S.P. Cervantes's Blog, page 3

Release Date for The Prophecy

I thought I would take a minute to share the good news I have been waiting for.  I am so excited to have gotten the release date for the second book of the Secrets of Shadow Hill Series, The Prophecy...drum roll...It will be released on November 19th!

I know a lot of you have been waiting a while for the sequel, and I have been dying to get it out to you too.  I will be posting the cover reveal, book trailer, teasers, and giveaways as the release get closer, so stay tuned.  Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter to get the most current updates too:)  My Facebook page name has been changed to my pen name, S.P. Cervantes, that way my website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts can all be found by the same name.

I've spent a lot of time working on a novel separate from Secrets of Shadow Hill.  It is a contemporary romance and has been so much fun to write.  I love writing fantasy stories because anything can happen.  But with my new novel, I have really enjoyed coming back to the real world and hopefully will connect to my story in a much different way.  I will be excited to start sharing snippets with all of you soon.  I feel so lucky to be able to have the privilege to write, and share the craziness that goes on in my head!

Happy Reading!

Twitter Interview

On June 29th I took part in a Twitter Chat with the authors from C1 Books. It was such a fun experience, but quite difficult for someone as wordy as I am:)  I wasn't a big Tweeter before the even and wasn't sure what to expect. It was fast paced and a ton of fun to answer questions about my writing, my life, and my Secrets of Shadow Hill series.  I am gnawing a the bit to get book 2, The Prophecy out to you all this fall and this was a great way to get my readers back into the story of Shadow Hill.

Starting August 1st, I will be posting some of my favorite exerts from The Prophecy to get all of you as excited for its release as I am.  Patrick lovers, this one is for you!

Take a peek at the transcript from my Twitter chat, and be sure to follow me at @spcervantes to get up to date tweets about the books I am writing as well as info about my fellow authors.  

Cheers!
  
 
Welcome S.P Cervantes author of Secrets of Shadow Hill
Always and Forever #c1books  
  @spcervantes What sparked the idea for your novel? #c1books
I was on bed rest with my twins and was reading a lot of Fantasy novels...so
decided to write my own fantasy with twins#c1books
@C1Books  @Spcervantes Your
favorite monster/villain. #c1books
‏@ spcervantes        
My favorite villain probably Valentine from the Mortal Instruments series. #c1books


 @AshleyNChappell     spcervantes How does your own experience as a twin affect your characters Ava and Hannah? #c1books
@AshleyNChappell a lot!I tried to make them much different than my sister and I, but played on the powerful connections twins have #c1books

 @larabookvampire    spcervantes Did you always want to write? #c1books
@larabookvampire I have always loved to write, but had only done it on a personal level until Always and Forever #c1books

 @rondapaige  @spcervantes So if you're stranded on an island, what would you have with you, no restrictions #c1books
@rondapaige I would take The Lord of the Rings, my family, seeds for food, and chocolate #c1books

@C1Books     @spcervantes When did you first, without hesitation, call yourself a writer? #c1books
@C1Books
Once my book was picked up to be published.  It was the ultimate validation #c1books

 @larabookvampire    @spcervantes That's cool your a twin, did you conciously decide to write about twins because you are one yourself? #c1books
@larabookvampire   was more inspired by being pregnant with m own twins.  My twin sister also has twins...we multiply in my family!

@C1Books   @spcervantes When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning? #c1books
@C1Books   Some of the names I used were family names.  Dalton is my grandparents last name
and they were very important people to me #c1books

@spcervantes As a 3rd
grade teacher, have you considered writing children's or middle grade books as well as YA? #c1books
@AshleyNChappell I have been thinking of a parallel series for grade school children.  I think my
students will kill me if I don't #c1books

 @larabookvampire  @spcervantes Who was  the most influence on you, in your past, for writing; a teacher, parent, or a sibling? #c1books
@larabookvampire My students and children honestly inspired me daily!  They are so creative and not
afraid to take risks #c1books
@larabookvampire In the past, my sister influenced me a lot.  She was always an avid reader and writer. 
#c1books

@RebekahMcClew     @spcervantes Scariest thing you have ever read/written #c1books
@RebekahMcClew The scariest thing I have ever read was Gone Girl...That was one crazy novel.  
don't know how she thought of that #c1books
@RebekahMcClew    I remember reading that, absolutely amazed! #c1books

@SkittyPandora     @spcervantes Is there a key person or group that has inspired you in the process in writing? #c1Books
@SkittyPandora I love to listen to music when I write.  The Killers, Coldplay, Civil Wars help the
words pour out!  #c1books
@SkittyPandora     @spcervantes Love listening to them too ^^  #c1books

@C1Books   @spcervantes Reveal your secret “author” crush. #c1books
@C1Books That's hard.  Veronica Roth and Cassandra Clare are great! I can't forget about @AshleyChappell ! #c1books
@RebekahMcClew     That would be a hard one to answer since there are many, I'm addicted to all the books at Center One! #c1books
@AshleyNChappell   @spcervantes Why Susan! You flirt ;-) #c1books

@rondapaige     @spcervantes So do you have a secret character crush #c1books
@rondapaige Will, from Infernal Devices. Loved him!  #c1books

@C1Books     @spcervantes Imagine your characters are on survivor. Who will they vote out of the book? #c1books
@C1Books They would probably vote out Aidan first because he is strong and athletic.  They always
vote out the strong first! #c1books

@MasonLinden     @Spcervantes Who is your target reader or do you prefer a wider audience? #c1books
@MasonLinden I think my books reach a broad audience.  I would say 12 and up:) #c1books

@Lisa_Cray   @spcervantes What was the hardest part to write in the book in Always and Forever # c1books
@Lisa_Cray the relationship between Patrick and Ava.  There so much more to their story, and I
didn't want him to sound weak #c1books
@AshleyNChappell   @spcervantes The  feeling's mutual! You've left us waiting too long to see what happens next with Ava and Dalton :-) #c1books
@RebekahMcClew   I agree #c1books

@C1Books   @spcervantes Which of your characters is your favorite and why #c1books
@C1Books That's like asking me my favorite child:)  Probably Dalton.  I tried to make him level
headed and smart. #c1books
@RebekahMcClew   I love your answer for that! #c1books
@AshleyNChappell     @spcervantes You did just that with Dalton! I think I had a crush on him, too :-) #c1books
@RebekahMcClew   My favorite from your book has to be Patrick #c1books
@RebekahMcClew He is my sister's too.  I wrote The Prophecy because she wanted more Patrick! #c1books
@larabookvampire    @spcervantes , I read your book also and fell in love with it! Both Patrick and Dalton were amazing #c1books
@larabookvampire Glad you loved them as much as I do.  I would not want to be Ava.  I cold never
choose! #c1books


















































 

 

Thank God for Summer

I've had such a great start to summer!  I am a teacher, which means that I get to have a summer vacation.  It is my first summer in years that I am not teaching summer school and tutoring, and I have to say, I am relaxed.  I have been spending every second with my kids, which I love. My twins are 3 1/2 and my son is 7, so we can actually go to the beach or pool and play.
Having a summer vacation also means I don't have to feel guilty when I lock myself in my room to write.  During the school year I always try and wait until they are all snuggled in bed, and after I am done lesson planning for the next day of class to write.  But now...I can just say, "Mommy has to work" and I can write away.
Yesterday I had a Twitter interview with all of the awesome authors at Center One Books.  It was such a new and fun experience for me!  After going to my son's basketball game, then hanging at a pool party with a ton of kids, I got to answer all kinds of fun questions about my writing process, Always and Forever, and also the next book in the Secrets of Shadow Hill Series, The Prophecy!  It was awesome.  I am most excited because I am so proud of The Prophecy.  I am DYING for everyone to read it because it was the most fun I have ever had writing!  When I wrote Always and Forever, it was not initially intended to be published...It was something I wrote while on bed rest with my twins to keep my mind fresh and occupied by something other than T.V..  I think people will be surprised an excited by the direction the series is taking.  There are a lot of times through The Prophecy and the third book, War of Wizards, that I hope my readers will be on the edge of their seats saying, "I can't believe it!"  As more secrets are revealed, they will see how each relationship between my characters is important and plays an important role in the survival of their world.
I am looking forward to completing War of Wizards this summer and begin work on my next work of love, a contemporary  romance/mystery.
If you haven't read Secrets of Shadow Hill, Always and Forever yet, you need to before The Prophecy comes out this fall!
Happy Reading My Friends!

I'm Back

I have had a fun, yet busy couple of months since I've been on here.  I was busy editing the final touches for the second book of The Secrets of Shadow Hill series, The Prophecy, and working closely with my Third Grade class in writing their own stories.  It is always an exhilarating feeling hitting the last period of a novel, but I have to say this time, getting my final edits done was the icing on the cake for me.  I know it's my own book, so of course I should love it, but I am beyond excited for everyone to read the second book of
the series...I just love it and know you will too. 

The Prophecy picks up a year after the battle with the Sabatino coven, with Ava, Hannah, and the rest of their close knit group returning to New Jersey for the first time since they were abruptly taken to Shadow Hill.  I think that most of the readers will be surprised with the direction this book has taken, and be as addicted to reading it as I was to writing it.  This book was easy to write for me because I am just so in love with each character.  I can hardly wait for the Fall when you can all have the chance to read it too!

Now I am back to  writing the third book of the series, and am about a quarter of the way in.  I had taken a break for a month from writing to read some great books, both YA fantasy and some best sellers.  I read all of Cassandra Clare's books in a month (yes, all of them) and fell in love with her writing style....she has definitely
become one of my inspirations in this genre along with Elisabeth Naughton.  This entire process of being a newly published writer, and connecting with other authors has been an experience  I will treasure forever.

Another exciting time for me over these past couple months is guiding my Third Graders in writing short, five chapter books for an Author's Tea we do every year.  It is always my favorite time of the school year because I get to work closely with each student, helping them develop their ideas, and teach them about the writing process.  It was especially fun this year being that I now have a published book out there and experience to derive first hand knowledge from.  I love teaching, but this is my favorite part of it.  I can honestly say that each of my students turned about amazing stories, all at different levels of writing, but all ended the project with a sense of pride.  And that's what it is all about....giving these kids the confidence to believe in themselves.  I have no doubt that we will all be reading books from a few of these kids one day in the future.  They truly are my inspiration.  I feel blessed every day to have to opportunity to teach and write.

I would love to hear from any of you about some great books or writing experiences you have had too!  Please feel free to share!

New Year Resolution

All writers are avid readers…or I would hope they are.  I have always enjoyed all types of genres, yes even non-fiction. 
But I have a confession to make…Having a Kindle has truly made me into a reading addict and now I think I have a problem.  The ease of purchasing any book that I want in seconds is my downfall. There is nothing more relaxing to me than to snuggle up with music playing in the background and read!

 An example of my problem is that I read Divergent and Insurgent in a week, which is pretty scary considering I have three children and a full time job.  I found myself reading every free second I had. Once I finished the 500+ pages of Divergent, I immediately purchased Insurgent and began reading that.  From that I went to Discovery of Witches, and the cycle continues week by week.  I always throw in a classroom management or parenting book to balance out my guilt, but I always find myself going back to my novels.  

Once I start a book, I just can’t put it down…even if I don’t like  it. I just keep moving through because I always want to know the ending.

The worst part is when the ending disappoints…not naming names, but I am not a fan of when I read an entire book revolving around a character, who unexpectedly dies at the end or has been dead the whole time!  The last time I read a book by a particular author who seems to have this as their writing formula, I gently tossed my Kindle and began writing instead. My worst fear would be someone doing that after they read one of my novels.

Since book 2, The Prophecy, doesn’t come out until early fall, I find myself reading even more. While I continue to chip away on book 3 for the Secrets of Shadow Hill series, there is no real rush to get it done, only making my obsession to reading worse.  My dream is for readers to have the  same love of my books that I have for so many other authors.


My resolution for 2013 is to continue reading and writing as much as I can, but to remember to always find the lance. 
Now I’m off to read…..

Writing

    I have just finished the final touches to the second book of the Secrets of Shadow Hill series, and have jumped back into writing book three of the series.  I learned a lot through the process of having my first book published, and am very excited with how book two, The Prophecy, turned out.  Since the series focuses on secrets that have been kept by Shadow Hill for centuries, I am continuously trying to surprise my readers with what the secrets are, and what they all mean.  
    The Prophecy takes a drastic turn from the confusion and insecutites Ava expereienced as she steered her way through the revelations that were revealed in book one, to one of suspense and strength.  This book was written all at once, rather than over time like Always and Forever...I literally could not stop thinking about the story.  Scenes and dialogue shot into my mind when I was running, playing with my children, and while I tried to fall asleep at night.  I keep a notepad next to my bed for that very reason.  Why is it that the best ideas always come right when I put the computer down and try and rest my brain?  
    Now that I have been working on book 3, my outline is clear, and the path of my characters is definte.  It always amazes me how I can sit down with one path I want to take, and the next thing I know, I have been writing for three hours, and am 20,000 words in.  
    My challenge while I write book three is to try and manage taking care of my family, teaching my wonderful students, AND finding the time to read all of the novels by the amazing authors I admire!  
    I have always loved a challenge!  Happy Holidays to all!


    

Christmastime

I love this time of year!  Christmas was always my favorite time with my family growing up.  Every Christmas Eve we would all go to my grandparents' house in Mantoloking, NJ.  I loved the Shore in the winter because it was always so quiet, with all of the summer renters back in the city.  My grandmom would  have soft Christmas music playing in the background, and have endless hors d'oeuvres out for us to munch on. Their Christmas tree seemed enormous the the corner of their great room. There was always a giant meal and lots of family fun.  But the best part was when Santa came.
After dinner all of the women would be in the kitchen cleaning up, while I played with my cousins.  My grandmom would gather us all together at some point after they cleared the table and cleaned the dishes to tell us she thought she heard Santa's bells.  We would all jump on their black leather couch ( some of the young ones would hide) and wait to see Santa walking down the stone covered street ringing his bells.  The butterflies of excitement we all felt was something I still remember. 
We never thought about why Santa was walking down the street at 9pm on Christmas Eve just to see us.  We were just to caught up in the magical moment.  I was probably much too old before I realized that the person walking down the street, dressed as Santa, in the freezing cold, and sometimes snow, was always my Grandpop.  None of us kids ever realized granpop was gone during this time, and when we asked, someone would tell us he was taking out the trash. 
That was one of the many selfless things my grandfather would do for all of us, and I was glad that I was able to tell him how special that was to all of us growing up. My grandfather always made everything so special for us, and I was sure to tell him how much I appreciated all of the things he did for me and taught me before he passed.  I always miss my Pop on Christmas more than any other time of year!

This Christmas, I hope that everyone takes the time out to tell those you are close to how much you love and appreciate them.
Oh, and don't foreget to get your copy of Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever at Amazon.com today:)

Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever is now available

It’s FINALLY here!


Today is the day that I thought would never come… Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever is finally available for everyone to read.  I am a ball of nerves as I think about someone other than a family member reading my story. 
I hope that all of my readers will enjoy the story of Shadow Hill and fall in love with the characters the way I have!  
The journey of this long and somewhat daunting process of writing novel, then trying to have it published, to actually being able to hold a book  that I wrote in my hands has been an awesome experience and well worth the hard work.  
Thank you all for your support and be sure to get your copy today at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and c1books.us/always today!  Kindle version will be available by the weekend!

Be sure to write a review of Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever an Amazon.com to help spread the word of this exciting novel!

One More Week

    It is hard to believe that after all of the planning and waiting for the release of Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever, that it is only one week away....7 days.  It still doesn't quite feel real yet.
    I have been working hard on Book 3 of the Secrets of Shadow Hill series a lot lately.  I have a notepad next to my bed becasue lately I have found myslef waking up with ideas for how I want my story to go, or for a line I want to use for a certain event in the book.  It seems it is all I think about these days, which is a lot better than laying in bed at night worrying about all of the little things I usually worry about....I am a worrier:)
    Writing has always been an outlet for me and I am beyond excited that I now have a focus and purpose in my writing.  I have always wanted to challenge myself and see if I could sustain the dedication and focus it takes to write a novel, let alone several.  Having 3 young children and working full time as a teaacher I often get asked "How do you do it?"  I do it becasue I love it.  Writing is what I do in my free time...whether it be for an hour or four, I try to write every day.  
    This last week before my book release I wil counting down every minute until November 13th is here.  In the meantime I will have plenty to keep me busy with preapring for Parent/Teacher Conferences for my  Third Grade class, and getting ready for my big trip to Florida to attend the Miami-Dade Book Fair!  For now, Happy reading and writing!

Special Day

November 13th is not only the release date of Always and Forever.  November 13th has always been a very special day in my family.  On November 13, 1922, my grandmother, Miriam Janderup Dalton or Mim, was born. 
My grandmom and grandpop were always very influential people growing up.  Very much people I looked up to and respected deeply.  My grandfather passed away a little over five years
ago and my grandmom has continued to be a beautiful and strong person who sets an example for all of us in the family. 


My grandparent’s house in Mantoloking, New Jersey, was my favorite place to go growing up.  The second I got to the bridge leading into Bay Head, my stomach would always flutter with butterflies with the excitement of knowing I was almost there. 
In the summer, the first thing my sister, brother, and I would do was check the crab cage to see if Pop would have some delicious shell fish to  cook us a treat.  Grandmom would always greet us with a smile and a loaf of bread, looking impeccable… always the picture of class.  We loved to feed the ducks and sit on the deck with our grandparents and chat about what we had been up to. 
My grandmom always lets me know how much she loves me, how proud she is of me…she is always interested in what we all have to say and gives the best advice.  Our many nights on the deck or sitting by the fire, having a nightcap, are memories that fill me with happiness.
Now that my grandmother is turning 90 years old, I hope she knows the influence she has had on my life and how much I look up to her and the strength she continues to show.  On November 13th this year, my grandmom will get a special gift from me. It is the day my first novel, Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever will be released waiting for her on the doorstep.  I know I would have never accomplished what I have
in my life, if she was not a part of it. 
So on November 13th, as you get your copy of Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever , I hope you all will
send a happy 90th birthday wish to the greatest grandmom in the world, Mim Dalton!!!