Karli Rush's Blog - Posts Tagged "amazon"

Well hello, I was invited by an extremely wonderful and very talented  author friend, Eva LeNoir, to participate in a “blog hop interview.” In order to participate, I will answer a few interview questions, and then I will tag three other author’s. They post interview questions on their blog pages. The folks they tag, will post their interview questions and answers on their blogs, and so forth. A lot of hopping! You can find Eva’s interview questions and answers   here. 


1. What are you working on right now?

I am working on my first Contemporary Romance which is titled Let Your Heart Drive. It is a tale of a young girl, Sinead Noelle, she's struggling with life and all that it has to throw at her. She hungers to stand on her own two feet and face her own secret demons. What she finds during this life's journey is, Shawn. A young man who works in road side for a car rental company. He doesn't know it yet but all this time he's been living a life filled with ease as he helps support his sister and niece. He thinks life is good, but then his own life spins out of control with a single phone call.  When destiny brings these two together will barriers be broken, walls be destroyed, and secrets revealed? 




2. How does it differ from other works in its genre?  


I would say that I  am pulling a lot from my own life experiences here in Oklahoma. So, that in itself, I feel, gives it a uniqueness that you won't find in another book. 


3. Why do you write what you do?

I write for myself mainly. I love stories and after reading a be-gillion books I feel something is missing. Something I feel drawn to put in a story. So, that usually leads me into writing, my way. I love the creation of a novel and the development of my characters. They speak to me and I listen, it is just the way I write. My hope is that once I am happy with one of my books that if finds its way into the hands of someone else that will enjoy it too.


4. How does your writing process work?

It is such a creative process. I expose my imagination to a variety of things, music, news, nature walks, anything really. I wait with my mind wide open and see what comes to me. If it doesn't come I don't write. My main problem, which is a good one, is that it doesn't quit coming. I have about four books rattling inside my head right now and Let Your Heart Drive won its place in the front of the line, so that one is next.  


In addition, I am tagging the following authors. Kristie Haigwood, Trish Marie Dawson, ER Pierce. Make sure to check out their blog posts on the following date: October 21, 2013.


Okay... I am tagging three authors — you’re it!

Kristie Haigwood




Trish Marie Dawson

ER Pierce

*Dances around madly* I am proud to announce my tenth novel which will be published this June. June 1, 2015 will be the release date, but you are able to pre-order it now!




link


As some of you may know this is my very first contemporary romance and I’m extremely excited about sharing this story with you. At least two years this couple (Sinead and Trey) have lingered with me and I have to say it was a bit difficult for me to write at first, only because I itched to write in a dash of paranormal or a pinch of supernatural. Believe me I felt the sudden urge to drop an Easter egg or two in the story and…maybe I did. Now this is a standalone novel and a HEA. I hope my readers will enjoy it and if so, tell a friend or your dearest book buddy. <3

Next – I want to announce my Crescent Bound Box set is out, yes, you can now have the entire Bound series in one! Book one through five – Crescent Bound (which is Free!) Raven Bound, Demon Bound, Shadow Bound, and Ice Bound all complied together to make the set complete.



link

Since you’re here I want to let you in on a little secret, May 5th through May 7th I will have the Crescent Bound Box set on sale! So, be sure to mark your calendars.

I hope everyone has a phenomenal week and weekend. I am off to prepare Let Your Heart Drive in paperback and decide which story I will conquer next! <3

Synopsis

“The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye.” – Jimi Hendrix

I live in the shelter of darkness.

This darkness holds a secret over me… one that I have come to protect and in return it controls and holds me back.
It’s time to start fighting against it and break free. To become the unrestricted woman I yearn to be. For this to happen it will take a sixteen hundred mile road trip to let go of all that I fear and hopefully discover that the darkness doesn’t lurk everywhere. I stand on the edge overlooking a horizon of possibilities for the first time. Will I let my heart drive… to where it needs to be?

A unique romantic tale of one girl, one road, and a chance meeting with someone that will change everything in every way.

Disclaimer – This book is intended for mature audiences only.






Let Your Heart Drive

Available on Amazon Now!
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Heart-Driv...

It’s amazing to think it is 2017! Where has the time gone? I ask myself this every single day, and everyday I plan to accomplish a word count or a scene, half a scene or something! But, and I hate to say it my writing groove has vacated the premises. I realize since August 2015 things haven’t been quite the same, and without him it’s been quite a challenge for me to commit whole-heartedly to writing.

How does one pick up after losing your number one confidant? I mean he’s the reason I started the journey of writing. Midnight (the second book in the No Death for the Wicked series) was the last book he was reading, so in saying all this Memoirs of a Superhero will be my first novel without his loyal support and his loving encouragement.

Don’t get me wrong. My heart still beats fervently for writing and I have a couple of stories brewing inside me, but if I can stick with my goals for this year, like completing Memoirs of a Superhero. And pursuing Mary Jane (the next installment in the Deadwood short stories) and Citeron (book two in the Veil Realms series), well I think you get the picture – it’s time to get the ball rolling!

So without further ado, here’s a little snippet of Memoirs of a Superhero –

“Lacey? I think Mia might reschedule for this weekend and you haven’t been to Mr. Lockwood’s residence yet…would you consider it?” Remi questions, she eases back in her chair donning a candid grin. All eyes fall directly on me and before I can protest and throw in all my analytical reasons, Remi points her long pink painted nail at me and chides, “You work the desk night and day, Lacey, and we think you need a break from the office.”

“We?” I query pushing my glasses farther up the bridge of my nose. I roam my eyes around the break room, not sure how this even came about, my role behind the desk has been cyclical, maybe even trite at times. A thought surfaces to my mind as I guzzle down the rest of my coffee, my life is structured by the book, straight and orderly. Precisely, from seven to five I’m a business owner. After hours, I make excuses as to why I can’t meet for drinks or late night dinners. My time is consumed with cheats and low-lives stalking the streets of Fairwater. And as of late, things crime wise, have been rather dull. Exactly the same for my love life, dismally and pathetically dull. I step over to the sink and rinse out my coffee mug debating with who would be a better candidate than myself. “Remi, don’t you have one other client early Saturday morning? Mr. Lockwood’s appointment isn’t until five-thirty…”

“Oh, Lacey… don’t start to pencil me in just yet,” Remi replies jumping to her feet, her full-figured hip leans against the counter-top. “I have plans remember? Rob’s taking me to a concert Saturday night, besides we all think you need to check out Mr. Lockwood’s place.” Her arms fold over her chest as she quietly nods, urging everyone around us to agree. The room strums with approval.

“We?” I mumble again. “I know what you’re trying to do Remi—”

“What? Take a peek at a guy that looks too good to be true?”

I wave toward the laptop, the same laptop still showcasing his handsome face and explain, “I already know what he looks like…”

She moves closer. “But with his shirt off?”

“What?!” My brows scrunch together in surprise, my cheeks warm with heat and I can’t seem to do anything else except blink. “Wha—when…why were you watching him get dressed?” I mumble out.

She taps a nail along her forearm and says, “He was undressing.” She emphasis the un part with a growing smile and adds, “I had just brought Nibs home from our evening walk and he barreled past me slinging off his shirt and ran upstairs. I wasn’t sure if I should go see where the fire was, but for a split moment I knew there was a God because I had just been graced by the most well-defined man on the planet.”

Mia pipes in, “I wasn’t as lucky, but last weekend I was hanging Nibs’ leash up in the foyer when I noticed clothes flung all across the floor. His expensive Stefano dress shoes were chucked off to one side and then there were his slacks, jacket and shirt sprinkled all over the steps. The way it looked to me, he wasn’t alone and whoever she was did an amazing job of stripping him down.”

“And why is this any concern of ours? I smirk trying to act aloof. This is the last thing I need in my life, a charismatic, attractive egocentric male parading his manliness around.

“Don’t you think he sends off this vibe like he’s some sort of lone wolf? A riddle to be solved?” Donna quizzes standing up. She tips her short pixie cut blonde hair to one side and glances at the screen. “He’s single, never been married, moved here just a few months ago and owns some sort of notable technology company.” She sits on the edge of the table tallying off each point. “His company doesn’t even reside here…”

“So?” I state and walk toward the laptop. “It’s his business, he can operate anywhere in the world, that doesn’t necessarily make him an anomaly.” I tap a few keys and close his profile. “But, just to prove a point that there’s nothing riddling about this man I’ll go.”

Donna runs her hand down my forearm, her neatly trimmed brows lift as she offers, “Lacey, believe me when I say, some men make sense, some are work driven slaves, some have their secret addictions, sex, drugs to online pornography, but Mr. Lockwood, he’s something entirely different and you’re—”

“And I’m going to come back Monday morning and tell you he’s nothing more than a boring reclusive man.”




Memoirs of a Superhero - coming soon!

I feel like I have been riding on a roller coaster, I’m sure most of you can relate. Recently, we had family come in from Pennsylvania and Virginia for my husband’s ceremony. Everything went beautifully, I felt more at peace placing my husband’s remains at this gorgeous national cemetery. Having friends and family around always makes things run a little smoother. And, I do feel it gave everyone some closure, including myself.




Now the one thing I was truly hoping for was for my youngest son, Nick, to truly enjoy meeting his family from out-of-town. I realize it was a lot for him to take in… new people, new sights, new scents. The experience was new for him. And then you add the dreary, rainy weather in the mix and you get a very unhappy camper. I know some may say, “Oh, the weather can’t possibly have anything to do with headaches or behavior changes…” But I am here to tell you, yes, it can and does with my son. He can literally feel a storm brewing hours before it actually hits our area, he paces feverishly around the house. Peering out of each and every window like he’s waiting for the storm of all storms to come, and then afterward, the pounding headaches occur. He struggles so much in just dealing with the pain, it’s difficult for him to focus on anything else.

Each time I can see the mountain of frustration riddling his face. And as an autistic parent, it can be extremely tough because for him it’s hard to verbalize what’s going on. We’ve come a long way and I have discovered so, so much in these past few years since my husband passed away. It’s not a path I would pick even for my worst enemy; raising a child with a disability on one’s own. It’s not easy by any means.

But there is a gift … For me, there are days I see him, my son, I can actually see this beautiful young man staring back at me. There are days where he just comes up and kisses me on the cheek and hugs me, cooks with me, paints with me and those are the days I cherish more than anything else. Those are the days that offer hope to me, that tell me not to give up.

One thing I found truly encouraging when our family came down was how accepting everyone was, how each family member boldly offered their love to him. There was never a moment of insulting questions or offhanded remarks. Everyone seemed to understand that Nick has autism, that a sudden sound or common noise to us could trigger a meltdown for him.

Even though a union of acceptance surrounded us, my stress level was off the charts, only because I desperately wanted Nick to allow his grandmother one glance, one hug, maybe a few words like I love you, but he was confined in the world of autism. Perhaps, in time and with the many changes I am including in our daily life, more progress will show.

So, in this blog, I want to address two things. One – Don’t ever give up on the ones you love and Two – don’t give up on the things you love. And in saying this, I have finally, after three long years, completed a novel, titled Memoirs of a Superhero . Yes, it is available on Amazon, and yes, I do plan on writing more, a lot more! 😉

I truly believe there is a unique journey for all of us and I know some days can be somewhat challenging, believe me I know! But even in the darkest of nights, there are always stars shining above us.

So please help spread the awareness. Help educate, support, encourage, and love families living and dealing with autism. One kind word or act of kindness toward them can go a long, long way!

Hi everyone! I know I’m a bit early wishing everyone Merry Christmas, but I figured with how crazy this year has been, I decided now is the best time to wish you happy holidays! So I’m trying today to tackle wrapping presents while listening to Christmas music and sipping on hazelnut coffee. I’ve hit a pause in writing because I’ve had two surgeries recently (eye surgery, let’s just say it was no fun!), and I’m just going to try and recover from that. However, I still have the mental outlines for Strings of Magic (I’m three-fourths of the way of completing it!), and Earth Bound will be my next book to publish. So bear with me.

I want to share a few holiday treats with you. First Let Your Heart Drive will be free on Amazon starting Friday, December 10, 2021, to Sunday, December 12, 2021. If you enjoy contemporary romance and a strong female character, this will be the book for you! Here’s the blurb –

I live in the shelter of darkness.

This darkness holds a secret over me… one that I have come to protect, and in return, it controls and holds me back.
It’s time to start fighting against it and break free. To become the unrestricted woman, I yearn to be. For this to happen, it will take a sixteen hundred-mile road trip to let go of all that I fear and hopefully discover that the darkness doesn’t lurk everywhere. I stand on the edge overlooking a horizon of possibilities for the first time. Will I let my heart drive… to where it needs to be?

A unique romantic tale of one girl, one road, and a chance meeting with someone that will change everything in every way.

I’ve had readers ask if there will be a continuation for Let Your Heart Drive, wondering if Sinead will finish out her journey on Route 66, and I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit, actually. So, we shall see! But I’d like to ask you, the reader of this blog if you enjoy a series of contemporary romances or prefer paranormal instead?

I enjoy several books, and some are standalone, and some are series, both of which are contemporary and paranormal. So I thought I’d see what my readers enjoy the most.

Let Your Heart DriveKarli Rush
Okay, on to our next treat! I’m going to give you a sneak peek at the first chapter of Strings of Magic! Plus, the cover! Ready?



Chapter One
“Hey, Liv, are you almost ready?” Nina shouts.

I drag my hands over my face and rise up from the edge of the bed. Slowly I move my body toward the closet and shout back. “Ah… yeah. One sec.” I’m shocked to hear my voice sound so natural, almost cheery even. I snag the first shirt and pants I see, throw them on, and head for the front door. I can hear Nina’s footsteps racing down the steps behind me on my way out. “Nice, you look… uh…” she remarks.

“Glamorous?” I reply cynically over my shoulder.

“Not really… you look more like we’re going to rob a bank. I mean, I love the all-black style you have going on but don’t you think you could try to perk up your wardrobe, maybe?” She hits the key fob and unlocks the car. We settle in her Fiat, and I quietly watch as she rummages through her bag.

“Perk up my wardrobe? Why on Earth would I do that, Nina?” I question and slip out her shimmer-me-pink lip gloss. “Ah. You left this in the bathroom. Can we go now?”

“Oh my god, Liv. Do you know I looked everywhere for that? For a moment there, I thought I’d never find it,” she says, smearing the shiny gloss across her lips and smiles. A few seconds pass as she primps herself in the mirror, satisfied; she tosses her bag in the tiny backseat. “Come on, Liv, don’t look so bummed out. Tonight will be fun. Besides, how many times can you sit at home and watch P.S. I Love You?”

I let a small smile reveal itself and reply, “And how many times do you drive to Bernie’s and stare at that cute bartender?

She shrugs a shoulder and starts the car up. “Not enough because he still hasn’t asked me out.”

I let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, Nina and her quest for love…” I glare over to her and add, “It’s not all that’s it’s cracked up to be. Take it from me. I should know.”

“Maybe, Liv. But tonight, I want you to let your hair down, have a few drinks, and listen to The Spellcasters because they will blow your mind,” she squeezes the steering wheel and wiggles in her seat like she’s about to combust with excitement.

“Yay…” I remark sarcastically.

Thirty minutes later, we’re parked outside of a brick building, and the place is packed. A weathered sign hangs above with the words Old Town. The bar is a popular venue for most, and grudgingly I’ve been here a few times. I never understood why my best friend, Nina, always frequented this hole in the wall. But as we enter, I’m reminded why she loves this place. Through the low lights and bustle of the crowd, Nina shines like the sun with her platinum blonde hair, tanned skin, and a smile that can light up any dark abyss. I keep my stride beside her like a lost moon in the dark. For years, we’ve been this way, a balanced contrast, and I always find it amusing watching how others react to us. Mostly the men stare, crane their necks to get every possible view of Nina, and once their eyes focus on me, it lingers just a fraction of a second, and then it vanishes. As if my scowling dirty look makes them flinch and redirect their gazes.

Nina nudges me. “Come on, let’s grab a drink,” she says, squeezing between a huddle of girls. Once we reach the bar, Nina orders her drink, and I lean in beside her shaking my head.

“Talk about changing things up. Is that the only drink you know? The Gimlet, Nina?” I tease.

“No… it’s not the only drink I know,” she retorts and thanks the bartender. “I just love the way it tastes. So…should I just order you a bottle of gin, Liv?” She quirks a slender brow up and smirks at me like she’s Miss Hoity-toity.

I chuckle. “Just because I can out drink you doesn’t mean you have to be a smartass about it,” I remark and playfully glare at her. “All right, I may regret asking this, but what is it about this band that has you so pumped?”

Nina grabs our drinks and nods toward the side. I follow, weaving through the horde of people. “You’ll see…” she yells over the rising noise with a smile. A band drones out, and eventually, Nina finds a spot where we can stand and not have someone bumping into us.

I steal a sip of my drink. “Please don’t tell me I’m here because you find one of the band members hot,” I complain, eyeing her before I steal another sip. I add, “I could be at home right now—”

“Watching some sappy love story and crying your heart out?” she sasses and shakes my shoulder. “Oh, Liv, stop living in the past and enjoy the moment!” She starts jumping up and down and screaming as a new band approaches the stage. The overhead lights change colors, and a rush of fog clouds the stage, and then out of the haze, the drummer for The Spellcasters starts pounding out a heavy rhythm. And the crowd goes wild as the bass player begins thumbing the strings on his guitar feverishly, amping up the beat. The stage clouds over again, and the lead singer emerges through the mist. All I can see are tight dark jeans and a brief flash of a grey graphic-designed T-shirt. Words belt out and flow with the beat, and it’s like I’m obsessed with the hypnotic sound. The girl in front of me moves to the left. I ease to the right and catch the sight of the singing God. He’s tall, lean, and blond. Everything about him screams perfection, from the trendy undercut hairstyle to his chiseled features. He shifts his body to the side as he strums the strings on his electric guitar, and I blink, trying to see if it’s just me or if his guitar really is glowing electric blue.

Everyone seems just as captivated as I am, and it’s not solely because of the room’s energy. The lyrics and music blend and join together like a magical trance. Nina bounces her arms against mine and grins. “See… I told you, Liv. You wouldn’t be sorry for coming out tonight. They’re good, right?”

I brush back my long dark hair and retort, “Yup, they’re good. Now can we go home?”

She laughs and dances to the next song that quickly drifts through the air. A girl bumps into me, bobbing to the beat gripping her shirt.

She glances over to me and fans herself. “Oh, wow…it’s like, he has this weird insight into how you’re feeling, you know? Luke’s voice is so… dreamy. It’s totally like he wrote the song just for me!” I drag my eyes over to the stage as she points, still clinging to her shirt like her heart is about to jump straight out of her chest. The next song drums out slowly, vibrating the floor, and I absorb the way the lead singer sways his body, gripping the mic. He drops one hand and pats it against his thigh to the tempo. His eyes glide over the girl beside me, and he sings with a raspy, deep tone…

It’s three a.m., and you’re still thinking about him,

In the car driving down the boulevard…

As the music picks up, I watch as the girl swipes away a tear and sends me a quick smile. “Who’s Luke?” I ask. A light chuckle slips past her lips, and she looks at me with shock.

“Ah… the singer. Duh,” she shouts over the pandemonium.

“Right…” I remark.

I nudge Nina and shout over to her, “Hey, I thought you said this band was kinda new?”

Nina’s in her own world with her hands in the air and moving to the rhythm. “Yeah… they’ve only been here a few times. Why?”

Suddenly the drink in my hand swirls around madly, and I cup my hand over it. My element spikes and signals there’s more here than meets the eye. No soul around me knows I’m a witch, not even my best friend, Nina. Born a water elemental and wired to cast spells wasn’t something I never wanted to share with the humans that fulfill my life. Nina excitedly smiles over at me, and I offer an upbeat smile. “Did you finish your drink?”

I raise my glass. “Almost!” I chug down the last drop and sweep a glance around everyone. I can feel the vibe the band gives off— enchanting and spellbinding. Every word, every lyric hits a chord with the audience, and I stare a hole through the lead singer. Somehow he’s reading the crowd and singing, off-the-cuff the songs from the emotions he’s getting. I watch like a spectator, partly in awe and partly in uncertainty. How can he so easily grasps the emotions and sing so hypnotizing? And then I decide fuck it. I’m not going to overanalyze it and just enjoy the moment, but then, as I lift my arms and move to the pitch of Luke’s voice, I hear…

Baby, I know you’re hurting… I can see it in your face…

You hide your smile and fall into some unknown place…

But baby, I’m here to tell you that’s no place for you…

You can be free from all your tears…

Let my words wash away those fears…

Now’s not the time to run away… don’t run home… and hide your face…

Now’s not the time to go home…

I open my eyes and glare at the lead singer. The drummer still hammers out the riveting chorus, and I haul ass toward the closest exit. Outside I punch in an Uber number on my cell phone and wait. In less than an hour, I ease into a Honda Accord, and I grumble to the driver, “Fuck… take me home, please.” I rest my head against the backseat and let out an aggravated sigh. I shake my finger angrily toward the driver. “Who does that? I mean, seriously, it’s obvious you have the voice, the talent. So why the fuck would you do that?!” The short, dark-eyed driver glances back at me and nods, pretending like he completely understands my rantings, and awkwardly shrugs.

“I mean, how can you sing like a beast and use that gift to…” I shake my head and look at the streets that pass us by. “You know what I mean? You get what I’m saying, right?” I ask the clueless driver with sincerity and thread my fingers through my hair. And then I shake my finger his way once again and warn like he’s the one to blame for all this. “I’m on to your act, Luke, and you just met the wrong witch….” The driver stares at me like I’m nuts, and I quickly correct myself. “Bitch… I meant bitch.” I softly chuckle and hope I sound sane and convincing. I shut my mouth and quietly watch the streets disappear behind us and let the irresistible voice of Luke mingle with my thoughts.

Okay, my last Christmas treat for you is Fire Bound will be free as well this month starting December 17 to December 19! So, be sure to mark your calendars, grab your copy and tell a friend! Books are always a great gift idea whether it’s a paperback, kindle, or even audio! I truly hope you and your loved ones have a magical holiday season! XOXO