Mia Hoddell's Blog, page 5

Autism Awareness Day Blog Tour & Giveaway

Today is Autism Awareness Day and, having known people with autism, when I saw R J Scott looking for people to host as part of this tour to promote awareness I couldn't not sign up. You can see RJ's master post here.

But for now here are some facts you might not know about autism.

Facts

While some people with autism live independent lives, others may need a lifetime of specialist support. Autism can have a profound and sometimes devastating effect on individuals and families.

Autism doesn't just affect children. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism.

Autism is a hidden disability - you can't always tell if someone has it.

Some people with autism have an accompanying learning disability, learning difficulty or mental health problem. 

One of the best known forms of autism is Asperger syndrome. People with the condition are often of average or above-average intelligence. They have fewer speech problems than people with other types of autism, but may find it difficult to understand and process language.

While some people with autism live independent lives, others may need a lifetime of specialist support. Autism can have a profound and sometimes devastating effect on individuals and families. 

Also as part of the hop, I'm giving away 5 copies of Summer Demons. All you have to do is fill in the form below.

I have also put the Seasons of Change Box Set back on sale for one week only.




GiveawayLoading...

Writing Update & Giveaway

I posted this on my Facebook the other day, but for those of you who may have missed it here's what's going on with my writing. I've had a few people asking about release dates over the last few days and whilst I don't have dates, here's what you can expect in 2015.
I'm currently rewriting the entire Elemental Killers series. Book 1 is with a few of my betas, and I've nearly finished editing book 2. All four books were complete, but I wasn't happy with book 1 and decided to do major rewrites on it (the start has been redone from scratch) rather than publish books 3 & 4, which need editing. Anyway, I'm hoping to release all four books at once towards the end of the year so the series will finally be finished.I have an Upper YA/NA contemporary romance complete that I've been keeping a secret. I will reveal more when I decide to publish. I'm planning an Upper YA/NA contemporary novel and will begin drafting it this week. I hope to publish it mid-year (fingers crossed).If I find the time I may start Seasons of Change Volume Two for an autumn release of the first novella. This is more tentative than the rest of the projects.
So, I know I don't have anything definite, but there will be books releasing at some point. Please be patient with me while I get Elemental Killers in order; I need to complete it for personal reasons so I can move on as well as wanting it out there for you guys to finish.


And now for a giveaway.
For a chance to win a paperback copy of False Finder visit Goodreads.
It's open to US, UK, CA and ends on April 1st.
Enter Here

Meet the Characters + Excerpt ~ Jed vs Mayana & Giveaway

Part two of meeting the characters from False Finder.
Jed and Mayana were complex characters to create because they have so many secrets. Often they ended up surprising me because when they appeared in the book I always ended up deviating from my plan due to them revealing another secret/motive. However, if you want to find out who they really are, and what they're planning you'll have to read the book.
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
Jed vs Mayana





Excerpt

“In regards to your other question, yes there are more of us. I’m part of an organisation.”Cora nodded but on the inside she was screaming. She just wanted all of the information laid out for her so she could decide what implications it would have on her life.“An organisation that wants to do what?” “We’re growing still. Every day we’re getting bigger and soon we will have enough people but we are missing one. We need you to complete our ranks,” he stated cryptically. He wasn’t even trying to answer Cora’s question.“Hold up. Answer my questions first. What is this organisation?” Cora asked, irritated.“We can help you.” Jed shrugged casually while taking a sip of his drink.“I don’t need help. I’m doing quite well on my own thanks,” Cora muttered. She knew what was coming next.“Really? Avoiding Carvelli numerous times because of tips we left you and then getting caught and having to escape? It sounds like you’re doing brilliantly.” Jed’s attitude shifted as he spoke with a sarcastic bite to his voice but his eyes danced playfully.“Well I’ve lasted a long time without being caught.”“With our help,” he responded quickly, while peering over the lip of his cup.“Who are the ‘we’ you keep referring to?”
“Say you’ll help us and you’ll find out,”

*Giveaway*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway link

Meet the Characters + Excerpt ~ Cora Shields vs Rogan Carvelli & Giveaway

False Finder has been out a few weeks now, so I thought it was about time I introduced you to the main characters ... well two of them. The rest will feature in a later post.
These have been, by far, the most fun characters I've created. They are tough, take no nonsense, and because the book is an urban fantasy thriller there was plenty of action to describe. Rogan and Cora have constant battles of wit, words, and physical fights (hence the title), but you'll have to read the book to find out the whole story.
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
Cora vs Rogan



Excerpt
Leaning forward, both arms propping his strong body up on the desk, Rogan glared at her.“I tried to be cordial. I agreed to your insane demands but this ends here and now. You will sign this contract stating you are employed by me or things are going to get very bad for you, very quickly.”Cora matched his stance, pulling herself up and meeting his gaze with unwavering eyes.“Get this into your head now as I’m not going to say it again. I am not, nor will I ever let you own me. I will never sign that piece of paper.” Cora kept her voice level, matching his tone with equal determination. She didn’t have a plan for how to get out but she knew she would never sign his contract.“Is that so? I beg to differ.” A flash of uncertainty flickered before Cora’s eyes as he spoke, not sure where he was going with his comment. It didn’t fail to escape Rogan’s notice and on the inside he was smiling with joy at his forward thinking.“You can’t force me to sign it!”“Am I that crass? I won’t have to force you.”Picking up a remote from the top of the desk, he pointed it at a painting that was hung on the wall to the right of Cora. It moved to reveal a flat screen TV and with the click of another button it flickered into life.As the image became clearer on the screen, Cora gasped in shock. Her hand moved to cover her mouth in disbelief and her head was shaking, not wanting to believe the truth that was before her eyes.“Still don’t want to reconsider my offer?” Rogan asked triumphantly, knowing he had won. 


*Giveaway*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway link

Major Discount!

For one week only I have reduced the price of the Seasons of Change Box Set. It is at its lowest price ever!
If you buy the box set now, you will save 40% over the individual sale prices and get 2 extra stories that aren't available anywhere else.

Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Amazon.au

Meet Me In the Garden by Rosa Sophia

A new release from fellow Limitless author, Rosa Sophia!
Memories of another life, and the garden where it all began, keep Amalie Jarvis awake at night.

A columnist for a popular magazine, she attends a function in Palm Beach at the famous Breakers Hotel, only to cross paths with graphic designer Ian Gardner—who appears to hold the key to her visions. The more time they spend together, the more Amalie realizes how much she wants to be with him. And how much she fears admitting that she loves him.

Ian can’t remember the past, but he is drawn to Amalie with an intense passion he’s never felt before.
Many moons ago, they met in a garden. Different names, different faces—but their souls were still the same. Unable to resist her, Ian falls deeply in love. He remains by her side as she battles severe facial pain, not knowing what it is or if it could kill her. Frightened for her, he swears his adoration without ever speaking the words.

But their devotion has dangers, and they’re about to be faced by hazards neither of them could have foreseen…
About Rosa
Rosa Sophia is a novelist and full-time editorial consultant. With a degree in Automotive Technology, she adores writing and editing as well as fixing cars. Rosa is also a crazy cat lady in training, and currently divides her time between South Florida and Pennsylvania.
Find her:Website: www.authorrosasophia.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/editing.by.rosa.sophia
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rosysophia

Release Day: False Finder + Excerpt

It's here! I know it's been up for pre-order since the 3rd, but you can now all finally read False Finder. I have been going back and forth between the nervous question "what the hell am I doing?", to excitement over the last few weeks because this is the first book I've released with a publisher. However, it's finally here and I'm excited to hear what you all think.

It is available to buy on Amazon, or is free with Kindle Unlimited.

I hope you all enjoy the book. It's different from what I've been releasing over the last year, but I loved writing it.


FALSE FINDER

Release Date: January 13thPublisher: Limitless Publishing LLCCover Design: Redbird DesignsPages: 400
Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK Add to Goodreads
Blurb ​Cora has been able to detect lies since she was born, she’s…a False Finder.

However when blackmail, betrayal, and lying are all the population has to protect themselves, it makes her dangerous. It also makes her a target.

Because of Cora’s ability, Rogan Carvelli—London’s biggest criminal leader—has been trying to acquire her for years.
​​Cora has learned to survive and remain undetected—at least until one careless mistake causes her friends to betray her.
Sold to Carvelli, Cora is only left with the help of a secret organisation to escape. She knows nothing about them, but they have saved her too many times to ignore.

​​However, the closer she gets, the clearer it becomes…
Their motives are far from innocent.

Excerpt
“Not my fight? How did you come to that conclusion? You made it my fight when you sold me, Cora. This is your fault not mine, and you only have yourself to blame!” Nick roared, his grip tightening to a new painful intensity.“I did not sell you. I cut a deal with Rogan and you were collateral damage. I couldn’t help it.” Even Cora flinched at her words. What she had done to Nick was awful, but it was a necessity if she was going to survive.“You signed my life away. You ruined my life by forcing me into a god-damned contract that has no loop holes. Not only that, but then you had the audacity to attack me when you escaped Rogan’s mansion last time. That is not collateral damage!”He didn’t realise he was shaking her fragile body until she let out another low groan. “You weren’t meant to be a part of the deal. I couldn’t help it. I tried to get you out of it, but there was no way. It was me or you.”“Don’t bullshit me. You know there was a way out. I did nothing to you but be there and you sold me out, just like your friends have done to you.” His words cut Cora like a knife, slitting her deep.“You knew too much…you knew my secret…you weren’t meant to survive.” Cora muttered the last line, her jaw tight with anger as she finally admitted the truth she had kept bottled up. He wasn’t meant to hear it, but he did.“What did you just say?” He was shaking her once more, anger flowing out of him as he was finally enlightened as to why Cora had betrayed him.“You weren’t meant to survive. You shouldn’t have passed the first test Rogan puts his men through. You weren’t meant to come back. I was meant to be safe.”“Well unluckily for you I manned up. Not only did I pass every test Rogan threw at me but I worked my way up. I’m now his second in command. How’s that for irony?”“Screw you,” Cora spat, tired of the conversation.“You wish. For now though, I think I’ll return the favour you so kindly granted me all those years ago.” “Let me go, Nick, for old time’s sake. I thought we were friends?” It was a lousy defence and Cora knew it, but it was all she had left.“We stopped being friends years ago when you shafted me, Cora. I couldn’t care less what happens to you anymore. Now shut up and move.”

Cover Reveal: False Finder

I'm so excited to finally be sharing this with you all! As you're probably aware, I hate keeping secrets once I have seen something related to one of my books as I'm impatient. I fell in love with this cover as soon as I saw it as well, which made not revealing it even harder.

But, I can finally share what False Finder looks like with you all and what it's about.

I hope you like it everyone!

FALSE FINDER

Release Date: January 13thPublisher: Limitless Publishing LLCCover Design: Redbird DesignsPages: 400
Pre-order: Amazon | Amazon UK Add to Goodreads
Blurb ​Cora has been able to detect lies since she was born, she’s…a False Finder.

However when blackmail, betrayal, and lying are all the population has to protect themselves, it makes her dangerous. It also makes her a target.

Because of Cora’s ability, Rogan Carvelli—London’s biggest criminal leader—has been trying to acquire her for years.
​​Cora has learned to survive and remain undetected—at least until one careless mistake causes her friends to betray her.
Sold to Carvelli, Cora is only left with the help of a secret organisation to escape. She knows nothing about them, but they have saved her too many times to ignore.

​​However, the closer she gets, the clearer it becomes…
Their motives are far from innocent.

New Year and Dates

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm back from the holidays as I couldn't wait any longer to get back to work--what can I say? I love my job. Anyway, I hope your holidays and New Year celebrations were good. My Christmas was eventful to say the least. My cat disappeared all of Christmas Day after some very loud family members came round, which dampened the festivities. That probably sounds like nothing, but my cat is so timid that he won't go out in the daylight, or stay out for more than 10 minutes at a time. He also always runs to me if I call him (he acts more like a dog than a cat), so needless to say I spent most of the day imagining the worst when we couldn't find him anywhere and he didn't appear until 7:30 the next morning. I am an author after all and I wish I wasn't in moments like this. I still have no idea where he was hiding, but at least he's safe and he was actually in the house somewhere. After all of that, I was thankful for a peaceful New Year.

Anyway, to the main point of this post. I have some important dates I want to share with you about my novel, False Finder, releasing with Limitless Publishing.

Dates:

Cover reveal - January 3rdTentative pre-order date - January 3rd (this could change but I'll post when the book is up)Release date - January 13th

If anyone is willing to share the cover on Jan 3rd via social media, let me know and I'll send the document over. Any help (a tweet/Facebook post/share) would be much appreciated.

I wish you all the best for 2015 and hope it brings you everything you want!

Happy reading,
Mia
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New Social Media

I've joined tsu everyone!

If you have an account add or follow me (or leave your link in the comments and I'll add you).

https://www.tsu.co/MiaHoddell

For those of you who haven't heard of tsu, it's like Facebook and Twitter merged into one, and so far I'm loving it! They don't hide things like Facebook or share your details, plus they also give back 90% of their revenue to us. You can sign up by clicking the link above. Promise you it's great.

Hope to see you all over there! I'm starting to prefer it to Facebook.

Happy reading,
Mia