Katie Hamstead's Blog, page 94

Guest Post: Chanel Cleeton

I'm starting a new thing where authors can visit my blog and leave a guest post. I really want to help other authors get their name and books out, so I thought this might be a good way of doing it.

So today is my first guest; Chanel Cleeton.


Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life
One of my favorite things about writing is finding inspiration in the things around me. For me it can be something small—an image or a phrase that enters my mind that I can’t let go of. The second book I wrote—the one that ultimately landed me an agent—came to be when I was walking over a rickety bridge. I stared down at the creek below and thought “that would be a good place to hide a dead body.” Just like that, my YA thriller was born.
Other times it’s something bigger—a memory or an experience in my life that inspires me. My debut, I SEE LONDON, was one of these books. It’s a New Adult contemporary romance set in an international university in London. It was inspired by the four years I spent living and studying in London.
I love that you never know how or when inspiration will strike. Or where it will take you. For me, my debut started out with the basic concept of taking a girl from a small town in South Carolina and enrolling her in an international university in London. In a lot of ways it was similar to my own experiences. But when I started writing, that’s where the similarities ended. The great thing about writing is that you can start with a seed that’s inspired by reality—something you’ve seen or experienced—and transform it into something completely new.

I always find writing to be an adventure. You go down the rabbit hole and discover a whole new world. Writing I SEE LONDON enabled me to relive some of my favorite London memories but it also allowed me to explore a new set of adventures. I love the old adage, “write what you know” because it gives a ring of authenticity. But it doesn’t mean, “write just what you know.” Rather, it can give a starting point for your imagination without limiting you. Everyday life can be your ticket to adventure and your next story can be just around the corner.

BOOK SUMMARY:
Maggie Carpenter is ready for a change— and to leave her ordinary life in South Carolina behind. But when she accepts a scholarship to the International School in London, a university attended by the privileged offspring of diplomats and world leaders, Maggie might get more than she bargained for.
When Maggie meets Hugh, a twentysomething British guy, she finds herself living the life she always wanted. Suddenly she’s riding around the city in a Ferrari, wearing borrowed designer clothes and going to the hottest clubs. The only problem? Another guy, the one she can’t seem to keep her hands off of.
Half French, half Lebanese, and ridiculously wealthy, Samir Khouri has made it clear he doesn’t do relationships. He’s the opposite of everything Maggie thought she wanted…and he’s everything she can’t resist. Torn between her dream guy and the boy haunting her dreams, Maggie has to fight for her own happy ending. In a city like London, you never know where you stand, and everything can change in the blink of an eye.
This is a New Adult romance recommended for readers 17 and up.

Goodreads
Book Order Links:Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1cQXjYmBarnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1khLGx1iTunes: http://bit.ly/1ewcogY


Author Information
Originally a Florida girl, at seventeen Chanel moved to London to attend an international university.  In the four years that followed, she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, learned how to dance, travelled through Europe, and made lifelong friendships.  Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever.  But fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise, when an American fighter pilot with smooth dance moves, swept her off her feet.  Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure in South Korea.  An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she is happiest curled up with a book.  She has a weakness for handbags, puppy cuddles, and her fighter pilot husband.  Harlequin (HQN) will release Chanel’s New Adult debut, I SEE LONDON, on February 3, 2014, followed by a sequel, LONDON FALLING, later in the year.
Author Links:Website:   www.chanelcleeton.comFacebook:   www.facebook.com/authorchanelcleetonTwitter:   www.twitter.com/chanelcleeton Goodreads:   www.goodreads.com/chanelcleeton

Cover Reveal: Finding Evan by Lisa Swallow

Coming January 2014...


SYNOPSIS
* Book #2 in the Butterfly Days Series *
She killed a part of me – the part which trusts when someone tells you they love you, and allows you to trust that person with your heart.
Ness and Evan return to Leeds from Europe, and begin their new life together. But the past Evan has buried for years resurfaces and threatens their future.
After fifteen years, Evan doesn’t want any contact with the woman who abandoned him, but is unwillingly pulled into his mother’s life by Lucy.
Feeling pushed aside by Ness’s focus on her studies and new friends, Evan can’t confide in Ness about what’s happening. This return to his old behaviour adds more distance to their relationship. When Ness’s new friend Ollie picks up the pieces because Evan is away, Evan’s insecurities threaten their relationship further.
Ness becomes aware of Evan’s situation, and she questions whether he will ever be able to break his ties to those dragging him down. If he can’t put himself first, and live the life he wants, she is unable to see how their relationship could work. In return, Evan struggles with Ness’s inability to get close to people, and her distance pushes him further away.
The decision about the future of the relationship is taken out of their hands - by something which could end things between Ness and Evan forever.

* Book #1 in the Butterfly Days Series *


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa was born in the UK and she moved around Europe with her military family before completing a BA (Hons) in English at the University of Leeds. Her home is now in Perth, Australia with her husband and three children. Lisa has written since she was a child - moving from writing poems and short stories aged nine to writing novels in the last few years. With the encouragement of her family and local writers group, Lisa found the confidence to share her latest paranormal romance series with the world.
In between running her home based craft supplies business, looking after her family, and writing, Lisa sometimes finds spare time to do other things. This often involves swapping her book worlds for gaming worlds. She even leaves the house occasionally, enjoying walks with her dog and time with her family. She loves all things from the Whedonverse and preferred vampires before they sparkled.
Lisa enjoys reading both classics and modern fiction. Her favorite genres are gothic, paranormal and urban fantasy, but she also enjoys contemporary new adult. She is currently working on more books in the Soul Ties series, and has other projects lined up waiting.
CONNECT WITH LISA
* Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Website *


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Cover Reveal: The Problem With Crazy by Lauren K McKellar

  
The Problem With Crazy
by Lauren K McKellar
NA Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Berto Designs
Release Date:  February 13, 2014

The problem with crazy is that crazy, by itself, has no context. It can be good crazy, bad crazy . . . or crazy crazy—like it was when my ex-boyfriend sung about me on the radio.

Eighteen-year-old Kate couldn’t be more excited about finishing high school and spending the summer on tour with her boyfriend’s band. Her dad showing up drunk at graduation, however, is not exactly kicking things off on the right foot—and that’s before she finds out about his mystery illness, certain to end in death.

A mystery illness she is likely to inherit.

When your whole life goes from adventure and ecstasy to sad and suicidal, what’s the point? Not knowing who to love, and who to trust . . . where does it end?

The Problem With Crazy is a story about love and life; about overcoming obstacles, choosing to trust, and learning how to make the choices that will change your life forever.

*A portion of sales from this book will be donated to a Huntington’s disease-related charity (details TBC) ADD TO GOODREADS
Join the release day event, complete with prizes, fun, games, and a partridge in a pear tree on February 13.
Sign up today: http://bit.ly/1cSoON4



Gypsy Rose placed a series of cards on the table, one after the other. They were brightly coloured, garish-looking things, full of shapes and objects, some of which I recognised and some of which I didn’t.

“Is there anything specific you want to know?”

The words stuck in my head.

Yes, when is my dad going to die?

Sure, will he remember me at all?

Okay, let’s start with am I going to have a mental illness and lose control of my words and movements?

“Oh you know, just general stuff.” I smiled vaguely and bit my lip.




Lauren K. McKellar is a writer and editor of fact and fiction. She has worked in publishing for more than eight years, and recently returned to her first love: writing books that make you feel.

Lauren loves to write for the Young and New Adult markets, and blogs with Aussie Owned and Read, as well as vlogging with the YA Rebels.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys long walks on the beach with her two super-cute dogs and her partner-in-crime/fiancé.
FACEBOOK

TWITTER WEBSITE

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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CQ Book Sale

Curiosity Quills is having a big New Year's sale. For two days, get select CQ titles for 99c (ebooks) including both of my Kiya's. Get them before the finally book is released on Feb 25.

\http://curiosityquills.com/new-year-new-books-sale/

Blog Tour: Vision of Shadows by Vincent Morrone

Today is my stop during the blog tour for Vision of Shadows by Vincent Morrone. Vision of Shadows is published by Entranced Publishing. This blog tour runs from 30 December till 19 January, you can view the whole tour schedule on Vincent Morrone his website.

Vision of Shadows (Vision #1)
by Vincent Morrone
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: December 30, 2013

Blurb:
Is Bristol Blackburn about to meet the love of her life...or her killer?
After the death of her parents, Bristol Blackburn's life is thrown into chaos and she's forced to move to Spirit, a small town where shadows are stirring. As she learns to navigate her new school and figures out how to keep her psychic abilities secret from her family, Bristol comes face to face with the boy who makes a regular appearance in her dreams: the gorgeous, possibly deadly, Payne McKnight. Soon she’ll find out if Payne will be the love of her life, or the end of it — and she has no idea which possibility scares her more.
And that's not even the worst of it. Strange shadows are haunting her dreams, and they're up to something that could put Bristol and the lives of everyone she loves in jeopardy.

Amazon
You can add Vision of Shadows to your to-read list on Goodreads

You can find more about Vision of Shadows on the Entranced Publishing website.

Want to chat with Bristol, the main character of this series? Well she has her own twitter account.

Vision of Secrets (Vision #0.5)
by Vincent Morrone
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: December 2, 2013

Blurb:
Bristol understands secrets. She's got plenty of her own, ranging from the annoying ghost that keeps showing up and attempting to sing Copacabana, (badly) to the visions of a terrifying future that is getting closer each day.
Bristol knows secrets can kill. She's getting flashes of a boy racked with guilt over his secret. And a girl who's prank might lead to someone's death.
Vision of Secrets is a free prequel introduces you to Bristol Blackburn before the explosive events in Vision of Shadows and let's you see how a young girl deals with her Visions of Secrets!

You can add Vision of Shadows to your to-read list on Goodreads

You can download Vision of Secrets for free from smashwords

About the Author:
Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, Vincent Morrone now resides in Upstate NY with his wife. (Although he can still speak fluent Brooklynese.) His twin daughters remain not only his biggest fans, but usually are the first to read all of his work. Their home is run and operated for the comfort and convenience of their dogs.

Vincent has been writing fiction, poetry and song lyrics for as long as he can remember, most of which involve magical misfits, paranormal prodigies and even on occasion superheroes and their sidekicks.

As they say in Brooklyn: Yo, you got something to say to Vincent?
Check out http://vincentmorrone.com/ where you can learn about Vincent and leave him a comment. You can also connect with Vincent on Twitter https://twitter.com/Vince524 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Morrrone.


You can find and contact Vincent Morrone here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads

Vincent also participates in a group blog called YA Rush which consist of YA and NA Entranced authors. You can find YA Rush here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Pinterest


There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Vision of Shadows.
Here is what you can win:
- 1 Vision of Shadows Pen
- 1 Vision of Shadows Calender
- 1 Vision of Shadows Pen & calender
- 1 Vision of Shadows Pen and calender in a Vision of Shadows canvas bag
- 1 Vision of Shadows Pen, calender in Vision of Shadows canvas bag and an e-copy Vision of Shadows

Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win:
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Branded Blog Tour Hosts Needed

So it looks like I have a date for Branded; Feb 5. With that, I need to get the tour rolling. So, dear bloggers, please help me out by signing up here:
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I know Kiya 3 is also coming up soon, so please, if you can only do one, hang out for that one. I want the Kiya Trilogy to go out with a Bang!

Thank you!

Cover Reveal: You Found Me by Kanettra Holmes

We join Grapevine Book Tours in presenting the new cover for:

Cover designed by Mae I Design You Found Me
by Kanettra Holmes
Publication: April 7th, 2014
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance


When eighteen-year-old Mia Graham runs away, she thinks she's left the memory of the most horrible night of her life behind her. But the past isn't done with her yet, no matter how far she runs. Now she’s faced with a tough and confusing decision and has no idea what to do.

Then along comes Aiden Kincaid, quiet and withdrawn. From the moment he crosses paths with Mia, he is instantly intrigued by her.

Mia promised herself she would never trust another man again, though, and Aiden still harbors guilt from a tragic accident and never wanted anyone else in his life. Neither of them is looking for love. But fate has different plans.

Will Mia and Aiden give into their fears and continue to let their pasts control them, or will they realize that sometimes fate steps in and sends you the person you never knew you were looking for?

Sign up to participate in the You Found Me blog tour happening April 7th–12th!
Kanettra Holmes

Her Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | GoodreadsI was born and raised in none other than the great state of New York. I moved to Florida when I was seventeen and fell in love with the warm weather and sunshine. Now nine years later I curse the heat and cherish the cool days.

When I'm not closed off from the world in my home reading or writing, I like to go to the zoo or the aquarium or anyplace I can be around animals. Or walking the trails and enjoying nature. I also always enjoy a nice meal out, and Karaoke night at Applebees is always fun.

Random Facts:
1) I ALWAYS laugh at my own jokes, while others laugh at me ;)
2) I LOVE THE RAIN!!!• $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card {INT} • Winner's choice of eBook via Amazon or B&N (up to $5 value)a Rafflecopter giveawayCover reveal organized by

So... see that tab above?

I have a tab above that reads: family blog. This year I'm actually going to use that blog to document my cooking experiment. Head on over and watch me as I struggle through to achieve this year's goal: to cook an entire recipe book.

Release Day: Natural Harmony by Kate Roth

Suddenly named the acting president of her uncle’s record label, former pop princess Sabrina Walker is
finally ready to grow up. While her professional life moves forward, she still clings to the last fragment of
her past life in the form of an uncertain relationship with her manager, Beau.
When Sabrina hires handsome, young assistant, Wade Lawson, he awakens in her the hidden confidence
she’s always desired. What starts as a casual affair quickly intensifies to something much more.
Sabrina must decide—return to the familiar life of an insecure one-hit-wonder, or embrace Wade and
the woman his passion has helped reveal.
Natural Harmony is a stand-alone contemporary romance novel for readers 18+ and is the first in the
Confession Records collection.

Amazon Kindle  Paperback  Nook
Inspired by music, film, art and the wealth of stories she has heard through her career as a
professional hair stylist, Kate Roth has been dreaming up love stories since junior high.
Kate’s first two novels, new adult romance The Low Notes and new adult paranormal romance
Reckless Radiance were released by Rebel Ink Press in May of 2012 and September of 2013. Natural
Harmony is her third novel and her first venture into independent publishing. She is hard at work
on the next two novels in the Confession Records collection, as well as her first erotic romance, Last
Resort. She is a small business owner and lives in Indiana with her husband, Adam and their dog,
Sampson.
You can find more about Kate and her work on her website www.katerothwrites.com and stay up to
date with all her news by following her on Facebook www.facebook.com/authorkateroth

Release Day: Soul of Asimina by Kristi Strong

The third book in the Land of Kaldalangra series has arrived! Cover by Once Upon a Time coversSabina de Nespa has known a life of freedom and peace, thanks to the actions of her heroic parents. As a child of royalty, she has kept her intentions pure and her heart guarded, always aware that the crown of the realm may one day rest upon her brow.

When two strangers stumble across her path, she finds her peace shattered as dangerous family secrets begin to emerge, along with a malignant force that threatens to destroy her entire world. These men have the ability to help her rise to brilliant heights, or cause a devastating plunge into darkness.

It is now up to Sabina to continue her parents’ legacy of honor, courage, and strength through adversity. With the fate of Kaldalangra upon her shoulders, she has vowed to follow the path of righteousness, or die trying.

Paperback Kindle Nook 
~ * ~ * ~
Do you want to know how the story began? Then be sure to get your copy of the first two books in the Land of Kaldalangra series, The Lady of Steinbrekka and Heart of Kylassame. As a bonus, each of these e-books is available for Nook and Kindle users for only 99 cents until January 1st, 2014!
Also, be sure to check out the give-away currently being hosted by Strong Novels, a free Kindle of Nook copy of all 3 books in the Kaldalangra series! But don't delay, the contest ends with 2013, and entries will close on January 1st.
~ * ~ * ~

Rhea Aralia lived an uneventful life in Virginia, until the fateful night of her kidnapping. Taken to a strange realm of destruction, despair, and mysterious people with dark secrets, the young woman must learn a new way of life to survive.With the help of her new companions, Rhea discovers the courage to defy the tyrant King Verikhan and his heir, the cleverness to deceive the court, and the power within herself to transform this world of darkness into one of beauty and hope.

Will Rhea triumph over those who seek her destruction, or will she be forever lost in the darkness known as Kaldalangra?


Kindle    Nook




Nyssa has taken her place as Queen of the realm, with her secret love, Sebast, now openly at her side. She rules with a fair hand, striving for justice and prosperity for all of her people.
Rowan and Rhea travel the realm, spreading peace and healing wherever they go. In Kylassame, they have formed a strong bond with friends and spread deep roots in the community.
The people of Kaldalangra are joyful, and life in their world is better than ever before.
But a string of tragedies has the ability to bring Rhea to her knees, and with her, the entire realm. While Rowan struggles to recover the village of Kylassame from a devastating crime, Rhea’s faith in her own strength weakens, with dire consequences.
Re-enter the world of Kaldalangra, and join the adventure as Rhea and Rowan endeavor to continue upon their chosen destiny

Kindle
Nook


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