Lila Felix's Blog, page 18

Throwback Thursday: Sparrows for Free & Doves for Sale #TBT

Ezra is ruled by the ghosts of his past—and needled by the guilt they create. Not only does he have to manage his own guilt—his friends are forced to bear the weight as well. He lives in limbo, never dreaming of anything that lies beyond the grave.

In his mind, he’s a murderer, pure and simple.
Hide and seek is Aysa’s game. She begs for small spaces and empty places. But, she secretly desires so much more.When they find each other, a hope for something new is sprung.

But Ezra’s skeletons are out for blood.

“No, I’m sorry because I’m about to kiss you. I shouldn’t. I should stay away from you. I’m just gonna break you. I’m gonna ruin you and maybe ruin us both.”
“Maybe I want to be ruined.”

AMAZON   GOODREADS

“Love isn’t crazy. Love isn’t a degree of insanity. Love is sanity at its purest. It forces your soul to make a rational choice—a choice to make another person’s happiness your priority, to allow them access to your heart and soul. Letting Ezra go was choosing to love him. Letting him go was the best way you knew how to choose his joy over your own. I can see it in both of you. This love isn’t one that will go down without a fight.”
Seven months is a long time to wait.Ezra has three goals. There is no choice. He has to get better, for himself and for Aysa.Except, his best friend Roman has moved in in his absence. He’s given Ezra’s girl a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, and a fighting chance at winning her heart.Aysa knows who her heart belongs to.But loving Ezra is no easy task.Ezra never promised simple, he only promised his heart.Aysa has two paths in front of her, one carries peace and one carries a love that never ends.
AMAZON  GOODREADS

Happy Release Day Brenda Pandos!

Interview with Brenda Pandos
What would you be doing right now if you were not an author?
If I wasn’t an author, I’d most likely be working in some managerial capacity as a Computer Information Systems Analyst for the State of California, which is what I was doing prior to writing. I’d needed to quit in order to take care of my son with special needs, and shortly thereafter my writing career took off.
5 years ago: what were you doing?Five years ago, I’d published my first book in March and was gearing up for my second release of, The Sapphire Talisman, in December. This was the original cover of my first book. I had a 1-year-old and a child in therapy 40-hrs a week, and I ate way too many cookies.Do you have a certain writing ritual?In order for me to start writing, I have to have something to drink in front of me, preferably wine ice tea or passion tea, and then some lip balm, and my outline book map (we don’t say that ugly word, ‘cause my inner rebel doesn’t like to be reined in). What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?My toughest criticism in the beginning was “mean girl” reviews. I don’t mind constructive criticism because I’m always looking to grow in my writing. It’s the, “I’m glad this was free,” “I want the last 4-hours of my life back,” “simply awful,” “everyone else who gushed over this book is an idiot,” rants. A reader once wrote a 4K+ word review (with typos mind you) that included homemade meme’s making fun of my story. I had to realize that unhappy trolls are everywhere, and their need to feel better about themselves stretches far and wide, including author’s work that I love. So I read said author’s bad reviews, laugh at how ridiculous they are, and it makes it all better, because in the end, I love my characters and so do my fans. And they’re the ones who matter. #booknerdsrockEver fangirled over another author? Who was it?Absolutely! My “fangirling” is clamping my mouth shut and staring awkwardly, for the most part, while I nudge my friend and say, “Is that…?” I’ve totally fangirled Jennifer Armentrout, Abbi Glines, Rachelle Mead, Veronica Roth, Jacinda Wilder, Hugh Howey, Denise Grover Swank, Maggie Stiefvater, Nancy Holder (Buffy the Vampire Slayer writer)… the list goes on. It’s fun to get all verklempt, act like a nerd, then realize they’re real people, too, and hopefully relax.Is there an author you'd like to meet?I would love to meet Stephenie Meyer as Twilight was the catalyst that inspired me to write The Emerald Talisman, which has changed my life. Biggest writing pet peeve?My biggest writing peeve is when I get my book in print, and I find a mistake. Ugh! It always feels like my book is truly ever finished.Do you read other's reviews of your books?Yes, I do. When a book releases, reviews help me gauge if I’m resonating with my fans, and I love seeing my work through another person’s eyes… well, not the mean girl ones, but we’ve already been there. (I digress)Thanks for taking the time to learn about me! And when it’s time to vote, don’t send #teamvampire off the island. Oh, wait… you’re relic hunting. Did I mention I was blonde?



After narrowly escaping annihilation, eighteen-year-old Julia Parker and her vampire friends are on the hunt for their next big thrill. 
When a blood-penned riddle triggers Julia's thirst, the vamps fear they're being lured into a trap. And when the note's 'ink' drives Julia into a rage/frenzy, her friends are left with no choice but to destroy it. 

Though Julia returns to her normal self, the threat isn’t over. The letter warns that a sacrifice is required in order for them to keep their immortality. As each minute passes, the group starts becoming weaker. Unsure how to satisfy the letter’s author, they go to New Orleans anyway, but this is no ordinary trip. Evil lurks in the shadows, feeding off Julia's bloodlust and preparing to stake her and her friends at the first opportunity. And with the moon coming into position, they’re running out of time. If outside forces don't bring the coven down, Julia herself may be their undoing. Because fulfilling the riddle will cost Julia one of two things: a treasure she holds dear or her own immortal life. 

Failure is not an option. 


November 9, 2015 THE VAMPIRE, Supernatural Chronicles Amazon | iBooks | Nook| Google Play | Kobo


Author Brenda Pandos lives in California with her husband, two energetic boys, eight chickens and a grumpy orange cat, though her kids keep begging for a dog #notadogperson #catrulesthehouse, that isn't happening soon.

She avoids cooking and housework by writing fast-paced stories about kissing, hot mermen, bad boy vampires, and occasionally zombies--not all in the same stories... #issues. When she's not writing, or wrangling her kids, she's sleeping... or making up crazy #hashtags, failing at her latest Pinterest replication #lamechef or delivering a really bad pun.
More than anything she loves to hear from readers. Feel free to email brendapandos@gmail.com or write on her facebook wall.


Get Brenda's newsletter for FREE books and BONUS contenttinyurl.com/mge8zvn
FIND HER HERE:www.brendapandos.comFacebook.com/brendapandosinstagram.com/brendapandosTwitter.com/brendapandoswww.periscope.tv/brendapandos

Throwback Thursday: Until She Walked In & Heart Breaker #TBT

Title: UNTIL SHE WALKED IN (Formally known as AnguiSH) 

Until she walked in, Breaker James floated around in a prison of his own making, crippled by agoraphobia.
Until she walked in, he itched for something more.
Until she walked in, his world was in limbo.
A simple note pinned to a corkboard will lead Ash right to Breaker’s solitary world and she will learn that there’s more to love than holding on tight.
Sometimes it means you have to let go.
AMAZON  GOODREADS



Breaker James isn’t the boy who is imprisoned in his home anymore. He’s not the guy who is afraid to leave the house. He doesn’t need Ash twenty four hours a day anymore. Hell, he might not need her anymore at all.He’s a heart breaker, pure and simple. Love is easy when you’re secluded from the world within four walls.Ash now has to learn how to let Breaker love her—without being his crutch.
AMAZON   GOODREADS

The Wolves is LIVE!

The Wolves, #2 in the Supernatural Chronicles: New Orleans is LIVE!
This novella is so action-packed and fantastic. You've got to check it out. 
First things first, look at this beautiful cover!



Summary:For far too long, Sundae Grayson has lived under the tight control of her father and the wolf pack he leads. At twenty-two and with college degree in hand, she’s ready to embark on a journey of her own. But when her father is attacked and nearly killed, she finds a cryptic note in his pocket—a riddle she must solve to save him. Doing so means delaying the life she desires, but her father is worth it. Not to mention that if he dies, she becomes alpha, and she’s so not ready for that. Thank the Angels for Trevor, leader of his own pack and her lifelong crush, who volunteers to help her. 

The riddle sends them on the hunt of their lives. After all, they must solve the mystery, find the relic they need, and deliver it on time to save not only their packs, but all of the Amadis, who serve as the Angels’ army on Earth. If they fail, the Demons will win over the world. But what must be sacrificed for the sake of the greater good? 

This novella takes place in the internationally bestselling Soul Savers series by Kristie Cook, so be prepared to see some favorite characters. The story's timeline falls between Promise, Book 1, and Purpose, Book 2. 
Here are the links! You'll want to get this book now!
Amazon
iBooks
Nook
Kobo
Google Play

Also, this entire set will release in January! Check it out! Pre-order links will be posted soon!

Bullying, Reader-to-reader style.

Bullying, Reader-to-reader style.

There are things I love to hear as an author. And then there are things that I don’t like to hear at all.

And there are things that enrage me.

Like a PM that I got on Facebook a few months ago from a reader who was broken down to tears about how a fellow reader had treated her in a reading group.

A reading group.

Yeah, you heard me.

I let it mull around for a while and then recently, after it happened to the same person again, I decided to take a stand the only way I know how—in written word.

It shocked the hell out of me and I had to read the message several times to make sure I wasn’t misunderstanding the situation.

You see, I always thought reading groups is where precious nerdy girls like me went to congregate with like-minded nerdy girls and plan to take over the world chapter by chapter. We’d tuck our bookmarks in, proud of the progress we made, secretly thinking of the next time we’d be able to jam in more reading time. We’d talk together about book boyfriends and cutesy book crafts we were making.

At least that’s the dream I have in my head.

Maybe book clubs have changed.

Apparently, they have.

Granted, this is an online book club and yes, there is no tone or intonation in social media communications, so things tend to get a bit skewed and feelings get hurt.

But I don’t think anything was confusing about one reader calling my friend a ‘stuck-up prude’ for her preference of not reading adult books.

In fact, I think it is downright, blatant bullying.

Not only were these kinds of words thrown around when referring to her reading preferences and choices, but they have now excluded her from the next book discussion.

Here’s the thing people. No one wants to be bullied or called names—in person or online. We all gasp at the word fat or ugly, but this is acceptable? Abso-effing-lutely not.

Reading is like breathing for some of us—hopefully for all of us. So why can’t we just embrace each other’s choices?

I haven’t read, nor will I read, Fifty Shades of Grey. It’s just not my thing. That being said, I would never call someone names or belittle them in public or private for their choice in reading material.  If you want to read about two toasters making out in the jungle while wearing Air Jordans that allowed them to fly, I’d be happy for you. (Do they still make Air Jordans? *Let’s my age show*) That’s your choice and no one—no one—should have anything to say about it except, ‘Hey girl, enjoy your book.’ *You know you pictured Ryan Gosling there*

So it kills me to hear that people are getting called names for their reading choices. Any names.

Come on ladies. We are all book-loving, book boyfriend stalking, paperback smelling, crazy sock wearing, sipping our favorite hot beverage, laying on the couch with a snuggly blanket in the rain, reading people—be nice.

Sigh. Tell me what you think about this. Am I insane for thinking this is enraging?

Still reading anything I want to.
Still just a geeky girl in a tech world.
Still sipping my comforting hot beverage listening to the rumble of thunder.

Lila


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Interview with Dynamis author, Kristie Cook

I'm thrilled to be hosting my #Dyanmis sister, Kristie Cook on my blog today! 


We have a fabulous interview from her and at the bottom, make sure to check out the links to pre-order The Supernatural Chronicles: New Orleans: The Wolves now!




Without futher adieu:Interview
*What would you be doing right now if you were not an author? Going insane? I mean, I’m doing that anyway, lol, but if I weren’t writing, I’d be even worse. In other ways, though, I might be less crazy. Haha! Seriously, probably still have my own business in one capacity or another. I’m a lifelong entrepreneur.*5 years ago: what were you doing? Getting ready to release the second book in the Soul Savers series, Purpose. Mothering a senior, junior, and freshman in high school (and trying to motivate that senior to get ready for college). Running a construction consulting business with a partner. I didn’t know it exactly 5 years ago, but about to receive a huge blow from the husband’s employer and become the sole bread-winner in our 5-person family.*Do you have a certain writing ritual? Turn on high-powered box fan (drowns out any household noise), plant butt in seat, and stare at screen until the fingers start clicking the keys. Often I’ll go back and read what I wrote the previous session to make minor edits while getting my head back into the story. I used to have more of a ritual that involved listening to mood-setting music, but I don’t have the luxury of that extra time anymore. If I have trouble getting into the story, I’ll listen to music and go for a walk or take a shower. The best ideas come in the shower!*What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? “This story is a Twilight rip-off.” There have probably been other things said that some authors would think was worse, but as a creator, I don’t personally think there’s anything worse than being called a rip-off. Almost every book in the fantasy and paranormal romance genres, especially about teens and early twenty-somethings, is compared to Twilight, even those written decades before. There are going to be some similarities across all books in these genres, but that doesn’t mean they’re all Twilight rip-offs. These kinds of statements give no credit to the author who created their own world, characters, and stories. And that hurts because we’ve all put our blood, tears, and very souls into our writing, but statements like this so easily dismiss our investment and our feelings. If people who say this would focus on the differences, they’d realize there are many more of those than similarities, and they’d come to enjoy a lot more stories instead of being so bitter.*Ever fangirled over another author? Who was it? I don’t know that I’m really a fangirling type, although I might fall over at the feet of Chris Hemsworth or Jensen Ackles. I’m an awkward dork when it comes to meeting most people, especially when I’m really excited or nervous (which is pretty much whenever I’m in public). I’m more likely to clam up than squee. I think if I had the chance to meet J.K. Rowling, I’d freak out. And probably not in a good way. I’d totally ruin the moment and any opportunity to actually learn anything from her. Or to even say “hi.”*Is there an author you'd like to meet? I’m dying to meet S.T. Bende in person! We’ve become good friends online, and one of these days, we’ll make that happen.*Biggest writing pet peeve? The blinking cursor on a blank page. Whether it’s chapter 1 or chapter 25, there’s always something a little nerve wracking about that cursor, as though it’s flashing to purposely taunt you. It’s all the worse when no other words surround it.* Do you read other's reviews of your books? Once in a while, I’ll skim them. I don’t think it’s healthy to give too much energy to them, but I also don’t think it’s healthy to completely ignore them. Good reviews can teach you what you’re doing right by your readers and lower star reviews can teach you where you can do better. It’s the troll reviews that are bad for you, but you have to learn that those reviews are not written for you. Someone is either having a bad day or they’re just plain mean, and that has nothing to do with you as an author or a person or with your story. They don’t count, and everyone else who sees them will know that, too.

The Skinwalkers is now live!

It's now live....


To walk between bodies, between species, between all races of humans--such is the life of a Skinwalker. Ahote, the son of the Great One is preparing to take his father’s place, to become ruler of those who move between the skins of his kind. That is until a letter is tacked to his door, a calling from The Noir--a letter whose blood-soaked words command obedience. Along with his life mate, Jaci, Ahote must find the voodoo priestess in the hopes that she hold the answers. Or, if the letter is correct, the veil between life and death will be torn, leaving the world open to creatures more vile than he. 
AMAZON  B&N





PreOrder the next book, THE WOLVES. Due out Nov 2nd.
For far too long, Sundae Grayson has lived under the tight control of her father and the wolf pack he leads. At twenty-two and with college degree in hand, she’s ready to embark on a journey of her own. But when her father is attacked and nearly killed, she finds a cryptic note in his pocket—a riddle she must solve to save him. Doing so means delaying the life she desires, but her father is worth it. Not to mention that if he dies, she becomes alpha, and she’s so not ready for that. Thank the Angels for Trevor, leader of his own pack and her lifelong crush, who volunteers to help her. 

The riddle sends them on the hunt of their lives. After all, they must solve the mystery, find the relic they need, and deliver it on time to save not only their packs, but all of the Amadis, who serve as the Angels’ army on Earth. If they fail, the Demons will win over the world. But what must be sacrificed for the sake of the greater good? 

This novella takes place in the internationally bestselling Soul Savers series by Kristie Cook, so be prepared to see some favorite characters. The story's timeline falls between Promise, Book 1, and Purpose, Book 2. 

If you’re new to the Soul Savers series, discover the rest, where you'll meet more than werewolves, but also vampires, witches, and warlocks. The further you get into the series, the more creatures you'll discover, including shapeshifters, fae, sorcerers, angels, and demons. 
AMAZON  B&N

My brain is a traitor...

My brain is a traitorAm I the only one? Is your brain a traitor to you?

My brain hates me. It fills itself with things that I can't possibly finish in one day or even one month. It thinks of amazing ideas and then trashes them in my sleep leaving me with overthinker and non-writer-downer remorse. It wants to read but at the same time it wants to write, organize the house, take on new projects, and storm about new ways to market.

My brain has an attention issue.

So I started being more diligent as a scribbler. I've always tried to keep lists and journals everywhere, but now it's getting a little overkill--which has brought my brain peace--finally. I bought a huge lot of journals from ebay. They might not be enough.

It sounds ridiculous, right? A writer who was failing at writing things down? That's like a cobbler who doesn't wear shoes or a plumber who actually pulls his pants up. Maybe it was shy of pure narcissism, thinking that I could remember everything because I'm that good. Or maybe I just thought that the idea was that good that I knew in my heart I'd never forget it.

Bull.shit.

The next morning you've got thinkers hangover and can remember what you dreamed about, what time your husband woke up to pee, and everything in between, but for the life of you, you can't remember the one thing you swore to yourself you wouldn't forget.

One day I'll learn.

Maybe.

I've also joined this magnetic group of authors and we are called Dynamis. We had a Google Hangout the other day. You can view it and poke fun at me in the comments. I kind of suck at videos. Also, I look like a goon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYGn5LYGB-A#action=share


On a books note, starting this Monday (or as soon as Amazon gets them up) all of my books will be available on Kindle Unlimited. Below I've got a link to my Amazon page. That means you can read all 23 of my books for free. FREE.

And you can sign up for Kindle Unlimited here and the 30 day trial is FREE:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/ku/sign-up?ie=UTF8&qid=1443210096&ref=spkl_4_1_2098132962

Still training my brain. Still entranced with reading. Still in love with Mountain Dew Kickstart.

Lila 
Like what you read here?  Get the goods (aka this newsletter) a couple days before it goes live on the blog. Just click on the "Newsletter Sign Up" tab above and there you go! 

Supernatural Chronicles Coming Soon

I'm so incredibly thrilled to share this upcoming project with y'all. It's like nothing I've ever seen before and the best part? The reader has direct participation in everything!


 Can we all just reflect a moment on the talent in this group? I mean, look at those names! Not mine, I meant the others. 
So here's my question: Do you love New Orleans? Do you love Paranormal mystery and mayhem? 
And this line-up!!! There's some pararnomal creatures that I've never heard of in there! I can't wait to read them all!
Still here. Still writing my arse off. Still loving my readers.
In two weeks, I'm going to be talking more about this project and about things that have been going on in my life. My shift, if you will. 
AMAZON PREORDER
Lila

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Win free books! Have fun! Meet new authors!

I'm sorry, that was my best attempt at a good title.
Now let's get excited about some prize winning!
Are you ready for some awesome fun? How about a scavenger hunt? Next week myself and several other authors are teaming up to hand out some amazing prizes! What kind of prizes? How does this sound: Grand Prizes: 1 50$ Amazon GC1 25$ Amazon GCEbooksTG Ayer:Dead Radiance (Valkyrie #1) paranormal mythologyFire & Shadow (Kali #1) paranormal mythologySkin Deep (SkinWalker #1) urban fantasy shifters/magicRetribution (Irin #1) urban fantasy angels/demonFelicia Tatum – Bundle White Aura SeriesMagen Veron  -  Forever Wild, complete serialLila Felix – Dethroning CrownRaShelle Workman – Across the AgesDelphina Myres  - Unless you can be a UnicornJamie Magee: Impulsion Edge full Season 1Signed books:Melissa Pearl - FeverAmy Evans – ClicksJulia Crane – Freak of NatureSydney Aaliyah Michelle – Hope for HerMorgan Wylie – Silent OrchidsRaShelle Workman – Across the Ages + SwagStacy Marie Brown – Darkness of Light + City of EmbersBrenda Pandos – Truly Madly DeeplyJamie Magee – Insight

Are you excited yet? Do you want to know what you have to do to get your hands on any one of these prizes? Okay, here goes. Each day two of us will post in our news letter a word, and the words will create a quote ( we will tell you which order our word is. Example: Word 3 is ***). You collect the words and on the final day enter the phrase into the google doc given to you and BOOM you are entered into the drawing! 
But wait…there’s more. Each stop will have daily prizes from the author as well! #howawesome
The HUNT begins on August 17th and ends on Aug 24th. All prizes will be drawn by August 28th! Good Luck everyone!!! 
Do you want to get a head start on signing up for where each author will post? Okay, then! Here you go: Links to Signup!Rashelle Workman:  http://eepurl.com/sd_xP
Dephina:  www.evercoming.com/newsletter  
Lila Felix: http://eepurl.com/zb5ET
Stacy Marie Brown: www.staceymariebrown.com
Amy Evans: http://hyperurl.co/vh0873
Jamie Magee:http://www.authorjamiemagee.com/news-letter/
Magen Veron: http://eepurl.com/qIJA5
TG Ayer: http://bit.ly/TeesMailout
Julia Crane:  http://www.juliacrane.com/#!mailing-list/c1dp4
Morgan Wylie:  http://morganwylie.net/newletter
Brenda Pandos: smarturl.it/BP-newsletterSydney Aaliyah Michelle:  http://bit.ly/1um7D5g Melissa Pearl: http://eepurl.com/p3g8vFelicia Tatum: http://eepurl.com/Pp9qr
Disclaimer: For any reason if we have a ‘failure to launch' meaning a author's news letter did not publish, on the final day you will be able to come here ( http://www.authorjamiemagee.com/jamies-blog/) to collect the missing word(s) for your entry. 
The Authors will personally be responsible (with your partnership) to deliver book prizes to the winner selected. 
GC will be emailed directly from Amazon to an agreed upon address.