Jen Naumann's Blog

Cover Reveal: Kendare Blake's MORTAL GODS

Here it is! Awesome, right?

If you follow my blog, you already know I'm a pretty big fan of Kendare Blake's work (it doesn't hurt that she's originally from Minnesota but was smart enough to move somewhere warmer). I recently reviewed her newest release Antigoddess , and just received word that she's revealing the cover for the second book in the series, Mortal Gods. Of course when she offered the chance to win an ARC of this book to any bloggers who helped with the reveal, I jumped on the wagon of terror. Because I not only love her work (young adult paranormal), but she's a pretty amazing person with a very healthy sense of humor. My kind of peeps.

At first I was bummed when she told me the first cover was getting a makeover as well, because I thought the original was striking. Then she sent me the redo, and I got over it. Because I love the beautiful silhouette of the woman with owl feathers floating through the air. It fits perfectly with the story.
Kendare promised to add something to the cover reveal if we so requested, so I asked her for a little insight to the book. Here was her response:


Some insight into the story...hmm....the entire Goddess War series deals a lot with adversarial relationships. Athena has one with practically everyone she knows. I don't even think she knows how to have the other kind. But to me the interesting thing about those relationships is the way they can change. The way people who hate each other can slowly learn to understand each other, and maybe even make peace. In Antigoddess, the wickedness of Hera and Aphrodite was apparent to Athena. She never considered anything else. But as Athena comes to understand them, who knows?
How's that?
That's awesome, Kendare. And so are you.
I tire of writing these things in the third person. So. I write fiction, apparently mostly YA. I didn't know this, but like Stephen King says, writers are the last ones to know what it is they've written. My first novel, Sleepwalk Society is a college story. I guess it falls into that no man's land they call, "New Adult".  Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares are teen horror. My short fiction can be found online in numerous places.

But enough about that. When I am not writing or reading, you can generally find me sitting around wondering what the hell I'm going to do with my life. That, or being a gastronome, plotting a new recipe. Perhaps on a run or hike, playing tennis or watching Big Cat Diaries with my feline. This summer I have saved a total of three turtles during attempted road crossings.
Find Kendare on Twitter Goodreads Her website

Valentine's Day Treat from Danielle Sibarium

Happy Valentine's Day!
As a special treat, I'm excited to bring you an announcement from my good friend Danielle Sibarium. I've become a big fan of Danielle's YA romance novels, so I was so pumped when I got her message below. Be sure to enter the giveaway posted below for her new release!
First, I would like to thank you for allowing me to announce my special message on your blog. I am so honored to be here today. I understand your blog is a reflection of you and so I thank you for giving me this opportunity. Next, I’d like to thank every reader that has ever picked up one of my books and given them a chance. And finally I’d like to thank all of my fans that have felt compelled to reach out to me. I have appreciated all of your letters, messages, and support, whether it came in an email, or just a short and sweet tweet. 
When I began this journey, I had no expectations. I had dreams and hopes and wishes, but to say I expected For Always to take on a life of its own would not be true. Since its release in October of 2011, many people have contacted me asking me if I planned to write a sequel. I thought Stephanie and Jordan’s story had been completed, but for many of you, it wasn’t enough. So because you asked, because you told me in no uncertain terms you wanted it, I am working on And Forever, the sequel to For Always. And Forever picks up where For Always ended. While Stephanie and Jordan are finally a couple, they still carry the same baggage they had before. Can their love survive the ghosts of their past and the challenges of the future?
I hope you are excited about this as I am. I expect And Forever to be released in July 2014. Until then, look for teasers on Facebook and Twitter. And before I go, I leave you with this, the prologue of And Forever.  Once again thank you for being so amazing. Happy Reading! 
Prologue       The scent of death lingered nearby. Always. Only I didn't attract it, I repelled it, like a deflector shield. This was my lot in life, to extend the days of those I loved. That theory came from Jordan; the keeper of my heart, and the love of my life!
I sighed. I didn't realize I did it until Jordan apologized. Again.
"I'm sorry Steph, I don't want to be distracted."
"I know. I understand. Promise."
He misunderstood. It was a contented sigh. One that said I was thrilled my boyfriend was driving me to school. The sigh was a sign of how surreal sitting next to Jordan and knowing that he loved me was. How I couldn't believe in a matter of hours he'd be leaving me alone on the college campus, and I intended to savor each minute with him. The sigh was the only chance I had of getting any of those sentiments across because he didn't want me to talk while he was driving. I knew just being in the car together was challenging for him.
Jordan still suffered the after effects of a terrible car accident that left his ex-girlfriend dead. Of course he was breaking up with her at the time because he loved me, and I pushed him into making a choice between us. When he served as my unexpected prom date, I made him admit his feelings. That's what led to his break-up with Madison, leaving him in a swamp of guilt induced quick sand when she died. But we worked through all that.
I hoped.
I didn't bother saying anything further to try and reassure him I wasn't upset. I'd already been warned he couldn't concentrate on the road and to keep the radio down. The problem was he wanted it down so low I couldn't hear the music. I glanced at his hands on the steering wheel, his knuckles were white. He held on so tight I expected his fingers to cramp up. I hated that this was so hard for him. I wished I knew how to make it better, but the only thing I could do was stand beside him and hope in time he'd heal.
I turned to my window, watching the never ending expanse of trees zoom by. I wished for a brief moment I'd gone in the other car with my mother and her new, at least new to me, boyfriend Eddie. I'd been clueless about Eddie, but after her health scare last week, she came clean. She wanted to see him and had been ordered to take a few days off of work. Work is where they'd rendezvous during lunch. She'd been frightened when they first told her it looked like a heart attack and realized it was silly to keep him hidden away. No way I wanted to hear what cheesy, weird things they might be talking about. I mean it was my mom, gross. Still, I was happy for her. My father died a decade ago and as far as I knew she'd never dated before.
I chose to ride with Jordan, because even in the deafening silence, and the tension he carried on his shoulders every time we got in a car together, there was nowhere else I'd rather be. From the first moment he spoke to me, he owned my heart. It was branded with his name. I'd tried for four years to move on, to forget him, but that wasn't an option for me. No one could hold a candle to him.
"Hey," He pulled my attention back to the here and now. "You know I love you right?"
I smiled. Of course he knew that would make me smile, that's why he said it. It felt like that's all I'd done over the last week since he found me crying on the beach. I'll never forget the wave of relief that washed over me when I found out he'd been spared from a terrible plane crash. He never made it on the plane because I called him at the last minute in an attempt to get him to stay. Thank goodness I did. I didn't know where he was going or why, but Maria warned me that he was leaving, and it might be forever.
I always believed myself to be the root cause of the bad things that happen to people around me, Jordan thought I was what kept them hanging on. I didn't believe him, at least not yet. But having him try to convince me otherwise promised to be amazing.a Rafflecopter giveaway
For Always on FacebookGoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleKobo
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COVER REVEAL: A DIFFERENT KIND

Genre: YA Scifi RomanceRelease Date: March 2014Cover Design: Lauryn AprilPublisher: Phantom Owl PressGoodreads
"All I could see was bright blinding white. I tried to glance back at my bedroom window, but couldn’t move. My eyes were frozen open and watering as I stared into the abyss. God, this can’t be real."
Book Description:
Payton Carlson’s life is perfect, until the night she’s abducted by aliens. Now she’s plagued by pieces of memories from a night that feels as hazy as a dream, and that’s not the only strange thing that’s been happening. When Payton’s neighbor, Logan Reed, who spends every night sitting on his roof staring at the stars, starts to pay extra attention to her, Payton starts to wonder if he knows more about the night she can’t remember than she does. Suddenly finding a date to the Homecoming dance and cheering at the football games aren’t as important as they used to be - especially when the aliens return for a second time. About the Author:
Lauryn has always been fascinated by the paranormal, picking up a healthy Stephen King habit by the age of thirteen. Her favorite TV show growing up was "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", and she's always preferred bands like The Rolling Stones and The Doors over whatever they're playing on the radio (However she admits “I Love It” by Icona Pop always puts her in a good mood). She self-published her first two books “Into the Deep” and “Hidden Beneath”, and continues to write paranormal YA and NA stories. Ways to follow Lauryn:Her blogFacebookTwitter

The Blog Blitz Effect

Writing can be an extremely lonely venture. Add to that the fact that most of us are experiencing a horrifically rigid winter, and it leaves many of us downright depressed.

For this reason (among many others), reaching out to other authors can be good for the soul. I'm not sure how I stumbled across DL Hammons's blog hop, but I'm so glad I did! The mystery/thriller/suspense writer started the blitz with the hopes of focusing on supporting and encouraging a single blogger at a time. Quite often the "target" will get over 100 comments on their blog. In the few months I've been participating, we've reached out to authors
who are going through personal and professional issues. The bloggers participating have proven to be kind souls, rallying together to lift the spirits of anyone who needs a pick-me-up. (Note, while there isn't any physical hugging involved like the picture on the left, you'll feel the love, I promise.)

So if you're looking for a day-brightener for both yourself and others, sign up for DL's inspirational project HERE.

It's Here: PARANORMAL KEEPERS COVER REVEAL!!

It seems I've had the idea of this cover in my head for so long that this is the most excited I've ever been about a reveal! Props to the magical Najla for coming up with a perfect representation of my vision, and a special shout out to the stunning Ashleigh Campbell for agreeing to be my model!
Release date: March 4, 2014Model Photography: Jen NaumannCover Design: Najla Qamber DesignsPublisher: Phantom Owl PressLink to book: Goodreads
Everyone thinks Harper Young killed her boyfriend. No one will say it to her face, but the signs are everywhere.
It’s almost been a year since Gavin was torn from Harper’s arms and brutally murdered. The police wrote it off as a freak accident, deciding Harper’s strange testimony was given under duress. But she knows something unnatural was involved and refuses to stop looking until she finds his killer, even if it means her reputation as a senior is ruined. Even if it means there really are monsters living among us.
With the discovery of the mothmen, witches, vampires and all the creatures she always suspected were out there, Harper finds herself amidst a complex bundle of unseen heroes who call themselves "Keepers", sworn to keep the secret of the paranormal creatures that walk this earth. As she tries to understand what’s so special about her that she’s able to break an old Keeper law, Harper has a baffling vision of kissing a mysterious guy before a blade is brought down on him. Before she can get a handle on her future, she becomes central to a battle between the questionable “heroes” and the evil she’s been training to fight, leaving her to wonder if there’s any way to change the fate that has been foretold before it’s too late.

Internet Trolls & Online Bullying

It's kind of funny how sensitive I can be considering I'm quick to stand up to bullies, some of my favorite music is hard core metal and rap, I'm addicted to getting tattoos, and I'm known to swear like a sailor in everyday life. I guess one could almost say my personality is a bit of an anomaly. Because it only takes one hurtful comment directed my way to bring me down.
When I first decided to take the plunge and publish books under my real name, I knew I would be dealing with a lot of bad people saying mean things. I personally do whatever it takes to try to avoid negativity of any kind on social networks. There's enough hatred in the world the way it is, I don't feel like I need to contribute in any way.
But I seriously don't deal well with spite. At all. The minute someone calls me a name or says something cruel on my work or even something I've commented on, my good mood evaporates faster than yoga pants at a VS annual sale. This is something I've been trying hard to overcome, but it's exhausting. There seem to be so many bitter, angry people in the world who have access to the Internet. I always find myself wondering if they were abused as a child, they hate everything about their own life, or they just hate people in general. Then again, maybe they are literally short, disgusting, terrifying trolls who have evolved to operate computers. Nothing would surprise me at this point.
Seriously, though, I can't get in the head of someone who feels it's necessary to ask me if I'm retarded and live under a rock when I leave a comment on YouTube saying celebrities are just people and don't deserve some of the horrible crap others say to them online. Of course most of these people use a pseudonym, hiding under an anonymous name that no one will ever be able to trace to them, but I still don't understand the kind of hate it takes to strike out against a stranger. Are they secretly nuns, needing a release? Are they the type who kick puppies? Do they also steal candy from babies?
To make things worse, critics and gossip rags have jumped on the bandwagon. making bullying acceptable. Although I've always been against TMZ, I follow them on Facebook as they seem to be the first to post information on entertainment news. But their posts became so negative that I decided to stop (only surprise, it won't let me "unlike"...another form of bullying). Who cares if Beyonce forgot to shave her pits? Yeah it's probably embarrassing for her (or not), but why bring it to the attention of the entire nation? They're always quick to find the bad in people. And we wonder why actors and musicians turn to drugs? Really? We've seen a lot of teen suicides come about from online bullying, but this is just another step in the wrong direction.
Watching shows like TMZ, as interesting as hearing about the life of celebrities can be, only helps them rocket with the success of internet bullying. It's as if we're in a generation where no one feels accountable for anything they say. If more isn't done to stop it, the next generation my children are a part of are eventually going to become immune to online bullying. I urge everyone to stop and think about what they're saying before they post anything remotely negative online. You may think it's okay, because someone is famous and probably won't ever see your post anyway, or because you're using a fake account name to hide behind, but it's not. At all.
If you've ever watched Jimmy Kimmel's "celebrities read mean tweets" segments (see left), you'll know famous people do see the bad comments (hopefully they truly take it as well as it seems, but who knows what comments stick with them). As funny as it is to see the celebrities mocking the seriously idiotic tweets they've received, it's also another way of making bullying seem okay. You know there are trolls out there loving the attention they're getting with those skits. I'd say some really awful things about these kind of people, but as I said, I'm not one to post negative thoughts online. I'll just let karma do its work instead.
For ways to combat bullying and make donations, check out The Kind Campaign, a charity co-founded by the wife of Aaron Paul (Jesse from Breaking Bad).

PARANORMAL PALOOZA GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate the arrival of 2014 and thank all of you—my beautiful, fun, amazing followers—some of my favorite authors and I have donated digital copies of our (YA and NA) paranormal books to create a giveaway of eleven thrilling books you won't want to put down!

INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY:
ONE and TWO by LeighAnn Kopans: When having two powers makes you a Super and having none makes you a Normal, having only one makes you a sad half-superpowered freak. It makes you a One.

Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly – too bad all she can do is hover. If she could just land an internship at the Biotech Hub, she might finally figure out how to fix herself. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over the Hub’s research on the manifestation of superpowers, all in hopes of boosting her chances.

Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other.

Merrin's mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub's internship short list, but as she gets closer to the life she always wanted, she discovers that the Hub’s purpose is more sinister than it has always seemed. Now it’s up to her to decide if it's more important to fly solo, or to save everything - and everyone - she loves.


 

INTO THE DEEP and HIDEN BENEATH by Lauryn April:  Ivy Daniels is a high school junior still learning who she is. After almost drowning, Ivy finds herself with an ability she doesn’t want, an ability to uncover secrets which quickly begins to redefine what she thinks about the people around her as well as herself. Because of this ability, Ivy becomes the one thing that stands between an angry teen and the death of every student on campus. The only problem is she doesn’t know who wants everyone dead. Will she figure out whose secret is that they’re planning to blow up her school, or will she fail to find him in time? Through her search to do the right thing, Ivy discovers that knowing the thoughts and secrets of those around her may just tear her apart.


 

THE AWAKENING & OTHER STORIES and BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES by Emma Meade:  Put on the kettle, close the curtains and curl up by the fire. Dive into 8 short tales, each with a slice of the paranormal.

Ghost Story - Who is the shadow in the window of the abandoned house, and what or who is he waiting for?
The Awakening - It's time for Sabrina to wake up and face the light.
End of the Line - Cassie wants to die. When midnight rolls around, she stands on the tracks waiting for the train to come.
Milsa Loris - The once magnificent kingdom of Milsa Loris comes alive one night each winter. The King's witch is brewing up a little magic, sure to make the soup all the tastier.
The Old Vampire - Hailey spent her life dreaming of a dark prince falling in love with her. He never showed up, until now.
The Knocking - Alison's grandfather has one eye on the next life. After all, he's heard a lot of rapping at his door lately.
The Boy on the Beach - Kate's grandmother warns her about the boy with the green eyes. Will she pay heed?
Snowglobes- It's busy at Calvin's Cabins this Christmas. Eddie and Maggie are a young couple in trouble. Not to fear, Calvin is always ready to lend a hand.


 
THE DAY ZOMBIES RUINED MY PERFECTLY BORING LIFE and THE TIME ZOMBIES BECAME THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES by Jen Naumann:  Emma Ferdig has heard the term “life sucks, then you die”, but she never knew she was supposed to take it quite so literally.

It’s senior year. Emma should be looking forward to escaping her mundane small town, and going on to college—finally. Her biggest worries should be the fact that she’s feeling something more for her life-long best friend Finn, and how she’s going to make things happen between them. But all her plans for a less-sucky future go out the window with the discovery of a seriously creepy woman in her backyard. As it turns out, zombies are real.

In the first book of the Boring Life Series, Emma’s life is turned upside down as she’s forced to leave everything behind, running off with Finn and a group of extremely odd misfits that include Finn’s jackhole brother Cash, and his unorthodox girlfriend Marley. In an instantaneous journey across the Midwest, they’ll learn horrifying secrets, trust the wrong people, and make deadly mistakes. As they do all then can to try and survive the impending apocalypse, Emma will realize that maybe her painfully boring life hadn’t been such a bad thing, after all.


 

HEART WAVES, BREAKING WAVES, and WAVES OF LOVE by Danielle Sibarium:  Jenna Kingsley has a gift. She knows things. With a simple touch she can pick up personal information from jewelry or objects. While at a neighbor's party, a voice mesmerizes her. Jenna is momentarily frozen as a ring is placed in her hand. White electricity surges through her and a dire prediction is made. "It's like Romeo and Juliet. You're going to break my heart." From the moment they meet, Jenna is enchanted and entranced with Reece Walton. She's thrilled to learn he's spending the summer two houses away from hers. Every moment they spend together is magical. But she can't get the prediction out of her mind. As the summer draws to a close and secrets are revealed, can Jenna get past the fear of being left with a broken heart to live in the moment with Reece or will her fear of being hurt fulfill the prophecy?

 
The winner will be announced on this blog February 1st. Be sure to spread the word, and don't forget to come back each day of January to enter!
Good luck, and Happy New Year!
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Up Close With Emma Meade: BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES

I've probably said it a thousand times in the past year, and I'll say it again: Emma Meade is awesome! Not only do the two of us have a wild amount of favorite movies and bands in common, but the Irish author renewed my love in vampires (the kind that bite, not sparkle) with her growing list of intriguing novellas, her latest release being my new favorite. Although this story follows up on the life of Erin Harris, a character from her earlier novella, Under the Desert Moon, I read Beneath Manhattan Skies first, and can tell you with confidence it could be considered a standalone. In celebration of her new release, Emma agreed to sit down to answer a few questions. Be sure to check out the stunning cover and synopsis below!
Beneath Manhattan Skies takes place in the city it's named after. Have you ever been to the United States? Do you have plans to visit anytime soon?

Yes, I spent some time in Delaware years ago with a lot of Irish people sharing a house. The days I strolled the boardwalk eating a hotdog and chilling on the beach still make me smile fondly. I've also been to New York and couldn't seem to take in the fact I was actually all the way across the Atlantic in the Big Apple. At the time I was only 21, so I'd like to go back now that I'm a tad more grown up :) and do some more exploration.

Have you put any thought into who you'd like to see play the Hollywood version of Erin, James and Tommy?

I loved Amber Tamblyn in Joan of Arcadia and pictured her as Erin at one stage. I think I answered this question last year for another blogger and I'm trying to remember who I picked for James and Nick. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but it could be Will Estes from Blue Bloods I chose for James. I'm drawing a blank for Nick. I just picture him as a really sweet, wholesome looking, handsome dude.

Will there be another book on the life of Erin Harris?

I'd like to do a short novella that wraps up Erin's story with James. I'm thinking I'd have to go five or six years into the future. If enough readers are curious, I'll get on it.

You're obviously a big fan of vampires. Are there other paranormal creatures you're into as well?

I write a lot about vampires, but if I had to be a supernatural creature, I'd choose to be a witch. A life filled with spells, potions, conjuring and magic would be right up my alley.

Have you ever written outside of the supernatural genre? Do you have any desire to?

I tried writing a contemporary romance years ago at college after a breakup. My sister printed out the few chapters I wrote and passed them around the office she worked in, and though the response was favourable, my heart wasn't in it. No witches or ghosts or a sexy vampire? Nope, I couldn't finish.

Favorite vampire movie?
The Lost Boys would be near the top.

Favorite vampire of all time?
Probably Spike.
November in New York is cold but full of possibility for college freshman Erin Harris. When her twin brother, Nick, shows up on her doorstep for a surprise visit, Erin is delighted. Unfortunately, Nick’s arrival coincides with the discovery of a body outside her apartment building, a body drained of blood. Right away, Nick assumes vampires are involved. He’s not exactly their biggest fan since Erin dated one in high school. 
Juggling nosy roommates, a first date with a gorgeous guy from college and a brother on a  Van Helsing kick is enough to keep any nineteen year old girlbusy – And then Erin’s old flame walks back into her life.

Is Erin destined to be caught up in supernatural shenanigans,or will she choose a different path?
WHERE TO BUY BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES:Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
iTunes
WAYS TO FOLLOW EMMA:WebsiteTwitterFacebookGoodreads

NYC Through the Eyes of a Farm Girl

Happy December, dear friends! My absence on here has been due in large part to my recent trip to New York City with a group of friends. Although we returned a week ago yesterday, I'm still finding myself totally exhausted by the end of each day. Before you call me a pansy, I want to point out that we mostly maneuvered our way around Manhattan by foot, only taking the subway or taxis maybe a dozen times. One of the days there, we hired a private tour guide who told us we probably walked 11 miles on that day alone. I consider myself to be in shape as I work out five days a week, but the big city seriously kicked my ass. And I loved every minute of it.

Growing up in a town of less than 5,000, it was my dream as a teen to move to Chicago (the only big city I had been to at the time). There was something about the convenience of big city life and new people to meet on a daily basis that had me intrigued. And it still does. But I fell in love with a farmer, and moved to an acreage where our nearest neighbor is literally a mile away, and we have to drive 15 minutes for literally anything. Still, I don't consider myself a country girl, and crave big city life even more than Oreos, so our vacations to exciting places are what literally keep me going.


This was my second time staying in New York, and I can
honestly say I've never felt more at home on a vacation than I did in our brownstone in Murray Hill. By the end of our stay, we were all literally referring to the rental as "home". I knew my way around the island almost immediately, giving me a confidence that took me by surprise. I even ventured out on my own to get a quick peek of the famous New York Library, but "twisted my ankle" (turns out I actually strained my Achilles tendon, kind of an old person's injury from overuse...maybe a sign that I was becoming over-confident). Upon returning to our small community in Minnesota, I fell into a bit of the post-New York blues. All the excitement and options of big city life were no longer available, and I was driving half an hour to run kids and get groceries. I think in another life I would've been completely content moving to New York right out of high school.

Here's just a really short list of the reasons why NYC stole this farm girl's heart:

1. The convenience of everything. It was literally half a block to a bar, half a dozen restaurants, a deli, convenience stores, and, most importantly, booze. Not having to drive a half hour round trip for the basics was liberating.

2. The ease of getting around. By the end of the week we were pros at hailing a free taxi cab, and finding our way around the subway system. I would love not owning a car and simply relying on public transportation. Sure beats buying a vehicle, paying for gas, car insurance. I'd do anything to shorten the 2 hour drive it takes to catch a concert, plus I hate driving at night and in bad weather.

3. All the people. I loved constantly meeting new people and hearing their stories. A majority of those we met (especially in the bars where we met the most interesting people) were open to starting up a conversation with a bunch of strangers. While there are days I would probably sit home and avoid the crowd, I would love the option of mingling with people I've never met. Learning about someone's life that's completely different than my own will never grow old.

4. Variety. There are new options available to you every day when in New York, whether it's where to shop, what to do, what bar to stop in, or what to eat, etc. There's so much to see and do I'm not even sure it could be covered in an entire month's stay. My nearest hometown has less than a dozen restaurants, one grocery store, a small handful of downtown shops, and a Walmart. I yearn for that level of newness in my life, so I guess that's why I love to travel.

As much as I've fallen in love with New York, I decided to get another tattoo while there. Luckily our amazing guide Mindy (of Real New York Tours) knew Wooster St Social Club (from the reality show New York Ink) was right around the corner when I asked if she could recommend a place. Now I can always be reminded of my visit, and have a part of the city with me wherever I go. But I promise you, dear New York—you big, beautiful concrete jungle—this certainly won't be the last time you see me.

THE ZOMBIES ARE BACK!

I'm super excited to announce The Time Zombies Became the Least of My Worries (sequel to The Day Zombies Ruined My Perfectly Boring Life) is now available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble! Finally you can hear the rest of Emma and Finn's adventure (some of it told in Finn's voice), and find out what happens to the rest of the gang of misfits. I know it was a long time coming, but I'm pretty sure fans of the series will be happy with the way it all ends.
If you haven't read the first book, it's only 99 cents on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Also be sure to enter the giveaway for paperback copies of The Time Zombies Became the Least of My Worries on Goodreads, and check out the brand new book trailer below!

Ever since the zombie virus hit Emma’s irritatingly boring Midwestern hometown, she’s been on the run with her old best friend-turned-boyfriend Finn. On their journey, they’ve witnessed some pretty disgusting deaths, narrowly escaped life-threatening escapades that sometimes included one of their own pulling a gun on them numerous times, and redefined the definition of what makes up a family (as it turns out, soldiers and geeks can be pretty decent). They’ve even learned the disturbing truth behind the mysterious virus. But after Emma was bit by one of the infected trying to save her neighbor boy, she was told she would not have long to live.
In the thrilling sequel to The Day Zombies Ruined My Perfectly Boring Life, Finn will help to tell the story as Emma and the gang are faced with the most crucial life-changing decisions yet. They’ll come across an unfortunate group of rednecks, discover the truth of what happened to Finn’s federal agent mother, and finally see a chance at truly being safe without having to run anymore. But in the middle of it all, Emma and Finn’s relationship will soar to completely uncomfortable levels when Finn takes things one step too far. And between being injected with an unknown liquid, taking on a completely unexpected (and really agitating alliance), and being left for dead by those she loves most, Emma will realize that zombies are the least of her worries.