Ariella Moon's Blog, page 43

12 Things No One Told Me About Sex After Rape ~ An Excellent Article by C.J. Hale

Rape has always been on my radar. Its evil has struck friends, family members, and clients. I've waited with a traumatized rape victim for the police to arrive. I've lost sleep while an infamous serial rapist terrorized the area where I lived. Through Lafayette Juniors, I helped raise funds for a one-stop medical treatment room at a rape crisis center. Victims of rape and molestation have come to me through my shamanic healing practice.

As a mother, and as an author of Young Adult fiction, I've observed the sexualization of pre-teens, and the peer pressure tweens and teens face to lose their virginity earlier and earlier. When I first set-up this blog, I included a FYI page with information and links about abusive teen relationships. Today, I'm renaming the page:  "Your Body. Your Mind."

Here, and on that page, I'm adding a link to one of the best articles I've ever read, C.J. Hale's,
12 Things No One Told Me About Sex After Rape

If you have been raped, or are in a relationship with someone who has been raped, please take a moment to read Hale's article. It may change your life, give voice to your experiences, or help you navigate the future.

Love and light,
~Ariella Moon

Goodreads: A Source of Frustration and Trolling or an Author's Best Friend?

I'll be the first to admit that Goodreads is low on my list of social media sites. I love the idea of Goodreads. I just wish I found the site easier to navigate. And since it often frustrates me, I don't visit it as often as I should. I always feel like an iMac girl in a PC world when I'm at Goodreads.

But as this recent Huffington Post article by Penny C. Sansevieri demonstrates, authors should embrace Goodreads.
But as the comments to the article warn, there are some solid reasons to avoid the site.
How to Become a Goodreads Power User (and why you would want to)

Authors? Readers? What has been your experience with Goodreads?

Book Covers and My Quest For A Teen Johnny Depp

What do book covers, Wales, Merlin, and Johnny Depp have in common? Quite a lot, as you'll see in my guest blog today for Felicia Rogers, author of Beyond A Doubt.
http://feliciarogersauthor.weebly.com/blog.html

It all began when I left the country for a Celtic pilgrimage in Wales two weeks before my second novel, Spell Struck was due to release. By the time the trip ended, I had immersed half the tour group in my nightly quest for the perfect book cover.

Thank you, Felicia Rogers, for loaning me your blog to tell the tale.
~Ariella Moon

At What Cost ~ New Book Video

J. Andersen, whose award-winning YA book, At What Cost, was spotlighted here in July, has a new book trailer. The choice of narrator surprised me. But I think you'll agree, the pick added power and interest to the video.
https://vimeo.com/71696245

UK Author Karen King Spotlights Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga

UK children and teen author, Karen King, features Spell Struck on her blog today.
http://www.karenking.net/blog/

If you scroll down on my blog, you'll be able to learn more about Karen King and her intriguing new YA novel, Perfect Summer. 

Sandra Bullock Poster in Spell Struck

Yesterday I took a break from writing and drove to the Regal to watch "The Heat," starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. A couple of hours later, pumped up on female empowerment and friendship, I headed home. During the drive back, I remembered that Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga, features another Sandra Bullock movie poster.

Can anyone guess which movie?
How about which character has the poster?

No fair peeking on my Facebook page for the answers!
~Ariella Moon

Marie Force Discovers Surprising Facts About Book Readers

Book readers are out there. They are hungry for well-written books and will seek out their favorite authors. But how do authors, especially those who are self published or small press published, find them?Questions Authors Ask ThemselvesHow can I break out of the pack?Social media! Where should I start?Social media is stealing hours from my writing time. How should I invest my time?Is advertising worth my limited resources? If so, then where should I invest my adverting dollars?Marie Force, a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, researched these questions and more in a recent survey. The results may surprise you.https://marieforce.com/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/149-the-readers-sound-off

Book 3: The Teen Wytche Saga...A Hint of Things To Come

Last night I squeaked over the deadline for submitting the manuscript for Book 3: The Teen Wytche Saga. My publisher, Astraea Press, had said the manuscript was due July 31--but didn't specify which time zone. So technically, I think I made it.

This installment in the saga is a bit of departure. New school. New characters. (Some familiar favorites return, so don't worry!) So I woke up this morning hoping to see signs (I'm a shaman) that Book 3 would fly.

I got my answer on, of all places, Facebook.
So here's the sign I received. It's not just the quote;
it's the shoes.

Thanks to www.facebook.com/fairiesmythsandmagic˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆

From Tragedy Comes Love: A Heartfelt New Release From Lynn Spangler

Today I welcome back Lynn Spangler, whose latest release, From Tragedy Comes Love, is a story close to her heart. Here is what she said: 
About the story:
This story was written in memory of my mother. She influenced parts of the story. I hope after you read the story, that you appreciate the ending. I know my Mom is in Heaven looking down on me now. I love you, Mom!


Blurb:
Sometimes light and love extinguish the darkness of tragedy…

The heartache of loss weighed heavy on Blythe Kenner. Blythe’s mother had been her best friend, her confidant, her mentor. Now, she is alone. Or is she?
In steps ex-boyfriend Garrett Richmond. Blythe dumped him with little explanation. His feelings for her were so complete that they made her feel unworthy. She was unsure if she’d ever be able to love someone so intently.
From the tragedy of death, Garrett feels the need to help, comfort, and shelter the woman who still held his heart captive. He knows she needs space after the loss of her mother but he won’t stay away for long.
Will Garrett’s daily check-ins rekindle feelings for him she thought had long since passed or will his strength and kindness ignite the spark threatening to light the fire again?

Excerpt:
With a wistful sigh, she opened the door and froze in place. Garrett Richmond stood in all his handsome glory. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. He seemed to study her, his gaze resting on her face. Oh, how she wished she’d never answered the door. She looked like a train wreck and felt the same. Garrett, on the other hand, looked impeccable in his three-piece suit.
“Your mother, whom I liked immensely, just passed away. I couldn’t ignore that or you. I had to see how you were.”
“I’m…,” she stammered. A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed hard. “I’m okay. Just dealing with funeral arrangements.”
“Are you sure? No offense, but you look beat.”
She leaned her head against the door. “I am tired. It’s hard to take care of all the arrangements and what-not by yourself.”
“You’re not, you know.”
Though his stance was casual, hands in pockets, jingling change, his face was serious. Garrett’s eyes were blue pools of emotions. His words echoed in her mind and she found herself confused by their meaning. “I’m not what?”
“Alone.” That one word held so much promise and she almost believed it.
Buy Link: Astraea Press


Author Bio:
I live in South Central Pennsylvania with my wonderful, loving husband and my beautiful daughter. I also have a son who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy. I have a cat named Kolzig and a dog named Cede who allow us to live with them.

I love to write and read. I also make jewelry when the mood strikes. I'm a huge sports fan. I love football, NASCAR, and hockey. I'm also a bit of a game show freak. I love old game shows from the 70's and 80's like Match Game and $25,000 Pyramid. Television shows like Criminal Minds and Rizzoli and Isles are also favorites of mine.

Perfect Summer: Karen King's New Mystery Thriller for Young Adults

Karen King's new YA novel, Perfect Summer, sounds intriguing and timely. I'm adding it to my To Be Read list!~Ariella Moon


Perfect SummerGrowing up in a society so obsessed with perfection that the government gives people grants for plastic surgery, 15-year-old Morgan can't help being a bit envious of her best friend Summer. Summer is beautiful and rich, her father is a top plastic surgeon and her mother is a beauty consultant with a celebrity client list. Her life seems so effortlessly perfect. Whereas Morgan isn't so rich or beautiful and her little brother, Josh, has Down's syndrome - which, according to the Ministry and society in general, is a crime. Then Josh is kidnapped and the authorities aren't interested so Morgan and Summer decide to investigate.They, along with another teenager, Jamie, whose sister, Holly, has also been kidnapped, uncover a sinister plot involving the kidnapping of disabled children and find themselves in terrible danger. Can they find Josh and Holly before it's too late?


Prologue  They were on their fourth game of poker. The air was tense; they played in silence, speaking only when they had to. The burly man glanced at the five cards in his hand, his expression unreadable. “I’ll see you.” He took a drag of his cigarette and waited. The woman sitting next to him studied her hand of cards and sighed. “I’m folding.” She placed the cards face down on the table, crossed her arms and sat back in her chair. They both watched the bald man on the other side of the table. He looked at his cards and frowned. The burly man took another drag of his cigarette and sent a spiral of thick smoke into the air. Then a shrill ring broke through the silence, making them all jump. The burly man grabbed his nanophone and the others waited as he flicked it open. The air was electric with suspense. “Yes,” he said brusquely. He was silent as he listened, then replied, “We will leave immediately.” He switched the phone off, threw his cards down and stood up. “It’s on,” he said, scooping up the handful of coins in the middle of the table and putting them, and the phone, in his pocket.“Let’s get going.” The woman left her cards and followed him. They both hurried outside to a dark blue van. The man climbed into the driving seat, the woman sat beside him. She took a slip of paper out of her pocket and keyed an address into the E--‐‑Nav. “We’ll be there in a couple of hours,” she said. “How old’s this one?” the man asked.  “Three,” the woman replied. “Shouldn’t be too difficult then.” The man started up the van and they set off. Chapter One “23.8!” I whooped as the score blazed on the wall for everyone to see. So far I was the top player. “That’s great.” Summer flashed me a too-bright smile. “Let’s see how I do.” Tucking her long blonde hair behind her ears, she pressed the silver button on the screen. A black ball rolled out of the chute. She bounced it against the wall like an expert. Tap, tap, tap. The two megafit lads who’d been watching nudged each other and moved a bit closer. Tall, slim, spike-gelled hair, looks to die for, the sort of lads Summer always attracted and I didn’t. But then I wasn’t effortlessly beautiful with creamy skin and diamond blue eyes like she was. “Game commence!” the automated voice announced. Summer caught the ball as it bounced off the wall and ran with it. A holoplayer flashed in front of her and she swerved just in time. If she touched a hologram she would lose vital points. The next holoplayer took her by surprise. She didn’t stop in time and a buzzer sounded as she ran right through him. “Penalty!” the automated voice announced. Summer grimaced. Two penalties and she’d be out. I knew she was desperate to beat my score. Summer liked to be the best at everything, and she usually was. But I always beat her at Xball. That made me feel good even though I didn’t actually like the game. Summer managed to avoid running through the other holos, although she lost a few points because she skimmed a couple of them. “18.9!” The autovoice declared. The score flashed on the screen as Summer threw the ball through the net. Summer shrugged her shoulders at the two watching lads then raised a perfectly-arched eyebrow at them as two girls--obviously their girlfriends--joined them. I’d seen her do that before. It was her, ‘What? You’re with them when you could be with me?’ look. One of the lads flashed a rueful grin back, but Summer had already turned away. “I’m done, Morgan,” she said. “Let’s go and get a smoothie.” We joined the queue at the elevator. The Holozone was always busy, especially during the school holidays. “Doors opening!” the autovoice announced as the doors of the cylinder glass elevator slid open and we all stepped in. “Doors closed. Select your destination!” “Sky Bar everyone?” a girl asked. A chorus of yeses affirmed the question so she selected the top button and we glided upwards past the kids playing hologames, laser sports, swimming in the jet pool or simply hanging around listening to music from the E-centres. We finally came to a smooth halt at the rooftop café. It was pretty full, but we managed to find an empty table and sat down with our smoothies--strawberry for Summer and banana for me. “Want to stop at my house for the weekend?” Summer asked. “We’re going to Roxy’s.” Did I ever! Roxy’s, on the top floor of the River Dome, was the best club in the whole universe. It was where all the celebs hung out. Then I remembered that the club was so exclusive that anyone not considered beautiful enough was turned away. “Do you think I’ll get in?” I asked, never doubting for a moment that Summer would. 
Author blurb Karen King has had over one hundred children’s books published. She’s written for many children's magazines too including Sindy, Barbie, Winnie the Pooh and Thomas the Tank Engine. She writes for all ages and in all genres; story books, picture books, plays, joke books and non-fiction. Perfect Summer is her first YA. It was runner up in the Red Telephone books YA Novel 2011 competition. Links
Website: www.karenking.net
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn&__adt=7&__att=iframe#!/KarenKingAuthorGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboardTwitter: @karen_king