H. Danielle Crabtree's Blog, page 5

What’s on the Bookshelf: Writing for an Audience

Since I returned to Albany in September, my coworkers at the paper and I have had several discussions about what it means to write for an audience. Any given day, we get phone calls with people telling us to go to hell (I’ve had two in the past week on my voice mail) for not answering the phone, telling the paper it sucks because they didn’t like the latest editorial and generally using inappropriate language.

Sadly, this type of behavior isn’t reserved for journalist. I have lots of author fr...

Writing Exercise: Sweet

There was something in his eyes that told me I should not surrender my doubt. His words flowed like honey, sweet and smooth, meant to draw me in. My heart panged, beseeching me to accept his apology and allow my legs to carry me forward so that I could fall into his arms. But a mind knew what the heart denied. He had betrayed me, and no amount of sweet could overpower the bitterness.

What’s on the Bookshelf: ‘Grasping at Eternity’

I’ve been reading a lot of young and new adult novels lately that, although they are wonderful, are cut from the same mold. The genre, the themes, the characters all feel as if you could rearrange the book titles and you’d still have the same story. In a market flooded with vampires and werewolves, it’s nice to see a book with supernatural elements that have nothing to do with blood or biting.

I think that’s one of the main reasons that when I opened “Grasping at Eternity” by Karen Amanda Hoop...

What’s on the bookshelf: My gift to indie authors

Last year, an indie author approached me and asked if I would be willing to edit her series, and I agreed. Since then, my dream of working as an editor and doing what I love has come alive thanks to the many indie authors who have taken a chance on me over the last year.

You are all appreciated more than I can say, and to show my appreciation, I am hosting a giveaway for you, the writer.

What’s the prize?

The grand prize is the author’s choice of a critique (manuscript analysis) or line edit for...

Cover Reveal: Flower of Isbelline

Check out the cover for “The Flower of Isbelline,” book two in the Queen of the Realm of Faerie series by Heidi Garrett. The second installment of Garrett’s fantasy series will be released on Dec. 18 in ebook formats, and this is one fairy tale you don’t want to miss!

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About the book

The half-faerie Melia is determined to save her sister from a false marriage and their world from a dark power. But her sister is determined to pursue their father’s dark legacy, and the cost of denying true love wi...

What’s on the Bookshelf: On Raven’s Wings

“On Raven’s Wings” by Isobel Lucas is the first in a series of five novelettes, and I’ve had my eyes on this series since Lucas announced it was coming a few months ago.

The combination of Catholic school girl meets good-looking guy meets rock ‘n’ roll typically means a level of sass that is right up my alley, and Lucas doesn’t disappoint me there. However, what I didn’t realize was that these novelettes come with some mythos too that take this series from the realm of contemporary new adult r...

Nandana’s Mark Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Nandana’s Mark giveaway! Winners have been notified via email. If you haven’t received your copy, please email hdaniellecrabtree(at)gmail.com.

Nandana’s Mark Giveaway Winners

Mark Asher

Marlan Vaughn

J. Baker

T.W. Fendley

Carol Flowers

Cathy Keaton

Cristina Reiser

Daton Fluker

Win a copy of Nandana’s Mark

Do you love faeries and pixies?
Do you love faerie tales, fantasy and magic?

Then enter to win a copy of the new adult novel NANDANA’S MARK, book one in the Queen of the Realm of Faerie series and the debut novel by author HEIDI GARRETT.

What do you have to do?

Just fill out the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win. The giveaway is open Oct. 8 through Oct. 12, and the winner will be announced on Monday, Oct. 15, via the participating blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

About the Book

Melia has a...

What’s on the bookshelf: Life, reviews and a giveaway

For those that I work with closely, you know how busy I’ve been, and I just wanted to start off by saying thank you to my clients. You guys are all fantastic, and I really do appreciate your patience while I’ve been managing so much over the last few months as well as the client referrals. It means a lot to me that you think so highly of me that you are willing to recommend me to other authors — so much in fact that I have something special planned for December for my indie authors — more det...

What’s on the Bookshelf: “Black Creek Burning”

With a mother who loves Agatha Christie and mysteries, I grew up seeing through the drama and searching for the truth among the clues. I love great storytelling, but even still, an author very rarely surprises me. When she does, I have to give her credit.

I thought I had “Black Creek Burning,” the debut novel by author R.T. Wolfe, all figured out thirty pages in. As a romantic, I excused the fact that I predicted the ending and relished in the romance of Wolfe’s multifaceted characters. Brie,...