Lacey Wolfe's Blog, page 24

What's Lacey Been Reading? #amreading

Because I'd like to think you noticed...I took two weeks off my my weekly feature where I share what I've been reading. Why have I taken the time off? I haven't been reading anything that's been published...yet. Besides being an author, I am also a proofreader and I beta for a few author friends. 

First up, I just finished proofreading Demon by Laura DeLuca. This is going to be the follow-up to the YA book, Phantom. I believe this book is releasing at the end of the month and I must tell you, READ IT! It's good. I mean good! Phantom was a YA version of Phantom of the Opera and Demon...you're going to love this...is Sweeny Todd. We continue with the same hero/heroine from the first book, Rebecca and Justyne. They have now graduated from high school and are attending their first year of college. Laura not only wrote a great version of Sweeny Todd...but she packed this book with suspense. And when the black moment came, I was left with my mouth open wondering what in the world was going on. 

Add this book to your goodreads list and be sure to get it when it comes out. And if you haven't read Phantom, go right now and get it!  I also just finished a great book by Ella Jade. Typically from Ella you find a hot and sexy book filled with erotic passion. But this story was different. It was still hot and sexy and her fans will still swoon, but she wrote something out of her norm. Find Me - a paranormal, time travel, witch story. I think that sums it up. It was good....really good. The book begins with a woman from present day and a man is coming to her in her dreams. Strange things begin happening to her and she visits her grandfather. This is when the fun starts. The man coming to her is from the early 1960's and the heroine has to travel back to him. Ella does a wonderful job keeping to the times and engaging the reader. And since this book is yet to be published, I can't give too much away, but she weaves this story so well from beginning to end, that it will be a favorite.

Follow Ella Jade on her facebook and website for more updates on this story. What's Lacey Reading Next?

Review: Falling For You by Heather Thurmerier #romance

I've had my eye on this book for quite some time. Its been on my TBR list for way too long. Heather is an author that one will love. Each of her books that I have read, I've loved. Falling For You is no different. From the moment I started this book, I loved Cassidy and how she was much like the average girl. And I loved the type of hero the author chose for Cassidy. In fact the whole dynamic of the story worked. After all, Cassidy goes on a dating show only to find out the bachelor is her ex-boyfriend. At first I wondered why Cassidy stayed  on the show, knowing she didn't want to be with Brad (the bachelor). But I admired her for pushing through and heck, with Evan as you camera man who could blame her? The author did throw a twist into this story I didn't see coming. I won't give any spoilers but it had to do with a certain female character. In fact involving that one character, the author threw in two twists with her. Curious? You'll have to read it to find out! About the book Newly single Cassidy Quinn is thrilled to be a contestant on the new reality dating show The One. But her excitement turns to horror when the gorgeous bachelor turns out to be her ex-boyfriend. Seeing Brad again makes Cassidy realize she might not be as “over him” as she thought—and then she meets hunky cameraman Evan Burke

After watching his brother lose his wife in a tragic accident, Evan vows never to fall in love. But following Cassidy around as her personal cameraman makes him question his decision, and resisting her gets harder with every sunbathing, bikini-wearing day.

Cassidy and Evan begin a forbidden affair while her ex-boyfriend tries to win her heart back one groping, awkward moment at a time. If Cassidy can manage to stop falling off horses (literally), stop falling onto her ex-boyfriend, the bachelor (yes, literally), and stop falling in love with backstage playboy Evan, she might still make it through the show without becoming a tabloid sensation.

But soon Cassidy must choose between the ex who broke her heart and the cameraman who might never love her back. For Cassidy, this reality show just got real.

Excerpt “I don’t know about you girls,” Zoe said, “but I definitely think there are more hot men here than just the bachelor we’re all fighting for.”

“What are you talking about?” Holly asked. “Brad is super-hot. Like hawt.”

“Yeah I know, but you can’t honestly say you haven’t noticed the guys following us around, right?” Zoe nodded her head in the general direction of the cameramen surrounding the pool a few feet back.

“Zoe, you know they can still hear us in here,” Erica whispered.

Cassidy opened her eyes at the talk of cameramen. What is Zoe up to now?

“I know they can hear us, moron. That’s the point.” Zoe propped herself up on the edge of the hot tub on her forearms, forcing her breasts to jut out in front of her. “And I’m hoping one particular cameraman likes what he hears…and sees.”

Cassidy’s jaw dropped into the hot water as she realized Zoe was not only being overtly sexual, again, but this time it was projected directly at Evan. Her Evan.

Back off bi-otch. Six, seven, eight… Just relax. Keep your mouth shut. This is none of your business.

“You know we can’t do anything with the crew,” Erica said. “It said so on one of those forms we signed.”

“I know that,” Zoe huffed, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun while I’m waiting around for the finale, does it? Besides, someone needs to give America something good to watch. You girls certainly aren’t helping the ratings.”

Holly rolled her eyes. “So you’re going to screw around with the crew to help ratings?”

“Oh relax, girls. It’s not like I’m going to sleep with him or anything.” Zoe smirked. “Just a little harmless flirting, that’s all. Unless of course, someone else already has her eyes on him?”

Cassidy locked eyes with Zoe.

Is she implying there’s something going on with me and Evan? Why would she think that? Just because I want to jump him every time I’m near him doesn’t mean I have a thing for him. I can’t help it if my mind goes to dirty places when he’s around. I’ve never acted on one of those thoughts, so what’s she getting at? It’s not like she can read my mind… Can she? No, idiot, she can’t.

Say something, she’s still staring at you.

“You can do whatever you want, right girls?” Cassidy said to the other women. “Maybe you’ll even get yourself kicked off the show.”

“They can’t kick me out for saying hello and being polite.”

I can kick you.

Author Links Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders, and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in upstate New York with her own personal romance hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel. 

"Heather Thurmeier's hunky heroes and feisty heroines will have you laughing out loud, falling in love ... and coming back for more!" ~ Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author

"Heather Thurmeier writes sweet, funny romances that capture your heart!" --NYT and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst

Website:  http://heatherthurmeier.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/HeatherThurme...
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/hthurmeier
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
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Guest: Ten Things I Love About Writing Fiction by Ellyn Oaksmith #romance

Please welcome Ellyn Oaksmith. She's hear to tell us not only about her new release, but also 10 things she loves about writing fiction!

1) It’s a license to lie, which is better than a license to kill, which I personally, have never needed. Unless it’s fictional killing; then it’s wonderful and can give characters great back stories. Being allowed to lie at such length and with so much conviction is incredibly fun.

2) It’s cheap therapy. My goal as a writer is to entertain first and organize a moving, informed plot first and foremost. However, writing has always been a refuge for me. A place where I can create and manipulate a world until there is a happy ending and everyone gets what they deserve.

3) When my writing works well and I’ve had a good day, it makes me feel about 6 feet tall and 23 years old. Briefly.
4) When it doesn’t work; it’s make-believe so I can always, eventually, fix it. Or move on.

5) My friends all love to read and they’ll edit for free. (I don’t ever have to do their jobs.)

6) It has given me, for around 2 decades, the perfect excuse for never getting a real job.

7) I get to eat lunch at home, which is a good when there are leftovers. Sometimes it’s me and a jar of peanut butter.

8) I get to nap. Not very often but hey, even once every 6 months is a better ratio than any other job I know.

9) I am my own boss, which is great except sometimes I am a workaholic. We’ll see what I say about myself in my performance review.

10) I love writing, which is good because I am otherwise completely unemployable.

Thank you for reading this list and happy reading!

This novel was originally published as an e-book in 2011 under the titleKnockers.

If you like Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, and Liza Palmer, you'll love Ellyn Oaksmith!

Molly Gallagher does not like to be the center of attention. As the mysterious Diner X, her pseudonym for a restaurant review column, she thrives on blending in. But before you can say "medical malpractice," she wakes up from a routine procedure to find that her chart got switched with someone else's, and now her A cup runneth over.

Suddenly, unassuming Molly is turning heads wherever she goes. The man she's been pining for since high school is sitting up and taking notice, a very handsome stranger has captured her attention, and her lifelong dream of publishing a cookbook is about to come true. But Molly feels like an imposter. Will some advice from avery strange place help her figure out how to navigate her new, full-figured world?

Molly realizes her revamped shape might change her life. She just doesn't anticipate quite how much . . .

Excerpt “Here we go,” says the anesthesiologist. Poking the needle into my arm, he withdraws a tiny bit of blood into the clear drug he’s about to shoot into my vein. Red blood blooms in the benzodiazepine. I squeeze Angeli’s hand, grateful to have an ally in the room. She squeezes back hard, too hard. From the bed where I rest, prone in my unisex surgery gown, I can see that Angeli’s brown eyes are scary huge, like melting chocolates. She stares at the needle, transfixed, her lush coffee-​colored skin now ashy pale. She clasps my hand until my fingers tingle. I want to say something about my hand being strangled, but the drug is taking effect. My brain floats three feet above, watching Angeli wobble unsteadily. Her skin fades further to a weird hue, lips purplish white. I haven’t seen her this shade since high school, when we drank all my dad’s Crown Royal and threw up on my mom’s prize Tropicana rosebushes. She’s going to faint.

In the back of my drug-​addled brain there is a tug of remembrance, a creeping sense of doom. Why did Angeli quit medical school? Because she was tired of her doctor parents pushing their profession, their immigrant drive, their Indian lives down her thoroughly Americanized throat. That was it, right? Then I remember: she quit because she fainted at the sight of blood.

“You’re squeezing my hand too hard,” I squeal.

This isn’t happening. I’m shot full of drugs, going down faster than the Hindenburg, and my best friend, the person who is supposed to drive me, tend me, and take the helm while I am out of commission, is teetering like a drunk. My lips numb Lovely soft fuzz fills my brain. I remember some comedian’s quip about why so many people become drug addicts: because drugs are fun. I give Angeli a squishy smile, trying to form a sentence in my soggy brain, something about how she’d better not faint because I need her to look after me. Then Angeli disappears from view. One minute she’s there, and the next, nothing but wall space and a dull thud.

I turn woozily to the anesthesiologist. He looks down at the floor, a deep frown creasing his brow.

“Nola, we got a fainter!” he yells.

Panicking, I realize that this surgery, which is supposed to rid me of the scars on my neck and chest, boost my confidence, expand my career, and maybe even jump-​start my love life, isn’t going well. And I haven’t even left the pre-op room. The last thing that goes through my head is this: I’ve picked the wrong damn friend.

Medical errors occur in 17 percent of all hospital procedures. Most of them are caused by understaffing, fatigue, lack of communication, and staff error. My best friend caused mine. When it came time to pick my advocate during surgery, it came down to five people: my sisters, Trina and Denise; my best friends, Martin and Angeli; and my dad. Trina was out because I was using her plastic surgeon. She’d spend all her time agonizing over whether or not to get a quick shot of Botox instead of looking out for me. My younger sister Denise is too busy chaining herself to whaling ships and picketing outside the federal building. Besides, she’d view plastic surgery as antifeminist, lecturing me on embracing my scars and wearing them like a badge of courage. My dad, well, surgery would remind him of the worst night of his life, the night I got the scars. Martin was busy covering my job at the newspaper.

Angeli, who never mentioned anything about queasiness at the sight of blood, could easily get someone to cover for her at the Clinique counter at Nordstrom. She seemed the obvious choice.

I subscribe to the domino theory of life. One bad choice or event triggers a chain of events that then lead to an explosion in one’s life. In this case, Angeli was the first tilting tile. Nurse Nola, who rushed to pick Angeli off the floor, was holding someone else’s chart. In her haste, she dropped the chart on my bed. Three minutes later I was wheeled into surgery with another patient’s chart. I wake up in the recovery room three hours later feeling as if I’ve fallen off a cliff. It’s not so bad, though, because I’ve landed in a warm pile of drugs. A wan, tired Angeli is at my side, holding my hand, smiling in her surprisingly empathetic way. In a chemical haze, I tilt my head from side to side. The room swims pleasantly as though I’m underwater. Dimly aware of a faint ache in my chest and neck, I float above the pain, enjoying my little high. This isn’t so bad. My surgeon, Dr. Hupta, told me I’d have lots more pain after the drugs wear off. But then he’ll give me more to take home. Easy peasy.

Across from me is a teenage girl with bandages covering her cheeks and nose, sipping from a green juice box. Her mother, in a pink velour jogging suit, flips through a movie magazine. They watch me as I blink my eyes woozily, struggling to sit up. Angeli jumps from her chair to help me.

“Here, here, I got it.” She presses a button, lifting the bed. As my head becomes level with hers, she whispers in my ear, nodding at the teenager. “One guess what she’s in here for.”

Before I can answer, a nurse bustles in, her neon white smile fixed. “Well, hello there. And how are we feeling after our big day in surgery?”

I try to say, “Fine.” It comes out, “Fiiiiaaaay.”

The nurse takes my pulse, listens to my heart rate, and hands me a juice box. “We need to get your blood sugar up, or you’ll end up on the ground like your friend here when you try to walk.”

Angeli rolls her eyes behind the nurse’s back. As soon as she leaves, Angeli whispers about my roommate. “Nose job. High school graduation present. Can you imagine? Happy graduation; how’d you like a new schnoz?”

Slowly I drink my apple juice, my head clearing slightly. “I doubt it went like that. Nice disappearing act back there.”

She rolls her eyes and shrugs. “Now you know why I flunked premed.”

“You said blood used to make you queasy, not parallel.” I wince as the pain radiates into my neck and shoulders.

Author Links http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Adventures-With-Max-Louise-Ellyn-Oaksmith/?isbn=9780062268105

http://www.ellynoaksmith.com/

A peak into Opposites Attract. #sexysnippets

Welcome to this weeks sexy snippet. I'm going to share with you 7 sentences from my new release, Opposites Attract (Hot Bods 4)

This is a argueing scene...much of what Francesca and Randy do alot:

"I bet you refuse to date any man whose income level doesn't meet your standards. Tell me, why haven't you married one of them yet?"

"Why aren't you married? Can't find a girl who will have you as a husband?"

Randy stood and stepped around the desk. "I haven't found anyone else who can start my engines the way you could." He rubbed the back of his fingers on her upper arm. "Haven't you found a rich guy yet who can kiss you breathless?"
**** 
Enjoy? I loved these two as charachter. They kept it real and at times drove me crazy as they attempted to work out all their problems.

Francesca thought she knew what she wanted in life until one stormy night when she got a blast from the past.

When Randy receives a call at his auto shop one night from a woman whose car has broken down and needs a tow, he never imagined he'd be coming face-to-face with his high school sweetheart. Randy has never loved a woman the way he loved Francesca, but she broke his heart, claiming he could never provide the life she was determined to have. That was years ago, but he's still bitter about the way she tossed him aside.

Seeing Randy again, Francesca realizes what a mistake it was to breakup with him. She'd like to try to rekindle the old flame, and she can tell he's still attracted to her too, but every time they're together, all they do is argue. Can she convince Randy she isn't the girl he remembers and that she can settle for love even if it comes without money?

Content Warning: explicit sex

Amazon / Nook / Beachwalk Press / Kobo / All Romance / Bookstrand 
For more Sexy Snippets, visit HERE.

Cover Reveal - Finding Hope by Krystal Shannan

What a hot cover! FINDING HOPE | Pool of Souls Book 2

Warning: The plot thickens with a passel of pissed off Olympians, but Ares and Aphrodite are in for a double dose of trouble! More Olympians join the mix in Finding Hope: Pool of Souls Book 2. A jewel addict, a kick-ass possibly-virgin huntress, and an insatiable ancient oracle are just a few. But don’t worry; Ares and Aphrodite are still front and center. 

Addison Connelly has given up on men. She is disappointed yet again when her best friend tries to play matchmaker, and the match falls flat…or does it? Her friend knows all Addison needs is a chance, a little hope, and maybe a dropkick in the right direction. With an extra push from Aphrodite, will this lonely soul learn to trust again? Or will she run from the only man who could make her happy?
Adrian Colter, Nashville Police Detective and certifiable bachelor, puts his foot in his mouth in a big way when his roommate’s fiancé tries to match him up with her best friend. After making a horrible first impression, can he earn the trust of a woman who won’t speak a civil word to him? 

Adrian isn’t the only one trying to earn the trust of a beautiful woman. While Ares fights to rebuild the trust he lost thousands of years ago with the Goddess of Love, his parents do what they do best —show off their greed and selfishness. Will he find the hope and forgiveness he so desperate seeks or will his parents destroy his chance at happiness?
Find Krystal Shannan Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Book Marketing for Beginners #wwow

Hi and welcome to this weeks edition of Writers Words of Wisdom. I hope if you've been coming by lately, I've been able to help in some way.

This week I want to chat a little about marketing. In this day and age as a writer you have to market yourself. Even if you sign with a big pub, you still have to be out there and accessible to readers. Because nowadays, readers want to connect with you. And is that really such a bad thing? It gives you the chance to be hands on and keep them up-to-date a whole lot easier. My first tip is to get on social media sites. Start with Twitter and Facebook. They are the most popular right now. On twitter, begin following some of your favorite authors and then follow the people that interest you that they are following. You will slowly start to build up a following yourself. Try to be chatty. Not just promo. No one will want to follow you if all you say is BUY MY BOOK, VISIT ME HERE, etc.

With that, Twitter is a great place to in fact promo your book. But be sure to even out your promo post with more interesting tweets. I find funny pet tweets and kids tweets get good conversations rolling.

Then their is facebook. I recommend starting with a fan page where people "like" your page. Keep this page professional at all times. Use it for promo and a place to interact. 

I use a pen name, so on top of a fan page as Lacey Wolfe, I also created a facebook account for Lacey Wolfe. I promo on it as well, but I have this account so I can interact on the level you're used to on facebook under your personal account. Write on walls, comment on status, etc. But once again, I recommend you keep it professional there as well. Check out my post on being professional HERE.

So your book has released, now what? Have a release party. If you're going to do it on facebook, create an event (you need a facebook account for this) or do it on your fan page. I would caution however that if you do an event on facebook, don't invite your entire friend list. You'll annoy people. I recommend creating the event and letting people know about it and hope they join the event. Invite a few folks yourself, but don't go overboard.

You can also have a party on twitter using a specific hashtag you create. I don't have much experience with a twitter party at this time.

What to do at these release parties? Share excerpts. Recently OPPOSITES ATTRACT released and I did a party on my fan page. I didn't only share the excerpt my publisher and I agreed on, but also a few of when my hero and heroine met and their reactions. They were high school sweet hearts who ran into each other again. Since the chapter ended and a new began in the others point of view, it gave me two perfect excerpts. If you're a brand new author, I recommend doing giveaways. Giveaways are always good, but if you're new, I recommend more giveaways that you would do later on. You're building a following. Be happy your book is being read to begin with.

I hope my tips helped.  Want more wisdom? #WWOW or Writers Word of Wisdom - A Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who write a weekly feature for their blog -Writer's Words of Wisdom- each Wednesday. The goal is to impart what we've learned about writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way.

Melinda Dozier http://melindadozier.blogspot.com Why Authors Should Use Google Plus
Tammy Dennings Maggy http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/ Trying out Scrivene
Paloma Beck http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW#.UN348m_AeSo

Opposites Attract (HotBods4)- Now Available #eroticromance

Now available, the last novella in the Hot Bods series! 

Francesca thought she knew what she wanted in life until one stormy night when she got a blast from the past.

When Randy receives a call at his auto shop one night from a woman whose car has broken down and needs a tow, he never imagined he'd be coming face-to-face with his high school sweetheart. Randy has never loved a woman the way he loved Francesca, but she broke his heart, claiming he could never provide the life she was determined to have. That was years ago, but he's still bitter about the way she tossed him aside.

Seeing Randy again, Francesca realizes what a mistake it was to breakup with him. She'd like to try to rekindle the old flame, and she can tell he's still attracted to her too, but every time they're together, all they do is argue. Can she convince Randy she isn't the girl he remembers and that she can settle for love even if it comes without money?

Content Warning: explicit sex

Amazon / Nook / Beachwalk Press / Kobo / All Romance / Bookstrand 
Excerpt Randy cleared his throat, hoping to break the tension between him and Francesca. The way she was looking at him, he was worried she was about to pounce. It was taking everything in him to not walk over there and kiss her.

Picking up a work towel, he wiped his hands on it and then directed her toward the front office. She walked in front of him and it was his turn to devour her ass. And hot damn, the jeans she wore were tight and molded to her butt perfectly. Her pants hugged her legs all the way down. She wore black boots that came to her knees. He wasn't sure what shirt she wore, because his eyes had yet to make it past her luscious behind.

Once in the office, he stepped around her, getting a whiff of a very tempting smell. He quickly sat and scooted under the desk as far as he could. He was hard and didn't want her to see.

Francesca took a seat in front of him and he now noticed her pink tank top that was cut low enough he got a hint of cleavage. Inhaling again, he wondered what perfume she used. It really was igniting his senses.

"I spent some time looking at your car today. When was the last time you had an oil change?" he asked.

"It's been awhile."

"I can tell. And how long has the car been leaking oil?"

She shrugged. "Not sure. I wasn't concerned since it was just little drops here and there."

"Those little drops here and there add up. You almost had no oil in your car. And I hate to tell you, but you have torn up your engine."

"Well, can't you just pop a new one in and it'll be good as new?" she asked.

"I wish it was that simple. Here, look this over." He slid a sheet of paper across the desk. "The top portion has to be done, the middle is recommended, and the bottom is optional. The price is on there too."

Her eyes widened as she read over the paper. She then glanced up at him. "This can't be right."

"I'm afraid it is. You haven't taken very good care of the car."

"I get it washed and detailed all the time. I take very good care of it."

Randy shook his head. "There's a lot more to a vehicle than just its appearance. You've got to take care of the things people don't see too."

She was quiet for a moment and then finally spoke. "I don't know if I can afford this."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't you have some rich man who can pay for it?" He regretted saying it the moment it left his lips.

Francesca's mouth fell open and he could see the shock on her face.

"I'm so—" he started to apologize.

"I can't believe you would say that, Randall. You of all people," she snapped.

"Me of all people," he repeated. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? If I recall correctly, you dumped me because you wanted a rich man to take care of you. Tell me, how is that working out for you?"

Francesca stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and leaned forward slightly. As much as he hated it, his focus darted in for a peek inside her shirt.

"I'll have you know that I'm not the gold digger you think I am," she argued.

"I bet you refuse to date any man whose income level doesn't meet your standards. Tell me, why haven't you married one of them yet?"

"Why aren't you married? Can't find a girl who will have you as a husband?"

Randy stood and stepped around the desk. "I haven't found anyone else who can start my engines the way you could." He rubbed the back of his fingers on her upper arm. "Haven't you found a rich guy yet who can kiss you breathless?"
Check out all the Hot Bods stories HERE.

Destiny & Destiny Unveiled by Laura DeLuca - cover reveal and giveaway

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds a male witch–one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabriella and Darron at odds.

There is more to the story than Gabriella and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabriella and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.

Available on Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

 Available on Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.  About The Author Website
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Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama.  Her current works include  Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Demon  and  Player .
The Giveaway! To celebrate the release of the new covers, Author Laura DeLuca is giving away a prize pack that includes a oil diffuser, incense and burner, decorative wooden keepsake box, lavender scented drawer liners, a crystal point, stone pendant, and signed copies of Destiny & Destiny Unveiled with the original covers.

The Whimsical Pixie Etsy Shop is also donating a beautiful altar set inspired by the original cover of Destiny Unveiled. 

The book's cover was recreated on the altar box lid; the design was first set in pyrography, painted, stain and given a protective coating of high gloss polycrylic. The flower Celtic knot pentagram is worn by Gabby and her friends as a symbol of unity and has been pyrographed on the altar tile. Red paint was floated around the perimeter to coordinate with the Blood Moon of the cover. A red rose in full bloom was used on both millefiori* pieces; the censor and charcoal tongs. It symbolizes the Gabby's destiny being unveiled.  A scene in the book tells of the young hero doing spell work on the beach using a drift wood wand to cast a circle and sea shells to form a pentagram. Both of these have been included as well as censor sand and a roll of charcoal disks so you can perform your own ritual. Whether you're just starting to walk the path or have for years, this kit makes an attractive addition to your ritual tools.
One lucky winner is going to receive both these fabulous prize packs. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on  3/28/13. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to The Whimsical Pixie and the author for offering this fantastic prize.
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Interview with Harlie Williams

Please welcome author Harlie Williams to the blog today and now let's learn a little more about her!Tell us a little about yourself.  I’m boring so I’ll try to lighten it up.  I’m a cougar; yes, my husband is 7 years younger than me.  We have been married over 8 years but have been friends for 14 years.  We have a second grade son that keeps us busy and I’m a stay at home mom.  I gave up the corporate cube last year.  I figured over 26 years of soul sucking was enough for me and the family.  I was born in the great state of Oklahoma but raised in Dallas, TX.  Currently live in East Texas and couldn’t be happier.  Again, I’m boring…  LOL! 2. What genre do you write?  Contemporary

3. Please tell us about your latest release The Couple and how you came up with the idea?  Actually my inspiration for the story was the television show Modern Family.  It’s a favorite of ours and we can identify with Phil and Claire on so many levels.  My story is their happy ending.  

4. Is it part of a series?  No, it’s not.  I wrote this story about 16 months ago for an anthology.  Sadly or happily it was not picked up.  In my acknowledgments, I credit the author for not picking it up.  No hard feelings.

5. A must have snack while you write.  Actually no but as I type this, I’m having some chocolate chip cookies.

6. A fact that someone might not know about you.  Growing up, I wanted to be a Radio City Rockette and then be in a chorus line on Broadway.  Unfortunately, being 5’6 is too short for becoming a dancer in New York.  *sigh*

7. If you had to choose a favorite book that you’ve written, which would it be? Actually the one I’m working on now.  This book has a lot of real things that have happened to me and it’s the most real of anything that I have ever written.  The hero is based on my childhood crush (he’s still beautiful) and events that have happened in my life.  Again, it’s not autobiographical but when my extended family reads it, they will laugh, cry, shake their heads in approval and for my younger cousins (I’m the oldest) they get to see my hopes and dreams when I was growing up.  Hopefully, they won’t laugh because my life is so much different.

8. Advice to writers who have yet to be published.  Keep writing and get a critique partner. 

9. Is there a genre you haven’t written yet that you want to?  Romantic Suspense

10. Any quirky habits?  Believe it or not, I have to write in complete stone cold silence.  No music, kid, husband…nothing.  I don’t have playlists or pictures that I have to listen to or look at to write.  I just sit down and write.  When I review for my review site, I have music playing, usually heavy metal from the 80’s.  For some reason, it motivates me.  J  Also, I write my synopsis first and then write the story.  I realize that’s backwards for most people but it works for me.  It’s the only time that I’m a plotter.  I don’t use index cards, an outline or spreadsheets.  I write the basic story in a synopsis; send it to my CP’s and then after I get those back with notes, I write the story.  So, in a way, I have an outline but at least when I submit my completed WIP, I don’t have to worry about the dreaded synopsis.  It’s done. 

11. Have you written a character that most resembles you?  In my current WIP, Donna is me.  Hands down in her emotions, dialogue and physical features.  It’s not autobiographical in nature but she is what I envisioned myself when I was a little girl growing up. 

12. What type of hero do you enjoy writing about?  I like a hero to have some flaws and my hero’s aren’t Uber Alpha either.  I don’t want to reach inside my WIP and slap him upside his head.  Lately, I’ve wanted to do with some of the books that I have read.  Ugh.  Being a man is one thing…being an a**, is another. 

13. What are you currently reading?  Saving Casey (for review) and Wallbanger (for pleasure)

14. What are you currently working on?  Actually I’m working on two things.  Waiting on Sunday (Contemporary…Donna’s story) and a Romantic Suspense with a paranormal thread that runs through it.  The RS is slow coming though.

15. Anything that you’d like to share.  Thank you so much for having me today.  Don’t ever give up on your story.  It might take a while for it to be published but never give up.  I didn’t.

About the Book A woman has one thing on her mind tonight…sex. Dirty, sweaty, kinky sex with a cowboy. With her man gone more than he is at home, she needs the release.
After being away for two weeks, a cowboy goes looking for someone to play with for the night. Being away is part of the job but not having someone to come home to is hurting his soul. Feeling disconnected in his love life, the red head will be perfect.
Once they meet, can one night of pure passion led to more than just a one night stand for either of them? Communication is the key to every relationship. Can these two find a way to connect emotionally or are they destined for heartache.

Publisher Buy Link About The Author Growing up in Dallas, I never thought I would write. My goal was to teach the love of books to students. Now as a stay at home mom, I write and teach my son the love of books.

I live in East Texas and I'm married to my own hero who encourages me to write. I can't ask for a better mate.

Author links:      Site       Twitter      Facebook       Goodreads

A variety of writers tips. #wwow

If you're an author than you might know how busy your "author life" gets. Let's not even mention what we call "real life". *Shudders*

I want to talk about keeping all the books your writing, got on submissions, and under contract in order. Because sometimes it gets overwhelming. I once read a marketing book that said in the eBook world of publishing you needed to have one you were working on, one in the slush piles, one under contract, and one releasing! Yikes. So, if you follow this rule, you need organization.

First let's assume you've written the book and your sending it out to submission. Use your calander and mark the day you queried, had your full requested, and such. Then count ahead the wait time and mark it as well. That way you can see the day approaching and know what dates you sent your work to which publishers. It can also help save your sanity as you stalk your inbox. Now, let's step back a moment to before you submit. Typically when you submit to a new publisher (things are usually different when you get in with one), you'll need a query and a synopsis. I'm not going to go into great deal at this time about a query letter or synopsis. But I do want to say to write either of these, do it after you finish the book. Like right away! The blurb as well. 

Like I said, things are usually different when you find a publisher. You don't usually have to send a synopsis any longer because you and your editor are on a working level. Because of this, I haven't always written the blurb. Then you struggle! You have to remember every detail and it can sometimes be hard to recall when you've been working on a new work in progress.

That brings me something else. You're going to get a cover art form. What do your characters look like? Are you going to have to search your story because in your new work in progress the heroine is blonde with green eyes. What color were her eyes in the one you have a contract for? WRITE IT DOWN as you are writing the story. Keep a piece of paper simply for the characters. If you describe them, then write it on the paper. It will save you a lot of time.

Now, I am by no means a super organized writer. I have a nifty to-do pad with each day of the week on it. I have an online calendar for guest posts and posts on my blog. Release dates, when edits are due, and so on. And the tips above have saved me some time as well.

Got any tips? Want more wisdom? #WWOW or Writers Word of Wisdom - A Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who write a weekly feature for their blog -Writer's Words of Wisdom- each Wednesday. The goal is to impart what we've learned about writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way.

For more Wisdom, be sure to check out these authors as well.
Paloma Beck: Writing What You Don't Know
http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW#.UN348m_AeSo
Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn:  http://wp.me/p1e7XX-PS
Melinda Dozier: Google Plus for Newbies http://melindadozier.blogspot.com