such faith is not alwaysas it seems...
Alex: Since you probably aren't up on modern times, what is your favorite food and activity?Arethusa: I adore a soup we call 'caldinho.' It is potatoes and a leafy green like kale, which is carefully cut into long, thin strips. This is the most comforting soup we Azoreans know how to make.
I do love to write, since I can no longer speak. I...It was...an injury. My throat never recovered. So I write and the pen becomes myvoice. It is enough, I think.Alex: Anything else you would to add?Arethusa: Thank you, Señhor Alex, for taking precious time to speak with me. May the goddess protect you." On the voy­age home to the Azores Islands, Eva accepts the pagan nameof Arethusa but learns too late that her life will mir­ror the Greeknymph's tragic end. Her mother reveals that her des­tiny lies withDiogo, the shipowner's volatile son. But Eva has a vision ofanother...
When the ship founders in a storm off the coast, Tristan, a local boy,saves her life and steals her heart. Destined to be with Diogo yetaching for Tristan's for­bid­den love, Eva must some­how choosebetween them, or fate will choose for her.*********************************************************Cheri Lasota's debut novel, Artemis Rising, is a YA historical fantasybased on mythology and set in the exotic Azores Islands. Currently,Cheri is writing and researching her second novel, a YA set on theOregon Coast. Over the course of her sixteen-year career, she hasedited fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, and short stories forpublication. Cheri also has twenty-four years of experience writingpoetry and fiction. Learn more about Artemis Rising athttp://www.cherilasota.com or buy it athttp://bit.ly/ArtemisRisingNovel.

Coffee Talk with guest Arethus from Artemis Rising

Welcome to another episode of Coffee Talk, my guest today is Arethusa from Artemis Rising, so let's get down to it!

 Alex: Okay, since this is coffee talk, what is your coffee drink of choice?
Arethusa:  We drink galãos on our island. It is strong Azorean coffee. *she smiles coyly* An acquired taste, you might say. Even I must use agreat deal of sugar.
Alex:  Arethusa and I thought I've heard of every name, is there a special meaning to it?
Arethusa: Oh, this name! It has been my curse and my blessing since the nightthe moon goddess Artemis christened me with it. The name literallymeans water-bearer and it is the name of one of the goddess's nymphswho is turned to water in order to escape the river god Alpheus'sadvances. But this is not merely a story. This fate has become my curse. But it has also led me to the love of my life."
Alex:  Not to be rude, but we sort of kind of look similar. Your family wouldn't happen to be from Palermo, Sicily would they? Just saying, the olive skin, the hair, I may have a good fifty pounds on you, but that happens. Artethusa: My family comes from the Azores Islands, which were settled in the 1400s by the Portuguese. In point of fact, Portugal owns the islands. I live on the third largest of the nine islands, though it is only eight by eleven miles in diameter. Terceira, it's called. I was not born there, but I would die there if I could. It is a heaven on earth. We have word that describes the longing we feel for the islands. 'Saudade.' There is no equivalent word in English, but it is best described as a deep longing for what cannot be." Alex: So boys, let's talk about them. They are probably knocking down your door or whatever your house has. Arethusa: Oh, we have doors. *smile* There are two boys actually. One whom I love yet cannot have and one who I am fated to love. He is willing to destroy everything to get what he wants, but I am strong. I will fight this. I would do anything for Tristan and I would do anything to get away from Diogo. Fate will tell what shall happen to us all." Alex: I see you checking out my cross necklace. One of my friends gave it to me after my first flight, but enough about me, are you a good catholic girl yourself? Arethusa: My father was a good Catholic. I am... *hesitates* I am a pagan like my mother. We follow the goddess Artemis. But such faith is not alwaysas it seems...
Alex: Since you probably aren't up on modern times, what is your favorite food and activity? Arethusa: I adore a soup we call 'caldinho.' It is potatoes and a leafy green like kale, which is carefully cut into long, thin strips. This is the most comforting soup we Azoreans know how to make.
I do love to write, since I can no longer speak. I...It was...an injury. My throat never recovered. So I write and the pen becomes myvoice. It is enough, I think.Alex: Anything else you would to add? Arethusa: Thank you, Señhor Alex, for taking precious time to speak with me. May the goddess protect you."  On the voy­age home to the Azores Islands, Eva accepts the pagan nameof Arethusa but learns too late that her life will mir­ror the Greeknymph's tragic end. Her mother reveals that her des­tiny lies withDiogo, the shipowner's volatile son. But Eva has a vision ofanother...
When the ship founders in a storm off the coast, Tristan, a local boy,saves her life and steals her heart. Destined to be with Diogo yetaching for Tristan's for­bid­den love, Eva must some­how choosebetween them, or fate will choose for her.  ********************************************************* Cheri Lasota's debut novel, Artemis Rising, is a YA historical fantasybased on mythology and set in the exotic Azores Islands. Currently,Cheri is writing and researching her second novel, a YA set on theOregon Coast. Over the course of her sixteen-year career, she hasedited fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, and short stories forpublication. Cheri also has twenty-four years of experience writingpoetry and fiction. Learn more about Artemis Rising athttp://www.cherilasota.com or buy it athttp://bit.ly/ArtemisRisingNovel. 

Life, Love, & Lemons Update

I know some of you have been waiting for this book, but unfortunatley the release is going to be pushed back.

WHY?

Well for one, I would like to re-work the cover and make it more awesome and for two I want to get How to Break up with an Alien out sooner.


WHAT?

Yes!  I am working with a new editor (hedanicreations.net) and my deadline to her is the beginning of May. With that being said, I need to work on getting this last draft done of How to Date an Alien and should have it available by the end of May or beginning of June for you all to enjoy.

So sad for Lemons to wait until this summer, but you all get more alien!

YEAH!

Writerly Wednesday: Character playlist

Hello!

Are you getting excited for the release of How to Break up with an Alien? I AM.

Okay, maybe you aren't...maybe you were just hoping Myra would come back to my blog.

Speaking of Myra, after checking out her playlist for one of her characters I decided to introduce you to two VERY important new characters in How to Break up with an Alien by giving you who I would cast as them if the book were made into a movie and their personal playlist.

That is all you get. Not who their character is, what they, do but just that.

Muahahahahahaha.

Okay, first off, we have Simone. I picture her to look like singer Sarah Hudson


Yes? And how about a little playlist. Does this give you any sort of a clue into her character?

Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
Monster- Paramore
Set the world on Fire- Black Veil Brides
Apologize- One Republic
Set fire to the rain- Adele

And of course Brody. Brody has become many of my CP's favorite new character. If he had to be cast in a movie, I would choose Liam Hemsworth (with the shaved head).


Now for his playlist.

International Harvester - Craig Morgan
Rough 'n' Ready - Trace Adkins
Asphalt cowboy - Blake Shelton
Thank God I'm a country boy- John Denver
If love was a plane- Brad Paisley

I may have to do this again. I found it fun. Now tell me, what do you think of these two characters? What role do you think they will play in this book?

YA Scavenger Hunt

Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This tri-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive TWENTY signed books, one book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. Yellow Team--but there is also a red team and a blue team. You can enter all three contests--which has a total prize bucket of SIXTY signed books!









If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage.


SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE


Directions: Hidden within my post is a single letter that is yellow. Make a note of that letter! It's a part of a scrambled phrase. When you go to all the author sites of the yellow team, you'll have all the letters you need to enter the contest. Entry Form: Once you piece together all the clues to the hunt, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the completed phrase will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by April 1st. Entries sent without the correct puzzle code or without contact information will not be considered.Today, I am hosting Myra Mcentire on my website for the YA Scavenger Hunt! Myra McEntire knows the words to every R&B hit of the last decade, but since she lives in Nashville, the country music capitol of America, her lyrical talents go sadly unappreciated. She's chosen, instead, to channel her "mad word skills" into creating stories. She's an avid Doctor Who fan, and will argue passionately about which incarnation is the best. You can visit her online at www.myramcentire.com.
Find out more information by checking out the author website or find more about the author's book here!


A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking.Kaleb Ballard was never supposed to be able to see ripples -- cracks in time. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong? Before Kaleb can find out, Jonathan Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, reappears. Why is he back, and what, or whom, does he want?In the wake of Landers' return, the Hourglass organization is offered an ultimatum by a mysterious man. Either they find Landers and the research he has stolen on people who might carry the time gene, or time will be altered--with devastating results for the people Kaleb loves most.Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their extraordinary powers to find Landers. But where do they even start? And when? Even if they succeed, just finding him may not be enough….The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science-fiction, mystery and suspense genres into a non-stop thrill ride where every second counts.Now for the Exclusive Content! A Playlist for Kaleb!

"Kaleb has rather eclectic taste in music. There are some big clues to who he is here, so listen carefully!"

Sinister Kid - The Black Keys
Untitled (How Does It Feel) - D'Angelo
Suffocate - J. Holiday
Jar of Hearts - Christina Perry
Sundrenched World - Joshua Radin
Trouble - Ray Lamontagne
Bloodstream - Stateless
Give Me Everything - Pitbull
Doctor Feelgood - Aretha Franklin
Re: Stacks - Bon Iver

Find the secret letter? If you get stuck go here and to enter go here.

For the next letter head over to Amy Plum's blog.

Happy Hunting! And remember: The best things in life are always worth fighting for!

Coffee Talk with Alex Bianchi

In addition to Fangirl Friday I decided to help out one of my characters and let the heroine of the My Alien Romance series conduct some interviews of her own with some of her favorite characters. So for the first ever Coffee Talk with Alex Bianchi she will be interviewing Bentley Evans from Life, Love, & Lemons.

Alex: Alright, Bentley, since this is Coffee talk, what is your coffee drink of choice?

Bentley: I'll take a grande, non-fat carmel latte with an extra shot of espresso, no whip, and soy milk.

Alex:  Alright...Uh I guess that is a good choice? Anyways, so what brings you around this area? Slumming it in Winnebago?

Bentley: *eye roll* I'm not slumming it anywhere. My dad used to be an engineer and then he got laid off. Now I live on the East Side of town and it actually isn't as bad as it sounds.

Alex: Is that your ride out side, then? What you drove here? *points to the car out the window*

Bentley: No, that would be my boyfriend's Ford Falcoln. I think he likes that thing more than me.

Alex: So, your boyfriend is the emo-haired kid in the giant orange blob?

Bentley: Yeah, he is. Sure it may not make sense for the preppy girl to hang out with the emo kid in the Falcoln, but it works for us. We balance eachother out, you could say.

Alex: *squints at the boy in the car* He almost looks familiar. Does he happen to know anyone from Calta?

Bentley: WTF is Calta?

Alex: Uh, nevermind. Anyways, so since your life seems to be getting pretty excited, if someone where to make a movie about your life, who would play you and you friends?

Bentley: Well, I don't have cable anymore and haven't been to the movies since who knows when, but I guess I can try to pick some people. Let's see, probably Hillary Duff to play me, but back in the day before she got all married and pregnant, because I am totally not married or preggo for that matter. My boyfriend would probably be played by some guy from one of those bubblegum punk bands or whatever like Hot Chelle Rae. And my best friend Gabby would be played by someone Latina and the only Latina actress I can think of is Penelope Cruz and she is like way old.

Alex: Ok...then...Let's round this out with your favorite food, book, and TV show or movie.

Bentley: My favorite food would have to be sushi- especially volcano rolls. My favorite book is probably one of the Twilight ones and for TV show or movie. Like, I said I don't want much TV or go to the movies, but all the Friday the 13th movies will always be a classic to me. Well those and Clueless.

Alright Bentley thanks for being my first guest on Coffee Talk and can't wait to read Life, Love, & Lemons! (Coming out in April!)

Spider Wars: My Favorite novel of 2012

The second book in the Lords of Shifters series, Spider Wars, is now available!


What happens when a species is tired of being stomped on?


Jess' life has never been ordinary. After all, life on the road with an immortal family of gypsies is hardly predictable. Living in the small town of White Salmon, Washington has brought some normality to her life. But when her cheating, sometimes boyfriend, Nicu, gets involved with a group of arachneshifters, life gets a little sticky. Will she be able to save him from the web he's spun? More importantly, how much is she willing to risk to get him back?

This novel is meant for mature readers.
Available now on Amazon.com and Smashwords.
http://www.amazon.com/Spider-Wars-Lords-Shifters-ebook/dp/B007K3Y34O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331783817&sr=1-1
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/141728
For a limited time, you can get the first book in the series, Loramendi's Story for FREE on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Loramendis-Story-Lords-Shifters-ebook/dp/B005FR1D9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331785218&sr=8-1

Prepare for a YA Scavenger Hunt!

Ready. Set. PARTY!!!, author of the amazing TIGER'S CURSE series is hosting another YA Scavenger Hunt. These things are awesome and I'm super excited to be a part of it.

The HUNT (click on the link for the details) officially starts on March 29th at noon, and goes until noon on April 1st - 72 hours of pure F.U.N. The prizes are incredible. Even more exciting is the bonus material.

Here's a list of the authors participating and their book covers. Enjoy!!!


RASHELLE WORKMAN
MAGAN VERNON
TISH THAWER
INARA SCOTT
AMY PLUM
LISA NOWAK
ALEXANDRA MONIR
MYRA MCENTIRE
SUZANNE LAZEAR
TARA HUDSON
NANCY HOLDER
RAE HACHTON
MARLEY GIBSON
BETH FANTASKEY
BREE DESPAIN
GINA DAMICO
ANGELA CORBETT
c C.K. BRYANT
BRODI ASHTON
JOSEPHINE ANGELINI
LANI WOODLAND
CAT KALEN
JERI SMITH-READY
[image error] LISA & LAURA ROECKER
GREGG OLSEN
S.L. NAEOLE
CLAIRE MERLE
JAMIE MANNING
ELANA JOHNSON
COLLEEN HOUCK
CINDY HOGAN
JANET GURTLER
TARA FULLER
LEIGH FALLON
ALI  CROSS
WILLOW CROSS
TERA LYNN CHILDS
LEAH BOBET
JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT
ANN AGUIRRE
DEBBIE VIGUIE
TIFFANY TRUITT
JESSICA SHIRVINGTON
JOY PREBLE
ERICA O'ROURKE
MIKE MULLIN
GRETCHEN MCNEIL
GINA LINKO
S.R. JOHANNES
KAREN AMANDA HOOPER
CYNTHIA HAND
ABBI GLINES
CHRISTINE FONSECA
LAURA A. H. ELLIOTT
KIMBERLY DERTING
SOPHIE COUCH
LISA BURSTEIN
LISA T. BERGREN
AMBER ARGYLE
JUS ACCARDO
Wow!! That's a lot of great books. Many I've read. 
I've read some of these and some I will need to check out because a ton of them are about aliens!!!!
Which books are you looking forward to reading?

Fangirl Friday: Heather McCorkle

Heather is the author of young adult fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. When she's not writing or surfing her social networking sites, she can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, she enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds she create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find her here, on her blog four days a week, and Monday night's on Twitter where she co-moderatse the #WritersRoad chat with hery good friend TS Tate.
Heather is part of the wonderful group of Indie writers, The Indelibles! The Fangirl loves any story with hot men in it and she wanted a way to promote Heather's new novel.
Magan: What inspired you to write Channeler's Choice?
Heather: Actually, Fane inspired me to write this novel. His character wouldn't leave my head and that's when I knew, there was a lot more to this story to tell. 
Magan: What made you decide to go Indie with this book?
Heather: The first novel in this series was agented and shopped around with publishers. They gave me great feedback, many passing only because they didn't want another paranormal in their line-up for the year, or because the novel would compete with one of their others authors. That's when I knew it had merit. Magan: Was there ever a time that you felt like giving up? If so, what did you do about it?
Heather: Definitely! After parting ways with my second agent I nearly did give up. But then I realized how close I came and how great the feedback I had received was and I knew I couldn't stop.
Magan: Do you have critique partners, betas? How do you work with them?
 Heather: I have both. My critique partners and I try to meet at least once a year for a writer's workshop and they help throughout the year when I need it. My betas help read and polish my novel when it's in its final stages. 
Magan:  Who would win in a fight, your book's hero or my alien heartthrob?
 Heather: Are you kidding? There'd be no fight because they would get along splendidly! ;)
Magan: Does your book have a soundtrack? What songs are on it? Not exactly but the artists that inspired me during this novel were Avril Lavigne and Allison Iraheta.
Magan: What are you coming out with next?
Heather: My next novel is a special project that I've only hinted at recently. But what the heck, I'll tell you. It's a historical fantasy about the last of the druids in Ireland. It will be releasing in May! And, it's a tie-in novel to the channeler series, surprise!
Magan: If you could cast the main characters from your novel in a movie, who would you choose to play them?
Heather: Taylor Fisch from Friday Night Lights is who I picture when I think of Aiden and Vanessa Hudgens reminds me of Eren.
Magan: Favorite book, movie, and food?
Heather:  Currently (cause it changes all the time!) Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper, War Horse, and icecream. 
Magan: Words to live by?
Heather:  That which doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger. ~Nietzsche.