Ariella Moon's Blog, page 25

Jo Grafford Spotlights Spell For Sophia

I'm a big fan of Jo Grafford. The person. The historical romance author. Her first novel, Breaking Ties (The Lost Colony Series, Book 1) debuted just as the television series, Sleeping Hollow intrigued me with an episode on the lost colony of Roanoke.
Today, I'm sending out a big thank you to Jo Grafford for her wonderful spotlight on me and my most recent book, Spell For Sophia (The Teen Wytche Saga, Book 4). Thank you Jo!
http://www.jografford.com/#!wwwjograffordcom-blog/c10w
While you check out Jo's spotlight, I'll be reading her new novella, Viking for Hire .
To purchase or learn more about Spell For Sophia and the rest of the Teen Wytche Saga, just follow any of these links:
http://www.amazon.com/Ariella-Moon
http://www.smashwords.com
http://store.kobobooks.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
https://itunes.apple.com

Viking For Hire - A Novella by Jo Grafford

Novellas and short stories are perfect reads for busy people. This one from my conference buddy, Jo Grafford, looks like fun! Magic, witches, and Vikings - how can we resist?
VIKING FOR HIREA novella by Jo Grafford  Published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.ISBN-13: 978-0692373798 (JO GRAFFORD) Genre: Historical RomancePages: 59
Blurb:Branwyn O’Tyre’s estranged brother summons her for a healing ritual. Fearing he actually plans to arrest her for witchcraft, she drinks a protection potion before he arrives.
Eirik, a Viking sea captain pretending slumber in the tavern corner, witnesses Branwyn’s magic and offers her safe passage from Exeter if she will reverse a curse that plagues him. Alas, every woman who touches him falls madly but falsely in love with him.
There’s only one hitch: If she fails, Branwyn’s heart will fall prey to the same madness...forever!
Buy Link:http://www.amazon.com
Quote:“If you wish to indulge in games, at least choose one that gives me equal pleasure. By Thor, I’ve been long without a woman.”VIKING FOR HIRE by Jo Grafford
 Excerpt #1:Two of the knights separated themselves from the group and rushed forward. Alas, the one on the left slipped on a puddle of ale and crashed into his comrade. Their helmets collided with a dull clanking sound that made Branwyn wince. Then they crumpled to the floor.The Viking stranger emitted a muffled guffaw and appraised her carefully. “Methinks I can guess the nature of the potion now. Come, lass. ’Tis getting late. We’d best be on our way.” The rogue actually crooked an arm at her as if preparing for a stroll in the park.Branwyn could only gape.With a sigh of resignation, he reached down  to clasp her hand and drew it through his arm. She gasped as a powerful awareness sizzled through her. ‘Twas sharp and immediate, stopping just sort of pain. Branwyn’s shocked gaze locked with the stranger’s. When the clarity of his blue gaze took on a slightly dazed sheen, she realized he felt it, too.Lord help her, but she was instantly drawn to his scent — a mixture of smoke and salt and mystery — as well as his strength. The pulse of his heart, the hum of blood through his veins, the aura of power and danger surrounding him. The air around them fairly crackled with the potency of their contact as skin brushed over skin.Alarmed, Branwyn tried to tug her hand free, but the stranger clamped his arm tighter to his side, imprisoning her. She nearly cried out from the sensations flooding her. Light. Heat. Joy.“Pray forgive the liberties I take with ye, lass,” he muttered in her ear. His breath on her lobe brought her just shy of the point of collapsing. “I will explain as soon as we are clear of this arse.” He steered her towards the door.

Excerpt #2:“Call yourself whatever you will, Branwyn. Your powers do not scare me. In truth, I sought you out a-purpose in the hopes you would heal me from the effects of a spell. ‘Twas cast on me by a most wretched sorceress.”Fearing another trap, Branwyn stared at the ground. “Methinks you mistake me for another. I am naught but a lowly healer, cast off by an overzealous brother in a fit of religious fervor. Wh-why do you ask me such things, m’lord?”“Very well,” Eirik snapped and dropped her wand back into the sack. “If you wish to indulge in games, at least choose one that gives me equal pleasure. By Thor, I’ve been long without a woman.” He closed the distance between them and hauled her into his lap.
Upcoming Review Tour:

About Jo:Jo writes high stakes romance. Her favorite books contain layers of intrigue with alpha heroes and strong-minded heroines who are willing to risk it all for love.
From St. Louis, Missouri, Jo is a member of Romance Writers of America, From the Heart Romance Writers RWA Chapter, and the Writers Group of Ansbach/Katterbach/Illesheim.


  
Jo in Social Media:Website: www.JoGrafford.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/JoGraffordAuthorTwitter: @jograffordGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7360736.Jo_GraffordGoogle: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JoGrafford/postsAmazon: http://amzn.com/e/B00G56XKS2YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dashboard?o=U

Before You Rush to Self-Publish…

Rants of a Writing Contest Judge
At writers conferences and chapter meetings I often hear novice writers express the same reasons for self-publishing:
1.     I’m afraid someone will steal my ideas if I submit my manuscript.
2.     I don’t want the hassle of submitting to editors and agents.
3.     Why share my profits with an agent and publishing house?
4.     I want full control over my work.
Some of these points reflect common misconceptions. The theft of a manuscript idea (as opposed to a screenplay) is far less of a threat these days than the unauthorized sale of published works on rogue websites. “Hassle of submitting ” may reflect fear of rejection, lack of understanding of where and how to submit, or an unwillingness to accept criticism. Sharing of profits and creative control raise valid points, but should be considered along with how a publishing house or agent can contribute to your success.


I frequently judge writing contests for published and unpublished authors. The latter give me an opportunity to offer constructive feedback. My goal is to help new writers hone their craft. Before I became a multi-published author of Young Adult romance novels (the Teen Wytche Saga) I entered several writing contests. As I applied the invaluable tips the judges offered, my entries advanced from Honorable Mention to First Place, and caught the attention of editors and agents.
Unfortunately, there are no comment forms for published author contests. It is assumed published authors are working at top form, and their books have benefitted from professional editing. With the emergence of debut self-published books, that isn’t always the case.



3 Edits to Make Before You Self-Publish
While judging contests for published authors, I have been dismayed to see solid story ideas undermined by poor writing and the lack of expert editing. Before you rush to self-publish, have a qualified critique partner or professional editor, check for the following:
1.     Remove all clichés. Clichés represent lazy, unoriginal writing and fail to reveal character or further the plot. Use them if you wish in your first draft, but flag them so can return when you know your characters better and can dig more deeply. (Bolted like a flash of lightning vs. dashed down the street, my hand pressed to my side to stem the I-need-to-work-out-more pain, as I pumped my stubby legs in a doomed effort to outrun old lady Mattie’s commando poodle.)
2.     Ferret out all adverbs. Are they needed, or are you using these -ly ending words to pump up weak verbs? (He asked impatiently vs. he snapped).
3.     Consider eliminating wordiness by replacing passive verbs and gerunds. (She was walking quickly vs. she strode.)
A top editor will scour your manuscript for these problem areas and more. Plotting. Head hopping. Passive voice. Continuity issues. So don’t rush. Solicit expert advice. Then craft the best product you can before you hit the publish button.

Copyright 2015 Ariella Moonhttp://www.AriellaMoon.com

Krysten Lindsay Hager Explores Friendship and Frenemies

Landry Albright returns in Krysten Lindsay Hager's new Young Adult book,Best Friends Forever? (Landry's True Colors Series).

Good friends have your back, but some go behind it.
Blurb:    Landry Albright hopes the new year will start off in an amazing way—instead she has to deal with more frenemy issues, boy drama, and having most of her best friends make the cheerleading squad without her. Suddenly, it seems like all anyone can talk about is starting high school next year—something she finds terrifying.
                  Landry gets her first boyfriend, but then gets dumped just as things come to a head with her friends. She feels lost and left out, but finds good advice about dealing with frenemies from what she considers an unlikely source. Landry faces having to speak up for what’s right, tell the truth (even when it hurts), and how to get past the fear of failure as she gets another shot at competing in the American Ingénue modeling competition.
EXCERPT 1:I got ready for bed and then stopped to check my social media page one more time and that's when I saw it — another picture of Peyton, India, and Devon hanging out. They were sitting on the couch with their heads scrunched close together and laughing. It was a cute picture, but then I saw the caption: So glad we could all be together for the holidays. Love these guys soooo much! Best friends forever. #Alltogether #Threemusketeers #BestFriendsForever #ThreeBestFriends #ThreesCompany.My heart sank. It was India’s caption and anyone who read it would think what a close‑knit group of friends and not realize anyone was missing from that photo. Sure, I was in another state, so naturally I couldn’t be there for it, but the way India wrote that made me feel so left out. I mean, what did she mean by the "ʺThree’s Company"ʺ hashtag? And sometimes people tagged friends who weren’t there in pictures and added, "ʺWish you were here,"ʺ but there was no mention of a fourth member of the group.“Ready for bed, hon?” Mom asked coming into my room.“Yeah, just signing off.”“Okay, sleep well.”I got into bed and hoped I was reading into things, but the knot in my stomach wouldn’t go away.
Excerpt 2: “Landry, it’s gotta be so awkward for you to be going to Vladi’s school next year,” Tori said. “I mean, what if you run into him during the tour?""It’s a huge place,ʺ Ashanti said. “People break up all the time. It’s not a big deal.ʺTori raised her eyebrows as if to say, “Yeah, right,” and went back to her sandwich. Meanwhile my delicious homemade soup was no longer sitting well. It never occurred to me Vladi might be around during the first pre‑freshman tour. I would be mortified if I ran into him and he was with a girl. Or worse yet, running into him, and he was with Yasmin. Plus, I hadn’t told my mom about the breakup, so if she saw him, she’d probably go over to talk to him. I could already imagine it: “Landry, Vladi’s here! Hon? Why are you hiding behind the garbage can? Your boyfriend, Vladi, is here. Come say, ‘hello.’ Stop trying to run away. Why is everyone laughing and pointing at you and calling you a ‘loser dumpee?’ What does that mean?”Well, maybe the world would end and I wouldn’t have to deal with high school or Vladi and my mother running into each other.****Sadly, the world did not end, and on Thursday, we all had to go to the high school for a freshman information night from 6 to 9 p.m.

Author bio: Krysten Lindsay Hager is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series, a clean reads young adult series. Krysten writes about  friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, modeling, crushes, values, and self-image in both True Colors and Best Friends…Forever?Krysten is an Amazon international bestselling author and book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and writes middle grade, YA, humor essays, and adult fiction. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in Portugal, South Dakota, and currently resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite shows. She received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.

What people are saying about True Colors (Landry’s True Colors Series Book One): From Teenage Book Recommendations in the UK: "This is a fantastically relatable and real book which I feel captures all of the insecurities and troubles which haunt the modern teenage girl. It is about a young model who has to go through tough times when she is torn between a life as a model and managing her friendships. You learn which friends she can most trust and which will create the drama typical of teenage life. Follow the life of Landry and try to see if you can find out which are her true friends before their true colours are revealed. This book is all about relationships, hopes and truth. I loved this book!" From Books & Authors Spot: “This book is such an inspiration for those who just care about their looks and are tensed about them. This thing is looks aren't everything. This book is related to every teen's problem. Hager has written a very inspiring novel.” Buy Links:Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-Forever-Landrys-Colors-ebook/dp/B00UIP1N5S/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1427190173&sr=1-2Amazon international: http://authl.it/B00UIP1N5SBarnesandnoble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/krysten-lindsay-hagerKobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/best-friends-forever-19itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/best-friends...-forever/id979714114?mt=11Connect with Krysten: Website: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/      Instagram: http://instagram.com/krystenlindsayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthorTwitter: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsay

Pigsty Princess: A Misfit Monarchs Romance

I fell in love with this title when fellow Clean Reads author Nancy Brandtfirst showed a promo picture of a piglet wearing a tiara.If you love magic, historical romances, and alternate kingdoms, you'll love

Pigsty PrincessBy Nancy S. Brandt
Back Cover Blurb:
In a country where Elemental Sensitivities determine a person's place in society, Mariana, fourth child of King Jonathan and Queen Alexandria, was born an Insensitive. She is given the made up title of Progenna, because she can't be in line for the throne and therefore, can't be a Princess. All her life, she is reminded that she isn't quite good enough. When her father decides she is to marry Pir Leo Valentine, an eighty-four year old man with a scar across his face that took his eye and only one hand, she runs away from the palace.

Orlando of Talla is a pig farmer and former soldier who served the King until he watched his Sovereign burn an entire harbor town rather than lose a battle. Now he tries to live a quiet life while leading a band a rebels who steal from the nobility to bring prisoners home from that war.

Orlando is also the bastard son of a nobleman, and therefore, he has a Sensitivity, one of Blood that allows him to feel the Sensitivities of others.

He finds the injured Progenna in the forest and immediately realizes that the stories about Mariana aren't true. Rather than being an Insensitive, Mariana may be the most powerful Sensitive in Valborough. 
Excerpt:
Mariana sniffled. “He said I was a commoner, and that I’m not Father’s daughter by blood.”
Ramone sighed and shook his head. “Gossip only. Not even worthy of the servants, and for it to come out of the mouth of a Rieravo and a Presumptive…I am surprised he would suggest that out loud to you.”
She adjusted herself so she was off her brother’s lap and faced him. “Ramone, what if what Darius said is right? What if Father isn’t…my father? No nobleman will ever want to marry me if that’s true.”
“First of all, it’s not true, and second, even if it were, Father has claimed you as his daughter. He will take care of you.”
It didn’t make her feel any better.
“You mean he’ll force someone into marrying me.” She got off the loveseat and went over to sit at her mother’s writing desk. Picking up one of the quills, she glanced at her brother in the mirror.
“It might not be like that,” he said after a moment of silence. “There must be some man who doesn’t care about bonding. Someone who will be content with having only his own magic.”
She spun around to stare at him. “Name one person you have ever heard of, male or female, who was willing to throw away the potential power of their Sensitivities to bond to someone with nothing. What do your history and peerage books say about that?”
He said nothing, but he didn’t meet her eyes.
Mariana nodded. “Just as I thought. I was stupid to think being a Proge…the daughter of the King would be enough. No one with any Sensitivities wants to wed someone they can’t bond with. I wish Mother and Father would have prepared me for this.”
“What could they have done, Mariana?” He walked over to her and, taking her hands, brought her to her feet. “You are special, one of a kind. You are my beautiful baby sister.”
“But I’m not like the rest of you. Father and Mother are strong Sensitives. By definition, Father is the strongest in the kingdom. You, Liliana, and Ursula have sensitivities in three areas.. Me? You know what the Abilities Master said when I finished my testing.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Do you remember? Father came out of his meeting with Kylan and said, ‘It is as we thought.’ Mother cried.”
He took her in his arms. “She loves you. She was crying because she knew your life would be harder because of this.”
“Was that it?” she asked. “Did Mother cry because I don’t have any Sensitivities or because Father found out about my true parentage? I have to know if I am a Princess in truth or just the result of some mistake Mother made.”


Author Bio:Nancy S. Brandt is a stay-at-home mother of two children, a daughter, 25, who is an appointment's clerk at an orthopedic clinic and an editor and book reviewer; and a son, 12, who studies karate, and wants to be either an historian or an artist. Nancy's husband, Steven, is also an author and an adjunct professor of computer science at Louisiana State University.

In about sixth grade, an English teacher gave an assignment to write a descriptive essay. Nancy's was all about a wonderful cave filled with diamonds, emeralds and other precious gems. From that experience, she walked into every English class hoping to get to write something, and she learned three things:

1. The difference between stalactite and stalagmite,
2. That fantasy was probably the genre she should concentrate on, and
3. Never end a story with "It was all a dream."

Nancy is a kidney transplant recipient (her husband was her living donor), a thyroid cancer survivor, and an Army veteran. She is currently working on the sequel to Pigsty Princess, called Questionable Queen.
Social Media Links:Website:  www.nancysbrandt.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NancySBrandt...  @NancySBrandtInstagram: nancysbrandtPinterest:  nancy_s_brandtGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NancySBrandt
Buy Links:CleanReads: http://cleanreads.com/index.php/pigst... Amazon - http://amzn.com/B00RUYRAB6Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pigsty-princess-nancy-s-brandt/1121192304Kobo - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/pigsty-princessSmashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/510325Itunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/pigst...

Five Ways to Stand Out at a Group Book Signing

In a crowded event like the Romance Writers of America annual “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing (July 22, 2015, New York Marriott® Marquis, New York, New York) how can a writer stand out?
1.     Write a Bestseller. Easier said than done. But those who hit multiple bestseller lists have their own tables (as opposed to shared table space), set off to the side to accommodate their many fans. Looking for Nora Roberts or Catherine Coulter? Just follow the long lines at the edge of the group event.
Alexa Palmer2.     Wear an Eye-catching Hat. Not all of us can carry off this one. I have an amazing emerald witch’s hat, which fits with the theme of my Young Adult paranormal series, The Teen Wytche Saga. Added bonus: since I’m petite, the hat would help me be seen. Downside: I’m too petite and the hat looks ridiculous on me. However, NYT, PW and USA Today Bestselling Author and shamanic witch, Yasmine Galenorn, (Otherworld Series), can totally rock a big hat. At the recent Desert Writers Expo, Alexa Palmer gained a lot of attention because of her large colorful hat — a perfect match for her children’s picture book — proving big hats works for different genres.

3. Have an Intriguing or Humorous Tagline. At the 2014 Romantic Times Convention, I shared a table Lori Crawford. When potential readers/buyers asked Lori about her books, her quick and startling comeback was, "I write Christian erotica." You'd be amazed at how many people stopped and gave her books a second glance.

5. Add Visual Effects. Your local Staples or Office Depot can print up posters of your book covers and mount and laminate them on foam board. To add movement to your tabletop display, set your tablet  on continuous loop and show a slide show of your covers or run your book trailers. 


4.     Offer Chocolate. Romance readers aren’t the only readers who love chocolate. Yesterday I participated in the Desert Writers Expo, a group book sale and signing sponsored by the Palm Springs Writers Guild. Several of the 40 authors in attendance had bowls of candy on their tables. When word got out I had brought homemade brownies, authors and readers sought out my table. 

Write the best book you can. Then, with a little creativity and planning, set yourself apart from the pack.
Ariella Moon
Desert Writers Expo 2015




Copyright 2015 Ariella Moon

Desert Expo Book Signing and Sale

My table is as far from the entrance and refreshment table as humanly possible!So work your way back to the stage, stop by, and say hello!I'll have swag, brownies, and... 

Let's have a magical day!~Ariella Moon

Book Signing Event featuring Ariella Moon

Book Signing Event40 Authors ~ All Genres
March 11, 20153:00 pm until 6:00 pmRancho Mirage Public Library71100 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 
I invite Young Adult fiction fans craving paranormal, first love, and clean teen (no swearing or sex) stories to visit me at the Desert Writers Expo. You can meet new authors; buy books and have them autographed. Look for me near the stage. Arrive early before my stash of chocolate and free bookmarks runs out!
It should be a sunny 84 degrees!
~Ariella Moon  

PantheaCon 2015

Mossy Dryad Girl by Plastik Stars

The Witches Have ArrivedCars bearing bumper stickers proclaiming "My other car is a broom!" and other pagan sayings fill every available space in the parking lot at the Doubletree. Notices in employee areas warn workers to park elsewhere for the duration of PantheaCon. And the big crowds won't arrive until tomorrow.

Random observationsElectric pink may not be the best hair color choice for beards.Spelling your name in runes on your badge is slightly annoying.The witches from the Mystic Dreams in Walnut Creek always think big and create visually interesting rituals.
PantheaCon BeginsWeapons at PantheaCon must be “peace-bonded,” meaning a spell must be cast on them so they can only be used for nonviolent purposes. I suppose this makes sense since wands and athames (double-edged ceremonial daggers) are magical tools that, in the wrong hands, could become magical weapons. Remember the Deathly Hallows café wand fight? No, it didn’t appear in Rowlings’ book (that I can remember). But didn’t you love it?



Rite of the Grand ConvergenceDid you know that during World War II witches cast a spell over England to protect it from invading forces? Tonight 13 covens from all over the United States joined together at PantheaCon to cast one of the largest protection spells in modern history. To speak of magic dilutes it power, so I won’t say what they were protecting.  But I hope the spell worked!
Handing out loads of Teen Wytche Saga badge ribbons!

PantheaCon 2015 So It Begins...

Reporting from PantheaCon 2015
The Doubletree by Hilton is eerily deserted the morning before the official start of PantheaCon, a gathering of 2000 pagans. Up since 5AM and operating on 4 hours sleep, I am grateful the only witnesses to my inglorious trip over the front curb are four uniformed bellboys and the distressed Super Shuttle driver.
Bruised and knee skinned, I stagger to the reception area where a petite (shorter than me!) young woman hands me a fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie. My mood improves exponentially. I jokingly warn her of the onslaught to come. Her tattooed eyebrows arch in alarm and her gaze darts to the nearest exit. This will be her first PantheaCon. Perhaps her last.
Still shaky after an hour nap, I take the hamburger cure at Spencers' - totally worth the $19.97 (with tip). Two businesswomen at the next table stress through their power lunch. One keeps saying, “I hear you.” It takes me a while to figure out she is not the one in the power seat.
By 3PM the ground floor begins to fill with doublewide women, earring bedecked men, and toddlers in cowgirl boots and tutus. By tomorrow’s opening ritual, neo-Vikings swishing animal tails, Goth teens, silver-haired witches of both sexes, mambos, Merlins, and druids will cram the ballrooms, elevators, and Sprigs restaurant.
The tribes and covens are gathering.
My Teen Wytche Saga badge ribbons await.

Copyright 2015 by Ariella Moon