Mara Valderran's Blog, page 24
December 31, 2013
13 Things I Learned in 2013 and 14 Things I Hope to Happen in 2014
I got this idea from Dawn Pendleton's blog and thought I would give it a shot. It's been a whirlwind year for me, full of lots of lessons and amazing opportunities, so narrowing it all down might be hard. My list of hopes for 2014 isn't really a resolution list, but more like my wishes and things I plan to work towards.
1. Blog Tours are important. This year, I was lucky enough to take part in too many blog tours to list through Bewitching Book Tours, the Blog Tour Exchange, and many other blog tour organizers. I say that it is important not because I have thousands upon thousands of readers following my every blogging word, but because spreading the word about books is important. I was also lucky enough to have an amazing response to my own blog tour, so I know what it feels like to be on the other end, having other authors and bloggers tell people about your book. It's amazing! Word of mouth is everything for an author, so hosting tours can help them tremendously, and they will be grateful for the part you play. Which brings me to my next lesson:
2. Networking is important. Because of the tours and contests I've taken part in, I've met some amazing people and been able to take part in some really cool stuff, like the New Adult Fall Promotion that just wrapped up (side note: we're still giving away a Kindle! More details here), submit my very first short story for an anthology competition, take part in the fantasy blog group There and Draft Again, and so much more. I've also given away so many copies of my book that I lost track, donating them to other giveaways.
3. The connections you make and the friendships you build in the writerly world will pay off, big. I'm a big believer in you get what you give, but also be genuine. So many times, you run into people in the writerly world that are just out for themselves and only doing things for you in the hopes of getting something back in return. But then you find other people, people who genuinely support you and care about you, and you build this treasure trove of support that can be absolutely overwhelming. I met my critique group and my fantasy blogging group through making connections during online events and contests, and I wouldn't trade any of them for the world. I even got to meet two of my CPs a few months ago and it was awesome!
4. Don't get bogged down in social media. If you've ever read anything Kristen Lamb has to say, pay attention to what she says about social media. Granted, I don't follow all of her guidelines, but I do take her advice to heart. It's so easy to either become automated or overwhelmed, which means you are forgetting the point of social media: To stay connected to other people. You have to act like a person to connect. There are so many social media outlets. Facebook, G+, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, etc. I tend to follow one golden rule: I say something when I have something to say. I try not to spam with links to purchase my book and instead go for gentle reminders. Chances are, if someone is following your fanpage, they have either already read your book or know how to get their hands on it anyway. Much like writing, I try to post things that I would want to see from others. This also ties into the whole being genuine thing from #3.
5. Story bibles are a must if you are writing a series. I blogged about the encyclobibliogrimoire over at There and Draft Again, but I honestly don't have much of one, and I think one of my New Year's Resolutions will be to finally sit down and make one. I'm tired of flipping back and forth between drafts of the first book (of which there are many) trying to find that one spot where I described the freaking emblem of the Duillaine or Cahira.
6. I have more than one story in my head. I know, that seems like it would be a given since I am a writer, but it really isn't. I set out to write Heirs of War, which I've been working on for several years with no other story in mind (save a few fanfics here and there). I didn't think I'd write anything beyond it. And then it happened. I came up with the idea for Altar of Reality. And then it turned from a standalone into pretty much a guaranteed series. And THEN I came up with an idea for a sci-fi series that will pretty much have to wait since I have my hands full right now. Oh, and I managed to write AoR in first person, which I hate, and also was able to write a short story, which I also hate writing and reading (it always turns into something so much bigger, or I'm left wanting more). So, this year I learned that I am more of a writer than I thought I was.
7. If you are self-publishing, pay for a professional cover artist and editor. I can't stress these enough, really. My cover artist and editor are both two of my biggest supporters, and not just because I pay them (I hope haha). They are just amazing people and such a vital part of Heirs of War that I absolutely cannot imagine doing anything with the series without them. Heck, they are one of the biggest reasons I think about self-publishing all my works, just so I have the choice to continue working with them. It is thanks to their hard work that Heirs of War looks as good as it does now, and I have to say I think it looks pretty damn good. Especially since I'm now referring back to old drafts and mockup covers that I did...*cringe*
8. When you find an editor you want to work with, trust them. Trust them, and let them guide you to being a better writer. I feel so much more confident about my writing skills after working with Kriscinda Lee Everitt. I made TONS of mistakes, but she corrected me, taught me why they were bad, and made me laugh a lot along the way. I can't wait to see what I learn with book two. I'm anxious to get it to her for that reason--I crave more knowledge, and one of the best ways you can get that knowledge is by working one on one with an editor as brilliant and patient and awesome as she is. I could spend the rest of 2014 raving about her (and will probably do that a lot throughout 2014). I know it is so hard to put your baby in someone else's hands and let them pick it apart, but it will be so much better for it in the end. If you read the version of Heirs of War on Wattpad now, you'll see that there are around 11 POVs in the book. Believe it or not, that was after I narrowed it down and cut a few. Kriscinda and I had talked about this because it was a common piece of feedback I'd get. There were too many POVs, but I didn't know how to narrow them down even further without losing the story and the buildup to certain story lines. She helped me find a way how, and I feel like the story is so much better for it now. Trust. Your. Editor.
9. Wattpad is an awesome way to connect to readers. I have no idea if my Wattpad reads will translate into sales for book two, but it doesn't really matter at this point. My experience on Wattpad will still be worth it. I love how readers have fallen in love with my characters, how they make guesses and predictions about what is going to happen to them, and how they are clamoring for more. That keeps me going. I try to respond to all the comments I get, sometimes glossing over the ones I don't understand (Seriously: What's with comments showing up as highlighting part of a sentence and then having a comment on it that says something like 'Oh'. I don't get it, and have no clue as to how to respond.). I've had a few negative people on there, some downright mean, but thanks to the outpouring of support and love I get on a daily basis for the book, I am able to laugh their comments off.
10. Have a thick skin. Sometimes this means just focusing on the positive (like I just talked about with Wattpad), but other times it really means blowing off the bad things. I've had someone give a one star rating to Heirs of War with no real explanation as to why, and I've had someone else give three stars to Heirs of War, Destiny of One, which isn't even published yet. I didn't bother trying to get it removed because my feeling is "Meh." There are plenty of books that I didn't like that also happen to be best sellers with rabid fandoms. Clearly, those authors did something right, even if I don't personally see it. But opinions of art in any form are...well, opinions, and quite subjective. Just like how my husband enjoys Dream Theatre and I can be found singing along to Taylor Swift when he's not around.
11. I want to be a hybrid author. When I first decided to self-publish, I thought that was going to be it for me. I know it is a lot of work, but so is publishing period anymore. But I do still like the idea of working with a publisher. I don't need it to be the big five or anything. Smaller would probably be better for me. Would I ever turn Heirs of War over to a publisher? Probably not. I don't want to lose any ounce of creative control with that one. That's my baby. But Altar of Reality and anything else I write? That's another story. If anything, it might be a relief to let someone else help with costs and marketing so I can focus on HoW. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there. I'm only so patient when it comes to querying, so if I end up with another year of rejections, I'll probably still self-publish AoR. But I'm willing to give traditional publishing a shot while still holding on to my self-published works, so we'll see where I go from there.
12. Never look at sales. When I first hit publish with HoW, I was checking daily. Now I only check sometimes, because it can get really depressing to not see those numbers move at all. But when you don't look, it turns into a pleasant surprise of "Oh, look how many books I've sold on iBooks now! I didn't even know I'd sold one there!" instead of "Still three. Blarg!" The same thing goes for book reviews too, though this is something you want to periodically check just so you can know to put a call out for more reviews. You'd be surprised how many people don't review, even if they've told you how much they enjoyed your book.
13. Don't think about marketing when you are trying to write a book. Just don't. I'm working on the second book for HoW right now, and I've been so bogged down by this. The rough and terrible draft of this book that I wrote last year was 200k--twice the size of the first book. I thought I'd split it up, but now I'm not so sure. I still might, but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that I get it written, and then I'll decide what to do from there. My deadline for finishing this book was December 31st, and that totally isn't going to happen. But now that I've given up on figuring out how I'll end up selling it? I'm on a roll.
And Now for the 14 Things I Hope to Happen in 2014:
I hope I publish two more books in the Heirs of War series, at least.I hope to giveaway lots of books and swag. Why? Just because I love doing it.I hope to attend a writers conference.If sales permit, I hope to attend a writers event and have a table set up. I hope to attend a writer retreat with my wonderful critique partners.I hope to find a home for Altar of Reality.I hope to get to work on the sequel to Altar of Reality.I hope to get published in an alternate form other than self-publishing, whether it is a short story submission to a magazine or anthology, or traditionally publishing another book.I hope to sit down and create story bibles for the series I am working on.I hope to build even more amazing connections and friendships in the writerly world.I hope to review twice as many books as I did this year. I hope to find a balance between my writerly life and duties, and real life since I start classes back up in January (eep!).I hope to learn even more from my editor and critique partners.I hope to continue to host blog tours and help spread the word about the amazing books out there. Happy 2014 everyone! Tell me, what's your hope for this new year?
1. Blog Tours are important. This year, I was lucky enough to take part in too many blog tours to list through Bewitching Book Tours, the Blog Tour Exchange, and many other blog tour organizers. I say that it is important not because I have thousands upon thousands of readers following my every blogging word, but because spreading the word about books is important. I was also lucky enough to have an amazing response to my own blog tour, so I know what it feels like to be on the other end, having other authors and bloggers tell people about your book. It's amazing! Word of mouth is everything for an author, so hosting tours can help them tremendously, and they will be grateful for the part you play. Which brings me to my next lesson:
2. Networking is important. Because of the tours and contests I've taken part in, I've met some amazing people and been able to take part in some really cool stuff, like the New Adult Fall Promotion that just wrapped up (side note: we're still giving away a Kindle! More details here), submit my very first short story for an anthology competition, take part in the fantasy blog group There and Draft Again, and so much more. I've also given away so many copies of my book that I lost track, donating them to other giveaways.
3. The connections you make and the friendships you build in the writerly world will pay off, big. I'm a big believer in you get what you give, but also be genuine. So many times, you run into people in the writerly world that are just out for themselves and only doing things for you in the hopes of getting something back in return. But then you find other people, people who genuinely support you and care about you, and you build this treasure trove of support that can be absolutely overwhelming. I met my critique group and my fantasy blogging group through making connections during online events and contests, and I wouldn't trade any of them for the world. I even got to meet two of my CPs a few months ago and it was awesome!
4. Don't get bogged down in social media. If you've ever read anything Kristen Lamb has to say, pay attention to what she says about social media. Granted, I don't follow all of her guidelines, but I do take her advice to heart. It's so easy to either become automated or overwhelmed, which means you are forgetting the point of social media: To stay connected to other people. You have to act like a person to connect. There are so many social media outlets. Facebook, G+, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, etc. I tend to follow one golden rule: I say something when I have something to say. I try not to spam with links to purchase my book and instead go for gentle reminders. Chances are, if someone is following your fanpage, they have either already read your book or know how to get their hands on it anyway. Much like writing, I try to post things that I would want to see from others. This also ties into the whole being genuine thing from #3.
5. Story bibles are a must if you are writing a series. I blogged about the encyclobibliogrimoire over at There and Draft Again, but I honestly don't have much of one, and I think one of my New Year's Resolutions will be to finally sit down and make one. I'm tired of flipping back and forth between drafts of the first book (of which there are many) trying to find that one spot where I described the freaking emblem of the Duillaine or Cahira.
6. I have more than one story in my head. I know, that seems like it would be a given since I am a writer, but it really isn't. I set out to write Heirs of War, which I've been working on for several years with no other story in mind (save a few fanfics here and there). I didn't think I'd write anything beyond it. And then it happened. I came up with the idea for Altar of Reality. And then it turned from a standalone into pretty much a guaranteed series. And THEN I came up with an idea for a sci-fi series that will pretty much have to wait since I have my hands full right now. Oh, and I managed to write AoR in first person, which I hate, and also was able to write a short story, which I also hate writing and reading (it always turns into something so much bigger, or I'm left wanting more). So, this year I learned that I am more of a writer than I thought I was.
7. If you are self-publishing, pay for a professional cover artist and editor. I can't stress these enough, really. My cover artist and editor are both two of my biggest supporters, and not just because I pay them (I hope haha). They are just amazing people and such a vital part of Heirs of War that I absolutely cannot imagine doing anything with the series without them. Heck, they are one of the biggest reasons I think about self-publishing all my works, just so I have the choice to continue working with them. It is thanks to their hard work that Heirs of War looks as good as it does now, and I have to say I think it looks pretty damn good. Especially since I'm now referring back to old drafts and mockup covers that I did...*cringe*
8. When you find an editor you want to work with, trust them. Trust them, and let them guide you to being a better writer. I feel so much more confident about my writing skills after working with Kriscinda Lee Everitt. I made TONS of mistakes, but she corrected me, taught me why they were bad, and made me laugh a lot along the way. I can't wait to see what I learn with book two. I'm anxious to get it to her for that reason--I crave more knowledge, and one of the best ways you can get that knowledge is by working one on one with an editor as brilliant and patient and awesome as she is. I could spend the rest of 2014 raving about her (and will probably do that a lot throughout 2014). I know it is so hard to put your baby in someone else's hands and let them pick it apart, but it will be so much better for it in the end. If you read the version of Heirs of War on Wattpad now, you'll see that there are around 11 POVs in the book. Believe it or not, that was after I narrowed it down and cut a few. Kriscinda and I had talked about this because it was a common piece of feedback I'd get. There were too many POVs, but I didn't know how to narrow them down even further without losing the story and the buildup to certain story lines. She helped me find a way how, and I feel like the story is so much better for it now. Trust. Your. Editor.
9. Wattpad is an awesome way to connect to readers. I have no idea if my Wattpad reads will translate into sales for book two, but it doesn't really matter at this point. My experience on Wattpad will still be worth it. I love how readers have fallen in love with my characters, how they make guesses and predictions about what is going to happen to them, and how they are clamoring for more. That keeps me going. I try to respond to all the comments I get, sometimes glossing over the ones I don't understand (Seriously: What's with comments showing up as highlighting part of a sentence and then having a comment on it that says something like 'Oh'. I don't get it, and have no clue as to how to respond.). I've had a few negative people on there, some downright mean, but thanks to the outpouring of support and love I get on a daily basis for the book, I am able to laugh their comments off.
10. Have a thick skin. Sometimes this means just focusing on the positive (like I just talked about with Wattpad), but other times it really means blowing off the bad things. I've had someone give a one star rating to Heirs of War with no real explanation as to why, and I've had someone else give three stars to Heirs of War, Destiny of One, which isn't even published yet. I didn't bother trying to get it removed because my feeling is "Meh." There are plenty of books that I didn't like that also happen to be best sellers with rabid fandoms. Clearly, those authors did something right, even if I don't personally see it. But opinions of art in any form are...well, opinions, and quite subjective. Just like how my husband enjoys Dream Theatre and I can be found singing along to Taylor Swift when he's not around.
11. I want to be a hybrid author. When I first decided to self-publish, I thought that was going to be it for me. I know it is a lot of work, but so is publishing period anymore. But I do still like the idea of working with a publisher. I don't need it to be the big five or anything. Smaller would probably be better for me. Would I ever turn Heirs of War over to a publisher? Probably not. I don't want to lose any ounce of creative control with that one. That's my baby. But Altar of Reality and anything else I write? That's another story. If anything, it might be a relief to let someone else help with costs and marketing so I can focus on HoW. I'm not sure if I'll ever get there. I'm only so patient when it comes to querying, so if I end up with another year of rejections, I'll probably still self-publish AoR. But I'm willing to give traditional publishing a shot while still holding on to my self-published works, so we'll see where I go from there.
12. Never look at sales. When I first hit publish with HoW, I was checking daily. Now I only check sometimes, because it can get really depressing to not see those numbers move at all. But when you don't look, it turns into a pleasant surprise of "Oh, look how many books I've sold on iBooks now! I didn't even know I'd sold one there!" instead of "Still three. Blarg!" The same thing goes for book reviews too, though this is something you want to periodically check just so you can know to put a call out for more reviews. You'd be surprised how many people don't review, even if they've told you how much they enjoyed your book.
13. Don't think about marketing when you are trying to write a book. Just don't. I'm working on the second book for HoW right now, and I've been so bogged down by this. The rough and terrible draft of this book that I wrote last year was 200k--twice the size of the first book. I thought I'd split it up, but now I'm not so sure. I still might, but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that I get it written, and then I'll decide what to do from there. My deadline for finishing this book was December 31st, and that totally isn't going to happen. But now that I've given up on figuring out how I'll end up selling it? I'm on a roll.
And Now for the 14 Things I Hope to Happen in 2014:
I hope I publish two more books in the Heirs of War series, at least.I hope to giveaway lots of books and swag. Why? Just because I love doing it.I hope to attend a writers conference.If sales permit, I hope to attend a writers event and have a table set up. I hope to attend a writer retreat with my wonderful critique partners.I hope to find a home for Altar of Reality.I hope to get to work on the sequel to Altar of Reality.I hope to get published in an alternate form other than self-publishing, whether it is a short story submission to a magazine or anthology, or traditionally publishing another book.I hope to sit down and create story bibles for the series I am working on.I hope to build even more amazing connections and friendships in the writerly world.I hope to review twice as many books as I did this year. I hope to find a balance between my writerly life and duties, and real life since I start classes back up in January (eep!).I hope to learn even more from my editor and critique partners.I hope to continue to host blog tours and help spread the word about the amazing books out there. Happy 2014 everyone! Tell me, what's your hope for this new year?
December 30, 2013
Guest Blog & Giveaway: Marina Myles's Ideal New Years Eve Party
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Marina Myles is throwing a New Years Eve Party, but to get on the invite list, you have to be a fictional character! Check out which characters Marina would love to party with and why, and then take a look at the giveaway below for your chance to win an e-copy of her book, Snow White and the Vampire. Happy New Year, everyone, and big thanks to Marina for stopping by to celebrate with us!
About the Author:
Although Marina Myles lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she would reside in a historic manor house in foggy England if she had her way. Her love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale and eventually led to degrees in English Literature and Communications. Now, with her loyal Maltese close by, she relishes the hours she gets to escape into worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs.
She’s busy being a wife and a mother, but she is never too busy to hear from her amazing readers.
Visit her at: www.marinamyles.com http://www.marinamyles.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/marinamylesauthor
www.twitter.com/#!/marinaauthor http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7104310.Marina_Myles
Fictional Characters I’d invite to My New Year’s Eve PartyOkay. The truth is I’m not much of a party person. Especially not a New Year’s Eve party person.That’s why the idea of making out an imaginary guest list filled with fictional characters is right up my alley. I’m certain there would be stimulating—maybe even heated conversations—during my pretend soiree. There would also be a show of fantastic costumes and the consumption of much champagne minus the hangover. Yay!You are more than welcome to be a fly on the wall as I ring in the New Year. Are you ready for it to begin?Arriving first would be Edward Cullen from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, Dracula from Bram Stoker’s classic novel, and Anne Rice’s, Lestat de Lioncourt from An Interview with a Vampire. Can you imagine the sort of debate these vampires would stir? Who is the sexiest creature of the night? The most powerful blood-sucker? The most famous undead? Gad! I’d love to hear that.To lighten things up, in would fly Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. They would remind us that we never have to grow up—even in 2014. I can picture it. Peter Pan would flirt with all the young ladies in the room, maybe even offer them a thimble. And Tinkerbell would leave a trail of pixie dust behind as she flits off to brood in a corner.For all the children who aren’t old enough to stay up ’til midnight, it’s Nanny McPhee to the rescue. She would gather the children up with a stomp of her magic cane and send them to bed with visions of sparkling cider in their heads (instead of Asti Spumante, of course).In keeping with the light-hearted side of the party, Ariel and Prince Eric from Disney’s The Little Mermaid would ring the doorbell. Not only are they adorable to look at, they’re my favorite imaginary couple ever. Eric would try and read Ariel’s lips (because she’s been robbed of her voice by the evil Ursula, remember?) and then he would get her glass of punch without taking his eyes off her. Double adorable.Next, an intriguing scavenger hunt would be announced. To help out, serious-minded Robert Langdon (of Dan Brown fame) and well-known female detective, Nancy Drew, arrive. They would round up the guests, help decipher clues, and lead everyone on a suspenseful journey around my home. (Since this is pretend, my house resembles Jay Gatsby’s mansion in the Leonard di Caprio film version.) Langdon and Nancy Drew would eventually even help someone win an iPad onto which a bunch of ebooks can be download. Even Snow White and the Vampire, if the spirit moves them!Then the guests would see Maleficent, the wicked enchantress from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, and the evil queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs materialize from a puff of smoke. From under black-fringed stares, they’d spike the punch and engage in cryptic conversations. They would also argue amongst themselves about who can whip up the best spell for an intriguing 2014.Last but not least, there is me…your hostess. Did I mention that I’d be wearing a fabulous, size 4 cocktail dress instead of the sweatpants I have on right now? Perhaps I’ll assume the character of Jessica Rabbit. Hey, it’s my party and a girl can dream if she wants to. This has been great fun. Thank you for stopping by. I’m wishing you a safe and happy new year—and if you have a minute, I’d love to hear who you’d invite to your imaginary party!
Want to know more about Marina's fictional characters? Check out her book:
Snow White and the Vampire
The Cursed Princes Book TwoMarina Myles Genre: Historical/paranormal romance Fairy tales retold Publisher: Kensington
Date of Publication: December 19, 2013
Amazon BN iTunes eKensington Blio
Book Description:
Fog and Fascination
Alba Spencer thought her past in Romania and the dark magic that haunted it was behind her forever. She is one of the first female barristers now, safe in London. But London has its dark side, too. A man called the Ripper stalks the midnight streets. There are rumors that her hated stepmother has found her again, suggestions that the nightmares of her childhood are returning. And with them appears the cursed Gypsy boy she once loved, grown into a man more seductive and more terrifying than she ever could have dreamed…
Dimitri Grigorescu has become a surgeon, a gentleman—and a vampire. The lusts that drive his body are scarcely under control, and even he does not truly know what he is capable of. To fight evil and confusion, Alba must rely only on her wits—and a desire that overwhelms her doubts…
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Marina Myles is throwing a New Years Eve Party, but to get on the invite list, you have to be a fictional character! Check out which characters Marina would love to party with and why, and then take a look at the giveaway below for your chance to win an e-copy of her book, Snow White and the Vampire. Happy New Year, everyone, and big thanks to Marina for stopping by to celebrate with us!
About the Author: Although Marina Myles lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she would reside in a historic manor house in foggy England if she had her way. Her love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale and eventually led to degrees in English Literature and Communications. Now, with her loyal Maltese close by, she relishes the hours she gets to escape into worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs.
She’s busy being a wife and a mother, but she is never too busy to hear from her amazing readers.
Visit her at: www.marinamyles.com http://www.marinamyles.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/marinamylesauthor
www.twitter.com/#!/marinaauthor http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7104310.Marina_Myles
Fictional Characters I’d invite to My New Year’s Eve PartyOkay. The truth is I’m not much of a party person. Especially not a New Year’s Eve party person.That’s why the idea of making out an imaginary guest list filled with fictional characters is right up my alley. I’m certain there would be stimulating—maybe even heated conversations—during my pretend soiree. There would also be a show of fantastic costumes and the consumption of much champagne minus the hangover. Yay!You are more than welcome to be a fly on the wall as I ring in the New Year. Are you ready for it to begin?Arriving first would be Edward Cullen from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, Dracula from Bram Stoker’s classic novel, and Anne Rice’s, Lestat de Lioncourt from An Interview with a Vampire. Can you imagine the sort of debate these vampires would stir? Who is the sexiest creature of the night? The most powerful blood-sucker? The most famous undead? Gad! I’d love to hear that.To lighten things up, in would fly Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. They would remind us that we never have to grow up—even in 2014. I can picture it. Peter Pan would flirt with all the young ladies in the room, maybe even offer them a thimble. And Tinkerbell would leave a trail of pixie dust behind as she flits off to brood in a corner.For all the children who aren’t old enough to stay up ’til midnight, it’s Nanny McPhee to the rescue. She would gather the children up with a stomp of her magic cane and send them to bed with visions of sparkling cider in their heads (instead of Asti Spumante, of course).In keeping with the light-hearted side of the party, Ariel and Prince Eric from Disney’s The Little Mermaid would ring the doorbell. Not only are they adorable to look at, they’re my favorite imaginary couple ever. Eric would try and read Ariel’s lips (because she’s been robbed of her voice by the evil Ursula, remember?) and then he would get her glass of punch without taking his eyes off her. Double adorable.Next, an intriguing scavenger hunt would be announced. To help out, serious-minded Robert Langdon (of Dan Brown fame) and well-known female detective, Nancy Drew, arrive. They would round up the guests, help decipher clues, and lead everyone on a suspenseful journey around my home. (Since this is pretend, my house resembles Jay Gatsby’s mansion in the Leonard di Caprio film version.) Langdon and Nancy Drew would eventually even help someone win an iPad onto which a bunch of ebooks can be download. Even Snow White and the Vampire, if the spirit moves them!Then the guests would see Maleficent, the wicked enchantress from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, and the evil queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs materialize from a puff of smoke. From under black-fringed stares, they’d spike the punch and engage in cryptic conversations. They would also argue amongst themselves about who can whip up the best spell for an intriguing 2014.Last but not least, there is me…your hostess. Did I mention that I’d be wearing a fabulous, size 4 cocktail dress instead of the sweatpants I have on right now? Perhaps I’ll assume the character of Jessica Rabbit. Hey, it’s my party and a girl can dream if she wants to. This has been great fun. Thank you for stopping by. I’m wishing you a safe and happy new year—and if you have a minute, I’d love to hear who you’d invite to your imaginary party!
Want to know more about Marina's fictional characters? Check out her book:
Snow White and the VampireThe Cursed Princes Book TwoMarina Myles Genre: Historical/paranormal romance Fairy tales retold Publisher: Kensington
Date of Publication: December 19, 2013
Amazon BN iTunes eKensington Blio
Book Description:
Fog and Fascination
Alba Spencer thought her past in Romania and the dark magic that haunted it was behind her forever. She is one of the first female barristers now, safe in London. But London has its dark side, too. A man called the Ripper stalks the midnight streets. There are rumors that her hated stepmother has found her again, suggestions that the nightmares of her childhood are returning. And with them appears the cursed Gypsy boy she once loved, grown into a man more seductive and more terrifying than she ever could have dreamed…
Dimitri Grigorescu has become a surgeon, a gentleman—and a vampire. The lusts that drive his body are scarcely under control, and even he does not truly know what he is capable of. To fight evil and confusion, Alba must rely only on her wits—and a desire that overwhelms her doubts…
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December 29, 2013
Why I Might Be Merging Heirs of War Books Two and Three Together
I've been banging my head against my keyboard for a month now as I've set to work on Heirs of War, Destiny of One. I haven't made much headway at all, to be honest. I'm only six chapters in. Granted, I already had a rough draft to work off of, but there's a whole lot of rewrites involved. Why? Well, because the first draft was complete crap, and now that I've learned so much and grown as a writer, I can recognize that. The story is mostly solid, though, so I'm not scrapping it entirely.
The thing is, when I first wrote the second book in the Heirs of War series, it was split into three parts. Part One followed Zelene, Rhaya, and Terrena in Anscombe, while Part Two followed Ariana and Isauria, with bits of the others thrown in. Part Three brings all their storylines together. The problem with this draft of the book? It's 200k in rough draft format and with big gaping holes in some of their stories.
So I decided I was going to split the book up. Heirs of War, Destiny of One would follow Ariana and Isauria, and Heirs of War, Crown of Flames would follow Zelene, Rhaya, and Terrena in Anscombe and bring their stories together with Ariana and Isauria. It seemed like the perfect plan, and I haven't completely given up on that idea yet. But I'm getting there.
Why? Because it would piss me off as a reader. Here's the thing: You still hear about things that happen with Zelene, Rhaya, and Terrena as Isauria hears about them and interacts with some of those characters (and others from Anscombe) during her part of the story. So you'd have an entire book following just Ariana and Isauria while getting hints as to what is happening to the rest of them, but never seeing it until book three (Crown of Flames) is released next summer. If I was just a reader for this series, this would seriously frustrate me.
And keeping them separate really doesn't change anything cost-wise. I'm still going to pay the same amount for an editor because it's the same amount of words. If you are buying paperback, the cost of one larger book (I don't think) is much more than the cost of two. And of course, if you are buying an e-book, then you'd only pay for the one book. Will the cost still be $2.99 if I have two books in one? I'm not sure yet. I don't want to go much higher than that. I'm not trying to say my books aren't worth it, but I know what it is like to be a broke book lover, so I try to keep that in mind with pricing.
I'm still not ruling it out entirely, but I'm fairly certain merging them together is the better plan. What do you guys think? Would you rather have one big book with all of the characters, or two separate books that follow separate story lines happening simultaneously? This is one of the perks to self-publishing. I can get input from you guys, my wonderful readers, and make my decision based on that.
And if you think I should just keep it all as one book, which title do you like best: Heirs of War, Destiny of One or Heirs of War, Crown of Flames?
The thing is, when I first wrote the second book in the Heirs of War series, it was split into three parts. Part One followed Zelene, Rhaya, and Terrena in Anscombe, while Part Two followed Ariana and Isauria, with bits of the others thrown in. Part Three brings all their storylines together. The problem with this draft of the book? It's 200k in rough draft format and with big gaping holes in some of their stories.
So I decided I was going to split the book up. Heirs of War, Destiny of One would follow Ariana and Isauria, and Heirs of War, Crown of Flames would follow Zelene, Rhaya, and Terrena in Anscombe and bring their stories together with Ariana and Isauria. It seemed like the perfect plan, and I haven't completely given up on that idea yet. But I'm getting there.
Why? Because it would piss me off as a reader. Here's the thing: You still hear about things that happen with Zelene, Rhaya, and Terrena as Isauria hears about them and interacts with some of those characters (and others from Anscombe) during her part of the story. So you'd have an entire book following just Ariana and Isauria while getting hints as to what is happening to the rest of them, but never seeing it until book three (Crown of Flames) is released next summer. If I was just a reader for this series, this would seriously frustrate me.
And keeping them separate really doesn't change anything cost-wise. I'm still going to pay the same amount for an editor because it's the same amount of words. If you are buying paperback, the cost of one larger book (I don't think) is much more than the cost of two. And of course, if you are buying an e-book, then you'd only pay for the one book. Will the cost still be $2.99 if I have two books in one? I'm not sure yet. I don't want to go much higher than that. I'm not trying to say my books aren't worth it, but I know what it is like to be a broke book lover, so I try to keep that in mind with pricing.
I'm still not ruling it out entirely, but I'm fairly certain merging them together is the better plan. What do you guys think? Would you rather have one big book with all of the characters, or two separate books that follow separate story lines happening simultaneously? This is one of the perks to self-publishing. I can get input from you guys, my wonderful readers, and make my decision based on that.
And if you think I should just keep it all as one book, which title do you like best: Heirs of War, Destiny of One or Heirs of War, Crown of Flames?
December 26, 2013
Thursday Spotlight: Foresight by Erika Szabo
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About the Author:
Growing up with a father who was a closet reader, some macho image that allowed him to only read in secret. After I caught him reading my book, The Lady of the Camellias, he shared his love of books with me and introduced me to many great books.
Before I started writing this series, I had played with the idea of writing a fantasy story peppered with historical facts. The history of the Huns always fascinated me—they were my ancestors—although I decided that it was a stupid idea after I started reading about how to write a fiction book. I had no idea how to create a good story line or form characters and make up a plot, and I wasn’t a literary genius. But, the idea didn’t leave me alone, and I kept adding events and dialogues in my head to Ilona’s story.
Not knowing how to do something properly had never prevented me from accepting a good challenge before, so I sat down at the computer and began writing. I've never been good at following rules or formulas; therefore, I discarded the instructions and made up my own rules.
I began writing Ilona's story as a diary, for my own enjoyment, jotting down the ideas that swirled in my head was far better than being haunted by them. For months I kept writing and soon realized that I never had so much fun doing anything in my life before.
You can follow Erika on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Google , or read more about her writerly exploits on her website. Other places you can find Erika online:
https://www.facebook.com/IlonaTheHunNovels http://lnkd.in/N64qzw http://www.pinterest.com/erikamszabo/ http://www.amazon.com/Erika-M.-Szabo/e/B004S0OV12/ http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/erikamszabo
ForesightGuarded Secrets SeriesBook OneErika Szabo
Genre: epic romance, fantasy romance
Book Description:
Ilona has been in love with her unsuspecting best friend, when a dashing stranger explodes into her life. The sudden magnetic feeling frightens her. Will he break her heart, or will he bring true happiness?
A sinister dark man appears, Ilona connects his presence with the series of mysterious deaths around her. She is an emergency room doctor, born into an ancient tribe which still exists hidden amongst us with its fiercely enforced rules. She doesn’t know much about her heritage besides legends and rituals that she continues out of respect for her parents.
She begins to remember the forgotten instructions concealed as rhymes her mother was teaching her since she was a small child and discovers that she can rearrange the human body to its healthy state. This ability is exciting as well as frightening. She is conflicted between having confidence in her intelligence and inherited abilities while having no confidence as a woman.
Her insecurity created barriers which keep others out, and I also keep her caged in. She has been evacuated from her easy and steady life, and is forced to face the unknown.
Amazon Smashwords Lulu BN
Book Video: http://youtu.be/VT1vISCrW1k
Magazine: http://www.joom.ag/ZPsX
About the Author: Growing up with a father who was a closet reader, some macho image that allowed him to only read in secret. After I caught him reading my book, The Lady of the Camellias, he shared his love of books with me and introduced me to many great books.
Before I started writing this series, I had played with the idea of writing a fantasy story peppered with historical facts. The history of the Huns always fascinated me—they were my ancestors—although I decided that it was a stupid idea after I started reading about how to write a fiction book. I had no idea how to create a good story line or form characters and make up a plot, and I wasn’t a literary genius. But, the idea didn’t leave me alone, and I kept adding events and dialogues in my head to Ilona’s story.
Not knowing how to do something properly had never prevented me from accepting a good challenge before, so I sat down at the computer and began writing. I've never been good at following rules or formulas; therefore, I discarded the instructions and made up my own rules.
I began writing Ilona's story as a diary, for my own enjoyment, jotting down the ideas that swirled in my head was far better than being haunted by them. For months I kept writing and soon realized that I never had so much fun doing anything in my life before.
You can follow Erika on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Google , or read more about her writerly exploits on her website. Other places you can find Erika online:
https://www.facebook.com/IlonaTheHunNovels http://lnkd.in/N64qzw http://www.pinterest.com/erikamszabo/ http://www.amazon.com/Erika-M.-Szabo/e/B004S0OV12/ http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/erikamszabo
ForesightGuarded Secrets SeriesBook OneErika SzaboGenre: epic romance, fantasy romance
Book Description:
Ilona has been in love with her unsuspecting best friend, when a dashing stranger explodes into her life. The sudden magnetic feeling frightens her. Will he break her heart, or will he bring true happiness?
A sinister dark man appears, Ilona connects his presence with the series of mysterious deaths around her. She is an emergency room doctor, born into an ancient tribe which still exists hidden amongst us with its fiercely enforced rules. She doesn’t know much about her heritage besides legends and rituals that she continues out of respect for her parents.
She begins to remember the forgotten instructions concealed as rhymes her mother was teaching her since she was a small child and discovers that she can rearrange the human body to its healthy state. This ability is exciting as well as frightening. She is conflicted between having confidence in her intelligence and inherited abilities while having no confidence as a woman.
Her insecurity created barriers which keep others out, and I also keep her caged in. She has been evacuated from her easy and steady life, and is forced to face the unknown.
Amazon Smashwords Lulu BN
Book Video: http://youtu.be/VT1vISCrW1k
Magazine: http://www.joom.ag/ZPsX
December 24, 2013
New Adult Spotlight Promotion Giveaway!
You may have seen the covers of these wonderful titles come through my blog already with the New Adult Author Spotlight every Tuesday. That promotion has wrapped up, and to end it with a bang, we are giving away a Kindle Fire HD! How awesome is that? You can enter to win using the Rafflecopter below. And be sure to check out all of these great titles available now. If you've missed any, simply click on the tag/label "new adult promotions" for this blog post, and it should bring them all up. It's been such amazing fun getting to know these authors and their books over the past several months, and Tuesdays just won't be the same without them. =)
Special thanks goes to Dawn Pendleton for putting this promotion together! You've been awesome, Dawn!
Happy holidays, everyone!
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December 23, 2013
Review & Giveaway: The Accidental Witch by Jessica Penot
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of The Accidental Witch by Jessica Penot to read and review. The blurb was really intriguing, so I was looking forward to this read, and I can't wait to tell you all about it! First, we'll get to know the author and her book before I give you my thoughts. Oh, and there's a giveaway too, with five $10 Amazon gift cards up for grabs! Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below. And don't forget to get your own copy at one of these sites: All Romance eBook Bookstrand Kindle UK Kindle US Lachesis Publishing Inc OmniLit
About the Author:
Jessica Penot is a therapist who lives in Alabama with her 2 corgis, cat, sons, husband and other strange creatures. She is the author of Haunted North Alabama, Haunted Chattanooga, and Circe.
Follow Jessica's writerly exploits on her website, blog, and Facebook.
The Accidental WitchThe Darkest Arts Series Book 1Jessica PenotGenre: Paranormal RomancePublisher: Lachesis Publishing
Book Description:
Phaedra Michaels is a small town psychologist who is beginning to lose hope. Two of her patients at the local hospital in Dismal, Alabama have just killed themselves, she’s still reeling from her divorce and what turned out to be a disastrous marriage, and her father has died, leaving her without any notion of who her real mother is.
Just as Phaedra decides to commit herself to a serious drinking problem and an eating disorder, or two, a mysterious spell book arrives in the mail. Feeling desperate, Phaedra uses it to cast spells to save her fading patients. Suddenly, good things start happening. Phaedra’s patients begin to get better and she even starts dating the sexy doctor from the hospital.
Phaedra is so happy she doesn't notice the small things that start to go wrong in Dismal, or the dark creatures slithering out of the shadows near her house. When Phaedra finally realizes her spells have attracted every card-carrying demon from hell, she has no choice but to accept help from a slightly nerdy, 500 year-old warlock with a penchant for wearing super hero T-shirts and a knack for getting under Phaedra’s skin. Now, if only she could get the hang of this witch thing, she might be able to save her town.
My Review:
The Accidental Witch by Jessica PenotMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love everything about this book. Phaedra is a really fun and awesome MC and narrator. Her voice makes everything better. She's clever, she's sarcastic, she's witty. There were so many laugh out loud moments for me reading this book, and mainly because of the little quips Phaedra would throw in when talking about something.
The magic of this book is also really well done, and really simple. Sometimes magic can get over complicated and bog down a story, but not this one. I also loved Phaedra's approach to it. It felt very natural. She gets a book, tries a spell, it works, and then tests it. Then she gets carried away. Very natural progression to me, and I love that her sage adviser doesn't come in until after the s*** hits the fan.
All of the characters were really fleshed out, and even the villain was a complicated entity rather than a one-dimensional evil. I liked the little surprises along the way, even the ones you can sort of guess like how she got the book. Those little surprises always turned into something so much bigger, and you can see how it all snowballs to the final showdown. Phaedra's choice in that last fight at her house had my heart racing.
The world Jessica Penot built feels so natural, too. As a southerner, I could definitely relate. But the magic felt right too. She didn't go into heavy detail about all the spells or chants, and Phaedra recognized how silly the rituals could sometimes feel. But the magic was just sort of there. It existed and it was possible, and it was something that might require a lot of work, but mainly the power within. I'm not sure why that called to me, but it did.
Phaedra is such an amazing character, and so beautifully flawed. From her body dysmorphia to her issues from her ex-husband to her need to save everyone she comes across. She's turned herself into this tragic hero with so little life of her own, and it is so thrilling to watch her reclaim it. To build herself up from the rubble that was her life even when things are at their worst. She doesn't whine when talking about the bad stuff that's happened. There's an edge of anger, but never self pity. You can tell that she's given up when the story begins. Watching her regain hope and strength and confidence in herself while kicking ass with magic? Awesome.
My only complaint? The chapters are too long and that made for me being on the treadmill a lot longer than I intended since I would read until a chapter's end. =)
View all my reviews
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December 21, 2013
Cover Reveal & Giveaway: I See London by Chanel Cleeton (Age 17 & up)
It's cover reveal time! Well, actually, the cover reveal for Chanel Cleeton's I See London was the other day, but I've been completely booked this week with blog tours, but she was kind enough to let me post it today along with her giveaway ($25 Amazon gift card!). =) In the off chance I have any teen readers, I'm going to warn you away. Because this cover is HOT. And I have to say, I don't know which is prettier--the cover or her author pic! Gorgeous, both. You'll see what I mean:
February 3, 2014Harlequin HQN (Digital First)New Adult Contemporary Romance
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.
Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads
About the Author:
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. Chanel writes New Adult contemporary romances and Young Adult thrillers. Her New Adult debut, I SEE LONDON, will be released by Harlequin (HQN) on February 3, 2014, followed by a sequel, LONDON FALLING, later in the year.
Website: www.chanelcleeton.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/authorchanelcleetonTwitter: www.twitter.com/chanelcleetonGoodreads: www.goodreads.com/chanelcleeton
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February 3, 2014Harlequin HQN (Digital First)New Adult Contemporary Romance 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.
Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads
About the Author:
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. Chanel writes New Adult contemporary romances and Young Adult thrillers. Her New Adult debut, I SEE LONDON, will be released by Harlequin (HQN) on February 3, 2014, followed by a sequel, LONDON FALLING, later in the year.
Website: www.chanelcleeton.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/authorchanelcleetonTwitter: www.twitter.com/chanelcleetonGoodreads: www.goodreads.com/chanelcleeton
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December 20, 2013
Feature Friday & Giveaway: The Vampire Seal Novels by S.B. Alexander
On the Edge of HumanityA Vampire Seal Novel Book OneS. B. Alexander Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Date of Publication: 12/27/2012
Cover Artist: Streetlight Graphics
Amazon Apple Kobo BN
Book Description:
Sixteen-year-old Jo Mason is lost in a world where traipsing from one foster home to another is normal. She hates her life, she hates school and on most days, she hates living. If it weren’t for her twin brother Sam, she might already be dead.
Her normal world shifts one hundred and eighty degrees when she discovers her own blood tastes like candy and her eyes change colors like a mood ring. On top of that, her eyesight seems to be failing when she spies an otherworldly man, sporting bloodstained canines, who is trying to strangle a cop. The developments are shrouded when Sam goes missing between Anger Management class and History class.
She’s called to the principal’s office to meet Lieutenant Webb London, a Navy SEAL who is part of a secret team of natural-born vampires. His mission is to protect the twins from an evil cartel, but he’s too late. With Jo now under his protection, his team searches for Sam.
However, finding and rescuing Sam from the evil cartel may be the easy part. Jo learns she carries a dormant vampire gene that, if activated, could save him. As her normal world fades even more, pushing her closer to the edge of humanity, Jo must decide if her human life is more important than her twin brother.
With time as her enemy, she struggles to make a life-changing decision for both her and Sam.
On the Edge of EternityA Vampire SEAL Novel Book TwoS. B. Alexander Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Date of Publication: 10/7/2013
Cover Artist: Streetlight Graphics
Amazon Apple BN
Book Description:
New vampire Jo Mason had never imagined life with fangs, or drinking blood as her main meal. She has, however, dreamed of her first kiss, her first date and her first high school dance—but for a new vampire, none of those firsts come easy. Humans now tempt her appetite for blood and the Plutariums, a rogue team of vampires, want revenge against her family.
When her human friend Ben Jackson asks her to the May dance, Jo struggles to abide by vampire law. She isn’t sure if she wants to kiss him or taste his blood. She’s even more confused by the mixed messages coming from Vampire SEAL Webb London. The way he looks at her makes her want to jump off the nearest cliff and into his arms at the same time. Her guy problems, however, become the least of her worries when the deadly ones take center stage.
The Plutariums abduct and drug her. She wakes alone with Ben, stranded on an abandoned yacht in the middle of a storm-tossed ocean. Worse, she struggles to keep her bloodlust sated and it will be a battle to see who survives.
About the Author: For those of you who know me, you know the ‘S’ stands for Susan in S. B. Alexander. I chose to use my initials since there were a few Susan Alexander authors out there.
The one thing I like about reading a book other than the story is reading about the author. Who is he or she? And, how did they become a writer?
For me, it’s always been a passion to write a book. I love to transport myself into other worlds—ones where vampires and the fantastical exist. Where life is the playground for the impossible.
I created fantasy worlds at a young age as a way to deal with life. Yep, I had imaginary friends and talked to myself a lot. I was always creating, thinking, drawing and writing. I believe words are the key to opening the door to extraordinary places with amazing characters that tell a great story.
My life has had a colorful journey. After high school I decided to forgo college. I enrolled in a business program and graduated in ten months with a certificate that allowed me access to Cooperate America. But, somehow the idea to enter into an unknown world at nineteen-years-old was daunting. Instead, I decided if the world was my playground why not join the military, and so I joined the Navy. The four years in the military was a great foreground to learn about life and the world around me. But, as the cliché says, Life goes on.
I traded the military for college. I became a High School Math Teacher and loved it before deciding to revisit the one thing I was frightened of—Cooperate America. I’ve held many roles in the cooperate arena from sales representative to sales manager, but I never lost my passion to write.
When I’m not working my full time job, and plotting my next novel, I love to play golf with my husband, and spend time with my two dogs.
Website: www.sbalexander.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/sbalexander.authorpage
Twitter: @sbalex_author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/sbalexander
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Feature Friday & Giveaway: Green, A Life Force Novel by S. Briones Lim
Green: A Life Force NovelThe Life Force Trilogy Book 1S. Briones Lim Genre: Paranormal Fiction Date of Publication: 7/1/13
Cover Artist: S. Briones Lim
Amazon Nook
Book Description:
Her family believed Immortality was a gift, but to Mattie it was a curse. Being a Life Hunter was nothing she would have ever wished upon herself, yet here she was, forced to hunt human Life Forces to sustain her life.
With no memory of her past or how she became such a monster, Mattie stays hidden in the backwoods of Brookesville with only her family to keep her company.
Despite the loneliness of her eternity, Mattie has grown to love her life - that is until she crossed the path of a human she couldn't bear to hunt.
With Hunter in the picture Mattie's life is turned upside down. Was love with a mortal possible? Unfortunately, Mattie has no choice but to find out.
About the Author:
Thanks to her mother’s unwavering devotion to read a bedtime story to her every single night, S. BRIONES LIM's love for books began before she could even speak. Author of the Life Force Trilogy, S. Briones Lim's other obsessions include time with family, POPCORN, sketching, movies and her pug, Tobi. She currently lives on the East Coast with her husband and continues to write every day. Blog: http://sbrioneslimauthor.wordpress.comFacebook Page: www.facebook.com/sbrioneslim
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sbrioneslim
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7155647.S_Briones_Lim
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December 19, 2013
Excerpt from Copied by S.M. Anderson
If you follow me on Facebook, you might have seen me post about Copied by S.M. Anderson. Heck, you probably saw my profile picture even change to the cover of the book for a contest (I won trading cards!!). So I'm sure it will come as no surprise to you that I am really excited about this book. I hope to review it in January or February if my reading schedule (yes, I actually have a reading schedule now and am tragically behind) permits.
Well, now I plan on getting you guys excited about this book too. S.M. Anderson is touring the book and stopped by today to give us all a taste of what is to come. Here's the blurb, more on S.M. Anderson, and an excerpt that will be sure to have you guys rushing off to buy your copy!
Author: S. M. Anderson
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Release Date: December 11 Genre: YA Science Fiction Target Audience: 14 and up
Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo
Book Blurb: Adopted off the black market, Alexander Mitchell, has no idea his DNA is copyrighted and property of military weapons giant Texacom Defense. Nor that his DNA is being used to develop an army of clones. When the company discovers he was not properly disposed of 17 years ago, they send an assassin copy, BETA23, to terminate Xan and cover it up.
After he narrowly escapes BETA23’s first attempt, Xan teams up with Lacey, a genetically engineered genius he’s surprised to find common ground with— only they’re awkward together. Half of the time she stares at Xan like the science project he is and the other half…let’s just say Xan can’t keep his eyes off her lips.
When they manage to capture a company copy by luck and sheer stupidity on Xan’s part, Lacey is determined to see the good in their prisoner to the point she believes BETA23 can be persuaded to give them the intelligence they need to keep the company forever off Xan’s back. Xan’s not sure if he can trust the darker version of himself, not when it means gambling with the lives of his family and the possibility of losing Lacey.
About the Author: S. M. Anderson (Sarah Anderson) was born in Lima, Peru. She has lived in seven different countries, on five continents, and speaks a smattering of languages. As a child and even young adult, writing and reading were difficult for her, so difficult that she received extra help outside the classroom and was diagnosed with a learning disability. However, she always loved stories, especially ethnic folktales from the countries she lived in. It was the desire to create stories of her own that fueled her determination to overcome the challenges that came with writing. She has a BA in Art Education from BYU, with a minor in Russian, and a love of power tools. She has a growing family of three kids and currently lives in Springville, Utah.
You can follow S.M. Anderson on her website or Facebook.
Excerpt:
Beta opened his swollen eyes. Craning his neck sideways, he took a good look at his surroundings. Pain throbbed through his skull and down his spine. Everything blurred, but the outline of the shelves confirmed he was still in the storeroom. His mouth omitted a soft groan. The screech of a heavy wooden chair sliding across the tile floor resonated in his ears, and Beta winced. The slight flex of his facial muscles shot needles of pain through the bruises on his face. A blurry figure appeared above him. “How are you feeling?”He waited a moment for his vision to clear and ignored the burning itch of his skin as his cells started the process of regeneration.Lacey hovered over him, brow furrowed and lips pursed as she examined him. When he didn’t respond, she rested a hand on his shoulder and gave it a little shake. “Beta?”The light touch of her palm sent a wave of energy through him. He jolted upright. “Ouch!” Pain so severe that he felt like the walls of his head would collapse in on themselves riveted through his body. She winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Please don’t move if it hurts.”Beta scooted to the top of the bed and leaned his back against the brass headboard. “You didn’t startle me. I just…” His voice trailed off. He couldn’t think of a way of saying what he meant without sounding weak.“Never mind.” She gingerly touched the edge of his swollen eye with the tips of her fingers. “Are you in pain?”He stiffened like the reflex of a beaten animal the first time it knows the touch of a gentle hand. Why should she care? “It’s fine. We heal quickly.” Her gaze slid across his face. She probed every bruised nook and cranny. There was a hunger in her eyes as if she was the question and he the answer. He felt something else too; an emotion or feeling that he couldn’t put a name to. Something he'd never, in his short life, experienced. Beta stared past her, his eyes focused on the faint brush strokes of the wall’s dried white paint. If he could just ignore the strange new animal that had awakened inside him, he’d rally again and escape. He cleared his throat.“Sorry.” Lacey pulled back. “You must be hungry.” She disappeared from the room and returned with a tray of food in her hands. Then she unfolded two short legs from the bottom of the tray and laid it across his lap. A loose strand of her ebony hair brushed against his cheek. Beta’s fingers twitched, knocking his wrists against the handcuffs. He wanted to tangle his hands in that silky-looking hair, just to know what it felt like.She dipped a spoon into a bowl full of watery soup and pressed a mouthful to his lips. Beta slurped down soft noodles with bits of chicken. Warmth spread from his belly to the rest of his body. He glanced up at Lacey’s face, inches away from his. Large red marks ran along the side of her jaw and neck. His throat tightened, remembering he had been responsible for those bruises. The little air he could suck in with bruised ribs tasted stale and stagnant. Another new sensation breached the impenetrable hold of his heart, this one unbearable. Beta swallowed hard. He had never regretted hurting someone before.
Well, now I plan on getting you guys excited about this book too. S.M. Anderson is touring the book and stopped by today to give us all a taste of what is to come. Here's the blurb, more on S.M. Anderson, and an excerpt that will be sure to have you guys rushing off to buy your copy!
Author: S. M. Anderson Publisher: Curiosity Quills Release Date: December 11 Genre: YA Science Fiction Target Audience: 14 and up
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Book Blurb: Adopted off the black market, Alexander Mitchell, has no idea his DNA is copyrighted and property of military weapons giant Texacom Defense. Nor that his DNA is being used to develop an army of clones. When the company discovers he was not properly disposed of 17 years ago, they send an assassin copy, BETA23, to terminate Xan and cover it up.
After he narrowly escapes BETA23’s first attempt, Xan teams up with Lacey, a genetically engineered genius he’s surprised to find common ground with— only they’re awkward together. Half of the time she stares at Xan like the science project he is and the other half…let’s just say Xan can’t keep his eyes off her lips.
When they manage to capture a company copy by luck and sheer stupidity on Xan’s part, Lacey is determined to see the good in their prisoner to the point she believes BETA23 can be persuaded to give them the intelligence they need to keep the company forever off Xan’s back. Xan’s not sure if he can trust the darker version of himself, not when it means gambling with the lives of his family and the possibility of losing Lacey.
About the Author: S. M. Anderson (Sarah Anderson) was born in Lima, Peru. She has lived in seven different countries, on five continents, and speaks a smattering of languages. As a child and even young adult, writing and reading were difficult for her, so difficult that she received extra help outside the classroom and was diagnosed with a learning disability. However, she always loved stories, especially ethnic folktales from the countries she lived in. It was the desire to create stories of her own that fueled her determination to overcome the challenges that came with writing. She has a BA in Art Education from BYU, with a minor in Russian, and a love of power tools. She has a growing family of three kids and currently lives in Springville, Utah.You can follow S.M. Anderson on her website or Facebook.
Excerpt:
Beta opened his swollen eyes. Craning his neck sideways, he took a good look at his surroundings. Pain throbbed through his skull and down his spine. Everything blurred, but the outline of the shelves confirmed he was still in the storeroom. His mouth omitted a soft groan. The screech of a heavy wooden chair sliding across the tile floor resonated in his ears, and Beta winced. The slight flex of his facial muscles shot needles of pain through the bruises on his face. A blurry figure appeared above him. “How are you feeling?”He waited a moment for his vision to clear and ignored the burning itch of his skin as his cells started the process of regeneration.Lacey hovered over him, brow furrowed and lips pursed as she examined him. When he didn’t respond, she rested a hand on his shoulder and gave it a little shake. “Beta?”The light touch of her palm sent a wave of energy through him. He jolted upright. “Ouch!” Pain so severe that he felt like the walls of his head would collapse in on themselves riveted through his body. She winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Please don’t move if it hurts.”Beta scooted to the top of the bed and leaned his back against the brass headboard. “You didn’t startle me. I just…” His voice trailed off. He couldn’t think of a way of saying what he meant without sounding weak.“Never mind.” She gingerly touched the edge of his swollen eye with the tips of her fingers. “Are you in pain?”He stiffened like the reflex of a beaten animal the first time it knows the touch of a gentle hand. Why should she care? “It’s fine. We heal quickly.” Her gaze slid across his face. She probed every bruised nook and cranny. There was a hunger in her eyes as if she was the question and he the answer. He felt something else too; an emotion or feeling that he couldn’t put a name to. Something he'd never, in his short life, experienced. Beta stared past her, his eyes focused on the faint brush strokes of the wall’s dried white paint. If he could just ignore the strange new animal that had awakened inside him, he’d rally again and escape. He cleared his throat.“Sorry.” Lacey pulled back. “You must be hungry.” She disappeared from the room and returned with a tray of food in her hands. Then she unfolded two short legs from the bottom of the tray and laid it across his lap. A loose strand of her ebony hair brushed against his cheek. Beta’s fingers twitched, knocking his wrists against the handcuffs. He wanted to tangle his hands in that silky-looking hair, just to know what it felt like.She dipped a spoon into a bowl full of watery soup and pressed a mouthful to his lips. Beta slurped down soft noodles with bits of chicken. Warmth spread from his belly to the rest of his body. He glanced up at Lacey’s face, inches away from his. Large red marks ran along the side of her jaw and neck. His throat tightened, remembering he had been responsible for those bruises. The little air he could suck in with bruised ribs tasted stale and stagnant. Another new sensation breached the impenetrable hold of his heart, this one unbearable. Beta swallowed hard. He had never regretted hurting someone before.
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