Lucy Swing's Blog, page 11

Feature & Follow Friday!

 This is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read!!


The Feature today is:




Which book genre do you avoid at all costs and why?


       I would have to say I stay away from autobiographies. There is something about reading about someone elses actual life that is not appealing to me. I am sure they are very entertaining, just not for me. I like fiction, I like to be taken to a completely different world where nothing is normal and anything goes. For normalcy, well, I have my life.

      Which genre do you avoid?

Versatile Blog Award

Woah! This is insane!! I didn't even know there were such things as Blog Awards. #clueless, I know. Totally.



*Stands at the podium with ther Thank you's* *clears her throat*



Thank you, Keren, my Twin (not genetically) for awarding me with this. It is an honor!

Thank you to all of you that have been visiting my blog! It means the world to me, with no one interested in what we have to say, or lack, sometimes, there would be no point in blogs at all! So Thank YOU!



Here is my gorgeous Award:






So pretty!!!




Okay, here are the rules my lovelies:




1. In a post on your blog, nominate 15 fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award. (15 isn't mandatory, but it's a nice gesture. Try and pick at least 5.)




2. In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.




3. In the same post, thank the Blogger who nominated you with a link back to their blog.




4. In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.




5. In the same post, include this set of rules.




6.  Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs.







Okay, so all that is left is, 7 random things about moi.. eek. I am not the most exciting person in the world, so, bare with me.




1- I have 2 puppies that I rescued: Luna, a 3y/o lab and Morgan, a 5 month old American Pitbull. I am now bringin home Quinn (5 month old pit and brother of Morgan) who was being abused by his adoptive parents.




2- My house MUST be clean in order for me to write.




3- Although I HATE all Twilight movies, I have still bought them. #addicted




4- Chocolate must be in my daily diet.




5- I have little people syndrome. I drive a big Dodge 3500 (dually: 4 tires in the back).




6- I am fluent in spanish as I was born in Argentina.




7- I would totaly die for a pet Lion @-@







Here are the bloggers I believe deserve thi award:




1- Hope Collier - She is the incredibly talented author behind one of my favorite books, "The Willows: Haven."

http://lilliputianjourney.blogspot.com/




2- Leigh Fallon - Another amazing author! I really enjoyed "Carrier of the Mark" and I am (impatiently) waiting for Book #2!

http://leighfallon.blogspot.com/




3- Jo Cattell - I can't say enough good things about Jo! She has finally finished her debut novel "Summer Rain" and is one of the most supportive people I know!

http://jcattell.blogspot.com/




4- Lynnette Labelle - She has some wonderful, wonderful advice for writers! I love it!

http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com/




5- Nikki Jefford - We collaborated on "Death by Chocolate" and she is just an all around amazing person; funny, sweet and kind!

http://nikkijefford.blogspot.com/




6- Wendy L. Callahan - Author and a great sport on my blog! She is one of the nicest people!

http://wendycallahan.blogspot.com/




7- Megan Curd - Another great author! You should all buy her books, like NOW!

http://megancurd.blogspot.com/







Bloggers who already have the Award, but should still be nominated:




* Keren Kiessllinger - My Twin for all purposes. We share (99% of the time) the same taste in almost everything. She has always believed in my work and continues to push me forward.

http://www.gothicangelbookreviews.blogspot.com/




* Kira Saito - Well, what can I say. I love this girl! She makes me laugh! She is a wonderful person who loves, and i DO mean loves, to scowl! I cannot wait to one day, scowl away with her!

http://kirasaito.blogspot.com/

Cover Crazy #1

I saw this in my friend Lindsay's blog at Turning the Pages and thought it was really cool.

Cover Crazy was created by The Bookworms.
It's a great way to share a book cover that took your breath away!



I am a total Cover Crazy person. I am not ashamed to say I DO judge a book by it's cover. The cover, as I have said many times before, is what makes me pick up the book in the first place and the blurb is what will keep me from putting it back down (hopefully.) There is nothing worse than an amazing cover and a weak blurb.



Without further adieu, here is a cover I love!





"There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her."



There are many reasons why this cover made me pick up the book. I love anything that is dark, and Fallen just screams it! I want to know why she is in such an eerie place, what is making this girl so sad... it just arises so many questions.



Love it, love it, love it!



Ps, If you haven't read the book, it's a must!



Xoxo,



Lucy

Death by Chocolate

The date is fast approaching and the excitement is building. February 14th is just around the corner!



For those of you that don't know what "Death by Chocolate" is, let me explain. DBC is an anthology I am participating in. It involves six wonderful ladies (yes, myself included) writing six incredibly yummy YA Paranormal/ Romance stories.

I have been lucky enough to have read 3, plus the one I wrote, out of the 6 and let me tell you, they are AMAZING! The best part is, for those of us who don't have enough time in the day, they are short enough to read in one sitting. Well, except mine... maybe... For now mine is the longest one at 18,004 words. I guess I don't know when to stop, huh?



My story is called: BLOODY VALENTINE



"One by one the girls of Hollow High disappear and when Bailey receives a heart-shaped box filled with chocolates she might be next."








We are doing a Blog Tour that kicks off FebruarMy 1st and goes on until, if I am not mistaken, until the 21st. I will be posting all of our stops shortly so you can all go check it out. There will be fun interviews, great giveaways and more! Make sure to stay tuned.

Blurb

**Just a little reminder for you all, you can find "Feathermore" at Goodreads here: http://bit.ly/wQPYCZ **




Let me just clarify that I can write a story, I just can't tell a story. I am horrible at writing synopsis and blurbs, so yeah, that's your warning. I will keep on editing this until I get it to where I want it to be.

Some may ask, then what's the point of letting us all read it then? Well, this blog was mostly created for you all to go into this writing journey with me. Each step of the way.



So, without further adieu, "Feathermore's" Blurb:



"Confused and threatened by a foreign voice in her head, Jade must figure out what they are warning her about. Surely, she has always been able to count on her two best friends and lovers extraordinaire, Claire and Nate, but could she confide in them now? Would they even believe her?

Life seems to take a turn for the better when she meets Avan, the boy of her dreams. Literally. He seems to drown out the voices and make her feel at ease.

But she has come to realize, good things never last. Everything soon spirals out of control and she is shattered by the one thing she never saw coming. Dazed in despair, she must now overcome tragedy, her true existence and a new, but incredibly dangerous, love. Will she be able to save herself and those she loves or will she be consumed by the darkness that lurks around her?"



Let me know what you guys think. Would you buy/read the book based on this blurb? If not, what would make it more interesting? Anything I should so differently?



I appreciate all of the help!



XOXO,



Lucy

Blurb

**Just a little reminded for you all, you can find "Feathermore" at Goodreads here: http://bit.ly/wQPYCZ **





Let me just clarify that I can write a story, I just can't tell a story. I am horrible at writing synopsis and blurbs, so yeah, that's your warning. I will keep on editing this until I get it to where I want it to be.

Some may ask, then what's the point of letting us all read it then? Well, this blog was mostly created for you all to go into this writing journey with me. Each step of the way.



So, without further adieu, "Feathermore's" Blurb:



"Confused and threatened by a foreign voice in her head, Jade must figure out what they are warning her about. Surely, she has always been able to count on her two best friends and lovers extraordinaire, Claire and Nate, but could she confide in them now? Would they even believe her?
Life seems to take a turn for the better when she meets Avan, the boy of her dreams. Literally. He seems to drown out the voices and make her feel at ease.
But she has come to realize, good things never last. Everything soon spirals out of control and she is shattered by the one thing she never saw coming. Dazed in despair, she must now overcome tragedy, her true existence and a new, but incredibly dangerous, love. Will she be able to save herself and those she loves or will she be consumed by the darkness that lurks around her?"



Let me know what you guys think. Would you buy/read the book based on this blurb? If not, what would make it more interesting? Anything I should so differently?



I appreciate all of the help!



XOXO,



Lucy

Feathermore Cover Reveal!

Ok, so it is not like a huge reveal, I did it myself. BUT, (heehee I said BUTT) it is nice to finally put a picture to it.



I am happy, and a little bit proud, to present to you:












































EXCERPT




"AFTERMATH"




I heard the door slowly open allowing a thin tendril of light to come from behind it. She silently made her way over to the bed and knelt on the floor. I could feel her gaze on me. She hovered for a few moments; I figured she would be making sure I was still breathing. I do not know how long I had been lying in this bed, in the dark, and thinking about it only started to make my breaths come in shorter gasps. Her warm and soft hand found my shoulder, "We are right outside if you need us" she whispered as she tenderly kissed my forehead before moving away and exiting the room.

I wasn't ready.

I closed my eyes and let the tears escape once again. The sobs came louder each time. No matter how much I tried to muffle them, I wept louder and louder. I wondered if she would come in and once again check on me, as I was now screaming onto my pillow, attempting to drown my pain. A few lonely punches met the mattress. I could not bear the thought of opening my eyes just yet; I couldn't face the reality of what my life had become. I could not face the fact I would never see them again, feel their arms around me or simply hear their voices calling my name. How am I supposed to keep going?

Once I had let out some of the pain out and my head throbbed impatiently, I rolled onto my side, pulled my knees up and wrapped my arms around them. The pain was unbearable, disabling. This is all I amounted to; A broken heart, a broken soul. I felt my own essence start drifting further and further apart and away. I kept my arms around my body, trying to hold myself together. The darkness that revolved around the room somehow sucked the remaining life out of me.
Would it ever stop? Would it ever get better?

It wouldn't. I knew it.

Wait... What is THAT!?

I went to an Antique shop today and came accross something very, and I mean *VERY* interesting. As I gazed upon all the beautiful paintings, Civil War Guns and some really adorable china; I came to a halt on a wooden box.

It wasn't the box itself that made my eyes bulge out but the little paper describing what I was looking at:




"Vampire Kill Kit"


I kid you not!



When I asked about it I was told it was made in the 1800's for people who had to travel through Trannsylvania. Depending on their wealth, the Kit they got.

It contains:



* A pistol with its accoutrements,

* Silver Bullets,

* Crucifix,

* Powdered flowers of garlic,

* A wooden stake,

* Professor Bloomberg's new serum.

And some other assorted items.



At first I laughed.

Then I began thinking of the actual person that got this made. That traveled through what they believed was infested with Vampires (Warewolves as well, as they had silver bullets) and clutched to this kit fearing the need to use it.

As useless as it may be for us now, to know someone actually truly believed such thing.. well, it amazes me.



Obviously, it was priced at the ridiculously high price of $5,000.00- I will admit though, if I had the money... I would probably get it.



Here are a few pics:



















** I cannot attest to its authenticity**

In my Mailbox!

I had to wait until 8 pm yesterday but then they were finally delivered!



If there is a Bath & Body Works around where you live, please stop in a purchase a "Fresh Balsam" candle. They are to die for! Hubby and I had bought some at the store, but loved them so much we purchased more candles, oils and room spray.. yeah #addicted!



Also, I got my Barnes & Noble package. *does the happy dance and makes happy, but weird, noises* I got the following titles:










"Anna Dressed in Blood" by Kendare Blake









"Shatter Me" by Tahereh Mafi









"Silence" by Becca Fitzpatrick









"The unbecoming of Mara Dyer" by Michelle Hodkin









"Beautiful Chaos" by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia









"The Replacement" by Brenna Yovanoff















"The Silver Blade" by Sally Gardner















"Wondrous Strange" by Lesley Livingston































I still have a whole bunch of books that I have bought these past two weeks and haven't read:







"Bleeding Violet" by Dia Reeves




"Before I fall" by Lauren Oliver









"Destined" by Jessie Harrell




"Claire de Lune" Christine Johnson




"Hourglass" by Claudia Grey




"Destined" by PC Cast and Kristin Cast







So I think I have enough to last me for a bit, right? NOT! Having books is an addiction and I am a self proclaimed "book hoarder." Pretty soon I will need another bookcase :)




What are some of the titles you will be reading over the holidays? Anything exciting? Please comment so I can have an excuse to buy more.




XOXO

Can someone plug me back on??

I have been doing plenty reviews lately so I thought I'd come on and just chat a bit. I have sent my Death By Chocolate story to be reviewed, critiqued and possibly torn to shreads. *Begins to hyperventilate* So it has become the game of waiting. Checking your email every hour to see if anything has arrived.



Once I was done with that I decided to give "Feathermore" another try. I began by merging it with a newer WIP but did not get far. Everything has been so hectic that the need I usually feel for writing has been suppressed for quite a bit now. I am hoping it will pass soon as I am very eager to finish the first draft. "Feathermore" is something I haven't read before and think you could all love it. *crosses her fingers and prays to the writing Gods to give her her mojo back*



How do YOU deal with something like this?



XOXO