Micalea Smeltzer's Blog, page 9
February 2, 2017
ROANOKE AUTHOR INVASION PREORDER
Heeeey guys! I hope you’re reading and enjoying Jace and Nova’s story. 
January 24, 2017
Dark Hearts is LIIIIIVE!
*spins* *twirls* It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Jace and Nova are hitting e-readers everywhere.
I’ve learned that not everything is what it seems. If you start to look too close, you uncover things people don’t want you to see. It’s why I hide. It’s why no one knows the real me. But he sees me. He sees the darkness in my heart but he’s not afraid, because he’s like me. They say opposites attract, but we’re proof that like-and-like are a far more potent combination.
Novalee Clarke is hiding from a past she wants to leave behind, and Jacen Kensington is running from his.
The thing about hiding and running is eventually the thing you’re trying to escape catches up to you.
And when it does?
It changes everything.
$2.99 for a limited time. Going up to $4.99.
Amazon: hyperurl.co/n0d96o
iBooks: hyperurl.co/uz3usm
Kobo: hyperurl.co/iq8qsi
B&N: hyperurl.co/06vqfk
Leave a review get a bookmark
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
I can’t wait to hear what you guys think of Dark Hearts!
Also, When Stars Collide is .99 cents for a limited time so if you haven’t read that one yet grab it and Rae of Sunshine is FREE.
Amazon: hyperurl.co/6sn5gt
iBooks: hyperurl.co/8enys8
B&N: hyperurl.co/i3m2kh
Kobo: hyperurl.co/7p706c
Rae of Sunshine
Amazon: hyperurl.co/kdoelu
iBooks: hyperurl.co/2fxqs0
B&N: hyperurl.co/3hodcu
Kobo: hyperurl.co/9kdnjz
The post Dark Hearts is LIIIIIVE! appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.
January 23, 2017
Light in the Dark Character Interview
We’re hanging out with the Light in the Dark gang today! Aka Cade, Rae, Xander, Thea, Jace, and Nova. They’re answering some fun questions and hanging out with us today. Jace and Nova’s book—Dark Hearts—is releasing January 24th.
Me: Thank you so much for sitting down with me today guys.
Cade: Thanks for having us.
Thea: *hopping up and down in her seat* We’re so happy to be here.
Xander: *looks at Thea with love in his eyes*
Jace: *taps out cigarette. Looks at it and puts it away* How long is this going to take?
Nova: *smacks Jace’s arm* That wasn’t nice.
Jace: *mumbles* Sorry.
Me: *shuffles papers and clears throat* Let’s get started, shall we? *Waits for everyone to nod* Let’s start simple, what’s your favorite color? Cade, why don’t you go first?
Cade: If I had to choose, gray, but I don’t really have a favorite.
Rae: Purple.
Thea: Really? I thought you’d say black. Mine’s pink, but I think everyone already knows that.
Xander: Uh…blue? Maybe red. It depends on my mood.
Jace: White and gray.
Nova: Purple and red.
Me: Next question…what’s your favorite TV show?
Cade: House of Cards
Rae: Stranger Things—I’m addicted.
Thea: Charmed. *smiles at Xander*
Xander: Charmed and Supernatural are tied for me, but I probably lean towards Supernatural.
Jace: I don’t have time to watch TV.
Nova: Me either. *eyes Jace*
Me: Question number three, what’s your go-to snack?
Cade: I try to eat healthy so maybe an apple. Stuff like that.
Rae: Goldfish
Thea: Cheez-Its, Goldfish, Chips, Popcorn…I love food, okay?
Xander: Protein bars.
Jace: I don’t really snack.
Nova: I don’t either. I skip meals a lot, when I get busy, and it drives Jace crazy.
Me: What’s your favorite book?
Cade: HARRY POTTER!
Thea: *covers face and groans* Cade.
Cade: *blinks innocently* What?
Rae: Moving on…my favorite is, Eragon. I recently read that because Cade recommended it and I loved it.
Thea: I’m not a big reader. I like TV more. I know, I know, I should read more, but I’m a work in progress.
Xander: The Great Gatsby. I have an old dog-eared copy from high school that I refuse to get rid of. Thea makes fun of me for it.
Thea: That’s because it’s falling apart.
Xander: That makes me love it more.
Jace: I can only pick one?
Me: Yeah, sorry.
Jace: Right now it’s Dark Places by Gillian Flynn.
Nova: I’m like Thea, I’m not a big reader, plus I don’t have much time with school, and photography takes up most of my free time.
Me: My readers know I love music, so what’s some of your favorite bands or artists?
Cade: Fall Out Boy. They always get me pumped.
Rae: One Republic.
Thea: X Ambassadors
Xander: The Lumineers
Jace: Twenty-One Pilots
Nova: Ooh, this is a tough one. Probably The Chainsmokers. I listen to them a lot when I edit photos.
Me: We talked about favorite shows, but what’s your favorite movie?
Cade: Hands down it’s Ghostbusters—the original.
Rae: Titanic.
Nova: I was going to say that.
Jace: You only just saw it for the first time.
Nova: Yeah, and I loved it, so now it’s my favorite.
Thea: Ignore those two, I think bickering is their form of foreplay. My favorite is Jaws, obviously.
Xander: Yep, mine is Jaws too. *smiles at Thea*
Jace: *rubs jaw* Homeward Bound…Don’t look at me like that. *Eyes everyone* It’s a good fucking movie.
Me: Cade is a big fan of Harry Potter—as am I—so I have to know, if you went to Hogwarts which house would you be sorted into?
Cade: Gryffindor!
Thea: *snorts* He wishes. He’d so be a Hufflepuff.
Rae: *laughs* Yeah, you’re definitely a Hufflepuff. Sorry, Cade.
Cade: You all suck.
Rae: I’m not sure what house I would be…hmm…Gryffindor most likely.
Cade: *grumbles* Oh so you get to be Gryffindor. I see.
Rae: Don’t pout.
Thea: I think I’d be Ravenclaw.
Xander: Gryffindor.
Jace: Slytherin all the way.
Nova: *laughs* Definitely Slytherin.
Jace: *wags brows and looks at Nova* Are you gonna let me slytherin to your bed every night?
Nova: *laughing* That was so bad.
Jace: *shrugging* It made you laugh, mission accomplished.
Me: I have to ask…what’s your spirit animal?
Cade: Uh…a wolf.
Rae: A giraffe…since I’m a giant.
Cade: *kisses Rae* I like that you’re tall.
Thea: I’m a unicorn. Obviously.
Xander: A cheetah—since they’re fast.
Jace: A shark…I like to bite.
Nova: A lioness.
Me: Some readers submitted questions as well, one of those is; What would be your superhero alter-ego and why?
Cade: Iron Man, because he’s sarcastic and I like him.
Rae: Valkyrie, she’s a badass.
Thea: Storm, because it would be so cool to control the weather.
Xander: The Flash—who wouldn’t want to run fast.
Jace: I’m not a superhero kind of guy. Maybe Deadpool. He’s a smartass and an anti-hero so that suits me.
Nova: He’s perfect for you. I’d be the Enchantress. I feel like she’s misunderstood, plus who wouldn’t want to be a sorceress.
Me: Another reader submitted question is, if you were trapped in a dungeon who do you think of the group, would be the one to get you out?
Everyone: Jace.
Jace: *laughs* Apparently me.
Nova: He’d stay the most calm and level-headed. He’d be able to think clearly and get us out. Cade and Xander would be busy comforting Rae and Thea and telling them it’d be okay. And I’d help him of course, if he needed it.
That’s all the questions. Thank you all so much for stopping by.
Dark Hearts releases TOMORROW January 24th and you can preorder below for a special price of $2.99. It will be going up to $4.99 some time after release.
Amazon: hyperurl.co/n0d96o
iBooks: hyperurl.co/uz3usm
Kobo: hyperurl.co/iq8qsi
B&N: hyperurl.co/06vqfk
The post Light in the Dark Character Interview appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.
January 18, 2017
Dark Hearts Trailer
MOST of you have probably already seen the trailer but in case you haven’t, or want just want to watch it again, I wanted to post it here. 
January 17, 2017
Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday #5
It’s that time again! Teaser Tuuuuuesday! AND GUESS WHAT?! Next Tuesday Dark Hearts will be hitting your e-readers. That’s right. ONE MORE WEEK!
TEEEEEEASER
You can now preorder from Amazon!
$2.99 special preorder price. Going up to $4.99 after release.
Amazon: hyperurl.co/n0d96o
iBooks: hyperurl.co/uz3usm
Kobo: hyperurl.co/iq8qsi
B&N: hyperurl.co/06vqfk
The post Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday #5 appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.
January 13, 2017
Dark Hearts Cover Reveal
*throws confetti* TODAY is the cover reveal for Dark Hearts. I’ve been waiting for this day…for months. Counting down like it’s Christmas. So without further ado…
I’ve learned that not everything is what it seems. If you start to look too close, you uncover things people don’t want you to see. It’s why I hide. It’s why no one knows the real me. But he sees me. He sees the darkness in my heart but he’s not afraid, because he’s like me. They say opposites attract, but we’re proof that like-and-like are a far more potent combination.
Novalee Clarke is hiding from a past she wants to leave behind, and Jacen Kensington is running from his.
The thing about hiding and running is eventually the thing you’re trying to escape catches up to you.
And when it does?
It changes everything.
Check out the Happy Ever After USA Today blog to see the exclusive reveal and read an excerpt. http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2017/01/13/dark-hearts-cover-reveal-excerpt-micalea-smeltzer/
Preorder special price of $2.99 (going up to $4.99 after release)
Amazon: hyperurl.co/n0d96o
iBooks: hyperurl.co/uz3usm
Kobo: hyperurl.co/iq8qsi
B&N: hyperurl.co/06vqfk
The post Dark Hearts Cover Reveal appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.
January 12, 2017
Thoughts I’ve had: Have I lost my love of reading?
In the past, I could read a book a day. I’d get sucked into the fictional world and find myself unable to leave until I’d read the whole thing. I’d then walk around in a daze, my mind still trapped in the story. I’d smile to myself as I thought about the characters. Then, I’d pick up another book and start the whole thing over again.
Even in my first year of writing I still managed to read 105 books. I’m sure in the past I’ve read even more than that in a year, but back then I didn’t know what Goodreads was so I didn’t keep track.
The next year (2013) I didn’t meet my goal. I don’t even remember what my goal was.
In 2014 I only read 53 books.
53? What?! I’m sure when I was in high school I was reading at least 200 books a year. And in 2014 I only read 53? That number breaks my heart. And yes, I was writing my own books, which is a time-consuming process, but I can’t blame my lack of reading on writing because in 2012 I still managed to read 100 books.
In 2015, I read 54 books. Well, at least I managed to add one more from the previous year, but still 54 books isn’t a lot for me.
The number of books I read in 2016…?
36.
I only read 36 books in 2016 and I think 6 of that 36 was my own.
I could argue the point of “I’m busy” or “I don’t have time to read” but it wouldn’t be true. I DO have the time. Time I spend doing other things, I could use to read instead. Lately, I choose not to because I dislike almost every book I pick up. Gone are the days where I’m sucked down the rabbit hole until I finish a book. Gone are the dazed expressions and wandering mind.
When you dislike almost everything you’ve been reading it makes you paranoid that you’re going to hate everything, so then you choose not to read.
Now, I’m not saying the books I’m reading suck, because I’m sure most of them don’t. The problem is 100% ME.
It’s like my mind can’t shut down and allow me to be sucked into the stories in the same way. I over analyze everything and it becomes exhausting instead of an escape.
But I’ve also noticed a lot of other people saying the same thing; that they can’t get into book after book so they’re not reading. So if you’re in the same rut as me, know that you’re not alone.
I don’t know exactly what I can do to get over this and back to my love of reading, but I’m going to try. I’m not going to allow myself to feel dejected time and time again. Because here’s the thing, I MISS reading like crazy. It was my escape, and not having that…it sucks.
My goal this year is to read 100 books. I hope I can do even more than that, even if it’s only 101.
I’ll keep you guys updated on my progress. Maybe do a monthly wrap up if that’s something you’d like to see, and if you’re having a similar struggle maybe we can help each other along the way.
The post Thoughts I’ve had: Have I lost my love of reading? appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.
January 10, 2017
Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday #4
*claps* It’s TEEEEASSER TUEASSSSDAY!
I feel like we need a theme song for Teaser Tuesdays, lol! But I’m definitely not a song writer, so we’ll have to do without.
Dark Hearts releases January 24th! That means TODAY marks TWO WEEKS until release. (shrill screaming)
The cover reveal for Dark Hearts is THIS Friday and it’s exclusively with HEA USA Today so be sure to check out their site for that! It’s GORGEOUS and honestly it’s my favorite cover of mine. *drools* I have paperback ARCs to giveaway too so make sure you’re following my facebook page, Instagram, and have joined my facebook group Micalea’s Minions.
Now, on to the teaser. I’ve bored you enough.
January 5, 2017
Thoughts I’ve had: If I’m not a “best-selling” author then I’m not a REAL author
I’ve decided to start a new series of blog posts called “Thoughts I’ve had”—these can range from writing, publishing, or just life in general. The first one I wanted to start with is “If I’m not a best-selling author then I’m not a real author.”
Honestly, if I could have a dollar for every time I’ve thought that.
In the last few months, it hasn’t been something I’ve dwelled on but in the past it’s something I’ve obsessed over, so that’s why I want to talk about it first. Plus, I think it’s something that plagues a lot of authors, so I want people to realize they’re not alone. We all have the same fears.
I did write a previous blog post where I discussed this a bit and you can read it here: https://micaleasmeltzer.com/and-then-ill-be-happy/
As an author, I think we all crave validation that what we’re doing is working, that we’re good at what we do, and we think that being a New York Times or USA Today bestselling author gives us that.
At least that’s what I used to think.
But I was wrong.
The real validation, that comes from your readers. From the people who consistently read your books, who reach out to you to tell you how much they loved it, THAT is the only validation you need.
A list doesn’t define you.
That list doesn’t sell your book.
YOUR words. YOUR heart. YOUR passion.
All the blood, sweat, and tears you put into your baby.
That is what makes you a real author.
I think 2016 was a hard year for a lot of authors. Sales were down and at times it felt like “What’s the point?” But we keep going because we love it. At the end of the day, we HAVE to write. Just remember, if your book manages to connect with ONE person then you’ve done your job. Pat yourself on the back and be proud of your accomplishments. While making a list is an AMAZING achievement, and I’m not denying that, it doesn’t define you.
To update you on the blog post I linked you to at the beginning of this one, I have stopped saying “and then I’ll be happy” and I’ve been in a much better frame of mind since. I surprise released A Love Like Ours and most recently re-released Beauty in the Ashes. I didn’t obsess over ranking or sales and barely checked them at all (though I did check them). Dark Hearts will be my first “real” release (i.e. crazy promotion before and after release) since that post, so it’ll be my first real test since I wrote it. I’m hopeful that I won’t be a complete psycho, but I’m worried since I absolutely LOVE that book (Dark Hearts) that I might obsess over my ranking again. It’s not healthy, and the obsessiveness is exhausting, so I’m really going to try my best to let it go and see what happens. What’s meant to be will be.
The post Thoughts I’ve had: If I’m not a “best-selling” author then I’m not a REAL author appeared first on Author Micalea Smeltzer.
January 3, 2017
Dark Hearts Teaser Tuesday #3
*claps hands* You guys! I managed to remember Teaser Tuesday 3 whole weeks in a row! *pats self on back* It feels so good to be back and blogging. I have some things I want to talk about this week and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you all.
Some other quick things before we get to the teaser…
Cover reveal for Dark Hearts is January 13th (ahhhhh! I can’t wait!)
Release for Dark Hearts is January 24th! (this date is firm, it’s up for preorder)
Also, the preorder price is $2.99 and it’ll go up to $4.99 some time after release.
OH! And if you’re on Facebook I’m giving away a signed paperback arc of Dark Hearts so run and enter! If there are any people here that do not have facebook and would be interested in a paperback arc comment below and I’ll do a blog giveaway.
PREORDER NOW
iBooks: hyperurl.co/uz3usm
Kobo: hyperurl.co/iq8qsi
B&N: hyperurl.co/06vqfk
Add on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31366491-dark-hearts
Okay, now it’s teaser time aka what you really want.
