Annie Anderson's Blog, page 7

Are You Dying to Meet the King's Assassin? You Just Might..

RISING ASHES IS FINALLY HERE!!AmazoniBooksKoboI am so excited to bring you the third novel in the Ashes to Ashes series, RISING ASHES!*throws confetti*Rising Ashes was a labor of love for me, and when so many people asked (pleaded, threatened and cajoled, but that's splitting hairs) for Evan & West's story, I had to write it for you guys. I received my marching orders, saluted the computer, and started typing. I fell even more in love with them as I wrote their story, and I hope everyone loves Evan & West as much as do.GET YOUR COPY NOWAmazoniBooksKobo**ENTER TO WIN**You all know I can't release a book without giving something away. It's a sickness, I know.This time I am doing something a bit different. TWO winners will receive a 24" x 18" Rising Ashes Poster as well as a signed Rising Ashes paperback!CLICK HERE TO ENTER!About Rising AshesWest Carmichael is not my real name.It is the name I pulled from thin air over five hundred years ago. I don’t come from royalty—I come from the dregs of the ethereal. As the King’s assassin, I have more blood on my hands than most. I don’t deserve her. I don’t deserve anyone.But I will keep her safe.Even if I die trying.Evangeline Black.My name sounds like the heroine of a historical romance novel – not that I read those or anything. My life so far: Dead parents? Check. Broken heart? Check. Evil mistress of darkness, hell-bent on power and thirsty for my death? Big. Honking. Check. But this mess won’t get cleaned up by itself.I’ve got a job to do.As these two reluctant hearts fight their pull, they must decide if they want to fall apart in the midst of the chaos swarming around them or yield to their hearts…and rise.GET YOUR COPY NOW!AmazoniBooksKoboI can't wait to see what you think about Evan & West's story. Remember, sharing is caring, and reviews are always welcomed. If you have any questions, just reply to this message and I'll do my best to assist you! See you on the flip side...XOXOAnnieThe Ashes to Ashes SeriesAurelia Constantine is having a rough century. Plagued by visions of murder, death and destruction, she has resigned herself to the nightmare her life has become. When an enemy from her past comes to her rescue, she must let go of old wounds and heal the breach so she may survive the evil poisoning her mind.Rhys Stevens is guilty. Murder. Betrayal. Treason. Take your pick; he’s guilty of them all. On the path of redemption, he must beg for forgiveness from the one person he fought to save - the woman he has always loved.Thrown together in the trenches of war, they must work as a team to stop a monstrous puppet master from pulling their strings.Ashes, ashes. We all fall down.Get ready to burn.Mena Constantine is pissed off. Finally freed from her fifty-year imprisonment by a maniacal leader, she is desperately trying to recover and get her life back. Problem is, the life she had is long gone. Struggling under the weight of her memories and healing from the wounds of her captivity, she can't seem to catch a break. Every waking moment, death seems like a relief she would welcome.Asher Crane is a dead man. As a Guardian to the King, his only purpose in life is to keep the King alive. And he's failing. Miserably. With the King ill, the Queen dying, and zero plans for a successor, he's pretty much screwed. Because if the King dies, the law says Asher dies, too.As these two wounded souls collide in a series of bloody and unfortunate events, they will clutch to the last shreds of life before death beats down their door.West Carmichael is not my real name. It is the name I pulled from thin air over five hundred years ago. I don’t come from royalty—I come from the dregs of the ethereal. As the King’s assassin, I have more blood on my hands than most. I don’t deserve her. I don’t deserve anyone. But I will keep her safe.  Even if I die trying.Evangeline Black. My name sounds like the heroine of a historical romance novel – not that I read those or anything. My life so far: Dead parents? Check. Broken heart? Check. Evil mistress of darkness, hell-bent on power and thirsty for my death? Big. Honking. Check. But this mess won’t get cleaned up by itself. I’ve got a job to do. As these two reluctant hearts fight their pull, they must decide if they want to fall apart in the midst of the chaos swarming around them or yield to their hearts…and rise.

Meet Rhys Stevens

Rhys is fessing up and answers some hard-hitting questions.I sat down with Rhys a few days ago to get some answers to some questions we're all dying to ask. I met him in a coffee shop in downtown Evergreen, CO, catching him in a rare moment away from his woman.First and foremost, everyone asks me how to say your name, can you school these peeps?It is pronounced like Reece – like Reece’s Pieces. It’s just the Welsh spelling, which if you’ve ever been to Wales, you know there are random letters in pretty much every single word.Okay, that was an easy one. Now for the hard stuff.Uh-oh. Be gentle.Have you met me? Where do you think Aurelia gets her sass from?Okay… Deep breath.Why did you put so much effort to be there for Aurelia when you knew she hated you? Why did you torture yourself with the pain of her rejection?Wow. Starting off evil, I see… Well, the bonding process for a Phoenix changes the very fabric of who we are. It changes the way we think; the way we act. It is why so many Oracles and Soldiers end up husband and wife – because if you had to be near someone for the rest of forever, if you cared more for their life than you did your own, if you felt in your soul when they were sad or angry or happy or content, wouldn’t you want to make sure that they had the very best protection? Wouldn’t it be your life mission to make sure they were safe? Happy?Do you think you were punishing yourself a bit? Because you knew she wasn’t happy?Maybe a little. I took quite a bit away from her to make her hate me. I’d always known this was Iva’s intention, but I did try to tell Aurelia my side of the story. It didn’t work, but I did try. I think I needed absolution from Aurelia, so yes, I think punishing myself was a part of it.You’ve been following Aurelia around for over a century. In that time, what has been your favorite place to live?England and Scotland have been my favorites, but I need to go back to get a gauge of them now that things have changed. When we lived there before, Aurelia and I were at odds, so my experience will most likely be very different now that we are together and not me stalking her all over the globe. I have a serious love for greasy pub food and Guinness, so the UK is the place for me.Do you have any hobbies that we’re not aware of?I have a closet affection for reality TV shows of the home improvement variety. I like watching how they take something completely awful and make it better. I especially love the ones where they rehab older properties. And if you tell my woman I like watching "Fixer Upper," I will end you.My lips are sealed. So, Rhys, you’ve been around for quite a while. What are some of your favorite moments in history?I loved the first space shuttle launch and Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. I felt like it was the humans getting that much closer to the Ethereal - close to the magic of the supernatural world that they walk past on any given day.Well, I think I've taken up enough of your time. Rhys, thank you so much for talking with me! Until next time!!Want to see where Rhys and Aurelia started?Need a teaser to whet your pallet?Look below.~Scattered Ashes~Ashes to AshesBook OneRhysGuilt is something I live with on a daily basis, but it gets worse on days like today. Today I get to play stalker to a woman I’ve been in love with for roughly one hundred and seventy years.A woman I cannot have.A woman who hates me with every single fiber of her being.Go me.As her Soldier, I’ve been bound to Aurelia for one hundred and sixty years. I thought as a young man I knew what love was. The inane notion I assumed was love as a boy is nothing compared to the iron chain tying her to me now. I’ll never love another woman. The bond assures that.It also ensures that as long as she hates me, I’ll never be happy. Because that’s what a Soldier is.A guardian, a lover, a husband.And as long as she hates me, I’ll never be what I’m meant to be. But at least I can keep the wolves at bay.I scratch my scruff and use the rearview mirror to keep an eye on the door to the gallery. It’s an awkward angle, and the collar of my shirt is digging into my neck.Fucking tie.I don’t know why I put on the damn thing. I never go into the building. Every single time I come to her openings, I hide in the car and watch the door like a damn pussy. Usually, I borrow a car from a friend, but tonight, I’m stuck in my rusted-out shit-box of a truck with no AC, and I’m in a Goddamn suit. I really should trade up, but this old girl’s been with me for twenty years.Letting women go hasn’t been my strong suit.CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXTWant even MORE Legion?Join my Closed FB GroupAnnie Anderson's Legionfor games, giveaways, teasers, memes and random thoughts. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.JOIN NOW

What's Your Superpower?

If you could do anything, what would it be?Me personally? I would be able to breathe underwater. As a former competitive swimmer and current mermaid aficionado, breathing underwater would be at the tippy-top of my Superpower Dream Sheet - followed closely by breathing fire, being able to organize a sock drawer, flying, and wiggling my nose to do the dishes.I hate dishes.Now, my characters all have a little something, something up their sleeve. But then again, none of my characters are human. Immortal beings guarding the gates of the beyond need to have a little extra help, know what I'm sayin'. Here are a couple of the abilities that some of my characters possess:Phoenix– A perpetually regenerating creature with an indeterminate life span. Appears human when resting, but when fully phased, displays Fireskin and Wings. They can heal from any and all wounds including but not limited to: beheadings, explosions, heart removal, etc, unless the wound comes into contact with Morganite. They congregate in groups known as Legions, led by a Primary Oracle as their leader. There are different types of Phoenixes with added abilities.Fireskin– When phased, a Phoenix can blaze an aura of fire around their body known as Fireskin. It does not damage clothing, but can be used to burn surroundings and enemies when enough concentration is used.Wings– Phoenixes can fly and display wings when they have phased. Phasing and displaying of wings is initially a very painful process but loses its agony after full maturity. The wings can damage clothing and nearby objects. Every Phoenix’s wings differ, and bonded mates’ wings usually match. When a Phoenix is sick, near the end of their lifespan, or if their soul has turned evil, the wings will begin to molt, shedding their feathers rapidly.Wraith– A perpetually regenerating creature with indeterminate lifespan. A Wraith appears human when resting, but when fully phased the iris and sclera of their eyes bleed to black, they grow talons and fangs and can hiss like snakes. Most Wraiths can move from one place to another on a wisp of smoke after they reach maturity. As they age the distances, they can travel increase. A Wraith’s main function is to ferry the souls of the evil to hell.See - my peeps are doing some crazy stuff and need all the help they can get!Want to dip your toe into a world ofPhoenixes & Wraiths?Need a teaser to whet your pallet?Look below!~Scattered Ashes~Ashes to AshesBook OneAurelia - 1855I can’t breathe. The trees are a blur of green, brown, yellow, red and black, the colors tumbling and writhing together in my mind. I can’t see them, but I know they are there. Just like I know something’s wrong.I can’t find him.I can’t.I can’t.The mulch-like growth and rocks on the forest floor crunch and squish together under my feet as I scramble through the bedrock and finish climbing the first foothill.Stupid skirt.Stupid slippery shoes.I’m not moving fast enough, but in my state, I’m surprised I can move at all. The stitch in my side is cutting off my breath.Where are they? I stop and search the sky, but I know it’s too late. The sky is rapidly turning the inky black of evening in the early Fall, and with no moon out tonight, I’ll never see the sky as properly as I should.The first blow comes, and I cry out in agony as a wound splits open on the back of my forearm.But there’s no one here.I hear no one and see no one, but a large gaping wound has torn open my arm from wrist to elbow. I smell the coppery bite of blood as the warm, sticky stream seeps down past my fingers and drips onto the dirt, swiftly devoured by the dry soil below.Blackness clouds my vision for a minute, but I force myself to forget the constant pulse of my wound and pull myself together. I rip a swath off my billowing skirt and use the fabric to bind my arm in an effort to stem the bleeding. The navy blue patterned fabric turns indigo from the blood quickly oozing from my wound.I pick myself up off the gritty forest floor and start walking, rather than the panicked pace of before. I can’t run with this wound. I’m already pushing it with this silly corset, especially in my condition.There. I hear it, and I know I was right. They are clashing together somewhere in the distance.They are going to kill each other.

Wonder Woman, Alpha Females & Why They Rock

I LOVE Wonder Woman.There. I said it. I have a deep affection for all female super heroes, but Wonder Woman is my very favorite. Did you see theWonder Woman trailer?? Did you squeal like a thirteen-year-old girl? No? Just me?Awkward...If you haven't seen it, I've linked it above. Do yourself a favor, go watch it and let yourself squeal like a kid. You have my permission. (Mostly so I'm not the only one.)Sure, WW is a boss, but what the hell does it have to do with me?Well, I write Alpha Females. Heroines who don't need to be saved or coddled or pandered to. Women who can hold their own in a fight, and can WIN. (And they get the guy, too. Bonus!)Here are three reasons why Alpha Females are the cat's pajamas:1. They can save themselves.2. They usually save the day/guy/world, all without smudging their eyeliner.3. They do what they want, when they want, and don't ask permission.So really, they do what guys do, only, you know, with lady parts. Yes, I skipped the dreaded "V" word. Ya'll are new, I can't scare you right off the bat.That comes later. Hehehe...**WINNER, WINNER. CHICKEN DINNER**Last Friday, I did a segment live on my Facebook page for Feast Friday. The winner of a signed paperback of Scattered Ashes was Colette Trainor. I had a great time with everyone, and I want to try it again.THIS WEEK: I'm looking for another dessert recipe for a chance to win a Swag Pack filled with tons of goodies!All you have to do is comment onthis poston my Facebook page with your recipe and you're entered!!* Winner will be announced LIVE on Facebook on Friday & the winner will be notified via email.Now for the cherry on top...Scattered Ashes ison SALEfor 99 pennies for a very limited time!Have you fallen down the rabbit hole of a world filled with supernatural creatures? Want to?Need a teaser to whet your pallet? Look below!~ Scattered Ashes ~Ashes to AshesBook OneI get mere inches away from her when I’m hit in the temple by a huge hand. It takes a second for the room to swim into focus again, but when it does, I see a fully phased Kyle looking like the boogeyman from a nightmare.What the actual fuck?His black hair is disheveled; his eyes have gone full black, and his thick, blunt fingers have curled into talons. And he’s hissing at me through two-inch fangs that would better fit a lion. The hulking man is standing between Nicola and I, his arms thrown wide to prevent me from getting to her.Why is he protecting her? Other than Aurelia and I, I’ve never seen a Wraith give two shits about a Phoenix in my life and vice versa.I’m two seconds away from pulling my Ruger and putting a bullet in his head when Nicola intervenes.She gently places her dainty hand on his shoulder instantly calming him. His sclera bleeds back to white, and his hands uncurl, the talons retracting back into his nail beds. His fangs are the last to go, and I can hear the dull crunch of bone reforming in his jaw.I make the mistake of relaxing my posture, and then like the fucking asshole he is, he strikes, tackling me to the ground with his forearm against my jaw. Before I can retaliate in kind, Aurelia gasps.Then she screams.She screams so loud, and so long I know I’m going to kill whatever monster is haunting her.No matter what.**Coming Soon**I have so much new and awesome stuff coming down the pipe.Take a gander at all of the things!!August 18-Rising Ashes (Ashes to Ashes, #3)Pre-Order HEREOctober 18- Ashes to Ashes Volume 1 Box SetNovember 1*- We All Fall Down (Ashes to Ashes, #0.5)Add to your TBRDecember 13*- Smoldering Ashes (Ashes to Ashes, #4)Add to your TBR*Dates are subject to change based on the whims of the muse. She's a fickle bitch when she wants to be.Until next time... See you on the flip side!

Let's Do Something Yummy & Excerpt Reveal

I had an idea...What if we did an awesome new thing where you get to see me be a tiny bit nuts, mess up my kitchen, and maybe win some freebies? Sounds like a dream come true, right? Whatever, I'm excited so...*throws confetti*Here's the skinny:Every Monday I'm sending out a newsletter to my subscribers with a call for either a dinner or dessert recipe. All you have to do is reply to the newsletter with your recipe, and you're in the running for that week's prize. On Fridays @ 8pm EST, I will attempt said recipe LIVE on myFacebook page. Whoever's recipe I pick to prepare is the winner.Sound like fun? All you have to do issubscribe to my newsletter, and you're golden from there.** Now for the meat and potatoes**Look below for an excerpt fromRising Ashes, the third novel in the Ashes to Ashes series.EVAN - 1928 - Los Angeles, CAThe first time I met West Carmichael, I was singing at a speakeasy in Los Angeles. My parents didn’t know where I was, and for the first time in a long time, neither did Aurelia. Hiding from a Seer is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but a special cloaking amulet from a witch friend seemed to have worked wonders.It was pretty. A sapphire the size of my thumbnail set in a silver filigree setting hanging from a thin chain that rests just below my collarbone. It wasn’t the nicest piece of jewelry I owned, but it was my favorite.Maybe because it granted my freedom.Or maybe because it matched my royal blue silk charmeuse gown to perfection. I used to hate dressing up, but this dress made me feel like a woman. It was an off the shoulder number with a daring sweetheart neckline – far ahead of its time. It fit like a second skin until it hit my thighs and then flared out like a calla lily into a delicate but short train. It may not have been the most comfortable dress I owned, but it made me feel like a sexy siren. Something that with my diminutive height, I rarely felt.I was alone – finally alone even in this sea of people– after so much time with the ones I loved breathing down my neck. It was like a vacation. I needed something of my own. A secret, a life, something to break away from my family. Something that didn’t say princess or royalty.Something that let me just be me. Singing was it for me.I was ending my five-song set with a favorite of mine, an old Jane Greene song when I saw him. I’d seen him around town a few times, when I was shopping by myself or when I watched a boxing match at the Olympic Auditorium, a scandalous activity for an unchaperoned young lady.But we’d never met.He was handsome. I even daresay beautiful, if you can call a man like that beautiful. He was tall – taller than anyone in the room by nearly a whole head –and built so powerfully he made the other men look like pitiful adolescents dressed up in their daddy’s clothes. It was difficult to tell if his hair was as dark as it seemed in the low light of the secret club, but it appeared black in the dim. Dressed to the nines in a brilliant black suit, he moved with grace through the crowd until he found his seat at the only open table in the joint, folding his huge frame into the chair with the grace of a jaguar.Papa had taken me to Brazil when I was just a little girl, and we saw the big cats roam the rainforests. He moved just like those jungle cats, scanning the room for prey and threats, watching everything with disinterest, as if he could take or leave the sights and sounds and people. As if he were bored in this raucous party that seemed to never end.© Copyright 2016 Annie AndersonAre you excited!? Me too!I can't wait for you to get Evan & West's story in your hot little hands.You can pre-order Rising Ashes from these retailers:AmazoniBooksKobo

Rising Ashes is almost here & Scattered Ashes is FREE for a limited time!

Rising Ashes will be here August 18th!!Rising Ashes, the third novel in the Ashes to Ashes series, has a cover by the wonderfully talented Shari Ryan withMadHat Covers!You can Pre-Order your copy of Rising Ashes here for 99¢:AmazoniBooksKoboWest Carmichael is not my real name.It is the name I pulled from thin air over five hundred years ago. I don’t come from royalty—I come from the dregs of the ethereal. As the King’s assassin, I have more blood on my hands than most. I don’t deserve her. I don’t deserve anyone.But I will keep her safe.Even if I die trying.Evangeline Black.My name sounds like the heroine of a historical romance novel – not that I read those or anything. My life so far: Dead parents? Check. Broken heart? Check. Evil mistress of darkness, hell-bent on power and thirsty for my death? Big. Honking. Check. But this mess won’t get cleaned up by itself.I’ve got a job to do.As these two reluctant hearts fight their pull, they must decide if they want to fall apart in the midst of the chaos swarming around them or yield to their hearts…and rise.Add it to your TBRPre-Order your copy of Rising Ashes for 99¢AmazoniBooksKoboScattered Ashes is FREE on Amazon!Scattered Ashes, the first novel in the Ashes to Ashes series, is FREE!Get your copy for FREEHereAurelia Constantine is having a rough century.Plagued by visions of murder, death and destruction, she has resigned herself to the nightmare her life has become. When an enemy from her past comes to her rescue, she must let go of old wounds and heal the breach so she may survive the evil poisoning her mind.Rhys Stevens is guilty.Murder. Betrayal. Treason. Take your pick; he’s guilty of them all. On the path of redemption, he must beg for forgiveness from the one person he fought to save - the woman he has always loved.Thrown together in the trenches of war, they must work as a team to stop a monstrous puppet master from pulling their strings.Ashes, ashes. We all fall down.Get ready to burn.Get your copy for FREEHereSaveSaveSave

Rising Ashes is off to the editor!!

I did something awesome on Sunday. I completed a goal I set out for myself. People who don't know me have no idea how hard I am on myself. If I make a goal, I intend to meet it, kick its ass and then make it run home and cry to its momma. When I don't meet a goal... Well it is no fun being around me. (Just ask my bestie when I think I might not meet a goal. I'm an asshole.) My goal this time was to get at least three books published in under a year, and because I met my self-imposed deadline for

New Covers, Blurb Reveal & SALE!!

Scattered Ashes & Falling Ashes have brand new COVERS!! The both novels in the Ashes to Ashes series have new covers by the wonderfully talented Shari Ryan with MadHat Covers and they're on SALE for a limited time!  AmazonAurelia Constantine is having a rough century.  Plagued by visions of murder, death and destruction, she has resigned herself to the nightmare her life has become. When an enemy from her past comes to her rescue, she must let go of old wounds and heal the breach so she may

Memorial Day SALE & Spring Fling SUPER Sale

Before I get into the SALE stuff, I wanted to check and make sure you knew about a little ditty I have going on FB. Did you know I have a closed group for fans? This is a special, private group for fans of my books. I post exclusive excerpts, teasers, deals & giveaways. You guys will see everything first, and some stuff I'll ask you to keep under your hat for a bit. (Who doesn't like knowing things other people don't know? Am I right?) Have questions about my books or current WIPs? Find out

Join the Mother's Day Facebook Hop! Enter to win awesome prizes.

From Friday, May 6th at 12:30am EST until Monday, May 9th at 12pm EST, 133 authors and blogs have come together to offer prizes on every page PLUS the chance to win part of the grand prize through the giveaway below. Don't miss out!Visit one, or all to participate.Easy entries. Meet some new authors!Discover some awesome blogs.Most of all...have fun!The Mother's Day Hop Starts Here:www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnieAnderson