Mara Valderran's Blog, page 32
September 9, 2013
Blog Tour: Eliza Patrick's Playlist for Stay With Me (And a Giveaway!)
Music can be a key source of inspiration for writers. It helps get us in the zone to write. Certain songs can altar our mood, darkening it a brooding shade of heartbreak or lightening to the gentle color of a first kiss. Some lyrics might even alter our story as we know it, taking our characters down paths we never expected.
Eliza Patrick has given me her playlist for her book Stay With Me , along with insight as to what some of the songs mean. For more on Eliza Patrick, see the links below with her bio. You can find Stay With Me on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, ARE, and iTunes.
With one look, I’m his . . .
With one touch, he’s mine . . .
With one kiss, it changes everything between us . . .
I’ve been famous since I can remember. Singing, acting, dancing—I’ve done it all. The tabloids cover my every move, but I don’t want that anymore. I want to be normal, whatever that is.
When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.
But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.
Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.
Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.
Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.
Stay With Me Playlist:
Someone Like You - AdeleGravity – Sara BareillesStarry, Starry Night – Don McLean. Caleb and Hailey both like Van Gogh and one of Van Gogh’s paintings, Starry Night, is mentioned in the book.Dancing Queen - ABBA Catch My Breath - Kelly Clarkson
Make You Feel My Love - Kris AllenHallelujah – Jeff Buckley. This is my favorite song, and I include it for every book I write. Everything I Do I Do It For You – Bryan Adams. I would say this song is very true for Caleb and his feelings for Hailey.Falling Softly – from the Broadway musical, Once. This is the song Caleb and Hailey dance to at the Halloween dance.My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson. I chose this because Caleb’s and Hailey’s lives would suck without each other. ;)Something – George Harrison. Another song I love, and this holds true for both of them with the line, “like no other lover.”To Show Me Your Love – Mike Schmid: This the song that plays in the book trailer. I think it’s very romantic and swoonworthy, much like how Caleb feels about Hailey. Like what you've seen so far? There's more! Check out the Rafflecopter entry form below for your chance to win $50 Amazon giftcard and digital copies of Stay With Me, One Hit Wonder, and As You Wish.
Author bio:Elyssa Patrick writes sexy, emotional contemporary romances and New Adult. She is currently working on her next novel. website: www.elyssapatrick.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ElyssaPatrickFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Elyssa-Patrick/354635801277736Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6469665.Elyssa_Patrick
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Hosted by Book Crush http://bookcrushbookreviews.com
Eliza Patrick has given me her playlist for her book Stay With Me , along with insight as to what some of the songs mean. For more on Eliza Patrick, see the links below with her bio. You can find Stay With Me on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, ARE, and iTunes.
With one look, I’m his . . .With one touch, he’s mine . . .
With one kiss, it changes everything between us . . .
I’ve been famous since I can remember. Singing, acting, dancing—I’ve done it all. The tabloids cover my every move, but I don’t want that anymore. I want to be normal, whatever that is.
When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.
But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.
Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.
Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.
Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.
Stay With Me Playlist:
Someone Like You - AdeleGravity – Sara BareillesStarry, Starry Night – Don McLean. Caleb and Hailey both like Van Gogh and one of Van Gogh’s paintings, Starry Night, is mentioned in the book.Dancing Queen - ABBA Catch My Breath - Kelly Clarkson
Make You Feel My Love - Kris AllenHallelujah – Jeff Buckley. This is my favorite song, and I include it for every book I write. Everything I Do I Do It For You – Bryan Adams. I would say this song is very true for Caleb and his feelings for Hailey.Falling Softly – from the Broadway musical, Once. This is the song Caleb and Hailey dance to at the Halloween dance.My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson. I chose this because Caleb’s and Hailey’s lives would suck without each other. ;)Something – George Harrison. Another song I love, and this holds true for both of them with the line, “like no other lover.”To Show Me Your Love – Mike Schmid: This the song that plays in the book trailer. I think it’s very romantic and swoonworthy, much like how Caleb feels about Hailey. Like what you've seen so far? There's more! Check out the Rafflecopter entry form below for your chance to win $50 Amazon giftcard and digital copies of Stay With Me, One Hit Wonder, and As You Wish.
Author bio:Elyssa Patrick writes sexy, emotional contemporary romances and New Adult. She is currently working on her next novel. website: www.elyssapatrick.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/ElyssaPatrickFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Elyssa-Patrick/354635801277736Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6469665.Elyssa_Patrick
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Hosted by Book Crush http://bookcrushbookreviews.com
September 7, 2013
Blog Tours: Excerpt from Disciple Part III by L. Blankenship
L. Blankenship is back, and she already has Disciple Part III ready for us! To give us a tease, she's offered an excerpt. You can find a list of retailers selling Disciple Part III here.
Kate fought for her place as a healer in the war’s front lines. Serving her homeland has been her goal since her magical gifts earned her a coveted apprenticeship with the kingdom’s greatest healer. She believes she’s prepared.
But nothing’s simple when defending a besieged capital city — or her heart.
She loves the prince, who means to protect her even though his duties as a knight keep him on the battlements, fighting the enemy’s monstrous army.
Kate’s husband is the one who checks on her, lingers over dinner, and slowly but surely charms her. She’s all too aware that her beloved prince threatened to kill him if he touches her.
As the enemy thunders against the city walls, the kingdom needs more from Kate than just her healing magic. All disciples must put aside their tangled feelings and stand in the homeland’s defense.
Kate believed she's ready for a war. She isn't.
Read on for the excerpt! Excerpt from Disciple, Part III(Final preparations for the war are underway, and Saint Aleksandr has been tutoring Anders on shape-shifting. They were waiting for Kate to arrive before Anders tries it again.)
“See what?”
“Horse-sense,” Saint Aleks said. “Will you try smell, or hearing?”
Anders stroked Nipper’s neck, close by his head. “Hearing. It’s coming easier to me now.”
“That would be interesting,” I agreed.
The horse’s ears twitched, as if uncertain about this. Anders’ hand slowed in its petting and his eyes closed as he focused his attention. I felt a faint ripple as his kir twisted into a charm. The little knot wasn’t strong enough for me to pinpoint, but I knew it was nearby. Curious, I wished I could touch his hand and see its structure, but it would be rude to interrupt.
Saint Aleksandr leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Whatever happens, don’t laugh. He likely doesn’t know.”
That piqued my curiosity even further. Being so close, I felt a tiny echo as Anders called Nipper’s kir-patterns and the horse shifted, puffed out a breath. Small movement tugged my eyes back to Anders’ ear, and the bit of a point developing at the top. I drew a sharp breath and held it. The point lengthened and his ear cupped around into a leaf shape, just like Nipper’s. Even acquired a bit of velvety grey dapple, I could see when it swiveled outward.
I covered my open-mouthed grin with my hand, and was glad I did because he opened his eyes. Fighting the grin down wasn’t easy, but I twisted it into a pursed mouth and tried to look skeptical.
Anders tipped his head, ears twitching again. “Quit gossiping and get back to work, you two!”
The stable boys’ shoveling re-started, at the other end of the barn.
“Is it well knotted?” Saint Aleks asked. “Not trying to unravel?”
Anders nodded. “I found another place to tie it to me, last I tried this. Seems sturdier now.”
Saint Aleks nodded and reached, silently asking. Anders took his hand from Nipper to clasp the saint’s and have his work checked.
“Good. Very good, after only — half a dozen tries? See what you’ve done.” The saint put fingers to his own ear.
Anders did the same, and laughed. I finally let the giggle burble up and covered my mouth with my palm to hide it. Pointing at me, he said, “You were hiding something, I knew. Shit, these really are horse ears.” He covered both with his hands.
“They’re even grey,” I said. And looked soft as Nipper’s.
He shot his horse a sidelong glare. “How is it I didn’t notice?”
“Because they are correct. When the charm is true and well rooted, the form is as the function requires. Thus, there is nothing unnatural about it. Remember how they feel, the acuity and the sense of location. Those will help you shape the charm without the horse for reference.”
Anders lowered his hands and let the ears track for a moment, listening.
I had a sudden urge to touch them, but fought it back. I whispered, “How far can you hear?”
He whispered too. “The guards in the gatehouse are talking, but I can’t make out the words. Two in the house. One’s watching the approach, I think. That must be his boots on the stone. The shovels scraping are loud. And I know just where all the horses are in their stalls.”
The gatehouse was outside and across thirty feet or so of space. As it was a nice day, the gatehouse door stood open when the guards were inside.
“If he masters the smelling as well, will he have a horse’s nose?” I asked.
Saint Aleks nodded. “Add the eyes and the teeth and he’ll be a horse-minotaur. The sum of a creature is more than its parts, but one must master the parts. It may look strange — shape-shifting is a less common skill, as kir goes — but it’s a fine road to take.”
On sale now! See the list of retailers
Read another sample of Disciple, Part III • sample Part II • sample Part I
L's book blog • Goodreads • Facebook • Google+
Kate fought for her place as a healer in the war’s front lines. Serving her homeland has been her goal since her magical gifts earned her a coveted apprenticeship with the kingdom’s greatest healer. She believes she’s prepared. But nothing’s simple when defending a besieged capital city — or her heart.
She loves the prince, who means to protect her even though his duties as a knight keep him on the battlements, fighting the enemy’s monstrous army.
Kate’s husband is the one who checks on her, lingers over dinner, and slowly but surely charms her. She’s all too aware that her beloved prince threatened to kill him if he touches her.
As the enemy thunders against the city walls, the kingdom needs more from Kate than just her healing magic. All disciples must put aside their tangled feelings and stand in the homeland’s defense.
Kate believed she's ready for a war. She isn't.
Read on for the excerpt! Excerpt from Disciple, Part III(Final preparations for the war are underway, and Saint Aleksandr has been tutoring Anders on shape-shifting. They were waiting for Kate to arrive before Anders tries it again.)
“See what?”
“Horse-sense,” Saint Aleks said. “Will you try smell, or hearing?”
Anders stroked Nipper’s neck, close by his head. “Hearing. It’s coming easier to me now.”
“That would be interesting,” I agreed.
The horse’s ears twitched, as if uncertain about this. Anders’ hand slowed in its petting and his eyes closed as he focused his attention. I felt a faint ripple as his kir twisted into a charm. The little knot wasn’t strong enough for me to pinpoint, but I knew it was nearby. Curious, I wished I could touch his hand and see its structure, but it would be rude to interrupt.
Saint Aleksandr leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Whatever happens, don’t laugh. He likely doesn’t know.”
That piqued my curiosity even further. Being so close, I felt a tiny echo as Anders called Nipper’s kir-patterns and the horse shifted, puffed out a breath. Small movement tugged my eyes back to Anders’ ear, and the bit of a point developing at the top. I drew a sharp breath and held it. The point lengthened and his ear cupped around into a leaf shape, just like Nipper’s. Even acquired a bit of velvety grey dapple, I could see when it swiveled outward.
I covered my open-mouthed grin with my hand, and was glad I did because he opened his eyes. Fighting the grin down wasn’t easy, but I twisted it into a pursed mouth and tried to look skeptical.
Anders tipped his head, ears twitching again. “Quit gossiping and get back to work, you two!”
The stable boys’ shoveling re-started, at the other end of the barn.
“Is it well knotted?” Saint Aleks asked. “Not trying to unravel?”
Anders nodded. “I found another place to tie it to me, last I tried this. Seems sturdier now.”
Saint Aleks nodded and reached, silently asking. Anders took his hand from Nipper to clasp the saint’s and have his work checked.
“Good. Very good, after only — half a dozen tries? See what you’ve done.” The saint put fingers to his own ear.
Anders did the same, and laughed. I finally let the giggle burble up and covered my mouth with my palm to hide it. Pointing at me, he said, “You were hiding something, I knew. Shit, these really are horse ears.” He covered both with his hands.
“They’re even grey,” I said. And looked soft as Nipper’s.
He shot his horse a sidelong glare. “How is it I didn’t notice?”
“Because they are correct. When the charm is true and well rooted, the form is as the function requires. Thus, there is nothing unnatural about it. Remember how they feel, the acuity and the sense of location. Those will help you shape the charm without the horse for reference.”
Anders lowered his hands and let the ears track for a moment, listening.
I had a sudden urge to touch them, but fought it back. I whispered, “How far can you hear?”
He whispered too. “The guards in the gatehouse are talking, but I can’t make out the words. Two in the house. One’s watching the approach, I think. That must be his boots on the stone. The shovels scraping are loud. And I know just where all the horses are in their stalls.”
The gatehouse was outside and across thirty feet or so of space. As it was a nice day, the gatehouse door stood open when the guards were inside.
“If he masters the smelling as well, will he have a horse’s nose?” I asked.
Saint Aleks nodded. “Add the eyes and the teeth and he’ll be a horse-minotaur. The sum of a creature is more than its parts, but one must master the parts. It may look strange — shape-shifting is a less common skill, as kir goes — but it’s a fine road to take.”
On sale now! See the list of retailers
Read another sample of Disciple, Part III • sample Part II • sample Part I
L's book blog • Goodreads • Facebook • Google+
September 5, 2013
Blog Tour: Giveaway & Review for Exorcising Aaron Nguyen by Lauren Harris
I had the privilege of reading an ARC (advanced reading copy for newbies like me that didn't know the acronym) Exorcising Aaron Nguyen by Lauren Harris. This YA paranormal novella is the first in the Millroad Academy Exorcists series, and I am certainly looking forward to more. Warning: The review will have spoilers. Before I get into the review, let me tell you a little bit about Lauren Harris and her novella.About the Book:
The murder of Millroad Catholic Academy's resident genius, Aaron Nguyen, shuts down student life at the boarding school in rural North Carolina...for about a week. With the resilience of youth, the student body bounces back, and the memory of murder is nothing but a streamer of caution tape fluttering in the breeze. Unfortunately for them, Aaron's spirit has some resilience as well. Despite the priest's attempted exorcism, Aaron's ghost is soon breathing chills down the students' necks and hurling bunsen burners at nuns.
Georgia Collins doesn't give a shit about ghosts. All she wants is a story to prove her underground school news blog is more than a gossip column, closure on her one-sided relationship with her best friend Hiroki, and a vanilla latte. She wasn't expecting Aaron Nguyen's death to be anything more than a cold spot in the science hall, but since Hiroki has the curse of Spectral Sight, he is the only person who can see and speak to Aaron.
As the ghost’s demands for attention become increasingly violent, Hiroki enlists Georgia to help him investigate the crime, claiming that Aaron isn’t likely to move on until his killers are caught. Still hoping for spontaneous romantic combustion, she agrees to help bring Aaron's murderers to justice and set the vengeful spirit free...but it's not quite the close encounter she's hoping for.
About Lauren Harris:Lauren is a fantasy writer, voice actress, and the co-creator of 2012 Parsec Finalist, Pendragon Variety Podcast for aspiring writers of genre fiction, where she is known as "Scribe." Her voice acting can be heard on Audible.com as well as fiction podcasts such as EscapePod, The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine, and The Drabblecast B-Sides. Though she spent three years living in Tokyo, she currently resides in a renovated tobacco shed in rural North Carolina, where she is pleased to have running water, wifi, and all her teeth.
Twitter - @Marksmaster
Blog - “Ink-Stained Scribe” - http://lscribeharris.blogspot.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/laurenbranchharris
Podcast - Pendragon Variety - A Genre Writing Podcast - www.pendragonvariety.com
The Review:
At 107 pages, I have to say I didn't have high hopes for Lauren Harris to be able to draw me into the characters and their journeys. I expected a rushed or weak story. But then again, I'm not big on short stories. They frustrate me, constantly leaving me wanting more with no hopes of getting it.
Needless to say, I was pretty happy to discover this is a series. From the first chapter--nay, from the clever chapter titles (Ex: What's a Little Murder Between Friends?), Georgia's voice captures you. She's snarky without going overboard, edgy without being the typical rebellious teenager, and has baggage without being emo. And she's very much so reluctant to embark on this adventure of solving a murder with the best friend/boy she pines over, Hiroki.
Hiroki sees the world through a different light because of his "gift" to see the dead. He's so different, he can't stand touching people because he can tell just how readily they would accept death. Georgia tries to understand it, but until she gets a glimpse of it after getting a concussion, she never really sees it. And I don't think she ever really understands it until she is face to face with the ghost, Aaron Nguyen. Until that point, she is just a girl following her crush around as he struggles to exorcise a ghost and she struggles to understand him better. The real beauty of the situation at the end is that Georgia doesn't really see how her world has changed. Not yet. I'm looking forward to that realization in the sequel.
I love that Georgia feels so real. She's not beautiful or skinny from the way she is described, though she seems to be battling to accept who she is--appearance and all. To me, Lauren Harris captured the voice of true adolescent insecurity. It's not necessarily this constant voice in your head telling you that you are less-than. It's more the little, everyday reminders. The off-handed comments people make. The way a boy fails to look at you. The way your peers taunt you, even if it isn't relentlessly. One fat joke made in passing can haunt someone for a week. It's nice to see that real side of things, and to see Georgia fight against the feelings these minor incidents stir within her.
Georgia really is the reluctant hero in the end. She throws herself in the face of real danger--of the life or murdered-by-the-same-psycho-responsible-for-Aaron's-death variety--in order to save her best friend from the same fate. She's willing to sacrifice herself. I worried that the reason Hiroki didn't want to tough her was he would know she is going to die by suicide or something like that. But in the end, those same scars making Hiroki uncomfortable to touch her end up being her power. They give her the power to do good and to help others. I love that turn around.
To only be 107 pages, I feel like I went on this entire journey with them. I feel like I learned so much about the characters. How Lauren Harris managed to shove so much character development, plot, and tension into a mere 107 fluid pages of story telling is beyond me, but I'm looking forward to seeing her do it again.
September 4, 2013
Blog Tour: Guest Post from Tara Tyler on Mixing Genres
Figuring out which genre your book falls into can be a pretty big headache. Here to talk to us about that is Tara Tyler, author of Pop Travel (the purchase links are below--go get it!).
I'm excited to visit Mara today! Thanks for having me! I'm going to talk about mixing genres.
Pop Travel is a mix of sci fi, thriller, noir, action/adventure, humor, and a hint of romance (a perfect specimen for a Joss Whedon film, right?!) I call it a cross between I, Robot and Romancing the Stone and James Bond!
It's so hard to categorize some books, like mine. My audience is...the general population! It has something for everyone. But, when we try to get an agent or editor to bite, we have to label our book. Some are easy and straightforward - but mine wasn't. I queried sci fi people, thriller people, and finally, after improving my query enough, I found the right match, despite the labeling. Andrew Buckley, acquisitions editor at our awesome publisher, Curiosity Quills!
So, I believe nailing the query to give the voice of your book and its uniqueness, without going into too much detail, is key. And I think mixing genres is the latest craze! Don't let the labels bring you down. Happy writing!
Thanks again, Mara! I appreciate you giving me some of your blog space!
Cooper thought he could get through
life without having to pop...Pop Travel by Tara Tyler
A tale of deception and teleportation.
When a distraught client enters J.L. Cooper's small town detective agency ranting about a pop travel teleportation cover up, Cooper takes the case. He blames pop travel indirectly for his wife's death and would love to expose a glitch in it.
But the glitch turns out to be disintegrating travelers. And now, his client is dead, his secretary is missing, and a hitman is stalking him. Plus there's all the webcams watching his every move. So, Cooper has to find a way to expose the deadly flaw, while using pop travel to escape the maniacs covering it up, not to mention save a couple of tag-alongs he's not sure he can trust. No problem.
Available now on Amazon and Barnes & NobleGoodreads <==> Trailer <==> FB Author Page
After having a hand in everything from waitressing to teaching math to rocket engineering Tara Tyler now writes and teaches in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. In addition to her novels, she has published short stories and poetry in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Humor. So many stories to tell!
I'm excited to visit Mara today! Thanks for having me! I'm going to talk about mixing genres.
Pop Travel is a mix of sci fi, thriller, noir, action/adventure, humor, and a hint of romance (a perfect specimen for a Joss Whedon film, right?!) I call it a cross between I, Robot and Romancing the Stone and James Bond!
It's so hard to categorize some books, like mine. My audience is...the general population! It has something for everyone. But, when we try to get an agent or editor to bite, we have to label our book. Some are easy and straightforward - but mine wasn't. I queried sci fi people, thriller people, and finally, after improving my query enough, I found the right match, despite the labeling. Andrew Buckley, acquisitions editor at our awesome publisher, Curiosity Quills!
So, I believe nailing the query to give the voice of your book and its uniqueness, without going into too much detail, is key. And I think mixing genres is the latest craze! Don't let the labels bring you down. Happy writing!
Thanks again, Mara! I appreciate you giving me some of your blog space!
Cooper thought he could get throughlife without having to pop...Pop Travel by Tara Tyler
A tale of deception and teleportation.
When a distraught client enters J.L. Cooper's small town detective agency ranting about a pop travel teleportation cover up, Cooper takes the case. He blames pop travel indirectly for his wife's death and would love to expose a glitch in it.
But the glitch turns out to be disintegrating travelers. And now, his client is dead, his secretary is missing, and a hitman is stalking him. Plus there's all the webcams watching his every move. So, Cooper has to find a way to expose the deadly flaw, while using pop travel to escape the maniacs covering it up, not to mention save a couple of tag-alongs he's not sure he can trust. No problem.
Available now on Amazon and Barnes & NobleGoodreads <==> Trailer <==> FB Author Page
After having a hand in everything from waitressing to teaching math to rocket engineering Tara Tyler now writes and teaches in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. In addition to her novels, she has published short stories and poetry in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Humor. So many stories to tell!September 3, 2013
New Adult Authors: Lisa Sanchez!
Lisa Sanchez is a California cheer mom taxiing her way through life, one car ride at a time. Along with chauffer, she sports several job titles, including, but not limited to: author, chef, seamstress, videographer, nurse, enforcer, and general slave to her three daughters.The first two books in her Hanaford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold) are published with Omnific Publishing. She self-published the third installment, Faythe Reclaimed.Twitter: @LisaSanchez3Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaSanchezRomanceAuthorLisa's Website: www.lisasanchezromanceauthor.com
Faythe Reclaimed
Running through a strange forest with a bloodthirsty demon hot on her heels wasn't Taylor's idea of a rockin' evening. Then again, neither was soaring backward through time and space. Time travel chafed and left a rank, nasty aftertaste. So, when she finds herself floundering amidst a sea of Commandment-loving holy rollers who fling accusations of witchcraft and bedevilment like hotcakes in a diner, finding her way home jumps to the top of her to do list. Too bad she can't remember who she is or where she came from. And if that wasn't bad enough, Taylor has to fall for the mysterious Latin warlock living on the edge of Salem Village and who comes to her rescue, Gabriel Castillo.
Battling an identity crisis and lost in a time that's not her own, Taylor is determined to find her way back to twenty-first century Hanaford Park. But first, she and Gabriel must work together to uncover the dark scourge lurking in Salem's shadows, and in doing so, save their own lives, and the lives of countless innocents from a lethal date with the hangman's noose.
To enter the giveaway, please enter the following blog code in the correct space (Blog #5) on the Rafflecopter: LISAMARA
a Rafflecopter giveaway
NA Authors: Lisa Sanchez!
Lisa Sanchez is a California cheer mom taxiing her way through life, one car ride at a time. Along with chauffer, she sports several job titles, including, but not limited to: author, chef, seamstress, videographer, nurse, enforcer, and general slave to her three daughters.The first two books in her Hanaford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold) are published with Omnific Publishing. She self-published the third installment, Faythe Reclaimed.Twitter: @LisaSanchez3Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaSanchezRomanceAuthorLisa's Website: www.lisasanchezromanceauthor.com
Faythe Reclaimed
Running through a strange forest with a bloodthirsty demon hot on her heels wasn't Taylor's idea of a rockin' evening. Then again, neither was soaring backward through time and space. Time travel chafed and left a rank, nasty aftertaste. So, when she finds herself floundering amidst a sea of Commandment-loving holy rollers who fling accusations of witchcraft and bedevilment like hotcakes in a diner, finding her way home jumps to the top of her to do list. Too bad she can't remember who she is or where she came from. And if that wasn't bad enough, Taylor has to fall for the mysterious Latin warlock living on the edge of Salem Village and who comes to her rescue, Gabriel Castillo.
Battling an identity crisis and lost in a time that's not her own, Taylor is determined to find her way back to twenty-first century Hanaford Park. But first, she and Gabriel must work together to uncover the dark scourge lurking in Salem's shadows, and in doing so, save their own lives, and the lives of countless innocents from a lethal date with the hangman's noose.
To enter the giveaway, please enter the following blog code in the correct space (Blog #5) on the Rafflecopter: LISAMARA
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour: Writing a Paranormal Character by Adrianne James
Writing paranormal characters can be a bit tricky. On the one hand, you want your characters to be human enough for the reader to connect with them. But on the other, you want them to be different enough to actually be paranormal. Werewolves are going to be a different from humans or vampires or fae. And of course, you want to make your vampires or werewolves to be different from the average run of the mill werewolves and vamps. Here to talk about striking a unique balance with writing paranormal characters is author Adrianne James. Her book,
The Tempering
, is set to be released September 13. Before I turn the blog over to her, let's get to know her book a bit better.
The Mythology department at prestigious Harvard University is tiny—and Mackenzie Duncan has just been selected as one of the lucky few. Her love for myths and legends is strong, but she never thought any of it could be real. After being attacked by a large wolf while walking home alone, Mackenzie realizes something is not right. She heals quickly, is suddenly super strong, and is experiencing mood swings that can't possibly be normal. The myths she's studying aren't myths at all. Werewolves are real and she's one of them. Fear of what she is, and who she might hurt sends Mackenzie running from the life she’s worked hard to build–and straight into the arms of a handsome Were named Geoff and into the home of his pack. Living with her new pack takes the edge off her confusion and self-loathing, but the arrival of new pack members changes the dynamic, and tests Geoff and Mackenzie’s growing relationship.
The hardest part of being a werewolf is having no control and no memory of her time as a blood thirsty beast. When a moon cycle passes and she actually remembers bits and pieces of the night, she starts to ask questions, and the more questions she asks, the more she realizes she doesn't like the answers. Can she set aside her own sense of morals to belong to a pack that is like a family or will she leave everything behind yet again in search of a life she can be proud of?
Now, let's hear from Adrianne, and then be sure to check out her bio and how you can find out more about her after her post!
Adrianne James: Have you ever become so immersed in a paranormal novel that you feel like the mythology could really be true? Have you ever wondered where the author gets the details? I did too. Then I wrote a paranormal novel and found out.When I first realized that my newest plot bunny involved werewolves, I knew I was in for a heap of research. See, I typically didn’t read books about werewolves, at least not books where they were the good guys. I knew the basics that everyone does. A human turns into a wolf under the full moon. But I wanted to know more. I wanted to know everything I could about these creatures I planned to bring to life on the page.When you look at paranormal stories you will find a common theme amongst each type. All vampires drink blood, all werewolves turn at the full moon, and all zombies are dead. So how do you make your characters stand out amongst all the other paranormal novels out there? Look at the details. Research into ancient folklore. Combine themes. Make it your own while still making it recognizable. Take Twilight for example (and yes, I know, insert eye roll here). Stephanie Myers had vampires. They drank blood. But her twist came with the sunlight. Her vampires could be seen in the sun without bursting into flames, just brilliant disco balls. Now if you say a vampire sparkles, you automatically picture Edward Cullen.So how do you do that? How do you brand your own characters? Think about your plot and how pronounced the paranormal aspect needs to be. With The Tempering, I combined three or four different mythologies and then added a dash of my own imagination. I created a DNA lineage based off an old werewolf myth and even gave my bitten werewolves a specific eye color that would identify them to anyone who knew what to look for. That is what worked for my story. I think the best advice anyone could give an author looking to create a paranormal character is to know the story first. If you know what has to happen in the story, you can create a paranormal profile with all the detail needed to write a fully flushed out character. Oh…and keep ahold of that profile. If your novel turns into a series, not having to go searching for the information later is REALLY helpful. Not that I would know from experience or anything ;)
Growing up, Adrianne couldn't get her hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished a novel and didn't have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with the world.
During the day, Adrianne uses her camera to capture life's stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written word and a loving family.
As a young adult and new adult author, Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers to enjoy.
Find Adrianne on:
Goodreads
August 31, 2013
Blog Tour: The Lure of Fools by Jason King
“A deep and intriguing magic brings a fresh feel to fantasy in this visually stunning journey. Jason King weaves powerful stories that grip the reader to the last word with a perfect blend of amazement, fear, love, and destiny. Anybody drawn to dangerous adventure won’t be able to resist The Lure of Fools. It’s Lloyd Alexander for a new millennium.” – James Wymore, author of Theocracide.
Need I say more? I mean, really. And no, I'm not being biased because James Wymore is amazing and you should all be jealous that he mentored me for the Haunted Writing Clinic and Contest last year.
Okay, well, maybe I am a little. But seriously! Read the blurb for yourself and you'll be hopping over to Goodreads to add it to your TBR list as well! (Tip: You can also purchase it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.) You can follow Jason King on Twitter, Facebook, and visit out his website for more on his other novels and writerly exploits.
“Adventure is the lure of fools, and excitement glamour to the gullible. The siren song of the world is as music to the wanderer’s feet, but that dance leads only to the soul-less grave.”
So Jekaran’s uncle has warned him. But that doesn’t stop him from leaping at the exhilarating chance to single-handedly rescue a beautiful woman from a gang of lecherous thieves.
But the bored farm boy quickly finds that he is no match for the group of angry street thugs, and only escapes death by bonding a magical sword that grants him the strength and skill of a master swordsman. Unfortunately, a peasant wielding such magic is forbidden and punishable by death.
Thus Jekaran finds himself a fugitive with his fate tied to that of the exotic and mysterious, Kairah; a fey woman who must deliver a dire warning to the king that, if heeded, could prevent the very extinction of humanity.
Jason King wishes he was raised on a desert planet by his aunt and uncle and watched over by a mysterious old recluse, but his life is much duller than that. He supposes that’s why he started making up stories. Born in Salt Lake City Utah, Jason grew up on a steady diet of anime, science fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, JRPG’s, and chocolate cake donuts. He pretended not to be a nerd just long enough to get married and start a family. And although dismayed by the revelation that Jason was a geek, his wife stuck with him and they are now the proud parents of four beautiful children. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in I.T. Management and is currently the Internet Marketing Manager for a local bookstore chain, but he is determined to one day quit his “9 to 5” and write full-time. Jason has two indie books; “Valcoria Children of the Crystal Star” and “Thomas Destiny,” but “The Lure of Fools” is his first published novel.
Need I say more? I mean, really. And no, I'm not being biased because James Wymore is amazing and you should all be jealous that he mentored me for the Haunted Writing Clinic and Contest last year.
Okay, well, maybe I am a little. But seriously! Read the blurb for yourself and you'll be hopping over to Goodreads to add it to your TBR list as well! (Tip: You can also purchase it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.) You can follow Jason King on Twitter, Facebook, and visit out his website for more on his other novels and writerly exploits.
“Adventure is the lure of fools, and excitement glamour to the gullible. The siren song of the world is as music to the wanderer’s feet, but that dance leads only to the soul-less grave.” So Jekaran’s uncle has warned him. But that doesn’t stop him from leaping at the exhilarating chance to single-handedly rescue a beautiful woman from a gang of lecherous thieves.
But the bored farm boy quickly finds that he is no match for the group of angry street thugs, and only escapes death by bonding a magical sword that grants him the strength and skill of a master swordsman. Unfortunately, a peasant wielding such magic is forbidden and punishable by death.
Thus Jekaran finds himself a fugitive with his fate tied to that of the exotic and mysterious, Kairah; a fey woman who must deliver a dire warning to the king that, if heeded, could prevent the very extinction of humanity.
Jason King wishes he was raised on a desert planet by his aunt and uncle and watched over by a mysterious old recluse, but his life is much duller than that. He supposes that’s why he started making up stories. Born in Salt Lake City Utah, Jason grew up on a steady diet of anime, science fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, JRPG’s, and chocolate cake donuts. He pretended not to be a nerd just long enough to get married and start a family. And although dismayed by the revelation that Jason was a geek, his wife stuck with him and they are now the proud parents of four beautiful children. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in I.T. Management and is currently the Internet Marketing Manager for a local bookstore chain, but he is determined to one day quit his “9 to 5” and write full-time. Jason has two indie books; “Valcoria Children of the Crystal Star” and “Thomas Destiny,” but “The Lure of Fools” is his first published novel.
August 29, 2013
Heirs of War Cover Reveal!
ZOMG! BOOK COVER!! HUGE POSTER! ALL THE FEELS!!It seemed appropriate that I should reveal the cover for my book by revealing my reaction to seeing the very real and very large version of it I ordered from VistaPrint. There are two reasons my eyes are so huge: 1) The cover is freaking amazing and I get giddy every time I look at it, and 2) I didn't realize just how large a "large" poster was from VistaPrint and failed to look at the measurements. This is one of the posters I will be giving away for the Pre-Release Giveaway ending September 14th. Don't forget to enter since there is more than one prize pack to win! And now, the actual cover accompanied by the final blurb. Big thanks to everyone who has been posting it today!
Seventeen-year-old Zelene doesn't believe in magic or prophecies. When she's told she is part of the prophecy foretelling five powerful girls bringing peace to the war-torn worlds, she scoffs. The idea of other dimensions layered on top of the world she lives in is almost as ludicrous as the idea that she might be able to save them. After she is attacked by magic-wielding assassins, she finds she can't argue with reality.As their enemies strike, the girls are taken back to their world and discover the ties binding them together. Rhaya has always had an uncanny knack for reading people, but can’t seem to unravel the mystery tying her to Isauria, the new friend she bonded with instantly. For years, Isauria has been dreaming of Terrena, a girl living her life on the run in a magical world ripped apart by the tragedies of war, completely unaware that she is psychically linked to the world she was born in.
Zelene views them all with a distrustful eye, familial bonds or no, and can think of a place or two she’d like to shove the crown she supposedly inherited. When she learns that her long-lost twin Ariana has been captured by the rebels, Zelene’s attitude changes. She doesn’t know how she is supposed to go against an army of magic-wielding rebels when her own ability to manipulate the elements is still locked within her. But can she trust the elders to rescue Ariana when it seems their medieval politics are what brought about the war in the first place? With all that is at stake, the answer becomes clear to Zelene.
Screw the worlds. She’s getting her sister back.
Add it on Goodreads and be sure to like my Facebook page for updates. September 13th is right around the corner, and I cannot wait to share this book with you all!
August 28, 2013
Guest Post: Eliza Tilton Talks Inspiration for Her Book Broken Forest
The question of "What inspired you?" can be one of the toughest you can ask an author or artist of any kind. Putting to words what it is about a certain image or song or event that acted as a muse for a particular scene (or painting, song, etc) can be difficult when so much of it happens behind the artist's eyelids. Well, today Eliza Tilton has accepted the challenging question of inspiration. Armed with imagery and excerpts of her own, Eliza will explain to us just what caused the spark of certain ideas from her novel Broken Forest to ignite.
Book Blurb:Hopeless he'll never be more than the boy who didn't save his brother, 17-year-old Avikar accepts his life as the family stable boy, trying to forget the past. But when his sister, Jeslyn, is kidnapped, the thought of losing another sibling catapults him on a desperate quest. With his best friend by his side, and using the tracking skills he learned from his father, he discovers Jeslyn has been taken, kidnapped by one Lucino, the young lord of Daath, a mystical place thought only to exist in fables. And Lucino has plans for Jeslyn.His shape-shifting brethren feed off the auras of humans, and Jeslyn's golden hue is exactly what Lucino needs to increase his power. The longer it takes Avikar to reach her, the more entranced she becomes with Lucino's world, and the harder it will be for Avikar to set her free.He failed his family once. He won't fail again.
So many things inspired Broken Forest, but there are a few specifics that sparked the creative setting.About eight years ago, my husband went to Spain with his art class. When his camera broke, he decided to paint everything he saw in watercolor. When I saw one of his pieces, I fell in love. Unfortunately, we don’t have one handy, but here’s where HIS inspiration came from.
This is Casa Batllo in Barcelona Spain, designed by the insanely talented Gaudi. I loved the architecture. It reminded me of gingerbread houses and I knew I had to use it for a setting in the book. Here’s an excerpt:Derrick and I headed towards the crowded market. The air smelled of fresh bread, reminding me of home. Houses made of green and orange mosaics with curved archways and round windows loomed on each side of the cobblestone street. Roofs resembling dragon scales created a unique architecture.While we walked, I rolled one of my marbles in my hand. I didn’t trust anyone and this place seemed so otherworldly. Every townsfolk seemed either strong and tall, or lithe and beautiful. Women dressed in bright colors, filled the street. I’d never seen so much color in one place. I caught the sight of a girl with mesmerizing green eyes. Derrick said something, but I was locked in her hypnotic gaze and voluptuous chest.
I’ve always loved masquerades. There’s something mysterious and exciting about wearing masks and dressing in beautiful gowns. If you’ve ever seen the movie Labyrinth (if not, you really should), you might recognize this scene. The masquerade ball in Broken Forest was my favorite scene to write. Here’s an excerpt:
In my silver shoes, I stepped on the sparkling marble and walked through the parted guests. At the end of the line, I saw Lucino. My heart fluttered. His pants and shirt were the color of midnight, and a long scarlet cape draped his back. He wore an ivory mask that covered almost every part of his face, except his mouth, eyes and left cheek. His sapphire eyes blazed from the two holes. No man could ever look as regal, as daring.
Avikar’s horse is named Brushfire. This picture is exactly how I imagined her. I’ll let the excerpt tell the rest.
The wagons surrounded the site in a semi-circle. Sweat pooled in my palms. I had to take out the guards closest to that entrance. If I failed, so did the mission.Get a grip. I clenched the arrow in my right hand. Brushfire shifted nervously, sensing my fear. I rubbed her neck. I felt safer with her. She’d been with me since Jimri’s death. At night when the nightmares taunted me, I’d sneak out, riding until dawn forced us home. I’d rescued her from the burning woods, she’d rescued me from despair—Today, I prayed both of us would make it out alive.
Eliza Tilton is the author of the YA Fantasy, Broken Forest, published by Curiosity Quills Press. You can find her blogging about video games and writing on her blog and doing bi-weekly posts on author media over at YAStands.
She graduated from Dowling College with a BS in Visual Communications. When she’s not arguing with excel at her day job, or playing Dragon Age 2, again, she’s writing. Her stories hold a bit of the fantastical and there’s always a romance. She resides on Long Island with her husband, two kids and one very snuggly pit bull. Twitter / Tumblr / Website / Pinterest / Facebook
BUY LINKS: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / KOBO Goodreads
Book Blurb:Hopeless he'll never be more than the boy who didn't save his brother, 17-year-old Avikar accepts his life as the family stable boy, trying to forget the past. But when his sister, Jeslyn, is kidnapped, the thought of losing another sibling catapults him on a desperate quest. With his best friend by his side, and using the tracking skills he learned from his father, he discovers Jeslyn has been taken, kidnapped by one Lucino, the young lord of Daath, a mystical place thought only to exist in fables. And Lucino has plans for Jeslyn.His shape-shifting brethren feed off the auras of humans, and Jeslyn's golden hue is exactly what Lucino needs to increase his power. The longer it takes Avikar to reach her, the more entranced she becomes with Lucino's world, and the harder it will be for Avikar to set her free.He failed his family once. He won't fail again.So many things inspired Broken Forest, but there are a few specifics that sparked the creative setting.About eight years ago, my husband went to Spain with his art class. When his camera broke, he decided to paint everything he saw in watercolor. When I saw one of his pieces, I fell in love. Unfortunately, we don’t have one handy, but here’s where HIS inspiration came from.
This is Casa Batllo in Barcelona Spain, designed by the insanely talented Gaudi. I loved the architecture. It reminded me of gingerbread houses and I knew I had to use it for a setting in the book. Here’s an excerpt:Derrick and I headed towards the crowded market. The air smelled of fresh bread, reminding me of home. Houses made of green and orange mosaics with curved archways and round windows loomed on each side of the cobblestone street. Roofs resembling dragon scales created a unique architecture.While we walked, I rolled one of my marbles in my hand. I didn’t trust anyone and this place seemed so otherworldly. Every townsfolk seemed either strong and tall, or lithe and beautiful. Women dressed in bright colors, filled the street. I’d never seen so much color in one place. I caught the sight of a girl with mesmerizing green eyes. Derrick said something, but I was locked in her hypnotic gaze and voluptuous chest.I’ve always loved masquerades. There’s something mysterious and exciting about wearing masks and dressing in beautiful gowns. If you’ve ever seen the movie Labyrinth (if not, you really should), you might recognize this scene. The masquerade ball in Broken Forest was my favorite scene to write. Here’s an excerpt:
In my silver shoes, I stepped on the sparkling marble and walked through the parted guests. At the end of the line, I saw Lucino. My heart fluttered. His pants and shirt were the color of midnight, and a long scarlet cape draped his back. He wore an ivory mask that covered almost every part of his face, except his mouth, eyes and left cheek. His sapphire eyes blazed from the two holes. No man could ever look as regal, as daring.Avikar’s horse is named Brushfire. This picture is exactly how I imagined her. I’ll let the excerpt tell the rest.
The wagons surrounded the site in a semi-circle. Sweat pooled in my palms. I had to take out the guards closest to that entrance. If I failed, so did the mission.Get a grip. I clenched the arrow in my right hand. Brushfire shifted nervously, sensing my fear. I rubbed her neck. I felt safer with her. She’d been with me since Jimri’s death. At night when the nightmares taunted me, I’d sneak out, riding until dawn forced us home. I’d rescued her from the burning woods, she’d rescued me from despair—Today, I prayed both of us would make it out alive..jpg)
Eliza Tilton is the author of the YA Fantasy, Broken Forest, published by Curiosity Quills Press. You can find her blogging about video games and writing on her blog and doing bi-weekly posts on author media over at YAStands.She graduated from Dowling College with a BS in Visual Communications. When she’s not arguing with excel at her day job, or playing Dragon Age 2, again, she’s writing. Her stories hold a bit of the fantastical and there’s always a romance. She resides on Long Island with her husband, two kids and one very snuggly pit bull. Twitter / Tumblr / Website / Pinterest / Facebook
BUY LINKS: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / KOBO Goodreads
